3 Rivers Federal Credit Union- Young & Free Indiana

3 Rivers Federal Credit Union- Be the Young & Free Indiana Spokester!

3Rivers credit union was on the IPFW campus today looking for a young, creative, social-media savvy person for a once in a lifetime opportunity. The job comes with some sweet tech gear including a MacBook Pro, HD video camera and 30k a year. If you missed this opportunity to talk to them, go to YoungFreeIndiana.com for more information!

National Student Employment Week - Student Workers Rock!!

During the week of April 11-15th, we would like to encourage all IPFW departments to show their appreciation for student workers. Here are just a few ideas:

· Take them out to lunch or breakfast
· Send a card or e-card thanking them for a job well done
· Wear a “Student Workers Rock” button (contact Career Services, 481-0689 for buttons)
· Have a departmental ice cream social, party or luncheon
· Buy them IPFW gear from the bookstore
· Give a flower, balloon, candy, or a gift certificate to a local restaurant
· Make a banner and hang it in your office that could read, “Thank You Student Employees” or “Our Student Employees Rock!”

This is a great time to show recognition and appreciation for the 500-plus students who devote many hours each week and make significant contributions to our campus community!

STUDENT WORKERS ROCK!!

It's Job Fair Season.... IPFW students gain interviews!

Our office, IPFW Career Services, recently hosted a job fair with over 50 companies and employers in attendance!

We assisted students and alumni during the days leading up to the job fair with resume preparations, what to wear, and how to introduce themselves at the fair.  They must have listened because many students left with interviews later that day or throughout the next week!  One employer scheduled 15 interviews with students for the following week, while 3 other employers stayed at IPFW after the fair to conduct interviews with students.

For the students/alumni who did not get interviews yet, there are a few possible reasons...

1. You were instructed to complete an on-line application with the company. This may have been frustrating, but your attendance at the job fair was not worthless. These companies expect you to follow through with their instructions and also follow-up with the recruiter by email, letter, or phone. On-line applications are a common practice for many employers, and remember they came to campus for a reason and it was to meet you and hopefully get some leads for potential interviews.
2. You did not dress professionally. Yes, I saw some students with skateboards, large backpacks, jeans/ sweatpants, t-shirts, and the like at the job fair. Not the best first impression when meeting someone who could potentially hire you. But, not all is lost. Don't forget to follow up!
3. You didn't come prepared to network. Part of a job fair is networking and presenting yourself in a professional manner through proper communication. The number one response we heard from employers was, "it's now time to teach the students how to talk to employers." Did you start the conversation with something like, "What do you do?" Probably not the best way to draw the employer into talking with you. Next time try starting with introducing yourself (name, major, year in school, etc.) and then why you're interested in talking to that company. This means you need to research the companies before the day of the fair. But, not all is lost... follow up with the employers you met at the fair to further communicate your interest.

Are you noticing a theme to follow-up with the employers? Well, you did grab business cards, or at least wrote down the recruiters' names, right? If you didn't there is a back-up resource. Come by Career Services, Kettler Hall 109 on IPFW's campus, and inquire about the names of recruiters who attended. We can help get you back on-track. Following up is key to making a good impression, especially if the first one wasn't your best. Write a professional letter or email, or prepare for a professional phone conversation.  Career Services can help with this too!


THERE IS ANOTHER JOB FAIR! Try again on Thursday, April 14th from 1-5pm at Indiana Tech's Andorfer Commons. All local college students and alumni are welcome to attend this job fair, NICE Expo. This fair is focused more towards professional full-time degreed positions and internships. CLICK HERE FOR A LIST OF ATTENDING COMPANIES! Don't forget to do your research and come prepared to network!

TWO Career Fairs...

Please see the information below about two upcoming career fairs. These are outstanding opportunities for IPFW students and alumni to connect with employers.

Summer Job & Internship Fair:

WHEN: Thursday, March 31, 2011 from 10 AM-2 PM

WHERE: IPFW's Walb Student Union Ballroom

INFORMATION: http://new.ipfw.edu/offices/career/students/summer-job--internship-fair.html

Northeast Indiana Career Employment (NICE) Expo:

WHEN: Thursday, April 14, 2011 from 1-5 PM

WHERE: Indiana Tech, Andorfer Commons.

INFORMATION: http://www.grace.edu/resources/career-services/nice-expo

The Early Brand Get the Worm

I’m teaching a Career Planning class this semester and also helping other students with finding or creating internships in their chosen career field. What’s interesting about both groups of students is the tendency of not knowing their career goals. What’s great about the Career Planning class, though, is by this time of the semester most students are realizing their passion and interests. Now we’re getting into the discussion of how to brand themselves by choosing electives strategically, networking with professionals through informational interviewing and attending job fairs, and picking internships that match goals. This process takes a full semester, and it can be difficult to squeeze it in a shorter time with students looking for an internship. So here’s how I work with students and what I recommend to increase their personal brand early on so to get the “worm” (internship or job).

First, ask yourself these questions:

• If I could do one thing, anything, regardless of perceived boundaries, what would I do?
• If I won the lottery and didn’t have to work, how would I spend my days?
• What do I like to do in my spare time? Could this be a career interest?

Many students have the perspective that you first take classes, then graduate, then look for a job. But, the problem that’s generated from this path is a lack of career direction which translates to employers as no goals. This path will not lead to an early brand and you’ll miss the “worm.”

What to do?

Talk to your advisor and a career counselor during Freshman and Sophomore years to discuss things in which you’re interested. Even seemingly unrelated interests, like favorite books, movies, magazines, and what you do in your spare time are worth investigating. Also consider the role you play with your friends. Are you the:

• Social Coordinator – What types of activities do you coordinate?
• Counselor – What are the reported problems with which you help your friends?
• Coach/Cheerleader – How do you encourage your friends?
• Leader – Do friends listen to you and wait for you to make decisions and then follow?
• Clown/Entertainer – What’s your skill? (humor, theatrics, music, etc.)
• Expert – What type of help do your friends request? (computers, cars, writing, creative projects, etc.)
• Moral Guider – Do you find yourself talking to friends about faith, morals, ethics, and other philosophical topics?
• Advocator /Challenger – Do you have ideals that you share with friends and challenge their views on various topics? What topics?

How to start an early brand

These initial introspective searches are keys to determining your brand and career direction. Once a career direction is chosen you should then determine the best way to brand yourself.

• Talk to people in your networks and career counselors about opportunities to get involved.
• Try on the career first through volunteering, job shadows, informational interviews, an externship, or an internship.
• Research for any blogs with that topic on which to comment and keep up with trends.
• Check out any related groups or professionals on LinkedIn and Twitter to follow.

Remember that even though you’ve chosen a career path now, it doesn’t mean you have to give up your other interests and passions. Maybe they can be incorporated together or you can keep it as a hobby. A decision doesn’t mean blocking yourself off from everything else; it just means you’ve chosen to focus your efforts in that direction for now.

Job Fair Success

Our job fairs are the largest events we organize at the office of Career Services. We average between 30 and 60 employers and between 300 and 500 students in attendance per fair. From our experience running these massive events, we've come up with a few suggestions for improving job fair success for both employers and students.

Employers:

Stay the Entire Length of the Job Fair: Some of the best candidates are the ones with complex and busy schedules. They may be arriving at the last minute, not because they didn't prepare carefully, but because they are coming from an internship or class. It sends a negative message to students when employers leave too early. One of the most common complaints we hear from students is that too many employers leave early.

Send staff who are committed to interacting with students: Knowledgeable and outgoing staff who proactively reach out to students are sure to draw the best candidates to your table.
Stand in front of your table: Remember, for many students, this may be their first time interacting with professional employers, being physically approachable will make you more accessible to candidates.
Avoid leaving your table empty if possible: If you came alone, perhaps leave a note on the table indicating when you expect to return. Bottom of Form
Students:
Dress Appropriately: One of the most common complaints we get from recruiters is that students don't dress appropriately for our events. Don't let an overly casual appearance detract from your qualifications!

Do Your Research: We post the list of attending employers weeks in advance of our career fairs. Doing prior research on employers of interest will provide you with two benefits. First, you'll come off as more prepared and professional when you speak with employers and second, you'll be less overwhelmed by the number of recruiters available to talk to if you know ahead of time who your target contacts are.
Prepare a Resume, But Don't Be Disappointed if a Recruiter Asks You to Apply Online: There are some anti-discrimination related federal guidelines that prevent larger companies from taking paper resumes from students. If a recruiter asks you to apply online do so and be sure to remind them that you met at the job fair.
Follow-Up: Ask employers 'What's the best way to follow-up with you?' THEN DO IT. Send thank-you notes to employers with whom you met.
Attend the Job Fair Prep Sessions: Take advantage of the drop-in assistance Career Services offers the Monday and Tuesday before the job fairs. You can bring in a copy of your resume and get advice on what to wear and how to introduce yourself to employers.
The Summer Job & Internship Fair is March 31^st.

Job Searching in a Tight Economy Workshop for IPFW Seniors and Alumni

Job Searching in a Tight Economy Workshop for IPFW Seniors and Alumni

If you are an IPFW Senior or Alumni and have faced, or are facing termination, a layoff, downsizing or just want a career change or advice on your job search, this FREE workshop is for you!

IPFW Neff 101 - Wednesday, April 6, 2011
Presentation 11:30am -1:15pm

Computer Lab 1:30pm - 3:00pm
Computer Lab NF B41
*Career Counselors available during the computer lab to assist with resumes and cover letters.

RSVP: Call IPFW Career Services at (260) 481-0689