Ferree & Associates: Your Career Empowerment Plan

Each of us needs a plan to empower our career. Its purpose is to keep us on track as we go through the job search process. Its goal is to make sure we reach the goals we have set.

Securemploy and search/placement companies are but two parts of Your Career Empowerment Plan.

The FOUR parts of a Career Empowerment Plan are:

The Planning Process

A simple one page statement of your goals, both personally and professionally for the next several years.

A dynamic hard hitting Resume Package including:

A Resume that stands out from the crowd and gets employers excited.

A Cover Letter that appears to be written for each employer.

A Reference List that sells (instead of just listing names & phone numbers).

Review Checking Your Own References and Work Reference Questions to Ask.

The length, and how you format your resume needs to change to reflect current market conditions. Employers tell us they need solid, factual information on a candidate before they will invest the time to make a phone call, pay for interview trips, relocation expenses, etc. Prospective employers do not have the time to call every person that sends in a resume. That means the old fashioned 1-2 page resumes that resume writing books and resume writing services are pushing, is all wrong. (The only time those resumes are effective is for jobs within commuting distance of your home or when your career is just starting out, or if your salary is above $200,000.) Long resumes, that highlight concrete accomplishments, are generating more interviews.

Your objective needs to be specific. Your objective, experience, and professional affiliations all need to sell you. A dynamic resume starts a mind set in prospective employers that says “This person can really help us. We need to impress this candidate. We may have to pay this person a little more than we planned on, but it sure appears this person will be worth it.” That’s the mind set you want to create before they pick up the phone to call you. It starts you out in the drivers seat.

My Career Toolkit on Hospitality Online is free and is an excellent place to start. It enables you to custom create resumes and constructs your resume based on the information and format hospitality employers prefer.

Your Marketing Plan to include:

Working your own network of contacts.
Utilizing Executive Search firms and other professional organizations you belong to.
A plan to expand your network of contacts. (This is very critical if you are currently without a job. If you run out of ideas contact Securemploy.)

Researching Companies

Before you interview, try to research the company, to find out exactly what they are looking for in a candidate. The Internet can be a great help here. If you can't find information on the company, remember the following: all companies want people who can help them improve revenues, reduce costs, improve customer service and training, and reduce turnover.

Prepare for Your Interview

Write down the most logical questions you think they will ask and then rehearse your answers in front of a mirror. Many people conduct interviews and hire people all the time. They forget that it is different when they are on the other side of the desk. Review Interviewing Tips

Last, plan what you are going to wear and how you are going to look. The business world is still very conservative, plan accordingly.

The Job Market Is There...
Give It What It Is Looking For... YOU!