Transcript - slide 10

After learning about a business and its needs, eventually the time will come for you to present an idea to the employer. However, remember, prior to doing this, you must make sure that the job seeker is interested in pursuing this work opportunity. Denise Bissonnette, author of Beyond Traditional Job Development, recommends using employment proposals to present a job creation or restructuring idea to a potential employer. She states that a proposal should address four key points: one: statement of benefit to employer, two: description of work to be done and how service will be provided, three: brief introduction to job candidate, and four: statement of desired employment conditions.

An employment proposal should not be an elaborate document and should only be one to two pages in length. Begin with an opening statement of how this will benefit the employer. Bissonnette suggests asking yourself the following questions to help you identify possible benefits. Will it save or make money for the employer? Does it expand the customer base or bring in new customers? Does it reduce lag time in production or rendering services? Will the created or restructured job improve the way things are currently done? Other benefits may include improving employee morale, attracting a positive community image or business reputation, or assisting the company to keep a competitive edge. The benefit statement is the rationale behind the proposal and usually relates to an increase in production or improved quality.

Next, describe the work by summarizing the tasks that will be performed. You can simply list the duties, such as organizing files, responding to customer requests, delivering groceries to customers or whatever the case may be. The third part of an employment proposal, involves a brief description of the job candidate. You should highlight the skills and abilities that the person brings to the workplace and how he or she will make a positive contribution to the business.

Finally, indicate the employment conditions. This may include the wage, which should be minimum wage or better, hours of work, schedule, and/or other conditions of employment, such as benefits or other perks. Always be sure to ask the job candidate what he or she wants to include. Remember this section puts a value on the person’s contribution. Once presented, if an employer is not completely agreeable, let the negotiations begin. Business is used to negotiations, and you need to be comfortable with this as well.