Career Counseling

1. Are You A Purple Squirrel?

2. WHAT IS A PURPLE SQUIRREL?
A purple squirrel is a term
used by employers to describe
the PERFECT job seeker.

3. Are you a Purple Squirrel?
Let’s check!

4. PURPLE
SQUIRREL
CHECKLIST:
Education
Work Specific Skills
Basic Skills
Communication Skills
Behavioral Presentation
Work Ethic
Community Service
Personal Presentation
Posture
Manner of Dress
Hygiene
Fitness

5. Occupation Total Job Openings 2008–2018
Registered nurses 1,039,000
Nursing aides, orderlies, and
attendants
422,000
Licensed practical and licensed
vocational nurses
391,000
Computer support specialists 235,000
Hairdressers, hairstylists, and
cosmetologists
220,000
Automotive service technicians
and mechanics
182,000
Preschool teachers, except
special education
178,000
Insurance sales agents 153,000
Heating, air conditioning, and
refrigeration technicians
136,000
Real estate sales agents 128,000
Hottest Careers for
College Graduates
Experts Predict Where
the Jobs Will Be in 2018
(Associate’s degree)
www.collegeboard.com
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics

6. SKILLS EMPLOYERS WANT
Education:
• Job-Specific Skills
• Basic Skills
• Computer Skills
Behavioral Presentation:
• Motivation and
Interpersonal Skills
• Aptitude and "Common
Sense“
• Cross-Training in the
Flexible Workplace
http://vocserve.berkeley.edu/abstracts/MDS-
470/MDS-470-The-10.html

7. LET’S TALK ABOUT GRADES!
HOW MUCH DO THEY MATTER TO
EMPLOYERS?
“Companies want the smartest people, and the best indicator
for new employees competing in a knowledge-based economy
are grades,” said Mr. Taylor, whose company has 33,000
employees worldwide and owns 60 businesses including
Ticketmaster, Match.com and the Home Shopping Network.
“G.P.A. is the best indicator an individual is likely to succeed,”
Mr. Taylor said. “It demonstrates a strong work ethic and
smarts.”
http://www.nytimes.com/2006/12/31/jobs/31gpa.html

8. SKILLS EMPLOYERS WANT
Personal Presentation: Posture

9. “The way you sit communicates a great deal about a whole
range of issues, including how important you think the
interview is, how nervous (or confident) you are, and your
understanding of the underlying power relations. Some
people's sitting position exudes over-familiarity and even
arrogance, whereas others communicate a serious lack of
self-belief. The golden rules in sitting are: avoid anything
that will distract the interviewer from concentrating upon
the content of your answers; and avoid making the
interviewer feel uncomfortable. Interviewers generally do
not feel comfortable if you sit in an aggressive way (leaning
forward too much) or in an overly passive way (leaning back
and crossing your legs at the thighs). “
http://www.blurtit.com/q966152.html

10. http://msn.careerbuilder.com/Article/MSN-
2493-Interviewing-Your-nonverbal-communication-
can-wreck-your-interview/?
sc_extcmp=JS_2493_advice&SiteId
=cbmsn42493

11. SKILLS EMPLOYERS WANT
Personal Presentation: Hygiene
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=j1t8BklUKv4

12. SKILLS EMPLOYERS WANT
Personal Presentation: Fitness
“There are many factors that may affect a hiring decision,
including ones that, by law, are not supposed to be
considered, such as race or sex. But there are other biases
that may creep into a decision as well, including a bias
against an obese person” (Todd Shryock).
http://www.sbnonline.com/Local/Article/2792/82/0/Obes
ity_bias.aspx

13. SKILLS EMPLOYERS WANT
Personal Presentation: Dress
“While the college campus may be the perfect forum in which to
exhibit your flair for the latest in fashion style, the interview is not
the place to do so. With very few unusual exceptions (my
apologies to Apple Computer and several creative agencies in
NYC), sandals and sweatshirts are out. “
http://www.collegegrad.com/jobsearch/Competitive-Interview-Prep/Dressing-for-
Interview-Success/

14. “Oxfords and business suits are still in. I don't like a necktie
(noose?) any better than the next person, but it is still a fact
of life in interviewing. Even though many companies have
relaxed the internal company dress code, interviews still
follow the conservative standard. Don't buck the trend.”
http://www.collegegrad.com/jobsearch/Competitive-Interview-
Prep/Dressing-for-Interview-Success/

15. Behavioral Presentation: Work Ethic
“Many employers indicate that a
strong work ethic ranks at the top of
the list along with proficiency in a
chosen profession.”
http://www.ehow.com/how_2045949_develop-work-ethic.html

16. DEMONSTRATING GOOD WORK ETHICS
• Arrive early.
• Work the time and days
agreed upon.
• Schedule personal
appointments outside
of the work day.
• Maintain good
attendance.
• Separate your life issues
from your workplace.
• Be dependable-follow
through commitments.
• Demonstrate initiative.
• Don’t use work time for
personal social
networking.
http://www.ehow.com/how_2045949_develop-work-ethic.html

17. SKILLS EMPLOYERS WANT:
Community Service
Volunteerism
Internships
Leadership

18. Are you a
purple
squirrel??