Look your Best in your Next Interview!

You always hear that for an interview, you should dress for success--but what does that really mean? Here are some tid-bits about personal grooming to keep in mind as you prepare for your next mock or real interview:

1. Do not wear too much fragrance. If you have been told in the past, "I smell you when you leave the room," YES that is too much.
2. Brush your teeth (and make sure you check for bagel seeds in-between!) 
3. Wear clothes that fit. If they are too tight, you will look uncomfortable and feel uncomfortable as well.
4. Wear comfortable shoes; for ladies, make sure your heel height is appropriate.
5. Ladies, keep a shorter nail length and wear neutral nail polish.
6. Minimal jewelry overall; for the men, NO earrings.
7. Hair should be neat and clean (keep in mind, there are MANY old school interviewers, know the work culture of the company!)
8. Makeup – less is best!
9. For clothing, men should wear a dark suit and ladies may want to consider wearing stockings with your skirt suit (better to safe than sorry!)
10. No matter your look, bring your BEST you.

Have you come into the Career Center for a Mock Interview? If you haven't, you should! Schedule one by calling us at 516-463-6060 or using our online scheduler at hofstra.edu/career!

Lorraine Massiah,
Assistant Director

Changes at The Career Center!

As the summer comes to a close and the first day of classes quickly approaches, I wanted to fill you all in on some great changes that have taken place in The Career Center over the past few months. We are so excited to move forward with these new initiatives and look forward to continue to evolve to best serve you, our students! Check out the changes below. 

Extended Quick Question Hours

We've added more Quick Question hours! Quick questions hours will now be Monday-Friday 10am-11am & 2pm-4pm. There is no appointment needed during these times, so come on in if you have a quick question for us!

Career Counseling Appointments

Career counseling appointments can now be made online! Simply go to hofstra.edu/career and click on "Make an Appointment" on the right hand side of the page. 

Virtual Mock Interviews in Pride-CMS

You can now practice your interview skills whenever and where ever with our new virtual mock interview module! To try it out, log in to Pride-CMS (located under "my apps" in the portal) and click on the "mock interview" option on the left hand side of the page. Wait, there's more! Once you have completed your mock interview, you have the option to send it to the career counselor of your choice for a virtual critique! 

Goin Global

Another new feature in Pride-CMS is GoinGlobal, which provides country guides and advice on careers abroad, international career applications, Visa and related requirements and much more. International students can use it to learn about U.S. Visas. The site also contains career guides on states and cities within the U.S.

If you have any questions about these new initiatives, feel free to call the office at (516) 463-6060. We look forward to seeing all of you on campus next week and wish you luck in the upcoming academic year! 

Kaitlyn Riley, Assistant Director 

The Top 7 Body Language Mistakes Made on Interviews

The Career Center offers mock interviews year round, but right now is our busy season for interviewing

prep.  Students are coming in every day to practice before the “real thing.”  We are so often concentrating on what to say that we forget the importance of our nonverbal communication, aka body language.  It doesn’t matter what we say if we are saying the opposite with our body.  For instance, has a friend ever told you what you were saying was “so interesting” but instead was looking around or at his/her phone?  It would be far more believable if your friend were making eye contact, right?  The point, don’t underestimate body language on an interview!  

When practicing with students, I have found these to be the top body language mistakes:

1. Crossing your arms or legs
2. Avoiding eye contact, or staring too long
3. Repeating gestures over and over, or fidgeting
4. Not smiling
5. Bad posture (leaning back, leaning forward, slouching)
6. Weak handshake, or too aggressive a handshake
7. Playing with your hair or with something on the table like a pen

If you’re not sure which of these mistakes you are making, if any, then join the rest of your peers and make an appointment for a mock interview by calling our office at 463-6060.  Happy Interviewing!

Deanna Rodin,
Associate Director

Job Interview Blunders

As graduation approaches, many students will be interviewing for upcoming positions.  Here are ten interview blunders, adapted from this article.

1.  When thinking about what you are going to wear to an interview, you not only want to look good but you want to be comfortable.  This includes comfortable shoes.  Ladies, if the high heels are hurting your toes so much that you can barely walk, consider a more comfortable option.  Gentlemen, if that top button on the shirt is a hint too tight, you may also want to consider a different shirt.  Try on your outfit prior to the day of the interview to make sure it still fits and you will be comfortable in it.

2.  Research the company or agency you will be interviewing with.  You may be asked, "What do you know about our company?"  You should be able to answer with something specific and concrete.  

3.  SALARY; when is the right time to bring it up? This is tricky, if you are offered the position and the salary is not included, you should ask at that point.  However, if you are flying to California for an interview you may want to talk salary soon to make sure it is worth the move.  Be careful and plan when you ask, there is no right answer.

4.  NEVER be late.  You must account for your travel time.  If your directions say it takes 35 minutes for travel time, add on at least an extra 20 minutes for unforeseen tie-ups like traffic or roadwork.  Don't forget to take into account looking for parking, especially in an area that may not have parking lots.  If you haven't traveled to the destination prior to the day of the interview, give yourself extra time in case you do get lost!

5.  DO NOT LIE or misrepresent the truth.  EVER.

6.  The world is a very small place. Do not speak badly about a former employer, even if you have a bad experience with them.  Think about what you have learned from the experience and how it makes you a better employee.

7.  If you have been told in the past that you wear too much cologne or perfume, consider toning it down for an interview. Be very careful; you want to leave a positive impact with the prospective employer because of your experiences, not the scent of your fragrance.

8.  Don't fidget, just relax! You have already been called in for an interview; they have already picked your "profile," now it is time for the "first date".  The employer wants to get to know you. JUST RELAX and be your best self.

9.  Listen to the questions being asked by the employer. We see many times during mock interviews that though students give good answers, they don't answer the question asked.  Take time to make sure you heard the question and then take a  deep breath and answer the question properly.

10.  Sean  "Puffy" Combs, during his show Making the Band, told a contestant, "I want to know that you are hungry, not desperate".  There is a very fine line between the two--an employer wants you to be eager but they do not want a doormat!

Good luck on all your upcoming interviews! If you would like to schedule a mock interview for some practice, call our office at 516-463-6060 to schedule an appointment.

Lorraine Massiah

Assistant Director

Events for the Week of 3/24/14

The Spring Career Fair is Next Week!

Wednesday, April 2, 2014

11:30am-2:30pm

David S. Mack Sports and Exhibition Complex (Arena)

We have over 80 employers ready to #HireWithPRIDE!

There are full-time, part-time, and internship positions available for all majors!

To view the list of participating employers and available positions, click here.

The Career Fair is open to all students and alumni with a valid Hofstra ID.

Please dress professionally and bring plenty of resumes.
___________________________________________________________________________

On-Campus Recruitment (OCR) is now open to ALL students!

You will NOT be required to attend a mandatory orientation session in order to participate. To view and apply for OCR positions, search “OCR” as a key word in your Pride-CMS account. It is strongly encouraged that if you are applying for OCR jobs, you have your resume critiqued by The Career Center.
___________________________________________________________________________

Interview for Success for Students with Disabilities
Tuesday, March 25 from 12:30pm – 1:30pm in The Career Center

This workshop will cover interview tips for success, tailored to university students with disabilities. Topics covered will include how to prepare, how to answer interview questions, when to disclose a disability, and legal rights that you have as interviewees and future employees.

Get on the Path

Wednesday, March 26 at 6:30pm in the Netherlands Core

Join The Career Center to learn about how the Path of Pride can help you make the most of your time at Hofstra! If you’re unsure about your major, in need of some networking tips, or looking to start or build your resume, then this workshop is for you! Pizza will be served.

Mock Interview Night with Zarb Alumni
Wednesday, March 26 from 6:30 p.m. – 8:30 p.m. in The Career Center

Students will be able to participate in a practice 30-minute interview with a Zarb School of Business Alum. Pre-registration on Pride-CMS is required for this event. This event is open to undergraduate Zarb students only.

Women’s Leadership Conference
Friday, March 28 from 1-5pm in the Student Center
Attend the Women’s Leadership Conference and celebrate women who have found success in their work and in life! The afternoon will comprise a keynote lecture by Ms. Valerie Cartright, the first African American woman elected to the  Brookhaven Town Council; break-out sessions; and an alumnae mixer, all of which is sure to inspire pride, purpose and passion in conference attendees. Food and refreshments will be served.  Raffle Prizes will be given away!

Alternative Careers for Educators
Friday, March 28 at 4:00pm in The Career Center

Are you an educator who is looking for a “Plan B” or curious as to other career areas that may suit your degree or skills? Hear from guest speakers about the paths they took to find their current careers and the variety of options available to you as an alternative to teaching.

Quick Question Hours:
Get your Resume or Cover Letter critiqued at The Career Center!
Monday – Thursday: 2pm – 4pm

Friday: 11am – 1pm

Save the Date!

MarketingEDGE Student Career Forum
Tuesday, April 1 at the ClickZ Live Conference in New York City

At this all-day conference event, you will have the opportunity to network and get tips on how to land a Marketing position, whether it’s an internship or full-time position! To register, contact Nayelli Perez at nayelli.m.perez@hofstra.edu.

FindSpark Fashion Career Conference
Saturday, April 5 at the LIM College Townhouse, 12 East 53rd St., New York, NY
If you're serious about a career in fashion and are looking for opportunities, new friends, professional connections, and a top notch New York City experience, this event is for you. Our speaker lineup includes recruiters, creatives, and business execs from L'Oreal, Teen Vogue, Tom Ford, Nearly Newlywed, Diane von Furstenberg, Harper's Bazaar, and many more.

Public tickets to this #FindSpark conference are extremely limited, so secure your spot today! RSVP at findspark.com/findpassionlim.

Stay Classy, Hofstra: A Dining Etiquette Event

Tuesday, April 8 at 8:30pm at the Hofstra University Club, David S. Mack Hall

Join us for a unique dining event and interactive seminar facilitated by a certified business etiquette expert. Learn how to stay classy on interviews and meetings in a dining atmosphere. A three-course meal is included.

___________________________________________________________________________

Looking for information about different careers while building your professional network?

All you have to do is A.S.K.!

Get answers by using the Alumni Student Konnection, where you can communicate directly with Hofstra Alumni in a variety of fields to learn more about different careers and industries that interest you! Use this resource to build or add to your professional network and learn about ways to advance your career search!

To get started:

Log In to the Hofstra Portal at my.hofstra.edu

Click on “Hofstra Online”

Click on “A.S.K. Online - Alumni Student Konnection”

Search by Class Year, School, Major, or other keywords to Konnect with Alumni!

Looking for more information about the career search process?

Visit Candid Career!

Candid Career is a great resource for students, no matter where you stand on your Path of Pride. You can watch videos that show you what it’s like to work in a certain field, learn tips and tricks on interviewing, and more!

Is It Too Late to Apply for a Summer Internship?

One of the most frequent questions that students are asking at The Career Center is “is it too late to apply for a summer internship?”  The answer is “no, it’s not too late.”  Truth be told, though, it is crunch time.  To be successful in finding a quality internship, you will need to plan at least 4-6 months in advance of when you hope to begin interning.   Yes, I can do math and this only leaves you with less than 3 months to prepare.  However, the majority of college students are notorious for waiting until spring break to apply.  It is very difficult to manage classes, midterms, clubs, jobs, and a social life while applying for internships.  So if you want to beat the rush, don’t procrastinate and start now.  The process can be overwhelming.  To help you out, I have broken it down for you in a few manageable steps:

1)   Decide what type of internship you would like.  You can choose by major (i.e. I want to internship in journalism) or by industry (i.e. I want an internship focusing on sustainability).  You can even narrow it down by type of employer (i.e. I want to intern with a political candidate on a campaign).  If you need help brainstorming, take a look at our resource called “What Can I Do With This Major?”  It is important to be open minded, however, searching for an internship without a focus is like trying to find a needle in a haystack.

2)   Prepare your resume and cover letter.  Whether you have a connection through your network, you meet an employer at event, you are attending a career fair, or you are applying online, you will always need a resume.  If you don’t have one, use our career planning handbook on our website to draft one and have it critiqued during our quick question hours. 

3)   Schedule a mock interview at The Career Center.  You can have the best resume in the world but it comes down to the interview as to whether you beat out the competition or not.  Our counselors offer individual feedback to help you practice and prepare during our mock interviews.  Schedule one by calling the office at 463-6060.

4)   Search and apply.  There are many ways to go about applying to internships.  I am only going to mention two here.  First, log onto Pride CMS (our online job/internship database specifically for Hofstra students).  Secondly, search on Internships.com, accessed through Blackboard.  Third, attend our Spring Career Fair on April 2^nd. 

5)   Don’t do it alone.  Schedule an appointment with The Career Center so we can support you through the process.  Let us tailor our resources and program recommendations to you.

That’s it!  Follow these five steps by tackling one and moving on to the next.  It is that simple once you get started.  Good luck!

Deanna Rodin, Associate Director

Events for the Week of 3/10/14

Your Next Job: Career Advice from Steven Greenberg
Steve Greenberg, host of “Your Next Job” on CBS Radio, will be here to give valuable advice for every step of

your career search! This event is recommended for ALL students!

Tuesday, March 11 at 7:30pm in the Student Center Plaza Rooms

Quick Question Hours:

Get your resume or cover letter critiqued in The Career Center!

Monday – Thursday: 2pm-4pm

Friday: 11am-1pm

Save the Date!

Get on the Path

Join The Career Center to learn about how the Path of Pride can help you make the most of your time at Hofstra! If you’re unsure about your major, in need of some networking tips, or looking to start or build your resume, then this workshop is for you! Pizza will be served.

Wednesday, March 26 at 6:30pm in the Netherlands Dining Hall

Mock Interview Night with Zarb Alumni

Students will be able to participate in a practice 30-minute interview with a Zarb School of Business Alum. Pre-registration on Pride-CMS is required for this event. This event is open to undergraduate Zarb students only.

Wednesday, March 26 from 6:30 p.m. – 8:30 p.m. in The Career Center

Women’s Leadership Conference
Attend the Women’s Leadership Conference and celebrate women who have found success in their work and in life! The afternoon will comprise a keynote lecture by Ms. Valerie Cartright, the first African American woman elected to the  Brookhaven Town Council; break-out sessions; and an alumnae mixer, all of which is sure to inspire pride, purpose and passion in conference attendees. Food and refreshments will be served.  Raffle Prizes will be given away!

Friday, March 28 from 1-4:15pm in the Student Center

 

Alternative Careers for Educators

Are you an educator who is looking for a “Plan B” or curious as to other career areas that may suit your degree or skills? Hear from guest speakers about the paths they took to find their current careers and the variety of options available to you as an alternative to teaching.

Friday, March 28 at 4:00pm in The Career Center

On-Campus Recruitment is coming!

OCR connects students with potential employers through an on-campus interview process. In order to participate and apply for on-campus interviews, please attend a mandatory orientation session. Sessions will be held:

Wednesday, March 26 at 11:15am

Thursday, March 27 at 3pm

Monday, March 31 at 10am

Wednesday, April 2 at 4:30pm

Thursday, April 3 at 1pm

All sessions will take place in The Career Center.

The Spring Career Fair will be:

Wednesday, April 2, 2014

11:30am-2:30pm

David S. Mack Sports and Exhibition Complex (Arena)

Meet with employers who are ready to #HireWithPRIDE!

There are full-time, part-time, and internship positions available for all majors!

Looking for information about different careers while building your professional network?

All you have to do is A.S.K.!

Get answers by using the Alumni Student Konnection, where you can communicate directly with Hofstra Alumni in a variety of fields to learn more about different careers and industries that interest you! Use this resource to build or add to your professional network and learn about ways to advance your career search!

To get started:

Log In to the Hofstra Portal at my.hofstra.edu

Click on “Hofstra Online”

Click on “A.S.K. Online - Alumni Student Konnection”

Search by Class Year, School, Major, or other keywords to Konnect with Alumni!

Looking for more information about the career search process?

Visit CandidCareer!

Candid Career is a great resource for students, no matter where you stand on your Path of Pride. You can watch videos that show you what it’s like to work in a certain field, learn tips and tricks on interviewing, and more!

How's Your Interview Style?

Many of you will be venturing on your first “real” interview over the next few months whether it is for an internship or for a job after graduation.  Interviewing is tough, no matter who it is with!  Preparation is crucial and even the most confident of us can struggle. 

We have blogged many times before about our practice “mock” interview services, but did you know that we also have interview tips in our Career Planning Handbook, on You Tube (search Hofstra Career Center) and through Candid Career (click on their logo on our homepage)?

I also saw this article today and thought I would share it with you.  It is very helpful - click here to check it out!

Suzanne Dagger, Interim Executive Director

Save the Date: Events for the Week of 2/27/2012

Mock Interviews- On Campus Recruiting
This program is used to help students that are participating in Pride Recruiting to practice interviewing skills.
Visit Events on Pride CMS, under MyApps on the Portal to reserve your spot! Space is limited.
Monday, February 27th, 9:00 a.m. - 11:00 a.m. at The Career Center

Mock Interviews with Target
This program is used to help students that are participating in Pride Recruiting to practice interviewing skills.
Visit Events on Pride CMS, under MyApps on the Portal to reserve your spot! Space is limited.
Monday, February 27th, 1:00 p.m. - 4:00 p.m. at The Career Center

Mock Interview with Enterprise
This program is used to help students that are participating in Pride Recruiting to practice interviewing skills.
Visit Events on Pride CMS, under MyApps on the Portal to reserve your spot! Space is limited.
Wednesday, February 29th, 9:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m. at The Career Center

HCLAS Internship Orientation
This workshop explores information about the benefits of an internship. Whether you’re a political science major or music major, this is the workshop for you! Topics include: when to start an internship, conducting a successful search, applying for an internship, and gaining the most from the experience. Every student enrolled in Hofstra College of Liberal Arts and Sciences is strongly encouraged to attend.
Wednesday, February 29th, Common Hour in 106 Breslin Hall

Disney Information Session
Are you interested in interning with the largest name in entertainment – Disney? Join us
for this fun and informative session to learn about the Disney College Program, and to find
out if this is the right internship for you!
Wednesday, February 29th, Common Hour in 109 Roosevelt

School of Communication Resume Workshop
If you are a School of Communication student and would like to have your resume stand out
in the “industry,” be sure you attend this workshop! The Career Center will provide an
in-depth resume review for all majors within the School of Communication, so please bring
a current resume with you!
Wednesday, February 29th, Common Hour in 300 Dempster Hall

Mock Interviews- On Campus Recruiting
This program is used to help students that are participating in Pride Recruiting to practice interviewing skills.
Visit Events on Pride CMS, under MyApps on the Portal to reserve your spot! Space is limited.
Wednesday, February 29th, 1:00 p.m. - 5:00 p.m. at The Career Center

Mock Interviews- On Campus Recruiting
This program is used to help students that are participating in Pride Recruiting to practice interviewing skills.
Visit Events on Pride CMS, under MyApps on the Portal to reserve your spot! Space is limited.
Friday, March 2nd, 1:00 p.m. - 5:00 p.m. at The Career Center