Career and Vocational Prep Series

“Real world strategies for your job search and career success.”

“I Got the Job, Now What Do I Do?”

Work Ethic

Workshop participants will review standard expectations for all employees in the workplace. Participants will understand basic workplace behavior for job retention and will also identify additional behaviors that lead to career advancement.

• On time arrival/departure
• Full circle communications and documentation of such (if applicable)
• Team work and job fulfillment (understanding your job and your supervisors expectations)
• Problem solving, making requests/suggestions
• Abuse of company time for personal tasks
• Use or waste of work resources
• Identify positive results of honesty and integrity in the workplace

Course Length: 2 – 2.5 hours

Participants: 10-20

Projecting a Positive Impression!

This workshop is designed to teach participants the importance of projecting a positive image through proper dress, appropriate language and respectful behavior. Participants will understand how to make appropriate choices for positive impressions during the job search process as well as on the job.

• Identify proper/improper dress for a variety of jobs (including those that require a uniform)
• Understand negative and positive impressions of body language
• Identify and practice a business handshake
• Understand the importance of eye contact in greetings & meetings
• Identify social language vs. work language and when each is appropriate, (e.g. breaks, parties, social gatherings)
• Identify proper behavior and habits in business meetings including table manners during business meals
• Define personal space and respect for co-workers
• Identify reasons for dismissal involving “disruptive behavior”

Course Length: 2 – 2.5 hours

Participants: 10-20

Resumes that Get the Interview – Interviews that Get the Job!

This workshop teaches strategies for writing and submitting a professional resume. Participants will also understand the interview process and the types of questions that are included in most interviews. Post course assignments will include the completion of a resume, the “30 second elevator speech” and responses to interview questions.

• Understand the reason for each section of a resume and appropriate ways to report information in each part of the resume
• Define a complete resume and information that’s verifiable
• Identify means of submitting a resume and process of follow-up
• Understand the hiring process and the key players involved (hiring authority, recruiter, HR manager, etc)
• Review why and when we use a 30 second elevator speech (networking or attending job fairs). Post course completion of speech
• Complete responses to the interview opener: “Tell me about yourself”, with a balance of personal and workplace information
• Review proper interview attire, body language and speech
• Review reasons for exploring the company website before the interview
• Understand importance of interview follow-up including the use of phone, email and hand written notes
• Post course assignments in resume development and interview practice

Course Length: 2 – 2.5 hours

Participants: 10-20

Essential Communication Skills for Success!

Participants will explore various forms of communication including non-verbal communication via actions and in writing, verbal communication via customer, supervisor and colleague interface. Participants will understand the proper use of technology to communicate as well as the need for a balance in use of technology versus other forms of communicating (voice time, face time, handwritten notes).

• Explore industries and primary sources used to communicate with: team members and customers
• Understand (via role play) the importance of body language, eye contact, and genuine focus on the other members of a conversation (e.g., 1 customer, 2 colleagues, entire department meeting)
• Understand the use of multiple communication forms that better insure effective delivery of necessary information (e.g., leave voice message for supervisor alerting him to an email you sent for review)
• Review the reasons for full circle communication and follow up. (e.g. documenting who you spoke with and date, marking calendar for follow-up, including all parties involved in action items and on-going messages)
• Understand and practice appropriate email messages including message length, content, grammar, contact info, security/privacy issues
• Review the use of handwritten notes for successful customer follow-up, as well as colleague praise

Course Length: 2 – 2.5 hours

Participants: 10-20

“I always try to send cards and thank you notes to my clients and contacts, but it wasn't until I met Penny Gee and heard her presentation that I realized just how important it was. Since I have put a priority on personal notes (handwritten), I have seen an increase in responses and a new respect from my clients and contacts.." Claudia Carter Agency