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SIUSLAW NEWS ❚ WEDNESDAY, MARCH 23, 2016
Employment — the next step after graduation
Recent high school and college graduates can follow these steps toward bright, productive futures
Graduation is an exciting
time in the lives of students.
After years in the classroom
preparing for life after
school, graduation marks a
time when students are
finally ready to enter the
“real world” and land their
first professional job.
The U.S. Bureau of Labor
Statistics (BLS) advises that
earning a college degree
can greatly improve a per-
son’s chance of landing a
job. The more education a
person receives, the lower
his or her prospects of being
unemployed become.
The BLS said that, as of
2014, individuals with a
bachelor’s degree could
earn on average $1,101 per
week, compared to $668 for
persons with high school
diplomas. Those with bach-
elor’s degrees had a 3.5 per-
cent unemployment rate
compared to 6 percent for
COURTESY PHOTO
those with only high school
Today’s graduates face an entirely new work force. From applying online to networking via social media,
diplomas.
grads need to be tech-savvy and focused on their goals.
The National Center for
Education Statistics esti-
Focus on a career path.
Don’t rely entirely on
mates that roughly two mil- more new college graduates off and have a lax approach
lion students earn bache- in 2015 than in 2014. The to job hunting after all of Prospective employers pre- the Internet. Oftentimes,
lor’s degrees each year. growth of businesses and the hard work they put into fer that applicants have landing a good job requires
Many others will go on to the rising rate of retiring their education. But recent some certainty regarding reaching out to people in
earn master’s or doctorates Baby Boomers has spurred grads can get a head start on the types of jobs they are person.
their competition by begin- looking for. Take a career
In a MonsterCollege sur-
before entering the work- employment prospects.
Landing a job post-gradu- ning their searches immedi- assessment test or work vey, 78 percent of job-seek-
force.
As the economy contin- ation requires diligence on ately after earning their with a career counselor to ers said networking was a
ues to improve, job the part of new grads, and degrees. Create a list of a narrow down the fields and factor in their job searches.
the following are a handful few target companies you positions that speak to you.
Standing out from the
prospects follow suit.
According to a job out- of ways to make those pur- have your eye on, and then Avoid the “I’m willing to do crowd may involve physi-
tap into your network to or learn anything” approach cally standing out. Attend
look from the National suits more successful.
Hit
the
ground
running.
find a contact at each com- to
job
applications. conferences or speeches
Association of Colleges and
Employers, employers had It’s tempting for recent pany and reach out to that Employers may see that as from people who work at
desperation.
the companies you’re inves-
plans to hire 8.3 percent grads to take the summer contact directly.
tigating. Don’t be afraid
to shake some hands
and introduce yourself to
others.
Think about what you
can offer to prospective
employers. Narrow down
your specific skills and cus-
tomize your resumés or
cover letters to the specific
talents you can offer each
potential employer. Use
examples that illustrate
these skills from past school
courses, volunteerism or
part-time jobs.
Your “quirks,” like being
the most punctual person in
your group of friends, may
turn out to be the skill an
employer admires the most.
Consider developing a
career portfolio that high-
lights your past achieve-
ments.
Do your homework
before an interview or
networking opportunity.
Always be prepared before
an interview or when meet-
ing with someone you are
soliciting for job help.
Research the company and
know its background so you
have an idea of how the
company runs.
Keep a list of questions at
the ready. A knowledge of
the company can help you
stand out from other appli-
cants.
The process may take
time, but these steps will
ensure that each applicant is
prepared for the current
conditions of the job mar-
ket. —Metro
Prepare for an interview
A job interview can be
described as a mutual
“exchange of information”
because it provides the can-
didate with an opportunity
to both gain information
about the department and
position, and to discuss
his/her own skills, and
career goals in relation to
the job.
Interviewing helps man-
agers determine three things
before they make a hiring
decision: can you do the job,
are you motivated to do the
job and are you a good fit in
the organization.
Managers want to know
if you possess the necessary
knowledge and abilities to
successfully perform the
duties of the job, if you are
interested and if you will do
the job with consistent effort
and if your work ethic, val-
ues and goals are consistent
with the organization. This
should demonstrate if you
will be a team player and
how well you will work
with the team.
Preparation is an impor-
tant part of the interview
process. The time you spend
preparing prior to the inter-
view will be time well spent
in your job search process.
The following are some tips
on what you can do to pre-
pare yourself before, during
and after a job interview.
Before the interview
Review
the
job
announcement.
Learn more about the
department by visiting its
web page and social media
sites.
Review your resumé
and be prepared to discuss
your relevant skills.
Decide who your refer-
ences are. They should be a
current or past supervisor,
coworker, teacher/professor
or associate who has knowl-
edge of your work history,
skills, abilities, accomplish-
ments, initiative, education
and integrity. Get permis-
sion to use their name in
advance and collect their
current contact information
(including email address).
Be prepared. Bring extra
copies of your resumé and a
notebook to take notes.
Make sure you bring every-
thing they suggest, such as
samples of your work or let-
ters of reference.
Dress for Success.
Appearance should reflect
maturity and self-confi-
dence. Be neat, clean and
dress in good taste.
Find out where the inter-
view will be, obtain clear
directions and confirm the
time.
See
INTERVIEW 4C
Mail resume and cover letter:
Florence Habitat for Humanity
Attn: Program and Development Director
P.O. Box 3302, Florence, Oregon 97439
Tel/Fax: (541) 902-9227
Email: ken.l orencehabitat@gmail.com
www.l orencehabitat.org
Job Title: Full Time Construction Site Supervisor. We will consider 2 part-
time Construction Supervisors to share job responsibilities.
Job Description:
h e construction/repair Site Supervisor(s) will be responsible for
coordinating our affi liate’s house building and home repair projects.
Reporting to the Program and Development Director, the Construction/
Repair Site Supervisor(s) will work closely with the Building Committee
and the Neighborhood Revitalization and Home Repair Project
Manager to monitor costs, secure building permits, call for inspections,
order subcontract work and move each project to completion in a timely,
cost-ef ective manner. h e Construction/Repair Site Supervisor(s) will
provide on-site supervision for the work crews, maintain records of
active volunteers & hours worked, and ensure the implementation of
proper safety practices and provide training as needed.
Direct Responsibilities:
* Serve as responsible managing individual for CCB license.
* Oversee and manage the entire building process, which includes,
but is not limited to: site evaluation and design, planning and permit
acquisition, construction bill of materials and budget, schedule creation,
construction lay out for work crews, obtain materials procurement and
subcontractors, secure bids for Review Committees.
* Supervise on site construction/repair crews and volunteer crew leaders.
* Provide training for construction crew leaders and other volunteers as
needed.
* Attend site and all committee meetings to report on construction/
repair projects.
* Present information to community organizations to recruit
construction sponsors and volunteers.
* Attend all required meetings.
* Ef ectively communicate orally and in writing to perform job duties.
* Other duties and shared responsibilities as assigned.
Professional Requirements:
* Minimum of 3-years’ experience in construction supervision, which
includes all aspects of building construction, ordering materials, bid
solicitation, work site layout and work crew supervision.
* Oregon Construction Contractor’s Board (CCB) registration, or
qualify as a Renovation Maintenance Improvement (RMI) within 2
months of hire (meeting Oregon CCB requirements for RMI).
E.O.E.
Building Homes, Community & Hope!
HELP WANTED
Sales Representative -
Are you outgoing? Do you
enjoy working with people?
The Siuslaw News is look-
ing for a part/full-time sales
representative. The candidate
will have a variety of media
products to sell with an estab-
lished customer base. In addi-
tion, building an additional
client base will be necessary
to grow market share. If you
have sales or customer serv-
ice experience, can multi-task,
and meet a variety of dead-
lines this position is for you!
EOE.
Applications should be
emailed to: jbartlett@
thesiuslawnews.com
with Sales Position in the
subject line or sent to:
Siuslaw News
C/O Sales Position
P. O. Box 10
Florence, OR 97439
Siuslaw News
148 Maple St. • Florence, OR 97439
www.thesuslawnews.ocm • 541-997-3441
www.TheSiuslawNews.com