Tip Archive
April 2009 When writing a resume, many job seekers make the mistake of not thinking about the resume from the point of view of the employer. A good resume, like a great ad, tells the benefits of purchasing/using a product - the product in this case being you! An effective resume tells the employer what you are going to do for them, and tells them specifically what you have accomplished in the past.
February 2009 Your resume counts now more than ever! It’s a buyer’s market not just in real estate, but also in the job market: employers can (and are) being very selective about whom they retain and hire. You, the seller, need to effectively market your product - you again. Your resume is the first communication an employer will have with you and it is crucial that it helps you stand out from the pack. Quintessential Careers Press has a very helpful series of free, ebooks available to assist you in preparing an effective resume, preparing for job interviews and learning networking strategies. Read these ebooks here: http://www.quintcareers.com/Quintessential_Careers_Press/
January 2009 Before you begin sending out aimless resumes, resolve to do some research first about what you really want to do: In what type of industry do you hope to work? What kind of company do you want to work for? A successful job search requires appropriate planning, time and commitment. Take this free tutorial from Quintessential Careers for helpful advice and tips on conducting an effective job search: http://www.quintcareers.com/job_search/
December 2008 - If you are about to begin a job search, do some research about companies that have made “The Best Companies To Work For” lists. Devoting some time now to finding a company that values you as an employee can save you future job hunting time as you may not be as likely to want to move on from that company if you are satisfied and feel appreciated working there. Visit the following website to get started finding the right company for you:
http://www.greatplacetowork.com/best/index.php
http://www.bestplacestoworkinpa.com/
November 2008 - Record a mock interview any time that is convenient for you and receive feedback on your interview from the Career Development Center staff. All you will need is access to a webcam and the internet. Webcams are available for use in the Career Development Center by appointment. Click on http://keystone.interviewstream.com/ to register and record your interview. You may choose from over 2,000 interview questions and record as many practice interviews as you like
Oct. 6th, 2008 - One of the most important things you can do to prepare for a job interview is to participate in a mock interview. This structured practice interview will help build your confidence for the real thing as you gain experience with answering typical interview questions. Schedule a mock interview with the Career Development Center by calling (570) 945-8312 or sending an email to cdc@keystone.edu.
Sept. 29th, 2008 - According to employers, one of the biggest mistakes job candidates make during the interviewing process is not having done sufficient research about the company/job prior to the interview. Be certain you know some key facts about the company including its mission, philosophy, key competitors, recent press releases, company size and locations. There are a lot of resources available for researching companies, contact the Career Development Center for guidance.
Sept. 22nd, 2008 - You may already know the importance of beginning the job interview with a firm handshake, but don’t forget to extend your hand for the “exit handshake” at the conclusion of an interview. This gesture combined with stating something along the lines of “Thank you for your time. It was nice to meet you.” will wrap things up in a very positive manner and leave the interviewer with a favorable impression of youSept. 15th, 2008 - A recent study by the National Association of Colleges and Employers (NACE) found that 37% of employers surveyed indicated that they use social networking sites to research job candidates prior to a job interview. Google yourself and find out what employers can find out!
Sept. 8th, 2008 - When writing your resume, don’t focus on listing responsibilities or job duties; employers are more interested in your accomplishments and skills. They want to know how you stood out as an employee: Did you save the company money? Did you increase efficiency? Did you increase sales? Were you recognized as an employee of the month? Did you show initiative beyond your job description? These things will tell the employer more about how you will contribute as an employee than a listing of your day-to-day job duties.
For more information on writing an accomplishments-oriented resume, please contact the Career Development Center staff for assistance
Sept. 1st, 2008 - When emailing your resume to employers as an attachment, be certain to personalize the file name. Employers receive many resumes with the filename: resume.doc. This makes it difficult to quickly identify an individual’s resume in an email inbox. Show employers you have an understanding of technology and how to appropriately communicate and send information. Save your resume with a file name such as: SallyJonesResume.doc
August 25th, 2008 - Run for an elected officer position in a student club/organization. It is a chance to not only meet new people, but also add valuable leadership skills to your resume. In a competitive job market, employers will be looking for the candidate who has not only excelled academically, but can also effectively interact with and lead others.
August 18th, 2008 - After completing an internship or experiential learning it is important to send a thank-you letter to your supervisor to show appreciation for the opportunity. It is also appropriate to thank him/her for agreeing to serve as a future reference for you (if you’ve asked of course!)�