1 Compete and Succeed: Maximize Your Job Search Self-MarketingMike Kohler Business Training Coordinator Larimer County Workforce Center Mention at the outset that not everything will apply to everyone. However, there will be several key takeaways that are for everyone, and I will bring attention to those. In fact, I will rather emphatically draw attention to those key takeaways in the areas that you see on the front page of your handout.
2 “Accentuate the positive ….”Before: Maintaining a positive attitude during job hunting can make all the difference.* *The Easier-Said-Than-Done Department After: “can make a difference” Attitude + Action = Success Normally we start with introductions: Name, what you think you want to be when you grow up, and what circumstances bring you to this workshop? And we always finish with my story, which will be takeaway #1, but with an asterisk.
3 How I got my current job – because I opened my mind to broader thinking about my interests and abilities. It took a 38-year-old to teach me that lesson
4 MIKE KOHLER, BUSINESS EDUCATORProfessional Experience Managed annual budgets of $2M+ Operating, $1M+ Capital Management Level: Executive, reporting to CEOs/Division Sr VPs Management Scope: integrated marketing and communications; government affairs; media relations; community relations; event planning; television production and programming; internal communications Program coordination: leadership and management training program Higher Education Teaching Experience Purdue University: Brian Lamb School of Communications (graduate program) Strategic Communications 610 Crisis Communications 611 Business Ethics 617 West Virginia University: Integrated Marketing Communications (graduate program) IMC 637: Internal Brand Communications IMC 633: Entrepreneurship in IMC University of Nebraska-Omaha Electronic Media Management English Composition Education Bachelor of Science, Communication (Journalism) Master of Business Administration (International Economic Development) Select Achievements and Activities Alexia Vanides Teaching Award, West Virginia University Cox Communications Vision Award: Commitment to Diversity (Co-Founder, Cox Cultural Growth Group) Distinguished Service Award, University of Nebraska-Omaha College of Public Affairs and Community Service Distinguished Service Award, University of Nebraska-Omaha Department of Communications Regional Emmy Award, Sports Television Production (Mediacom Communications, Iowa State University Football) Community Spotlight, 2nd-longest running public affairs television program in a top 50 television market Chamber of Commerce Boards of Directors: Omaha NE; Olathe KS; Lenexa KS
5 Overall Course Rating 4.96 Instructor Organization and Clarity 5.0 Instructor Ability to Engage Students Intellectually 4.96 Instructor Interaction with Students 4.96 Alexia Vanides Teaching Award, West Virginia University Cox Communications Vision Award: Commitment to Diversity (Co-Founder, Cox Cultural Growth Group) Distinguished Service Award, University of Nebraska-Omaha College of Public Affairs and Community Service
6 Age Bias vs. Age DiscriminationWhat is the difference? Which of these do we have control over? What assumptions do some employers make based on age or other biases? Left column of 1st inside page Discrimination may seem like it gives more control because you can document it. However, those cases are hard to prove. Bias, on the other hand, is prevalent in almost everything. They involve preferences and predispositions. Therefore, you can do your part to influence those biases in another way.
7 Personal Traits > Resume Line ItemsOther people compliment me on my ability to … I am proud of my ability to … Something I would like other people to know about me is … *The Interview Bookend Questions Use the first two as an exercise in building confidence. The third one is the way you can finish any interview. The Interview Bookend Questions
8 Interview Bookend QuestionsTell us a little bit about yourself. Questions 2-9: The Banana Peel Questions Question 10: Do you have any questions for us? Silver Bullet Answers “6 months from now, what will success look like in this hiring decision? ” “There’s something about me you should know.”
9 Dual (Dueling) ResumesExample 1: Dead Giveaways Useful for online applications Example 2: Based on Relevant Skills and Experience *Volunteer work – it is REAL work! Mike’s view of the “best” No need to have your education dates. No need for employment history farther back than 2000. List skills and abilities first and then list employment history with the same approach as education.
10 Samuel Johnson 555 Taft Avenue, Loveland, CO 80538 Telephone: (970) (home) Objective: To obtain a high level position in a fast-paced, solution-oriented production environment that utilizes my 38 years of expertise in cost and inventory control. Professional Summary: Broad experience in cost tracking, standard cost systems, project management, cycle counting and variance analysis, including materials and labor standards. Accurate and detailed oriented with a proven ability to initiate and accomplish tasks independently. Successfully manage multiple, diverse responsibilities. Work History ABC COMPANY, Fort Collins, CO Cost and Inventory Control Analyst May 2000-Aug. 2013 Developed annual production cost standards for labor and materials providing information for cost effective selling prices. Reviewed unusual cost records and assured costing data was allocated correctly, keeping overall production costs as low as possible. Supervised and participated in annual physical inventories and cycle counting resulting in accurate inventory dollars for procurement as well as tax assessments. Traveled to remote warehouses to participate in annual physical inventories in , eliminating the need for outside personnel. SUCH AND SUCH COMPANY, Loveland, CO Cost Accounting and Inventory Control Analyst Jan Mar. 2000 Supervised data entry staff activities to ensure accuracy of input and consistency of inventory data. Reconciled the general ledger accounts and prepared journal entries for the financial statements for work in progress, inventory re-classes and cost of sales. Performed time studies to determine labor standards, used by management to maintain proper labor costing. Conducted random audits of account receivable and account payable , allowing any discrepancies to be caught and corrected in a timely manner. Education INTERNATIONAL ACCOUNTING SOCIETY. Baltimore, MD Cost Accounting Diploma May 1974 PARKS BUSINESS SCHOOL. Denver, CO General Business Courses May 1968 References: Available upon request v.01.16
11 Cost Analysis and Inventory ControlLarry Smith 555 Taft Avenue / Loveland, CO / / / Cost Analysis and Inventory Control Broad experience in cost tracking, standard cost systems, project management, cycle counting and variance analysis, including materials and labor standards. Accurate and Detail Oriented: Proven ability to initiate and accomplish tasks independently. Effective Communicator: Work well with management and personnel at all levels. Equally comfortable dealing with customers, vendors and the general public. Computer Literate: Knowledge of database systems. Relevant Experience Cost Analysis Developed annual production cost standards for labor and materials providing information for cost effective selling prices Reviewed unusual cost records and assured costing data was allocated correctly, keeping overall production costs as low as possible Reconciled the general ledger accounts and prepared journal entries for the financial statements for work in progress, inventory re-classes and cost of sales Performed time studies to determine labor standards used by management to maintain proper labor costing Inventory Control Supervised and participated in annual physical inventories and cycle counting resulting in accurate inventory dollars for procurement as well as tax assessments Traveled to remote warehouses to participate in annual physical inventories, eliminating the need for outside personnel Supervision/Training Supervised data entry staff activities to ensure consistently accurate input of inventory data Trained staff members in procedures and protocol for high quality, accurate inventory collection Employment History Cost and Inventory Control Analyst / ABC Company / Fort Collins, CO / 10+ years ending 2013 Cost Accounting and Inventory Control Analyst / XYZ Company / Loveland, CO / 5+ years Education Cost Accounting / International Accounting Society / Chicago, IL General Business Courses / Denver Business School / Denver, CO
12 How Do We Stay Current? Translation: RelevantWhat areas may be impediments for me? Predispositions/biases “The Black Hole” Social media presence What are some possible solutions? Fight fire with fire Hub & Spoke Strategy LinkedIn is your new best friend Mike’s solutions to recommend Have an updated LinkedIn profile that has personality Use the Barstool/Chair approach to job hunting – the HR person, the gatekeeper, one other employee at the company Use the “Reagan vs. Mondale” approach in promoting your reliability
13 Hub-and-Spoke StrategyYOU HR
14 Hub and Spoke Strategy YOU Hiring Mgr HR
15 Hub and Spoke Strategy YOU Hiring Mgr HR Gate-keeper
16 Hub and Spoke Strategy YOU Hiring Mgr HR Gate-keeper ASSISTANT!!!
17 Hub and Spoke Strategy ASSISTANT!!! YOU Hiring Mgr Interview Info HRGate-keeper ASSISTANT!!!
18 Control what you can controlSearch bar leads to treasure Don’t underrate people in your network Look at people – they may look back
19 “People do business with … people they like”“We need the service of others to make our lives complete. In all of life, we’re looking for who we can trust. We want to be with those who value what we value, who are inspired by what inspires us.”
20 Thank you! Mike Kohler, Communication Strategist & Business Training Coordinator, Larimer County Workforce Center (970) @execprcoach https://www.linkedin.com/in/mikekohler1