VU Career Center

Strengths and Weaknesses

2011-05-02T07:22:00.000-07:00

If you've ever had a job interview, you know that there is one dreaded and awkward question: What are your strengths and weaknesses? The question can be awkward because it is sometimes hard to talk good about yourself. You may fear coming off as arrogant or pretentious. With weaknesses, you're not sure what they want to hear. You might fear what you say could affect the potential employer's decision about you. Fortunately, Alison Doyle of about.com has written a wonderful article detailing what the best answers to these questions are. It would be wise to read through this so you can be prepared to eliminate awkwardness in your next interview.

How to Avoid Damaging Your Work Reputation

2011-04-11T09:20:00.000-07:00

So, you've been through the interviews and finally have that job. Something you need to pay attention to is how others view you as a colleague. Your reputation as a professional must be upheld. In the Careers section of U.S. News, Liz Wolgemuth has written a column on "9 Little-Known Ways to Damage Your Reputation at Work." If you follow this advice, you should feel confident that your coworkers hold you in high esteem.

Stand out!

2011-02-21T06:11:00.000-08:00

Let's face it, when you go into a job interview, you know you're not the only candidate up for the position. Interviewing is a nerve-wracking process, but to make things easier for you it may be a good idea to figure out how to stand out from the rest of the crowd. You want your potential employers to remember you (positive things of course) so that you get that job offer. Alison Doyle has posted some tips on her blog that will help you stick out and not become just another resume in a stack of paper.

Become a Career Fair Survivor!

2011-01-25T12:15:00.000-08:00

Because of the upcoming February 9 Career & Internship Fair, the Career Center wants to help students prepare. On Tuesday, February 1, from 4:30 to 6:00 p.m., we are holding Career Fair Survivor, an event that allows teams of 3 to compete for prizes. Based on a popular television show, the event will end with pizza and beverages and the opportunity to ask the Career Center staff and Career Fair recruiters any questions you may have.

So, if you are planning on attending the Career & Internship Fair, and are not sure what to expect, sign up for Survivor so you can be prepared before you walk in with your stack of resumes. If you want to learn how to prepare, you might as well have fun doing it!

Click here to find out how to sign up your team. Registration ends on January 31 at 5 p.m.

Social Media Background Checks

2011-01-24T09:38:00.000-08:00

It's no secret anymore that employers are now searching sites like Facebook for information about potential employees. But these kinds of searches are going a bit deeper. Some companies are employing Social Media Background Checks that compiles information that you've released on the web--including Facebook and blog posts. Because these types of searches are becoming more common, it's necessary for job seekers to pay attention to what they are posting on the internet and realize whatever you do or say is in the public domain. To learn more about this, visit Alison Doyle's blog.

Information Interviews

2010-12-06T10:12:00.000-08:00

Sometimes your interest in a career path may not lead you to learn the specifics about the job. In this case, it is a good idea to schedule an "information interview" which allows you to sit down with somebody in your desired career path and become familiar with what they do. About.com's Alison Doyle has a great article about how to do this successfully.

Temp jobs may lead to full time opportunities

2010-11-10T11:34:00.000-08:00

As you know, the current state of the economy is making it hard for many people to find jobs. Graduating students may have a difficult time finding a full-time job. However, finding a temp position with a company has the possibility of turning into something more permanent. Alison Doyle writes about how to accomplish this in a recent article.

Addressing Career Fair Concerns

2010-09-29T14:00:00.000-07:00

For those of you who attended this year's Career Fair, you will remember filling out feedback forms to receive a complimentary Pay Day candy bar. When you fill those out, you're not wasting your time; we read them and discuss your comments and concerns so we can make the next Career Fair even better. However, some of the concerns raised are easily debunked. And instead of not explaining the reasons behind them, we at the Career Center would like to explore some of your concerns and put them to rest.

One of the major concerns that was voiced in the majority of forms was that there were not many companies in areas other than the Midwest. I talked to the professional staff to ask why this was the case. "We invited 1500 employers, and got 80 to come. Employers are time and cost conscious," said Tom Cath, director of the Career Center. "They do not want to spend the time and money to be at the fair for three or four hours. It's not that they aren't interested in Valpo students - they are." Cath invites students to contact the Career Center if there are any specific employers they would like to see at the next fair, "Let us know, we'll invite them."

Another fact that some students fail to realize is that a lot of the companies are not just based in the Midwest. The employers at the fair are representatives of the entire company. "Many of the companies have subsidiaries nationwide. It's important to ask the right questions and do research before meeting with representatives," said Assistant Director Holly Simpson. Arrive at the Career Fair knowing what companies you would like to talk to and where they are based; chances are, they will have a subsidiary in your ideal area.

Many students also wondered why a variety of companies representing different majors were not in attendance this semester. Many of the employers were looking for engineering, nursing, and business majors. This left students of other majors wondering why no companies were interested in hiring them. "Career fairs attract certain kinds of employers. That doesn't mean we didn't make contact with them," said Holly Simpson. As stated before, 1500 employers looking for a variety of majors were invited to attend, but only 80 accepted the invitation. There is no explanation as to why certain companies are more willing to attend career fairs than others, but that is simply the case.

Preparation was a major concern for students; many felt unprepared walking into the fair and meeting company representatives. So if you feel like you need tips to prepare for the next Career Fair, take a look at our events calendar and check your email for preparation sessions. We held a session called "How to Prepare for a Career Fair" on Sept. 9, so if you were unaware that we provided that session, make sure to check our website for upcoming events. You can walk into next semester's Career Fair with a confident stride because you took that extra step to prepare.

If you were one of the many that voiced these concerns, I hope this provided a thorough explanation. If there are any companies you would like to see at future fairs, do not hesitate to contact us at Career.Center@valpo.edu.

"How to Prepare for a Career Fair"

2010-09-08T14:21:00.000-07:00

If you love free pizza and advice on how to impress employers at our upcoming Career Fair (Sept. 17 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.), then you should attend the "How to Prepare for a Career Fair" seminar on Thursday, Sept. 9 from 5:30 p.m. to 7 p.m. Not only will you be given tips on how to prepare for the fair and how to approach employers, but you will be treated to a fashion show that will present to you what kind of attire is appropriate for the Career Fair. Please join us in Ballroom A of the Harre Union to learn how to make the most out of this year's Career Fair.

Writing a cover letter is not like writing a tweet

2010-09-08T14:15:00.000-07:00

Here is a link to a great article by Alison Doyle. For many, writing a cover letter is a daunting and a seemingly complicated process. But because it can be complicated, doesn't mean that you should (a) not do it or (b) put no effort into one. Make sure you spend as much time as you can into making a quality cover letter.

Link to Interesting Article

2010-04-27T12:57:00.001-07:00

Here is a link for an interesting article that has been published in the latest issue of the Indianapolis Business Journal. A username and password is required to view the article. Username: career.center@valpo.edu Password: govalpo1

Valpo Connect Tip #1

2010-04-27T09:03:00.000-07:00

Did you know you can view how many employers have looked at your resume on your Valpo Connect account? It's true! Once you sign into your account, scroll over to the "Documents" tab at the top and choose "Your Resumes" from the drop-down box. On the rightmost column is a number that represents how many employers have looked at your resume.

This is helpful information. If several employers have looked at your resume and you haven't been contacted by any of them, then you might want to consider getting your resume critiqued further by us. You can drop it off or email it to us, and then we will get it to you within a couple of days. For the best results, you may want to make an appointment with one of our staff to talk about your resume one-on-one. We will make sure that your representing yourself well on that one page.

Volunteering: Helping Others and Your Resume

2010-04-22T11:35:00.000-07:00

Valparaiso University students’ participation in volunteer activities has been a tradition for many years. According to a recent press release from the University, “Valpo was named to the President's Higher Education Community Service Honor Roll, the highest federal recognition a college or university can receive for its commitment to volunteering, service-learning and civic engagement, for the third time in four years.”

The benefits of volunteering while in college might seem obvious to most people. For the good of the people, positive environmental impacts or personal political objectives are a few that come quickly to mind. Individual benefits include social activism, a sense of empowerment and community involvement. But how can that translate to a student’s goals and eventual career objectives?

“Volunteering is a great way to develop a variety of new skills that are essential in the workplace,” said Holly Simpson, Career Counselor of the Valparaiso University Career Center. She gives these examples: public speaking, organization, interpersonal and leadership skills. “Additionally, it allows students to gain a greater understanding of their interests and how to pursue career goals and dreams.”

Holly has been assisting students in discovering ways to attain their career objectives for the last five years at the Career Center. “Volunteering also can provide you with a sense of responsibility because people depend on you. Finally, volunteering also shows employers you believe in making the world a better place,” she said. “Employers look for well-rounded individuals who are willing to develop passions and interests outside the workplace and are willing to sacrifice time and energy to do it.”

In the current economic environment, students are finding it harder to obtain meaningful summer jobs and internships. Volunteer opportunities can guide students in new career paths and provide a boost to their resumes while they are earning cash for school at a local restaurant or retail setting.

Tom Cath, Director of the Valparaiso University Career Center, advises students on resume structure, cover letter writing and their job search. “Employers like to see students who are well-rounded, involved in the community and juggling a variety of responsibilities and activities,” Cath said. “Through volunteer activities, students are able to do this and make valuable contacts and further develop transferable skills. It is a win-win for everyone.”

The Valpo Career Center is doing its part by providing resume boosting volunteer activities that can fit in a student’s hectic schedule. The Career Volunteer Network (CVN) was established to enhance, promote and present Career Center services and resources to the Valpo campus community. As a student volunteer, they are an important member of the Career Center staff and serve as a representative of the office.

Volunteering at the Career Center can give students a much needed leg up in their job search process. Networking is still the number one way students learn about internship and post-graduate opportunities. While assisting the Career Center, students have the opportunity to meet alumni and career professionals as they participate in Career Fairs and other career and job-search related presentations.

Many students wait until their senior year to seek help from career services professionals. Students volunteering with the CVN will gain an understanding of realizing their career objectives, which is a step-by-step process that involves their entire higher educational experience. Students utilizing Career Center services and resources will have an advantage on the competition for optimal employment.

The desire of the Career Center to reach out to more students, faculty and staff has prompted this program. The Career Center staff hopes to establish a network of volunteers to be called upon to assist recruiters attending career fairs and programs, brainstorm ideas through advisory board meetings, market programs, services and resources to students, faculty and staff, and aid in the recruitment of employers, alumni and speakers to the Career Center and, ultimately, the Valpo campus community.

Students participating in this program will be asked to complete a training session in the Fall where they will meet the staff and learn more about the Career Center and its programs, services and resources. To take advantage of this program, students merely need to stop by the Career Center and complete a CVN contract.
This program promises to encourage social as well as professional interactions. As the staff at the Career Center addresses the needs of the Valpo campus community and its own impact on the University’s mission, they see that the input and views of the student body are of utmost importance in meeting the career goals of individual students.

Resumes: Where Do I Begin?

2010-04-15T12:29:00.000-07:00

Resumes, resumes, resumes. Does your whole future depend on that little piece of paper? It’s standard procedure to send a copy of your resume to any employer you wish to get an interview with. That’s what the resume is for, to get the interview. Once you’re in, that’s when you get to talk about all of the things you have done in your past.

The trickiest part of making a resume is to decide what information is essential, and what can be left out to be talked about in the interview. Luckily, the Career Center is here for you when you make that first draft. You can drop it off at our office or send it by email (career.center@valpo.edu). What we will do then is go over your resume with a fine-tooth comb and tell you what could be taken out, what needs to be added, how it should be formatted. We provide format templates on our website that will help you get started on the right foot. You will also find some tip sheets on our site as well that help you put your foot in the door for that interview.

And if you are still looking for more tips, there are many resources all over the internet that are dedicated to help you polish your resume. And our library in the office contains several books that are entirely dedicated to that one little sheet of paper.

Valpo Connect

2010-04-15T09:51:00.000-07:00

Valpo Connect is a great resource for finding a job, internship or co-op, as well as a great way to learn more about and register for the services the Career Center offers.

Through Valpo Connect, you can search for job, internship and co-op openings that have been sent to the Career Center from employers who are looking for Valpo students and graduates. You can also expand your search to see openings in the larger network. Once you create an account in Valpo Connect, you can upload your resume for employers to view.

In addition to specific job openings, Valpo Connect gives you access to information on a variety of fields that include entertainment, sports, healthcare, NGO’s, energy and technology as well as advice on internships, networking, salaries and graduate school.

A calendar of events for the Career Center is posted on Valpo Connect where you can learn more about and register for the events through the site. Examples of events the Career Center offers include Career Fairs, on-campus job interviews, mock interviews and workshops on career-related topics.

InterviewStream

2010-04-06T09:01:00.000-07:00

Most of you know that the Career Center offers mock interviews--sometimes with companies, and other times with our staff--that help you become prepared for an actual interview with your dream employer. This is a helpful service for you to utilize, but we have something else that compliments the experience.

The Career Center has an account on InterviewStream, which is a website that allows you to take video of yourself asking questions that are prepared by the software. Once complete, you can review your "interview" and take notes on what you need to improve. You'll notice that you move too much in your chair, making you seem fidgety, which can be off-putting to an interviewing. There is even a "like" and "um" counter that works to help you get rid of that habit of filling in space.

InterviewStream is by no means a substitute for mock interviews, nothing can replace the experience of talking to an actual person. But it allows you to realize areas that you need to improve about your appearance and presentation when you are in an interview.

If you go to Valparaiso University's InterviewStream page and make an account, you can utilize the program as much as you feel you need. If you have a webcam, you can do it right from your dorm room. If you don't have one, then you can stop by the Career Center and make an appointment to use it in one of our back rooms.

So, if you have an interview coming up, feel free to sign up for a mock interview and a session with InterviewStream. Both of these will work to make that tense interview go smoothly.

How to Ace a Phone Interview

2010-03-30T10:17:00.001-07:00

Face-to-face interviews are challenging, we all know that. But what most of us have not yet experienced are phone interviews. These do occur, and some people might assume that they have to be easier than your average suit-and-tie interview--but that's not the case. Phone interviews present new challenges, and about.com's Alison Doyle has written a great article about the Do's and Don'ts of phone interviews.
And if you would like some more tips and information, and actually have Alison Doyle talk to you, here is a link to a video about phone interviews.

Making Your Online-Self Look Good

2010-03-30T10:12:00.000-07:00

With the internet, employers have many new ways to find out about hopeful interviewees. 85% of employers google their candidates to find out more about them. Alexandra Levit, of the Wall Street Journal, has given us some tips on how to our cyber-self look good for employers.

How to Avoid Bad Companies

2010-02-25T10:47:00.000-08:00

As you know, searching for a job is hard. It's especially difficult when you are trying to find the perfect company to work for. In your search, you will come across some great companies, but there will always be the few that are questionable. About.com's Alison Doyle gives tips on "How to Avoid Bad Companies."

Doyle on LinkedIn

2010-02-16T11:08:00.000-08:00

There are many online sites that help people find jobs. About.com's Alison Doyle talked today about one of the better ones that is floating in cyberspace: LinkedIn.

Twitter Job Searching Tips

2010-01-21T10:48:00.000-08:00

Most of us are familiar with the micro-blogging site, Twitter. It can be used for many things, and now, according to Alison Doyle, it can be useful in your job search. She gives useful tips from Gary Zukowski of TweetMyJOBS on how to make your Twitter page job friendly.

What Are Employers Looking For?

2010-01-14T09:29:00.000-08:00

Interviews are stressful. Probably one of the most stressful things a person can go through. And it’s not just because you are not sure if you are going to get the job. One of the things you’re concerned about is what your interviewer is looking for. Many things run through your mind: Are my credentials up to snuff? I wonder how many other people they have interviewed. Did I brush my teeth?
Naceweb.org has written a great little article about what employers are really looking for. There are many of these out there, but this is one of the best because it is concise and has great statistics to consider.

Holiday Networking

2009-12-07T08:16:00.000-08:00

It's that time of the year again! But just because it's the holidays doesn't mean you should stop looking for a job. In fact, according to Alison Doyle, the holidays provide great opportunities to find jobs. Here is an entry from her site, Alison's Job Searching Blog on About.com.

Link: http://jobsearch.about.com/b/2009/12/03/holiday-season-networking-2.htm

Career Flash Session

2009-11-11T08:30:00.000-08:00

Did you know that many job openings are unadvertised? “Uh, no. How am I supposed to know about it then?” is probably what you’re asking your computer screen right now. It won’t answer you, but I will! A great number of employers hire people through networking.

Would you like to learn more about how to network? Then come to the Career Flash: Networking Your Way to a Job session on Tuesday, November 18, in the Alumni Room in the Union. It will be from 4:15 – 4:45 p.m. You will receive networking tips and suggestions and have the opportunity to ask questions.

See you there future networking genius!