Mapping your career

Mapping your career : 

Mapping your career Working Towards a Goal and a Paycheck a girl talk career advice presentation by lisa lahey, b.ed.

What is a Career Map? : 

What is a Career Map? You’ve seen a road map before. You’ve used one too. You know that in order to reach your destination first you need to know what it is you want and then you need to know how to get there. Girlfriend, a career map is no different. If you’re going to succeed at developing a satisfying career path you’re going to need to know what you want to be and then figure out the easiest, least time-consuming way to get there.

Why do I need a Career Map? : 

You don’t have to have a career map to be successful. Lots of famous, highly public people started their professional lives doing something completely unrelated to their future success. They also had a lot of false starts and failures on the way there. We all do. But once you figure out what industry you want to be in, what role you prefer to play and other essentials, it is wise to start serious career planning. Why do I need a Career Map?

How Can a Career Map Help Me? : 

How Can a Career Map Help Me? Girlfriend, here are 2 scenarios for you. Identify the one with the career map. 1. You take a job after you graduate college with a business degree as a marketing assistant for a mid-sized corporation. You didn’t plan to go into marketing but the job was advertised, you applied for it and you got it. It’s okay as far as first jobs go. The pay is good but you really don’t think about a serious future with the company or even in marketing until one day a middle management position becomes available for much better pay. You think “hey I could do that job! I work in this department!” You put in for the promotion and you are passed over for it to another employee much to your disappointment and confusion. 2. During college you take a part-time internship with an advertising agency and discovered you really like marketing. You graduate from college with a business major in marketing and since you proved yourself at the company where you interned it hires you in an entry level marketing position. It’s okay. The pay is good but you don’t intend to remain entry level for much longer. You actively seek out a mentor to get things moving and are lucky enough to find a person who is happy to help you. You begin to take on tasks outside of your role and you upgrade your skills with continuing education courses. One day a middle management position opens up and your mentor encourages you to apply for it. You put in for it and much to your excitement you are promoted to your first managerial position.

And the winner is ... : 

Of course you guessed that scenario 2 presented the career woman with a career map. How did you know? Aside from the fact that you are awesomely intelligent Girlfriend, it’s obvious that this girl knows what she is doing with her career and her life. She got a business degree. She took an intern position in marketing and decided to pursue it as a career. She was sensible enough to return to the same company after she graduated to get a job (networking). She has an eye toward advancement and she even looked for a mentor (more networking) to achieve her goal. Now that’s a career plan. And the winner is ...

A Career Map is Not Written in Stone : 

A Career Map is Not Written in Stone The fictitious woman in our marketing story made a great, flawless start to her career. In reality that isn’t always likely. It works for some people of course. I can attest to this because I’ve seen it happen among family and friends. However it’s possible that you may have a career goal, get the education you need, start a job in your chosen field and .... hate it. Hm. There are a few options available to you so don’t get discouraged. Sometimes you just need to carve out a different route. If it is the job or the industry you dislike then you will be starting all over again and that’s okay too. Flexibility is key.

What Should I Do with My Life? : 

What Should I Do with My Life? Girlfriend you need to answer that question before you can begin goal-setting. There are lots of resources to help you figure this out: public library internet career workshops guidance counsellor career coach job fairs mentor classified ads Jobs compiled and classified under NOC (National Occupation Classification) volunteering internships career assessment tests research jobs and the labour market your hobbies and personal interests your natural skills and aptitude

Goal-Setting : 

It’s all well and good to know how to go about finding a career but you actually have to get out there and start your research by setting goals. If you aren’t in the habit of goal-setting Girlfriend then you want to start small and build your way up to the larger goals as you get better with practice. Try out the following steps: Set a goal you can complete in one day. Yep. One day. Write it down. For example: go to the gym and take a yoga class or return books to the library. Write down the day, the time that you will complete it. Write it down! Complete it on the day and at the time you stated you would. Enter the results into a journal. For example: Went to the gym and took yoga class. Felt invigorated and successful. Goal-Setting

1-Day Goal-Setting Chart : 

1-Day Goal-Setting Chart

7-Day Goal-Setting : 

7-Day Goal-Setting After you have completed one or two goals in this manner it is time for you to complete one week’s worth of goals every day without missing a day. Remember a goal doesn’t have to be a major hurdle. Keep your goals simple. For example, on Monday you might regularly go to the library to take out and return a book. Nice and predictable. But during the rest of the week you may not repeat a goal from the week before. Or you may set one goal that you only carry out once that week. For example you wouldn’t visit the library twice in one week, so that becomes a once a week goal. You might however repeat taking a yoga class once, so that becomes a twice weekly goal. See how easy that is? You goal Girlfriend!

Choosing Your Career : 

Now you’re going to use the 7-day planning chart to create one goal per day towards deciding upon a career choice. Monday, for instance could be visiting your guidance counsellor. Tuesday you might job shadow a friend. Wednesday you will attend a job fair. Thursday you will go online and check out government listed job categories and so on. You probably won’t decide on a career in one week so you may end up using this process for a month or even 6 months. Use it as long as it takes to find your career choice and then you can begin mapping out your career. Choosing Your Career

Career Changes : 

Career Changes Suppose you are already in a career and you aren’t fulfilled for a number of reasons, it could be salary, responsibility, industry, the nature of the work and so on. Maybe you have been fired and it has given you the opportunity to re-think your career path. It is almost always possible to begin planning a career change, regardless of your age and your financial and professional situation. There will be some obstacles you will need to plan for and overcome. Here are some issues for you to consider: Education – you may need to return to school to upgrade your skills or acquire a new diploma entirely Market Research – make sure you investigate the likelihood of getting a job in your new chosen profession and have a look at future trends in your industry Resign with Dignity – don’t burn bridges as you will likely need references from your former boss Research Individual Companies – target organizations where you want to work and find out their future plans, mission, rate of layoffs and hiring, etc.

Little or No Job Experience : 

Little or No Job Experience For a recent grad the biggest obstacle to overcome is a lack of work experience. Don’t be intimidated since most everyone starts her career without work experience but sooner or later everyone gets hired. Rather than worry about your lack of previous employment focus on your academic accomplishments, community involvement, volunteer experience, personal talents such as designing websites or leading a Girl Guide troupe. Every personal trait that describes you in detail is valuable to a potential employer.

Job Hunt Resources – Beginning Your Career Map : 

Job Hunt Resources – Beginning Your Career Map

Your Resume and Your Career Map : 

Your Resume and Your Career Map Congrats Girlfriend! You’ve chosen a career and now you’re ready to start applying for jobs. Here are some resume styles for you to consider: Resume Obviously you know that matching your resume to the job ad is smart but that’s just the beginning of writing a terrific resume. Generally speaking unless you have no idea how to write a decent resume or you have poor composition skills you don’t usually need a professional resume service. Consider these options for learning how to put an effective resume together: Choose a resume style that is relevant to your life experience. If you are mid-career and looking at a career change you might want to choose a functional resume rather than a chronological resume, listing your employment after your job responsibilities and achievements. A mixed resume combines both a chronological and a functional resume. A mini resume is a great idea for a recent college grad with limited professional experience but an impressive education and any skills that are relevant to the position being applied for. A target resume is very job-specific. For example, there are templates in MS Word that are written precisely for positions such as Administrative Assistant, Sales Representative and so on. The templates are already filled in for you. You only need to adjust the information to suit your experiences and background.

Cool Cover Letter : 

Cool Cover Letter I chose to write about formatting your resume before your cover letter since it seems to be a natural progression for most people. It may sound like you’re working backwards and in a sense you are, but your completed resume can help you highlight some ideas for your cover letter. Word to the wise: not every HR recruiter reads cover letters but since some do and some don’t it’s best that you don’t take any chances and write one for serendipity’s sake. Your cover letter is not a re-hashing of your resume. Your cover letter briefly highlights some of the qualifications required for the position, rather than your experiences (save those for the resume). Use the suggested qualifications from the job ad to write your cover letter. Don’t include your entire life story! Your cover letter is a brief introduction that says “hi, in a nutshell my qualifications are ... and that is why you want to read my resume.” Make sure you express interest in the organization and not just in the job position. Target the position you want and how you can benefit the organization clearly and logically. Search Facebook and LinkedIn to see if you can get the recruiter’s name when addressing your letter or call the receptionist and ask her. It’s not all about you, Girlfriend. Mention briefly what you can bring to the company, not just your qualifications for the position.

Unique Cover Letter Idea : 

Unique Cover Letter Idea Company’s Required Job Qualifications Your Qualifications Why not make a comparison table between the company’s job qualification requirements (not tasks) and your own? It saves the HR recruiter’s time and it will get you noticed since it’s unlikely anyone else will do it.

Next Plot on Your Career Map – The Dreaded Interview : 

Congrats Girlfriend! You landed the interview. You want to put your best foot forward so make sure you prepare for your interview as well as you are able. Consider the suggestions on the following page. Next Plot on Your Career Map – The Dreaded Interview

A Great Interview : 

A Great Interview No one likes job interviews, Girlfriend. They’re nerve-racking and they feel a little phony, don’t they? They’re a necessary evil though and you won’t land a job if you interview poorly. That said, let’s make sure that doesn’t happen: 1. Research the organization on the internet and on social media so you know something about them when you interview. Consider the impression your interviewer would make on you if she said “I haven’t bothered to read your resume. Can you tell me about yourself from birth onward?” Wouldn’t you be wondering, “then why’d you call me for the interview?” 2. Identify and rehearse answers to difficult interview questions. 3. Dress in a conservative, professional suit. Pant suits are best, followed by skirted suits. Don’t wear a dress. If you wear a skirt, always wear pantyhose no matter how hot it is outside. 4. Keep the makeup neutral and wear your hair in a sleek, professional style. 5. Offer specific examples when answering interview questions. Don’t speak in generalities. 6. Speak highly of your former boss if you have one and former colleagues. Never say anything negative about your previous place of work. 7. Don’t get too personal about your life, no matter how good the rapport you have established with your interviewer. Remember that person is assessing you the entire time you are in her office.

After the Interview : 

After the Interview You’ve had your interview and you think it went fairly well. What now? Here are some possible scenarios: Follow-up with the organization yourself. Don’t wait for them to call you. When the organization contacts you for a second interview (hooray, Girlfriend!) make sure you follow dress code according to your first interview. If you return for a second interview you obviously made a good impression the first time around. Don’t let your guard down with any interview faux pas. Even when you’re on the short list to be hired your potential employer is still checking into your background. Don’t lie about anything you are asked even if you think it might jeopardize your chances of moving forward.

First Day on the Job! : 

Congrats Girlfriend! You’ve made it, at least to Day One. The first day can be as nerve-wracking as the interview but everyone feels like that when they’re starting at a new company. Introduce yourself briefly to people in your department, don’t forget the receptionist (unless of course you are the receptionist), grab a quick cup of coffee and have a few words with your supervisor. First Day on the Job!

Next Steps ... : 

Next Steps ... Career planning never really ends. You’re in an entry level position now but that probably isn’t where you will be in 30 years. Most Gen-Xers and Gen Y’s change corporations up to 8 times in their working lives and they change careers up to 4 times. For now you are happy where you are but in the next year or so you might want to begin mapping out your new career. Here is a very simple example:

A Final Plot on Your Career Map : 

A Final Plot on Your Career Map You will revise your career map over and over during your career. That’s normal! It doesn’t mean you don’t have direction or planning, in fact quite the opposite. It means you’re open to new pathways and possibilities. Re-orient yourself, plot a new course and keep planning, Girlfriend!