Overview/What You Will Learn

In the final segment of her 3-part series, MBA Career Strategist Susan Whitcomb addresses crossing the more challenging job search bridges – attempting to switch either job functions and/or industries when lacking the specific skills or experience needed to land the job you want.  Here is Susan’s step-by-step strategy for staying on track to meet your goals.

Key Points

• Some MBAs by this time have a very clear picture of the direction they want to take and others are still a bit fuzzy.  Fuzziness can be caused by many factors ranging from not having enough information to having too much, to being overloaded, lacking confidence or not finding anything appealing enough.
• It’s critical to outline and follow a strategy to stay active in your career search. One of the most effective approaches to competing contains three elements:
  • Shift / Expand Your Job Target by
    • Lowering your position entry point or move laterally.
    • Entering a different type of position just to access a new industry.
    • Exploring affiliated or related industries.
    • Expanding your geographic area.
    • Revising your target salary.
  • Increase Your Competitiveness by
    • Elevating your ability level.
    • Identifying specific strengths that are important to your employer.
    • Joining or becoming more active in relevant student organizations.
    • Articulating a strong value proposition.
    • Networking.
  • Boost Your Likeability by
    • Exuding a positive attitude, genuine enthusiasm and interest.
    • Building and enhancing relationships with relevant contacts.
    • Demonstrating strong initiative.
    • Demonstrating loyalty within your network.

Your Next Steps / Tips for Success

• Decide on or commit to a position and an industry.
• Based on the feedback you’ve received and on the progress you’re making, shift and/or expand your job target, increase your competitiveness and boost your likeability.

Susan Whitcomb is founder and president of The Academies, including Career Coach Academy, Job Search Academy & Leadership Coach Academy. She brings two decades of experience to her work as an author and speaker. People come away from Susan’s keynotes, trainings, and coaching encounters with an “I can do it!” perspective, helping them tap into the awareness, attitudes, and action plans that cause a life-changing shift from stagnant or stuck to unstoppable.

Susan is the author of the best-selling “Magic Series” published by JIST, including Job Search Magic, Interview Magic, and Resume Magic, now in its 4th edition. Her book, 30-Day Job Promotion: Build a Powerful Promotion Plan in a Month, is part of JIST's popular Help-in-a-Hurry series. Her recent book The Christian’s Career Journey marries her career experience with a Bibilical approach to careers and calling. And, coming 2010, Susan’s newest book, The Twitter Job Search Guide, promises to reveal how job seekers and careerists can leverage the power of social media to advance their careers. Susan is also coauthor of eResumes: Everything You Need To Know (McGraw-Hill) and author of a 400-page career coaching reference accompanying the Certified Career Management Coach program offered through Career Coach Academy.

She has been a careers columnist and featured chat guest for Monster.com and America Online and, as an industry expert, has been cited in U.S. News & World Report, CBS Marketwatch.com, the Dow Jones’ National Business Employment Weekly, and numerous national publications. She serves on the board of, and was former Executive Director for, Career Management Alliance (formerly Career Masters Institute).

Her designations include Professional Certified Coach (PCC) from International Coach Federation, Certified Career Management Coach, Certified Job Search Strategist, Certified Life Coach, Certified Professional Christian Coach, Master Resume Writer, Nationally Certified Resume Writer, and Credential Career Manager.

Career Coach Academy’s Certified Career Management Coach (CCMC) program and Leadership Coach Academy’s Certified Leadership & Talent Management Coach (CLTMC) program have been designated as providers of 30 hours (each) of Approved Coach Specific Training Hours (“ACSTH”) through International Coach Federation.