OTEC2815 Employment Portfolio
Common Course Outline

Course Information
Organization / South Central College
Developers / Diane Wergeland
Development Date / 1/10/2011
Course Number / OTEC2815
Instructional Level / AAS Degree, Diploma
Potential Hours of Instruction / 48
Total Credits / 3

Description
This course is a capstone course for the Office Administration and Technology Program and will focus on developing knowledge that will serve as a foundation for the student's employment search process by assisting them in the development of successful marketing strategies for employment by providing the information necessary about the skills, knowledge, attitudes, and interpersonal skills required to secure positions of choice and be contributing and productive employees.
As a capstone course, students are given online assessments on the use of software, keyboarding skills, and business English to ensure competence prior to graduation.
Students will develop two distinctive portfolios to assist in their career search. Students will create a notebook portfolio consisting of their employment marketing strategy documents including different types of resumes, letters of application, interview strategies, interview follow up, as well as samples of their coursework presented professionally in a three-ring binder. The second portfolio will be designed as a digital portfolio. Students will develop through their creativity and use of technology a digital portfolio that will showcase their level of mastery in Office Administration and Technology. Students will use digital cameras, scanners, audio files, label software, presentation software, word processing software, page layout software, and the Internet among other areas of technology.
Prerequisites: OTEC 1825 Office Financial Applications 1; OTEC 1840 Business Presentations; OTEC 2810 Computer Technology; OTEC 2820 Business Communications; OTEC 2870 Information Resource Management; OTEC2875 Word Processing Concepts and Applications: Expert

Types of Instruction
Instruction Type / Contact Hours / Credits
Lecture / 48 / 3
Prerequisites
OTEC1825 Office Financial Applications 1
OTEC1840 Business Presentations
OTEC2810 Computer Technology
OTEC2820 Business Communications
OTEC2870 Information Resource Management
OTEC2875 Word Processing Concepts and Applications: Expert

Exit Learning Outcomes

Core Abilities
A. / Communication
B. / Critical Thinking
C. / Professionalism
D. / Technological Literacy
Competencies
1. / Develop foundation knowledge for your employment search process
Learning Objectives
a.Identify interests
b.Evaluate qualifications
c.Recognize the changing nature of positions with Office Administration and Technology
2. / Apply both electronic and traditional techniques in a successful job search
Learning Objectives
a.Search for a position electronically by using job boards, corporate Web sites, niche Web sites, Monster, College Recruiter, etc.
b.Search for a position using traditional techniques such as networking, career fairs, company contacts, etc.
3. / Compare and contrast different resume styles
Learning Objectives
a.Research and/or create a chronological resume
b.Research and/or create a functional resume
4. / Organize and format the parts of a resume to produce a persuasive product
Learning Objectives
a.Decide on resume length
b.Arrange the parts of the resume (main heading; career objective; summary of qualifications; education; work experience or employment history; capabilities and skills; and award, honors, and activities)
c.Create and format reference page
5. / Identify techniques that prepare a resume for today's technologies
Learning Objectives
a.Design a print-based resume
b.Prepare a scannable resume by using tips for maximizing your scannability and hits
c.Prepare a plain-text resume for email
6. / Write a persuasive cover letter to accompany your resume
Learning Objectives
a.Gain attention in the opening for solicited and unsolicited positions
b.Sell your strengths in the body
c.Motivate action in the closing
d.Send coverletter by email or fax
7. / Differentiate among the types of employment interviews
Learning Objectives
a.Describe a screening interview
b.Describe a hiring/placement interview
c.Describe the one-on-one interview
d.Describe the panel interview
e.Describe the group interview
f.Describe the sequential interview
g.Describe the stress interview
8. / Describe what to do before the interview to make an impressive initial contact
Learning Objectives
a.Use professional telephone techniques
b.Research the targeted company
9. / Explain how to prepare for employment interviews
Learning Objectives
a.Prepare success stories
b.Practice answers to possible questions
c.Clean up any digital dirt
d.Prepare to explain problem areas on your resume
e.Determine how to dress
f.Gather items to bring to the interview
10. / Recognize how to fight interview fears and control nonverbal messages
Learning Objectives
a.Practice interviewing
b.Control your body movements
c.Exhibit good posture
d.Practice appropriate eye contact
e.Use gestures effectively
f.Smile enough to convey a positive attitude
g.Listen attentively
h.Turn off your cell phone
i.Don't chew gum
j.Sound sincere
k.Avoid empty words
11. / Be prepared to answer common interview questions and know how to close an interview positively
Learning Objectives
a.Practice questions and answers to get acquainted
b.Practice questions and answers to gauge your interest
c.Practice questions and answers about your experience and accomplishments
d.Practice questions and answers about the future
e.Practice questions and answers for challenging questions
f.Prepare for situational questions
g.Prepare for behavioral questions
h.Identify illegal and inappropriate questions
i.Identify your own appropriate questions to ask
j.Schedule a mock interview with a company of your choice by someone who is in charge of hiring office professionals
12. / Outline the activities that take place after an interview, including thanking the interviewer and contacting references
Learning Objectives
a.Identify to whom thank you letter(s) should be sent
b.Contact your references about your interview
c.Identify when to follow-up with the interviewer
13. / Write follow-up letters and other employment messages
Learning Objectives
a.Write a thank you follow up letter
b.Complete an online employment application form
c.Describe a rejection follow-up letter
d.Describe a job acceptance letter
e.Describe a resignation letter
14. / Complete industry-based assessments using current office software
Learning Objectives
a.Complete the ProveIt! Keyboarding 3 minute online assessment
b.Complete the ProveIt! MS Word online assessment
c.Complete the ProveIt! MS Excel online assessment
d.Complete the ProveIt! MS Access online assessment
e.Complete the ProveIt! MS PowerPoint online assessment
f.Complete the ProveIt! MS Outlook online assessment
g.Complete the ProveIt! Business English online assessment
15. / Create a notebook portfolio of marketing strategy documentation
Learning Objectives
a.Design a professional personal business stationery set (letterhead, envelopes, labels, and business cards)
b.Create a notebook portfolio that contains your marketing media, work samples, DARS, transcripts, CCOs, awards and honors, etc.
c.Present notebook portfolio to course colleagues, instructor, and/or others
16. / Develop foundation knowledge of the digital portfolio concept and application
Learning Objectives
a.Determine digital portfolio contents
b.Understand the importance of artifacts and their relationship to the digital portfolio
c.Exhibit professionalism
17. / Create professional career search documentation through the creation of a digital portfolio
Learning Objectives
a.Search Internet or design background
b.Search for appropriate clip art
c.Search for appropriate fonts
d.Use appropriate builds and transitions
e.Use digital camera--stills and/or video
f.Record audio files for possible use in digital portfolio format
g.Use scanners to insert documents into electronic files
h.Create CD and jewel case labels
i.Use Package to CD and/or Package to Folder for copies of digital portfolio
j.Present digital portfolio to course colleagues, instructor, and others