Portland Community College | Portland, Oregon

This course can be taught for 1 or 2 credits.  Faculty will outline learning goals specific to the number of credits the students are completing.  Specialized sections may focus on specific career areas to meet major program requirements. Some sections may include portfolio development, technical testing or other career-specific job search techniques.

Upon completion of the course students should be able to:

1. Develop and revise appropriate job search plans and materials.
2. Prepare for and execute effective informational and job interviews.
3. Identify career opportunities and target specific jobs that match current skills and career goals.
4. Develop skills in utilizing social media and technology to create professional networks and manage their online presence.
5. Meet learning outcomes specific to this course as outlined by the instructor in advance through the syllabus as appropriate to the credit awarded for this course.

Students will demonstrate these learning outcomes by these tasks conducted individually and in cooperation with other students:
 

1. Identify and summarize specific job openings and application processes in written and oral form.
2. Develop job search tools appropriate to a specific job or career field, including resume, letters, application, portfolio, etc.
3. Demonstrate application of the subject matter, including effective interviewing techniques.

Competencies and Skills:

A.  Identification of personal Job Skills

1. List and describe work history and work-related activities, and prior education, training and certifications.
2. Identify job-specific, adaptive and transferable skills.

B.  Identification of Job Qualifications

1. Recognize resources for researching companies and jobs.
2. Locate and research a professional position.  Describe position title, duties and qualifications.
3. Draft and revise appropriate job search materials, such as applications, resumes and cover letters.
4. Recognize the qualities, skills, and abilities that employers are seeking in job candidates.

C.  Demonstrate Understanding of the Interview Process

1. Recognize patterns of typical job interviews.  Exhibit appropriate responses to sample interview questions.
2. Recognize and learn how to respond appropriately to behavioral-based interview questions.
3. Learn techniques for completing a video or phone interview
4. Learn how to handle illegal and uncomfortable questions.

D. Demonstrate how to Use Social Media in your Job Search and Have a Professional Online Presence

1. Develop skills in utilizing social media and technology to develop professional networks, research companies, and generate job leads.
2. Learn strategies to help manage your online presence.

E.  Demonstrate Understanding of the Overall Job Search Process

1. Describe major elements of job search, including skills identification, company/job research, application materials development, contact strategies, successful interviewing techniques, and job success.
2. Learn about bias in the hiring process.
3. Explore companies/jobs with a diversity/equity lens.
4. Develop a job search plan and/or mini-portfolio reflecting knowledge of the industry and job search process.
5. Understand the job loss cycle and strategies to stay motivated and positive when looking for work or dealing with change.

F.  Navigating a Job Offer

1. Learn strategies of how and when to optimize your bargaining position to negotiate salary and job offers.
2. Develop an understanding of the range of fringe benefits included in a a job offer and how to include these in your negotiation.
3. Research salaries for particular positions, occupations or industries for specific geographic regions.

Concepts, Themes, Issues
The contextualized networks of meaning students must understand in order to demonstrate the performance tasks and achieve the outcomes:
 

• Personal/Professional Skills (Transferable, Adaptive, Task Specific)
• Career and Job Market Information
• Attitudes
• Workplace Requirements and Trends
• Social Media and the Job Search
• Digital Interviewing Skills and Platforms
• Navigating a Job Offer
• Partnering with Career-Focused Organizations
  • Oregon Association of Minority Entrepreneurs (OAME)
  • Partners in Diversity