Tom BoydDean at Kaplan University School of Business and Management

TAKING CONTROL OFYOUR CAREER STRATEGY

Be persistent in driving towards your goals, but always be ready to adapt.

Career planning is about being flexibly persistent

• Strategic perspective• High integrity• Global outlook• Strong work ethic/dependability• Accountability

Skills most valued by employers

TWO SIMPLE THINGS EVERY HIRING MANAGER LOOKS FOR:

• Will this person make my life easier?• Will this person make me look good?

What do hiring managers really want?

• 30% of job seekers ranked prior experience as the top factor in getting a desirable job

• Only 9% of hiring managers reported they would be extremely or very likely to hire a managerial candidate who lacked skills but appeared eager to learn on the job

Experience is becoming more important

• 90% of students identified “hard worker” as their key strength

• Emphasize strengths & skills that are both highly valued and relatively rare

Make sure you stand out

• Use your network to find hiring managers in your field either on social media sites like LinkedIn or at networking events

• Ask them for an informational interview and find out what skills and experience they’re looking for

Find out what employers in your field are looking for

• Write your dream cover letter & résumé

• Assess what you need to do to be that person by deciding what strengths & skills you can develop

• Make a plan to gain the experience that makes you the best candidate

• Get involved in activities, groups, or clubs to gain experience outside the classroom

Make a plan to build your skills

PLAN

• Find out what skills and qualities hiring managers in your field are looking for

• Make a plan to develop skills and experience that you should improve upon

• Display your skills on your résumé and in interviews to help you stand out as a top candidate

Key Takeaways