The Hidden Job Search Checklist

Job Searching can be a very overwhelming and sometimes very frustrating, especially in a slow economy! Of course many know about the importance of updating their resume, brushing up on their interview skills, and creating a cover letter. However, there are many steps that one should take when job searching that are commonly missed. Below is a list of four steps, commonly missed by applicants, that when completed can help you find a job!

• Have a record keeping system- Track all calls, names, notes taken from meetings and phone calls, resumes sent, interviews, etc.
• Keeping records will help you to keep track of who you've talked to and your standing in the application process with each employer. 

• Practice your "reason for leaving" speech.
• Explain what happened without mocking your previous employer. 

• Attend a professional networking event. 
• Talk to others about your job search. They may be able to connect you with someone who's looking for someone with your talent! 

• Prepare short, written versions of your biography.
• These are useful for emails, job search websites, etc. 

Indiana Statewide Virtual Career Fair

SAVE THE DATE!

February 5, 2014

State of Indiana Collegiate Talent Search

Sponsored by CDPI

Meet Employers Live in a Virtual Setting!

FREE for all students and alumni of Indiana colleges and universities!

http://indiana.careereco.net/

Consortium Information-Participating Schools

How to Write a Cover Letter

Cover Letters are perhaps one of the most important documents your future employer will see! Along with resumes, cover letters shape an employer’s first impression on who you are and what qualifications you have.  Below are some tips to keep in mind while writing your cover letter.

Be specific

Make sure you address the cover letter to the specific person within the company who will be reviewing your cover letter. Do research online and if necessary feel free to call the employer and ask for the appropriate individual's name and job title.

Sum up your qualifications
In the middle couple paragraphs, discuss your qualifications for the position. It is important that the employer know several of the key reasons why you are qualified, along with specific examples to prove your qualifications. However,  don't make it too wordy! On average, an employer reviews a cover letter for a 8 seconds. Because of this, key qualifications must be discussed succinctly!

Follow the formatting

Be sure to follow a strict business letter format when writing your cover letter. Examples of this formatting and sample cover letters can be found HERE.

To have an Objective or not to have an Objective, that is the question?

It seems everyone has an opinion on the "objective" section of the resume. Below are some excellent points to think about before placing one on your resume:

1)      An objective can provide a resume with direction when it might not otherwise have a clear one.

2)      An objective can note the target of a career transition when the resume content only details transferable skills from indirectly related experience.

3)      An objective can help the student with extremely limited experience demonstrate a goal in mind to prospective employers.

4)      An objective can provide the introduction you need when a contact is passing along your resume as a referral to another contact and so on and so on.

5)      An objective is unnecessary when there is a strong clear theme to one’s resume.

6)      An objective is unnecessary when you are sending a cover letter in which you discuss your intentions as an applicant.  (Alas, the devil’s advocate in me voices the opinion that many employers don’t read the cover letter, so maybe an objective is still needed.  Ah, the cover letter.  A tale for another blog entry!)

7)      IF an objective is used on the resume, please be specific.  I actually saw one recently that I shall paraphrase as the following, “Looking for a position in the working field.”  Okay, that’s a bit extreme, but you get my meaning.

In sum, there are many diverse opinions on this subject, so make sure it fits your resume and needs at the time you are updating your resume.

Pulled from: http://blog.naceweb.org/ 

Check this out:

Connecting the Dots: Social Sciences and Humanities in the Corporate World | The Big Slice

This article discusses the importance of a liberal arts degree versus something more "black and white" like a business degree. Very interesting, and something to think about when you are choosing a major!

Employers also want to know that you are well-rounded and have experiences, thoughts, and opinions on matters outside of their subject matter.


http://thebigslice.org/connecting-dots-importance-social-sciences-humanities-corporate-world/

TOMORROW: COCOA & CAREERS

10am-12pm

Friday, November 1st

KT Lobby Next to Mastodon Bones

FREE Bon Bon's Hot Cocoa & 

Giveaways from Career Services

a part of National Career Development Month

For the listing of all events, please visit: http://www.ipfw.edu/offices/career/news/

Celebrate National Career Development Month!

November is National Career Development Month and we think everyone should celebrate!  Career Development is a continual process and we should always be thinking about what's next.  What can you do to help explore or develop your career this November?  Here are some ideas:

• sign up for a conference in your industry
• talk to your supervisor about wanting to do something new
• take a class on your favorite subject

IPFW Career Services likes to celebrate by doing employer site visits and of course giving away hot chocolate and free career advise to our students.  If you're on campus during November, look for these activities.

• Friday, November 1st - Cocoa & Careers - What can Career Services do for you? - KT Lobby - 10am-noon
• Wednesday, November 6th - Cocoa & Careers - Internships & Jobs - KT Lobby - 10am-noon
• Thursday, November 14th - Cocoa & Careers - Resumes - KT Lobby - 10am-noon
• Tuesday, November 19th - Cocoa & Careers - Interviewing & Networking - KT Lobby - 10am-noon
• Wednesday, November 20th - STEM Careers Site visits - BAE Systems & Logikos - 11:30am-5pm - visit both employers and network for possible internships, jobs, or just to make a connections (for current IPFW students only)

We will also be hosting a couple Employer Information Sessions, but the dates are still being determined.  Look out for the following organizations visiting campus in November:

• FBI
• Quincy Recycle