Building A Career Panel

Building A Career in Today’s Job Market/EconomySally Anderson, GoogleNeysa Bennett, BennettBaker, Ltd.Jeff Ellman, Think ChicagoPaula Quinn, Google

Some tips for making a good resume:

• Include study abroad experience, group work projects, course work, etc.
• Limit it to one page; play around with the margins and font size if you have to.
• Student organizations and any positions held or leadership roles.
• Demonstrate cognitive skills: GPA, working part time, study abroad, etc.
• Include team working projects or projects where you collaborated with faculty.
• Dates should be accurate.
• Employers want to see who you are; what do you do outside of school?
• Spell out acronyms, dont assume employers know what they stand for.
• The skills and activities section, is your space to be unique.

Networking

• You want your networking list to “help you get your foot in the door.”
• If you do not hear back from a potential employer after a month, move on.
• Network with everyone and anyone!
• Networking with alumni is a great place to start building your connections.
• Join Linkedin.com
• Have a business card and include your name, major, date of graduation, phone, and email.
• Facebook: If you have a Facebook account, clean it up! You never know who (potential employer) is going to see you profile. This applies to voice mail messages as well; have an appropriate, professional voice mail message.
• When you are looking for a job it is OK to start at the bottom and work your way up, you will learn a lot.
• “You are responsible for your own career path,” so be proactive in your job search.

The Interview

• “Ask for the job,” It is important to close!
• Come with questions to ask the recruiter about the job, the company, etc. For example:

Is there anything that you see that would keep me from being hired for this position?

• When asked about past employment, don’t point fingers or blame others.
• Have a good objective and know what you want.
• Put numbers and percentages on your resume; employers like to see growth.
• Do some research on the company and know what the company does before you go into the interview.
• Wash your hands before the interview and don't wear to much perfume.

*Remember "Past performance is a predictor of future success"
*Share stories but dont ramble.

• Be on time.

Miscellaneous

• Make a list of all the people you know who might possibly be in a position to help
• Always try for a face to face meeting with your network contact
• Make your first network meeting with people you consider less than your best
• Use the telephone to make contact
• Call at a time when the contact will be able to take the call
• When connected, succinctly tell the person the reason for your call
• Work very hard to be positive
• Remember, you are seeking advice from your networking contacts

The purpose of a network is to increase geometically the awareness of key people of your goals and accomplishments (What does this mean and what is geometically????)

• Plan your agenda
• Say thank you
• Keep accurate records of all your contacts and have a follow up system
• Don't hesitate to follow up in a few weeks/months but ask first
• Try to get your networking interviews in person versus over the phone
• Spread the good news
• Strive to be positive!! It will pay off