10-STEPS TO EMPLOYMENT
10 STEPS TO EMPLOYMENT
1) Assessment
Assessing your skills and interests is the first step in seeking employment. The Orange County One-Stop Center provides many ways in which to conduct an assessment. There are websites that can be utilized, we offer a transferable skills workshop each week, or you can sign up for the WorkKeys assessment (for a small charge).
2) Researching the Labor Market
The next important step in seeking employment is researching the labor market. Orange County Workforce Investment Board has identified the following industry clusters that are in demand in Orange County: Biomedical; Business & Professional Services; Computer Hardware; Computer Software; Communications; Construction; Defense/Aerospace; Energy & Environment; Health Services; and Tourism. For more information please select:
The State Employment Development Department website is a wealth of information regarding employment information that can assist you in making informed decisions regarding your career. For more information please select:
3) Career Exploration
Once you have determined your skills and the career areas that are in demand you will need to match these to career possibilities. For more information please select:
Non-traditional careers-- Don't limit your career options just because you think the job you want is meant for a person of a specific gender.
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4) Training Opportunities
If you lack the skills for a particular career there are many resources that you can access for training or certification including the following:
Apprenticeships/Internships
Community Colleges
Coastline Community College www.coastline.edu
Cypress College www.cypresscollege.edu
Fullerton College www.fullcoll.edu/
Golden West College www.gwc.info
Irvine Valley College www.ivc.cc.ca.us
Orange Coast College www.orangecoastcollege.edu
Saddleback College www.saddleback.edu
Santa Ana College www.sac.edu
Santiago Canyon College www.rsccd.org
Regional Occupational Programs/Adult Education
Anaheim Adult Education www.auhsd.k12.ca.us
Capo Adult School www.capousd.org
Centennial Education Center http://ext.sac.edu/continuing_education/
Central County ROP http://www.ccrop.org/About_Us.htm
Chapman Education Center www.ggusd.us
Coastline ROP www.coastlinerop.net
Huntington Beach Adult School www.hbadultschool.com
Irvine Adult School www.iusd.org
La Sierra Fullerton Adult Education www.fjuhsd.k12.ca.us/
Lincoln Education Center www.ggusd.us
Newport-Mesa Adult School www.nmusd.k12.ca.us/schools/adult_ed
North Orange County ROP Ed Center http://www.nocrop.tec.ca.us/
Placentia - Yorba Linda Adult Education http://www.adultedreg.com/adultedpylusd/
Rancho Santiago College –
Orange Education Center http://www.sccollege.edu/Departments/oec/Pages/oec.aspx
Santa Ana College –
School of Adult Education http://ext.sac.edu/continuing_education/
Financial Aid
Scholarships
Other
The Intrastate Training Resources and Information Network (I-TRAIN) offers an interactive, user-friendly alternative to traditional workforce development service delivery.
5) Resume Preparation
A resume is your functional “calling card” used in making personal contacts, mailed job searches or for referral use. Its content and organization makes a statement about your abilities, organizational skills, creativity, neatness, etc. Your resume should be brief, specific and concise. You should check it for accuracy and completeness and it should be neatly typed, using correct spelling and proper grammar. Do not use abbreviations and maximum length should be two pages. Put your strongest areas first and only include information that applies to your objective and speaks favorably of you. There are several basic resume styles including chronological, functional, analytical and creative. For more information please select:
6) Developing your Job Search
One of the aspects of your job search will be completing an application. Be sure to read the application all the way through before you begin filling it out and follow any directions exactly since this indicates to the employer that you have the ability to read and follow directions. Be prepared to show your original Right to Work documents including a driver’s license and social security card. It may be helpful to complete a master application that you can use when completing a specific company’s application form. Make sure that you complete the application in pen and that it is readable and don’t forget to sign the application. For more information please select:
Cover letters are also an important aspect of your job search. This is the first document an employer will read. This is your chance to impress the employer so they want to know more about you and they can see that you have the specific skills that the job requires. You need to make sure that the cover letter matches the job description and check your work for spelling, grammar and no typo errors. Here’s your chance to market your strengths, achievements and enthusiasm for the opportunity to work for this company. For more information please select:
Another job search tool that can set you apart from other applicants is a personalized Thank You Letter. It demonstrates your genuine interest in the position and should be written within 24 hours after your interview. For more information please select:
Other career and job search tools
7) Interview process
It’s important to practice your interviewing techniques since you may have only one opportunity to impress an employer. This first impression can be a great beginning or a quick ending to your interview. You need to know something about the company before you interview so you can dress appropriately and can ask meaningful questions. Good communication skills are necessary, not just your speaking skills, but also your listening skills. With practice you will appear cool, calm and confident. For more information please select:
8) Negotiating the Offer
Be realistic of what salary to negotiate by researching comparable jobs in the market and within the company. Other items to determine importance could be health benefits, other benefits, vacation time, office environment and corporate culture. For more information please select:
9) Congratulations you got the job!
Now that you have the job, how do you keep the job? Job ethics is the dedication to work and belief in the moral value of hard work. Some tips include refrain from gossip, forge office relationships with care, avoid issues that may make a co-worker uncomfortable, get along with your co-workers and supervisors by being flexible and willing to compromise and use tact.
Other skills to consider: be on time, be professional (dress attire, attitude, speech), have a positive attitude, maintain good attendance, be able to accept constructive criticism, be conscientious of time and adhere to work schedule, and have a willingness to learn and work.
For families living in poverty, or for individuals who have issues that stand in the way of job retention, even the smallest problem can cause job loss. Often the problems result from a lack of planning – such as not developing a back-up childcare plan or not replacing an automobile part that is failing. Sometimes there has not been an education about appropriate work ethic or work behaviors. The role of the job counselor is to educate, reinforce, counsel, and provide support services to prevent the individual from quitting unnecessarily or from being fired from the job for circumstances that could have been prevented. Typical retention issues they see with at-risk employees are the following: Missing or inadequate: transportation, child care, family or community support system, work-appropriate behaviors, problem solving & coping skills, job skills & training, managing family crises, proactive planning to prevent problems.
10) Career Ladder Outlook
Career development for adults becomes more intricate and is a lifelong process that’s unique to each individual. Choices are based on lifestyle, life roles you take on, your learning pathways, employment/unemployment, opportunities, and many other personal life events.