Alicia Jones

BACKGROUND

Alicia Jones is the supervising school counselor for Charles County Public Schools. Most recently, the Maryland School Counselor Association (MSCA), named Ms. Jones as 2016 Advocate of the Year.

Ms. Jones began her career with Charles County Public Schools in 2002 as a counselor at Dr. James Craik Elementary School, where she worked for four years before taking a position at Diggs. In 2011, she received a Charles County Special Education Citizens Advisory Teacher Appreciation Award and a Charles County Positive Behavioral Interventions and Support Leadership Award in 2008. Jones also was recognized by the Board of Education as an exemplary employee in 2005.

As the supervising school counselor, Jones oversees the Charles County Public Schools counseling program and supports more than 35 school counselors daily. As part of her job, she helps guide students through interview and career readiness training.

Ms. Jones recently participated as an interviewer for senior exit portfolio and interviews. She offers the following advice for students seeking employment, especially with government agencies such as military bases.

Top Five Suggestions for Job Applicants:

Dress for success. It’s true what they say – first impressions count. When you walk into an interview, the panel should be able to envision you working in their office.
Show me. The most common mistake interviewees make is telling a prospective employer what they can do rather than showing them. Be ready to cite specific examples and experiences. For example, if you are an organized person, tell about how you tackled and managed a specific project when it came across your desk. Don’t just tell me you are organized; show me through your experiences.
Communicate clearly. More is not always best. Think about your answers and keep them concise. That does not necessarily mean short. For example, a common interview question is about your strengths and weaknesses. Think about your possible answer before the interview. Another common question is to explain where you see yourself in two or five years. Tell the panel why you are the best candidate for the job and have a well-thought out answer before you walk into the interview. Give examples of your experiences that match the company’s requirements for the job.
Do your research. Be prepared for your interview. Understand the responsibilities and requirements for the job. Understand the business you are applying to and show you have done research on the company.
Bring a thank you letter with you. Address it to the interview panel, thank them for their time, and briefly provide your top three qualities that show you are the right person for the job. Hand a copy to each person before you leave.