UNYSLA: Spring meeting report part II: Career building in the present economy

Noah Simon: Career Building in the Present Economy
by Bradley Shipps

Noah Simon, Assistant Director of Career Services at SUNY Albany, presented the second session of UNYSLA's spring meeting focusing on taking a long-term view of building your career. Whether we are currently job hunting or not, the present state of the economy is a wake-up call that we must all become more active managers of our careers. By devoting just 2% of our workweek to ongoing career development, we can gain the skills necessary to recover from career setbacks and weather future recessions.

Do you have a plan to handle an unexpected job loss? This is the question Noah posed to the audience which he then followed by offering advice on these key areas of career management:

Establish networks
Develop transferable skills
Keep your resume current

Noah Simon has nearly 12 years experience in the career services industry working with students and alumni, entry- and executive-level job seekers, and relocating spouses of corporate employees..

SKILLS
If you are working, look for opportunities to diversify your skill base and ways to become indispensable on the job. Opportunities for skill building may be through educational opportunities that your employer provides or via job functions. Identify the skills your organization values and become an expert in these areas. Ask for new responsibilities, and identify opportunities that benefit both you and the organization. Keep your skills fresh and step out of your comfort zone.

If you find yourself on the job market, the first step in the job search process is self-assessment. Take advantage of career counseling offered by your alma mater to assist you with this process. When searching for a job it is important to be flexible and to recognize that you might need to relocate. Build a resume that is targeted to the type of job you want and highlight the skills that are directly related to each position for which you apply.

RESUME
Keep your resume up to date (at least on an annual basis) and identify your transferable skills such as project management, instruction, presentation skills, negotiation, etc. as these skills are applicable in many fields. Look for opportunities to develop new skills through conferences, training, or volunteer opportunities.

Make sure that your resume sells the qualities you want to use. If you want a leadership position, your resume should communicate your leadership ability. When possible, use numbers to quantify your achievements.

If you are changing careers or summarizing a long career, consider a functional resume, which is organized by skill groups rather than chronologically. Read your resume as if you are the hiring manager; scan it briefly. Do the important keywords and ideas jump out?

NETWORKING
Professional networks cannot be established overnight and relationships require years to build and effort to maintain.

Think broadly about networking. We use personal networks to gain knowledge and skills, ask questions, even to find an auto mechanic. Networks are not just for jobs. Consider who you already know. Build your networks through professional associations and online using tools such as Facebook or LinkedIn. Refresh contacts regularly. When you see an interesting job opening, ask yourself whether you know anyone who could deliver your resume in person.

Keep in mind that networks can get you interviews, but it’s up to you to get the job.

INTERVIEWING
When you do get an interview, remember that it is a two-way street. Research the company beforehand and ask questions. e.g. How is success measured in this organization? What are the opportunities for advancement? Listen carefully to the answers to determine whether the position really is a good match for you. After the interview, use the thank you note as a final opportunity to sell your value to the organization.

CAREER BUILDING
Career building is taking the long-term view of your employment. Even after you get the job, it is up to you to continue to manage your career proactively.

Bradley Shipps is a 2009 graduate of the Library & Information Science program at Syracuse University's School of Information Studies and a native of Upstate New York. Previously a project manager in the textbook publishing industry, Bradley is excited to launch her career in libraries.