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MEMORANDUM

TO: Megan Even


FROM: Thomas Howden
DUE DATE: September 28, 2016
SUBJECT: Unit 2 Job Packet
Part 1: Possible Job Listings
1. Northwestern Mutual
Northwestern Mutual is a financial firm that offers services of investment and retirement plans as
well as providing insurance. This industry continues to grow annually as more and more people
are taking charge of their finances and financial outlook. Because of this steady growth
Northwestern Mutual is looking for an applicant to fill a full time Financial Advisor/ Financial
Sales representative position.
Applicants must be competitive individuals who thrive in an entrepreneurial environment. The
capability of building relationships and replying on trust are a must for this position. Having an
ongoing commitment to learning, and being proactive and focused especially at providing
customer service is also a determinant in filling this position. The firm requires a degree from a
four-year school, however no experience is needed as they train all their new employees. I can
fill this position upon graduation as I will then have met the graduation requirements and can
enter the training program. I am a very professional minded employee and have a large amount
of experience in customer service from my previous employment. I would love to continue my
education through this program and career.
2. Bobcat/ Doosan
Doosan and Bobcat specifically are looking for a young person or persons with big goals and
ambitions to take on an internship experience lasting eight months in their corporate offices
located in West Fargo, North Dakota. Bobcat will be employing someone to assist their strategic
planning team in analyzing and managing upcoming projects as well as conducting his or her
own data analysis, reports and presentations.
Requirements of the job include a Bachelors/ Masters degree or Junior/Senior status in school
pursuing a degree in economics, business, math, or statistics. While in school the candidate must
maintain or have achieved a 3.0 grade point average and possess strong analytical and economic
reasoning skills. Lastly, applicants must be able to work at least twenty hours a week. I meet
these standards as I am majoring in economics and statistics, currently stand as a junior, maintain
a 3.71 grade point average, possess savvy analytical skills, and will be able to work the minimum
twenty hours a week.
3. U.S. Bank
U.S. Bank has an opening as an Operations Manager of Cardmember Services. The applicant
would be responsible for all departmental expenses, revenue generation, and service levels.
Developing strategies to improve products and services to customers is expected as well.
Job requirements include a Bachelors degree or equivalent work experience of five years in the
financial service industry. Three years of management experience, multi- tasking ability,

effective communication, and the ability to work well independently are preferred skills as well.
Upon graduation I will qualify for the job requirement of schooling and or experience.
Communication and working independently are skills Ive been practicing all my life and I feel
they are adequate for this job position.
4. The BankCard Group
BankCard Group is looking for applicants to fill the Outside Sales Account Executive position
within their company. The position is responsible for creating new clients and relationships with
businesses that accept credit or debit cards.
Applicants must possess highly developed communication skills, effective time management
skills, the ability to work independently, strong disciple or work ethic, and a two- year degree
from an educational institution. Again much like the U.S. Bank job I believe my lifelong practice
of the skills of working alone, communicating, and time management skills will suffice for these
job requirements. And lastly, upon graduation I will have the certification to hold such a job
also.
5. Enterprise
An applicant savvy with business intelligence and analytics is needed to fill this Data and
Analytics Manager position. If, chosen this manager would be responsible for leading a team
which provides data activities of the company and meets goals set by Senior leadership teams.
Lastly, annual reports will need to be created and provided for executives.
To be considered for the job applicants must have at minimum a four-year degree in engineering,
sales, marketing, business or the equivalent in work experience. Applicants must also be
motivated, flexible, willing to travel, have good communication skills, and be fluent in Microsoft
excel and word. Lastly you must be able to sit for consecutive hours, frequently stand, and lift up
to twenty pounds. My economics degree will satisfy the graduation requirements for this
position. Motivated, flexible, willing to travel I all am. My computer science classes have made
my Microsoft excel and word skills adequate for this job posting as well. And being physically
fit as I am, Im able to sit, stand, or carry twenty pounds whenever necessary.
Part 2: Company Comparison
As displayed in Table 1 below, Northwestern Mutual and Bobcat are two similar companies that
pride themselves on the quality product they provide the general public. Northwestern Mutual
provides financial plans and investment management services. Bobcat is the industry leader in
the manufacturing of skid loaders and other construction equipment. Both of these companies
are near the top of their industry at what they do. Both companies are dedicated to helping their
customers reach the full potential of their investment and want to do so as efficiently as possible.
Northwestern Mutual focuses more on the community and the people within the community it is
located. Bobcat focus more on perfecting their product to maximize efficiency and consumer
satisfaction. Diversity and integration across all fields is very important to both companies, as are
the people at the heart of the business. The employees are the face of both companies, therefore
both Northwestern Mutual and Bobcat invest much of their time at creating a positive and
encouraging culture filled with employees who emit the same company values. We can see that

both firms parallel each other in many corporate aspects, however they must slightly manipulate
them to accommodate their product market. This similarity shows why both companies are
equally impressive in their own respect.
Table 1
Company

Northwestern Mutual

Bobcat/ Doosan

Company
Product/
Service

Offer personal financing options,


create personal retirement plans,
make and plan investments, and
provide insurance.

Location

Headquarters is located in
Milwaukee, Wisconsin. The
company values this location because
of the current economic situation in
the city. Also hold global locations
and any city a firm is set up.
Sponsor multiple entrepreneurship
and investment programs. Invest in
schooling to help diverse people.
They hope to make a difference and
help the city of Milwaukee out of the
trend of injustice that are occurring
now by investing and promoting
educational facilities.
Professional business, caring
employees who put customers first,
pride in the company they work for
and the services they provide,
integrate diversity across the
company

Bobcat- One of Industry leaders in


heavy machinery/ construction
equipment. Especially the Bobcat brand
skid loader.
Doosan- Corporate owner of Bobcat
and other construction equipment/
engine manufactures
Headquarters in Fargo, North Dakota.
Research and development branch in
Fargo as well. Other Global locations

Involvement

Culture

Values

Doing whats right is a


predominant and reoccurring theme
throughout their work. They value
what is best long term for the
customer and what is morally right
above all else. Putting people first is
the other predominant value.
Helping the customer and hand
tailoring a personal, custom plan is
the main goal of the company.

More corporate. Focus on providing


effective products that the globe needs.
Wants stake and shareholders to benefit
from their investments. Dedicated to
working for the people and meeting
their demands.
Bobcat-Deep pride from North Dakota
roots. Produce industry leading products
that are reliable and satisfying.
Doosan- Spirit that drives their people
are the core of Doosan. Aspirations of
being great and having everyone
involved or related to Doosan benefit
for that relation.
Doosan Credo is a series of values and
core beliefs that have been driving
company for the past century. People,
profit, Innovation, Integrity,
Responsibility, and Safety are main
values. Want to produce a Proud
Global Doosan. That is that every
relationship with Doosan is a positive
one. Teamwork, teamwork, teamwork.

People

Educated, motivated, and caring are


big. Diversity of employees is a
reoccurring message also.

Accolades

One of top firms in its business.


Recognized as one of the Worlds
Most Admired companies. Proven
track record of excellence.

Spirit of employees is core of Doosan.


Motivated, humble, Innovative people.
Want everyone to be proud of their work
and benefit from it. Aspirations are
never too big and are encouraged in
people. Want people to understand that
their work is pertinent and benefits the
entire team.
Global leader in construction equipment
manufacturing.

Part 3: Choosing a Job


If I was applying for the Northwestern Mutual Position I would tailor my cover letter and resume
to read with a softer, thoughtful, and optimistic tone. I would express how I am interested in
continually learning and how I was intending to do so regardless of this job or not. Id touch on
my previous customer service experience but not too much as they provide a training program
for all new employees.
For the Bobcat Internship my cover letter and resume would reflect the job type which is an
internship. I wouldnt have to necessarily complete my bachelors degree to apply for the job so I
can leave just an expected graduation date. However, I would describe and show, in much more
detail than the Northwestern Mutual job, my major, class course work, skills gained from this
education program and my versatility graduation will have equipped me with.
Both of these positions describe a job that is right up my alley and I would be happy to work for
both companies. While the analyst job at Bobcat more closely describes my majors and course
work, the Northwestern Mutual job sounds more appealing to me. The image the company
promotes and the idea of working personally with real people and making all those connections
interests and excites me even a little.
Part 4: Proof of Qualification
Northwestern Mutual requires the candidates of their job opening to obtain a Bachelors degree
from a four- year institution, be able to build relationships off of trust, have the courage to have
difficult conversations, be committed to continuing to learn, and be focused and proactive at
providing customer service. All these requirements are show below in Table 2 Upon
graduation in 2018 I will have completed my Bachelors degree and be qualified to apply for this
job opening. Through my previous experience in retail and customer service, I have also gained
adequate skills to satisfy the remaining requirements. The ability to create relationships is an
attribute I acquired by working with customers personally for three years at Willies Supervalu.
Being proactive and focused are traits taught to me by my two parents who are employed as
teachers. Between them and the work experience I have, being able to translate it into a
customer service setting has been a trait Ive perfected. Lastly, I plan on continuing my education

after receiving my Bachelors degree by pursue my Masters degree. This shows I am excited to
learn and will continue to do so.
Table 2
Requirements

Qualification/Justification

Bachelors Degree from a four-year


institution

Graduate spring of 2018 with a Bachelors degree


in Economics and a Bachelors degree in Statistics

Someone who builds relationships


centered on trust, open communication
and transparency.

I attain great people skills and take great jo in


working with them and creating relationships.
Following their wishes will be easily
accomplished.

The courage to have difficult


conversations when needed.

Difficult times are an eventuality. My years of job


experience and club leadership positions have
allowed me to practice the skill and ability to have
conversations when these difficult times arise.

A commitment to ongoing learning,


including staying current on financial
news, laws and the impacts to their
clients.

I plan on continuing my education and obtaining a


Masters degree after my Bachelors. I take pride
in my work and knowing I am an educated citizen.
Theres a lot to learn out there and I would enjoy
continuing that practice.

Someone who is proactive and focused on


providing excellent customer service.

This ties back into having pride in what I do. I take


pride in my knowledge and ability to work with
other. The service or product I supply and the
company I whos image I am representing is very
meaningful to me and again is something I take
pride in. Focus is one of my greatest attributes also
as I almost liken myself to having OCD when it
comes to my work. I want to produce the best
image, product, or service possible simply put.

As an employee of Northwestern Mutual, I would bring a reliable and sensible role into the
workplace. My ability to work with others and create personal relationships will prove to be a
benefit to your company and exactly what you are looking for in this job opening. My previous
knowledge and experience will make training a breeze, and my ambition to get to work and do
the best job I can will make a difference in the office almost immediately. Working for
Northwestern Mutual would be a great investment for both of our parties.

Works Cited
Company Inforamtion- Bobcat. (2016). Overview. Retrieved September 27, 2016, from
https://www.bobcat.com/company-info/about/overview
Data an Analytics Manager [Advertisement]. (2016, September 9). Job- Ladders. Retrieved
September 27, 2016, from https://member.theladders.com/job/
Doosan Global : Our Belief. (2016). Retrieved September 27, 2016, from
http://www.doosan.com/en/belief/belief.jsp
FINANCIAL ADVISOR / FINANCIAL SALES REPRESENTATIVE- FULL TIME SALES,
WE TRAIN, NO EXPERIENCE NEEDED [Advertisement]. (2016, September 6).
Monster. Retrieved September 27, 2016, from http://jobview.monster.com/getjob.aspx
Mission Statement: Northwestern Mutual. (2016). Patrick Gores, CLU, ChFC, CASL,
RICP. Retrieved September 27, 2016, from http://fargo.nm.com/~Mission.htm
Operations Manager- Cardmember Services [Advertisement]. (n.d.). Career Builder. Retrieved
September 27, 2016, from http://www.careerbuilder.com/job/
Our Values | Northwestern Mutual. (2016). Retrieved September 27, 2016, from
https://www.northwesternmutual.com/about-us/what-we-believe/our-values
Sales Account Executive Outside [Advertisement]. (2016, September 5). ZipRecruiter. Retrieved
September 27, 2016, from https://www.ziprecruiter.com/jobs/the-bankcard-group0571feb5/sales-account-executive-outside-dabd809d?mid=3167&source=cpcjobs2careers-uncapped
Strategic Planning Co-op/Internship [Advertisement]. (n.d.). StartWire. Retrieved September 27,
2016, from http://www.startwire.com/express_apply_jobs

Appendix
http://jobview.monster.com/getjob.aspx?
JobID=172177545&JDNJobDocument.JobID=119161883&AdID=25364492&ImpressionGuid=
fefb8dec-b75d-4c1f-9a2a-ad1ed49fd18d&AffiliateGuid=60fe2d94-e97e-4993-a0894ea9fc062c0d&CampaignID=&Premium=&RendererID=699&code=&unit=&stracking=&jvs=c
f,can-18842,can,0&WT.mc_n=JDN000003_sk_feed_Jobs2Careers_incremental_US

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