Written on 9:43 AM by Xavier Career Development
“How was your summer break?”
“It was awesome but it went by way too quickly!”
“I know right? I wish summer lasted all year round.”
Summer vacation is everyone’s favorite break because it
definitely is the longest vacation, the weather allows for so many fun outdoor
activities, and we are able to engage ourselves in time with friends, family,
jobs, and play. Summer is also the best season for many people to build their
resumes! There are so many opportunities to gain work experience- whether it is
through a job or internship, volunteer experience, or even studying abroad! If
we do any or a mixture of these, how do we neatly organize our experiences on a
resume? What if we did any of or a mixture of all of these activities and want
to know how to neatly organize our experiences? That is where the
Career Development Office comes into
play!
Although we are all on summer vacation, the Career
Development Office is still alive and running in the CLC 530! They offer all of
the
services they offer during
the school year: resume help, meeting with career coaches, job search
techniques, and so much more. Being able to transcribe the experiences from
your summer into clear resume material can be difficult, and the career coaches
are more than happy to listen to your summer involvements and assist with
putting them onto paper!
If you are a senior like myself, and think that after
graduation the Career Development Office is no longer relevant to you, I have
to correct you because that is not the case! Xavier
alumni are treated just the
same as current students: they are offered resume and cover letter help, interview
preparation, career exploration, Hire A Muskie and more. So do not fear
graduating seniors, Xavier’s motto of “All for One and One for All” truly lives
on!
So whether you are working as a country club lifeguard,
headed to your dream grad school, or entering the working world come this May,
I wish you the best. No matter what you do this summer, every chance is a
working and learning experience. My best advice is to keep track of and write
down everything you do over the course of vacation: you never know what contact
you may want to keep in mind or what job treated you the best! Most of all,
enjoy your vacation like it is your last because sadly, eventually there will
be no more summer vacations as you grow older. Have a great summer, make it
efficient, and as always, Let’s go X!
Graduating Senior,
Jenny Mendoza
|
Written on 9:57 AM by Xavier Career Development
It’s
a big world out there with lots of career options to pursue. Since about age 4
or 5 we are asked what we want to be when we grow up. If you were as bright and
intelligent as I was at age 4, my answer would be to be a pizza, and if that
didn’t work out, then I would be a dog. Clearly I knew what direction my life
was heading since my early childhood. If you ask me that question today, I
would give a more realistic answer which is working within advertising,
marketing, and communications. (But by the amount of pizza I consume I think I
am very close to actually becoming one after all.)
When
we enter college, the big question that everyone asks you is “What is your
major?” Followed by “What do you want to do with that after graduation?” You
may be feeling overwhelmed, seeing as how you are adjusting to your college
lifestyle and wondering what is out there that can be studied and explored.
Some people have no idea what they want to declare their major as, and that’s
ok! You are not alone in your search to find the right fitting major for you. The Career Development Office
is here to help you!
There are three steps to successfully finding a major that
fits you.
Step 1: Self-Assessment
This calls for some reflection on your part:
·
What
are your interests: your likes and dislikes?
·
What
do you like to study?
·
Skills
and abilities: being able to decipher your strengths and weaknesses.
·
Values:
Do you value working independently or with a team?
·
Finally,
personality: Do you appreciate structure in your studies or do you enjoy
spontaneity?
Step 2: Major Exploration
This is where you get your hands dirty and conduct research
on the areas of study you are interested in. This calls for meeting with
professors, meeting
with a career coach, or joining a club that supports various career
fields. Another
option is coming to the Career Development Office to take a few assessment
tests such as FOCUS 2, Myers-Briggs Type Indicator, and the Strong Interest
Inventory to view how your personal interests and work styles mesh together
with many work environments and values.
Step 3: Making a Decision
The
third and final step is making your decision. Ultimately, you are the one
taking the courses and doing the work, so you should not be weighed down by the
fear that one path will determine the rest of your life. There are plenty of
people here at Xavier who are happy to help you realize what your dream career
could be!
From
undeclared freshman to Communication Studies senior,
Jenny
Mendoza
|
Written on 10:30 AM by Xavier Career Development
The
classic internship
search: tirelessly staring at a computer screen, writing cover
letter after cover letter, and crossing your fingers hoping for some sort of
luck on the other side of the screen. It can get so old so quickly, and
sometimes we end up not even remembering what positions or companies we have
applied for! The key to a successful internship search is making sure to stay
organized! By clearly laying out your goals, intentions, and seeing that those
can become realities, the task of locking down a summer internship is no longer
extremely daunting!
There
are a few simple steps to organizing your internship search:
1. Make a list
of companies you want to target
2. Find out if
their internship opportunities are posted
3. If yes,
apply. If no, set up a “job alert”- meaning, making a note to come back to this
later.
4. Find
contacts at each company, whether it is collecting email addresses or LinkedIn
profiles!
5. Reach out to
express interest in the job or the company by sending a cover letter email with
your resume attached
6. Keep track
of the dates of communication and follow up!
The
first key to keeping your search organized is tracking. The simplest, and in my
opinion the most efficient method, is to create an excel spreadsheet.
By labeling each column with specific titles:
I want to intern
Intern opportunity listed
on company website
If yes, did you apply- list the date if so!
If no, did you create a “job alert”
List of contacts at company (or LinkedIn page)
Did you follow up? If yes, when?
This
allows for a super easy cross off list that allows you to stay on top of your
job or internship search! As long as you keep at it with a positive mindset, a
fountain Coke, and work hard, your internship search will be over before you
know it!
Wishing you the luck of the Irish,
Jenny
Mendoza
|
Written on 8:57 AM by Xavier Career Development
February
is upon us, Muskies and we have a lot to look forward to! We hope that the
groundhog does not see his shadow so spring arrives quickly, we celebrate
African American culture throughout the month, and of course, we anticipate
attending the Spring
Career Fair on February 17th!
I
myself could go on and on about the career fair- what to wear, how to prepare,
follow up, etc, etc. Seeing as how this is my blog, I volunteer you Musketeers
my advice all the time, and figure you would like to hear from other Xavier
students for a change of pace! I have asked students who have attended the
career fair for their advice and opinions on how to achieve the most success!
Nick Henrichs,
Class of 2015-Marketing Major, Psychology Minor: “Honestly,
the career fair isn’t as huge of a stress-enduring deal as most students think
it is. It really boils down to three main points: professionalism,
preparation, and being polite! Of course, you want to dress your best
in business professional clothing- there is absolutely no room for jeans or
tennis shoes. Do your research! In order to wow the companies/representatives
at the fair, you want to arrive with knowledge of what that company does, and
if they are interested in hiring a person like you with your area of study.
Having said that, come prepared with questions about possible future employment,
whether it’s for a summer internship or a full time job after graduation.
Lastly, following up with the employer you talked to is just as important as
making a good impression on them- sending them a personal thank you note lets
them know you appreciated the time they spent with you, and can make you stand
out amongst the dozens of people they spoke to the day of the fair. As long as
you stick to those three main points, the fair should be no sweat!”
Kacie Hoyt,
Class of 2015-Biology Major: “Being a biology major, through my freshmen
and sophomore years I didn’t even give the career fair a thought since I
assumed it was strictly for business majors or those alike. It wasn’t until I
had heard from other people in my major who had attended at least one career
fair that there are employers searching for students with all areas of study! When
the spring career fair rolled around my junior year, I picked up a copy of the
Career Fair tabloid and found that companies like Procter and Gamble and Cincinnati
Children’s Research Foundation were going to be right inside Cintas, looking
for candidates like myself! My advice to you is don’t skip out on the career fair
because you think no one is hiring-you never know who you could speak to and
where it could lead you!”
So
fellow Musketeers, there you have it. The Career Development Office wants you
to succeed in every way possible, and attending the Career Fair is one of the
best ways we can help you begin to reach your career goals! Feel free to visit
our website or drop by
our office if you have any questions!
Best
of luck,
Jenny
Mendoza
|
Written on 9:29 AM by Xavier Career Development
Hello
transfer students and welcome to Xavier University! I am so excited that you
made the choice to join this great community of Xavier students, faculty, and
staff! We really do live and act by the motto “All for One and One for All,” so
we are all here to embrace and welcome you into Xavier Nation. I am sure you
are trying to get settled in your dorms, figure out why there is a ton of
construction in the middle of campus, and master the fine art of eating just
enough cafeteria food so that you are full, but don’t overindulge yourself so
much that you are unable to get up and walk home. Amidst all of these mental
processes, we here at the Career Development Office just want to let you know
we are here to support you! You may find the following tips helpful through
your time here at Xavier University.
Don’t be afraid to ask for help!
This probably seems like common sense and something almost every
person you have met so far has advised you to do. It may be irritating to hear
repeatedly, but we express this because we all want you to succeed in every way
possible! The only way to know what resources are available to help you grow is
to reach out and seek help when you need it. There is absolutely no shame in
admitting you don’t know something and need advice- this is something I learned
on the first day and still am learning.
Set personal time aside for yourself.
It can be extremely easy to get absorbed into the everyday hustle
and bustle of campus life- class, meetings, emails, and study groups. Consistently
being involved in a routine of academics, time with roommates and friends, and
trying to keep up with laundry so you are not forced to wear the same sweatshirt for two weeks can make any person go a little stir crazy! From personal
experience, I can tell you it is so beneficial to set aside mandatory personal
time for yourself every once in a while. Whether it is just Netflix binging in
order to think about anything besides that lab report, or taking a walk and
having a beautiful view of campus and Cincinnati by standing outside the 10th
floor of Schott Hall, having a clear mind is vital to your physical and mental
health!
Immerse yourself in Xavier Athletics!
What’s a college experience if it is all work and no play? Whether
you choose to attend a men’s or women’s basketball game in Cintas Center, a
baseball game on Hayden Field, or a soccer game on the XU Soccer Complex;
attending any athletic event at Xavier is truly a fun and memorable experience,
and a great way to represent your school spirit!
So fellow Musketeers, welcome to your new home. If you see Fr. B
giving you a wave and saying “Hi, Saint!”, the smell of fresh bread being baked
at Subway, or the sound of the pep band playing the Xavier fight song, know
that these sights and sounds are all are yours to claim as part of your Xavier
experience. Let’s go X!
Your friend,
Jenny Mendoza
|
Written on 1:13 PM by Xavier Career Development
“It’s
the most wonderful time of the year!” Is it really? When the month of December
rolls around for Xavier students, many of us will have had a small taste of
home over Thanksgiving break, and then return back to campus to crank out the
last few weeks of work and tremendous amounts of studying for final exams. We
can have a tendency to only focus on what is in front of us, and not what lies
ahead! Keep your eyes on the prize, Xavier students: Christmas break is not
that far away!
Christmas
break is definitely the time for enjoying, in my opinion at least, the most
wonderful time of the year. Family, friends, and food are sources for a
fantastic three weeks away from textbooks, meetings, and emails. It is
incredibly easy to spend 3 weeks wearing sweatpants as a result of the massive
amount of food you have eaten, lying on the couch both starting (and then
subsequently finishing) a Netflix series of your choice knowing you have
nothing holding you back. Although this may be the dream for a lot of us, I
have faith in you, fellow students. We are more than capable of accomplishing
some career-related goals and mindsets while we have time to kick back! Let’s
take this slowly, this is a vacation after all, right? By no means am I suggesting
we all need to spend our breaks researching internships and jobs, interviewing
for them, and finally landing those positions.
Let’s
say we are spending the day at home, checking Facebook albums, updating our
iTunes, and doing some online shopping looking for that perfect New Year’s Eve
outfit. While we are on our laptops, we can write or edit our resumes. After
having done so, we can head over to LinkedIn.com
to update our profiles after having browsed so many of our friends’ profiles on
various social media accounts. Perhaps we have some information to add from a
fall internship we have landed, or update our objective statements for what it
is we are seeking in the spring and summer. After having updated our LinkedIn
accounts, we can navigate over to eRecruiting to
research those possible winter, spring, or possible summer internship and job
positions we are seeking!
By
now we’ve spent a lot of time hunched over our computers, and should get
outside and enjoy the snow and winter weather! Suggest to mom and/or dad a day
of bonding! Sit down with them to explain what it is you really are searching
for or hope to accomplish in terms of your career path: whether you are
graduating in the spring and want to discuss living situations and the location
of your dream job, or you are a sophomore and seeking advice on declaring a
major. Those older than us always give us wise advice about their career
history when it is sought out! While you are out you can also suggest shopping
for business/interview attire! What family member wouldn’t want to help you
present yourself as professionally as possible, especially when you mention the
Spring Career Fair is right around the corner on February 17!
Vacation
is the best of both worlds: allowing for productivity as well as good times
with those we love. Make the most of your break this year!
Merry
Christmas Muskies,
Jenny
Mendoza
|
Written on 1:41 PM by Xavier Career Development
Ah, November. The universal sign that fall is drawing to a
close, and winter is not far away. November allows us to indulge in pumpkin
pie, raking piles of leaves just to jump back into them, and the best part of
the month: Thanksgiving dinner. A famous holiday tradition, and one that occurs
in my house every year, consists of everyone going around the table stating
what they are thankful for before we dig into our meal. Although we may want to
just state something general like “my family,” or “the food on this table,” we
can take the next few weeks before we go home to really think about our answer.
We students here at XU are so lucky for a number of reasons.
On a daily basis, we tend to go through the motions and don’t give them any
thought. We get up, go to class, grab a bite to eat, then either head to our
jobs or sit down and do our homework. Even though we all have our own routines,
there are so many people that can be thanked throughout all these processes-
and so many different places and things to be thankful for!
Let’s break this down: let’s start with the first and
foremost reason we are all here, to attend class and transition into a career.
Just like we get up and mentally prepare ourselves for a day full of lectures,
our professors do the same thing! They dedicate themselves to us before,
during, after class, and sometimes even on the weekends. Don’t be afraid after
your lecture as you walk past your professor just to say “Thank-you!” Trust me
when I say they are probably not expecting it, and will most definitely help
make their day a little brighter.
So we’ve had a day full of classes and now we head back to
our dorms or apartments. We enter a room that has been swept as well as a
bathroom that has been cleaned and filled with supplies. The next time we are
in our room at the same time as the cleaning staff, feel free to just ask “How
is your day going so far?” A little conversation started goes a long way and
shows you aren’t taking their service for granted.
Mentors, both those through the
Xavier Mentoring Program
and ones we have collected over time on our own, are other friendly faces here
at Xavier that are looking out for us and genuinely have our best interests at
heart. When you meet with your mentor, instead of feeling as if it is another
component of your busy day, try to use active listening! Active listening is
more than just nodding your head and answering questions. Active listening
shows you really are taking to heart the advice your mentor is giving you. An
example of this would include responding to your mentor with “That is really
great advice!” or “I agree, thanks for the suggestion!” A handwritten thank-you
note is also a classic method to deeply show your gratitude for their time and
efforts they have spent with you.
So in summary, although Thanksgiving Day may be the primary
time where we express what we are grateful for, don’t be shy to let those who
matter in your life know that they do so! All for one and one for all never
fails!
Behind the bowl of mashed potatoes,
Jenny Mendoza
|
Written on 1:37 PM by Xavier Career Development
“Go
to college, a university. Get a real job-that’s what they said to me.” That’s
what Joel Madden from Good Charlotte sang about our futures back in the year
2003. But this is the year 2014, and not all of us want to follow the routine
pattern of jumping straight into a working environment immediately after
graduation. Some of us are pursuing graduate school, and others are considering
a year of service: being a man or woman for others and giving their time and
talent to those truly in need. Xavier graduate Matthew Mellon, class of 2009, describes his life changing
experience with post-grad volunteering.
What
was your scenario that made you decide upon your year of service?
A year of service was a logical place to start my
career after college. I always knew I wanted to work in something related
to social justice. At that point in my life, I was also exploring
the connection between social justice and faith. So, spending a
year with the Lutheran Volunteer Corps fit my priorities quite
well, because they were a faith-based program and most of their
service placements were explicitly focused on social justice.
Did
you attend the post-grad fair during your
time at Xavier?
I did attend! I went my Junior and Senior years.
What
is it you did during your year of service?
Immediately after graduation, I went into my year
of service with Lutheran Volunteer Corps. I was placed at DC
Employment Justice Center, a law center for low-wage workers. I worked on
the advocacy team, where I lobbied for workplace protections for low wage
workers in Washington, DC at the city council. I also did some case work
with our clients and helped them navigate legal issues related
to their employment (I was supervised by an attorney). I heard about Lutheran Volunteer Corps (LVC) through a
friend who had applied a year earlier. I also think I talked to them at
Xavier's Post Grad Service Fair, but I can't remember for sure.
Did
this require you to re-locate from your hometown? Did you complete the year of
service alone or with others you knew?
Yes, I left my hometown of Cincinnati, and
relocated to DC. I didn't know anyone beforehand, but I became
good friends with most of the other 21 people in my LVC cohort.
What
are you most glad about after having completed your year?
Well, this is a bit difficult to answer. There are many
things that I am deeply appreciative of after finishing my year of service
(which was four years ago). If I had to pick one, I think it was learning about
the policy-making process in DC City Council, and more importantly how
important policy advocacy is in social justice work. Advocacy has been my
career, in one way or another, since finishing my year of service.
What
followed your year of service?
Right afterward, I started a one year leadership
development program called Bill Emerson National Hunger Fellowship, which
took me to Arizona to work on hunger related issues. After that, I moved back
to DC and worked for several years in health policy, then as a researcher at
a hospital. Now, I am in graduate school pursuing degrees in public health
and public policy.
Although Matthew’s experience was
within the United States, there are many international opportunities as well! A
year of service could be a great opportunity to explore a career field and gain
experience. To find out, attend the
Graduate School and Year-of-Service Fair on October 28!
Cheers
to the future,
Jenny
Mendoza
|
Written on 12:54 PM by Xavier Career Development
Hello fellow Musketeers and welcome back to what is going to
be a great year here at Xavier University! The month of September has kicked
off which means leaves are covering the ground, pumpkin spiced lattes are back,
and let’s not forget something equally as exciting and important: The Fall
Career Fair! The Career Fair is the time twice a year where all of us Xavier
students are able to step forward, present our best professional selves, and
throw ourselves into the working world force hoping to come out of the district
(our in our case, Cintas Center) a winner! The Career Fair is Tuesday, September 16 from 3:00-6:00 in
Cintas Center. For those who may not be familiar with what the Career Fair is, it
is an event where over 84 registered organizations (such as Luxxotica, Dewey’s,
and Kroger) will have the chance to meet students and alumni interested in full
time and part time jobs, as well as internship positions.
The Fall Career Fair is not something to be intimated by,
but is something that should be given some time and effort prior to
attending- much like attending class! One word is going to lead to key success
at the Fall Career Fair: research! Doing your research beforehand allows you to
know both the employers present and whom they are looking to hire. Having this
prepared knowledge is going to save yourself and the employers from wasting
time and allows for more efficiency all around!
A few pro-tips that will allow for a successful career fair:
·
Research companies that are attending the fair,
and match those to your degree and interest(s.)
·
Prioritize your time!
-
Stop by organizations that you are strongly
interested in first.
-
Next, stop by organizations that may not be
hiring in your field but you still have an interest in.
-
Finally, network yourself! Make yourself known-you
never know when a recruiter could think of you!
After you have completed your research and are ready to
attend the fair, keep the following in mind:
·
Re-vamp your resume and bring multiple copies
with you!
·
Dress professionally and appropriately.
·
Be confident- keep eye contact and practice a
firm handshake!
·
Most importantly, just be yourself!
Whether this will be the first career fair you attend, or
this may be one of your final career fairs here at Xavier, the Career
Development Office is always here to help and answer any questions you may
have.
Check out our website:
May the odds be ever in your favor,
Jenny Mendoza
|
Written on 11:40 AM by Xavier Career Development
Summer. For some of us, we know exactly when that moment may
begin- for me, summer begins on May 9th at 12 pm. While we may be
able to pinpoint exactly when it is that our summers begin, are we all able to
give a definition of what our summers may entail?
Summer is my favorite season and I would enjoy nothing more
than catching up with friends, going swimming, and just having fun. As ideal as
that sounds for a lot of people, summer actually can be the most productive
season for your résumés! Whether you are
traveling, studying abroad, or working, summer is definitely the time to get a
jump-start on your career path.
Working or having an internship isn’t the only thing that
employers look for when reading résumés. The smallest things that you do can go
a long way. A great example of this is volunteering. If you go on a weeklong
service trip or just volunteer at the free clinic in your spare time,
volunteering is something that employers love to see listed on your résumé. Remember
to take down names and numbers of supervisors you worked with in order to use
them as a resource later on down the road!
Studying abroad is another great résumé add-on. This shows
that although you were not in the country working over the summer, you were
focusing on your studies and still gaining great experience establishing
yourself around the globe.
Finally, an internship, co-op, or full time or part time job
is just as useful as any of the summer options already talked about. Whether it
is a new experience or maybe a repeat of an experience from last summer, there
is always something to add onto or spice up your résumé. Keep your eyes open and remember the different
ways that you made your work experience one to remember- whether it is updating
the company website, creating ads, or promoting the business in your everyday life
through social media!
So, whether you are working in a bakery or in a high-rise
building downtown, be sure to make the most of your 3 month vacation. You only
have so many to embrace!
From Chicago, Illinois
Jenny Mendoza
|
Written on 7:37 AM by Xavier Career Development
Social media-we hear this phrase often in school, work, and
pop culture. What exactly does it mean? Most people immediately think of the
usual suspects Facebook and Twitter, but this is hardly the full definition of
the term “social media.” Social media can be used for good, for bad, for fun, and
for business. As college students and
growing adults in the work world, when and how can we properly use social
media?
We all know the drill. You’re sitting in class or you’re
sitting at work and suddenly the lecture or meeting becomes extremely boring so
you go ahead and decide to check Twitter, or maybe even tweet about how boring
that class or meeting is. Perhaps it’s a Monday morning and you’re sifting
through your photos from the weekend, and decide to go ahead and post them- as
flattering or as unflattering as they may be.
While all these things are certainly tasks to keep us busy
and things to keep others entertained with, checking, posting, liking, swiping,
pinning, or you name it may not always be the smartest or most career-savvy
move. Since we are college students, hoping to move into the working world
after graduation, it is important to remember that we should use our best
judgment.
Think about it this way: if you were a boss or supervisor
coming around checking on your employees and you see one of them sitting in
their office being unproductive and checking their news feed, what would you
think of this employee? You would see that they are not valuing their time at
work and that they are re-directing their energy elsewhere. In another example,
what if you and your boss were Facebook friends and s/he happened to see those
not so flattering pictures of you and your friends out the weekend before?
That’s probably not the image your boss would want representing the company you
work for.
I myself use social media everyday and I know first hand it
certainly is not easy to always be consciously thinking “Is this appropriate to
share? Do I really care who sees it?” The good news is that in the work world,
there for sure is one source of social media that is completely acceptable to
be used during and outside of work:
LinkedIn! LinkedIn is
the professional social media site of the business world, it is Facebook with a
suit. It is a networking site that allows you to upload your resume, connect
with other professionals, and discover the latest news and professional
ventures! LinkedIn is definitely something that employers love to see being
constantly updated, and being used to help promote your career!
So, in this crazy busy world where everyone wants to know
where you are and how you feel about that doughnut you just bought from the coffee
shop down the street, just remember that there is a time and place for
everything. Maybe someone is looking to hire at that coffee shop and is
interested in you!
On the flip-side of the computer screen,
Jenny Mendoza
|
Written on 1:54 PM by Xavier Career Development
“Oh,
get a job? Just get a job? Why don’t I strap on my job helmet and squeeze down
into a job cannon and fire off into job land, where jobs grow on jobbies?!”
Although this quote from Charlie Kelly may be a bit exaggerated, this is
certainly how beginning the job or internship search process may seem.
The
first step is the most challenging, and that is finding jobs or internships;
whether they are right in your backyard or over 500 miles away. Google seems to
be the answer to everything now-a-days. But rather than tirelessly typing
“marketing internships in Chicago” or whatever major and location you’re
interested in, there is a much simpler solution for us Xavier students- eRecruiting! eRecruiting
is Xavier’s online job and internship site that is exclusive to Xavier students
and alumni. Everyone
has an account that is easy to use! To log in, use your 9 digit banner ID
followed by XU. The password is Jobs. Now you’re in!
eRecruiting
is a fantastic tool to use for many reasons. First off, this website is
specifically tailored for Xavier students. Jobs, internships, and co-ops are
all career-related opportunities from employers specifically seeking Xavier
candidates. (Talk about the Power of X!) Once you find your ideal job or
internship, most of the time all you have to do is upload your resume and cover
letter, then click on “apply,” and voila! Super easy.
I
personally love using eRecruiting because the website is very user-friendly and
simple to follow. Aside from most
internship or job recruiting websites, eRecruiting allows you to specify
exactly what it is you are looking for. Using the keyword function allows you
to sort through a number of different search options from specific career
functions to location! For example, if you wanted to zoom in on graphic design
internships, you can search by those terms to find experiences related to that
field.
On
your personalized homepage, you will find a list of Xavier’s upcoming career
events, programs, and job fairs; giving us Xavier students extra information we
may find helpful. You can also sign up for on-campus interviews as well. Other
links, such as Going Global, provide job seekers with helpful resources about
job searching in US cities and other countries. So if you have always wanted to
live in Italy, this resource will give you great tips on an international job
search.
Along
with being utilized as a “search engine,” eRecruiting allows you to become very
personal with your search history. eRecruiting allows users to upload and save
their resumes, cover letters, writing samples, and other documents. eRecruiting
also keeps track of your application history in order for you to return and
track your progress.
So,
along with Easter, Reese’s Eggs, and warm spring weather, be sure to stay on
top of the internship/job search! Recruiters are sitting on the other end of
the computer screen awaiting your application- make it easy on yourself and
utilize eRecruiting to your advantage!
Hoping
the Easter Bunny brings you a job or internship,
Jenny
Mendoza
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Written on 11:35 AM by Xavier Career Development
“You must declare a major by the end of your sophomore year”
were probably the most intimidating 12 words I have heard in my two and a half
years here at Xavier. Although I originally entered my first semester freshman
year as an Athletic Training major, that game plan was one that was not fully
executed. I found that was not the major for me, and was absolutely lost once I
found myself to be undeclared. I had no idea where to even start thinking of
new career ideas- because finding and declaring a major is basically setting
the path for the rest of your life right? Nope! Not at all.
Knowing Xavier as the Jesuit institution where we are men
and women for others, I turned to the Career Development Office and met with a
career counselor. This resource was one that not even Google could help me
with. I met with my counselor many times and discussed everything- she really
wanted to know not just what it is I might want to do, but who I am and how I
could fit in many career positions that I had never thought of myself.
I was able to discover this by taking three different
assessments: MyPlan, Myers-Briggs Type Indicator, and the Strong Interest
Inventory. Between all three of these assessments, I was able to view how my
personal interests and work styles mashed together with not only various
professions, but also their work environments and values. After I completed
these, along with discussions with my counselor, the fog on my career window
was gradually starting to fade away.
So, before you freak out and think that college just isn’t for you, take a deep
breath and as the saying goes, “keep calm.” Don’t let the titles of the majors
and minors offered at Xavier scare you into thinking you are destined to one
career path and that you have to discover it alone. There are so many people
available who want to help you out! Talking it out with an adult who has
experienced the same things as you really is the best way to see all solutions
to your task at hand.With Fall 2014 course scheduling around the corner, it’s a great time to start this process, whether you are undecided or unsure about your current major.
For more help on selecting a major or visiting Career Development, please visit:
All for One and One for All,
Jenny Mendoza
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Written on 7:04 AM by Xavier Career Development
Job interview. One of the most daunting tasks on your
calendar. Also, one of the most important tasks for college students to master.
It is hard to believe that it was my junior year of college
before I had my first official interview for an internship. It was incredibly
nerve-wracking. But, why? Why does it always seem so difficult to talk about
yourself? The essential behavioral questions, strengths and weaknesses, and
what if’s; it is almost always the same in every interview. So, for those of
you who know exactly what I’m talking about, or for those of you who want to
know, read on.
There are helpful hints about acing interviews everywhere
you turn. In today’s market there are a multitude of successful and unique
students striving for the same positions. We have no choice but to stand out
and be remembered. Harvard Business Review author Amy Gallo offers a few quick
and easy tips that actually do help, trust me.
“Prepare, prepare, prepare.” Seriously, prepare. If you walk
into an interview without knowing anything about the position, how are you
going to market yourself as a perfect choice for that position? Make sure you
know the qualities you have that align with the job description and make sure
to address those confidently in the interview. Knowing yourself is the easy
part. Make sure you also prepare by knowing the brand of the company, their
mission and their vision for their employees, as well as their customers. If
possible find out who is interviewing you, and dig up all the information you
can on them. Prepare yourself by going into the interview knowing all about how
you, the company, and the interviewer could be a great match.
“Emphasize your potential.” After all of your intricate
preparation you may find that some parts of the job you are vying for are not
necessarily your best skills. Keep in mind that no interviewer expects you to
know how to do everything on the job description list perfectly. Exhibit the
fact that you are willing to learn and that you’re good at learning, after all
you are a Xavier student!
“Ace the first thirty seconds.” Your entire life you’ve been
told that first impressions make a difference, well, with interviews it’s no
different. Look the part, talk the part, and walk the part. Make sure you
appear excited to be there, introduce yourself first, and stand up straight.
Remember that even if you give a stellar answer to a question a blank facial
expression will run it right into the ground. Your body language and facial
expressions speak just as loud as your words, if not louder.
In her article, Gallo offers more helpful tips, so for the
full story click
here. Make
sure to keep an eye out for the post-spring break blog on declaring or changing a major. Until then, remember to take these tips to those interviews!
Good luck Muskies!
Victoria Sabato
Career Development Office Guest Blogger
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Written on 8:23 AM by Xavier Career Development
Most college students have
heard by now that they should create a LinkedIn profile. If you haven’t already done so, creating a
professional page would be a wise decision.
LinkedIn is an extremely powerful tool to help grow your professional
career. Not only does the site expand
your professional network, but it communicates your personal brand and connects
you to opportunities to help you grow your career and your business.
Creating a profile is the
easy part, but how do you make your page stand out to employers? Here are some helpful tips to enhance your
LinkedIn page.
- Be sure your profile
photo represents you as a business professional… your picture is likely the
first thing viewed and first impressions count! Lucky for you, the CDO is
providing free professional head shots
at the spring Career Fair on
February 18th!
- Have a strong
headline to get noticed. Your profile is
not the place to be shy! Write a concise
yet descriptive headline to stand out.
- Talk about ALL of
your relevant experience! Every
experience makes you more marketable even if it isn’t paid or called by a fancy
title.
- Add rich media to
visually enhance your profile and showcase your work. (40%
of people respond better to visual info than plain text and 46.1% of people say a website’s design
is the #1 criterion for determining the credibility of a company.)
So now that you have a
strong, stand out profile, here are some cool things you can take advantage of
on LinkedIn.
- Search the
“Student Jobs Portal” for a list of all the entry-level job and internship
postings on LinkedIn.
- Ask your networks
for help! 70% of jobs are found
through networking, so don’t be afraid to reach out to your connections and ask
about job openings or advice.
- Visit “Company
pages” of the organizations where you want to work and see if you’re connected
to anyone who works there or has previously worked there.
- Check out
LinkedIn’s “Alumni Tool” to see what Xavier grads are doing today.
There are so many
different features to LinkedIn that students don’t realize are available. It can be the major link to you landing your
dream job. So get out there, strengthen
that profile, and start connecting!
For more helpful tips on
using LinkedIn, please visit:
Live, Laugh, and LinkedIn
Muskies,
Bridget Tully
Career Development Office
Intern
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