UVM Career Services Blog

After the Job Fair

Posted on October 18, 2012 with No Comments

You came to the Job Fair, talked to employers, dropped off resumes and collected some business cards. Now what?

• Follow up! Let employers know that you appreciated meeting them and express interest in their organization’s opportunities.
• Learn more! Explore the company’s website, follow the company on Linked-In and evaluate fit with your interests.
• Prepare for an Interview!

Still looking?

Catamount Job Link

Part Time Jobs & Internships

Information for Specific Career Fields

Internship Hop: Thursday, October 31^st 1:30-4pm, L/L E-Building (Career Services)

The I-Hop is a Resource Fair to help you identify opportunities!

We’re here to support you:
Drop-ins: L/L E140, Monday – Thursday: 1-4pm
Davis Center Drop-ins: Rosa Parks Room, Tuesdays: 11am-1pm

~Kala

Responding to the Dreaded Interview Question: “What are Your Weaknesses?”

Posted on April 12, 2011 with No Comments

So you are all prepared for your job interview. You know the skills, strengths and experience you have to offer.  You have chosen what to wear: professional and not distracting to the eye.  You have the directions to the company and have planned out how to get there on time with bit to spare.  You know the questions you want to ask about the job at the end of the interview, but before you get there, the dreaded question may arrive: “So, what are your weaknesses?”

Is this a trick question?  Did they notice my black socks don’t quite match? Do I have poppyseeds between my teeth?  Or do they know I was laid off from a job a few years back?

What is most important is to prepare for this question in advance. Here are some tips for approaching this:

1. Keep it professional: having an obsession with chocolate may indeed be your biggest weakness, but it most likely won’t impact your job performance unless you are working in a chocolate factory.
2. Be clear concise: don’t spend too much air time on this.  Clearly state a weakness you have been working on.
3. Show that you have taken action.  What matters most is that you are AWARE of your weaknesses, and have developed strategies to address and compensate for them.    “I have a tendency to…. so I have done ….. to address it.”

Here are some resources to navigate this territory.

• How to Answer “What are Your Weaknesses?”
• The Weakness Question
• Defining Your Strengths and Weaknesses
• Preparing for an Interview
• Sample Interview Questions

Finally, don’t make an actual interview a practice session! Career Services counselors conduct mock interviews, via phone and in person. This is a great way to practice responding to a variety of interview questions and to debrief your interview skills before the real deal.

–Holly

Starting Off Your Semester with Helpful Career Services Resources & Meet Our New Staff

Posted on February 2, 2011 with No Comments

Spring semester is here and arriving with it, right on schedule, is career stress.  Every day students come in worried about everything from majors, internships, resumes, career goals, and advanced studies to their purpose in life.

How do students reduce this stress?   By taking action, one small step at a time.  Start that resume, learn about how majors and careers connect, or talk to one person about a career field.  To help, Career Services has a full schedule of workshops and events, as well as a web site jam-packed with resources and job postings, and skilled professionals ready to meet with students to smooth the way.

This semester we welcome 2 new staff members–both UVM alumni.  Lisa Torchiano will be offering career counseling and leading our alumni career programs, and Vanessa Santos Eugenio will be coordinating employer visits and managing our technology.

Here’s a quick list of some ways to get started.  Watch www.uvm.edu/career for more, including events for specific career interests!

Prepare with: See Our Calendar of Upcoming Events
Resume Jump Starts- Mondays at 4:15 in L/L E166
Market Yourself to Get Hired – Tuesdays at 4:15 in L/L E166
Senior Speed Event (Resumes, interviews, job searching)
Resumania! (Experts review your resume while you wait)
Resume Review through Catamount Job Link (upload your resume and we’ll review it)
Etiquette Dinner (Senior Class Council)

Meet with employers or research potential employers:
Job Fair
Catamount Job Link (Job and employer database)
On-campus interviewing
Networking Night – Vermont (3/22 – 6PM Grand Maple Ball Room – Davis Center)
Networking Night – Washington, DC (In April -  TBA)

Use web site resources:

Resumes & Cover letters
Choosing a Major
Career Exploration
Internships
Job Searching
Networking
Interview preparation
Dress to Impress
Considering Graduate School — Pre-law, Pre-health, Education & others

Consult with experts:
Drop-ins–10 minute quick consultations–are available Monday-Thursday between 1:00 and 4:00
Appointments can be scheduled in advance by calling 802-656-3450 or stopping by Career Services in L/L E140

Hope to see you soon!
Pamela