SCS Recruiting Wkshp
- 1. The Job Search & Beyond How to Get & Keep the Job You Love
- 2. Career Counseling & Placement Services… How Can We Help? SCS Symplicity Online Registration & Referral System Résumé/CV & Cover Letter Critiques Mock Interview Program Individualized Employment Advising Offer Evaluation & Negotiation
- 3. Building a Better Résumé A bad résumé may keep you from getting a job, but a good résumé will NOT get you a job There is no perfect format: Make sure it sells you and fits the job Do… Be brief and relevant Proofread! Make it professional Ensure consistency! Use action verbs in list format Don’t… Use photographs Put in a binder/folder/fold/staple/paperclip Include salary info, supervisor’s names, reasons for leaving jobs, personal opinions, or any personal information Use abbreviations or clichés EVER send without a cover letter
- 4. Building a Better Cover Letter Use the same look as your résumé Write in block, business letter format Never address a Cover Letter “To Whom it May Concern” The dreaded Personnel Department… It is crucial to have someone else look it over Keep it short & sweet…to the point, 3-4 paragraphs only Do personalize your letter…
- 5. Networking How connected are you? Networking (50%) Direct mail campaigns (25%) On & off campus recruiting (20%) Classifieds & employment agencies (less than 7%) Contact everyone you know & talk with them and ask them to let anyone who knows anyone know you’re searching Participate in online networking! Join - & get involved in - professional organizations
- 6. Networking Tips Keep contact information up-to-date online Go to them, be prepared Build connected relationships Remember reciprocity Follow-through on leads Stay in touch before & during job search
- 7. Where to Look – Be Positive & Proactive Networking will probably prove to be one of the most important resources Faculty Members Alumni/ae (LinkedIn: School of Chemical Sciences Networking) Contacts made through professional associations Periodicals & professional journals Contact organizations directly…If you have a particular organization in mind you think would be great to work for, check out their web site to see if they list openings online. If not, contact the organization to learn more about the hiring process, including where one might find out about openings Web Resources…ACS Career Services is great! www.chemistry.org
- 8. Job Search Tips Planning and preparation are crucial every step of the way…taking extra time at the beginning to prepare and to establish career goals will bring your job search process to an end more quickly. If you do not currently have one, be sure you get an answering machine or a voice mail system – and make the message a professional-sounding one. Have a verbal summary of your background, achievements, and career interests prepared to facilitate your networking and interviewing. For each step of the process, learn what will happen next before it does. Be prepared for each step to show initiative and foresight. Others that have worked for you?
- 9. Dress for Success Wear a suit Details are important too Shoes/socks, accessories and ties Hair, make-up, nails Apparel perils Party clothes are not work clothes Leave the ‘flash’ for the weekend Business casual is not as casual as you think!
- 10. So, What is Business Casual? Men Charcoal pants, a white oxford button down shirt, a quality pair of casual shoes A banded-collar shirt with blazers and vests Women Casual dresses/skirts or nice dress slacks with blouses Avoid t-shirts, sweatshirts, baseball caps, sunglasses on your head, sneakers, and flip-flops
- 11. Just How Important is the Interview? A recent study showed that: The better a student interviews, the more positively he or she will be perceived by the recruiter, even after considering the quality of the resume. Interviewing skills first…background and experience gave minimal advantage
- 12. Interview Advice from Employers Be prepared to ‘sell’ yourself & demonstrate ‘fit’ Know yourself, know what you want & why Show enthusiasm & genuine interest Research the organization, department, & position! Be rested Come prepared with questions Be professional Visit the organization prior to the interview Practice, role play, do mock interviews Go over sample questions Watch nonverbals
- 13. Time for the Interview (The Basics) Research the employer & know yourself Well-groomed, well-prepared (copy of résumé) Be punctual Be POSITIVE Practice your handshake Nonverbals: Controlled energy, eye contact, smile, posture, vocal variance & articulation Be genuinely interested…First impressions! No cell phones, gum, food/drink
- 14. Time for the Interview (Intermediate) Know how to “control” the interview…just a conversation Answer the question being asked; ask for clarification if you need it…use specific examples to answer questions Review sample interview questions Have questions prepared to ask them (but don’t ask about salary, or benefits, or any ‘what’s in this for me’ questions)
- 15. Time for the Interview (Advanced) Communication Styles…match the employer Paraphrase Mimic style…results-oriented vs. analytical vs. detailed Behavioral Interviewing On-Site Interviews Illegal Questions Closing
- 16. Don’t Forget the Follow-Up Review the interview Send a thank you note!!! Call regarding the status of the process Always maintain positive relations Practice, review, practice, review
- 17. Site Visits Preparation Set a date Practice and organize Get plenty of rest! Travel Reimbursement & receipts Be prepared for the worst Obtain off-hours contact info./number prior to trip Follow-up Keep notes (contacts, info., facilities, benefits, overall)
- 18. Site Visits Schedule of the Day Typically, arrive night before & leave at end of day (at least 6-7 hours ‘on’) Hosts take to various meetings Presenting research Eating Plant tours (attire) Human Resources
- 19. So, You Think You Have What it Takes? Job searching is a full-time job Remember the 4 ‘Ps’ Preparation Practice Patience (on average, at LEAST 6 months of ACTIVE searching) Perseverance
- 20. THE FIRST YEAR ON THE JOB…
- 21. Top Employer Complaints Lack of motivation & poor work ethic Not showing up on time No management ability or leadership skills Poor communication skills Not honest or consistent with words/actions (integrity) Poor organizational skills Low problem solving abilities Lack of teamwork/team attitude Low creativity and initiative Poor technical skills
- 22. What Do They WANTWANT from Me? Unfortunately, the skills you learned to be successful in school and the behaviors for which you were rewarded are rarely the ones you’ll need to be successful at work! 1st impressions are vital to your success Future salary $$$, advancement, personal job satisfaction Employers know you have the talent & ability (they hired you!), but You actually need to prove you have the… Willingness and ability to learn new things Ability to fit in to the culture Knowledge of organizational & departmental politics (& ability to play the game) Relationship building skills Your goals for the first year must include more than just productivity; they should include gaining acceptance, respect, and credibility.
- 23. The Ten Steps Adopt the right attitudes Humility, ability to learn, adaptability, open mind, flexibility, work ethic, optimism, goal setting Adjust your expectations…the first year is always hard Master breaking-in skills (again, NETWORKING) more than job description skills Build effective relationships…1st impressions Become a good follower Make your boss look good…information, consistency, availability Know your boss (and his/her agenda) and help promote it
- 24. The Ten Steps Understand the organization's culture and politics Develop organizational savvy Understand your new-hire role (pay your dues & don’t take it personally) Develop work ethics & abilities After all that, THEN master the tasks in your job description Acquire knowledge, skills, and abilities for advancement
- 25. Transitions… Remember that it is your responsibility to make your transition to work a success, not your employer’s. The good ones will help you, but it’s your career.
- 26. Career Counseling & Placement Services School of Chemical Sciences 105 Noyes Lab 217-333-1050 http://careers.scs.illinois.edu/ [email protected] Hours: Monday-Friday 8:00 AM-12:00PM & 1:00PM-5:00PM
Editor's Notes
- #12: The study should be encouraging to students who do not have sterling GPAs, experiences, and backgrounds. By improving their verbal and nonverbal skills and thoroughly researching organizations where they apply, they can significantly increase their chances of success. On the other hand, those who are strong on paper may get interviews more easily, but their chances will be diminished if they are unprepared and have weak interviewing skills.
- #14: Vocal variance & articulation – just because you like to talk doesn’t mean you communicate well! Also, remember to listen Listen & read between the lines…pick up clues from what the interviewer says as to what is important to them and what they are looking for and answer accordingly (maintain your integrity, though!) Actually write out the answers to sample questions (even the hard ones…don’t skip any…the question you aren’t prepared for will be the second one they ask!!)
- #15: Vocal variance & articulation – just because you like to talk doesn’t mean you communicate well! Also, remember to listen Listen & read between the lines…pick up clues from what the interviewer says as to what is important to them and what they are looking for and answer accordingly (maintain your integrity, though!) Actually write out the answers to sample questions (even the hard ones…don’t skip any…the question you aren’t prepared for will be the second one they ask!!)
- #16: Vocal variance & articulation – just because you like to talk doesn’t mean you communicate well! Also, remember to listen Listen & read between the lines…pick up clues from what the interviewer says as to what is important to them and what they are looking for and answer accordingly (maintain your integrity, though!) Actually write out the answers to sample questions (even the hard ones…don’t skip any…the question you aren’t prepared for will be the second one they ask!!)