GSB Jump-Start Your Next Career Move:

Week 1
Clarifying Your Career Strategy
Effective Introductions
Jump-Start Your Job Search/ Week 1

Contents Session Dates, Access, and Platforms ............................................................................... 3

Ground Rules and Program Framework............................................................................. 4
Job Search Checklist ........................................................................................................... 5
Best Practices: Networking Introductions ......................................................................... 6
Best Practices: Elevator Pitch ............................................................................................. 7
Prepare for Session 1........................................................................................................... 9
Career Strategy Worksheet ............................................................................................... 10
Appendix: Breakout Instructions - Session 1 ................................................................... 13

About the Facilitator

Debbie Wolter (Stanford MBA '92) specializes in leadership coaching, including
increasing influence and impact, executive presence, motivation, and driving growth
across three dimensions: leading self, leading teams, and managing the business.

She also advises leaders who are navigating career transitions, including developing
career strategies, personal branding, networking, interviewing, salary negotiation,
and resumes/Linkedln profiles. Debbie has successfully coached many Stanford GSB
alumni seeking to advance their careers and find more fulfillment at work.

Debbie has enjoyed coaching over 100 senior leaders at companies of all sizes in the U.S., Asia, and Europe.
Her engagements span many industries, including technology, SAAS, social media, asset management,
investment banking, energy, sports management, and healthcare.

Prior to coaching, Debbie led AT&T's Corporate Strategy Group and AT&T's venture capital fund. She has
spent nearly 20 years leading teams, including product management, sales, innovation, finance, and
marketing; lived in Asia and launched businesses in China, India, and Japan; and served on corporate and
nonprofit boards.

Program Debbie Wolter, [email protected]

Jordanne Dickson (Program Manager), [email protected]

Contacts

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Session Dates, Access, and Platforms

SESSION DATES/ TIMES
1/17/24 8:30 a.m. -10:30 a.m. PT

1/24/24 8:30 a.m. -10:30 a.m. PT

1/31/24 8:30 a.m. -10:30 a.m. PT

2/7/24 8:30 a.m. -10:30 a.m. PT

We highly encourage attendance to reap the benefits of small group discussions with fellow alumni.
However, in the event you need to miss a session, recordings will be posted on our private group website.

SESSION ACCESS/ INSTRUCTIONS

This is an interactive, small group program that uses video to foster a greater sense of connection among
participants. Active participation and use of webcams is required.

1. Join the meeting online

URL: https://stanford.zoom.us/j/93369759991?pwd=S3ZrWjZiNHhKcWdaNVFXcnh6dTgwdz09
You will be prompted to install an add-in the first time you use the system

2. You will be prompted to join the meeting audio in one of three (3) ways
Recommended: Use your computer audio/ VoIP with headphones
Have the system dial your phone number
Dial-in to the meeting using the dial-in number provided (international numbers available)

ONLINE CLASS GROUP

Our private, online class group will provide you
with access to class materials and recordings,
assignments, a discussion board, and group
member list. You will need to use your GSB
Username and Password to access the site.

Access the group site at:

https://groups.stanford.edu/topics/11474

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-

Reflection and
grounding

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Job Search Checklist

The following checklist is a step-by-step guide to a job search and outlines the corresponding sessions in
which these topics will be covered.

ACTION ITEM SESSION

- Create a list of criteria for your next position Pre-work for Session 1

- Define target position(s). Get ideas on Linked In, networking emails, talking with former Pre-work for Session 1
co-workers.

- Create network map, networking plan and a spreadsheet to track networking activity Pre-work for Session 2

- Brainstorm 20 people with whom to network Pre-work for Session 2

- Brainstorm 20 potential companies to target

Review networking skills Session 2

- Request a meeting
- Know your objective for the meeting and plan for the meeting
- Create answers to: What do you want to do? How can I help you? What have you been
up to lately? Why change?
- Follow up with contact and people they introduce to you

Craft your marketing message to communicate both your unique brand and that you meet Session 2
the employer's requirements
- Networking messages (verbal and written)
- Resume (on your own, see guidelines here)
- Linked In (on your own, see guidelines here)
Use network feedback to refine your brand, as well as narrow in on target jobs and employers

Prepare for interviewing Pre-work for Session 3

- Identify employer requirements using job descriptions and LinkedIn Job Ads Sessions 3 & 4
- Define your brand and skills, map to the requirements of target jobs identify gaps
- Create relevant stories to demonstrate your unique value proposition
- Be prepared with a response if they ask about expected salary
Use network feedback to refine your brand, as well as narrow in on target jobs and employers

Negotiate salary Session 4

- Hear negotiation advice from Tom Friel, former CEO of Heidrick and Struggles

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Best Practices: Networking Introductions

INITIAL CONVERSATION
Introduce yourself in 30 seconds
- Lead with what you want your future to be, not what you have done in the
- What do you want them to remember about you tomorrow?

Adapt to different people or settings

Eliminate buzzwords, keep it simple

Learn information about them so you can tailor the conversation

Have a few stories prepared-create visuals

Practice:
- Ask someone who knows you well how they would introduce you. They will likely do it better than you do!
- Practice answers to common networking questions with a friend, record youself, and/or practice with a mirror.
- Be able to speak with confidence and enthusiasm about the work you do!

ARTICLES
How Not to Embarrass Yourself Doing the Elevator Pitch (The Ladders)
URL: https://www.theladders.com/career-advice/how-not-to-embarrass-yourself-doing-elevator-pitch

Your Elevator Pitch Needs an Elevator Pitch {Harvard Business Review)

URL: https://hbr.org/2014/12/your-elevator-pitch-needs-an-elevator-pitch

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Best Practices: Elevator Pitch Template

When someone asks you "What do you do?" Employ the following format to deliver a concise and engaging
"elevator pitch."

REMEMBER: Don't start your answer with "I just left (insert company name)." This anchors their brain on
your past and not your future path.

1. I help companies ... OR I really enjoy... OR My expertise is... (think of this as your tagline)

2. Most recently, I led XXX at (insert company name)

3. Now, I am looking for a (insert function) role in (insert industry) at a company like (insert company
name)

EXTENDED ELEVATOR PITCH

Be prepared to answer these follow-on questions:
- Tell me more about what kind of position you are interested in
- What are some examples of companies where you would like to work?
- Why do you want to change jobs?
- Be able to describe something memorable you have done in your field (e.g. I worked on finding manufacturing
sites for the iPhone components)
- Tell me more about what you did at your previous company (Note: Focus on aspects of that job that are
transferable to your desired position)

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ELEVATOR PITCH EXAMPLES

A common theme in my career has been leading change initiatives. I am good at diagnosing what isn’t
working and designing solutions. Most recently I led a Strategy and Operations team at American Express.
Now I want to use my operations experience at a mid-size fin-tech company.

I came to the GSB and Silicon Valley because I’m passionate about emerging technologies and data science.
My goal is to combine my experience as a data scientist in the military with the technical understanding of
AI that I’ve gained at GoogleX to help lead an AI healthcare company.

I know a lot about lending and fundraising. I spent the last 8 years at a nonprofit that offers micro loans; we
were able to get over 100 businesses started. Now, I would like to transition to a fintech company and use
my expertise in Small Business to help them reach new audiences and grow.

I help websites convert free users to paying users. Most recently, I worked at Linked In and created several
new product lines. Now I am looking to move to a smaller social media company that needs to convert
users to subscription services.

I lead innovation and new product development teams. I am currently looking for a new role at a company
that is creating mobile apps to improve healthcare delivery, like xxxx. Last year, I developed several mobile
apps for Wells Fargo that helped simplify banking for small businesses.

I manage nonprofit organizations and do fundraising. I spent the last 8 years at a nonprofit that offers micro
loans. We were able to get over 100 businesses st art ed. Now I would like to transition to a nonprofit in the
field of Education or other issues that impact children.

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Prepare for Session 1

1. INTRODUCTIONS
Our first session will include an opportunity to practice the way you introduce yourself at a
career networking event.
- Read the "Elevator Pitch" articles on p. 6
- Using the template on p. 7, develop your introduction and practice in advance of Session 1

2. CRITERIA FOR YOUR NEXT POSITION

Complete the "Career Strategy Worksheet" on the following pages (Sections 1, 2, 3)

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Career Strategy Worksheet

SECTION 1: DISCOVERY/ INTERNAL REFLECTION
When do you feel most engaged?

I am most engaged when ...

(might include: skills/ talents,
types of projects, types of
people, industries, size of
teams, environment)

I am interested in ... but I

haven't tried it yet:

Big Picture

Where do you want to be in 5

years? 10 years?

What legacy would you like to

leave behind?

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Criteria for your next positions {Consider location, impact, function, size of company,pay, timing)

I MUST have...

I would like to have...

I ABSOLUTELY want to
avoid...

SECTION 2: CAREER PLANNING AND OPTIONS

How excited How well positioned What is the quality How does this
are you? are you? of your Network? align with your 5 - 10
Job Options {High, Med, Low) {High, Med, Low) {High, Med, Low) year goal?
Option A:
High High High
Option B:
High High High

Option C:
High High High

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Section 3: Marketable Skills and Experiences

What are your unique strengths? (What would your current or previous manager and peers say about what
distinguishes you?)

What other marketable skills and/or experiences do you have? E.g. customer base knowledge, industry
sector expertise, technology expertise, functional expertise (Be specific - "social media marketing" vs.
"marketing")

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