Career Coaching

Work with a career coach to enhance your job search or career transition. Get your resume reviewed, set professional goals, and create an action plan to reach your objectives.

We offer Smeal degree graduates 5 complimentary career coaching sessions and exclusive access to timely resources in Canvas, Penn State’s content management system. For lifelong learning and career management, your priorities are our priorities! We recognize that change is constant and may entail serendipitous detours. Our sensitized balance of coaching and advising depends on your interests and needs.

Session topics are chosen by the client; for example, they could be details inspired by any one or combination of the following:

 

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Early Stage

Coaching for clarity & establishing best practice:

  • Entry-level resume & cover letter

  • Applicant Tracking Systems (ATS)

  • Self-clarity

  • Value proposition

  • Visibility strategy

  • Occupational exploration

  • Decision-making

  • Networking strategy

  • Informational & career interviews

  • Affinity groups

  • Leveraging LinkedIn
  • Demonstrating achievement

  • Graduate school applications

  • Joining professional associations

  • Time management

  • Internal advancement

  • Interview preparation

  • Industry insights

  • Values & integrity

  • First negotiations

  • Onboarding

  • Working from home

 

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Mid Stage

Coaching for change and advancement: 

  • Professional resume & cover letter
  • Navigating ATS for switchers
  • Mid-level leadership identity & storyline
  • Value bridge
  • Visibility strategy
  • Leveraging LinkedIn
  • Thought leadership
  • Strategizing mid-career pivots
  • Informational & career interviews
  • Internal advancement
  • Reinventing a professional identity
  • Changing work habits
  • Continued learning
  • Balancing work/life priorities
  • Interview preparation
  • Industry insights
  • Professional associations & service
  • Values & integrity
  • Negotiation
  • Conflict resolution
  • Onboarding
  • Working from home

 

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Advanced Stage

Coaching for pivots at the highly experienced and executive level:

  • Executive resume, cover letter & executive bio
  • ATS & trend forecasting

  • Optimizing LinkedIn

  • Thought leadership

  • Leadership identity & visioning

  • Workforce re-entry given an extended break

  • Executive-level networking

  • “Reskilling” or “upskiling”

  • Time & people management
  • Addressing age stigmatization

  • Executive recruiters

  • Board membership
  • Industry insights

  • Negotiation
  • Mediating workplace conflict

  • Values & integrity

  • Encore career & volunteerism

  • Employee onboarding

  • Managing virtual collaboration

 

*Please note that our coaching service is exclusive to those who have graduated with a degree from the Smeal College of Business. Current Smeal students (both undergrad and grad) can reach out to their respective career services offices. Penn State alumni from other colleges and campuses can request guidance from Alumni Career Services.