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I first worked at a place called Popes in a small town, I was a stock boy. My favorite part of the job was assembling things such as bicycles and furniture.
-- Submitted by A. E. from Coats, North Carolina, United States through the CollegeRecruiter.com Career Blog Application on Facebook.com.
Have you thought about what you would like to do in the future? May be you have or may be you have not. Well, if you're not exactly sure, it's not the end of the world. Like many college students, you just need some guidance on how to get started on the road to finding the right career. In your career information search, what you need to establish is a career plan.
A career plan has to do with finding a career that focuses on your skills and interests, and any preparation required for that career. Before you create a plan, you should first think about your interests and the skills you have. When it comes to your interests, write down the activities you enjoy and what you like about them. Determine if these activities can be pursued further during your career information search. As for your skills, refer back to any school, work, volunteer, or leisure experiences and the responsibilities you had to identify any skills you acquired. Research various careers that make the connection between your interests and skills, and then choose one.
Now you're ready to establish a career plan. Overall, this plan is an outline for who you aspire to be and the process in getting there. Here are three steps to help you establish a career plan:
1. Decide your career goal.- A career goal can be obtaining a particular job or working in a certain field. It can help you explore all of the possibilities for your future.
2. Determine what you need to do to prepare for your chosen career.- Find out where you need to go for any training, and how you can get some work experience as an introduction to a career. For example, getting an internship.
3. Write you career plan.- This information includes your career goal, requirements, current skills and interests, and the plan to reach your career goal.
For any college students who need help in their career information search, consider putting together a career plan. It can make the connection between your interests and skills, and determine how you should prepare for an entry level job and a career in a chosen field. Your career plan is a guide to a successful future in the real world.
Sources
http://mappingyourfuture.org/planyourcareer/skills.htm
http://mappingyourfuture.org/planyourcareer/plan.htm
http://mappingyourfuture.org/planyourcareer/plansample.htm
I'd love to try being a professional blogger where I'm paid to drive traffic to a web site, preferably mine. I'd need to write and market the blog in such a way that it enjoys a huge following because otherwise the revenue won't be there but it would be fun to keep close tabs on a subject for which I have a lot of passion and then writing about it multiple times a day.
-- Submitted by S. R. from Minneapolis, Minnesota, United States through the CollegeRecruiter.com Career Blog Application on Facebook.com.
You have sent in your resume for the entry level job you want. What happens next? You receive the response you've been hoping for, which is a request for an interview. But what kind of questions will the interviewer ask you and how should you answer them? Well, you can't exactly know every question, but you can prepare for some probable interview questions. How you answer these questions could make the difference in whether or not you get a specific job.
Consider writing down your answers to interview questions ahead of time. This will give you time to practice them and feel confident when answering the interviewer's questions. Make sure your answers are concise, yet articulate to avoid any rambling during the interview. A majority of the questions will be relevant to the entry level job you're seeking or what kind of employee the company can expect to have.
Here are some potential interview questions and an idea of how to answer them:
Tell me a little about yourself.- Talk about any personal and professional values you have that are relevant to the specific job. Also, share any key experiences or achievements that you can bring to the position.
What do you feel has been your greatest work-related accomplishment?- Identify one significant achievement from the past that was beneficial to a previous employer and describe your role in it and its results.
What is your greatest strength?- Emphasize your best skills by telling the interviewer how they can add value to the job you want.
What is your greatest weakness?- This can be a tricky question. It's best to be truthful about any shortcomings you may have, but talk about what you are doing to overcome them. This could make you stand out from the other job candidates.
How do you handle stressful situations?- Express how you have learned to deal with stressful situations with any skills you have. What activities help you to relieve stress?
What is the toughest problem you've had to face, and how did you overcome it?- If there was a particular problem your company had, talk about the skills and/or techniques you employed to correct the problem. If you worked in a team, explain your role in finding a solution to the problem.
Have you ever had to discipline a problem employee? If so, how did you handle it?- This question would typically be asked to someone applying for a job with a supervisory role. If that's you, then explain any skills used to help the employee or how the company policies affected the situation. What was the final result?
Why do you want this position?- Give a specific reason for wanting to work for the company you are interested in. Explain how getting this particular job will allow you to benefit the company as well as fulfill your own interests.
Why are you the best person for this job?- Indicate specific reasons why you believe this job should be yours. These can include relevant experience and skills you have that are important for the job.
These are the potential interview questions you may be asked. It's a bunch, right? No one can really know all of the questions that will be asked, but having some idea is helpful. If you prepare your answers ahead of time and practice going over them, you'll feel more confident during your interview.
Source
http://www.best-interview-strategies.com/questions.html
Guest post by David G. Heiser, college senior and intern.
It's strange to think about it because it's only October, but for seniors like me, entry into the real world is quickly approaching. We may not want to accept that our final summer break just ended, but we have to start ramping up our preparations for life after graduation.
Note from Dan Schawbel: Employers plan to hire just 1.3% more graduates in 2009 than they hired this year, according to a survey by the National Association of Colleges and Employers. That's the weakest outlook in six years and reflects a sharp recent downturn.
After changing majors a few times, I settled on public relations at the start of my junior year. Once I made that choice, I realized that I needed to establish an area of expertise, something that would set my personal brand apart from the thousands of other freshly minted public relations grads. For me, this was pretty easy; I wanted to focus on food and restaurants. The focus of your personal brand must be something you are going to enthusiastically look forward to learning and talking about every day.
Since I set my target, I've begun taking steps to make my goal a reality. I still have a long way to go, but the following are some of the things that have at least improved my chances:
Offline branding
I drastically increased my consumption of media related to my brand.
E-mail companies that you're interested in working for after you graduate and ask them what qualities they look for in a junior hire. A common theme in the responses I received was being very familiar with the major industry publications. I immediately subscribed to three magazines, made sure I'm reading everything about restaurants in my local newspapers, and started a crusade to expand my culinary vocabulary by reading books by popular food writers.
I researched and aggressively pursued the most relevant internships in my area.
Look for the companies in your town that are most similar to those at which you'd eventually like to work. I ended up securing internships with my city's food and wine festival and a local PR agency that has several restaurants as clients.
I sought out opportunities to get advice from successful PR professionals through my school.
It's easy. Arrange lunch with a professor who worked in your chosen industry. Ask and respond to questions when guest speakers come to your campus. Get involved with any campus program that may afford you networking opportunities.
I got my byline in a printed publication.
Whether it's a campus newspaper, community magazine, or company newsletter, employers love to see that someone else thought your work was worth publishing. My reviews in our campus newspaper reach 3,000 readers weekly. As a bonus, the general manager of one of the restaurants I reviewed enjoyed my writing style so much he recruited me to help write its newsletter.
Online branding
I claimed my brand and started networking
Claiming your brand on social networking sites insures that you have control over your reputation, but also provides motivation to, you know, actually network, which may lead to otherwise unavailable opportunities. I have profiles on a variety of social networks and have used them to make contacts which I will call on during my job search.
I started producing relevant content.
Showcase your unique voice with consistently updated content that will help position you as an thought/opinion leader in your field. My reviews frequently appear in the first few Google results for popular Charleston restaurants. I also recently purchased www.DavidGHeiser.com and am making efforts to move up in the results for my name.
I take advantage of every opportunity to increase the visibility of my personal brand.
Jump on any chance to get your name in front of an audience that it normally wouldn't be exposed to. In addition to writing this post, I also worked to get my restaurant reviews syndicated on a local community news website.
Article by, Dan Schawbel, the leading personal branding expert for Gen-Y. He authors the Personal Branding Blog and publishes Personal Branding Magazine and authored the upcoming book, Me 2.0: Build a Powerful Brand to Achieve Career Success (Kaplan, Spring 2009). Dan has been called a "personal branding force of nature" by Fast Company and his work has been published in BrandWeek Magazine, Advertising Age and countless other publications.
Monster.com; CollegeRecruiter.com; Americajobbank.com
-- Submitted by I. D. from Santo Domingo, Distrito Nacional, Dominican Republic through the CollegeRecruiter.com Career Blog Application on Facebook.com.
Halloween is right around the corner. That means people will be wearing costumes, trick or treating, decorating, and hosting/attending gatherings. For college students and graduates who have entry level jobs, their employers might be throwing a Halloween office party. Depending on how you see the occasion, this type of party can be fun or troublesome. Employers see it as an opportunity for team building, bringing fun to work, and learning more about their employees. In fact, one human resource management study says that more than one-third of U.S. companies give workers the chance to share in a Halloween event.
However, before you engage in a Halloween office party, here are some rules to make it a successful one:
Be Professional- Make sure your party is appropriate for a workplace such as how people dress and the type of decorations that are displayed.
Be Sensitive- Respect other people's religious beliefs and opinions, and allow them not to take part in any activities that make them feel uncomfortable.
Choose an appropriate Halloween event- Celebrate the occasion in a way that promotes the culture and values of your company and its employees. The type of events include the following:
Legal Considerations- Halloween parties can be fun, but also create serious legal matters like workplace violence, sexual harassment, e-mail harassment, etc. Consider all potential concerns for your party.
Important Questions When Preparing Your Company's Halloween Party
Has Human Resources (HR) been notified and has management signed off on all festivities?
Have all arrangements been made?
Have all notifications to the employees been sent in a timely manner?
Does the company handbook or written policies address all issues that might come up?
Have employees been given the opportunity not to participate?
Are all decorations and food offerings safe and within guidelines set by fire codes and company policies?
Are all HR people in the office for the duration of the festivities?
By following these guidelines, your company can have a successful Halloween office party.
Knowing how to conduct yourself at any holiday office party is important, especially if you just got an entry level job. For some good tips, read Holiday Office Party Advice.
Happy Halloween!
Source
http://www.emediawire.com/releases/2005/9/emw287441.htm
Coaching Baseball
-- Submitted by A. J. from Hollywood, California, United States through the CollegeRecruiter.com Career Blog Application on Facebook.com.
Whether you are college student who is already working, or seeking that first entry level job, it is important to manage your finances. Because you're young, you might think there's no harm in spending money on the things you want in life. But ask yourself if those things you want are really things you need right now. For college students who don't have an entry level job, you may be more vulnerable to credit card companies looking to take advantage of your need for some type of income. However, before any college student gets a credit card, there is some information to consider.
A couple of websites offer some tips and rules when it comes to owning a credit card. When it comes to choosing a credit card, consider one for:
Building good credit- can help with future significant purchases (like a car)
Convenience- you won't have to carry a large sum of cash around
Freebies- allow you to earn points toward some type of reward
To carry a balance- allows you to transfer a credit card balance to another card, not that you want to carry a balance on any credit card
Here are some rules to follow once you do get a credit card:
For college students who already have entry level jobs, it's important to keep up with your personal finances on a regular basis. Two ways to do this are by opening up a bank account and by creating a budget. The type of bank account you need depends on what is the best option for you. There are a variety of accounts to help you watch your money, including:
It is also a good idea for students to create a budget. A budget allows you to determine all of your expenses to see exactly how much money you're spending in a certain amount of time. These expenses may include bills, food, entertainment, etc. Compare your monthly income to the total amount of expenses to see if you have money left over, or not enough; adjust your budget as needed. A good budget can allow you to have enough money for all of the necessities, and hopefully, some to save for later.
All college students can benefit from learning how to manage their personal finances. Not only will they start securing their financial future but also become more responsible for themselves once they obtain an entry level job.
Sources
The Morning News
http://www.practicalmoneyskills.com/english/at_home/life_events/college/credit.php
http://www.practicalmoneyskills.com/english/at_home/life_events/college/personal.php
http://www.practicalmoneyskills.com/english/at_home/life_events/college/budgeting.php
http://www.calcpa.org/Content/consumers/ask/2002/mm.08.01.aspx
As college students are getting their education for the future, they may be wondering how to gain some meaningful work experience in their chosen field. While making good grades in college is essential, employers really value entry level job candidates with some type of experience. Not only can your work experience enhance your resume, but it can also make you more competitive for job opportunities.
Here are some ways for college students to get work experience before graduation:
-Internships and Co-op Experience- An internship or co-op experience allows you to learn more about your field in a real world setting.
-Part-time Jobs- For students who work part-time, they should find jobs that are relevant to their field. For example, if your major is in pre-medicine, then you might want to work at a local pharmacy.
-Professors- One of your professors could have an opportunity for you to get some experience just by volunteering your time to him or her.
-Community Service- Look for places in your community where you can help other people, as well as learn more about your field.
-Clubs and Organizations- If you're a part of any clubs or organizations on campus, such as student government, campus media, etc., see if there are opportunities to incorporate your major into them. You will not only show more interest in your group, but also add experience to your resume.
I hope these sources will give you the work experience you need on your way to getting the entry level job you want.
Information provided by Steven M. Burt.
These days, there is not enough that can be said about getting a quality college education. By earning a degree, you can open up the door to success in the real world. This may include getting your first entry level job. While an education enhances your knowledge in a particular field, having work experience never hurts. In fact, some employers prefer to have job candidates with experience over those who don't have any to speak of. If you don't have a college degree, then possessing the right experience may be the key to landing the entry level job you want.
One recruiter says that when it comes to hiring, employers are looking for candidates whose skills and experience match their existing needs. Employers also want workers who easily fit in with the company culture (having the right personality). For some employers, how much experience you have is more valuable than how much education you have.
Has anyone heard about the rule used by hiring managers and recruiters when comparing work experience to each year spent in college? Apparently, for every three years of work experience you have, you have one year in college. The idea is that the more experience you've acquired in a given field makes you equally qualified for any job just like a recent college graduate. Therefore, you can apply for entry level jobs in that field. If you do apply for jobs without a degree, use your resume and a cover letter to boost your chances of getting them. By doing so, you offer specific information that tell employers how you can help them, and as a result, separate yourself from the competition.
In today's world, a college education can give you an opportunity to find success in the real world. That's one reason why anyone who can go to college should do so. However, just because you may not have a degree, doesn't mean you can't get a job. If you have enough work experience, skills, and the right personality, employers may value you as much, if not more, than a recent college graduate with no experience.
Information provided by Chad Broadus.
Source
http://career-resources.dice.com/technical-resume/experience_is_just_as_important_as_a_degree.shtml
The idea to write an article that spoke to the importance of post-interview thank you notes came to me after I read a response to one of our Facebook Career Blog questions. The respondent said that he/she would only send a thank you note if he/she wanted the job.
I disagreed with this approach and wanted to know what people in the know thought about it. I asked them four questions about sending thank you notes after an interview and learned that everyone agrees that it's a good idea.
There was some division about whether the thank yous should be handwritten or typed, formal letters. Dr. Rachelle J. Canter, president of RJC Associates feels it's irrelevant whether the thank you is handwritten, typed or even emailed "since most people don't bother with them." Including some piece of information from the interview is important, the experts agree, because it shows that you were listening. "Observing professional courtesies like this speaks to your maturity and social skills, great things to demonstrate to a prospective employer, especially as a recent graduate without a long track record to differentiate you from the competition," Canter said.
How much of a difference can the decision to send a thank you note make? It makes a big difference to people like Diane K. Danielson, author of "The Savvy Gal's Guide to Online Networking (or What Would Jane Austen Do?). "I remember once not hiring the best candidate because I waited three days for a thank you note and never heard from her. So I hired someone else." She went on to say, "Not everyone may remember when you thank them, but most people remember when you don't." Good manners go a long way, even when you're job hunting.
John Lay, director of career services for the New England Institute of Art relayed this story, "We had someone who had interviewed with us as a committee of five people and she sent a handwritten personal response to each person, mentioning some specific point that each person had alluded to in the interview; that was pretty compelling."
"On several occasions we have used the thank you note to break a tie between two equally qualified candidates," said Marc Scoleri, director of career services for the Art Institute of New York. "So, take the five minutes to send a handwritten note; it just might pay off," he added.
Taking the time to say thank you does make a difference because, as many of our experts pointed out, the person who interviewed you for the job you decided you didn't want, may be the same person you find yourself interviewing with for another job in the future. What's the fallacy in this logic? Simple: If you send a thank you note after interviewing for the second job, it will make up for your past negligence and give you an edge over equally qualified competitors. Does that mean it's a good idea to only send thank you notes when you really want the job you just interviewed for? The experts would say no because sending a thank you note will send a message to interviewers that you're serious about finding a job and that you appreciate the time they took to speak with you. Why should that matter to you if you didn't want the job? Networking. There might be a job somewhere else in the company and because you took the time to send a thank you note, your name got passed on as a possible candidate.
Tony Beshara, author of "Acing the Interview," and "The Job Search Solution," says whether the thank you letter is handwritten or typed, it should be short and to the point. The following is an example of how that letter should be structured:
Thank you for the time you spent with me today. Based on our converstion, you stated you were looking for:
#1 (description of skills, track record, etc.)
#2 (description of another skill, track record, etc.)
#3 (description of a third skill, track record etc.)
Let me assure you that I am qualified for you job. I am ...
(my background or experience that correlates with #1 above)
(my background or experience that correlates with #2 above)
(my background or experienice that correlates with #3 above)
I am a hard worker. I can do your job and I will be an excellent employee. You should hire me!
Sending a brief note of gratitude is always time well spent, whether you want the job or not. As our experts have shown, the person you thank today, could help you get the job you really tomorrow.
Today, it seems that more employers are embracing social and professional networking sites as a way of finding new employees for their companies. One online recruiter says the most popular sites for finding job candidates are LinkedIn, Facebook, and Jobster (not necessarily in that order). This is good news for college students and recent graduates who use this technology in their job search. In fact, professional networking site, LinkedIn is said to be a great place for these individuals to network for internships and entry level jobs. The goal of the site is to bring people together to share business contacts and information that can be helpful on the path to a career.
According to the article I read, LinkedIn is also assisting employers in their recruiting efforts. One recruiter said the site saves her about half the time it normally takes to find the best recruits. The benefit for entry level job seekers is that employers will find you more quickly, which is a key factor in who gets a certain job.
While employers understand that recruiting employees through social and professional networking sites is relatively new, they are starting to embrace the idea. They are keeping an open-mind when it comes to finding today's generation of entry level job seekers. And it could be these online candidates who take companies to the next level.
Some information provided by Brittany Hutson.
Source
Black Enterprise, October 2008
