STAR Program Overview

STAR
(Strategic Transition Action & Results)
Point 1
- Assess Strengths and Interests - Before you begin your journey, you need to understand where you are going. We will spend time discussing how to best assess your strengths and the benefit of finding a career that aligns with your interests. You will have the opportunity to complete a Value Assessment and be given access to career and personality tests to help you get your program started. Throughout your program, you will have the benefit of working within a team environment to leverage the experiences of the group to better prepare you for your new career!
Point 2
- Create Impactful Resume - Once you have an idea of where you are headed, even just a general idea, you can begin to putting together a solid resume that will give you the best chance of landing that interview. You will be given sample resumes to guide you from a content and format standpoint. We will discuss and work on putting together a cover letter. Both the cover letter and resume will be reviewed by your buddy as well as sent to me for review. You will also identify your references to be used during your career search.
Point 3
- Interview Effectively - The key to landing the job will be covered in detail. Beginning with how to dress for your interview and concluding with the thank you note. Learn how to incorporate your STAR (Situation, Tactic, Action, Result) responses into your answers. You will learn how to develop your own STARs. You will also develop and practice your questions for the interview. Learn how to close an interview. Understand the mistakes to avoid and the reasons you may not be pursued. You will learn how to handle the salary question when it comes up. Now that you are up to speed on handling phone interviews as well as in-person interviews, don’t be surprised if you are randomly tested!
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Point 4
- Develop Marketing & Networking Plan - This point we will be introduced by putting together your elevator speech or two-minute pitch. We will spend some time learning about the informational interviews and how to best approach these in person, over the phone, or via email. We will learn about the hidden job market and the best ways to tap into it. We will also get into some discussion around the big company vs. small company dilemma. Where does the MBA fit into the career search and when should it fit in? You will learn how to best take advantage of social networking. Use this to your advantage, but be careful. You never know who may be looking!
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Point 5
- Launch Your New Career - Before we get into launching your career, we will discuss the offer of employment. Learn how to best negotiate the offer. What is and is not realistic when reviewing the offer. We will also review some salary pitfalls that should be avoided. Now that you are getting started in your new job, there are many things to keep in mind. This isn’t the end, but rather the beginning. Discussion points will include the difference in managing in the civilian world vs. the military, the importance of managing up, and how mentors will assist you with your career aspirations. At this point, you will have effectively managed your transition, now you must be ready to manage your career! Let me show you how.
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Almost four years ago, I experienced the transition from the Navy to the civilian world from outside of the continental U.S. Beyond the Family Service Center's efforts, I would have greatly appreciated the efforts of any entity to focus my attention to the relevant items and tactics to be efficient and effective in my job search. Advance Career Technology's (ACT) STAR program will cover these items in detail.
I have been working with Tony since 2003. Over the last six years, I have sought his guidance often and his advice has been right on the money. He has been a mentor and friend. His program is the best investment you can make in yourself and your career!
The transition from military to civilian life can be a daunting and overwhelming event. Tony Sindoni made my experience manageable by coaching me through the process. Tony has a network of business executives willing to assist his clients. His ability to help his clients position themselves in front of the right people makes his services invaluable. I was thrilled with my experience working with Tony and I know that if you go through his program, you will be prepared to find a rewarding career.
Tony has been instrumental in providing the guidance needed to be successful in my career. You only get straightforward, honest feedback and advice, which is just what you need when going through a career transition. Tony is someone that I still talk to on a regular basis.
I was attracted to ACT and Tony because he looked at my transition from a much different perspective than all the other recruiting firms. Tony was interested in my professional development from day one. While other firms were interested in finding me a job, he was committed to helping me find a career path that would be challenging and rewarding. When we get out, we don't know what we don't know; Tony does!
Tony is a master at building careers. After separating from the Army I spent a couple years in financial sales and then surgical sales. I was recalled back into the Army for six months and when I returned home, he helped me realize that sales wasn’t my home, operations was. The relationships that Tony has fostered throughout his career were the lifeblood to enhancing mine. He is a trusted partner in the corporate talent search and if you think it’s not “who you know”, you’re wrong. You’ll get a great program when you purchase Tony’s Transition package – but the best part is - you get Tony.
I've known Tony for almost 10 years, and he is one of the most genuinely sincere people I know. He truly cares about the people he works with, and he helped make my career transition a positive experience that has put me on the path to reaching all of my professional goals.