Beyond the Bench; Jobs and How to Get Them? Part I © Keith Scharnau, KAS Consulting March 19, 2008

Workshop Outcomes Objectives –Give you the tools to realize your career potential –Understand how to communicate your skills and experience Take aways –Employability skills synthesis –Values identification –Ideal Situation –Ideas generated from groupwork

Outline Skills Assessment –What do you have to offer? Values Identification –Finding the fit Ideal Situation –What are you seeking?

Self Assessment Know yourself - Part I –What are you greatest strengths? –What are your greatest weaknesses? –How are they viewed by yourself? –What do you hear from fellow classmates or co-workers about your talents or challenges? –How will you talk about yourself with employers?

Know Yourself - Skills Synthesis Occupational Groupings –Find the occupational area that best matches your employment plans Complete the Employability Skills Synthesis handout –Refer to your answers on your Employability Skills Inventory –When you have completed the synthesis exercise, partner with two other people who have finished

Skills Employers Want Communication Teamwork Motivation/drive Interpersonal Computer Adaptability Problem-solving Commercial Awareness Leadership Organizational/planning

Skills Employers Want Source: Pfizer Canada, Tara Moroz –Work well independently and in teams –Good interpersonal skills –Good problem-solving skills –Good negotiations skills –Bilingual an asset

Brainstorming Notes Skills from your Post-Secondary career –Desire –Positive attitude –Work ethic –Patience –Communication Writing, presentation skills –Organization/time management –Risk taking

Brainstorming Notes Greatest confidence in finding first job –Problem-solving –Self-directed learning –Previous experience –Project management –Communication skills –Adaptability

Know Yourself - Skills Synthesis Occupational Groupings –Find the occupational area that best matches your employment plans Complete the Employability Skills Synthesis handout –Refer to your answers on your Employability Skills Inventory –When you have completed the synthesis exercise, partner with two other people who have finished

Group Work #1 Introductions –Name, status, target occupation Share your answers to the skills synthesis Discuss/give feedback on synthesis – What are the greatest assets/liabilities considering the occupation person is targeting? Where are these skills utilized in the industry? –How can person act on the implications? –Considering where trends are apparent, what is important to remember during communication?

Debrief What have you learned about your skills through this process? –How do they related to the skills employers are looking for? Do you match well? Communication, teamwork, motivation/drive, interpersonal, computer, adaptability, problem-solving, commercial awareness, leadership, organization/planning How can you apply this information? What action will you take based on the skills synthesis?

Groupings Bench Positions Business Development Market Analysis/Patent Logistics/Supply Chain Procurement and Purchasing Quality Assurance/Control Government Media/Publishing Regulatory Affairs Research & Development Sales Positions

What are Your Strongest Areas? Communication Personal Management Administrative Analyze Consult Management Interpersonal Relations Plan and Organize Create and Innovate Mentoring/Coaching Leadership Financial What are Your Weakest Areas?

Know Yourself - Skills Synthesis Employability Skills Inventory Results –What are your top five skills? –Which skills do you enjoy using most? –What are your three weakest skills? Which best describes your skills A.All of the skills I enjoy are among my best B.Some of the skills I enjoy are among my best C.None of the skills I enjoy are among my best These skills are weakest because: D.I enjoy them the least E.I lack formal training and/or experience using them F.I need to improve them to be marketable to employers What are the implications of your synthesis?

Know Yourself - Skills Synthesis Note trends from your skill areas and skills synthesis –What do these trends tell you about your self-perceptions? Are they a match with how you see yourself? How are they a match (or not)? –What do these trends tell employers? Are these trends immediately apparent? On paper? In-person?

Values Identification What are your top six values? Which values did you rate as a “1”? How will this impact your job search? Do you know an experienced person who could indicate how your values could be met in a particular industry/occupation?

Ideal Situation Role –Job Description Skills Required Accountabilities –Position Independent or team –Professional Development Training/Further Education –Supervisor Style/Fit –Career Track/ Advancement Environment –Company Values/Çulture Size –Work Environment Work volume/pace –Remuneration (+benefits) –Location Cost of Living –Personal Considerations Work/life balance Hours worked

Group Work #2 Consider your most important values and elements of your ideal situation –Describe a situation that you were involved in where a decision or action went against your values. How did you handle it? Would you do anything differently if it happened again? –Share a time when you were in a work setting with a poor fit. How did it impact your work and your attitude? –Be prepared to share with the group What do these stories say about your current job search?

Values Debrief Which statement applies to you? 1.It is good to reflect on my values, but it will not influence my choice of employer 2.My values will be a consideration in choosing an employer 3.The employer I choose must match my values

Ideal Situation Debrief Which statement applies to you? 1.It is good to know my ideal situation, but it will not influence my choice of employer 2.At least some of my ideal situation will be a consideration in choosing an employer 3.The employer I choose must fit well with my ideal situation

Next Session Outline –Exploration What’s out there? How to use the information? –Getting it Done Making Contact Reality Check Timeline - What to plan when

Next Session –Wednesday, March 23rd –4:30 - 6:30 –Location:

Questions? Thank You