CAREER OPPORTUNITIES

Professional Development and Research

Lecturer: Rositsa MilyankovaLecture 1

Aims of the unit“Professional development and

research”

To provide the opportunity for students to acquire management skills that will assist them in implementing career decisions

To equip students with research skills that they will need to develop and use effectively in order to write a dissertation or undertake a research project

Learning outcomes of the unit “Professional development and research”

Draft a Curriculum Vitae and a Letter of Application for a job

Produce a personal development portfolio Write a research proposal and research plan

that have the potential to provide the basis for the production of a dissertation or project at undergraduate level

Course outline

Preparation for result-oriented job application Of research, understanding and dissertations Philosophies of research in the social sciences Accessing and reviewing literature as part of

research Methods: Desk based research, interviews,

grounded theory, visual and observational research methods

Course outline Preparing a questionnaire. Designing a

schedule Samples and sampling Analyzing and presenting quantitative data Analyzing and presenting qualitative data Research planning and management

Indicative readings Saunders, M., Lewis, P. and Thornhill, A.

(2003) Research Methods for Business Students, 3e, FT/Prentice Hall

Easterby-Smith, M., Thorpe, R. and Lowe, A. (2002), Management Research: An Introduction, 2e, London: Sage.

CAREER OPPORTUNITIES

Recruitment process

Online applications

Pre-screening

Research

First-round interview

Assessment centre

Screening

Applicants should consider all stages in the process to be equally important

Selling yourself

Main objectives: To explore personal traits and establish

strengths and areas of potential development To consider how personality characteristics,

knowledge, skills, abilities and values are likely to affect career aspirations and choices

To know yourself in order to better sell yourself

Traditional Methods for advertisements

Employment agencies Web-information Newspaper advertisements Online vacancies / job boards Career exhibitions Internal search (in the organization)

CAREER MANAGEMENT PATH(1)KNOW YOURSELF – using diagnostic psychometric

instruments as: The Boyatzis model (1982) – competencies as

interdependency of knowledge, skills and values/attitudes

Myers Briggs Type Indicator Locus of control test Tolerance of ambiguity test Career orientation inventory Personal audit (personal SWOT analysis) Belbin self-perception inventory

CAREER MANAGEMENT PATH (2)

Career planning Research into the graduate employment

market Design future career plans and their critical

application Personal learning objectives (at least three),

related to self-diagnostics and career opportunities and challenges

CAREER MANAGEMENT PATH (3)

Sell yourself Identify your generic success criteria for business or

for your chosen occupation Design a C.V. Design a Motivation letter Access a Career service web-site for job-openings Examine critically the requirements of an on-line

application for a chosen job

CAREER MANAGEMENT PATH (4)

Selection interviews Selection interview as a structured

conversation Selection committee Interviewing methods Preliminary preparation, dress code,

behaviour, manners

CAREER MANAGEMENT PATH (5)

ASSESSMENT CENTRES (AC) Role of the AC in the selection procedure: Group discussions / panel interviews In-tray (in-basket) exercises Group work Case studies

CAREER MANAGEMENT PATH (6)

Lifelong planning How to improve your competencies in order

to be successful in achieving your personal development objectives

Reflective and critical review of your personal progress achieved

Further development needs identified

CV Design Gathering information Deciding what to include Choosing a format Sections of resume Write a resume draft Critique your resume

CV Design General approach (European, American) Language (NEVER NEGATIVE) Section by section Contact details Career summary / profile / history Academic results Hobbies & interests Not longer than 1 page

C.V.samples(http://www.cvtips.com) Clean and Simple

Example CV 2 Example CV with a border around the pageExample CV 3 Education, Reference and experience section onlyExample CV 4 Page BorderExample CV 5 Professional, Functional Cv SampleExample CV 6 Functional CV focus on qualifications and skillsExample CV 7 CV template with detailed sectionsExample CV 8 CV with example info. and instructionsExample CV 9 Cv template with suggestions and tips embeddedExample CV 10 CV template with shading in headingsExample CV 11 CV Example with detailed instructions and tips embeddedExample CV 12 Nice page borderExample CV 13 Professional Academic CVExample CV 14 Clean shaded titles with emphasis on skills CVExample CV 15 Small font CVExample CV 16 Professional CVExample CV 17 Right Aligned CV These Example CVs are to be used as a base from which to startwe encourage you to read the following materials on CV writing

General Approach To be specific / personalized Achievement based Employer benefits from your application Relevant evidence

C.V. HEADING

Includes: Photo, name, surname, local address, E-mail

address, mobile / stationary telephone number with the international dialing code, if you apply for over seas jobs

C.V. objective – a short concise statement, that may show the employer what kind of position or role you are looking for

The chronological format of the C.V.

The chronological CV shows your career progression and growth. The information flows from the present situation to the beginning of your career. The CV is easy to read and one can easily go through the career history.

The chronological CV is advised when:- When you have a solid career history, your career has flowed on the same area and there are no major gaps.- Your responsibilities have increased in each career change- You had high profile Job Roles- Your most recent jobs are the most important in your career history- The job advert specifies this kind of CV

Targeted C.V. This kind of CV is a way to focus your career towards a

particular objective, within a specific industry or a specific company.

A targeted CV is written in a way that highlights skills, qualifications and experience that match the requirements of the advertised position. Writing a targeted CV is effective when:- You know the requirements of a particular position- You know which company you will be sending your CV to- You are sending your CV in reply to a specific job advert- You need to compose different CVs each corresponding to a different career objective

Functional C.V. The functional CV emphasizes your accomplishments, skills and

qualifications at the beginning of your CV. The timeline is not an issue. Your career history is positioned at the end of your CV where you could also list small details about your previous jobs. The functional CV focuses on your skills and accomplishments rather than your life history. What you have done rather than when and where.

Employers are not happy with such CVs as they are often an indication that a candidate is trying to hide a gap or defect in his career history.

The functional CV is used in the following situations- You are looking for your first job- You do not want to advertise your age- Your major achievements happened a few years ago- You have been unemployed for a period of time- You are changing careers- You are returning to your previous career

C.V. to Resume The main difference between a CV and a Resume is brevity.

If you are applying for jobs in the US, recruiters will scan your CV for less than thirty seconds. US recruiters do not like lengthy job descriptions and personal profiles. If you have a 10 page CV you need to re write it.

In the US, more than in other countries, time is money and recruiters do not have the time to spend 11 minutes reading your life history. Your resume should be: a teaser, the hook, pass on the essential information. Do not go into lengthy descriptions of how you saved your previous employer from bankruptcy. Just say “Implemented”

Where am I now?What do I have to offer?

Where am I now?What do I have to offer?

How do I get there?How do I get there?

What is out there? Where do I want to be?

What is out there? Where do I want to be?

Action, review and development.

Action, review and development.

The DOTS Model: a process for personal and professional career development

ExperienceFrom month/year till now Last job. Short description of

tasks and responsibilities

From month/year till month/year Previous job. Short description of tasks fulfilled and

responsibilities-From month/year till month/year First job. Short description

of tasks and responsibilities

Education and trainingFrom month/year till now Name of university, major,

degree, date for graduation,basic courses, additional specialization

From month/year to Name of secondary school, month/year specialty (if any), additional

specializationFrom month/year Training (course or

till month/year seminar), who organized it, where, certificates received

Additional skills- Foreign languages: level of written or spoken

language,- Computer skills – names of products used- Driving license - category-

Others: Internet design, advertising, managerial training, specific financial skills

Cover Letter / Motivation letter or Business Proposal?

Grab attention Appeal to their self interest You are the solution (to their problem) Be specific Remember HR checklist Call to action

Language

Basic points – purpose for application General approach – personal SWOT Style, techniques, spelling & grammar Use active verbs, vary vocabulary, vary sentence

length, positive language Clear and concise Bullet points – if necessary Try to minimise use of ‘I’

JOB-RELATED CORRESPONDENCE

Letter of inquiry: In this type of query you are inquiring about possible job opportunities that fit your skills. You have to give a general area you are interested in working in.

Job Application Cover Letter or Response to an Job Advertisement: Answering a particular job advert. The important thing in the cover letter is to show that your skills match those for the job advert.

Thank You Letter: A thank you letter shows the interest you have in a position you have been interviewed for.

Acceptance Letter: In this letter you state that you are accepting the job offered.

Declination Letter: You inform your employer that you are no longer interested in the position offered.In all cases make sure you follow the

And Finally

1 - Be proactive not reactive

2 - Be employer focussed

3 - Make the CV & Cover letter specific

4 - Do your own research

5 - Follow up everything

HR Divisions’ and Agency Functions

HR

Fill a specific brief Administrative function Gatekeeper role

Agency

Fill a specific brief Time based service Paid on results

Assessment centres

Main functions of assessment centres Insights into recent experiences –

simulations (in-basket / in-tray exercises)

Decision matrix – integrating data

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Action Discipline

9.5 5.8 7.7 6.8 3.0 32.7 72.3% Offer Mech Eng

8.5 8.0 6.7 5.8 3.3 32.3 71.7% Offer Mech Eng

8.5 6.5 5.7 5.8 4.7 31.1 67.8% Offer Chem Eng

7.5 6.0 6.3 6.8 3.3 29.9 64.2% Offer Mech Eng

7.0 7.0 6.7 4.8 5.0 30.4 64.1% Offer Mech Eng

6.0 6.3 5.3 5.5 7.7 30.8 60.5% Reject PE/RE

6.0 5.8 5.7 6.8 6.3 30.5 60.3% Reject Chem Eng

8.0 7.5 3.3 1.3 4.7 24.8 58.3% Offer PE/RE

7.0 6.0 7.0 4.3 0.7 24.9 57.0% Reject E,C & I

5.0 7.8 5.3 4.8 4.3 27.2 56.3% Reject Mech Eng

5.5 3.5 7.3 7.0 6.0 29.3 55.5% Reject Chem Eng

7.5 5.8 2.7 2.3 6.7 24.8 54.7% Reject PE/RE

5.5 7.3 5.3 1.3 5.0 24.3 52.3% Reject PE/RE

8.0 3.0 4.3 3.5 4.0 22.8 51.3% Reject PE/RE

4.0 6.8 4.0 3.3 3.3 21.3 45.1% Reject Chem Eng

3.0 6.0 5.3 3.5 4.0 21.8 42.8% Reject E, C & I

The Dos and Don’ts

The Dos

• Research the company and a little bit about the industry

• Find out what the company is looking for in its graduates – and think of some examples when you’ve demonstrated these skills

• Use the career service

• Keep up to date with business and political news

• Take advantage of the opportunity to find out more about the company and the people, working there

• Answer the question that is being asked, after you understand it

•Be yourself!

The Dos and Don’ts

The Dos Stay calm, be relaxed and don’t panic

• Make sure your appearance is smart, but be comfortable

• Let the company know of anything that may affect your performance e.g. dyslexia, special desease

• Plan your journey carefully – and arrive on time

• Get a good night’s sleep!

• Be confident – and trust your own ideas

• Have fun

• Take some medication for relaxation (Lexotan??)!

The Dos and Don’ts

The Don’ts

•Tell them what you think they want to hear

•Lie

•Be afraid to ask questions

•Worry if one part doesn’t go as well as the rest

•Be too pushy

•Stay up late or drink too much

•Attend events for the sake of it

Lifelong learning

Career planning report Personal review of experience Summery of main learning points Critical review of personal development

(linked to personal learning objectives) and link to future employability

Succeeding at wok Leading projects Managing time Planning Chairing meetings Negotiating Conflict resolution Managing stress

Ten Golden Rules for Career Management(1)

1. Main C.V. objective – to win an interview2. To prepare your C.V. as a means/device to better sell

yourself 3. Choose the most suitable for you C.V. format a/ chronological b/ functional c/ targeted 4. Design a new C.V. for every job-application5. Make the C.V. as long as ONE page

Ten Golden Rules for Career Management(2)

6. Use “powerful” words as: manage, organize, sell, invent, optimize, develop, perfect, coordinate, , produce, negotiate, create, control, monitor, implement, build

7. Be concrete8. Be specific: arrange a first class presentation of the contents,

use bullets, give free space to the text “to breathe”, underline titles, use Verdana instead of Times New Roman and font size between 10 and 14, avoid fancy style, use A4 white and more specific paper – cardboard or more expensive one, print only on one side, avoid dot matrix printouts and low quality photocopies, list phone numbers on different lines

Ten Golden Rules for Career Management(3)

9. The contents of the C.V. contains three types of information:a/ professional experience ~ 78 – 80 %b/ education and training ~ 18-20 % and

c/ personal information and contacts ~ 2-4 %.N.B. Do not write nonsense - not enough space10. The personal information includes: name, gender, ID or

date of birth, recent photo, family status, children, hobbies, knowledge, skills, interests, courses, which have nothing to do with the job

N.B. Title as European format of a C.V. or any other useless inclusions sound absurd and ludicrous

Ten Golden Rules for Career Management(4)

Bonus: Check for spelling mistakes, use positive language, give, if necessary addresses of your previous employers, do not hide negative experience and

BE HONEST!!!