HOW TO CHANGE LANESHosted by UCF Alumni Engagement

With Lynn Chisholm, ’80FSU Adjunct InstructorSpeech-Language PathologistCareer “Enthusiast”

Introduction and OverviewChanging Lanes and Finding our “Next”!

• Setting the stage for this conversation, preparing ourselves

• The Resume – how to present your skills and experience in a waythat will get the employer’s attention

• Networking – how to expand your connections, since 80% offinding the right job is through networking

• Your Brand – because this is how you “sell” yourself and connectwho you are to are to the position you’re seeking.

• In between each section we’ll invite you to use chat to ask questions or offer ideas!

70% of the workforce is looking to change careers

Average tenure in a job is approximately 4 years

14% state that they are in their “dreamjob”

60% cite time as a barrier to changing careers

62% cite money as a barrier to changing careers

50% see educational requirements as the barrier

I’ve been absolutely terrified every moment of my life and it has never kept me from doing a single thing I wanted to do.

~ Georgia O’Keefe, Artist

Yes, it is scary to change lanes!And yes, you can do it!

Have you ever felt like this?

Let’s not just “throw things at the wall to see if they stick” when it comes to our careers! Let’s be intentional, let’s take positive action and learn along the way, let’s make professional contacts, let’s establish a dynamic career goal so that it grows with us, and let’s establish the brand of “Me Inc.” as we set out to discover our “next”!

Let’s start with reflecting on OURSELVES

• is it time for a change, are you ready for the challenge?

• set your professional goals and know where you’re headed

• identify and deliver on your brand

• focus and act intentionally as you target job/career opportunities

• define and pursue your purpose and passion (linear career myth)

• be true to yourself as you figure out your “next”

Knowing yourself is the beginning of all wisdom.” - Aristotle

The Resume – how to set yourself up for next

• What is this step and why is it important?

• The resume is your dossier of experience and qualifications – it must align with the job – pull “buzz words” that fit you from the position description to help you clear the on-line candidate management system.

• The cover letter is your chance to introduce yourself, telling your focused story as relates to this job/opportunity, and how you uniquely fit it.

• Two words: edit yourself

• Check for the REQUIREMENTS and state how you meet them

• Read for the SKILLS and QUALFICATIONS and share how you meet them

• Echo the CHARACTERISTICS and “seeking” DESCRIPTION words as you describe yourself

• EDIT your content for that which most closely algins with the employer and position -don’t include everything because it is distracting, and you want to help them focus on YOU.

Job/Promotion Seeker Pitfalls –stand out for the right reasons!

RESUME: too long; long unedited laundry list of “awesomeness”; errors; poorly formatted; not aligned

COVER LETTER: too pushy; no enthusiasm; TMI; no “story” to the work history or position interest

INTERVIEW: rambles; doesn’t answer the question; didn’t do the research; only qualifies through “passion”; didn’t prep; no drive; too generic

BRAND: unclear, unfocused, inconsistent, no “sizzle”

ATTIRE: not cleaned/pressed; sloppy; unprofessional; too much skin; out of sync with company’s culture

Be strategic and objective as you review a job opportunity.

What certifications or skill sets do you need to demonstrate?

How have you met the requirements?

What experience can you pull forward as evidence? Highlight and align your skills as they meet the qualifications.

A “gap” may mean that you don’t get to board that train if it is critical to the job/role! Find meaningful ways to fill the gap.

Getting in the door – share in CHAT

Maximizing your Network• Which social media platforms should you be using and why?

• The key is to be intentional about the site and the content and about how you use your social media resources.

• LinkedIn, ePortfolio, professional web sites, professional associations, and always – UCF Alumni Engagement for UCF Knights Network!

• Shake off your “analysis paralysis” and act out your career in these spaces. You can always correct your course once you start enacting it.

• Informational Interviews – the best easy thing you can do!

“Alone we can do so little; together we can do so much.” – Helen Keller

• Google yourself -- they will! Professional sites should pop up first. If not, then you have some work to do!

• Complete and update your profile on LinkedIn and actively use it to push this to the top of the Google search results on YOU.

• Post a professional picture; link your resume; connect to professional associations; become active on the site. Work that LinkedIn!

• Network by making a positive contribution to the community: share articles, repost, reach out to comment; write a blog, stretch connections.

A closer look at your social media footprint

Networking:

• Find your “low hanging fruit”. What are the quick and easy actions that boost your network? Contacts can lead to new contacts.

• Connect with both individuals and professional groups of interest that support your career goals. Dual purposes, equally important!

• What about an ePortfolio or a professional website? Depending on your industry this is may be even more important.

• Creating and cultivating your presence on social media can attract the attention of recruiters!

• The informational interview - talk with someone who does what you think you might want to do. Low risk – it’s just a conversation!

A closer look at your social media footprint

Networking:

Social Media Nightmares

Comment in chat –what can you/did you do to fix a social media nightmare?

Develop your NEXTwork!

Find and cultivate your network of professional

contacts

Join a professional association!

Set up an informational interview!

Establish a mentor!

Your UCF Knights Network is an amazing resource to help

you with these steps!

Informational Interview – step 1 - establishing contact with a SME (subject matter expert)

• If you can start with an established contact, that’s easiest, but you can reach out via an established network such as LinkedIn or UCF Knights Network.

• Start the conversation: … “I’m hoping you can help me out with this based on your position and experience…”

• It’s sort of a “reverse elevator pitch” – let them know why you’re reaching out to them and why – we’re both UCF grads from 2018, we both know Janelle Jones, your career path is one that I admire, I’m a big fan of Acme Company… find and highlight the connection.

• Courtesy is the key – they are/would be doing you a favor!

• Prepare your questions based on what might help you with your process of learning more about the job/career/role.

https://www.livecareer.com/resources/interviews/prep/informational-interviewing

https://www.livecareer.com/resources/interviews/prep/informational-interviewing

Branding – highlighting your “value add”

• It’s simple: you’re the product. Who better to market you than you. But first you need to create a clear brand!

• Think of yourself as the CEO of Me Inc. – why should someone hire you? What is your special sauce? What good things happen when you’re on the job/project?

• You can’t be all things to all people, so take the risk to focus your story on your “magic” so that you can put yourself out there confidently.

• Talk the talk, walk the walk, walk the talk, look the part, be the ball. Getting your brand “tight” takes some effort!

“Brand is what people say about you after you leave the room.”– Peter Drucker

Brand – let’s break it down:▪ Identity (I am a _____________)

▪ Image (how we ‘represent’; our appearance or look)

▪ Character (do we walk the talk; reputation)

▪ Culture (our brand’s value; org fit/alignment)

▪ Personality (how we live our brand)

▪ Essence (brand “soul” – is it my mission?)

▪ Mission statement – what’s important to you and why you do what you do? Be prepared to state this.

Back to BasicsTo sum it up – brand to the role and the company, keeping your appearance modern, classic, and crisp; aim for accessible and relatable.

So, as we wrap up, we’ve shared resources, tools, tips and (hopefully) inspiration to help you get moving on your career plan, action steps, shift, pivot, or re-launch!

Please add any other thoughts or questions to chat!

• Need help?

UCF Alumni Engagement has got your back! www.ucfalumni.com

Resources and opportunities just for alumni!

UCF and the State of Florida host virtual career fairs to enable you to connect with employers who are hiring!

UCF Knights Network, regional chapters and clubs, mentorship, networking and more! https://ucfalumni.com/

Once a KNIGHT, always a KNIGHT#KnightNation

http://www.ucfalumni.com/https://ucfalumni.com/https://ucfalumni.com/

You’ve got this!

Thank you for the investment of your time and attention today!Remember that the journey to a

satisfying career is created through many small steps and you’ve taken one important one today!