Keep Your Friends Close and Your Alumni Connections Closer

As the old saying goes, “it’s not always what you know, but who you know”. Especially in these virtual times, it is imperative to focus on expanding your professional network. These connections could be amongst colleagues, family, friends, professors, administrators and other professionals within your target industry. Some of the most profound connections that you can make during these times and beyond are with fellow Hofstra alumni.

In your attempts to remain active on LinkedIn, be sure to check out the Hofstra homepage. Here, you will be able to search through Hofstra graduates that may be working in a field that you aspire to be part of. Connect with those who have experiences that most directly relate your goals in an effort to make a name for yourself within your target industry. These connections will point you in the right direction in terms of companies and professional associations to look into!

You may also come across alumni who have previously graduated with the same major as you and are now working in the professional world. If you are unsure about how to best utilize your degree post-grad, talking to alumni and hearing their experiences is an awesome way for you to gain insight and ideas about where you see your professional self in the years to come.

The Hofstra network is constantly active and forever growing. Alumni, world-wide, are always looking to lend an extra hand to help a fellow Hofstra graduate. Having Hofstra as a common ground provides you with a foot in the door as you start to expand your network. Don’t hesitate to ask for an informational interview or any pro tips to propel you forward as a professional. Remember - once a part of the Pride, always a part of the Pride!

For more information about how to leverage your Hofstra network and request an information interview with an alumni, schedule an appointment with a Career Advisor today!

Best,
Sabrina Iaria
Career Advisor

I Didn't Fail, It Was a Learning Experience

This semester, I am entering my seventh year here at Hofstra University.  I started out as an eager first-year student, ready to delve into my students and get involved as much as possible in campus life. I declared my major as foreign language education, joined some clubs, and landed a job as an Undergraduate Assistant in the Career Center. Everything was great and my life was totally planned out...or so I thought.

As my sophomore year quickly approached, my position as the Career Center made me start to question my commitment to becoming a language teacher post-graduation. I was constantly surrounded by networking and employment opportunities that spoke to the Zarb Business School population and began to question my motives behind choosing a career path. Was I in it for money and job security? Was I the type of person who needed to wake up in the morning knowing that I was doing what I love? Did I need to help others to feel fulfilled? In search of these answers, I ended up switching my major to marketing and getting an offer to intern at Nasdaq for the summer. Once again, I felt like my life was totally planned and I was ready to go.

The summer of 2015 was an absolute disaster. I lasted THREE DAYS at my Nasdaq internship before realizing that Corporate America was not my scene. I quickly understood that I liked learning about business in a classroom setting but not actually working in that environment, which left me at a complete and total loss. I ended up begging for my job back at the Career Center and starting from square one.

After some serious soul searching, I realized that all my all my paths led me back to one spot: The Career Center! Although I am forever grateful for my Hofstra education, my most profound learning happened through my experiential learning opportunities. I discovered that I belonged in the field of Higher Education through my work in the Career Center, and that I very much did not belong on Wall Street as a result of my experience at Nasdaq. Seven years later, I am a full-time Career Advisor in the very same space that gave me my first experiential learning opportunity and I still love what I do.

So, as you embark on this new semester, my parting words of wisdom are these: Experiential learning is key! Take advantage of every opportunity that allows you to gain experience within your field. As intimidating as starting your career may be, you should never let the fear of striking out keep you from playing the game!

Sabrina Iaria
Career Advisor, Liaison to the Frank G. Zarb School of Business

Consider the Big Picture with Graphic Resumes

Spring semester is coming to an end, however job and internship interviews are still in the horizon! One trend I noticed as I was looking at the resumes coming into the office or circulating around the fairs was an increase in the number of graphic resumes, that incorporate some creative design or layout into the document. This doesn’t seem to be a trend specific to our world at Hofstra, either; I was talking with a close friend about his resume, and the updated version he sent me was a graphic one, a complete departure from the previous, more conservative layout.

So, should you take the plunge and create a graphic resume? Consider these points:

Be mindful of your industry. If you’re in a design field, using a platform like InDesign, Photoshop, Publisher, or Canva to create an eye-catching resume can show your expertise using that particular platform. In more traditional fields such as finance or law, where the chronological format and tried-and-true layouts reign supreme, a graphic resume may stand out – for the wrong reasons. Canva, in particular, has a great resume builder with templates that will get you started!

Don’t compromise your content. Resumes should always be as clear, concise, and consistent as possible – the 3 C’s we talk about here at the Career Center! Graphic resumes often end up having a nice, clean layout; take care to make sure that you aren’t sacrificing valuable accomplishments that the employer should know just to get a certain look. The last thing you want to do is under-sell your great experience!

Too much of a good thing? You may be thinking of adopting a graphic resume at some point, but not just yet. Color can help bring a fresh feel to the resume, and can make headings (or your name) pop. But, it’s definitely possible to go overboard and have it detract from the overall “first-glance” impact you’re going for. Try not to use more than one color, and always print your resume in black-and-white first before sending it out to see how the color turns out in grayscale, especially if applying online where you don’t know if or how the employer will print your resume.

Like most changes to the resume, the decision to use a graphic resume is a personal one. Think about your industry, the position and company to which you’re applying, and your own personality to determine what works best for you! And, of course, let us know how we can help.

Happy Designing!

Amy K. Smith 

Associate Director of External Relations 

The Career Center at Hofstra University 

Dating - Path to Pride

Why didn't they call?

I thought we hit it off...

Does this sound familiar…when it comes to your job search? Yes, getting a call back from your interview can feel a whole lot like trying to get a second date from that person you're really into. And just like dating, you need assistance to follow the steps to success.

1. Visit With a Career Counselor

When you're not sure what to do or need to vent, doesn't it always feel better when you have someone to hear you out? Making an appointment with a career counselor can provide that. You can express your concerns and figure out a game plan to get to the career you want.

2. Take a Career Assessment

When dating, you sometimes run into a dead end and have to self-reflect on what you really want. The same goes for figuring out the careers best suited for you. At The Career Center, you can "find yourself" by making an appointment to take a Career Assessment.

3. Research Careers

When you have figured yourself out and what you want in a significant other, the next step is to see who's available and if they fit your "type".  After you have narrowed down your career choices, you can start researching them by using the resources provided at The Career Center's website (Hofstra.edu/career).

4. Begin to Make Connections

Studies show that most people meet their significant other through a mutual friend. Networking is just as important in your career development. Put yourself out there and make connections by developing your LinkedIn profile, joining Hofstra clubs and attending campus events such as the Job Fair.

5. Develop Your Career Skills

Stepping into the dating world can seem daunting, so it's important that you have all your "tools" ready: clothes, hair, etc. The same goes for finding a job or internship; you want to make sure that your resume, cover letter and interview skills are all the best that they can be. The Career Center can help with one-on-one appointments and Mock Interviews.

6. Search and Apply for Internships

Once you are ready, going out on dates is a good way to figure out what you like and don't like. Figuring out the career that you want is a similar process. The best way to find out if a career is right for you is to get relevant experience through internships, part-time jobs and/or job shadowing.

7. Establish Post-Graduation Goals and Plans

After dating for a while, you will probably come at a crossroads where you have to decide what you want, which may include picking someone to be in an exclusive relationship with. At the end of your time at Hofstra, you will also have to make a decision. Will you start finding full-time work in your chosen career field or will you go to graduate school?

Lorraine Massiah

Assistant Director For Diversity and Inclusion Initiatives

eNetworking - Effectively Building your Online Profile

Upwards of 70% of all open positions are filled through networking. If you are on the job hunt, tapping into your network of friends, family members, classmates, professors, and coworkers can be the shortest route to employment.  But what do you do when you’ve exhausted all of your resources, or when you don’t know anyone at that dream company?

Technology has revolutionized the way we approach the job hunt, from finding companies, too submitting applications.  It has also changed the way candidates can differentiate themselves and network.  Utilizing platforms like LinkedIn and Handshake can empower people looking for employment by allowing them to build a unique brand and connect with employees that can help them get their foot in the door.  In this two-part post, we’ll help you craft a meaningful digital brand and instruct you on how to professionally connect with new people on LinkedIn.

“Marketing is no longer about the stuff that you make, but about the stories you tell” - Seth Godin, Best Selling Author and Blogger

Sculpting your digital brand is as essential to e-networking as your handshake is to starting off an interview right.  Your online profiles, including LinkedIn, Facebook, Instagram, all curate a story about yourself.  This story informs your candidacy and influences how employers perceive you. Your story, your brand is meant to sell you. You are the product that your portfolio is trying to sell. When you tell employers this story, make sure it is unique to you. This will help you stand out as a candidate and allow other users to understand who you are, which will make them more inclined to talk to you.

Joining different communities online will allow you to naturally expand your network and develop a well-rounded profile.  Whether it is college alumni associations, sports team fan groups, or industry-specific organizations, becoming a part of groups that interest you will help you meet people online who may be able to share information about your desired industry and build a habit of engagement online.

“We are what we repeatedly do. Excellence then, is not an act, but a habit.” – Aristotle

Regular, meaningful engagement on your platforms is also an important aspect of building your online profile. This will allow you to spark conversation and engagement, which will help you connect with your network. Your posts can be questions to spark a conversation, relevant articles, and career updates. Whatever content you post, realize that it reflects on the type of candidate you are and the type of contacts you will reach.

Your online brand is like a hyper-relevant resume, it tells your story and must be updated as often as possible. Although this can be exhausting, it will make you stand out from other candidates.  Next time we will discuss how to professionally expand your network with meaningful and relevant connections.

Michael Goldin
External Relations Graduate Assistant

Digital Portfolios Help Students Build Credibility

Today’s hiring managers are looking for evidence of ability, passion, skills and knowledge.  It’s not enough to say you know how to do things – you need to prove it!   It’s important that students can demonstrate their skills in a way that’s meaningful and authentic to employers and optimize their academic experiences to obtain meaningful internships and jobs.

Digital portfolios provide a visual, tangible and compelling approach to showcasing work samples and achievements. They are a great way for any student to market themselves professionally and show what they know in a way that goes beyond a two-dimensional resume or transcript.   For example, while a traditional resume allows a film student to describe a film they directed and produced, a digital portfolio gives the student an opportunity to share the actual film /clip.

This presentation of concrete capabilities often increases interest and confidence in a candidate resulting in students getting more interviews and having more successful hiring outcomes.  In addition, more employers are requiring that ‘work samples” be submitted with job applications and a random collection of links and attachments just doesn’t cut in today’s sophisticated digital media environment.  

If you’re in a creative industry, you may already know that a portfolio is an effective way to prove your street cred.  But digital portfolios aren’t just for students in creative fields. Virtually all students with any major can use a digital portfolio to showcase their skills and talents as well.   No matter what your major is, digital portfolios should focus on accomplishments, applied practice and demonstration of skills. 

Here are some content ideas that all students can include in their digital portfolio:

• Case studies, research reports, project overviews, and presentation that you participated in as a team member or worked on yourself. This is a great way to show your strategic and creative thinking skills, and how you conceptualized and executed a project.
• An expanded bio that allows you to go into more detail about yourself than on the LinkedIn or resume (make sure it’s professional and relevant).
• A statement about your personal brand – this might be part of your bio, or perhaps an additional overview of what’s really important to you as a professional, where your talents lie, or how your personal values have influenced your goals and career choices
• A web-based version of your resume that you can link to.
• A flattering photo of yourself
• Links to all of your relevant social media profiles or other platforms. A portfolio site serves as a great central landing page where all of your networks come together under a cohesive brand.
• Your contact information – which is surprisingly hard for recruiters to access on LinkedIn (not an advantage for job seekers who WANT to be found).

Choose a Platform:

Thanks to the growing popularity of content management systems like WordPress, Wix, and Weebly, you don’t need to know anything about web design or programming to create a digital portfolio or simple website. There are many free options (upgrades to the basic services usually require a fee but are not necessary). You just need a strategy around why you’re creating the site, who your target audience is, and the overall message that you want it to convey.   Even LinkedIn can be used as a platform by enhancing your basic profile with more advance portfolio display features: add links and upload files.

And regardless of the platform you’re using, or the strategy behind it, remember that portfolios are all about the work – the focus should be on showcasing quality content and relevant information, versus spending time on a flashy design or complicated functionality. And if you don’t know what to include, start with a couple of your best pieces/projects that show a range of your capabilities and build it from there.

Some basic tips to keep in mind:   Select your strongest samples. Think of this as a showcase that presents the best of your best work, whether from your courses, employment, volunteering, freelance, etc.  Add detailed caption information. Include a brief description of each item; explaining either why you selected it and how it is important to you and your career or main goal and challenges of the assignment.  Any positive results? Did your work help increase sales or boost online traffic? Did the project win any awards or was it presented at an industry conference?

And on a personal note, I wanted to share that I am leaving Hofstra, relocating to be closer to family and friends.  It has been a pleasure working with Hofstra students and I encourage you to seek out help and guidance from the fantastic professionals at the Career Center.

Best Wishes,

Lisa Kornberg, MBA

Career Advisor

The Career Center