Career Portfolio
Career Portfolio revised assignment instructions - March 15, 2011
Prepare a sales plan for your most important product—yourself.
□ Cover page – with your name, MAN 3301 Human Resource Management, spring 2011, and the job title of the desired job you want to pursue after graduation.
□ Table of contents
□ A one-two page summary that describes: o Your desired (ideal) job after graduation. ▪ Why do you want to work in this occupation? ▪ What company or companies have this job? ▪ What are the job prospects for this occupation? ▪ What is the average starting salary? How do you know this? o What you learned about yourself in doing this assignment …show more content…
and how you think this assignment will help you in the future.
□ Resume: o A “before” version (your raw, initial resume) o An “after” version (your perfected resume with action words, accomplishments, and everything else we reviewed in class (see link on Angel). Feel free to do a Google search and use these findings to enhance your resume further.) o In a couple of paragraphs describe how you improved your resume and why you believe that this new version will be more effective.
□ Cover letter: Use the examples covered in class as a guide or seek additional guidance from a Google search.
□ Create a job description for the job you are seeking. o You may contact the HR department of the targeted job/company and ask for them to send you a copy as part of a course assignment – many HR departments will do this to help you out! o Conduct a Google search and hand cut and paste/ structure a job description based on the various information you find. o Go to http://www.onetonline.org/ . This is the O*Net which is the governmental sponsored database of all job titles. o Include essential and non-essential job duties and the KSAO’s needed to perform the job duties.
□ Preparation for the interview o Write answers to twelve common interview questions which can be found below. o Anticipate and create three situational questions based on your job description.
□ Report on what you can do to ensure a successful interview – use bullet points. o What will you do to prepare? o What will you do to ensure you make a good first impression? o What will be keys to having a successful interview? o What will you do once the interview has concluded?
□ Excellent composition, spelling, grammar
Due: April 13
COMMON INTERVIEW QUESTIONS Too many job seekers stumble through interviews as if the questions are coming out of left field.
Many interview questions are to be expected. Study this list, plan your answers ahead of time and you'll be ready to deliver them with confidence.
1. So, tell me a little about yourself. I’d be very surprised if you haven’t been asked this one at every interview. It’s probably the most asked question because it sets the stage for the interview and it gets you talking. Be careful not to give the interviewer your life story here. You don’t need to explain everything from birth to present day. Relevant facts about education, your career and your current life situation are fine.
2. What Are Your Weaknesses? This is the most dreaded question of all. Handle it by minimizing your weakness and emphasizing your strengths. Stay away from personal qualities and concentrate on professional traits: "I am always working on improving my communication skills to be a more effective presenter. I recently joined Toastmasters, which I find very helpful."
3. Why Should We Hire …show more content…
You? Summarize your experiences: "With five years' experience working in the financial industry and my proven record of saving the company money, I could make a big difference in your company. I'm confident I would be a great addition to your team."
4. Why Do You Want to Work Here? The interviewer is listening for an answer that indicates you've given this some thought and are not sending out resumes just because there is an opening. For example, "I've selected key companies whose mission statements are in line with my values, where I know I could be excited about what the company does, and this company is very high on my list of desirable choices."
5. What Are Your Goals? Sometimes it's best to talk about short-term and intermediate goals rather than locking yourself into the distant future. For example, "My immediate goal is to get a job in a growth-oriented company. My long-term goal will depend on where the company goes. I hope to eventually grow into a position of responsibility."
6. Why Did You Leave (Are You Leaving) Your Job? If you're unemployed, state your reason for leaving in a positive context: "I managed to survive two rounds of corporate downsizing, but the third round was a 20 percent reduction in the workforce, which included me." If you are employed, focus on what you want in your next job: "After two years, I made the decision to look for a company that is team-focused, where I can add my experience."
7. When Were You Most Satisfied in Your Job? The interviewer wants to know what motivates you.
If you can relate an example of a job or project when you were excited, the interviewer will get an idea of your preferences. "I was very satisfied in my last job, because I worked directly with the customers and their problems; that is an important part of the job for me."
8. What relevant experience do you have? Hopefully if you’re applying for this position you have bags of related experience, and if that’s the case you should mention it all. But if you’re switching careers or trying something a little different, your experience may initially not look like it’s matching up. That’s when you need a little honest creativity to match the experiences required with the ones you have. People skills are people skills after all, you just need to show how customer service skills can apply to internal management positions, and so on.
9. What Can You Do for Us That Other Candidates Can't? What makes you unique? This will take an assessment of your experiences, skills and traits. Summarize concisely: "I have a unique combination of strong technical skills, and the ability to build strong customer relationships. This allows me to use my knowledge and break down information to be more
user-friendly."
10. What motivates you to do a good job? The answer to this one is not money, even if it is. You should be motivated by life’s noble pursuits. You want recognition for a job well done. You want to become better at your job. You want to help others or be a leader in your field.
11. What Are Three Positive Things Your Last Boss Would Say About You? It's time to pull out your old performance appraisals and boss's quotes. This is a great way to brag about yourself through someone else's words: "My boss has told me that I am the best designer he has ever had. He knows he can rely on me, and he likes my sense of humor."
12. If You Were an Animal, Which One Would You Want to Be? Interviewers use this type of psychological question to see if you can think quickly. If you answer "a bunny," you will make a soft, passive impression. If you answer "a lion," you will be seen as aggressive. What type of personality would it take to get the job done? What impression do you want to make? http://www.wisebread.com/how-to-answer-23-of-the-most-common-interview-questions http://www.chrie.org/i4a/pages/index.cfm?pageid=3376
Prepare a sales plan for your most important product—yourself.
□ Cover page – with your name, MAN 3301 Human Resource Management, spring 2011, and the job title of the desired job you want to pursue after graduation.
□ Table of contents
□ A one-two page summary that describes: o Your desired (ideal) job after graduation. ▪ Why do you want to work in this occupation? ▪ What company or companies have this job? ▪ What are the job prospects for this occupation? ▪ What is the average starting salary? How do you know this? o What you learned about yourself in doing this assignment …show more content…
and how you think this assignment will help you in the future.
□ Resume: o A “before” version (your raw, initial resume) o An “after” version (your perfected resume with action words, accomplishments, and everything else we reviewed in class (see link on Angel). Feel free to do a Google search and use these findings to enhance your resume further.) o In a couple of paragraphs describe how you improved your resume and why you believe that this new version will be more effective.
□ Cover letter: Use the examples covered in class as a guide or seek additional guidance from a Google search.
□ Create a job description for the job you are seeking. o You may contact the HR department of the targeted job/company and ask for them to send you a copy as part of a course assignment – many HR departments will do this to help you out! o Conduct a Google search and hand cut and paste/ structure a job description based on the various information you find. o Go to http://www.onetonline.org/ . This is the O*Net which is the governmental sponsored database of all job titles. o Include essential and non-essential job duties and the KSAO’s needed to perform the job duties.
□ Preparation for the interview o Write answers to twelve common interview questions which can be found below. o Anticipate and create three situational questions based on your job description.
□ Report on what you can do to ensure a successful interview – use bullet points. o What will you do to prepare? o What will you do to ensure you make a good first impression? o What will be keys to having a successful interview? o What will you do once the interview has concluded?
□ Excellent composition, spelling, grammar
Due: April 13
COMMON INTERVIEW QUESTIONS Too many job seekers stumble through interviews as if the questions are coming out of left field.
Many interview questions are to be expected. Study this list, plan your answers ahead of time and you'll be ready to deliver them with confidence.
1. So, tell me a little about yourself. I’d be very surprised if you haven’t been asked this one at every interview. It’s probably the most asked question because it sets the stage for the interview and it gets you talking. Be careful not to give the interviewer your life story here. You don’t need to explain everything from birth to present day. Relevant facts about education, your career and your current life situation are fine.
2. What Are Your Weaknesses? This is the most dreaded question of all. Handle it by minimizing your weakness and emphasizing your strengths. Stay away from personal qualities and concentrate on professional traits: "I am always working on improving my communication skills to be a more effective presenter. I recently joined Toastmasters, which I find very helpful."
3. Why Should We Hire …show more content…
You? Summarize your experiences: "With five years' experience working in the financial industry and my proven record of saving the company money, I could make a big difference in your company. I'm confident I would be a great addition to your team."
4. Why Do You Want to Work Here? The interviewer is listening for an answer that indicates you've given this some thought and are not sending out resumes just because there is an opening. For example, "I've selected key companies whose mission statements are in line with my values, where I know I could be excited about what the company does, and this company is very high on my list of desirable choices."
5. What Are Your Goals? Sometimes it's best to talk about short-term and intermediate goals rather than locking yourself into the distant future. For example, "My immediate goal is to get a job in a growth-oriented company. My long-term goal will depend on where the company goes. I hope to eventually grow into a position of responsibility."
6. Why Did You Leave (Are You Leaving) Your Job? If you're unemployed, state your reason for leaving in a positive context: "I managed to survive two rounds of corporate downsizing, but the third round was a 20 percent reduction in the workforce, which included me." If you are employed, focus on what you want in your next job: "After two years, I made the decision to look for a company that is team-focused, where I can add my experience."
7. When Were You Most Satisfied in Your Job? The interviewer wants to know what motivates you.
If you can relate an example of a job or project when you were excited, the interviewer will get an idea of your preferences. "I was very satisfied in my last job, because I worked directly with the customers and their problems; that is an important part of the job for me."
8. What relevant experience do you have? Hopefully if you’re applying for this position you have bags of related experience, and if that’s the case you should mention it all. But if you’re switching careers or trying something a little different, your experience may initially not look like it’s matching up. That’s when you need a little honest creativity to match the experiences required with the ones you have. People skills are people skills after all, you just need to show how customer service skills can apply to internal management positions, and so on.
9. What Can You Do for Us That Other Candidates Can't? What makes you unique? This will take an assessment of your experiences, skills and traits. Summarize concisely: "I have a unique combination of strong technical skills, and the ability to build strong customer relationships. This allows me to use my knowledge and break down information to be more
user-friendly."
10. What motivates you to do a good job? The answer to this one is not money, even if it is. You should be motivated by life’s noble pursuits. You want recognition for a job well done. You want to become better at your job. You want to help others or be a leader in your field.
11. What Are Three Positive Things Your Last Boss Would Say About You? It's time to pull out your old performance appraisals and boss's quotes. This is a great way to brag about yourself through someone else's words: "My boss has told me that I am the best designer he has ever had. He knows he can rely on me, and he likes my sense of humor."
12. If You Were an Animal, Which One Would You Want to Be? Interviewers use this type of psychological question to see if you can think quickly. If you answer "a bunny," you will make a soft, passive impression. If you answer "a lion," you will be seen as aggressive. What type of personality would it take to get the job done? What impression do you want to make? http://www.wisebread.com/how-to-answer-23-of-the-most-common-interview-questions http://www.chrie.org/i4a/pages/index.cfm?pageid=3376