Module 2:

Career Exploration

Objectives of this Class:

assess your career interests
identify potential next steps in your career path
learn about great resources to help you develop job search materials
basic application information, references, letters of recommendation (and how to get them)
review your skills and abilities
develop a list of references

Setting SMART goals means you can clarify your ideas, focus your efforts, use your time and resources productively, and increase your chances of achieving what you want in life. SMART is an acronym that you can use to guide your goal setting. To make sure your goals are clear and reachable, each one should be:

Career Assessment

How can a Career Assessment Help?

Not everyone knows what career they want to pursue. A career assessment can help. These career tests give you concrete ideas about what you may be best. They can help you understand the type of work and work environment where you can thrive.

Career Assessments

Career Assessments are quick and easy to take and provide insight into what types of jobs you might want to research.

Spend some time taking a few tests and quizzes and see what results you get. Afterwards, compare the job options suggested for you to decide if you want to explore any of them further.

My Next Move’s O*NET Interest Profiler is administered by the United States Department of Labor. Users take a 60-question interest inventory that yields a profile of interest tendencies, including six areas: Realistic, Investigative, Social, Enterprising, Conventional, and Artistic.

You will see a list of careers related to each cluster, and can then sort those careers into five job zones representing different levels of preparation ranging from little job preparation to extensive preparation. The site also has extensive career information related to a variety of careers.

My Next Move

The Values Test on the My Plan website can help you learn more about your underlying work needs and motivations, and can help you decide what is important to you in a job.

My Plan

The purpose of the Myers-Briggs Type Indicator^® (MBTI^®) personality inventory is to make the ideas about psychological types described by C. G. Jung understandable and useful in people's lives.

Myers-Briggs Type Indicator^® (MBTI^®)

Employers often use tests as part of a larger selection procedure to screen applicants for hire. Other types of tests employers might give candidates include personality tests, cognitive tests, emotional intelligence tests, physical exams, drug tests, credit checks, and background checks.

What does this mean?

It means that some companies do pre-employment tests that are similar to assessments to figure out what type of an employee you will be.

Assignment #1

Using the My Next Move link above, complete the O*NET Interest Profiler. What are a couple of things that you expected to find? What surprised you? Type your answers in an email, and send the email to your instructor.

Assignment #2

Informational Interviews

An informational interview is one of the most valuable sources of information about a potential employer. The informational interview presents opportunities for an inside view of a particular position, company, or job field. Contact a person who works for a company or organization that you're interested in, and set up an interview. Take good notes, and then return to class and share what you learned.

Pre-Employment Treasure Hunt

find resources that will help in getting your next job
find information, including accurate dates of employment, addresses and phone numbers
find helpers and additional resources

Ask Google a question, and get great info!

Example: I want to work at a nursing home.

Google: Snohomish County Nursing Homes then apply directly on company websites.

Then google: Best resume for nursing home caregiver to get some ideas for your resume

Last, google: Interview questions and answers for nursing home caregivers

Add YouTube to your Google search and find:

Information About You: Applications

Future employers want to know:

exact dates of employment (If you can't remember the dates, here's how to find your dates of employment)
complete business address and phone
full name of your supervisor
your job title and brief description of your role

Basic application template

Assignment #3: Create your own basic application form, store in your job search folder, and upload it to Google Drive. Pro-Tip: Print a hard copy!

References

What is a Reference? A hiring manager might ask you to provide a list of references. A reference is a person who is willing to talk to potential employers about your job skills, abilities, background, and general character in a positive light. Potential employers usually contact references by phone or email.

In this lesson, you'll learn how to choose a reference and what contact information you'll need to get from each of them. In addition, we'll show you how to write and format a list of references to give to potential employers.

Who Makes a Good Reference?

Former Supervisors

Employment Specialists

Teachers/Instructors

Former Co-Workers

Volunteer Supervisors

Apartment Managers

Religious Leaders

Friends w/good jobs

Think about people in your life who could be a good reference for you, and also think about what they might say. For example, suppose you worked for ABC Manufacturing as a clerk, and Sally Supervisor was your supervisor. What would Sally say about your work?

Sally would say I was a great problem solver and especially good at calming upset customers. In addition, she would say I was reliable, dependable, and a great team player. She would say I’m loyal because I would offer to stay late to get out orders. She would also say I did a good job training new employees, had great eye/hand coordination, paid attention to detail and had a great sense of humor. She was sorry I left.

NOTE: You must call each person you want to use as a reference and ask their permission. Remind them of your work, including your soft skills and hard skills, if applicable. If the reference does not come from a job, ask them to verify your positive qualities identified in your resume.

This is why it's important to develop good working relationships with your supervisors and co-workers.

Assignment #4: Use one of the below to create your own list of references. Save it to Google Drive, One Drive, or your computer.

Reference Template #1 Reference Template #2

What if you don't have any professional references, they are all out of the country, or they are out of date due to a gap in employment?

It is not uncommon for job seekers to contact a previous employer, supervisors, or co-workers asking if they will be a reference. However, if you are unable to contact a person from your work life, consider your network outside of employment. Some people will use a family member, a pastor, or job training instructor. Be prepared to tell the hiring manager why you chose this particular person to be a reference. If it is not someone that you once worked for, it should be someone that can speak to your work ethic and experience.

Important:

typically employers will not call references that are out of the country
it's best to provide a company name, phone number, website (if available), as well as an email for your contact
do not give your reference list to a employer unless they request it

Transferable Skills

What are Transferable Skills?

Transferable skills are skills and abilities that are relevant and helpful across different areas of life: socially, professionally and at school. They are ‘portable skills’.

Assignment #5: Write down 3 skills you can bring to an employer. How can the 3 skills you wrote down be applied to jobs you want to get?

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