How to Use This Text
The Connect to Your Career text and accompanying digital resources will help you begin r
a successful career-search process. The text presents proven strategies that use tech-
nology as a tool to find the career that is the correct fit for you. You will be guided
through the steps of planning your career, establishing your online presence, protecting
your online identity, and networking in the 21st century. Integrated in this technology-
centric approach are traditional résumés, as well as nontraditional résumés, that are
sure to capture the eye of an employer.
As you make your way through the chapters, try to relate each topic to how it applies
to you. By following these suggestions, you can make the most of your career prepara-
tion experience.
• Read the outcomes listed in the chapter opener. Each outcome is tied directly to
the headings within the content. In addition, they are repeated in the chapter
summary and applied in the end-of-chapter activities. The connection of outcomes
throughout the content helps you focus and apply important information as you
read each chapter.
• Pay attention to the illustrations. Each illustration is strategically created to
highlight important information. By studying these, you will extend your learning
and improve retention and application of the content.
• Learn how to brand yourself as a professional in the workplace. Develop a personal
brand statement, as well as a 30-second elevator speech. By doing so, you will
succinctly create a snapshot of who you are as a job candidate. This exercise will
help you prepare as you interview, as well as network, with individuals who can help
you land a job.
• Begin the process of creating a personal career portfolio. Career Portfolio activities
in each chapter provide guidance to create a portfolio for use when exploring career
opportunities. This process requires reflection on your accomplishments and skill
sets. Completing this activity will help you build confidence and identify who you
are as a potential employee. It will also give you a head start on the career-search
process.
• Write your résumé. The résumé is one of the most important documents you will
create in your job-search journey. You will have opportunities to begin the process
as you progress through the second half of the text. On-going revisions will lead
to a document suitable for submission with a job application on completion of the
course.
• Note the Connect to Your Career boxes placed strategically at the end of major r
sections of content. A total of 54 activities provide practical, realistic, and
interactive exercises that enable you to apply the concepts that you learn to your
own job-search experience. Digital versions of these activity files are available on
the Online Learning Suite.
• Complete the end-of-chapter activities. By doing so, you will be able to self-assess
your learning. This self-reflection is important to helping you determine who you
are as a potential employee.
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