Simmons College

Informational interviews can play an integral role in your job search! You create the opportunity to talk with people to gain a better understanding of your field of interest and at the same time create an opportunity to market yourself and "get known" to employers   (It's not surprising that hiring managers prefer to hire people who they know, or someone who they trust knows!).  What is an informational interview?  It is a half-hour meeting for which you prepare questions in advance and ask for career information, advice and referrals.  The purpose is NOT to ask for a job, but to research an industry, organization, or job role.

The benefits are many!  You gain an "insider's view" of the workplace, find out where you fit, and clarify your next steps. In addition you learn about skills needed to be effective and discover new opportunities.  All this with the added bonus of building your confidence for a job interview! 

Of course staying in touch after your meeting is key so that the employer will remeber you when an opportunity comes up. Keep your job search moving forward and enjoy meeting interesting professionals who are more than willing to help you by sharing information and advice. To get started, go to the CEC website featuring "How To" resources on networking and informational interviews. Also check out the Quint Careers tutorial on informational interviews and then consider setting up an appointment with a career coach.

It's the Monday after graduation, the strains of Pomp and Circumstance have faded and the inspirational speeches, and happiness of commencement day have left you with a warm afterglow .  Life after college has offically begun.  For some new grads, graduate school, law school or medical school is in your immediate future.  For others, post undergraduate education lies farther afield, with finding a job your more urgent goal.  

No matter what your circumstances, as new grads you will be the recipient of much well-meaning advice.  While it's important to "find and pursue your passion" as we say in career services, it also can be helpful to ponder some real world suggestions about life.  Professor Jeff DeGraff, University of Michigan shares a few in The Graduation Speech I Didn't Give.

As for career advice or help with a job search, don't forget that as a Simmons alum you continue to have access to career coaching and resources at the CEC. Be sure to check out all the alumnae/i services and resources provided through the Career Education Center.

 

Photo: Courtesy europeanuniversities.net

Well, seniors - classes and exams are finished, it's Senior Week, the family's coming to town at the end of the week, and it's all over this Friday, so. . .C-O-N-G-R-A-T-U-L-A-T-I-O-N-S! Woo hoo! You made it.

So now what? Following on from Roxanne's previous post linking to a great compendium of advice for graduating seniors is this article. It comes from the US News & World Report's Money section "On Careers" column and carries an eyes-wide-open message:

"The good news is that this year's graduates are predicted to fare better than those graduating in previous years have. According to a recent Job Outlook survey conducted by the National Association of Colleges and Employers, employers plan to hire 13 percent more new college graduates than they did last year from the Class of '12. The bad news is we are still in a competitive job market. It is going to require more work and effort to land that first job out of college. Spraying and praying your résumé all over isn't enough."

What to do? Not to worry, says Career Sherpa Hannah Morgan, whose no-nonsense advice includes eight key tips. Here's a sample:

"Get real. You are not likely to land your dream job right out of college. In fact, your first several jobs are stepping stones. Learn from each experience what you like to do and what you don't. Don't hold out for the "perfect" job. The longer you are out of work, the tougher it may be. Build skills and experience any chance you can get." 

Love it. Read the entire piece here. And if you are still feeling pre-graduation jitters - or even post-graduation, for that matter - come in and visit us at the CEC, ground floor SOM/Academic building. That's what we're here for. We'll leave the light on for you.

PS If you haven't yet filled out the Class of 2013 Commencement Survey, join over 200 of your classmates and  take five minutes to complete it now - thanks.

Photo: Courtesy UndercoverRecruiter.com 

It's exciting!  You have been looking forward to this moment for many years. The time has arrive to launch  an entirely new lifestyle as an independent adult!  It's a lot of new territory to navigate encompassing  a wide array of opportunities and challenges, including finding a place to live, landing and being successful at  a new job, and managing your finances. To help ease your transition from college to career, check out the Quint Careers Conquering the Real World tutorial that offers insights and tools to help you achieve the success you seek.  And don't forget that you have access to career coaches at the Career Education Center who can provide assistance in person or by phone in helping you clarify your next career steps, as well as, mount an effective job search!   Just contact the CEC and set up an appointment.  Also, remember to explore the Career Toolkit on the CEC website that is packed with rich career resources.  Good luck with your exciting adventures that lie ahead as a new graduate, and enjoy the ride!

 

 

For many job candidates, the first step in the interview process is a telephone interview which is typically a screening interview.  If you do well, you will be invited to an in-person meeting.  Given its importance, you need to prepare for the phone interview the same way you prepare for an interview conducted in-person: 

• Research the organization, the job and the interviewer.
• Prepare to answer typical interview questions and prepare questions to ask.
• Analyze the job description so you can speak to how your skills and experience are a good match.  For example, if the job requirements mention criteria  like "organizational skills" or "collaboration with team members", be ready to give examples of how you have demonstrated these behaviors in the past.

One advantage of a telephone interview is the ability to have the job description and your notes in front of you as a reminder of what you plan to say.  However, a major disadvantage is the inability to see the facial expression or read the body language of the interviewer as you respond to the questions.   It's important to be as prepared as possible to off-set this disadvantage.  Here are ten tips: 

 

Before the interview:

1. Obtain the names and job functions of the people who will be conducting your interview.  You will be better able to anticipate particular questions and you can address participants by name.

2.  Secure a private space where you'll have no distractions and good phone service.

3.  Dress for success.  The right clothes will put you in a professional state of mind.

During the interview:

4. Stand when you speak to better project your voice.

5. Smile as you answer. It will encourage you to demonstrate enthusiasm and interest in your tone of voice.

6.  Listen carefully to the questions, and jot down a quick note if needed.

7.  If you are unsure of the interviewer's response to your answer, inquire if they need more information.

8.  When the interviewer concludes the interview, affirm your strong interest in the position and your appreciation for the interviewer's time and the opportunity to interview.

After the interview:

9.  Send a thank you letter, just as you would after an in-person interview.

10.  Reflect on your interview and make a note of questions you found challenging or ways you could improve for the next time you have a telephone interview.

 

Remember that interviewing is a skill that you can learn.  Reviewing the resources in the Prepare to Interview section of the Career Toolkit will assist you.

You can also schedule a practice interview with a Career Coach.  Check out the Guidelines for Practice Interviews to get started.

Photo: Courtesy accentpersonnel.com/istockphoto

 

Well, it's that time of year and that time of your college career: you are a senior and you are about to graduate - yikes! Where did those four years go? And now you need a job. 

First piece of advice: don't panic! Check out this article for college seniors from career website QuintCareers founder Dr. Randall Hansen, who says: "Your job-search plan -- which you should develop and implement as soon as possible -- includes all the sources of job leads you intend to use, including informational interviews, your network of contacts, career services office, college professors, job fairs, job boards, and cold-calling. It also includes all the activities you need to accomplish before starting your job-search, such as polishing your resume and prepping for job interviews." 

In the article Hansen also recommends that college seniors visit their career services office - brilliant advice!  You've got terrific resources at your dipsosal right here at Simmons, starting with the CEC website but also including in-person coaching and the deep career resources found  on the Beatley Library website. The Careers section of the Library Guides houses dozens of guides within it either tailored to your major or on key career topics, such as Job Hunting Online, each with multiple links and articles to get you headed in the right direction.

Still don't know where to start? Need a friendly voice to talk to? Then contact the CEC and set up an appointment with a career coach. We're here for you - and now's the time! 

Photo: Courtesy Boston.com/iStockPhoto 

With Summer not far away, the thoughts of many sophomores and juniors will soon be turning to summer employment in internships that can help prepare them for life after college.

Internships, both in the summer and during the school year, can be a great opportunity to get your feet wet in a career or industry that you are considering for post-graduation employment.  With many entry-level job descriptions requesting previous experience in the field, internships have become the essential bridge between college studies and career.  You can even use a summer internship in place of a summer job (if it is paid) or earn academic credit in between semesters.

However, not all internships are created equal.  Some are paid while some are unpaid, and some will qualify for academic credit and others will not.  Some will give you the knowledge and experience that propels you forward into a particular field (or, as equally important, teaches you that some career paths are not for you), while others will teach you little more than being sure to not put decaf in the regular coffee pot.  It's important to ask questions and know the facts before you agree to take on any internship opportunity.

Some important points:

- Paid vs. Unpaid:  Many internship opportunities at for-profit organizations are paid and can offer valuable insight into that company and industry, while compensating you at an entry-level wage for your work.  However, some internships at for-profits, and many at not-for-profits, are unpaid and, in the case of not-for-profits, officially considered volunteer work.  According to the federal Department of Labor and the Fair Labor Standards Act (see here for more info), unpaid internships at for-profit organizations should be primarily educational and for the benefit of the intern, and should not displace entry-level employees or be of immediate benefit to employer (they shouldn't be directly making money off of your work if you are not being paid).

- Academic Credit:  Internships can provide you with academic credit and serve as the experiential component of your Simmons education.  However, it is important to understand that it is your academic department (i.e., your major) that determines whether an internship is eligible for academic credit, not your employer.  Often, internships for academic credit involve an educational component (such as keeping a journal of activities or attending a bi-weekly class, such as the Humanities 370 class lead by Career Education Center career coaches) in tandem with the work of the actual internship.  If you are interested in receiving academic credit from your internship work, check with your department on the requirements for internship credit before accepting an internship opportunity.

- Know Your Field:  Just not all internships are created equal, neither are all fields of employment.  Some expect little to no internship experience, while others may require not only internship experience during your college years but beyond, sometimes at little or no pay.  This can be particularly true in creative or artistic fields such as film and media.  It is important to see an internship as part of your ongoing research into a career field, but be sure that your research doesn't start (or end) with obtaining and completing an internship.

Want to know some of the best ways to learn as much as you can about internship opportunities?  Meet with one of our career coaches to discuss your interests and to find out more about possible ways to research the internship you want to land.  You can also visit our CareerLink website for listings of internships (as well as full-time and part-time jobs) from employers that are specifically looking to hire Simmons students. We offer extensive information on researching internships on our CEC website.

But the best resource of all is your fellow students - ask friends and acquaintances about their internship experiences, particularly if they are interested in the same field or are in the same major as you.  To make this resource (the knowledge of your fellow students) more accessible, the CEC and Simmons Technology have launched the Peer Internship Network.  Check it out to find a convenient way to connect with fellow Simmons students and recent alums and see what they have to say about the the internships that they've done.

Whether you are an undergrad looking for a summer internship, your first entry-level job after graduation or a graduate student, be sure to attend the Simmons Spring Career & Internship Fair, Wednesday, March 27 from 2:00 pm to 5:00 pm in the LKP Paresky.  Forty employers from across several industries will be on campus with a multitude of job and internship positions! For more info and links visit the Spring Career & Internship Fair event page, which has a list of all employers who will be attending and also provides helpful career fair tune-up tips and videos.  As always, contact the CEC with any questions at 617-521-2488 or careers@simmons.edu. See you at the fair! 

 

Juniors and Seniors:

• Do you have questions about what to include on your resume and what to leave out?
• Are you puzzled about "accomplishment statements" and need help in writing them?
• Had you planned to get some feedback on your resume but couldn't find the time? 

You're in luck - the Resume Tune Up is here at the CEC!

Drop by Room M 106 on Thursday, March 21 from 10am to 4pm to get the help you need.  Meet with a career professional to make sure your resume is the best it can be before applying for a job or internship.

Still haven't written your resume, but want to get started? Learn how to stand out in a sea of resumes - Review the resume writing resources and sample resumes on Write a Resume, then create your draft and come to the Resume Tune Up!

Seniors, feeling anxiety about graduation and the upcoming job search? Believe it or not, it's March at the end of this week and the clock is ticking.

But never fear - there are plenty of resources on hand to help you out, starting with a handy photo gallery on Boston.com with timely tips for senior job seekers from two executives in the know.

One example: "Tap into your university alumni base" - "Alumni enjoy assisting recent grads, especially if you have practical skills and are willing to pay your dues," said [founder and principal of Dreambridge Partners Judy] Shen-Filerman, who suggested discussing the passion and skills that you hope to bring to an employer. Check out the complete photo gallery on Boston.com here.

Don't miss the previous CEC News blog post on taking the first steps in your job search. You may also want to mark your calendar for the upcoming Spring Career & Internship Fair on March 27 right here on campus in the Linda K. Paresky Conference Center, 2-5 pm. For more info on the Fair, including a list of currently registered employers, click here.

For more support on any aspect of your job search, check out the CEC website's Career Toolkit for undergrads. If you want to meet with a CEC career coach to help get the wheels turning and start putting together your post-graduation plan, click here to make an appointment.




Photo: Courtesy Boston.com//istockphoto.com