© 2006 Cisco Systems, Inc. All rights reserved. Cisco ConfidentialPresentation_ID 1

Staying Competitive During Your Job Search

Date:Presenter: Jennifer Shire

© 2006 Cisco Systems, Inc. All rights reserved. Cisco ConfidentialPresentation_ID 2

Agenda

Career Development: a life cycle view

Career Fair – Before, During and After

Interviewing

Resources

Q&A

© 2006 Cisco Systems, Inc. All rights reserved. Cisco ConfidentialPresentation_ID 3

Career Development Process

Self Assessment

Resume Writing and

Elevator Pitch

Research & Informational

Interviews

Revisit & Refine Job

Goal

Interview Preparation

Job Offer(s)

© 2006 Cisco Systems, Inc. All rights reserved. Cisco ConfidentialPresentation_ID 4

Before the Career Fair

• Know your key strengths and skills

• Your resume and elevator pitch reflect those attributes

• Create a target list of firms and positions

• Research those firms• PRACTICE!!!!

© 2006 Cisco Systems, Inc. All rights reserved. Cisco ConfidentialPresentation_ID 5

During the Career Fair

• Make an impact with the employer

• Introduce yourself effectively

• Approaching a company you aren’t familiar with – risk vs. reward

• Determine best way to follow up

© 2006 Cisco Systems, Inc. All rights reserved. Cisco ConfidentialPresentation_ID 6

After the Career Fair

• Keep list of contacts• Send follow up

communication, if appropriate

• Follow instructions on how to apply to jobs/events

• Prepare to interview!

© 2006 Cisco Systems, Inc. All rights reserved. Cisco ConfidentialPresentation_ID 7

Interviewing: Before-During-After

• Confirm logistics – who, when, where

• Research!• Connect your value

proposition to the opportunity

• Follow-up communications

© 2006 Cisco Systems, Inc. All rights reserved. Cisco ConfidentialPresentation_ID 8

Interviewing: Type of Questions

• Traditional Tell me about yourself Why are you interested in Cisco?

• Behavioral No “right” answer SOAR

• Case-based Management consulting Investment banking

© 2006 Cisco Systems, Inc. All rights reserved. Cisco ConfidentialPresentation_ID 9

University Resources

Career Services

Faculty

Clubs & Associations

Alumni

Family & Friends