Wake Forest University Babcock School alumnus completes his first book

Finding a good job can be a difficult proposition, especially in the current economy. Candidates need an advantage over the competition, and a new book from a graduate of the Wake Forest University Babcock Graduate School of Management seeks to provide that edge. “The Career Value Book,” by William Uter (’08 MBA), shows job seekers how to stand out beyond the crowd with a visual portfolio that can be viewed with an employer during the interview.

The visual brochure, which can be made using applications such as Microsoft PowerPoint, not only features things such as education and work history, but it also, for example, highlights an applicants’ transferable skills, interpersonal skills, ability to work in a team, and insight on their ability to respond to conflicts to make them successful at the target job.

“Effective communication can make or break your opportunity to get an offer,” Uter says. He said a friend, after trying for months to land a job, employed the philosophies covered in The Career Value Book and landed a job in just a couple of weeks. The visual presentation taught in Uter’s book can also be used by entrepreneurs who are trying to better illustrate saleable aspects of a product or service. The book, published by Lulu.com, explains how to pique recruiters’ interests through showcasing an applicant’s value with effective diplomacy.

The idea is useful in all industries. Students also find it valuable during the admissions process. “Your product is your talent. We’re helping to articulate a candidate’s value in a concise fashion and illustrate relevant skills gained through personal and professional experiences.”

Uter used the example of a professional who works during the day and coaches a Little League team in the evening. This person gains experience as a mediator, negotiator and manager during this extra curricular activity. Such skills gained in this personal experience, he says, are difficult to articulate through a resume and the interview process, but they still may be valuable and transferable to the position an applicant is seeking.

“The Career Value Book helps to highlight transferable skills, which may come from professional experience, or they may come from personal experience.”

The self-portfolio taught in the book would typically include several slides that can be used as talking points during an interview, even over the telephone. Corporate logos and colors can be incorporated into the presentation to personalize the hiring process and to gain the attention of employers.

“It’s good to show you’re committed to maintaining and advancing the company’s brand,” Uter says. “It shows you are willing to focus your talent to improve the company (as well as your career).”

Uter, who lives in Charlotte, has books and teachings that help job seekers become more effective in promoting their skill sets to increase their chances of getting hired.

“When looking for job opportunities, people tend to consider candidates for the roles they already had. To be considered for substantial promotions, it takes diverse experiences gained through work or additional education. Recruiters and hiring managers will then see the candidate for his or her potential to perform other jobs because of the time invested into furthering their potential value to prepare them to make desired career move.”

Uter is offering free workshops at Wake Forest’s Charlotte campus at One Morrocroft Centre in the city’s South Park area. Seminars times and locations are posted on his Web site — www.careervaluebook.com.