Kick Start Your Career

Kick Start Your Career

by Lee Smith, John van Genderen
Released March 2018
Publisher(s): Routledge
ISBN: 9781351656856

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Book description

For new graduates, the key challenge remains how to secure that first career-related job. Full of guidance and tips on how to handle the complex field of job hunting, Kick Start Your Career can help navigate an ever-changing job market and secure your chance at your desired career. It is a valuable investment in your future. It advises the reader on how to:

  • stand out in job applications;

  • use social media for job searching;

  • create resumes and cover letters that stand out;

  • succeed at interviews.

It provides a practical, hands on, step-by-step approach. With an integrated Personal Plan that helps create key job search documents it directs soon-to-be graduates towards achieving their career aspirations. Accompanying online resources include examples and templates, which can be downloaded in Word format to help you prepare resumes and other job search documents.

This book will help graduates progressively build up job-hunting resources – skills, achievements, resume, cover letter and interview responses – and turn this into a practical outcome: a new job. It is a key companion to any student or recent graduate exploring the job market.

Table of contents

  1. Cover
  2. Half-title Page
  3. Title Page
  4. Copyright
  5. Contents
  6. Starting your career!
  7. Collaboration note and about the authors
  8. Preface
  9. Who will use the book
  10. eResources: added digital resources
  11. Full programme or fast-track?
  12. Abbreviations
  13. Acknowledgements
  14. 1 Getting prepared
    1. 1.1 Introduction
    2. 1.2 Aims
      1. 1.2.1 Structure
      2. 1.2.2 Group discussion/tutorial
      3. 1.2.3 Personal Plan
    3. 1.3 Maximising your outcomes
    4. 1.4 Challenges and issues
      1. 1.4.1 Challenges from under-graduate/graduate perspective
      2. 1.4.2 Challenges from an employer’s perspective
      3. 1.4.3 Challenges from the perspective of an interview panel
      4. 1.4.4 Challenges from a university perspective
      5. 1.4.5 Group discussion/tutorial
      6. 1.4.6 Personal Plan
    5. 1.5 One step at a time
      1. 1.5.1 Group discussion/tutorial
      2. 1.5.2 Personal Plan
    6. 1.6 Summary
    7. 1.6 Summary
    8. 1.7.1 eResources link
  15. 2 Adaptable strategies
    1. 2.1 Introduction
    2. 2.2 Adaptable alternate strategies: job searching
      1. 2.2.1 Adapting to changing employment markets
        1. 2.2.1.1 Adaptable strategies
        2. 2.2.1.2 Poor local job market: opportunities at different levels
      2. 2.2.2 Expectations
        1. 2.2.2.1 Realistic expectations
        2. 2.2.2.2 Excessive expectations
        3. 2.2.2.3 Re-orient job expectations
      3. 2.2.3 Further studies
      4. 2.2.4 Alternative career or profession
        1. 2.2.4.1 Reference: example sites for career assessment
      5. 2.2.5 Recognising your skills and using them
    3. 2.3 Rebranding yourself
      1. 2.3.1 Job market changes and alternative job options
      2. 2.3.2 Personal preference changes
    4. 2.4 Summary
    5. 2.5 References and further reading
    6. 2.5.1 Some reference websites for career assessment
    7. 2.5.2 Reference: eResources link for this book
  16. 3 Personal abilities
    1. 3.1 Introduction
    2. 3.2 Developing personal abilities for successful job hunting
      1. 3.2.1 Adaptability
      2. 3.2.2 Resilience
      3. 3.2.3 Endurance
      4. 3.2.4 Spirit lifters and thought conditioners
        1. 3.2.4.1 Spirit lifters
        2. 3.2.4.2 Thought conditioners
      5. 3.2.5 Mentors, friends and family support
        1. 3.2.5.1 Mentors
        2. 3.2.5.2 Family and friends
    3. 3.3 Summary
    4. 3.4 References and further reading
    5. 3.4.1 Further reading
    6. 3.4.2 General books on finding a job
    7. 3.4.3 Scholarly articles
  17. 4 Job hunting
    1. 4.1 Introduction
    2. 4.2 Overview of job hunting and securing a job
      1. 4.2.1 Achievements and job criteria: overview
      2. 4.2.2 Good resume
      3. 4.2.3 Cover letter: overview
    3. 4.3 Job hunting: key considerations
      1. 4.3.1 Why do some people win jobs and others not?
      2. 4.3.2 Adapting to change
      3. 4.3.3 Value and power of a good resume
      4. 4.3.4 Value of a good cover letter
      5. 4.3.5 Researching potential employment organisations
      6. 4.3.6 Social media for job searching
      7. 4.3.7 Checking yourself: your online image
        1. 4.3.7.1 Social media: the real you?
      8. 4.3.8 Professional development: overview
    4. 4.4 Job selection: psychology
      1. 4.4.1 Group discussion/tutorial
      2. 4.4.2 Personal Plan
    5. 4.5 Understanding the job market
      1. 4.5.1 Job lists
      2. 4.5.2 Social media: job market
    6. 4.6 Summary
    7. 4.7 References and further reading
    8. 4.7.1 Reference: eResources link for this book
  18. 5 Locating job opportunities
    1. 5.1 Introduction
    2. 5.2 Locating job opportunities
      1. 5.2.1 Job location: overview
        1. 5.2.1.1 Locating jobs: options
        2. 5.2.1.2 Group discussion/tutorial
      2. 5.2.2 Understanding the traditional job market
      3. 5.2.3 Hidden job market
      4. 5.2.4 Social media: locating job opportunities
        1. 5.2.4.1 Create a social media profile for job searching
        2. 5.2.4.2 How to be visible on LinkedIn
        3. 5.2.4.3 Social media for job hunting
      5. 5.2.5 Advertisements: press
      6. 5.2.6 Online Internet opportunities
      7. 5.2.7 Job search agencies (servicing employers)
      8. 5.2.8 Job search agencies (servicing potential employees): commercial
      9. 5.2.9 Job search agencies (servicing potential employees): government
        1. 5.2.9.1 Group discussion/tutorial
      10. 5.2.10 Non-advertised jobs
      11. 5.2.11 Networking: job opportunities
      12. 5.2.12 Job fairs
      13. 5.2.13 Personal Plan: locating job opportunities
      14. 5.2.14 Networking: approaching organisations
    3. 5.3 Summary
    4. 5.4 References and further reading
  19. 6 Social media
    1. 6.1 Introduction
    2. 6.2 Social media: job search options
      1. 6.2.1 Employers’ use of social media for employment
      2. 6.2.2 Social media for job search: your options
      3. 6.2.3 LinkedIn
      4. 6.2.4 Facebook
        1. 6.2.4.1 Facebook for job seekers
        2. 6.2.4.2 Facebook for networking?
        3. 6.2.4.3 Facebook for job searching?
        4. 6.2.4.4 Facebook careers advice to job seekers
      5. 6.2.5 Google Plus
      6. 6.2.6 Twitter
    3. 6.3 Summary
    4. 6.4 References and further reading
  20. 7 Social media
    1. 7.1 Introduction
    2. 7.2 Social media: establishing your online profile
    3. 7.3 LinkedIn profile
      1. 7.3.1 Your profile photo
      2. 7.3.2 LinkedIn profile: connect with the professional world
      3. 7.3.3 Personal Plan: social media profile
      4. 7.3.4 Referees and recommendations
      5. 7.3.5 How to be visible on LinkedIn
    4. 7.4 Facebook profile
      1. 7.4.1 Ideal candidate?
      2. 7.4.2 What makes you unique?
      3. 7.4.3 Check your Facebook profile and image
    5. 7.5 Google Plus profile
    6. 7.6 Twitter profile
      1. 7.6.1 Twitter username options
      2. 7.6.2 Twitter account name
      3. 7.6.3 Your location
      4. 7.6.4 Your Twitter bio, photo and link
    7. 7.7 Summary
    8. 7.8 References and further reading
    9. 7.8.1 Reference: eResources link for this book
  21. 8 Social media for job hunting
    1. 8.1 Introduction
    2. 8.2 Social media for job hunting
    3. 8.3 LinkedIn
    4. 8.4 Facebook
    5. 8.5 Google Plus
    6. 8.6 Twitter
    7. 8.7 Other options
      1. 8.7.1 Websites: organising your job search
      2. 8.7.2 Networking is important
    8. 8.8 Summary
    9. 8.9 References and further reading
    10. 8.9.1 Reference: eResources link for this book
  22. 9 Personal development
    1. 9.1 Introduction
    2. 9.2 Understanding yourself
      1. 9.2.1 What is going on inside?
      2. 9.2.2 Psychological techniques
    3. 9.3 Decision-making tools
      1. 9.3.1 SWOT analysis
      2. 9.3.2 Decision balance analysis
        1. 9.3.2.1 Alternative options
        2. 9.3.2.2 Evaluation
      3. 9.3.3 Force field analysis
    4. 9.4 Summary
    5. 9.5 References and further reading
    6. 9.5.1 Understanding yourself
    7. 9.5.2 Career assessment
    8. 9.5.3 Decision tools: origins
    9. 9.5.4 Reference: eResources link for this book
  23. 10 General Achievements
    1. 10.1 Introduction
    2. 10.2 General Achievements: developing your selling points
      1. 10.2.1 Achievements: recognise them
      2. 10.2.2 Achievements: how to develop them
      3. 10.2.3 How to create achievement statements
    3. 10.3 Teamwork
    4. 10.4 Communication skills
    5. 10.5 People skills
    6. 10.6 Quality
    7. 10.7 Commitment
    8. 10.8 Timeliness
    9. 10.9 Customer service
    10. 10.10 Personal Plan: main general achievements
    11. 10.11 Other skills
      1. 10.11.1 Word processing and spreadsheets
      2. 10.11.2 Computer and Internet
      3. 10.11.3 Software tools
    12. 10.12 Personal Plan: other skills
    13. 10.13 Personal achievements
      1. 10.13.1 Problem solving and analysis
      2. 10.13.2 Self-motivation
    14. 10.14 Personal Plan: personal skills
    15. 10.15 Further information on achievement statements
    16. 10.16 Summary
    17. 10.17 References and further reading
    18. 10.17.1 Reference: eResources link for this book
  24. 11 Achievements Extended
    1. 11.1 Introduction
    2. 11.2 Achievements Extended
      1. 11.2.1 Overview
      2. 11.2.2 Achievements: recognise them
      3. 11.2.3 Extended achievements: how to develop them
      4. 11.2.4 How to create extended achievement statements
    3. 11.3 Profession-specific achievements
    4. 11.4 Personal Plan: profession-specific
    5. 11.5 Job-specific achievements
    6. 11.6 Personal Plan: job-specific
    7. 11.7 Personal achievements
    8. 11.8 Personal Plan: personal achievements
    9. 11.9 Summary
    10. 11.10 References and further reading
    11. 11.10.1 Reference: eResources link for this book
  25. 12 Preparing your Foundation Resume
    1. 12.1 Introduction
    2. 12.2 Resume development stages: overview
    3. 12.3 Select Foundation Resume template
    4. 12.4 Free digital resume template: YouExec
      1. 12.4.1 Resume template
      2. 12.4.2 Subscription services
    5. 12.5 Preparing your Foundation Resume
      1. 12.5.1 Your aims
      2. 12.5.2 Resume: contents and order
      3. 12.5.3 Resume contents: option one
      4. 12.5.4 Resume contents: option two
    6. 12.6 Personal Plan: Foundation Resume – key points
    7. 12.7 Creating your Foundation Resume: stage 1
    8. 12.8 Summary
    9. 12.9 References and further reading
    10. 12.9.1 Reference: eResource link for this book
  26. 13 Preparing your Foundation Resume
    1. 13.1 Introduction
    2. 13.2 Foundation Resume: stage 2 – contents
    3. 13.3 Personal Plan: Foundation Resume – stage 2
      1. 13.3.1 Profession-specific
      2. 13.3.2 Job-specific
      3. 13.3.3 Personal achievements
      4. 13.3.4 Referees
    4. 13.4 Creating your Foundation Resume – stage 2
    5. 13.5 Foundation Resume check
    6. 13.6 Summary
    7. 13.7 References and further reading
    8. 13.7.1 Reference: eResources link for this book
  27. 14 Referees and references
    1. 14.1 Introduction
    2. 14.2 Referees and references
      1. 14.2.1 Ways to arrange references
      2. 14.2.2 Who to ask for references?
      3. 14.2.3 Select your references carefully
      4. 14.2.4 How to manage your references
      5. 14.2.5 How to ask for a letter of recommendation
      6. 14.2.6 Providing references
      7. 14.2.7 Prepare your referees properly
      8. 14.2.8 LinkedIn references
        1. 14.2.8.1 How to ask for a LinkedIn reference
    3. 14.3 Personal Plan: Foundation Resume – referees
    4. 14.4 Creating your Foundation Resume: referees
    5. 14.5 Summary
    6. 14.6 References and further reading
    7. 14.6.1 Reference: eResources link for this book
  28. 15 Preparing your Targeted Resume
    1. 15.1 Introduction
    2. 15.2 Country and regional variations for resumes
    3. 15.3 Australia and New Zealand: resume formats
      1. 15.3.1 Australia and New Zealand: resume tips
      2. 15.3.2 Australia and New Zealand: resume examples – website links
      3. 15.3.3 Australia and New Zealand: resume format
    4. 15.4 UK: resume formats
      1. 15.4.1 UK: resume tips
      2. 15.4.2 UK: resume examples – website links
      3. 15.4.3 UK: resume format
    5. 15.5 USA: resume formats
      1. 15.5.1 USA: main resume types
      2. 15.5.2 USA: federal resume
      3. 15.5.3 USA: resume tips
      4. 15.5.4 USA: resume format
    6. 15.6 Europe: resume formats
      1. 15.6.1 Europe: resume variations
        1. 15.6.1.1 Resume size: select examples
        2. 15.6.1.2 Layout order (dates): select examples
        3. 15.6.1.3 Career goals: select examples
        4. 15.6.1.4 Personal information: select examples
        5. 15.6.1.5 Education: select examples
        6. 15.6.1.6 Student practice: select examples
        7. 15.6.1.7 Professional experience: select examples
        8. 15.6.1.8 Special skills: select examples
        9. 15.6.1.9 Languages: select examples
        10. 15.6.1.10 Military experience: select examples
        11. 15.6.1.11 Personal interests and hobbies: select examples
        12. 15.6.1.12 Photos: select examples
        13. 15.6.1.13 Other: select examples
        14. 15.6.1.14 Summary
      2. 15.6.2 Europass CV
        1. 15.6.2.1 Background
        2. 15.6.2.2 What makes up the Europass?
      3. 15.6.3 Europe: resume format
    7. 15.7 Asia: resume formats
      1. 15.7.1 Asia: resume variations
        1. 15.7.1.1 Resume size: select examples
        2. 15.7.1.2 Variations:
        3. 15.7.1.3 Personal information: Asia
        4. 15.7.1.4 Summary
      2. 15.7.2 Asia: resume format
    8. 15.8 Canada: resume formats
      1. 15.8.1 Canada: resume variations
        1. 15.8.1.1 One or two page typical layout
      2. 15.8.2 Canada: resume format
    9. 15.9 South America: resume formats
      1. 15.9.1 South America: resume variations
        1. 15.9.1.1 Resume size: select examples
        2. 15.9.1.2 Variations
        3. 15.9.1.3 Personal information: South America
        4. 15.9.1.4 Photos
        5. 15.9.1.5 Summary
      2. 15.9.2 South America: resume format
    10. 15.10 China: resume formats
      1. 15.10.1 China: resume variations
        1. 15.10.1.1 One or two page typical layout
      2. 15.10.2 China: resume format
    11. 15.11 Creating your Targeted Resume (country-specific)
    12. 15.12 Personal Plan: Targeted Resume
      1. 15.12.1 Outcome
      2. 15.12.2 Other job applications
    13. 15.13 Check: Targeted Resume
    14. 15.14 Summary
    15. 15.15 References and further reading
    16. 15.15.1 Australia and New Zealand
    17. 15.15.2 United Kingdom (UK)
    18. 15.15.3 United States of America (USA)
    19. 15.15.4 Europe
    20. 15.15.5 Asia
    21. 15.15.6 Canada
    22. 15.15.7 South America
    23. 15.15.8 China
    24. 15.15.9 Reference: eResources link for this book
  29. 16 Preparing your tailored cover letter
    1. 16.1 Introduction
    2. 16.2 Cover letter: purpose
    3. 16.3 Presentation and style
      1. 16.3.1 Cover letter components
    4. 16.4 Tailored cover letter
    5. 16.5 Personal Plan: cover letter
    6. 16.6 Summary
    7. 16.7 References and further reading
    8. 16.7.1 Reference: eResources link for this book
  30. 17 Interviews
    1. 17.1 Introduction
    2. 17.2 Job selection psychology: review
    3. 17.3 Interview preparation
      1. 17.3.1 Web: potential employer information
      2. 17.3.2 Other sources of information
        1. 17.3.2.1 Colleagues
        2. 17.3.2.2 Mentors in your profession
        3. 17.3.2.3 Mentors in other professions
      3. 17.3.3 Questions: job interview preparation
      4. 17.3.4 Your unique selling points
      5. 17.3.5 Role plays
      6. 17.3.6 Interview panel
      7. 17.3.7 Communication: body language
        1. 17.3.7.1 Posture
      8. 17.3.8 Initial interview meeting
      9. 17.3.9 End of interview contact
      10. 17.3.10 Dress and personal presentation
      11. 17.3.11 Online interviews: Skype
        1. 17.3.11.1 Preparation
        2. 17.3.11.2 Rehearse
    4. 17.4 Interviews: experts’ advice
    5. 17.5 Interview or job application rejection: moving forward
      1. 17.5.1 Surviving rejections
      2. 17.5.2 Personal factors
      3. 17.5.3 Conditioning our thinking
        1. 17.5.3.1 Spirit lifters
        2. 17.5.3.2 Thought conditioners
      4. 17.5.4 Support from family and friends
    6. 17.6 Summary
    7. 17.7 References and further reading
    8. 17.7.1 Reference: eResources link for this book
  31. 18 Conclusion
    1. 18.1 Introduction
    2. 18.2 Conclusion: job search preparation
    3. 18.3 Conclusion: job hunting
    4. 18.4 Your career journey: best wishes
  32. Appendix Resources 1 Myers-Briggs Type Indicator® (MBTI®)
    1. References
  33. Appendix Resources 2 Career assessment reports
    1. How the Strong Interest Inventory® can help
      1. How the report is organised
    2. Career assessment: Myers-Briggs (MBTI)® and Strong (SII)® evaluations
      1. How the report is organised
      2. Your preferences (SII® and MBTI® combined)
      3. Career fields and occupations linked to combined results
      4. Other occupations to explore
      5. Specific careers
    3. References
  34. Appendix Resources 3 General Achievement examples
    1. Achievement statements
    2. Teamwork achievement example
    3. Communication achievement example
    4. People skills achievement example
    5. Quality achievement example
    6. Commitment achievement example
    7. Timeliness achievement example
    8. Customer service achievement example
    9. Other skills and achievements
      1. Word processing and spreadsheets
      2. Computer and Internet
      3. Software tools
    10. Personal achievements
      1. Problem solving and analysis skills
      2. Self-motivation skills
  35. Appendix Resources 4 Achievements Extended examples
    1. Extended Achievement statements
    2. Profession-specific achievements
    3. Job-specific achievements
    4. Personal achievements
  36. Appendix Resources 5 Foundation Resume example 1
  37. Appendix Resources 6 Foundation Resume example 2
  38. Appendix Resources 7 Cover letter example 1
  39. Appendix Resources 8 Cover letter example 2
  40. Appendix Resources 9 Interviews – experts’ advice
    1. The fundamental interview questions
    2. Interview
    3. Evaluation
    4. Preparing for your interview
    5. SOARL
      1. Example SOARL question
      2. Example SOARL answer
      3. Creating SOARL stories
    6. Develop and write down your competencies (achievements)
      1. Main behavioural competencies
      2.  40 core “behavioural competencies”
    7. Interview questions and answers
    8. Yes and no questions
    9. Interview “do’s and don’ts”
    10. Questions you can ask
    11. Closing statement
    12. Reference
  41. Appendix Resources 10 Targeted Resume – Australian example
  42. Appendix Resources 11 Targeted Resume – United Kingdom (UK) example
  43. Appendix Resources 12 Targeted Resume – USA example
  44. Appendix Resources 13 Targeted Resume – European example
    1. References
  45. Appendix Resources 14 Targeted Resume – Asian example
  46. Appendix Personal Plan 1 – aims
    1. Personal Plan
  47. Appendix Personal Plan 2 – challenges and issues
  48. Appendix Personal Plan 3 – one step at a time
    1. Individual exercise: identify larger project or activity
    2. Individual exercise: break it down
  49. Appendix Personal Plan 4 – job selection psychology
  50. Appendix Personal Plan 5 – locating jobs
  51. Appendix Personal Plan 6 – Social media online profile
    1. LinkedIn profile
      1. Approach
      2. Create a professional LinkedIn profile link
      3. Select a professional profile photo
      4. Add a “summary” to your profile
      5. Industry selection
      6. Experience section
      7. Additional information in your profile
  52. Appendix Personal Plan 7 – SWOT analysis
    1. Decision-making tools: SWOT analysis
    2. The issue
    3. Strengths
    4. Weaknesses
    5. Opportunities
    6. Threats
    7. Application
  53. Appendix Personal Plan 8 – Decision balance analysis
    1. Decision-making tools: decision balance analysis
    2. The decision balance analysis
  54. Appendix Personal Plan 9 – force field analysis
    1. Decision-making tools: force field analysis
    2. Action plan
  55. Appendix Personal Plan 10 – general achievements
    1. Approach
    2. Generic achievements
      1. Teamwork
      2. Communication
      3. People skills
      4. Quality
      5. Commitment
      6. Timeliness
      7. Customer service
      8. Other skills and achievements
    3. Word processing and spreadsheets
    4. Computer and Internet
    5. Software tools
    6. Personal achievements
      1. Problem solving and analysis skills
      2. Self-motivation skills
  56. Appendix Personal Plan 11 – Achievements Extended
    1. Approach
    2. Profession-specific achievements
    3. Job-specific achievements
    4. Personal achievements
  57. Appendix Personal Plan 12 – Foundation Resume stage 1 key points
    1. Approach
    2. Career goals
    3. Overview of skills and abilities
    4. Key skills
    5. Personal characteristics
    6. Interests and activities
    7. General skills
    8. Teamwork
    9. Communication
    10. People skills
    11. Quality
    12. Commitment
    13. Timeliness
    14. Customer service
    15. Other skills and achievements
      1. Word processing and spreadsheets
      2. Computer and Internet
    16. Software tools
    17. Personal achievements
      1. Problem solving and analysis skills
      2. Self-motivation skills
      3. Key qualifications
    18. Employment experience
  58. Appendix Personal Plan 13 – Foundation Resume stage 2
    1. Approach
    2. Foundation Resume: profession-specific
    3. Job-specific criteria
    4. Personal achievements
    5. Referees
  59. Appendix Personal Plan 14 – Targeted Resume (county format)
    1. Approach
    2. Action
    3. Reference: eResources link for this book
  60. Appendix Personal Plan 15 – Cover letter
  61. Glossary
  62. Index

Product information

  • Title: Kick Start Your Career
  • Author(s): Lee Smith, John van Genderen
  • Release date: March 2018
  • Publisher(s): Routledge
  • ISBN: 9781351656856