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A Workshop for The Boston College Career Summit Hosted by Career Treking LLC June 24, 2009 Susan Kennedy Mary Gibbs
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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
2© 2009 Career Treking LLC
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
6© 2009 Career Treking LLC
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
7© 2009 Career Treking LLC
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
8© 2009 Career Treking LLC
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
9© 2009 Career Treking LLC
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
10© 2009 Career Treking LLC
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
14© 2009 Career Treking LLC
Stimulus Package Opportunities
• Education
• Energy
• Healthcare
• Infrastructure
• Small companies• Government• Suppliers and
vendors
www.recovery.gov • www.recovery.org • www.usajobs.gov
15© 2009 Career Treking LLC
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
18© 2009 Career Treking LLC
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
19© 2009 Career Treking LLC
Comfort ZoneFriends &
FOFFriend's Parents
Family & FOF
Community Alumni Professors Bosses & Coaches
Associations
20© 2009 Career Treking LLC
Online Networking: LinkedIn
• Develop expanded connections• Get networked into jobs and
companies• Join and engage in groups • Pose and answer questions regularly
21© 2009 Career Treking LLC
Online Networking: Twitter
• Twitter regularly –Describe what you’re looking for –Offer useful information
• Follow others selectively • twitter keyword search• twitterjobsearch.com
22© 2009 Career Treking LLC
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