JobShop, Inc.
Resources for Workforce Development

Many workers experience a layoff at some time during their work lives. Since few jobs provide life-time job security, every job is a temporary job. This Module provides information that will help you move forward so you can seek your next job.

Federal law established local One-Stop Career Centers in 1998. One-Stop Career Centers are designed to provide a full range of assistance to job seekers under one roof. These Centers usually include the state employment office and other agencies charged with assisting the unemployed. This Module provides you with the information you need to benefit from this important service.

Even though it can feel good to leave a job where you have been unhappy, you need to carefully consider that action. Once you have given notice that you're leaving, it will be hard to change your mind later. This Module helps avoid making the same mistake in your next job.

One of the most daunting tasks facing job seekers is identifying which occupational fields are expanding and which are shrinking. Even though the U.S. Department of Labor annually publishes a projection of job growth for the next 10 years, the economic decline of 2008 makes most of these predictions unreliable. The information given in this Module about projected occupational growth is current only to the date of writing. The job seeker needs to confirm this information with their local One-Stop Career Center. The Center can provide up-to-date data on job openings, projected growth and average salaries for your location.

Although layoff is a term heard more frequently in the current economic climate, downsizing remains a commonly used labor practice by companies responding to the constantly changing competitive market conditions. If you are caught in a corporate downsize, it is important to negotiate for the best possible severance package. This Module gives suggestions on how to handle your downsize.

It has been estimated that 70% of the people who secure a new job obtain the job as the result of personal contact or referral. The primary referral comes from current employees. Learning how to use personal contacts effectively is crucial in your job search. Networking is the process of contacting individuals who can help you in your job search by either suggesting job leads or giving you a referral to people who may know of job openings. This Module teaches you how to Network.

Many successful people have been fired at least once. Your reaction to being fired will determine whether your being fired is an asset or a liability. This Module gives suggestions on how to deal with your termination on your résumé and in future interviews.

Working for the government is attractive because it can offer competitive pay, job security and excellent benefits. Government jobs also emphasize training and other career advancement opportunities. The information provided in this Module has been extracted from www.usajobs.gov, the official job website of the United States Federal Government.

Whether you've been out of the job market for two months or twenty years, going back to work can be scary. Giving yourself time to make proper preparations is the key to successfully navigate your way back. This Module provides guidance for the returning worker.

Temping, or performing a short or long-term work assignment, is a viable option for job seekers. Not only can temporary employment provide an income, it can help the job seeker gain job experience and employer references. Temporary assignments permit the job seeker to check out different companies and, best of all, open the door to a permanent job. This Module provides valuable information about the ins and outs of temping.

A career change at mid-life should be based on a thorough understanding of your needs and wants and the requirements of the labor market. It cannot be based solely on emotion nor should it be a spur-of-the moment decision. This Module helps you determine if a career change is appropriate at this time in your life.

Private employment agencies are a key weapon in any job seeker's arsenal, mainly because employers are increasingly turning to specialized firms to perform all of their recruiting and hiring. Currently, about 5 percent of all jobs are filled through private employment agencies, but that number is likely to increase in the future. This Module provides valuable information about the ins and outs of using a private employment agency.

Now that you have graduated from high school, technical/community college or college, you are ready to apply the knowledge that you gained to the world of work. This Module assists you in this transition from school to full-time work.

Owning and running your own business is a viable option for some people who are unemployed. During the past five years, there has been tremendous growth of home-based businesses. Many of these start-up businesses are Internet-based. Whether you start a home-based business or one with a physical location, the steps to success are similar. This Module offers suggestions on how to start your own business.

Let's face it, being an older job seeker in a youth-obsessed world can be tough. This Module points out that the keys to a successful job hunt are to play up your strengths, know how to deal with age discrimination when you encounter it and take advantage of the wonderful job resources that exist for the experienced worker.

During the past ten years, the Internet has become an important resource for the job seeker. Many public and private organizations and companies both large and small are listing job openings on the Internet. It is critical that today's job seeker understand how to use this resource. This Module is a must for anyone who will be posting their résumé or using the Internet in their job search.

This Module points out that recently discharged military personnel face many challenges as they transition to the civilian world of work. Both military workers and civilian employers hold to a set of beliefs about the military, some real, some not, which must be addressed in the job search.

Used correctly, newspaper want ads can be a good source for job leads. This Module helps you know which ads to answer and how to respond. Your goal in responding to a Help Wanted ad is to make the employer interested enough in you to call you for an interview.

There is no doubt that ex-offenders face many challenges in their job search. The biggest hurdle is the prejudice by some employers toward ex-offenders. How ex-offender job seekers react to and defuse this prejudice will determine how successful they are in securing meaningful employment. This Module provides many suggestions to help ex-offenders succeed in their job search.

Job Fairs are organized events at which a sponsor brings together employers and job candidates. They are usually held in a large auditorium, convention center, community center or large hotel. Job Fairs have become popular recruitment methods for employers. In a single day, an employer can obtain hundreds of résumés. This Module helps you to know how to get the most benefit from Job Fairs.

There is no question that people with physical and/or mental disabilities face challenges in their job search that able-bodied individuals do not. This Module helps you anticipate potential problems and offers solutions to enhance your chances for success.

As many as 80% of all job openings are never published or advertised. As a job seeker you are challenged with trying to locate these "hidden" job openings. One of the most effective methods of identifying "hidden" job openings is "cold calling." Cold calling involves your contacting an employer without knowing whether the employer is hiring or not. The goal in making a cold call is to get an interview. This Module provides information on how to make these contacts.

Employers tend to hire people with whom they feel comfortable. Often, this means they are most likely to hire people who are like themselves. This places women and minorities at a disadvantage, given that, historically, positions of power in the business world have been held by white males. This Module addresses the issues women and minorities face in their job search.

Career counselors know that job satisfaction is highest when a person is employed in an occupation that matches the person's values, talents and interests. Identifying which occupations will be satisfying to you requires that you have a clear understanding of yourself and the employment world. This Module provides suggestions on how to identify the occupations that may be satisfying to you.

According to the Census Bureau, every year between five and six million people changed location in pursuit of a job. For a successful, stress-free move, planning is the key. This Module helps you figure out your priorities, do your research and develop an action plan.

Employers want to know if you have the knowledge, skills and abilities needed to perform the tasks required on the job. When examining your job application and résumé the employer looks for documentation that you can do the job. In order for you to be able to provide an employer with documentation, it is necessary that you identify your knowledge, skills and abilities. This Module is designed to help you identify your knowledge, skills and abilities.

Unemployment is one of life's most stressful situations, especially in today's economic climate when job seekers can expect to spend 6-8 months looking for their next permanent position. This Module shows you how to stay on top of three vital aspects of your life: your emotions, your money and your job search.

Knowing your salary needs can help you focus your job search and obtain a fulfilling job that pays you enough to live comfortably. This Module helps in understanding the difference between your needs and your wants and helps you negotiate a better salary.

It is important to recognize that stress is a normal and inevitable part of the job search process. The job seeker is going through a time of change, moving from something familiar (current employment, an educational environment, unemployment, caring for children, etc.) to something unknown. Although searching for a job leads to new opportunities and rewards, the job search process can create stress. This Module offers many suggestions on how to reduce the stress of the job search.

Sometimes it makes sense to get help from a pro when it comes to making a career choice and searching for a job. The services of a career counselor or a career coach may be able to provide this help. Many outstanding and competent firms and individuals provide career and job search assistance services, some for free, others for a fee. Unfortunately, as in any field, there are unscrupulous individuals and firms. This Module helps you select a career counselor who is right for you.

Being unemployed and looking for work not only affects you, it affects everyone in your family. This module guides you so that you can involve all of your family in your job search. Your family is interested in your success, so why not let them help you?

Employers value employees who can do the job well, who are committed to the work and the mission of the organization, who have a positive attitude toward the job, toward their co-workers and the company. This Module explains how you can be a value to the company and the employer.

Over 12,000 distinct job titles have been identified by the Department of Labor and are listed in the publication Dictionary of Occupational Titles (DOT). Experts have devised occupational categories that organize job titles into clusters of jobs in an effort to help us understand the employment world. These clusters are based on the interests, skills and abilities that are found in the people employed in jobs within a cluster. This Module helps you understand how your particular interests, skills and abilities can expand the number of possible occupations available to you.

No one can get a job without going through a job interview. Understanding what the interviewer wants from a candidate can assist you in answering the interviewer's questions. The interviewer has just a short time to decide if you are the right person for the job. This Module helps you understand specifically what the interviewer is looking for so that you can shine in this very important part of the job search process.

Workers today are finding that they must frequently upgrade their skills and knowledge in order to be competitive. Training and retraining have become necessary as technologies and methods of doing business rapidly evolve. The job seeker demonstrating the willingness and ability to learn new skills is in the best position with a prospective employer. This Module helps you learn about training opportunities both in the private and public sectors.

Many people think of the typical one-on-one interview when they think of an interview, but there are many kinds of job interviews. Knowing what type of interview you will be having will help you prepare. This Module looks at the different kinds of interviews you may be faced with.

Everything that you have done in your job search has been designed to get you an interview with a potential employer. Now that you have that interview scheduled, it is important to prepare. There is a natural flow to most interviews. Knowing what is going to happen will help you prepare for this very important part of the job search process. This Module helps you understand the interview process.

Being well prepared for a job interview will increase your chances of receiving a job offer. When you are prepared for the interview, you will present yourself as self-confident and assured. This Module helps you be well prepared for your interview.

Telephone interviews are very popular today. Employers use telephone interviews as a cost-saving alternative to having every candidate interviewed at the employer's place of business. Telephone interviews can be different from the face-to-face interview and they are usually very short and structured. This Module helps you be prepared for the phone interview.

The Job Application is a written, structured, one-way form of communication between the job applicant and the employer. The completed application will often make the crucial difference in whether or not an applicant is seriously considered for an interview and employment by the employer. This Module guides you through the application so that you are not rejected at the application level.

During an interview, you must be ready to answer any question that you are asked. Prepare yourself for a job interview by becoming knowledgeable about the information employers seek, commonly asked interview questions and the appropriate responses. The more you prepare yourself, the better you will do in your interview. This Module reviews the most commonly asked questions in the job interview.

A résumé is a one- to two-page written summary of your unique combination of skills, experience and abilities. It has been described as an advertisement of the job seeker. Its sole purpose is to help you get a job interview. This Module simplifies the process and makes it easy for anyone to write an effective résumé.

Studies have shown that people form initial impressions of strangers in the first 30 seconds of the encounter. First impressions are based almost exclusively on the appearance and behavior of the person. This Module gives information on how a job seeker can make a positive first impression both in the job interview and on the job.

There are two basic types of résumés: Chronological and Skills (sometimes called Functional). This Module addresses the two different types of résumés.

The thank you note is written to the employer immediately following the interview. The note should highlight the match between you and the job. This Module provides hints on how to write a thank you note that leaves a positive impression with the employer.

Résumés that are posted to the Internet are different in many ways from the traditional paper and ink résumé. It is important for job seekers today to understand how to utilize the internet résumé. This Module provides current information on internet résumés.

Successful salary negotiation occurs after the job applicant and the employer share a common understanding of the job. Once the tasks and responsibilities of the job are clearly articulated and understood, then the two parties can establish the monetary value for the job. This Module provides suggestions as to how you can better negotiate a higher salary.

A cover letter is the letter that introduces you to a potential employer. Like a résumé, the cover letter gives you the opportunity to tell the employer why the employer should hire you. A properly crafted cover letter will entice the reader not only to examine your résumé, but to call you for an interview. This Module helps you write effective cover letters.

Many employers require all job applicants to take pre-employment tests. These tests are used to screen out unsuitable applicants and to validate information found on an employment application or résumé. This Module assists you to be prepared for all of the different types of pre-employment tests that you may be required to take as a condition of your employment.

There are very few perfect candidates for any job. You may have some challenges to deal with in your job search or for a particular job that you desire. Some of the challenges come from your prior behaviors and some may come from your lack of experience in the occupational area. This Module discusses some of the more common challenges that may impact your job search and offers ways to meet those challenges.

The result of a successful job search comes when you receive a job offer. Although it is tempting to immediately accept a job offer, it is important that you give thought to your decision before you answer. This Module explores the many factors to consider before you accept a job.

We all have things that we fear may negatively influence a potential employer. Negative information, like being fired from your last job, lacking proper education or having a criminal record, must be addressed in your job search process. This Module teaches you appropriate ways to deal with negative information so that you can minimize its impact when seeking employment.

Congratulations! Your hard work has paid off. Now your focus must switch from looking for a job to becoming an effective employee. To make the transition successful from job searcher to employee, you will need to use the same commitment to preparation that you did in your job search. The first week in your new job will set the stage for how you will function in your new position. This Module provides many helpful hints as to how you should prepare for your new job.

In order to make appropriate career and job decisions, it is important to become knowledgeable about the job market in your community. This Module shows you how to obtain this valuable labor information. Labor market information includes data about unemployment and employment, salary information, employment trends, industry trends and where the possible job openings exist.

Getting your first paycheck can be very exciting, but understanding all of the numbers can be confusing. Your paycheck will include a stub which has the information about how many hours you have worked, how much you have earned and what deductions have been taken including what taxes have been taken out. This Module explains all the different deductions that may have been taken from your pay check.

An informational interview is a meeting between you and someone whose career field or occupation interests you. Talking to people in order to gain information can be one of the most effective ways to learn what you need to know about an occupation or career field. This Module explains the difference between a job interview and an informational interview and will offer suggested questions to ask.

Now that you have secured a job, it is important that you do the things necessary to insure keeping your job. This Module gives you suggestions that will help you keep your job.

Finding out everything you can about a job and a company before you apply can save time. Deciding whether a job is worth applying for will help you focus on only those job openings that will work best for you. Your goal is to make the best use of your time during your job search. This Module shows you one way to determine whether the job and company are a good fit for you. If you do this, you will spend your time in high-value activities that give you a greater payoff for the time and energy that you invest.

In order to succeed at work, you need to have clear goals. These may be goals your boss has set for you or ones that you have set for yourself. As this Module explains, setting goals is a great way to motivate yourself and to turn your career goals into realities.

Employee benefits are sometimes called fringe benefits because they are compensation that is provided by the employer that is in addition to your salary. Benefit packages vary from employer to employer and can be as much as 35% of the employee's wages. This Module presents the major employee benefits offered by employers.

Much of your work day is spent communicating with coworkers, customers, colleagues and the general public. This Module offers some strategies to help you better communicate in the workplace.

Do you ever wonder at the end of the work day what you have accomplished? Do you begin your work day feeling you will never get your work done? If you frequently have these feelings, you probably are not managing your time efficiently. This Module offers some proven methods for improving your work flow and helping you manage your time at work.