Workplace Expectations: “Re-Tool, Re-Brand, Re-Launch!”

Presented by:

Michael Robinson, M.S.Director, Community Outreach & Hiring

Human Resources DepartmentTemple University

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Mission of Temple University’sHuman Resources Department

• The mission of the Human Resources Department is to sustain and advance the University’s goals through the attraction and retention of a quality workforce.

• The Human Resources Department accomplishes this mission by providing exceptional core services that are integrated and strategically aligned to the teaching, research, and social mission of the University.

• Our benefits, payroll, compensation, employment, employee relations, organizational development, training, and labor relations services support organizational effectiveness and individual achievement.

• The Human Resources Department is committed to attracting, hiring, supporting, developing, and recognizing Temple University’s most valuable resource: its PEOPLE.

Employee Classifications In The Workplace

• For example, most Temple University employees fall within one or more classifications:1. Full-time, part-time, introductory/probationary

or temporary.2. Exempt or non-exempt.3. Academic or non-academic.4. Bargaining unit or non-bargaining unit.

EMPLOYMENT APPLICATIONS AND OTHER FORMS

• Employers rely upon the accuracy of information contained in the employment application, as well as the accuracy of other data presented throughout the hiring process and employment.

• Employers require new employees to complete official employment forms and/or furnish the following items:1. Employment Application2. W-4 Employee’s Withholding Allowance Certificate3. I-9 Employment Eligibility Form4. Personal Data Form5. Acknowledgment of Receipt of Employee Manual6. Employee’s Rights and Responsibilities Form7. Transcript8. Authorization for Direct Deposit9. Applicable Healthcare/Benefit Forms10. Confidentiality Acknowledgment

The Employee Handbook

The purpose an Employee Handbook:• To provide employees with a ready source of

information about the employer.• To provide employees with the procedures

and policies the organization has established.

General Rules of Conduct

• Meet established expectations of job performance.

• Comply with attendance policies.• Respect personal property of the

office/facilities.• Support Management’s goals and objectives.

General Rules of Conduct

• Observe all safety policies, regulations, and procedures.

• Maintain courteous and professional demeanor with dealing with co-workers, supervisors, etc.

• Engage in appropriate conduct in the performance of duties, during work hours and otherwise.

CORRECTIVE ACTIONS FOR VIOLATIONS

Typical Disciplinary Action Steps:General CounselingVerbal CounselingWritten WarningSuspension w/o payTermination!

REASONS FOR CORRECTIVE ACTIONS FOR VIOLATIONS

• Unauthorized absences• Falsification of time records• Fraudulent statements/misrepresentation in

employment• Unauthorized use of company property• Stealing• Insubordination• Gambling• Negligence/Carelessness

REASONS FOR CORRECTIVE ACTIONS FOR VIOLATIONS

• Disclosure of confidential information• Inefficiency• Leaving without permission• Chronic lateness• Weapons and explosives• Threatening behavior or causing disturbance• Drugs and alcohol• Harassing/Unwelcome behavior, etc.

Background Checks• For example, Temple University conducts background checks for

individuals recommended for hire in certain selected positions.• Examples of the type of positions for which Temple University may

conduct a background check include, but are not limited to:1. positions that are designated as financially sensitive, such as billers, medical

receptionists/schedulers, and cashiers,2. positions that require driving as an essential duty of the position, such as

drivers, coaches, refuse haulers,3. positions that involve work with children, such as youth development

specialists, CHP after school program workers, time-out respite care workers, workers at Temple Children’s Medical Center and pediatric dental clinics,

4. positions that are safety sensitive, such as security officers and police officers,5. positions that provide access to student living areas, such as resident

directors and student health specialists.

Background Checks & Drug Screening!

• Your credit rating/history can impact employment opportunities.

• Drug tests are popular with most employers, can impact employment opportunities.

• Criminal history background checks can impact employment opportunities

Submission of Unsolicited Resumes

Newspapers/Classified Ads

Online Job Boards

Temp Agencies/Search Firms

Employee Referrals

Hire From Within:• Promotions• Internships

Source: What Color is My Parachute

To Secure an Interview, Execute an Effective Job Search Plan of Action:

If Unemployed, Volunteer!

Volunteering is important:– Puts yourself ‘in the way’ of a job.– Allows you to gain marketable

skills/retool.– Fills-up the blank space in your

resume.– Expands your network in a positive

way, increases your social capital.– Fills-in gaps in employment history.

If Unemployed, Re-Tool!

Seek Additional Training/Education:– Learn a new applicable/in-demand

skill.– Upgrade via certifications.– Use time to complete a degree.– Pursue entrepreneurship.

Alumni Office & Career Center• Check with your alma mater’s alumni office

and/or career center for potential job leads, employer contacts, open house events, etc.

Interview Prep Tools

• Sample Interview Questions:www.jobinterviewquestions.org

• Salary Profile:www.payscale.com

Interview Prep Tools• How to Research an Employer:

– Google. – Facebook.– Annual Reports. – Advertisements. – Trade Publications. – Corporate Website. – Employee Handbook. – Better Business Bureau. – Professional Associations. – Past and/or Current Employee Feedback.

During Actual Interview:• Have a planned agenda for what you intend to discuss…STAY ON

TOPIC!• Be upbeat, vibrant, and positive. • Come prepared to discuss your:

– Education– Transferable Skills– Related Job Experiences– Related Job Accomplishments– Professional Strengths & Weaknesses– Special Credentials (i.e., licenses, certifications, etc.)

• Document the names/titles of each person you meet with for later follow-up (i.e., ‘Thank You’ letters).

Source: “How to Research a Prospective Employer” – www.squakfox.com

Phone Interview/Conversations

Phone Screens

Clarifications Pertaining To

Position

Invitations for Face-to

Face Interviews

Follow Ups Post

Interview

Job Offers!

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Post-Interview Etiquette• Write/Send a ‘Thank You’ letter to all persons

involved in your interview.• Follow any given post-interview instructions.• Complete and/or return any requested

documentation.• Patiently wait for official decision.• Keep a personal file of notes for each

interview!

Questions Employers Should Not Ask:Illegal Interview Questions

• Employers should not ask about any of the following, because refusing to hire a candidate based on following list is discriminatory: – Race – Color – Sex – Religion – National origin – Birthplace – Age – Disability – Marital/family status

Source: http://jobsearch.about.com/od/interviewsnetworking/a/illegalinterv.htm

Top 10 Interview Mistakes:1. Tardiness.2. Bashing previous experiences or

employers.3. Not answering the question.4. Failing to research the company.5. Not asking (good) questions.6. Poor body language.7. Improper attire or grooming.8. Volunteered too much personal

information.9. No-Show for Appointment.10. Inappropriate humor.

Popular Online Job Search Resources:• www.temple.edu/hr• www.idealist.org• www.indeed.com• www.usajobs.com• www.LinkedIn.com• www.careerbuilder.com• www.churchstaffing.com• www.opportunityknocks.org• www.higheredjobs.com

On-Line Application Forms Require Access to Computer More Efficient Easy to Update Greater Ease For Future Job

Applications With the Same Employer

Paper Application Forms Much Less Prevalent Require Multiple

Applications Require That You Apply In-

Person More Time Consuming Less Efficient

The Application Form

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What To Include In Your ResumeHeading • Name, Address, Contact Phone Numbers, Email

Address

Key Accomplishments

• Key Contributions During Current and/or Past Employment Situations

Employment History

• Dates of Employment• Name and Location of Employers• Duties, Responsibilities, Impacts and Accomplishments

Education • Degrees, Associated Coursework, Certifications, Specialized Credentials Achieved

Technical Skills • Computer Proficiencies, Language Skills

Other • Memberships, Pertinent Volunteer Activities, Leadership Positions Held, Community Service

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More On Resume Writing…You Should:

Check Grammar and Spelling

Specify Dates of Employment

List Names and Addresses of Employers

Include Accomplishments

List All Educational Credentials

You Should NOT:List References

List Personal Information

Use Colored Paper

Use Non-Standard Fonts

List Inaccurate Information, Grammatical or Spelling Errors

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Most Common Resume Formats:Re-Branding!

Your ResumeChronological

Functional

Hybrid of Chronological and Functional

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Resume FormatsChronological

Career = Increasing Responsibility

Target Role = Current/Past Positions

Desire to Remain In Similar Industry or Position

Emphasizes Work History

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Chronological Resume

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Resume FormatsFunctional

When There are Gaps In Employment

Provides an Emphasis On Job Specific Skills

When You Lack Work Experience

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Functional Resume

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Resume FormatsHybrid

Chronological and Functional

Career Evidences Increasing Responsibility

AND

Emphasis On Job Specific Skills

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Hybrid Resume Chronological and Functional

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OBJECTIVE To work as a bank representative in the banking and financial industry

SUMMARY • High security clearance • Excellent math skills

• Reconciliation mastery of bank deposits and withdrawals • Superior customer service skills

• Clear understanding of bank objectives as regards investments and up sell products • Experience dealing with multiple kinds of currency and money related products

EXPERIENCE Bank Representative, Investments TD Bank, Philadelphia, PA 01907 From 2004 to Present

• Responsible for all incoming clients interested in CDs, bank bonds, and other common forms of low level bank investments • Up sold a number of clients on the time and amount of investments • Ensured the utmost of customer service and satisfaction • Exceeded company sales goal every quarter Banking Specialist, Customer Service Rep Citizens Bank, Philadelphia, PA 01907 From 2001 to 2004

• Held a major key position for teller staff to ensure proper security • Successfully troubleshot all incoming customer service concerns and/or problems • Managed all incoming departmental calls regarding customer service issues • Responsible for weekly reports on customer satisfaction and incident reporting with conclusions Bank Teller Citizens Bank, Philadelphia, PA 01907 From 2000 to 2001

• Maintained detailed accounts of all daily activity • Managed customers’ daily banking needs in withdrawals and deposits • Helped direct customer issue to appropriate department • Held partial key to safe and security clearance money centers

EDUCATION Bachelors of Arts, Temple University Philadelphia, PA 01907

REFERENCES References available on request

Your Cover Letter

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Appearance

• Consistent With Resume

• Font Style• Font Size• Length

Purpose• To Complement the

Resume• To Augment the

Resume• Reference Job• To Highlight Resume

Content• To Target Key

Accomplishments

Email Communications

Appropriate Purpose for Emails

To Confirm an Appointment

To Provide Additional Documents

To Thank an Interviewer For Their Time and Consideration

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Establish an Online Presence

Helps Create A Buzz About YourProfessional Brand & Accomplishments!

LinkedIn

Facebook

Set-up Job Alerts

Personal Website

Refresh Your Online Links Weekly

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Thank You’s During Your Job Search

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Proper Business Etiquette

Distinguish You From Others

Community Resources to HelpYou Re-Launch!

Free & Low Cost Services for: Resume & Cover Letter Writing,Job Coaching, Job Referrals, Computer Training, GED, Ex-Offender Re-Entry, and more!

APM• 267.296.7200

LIFT Program• 215-474-1807

People for People, Inc.• 215-235-2340

Pennsylvania CareerLink• 215-560-5465

Honickman Learning Center• 215-232-7272

Mayor’s Office of Re-Integration Services for Ex-Offenders (RISE)• 215-683-3370

Temple University/Pan-African Studies Community Education Program• 215- 204-1993

Contact Information:

Michael Robinson, M.S.Director – Community Outreach & Hiring/Human Resources

Temple UniversityPhone: 215-204-0677

Email: mike.robinson@temple.edu