CHAPTER 14

GETTING AHEAD IN YOUR CAREER

CHAPTER OUTLINE AND LECTURE NOTES

THE BASICS OF CONDUCTING A JOB SEARCH

Although job search knowledge is readily available, this concise information can
be used as a refresher and a reminder to be systematic in finding a new position.
A. Targeting Your Job Search .

It pays to begin the job search with a flexible attitude toward the type of job
sought. Knowing what type of organization is suited to one’s needs and
preference is another part of the job search. You are much more likely to be
successful in your new job and your career when you find a good person-
organization fit, the compatibility of the individual and the organization
Questioning people who work for different employers can provide useful
information about types of organizations. Conducting an Internet search about
the employer has become standard practice. Yet not every job candidate can
afford to be so selective about a prospective employer.
B. Job-Finding through Networking and the Internet
Two cornerstone principles of conducting a job campaign are to use several
different methods and to keep trying. Most job-finding techniques are
inefficient because so many attempts must be made, yet effective because they
ultimately work. Surprising recent information is that classified ads are still a
major source of job candidates and employees.
1. Networking (Contacts and Referrals)
The most effective job-finding method is through personal contacts or
networking. Networking helps the job seeker capitalize upon the insider
system. Carrying business cards facilitates networking. Job seekers should
keep their requests for assistance brief and pointed.
2. The Internet and Resume Database Services
The Internet is now a standard part of job hunting, with dozens of jobhunting
sites available. Job boards related to specific industries have grown in
popularity. Company Websites are strongly recommended for job hunting. Job
seekers should remember that the Internet is but one method of conducting a
job search. A major challenge of job hunting through the Internet is to fmd a
way to speak to a company representative about your application. Speaking to a
telephone operator will sometimes provide a lead to a contact person.
3. The T-Form Cover Letter
The T-form (or column) approach gives the reader a tabular outline of how
the applicant’s background fits the position description. The T-form cover letter
is also recommended because it has an attention-getting format. See Figure 14-
1 for an example of a T-Form Cover Letter.
4. Preparing an Effective Job Resume
The major purpose of a resume is to help you obtain a job interview, not a
job. A challenge in preparing an effective resume is to suit many different
preferences, such as length and amount of detail about job expenence.
Information about resume construction is readily available, and various
formats are acceptable. Whichever resume format you choose, it should include
a section about your job-related skills and accomplishments. Microsoft Word
contains resume formats worthy of consideration.
5. The Successful Job futerview
Being interviewed by one person at a time is still standard practice, however,
group interviews are commonplace to supplement individual interviews as well.
More emphasis is placed today on the behavioral interview in which a
candidate is asked how he or she handled a particular problem in the past.
Becoming a skilled interviewee requires practice. A good start is to practice
answering the questions posed in Figure 14-2. An effective technique is to
videotape the responses and observe the playback.
A general guide for performing well in the job interview is to present a
positive but accurate picture of yourself. One should also look for opportunities
to make skill-benefit statements, which are brief explanations of how an
individual’s skills can benefit the company.
 EFFECTIVE CAREER ADVANCEMENT STRATEGIES AND TACTICS

A. Taking Control of Yourself

The tactics and strategies in this section center on the idea of individuals taking control of
themselves in order to advance in their career. Some companies have career development
programs, but the individual is still responsible for achieving his or her own goals.
1. Develop Expertise, Passion, and Pride
A starting point in getting ahead is to develop a useful job skill. Although expertise is highly
recommended, the workplace also demands that a person perform a variety of tasks as is
required in working on a team. Passion goes hand in hand with expertise, and contributes
to problem solving. Developing expertise and being passionate about your work leads
naturally to being proud of what you produce.
2. Develop a Code of Professional Ethics
An ethical code determines what behavior is right or wrong, good or bad,
based on values.
3. Perform Well Including Going Beyond Your Job Description
Good job performance is the bedrock for any career, a principle supported by common
sense and research. Also, take on tasks not expected of you.
Performing well on all your assignments is also important because it contributes to
the success syndrome, a pattern in which the worker performs one assignment well
and then has the confidence to take on an even more difficult assignment.
4. Develop a Proactive Personality
An active agent in taking control of forces around him or her stands a better chance
of capitalizing on opportunities. A proactive personality is a person relatively
unconstrained by forces in the situation and who brings about environmental
change. Managers prefer proactive employees because they take the initiative
to take care of problems. A study with 500
 participants showed that the proactive personality is related to salary,
promotions, and career satisfaction.
5. Create Good First Impressions and a Favorable Appearance Favorable first
impressions lead to continued contacts with internal and external customers,
and can create a halo about the quality of future work. Looking successful
and projecting a sense of control also contribute to a positive first
impression.
6. Document Your Accomplishments
Keeping an accurate record of job accomplishments can be valuable when
being considered for promotion. New learning should also be documented. Let
key people know, in a tasteful way, of your accomplishments. Many
professional level workers maintain a portfolio of their accomplishments.
7. Keep Growing through Continuous Learning and Self-Development Given
that continuous learning is part of the new model of career advancement,
therefore engaging in regular learning will help a person advance. Self-
development can include any type of learning including formal schooling,
attending training programs and seminars, and selfstudy.
8. Observe Proper Etiquette
Proper etiquette is important for career advancement because such behavior
is considered part of acting professionally. Business etiquette is a special code
of behavior required in work settings.
9. Develop the Brand Called You
Tom Peters urges career-minded people to develop their credentials and their
reputation to the extent that they stand out so much they become a brand name.
In this way you are not tied to one company or one job. You begin developing
brand-you by identifying the qualities or characteristics that distinguish you
from coworkers.

B. Exerting Control over the Outside World

The approaches in this section require the person to exert some control over
the outside environment. If the environment is not totally controlled, at least it
is juggled to one’s advantage.
1. Develop a Flexible Career Path
If your goals are laid out systematically to lead to your ultimate career goal,
you have established a career path-a sequence of positions necessary to achieve
a goal. Here we look at two types of career paths.

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a. The Traditional Career Path. A traditional career path is based on the
assumption that a person will occupy a series of positions, each at a higher
level of responsibility than the previous one. Personal goals should be
incorporated into a career path to strive for a meshing of work and personal
life. Contingency plans should be established because career planning
contains uncertainty.
b. The Horizontal Career Path. The norm today in organizations is not to have
fixed career paths, and for individuals only to be able to make predictions
about the type of work they would like to be doing rather than target
specific positions. A horizontal career path is slightly easier to predict than
a vertical one. A significant feature of the horizontal career path is that
people are more likely to advance by moving sideways than moving up. A
horizontal career path, as well as a traditional (vertical) one, does not
necessarily mean the person stays with the same firm.
2. Achieve Broad Experience
Many people who land high-ranking positions have broad experience
obtained at one or more employers. Workers who follow the new model of
career advancement are automatically achieving broad experience. A major
benefit of broad experience is that you achieve more career portability,
therefore being able to move to another employer should the need exist.
3. Find a Mentor
Most successful people have had one or more mentors during their career. A
mentor is a more experienced person who guides, teaches, and coaches another
individual. Mentors are usually superiors, but can also be peers and even lower-
ranking individuals. The mentor serves as a positive model and a trusted friend.
4. Balance Your Life
Having balance gives you additional energy and vitality which will help you
in your career. Without balance, a career person runs the risk of burnout and
feeling that work is not worthwhile.
DEVELOPING YOUR NETWORKING SKILLS
Developing a network of contacts is the most favored approach to career
advancement. People in your network can help you get promoted, solve problems,
and can serve as customers and suppliers. A recommended approach to networking
is to keep a list of at least 25 people whom you contact at least once a month, even
bye-mail. A substantial amount of social networking also takes place on the
Internet. Cyber networking includes newsgroups, mailing lists, chat rooms, and e-
mail. Check the corporate Website for possible contact people. Figure 14-6
presents suggestions for networking.