Hiring "Secrets"

From time to time in the Career Services Center we do some hiring of our own. As I review applications for various positions, I find that I approach applications with a critical eye looking for ways to distinguish the potential candidates from the applicants who will not be considered. It is a much different approach than I take in my daily work life. As a Career Counselor, I thrive on bringing out the best in the resumes of MU students and alumni; as a person looking to hire a new staff member, I scrutinize the applicants' materials looking not only at the information he or she has provided, but also the overall impression of the submission.


Here are some tips to keep in mind...

1. Length - Too short and I don't think you have the qualifications/experience we are looking for; too long and I question your ability to communicate concisely and effectively.
2. Typos - If you can't submit an application, cover letter, resume, etc., free of typing, grammar, and/or spelling errors, I wonder if you lack attention to detail or if you simply don't care about the position you are applying for.
3. Relevance - Unless you manage to convince me that you are qualified for the position, your application will be overlooked. Don't tell me about everything you have ever done; rather, tell me about the things you have done that will help you perform well in the position I have available. Some of this information may be directly correlated to the position (accounting intern applying for an accounting job) and some will be transferable skills (restaurant server with multitasking ability applying for a nursing position).
4. Professionalism - A job application is no place for a conversational tone. Being professional does not mean you have to be stuffy and cold; it just entails proper formatting (even if you know the person you are sending a cover letter to, you will address the person as Mr./Ms. ____), being courteous, and staying on point.
5. Contact - Knowing someone who is employed at the place you have applied continues to be a huge help in getting your foot in the door.  If you do have a contact, make sure you are in touch with the person prior to applying for a job to ask some questions (knowing more about the company helps you write a better cover letter) and for any application advice. After you have submitted your application, follow-up to let the person know and consider attaching your application materials as a courtesy.
6. But not too much contact - Have you ever been repeatedly contacted by a company trying to get your business?  How did that make you feel?  Don't make the recruiter feel that way.

These are just a few tips to help ensure your application materials get you to the interview, so come visit us for many more - we are open all summer!

Staying Connected

The summer is finally here. For most, at least for a while, that means no more homework, no more group projects, no more research, no more sitting through classes. Of course the professionals of Career Services Center are though urging you to take advantage of your summer. That could mean getting a jump start on those graduate school applications, touching up your resume, doing some career exploration, or meeting up with a few professionals in your desired career field.

"My summer isn't focused on those things, it's focused on vacationing," you utter. Of course the summer is about relaxing, having fun, recouping for next year, and regenerating energy BUT don't let it slip by without being at least somewhat productive. We don't want  you to miss out on all of your favorite summer activities, we just want to help prepare you for your future career. That's one of the main reasons the Career Services has tapped into the virtual. Allow us to help you stay up-to-date on the latest career development information through our social media outlets.

We're tweeting! Follow the Career Services Center on Twitter to stay up to date on the latest job search articles, highlights and Career Services Center happenings.
- Get short, timely messages from MU Career Services @MU_CSC
- Get job postings, interview information, and tips @MUCSCJobs

We're blogging! Be sure to visit the Career Services Center’s new blog, Career Chatter, regularly to get all the latest information and advice from our office. It's the Career Services Center... UNPLUGGED

We’re on Facebook!
Become a fan of the MU Career Services Center on Facebook.  You're on there anyway.

We’re LinkedIn!
Network with professionals in our MUCSC Group on LinkedIn. If you don’t already have an account - here is one good excuse to get one! To find us just search in groups for MUCSC and join.

Employer Research: A great summer project

Researching employers over summer break …..really???  Okay, so it may not be as awesome as going to the beach, but if you are on a job search or even thinking about a job search, employer research is critical.  

Every employer expects you to know how to research as a result of your education.  Therefore it is expected that you know as much as possible about his/her company.  Research coupled with being able to ask pertinent questions and discuss the organization and field with some degree of familiarity will reflect your ability to be a self-starter.

Areas you could research include

• History of the organization
• Types of products/services offered
• Reputation
• Locations
• Size and organizational structure
• Financial stability
• Philosophy or mission
• Prospects for growth or change
• Major competitors
• Promotional activities
• Current industry trends/issues

 Here are some ideas to get you started

LinkedIn: Companies have profiles on LinkedIn (www.linkedin.com), just like people do. You can find out plenty of information on organizations through the statistics section on the right hand side of a company profile. Look for where it says “Check out insightful statistics about….” And click the link.

Vault: Login at www.mu.edu/gateway using your emarq username and password

Don't forget about the company web site. Annual reports, brochures and internal publications can be helpful to.

Recent business magazines, trade magazines often have recent article or information on current trends in your industry.

Happy Researching!,

-Jeremy

Summer!

School’s OUT…for SUMMER!

Freshman Checklist

Even though it may seem early – you can still work on your career success after your freshman year.  Take the summer to define your values and goals for the next three years. Explore who you are and where you have come from to help you map where you are going!

¨  Find a summer position that will help you improve your transferable skills! For example, work at a local company as a desk receptionist to improve your interpersonal communication and organizational skills.

¨  Did you want to be firewomen, a pilot or a farmer growing up? Take a day out of the summer to job shadow someone in that industry.

¨  Take a day to be a tourist in your hometown. Visit the local historical sites, hotspots and talk to people you do not know. Discover the culture of where you have come from!

¨  Take Vacation! Visit cities that you would potentially like to live during one of the upcoming summers or after graduation. Discover what industries are prominent in that city.

¨  Network, Network, Network! Start networking professionally online. Spend a rainy or humid day inside developing your LinkedIn Profile.

¨  Talk to a perfect stranger! Ok, ok… We know your mom always advised you not to, but we promise you’ll thank us! Take a moment to compliment someone in an elevator or while traveling on an airplane. No need to give them your life story, but improving your confidence in speaking with people will be helpful no matter what industry you are pursuing.

¨  Don’t forget about us! Even though you are out traveling the world, we will be open at Marquette all summer long! Feel free to email us at career.services@marquette.edu or call 414-288-7423 to schedule an appointment for when you are on-campus!

 

Sophomore Checklist

You have made it through two years as an underclassman and have developed your values and started creating your professional goals. Now it is time to build off of the base you have created and start building your dream!

¨  Give Back! Volunteer at a local non-profit organization. The summer between your Sophomore and Junior year is your half way mark. Why not take the time to take a little break from the for-profit world to understand how things function in the non-profit environment?

¨  Visit your roommates! Take a couple of days or a week to travel to visit your roommate. Discover the culture of their hometown so you can not only better understand why they call a vacuum the “sweeper” or why they wake up at 5:27am every morning, but also so you can gain a better understanding of diversity around you. (Ok.. maybe your roommate isn’t that different, but we guarantee you will learn something on your trip!)

¨  I have a dream! Take the summer to dream about studying abroad! Research each country and discover what will be a good fit for you. Speak with Office of International Education and come up with a plan to present to your parents!

¨  Network, Network, Network! Start networking professionally online. Spend a rainy or humid day inside developing your LinkedIn Profile.

¨  Don’t forget about us! Even though you are out traveling the world, we will be open at Marquette all summer long! Feel free to email us at career.services@marquette.edu or call 414-288-7423 to schedule an appointment for when you are on-campus!

Junior Checklist

Do you have to start applying for full time jobs this summer?  No. 

Do you need to be prepared to start the job search/graduate school application process when you return in Fall?  Yes!

¨  Celebrate good times! Come on! (Ok. Maybe you don’t know this oldie, but if you do, it’s now stuck in your head and you’re ready to party!) Celebrate the fact that you will be a senior! Seriously. Forget the fact that you still have one year ahead of you, sit back and relax for a day!

¨  Let us help you through the job search process and get 1 class credit for it! Enroll in Job Search Strategies course (ARSC 1050). This course will cover everything you will need to complete for your job search from understanding how to write a resume to discussing financial planning.

¨  Utilize your LinkedIn Profile! You’ve been working on it for the last two years. Now is the time for your hard work to pay off. Utilize the recommendation feature to improve your profile. Speaking of recommendations, have you started asking your professors and professional connections to be references of your work for potential employers or graduate school?

¨  Meet the top of the town face-to-face! Chamber of Commerce meetings are a great way to meet some of the most influential leaders of a community. Check out your local Chamber of Commerce website to find the monthly meeting dates.

¨  Dress the part! Do a little shopping for professional clothing – maybe even a suit? If you have questions about what kind of clothing fits your industry, we would be happy to help!

¨  Test the water. Slowly begin your job search. If you haven’t already…join MU Career Manager

o    Set up a job agent if you are job/internship searching! (The job agent searches for you, even when you’re watching Lost or The Office or scanning Facebook.)

o    Upload a resume to be critiqued by one of our career professionals

¨  Get the Basics Down. Make sure you have an awesome resume, cover letter, and start a reference list

o    Need help?  Either make an appointment or email it to career.services@marquette.edu

o    Check out our online handouts! 

¨  Don’t forget about us! We want to join in the celebration of the start of your senior year! Feel free to email us at career.services@marquette.edu or call 414-288-7423 to schedule an appointment for when you are on-campus!

Senior Checklist

Reflecting back now, the years have passed quickly with your time at Marquette. Moving on from your undergraduate experience, you will have excited twists and turns in your paths that are unexpected, but rewarding. Don’t forget to keep in touch with us about your achievements and allow us to help us with your future decisions.

¨  Stop. Breathe. Repeat. You’ve made it through your last undergraduate finals week! Relax!

¨  Prep for the Real World! Trust us; college is not the real world! If you don’t feel like you know enough about the real world – do some research!

o    Figure out your budget expenses – use our handout

o    Make sure you have health insurance!

o    Do you know where you are living?

¨  Have a Job? Congratulations!!

o    Make sure you have enough business attire – and if you aren’t sure what the typical dress is for the company…just ask!

o    Report your hire on MU Career Manager

¨  Still looking? If you do not have a job finalized at this point…

o    Stop. Breathe. You are not alone in this economy!

o    If you haven’t visited our office yet, we want to see you!

o    Continue to push through senior week and graduation. Set up a schedule of time when you will work on your job search. It is much easier to commit to working on the job search when you have a consistent schedule.

¨  Give Thanks! You didn’t get this far on your own. Yes, you’ve worked hard and you deserve a lot of credit, but also don’t forget to give credit where it is deserved. Remember that time your roommate stayed up until 5am to help you with your final poster board project? Or when you called your mom at work to ask her what to do when your white laundry comes out red? Send them a quick note to say thanks for everything they have done in the past few years!

¨  Don’t forget about us! Even though you are moving on to new and exciting steps, you are welcome as alumni to utilize our services. Feel free to email us at career.services@marquette.edu or call 414-288-7423 to schedule an appointment for when you are on-campus!

Stop In! :)

Take a break from studying and finals and focus on your future! The CSC is open during finals week! We even have walk-in hours available!

May 7^th- 11^th:

Office Hours: Monday through Friday: 8am – 5pm

     Wednesday 8am-7pm

Walk-In Hours: Noon-2pm (Monday through Friday)

This 10-15 minute meeting with a Career Intern is available on a first-come, first-served basis. Possible topics to discuss with a Career Intern include an overview of Career Services Center, a brief resume critique, questions about MU Career Manager, or brief interviewing assistance. Additional topics may be best covered in an appointment with a Career Counselor. Please call to schedule an appointment

We are also open during the summer, so don’t hesitate to stop by for some career advice once school is out!

Summer hours (starting May 14^th):

Monday through Friday: 8:30 a.m. - 4:30 p.m.

There are no walk-in hours scheduled during the summer; please call (414) 288-7423 to make an appointment.

Commencement Advice 2.0

Well, seniors, the countdown is on. Graduation is just around the corner and undoubtedly you will be receiving a lot of well-intended advice in the coming weeks. In keeping with that theme, I offer 10 Things Your Commencement Speaker Won't Tell You. Most assuredly, this blog by Charles Wheelan offers a unique viewpoint and you just might find an idea or two that resonate with you. Congratulations and good luck, Seniors!

All the Best Graduates...

The countdown for May Seniors has begun. Most of your assignments have been turned in, the last presentation of your college career is taking place next week, you have almost no jitters about your final examinations, you can just coast through these next few weeks until graduation. Such an AMAZING feeling! Graduating is a huge accomplishment and something you should definitely be proud of.

After May 20th, 2012 some of you will maintain ties with the lovely Marquette University and others will hold on to their experience as a mere memory. Before you leave, you should know that Marquette has created a variety of wonderful services specifically for it's Alumni:

• MU Connect: MU Alumni Association -> http://marquette.edu/alumni/ 
• Coping with Stress -> http://www.marquette.edu/psyc/about.shtml
• Spirituality -> http://www.marquette.edu/alumni/about-spirituality.php
• Networking -> http://www.mu.edu/alumni/networking-index.php
• Career Services -> http://www.mu.edu/csc/alumni/index.shtml
• Financial Literacy -> http://www.marquette.edu/mucentral/bursar/FinancialLiteracy.shtml

How lucky are Marquette University Alumni to have an educational institution take a life-long interest in their students; those of the past, present, and future. So, no matter where you may venture after graduation - staying close or traveling far - we'll be right here whenever you need us.

All the Best Graduates!!

How to Negotiate YOUR Best Salary

Whether you are just starting to interview or you have a job offer on the table, negotiating salary is an important skill that you will need to cultivate and utilize throughout your professional career. Although our economy is on the turnaround, it is still crucial that you negotiate for the compensation you want and deserve.

ü  Do Your Research

Before you jump in and ask your future employer for $10,000 more than he or she has offered, research similar positions in similar areas to compare. Salary websites are a great tool for comparing your offer with others that are similar, and can help you find a number that works for you. A few great sites are www.Salary.com, www.Payscale.com and www.GlassDoor.com. It is also important to gauge your own worth based on your experiences, awards or recognitions and use that to your benefit as you measure yourself against others.

ü  Set Your Sights

Choose a two-number range that you will use in your negotiation. The first number is the highest one you would feel comfortable asking for someone in your position. This is your starting figure. An employer will usually only negotiate down, so if you start low, you have nowhere to go. Second, choose the lowest salary you will accept before walking away (keep this one in your mind). Your final negotiated salary will ideally fall on the middle-to-high end of this range.

ü  Wait for the Right Time

When an employer asks if you have any additional questions on the first phone interview is not an appropriate time to discuss salary or start negotiating on your behalf. Instead, be prepared with your ideal salary by the third or fourth interview. When an employer makes you an offer and names your salary, politely acknowledge the offer and say you will get back to them. By launching into the discussion when you are ready, you will be calm and assertive.

ü  Using Leverage

Having another job offer in your back pocket might be a great tool to receive the salary you want, but be tactful and professional when negotiating this way. Instead of playing a back-and-forth game between employers, use the higher offered salary to give you a basis for what you’re worth, and use that as a tool to negotiate.

ü  Accept the Offer!

Congratulations! Once you have negotiated your right salary and are happy with your new position, it’s time to celebrate. Not only will you feel confident in your abilities to market yourself but your employer will respect you for being forthcoming, honest, and assertive.

Still not comfortable negotiating for your salary? Stop in the Career Services Center M-F, 8am-5pm for more tools and tips to help you out. Or, call us and make an appointment with a Career Counselor at 414-288-7243. Your perfect salary is achievable!

Free Money!! The Kohl's Education Scholarship

The Career Services Center has partnered with Kohl’s to provide Career Education Scholarships to registered student organizations at Marquette.

• These scholarships can be used toward any career education programming, such as organizing networking events, bringing prominent speakers to campus or attending corporate site visits.
• Last semester, five student organizations won a scholarship including Ad Club, Hunger Clean Up planning team, Marquette-ing Club, Pi Beta Phi and PRSSA.
• We are looking for applicants this semester! Email completed applications to Kristin Adler; Applications can be found online. This scholarship is for Fall 2012 programs.
• Questions? Contact Kristin Adler

Financial Safety!

Guest blog post submitted by:
Rebecca Binns, Financial Literacy Peer Educator
rebecca.binns@marquette.edu

When it comes to being financially secure, fiscal caution is often overlooked. People get so caught up with making and saving money that they fail to make an effort to protect their money. However, fear not! As it turns out, being financially safe takes minimal effort.

The key to protecting your private information and finances is to simply take the time to keep yourself aware of your situation. In an era ruled by speed, deadlines, and instant communication, it’s no wonder that we rush through our daily routines. In an attempt to cut down even further on the time it takes to complete tasks, we make assumptions. We assume that the website we’re purchasing from is safe. We assume that we have been billed correctly. We assume that receipts are just trash. We go through with our assumption-based actions and move on. Seconds and minutes can be saved by skimming through these actions. After all, we are a species that not only enjoys, but relies on patterns and consistency. If we’ve already been billed correctly, why would that change?

Unfortunately, humans and machines are not infallible. Errors occur, and mistakes happen. Assumptions cannot always be relied upon. Therefore, make time for the little things. Do be careful about where you decide to put your credit card information. There is an easy way to tell when a web page is a safe and secure place to reveal your private information. Safe websites will begin with https://. That “s” means that there is an added encryption layer to the site to protect traffic—meaning your information will probably not get leaked. Additionally, check the bottom of your receipts before throwing them away. Most of the time, your credit card number will be replaced with X’s (save the last four digits). However, this is not always the case. Check to see whether or not your full number has been printed off to avoid throwing an invitation to your bank account in the nearest public trash can.

Pay attention to the mail and e-mails you receive from your bank, cell phone providers, utilities companies, etc. Sure, most of the time it is an annoying promotion or a seemingly unnecessary billing statement. Seems like a good reason to automatically head to the trash can or reach for the delete button. But, it is crucial that we pay attention to these billing statements. If an error is made, we only have 60 days to absolve it. After 60 days, we could be held responsible for the faulty bill, regardless of how much we actually owe. Additionally, creditors are required to tell you when they are making a change to your initial agreement. Check to see if the information you are receiving includes a policy change notification. If it does, and you do not like the new terms, you have the right to opt out. This means that you will close your account and pay off the remaining balance within 5 years under your original terms.

These simple things are easy and practical ways to avoid becoming the next victim of identity theft, or succumbing to a payment plan that you did not want. Take a couple minutes out of your daily routines to pay attention to these details. Replace assumptions with knowledge. Make the time to protect you and your money.