UT Job Fair- April 4th….Take a Chance

With 60 companies attending this year’s Spring Professional Job Fair on Thursday April 4^th, there will be plenty of opportunities available for you to identify job leads and network with area/regional recruiters.  We often see missed opportunities at these events as students often try to match their major perfectly to either the job or company.   We would like to offer you some advice we hear consistently from companies.  Take a step back and identify your skill set you have developed over your time at The University of Tampa and apply this to the jobs you speak to employers about.  It is often the case, that the employer is not seeking a match by major but instead what skills, personality and passion you bring to the organization.  We have witnessed over the years Accounting students getting hired by Tampa’s Lowry Park Zoo, Psychology majors working at GEICO, Writing students working at Raymond James...the list goes on.   Take a chance and visit with as many companies as possible this year, you just may find yourself presented with a dream opportunity.

For a list of companies attending this year and event details please click here.   Best of luck and see you there!!  

Preparing for a Career Fair

The spring 2013 CCFCC Career Expo is just around the corner! Make plans to attend the career fair on April 4, 2013 from 11:00am to 3:00pm in Fletcher Lounge. This is a great chance to learn more about available opportunities with over 55 companies!

Below are a few tips to help you prepare:

·         Update your resume. The Office of Career Services offers resume reviews during walk-in hours and via appointments.

·         Prepare your “elevator speech” so you can effectively communicate your strengths, goals, and how you stand out from other candidates! Click here for more information on how to create your “elevator speech."

·         Research the companies who have registered for the CCFCC Career Expo. This information can be found here. Many of the companies have listed the majors they are recruiting as well as the types of positions they have available.

·         Create a list of questions to ask the representatives from the companies you plan on visiting during the Career Expo. For more guidance on the types of questions to ask, visit “Tips for Success.” 

·         Dress professionally! First impressions matter – dress code for a Career Fair is the same as what you wear to an interview - a business suit. For more details on professional dress and samples of what to wear (examples for both men and women), see here.

If you have any questions on how to best prepare for the CCFCC Career Expo, visit the Office of Career Services in Riverside, Room 116.

Best of luck!

Where Will You Be in 2,013 Hours?

Are you about to graduate and worrying about what’s next?  We've partnered with Delta Sigma Pi and the Office of Development and Alumni Relations to plan an afternoon of informative and entertaining workshops and networking to help you in the transition.  All the events are on Wednesday, March 27^th from 2 to 6 p.m. and will be in Plant Hall—either the Music Room, Grand Salon or Veranda, so just come by the table in the Plant Hall Lobby for information and a schedule if you didn't get one in advance either in Career Services or by email. 

As an added benefit—there will be prizes!  If you are one of the first 25 students/alumni at the “Art of Mingling” workshop, you will receive a UT portfolio to use in your job search.  And for each event you attend, you’ll sign up for a chance to win a $100 Visa gift card and other UT logo prizes.  The more events you attend, the greater your chances of winning, so come join us!

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!

Top 10 Qualities Employers Look For

According to The Job Outlook for the College Class of 2013 published by the National Association of Colleges and Employers (NACE), employers expect an increase in hiring of new college graduates for 2013! Employers who responded to NACE’s annual survey also indicated that they are looking for certain soft skills/qualifications in new hires. The “top 10” list below summarizes what employers are seeking in candidates:

As you navigate the job search process, make sure to market these qualities to employers when you are networking, interviewing, and attending the Office of Career Services events.

Source: The Job Outlook for the Class of 2013, published by the National Association of Colleges and Employers. Retrieved from: www.naceweb.org.

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.

Reminder: Experiential Awards