job search - Capella University

JOB SEARCH Capella University 225 South Sixth Street, Ninth Floor Minneapolis, MN 55402

JOB SEARCH

TABLE OF CONTENTS INTRODUCTION ........................................................................................................................3 Identifying What You Have to Offer Employers ......................................................................4 What is an Accomplishment? ....................................................................................... 4 Identifying Your Accomplishments ................................................................................ 5 Writing Your Accomplishments as Stories ...................................................................... 6 Analyzing Your Stories for Skills ................................................................................... 9

Communicating Your Accomplishments Effectively ............................................................10

Identifying Relevant Accomplishments ........................................................................ 10 Including Accomplishments on Your Resume and in a Cover Letter ................................. 13 Sharing an Accomplishment in an Interview ................................................................ 17 Creating a Professional Introduction ........................................................................... 18

Developing Targeted Connections ........................................................................................19

Identifying and Researching Employers ....................................................................... 19 Making Strategic Connections .................................................................................... 21 Developing Relationships........................................................................................... 22

Conclusion ..............................................................................................................................24 Job Search Summary .............................................................................................................25

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Welcome to your Effective Job Search Strategies Workbook! The videos and instructions in this workbook will guide you through the steps necessary to become a preferred candidate for the job you want. To get the most out of this process, save your work in the workbook. As you complete the workbook activities, your entries will populate your final individualized Job Search Summary, found at the end of this workbook. Start by adding your contact information: Name: Phone: Email:

Throughout this workbook, you will see the following four icons: This play symbol shows the link to the accompanying video for each section. This pencil symbol denotes an activity where you will apply the information you’ve just learned to your personal job search. This career counselor symbol shows additional tips and suggestions that you might find helpful. This Capella logo indicates additional resources that are available to Capella University students and alumni.

Are you ready to learn the secrets behind an effective job search? Let’s get started!

INTRODUCTION Watch this video to learn how someone gets hired. Identify your job search goal. Targeting a goal for your job search will help you to stay focused while completing this workbook. Write your specific job search goal in the box below. Example Goal: Example Goal:

To obtain a Project Manager position

Career Counselor Quick Tip: If you aren’t sure what type of job you are seeking, consider checking out the Career Exploration series to learn more about what is important to you and what types of jobs might be a fit.

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IDENTIFYING WHAT YOU HAVE TO OFFER EMPLOYERS

What is an Accomplishment? Watch this video to better understand the difference between job duties and accomplishments. This activity will help you to understand the difference between a statement of job duties and an accomplishment statement. Read the list of job duties in the left column below. Find the accomplishment statement in the right column that most closely relates to each job duty. Write the letter of the coordinating accomplishment statement in the boxes on the left. 1) Create engaging curriculum and a rich learning environment for students. 2) Provide education services to clinical nursing staff regarding the clinical specialty. 3) Responsible for meeting the individual needs of residential mental health clients by providing support, guidance, training and supervision. 4) Manage assigned project activities in order to meet or exceed client and company expectations 5) Prepare and provide employee training and/or presentations 6) Lead, develop, and manage technology projects in a complex environment with multiple business customers and vendors/alliances

A) Increased patient satisfaction 5% by training all clinical nurses on updated procedures and instituting regular procedural reviews. B) Led technology upgrade project, adding functionality and revenue generation potential, by coordinating multiple vendors and managing project team of five developers and testers. C) Earned Star Employee award for exceeding client expectations by delivering project two weeks before deadline, saving $10K, and leading to $1M in further business from client. D) Built therapeutic relationships with clients through listening, providing support during high stress situations, and making referrals to agencies, promoting client stabilization. E) Obtained 100% positive course evaluations and improved student pass rate by 5% after updating course materials to align with textbook and including interactive modules.

Key: 1-E, 2-A, 3-D, 4-C, 5-F, 6-B

F) Shortened new-hire onboarding time 25% by designing and delivering training, incorporating both online modules and classroom presentations. 4|Page

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Identifying Your Accomplishments Watch this video to learn how to identify your accomplishments. We’ve created this activity to help you identify your accomplishments. Remember, these accomplishments can come from work, school, or volunteer and community involvement. 1. Allow yourself some time (15 – 20 minutes) to brainstorm all of the accomplishments you remember or are most proud of. 2. Use the boxes below to make quick notes about your accomplishments. We’ve provided accomplishment categories to prompt your memory. Saving Time Examples of saving time: shortening a procedure, optimizing a process, investing in new technology, re-training staff, identifying inefficiencies, or changing a schedule I saved time by:

Saving Money Examples of saving money: using supplies more effectively, eliminating unneeded reports, contracting with a new vendor, reducing underperforming programs, properly scheduling staff, recruiting volunteers I saved money by:

Making Money Examples of making money: increasing sales, expanding class offerings, developing new services, inventing something, winning a grant, enrolling new participants, retaining clients/customers/students, developing partnerships, upselling customers, extending contracts I made money by:

Reducing Risk Examples of reducing risk: meeting government requirements, improving testing, fixing a problem, ensuring safety standards met, decreasing negative behaviors, increasing positive behaviors, resolved conflict between team members I reduced risk by:

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Improving Quality Examples of improving quality: upgrading system or software, updating a course, conducting employee training, implementing new procedures or best practices I improved quality by:

Recognition Examples of recognition: winning an award, being promoted, earning a certification/degree, receiving positive feedback, earning a bonus I was recognized for:

Writing Your Accomplishments as Stories Watch this video to learn how to write your accomplishments as stories. Relevant accomplishment stories will help provide evidence that you can do what you say you can do, and should include these parts: Challenge – Problem to overcome, goal to reach, or requirement to fulfill Action – Specific actions you took to resolve the challenge, solve the problem, or meet the requirement Result – Benefit or outcome to the organization, employer, or client in specific and measurable terms Details – Clarifying details are integrated throughout to provide context (consider answering how many, how much, how long, or how often) Completing this activity will help you write your own accomplishment stories. 1. Pick 5 of the accomplishments you’ve brainstormed in activity #3 and write out the details of the story using the CARD format in the workspace (you will be filling in the remaining rows later). 2. Give each accomplishment story a short title by which to remember it. Action Word List

Career Counselor Quick Tip: • Try to keep the challenge to one or two sentences • Start each of your actions with a verb, pertaining to the result • Think about how your actions benefited your employer or organization, or your client

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Accomplishment Story Workspace: Example #1: Title: Training Redesign Challenge: Project transition time was taking too long to meet the clients’ needs (situation, and budget. problem, requirement) Actions: Analyzed the training currently offered, proposed changes to the material (specific and presentation and gained management approval. Redesigned and actions you delivered the training to 100 key stakeholders. took to resolve the challenge) Result: With the new training, project transition time was reduced 25%. (the benefit created in specific and measurable terms) Story #:1 Challenge: (situation, problem, requirement) Actions: (specific actions you took to resolve the challenge) Result: (benefit, in specific and measurable terms)

Title:

Story #: 2 Challenge: (situation, problem, requirement) Actions: (specific actions you took to resolve the challenge) Result: (benefit, in specific and measurable terms)

Title:

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Title:

Story #:4 Challenge: (situation, problem, requirement) Actions: (specific actions you took to resolve the challenge) Result: (benefit, in specific and measurable terms)

Title:


Title:

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Analyzing Your Stories for Skills Watch this video to learn how to analyze your accomplishment stories for the skills they demonstrate. This exercise will guide you through analyzing your accomplishment stories to understand your skills. 1. Review the chart below of skills that employers are looking for. The skills listed are not an exhaustive list. If there are job specific skills that you would like to track, add them to the chart. 2. Read your first accomplishment story and identify at least 3 skills included in the chart that you demonstrated. 3. Put a checkmark across from each identified skill in the story #1 column. 4. Repeat step 2 for each of your other accomplishment stories, placing check marks in the appropriate story # column.

Skill Demonstrated Leadership Written communication Problem-solving Verbal communication Work ethic Analytical/quantitative Initiative Flexibility/adaptability Technical skills Interpersonal skills Computer skills Detail-oriented Organizational ability Strategic planning Creativity Tactfulness Entrepreneurial skills Listening Persuasion/Negotiation Empathy Management Other: Other: Other:

Example Story

Accomplishment Story #1 #2 #3 #4 #5

X X

X

X X

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5. Choose five skills from the above exercise, that you both demonstrated in your stories and are interested in using in your next position. Record them below. 1. 2. 3. 4. 5.

COMMUNICATING YOUR ACCOMPLISHMENTS EFFECTIVELY

Identifying Relevant Accomplishments Watch this video to understand how to identify relevant accomplishments. When talking about yourself professionally, it is important to consider the setting and your audience. This activity will help you determine what the employer is looking for (what they want to hear) and how it relates to what you have to offer professionally. 1. Spend 15-20 minutes researching typical responsibilities and qualifications for the type of job that you are interested in. To do that, find 3-5 job postings for that role using sites such as Indeed.com and Simplyhired. 2. Read the responsibilities and qualifications in the job postings you selected. • Responsibilities (or duties) typically describe what will be expected of the employee in the position. • Qualifications usually specify the experience, skills, and education requirements that a hiring manager is looking for. 3. Identify 5-10 responsibilities and qualifications that appear on more than one of these job postings and record those in the Job Analysis Chart in the workspace. 4. Note which of your accomplishment stories (copied below) demonstrate the responsibilities and qualifications employers are seeking. 5. Place the title and number of your accomplishment story from the Duplicate Accomplishment Story Workspace that best represents the key responsibility/qualification in the Job Analysis Chart.

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Duplicate Accomplishment Story Workspace Story #:1 Title: Challenge: (situation, problem, requirement) Actions: (specific actions you took to resolve the challenge) Result: (benefit, in specific and measurable terms) Story #: 2 Challenge: (situation, problem, requirement) Actions: (specific actions you took to resolve the challenge) Result: (benefit, in specific and measurable terms)

Title:


Title:

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Story #:4 Challenge: (situation, problem, requirement) Actions: (specific actions you took to resolve the challenge) Result: (benefit, in specific and measurable terms) Story #: 5 Challenge: (situation, problem, requirement) Actions: (specific actions you took to resolve the challenge) Result: (benefit, in specific and measurable terms)

Title:

Title:

Job Analysis Chart Example: Job Title: Project Manager Key Responsibility/Qualification: (What the employer is looking for) Actively identifies risks and resolves issues so that impacts to the project’s timeline, cost and quality are mitigated and/or minimized. Job Title: Key Responsibility/Qualification: (What the employer is looking for)

Accomplishment Story: (What you have to offer) Story #1, Training Redesign

Accomplishment Story # and title: (What you have to offer)

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Career Counselor Quick Tip: Take a moment to analyze the information you have gathered. • Do you see connections between what the employer is looking for and your accomplishments? The accomplishment stories you have identified are what you will want to include on your resume and talk about in interviews (you will learn more about how to do this in the next sections). • Look for gaps on the chart above. Are there any requirements or qualifications for which you have not referenced an accomplishment story? Can you think of examples of accomplishment stories to fill those gaps? In addition to paid work, consider any volunteer work, internships, and participation in professional associations Strategies for making a career change.

Including Accomplishments on Your Resume and in a Cover Letter Watch this video to learn how to include your accomplishments on your resume and cover letter. There will be a separate activity for each of these two documents. This first activity will teach you how to write effective, results-based bullet points for your resume: 1. Review the common bullet point formulas in the example below: Example Card Story: Project transition time was taking too long to meet the clients’ needs and budget. I analyzed the training currently offered, proposed changes to the material and presentation and gained management approval. Redesigned the material and delivered the training to over 100 key stakeholders. With the new training, project transition time was

Bullet Point Formula: Result + action + brief description including clarifying details

Action word + brief description with clarifying details +

Bullet Point: Shortened project transition time 25% by designing and delivering client training, through presentations and handson demonstrations, to >100 key stakeholders. Designed and delivered client training through presentations and hands-

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reduced 25%.

results

on demonstrations to over 100 key stakeholders, shortening project transition time by 25%.

2. Write bullet points for each of your accomplishments stories in the workspace below using either of the formulas listed in the example above. 3. Update your resume to include your new bullet points. Consider revising the other bullet points on your resume to align with these formulas. Career Counselor Quick Tip: If you are interested in teaching positions in higher education or advanced roles in Psychology, a Curriculum Vitae (CV) instead of a resume is needed when applying to these positions. Resume Resources Curriculum Vitae (CV) Resources Story #:1 Challenge: (situation, problem, requirement) Actions: (specific actions you took to resolve the challenge) Result: (benefit, in specific and measurable terms) Resume bullet point: Cover Letter statement:

Title:

Story #: 2 Challenge: (situation, problem, requirement) Actions: (specific actions you took to resolve the challenge)

Title:

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Results:

(benefit, in specific terms) Resume bullet point: Cover Letter statement: Story #: 3 Challenge: (situation, problem, requirement) Actions: (specific actions you took to resolve the challenge) Result: (benefit, in specific and measurable terms) Resume bullet point: Cover Letter statement:

Title:

Story #:4 Challenge: (situation, problem, requirement) Actions: (specific actions you took to resolve the challenge) Result: (benefit, in specific and measurable terms) Resume bullet point: Cover Letter statement:

Title:

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Story #: 5 Challenge: (situation, problem, requirement) Actions: (specific actions you took to resolve the challenge) Result: (benefit, in specific and measurable terms) Resume bullet point: Cover Letter statement:

Title:

The following activity will teach you how to integrate your accomplishments into your cover letter. 1. Review the cover letter statements formulas in the example below: Example Card Story: Project transition time was taking too long to meet the clients’ needs and budget. I analyzed the training currently offered, proposed changes to the material and presentation and gained management approval. Redesigned the material and delivered the training to over a 100 key stakeholders. With the new training, project transition time was reduced 25%.

Cover Letter Statement Formula: As a (job title), I (skill) which helped me to (accomplishment).

I (accomplishment) while (job title) by (skill).

Cover Letter Statement: As a Project Manager at GWH Incorporated, I analyzed and redesigned the client training process, which helped me to reduce project transition time by 25%. I reduced project transition time by 25% while working as a Project Manager for GWH Incorporated by analyzing and redesigning the client training process.

2. Write cover letter statements for each of your accomplishments stories in the workspace above using formulas listed in the example above. 3. Update your cover letter to include your new statements. Cover Letter Resources

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Sharing an Accomplishment in an Interview Watch this video to learn how to share an accomplishment in an interview. This activity will teach you how to use the stories you have developed when responding to interview questions. 1. Choose 3 questions from the Interview question list below. 2. Select an accomplishment story for each question that best demonstrates a relevant example. 3. Use the CARD technique to develop thoughtful and complete answers that you can convey in about a minute. 4. Practice responding to each question by: a. Sharing your response with a trusted individual, or b. Recording your response using your phone or a webcam. Interview Question List: 1. Tell me about a time when you had to deal with a difficult person. 2. Give an example of a goal you set and share how you achieved it. 3. Tell me about a time when you resolved a problem. 4. What did you do in your last job to contribute towards teamwork? 5. Tell me about a time when you led a team. 6. Share an example of a time when you had to be effective in your organizing and planning. 7. Describe a decision you made that wasn’t popular and how you handled implementing it. 8. Provide an example of a time when you had to teach someone a new skill or procedure. 9. Share a time when you had to persuade management to do something they were first reluctant to do. 10. Explain a situation when you had to use your ability to negotiate. Example Question: Tell me about a time when you resolved a problem. Example response using the CARD model: (Challenge) While working as a Project Manager for GWH Incorporated it came to my attention that project transition time was taking too long to meet the client’s needs and budget. (Action) In addition to managing my other responsibilities, I analyzed the current system training provided to stakeholders and found several content areas that could be removed, updated, or replaced. I created a proposal and met with management for their approval, talking them through the efficiencies that I had found. After gaining their approval, I redesigned the training materials and delivered the updated training to over 100 key stakeholders. (Result) After completing this training, I reassessed project transition time and discovered that it had been reduced by 25% as a result of the changes that I made. (Details) The details are italicized in the above example.

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Interviewing Resources (Use Big Interview™, a webcam interview practice tool.)

Creating a Professional Introduction Watch this video to learn how to craft a professional introduction. This next activity will help you translate your accomplishments into a compelling introduction. 1. In the box below, develop a 3-5 sentence introduction using the following guidelines: • Your name and current job title, industry of interest, or field of study • Something interesting about yourself that helps you to stand out from others in your industry (such as your reason for interest in the field, specific relevant skills, mention of a common interest, or a unique personal attribute) • A question to prompt further discussion Career Counselor Quick Tip: Feeling stuck? Try using the following script as a starting place: “Hello [His or her name, if you know it]. I'm ___ and I'm pursuing my degree in ___ because [provide a reason that demonstrates why you are drawn to the field]. I have specific experience in [mention the specific experience that relates to your career goal] and strong interest in ___. I'd like to learn more about [something in the field that presumably the person you are talking to is interested in or knows something about]. How have you done ___ effectively [or, might you have any experience with that]?” In the box below, draft your professional introduction: Example Professional Introduction: Hi, I'm Denise Jones and I'm pursuing my MBA in Project Management because of my interest in learning more about project management methodologies. I have led small project teams in the past mainly using informal methods. I'd like to learn more about Agile methodology. Do you have experience using this model? Professional Introduction:

2. Practice and revise: • Practice in different situations and with a variety of people. • Ask for feedback. • Refine your introduction until it feels natural.

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Career Counselor Quick Tip: Remember that your professional introduction is just the start of a conversation. You will adjust what you say depending on the situation. For example, you may keep your introduction very brief when at a networking event, but have more time to talk when sitting next to someone before a presentation begins.

DEVELOPING TARGETED CONNECTIONS

Identifying and Researching Employers Watch this video to learn how to identify and research employers. The first part of this activity will help you identify the criteria that are important to you to have in your workplace. The second part will guide you in generating a list of employers that meet those criteria. First, generate the criteria that are important to you to have in your next employment setting. 1. Complete the Work Values Card Sort. (If you have completed the Career Exploration YouTube series, refer back to the values you recorded in that workbook.) 2. Reflect on what you liked and did not like about past employers and positions. 3. Record your top 5 criteria in the box below. Example: What is important to me in terms of where I work: 1. Having autonomy 2. Believing in the mission of the organization 3. Working on a team 4. Utilizing my skills 5. Flexibility What is important to me in terms of where I work :

4. Identify additional criteria you prefer for your next employer (e.g., commute time, specific benefits, type or size of organization, etc.). 5. Record these below. What else is important to me:

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Now that you have clarified your criteria, you are ready to search for employers that meet them. 1. Generate a long list of employers (30-40 if possible, depending on your location and industry) that meet the criteria you have identified. This might feel like a lot but starting with a long list of employers increases your job possibilities. Sources to create this list include: • Employers of family, friends, colleagues, and others you meet • LinkedIn searches • Business Finder on CareerOnestop • Chamber of Commerce lists • Professional association member employers • Trade publications • Business Journal • Employers posting jobs of interest in your target area • Yellow Pages and Yellowpages.com • Manta.com 2. Record the employer information you gather on the grid below. The contact column will be completed in the next activity. Career Counselor Quick Tip: Look beyond the large, well-known organizations. Two-thirds of all US jobs are with companies between two and 99 employers (2Hour Job Search by Steve Dalton). While it is tempting to stay with the top 3-5 companies you are familiar with, we encourage you to identify more companies than you think you need at this point. As you learn more, you will narrow down this list. Organization Name XZY organization

Why I chose them Passionate about the auto industry and I prefer small companies.

Contact Jesse Murphy

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3. In the chart below, record the 10 employers you are most interested in at this time. 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. 8. 9. 10.

Making Strategic Connections Watch this video to learn about making strategic connections. This activity will help you identify people to connect with at the employers you identified in the previous activity. 1. Clarify the types of people you would like to connect with at your companies of interest. These could include: • People working in a role or department you are interested in • Hiring managers • Recruiters 2. Get contact information for these people. You can do this by: • Asking families, friends, colleagues, neighbors, or affinity group members

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• Searching LinkedIn • Reviewing company websites for emails and phone numbers • Reading professional association membership directories • Attending job search groups 3. Fill out the contact section in the Employer Chart above with the names of these contacts. Career Counselor Quick Tip: We suggest you narrow down your list as you learn more about the companies, their culture, and available opportunities. If you find that a company doesn’t align with your values or hire people in your field, cross it off so you can focus your attention on the others.

Developing Relationships Watch this video to learn about developing relationships. This activity focuses on how to develop relationships with the people you identified in the activities above. 1. Reach out to the people you have identified via phone, email, or social media. 2. Ask for time to speak to gain insight, guidance, and perspective. • Request 15 – 30 minutes to speak via phone or in person. • Prepare questions in advance but allow for conversation to occur in the moment. • Consider asking questions about their career path, position, and the organization. • Offer to help them; share resources or help your contact make connections as appropriate. • Inquire if there is anyone else they would recommend that you speak with. • Send a thank you note after your conversation. • Take action on their advice and follow up to let them know of the results. 3. Use the below chart to track all of your networking contacts. Organization Name

Name

Contact Info

XZY organization

Jesse Murphy

(555) 5551000

1st Date of Contact

Last Date of Contact

Notes

Next action

Current employees have a passion for cars/auto industry.

Email contact Jesse provided who works as a PM at XZY.

Seemed like a good culture.

Send thank you note to Jesse.

They employ PM roles.

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Career Counselor Quick Tip: Ideas for fostering your network. • Always thank people for their time, ideas, and other assistance offered. • Connect with them on social networking sites. • Send the contact updates on your school and career progress every six months or as major life events occur (i.e. graduating, receiving an award). • Forward articles, podcasts, videos, or other information they would find interesting and relevant. • Provide an update to the contact as you complete their recommended activities; and remember to thank them for the idea. • Offer to help them (i.e. provide a contact, offer your perspective, share relevant insight from your work or school, invite them to a professional association event). • Congratulate them on career successes (i.e. promotion, new job). • Send an email when something that you are commonly interested in occurs (i.e. World Series, The Academy Awards, or holiday celebration). • Say hello and chat briefly when you are both attending an event.

Connecting with Others tutorials Informational interviewing

CONCLUSION Watch this video to learn how to move forward with your job search. Congratulations on completing the Effective Job Search series! The work you’ve done here will be valuable in your quest to be a preferred candidate for the job you want. Through this process you’ve: • Identified what you have to offer employers • Learned how to communicate your accomplishments effectively • Begun to develop relationships with people who can help you in your search On the last page of this workbook, we compiled a Job Search Summary for you, based on the activities you have completed. This tool can help guide your job search activities and be shared in networking conversations. Continue identifying and researching potential employers that meet your criteria. Keep networking with people who are connected with these employers. Update your workbook to reflect your new knowledge and targets. This on-going preparation will increase your chances of job search success by keeping you focused on employers that will value you and positions that are a great fit for your skills!

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JOB SEARCH SUMMARY

My introduction:

My professional goal:

My top skills:

I value:

I am interested in opportunities at:

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