Alumni Checklist

Download a copy of this checklist (pdf)

Step 1 – What Are You Good At?

• Take an Assessment such as Career Leader and/or StrengthsFinder
• Complete the Strengths Exercises #1, #2, and #3
• Work with a career coach, mentor, or friend to further clarify your strengths

Step 2 – What’s Important to You?

• Complete the Interests Exercise
• Complete the Values Exercise
• Work with a career coach or friend to review the above exercises and further clarify the things that are most important to you. 

Step 3 – Explore and Experiment

• Work with a friend, mentor, or CMG Career Coach to do the Brainstorming Career Options Exercise
• Research industries, companies, or roles you are curious about
• Find ways to get in-person experiences with the areas you are exploring (e.g., conferences, networking events, courses, volunteer work, etc.)
• Set up Career Conversations with people in industries, companies, or roles you are curious about
• Work with a career coach, mentor, or friend to discuss the insights you have gained and determine what you will pursue this next step in your career

Step 4 – Fill in the Gaps

• Work with a career coach, mentor, or friend to determine how you will fill in these gaps (e.g., classes, project work, volunteer work, etc.)

Step 5 – Create Your Job Search Marketing Plan

Create a job search marketing plan for yourself (should include target industries, target roles, target companies, what you bring to the table, outreach plan, and action steps)

Step 6 – Marketing and Selling Yourself

• Create a targeted resume (use tools like JobScan and SEOBook to make sure your resume includes the most important keywords in the job descriptions of your targeted positions)
  
• Update your LinkedIn profile (make it snappy!) to reflect your new brand
• Prepare and practice your pitch/story
• Implement your marketing plan to generate interviews (networking, direct outreach, etc.)
• Practice interviewing with a career coach or a friend 

Step 7 – Manage the Opportunities

• Conduct salary research (Glassdoor, Payscale, talking with executive recruiters and/or industry insiders)
• As opportunities arise, filter them through the Top 5 values you identified in Step 2 to make sure they are in alignment
• Prepare for and practice salary negotiations with a career coach or friend