Winter Career Kick-Off 2012--Calling All Students!

So, this is it. This is the semester where you really take control of your future. New Year’s Resolutions aside, you know that internship is within your reach. That co-op you’ve had your eye on? Yours. The scary abyss that is The Job Search? Starts today. This semester is when you begin to answer that one question, THE question: “So what are you doing after college?” This semester, laughing out loud does not seem as funny or appropriate an answer (was it ever appropriate?), so get your butt into gear and do this the right way: with help.

This semester, Career Services is taking things up a notch—and adding some extra incentives. Not only are there a gazillion events catered to your every need, worry and fear about your future, but now you get rewarded for being proactive…for starters, how does an iPad sound? Insert: the Winter Career Kick-Off 2012.

It’s really easy. Attend 4 events this semester (not difficult) and have your Winter Career Kick-Off Stamp Card stamped at the end of each event. Then, hand in your completed stamp card by March 1^st either at the 4^th event you attend or in the CSC office (Holthusen Hall, first floor) to be entered in a drawing for to win one of the following: an iPad, an MU Padfolio or a $10 Qdoba Gift Card! There are over 50 prizes up for grabs!

If you haven’t picked up or printed out your stamp card, it’s not too late! Take charge this semester and let Career Services help take the pressure off! Stop by the CSC Booth for some resume advice, attend a Career Fair or sign up for the other fabulous events that qualify. Go here: (http://marquette.edu/csc/events/wintercareerkickoff.shtml) for events and Winter Kick-Off 2012 details. Be bold, make a move and take charge of your career and your future—Now!

Career Fairs - The Big Debate

The Career Services Center is hosting, not one, but two career fairs this spring.  We often hear concerns from students when promoting career fairs.  I've listed some arguments (along with my own counterarguments) 

Argument 1: "The companies aren't currently looking for students with my major."
Counterargument 1: Fair argument!  The thing is, even if they don't have your major or position you are seeking listed, this doesn't mean you can't talk to them about opportunities.  True, they might say "we aren't hiring for that right now" or "I only hire for a specific department".  But you can't tell me they won't have SOME sort of contact for you.  If they don't or aren't willing to share this with you, well then maybe it's not the type of company you want to work for anyways? 

Argument 2: "I've never heard of anyone that got a job from a career fair."
Counterargument 2:  You are right, I've never heard of a person who got offered a job AT the career fair.  The point of a career fair is not to walk out with a job - that's just crazy.  The point (one of many), is to get an INTERVIEW or at least a lead in your job/internship search.  I have heard of plenty of students getting interviews from a career fair.   

Argument 3: "I have work/school/internship during the career fair."
Counterargument 3:  Legitimate.  So if you can't rearrange your work/internship schedule and if your professor does not allow you to miss for the career fair, there are alternatives.  Within the career fair guidebook and online (MU Career Manager), we have the companies attending the fair along with contact information.  Now I don't have to tell you how difficult it is to get a phone number or email address of an actual HR person these days, do I?  The career fair guidebooks are priceless and you can contact any of those employers listed to let them know you aren't able to make the fair but would like to apply for the position.  It's a great idea to contact them BEFORE the fair if possible so it shows your drive. 

Argument 4: "I don't know what to do or say when I actually GET to the career fair - it all seems too overwhelming.  I feel more comfortable searching and applying for jobs online."
Counterargument 4:  I was right there with you when I was in school!  Had I known there was a resource like Career Services to help prep me for events like this, I would have actually GONE to events like this!  You can get your resume critiqued , practice your 60 second commercial, and go over the whole career fair process with a career counselor.  Just call 414.288.7423 or drop by Holthusen Hall, 1st floor to make an appointment.

Argument 5: "The recruiters just tell us to apply online.  I can do that without having to wear a suit to my classes."
Counterargument 5: That is frustrating to hear, isn't it?  OK, what we have heard from several recruiters is that it's a company policy that everyone applies within their system.  Heck, even current employees have to apply within the system for a new position.  The policy may be the same for every candidate applying but you can really stand out from every other candidate in other ways.  Impress them at the fair!  I recently heard a recruiter say, "candidates who stop by our booth at the fair are automatically considered for an interview."  After knocking their socks off at the fair, FOLLOW UP!  This is where most students drop off - so you just emailing your resume/cover letter or calling after the fair puts you at a definite advantage!

Pretty convincing?  If you saw good points in my counterarguments...even if you rolled your eyes - here are the spring career fairs for you to at least think about attending.  We get great attendance at these events, so yes, some students do actually see the usefulness but we always love to see those numbers increase.  The point of my blog is to (hopefully) show you how career fairs are a great OPPORTUNITY.  When opportunity knocks...answer!

Reverse Career Fair Registration is Open! Tuesday, February 7, 2012
5:00 p.m. – 7:00 p.m.
AMU Ballrooms

What is a Reverse Career Fair?
Employers consistently ask for exposure to Marquette University student organizations and access to student leaders. A Reverse Career Fair is an excellent opportunity for student leaders to showcase their professional skills and the values and skills gained as a result of being involved in student organizations.
Student Organizations: More Information | Registration

So you've decided to go to the career fair......

Okay, so you've decided to go to the career fair to network with employers, to learn a bit about opportunites available, or just to get some practice. Congratulations on taking that initiative!

A common question that comes next is "What do I say to employers once I get there?" There are two things that you will need at your disposal......

1.) Your 60 second commercial:

You may have heard about the 60 second commercial, but in case you haven't here you go.

Your 60 second commercial is a way to introduce yourself to employers and covers Where you are now, where you've been, and where you are going.

Here is an example:

"Hello. I'm Dot and I will graduate in 2012 with my Bachelor of Arts Degree in Communication."

As a student here at Marquette, I have had the chance to gain leadership and organizational skills through my involvement in the ABC club. In addition, I have worked for two years as a server at the Annex allowing me to gain valuable customer service experience.

I am seeking an internship in the field of public relations for next summer."

2.) Follow up questions for employers to get the conversation:

Follow up questions are key to getting the conversation started and give the employer something to respond to.

Here is an example related to the previous 60 second commercial:

"Can you share with me any opportunities within your organization that might fit with my skills and experience?"

Remember, practice makes perfect so be sure to practice before the career fair.

Happy networking!

-Jeremy

How to Stand Out After the Career Fair

As most of you know, the Workforce Career Fair was last week. If you’ve ever been to a career fair, you’ve experienced the crazy environment first-hand with over 140 employers meeting over a thousand students. If you were among one in the crowd on Thursday, you may have left wondering “how can I stand out from all of my peers?”

One approach to standing out is quite simple: follow up with employers and send a thank you note.

A prompt, sincere thank you note can make all the difference in your job search. A thank you note is common after interviews, but how many employers actually receive a thank you note after working career fairs? The number is quite small. It does not cross many people’s minds to send a thank you after meeting someone at a career fair. If you show your appreciation for them taking a few minutes to learn more about you, and tell you about their company, in addition to being one more way to sell yourself and show initiative and interest, a thank you note is a perfect way to connect with the employer and stand out among your colleagues.

It's not just the display of courtesy and old-fashioned manners that employers like and look for from a thank you note. Employers are more and more interested in a candidate’s writing skills. The thank you note could be one of the ways a job seeker is judged, so you shouldn't take it lightly, and you should make sure it's properly written.

Below are some Do’s and Don’ts to writing a solid thank you note.

1. Do: Be prompt
Start drafting your thank you note immediately after you meet with an employer, while it's still fresh in your mind, and send it out ASAP—preferably within 24 hours of the interview/meeting.

There are pros and cons of a handwritten note or sending one online. Sending the thank you note via e-mail can give you an edge over job seekers who mail hand-written ones, by getting to the employer sooner. Just make sure that you treat the e-mail like a formal letter and not as though you're writing a quick message to a friend. And if your hand-writing is hard to read, definitely go with e-mail. The benefit of a handwritten note is that it shows the time you took to write it, coming off as a little more personal.

2. Do: Make it specific and keep it succinct
Thank you notes shouldn't be much more than three paragraphs (if that). If you ramble, that can count against you in the communication category and show that you're not able to succinctly frame your ideas. Strive to address specific points that you and recruiter discussed. There should be something in the thank you note that indicates you were listening to what the recruiter had to say.

3. Do: Follow this structure
Paragraph 1: Express your gratitude by saying something like, 'Thanks for taking the time to meet with me at the career fair on Thursday. I appreciated hearing more about the position at XYZ company.'

Paragraph 2: Reiterate why you're a perfect candidate for the job. What experience/skills or abilities can you bring to the company?

The goal in paragraph two is to communicate that you understand the hiring manager's needs for the position, and you want to underscore how your experience makes you a perfect match. The second paragraph is also an appropriate place to make a point that you forgot to mention or didn't have time to mention during your brief meeting.

Paragraph 3: Reinforce your interest in the position and the company, and let the recruiter know you'd welcome further discussions.

4. Do: Avoid spelling and grammatical errors
A thank you note with spelling and grammatical errors will completely undermine your job search efforts. Remember, the thank you note presents hiring managers with an opportunity to evaluate your written communication skills. Make sure to read through the thank you note after writing it.

5. Don't: Come across as desperate
Another thing that could undermine the goal of your thank you note is if you sound desperate for a job. If you sound desperate, hiring managers will tune you out.

6. Don't: Forget to get contact information
In the excitement of a career fair, it's easy to forget to ask the recruiter for his or her contact information so that you can follow up with an e-mail or handwritten thank you note.

For a sample thank you letter and more tips, view the follow-up handout on our website: http://www.marquette.edu/csc/undergraduate/documents/ThankYou.pdf

Online Teacher Job Fair November 29th - December 1st

Hey future educators, check out the American Association for Employment in Education (AAEE) annual online job fair. This is a free opportunity to connect with schools districts in an online environment. In this job fair you can chat online with representatives from school districts, submit job search documents, and learn about prospective employers through virtual information booths. The AAEE online job fair runs today through December 1st and is FREE for job seekers.

Check out the details here http://aaee.org/cwt/external/wcpages/files/virtual_jf_flyer.pdf

Jeremy

Straight from the Mouths of Employers

The Fall Career Fair has come and gone and overall it was a great success – employers were impressed with the quality of students at Marquette and students had the opportunity to meet with over 140 organizations! It was great to see so many students in attendance checking out leads for internships, co-ops, and full-time positions AND capitalizing on the opportunity to network with professionals in their field or who can connect you to someone in your field. So much of the job search depends on who you know and if you attended the fair, just think of how many new people you have added to your own network!

As with everything in life, there are lessons to learn and ways to improve next time. Try as we might – as your friendly Career Services Center – we can’t get every student to take all of our advice, so I thought I would take a moment to share feedback straight from company representatives who attended our fair. Perhaps you will find this useful as you prepare for the Health Professions Career Fair on October 26, 2010 from 4:30 - 7:30 p.m. and the WorkForce Career Fair on February 17, 2011 from 4:00 - 8:00 p.m. (both fairs will take place in the AMU Ballrooms).

TOP 5 THINGS ORGANIZATIONS WANT FROM STUDENTS AT A CAREER FAIR

Be Knowledgeable About the Company – mentioned by 43% of employers

At the very least you should visit the website of every employer you plan to talk to at the fair to learn about the company (What does the company do? What is their mission? What is important to the company and what feel do you get from reading their website?). After that, you should be able to come up with deeper questions to ask so the recruiter will know you have done your research and really care about learning more about the organization.

Dress Like You Want a Career as a Professional – mentioned by 22% of employers

We have said this until we are blue in the face… some students follow the advice and, frankly, look like they cared about finding a job and making a great first impression. Other students choose not to wear a suit… here are some additional comments employers had for those students:

“Wear suits – students need to remember they are making a first impression.”

“Professional dress makes a great first impression.”

“Dress appropriately as you would for an interview – not business casual.”

“Leggings are not appropriate attire for a career fair.”

…you get the point. Pick a suit that fits your personality and the field you are hoping to enter—there are lots of choices out there and not all of them are boring, stuffy, or uncomfortable.

Enthusiasm Makes a Great First Impression – mentioned by 16% of employers

This piece of advice will take some practice for most people. I absolutely know how hard it is to be enthusiastic when you are nervous. I actually hate networking because I get really nervous and have to work hard to figure out what to say… and I still mess up sometimes. HOWEVER, I know that if I am well-prepared and then make sure to take a deep breath and relax, always smile and give good eye contact, and act confident that things will usually go well. Oh, and a practiced handshake will do wonders as well! (Grasp hand firmly, pump once, and let go)

“Prepare an Elevator Speech – mentioned by 7% of employers

Nothing is more awkward at a career fair than when a student walks up to an employer with nothing to say… and “um, Hi… I’m Courtney… What does your company do?” is NOT a good introduction. Before a career fair you need to practice (out loud) your elevator speech. You should include what you are doing now (name, year in school, major), what you’ve done in the past (related or transferable skills to the position/company), and what you are hoping for in the future (an internship, full-time job, information about a contact in a department within the company); then end your introduction with a question (this question could be related to something your noticed on their website, learning more about the hiring process, or something the recruiter personally likes about the company).

“Bring a Resume – mentioned by 4% of employers

Some companies accept resumes at career fairs and some are unable to do so. That said, wouldn’t you rather look prepared if a recruiter asks you for one? Bring along at least as many as the number of companies you hope to visit and maybe a couple more just in case.

Heed the advice of recruiters and start working on these things now so you are prepared for the next fair you decide to attend!

A Different Way to Approach the Career Fair

It’s Career Fair time again!

Our Fall Career Fair will be held next week, Wednesday, Sept. 29 from 1:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m. in the AMU Ballrooms. We are very excited to have 140 organizations registered for the fair which means there are a lot of opportunities for students in all majors looking for internships, full-time positions, post-graduate volunteer opportunities and co-ops. Career Fair guides will be available in the AMU and in our office by the end of the week and we will be critiquing resumes in the AMU this week and next week. You can also do a search now for employers who are attending on MU Career Manager.

The MU CSC encourages all students in all years and all majors to attend career fairs to explore different careers and learn about job and internship opportunities. We often hear from students that they don’t see the value of attending the career fair if they don’t see their major or a position they want to do listed in the guidebook. As a Communication major myself a few years ago (ha!), I understand why students say this, but look at a career fair as a way to network with professionals who work at organizations that you are interested in, even if it's not your dream job. For example, communication employers do not often participate in formal on-campus recruiting programs (for a variety of reasons), but that does not mean these companies are not looking to hire for these types of positions. Every organization either has a communication department or outsources this work. Identify companies that you are interested and ask them if they can help you connect with someone in their organization who does what you want to do.

While I have your attention, keep in mind there are three things to think about when you are preparing for a career fair; first is preparation and research, second is how to work the fair and third is how to follow up after the fair. For more information, check out our navigating a career fair handout on our website:

Some quick career fair tips:

1. Put together a professional outfit; a suit is best.

2. Bring 10-20 copies of your resume. Keep in mind that some employers will be unable to take your resume, but will instead direct you to apply online.

3. Do your research before the fair; know which employers you want to talk to.
Make an A, B and C list so you can get organized.

4. Know your career goal or what you think you might like to do and say that
Ex. “I am looking for an entry level marketing position where I can
strengthen my interpersonal and marketing skills."

5. ALWAYS follow through on what the employers tell you to do (ex. Apply
online, sign up for an on-campus interview on MU Career Manager, etc.) and
send them a thank you note (email or hand written) to follow up.

The Trib Talks CSC

Tony DiZinno of the Marquette Tribune wrote a great story about the upcoming Career Fair and how to prepare for it. The story is running in today's edition, and even got the centerfold article! There are plenty of great quotes, not only from some of us in the office, but also recruiters. As an added bonus, the Trib shot footage of our Career Fair Prep workshop Monday night, and there is a video component available on their website with even more valuable insight.

Be sure to check out the article and start your preparation process for the Career Fair!

http://marquettetribune.org/2009/09/17/news/career-fair-cl

Career Fair Today!

Just a friendly reminder that our WorkForce Career Fair is tonight in the AMU Ballrooms from 4pm until 8pm. We'll be hosting 111 employers, which is a great number with the state of the economy.

Make sure you stop by and talk with all the recruiters who want to hire you, because there's no such thing as a bad opportunity to meet people who could hire you!

Career Fair Prep Tuesday

Planning on going to the WorkForce Career Fair on the 19th?

If so, be sure to come to our Career Fair Prep workshop Tuesday night from 5-7 in AMU Ballroom B. Wade Krogwold from Direct Supply will be letting each and every one of you know what HR representatives are looking for in candidates at a career fair, as well as things they notice that will guarantee you don't get a call back.

We'll also be there to critique your resumes to make sure that you are as ready as you can possibly be on the 19th.

This is always a fun event, so we hope to see you there!