by cjxpadmin | May 1, 2012 | Job Readiness, May 2012 Magazine
Preparing To Write Your Resume
Before you write a single word on your resume, you must consider what you want to say. We will get to the proper resume format and the recommended order of presentation in future articles. But first to get started, you must gather your thoughts and carefully consider what are the most important things about yourself you want any employer to know. The employer(s) you are applying to 
will want to know that you have both specific qualifications as well as general qualifications they are looking for in a good candidate. It is up to you to prepare a presentation of yourself that will detail why you are an excellent candidate for the job you want and the job they are posting.
All employers will want to know about your work experience, both your work experience directly related to the job you are after and your overall work experience in general. You want to give the employer a sense that you are an experienced employee, you know what it means to work successfully, and that you have the ability to learn and prove yourself to be an excellent employee.
Answer this first question as completely as you can.
Describe your previous three jobs, for each job describe…
• where did you work?
• when did you start?
• when did you end working there?
• what was your job title?
• what were your duties?
• what knowledge did you have to have to do that job?
• what tools, machines, equipment or technology did you use?
• Were you ever praised, rewarded, recognized for the job you did?
Employers want to know that you have skills that will valuable on the job. Make a list of all the skills you can think of that you possess. You can pick and choose later which ones are most relevant but for now make a huge list of your skills. This step will also help you prepare for interviews. The types of skills you have may include computer skills, math skills, money handling skills, organizational skills, customer service, sales and more. The more skills you have, the more value you have as an employee. Think about it and make the biggest list you can.
Employers want to know that you are smart, knowledgeable and interested in learning. Make a list of all the classes, courses, trainings, workshops, any and all education you have attained that shows both that you know a lot and that you are a successful learner. Consider the classes in school that are related to the work you want. Also include all that you have been taught on jobs and from the people who have shared their know-how with you. You will include your formal education on your resume, but it can be very impressive to carefully pick and show specific knowledge and education you have relevant to the job you are seeking.
Lastly, employers will want to know about any additional qualities, accomplishments, abilities, and knowledge that you can bring to a job. Outside of what you have already listed, prepare an overview of everything you can think of that an employer might find impressive. Think of awards, volunteer experience, school accomplishments, any and everything that would give an employer an impression that you are someone special.
Once you have collected, prepared and written all of this detail, you will have a fortune to draw from in putting together a great resume specific to the job you want. Do this prep work first and we will address how to put it together in our next article.
Now it’s your turn: start collecting your information and remember the harder you work, the luckier you get.
Norm Sternfeld, The Resume Wiz
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by cjxpadmin | May 1, 2012 | Job Readiness, May 2012 Magazine, This Issue's FEATURE, Uncategorized
ILLEGAL INTERVIEW QUESTIONS
Have you ever been to an interview and you were asked certain questions and in your mind, you wondered, “Was that question legal?” “Should I answer that or object?” Well, it happens to a lot of people. There are various situations where you may be asked questions that could go either way. There are, however, some questions that are illegal and we are getting ready to cover that right now. Pay attention to the Example Tables because they will show you some good examples of some of those illegal questions and then it will give you possible alternatives, legally speaking.
AGE? DATE OF BIRTH?
Age-based inquiries should be avoided because state law prohibits discrimination against persons age 40 and older. An age inquiry may be made to ensure a person is “old enough” to work for the job being filled, or if the job is among the few where age discrimination is permitted such as physically dangerous or hazardous work or driving a school bus.
| Example of Illegal Questions |
Possible Legal Alternatives |
| How old are you? |
Are you over the age of 18? |
| When is your birthday? |
Can you, after employment, provide proof of age? |
| In what year were you born? |
|
| In what year did you graduate from college/high school? |
|
MARITAL/FAMILY STATUS
(often alludes to sexual orientation)
The purpose of these “family” inquiries is to explore what some employers believe is a common source of absenteeism and tardiness. Typically, these questions are asked only of women making the inquiry clearly unlawful. However, even if such inquiries are made of both men and women, the questions may still be suspect. Such information has been used to discriminate against women because of society’s general presumption that they are the primary care givers. If the employer’s concern is regular work attendance, a better question would be, “Is there anything that would interfere with regular attendance at work?”
| Example of Illegal Questions |
Possible Legal Alternatives |
Are you married?  |
Would you be willing to re-locate, if necessary? |
| Do you have a permanent partner? |
Travel is an important part of the job. Do you have any restrictions on your ability to travel? |
| With whom do you live? |
Do you have responsibilities or commitments that will prevent you from meeting specified work schedules? |
| How many children do you have? |
 |
Are you pregnant? |
Do you anticipate any absences from work on a regular basis? If so, please explain the circumstances? |
| Do you expect to have a family? When? How many children will you have? |
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| What are your child care arrangements? |
|
PERSONAL
Minimum height and weight requirements are unlawful if they screen out a disproportionate number of women or minorities. Unless the employer can show that a height or weight requirement is essential for job performance, such inquiries should be avoided.
Questions about height and weight are always illegal unless it can be proven that there are minimum requirements to do the job.
| Example of Illegal Questions |
Possible Legal Alternatives |
| How tall are you? |
|
| How much do you weigh? |
Are you able to lift a 50-pound weight and carry it 100 yards, as that is part of the job? |
|
 |
DISABILITIES
Inquiries about a person’s disability, health or worker’s compensation histories are unlawful if they imply or express a limitation based on disability. Under the federal Americans with Disabilities Act, any inquiry at the pre-employment stage, which would likely require an applicant to disclose a disability, is unlawful. Employers must avoid such inquiries or medical examinations before making a bona fide job offer.
However, an employer may inquire about an applicant’s ability to perform certain job functions and, within certain limits, may conduct tests of all applicants to determine if they can perform essential job functions, with or without an accommodation.
| Example of Illegal Questions |
Possible Legal Alternatives |
| Do you have any disabilities? |
Are you able to perform the essential functions of this job with or without reasonable accommodations? (This is a legalquestion if the interviewer thoroughly described the job.) |
| Have you had any recent illness or operations |
Will you be able to carry out in a safe manner all job assignments necessary for this position? |
| Please complete the medical questionnaire. |
Are you able to lift a 50-pound weight and carry it 100 yards, as that is part of the job? |
| What was the date of your last physical exam? |
NB: Medical exams are legal AFTER an offer has been extended; results should be held strictly confidential except for reasons of safety. |
| How’s your family’s health? |
|
| When did you lose your eyesight/leg/hearing/etc? |
|
NATIONAL ORIGIN/CITIZENSHIP
Inquiries about a person’s citizenship or country of birth are unlawful and imply discrimination on the basis of national origin. A lawfully immigrated alien may not be discriminated against on the basis of citizenship. The Immigration Reform and Control Act of 1986 require employers to verify the legal status and right to work of all new hires. Employers should not ask applicants to state their national origin, but should ask if they have a legal right to work in America, and explain that verification of that right must be submitted after the decision to hire has been made. To satisfy verification requirements, employers should ask all new hires for documents establishing both identity and work authorization.
| Example of Illegal Questions |
Possible Legal Alternatives |
| Where were you/your parents born? |
Do you have any language abilities that would be helpful in doing this job? (Legal, if language ability is directly relevant to job performance.) |
| What is your native language? |
Are you authorized to work in the United States? |
| What is your country of citizenship? |
 |
| Are you a U.S. citizen? |
|
ARREST RECORD
There are laws that prohibits inquiries about past arrest records but permits consideration of a current arrest. If an applicant is under arrest for an offense that is substantially related to the job, an employer may suspend judgment until the case is resolved, advises the applicant to reapply when the charge is resolved, or refuse to employ the applicant. A current employee who is arrested may be suspended if the charge is substantially related to the job.
An employer may not refuse to employ or discharge a person with a conviction record unless the circumstances of the conviction substantially relate to the circumstances of the job. If an inquiry about convictions is made, the employer should add a clarifier, “A conviction will not necessarily disqualify you from employment. It will be considered only as it may relate to the job you are seeking”. Anyone who evaluates conviction record information should be knowledgeable about how such data may be used.
| Example of Illegal Questions |
Possible Legal Alternatives |
| Have you ever been arrested? |
Have you ever been convicted of ____ crime? (Legal, if the crime is reasonably relevant to the job; e.g. embezzlement for a banking job.) |
|
 |
|
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AFFILIATIONS
| Example of Illegal Questions |
Possible Legal Alternatives |
| What clubs or social organizations do you belong to? |
List any professional or trade groups or other organizations that you belong to that you consider relevant to your ability to perform this job. |
RACE/COLOR/RELIGION
This question may discourage an applicant whose religion prohibits Saturday or Sunday work. If a question about weekend work is asked, the employer should indicate that a reasonable effort is made to accommodate religious beliefs or practices. An employer is not required to make an accommodation if doing so would create an undue hardship on the business.
| Example of Illegal Questions |
Possible Legal Alternatives |
| All questions are illegal. |
Are you available for work on Saturday and Sunday? |
by cjxpadmin | Apr 30, 2012 | Job Readiness, May 2012 Magazine, Uncategorized
You Are Your Own Worst Critic
“You are your own worst critic.” Truer words have never been spoken. This especially applies when you’re sitting in front of an employer at an interview shaking in your Doc Martins when they ask you to describe yourself. What do you tell them? How do you find the words to say that will make you more appealing? Well, I can’t tell you what those are, but I can tell you how you can find out what to say.
Always Smile. I can’t stress this enough! You can say almost anything as long as you say it with a smile! When you’re upbeat, employers pick up on that. They know when you’re unhappy and if you come off as an unhappy person, it could affect how they look at your resume. Yes, you may have fantastic credentials, but if you’re not going to get along with the rest of his staff, it’s like inviting a problem in through the front doors. So always remember to show those pearly whites when you first meet someone.
Make a Personal Resume. This is not to be confused with your work resume. Just like you make a grocery list, you should always make a list of your personal strengths (See The Resume Wiz’s article as well as ___ featured in this month’s issue). That is your personal resume! By knowing what you do and do really well, it will make it five times easier to speak about it to others. Do you parasail and shark hunt? Then put that on your personal resume! Do you macramé and stitch goat hair into purses? Throw that on the list too! Why? Cause not only are you an adventurous go getter who has creative solutions to every problem… you’re also prepared for any and all occasions. Making a list about your good points allows you to be prepared for any questions an employer throws at you about yourself.
Get Rid of Negative People. That little voice in the back of your head that tells you that you can’t do something sounds an
awful lot like Aunt Theodora, doesn’t it? Or, maybe your anti-Jimminy Cricket sounds likes your friend Travis. Sometimes the negative things that we feel about ourselves come from other people. When you allow other people to criticize you, you leave
yourself open to internalizing the negative energy that they are projecting on to you. Don’t do that. You are grown, you know what you need to fix about yourself. Don’t let Betty and Veronica over there tell you something that may not even be true.
Spoil Yourself. I don’t mean go to the spa or buy yourself a new toy every weekend. Just do little nice things for yourself that remind you that you are worth it. Maybe a street vendor is selling flowers on the side of the road, so pick up one for yourself. Is that a new SD card for your camera that’s on sale? Grab it! When you do little things for yourself, you remind yourself that you’re worth it. If you think you are worth it, then you are less likely to criticize yourself.
Accept Yourself. Do you know your shortcomings? Do you know what your weak points are? Can you name them by rote? Excellent, now stop it. You know what you don’t like about yourself. You’re either going to fix it or you’re going to accept it. There are things that we can change about ourselves through practice and dedication. Then, there are those things that are inherent to our personalities that aren’t going anywhere. Change the things you can and accept the rest. You cannot keep beating yourself up over things that make you who you are.
At the end of the day, that need to criticize yourself is really just a bad habit. It is one that is inside everyone and re-surfaces just when you think you’ve got it beat. Or it shows up at bad times like before a job interview or a test you have to take. With practice and a little diligence, you may not be able to get rid of that voice of doubt in your head, but you can at least muzzle it so that it doesn’t keep you from doing the things that you truly want to do!
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by cjxpadmin | Apr 1, 2012 | Job Readiness, Spring 2016 Magazine, This Issue's FEATURE
You not only think outside of the box, you operate to its left. You have always been one to find a way around a problem that no one has ever thought of before. If not, then, it’s a skill you can learn! There are always ways to get something done and with a little practice, you can think creatively as well!
Solve a puzzle.
We at the office know that putting the pieces of anything together doesn’t always mean stress-free. It does, however, force you to look at different shapes and figure out how they go together. Much of problem solving is exactly that. You are fitting different parts to make a cohesive whole and a puzzle forces you to look at objects in a different way — to see how you can best make them fit. This is a soft skill you can take with you anywhere.
Curiosity.
Read up on a new subject. Outside of broadening your horizons, it gives you another reference you can mentally pull up when deciding what to do about a problem. So you read an article in a newspaper about how butterflies and birds migrate with a natural GPS system. You’re camping and you get lost, you see a butterfly and remember that they use an innate GPS system to migrate. Wait, you brought your phone and it has a GPS emergency signal; you’re as good as saved! All of this only took your head seconds to process. The mind is constantly pulling references in a “six degree of separation” manner in the heads of creative people. Scary, but effective.
Don’t be afraid to be different.
If you have an idea that is different from ones that others have, just say it! Clearly, the same-old same-old isn’t working. If it was, then you wouldn’t still be searching for an idea.
Your idea just might be the one that propels your company into an entirely different and much needed direction. Don’t be afraid. There is nothing that says you can’t speak up. Don’t stifle your creativity, by trying to be like everyone else. There are times to fit in and there are times that you need to break away.
Enjoy yourself.
Most creative people are happy to be creative. They smile and they laugh a lot. For those of us who are not always elbow deep in acrylic paint, we need to find another way of finding out joy. Maybe your joy is to organize bookshelves or organizing the life out of your closet. Whatever it is, just do it! You are more likely to come up with a creative solution when you’re relaxed.
Surround yourself with colors.
You do not have to be rainbow-bright to get the creative benefits of color. Start off small and get a colorful letter opener. Maybe you can get a book of postcards you can thumb through with impressionist paintings. Does that cup towel have chartreuse oranges on them? Grab it and bake some cookies. These little surprises remind you that there are other ways to do things that you may not have thought of before.
Beef up your sense of adventure.
No, we’re not asking you to go on an African Safari. But perhaps a trip to the library to learn about a foreign country is in order. There’s a new store in town. Check it out! You might see something you never knew you wanted! Take a day trip to the nearest small town or big city. It’s all about expanding your mind and letting the possibilities come to you. And that’s way easier when you are at a new place with new possibilities
Being creative is something that is inside everyone.
If you open yourself up, you can find creative solutions to anything.
And this brings us to our last bit of advice.
Do not be afraid.
You won’t know until you try, and trying is the most important part of the creative solution process. Enjoy life!
by cjxpadmin | Apr 1, 2012 | Hanging Closet, Job Readiness, Spring 2016 Magazine
What The Codes Mean:
I know. You hear the word dress code and something inside you inwardly cringes. The very words make you want to rise against the establishment, rage against the machine, and all of that noise. But, dress codes are a part of life that we all have to live with. They don’t have to be restrictive; you just have to know what you can and cannot do so that you can make the dress code
your own. You have to know the rules before you can break them after all!
Black Tie – Think social gatherings and fine dining!
For men: This means a tuxedo. A dark or black suit is not ‘as good’ for a black tie event. Unfortunately, for men this isn’t going to be one of those times you are going to have a lot of room to express your individualism. A simple, classic tuxedo with black bow tie is exactly what you’re looking for.
For women: This means elegance. Think long gowns, although a very nice cocktail dress would work also! If you’ve been looking for an excuse to go to a salon… you are in luck! Visit your hairdresser, talk to your nail tech, or whoever helps you dazzle a crowd! Don’t forget jewelry!
- As a side note, you may or may not run into what some call White Tie. This is not the same as black tie; it is very specific about what men and women can and can’t wear. You won’t see this term often, but I wanted to include it just in case you run into it.
- Men: A tailcoat, white vest, white shirt and white bow tie.
- Women: Beaded gowns. If you have a stylist or buyer, they may need a call. think super formal weddings and awards.
Black Tie Invited – This means social gatherings and fine dining where a tuxedo or gown is not completely necessary!
For men: Your host would love for you to wear a tuxedo, but you will not be turned away if you aren’t. However, the only other real option is a dark (black) suit and tie.
Any less formal and you will stick out like a sore thumb.
For women: This is pretty much the same as above. A light sun dress wouldn’t work here as it’s not formal enough. At this point, you’re still trying to dazzle and impress the hire-ups, parents, or random paparazzi. Will there be paparazzi there? I don’t know, but why take that chance?
Black Tie Optional – Still more social gatherings, and fine dining!
For men: Good news! If you would like to wear a tuxedo, you can, but your host would be happy as long as you wear a dark (black or navy) suit and tie. How’s that for fantastic! A whole night of semi-comfortable, just for you!
For women: Black tie optional is the same as black tie. Women have more variety in what is available to wear in these situations, but should stick with the long gown or nice cocktail-length dress. As with black tie, a trip to the hairdresser is appropriate.
Cocktail Attire – Social gatherings, and some fine dining!
For men: Cocktail attire for guys equals suit and tie or coat and tie. Colors and fabrics may vary, season or location pending.
For women: Cocktail-length dress that varies with color and fabric also depending upon season or location. It’s a way less formal event than black tie, but it still calls for you impressing someone. Hair and make-up should be appropriate to the time of day (early evening).
Business Casual – You’ll typically see this at a business or some restaurants that are trying to maintain a certain look and atmosphere.
For men: Wearing a suit and tie would be overdressing. Khakis, slacks, button down collars, and maybe a sport coat, if you feel the need to have one. A tie isn’t strictly necessary. Feel free to break out that pink shirt or pumpkin colored polo. Jeans, however, are not business casual.
For women: Skirts, pants, blouses and dresses in simple comfortable fabrics are the order for the day! Your clothes will need to be more conservative with the way you dress, but color is not outlawed – wear something that would be appropriate to the office environment. As above for the guys, jeans are not business casual for the ladies either.
California Casual – This is a workplace term not used often in more conservative areas.
First, let me caution you with this one. You aren’t going to see this much outside of the West Coast of the US. This basically means that for men and women, anything goes such as jeans, polos, and nice pullovers. In the summer months, you might even see shorts. If you have a company that has this option for dress code, please practice sense when dressing and make sure that your clothes project the kind of work that you’re doing. Meeting with clients would still dictate that you wear more conservative options.
Casual – Yet even more social gatherings, business and dining!
Regardless of gender, this is a very informal environment that gives you greater freedom of expression! You’ll usually see this at a workplace on Fridays or maybe a backyard barbecue. Jeans,
shorts, and t-shirts are fine. (T-shirts with logos that are not for a little league team or the like is not work appropriate.) This is your chance to be you and be comfortable, but still presentable.
Some Other Useful Terms:
Jacket Preferred/Required – Used by restaurants, this means that they prefer gentlemen to wear a dinner jacket. For women, a dress or nice dress pants are always a good idea.
Jacket and Tie Required – Same as above, but with the addition of a tie.
Semi-Formal Attire – A suit or gown isn’t necessary, but it still requires that you stick to clothes in which you would be taken seriously. Take what you would wear to a nice dinner and ramp it up!
by cjxpadmin | Apr 1, 2012 | Job Readiness, Spring 2016 Magazine
If you are a laid off worker, this means you left your job through no fault of your own. There may be help available for you with regard to your education or training to start a new career. Many of us have lost our jobs during this economic turn down and may be facing difficult decisions of taking any job that comes along or starting over with a new career.
It is hard enough to face the trials of keeping our lives together — daycare, house payments, transportation and the taxing job of finding a job. What should we do?
Being on a job for twenty years and now, you want me to start over? Wow! How much of a pay cut will you have to settle for? Do you go work for someone who is the same age as your children? Or, are you a young person trying to work a full-time job and go to school full- time? No matter what the case, if you were laid off from your job, help may be available.
Help comes in the form of the Workforce Investment Act Dislocated Worker Program (WIA). This program is offered in all fifty states. What does it do? WIA Programs provide high-quality employment and training services that address the needs of individuals in need of training, retraining, and skill upgrades.
This program aims to increase the employment, job retention, earnings, and career advancement of U.S. workers. This Adult and Dislocated Worker Program, under Title I of the Workforce Investment Act of 1998, is designed to provide quality employment and training services to assist eligible individuals in finding and qualifying for meaningful employment and to help employers find the skilled workers they need to compete and succeed in business.
The Core Services includes outreach, job search and placement assistance, and labor market information available to all job seekers;
Intensive Services includes more comprehensive assessments, development of individual employment plans and counseling and career planning; and
Through Training Services, customers are linked to job opportunities in their communities, including both occupational training and training in basic skills. Participants use an “individual training account” to select an appropriate training program from a qualified training provider.
“Supportive” Services such as transportation, childcare, dependent care, housing and needs-related payments are provided under certain circumstances to allow an individual to participate in the program.
States are responsible for program management and operations including enrollment, service delivery, and certification of training providers.
In addition to unemployed adults, employed adults can also receive services to obtain or retain employment that allows for self-sufficiency. State and local areas are responsible for establishing procedures for applying the priority and self-sufficiency requirements.
With all of this being said, each State has the responsibility for implementing this program. Check your State’s guidelines. You may be able to get assistance in starting a great new life.
In Texas and specifically in the Heart of Texas Board Area (McLennan, Bosque, Falls, Freestone, Limestone Counties), funds are available for the dislocated worker. This is a great opportunity for going to college to get an Associates Degree or obtain a license or certificate for a trade.
At the HOT Workforce Center at 1416 South New Road in Waco, Staff will help you screen and apply for this possibility. It’s simple and quick with a broad range of assistance. Sheena Williams at 254-296-2922 will schedule an appointment time. Invest a little time in exploring this chance to change your life. The HOT Workforce Center is ready to assist you. If you are in one of its outlining counties, go to the nearest office and tell them you have an interest. (See corresponding story HOT Workforce Announces Enhanced Job Placement Efforts in this issue!)
What do you have to lose? Nothing, but almost everything to gain. Check it out today!
