Moderator Joshua Proulx Vice President, Programs Alumni Career Services Network Director , Husky Alumni Network UConn A

1. Moving Forward: Developing a Successful Strategy for your Resilient Career Moderator Joshua Proulx Vice President, Programs Alumni Career Services NetworkDirector, Husky Alumni Network UConn Alumni Association Presenter Kevin McMahon Career Strategist Leadership and Executive Coach McMahon Resource Group

2. Moving Forward: Developing a Successful Strategy forYour Resilient Career

3. About McMahon Resource Group • Career Strategist • Leadership and Executive Coach • Certified Professional Resume Writer • Professional Association of Resume Writers and Career Coaches • Center for Executive Coaching (Accredited by ICF)

4. Job Market Changes in Last Decade • How have things changed since your last job search? • No more newspaper classifieds – the job search begins online • Words are key – database driven application process • Less is more – shorten your resume • Expecting feedback? – forget about it • Stiff competition – flooded job market • Pickier employers – how do you stand out beyond your resume? • Technology rules – online applications and your online brand

5. Biases and Obstacles Some biases and obstacles older professionals face: • Candidate appearance that doesn’t indicate energy and drive • Lack of tech savviness • Can’t work for younger managers • Not open to change • Price tag is too high

6. Elephant in the Room Interns Over 40 recently did a survey on LinkedIn and 74% of respondents said they had experienced age discrimination during the hiring process. 74% 3 out of 4 people have encountered age-related issues that affect their livelihoods.

7. Overcoming Barriers What can you do? • Develop age-friendly resume • Upgrade your overall “look” • Practice interviewing to avoid playing defense • With a career coach • With someone younger • Role play tough questions • Unearth your personal brand

8. What is Personal Branding? • How you present yourself to others • Brand identity: the qualities and talents that make you uniquely distinguishable • Defines your position in the marketplace and how employers will perceive you • Defining yourself as a leader and representing your consistent value • Employers are looking for specialists, not generalists!

9. Why Create a Personal Brand? • Useful for searching for a new job or looking to advance in your current career • Helps you communicate more effectively and stand out  • Gives you an opportunity to discover, strengthen, and market your qualities • As you work to determine who you are and what you want, you'll learn how to present yourself with greater confidenceand clarity. • Remember, employers need to like a candidates personality as much as the quality of work they are able to produce.

10. Know Where You Are • Personal SWOT • Strengths • Weaknesses • Opportunities • Threats • What can you do better than anyone else • Influential connections • Know what you aren’t

11. Outside Feedback • Sometimes colleagues and peers can help you create a more complete picture of yourself. • Are you outperforming? • Are you underperforming? • What is your reputation – As an employee? As a manager?

12. Marketing from the Middle • Before you start applying for jobs make sure you know what you want. • Identify what your optimal role would be and what you need to make jump • Keep focused on the job • Seek out positions that require a combination of skills • If you can’t find it, create it!

13. Branding for the Unemployed • When you have been out of work for a while, taking a different approach may help. • Choose functional over chronological resume • Fill in unemployment gaps with activity • Don’t over explain • Use time wisely – quality over quantity when applying • Pitch yourself to previous employers • Change your outlook – stop the downward spiral!

14. Create an Offline Brand • How you present yourself in person is still important in today’s market. • 30/60 Elevator Pitch • Business Cards • Wardrobe and personal style

15. Resume • Chronological Vs. Functional • Emphasize relevant job skills • Use modern phrases • Ditch the Objective and References • Keywords must match job description

16. PAR for the Course • Accomplishments should be broken out into… • P – Problem or situation you dealt with • A – Actions taken • R – Results • Use action words • Keep to 30 or less words • Put your results up front

17. Create Your Online Brand • Digital footprint • Google yourself and set up a Google Alert • Email Address • Personal Website, Blogs, Portfolio • Social media (Facebook, LinkedIn, Twitter)

18. Brand Maintenance • Don’t stay stagnant! • Continue to project a strong and consistent brand identity • Follow through on promises • Ongoing assessment of your brand • Refresh your brand often • Focus on quality not quantity • Don’t be self-centered • Consistency is critical across all online media

19. The Entrepreneur in You • It is up to you to sell your package • Skills, talents, demonstrable ROI • Approach job search like a consultant • Be a problem solver, not job hunter

20. What People Look for in Profiles • Optimize your online profile • Graduation date(s) • Number of jobs and company names • Trending skill sets • 3-5 years with same company • Did they switch courses or sustain work in same sector • Are they active on LinkedIn and do other people know them? • Number of connections

21. Networking • Sometimes, it’s not what you know, it’s who you know. • Who is the audience for your brand? • Make a list of who you need to know • Touch base with old connections and maintain connections • Send a relevant article • LinkedIn groups, alumni gatherings, community events

22. Take Control • Develop your own blueprint for success. • Be visible in your professional association • Turn job and informational interviews into proposal opportunities • Be proactive, not reactive, in your search • Reinvent yourself at your current workplace

23. Get Up to Speed • Motivate yourself to learn more • Take a class • Get certified • Join an industry association • Take on a new project

24. Be an Expert • Writing ROI focused industry reports • Case Study presentation • Demonstrating value – 30-60-90 accomplishments • Industry branding expert • Hole in market that you can fill • Where are competitors failing • Industry trends

25. Where to look for Jobs • Don’t get out your red pen and search the classified. • Useful websites and some you should avoid • LinkedIn posts • Directly on company websites • Networks • Industry groups

26. Email: Kevin@McMahonResourceGroup.com • Phone: 203.536.2914 • Website: www.McMahonResourceGroup.com

27. Career Webinar Series • Career Webinars will recommence in September • Review previously conducted webinars: • UConnAlumni.com/CareerResources • Upcoming Career Webinars: • September 3, 2014, 12 p.m.- Career Reinvention for Inspired Adults • Reinvent your qualifications for a new or encore career. • October 14, 2014, 12 p.m.- Politics and Influence at Work • Politics are everywhere. Learn how to maneuver the workplace. • November 11, 2014, 12 p.m.- Got Mojo? • What is mojo? Explore your career mojo, how to get it, and how to find it if you lose it. • December 4, 2014, 12 p.m. – • The Secret Laws of Attraction: Get the Career You Want • Leverage the laws of attraction to land the ideal job, getpromoted and start doing work you love.