Inspiring the Job Search
What are some ways to get your students excited about beginning their job search?
Speak to students about what motivated them to take our training class. Maybe it was to be more independent from their parents or to buy a car. When people remind themselves of why they want to get a job I find that they are more inspired to continue a solid job search.
Gary,
I think this is a great point. I would say that's the case with most people-certainly myself. Particularly when things are challenging, as job searches usually are, we need to continually remind ourselves of the pot at the end of the rainbow (so to speak).
Elizabeth Kemler
One way to get students to be excited about their job search is to remind them of the reasons they started this journey in the first place. Most want to make a better life for themselves and family. Another way is to come up with ways to make job searching fun, to make it not actually feel like work.
I agree that it helps to be reminded of the original inspiration for making this kind of a change in one's life. And yes to fun job searches! Trying to come up with class-wide activities, games, anything to take the 'work' feeling out of it.
I have to agree with the other on this one but also add that we have to portray excitement as well. I have met too many people who seem as discouraged as the job seeker. haha
Hi Stephen,
Could you tell me which 'other one' you're referring to? And yes, definitely as the teacher, it's our job to keep students excited about their prospects as it is easy to get discouraged. So much work goes into the search and it doesn't always seem to pay off right away, so we need to keep finding ways of keeping our students motivated.
Elizabeth Kemler
Sorry, I meant to put others. I was agreeing with the others making the comments.
I agree with the points made thus far, namely that reminding students about why they want a job should inspire them. Also, I ask my students to dream: everyone wants to be able to pay bills, etc., but what else does landing a good career mean? We talk about the sense of accomplishment that comes with doing a job well, or the pride they feel when their children see them finishing school and embarking on a new career. These conversations tend to end with smiles and a renewed sense of hope and determination.
Dax,
Yours sounds like a great approach to inspiration-both practical and personal. And these are the kinds of things that help to hear all along the way as well.
Elizabeth Kemler
Going over the success stories of prior students that have been successful in their job search.
Kelley,
Definitely-using examples that the students can relate to is always helpful.
Elizabeth Kemler
I have noticed that excitement is catchy, so I like to be excited for my students. We speak with them often, share good stories about the companies that are hiring and when one of the students gets hired we play a celebration song over the loud speaker and share with all the students who got hired where. This helps to spread along the excitement and keep others from getting discouraged because they see that there are jobs out there and people can get hired.
Jennifer,
What a great way to keep your students motivated. I'm sure it helps immensely to have these kinds of ongoing reminders that there are good jobs out there and they're possible to get.
Elizabeth Kemler
the they already have most of the tools and preparation just getting clear what kind of work interest and is important for them.
Gloria,
Sometimes figuring out what you want from a job and a job environment takes some work, and time. Many students don't realize just how many options are out there. Being able to look at a comprehensive list of industries and the corresponding skills/qualities that are required of each can really help them to narrow down their choices and simplify their job search.
Elizabeth Kemler
I too agree with the points made. We meet with each student individually to find out what their specific goals and motivating factors are. I also keep bulletin boards in the hall to promote licensing and placements of graduates. Also have an Employment board where we highlight a 'Job of the Week', total number of jobs available in our industry nationwide, and weekly employment list. The students love to see what is available and it instills a bit of competion which we are all 'pushed' by.
Amy,
What great ideas; it's very helpful to know specifically what each student's goals are when assisting them with the job search, and the placement and employment boards are a great way to keep your students up to date and motivated.
Elizabeth Kemler
I find that when they receive their newly revised resume, the excitement starts naturally. When skills and education are accurately expressed, this helps people overcome a lot of the anxiety that comes with entering a new field of work. My question would be: how do you keep someone motivated during the job search? After a rejection? After a period of no job ads?
Susan,
Yes, it always feels good to see how your experience translates into job-relevant qualities and skills. To keep students motivated we need to stay in close touch with them, help them keep track of their search, have a bulletin board up with job postings and job-find successes (see previous posts on this topic for more ideas). Students need to continually be reminded that they are not alone in their search, and that there are opportunities out there.
Elizabeth Kemler
