CAREER PLANNING WORKSHOP

1. CAREER PLANNING WORKSHOP by Adrian Hamilton (CMath, FIMA)

2. President Roosevelt’s Speech From his speech Our response • So, first of all, let me assert my firm belief that the only thing we have to fear is fear itself • Nameless, unreasoning, unjustified terror • Which paralyzes need efforts to convert retreat • Into advance • Fear following being made redundant or too many refusals of jobs applied for • Can lead to e.g. panic attacks, despair • Look at where we are and have come from (CV) • Market campaign from job search methods through to job interview

3. Outline of a CV Profile (Pen Picture of Facts) Achievements Career Progression Other Relevant Facts

4. Profile • Management level • Business areas • Functions carried out • Areas of particular expertise • Abilities, strengths

5. Achievements • Some selected achievements • Excerpts from experience • Leading to abilities and strengths in the first section

6. Career Progression • Start from most recent • Dates, name of organisation, what it does • Explain any gaps, especially if recent • Key tasks and responsibilities

7. Other Relevant Facts • Education, qualifications, training • Outside work experience, interests, personal • Only include languages if fluent • Only include interests if prepared to discuss with an enthusiastic interviewer

8. Example Key Achievement with Action Words • To ease the workload….. • I wrote a FORTRAN simulation program….. • I designed the program to be efficient in terms of core storage and run time. As a result I was able to carry out a large number of parametric runs of the model. Based on analysis of the results from the model, I made a number of firm recommendations on management, pre-planning and ‘live’ control decisions related to outpatient return journeys • Finally, I wrote a complete account of the work done….. • The customer was very interested….

9. Example Unique Abilities • A rational step-by-step approach to solving difficult problems • Gets the most out of those she supervises enabling them to produce quality work • A unique ability may be base on more than one key achievement • In choosing key achievements they should not be too repetitive

10. Job Search Methods (1) Pros Cons Cold approach • Simple (one letter) • Useful if growing company Response to adverts • There is (usually) a job • Adverts provide info on what is happening in the market place • There may be no job available • Low success rate (<10%) • Effort required to respond to each advert • Competition, especially internal recruits

11. Job Search Methods (2) Pros Cons Recruitment agencies • A friend between you and the recruiting company • Can offer advice e.g. on the market • Someone has to pay the agent’s fees • Cannot prepare for or take part in job interviews

12. Job Search Methods (3) Pros Cons Contact Networks (Referral) • Get to know what it is like to work in a given field • People like to give advice and receive recognition • Build up a network of experts who know you • Takes time to build up • Occasionally some may not wish to talk with you or pass on further contacts

13. Referral Interview Steps • Begin referral meetings with people you already know (lecturers, department heads, institutions/members) • Plan the meeting – aims, objectives, agenda (plan for a short meeting, typically 20 min) • Send a letter • Make a telephone call simply to set up an appointment (day, time, place) • Hold the meeting • Send a thank you letter promptly (same day)

14. Letter to Contact • Opening to establish your connection • The reason for writing • Disclaimer not asking for a job or knowing of one • You are asking for help and advice in your job campaign • Acknowledge his time is valuable (no more than 20 min) • Commitment to phone soon to set up a meeting • Examples in hand out of: • Letter to a primary contact • Letter to a referred contact

15. Referral Interview Agenda • Establish rapport (thank, disclaimer, interest in contact) • Tell the contact about yourself • Get advice and information, e.g. • Options for you in his field • Options in other fields • Would your CV (or better résumé) get through his door? • Sources of information on jobs in his area • Ask for referrals (full details, permissions) • Could you help your contact in turn? • Any further information from him or her would be appreciated

16. Referral Telephone Call • Prepare for call • Have time available • Have your diary ready • Hand draft script of what you want to say • Anticipate objections, e.g. “I don’t see how I can help you” • During the call • Do not hurry, be deliberate and composed • It may be useful to stand up during the call - focuses mind and body • Finishing the call • Thank him or her, confirming the date, time and place • Do not hold the meeting over the phone!

17. Responding to Job Advert Advert Text Your Response • Be an effective communicator • Have an ability to influence decision makers • My enthusiasm for the subject is infectious when passing on knowledge and love of a subject to colleagues, people I supervise and those I teach • My considerable skill in presenting written information….. influencingdecision makers. Also I have made a considerable number of successful presentations to senior management and customers

18. Presentation of Excellence (1½ - 2 min) • Response to the question “Tell us about yourself” • Start with your career objective • Should match the job but not parrot the job advert • Your current or last job or course • Details include responsibilities, business areas, functions carried out • What I can bring to you are: • Start with key unique ability and as appropriate include back up experience • In summary I can deliver… • Is there anything you would like me to elaborate on?

19. Some Job Interview Dos and Don’ts (1) Dos Don’ts • Research company • Rehearse answers to difficult questions • Adopt a friendly, professional approach to all those you meet • Listen, empathise, watch for body language • Unprepared and not knowing what you want • Arriving late • Dripping nose and no handkerchief • Leaving mobile on • Poor appearance • “Fencing” interviewer

20. Some Job Interview Dos and Don’ts (2) • Do ask questions when prompted, e.g. • You said you wanted someone with a commerce background – what else does the ideal candidate need to succeed in this position? • Don’t bring a dog!

21. Objectives • List the four parts into which a CV is divided • Write up an achievement from your own career or other experiences • Define one key unique ability based on your achievements • List four methods of job searching • List three advantages of referral interviews • Draft a response to a job advert • Field four difficult job interview questions