If you're looking for a similar job in another geographic location or company, or you're seeking to make a career change into another industry, this proven "step-by-step" Career Search Process is your personal guide to help you achieve your goals.
Before you can make a successful career move, it’s vital to define the role you want. Narrow your search to one or two job titles in one or two industries or sectors, so you can clearly articulate your goal in conversations with networking connections and hiring managers.
The Ross Alumni Career Coach can guide you on a meaningful self- reflection journey that will illuminate your path forward. Set up an appointment at [email protected].
Assessment Tools
CareerLeader
The CareerLeader assessment identifies your pattern of core interests and matches it to top business careers. It also assesses motivators, culture fit, and skills. You probably completed this assessment while a student at Ross, but if it’s been five years or more since graduation, you may want to take a fresh look.
The Myers-Briggs Type Indicator (MBTI)
The MBTI illuminates your personality preferences and highlights careers that are most popular among others who share your preferences. To access this assessment, send your request to The Myers-Briggs Type Indicator (MBTI)
The CliftonStrengths Assessment
CliftonStrengths identifies your top 5 (out of 34) strengths and helps you to see how those strengths enable you to bring unique value to an organization. To access this assessment, send your request to [email protected].
Zone times are those projects or roles when you were at your best, feeling challenged, and enjoying the work you were doing.
Career Search Focus & Elevator Story
Use this tool to narrow your job search focus and develop your elevator pitch for maximum impact.
Learn More
Recommended Books
Designing Your Life: How to Build a Well-Lived, Joyful Life, by Bill Burnett and Dave Evans
Do What You Are: Discover the Perfect Career for You Through the Secrets of Personality Type, by Paul D. Tieger, Barbara Barron, and Kelly Tieger
What Color Is Your Parachute? Your Guide to a Lifetime of Meaningful Work and Career Success, by Richard Nelson Bolles
With a clear job search target, your next step is to update your personal marketing materials: your resume, your LinkedIn profile, and your one- to two-minute “commercial.”
Update Your Resume
In the first five years post-graduation, we suggest BBAs, MBAs, and One Year Masters alumni continue to use the one-page Ross Impact resume.
A two-page resume, useful for more experienced alumni, features a professional headline and summary that helps to convey your brand identity.
For an expert outside opinion on your resume, schedule a review with the Ross Alumni Career Coach at [email protected].
Resume Resources
Writing Your Summary in Five Steps
Revise Your LinkedIn Profile
Smart Ways to Use LinkedIn
5 Templates That Will Make Writing Your LinkedIn Summary a Breeze
The Perfect LinkedIn Profile According to Harvard Career Experts
Hone Your 30-second Elevator Story and Craft Your Commercial
Elevator Story (see p. 2)
One- to -Two-Minute Commercial
Additional Resources
Cultivated Culture Free Downloadable Resume Templates
Jobscan.io – An app that allows you to compare your resume to a job posting and see how it stacks up
Resumes Transformed (Southeast Michigan writing service)
The Resume Group.com
Ross Alumni Resume Database – Post your resume here to catch the eye of recruiters looking for Ross alumni.
Learn More
Recommended books
Career Distinction: Stand Out by Building Your Brand, by William Arruda and Kirsten Dixson
With clear goals, a compelling elevator story, and refreshed marketing materials, you can launch your search and begin networking with focus and confidence. Periodically check in with the Ross Alumni Career Coach ([email protected]) to get support throughout your journey.
Resources
Guidelines for Research & Networking
The 2-Hour Job Search Template - Use this template in conjunction with the methodology promoted in the book The 2-Hour Job Search by Steve Dalton
Targeted Search Summary –- This tool can be used to prepare you for networking and then shared with warm connections during meetings to help them to help you.
Kresge Alumni Career Databases - Databases such as D&B Hoovers allow you to generate a list of companies based on a set of search criteria, and then drill down into each one to gather intelligence. Set up an appointment with a Ross Kresge Librarian to get additional guidance on using these databases effectively.
Networking with Ross Alums and Other Wolverines
Ross Alumni Directory
Ross Alumni Clubs
University of Michigan Alumni Association
Alumnifire.com – A free website, created by a Ross alum, connects alumni for networking, job shadowing, employment opportunities, and internships.
Recommended books
The 2-Hour Job Search: Using Technology to Get the Right Job Faster, by Steve Dalton
Give and Take: Why Helping Others Drives Our Success, by Adam Grant
Never Eat Alone and Other Secrets to Success, One Relationship at a Time, by Keith Ferrazzi
Achieving Success Through Social Capital: Tapping Hidden Resources in Your Personal and Business Networks, by Wayne E. Baker
The Networking Survival Guide, by Diane Darling
Unless you’ve already got a networking connection at the company, rarely does applying to a job posting alone get you hired. Some experts put the odds at no better than 5 percent. Likewise, the chance that a particular executive search consultant has a posting that’s right for you is slim to none. Nevertheless, job postings provide valuable information about who is hiring and what they are looking for. Search consultants — also known as headhunters or recruiters — can be excellent resources for information and networking.
Resources
Guidelines on Job Postings and Executive Recruiters
Forbes Weighs In on Top Executive Search Firms
Online Directory of Executive Recruiters
Additional Resources
Independent Consulting Opportunities
ProFinder, a LinkedIn service
Third Bridge.com, London-based with eight offices on three continents, matching consultants with businesses
Sites Targeting Women/Remote/Flexible Work
Forte Foundation Job Postings and Online Resume Book
Function/ Industry Focus
CPGJobs.com places qualified people in sales, marketing, marketing research, and related disciplines in the consumer packaged goods industry.
Entrepreneurial
LLCs – check your state government website
Finance
eFinancialCareers.com– Financial job marketplace
International Resources
Monster – International job site
Latpro.com – Latin America’s Professional Network
Exec-appointments.com – Find a C-suite position
Are we missing a helpful resource? Let us know via email: [email protected]
Interviewing Guidelines
Your hard work has paid off and you have landed an interview. Schedule a mock fit interview with the Ross Alumni Career Coach ([email protected]). Below are some resources to help you prepare.
10 Most Common Interview Questions
Tell Your Stories Using the STAR Approach
Common Behavioral Interview Questions
Questions You Can Ask in an Interview
Case Interview Resources:
Kresge Library Vault Database – Look for consulting guides
Negotiating the Offer
Companies expect you to negotiate Never accept an offer on the spot. Instead, use the resources below to negotiate the best offer. The Ross Alumni Career Coach can serve as a non biased outsider to help sanity-check your offer ([email protected]).
glassdoor.com — Find jobs and see company salaries, reviews, and interviews — all posted anonymously by employees
TransparentCareer - MBA salary benchmarking tool
Recommended books
Get Paid What You’re Worth: The Expert Negotiator’s Guide to Salary and Compensation By Robin L. Pinkley and Gregory B. Northcraft
Women Don’t Ask: Negotiation and Gender Divide By Linda Babcock and Sara Laschever
