Network To Work Meeting Agenda
February 2015
Participant Guide
Agenda Topics
Welcome
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Introduce yourself, mentioning your Host Agency, job goal, and
training track. Also, share your best work attribute you want to share
during an interview.
Participant Success Stories and/or Recognition
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Let’s celebrate!
Announce and present certificates, and congratulate any participants
that completed off-site training in the past month.
If you had an interview, share your experience.
Follow Up/Review
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Last month our job search topic was Resume Development. We
talked about the importance of a Summary of Qualifications.
Reflection and Group Share:
1. At the end of last month’s meeting the Participant “action” was:
 Develop or strengthen (if you already have one) your
Summary of Qualifications in your resume. Use action verbs
and highlight your accomplishments.
 Share your revised summary – has it helped you in getting an
interview?
Employer Guest Speaker
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Job Search Skill Topic: Preparing For A Job Interview
Name: _____________________
Company: __________________
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Agenda Topics
Jobs Search Skills – Preparing For A Job Interview
A job interview is a process in which a potential job applicant is evaluated
by an employer for prospective employment in their company. During this
process, the employer hopes to determine whether or not the applicant is
suitable for the role.
 Consider: Share an interview experience that you had recently?
What went well, what needs to be improved?
 We are going to focus on Preparing for an Interview:
1. Consider: What is involved in the preparation for an interview?
2. Consider: What strategies do you use to minimize your nerves
before an interview?
 Review the Resource: 5 Strategies For Overcoming Interview Nerves?
1. Consider: Which of the tips is most helpful in improving your
preparation for job interviews and why?
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Activity: A part of preparing for an interview is determining what you
want the employer to know about you and anticipating the questions
they may ask.
1. Get into groups of 2 with someone who trains at a different Host
Agency.
2. Review the resource: Preparing For The Tough Interview
Questions
 In a hypothetical interview environment, each pair should
review/ask/answer each question, offering feedback based on
their partner’s answers
 Report out: Share your question answers.
 Consider: Are there other questions you believe are
important to prepare for that haven’t been discussed? If so,
what are they?
Summary: Interviews are successful if an individual prepares in
advance. It is integral to research the company and the position
available, prepare to answer “standard” interviewing questions, and
have follow up questions to ask an employer. Be engaged, advocate
for your skills and abilities, and convince the employer they must hire
you!
Employment Portfolio - Every job search skill should be applied to
helping participants search for employment and building a
professional portfolio. A professional portfolio shows an employer
what you have done and provides examples of your best work.
Portfolios can help you to make a good first impression and shows
the employer that you are really serious about the job.
o Elements that could be included in a portfolio may include:
Resume (different versions), Cover Letter, Professional
References, Community Service Involvement, Certificates,
and other relevant items.
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Agenda Topics
Jobs In The Area
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Share job contacts/potential opportunities that participants should
apply for because the opportunity matches participant’s job goal.
Provide participants with contact information.
Participants - Share job contacts opportunities that they are aware of
SCSEP Notes
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You need to notify your Mature Worker Specialist if:
1. There are any changes to your personal information (address,
phone number, email address, etc.).
2. If you become the relative or domestic partner of another SCSEP
participant or your Host Agency supervisor.
3. If there are any changes to your family size, income or
employment status.
Other Notes of Interest
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Review the following with participants:
1. They are participants in the Senior Community Service Program
(SCSEP), which is a state and federally funded jobs training
program.
2. Associates for Training and Development is one of 15
organizations in the country that receives federal funds to
administer the program.
3. The primary objective of the program is to help older workers
receive training that leads to employment. It is a transitional
training program. Thus participant’s goal should be to enroll in
the program, receive training, and then find employment. We
cannot help others in need unless current participants find jobs
and leave the program.
Jobs, Jobs, Jobs! The goal of all SCSEP participants is to find
employment. Participants are expected to search for work, and
provide details to SCSEP staff so they can follow up with prospective
employment leads. Participants who are “job ready” are required to
complete a monthly Job Search Activity Log. SCSEP staff will be
meeting with you in the next few weeks to discuss your job search
efforts and how we can assist you.
Reminder: Timesheets should be submitted by 4pm on the 2nd Friday
of a payroll cycle unless you train on Saturdays. In that instance,
timesheets should be submitted after training concludes on Saturday.
Jobs, Jobs, Jobs! The goal of all SCSEP participants is to find
employment. Participants are expected to search for work, and
provide details to SCSEP staff so they can follow up with prospective
employment leads. Participants who are “job ready” are required to
complete a monthly Job Search Activity Log. SCSEP staff will be
meeting with you in the next few weeks to discuss your job search
efforts and how we can assist you.
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Agenda Topics
The Department of Labor offers excellent job search skill workshops.
Participants are expected to attend these on a regular basis and it
counts toward your 20 weekly training hours. Please discuss your
options with SCSEP staff.
All Associates for Training and Development offices are closed on
Monday, February 16th in observance of President’s Day. Your Host
Agency may be closed as well. Please discuss with SCSEP staff and
your Host Agency Supervisors the possibility of making up missed
training hours during the same payroll cycle.
We want to hear from participants! Please email any feedback,
suggestions, and questions to [email protected].
Searching for a job is in itself a full time job. Participants in the
program must search for employment. Use multiple sources for your
job search including online resources, newspapers and other business
publications, word of mouth, etc. How can the Associates for
Training and Development staff help you?
Conclusion of Meeting
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Pass in your Job Search Activity Logs for January, 2015.
Next month’s meeting date: ______________
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