Finding a Career

1. Finding a Career What you can do with that shiny new degree!

2. What You Need to Know About Picking a Career Path • Finding and pursuing your interests • Selecting interesting careers • Research, research, research! • Weighing the positives and negatives • Knowing your strengths and weaknesses • Selecting your path • Knowing when to turn back

3. Finding Your Interests • A number of ways to explore your options • Pick different types of classes • Get involved in the clubs relating to psychology, HDFS, might learn about a subtopic field • Get involved in research or practice! • Talk to classmates Picture from http://www.hamiltonbeach.com/images/gift/college.jpg

4. Pursuing Your Interest • Find research experience, counseling experience in the field you’re interested in • Talk to professors about research relating to your interests that you find interesting • Read books, articles and other materials to learn more about your interests • Start thinking about careers in your field of interest • This preparation will help you narrow down to a career and will boost your graduate school resume

5. Research, Research, Research! • Use a job test if you wish; may help you discover something you’ve never heard of • Check out broad categories (ex: social sciences), and look for interesting job descriptions • Or, if you know what interests you, search these sites for those jobs and check the duties and qualifications • Try to find people in those jobs and talk to them about how they got into it, what education they needed, etc. • Start compiling a list of jobs that interest you, education needed, annual salary, etc. • Check the Career Center for additional help!

6. How to Find Information on Jobs • http://www.onetonline.org/*: Job Descriptions (also gives for fast-growing jobs) • http://www.princetonreview.com: Job Descriptions • http://www.monster.com: Job Listings • http://www.indeed.com: Job Listings • http://www.careerbuilder.com: Job Listings • http://www.salary.com: Salary information for jobs

7. Weighing the Positives and Negatives • Requires you to know yourself very well • Ask friends and family about your personal qualities if needed • Many factors to consider- Education needed- Locations where most of the jobs are- Personal fit for the job - Whether the job fits with your personal values- Could you see doing this job happily for many years? • Compiling a list of the positives and negatives for each job will help in making in comparison

8. Knowing Your Strengths and Weaknesses • Obviously, if you are terrified of snakes, a career in herpetology is not for you • Knowing your strengths and weaknesses is essential to selecting a career • Knowing what you can and cannot do will help to weed out careers that would simply not work for you, or you would be unhappy in • Also listing your strengths and weaknesses relative to the task is a good method for comparison

9. Sample List of Jobs

10. Sample List of Jobs

11. Selecting Your Path • Next search for job openings • Check online job sites • Check YellowPages and contact potential employers, ask about job openings • Go to Career Fairs before graduation • Visit the Career Center • Network!!! Picture from http://www.libertiny.com/libertinyfinancial3/?p=573

12. Sites for Finding Jobs • http://www.portal.state.pa.us/portal/server.pt/community/jobseekers/11372/open_state_and_local_government_career_opportunities/ • (for civil service jobs in Pennsylvania) • http://www.usajobs.opm.gov/(civil service around the country • http://www.monster.com • http://www.indeed.com • http://www.careerbuilder.com

13. Median Salaries of Jobs for HDFS Students • College TA: $14,648 • Nursing Home Activities Director: $34,437 • Academic Advisor: $40,204 • Special Education Teacher: $46,840 • Researcher: $47,555 • Community Outreach Specialist: $50,254 • Social Worker: $53,959 • Work/Life Program Manager: $99,718 • Human Resources Director: $115,564-$139,594 • www.salary.com

14. Applying to Jobs • The next step after finding jobs is to apply to them • Sometimes need to file an application • Submit a resume with a cover letter (all jobs require this) • Need an interview Picture from http://www.offthemark.com/cartoons/job+performance/

15. Creating a Resume • Consider which kind of resume to use* • Chronological resume: Basic, focuses on work experience, reverse-chronological employment history • Functional resume: New, focuses on key skills and less on work experience. Good for new graduates and those with a history of job-hopping • Combination resume: Description of functional skills and qualifications, followed by reverse-chronological employment history • *Taken from http://career-advice.monster.com/resumes-cover-letters/resume-writing-tips/is-a-combination-resume-right-for-you/article.aspx

16. Example of Chronological Resume http://www.distinctiveweb.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/06/sales-account-management-sample-resume.pdf

17. Example of a Functional Resume http://www.distinctiveweb.com/example-projects/sample-resumes/functional-resume-example/

18. Example of a Combination Resume http://susanireland.com/resume/how-to-write/format/combination-template/

19. Creating the Resume • For new students, using a functional or combination resume is usually the best option- Highlights key accomplishments and skills, rather than related training and job experience • Certain difficulties with using the functional resume; may be obvious and frustrating to employers to see very little professional experience • Combination resume may be the best option, then, if the applicant has very little professional experience, but some skills

20. Creating the Resume • Best resume is 1 page, but if necessary, can fit onto two pages • Always have someone read your resume; friends, career center, professors, etc. • Resist the temptation to copy from a template; best resumes are original • You can take examples from example resumes, but formatting should be your own • Experience is listed in reverse-chronological order (most recent first) • Most important accomplishments are listed, others are disregarded • Only list jobs and experiences related to your intended job • Same with skills, whatever you can relate • Relate each skill and accomplishment to what you can bring to the job and company

21. The Cover Letter • All resumes must have a cover letter! • A cover letter should be short and sweet (2-3 paragraphs) • Covers the essentials of your application • A quick read for employers • If they don’t like it, they’ll move on! Picture from http://virtualjobcoach.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2009/07/resume1.gif

22. Cover Letter Example http://www.technical-resumes.com/systems-administrator-cover-letter-example/

23. The Interview • Often the scariest part of the job hunt • Must balance professionalism with personal charm • Interviews will be used to weed out potential applicants • Have to present yourself as the strongest candidate while being honest

24. Typical Interview Questions and Answers • How did you find this position? • Why are you interested in this position? • Why do you feel that you are qualified for this job? • What are some of your positive qualities? • What are some of your negative qualities? • Scenario • Have questions for us? • Easy to answer • Always lead back to how you can benefit job • Again, lead back to benefit. Discuss positive qualities which relate • Do not over exaggerate; be honest with your good qualities • Honestly describe negative qualities in a positive manner and change • What would you do? Ethical issue • ALWAYS have questions: Do your research!

25. Tips for Interviews • Bring copies of resume and cover letter, pad and paper • Always do research and have questions to ask after the interview • Always shake interviewer’s hand and thank for time • Always dress appropriatelyBetter to dress up than down • If you must cancel, call ahead of time and reschedule • Show enthusiasm for position • It’s ok to be nervous, you can admit it Picture from http://ynrinsider.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/07/dos.gif

26. Any Questions? Original picture from www.dannychoo.com; edited from http://www.marcofolio.net/imagedump/top_40_demotivational_posters.html