Health and Human Services Professional Development

Professional Work Ethic by   Mikki Sherwood   on   July 4, 2013 How many times have you heard that you should have a good work ethic? What does that mean to you? More importantly, what does that mean to professors or employers?  A recent survey of hiring managers found that employers believe that professionalism is fading and that students coming into professional venues do not have a strong work ethic. That is unfortunate, because most of the students I meet try very hard to do their best. Could it be that they were never taught about developing a strong work ethic? In order to develop a strong work ethic, consider the following: Show a positive attitude:  a sense of entitlement does not mix well with professionalism and a good work ethic. Every class/job has aspects that are frustrating, unenjoyable, and just plain irritating. However, what you do with unpleasant aspects of a situation defines you as a student or professional. Move confidently and c...

A Good/Bad Resume by   Jill Bowers   on   July 5, 2013 An 11 minute video from Lynda, which illustrates the differences between a good and bad resume: https://youtu.be/0mZdxiHLx6Q *Originally posted on the Career Skillet website (Permission granted by Jill Bowers).

Early Bird Gets the Worm…or at Least the Job by   Jill Bowers   on   July 5, 2013   Five tips for getting up early by Robin Sharma…although a few of these many not seem feasible (i.e., getting a weekly massage), his philosophy on getting up early may be useful to you/your daily routine. https://youtu.be/z6hsOLVwfFc *Originally posted on the Career Skillet website (Permission granted by Jill Bowers).

To Ask or Not to Ask THEM by   Jill Bowers   on   July 6, 2013   When preparing for a job interview, you may generally think of how you will answer questions you will be asked by the interviewer(s). Yet, it is just as important to think of what questions you will ask THEM. Asking them questions about the agency/company or position to which you are applying for can help you to know if the job is a good fit with your strengths, interests, and career goals. Asking good questions can also show the interviewer the level of insight you have or that you have done your homework and came to the interviewer prepared. See the  Forbes article, “30 Questions You Should and Shouldn’t Ask in a Job Interview”  for more information and examples of good/bad questions. *Originally posted on the Career Skillet website (Permission granted by Jill Bowers).

Dress for Interview Success by   Jill Bowers   on   July 6, 2013 Knowing whether or not the interviewer will perceive your attire as “appropriate” can contribute to your anxiety about a job interview. On one hand, attire is more casual today in many work environments than it was 15-20 years ago. On the other, you do not want to risk that you will be dressed too casually and appear as though you do not care about the job or lack knowledge about industry standards. A few tips you may want to consider: Find out what other employees are wearing , especially those in similar positions to the one in which you are applying If you are unsure,  it is better to be overdressed than underdressed ; for most positions, including internships, you should avoid jeans, t-shirts, or tennis shoes. You could also wear a jacket or sweater and take it off if the atmosphere appears more casual than what      you had thought. Press your clothes ; if you do not hav...

Tips on How to Network from Berkeley by   Jill Bowers   on   July 6, 2013   The Berkeley Career Services Center offers a few good tips for successfully networking. My personal favorites are those that discuss how and why you should consistently keep in contact with your mentors (as opposed to only contacting them when you need them or out of desperation).  A true mentor relationship, or one you will get the most out of, is ongoing. It is also best that your mentor consistently knows about your progress or what you are working on, so they can speak on your behalf (if they are listed on your reference list) or forward you relevant jobs, opportunities, or information that is relevant to your career as they come across it. Along these lines, it is also important to ask your mentors if you can put them on your reference list and notify them when you have applied for a specific job.   *Originally posted on the Career Skillet website (Permission gran...

Successfully Using Online Networking by   Jill Bowers   on   July 6, 2013   Online networks, such as   Linked In   may be great resources for connecting with potential employers or mentors. You can use online networking as a means of making yourself visible, highlighting your accomplishments and skills. You could also use online networks to do your own research on companies you are interested in working for (e.g., what they are about, what their employers do or say). At the same time, many employers use these online profiles to do their research on you. Thus, you should make sure your profile or information about you is updated, free of typos or grammatical errors, and accurately depicts your interests, goals, and strengths. You should make sure the information on your resume and social networking profile are consistent; if it is not, potential employers may assume you are lying or stretching the truth on your resume. Further, you may want to edit you...