Alternate assignment for those who already have a satisfying full-time job or who have been offered one when they graduate.  Do not do this assignment if your current position is not one that you expect to keep after graduation or one that you obtained without completing the major aspects of the job search procedure.  If you have questions about whether this assignment is appropriate for your situation, send them to psy301@csulb.edu.

If you decide to do this alternate assignment, you must:
a) attach a copy of your business card, a brief letter from your employer on company letterhead, or a copy of your job offer

b) be willing to have your job search and job description included in a book of success stories available to other psychology  majors (you may opt to have your name and other identifying data deleted from the materials before they are included in the book)

c) have conducted a job search, developed a resume, and had a job interview (or you must describe how you would do those things if you have not actually done them)

d) accompany your typed paper with a computer diskette.

150 points to be distributed as follows:

Answer each question thoroughly.  Provide enough detail so that a reader could benefit from your experiences.  The minimum acceptable length for this assignment is five pages.  A thoroughly done (A) paper would average eight to ten pages.

1.  What is your current or future position, including note of your salary range, benefits, and opportunities for advancement?* (15 pts.)

2.  Describe in detail your work tasks, work setting, and the skills and personal strengths needed for the position as well as the job factors important to you (vacation, salary, etc.) that the job offers. This section should be several pages and include at least ten skills, a dozen personal strengths, and at least five job factors..  (25 pts.)

3.  Note the qualities of the position that you like and don’t like (or think you will like or not like). Be specific and relate your answer to the factors noted in the previous question.  (15 pts.)

4.  How does your background relate to the position?  Were there any specific courses you took that were particularly helpful? Explain the aspects of the courses which were useful and how they relate to the job tasks.  Did you have any volunteer positions or internships that related to the job?  What prior jobs have you held that may have provided needed experience for your current or proposed position?  (15 pts.)

5.  How did you get your job?  Did you conduct a job search? Describe. Did you receive any other offers and, if so, how did you decide to choose the job you did.  Review materials in your texts (Majoring in Psych? and The Psychology Major) and available from the Career Development Center indicating whether you used any of the recommended procedures for seeking a job. Do you have any other suggestions for a job search? (15 pts.)  This section should be at least a page.

6.  Attach a sample of your resume.*  How did you develop it?  Did you get any assistance in preparing it, and if so, describe the resources you used.  Would you call your resume a functional, chronological, or combination resume?  (15 pts.)

7.  Describe your job interview.  How did you prepare?  How did you dress?  Why?  What types of questions were you asked?  Include at least five.  What questions did you ask?  Include at least three.  Would you describe your interview as traditional, behaviorally-based, or a combination of both? (25 pts.)  This section should be one to two pages.

8.  Whom did you use for references?  Why did you choose them?  How and when did you ask them?  What did you give them to help them answer questions about you?  Were they contacted? (10 pts.)

9.  What would you recommend to other students interested in a similar type of job?  Be as specific and helpful as you can. (15 pts.)

10.  Indicate whether you wish to have you name deleted from the materials, and note any  specific facts which might reduce your anonymity that you would like to have deleted.

*While this information may seem intrusive, it would be helpful to others considering a job search.