Do you sometimes feel like an imposter? 

Do you worry that the people around you may figure out that you are not as smart/funny/nice (fill in the blank) as they think you are? If you answered “yes” then you may have what is referred to as “imposter syndrome.”

Those with imposter syndrome are described as people who are marked by an inability to internalize their accomplishments and who have a persistent fear of being exposed as a "fraud". Basically, this means that individuals may not give themselves credit for their achievements and may chalk their successes up to luck, or timing, or just knowing the right people and not up to their own skills and positive qualities.

I was recently at a conference and attended a session on Imposture Syndrome. The presenters were great. They disclosed their own feelings and gave tips and strategies for dealing with internal negativity. As graduating students get ready to start their first full-time job, I thought that it was the perfect time to share some of these techniques.

1. Have a mentor (or two) who can remind you of your skills and abilities when you are having times of doubt.

2. Keep a “kudos” folder (in an old-fashioned paper folder or on your computer) and fill it with any positive feedback that you have received, whether that be in a class, on a team, or at a part-time or volunteer job. Have that handy for your review when needed.

3. Read about Imposture Syndrome. The more you read, the more you will realize how common it is. You are certainly not alone!

4. Recognize when you are feeling this way. Take a deep breath and recite a positive affirmation to yourself. Make this affirmation your motto and go back to it when needed.

5. Seek counseling if you feel that the negativity is impacting your daily life and decision making. Hofstra’s Saltzman Center is available to you at all times. You might also want to visit The Career Center to take stock of your strengths through our StrenghsQuest assessment.

Darlene London Johnson

Director of External Relations

The Career Center

Hofstra Career Events You Just CAN'T Miss!

Spring 2017 Career Fair
Lots of employers will be at the fair offering both amazing internship and job opportunities that you just can't miss!! This event is for undergraduates, graduates AND alumni! Make great connections and put your personal brand to the test! Register on Handshake!
Wednesday, April 5, 11:00 am - 2:00 pm
Mack Sports and Exhibition Complex, Hofstra University

Health and Helping Professions Career Fair
Over 30+ employers will be at the fair offering internship and job opportunities in the health and helping professions fields. This event is for undergraduates, graduates AND alumni! Register on Handshake to attend!
Tuesday, Apr 11 4:30 pm - 6:30 pm
Hofstra University, MultiPurpose Room

Career Fair Kick Off
The Career Fair Kick Off is coming up! Come during common hour on March 29th, in the Student Center atrium for free snacks and quick tips on the Career Fair that is taking place on April 5th, from 11-2pm in the Mack Sports and Exhibition Complex!
**NOTE** Students are encouraged to bring their resumes in order for them to be critiqued.
You can register for the Career Fair here -> https://hofstra.joinhandshake.com/career_fairs/1329

Management Training Information Session
Undergraduate students of all class levels and majors who are interested in management will not want to miss this event! Come meet representatives from companies that offer full-time management training programs. Find out what these hiring managers look for in a candidate, and what opportunities they may have for you! Advance registration is recommended. Please contact The Career Center at 516-463-5833 with any questions.
Wednesday, March 29, 11:30 am - 12:30 pm
Brower Hall, Room 102

Green Careers
Interested in learning more about the Sustainability and what careers can be found within the industry? Join The Career Center and the Hofstra University Sustainability Department for a panel of professionals, followed by an opportunity to meet and build up your professional network!
Wednesday, April 12, 5:00 pm - 8:00 pm
Career Lab - Career Center, M. Robert Lowe Hall

For more events, check out Handshake at hofstra.edu/careerhub.

It’s ALL about Hustle!

“Am I too late?”

It’s a question that we often hear in the Career Center. And the answer is always, “no!” You’re never too late to start working toward a summer internship, even if it’s the last week in May. It’s all about how much hustle you have.

There are two types of internships:

Posted internships: These have a job description, a deadline, a start date, and they are posted online. You can find posted internships by searching on Handshake, using online job boards like indeed.com, or by visiting company websites directly. You’ll follow the instructions to apply for these internships, and yes, they have application deadlines. These deadlines vary though, so stay on the search!

Not-posted internships: these are the internships that you have to use hustle to find, but they’re worth it! The great thing about internships is that, unlike full-time positions, they are easy for organizations to create on the fly for the right person. You just have to show that you are the right person! Not-posted internship positions can be started at any time, so you’re never too late.

How do you find a not-posted internship? It’s all about hustle!

* Talk with friends, family, and professors to ask for advice on where to look

* Identify organizations in which you are interested (the Career Center can help you search!)

* Utilize LinkedIn to find connections with Hofstra alumni

* Contact organizations and professionals directly via phone or email (or drop by!)

* Be prepared to talk about what you have to offer (the Career Center can help you tell your story!)

* Ask open-ended questions that start conversations with contacts

As long as you have hustle, it’s not too late to get that summer internship, even if it’s the last week in May! 

And, don’t forget to drop by the Hofstra Career Fair on Wednesday, April 5th from 11am-2pm in the Mack Arena.

 

     Lisa Tandan, M.Ed, NCC 

     Director of Career Development and Assessment

Get Focused! 

When you’re in the midst of a crazy semester, how do you stay afloat and on top of all your class assignments, extracurricular demands, internship/job hunt, and all the smaller things in between?

If you’re like me, a “To-Do” list and my planner are my first step to successfully completing all my tasks. Besides, how satisfying is it when your “To-Do” list looks like this?

As we near the midpoint of the semester, I encourage you all to take a moment to write down all of your upcoming tasks and goals on a piece of paper that you can keep somewhere visible. Figure out what your steps are to achieve those goals, and write those down too!

If your goals include getting career-ready (ex: updating your documents, applying to graduate school, taking personality assessments, etc.), then I highly recommend including a visit to The Career Center. And if your goals include finding an internship or a job, I recommend attending our Spring Career Fair to help you achieve that bigger goal.

And to avoid burning out or getting overwhelmed with your “To-Do” list, don’t forget to write down some fun tasks to reward yourself for another item crossed off the list!

Anne Monique Concepcion

Assistant Director

The Career Center at Hofstra University 

Consider the Big Picture with Graphic Resumes

Having just wrapped up the fall Career Fair season here at the Career Center, we have seen a whole lot of resumes over the past few months! 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.

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 

Some important ways to maintain self-care and remember to make time for fun!

Can you believe it’s already October? Now, if you’re a Libra like me whose birthday falls this month, you understand the annual excitement that is your birthday, but also the stress of balancing midterms and class assignments that usually pile up around this time. Throw in some career fairs, job searching, or an internship, and you’ve got yourself a perfect storm to forget about the fun side of life! Whether you have something to celebrate or not, it’s important to maintain your self-care and bring your best self forward. Here are some ways I try to maintain self-care and remember to make time for fun:

* Carry a planner and write EVERYTHING down – this helps you keep track of tests, assignment due dates, club meetings, and any other commitments you may have that could sneak up on you.

* Meal time is for meals, and not work! – First of all, make time for meals. But secondly, let this time be time you listen to music and unwind, read a book, or eat with friends you haven’t seen lately because of all your commitments.

* Try out deep breathing exercises – Breathing exercises are a very easy way to relieve stress because you can do them anywhere! Next time you’re feeling stressed while walking to your next meeting, do some deep-belly-breathing exercises to regulate your air intake.

* Try out grounding techniques – This is helpful to relieve any anxiety you may be feeling and can also be done anywhere. Look around you identify (5) things you’re seeing, (4) things you’re hearing, (3) things you’re smelling, (2) things you can touch, and (1) thing you can taste.

* Always have something to look forward to – Find and schedule time to celebrate big and little things (and write them in your planner)! Whether it’s a birthday or submitting in your midterm assignment, reward yourself with your favorite treat or plan a bigger celebration for the important events, and make a countdown! Having something to look forward to makes your busy days go by faster!

And remember, if you feel The Career Center can support you, don’t hesitate to reach out! Give us a call at (516) 463-6060 or stop by M. Robert Lowe Hall to set up an appointment!