Career Management Instructional Materials

Version 2 Date: 9/02/2013

National American University

CS2080 Career Management Case Studies & Supplemental Material Table of Contents
These Case Studies are designed to enhance critical thinking of the course material and assist students to delve deeper into their program of study and chosen career fields. Learning Plans LP1 LP2 LP3 LP4 LP5 LP6 LP7 LP8 Jump- Start Your Career Case Study: Preliminary Thinking .............................................................................................. 3 Skills and InterestsYour Career Assets Case Study: Skills Vocabulary .................................................................................................... 6 Where Are the jobs? Maximize your Career Assets Case Study: Locating Open Positions ...................................................................................... 9 Networking Its Always Who you Know Case Study: Utilizing Social Media ........................................................................................... 11 Professional Resumes the Easy Way Case Study: Target Your Resume ............................................................................................ 13 Professional Cover Letters and Applications Case Study: Mistakes to Avoid ................................................................................................. 16 Successful Interviews Interviewing Videos ................................................................................................................... 17 Follow-Up and Negotiation / Step up Your Career The Art of Negotiation ............................................................................................................. 19

LP1 Jump-Start Your Career Go back in your mind to when you first enrolled at National American University. Recall the reasons you made the decision to attend and your dreams and goals. Perhaps you knew from the outset what you wanted for your program of study and career choice. You may have already been working in your field, and wanted to advance with a degree. Or, like many students, you may have had a general idea that grew into your chosen degree program. LP1 CASE STUDY Preliminary Thinking Jonathan has been a police officer for seven years; however, without a degree he has seen officers with less experience advance far quicker than himself in the field. Jonathan does not have the luxury of taking leave to attend college as he has a family to support. Jonathan decided he needed to enroll in the Criminal Justice Program at NAU while maintaining his officer position. Criminal Justice is a good fit for Jonathan and he did not give much consideration to other programs. With only one term left, Jonathan is excited about the possibilities of where his degree will take him. In fact, there are two promotions that have recently been announced. Jonathan wants to apply for these positions, yet does not have his marketing materials ready. Jonathan decides he should conduct a case study on himself to prepare for these positions. He wants to define his career mission statement and articulate who he is prior to refining his marketing materials. Here are some of the questions he answered to conduct his self-study: 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. 8. 9. 10. 11. 12. 13. What are my duties/ job description that I have in my current job as an officer? What skills got me hired for this position? Why is my job important not only for me but for society? What skills / training did I receive on the job? What makes me a great police officer? Who inspired me to become a police officer? Why? How does my criminal justice degree add value to what I do? What challenges have I faced as a police officer? What do I love most about being an officer? What do I love least about being an officer? What classes in particular make me a better officer and more prepared for advancing in my career? What advice would I give to someone who is entering my field? What advice would I give to a student in my field regarding getting their Criminal Justice degree?

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What else is there that I want to share/ recall regarding my skills, education, position and future goals that I might want to use in my marketing materials?

With this information, Jonathan was able to clearly define his career mission statement as well as use this information in his resume, cover letter and when interviewing for the promotions. By free-flowing his thoughts in a personal case study, he could articulate himself without censorship. LP1 Case Study Assignment: Take some time to answer self-case study questions which fit your career and degree program. To help you get started visit the NAU current catalog and locate the description of your program of study at this link http://www.national.edu/programs/academic-catalog Save your answers to use in future assignments. Now you try it: 1. What are some of my duties/ job description that I have in my current or past position(s)? What skills got me hired for these positions?

2.

3.

Why is the job I am seeking important not only for me but for society?

4.

What skills / training do I have from my course work degree?

5.

What skills/ training / professional development do I plan to obtain in the future?

6.

What makes me a great employee?

7.

Who inspired me to obtain my degree / enter this field? Why?

8.

How will my degree add value to what I do?

9.

What challenges have I faced as an employee?

10.

What do I love most about my field?

11.

What do I love least about my field?

12.

What classes in particular do I feel make me more prepared for my career?

13.

What advice would I give to someone who is entering my field?

14.

What advice would I give to a potential student who is considering getting the same degree I have? What else is there that I want to share/ recall regarding my skills, education, position and future goals that I might want to use in my marketing materials?

15.

LP2

Skills and InterestsYour Career Assets Case Study: Skills Vocabulary

Another great way to enhance your marketing tools and prepare for the interview is to take personality and workplace assessments. While you are always the expert on you, these assessments should provide you with additional skills vocabulary. These are the key words and power words you read about in Chapter 2. Your skills vocabulary can be utilized in your NBC, cover letter, resume and when you interview. LP2 CASE STUDY Skills Vocabulary Julie is soon graduating from NAU with a Diploma in Healthcare Coding. Prior to attending NAU, Julie worked in a medical center in the billing department. She is confident that receiving her Healthcare Coding Diploma is the right move for her. Julie has some skills listed on her resume, yet she is not sure how to add her new skills that reflect her course work in Healthcare Coding. She also wants to make sure she is not overlooking values, traits or skills that she possess that are not reflected in her marketing tools. Julie took several of the assessments in her textbook and completed the worksheets in the book which was very helpful. Julie wanted to expend her self-knowledge and decides to research additional workplace, personality and behavior assessments to assist her. Julie went online and to the NAU library to find additional assessments. She used key words workplace assessments career assessments career personality tests workplace skills assessments to name a few. LP2 Case Study Assignment

When you get to know who you are and the things you like, the more likely you will be to choose a career suited to your personality and skills. Here are some of the items that students have listed when asked the question, What are some things that make a job or career a good fit for you? Like Julie, you are encouraged to use search online for additional workplace and skills assessments to add to your skills vocabulary and what you need to make your work fulfilling. You can use key words such as workplace assessments career assessments career personality tests workplace skills assessments skills vocabulary to assist you in your search.

Fits my lifestyle Challenging Interesting The organization and structure The people I work with Not routine, changing pace daily Not a pushy boss Money Being able to do critical thinking on the job

Work that lets me use my organization and thinking skills and has variety Job security Working with animals Not much of a commute, flex schedule, being independent and uses my creative ability Being able to work alone The building and work environment: comfortable work atmosphere Working with people who like and support me Supportive boss Works with my class schedule

Enjoyable Variety, flexibility, communication Enjoying the work Satisfaction from the job or accomplishment Good pay and benefits Teamwork, how well we get along Supports my lifestyle (children) Harmony in the workplace

What are some additional skills, values, traits etc. that you feel make a great career fit for you, based on what you have learned about yourself in these new assessments you located? 1) Which Website did you located for your assessment and what skills or traits can you add to your skills vocabulary?

2) Which Website did you located for your assessment and what skills or traits can you add to your skills vocabulary?

3) Which Website did you located for your assessment and what skills or traits can you add to your skills vocabulary?

4) Which Website did you located for your assessment and what skills or traits can you add to your skills vocabulary?

5) Which Website did you located for your assessment and what skills or traits can you add to your skills vocabulary?

LP3

Where Are the jobs? Maximize your Career Assets Case Study: Locating Open Positions

LP3 CASE STUDY Case Study: Locating Open Positions After learning about labor market trends in her field, Yolanda, wanted to search further to see what types of companies and positions were currently open in her degree program in Business Administration. Yolanda conducted the industry and company searches suggested in Chapter 3 of her textbook as well as salary information in her field. Yolanda first wanted to expand her search to include positions she was soon to be qualified for. She researched job titles and positions available for different degree programs. The way she went about this was to do a key word search with What can I do with a degree in Business Administration and job titles by degree programs to get her started. She then decided job searches and set up email alerts based on the job titles she felt she was qualified for. The email alerts allowed her to have the job listings she desired come to her email, rather than making her go to the job sites daily. Yolanda found many positions in her field of study located near her. Yolanda also utilized the NAU career Center http://www.national.edu/career-services in her region and online, local sources such as the newspaper, her state listings, and local recruiting sites. LP3 Case Study Assignment Like Yolanda, begin by conducting a search of job titles and positions that are related to your degree program. Next, use these job titles and locate open positions. Make sure you use the Company Research and Log of Contacts forms found in Chapter 3 in your textbook in order to keep track of companies and positions. Also, the NAU Career Center provides you with the ability to prepare for and search the job market. You access the Career Center Website through the Career Services tab in your Student Portal. You can also access this site by going to http://library.national.edu/ then click on Career

Support (an icon in the bottom row). You have 24/7 online access to searching for open positions and other valuable career tools. You can also Contact the Career Services Director in your area:
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East Region (Minnesota and Wichita, KS) - eastcareerservices@national.edu Midwest Region (Nebraska and South Dakota) - midwestcareerservices@national.edu South Region (Oklahoma and Texas) - southcareerservices@national.edu Southeast Region (Missouri and Overland Park, KS) southeastcareerservices@national.edu West Region (Colorado and New Mexico) - westcareerservices@national.edu Online (all other locations) - DLcareerservices@national.edu

There are several job portals that source jobs from many job boards. You might consider looking at the following sites for open positions in your field or conducting your own job search.
http://www.glassdoor.com/index.htm http://www.simplyhired.com/ http://www.indeed.com/ http://www.careerbuilder.com/

The following links sponsored by the U.S. Department of Labor: Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Outlook Handbook (OOH) 2010-2011 Edition: http://www.bls.gov/oco CareerOneStop at: http://www.careeronestop.org/ O*NET Online http://www.onetonline.org

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LP4

Networking Its Always Who you Know Case Study: Utilizing Social Media

According to Simply Hireds 2012 Todays Job Seeker Report* roughly 70% of job seekers are using social media and social networking to find positions. By using one-on-one networking to get job leads and even recommendations, the study found that over 55 % of job seekers are hired through referrals. Furthermore, employers and recruiters are using social media to find qualified applicants. While it might seem difficult at first to find out which of your connections work for companies that would be a good fit for you and which companies are hiring, there are ways to use the social media sites to quickly acquire this information. For example, Simply Hired has integrated with LinkedIn and Facebook to allow you to view your connections at companies you might be interested in. From there, you would simply contact or message your connection. With social media and networking sites updating and additional sites being created, it is important to stay on top of social media trends.
*Read more on the Simply Hired Blog: http://blog.simplyhired.com/2012/12/socialize-your-job-search-with-simply-hired.html#ixzz2ZoalgQVS

Next, access the NAU Career Center Website through the Career Services tab in your Student Portal. You can also access this site by going to http://library.national.edu/ then click on Career

Support

(an icon in the bottom row). Once there click on the link:

Career Spots: Here you will find videos to assist you in the interview process.

Once you Click on Career Spots in the NAU career Services site you then are taken to a series of videos. Click on the bottom where it says Career Spots logo icon-

You will find you have 3 tabs you can choose from http://www.careerspots.com/vidplay_links_ext.aspx?aid=642& (again access from your student portal or library from directions above- if you cannot access the link directly).

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Now, click on the tab JOB SEARCH and then you will see several categories. Scroll down until you see the link called Social Media and Job Search watch several of these videos before the case study. LP4 CASE STUDY Case Study: Utilizing Social Media

Nathan felt well equipped to land his dream job graduating with his degree in Information Technology. What he did not realize is how social networking played into the equation. Nathan did not want to relocate his family from his town in the Midwest, and spent a great deal of time pursuing the newspaper, and online job boards for positions in his area. While Nathan had a Facebook account, he did not have a linkedIn.com account or any other social media site. He also felt Facebook was not really for him and spent very little time using it. One day, his wife, Jolene took it upon herself to update her status announcing and congratulating her husbands accomplishment and what he hoped to do. Here is what Jolene posted: Congrats to my hubby, Nathan, for graduating with his IT degree!!!! Now he needs a great paying job lol. FB me if you know of anyone hiring in the area- we dont want to move While several people liked her post, no one contacted Nathan regarding a position. LP4 Case Study Assignment Answer the following questions: 1) Do you feel Jolenes post was appropriate? Why or why not?

2)

What could Jolene have said that would be more likely to generate a response of interest?

3)

What other sites might be better for Nathan to use in finding positions.

4)

Have you ever used social media sites to locate a position or to help someone find a job? If so, explain.

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5)

With employers able to view potential candidates sites, what caution would you use? Why?

6)

Here is a quote from one hiring manager:

If your Facebook posts are public, it makes me NOT want to hire you.

What are your thoughts on her opinion?

LP5

Professional Resumes the Easy Way Case Study: Target Your Resume

Your marketing tools are often the only glimpse an employer, hiring manager or computer that is sourcing candidates will have of you. That said, EVERY word you select and how you use them matters! Do you realize that if you leave out key words that the employer is looking for in your resume, your resume will most likely not even make it into the look at file? Also, did you know that when a computer or HR manager is told to source 50 qualified applicants they normally only source 50. That means, when the 50 are sourced the rest are overlooked. Due to the volume of qualified applicants, rarely are they all sourced, and moved forward if they qualify. And, this is before the hiring manager has had a chance to view any of them. So, how can you be one of the candidates that is chosen to even get a glance by the hiring manager? Great question! And one this case study will explore in more detail. LP5 CASE STUDY Target Your Resume Daniel was optimistic and excited as he recently graduated with his Health Care Management degree. He was using tons of online job boards because they were easy to access and there were many jobs he now qualified for listed. Daniel spent three months sending his resume to HR managers and online. He had yet to be selected for an interview. Daniel was not sure if it was the economy, his resume and marketing tools or his approach that was causing the lack of interest in him as a job candidate. Daniel reviewed what he learned in Chapter 5 and 5a on resume writing. To improve his resume, Daniel went to the job descriptions themselves to take a closer look at the exact key words they used to write the positions in Health Care Management. He wrote a list of key words and the power words that the employers used in the position announcements. He used this list to ensure he had those exact words and phrases on his resume if he possessed that skill.

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He knew this was very important because employers use key word/ power word searches electronically to locate viable candidates. The next thing Daniel did was go to the NAU Career Center Website* (Career Support Icon at the bottom of the NAU library link). Daniel clicked the information at this site including:

Job & Career Accelerator:

Learning Express Library Workplace Skills: Learning Express offers

JCA is an online career guidance system designed to assist you with career selection and job searches. It provides help with building resumes, cover letters and finding job opportunities.* tutorials and other resources aimed at helping you build your resume, learn how to interview for jobs, and build your skills in a variety of work-related areas. You can also find practice tests to help you with licensing and certification exams in a number of areas.

Career Spots: Get prepared for your job search by watching these
short videos that cover every part of the job application process from writing a resume to salary negotiations!

Daniel took the opportunity to improve his resume through the tutorials and assistance provided on this site. He then posted his resume, searched jobs, watched the videos on the application process. Within a month Daniel found himself interviewing and starting the negotiation process with one select company he found on that site! LP5 Case Study Assignment Access the NAU Career Center Website through the Career Services tab in your Student Portal. You can also access this site by going to http://library.national.edu/ then click on Career

Support (an icon in the bottom row). Once there click on the link: Learning Express Library Workplace Skills. Next click on the Job search, Resumes and Interviewing tab. This will provide you with a tutorial on professional resume writing. Also go to the link Job & Career Accelerator Here you will find additional support for improving your resume. First time users set up a free account by following the registration link. Here you will find resume questionnaire and Resume Builder.
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Finally when you are in the NAU Career Service Website, click on the link: Career Spots: Here you will find videos to assist you in writing your resume. Once you Click on Career Spots in the NAU career Services site you then are taken to a series of videos.

Click on the bottom where it says Career Spots Here you will find you have 3 tabs you can choose from http://www.careerspots.com/vidplay_links_ext.aspx?aid=642& (again access from your student portal or library from directions above- if you cannot access the link directly). Now, click on the tab JOB SEARCH and then RESUMES and COVER LETTERS. You will find many videos to assist you in your resume writing. Once you have gone to those links and made any changes to your resume, do the following: 1. Locate five or more positions you are interested in applying for on this site or on any job board / advertisement. What you are looking for are the KEY words. Read chapter 5 again if you are not sure how to locate the key words. They key words are the words that will be electronically sourcing viable candidates. You can also find a video description of many careers at the NAU Career Services Website http://www.careerspots.com/vidplay_links_ext.aspx?aid=642& (Under the tab Careers). This site describes job positions, key words and duties- which might assist you in creating your key word list. 2. Now list 10 Key words you find in these position announcements or from the video descriptions that pertain to jobs you seek. 3. Scan your resume to see if those words are included. 4. If you are qualified to add those words/ skills to your resume do so. 5. If you do not currently have the particular qualification make note of it as you will want to be able to address this in the cover letter or interview as a skill you are willing to acquire in training or education etc. 6. Have your resume reviewed prior to posting. 7. After you have made any additional changes, post your resume on the NAU career site

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LP6 Professional Cover Letters and Applications Case Study: Mistakes to Avoid Alisha was very proud of her resume. She had worked on it for a long time and made sure it was professional in content and formatting, so she was surprised when she was not getting any interviews for the jobs she applied for. One day during her Career Management class, they were discussing mistakes made in cover letters and applications. Alishas ears perked-up, she had not really given much thought to the importance of either of these items. Often she just sent her resume in an email with a quick hello to the hiring manager to please accept her resume for the position. Other times, she sent her resume in an envelope without a cover letter at all- she just addressed the envelope regarding the position and sent it to the hiring manager. Alisha also found herself wondering about the applications she filled out online and in person. She knew her hand writing could be quite messy when she was in a hurry. Alisha also recalls avoiding some of the questions that she felt she could better address in the interview. LP6 Case Study Assignment You can also go to the NAU Career Services Website. Access the NAU Career Center Website
through the Career Services tab in your Student Portal. You can also access this site by going to

http://library.national.edu/ then click on Career Support

(an icon in the bottom

row). Next click on the Job Accelerator link and then the tools link. Here you will find a guide

to filling out applications and sample cover letters. Again to locate this once you are in the NAU career site go to the link Job & Career Accelerator First time users set up a free account by
following the registration link.

After you have looked at the NAU Career Services Web site and read Chapter 6 in your textbook, go on the Web and do a search on Cover Letter mistakes and Application errors or mistakes. Read up on both of these topics. Next, Answer the following questions: 1. What are three mistakes often made in writing cover letters? 1) 2) 3)
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2.

What are three mistakes often made in filling out applications? 1) 2) 3)

3. 4. LP7

Have you found yourself making any of these mistakes in the past? What else did you learn from this exercise that was helpful? Successful Interviews Interviewing Videos

There are many cases to learn about in the NAU Career Services Website regarding interviewing. For this important topic, you will watch several personal videos and share information you learned. LP7 Assignment Access the NAU Career Center Website through the Career Services tab in your Student Portal. You can also access this site by going to http://library.national.edu/ then click on Career

Support (an icon in the bottom row). Once there click on the link: Learning Express Library Workplace Skills. Next click on the Job search, Resumes and Interviewing tab. Also go to the link Job & Career Accelerator Finally when you are in the NAU Career Service Website*, click on the link: Career
Spots: Here you will find videos to assist you in the interview process.

Once you Click on Career Spots in the NAU career Services site you then are taken to a series of videos. Click on the bottom where it says Career Spots logo icon

. and you will find you have 3 tabs you can

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choose from http://www.careerspots.com/vidplay_links_ext.aspx?aid=642& (again access from your student portal or library from directions above- if you cannot access the link directly). Now, click on the tab JOB SEARCH and then you will see several categories. Find 2 videos that interest you under each of the tabs: Answer the following Questions from these videos: 1) From Interviewing- BEFORE - choose 2 videos and watch them. Which videos did you select and what is an important piece of advice you could share with the class?

2) From Interviewing- DRESS - choose 2 videos and watch them. Which videos did you select and what is an important piece of advice you could share with the class?

3) From Interviewing- DURING - choose 2 videos and watch them. Which videos did you select and what is an important piece of advice you could share with the class?

4) From Interviewing- AFTER - choose 2 videos and watch them. Which videos did you select and what is an important piece of advice you could share with the class?

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LP8

Follow-Up and Negotiation / Step up Your Career The Art of Negotiation

After reading chapter 8 in your textbook, you should be well equipped to negotiate successfully. There is definitely an art to job negotiation. The NAU Career Services Website has additional negotiation information to assist you. Again, access the NAU Career Center Website through the Career Services tab in your Student Portal. Or you can also access this site by going to http://library.national.edu/ then click on

Career Support (an icon in the bottom row). Once there click on the link: Career Spots: Here you will find videos to assist you in the negotiation process. Once you Click on Career Spots in the NAU career Services site you then are taken to a series of videos. Click on the bottom where it says Career Spots logo icon- and you will find you have 3 tabs you can choose from http://www.careerspots.com/vidplay_links_ext.aspx?aid=642& (again access from your student portal or library from directions above- if you cannot access the link directly). LP8 Assignment Now, click on the tab JOB SEARCH Scroll down to Negotiation and Salary. Watch several of the videos and after you read chapter 8 in your textbook, answer the following questions:

1.

What is your past experience with negotiation?

2.

How can you find out what the industry average salary is for the position?

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3.

What are three things you feel are the most important in the negotiation process?

*NAU Career Center Website The NAU Career Center provides you with the ability to prepare for and search the job market. You can access the Career Center web site through the Career Services tab in your Student Portal. On this site you have 24/7 online access to:

Post your resume Search for jobs Manage multiple resumes Receive assistance with other employment documents View regularly updated job postings

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