Posts Tagged your first job
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 2nd 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:
~Kala
Tags: advice, Career, career connection, career path, events, Experience, how to, job search, Jobs, Networking, online identity, photos, quotes, Savvy Seniors, search, social media, tips, your first job
Category: Career Exploration, Event, Helpful Resources, Job Searching, Networking, Uncategorized, online identity, social media
Posted on October 4, 2012 with No Comments
One of the most common complaints from new graduates is, “every job posting says you need experience, but how can I get experience if I can’t get a job?” Here’s a little secret: you can get valuable experience while you’re still a student!
Here at UVM, there are many opportunities to get involved – whether it’s through your classes, an internship, or student organizations. Each of these opportunities is more than just something to do – you’ll gain valuable experience that can help you get a job after graduation.
Take advantage of your time on campus by seeking leadership opportunities. Being a club officer, an SGA senator, or organizing an event all come with responsibilities that build skills for a full-time job. There are leadership opportunities all over campus – step up! Leadership & Civic Engagement Programs in Student Life has great opportunities!
You can also gain valuable skills through volunteer experiences – on campus or in the community.
Also, you can get academic credit and gain experience at the same time – through taking service-learning classes, pursuing internships, or doing research.
Ready to put all your great experience on your resume? Check out this post from our blog archive, “Showcasing Campus Activities on Your Resume.”
~Laura
Laura Megivern is Assistant Director of Student Life for Leadership & Civic Engagement Programs. Laura is a former career counselor and passionate about helping students get involved. She can be reached at laura.megivern@uvm.edu.
Tags: advice, Career, career path, Experience, how to, photos, Savvy Seniors, tips, your first job
Category: Career Exploration, Helpful Resources, Job Searching, Uncategorized
Posted on April 12, 2012 with No Comments
Commencement is just six weeks away! If you don’t already know what you are doing and how to get there, here are some tips and advice to get you going.
Not Sure what you Want to Do?
You’re not alone!
What can you do today to prepare for tomorrow?
Take one small step towards your goals!
More Great Advice!
100 Blog Posts Every College Senior Should Read
Quint Careers: Job Search Advice for College Seniors: Job Hunting in Times of Uncertainty
Linked In Founder Shares Advice: Take Intelligent Risks
6 Tips for Success all College Seniors Should Know
~Kala
Tags: advice, Career, career connection, career path, Catamount Job Link, how to, Interviewing, job search, Jobs, Networking, online identity, photos, resume, Savvy Seniors, search, social media, tips, your first job
Category: Career Exploration, Dress to Impress, Helpful Resources, Job Searching, Networking, Uncategorized, online identity, resume, social media
Posted on March 27, 2012 with No Comments
Organization: Enterprise Holdings
Representative: Randi Blender, Talent Acquisition Manager
The Job Fair is over! What do you suggest that students do to follow up?
When I meet someone at the Job Fair, it’s always nice to receive a thank you and see his/her online application.
If a student secures an interview from the Job Fair, what should they do to prepare?
Learn as much as you can about the company, explore their website, connect via LinkedIn to learn more. Get prepared to interview: ensure you have a suit or appropriate outfit and transportation, practice answering interview question and build your confidence. Think, what kind of person does the company want to hire and what are your strengths, why should someone hire you?
What if a student wasn’t able to attend the Job Fair or didn’t connect with a particular recruiter?
Get the list of employers and reach out to employers. From my perspective, if someone didn’t make it and had interest I would think he/she would call or email me, apologizing for missing the fair and express interest in learning more about the opportunity and how to get started with applying.
What do you recommend that students do next to find jobs and explore careers?
Do informational interviews and be prepared with questions. Think of friends’ parents, your own mentors, coaches, and professors. Ask them about job searching and how they landed where they are. Call a staffing agency, ask them questions about the job market, and ask for a referral. Search Linked In and seek out connections and learn more about career paths and companies.
Tags: advice, Career, career connection, career path, Employers, etiquette, events, Experience, how to, Job Fair, job search, Jobs, Networking, photos, search, tips, your first job
Category: Career Exploration, Dress to Impress, Employer Advice, Event, Job Searching, Networking, Uncategorized
Posted on March 16, 2012 with No Comments
Guest Blogger: Owen Manahan, ‘10
Job Title: Management Trainee
Employer: Consolidated Electrical Distributors (CED)
1. You got your current job after attending a UVM Job Fair. What do you do and what do you like about it?
I was hired by Consolidated Electrical Distributors after meeting them at the UVM Spring Job Fair. CED is one of the largest electrical distributors in the country and is a Fortune 500 Company. I am currently about halfway through their industry leading management trainee program. This training program is unique and has offered me the opportunity to learn about every aspect of both CED, and the electrical industry as a whole. I really enjoy the day-to-day interactions with customers, as well as the in depth views of how such a company works internally. In the past two years I have also had to opportunity to travel extensively for trainings and have met some fantastic people in the process. It is exciting to know that within just a few years of graduating from UVM I will have the opportunity, and be prepared, to manage a multi-million dollar location.
2. What did you do to prepare for the Job Fair ahead of time?
Before the career fair I looked up most of the companies that I was interested in online, though I will admit I did not find too much about CED. We are a privately owned company, so there is not as much information publicly available when compared to other companies of this size. I also made sure I had my resume ready to go and a few questions prepared to ask.
3. Why do you think that you stood out to CED as a strong candidate?
I think some qualities that made me stand out to CED were strong communication skills, a sales oriented mindset, and the fact that I wasn’t just looking for any job right out of school. I was looking for a company that could offer a career. After the fair I followed up with an email, and was contacted a few days later for an initial phone interview.
4. What advice do you have for students looking for jobs and internships?
My advice to students heading to a career fair would be to take some time beforehand and look into who is going to be there to talk to. There are so many different types of businesses represented that it can become a little intimidating trying to find one where you think you will be compatible. Conversations at fairs are often very brief and surface level, so if you have a little bit of knowledge about a company going into it, you can prepare yourself with questions that will give you a better opportunity to dig deeper into what they are all about in just a short amount of time. That being said, if you don’t have time to do any background checking, or can’t find the information you are looking for, don’t be put off. A career fair is the first step in opening a conversation, so don’t hesitate to go up to anybody there and just start talking!
The Spring Job Fair is Wednesday, March 21, 2012, 2-5pm, 4th Floor, Davis Center
See Who’s Coming to the Spring 2012 Job Fair
Job Fair Preparation and Tips
Tags: advice, alumni, Career, career path, Employers, events, Experience, how to, Job Fair, job search, Jobs, photos, tips, your first job
Category: Career Exploration, Employer Advice, Event, Job Searching, Uncategorized
