Job searching? Time to get cozy with your KSAs!

Posted on by CareerOneStop Posted in Job seekers

If you’re currently looking for a job, chances are you’ve ignited your network, polished your resume, and practiced your interviewing skills. But have you spent any time identifying and learning how to highlight your KSAs?

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities, collectively referred to as KSAs, are your unique job qualifications that employers often use to match you to a job opening. Let’s look at them each individually, and then consider how you might identify and highlight yours in a resume, cover letter, interview, or social media profile.

Knowledge

Knowledge is what you understand from education or experience. For instance, construction work requires knowledge of materials, methods, and tools. Office work can require knowledge of office procedures or of recordkeeping.

Abilities

Abilities are personal traits enabling you to do certain things. Stamina, for example, is essential for physically demanding jobs like fitness trainers, firefighters, or servers. Many jobs may require an ability to meet deadlines or work under pressure.

Skills

Skills showcase what you’re good at. People gain skills from training or experience. In the workplace, there are two skill types: technical and soft skills, both vital for success.

  • Technical skills are job-specific, like Cooking, Flying a plane, or Teaching. These skills are often mentioned in job listings where tasks are described. Other examples of technical skills are Operating equipment, Developing a budget, Painting a portrait, Writing code, Counseling others, Researching scientific questions, and Selling products ee
  • Soft skills, on the other hand, are universal and apply to many jobs. These skills, such as Communication, Punctuality, and Task completion, are often learned in daily life and can be improved at any time. Other examples of soft skills are Teamwork, Critical thinking, Self-motivation, Flexibility, Determination and persistence, and Quick learning.

How to identify and highlight your KSAs

Whenever you apply for a job, it’s a good idea to make a simple table of your KSAs.

In one column, list any KSAs that show up in the posting, or that you suspect might be valuable to the employer. Some employers include a special heading called Required or Preferred KSAs. Others might list only required or preferred skills. And others might not mention the words Knowledge, Skills, or Abilities—but if you comb through the language in the posting you can usually identify several.

Then add a second column where you can describe how you meet the identified KSAs. It’s helpful to include examples or even anecdotes of how your match the KSAs. Visit CareerOneStop’s Skills Matcher to develop a list of your KSAs.

Once you’ve developed this table, you can use it to insert your KSAs into your resume. If you’re sending a cover letter, you can take the opportunity to explicitly describe how you meet the required or preferred KSAs. You can also do this in an interview. Some employers describe KSAs as the factors that identify the better candidates from a group of people basically qualified for a position, so you definitely want to let the employers know about yours!

Want more tips to help you land a job?  Visit CareerOneStop’s Job Search.

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Find a summer job

Posted on by CareerOneStop Posted in Parents, Students, Teachers, Uncategorized, Youth

Looking for a summer job? Want to earn some money and get work experience?

Check out these tips to find a good summer job and be ready to apply when you find one!

Get ready to apply

  • Assemble all the information you’ll need to fill out an application: home address, phone number, school attended. For previous jobs you’ll need business name/address/phone number/job tasks/dates worked.
  • You can use the Practice Job Application to enter all your information, then download or print it to keep track of it. For some jobs, you may need to write a resume.
  • Employers may check your social media profiles. Set the permissions to view your profile to “private” and delete any pictures or posts that you would not want an employer to see.
  • Line up your job references: References are people you’ve worked or volunteered for, or teachers or coaches who will speak about your reliability. Make a list including their name, email address and phone number. Be sure to ask them before you list them as a reference.  

Find job openings

  • Check with your family, friends, and neighbors if they know of job openings. Some employers put up “Help Wanted” signs; check around your neighborhood to see if you find any. 
  • Your state hosts a job bank that has job postings that have been vetted. Enter your location on the Job Finder to find jobs in your community. Try “summer job” for a search term.
  • Is there a business you’d like to work for? Check their website for an “employment” or “career center” link and apply. You can also call their human resources office to ask about openings. 
  • How will you get to work? Look for jobs close to home if you plan to walk or bicycle. Or look near public transit lines. Map out your route to the job in advance to plan when to leave for work.  

Want some summer job ideas?  

Employers will typically train you in for these jobs, so they don’t require work experience or training.

Check out a longer list of Ideas for first jobs on GetMyFuture, CareerOneStop’s website for youth and young adults.

Apply for jobs skillfully – even if it’s your first time

  • Expect to apply for multiple jobs. Some businesses want you to stop in for an application; most have online forms. Bring your information with you to apply in person.
  • Practice for interviews with a friend or family member. Talk about skills you might have from activities, volunteering, or other jobs, and also say that you will be on time and are excited to learn the job.
  • Keep applying. It could take some time to get a job, so start soon and keep going.

Want more assistance to find a job?

If you’re between the ages of 14 and 24, you may be able to find free job, career, and training assistance at a local youth program. Different programs offer different services, so try contacting a few programs to ask what kinds of assistance they offer. Enter your location in the Youth Program Finder to get started!

Learn more about job search on GetMyFuture. This website helps people ages 14-24 with information to apply for jobs, write a resume, get ready for a job interview, and more.

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New guide for writing Competency Model frameworks

Posted on by CareerOneStop Posted in Businesses and employers, Workforce Development Professionals

The Competency Model Clearinghouse (CMC) is excited to announce the release of its comprehensive Authoring Guide: Understanding and Writing Nationwide Competency Model Frameworks. This guide is a valuable resource for workforce development professionals, educators, and organizations preparing nationwide industry Competency Models for publication on the CMC website.

The Authoring Guide is a valuable resource for individuals and organizations preparing nationwide industry Competency Models for publication on the CMC website.

This guide explains the basic competency model elements and organizational structure used within the Competency Model Clearinghouse (CMC) for the nationwide Industry Competency Models, and provides suggested approaches to writing competency model content.

  1. Process for Creating and Publishing Nationwide Industry Competency Models
    • Emphasizes the use of the Building Blocks Model, a proven methodology for defining competencies at different levels.
    • Outlines how to structure competency block elements, including titles, definitions, tasks, key behaviors, knowledge, skills, and tools and technologies. The Authoring Guide offers practical insights to enhance the effectiveness of your competency models.
  2. Unlocking Competency Models in Practice: Real Life Examples and Resources
    • Showcases additional tools and resources on the Competency Model Clearinghouse to help your organization effectively apply competency models to create competency-based curriculum, job profiles, assessments, and apprenticeships.
    • Links real-world examples of competency models covering a wide range of industries, case studies, and modularized learning supports.

Access the Authoring Guide:

To access the full Authoring Guide and other tools, visit the Competency Model Clearinghouse website: Authoring Guide – CMC.

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Career and job search for people with criminal records

Posted on by CareerOneStop Posted in Uncategorized, Workers with criminal records

Did you know the U.S. Department of Labor’s CareerOneStop offers online resources for people who are incarcerated or have a criminal record?

It’s well documented that justice-involved individuals face barriers to employment, and yet it’s also true that many employers are willing to hire employees with criminal records. CareerOneStop’s targeted tools and websites for both the currently and formerly incarcerated can help ease the path to employment for both groups.

CareerOneStop ReEntry website

For currently incarcerated individuals preparing for release, the CareerOneStop ReEntry website offers key resources, job search tools, and guidance to plan for job search and employment success. The website offers instructors and other workforce intermediaries access to the full range of CareerOneStop tools, resources, and information without active Internet links. This allows incarcerated job seekers to access job search resources with no active links to external websites, and no social media sharing or other external functionality.

For example, the Job Finder tool on the ReEntry site offers access to job postings across the United States. ReEntry users are able to enter job titles and locations to search for current openings and can access a detail screen about each job that they can save for later, but they are not able to go out to the company’s website or complete a job application.

CareerOneStop ReEntry is typically installed on tablets that are pre-loaded with resources. Interested instructors or other workforce professionals can email info@CareerOneStop.org for more information. A comprehensive PDF of all pages in the website can also be downloaded and printed on paper for use in facilities or other settings.

Job Search Help for Ex-Offenders website

Job Search Help for Ex-Offenders provides tips, information, and resources for job search, job applications, and job success for anyone with a criminal record. Learn how to best use the website with either of these resources:

There are three main sections of the website:

  • Explore Careers offers information on job skills, interests, work options and goal setting
  • Get Training provides ideas on gaining basic skills, earning job credentials, and paying for training
  • Find a Job includes tips for job applications and resumes, how to find job openings, and ideas about how to talk about your conviction in interviews

In addition, the website’s State Resource Finder allows users to search for local assistance and information, including:

  • Reentry programs that specialize in helping people overcome the barriers caused by having a criminal record. Services often include help with employment and training. Program offerings vary, so it can be helpful to contact several programs to learn details about their services.
  • Basic needs like housing, food support and medical care
  • Finding legal assistance
  • Getting a driver’s license and your vital records

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Reach out to amp up your job search

Posted on by CareerOneStop Posted in Job seekers, Uncategorized, unemployed

Need to amp up your job search? The Business Finder can help you find potential employers. It searches a database of more than 12 million businesses in all 50 states and US territories. You can use the contact information to research businesses and learn about current openings.

What does the Business Finder do?

You can enter the name of an industry to see businesses in your location that do work related to that industry. Or you can enter a job title to see businesses near you that typically hire workers in that field. You can also search using a company’s name.

Once you enter your search terms and location, you’ll see a list of companies including company name, street address, approximate number of employees, and distance from your location. You can find more details such as phone number, website (where available), year established, key contact and their job title, by selecting the company name.

Next, some basic employer research will help you shape your job search to companies that are more likely to fit your preferences.

How can it help my job search?

Although not all of the businesses you identify will be hiring, your list can help you focus your search on the specific types of organizations, and particular companies you want to work for. Use the information to:

  • Find employers in your chosen location. Do you use public transportation? Want to find work near your children’s school or day care? Or just prefer a shorter commute? Finding employment in the location you prefer can save time, energy, fuel, and potentially, stress.

    On the Business Finder, by using a ZIP code in the location field, you’ll be able to see the distance of each company from that ZIP code location. Then sort your results by Distance, “Low to High,” to show your closest companies first. A thumbnail map also appears on the detailed business description.
  • Focus on companies of a specific size. Smaller companies tend to offer jobs with greater variety and may be more inclined to value the experience of older workers. Relationships are emphasized more in smaller organizations since there tends to be greater interdependence than at larger organizations.

    Larger companies may offer better benefits and salary increases or advancement opportunities than smaller companies. They also tend to value the skills, eagerness for training, and flexibility that younger workers may bring. The Business Finder displays approximate number of employees at each company, and you can filter your list to show just the businesses of the size range you prefer.
     
  • Explore company websites. Once you’ve filtered and sorted your list of businesses, you can start checking out company websites for those companies still in your list.
    • Look for their current job listings under a heading such as “careers”, “openings”, “join our team”, or similar. You may find active job postings that look like a great fit; but if not, you still have an opportunity to explore whether you want to create a possible future there.
    • Read their “about us” section to learn their mission, history, organizational values, and more. This is where you may start to discern whether the company might be a good fit for you. Can you see yourself thriving in the environment you see there?
    • Their main content will likely feature their key products, services, and major projects, which will give you a clear idea of their current priorities. Do these fit your career goals? Do they generate excitement and enthusiasm or put you to sleep? Does the level of growth and activity inspire your confidence in their leadership or raise questions?
    • Be sure to check out any media references they include and social media sites they maintain, such as blogs or published articles written about them. All of this will be useful background material to refer to if you decide to email or call them to explore working for the company.
  • Reach out. Using the contact information from your Business Finder results, or from the company website, identify a contact to email or call to discuss job prospects. A good place to start is by writing a targeted job search email. In the email, show your interest in the organization and your knowledge of them. And describe your qualifications that make you a good fit for their needs.

    Be sure to attach your resume and describe how you will follow up with them. It can be helpful to set a goal of a specific number of employers you will reach out to, and track the dates you initiate contact so that you can manage your follow up communications effectively.

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4 tips to help you ace a virtual job interview

Posted on by CareerOneStop Posted in Job seekers

One legacy of the pandemic is that you’re more likely than ever to be asked to complete a virtual interview as part of your job search. Some employers conduct just the first round of interviews remotely. Others might do all of their interviews via Zoom or another online platform. If you’ve been asked to interview virtually, follow these tips to boost your success.

Be tech-ready

This just means that you should test your technology before your interview. You don’t need to be a technology whiz. But if you’re applying for a job that requires a virtual interview, that’s a signal that some level of comfort with computers and virtual communication is needed. You can set yourself up for success with a few simple steps:

  • A few days (or at least one day) before your interview: Check your computer and confirm your camera and microphone are working. If either the picture or the sound isn’t great, you might want to buy an inexpensive mini webcam with a built-in microphone.
  • A few hours before your interview: Test your Internet connection and test your equipment. If your internet is temporarily down, you might want to explore using a hot spot or finding another location where you can rely on the Internet.
  • About 15 to 30 minutes before the interview, check your Internet, video, and sound to ensure everything is in working order. If it isn’t, you’ll have to contact the interviewer at this point.

Prepare yourself

Follow these basic interview prep tips:

  • Fully review the job description and any additional information you have about the job.
  • Research the employer by visiting their website and getting familiar with the scope of their business and their branding and goals.
  • Consider exactly how your qualifications relate to the organization and the position.
  • Write out your answers to common interview questions and be sure to illustrate your strengths with examples from your work experience, volunteering, or education experience.

Set up your space

For most video interviews, you will need a laptop or desktop computer with audio and video capability, stable Internet service, and a quiet space to meet. Phones or tablets may be sufficient. If you need computer equipment and/or private meeting space, your local American Job Center may be able to help, and your local library may also have space you can reserve for an interview.

Test out lighting and pay attention to your background. Avoid having open closet doors, piles of clothing or papers, or other distractions in your background. Check the lighting to make sure your interviewer will be able to see you clearly. Close extraneous applications and browser tabs, and mute notifications on your devices. Remind everyone in your household to not disturb the interview.

Do a practice run

Once you have your space and equipment, it’s time to practice. If you can, start by having someone help you practice interview by phone or video. Practice speaking clearly, using natural hand gestures, and keeping your answers concise and meaningful. Pay attention to how you can communicate enthusiasm and energy with upright posture, eye contact, head nods and smiles—it often takes a little more effort to show your enthusiasm via phone or video than in person. Record yourself so you can review your performance.

One important tip to remember is to maintain eye contact. It’s fine to keep a copy of your resume or some brief notes handy so you can refer to them, but remember to look at and engage with your interviewer as much as possible. Depending on the location of your camera, you may appear to be looking away if you focus on the interviewer; instead focus on your video camera to keep eye contact. Do not look at a phone or device other than the interview device.

Want more tips? Visit CareerOneStop’s Interview & Negotiate section.

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New year’s check-in; revitalize your career

Posted on by CareerOneStop Posted in advance your career, Career changers, career explorers, Job prospects, Uncategorized
2024 checklist

The start of a new year can provide both the motivation and determination to revitalize your career. Whether by enhancing your skills, expanding your network, or learning more about trends and opportunities in your local job market, you can find up-to-date information and inspiration on CareerOneStop.

Explore these three strategies:

Update your credentials, knowledge, skills, or training

  • Did you know earning a certification can help you qualify for some jobs, or make a great impression with employers? A certification is an award you earn by passing a test that shows you have skills or knowledge in an occupation, industry, or technology. You can prepare for a certification exam by taking a course at a community college or through a certification sponsor’s program. Courses typically take between a few weeks to several months.

    Search for certifications related to your field using the Certification Finder. Pay special attention to listings with chili peppers; these denote “in demand”.  
  • Interested in an entirely new career? You may be able to train in a matter of months, or embark on a longer training program, depending on your goals. Use the Local Training Finder to search for programs in your city, state, or ZIP code.

    For example, if you’re interested in web design, you can search for programs, then filter by the length of program you want to study for. Web design programs range from short-term certificate programs (12 weeks to 1 year), to programs lasting less than 2 years, up to 4-year college degrees, and graduate classes.
  • Need to keep your time investment short for now? Explore resources for free online training, and then list any classes you complete on your resume and LinkedIn profile to update your skills section.

Use information on your local job market to explore career options with staying power

  • Curious about how a new career might compare to your current work? You can see how the two stack up next to each other on Compare Occupations. You’ll see typical salaries for both fields, shared similar skills and knowledge, and any skills gaps between them. Also learn about projected job growth for each, and any training, licensure, or certifications that would help you qualify for the new field.
  • Check out What’s Hot to find out which careers in your state are fastest-growing, highest-paying, have the most job openings, have the largest total employment numbers, or are in decline.
  • Research Industries offers similar trend reports at the broader industry level, such as health care, IT, or human services. If your skills and experience are more general, such as marketing, sales, human resources, administration, or many IT careers, you may be able to transfer to other industries. So take time to learn which industries in your state have the most potential for growth and stability.
  • Use the Job Finder to scan current job postings in your field, or a field you’re considering. What are some keywords that stand out? Do you notice certain themes in the qualifications employers are seeking? How does the pay stack up with your current salary?

Expand your network and update knowledge in your field by joining a professional association

  • Membership in a professional association can offer a variety of benefits. Typically, assocations provide networking opportunities to meet people who work in the profession, training opportunities to learn up-to-date skills, and many sponsor conferences to explore current trends and new developments in the field.

    Many associations also offer a “Career Center” section, listing job openings that may only be available to view by members. Use the Professional Association Finder to explore associations in your field.
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Updated Food and Beverage Service Competency Model 

Posted on by CareerOneStop Posted in Businesses and employers, Workforce Development Professionals

The U.S. Department of Labor has released a newly updated Food and Beverage Service Competency Model based on a review of training standards, feedback from employers, and in-depth interviews with subject matter experts resulting in the addition of new content and overall streamlining of the model.  

This competency model results from the collaborative efforts of champions from various organizations, including DOL’s Employment and Training Administration (ETA),  the National Restaurant Association Educational Foundation (NRAEF), and industry experts in the field of food and beverage service. 

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5 high-pay, in-demand careers that don’t need a college degree

Posted on by CareerOneStop Posted in career explorers, Entry-level workers, Students

Looking for good job, but not ready to spend four years getting a college degree? There are plenty of careers that offer great job prospects, good pay, and a chance for advancement—and that you can train for in two years or less. Here are five of those options to explore.

Wind Turbine Service Technicians

If you like working with equipment and troubleshooting errors, this might be the career for you. Inspect, diagnose, adjust, or repair wind turbines. Wind turbine service technicians perform maintenance on wind turbine equipment including resolving electrical, mechanical, and hydraulic malfunctions. You can get qualified for these positions with a high school degree and a two-year certificate. And while there aren’t a lot of jobs in this field currently –only about 11,000 nationwide—openings are expected to grow by 45 percent over the next decade, and the median annual salary in 2022 was more than $57,000.

Massage Therapists

If you like working with people and are interested in how the human body works, massage therapy is a great career to consider. Massage therapists perform therapeutic massages of soft tissues and joints. May assist in the assessment of range of motion and muscle strength, or propose client therapy plans. Job openings are expected to increase in the coming years, and most people begin in the field with a high-school degree and a two-year certificate. The median annual salary in 2022 was about $50,000.

Computer Numerically Controlled Tool Programmers

Also known as CAD CAM Programmers (Computer-Aided Design Computer-Aided Manufacturing Programmer), these IT professionals develop programs to control the machining or processing of materials by automatic machine tools, equipment, or systems. May also set up, operate, or maintain equipment. The occupation is expected to grow much faster than average in the coming years, and the annual median salary in 2022 was $61,000. Most people who enter this field have a high school diploma and a two-year certificate and/or up to a year of on-the-job training.

Medical Assistants

With more than 100,000 new medical assistant jobs expected to be created over he next decade, this field is a good bet for finding employment. Medical assistants perform administrative and some clinical duties under the direction of a physician. Administrative duties may include scheduling appointments, maintaining medical records, billing, and coding information for insurance purposes. Clinical duties may include taking and recording vital signs and medical histories, preparing patients for examination, drawing blood, and administering medications as directed by physician. The jobs usually require a high-school diploma and a two-year certificate and the medial annal salary in 2022 was $38,200—and with the work experience and training you gain from being a medical assistant, you can often move to higher-paying healthcare jobs.

Medical Records Specialists

Another healthcare career expected to have many job openings, this job might be for you if you prefer to work at a computer rather than directly with clients. Medical records specialist compile, process, and maintain medical records of hospital and clinic patients in a manner consistent with medical, administrative, ethical, legal, and regulatory requirements of the healthcare system. The average median salary in 2022 was $47,200 and most people starting in the field have a high-school diploma and a two-year certificate

Want to explore more careers?

Check out CareerOneStop’s Career Reports such as Fastest-Growing Careers or Highest-Paying Careers.

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Updated Geospatial Technology Competency Model

Posted on by CareerOneStop Posted in Businesses and employers

The U.S. Department of Labor has released a newly updated Geospatial Technology Competency Model, which provides a redefined competency framework outlining cross-cutting and sector specific competencies and skills needed by professionals along with the latest industry and related links.  Geospatial information and analysis has its own set of competencies that are critical to many industry sectors, including natural resources, energy utilities, environmental management, and supply chain management.

This competency model results from the collaborative efforts of champions from various organizations, including DOL’s Employment and Training Administration (ETA), the GeoTech Center, and industry experts in the field of geospatial technology and practice.

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