Career Connection

What is Career Connection? It is an on-line job posting system managed by the Student Employment office. Similar to other tools (Monster, Career Builder, etc.) with the additional component of Student Employment staff screening the postings and approving employer accounts. The end result is postings that are true job offerings and not attempts at fraud or are misleading.

Students and alumni may create an account at no charge and keep the account as long as you like after graduation. The account has the convenience of allowing users to upload documents such as: resumes, cover letters, certificates, etc. These are then available to send electronically to employers in response to job postings. The system is also used to announce employer visits, events, and special opportunities.

Sign up today and use this as another tool to land the job you have been looking for!

Information Session by Verizon Wireless

Staff members from Verizon Wireless will host an Information Session on April 20th, 2011 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.

• Wednesday, April 20th 12:30 p.m. - 1:30 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.

Career Fair Planning

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.


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!

Effective Resumes Part II

Your resume is the first demonstration of the quality of your work. Make it great! Spelling and grammar errors, formatting problems, inappropriate email addresses and many other seemingly small mistakes can prevent you from receiving a call for an interview. An employer assumes that you have spent some time preparing your resume, and if you still have errors, they will also assume your work place skills are less than desireable. I recommend the following:

• Eyeball test. Does it look professional? Your resume should look like a professional document with appropriate fonts, text size, margins, etc.
• Second checker. Enlist the help of someone you trust. Have them review your resume to check for spelling/grammar errors and give you honest feedback.
• Sell it. Your resume should convince the employer that you can fulfill the requirements of the advertised position. Have two or three aquaintances read your resume and ask if they are convinced you are qualified for the position you are applying for.

"To desire to have things done quickly prevents their being done thoroughly." - Confucius

Effective Resumes - Part I

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 do the job
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. Check back next week for part II in our resume writing series.

Disney Internship Presentation

Have you ever wondered who works at the Disney theme parks and how they got there? Many are college students just like you. The training and experience they receive in the Disney College Program look great on a resume for any career. Find out how to participate and what is included in the program from a TTC student who has been there.

When: Monday, March 7th @ 12:15
Where: Main Campus building 410 room 212 (second floor)

Programs like this are invaluable experience towards your career and Disney has a world wide reputation for quality. Invest a few minutes to see if this is right for you.

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. Make 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.