Tips From a Hiring Manager

Even after the work day is over, being a career counselor never stops. Sometimes when I am home and looking at my personal Facebook page, I come across posts with job tips and career advice. Most recently, I noticed that a Facebook friend of mine, who is an Assistant Principal, is looking for a teacher. She had posted some tips for prospective teachers based on her hiring experiences and I thought I would share them with you. Please note that these tips are applicable to all job seekers. 

Tips for Job Hunters:

1.     When you apply for a job, you should KNOW what position in which you are applying for and be prepared to ask intelligent questions about the position.

2.      If a potential employer contacts you to invite you in to visit the work site and shadow a current employee, do not ask why it is necessary.

3.     When the potential employer asks if you know anything about the job site or company, the answer should not be "I don't know." Make sure you do your research. 

4.     During an interview, pay attention to the questions that are being asked and make sure you answer all parts of the question.

5.     Also while interviewing, if you are given the questions to look at and have the opportunity to take notes, do it! 

6.     If you are asked what you struggle with, please take a moment to think and be reflective about the answer before you respond. Do not respond with nothing. There is always room for improvement. 

Employers want qualified candidates to fill open positions and the interview is to see how well you will fit into their organization. Always remember, first impressions count!

Lorraine Massiah,
Assistant Director

Things ARE Looking Up!

For so long now, we have been bombarded with images, news articles, and for many of us the stark reality of unemployment.  As a result, college students across the country have been left with feelings of confusion, disillusionment, and apathy.  Many college students still question if the economy is still suffering like it was a few years back and/or what is the purpose of their college degree if it is so hard to find a job?

As a native New Yorker who regularly reads Newsday and watches the local and cable news affiliates, I have become used to seeing negative reports on job prospects for college graduates. For instance, at our Spring Career Fair, which hosted 114 organizations looking to recruit students and alumni, WCBS produced a news segment with the message that it was still hard to get a job.

Hmmmmm.... that was indeed strange, since there were so many organizations at the fair that were looking to hire! Furthermore, I directly witness and see the data that Hofstra graduates find jobs at a strong rate and for the last few years on a national level, the hiring of college graduates was on the upswing, according to the National Association of Colleges and Employers.  So why, then, was the media still reporting how difficult the job market is for college graduates?

Well, to my pleasant surprise in Thursday's edition of Newsday, there were two positive articles on the same page with the headlines "Local jobless rate dips" and "Job outlook improving for new grads."  This is what I am witnessing at the Hofstra Career Center! It is getting better. Our graduates are getting hired. True, it may not be in their ideal position, but there are jobs out there.

If you are embarking on your job search, The Career Center is here to guide you. Make an appointment by calling 516-463-6060! Read our tip sheets to help you get started in your search by clicking here!

You can get a jump-start by coming to our Crunch Time workshop with Indeed.com representatives on Monday, April 28th at 1pm in The Career Center and learn how to use the #1 job search site to maximize your job search!

Suzanne Dagger,
Director of Career Services

Don't Think Holidays and Hiring Can Mix? Think Again!

Many people still hold the belief that the holiday season is a dead time for hiring. I believe this comes from the era when employees who were looking to leave their positions would stick around in hopes of receiving their holiday bonuses--and then would make the break in January.

While this may still hold true in some corporate sectors, there are many employees who do leave their jobs this time of the year for a variety of different reasons, and hiring is still happening.  This recent article published on US News & World Report's website provides some useful advice for those seeking jobs this holiday season: http://money.usnews.com/money/blogs/outside-voices-careers/2013/12/09/7-tips-for-job-searching-during-the-holidays

Are you looking for a job this winter? Don't sweat it! Keep your holiday spirit up--you never know what you may find!

Suzanne Dagger, Interim Executive Director