Initiating student projects...
Start to think about the exercises outlined in this module and how you can encourage students to begin to work on them. Who can you get to assist with these exercises? People on staff? From the community?
Really great points, Joyce. We like the idea that it's not just about dress for success - it's important to talk and think successfully too. And that takes practice for all of us. The talking topics that you present and practice to answer the questions is great. Gets people being able to talk on their feet and make sense. We all need that skill! Your interview training semms great also. Again you are getting students used to a lot of different situations and to be able to expect and deal with the unexpected. A real model for successful career services. Thanks, Susan
The staff begin the first day of class stressing the importance of professionalism. We include all aspects of professionalism from the way they enunciate words and tone of voice to the professional attire that will be required of them when they do get a job. This goes a long way in helping them to realize how unprofessional they are...even though they don't realize it.
We emphasize the interviewing techniques by picking a different topic or question each week a prospective employer might ask of them on the interview and discuss it in class. This makes the student think about their responses throughout the entire program and not just at the end when they are about to embark on the job search!
We also do mock interviews with the students. First we have them interview each other in the classroom, then we give them a current job posting they are qualified for and have them research the company and prepare follow-up questions. We have the luxary of having 2 campuses with Career Services staff so we have the student interview with someone they are not familiar with at all. This makes the interview more realistic for the student. We give immediate feedback after the interview and they are issued a grade (and we all know how important grades are to the student). So we really try to make the student get out of their "comfort zone" which is exactly what an employer would do.
I think all of the things listed above make the student better prepared for the "real world" experience.
HI Wendy, You point out some interesting challenges. Maybe the course needs an overhaul or perhaps there are a few loud students who are complaining. Bottom line is that this points to the need for constant evaluation of everything you do. You might want to create a paper or in person survey form and ask what students liked about the course and what they would prefer to be done differently. It is possible that some parts can be offered as workshops. Or maybe some parts can be integrated into other classes. If students are creating ineffective resumes perhaps there needs to be a checklist of what is expected in terms of length, content, presentation, and more. There's generally a solution and with an open mind the problem will be solved and the course a lot more effective. Good luck, Susan
Our school offers a career entry class for our students usually around their last 6 weeks of school and I agree this is a class that seems to alot of students is a waste of time. I help out in the mock interviews and it really shows when they come into my office with no cover letter, 5 pages of information in paragraph form thinking this is a great resume or come for a mock interview with no resume at all. As the only career services person here at our school, I could use some help on how I can make these students understand taking this class seriously and taking pride in your resume could be your bread and butter. Any suggestions?
More about hobbies. We suggest that hobbies and interests that demonstrate skills and knowledge are a good thing to include in a resume. Relaxing, hanging around, mowing the lawn are probably not good things. But Big Brother Volunteer, or Creative Landscaping could be good and the applicant can talk about the skills needed and it is a way for the employer to learn more about the person. Thanks, Susan
I always give them a hand-out showing the most used format resume today. I always encourage them to build their resume the same. I also, ask them to put all of their EXTRA Accomplishments as well. Typing, machines that they have used, fax, copy.
One thing I do not encourage in which I'd like to ask you is what you think about an entry in, "hobbies", Do you recommend that? I don't think that looks good for someone to write: cooking, painting, family.
What do you suggest?
HI Kerrie
Sounds like you are model school - doing everything right in your career services offerings. Now you might want to measure each strategy to analyze results. Also might want to ask yourself if career development is laced throughout every activity the student experiences. Great. Susan
We offer a Career Development course in the 1st term for all new students. The class consists of test taking skills, study skills, understanding what type of learning style they have, resume writing, interviewing skills, dressing for success and other information needed to assist them in their education and future career. The Career Services Department attends the class to discuss the portfolio they build about themselves while they are here and also to prepare them for their careers. We also offer a Career Management class which is normally taken the term before they graduate. This course reviews the entire career prepartation, resume and interview process again. We also offer externships for all of the programs to be sure the students can apply "hands-on" skills to their resumes. We are also going to begin asking area employers to come and speak at new student orientation to discuss what is expected as an employer.
Hi Andrew, Great idea to have a career readiness class. There is so much required to get ready for the job search. We also suggest that some kind of job readiness and career preparation go on in every class. Thanks, Susan
We have a Career Readiness Class that supports the Placement Department. In this class, mock interviews are performed as well as draft resumes being created. So my suggestion is to add a class like this to any curriculum. The importance of training professionalism in my opinion should not be overlooked and this is the perfect environment to go over the do's and don'ts of resumes and interviewing.
Hi Ron
Orientation is a great time to introduce lots of information about what going to school will be like. But it's an exciting day and most things are quickly forgotten. So it is always a good idea to repeat the information throughout the program. Mock interviews are important. We suggest inviting real employers to handle the interviews and then critique them and tell what they are looking for during an interview. Best wishes, Susan
Our students are initially encouraged during the orientation session. A packet of information containing the projects expected to be completed (and a time table for each) are handed out and reviewed.
We utilize the program instructors to assist in identifying those skills important and necessary to the field.
When mock interviews are performed, the front office staff (financial aid, admissions, director, etc.) become involved in the process.
Those persons from the community include employment agencies, hair stylists, fashion professionals, etc.
HI Kate
We really like the idea that you are making the job interview process so much fun. We like the multiple interviews and the time limits. In addition to giving a variety of experiences it forces the student to think concisely. Do you have any instant feedback comments so students can hear from employers what works and what doesn't. What other "games" can be added to all employment skills training? Best wishes, Susan
I found many of the ideas presented by fellow learners a wonderful list of possibilities.
One idea that presents immediately is to come up with incentives to support the students' own motivations. For example, I needed to get my own employment act together so that I could start paying off my student loans! Perhaps coming up pragmatic, creative and personal/professional development tracks can provide some impetus.
Getting various community and school participants would also be helpful. Perhaps getting a SCORE volunteer, an SBA rep, local employment office reps, etc. to come in would help, too.
I am picturing a round-robin type of mock interview with various employers in our industry. For example, each registered participant would spend 10 minutes with a potential employer before the gong sounds to move them to the next station/employer. This would give experience with a variety of interview styles and types of employers. This could benefit the employers, too, as they could come away with a list of potential new-hires once the students graduate.
Kate
HI Deloris
Sounds great. Suggest you put in various survey and assessments to measure how well you are doing and where areas of improvement and opportunity are.
Best wishes
Susan
We also have a career development course where the students develop a professional portfolio and receive feedback through mock interviews. We invite employers to assist with student interviews as well as instructors, but I always make sure to take part in the interviews to see if there are any areas where the student needs improvement to have a reference in case there are employment issues in the future.
Thanks,
Deloris
HI Krista
Sounds like maybe your Placement Department needs to learn about the programs you offer for students to start their own business. Then the Placement Department might be able to offer workshops to supplement what is already taught. "Starting Your Own Business" classes are very popular. You would invite the community as well. While in the course new people can learn about all the offerings at your school. Another example of how the Placement Department can increase enrollment.
Best wishes
Susan
Hi Susan,
Currently each of our programs has a class designed for business practices which includes a lot of exercises outlined in this module. They each focus on resume writing and development for their specific programs. Also, most of our graduates have the cabilities of starting their own business so we have additional required courses in business management where they have to create a business plan and present it to the class.
The one thing I need to work on is getting our Placement Department more involved in the classes.
Hi Marlene
Another great idea. There is a lot of work in writing a great resume. Takes having the students understand their capabilities and skills and then using the information as talking points during an interview. Do you include interview role playing as part of the exit seminar?
Best wishes
Susan
