With the right knowledge, tools, and positive thinking everyone can achieve their career goals and aspirations. To affirm that belief, Bob Bunker, a good friend and Total System student par excellence, joined us to talk about how he implemented the principles of Job Search:The Total System and achieved his career aspirations.

From Military to Civilian Careers… Success All the Way

Bob currently serves as Senior Vice President of Brookwood Group, a construction program management firm based in Atlanta, Georgia.  For more than 50 years, Bob has worked in program, project, and organizational management, and has served clients in both the public and private sectors.  Before his career at Brookwood Group, Bob was the Chief Executive Officer of TGA Technologies, Inc., a small, privately owned communications and electronics company.  His other notable management positions include: corporate manager for Asian operations and later Senior Vice President of the international construction and engineering firm, and Theater Director for logistics and construction support contract to U.S. Army and Air Force Units in Eastern Europe.  Bob has also performed executive management functions for the Department of the Army and led large-scale domestic and international projects for the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers.  Bob devoted his early career to the U.S. Army, and is a retired Major General.  He received his Master of Science degree in Civil and Nuclear Engineering from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology and his Bachelor of Science degree in Military Engineering from the U.S. Military Academy.

Discovering and Implementing The Total System

Bob shared that when he started his job search he possessed limited knowledge of the job search process.  After 32 years in the Army and 9 in the Corp of Engineers plus additional experience in the corporate world,  he felt like having to “start all over” with a new career.  He was introduced to Job Search: The Total System resources while completing his service in the Balkans, and observed how important it was to his search to take time at the beginning of the process to read and understand all the elements and how they are linked together in a cohesive program.  By learning and mastering all the techniques of resume preparation, effective networking, letter writing, and interviewing early in his search, Bob affirmed that The Total System actually became an effective shortcut in his job search.  Bob also stated that The Total System helped him clarify and articulate his career goals more quickly than had he floundered in the market without the discipline of The Total System to guide him.

Bob commended the universal applicability of The Total System’s job search and career advancement principles.  “People from all backgrounds and situations can benefit from The Total System by adapting and applying it to meet their needs!”  Bob recalled his experience in our outplacement program where he observed individuals from many diverse backgrounds, all with different visions for their lives.  And despite varying degrees of experience and education, all shared a common goal: a commitment to effectively engaging The Total System to advance their careers.

Implementing The Total System

Bob applied The Total System’s job search principles and techniques to become a master job seeker.  He recalled the challenge of preparing a resume that did not simply list and describe his past positions, but actually quantified what he accomplished.  Thinking about your resume as a valuation of past accomplishments transforms it into a testament of what you can bring to a position and an employer.  In addition to presenting your accomplishments, The Total System teaches you how to communicate your career goals and objectives into your resume.  It is challenging, but redrafting your resume so that what you have done demonstrates what you can and will do elevates its power to communicate your value to the employer  in specific quantification of results!

It’s All About Linkage

As a Total System aficionado, Bob understands that linkage of the job search steps is what transforms the entire job search process into a “system” that propels the job seeker into a whole new level of competence.  Bob explained how his A+ resume linked to his letters of recommendation by validating every single claim that he had made in his resume.  He also challenged himself to draft letters that would reflect the uniqueness of each individual reference and their relationship to him and his accomplishments.  Amazingly he added footnotes to each draft so that his references would know exactly what he did and could speak to each one of his accomplishments.  If you doubt the value of linkage, consider that Bob went on to become CEO in an entrepreneurial venture applying its power throughout his campaign.

“Confidence in Confidence Alone”

In the Oscar-winning film “The Sound of Music,” Julie Andrews famously sang, “I have confidence in confidence alone” as she embarked on a new career.  Indeed confidence in yourself and your skills is essential to career success, and Bob affirmed that confidence was pivotal in his job search.  As an introvert he admitted that he was intimidated by the thought of talking about himself to potential networking contacts and employers.  However, he was reassured by the fact that his resume and references backed up everything he planned to say to contacts and employers.  Intimidated by cold calling, Bob began by contacting individuals he knew and asked them for advice and guidance.  These initial contacts led to others, and in some cases individuals even placed calls and contacts for him.  Networking and relationship-building allowed him to line up job opportunities.  By linking his resume, references, and networking strategies, Bob was able to articulate how his skills and goals fit the company’s needs.  And here’s a fun fact to conclude the story: the company brought him in as a partner!

It All Comes Back to Linkage and Psychological Leverage

Bob attested that the value of The Total System lies in how every element comes together and supports the entire process.  In The Total System you begin with the assessment phase in order to determine personal and career goals and where you want go.  Then, you create a resume that builds on the past but speaks to your career vision, demonstrates your potential, and shows what you can contribute to the employer’s organization… and bottom line.   References support your A+ resume, and all of the elements together give you the confidence and “psychological leverage” to network, execute interviews, and negotiate when you find the right position.  Linking all of these carefully and thoughtfully prepared elements of the job search is especially important in today’s tough economy because there are fewer positions and more competition.  Linkage will give you the confidence and leverage to beat out your competition!

How the Global Economic Crisis is Weighing on Engineering and Construction

Bob addressed how the global economic crisis is influencing the engineering and construction industry.  While there are still projects in need of workers, unfortunately the field has witnessed a significant decline in the number of projects, especially in the private sector.  As a result, businesses previously involved in construction in the private sector, are now moving into areas with more substantial funding, such as public schools and federal government projects.  Bob said this has increased the competition on bids for school and government projects, changing the focus from profit to preservation.  As a result hiring needs and expenses are declining substantially. Despite his rather bleak assessment of the construction industry, Bob mentioned that there are a few opportunities for new graduates with some construction and project experience to enter the industry.  These individuals are appealing to employers right now because not only do they have up-to-date knowledge of technology, but their compensation expectations are lower so they are less costly for struggling businesses.

Military Careers and Transitioning to Civilian Life

Bob shared some of his insights into military careers, as well as tips for transitioning from military to civilian careers.  We know that in the civilian sphere it is vital to assess, define, and plan a career path in order to achieve optimum success, and Bob made the same case for military careers.  The military offers a myriad of opportunities in a wide range of career fields, so if you have contemplated entering the military, it is important to define what you would like to do and then pursue it.  Bob talked about his own career as an example and illustrated how his professional engineering career was very different from electricity and electronics-based signal corps and elite combat outfits.  For individuals who are unsure about committing to a full career in the military, Bob suggested that even a few years of service provide opportunities to be mentored in leadership, discipline, and management.

Military personnel are known to be highly intellectual and motivated individuals and they strengthen these skills throughout their military service.  When transitioning into civilian life, they are very marketable because employers appreciate and expect from them high levels of maturity, discipline, and dedication.  Bob offered a few suggestions for transitioning into the civilian sphere.  Above all he emphasized the importance of being yourself.  If you have a military background, you should be proud of your accomplishments!  He did suggest that individuals be especially aware that the practice of influencing people is different in civilian life.  Retired military personnel should not expect to give or be given orders, and instead should be prepared to use their personalities and ideas to influence people.

Bob is a stellar example of just how effective and successful you can be in many different career paths if you dedicate yourself and adhere to the principles, advice, and practices of Job Search: The Total System.  As Bob attests The Total System will help you define your goals, implement your job search, and most importantly build your confidence so you can find the best career and the best life!

Boasting over 25 years of experience in commercial and corporate banking, Mike is a bona fide expert in the banking field. He has spent the majority of his career in Houston’s energy sector. He managed the Industrial Bank of Japan’s Houston loan production office, and led both the Industrial Bank of Japan and the ABN AMRO Bank into the Houston reserve-based lending arena. Mike currently holds a position with Trustmark Banking and Financial Solutions. He is a CPA and received his MBA from the University of Houston and his BBA in Accounting from the University of Texas.

After the Industrial Bank of Japan closed Mike’s branch in 2003 and he came to our offices for outplacement services. He remarked that at the time he was 50 years old and an expert in corporate banking and the energy and finance arenas, but he still needed to learn how to effectively market his skills for a new position. Mike commended The Total System for providing him with a step-by-step approach to the job search process. “The value in The Total System’s techniques for building an A+ resume, developing and understanding the networking process, writing letters, and following up with job leads is right on target.” Mike also reflected on how valuable the assessment component of The Total System was in inspiring him to consider alternative career options and challenging him to think about how he could best use his skills to achieve his career goals. In addition to providing a self-marketing strategy, Mike remarked on the importance of The Total System’s structure and practical steps.

Networking as the Prime Driver

We asked Mike to comment on how Job Search: The Total System can help individuals obtain banking careers in the current market. “A networking approach is your foremost asset in a successful job search,” according to Mike, “and The Total System provides job seekers with an effective step-by-step approach. He explained that networking allows the job seeker to learn about positions and careers in banking and to understand the essential skills and goals essential for success in the field. “Networking also allows you to get your foot in the door and make yourself visible to an organization, so when a position opens up they immediately know who they will call…you!” Mike recalled the vital role networking played in his own career transition, and revealed that a former boss actually referred him to his current position. Never underestimate the power of building relationships and conveying positive expectations to your contacts…you never know where these relationships can lead you!

Along with networking, Mike pointed out the power of an A+ Resume and how it communicates your value as a potential employee. He stated that The Total System gave him a strategy and framework for documenting his accomplishments in resume form. The Total System approach enabled him to produce a resume that actually demonstrated what he accomplished and not merely present a litany of descriptions of his past positions. By linking his A+ resume with strategic networking, strong references, and professionalism, Mike says his confidence soared and gave him the leverage to successfully complete his career transition.

Banking and Finance Career Opportunities in a Recession

Like nearly all industries, the banking and finance arenas have been suffering the effects of the global economic angst. However, just as in other fields, all job opportunities in banking have not completely vanished! For those who continue to actively pursue leads, network, and persevere, there are still desirable positions available. Mike affirmed that banking will remain a vital component of the United States and global economies notwithstanding economic conditions, and the industry will always need people to work. For current business and finance students looking to enter the industry, Mike suggested pursuing credit training programs that prepare individuals to matriculate into different lending groups. He advised students to work with college and university career centers and to establish networking contacts in the banking and finance arenas to make themselves visible to the right people. Mike remarked that the Houston economy, while currently slowing due to falling gas and energy prices, remains a favorable market offering good positions, and he suggested pursuing those opportunities as well.

Mike advised job seekers to remain open to different career options and consider positions in other areas of business, even if the ultimate goal is a banking or finance career. Mike began his career in accounting, and recommends this as a viable career option because it provides the opportunity to obtain broad business knowledge and understanding. He also suggested commercial lending, which he described as the sales force of the bank, for another sector that helps build financial and credit analytical skills, as well as people and business skills.

A Snapshot of the Economic Crisis

Mike ventured out on a limb and shared some of his insights into the current economic problems, how these issues are affecting various industries, and how we can expect to come out of the current crisis. Mike remarked that while his bank, Trustmark, has reported increasing profits and its stocks have only fallen by small percentages, many larger banks have encountered problems resulting from losses on large sub-prime mortgage securities and losses on home-building portfolios. The lack of transparency and regulation in lending is another critical factor that fueled the economic downturn. These issues have contributed to large deficits in the banking industry across the globe. Recognizing the integral role banking and finance play in the global economy, many governments are responding with bailouts in order to revitalize the banking industry and the world economy. Mike mentioned that the government will often purchase a bank’s or company’s stocks as a way of loaning money, and then the bank is ultimately responsible for returning the money to the government. He commented that while too much government regulation could impede economic efficiency, today’s circumstances call for some increased regulation in order to prevent current problems from continuing or recurring.

In addition to banking and finance, the energy industry is beginning to feel the effects of the world economy’s downward spiral in the form of falling energy prices. The demand for oil has been depressed by the weakened economy, resulting in significantly lower prices. In addition, we face long-term oil shortages, and both of these factors have stimulated increasing demands for capital holds on oil, which will later be needed to develop new sources of energy.

Considering Related Industries to Banking and Finance

Mike shared his perspective on current trends and practices in the economic recession, as well as his final thoughts on job opportunities in the market today. There have been numerous company and individual bankruptcies as a result of the economic downturn, and consequently many loan departments are adding to their staffs to manage the additional workloads. Mike recommended exploring career opportunities in this area, and also suggested searching for industry positions that interface with bankers. Often clients will hire their bankers to work in their company’s treasury area, and this can be another excellent way to break into the financial arena. Mike emphasized that there will continue to be any number of positions with large commercial, regional, and local independent banks, so it is always beneficial to look at various banks to ascertain their hiring needs. He advised individuals to thoroughly assess their preferences, skills and goals to determine if banking would be a fulfilling career path. Then he recommended consulting Job Search: Total System and going through each step of the process to ensure finding the best match.

The banking industry is and will remain a vital part of the global economy, and as such there will continue to be job and career opportunities. Even amid the current economic turbulence, there are still opportunities, so it all becomes a matter of combining perseverance with the best job search strategy. In bleak economic times, The Total System’s networking approach is even more important than ever! Establishing and maintaining contacts ensures that you remain visible to potential employers when positions become available. In addition, building an A+ resume that markets your experience and skills to the banking industry will make you even more appealing and help you find a position that is the best fit for you. In tough times, your skills are your best leverage of all!

Listen to the entire show!

Sheryl Dawson