Overview

Welcome to the Community Transitions Job Skills blog.  

You will use this Blog as a guide to complete the process of occupational exploration. The blog will cover different topics related to finding and keeping paid work. Topics include the following:

DETERMINING INTERESTS

• Assessment
• Environmental Demands
• Job Research

FINDING A JOB

• Networking
• Job Search

GETTING A JOB

• Resume
• Cover Letter
• References
• Applications
• Interviewing
• Disclosure

KEEPING A JOB

• Appearance
• Social Interactions
• Customer Service
• Coping
• Job Responsibilities
• Task List
• Bullying and Harassment
• Safety and Hazards

OTHER JOB TOPICS

• Leaving a Job
• Employment Terms
• Your Legal Rights
• Transportation
• Timesheets
• Evaluations
• Food Worker Card

WORK BASED LEARNING

• Informational Interview
• Trial Work Experience
• Community Resources
• DDD
• DVR
• WorkSource

PORTFOLIO

A portfolio is a collection of samples that show your interests and give evidence of your talents and skills.

You use your portfolio to show employers what you have accomplished, learned or produced.

A portfolio will help you:

• Identify your skills
• Gather and organize samples of your work and skills
• Prepare for presenting your skills and accomplishments to others

The benefits of a portfolio are:

• Organization
• Skills Identification
• Career Decision Making
• Career Opportunities

LINKS

Blue words = Something to read on the Internet

Purple words = Worksheet available in Portfolio Resource Binder

Red words = Documents you can download

• Click on the link
• Click File - Download
• Select the document at the bottom of the page
• Save As to your network account

1) Obtain a white binder and a copy of the Job Skills Blog Checklist.

     Job Skills Blog Checklist

2) Create a folder on your personal network account entitled "Job Skills".  
You will keep documents you create in this file.

3) Create 6 subfolders in your Job Skills folder.
    a. Determining Interests
    b. Finding a Job
    c. Getting a Job
    d. Keeping a Job
    e. Other Job Topics
    f.  Work Based Learning


RESOURCES
www.do2learn.com
www.dropbox.com

Assessment

An interest inventory is a self assessment tool that is used in career planning.  An interest inventory is designed to assess a person's likes and dislikes of a variety of activities, objects and personality styles using the theory that people in the same career tend to have the same interests.

There are many different types and styles of interest inventories. Here are some examples:

• COPS, COPES, CAPS

• Science
• Technology
• Consumer Economics
• Outdoor
• Business
• Clerical Communication
• Arts
• Service

• Strong Interest Inventory

• Doers (Realistic)
• Thinkers (Investigative)
• Creators (Artistic)
• Helpers (Social)
• Persuaders (Enterprising)
• Organizers (Conventional)

• Myers-Briggs Type Indicator

• Extrovert vs. Introvert
• Sensing vs. Intuition
• Thinking vs. Feeling
• Judging vs. Perceiving

• Janus Job Planner
• Clerical
• Sales
• Service
• Physical Work
• Driving and Operating
• Mechanical and Repairing 
• Caring and Helping
• Creative

Go to the JobTips website

DETERMINING INTERESTS

• Find the section called Determining Interests.
• Read the Overview.

SOCIAL SKILLS ASSESSMENTS

• Read the Social Skills Assessments section.
• Save the document Social Skills Assessment to your network account.
• Complete the document.

TRUSTED PERSON ASSESSMENT

• Save the document Trusted Person Assessment to your network account. 
• Ask someone that you trust to complete the Trusted Person Assessment about you. 
• Email them the document and ask them to send it back to you when you are done.

WHAT'S YOUR SCENE

• Save the document What's Your Scene to your network account.
• Determine your scene.

INTERESTS QUIZ

• Take the Interests Quiz on the JobTips website and press submit.
• Copy and paste the list of jobs that is created personally for you into a Word document. 
• Save the Word document to your network account called Interests Quiz Results.

OTHER INTERESTS QUIZ INCLUDE:

  ONET Interest Profiler

  Washington Career Bridge

  Casey Life Skills Assessment

  COPS - Career Occupational Preference Survey
      (pick up a copy from your teacher)

  

RESOURCES
www.do2learn.com

Environmental Demands

Environmental Demands refer to the overall nature of the environment in which you are working.  Some examples of environmental demands to consider are:

• Location
• Noise level
• Lighting level
• Work hours
• Amount of movement
• Cleanliness and odors
• Work attire
• Structure and predictability
• Work pace

1) Save the document Environmental Demands to your network account.

2) Put an "X" in each area which matches your feelings regarding each Environmental Demand.

3) Make a list of all the Environmental Demands you prefer in the box provided at the end of the document.

4) Make a list of all the Environmental Demands you do not prefer in the box provided at the end of the document.



RESOURCES
www.do2learn.com

Job Research

A job description provides information about the experience level and required skills you need in order to be successful in a certain job.  It also describes the responsibilities that are part of a particular job.

The following are questions that you should consider when looking for a job:

• Education level required?
• Previous work experience required?
• Tasks of the job?
• Social skills required?
• Skills and abilities required?
• Environmental Demands to tolerate?

1) Open the document Interest Quiz Results from your network account.

2) Choose 5 jobs from your list that you would like to research.

3) Save the document Job Research to your personal network account 5 times.

4) Re-name each Job Research document the title of the job that you want to research.  
       Example:
              Research Office Clerk
              Research Grocery Bagger
              Research Library Assistant

5) Go to the JobTips website.

6) Click on the path Job Descriptions - Overview.

7) Complete the Job Research document for each of the 5 jobs that you chose from your list using the job descriptions listed on the JobTips website.

 
RESOURCES
www.do2learn.com

Networking

Networking means that you are making connections with people who could possibly hire you.

1) Determine who is in your network.
2) Write down who is in your network. Include their contact information.
3) Make a decision who you will contact first.
4) Decide the best way to make contact. Email, phone or in person.
5) Practice what it means to be professional before contacting people in your network.





1) Complete the Brainstorm Networking Tree.  Fill in the tree with the names of people in your network.




RESOURCES
www.do2learn.com

Job Search

1) Save the Job Search document to your network account. Use this form to list available jobs that you find while searching the internet.  

2) Use multiple internet resources to look for available jobs in a field of your choice in Bellingham.

3) Use multiple internet resources to look for available jobs in a field of your choice in cities other than Bellingham.

www.indeed.com
www.monster.com
www.careerbuilder.com
www.craigslist.com
www.allretailjobs.com
www.nwjobs.com

Resume

A good resume is the first step to a successful job search.



1) WORKSOURCE

• Go to the WorkSource website.
• Click on the section Resume Help.
• Read through the Quick Guides and Frequently Asked Questions.

2) Complete your own resume based on the template below.

Resume Template

HELPFUL RESOURCES

Words that Describe People 

WorkSource Action Words

www.go2worksource.com

My Perfect Resume

On-line Free Resume Builder 
www.myperfectresume.com

Cover Letter

A cover letter is a brief letter that you write to a potential employer that states your interest in the job and why you are applying.

KEY POINTS OF A COVER LETTER

1) Include with your resume

2) Professional look

3) One page

4) Business letter format

• Your name and contact information
• Name and address of the person you are writing
• Date - date, month and year
• Greeting
• Body of the letter - 2 paragraphs
• Closing phrase
• Your signature
• Your typed full name

1) Read the following Cover Letter Sample.

• Cover Letter Sample

3) Download and save the following Cover Letter Template to write your Cover Letter.

• Cover Letter Template

RESOURCES

www.go2worksource.com
www.do2learn.com

References

Good references are key to getting the job you want.  References are people that your potential employer may contact to find out more information about you.

You want to choose people that will speak positively about your work skills and work ethic.



1) Download and print the References Worksheet. Complete by hand in preparation to type the References Template.

2) Contact all the individuals listed on your References Worksheet to ask if they would be willing to serve as a reference for you.

3) Create and save a References template to your network drive. Complete the References template based on your References worksheet.




RESOURCES
www.do2learn.com

Applications

An application is a form that contains job-related information about you.  
Information required for a job application may include:

• Name, social security number, address
• Educational history 
• Employment history 
• References

Before completing an application, you should have already completed the following:

1) resume
2) list of references
3) research on the company to which you are applying

1) Download and print Application Worksheet. Complete by hand.

2) Download and print Application Checklist. Complete by hand.

3) Handwrite 1 of the applications below.

  Application Basic

  Application Intermediate

4) Type the Generic Job Application below. 

WorkSource Generic Job Application

5) Complete 1 practice online application from a business of your choice.

RESOURCE
www.do2learn.com

Interviewing

1) PRACTICE STANDARD INTERVIEW QUESTIONS

Download the following documents and develop an answer to each question to build your skills in answering questions during an interview.

    Standard Interview Questions

    Behavioral Interview Questions

  
2) TOUGH INTERVIEW QUESTIONS

Talk to your case manager about which set of interview questions they would like you to complete for your portfolio from the choices below. Download the appropriate document and develop the answers to the questions to prepare for an interview.

     Tough Interview Questions - Basic

     Tough Interview Questions - Advanced

     Tough Interview Questions - Sample Answers


3) MOCK INTERVIEWS

Create a folder in "Getting a Job" called Mock Interview.

Download and print a copy of Student Instructions.

**PRIOR TO YOUR INTERVIEW**

a) Print a clean, professional copy of your resume and references.

b) Print a cover letter for the job you are applying for.

c) Download the appropriate questions to your Job Skills folder under Getting a Job. 

Mock Interview Questions Level 1 Words
Mock Interview Questions Level 1 Pictures

Mock Interview Questions Level 2 and 3

• Practice answers to the questions listed on this document in order to prepare for your mock interview. 

d) Download the Mock Interview Interviewer Evaluation to your Job Skills folder under Getting a Job.

• Review the list of items on this document that you will be evaluated on by the interviewer in order to be prepare for your mock interview. 

• You will receive a copy of the interviewer evaluation after the interview. File the Interviewer Evaluation in your portfolio binder.

**AFTER YOUR INTERVIEW**

a) Download the Mock Interview Self-Evaluation to your Job Skills folder under Getting a Job. Upon completion of your mock interview, complete the Self-Evaluation based on how you feel that did at the interview. 

• Print 1 copy for your portfolio.

b) Write a Mock Interview Thank You Note to each interviewer that provided you a chance to interview with them.

Disclosure

DISCLOSURE



Disclosure of your diagnosis means that you tell someone about your disability. This is a personal decision that is up to you.

Tell your supervisor about your diagnosis if:

• you have social difficulties that are obvious and may interfere with you getting a job.
• you have social difficulties that are obvious and may interfere with you keeping a job.
• the symptoms of your diagnosis interfere with your ability to complete your work accurately.
• you need reasonable accommodations in order to perform your job duties.

Do not tell your supervisor about your diagnosis if:

• you are certain that your differences are not noticeable to others and will not interfere with your job performance or interviewing skills.
• you are uncomfortable with others knowing about your disability.
• you are uncomfortable telling others, but you are having trouble getting or keeping a job, you may want to consider telling your supervisor, but not your co-workers.

ASKING FOR ACCOMMODATIONS

• Workplace accommodations are changes to your work environment or job duties to help you do your job to the best of your ability.
• A good time to ask for accommodations is when you disclose your disability to your supervisor.
• If you want to ask for accommodations, you must let your supervisor know that you have a disability.
• Your workplace is not obligated to provide you with accommodations unless you have a documented disability that requires an accommodation.

1) Download and save Examples of Accommodations from JobTips to your Job Skills folder under "Getting a Job". Print this list of possible accommodations that could be available to you and put in your portfolio.

2) Visit the JAN (Job Accommodation Network) website. 
Find your disability under the A-Z of Disabilities and Accommodations.

3) Print the list of Effective Accommodation Practices for your disability and file the list in your portfolio.

4) Download and save the Disclosure Example from JobTips to your Job Skills folder under "Getting a Job". Print a copy to put into your portfolio.

5) Save the template Disclosure Script to your Job Skills Folder under "Getting a Job". Complete the template to create a script to use about yourself when disclosing your disability.

RESOURCES

www.do2learn.com