Www.CrossroadsCareer.org. © Susan Whitcomb 2009 – The Christian's Career Journey – in...

www.CrossroadsCareer.org

www.CrossroadsCareer.org© Susan Whitcomb 2009 – The Christian's Career Journey – in partnership with Career Transition Ministries Network & Crossroads Career® Network


How much do you/should you know?

• Is your tendency to “go it alone” through career changes, or get counsel/encouragement from others?

• What’s the most important thing you can lose in the job-hunting game?• Do people with positive or negative attitudes interview better?• What should you do first…network or create a resume? Are thank you

notes for interviews appropriate? Could I just send an e-mail?• Is contact management software necessary to manage your networking

list?• You know you’ll be hired when….

– Safest and Best– Less Risk and Effort


Skill Set (Do you have the employer’s “wish list”? Can you deliver significant ROI?)

Industry Experience & Education (Does it match job descriptions?)

Social Skills (Are your verbal, interpersonal skills above average?)

Motivation (How hard are you willing to work?)

Support / Network (Are you going it alone? Do you have a strong prof. network?)

Search Strategy (Are you using the right one, or the easiest one?)

Computer Skills (Do you have right tech skills for job; good computer skills for search?)

Salary (What flexibility do you have in salary?)

Time Availability (Are you putting in 8-10 hours/day; 3-5 if employed?)

Potential Obstacles (Any language barriers, potential age discrimination, weak work history, disability, etc.?)

© Susan Whitcomb 2009 – The Christian's Career Journey – in partnership with Career Transition Ministries Network & Crossroads Career® Network


Overview

• Spiritual Preparation

• Definitions

• Support

• Attitude & Aptitude

• Time Management

• Tools

• Organizational Tips


#1 – Spiritual Preparation

Draw Closer to God through Scripture (Joshua 1:8) Seek His Plan for You (Jer. 29:11-13) Trust His Timing (Psalm 27:14) Pray for Your Job Search (Psalm 90:17) Pray for Others Help Others – Earn the goodwill of your neighbor:

“What can I do to be useful to you?” (Hans Selye, quoted by Bob Buford in HalfTime)


#2 – Define…a change in?• Occupation – inclusive of employee, consultant,

contractor, part-time, franchisee

• Field – healthcare, accountant, advertising, etc

• People – they leave people, not organizations….

• Environment – flowing streams vs. cubicle farm

• Goals & Values – “wanted to go a different direction”

• Salary – usually, we want more!


What are the logical paths?• Old Occupation, Old Field – Accountant / Prof. Svcs

• New Occupation, Old Field – HR / Prof. Svcs

• Old Occupation, New Field – Accountant / Entertain

• New Occupation, New Field – Producer / Entertain


#3 - Support• Family – in every sense of a definition• Small group – light accountability• Networking groups – familiar faces• Church – “just attend?” (help them help you)• Friend – accountability and encouragement• References - insights How are you doing? “I never understood that for

someone of my qualifications and experience, it could be so complex and difficult.” vs. “Fine”


#4 – Attitude & Aptitude• Accepting Loss and Opportunity:

– Denial to Shock– Distraction to Panic– Irritation to Anger– Feeling Down to Depression– Some Stress to Physical Illness

• Discovering Your Unique Qualities– Self Assessment– Reference Assessment– Professional Assessments – StrengthsFinder, DiSC, Kolbe, etc.– Bringing It Together – what’s your purpose?


#5 – Time Management What are the odds??? Where should you spend your time…

Five Worst strategies….low success rates:

• Use the internet – 4%

• Mail out resumes to employers at random – 7%

• Answering ads in professional/trade journals – 7%

• Answering local newspaper ads – 5-24%

• Going to private employment agencies or search firms – 5-24%

Five Best strategies…high success rates:

• Networking with family, friend, and career center staff – 33%

• Knocking on the door of any employer that interests you - 47%

• Calling employers in your field of interest and asking if they have vacancies – 69%

• Group approach to point above – 84%

• Life-Changing Job-Hunt – 86%

Source: What Color is Your Parachute?


Anyone ever planned a work project?

Taken a big trip?

Built or remodeled a home?

What’s the first place you start?

WITH A PLAN!Your job search is one of the most important projects of your life!

Your Job Search is a Project


Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday

6 am

7 am

8 am

9 am RED YELLOW10 am

11 am ZONE ZONE12 noon

1 pm

2 pm

3 pm YELLOW RED4 pm ZONE ZONE5 pm

QUIET TIME AND PRAYER

Green Zone

God gives each of us 168 hours/week

Be a good steward … invest your time wisely

© Susan Whitcomb 2009 – The Christian's Career Journey – in partnership with Career Transition Ministries Network & Crossroads Career® Network


#6 - Tools• E-mail: ensure it’s a professional address (i.e. not “machoman”)

• Websites– Commercial service: companies/individuals pay to access… Monster.com, Hotjobs.com, etc.

– Proprietary headhunter: help headhunters earn fees… FutureStep, Leadersonline

– Proprietary corporate: help companies save on fees

– Executive Interface: charge executives… Exec-U-Net.com, NetShare.com, Searchbase.com

– Altruistic – primarily public service…ajb.org, shrm.org, Ritesite.com

• Books: What Color is Your Parachute? Rites of Passage…

• Resume

• 30 second resume – the elevator speech

• Marketing piece

• Business cards

• Cell phone or business line

• PC and printer

• Form letters

• Appropriate clothing for interviewing

• Cards – for all occasions


#7 – Organizational Tips• Goals – written out for each week• Call sheets – keep track• Home Portal (Crossroadscareer.org)• Journal – reflect and manage the attitude. • Practice Schedule• Lists, Lists, and more Lists:

– Goals– Websites visited and applicability– Website postings for targets– Jobs applied for at those targets – Companies: both targets and “NO’s”– Networking: Made and to be made– Connections: Remember “how”– Follow up needed

Www.CrossroadsCareer.org. © Susan Whitcomb 2009 – The Christian's Career Journey – in...

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