Seattle Central Community CollegeStudent Services – Counseling

Course Title: Interviewing, Resumes, Job Hunting, Employer/Employee Interaction

Course Number: HDC 106Credits:Two credits

Course Days/Time/Room: Monday/Wednesdays from 9:00-9:50 a.m., room BE3184

(No class on Monday, May 30. May 30th is Memorial Day, a national holiday.)

Instructors:Fran Kato – Room BE 3125, 206.587.5408, e-mail –

Dan Loos – Room BE 3112, 206.587,5418,

Class website:

Prerequisites: Students must be at ESL Level 5A or higher

Course Description: This course is designed to help students identify personal strengths and skills, create a resume, develop a cover letter; prepare for interviews, and learn how to conduct a job search.

Program/Student Outcomes: At the end of the quarter students will be able to

  • Identify a focus for their job search
  • Assess, list, appreciate and understand their skills in preparation forentering the job market.
  • Identify and examine a personal “bottom line” base of values and preferences upon which to make good choices regarding careers and jobs
  • Know how to research the types of jobs available for a given set of skills, so they have a realistic idea of what they can bring to a job and the skills they might add or update to improve their prospects of securing a satisfying position.
  • Research information about prospective employers in order to make informed choices, and be equipped to demonstrate their interest and knowledge about a given company during interviews and in writing cover letters.
  • Develop a quality resume and cover letter.
  • Demonstrate interview skills that will make a positive impression

American Disability Act: Students with documented disabilities who need course accommodations, have medical information or require special arrangements for building evacuation should contact the instructors at the beginning of the quarter or set up an appointment with the Disability Support Counselor in room BE 1112.

Methods of Instruction: Brief lectures with group work, activities, class discussions, and guest speakers.

The success in this class, for you and the other students, relies heavily on participation in discussions and group work, and the completion of individual reading and assignments.

Three-ring binder: All class materials from this class are to be kept in a binder. This way your handouts, notes, etc. will be easy to organize and within easy reach for future reference. Dividers for class notes, handouts, assignments, etc. are recommended.

Class Structure: It is our goal to create a safe learning environment for all students. We expect that you will respect one another and allow for differences of opinion, learning styles and knowledge levels. Displays of discrimination (e.g. race, gender, sexual preferences, religion, ethnicity) are not acceptable. View all members of the class as contributing to the total learning experience. Talk to us if you have questions, concerns or suggestions regarding the class.

Plagiarism: Using or copying someone else’s work (ideas, words, or phrases) and passing it off as one’s own is unacceptable unless sources are properly cited. Plagiarism will result in negative school consequences.

Attendance Policy: All students are expected to be ON TIME and attend ALL class sessions. Attendance and participation are critical. Arrive on time and stay the full length of the class. Tardiness, leaving early, class disruptions by side conversations and any electronic devices are not acceptable as these are very distracting, waste valuable class time, and MAY DEDUCT FROM THE FINAL COURSE GRADE.

If you are absent, you are responsible for obtaining any class notes and assignments. Being absent does not excuse you from assignment deadlines, etc.

If you stop attending and do not observe the official withdrawal date, you are still registered for the course and will receive the grade you earn.

Food and Drink: School policy states there shall be no food or beverages (even water) in the IT rooms.

Additional Information: Only registered students of this class are allowed in class.

Class Rules for Success

To create the very best environment for supporting your success and the success of your classmates, there are three important rules for this class. The more challenging these rules are for you, the more you will gain by adopting them. By choosing to follow these three rules, you are choosing to be successful not only in this course but in your life. These rules will support your success in every goal you pursue.

Rule 1: Show up! Choose to attend every scheduled class in its entirety. This means being on time and leaving only at the end of the class period. This also means turning off all electronics before class begins, including cell phones. No texting during class.

Rule 2: Do the Work! Choose to do your best work when completing assignments and turn them in on time.

Rule 3: Participate actively! Choose to stay mentally alert in every class, offering your best energy, comments, questions, and answers when appropriate.

GradingPercent of Grade

Attendance/Participation30%

Assignments20%

Class Presentations/Interviews20%

Portfolio30%

Grading System

A 4.0 – 3.9C2.1 – 1.9

3.8 – 3.5C- 1.8 – 1.5

B+3.4 – 3.2D+1.4 – 1.2

B3.1 – 2.9D1.1 – 0.9

B-2.8 – 2.5D-0.8 – 0.7

C+2.4 – 2.2E0.0

Class outline of topics to be covered – All topics are subject to change

WOIS Assessments

  • Career Interest Areas
  • Interest Profiler
  • Skills Assessment
  • Work Importance Locator

Other assessments. e.g.

  • O’Net Skills Search
  • Skills Profiler
  • Holland Code Quiz

Myers-Briggs based personality test

Identification of personal basic values

Researching the job market

Using the internet for job search

Exploring specified websites

Using search engines to find information about jobs, occupations or companies

Resumes and cover letters

  • Purpose of resumes and cover letters
  • Types of resumes
  • Making changes on a computer document
  • Building a scannable resume
  • General formatting and presentation tips
  • Resume critiquing

Provide feedback within small groups

Interviewing

  • Purposes
  • Body language
  • Formulating questions to ask
  • Formulating answers to difficult questions
  • Practicing interviewing by role playing