2008 Woodie Awards
Employment seminar pays off for job-seekers
Christina Voss
Issue date: 11/10/05 Section: News
While most picture an 11 hour class as less than ideal, one such class could land job-seekers a six-figure salary.
This has happened for several people after taking an employment seminar. Kirkwood offers a weekend seminar for one credit hour that focuses on how to get a real job.
Morris Pounds, professor/counselor of student development at Kirkwood, is the instructor of the seminar, which is listed as an employment seminar but according to Pounds it's "Personal Sales 101."
"Everyone needs to learn to sell themselves," Pounds said. "You must build your confidence if you want to succeed in an interview."
The seminar is designed to assist students who seeking employment in the near future, whether it's an internship, part-time or full-time job. The seminar helps students learn job-seeking skills: researching job markets and companies, preparing resumes, cover letters and thank you notes and improving job interview techniques.
Though the seminar is only held over a two-day period, much of the work is required before or after the seminar. A week before the seminar, students are sent a packet that includes a Myers-Briggs Type Indicator Test and a personal data survey.
Much of the seminar focuses on personality. A person's personality judges everything in their life be it work, relationships or the major one chooses.
"The average college student changes their mind three to seven times before selecting a major," said Pounds.
To help students figure out what their personality style is, Pounds has students fill out the Myers-Briggs Type Indicator test.
The test was designed by a mother and daughter who figured there are 16 different personality types in the world and each person fits somewhere within it.
The test covers everything from a person's thinking to feeling style.
It's such a good indicator of personality that Pounds has tested everyone in his family including many of his children's boyfriends and girlfriends.
After going through the test, a person will find out which type fits them best and receive a packet on that personality's characteristics and behaviors and also some tips on what majors and careers best fit that personality.
The main focus of the seminar was interviewing for jobs. Interviewing is one of the most difficult parts in getting a job and can be the place that most people make mistakes.
"Interview someone as much as they interview you and ask questions back. Also, apply for jobs you don't want for practice. If you can land a job you don't want, you are one step closer to landing a job you do want."
Pounds said his goal for students is to keep them from making mistakes during the job-hunting process.
"Put your heart and soul into the class," said Pounds. "You will use the information for the rest of your life."
This has happened for several people after taking an employment seminar. Kirkwood offers a weekend seminar for one credit hour that focuses on how to get a real job.
Morris Pounds, professor/counselor of student development at Kirkwood, is the instructor of the seminar, which is listed as an employment seminar but according to Pounds it's "Personal Sales 101."
"Everyone needs to learn to sell themselves," Pounds said. "You must build your confidence if you want to succeed in an interview."
The seminar is designed to assist students who seeking employment in the near future, whether it's an internship, part-time or full-time job. The seminar helps students learn job-seeking skills: researching job markets and companies, preparing resumes, cover letters and thank you notes and improving job interview techniques.
Though the seminar is only held over a two-day period, much of the work is required before or after the seminar. A week before the seminar, students are sent a packet that includes a Myers-Briggs Type Indicator Test and a personal data survey.
Much of the seminar focuses on personality. A person's personality judges everything in their life be it work, relationships or the major one chooses.
"The average college student changes their mind three to seven times before selecting a major," said Pounds.
To help students figure out what their personality style is, Pounds has students fill out the Myers-Briggs Type Indicator test.
The test was designed by a mother and daughter who figured there are 16 different personality types in the world and each person fits somewhere within it.
The test covers everything from a person's thinking to feeling style.
It's such a good indicator of personality that Pounds has tested everyone in his family including many of his children's boyfriends and girlfriends.
After going through the test, a person will find out which type fits them best and receive a packet on that personality's characteristics and behaviors and also some tips on what majors and careers best fit that personality.
The main focus of the seminar was interviewing for jobs. Interviewing is one of the most difficult parts in getting a job and can be the place that most people make mistakes.
"Interview someone as much as they interview you and ask questions back. Also, apply for jobs you don't want for practice. If you can land a job you don't want, you are one step closer to landing a job you do want."
Pounds said his goal for students is to keep them from making mistakes during the job-hunting process.
"Put your heart and soul into the class," said Pounds. "You will use the information for the rest of your life."