In this issue: • Resume Reviews through Hire-a-Shocker • Why should I attend a Career Fair? • School & Career Counselors • Books that shaped work in America • Bonus Feature: - Researching Employers
WSU Career Services
Hire-a-Shocker
Building Shockers, Building Professionals
Issue 11 / 03.03.14
Transition into the Professional World by Jan Mead, Career Counselor Congratulations! Late night studying and early morning classes are about to end. It’s time for you to transition into the professional world of work. Contrary to some opinions, the perfect job is not guaranteed upon graduation. Even if you are graduating from the college whose men’s basketball team is the only undefeated team in the nation, it will be more difficult and take longer to land a job than you expect. You need to get started. You need to get started now. Five points follow to help you get on track. 1. As soon as possible – really, just as soon as possible – make an appointment to meet with one of our counselors to formulate a job search plan. At this meeting you can talk about the kind of job you hope to land, as well as a plan B. The type of job you target will determine how you write your resume. You will also discuss resources and strategies such as Hire-a-Shocker, LinkedIn, informational interviews, membership in professional associations and networking.
It’s coming... Spring 2014
Career Fair
Wednesday, April 9, 2014 4:00 - 6:30pm Koch Arena
Got the app? Wichita State Career Fair Plus
2. Continue or start networking. You don’t have to present your 30-second elevator speech to everyone you come face to face with. You do need to talk with people. Lots of people. You don’t know who might know of a potential opportunity, or may know someone who knows of a potential opportunity. 3. Within two weeks after your first appointment with the counselor, using our Starter Kit as a guide, have your resume, cover letter and reference page ready to go. You will also want to prepare the profile you will use on LinkedIn. You will go over these documents in your next meeting with your career counselor. If you cannot find a time for you and the counselor to meet, email these documents to her. 4. When your counselor gives you the go-ahead, upload your resume in Hire-a-Shocker and make it available for employers to view. Also, open a LinkedIn account, and post your profile. 5. Schedule a mock interview with your counselor. This may sound painful but it will be very worthwhile and much less challenging than going to a “real” interview unprepared. You can also go over your progress on your job search with the counselor and make any adjustments needed. Landing a job is hard. We want to help. Call us today. 978-3435.
Resume Docs @ the Health Fair Wednesday, March 26, 2014 11:00am - 2:00pm Heskett Center Gym Have your resume reviewed during the Health Fair, no matter what your major!
$ $$ $$ $$$$$$$$$$ $$ $$$ $ $$ $$ $ $$ $$ $$ $$ $ $ Resume Review through Hire-a-Shocker $ $$ $$ $ $$ $$ $$ $$ $ $ $ $$ $$ $ $$ $$ $$ $$ $ $ $ $$ $$ $ $$ $$ $$ $$ $ $ $$ $$ $ $$ $$ $$ $$ $ $ $$ $$ $ $$ $$ $$ $$ $ $ $$ $$$$ $$ $$ $$ $$ $ $ $$ $$ $ $$ $$ $$ $$ $$$ $ $$ $$ $ $$ $$ $$ $$ $ $ $$ $$ $ $$ $$ $$ $$ $ $ $$ $$ $ $$ $$ $$ $$ $ $ $$ $$ $ $$ $$ $$ $$ $ $$ $$ $ $$ $$ $$ $$ $ $ $ $ $$ $$ $ $ $ $ Career Coffee Blog...By Jan Mead Employer On-the-Line $ $ $... $ $ If you are looking for a job and want to apply through your Hire-a-Shocker account, you must have an active resume in the system.
Every resume uploaded into Hire-a-Shocker is critiqued. If changes are necessary, you will receive an email explaining the improvements to be made. Your resume is in ‘needs revision’ status until you upload a revised document for approval. The staff of Career Services meets regularly with local employers to discuss resumes. Employers talk about what they expect to see on a resume and what makes an outstanding resume. We do our research with the employers because we want to give you good advice about resume writing.
If you have received an email from one of us concerning your resume, act on it. Make the changes or make an appointment. Employers cannot view your resume if it requires revision.
So far this semester employers viewed 168 resumes online. Was your resume available?
So far this semester 328 students uploaded resumes into Hire-a-Shocker. Was your resume one of them?
ARKANSAS CITY USD 470 ARKANSAS CITY, KANSAS TEACHER RECRUITMENT FAIR Thursday, March 27, 2014 4:00 – 6:00 p.m.
Arkansas City High School Library Media Center 1200 W. Radio Lane Arkansas City, Kansas
By appointment only. Please contact Linda at 620-441-2000 to schedule your 30 minute interview. Interviewing for teaching positions – Early Childhood, Elementary Secondary positions– Art, Language Arts/English, Science, Special Education including ECSE (Early Childhoold), Gifted and Classroom Teachers
By Jeanne Hopkins
Why should I attend a Career Fair? STUDENTS: If you are a student who is, or will be looking for a job, I can’t imagine why you wouldn’t attend the Career Fair—an event which allows you the rare opportunity to get face to face with a multitude of employers, within a short time period and in one location. If you’re a junior or senior it is crucial that you meet as many prospective employers as possible. Even as a freshman or sophomore, it is important to develop and build relationships with employers to enhance your possibility of getting the job you want when you graduate. Plus, a career fair gives you the chance to learn about the types of employment available within different industries and among various employers. FACULTY: If you are faculty, attending the career fair offers a way for you to meet reps of the companies who will be hiring your students. The potential results of those meetings are many, including making contacts that could lead to research endeavors, talking with company reps you may want to invite into your class to present to your students. And, not to be forgotten, often the employer rep who attends a career fair will be a graduate of our institution which of course means, you just might get to talk with former students. Career fairs are expensive for employers to attend. They keep a close eye on their results to determine which schools they will continue to visit. Therefore, we ask you to attend and strongly encourage your students to attend. A small amount of your time could yield large results for your current and future students.
Walgreens
Contact name and title: Matthew Combs, Community Leader What was your first job after completing your education? Walgreens - Assistant Manager Tell us about your organization and how it got started. Walgreens was founded more than 100 years ago and is a Fortune 500 Company (ranked in the Top 50). Today there are more than 8,000 retail stores across the United States. When I began my career in 2000 there were 3,000 stores...I've greatly enjoyed being a part of our explosive growth and have been very involved in the development of the Wichita market. Do you have WSU alums working for your organization, and if so, what are their job titles? Yes. We have several Store Managers in the local area who graduated from WSU. I'm a personal example and graduated in 2000. What are some positions at your organization which students might not expect to find? We are currently recruiting for our Community Internship Program. This is a ten week program that kicks off in early June and is designed to introduce students, graduating within one year, to Walgreens. We are also actively seeking students who are near graduation for our Assistant Store Manager Trainee position. This position offers rapid growth and advancement and will allow a new graduate to learn the role of a Store Manager. Why do you want to hire Shockers? As a graduate of WSU, I can truly attest to the quality of the business program. We have had great results with our WSU grads and several have grown into leadership positions. We are looking for folks that are hard-working, dedicated and hungry for success. What majors should consider applying for jobs? We are primarily interested in students with a background in business. This would include the areas of management, finance, marketing, human resources, etc. We will, however, be more than happy to visit with students from other backgrounds should they have a desire to venture into the business arena. Do you have a job search or resume tip to share? Prepare! Take the time to learn about the organizations you are interested in working for. Research each company and ensure you are aligning your goals with those of the organization..."work" is fun when you have a passion for it! What is unique about your organization? Although Walgreens is a large company, each store has a unique, "family" feel. Employees are encouraged to grow and advance and we pride ourselves on promoting from within.
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Careers Center Stage:
School and Career Counselors School counselors help students develop social skills and succeed in school. Career counselors assist people with the process of making career decisions by helping them choose a career or educational program.
Duties: School counselors typically do the following:
• Help students understand and overcome social or behavioral problems through individual and group counseling • Provide individual and small group counseling based on student needs • Work with students to develop skills such as organization, time management, and effective study habits • Help students set realistic academic and career goals and develop a plan to achieve them • Evaluate students’ abilities and interests through aptitude assessments and interviews • Develop strategies with teachers, administrators, and parents to help students succeed • Teach classes on topics such as bullying, drug abuse, and planning for college or careers after graduation • Identify and report possible cases of neglect or abuse • Refer students and parents to resources outside the school for additional support
Question from a reader about the Hire-a-Shocker jobs graphic A reader asks: “Does the graph represent jobs which have been posted and closed, or are those open jobs?“ The answer: Both. Stats are pulled for jobs posted during the month or during a stated time period. Some jobs represented by the graphic will have expired and some remain open.
February Stats* Jobs posted in February: 423
Career counselors typically do the following:
• Use aptitude and achievement assessments to help clients evaluate their interests, skills, and abilities • Evaluate clients’ background, education, and training to help them develop realistic goals • Guide clients through making decisions about their careers, such as choosing a new profession or the type of degree to pursue • Help clients learn job search skills, such as interviewing and networking • Assist clients in locating or applying for jobs by teaching them strategies to find openings and how to write a résumé • Advise clients on how to resolve problems in the workplace, such as conflicts with bosses or coworkers • Help clients select and apply for educational programs to obtain the necessary degrees, credentials, or skills
Degree Preferred - 55% Degree Required - 30% No Degree Required - 19% Seas/One-Time/Temp - 2% Volunteer - 1%
Open jobs: 866 (as of 8am Feb 28)
Degree Preferred - 60% Degree Required - 26% No Degree Required - 17%
Important qualities:
Seas/One-Time/Temp - 3%
• compassion
On-Campus - 1%
• listening skills
Volunteer - 1%
• people skills • speaking skills
*Jobs go live 24/7 Job Outlook:
*Employers can close a job at any time
Employment of school and career counselors is expected to grow by 19 percent from 2010 to 2020, about as fast as the average for all occupations. Growth is expected due to increasing student enrollments in schools.
*Jobs can be posted for a single day up to a year or more
Similar occupations: human resources specialists, psychologists, mental health counselors Occupational Outlook Handbook / Bureau of Labor Statistics
Disclaimer: Employers can select more than one position type.
Researching Employers Courtesy of the National Association of Colleges and Employers by Alicia Bervine, Anne Orange, and Jennifer Whetstone-Jackson Alicia Bervine is Program Manager, College of Arts & Sciences; Anne Orange is Career Librarian; and Jennifer Whetstone-Jackson is Program Manager, College of Engineering & Computing, at the University of South Carolina, Columbia.
Researching employers is perhaps the single-most important activity you will undertake in your job search. The information you uncover can help you: • Discover organizations that are a good match for you • Identify the organization’s goals and needs • Tailor your resume and cover letter to highlight your skills and experiences that match the employer’s needs • Know what questions to ask employers • Demonstrate your interest in and enthusiasm for the organization • Answer interview questions with confidence and • Make an informed employment decision Unfortunately, many students overlook the importance of research when undertaking a job search. In fact, it’s common for employers to complain that potential job candidates haven’t “done their homework,” and instead come into the interview with little or no knowledge about the organization. These candidates flounder, asking questions that could be easily answered by a cursory look at the company website or literature. Needless to say, they make a poor impression, because employers often assume lack of research means lack of interest.
Where should you begin? Start by developing a list of organizations in which you might be interested—companies that have the types of jobs or do the type of work that interests you. These could be organizations that visit your campus for career fairs, information sessions, and interviews, or they might be companies you have identified on your own as potential employers. An added bonus: You may discover lesser-known organizations that might be a match for your skills and interests. (Having a problem with this step? Talk with a career counselor in your campus career center for direction.) Research companies to obtain information in each of the following categories: • Organizational overview: age, size, financial outlook, growth, and structure • Trends/issues in the industry • Mission, philosophy, objectives • Public or private or foreign-owned • Location of plants, offices, stores, subsidiaries • Products and/or services • Names of key executives • Competitors • Sales, assets, earnings • Growth history and current growth activity • Current challenges • Major achievements and activity, issues, news • Career paths, training, benefits • Company culture
For specific industries or sectors, see: • ThomasNet.com, for brief information about manufacturers in 67,000 categories in the United States and Canada • GuideStar.org, for brief information on more than 1.8 million U.S. nonprofit organizations • Idealist.org, for information on 71,000+ nonprofit organizations worldwide • USA.gov, for a list of federal agencies (click on “Find Government Agencies” on the home page) • USChamber.com, for a list of employer members (click on Chambers, then “Chamber Directory”) Don’t forget the resources available in your campus career center: Check your career center for information about employers that recruit at your school. Finally, this list of resources is a starting point; never underestimate the power of a search engine. Simply “Google” the name of the organization you are interested in and see what information and news is returned!
Other Research Resources Start with the organization’s website. Well-constructed and comprehensive sites will have abundant information, and for the sites that are not as comprehensive, it is still important to learn what is there. This is what the organization deems most important for you to know. Look at university libraries’ research databases. These will have information not available elsewhere for free, including financials, industries, market news, trade data, and more. Choose the business databases for information for the public, private, and nonprofit sectors. Some of the most relevant databases are Hoovers.com, Dun & Bradstreet Million Dollar Directory, Thomson One, Business Source Premier, IBISWorld, and Mergent Online. Check your public library. Public libraries have online research tools available free with a library card. In the business category, you may find ReferenceUSA, with information for more than 20 million U.S. companies, including nonprofit organizations. Speak to a librarian for additional options to research organizations. Look at social networking sites, including LinkedIn. LinkedIn has become a leading source of inside information about organizations. • On LinkedIn, find companies of interest and once found, click on the “Follow” tab to receive updates posted by the company. • Join groups related to any career interest appealing to you. • Contribute to discussions and connect with other members. • Use the advanced search to find alumni working in companies in which you are interested. Try the Employer Locator on Careeronestop. Go to www.acinet.org; in the site search window, search for “Employer Locator.” This is a U.S. government database of nearly 12 million U.S. employers with brief information about each. It’s a good resource for finding employers in a specific industry in a particular geographical location. Look for small, independent companies in the local newspaper.
Books that shaped work in America
In honor of its Centennial this year, the U.S. Department of Labor (DOL) — in partnership with the Center for the Book in the Library of Congress — is developing a list of Books that Shaped Work in America. The idea for this list derived from the Books that Shaped America exhibition sponsored by the Library of Congress in 2012. This exhibition endeavored to spark a national conversation about the impact of books on overall American life and culture. Not surprisingly, many of the books included in the exhibition address issues related to work. But it was the wide range of books with work as a central theme that really served to underscore the significant role published works have played in shaping American workers and workplaces. DOL's 100th anniversary presents an opportune time to further explore and discuss the relationship between books and work through the development of a list of Books that Shaped Work in America. To help get started, a diverse crosssection of individuals, including several former Secretaries of Labor, have shared their suggestions. Of course, the list of Books that Shaped Work in America is, and always will be, a work in progress, since — like America itself — work is constantly changing and evolving. For the list visit: http://www.dol.gov/100/books-shapedwork/title.htm
Spring 2014 Events
Office Hours
March 4 - Cintas Interviews
Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday - 8:00am - 7:00pm Friday - 8:00am - 5:00pm
March 10 - Walgreens Interviews March 26 - Resume Docs @ the Health Fair April 2 - Career Fair Prep Party April 7 - Extended Walk-In hours - 12-7pm April 8 - Extended Walk-In hours - 12-7pm April 9 - Spring 2014 Career Fair
FYI
April 11 - Physical Therapy Career Fair
Walk-In Hours Monday, Tuesday & Thursday - 12:00pm - 1:00pm
Notice of Nondiscrimination Wichita State University does not discriminate in its programs and activities on the basis of race, religion, color, national origin, gender, age, sexual orientation, marital status, political affiliation, status as a veteran, genetic information or disability. The following person has been designated to handle inquiries regarding nondiscrimination policies: Director, Office of Equal Employment Opportunity, Wichita State University, 1845 Fairmount, Wichita KS 67260-0205; telephone (316) 978-6791.
Hire-a-Shocker 1845 Fairmount Street, Wichita, KS 67260-0042 316.978.3435 - career.services@wichita.edu www.wichita.edu/career
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If you’re looking for a job, you need to check out Hire-a-Shocker, our online recruitment system. Post your resume and search for part-time, full-time, degreed and nondegreed positions, including oncampus opportunities. Hire-a-Shocker also shows which employers are coming to career events and allows you to apply for on-campus interviews.