UVM Career Center Blog

March 5, 2014

Savvy Seniors: Want to Join the Team?

How to Interview like a Pro: Tips from a Local Recruiter

For most people, an interview creates a lot of stress and anxiety—it is an intimidating way to make a great first impression. For most employers though, the goal of inviting an applicant in for an interview is to get to know them. It’s a meeting based around discovery. We want to know who you are and if you could successfully fit in with the culture of our organization, the position, and the department. We also want you to ask questions that can help you make a decision about whether our company is the right place for you.

Quick tips for standing out & having a successful interview:

Dress for the job you’re applying for. It’s okay to ask what the dress code is when you’re scheduling the interview.
Make eye contact, smile, and shake the interviewer’s hand.
Bring a few copies of your resume with you to the interview.
If you have a samples of something that relates to the position you’re applying for, have it on hand (i.e. for a graphic design position, bring some of your design work).
Don’t over-think things. Trying to perfect every sentence comes off as robotic.
Be natural and be yourself; it is okay to smile and laugh! We can sense when an applicant is putting on a façade.
Work experience and qualifications are important, but they’re not everything. We’re trying to find someone who “fits” in with the department and the company as a whole. Try to find something in common with the interviewer and make an emotional connection.
As the interview wraps up, ask what the next steps are. In most instances, recruiters are happy to let you know where they are in the hiring process and when you should expect to hear back.

~Myra Fundis, UVM ‘11
Human Resources Wellness Specialist with Blue Cross Blue Shield of Vermont

Want to learn more? Join us and special guest National Life for:
Savvy Seniors: Interview Like a Pro: Tuesday, March 18, 12-1pm at the Hub

February 12, 2014

World of Work: Nydia E. Guity ’09, Fordham Tremont Community Mental Health Center

By career

Nydia E. Guity ‘09
Mental Health Clinician
Fordham-Tremont Community Mental Health Center at Saint Barnabas Hospital
New York City
Major: Social Work
Graduate Program: Fordham University – Master of Social Work

How would you describe what you do on a typical day?

I service clients for individual, family, and group therapy sessions. Topics range from how to manage depressive / anxiety symptoms to how to build and maintain healthy daily routines.

Tell us about your path to this position.

I am a mental health clinician in an outpatient clinic. At this time my goal is to obtain the License in Clinical Social Work (LCSW) and start a private practice. During my time at UVM, I did not expect that I would pursue a career in social work. My plan at the time was to go back to school for a Masters in Nursing.

How did your time at UVM, both in and out of the classroom, prepare you for your position?

My time at UVM helped me become aware that social work is more than just helping people. I learned how to work with resistance and focus on strengths in order to progress in treatment.

What advice do you have for students searching for jobs or internships in your field?

My advice would be to be open minded to different settings and open to learning from every experience in the field.

What was your childhood dream job?

My dream job as a child was to be a hair stylist. I always loved helping people and encouraging them to look their best. When you look good you often feel good!

February 5, 2014

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

By career

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!

January 30, 2014

Your Own Job Search Syllabus

By career

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

January 16, 2014

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

UVM Career Center Blog

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