Keeping your job search skills up to date can be an advantage when it comes time to consider a promotional opportunity. One manufacturer in north central Idaho recognized the value of supporting its staff in this endeavor and recently reached out to the Idaho Department of Labor to ask for assistance.
The human resource department contacted Labor’s Lewiston business services staff to see if the local office offered resume and interviewing workshops for people who are currently employed. Periodically the company opens its production supervisor position as an internal promotional opportunity to line staff. However, providing a resume and being interviewed are part of the process and the company found some staff unable to provide a polished resume targeting leadership and transferrable skills and work history. In addition, these applicants fared poorly when it came to providing quality answers to behavioral-based questions in the interview.
Labor staff offered to come onsite and lead a workshop tailored to meet this employer’s specific needs. Using the production supervisor job listing and information about the application and hiring process, workforce consultant Diane Hairston built an hourlong workshop to provide tips and tools for creating a targeted resume as well as a method for preparing for behavioral-based questions in a promotional interview.
