A Job hunter's guide to using social media effectively

If you are looking for an internship or full-time position, you have likely heard that social media sites can help a lot. Many students who I talk to set up accounts on LinkedIn and Twitter, but don't know how it can help. New Grad Life is a great blog to subscribe to! It has helpful and effective job search advice. They just put out a job hunter's guide to using social media effectively. Enjoy!

A Job hunter's guide to using social media effectively

Whether you’ve been laid off, fired or you’re looking to upgrade your current job, social media networks and tools make it a whole lot easier to get a job online. Not only do you have the potential for using your own network to find something, you can use your extended network to help in your search and use social media tools to find the right places to look. Now instead of mailing out resumes blindly you can take a pro-active approach. Use attraction based marketing by building a personal brand on-line that pulls the jobs to you.

Your Social Media Presence: Social media also makes it a whole lot easier for HR to research who you are and get a little background. Maybe more than professional background, so it’s very important that you get out there and see what your social media profiles and presence looks like through a recruiters eyes. As a job seeker this is definitely key! Do some searches on yourself. Try Google first because it’s the most common. Dig more than a few pages down and see what comes up. Then give Yahoo and MSN a try too. You very well may find different information.

Make a list of the positive and negative references out there that impact you as a job applicant and make a plan to deal with them. Ask your college room-mate to take down the picture of you dancing on the bar in a toga with a beer bong. Some things may not be correctable. Have your explanation ready so you’re not caught off-guard. Odds are you won’t need it but be prepared.

Balance out negative things said about you on sites like MySpace and FaceBook by asking your friends to post referrals or positive comments. “Just checked out Anna’s portfolio and she positively ROCKS!!!” can’t hurt you, especially if it’s true. If you have enough positive comments and information about you, the one bad reference will dissapear under the avalanche of positive information.

Your Profiles: Check your credit score and clean up those records too. It’s quite common for an employer to run a credit score.
If you’re new to social media this is a good time to get involved as an online job seeker. There are a host of options out there to help you put your best foot forward and land a job. Creating Twitter, Facebook and Linkedin profiles allows you to reach a variety of people. Create the profiles carefully and choose the people you connect to with an eye for professionalism. I can’t get into friending strategy here, but remember you want to focus on quality not quantity and make sure to build your relationships so people are in a position to recommend you for a job.
Linkedin

LinkedIn: One of the best possible tools for networking with fellow business people. Set up your profile before you do anything else. Get a picture and your resume up to date. If you have a visual CV, link to it. Use the tools available on Linkedin to show off your Power point slides through Slideshare. Import your blog rss feed or your twitter stream.

Now go through your contact databases and start connecting with people. Once connected, take the time to look for the real gems you’ve worked with and give them a recommendation on the site. Do not expect they will automatically recommend you back–but if it’s appropriate–ask for a recommendation. If a former employer or co-worker turns up, connect first, ask for a recommendation second. Not everybody responds to requests like this quickly. It can take a week or more to hear back from some, so be patient. If you’re in a hurry and you have their contact info email them directly and tell them you’re on the market, what kind of job you’re looking for and ask them to post a recommendation. Don’t be shy.

Read the complete blog entry here!and good luck on your job search! Remember that we are here to help too. We will be open during finals week and ALL summer!

Making Those BIG Decisions

Hundreds of Marquette University students will be graduating this May; maybe you’re one of them. Whether you’re pursing professional school, graduate school, entering the professional arena, or taking on a new opportunity, this article is for you!

Making a decision between two or more life changing opportunities can be difficult. Good thing MU Career Services Center (Holthusen Hall, 1^st) has a few tips to consider when in the decision-making process.

• First and foremost, it’s important to keep your personal values, interest, and skills in the front of your mind; writing them down can be helpful as well.


• That list can now be used to develop your key criteria list – the top things you need in your career or graduate school experience for it to be satisfying. Examples can range from organization size to advancement opportunities, and beyond.


• Now that you have your key criteria list, begin – if you haven’t already – collecting facts and information in regards to the organization(s) of your interest. Compare the organizations information against your list of key criteria. The organization(s) which most closely match your criteria may be your best bet.

If the decision still seems to be unclear, remember, family, friends, and of course MU CSC Counselors are great people for you to discuss your choices with.

Job Searching Tips

There are less than 20 day left before classes end, if you haven't found a job yet don't panic. Here are some quick tips to help you towards your job search. First Know- your career goals, find out what you are interested in ding right now. Not the rest of your life. We can help you with that process at the Career Services Center if you are totally lost and don't know what you want to do. Be reactive in your job search process

• Respond to position openings through online systems such as MU Career Manager. Our online system database for job searching is geared towards Marquette students and alumni


• Use other professional affiliated work sites/job posing sites such as Bigshoes for communications and marketing majors. This can be done by using a search engine such as Google to type your field and association


• Develop a list of target companies/organizations- think about employers you would like to work for and choose a specific industry

Be proactive in your job search

• Develop your network- make a list of family members, friends, supervisors you may know and ask questions about any job openings that may know or if they know any one that someone work in your field


• Do informational interviews with people who work in your field


• Get on LinkedIn join groups and connect with alumni by doing informational interviews and learning about their position and company

Set time aside to job search- in this market you have to be more proactive in your job search

Speed Networking Tips

The Speed Networking Event is coming up tomorrow evening.
If you are planning to attend, and this is your first speed networking event, the following are a few tips for a successful event:

Be Prepared

During a speed networking session it is very important to be well prepared, efficient and goal oriented. There is very little time for small talk in contrast to other networking sessions. Prepare yourself by knowing your own career goals. These can be incorporated into your elevator pitch.

Prepare your elevator pitch

An elevator pitch is a 30 second professional description of yourself, what you are currently doing, what you’ve done, and what you hope to do in the future. Prepare a pitch before the event and think through the most important things you would like to communicate. Refine your message so that it sounds natural. This pitch is not always something you say all at once. They are points you want to highlight throughout the conversation.

A good pitch can be constructed with the following parts:

1.Your name, year in school and program of study.
2.What activities/jobs you have done/currently doing to build your professional skills.
3.End it by including something about your career goals.

Be honest and show respect

Introduce yourself and don't be in too much of a hurry to give your pitch. Allow the other person to begin the conversation if they wish. Letting the other person talk first shows your willingness to listen to the other person.

Be aware of your personal brand

Before and during the event, reflect over how you can work with your personal brand. Are you dressed accordingly, are you communicating your core values and your basic principles? Be aware of your posture, your body language and note the way your counterpart are responding to the way you are delivering your message.

Organize and exchange your business cards effectively

First, make sure you bring business cards. After signing up for the speed networking event, you get 30 free business cards from our office.
Secondly, have them in a business card holder in a convenient location to give to the people you meet.

Take notes

Try to take notes about everyone you meet. You can always write a note on the back of their business card. Anything that will help you remember your conversation and why they may be a good connection. It can be useful to bring a pad of paper and pen.

Follow up

One of the most important aspects of networking is to follow up with the contacts you made during the event. Place a phone call, connect on LinkedIn, or send an e-mail so that the person gets a more lasting impression of you and what you do. This shows professionalism as well as respect for the time the other person took to meet you.

*There are still some openings available for students to sign up if you have not already.

For more information on the event and to register visit: http://www.marquette.edu/csc/events/speednetworking2011.shtml

Date: Thursday, March 31, 2011
Time: 5:30 p.m. - 7:30 p.m.
Location: AMU Ballrooms A&B
Attire: Business Casual or better

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!

Your Social Secruity Number- Keep it Private

A student recently stopped in to share that one of the positions posted on MU Career Manager asked for her Social Security Number in the initial online application. I was surprised by this so I decided to check it out for myself.

Indeed she was correct. In order to apply online, applicants need to include their Social Security Numbers. I decided this needed further investigation. I called the organization, which is local, and asked to speak to the Human Resources Department. As often happens, the person answering the phone was hesitant to put me through. I explained my concern and shared that I wanted to know why, at this initial stage, was a Social Security Number requested. Instead of putting me through she put me on hold and returned with a reply. She said that if candidates didn't want to provide it then they could just fill in all ones. What?!?!?!? No explanation was given as to why it was requested in the first place.

Here is my advice to job seekers with regard to confidential information:

• Do NOT share your Social Security Number (or any other private information such as bank accounts [that's a whole other story!]) unless you know why it is being requested.
• If it is requested, fill in the spaces with all ones or call and ask the purpose of such request.

Times when you might legitimately give your Social Security Number

• At the time of hire, you will need to give it in order to be paid.
• If a background check is required

Keep your private information private. Unfortunately, there are bad people out there who are looking to take advantage of job seekers. If you have a gut feeling something isn't right, let us know and we can check it out for you.

GO MARQUETTE!

Speed + Networking = AMAZING Experience

What is it?  

One-on-one networking with alumni and employers by industry; therefore space is limited. Students will be matched by industry to speak with professionals during speed-networking followed by open networking with all attending professionals.

How much does it cost?  

Registration cost is $5.00 and includes:
• Heavy appetizers and beverages
• 30 FREE business cards. To order your business cards you must stop by the Career Services Center in Holthusen Hall, 1st floor - two doors east of varsity theater.

How do you register?

Register Online through MU Career Manager based on your chosen industry:

Business

Communications

Engineering/Technical

Government/Law

Non-profit

Healthcare/Science

Payment Information:
• Pay online in MU Career Manager with a credit card.
• Pay with cash or check at the Career Services Center in Holthusen Hall, 1st floor - two doors east of varsity theater.

What should you wear? 

Business Casual or better.  

Sponsored by Career Services and Alumni Relations

Questions, contact Bethany Olson.

Phone Interviews

Recently one the students with whom I've been meeting was invited to interview for a position over the phone. While general interviewing strategies apply, there are some unique attributes of a phone interview that may make it more tricky.

Based on my own experience with phone interviews, both as an interviewer and an interviewee, I have compiled some obstacles and ways to overcome them.

No non-verbal communication
Most people use nods and uh-huhs as indicators that things are on track. Over the phone these cues are non-existent. If you end up on speaker phone for a roomful of people it's even harder. When they are speaking, they can't hear you at all; and vice-versa.

Keep your cool, pretend they are smiling and nodding their heads off at you. Stay the course!

Keeping track of who is speaking
Again, if you are speaking to a roomful, at the beginning be sure to write everyone's name down. I like to do this in a circle on a blank sheet of paper. I can them imagine them sitting around a table with me. Use names and feel free to ask who asked a question. Usually people will say who is speaking; but not always.

This is a screening interview
The purpose of the interview is to make sure you meet the minimum criteria. Basically, they want to be sure it's worth their time (and yours) to bring you on site.

General interviewing tips
As I tell everyone who is prepping for an interview, there are the must-do activities:
- Make a list of 10 skills, for each skill write out an example that would demonstrate that skill
- Back up everything you say with an example
- Be yourself, relax, breathe
- Learn about Behavioral Based Interviewing (learn more here)

Interviewers believe that past behavior is an accurate predictor of future behavior. They concentrate many of their questions on situations that candidates have encountered in the past. What they want to hear is an illustration of your behavior. To maximize the effectiveness of your answers, try using the STAR system.
S = Describe a situation.
T = Talk about the task.
A = Explain the action you took.
R = Talk about the positive results, quantifying if possible.

Here are some other tips:

• Keep your resume in clear view, on the top of your desk, or tape it to the wall near the phone, so it's at your fingertips when you need to answer questions.
• Have a short list of your accomplishments available to review.
• Have a pen and paper handy for note taking.
• Turn call-waiting off so your call isn't interrupted.
• If the time isn't convenient, ask if you could talk at another time and suggest some alternatives.
• Clear the room - evict the roommates and the pets. Turn off the stereo and the TV. Close the door. CAREER SERVICES OFFERS QUIET PRIVATE SPACE FOR YOU TO INTERVIEW
• Unless you're sure your cell phone service is going to be perfect, consider using a land line rather than your cell phone to avoid a dropped call or static on the line.
• Don't smoke, chew gum, eat, or drink.
• Do keep a glass of water handy, in case you need to wet your mouth.
• Smile. Smiling will project a positive image to the listener and will change the tone of your voice.
• Speak slowly and enunciate clearly.
• Use the person's title (Mr. or Ms. and their last name.) Only use a first name if they ask you to.
• Don't interrupt the interviewer.
• Take your time - it's perfectly acceptable to take a moment or two to collect your thoughts.
• Give short answers. Usually no more than two minutes.
• Remember your goal is to set-up a face-to-face interview. After you thank the interviewer ask if it would be possible to meet in person.
  

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

Why I didn't...and you should!

When I was a student at MU, I never went to one career fair.  Why?  Lots of really good reasons:

1. Didn't seem relevant for me - I was a Psychology major and it didn't seem like there were enough or any companies that would apply to my major.
2. I didn't have a suit...or really anything besides what I would wear to class or my restaurant job.
3. Talking to a recruiter seemed WAY too intimidating.  Really - what would I even say to them?
4. None of my friends were going (or so I thought).
5. Every time I saw any sort of advertisement I said to myself, "You are way too busy, you can find a job/internship another way, I will go next year, and what IS a career fair anyways?"

Do any of these reasons sound familiar?  Now if I could go back in time and had the opportunity to go to a career fair (as well as not have my roommate chop my hair off senior year), these are the reasons I would go:

1. If you are like me and get nervous for interviews, this is suuuuuch good practice.  Some students say afterwards that they realized what they would do well in an interview and would they need to work on.
2. The Career Services Center gives you a guidebook and map beforehand so you can map out exactly who you want to talk to - strategy is key!  One of my reasons for not going when I was a student definitely included the fear of the unknown, but with the friendly staff and the map, you are all set!
3. We have such a variety of employers attending!  Even if they are not recruiting for your major but you know they hire people with your background - it's still a great opportunity to introduce yourself and submit a resume.  Take a look at the guidebook to view employers attending.
4. Is one of your reasons not to go because of your resume?  I didn't even think about starting a resume until I absolutely had to but you all are so lucky because we have staff today and tomorrow (Feb 15 and 16) from 10am-2pm on the 2nd floor of AMU critiquing resumes.  Stop by to get some last minute advice!
5. The last reason you should go...is that this is the time to seize the moment!  Don't obsess about having the perfect suit, or being 100% ready, or knowing EXACTLY the job title you want - just do your homework beforehand, dress professionally, and take a chance! 

As always, our staff is here to help you prepare and follow-up afterwards - contact our office with any questions: 414.288.7423 | career.services@marquette.edu | www.marquette.edu/csc

Bethany Olson, Event Planner | Career Counselor