As the semester dwindles down...

...How are you going to divide your time this Winter break?

As a current student, I can relate to the stress of finals and the desire to have all assignments be completed and handed in with a nice, neat bow. And when that is all said and done, everyone deserves a break! But while Winter break is among us and you divide your time between seeing friends and family, eating food for the Holidays, and catching up on all your sleep, we hope that you'll spend some time getting ahead on your job and internship search!

The Career Hub is a great resource for Hofstra students and alumni to utilize to explore various industries, receive tips on the career process, and to search for jobs, volunteer opportunities, and internships! So while you're sipping on hot cocoa, we hope you'll spend some time searching, especially if you're looking to obtain a position for Spring or Summer!

And as always, The Career Center is here to support you! We will be closed starting December 24th and will resume normal hours January 4th. Don't forget to give us a call at (516) 463-6060 to schedule an appointment!

Anne Monique Concepcion,
Graduate Assistant

Questions YOU Can Ask at an Interview!

I am excited to share this Thanksgiving with my new Hofstra family as I begin my role as the Director of Career Development and Assessment in the Career Center.

I have felt so welcomed in my first week and a half that I know I’ve made the right decision in coming to Hofstra. As you are contemplating potential positions be it internship, full time, or part-time work, you may wonder, even after you’ve accepted a position, if it was the right decision. The good news is that you can gather information during an interview to determine if the position is the right fit for you.

You already know to ask questions at the end of a job interview, but do you know why?  An interview is a two way street! The organization is interviewing you, but if you get the job offer, it’s you who gets to decide if you would like to work for them.

Here are a few questions that you can use in the interview process to help you determine if you would like to work at the place where you are interviewing:

1. How does the team (staff) work together at this organization? 
2. What do you like most about working here?
3. What is the culture of the organization?  
4. How does this organization invest in its people? 

Then, look for red flags. Once in an interview, I asked what the staff loved about working for that organization. There were 13 people around the table, and it was crickets, total silence, for over 30 seconds. A few people didn’t even look up from the table. No one was excited about working for that organization! Fortunately, at Hofstra, it was a different experience entirely.

As a recent interviewee candidate, I know how easy it is to only focus on our own performance. But remember, if you are offered and accept the position, you will be working with the people you interview with on a regular basis. Make sure it’s a place where you want to be, where you feel you will excel doing what you want to do!

I look forward to meeting you, our Hofstra students, around campus!

Lisa Tandan,
Director of Career Development
and Assessment

Tips to Get Hired!

So you have been to the Career Center.  You have had your resume critiqued and you have a great deal of understanding on how to write a cover letter when a job application requires it. Now the next step is to find a job; but where do you look? What is the best way to search for jobs? Who are the people who mostly get hired?

A “source of hire” survey, conducted by eminent recruiting authority Lou Adler, recently asked 1,600 respondents what the source of their recent profession was based on four categories: (1) answering a job ad, (2) the recruiter or hiring manager finding the respondents resume on their LinkedIn profile, (3) networking, and (4) internal company move or promotion.  The results showed that 58% of active respondents (people looking for jobs) ranked categories 3 and 4 held the most effective strategies in acquiring jobs in the United States. In addition to that statistic, 81% of passive respondents (people who already have jobs) ranked those same two categories as the most effective strategies in acquiring jobs.

Networking is key to getting your foot in the door when applying to jobs.  Having a relationship with someone in the company or a recruiter takes you from being a bottom dweller applicant to one that is at the top of the list.  Take the time to build these relationships with others by attending career fairs and networking events and you may find that the person you decided to say hello to ends up being your biggest advocate who asserts to the hiring manager, “he/she’s the one we want!”

Scott Davidson,
Graduate Career Fellow

Meet Our HU Students: Angell Xiang

Name: Angell Xiang

Hometown: New Hyde Park, NY 

Major: Biology and Psychology Major

When you were young, what did you think you wanted to be "when you grow up?"

When I was young, I always wanted to be either a teacher or a doctor because I loved to help other people.

What career do you hope your first job after graduation will be?

After graduation I hope to enter medical school and one day become a physician.

What experience have you had so far that you think is best preparing you to reach that goal?

So far, I've volunteered at LIJ hospital and am currently volunteering at Winthrop hospital. I've also shadowed pediatricians and interned with a periodontist and worked at a physical rehab clinic. All of these medical related experiences exposed me to different aspects of medicine and the roles involved in providing medical care to patients.

What advice would you have for others who are pursuing this same career?

I would definitely recommend getting as much exposure in the medical environment as possible without sacrificing grades. I've heard of students who get into medical school only to realize that they can't stand the sight of blood or disease.

Who at Hofstra has had the biggest positive impact on you?

It's difficult to name one particular person at Hofstra, especially because the whole biology department has been extremely helpful to me, but if I had to choose, I would say Dr. Clendening has been very knowledgeable in giving me advice on the classes and opportunities I should take to pursue my goals. 

Interested in being a featured student or know someone you want to feature on #MeetOurHUStudents? Email us at careercenter@hofstra.edu with the subject line 'Meet Our HU Students' and we'll reach out to you!

Interview Deal Breakers

Hello Students, 

Recently while at the Career Fair I took an informal poll asking employers what are things potential candidates say or do that cost them the job?  Here are the top 10 interview deal breakers

1. Bad breath (when working in sales and dealing with clients major deal breaker)
2. Coming late to an interview (allow yourself enough time for travel and parking or subway delays)
3. Poor eye contact (looking someone in the eye builds trust and confidence with an employer)
4. Asking the pay in the 1st interview (do your research, know the salary range of your industry)
5. Not knowing the company or what they do (research what the company does and find out as much about them as you can)
6. Making answers too broad (be able to give specific examples  of your work, we suggest the STAR method)
7. Not asking any questions once the interviewer has finished with his questions (have at least one or two questions that you would like to know about the company that you did find out during your research
8. NO CURSING or SLANG (no explaining necessary)
9. Not understanding the job description (read the job description and know how to express how you will be able to do that job)
10. Not showing eagerness for the job (show the employer you are happy to be interviewed but not a doormat, find the balance)

Hope this information helps in your job search to learn what to do and what not to do!

Lorraine Massiah,
Assistant Director

Tricks to get more treats!

This past Wednesday was our Fall Career Fair, where we had over 100 employers connecting with students to talk about available opportunities. If you were at the fair, hopefully you made some great connections with these employers, and maybe got a few leads on positions to which you can apply!

You might be wondering how to keep those connections going, and turn them into links that will last long after the fair concluded. Here are some tricks to get the most treats out of the contacts you made on Wednesday:

• Send an email thank-you! If you haven’t sent a thank-you note to your contact already, today is the perfect time to do so. It doesn’t have to be long; you can simply thank them for taking time out of their day to attend the fair and meet with you, and include something from your conversation to aid them in connecting the email to their time with you. Attach a copy of your resume to the email, too!
• Connect on LinkedIn! This is the best way to keep the connection going throughout your networking process, since you can stay up-to-date on all the professional goings-on of your whole network—and they can see yours! (If you don’t have a LinkedIn profile, don’t worry – come in to see us and we’ll give you all the info to set you up!)
• Follow through! If the employer gave you instructions, like to apply for a position online or email them directly with your resume, make sure you follow those instructions – and send them a follow-up email once you do! 

With these tricks, you’ll be treating yourself to a job or internship in no time. Happy networking, and happy Halloween from your friends at The Career Center!

Amy (Batman) Smith,
Assistant Director

Meet Our HU Students: Ryan Maher

Name: Ryan Maher

Hometown: Manahawkin, New Jersey

Major: Music Merchandising

When you were young, what did you think you wanted to be "when you grow up?"

When I was young, it was always my dream to play in a band professionally. Playing music, specifically guitar, was my passion and there was nothing else I wanted to do besides create music and perform for others. Though my career goals have changed slightly, I am happy to still play with a band comprised of some of my closest friends from back home in New Jersey.

What career do you hope your first job after graduate will be?

As always, music is my passion, and nothing would make me happier than the opportunity to work within the Music Industry. Whether it be booking, publishing, management, or a record label, my ultimate goal is to have music play a vital role in my future career.

What experience have you had so far that you think is best preparing you to reach that goal?

During my time at Hofstra, by far the best experience I have had that is preparing me for my goal is my internship with the Clubs & Theatres Marketing Department of Live Nation NYC, which I am currently still a part of. I began working with them during the summer and I have had the amazing opportunity to continue working with them through the fall; through this internship I have learned so much about an area of the Music Industry that I once knew very little about and developed a deep appreciation and passion for live music. I am happy to say that I truly love my internship, and that the impact it has had on me is immeasurable.

What advice would you have for others who are pursuing this same career?

My advice to anybody who wishes to pursue a career within the music industry is to INTERN, INTERN, and INTERN. This industry is all about experience and connections, and the best way to get involved is to experience as much of it as you can and meet as many people as you can. There are so many parts of this industry, and the only way to discover what you like and dislike is to try as much of it as you can. Apply to as many places as you can, and be open to any opportunities that present themselves to you! My other suggestion is to get involved with Hofstra’s Music Industry club, MEISA (Music and Entertainment Industry Student Association)! I serve on the E-Board for this incredible organization; our meetings focus on all things music industry. Every spring we hold a Conference in which we bring in representatives from various Music Industry companies to speak to students. In the past, we have had representatives from companies such as Live Nation, Round Hill Music, Mick Management, and more! It’s an invaluable networking opportunity! If you are interested in MEISA, like us on Facebook (HU MEISA) or shoot us an email at humeisa@gmail.com. Students from all majors are welcome to join!

Who at Hofstra has had the biggest positive impact on you?

This is a very tough question to answer because there are so many incredible people at this university that have had positive impacts on me. If I had to pick ONE though, I would have to say Amy Smith. Amy is a counselor at the Career Center whom I have had many appointments with. Since my Freshman year she has helped me through just about every college-related freak out that I’ve had; during my Freshman year I was seriously questioning my major and career path, and without a doubt she is the one that really helped me to discover that my passion lies within the Music Industry, as well as developing an awesome resume and helping me nail my interview with Live Nation! I cannot thank her enough for all that she has done for me, especially putting up with my shenanigans when I’m working at the Career Center!

Myths of Career Fairs

There are two kinds of people:

1. Those who go to Career Fairs
2. Those who don't

And in my time at the Career Center I've heard many reasons why students do not attend, but I'm going to focus on the 3 main ones and bust those myths!

1. I can't go, I'm only a first-year student or Sophomore!

Yes, a lot of companies are looking for Juniors or Seniors for various internship and full-time opportunities. But that doesn't mean as a first-year student or Sophomore you're not eligible to attend! Attending career fairs is a skill that can be practiced, especially if you've never attended one before (it can be overwhelming at first!). By attending you can get comfortable with the process, as well as prepare for opportunities in the future. Let's say there is a company you KNOW you want to intern with, but unfortunately, they can only take Juniors. As a first-year student, you'd probably feel out of luck. But by attending the career fair and talking to the recruiter can help you gain insight on the types of experiences they want to see on your resume, so by the time you're a Junior, you will be the ideal candidate!

2. I'm not looking for a full-time job right now!

Yes, recruiters are looking to fill full-time opportunities, but a lot of recruiters are also looking to fill internship and volunteer opportunities as well! Similarly to the situation in the first myth, even if you attend just to get comfortable with the process, it gives you a pretty good idea of what types of opportunities there are and what you can do to prepare to be the ideal candidate when the time is right!

3. There are no companies coming for my major!

Totally a myth. Most companies are looking to fill a diverse number of positions, and the company name is not always a perfect representation of what those positions are. A real estate company is not always looking for real estate agents, they could be looking for an event management intern! The tip here is to be open to different companies and organizations, as well as do some research on the types of positions looking to be filled. When you attend a Hofstra Career Fair, we provide you with a booklet of all the employers and jobs to be filled. I suggest taking some time to review that book and see what companies are hiring for the types of position you want to apply, you might be surprised which company it could be!

In the end, a Career Fair can be a very rewarding experience in more ways than one. So be sure to stop by our Career Fair today, at the Mack Sports Exhibition Complex from 11-2, or to any of our upcoming Career Fairs (all can be found in the 'Events' section in Handshake). And if you feel you want some preparation for the fair, be sure to reach out to all the folks at The Career Center, we're here to help!

Anne Monique Concepcion,
Graduate Assistant

Meet Our HU Students: Letisha Thakoordeen

Name: Letisha Thakoordeen

Hometown: New York

Major(s): Health Science

When you were young, what did you think you wanted to be "when you grow up?"

I think from a young age I've always known I've wanted to be a doctor, and now I'm at Hofstra pursuing that goal!

What career do you hope your first job after graduate will be?

After graduating I hope to go to Medical School, so I hope my first job will be a Resident working in the hospitals.

What experience have you had so far that you think is best preparing you to reach that goal?

I've been fortunate to have good advisement from major heads in my department, this has allowed me to take classes to prepare me for my future career as a Doctor.

What advice would you have for others who are pursuing this same career?

Study, study, study! Don't lose track of the big picture and as long as you stay focused you will be fine!

Who at Hofstra has had the biggest positive impact on you?

Dr. Israel Schwartz has had a huge impact, I owe him a great deal for helping me to stay focused on my path to my career.

Mental Health, Keep Your Mind Sharp!

Feeling stressed out? Take a walk. Feeling tired? Eat an apple. There are many ways you can boost your mind, body and soul.

Personally, eating healthy and exercising ~3x a week helps me refocus my mind. That is what works for me. Eating fresh fruits, taking a 20 minute walk, doing yoga to start your day… find your niche!

It takes time to train your mind but it can be done!

10 Quick and Easy Ways to Improve your Mental Health!

1. Mind Your Body: exercise and proper diet
2. Volunteer: discover the benefits of giving back
3. Relax More: find time for yourself
4. Associate With Positive People: positive people = positive attitude = positive mind
5. Eliminate Bad Habits: you can achieve a better frame of mind 
6. Ask For Help When Needed: there is nothing wrong with asking for help
7. Do More of What Makes You Happy: commit to doing it more often
8. Set Life Goals: create direction, work towards your goals 
9. Keep a Diary: reflection can help you improve your daily lives 
10. Communicate More: ask for help, ask questions, seek solutions

Try some of these to improve your mental health. This will help you in your daily lives!
Stress the importance of Mental Health to your co-workers, classmates, colleges etc.
Be the best you can be!

Join Today! The Power of Professional Associations

You perfected resume and cover letter writing.  Now, you aim to apply to positions online.  As covered in my last entry, you now understand the difference between the general pile of applications and the “referral” pile.  You must now work to get from point A to point B.  How do you get referred?

In addition to meeting new people at career fairs, you might want to consider meeting people at other types of events and meetings.  For example, professional associations, either at the local, state, regional, or national level, often times host recurring meetings, events, and annual conferences.  Think of professional associations as groups of people who work in specific industries and aim to stay connected with others and continually learn.  Just about every industry will offer a professional association.  Simply Google “______________ professional association” and see what pops up.  You may also want to add location keywords, such as “Long Island,” “New York,” or “Northeast” to get started. 

If you are a current student, take advantage and join a professional association or two that seems interesting and active.  More often than not, professional associations offer discounted student membership rates.  Yes, professional associations may charge membership dues.  However, think about this: if you are not willing to invest in yourself, who will?

Keep in mind that joining a professional association will not guarantee you a job or internship.  However, if you become involved, attend events, and meet people, chances are your likelihood of moving from point A to point B will increase.  Join today! 

Stefano Verdesoto,
External Relations Assistant Director

Never Never Never Give Up!

Nobody ever said life was easy.  Sometimes when you are looking for career opportunities you will hit a lot of dead ends.  You may feel frustrated and dejected; these are normal feelings to feel.  But what separates you from everyone else is how you respond to rejection.  Some will give up, stop looking, and retire to the comfort of their couch to watch the rest of that Netflix series they have wanted to finish.  But others will up the ante.  They will follow up on emails sent to employers and ask them where they stand in the application process.  They will explore other organizations and look for opportunities for which they can get involved in.  They will come to the Career Center to get their resume and cover letters checked to make sure they are what employers are looking for.  In the words of the famous film and television actor Kyle Chandler, “Opportunity does not knock, it presents itself when you beat down the door.”  The path to success may be full of obstacles and challenges but you are the only one who can walk it.  It starts and ends with you.

Scott Davidson, Career Fellow