Career LINKS Services For McCoy College of Business Administration Students V OLUME 1, I SSUE 4
- L IAISON M EMO Happy Holidays: 'Tis the Season for Professional Development Who doesn't love the winter holiday season? Food, family and, best of all, vacation. This year, instead of hitting the mall, the eggnog and your bed at your parents' house, ramp up your job search. Why, you ask? Here are five reasons the holiday season is a great time to search for a job or internship. Seasonal/cyclical hiring is at its peak--or gearing up. That seasonal job at your favorite local retailer can turn into a full-time summer gig, or an internship at corporate. For employers hiring summer interns, winter (starting as early as the holiday break) marks the shift into high gear for seasonal recruiting. Holiday mixers with family, friends and coworkers are a great opportunity to network. Being
in San Marcos nine months out of the year can make it difficult to connect with professionals and contacts living in your desired job market. If you're looking to move home after graduation, take advantage of holiday gettogethers with friends and family from your hometown to let them know you're on the job hunt. Volunteer opportunities are everywhere. Is your resume looking a little sparse? Sign up to volunteer at a local food pantry, Toys for Tots, Salvation Army or other nonprofit/ charity that ramps up its charitable efforts around the holidays. You'll get resume-worthy experience and, hopefully, make a few new friends/professional contacts. Professionals with down time at work are more willing to informational interview or let you job shadow. In many professions, things slow down a
D ECEMBER 2012
bit around the holiday season. Why not take advantage by asking to conduct an informational interview or job shadow with a professional in your field? You'll get information about your desired career while, again, establishing all-important professional connections. Gifts = a great opportunity to ask for professional clothing. Your first interview suit (and it should be a suit) won't be cheap. Instead of a new pair of sweatpants to wear to the gym, aim to fill out your professional wardrobe when asking for gifts this season. Career Services is open through Tuesday, December 18 (returning on January 2) to assist with all of your holiday job search questions! E-mail or call to schedule an appointment!
-Ross Wood
L IASON OFFICE HOURS IN M C C OY R OOM 227 Tuesdays: 9 a.m. - 12 p.m. / 1 p.m. - 4 p.m. Wednesdays: 2 p.m. - 4 p.m. Thursdays: 9 a.m. - 12 p.m. / 1 p.m. - 3 p.m.
*BY APPOINTMENT ONLY* Contact Career Services or the McCoy Advising Center to schedule an appointment.
A CTION I TEMS :
Update your Jobs4Cats profile
Update and proof your resume
See a Career Counselor
I NSIDE
THIS ISSUE :
L IASON MEMO & O FFICE HOURS
1
F EATURED ARTICLE
2
W ARM WISHES
3
C AREER SERVICES
3
SPRING EVENTS
C AREER SERVICES INFORMATION
3
F EATURED
P AGE 2
Q UINTESSENTIAL C AREERS : C LOSING THE I NTERVIEW B Y : C AROLE M ARTIN Closing the Interview: "When do I start?" That's about as aggressive as you can get at the close of the interview. It may knock the interviewer for a loop, and might appear to be overly aggressive, but some people think of it as "closing the sale." And for some people it has worked. For others, this approach may not be comfortable or have a negative effect. Whether you are aggressive, passive and polite, or somewhere in between, will depend on your personality, the interview situation, and the job for which you are applying. Other inter viewing closing points Regardless of your style or how you choose to close the interview, here are some key points to keep in mind: Leave your interviewer with the right picture of you. Think of at least five skills or traits you want remembered after the interview. Choose something "concrete." When you answer with, "I have great communication skills, and I am a hard worker," you will not stand out. Example: "I have two
skills that are distinctly different but that define my personality. I am a very good pianist and an excellent 'computer guy.' I'm known for my love of keyboards."
date, if possible. Example: "I'm interested in knowing what the next step in the process is and when you will be making a decision so I can follow up."
Ask if there is anything else you can provide. Examples include referen ces , t rans cript s , b a c k gr o u n d information, and samples. Example: "Is there any other information that I can provide that would convince you that I am the right person for this job?"
Find out how to contact the interviewer. If you don't hear back, you will need to know whom to contact and whether the employer will accept calls to check the status. Example: "I'd like to stay in touch and follow up with you in a week or two to see how the process is going and where I stand. How do you prefer that I communicate with you -- email or phone?"
State your interest in the position. Sound interested and tell what added value you can bring to the job. Example: "From what you have been telling me about this position, and from what I know about your company, I know that I have the right mix of experience and education to bring value to this position. Based on past experiences I can 'ramp up' quickly and be on board with projects within the first few weeks." Ask about the next step in the process. It's important for you to know the next step for follow up. Ask for the decision
Final thoughts on how to Close a Job Interview Closing the sale is important, but your closing should be tailored to the position; your personality and interviewing style, and the interviewer. Keeping these things in mind will help you determine which closing is appropriate for you and the situation. Copyright by Quintessential Careers. The original article can be found at: http://www.quintcareers.com/ printableclosing_ the_interview.html.
ARTICLE
V OLUME 1, I SSUE 4
P AGE 3
Mark your calendars for our upcoming Career Services events during the Spring 2013 semester!
Career Services wishes you happy holidays this season! We hope to see you soon!
Summer Job Fair Feb. 6, 2013 | 1 - 4 p.m. LBJ Ballroom Job Search Boot Camp Feb. 19, 2013 | 5:30 – 7:30 p.m. LBJ Ballroom Spring Job & Internship Fair Mar. 20, 2013 | 2 - 5:30 p.m. LBJ Ballroom
Career Services LINKS Newsletter - an outreach effort by your Career Service Liaison: Ross Wood, Career Advisor
T EXAS S TATE C AREER S ERVICES L EADING T EXAS S TATE S TUDENTS INTO THE F UTURE LBJ Student Center, Suite 5-7.1 www.careerservices.txstate.edu Phone: 512-245-2645 Fax: 512-245-3993 E-mail: CareerServices@txstate.edu
Office Hours: Monday - Thursday: 8:00 - 6:00 Friday: 8:00 - 5:00
WALK-IN CAREER COACHING (All year) Mon. & Tues. 1-3 p.m. Wed. & Thurs. 3-5 p.m. 48 HOUR RESUME CRITIQUES Career Services Website - See Student drop down menu for “Job Search Help”” ONLINE PRACTICE INTERVIEWING Career Services Website - See Student drop down menu for “Job Search Help” and “Interview Stream” AMERICAN BUSINESS JOURNALS ONLINE Visit our homepage and click on the link in the left navigation pane. Use your Texas State net ID and password to login. Available to students, faculty and staff.
FOLLOW US ON TWITTER @TXSTCAREERS / FACEBOOK / LINKEDIN