The Traditional Meal for Career Success

I don’t know about you, but every year, a few days before Thanksgiving, my father asks me what I want to eat at our Thanksgiving meal. And more or less, my answer is, “we HAVE to have turkey, ham, green bean casserole, sweet potatoes…” and then the list goes on. I realized that in tradition and as the years go by, I have come up with a list that is the standard minimum of what has to be at the dinner table or else it won’t be our traditional Thanksgiving dinner.

Similarly, there is a standard minimum of what most job and internship opportunities need in order to apply and succeed:

• Resume: Almost every position you apply to will require a resume. Employers want to know what background you have in the industry through your education, work experience, clubs and activities, etc. so make sure that you have an updated document with appropriate experiences on your resume.
• Cover Letter: Most positions will require a cover letter, this is your opportunity to speak more about yourself and give some concrete examples in your past experiences that show why you are the best candidate for the job.
• Interview: This is your opportunity to shine in front of a recruiter. They will ask you a variety of questions to see how you fit into the company or organization. Similarly, this is a chance for you to see if this company or organization is a fit for you! 

Although these are just three examples we hear about often in the professional world, they are very crucial to the career process. Additionally, some other standards are knowledge about the industry, presenting your most professional self, thank you letters--the list goes on.

As always, you know that the Career Center is available if you have any questions about the career process, want a critique of your resume/cover letter, or would like to get some mock interview practice in. Stop by our Quick Questions or give us a call to make an appointment!

Cheers and Happy Thanksgiving!

Anne Monique Concepcion,
Graduate Assistant

The Power of “Thank You” – Two Little Words Can Do So Much

In the spirit of the upcoming holiday, I wanted to visit the topic of the two most powerful words: 

thank you.  Yes our parents taught us it was polite to use “please” and “thank you,” but did you also know it could make or break your career? 

I keep all my thank you cards and emails, some even on display in my office.  Those who are appreciative for my help always stand out in my mind.  Want to know the secrets to making gratitude at work also work for you?  Don’t worry; this doesn’t defeat the purpose of giving thanks or mess with your karma.  Check out this blog from the Daily Muse for helpful hints: 2 Little Words That Have a Huge Impact at Work. 

Put this to practice and thank someone today!  Have a Happy Thanksgiving!

Deanna Rodin, Associate Director

Using Information Interviews and Shadowing to Find Your Career

The best way to explore a potential career choice is by speaking with and/or following someone who works in that career.  So, how do you do that? Informational interviewing and job shadowing are two great options.

Informational interviews help you learn first-hand about your chosen profession by asking questions about tasks, business environment, and educational background.  Shadowing a professional allows you to follow someone in your career choice as they go through a typical day or week on the job and ask questions and observe the work.

Finding a Profession(al)

Finding someone to interview or shadow is not difficult. Ask your parents and your friends’ parents if they know someone you can interview. Ask your professors for recommendations of professionals in the field. Go to your career center: Many maintain lists of alumni and employers who are willing to help in your career exploration.

Next, call or write a letter requesting an information interview or job shadowing. People who like their jobs tend to enjoy talking about them. You compliment the professional by expressing an interest in the career. In your phone call or letter, explain how you found the person you want to interview and request time for an appointment. Emphasize that you want to find out more about the career—you’re not looking for a job. If you’re lucky, the professional you contact may have other colleagues you can interview also.

Asking Questions

Take notes during your time with the professional. Here are some questions you might ask:

• What is your typical workday like?
• What do you like most (and least) about your job?
• What skills/abilities are most important to succeed in this job?
• What is your educational background?
• How did you get started in this field?
• What courses were most helpful to you and which would you recommend?
• What is the best way to get started in this field?
• Do you have any additional advice to help me prepare?

Following Up Your Interview

Review your notes. What was your impression? Did you leave the interview feeling as if you can envision a future in this occupation or were you discouraged—you don’t feel you learned enough about the occupation or the job description doesn’t sound appealing any longer?

Take your thoughts and concerns to the career center staff and get feedback on the next step to take in your career exploration. You may want to do additional information interviews in this career path or you may want to reexamine your goals and find a different path for your interests.

No matter what you decide, send a thank-you note to anyone you interview or shadow. Whether you decide to forge ahead on that career path or find another one, this professional may be a good person to network with when you begin your job search.

Courtesy of the National Association of Colleges and Employers.

Gary Alan Miller, Executive Director