Table of Contents
Introduction .......................................................................................................................................... 1
About the Authors .................................................................................................................................. 6
About This Handbook .......................................................................................................................... 10
Four-Phase Model of Career Transition .............................................................................................. 10
Four-Phase Career Transition Checklist .............................................................................................. 11
Ten Most Common Mistakes ............................................................................................................... 12
Surviving and Thriving ........................................................................................................................ 14
Tools for the Journey ........................................................................................................................... 15
Gifts to Give Yourself .......................................................................................................................... 16
Self-Assessment—Phase I .................................................................................................................. 13
Phase I: Self-Assessment: What’s Inside? ......................................................................................... 15
SELF-ASSESSMENT TOOLS
Discerning Your Interests and Passions ............................................................................................... 17
Jobs, Careers and Callings ................................................................................................................... 18
Values Checklist .................................................................................................................................. 19
Values Definitions ............................................................................................................................... 21
Skills Checklist .................................................................................................................................... 22
Skills Priority ....................................................................................................................................... 23
Computer and Social Media Self Assessment .........................................................................................
Computer and Social Media Skills Checklist ..........................................................................................
Employer Characteristics Checklist ..................................................................................................... 24
Feedback Sheet: Instructions ............................................................................................................... 26
Feedback Sheet .................................................................................................................................... 26
Self-Assessment Profile Summary ...................................................................................................... 30
Recommended Reading for Self Assessment ...................................................................................... 28
RESOURCES AND BARRIERS
Identifying Resources and Barriers ...................................................................................................... 30
Resources and Barriers Grid ................................................................................................................ 31
Families and Friends as Resources and Barriers.................................................................................. 32
How Long Will it Take ............................................................................................................................
Reducing Negative Self-Talk ............................................................................................................... 34
Sustenance Work ................................................................................................................................. 36
Ten Strategies to Simplify for the Transition ..........................................................................................
Faith ..................................................................................................................................................... 38
Career Exploration—Phase II .......................................................................................................... 41
Career Exploration: What’s Out There? .............................................................................................. 43
Career Exploration Checklist: What’s Out There? .............................................................................. 45
RESEARCHING JOB TITLES
Brainstorming Possible Job Titles, Organizations and Career Arenas ................................................ 46
Short List of Possible Jobs ................................................................................................................... 47
Researching Job Titles ......................................................................................................................... 48
RESEARCHING TRENDS
National Career Trends ........................................................................................................................ 49
Oregon Career Trends .......................................................................................................................... 49
Portland Career Trends ........................................................................................................................ 49
Portland for Creatives .......................................................................................................................... 49
Going to School .......................................................................................................................................
NETWORKING FOR CAREER EXPLORATION
Crafting Your Initial Basic Message.................................................................................................... 52
Your Approach to Social Media .......................................................................................................... 69
LinkedIn: Profiles and Inviting Connections ....................................................................................... 72
Introduction to Other Social Media and Web Presence ....................................................................... 52
Informational Interviews ...................................................................................................................... 54
Requesting Informational Interviews ................................................................................................... 56
LinkedIn for Networking and Job Search ............................................................................................ 57
Networking SOBIN Style .................................................................................................................... 58
Tips for Staying in Touch with Your Network .................................................................................... 59
Beyond LinkedIn: Social Media for Networking and Job Search ....................................................... 59
Strategic Volunteering ......................................................................................................................... 61
Sample Cover Letter: Strategic Volunteering: Marguerite .................................................................. 64
Deciding on a Career Objective ........................................................................................................... 65
Post Assessment Career Exploration Checklist: What’s Out There? .................................................. 67
Finding the Job—Phase III ............................................................................................................... 93
Phase III: Finding the Job .................................................................................................................... 95
FINDING THE JOB
Pre-Assessment Job Search Plan Checklist: Finding the Job .............................................................. 97
Finding Job Openings on the Internet .................................................................................................. 98
Internships: Posted or Self-Designed ................................................................................................. 101
Sample Request for Internship: Laura ............................................................................................... 102
Job Search for the Older Candidate ................................................................................................... 103
Telecommuting and Working at Home.............................................................................................. 104
The Spirit of Networking ................................................................................................................... 106
Networking by Email ......................................................................................................................... 109
Your Networking Contact List........................................................................................................... 110
RESUMES AND COVER LETTERS
Resume Tips....................................................................................................................................... 111
Accomplishments for Resumes.......................................................................................................... 112
Accomplishments for Creatives ......................................................................................................... 113
Accomplishments for People Who Want to Make a Difference........................................................ 114
Sample Resume: Jason Giglio ........................................................................................................... 115
Sample Resume: Lyn Bonyhadi......................................................................................................... 117
Sample Resume: Jennifer Bloeser ..................................................................................................... 119
Sample Resume: Cynthia Dettman .................................................................................................... 121
Cover Letter Formats: Letter Style .................................................................................................... 123
Cover Letter Formats: Memo Style ................................................................................................... 123
Sample Cover Letter: Memo Style, Vicki Shane ............................................................................... 123
Sample Cover Letter: Jason Giglio .................................................................................................... 125
Sample Cover Letter: Alison Wiley ................................................................................................... 126
Sample Cover Letter: Owen Wozniak ............................................................................................... 127
THE INTERVIEW
Preparing for an Interview ................................................................................................................. 128
Common Interview Questions ........................................................................................................... 130
Telling a Story in PAR (Problem, Action, Results) Format .............................................................. 131
Interviewing for the Older Candidate ................................................................................................ 133
Interviewing for the Overqualified Candidate ................................................................................... 134
Finding the Job—Phase III, continued
THE INTERVIEW, continued
What Should I Wear? ......................................................................................................................... 135
Interview Thank-You Letter .............................................................................................................. 136
References .......................................................................................................................................... 137
Bad or “Iffy” References ................................................................................................................... 138
Post Assessment Job Search Plan Checklist: Finding the Job ........................................................... 139
Gifts to Give Yourself ........................................................................................................................ 140
Accepting the Job—Phase IV ......................................................................................................... 141
Phase IV: Accepting the Job .............................................................................................................. 143
Mind Your “P”s: Is This the Right Job for You?............................................................................... 144
How to Negotiate ............................................................................................................................... 145
Salary Surveys ................................................................................................................................... 147
Conclusion: Saying Yes ..................................................................................................................... 148
APPENDIX A
Creative Resources
RESOURCES FOR CREATIVES
Employment for Creatives .......................................................................................................................
Books for Creatives.............................................................................................................................. 68
Internet Resources for Creatives .......................................................................................................... 69
Professional Associations for Creatives............................................................................................... 70
APPENDIX B
Sustainability Resources
RESOURCES FOR SUSTAINABILITY
Green Local Print and Web Resources ................................................................................................ 77
Internet Resources for Careers in Sustainability .................................................................................. 79
Education and Training in Sustainability ............................................................................................. 81
Finding Green Employers .................................................................................................................... 82
Green Occupations…………………………………………………………………………. .............. 83
Local Green Employers ....................................................................................................................... 87
APPENDIX C
Social Justice
RESOURCES FOR MAKE-A-DIFFERENCE TYPES
Recommended Reading for People Who Want to Make a Difference…………………….. .............. 71
Internet Resources for People Who Want to Make a Difference......................................................... 72
Careers in Fundraising and Development ............................................................................................ 74
APPENDIX D
Community Resources
APPENDIX E
Funding for School
APPENDIX F
Career Services
Vicki Lind: Individual and Group Career Counseling Services ........................................................ 149
Cynthia Dettman and Career Coaching Services ................................................................................... 6