This week’s Blog entry is written by Amber Madsen, Career Services’ student worker, sharing advice based on her own experience.
1. Start your search early — your new employer may be looking up to 6 months in advance for people to fill positions or internships. PSU’s Nittany Lion Career Network (NLCN) is a great tool, developed specifically for Penn state students, where you can find job as well as internship listings. Use it! You already have an account and it’s free!
2. Ask for advice– The Career Services office is here to help. You’ve already paid for it in your tuition; you might as well take advantage of it! Career counselors are here to help you with resume writing, job/internship advice, help with navigating the NLCN, and much more. Attend a training workshop or set up an individual appointment.
3. Go to job fairs— even if you’re not looking for a position right this instant, you’ll get the opportunity to meet people who are currently working in the field you’d like to be in, and they can offer some important insights. You’ll also collect business cards and learn about the job market in your area. Remember–based on recent studies, more than 85% of people find jobs based on NETWORKING.
4. Get involved on campus–showing that you can juggle classes and club involvement demonstrates to a manager that you have time management and organizational skills. It also translates into a willingness to go above and beyond your classwork. With the economy as tough as it is right now, you need a strong resume to even get a second look, let alone an interview–stack the deck in your favor!
5. Practice! Whether this is your first or one hundredth interview, it never hurts to practice. The Career Services office offers a free service called INTERVIEW STREAM. This is a computer program that allows you to record yourself, via a webcam, answering potential interview questions that you can either choose yourself or have chosen for you. This is a really helpful program that allows you to critique yourself and see what your nervous ticks are. For more information, go to : http://hbg.psu.edu/careers/interview-stream.shtml
6. Research the company you are interviewing with — read their mission statement, find out what the company’s goals are, look for buzz words. You can then use all of these things to mold your interview responses so that your goals closely meet theirs.
7. Prepare 3-5 questions to ask your interviewer BEFORE your interview. Try to stick to questions related to the position and the company. Your initial interview is NOT the time to ask about salary.
8. Make your weaknesses into strengths. No one is perfect and employers want to hear that you have room for improvement. You can soften your faults by discussing how you intend to (or are already) address them in the future. Being self-aware and being open to constructive criticism are two traits that employers will appreciate.
9. Remove facial piercings –You only have one chance to make a business-like first impression.
10. Facebook! Social networking sites have security settings for a reason–use them if you are going to have accounts that can be viewed by the general public. Whether or not they admit it, employers are using the web more than ever as part of their screening process. Don’t let your friends’ posts and pictures take you out of the running for a job.