EMPLOYABILITY & WORKPLACE READINESS
Course Pass™ Online Classes
Professionalism
Introducing Professionalism
When you were younger, did your parents tell you to "act professionally" when you were out in public? If you have ever attended a formal event, did the invitation say to "dress professionally?" Perhaps in either of these instances you were not exactly sure what doing something professionally meant.
Acting professionally involves more than showing up for work on time and dressing in formal attire. Professionalism also deals with how you carry yourself in conversations and other interactions with coworkers. It also includes how you spend your time while on the job and if you approach each task with maximum effort and efficiency. Though you may still be unclear as to what exactly it means to be professional, examining the value of exhibiting professionalism and what it means to do so will help develop your understanding. It will also help you gain a better understanding of particular attitudes and behaviors to help you be more successful in the workplace and in everyday life. Personal strengths and weaknesses may foster or hinder professionalism, so look at ways you can develop professional behavior in yourself. Ask yourself this question: what is professionalism?
This resource provides instruction for users to:
- Describe professionalism
- Analyze the value of professionalism
- Analyze attitudes that affect professional success
- Analyze behaviors that affect professional success
- Recommend strategies for developing professional behavior
- Determine personal strengths that foster professionalism
- Determine personal weaknesses that may hinder professional success
Workplace Goal Settings
You come into work on a Monday morning, unsure of exactly what the week will have in store for you. After checking your office calendar, you find the only thing listed for the upcoming week is a staff meeting on Thursday. Then you remember you wrapped up a project during the last few hours of the day on Friday afternoon and were in a rush to get out of the office after completing it. Your hurried exit last week left your schedule and agenda for the upcoming week a bit out of focus. If you had set goals for the upcoming week before leaving on Friday, you could have been more prepared to face the week.
Workplace goal setting is a great way for workers to maintain professionalism because it sets up a realistic strategy for the days ahead of you. In the workplace, always think about the near future and the distant future to best juggle any upcoming projects you may have on your plate. Asking yourself a few questions can help you gauge how well you set workplace goals: When you think about your career in five years, where do you see yourself? Are you doing anything to get to where you want to be in five years? When you face a large task, how do you make sure it gets done?
This resource provides instruction for users to:
- Describe how goal setting contributes to professionalism
- Distinguish between long-term and short-term goals
- Describe the benefits of having both long-term and short-term workplace goals
- Analyze the characteristics of SMART goals
- Recommend strategies for accomplishing long-term and short-term workplace goals
Workplace Ethics/ Ethics and Your Career
Barb, Raquel, and Dan are the administrative staff for the Smithfield School Board tasked with choosing the best candidate to fill an open teaching position. One of the candidates is Cindy. Barb researches online to learn more about Cindy and finds the candidate has several Facebook pictures of her drinking alcohol with friends. Raquel makes follow-up calls to Cindy's references. One of Cindy's old professors says she was a good student but frequently showed up to class late. Dan then observes Cindy in the classroom. Despite her previous bad reviews, she engages her students and uses creative strategies. Another candidate, Bill, has a lot of past teaching experience. He doesn't have a Facebook account, and all of his references say only positive things about him. However, when Dan watches Bill present a practice resource with students, the fifth graders show no interest. In fact, a number of students feel more confused after Bill's resource.
Barb, Raquel, and Dan debate the fairness of judging Cindy based on her private life or her past tardiness. Barb argues the students like Cindy and her partying in private doesn't necessarily reflect her classroom etiquette. Dan points out Bill has stronger credentials and shows more dedication to his career. However, can Bill make an impact on his students if he can't connect with them? You have no doubt heard some variation of the saying "It's business, not personal." Truthfully though, business is personal. How we behave in our personal lives reflects who we are as professionals.
This resource provides instruction for users to:
- Describe how ethical behavior contributes to professionalism
- Analyze potential ethical issues at the workplace
- Explain the purpose of a code of ethics in the workplace
- Describe methods for making ethical decisions
Workplace Time Management
You have probably heard the saying, "time is money." You would never throw a $20 bill in the garbage. However, if time is money and you do not manage your time well, it is just like throwing money away. Obviously, time and money are two separate entities. If you manage your time wisely throughout your professional career though, you may find yourself in possession of a good amount of money. Unfortunately, managing your time wisely is not always easy. Plenty of distractions or interruptions can cause you not to focus entirely on your task at hand. These distracters happen to everyone, but the key to becoming a good professional is to learn how to limit (or even better, avoid) these distracters. That way, they do not affect your focus.
To learn how you can become a better time manager, you must first discover the connection between time management and professionalism. You must then understand what some of the distracters, or pitfalls, of time management are and how you can take steps to avoid them. Finally, obtain a good grasp on some concrete tools you can use to manage your time better. The sooner you improve your time management, the sooner you will improve your professionalism. As they say, "time is money!"
This resource provides instruction for users to:
- Describe how time management contributes to professionalism
- Recommend strategies for avoiding time-management pitfalls
- Evaluate various time-management tools
Interpersonal Skills At Work
Terry has a job interview, and he knows he is likely not the most qualified person applying for the job. He is, however, confident in his ability to make a good impression on the interviewer using his interpersonal skills. His plan is to use his strong skills in this area to his advantage. Terry hopes to leave the interviewer with a good impression so the person will believe he is a suitable employee and the right man for the job, even if other candidates possess better résumés.
Professionalism involves more than specialized knowledge, technical skills, or expertise. A large portion of it involves being able to interact well with different types of people at all levels of a business. Nobody wants to hire, work with, or promote someone who performs a job well technically but is unable to work well with others. The key to interpersonal skills is how well you can build professional relationships with any type of person. People who excel in this area can form connections and good relationships with everyone at the office, from the lowest-level employees to the top managers. They are also able to recognize and avoid certain pitfalls that can potentially undermine one's interpersonal skills.
This resource provides instruction for users to:
- Describe how workplace interpersonal skills contribute to professionalism
- Recommend ways to build relationships with managers
- Recommend ways to build relationships with coworkers
- Evaluate strategies for avoiding interpersonal workplace pitfalls
Workplace Conflict Management
When Ryan gets in an argument, he tends to get angry and start yelling to get his point across. Other people are afraid to discuss ideas with him because of how he reacts. Dwight shuts down when faced with conflict. Instead of stating his opinion or engaging in debate, he bottles up his feelings and stops talking altogether. Jemma tries to avoid conflict at all costs. She will even agree to help others with their responsibilities at the expense of her free time if it means avoiding a problem. Hedda enjoys arguing her opinion and won't stop until she proves to everyone she is right. Melissa often gets overwhelmed with emotion and tears up, even when the conflict is minor. Alex tends to take conflict personally and holds grudges long after resolving the issue. Do you identify with any of these people's reactions to conflict?
While conflicts in general can be difficult to deal with, resolving them constructively can prove even more of a challenge. However, conflicts will occur in the workplace, just as they do in life. Therefore, all professionals need to know how to deal with conflicts effectively when they arise. Knowing conflict-management skills and best practices is the first step to understanding how to deal with conflict.
This resource provides instruction for users to:
- Describe how effective conflict management contributes to professionalism
- Recommend best practices for managing workplace conflicts
- Recommend strategies for handling common conflict-management pitfalls
Workplace Communications: Email & Presentations
This size of the audience and the setting in which you communicate do not change the importance of professionalism in the workplace. In all workplace communications, showing your ability to communicate effectively increases your chance of professional success. Today, two popular forms of communication are email and presentations. Ensuring you always display professionalism requires you to have developed communication skills and follow tips to create effective, professional emails and presentations.
This resource provides instruction for users to:
- Describe how communication skills contribute to professionalism
- Recommend strategies for communicating effectively through professional emails
- Describe proper etiquette for workplace communication
- Analyze ways to communicate effectively through professional presentations
Effective Workplace Meetings
Ryan wakes up on Monday and drags himself out of bed. He knows a good part of his workday will consist of one meeting after another, and he dreads it. For the first few meetings of the day, Ryan arrives right at the scheduled start time and sits as far from the presenter as possible. He drinks his cup of coffee, sends a few emails from his phone, and doesn't even glance at the meeting agenda. He thinks about how much work he could accomplish in the time taken up by these meetings. For his last meeting of the day, Ryan forgets the scheduled location. He strolls back to his desk to check the meeting invite, but the meeting is halfway over by the time he gets to the correct conference room. He decides to just skip the meeting and go home a little early.
Like Ryan, many people think of meetings as a chore, but meetings don't have to be something you wish you could avoid. In fact, they can be a great way to learn and an opportunity to exhibit your professionalism. When you follow concrete ways to prepare for and participate in meetings effectively, both as a leader and as an attendee, you stand to gain much more from them. So don't be glum: let's make meetings fun.
This resource provides instruction for users to:
- Describe how participating effectively in workplace meetings contributes to professionalism
- Analyze strategies for effective workplace meeting preparation
- Recommend strategies for effectively leading a meeting
- Recommend strategies for effectively participating in a meeting
Workplace Teams
"Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed people can change the world. Indeed, it is the only thing that ever has." —Margaret Mead, world-renowned anthropologist From business to politics, social sciences to sports, teams form the core of innovation, progress, and success. However, successful teams require communication and collaboration. Working well on a team means working well with others—a sometimes-difficult task. Evelyn, for instance, works for a nonprofit dedicated to providing afterschool activities for children. She must work with her fellow employees to brainstorm new activities to offer, find spaces to hold the activities, secure funding, advertise the different programs, and much more.
Pretty much everything the organization does involves teamwork. For the most part, everyone at the nonprofit works well together. However, one employee, Alan, doesn't pull his weight. He seems disinterested in projects, fails to show up on time to meetings and events, and doesn't always finish assigned tasks. Alan's failure to work well in the team setting starts to cause conflicts with other staff members tired of Alan's poor attitude and lack of work ethic. When Evelyn takes on the challenge of organizing a new cooking class for teens, she decides to try to figure out exactly why Alan doesn't work well with the team. Maybe she can take steps to help Alan become a better team member or, at the very least, improve the overall effectiveness of the team.
This resource provides instruction for users to:
- Describe how effective teamwork contributes to professionalism
- Recommend strategies to improve teamwork
- Analyze the benefits of various technological tools for workplace teams
Customer Focus and You
As a customer service representative, you take a call from a customer protesting a subscription fee your company charged her. You realize the problem stems from the customer simply not understanding the agreed on terms and conditions. However, rather than explaining the terms and conditions and where the fee comes from, you snidely tell the customer she is wrong and needs to pay. With that, you end the interaction. A few minutes later, one of your new coworkers asks you a question about company procedure. It's almost time for your break though, so you dismiss the question, leaving your coworker unable to do his job effectively.
Your behavior represents a lack of customer-focus and professionalism. With both the external customer and the internal customer (your coworker), you showed a lack of respect. Handling simple transactions with no customer focus and professionalism can be detrimental to your career. A rude response to a customer inquiry can cause the customer to leave, hurting your company as a whole. This action does not reflect kindly when you apply for a promotion or raise. If you are not a team player when interacting with coworkers, these people may never come to you for help again or offer help when you need it. Treat everyone as a customer, and treat your customers with respect. When you combine respect with the attributes of professionalism, you are more likely to succeed as a professional.
This resource provides instruction for users to:
- Describe how having a customer focus contributes to professionalism
- Identify external customers
- Analyze the benefits of having an external customer focus
Understanding Human Resources
When Tyler joins a gym, his membership includes consultations with a personal trainer. On his first visit to the gym, the personal trainer gives Tyler a tour and explains the rules of the gym. He shows Tyler how the treadmills and the weight machines work, letting Tyler try out and get a feel for the equipment. Later, they sit down and make a long term fitness plan. The personal trainer tells Tyler he's available for further questions anytime. Every few weeks Tyler meets up with his personal trainer to discuss his exercise goals and adjust his fitness plan if necessary. The personal trainer works to keep Tyler motivated and informs him of any workout classes he thinks Tyler might want to attend.
Human resources professionals perform the same duties as a personal trainer, but for a company's employees. They explain the procedures and culture of a new workplace and help employees set career goals, suggest training, and provide employees with tools for success. However, the same way Tyler has to do his workouts to meet his fitness goals, employees have to use the tools—such as training and career planning—to succeed. Employees are ultimately responsible for their own success, but human resource professionals are a resource they would be foolish not to use.
This resource provides instruction for users to:
- Define human resources
- Describe the impact of HR on professionalism
- Analyze the role of human resources prior to employment
- Analyze the role of human resources during employment
Managing Career Growth and Change
Cindy studied computer programming in college in the 1980s. She worked several years in the field, but then left the workforce for health reasons. She recently tried to rejoin the workforce but finds her computer programming skills are no longer applicable. What options does Cindy have? Cindy could simply give up, or she could choose to do something about her situation. She could take classes to learn new computer programming skills. She could find a career that better matches the skills she currently posses. She could earn a certification in a new skill set that interests her more than computer programming.
Technology and other industry changes commonly put people out of touch with their field. It also doesn't take a 20 year gap for technology to change so significantly that you can no longer compete in your field. On top of technology changes, the marketplace changes, the intricacies and goals of your company change, and you even change. Having one knowledge base or skill set will not provide you with a long, successful career. You must change and adapt, whether with regard to technology, advancements within your field, or demands put on your job position. Continually further your educations and training to prepare for changes in your career field and changes—such as promotions and company switches—in your career.
This resource provides instruction for users to:
- Describe how managing your career path contributes to professionalism
- Analyze strategies for effectively managing career growth
- Analyze strategies for effectively managing career change
Career Development
Planning Your Career Search
What would you do if you were told you had 86,400 hours of time to spend doing something? That's the number of hours of your life you will spend working if you average 40 hours a week, 48 weeks a year (allotting 4 weeks for holidays, illness, and vacations), for 45 years (say from age 22 to 67). So how would you like to spend those 86,400 hours: doing a job just to pay the bills or pursuing a career you really enjoy? Truly engaging in a career search—examining your interests and skills, knowing what positions match these interests and skills, preparing yourself to be the winning candidate, and so on—is a vital step to ensuring you spend those 86,400 hours doing something you really enjoy rather than just working to pay the bills.
Developing a positive career search mindset will also help your search. All the preparation in the world can be undermined by a pessimistic, apathetic attitude. So approaching the career search process with a sense of personal responsibility, confidence, optimism, dedication, resilience, and professionalism is key to success. The good news is you can do plenty now, no matter where you are in your career search, to prepare yourself. Who wants to spend 86,400 hours doing something they don't love?
This resource provides instruction for users to:
- Describe the career search process
- Explain the attitudes related to career search success
- Explain actions that enhance a career search
Knowing Yourself: Explore The Right Career Path
At 35, Rhett realizes he has spent his whole life trying to avoid admitting the truth: his true passion is to become a florist. Instead of realizing his dream when he was younger, Rhett followed the path his parents first laid out for him. He went to school to get his MBA and took over the family's custom upholstery business. However, Rhett never truly felt happy with his career. He did spend all his spare time gardening in his backyard though and even joined the local garden club. He was good at it, too. People raved about his roses and the floral arrangements he created. As he drove to work each day, he dreamed of a different life—one in which he owned his own floral shop.
It's unfortunate when people ignore their true interests and spends their lives doing something they don't want to do. Yet many people do just that. Some feel they have no choice or are afraid to pursue their passions. Some feel stuck in a job they don't love because it pays the bills or they need health insurance. Others don't spend the time to figure out what it is they really want to do. Nobody wants to end up like Rhett though, dreaming of a different life every day. Taking the time to explore what kind of life you want to have, what values you want to live by, what interests and skills you want to pursue, and what makes you, you, is a vital step in avoiding a life like Rhett's. So let's consider internal factors that affect your happiness in your career.
This resource provides instruction for users to:
- Determine your personal definition of career success
- Explain key personal factors that may affect your career path
- Describe elements of a personal brand
Knowing The Market: Find Your Career Match
Do you know exactly what you want to do in your career yet? Perhaps you just have a vague sense of what you want to do? At the beginning of a career search, many people have at least an inkling or general idea of what they want to do in their careers. For example, they might want to work in marketing, work in city planning, or make a living through drawing. Some people get a general idea of what they want to do through skills and interests assessments. Other people feel almost a calling to focus on one particular interest or skill. Regardless, taking your interests and skills and translating them into real, viable career paths can be a challenge, especially if you don't spend time getting to know the market.
Learning how big-picture external factors, such as the economy, the outlook for different occupations, and in-demand employer needs, affect the job market is key. Also, remember to explore the many different career paths open to you, using a number of helpful strategies to do so. Are you ready to take a look at the career market around you? Are you ready to find your career match? Don't waste any more time finding the right career for you.
This resource provides instruction for users to:
- Explain marketplace factors that may affect your career path
- Describe possible career options
- Determine a career match through best practice strategies
Preparing Yourself: Gain Skills and Experience Now
Andrew has spent his time in college working hard to get good grades in his classes and enjoying the social aspects of college life. However, he has never had a job—not even a part-time position outside of his chosen field, such as in food service or retail. With graduation looming, Andrew applies for countless jobs, but his lack of real work experience leaves him with zero job offers and a defeated attitude. Have you ever been told you aren't qualified for a job because you lack experience? At the same time, were all your attempts to get experience unsuccessful? This cycle can be extremely frustrating. How do you get experience when you don't have any and nobody is willing to let you gain it?
While you are in school, you might not be able to land a job doing exactly what you want to do. However, you still have many ways you can develop your skills and gain meaningful experiences to prepare you for a career. Are you prepared? Do you have a plan in place to become prepared? Answering yes to these questions may mean the difference between receiving the call for an interview and hearing once again that you just don't have enough experience.
This resource provides instruction for users to:
- Describe ways in which you can develop transferable skills
- Describe ways in which you can gain necessary career-related experience
- Develop career search goals
Networking
Have you ever heard of the game "Six Degrees of Kevin Bacon"? The game is based on the notion that everyone on Earth is connected to each other through only six or fewer acquaintances. So, for example, you could choose anyone on Earth (such as actor Kevin Bacon) and, working through six people, be connected to that person. So what does a game about Kevin Bacon have to do with your career search? Take Sandy, who wants to find a job as a dental hygienist. She looks through online job postings and even interviews for a couple job openings, but someone else always ends up getting the job. She feels discouraged after a few months of trying to get her dream job. What if Sandy had told her friends, former coworkers, and everyone else she knows about her desire to work as a dental hygienist?
While your career likely won't depend on being connected to Kevin Bacon, it will most assuredly depend on being connected to others in a professional network. Understanding why networking is so important and knowing how to build and use a professional network are vital parts of career search success. Wouldn't your job search, and Sandy's, be easier if a friend of a friend knew someone looking to hire a worker just like you?
This resource provides instruction for users to:
- Describe ways in which a network can help you achieve career search success
- Describe ways to develop a professional network while you are in school
- Recommend best practices for using a network
Targeting Your Search: Locate Positions, Ready Yourself
The time has come to really launch your career—to find a position doing something that truly interests you. Are you ready for it? You can answer "Yes" to that question if:
- You know at least five different ways to find positions related to the career in which you are interested in (not just job search sites).
- You know what information you must have collected to apply for a job, and you have that information documented in one place
- You know what it takes to have a healthy mindset that will guarantee your job search success.
So are you prepared? Do you know how to locate positions and ready yourself?
This resource provides instruction for users to:
- Describe the methods of locating potential positions relevant to your career path
- Explain information pertinent to completing a job application
- Describe best practices for ensuring job-search success
Building A Portfolio: Your Resume And Beyond
Have you ever looked at a matchmaking site? People post personal information about themselves in the hopes that they will meet someone and form a romantic connection. If you look at these personal ads, you will notice the people who post them try to make themselves look their best. They focus on the most positive and attractive aspects of their personality, their interests, and even their appearance.
This attention to positive aspects makes sense. If they are lucky, someone will be interested in their profile and ask them out on a date. When it comes to finding a job, your career portfolio—including your cover letter and resume—acts sort of like a personal ad. It is a way for employers to assess quickly how attractive you are to them in terms of your qualities as a potential employee. Do you have the skills, experience, and education employers need? A portfolio that demonstrates you have what it takes is more likely to interest employers, perhaps enough to ask you to interview. Is your portfolio ready to share? Do you have what it takes to find your career match?
This resource provides instruction for users to:
- Describe the components of an effective cover letter
- Identify the elements of a career portfolio
- Describe the components of an effective job application
- Describe the purpose of different types of resumes
Preparing For Your Interview
Have you ever shown up to class unprepared? Perhaps you didn't make time to read your assignments or forgot your materials at home. In those situations, you most likely sat in your seat hoping the instructor didn't call on you to answer a question. Take Logan, who comes to classes unprepared a few times a semester. Though he isn't the best student, he gets by and makes just passing grades. Since this method still allows him to pass classes, Logan figures he doesn't always need to prepare ahead of time for other aspects of his life, such as job interviews. After all, Logan knows he is good at talking to new people and thinks he is a smart guy. However, after his first real interview, Logan realizes he missed the mark in quite a few areas.
You may be able to attend a class or two unprepared, but in job interviews, coming prepared is essential. You need to know what type of interview you will have, what questions the interviewer may ask, and how you will respond. Also, figure out what questions you want to ask the interviewer during the interview. Are you prepared with regard to all these aspects?
This resource provides instruction for users to:
- Contrast different types of interviews
- Evaluate different techniques of interview preparation
- Describe useful information sources for interview preparation
Giving A Great Interview
Can you name five things you can do to really shine in an interview? What about five things you should not do? On top of knowing what you should and shouldn't do, you need to know the sorts of answers employers want to hear when they interview job candidates. The bottom line is you must be sure you can demonstrate you have what it takes, not just through what you say, but by what you do in an interview.
Whether you have never had a job interview or gone through dozens (or more!), you can always find ways to improve your interviewing skills. Improvement starts with focusing on the verbal and nonverbal ways you communicate to employers what you have to offer. An interview doesn't end once you leave the company's door, though. How you follow up after the interview can also help determine whether you're the person offered the position. How ready are you to put your interviewing skills to the test?
This resource provides instruction for users to:
- Describe how nonverbal communication skills can affect an interview
- Describe how to answer interview questions effectively
- Describe best practices for following-up after an interview
Negotiating Job Offers, Ensuring Future Success
It's the day you've been waiting for: You've received a job offer. Your career search is over. Well, not quite yet. Although receiving a job offer is certainly reason to celebrate, there are still steps to take on your career search path. For one, it's important you understand and evaluate the components of the job offer to be sure it's the right match for you. And depending on the circumstances, you may also want to negotiate your compensation package. Finally, to behave as a true professional, it's important to manage your career over the long term, not just when it's getting started.
This resource provides instruction for users to:
- Analyze elements of a job offer
- Explain the process for negotiating a job offer
- Analyze strategies for managing career growth
Soft Skills Development
Learner Success & Critical Thinking
The purpose of this resource is to help learners develop skills and habits that lead to successful learning, not only for your current educational or training endeavors, but also for the workplace and continued professional learning tasks. Successful learning is a skills that can be developed and improved over time and with practice. Various strategies are presented for you to try out and then adapt to your own personal learning style. You can use these strategies in any educational experience or apply them to the workplace. When on the job, you should always be learning new things in order to develop professionally, advance to new positions, or just find success in your every day tasks. Additionally, strategies for effective learning in online training environments are also presented.
After completing this resource, Learners will be able to:
- Apply strategies and skills for learning, self-assessment, and self-correcting to training, workplace learning, and ongoing professional development.
- Apply strategies and skills for online learning to training, workplace learning, and ongoing professional development.
- Apply critical thinking and problem-solving strategies and skills to learning tasks and workplace problems.
- Perform a self-assessment on learning skills and create an action plan for improvement.
Job Searching & Career Success powered by CampusEd®
This resource begins by explaining the entire job search process. It is designed to help you complete the many tasks required to obtain your next job. This resource provides detailed information about each step in the job search process. It also provides tips for managing the tasks and completing them in a timely fashion. Throughout this resource, you will learn how to use CampusEd® to develop your job search and take the necessary steps to find your next career.
CampusEd® is an online platform accessible to all learners. Once logged in, you will find numerous tools to help in your job search. With CampusEd®, you will create your own professional, online Profile where you can collect digital Badges, connect with other learners, and showcase your skills and achievements to prospective employers. You will also have access to the exclusive CampusEd® 5-step Resume Tool to help create a professional, searchable resume. On CampusEd® Recruit, Employers can search your Profile as they look for candidates with exactly your skills an experience.
Moreover, access to CampusEd® includes over 3,000 eLearning titles in areas like healthcare, IT, business and accounting, project management, skilled trades and so much more. As you know, learning never stops. CampusEd® allows you to continue learning and developing your professional skills.
After completing this resource, Learners will be able to:
- Explain the job search process and tasks that should be completed.
- Plan your personal job search strategy.
- Explore the CampusEd® platform, create your Profile, and continue developing your career success skills
The Effective Resume Powered by CampusEd®
This resource focuses on the purpose and components of an effective resume. By the end of this resource, learners will have gathered the required information, explored the resume tool in CampusEd®, and created a first draft of a a resume that will ultimately be used for your job search.
After completing this resource, Learners will be able to:
- Describe the characteristics of a professional resume.
- Develop a professional resume using the CampusEd® Resume Editor.
- Download a copy of your new resume from CampusEd®.
The Cover Letter, Interviewing, and Networking powered by CampusEd®
The goal of your application, resume, and cover letter is to get you to a face-to-face (or phone or internet) interview with a hiring professional. This resource focuses on the many steps and skills typically required in the job search. Here, we'll go through information on how to ace your interview to increase the likelihood of getting your dream job in your field of study.
After completing this resource, Learners will be able to:
- Research the industry you want to work in, various positions, and specific employers.
- Professionally complete a job application.
- Explain the various types of background checks, drug testing, and other employer testing you might encounter in the job application process.
- Create an effective cover letter.
- Explain the purpose of the interview.
- Prepare for an interview with a potential employer.
- Respond effectively to common questions including common illegal or inappropriate questions.
- Behave in a professional way during an interview to make your name go to the top of the hiring list.
- Create an effective network for your job search and career advancement.
- Expertly use the CampusEd® system to facilitate your job search.
Workplace Safety & Infection Control
Though some jobs are riskier than others when safety is concerned, every worker should understand the potential risks and know how to minimize them. You should also understand how to be a part of risk management and how to respond effectively and safely to an unsafe situation.
This resource provides an overview of potential safety issues in the workplace as well as steps you can take to minimize your personal risk and those of your coworkers and customers or patients.
After completing this resource, Learners will be able to:
- Explain general regulations and oversight of workplace safety.
- Identify common risks in various workplace environments.
- Identify the statistical data of workplace accidents.
- Identify potential biological hazards in the workplace, including how to properly dispose of these wastes.
- Describe infection control measures and use of personal protective equipment in specific types of workplaces, including health care, general office environments, outside environments, and traveling.
- Identify potential chemical hazards in the workplace including how to properly dispose of common wastes.
- Identify sources of and preventive measures for physical hazards in the workplace including noise, heat, cold, radiation, and vibration.
- Identify sources of, preventive measures for, and safe responses to electrical and fire hazards.
- Identify sources for preventive measures, and safe responses to electrical and fire hazards.
- Identify sources for preventive measures for stress and explain how stress poses a health risk.
- Identify sources for preventive measures and safe responses to transportation and vehicle-related accidents.
- Identify sources for preventive measures and safe responses to safety issues related to slips, trips, and falls.
- Identify sources for preventive measures and safe responses to safety issues related to moving machinery and objects.
- Identify sources for preventive measures and safe responses to safety issues related natural disasters.
- Identify sources for preventive measures and safe responses to safety issues related workplace violence and terrorism.
- Identify and participate in emergency preparedness and responses, safety training, and disaster recover initiatives.
Customer Service & Sales
This resource is designed to explain the importance of customer service for both internal and external customers in any industry. Customer service refers to the support you offer to your customers. It includes how you treat them before they purchase a product or service, during the purchase process, and after they have purchased your product or service. It also refers to how you treat internal customers or those people who help you provide your products and services.
After completing this resource, Learners will be able to:
- State what excellent customer service is and why it is important to any position in any arena
- Identify customers.
- Apply behaviors that engage customers.
- Explain characteristics of excellent customer communication.
- Explain the ways and the importance of listening to customers.
- Identify customer turnoffs.
- Connect customer service to success of sales and the bottom line in an organization.
Workplace Readiness & Professionalism
This resource prepares learners for success in any workplace in terms of understanding the importance of a strong work ethic, ensuring development and practicing of professional skills and attitudes, and developing an awareness of employer expectations for professionalism in any workplace. It also asks learners to perform a self-assessment in areas of personal attitudes, personality qualities and traits, and professional skills important in any workplace so that they can develop an action plan for improvement. The ultimate goal is workplace success and career advancement.
After completing this resource, Learners will be able to:
- Describe the importance of professionalism in the workplace and the characteristics of successful professionals
- Identify the interpersonal skills of successful employees and perform a self-assessment to identify personal areas of strength and areas needing improvement.
- Describe the characteristics and behaviors that demonstrate a strong work ethic.
- Discuss the importance of character, values, morals, ethics, and other personal traits at work.
- Outline the elements of effective interpersonal relationships, teamwork, and working well with other people.
- Discuss cultural competence.
- Explain how personal image affects professional reputation.
- Define the qualities of effective team members.
- Perform a self-assessment to identify personal areas of strength and areas needing improvement.
Health and Safety in the Workplace
Workplace safety is an important issue in any workplace regardless of the type of work you do or the details about work site. There are general workplace safety concepts that apply to every job and then there are unique safety issues and procedures that apply to specific job sites.
It is important for all workers to become aware of workplace safety and to learn how to observer the environment and analyze procedures to create the most safe working conditions possible. It is also important to understand workplace safety oversight. There are many agencies that provide safety recommendations and many safety-related laws. Compliance is critical for the business and for each employee of that business. When employees see a safety risk, it is important to make it known to supervisors and managers for the safety of all employees and the business itself.
After completing this resource, Learners will be able to:
- Explain general regulations and oversight of workplace safety
- Identify common risks in various workplace environments.
- Identify the statistical data of workplace accidents.
Workplace Hazards, Infection Control & PPE
The workplace can be full of many different hazards. Biological, chemical, electrical, and other types of hazards pose serious risks to all workplace professionals regardless of the workplace environment. Working inside with others poses risks of infection by bloodborne and airborne pathogens as well as pathogens related to mold, fungi, sewage, and animals. In addition to biohazards, there are other hazards found in the workplace. It is important to know how to protect yourself and others from as well as how to know and follow recommended or required safety, including proper use of personal protective equipment (PPE).
Remember that even if a hazard and the related protective measures does not apply to your specific work environment, you should still be aware. You never know when you will be asked to work or visit a different environment.
After completing this resource, Learners will be able to:
- Identify potential biological hazards in the workplace, including how to properly dispose of these wastes.
- Describe infect control measures and use of personal protective equipment in specific types of workplaces, including health care, general office environments, outside environments, and traveling.
- Identify potential chemical hazards in the workplace including how to properly dispose of common wastes.
- Identify sources of and preventive measures for physical hazards in the workplace including noise, heat, cold, radiation, and vibration.
- Identify sources of, preventive measures for, and safe responses to electrical and fire hazards.
- Identify sources of, preventive measures for, and safe response to electrical and fire hazards.
- Identify sources of and preventive measures for stress as well as ways that stress poses a health risk.
- Identify sources of, preventive measures for, and safe responses to transportation and vehicle-related accidents.
- Identify sources of, preventive measures for, and safe responses to safety issues related to slips, trips, and falls.
- Identify sources of, preventive measures for, and safe responses to safety issues related to moving machinery and objects.
Natural Disasters, Workplace Violence, and Safety Training
Natural disasters such as floods, forest or grass fires, tornadoes, hurricanes, earthquakes can pose serious safety risks depending on where you live and work. Though you cannot control natural disasters, you can reduce safety risks by understanding them and then knowing what to do to keep as safe as possible. Additionally, there seems to be an increase in workplace violence and related incidents, such as terrorism. It is important to understand potential causes, know how to prevent or deescalate potentially threatening situations, and know how to handle or escape dangerous situations, if needed.
Training is an important component of keeping everyone safe in the workplace. Additionally, it is important to understand the disaster recovery procedures for your workplace so that you can assist the business in getting back up and running after a major incident.
After completing this resource, Learners will be able to:
- Identify sources of, preventive measures for, and safe responses to safety issues related to natural disasters.
- Identify sources of, preventive measures for, and safe response to safety issues related to workplace violence and terrorism.
- Identify the importance of training and credentialling in the workplace.
Workplace Readiness
Communication & Collaboration
Workplace readiness skills are essential to the success of any candidate for a new job and/or success on the job from the start. Communication is a key component in the world of business. If all means of communication were suddenly removed from a company and its workers could not talk, email, phone, meet, or write, there would be no business to conduct and the company would fail. A major part of any job is sharing information with people you come in contact with throughout the day. This includes your boss, coworkers, and customers.
In a business, information is power, and it is important to know how to share that information effectively and efficiently. If you can’t communicate with others, you won’t succeed in the workplace. Exploring the process and importance of effective communication in the workplace will help you to improve your own workplace communication skills.
Class Objectives
After completing this class, learners will be able to:
- Describe the purposes and methods of communication for the workplace
- Analyze appropriate verbal workplace communication
- Analyze appropriate nonverbal workplace communication, including body language, facial expressions, emotions, and silence
- Explain appropriate written communication for the workplace
- Explain the elements of successful collaboration with teams in the workplace
- Understand what constitutes proper meeting etiquette for each type of meeting
Creativity & Innovation
Workplace readiness skills are essential to the success of any candidate for a new job and/or success on the job from the start. When people hear the word creative associated with work, they often think of jobs that involve art. Being creative in the workplace, however, is more than that. Creativity in the workplace involves finding new ways to perform tasks and fulfill job duties. No matter what your job involves, work often presents plenty of opportunities for you to be creative.
It is important for you to learn how innovation improves a workplace, how to get your ideas heard and begin implementing them, how to improve your ideas, and how to combat burnout in a job so you can stay inspired. Learning these aspects of the workplace can help you to achieve higher levels of job satisfaction and, ideally, continue working with the same company or employer for a long, enjoyable period of time.
Class Objectives
After completing this class, learners will be able to:
- Define creativity and innovation
- Use the creative cycle in a workplace example
- Explain strategies for developing and refining ideas in a group setting to improve and maximize creative efforts
- Apply the process for implementing new ideas in the workplace
- Identify symptoms of job burnout and mitigation strategies
Critical Thinking & Problem Solving
Workplace readiness skills are essential to the success of any candidate for a new job and/or success on the job from the start. Now more than ever, working in the twenty-first century requires employees to develop and use critical thinking skills in diverse work environments. Technology, global clients, and industries that never sleep demand evaluation and logic when solving work-related problems. You can develop your critical-thinking and problem-solving skills by reflecting on and exploring alternative approaches.
Knowing the key aspects of critical thinking—how people think and make decisions—and approaches to problem solving are essential to looking beyond sensory experiences and feelings to find solutions that will benefit the most people, rather than just a few. With a little time and practice, you might be surprised to discover your own innate abilities and how quickly you can improve your own critical-thinking and problem-solving skills when you apply specific techniques.
Class Objectives
After completing this class, learners will be able to:
- Define inductive, deductive, and circular reasoning
- Describe qualities found in critical thinkers
- Explain benefits of critical thinking in your work
- Describe the connections between information and arguments
- Describe solving problems using conventional and innovative methods
Leadership & Responsibility
Workplace readiness skills are essential to the success of any candidate for a new job and/or success on the job from the start. You may have heard the phrase “Leaders are born, not made.” If you haven’t, take a moment to think about this idea. If it is true, then it isn’t possible to become a leader—and you probably know from experience this simply isn’t the case. While certainly some individuals may be more inherently driven to lead, this does not mean leadership skills can’t be cultivated. Even if you don’t think of yourself as a “born leader,” you shouldn’t discard the idea just yet.
Becoming a leader requires you to take responsibility not only for your own actions but also for your role in representing your company and coworkers. The ability to motivate yourself and others is based on letting others see that you are responsible and ready to work. It is important to explore what it takes to become an effective leader and apply those techniques to your workplace. Finding formal mentors and informal models for your own workplace behavior is an important step in demonstrating your value.
Class Objectives
After completing this class, learners will be able to:
- Identify the characteristics of an effective leader
- Explain how leaders motivate others
- Identify ways to demonstrate and earn more responsibility
- Identify the roles of integrity and ethical behavior in using influence and power
- Identify and choose a mentor
Social & Cross-Cultural Skills
Workplace readiness skills are essential to the success of any candidate for a new job and/or success on the job from the start. When it comes to talking about diversity at work, the conversation often focuses on racial and cultural differences. Diversity means much more. People differ from one another in many ways, including eating habits, religious background, age, and economic status. Diversity can be a benefit because the company gains a wide variety of ideas.
Learning positive social skills will enable you to work with others successfully and be comfortable in any situation you might encounter. Exploring diversity in the workplace will make you better prepared for diverse work experiences. Equally important is exploring how to handle oneself in social settings, both inside and outside the workplace, when interacting with coworkers.
Class Objectives
After completing this class, learners will be able to:
- Identify appropriate social skills and physical appearance for the workplace
- Describe elements of working successfully with individuals from different cultural backgrounds