Central Valley Professionals

Monthly Newsletter
October 2013

INSIDE THIS ISSUE

Page

To Contact CVP:
1 1 1 2 3 3 4 5 6 3302 N. Blackstone Ave., Suite 225 Fresno, CA 93726 (559) 230-4063 cvpfresno@gmail.com www.cvpfresno.org CVP Coordinator: Annette Wholaver (559) 230-3628 Edited by:

About Central Valley Professionals Members Who Got a Job this Month CVP Library - Check us out! CVP Committees, Meeting & Facilitator Training Times October Seminar Class Photo Save the Date Holiday Luncheon/Buffet Article 4Benefits of a Mock Interview Article 5 Must-Ask Interview Questions Article Dress for Success - Your Interview Outfit

About Central Valley Professionals

Central Valley Professionals (CVP) is the local chapter of Experience Unlimited, a networking group of unemployed and/or underemployed mid- and upper-level technical and managerial job-seeking professionals, which is sponsored by the Employment Development Department (EDD). The EDD provides our active members with the resources and guidance on job search activities, which meet and conform to the State and Federal laws, Equal Employment and all Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) laws. CVPs mission is to provide a supportive environment to allow active members to assist others and obtain employment and return to work as soon as possible. All our services are free to new and active members, as well as all Central Valley employers. Listed below are the services that CVP provides: Classes/workshops/training sessions for job searching Computers, printer, Internet and Wi-Fi access Telephones, fax and copy machines Employee job listings and referrals Resource library Guest speakers that speak at a seminar once a month

Darlene E. Lobkowski darlenelob@gmail.com & Roselyn Walker roselynwalker@aol.com

Congratulations!
Got a Job:
Leonor Ayala Kevin Gilliard Lovella Gillum Kristen Johnson Ken Luong Shioban OHara Susan Osborn Susanne Schramm Ahbrahm Slaybaugh David Warren Steve Braco Gregory Rodriguez Cha V. Khang Melissa Leyva Theresa Real Carolyn Robertson

CVP Library
We recently received the loan of several books for our library and are expecting receipt of a gift of several others soon. If you would like to check a book out, please see Janet Towne of the Administration Committee. The CVP Library is located on the west wall in the back hallway.

Check us out!

Central Valley Professionals Committees

ADMINISTRATION: This committee creates and catalogues all forms and flyers used by CVP to make sure the content is approved. They maintain membership files, create name badges, and are also responsible for presenting semi-weekly Orientation sessions, and assisting other committees and the CVP Coordinator. They maintain the CVP calendar of events, prepare the Newsletter and manage the CVP Library. COMPUTER SERVICES: This committee maintains the CVP member database, provides reports to the CVP Coordinator, and provides member information to other CVP committee chairs and co-chairs. They also provide computer assistance to members who need it. INFORMATION RESOURCE: This committees primary responsibility is communication. They use the web and social media to connect employers with people seeking employment. They maintain the CVP website. INTERVIEW: This committee offers practice interviews to new members. They videotape the interview, if the member gives consent. Practice interviews are done on the first Thursday after seminar week. MARKETING: This committee builds and maintains a positive image of CVP. They create and deliver a message of value for the membership, clients and community. They network with local media, businesses and organizations to promote the message of CVP. RSUM: This committee reviews rsums for inclusion on the CVP website and Rsum CD, as well as reviews and edits new member rsums. They work together to ensure that CVP members have a resource for developing their best rsums. TRAINING & DEVELOPMENT: This committee is responsible for facilitator training, scheduling speakers and workshops, preparing handouts and putting on the monthly CVP seminar. They provide administrative support as requested by seminar guest speakers and maintain the training room during the seminar.

Facilitator Training
(Now presented as a Workshop during monthly Seminar)

CVP Committee Meeting Times

Administration: 11:00 a.m. - Tuesdays Computer Services: 1:30 p.m. - Wednesdays Information Resource: 9:00 a.m. - Fridays Interview: 11:00 a.m. - Thursdays Marketing: 9:00 a.m. - Fridays Rsum: 9:00 a.m. - Wednesdays Training & Development: 8:30 a.m. - Wednesdays

NO

Committee meetings during Seminar week, except Computer Services

2013 CVP Seminar Class - October

Graduates (L - R) Back Row: Raymond Willet, Jamie Rowland, Luis Gonzalez, Louvella Gillum, Robbie Cranch, Jean Kennedy & Ahbrahm Slaybuagh. Front Row: Edna Collins, Phyllis Lemay, Jenny Nguyen, Wendy Chavez, Silvia Montoya-Gomez, Lilly Bauelos, Gay Sakata & Paula Parker.

The Holidays are coming

Save the Date

Its time to start planning our Holiday Luncheon/ Buffet, and we hope you will join us Dec. 11th. Please contact Sue Schramm, Event Coordinator, if you are interested in volunteering to help. Sue: 559/392-3817 seussue@gmail.com Members will be asked to sign up to bring a dish or another item. Look for the sign-up sheet at our CVP sign-in desk.

Graphics frame from DepositPhotos

Articles of Interest to Job Seekers

4 BENEFITS OF A MOCK INTERVIEW
Mock interviews provide candidates with an opportunity to test out their interview skills with someone who isnt evaluating them for an actual job. A mock interview may be offered through career services for students or recent alumni, by a career coach or through a local workforce services office for candidates in the process of transitioning to a new opportunity.

1. Mock interviews help candidates reduce their stress and anxiety about interviewing. If youre not sure how to answer typical interview questions, mock interviews provide a great opportunity for you to test drive your answers. The person conducting the mock interview is most likely a skilled interviewer and can give you feedback on whether or not your response is suitable. 2. Mock interviews help you boost your confidence. Job coaches who conduct mock interviews are usually ready to point out your strengths in the interview process. By having confidence in your skills, you will perform better in an actual interview. 3. Mock interviews provide you with constructive feedback in a low-stress environment. No one is the perfect candidate, so mock interviews help you clarify responses to certain questions and help you work on areas where you may have weaknesses. In a real interview, theres

often not feedback about your interviewing abilities, so a mock interview is a perfect opportunity to find out why you may be having some difficulty in landing your dream job. 4. Mock interviews can help you prepare for behavioral-based interview questions. Many companies use BI questions. If youre not familiar with this type of interviewing, it may be advantageous to give it a practice run in a mock interview. The expression that practice makes perfect may very well be true with interviewing skills. Take advantage of mock interviewing opportunities even if you think your skills are at a very high level. There are things that we can all improve upon when it comes to making a great impression on a prospective employer. Read more at: www.careerealism.com/mockinterview-benefits Photo Credit: Shutterstock

Happy Harvest

What qualities make people on your team successful?

Want the best boss for you?

Here are must-ask interview questions

ouve heard it before. People join a company, but leave their boss. It may be conventional wisdom, but maybe its time to back the convention. With savvy interviewing skills, you can increase your chances of avoiding the clichd outcome and find a manager with staying power. OK, predicting the potential of a relationship after one conversation is no easy feat, unless youre a speed-dating world champion. So, to make the most of your interview, arm yourself with these five questions for your boss-to-be, and see if youre really meant to happily share that office kitchenette.

1. How and when do you give feedback to employees? If she only talks about the annual performance review process, it may be a red flag that the lines of communication for honest, constructive feedback arent open. Lets face it: we all can get better at what we do. Would you rather start getting better immediately, or first hear about your development opportunities in December?
As a side benefit, this question shows your interest in career growth.

3. What qualities make people successful on your team? Of course, this gives you a chance to describe how you have all of said qualities in spades, but also use this chance to read between the lines. The first adjectives you hear are likely things your future manager personally appreciates the most. Do his values sync with yours? 4. How often do you interact with those who work for you? The answer may range from multiple hours a day to the occasional one-on-one meeting. Theres no right answer, but there is a right answer for you.
Are you a free-range employee who enjoys autonomy and some distance? Or are you more of an elbow-rubber who values close interaction and frequent recognition? Be sure the answer you hear can give you the kind of work environment you enjoy.

2. What are the other team members like? Sure, its nice to know whether youll be gaining some happy hour friends in the deal, but listen to the way the manager talks about your prospective teammates. Is he speaking with pride, respect and maybe even genuine affection? Thats a sign of a boss who likes being a boss, not just someone whos unwittingly managing others because it was the way to ascend the corporate ladder.
Its even better if he suggests you meet some of your future peers and be sure to take him up on the offer.

5. Why did you join this company, and whats kept you here? This sounds like youre just trying to better understand the company, which is worthwhile on its own. But tune into the subtext, too. You arent fishing for the rsum rundown you can get that from LinkedIn. You want the personal story.
What motivates your boss? Does she sound upbeat? Simply put, does it sound like she likes her job? Its tough for an unhappy employee to be a great manager, so consider yourself warned if her answer sounds flat or uninspired.

The Fresno Bee Sunday, October 13, 2013 Central Valley MARKETPLACE CareerBuilder.com

DRESS FOR SUCCESS: HOW TO SELECT YOUR INTERVIEW OUTFIT

What you wear to an interview can make or break your chances of getting hired. But with todays varied workplaces (think Wall Street vs. Silicon Valley), there is no hard and fast rule for what to wear. Some companies mandate employees wear suits every day. At others, youll be hard-pressed to find anyone wearing a tie billionaire CEOs included.

Why a 3-Piece Suit Isnt Always a Safe Bet

Significantly overdressing (i.e. wearing a suit jacket and tie to a workplace where the standard is blue jeans, tennis shoes, and t-shirts) can be awkward for both parties. As the candidate, you might look around, see flip flops galore, and start feeling insecure (the opposite of how you want to feel during an interview). On the other side, current employees might see your fancy pants and feel that you dont understand their culture. Since an interview is all about proving your fit, this is not the feeling you want to leave the employer with. Should you always mimic the companys attire? Not if the office dress code is completely casual. In this case, dress one to two levels above. For instance, wear a skirt or khakis instead of jeans and wear dressy shoes instead of flip flops.

How to Find Out What a Companys Dress Code Is

If youre not sure what the expectation is, do a little digging online. Look for photos on the companys website and Facebook page, and check out its employees on LinkedIn. If the dress code isnt obvious, ask HR or whoever your point-of-contact is when youre offered an inperson interview. Some candidates are shy about asking; dont be. If anything, the employer will appreciate that youre detail-oriented and considerate of the company culture.

A Few Guidelines
Regardless of whether a company is business professional or internet casual, there are a few rules that apply nearly everywhere.

Clothing should neither be baggy nor skin-tight Dont show too much skin no shorts, short skirts, or low-cut shirts Shoes should be close-toed and in good condition (no noticeable scuff marks, frayed laces, etc.); those who opt for a heel should keep it to a couple of inches or less Accessories are fine, but dont do anything too flashy (unless youre going into fashi on or another industry where its appropriate) Hair (including facial hair) should be well groomed Avoid perfume and cologne (some people are allergic) Makeup should be subtle Nails should be clean; if wearing polish, choose a natural color Comfort is king dont wear anything that will distract you or make you visibly awkward

How do you dress for success? How do you select your interview outfit?
Photo Credit: Shutterstock Read more at http://www.careerealism.com/how-select-interview-outfit/