Tips and Tricks for Tomorrow's Job Search TODAY

Career Services has a lot of first-rate events scheduled this fall. Be sure to check out all of Career Services Fall 2013 Events. Mark your calendar, request off of work, and prepare for next summer's job search now. Invest in yourself. Consider Career Services a consistent part of college life. The Career Kickoff is upon us, Rock Yo Resume shortly after that, and the beneficial Job Search Boot Camp in the last week of this month. Participating in one, or all of these great opportunities help prepare you to stand out from the masses of people applying for the job you want. Being prepared is simply indispensable. Make the time to invest in your future. Best of all, Career Services events are FREE. 

what: Career Kickoff
when: Wednesday September 11, 2013
           10:00am-2:00pm
where: LBJ Student Center Mall

This first (and quickly approaching) event available to you is designed to kickoff the job and internship search. Get pumped up and avoid procrastination at the Career Kickoff. Young college life is more than a great time at a good party. It is also a great time to gain experience and knowledge.Career Kickoff is a quality event to stop by because it sparks thoughts about steps to take before meeting with potential employers. Representatives from Career Services will be there to answer any and all questions. Additionally, four companies will have representatives there to shake your hand. New York Life, PLS Logistics, TTI and Davis Vision. Even if these companies are not for you, come practice networking and communication skills.  If you have a question or comments about Career Kickoff, comment on this post.  The abundance of career advice out there can get conflicting or confusing. Don't get overwhelmed just yet. Instead, get started paddling up the career river. If something isn't working: change course. As Psychologist Meg Jay said, "Don't be defined by what you didn't know or didn't do." Check out Jay's TED Talks Career Kickoff Advice for inspiration and stop by LBJSC Mall on Wednesday: we'll be there!

what: Rock Yo Resume
when: Monday and Tuesday September 23 and 24, 2013
           10:00am-2:00pm
where: LBJ Student Center Mall
Bring your resume onto campus, because Career Advisors and Career Counselors will be ready to offer constructive criticism and advice on how to improve it. A little perspective and feedback concerning your resume is necessary before sending it off to potential employers. Formatting, length, and content are factors that set your resume apart from others. Small details go a long way when your resume is filed into a pile with hundreds of other job and internship hopefuls. Do you have a professional email address? Is your resume tailored to the job you want? Do you have the necessary key words? Are there appropriate highlights? Additionally, discussing your resume is beneficial because you may realize that you have forgotten to list major accomplishments or responsibilities you've had. Maybe you're thinking that you don't have any accomplishments to list. This opportunity is great for all students. Students who are not in the market for a job or an internship right now still benefit from having a well crafted resume on file. The fact of the matter is, the next big opportunity can happen at any time. Rock Yo Resume is conveniently two days in a row. So, if Monday is inconvenient then stop by in-between classes on Tuesday and vice versa. Now is the perfect time to spruce up your resume for the fall job fairs that are just around the corner.

what: Job Search Boot Camp
when: Wednesday September 25, 2013 
            5:30pm-7:30pm
where: LBJ Student Center Ballroom

It's time to stretch those job-search muscles that have been withering away in the Texas heat. Bring your professional self armed with a resume to participate in each station of the Job Search Boot Camp. Do yourself a favor and prepare for the upcoming job fairs. The stations that will be set up include:

• Speed Interviewing- This is a great opportunity to practice interview skills with actual employers, speed-dating style. Answer interview questions for three minutes and get one-on-one feedback for two minutes before rotating to the next employer. Participation here will provide excellent networking opportunities in addition to improving interview technique.
• Networking Bullpen- There will be a bullpen, fully equipped with refreshments, and a perfect opportunity to network. According to an ABC News report, 80% of today's jobs are landed through networking. Learning from and connecting with professionals and fellow ambitious bobcats is key to job placement because as the saying goes: "It's not what you know, it's who you know."
• Resume Building- Bring your resume with you. Get advice on how to improve the formatting and content. Here is a great opportunity to ask potential employers, Career Advisors and Career Counselors specific questions about your resume. 
• Social Media- Get some tips and tricks of how to clean up your social media sites for professional purposes. Learn how to market yourself through social media and ask questions about any social media concerns. See why social media has become increasingly important when searching for a job.
• Professional Image- There will be a station where fashion merchandising retailers offer professional dress tips and advice. Both men and women can learn how to spruce up their look for future job fairs and interviews.

You can walk away from the Job Search Boot Camp armed with confidence and prepared for the quickly approaching job search. This event is for all students, because there is no time like the present to expose yourself to these opportunities. Specifically, juniors and seniors who need to fulfill their internship criteria for spring graduation can benefit from this as they compete for internship placement. Juniors and seniors who are currently searching for a job (or putting it off) will also benefit from this event. It may give you the boost you need. The boot camp will allow students the opportunity to learn the habits of highly effective job seekers from real employers. Having a great resume, connections, and presenting yourself professionally cannot only get you into the interview room, but they can get you the job. Getting the job makes the tedious search and preparation worth it, so arm yourself with the tools to get to the top.

Getting noticed is crucial to getting the job. Taking the initiative to attend events like these sets you apart and puts you in the interview room. If you have any comments, questions, or suggestions: leave them here on the Career Services Blogger. Someone else may have the same thoughts or questions as you. Check back a couple of times a month for tips, tricks, and discussions. See you soon!

Created By: Alanna Gray