UVM Career Services Blog

What Employers Look for on a Resume

Posted on December 13, 2012 with No Comments

How long do employers look at your resume? 1 minute? 30 seconds? The answer is an average of 6 seconds. In order to maximize your potential in the allotted time, it is recommended that you personalize it to the reader. Employers read numerous resumes and if the information is not clearly connected to the job, they will skip your resume. The proper format and material is just the beginning of the process. Consider the following pointers:

1. Error Free and Grammatically Correct Documents – A mistake in any application document risks the reader rejecting your candidacy for lack of attention to detail. Proofread your documents!
2. Concise Writing Style – Employers prefer a writing style that utilizes action verbs and an active voice; passive writing is not recommended. Address the important points directly to keep the audience’s attention.
3. Experience vs. Academics –Many employers look at Relevant Experience, which could permit excluding your GPA only if it is not required. However, if academics are emphasized then consider including honors, awards, GPA, etc. Technical skills are always desired for both experience and academics.
4. Formatting – Organizational techniques such as Reverse Chronological Order, ordering by most recent to least recent, and consistency, maintaining the same format for all sections will give you an advantage. This will assist the reader to find key information and allow them to navigate your resume effortlessly. Formatting is key. An effective resume will draw the reader’s attention/interest in approximately 6 seconds.
5. Include Hometown Address When Applying Locally- Applying near your hometown could provide an advantage due to locality.
6. Honesty – Truthfully listing your experiences allows for easier conversation with an interviewer.

~ Randall, Career Peer Advisor

World of Work: Alli Morse ’12, State Street Bank

Posted on December 11, 2012 with No Comments

Alli Morse ‘12
Project Manager/Business Analyst
State Street
Major: Mathematics

What are employers looking for?

During senior year of college family, friends, professors, and fellow students are all asking the golden question: “What are your plans after you graduate?” For some students, it’s a question they love to be asked because they have an answer. Maybe it’s graduate school, a full-time job, or traveling throughout Europe for a summer. But I would argue that for most students, it’s a question they dread. Come December of my senior year, I fell into the latter category.

After ruling out graduate school and the trip to Europe, due to the damages it would cause on my bank account, I began looking into ways of incorporating my math skills into the business world. I knew I wanted a large, global and reputable company that would allow me to develop as a financial professional and grow within the company.

After a lot of research and submission of online applications to multiple companies, my friend recommended looking into State Street. With hopes of networking with State Street colleagues, I attended the annual UVM Boston Career Networking Night. After giving my well-planned spiel to a Senior Vice President from State Street, she gave me her business card and told me to follow up with her offline. The next day, I emailed all alumni with whom I connected, including the SVP from State Street. The next thing I knew I was headed into Boston for “Informational Interviews.” After four hours of draining interviews, including an unsolvable math problem, I left One Lincoln Street thinking I would never get a job there. But I was determined to continue on my search.

The next month I dedicated to my job search, which consisted of networking with people at both State Street and other financial institutions. For the most part, many people never responded but I was persistent which, in the end, was key. Over a month after my visit to State Street in Boston, I received an offer from State Street within SSGM ERM Department. It turned out I had key competencies they value. I graduated Cum Laude in May 2012 and in June I moved to the North End in Boston and started at State Street.

I am currently a Project Manager/Business Analyst for the Risk Management department within SSGM. So, landing a job after graduation is possible! It takes time and effort. While beginning your search, here are some tips from a lead recruiter at State Street to assist your efforts.

Wanted: Socially Responsible Employer

Posted on November 29, 2012 with No Comments

It is common knowledge in today’s society that corporations worldwide face a fundamental struggle: the struggle to find a balance between profit and ethics. The question has always been- can a company be successful and ethical?  This is an incredibly important question for the general public, but it is absolutely crucial for the college student and/or recent graduate who is searching for employment. Where do corporations’ ethics and socially responsible practices fit into the job search process? How much do ethics matter to today’s young workforce?

A tool has been created to gauge the social responsibility of a corporation called the Corporate Social Responsibility Index. This index takes into account three broad domains of social responsibility when ranking corporations:

1.)   Citizenship- How does the corporation contribute to the overall wellbeing of the community which it is a part of? What about to the Global community?

2.)   Governance- How is the business run? Is the company transparent with its stakeholders?

3.)   Workplace- How are the employees treated? Are the wages fair? Does the corporation invest in their employees’ career development?

The idea that young adults today are becoming critical, socially responsible future employees is becoming a growing area of interest for researchers. In fact, the manager of the Careers and Employer Relations Office at the University of Sydney, Rosemary Sainty, has dedicated the majority of her work to helping college students choose ethical employers. She has created a resource to get college students thinking about ethics and their future. So start thinking! What will make the difference when you choose your future employer?

~Sam, Career Peer Advisor

Savvy Seniors: Networking Advice from a Recent Grad

Posted on November 15, 2012 with No Comments

Trisha Hlastawa, ’12,  graduated with a degree in Community Entrepreneurship and Public Communication. She currently works at Healthy Living in South Burlington as a Customer Service Supervisor and Community Outreach team member.

What role has networking played in your career exploration and job search?

Networking has played a key role. I found out about a job at Healthy Living from a Career Counselor who knew my interests. I got the job and have worked in many different positions at the store since. Previous to this position, I used networking as a way to find jobs as needed.

Networking can be a bit intimidating to some, what’s been your experience?

I have found networking to be intimidating when I don’t know anything about the person I am interacting with. The key thing is to find something to talk about that is familiar to the person and myself and that we can both relate to. Once a conversation is sparked, it can lead in many different directions. Overall, networking has been rewarding to me. As many people say, it is a small world. The more people I meet, I find people who know people I know and vice versa. We are all ultimately connected in some way.

How do you recommend students get started with networking?

I recommend students start networking with people they know. Express interest in meeting new people to your relatives or friends; this can spark their interest in helping you to make more connections. It’s also really important to put yourself out there and get involved in on-campus activities or part-time jobs. Sometimes you just have to take chances and see what happens.  Establishing relationships with people who know what you are interested in and want to see you succeed can make a big difference when you are looking for a job.

For more information on Networking see the Career Services website.

Also, don’t miss this great workshop!

Savvy Seniors: Networking Workshop Wed. Nov 28th, 4:15pm, L&L E-166

Savvy Seniors: It’s a Small, Small World

Posted on November 1, 2012 with No Comments

It’s commonly said that we’re separated, at most, by six degrees of separation from any other person. In their recent book, the start-up of YOU, Reid Hoffman (cofounder and chairman of LinkedIn) and Ben Casnocha discuss the 1967 study that this oft repeated phrase is based on. They also note how it might show up in daily life: “The clerk at the local hardware store once hiked through Yosemite with your brother-in-law. Your new girlfriend is in the same bowling league as your boss…It’s fun to make these unexpected connections.”

These connections, however, they argue, are more than fun and interesting, they are gateways to new information and potential opportunities.  Hoffman and Casnocha discuss the importance of having both strong and weak ties in our networks. The strong ties are built on trust and well developed mutual interest and similarities, while the weaker ties can “serve as bridges to other worlds.”

Most students and alumni realize after some reflection, that they do know someone who may be a good potential contact in their career exploration and job search. Quite often the person they think of is one of those weaker ties, or 2^nd degree contacts, for example the uncle of a friend. All students, however, can tap into the power of the extended UVM alumni network through LinkedIn. As Hoffman and Casnocha write, “Online social networks are converting the abstract idea of worldwide interconnectedness into something tangible and searchable. Out of an estimated one billion professionals in the world, well over 10 million of them are on LinkedIn.”

If you’re not LinkedIn, it’s time. If you are already on it, chances are you could be using it more effectively.

To get started:

• Senior Checklist for Career Success: Polish your Resume and Professional On-Line Presentation
• Begin Networking and Informational Interviewing
• Savvy Seniors: Linked In Workshop: Wed, Nov 7^th, 4:15pm L&L 166,
• Savvy Seniors : Networking Workshop: Wed, Nov 28^th, 4:15pm L&L166

~Kala