Career Development
Strategies
Developing Business Practice
– 302LON
Unit: 7 Knowledgecast: 2
Module Learning Outcomes
In this Knowledgecast, we will:
• Demonstrate a critical understanding of the importance of
independence in learning and the need for a ‘growth’ mindset
• Evaluate own skills, competencies and attitudes required for a
successful work experience
• Develop an effective employment and career development strategy
Module Overview
Unit
1
Developing as a learner
2
Working independently and with others
3
Academic writing
4
Critical thinking, reading and taking notes
5
Using data in your studies
6
Business and management research
7
Career development strategies
8
Effective self marketing tools
9
Successful work experience
10
Personal Development Planning
5 Key Strategies for Career Success
Know your
skills and
strengths
Contact
potential
employers
Present
yourself
professionally
Present
yourself
successfully
Positive Thinking
Based on:
Cameron (2009)
Career Skills: Networking
Networking successfully requires that you are always:
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
Positive – know your career direction and
Focused – know why you are contacting a contact
Prepared – clear about what you are looking for from a contact
Professional – able how to present yourself and engage others
Appreciative – send thank you notes for their time and advice
Career Skills: Your Elevator Pitch
The Hook
• Grab their
interest
• How can
you help
with an
issue
The Benefit
• Give them
3 benefits
• Why are
you an
attractive
option?
The Action
• Tell them
your
follow up
• What will
you do
now?
Career Skills: Preparing to Influence
What are their objectives?
What is their work environment like?
What will they lose if they don’t have me?
Why would I be an asset?
How does this link to their objectives?
Career Skills: Influencing Others
Establish a rapport
Understand their objectives and views
Explain how you can help achieve their objectives
Explain how your offer works
Explain how your offer benefits them
Check out how comfortable they are to proceed
Career Skills: Informational Interviews
The benefits of an Informational Interview are:
•
•
•
•
•
A realistic view of an industry, organisation or job role
Develops your professional contacts
Develops your confidence in interacting with employers
Provide realistic advice to help about your entry into the field
Gain suggestions for part-time and temporary jobs to develop useful
skills and experience
• Receive advice on what to emphasise on a CV and during a job
interview to demonstrate a ‘good fit’
Career Skills: Building Your Network
Your Network can be built using:
•
•
•
•
Previous working relationships
Attending specific networking events
Attending events with like-minded people
Using social networking sites
5 Key Strategies for Career Success
Know your
skills and
strengths
Contact
potential
employers
Present
yourself
professionally
Present
yourself
successfully
Positive Thinking
Based on:
Cameron (2009)
Career Skills: Building Your Self-Belief
The beliefs your
hold
affects
affects
The results from
situations and
how you
interpret them
affects
The rights you
give yourself
and others
Your behaviour
in a range of
situations
affects
Career Skills: Positive Thinking
STRENGTHS
• What are you most confident
about?
• What are you looking forward to?
• What are you enjoying now?
OPPORTUNITIES
• How do you feel about developing
your self-confidence?
• What’s coming up where you can
try new things out?
WEAKNESS
• What don’t you feel confident
about?
• What are your fears?
• What stops you from feeling more
positive?
THREATS
• What are the downsides about
changing your attitudes?
• What would have to be different to
feel more positive or confident?
What are we going to cover next?
In our next Knowledgecast, we will look at:
• Evaluate current academic, self-marketing and personal skills and
present a plan for developing skills
• Discuss the value of reflection and self-evaluation as a learner
• Evaluate own skills, competencies and attitudes required for a
successful work experience
• Develop an effective employment and career development strategy
Knowledgecast Summary
In this Knowledgecast, we have looked at:
• Demonstrate a critical understanding of the importance of
independence in learning and the need for a ‘growth’ mindset
– Understanding the beliefs you hold about yourself and their influence on your
career development strategy
• Evaluate own skills, competencies and attitudes required for a
successful work experience
– Role of key networking skills and competences when contacting potential
employers
• Develop an effective employment and career development strategy
– Planning your positive impact when contacting potential employers
Seminar: Regular Assignment 2
Independence and Reflection:
the ingredients for successful learners?
Prepare and deliver a Group Presentation.
Group Presentations – Cohort One
• You have 10 minutes to deliver your presentation
• Time will be allocated for questions from the audience
• Every member of the presenting group will be required to participate
Group Activity: Regular Assignment 2
Independence and Reflection:
the ingredients for successful learners?
Prepare and deliver a Group Presentation.
Group Presentations – Cohort Two
• You have 10 minutes to deliver your presentation
• Time will be allocated for questions from the audience
• Every member of the presenting group will be required to participate