Alumni Career Services
The Career Planning Process
Whether you are looking for a new position or a new career, career planning is a process. Each step is equally important! Alumni Career Services suggests these resources to help you identify your career target and implement a successful career search:
Step 1: Self Assessment and Career Exploration
Career satisfaction increases if your career matches your interests and skills. Consider your hobbies, topics you like to talk or read about, and workshops or courses that you would consider taking. When considering your skills, think of job-related abilities (for example, computer skills, customer service skills, machine operation skill), adaptive skills (personality traits like enthusiasm, promptness, ability to get along with others), and transferable skills (like communication, research, planning, and management abilities.)
There are some on-line assessments available: The Careerlink Inventory , The Riley Guide Self Assessment Resources and Career Tool Box, as well as many books on career exploration, such as “Do What You Are” (Tieger & Barron-Tieger) and “The Pathfinder” (Nicholas Lore).
Download “Step into Your Career Fit” for more self assessment and career exploration resources.
People who are in satisfying, challenging careers that match their talents, personalities and goals usually achieve a higher degree of success. And they live longer, healthier and more satisfying lives.
Need more help with this part of Step 1? Alumni Career Services offers the Myers-Briggs Type Indicator and the Strong Interest Inventory for those requiring more in-depth analysis. You will then work with Cathy McGinnis, Program Director of Alumni Career Services to refine your career target and develop an action plan to reach your career goals.
Use the self-assessment information to identify career possibilities. There are many print and internet-based resources to explore careers. Try the Occupational Outlook Handbook or the Careers in Business site for current information describing specific duties of various occupations, the skills and abilities required, the job outlook, median earnings and sources of additional information. Talk to individuals working in the field in which you are interested. Set up “informational interviews” to gather information from respected professionals in your area. Use the Internet for occupational information, professional associations and job postings to identify potential careers.
The Alumni Career Services pages of B-Link offer free access to The Vault On-Line Career Library, full of insider information on careers, industries and employers. There's a reason why Fortune recently called Vault "The best place on the Web to prepare for a job search." Full of downloadable industry guides and employer profiles, as well as tons of career research and profiles, this new resource is highly recommended by the Alumni Career Services and the
You may not have all of the qualifications that are needed to obtain your desired position. Setting goals to overcome identified barriers (education, experience, and lack of information) will help you determine where you would like to be in 3 to 5 years.
Most people looking for a new job do not spend enough time in Step 1 of the career planning process. Few people explore their options and plan their career. This may explain why current research indicates that 80% of the workers in the
Need help in researching occupations and potential employers? Alumni Career Services offers free access to the CareerSearch database on the “Career Services” tab on myBucknell. This database of over 2.3 million companies and recruiting firms can be used to access information by industry, by location and/or by key words and is a valuable way to identify potential employers.
Step 2: Employability and Job Readiness
There are many Internet and print sources available to help you write a resume, including Quintessential Careers, Rockport Insititute and “Resume Magic” by Susan Britton Whitcomb. All candidates should strive to provide an honest and accurate record of their accomplishments and qualifications. The content of a resume and cover letter must be supported by facts and defended during the interviewing process.All resumes should be accompanied by a cover letter. This lead-in to your resume highlights specific accomplishments and explains how you would contribute to the company. Additionally, at least 3 professional references should be listed on a separate sheet of paper and taken with you to the interview. You can download Creating an Effective Resume.
Need additional resources for developing your resume and cover letter? Alumni Career Services offers resume and cover letter assistance including information on different formats, feedback on content, professional samples, and proofreading of your final drafts.
Step 3: The Job Search
A valuable career search tool is “networking” - purposefully developing relationships with others. Another way to think of this is “connecting.” The focus is on gathering information, not getting a job. Networking should be done during the career exploration, during the job search, and after obtaining a position. The contacts that you make today may help you find a job now and in the future. If you maintain your network throughout your career, you may never need to look for a job again…employers will come looking for you! For information on steps to success in the “Hidden Job Market” go to Job Star Central and “Networking for Everyone!” by L. Michelle Tullier, PhD.
Job seekers are spending hours on the World Wide Web looking for new career opportunities. The large job boards (monster.com, careerbuilder.com, hotjobs.com) have the most postings and cover many career fields. However, the competition is fierce and only about 3% of people secure jobs solely through these Internet job boards. To increase your chances for success, refine your search for open positions by focusing on specific professions, geographic locations, or keywords. Consider using niche sites that specialize in occupations, industries or type of job seeker (ie. MBAs, consultants, educators, new graduates.) Good advice and additional resources can be found at Job Hunt.org and Career Journal.com. Visit websites of professional associations in your field which may contain links to employers, job postings, and networking events.
Beyond the BRIDGE connects employers looking for experienced Bucknell graduates with alumni looking for new opportunities. If you are seeking a new career (or are looking for outstanding candidates for your organization) visit Beyond the BRIDGE.
The Job Interview is considered by employers to be the most important criteria when hiring a new employee. It is where you get—or lose—the job. The purpose of an interview is to exchange information. The employer wants to discuss your qualifications and determine if you will be a good fit for their company. The interviewee needs to understand the expectations of the company and position. You must be prepared to answer and ask questions during the interview. Know your professional contributions to previous employers, your personal qualities, and information about the company conducting the interview. Additional information can be found at Riley Guide and Quintessential Careers and “60 Seconds and You’re Hired” by Robin Ryan.
Download Navigating the Job Search and Successful Interviewing Strategies
Need more help with Step 3? Alumni Career Services offers access to "Connect with Bucknell Alumni", an alumni database for career networking, to encourage alumni connections. You can find this on the “Career Services” tab on myBucknell. Assistance with developing networking contacts and interview preparation (including mock interviews) is also available.
Step 4: Ask for Help!
The Career Planning Process can be exhausting and stressful. Finding a support system to offer resources and encouragement is essential! Alumni Career Services offers personalized career assistance through a variety of career resources. Please contact us today if you are interested in learning more!
