Improving your chances for an interview

Unemployment is close to an all-time high for Highlands County and finding a new job can be difficult and scary, but there are ways to improve the chance your resume or job application may lead to an interview.

According to the United States Department of Labor - Bureau of Labor Statistics, in December, both the number of unemployed persons, (at 15.3 million) and the unemployment rate (at 10.0 percent) nationally, were unchanged.

At the start of the recession in December 2007, the number of unemployed persons was 7.7 million, and the unemployment rate was 5.0 percent.

Professionals say there are ways to improve the applicants' chances for employment before, during and after the interview is finished.

One-Stop Career Centers

Alan Grimes is regional director of programs and operations at Heartland Workforce in Highlands, Hardee and DeSoto counties.

They are located at 2726 U.S. 27 N., in Sebring and can be reached by calling (863) 385-3672.

He said Wednesday that the unemployment rate in Highlands County for November of 2009 was 11.7 percent. That compared with 5.6 percent for November 2007 and 9 percent for November 2008.

"The numbers have increased in the last year," he said. "Right now we have a lot of people who have lost their jobs and it can be everything from professional jobs to construction or retail."

Heartland Workforce is handling about 4,700 people per month in its three county One-Stop Career Centers.

"That's about 25 percent above last year," he said. "Many are people who are unemployed for the first time. We get people coming through the door who haven't filled out an application in 15 years."

Many of them don't even have resumes, he said. But they can come in and check the computers for jobs they're interested in.

"If they see a job they like they can sit down with one of our counselors who will help them get a referral," he said.

There are not a lot of agricultural jobs right now either, said Grimes.

"We're helping encourage ag-workers to receive an education," he said.

The office puts many of its clients through the "Prove-it" skills testing system.

"In this economy people are saying they can do everything," he said. "The 'Prove-it' system can test about 1,000 skills. But we don't test everyone."

Heartland Workforce provides its clients with free job search assistance, career workshops, skills assessments, educational information, career counseling, as well as training opportunities, career change assistance, and access to jobs databases as well as resume and interview assistance.

"We're federally funded through the states," said Grimes.

The center has trained professionals who can assist qualified individuals with subsidized training in targeted occupations, helps returning service men under the GI Bill, said Roger Hood, president and CEO.

"A lot of folks confuse us with the unemployment office," said Hood. "We are not the unemployment office. We allow folks use of our computers to access the state's unemployment hotline."

But anyone who is unemployed is encouraged to come in and staff will try to help them.

Surprisingly, there is no longer an unemployment office where you wait long hours for your unemployment counselor to call on you. Unemployment is all handled online now, or by telephone.

It's now called the State of Florida Agency for Workforce Innovation Unemployment Compensation program and can be reached by calling 1-800-204-2418 or online at www.fluidnow.com .

Use print and online resources

There are several good local choices for employment services in the Yellow Pages of your telephone book.

Most newspapers carry employment advertisements and there are numerous online sites geared to general labor as well as specific careers.

What can job seekers do?

Be prepared! Remember in the current economic environment and job market, employers can afford to take their time and to be choosey.

Yessenia "Jessy" Irizarry is the senior staffing consultant for Sunshine Staffing in Sebring, located in the Keys Professional Plaza, at 817 U.S. 27 S.

Many of the applicants that walk in are unprepared for a job search.

"Applications must be filled out here," she said. "It helps us make sure they can read and write. They have to be able to fill out the application themselves."

The company takes applications by walk-in and by appointment for temporary jobs to potential hire.

"We ask for 10 years of work history and documentation," she said. "The majority are missing phone numbers, dates when they worked or can't remember, saying 'I don't have that information.'"

Sunshine Staffing learns the employers' needs and pairs them up with the skills of potential employees. There's no fee to the applicant.

"I would say we're match makers," said Irizarry. "We try to find the right fit. About 40 percent of candidates who come through the door are hired."

They provide their employees with workmen's compensation insurance, provide unemployment and in some cases self-pay health insurance may be available.

Sunshine's scope is more limited in focus than Heartland Workforce, by providing clerical, light industrial, production and custodial jobs.

They do not handle driving or money-handling job openings, nor do they provide construction jobs, or medical staffing except clerical, kitchen and janitorial. They do not take applicants for nursing or certified nursing assistants.

Their clients include private companies, corporate offices, municipalities, counties and some schools. School positions are generally limited to clerical and custodial positions.

"We do client visits," she said. "We tour the (workplace) to make sure there are safe working conditions."

They check to see if the clients have time sheets and other materials.

All applicants for clerical positions are tested to see if they have the skills needed to do the job. They do background checks through the state of Florida.

"We want to make sure (the employers) are provided quality people," she said.

Some employers may require further background checks.

Another employment agency, Labor Finders, in Sebring, declined to make a comment, and an attempt to get a comment from the Career Center at South Florida Community College was not successful.

Resumes

Both Heartland Workforce and Sunshine Staffing can help candidates with resumes. There are also resume guides available online.

The workforce provides clients with resume preparation and interview skills training.

"If we see one and we see a problem with it, we can help revamp it," said Irizarry. "We make suggestions and can direct them to a resume template."

Templates may not be recommended for everyone.

"Although wizards and templates make creating a resume easy, they are often difficult to format or make changes to later," according to http://www.hope.edu/student/career/resources/internshipresume.pdf .

On an average a recruiter spends 8-10 seconds on a resume before deciding if the candidate goes into the next round, according to one expert at www.employmentdigest.net .

"If your resume does not make the cut, chances are very little it will make the cut next time, even if it is filed for future reference."

A good resume is a glorified application, the web site stated.

"This type of resume explains to the hiring manager the following information in this order: dates of employment, companies, and titles held, and job functions. It concludes with when and where you received your education.

"It is good because the hiring manager can get a clear summation of your past experience and education.

"A great resume is a marketing brochure. This resume highlights the scope and depth of your experience. It describes the expertise you have developed throughout your career that relates to your future employer's needs. A great resume communicates a compelling reason for the prospective employer to need and want your services."

Dress for success

"It's probably one of the most overused phrases in job-hunting, but also one of the most underutilized by job-seekers: dress for success," said Randall S. Hansen.

"In job-hunting, first impressions are critical. Remember, you are marketing a product - yourself - to a potential employer, and the first thing the employer sees when greeting you is your attire; thus, you must make every effort to have the proper dress for the type of job you are seeking."

Some people come in with pajama pants or house slippers, said Jessy Irizarry at Sunshine Staffing.

Others have had extreme hair or hygiene issues. This is not the way to show up for an interview.

"We tell everybody to dress at least decent," said Irizarry. "If you're applying for a business or management position, then dress in a business suit."

One source suggested going into the office of a potential employer, perhaps to pick up an application, and observe the dress code. However, make sure you haven't arrived on casual day.

An employer's view

John Shoop is the president of Highlands Independent Bank, overseeing six branches and an operations center, as well as about 85 employees.

The bank is not hiring at this time, said Shoop. The bank's staff has been very stable for the last year and a half, he said.

"We look for an outgoing person that has people skills, is friendly and polite," he said. "Taking care of our customers is our priority. We don't want anything that is offensive to others; no rings in your nose."

A job applicant should be presentable.

An applicant who walks in with flip flops and shorts may not appear serious, he said.

"Your first impression is your best impression," said Shoop.

He said they look for positive people with a willingness to work.

A good solid application that shows job stability is important. A human resources person who looks at an applicant's job history with a lot of employment changes may wonder if they should shell out the cost and time to train a person.

Different levels of education are important for different levels of a job.

"A high school diploma and college degrees are important because it shows you are trainable and that you can complete things," he said.

Keeping your application on top

Immediately send a thank you note after an interview and e-mail is an increasingly popular way to do so, according to www.source1-financial.com a northern-based firm.

"Be sincere and courteous. Re-emphasize your top two or three skills that make you an ideal candidate for the position.

"This can also be your chance to get across something you may have forgotten to mention, clear up any misconceptions, or allay any fears the employer may have about you."

Hints for 'Dress for Success' for men and women

Attention to details is crucial, so here are some tips for both men and women. Make sure you have:

clean and polished conservative dress shoes

well-groomed hairstyle

cleaned and trimmed fingernails

minimal cologne or perfume

no visible body piercing beyond conservative ear piercings for women

well-brushed teeth and fresh breath

no gum, candy, or other objects in your mouth

minimal jewelry

no body odor

Finally, check your attire in the rest room just before your interview for a final check of your appearance - to make sure your tie is straight; your hair is combed, etc.