School is just about out for the summer and according to Northeastern University’s recently released 2008 Teen Job Outlook the summer job outlook for teens and young adults is pretty bleak. The path to a summer of success is to get those resumes sent in now. Governor Rod R. Blagojevich is proud to offer some help with that, with the free and easy-to-use website: www.ILWorkInfo.com/icrn.
Here are some tips to make your job interviewing go more smoothly:
* Write down the name of the individual (s) you will be interviewing with and their respective professional titles.
* Consider taking a “dry run” to the place where the interview will be conducted so that there are no last minute jitters on the day of the interview.
* Prepare copies of your resume and letters of reference and bring them to your interview so that you will have plenty to distribute, if necessary.
* If you have a gap in your job history, think about how you are going to explain it. Important: Never lie!
It is but a normal thing that people take a leap of faith when talking about their job. In some instances, they would realize that their present job is no longer doing them any good. In some cases, they may have had a fundamental enthusiasm for something that is not related to the present job that they have but for reasons that can not be explained they have not acted on it. Leaving behind a corporate career to pursue a personal endeavor like a hobby or anything you are passionate about is a bit risky. You will be needing tons of determination and patience.
Employers plan to target business, engineering, and computer-related degrees at both the bachelor’s and master’s degree level in 2007-2008. This year, at the bachelor’s level, the list is topped by accounting, followed by mechanical and electrical engineering, and computer science.
Master’s level
At the doctorate degree level, employers will mainly target computer engineering and electrical engineering graduates, followed by computer science, mechanical engineering, and business administration/management.
Employers looking for graduates with associate degrees, too
The demand for associate degree graduates appears to have dipped slightly for 2007-08 graduates. In 2005-06, 33 percent of employers said they would hire two-year graduates; in 2006-07, it was 39 percent of employers. This year, only 27 percent plan to hire associate degree graduates.
Forbidden Questions about Race
Examples:
What is your skin color?
What is your race?
Is your spouse Caucasian/Hispanic/African American/Asian, etc?
Exceptions:
There are no fair questions about race in an interview or application, but an employer can allow you to voluntarily indicate your race on your application.
Forbidden Questions about National Origin
Examples:
You sound like you have an accent; where are you from?
Where were you born?
Are you an American citizen?
Exceptions:
Employers are required to hire only those employees who can legally work in the United States. For that reason, employers can ask whether you are eligible to work in the United States.
Suspect Questions about Age
The Age Discrimination in Employment Act of 1967 protects workers over 40 in private companies of twenty employees or more and government organizations.
Examples:
When were you born?
When did you graduate from high school?
How old are you?
Exceptions:
The act does not prohibit interviewers from posing questions about age, but does prohibit discrimination on these grounds unless age directly affects the job. An employer can rightfully inquire whether the candidate meets the minimum federal age requirements for employment (usually 14-17 years old).
Before You Go Online, Answer These Questions
The answers to these questions will begin to build a list of Keywords you can use in your search.
What Do You Want to Do? What Can You Do? (Skills and Occupations)
What skills do you have, what interests, etc. Identify general occupations that interest you, not specific job titles.
Think healthcare or sales, not Chief Medical Officer or Director of International Sales
Who Do You Want to Work For? (Industries and Employer Preferences)
What industry interests you, what type of employer? If you have some specific companies you want to target, great!
(more…)
Forbidden Questions about Family Situation
Examples:
Do you have small children?
Are you planning to have children soon?
What is your marital status?
What is your maiden name?
Are you pregnant?
Exceptions:
Employers can inquire whether you have ever worked under a different name or whether you have personal responsibilities that could interfere with requirements of the job like travel or overtime hours.
Forbidden Questions about Sexual Orientation and Political Affiliation
Executive Order 13087 acts as a guideline against sexual discrimination or party discrimination in the federal government.
Examples:
Are you straight or gay?
How do you feel about working with gay or bisexual people?
Who did you vote for in the last election?
Do you belong to a party?
Exceptions:
This executive order does not bind all employers, but protections exist at least for federal civilian workers.
Employment laws prohibit discrimination not only in the workplace itself but as well as in the interviews. In interviews, questions that are inquisitive about race, religion, sexual orientation, family tradition and situation, and disabilities are illegal. Nevertheless, only a few people know which questions are illegitimate and most applicants fall into a trap of disqualification due to prejudice.
Forbidden Questions about Religion
Examples:
Do you go to church?
Are you religious?
What religion are you?
Do you take time off work for religious purposes?
Exceptions:
Organizations that have a specific religious orientation might ask questions relevant to religious practices and beliefs.
Forbidden Questions about Disabilities and Health
Examples:
Do you have any disabilities or medical conditions?
How serious is your disability?
Do you take any prescription drugs?
Have you ever been in rehab?
Have you ever been an alcoholic?
How many sick days did you take last year?
Do you have AIDS?
Have you been diagnosed with any mental illnesses?
Have you ever received worker’s compensation or been on disability leave?
Exceptions:
Employers may ask whether you have any conditions that would keep you from performing the specific tasks of the job for which you are applying. They may also require that all candidates for a certain position pass through a medical examination that is relevant to the responsibilities of that job. Employers can subject candidates to illegal drug tests or ask you whether you take illegal drugs.
(Taken from: http://www.job-hunting-tips.com/interview-center/interviews9.html)
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