Big East Virtual Career Fair – Nov. 10th!

The USF Career Center and Big East Career Consortium in collaboration with Unicruit is pleased to announce the Big East Virtual Career Fair which is open exclusively to students and alumni of the Big East Schools.  Imagine interacting with recruiters from top industries and organizations in a 3D virtual fair in real time!

The virtual fair will be live on November 10^th from 10am -5pm and “on-demand” from 5pm November 10^th through November 19^th.  At the live fair, you can conduct a live chat session with employers, network with peers, view and apply for positions, participate in live video interviews with employers who have invited you to interview, and upload your resume.  During the “on demand” days, recruiters may or may not be online, however you can still visit employer booths, view and apply for jobs, submit your resume, and send recruiters messages. 

To participate, follow these simple steps: 

Step 1: Register for the Virtual Fair and view the list of participating employers at www.career.usf.edu.

Step 2: You will receive registration confirmation by email.

Step 3: Login on the day of the Live Fair or “on-demand” days.

Registered participants will be entered into a drawing for an Apple iPad!  Don’t miss out on this unique opportunity to network with employers! 

Good luck!

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Featured Guest Blogger Competition Entrant – Brittany Cerny

A college experience for one person is not the same as the college experience of another. What is fun and lively for one student can be hectic and stressful for another. For a while, I thought that attending college was a special brand of limbo created just for kids my age. College was a test; a test of wits, a test of endurance, a test of sacrifice. As a full time student-often times more than full time- and a part time server, college was a struggle; a struggle to get up in the morning, to trudge through the daily grind and make it to class on time.

At the end of the fall semester of my sophomore year, I switched my major from chemical engineering to magazine journalism. I was 80 percent finished with my general requirement courses, and was on my way to begin the core courses within the journalism major. I was looking at the beginning of my future, wondering how I was going to make it to what lay after graduation, and if I would even want it once I found it.

Junior year rolled around, bringing with it more challenging courses and leaving me without a real connection into the journalism world-or so I thought. Then, two things happened at once: I started scrapbooking with my mom and my mom’s friend Sheryl Vitelli was laid off from her job. Now, how do these two seemingly insignificant things relate to my career as a journalist? It’s simple, although I didn’t see it at first either: Sheryl ended up getting a job at FOCUS Magazine as a sales consultant and I was able to network with her at my mom’s scrapbooking parties.

I remember mentioning to Sheryl that I was going to school to be a writer. She had just started her job at FOCUS and said that she would look into any internships that they offered. Little did I know that this remark of mine would stay lodged into her brain, only to free itself one day many months down the road when her manager would ask if she knows any writers.

So one day I get a call. A call that would forever change my outlook on college, on life, on the benefits of networking with anyone and everyone you meet. Susan Riff, a manager at FOCUS Magazine calls me, says Sheryl mentioned that I was a writer, and that FOCUS wants me-me!- to write for them. I was completely blown away. I was excited and nervous, I felt like there were butterflies swimming around inside my body, just waiting to burst out with excitement.

At this moment, I knew that the only reason that I had been offered this job was because I had networked with Sheryl-however blindly it may have been- and was given a chance to prove my want to be a writer. Networking had helped me start writing for an established news outlet and would help me enhance my experience as a writer.

Once I began writing, I realized that people want to talk to you, especially once they find out you’re a writer. My experience as a writer so far is that a journalist gets to venture out into the community and ask questions about what’s going on around them. I get to be a facilitator of free PR, offering coverage of people and events that I find interesting in my daily trolling around my community.

USF Professor Randy Miller told my class that to write a story, you have to unleash your inner seven year old; you need to get curious about the world around you. Being a writer pushes you, it’s challenging. I often find myself banging my head up against the wall, chewing off pen caps- but, I love it. I have never found more enjoyment in my work-if you can even call doing something you love work- than when I’m out covering a story, or when I’m back at home writing about it.

So, who am I? I’m a student, a server, and a writer. But more than that, I’m a person. A person who knows that you will never meet two people who are the same, that everyone has a story to tell, and that each story you hear is a chance to connect with that person and create lasting relationships that you can build a foundation for your life off of. Networking isn’t just about getting contacts in the business world, it’s about building a relationship out of those contacts and connecting with people within your community.

Brittany Cerny

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Shannon Love Talks Business Cards

Greetings Blog Readers! 

In the Spring, we held a competition for a Guest Blogger spot on our blog.  The quality of the entries we received was excellent!  Below is one of the many excellent entries we received:

Have you ever been out, had a person flirt with you, and then discover that you don’t have a pen or paper to write down your name and number? How about a potential employer? Writing your number on a napkin with the waitress’s pen is one thing for a date, but humiliating when looking for a job.

One of the most important lessons I got drilled into me my first year in college was to always have business cards with me. Unfortunately, it wasn’t just by someone telling me the importance of business cards- it was by missed opportunities.

           I was in a service group, related to Kiwanis International, and met a very well known attorney (who happened to be a Kiwanis member!). He mentioned he was looking for a new legal assistant and asked if I would be interested. Of course, I said yes. However, I was also excited when he asked for my name and e-mail- until I realized I was completely unprepared. Not only did I not have paper, but I also didn’t have a pen! Asking for a pen, and writing my contact information down on a napkin was an embarrassing situation. I never got a call or e-mail from him, and looking back, I completely understand why.

           Too often, college students approach college as a chance to simply have fun. And sometimes, we also add the chance to get an education. One of the biggest things that college students miss, however: the opportunity to network with individuals! After this, I immediately printed up business cards. The cards themselves aren’t expensive- you can purchase a kit from Wal-mart for less than ten dollars or go to a site such as Vistaprint.com and get them made very cheaply. Not only are the cards the perfect professional touch, but it also provides an easy way for me to assure I have everything a potential employer needs to contact me should they ever wish to do so. Then, should I ever meet someone- at school, a job fair, a student conference- my contact information is always ready.

Here are a few tips to consider when creating a business card for the first time:

• Keep it professional. When you were 13, the e-mail Kitten497@aol.com was cute. Now, however, something along those lines is not recommended for your job hunt. Consider going to Gmail and getting a simple e-mail, or using your school e-mail address.
• Emphasize your knowledge of technology. Let it be a well-known rule- NEVER put your Facebook on your business cards. Facebook is for your friends and select business contacts to catch up, not for the potential business employed. Instead, consider creating a basic Linked In account (www.linkedin.com). It’s free; more professional based, and can include things such as groups (I highly recommend the USF Alumni group), past employer positions, skills, and contact information.
• Make it interesting. Too many college students assume that anything business related has to be dull, but you can find ways to incorporate fun. Add a witty quote that’s related to your style. For example, I love a quote from Aristotle- “We are what we repeatedly do. Excellence, therefore, is not an act but a habit.” Add your own- and look at it whenever you feel the need for a motivation!

Thanks for reading!

Shannon Love

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A USF Student’s Guide to a Professional FWS Job Search

Great!  You were awarded the opportunity to seek an FWS job because you filled out your FAFSA by March 1^st, ensured your financial aid file was completed in a timely manner, and met all of the other requirements in order to qualify.  Now it’s time to start your FWS Job Search.

Where do you start?  If you haven’t done so already, you should come to the Career Center with a print-out of your “Award Overview” screen from OASIS showing you have accepted your FWS award.  When you get to the Career Center, the front desk representative will have you complete a Resume Release Form.  This will get your account started.  However, in order to view FWS jobs, you will also need to upload a resume.

Never created a resume before?  No problem!  The Career Center has a number of online resume resources and an FWS Advisor and an FWS Graduate Assistant that can help.  You can call 813-974-2171 to schedule an appointment.

The FWS program is designed to give you the experience of searching for a job.  It mimics the real world experience and the real world labor market.  As such, just like the rest of the job market right now, the FWS job market is rather competitive.  This is because there are more students looking for jobs than there are jobs.  This means you will need to put your very best foot forward!  But, don’t despair!  This only means that after participating in this experience, you will have a head-start on job search skills which will help you be successful well into your future!

Here are a few tips to keep your FWS job search professional and competitive:

1. When you complete the Resume Release Form and your resume, use your USF email address.  When job searching, it is important to always use an email address that is associated with your name.  This helps brand your name with your qualifications.  It is also especially important not to have an inappropriate email address such as:  “sexywoman4U@hotmail.com” , “myeternallove@yahoo.com” , “likesBIGtrucks@tampabay.rr.com” , etc. 
2. Review your outgoing voicemail message and in-call ring tones to ensure they are appropriate before giving out your phone number to potential employers.  For example, if your in-call ring tone plays “Rude Boy” by Rihanna, you may want to consider cancelling that feature while you are job searching!  If you answer your voicemail with a joke or casual message intended to get a laugh from your friends, you may want to consider changing it while engaged in the job search process.   
3. When searching for jobs in Career Connections, you should:
   • Apply to the most recent job postings first.
   • Follow the application instructions closely.
   • Be sure to include a well-written “Message to Employer” if the application instructions ask you to “Submit Resume” through Career Connections.
   • Make sure your spelling and grammar are accurate in all communications. 
   • Avoid using text speech (such as using “U” vs. “You”) when communicating with an employer about a job.
   • Follow-up with the contact listed in Career Connections within a week of applying for the job.
   • Dress as nicely as possible when you go to your interview.  Avoid t-shirts or shirts with writing on them, flip-flops, shorts, low-cut tops, or anything that looks too casual.  Try a polo or solid color shirt, slacks (khakis are always a good and relatively inexpensive choice), and nice, closed-toed shoes or dress shoes.  If you’d like more advice on ways you can dress nicely without having to go purchase something, you may want to consider scheduling an appointment with the FWS Advisor or her Graduate Assistant.
   • Be early to any interviews or appointments.  Be sure to factor in things that can come up in transit to the interview so that you don’t have to find yourself in that uncomfortable experience of explaining why you are late.  Being late will also likely cost you the job.
   • Bring extra copies of your resume, a copy of your FWS “Award Overview” screen from OASIS, a copy of your class schedule, and a list of references to your interview.
   • Follow-up after every interview with a personalized thank you letter.  Be sure to use your best handwriting (if handwritten) and proper spelling and grammar.
   • If you come to the FWS Job Fair on Thursday, September 2nd from 11am – 2pm in the MSC Ballroom, be sure to bring a copy of your FWS “Award Overview” (for admittance) and follow the same tips as if you were coming to an inteview (dress, copies of resume/references/class schedule, follow-up, etc.)

Overall, just remember that the FWS job search requires you to put your best foot forward and is, for many of you, your very first employment experience.  On campus hiring departments are looking for student workers who present themselves professionally, who show up on time, who are dependable, and who can do the jobs that they need done.  Your goal is to show them that you are the person they need for their job and that you will be dependable during the entire course of the employment experience with them. 

Our advice is to treat every job like your dream job.  Why?  Because every job gives you the opportunity to learn valuable skills that you can take with you for the rest of your career and every job provides numerous contacts to build your employment network.  This will be key when it comes time to apply for graduate or professional school and/or conduct your full-time job search!

Best of luck and Go Bulls!

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Five tips to help you brave the “Research Factor”

Alright, you’ve got an excellent resume, an impeccable suit, and a winning elevator speech.  You’ve also read all of our advice on job searching and networking and you already know you need to do your research.  Great!  You are ahead of several of your peers in that regard. 

But, what on earth do you do with all this information?  Well, you can find a wealth of information out there about the importance of researching employers and how to do so, but very little discussion exists about how to really apply the research learned when you get in the interview, or in this case, to the Career Networking Fair.  Here are some tips to think about as you are conducting your research:

1. Target the right employers for your cultural values:  Prior to doing research, you may see the list of employers that are coming to the Career Networking Fair and pick 10 or so that you want to be sure you visit while you are nicely dressed in your coordinated business suit.  Initially, this selection may be based upon your initial impressions and/or general knowledge of the employer.  However, if you spend time conducting more thorough research on the employer, you may uncover they really aren’t a company for which you’d like to work, and can therefore remove them from your list.  You would then have that much more time to spend on employers that are more likely to really be a good fit for you.  Conversely, you may find that you are even more motivated to work for them than ever before!  Hopefully, you have also done your own values assessment and are able to research the right questions to determine what will fit best with you. 
2. Take the time to understand the hiring needs for each of the companies in which you are genuinely interested AND whether or not you are qualified for their openings:  One of the concerns shared by recruiters is students’ lack of understanding regarding the meaning of an entry-level position and its requirements.  Student candidates sometimes meet the recruiter and begin conversations as though they will be in a management position right out of college.  For most companies, it is unusual to start as a manager without any previous experience and you will have to pay some dues before climbing up the corporate ladder.  The recruiter in this situation can tell immediately that you have not done your research and will think your goals are not realistic.  Also, you should spend the time tailoring your resume to the specific type of job you are hoping to get with the specific type of employer.    
3. Know how and when to use the research you have learned:  Your head is exploding with all the information you have gathered and you want the recruiter to know that you’ve been hard at work and are completely enthusiastic about the possibility to work for them.  That’s great! However, you will need to channel all that knowledge into a comfortable, hopefully memorable, conversation with the recruiter.  The key is, don’t try too hard!  Instead, approach the recruiter in a professional manner (perhaps the same way you would approach one of your professors) and let them know you are genuinely interested in their organization and why.  Ask good questions along the way and try to relax.  If you have done your homework and it is a company for which you really want to work, the knowledge you have gained should come out naturally in the conversation.  Your reasons why you want to work for them should demonstrate that your interests and skills match the company’s needs.
4. Consider the Career Networking Fair as an additional opportunity for research if you are not yet actively job searching:  If you are just starting out in your education and aren’t sure what industry is best for you, attending a Career Networking Fair is the best place to start gathering research to help you make your choice.  Starting this research early will pay off greatly when it comes time to actively search for jobs.  You will have gained information and contacts that you have hopefully nurtured over your college career.
5. Tailor your resume to the specific type of job you are hoping to get with the specific type of employer:  The information you gather should help you select the information that most closely aligns with each company’s openings.  If there are no openings advertised, prepare a resume that is geared toward the kind of opening you would apply for if one was available.  Also, be sure to prepare a general resume in case you have time to visit some additional tables and strike up a conversation with other recruiters not on your list.

Don’t let fear be a factor this spring as you brave the Career Networking Fair by making sure that you have amply satisfied the research factor!

Thanks for reading and remember…

“All our dreams can come true if we have the courage to pursue them.” – Walt Disney

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