Holiday Networking

Tis the season. . .for shopping, and caroling and spreading good cheer. And. . .if you’re in the job market, ‘tis the season’ for networking. For getting out there and talking to people. The hustle and bustle of the season, including holiday parties and festivities, provide perfect opportunities for “running into” friends and family you haven’t seen for awhile, as well as meeting new people.

Accept invitations to holiday gatherings. Introduce yourself and shake hands with people who may have forgotten you and people you’ve not met before. Spend a little time getting acquainted or reacquainted. Listen and show genuine interest in folks and in what is going on in their lives. And, when they ask “So, what do you do?” or “What are you doing now?” you can tell your story.

Don’t be so bold as to ask for jobs. Make your goal instead to build rapport. It is appropriate to ask if you can call later for advice or to hear more about a particular person or organization. Take time and make the effort to jot down names and titles of people you talk with so you can follow up with a note saying how nice it was to meet/talk with them.

Take the challenge. Meet new people this holiday season. You never know when you might make a new friend . . . or meet a future coworker or even a future boss.

Happy holidays!

Moving On, Or. . . Finding a Job Out of State

Ready to graduate and begin a new career? Want to begin that new career in another city or state? Here are a few suggestions to help you identify employers who would benefit from your skills and what you have to offer.

Make connections in the geographic area you are interested in relocating to. Network to let people know you are looking for a job out of state. Talk to instructors who may know of former students who are located where you want to move.     

Join professional associations affiliated with your career field. Contact officers of those associations regarding the job market and suggestions for your job search as you relocate. Let them know you will be a valuable member of their organization when you move.

Review the WSU Alumni Directory to find Alumni to potentially network with. Find out if there is a chapter of the WSU Alumni Association in the city you want to call “home”. Connect with the President or another officer.

Utilize LinkedIn to make connections and communicate. Join professional groups on LinkedIn, including the WSU Alumni Association Group. Participate in discussions to establish visibility.

Contact the Chamber of Commerce in the city you are interested in moving to. Ask if they have a directory similar to Wichita’s “Book of Lists”. Go through the yellow pages and make note of organizations that could use your skills. (Note: You may be overwhelmed with the number of employers you identify so break your possibilities down into workable groups.)

Use LinkedIn and networking to connect with people at the organizations, or people who may know about, the organizations of interest to you.

It is far less expensive for employers to hire a local candidate. Therefore, make it clear in your cover letter, emails, etc. that you are relocating to their area, have begun the transition and are looking for a job in advance of moving. Establish a mailing address in the city you plan to move to. Get a post office box or use the address of a friend or relative.

Plan a tentative trip. Notify actual and potential networking contacts and employers of interest that you will be in their area on a certain date. Ask to meet with them while you are “in town”.

As in any job search, making connections is crucial. It takes far more effort to connect with people across the country than to connect with people in our city, but the payoff is worth it. Once again the answer to the question “How do I do that?” is “Network”. You have to do it. So. . .what are you waiting for? Get out there. Network! Get a job. . .

Spending Time with Brad Haralson at Printing, Inc.

Our office was fortunate to tour Printing, Inc. yesterday. The purpose of our tour was to learn more about the Leadership Development Program offered by Printing, Inc.’s parent company, Consolidated Graphics.

The tour was informative and even offered the opportunity to jump across, or through, rain puddles, but the best part for me was learning from Brad Haralson, President of Printing, Inc. Brad’s three steps to success are straight to the point and pretty easy to work by:

1.      Come in early.

2.      Connect with people.

3.      Learn something new every day.

We also asked Brad what he looks for in candidates when he is hiring. The first words out of his mouth, with absolutely no hesitation, were “work ethic.”  Work ethic as demonstrated by working hard, doing more than expected, doing more than the other person is willing to do.  

I think we can all learn from Brad Haralson. Come in early, connect with people, learn something new every day. And, don’t forget. . . work hard. Sounds like good advice to me.

 

“ And where I excel is ridiculous, sickening, work ethic. You know, while the other guy's sleeping? I'm working.” ~ Will Smith

A Good Job

A good  job. We all want one.

A good job is different for all of us, but you know it when you have it.  You’re excited to go to work when you have a good job. And, excited about what you accomplish while you’re at work.

But . . the real reason for this post is to say “there is no such thing as a bad job.” Every job teaches you something. Every job gives you the opportunity to connect (i.e. network) with other people. Every job gives the chance to do good work and make a reputation for yourself. And, if you perform well, any job, can be a stepping stone for your next job.  

So, even if the job you have right now is not one you want to stay in long term, take it seriously and do your best. Be at work and be at work on time. Do what needs to be done – don’t be afraid to do something not in your job description and don’t wait to be asked to do something that needs to be taken care of.  Set a positive example for other workers. Show respect for your manager and coworkers.

In short, appreciate the opportunity to have that job. You just don’t know where it might lead you!  


"The best preparation for good work tomorrow is to do good work today."

~ Elbert Hubbard, American writer, publisher, artist, and philosopher.

5 Step Method of Effective Networking

Lou Adler, CEO, best-selling author of The Essential Guide for Hiring & Getting Hired offers a 5 Step Method of Effective Networking.

1.            Find 3-5 people (previous employers, supervisors, instructors, coworkers) who can vouch for your performance and would be willing to put in a positive word for you and recommend you to other people?

2.            Meet and greet with each of these people one on one.

3.            Ask each of them to review your resume.

4.            Ask each of them to give you the names of 3-5 people in their network who it would be good  for you to talk to and connect with.  

5.            Repeat steps 2 – 5.

To learn more about Lou Adler, check his LinkedIn site (http://www.linkedin.com/in/louadler)

                                                                                                                                                                                

                                                                                                                                                                                

Ever considered studying abroad?

Ever considered studying abroad? Courtney Huslig, a WSU business student is doing just that this semester. She was gracious enough to answer questions so I could share part of her experience with you. Courtney also included photos so you can get a glimpse of China yourselves!

Q: Courtney, what motivated you to study abroad?

A: Ever since I was a little kid, I always wanted to go and see the world. My parents have told me stories about how I kept telling them that I was going to Australia when I was little. Along with this passion to see new things and learn about different cultures, I feel that one of the most important things a student can do is study abroad. Many top businesses are looking for students that not only have good grades and are involved, but also have experiences that highlight their ability to handle something completely alien to them.

Q: What do you hope to gain from this experience?

A: First and foremost, I want to experience a greater appreciation for other cultures and different lifestyles. I also want to use this experience as a time to figure out what career path I wish to follow. This is sort of testing the waters on if I could handle being an expatriate (someone who works in a foreign country) or if I would be better suited to stay in the USA. Finally, I am hoping to have personal growth and a better understanding of who I am.

Q: Why China?

A: This is a question I have been asked a lot. The easy answers are that I really like eating Chinese food, I enjoy history and Chinese culture is one of the oldest cultures in the world, and that I wanted to go someplace far away from home. I also chose China as a career move to help bolster my resume for after graduation. Lastly, I chose China based on advice that was given to me. I was told to not pick someplace I could go to vacation whenever I wanted but to pick a culture different than my own that I would want to experience for a long time. China seemed to fit that description better than any other place I had been considering and, while I have found it is very different, I have also found many western influences in China.

Young Professionals of Wichita

My last post featured Suzie Finn, Executive Director of Young Professionals of Wichita. The information which follows includes Suzie's answers to questions I asked regarding the Young Professionals of Wichita organization.

How do people join YPW? Just go to the website and click “join now”.  http://www.ypwichita.org/

What does it cost? Membership is free for WSU Students because WSU is a corporate sponsor. Membership is also free for alumni if they work for any one of the corporate sponsors.

What age people belong to YPW? Age 21 – 40. The junior or senior year in college is the ideal time to join. However, there will soon be a new initiative – Nexus – that will focus on helping students make connections earlier.

What happens at a typical YPW meeting? Some meetings are social events and held at restaurants/bars. Most are free. There is a charge for “ultra mingles” -- for example, baseball games.

It sounds as if YPW is primarily a social organization. We typically host 3-7 events every month. One of those is a purely social event; the rest have some sort of education, professional development, or service component that is the focus of the event. While there is always time for networking/socializing at events, there is much more to YPW than that.

Are there ways to be actively involved? Yes, be part of a team. Teams meet monthly.

What are some of the teams? Teams include a team that plans events, a team that plans lunch and learns, the professional development team, and the community relations team that plans community service.

What are some of the community service projects YPW participates in? The Kansas Food Bank and Big Brothers Big Sisters. The largest community service of the year is ENHANCE through which YPW members work on the exteriors of homes for people in the community who need help.

What is the best way to get involved in YPW? There is another team --the leadership link team. It is probably the best team for college students to get involved in. This team focuses on political awareness and gives team members the opportunity to meet with elected officials in Wichita and Sedgwick County.

Why should WSU students/alumni join Young Professionals of Wichita? YPW provides the opportunity to network with other YPW members and also more experienced professionals in the community. It also gives people the chance to meet HR representatives from many different organizations in Wichita.

Are you still asking “why join YPW?” I would ask why wouldn’t you?

Networking and Success: Interview with Suzy Finn

The first thing I noticed when I met Suzy Finn was her smile. She was a great smile. And, she wears that smile all the time. . .or at least whenever I see her. Suzy Finn, newly named Executive Director of the Young Professionals of Wichita, is -- appropriately -- a perfect example of a “young professional”.  After graduating with a degree in Public Relations from Marquette University, Suzy began her career as a graphic designer in Washington D.C.
 
Although she grew up and went to school in Wichita, when Suzy returned to Kansas after working in Washington D.C., most of her friends had relocated. Looking for a way to connect with other young people in the community, she joined YPW. We could say “the rest is history”. Her involvement in YPW helped her land a job at Wichita State University. Her job at Wichita State University, selection for Leadership Academy through YPW and her previous commitment to YPW as a volunteer helped her land her current job. It is easy to understand why Suzy is a big believer in networking!

When asked about her success, Suzie said “I grew up with a successful business person as a parent. I decided early on that I was going to be successful. Throughout college and my career, I’ve done whatever I needed to do to be successful.”

Suzy would tell current college students to try different things and get involved in organizations. She said: “The key is being excited about what you do. Find a piece of something that excites you in every  job you have.”  

Job Search

Is it too early?

We are seeing students who will graduate in December and they are asking if it is too soon to start their job searches. The answer? No, it is not too soon to begin your job search.

Many employers – at least those with formalized recruiting plans are looking now for prospective employees to start in January. Even June! What does this mean to you? It means it is not too early! Five steps to get started follow.

1. Register on LinkedIn. Write your profile. Post a professional photo. Join groups. Participate in discussions on those groups.
2. Finalize your resume. Stop by Career Services and pick up a Starter Kit. Review the many samples and decide what you want your resume to say about you. Also, prepare a cover letter and reference page.
3. Have your resume critiqued. Come in on walkin hours, or schedule an appointment.
4. Schedule a mock interview with a career counselor. Get some feedback on what you do really well and what you might improve on.
5. Meet with a career counselor to discuss your job search plan.

Get going on your job search. Get a job!

 

 

 

Five Reasons to Consider Temporary Jobs

I often suggest students and other job seekers work temporary jobs as part of their career exploration and/or job search. Five good reasons why:

1. Temp jobs give you the chance to try out different jobs and different employers.
2. You can actually make money – and even more importantly – contacts, while searching for a job.
3. It gets you out of the house and around people. Which can be much more upbeat than searching for jobs online all day long, day after day. . .you get the idea.
4. Temporary jobs fill those gaps on your resume—periods of time which otherwise you might not be able to explain to a prospective employer’s satisfaction.
5. Temporary positions often evolve into full time, longer term jobs. Some employers “try out” people by hiring them in temporary positions. If the person in the temporary role performs satisfactorily, they may be hired on to work directly for the employer.

Last week, I met a Recruiter who now works full time for a company he started with as a temp. In my own career, three of the jobs I’ve enjoyed the most and stayed at the longest began as temporary assignments.

Think about it. . .a temporary position may be “just the ticket”.  Just the ticket to cash, contacts, career moves.  

Welcome to Career Services

Welcome! Whether this is your first semester at Wichita State or you are returning after some time off, we are glad you are here. And, we would love to meet you.

We’re here to help you answer those “what shall I do with my life?” questions, as well as the “where can I do that?” questions that follow. “How can I do that?” questions are important too. We have our own questions, intended to help you answer your questions. And, we have exercises and assessments, designed for the same purpose.

We offer resources to help you find a job on campus – or away from campus. We will assist you with your resume and other job search correspondence (think cover letter and reference page). We will coach you regarding networking and we will help you practice your interview skills.

If it has to do with career or work, we are all about it. Call or come over to 203 Grace Wilkie Hall. We are anxious to see you again. . .or meet you for the first time. Welcome!

 

Eighteen Step Job Search Plan

EIGHTEEN STEP JOB SEARCH PLAN

1.      Prepare resume, cover letter, reference page.

2.      Have above critiqued. Career Services is happy to do this.

3.      Load resume on Hire-a-Shocker. Set up a job agent.

4.      Be prepared to tailor resume and cover letter for specific positions you apply for.

5.      Talk to Career Services regarding the possibility of conducting informational interviews as a way to learn more about particular jobs…and as a way to make new connections.

6.      Make up form to record all applications, networking, other job search steps. Excel works nicely.

7.      Join professional organizations pertinent to profession. Take an active role. Make connections.

8.      Have photo taken for LinkedIn.

9.      Prepare profile on LinkedIn. Ask people to connect with you. Join groups and start/join discussions.

10.   Prepare 30 second introduction and/or “script” for use when meeting new people.

11.   Network. Network everywhere you go. Strike up conversations with people in line at the grocery store, or any place you shop! Make connections.

12.   Send a thank you note to everyone you conduct an informational interview with.

13.   Register with contract houses/temporary agencies. At a minimum, temporary positions teach you how to do the particular job you were hired for. And, they sometimes transfer to fulltime jobs. Temp jobs allow you to earn a paycheck and make connections while you search for a job.

14.   Volunteer as a way to fill the time, learn or enhance your skills and make connections while you are conducting your job search. Work can be paid or unpaid, so you can include volunteer positions on your resume.

15.   When you see jobs advertised, or hear about something, be sure to follow their steps to apply. If they ask for a cover letter, send/take a cover letter. You may want to print a copy of your resume and cover letter, dress up, and deliver your application materials directly to the employer’s site.

16.   Apply directly to organization websites.

17.   It is quite appropriate to use online sites such as Career Builder, Indeed, etc. Just remember, networking is really really important to a job search.

18.   Try not to get discouraged. Job search is difficult. Remain positive, network and make connections. Finding a job is sometimes about timing and who you know.

 

More about Networking

If you've met with me and/or red this blog regularly, you know I'm a firm believer that it's all about networking. Therefore, I'm excited to share what I just read. Credit goes to Katherine Moody. Katherine's website is (www.hiddenjobmarketsecrets.com). You will find good information there. Katherine asked me to tell you the terror-free networking scripts are free. 



Pay to Play
 
  

Actively networking and making connections are essential  and significant elements of your job search strategy today.

Social networking is important, but must be augmented with face-to-face and/or voice-to-voice connecting.

The etiquette is "ask for the help--ask for the check." That can get expensive unless you get creative. And the good news is "creative" is not only acceptable, it can often really make you stand out.

These days it is quite acceptable to ask someone to join you for coffee--on you. You could even offer to bring coffee to their office to make it easier for them to meet with you.

I have taken someone to lunch when it was critical for me to be able to spend time with her. I asked her assistant for her favorite restaurant--and then asked her to join me for lunch there. It really differentiated me from everyone else asking for her time.

You can ask the person's assistant or the person who referred you if there is something special they like--jelly beans or chocolates or cookies??
 
I recently met with someone who loved the oatmeal raisin cookies from the Il Forniao bakery in Irvine. Those 3 cookies were one of my best investments!

A couple of years ago someone gave me a lot of his time and never asked for anything in return. I found a fabulous hero action figure that I sent him since he was now "my hero." It still sits on a shelf in his office and even though he's become quite well known, he always takes my calls and gives me invaluable advice.

You only need a few of these wonderful people in your life and they will lead you to everything you want.

Thank people in a way that shows both your gratitude and personality. The handwritten notes I've gotten create a special spot in my heart for those who took the time to write.

When you think of networking as a way to make connections and build relationships, you'll come up with unique and money-saving ways to  say "thank you." And really build a relationship at the same time.

So pick someone to call, get your script out,and pick up the phone.

Who are you?

I worked with a student last week, who at the end of a career exploration exercise said “Finding yourself is important business. If you don’t know yourself, you have nothing.” Such a simple statement, but isn’t it the absolute truth?!?

It may take some work to discover who we really are. Maybe “who” we are is not “who” we think we should be. Sometimes “who” we are gets lost in the middle of “who” someone else says we should be.

We owe it to ourselves to do the discovery. We need to know who we are so we can decide who we want to be and what career path we want to start on.

Career Services has exercises and assessments and time to talk. Schedule an appointment. It’s discovery time!   

Transitioning From College to Work

As recent grads may agree, transitioning from college to the professional world is not always easy. And, we’ve all heard “you only have one chance to make a first impression”. What can you do to make sure that first impression is a good one?

1. Dress appropriately. Unless you are very conservative, office attire will be much different than what you wear when you go out on Friday night. It is always ok to ask Human Resources about proper office attire before you report for work on your first day.  
2. Be on time – for work, for meetings, coming back from lunch.Do not text or email or Facebook or Tweet while you are at work.
3. The same goes for shopping or just goofing around on the internet in general. The company is paying for your time. They deserve your full attention.
4. Be courteous of, and respectful to, everyone you work with. No one’s job is any more important than another. Everyone is valuable.
5. Do not share in office gossip. You might talk about someone only to find out they are close friends with …yes, the person you just bad-mouthed.
6. Do more than what’s expected of you. Never ever ever say “that’s not in my job description” – with body language or verbally.
7. Don’t appear too eager to walk out the door when your workday is over. I don’t mean you need to work through the dinner hour (unless that’s your assigned shift), but also don’t knock anyone down on your way out of the building.  

Not that hard. And, the payback will be well worth the effort.

“Professionalism: It's NOT the job you DO, It's HOW you DO the job.”

Dress the Part

I remember when I first read “During your job search, dress professionally and be prepared to meet a prospective employer any time you leave your house.” I groaned as I thought to myself “you have got to be kidding me!”

 

But, you know what? I’m going to give you that same advice. Why? I am a relentless advocate of networking. And, if you’re going to be networking, you need to look the part.

 

You can relax a little bit. I am not suggesting you wear a business suit each time you walk out your front door. I am recommending, however…unless you are on your way to the gym. . .you dress in business casual attire, or at a minimum very nice casual attire, each time you are going to be out in the public eye.

 

Just think about it – how much credibility do you have if you need a shampoo (perhaps even a shower!), and/or you have on a t-shirt with questionable graphics, your best stylin’ jeans that are frayed and sporting a few holes and flip flops.

 

On the other hand, if I meet you and you are dressed in nicely pressed khakis and polo style shirt plus you demonstrate good communication skills and professionalism – I will be able to see myself talking to my friends and coworkers – even my supervisor -- about you.  

 

Networking really is the name of the game. Dress the part.

Telephone Etiquette

Telephone Etiquette During Your Job Search

Any introduction to an employer is important, whether face to face or by telephone. A few important things to remember regarding telephone etiquette follow.

Have a professional message on your home phone, cell phone and answering machine. Train anyone who might answer the phone for you (think roommates, kids. . .) to answer the phone politely, take a message and deliver the message to you immediately.

Be prepared to receive a call from an employer anytime you pick up a call. If you are in a noisy environment, or any situation that could compromise the quality of your conversation (for instance, you just woke up) let calls go to your voice mail. . .where the caller will hear that professional message we talked about earlier.

Return all phone calls promptly, or at least within 24 hours. If you don’t the prospective employer will assume you are no longer interested.

Good luck. Get a Job!

 

 

Research Prospective Employers

This is the second guest blog and is contributed by Kristy Laufer-Nelson, SPHR. Kristy is HR Generalist/Recruiter with Koch Supply & Trading, LP.

I remember my early years of job searching when I was so excited to get a job, I would go into an interview thinking about everything I needed to say and do to get that job. “What will they ask me?” “How should I respond?” “What do they want to hear?” As I grew in my career and experienced some very positive jobs and a few not-so-positive, I realized the not-so-positive jobs were a result of the culture of the organization and the management style of the person I reported to. I wonder if I would have chosen to work at those companies if I had known what it was REALLY like to work there before I accepted a job offer. What could I have done better to identify if the company was right for ME?

One thing I started doing after I had this realization was to ask better questions in interviews. I now ask questions such as: “How would you describe your leadership style?” “ Can you help me understand what some of the unwritten rules are in your culture?” “Why is this position open?” “Why did the last person leave?” “What is your turnover rate?” I also started asking for a tour of the company, so I can get a feel of what the environment is like. Are people smiling? Is it quiet? Is it loud? What is the mood? What are the working conditions? Are the people interviewing me approachable and friendly? Do they seem to  care? If I had done a better job of assessing if the company was right for ME, I may not have continued to pursue a few of the companies where I had a not-so-positive experience.

I encourage job seekers to do some research on the companies they are interviewing with. Ask around; get a feel of the company’s reputation. Also, you can do on-line research. One site I know of that provides overviews of companies, jobs available, salaries and even reviews from past and current employees is at http://www.glassdoor.com/Jobs/jobs.htm. Obviously, this information is tied to an individual person’s experience, but it could give you an idea of what you might face at the company.

Best wishes in your job search!

Kristy

 

 

 

Congratulations, Graduates

If you just graduated last weekend, congratulations! What a huge accomplishment. If you are a learner, here’s the good news. . .you can never stop learning. If you are really not into “stretching your mind” and thought you were through with that part of life with completion of your degree. . .probably not. Continued learning is essential to get jobs, keep jobs, advance in your field and stay marketable. Want some ideas of how to keep learning?

Find a mentor—a person who has experience and can answer your questions and give perspective on transitioning to the professional world, your career field, the company you work for—and lots more. 

Join professional associations. Actively participate. Take on leadership roles. Attend seminars and conferences. Attend networking events.

Read -- trade publications, news articles, books.

Listen—to the news, to other people, to your intuition.

Take more classes to gain additional knowledge and skill. Earn certifications in your field.

Bottom line: keep learning. You must. One of your peers told me to tell you. . .just yesterday.

Interviewing -- Soft Skills

GUEST BLOG

This is the first of what I hope to be several guest blogs and was contributed by Dacia Brown, Talent Recruiting Specialist with Emprise Bank.  Dacia graduated from WSU in May 2011 with a BS in Criminal Justice.

Let’s face it: most of us are not social extroverts. We all know the type- the individuals who have never met a stranger and feel comfortable in any new or awkward situation they get thrown into. In the time it takes you to introduce yourself to one person at a social gathering, this person has not only introduced themselves to two or three people; but has also learned the names of their new acquaintance’s children, grandchildren, grade-school best friend, and pet fish. These people have no shortage of friends, and probably know many of the key players in the professional community.

Chances are these “social butterflies” have no difficulty in job interviews. The social skills they display in their everyday lives are also being put to use when they go on an interview.  They show appropriate interest in their interviewer, have an open and friendly personality, and show confidence without coming off as arrogant.

Here’s an example. Candidate #1 and candidate #2 are up for the same position at the same company. Both candidates meet the qualifications for the position, have researched the company, and reviewed the key responsibilities of the job. Candidate #1 is called in from the waiting room and offers a split second of eye contact and a small smile. He or she offers a simple “fine” when asked how their day is going, and makes no attempt at returning the small talk. It may not be the case, but this candidate has given their interviewer the impression that instead of interviewing for their dream job, they would rather be on their couch eating a bag of chips and watching daytime TV.

Candidate #2 is called in next. Introductions are made, and the candidate immediately shows (appropriate) interest in their new “acquaintance”; asks them how their day is going, comments on the weather, etc. The tone of voice is positive and upbeat, and the recruiter is looking forward to spending the next hour (or more) of their day with them.

If scenario one seems familiar to you, small daily changes can be made to improve these skills. Goals can include introducing yourself to one new person a day, or just by making a regular habit of finding out something new about a current co-worker or friend.

Observe the social butterfly in your life next time you’re out together. When they’re meeting someone, they are leaning slightly forward, offering them a firm handshake, making eye contact, and giving a genuine smile. They’ve made their new contact want to get to know them. That should be your ultimate goal in your next interview. These soft skills are an integral part of the interview process and can make or break your chances of landing your dream job.

Dacia L. Brown, Talent Recruiting Specialist, Emprise Bank

 

Networking

Wasted Opportunities

Networking is probably the best job search tool you could use. It is through networking that you connect with someone who can help you connect with someone else who can help you connect with someone else. . . . ultimately resulting in you connecting with someone who can point you in the direction of a job.

It’s wise never to take contacts for granted. If someone you trust offers you the opportunity to talk with one of their associates or connections, appreciate that offer. Thank them graciously. Follow through. Above all, do not say you will talk with that person if in fact you have no intention of doing so.

One of the things about networking—and, in fact all of life, is you just never know who you are going to meet who can have a tremendous influence on you. Why would you not want to take advantage of that opportunity?

 “The richest people in the world look for and build networks, everyone else looks for work.”

~ Robert Kiyosaki

Job Search

IS IT TIME TO CONSIDER A BRIDGE JOB?

Sometimes you do everything you can to find a job and none of it works. If you’re in that situation, you may want to consider a “bridge job”.  Bridge jobs are often perceived as a part-time or short term jobs following a full time career. For our purposes, a bridge job is just what it sounds like – a job to bridge where you are now to where you want to be in the future and can be either a full-time or part-time position.

Although frequently appealing to retirees, bridge jobs can actually meet the needs of any job seeker. 

Bridge jobs are a way for parents to stay in the workforce while taking time off to raise children. They can be valuable while pursuing education or training or while transitioning to a new career. A bridge job, providing connections to other people, is a great way to network—in addition to providing income.  

 Some examples of possible bridge jobs include:

Working for family or friends

Computer work from your home, which could include typing, bookkeeping, creative assignments

Other home based work: sales, personal services, organizing, home or yard maintainence

 

If you're discouraged with your job search, maybe it is time to consider a bridge job. Bridge jobs, as are other full time, part time, degreed and non-degreed jobs are posted on Hire-a-Shocker.

 

 

Panel, Group and Committee Interviews

Interviewing takes many forms. I won’t ever forget the first time I walked into an office, scared enough about talking with one manager – and much to my surprise, saw four people armed with interview questions for me.

Why would an employer inflict such punishment on someone eager to work for them? Perhaps to enable them to make a better hiring decision, based on the opinions of several interviewers rather than just one.

Panel interviews are common with nonprofit organizations as well as in academia.  Panels may be made up of four to six people. The panel may include someone from human resources, department managers and even potential co-workers. Panel interviews may also be called group or committee interviews.   

Some tips for a panel interview include:

Interact with each person on the panel. But, direct your answer for each question to the person who asked it, maintaining eye contact with that person.

If you can, try to remember the name of each interviewer. Shake hands with each person as you leave the interview, thanking them and calling them by name.

Immediately after the interview, send an individual thank you note to each interviewer. If possible try to address some point each person made in your thank you note to him/her. If you are not able to get a business card for each interviewer, call the person who set up your interview and ask for that information.

Remember – Career Services offers mock interviews as one of its services. We’ll be happy to simulate a panel interview and send you off with more confidence for the real thing.

Study Abroad

Thinking about ways to make yourself stand out from other candidates?  Ever considered a study abroad experience?  Traveling to, and spending some time in another country demonstrates many skills and traits valued by employers at home as well as abroad. 

As our workplace continues to become more global, having the skill to communicate with diverse populations becomes more and more  important. Travelers must be adaptable and able to deal with stress, uncertainty and change. Journeying to another country shows courage, curiosity, and a sense of adventure. Resourcefulness and the ability to plan, manage time and solve problems.

Being able to describe your study abroad experience on your resume and in interviews and to focus on your accomplishments, achievements and the results of your study abroad experience can definitely set you apart from other candidates.  

Make an appointment with Career Services to learn more about how to use your study abroad experience to benefit you in your job search.

 

Job Search Takes Time

Students often come to us disappointed they have not had any response to their job search efforts. When we ask what steps they have taken in their job search, they may say they have applied on Monster and CareerBuilder. Or, that they applied for two jobs two weeks ago and haven’t heard anything back.

How long does it take to find a job? One estimate I found online is expect to job search to take one week for every $2000 of income you want – in other words, if you are looking for a $50,000 a year job, expect to spend 25 weeks (6 months) on your job search. Another source, said one month for every $20,000 of salary you want – for example, 2 months for a $40,000 a year job.

A job search takes time. How much time? “It depends”. It depends on the demand for the type of position you are applying for. It depends on how much competition you face. And, it depends on how hard you work at it.

I formerly worked with an outplacement company that urged clients to consider their job search a full time job. If you are a student, you already have one fulltime job. But, try to give your job search as much time as you can. Job search takes time. Work at it!

Interviewing

"Where do they get those questions and why do they ask them?" are questions you may have asked yourself the last time you had a job interview.

Why do employers ask the questions they do in interviews? I had opportunity to listen to engineering managers speak about interviewing yesterday. A favorite question of one of the gentleman is "Why are manhole covers round?" He asks this question, which on first thought may have little relationship to the job he is considering the interviewee for. Why? He wants to see the candidate's thought process.

Other questions he asks are to determine if the interviewee has experience working in and/or leading groups. And if he will "play nicely with others"; or, in otherwords, does the candidate have good interpersonal skills. "Tell me about a time you worked in a group and what your role was" and/or "Tell me about the most difficult person you've worked with" are questions you can expect to be asked the next time you have a job interview.

Interviewing is a skill. Pick up a copy of our "Ace the Interview Kit". Look it over and schedule a mock interview with our office. You will be glad you did!

Spring Job Fair

One of our big spring events is next week--the job fair. As a former recruiter, I am always excited about job fairs. In my recruiting days, any event that offered prime opportunities to get “face to face” with potential employees was a good event. I made notes about the most impressive students and went back to work the next day and talked with my managers about them. Sometimes we had opportunities to hire that semester. Sometimes we didn’t. If we didn’t have an appropriate opening for a promising student, I occasionally suggested the student contact a colleague of mine at a different company.

We hired for talent. Sometimes we didn’t have a job posted but met a student who gave all indications of being so talented that we decided to create a new position.

Job fairs are all about expectations. Don’t go expecting employers to be handing out jobs. Rather, attend grateful for the chance to talk with representatives of companies. If you submit your resume online, you are an electronic record. If you shake hands at a job fair, you become a real person.

So, get your suit cleaned. Iron your shirt. Shine your shoes. Print off several copies of your resume on bond resume paper. Make up business cards to offer employers who can’t accept resumes. And, come to Koch Arena Thursday, Feb. 28 between 4:00 and 6:30pm. Be ready to shake a few hands!

 

Making the World a Better Place

As a career counselor at WSU, I am privileged to work with a diverse population of students. Not only diverse in terms of race, socioeconomic status, gender. But, diverse in terms of who they are as individuals. Students juggling demanding class schedules, part time jobs and leadership in student organizations. Parents working full time, going to school part time, struggling to find time for their families. Single moms – or dads -- working while carrying a full load of classes, determined to give their kids every opportunity they can. Returning adults frustrated by limitations in their careers – or, who have just decided they want to give themselves the gift of a college education. International students studying in the U.S. hoping doing so will give them career advantages when they return home. All types of people wanting to make the world a better place. . .

Hats off to you. You are amazing. And, courageous. When you leave my office, you leave me with a sense that the world will be a better place because of you. "You are the people who are shaping a better world." ~ Dalai Lama

JOB FAIR – WHY SHOULD I ATTEND?

FACULTY

 If you are faculty, attending the job fair offers a way for you to meet representatives of the companies who will be hiring your students. The potential results of those meetings are many, including making contacts that could lead to research endeavors, talking with company representatives you might want to invite into your class for presentations to your students. And, not to be forgotten, often the employer representative who attends a job fair will be a graduate of our institution which of course means, you just might get to talk with former students.

Job fairs are expensive for employers to attend. They keep a close eye on their results to determine which schools they will continue to recruit at. Therefore, we ask you to attend and strongly encourage your students to attend. A small amount of your time could yield large results for your current and future students. 

STUDENTS

If you are a student who is, or ever will be looking for a job, I cannot imagine why you wouldn’t attend the job fair—an event which allows you the rare opportunity to get face to face with a multitude of employers, within a short time period and in one location. If you’re a junior or senior it is crucial that you meet as many prospective employers as possible. Even as a freshman or sophomore, it is important to develop and build relationships with employers to enhance your possibility of getting the job you want when you graduate. Plus, a job fair gives you the chance to learn about the types of employment available within different industries and among various employers. 

 

Common Resume Mistakes

I see lots of resumes. And, lots of resume mistakes. Here are a few to watch out for.


Including personal information. Employers don’t want to see your photo, your date or place of birth, marital status or other information which could be used to discriminate against you.

Unprofessional email address. For example: littlebit1234@gmail.com

Spelling or punctuation errors.

Inconsistent formatting -- simple things such as not leaving the same amount of space between sections; bolding some section headings, but not all; using different font sizes and/or different font styles.

Misuse of capitalization.

Wordy objective. The employer wants to know what you can do to benefit him. He really doesn't care that you want a "challenging position offering you the opportunity to grow and advance".

Weak action words. For example, don't say "Helped design" if what you actually did was "Collaborated with three team members to design". "Helped" doesn't tell me what you did. Nor, does it give you credit for what you did.

Tailor your resume to the job. Point out how the skills and experience you have are "transferrable" (a good fit) for the job you are applying for. Include keywords from the job posting if they fit you. 


Remember -- in our office, we love resumes. Don't hesitate to ask us for a critique!