SW 109 Seminar on Current Trends

in Social Work Practice

Instructor: KRISTALYN L. ANDAYA, RSW, MSW
 Application Letter
-also known as a cover letter
-it is a job application document sent with resume to
provide additional information about the skills and
experience of the job applicant.
HOW TO WRITE AN APPLICATION
LETTER
• Write an engaging first paragraph
• State where you found the position to
which you are applying
• Explain why hiring you will benefit the
employer
• Briefly summarize your strengths,
qualifications and experience
• Paint a picture of yourself that’s not your
resume
WHAT IS A RESUME

• It is a one-to two-page document listing a

person’s job experience, educational
history and special skills.
 • RESUME
• ADDRESS

• SUMMARY
• EDUCATION
• EMPLOYMENT HISTORY
• HOBBIES AND INTEREST
• PROFESSIONAL SKILLS
• TRAININGS AND SEMINARS ATTENDED
• REFERENCES
CLINCHING THE JOB INTERVIEW
(By Nimish Thakkar)

• Communicate effectively, focus on the

beef-closed-ended responses to interview
questions wont do much good if response fails
to communicate the message effectively.
EX. Weak strategy: “I have excellent clinical
research skills”.
Better: “My superiors, including XYZ
Pharma’s CEO, have often called me the
“prize of the Clinical Department.” During my
12 years in clinical research, I have provided
my expertise
CLINCHING JOB INTERVIEW

to the world’s top three pharmaceutical

companies. As clinical research director at
XYZ, I do not only directed the testing of
eight multi-billion dollar, blockbuster
molecules, but also spearheaded their
approval process from phase I of clinical
studies all the way through market launch.
My PH D in pharmacalogy serves only to
enhance my clinical knowledge.”
CLINCHING THE JOB INTERVIEW

• Showcase past results, demonstrate

potential value-highlight results, not just
duties. It is important to demonstrate how
you were driving results at past positions
and how you can continue bringing value
in your future role as well .
Weak example: I consistently generated
hundreds of dollars in revenues for XYZ
Pharmaceutical Company”.
CLINCHING THE JOB INTERVIEW

Better: “From a sales force of 900 at XYZ

Pharmaceutical Company, I was ranked in
the top five. My performance was
consistently at 140 % of quota and I was
instrumental in winning many sought-after
deals. It was primarily my leadership that
helped the inclusion of three of our
company’s products into the fomularies of
major managed care organizations in our
state. I have won 14 “top salesperson”
awards in the past seven years.”
CLINCHING TE JOB INTERVIEW

• Translate benefits for the decision

maker- instead of allowing the hiring
manager to draw conclusions about your
candidacy, provide material that will do the
job for them. In other words, it is not
enough to say what you have to offer, the
response must go a step further and
explain how your qualifications will benefit
the organization.
CLINCHING THE JON INTERVIEW
Weak example: “I am experienced pharmacist.”
Better: “My eight years experience in working for
nationally-recognized pharmacies, such as XYZ
and ABC, have honed and developed my ability to
fill prescriptions efficiently and accurately. My
ability to fill over 300mprescriptions per day with
100 %accuracy would save thousands of dollars
for your organizations it will eliminate the need for
having two pharmacists during an eight-hour shift.
My patient orientation and communication skills
helped build a loyal patient base for my past
employers, and I am confident I can do the same
for your company as well.”
CLINCHING THE JOB INTERVIEW

• Understand your employer-Conduct

thorough research about the employer,
including past, present, and future . This
will not only help you prepare for the
interview, but will also help you identify
and address issues that would be unique
to the specific employer. Employees ,
vendors customers, internet research,
SEC filings-there are a number of
information sources you can leverage to
facilitate your research.
CLINCHING THE JOB INTERVIEW

• Convey how you are the candidate for the job-

Once you have understood the company’s needs,
prepare a convincing strategy to position you for
those needs
Example: Lu is to be interviewed for a regulatory
affairs manager position with a large
pharmaceutical company. His research made him
aware of some problems the company’s
compliance division was facing in Asia. He
leveraged this information to his advantage and at
every meeting during the interview process, he
used past examples and results to showcase his
ability to resolve FDA issues in Asian markets.
The strategy was a hit.
CLINCHING THE JOB INTERVIEW

• Anticipate and prepare responses to

common interview questions-Prepare
responses for common interview.
AGENCY CODE

• Civil Service Memorandum Circular No.

14, series 2001-The CSC, in
memorandum circular no. 20, s. 1997 and
Resolution No. 973461, enjoined all
Filipino women in all government agencies
to wear Filipina dress at least once a week
until December 31, 1998 in line with
centennial celebration of the Philippine
independence.
AGENCY DRESS CODE

• The CSC also promulgated and prescribed

a revised dress code for all government
officials and employee in connection with
the centennial celebration of the Philippine
Civil Service by virtue of CSC
Memorandum Circular No.9, s.2000 and
Resolution No. 002515. The same circular
institutionalized the wearing of Filipiniana
attire during Mondays.
AGENCY DRESS CODE

• While the CSC upholds the importance of

instilling a sense of pride and identity
among government officials and
employees through the wearing of
Filipiniana dress, it also recognizes the
demands for practicality in the workforce,
in community and such other
considerations.
AGENCY DRESS CODE
• In response to the request to lift the policy on
wearing of Filipiniana attire, the CSC gives the
heads of agencies, in consultation with their
employees, the discretion in determining the
appropriate office attire for their officials and
employees. As far as practicable, such attire
should have a distinct Filipino louch or motif on
Mondays.
• Further enjoins all agency heads to strictly
implement internal policies on proper dress code
and encourage their officials to wear Filipiniana
attire during special functions and occasions.
TIME MANAGEMENT

• Is the process of organizing and planning

how to divide time between specific
activities. Good time management enables
one to work smarter-not harder-so that
one get more done in less time, even
when time is tight and pressures are high.
Failing to manage time damages
effectiveness and causes stress.
TIME MANAGEMENT TIPS

• DEVISE A DAILY GAME PLAN-take

10-minutes at the start of the day to create
a more strategic plan. Identify your most
critical and time-sensitive tasks, and then
make a prioritized to-do list. It’s an upfront
investment that will save your time in the
long run-if you stay disciplined and keep
the constant mental shuffling(aka
multitasking) in check.
TIME MANAGEMENT TIPS
• SET (OR RESET) BOUNDARIES-There are
limitations on what a person can achieve in a
given time period. Spreading yourself too thin
day after day isn’t healthy or sustainable.
While it’s terrific you want to be a team player,
constantly pressuring yourself to “do it all” can
have some ugly side effects, namely burnout,
mistakes and that dreadful feeling you’ll never
get caught up. The solution: Be willing to
tactfully say no sometimes. Also, protect your
time by
TIME MANAGEMENT TIPS

guarding against scope creep. If you’re a

hard worker with a reputation for meeting
deadlines and fulfilling obligations, don’t
feel guilty about occasionally delegating or
pushing back against unrealistic
expectations or an unmanageable
workload.
TIME MANAGEMENT TIPS

• CLEAR THE CLUTTER-It’s been noted

that many incredibly successful people
have had messy workspaces. And as
author A.A. Milne observed, “One of the
advantages of being disorderly is that one
is constantly making exciting discoveries.”
That’s true but clutter can also lead to
unnecessary stress and wasted time.
TIME MANAGEMENT TIPS

• QUIT PROCRASTINATING- Delaying

work on unappealing or highly challenging
projects will only exacerbate your
problems. Chronic procrastination creates
headaches while potentially straining
professional relationships.
TIME MANAGEMENT TIPS

• HAVE AN ACTIVE LIFE OUTSIDE THE

OFFICE- being dedicated to a job is
admirable. But client meetings and
brainstorming sessions shouldn’t be the
only events on agenda. Schedule time to
explore outside interests or simply relax.
Keeping personal pursuits on the
calendar-whether it’s hiking or just hanging
with friends-can provide extra motivation
to manage time efficiently while at work.
TIME MANAGEMENT TIPS

• BE “TIME SENSITIVE”- Avoid scheduling

meetings that aren’t necessary-and keep
them on track when they are. Respect
people time, they’ll be far more likely to
return the favor. Likewise, there’s no better
way to build rapport and gain allies than by
volunteering to assist overworked
colleagues if your’e able. By lending a
helping hand when you can, you’ll
generate some goodwill that could come in
handy the next time you’re feelings the
heat.
STRESS
• Is the emotional and physiological reactions to
stressors(Maslach et.al ET.AL,Zastrow, 1984)
• Is related to both external and internal factors.
External factors include the physical environment,
including job, relationships with others, home, and
all the situations, challenges, difficulties, and
expectations confronted with on a daily basis.
Internal factors determine body’s ability to
respond to and deal with, the external
stress-including factors. Internal factors which
influence your ability to handle stress include
nutritional status, overall health and fitness levels,
emotional well-being and the amount of sleep and
rest.
STRESS MANAGEMENT

• A wide spectrum of techniques and

psychotherapies aimed at controlling a
person’s level of stress, especially chronic
stress for the purpose of improving
everyday functioning.
STRESS MANAGEMENT
TECHNIQUES:COPING STRATEGIES
• EXERCISE-is one of the most effective
stress relief strategies. Besides improving
fitness level and stamina, exercise has the
added benefit of releasing feel-good
endorphins. If vigorous exercise is not
your thing, enroll in a relaxing youga class
or go for a walk.
STRESS MANAGEMENT TECHNIQUES:
COPING STRATEGIES
• SPEND TIME WITH PETS-the
unconditional devotion of animals can help
put a bad day in perspective. People who
have stressful jobs often find that spending
time relaxing with pets is a great way to
unwind.
STRESS MANAGEMENT TECHNIQUES:
COPING STRATEGIES
• COOK A HEALTHY MEAL-instead of
opting for fast food or something frozen,
take a little extra time to prepare a simple
meal using fresh ingredients. Enjoy the
cooking process and relish the sight and
taste of meal.
STRESS MANAGEMENT TECHNIQUES:
COPING STRATEGIES
• EXPLORE YOUR CREATIVITY-Art
therapy is frequently used in hospitals and
clinics to promote emotional and mental
well-being. Purchase some inexpensive
art or craft supplies and enjoy a little
creative self- expression.
STRESS MANAGEMENT TECHNIQUES:
COPING STRATEGIES
• GET A GOOD NIGHT’S SLEEP- Never
underestimate the power of sleep. You’ll
be better prepared for the next day if
you’re thoroughly rested. Even if work is
piled up at home, relax in a hot bath or
shower and then hit the sheets early.
STRESS MANAGEMENT TECHNIQUES:
COPING STRATEGIES
• DON’T SWEAT THE SMALL STUFF-you
can avoid some stress by controlling your
focus. Instead of trying to do everything
perfectly, take the long view and save your
energy for the things that really matter.
Recognize that the pressures of your job
can be enormous and learn to identify
what you can and can’t control. When
faced with insurmountable challenges,
look for ways to get around them instead
of trying to blast your way through.
CAUSES OF STRESS IN SOCIAL WORK

• DEMAND- Excessive workloads and high

degree of personal accountability
• CONTROL-Little ability to control the flow
of work or the availability of resources
• SUPPORT- Variable access to supervision
and support from colleagues
CAUSES OF STRESS IN SOCIAL WORK

• RELATIONSHIPS-Managing a complex
web of relationships, with people who may
be hostile or stressed themselves, and
with other professionals with their own
priorities.
• ROLE- Lack of shared understanding
between the public, the media employers
and practitioners .
• CHANGE- Constant change with little
input
TOP 10 REASONS FOR JOINING A
PROFESSIONAL ORGANIZATION
• BROADEN YOUR KNOWLEDGE-
Professional organizations sometimes
offer courses, seminars and/or lectures to
keep themselves and their members up to
date on the latest industry innovations,
research and trends. Staying informed on
your industry’s trends will only help you in
the long run and will put you one step
ahead of the competition.
TOP TEN REASONS FOR JOINING
PROFESSIONAL ORGANIZATIONS
• TAKE CHARGE OF YOUR CAREER-
advantage of career resources.
Associations often have job listings online
or in print available only to their members.
This is a great way to find targeted job
postings for your area of interest.
TOP 10 REASONS FOR JOINING A
PROFESSIONAL ORGANIZATION
• BUILD A BETTER RESUME- Many
organizations have career resources
available such as tips on effective
resumes or cover letter writing. Listing
your association membership on your
resume is impressive to current or future
employers as it shows that your are
dedicated to staying connected in your
profession.
TOP 10 REASONS FOR JOINING A
PROFESSIONAL ORGANIZATION
• ENHANCE YOUR NETWORK- Joining
associations give countless opportunities
to connect on a local and sometimes even
global level. Joining a group allows you to
have a sense of security and trust. From
this, you are able to support and help one
another in reaching your professional
goals.
TOP 10 REASONS FOR JOINING
PROFESSIONAL ORGANIZATION
• BE A LEADER-Professional associations
give you an opportunity to develop skills a
leader, and this is important not only for
personal growth, but for growth in your
firm.
• BECOME A MENTOR- Giving back can
be the greatest reward and benefit.
Participating in forums, chat groups or
discussion boards sponsored by an
association is also a great way to grow
your network. This allows you to
TOP 10 REASONS FOR JOINING A
PROFESSIONAL ORGANIZATION
to use your peers as sounding boards and often
makes some great friend with the same
interests.
MAKE A NEW FRIEND- Once we graduate
from from school, it is hard to get out and
meet new people and make a new friend.
Professional networking groups is an
opportunity to escape the norm and meet new
people that may give you a reason to come
out of your shell a bit more and have fun.
TOP 10 REASONS FOR JOINING A
PROFESSIONAL ORGANIZATION
• GIVE BACK TO THE COMMUNITY-
There are plenty of organizations that
coordinate socially conscious initiatives to
support community efforts. Whether it is a
nearby animal shelter or a food drive for a
local charity, there are plenty of options to
choose if you are looking to give back.
TOP 10 REASONS FOR JOINING A
PROFESSIONAL ORGANIZATION
• STRENGTH IN NUMBERS- In community a
organization, you have access to an
established support system of experienced
people who are motivated to get things done.
• STAY INSPIRED AND MOTIVATED- learn to
love what you do. You may not even know
that you love something, but it’s important to
be proactive about things you discover on the
journey. Join a professional organization and
discover something new TODAY.