Developing a Network where you Least Expect it!

Im sure youve heard how important networking is to job searching. If you havent, you should know that upward of 80% of jobs are obtained through networking; so unless you want to work four times harder at finding a job, you might want to consider beefing up your networking efforts as a means to an end. Thats right. What youve heard from your parents, counselors, friends, teachers, and everyone else is absolutely true you have to network!

But I dont know how to develop a network! you say? Pish tosh! Chances are youve already developed a network and are just underutilizing it. Answer this question for me. What resource do most UCD students use every day that involves a computer, the internet, messaging friends, and connecting with people in a very social way? If your answer isnt Facebook, then perhaps I should ask where youve been hiding for the last four years that you havent heard of or used it?

Next question: of your gazillion Facebook connections, how many have graduated and started working already? Guess what thats a network connection! Why not ask that person about working in their company or if they know of other people to connect with? Its that simple! Of course, before you start utilizing your Facebook network in this manner, youll want to clean up your profile and omit any inappropriate pictures (if you dont know what inappropriate means, ask yourself if you would want your mother/grandmother to see it). Then, network like crazy! For further information on networking, click here.

This tip was presented by Ken Barnes of the Liberal Arts and Business Program Area.

The Phone Interview – tips and suggestions…

The Phone interview is not a new concept, but has become increasingly popular in this global market and can be an effective tool for companies recruiting over great distances. The advantage for students is that it opens job markets that some jobseekers may not have considered. The disadvantage is that we often lose the benefit of sight. Our society significantly values the advantage of sight during interviews. We smile often, show enthusiasm with our eyes, talk with our hands, and use direct eye contact to emphasize keep points. Phone interviews take those advantages away. But don’t fret, all is not lost.

Here are some tips to help you successfully navigate a phone interview:

• First and foremost, prepare for it like you would a normal interview – make sure you do the proper amount of research.
• Try to use a land line – you don’t want to dip into a low coverage zone during a phone interview.
• If using a portable phone (whether cordless or cellular), make sure the battery is fully charged and operational.
• Use a quiet room; and make sure your roommates know what is going on so they will respect your interview and not interfere with it.
• Write down key issues and characteristics you want to discuss, and keep the list in front of you. Make sure you discuss all the issues if you think the employer should know about them.
• Smile often. This seems funny for a phone interview, but smiles can transmitted through the telephone! Enthusiasm can be heard, and smiling tends to make your enthusiasm auditory; so even though they can’t see you, smile!
• Dress for the interview. Again, this may sound funny; but dressing in a suit tends to make people feel more confident (try it, you’ll see). If you feel more confident, you’ll answer questions more confidently.
• Thank the interviewers and send thank-you letters promptly.

Come to one of our interviewing skills workshops or visit our web site for more information on phone interviews.

Good luck!

How Volunteering can benefit you

In college, with so many different opportunities and events occurring constantly, it can be extremely overwhelming. But participating in community service and volunteering is extremely beneficial and the Community Service Resource Center office is here to help. Community Service Resource Center, the UC Davis Community Service Office, promotes leadership through service by connecting students, faculty, and staff to organizations in need of volunteers. These experiences range from one-time events to long-term commitments.

On our website, we have a database of nearly 500 volunteer organizations throughout Yolo County and the Bay Area, with opportunities ranging from volunteering with animals, the elderly, environment or with youth. Some of our most popular programs include the Bonner Leaders Program and King High Mentors Program.

Why Volunteer?

• Promotes Leadership
• Explore different career paths
• Explore different fields within a current path
• Network with students, staff, and faculty within your career path
• Find opportunities within your specific major
• Turn into quarter/year-long internships
• Receive Transcript Notation
• Looks fantastic on Resumes
• Enhances Applications for Graduate School
• Allows you to connect and give back to the community

Want to be a hero? Sign up for our weekly list-serv to learn about upcoming service opportunities at http://humancorps.ucdavis.edu

This tip was presented by Ken Barnes and narrated by Kelsey Buntjer of the Liberal Arts and Business Program Area.

Everyone knows the social value of Facebook, MySpace, and other related sites, but what about the pitfalls of putting such personal information on sites that are open to the public? Employers often investigate potential hires on sites like Facebook and Myspace to ensure good company fit and representation. What have employers easily found when looking at these sites? Party pictures, beach pictures, romantic (intimate) pictures, unflattering, funny, or embarrassing pictures, embarrassing stories, links to sites or friends that might be fun but otherwise cast a bad shadow on candidates, archived articles/stories, and more…

How does this reflect on you?
Remember, we live in a reaction-based society. The things you do today may have long-lasting repercussions.

One student couldn’t figure out why he wasn’t getting contacted for interviews. He then removed material from his online profile which stated his personal interests as obsessive sex, ‘smokin’ blunts, and shooting people – all described in detail. Obviously this was a case of posturing for his peers, but none-the-less it may have stopped him from getting interviews.

An employer did a search on a female student and found references to drinking, pot smoking, sexual escapades, explicit pictures, and detailed commentaries from friends.

Another employer found reference to a story written by a potential candidate about students lying their way to the top of the corporate ladder. It weighed heavily on his decision not to interview that student.

A Sacramento employer saw an intern looking at a friend’s MySpace site in the office. Even with the privacy controls up, the employer gained access to information in that person’s profile just by passing by the computer. Since that student applied for the same internship, it was a deciding factor for an interview.

Tips for online users:
The key to using online services like Facebook and MySpace is common sense. If information is posted on the web, it’s legally there for everyone to see!

*Review your Facebook and MySpace pages putting yourself in the employer’s shoes. Is the material there (pictures and text) something you would want to see in a potential hire representing your company?

*Use the privacy controls, but be aware that even with them up, your friends can still view your pages. If they do so in an inappropriate place, it defeats the purpose of the privacy settings.

*Do a Google/Yahoo search on your name and see what comes up. Remove unflattering material. Also, be aware that many sites are archived. You may have to request archived material be removed from those sites as well.

*Make sure you don’t have too much personal information on the web (also important for online resumes).

Advantages of social networkingsites…
There are also advantages to social networking sites.

*If you know employers look at them, use it to your advantage. Post things you think they may want to see.

*Use the networking aspect of social sites. Statistics show that approximately 80% of new jobs are gained through networking, so take a look at the people in your circle and see where they work or what they’ve done. Chances are, you already have alums in your circle working in places you would like to join. If so, you already have a connection there who may be able to help you get your foot in the door.

*Also, one significant benefit of all networking sites is the increased communication. Make sure you keep in touch with connections so when the opportunity becomes available, you’re the first person they contact.

It’s not too late to finish your Transcript Notation!

If you have started a Transcript Notation (TN) for your winter quarter internship, but you haven’t uploaded your final report, it’s not too late. You may have received an email last week letting you know that the preferred due date for winter TN was March 14, 2008. Even though this date has passed, you still have time to complete your TN. Please log onto Aggie Job Link ../Undergrad.htm and submit your final documents as soon as possible. If you do not complete the necessary documents, we will not be able to process your TN.

Also, while you’re in Aggie Job Link, consider filling out your placements. This will help you keep track of all your positions and contact information. You never know when you’ll need the information; so recording this now will save you time in the future.

This tip was presented by Deanna Chavis of the Liberal Arts and Business Program Area.

Professional Networks: How they work and what they can do for you

Building your professional network may be easier than you think. With the advent of social networking sites such as Facebook and MySpace, professional networking sites were inevitable. Now with professional networking sites such as LinkedIn, you can start to build your own professional network very easily from your own computer!

How it works: You invite people to be in your own professional network just as you would with social networks. The more people you invite, the larger your network becomes.

Advantage: As your network gets larger, you have access to connections from your circle's networks; so connecting to an alum gives you access to nearly everyone in their circle. Older, more established people generally have larger networks; so a few connections here and there may significantly widen your network.

Who to ask? Start with friends and family members (parents, friends of parents, roommates, parents of roommates, etc.) Also include members from clubs, organizations, fraternities and sororities, and other sources. You can even include people you just met - say alumni on career panels hosted by the ICC, professionals at informational sessions, etc. Anyone can be a link.

How much does it cost? Most are free; though if you like the service, many offer more advanced services for a small fee. Paying a small fee to use these services is not necessary to build a network though.

Benefits: Most jobs are obtained through networking. Stats on positions obtained through networking are as low as 66% and as high as 90% (80% stated in the ICC Career Resource Manual).

So start building your professional network now! Take a look at LinkedIn; several ICC staff members are listed there. Of course it's not the only professional networking site, and we encourage you to find one that fits your needs.

This tip was presented by Ken Barnes and narrated by Kelsey Buntjer of the Liberal Arts and Business Program Area.

What is an “informational interview”, and what is its purpose?

An informational interview is an arranged meeting with someone who works in a job, career field, or organization that interests you. It is one of the most effective and under-used techniques for researching and screening careers, jobs, or employers, and assisting you in building your network. Its purpose is to help you find answers to your questions about what it is like to work in a particular career field or job or for a specific organization.

Once you have identified a potential career field, job, or organization that interests you, there is no substitute for actually visiting organizations where those jobs are located. Talking to people who work in the career field in which you are interested is one of the best ways to findout if this career is really a good fit for you and if you are truly interested in it. Unlike a job interview, during which you showcase your skills and experience to a prospective employer, an informational interview is a learning experience.

How do I find someone to contact?

There are many resources! Start with your network: The Internship and Career Center, UCD faculty and staff, friends and roommates, parents, parents of friends and roommates, etc.

Are industry professionals interested in meeting with me?

Here’s a little known secret; people LOVE talking about themselves! If you approach an individual with the attitude of “I was given your name as someone who has succeeded in this industry and was wondering if you had approximately 30 minutes to talk to me about how you became so successful,” you will definitely land some interviews.

Added benefits:

Bring a copy of your resume and ask for a critique. There’s nothing better than getting a critique by someone who may someday be reading it to possibly hire you. That person may also know of someone currently recruiting.

Questions to ask

Of course there are many questions you can ask, but here are a few to get you thinking. Consult our Career Resource Manual for more questions, or develop your own.

Questions about the career:

• What is a typical workday like? What are your job responsibilities?
• What advice do you have for someone preparing to enter this career?

Questions about the organization/industry:

• What is the economic forecast for this industry?
• What is unique to your organization? Who are your competitors?

Questions about future growth/salary information?

• What are the employment prospects for someone entering this field?
• What is a typical starting salary or salary range in this field?

Follow-up questions:

• Would you mind taking a quick look at my resume? How should I target my resume for your industry?
• What other professionals in this field would you recommend I speak with for additional information?

Don’t forget to send them a thank-you letter and add their contact information to your network. It’s a good idea to keep in touch with them in the future.
This tip was presented by Ken Barnes and narrated by Kelsey Buntjer of the Liberal Arts and Business Program Area.

Not sure what career path is right for you? Take a Career Assessment and start planning for your future!

Career Planning: A Lifelong Process, is a holistic career development model that encourages students to become lifelong learners, adapt to new environments, and integrate knowledge from different sources to help prepare for future careers throughout life. A vital component of this process involves self exploration; examining one’s values, interest, skills, and personality.

The Internship and Career Center (ICC) offers a range of career assessments that will help you with self exploration. What are career assessments and why should you take one? They are not tests because there are no right or wrong answers. Assessments are simply a tool to help get a better sense of jobs and environments that might be a good fit for you. They do not tell you what you “should” do or be, but they can give you new ideas and suggest careers that you may want to research further.

In consultation with an Internship and Career Center Coordinator, you will be able to determine which assessment(s) may be helpful for you. Below is a list of available assessments:

1. Myers-Briggs Type Indicator (MBTI) – Personality Type Indicator

The MBTI may help you determine a major or career options based on how you prefer to take in information, prefer to make decisions, are energized by the outside or inner world, and identify lifestyle preferences in dealing with the outside world.

2. Strong Interest Inventory

This assessment is divided into six areas to reflect your interests and preferred work environments. It does not measure skills or abilities. Results are explained in occupational, interest, and personal style themes that may assist when choosing major and/or career decisions.

3. SkillScan

SkillScan is a card sort used to help you identify and categorize transferable skills. It is an experiential process that can be used to help you develop greater self-knowledgeof skill strengths and preferences.

4. Values Clarification

Understanding values is central to making informed career decisions that align with your needs. By having a clear awareness of values and priorities, you will be better equipped to identify satisfying work settings and organizations that correspond to your career needs.

ARE YOU INTERESTED IN TAKING AN ASSESSMENT?

You should first see a coordinator during office hours, Office hours are held Monday- Friday 1:30-3:30. For a schedule of who is advising log onto http://la.ucdavis.edu/DropIn.htm

If you cannot make it to office hours or would like more information about assessments please contact Deanna Chavis deegordon@ucdavis.edu


This tip was presented by Deanna Chavis and narrated by Kelsey Buntjer of the Liberal Arts and Business Program Area.

Career Speed Dating is one of our newest ways to help students in their career development. This will be a fun and interactive networking event that will give you the opportunity to explore different career options. You, along with 7-8 of your peers, will sit with a professional and hear about their line of work, how they got there and a little about their career history. Then you will get a chance to ask the professional all your burning questions about working in the field. You will have time to circulate through 4-6 tables during the event, a bell will ring about every 15 minutes letting you know when it is time to meet the next professional. Not only will you gain a wealth of knowledge about what is like to work in different industries, but you will also have the opportunity to practice your networking and gain valuable contacts.

You will benefit from this event whether you are just exploring different jobs or you are looking for internship and job leads.

This tip was presented by Marcie Kirk-Holland of the Liberal Arts and Business Program Area.

We can help!

1. We offer assessments to help you know and understand yourself better.
2. We offer courses that help you know yourself better and how to market your qualifications for jobs and internships.
3. We offer internships that help you to realize your careers of interest.
4. We offer workshops that provide insight into different careers.
5. We maintain a job and internship database, Aggie Job Link, which has thousands of opportunities.
6. We offer training in groups and individually on how to write resumes and interview effectively.

Come to the ICC, South Hall Room 215 and we will help match you up with a resource that will help you find a career you can love!

1. Let your shoes show:
Regardless of what type of pants you are hemming, the top front of your shoes should be visible, says Clinton Kelly, co-host of TLC’s What Not to Wear. If your shoes are fully covered, “you’ll look like Gumby, and he’s got no feet.” For a straight hem, the back of the pant leg should hang to about a half-inch above the floor.

2. Men’s pants should break:
Or drape slightly across the top front of the shoes. That said, Kelly points out that men’s fashion shows this past fall revealed trouser lengths that were much shorter than they’ve been previously. Women’s pants may or may not break, depending on what type of shoes are being worn.

3. Hem according to your heal:
For a modern look, Kelly says, jeans should fall as close to the floor as possible without touching it. Skinny jeans can look great bunched a bit at the ankle if you’re wearing flats, he adds, but jeans should lie flat against the ankle if you’re wearing heels. In general, he notes, women’s jeans should be hemmed for wearing with heels or with flats- don’t wear the same pair of Sevens of Luckys with shoes of different heel heights.

4. Choose the right hemming materials:
A silk thread is a lot stronger that the typical poly-cotton one, says John Wittmann, a master tailor at Wittmann Custom Tailoring in Dayton, Ohio. When trying to match an unusual fabric color, lay the thread choices against the pants in natural light and choose the color that shows the least.

5. Mark it with an “X”:
If you are hand-hemming your trousers, use an “X” stitch, which will hold the hem close to the pants, Wittmann says. And you don’t need a double thread if you do more stitches per inch, he adds. Such a hem will be stronger and more likely to hold up in a washing machine, although most hand-sewn hems will eventually give out if the garment is laundered a lot.

Keep this in mind when getting dressed for that next interview; remember you only get to make a fist impression once.


--Lisa Jaf fe Hubbell

What is a 60 second commercial: This tells an employer at a career fair, who you are, what you can offer and where you are going. At a career fair you may only have a few moments with each company representative and you want to make a positive, professional and memorable impression.

Selling Points
Who are you: Here you want to let the employer know what year in school you are in and what your major is? Remember when introducing yourself to give a firm handshake and have good eye contact. You want your interest in the opportunity and company to stand out!

What you can offer: Here you want to include experiences, internships, knowledge and skills that are related to the company’s needs.It is very important to show the employer you are aware of what the company does and is about and how you and your experience will benefit the organization. It is very important to do research on the companies coming to the fair before attending. A few good facts about an organization can separate you from the competition.

Where you are going: Here you state what you are looking for. Things you may want to include are: what skills you want to use, what type of work environment or organization you want to be part of and what position or role interests you. The more specific you can be about what you are looking for, the better.

Remember a Career Fair is a chance for YOU to interview the company as well as be interviewed! It is a good idea to have a few questions that you want each company to answer. The goal is an accurate exchange between you and the employer of information from what the company is looking for in employees and what YOU are looking for in an employer!

Quick Tips

1. Be prepared! Practice your commercial and be confident when delivering it!! The clearer your intentions and commercial is the better chance of sticking out to the recruiter and company!
2. Bring copies of your resume! If you need help with your resume be sure to stop by the ICC and see an advisor. It is important that the resume accurately describes who you are, what you have done and where you are going.
3. Stay focused on the companies you are interested in. There are many organizations at a career fair and only so much time. Make your time count!
4. Get recruiters business cards and write follow up letters thanking them for their time. This shows them your level of interest as well as professionalism.
5. HAVE FUN!!

This tip was presented by Chris Gavin and narrated by Leslie Cheng of the Liberal Arts and Business Program Area.

Need an internship? Internships are work-learn experiences in a professional environment outside of the classroom where students can explore career areas, gain practical skills, and make industry contacts. An internship is a learning experience which supports a student's academic and career goals. It is guided, supervised, and evaluated by professionals. Internships vary from 4 to 40 hours per week; are voluntary or paid; and range from 10 weeks to 12 months. By successfully completing an internship not only do you gain skills and experience to list on your resume, but also a professional contact to serve as a reference.

To find an internship, use the Internship and Career Center's Aggie Job Link aka AJL. AJL is an internet-based system that lets UC Davis students browse career jobs and internships, upload resumes and cover letters, submit applications, sign up for campus interviews, view dates for information sessions, and keep track of your job search activities, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week! Set up an account today at ../AggieJobLinkHelp.htm

Can't find an internship using AJL? Speak with a staff person at ICC - we're here to help.

This tip was presented by Kay Nelson and narrated by Kelsey Buntjer of the Liberal Arts and Business Program Area.

For many jobs in the government sector, and even a few private sector positions, you will need a detailed history. The U.S. State Department, for example, is infamous for requesting up to ten years of work history and the same for residence. If you are married, they may ask for the history of your spouse as well.

Work History: For the average student, ten years of work history won’t be possible since that involves going back to your twelfth birthday, but it will include all of your high school and college jobs – including internships – whether they are paid or unpaid. If you haven’t already, start keeping a detailed record of all your positions including but not limited to: name of company/organization, supervisor (good to have, but not always necessary for work history), address, phone number, web site (good for looking information up in a pinch), start date, and end date (month and year). Update this file every time you change or add positions. If you have an Aggie Job Link (AJL) account, you can keep a record of all of your positions in the “Placements” section. Click on the “Placements” tab in your profile and enter new or past positions there. Since your AJL account never expires, this information will always be available to you. If you don’t have an AJL account (and you really should!), keep a record of your work history in a word processing file on your computer.

Residence History: Employers may also want to know your residence history, so keep track of all of your addresses (including dorms) and the dates you moved n and out (again, month and year). Also, if you travel internationally, you will want to keep an accurate record of all countries you traveled to and how long you were there. This includes Canada and Mexico which both now require a passport to gain entry. Basically, if your passport was ever stamped, or you left the United States, keep that information documented. Some agencies do thorough background checks on applicants, and if they discover something you didn’t list, it may disqualify you from continuing in the application process.

Starting now will help you prepare for the future and will save you some very valuable time on your applications.

Remember, background checks can be very comprehensive. It’s better to list everything than to gloss over or even hide some things. More than likely, unlisted experiences will be discovered and it will reflect poorly on you – whether it was intentional or unintentional.

This tip was presented by Ken Barnes and narrated by Betty Shiao of the Liberal Arts and Business Program Area.

You may have to travel for an interview. Here are some tips to assist you.

First, plan ahead! Ask for an agenda for the day and a list of the interviewers. This will help you in preparing before the interview.

If traveling by plane, pack lightly - bring enough clothing for each day plus one extra shirt/blouse in case of mishaps. Try to avoid checking your luggage. Airlines will allow you one “carry-on” piece of luggage plus one personal bag (laptop case, purse, backpack, etc.). Also, most hotels offer a complimentary iron in each room – USE IT! YOUR APPEARANCE WILL BE STRONGLY EVALUATED!

Financial Considerations: Bring cash. For a two-day trip, consider bringing about $300 to cover shuttles, taxis, tips, meals in transit, and other miscellaneous expenses (such as hotel cleaning charges in case you spill something on your favorite suit). Employers may reimburse you for out-of-pocket expenses, so you’ll need to ask for receipts for everything. Don’t expect to be reimbursed immediately though. It may take some time to process receipts and mail a check to you.

Food and Snacks: You are a guest of the employer and there on official business. If your hotel room has a mini-bar or room service, remember everything you take/order will be charged to the room and the employer will see it. Raiding the mini-bar or treating yourself to a special night by ordering the most expensive items will not give the employer a good impression of you. It’s okay to order food, but think about the choices you make and how the employer will view them. If you would like something expensive or outside the norm, consider paying for it separately so it doesn’t appear on the hotel folio.

In-Room Movies: Many hotels offer Pay-Per-View programming, including movies. Again, employers will be charged for this and will see a list of all selections. It’s not the time to watch off-color/adult movies. Use your best judgment, and if you are unsure about what to do, consider paying for it separately so it doesn’t appear on the hotel folio.

Remember, anything you do before you get hired can be a factor in determining whether or not you are a qualified candidate. Make sure you all of your actions reflect well upon you.

I hope these tips have helped you prepare for your traveling interview. For more assistance, click here and read about our advanced interviewing tips or stop by the ICC and talk to one of our coordinators

This tip was presented by Ken Barnes and narrated by Rachael Sheridan of the Liberal Arts and Business Program Area.

When it comes to a resume, there are many items to consider including: related experience, skills, and educational history are common. You might also want to consider listing items that show how well-rounded you are. Two possible items are International experience and hobbies.

International Experience: Did you know that less than 10 percent of Americans have a passport and only 10 percent actively use their passports. That means only one percent of Americans (roughly 30 million people) travel internationally. If you are one of the 30 million, consider yourself ahead of the game because employers look for and value applicants with international experience.

Why do employers value this? One reason is because of our global economy. There’s a good chance you will have to travel for your position. Those with international experience already know what’s involved in the travel process and are better prepared. Another reason also relates to our global economy. Clients and customers often come from different countries and have very different perspectives from Americans. Those who have traveled are generally more open-minded and tend to listen to new clients first instead of treating them like everyday customers. A perfect example is the European Union. As Americans, we tend to “get down to business,” but people from the E.U. prefer to meet and greet socially before getting down to business. International travelers are more likely to know this, or at least listen first and get a feel for the situation before proceeding. This can be significant for employers considering applicants for new positions.

When listing countries you’ve traveled to, you don’t have to list the reasons. It’s okay to have “International Experience” as a subject header and list in columns the countries you visited. Whether your experience was recreational, educational, or even just passing through; international experience is international experience!

Hobbies/Recreational Activities: Why list hobbies and recreational activities on your resume? Let’s say you list “motorcycle riding” as one of your hobbies. During your interview, you are asked “Oh, you ride motorcycles…what do you ride?” You’ve instantly made a connection; run with it. “I ride a Yamaha Virago. It sounds like you ride too. What do you ride?” The more you talk, the better off you are! The interviewer will leave knowing much more about you; and that information will come up again when they are considering the applicants. This can work with any hobby; so whether you bake, hike, or SCUBA dive or something else; consider listing it on your resume.

Of course, don't include anything you don't feel comfortable revealing; but if you are comfortable with your activities; perhaps they should be listed on your resume.

Remember, employers are looking for the total package - someone who will represent their organization well in every possible way. If you can show them that you are well-rounded and will make a great connection to your colleagues and the clients of that organization, you will look very competitive.

I hope you've enjoyed these tips. For more detailed information on this subject, stop by the ICC and talk to one of our coordinators.

This tip was presented by Ken Barnes and narrated by Leslie Cheng of the Liberal Arts and Business Program Area.

If you’ve been invited to interview over a meal, pat yourself on the back; because getting this far in the recruiting process means you’ve done well. Companies mainly interview over meals if they are seriously considering you for the position. Now you have to prepare for it, and believe me; it shouldn’t be taken lightly. In a nutshell, here are a few tips to help you get through an interview over a meal.

First, consider why companies pay the extra expense of interviewing over meals. It’s very beneficial to them. Employers believe they can tell a lot about a potential employee by the way they eat or interact socially. For this reason they often hold longer, more detailed interviews in social settings such as restaurants. They assume the way you eat with them is the way you will act as a representative of their organization. So remember – THIS IS NOT ABOUT THE FREE MEAL!

Dressing for the interview: Dress professionally – like you would for any other interview. Wear comfortable clothes that allow you to move easily. Keep your jacket on during the meal. You can remove it and fold it neatly over your chair if the host has done so. If your jacket is uncomfortable, ask your host if it is okay to remove it.

What to order: If possible, research the restaurant beforehand. Many restaurants include their menus on their web site, so this should be easy. Since this is an interview, don’t experiment, and avoid foods that may not agree with you. Also, avoid messy foods such as spaghetti and BBQ or foods you must eat with your hands like fried chicken and pizza.

Don’t order expensive foods – stay within the price range as your host. If you’re not sure, ask your host for a recommendation or take a cue from what they have ordered. It’s perfectly okay to say “That sounds interesting; I think I’ll try it.” It's also a good idea not to order alcohol (but that's a judgment call; if the host offers an alcoholic drink, it's generally okay).

Courtesy: Be polite to everyone – including servers. Servers are/may be potential clients, and how you treat them may indicate how you would treat a future client of that organization. Also, be polite to others at the interview (there may be more than one person being interviewed).

Compliments:It’s a good idea to compliment the food after the meal. The host will usually choose a restaurant they like, so criticizing the restaurant’s food or service could be viewed as an insult to the host.

Conversation during the meal: Prepare for questions like you would a regular interview. Typically questions will be more in-depth than the initial interview, so you will have to do more research. Also, be prepared to ask questions (make your list ahead of time to cover all your bases). You can ask the host about how they got into the field or what prepared them for the position, or you can ask questions about the industry or company. Try NOT to ask about things covered in the annual report or on their web site unless that information wasn’t very clear.

After the meal: Try not to finish before anyone else (especially the host). When you are done, fold your napkin and place it on your plate over your utensils. Allow the host to pay, and don’t forget to thank them for their generosity. As with any interview, you should send a thank-you a letter – the sooner the better.

Remember that you are being assessed on your social skills – whether you exceed in or lack them. Show your host a side of you that lets them know you can handle yourself in any situation and will represent their company in a very favorable way. If you are ever in doubt, think of what you would like to see if you were the host and someone else was in your shoes.

I hope you’ve enjoyed these tips. For more detailed information on this subject, click here, or stop by the ICC and talk to one of our coordinators

First contact is crucial when it comes to the job search. It’s an employer’s first impression of you, and can determine whether you proceed in the recruitment process or get stopped before you even get started. Since it comes in many different forms, it is important to remember to always be professional and prepared. No matter what vehicle you choose, you ARE being interviewed; so whether it’s at a career fair or other networking event, through email, or on the phone – treat it like an actual interview.

The first step in preparing for contact is doing research. Whether you visit the company’s web site, Google the company, or research them in another fashion, research must be done! It makes you look more informed and also shows your enthusiasm for that company. After that, prepare your message. It’s a good idea to create a quick list of items you want to convey (whether it’s written or oral), then check the list to make sure you covered everything. You should also get your application materials together: your resume, transcripts, writing samples, etc. You are then ready to contact the employer.

Let’s look at some of the more popular ways of making first contact:

Career Fairs: Career fairs are excellent ways of meeting recruiters and getting on-the-spot “interviews.” Remember what I said earlier – if you’re talking to someone, you’re being interviewed, so treat it as so. Even if the representative at the fair isn’t in charge of recruiting for their company, they can either be an advocate for you OR put a stop sign on your application material. When approaching a recruiter, have a “commercial” prepared. This commercial should be 45 seconds to 1 minute in length and should quickly summarize your interest in the company and the skills you offer. You should practice often so when you meet a company rep, your commercial sounds smooth.

Information Sessions: Info sessions are usually held by companies the day before interviews. If you are scheduled for an interview or interested in the company, you should plan on going. Prepare for them the same way you would a career fair.

Phone: Inquiring about positions over the phone should be treated with the same level of professionalism as you would a career fair or info session. Remember to be courteous to all people you contact, have your commercial prepared, and make sure you convey your message clearly and concisely.

Letters of Inquiry: Whether you choose email, snail-mail, or fax as your vehicle; the preparation is still the same. Since you don’t have the opportunity to talk with recruiters, it is crucial to prepare a cover letter and include your resume. Again, do the necessary research and make sure to show your enthusiasm for that company as well as highlighting your skills.

Remember, the key to successful first contact is preparation and professionalism. No matter which vehicle you choose, give the recruiter a reason to continue the recruitment process.

I hope you enjoyed this tip. Stay tuned for next week’s tip, or if you can’t wait, stop by the Internship and Career Center and talk to one of our advisors.

Problem: The most dreaded question encountered during interviews is "Tell us about one strength and one WEAKNESS."

Though many people can talk for hours on their strengths, they often break into a cold sweat when talking about their weaknesses. So how should you answer this question? It's important to remember not to admit weaknesses during interviews because you never know how they might be perceived. Let's say you are in an interview with six interviewers (that's not uncommon, prepare for it). If your seat wasn't hot before this question, it probably is now! As you look at all the faces focused on you, you start to think "there are six different people who can eliminate me from this position if I say the wrong thing. What's the wrong thing?" That's just it - those six people may have six different ideas of what it takes to do the job. If you mention any one of them as a weakness, you could eliminate yourself.

Solution: Why not admit an area you would like to improve? How about saying something like "I wouldn't really call this a weakness, but an area I would like to improve is public speaking; and this is what I've done so far..." This way, you never say you are weak in public speaking (or whatever you choose), just that you want to get better; and you've also shown that you've taken steps to improve.

Other things to consider: Some people say "Well what if I admit a strength and make it sound like a weakness? What if I say my weakness is that I work to hard or that I get to involved in my work?" What's the solution to working to hard or getting too involved - not working hard enough or not being very dedicated? Is that the image you want to leave with interviewers?

Remember, when it comes to interviews, you Always want to leave the interviewer(s) with a strong and confident impression of you - one that says you can handle the job, no matter what happens.