Career Management for Mature Students Kate Foster...LinkedIn Professional Network •It is not another Facebook. •Trusted and used by employers for both finding potential employees

www.exeter.ac.uk/careers www.exeter.ac.uk/careers

Career Management for Mature

Students

Kate Foster (Career Development Coach)

www.exeter.ac.uk/careers

“To be in a job is to be at risk, but to be

employable is to be secure”

(Dr Peter Hawkins – The Art of Building Windmills)


Introductions…

Briefly introduce yourself:

• Name/current course

• Reason for attending today’s session


Today’s Session

Overview of the Career Development Cycle

Introduction to Self-awareness:

• Values & Motivations

• Interests & Skills

Personal Effectiveness:

• Personality Types

• Emotional Intelligence

• Confidence and resilience

• Self advocacy

Opportunity Awareness:

• Exploring career ideas

• Creative job search

• Networking

Moving forward:

• Resources & Support Available


Self

my strengths

my criteria

what I have to offer

my values

my interests Opportunities

Exploring types of work

different employers

further study

gaining work experience

what's available

Decisions

decisions

priorities

contingency plans

job hunting

Transition

CVs

covering letters

application forms

interviews

assessment centres

Taking Stock

reflect and review CAREER

PLANNING


Self awareness: values and motivations,

skills, achievements……

http://www.mindtools.com/pages/article/newTED_79.htm

http://greatergood.berkeley.edu/ei_quiz/


Your Values & Motivations

When did you last sit down and analyse what you want from work?

Career motivators, drivers and values - What gets you leaping out of bed with a smile on your face in the

morning?


Values and Careers Why are they important?

The elements of our identity that give

meaning and purpose to our lives.

Reflect what we consider to be important and can affect the energy we are

prepared to put into different activities.

If requirements of a job role match our important values, then we are likely to feel comfortable and prepared to work to our

best ability.

If job requirements don’t match our values, then we are likely to feel less

motivated.


Skills from Degree:

• Research skills

• Intellect

• Enthusiasm, commitment and flexibility

• Specialist techniques

.....What else? If you can’t use the word ‘researching’

(or synonyms), what other verbs

describe your activities?


Employers wish list….

• Communication – written and verbal

• Commercial awareness

• Cultural sensitivity

• Customer focus

• Data handling

• Decision making

• Enterprising mindset

• Flexibility

• Initiative

• Self Control and empathy

• Comfortable with change

• Interpersonal skills • Leadership/management • Networking • Organisational adaptability • Project management • Problem solving • Analytical skills • Responsibility • Reliability • Team working • Time management

Association of Graduate

Recruiters


Do you have STAR quality?

• Situation suitable and clear?

• Task explain objective

• Action what did you do?

• Result what was the outcome?

was the objective met?

what did you learn?

Use ‘action’ words when appropriate


Throughout any application:

Effective Language - Show don’t tell

• A motivated individual with excellent communication skills....telling

Showing...

• Have collated data over three years and written an on-line database of gene expression in the developing embryo

• Have designed and delivered five talks to a range of people including experienced scientists and school children, adapting language accordingly



Profiling for Success

• Personality Type Dynamics Indicator:

– Why do you work, your main assets, areas to consider

developing

• Learning Styles Inventory

• Values based Indicator of Motivation

• Career Interests Inventory

• http://as.exeter.ac.uk/rdp/profilingforsuccess/

http://as.exeter.ac.uk/rdp/profilingforsuccess/


"The rules for work are changing. We're judged by a new

yardstick: not just how smart we are, or by our training

and expertise, but also by how well we handle ourselves

and each other. This yardstick is increasingly applied in

choosing who will be hired and who will not, who will be

let go and who retained, who overlooked and who

promoted."

Dan Goleman,1999

What is Emotional

Intelligence?

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wJhfKYzKc0s


The Emotional Competency

Framework

Five Domains of EI/EQ(Emotional Quotient)

Self-awareness

Self-regulation

Motivation

Empathy

Social Skills

Knowing what you are feeling & why

Being able to control your emotions, even when circumstances are difficult

Being able to persist in the face of discouragement

Being able to read and identify emotions in others

Being able to get along with others through listening, understanding and appreciating their own emotions

Dan Goleman 1999


A confident and resilient person….

• Says “no” appropriately

• Sets realistic boundaries

• Enthusiastic

• Bigger picture view eg. possible collaborations

• Calculated risk taker

• True to values

• Confident in view point

• Asks for help

• Calm

• Self assured

• Assertive but in right way

• Demonstrates positive body language

• “Speaks” confidently

• Has self belief


10 ways to be more resilient and confident

1. Build positive beliefs in your abilities

2. Find a sense of purpose in your life

3. Develop a strong supportive network

4. Embrace change

5. Be optimistic

6. Nurture yourself

7. Develop your problem solving skills

8. Establish goals

9. Face not avoid problems

10. Work on building up your resilience

(K Cherry http://psychology.about.com/od/crisiscounseling/tp/become-more-resilient.htm)

http://psychology.about.com/od/crisiscounseling/tp/become-more-resilient.htm






Self advocacy

• “refers to an individual’s ability to effectively

communicate, convey, negotiate or assert his or her own

interests, desires, needs and rights. It involves making

informed decisions and taking responsibility for those

decisions.”

(Van Reusen et al 1994)


A good self advocate…..

• says what they think and feel

• speaks up for things they believe in

• knows and understands their rights and responsibilities

• takes responsibility for their own life

• makes decisions that help improve their life

• embraces change


It is a living and growing

collection of things-artifacts-tangible

materials that record what you have

achieved and learned and supports

your personal and professional

development

Career Portfolio


Example Portfolio Sections

Contents Page

Self-Awareness

Career SWOT Analysis

Skills audit

Values & Motivations

Interests

Personality Type

Learning Styles

Reviewing Experiences/reflection

Unsolicited ‘Thank You’s’

Achievements

Job related e.g.

- prizes

- projects

- awards

- promotions

Personal

- Volunteering/Community

- Hobbies

Job Search

The Current Job Market

CV Master

Covering Letter Master

Application forms that worked

Vacancy Sources

References/Referees/Testimonials

Networking

Professional Development Review

Documentation

In-house and External Training

Reflections on learning

Academic Qualifications

Goal Setting and Action Planning Career Development Plans

Including sources of help


Self

my strengths

my criteria

what I have to offer

my values

my interests Opportunities

Exploring types of work

different employers

further study

gaining work experience

what's available

Decisions

decisions

priorities

contingency plans

job hunting

Transition

CVs

covering letters

application forms

interviews

assessment centres

Taking Stock

reflect and review CAREER

PLANNING


Exploring & Researching a Job Role

• Career planners :

– https://targetjobs.co.uk/careers-report – http://www.prospects.ac.uk/myprospects_planner_login.htm

• What can I do with my Degree? http://www.exeter.ac.uk/careers/research

• www.ex.ac.uk/careers/events employer presentations, careers fairs, employer skills sessions

• Professional networking sites such as LinkedIn Groups

• Exeter alumni - eXepert scheme- http://www.exeter.ac.uk/careers/research/exepert/

• Career Mentor Scheme - http://www.exeter.ac.uk/careers/research/mentor/

• Work shadowing/ work experience

• Networking – through contacts

• Job advertisements, organisations’ websites • Information Interviews

– You contact a prospective employer to find out more about working in their sector – Not about asking for a job – It can lead to work experience

24

https://targetjobs.co.uk/careers-report





http://www.prospects.ac.uk/myprospects_planner_login.htm

http://www.prospects.ac.uk/myprospects_planner_login.htm

http://www.exeter.ac.uk/careers/research

http://www.exeter.ac.uk/careers/research/exepert/

http://www.exeter.ac.uk/careers/research/mentor/


Information Interviewing

Beforehand

• Phone/send letter/email to named contact

• State want advice about area of work – not asking for a job

• Suggest you will contact them by phone in a few days to arrange appointment

• Good to mention any common links/where found

• Be flexible and arrange appointment around them

On the day

Questions to ask:

• What is a typical day like?

• What are the most/least enjoyable aspects?

• How did they get the job (what courses/experience required)?

• What skills are most relevant?

• What training is available?

• Where are these jobs advertised?

• Leave with names of other possible people to contact

• Thank them!


30%

--------------------

--

70%

70%


Adverts/

Websites

Recruitment Agencies

Professional Organisations

Networking/Word of mouth

Contacts from existing employees

Internal promotion or lateral move

MOST people start

looking for jobs in

this direction

Employers

hire in this

direction


“Using the personal relationships people

have with one another to increase your

exposure to information and opportunity”

Anon

Networking is….


You

Professional Life

Family

Interests

Friends

Your Networks


Cold

Hot

Warm

Networking strategy


Record of Networks and Meetings Meeting

Date

Contact

Name

Position Reaction Contact

Details

Notes and

outcome of

meeting/

discussion

Follow

Up

Action

and by

when



LinkedIn

Professional Network

• It is not another Facebook.

• Trusted and used by employers for both finding potential employees and checking them out.

Global Platform

• Interest groups with members from around the world.

• Research possibilities. Access to quality individuals.

Career Development

• Job Board/Recruitment opportunities.

• Organic and peer validated CV.


Summary: How can I choose?

• Read – find out more information

• Talk – to your network, employers

• Try – it out: intern, volunteer, shadow

• Reflect – think it over, pros & cons, intuition, is it right for

me? Talk to a Careers Consultant

• Stay motivated and learn from experiences


Making most of time at University……

Contribute to student societies

Volunteer e.g. Community Action

Exeter Award / Leaders Award

Exeter Ambassador Scheme

University internships – Graduate Business

Partnerships

Skills development sessions e.g. team

working, commercial awareness etc.

Mentor scheme

www.exeter.ac.uk/careers www.exeter.ac.uk/careers www.exeter.ac.uk/careers

Help and support Career Zone, The Forum Phone: (01392) 724493 Email: [email protected] Web: www.exeter.ac.uk/careers Opening hours: Term time and vacations: 9.00am-5.00pm (Monday - Friday)

Mycareerzone.ac.uk Don’t forget to set your preferences to receive relevant updates from us

http://www.exeter.ac.uk/




Phone to book: (01392) 724493

The Career Zone in the Forum to book an appointment in

person

Email [email protected]

Appointment with a Careers Consultant:

•1:1 confidential careers advice and guidance • 20 minute appointments available Monday-Friday • Face to face or via telephone


ME, ME, ME …..

Where am I now?

Where do I want to be?

How do I get there?

What support do I need?

How can I keep improving?


• “When it comes to the future, there are

three kinds of people: those who let it

happen, those who make it happen, and

those who wonder what happened.” John

M. Richardson Jr

Documents

Career Management for Mature Students Kate Foster...LinkedIn Professional Network •It is not another Facebook. •Trusted and used by employers for both finding potential employees