Creative Job Search Strategies in a Challenging Job Market

1© 2009 Career Treking LLC

Creative Job Search Strategies in a Challenging Job Market

A Workshop for The Boston College Career SummitHosted by Career Treking LLC

June 24, 2009

Susan KennedyMary Gibbs

www.careertreking.com (781) 237-2252


Agenda

• Job Search Recommendations

• Setting Career Direction

• Realistic Job Goals

• Strategic Job Search Strategies

• Job Search Action Plan

Our Job Search Philosophy

• Get the right job the first time

• Job satisfaction: 64% turnover first three years– Close the “recession” compensation gap: 9%

pay differential for those who graduate in a recession

The Recession Compensation Gap• National Bureau of Economic Research:

– 9% pay differential– Can last for up to a decade– The recession grads often take the first job;

often outside their chosen field; can loose career time

Columbia University study: 70% of Canadians 1976-1995; 2 recessions

Learn and develop the skills you will need.

Career Treking Recommendation

• Identify your dream job

• List the skills and experiences required for the job

• Create a plan to acquire those skills; when job market rebounds, candidate is ready


How to Thrive in A Tight MarketKey Job Search Elements

• Focus– Identify dream job, wide net of related jobs, locations– Target robust, strong companies/industries

• Prepare– Stand out in job search materials & interviews– Demonstrate contribution to company priorities

• Engage– Network into companies– Get involved & show capabilities


Setting Career DirectionYour Profile

Skills Degree Achievements Interests Preferences

Translate Profile to Careers

Careers, Industries Jobs

Stimulus Package Jobs

Learn From Others

Network

Informational Interviews

Test Reality

Job ShadowingInternships

VolunteeringPart-time Work

Potential Careers

Job Goals

Goal A Goal B Goal C


Converting Profile into Careers

• University of Tennessee Career Converter– http://career.utk.edu/students/majors.asp

• Occupational Outlook Handbook– bls.gov/OCO

• Wetfeet.com– Job, company, industry information

• Career Treking Stimulus Package Jobs– careertreking.com


Set Wide-Net of Job Goals

Identify your career aspirationSet a range of inter-related, prioritized job goals• Goal A your desired job, links to your career goal• Goal B a related job in desired industry or entry

level position with industry consumer, vendor• Goal C showcases your core skills &

performance desirable for Goal AFill background gaps, energize resumeIdentify a flexible, wide range of locations


Jane’s Career Goal

Business Development in Renewable Energies

Short-Term Goal A Target Employers Time Frame

Sales in Renewable Energy Company (REC)

• enXco• Second Wind• Berkshire Wind Power

X months

Short-Term Goal B Target Employers Time Frame

-Customer service in REC

-Receptionist/administrative role in a green architect firm

• Four Seasons Wind Power• JEI Energy Solutions• Sustainable ABC.com• Solar Design Associates

X months

Short-Term Goal C Target Employers Time Frame

Retail sales Insurance sales

•Home Depot•Aetna•Cigna

X months

Resume Background/Energy Gap Filling the Gap

Knowledge of renewable energy RE Certificate program

Involvement in renewable field Volunteer activities in RE

Robust Industry OpportunitiesHealthcare, Pharmaceuticals, Biotech

Political science

Economics/business

Sociology, psychology

Communications

Healthcare policy

Financial analyst,

consulting

Counseling, HR, marketing

Corporate communications

Robust Industry Opportunities Financial Services

• Customer-facing positions

– Insurance companies

– Credit unions

– Regional banks

• All majors relevant

• Benefits: Training, track record, skills

Robust Industry Opportunities Utilities/Alternative Energy

• By 2030, one in four jobs projected to be in renewable energy

• Biggest trends: Solar, wind, marine

• Environmental and liberal arts majors appropriate


Stimulus Package Opportunities

• Education

• Energy

• Healthcare

• Infrastructure

• Small companies• Government• Suppliers and

vendors

www.recovery.gov • www.recovery.org • www.usajobs.gov


Find the Employers

Fewer Jobs Posted in

a Down MarketReach Out

Success Rates by Job Source

16%

9%

5%4% 1%

61%

4%

Networking

Newspaper Ads

Walk-Ins

Newspaper web site

Internet job site

Employment Agency

Through school

Strategic Job Search Strategies• Networking• Linked In/Twitter• Career Services• Faculty and Alumni Association• Job Boards• Internet Searches• Newspapers• Temporary Agencies• Internships


Networking Activities

Face-to-Face Planned •Reach out•Nurture relationships

Online•Pick 1or 2 sites•Engage fully

Spontaneous•Initiate•Be prepared, follow-through

Events/Meetings•Join an industry association•Look for unique events


Comfort ZoneFriends &

FOFFriend's Parents

Family & FOF

Community Alumni Professors Bosses & Coaches

Associations


Online Networking: LinkedIn

• Develop expanded connections• Get networked into jobs and

companies• Join and engage in groups • Pose and answer questions regularly


Online Networking: Twitter

• Twitter regularly –Describe what you’re looking for –Offer useful information

• Follow others selectively • twitter keyword search• twitterjobsearch.com


Targeted Job Search Plan Goal B: Customer Service Rep Employer: Swift Rivers Company

Activities Actions Done

Networking Informational Interviewing

•LinkedIn and Twitter•Alumni association •Comfort zone & expanded networks•Renewable Energy Association•Google alert for Swift

Job ShadowingInternship

Swift Rivers Human Resources

VolunteeringPart-Time/Temp Work

Hydroelectric initiativeTemp agency

© 2009 Career Treking LLC

Beefing Up Job Search SkillsSearch Activity My Skills

1(low)-10 (high)Resources to Build Skills Due

Date

Set career direction, job goals, industry targets

Networking and informational interviews

Resumes and cover letters

Interviewing

Assertive, company-specific job search

Organization, follow-through

Takeways

• Thriving in a challenging job market entails:– Set a wide range of career goals– Have a plan to develop the skills needed– Create a job search action plan – Make networking a habit

Creative Job Search Strategies in a Challenging Job Market

Education

Transcript of Creative Job Search Strategies in a Challenging Job Market