What You Must Do Before Embarking on the Most Important Job of Your Life, Thus Far
Helene A. Cameron, Director of Career Services, Fayetteville State University
Dear Senior:
"What You Must Do Before Embarking on THE Most Important Job of Your Life Thus Far."
Congratulations on taking another important step toward accomplishing your educational and professional career goals. I applaud your efforts and appreciate the opportunity to assist as you navigate researching, interviewing, negotiating, and succeeding in your chosen career path.
This step in your career development should be focused on transition to work or graduate school activities. It is important that you begin NOW if you have not already done so. Your competition will not just be the graduates standing in front or behind you in the line of march. Your competition will be ALL graduates of the class of 2009 - nationally and internationally.
Ask yourself - "How will I distinguish my knowledge, skills and abilities against the competition?" "What will make my resume stand out against the others?" "How will my cover letters and interviews not only highlight my credentials, but prove to the interviewers that I am the "only" candidate they should be considering?"
The clock is ticking! The race is on!
Top 10 things Every Senior Should Do to Prepare for Life After Graduation:
1. Revise your resume' and register with the Office of Career Services at your home institution to actively participate in the on-campus recruitment program. Begin to create a list of professional references who can speak to your work ethic and abilities.
2. Attend all campus-wide career/job fairs; make sure that you are well groomed, dress in professional business attire and have multiple copies of your resume'.
3. Visit the Career Resources Center often which contains job listings, employer and graduate school information and company literature, some of which may be found on the web as well.
4. Identify companies who do not interview on your campus, research them and network to establish contacts.
5. Attend workshops or see a staff person in the Office of Career Services about job search strategies, interviewing skills, preparing a cover letter, etc.
6. Plan and design your own job search/graduate school strategy that fits your career goals.
7. Participate in simulated (mock) interviews in preparation for on-campus recruitment opportunities and graduate school interviews.
8. If you are planning on attending graduate school, you should have already begun exploring entrance requirements and taking graduate entrance exams.
9. Network, Network, Network!!
10. Continue your membership in academic clubs and organizations and seek additional membership in professional associations; and by all means continue developing related work, leadership and other skills necessary to meet your career goals.
I wish you the best as you begin this exciting journey of the next chapter of your life! Go forth! The best is yet to come!
Sincerely,
Helene A. Cameron
Brutus N. Jackson, Director, Elizabeth City State University Office of Career Services
In order to become a successful professional in the New Millennium, seniors must make appropriate preparations for the business world. In every professional organization, there is a necessity to employ the elite from the current pool of college graduates. If one wishes to be considered a member of the elite, there are certain steps that must be taken in order to maximize the potential of securing the position you desire.
I would like to focus my article on the Black Male. In corporate America, the Black Male is typically viewed as intimidating. This misconception is based solely on stereotypes and biases that have been formulated for years. The Black Male must first learn the business culture in order to be a successful asset to the organization. One must know how to communicate effectively, in both oral and written communication, without coming across too aggressively. A firm handshake, appropriate eye contact, and strong, erect posture are necessary to make your presence known without appearing intimidating.
Knowing the appropriate attire for the organization is also a must. A clean, presentable, dark business suit, white shirt, and coordinating tie make a statement for you without you having to say a word. Once you have discovered the culture of the organization, you may make accommodations to the dress code when deemed appropriate.
Basic - yet often omitted - mannerisms are a necessity. Saying "Good morning," "Please" and "Thank You" go a long way in today's society. These basics let your potential employer know that you are here to conduct business, but you have not forgotten about teamwork, customer service and presentation.
Once you have the basics of business culture, attire and mannerisms, you must then move on to professional preparation. Developing a flawless resume; strong, personal interviewing skills and dining etiquette are very important to seal the deal. A potential employer wants to employ an individual who has accomplishments from the previous employers, as well as an individual who knows of what he speaks. Speaking fluently and confidently about your prior work experience [i.e., internships, co-ops, quality summer employment, etc.] gives the impression that you are well versed and knowledgeable.
Additionally, the employer wants to see how well you understand dining etiquette: what fork to use and when, the dos and don'ts of drinking coffee, what beverages are appropriate at dinner, etc. Be mindful of the venue in which you are dining; it is not only a meal, but also an informal interview conducted by a potential employer.
In conclusion, the Black Male - as well as the Black Female - must keep these hints in mind prior to entering the career pool of applicants. Always remember: make an excellent first impression, for this is what you will be remembered by the most. I wish you all well in your endeavors throughout the academic year and beyond.
Trudy Steinfeld, Executive Director, NYU Wasserman Center for Career Development
Dear Senior:
Nearing completion of your studies and beginning your search for "life after college" presents an opportunity to find the career path that is right for you. Especially during a time when the job market is more challenging it is understandable that some students and their families remain interested in the career fields which offer the best prospects for employment and / or in the jobs that pay the highest salaries. While employment, financial security, and career mobility are extremely important, it is important that you also pursue a career that will bring you a great degree of personal satisfaction. Many students that I have met with have shared their strong interest in public service, green initiatives, politics and communications, all of which are career fields that may not initially pay as well as some others, and yet they are very competitive with respect to entry-level employment. So, irrespective of economic and social pressures, striving to achieve balance and following your dream (however you define that) are worthy guiding principles. More concretely, be flexible and willing to learn, remain open to possibilities, do not ever give up, use multiple job-search strategies, fully utilize your University Career Center, and tell everyone you know what you are looking for or what you are considering.
Once you have that job, be it part-time, full-time, or an internship, your preparation and how you conduct yourself will be essential to your continued success. A new position can be quite exciting and seemingly daunting, and the anxiety and nervousness you will probably feel are common. However, just as you prepared for your job interviews, it's critical to make sure that you have an understanding of the workplace culture you are entering. This way you can hit the ground running and make the most of your opportunity. Some basic things to keep in mind:
Employer Standards. Each organization presents its own standards of conduct and behavior. Workplace standards can be formally discussed during employee orientations or they may be learned informally, as new employees listen and ask questions about the overall operation. The key is to recognize that professional standards always exist and that your manager expects you to adjust and to adhere to them quickly.
Professionalism & Attitude. How your employer and colleagues view your work performance and fit with the organization will determine what type of work relationships you will develop. One key element to being successful is to make sure to bring a professional and "can do" attitude to the job each day. It is also important to be a supportive team member and establish yourself as the "go to" person. This will add value to your workplace and get you noticed in a positive way by fellow staff and your supervisor. Once this happens, the possibilities for new opportunities, projects, and promotions will be greatly enhanced. Enthusiasm, a positive and team-oriented attitude, motivated behavior, good communication skills, commitment, and a sense of self and of responsibility are all qualities that can take you far on any job.
Good luck with your senior year and beyond.
Best.
Trudy Steinfeld
Xavier Advice Letter
Carolyn D. Thomas
Director, Career Services
Xavier University
Dear Senior,
Congratulations! You're almost there and the prize is within your grasp.
I hope that by this stage of your collegiate career you are very familiar with your career services office. If so, this year you should focus on attending as many job fairs as possible (both online and in person), you should interview with a variety of employers, and you should also be doing some serious networking. Be open to more than one career possibility, as I've seen many students concentrate on only one or two companies - and that can be a mistake. Consider working for the federal government; there are lots of opportunities for a rewarding career with Uncle Sam.
If you are fortunate enough to receive more than one job offer, don't accept the first offer that comes along thinking that you can always accept something better at a later date. Consider all factors when making a decision about a job offer - salary isn't everything!
Location, benefits, advancement opportunity and company culture are equally important factors for career satisfaction. I've seen many students agonize over a job decision. Your career services office can help you evaluate offers and perhaps give you some advice from a different point of view.
Begin building a professional wardrobe so that you don't have to spend a fortune all at once when you start working. Watch for sales and pick up one or two basic items every month or so. If you're unsure about what is appropriate, your career center can give you some tips on what constitutes a professional image.
If you haven't given any thought to life after graduation, PLEASE go to your career services center immediately. You've got some catching up to do, but you can still use this year to learn how to conduct a job search. At no other time in your life will you have employers coming on your territory seeking to hire you! I've had so many students who wait until after graduation to start a job search tell me how tough it is to "pound the pavement" or even worse, spend hours online and then nothing happens but a lot of waiting.
No matter what stage you're in regarding that all-important first job, your career center can help you. We want to see you succeed, so take advantage of our services! Above all, enjoy this very special year. Sure, you may develop "senioritis" at some point; most students do. Just remember that your school has the resources to help you "heal" from this temporary condition.
Wishing you all the best,
Regina M. Storrs, Director Career Services, University of Michigan-Dearborn
Greetings Seniors,
Congratulations on achieving your degree; you are graduating during a very exciting time. As you identify job opportunities and your career path, the economy and job market will challenge you to be creative and industrious.
Preparation is definitely a major component of being ready for professional employment. As you assess what you have to offer, take an honest inventory of your skills and accomplishments and pat yourself on the back for a job well done. Now, think about why an employer should hire you. Identify five specific reasons why an employer should hire you and how you can make their company better. Practice so that you can share your top five at a moment's notice.
A frequent mistake is that many job seekers expect the employer to fit their job around them -- the candidate. It actually works the opposite. So as you recognize that you are prepared and why you are prepared, be open to the flexibility of using your degree and your skills in ways that you may not have imagined. Create a list of companies that you would like to work for. Now research the company and match the company strengths and needs to yours. Next, use the results of the matching exercise in all of your communication with your key employers to show them that you fit with their needs.
As you embark on your job search, be open to these possibilities:
(1) Employers you might not typically consider because of your blind spots for the work that they do. Create a list of these companies and then investigate to find out the available career paths. If you see a fit with your interests or preparation - send them a resume.
(2) Consider applying to small companies. Many small companies often give employees greater responsibility and various projects as required by their modest infrastructure. Also, because small companies are leaner, they are better positioned to make changes in products or services as necessary.
(3)Blend your degree with your other interests. If you are a marketing major and you've always enjoyed race car driving, identify employment intersections that you can pursue.
(4)Connect with others. Networking, joining a professional association, and volunteering are ways that you can create social and professional bridges that can help you connect with prospective employers.
I hope you are excited about your future and what you have to offer. I am excited for you and know that as you embark on your new journey that you will stay encouraged, focused and will meet the job search challenge head on.
Wishing you the best!
