Human Relations and Development VIII
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Course Learning Outcomes for Unit VIII Upon completion of this unit, students should be able to:
8. Explore career-enhancing strategies and tactics. 8.1 Explain career-enhancing techniques and tactics for career advancement.
Reading Assignment Chapter 16: Stress Management and Personal Productivity Chapter 17: Job Search and Career Management Skills
Unit Lesson Chapter 16 discusses stress (specifically, its symptoms and consequences), personality factors and job factors, attitudes and values, work habits and skills, and timewasters. In the textbook, stress is identified as an adaptive response or reaction that is the result of any deed, circumstances, or occurrence (stressors) that places distinct burdens on a person. A stressor is “an external or internal force that brings about the stress” (DuBrin, 2015, p. 379). Examples are social stress, work stress, financial stress, family stress, and health stress. “Individual differences in the perception of an event play a key role in determining what events are stressful” (DuBrin, 2015, p. 379). Stressors Figure
UNIT VIII STUDY GUIDE
Personal Productivity
Figure 1: Stressors (DuBrin, 2015)
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Symptoms and Consequences of Stress Stress can be good or bad depending upon an individual’s perception and reaction to the event or stressor. There are three different types of physiological changes associated with stress, including physiological reactions, job performance consequences, and burnout stress. The readings identify individual specifics for each. Stress can come in many different forms, so begin with identifying the cause of stress. The symptoms of stress can fall into two categories: physical or physiological and emotional or behavioral. You can view ways to identify with some of the specific symptoms of stress in the textbook readings. Also, the textbook reading identifies some steps that can assist in not allowing stressful situations to get the best of you. There are ways to deal with stress such as taking deep breathes, stepping away from the situation, and remaining calm, among others; however, you can identify some additional ways to deal with stress in the work environment from the chapter reading. Stress in the work environment plays a crucial role in the success of an organization. Of course, there is no such thing as a stress-free work environment, but the stress levels can be minimized and managed. Organizations can offer breaks as needed such as time-off, counseling, and training as part of a strategy to help individuals handle stress in a healthy way. Some organizations have adopted the following methods in dealing with stress in the work environment:
1. team exercises or engagement (morale boosters), 2. competitions between departments (e.g., plant growing competitions and cook-offs), 3. health incentives (wellness programs), and 4. medical assistance onsite (counselors).
Regardless of the methods and approaches adopted to address stress in the work environment, you must emphasize zero tolerance of a hostile or harassing working environment. As the employer, your responsibility is to create and maintain a positive learning and working environment, and this means reducing the levels of stress within the workforce. Chapter 17 discusses conducting a job search, writing a cover letter and a resume, preparing for interviews, and enhancing career strategies or tactics. A job search is conducted to find employment via the various avenues. Some examples are job search websites, bulletins, newspapers, word of mouth, business publications, and job boards. These are examples of job search websites:
1. Aol Jobs 2. CareerBuilder 3. CareerOneStop 4. Glassdoor 5. Indeed 6. Ladders 7. LinkedIn 8. Monster 9. SimplyHired
10. USAJOBS As you identify various job hunting tactics, begin developing your resume and cover letter according to the identified suggestions. The material used for both includes your professional and educational experiences and any other extra-curricular efforts. In preparing the resume, you want to begin with identifying the specifics of the particular position of interest. The job announcement and job description are two helpful tools in successfully developing your resume for a specific position. By identifying elements of the job duties outlined in these two documents, you are able to identify the specific knowledge, skills, and abilities required. For example, if you are applying for an accounting position, you know to use industry specific terminology, jargon, and other trigger words associated with the position. This helps during the computer selection process. The computer selection process is when the organization uses an application tracking system (ATS) to pre-screen the applications, cover letters, and resumes. Here are some useful basic trigger words when creating a resume and cover letter:
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Trigger Words to Consider when Completing your Resume and Cover Letter
Adapted Developed Organized
Addressed Earned Planned
Analyzed Established Projected
Arranged Financed Recommended
Assisted Implemented Risked
Built Increased Saved
Calculated Instructed Staffed
Chaired Installed Taught
Cleaned Introduced Typed
Coached Investigated Updated
Communicated Learned Won
Coordinated Located Wrote
Created Managed
Determined Motivated Figure 2: Resume and cover letter trigger words
Think of what you have done in completing tasks or jobs that may relate to the duties of the position you desire. In order to identify some industry specific terminology, jargon, acronyms, and, other information, you can refer to the Bureau of Labor Statistics web page on the U.S. Department of Labor website: www.bls.gov Steps to access the information:
1. Log on to the website: www.bls.gov 2. Stroll down to the middle of the page where it says “Career Information.” 3. Click the “Occupational Outlook Handbook” option. 4. Under “Occupational Groups” click the occupational field of your choice. 5. Select the desired “Occupation.” 6. Review the following information for the occupation of your choice: (1) Summary, (2) What They Do,
(3) Work Environment, (4) How to Become One, (5) Pay, (6) Job Outlook, (7) State & Area Data, (8) Similar Occupations, and (9) More Information.
Once you get into the site, you can identify specific industry and job related information for multiple job fields via the Occupational Outlook Handbook. This site and information can be used in preparing for the job search process and career management development. The Interview Once you have completed the resume and cover letter, prepare yourself for the interview. The interview is where you are selected to demonstrate and articulate your knowledge, skills, and abilities in performing the identified duties and responsibilities for the position desired. Of course, this can occur in different venues such as a phone interview, one-on-one and face-to-face, Internet, group, panel, forum, structured, unstructured, and behavioral. Once you identify how your interview will be conducted, you can prepare accordingly. Your preparation can consist of mock interviews, video recording, voice recording, or mirror check. These are great options in critiquing your performance overall and identifying more effective communications, both verbal and nonverbal. In addition, to better prepare for the interview, you may want to consider the following options:
1. confirm the interview time, 2. confirm the interview location (visit prior to confirm proper arrival and parking location), 3. confirm who will be conducting the interview, and 4. provide the required documentation (i.e., resume, cover letter, references, and letters of
recommendation) (Doyle, 2016a).
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Professional Image As your verbal and non-verbal communications play a role in developing your professional image. You must keep in mind your appearance as well. Your professional attire can vary according to your environment. It is better to be fully prepared than underprepared. In determining your attire, remember the following basics:
1. conservative colors such as black, navy, or grey; 2. conservative dress (e.g., a suit for men of identified colors and pant- or dress-suit for women of
identified colors); 3. white or pastel color dress shirt with no designs or loud colors; 4. matching socks with matching belt and shoes (men); 5. matching hosiery or nude in color (skin tone) with matching shoes and appropriate heel height
(women); 6. modest makeup (women) and jewelry (women & men); 7. clean nails and overall appearance; and 8. neat and presentable hair (Doyle, 2016b).
So, as you prepare, keep in mind that your overall professional image consists of your professional dress, professional attitude, and professional verbal and non-verbal communication efforts.
References Doyle, A. (2016a, September 8). How to prepare for a job interview. Retrieved from
https://www.thebalance.com/how-to-prepare-for-a-job-interview-2061361 Doyle, A. (2016b, November 18). How to dress for an interview: Dress codes for every type of job interview.
Retrieved from https://www.thebalance.com/how-to-dress-for-an-interview-2061163 DuBrin, A. J. (2015). Human relations: Interpersonal job-oriented skills (12th ed.). Upper Saddle River, NJ:
Pearson.
Suggested Reading In order to access the following resources, click the links below: The following article includes information on interviewing practices. You are encouraged to review this information. Dunn, K. (2016, January 25). Please kill the fourth round of interviews. Workforce. Retrieved from
http://www.workforce.com/2016/01/25/please-kill-the-fourth-round-of-interviews/ View the following videos on having a professional image and presence at your work place, resume writing tips, and how to write the perfect resume. You are encouraged to view these videos for helpful insights. Hussain, A. (2015, January 11). Professional image and presence at work place [Video file]. Retrieved from
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UC2u7TzQxEk&feature=youtu.be PsycheTruth. (2011, August 16). Resume writing tips, How to write a creative resume & get a job by Michellle,
WriteByNight [Video file]. Retrieved from https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-OrqzS- Qbf8&feature=youtu.be
Taylor, D. (2014, August 20). How to write the perfect resume cover letter [Video file]. Retrieved from
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SczOt-NSrfk&feature=youtu.be Review the PowerPoint presentation on Chapter 16 and Chapter 17 to supplement the textbook reading and lesson content.
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Chapter 16: Stress Management and Personal Productivity Click here to access the Chapter 16 PowerPoint presentation. Click here for the PDF version. Chapter 17: Job Search and Career Management Skills Click here to access the Chapter 17 PowerPoint presentation. Click here for the PDF version.
Learning Activities (Nongraded) Nongraded Learning Activities are provided to aid students in their course of study. You do not have to submit them. If you have questions, contact your instructor for further guidance and information. You may complete one or both activities.
1. Read the Interpersonal Relations Case 16.1 or Case 16.2 on pp. 402-403, and answer the case questions for the case you have chosen.
2. Read the Interpersonal Relations Case 17.1 or Case 17.2 on pp. 432-433, and answer the case
questions for the case you have chosen.