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.