Don't Freeze Over This Winter: Check Out Resume Collect

Hey everybody! I bet a few of you have heard rumblings of something called Resume Collect. So what is it exactly?

Resume Collect is a great opportunity for seniors to send out their resume en masse to many employers at once. This process is super easy! It just requires that you log into DonsCareers and click on the link "Jobs I Qualify for." A list of jobs will come up with that you can apply to. However, you have to have your resume already uploaded so you can just send it over to the employers. If the employers dig your resume, they'll contact you.

Make sure you swing by the Career Services Center during our Drop-In hours so that we can take a look at your resume before you upload it.

Resume Collect will start December 14 and will close January 31.

Holiday Hours

A few dates/tips to keep in mind as winter break approaches:

- The office will be close on December 24th and will re-open on January 4th.
- December 9th will be the final evening drop in session and will resume on January 26th.
- Other than 12/24-1/3, 12-2pm drop in hours are as usual!
- Phone appointments are welcome!


This is a really great time to take advantage of our services and counselors, as there is more time for personal attention!

Keep pushing, the semester's almost over!!

Insider's View on College Success

more on internships!

Hey all-

The semester is coming to an end over the next few weeks and I know we're all putting everything we have into this final push before we can enjoy our holidays and winter break! Your schoolwork should absolutely be your number one priority right now, but if you have any spare time, it's a good idea to be thinking about and looking out for a possible internship over winter vacation. (That's a potential 5 week internship!)

If you've been to the Career Services Center or attended one of our workshops, then you've heard us harp on the goal of having 3 internships before graduation. If you're closer to graduation, then you really want to utilize your remaining time as best as possible! Talk to your advisers, professors and academic departments about any opportunities. Search on DonsCareers and Intership Exchange. Browse through the listings, or create a saved search of what you're looking for and make the databases work for you!

If you need help registering for DonsCareers or Internship Exchange, or have any other questions about internships (or anything else career-related), feel free to stop in during drop-in hours. (M-F 12-2, T/W 5-7).

Have a fantastic Thanksgiving and eat lots of turkey!


-Allison

REVIEW YOUR RESUME WITH A PROFESSIONAL RECRUITER ON 12/1, 12/2 & 12/3

Bring your resume and let a real-world recruiter review it BEFORE graduation and the upcoming Resume Collect program. Be ready to impress employers with an effective resume that will get results!

Tuesday, 12/1
12:00-1:30pm
Across from Crossroads Café, 1st floor of University Center
Representatives: Northwestern Mutual Financial Network (Financial Services) and PSI Industries (Environmental/Engineering Firm)

Wednesday, 12/2
12:00-1:30pm
In front of Market Café, 2nd floor of University Center
Representatives: KGO-TV/ABC 7 (Media) and Influx Partners (Technology Executive Recruiter)

Thursday, 12/3
12:00-1:30pm
Across from Crossroads Café, 1st floor of University Center
Representatives: MassMutual (Financial Services) and Paul, Hastings, Janofsky & Walker (Law Firm)

Questions? Call USF Career Services at 415-422-6216, careerservices@usfca.edu, or stop by UC 403.

What I Wish I Had Known

Juniors and Seniors!!

As the semester winds down, we are trying to finish our "What I Wish I Had Known" campaign strong. We want to know what you wish someone had told you when you were a freshman or a sophomore about jobs, internships, campus resources, or anything else career related that would make your life so much easier now, on the verge of graduation!

We're still accepting emails at careerplanningpeer@usfca.edu, but to make it easier for you, we will be at a table outside of Market Cafe next Wednesday, 11/18 from 11am-noon to collect your answers! Please stop by and say hello!

Have a fabulous weekend!
-Allison

Starting a New Job

So we focus a lot on how you get a job. Where to apply, what steps to take, how to interview, etc. Well, what about once you do get the job? How do you keep it? How do you gain the respect of your employers and co-workers? Here’s an article to give you a couple of tips in make a great impression at your new job!

“Landing a job takes plenty of time and energy, but being a success in the workplace doesn’t stop once you’ve been hired. It is important to make a good impression- especially in the first critical weeks of employment- in order to connect with your coworkers, learn job responsibilities, and fit into your company’s culture. Here are some tips for job success from CareerBuilder.com, LLC:

·         Get a good night’s rest.

·         Learn the names of your coworkers as soon as possible.

·         Do your research. Visit your company’s website, read its publications, and otherwise familiarize yourself with its products/services to get a handle on its mission.

·         Be positive. Smile and speak in an upbeat voice.

·         Be a work warrior. Arrive ahead of time to work each day, take only the allotted time for lunch and breaks, and leave when or after your fellow employees finish work for the day.

·         Take the initiative. Always be willing to tackle tasks that make your boss’s life easier.

·         Take notes. Write down assignments, procedures, contact information, and names of people you frequently deal with.

·         Appearance counts. Dress appropriately for your position and be well groomed.

·         Be flexible. Be ready to handle unexpected challenges.

·         Be appreciative of the attention and help of others.

·         Be a good listener and learner.

·         Connect with your boss. Learn his or her personality and work style.

·         Ensure that you meet your employer’s expectations. Check in with your boss to see if expectations are being met.

·         Get to know your colleagues.

·         Observe and learn from your coworkers. Find out who the rising stars are and emulate their work habits.

·         Identify and avoid office politics.

·         Respect the established order.

·         There is no “I” in team. Teamwork is the key to success in today’s corporate world.”

-CAM Report (September 2009)

(Career Advancement Management College & Career Press, LLC)

I hope this is helpful for you all!

-Allison

Tips from the Careers in Finance Panel

Thanks everyone for a great turnout last night at the Careers in Finance Panel. If you weren't able to attend or jut want a neatly typed recap, here is a brief summary of tips/discussion points:

• Read. Read as much as you can, as often as possible about all things going on in finance. All panelists mentioned reading the entire Wall St. Journal and the Financial Times every day. They read The Economist and Barrons cover-to-cover every week. It's easy to spot in an interview who is well read and who isn't.
• Communication and writing skills are essential. One panelist told of recently firing a UCLA, 3.9 GPA Economics major because he didn't handle himself professionally on the phone with clients.
• Hours in finance are insanely long, even after you've been in the business for a long time. 3 of the panelists, all age 45 or older, wake up at 4AM or earlier every workday and typically work until around 6. Lynda Sullivan, who worked for many years in corporate finance for both Goldman Sachs and Montgomery Securities, reported working 80-100 hour work weeks (you do the math) for the first 10 years of her career. 
• The panelists mostly agreed that New York is a great place to start a career in finance. "If you can make it there, you'll make it anywhere!" Also, panelist noted that in New York, while the hours are just as exhausting, the social life is much better for people in their 20's. In San Francisco, everyone is too tired to go out at night because they all wake up at 4AM!
• Just like many careers, passion is key to a successful career. If you don't love this, don't do it. Joe Morford, a Research Analyst, said "I get paid to keep up with my hobbies. How cool is that!?"
• "Who you know" is most important as far as getting a job. All 4 panelists said that they rarely go through a pile of resumes but instead hire people who they know or who come recommended by friends or colleagues, even for entry level positions.

That's it for now. There was so much more discussed last night and I'll post more thoughts later if I have them. 

-Alex

CAREERS IN FINANCE PANEL-WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 4, 5:30 PM, FROMM HALL, BERMAN ROOM

CAREERS IN FINANCE

A panel of successful business professionals discuss their career paths and success strategies.

Wednesday, November 4th

5:30-7:00 PM, Fromm Hall, Berman Room

What does it take to make it in investment banking?

What's life really like in the world of finance?

What are the current financial career trends?

What are different career options in investment banking?

How important is it to have an MBA?

CAREERS IN FINANCE, PANELIST BIOGRAPHIES

UNIVERSITY OF SAN FRANCISCO, NOVEMBER 4, 2009

5:30 PM, FROMM HALL, BERMAN ROOM

Lynda Sullivan is the director of Public Equities and Fixed Income at the Gordon and Betty Moore Foundation where she is responsible for an approximately $2 billion portfolio of public equity and fixed income investments invested by 25 external managers globally.  Linda began her career as an Analyst in the Corporate Finance department at Goldman Sachs in New York. After business school, she returned to investment banking, spending six years at Montgomery Securities executing public and private equity financings for consumer companies (largely retailers).  From Montgomery, she moved to the corporate office of Gap Inc. where she held management positions in both the Treasury and Corporate Planning and Analysis departments. Lynda graduated summa cum laude from the University of Pennsylvania with undergraduate degrees in Engineering and Business and received a M.B.A. from Stanford University.

Joe Morford is a Managing Director and Senior Analyst in the Research Department at RBC Capital Markets covering the Financial Services sector.  He joined RBCCM in August 1999 from First Security Van Kasper, and before that he held analyst positions at both B.T. Alex. Brown and Keefe, Bruyette, & Woods. He has been recognized both as an All-Star Analyst by the Wall Street Journal and as a Wall Street Sharpshooter by the American Banker, and he holds a Masters degree in Philosophy from the University of St. Andrews in Scotland.

Jeff Oster is a Managing Director in the Private Wealth Management division of UBS Financial Services. He concentrates on fixed income, alternative investments block trading and cash management for family offices and wealthy families and individuals. Jeff has 17 years of experience in the client advisory business and previously was a Managing Director at both Lehman Brothers and Montgomery Securities. Jeff received his B.A. in International Relations from California State University at Chico and his M.B.A. from Kellogg Graduate School of Management at Northwestern University.

Jeff Spears is the CEO of Sanctuary Wealth Services LLC . Jeff has over 24 years experience in wealth management as a wealth advisor and a national manager of the wealth management businesses at Montgomery Securities, Bank of America Private Bank, and Presidio Financial Partners LLC. Jeff received his Bachelors in Business Administration from Baylor University.

-Alex

what are my skills?

There is always a bit of confusion when it comes to the skills section of a resume. Should you include one? What should you list if you do? Your resume is pretty much all about showing off the skills that you've acquired through your experiences, so how do you know what goes where?

Generally, it is a good idea to include a skills sections. It rounds out the resume and gives it a nice conclusion. BUT it is important to make sure you're including the right types of skills...

One common mistake is to list everything that you're good at under the skills section, including things like multi-tasking, listening, problem-solving, etc. While those are important skills to have and demonstrate, if your resume is done correctly, those skills, which we call soft skills will be demonstrated throughout your accomplishment statements (see page 6 of "Job and Internship Resource Guide").

What you want to include in your skills section is what we call transferable skills or hard skills. These are  specific skill sets that you have learned and can apply elsewhere. These include, computer software programs (examples: Adobe Photoshop, Microsoft Office: Word, Excel, PowerPoint), language abilities, any licenses you have (CPR, First Aid training, lifeguard, etc.), other program abilities (restaurant POS systems). Basically, distinct skills that you have acquired through your experiences.

It is also important to include your level of proficiency in each of your skills. The language that we typically use is proficient, intermediate or basic, but this can vary for specific skills. For example, with languages you would use terms like bilingual, fluent, conversational, or basic written and/or spoken level.

I hope this clears things up a bit, but if you still have questions, brainstorm what you think might be appropriate skills and bring in your resume to get checked out during drop in hours!

-Allison

Never Fear, Spring is Near!

 Hey everybody,

As many of you already know, we’ve had a couple of rounds of on-campus interviews this past semester.  If you didn’t do so hot this round, there’s still some time to gear up for the second round in the spring.

If you have had some interviews already and haven’t gotten any call backs, we usually offer feedback.  The feedback is centered on students’ strong and weak points.  We call students to let them know about the feedback, but it becomes the students’ responsibilities to call us back to hear the feedback.  Feedback is so VALUABLE.  When else in your adult life are you gonna get a chance to hear about exactly what you’re doing that’s not quite cutting it and then use that information to improve your chances of getting a job?

Once you get the feedback, which can range from anything like unrefined interviewing skills to lack of internship experience, take it and USE IT to land the next interview.  For example, you can come to our office and schedule a mock interview with a career counselor and they’ll give you some feedback that will help you perfect your interviewing skills.  Or, if the feedback is more about lack of experience, get an internship over the spring semester.  You can search for one on Internship Exchange (accessible from our homepage at www.usfca.edu/career).  They start getting posted around mid-January, so you can start searching for one from the comfort of your own home.

All that being said, on-campus interviews are not your only hope of getting a job.  You can check out DonsCareers (also accessible from our homepage) to start searching for jobs.

If you have more questions about these tips or anything else, feel free to visit us during Drop-Ins! 

Have a great weekend and a safe Halloween!

Seghel

what next??

Graduation is coming soon (whether that means 3 years or 2 months) and the big question is coming, "What next?" You're probably hearing it from all angles, friends, aunts, uncles, grandparents, professors, advisers, etc. Everyone wants to know what you're going to do in the "real world". It can be a pretty difficult question to answer, especially when you're not really sure what your answer is. So, how do you figure it out?

There are a couple of things you can do on your own to narrow your options:

1. If you have a couple of careers in mind, but aren't sure what type of education you might need, or what the job really entails, you can check out theOccupation Outlook Handbook or the ONET Resource Center, both located on at usfca.edu/career under "resources". Both of these resources will really help you get a better idea of different careers and how to get to them.
2. If you know your desired field requires more school, research programs. Along the same lines, if you know your desired field does not require more school,then you don't need it! Graduate school is a big commitment, both monetarily and time-wise. It is not beneficial to continue your education just for something to do because, chances are, once you complete your graduate program,  you'll be right back here asking, "What next?" all over again.
   
3. Internships, internships, internships. I can't stress enough how beneficial internships can be. Not only do they help you build skills that you will use in the workplace, they also are a great way for you to get your feet wet in a career. Whether you love, hate or feel so-so about your internship, that information gives you a pretty good idea about whether or not you'd enjoy doing that type of work full time.
   

For the more in depth, personalized answer, come in to our drop in hours (M-F 12-2, T/W 5-7), or make an appointment with one of our career counselors at the Career Services Center by stopping by UC 403 or by calling (415) 422- 6216.


-Allison

Upcoming Events!

Hey Everyone!

Hope midterms and everything are going well.  Here are a couple of upcoming workshops that you should check out:

Tuesday November 3: Exploring Careers and Majors, 12:20-1:20, UC 222

• Hear a panel of students talk about their own personal experiences searching for their ideal careers and majors

Wednesday November 4: Careers in Finance, 5:30-7pm, Fromm Hall -Berman Room

• A panel of successful business professionals discuss success strategies

Monday November 9: Nursing Career Panel, 5:30-7pm, McLaren 250

• A panel of nursing professionals and recruiters will discuss career opportunities in nursing and tools to succeed

Make sure to check out some panels before Turkey Day!
-Seghel

Letters of Recommendation!

Last week, I told you some of the do's and don't's of references. On a related, BUT VERY DIFFERENT note, it is important to know how to handle a letter of recommendation. You will absolutely need two to three letters of recommendation if you plan to continue your education (i.e. graduate school, law school, medical school, etc.) and some employers also ask for them.

There is a lovely example worksheet in our Job and Internship Resource Guide on page 35 that shows many of the points that should be included in a letter of recommendation. Some of the points include:

• affiliation/ relationship to the person (supervisor, adviser, professor, etc.)
• an honest account your skills, talents, abilities, qualities, etc. Readers can tell when it is not sincere, so choose someone who actually knows you and your capabilities.
• specific examples of how your attributes and accomplishments 

Be sure to give plenty of time to complete the letter before it is due. 

Good luck!

-Allison

Side note: 

The following is a list of attributes (from the National Association of Colleges and Employers) that employers tend to use as basis for selection: ability to communicate, intelligence, self-confidence, willingness to accept responsibility, initiative, leadership, energy level, imagination, flexibility, interpersonal skills, self-knowledge, ability to handle conflict, goal achievement, competitiveness, appropriate vocational skills, direction. 

Just a few things to keep in mind in your day to day!

Career Information Night on 10/21. Sign up by 10/19!

CAREER INFORMATION NIGHT AT USF


Ever wonder what are the hot industries and jobs these days? To help you explore your career options and learn about different industries, companies and jobs, you are invited to participate in our new Career Information Night from 5:30-7:00pm on Wednesday, October 21, 2009.

In a casual setting (casual dress code), meet over 15 recruiters representing different industries such as Law, Health Care, PR/Communications, Media/Radio, Consumer, Civic Government, Federal Government, Education, Publishing, Nonprofit, Museum/Research, Insurance Services and more!
Career Information Night
5:30-7:00pm
Wednesday, October 21, 2009
McLaren Complex, Room 252

IMPORTANT: SPACE IS LIMITED. YOU MUST SIGN UP BY MONDAY, 10/19, FOR THIS EVENT. Career Services Reps will be in front of Market Cafe from 12:00-1:00pm on 10/19 to sign you up. Or, call 415-422-6216, email careerservices@usfca.edu, or stop by UC 403 to reserve your spot.

Tips for Applying to Federal Jobs

Hi all,

Happy Friday!  My coworker attended the Federal Jobs Career Fair at City College this past week and here are some excellent tips and information she learned that will hopefully help you!  If you like to discuss this with a career counselor, call our office at 415-422-6216 to schedule an appointment!

Thanks,

Ellen

Presenter: Julie Saad, Human Resources Specialist, US Office of Personnel Management

Email: julie.saad@opm.gov

Benefits of Government Service:

• Public Service
• Work/Life Balance
• Excellent Advance Opportunities
• Student Loan Repayment Program
• Flex time and tele-work options
• Pay is comparable to private sector

Pay Grades

Range: GS1 to GS15 and varies geographically

GS-5 – requires Bachelor degree

GS-7 -  requires Bachelor degree, 3.0 or higher GPA, member of Honor Society, upper 1/3 of class level

GS-9 – requires Masters degree

San Francisco example of pay grades:

GS-5 - $36,309

GS-7 - $44,976

GS-9 - $55,015

GS-11 - $66,562

By Fall 2012, the Federal government projects to hire 273,000 new workers.  Where the hot jobs will be:

1. Medical & Public Health
2. Security & Protection
3. Compliance & Enforcement
4. Legal
5. Administration & Program Management

Student Hiring Programs:

Student Temporary Employment Program (STEP)

Temporarily work for a Federal agency while in school.

Position terminates upon graduation.

Student Career Experience Program (SCEP)

College studies are related to work at a Federal agency.

Work for agency until graduation.

Agency can offer a permanent position upon graduation.

Presidential Management Fellows Program (PMF)

For graduate students.

2 year, full-time developmental program.

Agency can offer a permanent position upon completion.

Federal Career Intern Program (FCIP)

For recent, new graduates.

Apply for positions announced via the program.

2 year, full-time training/development program.

Agency can offer a permanent position upon completion.

Steps to find Federal Jobs:

1. Go to www.usajobs.gov.
2. Create a USAJobs account.
3. Create a Federal resume.
4. Answer questions posted online.
5. Complete application package by deadline.
6. Follow-up with agency contact.

KSAs = Knowledge, Skills, Ability

1. Address key words/phrases used in job description.
2. Tie experiences to each KSA.
3. Use illustrative examples.
4. Focus on outcomes.

Tips:

1. Apply in the Fall of your last year in school.
2. Plan ahead to thoroughly complete application(s).
3. Tailor your search.
4. Follow up with agency point of contact provided in the job description.

What happens after you apply?

1. After closing date, the agency reviews the applications submitted to USAJobs.
2. Agency selects the best candidates and develops a list.
3. Agency selects the candidates to interview.
4. Agency conducts the interviews.

Basic security clearances are performed in 37 days.  More in-depth security clearances take 72 days.

Key Web Sites:

www.USAJOBS.gov = Federal jobs

www.studentjobs.gov = specifically for students

www.makingthedifference.org = resource to start the exploration process

www.opm.gov/careerintern/index.asp = Federal career intern program

The full Powerpoint presentation will be available on City College of San Francisco Career Center’s web site in the next week.

Internships: Why they are AMAZING

Let me break down for you why internships will be vital to you during your academic career.

Like I mentioned in a previous post, internships are an awesome way to beef up your resume and boost your chances of getting a job after you graduate because: 1) many of them are geared toward undergraduate students who don't have much experience and 2) because they are presented like actual jobs on your resume, not volunteer positions.

And unless you're looking for an internship with a non-profit organization, you can look forward to finding an internship that PAYS.

The best and easiest way to find an internship is by visiting Internship Exchange.   Internship Exchange is an extensive database that is only accessible by 21 colleges and universities.  That means you have a much better chance of landing an internship through this database than Craigslist.com, which is open to the whole wide world.

Internships can be a fun and easy way to explore various career paths before committing to a major/career/graduate school.

Try to aim for 2-3 internships before you graduate: it will serve you well in the long (and short) run.

**To access Internship Exchange, go to our homepage at usfca.edu/career.  Then go to the left hand menu, click on "Students", then click on "Find and Internship."

Seghel

Resume DOs and DON'Ts

Hey everyone!  Here are just a couple of resume tips to keep in mind:

• Beware of dressing up your resume with colorful fonts.  You may be able to make an exception if you're a Graphic Design major, but bring it by for us to check out.
• Resume templates are to be avoided like the plague.  They kinda make it seem like you're lacking initiative if you use one.
• Highlight your volunteer activity.  Especially for underclassmen, volunteering and participating in unpaid internships is a great way to gain experience.
• Be specific about your job responsibilities on your resume.  For example, if you trained a new hire, what exactly did you teach them?

Have a great weekend!
Seghel

How to treat your References!!

So you're ready to get a job. You've had your resume reviewed a couple of times, your cover letter is polished and you have the contact information for the job of your dreams all ready to go. What's missing??

A lot of students have come into the office with resumes that state something like "references available upon request" and we've told you that it is assumed that everyone has references, therefore it's not necessary to write it out. Each applicant should have 2-3 references that potential employers can contact to further verify a person's personality, work ethnic, and performance (among other things).

References can make or break an applicant, so here are a couple of tips to get the best out of your references!

• Keep your references in the loop. This means keeping them informed of every step of your process. Let them know when you are starting to look for a job and ask them if they would mind serving as a reference down the line. Tell them when you've submitted your resume and/or have had an interview and tell them to expect a call. Explain the position so that they are prepared for the employer. If you end up getting the job, MAKE SURE to send them a thank you note. They are probably a significant part of you landing the job, and deserve a thanks! (Plus, it helps if you ever need them to help you out again...)

• References should not be personal. This means Mom, Dad, Grandma, roommate, best friend don't count! You want someone who has observed you in a work, volunteer, or classroom setting. While Mom probably loves you most and can sing your praises to no end, she isn't the one who can give the most accurate account of your employment capabilities.

Remember to bring your reference sheet with you to your interview, so that when the potential employer asks for it (which they most likely will), you are more than prepared. Page 34 in our Job and Internship Resource Guide has an excellent sample reference sheet to help with formatting. This is the green booklet that can be found in our office or is available on our website! Feel free to call or come into our drop in hours with any other questions!
-Allison

What Do YOU Wish You Had Known?

Hey juniors and seniors! We'd like to open up a forum for you to let us know what you wish you had known as freshmen that would have made your life easier now.

Shoot us an email at careerplanningpeer@usfca.edu!

Upcoming Events!!!

Hey guys! Here's a list of our upcoming events!

The Graduate and Professional School Fair
October 5
Harney Plaza
(for more information, click here )

GMAT Test Prep Workshop
October 6
McLaren 250

Graduate School Admissions Panel
October 7
McLaren 250

GRE Test Prep Workshop
October 8
McLaren 250

Have a great weekend!!
Seghel

Introducing the 2009-2010 Graduate Intern

Hello everyone,
My name is Geneva and I am the 2009-2010 Graduate Intern at CSC. I am very excited to join the CSC family, which means I get to blog here too. So here goes my first blog post:

Earlier this week, I helped put on my first CSC workshop: The Cover Letter & Resume Workshop on 9/29/09. It was great to be able to help students learn the good, the bad, and the ugly of resume and cover letter writing at the workshop.

But if you missed the workshop, you can still get the inside scope on making your cover letter and resume shine!

First, you can take advantage of the many resources available at CSC, including the very handy Job & Internship Resource Guide. The Job & Internship Resource Guide has a ton of great information in it about writing resumes and cover letters. I like to tell students to make the Job & Internship Resource Guide one of your best friends!

Second, you can come to CSC drop-in hours. Drop-in hours are Monday through Friday from 12pm to 2pm and also on Tuesday and Wednesday evenings from 5pm to 7pm. During drop-in hours, you can get a 15-minute appointment with a Career Counselor, Career Planning Peer, or me and we'll help you polish your resume and cover letter.

Doing these two things will help you put together a strong resume, and, as I am learning, are just the tip of the iceberg that CSC can help you with.

I look forward to seeing you at CSC!

-Geneva

While I sit here, trying to put myself in the shoes of freshmen and sophomores campus-wide, I think to myself, why should they be interested in the Career Services Center? Especially if they’re not particularly interested in getting a job, then it would seem kind of pointless, right?

If this seems about right, I have news for you: a visit to the Career Services Center would still benefit you enormously. There’s all sorts of things we can help you with, not just finding a job.

The only way I would eat my words is if you could answer “yes” to all of the following questions*:

• Can you explain why you chose your major or profession?
• Can you list at least five work-related skills and abilities you have?
• Can you name at least three fields of employment into which you might fit?
• Can you name at least five employers who hire people in your chosen field and clearly state why you are interested in working for each one?
• Have you prepared a resume with which you are satisfied (which our office has also looked at)?
• Do you have at least ten networking contacts with whom you regularly interact?
• Do you know the questions employers are likely to ask you in an interview?

These are just a few of the things we can help you out with, so stop by soon!

Have a great weekend!

Seghel

*All questions taken from our Overview of USF Career Services handout

Resume & Cover Letter Writing Workshop

Don't miss this opportunity!!

Resume & Cover Letter Writing Workshop
Tuesday, September 29, 2009
5:30 pm, Maraschi, Fromm Hall

Learn all the "Do's" and "Don'ts" to land that crucial interview!

Presented by the Priscilla A. Scotlan Career Services Center

For more information, any questions, or comments, feel free to check out our website or contact us at:

www.usfca.edu/career
415-422-6216
careerservices@usfca.edu

Know Your Academic Society!

Hey all!

This is my very first blog since starting as the new Career Planning Peer at CSC at the end of August. It has been a crazy few weeks for me, trying to learn as much as I can, as fast as I can, but all in all it’s a great experience, and everyone here at the office has been so welcoming and accommodating (as I’m sure you’ve all noticed in your visits here…)!

Anyway, enough about me. I’ve been brainstorming how I can best help you get in the right direction as far as making connections and building your networks. A great first step would be to find out about the academic societies/honor societies that USF offers that are specific to your major. Most programs have some type of organization or society that is major-specific. This is a great way to meet other students in your program and to network with older students, previous members and advisers. Each organization has a different way of doing things, but many are directed towards expanding your knowledge of the field and helping you succeed in your academics and beyond!

A list of the organizations that USF offers can be found on the USF organization database at http://sle.orgsync.com/. Once you’re there, there is a section titled “Browse By Category”. Here, you would click on the link to “Academic/Honorary/Professional”.

Student Leadership and Engagement has set up these organizations and their contact information nicely and neatly for you, but I always encourage you to talk to advisers within your department to find even more information.

Remember, network, network network!

--Allison

Hayes Healy Presentation Today

Hi everyone!

Just wanted to say it was great being able to talk to a group of students and answer any of their questions and concerns today!

Today was just one example of how the Career Planning Peers want to reach out to the student population. Allison and I are hoping to be able to do it more often!

Enjoy some sunshine this weekend!

Seghel

Why Using Resume Templates Is A No-No

It seems like a convenient tool, right? Why would Microsoft Office Word provide a resume template if you shouldn’t use it? I honestly don’t know. What I do know is that using a template to write your resume is pretty much the kiss of death.

Employers and recruiters view resumes written from templates as examples of a lack of initiative and interest in the position they’re offering. It basically looks like the person writing the resume was too lazy to start from scratch. It may seem kind of harsh, but it’s really not.

While starting with a blank word document when writing a resume seems kind of daunting, you shouldn’t worry. There’s a basic format that most resumes should be in. (There are a couple of different ways to write a resume, but for the general student population looking for entry-level positions, a basic chronological resume will do). We have a Job & Internship Resource Guide that has great examples of student-written resumes that you can refer to. You can find the guide in our office and on our website.

Another reason why resume templates are kinda whack is because they deviate from what a basic resume should look like. The template might throw in a couple of horizontal lines, move your name around “artistically,” and automatically include sections on your resume that are unnecessary, like a “Profile” section. If you think that nobody will be able to tell because you worked on it a lot, swing by during our Drop-In sessions and show it to a counselor to make sure. I strongly recommend it.

Have an awesome weekend!

Seghel

Salary and Negotiation

Salary negotiation is probably something you’ve never thought about until applying for a job, depending on the kinds of places you’ve been working. Salary negotiation is when you’re discussing with a current or potential employer why you should be paid a certain amount of money for your work. There’s a reason, however, why salary negotiation is not something you would discuss as a cashier at “Joe’s Pizza” or when starting out an administrative assistant in an office. What’s this reason I speak of?

In short, entry-level positions, which are sort of like the first rung in a ladder (if the ladder is the work force), don’t offer you a lot of salary-related wiggle room. When you’re starting out at a company, or if you’ve just been offered a position and are deciding whether or not to accept it, keep in mind that you’re not considered a commodity. A person who has acquired very valuable and/or rare skills through years of relevant experience is considered a “hot” commodity because they have something most people don’t but that most companies want. So until you’ve gained some serious skills, don’t ask for more money than you deserve.

That being said, it’s important to understand just how much you’re worth. It’s up to you to do the research when determining the proper salary range of whatever kind of field/position you’ve been offered. It’s also important to consider the whole package, not just the amount of zeros on your paycheck: is health insurance included? How about paid sick leave, vacation time, or holidays? Don’t jump the gun and start asking about salary and benefits until you’ve actually been offered a position.

If you want to do some research about salary ranges for certain positions or careers check out our website at www.usfca.edu/career and go to “Resources” on the left-hand navigation menu. Also, www.salary.com is a great place to start your research. You can always visit us at the office too!

Have a great weekend!

Seghel

3 Relevant Experiences Before Graduation!

Hey Everyone, We had a blast meeting so many new students yesterday during orientation. Many ears perked up when they heard me, the tall, bald guy, loudly repeating the mantra "3 Internships Before Graduation!" over and over. When I was a student in the early '90s, just having 1 internship on a resume made you a rock star. Times have changed. 3 internships is now considered pretty good. That sounds daunting but it's not. Perhaps if I use the term "Relevant Experience", that might calm the nerves? Relevant experiences might include volunteer opportunities, on-campus employment, student club leadership experiences, and, yes, internships. An example: Benji, a Graphic Design major, was one of our office's Student Assistants for the past 4 years. His main task for our office was to design the majority of our posters, web banners and other marketing materials. Even though this was a campus job, the job title on Benji's resume read "Graphic Design Specialist". Along with a year abroad in London studying Graphic Design and some Graphic Design work for a non-profit organization, Benji was able to fill a resume with relevant experience. He starts graduate school, studying Graphic Design, at NYU next week! For excellent internship opportunities, check out our 2 main resources, Internship Exchange and Dons Careers. We look forward to seeing you in our office this year....and remember, 3 Relevant Experiences before graduation! -Alex

Internship Exchange: https://ucan-csm.symplicity.com/students/index.php?cck=1&au=&ck=

Dons Careers: https://usfca-csm.symplicity.com/students/

Alex

NEW CSC Drop In Hours!

Hi everyone,

Well, we've decided to change things up a bit at CSC and have changed our drop-in hours to hopefully make it easier for you to come see us!

New Drop In hours, starting Monday, August 24, 2009:

Mon 12-2
Tue 12-2
Wed 12-2 & 5-7
Thur 12-2 & 5-7
Fri 12-2

Please drop by and see us!

Ellen and the CSC gang

Back to School: Secrets for Future Success

Hi everyone,

Well...it's that time of year...time to get back in the swing of things and think about your future! Here is an article from Brad Karsh: President and Founder, JobBound. I think there are some great pieces of advice, so don't wait. Come visit CSC today!

Thanks,
Ellen

Nothing beats the new school year. The weather is great, the books are all new, and it's time to reconnect with your best friends. In fact, getting a job or internship for next summer may be the last thing on your mind. The truth is, often, what separates successful job-hunting students from the unsuccessful is what they do right now, at back to school time.

Here are four simple steps for the fall that can help you land a job in the spring:

1. Get your resume in order. More than anything else, this one piece of paper determines whether or not you will get the job you want. As you can imagine, that piece of paper needs to be great. On your resume, you need to focus on accomplishments instead of job descriptions. Most recruiters will tell you that a majority of resumes don't sell a student hard enough because they simply list the activities that anyone holding that position has ever done. If what is written on your resume can be written by the person who had the job before you, after you, or next to you, then you haven't done yourself justice.
2. Network, network, network. The single best way to get a job is to know somebody. Yes, it should be based on merit alone, but unfortunately, that isn't how it works. Tap into as many connections as you can. Reaching out to your school's alumni is a great place to start, and they usually love to hear from current students about life on campus. If you don't know many alumni in positions to make a difference for you, start e-mailing the graduates highlighted in your school's alumni newsletter, or check out the career center. They often have lists of alums looking to help students. Don't forget you can network with your neighbors, your dentist, your parents' friends, older siblings' friends, etc. Remember sixty-six percent of job seekers get a job through networking!
3. Become involved. Grades alone won't get you the job. Most employers want smart, well-rounded, involved students. There's still time to gain the experience that companies are looking for in new hires. Join a club, get a part-time job, and volunteer for a charity. It's even more impressive, if you get involved in a big way. It's one thing to have, "Member, Student Activities Council" on your resume. It's quite another to have "President, Student Activities Council." Obviously, companies want to hire leaders and accomplished candidates. If you prove that you have those skills, when it comes time to make the hiring decision, you're the obvious choice.
4. Visit your career center. If you want a job or internship this summer, the career center is going to be your best friend. Guess where companies go when they want to hire students from your school? The Career Center. Guess where you can get someone to help you with resume writing and job interviewing? The Career Center. And guess where you can go to find out whether you should be a lumberjack or a management consultant when you grow up? The Career Center. The fact is, your Career Center is an amazing resource for the job search. And it's all free! Go early, go often, and you can't go wrong.

The new school year holds countless, bright possibilities and great opportunities. If you get started on these four, simple steps, you are setting yourself up for career and future success!

Arrivederci San Francisco!

Hello Everyone!

I apologize for not writing much this summer, it’s been pretty crazy at the office preparing for the upcoming school year. But that means you all have a lot more to look forward to once school gets started (including regular posts from the career counselors themselves, woo!)

I’m writing today though to say goodbye (don’t worry though it’s not forever). In two weeks I’ll be on a plane to Rome to spend the next semester there studying. I’m both extremely excited and extremely terrified. But overall I know it’s going to be an incredible experience, so I can’t wait.

We’re in the process of hiring a new Career Planning Peer to take my place while I’m gone (and to hopefully stay on with us even after I return), so look forward to his/her posts in the future. Seghel will still be here of course, as well as the rest of the counseling staff.

Anyway, I hope everyone has a wonderful upcoming semester, and I look forward to writing to you all again when I return.


Allora, arrivederci San Francisco e ciao Roma!

-Sarah

*cricket* *cricket*

We’re a month into summer, (not to mention a month into post-graduation territory), and I must say it is very quiet in the CSC office. I swear I saw a tumbleweed blow by the other day. Yeah yeah ok, but really. Does this mean you all have wonderful jobs? (If so, let us know. We’d love to hear and possibly write about your experiences).

While I hope that’s the case for all of you, if for one reason or another it isn’t don’t forget the CSC has got your back. We’re open 9-5 every week day, and from the way it’s looking, you can get in to see a counselor for a drop-in or appointment pretty quickly. Have them take a look at your resume or cover letters so you can get them polished and ready to send off, work on your interview skills, or even just use the time to talk to someone and get sound feedback about your job search experience. We’d love to help.

Also, while resume collect is over (ended 6/30), there are still a ton of jobs available on Dons Careers. If you’re not already signed up on there, give us a call at (415) 422-6216 and we’ll get you set up.

So give us a call already! I (and my co-worker Benji who is also at the front desk this summer) don’t bite. Promise.

-Sarah

Solar Job Guide

Annnnd we're back!

Or at least I am. And will be all summer, thank you very much. It's good to E-see all of your lovely faces again.

To get us started for the summer posts, I'm going share with you a guest post from Frank Marquardt, a leading expert on green careers. He's got a new book out all about Solar careers which looks really interesting (and chock full of information). I'd definitely say it's worth a look!

Best,
Sarah
_________________________________________

Few industries offer the combination of long-term growth prospects and financial reward as solar. And with the collapse of Wall Street and recessionary economy, students and career changers alike are looking for ways to make a living—while also doing good for the planet.

In fact, one estimate suggests solar will create 190,000 jobs over the next two years as a result of the stimulus plan.

To encourage you to read it, I'm offering a 20% discount you and your friends. Just type in promo code "sunbathe" when you check out at http://solarjobguide.com.

Best regards,

Frank Marquardt
www.solarjobguide.com

___________________________________________

p.s. don't forget the CSC is open all summer, 9-5! Stop by for drop-ins, schedule an appointment, or utilize our library of resources. We're here to help you in any and all of your job endeavors. Hope to see you soon.

End of the School Year

Hey All,

Just wanted to write a quick update wishing everyone a big congratulations on making it through finals! Can you believe the ‘08-‘09 school year is already over?

And an extra congratulations to the graduating seniors of 2009, you guys rock. Don’t forget that the CSC is free to you for up to a year after you graduate, and that we’re open all summer for anything you might need. Stop by and see us anytime in UC 403, or make an appointment with a counselor to talk about your job search, life post-grad, or anything else that’s on your mind.

Speaking of job search, don’t forget either that the CSC is holding an end-of-semester Resume Collect through DonsCareers for all graduating seniors. Employers looking specifically to hire USF grads have posted their jobs to DonsCareers, and all you need to do is sign up online and submit that resume! Check out our website for the link to apply: www.usfca.edu/career

Resume collect runs from 5/15/09-6/30/09. Take advantage of this great opportunity to finally land that job you’ve been so anxious about finding. And don’t forget, we’re here to help!

Best of luck on all of your summer plans, and check back frequently during summer for new blog updates. I’ll be here posting away.

Peace,

Sarah

Getting Creative – Do or Don’t?

In the past few weeks I’ve seen a steady increase of “out of the box” designs for resumes, ranging from including .jpeg images to making two or three columns of text instead of the usual linear format.

Whether this is because students feel these designs better represent who they are, or because they feel like a more creative design might catch an employer’s eye (and thus get them in for an interview), I can’t be sure.

So what should you do?

Through my conversations with students I’ve come up with a few opinions on the matter. I think creativity is wonderful, and I also think, bottom line, that your resume needs to represent you to the best of its ability, whatever that may be. However, I think some general things need to be taken into consideration.

If you’re not following a linear format, your information still needs to be clear, straight forward, and easy to find. An employer is only going to spend about 15-20 seconds looking at you resume, so if they can’t find where you worked, when you worked, what you did, and where you went to school in that time period you’re toast.

Also keep in mind too that many employers have a different idea of what’s appropriate than you do. Unless you’re getting recommended through a friend or have inside knowledge of the company, you can’t be entirely sure who is going to be looking at your resume. And, for all you know, you could get Mr. “By-The-Book” HR guy who probably wont be pleased with your deviation from the norm.

In the end it’s a matter of your own personal values. Your resume needs to show who you are, so do what you need to do to accomplish that. Just keep in mind too that you’re not the only one who will be looking at that resume, so make the decision that’s best for you.

If you’ve got any questions about your resume, or formatting in general, please stop by the Career Services Center in UC 403 and have either Seghel or I, or one of the counselors, take a look. We’d be happy to talk about this in more detail with you.

Best of luck,
Sarah

A Shout Out From a Graduating Senior

Say hello to Benji Canning-Pereira, a graduating senior with a glittering and fast-paced future ahead of him! Benji, a Graphic Design major, has worked at the Career Services Center for four years. While we’re sad to see him go, we’re also excited for what this young man’s future holds for him: lots of promise! The following is a brief overview of Benji’s plans, struggles, and hopes for the future.

After much hard work and determination, Benji got accepted into the top-notch Interactive Telecommunication Program at New York University. He started preparing his application materials during the Fall semester of this year. Preparation involved polishing up his portfolio of work, which he had been working on for about a year, gathering recommendations from a professor and a work colleague, submitting a financial aid application, and writing his letter of intent, which is arguably the most important and difficult piece of the puzzle to fulfill.

Benji’s tips for gathering recommendations are to ask people, such as your professors, mentors, and employers, early. Benji gave his contacts two months to write his recommendations before they were due. He also spent a considerable amount of time working on his letter of intent, which basically give a person the opportunity to explain why they want to go to graduate school and what their future plans are. He worked on his letter every other day for a month before getting it checked out at the Career Services Center and proofreading it a zillion times.

Since Benji is planning on moving to a different state, housing is also a concern of his. Some graduate programs, such as the one he applied to, do offer housing to students. However, it tends to be very expensive. It’s important to try to study the geography of the state you’re planning on moving to. You don’t want to end up on the opposite side of the state you’re moving to from your school, especially if transportation is really expensive.

The most critical piece of advice Benji offers is to go to open houses and check out the school, especially for smaller and more competitive programs. The more you know about the program, the easier the essay writing can become. Talking to actual students or graduates of the program also makes a big difference. However, if you do plan on checking out the school, check with your professors about missing classes and assignments, especially if it requires traveling to different states.

Best of luck to all graduating seniors, and I hope this helps the rest of the student body figure out how to plan for grad school!

Seghel

Look for a Job in a Recession Highlights

Here's the PDF Seghel created based on highlights from the "Looking for a Job in a Recession Panel".

It's got some of the best questions asked that night, as well as direct quotes of the responses from the panelists themselves. Really worth a look!

Check it out here

Get up and Get into Gear

So let’s face the facts: our economy is... well... not doing that great. The amount of current available jobs is substantially less than it was in previous years. Unfortunately, this can and probably will affect you, as distant as it may seem.

But that doesn’t mean you should lose hope! I’ve seen more students than ever come into drop-in sessions with resumes and cover letters looking for potential summer jobs, and that’s great! But if you’re in need for a job or internship this summer, you better get on it ASAP.

For a reminder, here’s a few things that you can take advantage of to snag those last minute jobs or make those last minute decisions before Summer.

As always, make sure to check out both DonsCareers and Internship Exchange for any job or internship postings (and also check out one of my previous posts for more links on internship searches). According to career counselor Alex Hochman, while we might be in a lull right now in terms of opportunities, make sure to check back by early June for a rush of new available opportunities.

Also, don’t forget the Career Services Center is open all summer, so feel free to stop by at any time to meet with a counselor, work on that resume, or anything else you need. We'll all be happy to answer any questions you may have.

-Sarah

p.s. stay tuned for an awesome PDF created by my fellow CPP Seghel with a bunch of details from the Looking for a Job in a Recession workshop. Should be up in the next day or two!

Internship of the Week #3

The Marley Association, a newly formed non-profit, needs an intern. We are in the very early stages of formation and you would be a fundamental part of assisting a very promising organization focused on US China Green Tech education. Organizing the 2009 US China Green Tech Summit in Beijing this Fall and general organizational structure are our initial goals. See bayareacouncil.org/events/Green_Energy_Brochure.pdf for the 2008 green tech summit (our involvement in that summit was as Callaway Private Equity Partners)

Students interested in international affairs/pan-asian studies/non-profit administration/finance would be perfect. Headquarters are close to USF and although the term is flexible, this could be a summer internship. Tasks will range widely but will likely include grant writing, conference coordination, and green tech research. Although the internship is unpaid, it is a great networking opportunity as the conference and other activities involve many prominent figures involved in green tech, investment and non-profits.

Mission Statement: The Marley Association, a non-profit organization working to increase public awareness and adoption of energy efficient technology and foster innovation in the field of renewable energy by sustaining a dialogue among the business, finance and policy leaders involved in green technology in the United States and China.
Please email resumes to Jeff Wozniak at jfwozniak@gmail.com.

Seghel