Job Fair Preparation

It is Job Fair time again. What do you need to do to prepare? Here’s a list to guide you.

Remember this is a great opportunity to get in front of employers. Take it seriously and make the very best impression you can.

Make sure your resume is perfect. If you haven’t had it reviewed by someone in Career Services, you still have a few days left. When you are happy with your resume, print several copies on high quality bond resume paper and stash them in your portfolio to keep them neat.

Make up business cards to offer to employers who are not able to accept resumes. Definitely keep in mind it is no reflection on you when employers do not accept your resume and ask you to apply online. It is a procedure they are required to follow.

Launder and press your suit and shirt or blouse—or have them dry cleaned. Polish your shoes. Get a haircut if needed. Take a look at our guidelines to make sure your planned attire is suitable.

Review the list of employers who are registered. Research those of interest to you. Prepare your introduction so you will feel confident when you approach the recruiters.

If you have questions, stop by or give us a call.  

 

Getting to Know You

One of the really great things about WSU, in my opinion, is the diversity. Students come from across town, other areas of the state, other states, other countries! You come from all economic backgrounds. And, at all stages of life-- from high school students taking classes for college credit to older adults auditing classes. What a great opportunity to get to know people from all different situations. What a great opportunity to learn about other cultures, other situations, and other generations. I hope you don’t limit yourself to spending time with only people just like you. Reach out – I bet you will be glad you did.  

Opportunities

 

It’s a brand new semester and a brand new year. Full of possibilities and fresh starts. If you are new to WSU, we welcome you. If you are returning, we welcome you back.

It is probably a fair guess you are here to increase your chances of landing the job you want as a result of your college education. Please don’t assume that is a given.  You will face lots of stiff competition when you leave WSU to join the ranks of full time college educated workers. Those of us in Career Services hope you will use your college days to develop yourself into a person who will stand out from other job candidates in your field.

1. Earn good grades. And, get experience related to your major and/or career goal. Employers expect a high gpa and/or experience in your field.
2. Learn to work with other people. Employers repeatedly tell us they want employees who are "team players". 
3. Join organizations. Be an active member. Develop leadership skills. Why? You know why – employers expect leadership skills.
4. Get to know people. Your instructors. Fellow students. Employers who come to campus. The nice folks in Career Services. . . When you are ready to get a job, you will find out just how important networking is. Begin now!

College offers you the opportunity for so many experiences. Take advantage of them. I wish you an exceptional semester!

 

~ jan

Talents and Strengths

We all come into the world with many unique talents. Talents are the ways we naturally think, feel, and act.  Another word for talents might be gifts.

A strength is the ability to produce a positive outcome repeatedly when completing a certain task. A strength is made up of a talent combined with skills and knowledge.

Each of us achieves the best results when we work with our talents; therefore, it just makes sense to want to know what our talents are. How do you identify your talents? Go no further than WSU Career Services! For $18 and a few minutes of your time, you can take the StrengthsFinder instrument, which will identify your top five talents.

Knowledge of your top five talents will offer insight into who you are. Using that information, you can determine appropriate study techniques, what type of work environment would be best for you, and how get along with other people.

Rachel Gibson and Val Perkins just returned from a Strengths conference. They would be more than happy to talk talents and strengths with you. What are you waiting for? Call 978-3435 today and make arrangements to take StrengthsFinder.

New news Regarding Resumes

Our office hosted employers last week. Why did we do that? To provide you with the latest, and most accurate, information regarding your resume and the application and job hire process.

The recruiters we met with filled us in on several things. That information follows.

1.      It is important to tailor your resume for each job you apply for. “Make it ideal for the role.”

2.      If you include an objective, make sure – I’m going to say this twice – make sure that objective is actually for the position you are applying for. Rather than the last position you applied for that was actually with a different organization entirely.  

3.      Although most organizations insist you “apply online”, your resume is nonetheless important. Why? Because your resume is easier to review than your online application.

4.      And, because your resume is an indication of the type of work you will do. If your resume isn’t perfect, in the words of one recruiter, “What am I supposed to think about that? What kind of work will you do for me?”

5.      Gaps in employment cannot always be avoided. Be prepared to explain those gaps.

6.      And, maybe most important of all – read the employer’s instructions regarding how to apply very carefully and follow those instructions. Again, if you don’t follow the instructions they give you to apply, what kind of work can they expect you might do?

Questions about your resume? Or, just need another pair of eyes to look it over? Stop by during Walk In hours or make an appointment with a counselor. We’re here to help --

Job Search

The Hidden Job Market

You may have heard of the hidden job market and wondered how you might go about finding it, or even what the hidden job market is.

Many jobs are never advertised. When I say “many” I mean as high as 80%. You won’t find these jobs on a job board. They make up “the hidden job market”.

So, how are you going to find out about these opportunities? Some you would probably never know about, because they will be filled internally by employees working already working in the company that has the opening.

Others you have a shot at if you talk with the right people at the right time. This is where networking once again comes in. Volunteer, join professional associations and attend meetings, be active in your social groups, go to the Laundromat and make all your clothes clean again. And, talk with people everywhere you go.

Another good technique is pay attention to the news. Listen (and look) for new organizations, organizations that are growing or developing new products and/or services. You can apply with any organization, even if they haven’t announced any job openings. Shine up your resume, write a letter of inquiry, and drop it in the mail – better yet, drop it by the company so they can actually see your face and your professional appearance.

You know a job isn’t going to drop in your lap. Get out there and look for those hidden ones. Good luck!  

Job Search

It takes awhile. . .

If you have the illusion you will have a job within a short amount of time after you start looking, or before or immediately after you graduate, sit down and breathe deeply as you start to read this blog.

It will probably take you months to get a job after you start your job search. How many months? Of course, that depends on lots of things including your job field, your competition, the job market, etc.  

However, there are things you can do to fill the time and increase your visibility, and therefore your chances of finding work

1. Volunteer. Working alongside other good hearted people is a great way to make connections. And, to show you are a hard worker, smart, educated – you get the picture.

2. Attend meetings of professional associations. If you don’t belong to any associations related to your field of study, join. Join now! These organizations and meetings can give you a wonderful opportunity to network with others in your field.

3. Work temporary assignments. This can be an upbeat way to earn money and make connections while you conduct your job search. In addition, temporary positions sometime turn into long term positions.
 
4. Engage in social activities. When you are doing something fun with people who have the same interests as you, you have a wonderful opportunity to make connections and network.

We’ve said it before. Get out from behind your computer. Get out of the house and out around people. Get a job!