A Step-by-Step Guide to Building your Career

1. A Step-by-Step Guide to Building your Career Brought to you by Career and Employment Services Schenectady County Community College 222 Elston Hall (518)381-1365 ces@sunysccc.edu

2. Table of Contents • Career Development Theories and it’s Impact on Education and Career Choices • Getting to Know Yourself • Career Exploration • Getting to Your Destination • Becoming a “Professional” • Networking • Written Communication • Searching for Opportunities • The Interview • Keeping the Job

3. “The road to success is always under construction” ~Lily Tomlin

4. Career Development: A lifelong process Although there are many theories on Career Development and how different factors impact our decisions regarding career and education, most will agree that the overall goal of career counseling and planning is to work toward a career goal that you will get some sort of satisfaction from. At this point in life, most of us have some idea of the things we are good at, the things we enjoy, and the type of environment we like to be in. We seek these out and continue to develop not only our personal identities, but our “work identities” as well. The work environments that will suit us the best are those that intertwine the two and allow us to develop personally and professionally. Therefore, it is important for us to know how our identities will impact our reaction to our environments.

5. “Knowing yourself is the beginning of all wisdom” ~Aristotle

6. It is important to gain a personal understanding of yourself and how you respond to the world around you. Take time to uncover your personal traits, strengths, motivators, values, needs, skills and wants. Click on topics below for worksheets and links to help you get to know yourself. • What do you like to do? What are your skills? How do they relate to one another? • http://www.personalitypathways.com/type_inventory.html • A fun link to help you determine your personality and how it relates to different careers.

7. Formal Assessment If you are still unclear about which career path is for you, a formal assessment may help. The following assessment tools are available in Career and Employment Services: • DISCOVER- A computerized program which will help you to assess your interests, values and skills. • Myers-Briggs Type Indicator- An assessment which will help you to learn how your personality type relates to different careers. • StrengthsQuest-An assessment to help determine your strengths and how they relate to building your career. To make an appointment for Career Counseling call(518) 381-1365

8. “If we are facing in the right direction, all we have to do is keep on walking” ~Buddhist Proverb

9. Research • Now that you have identified your core talents, values, skills and motivations, you can begin to gather information on career paths that fit with your qualities. • Onet • Occupational Outlook handbook • Bureau of Labor Statistics • SCCC Career Guides • Network with professionals in the fields that interest you • Identify Alumni and Professionals through Career Office • Perform informational interviews and attend career related events

10. “You can’t cross the sea merely by standing and staring at the water” ~Rabindranath Tagore

11. Do you need additional education or training? • Talk to a Transfer Counselor • Do you need additional experience? • Internships and volunteer work can help to provide you with relevant experience and training that many employers are looking for. • Do you need access to additional resources for special circumstances and diverse populations. • Information for persons with disabilities • Information on nontraditional careers • Information for veterans • Information for diverse populations • Information for ex-offenders Want to meet with a Career Professional? Stop by Elston Hall, Room 223 or Call 518.381-1365 for an appointment.

12. “Do not follow where the path may lead. Go, instead, where there is no path and leave a trail.” ~Ralph Waldo Emerson

13. Become Involved The best way to begin establishing a professional history is to become actively involved in activities that connect you to other individuals who are working in or interested in the field you wish to pursue. • Join campus clubs, professional organizations, social groups, charities, on-line groups, and attend regional networking events. • This includes becoming actively involved in your courses by going to class, completing assignments on time, being prepared, engaging in class discussions, and following up with teachers when absent.

14. “Character is much easier kept than recovered. ” ~Thomas Paine

15. Your Digital Footprint: What it Says About You What is a digital footprint you ask? Simply put, it is the information that you post on the internet and is stored by others in databases that can be accessed by the public or selected authorities. • Those pictures or comments from you or your friends on Facebook, Myspace, Twitter, Linkedin, etc. • Blogging, text messaging, emailing, downloads, videos and picture uploads • Your credit history • Your driving record • Previous convictions or public arrest notices • Letters to the editor, newsletters, any published work • Traffic and security cameras Most employers are now conducting internet searches and/or background checks on prospective employees before making a decision to hire. • Consider making your pages private and leave the discussion about last night’s game of beer pong for your private email. • Develop a professional blog where you can discuss industry trends or comment on other’s articles or blogs in the industry. • Join online groups associated with your industry and participate in online discussions. • Work toward improving your credit rating, driving record and public relations.

16. Background Checks • In addition to informal background checks, many employers conduct formal background checks or require clearance to be employed by them such as helping professions, professions in direct contact with disabled, elderly or child populations, and many government jobs. • Be honest about anything that comes up. An arrest or conviction does not necessarily exclude you from employment in many jobs. Know your rights.

17.      “Relationships of trust depend on our willingness to look not only to our own interests, but also the interests of others.” ~ Peter Farquharson

18. Networking Ask not what others can do for you, but what you can do for others. Think of networking as more of an investment in others and less of who you know and how they can help you get the job you want. Those connections will come naturally as you develop relationships based on true interest and willingness to be involved in meaningful ways.

19. Sources for Networking • Family and Relatives and their friends/family • Professors/Teachers and their contacts • Friends and their friends/family • Classmates and their friends/family • Participate in Volunteer/Internship or Apprenticeship programs • Membership in community organizations, churches, athletic teams, associations, lodges, private clubs, adult education classes and anything else that brings you in contact with others • Applying in person • Mailing a targeted cover letter to a company that you researched in advance • Reviewing business news to see who is moving, expanding, or opening • Introduce yourself at establishments that you visit frequently • Schedule informational interviews with businesses you are interested in • Visit public libraries and book stores and view the literature in their career section Click here for a networking worksheet

20. “A synonym is a word you use when you can't spell the other one. ” ~BaltasarGracián

21. Before you Begin • Be sure the information you are including is honest and accurate. • You must be able to discuss the information you put on your resume. • Consequences for including false or misleading information on your resume can be serious and if you are hired based on that information you can lose your job even years down the road. • What you will need: • Paper • Pen or pencil • Names of past employers and dates of employment.

22. Taking Inventory • Start with 6 pieces of blank paper. Title each with the headings: education, work, activities, honors and awards, interests and miscellaneous. • Education: List colleges and universities attended, exchange programs, and off-campus study. • Work: List all jobs held-full or part time, paid or unpaid. • Activities: List everything you have done now and in high school, in terms of organized groups, teams, clubs, community involvements, etc. • Honors and Awards: List scholarships, class standing, special recognitions and academic achievements. • Interests: List hobbies, travel experiences, special talents. • Miscellaneous: List everything you have left out thus far.

23. Now it’s time to start editing. Under each section ask yourself the following questions: • Are there things on this list that I feel a sense of pride about? • Can I make these things relate to what a prospective employer might be looking for? For example, being a member of a fraternity may not be important to an employer, however, the fact that you organized philanthropic functions to help the community may be. And although your job flipping hamburgers may not seem relevant to you, the fact that you were a conscientious worker during that job may be very important to the employer. • Which things on my list show my strengths and other aspects of my personality. • Which activities have been superseded by more recent involvements.

24. Putting it all Together • Contact Information or Heading • Objective • Education • Honors and Awards • Experience • Skills/Certifications/Qualifications • References

25. Things to Keep in Mind • No matter what you include in your resume, the format should remain the same throughout. • Limit your resume to relevant information (adjust accordingly). • Be sure to check spelling and grammar. • Keep your descriptions crisp and clear. • Make sure your resume is visually balanced. • Avoid using templates, they are difficult to change later. If you like the look of a template, format your document to look similar by using the tools in your word processor. • Use a good quality resume or bond paper, but avoid trendy colors. • Have others review your resume for you. • Click here for a resume example.

26. The Cover Letter • A cover letter is written specifically for each resume you send and if at all possible addressed to a particular person. If you’re unsure of who it should go to, call the company and ask. Be sure to get the correct spelling. • If you have a connection in a company, ask for permission to use their name in your letter. Include it in the first sentence. If you don’t have a connection, your first sentence should include how you learned of the position. • The purpose of a cover letter is to convince the recipient to read your resume and hopefully request a personal interview with you. Highlight a few main points of your resume but don’t rewrite your resume. • Use a business style format with single spacing and no indentation on paragraphs. Be sure that the text is centered and balanced and not jammed into the top or bottom of the page. • After the last paragraph, leave one line space and then type your closing followed by a comma. Leave five additional line spaces and type your name, then sign your name in blue or black ink between the closing and your printed name. • Be sure to check for errors in spelling and grammar. • Use the same stationary used for your resume. • Always keep a copy of the letter you’ve written to a specific company for reference. • Click here for examples.

27. “If opportunity doesn't knock, build a door.” ~ Milton Berle

28. Searching for Opportunities • NETWORKING only 15-20% of jobs are actually advertised. Ask friends, family and associates for information about their companies or jobs. They’ll enjoy telling you about them and will be more forthcoming with contacts and additional information. • REGISTER WITH EASE (SCCC Students and Alumnae only) • Get access to Employer contact information and job opportunities posted specifically for our students and alumnae. • Upload your resume for review by professional staff • Find information on employment related topics including career guides for each of SCCC’s majors. • Links to additional online employment websites including the civil service website. • Visit company websites to see which jobs they are hiring for. • Apply in person to jobs. Many employers will meet with people at the time they apply. Even if they don’t have a job at that time, you now have a new contact. • Internet job sites such as Indeed will list ads from most other job search sites as well and you can have new results emailed to you daily.

29. Additional Resources • Newspapers/Professional Journals (Times Union-http://www.timesunion.com) • New York State Dept of Labor (http://www.labor.state.ny.us) • US Office of Personnel Management (http://www.usajobs.opm.gov) • New York State Civil Service (http://www.cs.state.ny.us) • New York Unified Court System (http://www.courts.state.ny.us/) • County Civil Service Exams/Announcements (Albany, Sch'dy, Saratoga) • Federal Job Listings (http://usajobs.opm.gov/) • Staffing Services (Adecco, Manpower, etc.) • Re-employment Centers (SJTA, Capital District Reemployment Center, VESID) • College Career Centers (SCCC, UAlbany, Union College, HVCC, etc.) • Local Job/Career Fair Events

30. “One secret of success in life is for a man to be ready for his opportunity when it comes.” ~Benjamin Disreali

31. The Interview • Dress for Success • Be Prepared • Getting Off to a Good Start • The Questions • Wrapping it Up

32. Thank You Letter No matter how well you feel you presented yourself during an interview, it’s important to thank the interviewer for their time. It’s also a good idea to highlight positives from the interview or to reiterate why you feel you would be a good fit for the company. You can find some good examples of thank you letters for everything from general interviews to damage control.

33.      ”The best way to appreciate your job is to imagine yourself without one.” ~Oscar Wilde

34. Keeping the Job Now that you’ve landed the job and begun to settle in, keep in mind that although you are responsible for completing the necessary tasks, the job itself belongs to the company or agency you work for and they can appoint someone else to that position if they choose. • Be present both physically and mentally and continually look for ways to improve your skills. • Be flexible and offer to complete additional assignments when needed. • Complete tasks when they are assigned and avoid shortcuts that may lead to bad habits and incomplete work that piles up. • You never know who you may work with in the future, so it is always best to complete your work to the best of your ability and maintain positive working relationships.

35. Intellectual Property Most businesses and agencies now have a policy regarding intellectual property, which is in simple terms any intangible asset that consists of human knowledge and ideas. It is generally accepted that if you develop materials or ideas on work equipment (i.e. computers) and time, Then it is owned by the employer. Employers also reserve the right to monitor your usage of such equipment including the internet, downloads and computer files.