We have had very rewarding careers as community college leaders for more than two decades. Our journey began as faculty members at colleges and universities with a desire to motivate and teach students: the necessary knowledge and skills to pursue their educational interests; the joy of learning; and the personal and professional rewards of establishing and achieving their educational goals and professional aspirations. These shared experiences led to our development of the seven phases of the job search model we developed and continue to coach other job search clients we coach.
In November 2005 we presented a workshop at a California Community College Conference in San Francisco entitled: Gaining the Competitive Edge in Administrative Job Searches: A Process- Oriented Approach. We described a seven phase, process-oriented approach to executive job searches in community colleges which includes: effective letters of application; submission of application materials; preparation for interviews; competing in initial and final interviews; and accepting the outcomes of unsuccessful searches, and the importance of bouncing back and moving forward when not hired.
After two decades, this approach has proven to be effective in our careers from entry level administrators to Chancellors, and with our clients and colleagues we have coached.
We look forward to sharing our process-oriented approach to successful applications and interviews who seek administrative leadership positions in Community Colleges and Universities.
Seven Phases of the Job Search:
1. Self-Assessment
2. Writing the Letter of Application
3. Submission of the Application Materials
4. Preparation for the Interview
5. Competing in the Initial and Final Interviews
6. Accepting and Preparing for the Outcome
7. Bouncing Back and Moving Forward When not Hired