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• Focusing on your skills and training: You need to develop practical skills that you will use on the job (such as those learned in a vocational school or college), soft skills (communication, leadership, etc.), and job-search skills (such as how to performwell during a job interview). • Preparing your résumé: This key application credential summarizes your experiences and skills that are relevant to the position or career to which you are looking to apply. Preparing a résumé involves not only learning what it should look like and what to include on it but also includes knowing where to post it so that potential employers with open positions will be able to see it. • Searching for job openings: You need to learn where prospective employers post advertisements for open positions and where to look for the careers that would be most suited to you and your experiences. Reading about and researching these categories (like you are doing now!) is an important step and a great way to prepare yourself for what can be the difficult process of seeking a career. If you have prepared well, not much will surprise you. Luckily, most of us already have access to a tool that can be very important when it comes to preparing and eventually searching for a career: an internet connection on one’s smartphone, computer, tablet, or other electronic device. The internet is a powerful tool for job seekers. Websites such as the USDL’s Occupational Outlook Handbook (www.bls.gov/ooh) and PayScale.com can be great resources for learning about careers and expected salaries. Many websites offer suggestions or templates (models to copy) for building an attractive and appealing résumé. Others—such as LinkedIn.com and Indeed.com—are great

14 CAREERS WITH EARNING POTENTIAL: PRESENTING YOURSELF