This is great, Elizabeth. Are the workshops required and are they spaced throughout the training period? We find that employment skills training is a must all during the time the student is in school. It takes time to build the skills and self confidence. Great that your instructors are involved. Since most work in the field we suggest that instructors be encouraged to talk about life at work and show daily how the skills and knowledge taught in class are applied in the field. Also, are you measuring results in terms of the amount of workshops students attend and their success in getting a job? Really great. thanks, Susan
Our Placement deaprtment actually goes into the classroom for 5 sessions with the students. We have these workshops in class and discuss the dos and don'ts of an application, how to introduce yourself to the person in charge of hiring, networking, answering hard questions in an interview, how to dress and prepare as well as having the class interview each other before we do a mock interview one on one with the student. We have found that these workshops do get students more involved with their job searches as well as adding more excitement to getting ready to work.
This sounds great Jennifer. Now think of doubling the employment skills training. Probably sounds like a lot. But you are teaching skills as well as developing self confidence and that takes time. Thanks, Susan
Here at our school we have workshops that require the whole class, we discuss resumes from other students and we all share with ideas. We also require mock interviews and I not only listen to what they say also advise them of how to say and what not to say.
Instructors can make it mandatory for students to search for & turn in job postings for ideal jobs--a minimum of 3 per week. This will give students practice in job hunting; in addition, it will give students a realistic picture of what's actually out there-what skills are required & what salaries are being offered.
Marcy Lambert
Great that employment skills training is in the classroom. That's definitely a place where it should be. Tells students that the whole job search process needs to be learned and there are skills needed. Ideally the students have good rapport with their instructors and are comfortable asking questions about looking for a job and what it is like on the job. The instructors ideally work in the field and can give the students first hand info. Thanks, Susan
At my school we have integrated as part of the last class all students final project is to create a resume. If they need help they direct them to contact career services.
Do you still have the majority of students turning in their resumes when you schedule it as their last assignment? we have a 7 month program and have our students complete their resume at the middle of their program to make sure that they are turned in as well as starting the job search process about a month prior to graduation to be proactive in our Placement numbers. Does everyone still turn one in when it's the last assignment?
Yes, about 90% of students complete the assignment. Our programs run from 6 months to 16 months.
Great that 90% complete career services assignments. What about the other 10%? Have you tracked success based on completing the assignments? Thanks, Susan
Very good point, Jennifer. We believe that students need to complete employment skills projects weeks or months before graduation. Focus on the job search should be an everyday happening. Waiting until just before the student graduates is way too late. The student has to have a job search mind set throughout their studies. It takes a long time to build skills and confidence. Thanks, Susan
HI Tasha, The resume as the final project may be a bit late. Students should be working on employment skills training throughout their studies. In our opinion studnets should also be in touch with career services on a continual basis. The staff at career services need to be coaching and assisting grads until they have jobs. Thanks, Susan
I think one thing instructors could integrate would be a classroom discussion of the importance of tasks and skills learned from even a part-time job. Many students have held part-time jobs that they feel aren't relevant and at times think they should not even list on a resume. I find that when I highlight the importance of some of the tasks and skills they've learned/performed at many of these jobs and that they may be performing them in their new career, it not only makes it relevant for them, but boosts their confidence. They realize they actually do already possess some of the skills they will need in their future career.
We also feel that instructors need to bring the world of work into the classroom and do that every day. Students have to know why certain skills and theory are taught and how they will use it on the job. You are so right that knowing why they are learning certain things and how it relates to their job does boost confidence. Confidence is a key ingredient to conducting a successful job search. And staying on the job. Thanks, Susan
As Placement Coordinator, I can incorporate additional resume-writing skills. Our facility offers a course called Career Skills. This course instructs students on how to prepare different types of resumes (functional, chronological), cover and thank you letters, and how to add sizzle to their resume to make them stand out. When they speak with me, I further instruct them to invest in some resume paper. I also feel that I can assist them on how to properly send a resume in an email as an attachment and not in the email body because it loses its' formatting. I'm trying to implement a job search seminar weekly when I can assist them in their active job searches. Basically, I am needing some assistance. I am newly placed so I have a lot to learn and need some advice from others in the industry. First and foremost, I am an instructor, then placement but I would like to be exceptional in both.
Hi Shalondra. Sounds like you are doing an amazing job. The resume writing skills seem very comprehensive - even details about the best paper to use. Great. Weekly seminars are great so that preparing for a job becomes part of the student's daily routine and awareness. And yes, you are doing so much. Perhaps you can ask for some clerical assistance so you dont' get bogged down with the paperwork. You want more time to be creative and get these strategies in place. Then you'll need an assistant once you have systems in place. You need time to get out into the community too. Very good. thanks, Susan
We have created a hiring project which demonstrations the interviewing process (resume review, phone screen, in-person interview). The students are given several candidates to choose from and go thru the hiring process eliminating candidates until they have chosen one. When they have made their choice, we then present them with the background screening that have returned.
This sounds great Kathleen. You've created a real world environment so that students can experience being the candidate and interviewer. Are students required to complete these projects and when does this job search training start? Thanks, Susan
Hi Susan, we are having a hard time bringing our placement department into the classroom. The instructors teach career development out of handbooks, but we are lacking a good keynote/power point visual presentation to go along with the booklet to show examples and keep their interest. Do you know any good websites that have good examples of resumes/how to dress for interviews/do's and don'ts etc.?
This is a good question. I've always found jist.com to be a good resource for employment skills training. So take a look. Also suggest that you brig your grads into the classroom as much as possible. You can give them "assignments" or topics to talk about, ask them to hold mock interviews, and talk about the world of work. A great reason to have an Alumni Association and a pool of grads to help you. Susan
