BUS 220 Career Planning Strategies
Starting a Successful Job Search
Starting a Successful Job Search
Adapted from Kate S. Brooks article in Job Choices for Business & Liberal Arts Students: 2011
Job Search Traps
Bradley University, Smith Career Center
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Starting a Successful Job Search
“I don’t have a goal – I don’t know what I want to do”
“My major isn’t related to any career” or “I don’t want the career that my major has prepared me for”
Bradley University, Smith Career Center
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Starting a Successful Job Search
“I went online to look for a job and there’s just too much out there – I’m totally overwhelmed”
“I don’t have time for a job search right now”
Bradley University, Smith Career Center
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Starting a Successful Job Search
“The job search is too scary – and there are no jobs out there anyway”
How to Move Forward
Bradley University, Smith Career Center
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Starting a Successful Job Search
Use the Smith Career Center Find out for yourself about the SCC . . . Attend everything offered – workshops fairs, events, etc.
Use all of the resources available – in the office and online
Meet with your Career Advisor and follow up – have a purpose and specific questions
Create Your Brand Make your resume and cover letter stand out by targeting to each specific job
Link what you have done with what you want to do – especially when the connection is not obvious
Prepare “stories” to use in interviews Clean up your online persona Set up and fully utilize LinkedIn
Bradley University, Smith Career Center
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Starting a Successful Job Search
Ask yourself, “Where am I now and where do I want to be one year from now?” What can you realistically do right now in your field?
Can you do anything now to develop skills that will help you enter the field?
Ask yourself, “When am I at my best?” What are your accomplishments? (they don’t have to be grand)
Do you know how to share this with someone? (on your resume or within the interview)
Identify skills used and how they match to the job
Bradley University, Smith Career Center
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Starting a Successful Job Search
Stay focused and keep it manageable Make your search interesting and fun! Try little things – volunteer for an afternoon Write your resume when you’re relaxing Think about networking as a way to make new friends and interesting people
Take negative experiences and identify what you learned Work on your search for 10 minutes a day, add more time as you feel more comfortable
Bradley University, Smith Career Center
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Smith Career Center Information Guide
Choosing and Using Your Major
Smith Career Center (SCC) career advisors are available to assist students in exploring and defining career options. Some of the resources available include: Individual meetings with a career advisor Interest assessment and testing Occupational reference materials Career workshops Pardieck Memorial Career Library ONLINE RESOURCES (Available on the SCC website) What Can I Do With This Major?: Use the “Information” by major to find an outline of common career areas, typical employers, and strategies designed to maximize career opportunities. Choose “Links” to find a list of websites that provide information about listed majors and related careers. Go to the student section of the SCC website, and click on “What Can I Do With This Major?” Occupational Outlook Handbook: http://www.bls.gov/ooh/ – A nationally recognized source of career information (duties, working conditions, training and education required, earnings, and expected job prospects.) Inside Jobs: http://www.insidejobs.com/ Dedicated to helping people shape confident futures through career exploration with data-driven information, engaging resources, and a community of career conversations. Discover what you want to become and the educational path to follow. O*NET OnLine: http://www.onetonline.org/ An occupational database containing descriptions on hundreds of standardized and occupationspecific descriptors. BU Mentor, LinkedIn: http://www.linkedin.com Network and stay informed with professionals to exchange information, ideas, and job shadowing opportunities. Search for “Bradley University - BU Mentor Program” in LinkedIn. BUconnect, the Alumni Online Community: Access to the national online directory of Bradley alumni through the Alumni Relations Office. Meet with your career advisor to learn more.
CAREER EXPLORATION How do I explore different majors/careers? Become involved in the Academic Exploration Program (AEP) at Bradley University to learn more about various majors available at Bradley University. Attend the Academic Majors & Minors Fair during the fall semester so you can meet departmental faculty, current students, and alumni from majors you’re interested in exploring. Join student organizations or professional societies. Learn how your interests, skills, values, and personality style relate to careers. Call 677-2510 for information about testing services. Talk with a Smith Career Center career advisor to learn more about different fields, industries, and the services offered. Use the Smith Career Center website to learn about different majors, the fields they work in, areas of employment, and strategies to help you prepare for continued education or the work force. Complete informational interviews or job shadowing with professionals working in the fields that interest you. These professionals could be Bradley Alumni or parents of Bradley students. Contact alumni through LinkedIn and BUconnect. Participate in SCC programs that assist with career exploration. Credit courses are available, such as ELH301 and BUS220. MAJORS, SKILLS, AND INTERESTS Any major can equip you with the knowledge and “transferable skills” that can eventually be applied to a wide range of jobs in many different fields. You can expect to change jobs about every seven years and the major you choose should help you develop skills and competencies that will assist you as your career changes. Think about what you will need in any job – communication skills, critical thinking skills, problem solving abilities, computer skills, and leadership/team-oriented skills. over
Smith Career Center bradley.edu/scc • (309) 677-2510 • Fax (309) 677-2611 • Burgess Hall, first floor
MAJORS, SKILLS, AND INTERESTS (Cont.) Many components should be considered when choosing a career/major, such as: 1. What are your interests? Consider… Things you enjoy (activities, hobbies) Work environment (indoors or outdoors) Courses (projects, assignments) Things that do not interest you Would be interested in the careers/work related to the major you are considering? 2. What are your abilities? Think about… Class and work performance Talents (helping others, influencing, solving problems, working with numbers, using your hands, organizing) Recognition and awards received for work, academics, activities Do you have the ability to be successful in the major you are considering? 3. What are your values? Reflect upon… Religious, philosophical, moral, ethical beliefs/teachings Things which are important to you (personal service, financial security) Political stand on topics Importance of family What majors match your values? 4. What are your motivations? Take into account… Interests, abilities, values Outside pressures (what you “should” do) vs. your personal goals and desires Ease of major Good jobs, high salaries Would your motivation be strong enough to allow you to succeed in a major even if other factors seemed to direct you away from that major? 5. What are the realities? Weigh… Situations that have a strong and overriding influence on your choice Conflict between interests, abilities, and job availability Investment in the future, risk Do your interests, abilities, values, and motivations conflict with each other, or are they in agreement? Adapted from “Deciding A Major” (Northern Kentucky University) and “Major Decisions” (The Pennsylvania State University)
Students choose a major based upon many different factors – how well it will prepare you for your future career, money/earning potential, or even because of advice received from a trusted person (former teacher, friend, etc.). Other things that might influence decisions include the current job market, media attention on specific professions, global changes, and up-and-coming fields. When you graduate from Bradley, the truly “marketable skills” which you take with you will be those that you learned from all of life’s experiences. As you look over the skills employers want in their employees, you will see that academic coursework, work experience, volunteer experiences, and family responsibilities all helped you acquire, develop and refine your skills. Consider some of these key transferable skills: Communication Skills Verbally communicate ideas and concepts Listen objectively Write in a grammatically correct, well-organized and appropriate style Human Relations Skills Interact cooperatively with others Understand group interaction Instruct or train individuals Planning Skills Evaluate positive and negative outcomes of all viable alternatives Accommodate multiple demands Set goals and implement a plan of action Leadership Skills Motivate and sustain group cohesion Delegate tasks and responsibilities Earn respect Attitude and Personal Skills Assume responsibility and accept criticism Take initiative Demonstrate commitment to work Social Skills Relate easily in social situations Interact effectively with diverse individuals Dress presentably for a variety of situations Valuing Skills Assess values and make ethical decisions Analyze situations using an interdisciplinary approach Respect values and customs of diverse cultures Analytical Skills Think logically and critically Solve problems creatively and imaginatively Identify causes, consequences, and the meaning of events Research and Investigative Skills Define a problem Identify and use appropriate resources Design a research model or plan 10/03/2012 page 2
Career Confidence by Kevin Gaw
In addition to the requisite skills, experiences, and organizational match being sought for a position for which a candidate is applying, most employers screen for what I call “career confidence.” Career confidence is not self-confidence, nor is it self-assurance of one’s capabilities that they can “do the job.” (Insider tip: An instant interview red flag is when a candidate comes off as entitled, overly confident, or egotistic.) Rather, career confidence involves passion, purpose, and a realistic career plan. Employers want to know if you care about the position and the organization to which you are applying, if you will find meaning and direction in the work, and if you have carefully thought about how the opportunity fits onto your career path. They want to know if you think the opportunity is a match with your values and if you think you will grow in the position. Bringing new employees onboard is an expensive process, and employers want to make good hiring decisions. And, you want to be hired by the right people for the opportunity that matches you.
Passion and Purpose This phrase is tossed around a lot. Is it important? Does it really mean anything? Indeed! Without passion and purpose in what you do, there is no meaning. And without meaning, what’s the point of a career plan? You do want to enjoy your work, yes? You do want to gain satisfaction from your effort, yes? You do want to feel like you are contributing and making a difference, yes? We have all met individuals who are full of passion and purpose; they stand out because they are easy to recognize— they’re happy, engaged, energetic, and “in the flow.” They have a zest for living and for engaging in their daily work. They have a vision for their future and they express a very real sense of purpose. To actualize their career plans, to express themselves, they know how and when, what and where, and (this is essential), why.
What Is “Passion?” Consider the following ultra-brief descriptors. It is: An intense, deep, and emotionally compelling feeling or desire; A devotion that permeates everything; and/or A boundless enthusiasm that consumes you. Most of us discover and experience passion during our academic studies, often during unique classes that get us excited about some aspect of the course content. We also experience passion when we discern and discuss new ideas that make sense to us and fill us with excitement and energy. Recognize this? Passion is that exciting internal energy that ignites our intellect, our emotions, and our sense of purpose. Often passion is defined in three progressive levels: interests, desires, and sacrifice. Interest-level passions are commonly options that attract your interest and your curiosities, but they are not essential and you could pass them up; they are simply interests. Desire-level passions are interests and curiosities you could and do pursue and explore, given time and resources. You might explore these, but you may decide to put some on hold, because you have other, more pressing, passions. The third and highest level is characterized by sacrifice. You are willing to put many important things aside to express these passions. Students passionate about medicine and helping others will make their medical studies their core priority, putting all else aside. Computer science students passionate about code will stay up late every night tackling coding problems. Engineering students passionate about the discipline engage with those insanely challenging and long
work problems with relish. Passionate writing students write and re-write their stories, seeking the best way to express themselves and their characters. Performing arts students spend several months perfecting their roles, just for a threenight run. All of these students—and the list goes on and on—willingly give up or put aside many of their interests and desires to achieve their ultimate passions. These are the future leaders in their professions because they dive deep into their passions and have purpose.
What Is “Purpose?”
It answers the “Why is this important to me?” question; and It is the meaningful goal to which you aspire, the goal that is awakened when you experience passion.
The crazy part of purpose is that it is elusive to many of us because it is hidden by external messages about what success might mean. For example, many of us have been taught to value a high income over purpose as the marker of success, and in doing so, we sacrifice ourselves, our families, our friends, and our communities to an external measure, one we really do not control. Did you know that research studies have shown happiness is positively correlated with salaries between $50K and $75K, and anything higher starts to erode that happiness? Yet many of us are still fooled by the money. Remember that very true saying: “Money doesn’t buy you love.” Similarly, many of us have been taught to value certain professions over others, believing those professions are “better” and deliver a more fulfilling life. But what’s this? Most people change their careers several times over the course of their working lives; they are seeking an improvement when they make those changes. Have you ever experienced parental or family or community pressure “to become XYZ” when in your heart, you have always wanted to be “ABC?” Students in such situations know this predicament well. Pairing passion and purpose is essential for personal success, personal happiness, and finding the right career path that belongs to you.
Passion + Purpose + Career Plan = Career Confidence By exploring and combining passion, purpose, and your career plan, you have created a powerful combination of career planning that make up “career confidence.” Not only do you know what you want and how to achieve it, you also know the fundamental reasons why you want to achieve it. Career confidence gives you the ability to adjust and tinker with your aspirations as you move forward with life. This is a great place to be when it comes to navigating your career adventure.
What’s Your Career Confidence? 1. I don’t feel confident with my career decisions and/or career plans. I feel lost and need help in deciding what to do with my major and my career. 2. I feel slightly confident of my career decisions and/or career plans. I feel confused between several options, and I need help in deciding what to do with my major and my career. 3. I feel confident of my career decisions and career plans. I know what I want to do, but I have questions about how to make it all happen. I could use some help. 4. I feel very confident of my career decisions and career plans. I know what I want to do and how to make it all happen. I may need some assistance with some skills to help me out. 5. I feel extremely confident of my career decisions and career plans. I know what I want to do and how to make it all happen. At this time, I don’t feel like I need any assistance.
The Career Plan The career plan is a dynamic tool, designed to fit your passions and purpose. It does not lock you into a The career plan is a dynamic tool, designed to fit your passions and purpose. It does not lock you into a specific path but instead helps you map out possible career paths and options. Here is the basic career plan: Go ahead and make realistic and honest response notes to the questions below. Be sure to avoid those external messages and instead, rely on your internal compass. What? If external expectations and pressure about your career are removed, and time and resources are not an issue, what do you see yourself doing after college, or after graduate school? What sounds and feels exciting and makes sense to you? What do you aspire toward? When? In thinking about the above, what’s the basic timeline to achieve your career goal? (Example: To become a licensed psychologist, one must complete an undergraduate degree, advanced degree—typically a Ph.D.—a post-doctoral supervised clinical experience, and sit for two state-level professional exams, all taking 10+ years.) How? What are the steps to achieve your career goal and how are they sequenced? What things do you want or will you need to do before achieving the goal? Does this career goal require internships? Does it require undergraduate and/or graduate research experience? Does this goal require an advanced graduate degree? (Example: An aspiring school teacher will need to be admitted into a teaching program, to complete student teaching, pass certification exams, and establish connections in school districts to find employment.) Where? There are many ways and places to express your aspirations. Where do you see yourself when you achieve your career goal? (Example: Engineers can work in corporations, government agencies, nonprofits, private practice, and so forth.) Who? Why does this career fit into your career identity and who you are? Why does it match your passion and your purpose? (Examples: Social worker – finds significant satisfaction and meaning in helping others in need. Medical researcher – experiences deep excitement exploring and answering health questions that will benefit humanity. Pastor – holds deep meaning in supporting others with their spiritual and community lives. Musician – expresses the connection with self and the environment when creating and playing music. Law enforcement officer – experiences purpose in being part of the community and as a person who supports the structure.
Courtesy of the National Association of Colleges and Employers.
Smith Career Center Information Guide
Job Hunting Tips in Today’s Market
Gain career-related experience. Experience speaks! Visit the Smith Career Center to learn about internship or co-op opportunities offered for your major. Use BRADLEY eRecruiting to scan potential positions. Start early as finding an internship takes as much time as a full-time position Polish and market your brand. You must be able to identify your top skills and creatively communicate them as part of your resume, personalized cover letters, and interactive interviews. Role-play interview answers utilizing SCC online resources to critique your progress. In addition, consider seeking out “extras” such as computer classes, language skills, classes on business etiquette, and related volunteer work that could tip the scale in gaining job offers. Start early. Finding a job IS a job. Allow 6-9 months to seriously pursue opportunities. Schedule an appointment with yourself each week to work on your job search. Scheduling 2-3 hours each week to research new opportunities will keep your job search moving. Seek advice and assistance when polishing your application materials. The Smith Career Center staff can provide a number of internet and campus resources to assist you in your search. Rev up your networking online through websites such as Linkedin and Facebook. Extend to the BU community by asking your Career Advisor about utilizing BUconnect, the Alumni Online Community for potential leads. Ask your contacts for information about specific employers and/or potential job leads. Utilize multiple strategies for locating job leads including BRADLEY eRecruiting job listings, job fairs, campus recruiters, job search sites, newspaper ads, company websites, staffing firms, etc. Set up “Saved Searches” to save time. BRADLEY eRecruiting, job search sites, and company websites often have saved search features providing email notification of new job opportunities. Have a Plan B, C, and D. Narrowing your interests to one company, one job type or one geographic location can be limiting in a tight economy. Consider related industries, relocation or part-time positions as an option until your dream job opens up. Find opportunity with your current employer. New skills can come from volunteering to take on extra projects beyond your current duties. Joining interest groups or sports teams at work can build new contacts. Asking to attend training classes or conferences can also help. Check your employer’s website for internal events and new employment opportunities. Educate yourself on “what’s happening” by reading industry publications such as Newsweek or the Wall Street Journal and joining student professional groups. 8/6/2012
Smith Career Center bradley.edu/scc • (309) 677-2510 • Fax (309) 677-2611 • Burgess Hall, first floor
PERSONAL INTERNET PRESENCE Job Seeker Self-Audit Smith Career Center http://explore.bradley.edu/scc Returned to Sender
What is the email address you use on your resume? This email Permanent In your opinion, this address is: Professional
Google Yourself
Expires in the (near) future Funny
or
Have you used a search engine to see what information about you is available on the internet? Regularly Occasionally Once If you have, were you comfortable with what you found? Yes No
Is There Anybody Out There?
Do you belong to a social networking site (Facebook, Friendster etc.)?
Yes
Never
No
For each site you belong to, would you be comfortable if an employer were to see your Profile? Definitely Give me a half-hour Employers check Facebook?!? Pictures?
Definitely
Give me a half-hour
Employers check Facebook?!?
Groups?
Definitely
Give me a half-hour
Employers check Facebook?!?
Friends’ Comments?
Definitely
Give me a half-hour
Employers check Facebook?!?
Friend’s Profiles?
Definitely
Give me a half-hour
Employers check Facebook?!?
Pssst…Want a Resume?
Do you have a resume posted on any Career Websites: eRecruiting Monster.com, etc. Other Is your resume on this (these) site(s) current?
Careerbuilder Yes
No
For each place that you have it posted, are you familiar and comfortable with the site’s privacy policy? Yes No I don’t know If you answered “No No,” No circle the sites for which you are unfamiliar with the privacy policy. Has your resume been posted on the Internet by your academic department? Yes No I don’t know Do you belong to any student organizations or other groups? Have any of these groups posted your resume on their sites? Yes No I don’t know If you answered “Yes Yes” Yes or “II don’t know,” know circle those organizations
If your resume is posted on the Internet do you . . . - know when the resume will be removed from the site(s)? Yes No If you answered “No No,” No note that above where relevant -
do you have all of your contact information included? Yes No If you answered “Yes Yes,” Yes note that above where relevant
You Are What You Type
If you have your own website or blog, would you be comfortable if a potential employer were to read its content? Yes No Have you ever discussed a company, interview, job etc. on your blog or website? Yes No Do you follow the “if you wouldn’t want to read it in the front page of the newspaper, don’t put it in an email” rule? Yes No
Action Plan Based on your answers above are you comfortable with the image of yourself that you are projecting through the internet? Yes No If you answered “No No,” No what steps do you plan to take to increase your level of comfort with your personal Internet presence? • First consider the areas (Google, posted resumes, social networking sites etc.) where you have identified potential problems • What could you fix immediately? • What is going to take some research? • What might take ongoing maintenance? • Is there anything that you would like to discuss with a Career Advisor in the Smith Career Center? If you answered “Yes Yes,” Yes think about what strategic steps you may be interested in taking to improve your web presence.
Goals and Steps 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. *Adapted with permission from the Purdue University Center for Career Opportunities © 2006 at www.cco.purdue.edu. K:\Career Advisor - LAS\Handouts\Tech Audit.doc
Playing Fair: Your Rights and Responsibilities as a Job Seeker by the National Association of Colleges and Employers Principles for Professional Practice Committee
Choosing and attaining meaningful post-graduation employment is an important challenge for college students. To aid this process, your career center and employers develop connections and programs, such as on-campus recruiting, resume referral services, and job fairs, in which you and your fellow students are active participants. In order for this process to be successful, everyone involved must work together. NACE's Principles for Professional Practice provides guidelines for that process in order to guarantee:  that students can openly, freely, and objectively select employment opportunities, making these choices based on their assessment of the best use of their abilities, their personal goals, and other pertinent facts;  a recruitment process that is fair and equitable to students and employers alike;  support for informed and responsible decision making by students.
Here's What You Can Reasonably Expect From Your Career Center... 1. Confidentiality. Career staffs are expected to exercise sound judgment and fairness in maintaining the confidentiality of student information, regardless of the source, including written records, reports, and computer data bases. Disclosure of student information outside the college/university should only be made with your prior consent unless health and safety considerations necessitate the distribution of such information. 2. Freedom of choice. You're entitled to be assisted by the career staff in developing a career plan and making career decisions without having staff members' biases or personal values imposed upon you. 3. Access to all services and events. Career centers may charge students for registering or taking part in certain services or events. Such fees should be sufficiently nominal so as not to hinder you from participating. 4. Access to career information. All students, regardless of personal or educational background, should be provided by career staffs with equal and full access to information on career opportunities and types of employing organizations. Career staffs are also expected to inform you how and where to obtain information which may influence your decisions about an employing organization. 5. Testing information. Career staffs should inform you of the availability of testing, the purpose of the tests, and the disclosure policies regarding test results.
...And From Employers 1. Confidentiality. Employers are expected to maintain the confidentiality of student information, regardless of the source, including personal knowledge, written records/reports, and computer data bases. An employer shouldn't disclose information about you to another organization without your prior written consent, unless necessitated by health and/or safety considerations. 2. Accurate information. Employers are expected to provide accurate information about their organizations and employment opportunities. This includes, but is not limited to, positions available, responsibilities, career advancement opportunities, and benefits.
3. Freedom from undue pressure. Employers are expected to provide you with a reasonable amount of time to make a decision about accepting an employment offer. They are also expected to provide you with a reasonable process for making your decision. An unreasonable process, for example, is one in which the student is told that the offer is good for a set amount of time; unbeknownst to the student, the same offer has been made to others and the student who accepts first gets the job. In addition, it is improper for employers to pressure you to revoke your acceptance of another job offer. 4. Timely communication. Employers are expected to inform you of your status in the hiring process and communicate hiring decisions within the agreed-upon time frame. 5. Fair treatment. If an employer is required by changing conditions to revoke a job offer that you've accepted, you're entitled to a fair and equitable course of action. That can include, but is not limited to, financial assistance and outplacement service. 6. Testing information. Employers should inform you in advance of any testing, the purpose of the tests, and their policies regarding disclosure of test results. 7. Nondiscrimination. Employers are expected to avoid discrimination in their recruitment activities and to follow equal employment opportunity and affirmative action principles.
What's Your Part in This? 1. Provide accurate information about your academic work and records, including courses taken, grades, positions held, and duties performed. You can, however, refuse to provide an employer with specific information about any job offers you may have received from other employers. You do not have to name the organizations that have made you offers, nor do you have to provide specific information about what salaries you've discussed with those organizations. Instead, you can give broad responses to such questions, naming types of employers—"I've interviewed with employers in the retail industry"——and offering salary ranges rather than specific dollar amounts—"The salary offers I've received have been in the $25,000 to $30,000 range." Incidentally, it's in your best interest to research salaries and to let employers know that you have done so. 2. Be honest. Conduct your job search with honesty and integrity. Do not lie or stretch the truth on your resume, applications, or during any part of the interview process. 3. Interview genuinely. Interview only with employers you’re sincerely interested in working for and whose eligibility requirements you meet. “Practice” interviewing is misleading to employers—wasting both their time and money—and prevents sincerely interested candidates from using those interview slots. 4. Adhere to schedules. Appear for all interviews, on campus and elsewhere, unless unforeseeable events prevent you from doing so. And, if you can't make the interview because of an unforeseeable event, notify your career center or the employer at the earliest possible moment. 5. Don't keep employers hanging. Communicate your acceptance or refusal of a job offer to employers as promptly as possible, so they can notify other candidates that they are still being considered or that the position is filled.
6. Accept a job offer in good faith. When you accept an offer, you should have every intention of honoring that commitment. Accepting an offer only as a precautionary measure is misleading to the employer and may restrict opportunities for others who are genuinely interested in that employer. 7. Withdraw from recruiting when your job search is completed. If you accept an offer or decide that full-time graduate or professional studies are for you, notify your career center and withdraw from the on-campus recruiting process immediately. And, let employers that are actively considering you for a job know that you are now out of the running. By informing everyone that you've got a job or are headed to graduate school, you not only get the chance to brag but also to help your friends who are trying to get on interview schedules or who are being considered for positions. 8. Claim fair reimbursement. If an employer has agreed to reimburse you for expenses you incur in its recruitment process, your request should be only for reasonable and legitimate expenses. 9. Obtain the career information you need to make an informed choice about your future. It's up to you to acquire the information about career opportunities, organizations, and any other information that might influence your decisions about an employing organization.
Current 201. NACE members are authorized to reprint this information as is to distribute to students, parents, faculty, and others. (Noncommercial purposes only.) The text of this article cannot be altered without the written permission of the National Association of Colleges and Employers.