Our WorkSource staff have seen it all.

They’ve worked with individuals from all walks of life, with a variety of work experience, career goals, and means to achieve them. Collectively, our staff possesses a wealth of knowledge gained from working one-on-one with job seekers and employers alike.

Knowing that, we thought it’d be interesting to pick their brains to find out their most tried-and-true tips for the job search.

5. Tell your story

The most effective way to demonstrate the knowledge, skills, or abilities that you possess to an employer is by sharing stories that demonstrate them. A good story has four components to it that are represented by the acronym STAR, which stands for: Situation, Task, Action, Results.

Andrea Clark, WorkSource Specialist

4. Don’t self-reject

If a job sounds like something you can do, apply. Don’t screen yourself out because there are a couple of skills you lack. If you know you can do it, throw your hat in the ring. Show in the resume why you can do it.

Look at variations of the job title you’re looking for. For example, the job title Accounts Payable at one place might be Fiscal Technician somewhere else. You might miss out on some gems if you’re not creative. Visit O*Net for ideas.

Don’t pass up an opportunity by pre-judging. APPLY!  If the job description sounds like a possibility or is with a company you’d like to work for, apply. You’re going to learn a lot about the organization in the interview. It may turn out to be your dream job, even if it wasn’t clear in the description.

Susan Milke, Business Services Team

3. Volunteer and network

The best job search tool I came across while being a job seeker was to network AND get into service work. Had I not asked if I could volunteer at WorkSource and showed up every day to diligently apply for jobs, it’s anyone’s guess if I would be gainfully employed with the Employment Security Department (ESD) right now.

Pete Coleman, WorkSource Specialist

2. Leverage your experience

Understanding your worth – by using the O*Net website to access vital information about your primary and secondary occupations you can have a clear understanding of your worth. This is the ace up your sleeve when job hunting and targeting a company.  Having an understanding of the essential functions that are vital to the employer can give you the upper hand in conducting competent and confident wage negotiations during an interview. Invest in yourself and you will be able to compete for higher wages/benefit package.

Catherine Nelson, WorkSource Specialist

1. Tailor your resume to the job description

Resume Tip: Let the job description guide your resume. Yes, this means editing the resume for each job! Sounds intimidating but it’s actually easy because the employer is giving you the adjectives, adverbs, and nouns to describe your skills, abilities, and experience.

Becky Ford-Sullivan, WorkSource Specialist

  • Set scheduled quiet time aside to job search (a lot of applications are intensive and will need concentration)
  • Target your resume to each job application (employers want to see the skills and duties they listed in their job posting)
  • Provide examples of your duties in your resume and application (paint the picture of what you can do and have done!)
  • Take your time with your resume
  • Take your time with your application (save and go back if you don’t have time to finish it that day)
  • Look over the job materials before applying (that way you can prepare beforehand and not be surprised by essay questions or job tests after applying)
  • Don’t wait until the last minute to apply to a job
  • Add a cover letter
  • For references, add the person’s email (most employers will contact a reference via email)
  • Dress nicely for the job interview (no holes in the clothes, pajamas, flip flops, or slippers)

Rikki Smick, WorkSource Specialist

For many, WorkSource is the beginning of a brighter future. If you’d like to learn more about the job training, resources, and support services such as gas vouchers and work clothes that WorkSource has to offer, visit or call your local center!

WorkSource Vancouver

204 SE Stone Mill Drive, #215, Vancouver, WA 98684

360.735.5000

WorkSource Cowlitz/Wahkiakum

305 S Pacific Ave, #101, Kelso, WA 98626

360.577.2250

 

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