Using Your Skills

Source: https://www.careeronestop.org/ExploreCareers/Assessments/skills.aspx

Want to know what careers you can do with the skills you already have?

Your skills describe what you like to do and what you are good at. You develop skills by training and experience that improve your ability to do tasks. Being able to identify and describe your skills allows you to answer questions at job interviews such as What can you do for my organization? and What problems can you solve?

In the workplace, there are two kinds of skills: technical skills, and soft skills. Both types are essential for success.

Technical skills

Your ability to accomplish specific tasks like cooking, computer programming, or teaching, are called technical skills. They relate to a particular occupation. You may have learned technical skills from past work experience, school or training. These skills are often included in job listings to describe the tasks of a position. Examples are:

• build a cabinet
• read an image
• operate equipment
• paint a portrait
• write computer code
• teach a lesson
• investigate a scientific question
• sell products to customers

Soft skills

Employers also want employees who fit in and get along well in the workplace. That requires soft skills. These are so valuable that soft skills are often the reason employers decide whether to keep or promote an employee. Some soft skills can be taught in school. But most you learn in everyday life and can improve at any time.

• communicate well
• think critically
• participate as a team member
• self-motivated
• flexible
• determined and persistent
• quick learner
• on time

Check out these sources to help you identify your skills and find the kinds of work they relate to:

• The Skills Matcher helps you identify your skills. Use the Skills Matcher to create a list of your skills and match them to careers that use those skills.
• Enter your previous occupation in mySkills myFuture to see types of careers your skills and experience will transfer to.
• Look up your strongest skills in O*NET to see which occupations match them best.
  

Let's Talk About Money

It can be very difficult to talk about money during a job interview, or to ask for a raise at your current job!
Being prepared will help you to ask questions and get a higher salary. 

Study the vocabulary you'll need to talk about pay, benefits, and more:  

• https://www.myenglishpages.com/english/vocabulary-lesson-business-pay.php 
• https://www.fluentu.com/blog/business-english/business-english-negotiation-phrases/ (starts halfway down the page)
  

This exercise includes an example conversation of talking about salary (income) at a job interview. As you'll see, it's best if the interviewer tells you the salary first, instead of you saying what you make or want first. (It's in British English, so some words might look a little different!)

This video talks about how to accept a job offer.

This exercise helps you talk about job benefits, such as time off, healthcare, and retirement. 

This video shows an employee asking for a raise at work. 

Good luck!

Illegal Interview Questions

Source: https://www.thebalancecareers.com/job-interview-questions-that-are-illegal-1918488#citation-12)  

Did you know that an employer cannot ask you if you're married? Or about your religion? According to the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission, employers cannot ask you the following types of questions when you are being interviewed for a job:

• Race
• Color
• Religion
• Gender identity or sexual orientation
• If you're pregnant
• National origin
• Age
• Disability or genetic information.

Here are some examples of how an interviewer might ask you about these topics during an interview. Remember, it is illegal for them to ask you any of these questions!

• What arrangements are you able to make for child care while you work?
• How old are your children?
• When did you graduate from high school?
• Are you a U.S. citizen? (*they can legally ask if you are authorized to work in the U.S., but NOT if you are a citizen)
  
• What does your wife do for a living?
• Where did you live while you were growing up?
• Will you need personal time off for particular religious holidays?
• Are you comfortable working for a female boss?
• There is a large disparity between your age and that of the position’s coworkers. Is this a problem for you?
• How long do you plan to work until you retire?
• Have you experienced any serious illnesses in the past year?

So, what should you do if any employer asks you a question like this? You could politely say something like, "I am confident that I meet the requirements for this position" or "This question does not affect my ability to do the job well." If they asked about your family, you could say, "I am able to work the schedule stated in the job description."  

You can read more about these rules at https://www.eeoc.gov/prohibited-employment-policiespractices#application_and_hiring. 

Writing a Resume

A resume is a summary of your:

• education
• work experience
• skills  

The goal of your resume is to make employers want to invite you in for an interview!

Here are the key parts of a resume: 

Objective

• A statement about who you are, your skills, and the job you are looking for.
• Uses the passive voice.
• Example: Motivated, educated bilingual green-card holder seeks full-time position as an administrative assistant.

Experience

• List most recent jobs first. Include:

• Job Title
• Start and end dates (month/year)
• Employer
• Location
• Relevant Responsibilities, Skills, Training

Education

• List most recent education first. Include:

• Degree/diploma/certificate type
• School name
• Start and end dates (month/year) or graduation month/year

• Include your English classes!

Qualifications or Skills

• List strengths or special skills that make you qualified for the job
• List skills you could use at any job
• Example: Foreign languages, computer skills, Microsoft Word, web design

Additional Resume Tips:

• We don’t usually include photos on resumes in the U.S.
• Keep the resume simple with only 1-2 colors and fonts
• Resumes should be 1-2 pages
• You can change your resume each time you apply for a job.

Additional Resources:

• This article has more information on how to create a resume.  
• Here is a resume template you can use. Just choose File>Make a Copy and then fill in your own information!
  

Remember to Say, "Thank You"

Source: https://www.indeed.com/career-advice/interviewing/sample-thank-you-letter-after-interview 

Writing a thank you letter or email after an interview is another way to help you get the job. - It's best to send an email within 24 hours. If you need to mail a letter, that is okay too, but try to send it as soon as possible!

There are many reasons why it's a good idea to write a thank you letter or email:

• It helps the interviewer remember you. They probably had many interviews and the note will remind them who you are!
• It shows respect for their time. 
• It shows that you really want the job.
  
• You can use your note to remind them about your conversation, provide additional information, or ask questions. 

What to include in your letter/email:

• Subject line (for email). 
• Example: Thank you for your time
• A greeting with the name of the person you interviewed with. 
• Example: Dear Susan, or Hello John, 
• Say thank you. 
• Example: Thank you for taking the time to meet with me today.
• Review your qualifications. 
• Example: As we talked about, my healthcare experience would be a great fit for this position.
• Let them know you would like to talk again. 
• Example: I hope to talk to you again soon.

Here is an example of a full thank you email:

Subject: Thank you for your time

Dear Susan,

Thank you for taking the time to meet with me today about the home health aide position. As we discussed, my healthcare experience and training in nursing would be a great fit for this position. I hope to talk to you in the next round of interviews.

Sincerely,

Helena

How to Fill Out a Job Application

Source: https://www.thebalancecareers.com/how-to-complete-a-job-application-2058589

When you apply for a job, you are usually asked to complete an employment application. You may be asked to complete a job application even if you've already submitted a resume and cover letter. Asking all candidates for the same information makes the job application process the same for everyone.

Also, a job application gives the employer a record of your personal and employment history, signed by you. When you sign the application, you are confirming that all the information on it is true, so it's important to be sure it's correct. 

Information Needed to Complete a Job Application

Whether you complete an online job application or apply in-person, make sure you have all the information you'll need ready. This includes:

• Personal Information
• Name
• Address
• City, State, Zip Code
• Phone Number
• Email Address
• Eligibility to work in the U.S.
• Felony Convictions (in some locations)
• If underage, working paper certificate
• Education
• Schools/Colleges Attended
• Training Programs
• Degrees/Diplomas/Certificates
• Graduation Dates(s)
• Employment Information
• Names, addresses, and phone numbers of previous employers
• Supervisor's Name
• Dates of Employment
• Salary
• Reason for Leaving
• References
• List of three references, including names, job title or relationship, addresses, phone numbers 
• Position Applied For Information
• Title of the job you are applying for
• Hours/days available to work
• When you can start work
• Resume
• If you're applying online, there may be an option to upload your resume as part of the application. 

How to Make a Good Impression 

• If you drop off an application in person, make sure you are dressed professionally and ready to speak to a manager if they want to talk to you right away.
• Always follow the directions. Whether on paper or online, read the instructions first.
• Review before you submit. Review your work to make sure everything is correct, including grammar and spelling.
• Notify your references. Make sure your references know that someone might contact them and what kind of job you are applying for. 
• Remember, everything on your application should be true!
  

Would you like to learn more?

Rachel, the Career Navigator, will have a free online class on job applications on Friday, March 12, at 2pm. Please email Rachel to register! rsbuczynski@fcps.edu

Diplomas and Degrees

Do you have a high school diploma or college degree from another country? You might be able to use it in the U.S.!

Vocabulary Tip: In English, when we say, "Do you have a high school diploma?" it doesn't mean the piece of paper. It means, did you graduate from high school? This is the same for a college degree. So, even if you don't have a paper diploma that you would hang on your wall, you can have have a high school diploma or college degree. But you might need some proof, like transcripts or a letter or reference from your school.

Credential Evaluation

Sometimes jobs or universities will ask to have your diploma/education credentials evaluated. That means they want to know that your education was the same level as the equivalent (the same type) in the United States. So, they want to know that your high school education from your country is about the same as a U.S. high school education. (Note: this is a paid service.)

• National Association of Credential Evaluation Services (NACES) https://www.naces.org/
• Association of International Credentials Evaluators (AICE) https://aice-eval.org/
• World Education Services www.wes.org 
  
• Note: Neither the U.S. Department of Education nor USNEI endorses or recommends any individual credential evaluation service.

Do you need to have my education evaluated to get a job?

Maybe or maybe not! High school diplomas and college degrees from other countries can be okay.

• If you apply for a job and they ask you for a copy of your transcript or proof of your education, you can ask if they can take an international diploma. 
• Many jobs say, "high school diploma OR EQUIVALENT." Remember, "equivalent" means about the same. So, if you had a similar level of education or some experience, you might not need a U.S. diploma.

You don't have to start over when you get to the United States - you have plenty of experience and education that can help you get a job! Remember, your teachers and the FCPS ACE Career Navigator, Rachel, can help you! Email Rachel at rsbuczynski@fcps.edu if you would like help finding out if your diploma can be used in the U.S. or if you have any questions about diplomas or education requirements.