GENL 111 - Job Readiness

1 Credits: (1 lecture)

Course Description
This course is designed primarily for second year students who are expecting to enter the workforce and intend to improve their ability to find meaningful employment. Job search strategies and their application will be covered. 

Prerequisite Minimum of 12 earned college credits.

A. Identify key skills and values, and how these can be used to strengthen their planning and job seeking ability.

B. List a variety of resources available through the College and other community resources in order to target potential employers.

C. Define work preferences in order to focus on jobs that use the student’s unique skills, interests, and experience.

D. Develop communication skills for use in job interviews, informational interviews, job fairs, and networking.

E. Perform activities to prepare the student for a successful job search such as: creating an effective resume, writing a cover letter, completing applications, and acquiring references and letters of recommendation.

F. Complete a mock interview.

G. List reasons why people don’t get job offers.

H. Summarize how to be successful on the job.

Content
A. Self-assessment

B. Resume development

C. Writing cover letters and thank you notes

D. Application procedures

E. Usefulness of portfolios

F. Locating job leads

G. Networking strategies

H. Obtaining references/Letters of recommendation

I. The interviewing process

J. Evaluating job offers

K. Exploring career myths

L. Survival skills

Student Evaluation
Evaluation of student grades will be based upon the completion of assignments which will include the written self-assessment and identification of skills, the resume and cover letter, the list of three job prospects from three different sources, the mock interview, and a final exam.Bibliography
Breitbarth, Wayne. The Power Formula for LinkedIn Success. 2nd ed. Austin: Greenleaf, 2013. Print.

Eischen, Clifford W., and Lynn A. Eischen. Resumes, Cover Letters, Networking, and Interviewing. 4th ed. Stamford: Cengage, 2012. Print.

Hacker, Carol A. Job Hunting in the 21st Century. Boca Raton: St. Lucie, 1999. Print.

Huffman, Danny. Professional Career Networking in the Now: Digital and Traditional. Longwood: Education Career Services, 2014. Print.

Schepp, Brad, and Debra Schepp. How to Find a Job on LinkedIn, Facebook, Twitter and Google. 2nd ed. New York: McGraw, 2012. Print.

Wilson, Gwenn. 100% Job Search Success. 3rd ed. Stamford: Cengage, 2012. Print.

Zunker, Vernon G. Career Counseling. 8th ed. Pacific Grove: Brooks, 2011. Print.