Welcome to Spring 2014!

The holdays are behind us and we are beginning a new semester.  The spring semester is always a very busy time for the Student Employment office.  This is the time that employers start hiring for summer jobs and it is time for our Career Fair.

The annual Career Fair will be held on April 9th from 10:00 a.m. - 1:00 p.m. in the 920 building.  Employers have already started registering and we anticipate 100+ once again.  Block off some time on your calendar so you have a chance to meet with hiring managers and recruiters.

Be sure to create an account on Career Connection, or update your account, so that you can add resumes and apply for open positions with some great companies.  Keeping your account updated is important so that you will receive any important information on jobs in your area of study.

As always, if you need assistance in the job search process, please contact our office!

Building 940 Suite D (main campus)
843-574-6302
stuemploy@tridenttech.edu

Use all of your tools - Career Connection

As a current student or graduate of TTC, you have access to our Career Connection system.  This on-line job posting system allows employers the opportunity to advertise open positions directly to you.  The majority of employers are local and are looking for employees with the qualifications obtained in our degree programs.  Registration is free and you can upload multiple versions of your resume, cover letters and other documents.

How do I get hired at Boeing?

I hear this question at least once or twice a day.  The answer is:

• Be qualified - carefully read the job description and evaluate your past training and experience
• Be pro-active - do not wait for someone to do the work for you
• Make sure your resume shows that you can perform the work described in the position description - employers can't read your mind so use "key words"
• Look for contractors who work with Boeing in addition to applying to Boeing itself
• Check the ReadySC website for open application periods.
• Post your resume on the Boeing Talent Network site.  This allows Boeing staff to search for qualified applicants for new positions that become available.

At the time of this posting, at least two of these contractors (Yoh Aerospace and CDI) are trying to fill over 100 positions at the Charleston plant.  Please contact the Student Employment office if you are interested.  There is a job description on the Career Connection system.

574-6302
stuemploy@tridenttech.edu

Employer Vist To TTC

Spinx will be conducting interviews on November 6th and 7th for a new Summerville store location.  All interviews will be held in the Student Employment office in building 940 suite D on main campus.

Contact our office for an appointment (574-6302) or apply on-line at myspinx.com.

Student Employment Workspace

Come visit Student Employment Services and take advantage of the materials available to help you with creating a resume, job hunting, interviewing or browse the employer brochures.  We have two computer stations available for resume writing, job searching and employer research.

You may also schedule an appointment to meet with staff one-on-one in developing your resume or working on interview skills.

940 D
843-574-6302
stuemploy@tridenttech.edu

Do Your Homework

Researching Employers

by Alicia Bervine, Anne Orange, and Jennifer Whetstone-Jackson
Researching employers is perhaps the single-most important activity you will undertake in your job search. The information you uncover can help you:

• Discover organizations that are a good match for you,
• Identify the organization’s goals and needs,
• Tailor your resume and cover letter to highlight your skills and experiences that match the employer’s needs,
• Know what questions to ask employers,
• Demonstrate your interest in and enthusiasm for the organization,
• Answer interview questions with confidence, and
• Make an informed employment decision.

Unfortunately, many students overlook the importance of research when undertaking a job search or looking for an internship. In fact, it’s common for employers to complain that potential job candidates haven’t “done their homework,” and instead come into the interview with little or no knowledge about the organization. These candidates flounder, asking questions that could be easily answered by a cursory look at the company website or literature. Needless to say, they make a poor impression, because employers often assume lack of research means lack of interest.

Where should you begin?

Start by developing a list of organizations in which you might be interested—companies that have the types of jobs or do the type of work that interests you. These could be organizations that visit your campus for career fairs, information sessions, and interviews, or they might be companies you have identified on your own as potential employers. An added bonus: You may discover lesser-known organizations that might be a match for your skills and interests. (Having a problem with this step? Talk with a career counselor in your campus career center for direction.)
Research companies to obtain information in each of the following categories:

• Organizational overview: age, size, financial outlook, growth, and structure
• Trends/issues in the industry
• Mission, philosophy, objectives
• Public or private or foreign-owned
• Location of plants, offices, stores, subsidiaries
• Products and/or services
• Names of key executives
• Competitors
• Sales, assets, earnings
• Growth history and current growth activity
• Current challenges
• Major achievements and activity, issues, news
• Career paths, training, benefits
• Company culture

Alicia Bervine is Program Manager, College of Arts & Sciences; Anne Orange is Career Librarian; and Jennifer Whetstone-Jackson is Program Manager, College of Engineering & Computing, at the University of South Carolina, Columbia.

Courtesy of the National Association of Colleges and Employers.

A view from the employer's side of the table

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.

How do you find employment?

Job openings will not find you. It is up to you to locate the job openings. The days of passively posting your resume on a job board and waiting for an employer to call are long gone.  So too are the days of scanning the newspaper and responding to want ads. Many employers require an on-line application and will not accept a hard copy of your resume. This means you must be proactive in your search and use every resource you can find.

Internet searches
This must be a "part" of your plan, but not the entire plan. The internet can be very useful in finding openings, but do not rely on job boards like monster.com or career builder. You will only find postings that were sent to them and there are some dubious postings on these sites as well. The same goes for craigslist. Though much more time consuming, visit the websites of companies you would like to work for or that you think may have positions in your job field. Many times this is the only place you will find these postings. A good place to start is with our web links.

Networking
You may hear this all the time, but what does it mean? Meeting people and establishing connections. The more professional people you know, the better chance of finding those "hidden" jobs. Get involved with community organizations, professional groups, social groups, volunteering, etc. Let the people in these groups know you are looking for employment and what your qualifications are. A referral generally goes a lot farther than an application from an unknown source.

Personal Visits
Instead of mailing, or emailing your resume, put on your interview attire and deliver it in person. Make sure you do this in the morning hours, not after sleeping in until noon.  Many managers are impressed with someone who shows up early in the morning with their resume and is ready to interview. Some employers may not be able to accept your resume in a hard copy form, but even if you have the chance to make a good first impression, get a feel for the business, and put names to faces. This will help when they do call you.

Finding that next job is not easy. You will be faced with many challenges and setbacks, but a dedicated and diverse approach will greatly improve your chances.

Be Effective With Your Resume

Writing an effective resume is paramount to landing job interviews. Your resume is the first demonstration of the quality of your work. If you quickly put together a resume and send it out, you will probably be disappointed in the results.

Your resume should do the following for the employer reading it:

1. Tell him/her what you want
2. Show that you have the skills/qualifications to match the job description
3. Create a desire to speak with you in person

To fulfill all of these objectives you first need to decide what format of resume is best suited for your situation. There are three basic types of resume: Chronological, Functional or Hybrid.

• Chronological - This format focuses on your work history. Generally, you will list your most recent work position, with a short list of duties, and go back in time. This type of resume is effective if you have significant work experience in the type of position you are applying for.
• Functional - This type focuses on your skills and potential, not your work history. Your skills can be learned anywhere: school, work, volunteering, etc. This format is most effective for those who are just out of school or changing careers.
• Hybrid - A combination of both the chronological and the functional. This is best for those who have some relevant work experience, but perhaps not a lot.

Examples of each format may be found on the Student Employment website.

Boeing Information Technology Jobs

You have probably heard the news about Boeing adding approximately 300 new IT positions in the near future.  If you have never applied to Boeing before, you need to be aware of their strict selection process.  Followng directions is critical to be considered for an interview.  The following information was taken from the Boeing LinkedIn page:

(Recruiter Tip) Prior to applying, please make sure your resume is aligned (Tailored) to the Skills, Competencies, Education and Experience listed in the job description and you’re qualified to answer the Basic Qualification Questions “Required” to do the job.

This is an important step to insure that your resume is accepted in the system as a qualified candidate for further consideration.


Desired Skills & Experience

Competencies

• Collaboration
• Communication
• Customer Focus
• Decision Making
• Work Standards

Technical
• Analytical Skills
• Project Leadership
• Software Development/Application Tools
• IT infrastructure Networks/Systems.
• Code and or Query languages a plus

 

 

 

To search for IT jobs with Boeing, please use this web link:

http://jobs-boeing.com/careers/information-technology-jobs/job-list-1