This document provides career planning advice from Tom Boyd, Dean at Kaplan University School of Business and Management. It discusses the importance of being flexibly persistent in pursuing career goals while being ready to adapt. Employers most value strategic thinking, integrity, global outlook, work ethic, and accountability. Hiring managers want employees that will make their jobs easier and make them look good. Experience is becoming more important to employers, though some are willing to hire candidates eager to learn. The document advises job seekers to find out what skills their target industry needs, develop a plan to build those skills, and highlight strengths that distinguish them from other candidates.

1. TAKING CONTROL OF
YOUR CAREER STRATEGY
Tom Boyd
Dean at Kaplan University School of Business and Management

2. Career planning is
about being
flexibly persistent
Be persistent in driving
towards your goals, but
always be ready to adapt.

3. Skills most valued by employers
• Strategic perspective
• High integrity
• Global outlook
• Strong work ethic/dependability
• Accountability
What do hiring managers really want?
TWO SIMPLE THINGS EVERY HIRING MANAGER LOOKS FOR:
• Will this person make my life easier?
• Will this person make me look good?

4. Experience is
becoming more
important
• 30% of job seekers ranked prior
experience as the top factor in getting
a desirable job
• Only 9% of hiring managers reported
they would be extremely or very likely
to hire a managerial candidate who
lacked skills but appeared eager to
learn on the job

5. Make sure you
stand out
• 90% of students identified
“hard worker” as their key
strength
• Emphasize strengths &
skills that are both highly
valued and relatively rare

6. Find out what
employers in your
field are looking for
• Use your network to find hiring
managers in your field either on
social media sites like LinkedIn
or at networking events
• Ask them for an informational
interview and find out what
skills and experience they’re
looking for

7. Make a plan to
build your skills
• Write your dream cover letter & résumé
• Assess what you need to do to be that
person by deciding what strengths &
skills you can develop
• Make a plan to gain the experience that
makes you the best candidate
• Get involved in activities, groups, or
clubs to gain experience outside the
classroom
PLAN

8. Key Takeaways
• Find out what skills and qualities hiring
managers in your field are looking for
• Make a plan to develop skills and experience
that you should improve upon
• Display your skills on your résumé and in
interviews to help you stand out as a top
candidate