What Is That?!?

Do you have a smart phone? If yes, get it out. Now, download a barcode scanner app and scan the image at the left. Open the link in a browser and - Voila! - you are on the CSC webpage. Amazing.

This little doodad is called a QR Code. Some of you have heard of this already, seen them in magazines, or possibly even made your own. Who cares? Well, you might... read on.

QR Codes are the next big thing for job seekers - at least that is what I would say if I were a betting girl. Sure, they have been around for a while to do mostly boring things, but now they are also a handy little addition to a job seeker's resume. Why, you ask? Well, because if you use one you will stand out as the tech-savvy, forward-thinking applicant that you truly are!

Still have no idea what I am talking about, but maybe a little curious? Check out this blog by Lindsey Pollak and this blog by Ed Potter for the nitty-gritty!

Trends Post #2: What Employers Want

Flexibility

And no they don't mean your ability to do the downward facing dog!

Employers are seeking candidates across all majors who can slide into a variety of positions as needed or can adapt quickly to changing conditions; a mix of technical and soft skills.

Companies are repositioning themselves for more Internet business and seek candidates with acumen in this area.

• Web 2.0 is BIG BIG BIG.
• Employers are just beginning to tap into this marketing tool.
• I know YOU know how to tweet, blog, post, etc.... let employers know too.

What you can do:

• Include your social media skills on your resume. List examples of appropriate, entrepreneurial-like uses of social media.
• Think in terms of how organizations might better use these tools to spread the word, to make money, to find more customers...
• Got a great business idea? Pitch it to everyone you know. Ask them who they might know who might be interested.
• Here is a great example and inspiration...

A Walking Advertisement: Jacksonville, Fla., Man Makes a Living Wearing T-Shirts for Marketing Company that Takes Advantage of Social Media

Tweet tweet! Laura

We're on Twitter!

Hope everyone's having a great summer so far, whether its in an internship, a "real" job, fun summer work, or travelling to places throughout the world.

Being the hip, happening people that we are, we've finally joined Twitter. We'll be updating it each workday, and if you're lucky, maybe even sometimes on the weekend with quick tips, interesting articles, and alerts about what is going on in our office. Sign up and follow us (@MUCareerChatter) for even more great insight than you get here at the blog, just more concise!

Be Careful on Twitter

Namely, don't do this!

The same goes with Facebook, MySpace, LinkedIn, etc. You have to assume anything you write, even on someone else's page, is going to be found. The internet doesn't forget...