JOB SEARCH &CAREER CHANGE

This publication is designed to provide general information on the topics presented. It is provided with the understanding that the author is not engaged in rendering any legal or professional services by its publication or distribution. Although these materials were reviewed by a professional, they should not be used as a substitute for professional services. © Cancer and Careers

Julie Janseno Career Coach and Author of I Don’t Know What I Want, But I Know it’s Not This: A Step-by-Step Guide for Finding Gratifying Work

SPEAKER

o Flexibility o Energy & enthusiasmo Create your own destinyo Explore alternativeso Timing is everythingo Economic implications

JOB SEARCH – GETTING STARTED

o Two pages only, never three pages; one page is for a recent college grad.

o Must have a profile or summary on top.o Must have keywords for scanning software to pick upo At a minimum, 80% of your content should be

accomplishments.o Job titles don’t have universal meaning so explain in

terms of budgetary and leadership terms.o Avoid using trite or cliché phrases such as “effective

communicator” or “detail oriented.”

ELEMENTS OF AN EFFECTIVE RESUME

o Putting volunteer/community service on your resume is fine, personal information is not.

o A one line objective is acceptable if it is specific and focused.

o Not putting dates with your education is fine, anyone can “Google” you to find out how old you are anyway.

o A resume should be visually appealing, have white space and use a readable font such as Arial, Times New Roman or Helvetica.

o Consider creating a Webfolio (on-line resume)

ELEMENTS OF AN EFFECTIVE RESUME

o Open with a bango Make it personalo Don’t waste reader’s timeo Sell yourselfo Use bulletso Explain the next stepo Proof your lettero Follow-up

COVER LETTERS / E-MAIL

o Only 3-5% of job seekers find employment on job boards

o Great articles and surveys

o Useful for researching job descriptions & companies

JOB BOARDS

o Reciprocity is key o Network with everyoneo Be specific about what you needo Exhibit appropriate etiquetteo Make networking a habito Follow-up

NETWORKING

o Write a compelling profileo Ask for substantive recommendationso Post updates regularlyo Join groups

LINKED IN

o Be succinct and interestingo Practice your two-minute/elevator introo Project confidenceo Use humor

INTRODUCING YOURSELF

o Research the companyo Prepare & practice answers o Tell stories & use exampleso Keep composed despite interviewer’s quirkso Summarize what happenedo Prepare to close the deal

INTERVIEWING

o Write a blogo Post blog entrieso Write on-line or print articleso Run pollso Make presentationso Volunteer/sit on boards

BRANDING

① Self-assessment

② Identify opportunities and obstacles

③ Create an action plan

THREE-STEP PROCESS FOR CHANGING CAREERS

Self-assessment is the key to successful career change.

MAKING A CAREER CHANGE

o What are my financial needs?o What is my required timeline? (Often driven by the first question.)o Who depends on my income and what are alternative sources of

income besides my salary?o Which of my skills are transferable? Will my chosen new career

path require additional training or education?o Can I afford training, the time off it may require, or can I afford to

take an entry level job in a new field? Do I have the stamina to complete the training?

o Are companies hiring in my chosen new career? What is the competition?

o Are my dreams of a new career realistic given my circumstances and the environment in which I live?

CHANGING CAREERS

o Your valueso Your attitudeso Self-confidenceo Self-knowledgeo Managing relationshipso Maintaining motivationo Goal orientationo Professional commitment

SELF ASSESSMENT

o Personality Preferenceso Introverted or Outgoingo Idealist or Realisto Emotional or Factualo Structure or Spontaneityo Assertive or Acquiescent

SELF ASSESSMENT

Interestso Peopleo Ideaso Datao Objects

Favorite Skills

SELF ASSESSMENT

o Opportunities are limitlesso Roadblocks –

o ageo moneyo timeo education, etc.

IDENTIFY OPPORTUNITIES & ROADBLOCKS

o Write your plan downo Set goals using SMART formulao Keep it flexibleo Revisit it ofteno Run it by your advisors

CREATE AN ACTION PLAN