Job Fairs

By Senator Chris Coons [Public domain], via Wikimedia Commons

Job Fairs are a great way to network and learn about opportunities for employment. Some people get discouraged, however, because they don't seem to have any luck finding a job. Here's why.

  

When you go to a Job Fair, you should think of it as a mini-interview with the various companies at the fair.  You should be prepared, dressed and behave just like you were at the actual company.  

Tips for going to a Job Fair:

• Dress neatly.  NO jeans, t-shirts, shorts or short skirts.  You don't have to go to the fair all dressed up, but you do want to look your best.  
• Have neat, clean copies of your resume on hand.  This shows you are truly interested in getting a job.
• Have a list of references you can give.
• DO NOT smoke or chew gum.
• DO NOT wear heavy cologne or perfume.
• Ask questions!

There are Job Fairs happening almost every month of the year.  If you want to attend, make sure you are prepared. 

Describe Your Self!

 

When people go for interviews today, they are often asked to describe themselves. "What three adjectives best describe you as a worker?"

If you don't know what to say, you could miss out on a great job. Preparing ahead of time, helps you to look confident and capable.  

How do you learn the best words to describe yourself?   Read: 8 Adjectives to Use during an Interview  This article will give you a good idea of some adjectives employers like to hear.

One thing to remember! Always tell the truth!  

Here are some other adjectives people use to describe themselves at interviews.  If you don't know the meaning, you can go to Dictionary.com to find out and also to hear the word pronounced. 

agreeable, calm, capable, confident, cooperative, credible, detailed, determined, diligent, discreet, eager, efficient, encouraging, enthusiastic, generous, honorable, impartial, industrious, instinctive, knowledgeable, mature, productive, reflective, responsible, sincere, trustworthy, warm, willing, wise

Transition to College and Career

 

Photo Credit: Google Public Domain Images

 

Want to start a career? Have you been thinking about college, but don't know if you are ready, yet?

 

Holyoke Community College has a program, Transition to College and Careers (TCC), which helps students be "ready, confident and successful."

 

TCC is a FREE college prep class for adults.  In the TCC program, you will build your proficiency in math, reading and writing skills as well as study strategies and computer skills.  TCC is a supportive community in which the learning environment enables students to succeed.  Students are supported in identifying career pathways and navigating the college admissions process.

 

Applicants to TCC  must be:

• 18 + years old
• have a GED or HiSET  - OR
• have a high school diploma from at least 4 years ago
• plan to complete a certificate or degree program

The next class will begin in January, so contact  

Mary Martone (413-552-2245  mmartone@cepholyoke.org) or  

Marie Troppe (413-552-2728  mtroppe@hcc.edu) 

now if you are interested in joining TCC. 

 

 

Tranferable Skills

What are "transferable skills?"

Transferable skills are the things you can do that can be used in almost any job or career.  Everyone has some transferable skills. These skills should appear on your resume.

Here is a list:

Transferable Skills List 

Communication Skills: 
the skillful expression transmission and interpretation of knowledge and ideas. 

• Speaking effectively 
• Writing concisely 
• Listening attentively 
• Expressing ideas 
• Facilitating group discussion 
• Providing appropriate feedback 
• Negotiating 
• Perceiving nonverbal messages 
• Persuading Reporting information 
• Describing feelings 
• Interviewing 
• Editing 

Research and Planning Skills: 
the search for specific knowledge and the ability to conceptualize future needs and solutions for meeting those needs. 

• Forecasting predicting 
• Creating ideas 
• Identifying problems 
• Imagining alternatives 
• Identifying resources 
• Gathering information 
• Solving problems 
• Setting goals 
• Extracting important information 
• Defining needs 
• Analyzing 
• Developing evaluation strategies 

Human Relations Skills: 
the use of interpersonal skills for resolving conflict relating to and helping people. 

• Developing rapport 
• Being sensitive 
• Listening 
• Conveying feelings 
• Providing support for others 
• Motivating 
• Sharing credit 
• Counseling 
• Cooperating 
• Delegating with respect 
• Representing others 
• Perceiving feelings situations 
• Asserting 

Organization Management and Leadership Skills: 
the ability to supervise direct and guide individuals and groups in the completion of tasks and fulfillment of goals. 

• Initiating new ideas 
• Handling details 
• Coordinating tasks 
• Managing groups 
• Delegating responsibility 
• Teaching 
• Coaching 
• Counseling 
• Promoting change 
• Selling ideas or products 
• Decision making with others 
• Managing conflict 

Work Survival Skills: 
the day-to-day skills that assist in promoting effective production and work satisfaction. 

• Implementing decisions 
• Cooperating 
• Enforcing policies 
• Being punctual 
• Managing time 
• Attending to detail 
• Meeting goals 
• Enlisting help 
• Accepting responsibility 
• Setting and meeting deadlines 
• Organizing 
• Making decisions  

Resume or CV?

When looking for a job, you should have an up-to-date resume ready to sent to potential employers or, to hand to them before an interview.  In the past, a curriculum vitae or CV was required, but now most employers prefer a one-page resume specific to the job.  CV's are too long and often contain information that is not relevant to the position being applied for at the time.

Here are some tips for creating a topnotch resume.

• First, create a resume for the position you are looking for, not a resume that gives all your history. You may have more than one resume.

• Make sure your formatting is correct.  In other words, make sure that if you use bullets, they all line up the same or, if you use all capital letters in titles, you do that throughout the resume.

• Today's employers like to see numbers, so instead of writing in you description "catered weddings, graduations and community events," say, "catered 20 weddings, 5 graduations and 6 community events in the last year."

• Have someone edit the resume before you print it out. You don't want to miss out on the job of your dreams because your resume had mistakes. (Go to the Career Center and ask for help!)

• Write a cover letter that tells the employer why they should hire you and does not repeat what they will see in the resume. Use strong descriptive words.

Here are some links to sites that offer templates for your resume and cover letters:

Best Resume Templates of 2015-2016

Best Cover Letter Templates of 2015-2016 

That First Impression

The first time doing anything can be scary.  When you are looking for a job, there are a lot of "firsts".  Even if you have worked before, it will be the first time you meet the people at this new company. You want to make a good impression. How do you make yourself feel comfortable for that first interview?

• One of the first things you can do, is to relax.  Take a deep breath. 
• Then, tell yourself that you are going to be the best you can be.  
• Arrive a few minutes early so you have a chance to do this. 
• Ahead of time, make sure you have a fresh, up-to-date copy (or two) of your resume. 
• Also, make sure you have learned something about the company.  
• Have two or three questions to ask the interviewers.  (DON'T ask them about pay, benefits or vacations until you have the job!)

  
Your first impression will be one of a calm, businesslike employee that has what it takes to do a great job!