Effective Preparation for Your Next Steps: Career & Internship Searches Kathryn E Frantz Admissions Counselor Kent State University.

Effective Preparation for Your Next Steps: Career & Internship Searches

Kathryn E FrantzAdmissions CounselorKent State University

Purpose of Today:

Help you to find that ideal internship and career that matches your goals and objectives

Plan for Your Success• Professional Goals- Setting attainable objectives• Marketing your experience, capabilities, and

knowledge• Structuring a reliable career search network• Effective résumé techniques• Internship & career fair etiquette • Application trends: The E-Application• Interview etiquette• Proper follow-up

Understanding & Attaining Goals• As a college student, you, and hundreds of others,

may be unsure of a career choice

• If you have identified your career and understand the steps required to obtain that ideal internship or job, don’t forget to follow through

• Even if you have had your professional life planned since you were in grade school, a mental review of your short and long term career goals is advisable

A New Beginning• Job seekers have a tendency to plunge into a job search

full of enthusiasm, but pay little attention to their final goal

• Irrational job searchers are likely to start considering other opportunities three to six months into their assignment

• Take time to understand various factors which may influence your job satisfaction. Doing so will provide you with a stronger sense of your “ultimate job

The “Critical Three” Profile• Developed in 1978 by William Crockett of National

Training Laboratories

• Job Task Preferences (ex. Predictable vs. unpredictable work, being a leader vs. a supporting actor)

• Self-Management Preferences (ex. Team player vs. individual contributor, learning from doing vs. observation)

• Interpersonal Relationship Preferences (ex. Active involvement in conflict resolution vs. allowing others to handle the situation, using authority to accomplish tasks vs. negotiation)

Focus on Past Experiences• List all positions held and any work experience

that will assist you with your next career

• Consider how pleased you were with your level of influence

• Rate each position on a scale of “very satisfied” to “very dissatisfied”

Focus on Past Experiences

•As with the previous exercise, list all positions you have held or currently hold

•Consider how comfortable you felt “fitting in” with the environment and co-workers

•Rate each position on a scale of “very satisfied” to “very dissatisfied”

•Determine commonalities between each “very satisfied” position

Profiling Your Ideal Boss• Consider the various bosses, coaches or community leaders with whom you have worked

• Develop an idea of the type of boss you want to work for in your first full-time job

• Create a list of 10 phrases describing your best boss

• What are the positive traits of this boss? How did these traits affect your work effort and behavior? Did this boss motivate you to work harder?

Marketing Your Experience and Capabilities

• Step one: Identify your skills!

• Write a success story about yourself with regards to an

accomplishment

• Describe what you did, identify any obstacles you encountered and strengths you used to achieve your goal

Marketing your Experience and Capabilities

•Request input about your skills from coworkers, classmates, friends, and even professors

•Ask individuals to think about both technical and transferable skills and provide concrete examples

Are your “Preferred” Skills in Demand?• Make a list of your strongest skills

• Narrow this list down to your “preferred” skills

• Read through job descriptions of positions you are considering and take note of their recommended skills

• Highlight your “preferred” skills that are listed in job descriptions and promote them during your job search

Cold-Contact Marketing• Employ a mass-mailing strategy of your resume

• 3 critical rules:

1. Target your market 2. Contact a specific person 3. Tailor your cover letters to each company

Structuring a Reliable Network• It is never too early to begin building a network

• More than 70% of jobs are found through personal and professional networks (De Back, 2010)

• Create an “A” list of people you know including classmates, friends, family members and neighbors who work in your desired field

Structuring a Reliable Network• Before contacting an individual in your network, think about what you can offer in return for their

assistance

• Contact network prospects by telephone or in-person

• Maintain networking relationships even if the individual is unable to help you immediately

Tips for Maintaining your Network• Keep an organized plan for regular contact with individuals

• Record notes about your contacts and interactions with them

• Look for ways you can help your contacts with issues they face—this will improve your two-way relationship

Do something for somebody every day for which you

do not get paid.Albert Schweitzer

An Informational Interview• Connect with someone in your desired field

through your network contacts.

• Call the individual you would work for if employed by their company to ask for a lunch meeting.

• Tell the individual that you would like to learn more about their job field.

P.S. Do not hint that you are looking for a job.

Conducting the Informational Interview

•Play the role of the interviewer

•What do you look for when hiring individuals?

•What qualifications do you see as most valuable?

•What skills do you feel are vital to your success?

•Why do you enjoy your position and what do you like most about the company?

Stand Out in the Market: Leadership Experience

• Gain real-world experience as soon as possible

• It is never too early to visit your college career center

• Take advantage of free career counseling!

Stand Out in the Market: Leadership Experience

•If there is an association for your chosen profession, join it!

•Join at least ONE campus based organization and obtain a leadership role

•Employers are searching for individuals who are enthusiastic about taking strides to improve their company

Leadership involves finding a parade and getting in front of it.

John Naisbitt

Leadership is getting someone to do what they don’t want to do, to

achieve what they want to achieve. Tom Landry

Key Components of Your Resume• A specific objective is imperative. Focus on the

exact position you are seeking at the entry level

• Choose the most successful objective 1. “To obtain a position with a progressive

organization that will fully utilize my talents and skills”

2. “Marketing position with a computer software

vendor in the Chicago area”

Key Components of Your Resume•Correct answer: Option 2

•Narrow your career objective in any of the following areas: 1. Job type 2. Industry

3. Geographical area

•A well-structured objective will effectively set you apart from competitors

The Buzzword Resume Prevails•What are buzzwords? The job-defined keywords representing areas

of skills the employer feels are essential to good job performance

•More than 80% of resumes undergo electronic “keyword searches” to sieve through applicants

(Beatty, 2006)

Sample Buzzword Categories• Educational level• Job levels (supervisor, vice president)• College major• School name (Penn State, University of

Maryland)• Professional skills (architectural drawing,

marketing research)• Traits ( self-motivated, ability to stay on task,

diligent)

Internship & Career Fair Success

In the middle of difficulty lies opportunity.

Albert Einstein•On-campus job fairs are always the most

productive - employers already have an interest in your college

•Be prepared—these are the first interviews you will encounter with potential employers

Internship & Career Fair SuccessWhat if I am unable to research prospective employers

ahead of time?

1. Make note of whom you specifically want to visit 2. After gathering hand-outs, and take a few steps back to hear what the recruiter is asking 3. While standing in line, immerse yourself in the information presented in the employer’s materials 4. Network with other prospects while waiting in line

Internship & Career Fair SuccessPrepare yourself fully for every employer you

meet at the job fair. You may not get a second chance.

Brian Krueger, C.P.C.

When introducing yourself to the recruiter: 1.step up with confidence 2.clearly state your mission statement and

how it matches their specific needs

Internship & Career Fair Success•Leave a lasting impression by visiting

your “favorite” company before you leave. Thank the recruiter and express your interest in speaking

with them soon•Don’t forget to follow up!

Application Trend: E-Application•If the position seems like a stretch for

you, it most likely is.

•Only send materials specified in the job announcement

•Do not forget the cover letter!

•Keep it professional

Competitive Interview Preparation•Dress the part; keep it professional

•Evaluate nonverbal gestures

•Interview before you interview; complete a mock interview

Knock ‘Em Dead Interview Strategies

• Three Major Steps 1. Establish Rapport

2. Gather Information

3. Close

To be a great champion, you must believe you are the best. If you’re not, pretend you are.

Muhammad Ali

8 Tough Interview Questions1. Tell me about yourself.2. Why should I hire you?3. What is your long-term goal?4. How has your education prepared you for your

career?5. Are you a team player?6. Have you ever had a conflict with a boss or

professor? Explain how you resolved the situation.7. What is your greatest weakness.8. What qualities do you feel a successful manager

should possess?

Proper Interview Follow-up

•Objectively analyze the interview•Compose a traditional follow-up letter•Address the letter or e-mail to main

interviewer•Send letter within 24 hours of interview•Contact the interviewer after 5 days

ReferencesBeatty, R.H. (2006). The ultimate job search. Indianapolis, IN: Jist

Works.De Back, A. (2010). Get hired in a tough market. New York, NY:

McGraw-Hill.King, J.A., & Sheldon, B. (1995). The smart women’s guide to

resumes and job hunting (3rd ed.). Pompton Plains, NJ: Career Press, Inc.

Krueger, B. D. (2008). The college grad job hunter (6th ed.). Avon, MA: Adams Media.

Sullivan, J.L., & Jansen, S.C. (2005). E-Application Etiquette. The Chronicle of Higher Education. Retrieved from

http://chronicle.com/article/E-Application-Etiquette/44933/Yate, M. (2010). Knock ‘em dead: The ultimate job search guide.

Avon, MA: Adams Media.