Developing Business Practice – 302LON Career Development Strategies Unit: 7 Knowledgecast: 2

In this Knowledgecast, we will: Demonstrate a critical understanding of the importance of independence in learning and the need for a ‘growth’ mindset Evaluate own skills, competencies and attitudes required for a successful work experience Develop an effective employment and career development strategy Module Learning Outcomes

Module Overview Unit 1Developing as a learner 2Working independently and with others 3Academic writing 4Critical thinking, reading and taking notes 5Using data in your studies 6Business and management research 7Career development strategies 8Effective self marketing tools 9Successful work experience 10Personal Development Planning

Based on: Cameron (2009) 5 Key Strategies for Career Success Know your skills and strengths Contact potential employers Present yourself professionally Present yourself successfully Positive Thinking

Networking successfully requires that you are always: 1.Positive – know your career direction and 2.Focused – know why you are contacting a contact 3.Prepared – clear about what you are looking for from a contact 4.Professional – able how to present yourself and engage others 5.Appreciative – send thank you notes for their time and advice Career Skills: Networking

Career Skills: Your Elevator Pitch The Hook Grab their interest How can you help with an issue The Benefit Give them 3 benefits Why are you an attractive option? The Action Tell them your follow up What will you do now?

What are their objectives?What is their work environment like?What will they lose if they don’t have me?Why would I be an asset?How does this link to their objectives? Career Skills: Preparing to Influence

Career Skills: Influencing Others Check out how comfortable they are to proceed Explain how your offer benefits them Explain how your offer works Explain how you can help achieve their objectives Understand their objectives and views Establish a rapport

The benefits of an Informational Interview are: A realistic view of an industry, organisation or job role Develops your professional contacts Develops your confidence in interacting with employers Provide realistic advice to help about your entry into the field Gain suggestions for part-time and temporary jobs to develop useful skills and experience Receive advice on what to emphasise on a CV and during a job interview to demonstrate a ‘good fit’ Career Skills: Informational Interviews

Your Network can be built using: Previous working relationships Attending specific networking events Attending events with like-minded people Using social networking sites Career Skills: Building Your Network

Based on: Cameron (2009) 5 Key Strategies for Career Success Know your skills and strengths Contact potential employers Present yourself professionally Present yourself successfully Positive Thinking

The beliefs your hold The rights you give yourself and others Your behaviour in a range of situations The results from situations and how you interpret them Career Skills: Building Your Self-Belief affects

Career Skills: Positive Thinking STRENGTHS What are you most confident about? What are you looking forward to? What are you enjoying now? WEAKNESS What don’t you feel confident about? What are your fears? What stops you from feeling more positive? OPPORTUNITIES How do you feel about developing your self-confidence? What’s coming up where you can try new things out? THREATS What are the downsides about changing your attitudes? What would have to be different to feel more positive or confident?

In our next Knowledgecast, we will look at: Evaluate current academic, self-marketing and personal skills and present a plan for developing skills Discuss the value of reflection and self-evaluation as a learner Evaluate own skills, competencies and attitudes required for a successful work experience Develop an effective employment and career development strategy What are we going to cover next?

In this Knowledgecast, we have looked at: Demonstrate a critical understanding of the importance of independence in learning and the need for a ‘growth’ mindset –Understanding the beliefs you hold about yourself and their influence on your career development strategy Evaluate own skills, competencies and attitudes required for a successful work experience –Role of key networking skills and competences when contacting potential employers Develop an effective employment and career development strategy –Planning your positive impact when contacting potential employers Knowledgecast Summary

Independence and Reflection: the ingredients for successful learners? Prepare and deliver a Group Presentation. Group Presentations – Cohort One You have 10 minutes to deliver your presentation Time will be allocated for questions from the audience Every member of the presenting group will be required to participate Seminar: Regular Assignment 2

Independence and Reflection: the ingredients for successful learners? Prepare and deliver a Group Presentation. Group Presentations – Cohort Two You have 10 minutes to deliver your presentation Time will be allocated for questions from the audience Every member of the presenting group will be required to participate Group Activity: Regular Assignment 2