Rob Sullivan's Speaking Schedule
January - December 2004
 

COMPLETE SCHEDULE
JANUARY 2004 Wednesday, January 7 MCDONALD'S CORPORATION:  8:30am - 11:30am Oak Brook, IL Topic: Stress Management (Private:  McDonald's employees only) Monday, January 12 JEWISH VOCATIONAL SERVICES: (Chicago, IL) Time:  5:30pm - 7:30pm Topic: "Packaging Your Potential: Lessons from a Job Hunter Who Learned the Hard Way" Location:  216 W. Jackson, 6th Floor, Chicago, IL (Please note: this is a new address.) (Open to public:  RSVP required by Friday, January 9, 2004. Click here to contact JVS to RSVP. Visit the website  jvschicago.org or call (312) 673-3437 for more info. Thursday, January 15 SHRP CHICAGO (Society of Human Resource Professionals - 8:30am - 10:30 am) Location:  TBD Topic: Redesigning your HR tool kit - how to use your talents in new ways. (Private: SHRP members only) Tuesday, January 20 SOLD OUT! SOLD OUT! NORTHWESTERN UNIVERSITY:  NU Alumni Club of Chicago/Medill Alumni Club of Chicago Time:  6pm - 9pm Topic:  Career Growth & Management Location: Sara Lee Corporation (NU alumni and guests) Wednesday, January 28 MCDONALD'S CORPORATION:  8:30am - 11:30am Oakbrook, IL Topic: Stress Management (Private:  McDonald's employees only)     FEBRUARY 2004 Tuesday, February 3 KELLOGG ALUMNI CLUB OF CHICAGO (Northwestern University)  5:15pm - 6pm Networking/Registration 6pm - 8pm  Presentation Panel Discussion: Jumpstart Your Job Search in 2004 Oakbrook Terrace IBM Office, 2 Lincoln Center Open to Kellogg Alumni and guests Cost:  $10 in advance, $15 at the door Non-alum  $15 in advance, $20 at the door RSVP:  Kellogg Alumni Club of Chicago Tuesday, February 17 MCDONALD'S CORPORATION:  8:30am - 11:30am Topic: Stress Management (Private:  McDonald's employees only) Friday, February 20 MCDONALD'S CORPORATION:  8:30am - 4:30 Topic: Professional Development (Private:  McDonald's employees only) Sunday, February 22 Noon - 2pm  Details to follow Tuesday, February 24 MCDONALD'S CORPORATION:  8:30am - 3:30pm Topic: Professional Development (Private:  McDonald's employees only)     MARCH 2004 March 2 MCDONALD'S CORPORATION:  8:30am - 3:30pm Topic: Professional Development (Private:  McDonald's employees only) March 3-7 APCA - Association for the Promotion of Campus Activities:   Atlanta, GA March 17 (TV Appearance!)     STARTING OVER: National Television Appearance (www.startingovertv.com) Watch NBC to see Rob Sullivan in action on national TV! Show Time:  Varies by city and state (For hometown viewers, the show will appear on WMAQ-NBC 5, Chicago at noon)   For show times and stations in all 50 states, click here: Starting Over Schedule About the show: Daytime's first reality series comes to television with STARTING OVER. Set in Chicago, STARTING OVER follows a diverse and ever-changing group of women as they attempt to make extraordinary changes in their lives - all while living together under the same roof. The women are joined by two life coaches, Rhonda and Rana, who will help them define their goals and outline the steps needed to achieve those goals. As each woman achieves - or fails to achieve their goals, she will leave the house and a new woman will arrive to attempt to start her life over. The show will also feature follow-up segments updating the women's lives after leaving the house. March 19 MCDONALD'S CORPORATION:  8:30am - 11:30am Oakbrook, IL (Private:  McDonald's employees only) March 23 BENEDICTINE UNIVERSITY (Lisle, IL) - student SHRM (Society for Human Resources Management) Time:  6pm     APRIL 2004
April 3	PRSSA - Public Relations Student Society of America (University of Northern Iowa) 11:15am - Presentation 1:30 pm - Resume Critique
April 4 -14	WRITING RETREAT:  Away from email, cell phone, etc.
April 15 - 16	GREAT LAKES REIT   -  3 career development workshops over 2 days (C-level executives, Mid-level managers, and administrative assistants)
April 21	CHAI TECH, Chicago:  7pm  Details to follow.
April 24	NORTHWESTERN UNIVERSITY - BLACK GRADUATE STUDENT RESEARCH CONFERENCE Time: 3pm - 4pm Topic:  Networking Without Schmoozing Location: Norris Center - Evanston Campus
April 28 (2 presentations)	INTERNATIONAL EXECUTIVES GROUP, Chicago Time:  1pm - 2pm  Topic: Networking with Passion Location:  TBD (PRIVATE) COMPANY OF FRIENDS Time:  5:30pm: Networking   6:30pm - 8pm: Presentation Topic:  Marketing Yourself for the Future Location: Associates for Life's Challenges, 900 W. Jackson New members welcome
MAY 2004
May 6	DIRECT MARKETING ASSOCIATION OF WASHINGTON, DC - Annual Conference Time:  11:15am - 12:15pm Topic:  Dialing Down Workplace Stress: Techniques for Keeping Your Cool When the Situation Gets Hot Advance Registration Required Contact www.dmaw.org
May 13	CAREER RESOURCE CENTER - Lake Forest, IL Time:  10am - 11am Topic:  Packaging Your Potential: Lessons from a Job Hunter Who Learned the Hard Way
May 18	PAY IT FORWARD NETWORKING GROUP - Time:  7pm - 9pm Topic:  Packaging Your Potential: Lessons from a Job Hunter Who Learned the Hard Way Location: Immanuel Lutheran Church (Palatine, IL) 200 N. Plum Grove Rd., Palatine, IL 60067 - Church office - 847-359-1549 - www.ilcp.org RSVP to davidckrull@aol.com  (In your email message type in the following: "RSVP - Rob Sullivan May 18th") Cost:  None. . . FREE EVENT!
May 20	Career Transitions Center of Chicago    Time: 7:45am - 9:00am Topic:  "Getting Your Foot in the Door When You Don't Have a Leg to Stand On" Location: 703 W. Monroe St., Chicago, IL Open to CTC members. Prospective members,  visit: Career Transitions Center of Chicago or call  (312) 906-9908
May 25	MIDWEST ENTREPRENEURS' FORUM (Wheaton, IL) Time: Tuesday, May 25, 7pm - 9pm Topic: Marketing Yourself and/or Your Business: What Most People Do Wrong and How to Fix It! Location: Daniel L. & Ada F. Rice Campus of Illinois Institute of Technology 201 East Loop Road, Wheaton IL Cost:  Free to members, $20 for non-members (no reservations are required)
May 26	EXTREME TOASTMASTERS  (Chicago, IL) Time:  Wednesday, May 26, 5:15 pm to 6:10 pm  Doors open at 5pm. Topic:  Everything I Needed to Know About Professional Speaking that I Didn't Learn in Toastmasters Location: Seneca Hotel, 2nd floor Boardroom 200 East Chestnut Chicago, IL 60611 http://www.senecahotel.com/  Cost:  NONE. . .this is a free event.   Contact & Attendance Confirmation: Patti Johnston, President, ET, patti@cmcprofitpartners.com
JUNE 2004
June 23	northwestern university: Alumni Relations staff retreat  Time:  Wednesday, June 23:  8am - 7pm Topic: Professional Development: Marketing Yourself on the Job Location: Wilmette, IL  (Private)
June 25	DuPage Workforce Development (Lombard, IL) Time:  9am - 11:30 am Topic:  "Getting Your Foot in the Door When You Don't Have a Leg to Stand On" Location: Employment & Training Center of DuPage County, 837 S. Westmore-Myers Rd., Lombard, IL Open to the public. I don't believe there is a cost involved. For more info, contact Thomas Reimer at 630-495-4345 ext. 312.
JULY 2004
July 16	FINANCE EXECUTIVES NETWORKING GROUP (FENG) -  Details TBD Time:  Friday July 16,  8am - 10am Topic:  Packaging Your Potential Location: TBD Open to members of FENG. If you have questions you'd like to submit in advance, send them to rob@careercraftsman.com. Every effort will be made to incorporate the answers in the presentation.
AUGUST 2004
August 6	TOASTMASTERS CHICAGO AREA FIRST FRIDAY LAUGH 'N LUNCH (Chicago, IL) Date:  Friday, August 6, 2004 Time:  Noon - 1 pm   Topic:  10 minute - humor Location:  Elephant & Castle   111 W. Adams St., Chicago, IL  (between Clark/LaSalle) Cost:  $11 (tax/tip included) Food:  Sandwiches, pasta, drinks RSVP:  By June 15 to amgreen@checkfree.com
August 11  Note:  This date changed from August 4.	FOURTH PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH (Chicago) Date:  Wednesday, August 11, 2004 Time:  7:45 am - 9 am Topic:   Marketing Yourself for the Future Location:  850 N. Michigan Ave., Chicago For more information, contact the Career Transitions Center (www.ctcchicago.org).
August 23	TRI-CITY UNEMPLOYMENT GROUP (St. Charles, IL) Date:  Monday, August 23, 2004 Time:  6:30 p.m. - 8 p.m.  Topic:  Packaging Your Potential: Lessons from a Job Hunter Who Learned the Hard Way Location:  St. Charles Library (downstairs conference room) - Rte. 25 & Rte. 64 in downtown St. Charles Cost:  Free & open to the public For more info visit:  www.TriCityUG.org
August 26	University of Chicago Graduate School of Business (Chicago, IL) MBA Career Management Event Date:  Thursday, August 26, 2004 Time:  5:45 pm - 8:30 p.m. Topic:  Packaging Your Potential Location:  U of C - Gleacher Center, 450 N. Cityfront Plaza, (downtown Chicago--just west of NBC Tower) For more information, click here: University of Chicago Alumni Events or contact Rebecca Chmielewski Ph: (847) 577-6365 or Email:  Laab32@sbcglobal.net
SEPTEMBER 2004
September 7	EXECUTIVE RESOURCE NETWORK (Northlake, IL) Date: Tuesday, September 7, 2004 Time: 6 pm - 9 pm Topic:  Packaging Your Potential: Lessons from a Job Hunter Who Learned the Hard Way Location:  Midwest Conference Center (MWCC) 401 W. Lake Street, Northlake, IL 60164 Cost: ERN Members: $ 20 Prospective ERN Members: $ 20. $25 at the door Please Register Online: http://www.executiveresources.org/ Contact: Robert J. West rjwest630@sbcglobal.net
September 13	NORTHWESTERN UNIVERSITY LAW SCHOOL (Chicago, IL) Guest Lecture Date:  Monday, September 13, 2004 Time:  8 pm - 9 pm Class: Negotiations Topic: Earning What You Are Worth Location: Downtown Chicago Campus Private:  Students Only
September 23	UNIVERSITY OF MICHIGAN - Business School Alumni Club (Chicago, IL) Luncheon With Leaders Date:  Thursday, September 23, 2004 Time:  Noon - 1:30 p.m. Topic:  Identifying and Pursuing Your Dreams  Location:   200 N. LaSalle (Northwest corner of Lake/LaSalle), 9th Floor Conference Room Cost:  $20 members, $25 guests. $25 at the door. RSVP Required: Open to Michigan alum and their guests. For registration information (when it becomes available), click here:  University of Michigan Business Alumni Club Events
September 29	NORTHWESTERN UNIVERSITY - (Chicago, IL) Co-sponsored by:  NU Alumni Club of Chicago & Medill Alumni Club of Chicago Date:  Wednesday, September 29, 2004 Time:  6pm - 9pm Topic:  Building Your Brand: Developing a Career Strategy Location:  Lyric Opera of Chicago, 20 N. Wacker, Suite 631 RSVP Deadline:  September 22, 2004 Price:   Club Member: $15.00, Non-member: $20.00  (other fees may apply) Registration: Register Online PLEASE NOTE:  Get your tickets early! When I spoke  to this group in January, 2004, the event sold out in advance.
OCTOBER 2004
Exact Date: TBD	DEPAUL UNIVERSITY:  Delta Sigma Pi  - 2 DAYS (Chicago, IL) Date:  TBD Topic:  Career Development, Videotaped Mock Interviews Location:  DePaul University, Lincoln Park Campus More details to follow.
October 8	MCDONALD'S CORPORATION - (Oakbrook, IL) Event:  Information Services Semi-annual meeting Date:  Friday, October 8, 2004 Time:  9 am - noon Topic: Stress Management Location: Drury Lane Theater, Oak Brook, IL (Private:  McDonald's employees only)
October 12	MCDONALD'S CORPORATION - (Columbus, OH) Event:  Training Workshop Date:  Tuesday, October 12, 2004 Topic: Stress Management (Private:  McDonald's employees only)
October 13	MCDONALD'S CORPORATION - (Columbus, OH) Event:  Training Workshop Date:  Wednesday, October 13, 2004 Topic: Stress Management (Private:  McDonald's employees only)
October 18	MCDONALD'S CORPORATION - (Oakbrook, IL) Event:  Training Workshop Date:  Monday, October 18, 2004 Topic: Stress Management Location: Oak Brook Headquarters (Private:  McDonald's employees only)
October 27	MCDONALD'S CORPORATION - (Oakbrook, IL) Event:  Training Workshop Date:  Wednesday, October 27, 2004 Location: Oak Brook Headquarters Topic: Stress Management (Private:  McDonald's employees only)
October 28	NORTHWESTERN UNIVERSITY (Evanston, IL) Leadership Conference (Alumni Development Presentation) Date:  Thursday, October 28, 2004 Time:  1:30 pm - 5:30 pm Topic: Marketing Your Alumni Club Location: Norris University Center, Evanston Campus
October 29	NORTHWESTERN UNIVERSITY (Evanston, IL) (Alumni Reunion Presentation) Date:  Friday, October 29, 2004 Time:  1 pm - 3 pm Topic: Reaching for the Prize (Taking the Next Step In Your Career) Location: Norris University Center, Evanston Campus Description: Do you find yourself wondering what to do next in your career? The road to success is rarely straight. Whether you are at an entry level point in your career or a season professional, this session will energize you as you identify your path and navigate your way to the next logical step. $15; includes autographed copy of Rob Sullivan’s book, Getting Your Foot in the Door When You Don’t Have a Leg to Stand On Click here for Registration Information
NOVEMBER 2004
November 9	St. Anne Employment Ministry (Barrington, IL) Date:  Tuesday, November 9, 2004 Time: 7pm - 9 pm Topic:  "Packaging Your Potential: Lessons from a Job Hunter Who Learned the Hard Way" Location: St. Anne's Church in Barrington, Thane Hall (across from the rectory). For more information, contact Maria Larsen:  info@executiveresources.org All Are Welcome!
November 11	Career Transitions Center of Chicago  703 W. Monroe St., Chicago, IL    Date:  Thursday, November 11, 2004 Time: 8:00am - 9:30am Topic:  "Getting Your Foot in the Door When You Don't Have a Leg to Stand On" Location: 703 W. Monroe St., Chicago, IL    Open to CTC members. Prospective members,  visit: Career Transitions Center of Chicago or call  (312) 906-9908
November 17	DUPAGE PADS (DuPage County, IL) Date:  Wednesday, November 17, 2004 Time: 9:00am - 10:30am Topic:  "Getting Your Foot in the Door When You Don't Have a Leg to Stand On"
November 30 - December 1	PRIVATE (Downtown Chicago) 2-Day Career Development Workshop (Chicago)
DECEMBER 2004
November 30 - December 1	PRIVATE (Downtown Chicago) 2-Day Career Development Workshop (Chicago)
December 10	DuPage Workforce Development (Lombard, IL) Date:  Friday, December 10, 2004 Time:  10 am - 11:30 am Topic:  "Getting Your Foot in the Door When You Don't Have a Leg to Stand On" Location: Employment & Training Center of DuPage County, 837 S. Westmore-Meyers Rd., Lombard, IL Open to the public. For more info, contact Thomas Reimer at 630-495-4345 ext. 312.
Click here for CURRENT SCHEDULE

CORPORATE & PROFESSIONAL:  Workshops, Keynotes, and Coaching For more info, see Rob's Corporate Training Page All workshops are customized to meet the specific needs of your company. I. Stress Management: Keeping Your Cool When the Situation Gets Hot Give your employees the tools to deal with difficult situations. Learn techniques to keep your cool--even when dealing with circumstances outside of your control. This is a very effective workshop for people who are dealing with change and uncertainty.   II.  Outplacement Includes Self-Assessment, Skill Assessment, Cover Letter Writing, Resume Writing, Job Search Strategy, Researching Companies, Working with Headhunters, Interviewing Skills, and Negotiating. These modules can also be presented separately. III. Sales, Networking & Relationship Building:  Getting People to Call You Back Learn why so many people have trouble building relationships. Learn what it takes to communicate in such a way that inspires people to WANT to talk with you. You'll also learn to identify and create the opportunities most people miss. IV. Creating Your Future:  Learn strategies to manage your professional development and become more valuable to your company. V. EFFECTIVE RECRUITING & RETENTION   The following workshops and coaching sessions are designed to help your employees attract, recruit, and retain the best employees. Like all sessions, these are most effective when they are customized to meet the specific needs of your company. A.  Interviewer Training: You have 45 minutes to determine if you want a particular person on your team. Are you making the most of it? Most people don't. Learn strategies to ask more insightful questions and find out what you really want to know. These are techniques gained through Rob's experience as a recruiter and interviewer at Leo Burnett, as a headhunter at a retained executive search firm, and as a coach. B.  Creating Effective Job Descriptions Most job descriptions and help wanted posting as hopelessly inadequate. If you find yourself bombarded by applicants who clearly are not qualified, it's even more important to take the time to craft meaningful job specs that communicate to and attract the best candidates. Learn what companies are doing wrong and how to avoid the mistakes that make the recruiting process longer and more painful than it should be.  C. Employee Recognition Are you rewarding loyal employees and keeping them motivated? Do you know how your employees like to be rewarded? (Hint: it isn't always about money.)  Whether your goal is to set up an Employee Incentive Plan or just find creative, low-cost ways to recognize your employees, let's talk. Together we can create a program to help you meet your goals.   SEMINARS FOR JOB HUNTERS   SEMINAR DATE & TIME Résumé Intensive Clinic Send an email for more info on these workshops! info@careercraftsman.com Interviewing Effectively   Job Search Strategies that Work (Focus on finding and creating opportunities, networking, researching companies, and working with headhunters) Other Topics of Interest Include: I.   Marketing Yourself for the Future (NEW) Do you feel stuck in your current position unclear what it would take ahead? Is there something you have always wanted to do career-wise yet never had the courage to make the change? Do you feel your efforts and ideas often go unrewarded? Have your contributions had a financial impact on the company that went well beyond what you received in compensation? Do you worry that the economy or other factors beyond your control (age, race, disability, etc.) negatively impact your ability to get ahead? Are you in between jobs and concerned you may have to take a step back and settle for less than your market value?   If you answered “Yes” to even one of these questions, this is a presentation you won't want to miss. Too often, we miss opportunities because we fail to realize the value of what we have experienced. Or worse, we mistakenly believe the responsibility of managing our career rests with our employer. Whether your goal is to advance in your current company or move on to a completely different position, Rob will share valuable tools and strategies designed to help you identify and leverage what you have already accomplished. In addition, he will discuss workplace trends, opportunities, and challenges that will impact us all over the next few decades. II.   Making the Most of Your College Years: Demonstrating Your Leadership, and Initiative BEFORE Graduation Do you think an internship is the only way to gain experience? Have you ever wondered about other ways you might develop your skills while you are still in school? If you are interested in learning what you can do to build a track record that will impress potential employers, don’t miss this workshop. Rob will share sound, practical strategies to help you demonstrate leadership, resourcefulness, and initiative and, at the same time, make yourself more marketable upon graduation. While any student could benefit, this workshop is particularly helpful for freshmen, sophomores, and juniors.   III.  Packaging Your Potential:  Lessons from a Job Hunter Who Learned the Hard Way Have you ever thought to yourself: "I know I'd be great at that job if only someone would give me a chance", or "I would love that job, but I could never make money doing that"? Do you ever find yourself apologizing for your age, level of experience, or education? Are interviews uncomfortable because you find it difficult to talk about yourself without feeling like you're bragging? Do you wish you had a more effective Career Services office at your school? If you answered "yes" to even one of these questions, you won't want to miss this workshop. IV.  Identifying and Pursuing Your Dreams Many of us have experienced the empty feeling of uncertainty that comes with not knowing what we want to do with the rest of our lives. In this workshop, we’ll look at ways you can uncover your passion and turn it into a fulfilling career. Too many people struggle in their pursuit of the “right” career or worry that their choice of a major (or grad degree) will limit their opportunities. It doesn’t have to be that way. The road to success is rarely straight. This session will energize you as identify your path and navigate the inevitable twists and turns. V.  Networking Without Schmoozing: Creating a Network of Friends and Advocates to Launch Your Career Do you struggle with the concept of networking or feel you have fewer valuable contacts than others? Does the prospect of contacting complete strangers make you mildly uncomfortable or, worse yet, send shock waves of terror through your body? Contrary to popular belief, networking isn’t about “working a room” or “schmoozing.” It’s a lot easier than that. Done correctly, networking can be fun—even if you don’t consider yourself a naturally outgoing person. You’ll leave this workshop with ideas you can use immediately to build your network and reach your goals. VI. Why Most Résumés Are Ineffective (and What You Can Do To Make Your Résumé Stand Out) According to surveys of hiring managers and human resource professionals, the percentage of résumés that are EFFECTIVE is staggeringly low—between 1% and 5%. Rob Sullivan, author of the book Getting Your Foot in the Door When You Don’t Have a Leg to Stand On will share valuable tips and techniques you can use to get your résumé noticed for its content. At the same time, we’ll explore common mistakes people make and how to avoid them. This is an especially important topic for people who have more potential than actual experience. VII.  Résumés Can Get Interviews, But Cover Letters Can Get JOBS!!! Do you know the single, most important thing a cover letter can do that a résumé cannot? Don’t feel bad. Most people don’t. In this session, you’ll hear about a woman who literally got a job as a booking agent for bands based on her cover letter alone. The hiring managers knew when they read her letter that she was the person they wanted. That’s even more impressive considering the company was looking for 3-5 years of industry experience when she had none. Hear her letter. Find out what she did. And learn to make cover letters work for you!

If you have any questions about Rob's appearances, please send an email to info@careercraftsman.com

Schedule An Appearance
If your school, company, or group would like to schedule an appearance, please email your name and contact information to: info@careercraftsman.com. (Please write "Scheduling for Rob" in the subject line. If you don't hear from us within 24 hours, please resend your message--it probably means we didn't get it.)  

To see what others are saying about Rob Sullivan's presentations, see the section that follows "Additional Details.

Here's what people say about Rob's presentations. . .

"Rob, I thoroughly enjoyed your recent seminar at the Homer Public Library. I learned more in one evening that I did reading the classic What Color is Your Parachute? Thanks!

—Robert A. Harrison, 
Homer Glen, IL

"Rob, your class was excellent and made me realize how ill-prepared I was to face the outside world."

—Tom B., Chicago, IL 
Logistics Manager

"Rob's presentation was superb. It was fast paced--I never looked at my watch; informative--I took home information I then used; entertaining--He shared personal stories from his own life that were truly inspiring; and the best part is that he is personable and willing to help."

—Lisa Maroski, Chicago
(Small Business Owner)

“Rob’s lectures and workshops have benefited my students in three primary ways: they showed them how to develop a strategy to effectively market themselves, improved their prospecting and interviewing skills, and inspired them to face the challenge of a job search with enthusiasm and tenacity. Best of all, Rob’s passion for this subject and vast array of colorful real-world examples truly inspired my students to approach their job search like it was the opportunity of a lifetime. Rob's charisma, sense of humor, and commanding presence in front of a group fired up my students to the point which they were brimming with confidence and anticipation.”

—Jonathan  Cohen, Instructor
International Academy of Design and Technology

“Not only is Robert an articulate and compelling speaker, the substance of his presentation would be invaluable to anyone who is looking to market themselves more appropriately in their current legal job, or who is looking to market themselves in an entirely new field.”

—Paul Chronis, Attorney

McDermott, Will & Emery