translating your experiences to help you get that job or internship andrea mersmann, career coach...
TRANSCRIPT
Translating Your Experiences to Help You
Get That Job or InternshipAndrea Mersmann, Career Coach
www.xavier.edu/career
Session Overview
•What employers are looking for in their candidates•How to demonstrate these skills in your resume, other application materials and the interview process•Career Development Office Resources
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Every aspect of being a part of a student organization is instrumental in developing skills and experiences that are invaluable to an employer
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What skills are you gaining from being active in an org/club?
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What skills do employers seek? What skills are you gaining from being active in an org/club?
LeadershipTeamwork
Communication skillsProblem solving/decision making
Strong work ethicAnalytical skillsTechnical skills
InitiativeComputer skills
NACE (National Association of Colleges and Employers) Job Outlook, 2014
Skills that employers look for in their candidates….
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Experiences: Bullet point them!
Start each bullet point with an action verbExamples: Collaborate ● Compiled ● Prepared ● Organized ●
Presented ● Improved ● Coordinated ● Delegated ● Supervised ● Trained ● Maintained
Think about WHAT you did/do, WHY, HOW, and RESULTS/OUTCOMES
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• Inform members of deadlines and pertinent information concerning academic matters and upcoming campus activities
• Encourage members to become active in campus and community activities• Correspond with 35 club members, providing information regarding upcoming campus
activities• Promote, support and actively participate in faculty interaction• Collaborate with faculty and students in organizing the X event with panelists recruiter from
the community, resulting in over 100 attendees and a foundation for next year’s event• Plan & execute activities that will assist members in interacting with one another,
developing new skills or knowledge, and/or familiarize members with university programs, activities, and services
• Plan and execute activities such as…., assisting members in developing leadership skills• Increased membership by 10% by marketing the organization through hosting information
tables and using social media outlets including Facebook and Twitter
Keywords to consider: Market, Collaborate, Organize
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Xavier University Leadership Committee, Cincinnati, OH, 2010 – 2011
• Organized the largest and most popular school event “Hip-Hop Culture Explosion” • Prepared a presentation and facilitated exercises about leadership skills that are applicable
in academic, professional and social settings
Public Relations Student Society of America (PRSSA): Cincinnati, OH August 2010 – present Chapter Vice President; May 2012 – present; Chapter Secretary; December 2011 – May 2012
• Organize and lead chapter meetings to motivate and build unity of more than 20 members • Write monthly news releases for professional affiliate, Public Relations Society of America
(PRSA) and serve as contributing editor for national PRSSA student newspaper, FORUM
Xavier International Business Association President February 2013-May 2014
• Increased recruitment by 15% by utilizing social media and networking. • Organized club functions including cultural dinners, informational sessions, and public
speakers. • Coordinated with Xavier University officials in order to ensure the club was operating within
guidelines and contributing to the Xavier University community.
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Again: Every aspect of being a part of a student organization is instrumental in developing skills and experiences that are invaluable to an employer
Let’s practice!
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This Internship will work with the Digital Marketing team to support the execution of the Business Unit’s Social Media Strategy. The associate will assist with all aspects of strategy implementation for an emerging social presence. The associate will be focused on developing pages for specific field locations as well as working with agents to build their social presence. The responsibilities will also include recommendation around Social Media training activities, and how to provide guidance to Senior Management.
Resume Development Resources
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Cover Letters• Your cover letter is not a regurgitation of your resume• Tell a story• Demonstrate passion and excitement• Show action, importance, and results• Show your research and knowledge• Describe how you are the right fit for them and they are the
right organization for you• “For example….”
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Please consider my enclosed résumé for the ABCD Leadership Development Program. Currently, I am a senior majoring in history with a business minor at Xavier University. The qualities I have to offer ABCD in this program include: Outstanding interpersonal skills and work ethic: While working as an intern at XYZ Company, I was selected for the marketing strategy team that partnered to increase revenue by 41% and customer base by 20%. Prior to attending Xavier, I volunteered for a local non-profit organization where I worked with clients from different cultures. Based on my contributions and commitment to the organization, I earned recognition as “Volunteer of the Month.” Demonstrated leadership and teamwork: I co-founded a student organization aimed at increasing community service involvement campus-wide. Over the past three years, we generated a 32% increase in student participation and have made valuable contributions within the community. I also served as a Resident Assistant in one of the University’s largest residence halls while achieving a 3.59/4.0 GPA in my classes. Excellent analytical and quantitative abilities: In a team-based business simulation, I continuously analyzed the market and our competition for a financial services firm throughout the semester. The professor acknowledged our final project as being “an outstanding example for future classes.” Last summer as an intern, I participated in a cross-functional team to assess a proposed business venture expanding customer product offerings.
ABCD’s mission to help people lead healthier, more secure lives aligns with my own personal values and interests, as demonstrated through my community service efforts. I hope to add continued value and contribute to ABCD’s current global expansion.
Cover Letter Pitfalls
• A weak opening• Poor grammar, spelling, and sentence construction• Discussing why you need the job• Telling instead of showing• The generic cover letter• Failure to explain resume red flags• Not following directions• Rehashing your resume• Too self-focused www.xavier.edu/career
http://robbieandbobby.com/reject-pile/
Interview• Have stories and examples in
your back pocket• Practice popular interview
questions • Be specific and relevant
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STARSituation
Task ActionResult
Please share an example of a time when you have gone above and beyond.
What are your greatest strengths?What is your greatest weakness?
Why are you the best candidate for this position?
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Networking• What is “networking”?• Why is it important?• How can you network within your student organization?
o Speakerso Associationso Fellow studentso Alumni
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Tips for Networking• Your pitch/elevator speech• Show interest!• Follow up• Informational Interviews• LinkedIn• “Five Minute Favor” (Adam Rifkin)
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facebook.com/xaviercareer
@XavierCDO
Conaton Learning CommonsRoom 530
Monday – Friday8:30am – 5:00pm
Walk-In HoursTuesday & Wednesday
1:30pm – 3:30pmThursday &Friday 11:00am – 1:00pm
www.xavier.edu/career [email protected] (513) 745-3141