A Bitter Sweet Goodbye

I am so incredibly thankful to have worked with the Office of Career Services this year, and what an incredible journey it has been. These blog posts have been pretty entertaining for me and I hope it has helped some of you prep for the real world! If you all have any other questions, concerns, or comments, please do not hesitate to message me personally.  I am excited to pass my position on to Josh Jacobs who I know will do an amazing job next year. I will still be writing some posts but as I take on a new position as Student Government President.

In this last blog post, I truly want to thank the entire Office of Career Services for making this office feel like home. Cliché? Yes. True? Unbelievably so. These individuals have been beyond supportive and motivating, and I highly encourage you all to get involved in the office as early as you can. Whether it’s attending an event, workshop, or walk-in hours, be sure to utilize the resources offered.

I traveled around the country recruiting for admissions this past semester, and my favorite part of the presentation I gave was when I was able to ramble on about how much I love the Office of Career Services. This is a summary of what I said:

College is an investment, and it’s expensive. That’s an understatement. It’s extremely expensive. Yes, you go to college to receive a degree and have some incredible experiences, but when it comes down to it- it’s all about where that degree and experience will take you. The Office of Career Services is there to set students up for life after UT. From scheduling workshops and career fairs, to bringing employers in to critique resumes and conduct on-campus interviews, to helping individuals choose a major and obtain experience in their field, the Office of Career Services is there, making sure you get the absolute most out of your time here at UT.

I love this office and hope you all take time out of your schedule to make some of our resources a priority! Good luck with all your future endeavors and stay classy!

Career Services Internship

Attention Students! Still looking for an internship for next year?! How about one that is paid AND on-campus?! LOOK NO FURTHER. As sad as I am to leave the Office of Career Services, I am excited to pass my position on to another individual who can take this internship to the next level!

The Office of Career Services is looking to hire a new Marketing and Event Planning Intern for the 2013 -2014 academic year. Go on to HIRE UT and search under job and internship opportunities. Enter “Office of Career Services- Marketing/Event Planning Intern Fall 13- Spring 14” as the job title to learn more and apply!

Why apply?

This Internship has been such an incredible and rewarding experience. I have not only grown professionally by working closely with employers in the Tampa area and developing skills within my field of study, but I have met some incredible individuals and cannot express how much I have personally enjoyed working with all of the amazing staff members in the office.

Yes, this is compensated ($10 an hour to be exact) and it is on campus! Even writing this, I can’t believe I am giving it up, but I have other commitments and exciting adventures ahead. I’m writing this blog post to help advertise for the position to ensure the ideal candidate is selected!

Some of my projects this semester consisted of designing and distributing flyers to promote Career Services events around campus, updating and maintaining all Career Services social media sites, writing blog posts, working larger career and internship fair events, and working weekly hours at the front desk in the office. All the while, I was able to network with potential employers and had access to all of the amazing events and opportunities the Office of Career Services has to offer to set you up for life after UT!

You must be either sophomore class standing or higher to apply and be able to take on the position for the entire year. Other applicant qualifications and a full job description can be read on HIRE UT.

Feel free to reach out to me personally with any other questions or concerns! Good luck!  

The deadline to apply is April 12!

Break It Down!

This is the third and final blog post in a series of three titled “Nailing the Interview.” Check out the previous two: Suit Up! and Prep up!.

You've suited up, prepped, and now it’s time to close the deal! Follow these tips for the actual interview and hopefully you won’t experience a rejection quite like this:

Don’t be late, obviously. I know this is easier said then done but take traffic into consideration and allow some additional time to find the office or reception area of where you need to be. 15 minutes early is perfect.

Spit out or swallow the gum you've been chewing to freshen your breath. Try switching to tics tacs that you can finish in one bite.

You’re not going to the club, so go easy on the cologne or perfume.

Bring a list of a few references in case your interviewer requests contact information.

Be gracious to everyone; the receptionist may have an important say in who gets hired.

Remember to bring a pen and notepad to take down notes during the interview and write out answers to questions you prepared after reading this.

Don’t break their hand or turn it into a competition, but provide a firm handshake.

Repeat his or her name subtly after being introduced. It shows that you are paying attention and interested in what he or she has to offer.

Don’t lie or distort prior work experience. Focus on your core strengths and achievements during your time with that specific job.

We all care about the price tag regardless of what Jessie J sings, but do not bring up compensation and benefits too soon. This is more appropriate on a second or third interview.

Try to come across as confident and determined. Feel free to talk about yourself but always direct comments towards the job description to avoid coming off as pompous.

Eye contact is a must. If more than one employer is interviewing you, make sure you reach out to each individual in the interview.

Ask for a business card to stay in touch and remember to send a follow-up appreciation email or letter.

Keep searching for job opportunities; two is definitely better than one. Worse case scenario, you have to turn a job down.

After dressing for success, making the necessary preparations, and remembering those few tips, you’re bound to nail that interview. Good luck!

Prep Up!

This is the second blog post in a series of three titled “Nailing the Interview.” Check out the first one here. 

Today I had an interview, and it went really well. I received the job offer, and I KNOW it was because of what I did to prepare. I realized it is not the ideal field I would like to work in, but as Hunter Hayes knows, it’s nice to feel wanted.

In an ideal world, we show up to an interview and after 30 minutes of talking about our skills and talents, stating our strengths and weaknesses, and maybe even comparing ourselves to an animal, we receive the job offer. Not the case. Without prepping for an interview, good luck trying to stand out (in a GOOD way) to your potential employer.

What does ‘prepping’ really consist of? It goes beyond practicing interview questions and having your suit pressed before as I pointed out in a previous blog. Next time you’re getting ready for an interview, think back to grade school and remember what your teacher would tell you over again and over again:

Do your homework:

Research on the company is a MUST. Focus on their mission statement, the advantage they have over their competitors, how they intend on growing in the future, and relevant information regarding the particular job or field you are applying to. If the opportunity arises during the interview, slip in some key facts or figures in an answer to show your genuine interest in the company. See where your skill set can fit in and express what you can bring to the company.

Don’t be afraid to ask questions:

As you’re doing your homework, jot down any questions you may have about the company. Try and learn as much as possible about your field by asking questions relevant to your potential job description. It shows that you took the time to do the research and have taken it one step further in an effort to obtain a better understanding of the company and position. Write these questions down and have them ready in a nice portfolio that you’ll bring into the interview.

Practice makes perfect:

Swing by the Office of Career Services in Riverside 116 and have your resume critiqued, your cover letter improved, and practice a mock interview.  Walk-in hours are Monday- Thursday 2-4pm.

Robert Fulhum made a good point in his poem All I Really Need To Know I Learned In Kindergarten, but there is just as much to be learned from grade school.

Suit Up!

Saturday’s Gasparilla dress code: Eye patch is a must, grab a few beads from last year to get ahead of the game, throw on that shirt you strategically cut up weeks in advance, and maybe use that bandanna you would never wear any other day of the year.

Now that we've hopefully taken off the eye patch or most likely lost it in Saturday’s chaos and proudly mounted our beads on the wall to document a day we scarcely remember, it is time to start putting just as much time and effort into planning what we wear for an interview in a business setting.

First impressions are everything. That line has been drilled into our minds since we started making friends on the playground. Don’t push Jessica off the swing or she won’t invite you to her birthday party, and you could kiss that goodie bag goodbye. In college, the best thing we can do to make a strong first impression is to present ourselves professionally or we can say goodbye to that job offer too.

Ladies and gentlemen, always suit up for an interview. 

It not only tells the world you mean business, but I am a firm believer in if you look good, you’ll feel good. It gives you that extra boost of confidence and that little pep in your step. Trust me, just the positive comments from friends on campus are enough to feel like a boss.

Ideally, invest in a suit that is 100% wool; it’s breathable fabric means you’ll sweat less and be more comfortable, even in the hot seat. The worst is when you can literally feel sweat dripping somewhere on your body. Gross, yes. True, you bet.  A suit with fancy Nikes or high tops will send mixed signals. You’re not going for the ‘I’m classy, but I’m here to party club vibe’, until the weekend of course. Put your best foot forward. Aim for a solid, basic, and recently polished shoe and closed toed for you ladies.

Make it your own. Feel free to add some stylish accessories, depending on how conservative the environment may be. Always match your belt with your shoes. Cuff links and jewelry can help you stand out and add a little sophistication to your overall look. Guys, shoot for a power tie: a bold red or gold will be your best bet.

Final reminders:

Wear high dress socks so your legs aren't exposed when you cross them.

Wear a watch. I can barely tell time on a regular watch, but it’s pretty fashionable.

Always leave the bottom button of your coat unbuttoned and unbutton your coat completely whenever you sit down.

Have the outfit pressed and ready to go the night before.

This is the first blog in a series of three titled “Nailing the Interview.”

Video found here

Working in a Winter Wonderland

Your last final ends. You've already packed up your belongings and can’t wait to get home. Your friend drops you off at the airport. The crying baby behind you and the deodorant-less man to your right on the plane do not even faze you. You’re going home for the holidays! Winter break. Movies, cookies, friends you haven’t seen in awhile, extended family gatherings, and no schoolwork. Nothing to do but relax.

Fast-forward three weeks. You've caught up on every TV show you managed to miss out on during the semester, you successfully creeped on all 859 of your Facebook friends, and posted some funny tweets that got a favorite or two; you are now 15 pounds heavier and you’re sitting on your coach ‘relaxing.’ This relaxation turns into a WTH moment as you realize there are still two weeks left of break and you have nothing to do. Your friends start to head back to school, your family goes back to work, and you sit on that dang couch you've sunken into at this point, watching reruns of Friends to pass the time, wiping off the cookie crumbs on your chest. There aren't even any more cookies.

Don’t let this be you. Relax, yes. Give up all priorities and motivation, along with basic hygiene practices in an effort to relax, no. At least have a backup plan to help pass some inevitable downtime. Maybe a household project? A work out plan? Better yet, how about some preparation for the next year? Last resort it may be, but it could really set a solid foundation for the next semester. 

• Update your resume. 
• Create a LinkedIn profile. 
• Order some business cards.
•  Look up some possible job offers or internship opportunities that interest you.

Try and hit the ground running when you come back to UT! I hope everyone has an incredible Holiday break, and good luck on finals! I’ll be bothering you with more blog posts in 2013!