You're Hired February 2018

JOB LISTINGS INSIDE

YOU’RE

HIRED!

Food & Farm

February 2018

Banking & Business

Find this issue online at brookingsregister.com

LAND A

GOOD

INTERNSHIP Health Care Services Education

Building & Paving

Professional Opportunities

Manufacturing & Labor

ACE THE INTERVIEW

Education

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Professional Opportunities

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February 2018

INDEX Aaladin Industries, Inc....................................................... 25 ADVANCE............................................................................... 16 Agropur......................................................................................3 Agtegra Cooperative............................................................8 AKG North American Operations, Inc......................... 25 Avera......................................................................................... 31 Bankwest................................................................................ 36 Biotest Plasma Centers...................................................... 15 Black Hills Energy................................................................ 17 Boone Brothers Roofing......................................................6 Bowes Construction, Inc......................................................5 CAPITAL Services............................................................... 39 Children’s Home Society................................................... 31 Christensen Farms.................................................................9 City of Brookings................................................................. 13 City of Sioux Falls Human Resources........................... 17 Coteau des Prairies Hospital............................................ 31 Country Pride Coop..............................................................9 Dacotah Bank....................................................................... 35 Dakota Traffic Services........................................................5 Daktronics.............................................................................. 24 Duininck, Inc.............................................................................5 Engineered Truss Systems, Inc.......................................27 Faulkton Area Medical Center......................................... 31 First Bank & Trust................................................................ 39 First PREMIER Bank............................................................37 Golden West Telecommunications................................ 19 Good Samaritan Society Selby...................................... 32 Good Samartitan Society Deuel County.................... 32 Graco, Inc................................................................................27 Greater Yankton Living...................................................... 19 Hander Plumbing & Heating..............................................7 Hendricks Community Hospital Association.......................................................... 32 Hydro-Klean, LLC................................................................. 19 L&M Radiator/Mesabi........................................................ 25 Lake Area Technical Institute............................................2 Lewis Drug ............................................................................ 17

LifeScape................................................................................ 33 Lutheran Social Services................................................... 15 Manitou Americas, Inc. Madison, SD............................ 22 Marmen Energy.................................................................... 23 MDS Manufacturing Co., Inc............................................ 26 Mediacom................................................................................ 12 Midland Contracting, Inc.....................................................6 Midwest Railcar Repair, Inc............................................. 24 Mills Property Management............................................ 39 Muth Electric............................................................................7 NASCENTechnology........................................................... 19 Omaha Tribe.......................................................................... 30 Rapid City, Pierre & Eastern Railroad.......................... 22 Raven Industries................................................................... 16 Redlinger Bros.........................................................................6 Sands Drywall, Inc..................................................................6 Sanford Women’s................................................................40 Schwartz Farms......................................................................8 SD Bureau of Human Resources.................................... 14 SD Department of Labor & Regulation....................... 21 SD Developmental Center................................................ 16 SD Highway Patrol............................................................... 17 SD Human Services Center............................................. 32 SD Unified Judicial System............................................. 35 Shur-Co, LLC......................................................................... 26 Sioux Falls VA Health Care System.............................. 34 Smithfield Foods....................................................................8 South Dakota Soybean Processors.................................9 South Dakota State University......................................... 11 Southwest Minnesota State University........................ 10 Superior Industries, Inc...................................................... 19 Thomas & Company............................................................ 16 Trans Ova Genetics................................................................9 Twin City Die Castings Co............................................... 22 Valley Queen Cheese Factory...........................................8 Vishay...................................................................................... 29 Wall Drug................................................................................ 15 WW Tire Service, Inc......................................................... 24

You’re Hired! is a publication of The Brookings Register. It is distributed to all of the colleges and technical school campuses in eastern South Dakota and southwest Minnesota twice a year. In addition, a digital edition is available through the Register website, brookingsregister.com, and the career placement center websites of the schools. If you are interested in promoting job or internship opportunities for your business or organization, please contact The Brookings Register at 800.568.5032 or email registeradvertising@brookingsregister.com.

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Building & Paving

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February 2018

Building & Paving

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MILLENNIALS SHOULD CONSIDER

CAREERS IN TRADES

By realizing that trade jobs, along with short-term vocational training, is a smart investment — and eventually a lucrative career choice — attitudes about trade schools and labor-intensive jobs may shift.

Career and technical schools help students develop specialized skills that make graduates immediately marketable in their chosen fields, and trade salaries can be very competitive.

CONSTRUCTION MANAGER

Construction professionals with great organizational and communication skills can enjoy high earning potential as construction managers. Expected growth of this career over the next 10 years is 5 percent.

ELECTRICIANS AND PLUMBERS

Electricians and plumbers are continually in demand.

With a short amount of trade school and apprenticeship.

ROTARY DRILL OPERATOR

The oil and gas industry relies on rotary drill operators to extract oil or natural gas from underground sources.

Salaries for these jobs can range from $30 to $40 per hour.

DENTAL HYGIENIST

Cleaning teeth and inspecting mouths for disease is an important role. Job growth is still hovering around 20 percent.

These are just a few of the many skilled professions that vocational schools prepare their students for. Scholarships and funding programs are available to help make vocational training an affordable possibility.

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Building Trades

February 2018

Food & Farm

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DID YOU

KNOW

?

According to a PayScale Salary Survey, which examines salary data for full-time employees in the United States who possess only bachelor’s degrees but no higher degree, petroleum engineering is the most lucrative major with regard to salary potential. Petroleum engineers earned an average annual starting salary of $103,000, and those salaries ballooned to $160,000 by mid-career.

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Food & Farm

February 2018

Education

TIPS

3

Graduate school allows college graduates the chance to intensify their studies as they pursue advanced degrees. Many professions require advanced degrees, but students may enroll in graduate school for various reasons.

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TO FINDING THE RIGHT GRADUATE PROGRAM 1. CONDUCT EXHAUSTIVE RESEARCH

Because the cost of graduate school is so substantial, students should be extra diligent when researching potential grad schools. Gather as much information about each school as possible, even contacting department heads and/or professors to learn if a given program is best for you. Graduate programs tend to be specialized, so make sure each school you’re considering offers exactly what you’re seeking. For example, graduate programs in history may specialize in a particular period of history.

2. SPEAK TO CURRENT STUDENTS AND RECENT GRADUATES

Current students and recent graduates can provide a unique perspective that prospective grad students won’t get from brochures or online research. Encourage students and recent grads to be candid, asking them about their experiences as grad students and, for recent grads, how they fared in the job market after earning their degrees.

3. BE REALISTIC ABOUT YOUR FINANCES

While many people enroll in graduate programs to improve their earning potential, some students may not enjoy that benefit. The cost of grad school varies depending on the school and the program, but prospective grad students may want to change their plans if the cost of obtaining an advanced degree will greatly affect their financial freedom for years to come.

Education

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Professional Opportunities

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Professional Opportunities

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A World of Opportunities

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A World of Opportunities

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A World of Opportunities

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A World of Opportunities

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Get That Job!

TENSUCKS REASONS YOUR COVER LETTER

Many poor cover letters have allowed outstanding candidates to be passed over by hiring managers. While writing your cover letter might be a scary task, doing it successfully is essential to getting hired.

A strong cover letter could be your ticket to moving a step further in getting a new job. This relatively concise piece of information has the ability to place you steps ahead of other candidates, highlight your achievements, and showcase your personality – but no one ever said creating one would be an easy task.

1. RIDDLED WITH ERRORS

6. MISSING INFORMATION

2. LACKS FOCUS

7. TONE IS OFF

There are many things the errors on your cover letter will express to a hiring manager: lack of attention to detail, carelessness, and even disinterest in the position.

Your cover letter deserves to be triple checked for poor grammar, punctuation, and overall structure. Pass it along to your mentor or friends to ensure you haven’t missed anything.

What are you attempting to convey to the hiring manager? Writing about your professional experiences can be challenging, and it often causes job seekers to create unfocused cover letters. To write a more direct cover letter, consider creating a layout encompassing your main points.

3. TOO LONG

Job listings often require certain information from applicants. By failing to share the necessary information in your cover letter, you’re essentially removing yourself from the hiring process. Why would a hiring manager choose you over a candidate who went above and beyond to provide the correct details? Double check the qualifications needed for the position prior to sending it.

While a cover letter is a professional document, it also gives your potential employer insight into your personality. Don’t rub a hiring manager the wrong way with long-winded bragging. Be sure to leave out arrogance, unprofessional information, and keep the company’s culture in mind.

Respect the busy schedule of a hiring manager by utilizing brevity in every cover letter you create. Write short and succinct paragraphs to allow for a more easily read document. Sift through unnecessary details and only present the most beneficial information for the job at hand.

8. GENERIC

4. DOESN’T SET YOU APART

No matter how you twist and stretch your skills and experiences, you might not be the right candidate for the position. Applying to a position you’re under qualified for is an all-too-common part of the job search. Keep in mind this not only wastes the time of the hiring manager, it also uses up the time and energy you could be spending on applying to position you’re more accurately matched.

Your cover letter is your chance to leave your mark on a hiring manager. Rather than reiterating what they can read on your resume, use this as an opportunity to share why you’re better for the job than any other candidate. Use a strong, purposeful statement of what you can bring to the position, and how you can positively benefit the company.

Customization is key in every part of the hiring process.

Your cover letter is an opportunity to stand out and truly speak to a hiring manager – don’t settle for generic.

9. NOT QUALIFIED

5. FAILS TO HIGHLIGHT YOUR SKILLS 10. DON’T HAVE ONE While you certainly don’t need to highlight every single job you’ve had during your career, your cover letter should talk about your skills and experiences most beneficial to the company. Your cover letter isn’t for sharing your personal life or specific needs.

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Just because a cover letter wasn’t mentioned in the job listing, doesn’t mean it’s OK to skip it – they’re never optional. Your cover letter is an important opportunity to convey points you can’t in your resume. Omitting this document leaves you at a fault.

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Get That Job!

WHAT TO

SAY

IN YOUR COVER LETTER

Your cover letter must be a piece of writing that describes your achievements and how you will help the company succeed.

Your cover letter should illustrate why you are the best fit and how you will help the company or organization reach success. The closing paragraph of your cover letter must be one of the strongest elements because it is the last impression you leave in the reader’s mind.

Here are some phrases to include in the final paragraph of your cover letter that will help you seal the deal for your next interview:

I a m very excited to learn more about this opportunity and share how I will be a great fit for XYZ Corporation.

Strong cover letter closings are enthusiastic and confident. You want the reader to have the impression you are truly passionate about the position and working for their company. This statement will also illustrate your ability to fit into the company culture and how your personality and work ethic is exactly what they’re looking for.

I believe this is a position where my passion for this industry will grow because of the XYZ opportunities you provide for your employees.

It’s always a good idea to explain what you find attractive about working for the company and how you want to bring your passions to the table. By doing this, you can illustrate how much thought you dedicated to applying for the position and how much you care about becoming a part of the company.

I would appreciate the opportunity to meet with you to discuss how my qualifications will be beneficial to your organization’s success.

Remember, you want to make it clear in your cover letter how the employer will benefit from your experience and qualifications. You want to also express how your goal is to help the organization succeed, not how the position will contribute to your personal success.

I will call you next Tuesday to follow up on my application and arrange for an interview.

The most essential part of your closing is your “call to action” statement. Remember, the purpose of your cover letter is to land an interview. Don’t end your cover letter saying you’ll hope to get in touch. Explain to the reader the exact day and how you will be contacting them.

When you state you will be following up with the employer, make sure you do it!

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Professional Opportunities

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Skilled Labor

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Professional Opportunities

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Skilled Labor

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Skilled Labor

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Skilled Labor

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LAND A GOOD

INTERNSHIP

Internships can help college students start building their resumes before they even earn their degrees, and those experiences can give them an edge in a competitive postgraduate job market.

Landing internships gives students some firsthand experience within a given profession, and that exposure can help them decide if a projected career path is right for them or if it’s good to go back to the drawing board. The following are a few tips to help college students land an internship and make the most of the opportunity.

DON’T HESITATE

Though many internships are tailored to students with a year or two of college under their belt, that doesn’t mean freshman can’t begin to explore potential opportunities.

Even if you don’t intend to get an internship in the coming school year or during summer break, you can begin to explore potential opportunities that might interest you when the time to start seeking internships does arrive.

Looking early may yield valuable information, such as courses that would improve your chances of landing an internship, that your fellow students who hesitate or procrastinate won’t have.

CAREER PLACEMENT SPECIALISTS

Career placement departments are not just a resource for grads. Such departments can be valuable tools for current students interested in landing internships. If you don’t know where to begin your internship search or simply want to see if any opportunities have opened up, speak with representatives at the career placement department at your school. Look the part on such visits, dressing nicely and bringing a resume. Doing so might just separate you from your fellow students, and that can only help as you begin your search for an internship.

ASK AROUND

Sometimes you need a little help to land a good internship, so don’t be afraid to ask your friends and family members if they’re aware of any opportunities. Adult relatives might be aware of internship opportunities at their companies before the general public, and there’s no shame in seeking help as you try to take the first step toward a rewarding career. In addition to friends and family members, inquire about your college or university’s alumni network. Many alumni look to hire students from their universities for internships or even entry-level positions, so make the most of this potentially valuable resource.

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Get That Job!

JOB TIPS

Though many college students dream of the day they will walk across the stage and receive their bachelor’s degree, the reality that awaits many after the last note of “Pomp and Circumstance” has been played may not be what is expected.

FOR NEW COLLEGE GRADS

The following are a few tips recent college grads can employ to increase their chances at finding a job.

USE THE RESOURCES AT YOUR DISPOSAL

Even if it may seem you’re on your own the moment you put away that cap and gown, there are resources at your disposal. Your university’s alumni career center, for example, has helped graduates find jobs in what has proven to be a historically bad economy over the last several years. Alumni career centers often sponsor networking events and will help recent graduates craft their resumes. Graduates who went to school away from home can still tap this potentially valuable resource even if they’re no longer nearby campus.

Chat online with an alumni center representatives and access online video workshops that offer anything from interviewing advice to how to write a better cover letter.

Other resources may include your parents, their friends, your own friends who have already found work or anyone else who might share their experience and advice.

LOOK FOR JOBS IN FIELDS THAT ARE EXPANDING

Though it might seem as though no job fields are fertile in the current economy, that’s not true. Green jobs and jobs in the field of health, for instance, are growing and projections indicate that growth is expected to continue in the years to come. Such fields are likely to have more entry-level positions available, and entrylevel positions do not typically target experienced professionals.

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JOIN YOUR SCHOOL ALUMNI GROUP

Just like Career Services, school alumni groups are frequently underused by students. But they offer a whole lot more than just a discount at the campus bookstore or access to athletic facilities. Successful networking is a huge part of finding a job, especially when you don’t have much work experience. An alumni connection gives you an “in” with experienced professionals who may be in a position to help you, while alumni group events are a great place to meet potential mentors in a relaxed atmosphere.

DRESS FOR SUCCESS

Never underestimate the importance of good grooming, especially when you’re a first time job seeker. Unless you live in a region where casual clothing is the norm, it never hurts to show up a little overdressed for an interview. Many hiring managers will have a bias against recent college grads and assume they aren’t professional, so wearing a suit (for men or women) can be a great way to overcome those assumptions. And while it may seem embarrassing to show up wearing a suit only to find that your interviewer is in a t-shirt and shorts, it would be much worse if things turned out the other way around

CONSIDER MOVING

One of the biggest advantages to being a recent college graduate is freedom to move around. Few have spouses or children to consider, and even fewer have a mortgage to pay. Having so few strings attached to you can work to your advantage -- allowing you to relocate to a stronger job market even if you don’t already have a job offer in hand.

Professional Opportunities

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Professional Opportunities

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Get That Job!

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Health Care

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Health Care

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Health Care

MAKE SURE YOUR RESUME DOESN’T Writing a resume is another aspect of the job hunt that can stoke your nerves. Men and women may pour over job timelines and skill summaries for hours in an effort to ensure they have included the right mix of information to get noticed.

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COST YOU

ME, MYSELF AND I

While the resume should showcase your professional accomplishments, it also should showcase how your skills relate to the job you’re applying for. This way the company understands you have researched the position and are in tune with what they’re looking for in an applicant.

ONE DOCUMENT FOR ALL RESPONSES

A resume is not a static document. It needs to change depending on the job you’re applying to. Although there will be certain information that can remain the same, update the skills and other information based on each position.

ONE PAGE IS BEST

Applicants were long told to keep their resumes concise, limiting the document to just one page. However, if your experience is extensive or one page cannot contain a long job history, don’t be afraid to submit a two-page resume.

FAILING TO SELECTIVE

BE

You need not include your entire job history on a resume, especially if certain past positions you have held are completely irrelevant to the position for which you are applying. Don’t be afraid of job gaps, either. Many of today’s recruiters understand that the changing economy can make it challenging to maintain steady employment.

OU A JOB OVEREMBELLISHMENT

Do not embellish your skills. Always be open and honest on your resume. You may be asked to prove you can perform certain tasks, and if you cannot back up what is included on a resume, you will have wasted your time and the time the interviewer spent discussing his company’s opening with you.

IMPERFECTIONS

A resume is a reflection of you, so one with typographical errors or a poor layout is never acceptable. Ensure your resume is as professional and error-free as possible. Have a friend or a proofreader look it over before distributing.

PAID POSITIONS

Internships or volunteer work are perfectly acceptable to include on a resume, particularly for younger applicants who may not have a wealth of professional experience. Include a mix of information on the resume that will reflect your versatility.

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Banking & Business It is not uncommon for workers to change careers several times in a lifetime.

Many younger workers migrate between jobs for many reasons, including greater professional satisfaction, money or a change of location.

ADVICE FOR A

SUCCESSFUL CAREER CHANGE

Once the idea for a career change has been planted in a person’s mind, he or she may be anxious to jump right in. However, career coaches and other experts say that it is better to take the transition slowly and confirm that changing careers is truly the path to take. Finding the right time for the transition is equally important. These steps can help professionals as they decide if the time is right to change careers.

RESEARCH THE JOB MARKET Look into the industries for the field you are considering. Is it the right time for success in this field? Industries tend to ebb and flow. Do not leave a job only to find the next career has few, if any, openings. Job growth projections are available through resources like the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.

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DON’T CHOOSE BASED ON SALARY ALONE Being financially strategic when choosing a new career is important, but shouldn’t be the only factor. Your personal values, experience and other factors such as family should weigh heavily into your decision as well.

ASSESS YOUR LIKES AND DISLIKES Leaving a job may be based around finding a career that caters to your interests. Make a list of the types of careers you find appealing. To get help, take a career assessment quiz on-line.

GET NEW SKILLS Learn which skills you have that are transferable to a new career and which ones you may need to acquire.

Take a course or two or sign up for training seminars. Don’t immediately assume you need to return to school before investigating other, less costly avenues.

USE YOUR NETWORK The notion that “it’s not what you know, but who you know” has some truth to it. Successful job-seekers continually expand their professional contacts. This is achieved by going to informational interviews, attending trade association meetings and reviewing trade publications.

Target people who work at the companies where you see yourself, so you can get the inside track about job openings.

SET UP A JOB SHADOW (OR TWO)

Shadow professionals in fields of primary interest to observe work first hand. Spend anywhere from a few hours to a few days job shadowing people who have jobs that interest you. Your college career office is a good place to find alumni volunteers who are willing to host job shadowers. Here’s more information on job shadowing and how it works.

Banking & Business

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Professional Opportunities

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Get the Job!

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