Show WIDE-OPEN WIDE SPACES I JIU ILL k SECTIONS ON AN APPLICATION rION GA GALE CAN THROW A Y V JOB FOLLOW JOLLOW f. f T TO CORE R TIIE V lM V G SHOT OT By Bob Lankard CT V Features Some questions on employment employment employment employ employ- ment applications cause job seekers to be screened out of consideration A missed quest question on about education absenteeism and licenses on an application can sometimes be the cause of a missed opportunity How well you answer the education question has nearly as much impact on getting an interview as your responses in inthe inthe inthe the work history section of the application I feel that many job seekers seekers seekers seek seek- ers give vague or incomplete responses to the education query when they need to make sure that the employer is going to know what courses they have taken and what skills they have acquired in taking said classes Some time ago an train adult ing institution began offering a course called The Tech High-Tech Secretary What is that I wondered I didn't know what a high- high tech secretary was nor I suspected did employers Your task as the job seeker is to describe your education so an employer is going to know what skills you attained from your educational pursuits If the high- high tech secretary student explained that they learned Microsoft Word Excel and in inthe inthe inthe the course it would be helpful Be specific Terms such as clerical secretarial general course and shop are too vague Even word processing may not give enough information to an employer to your gauge qualifications The job seeker should list specific software such as Word or WordPerfect on the application section Use the three C rules in See Sec LANKARD Page 3 of or the Job Guide LANKARD Dont Don't t b be worried about filling In the flue rv C. C nu lu Gil ux nu ca lines describing your education Be clear Do not use gimmicky words that the employer may not understand Be concise by making every word count And be complete Ask yourself have I provided all relevant information tion Lateness or Absenteeism Some applications will ask Approximately how often have you been late or called off work in the past year I have found job seekers and employers have divergent ideas about attendance standards I 1 asked an level entry job seeker about his school attendance attendance attendance atten atten- dance prior to referring him toan to toan toan an employer who was wa concerned with good attendance I only missed 10 days last year he proudly told me This would not be a record that would thrill this employer The absenteeism question is problematic only to those with a poor record Did a specific problem problem problem lem cause an unusual attendance problem on your last job Has the problem been resolved If so so write will discuss' discuss in this snare nn r Licenses and Certifications When I would review applications applications ap ap- ions with job seekers I found some selling themselves short w when n it came ame to questions regarding licenses and The most prominent misstep was the listing of commercial drivers driver's licenses Some applicants applicants applicants cants were content just to list the acronym Employers want more detail such as COLA A or B which tells what type of vehicles the applicant can drive Other types of occupational licenses or certifications that you can include nurses nurse's aide licensed practical nurse cosmetologist cosmetologist cosmetologist cosme cosme- and permission to carry cany a firearm for security occupations Employers no longer ask if job seekers have a standard drivers driver's license unless driving is required on the job r Keeping Track of App Applications Job seekers traditionally submit a large number of applications applications applications ap ap- in the course of a job search Johnny is sitting I in a park watching some kids playing a pick up ba baseball game t Suddenly his cell phone rings Hello John the voice says This is Mr Opportunity with POP PR T r nm am m A XU tu A at the application you completed a month ago A job came open that fits your interests Could you come in tomorrow after 2 pm p.m. to discuss the job Johnny excitedly excitedly excitedly edly says yes After hanging up he realizes that he has forgotten how to find I Enterprises and which job he applied for Johnny and other job seekers need to keep track of the applications applications applications I they submit Some advisers I suggest using cards others a ringed notebook or a spreadsheet l to do so The method of tracking t. t I is not important but having the t. t necessary information will save t t you the panic Johnny feels of not having information about thet thet the t t employer who called l I The job seeker should minimally minimally mini mini- minimally mally jot down The name address and directions directions directions to the business The date the application was submitted When the application should be renewed to avoid it being pitched out What position you applied to How you came to apply at atthe atthe atthe the company Names of people at the business business business busi busi- ness including the receptionist and those with hiring authority Phone numbers Any interesting feature you youcan youcan youcan can mention to the interviewer such as beautiful plants throughout through through- out the building or distinctive furniture r i C Features S Bob Lankard a business columnist for the Indiana Gay Ga ette He and former program manager at the state Job Center in Indiana Pa Po offers com con conman common mon man sense advice and innovative e I. I tactics to help all levels of job seekers t satisfy their employment ambitions I r w IL L |