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Career VectorPath Msethodology Workbook

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Career VectorPath Methodology Workbook

Welcome to the Career VectorPath Methodology Workbook!

This guide is designed to complement "Cracking the Code: The Essential Guide to Job Hunting for Students and Recent Graduates in the Digital Age" by providing practical exercises and actionable steps to implement the Career VectorPath Methodology.

The Career VectorPath Methodology consists of five essential phases, plus an initial setup phase, that will guide you through your job search journey in the digital age. Let's explore each phase:

The 5 Questions you will get during the Interview are:

One: Tell me about yourself. You interpete and hear this question as : Connect the dots for me as to why what you have matters to what the Interviewer needs. This question is the same as : Why should I hire you?

Two: What do you know about this industry and company. (Remember all the research that has gone into your Evernote database?)

Three: What do you know about this JOB: (Remember all the research that has gone into your Evernote database?) By using the skills we are teaching you to harvest information about of LINKEDIN, you can have a comprehensive view of what jobs like that entail.

Four: Why should I hire you? (If you did a good job with Question 1 Tell me about yourself, just repeat what you already said).

Five: What do you want to be doing 5 years from now. This question is intended to probe your psychometrics and ask your motivational state and knowledge of and interest in the field.

The 5 Core Phases of the Career VectorPath Methodology

Phase 0: Setting Up Your Personal Career Intelligence Database

Phase 1: Deciding on Your Big Why: Creating your Vision Statement

Phase 2: Building your Career Intelligence Agency: Your Evernote Database

Phase 3: Working the Job Application Process

Phase 4: Interview Preparation Process

Phase 5: Follow-up Process

Before diving into the core phases, we'll start by setting up an Evernote database to track all the information you'll be gathering throughout your job search journey.

Key Steps:

Learn how to use Evernote's features: Notebooks, Notes, and Tags

Set up categories for tracking companies, news, job types, applications, and networking contactPhase 0: Setting Up Your Personal Career Intelligence Databases

Exercise: Create your Evernote account and set up notebooks for each category mentioned above.

Phase 0: Setting Up Your Personal Career Intelligence Database

Welcome to the foundation of your job search journey! We'll begin by creating your "Career Command Center" in Evernote. This digital hub will be your go-to resource for organizing and accessing all the critical information you'll gather throughout your job search.

Reference Name: "Operation Career Launchpad"

Key Steps:

Go to

www.evernote.com⁠

and click "Sign up for free"

Use your professional email address to create your account

Choose a strong, unique password

Familiarize yourself with Evernote's core features:

Notebooks: Think of these as digital file cabinets

Notes: Individual documents within your notebooks

Tags: Keywords to categorize and easily find your notes

Set up your "Operation Career Launchpad" structure: Create the following notebooks: a. "Target Companies" b. "Industry Intel" c. "Job Opportunities" d. "Application Tracker" e. "Networking Contacts" Within each notebook, create template notes with the following structures: a. Target Companies

Company Name

Industry

Location

Key Products/Services

Phase 1: Vision Building

In this crucial first step, we focus on building your "Big Why" - the driving force behind your career aspirations.

Key Concepts:

Identifying your core values and motivations

Exploring career paths that align with your passions

Defining your ideal work environment and company culture

Exercise: Use provided ChatGPT prompts to research LinkedIn profiles of recent graduates in your field and analyze their career paths.

Setting up for Phase 1: Harnessing the Collective Wisdom

Before we dive into the Vision Building phase, it's crucial to understand the powerful tool at your disposal: ChatGPT. Think of ChatGPT as your personal career advisor, but with a twist. This AI assistant doesn't just draw from a single person's experience – it's like having a whole team of career counselors, industry experts, and successful professionals at your fingertips.

ChatGPT has been trained on a vast amount of information from across the internet, including countless career stories, industry insights, and professional advice. It's as if you're tapping into the collective knowledge of millions of people who have walked the career path before you. This means you can:

Get diverse perspectives: ChatGPT can provide viewpoints from various industries and career stages, helping you consider angles you might not have thought of.

Access up-to-date information: The AI's knowledge base includes recent trends and developments in various fields.

Explore multiple scenarios: You can quickly generate and explore different career paths and possibilities without the time constraints of traditional career counseling.

Receive personalized advice: By providing your specific interests and values, you can get tailored suggestions and insights.

Practice and refine your ideas: Use ChatGPT to roleplay interviews, refine your career statement, or brainstorm potential paths.

Remember, while ChatGPT is a powerful tool, it's here to assist and guide you, not make decisions for you. Use its suggestions as a starting point for your own reflection and research. Your unique experiences, passions, and goals are what will ultimately shape your career path.

As we move through the Vision Building phase, approach each prompt with curiosity and openness. You're not just asking a simple AI – you're tapping into a distillation of human knowledge and experience about careers and professional growth. Let's harness this collective wisdom to help you discover your "Big Why" and set the foundation for a fulfilling career journey!

Now, let's begin the exciting process of building your career vision!

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This preamble sets the stage for students to approach ChatGPT as a valuable resource in their career exploration, emphasizing its broad knowledge base while also encouraging students to use it as a tool for their own decision-making process.

I'll provide a step-by-step, ChatGPT prompt-driven methodology to guide students through this process, with explicit details and short-loop reward cycles. This approach will help them build their "Big Why" and log the results in their Evernote database.

Phase 1: Vision Building - Discovering Your "Big Why"

Step 1: Core Values Exploration

ChatGPT Prompt: "List 20 core values that people often prioritize in their careers. Then, ask me to rate each one on a scale of 1-10 based on how important it is to me."

Action:

Copy the list of values from ChatGPT into a new note in your "Industry Intel" notebook. Title it "My Core Values".

Rate each value as instructed.

Highlight your top 5 values.

Reward: Congratulations! You've identified your top 5 core values. These will guide your career decisions.

Step 2: Motivation Discovery

ChatGPT Prompt: "Based on these top 5 values: [list your top 5], generate 10 thought-provoking questions that will help me uncover my deep career motivations."

Action:

Create a new note titled "My Career Motivations" in your "Industry Intel" notebook.

Copy the questions from ChatGPT.

Spend 5-10 minutes answering each question thoughtfully.

Reward: Great job! You've delved deep into your motivations. This self-awareness will be invaluable in your job search.

Step 3: Career Path Exploration

ChatGPT Prompt: "I'm interested in [your field of study]. Provide me with 10 diverse job titles that recent graduates in this field might pursue, along with a brief description of each."

Action:

Create a new note titled "Potential Career Paths" in your "Job Opportunities" notebook.

Copy the list of job titles and descriptions from ChatGPT.

Rate each job title on a scale of 1-5 based on how excited you feel about it.

Reward: Excellent work! You now have a clear view of potential career paths that align with your interests.

Step 4: LinkedIn Profile Analysis

ChatGPT Prompt: "Provide me with a step-by-step guide on how to find and analyze LinkedIn profiles of recent graduates in [your field] who are working in [one of your top-rated job titles from Step 3]."

Action:

Follow the steps provided by ChatGPT to find 3-5 relevant LinkedIn profiles.

For each profile, create a new note in your "Networking Contacts" notebook with the following structure:

Name

Current Job Title and Company

Education Background

Career Progression (list their jobs in reverse chronological order)

Key Skills Mentioned

Any Notable Achievements or Projects

Reward: Well done! You've gathered valuable insights from real-world career paths in your field.

Step 5: Ideal Work Environment Definition

ChatGPT Prompt: "Based on my top 5 values [list them] and the career paths I'm most excited about [list top 3 from Step 3], describe 5 different work environments or company cultures that might be a good fit for me. For each, explain why it aligns with my values and interests."

Action:

Create a new note titled "My Ideal Work Environment" in your "Industry Intel" notebook.

Copy the descriptions from ChatGPT.

For each environment described, write 2-3 sentences about how you feel about it and whether you can see yourself thriving there.

Reward: Fantastic job! You now have a clear picture of the type of work environment where you're likely to succeed and be happy.

Step 6: Crafting Your "Big Why" Statement

ChatGPT Prompt: "Help me craft a powerful 'Big Why' statement for my career. Use the following information: My top values are [list], my key motivations include [summarize from Step 2], I'm most excited about [top career paths from Step 3], and my ideal work environment involves [summarize from Step 5]."

Action:

Create a new note titled "My Big Why" in your "Industry Intel" notebook.

Copy the "Big Why" statement generated by ChatGPT.

Spend 10-15 minutes refining and personalizing this statement until it truly resonates with you.

Reward: Congratulations! You've crafted your "Big Why" statement. This will serve as your north star throughout your job search and career.

Final Step: Reflection and Commitment

Action:

Review all the notes you've created during this phase.

In your "My Big Why" note, write a short paragraph reflecting on what you've learned about yourself and your career aspirations.

Set a reminder in Evernote to review and update your "Big Why" statement monthly.

Reward: You've completed Phase 1 of the Career VectorPath Methodology! You now have a clear vision of your career aspirations, backed by self-awareness and research. This foundation will be invaluable as you move forward in your job search journey.

Remember, your "Operation Career Launchpad" in Evernote now contains a wealth of personal insights. Refer back to these notes often as you progress through the next phases of your job search. Your future self will thank you for the time and effort you've invested in this crucial self-discovery process!

Phase 2: Building Your Research Database

This phase is all about gathering intelligence on companies in your field and geographic area.

Key Concepts:

Using LinkedIn as a research tool

Leveraging AI search engines like Perplexity.ai to amplify your research

Organizing your findings in your Evernote database

Exercise: Use provided ChatGPT and Perplexity.ai prompts to research and document information about 5 companies in your field.

Navigating the AI Landscape for Career Research

Before we dive into building your research database, it's crucial to understand the AI tools at your disposal and how to leverage them effectively. As you embark on this journey, remember that you're not just researching companies – you're also honing a valuable skill set in AI interaction and prompt engineering.

AI Tools Overview:

ChatGPT: Your go-to for role-playing and general knowledge

Strengths: Vast knowledge base, excellent for scenarios and brainstorming

Limitation: Knowledge cutoff several months in the past, no live internet access

Perplexity.ai: Your real-time research assistant

Strengths: Live internet access, great for up-to-date company info and LinkedIn content

Best for: Current events, recent company news, and market trends

Claude.ai: Another powerful AI with its own unique insights

Strengths: Detailed analysis, good for complex queries

Explore its capabilities in comparison to ChatGPT

Meta.ai and Google Gemini: Emerging players with evolving capabilities

Keep an eye on these tools as they develop and offer new features

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Merlin.ai⁠

: Live real time Internet access. Another great tool to practice using.

As you use these AI tools, remember that each has its strengths and limitations. Part of your task is to learn which tool works best for different types of information and queries. This experimentation is not just about finding information – it's about developing your prompt engineering skills.

Prompt Engineering: A Valuable Skill

As you follow the Career VectorPath methodology, you're not just learning how to find a job – you're learning how to effectively communicate with AI systems. This skill, known as prompt engineering, is increasingly valuable in today's job market.

Key aspects of prompt engineering you'll practice:

Crafting clear, specific queries

Breaking complex questions into smaller, manageable parts

Iterating and refining your prompts based on the responses you receive

Combining insights from multiple AI tools to get a comprehensive view

Remember, the ability to effectively leverage AI tools is becoming a crucial skill across many industries. By mastering these techniques in your job search, you're adding a valuable competency to your professional toolkit.

Approach each prompt as an opportunity to refine your skills. Pay attention to which phrasings yield the most useful results. Don't be afraid to rephrase or follow up if the initial response doesn't quite hit the mark.

As we move through the research phase, embrace the dual nature of this process: you're not just gathering information about potential employers, you're also developing a skill set that will serve you well throughout your career.

Now, let's begin our deep dive into company and industry research, armed with the power of multiple AI assistants and your growing prompt engineering skills!

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This preamble sets the stage for students to approach the research phase with an understanding of the various AI tools available and the added value of developing prompt engineering skills. It encourages them to view the process as both a means to gather crucial career information and an opportunity to develop a valuable professional skill.

Phase 2: Building Your Research Database

In this phase, you'll become a career intelligence agent, gathering crucial information about companies in your field and geographic area.

This research will form the backbone of your job search strategy, helping you tailor your applications and stand out in interviews.

Key Concepts:

Using LinkedIn as a research tool

Leveraging AI search engines like Perplexity.ai to amplify your research

Organizing your findings in your Evernote database

Step 1: Identifying Target Companies

ChatGPT Prompt: "I'm interested in [your field] in [your geographic area]. Can you list 10 companies that are known for hiring recent graduates in this field?"

Action:

Create a new note in your "Target Companies" notebook titled "Potential Employers List"

Copy the list of companies from ChatGPT's response

Add any other companies you're interested in that weren't mentioned

Step 2: LinkedIn Company Research

See this article for more work practices on Data Mining LINKEDIN to gather intelligence on which companies are hiring for which jobs:

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For each company on your list, use the following prompts:

ChatGPT Prompt: "What are the key sections I should look at on a company's LinkedIn page to gather important information for my job search?"

Action: Use ChatGPT's response as a guide to explore each company's LinkedIn page. Create a new note for each company in your "Target Companies" notebook.

Perplexity.ai Prompt: "What are the latest news and developments for [Company Name] in the past 6 months?"

Action: Add this information to your company notes, focusing on recent achievements, new projects, or changes in the company.

Step 3: Deeper Company Analysis

For a more comprehensive understanding of each company, use these prompts:

ChatGPT Prompt: "What questions should I ask to thoroughly analyze a company's culture, values, and work environment?"

Action: Use the questions provided to guide your research on the company's website and other online sources. Add your findings to each company's note.

Perplexity.ai Prompt: "What are the main challenges and opportunities facing [Company Name] in the current market?"

Action: Add this market analysis to your company notes. This information will be valuable for tailoring your applications and preparing for interviews.

Step 4: Job Role Research

ChatGPT Prompt: "What are common entry-level positions for recent graduates in [your field] at companies like [list 2-3 companies from your list]?"

Action: Create a new note in your "Job Opportunities" notebook titled "Potential Entry-Level Roles". List the positions mentioned by ChatGPT and add brief descriptions of each.

Step 5: Skill Alignment

Perplexity.ai Prompt: "What skills and qualifications are most in-demand for entry-level [your field] positions in [your geographic area] right now?"

Action: Create a new note in your "Industry Intel" notebook titled "In-Demand Skills". List the skills mentioned and rate your proficiency in each on a scale of 1-5.

Step 6: Industry Trends

ChatGPT Prompt: "What are the top 5 trends shaping the [your field] industry in [current year]?"

Perplexity.ai Prompt: "What recent technological advancements are impacting the [your field] industry?"

Action: Create a new note in your "Industry Intel" notebook titled "Industry Trends and Innovations". Combine the insights from both AI tools to create a comprehensive overview of your industry's current state and future direction.

Step 7: Networking Opportunities

ChatGPT Prompt: "How can I find networking events or professional groups related to [your field] in [your geographic area]?"

Action: Create a new note in your "Networking Contacts" notebook titled "Networking Opportunities". List the suggestions provided by ChatGPT and add any specific events or groups you find through your own research.

Exercise: Research Deep Dive

Choose 5 companies from your list and spend 30 minutes researching each one using the prompts and steps above. For each company, ensure you have detailed notes covering:

Company overview and recent developments

Culture and values

Potential entry-level roles

Required skills and how they align with your abilities

Industry position and market challenges/opportunities

Reward: Congratulations! You've now built a comprehensive research database that will give you a significant advantage in your job search. This information will help you tailor your applications, prepare for interviews, and make informed decisions about your career path.

Remember to regularly update your research database with new information. Set a reminder in Evernote to spend 30 minutes each week adding to and refreshing your company and industry intelligence.

While you are at it, remember the Reputational Power of being a content creator. Ask Chat GPT to create a Blog from your most up to data discoveries and post them as a Blog on your Linked In Profile.

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You should also follow these instructions to make your YouTube Channel:

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https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/supercharge-your-job-search-youtube-channel-students-guide-sigurdson-qskrc/⁠

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Next Steps: Use this research to start identifying specific job openings that align with your skills and interests. In the next phase, we'll dive into the job application process, using your newfound knowledge to craft compelling applications.

Phase 3: Job Application Process

In this phase, you'll set ambitious goals for job applications and track your progress.

Key Concepts:

Setting a goal of applying to 10+ jobs per week

Use Chat GPT to fine tune your Resume and Cover Letter for each job

Using your Evernote database to track applications: details, Resumes, and Cover Letters sent to each job application.

Tailoring applications based on your research

Let's amplify the Job Application Process phase with a specific component focused on using ChatGPT to fine-tune resumes and cover letters.

We'll call this component the "AI-Powered Application Optimizer" within the Career VectorPath Toolkit.

AI-Powered Application Optimizer

This component of the Career VectorPath Toolkit Process Catalog leverages ChatGPT to help you craft tailored resumes and cover letters for each job application.

Here's how to use it effectively:

Resume Tailoring

ChatGPT Prompt: "I'm applying for a [Job Title] position at [Company Name]. The key requirements are [list 3-5 key requirements from the job description]. Here's a summary of my relevant experience: [provide your 2-3 most relevant experiences]. Please help me tailor my resume summary to highlight how my experience matches their needs."

Skills Section Optimization

ChatGPT Prompt: "Based on this job description for a [Job Title] at [Company Name]: [paste relevant parts of the job description], and my current skills list: [list your current skills], suggest how I should reorganize and phrase my skills section to best match the job requirements."

Experience Description Refinement

ChatGPT Prompt: "I need to describe my experience as a [Your Previous Job Title] for a [New Job Title] application. The new role emphasizes [key aspects of new job]. Here's my current bullet point: [paste your current description]. Please rewrite this to highlight transferable skills and align with the new role."

Cover Letter Introduction

ChatGPT Prompt: "I'm writing a cover letter for a [Job Title] position at [Company Name]. They're known for [1-2 company characteristics or recent news]. My background includes [your relevant background]. Please draft an engaging opening paragraph that connects my experience to their company."

Addressing Job Requirements in Cover Letter

ChatGPT Prompt: "The job posting for [Job Title] at [Company Name] lists these key requirements: [list 3-5 requirements]. Here are my relevant experiences and skills: [list your matching experiences/skills]. Please draft a paragraph for my cover letter that demonstrates how I meet these requirements."

Closing Paragraph for Cover Letter

ChatGPT Prompt: "Based on this job description [paste summary of job] and company mission [paste company mission if available], please write a compelling closing paragraph for my cover letter that reiterates my enthusiasm for the role and the company."

ATS Optimization Check

ChatGPT Prompt: "Here's the job description: [paste full job description] and here's my current resume: [paste your resume]. Please identify any key terms or skills from the job description that are missing from my resume and suggest where I might incorporate them."

Career VectorPath Methodology Workbook

Welcome to the Career VectorPath Methodology Workbook!

The 5 Questions you will get during the Interview are:

The 5 Core Phases of the Career VectorPath Methodology

Phase 0: Setting Up Your Personal Career Intelligence Database

Phase 1: Vision Building

Setting up for Phase 1: Harnessing the Collective Wisdom

Phase 2: Building Your Research Database

Navigating the AI Landscape for Career Research

Phase 2: Building Your Research Database

Step 1: Identifying Target Companies

Step 2: LinkedIn Company Research

Step 3: Deeper Company Analysis

Step 4: Job Role Research

Step 5: Skill Alignment

Step 6: Industry Trends

Step 7: Networking Opportunities

Phase 3: Job Application Process

Let's amplify the Job Application Process phase with a specific component focused on using ChatGPT to fine-tune resumes and cover letters.

We'll call this component the "AI-Powered Application Optimizer" within the Career VectorPath Toolkit.

Meet Laura: A Career VectorPath Success Story

Phase 4: Interview Preparation Process

How to speak and present yourself at work:

Let's dive deep into Phase 4: Interview Preparation Process of the Career VectorPath methodology. I'll provide a comprehensive guide with detailed components, methodologies, and workflow examples for students to follow.

Phase 5: Follow-up Process

"A More Beautiful Question" and how it relates to their job search journey:

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