Benefits of Having a Summer Job

If you are one of the lucky college students or recent grads who landed a summer job this year, you might be wondering whether it was the best thing to do with your spare time during these lazy, hazy days… After all, we’re midway through the summer season and what do you have to show for it? Just a little bit of extra cash?

But, earning extra cash isn’t the only benefit of landing a summer job. Consider some of the advantages of taking a temporary, seasonal position:

• Think of it as a path to full-time work. Just under a quarter of all businesses hire people to fill temporary, summer-time positions. And, over half of those employers consider hiring their summer help for full-time positions after the season is over. Working a summer job is a great way to get your foot in the door if you’re looking for continued employment later on.
• Use this experience to explore a career path. Taking a summer job in a variety of industries can help you carve out a career path, especially if you’re undecided about what you want to do for a living. Summer jobs are also an excellent way to experience different positions, work cultures and companies that interest you.
• Consider it a building block for your résumé. Employers prefer see lots of work experience on résumés. By demonstrating to hiring managers that you are experienced, flexible, and able to hold down a job, you will be better positioned as you move through the interview process.

Remember, a summer job can benefit more than just your bank account. Your future career can benefit as well. So, if you were lucky enough to find employment this summer, count your blessings each time you cash your check. Good luck!

Labels: internships, job search tool, summer job, temping

Posted by Seymour Jobs on 8/06/2009 01:45:00 PM
| | Comments (1) | Permalink

Don't Call Me… I'll Call You: Why Recruiters Aren't Calling and How to Fix That!

Labels: job hunt, job search, job search tool, real-world knowledge, recruiter, resume tips, resume writing tips

Posted by Seymour Jobs on 2/20/2009 01:09:00 PM
| | Comments (2) | Permalink

Interview Skills: Showing Confidence Without Looking Arrogant.

All of your hard work has finally paid off-- you got the call back for an interview! Your resume has made an impression and a potential employer thinks that YOU might be the right person for the job. This is exactly what you’ve been waiting for, but what do you do now? Get through the interview with class, confidence, and most importantly, prove to your potential employer that you are a competent worker and the perfect person for the job. There are a number of things that can be done to ensure that you make the most out of your interview, but the key is to utilize all of them.

Come prepared--Do your research!
It is much easier to have confidence when you actually know what you are talking about. Find as much information as you can on the company you are interviewing for. This can help you to cater your answers to that companies wants and needs. You can easily determine the skills you possess that can add to the productivity of the company. You can use the information you’ve found to show your interest in the company. It can never hinder you to go into the interview fully briefed on the company and it’s policies. It is also a good idea to bring a copy of your resume with you to the interview. If your potential employer doesn’t already have a copy in front of them, then this will serve as a nice reminder of your talents and skills.

Dress to impress.
The right choice of clothing can give you that boost of confidence you may need on the day of the interview. Regardless of the companies’ dress code, it is always better to be overdressed for an interview than it is to wear clothes that may be considered too casual. Wear conservative, professional attire and make sure that your clothes fit you well—they aren’t too loose or too tight. Choosing clothing that is too colorful and ornate may be to your disadvantage, as it can detract attention from your qualifications. Your clothing should show that you are professional and are there for only one purpose: getting the job.

Don’t be late!
In fact, arrive a couple minutes early to the interview. This would give you time to fill out any necessary paperwork or time to just relax and collect your thoughts before going into the interview. Showing up to the interview late will do nothing but hurt you. To an employer, when you are late to an interview the chances are high that you will be late to other important meetings or deadlines in the future. To avoid any complications, know where you are going beforehand and make sure you give yourself enough time to get there—don’t forget to factor in traffic time!

Leave a lasting impression…
Turn OFF your cell phone before arriving for the interview. It would be unprofessional and embarrassing if your phone happened to go off during the interview. In order to save yourself from any embarrassment turn your cell phone completely off. When called into the interview greet your potential employer with a nice firm handshake, eye contact and a smile. Make sure your smile is friendly and not creepy. Creepy smiles and penetrating eye contact could give your potential employer the wrong idea about you. Never feel too comfortable—always sit up straight and use proper language (NO SLANG!). Be sure to emphasize your strengths and call upon as many details of the company as you can. You must make sure that you don’t over do it with the facts, however. Remember that your potential employer already works for the company and already knows most of the details. Your main goal is to show how your strengths work with the company’s wants and needs. When the interview is over make sure you thank your interviewer by name and end the meeting with a nice firm handshake, eye contact and a smile.

If you follow all of these steps it should be easy for you to walk into any interview with the confidence and charisma that could land you the job. Good luck!

Labels: interview dress code, interview preparation, Interview skills, job search tool

Posted by Seymour Jobs on 12/24/2008 11:44:00 AM
| | Comments (1) | Permalink

What is, and how do I work with, a recruiter?

If you’re one of those people who’s not afraid to admit you aren’t entirely sure what the heck a recruiter does… then this post is for you. Understanding exactly what a recruiter does, and the best way to work with one, can benefit your career now or down the road. So what does a recruiter do?

Simply put, a job recruiter is a person who specializes in matching the right candidate to an open position within a company or organization. Often referred to as headhunters, recruiters typically focus on a specific industry or niche and play a very important role in providing companies with top talent and in helping candidates find their dream jobs.

While recruiters can be a vital job searching tool, the reality is that recruiters work for the hiring organization, not job seekers. As a result, they look for candidates that will fit the hiring specifications, requirements and culture of their client.

When choosing a recruiter to work with, be sure to seek out recruiters that either specializes in your profession or is retained by key employers for whom you’d like to work. Once you’ve chosen a recruiter to work with, maximize the partnership by following these tips:

Treat recruiters like a potential employer. Don’t let your guard down because of the informality of the interview or conversation. Always approach your conversations, interview, and follow-up communication as if you were interviewing with a potential employer. Recruiters will be judging you on your professionalism and interview performance.

Heed their advice. Because recruiters have developed a close working relationship with their clients, they have valuable insight into each company’s culture, preferences, dress code, and other key factors. Listen to and take their advice.

Communicate with your recruiter. In order for a recruiter to work effectively on your behalf, they need to know exactly what type of position you are seeking, salary requirements, desired company or location, etc. Be very clear and upfront about these preferences. Continue to keep open communication throughout the process. Return your recruiters calls promptly, give them feedback on your interviews, and always keep them abreast of your interest levels and other job offers you may be seeking.

Just remember that recruiters’ credibility is largely based on the type of candidates they are presenting to a client. Therefore, the more professional and enjoyable you are to work with, the harder they will work for you. Good luck!

Labels: job search tool, recruiter

Posted by Seymour Jobs on 12/19/2008 01:06:00 PM
| | Comments (2) | Permalink

Social Networking: Do’s and Don’ts

Social networking sites have become a popular form of communication for people you have met at various times throughout your life. They have also become an important tool in making (and keeping) connections with current and former employers and co-workers. Those connections are imperative to your job search.

Networking is a must when embarking on a job search. With increased competitiveness in the job market, an entirely new set of challenges have been presented to job seekers. A job seeker must make his/her resume accessible to as many people possible. This can be accomplished by utilizing resume database sites, responding to classified ads and utilizing social networking sites. The advantages to social networking sites are vast, if and only if, used correctly. To obtain the maximum benefits of this online environment, it is important to know the Do’s and Don’ts of social networking.

There are many ways to keep your profile safe from the “preying” eye. Fortunately for all of us, there are these great tools called privacy settings. From there you can easily choose the privacy level that best suits your needs. This will help you to differentiate between your personal and business profile. It is always important to remember that the World Wide Web is an enormous place and you never know who may be looking at your profiles—so please be discrete and responsible about anything that you or anyone else posts to your profile.

You should also be careful about who you friend request and who you accept as a friend. It’s like your mom always told you, “birds of a feather flock together”. The friends that you keep are a direct reflection of who you are as a person. More likely than not, a prospective employer may use LinkedIn or Facebook as a tool when making the decision of hiring you or any one of your competitors. Their purpose is to scrutinize you from every possible angle, so Beware!

Social networking websites can often be a double-edged sword if not used properly. Taking these simple steps can ensure that your profile will be working for you and not against you. It also ensures that future employers/colleagues will only see the best parts of who you are. You’d be surprised how hiding or “de-tagging” incriminating, inappropriate pictures from your profile can work wonders for your image.

Also, don’t forget to take total advantage of the information sections of your profile. Use this space to list your talents, hobbies and any previous work experience you have had – minus the reining title of ‘Beer Pong Champion’. By simply using a little discretion and a little creative flare you’ll put your best foot forward and hopefully the job offers will come pouring in!

Good luck!

Labels: damage control, job search, job search tool, social networking, social networking websites

Posted by Seymour Jobs on 12/05/2008 09:53:00 AM
| | Comments (1) | Permalink

I’m Going to Graduate… Now What?

Your college days are quickly coming to an end. You are about to face the real world for the first time. In other words, you’re going to need a real job— pretty scary, huh? If you’re wondering what to do next, you’re not alone. Millions of new grads have been faced with this same exact situation. They survived, and I promise, you will too! Nonetheless, there are things that can be done in preparation to help make your transition into the working world a little less jolting.

Like most grads, I’m sure you’re thinking that a great resume is going to take you places. While that’s true for the most part, it’s the substance (not the fluff) that determines the greatness of a resume. These days the job market is intense, so you’ll need to pull out all of the stops in order to land the job of your dreams, or at least one that’s worth bragging about. But, before you even think about writing your resume, make it your ambition to get as much experience as possible. That way, you’ll have something impressive to put on that fresh new resume of yours.

Internships, temp jobs and volunteer work are all great ways to rack up experience. Plus, you’ll gain an insider perspective in the field that you want to work in—something invaluable to finding career happiness. It also gives you the opportunity to network with other professionals in your prospective field. Networking is critical. It means getting your name out there and making connections with people who can assist or influence your job search. The right contact could be your golden ticket to a sought-after career opportunity that may otherwise not exist.

As you gain experience, you’ll find out what you like to do and what you’d rather do without. This is an important part of determining what career path will suit you best. While your degree will set you in a definite direction, don’t overlook jobs that play to your natural talents, interests and abilities. A 40-hour work week is tough enough, so make sure it’s a job you that you don’t mind doing or better yet, that you actually like.

Once you’ve got some experience and a grip on what jobs appeal to you, it’s time to write your resume. Unlike those lengthy research papers you’ve become so familiar with, a good resume should be short, sweet and to the point. It should provide an employer a brief synopsis of your education, work experience, skills and achievements. Since you are new to the workforce, it should not exceed one page in length, unless your experience merits it.

Next, you’ll want to write a smooth cover letter. Your cover letter functions as a prelude to your resume, offering you a platform to pitch yourself to prospective employers. It should include a personal introduction, indicate the position you’re applying for, express interest in the company, and expand upon (not just repeat) the skills and experience that make you the best candidate for the job. Finally, your cover letter should fit nicely on one page with ample margin space.

Once your resume and cover letter are complete, it’s time to make your debut to the job market. There are a number of ways to do that—from uploading your resume to job boards and applying to online job postings, to targeting specific employer Web sites and applying to posted positions or e-mailing your resume to their HR department. While it may be tempting to send out a blanket distribution of your resume, it’s not wise. Instead, research each company and job description. Then, modify your resume and cover letter to appeal to each position.

Now that you are faced with the quickly approaching end to your college career, it’s time to apply what you learned to the workplace. Make it count. Your career is a blank slate. It can be everything you want it to be, it’s all up to you. So, take this information and get experience, network, write your resume, prepare a cover letter, post it to job boards and e-mail it to employers. Go out there and make it happen! Good luck!

Labels: almost done, college, college experience, first job, internship, job search, job search tool, jobs after college, resume tips, the real world, transition

Posted by Seymour Jobs on 11/21/2008 09:53:00 AM
| | Comments (0) | Permalink

New Skool versus Old Skool

New Skool vs. Old Skool - the ever-present battle between digitalized and paper resumes. What to do? The answer is simple: do every option available to help you in your job search. There are advantages to both digital and traditional resumes. This is what some might call and win-win scenario. Your chances for landing the job have just doubled and your potential employer could notice something previously overlooked.

Of course, compiling a strong digital resume/portfolio is a must. Today’s world is a digital jungle and the job market is no different. The job market is fiercely competitive and all bases must be covered in order to ensure your chances at finding the job of your dreams. A digital portfolio allows you the opportunity to store reference letters and samplings of previous work. You can include pictures, videos and any other materials that may bring your portfolio to that next level.

Many people use recruiting websites to assist in their job search. These websites make your resume available to thousands of potential employers. Digitalized copies of your resume are necessary for any resume-database websites that you find yourself using. Utilizing these tools are immensely helpful in the job search, but only if you understand and use them properly. These websites implement the use of keywords. Employers will enter keywords for skills and qualities they are looking for in applicants. Making your digital resume, keyword-friendly is extremely important.

Be sure to maximize your digital resumes searchability. There are a few easy ways to do this. Your professional areas of expertise and their synonyms should be keywords spread evenly throughout your resume. Be very specific—for instance, if you are fluent in more than one language, you may consider having the word multilingual appear in your resume, as well as the languages you are fluent in. Similarly is you have earned an M.A. you may consider using the words Master of Arts as well as the abbreviation in the education section of your resume. A resume that optimizes keywords does not have to be separate from your traditional resume. The traditional resume and keyword-optimized resume can be one and the same. With a bit of extra effort, your resume can be as efficient as possible.

Paper resumes are advantageous because they appeal to your potential employers eyes rather than a computer database. You have the opportunity to choose thick, impressive-feeling paper. The paper needs to be kept simple, professional and white in color. Sending a hard copy of your resume can do nothing but improve your chances of getting the job. When you include both a traditional and digital resume in your portfolio this shows your potential employer your dedication to the job finding process. By showing your potential employer your dedication to the job hunt, you give them a glimpse into the dedication you will put into all aspects of your life.

Labels: digital resume, job search, job search tool, traditional resume

Posted by Seymour Jobs on 10/31/2008 02:40:00 PM
| | Comments (0) | Permalink

It’s not what you know, it’s who you know...

Labels: facebook, job search, job search tool, linkedin, networking, social networking

Posted by Seymour Jobs on 10/24/2008 11:02:00 AM
| | Comments (4) | Permalink

Job Search Strategies for College Students

I read a great post on BullsEyeResumes blog discussing job search strategies for college students. Enjoy!

Finding a Job In this Recession

With mounting job losses on Wall Street college students, Class of 2009 primarily, might be thinking about what may be in store for them next spring. Bill Carson, director of the Center for Career Development at Morgan State University, offers these tips for a successful job search in a recession. (Read the complete article here)

- Use all the campus resources available to you. The college career center staff can share resume writing tips, interview preparation help and just general job search resources.
- Explore global careers and overseas job options. Not all foreign opportunities require employees to be proficient in a foreign language.
- Expand your network. Make sure to reach out to family members, prior employers and even alumni of your university.
- Sign up for professional associations. Many professional associations have student rates that are an absolute bargain. Take advantage of them while in school.
- Sharpen your interview skills. Get some help with behavioral interviews and panel interviews.
- Go government. Look for federal and state employment opportunities.
- Follow up on all the leads you receive.
- Be careful when preparing your resume and job search documents.

In a tight economy, expect that a successful job search might take up to a year. Start now!

Labels: job search, job search tool, jobs after college

Posted by Melissa on 10/15/2008 05:26:00 PM
| | Comments (0) | Permalink

glassdoor provides students w/ company sneak peaks

I just read a great post on Cheezhead's blog outlining a new resource thats been made available for active job-seeking college students.

Glassdoor a workplace community that encourages users to leave information about salary, perks, and advice about companies, is opening their doors to students and career service professionals.

With a valid .edu email account, students will be allowed free access for one year to Glassdoor’s site with the ability to access salary details and company reviews for more than 11,000 potential employers in 80 countries.

To read more: glassdoor provides students w/ company sneak peaks
Posted using ShareThis

Labels: job search, job search tool, jobs after college

Posted by Melissa on 10/14/2008 10:18:00 AM
| | Comments (0) | Permalink