1. The Value that Businesspersons Between Jobs Brings to the Job Search
How does BBJ help you
Dwayne Miller
MBA, PMP, Master Black Belt Lean Six Sigma, ITIL v3 Foundation
Director – IT Process Engineering, RGA
Businesspersons Between Jobs - November 23, 2015

2. BBJ
March 2009
Board Member
Lucas

3. March 2009 What I Felt What I Did Unprepared Procrastinated
Lack of Routine
Lack of Structure
Lack of Confidence
Alone
Uncertain Financially
Bitter
Volunteered
Goal Setting
Got Involved
Set a Weekly Schedule
Toastmasters
Network
Gold Nuggets
Positive Attitude

4. Board Member Situation What we Did Low Attendance Wrong Reasons
Low Participation
Expectations
Venue
Bright Stars
Interactive Meetings
Practice Interviews
Networking
Moved Rooms
Lucky’s
Green Book
Develop Bright Stars
Introductions and Elevator Speech at every meeting
Asked for Suggestions (and continue to do so)

5. Lucas Situation What he Did Finished School Unprepared Procrastinated
Lack of Routine
Lack of Structure
Lack of Confidence
Alone
Financial
He got help
Did more than just send out Resumes
Looked for more Networking opportunities (Venture Café)
Reached out to Recruiters in his field
Accountability Group – The right mix

6. Cost Comparison BBJ Career Coach $40 Life Membership
Resume Review
Speakers
Web site
50 Tough Interview Questions and suggested responses
Green Book
Practice Interview Committee
Accountability Group
And More!!!!
$100 - $500 for 2-hour session
Resume Review ($400)

7. What are you going to do today?
How about…
Volunteering for something at BBJ
Schedule Networking Events in your Calendar and attend and participate! (NHH – 12/3/15 at Helen’s)
Making a list of goals to begin achieving – Now!
Go to a Toastmasters meeting
Network with as many people as possible at the next event you attend
Build your weekly routine
Begin an Accountability Group

8. Thank You
Questions?

9. Pursuing a Position Positive Attitude Network Pay it Forward
Rough spots – these too will pass - opportunities
Pollyanna – Look for the bright side in every situation
Don’t worry and don’t panic – ever!
Network
Business Cards – Never leave home without them!
30 Second Commercial – Elevator Speech
Network Everywhere!
Make it a Game
Pay it Forward
Never pass up an opportunity to help someone
Don’t ever expect anything in return
However, it will be returned to you in the most wonderful and unexpected way(s) – It’s Amazing!!!

10. Feel the Fear . . . and Do It Anyway
Life
Learn
Help People
Have Fun!
Leave it better for the
next person
Feel the Fear and Do It Anyway
by Susan Jeffers

11. Networking
The Game
Network with everyone - employed, unemployed, Recruiters, Hiring Managers, etc.
Purpose of Networking
Have fun meeting new people
Focus on how you can help the other person
Catch up with people you have met before

12. LinkedIn

13. LinkedIn - Continued

14. Toastmasters Benefits
Improve Public Speaking – In front of an audience
Improve Speaking in small groups or one-on-one
Builds self-confidence and self-esteem
Stepped, self-paced approach
Immediate, positive, feedback
Improve interview skills with impromptu exercise at every meeting
Structured meetings follow “Robert’s Rules of Order”
Opportunity to practice presentations for work/school
Each club oozes with encouragement
Everyone there began their Toastmasters journey just like you
Everyone wants you to succeed
Reward/Award system
Professional Organization

15. Toastmasters - Clubs 140 Clubs in Missouri
Crossroads – meets every non-holiday Monday at 6:30 PM at First Free Church in Ballwin at Carmen and Weidman Road
There are open clubs that anyone can join and there are closed clubs that you have to be a member of that organization (Maritz has 2 clubs – one open and one closed)
For open clubs and those organizations that you belong to, you can visit as a guest as often as you would like before you join
When you join, you are assigned a mentor to help you through the first part of the program
Some clubs have themes – the Wry Toastmasters Club focuses on humor and they meet at the St. Louis County Library in Bridgeton on the 2nd & 4th Monday at 7:00 PM
There are clubs that meet in the morning, during lunch, in the evenings, and some on weekends
There is a club out there to fit your style, schedule, and location
Great places to network!

16. My Resume

17. Resume 2 Pages – Name at the top of both pages
Professional and cell phone number
Font size – at least 12 and not a “funky font”
Professional Summary – This is your hook! a tease, glimpse of the rest of your resume, time to toot your horn, say what you are looking for specifically
Technical expertise – with versions
Professional Experience – line or 2 description then PAR stories! This is where your resume POPS!
All education, certifications, training, Professional Organizations go on bottom of second page

18. The Interview
Great things about an Interview – Attitude – It is not ‘all or nothing’
Meet new people
Possible new LinkedIn contacts
A new building you have never been to before
Learn about a new position
Learn about a new team of people
Learn about an organization
Practice for your next interview
Know you will have fun
Preparing for an Interview
Know your responses for the ‘50 toughest Interview questions’
Practice Interviews
Dry run to where you are interviewing
Questions you will ask – at least 10 – but only ask 3 or 4
Prepare to have fun
LinkedIn
Look up people you are connected to who work for company
Look up people you are going to interview with

19. Certifications, Professional Organizations, and Degrees
Look for certifications that can help you with your career and find a position.
Professional Organizations – Join Them!
Shows that you are doing more than the next person
Shows employers that you “get involved”
Volunteer – shows you are a team player
Shows you want to learn more about your industry
Great places to network!
Great places to find a position/internship
Toastmasters is a Professional Organization
Look for a Professional Organization Chapter in your area/St. Louis
(If you never start, you will never finish!)

20. Accountability Groups
Accountability Group Formation
Equal Participation
NO DEAD WEIGHT
Ideal Group Size: 4-6
Balance of Personality Types
Chemistry of your team – safe, open environment
Time Management
Timekeeper
Typed Goals
Be On-time
No Phones/Texting
Google Hangout Locations
Individualized Goals

21. Strategy vs. Philosophy
Strategies
BBJ
Recruiters
LinkedIn
Toastmasters
Resume
The Interview
Networking
Certifications, Professional Organizations, and Degrees
Philosophies
The Job Search
Life