Chapter 12
Planning for Your
Career
Copyright © 2010 by Tapestry Press, Ltd.
Purpose of This Chapter
This chapter will help you engage in:
1.
2.
3.
Self-assessment related to work attributes
Career exploration
Planning skills
. . . that will culminate in a successful career plan.
Copyright © 2010 by Tapestry Press, Ltd.
A
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Y
O
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E
A
D
Y
?
Copyright © 2010 by Tapestry Press, Ltd.
Learning Outcomes
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
Assess your work-related: values,
interests, personality type, and skills.
Investigate career options based on your
self-assessment.
Conduct a job informational interview.
Conduct job searches.
Network.
Market yourself for a job via a résumé,
cover letter, application, portfolio, and job
interview.
Copyright © 2010 by Tapestry Press, Ltd.
CAREER DECISION-MAKING:
A Life-Long Process
1.
What you learn in this chapter will be repeated
at various times throughout your life.
2.
You will continually upgrade your career
decision-making skills to carry out realistic and
fulfilling career and life plans.  Reflect on
this—what does this mean to you?
Copyright © 2010 by Tapestry Press, Ltd.
Career planning is . . .
. . . always subject to new learning
about yourself
and about emerging careers.
Copyright © 2010 by Tapestry Press, Ltd.
Self-Assessment for Career Exploration
1.
2.
3.
4.
Values—what matters most to you
Interests—what you enjoy doing
Personality Type—your character, traits, and
nature
Skills—what you are good at
 Knowing yourself can help you find a satisfying
career.
Copyright © 2010 by Tapestry Press, Ltd.
Assess Your Values
Work Values  What you consider to be
important, worthy, or meaningful for your job
satisfaction.
A few examples: helping others, managing projects
or people, becoming wealthy, using or
developing new technology, job or family
security, working with your hands or with nature,
having a sedentary or a physical activity job,
working independently or with a team, and many
more.
Copyright © 2010 by Tapestry Press, Ltd.
Exercise 12-1: My Work Values
1.
2.
3.
Not everyone believes work and values
must be aligned.
But values often influence the kind of
work you choose.
Use your assessed work values from
Exercise 12-1: My Work Values, to help
you consider what types of jobs match
your values.
Copyright © 2010 by Tapestry Press, Ltd.
JOB VALUES  What do you consider
to be important, worthy, or meaningful?
From Exercise 12-1: My Work Values
Discuss with your classmate  After determining
your top five work values and the types of jobs
that are likely to satisfy those values, what
conclusions can you derive from Exercise 12-1?
Copyright © 2010 by Tapestry Press, Ltd.
Assess Your Interests
1.
Interests are reflected in the activities
you enjoy doing and in your affinities.
2.
Identifying your interests and finding
employment that matches your interests
obviously provides greater work
satisfaction.
Copyright © 2010 by Tapestry Press, Ltd.
Interest Interview
Use the following questions to interview a classmate.
What are your favorite hobbies?
What are your favorite recreation activities?
What political causes are important to you?
What are your scientific, artistic, and/or other
subject area interests?
5. What other activities do you enjoy?
1.
2.
3.
4.
6.
7.
See any “interest” theme from your responses?
Any conclusions about jobs that may match
your interests?
Copyright © 2010 by Tapestry Press, Ltd.
Personality Types
and Aligned
Work Environments
Copyright © 2010 by Tapestry Press, Ltd.
John Holland’s Theory of Career Choice
1.
2.
3.
Holland’s theory states that “the choice
of a vocation is an expression of
personality.”
Career choices consistent with your
personality are likely to lead to job
success and satisfaction.
Holland developed a six factor typology
to describe both persons and work
environments.
Copyright © 2010 by Tapestry Press, Ltd.
John Holland’s Theory of Career Choice
continued
4.
This theory is the best known and most
widely researched theory on this topic
and is used by most career counselors
and the U.S. Department of Labor.
5.
The next slides display and explain the
six personality types and work
environments.
Copyright © 2010 by Tapestry Press, Ltd.
The six personality and work environment
types described by Holland are as follows:
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
Realistic—practical, physical, hands-on, tooloriented (Doer)
Investigative—analytical, intellectual, scientific,
explorative (Thinker)
Artistic—creative, original, independent, chaotic
(Creator)
Social—cooperative, supporting, helping,
healing/nurturing (Helper)
Enterprising—competitive environments,
leadership, persuading (Persuader)
Conventional—detail-oriented, organizing,
clerical (Organizer)
Wikipedia  http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Holland_Codes
Copyright © 2010 by Tapestry Press, Ltd.
John Holland's Theory of Career Choice
continued
6.
You are a combination of all six
personality types.
7.
However, you are likely to be dominant in
three personality types.
8.
Holland classifies occupations using the
three highest or dominant personality
types.
Copyright © 2010 by Tapestry Press, Ltd.
Your “Holland Personality” Results
Discuss with your classmate:
1.
Based on the textbook’s John Holland
Occupational Personality Assessment,
what were your top three personality
types?
2.
and corresponding scores?
Copyright © 2010 by Tapestry Press, Ltd.
John Holland’s Hexagon model shows
relationships between the personality types/
work environments.
Note  personality
types closest to each
other are more alike
than those farther
away.
Copyright © 2010 by Tapestry Press, Ltd.
Relationship between the personality types
and work environments.
Personality Types
______________
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
Realistic
Investigative
Artistic
Social
Enterprising
Conventional
Compatible Work
Environments
________________________________
1. Realistic, Investigative, Conventional
2. Investigative, Realistic, Artistic
3. Artistic, investigative, Social
4. Social, Artistic, Enterprising
5. Enterprising, Social, Conventional
6. Conventional, Enterprising, Realistic
Copyright © 2010 by Tapestry Press, Ltd.
Continue to discuss with your
classmate. . .
Review the occupations listed in your text that are listed in
each of your top three personality types.
1.
What occupations listed in your top three personality
types are of strong interest to you?
2.
What new job titles have recently been developed (but
not listed in the text) and are likely to be listed in these
personality types?
Note: New and emerging jobs are continually added as
new fields and technologies emerge.
Copyright © 2010 by Tapestry Press, Ltd.
Assess Your Skills
1.
2.
3.
The skills you have strongly influence
your career options.
Skills are abilities you can immediately
apply in specific tasks or functions.
Marketable skills are key selling points
on your résumé—they’re the skills your
employer hired you for.
Copyright © 2010 by Tapestry Press, Ltd.
Three Types of Skills
1.
Transferrable skills are competencies you learn in
one environment that can easily be employed in
other settings.
2.
Work-specific skills are abilities you have learned
specifically for the job.
3.
Self-management skills relate to how you manage
yourself, how well you perform, and your
temperament.
 Give examples of each of the three skills above
which you possess.
Copyright © 2010 by Tapestry Press, Ltd.
Go to the O*NET Connector
http://www.onetcodeconnector.org/
. . . to learn what skills are required for a job in
which you have an interest.
Note: At this website, the work-specific skills
are called, “Detailed Work Activities.”
Copyright © 2010 by Tapestry Press, Ltd.
Job Search Strategies
Class Brainstorm:
Let’s list all the ways we can think of
to search for a job.
Copyright © 2010 by Tapestry Press, Ltd.
Informational Interviews
1.
Talking to people about their jobs/careers,
without an expectation of a job offer, is a
fantastic way to investigate career options.
2.
It is less stressful than a job interview and you
are asking the questions because you want to
learn about the job.
3.
You can learn about the pros and cons of a job
as well as the workplace.
Copyright © 2010 by Tapestry Press, Ltd.
Informational Interviews continued
4.
It’s always good to talk to several individuals to
get different takes on the job/career.
5.
Send a thank you note.
6.
You could ignite the interest of a perspective
employer—it happens occasionally!
Copyright © 2010 by Tapestry Press, Ltd.
Informational Interviews Questions
Discuss in small groups and record:

What questions you would like to ask to
learn about the job and workplace.
 Share your questions with the class.
Copyright © 2010 by Tapestry Press, Ltd.
College Placement Services
What kind of career and placement services
does our College provide?
Copyright © 2010 by Tapestry Press, Ltd.
Networking  to help you identify job openings
and make job contacts.
Some of the best jobs aren’t listed
anywhere except in the mental
catalogues of CEOs, managers, and
others in the know!
Copyright © 2010 by Tapestry Press, Ltd.
Group Brainstorm/Group Share
List possible networking contacts.
List possible places to network.
How can you prepare for networking?
1.
2.
3.



4.
How would you approach individuals?
What kinds of information will you seek?
. . . and provide?
How would you recommend following up your
networking?
Copyright © 2010 by Tapestry Press, Ltd.
Investigating
Career
Options
Copyright © 2010 by Tapestry Press, Ltd.
O*NET Resource Center
http://www.onetcodeconnector.org/
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
Is the nation’s primary source of occupational
information.
Contains information on hundreds of
standardized and occupation-specific
descriptors.
Is continually updated by surveying a broad
range of workers from each occupation.
Is an interactive application for exploring and
searching occupations.
Has career exploration tools and assessment
instruments for workers and students looking to
find or change careers.
Copyright © 2010 by Tapestry Press, Ltd.
Occupational Outlook Handbook (OOH)
(U.S. Dept of Labor) http://www.bls.gov/oco/
Use to investigate occupational information on:
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
Training and education needed
Earnings
Expected job prospects
What workers do on the job
Working conditions
In addition, the Handbook gives you job search
tips, links to information about the job market in
each state, and more.
Note: the OOH is revised every two years.
Copyright © 2010 by Tapestry Press, Ltd.
CareerOneStop (CareerInfoNet)
http://www.careeronestop.org/
Another comprehensive career resource library
containing:
1. Career exploration resources
2. Salary and benefit information
3. Education and training information
4. Job search sites for each state
5. Occupational profiles by state
6. Résumé and interview help
7. Other related services and more
Copyright © 2010 by Tapestry Press, Ltd.
Marketing Yourself
for the Job
Résumé
Cover Letter
Application
Portfolio
Job Interview
Copyright © 2010 by Tapestry Press, Ltd.
The Résumé
1.
Is the first step in marketing you for the job—concisely
listing your contact information, credentials,
achievements, work and educational background.
2.
Purpose—to get the prospective employer interested in
interviewing you.
3.
Employers want a résumé to show a clear match
between the applicant and the job.
4.
Note—there are many and varied approaches to
constructing a résumé.
5.
Give yourself plenty of time to construct your résumé
and get a competent proofreader to check it.
Copyright © 2010 by Tapestry Press, Ltd.
The Résumé
How to Instantly Catch the Reader’s Eye
1.
Identify the area(s) in which you can make a contribution.
2.
Can take one of several—or a combination—of forms:
a. Professional Objective statement:
 Should state the position you are applying for.
 Can include a strong and concise statement that shows
the employer how you meet their needs.
 May also follow with a list of qualifications you bring to
the position.
 Can also show that you can bring added value.
 Should persuade the employer to read the rest of your
résumé.
Copyright © 2010 by Tapestry Press, Ltd.
To Include or Not to Include a
Professional Objective Statement?
•
Some people choose to omit the objective
statement because they believe it is limiting.
Some employers want to see an objective to
size up your intentions.
Other employers say objectives are often
poorly written and waste space.
•
•

Discuss reasons you may or may not want
to include an objective on your résumé.
Copyright © 2010 by Tapestry Press, Ltd.
Other Résumé Openers
1. Headline statement—simply the title of the
position you’re applying for (and adjusted for
every job you apply for).
2. Branding statement—ad-like statement that
tells immediately what you can bring to the
employer.
Copyright © 2010 by Tapestry Press, Ltd.
Headline and Branding Statement
Used in Combination
Example:
PROJECT MANAGER
Specialize in upgrading business information
systems, designing strategy, managing risk,
implementing training, and improving the quality
and caliber of operations.
Copyright © 2010 by Tapestry Press, Ltd.
Another Approach (from Monster.com)
Dedicated health information technician (HIT) with seven
years of acute-care hospital medical records coding
experience. Additional four years of experience as a
medical office administrative manager in a rehabilitation
setting. Completed full-time HIT program in 2002.
Qualifications include:




Registered Health Information Technician (RHIT) certification
AAS degree in Health Information Technology
Expertise in ICD-9-CM and CPT coding
Knowledge of licensing, reimbursement and accreditation
standards
Copyright © 2010 by Tapestry Press, Ltd.
Include Accomplishments
on Your Résumé
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
Focus on accomplishments that set you apart from
other job candidates.
In each job, what special things did you do to set
yourself apart?
How did you do the job better than anyone else or than
anyone else could have done?
What were the problems or challenges that you or the
organization faced? What did you do to overcome the
problems?
What were the results of your efforts?
How did the organization benefit from your
performance?
How did you leave your employers better off than
before you worked for them?
Copyright © 2010 by Tapestry Press, Ltd.
Résumé  Group Discussion
There are many possible ways to construct
a résumé, so let’s first discuss category
headings.
1.
2.
3.
Think of all the possible category
headings you could put on a resume.
What will you name these categories?
How will you order your categories?
Copyright © 2010 by Tapestry Press, Ltd.
Résumé Tips
1.
When you see descriptions of jobs you
want, pay close attention to the skills the
employer wants, and make sure you
address them in your résumé.
2.
Always portray your skills in your résumé
as applicable to the job you seek.
Copyright © 2010 by Tapestry Press, Ltd.
Which will you choose? Why?
1.
Functional Résumé—highlights an applicant’s
specific experience and skills rather than a chronological listing of
work history experience.
2.
Chronological Résumé—highlights an applicant’s
work history starting from the most recent work experience listed
in reverse chronological order.
3.
4.
Combination of both—describe this combo.
Which type would you choose?
Copyright © 2010 by Tapestry Press, Ltd.
References
 Who
should you select for references?
Copyright © 2010 by Tapestry Press, Ltd.
Reference Tips
1.
“References furnished upon request” is not
essential on the bottom of your résumé.

It may be eliminated, especially if space is needed
for pertinent information.
2.
Have references available on another typed
sheet of paper for the interview.
3.
List at least three people (not relatives) who
have recognized your skills, accomplishments,
or performance.
Copyright © 2010 by Tapestry Press, Ltd.
Cover Letters
1.
It is important to remember that cover
letters are sales letters, and you are the
product.
2.
Cover letters serve to introduce you to an
employer, and résumés tell about you.
3.
Like the résumé, the cover letter is an
important marketing tool.
Copyright © 2010 by Tapestry Press, Ltd.
Cover Letter Format Tips
1. Make every effort to address your cover letter to a
specific person—avoid the “Dear Sir or Madam.”


Search the “about us” pages on the company web
site for names of individuals to address.
Use “Dear Employer” as a last resort.
2. Use your first paragraph to:
 State the name of the position and include the name
of a mutual contact, if you have one.
 State where you heard about the job.
 Create interest and focus on what you have to offer
relative to the employer’s needs.
 Refer to your attached/enclosed résumé.
Copyright © 2010 by Tapestry Press, Ltd.
Cover Letter continued
3. Use the next paragraph(s) of the letter to
address why you are the best candidate for the
company and specific position.

You can also communicate that you match or
exceed the qualifications/requirements listed in
the job description.
Note: Try not to repeat your résumé—just
introduce the highlights that encourage them to
read your résumé thoroughly.
Copyright © 2010 by Tapestry Press, Ltd.
Cover Letter continued
4. Conclude your cover letter by thanking the
employer for considering you for the position.
Include information on how you will follow up.
I will contact you the week of ____________.

to inquire about an interview.

OR . . . what other clever statement/reasons
could you pose for a follow-up call?
Copyright © 2010 by Tapestry Press, Ltd.
Cover Letter continued
Like a résumé . . .

There are many and varied approaches
to constructing a cover letter.

Give yourself plenty of time to construct
your cover letter and get a competent
proofreader to check it.
Copyright © 2010 by Tapestry Press, Ltd.
Do you need a Job Portfolio?
No—a job portfolio is not necessary, but it can:
1.
Make a good impression on an employer or an
interview team.
2.
Set you apart from other job candidates—
giving you a competitive edge.
3.
Showcase your skills, accomplishments, and
your quality.
Copyright © 2010 by Tapestry Press, Ltd.
Portfolio Tips
1.
Use a three-ring binder so you can add
and subtract documents.
2.
The first page of the portfolio should be
your index/overview of what is contained
in the portfolio.
3.
Documents to include  next slide
Copyright © 2010 by Tapestry Press, Ltd.
Portfolio Documents
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.
9.
10.
11.
Résumé or vitae
Most recent licenses, certificates, professional
registrations, or other credentials
Degrees and training completion certifications
Achievements and recognitions/awards
Evidence of creative projects
Writing samples and/or publications
Letters of recognition
Evidence of presentations at conferences, etc.
Photos that showcase accomplishments
Memberships and offices held in professional
organizations
What else?
Copyright © 2010 by Tapestry Press, Ltd.
Completing a Job Application—
Another Piece of Self-Marketing
Tell me some
Do’s and
Don’ts for
completing
a job
application.
Copyright © 2010 by Tapestry Press, Ltd.
The Job Interview
1.
2.
Interviewing also varies widely, based on
industry, occupation, employer, and
position.
Generally, the higher paid the job, the
longer and more rigorous the selection
process.
Copyright © 2010 by Tapestry Press, Ltd.
Interview Variances
Some Interviews include:
 Interview committees—then meet the CEO.

On rare occasions, all candidates are
interviewed in the same room, same time.

May require a writing sample, presentation, or
test during the interview process.

Any other experiences?
Copyright © 2010 by Tapestry Press, Ltd.
Interview Preparation
Learn everything you can about the
employer, the position, and
business/industry—including the major
competitors in the field.
1.

Go to the employer’s Web site and study
every page. You will likely pick up some
information and language that you can use
in the interview.
Copyright © 2010 by Tapestry Press, Ltd.
Interview Preparation continued
2.
When you set up the interview schedule, ask
who you will be talking to and how best to
prepare.
3.
Practice responding to potential questions—
even the tough questions like: “Where do you
see yourself in five years?” OR “Why are you
unemployed?”
4.
Prepare questions to ask during interviews—
for example:


“Is there any qualification for this position that you
think I am missing?”
This gives you clues about concerns you could
address further.
Copyright © 2010 by Tapestry Press, Ltd.
And don’t forget to bathe nicely for the interview!
Copyright © 2010 by Tapestry Press, Ltd.
Class Share
1.
Let’s hear about some of your
experiences with interviews.
2.
Based on your experiences, is there any
advice you have about interview
preparation?
Copyright © 2010 by Tapestry Press, Ltd.
Don’t Forget
Send a thank you e-mail after your interview.
What should you say?
Copyright © 2010 by Tapestry Press, Ltd.
Discussion: Career Changes
1.
2.
3.
Does anyone remember the days when
workers and employers remained loyal to
one another for 30 or more years?
Why are job and career changes more
frequent today?
How can you thoughtfully plan for job
and career change that will lead you to
the next position?
Copyright © 2010 by Tapestry Press, Ltd.
Career Changes
More often than not, the need for job or
career change happens unexpectedly, when
one is least prepared, and so it carries with it
fear, frustration, and immobilization.
 Reflect on this.
Copyright © 2010 by Tapestry Press, Ltd.
Key Chapter Points
1.
2.
3.
4.
Knowing your work-related values, interests,
personality type, and skills can help you find a
satisfying career.
According to John Holland, “the choice of a
vocation is an expression of personality.”
Talking to people about their jobs/careers,
without an expectation of a job offer, is a
fantastic way to investigate career options.
Some of the best jobs aren’t listed anywhere
except in the mental catalogues of CEOs and
managers—and networking helps you uncover
jobs openings and good contacts.
Copyright © 2010 by Tapestry Press, Ltd.
Key Chapter Points
5.
6.
7.
8.
continued
There are many and varied approaches to
constructing a résumé and cover letter.
Give yourself plenty of time to construct your
résumé and cover letter and get a competent
proofreader to check it.
Prepare for your interview by researching the
job and company as well as practicing
responses to questions.
Do your homework  assess your work
values, interests, personality type, and skills;
and then investigate jobs that match you.
Copyright © 2010 by Tapestry Press, Ltd.
This is my attentive interview face.
Copyright © 2010 by Tapestry Press, Ltd.