Until recently, only savvy professionals managed their careers. These people just seem to know the right people and have an uncanny ability to be in the right place at the right time. They often hold prestigious offices, titles, and usually earn more money than their peers. Their names can often be found on a list of “Who’s Who” in their fields. The reason these people are so successful is not because they are so much smarter or talented than their peer group. The most profound differentiation between an individual who achieves enduring career success from one who is habitually underemployed and/or underpaid is a strategic approach.

A strategic approach to career management, however, is not usually part of any high school or college curriculum. Even the most sophisticated organizations do not typically offer strategic career management as part of their orientation or “on board” programs for new hires. Consequently, most people stumble into their first job. Then, when it doesn’t turn out to be at all like they expected, they look for a new job making the same mistakes that got them into the wrong job in the first place! This kind of stumbling into and out of jobs can go on for years until finally, it occurs to the individual that it might be time to get strategic. ASI Strategic Career Services offers services to assist clients in developing the skills to manage their careers strategically.

• Phase One is Strategic Career Planning. In this phase, clients will be given a comprehensive battery of self-assessments and assistance in interpreting results to discover their personality, competencies, business motivations, and core passions. The results of clients’ assessments will be utilized to identify key factors necessary for achieving career satisfaction and to develop a strategic career plan.

• Phase Two is Strategic Resume Development. Strategic Resume Development goes far beyond typical resume services. In this phase, clients will receive training and coaching on how to develop a strategic resume that will position them advantageously. Clients will receive a professionally formatted resume.

• Phase Three is Strategic Self-Marketing and Interviewing. In this phase, clients will receive training and coaching on the development of strategic self-marketing and interviewing skills. Clients will also receive tactics for evaluating job fit, influencing chemistry and negotiating salary.