Presenting: A Virtual Senior Series
These are uncertain times in our world. Like many of us, you are probably adjusting to this new normal of how you are working, learning, and connecting with your communities. And as seniors, you may be wondering or feeling anxious about how COVID-19 could impact your job search and post-graduation goals. We have created this new Senior Series newsletter to help you explore possibilities, control the parts of the job search that you can, better understand the ones you can’t, and confidently navigate your post-graduation next steps. You can expect to hear from us each Monday for the next five weeks with support, resources, and encouragement during this new normal. These newsletters are crafted with you in mind and aim to provide tips and activities that will help you launch a job search or enhance your current process.
To make the most of these resources, we suggest you set aside some time to re-visit this information later in the week as they are pretty densely packed. Under normal circumstances, we would have recommended setting aside an hour or two each week to work on a different aspect of your job search – so returning to these newsletters might be a helpful way to structure that time.
Topics:
- Adjusting to a new normal
- How to network and job search
- Resumes and cover letters
- Virtual interviewing
- Negotiating your salary
A New Normal
Just two months ago, the virus that is impacting our nation and world seemed far away for many in the United States. Today’s reality is quite different. As is true for our personal lives and campus operations, organizations are adapting to this new normal in different ways. Most fall into one of three categories: pausing their hiring processes, laying off workers, or gearing up for growth. We have spoken with employers in each of these positions and have heard one recurring theme: this is temporary. With creativity, agility, hard work, and some patience, we can get through this.
While this new reality has shifted our economy, the kinds of positions you might expect to find, and which employers are actively hiring, much of our job search advice remains the same: prepare your materials, network as much as possible, and leverage online tools. You may need to re-consider your short and long term goals, stay flexible in considering different industries or geographic locations, and practice putting yourself out there – but this is the reality for many job searchers under normal economic circumstances, too. As you prepare to launch or fine-tune your post-grad job search, remember that we are always here to support you.
Connecting with the Career Center
One on one appointments. You can self-schedule a phone or video appointment by logging in to Handshake, clicking “Career Center” and then “Appointments.” Fill in the details and choose a date/time that works for you. Your Career Counselor will then set up a call by phone or video.
Blackboard modules. There are 15+ self-paced modules available in our Blackboard organization. Topics range from informational interviews and choosing a major to internships and resumes.
Resume and cover letter reviews. You can submit a draft of your resume or cover letter for an online document review via Blackboard. Expect to hear back from us within 1-3 business days.
Handshake. In addition to browsing and applying to open positions, check out specific employer profiles to learn more about their organization. You can read reviews written by other students and alums who have worked with them (there are over 100,000 in the system!) as well as answers to questions asked by students at schools all over the country. Be sure to complete your profile and make yourself visible to employers if you’d like to be contacted by recruiters.
Interest groups. While you’re fine-tuning your Handshake profile, don’t forget to join an Interest Group (or two!) via your Career Interest survey. This will sign you up for a monthly communication focused on your industry interests – including job/internship opportunities and curated resources. You’ll join a network of peers, staff, faculty, employers, and alums who share your passions – and networking is critical during these shifting economic times.
Events. We’re working on reformatting some of our events – stay tuned for more information in the coming weeks. In the meantime, there are several virtual events hosted by employers from around the country posted in Handshake, including a number of virtual career fairs.
Online resources. Our website features several additional online resources. This includes Candid Career, GoinGlobal, UVM Connect, and more. You can learn more about each of them on our Career Tool Library page.