Approximately 60-70 percent of job seekers find their jobs through networking. Contrary to what lots of people think, it is easy to network. One of the students we formerly worked with landed a job through a lead he got at the grocery store. Perhaps his networking experience went somewhat like this.

While waiting in line at the grocery store, Troy said "hello" to the woman behind him and asked how she was. She answered she was really tired because she was having a hard week at work. Troy showed concern and asked what her job was. The woman answered she was a social worker. Coincidentially, Troy had just completed his grad degree in social work and told the woman. She responded her organization had just posted two openings for new grad social workers and Troy should apply. Troy said he would like to and asked how to best do so. The woman wrote the name and contact information for the hiring manager on the back of her business card.

When Troy got home, he looked up the job posting and drafted a cover letter and tailored his resume and sent them to the hiring manager. He also wrote a thank you note to the woman he met at the grocery store who gave him the lead.

There was really nothing to Troy's networking effort. He just struck up conversation. You can network almost anywhere almost anytime.

Network! Get a job--

Your Resume

If you are conducting a job search, your resume is one of your most important marketing tools. You will use your resume to show you have the education, skills and background to handle whatever job you are applying for.

No idea how to write your resume and ready to pull up a template online? Wait – you will have much more flexibility if you use Word to create your resume. More importantly, employers tell us they don’t like templates. So, you’re staying to yourself “Word may be just great, but I have no idea where to even begin in writing my resume.” Well, we have a great resource for you – our Starter Kit. This kit, available on our website or in the resource section of Hire-a-Shocker, tells you everything you need to put together your resume.

Something else very important to remember – employers see your resume as a reflection of you and the quality of work you will do. Therfore, you want your resume to be as near perfect as possible. Make an appointment or stop by during walk in hours. We’ll be happy to look over your resume – or get you started if you need it.

Get a job!

6 + 4 Reasons to Use LinkedIn

According to Ruth Harper, a communications student and blogger, here are six reasons to use LinkedIn (See full article at http://www.usatodayeducate.com/staging/index.php/blog/why-you-should-use-linkedin-before-graduation) 

LinkedIn offers an easy way to break the professional networking ice.

1. LinkedIn contains fewer 18 to 24 year olds than other social networking sites.
2. LinkedIn makes it easier to find internships or jobs while in school.
3. LinkedIn helps students build and maintain professional networks efficiently and effectively.
4. LinkedIn provides students an opportunity to prove themselves professionally through     authentic discussion.
5. LinkedIn allows students to promote themselves professionally online. 

Four more reasons to use LinkedIn:

1. It’s a great way to promote your blog or personal website.
2. It can be an especially effective way to connect to professionals in different locations throughout the United States or the world.
3. LinkedIn has a job search feature and more and more employers are using it.
4. It’s a great way to research a company before a job interview. You might even be able to find the people who will be interviewing you.

Time to Get Back With Your Job Search

Graduate earlier this month? Been taking a break? You deserve it, afterall. But, you also deserve a job. So, time to get back in the program and get serious about your job search again.

Where to start? May I suggest? Set up a record keeping system to keep track of all the people and organizations you have contacted, method and date of contact, response, and anything else of significance. Keep this up to date and you could potentially save yourself the embarrassment of having an employer call who you have little or no memory of contacting.

Next, make up another list of people and organizations you want to contact. This can include people you want to conduct informational interviews and/or network with, employers you want to drop by to leave your resume with, employers you will fill out an online application with. You get the idea.

After all this list making, hopefully the job search adrenalin will be pumping. Good, because next time we will go over "Ten Reasons to Use LinkedIn".

Get a Job!

~ jan

  


 

The Communication Field

Interview with Jeremy Hubbard, News Anchor Fox 31 Denver

I used to live around the corner from Jeremy Hubbard, News Anchor for Denver’s Fox 31 and 1996 graduate of Wichita State. So, earlier this week, I pulled the “work at your Alma mater and used to be your neighbor” card and got Jeremy to answer a few questions. My questions and his answers follow.  

1.  Jeremy, when did you decide you wanted to be a news anchor? “I think I always knew I wanted to be a television anchor.  I remember when I was 12 years old (living across the street from you guys on 9th Street) I set up a fake studio in our basement, and I'd pretend to do a newscast.  Then I remember when I was in high school, and an earthquake struck San Francisco during the world series.  I stayed up all night watching the news coverage of the quake, and I couldn't get enough.  I wanted to be there... to be in the middle of it.  I've had the same reaction ever since, anytime I hear about a big news story.  It's been in my blood for years.”

2.  What has been the most important thing you have done that has led to your success? “The most important thing?  Working nonstop.  I think the one way to get ahead is to just never, ever stop.  Even now, I work 12 to 14 hour days, because I have to.  I'm always busy, always working.  The job market is SOOOOO competitive right now (especially in the journalism field, which is shrinking, and jobs are disappearing) that bosses want someone who is going to bust their hump.”

3.  “What advice do you have for students who might want to follow in your footsteps?”  Advice?  Start making contact with the pros.  Get an internship, ask a reporter if you can shadow them on the job for a day.  Do whatever it takes.  Network with people who are already doing what you want to do... and show them what you've got!!!

Thanks, Jeremy – nice talking with you again!

Good Advice for You from Accountants

Yesterday was a good day – I had the opportunity to moderate a career panel for an accounting class. I love it when employers talk to classes about their career paths. I gained many words of advice. I will pass on a select few to you.

You know how I’ve been nagging you to get out there and network? Well, guess what? Networking is going to be important in your career if you choose to go into accounting. The way I see it, you might as well start now –get out there and meet new people. Build relationships.

If you want to move up in your career, you will have to work hard to distinguish yourself from others at work. And, guess what – if you want to get a job, you will have to work hard to distinguish yourself from other students and additional people in the job pool. Again, you might as well start now.

In order to be considered for many jobs, it is important to have a good gpa (I’m thinking at least a 3.0 when I say “good”).  Employers also like to see that you have leadership skills which can be demonstrated by being an officer in a student organization. And. . .many employers like to hire candidates who give back to the community—who volunteer.

So, to wrap it up: study hard and maintain at least a 3.0 gpa, join student organizations and take on a leadership role, volunteer, and network. That’s enough advice for today. But, I’m real sure those accountants knew what they were talking about. Get a job!

Helping Professions: An Interview With Colin McKenney

If you’ve met with me for career counseling, you’ve probably heard me say that as a college student you don’t need to decide what you want to do for the rest of your life. There is a good possibility that somewhere down the road you will find yourself in a job or career you didn’t even think about when you were in college. Through the people we meet, circumstances of our lives and opportunities that come our way, many of us find ourselves in jobs we once never dreamed of.  One such person is Colin McKenney, who I had the privilege of meeting with yesterday.

Colin’s undergraduate education was a degree in Communication and Journalism from Ft. Hays. He then earned a graduate degree in Public Administration from WSU. Work in county government finance led Colin to work in corrections which led him to work with people with developmental disabilities.   

Colin is the new CEO of Starkey, Inc. In that position, as well volunteer roles, Colin gives a tremendous amount back to the community. His job won’t be finished for a long time. And, Colin sees a tremendous need for more individuals like him--people who want to help people.

Are you one of those people? Want to know more about helping professions? Make an appointment to meet with one of our counselors.

“Starkey, Inc., founded in 1930, is the oldest community-based nonprofit in Sedgwick County, Kansas, serving individuals with intellectual disabilities. Through its business services, employment, recycling, residential, life enrichment and case management programs, Starkey creates possibility in the lives of more than 450 people with disabilities.”

“We cannot live only for ourselves. A thousand fibers connect us with our fellow men.”
~Herman Melville