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Savvy Seniors: Be a Stand Out Applicant & Land the Job

By career

PMG logo

The inside scoop from a local public relations firm

What is an employer looking for?

Here’s what you should know about applying for a position: we are looking for professionalism and creativity above all when sifting through the many resumes.  Please do not try to be cute or funny, stick to the basics and tell us what you could bring to our office.

What do employers notice in an applicant?

Do your research, look at our website, read our blogs: you will gain tremendous insight into who we are and what we do.  Then take that research and apply it to your cover letter.  I look for cover letters that demonstrate an understanding of the business in a clear, concise way.

The most common mistakes I see in cover letters include grammatical errors and misspellings.  Always have a trusted person edit it with you.  You might think it sounds fine, but it never hurts to have another set of eyes look over your work. (This practice continues even in the working world; all of our work goes through several rounds of revisions, no matter what our title may be.)

How and when should I follow up?

Don’t panic if we don’t respond to your email the first day.  We read every application and cover letter closely, but we also have our everyday jobs to tend to.  However, if it has been more than a week, it is fine to send a quick follow up note just reiterating your interest.  Tell us something different about yourself or your interest in our company, rather than just saying “Did you get my application?”  Be creative, professional and persistent.  The application process is a lot like pitching to the media, it might take two or three follow ups to finally get that big hit.

~Beth Parent, Account Supervisor
PMG

People Making Good (PMG) PR specializes exclusively in publicity and media relations.

Learn more at this great workshop with special guest Logic Supply:
Stand out in the Application Process Tuesday, February 18, 12-1pm at the Hub!


Your Own Job Search Syllabus

By career

Illustrated image of class syllabus

As the semester gets underway, assignments, class schedules and long-term projects get your attention.  One course you may not have realized you also have on your plate is Job/Career Prep 101.  It is always part of your load, even after graduation. Managing your career and taking advantage of opportunities continues throughout your life.  Make sure you understand the basics now and treat your professional development like a class or research project.

Here are your assignments:

Weekly Homework: Add Job/Career Prep time to your weekly schedule, even when you have a job or a very full plate.  Taking three small actions a week adds up!

Extra Credit: Take advantage of meeting people, being curious, finding out more ~ be it a conversation in a coffee shop, a follow-up email with a presenter in class, or attending events on and off campus.  Get involved in conversations and activities that will support your own learning beyond your assignments.  It will pay off.

Vocabulary:  Choose language that motivates you! “I gotta get a job” or “I have no clue,” is Eeyore-think.  We can all get discouraged, but don’t get stuck there!  Practice the language of possibility: “I wonder how that person got started;”  “I am going to contact X organization;”  “I am exploring career options “ (vs. being lost).  Keeping positive is essential to moving forward in the world of work.

Final Project: Reflect on what you learned, what the next step is and take action! The 4 Year Plan can support you each year at UVM.

Daunting?  Come drop in at the Career + Experience Hub to meet with a career counselor to help develop your strategy!

~Holly

Welcome the World to Vermont

By career

Drawing of several people surrounding a giant globe

Many want a life with purpose and greater meaning although fear often stops them from taking their next step, whether it is choosing a major of interest or traveling to study and immersing in a new culture or a new way of learning. The growing UVM international population has overcome fear and shown initiative, independence, and ability to be flexible. These are the skills the global community depends on and could shape the international landscapes.

International students in particular have a task of navigating the US and business culture. The coming semester there will be opportunities for all UVM students to learn job skills, hear from experts, and network with professionals in their field.

International students CAN:

  • Get paid to work on campus
  • Join a club and practice communication skills
  • Network with the people you meet on campus and at Networking events and on LinkedIn (the new International Student and Alumni group is a place to start).
  • Participate in one or all of the 3-part Skill Series—check the Career Center calendar

You’ve flown across the world, worked hard for years, learned a tremendous amount and experienced a world you never knew. The Career Center can help you navigate your next professional move. Participate and reach out to build skills to create the life you have been working toward.

~Kim

Savvy Seniors: Find Hidden Jobs (One Senior’s True Story)

By career

Michelle LeungSpring semester of my senior year – stressed out and exhausted, I was bogged down with papers, exams, projects, presentations, work and extracurricular commitments. On top of that, I hadn’t yet secured a job for after graduation. Everything was still up in the air and the next several months were filled with uncertainty.

In April, UVM Career Center and the Tower Society collaborated to host a panel and networking event featuring female business leaders. They were asked to share their wisdom and stories on their career path and professional growth. The advice they gave was invaluable and I found myself taking notes.

After the panel, I approached one of the presenters, a Senior Vice President with Human Resources at State Street. I thanked her for her time and shared my desire to work in Human Resources. Meeting her led me to several interviews and two weeks after graduation, I got the call and was offered a job at State Street Corporation!

Now, as a contract Recruiting Coordinator, my days consist of scheduling interviews, sending out offer letters, posting internal and external job openings, facilitating background investigation, and conducting new hire paperwork appointments.

Who knew attending the Women in Leadership Panel would land me a job at State Street? I certainly did not.

To all seniors who are currently in their job search process – keep your head up and don’t get discouraged! Attend networking events and career fairs when you get the chance, connect with those who work in companies you are interested in, make the extra effort to get to know and understand their business – who knows? You might be talking to your future employer. It happened to me.

~Michelle Leung, Class of 2013
Recruiting Coordinator at State Street Bank

Want to learn more? Join us with special guest The Intervale Center for the next Savvy Seniors Workshop: Finding Hidden Jobs Tuesday, January 21, 12-1pm at the Hub!

Introducing the Anna Whitcomb Internship Scholarship!

By career

Three Women Laying Soil

Exciting news! The UVM Career Center is happy to announce the Anna Whitcomb Internship Scholarship, a competitive award that will provide financial assistance to several UVM students so that they may each be able to accept an unpaid internship opportunity.

Internships allow students to gain on-the-job experience and attain valuable skills that can launch them into a chosen career. It’s important for jobseekers to have internship experience under their belts so that they can stand out among the competition. The tricky part about all of this is that internships aren’t always available and accessible to everyone – students may struggle to take unpaid opportunities, or need to take on an additional part-time job to make ends meet. The Anna Whitcomb Internship Scholarship will begin to address these barriers and provide funds for several students to help bridge the financial gap.

The scholarship is open to all students, but preference will be given to those pursuing internships that promote the common good at mission-based or non-profit organizations.

Four scholarships will be awarded, and there will be two different application periods to accommodate the varying timelines in which employers select students for internships.

  • The deadline for the first application period is February 15
  • The deadline for the second application period is March 15

You do not need to have a confirmed internship to apply, and can list up to two organizations/companies where you have applied for an internship.

The application requirements and materials will be announced when spring classes begin. In the meantime, take advantage of downtime during the winter break to start looking for that internship! Ask around with friends, family, and faculty for leads, and consider attending a networking event with UVM alumni in New York City or Boston.

Check out these other resources for getting started:

UVM Career Center Internship Page
Catamount Job Link
8 Reasons to Pursue an Internship

The Career Center is still open during the break – if you have questions, send us an email or call us to set up a phone appointment!

career@uvm.edu
802-656-3450

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