who needs a plan? you! bob langewisch r-langewisch@kellogg.northwestern.edu jill clouse...

Who Needs a Plan? YOU!

Bob Langewisch r-langewisch@kellogg.northwestern.edu

Jill Clouse j-clouse@kellogg.northwestern.edu

February 26, 2010

Developing Your Search Strategy

PTMBA-CDS

Career Management Process

PTMBA-CDS

• Identify your Targets

• Mobilizing your Network

• Creating your Pitch

• Engaging in Informational Interviews

• CDS Review

• Next steps, recap, & Q&A

Agenda

PTMBA-CDS

• Importance of knowing your targets so you can hit a bulls eye

• You are NOT alone in this process and mobilizing your network is essential

• Knowing who you are and what you have to offer will yield more success

• Importance of Informational Interviews

Today’s Takeaways

PTMBA-CDS

Set Goals: where Self Assessment and Exploration intersect

PTMBA-CDS

Your Ideal Job

Description

PTMBA-CDS

Take 5 Minutes and craft the Ideal Job Description using the handout provided

Exercises

PTMBA-CDS

Create List of Target Companies

PTMBA-CDS

• Quickly write down 2 target companies that come to mind on the handout provided

• Keep this handout close by and revisit it later to really build out your company list

Exercises

PTMBA-CDS

Mobilize Your Network!

PTMBA-CDS

PTMBA-CDS

Typical Way Employers Prefer to Fill Vacancies

Typical Way Students Prefer to

Search for jobsSt

art

Start

Who is in your network?

Hot Contacts• Close Friends• Family• Classmates• Professors• Club co-chairs

Cold Contacts• Distant Relatives• Friends of Friends

of Friends• Business Leaders• Seasoned Alumni

Warm Contacts• Former

Colleagues• Friends of

Friends• Alumni – recent

gradsPTMBA-CDS

Where to Network

Less FormalLess Formal More FormalMore Formal

ClassesClasses

Social eventsSocial events

Hobbies/interestsHobbies/interests

TravelTravel

Everyday activitiesEveryday activities

FacebookFacebook

Professional club Professional club meetingsmeetings

Informational interviewsInformational interviews

Company eventsCompany events

LinkedInLinkedIn

ConferencesConferences

Networking eventsNetworking events

PTMBA-CDS

• Exchanging contacts/expanding your network

• Get into Group of 5

• Go around the group and each person shares 2 target companies

• Group mates brainstorm network and provide one another with contacts.

Exercises

PTMBA-CDS

• Your Positioning Statement

• Features your skills/experiences that are meaningful to your target audience

What is Your Pitch?

PTMBA-CDS

Incorporate Your Pitch throughout Your Search

Informational Interviewing

Other Networking Activities

Cover Letters Interviews

PTMBA-CDS

30 Second Pitch

Who you are

What you did before Kellogg/currently do

What relevant skills/experience you have

What you want to do now PTMBA-CDS

• Develop your 30 second pitch, incorporating key skills & experiences

• Share your pitch with someone you don’t know, get feedback, then listen to their pitch, give feedback

• Questions to consider when evaluating:• What is your reaction?

• What skills do they bring?

• What do they want to do next?

• Did it feel too long or too short?

• Is there anything that didn’t make sense?

PTMBA-PDS

Exercises

PTMBA-CDS

• Identify a Contact

• Reach out and ask for a conversation

• Follow-up to schedule conversation

• Prepare your questions in advance

• Reacquaint yourself with your pitch

• Create a mechanism to track conversations/contacts

• Features your skills/experiences that are meaningful to your target audience

PTMBA-PD

Start Talking: Informational Interviews!

PTMBA-CDS

Shift Your Approach: Establish and Build a Relationship

Do NOT ask for a job PTMBA-CDS

Eventually Leverage the Advocate

PTMBA-CDS

Reach out and ask for a conversation

How you are connected

What you are asking for

Why interested in them

Call to action

How Connected

PTMBA-CDS

Exercises

Communication Critique

• Get into Groups of Three.

• Read through the packet of introductory emails.

• Document what works well, and what needs improvement.

• Discuss with your group any themes.PTMBA-CDS

Prepare Your Questions In Advance

o Questions to avoid:o Asking for a jobo Asking that your resume

be forwardedo Compensationo Basic; answers on websiteo Negative questions

o Questions to ask:o Their backgroundo Company informationo Industry informationo Career adviceo Job search advice

PTMBA-CDS

Career Development Series

PTMBA-CDS

Instruction Practice

Who Are You and What Are Your Goals? - Jan 29

Who Needs a Plan? YOU! - Feb 26 Speed Networking – May 7

Business Etiquette – Apr 17

Who Are You on Paper? – Mar 5 Resume Review – May 21

Who Are You in Person? - Apr 9 Interview Practicum – June 4

Wrap –Up / Action Items

• Start researching companies and building your list

• Refine your pitch and practice it

• Let all of your “HOT” contacts know what you are looking for

• If you haven’t already, set up LinkedIn account

• Give yourself a weekly action plan

• Come meet with Career Coach PTMBA-CDS

PTMBA-CDS