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Chapter 14
Career Advancement Strategies: Reinventing Yourself
JUMP START
The purpose of this chapter is to acquaint students with changes that are occurring in their
personal and professional lives that will have far-reaching effects on their lifestyles.
Technological innovations, economic restructuring, and work environment changes are discussed
in sufficient detail to aid students in preparing for the workforce of the 21st century.
Job seeking is a lifelong skill. Without this proficiency, students will be unable to find their first
job or move to more challenging or better-paying positions. Because individuals might change
jobs as many as 10 times in their lifetime, this skill becomes even more crucial. Maintaining a
network and how to continue your education are beneficial topics in this chapter. Additionally,
information is presented to help students become aware of when it is time to find another job and
how to leave a job gracefully.
Answers to Jump Start Questions
CHAPTER PREVIEW
OBJECTIVES
After studying this chapter, you should be able to:
14.1 Describe the forces that are shaping careers.
14.2 Demonstrate skills needed to maintain a healthy career.
14.3 Use behaviors that can boost or damage your career.
14.4 Explain how jobs begin and end.
PRESENTATION OUTLINE
(Supplementary Experience 14.1)
I. Forces shaping today’s careers
A. Demographics
B. Technology
(Supplementary Experience 14.2)
C. Global Connection
D. Globalization
E. Ask Yourself
(Supplementary Experience 14.3 with T.M. 14.1)
II. Nurturing strategies
(Supplementary Experience 14.4)
A. Maintaining a network
B. Recognizing and tracking job trends
(Supplementary Experience 14.5)
C. Continuing your education
Chapter 14 Career Advancement Strategies: Reinventing Yourself 1
D. Staying current with your résumé
E. Technology Connection
F. Ask Yourself
(Application 1—R.I.P. Manufacturing)
III. Career boosters and killers
A. Career boosters
B. Ethics Connection
C. Career killers
D. In the News
E. Ask Yourself
IV. Starting and ending jobs
A. Starting a job
B. Ending a job
C. Ask Yourself
TEACHING-LEARNING SUGGESTIONS
Supplementary Exercise 14.1
Have students develop a list (or bring current journal/newspaper articles) of topics they feel are
changing in their work or personal lives that will affect future ways of operating. Encourage
creativity in the development of the list and suggest a brainstorming session to pique interest and
involvement. Topics should include but not be limited to future demographics of the American
society in general and the workplace specifically, technological advances, transition to a global
economy, expectations and needs of workers, shifts from manufacturing to service industries, and
skills requirements for future success. Emphasize that an awareness of these changes and how the
changes will affect them provides a valuable advantage.
14.1 Forces Shaping Today’s Careers
Current trends in demographics, technological advances and globalization, affect the way we
work and live. The changing demographics of the workforce will require continuous assessment
and upgrades in the way businesses and workers manage their futures. The rapid advances in
technologies and increased demands for highly skilled workers will change organization
structures as we know them today to see the independent “entrepreneur” as the leader in the
cyber-society. Globalization has made our world smaller with a fast-paced economy that requires
rapid and drastic changes in the way companies do business.
Supplementary Exercise 14.2
Invite a representative from an employment agency or the human resources department of a large
local business to speak to the students about future expectations in the job market and the work
environment. The speaker should be encouraged to describe entry-level skills that will be required
in the future (math, reading, and languages) and what effects industries are feeling from literacy
problems now. The instructor should encourage a discussion of what other changes can be
expected in the work environment of the future, such as technology advances, people working out
of their homes, and anticipated effects of demographic shifts in the workforce of the future.
Answers to Global Connection
1. Answers will vary.
2 Human Relations—Instructor’s Resource CD
Answers to Ask Yourself
1. Answers will vary.
2. Answers will vary. Some products are slide rules, mimeograph machines, carbon paper, eight
Supplementary Exercise 14.3 with TM 14.1
Ask students to develop a matrix, using Teaching Master 14.1, of how they envision their place of
work being influenced by expected changes for the future. The changes can include any of the
variety of topics discussed in the chapter. Ask students to include in the future action plan what
steps they will take to develop their personal skills for more effectively dealing with the expected
changes. This action plan can serve as a useful guide for students as they chart a course of action.
14.2 Nurturing Strategies
Because the world of work is changing so rapidly, students must stay prepared to move to
the next job. Specifically they should maintain a professional network, recognize and
track job trends, continue their education, and stay current in their job-seeking skills
Supplementary Exercise 14.4
Introduce this chapter by reading a few want ads from the local newspaper or online job board.
Use the following questions to stimulate discussion:
1. If you are currently working, what would you do if your boss came in today and said you no
longer had a job? Or, if you immediately needed to get a job, what would you do?
2. When is the last time you updated your résumé?
3. What do you dislike about looking for a job?
4. How often do you think you will be looking for a job?
Answer to Technology Connection
Supplementary Exercise 14.5 with TM 14.2
Have students search the internet for careers of the future and identify a job in which they are
interested. With the help of TM 14.2 , ask them to identify the skills necessary for the job and
then develop an action plan to develop those skills.
Answers to Ask Yourself
Chapter 14 Career Advancement Strategies: Reinventing Yourself 3
14.3 Career boosters and killers
Just having the technical skill to do a job is not enough anymore. Employees can choose
behaviors which either enhance their careers or sink their careers. By knowing what those
behaviors are, students can make a conscientious effort to see that they do what it takes to get
ahead. Avoiding behaviors which can damage careers is crucial.
Answers to Ethics Connection
Answers to In The News
1. Answers will vary.
2. Answers will vary. While the show most likely gave the business positive publicity,
Answers to Ask Yourself
1. Answers will vary.
2. Answers will vary. Students should discuss with their parents the need to learn to be
14.4 Starting and ending jobs
Because you will be starting and ending many jobs, it is particularly important to learn how to
benefit from beginnings and endings. Watching and learning is particularly important when
starting a job. By learning the culture and developing relationships in your first 90 days on the
job, you will be ahead of the game. Do not make any rash moves or big suggestions for change
until you understand the culture and have established yourself as a trusted and productive
member of the team.
Leaving professionally whether you quit or are terminated is extremely important. You never
know whether you will need a reference from or want to return to the organization at a future
date. Making a scene if you are terminated can backfire as you may develop a reputation for
being difficult and unprofessional.
4 Human Relations—Instructor’s Resource CD
Answers to Ask Yourself
1. Answers will vary.
KEY TERMS DEFINITIONS
Demographics Statistics showing population characteristics about a region or group, such as
education, income, age, marital status, or ethnic makeup.
Globalization Making goods and services available worldwide with no national boundaries or
trade barriers on where they are sold or where they are produced.
Networking (1) Process whereby you give and receive moral support, career guidance, and
important information by developing contacts with people in your place of employment and in
professional organizations. (2) Method of finding employment that involves telling all individuals
you know that you are seeking a job and asking them to contact you if they hear of any openings.
Résumé Sales tool designed to assist in obtaining an interview.
SUGGESTED RESPONSES TO REVIEW QUESTIONS
1. The three major drivers shaping the workforce are demographics, technology, and
globalization. Through these forces, our economy is being shaped in the 21st century and
beyond.
Demographics are the statistics showing population characteristics about regions or
Chapter 14 Career Advancement Strategies: Reinventing Yourself 5
2. Individuals should improve their communication skills, learn to value diversity, and learn to
3. Student answers will vary. Suggestions include joining professional organizations and other
4. Student answers will vary. However, if you do not track job trends, you will be unaware of
5. Information concerning organizations and careers is available at the library, on the Internet, or
6. Suggested methods of learning new skills include taking advantage of community college
courses, getting a college degree, reading technical or professional journals, volunteering to
7. Basic learning styles include active and reflective learning, sensing and intuitive learning,
8. A resume should contain a summary of your skills, education, and job experience.
9. The behaviors that can boost your career include ensuring accomplishments are recognized,
10. The behaviors that can kill your career include not keeping confidences, drama king or queen
11. Good strategies for the first 90 days on a new job include watching and learning the culture,
12. To cope with the termination process, you should be aware of the warning signs of impending
SUGGESTED RESPONSES TO CRITICAL THINKING QUESTIONS
1. Student answers will vary. Have students openly discuss their expectations of jobs,
6 Human Relations—Instructor’s Resource CD
2. Student answers will vary. Have students fully develop the effects already known to be
3. Student answers will vary. Promote open and honest discussions about why the students
4. Student answers will vary. As a group, work to identify new skills needed for the local
5. Student answers will vary.
CASE STUDIES
Answers to Application 1 Questions (No Man Is An Island)
1. The point of networking is to develop relationships. The relationship should be developed
Answers to Application 2 Questions (Joe Cool)
1. Answers will vary. Point out to students that Devon is developing a reputation as a hard,
HUMAN RELATIONS IN ACTION
Groups should be allowed sufficient time to develop their workplace plan. Using whatever
sources they have chosen, they should prepare a formal presentation for the classroom. Props may
be used, slide shows can be presented with narrative, and visual expressions of any sort are
encouraged (diagrams, models, etc.). Creativity should be emphasized, but the project should not
be total fantasy. Full-class interaction is encouraged.
Encourage students to develop a resume for a position at this workplace. If students already have
a professional resume, have them create a resume in an alternate format. Encourage students to
take this assignment seriously, even if they will not be job hunting in the near future. Tell students
to consult reference books in the library and online resources for more examples of resume styles
and formats. They should experiment until they feel their skills and qualifications are presented in
the best possible way. Ask students to evaluate one another’s resume. Emphasis should be on 100
percent accuracy and honesty.
Chapter 14 Career Advancement Strategies: Reinventing Yourself 7
