After the Job Fair

The Science & Technology Job Fair was a great success! If you didn't get to go, here's a few things you missed.

Beginning at 8:30 representatives from Career Services lead a Last-Minute Resume Clinic to help attendees perfect their resumes before meeting employers. At 9:00 the breakout sessions started with talks about how to make the most of a job fair and an introduction to the workforce for career newbies.

At 11:00 the Job Fair started and it picked up quickly. With employers from many different industries such as: R&D, pharmaceuticals, IT, teaching, health care, and academia, this Job Fair drew in hundreds of Temple students and even a handful of students from other schools in the area. Throughout the Job Fair, workshops covered topics that would help attendees make the most of their time and efforts at the Job Fair, such as: making a good first impression, resume writing, tactics for tech professionals, and internship ideas. After the first set of workshops there was a Career Options and Opportunities Panel that included CST alumni and CST faculty and staff. Following the panel, the workshops resumed to conclude with discussions about job search tactics, interviewing skills, working in high-tech environments and volunteering opportunities.


After the Job Fair, now is not only the time for reviewing, but also looking forward to next year. Preparations for next year's Science & Technology Job Fair have already begun. Keep an eye on this blog for updates about updcoming events and more tips to help you get the job you want.

Imagine you're in an elevator...

What would you say if you were in an elevator with the CEO of the company you've dreamed of working at since you were a kid? You only have 30 seconds and you only have one chance to tell him why you're an outstanding candidate for a position in his company.

This 30 second introduction is called the Elevator Pitch. You're pitching yourself in the most cogent and succinct way possible. If you don't have an Elevator Pitch, you should, because you'll be introducing yourself to a lot of recruiters at the S&T Job Fair. Here are some things to consider to get you started:

1. State your name, major and year of expected graduation
2. Tell them your work, volunteer, research experience
3. Why you are a great candidate
4. Why you're interested in the company, position, industry

Example:
Hello my name is Joe B Senior, I'm a biochemistry major and I will graduate in Spring of 2009. I've been doing research in cellular structure with Dr Professor for 2 semesters. I am looking to continue doing research and I think that I could bring a solid background in laboratory research and I have highly developed problem-solving skills. I think I would fit in well with your company because I have a strong sense of ethics and I keep myself up to date on trends in cellular structure journals.

Remember to keep it short and don't use too much jargon. Use words that convey broad themes such as experience, laboratory, problem-solving. When you get the hang of this you're on your on your way to becoming an expert in marketing yourself and your ideas.

Check out this website and google "elevator pitch" to find out more.

What to wear to the Science & Technology Job Fair

So, you've registered for the S&T Job Fair but you don't know what to wear. Here's some info that may help you dress for the occasion.

Basics:
Khaki pants, neatly pressed, and a pressed long-sleeved, buttoned solid shirt are safe for both men and women. Polo/golf shirts, unwrinkled, are an appropriate choice if you know the environment will be quite casual, outdoors or in a very hot location. This may not seem like terribly exciting attire, but you are not trying to stand out for your cutting edge look, but for your good judgment in a business environment.

Shoes / belt:
Wear a leather belt and leather shoes. Athletic shoes are inappropriate.

Cost / quality:
You are not expected to be able to afford the same clothing as a corporate CEO. However, do invest in quality that will look appropriate during your first two or three years on the job for a business casual environment or occasions.

Ties:
Ties are generally not necessary for business casual, but if you are in doubt, you can wear a tie. It never hurts to slightly overdress; by dressing nicely, you pay a compliment to your host. You can always wear the tie and discreetly walk by the room where the function is held; if no one else is wearing a tie, you can discreetly remove yours.

Pants / skirts:
Women can wear casual pants or skirts. Neither should be tight. Fabrics should be crisp; colors should generally be solid; navy, black, gray, brown and khaki are always safe bets. For the most business-like appearance, pants should be creased and tailored; neither extreme of tight or flowing. If you are pursuing a conservative industry and are in doubt, observe well-dressed women in your industry on the job, at career fairs, at information sessions, etc.

Padfolios:
Preferred over a bulky briefcase. A small briefcase is also appropriate, but if you have no reason to carry a briefcase, don't; you risk looking silly.

The point is to look smart and groomed. You don't need to wear a suit and tie, but you do need to look organized and accomplished. Below are some examples of what to wear:

Recession-proof Yourself

During these difficult economic times, it helps to do three things when looking for a job:

1. Don't panic! Remember to breathe and be optimistic about your search, Rome wasn't built in a day and neither will be your career. Panic is also an attribute of downtime, when you're being productive your much less likely to experience stress about your job search. Take this time to work on your resume or develop your interview skills.

2. Acquire new skills. While you're job searching, sign up to get certified in Microsoft Office or an industry-specific application you might need to know for work. These extras on your resume can also show that you acquire skills quickly and that you can think procedurally. If you don't want to learn a new software, take language classes (always a bonus in globalization) or get a certification in something that could complement your industry knowledge-base.

3. Volunteer in your community. Doing volunteer work for a cause you believe in is good for your spirits and gold on your resume. It is one of the best things you can do to show dedication, the merits of your character, and show that you keep yourself busy during downtime.

The underlying theme is to remain productive and focused on the end result: getting a great job because you are expertly qualified.

A Freshman's Resume

Below is a sample resume. Yours may not look exactly like it, but you can use this as a reference.You may also want to ask yourself: How do my experiences shape my resume?

Do you have volunteer experience? What does volunteer experience say about your character? Local volunteering opportunities can be found here.

What are your employable skills? What experiences and skills do you have that you could contribute to an organization? Whether its software skills, writing a blog, etc, you have a lot to offer a potential employer. If you don't think that you have much to offer, maybe you should look here and do a self assessment in Focus-2.

Are you a member of a professional organization? In a recent post, I explained the benefits and advantages of being in a professional organization. Reread the post here.

What are your relevant areas of interest? Areas of Interest show employers the breadth of your personality. They will help your potential employers think about how you connect things, as well.

HIRE A. FRESHMAN

Street Address • City, State Zip • (215) 204-XXXX • yourname@temple.edu

Education

Temple University, College of Science & Technology

Program of Study (or Major): Biochemistry, B.S. (or simply say "Undeclared")

Expected Graduation: Month 20XX GPA (if available): 1.23

Related Coursework

Course Name

Relevant class topics, assignment, experiment, lab report

Work Experience (include volunteering and internship experience)

Describe yourself and/or your experience in one sentence. If you need ideas, use themes and noteworthy examples from your admission essay.

Organization Name (City, State)

Position or Title (Month 20XX - present)

List projects or tasks: start your sentences with words that describe your actions and imply successful results (implemented, designed, increased, accomplished, contributed, conducted, supervised).

Employable Skills

Computer: Windows, Cadkey, Microsoft Word & Excel, HTML, Java

Languages: Fluent in German

Technical: Soldering, familiar with operation of lathes and milling machines

Teamwork: Leadership and cooperative abilities

Professional Membership, Committees, and Awards (include scholarships)

Secretary, Organization/Group name, Month 20XX - present

Member, Organization/Group name, Month 20XX - present

Dean's List, School name, Year

Third place, Forensics Speech League, Year

Semifinals Qualifier, USTA Traveling Team, Year

Areas of Interest

Healthcare, Technology, Chemistry

iTouch Fantastic!

The day after the USA chose her new President and direction, CST is pleased to announce that an iTouch will be raffled at the CST Science & Technology Job Fair!



This is only available to those who register on-line, so go here and sign up!

*Please note you must be present at the time of the drawing to be eligible to win.

Make Your Voice Heard!

Today is election day and there are two things you can do to make your voice heard. The first thing you can do is vote. The second thing is joining a professional organization and participating in your industry's discourse. Whether you're a CIS student or a chemistry student, there are student organizations on campus and professional organizations in Greater Philadelphia, that you can join. These groups will provide you with opportunities to talk and network with colleagues, learn from people in your chosen field, and, just as important, let you share your questions and comments. Never underestimate the great resource available in the form of talking to people in your line of work!

Those of you interested in food and research, may wish to check out this opportunity posted on the CST website and graduating seniors who are going into research may want to check out this international opportunity.

After you check out those opportunities, if you have questions about resumes and your career trajectory, contact careers.cst@temple.edu for help.


Note: Career Services is only available to Temple University students. Go Owls!

Interview Tips That Win

Here are some tips that can help you make the best impression during an interview:

The Handshake: It's your first encounter with the interviewer. She holds out her hand and receives a limp, damp hand in return -- not a very good beginning. Your handshake should be firm -- not bone-crushing -- and your hand should be dry and warm. Try running cold water on your hands when you first arrive at the interview site. Run warm water if your hands tend to be cold. The insides of your wrists are especially sensitive to temperature control.

Your Posture: Stand and sit erect. We're not talking ramrod posture, but show some energy and enthusiasm. A slouching posture looks tired and uncaring. Check yourself out in a mirror or on videotape.

Eye Contact: Look the interviewer in the eye. You don't want to stare at her like you're trying to look into her soul, but be sure to make sure your eyes meet frequently. Avoid constantly looking around the room while you are talking, because that can convey nervousness or a lack of confidence with what is being discussed.

Your Hands: Gesturing or talking with your hands is very natural, but keep it in moderation. Getting carried away with hand gestures can be distracting. Also, avoid touching your mouth while talking. Watch yourself in a mirror while talking on the phone. Chances are you are probably using some of the same gestures in an interview.

Don't Fidget: There is nothing worse than people playing with their hair, clicking pen tops, tapping feet or unconsciously touching parts of the body.

If you need more help with interviews, resumes, and job searching, check out some of these upcoming events!