CAREER PLANNING WORKSHOP
BY
A D R I A N H A M I LTO N ( C M AT H , F I M A )
President Roosevelt’s Speech
From his speech
Our response
 So, first of all, let me assert my
 Fear following being made
firm belief that the only thing
we have to fear is fear itself
 Nameless, unreasoning,
unjustified terror
 Which paralyzes need efforts to
convert retreat
 Into advance
redundant or too many refusals
of jobs applied for
 Can lead to e.g. panic attacks,
despair
 Look at where we are and have
come from (CV)
 Market campaign from job
search methods through to job
interview
Outline of a CV
Profile (Pen Picture of Facts)
Achievements
Career Progression
Other Relevant Facts
Profile
 Management level
 Business areas
 Functions carried out
 Areas of particular expertise
 Abilities, strengths
Achievements
 Some selected achievements
 Excerpts from experience
 Leading to abilities and strengths in the first section
Career Progression
 Start from most recent
 Dates, name of organisation, what it does

Explain any gaps, especially if recent
 Key tasks and responsibilities
Other Relevant Facts
 Education, qualifications, training
 Outside work experience, interests, personal

Only include languages if fluent

Only include interests if prepared to discuss with an enthusiastic
interviewer
Example Key Achievement with Action Words
 To ease the workload…..
 I wrote a FORTRAN simulation program…..
 I designed the program to be efficient in terms of core
storage and run time. As a result I was able to carry out a
large number of parametric runs of the model. Based on
analysis of the results from the model, I made a number of
firm recommendations on management, pre-planning and
‘live’ control decisions related to outpatient return journeys
 Finally, I wrote a complete account of the work done…..
 The customer was very interested….
Example Unique Abilities
 A rational step-by-step approach to solving difficult problems
 Gets the most out of those she supervises enabling them to
produce quality work

A unique ability may be base on more than one key achievement

In choosing key achievements they should not be too repetitive
Job Search Methods (1)
Pros
Cons
Cold approach
̶
 Simple (one letter)
 Useful if growing company
There may be no job available
̶ Low success rate (<10%)
Response to adverts
 There is (usually) a job
 Adverts provide info on what is
happening in the market place
̶
Effort required to respond to
each advert
̶ Competition, especially
internal recruits
Job Search Methods (2)
Pros
Cons
Recruitment agencies
 A friend between you and the
recruiting company
 Can offer advice e.g. on the
market
̶
Someone has to pay the
agent’s fees
̶ Cannot prepare for or take part
in job interviews
Job Search Methods (3)
Pros
Cons
Contact Networks (Referral)
 Get to know what it is like to
work in a given field
 People like to give advice and
receive recognition
 Build up a network of experts
who know you
̶
Takes time to build up
̶ Occasionally some may not
wish to talk with you or pass on
further contacts
Referral Interview Steps
 Begin referral meetings with people you already know




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(lecturers, department heads, institutions/members)
Plan the meeting – aims, objectives, agenda (plan for a
short meeting, typically 20 min)
Send a letter
Make a telephone call simply to set up an appointment
(day, time, place)
Hold the meeting
Send a thank you letter promptly (same day)
Letter to Contact
 Opening to establish your connection
 The reason for writing
 Disclaimer not asking for a job or knowing of one
 You are asking for help and advice in your job campaign
 Acknowledge his time is valuable (no more than 20 min)
 Commitment to phone soon to set up a meeting
 Examples in hand out of:
 Letter to a primary contact
 Letter to a referred contact
Referral Interview Agenda
 Establish rapport (thank, disclaimer, interest in contact)
 Tell the contact about yourself
 Get advice and information, e.g.
 Options for you in his field
 Options in other fields
 Would your CV (or better résumé) get through his door?
 Sources of information on jobs in his area
 Ask for referrals (full details, permissions)
 Could you help your contact in turn?
 Any further information from him or her would be appreciated
Referral Telephone Call
 Prepare for call
 Have time available
 Have your diary ready
 Hand draft script of what you want to say
 Anticipate objections, e.g. “I don’t see how I can help you”
 During the call
 Do not hurry, be deliberate and composed
 It may be useful to stand up during the call - focuses mind and body
 Finishing the call
 Thank him or her, confirming the date, time and place
 Do not hold the meeting over the phone!
Responding to Job Advert
Advert Text
Your Response
 Be an effective
 My enthusiasm for the subject is
communicator
 Have an ability to
influence decision
makers
infectious when passing on
knowledge and love of a subject
to colleagues, people I supervise
and those I teach
 My considerable skill in
presenting written information…..
influencing decision makers. Also
I have made a considerable
number of successful
presentations to senior
management and customers
Presentation of Excellence (1½ - 2 min)
 Response to the question “Tell us about yourself”
 Start with your career objective
 Should match the job but not parrot the job advert
 Your current or last job or course
 Details include responsibilities, business areas, functions carried out
 What I can bring to you are:
 Start with key unique ability and as appropriate include back up
experience
 In summary I can deliver…
 Is there anything you would like me to elaborate on?
Some Job Interview Dos and Don’ts (1)
Dos
Don’ts
 Research company
 Unprepared and not
 Rehearse answers to
difficult questions
 Adopt a friendly,
professional approach to
all those you meet
 Listen, empathise, watch
for body language





knowing what you want
Arriving late
Dripping nose and no
handkerchief
Leaving mobile on
Poor appearance
“Fencing” interviewer
Some Job Interview Dos and Don’ts (2)
 Do ask questions when
prompted, e.g.

You said you wanted
someone with a commerce
background – what else does
the ideal candidate need to
succeed in this position?
 Don’t bring a dog!
Objectives
 List the four parts into which a CV is divided
 Write up an achievement from your own career or other
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
experiences
Define one key unique ability based on your
achievements
List four methods of job searching
List three advantages of referral interviews
Draft a response to a job advert
Field four difficult job interview questions