1. CAREER OPPORTUNITIES Professional Development and Research
Lecturer: Rositsa Milyankova
Lecture 1

2. Aims of the unit “Professional development and research”
To provide the opportunity for students to acquire management skills that will assist them in implementing career decisions
To equip students with research skills that they will need to develop and use effectively in order to write a dissertation or undertake a research project

3. Learning outcomes of the unit “Professional development and research”
Draft a Curriculum Vitae and a Letter of Application for a job
Produce a personal development portfolio
Write a research proposal and research plan that have the potential to provide the basis for the production of a dissertation or project at undergraduate level

4. Course outline Preparation for result-oriented job application
Of research, understanding and dissertations
Philosophies of research in the social sciences
Accessing and reviewing literature as part of research
Methods: Desk based research, interviews, grounded theory, visual and observational research methods

5. Course outline Preparing a questionnaire. Designing a schedule
Samples and sampling
Analyzing and presenting quantitative data
Analyzing and presenting qualitative data
Research planning and management

6. Indicative readings
Saunders, M., Lewis, P. and Thornhill, A. (2003) Research Methods for Business Students, 3e, FT/Prentice Hall
Easterby-Smith, M., Thorpe, R. and Lowe, A. (2002), Management Research: An Introduction, 2e, London: Sage.

7. CAREER OPPORTUNITIES

8. First-round interview
Recruitment process
Research
Online applications
Pre-screening
Screening
All stages are important
The assessment centre is the main opportunity for
First-round interview
Applicants should consider all
stages in the process to be equally
important
Assessment centre

9. Selling yourself Main objectives:
To explore personal traits and establish strengths and areas of potential development
To consider how personality characteristics, knowledge, skills, abilities and values are likely to affect career aspirations and choices
To know yourself in order to better sell yourself

10. Traditional Methods for advertisements
Employment agencies
Web-information
Newspaper advertisements
Online vacancies / job boards
Career exhibitions
Internal search (in the organization)

11. CAREER MANAGEMENT PATH(1)
KNOW YOURSELF – using diagnostic psychometric instruments as:
The Boyatzis model (1982) – competencies as interdependency of knowledge, skills and values/attitudes
Myers Briggs Type Indicator
Locus of control test
Tolerance of ambiguity test
Career orientation inventory
Personal audit (personal SWOT analysis)
Belbin self-perception inventory

12. CAREER MANAGEMENT PATH (2)
Career planning
Research into the graduate employment market
Design future career plans and their critical application
Personal learning objectives (at least three), related to self-diagnostics and career opportunities and challenges

13. CAREER MANAGEMENT PATH (3)
Sell yourself
Identify your generic success criteria for business or for your chosen occupation
Design a C.V.
Design a Motivation letter
Access a Career service web-site for job-openings
Examine critically the requirements of an on-line application for a chosen job

14. CAREER MANAGEMENT PATH (4)
Selection interviews
Selection interview as a structured conversation
Selection committee
Interviewing methods
Preliminary preparation, dress code, behaviour, manners

15. CAREER MANAGEMENT PATH (5)
ASSESSMENT CENTRES (AC)
Role of the AC in the selection procedure:
Group discussions / panel interviews
In-tray (in-basket) exercises
Group work
Case studies

16. CAREER MANAGEMENT PATH (6)
Lifelong planning
How to improve your competencies in order to be successful in achieving your personal development objectives
Reflective and critical review of your personal progress achieved
Further development needs identified

17. CV Design Gathering information Deciding what to include
Choosing a format
Sections of resume
Write a resume draft
Critique your resume

18. CV Design General approach (European, American)
Language (NEVER NEGATIVE)
Section by section
Contact details
Career summary / profile / history
Academic results
Hobbies & interests
Not longer than 1 page

19. C.V.samples (http://www.cvtips.com)
Clean and Simple Example CV 2 Example CV with a border around the page Example CV 3 Education, Reference and experience section only Example CV 4 Page Border Example CV 5 Professional, Functional Cv Sample Example CV 6 Functional CV focus on qualifications and skills Example CV 7 CV template with detailed sections Example CV 8 CV with example info. and instructions Example CV 9 Cv template with suggestions and tips embedded Example CV 10 CV template with shading in headings Example CV 11 CV Example with detailed instructions and tips embedded Example CV 12 Nice page border Example CV 13 Professional Academic CV Example CV 14 Clean shaded titles with emphasis on skills CV Example CV 15 Small font CV Example CV 16 Professional CV Example CV 17 Right Aligned CV These Example CVs are to be used as a base from which to start we encourage you to read the following materials on CV writing

20. General Approach To be specific / personalized Achievement based
Employer benefits from your application
Relevant evidence

21. C.V. HEADING
Includes:
Photo, name, surname, local address, address, mobile / stationary telephone number with the international dialing code, if you apply for over seas jobs
C.V. objective – a short concise statement, that may show the employer what kind of position or role you are looking for

22. The chronological format of the C.V.
The chronological CV shows your career progression and growth. The information flows from the present situation to the beginning of your career. The CV is easy to read and one can easily go through the career history.
The chronological CV is advised when:
- When you have a solid career history, your career has flowed on the same area and there are no major gaps.
- Your responsibilities have increased in each career change
- You had high profile Job Roles
- Your most recent jobs are the most important in your career history
- The job advert specifies this kind of CV

23. Targeted C.V.
This kind of CV is a way to focus your career towards a particular objective, within a specific industry or a specific company.
A targeted CV is written in a way that highlights skills, qualifications and experience that match the requirements of the advertised position. Writing a targeted CV is effective when:
- You know the requirements of a particular position
- You know which company you will be sending your CV to
- You are sending your CV in reply to a specific job advert
- You need to compose different CVs each corresponding to a different career objective

24. Functional C.V.
The functional CV emphasizes your accomplishments, skills and qualifications at the beginning of your CV. The timeline is not an issue. Your career history is positioned at the end of your CV where you could also list small details about your previous jobs. The functional CV focuses on your skills and accomplishments rather than your life history. What you have done rather than when and where.
Employers are not happy with such CVs as they are often an indication that a candidate is trying to hide a gap or defect in his career history.
The functional CV is used in the following situations
- You are looking for your first job
- You do not want to advertise your age
- Your major achievements happened a few years ago
- You have been unemployed for a period of time
- You are changing careers
- You are returning to your previous career

25. C.V. to Resume
The main difference between a CV and a Resume is brevity. If you are applying for jobs in the US, recruiters will scan your CV for less than thirty seconds. US recruiters do not like lengthy job descriptions and personal profiles. If you have a 10 page CV you need to re write it.
In the US, more than in other countries, time is money and recruiters do not have the time to spend 11 minutes reading your life history. Your resume should be: a teaser, the hook, pass on the essential information. Do not go into lengthy descriptions of how you saved your previous employer from bankruptcy. Just say “Implemented”

26. The DOTS Model: a process for personal
and professional career development
Where am I now?
What do I have to offer?
Action, review and
development.
What is out there?
Where do I want to be?
Where am I? What do I have to offer?
Can you identify the skills, experience and qualities you have to offer?
Can you provide evidence of these skills, experiences and qualities?
What do your interests say about your commitment and motivation? What skills?
How?
Self assessment questionnaires
Prospects planner – guidance programme covers two profiles: General Skills, Interests & Motivations
What do other people think? Ask friends/colleagues to say what they think your strengths/weaknesses are
What’s out there? Where do I want to be? How to find out?
Employment/Further study?
Have you done your research? What type of employer do you want to work for?
What is skills/qualities is the employer looking for? What are their selection criteria?
Ideas to generate career ideas – job family – demo using prospects site
Resources – see a CA in duty or drop in, Use Prospects Planner – career choice program which helps you build a personal profile combining your general and people skills, your interests and your motivations – available on Library file server use search facility to access or call into the Careers Centre, job family idea
How does this affect me?
Where do I want to work/study?
Why?
What are my priorities?
Taking action
Is your application targeted?
Have you communicated your unique selling points?
Does your application look professional?
How do I get there?

27. Experience
From month/year till now Last job. Short description of tasks and responsibilities
From month/year till month/year Previous job. Short description of tasks fulfilled and responsibilities -
From month/year till month/year First job. Short description of tasks and responsibilities

28. Education and training
From month/year till now Name of university, major, degree, date for graduation,
basic courses, additional specialization
From month/year to Name of secondary school, month/year specialty (if any), additional specialization
From month/year Training (course or till month/year seminar), who organized it, where, certificates received

29. Additional skills
Foreign languages: level of written or spoken language,
Computer skills – names of products used
Driving license - category
Others: Internet design, advertising, managerial training, specific financial skills

30. Cover Letter / Motivation letter or Business Proposal?
Grab attention
Appeal to their self interest
You are the solution (to their problem)
Be specific
Remember HR checklist
Call to action

31. Language Basic points – purpose for application
General approach – personal SWOT
Style, techniques, spelling & grammar
Use active verbs, vary vocabulary, vary sentence length, positive language
Clear and concise
Bullet points – if necessary
Try to minimise use of ‘I’

32. JOB-RELATED CORRESPONDENCE
Letter of inquiry: In this type of query you are inquiring about possible job opportunities that fit your skills. You have to give a general area you are interested in working in.
Job Application Cover Letter or Response to an Job Advertisement: Answering a particular job advert. The important thing in the cover letter is to show that your skills match those for the job advert.
Thank You Letter: A thank you letter shows the interest you have in a position you have been interviewed for.
Acceptance Letter: In this letter you state that you are accepting the job offered.
Declination Letter: You inform your employer that you are no longer interested in the position offered.In all cases make sure you follow the

33. And Finally 1 - Be proactive not reactive 2 - Be employer focussed
3 - Make the CV & Cover letter specific
4 - Do your own research
5 - Follow up everything

34. HR Divisions’ and Agency Functions
Fill a specific brief
Administrative function
Gatekeeper role
Agency
Fill a specific brief
Time based service
Paid on results

35. Assessment centres Main functions of assessment centres
Insights into recent experiences – simulations (in-basket / in-tray exercises)

36. Decision matrix – integrating data

37. The Dos and Don’ts The Dos
Research the company and a little bit about the industry
Find out what the company is looking for in its graduates – and think of some examples when you’ve demonstrated these skills
Use the career service
Keep up to date with business and political news
Take advantage of the opportunity to find out more about the company and the people, working there
Answer the question that is being asked, after you understand it
Be yourself!

38. The Dos and Don’ts The Dos Stay calm, be relaxed and don’t panic
Make sure your appearance is smart, but be comfortable
Let the company know of anything that may affect your performance e.g. dyslexia, special desease
Plan your journey carefully – and arrive on time
Get a good night’s sleep!
Be confident – and trust your own ideas
Have fun
Take some medication for relaxation (Lexotan??)!

39. The Dos and Don’ts The Don’ts
Tell them what you think they want to hear
Lie
Be afraid to ask questions
Worry if one part doesn’t go as well as the rest
Be too pushy
Stay up late or drink too much
Attend events for the sake of it

40. Lifelong learning Career planning report Personal review of experience
Summery of main learning points
Critical review of personal development (linked to personal learning objectives) and link to future employability

41. Succeeding at wok Leading projects Managing time Planning
Chairing meetings
Negotiating
Conflict resolution
Managing stress

42. Ten Golden Rules for Career Management(1)
1. Main C.V. objective – to win an interview
2. To prepare your C.V. as a means/device to better sell yourself
3. Choose the most suitable for you C.V. format
a/ chronological
b/ functional
c/ targeted
4. Design a new C.V. for every job-application
5. Make the C.V. as long as ONE page

43. Ten Golden Rules for Career Management(2)
6. Use “powerful” words as: manage, organize, sell, invent, optimize, develop, perfect, coordinate, , produce, negotiate, create, control, monitor, implement, build
7. Be concrete
8. Be specific: arrange a first class presentation of the contents, use bullets, give free space to the text “to breathe”, underline titles, use Verdana instead of Times New Roman and font size between 10 and 14, avoid fancy style, use A4 white and more specific paper – cardboard or more expensive one, print only on one side, avoid dot matrix printouts and low quality photocopies, list phone numbers on different lines

44. Ten Golden Rules for Career Management(3)
9. The contents of the C.V. contains three types of information:
a/ professional experience ~ 78 – 80 %
b/ education and training ~ % and
c/ personal information and contacts ~ 2-4 %.
N.B. Do not write nonsense - not enough space
10. The personal information includes: name, gender, ID or date of birth, recent photo, family status, children, hobbies, knowledge, skills, interests, courses, which have nothing to do with the job
N.B. Title as European format of a C.V. or any other useless inclusions sound absurd and ludicrous

45. Ten Golden Rules for Career Management(4)
Bonus: Check for spelling mistakes, use positive language, give, if necessary addresses of your previous employers, do not hide negative experience and
BE HONEST!!!