Make your resume effective

Not all resumes are created equal! A resume is designed to get the reader's attention and to land an interview. The job market is very competitive and in order to be one of those chosen for an interview your resume must convince the employer that you have what they are looking for. Here are some points to keep in mind when creating your resume.

• Did you read the job description carefully? Your resume should address the requirements of the position you are applying for. Focus on key words from the job description to include in your resume.
• Your resume should support your ability to fulfill the duties of the position. Do not just create a list of all of your past accomplishments. Focus on those achievements/skills that support the position requirements.
• Keep your resume to one (1) page if at all possible. Your ability to be concise, but thorough is appreciated by a reviewer.
• Spelling, grammar, and formatting is important! All an employer has to judge you by is the document in front of them. This is also the first demonstration of the quality of your work.
• Lengthy paragraphs are not a good match for an effective resume. Bullets and short sentences that get your point across make for an easier read and allow the reviewer to quickly find relevant information.

Get the Interview

With the unemployment rate at 8% or higher, the competition for vacant positions is very high. To improve your chances of landing an interview, here are a few suggestions:

1. Only apply for positions that you are actually qualified for. You should have either education or work experience to meet the position requirements. Applying for openings that you are not really qualified for will only increase your frustration when you do not receive a call for an interview.
2. Do not send generic resumes/cover letters/applications. Your package should be specific to the position requirements. Tailor your resume to address the skills and requirements as listed by the employer. Write your cover letter for the position you are applying for, not a generic letter for all employers.
3. Read the position description! To improve your chances of landing that interview, you must address the needs of the employer. In most cases, the advertisement will tell you what the employer needs. Do not ignore this.

Keep in mind that you are trying to fill an employer's needs. Put yourself in their shoes and see if your application package addresses those needs. If it is not clear on paper that you are a good fit, you probably will not move to the interview phase.

Competition

Landing the job you want is not always a matter of having a good resume and getting through an interview.  In today's economy, you might be "qualified" for a position, but you may not be the best candidate.  I work with many individuals who do not understand why they were not hired for position that they were qualified for.

The slower economy and high unemployment rate has put more people in the position of seeking a new job.  That means the competition for available openings is higher.  It isn't enough to be qualified, you must be the best applicant in the mind of the employer.  Everyone that is interviewed generally meets the qualifications for the position.  You need to stand out from the competition.

• Make sure your resume is in line with the job description. The employer has already told you what they are looking for in the ideal candidate!
• Every answer to interview questions should be tailored to show that you have the skills necessary to do the work.
• Be committed. Tell the employer you are looking for long-term employment with their company, not a stepping stone to something else.
• Talk at length about your experience in the work place. Even if you are lacking in actual experience, be sure to talk about anything you have done that might be related to the position.
• Be positive and have a great attitude in interviews. Who wants to hire someone who wouldn't be pleasant to work with?

These steps may seem simple and common sense, but so many applicants do not follow this plan of attack.  The majority of applicants create generic resumes and send to everyone, only talk about things they are comfortable with in interviews (as opposed to tailoring to job description), speak poorly of previous employers and talk about what they hope to gain from the position, not what they can do for the employer.

Social Media - Hurting, or Helping?

We live in a world of instant information, electronic connections, and less privacy than ever.  Many people never stop to consider if their "on-line" life could be a detriment to their job search.  The answer is "yes" in many cases.

Employers are using as many tools as possible to screen potential hires.  This means that many even look up profiles to see who you really are.  Have you Googled yourself?  Looked at your Facebook or Twitter account to see what impression a potential employer might draw?  You should.

An employer once told me that they were on the verge of hiring one of our students...until they saw their Facebook account.  There were several posts degrading the student's present place of employment and the student's co-workers.  Would you hire someone that spoke poorly of your business and employees?  Neither would they.

Always know what information is available on-line about you.  The employer should not be the first to know!

To "Temp" or not to "Temp"

I am often asked whether working as a temporary employee looks bad on a resume.  My answer is always the same: all periods of employment look good. Working in a temporary position can also allow you to develop new skills, audition for possible long-term positions within the company, and show future employers that you have a strong work ethic.

If you are having trouble finding a full-time position in your industry of choice, consider working for a temporary agency in areas that will strengthen your primary skill set and teach you additional skills. Experience in the work place is very important to employers and having diverse abilities will make you even more competitive.

Job Search Anxiety

The process of searching for employment can be very stressful. You may be transitioning from the exhiliration of graduating from college to entering the job market, or just searching for a position while still attending school.  The self-imposed pressure of wanting to secure a stable position can take a toll on your mental and physical health.  It is important to be at peak performance as you speak with each employer you meet.  You are making a first impression each interview and you do not want to appear tired, depressed, moody or defeated.

There are some very good articles on The Ladder which address the issue.
Dealing with Anxiety

What do employers want?

Hiring a new employee is a big investment of time and money for an employer.  If the person selected does not work out, it is a waste of both. This makes the selection process very important to an employer and is why resume review and the interview process can seem so grueling.  So what is an employer looking for?

Job specific skills. Read the job description carefully and make sure you are selling yourself as the best person to fill the job. Your resume should be tailored with "key words" in the job description to make it easy for the employer to want to interview you. During the interview you should emphasize your qualifications that are a fit for the job description as well.

Soft skills.  This is an area that many employers find to be very lacking in candidates. These are skills such as:

• Strong work ethic
• Initiative
• Excellent written and oral communication skills
• Teamwork
• Interpersonal skills
• Problem-solving skills
• Flexibility and adaptability

Be sure to give examples of your soft skills during an interview. This can go a long way towards convincing an employer that you are a good fit.

Back to class...back to work!

Summer classes are starting, and for many of you, that also means finding job for the summer (or longer). The Student Employment office has a few tools to help you locate a position.

Career Connection - Our on-line job posting system that is only available to current TTC students and alumni.  We generally approve jobs each day on the system and average 140 - 150 active jobs on a typical day.  If you are not registered, you are missing some great opportunities that can only be found there.  Create an account (if you do not have one), upload a resume, and apply on-line for most of the positions. Be sure to check this site regularly as we also post announcements of employer visits and other events that might help you find the right job.

Outside Searches - Our web site has an organized listing of other helpful job search tools. Take advantage of this page to maximize your search. 

Finding employment is never an easy process, but by using these sources we hope you will maximize the use of your time.

Stand out from the crowd

Today's job market is extremely competitive. For every open position you can expect to compete with dozens of other applicants at a minimum. Sometimes even hundreds. Managers cannot afford to interview everyone, so they generally select 5 - 10 of the top candidates. How can you make the cut?

• Address the needs of the position rather than trying to list every accomplishment in your life
• Use key words from the position description in your resume
• Organize your resume so that the most important information for the position is listed first

Using a generic resume that you send out for every position is poor use of your time. You must convince the hiring manager that you are a good candidate for "their" position. The use of key words and addressing the position requirements will do just that.

Finding Employment

You may have heard that finding a job is a full-time job in itself. It can be. The market is very competitive for many industries and employers are searching for the "best" candidates instead of the only candidates.

What does this mean for the job seeker? First, you should make sure you are presenting yourself as a candidate who can fill the job description. Pay attention to the requirements of the position. Make sure you are clearly demonstrating your ability to perform required tasks.

Second, you should be prepared to apply for more positions than you may have anticipated. Competition is stiff and managers receive many applications/resumes for each opening. You may be qualified, but not "as qualified" as others who apply.

Third, use many methods of finding openings. On-line gives you the quickest method to find the most openings, but remember to network and use personal interaction as well. Many companies only accept resumes on-line so that should be your first resource.

Finally, do not be discouraged! It is easy to lose motivation, but your opportunity is out there. You just need to locate it. Many times you find the job you wanted in a place you didn't expect. Keep in mind that most companies need people in administration, information technology, accounting, marketing/sales, etc. Example: if you are a computer programmer, keep in mind that Food Lion has a computer network. Hidden jobs are some of the best sources of opportunity.

Verizon Wireless is back!

Sorry, but the session was canceled.  Not enough interest expressed to have them come to campus. We will try again in the summer.

Verizon Wireless is back on campus Wednesday, April 11th at 1:45.  They will be presenting their presentation called "Book bag to Briefcase".  The focus of this presentation will be on interviewing for your next position. Verizon has held many good sessions for students in the past and this one is very well timed with graduation around the corner. Plan to attend this session to help you with your next interview.

Seating is limited, so please RSVP by sending an email to the Student Employment office or registering on the Career Connection system.

Career Fair gone...What now?

If you attended the Career Fair last Wednesday, you had the opportunity to meet with over 100 employers. A lot of you did based on attendance numbers.  We had almost 900 people come through in the three hour time period!  Employers and attendees were both enthusiastic about the turnout.  Hopefully, you found a lead or two on potential employment, but what if you didn't?

A career fair is just one tool.  Do not despair if you did not find the job that fits your needs. You should be using as many search methods as possible. One possibility is Career Connection.

If you are not registered on the Student Employment Career Connection site, you are missing out on many jobs posted by local employers for TTC students and alumni. On any given day you will find between 90 - 120 active job postings.  Most of them will accept a resume submitted on-line through the system, and the few that do not give instructions on how to apply. Employers that advertise on Career Connection want TTC trained applicants.

Get your account setup today if you do not have one, upload a resume (or several versions if desired), and start searching for your opportunity.

Seeking Employment?

I am sure many of you will attend the Career Fair on Wednesday, however there is an immediate resource available to all students and alumni of TTC.  Career Connection is our on-line job posting system and is free for your use.  As of this morning, we have 158 openings advertised!  We generally average between 90 - 100 on any given day.  Why use Career Connection when there are many other sites available?

1. The site is monitored by your Student Employment staff.  All employers are reviewed by our staff before being approved.  Each job posting is reviewed as well.
2. Employers advertising through Career Connection are seeking TTC students or graduates.
3. Flexibility.  You may save several versions of your resume, cover letters, documents, etc. to your account. This allows you to pick and choose what to send to each employer.
4. Announcements and notifications.  Stay abreast of employer visits and workshops. Create a "Job Agent" to automatically notify you of positions you may be interested in.

Registration is free and you may keep your account upon graduation. There really is no reason not to register!  Registration tip:  use your personal email address rather than your TTC email. This way you will not encounter any problems once you graduate and lose your school email acount.

Career Fair 2012

We are now at 116 employers for the career fair! We have a very good mix of employers to speak with. If you are looking for a position now, or in the near future, please keep these tips in mind:

• You are making a first impression - make a good one.
• Dress appropriately; no shorts, flip-flops, t-shirts, etc. (turn off for employers).
• Bring copies of your resume.
• Do some research on any employers you may be interested in.
• Be able to verbalize what type of position you want.
• Come alone. Do not bring your children. If you cannot attend this event without bringing your children, employers will immediately assume childcare will be an issue in the future.

This event is one of the larger career fairs in the tri-county area and is designed with TTC students and alumni in mind. Take advantage of this opportunity and make it productive!

Elements of an Effective Resume

Not all resumes are created equal! A resume is designed to get the reader's attention and to land an interview.  The job market is very competitive and in order to be one of those chosen for an interview your resume must convince the employer that you have what they are looking for. Here are some points to keep in mind when creating your resume.

• Did you read the job description carefully? Your resume should address the requirements of the position you are applying for. Focus on key words from the job description to include in your resume.
• Your resume should support your ability to fulfill the duties of the position. Do not just create a list of all of your past accomplishments. Focus on those achievements/skills that support the position requirements.
• Keep your resume to one (1) page if at all possible. Your ability to be concise, but thorough is appreciated by a reviewer.
• Spelling, grammar, and formatting is important! All an employer has to judge you by is the document in front of them. This is also the first demonstration of the quality of your work.
• Lengthy paragraphs are not a good match for an effective resume. Bullets and short sentences that get your point across make for an easier read and allow the reviewer to quickly find relevant information.

Verizon Wireless On Campus

Staff members from Verizon Wireless will host an Information Session on March 20th at 1:15 and March 21st at 12:45. The sessions will be in building 410 room 212. Take advantage of this opportunity to listen to their presentation on landing an interview and getting the job. These skills are valuable for any position you pursue, not just at Verizon Wireless.

• Tuesday, March 20th 1:15 p.m.
• Wednesday, March 21st 12:45 p.m.
• Building 410 Room 212
• Resumes - "What an employer looks for"
• Interviewing - "How to be the best"

Be sure to RSVP through your Career Connection account (preferred) or send an email to the Student Employment office requesting a seat.

Planning for a Career Fair

Why attend the Spring Career Fair? To access approximately 100 employers in one location! This is one of the largest employer fairs in the area each year. All students and graduates should make an effort to attend if possible. Even if you are not presently looking for employment you will be able to speak with company representatives to prepare yourself once you are in the market for a career. Making the most of the career fair.

1. Dress accordingly. Showing up in shorts and flip flops does not make a favorable impression. You are meeting with company representatives, dress to impress! Your first meeting could leave a lasting impression (good or bad). You do not necessarily have to wear a suit, but dress to look professional. Example: Males - consider khaki's and a nice polo shirt or dress shirt and pants. Females - consider slacks and a blouse.
2. Come alone. Do not bring family members. This is a professional event, not a family outing. If you have children, arrange for care. An employer sees someone with a stroller as someone who may have child care issues and would not be a safe hire.  It also presents the image that you are not a serious candidate if you cannot dedicate all of your focus on the recruiter.
3. Bring copies of your resume. Not all employers will accept a resume at the fair, but those that do will be impressed that you are prepared. It will also be a chance to get some feedback for future resume updating.
4. Have some questions prepared. Don't just wander around! Know what you want to ask employers ahead of time. Prepare some questions to ask before you go.
5. Do not discount any employer based on their name. Too often I hear that there were no employers who represented "_________" industry. Most companies hire many different occupations. Example: Roper hospital not only needs medical personnel, but also computer technicians, accountants, office staff, air conditioning and refrigeration technicians, and many others.

Attend the Spring Career Fair and make the most of your opportunity!

Increase Your Chance for an Interview

With the unemployment rate at 8% or higher, the competition for vacant positions is very high. To improve your chances of landing an interview, here are a few suggestions:

1. Only apply for positions that you are actually qualified for. You should have either education or work experience to meet the position requirements. Applying for openings that you are not really qualified for will only increase your frustration when you do not receive a call for an interview.
2. Do not send generic resumes/cover letters/applications. Your package should be specific to the position requirements. Tailor your resume to address the skills and requirements as listed by the employer.  Write your cover letter for the position you are applying for, not a generic letter for all employers.
3. Read the position description! To improve your chances of landing that interview, you must address the needs of the employer. In most cases, the advertisement will tell you what the employer needs. Do not ignore this.

Keep in mind that you are trying to fill an employer's needs. Put yourself in their shoes and see if your application package addresses those needs. If it is not clear on paper that you are a good fit, you probably will not move to the interview phase.

How do I gain the experience employers want?

Good question.  When many students graduate from college, they only have their education to highlight on their resume.  Many employers are seeking work experience, so how do you get both?

1. Consider internships.  While you are completing your education, you may be able to work as an intern in your field of interest. Many times the work experience will count towards your degree (consult with your academic advisor about this).
• Positives - this is your chance to actually work in your field and learn from professionals in a real world environment.  This is actual experience you can document on a resume.
• Negatives - the only real negative is that many internships are not paid positions. Just consider that the time invested is as valuable as your degree and will pay off in the long run.
2. Volunteer.  There are many non-profit agencies that are very short-handed and rely on volunteers to support their efforts.  Similar to an internship, this counts as experience and can be listed on your resume.  The biggest difference is that there is usually not as much structure and you may be doing many tasks that are unrelated to your major as well as relevant work.

First Impressions

I am sure that most of you have heard the expression "you can't judge a book by its cover".  I would suggest that isn't entirely true!  Perhaps you a cannot judge a persons character, values, or intellect by their outward appearance, but there IS a lot of information you can assume from outward appearances.

For instance, how a person grooms themselves can tell you a lot about them.  Does he/she need a haircut? Untrimmed nails? Facial hair need trimming? If the answer to any of these is "yes", then you can generally assess that the person does not spend much time on detail, is uncomfortable or inexperienced in formal settings, is not concerned with other peoples opinions, and making a positive impression is not at the top of their priority list.

How are they dressed? "Loud" colors? Can come off as being over confident or difficult to work with. Clothing not pressed or looks like they spent two minutes getting dressed? This will generally say the person doesn't usually put forth their best effort or produces mediocre work. Too much makeup, cologne/perfume, or jewelry?  Can be considered a person who has questionable priorities and decison-making ability.

These are just a few examples of how others perceive your appearance. Does this mean that everyone who makes one of these mistakes is doomed in the hiring process? No, but be aware that you have an uphill battle if your first impression is not top notch. When you arrive for a job interview you should have put 100% into the process.  Making a favorable first impression is critical.

Research Your Career

Not sure what career path you would like to pursue?  Do some research on possible careers before making a decision.  A common mistake made by college students is to pick a major before investigating the employment possibilities upon graduation.  This is especially important if you are restricted to living in a certain geographical area or are seeking a specific salary level.  Your wants and needs in these categories may not match up with your career interest.  It is better to have that information prior to beginning your education than after graduation. 

An excellent source of information is the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.  This agency provides detailed information on all occupations as well as regionally specific data. Click the image below to get started.

Summer Jobs

Looking at the thermometer probably won't get you thinking about a summer job, but actually, many organizations will start their hiring process for summer positions when the weather is the coldest! The lowcountry offers many recreational activities and a large number of employees in this industry are college students. If you think you would like to get a job with a park, pool, or recreation service, now is the time to research the requirements to update your resume. (Example: a lifeguard is always a high demand position and lessons are taught locally at several of the indoor pools)

Over the next few months we will have recreation departments from different counties, as well as the local military bases, on campus to recruit for the summer. Keep an eye on this blog and on Career Connection for dates/times of their visits. Some will also be attending the March Career Fair, but many positions will be filled by that time.