Close, but no Job

Guest Author: CareerAlley
Author Website: http://CareerAlley.com

Do not worry if others do not understand you. Instead worry if you do not understand others.” – Confucius

I played the role of hiring manager again this past week and it is always a somewhat surreal experience for me. Sometimes the career adviser in me wants to jump across the table, grab the candidate by the collar and say “hey, don’t you know how to prepare for an interview?”. But what amazes me more than anything else are those that manage to somehow spoil an otherwise great interview. Sometimes it’s during the interview (like the guy who told me he has to remind himself that not everyone is as smart as him). Sometimes it’s after the interview (poorly written thank you letters or no follow-up letter at all) and sometimes it’s other stuff (like your Spring Break picture posted on Facebook). Whatever your poison, it’s worth the time to find the antidote.

  • 25 Common Facebook Faux Pas That College Students Make – This article, from Onlinecollege.org, provides a list of things you want to avoid doing on Facebook. There are the usual suspects (like don’t post incriminating photos) to some that you might not have thought of (like playing too much Farmville???). In any case, this is definitely worth a read.


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Bring an Open Mind as You Enter the Workforce

Guest Author: William Frierson is a staff writer for CollegeRecruiter.com.
Website: http://www.collegerecruiter.com/

It is important for job seekers to consider all of their options when trying to get hired. For example, college graduates who have a specific career field in mind should explore a variety of positions they may be qualified for. Even though they or you have that one job in mind, the current economy would suggest bringing an open mind to any job search.

Remember these points on your quest for employment:

Keep your options open – You don’t have to accept your first job offer. As mentioned before, take a look at what opportunities are available in your chosen career field. Only apply for the jobs which are a good fit for you.

Don’t put so much pressure on yourself – This is especially true for recent college graduates or entry level job seekers. You might think that your first job has to be the perfect one, but that’s not true. Understand that this job is only the beginning of your journey to a successful career.

Don’t take a job just for the title – Choosing a job is not about status alone. It’s about the job itself and what you can bring to the position. Ask yourself if you’re right for the job.

Whether you’re graduating or career changing, you never know when or where a good opportunity will come along. That is why you should bring an open mind to the workforce.

-Source-
http://thecareernews.com/newsletter.php?news=2509

Article courtesy of the Recruiting Blogswap, a content exchange service sponsored by CollegeRecruiter.com, a leading site for college students looking for internships and recent graduates searching for entry level jobs and other career opportunities.



Pomp and Circumstance – and Welcome to the World of Work

Guest Author: Carole Martin, The Interview Coach
Website: http://www.interviewcoach.com

It’s a time for joy – A time for tears – A time we’ll treasure – Through the years – We’ll remember always Graduation Day (song- JAN-1991)

Congratulations on attaining your degree! A special time and a proud accomplishment — You did it! You’re finished! With school that is – now it’s time to do some learning about the survival techniques in the “World of Work” in a competitive environment. Are you ready to take the next steps?

Hopefully you have a good resume prepared, if not, that will be your first priority! Need help? Many colleges have career centers that are willing to help you with your resume, but if you don’t have that option try the “resume help” of the top job search engines or find a resume expert on Linkedin/Facebook.” The aim of this resume is to create enough interest to garner you an invite for a job interview.

Start by doing research on job postings and companies that may interest you. There are several good job search websites available to assist you in your search and they may give you ideas on places to connect with people in your field of interest. Once your resume is polished the next challenge of course will be getting that resume out to the right people. This may require some new techniques for you and will become your new “job search homework assignment”. Find the sites that interest you and submit or post your resume there.

Scouting through the want ads is important to create your own “wish list” of the type of job you want and a summary of what’s important to you. While times are tougher than ever for new grads, ideally, you will want to find a match with your goals and values. The goal of this step is to find a win-win situation for your first job. This will happen when you find a job in an area you excel in. That way your employer gets an enthusiastic “new grad” ready to get out and make a difference, and you will be motivated by what you’re doing and at the same time be gaining valuable experience to advance in your career.

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Top Five Things You Should Look for In an Internship

Guest Author: Margaret Cook

ABOUT THE AUTHOR: Margaret Cook is a Camps Director for Rasmussen College at the Tampa/Brandon, FL college campus. She has worked in the field of business operations management for over 30 years. Ms. Cook also has a Bachelor’s degree in Business Administration from the University of Miami, and a Master’s degree in Business Administration from Florida International University. She has managed large-scale operations centers for prestigious companies such as The Walt Disney Company, Capital One, AOL, and Progressive® Insurance.
Website: http://www.rasmussen.edu/locations/florida/tampa-brandon/

An internship is an amazing opportunity to gain on-the-job skills and experience while you’re still in college. But with the array of internship opportunities available – some paid and some unpaid – how do you choose the perfect opportunity for you? Here are the top five things you should look for in an internship.

1. Workplace Environment
Would you like to work in an environment that’s full of energy and fast paced, or would you prefer a more predictable, conservative work atmosphere? Regardless of what type of atmosphere you prefer, your workplace environment should be comfortable and conducive to learning.

You can size up the work environment of a potential internship in a variety of ways. First, check out the company’s website (if there is one). How the company presents itself on the Web could give you clues to the work environment. For example, if the tone of the website is very professional and corporate in nature, you can probably expect the same of the office atmosphere. Also, check for the company’s presence on social networking sites like LinkedIn™, Facebook®, YouTube® and Twitter®. The information presented here also may help you gain a better feel for the nature of the work environment.

The interview is another great time to gather information about the company’s workplace environment. Just as the company is evaluating your skills for a good fit, this is your opportunity to evaluate whether the company’s work environment is right for you. And don’t be afraid to ask questions about the work environment during your interview. Some employers may even be willing to let you speak with an intern or employee to gather more information.

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