Consumer Protection & Career Search

1. Consumer Protection &Career Search Unit 3

2. Consumer Bills of Rights Consumer Responsibilities

3. Government Protection Federal Trade Commission (FTC) • created in 1914 • most important federal consumer protection agency • responsible for protecting consumers from unfair or deceptive business practices, such as misleading information or advertising

4. Consumer Product Safety commission (CPSC) • created in 1972 • protects consumers from all types of dangerous products • collects and provides annual data for consumers concerning dangerous products – collected from hospital emergency rooms

5. Environmental Protection Agency Created in 1970 to enforce the laws that protect our environment Businesses must dispose of hazardous waste appropriately Sets standards for air and water quality

6. The Importance of a Warranty Warranty – company’s promise that the product will meet specific standards over a given time period, or the company will repair or replace it, or give a refund Magnuson-Moss Warranty Act in 1975 • Established how warranties could be advertised/written • All warranties are divided into either a full warranty or limited warranty Full warranty – very specific, repair or replace a defective product within a coverage time period at no charge, how to file a claim and return the product, promise a solution within a reasonable time period Limited warranty – specific limitations outlined, within a coverage time period a solution must be found, explains how to make a claim Implied Warranty – unwritten guarantee that the product is of sufficient quality to fulfill the purpose for which it was designed

7. Deception(Legal) • Trading Up • Sale Prices • Suggested Retail Price • Loss Leader

8. Fraud • Fraud - is deliberate deception, designed to secure unfair or unlawful gain; cheating the consumer A statement is fraudulent if it meets the following two criteria: • The person who made the statement must know it is false. • The purpose of the statement must be to cause others to give up property that has value such as money. Your best protection against fraud is to avoid it – be savvy.

9. Examples of Fraud • Bait and Switch – baiting consumers with an advertised, but nonexistent, bargain and then switching then to a more expensive product • Pyramid Schemes – type of fraud where people pay to join an organization in exchange for the right to sell memberships to others (sells no legitimate product) People at the top of the pyramid get a big payoff, the other individuals receive nothing – waste money Chain letters and Airport are two examples of pyramid schemes

10. Telephone Fraud • An offer seems just to good to pass up Too good to be true, it probably is • A person asks for your credit card or social security number to verify your identity • You must buy something to get something else of greater value for free • A person refuses to send you written copy of a sales agreement before you agree to buy

11. Tips to Identify Telephone Fraud, Continued • The salesperson demands that you act now or the offer will expire • The person refuses to identify themselves or their organization • The person refuses to provide a telephone number and address where you can reach their organization

12. How to Protect Yourself from Deception and Fraud 1. Learn to recognize fraud when you see it 2. Educate yourself about fraud 3. Realize it can happen to anyone 4. Be skeptical of most if not all things 5. Ask questions 6. Use the Decision Making Process 7. Avoid Unnecessary Risks

13. Resolve Consumer Problems 1. Start with the store (bring receipts) Talk with a department salesperson Then speak with a manager (if needed) • If the manager cannot help, write to the manufacturer • If a resolution still does not exist, write or speak with a Consumer group or professional organization (BBB, or local chamber or commerce) 4. Last resort – file a lawsuit

14. Helpful Consumer Organizations Better Business Bureau • Helps resolve disputes between consumers and sellers • Keeps a file of complaints against local businesses and supplies this information to consumers who ask for it • Educates consumers by providing information in printed tip sheets and booklets and on the Internet 4. Promotes honest advertising and selling practices

15. Other Consumer Resources • Arbitration • Media • Government • Small Claims Courts

16. Choosing a Career

17. Money and Wealth Security Independence Physical Risk Recognition Creativity Personal Growth Family Community Location Getting to Know YourselfWhat do you value?

18. What are your Interests and Aptitudes? Personal Interests – activities you find rewarding over an extended period of time Aptitude – natural talent for learning some skill over others (math, languages)

19. Common Aptitudes • Verbal • Numerical • Spatial • Manual Dexterity • Physical Coordination

20. What is Your Personality? Personality – your unique blend of qualities that defines you as an individual Personality Types • Realistic • Investigative • Creative • Social • Enterprising

21. Exploring Careers There can be a difference between a job and a career. Job – Set of tasks you accomplish as you work Career – an occupation to which you have made a long-term commitment

22. Federal Sources of Career Information Occupational Outlook Handbook (OOH)

23. Occupational Information Network (O*NET) Guide for Occupational Exploration (GOE)

24. Helpful Career Web-sites • careercruising.com PW: lz and then bears • schoolboard.com

25. Career ClustersThere are 15 career clusters identified by the United States Office of Education

26. It cannot hurt to do the following: • Talk to people concerning careers • Interview the “Experts” • Write Letters or e-mail • Volunteer • Determine skills, training and education needed • Finance your plans

27. Where to Look for Job Openings • Talk to people who you know • Send applications to potential employers • Check Newspapers • Research position openings on the internet • Speak to employment agencies • Contact temporary agencies

28. Application Process Preparing a Resume • Be brief (one page) • Express yourself clearly • Use the proper words • Always tell the truth • Check your resume – 0 mistakes • Ask an expert to review your resume

29. Do Not Lie on a Resume

30. Sample Resume

31. Sample Cover Letter

32. Completing an Application • Your name, address, telephone number, social security number • Information detailing education and training • A list of your work experience – with references (names, phone numbers, addresses, dates of employment and reasons for leaving) • Name of job applying for and salary desired

33. Sample Job Application

34. Application, page 2

35. Interviewing Successfully Pre-Interview Checklist Be on time (10-15min.) – call ahead to confirm appointment/ask for directions Know your resume Know the Company or Employer Anticipate and Practice General Questions Dress Well – specifics need to be discussed Practice getting rid of nervous body movements or repetitive language (like or um)

36. During the Interview Shake hands firmly with the interviewer Be polite and professional Maintain appropriate eye contact with interviewer while sitting up straight Think about answers before speaking Fold your hands not your arms Try to stay positive, keep out the negative Prepare to ask questions Thank the interviewer for their time Plan to write a follow-up letter

37. Questions that cannot be asked during in an interview: Have you ever seen a therapist? Are you planning to have a family? What is your medical history? You’re a Christian, aren’t you? What country are you from? Do you have a boyfriend or husband?

38. And Finally, Decision Time Everyone likes to be liked/chosen. However, keep in mind you are also interviewing the interviewer. You eventually may have to commit to either accepting a position or turning a position down.