About the Book
Written in an engaging, common-sense tone, Solving the Professional Development Puzzle addresses many issues facing graduates in today’s ever-changing, demanding workplace. From working in a global space to dining with class to constructing a powerful resume, this book offers an abundance of activities, advice, examples, and suggestions for developing a power job search plan. Strong coverage of ethics and character development is included, as well as a detailed chapter on financial management in the transition from college to the world of work including advice on buying a car, avoiding credit card debt, and running from check cashing centers.
Table of Contents:
Chapter 1 Discovering Who You Are: Setting Yourself Apart and Finding Your Direction
1 Know Who You Are and Where You’re Going
2 Recognize and Own Your Strengths
3 Identify Your Personality Type and Use It to Best Advantage
4 Know What You Want from Life and Work
5 Identify and Emulate Your Role Models
6 Determine What You Value
7 Recognize the Power of Your Values and Beliefs
8 Understand Your Emotional Responses
9 Articulate Your Hopes and Goals
10 Choose Optimism and Surround Yourself with Optimistic People
Chapter 2 Cultivating Your Character and Ethics: Who Are You When No One Is Looking?
11 Understand the Dynamics of Ethics, Integrity, and Character
12 Be Proud of Your Name and Reputation
13 Develop and Maintain a Strong Moral Character
14 Develop a Resilient Work Ethic
15 Understand the True Nature of Respect
16 Avoid Moral Bankruptcy
17 Be Trustworthy
18 Honor Your Commitments
19 Develop a Strong Guiding Statement and Integrity Plan
Chapter 3 Designing Your Job Search, Writing Your Cover Letter, and Selling Yourself through Your Resume: Selling Yourself
20 Focus on Your Job Search Plan
21 Leave No Stone Unturned
22 Know Your Employer’s Expectations
23 Use Effective Keywords to Showcase Your Talents and Experiences
24 Sell Yourself with Confidence
25 Write a Powerful and Concise Cover Letter
26 Understand the Do’s and Don’ts of Memorable Resumes
27 Build a Timely Chronological Resume
28 Construct a Skillfully Written Functional Resume
29 Construct a Telling Accomplishment Resume
30 Choose Appropriate References
31 Design and Distribute Attractive Personal Business Cards
32 Give Serious Attention to Job Application Guidelines and Details
Chapter 4 Communicating and Interviewing with Confidence and Class: The Impression of a Lifetime
33 Understand the Importance of Human Communication
34 Make a Powerful, Positive, and Lasting First Impression
35 Hone Your Interpersonal Communication Skills
36 Observe and Improve Your Body Language (Nonverbal Communication)
37 Speak with Authority and Clarity
38 Be Prepared for the Interview
39 Anticipate Interviewer’s Questions
40 Ask Informed Questions
41 Manage Inappropriate or Illegal Questions Effectively
42 Consider the Interviewer’s Evaluation
43 Accept Rejection with Class and Grace
44 Win, Lose, or Draw, Always Say "Thank You" in Writing
Chapter 5 Perfecting Your Professional Image and Distinguishing Yourself On the Job: The Importance of a Polished You
45 Dress to Impress
46 Mind Your Manners
47 Dine with Class
48 Watch What You Say
49 Appreciate and Respect Differences
50 Make the Supervisor Look Good
51 Learn As Much As You Can
52 Speak Up With Good Ideas
53 Play Well With Others
54 Express Yourself Tactfully
55 Grow from Positive and Negative Feedback
56 Always be Customer Oriented
Chapter 6 Avoiding Work Place Land Mines: Making the First Few Months Really Count
57 Get a Handle on Your Time and Priorities
58 Don’t Be A Part of the Water Cooler Gossip Circle
59 Never Speak Negatively About Your Boss or Former Employer
60 Be Aware of Workplace Politics
61 Avoid Backstabbing and Trampling on Others
62 Use Good Judgment in Workplace Romances
63 Don’t Party at the Company Party
64 Put a Stop to Sexual Harassment
65 Don’t Allow Substance Abuse to Ruin Your Career
Chapter 7 Leading With Passion, Power, and Promise: Finding the Leader in You
66 Embrace Outstanding Leadership Qualities
67 Understand the Categories of Leadership Power
68 Lead with Vision
69 Think Before You Act
70 Make Good Decisions Using Creativity and Logic
71 Know How to Participate In and Lead Effective Meetings
72 Learn How to Delegate Effectively
73 Lead with Respect Instead of Control
74 Learn to Manage Conflicts Early and Effectively
75 Understand, Relate to, and Lead Difficult People
76 Build a Professional Network
Chapter 8 Taking Care of Business: Manage Your Personal Finances Wisely
77 Develop the Discipline to Save and Invest Right Now
78 Understand the Financial Lingo
79 Identify, Understand, and Reduce Your Personal “Latte Factor ®”
80 Avoid Credit Card Debt
81 Run From Auto Title Loans, Payday Loans, and Check-Cashing Centers
82 Know What Affects Your Credit Score
83 Repay Your Student Loans on Time
84 Protect Yourself from Identity Theft
85 Research Your Options When Buying a Car
86 Understand Tax Laws
87 Take Time to Plan a Budget and Stick to It
88 Plan Today for Tomorrow’s Retirement (Really! It’s Never Too Early!)
Chapter 9 Enriching Your Personal Life: Maximizing Your Potential in All Aspects of Your Life
89 Love and Value Yourself
90 Seek Meaning and Purpose in Your Personal and Professional Life
91 Employ a Variety of Stress and Time Management Techniques
92 Incorporate Joy Breaks into Your Life
93 Find Balance Between Work and Home
94 Take Care of Your Soul and Spiritual Development
95 Enjoy Friends and Family
Chapter 10 Surviving and Thriving in Your Career for the Long Term: Thinking About Your Future, Thinking About Your Life
96 Take Responsibility for Staying Current and Continual Learning
97 Involve Yourself in the Community
98 Join and Participate in Professional Organizations
99 Earn Professional Certificates and Licenses
100 Be Willing to Move
101 Learning About the Global Community
About the Author :
Robert M. Sherfield, Ph.D.
Robert Sherfield has been teaching public speaking, theatre, and student success and working with first-year orientation programs for over 25 years. Currently, he is a professor at the College of Southern Nevada, teaching student success, technical writing, public speaking, and drama. He is also an adjunct faculty member at The University of Nevada — Las Vegas in the William F. Harrah College of Hotel Administration where he teaches classes in professional development.
An award-winning educator, Robb was named Educator of the Year at the College of Southern Nevada. He twice received the Distinguished Teacher of the Year Award from the University of South Carolina Union, and has received numerous other awards and nominations for outstanding classroom instruction and advisement.
Robb’s extensive work with student success programs includes experience with the design and implementation of these programs–including one program that was presented at the International Conference on the First-Year Experience in Newcastle upon Tyne, England. He has conducted faculty development keynotes and workshops at over 250 institutions of higher education across America. He has spoken in 42 states and several foreign countries.
In addition to his co authorship of Solving the Professional Development Puzzle, he has authored or co authored Cornerstone: Discovering Your Potential, Learning Actively, and Living Well, he has also co-authored Roadways to Success (Prentice Hall, 2001), the trade book 365 Things I Learned in College (Allyn & Bacon, 1996), Capstone: Succeeding Beyond College (Prentice Hall, 2001), Case Studies for the First Year: An Odyssey into Critical Thinking and Problem Solving (Prentice Hall, 2004), The Everything®Self-Esteem Book (Adams Media, 2004), and Cornerstone: Building On Your Best for Career Success (Prentice Hall, 2006).
Robb’s interest in student success began with his own first year in college. Low SAT scores and a low high school ranking denied him entrance into college. With the help of a success program, Robb was granted entrance into college, and went on to earn five college degrees, including a doctorate. He has always been interested in the social, academic, and cultural development of students, and sees this book as his way to contribute to the positive development of first-year students across the nation.
Visit www.robertsherfield.com.
Patricia G. Moody, Ph.D.
Patricia G. Moody is Dean Emeritus of the College of Hospitality, Retail and Sport Management at the University of South Carolina, where she served on the faculty and in administration for over 30 years. An award-winning educator, Pat was honored as Distinguished Educator of the Year at her college and as Collegiate Teacher of the Year by the National Business Education Association. She was also a top-five finalist for the Amoco Teaching Award at the University of South Carolina. She received the prestigious John Robert Gregg Award, the highest honor in her field of over 100,000 educators.
A nationally known motivational speaker, consultant, and author, Pat has spoken in almost every state, has been invited to speak in several foreign countries, and frequently keynotes national and regional conventions. She has presented her signature, motivational keynote address, “Fly Like an Eagle” to tens of thousands of people, from Olympic athletes to corporate executives to high school students.
An avid sports fan, she follows Gamecock athletics and chaired the University of South Carolina Athletics Advisory Committee. As the Dean of her college, Dr. Moody led international trips to build relationships and establish joint research projects in hospitality.
Pat now travels the country delivering workshops, keynotes, and presentations on topics such as change, empowering human potential, personal growth, diversity, and working in the new global community.
Review :
"My students would love this book--it is cutting edge without being too young, and gives the information in a way that is unlike a lot of textbooks. I always had to take a little from this, a little from that--but this text puts it all together in a way that will reach and teach students exactly what they need to know. Best I have seen-gives reald world examples." Kate Sawyer, Lincoln Educational Services "The coverage is complete. Not only does the book provide pages of useful information, but it provides many charts and tables with actual practical information for the student to use the rest of their lives. It definitely does not follow suit with other texts that attempt to throw useless information at students. Even more, I found the text to be enjoyable and a pleasure to read." Eric Wormsley, PIMA Medical Institute "Solving the Professional Development Puzzle has much better coverage of understanding 'who' one is and how to 'package' oneself than any other text I've seen by the most prominent publishers." Deborah Iturralde, Virginia College
