MCDA Nov. Roundtable: Reinventing Your Career

The purpose of the monthly roundtables, sponsored by the Minnesota Career Development Association, is to make us better career development professionals through meaningful research, shared practice, and discussion. These events are open to students and professionals working in career development.  More about MCDA.

Reinventing Your Career: Examining the Work

Co-Facilitated by Irene Rossman and Kim Marrone
When: Thursday, November 19, 2009
Time: 6:00 – 7:30pm
Where: Career Partners International, Northland Plaza, 3800 American Blvd West, Bloomington, MN 55431

Please RSVP to v i c t o r m @ u m n . e d u NLT November 18, 2009. We will be serving food at our next meeting, so please RSVP to ensure there is enough for everyone. Also, if you have any food allergies or preferences, include that in your RSVP.

Reinventing Your Career: Examining the Work by Herminia Ibarra
As we know well, the recent economic changes have led to large numbers of job seekers and many of them are taking the opportunity to discover new career options. Coupled with this change is the increase in older workers who want to continue working but desire to find more satisfying work.

This RoundTable will focus on the concepts presented by Herminia Ibarra in her book Working Identity: Unconventional Strategies for Reinventing Your Career. Her main premise is that adults are more successful in making career changes if they take action and experiment with new possibilities, rather than trying to “think” our way into a new career. We’ll talk about the topics below and more.

• The traditional model of change vs. Ibarra’s model
• We have many possible “selves” so there isn’t just one “right career”
• How to guide someone through career change
• Practical tools for us to share with clients who are in transition
• Share ideas and experiences around career change

The following are some resources for your review prior to the session. Please come with situations and questions from your experience and any suggestions you can share to help us counsel career-changers more effectively.

• Book – Working Identity: Unconventional Strategies for Reinventing Your Career by Herminia Ibarra
• h t t p : / / w w w . i n s e a d . f r / f a c u l t y r e s e a r c h / f a c u l t y / p r o f i l e s / h i b a r r a /
• h t t p : / / w w w . c a r e e r s h i f t e r s . o r g / n o d e / 5 6 6

Please RSVP to v i c t o r m @ u m n . e d u NLT November 18, 2009.

Feedback From Employers Hiring Recent College Grads

These are excepts from phone call and -emails I received from employers who were interviewing several applicants for full-time positions

EMPLOYER #1: Was interviewing for entry-level computer programmers

“I would appreciate it immensely if you would tell students who apply (with this company) to be a little bit more formal when corresponding with us. Also, professional e-mail addresses are always looked at more fondly then non-professional addresses.”

EMPLOYER #2: Was interviewing Field Service Technicians (IT)

A recent college grad ruined his chances of getting hired with this company because …

1. He was late for the interview
2. He was not dressed appropriately (candidate wore polo shirt and jeans)
3. His hair and appearance were not appropriate to present to the company’s clients

Notice: Neither employer said anything about the job candidate’s skills. They might have been the most technically qualified person for the job. But if an employer does not think that you take yourself seriously, or is worried about how you will represent the company to their clients, you will not get hired.

Remember to take every phone call from an employer, every e-mail message, and every job interview seriously. Employers want to know that you have respect for yourself and will have respect for their company and clients.

If you are unsure of how to behave, communicate or dress for a job interview, talk to a career counselor, your college career services office, or go to a WorkForce or One-Stop Career Center for help.

Want to know more?

• Employers’ View of Your Job Search
• Are You Sending The Wrong Signals To Employers?
• It’s Not Your Fault You Don’t Have A Job Yet … Is It?