Career GPS - Navigating the Best Path to Your Destination
Al Cotrone, DirectorCareer Development and Student Affairs
Agenda
• Greetings and Introduction
~ How did I get here?
• Status from Ann Arbor• Workshop
Interrupt the Speaker, Really!
A Different View of the Search
• There are dozens of companies (in addition to your own?) out there that have the exact ideal job for you, but…
• Opportunities arise on their own timeline~ (usually NOT when we want them!)
• Chances of your bad day being the day your spot is open is slim
Also…
• The %s of cold responses that yield is low
• Who gets the job?...someone who knows someone!~ By the time it hits the listing, it’s already
filled!~ Internal is better than external
The Prescription, then, is Clear:
• Start well before the timeline begins and establish a relationship
• Extend it across the timeline until the point where they have the opportunity
~ and you are the warm introduction
• …So how does one do this?
The Program – M Go Blueprint!
• Self-assess• Refine understanding and elevator
story• (Only then should you) Prepare
resume• Identify company potentials that
“should have” the job you seek• Establish 1-2 protégé relationships
per week• Add each and every contact to your
update list (and then update them!)
What’s Passive and Why it Doesn’t Work
• That’s why lists and search firm inquiries are actually passive – even if you do them every day!~ They ALL look good when you’re
passive~ They make you the outside
candidate• Why leave it to chance – That is NOT
how you got where you are in life today!!!!
• Taking Charge versus Being Passive
Advantages to staying home
• The job you seek may be at your current employer
• Go to your employer first~ Use the search skills discussed today
internally~ You may be able to avoid the “Executive’s
Curse”• Avoid a vindictive job search
~ Looking over your shoulder~ Better to ask first than threaten when it is
too late (trust broken)• Give them the chance to ignore you – they
won’t
Why is Clear Focus Needed?• The impression created to everyone
that you come into contact with~ What is an “interview” in our
society?~ How does hiring really happen?
• Remember
~ Those who keep options open…don’t
~ Someone who can do anything…can’t
Imperative to Start with Self-Assessment
5. HR/Job Postings
2. People in front of whom
you can be somewhat ignorant
1.
4. Develop Strategic
Relationships2.
3.
3. Now! Do your resume.
4.
5.
1. Self-assessment
Career Leader Version of Skills
• Career Leader – Different universe of “skills” 8 to choose from:~Application of technology (streamlining)~Quantitative analysis~Theory development and conceptual
thinking~Creative production~Counsel and mentor~Manage people~Enterprise control~Influence through language and ideas
Career Leader Reward Areas
• Lifestyle• Autonomy• Power & Influence• Variety• Manage & Direct• Security• Positioning
• Altruism• Recognition• Prestige• Colleagues & Affiliates• Intellectual Challenge• Financial Considerations
Al’s Zone Times Spreadsheet Activity
• List 5 zone times• List some skills used in your zone
times• Indicate environments from zone
times
Resumes
• Change from, “Here’s what I’ve done, so what can I be?” or “Here’s everything I’ve ever done – something has got to match”
to…
• “Here’s the ideal career for me, now, what from my past should I highlight to present this image to the recruiter?”
Resume Reviews
• How does a resume get read?
Self-Assessment and Resume, then
• Can help you to know where you should be going
• Can show a potential employer where you’ve been that’s germane to where you’re going
• But how to get there?
Three Types of Networking
• Sales
• Maintenance
• Career Search
Four Types of Stories
• Four types of stories~ The truth (too much detail)~ Elevator story (15 sec)~ Personal odyssey (3 min)~ Behavioral Response
• Elevator (15 second speech)~ Receptions~ At this moment looking forward
• Personal Odyssey (3 min)~ One-on-one at career fairs, interview opening~ The journey from undergrad to now through to the
future• Behavioral – examples in CAR format
Protégé Approach (#1 of 2)
• Not: “got any jobs?”~(You actually are not seeking now, so
perfect)• Rather, seek advice, accept (create)
a mentor – flattery gets you everywhere
• Someone to listen to me!!!!• How to be an insider
The Update Mechanism (#2 of 2)
• Sorry, they aren’t looking on your behalf
• Stay front of mind – how?• Still never ask for anything
(panhandler) • Business reality of the timeline• Resume – always - yes
• But – how do you be the one chosen?
The Program M Go Blueprint!
• Self-assess• Refine understanding and elevator
story• Resume• Company potentials• X-ref companies into databases for
people• Establish 1-2 protégé relationships
per week• Add each and every contact to your
update list
Don’t Ever Start Your Job Search!
• HR and the request for an interview starts a clock ticking on a decision (remember the timeline)
• Instead, establish an ongoing, advisory relationship
• Be disciplined about regular updates~ It’s really too simple~ And it’s guaranteed to work!
Imperative to Start with Self-Assessment
5. HR/Job Postings
2. People in front of whom
you can be somewhat ignorant
1.
4. Develop Strategic
Relationships2.
3.
3. Now! Do your resume.
4.
5.
1. Self-assessment
Alumni Association: http://alumni.umich.edu/jobs
• Find a Job • Post a Job • CareerBeam Career Counseling Services • Wolverine
Occupational Resource Center (self-assessments, company info and more)
• Regional Career Events – club events• Alumni Networks – mentoring• Blue Hiring Blue – U-M employers looking to hire U-M alumni• InCircle – social networking/career advice message
board/job board
• Career Information for Students ~ Panel of Experts