Pre-Employment Strategies

SDV153

Instructor: Helen Grattan

Phone: (515) 964-6280

Email: hggrattan@dmacc.edu

Course Description: This course covers all aspect of professional job placement procedures including career goal setting, developing prospective employer lists, resume writing, job application forms, employment tests, personal appearance, interviewing, and follow up.

Textbook: Greene & Martel, The Ultimate Job Hunter’s Guidebook, Fourth Edition.

Course Objectives: Emphasis is placed upon the development of a personal portfolio that covers all aspects of professional job placement procedures. Attention is focused on self and employer assessment, job networking, resume writing, pre-employment communication, interview techniques and follow-up.

Competencies:

1. Assess the job search process.
1. Marketing your product
2. Job wants and need
2. Develop a personal skills inventory
1. Your features and benefits
2. Addressing weaknesses
3. Writing a career objective
3. Assess the job market.
1. Employer needs
2. Researching resources
3. Networking
4. Develop a job seeking promotional portfolio
1. Letter of application
2. Resume
3. Interview follow-up letter
4. Employment portfolio
5. Prepare for the employment interview
1. Appropriate image
2. Preparing for questions
3. The application form
4. Selling yourself and negotiating

Grading: This course is designed to be a “doing,” student participating course; therefore, class attendance is important. Some assignments will be in-class activities for which points will be earned. These activities may not be made up. Your final grade will be determined by a composite evaluation of written assignments, in-class activities, career portfolio, and informational and mock interviews. I do not give incompletes. There are approximately 460 points possible in this course. You may figure your grade at any time by dividing the points you have earned to date by the total points possible to date.

Assignments: Since you are preparing to go out and work in the career of your choice, you need to take responsibility for being places on time, turning in assignment and projects on time, and not missing appointments. The same will be expected in this class.

(See attached assignment sheet.)

Classroom Policy: All assignments are given well in advance of the due date: therefore, no late assignment will be accepted. All assignments must be turned in BEFORE the end of class on the day they are due. If you know you are going to be gone on the day an assignment is due, turn it in ahead of time or e-mail the assignment to me before class begins.

Grading Scale:

94% – 100% = A

90% – 93% = A-

88% – 89% = B+

84% – 87% = B

80% – 83% = B-

78% – 7%9 = C+

74% – 77% = C

70% – 73% = C-

68% – 69% = D+

64% – 67% = D

60% – 63% = D-

Below 60% = F

If you are a student with a disability or special needs who would like to learn about services that are offered by DMACC to support you in your academic pursuits, please contact Pam Park, Special Needs Coordinator, Building 6, Room 30D, (515) 964-6850.

Engaging in any form of plagiarism or cheating in this class will result in an F grade for that particular assignment. For more information regarding Academic Misconduct see DMACC Education Services Procedures Board Policy Reference Number 5018.

Netiquette

Email 1. Always include a subject line. 2. Remember without facial expressions some comments may be taken the wrong way. Be careful in wording your emails. Use of emoticons might be helpful in some cases. 3. Use standard fonts. 4. Do not send large attachments without permission. 5. Special formatting such as centering, audio messages, tables, html, etc. should be avoided unless necessary to complete an assignment or other communication. 6. Respect the privacy of other class members. Threaded Discussions 1. Review the discussion threads thoroughly before entering the discussion. 2. Try to maintain threads by using the "Reply" button rather than starting a new topic. 3. Do not make insulting or inflammatory statements to other members of the discussion group. Be respectful of other's ideas. 4. Be patient and read the comments of other group members thoroughly before entering your remarks. 5. Be cooperative with group leaders in completing assigned tasks. 6. Be positive and constructive in group discussions. 7. Respond in a thoughtful and timely manner.
Helpful Web Sites Refer to the DMACC Student Handbook: http://www.dmacc.edu/handbook/welcome.asp
DMACC Information Web Sites
DMACC home page		http://www.dmacc.edu/
Instructor home pages		http://www.dmacc.edu/instructors/welcome.asp
Admissions & registration		http://www.dmacc.edu/potienti.asp
Cellular phone use statement		http://www.dmacc.edu/student_services/cellphone.asp
WebCT		http://webct.dmacc.edu/webct/public/home.pl
Student handbook		http://www.dmacc.edu/handbook/welcome.asp
Add/drop dates		http://www.dmacc.edu/registration/add_drop.asp
Refund policy		http://www.dmacc.edu/refund.asp
Support Services
Accommodations	“It is the policy of DMACC to accommodate students with disabilities. Any student with a documented disability who requires reasonable accommodation should contact the special needs coordinator at 515-964-6850 voice or 515-964-6810 TTY.”
Services for students with disabilities	http://www.dmacc.edu/student_services/disabilities.asp Contact the special needs coordinator at 515-964-6850V, 515-964-6809 TTY or the counseling & advising office on any campus for an Application for Accommodation.
Academic & educational advising	http://www.dmacc.edu/advising/welcome.asp
Online Advisor	An Online Adviser may be of help to you with registration or other questions. onlineadviser@dmacc.edu.
Career counseling	http://www.dmacc.edu/counseling/
Library	http://www.library.dmacc.edu/ Building 6, Room 3 Monday – Thursday 7:30 am to 9:00 pm Friday – 7:30 am to 4:00 pm Saturday – 8:00 am to 1:00 pm
Academic Achievement Center	http://www.dmacc.edu/student_services/academic_achievement_center.asp
Tutoring	DMACC tutoring centers: http://www.dmacc.edu/student_services/tutoring.asp SMARTTHINKING: http://www.dmacc.edu/smartthinking/smartthinking.asp
Computer labs	http://www.dmacc.edu/helpdesk/pc_labs.htm Building 6 Monday – Thursday 7:30 am to 10:00 pm Friday – 7:30 am to 4:00 pm Saturday – 7:30 am to 1:00 pm
Disclaimer
“This syllabus is representative of materials that will be covered in this class; it is not a contract between the student and the institution. It is subject to change. These changes will be communicated via email or posted as announcements. If you have any problems related to this class, please feel free to discuss them with me.”
Nondiscrimination Policy
Des Moines Area Community College shall not engage in or allow discrimination covered by law.  This includes harassment based on race, color, national origin, creed, religion, gender, sexual orientation, age, and disability.  Veteran status in educational programs, activities, employment practices, or admission procedures is also included to the extent covered by law.  Individuals who believe they have been discriminated against may file a complaint through the College Discrimination Complaint Procedure.  Complaint forms may be obtained from the Human Resources Department, the campus Provost's office, or the EEO/AA Officer.  Persons who wish additional information or assistance may contact the EEO/AA Officer, Dr. Sandy Tryon, Human Resources, Bldg. 1, 515-964-6301. Employees and applicants refer to HR Procedures 3000, 3005, 3010, 3015, and 3020. Click here http://www.dmacc.edu/hr/hrpp.asp . For requests for accommodations, the Accommodation/Section 504/ADA Coordinator, Sharon Bittner, can be contacted at 515-964-6857. Students with requests for accommodations refer to the Student Services procedure 4610 located on the DMACC Intranet at http://my2.dmacc.edu/default.aspx. Go to Policies & Procedures and choose Student Services Procedures.