Job search resources for veterans

Posted on by CareerOneStop Posted in Career counselors, Veterans
veterans day logo

veterans day logoPlanning your civilian employment, career path, or education?

If you’re a veteran looking for a job or planning your next career step, take a look at CareerOneStop’s Veteran and Military Transition Center, recently updated with some valuable improvements.

Veterans Job Matcher

Use the Veterans Job Matcher to identify civilian careers that match your military experience—and then see local job postings for the careers you’re interested in. Just enter your military job title or code to receive a list of civilian careers that use similar skills and work experience as your military job. You’ll find civilian career information such as typical wages, training expectations, and job outlook, and can then link to job postings in your local area.

Federal job hiring for veterans

Working for the federal government can be a great option for veterans. And many skills developed in the military can transfer readily to federal agency work, making veterans particularly valued candidates.

You can start exploring federal employment by checking out topics including veteran’s preference, Special Hiring Authorities for veterans, and how to find and apply for federal jobs.

Explore civilian careers

Whether you want to take your career in a new direction or work in a field related to your military experience, exploring civilian careers is an opportunity for learning.

You can take an interest or skills assessment to identify potential careers that fit you best, and then learn important details about your favorite career options, from typical tasks and education needed, to salary and employer demand.

There’s also information on how to translate your military skills, experiences, and accomplishments into terms that make sense to civilians who make hiring decisions.

Expanded guidance on civilian resume development

Learn how to craft a strong resume that represents your skills and experience effectively. You can view a variety of resume samples for ideas on how to translate military experience into civilian terms on a resume.

Help in your local area

American Job Centers are located in every state and help people search for jobs, find training, and answer other employment related questions. Most have a Veterans Employment Representative who helps veterans with disabilities to find employment. Local Veterans Employment Representatives meet with employers in the area to promote the recruitment and employment of veteran employee candidates.

If you are interested in furthering your education, Vets Reps will connect you with a local County Veterans Service Officer, who will help you navigate Veterans Education Benefits, and help you connect to healthcare services as well. Once you’re on campus, be sure to meet with your campus Veterans Certifying Official to certify that you are a student – this is needed to confirm that you are enrolled at the school, document the number of hours in school, etc.

You can also find resources in your state on the Veterans State Resource Finder, including resources for job search, education, homelessness, and those targeted for national guard/reserve members. Veterans Certifying Officials information is under the Educational Resources tab, and CSVOs, under “Other Resources.”

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National Apprenticeship Week 2019

Posted on by CareerOneStop Posted in Businesses and employers, Workforce Development Professionals
Natioanl Apprenticeship Week 2019 logo

Natioanl Apprenticeship Week 2019 logoNational Apprenticeship Week begins November 11 this year. Now in its fifth year, the week is a nationwide celebration sponsored by the U.S. Department of Labor with the goal of highlighting the impact apprenticeship programs have on addressing the U.S. skills gap and preparing the American workforce for the jobs of today and tomorrow.

National Apprenticeship Week gives businesses, communities, and educators the opportunity to showcase their apprenticeship programs and their apprentices. It’s also an opportunity for businesses and community partners to learn more about developing and registering their own apprenticeship programs through DOL’s Registered Apprenticeship program.

Are you an apprenticeship sponsor?

There’s still time to host a National Apprenticeship Week event, or to share a proclamation highlighting your apprenticeship to your broader community. Visit Apprenticeship.gov’s National Apprenticeship Week to learn more about how to plan an event, register an event, or share a proclamation.

You’ll also find a map of nearly 800 events and 100 proclamations from around the country. Take a look at how other apprenticeship sponsors are celebrating National Apprenticeship Week 2019!

Are you interested in developing an apprenticeship program?

If you’re a business or labor organization, an industry association or another kind of workforce intermediary, a community college or the public workforce system, or a community-based or service organization, you can use the Quick-Start Toolkit: Building Registered Apprenticeship Programs to get started or continue your apprenticeship planning. The toolkit provides helpful steps and resources to start and register an apprenticeship program, from exploring the apprenticeship model as a workforce strategy to launching a new program.

Are you a career seeker interested in an apprenticeship?

Visit Apprenticeship.gov’s Apprenticeship Finder to search for opportunities in your local area.

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3 free resources for career development professionals

Posted on by CareerOneStop Posted in Career counselors
Career counselor advising client

Career counselor advising clientNovember is National Career Development Month, sponsored by the National Career Development Association, and CareerOneStop is kicking it off with this list of the top three CareerOneStop resources for counselors, according to feedback from career advisors this year.

1. Assessments

CareerOneStop now offers two free assessments to help you help your clients find good career fits. Both assessments are designed to be taken independently, and allow users to print  their list of career results to share with you.

The Interest Assessment is a short 30-question assessment that provides career explorers with a list of occupations that link to complete career profiles of each occupation. The Interest Assessment was constructed from O*NET’s Interest Profiler, which is based on Dr. John Holland’s theory that people’s interests and work environments can be loosely classified into six different groups, Realistic, Investigative, Artistic, Social, Enterprising, and Conventional.

The Skills Matcher is a 40-question skills assessment. Your clients will get a list with average pay, typical education, and the employment outlook for the careers that best match their skills. The Skills Matcher uses a subset of 40 of O*NET’s KSAs to match users to occupations.

2. Career reports

Help clients learn about in-demand occupations in any state, or nationwide.  CareerOneStop’s Career Reports offer snapshots of which occupations have the most openings, are fastest-growing (or slowest), pay the most, or employ the most workers—in any state or for the country as a whole. Data includes typical wages and education needed, and users can select any occupation in the reports to view a complete career profile. with up-to-date employment data for their local area. Check out the reports below:

3. Career videos

CareerOneStop’s Video Library includes hundreds of career videos–each one a visual career description. The videos are organized into 16 career clusters, so your clients can explore general fields of interest, or go directly to selected career video. All career videos are recently updated and include career details such as tasks, work settings, education needed, and more.

 

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Your summer job: put it on a resume

Posted on by CareerOneStop Posted in Entry-level workers, Parents, Uncategorized, Youth
Amusement park cashier selling tickets

Working at a summer job during high school or college can be the start to building your career. Summer jobs provide income, work skills, awareness of which tasks you like or don’t like, experience managing your own money, and more. Translate that valuable summer work experience onto a resume using some of these ideas.

Basic skills matter to employers

Lots of employers value basic skills, so it’s appropriate to include them on your resume. These skills include being on time to work, showing up for your shift on holidays, taking your job seriously, interacting respectfully with customers and co-workers, and working with dedication and commitment.

Amusement park cashier selling ticketsSee if you can recognize any basic skill gaps in this quote from a cafe manager who fired two of her high school age employees: “They never get in on time. Early in the day, our kitchen is really busy, so short staffing means orders are slow to arrive which makes customers unhappy. If I ask them to chop an onion, it takes 5 minutes. I talked to them several times, but I just reached the end of my patience.”

Imagine what qualities that employer will look for in kitchen staff applicants, such as “Excellent follow through on tasks. Punctual and reliable. Learn quickly.” Include your own basic skills on your resume.

Dig up meaningful details

Here’s a list of questions to consider to help bring out experience and skills to include on your resume:

  • Did you get any kind of training to learn the job?
  • Learn any safety practices?
  • Have you gained customer service skills?
  • What basic skills did you practice? For example punctuality and follow through, or critical thinking.
  • Did working require you to balance other aspects of your life? That can be expressed as ”Balanced schedule of work, sports, and volunteering.”
  • Were you responsible for keeping customers safe and enforcing operation rules?
  • Many summer jobs are team oriented. Did you participate in a team, gain teamwork skills, or work with a diverse group of co-workers or customers?

What tasks did you do?

Check out these descriptions of common summer jobs. Select the job title closest to what you did this summer, and scroll down to the last section on the profile page, “What you might do in a day.” This lists out the typical tasks for the job. Use some of these to help write up your summer work experience. For example:

Dishwasher – What you might do in a day

  • Clean tableware.
  • Clean food preparation areas, facilities, and equipment.
  • Store supplies or goods in kitchens or storage areas.
  • Remove trash.
  • Stock serving stations or dining areas with food or supplies.
  • Wash dishes, glassware, flatware, pots, or pans, using dishwashers or by hand.
  • Maintain kitchen work areas, equipment, or utensils in clean and orderly condition.
  • Place clean dishes, utensils, or cooking equipment in storage areas.
  • Sort and remove trash, placing it in designated pickup areas.
  • Sweep or scrub floors.

Action verbs help make your resume more polished

Here’s a list of verbs to help you write action oriented statements on your resume. Instead of writing “had” or “did” or “tried” – use verbs that are more specific and interesting. Some of these verbs may help you describe your tasks and accomplishments more precisely or interestingly:

  • Coordinated
  • Managed
  • Completed
  • Stocked
  • Handled
  • Improved
  • Achieved
  • Resolved
  • Organized
  • Wrote
  • Updated
  • Ordered
  • Recorded
  • Scheduled
  • Helped
  • Answered
  • Assisted
  • Contributed
  • Demonstrated
  • Trained
  • Maintained
  • Collected
  • Built
  • Calculated
  • Communicated
  • Operated
  • Responded
  • Contacted
  • Explained
  • Interacted
  • Participated
  • Promoted
  • Produced
  • Planned
  • Identified
  • Provided

Learn more about how to write a resume on CareerOneStop.

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When and how to disclose your disability to an employer

Posted on by CareerOneStop Posted in Job seekers, Workers with disabilities

Each October, National Disability Employment Awareness Month celebrates the contributions of workers with disabilities and the value of a workforce that includes all skills and talents. Since 1945, this annual observance has helped spread the word about the value of employing workers with disability. Today most workplaces—in private business, government, and the nonprofit sector—employ people with disabilities.

And yet it remains difficult for many to determine if, when, and how they should disclose a disability to their employer. For those with hidden disabilities, the question can be even trickier.

Are you or someone you know struggling with disclosing a disability?

A conversation with an employer about your disability involves several decisions. Disclosing a disability requires thought and planning. Many individuals with disabilities feel uncertain about disclosure. Ultimately, the job candidate must decide the time, place, and degree of information to share with others.

Are you required to tell an employer about your disability?

No. Disclosure of a disability is not required. Job candidates should be aware that once disclosure of a disability or an accommodation request is made, employers may ask the employee about the limitations relaEmplted to the job and are permitted to make medical inquiries.

When is the best time to disclose a disability?

If you have a visible disability, you may want to anticipate the concerns of the employer. Consider taking charge during the first interview to talk about your disability and how you would handle any impact on the job. You may want to describe any accommodation you use, how it helps your performance, or demonstrate how you would perform difficult functions.

Many experts suggest disclosing before a job offer in order to communicate self-confidence and refocus the employer’s attention on your ability to do the job. Some people with non-visible disabilities may choose not to disclose their disability at all.

What should you say?

Share examples of the strategies you use to do your work. For example a candidate with low vision might say: “In my previous work, I was responsible for maintaining our inventory. I created a labeling system with a good color contrast that I could see easily. It turns out that this was a benefit for others as well.”

Let the interviewer know that you would be glad to answer any questions they might have about how you would do your work and the accommodations you use. Being open and direct about your disability will help put the interviewer at ease, which is a critical factor in whether you receive a call for a second interview.

Want to learn more?

Visit CareerOneStop’s Resources for Workers with Disabilities.

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Need to post job openings? Try your state job bank

Posted on by CareerOneStop Posted in Businesses and employers, Uncategorized

Online job banks offer a simple platform for organizations to post job openings, and for job seekers to search and apply for open positions.

There are literally dozens of private job banks such as Monster, Indeed, and other big names. Posting on these can get your positions in front of high numbers of job seekers—but it can also require substantial money and HR time to post, manage, and maintain the postings.

Instead of paying to post on private job banks, consider the advantages of posting openings on your state job bank.

State job bank advantages

  • All employers can post open positions on their state job bank at no cost. Note that registration, validation, and posting times may vary by state. Find your state job bank to post your job opening for free.
  • State job banks attract a very diverse audience of job seekers. Employees who match the diversity of your market increase your hiring options and contribute to productivity and innovation.
  • If you need assistance with posting a job, writing a position description, or identifying an appropriate salary range to offer, you can find free, in-person assistance from your local American Job Center (AJC). Find your nearest AJC office.

The posting process

Typically, the process starts with registering your organization with the job bank, using your federal ID number and state unemployment tax number for authentication. Once you’re a registered employer, you may begin posting job openings. Using the most important keywords to specify job description, title, required skills and experience in your description, will help the system identify the strongest prospective job candidates.

In state job banks, typically you can expect to:

  • Search your state’s largest online resume database
  • Find candidates with diverse experience
  • Use an option to “find more resumes like this”
  • Opt to have interested job seekers apply on the site or apply directly on your website
  • Save resumes to review and recruit later
  • Elect to receive emails when resumes are identified that match your job criteria

Targeting your job postings

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It’s National Manufacturing Day: learn about advanced manufacturing apprenticeships

Posted on by CareerOneStop Posted in Workforce Development Professionals

The first Friday in October is the day each year that the National Association of Manufacturers sets aside to promote the manufacturing industry to students, educators, future workers, and others.

The goal of the day is to spread the word about the health and diversity of the manufacturing industry, as well as to help manufacturers address their skilled labor shortage, connect with future generations, and ensure the ongoing prosperity of the whole industry.

“Today’s manufacturing involves so much more than the assembly line,” NAM states. “There are lots of opportunities in engineering, IT, and sales and marketing,”

Advanced Manufacturing

One of the fastest-growing areas of manufacturing is advanced manufacturing. This term is used to describe manufacturing processes in specific industries such as aerospace, medical, pharmaceutical, that use advanced techniques and equipment, and require advanced skills from workers.

According to the U.S. Department of Labor, advanced manufacturing companies are increasingly turning to apprenticeships to develop, grow, and retain their skilled workforce. Apprenticeship programs combine on-the-job learning with related instruction in technical areas to produce qualified, highly-productive employees for careers requiring precision skills. Apprenticeship training ensures workers have the knowledge and competencies companies need for today and tomorrow.

Learn more about the manufacturing industry as a whole from the USDOL’s Bureau of Labor Statistics, or explore the world of Advanced Manufacturing Apprenticeships at the USDOL’s Apprenticeship.gov website.

 

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Coming soon: redesigned Advanced Manufacturing Competency Model

Posted on by CareerOneStop Posted in Businesses and employers, Uncategorized, Workforce Development Professionals
Competency Model Clearinghouse logo

In a 2018 survey, 85% of SEMI members revealed that attracting, training and retaining talent is a major concern and top priority as emerging technologies including AI, machine learning, 5G and IoT amplify the semiconductor industry’s need for skilled workers. In response to those findings, SEMI, the California-based global industry association representing more than 2,100 member companies across the end-to-end electronics manufacturing and design supply chain, launched SEMI Works, a major initiative to address the industry’s talent shortfall.

Competency Model Clearinghouse logo

As part of its buildout of SEMI Works, SEMI is spearheading the redesign of the U.S. Department of Labor’s Advanced Manufacturing Competency Model, and designing the semiconductor industry’s first comprehensive competency model. The new model will provide a detailed snapshot of the skills and competencies the semiconductor industry needs for vital positions. The model will give higher education and workforce development providers the information they need to develop and deliver training programs that help the industry meet its workforce development requirements.

Competencies are a set of related knowledge, skills, and abilities (KSAs) needed to perform the functions or tasks of a given position. In any industry, competency models define the skills needed to meet its human capital challenges. For the semiconductor industry, current competencies in the Advanced Manufacturing Competency Model are now being updated and new competencies will be added to create a comprehensive industrywide model that covers relevant areas such as:

  • Manufacturing Process Design/Development
  • Operations Management
  • Maintenance, Installation, and Repair
  • Production in the Supply Chain/Supply Chain Logistics
  • Quality Assurance and Continuous Improvement
  • Process and Equipment Health, Safety, and Environment

A competency model working group consisting of executives and job trainers from SEMI member companies around the world is now using the Advanced Manufacturing Competency Model as the foundation for developing a competency model for sectors of the semiconductor industry.

For the first time, the competency model will provide a dynamic repository for skills and competency profiles, updated regularly to meet the industry’s evolving workforce requirements, that help companies across the industry connect with—talent. The model will include competencies that are standards-based, globally relevant, and apply to almost any semiconductor and advanced manufacturer worldwide. SEMI is leveraging its nearly 50 years’ experience in facilitating industry collaborations and establishing standards used around the world to develop the competency model.

Stay tuned for more information about SEMI’s competency model development by visiting the Competency Model Clearinghouse.

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What can I do with a major in: Environmental Science

Posted on by CareerOneStop Posted in Career changers, Career counselors, Parents, Students, Uncategorized
College students in hallway

College students in hallwayA bachelor’s degree in Environmental Science can open the door to a broad variety of roles and types of organizations. Some environmental scientists spend most of their time in the field – whether studying soil, sampling water sources, measuring air quality; while others engage primarily in writing and research from a desk. Virtually all careers in Environmental Science involve taking a deep interest in environmental phenomena and problems, with a focused intent to understand and, when needed, resolve them.

Overview of Environmental Science careers

Environmental scientists conduct research and investigate pollutants and hazards that affect the environment or public health. They collect, analyze and report on data such as pollution emissions, atmospheric monitoring, or soil and water samples.

Environmental scientists play e a significant role in communicating scientific information to the public or the organizations they work for, often through presentations and written reports. They may develop research models, and advise organizations and public offices about preventing environmental impacts, as well as measuring and documenting them when they occur. A strong theme of compliance with government regulations runs through these careers, so knowledge of regulations and requirements related to their specific area is often required.

Environmental Science career options

Many career options in Environmental Science require a bachelor’s degree in the field. Check out this list for a variety of Environmental Science-related careers; select a linked occupation to see typical tasks, salary, employment projections, education and training required, and more.

Types of organizations that hire Environmental Scientists

The majority of environmental scientists work in government, though growth is expected in the private sector. Most government positions are at the state level. A number of positions in private companies involve conducting scientific work, management, or consulting with companies to help ensure they comply with environmental regulations

Join Environmental Science professional associations

Joining a professional association can help you:

  • Develop a network of peers in your occupation or industry
  • Find professional development opportunities to help you advance your career—or enter a new field
  • Keep current on changes in your field through conferences and publications

Check out these prominent professional associations for environmental scientists, and find more on the Professional Association Finder.

 Certifications for Environmental Science careers

Certifications demonstrate that you have specific skills or knowledge. Some employers require or prefer a particular certification, and many people earn them to advance in their careers. Check out these examples of Environmental Science-related certifications, and find more on the Certification Finder.

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5 ways professional associations can help you boost your career

Posted on by CareerOneStop Posted in Career changers, Entry-level workers, Job seekers
Professionals networking at an event

Professionals networking at an eventLooking for a way to develop professional relationships and build your network? Consider joining or becoming more active in a professional association.

Building and maintaining a robust professional network is one of the best ways to advance your career—whether you’re just starting out, are thinking of switching careers, or are already a leader in field. Your professional network can include current and past work colleagues, friends, and even family members.

But one of the best sources of professional network members is a professional association. These generally nonprofit organizations exist for nearly every industry and career field—from accountants to zoo keepers.

Most professional associations offer a range of benefits and services. Locate a professional association in your career or industry and see which of the following options are available:

  1. Attend networking events. Many associations offer monthly or similarly scheduled social events, often rotating after-work gatherings between various local meeting spots such as restaurants or conference centers. Often you can “test-drive” an organization by attending one of these events before joining and paying any membership dues. If a search on the Professional Association Finder turns up several associations of interests to you, visit each organization’s website to see if there are any upcoming events. Bring business cards and exchange as many as you can to help build your network. This is also a great time to practice and perfect your elevator speech.
  2. Become a full member. When you do find an association that seems like a good fit, it can be worth it to become a full member—even if the membership fee seems steep at first glance. Many organizations offer state or local chapters that are less expensive than a national membership, but offer many tailored benefits such as local events, relevant workshops, email updates and more. If you’re employed in the field, check with your employer to see if they will cover any membership fees.
  3. Get job search leads. Many professional associations offer a range of career services and even host their own job banks, which can be invaluable sources for job postings (on CareerOneStop’s Professional Association Finder, you’ll see a checkmark and a website link to related career services if an organization offers them). You’ll also find that the members you meet through an organization can be great sources for job leads—employees of different companies will often know about openings in their departments before they’re posted online.
  4. Attend regional or national conferences or workshops. Most associations will promote these events on their websites. They are excellent opportunities for expanding your professional network, hearing about best practices in other regions or businesses, and learning new skills. Have a particular skill that might be of interest to your colleagues? You can often submit a proposal to present a workshop at a conference—you’ll boost your exposure to others in your field and you might even get some or all of your expenses paid.
  5. Join the association’s LinkedIn group. Many organizations have LinkedIn groups to help further professional networking. You often have to submit your LinkedIn profile to the association be approved for membership in the LinkedIn group—so first take time to update your own profile. Once you’re accepted, you can begin to interact with other members by “liking” or commenting on others’ posts. You can also start your own discussions on topics you’re particularly interested in.

Learn more about networking from CareerOneStop.

 

 

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