The Follow Up

The job and interview search can be very intimidating, especially if you are a beginner. There are many different methods and advice regarding to how to follow on an interview and it can be a little confusing. Here are some tips in order to follow up on your interview in a successful manner!

There are two ways of following up that are very important – the email follow up and the physical follow up. Bottom line: an email follow up is EXPECTED.

An email follow up is a very simple way to follow up but is crucial for most employers to consider you as a candidate. Make sure that when you are interviewing, you receive a business card from the potential employer as a means of being able to reach out to him or her. After your interview you should follow up in the next 24-48 hours.

First comes the subject line. This can seem tricky, but you really just want to get to the point. It is often appropriate to make the subject line “Interview Follow Up” or “Follow Up for XXXX Position”. This gives the potential employer an idea of what the email is about.

Next, when writing the follow up email you should introduce yourself if you have not already contacted this person via email, then thank the potential employer for taking the time to interview you for the specific position that you applied to.

After that, you may want to mention something that you discussed during your interview such as a skill or quality that you possess and how it directly relates to the position that you are applying for and how you would make a perfect fit for the position.

Make sure to show your enthusiasm through your wording! Let the potential employer know that he or she is more than welcome to contact you with any questions regarding your resume and that you a looking forward to hearing from him or her soon. If there was any small talk that took place or you had something that you both related to (such as you both are NY Giants fans) you can always add in a “Go Giants” near the end of your email.

Close with a professional phrase such as “Best Regards” or “Best” and sign your name.

***BEFORE YOU SEND THE EMAIL DO A SPELL AND GRAMMAR CHECK***

One of the biggest mistakes that you can make is sending a follow up email with a spelling error or grammatical mistake. It looks poorly on your part and will show that you are not detail oriented or that you do not have good communication skills.

After you have sent an email follow up, you have the option to send a physical follow up such as a thank you card. Although it is a small token, it really goes a long way and brings your professionalism to a whole new level.

It is less common to send a thank you card as a follow up, but it shows that you are very dedicated to the position. If there is a position that you are applying to that you are very interested in, it would be very beneficial for you to send the potential employer a thank you card.

Victoria Williams
Marketing Intern
Office of Career Services, The University of Tampa

Hey UT…Are you fully LinkedIn? Here’s some advice from Omar @ LinkedIn to get you ahead!

Many students and alum are starting to reap the benefits of using LinkedIn to develop their network and search for internship and full-time opportunities.  But are you using LinkedIn to get the most out of this amazing resource?  Probably not.   Omar Garriott of LinkedIn, recently shared with UT staff a top 10 list he posted to ensure you get the most out of LinkedIn and find the right connections.   Fully realizing its potential can be a key contributor to finding success as you look to take that next step in your career.   Check out the top 10 list here:

 

https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/10-tips-students-new-grads-linkedin-omar-garriott

Share YOUR thoughts on the most valuable tip from Omar….we want to hear from you.  

 

Mark Colvenbach

Director

Office of Career Services, The University of Tampa

What Risks are YOU Taking for Your Career?

One of my favorite quotes comes from Eleanor Roosevelt, who stated “do one thing every day that scares you.” We receive a lot of messages, whether they be internal or external, that tell us there’s something to be afraid of. We might make a mistake. We might say the wrong thing. We might be too young, too old… we don’t have enough experience. Whatever the situation may be, we could always find a reason why it would be safer to stay within our comfort zone. However, without courage there is less potential for reward.

Sure, job fairs are scary. Networking events can be awkward and uncomfortable. Being scrutinized by a group of people during an interview?! Forget about it! Yet all of these situations will be necessary for career advancement at some point in our career trajectory. Now is as good of time as any to start getting in the habit of taking these types of risks.

With graduation approaching, there are a lot of ways in which students can put themselves out there in order to get noticed in their desired industry.

The Elevator Speech Competition starts on Friday, March 20^th. This is a great opportunity to practice your elevator speech if this is something that still seems scary to you. The competition also provides the opportunity for finalists to practice their pitch in front of employers: this is a really great way to make connections and create a lasting first impression. There is also potential to win some cash, if the argument to participate wasn’t convincing enough already.

Within our upcoming “Life After UT” series, there are plenty of additional opportunities to learn about how to stand out when you’re ready to challenge yourself to get in front of employers. On Tuesday, April 7^th we have a “Personal Branding and Innovative Job Search” workshop and the week after that we have an “Interviewing Success!” workshop on April 14^th. Consider attending both of these informative presentations if you haven’t already signed up.

Finally, we have an alumni panel and networking event on April 21^st. This is yet another great opportunity to practice your elevator speech and networking skills and increase your comfort level in marketing yourself as a professional.

You can register for any of these events through your HIRE-UT profile: https://spartanweb.ut.edu/ICS/Campus_Life/Career_Services/Hire_UT.jnz

Graduation is quickly approaching: what are you most afraid? What risks can you take in order to propel your life as a professional?

 

Melena Postolowski, MA, NCC

Assistant Director of Internship Programs

Office of Career Services, The University of Tampa

Internship Fair Prep 101

Experience is vital when applying for post-graduate positions. However, getting your foot in the door can be easier said than done these days. While competition remains heavy in a world enthralled with tech savvy young adults with high ambitions, how can students ensure they gain the proper experience necessary to get hired?

 Internship fairs are a great chance for students to not only get the chance to gain experience, but also to network and practice “selling themselves” to employers. Preparation is key here. With The University of Tampa’s Internship Fair coming up on February 2^nd, students should keep the following tips in mind prior to attending.

1.      Suit Up

To ensure that you look the part, prepare your outfit in advance – this includes ironing and any dry cleaning that may be necessary. Refer to the following infographic if you are struggling with determining if your attire is appropriate or not:

 

2.      Do Your Research

Prior to attending the fair, know what firms will be there and further research the ones that interest you.  Once you have found the ones that interest you, rank them. This will come in handy when trying to navigate the crowded room packed with equally as eager students as yourself. Also, don’t be afraid to visit some of the tables that are not on your list – be open minded. Lastly, employees appreciate it when candidates are knowledgeable about the company, so keeping some facts handy before you approach them can be helpful.

3.      Know How You Want to Sell Yourself

Internship fairs are not interviews, but merely a couple of minutes to make an impression – good or bad. You aren’t given a whole lot of time to make a first impression, however you are given time to prepare one. Before attending the fair make a list of 4 or 5 key points from your resume/prior experience that can serve as talking points when you meet employers and are met with the question, “Can you tell me a little bit about yourself?”

4.      Be Ready to Network

Work the room. Whether you are talking to employers or just fellow students, be friendly and approachable. If you have business cards – bring them. If not, it’s okay, but do make sure you have plenty of copies of your resume and that they are stored in a protective folder so that they are presented to employers in a polished manner. If you need help with your resume stop by our office in RIVC 116 and someone will be happy to help you.

 

5.      Google Yourself

Last, but not least, google yourself before attending the fair. Ask yourself if the persona that is portrayed in the results is someone you want a future employer to see. Always be mindful of what you are doing/posting on the internet because employers DO look at your Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, etc. when considering you for a position.

With these tips in mind you will surely be prepared for the upcoming spring 2015 Internship Fair, Monday February 2nd from 1-3:30p.m. in Fletcher Lounge, Plant Hall.

 

For a list of companies log into your HIRE-UT account now:  www.ut.edu/hireut .

 

We can’t wait to see you there and hear about the experiences you gain from attending! Use the hashtag #utampainternshipfair2015 to document your time at the fair!

 

Warm Regards,

 

Eliza K. Majka

Marketing Intern, Office of Career Services

The University of Tampa

When filling out job applications online is not working!

We have all heard the story that persistence pays off. This statement is true but make sure you are directing your energy in the right direction. A recent CareerXroads survey shows that only 15% of positions were filled through applying to positions online. This is quite staggering when you think that the mindset of MANY college students is to continue applying until something sticks. You may apply to 50+ positions without receiving a single callback depending on the market in which you are applying. In today’s job market you need to be proactive rather than reactive. Even if you are not graduating this semester or next semester or not until next year, you still need to be thinking of your future job search.

Here are 3 tips to become more intentional with your search and start gaining results!

1.       Join LinkedIn! You are a budding professional and this is not Facebook. LinkedIn is a professional networking tool which can assist your job search in many ways, including, actually meeting contacts that work directly in your field of interest. For more information please read: http://spartancareers.blogspot.com/search/label/linkedin’

2.       You need to talk to people. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor and Statistics 70 percent of all jobs are found through networking. Professionals are just like you. Do not be afraid to reach out to someone who works in your field of interest. Remember, they were a college student at one time as well. Setup an informational interview to ask them questions about their path, the company they work for and their advice for you as a transitioning professional.

3.       Talk to the people you already know! You are the only one who can spread the message that you will be job searching soon. Remember relatives, professors, professionals in your life, family friends, supervisors, etc. can all be great people to assist you in reaching that post-graduation position.

“If you don’t go after what you want, you’ll never have it. If you don’t ask, the answer is always no. If you don’t step forward, you’re always in the same place.” – Nora Roberts

Now is the time to take control of your job search!

Best Regards,

Jessie Bush

Assistant Director, Career Coaching & Professional Development

Get ready for that job or internship. Here are some ways to help yourself with a career plan:

*Job Shadow – Make some calls to see if you can arrange a job shadowing experience.  Job shadowing is a great way to gain knowledge and insight into a specific career field.

*Informational Interview – Conducting an informational interview has proven to be very successful in gathering information about a particular career field and also expands your network.  Check out our sample questions and how to go about finding opportunities.

*Network – When you attend social gatherings, have an elevator pitch.  Create a two minute summary about yourself so that if someone asks you if you are looking for an internship or what you plan to do with your life after graduation, you can give a summary of your career goals and interests.  There are many possible networking connections through family and friends.

*Internship/Job Search - Take some time to look at HIRE-UT to check out possible internships and jobs for next semester.  Look at the dates for career and internship fairs and make a note of them in your calendar.  Now is the time to plan some effective networking strategy.

*Resume/Cover Letter – If you don’t have a resume prepared, create one!  The Office of Career Services has some excellent resources available on the Job Search Toolbox portion of our website.  Spend some time writing your resume and then come to our office for a resume review.  We have employer walk-in hours on Monday between 2-4 pm; and Career Services staff walk-in hours Monday through Friday from 2-4 pm.

Make the effort to invest time in your career planning!

Marsha Sherman
Assistant Director of Career Exploration
The University of Tampa

Using LinkedIn During A Job Search

Are you new to LinkedIn? Are you fully utilizing LinkedIn in your job or internship search? Find out more about the newest features and strategies for taking advantage of all that LinkedIn has to offer by participating in FREE webinars!

These FREE LinkedIn Learning Webinars can be found within the LinkedIn Help Center (located under the “Help” section of your LinkedIn page).  Just type in “Learning Webinars” in the search feature of the Help Center.

Select the webinar that best suits your needs!

If you are new to LinkedIn, I recommend starting with the webinar “LinkedIn 101: The Basics of LinkedIn”. If you are currently in a job or internship search and want to ensure that you are leveraging all of the LinkedIn features participate in “Job Seekers: Tips for Using Your LinkedIn Account to Help You Land Your Next Great Opportunity”.

 

Don't Miss Out- Spring 2014 Internship Fair- Thursday Feb 6

Attention all UT students!!

Don't miss the chance to meet representatives from nearly 60 companies representing a wide variety of industries and majors at the UT Spring Internship Fair.  From Business to Non-Profit, to Science to Criminology this event promises to have it all.   Please be sure to check out a list of companies attending by logging into your HIRE UT account now.  Bring resumes and your professional attire to Fletcher Lounge from 1 to 3:30 pm on Thursday, February 6th.   See you there!!

Mark Colvenbach

LinkedIn Tips & Resources!

Is your LinkedIn profile up-to-date and ready for employers to view? Are you confident that your LinkedIn profile effectively showcases your professional brand? Take time to view the Jobseeker Resources, including webinars on Job Search Fundamentals, provided by LinkedIn to ensure your profile is ready!

Elevator Speech Competition

I hear this old circus come-on in my ears, “Come one, come all to the Greatest Show on Earth!”  I don’t think it will be the greatest show on earth, but it’s a great chance for you to show off your networking skills and maybe even win a prize!  

On March 1^st we will have the first round of our third annual Elevator Speech Competition, co-sponsored by the UT Entrepreneurs.  Enterprise Holdings will provide judges for both rounds and the prize for the winner.  It’s a perfect way to practice your introduction to employers for career fairs, job interviews, or just a casual meeting on an airplane or at a networking event. 

Called an elevator speech because it should be given in the time it takes for an elevator to go from the top floor to the bottom—by the time you reach the bottom, the person to whom you were speaking should want to know a little more about you. Generally speaking, your pitch should last between 30 and 60 seconds and highlight the skills, experience and education you bring to the job at hand. 

Short, simple, to the point:  who you are, what you’re majoring in, what you've accomplished in terms of education and experience, and what sort of position you are now looking for.  

Join us for a workshop on Wednesday, February 20^th from 5-5:45 p.m. in Riverside 102 and for the first round of the competition on March 1^st. If you survive that round, it’s on to the finals – and a prize!  Sign up on HIRE UT to reserve your spot!