Career Focus A Personal Job Search Guide

Through a winning combination of career development theory and individual application, this book will help readers to be able to get their first professional position, begin a new career, change careers, or even re-enter the job market after an absence. Whatever the career circumstances, through self-reflection and personal dedication, users of this comprehensive yet easy-to-follow guide will be on their way to career satisfaction.Content focuses on self-assessment techniques, sound career development theory, and individual application. Includes extensive discussion on areas such as marketing strategies and techniques; Types and styles of resumes including electronic, scannable resumes; Paper-based and electronic professional portfolios; Electronic company research; Types of interviews including stress, group, and telephone; Effectively handling behavioral-based interview questions; Important questions for the interview candidate to ask; Interviewing etiquette; Negotiating salary and benefits; and Career success on the job including tips for new employees.For anyone who wishes to be successful in todayrs"s competitive employment market.

Helen Martucci Lamarre has successfully assisted job seekers for more than 20 years. As a senior professor, she has developed curricula and taught courses in career development and business communications to thousands of students who have attained an average placement rate of 97 percent. She is a distinguished professor, recognized for her creativity and academic contributions.

As a successful speaker, she has delivered numerous presentations to educational, civic, and private groups on career development and business communications topics. She also advises and coaches private clients in their personal job searches.

As an author, she has completed five books covering personal marketings, job search techniques, and career portfolios published in both the United States and Canada.

She is a member of the Association for Business Communication and the Midwest Association of Colleges and Employers.

Preface

vii

About the Author

x

SECTION ONE INTRODUCTION AND PERSONAL ASSESSMENT

1

(24)

Introduction

Making Your Dreams Come True

3

(4)

Marketing Yourself

3

(2)

Job Search Process

5

(2)

Self-Assessment and Promotion

Knowing Yourself

7

(18)

Self-Assessment

7

(1)

Marketing Readiness Quiz

8

(8)

Self-Awareness Checklist

16

(1)

Ability Assessment

17

(2)

Transferable Skills Checklist

19

(1)

Work Environment and Life Preferences

20

(1)

Self-Assessment Summary Sheet

21

(1)

Self-Promotion

22

(1)

My Focus: Marketing Tips

23

(1)

Finding Your Focus

24

(1)

SECTION TWO MARKETING TOOLS

25

(82)

Marketing Strategies

Focusing on Your Market

27

(6)

Take Advantage of Personal Marketing

27

(1)

Arrange Informational Interviews

28

(1)

My Focus

28

(1)

My Focus: Especially for College Students

29

(1)

Use Electronic Marketing

29

(1)

Determine the Best Approach

30

(1)

Develop a Positive Attitude

30

(1)

Use a Systematic Strategy to Pursue Companies

31

(1)

Finding Your Focus

32

(1)

Marketing Techniques

Spreading the Word

33

(12)

Networking

33

(3)

Telemarketing

36

(5)

Career Fairs

41

(3)

My Focus

44

(1)

Finding Your Focus

44

(1)

Resumes and References

Critical Tools for Success

45

(32)

Preparing to Write Your Resume

45

(1)

Types of Resumes

46

(1)

Resume Writing Styles

47

(1)

What Is an Electronic Resume?

47

(3)

Resume Sections

50

(1)

Representing Education Activity

51

(2)

Work Experience Exercise

53

(4)

Resume Guidelines

57

(2)

Resume Tips

59

(2)

Resume Checklist

61

(1)

Resume Samples

62

(11)

References

73

(3)

My Focus

76

(1)

Finding Your Focus

76

(1)

Career Correspondence and Applications

Job Search Necessities

77

(14)

Career Correspondence

77

(1)

The Cover Letter

77

(4)

Application Letter

81

(1)

Networking Letter

82

(1)

Prospecting Letter

83

(2)

Thank-You Letter

85

(1)

Acceptance Letter

86

(1)

Final Tips on Letter Writing

87

(1)

A Few Words on E-mail

87

(1)

Job Applications

87

(1)

Getting Ready

88

(1)

My Focus

89

(1)

Finding Your Focus

89

(2)

Professional Portfolios

A Way to Prove Yourself

91

(16)

Portfolio Skills Assessment

91

(2)

Selection of and Types of Samples

93

(1)

Planning the Portfolio

94

(3)

Formatting the Portfolio

97

(2)

Assembling the Portfolio

99

(1)

Tips for Increasing Your Portfolio's Impact

100

(1)

Electronic Portfolios

100

(3)

Using Your Portfolio

103

(1)

My Focus

104

(1)

Finding Your Focus

105

(2)

SECTION THREE INTERVIEWING

107

(34)

Before the Interview

How Best to Prepare

109

(10)

Company Research

109

(2)

What Should Be Investigated?

111

(1)

Gathering Information

111

(2)

Types of Interviews

113

(1)

Forms of Interviews

114

(1)

Interview Stages

115

(1)

Dressing for Interview Success

115

(1)

My Focus

116

(1)

Finding Your Focus

117

(2)

During and After the Interview

Being the Strongest Candidate

119

(18)

Stages of the Interview

119

(2)

Questions Asked During Interview

121

(6)

Interview Questions for You to Ask

127

(1)

Using Your Portfolio

128

(1)

Etiquette

128

(2)

Testing

130

(1)

Negotiating

131

(3)

Thank-Yous

134

(1)

My Focus

135

(1)

Finding Your Focus

135

(2)

After the Offer

Making the Right Decision

137

(4)

Work Realities

138

(1)

Criteria for Evaluating a Job Offer

138

(2)

Confirmation

140

(1)

My Focus

140

(1)

Finding Your Focus

140

(1)

SECTION FOUR CAREER SUCCESS

141

(14)

What to Know and Do

Maximizing Job Performance

143

(6)

Fitting In

143

(1)

What's Important

143

(1)

Assessment

144

(1)

The Value of a Mentor

144

(1)

Good Things to Do in a New Job

145

(1)

Things to Avoid Doing in a New Job

145

(1)

Closing Advice

145

(1)

My Focus

146

(1)

Finding Your Focus

147

(2)

Career Success Skills

Being the Best You Can Be

149

(6)

Basic Skills

149

(2)

Specific Skill Sets

151

(1)

Skills Needed to Get Ahead

151

(1)

Top 10 Traits Employers Seek

151

(1)

Skills and Values Prized by Employers

152

(2)

My Focus

154

(1)

Finding Your Focus

154

(1)

Index

155

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Career Focus A Personal Job Search Guide

Summary

Author Biography

Table of Contents

Supplemental Materials