IMPORTANT INTERVIEWING TIPS!!!

Dear Fellow B-W Students,

Have you ever wondered how to prepare for an interview? How to answer questions. How not to answer questions. What to ask. What not to ask. Have you thought about how you act during an interview? Perhaps you fidget or close your eyes or make funny faces.

If you answered yes to any or all of these questions, I would encourage you to drop by Career Services and take advantage of a great technology tool. Wouldn’t it be great to see yourself in an interview situation and be able to evaluate yourself? With Perfect Interview, you can hear your "ums", "uhs" and "okays", listen to your responses and observe your behavior. Perfect Interview is a software program that simulates an interview situation. A web cam actually tapes your practice interview. The software includes features to coach and guide you in answering questions appropriately. How great is that? I have used Perfect Interview and it was helpful to see my reactions. Now I know what I need to practice to improve my interviewing skills. So stop by Career Services and schedule a time to use the Perfect Interview software. Practice is key to acing an interview.

Here are some interviewing tips that I have found helpful:

· Research the company you are interviewing, jot down notes to take with you to your interview.
· Prepare a list of question to ask the interviewer(s).
· Prepare any documents, writing samples, extra copies of your resume ahead of time. Avoid doing this the day of your interview.
· Get enough sleep the night before
· If the location of the interview is at an unfamiliar place, drive by the day before to avoid getting lost and being late the day of your interview.
· Make sure you are comfortable in business attire. It is always best to err on the conservative side than to not be professionally dressed.
· Arrival early to have time to catch your breath and observe the work environment.
· Ask for a business card to follow-up with a thank you note.

Here are some questions that are common for an interviewer to ask:

1. Tell me about yourself?
2. Describe a difficult work situation/project and how you overcame it.
3. What do you find are the most difficult decisions to make?
4. How do you handle stress and pressure?
5. What do people most often criticize about you?
6. Why should we hire you?
7. What challenges are you looking for in a position?
8. What did you like or dislike about your previous job?
9. Who was your best boss and who was the worst?
10. If you can have your ideal position, what would it be and what would you be doing?
11. What do/did you like most about your job? (As listed in your resume)
12. What is your salary requirement? Make sure to research and respond with a broad range. (Don't ask for too much or too little).

First-Year Open House

Calling all freshmen, Baldwin-Wallace College Career Services is hosting their annual First-Year Open House; this is a great opportunity to learn the inner-workings of Career Services and what they have to offer; when I attended last year I felt it was very helpful and allowed me to become acquainted with the advisors and the different programs that are offered. There will be stations pertaining to different areas of interest, a peer internship panel, complimentary pizza, and a raffle. All of the above are very beneficial; what better way to spend the lunch hour than to learn about Career Services, internships, and eating pizza, so come out and mingle with Career Services and I even heard that B-W’s very own Stinger will be in attendance!!

The Benefits of Studying Abroad

So...why should you consider studying off-campus? This is a loaded question with many different answers depending on personal aspirations, needs, and your unique point-of-view. Maybe you are interested in learning another language. Perhaps you view studying abroad as a positive career move. Or maybe this is an opportunity to explore the world and experience life from a different perspective. Regardless of your reasons, studying abroad offers numerous educational and personal outcomes.

Here are just a few:

Study abroad can be an enriching and eye-opening adventure, where learning extends to the world beyond the classroom walls. There is no substitute for living and studying in a foreign country if you want to gain in-depth knowledge of another culture's customs, people, and language. In addition, you will find that living and studying or working in another country can develop important transnational competencies that can be of interest to future employers.

Study abroad can broaden your intellectual horizons and deepen your knowledge and understanding of international, political, and economic issues. It is almost certain that you will return from your sojourn abroad with a more informed and accurate perspective on world affairs. You will also have first-hand knowledge of how another culture approaches the tasks and challenges of everyday life, a sense of how 'global' the international culture has become, and an appreciation of the importance of international cooperation.

Study abroad does more than promote academic enrichment and personal growth. It also can enhance your employment prospects, especially in the fields of business, international affairs, and government service. Employers increasingly seek graduates who have studied abroad. They know that students who have successfully completed a study abroad program are likely to possess international knowledge and often second-language skills. Such students are also likely to have other transnational competencies that graduate and professional schools and employers value just as highly: cross-cultural communication skills, analytical skills, an understanding of and familiarity with local customs and cultural contexts, flexibility, resilience, and the ability to adapt to new circumstances and deal constructively with differences. (See From Toward Transnational Competence, IIE 1997.)

So you're thinking about studying abroad. Maybe you know where you'd like to go, or maybe you'd like to know more about the programs and which ones are best suited to your major. What's the next step?

Visit the B-W Study Abroad Office website at http://www.bw.edu/academics/study-abroad/ or call/email the office at:

explore@bw.edu
(440) 826-2231

Do you need to prepare a resume…

• For the Career & Internship Expo?
• For your job/internship search?
• For your graduate school applications?
• For a class requirement?
• For a networking opportunity?

If so Career Services can help.

As part of Fall Career Week, Career Services is offering 2 resume writing clinics on Thursday, October 29 – 11:45am-12:45pm in Malicky 114 &

7-8pm in Sandstone 3. To register for a session:

• Log onto the B-W Career Network, select Resume Clinic from the menu options on the left-hand side of the screen and sign up.

OR

• Call Career Services at 440.826.2101 (x2101 on-campus)

Please note: At this session, students will learn how to write a resume. Following participation at a resume writing clinic, students are encouraged to schedule an appointment with a career advisor for a resume critique. Resume critiques are not part of this session.

Stay tuned for other Career Week events including…

• The Career & Internship Expo
• Speed Career Networking
• Resumania
• How to Prepare for a Career Fair
• Express Lanes
• …and more!

A complete schedule of Career Week events is available on the B-W Career Network and the Career Services Blackboard site.

Have questions? Need additional information? Please contact Career Services:

104 Bonds 440.826.2101 (x2101 on campus) career@bw.edu www.bw.edu/career

Speed Career Networking

Last year, I was offered three internships on the basis of meeting one person at a Networking Dinner. The benefits of connecting with others are immense; if I did not attend the event I would have not met the necessary connections to even be offered an internship. With that in mind, navigating such events can be nerve-wracking which is why Baldwin-Wallace College Career Services is offering a Speed Career Networking Event before our annual Career and Internship Expo. Speed Networking is an event where people interact with the sole purpose of gaining business contacts and exchanging contact information. It is often compared to “speed dating” in a professional sense. Networking is an essential skill needed to succeed in the professional world. It is known that about 70-80 percent of jobs are filled through networking. With that said, the Speed Networking event will take place on Friday, October 30, 2009 from 1pm to 3pm in Sandstone 3. We hope to see you there and ready to gear up for the Career Expo on November 5, 2009.

HOW TO GET THAT INTERNSHIP YOU DESIRE!!!

Hey, B-W students!

Looking for internships??? I am looking for an internship too…besides being a great resume builder, it will allow me to gain hands-on experience and apply my in-class learning to real life situations. An internship will also give me a chance to test drive a career. With this in mind, The Career & Internship Expo is a great way to meet a variety of employers who are hiring. This event will be held November 5th from 5:30-8:00 p.m. in the Student Union. Come prepared with your updated resumes and confidence to meet the employers. Consider these important steps on how to prepare for the Career & Internship Expo:

First, update your resume and have it critiqued by a Career Advisor at Express Lanes from 2:00-4:00 p.m. in the Main Lounge of Lang Hall. If you don’t have a resume don’t worry you can attend the Resume Writing Clinic, from 11:45-12:45 p.m. in Malicky 114. Both Express Lanes and the Clinic are scheduled for Thursday October, 29th.

Second, prepare yourself and your image to meet the employers at the fair. Plan to attend Creating the Polished Professional workshop on Thursday November 3rd from 11:45-12:45 in Kamm 107. John Fuehrer, Assistant Professor in the Business Division, is the key presenter. You will receive practical advice to help you create a poised, self-assured and competitive professional image.

Finally, prepare for the Career & Internship Expo by learning how to navigate the expo, how to approach the employers, and much more. The How to Prepare for a Career Fair event will also give you a chance to ask specific questions. This workshop will take place Wednesday, November 4th from 6:00-7:00 p.m. in Kamm 101.

Once you find an internship and you want to receive college credit, be sure to attend an Internship Registration Workshop. This workshop is held every Tuesday from 12:00-12:30 in the Career Services Office, Bonds 104.


Take advantage of Career Week programming. I guarantee you will feel more prepared for a successful internship search! GOOD LUCK!!!

Westfield Insurance Meet & Greet

Interested in pursuing a career in the insurance sector? Westfield Insurance is holding a Meet & Greet this Wednesday, the 21st from 9-1 in the Kamm Boardroom!!! Representatives will be here to network with students and share information about internship opportunities. Refreshments will be provided as well. All majors are welcome, especially Business, Computer Science, Criminal Justice & Economics.

Resume & Cover Letter Tips

Everyone knows how important a first impression is. But some people don’t realize that their resume and cover letter is usually the first impression given to a perspective employer. If you have a good resume and cover letter, it can lead to an interview and then, a job. However, if you don’t have a good resume and cover letter, chances are you won’t even get a phone call. To help you with making a great first impression, here are some tips. Good Luck!

Things Not To Do:

• No Cover Letter: Cover letters are so important to the application process that many hiring managers automatically reject résumés that arrive without them. Make the most of your cover letter by expanding on a few of your qualifications, explaining any gaps in employment or providing other information that will entice the employer to read your résumé.
• Assuming spell-check is good enough: In a 2007 survey, 63 percent of hiring managers told CareerBuilder.com that spelling errors are the most frequent mistakes they see in résumés. Spell-checkers can pick up many typos -- but they won't catch everything (manger vs. manager, for example). Always proofread your résumé several times, and ask a friend to give it a final once-over.

Things To Do:

• Find a Job. Without a job description to work from, it’s impossible to tailor your skills and accomplishments to fit the employer’s job requirements. Your resume and cover letter should be tailored to the job description! If you do this, there is no need for an objective statement.
• Research the Prospective Employer. Know as much as you can about the company and try to incorporate that into your resume and cover letter. Whether they have won awards, recently introduced a new product or concept or whatever…make sure you find way to incorporate it!

• Do use action verbs. Do use active voice. Action verbs give your resume strength, power, and direction. Strong sentences are those in which a subject performs an action (active voice) as opposed to an action being performed on the subject (passive voice). For example, “I wrote the SOP for a 5000 employee organization” creates a stronger impression than “the company SOP was written by me”. In the same fashion, remove any statement beginning with ‘Responsibilities included’. Go straight to the verb!

• Incorrect: Know how to accurately file records.
• Correct: Accurately filed over 10,000 records on a weekly basis

For more information on resume writing and interviewing tips, visit http://fishbowlresume.blogspot.com

What do you want to do when you grow up?

I came to college thinking I knew exactly what I wanted my academic major to be; well, that changed my sophomore year. I actually picked up a second major. I discovered an interest in public relations, and decided to take PR courses to test that interest. Not only did I enjoy the classes, but I could picture myself working in the PR field. So, I am now a double major in Business and Public Relations. I have given myself the flexibility of two different career paths, therefore not limiting myself. Not only do these two majors complement each other but they can work hand in hand. I am glad that I discovered this passion for PR in time to take classes and declare it as a major. B-W students, don’t waste time trying to figure it out!!! Come to Career Services and take the DISCOVER assessment. It will allow you to explore career options that match your abilities, interests and values. This assessment will ask many varied questions. Based on your responses, it will provide results about careers that may align with your personality, passions, and much more. LET THIS CAREER TECHNOLOGY TOOL GUIDE YOU TO A PATH IN DISCOVERING WHAT YOU WANT TO DO AFTER GRADUATION AND WHAT YOU WANT TO LEARN DURING YOUR TIME HERE AT B-W. Utilizing Discover is an important step in your journey to career success.

Graduate School Fair

You know what has been on my mind lately…grad school! I have recently learned while working in Career Services that we will be hosting a graduate school fair on October 6, 2009 in the new Center for Innovation and Growth. We have a host of graduate schools attending such as: The Ohio State University, Case Western Reserve, Cleveland State and many more. This is a great opportunity to explore your options after B-W. If you are interested and would like more information on the colleges attending and the programs they are offering, it will be located on the Blackboard site under the Career Services tab for Graduate School Fair. I strongly encourage all to make use of this great opportunity. In addition, registration for the fair is available through the B-W Career Network or by contacting Career Services at (440) 826-2101.

Reasons to Participate in On-Campus Recruitment

The most important fact about On-Campus Recruitment is that instead of the job seekers approaching employers, the employers come to campus with job and internship opportunities. Qualified candidates can express their interest and employers then choose the candidate who best matches their needs.

Some Benefits of On-Campus Recruitment:

• Companies get the opportunity to choose from and select the best talent in a short span of time.
• College students get the opportunity to present themselves to some of the best companies within their industry of interest. Landing a job or internship opportunity while still in college and joining just after graduating is definitely what all students dream of!

I know that interviewing can be nerve-wracking, but just keep in mind that it will never be as bad as this: http://www.kewego.com/video/iLyROoafYPtQ.html