Week 2, STEP 2

Part of the job hunting process involves filling out applications and writing resumes. To help you make these tasks easier, you need to gather some things together.

STEP 2

1. You will need a personal data sheet (personal means for your eyes only) that has all the information needed to fill out an application or the create a resume. I call it my cheat sheet because it is what I refer to when filling in applications and writing resumes because I have to cheat/sneak a peek at it once in awhile because I can't possibly remember all the details requested on some applications.
2. Find a box about 13" long, 9" wide and about 6" tall. This is where you will stash certain documents that may be useful during an interview and are most certainly helpful when filling out your cheat sheet.

Items to stash in your job hunting box.

• Job descriptions (if you did not save these, save them from today on)
• Performance reviews/annual reviews (when you have your yearly evaluation, you need to make sure you mention accomplishments and positive events which occurred during your evaluation time period. After you note your achievements, sign and date the evaluation and immediately ask for a copy. If you don't get a copy at that time, ask for it every week until you get a copy. You are entitled to a copy of performance reviews).
• Awards. Please say any awards you receive, especially if given to you by your employer. Employment attorneys are directed Human Resource Managers to NOT save any employee awards in your personnel files because should they want to fire you, and you challenge it in court, the employer is not in the most favorable situation if the courts find employee awards in your files. This means, you save them.
• Training certificates, transcripts, continuing education documentation. Save these documents even if there is an expiration date. All your training counts for something - it tells an employer you have certain knowledge, skills and/or abilities - maybe you have some that nobody else has. This makes you more valuable to an employer.
• Addresses & phone numbers. You need to collect the names, mailing addresses and phone numbers for every one of your employers and every school attended, including elementary and junior high school information. This may sound silly to you, however many applications are beginning to ask for your elementary and junior high school information in addition to high school and post high school institutions. If you leave off a requested address or phone number from an application - you lose - HR will perceive you as unprepared.
• Military records/paperwork. You need to gather these documents and keep them in one place. Some employers may need some of the information contained in these documents.
• Social Security Card/Work Visas/Birth Certificates/Passports. You need to know where these documents are since you will need to provide them at the time you are hired, however I recommend you keep them in a fireproof box in a safe place.