DWC Workshop Presents Job Tips

Human Resource Directors from a number of area companies advised job seekers that employers are still looking for the basics.

Speaking at a workshop sponsored by the Dislocated Workers Center and Manpower Inc. on Nov. 30, the employers stressed presentation, for resumes and cover letters as well as appearance.

Glenna Jones from MBL, USA, in Ottawa, reminded prospective job applicants to send a cover letter with a resume stating which job they seek. Some companies may have many positions open and personnel do not have time to sort through resumes to decide which job the person is suited for.

Jones also said the cover letter is a good opportunity for the applicant to sell themselves, but they must be honest about their skills and abilities.

Pat Reagan of JW Hobbs in Spring Valley told job seekers that the resume has to make an impression quickly. Resumes must be word processed and not show handwritten or whited out corrections.

"If they don’t care about what their resume looks like, then they don’t care what my product looks like," Reagan said.

Cherie Klein from St. Margaret’s Hospital in Spring Valley encouraged prospective job seekers to follow up their interview with a letter; however, she advised against phone calls after an interview to find out if a position has been filled.

She also encouraged job applicants to be realistic in their expectations about the time that it takes to make a hiring decision.

Kit Barrett from J.C. Whitney in LaSalle, Damien Barr from LCN Closures in Princeton and Kris Paul from United Steel Deck in Peru provided tips on how to interview and how to dress.

They stressed that applicants have to present themselves in a professional manner because potential employers make many assumptions from the applicant’s appearance and their conversation.

Although many workplaces advocate casual dress, a professional image remains important for the interviewing stage, the experts said.

Christine Cherpeski, DWC employer specialist, said the purpose of the workshop was to expose job seekers to the people who actually do the hiring.