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