JOB HUNTING OVERVIEW

Stat Club WorkshopMarch 19, 2014

OUTLINE

I. Searching for opportunities

II. Career and internship fairs

III.Networking

IV.Top mistakes

V. Resources from Career Services and Eberly College of Science

SEARCHING FOR OPPORTUNITIES

Stat Club WorkshopMarch 19, 2014

WHERE TO LOOK Utilize online job search engines or job boards to find publicly-posted positions

Research companies that may be of interest to you and explore their HR/career site

Ask those in your network if they know of any unlisted or potential job opportunities

Work with head hunters or recruitment agencies, especially those who specialize in your field

Use Penn State’s networking and job placement resources

Career or internship fairs are a great place to find companies actively searching for new hires

Various colleges and departments around campus offer information sessions throughout the year

ONLINE JOB SEARCH ENGINES Recommended search engines or job boards:Those found on social media, such as LinkedInThose found on professional associations, such as ASAPenn state boards, such as the SciOpps website in the Eberly College of Science or the NLCNCareerBuilder.comMonster.comSimplyHired.comIndeed.com (aggregate)Dice.com (for tech jobs)USAjobs.gov (government)CraigsList.com or SnagAJob.com (for local or part-time positions)Internships.com (internships)

Focus your search by using keywords to match your interests, skills, and location

Do not apply to “any” job

APPLYING FOR POSITIONS It’s okay to apply to a position if you don’t meet all of the requirements, but avoid applying to jobs for which you are severely underqualified (or overqualified!)

Customize your cover letter and resume to specifically link your skills and interests to the duties and requirements of the position

Ask for referrals from someone in your network who also works in the company

If references are needed, make sure they are from appropriate individuals who can speak to your professional or academic experience, such a mentor, supervisor, or professor

Conduct research on the company prior to applying utilizing the company’s own website, as well as outside review sites liked Glassdoor

Keep resumes updated

Do not write “see attached” or “see resume” in lieu of filling out online forms – this will automatically eliminate you from consideration in many cases

Explain job gaps

Be sure to submit application to the correct person!

OTHER TIPS

Find a job to fit your skills, rather than the other way around

Temporary or internship positions can sometimes lead to full-time work

Make sure your email address, email signature, and voicemail are professional

You may have to work your way up

Most successful job hunts come from actively searching – don’t be lazy!

Know what you’re looking for

Talk to others in the field and do some research – you may find that there are other types of positions out there well-suited for you that you didn’t even know existed

Network! (more on that later)

CAREER/INTERNSHIP FAIRS

Stat Club WorkshopMarch 19, 2014

PREPARATION If available, review the list of attending employers and research the companies you are most interested inLearn about the company’s mission, goals, industry, product/services, etc.Review their job/internship postings, as well as college training programs they may offer

Prepare a list of questions for employers, and think about answers to possible questions they make ask of you (see next slide)

Prepare an “elevator speech”, a short 30-second presentation you’ll use to introduce yourself to employers – include things like name, education, goals, interests, and skills

Dress professionally (but wear comfortable shoes)

Print and bring a supply of resumes

Bring a folder and/or briefcase to hold resumes and items you receive at the fair (business cards, brochures, etc.)

SAMPLE QUESTIONS What do you think about (latest trend in the industry)? What entry-level positions are available in your company? Does your company offer internships or training programs? What positions would be a good fit for someone in (major)? What skills or education do you look for most in a candidate for this position? How would you describe a typical day in this position? What is one of the biggest challenges of the job? How would you describe the company culture? What do you like most about your job at this company? What is the balance between teamwork and individual work? May I contact you with further questions? Do you have a business card?

Do NOT ask: What is the compensation? What does your company do?

AT THE FAIR Arrive early if you can so that you can access your priority employers before they are overcrowded

Be ready to wait if a table is crowded, and be assertive in introducing yourself

Talk to as many employers as you can, and LISTEN to what they are saying as well – even if you don’t land a job, you may still leave with something of value

Find ways to connect personally with recruiters with possible

Stress your willingness and ability to learn new things

Do not overlook small companies; they probably will be less competitive but may offer greater opportunities and allow young hires to take on broader and more responsible roles early in their careers

Maintain a positive, energetic attitude!

If you are interested in a particular employer, be sure to verbally affirm your interest with enthusiasm

FOLLOW-UP If you are still interested in the company, follow up with an email within a week, unless the recruiter specifically asked for a phone call

Briefly convey why the position or company is a perfect fit for your skills and interests

Keep it short but confident!

Ask for the opportunity to speak further

Provide a resume and/or cover letter if appropriate

NETWORKING Stat Club WorkshopMarch 19, 2014

WHAT IS NETWORKING?

“The cultivation of productive relationships for employment or business” – Merriam-Webster

More than half of all jobs are filled by networking and referrals, often for positions that are not even publicly posted! It would be to your disadvantage to ignore this important, yet sometimes difficult, step in job searching.

BUILD YOUR NETWORKPeople with whom to start:

Coworkers and other business acquaintances

Classmates and professors

Members of a professional association such as ASA

Graduates of Penn State or other school you’ve attended

Family and friends

Down the road also network with:Colleagues and peers

Mentors

Customers and clients

NETWORKING TIPS Connect using social media, business gatherings, clubs, volunteer activities, professional associations, conferences, or even social events

Talk with strangers; make an effort to meet new people; be friendly and approachable Create and regularly carry business cards Aim to be helpful and take an active interest in others; make and keep small promises Maintain contact, especially those from which you’ll be asking to provide references Reach out through email, social media, or phone Attend networking events when possible; bring your business cards and go prepared to meet new people Organize your contacts and keeps lists of people with whom to follow-up

Do NOT: Be overly aggressive Focus only on the “most important” people Try too hard to impress Stay quiet

SOCIAL MEDIA LinkedInFriend only those that will help you professionally, including close friends, family, classmates, professors,

coworkers, and supervisors

Take advantage of their job search engine – though they may have as many job listings, you are able to share your LinkedIn profile with employers for many positions

Create a complete but simple profile, and keep it updated, as it can be viewed as a kind of online CV

Include job skill keywords relevant to your position of interest, endorse job skills of others, and ask others to endorse you

Ensure your picture is professional and preferably a head shot

Share your LinkedIn profile with employers

Join interest groups, including Penn State Career Connection

Facebook, Twitter, Google+Probably do not need to share with employer, but be sure to keep it as clean and professional as possible

while searching for a position

Best to keep it set to “private”

TOP MISTAKES Stat Club WorkshopMarch 19, 2014

TOP MISTAKES Not preparing for interview

Spelling or grammatical errors

Being disorganized

Not having a professional “online presence”

Failing to research the company

Focusing only on posted jobs

Having a negative attitude

Lying or over-exaggerating on resume or application

“Bugging” the hiring manager

Not networking

Applying for “any” job

Being too generic in skills or experience

Neglecting to explain job gaps

Having an unprofessional-sounding email address

RESOURCES FROM CAREER SERVICES

AND EBERLY COLLEGE OF SCIENCE

Stat Club WorkshopMarch 19, 2014

UPCOMING EVENTS AND WORKSHOPS Spring Career FairMarch 26 & 27 (Wednesday 3/26: non-technical; Thursday 3/27: technical)11:00am – 4:00pm at the Bryce Jordan CenterAll majors; Full-time positions, internships, and co-opsMore information at http://careerfairs.psu.edu/spring/student/default.shtml

On-campus workshops at 103 BOA Career Services CenterTomorrow, March 20 at 4p: Resume Tips for technical majorsTomorrow, March 20 at 5:15p: Interviewing Tips for technical majors

Technical Resumes and Approaching Career Fair Representatives workshopTomorrow, March 20 at 5:45p in 8 MuellerFeatures Penn State Science alum Christopher Kistler from Merck

Walk-in resume reviewsMarch 24 in 112 RitenourStep by between 10am, and 4pm

Resumania – have resume reviewed by HR professionalsMarch 25 on second floor of Career Services Center Stop by anytime between 11am and 3pm

SERVICES Drop-in counseling, Monday through Friday 8:30-4:30Brief 10-25 minute meetingConcerns such as career decisions, job shadowing, resumes, grad school, internships, cover letters, salary

negotiations, networking, interviews, offer evaluation, etc.

Individual career counselingIn-depth and confidential 50-minute appointmentsAllowed up to 10 per yearMust attend at least one drop-in session to be eligible

Mock interviewsOne-hour appointmentsFeedback session provided

Online workshops and recorded presentations

Penn State Career Connection: LinkedIn professional networking group

Nittany Lion Career Network (NLCN) job board

LionLink networking database