Your Career: How to Make It Happen, Tenth Edition
By Lisa M.D. Owens, Crystal Kadakia and Lauri Harwood
Contents:
Preface. viii
PART 1 Prepare for the Journey 2
CHAPTER 1 The Job Search Journey . 4
The Five Phases of the Job Search Journey 5
Organize Your Job Search 6
Set Up Your Career Builder Files 9
Develop a Successful Attitude 11
Maintain a Positive Outlook 11
Set Goals for Your Job Search 12
Manage Your Time 14
Find Positive Support Through Social Networking 14
Be Proactive 15
CHAPTER 2 Know Yourself to Market
Yourself. 29
Take a Personal Inventory 30
Your Education and Training 30
Your Work Experience and Skills 31
Your Job-Specific Skills 31
Your Contributions 31
Your Transferable Skills 32
Tools for Deeper Self-Assessment 34
Your Online History 34
Develop Your Personal Brand Statement and 30-Second Commercials 36
Prepare Your 30-Second Commercials 37
Showcase Your Personal Brand Statement Online 42
CHAPTER 3 Picture Yourself in the Workplace . 61
Recognize Differences Between Workplaces 62
Lifestyle Difference 62
Preferences on the Job 62
Culture: Yours and Theirs 63
Discovering Your Ideal Workplace 64
The Employer/Employee Relationship 65
Workplace Behavior and Conduct 66
Explore Career Fields and Workplace Possibilities 69
In-Demand Industries and Occupations 69
Explore Online Resources for In-Demand Careers 71
Explore Possibilities for Hidden Jobs 71
PART 2 Create Your Resume 88
CHAPTER 4 Plan Your Resume. 90
What Is a Resume? 91
The Role of Resumes in Warm Introductions
versus Cold Leads 91
Plan Your Resume Content 93
Organize Your Resume 93
Your Resume Sections 93
Work Experience 97
Optional Resume Sections 99
Prepare Related Materials 101
Gather Information 101
References 102
Align Your Business Card 103
CHAPTER 5 Write Your Resume. 121
Write Your Resume 122
Be Purposeful 122
Use Specific Examples 122
Use Action Verbs 123
Optimize Keywords for Search 124
Edit Your Resume 127
Common Grammar Mistakes to Avoid 127
Be Clear and Concise 128
Format Your Resume 129
Print Resume 129
Creating a Plain Text Resume 130
Customize Your Resume 132
Your Resume Online 133
Sample Resumes 134
PART 3 Apply for Jobs 160
CHAPTER 6 Find Job Openings . 162
The Career Network Strategy for Finding
Job Openings 163
Define Who Is in Your Network 163
Evaluate the Quality and Size of Your Current Career
Network Connections 164
Expand Your Network 165
Seek High-Quality Contacts Whenever Possible 166
Keep Track of Your Network 168
Put Your Network to Work for You 169
Your Career Network Meetings 170
What Is a Career Network Meeting? 170
Request a Career Network Meeting 170
Why Connect? 170
What’s the Goal? 170
How to Connect? 170
Accept or Decline? 172
When and Where? 172
Be Prepared for Your Career Network Meeting 172
Meet With Your Connection 173
Follow Up 175
The Cold Leads Strategy for Finding Jobs 175
Use Job Sites Selectively 176
Compare Job Postings to Your Job Target 177
Apply Quickly and Directly 177
Keep Track of Applications and Selectively Follow up 177
Identify Which Job Postings Are a Good Match 180
Evaluate Your Qualifications for Job Openings 180
Determine the Best Match for You 181
Make the Best Match Job Postings a High Priority 181
CHAPTER 7 Write Job Applications. 195
Apply for Jobs 196
Application Forms 196
Preparation and Practice 196
Online Job Applications 197
Personal Information 198
Start Date 198
Education 198
Employment History 198
References 201
Difficult Job Application Questions 202
Sign the Application or Submit It 203
Applying Using a Common Application 203
Other Types of Job Application Forms 203
Job Application Package with a Cover Letter 206
What Is a Job Application Package? 206
Write Cover Letters 207
Tips for Writing Effective Cover Letters 211
Customize the Content 212
Follow Up with the Employer 213
Sample Cover Letters 214
PART 4 Shine at Interviews 228
CHAPTER 8 Know the Interview Essentials . 230
Key Elements of Successful Interviews 231
Your Attitude—The No. 1 Factor 231
Dress for Success 232
Use Active Listening Skills 232
Use Positive Body Language 233
Develop Assertive Body Language 233
Speak Well for Yourself 234
Find Out the Basics Online 237
Be Aware of Business Etiquette 238
Get an Interview 238
Direct Requests for Interviews 239
Indirect Strategies for Landing Interviews 241
Get Through to an Employer 241
Develop a Relationship with Your Target Employer 242
Stay on the Journey Between Interviews 244
CHAPTER 9 Prepare for Your Interview . 257
Prepare for Pre-Employment Tests 258
The Personality Test 258
The Skills Test 258
The Technical Test 258
The Computerized Test 258
Taking Employment Tests 258
Prepare for Common Interview Styles 260
Screening Interview 261
Computer-Based Interview 261
Campus Interview 261
Phone Interview 262
Video Interview 262
Behavioral Interview 263
Panel Interview 263
Team Interview 264
Investigate the Interview Process Online 264
Prepare for Typical Interview Questions 265
General Information Questions 266
Behavioral Questions 267
Character Questions 269
Difficult or “Stress” Questions 270
Remaining Cool Under Stress 271
Inappropriate Questions 274
Ask Good Questions to Stand Out 274
Good Questions to Ask 274
Turnoff Questions to Avoid 275
CHAPTER 10 Interview Like a Pro. 285
Participate in Practice Interviews 286
Set Up Practice Interviews 286
Interview with Someone in Your Career Field 287
Do Your Homework Before Every Interview 288
Demonstrate That You Are Interested 288
Be Convincing with Your Examples and
30-Second Commercial 290
Be Ready for an Offer 291
Be Physically Prepared for the Interview 292
Review the Interview Preparation Checklist 292
Prepare an Interview Survival Pack 293
Using Your Marketing Materials 293
Last-Minute Preparations 295
Close the Interview in Your Favor 296
Clarify What to Expect Next 296
Use Your Clincher 296
Close the Interview Skillfully 296
Part 5 Connect, Accept, and Succeed 314
CHAPTER 11 Stay Connected with Potential
Employers. 316
Follow Up After the Interview 317
Evaluate the Interview 317
Plan Your Follow-Up Tasks 318
Craft Your Online Follow-Up Strategy 321
Evaluate Job Offers 322
Negotiate a Good Compensation Package 323
Research Compensation Trends in Your Field 325
Salary Negotiation Tips 325
Respond to a Job
Offer Professionally 328
When the Answer Is Yes 328
When the Answer Is No Thanks 329
CHAPTER 12 Dealing with Disappointment. 341
If You Don’t Get Interviews 342
More Sources 342
Right Jobs 342
Fewer Applications 342
Customized Packages 343
Refreshed Resume 343
If Interviews Don’t Lead to Job Offers 343
Manage Your Online Presence 345
Strategies for Better Outcomes 346
Prepare and Respond 346
Consider Other Departments 347
Don’t Be Afraid to Reapply 347
Be Persistent 347
CHAPTER 13 Take Charge of Your
Career. 355
Onboard Quickly to Your New Job 356
Project a Positive, Competent Image 356
The First Weeks, Step by Step 357
Learn About Your Job 357
Learn What Skills and Processes You Will Use 357
Learn About Your Company 358
Learn About Key Relationships 359
Build Great Work Relationships 359
Develop a Good Relationship with Your Immediate
Manager 360
Develop Good Relationships with Your Coworkers and Team
Members 361
Develop Good Relationships with Internal Customers 362
Diversity in the Workplace 362
Manage Your Career 364
Learn About Your Compensation and Benefits 364
Earn Your Advancement or Promotion 365
Adapt to Changes in Your Employer and Industry 368
The Value of Staying Externally Connected 368
Is It Time for a Change? 369
Think Carefully before Changing Jobs 369
Strategies if You Want to Change Jobs 370
Changing Careers 372
Reassess Your Situation 373
Be Realistic 373
Appendix Your Career: Making It Happen . 389
Phase 1: Prepare for the Journey 389
- Organize Your Job Search 389
- Assess and Market Yourself 390
- Explore Career Fields 390
Phase 2: Create your Resume 390
- Plan Your Resume 390
- Write Your Resume 391
Phase 3: Apply for Jobs 393
- Find Job Openings 393
- Write Job Applications 393
Phase 4: Shine at Interviews 394
- Prepare and Practice 394
- Take Pre-Employment Tests 394
- Interview Like a Pro 394
BEFORE YOUR INTERVIEW 394
DURING YOUR INTERVIEW 395
AFTER YOUR INTERVIEW 396
Phase 5: Connect, Accept, and Succeed 397
- Stay Connected with Potential Employers 397
- Develop Strategies 397
- Take Charge of Your Career 397
Glossary . 398
Index . 401