careerbuzz-blog

[careerbuzz-blog]

Faculty & Staff Buzz April 2015

Two Ways Your Students Can Make the Most of the Rest of the Semester:

1. Request a Career Planning Appointment Students may be feeling uneasy about their next big academic decision. The Career Resource Center can help with our Career Planning staff. 

Students can choose a major, explore interesting career options or start an internship/job search. Students can request an appointment with one of our Career Planning staff members either in person, phone, or Skype.

Here’s the Link to get started

2. Practice Interviewing Skills Practicing interviewing skills is the first step to nailing jobs with our employers. If your students have recruitment events coming up such as interviews, career fairs, or internships have them come in and perfect their craft. 

We offer three ways to improve your interviewing skills:

1. Virtual Mock Interviews via Gator CareerLink, visit www.crc.ufl.edu - log into GCL, click on the “Resources” tab, and select “Mock Interviews”

2. Schedule a mock interview during career planning with a staff member via Gator CareerLink

3. Stop by our library between 9 a.m. - 4 p.m., Monday – Friday.

INFORMATION SESSIONS Information sessions are here for your students to learn about an organization or hiring process. They are FREE and open to UF faculty, staff, students and alumni.

March 31, 2015

Amazon, 5:30pm, Career Resource Center RM 0233

Virtual Fairs is what the Buzz is all about!

Virtual Fair is another way to give your students more options. Here are a few virtual fairs -- the rest can be seen in Gator Careerlink.

1. UF Virtual Fair will be occurring on June 11, 2015.

Top recruiters will be providing job and internship opportunities to UF Students and UF Alumni exclusively. Find more information here.

The next following Virtual Fairs are sponsored by our Career Resource Partner  Career Eco. 

2.  Missouri State University – On April 21, 2015 Graduate College Online Open House

3. Optometry Virtual Fair - April 21, 2015

4. TCS Class of 2015 Virtual Career Fair for Software Engineers - April 23, 2015

5. Statewide Job Fair - May 14, 2015

Find more graduate and career fairs that may suit your students in the Workshops tab on Gator CareerLink. 

The center is always offering a variety of events to help students prepare for or connect with employment opportunities.

Visit Gator CareerLink for events that will be happening in the Career Resource Center at https://ufl-csm.symplicity.com/manager/?s=events&_ksl=1

Want to keep up with our events for this month?

Check out https://ufl-csm.symplicity.com/manager/?s=calendar&_ksl=1 for a complete overview! 

Don’t have a Gator CareerLink account? Don’t worry, contacts us, and we’ll help you set one up so you can stay connected to the CRC.

CRC staff members interact with employers to establish and maintain employment connections for UF candidates. Use Gator CareerLink or check the organizations website to review their opportunities.

To find a list of the new or inactive employers that the CRC consulted with, log into Gator CareerLink. Don’t have an account yet, click here to get started.

[careerbuzz-blog]

Faculty & Staff Buzz March 2015

Two Ways Your Students Can Make the Most of the Rest of the Semester:

1.  Request a Career Planning Appointment Students may be feeling uneasy about their next big academic decision. The Career Resource Center can help make those decisions a little bit easier by requesting a Career Planning appointment. 

Our Career Planning staff can help students choose a major, explore interesting career options or start an internship/job search. Students can request an appointment with one of our Career Planning staff members either in person, phone, or Skype.

Here's the Link to get started

2. Practice Interviewing Skills

Practicing interviewing skills is the first step to nailing jobs with our employers. If your students have recruitment events coming up such as interviews, career fairs, or internships have them come in and perfect their craft. It's important that your student know that practicing interviewing skills can increase their confidence level for their big day.

We offer three ways to improve your interviewing skills:

1. Virtual Mock Interviews via Gator CareerLink, visit www.crc.ufl.edu - log into GCL, click on the “Resources” tab, and select “Mock Interviews”

2. Schedule a mock interview during career planning with a staff member via Gator CareerLink

3. Stop by our library between 9 a.m. - 4 p.m., Monday – Friday.

The center is always offering a variety of events to help students prepare for or connect with employment opportunities.

Visit Gator CareerLink for events that will be happening in the Career Resource Center at https://ufl-csm.symplicity.com/manager/?s=events&_ksl=1

Want to keep up with our events for this month?

Check out https://ufl-csm.symplicity.com/manager/?s=calendar&_ksl=1 for a complete overview! 

Don't have a Gator CareerLink account? Don't worry, contacts us, and we'll help you set one up so you can stay connected to the CRC.

INFORMATION SESSIONS Information sessions are here for your students to learn about an organization or hiring process. They are FREE and open to UF faculty, staff, students and alumni.

March 31, 2015

The Fund For Public Interest, 7:00 p.m., Little Hall RM 0233

April 1, 2015

The Fund For Public Interest, 7:00 p.m., Little Hall RM 0125

April 2, 2015

The Fund For Public Interest, 4:15 p.m., Little Hall RM 0233

CRC staff members interact with employers to establish and maintain employment connections for UF candidates. Use Gator CareerLink or check the organizations website to review their opportunities.

The following are new or inactive employers that the CRC consulted with from January-March:

Affiliated Engineers

American Integrity Insurance

Banana Republic

DAB Constructor

Dewberry

Dynasty Consulting

E*Trade

Empty Sink Publishing

Hemsworth Communications

Humana

Hurricane Junior Golf Tour

Imperx

K Hovananian

Lilly Pulitzer

Lucky’s

Marcus & Millichap

McArthur Dairy/TG Lee Dairy

Reggae Shack

Rolls Royce

State Farm

WebMetro

West Virginia School of Osteopathic Medicine

If you have any questions, please contact your college liaison. 

[careerbuzz-blog]

#UF18 Five Tips for Your Freshman Year

Welcome #UF18! As you're making your way around our beautiful campus, make sure you stop by the Career Resource Center.  We have all types of services that you can benefit from now.  We're on the first floor of the Reitz Union, next to the information desk and right around the corner from Panda!

Our team wanted to share a few tips with you to help you navigate your first year. Let us know if you have any questions about any of them - we're here to help!

"During your Freshman Year, it is important to balance your academics with involvement on campus. Remember, get involved with things that you actually enjoy! You can learn more about yourself and grow your skill set that will help you in any career in the future!"

 - Alllie Ricker

Assistant Director for Career Exploration and Education

"Use campus resources!  They are here for a reason. Don’t struggle with doubt, lack of direction, loneliness or other transition issues alone. At the CRC we’re here to help you choose your major, figure out what you can do with it and make a plan to achieve it, but there are several resources to assist you with whatever you are experiencing."

- Nadene Reynolds

Sr. Assistant Director for Professional Development and Experience

"It’s called 'YOUR experience' for a reason.  Don’t feel pressured to follow a certain path at UF because it seems tried and tested. Make sure that you follow your passions while here. As a senior I can honestly say that my time here has flown by. I can’t say, however, that I regret a single 'mistake','mishap' or 'failure' because they were all important pieces to MY experience. If I do say so myself, the pieces have fallen together quite nicely."

- Michelle Albert

Public Relations Major, #UF15

“It’s okay if you aren’t 100% sure what your major is or will be. Most students change their major three to five times anyway. So, be open minded to exploring all possibilities – you never know what opportunities will change your life!”

- Dwayne Peterson

Assistant Director for Employer Development

"Take time for self-care: balance your time, prioritize your commitments, get regular sleep and eat well."

- Angel Iverson

Sr. Assistant Director for Employer Development

For more information about the Career Resource Center, visit our website at crc.ufl.edu.

[careerbuzz-blog]

Five Things You Should Know About Today's Part-Time Job Fair

Five things you should know about today's Part-Time Job Fair

1.  This is the first year it's being held at the Reitz Union Breezeway.

Due to construction on the Reitz Union Colonnade, the event has moved to the Reitz Union Breezeway. This is the area near the 'circle drive' outside of the Wells Fargo bank at the Reitz Union. Employers will be there from 10 a.m. - 2 p.m. on Monday.

Fun fact: This is also the first year it has been held on a Monday!

2.  You don't have to dress up.

If you are concerned about your gear, don't be! Feel free to stop by before or after your classes to check out the employment opportunities available for UF students.

3.  Over 30 employers will be in attendance.

There are plenty of employers who want to hire UF students including 11 UF departments (even the Career Resource Center)! 

4. Be prepared and bring your resumes.

To make the most out of a conversation with an employer, bring your resume to share your experiences on site.  Need to have your resume looked at before you head to the fair? Stop by the CRC for an Express Drop In appointment with a Career Ambassador for a resume critique.

5. Bring your class schedule.

If you have your fall class schedule on hand you can share your availability for work with employer right there on the spot!

For more information, please visit www.crc.ufl.edu/ptjobfair.

Good luck and see you at the Part-Time Job Fair!

[careerbuzz-blog]

International Gators - Calling the Swamp Home

This week’s faculty feature is the talented Dr. Luisa Amelia Dempere, engineer and director of the Major Analytical Instrumentation Center (MAIC) and the Particle Analysis Instrumentation Center (PAIC). Dr. Dempere, a native of Venezuela, has lived in the U.S. for the past 21 years. She holds a B.S. in Chemistry and a M.S. and Ph.D. in Materials Science and Engineering, and first secured employment in Materials Characterization at UF upon completing her studies.

  Five Questions for Dr. Dempere:

  How would you recommend Graduate students to explore fields of interest?

  My recommendation is to volunteer time working with professionals in those areas of your interest. Many places also have shadowing programs, or welcome shadowing visits, from one day to a week. I volunteered first at the labs where I ended up getting employed. Working as a volunteer allowed me to understand better the intricacies of the job, and gave me the opportunity to further develop the abilities and skills required to be productive and efficient.

  Taking courses as specific and focused as possible on the areas of interest is another way of exploration that provides the theoretical, and sometimes practical, background to find out how much we like and enjoy working on those selected topics. Getting good grades in those [materials] courses allowed me to volunteer as an instructor of the laboratory practices, where I gained very valuable experience. My first job after received my B.S. degree was at the place where I initially volunteered, back in my country of origin: Venezuela.

  What are three tips that students should keep in mind when searching for a job in the U.S.?

  An interested employer positively impressed with your credentials and personal traits will not see sponsoring an employment visa as an unsurmountable obstacle to your employment.

A bilingual/multilingual and culturally diverse employee is what most companies are seeking to help them to remain competitive in global markets and to be effectively responsive to an increasingly diverse population.

Establishing ties to U.S. professional societies and groups demonstrates your interest and involvement in your field of expertise, and that you feel comfortable in a U.S. professional environment.

  What are two - three challenges you faced during your U.S. job search, and how did you overcome them?

My biggest concern was my communication skills: being able to express completely and correctly my ideas, opinions and perspectives on a variety of topics. Most of our preparation as students is based on giving oral presentations focused in topics in our fields. However, in most job interviews, your communication skills, oral and written, are constantly evaluated in a variety of topics and scenarios. If we don’t have confidence in having an extensive enough vocabulary, interviews can be intimidating and create great anxiety. I overcame that by becoming an avid reader on topics of my interest other than my field of professional expertise. That helped me develop confidence and the certainty that I had the vocabulary I needed to express myself properly answering any kind of questions.

   What brought you to the United States?

  Due to my academic performance as an undergraduate student, I was offered a scholarship that allowed me to pursue a graduate degree overseas. My undergraduate academic advisor had just returned back to Venezuela after completing his Ph.D. in the U.S. He recommended me to pursue my graduate studies in the U.S. and in the Materials Science and Engineering program at the University of Florida. I only applied to UF, and I was lucky to be accepted!

  If you could go back and share with your college-aged self-one piece of advice, what would you say?

Enjoy the journey. Savor each day. Take advantage of having the time, the flexibility and the possibility to explore topics, fields, ideas, and perspectives.

Thank you Dr. Dempere for your advice!

If you would like to be considered for an International Gators feature or know someone we should interview, please email Liz Kazungu at lizk@crc.ufl.edu.

[careerbuzz-blog]

April 2014 Faculty & Staff Buzz

Request a Career Planning Appointment Our Career Planning staff can help students choose a major, explore interesting career options or start an internship/job search. Students can request an appointment with one of our Career Planning staff members either in person, phone, or Skype.

Practice your interviewing skills now We offer three ways to improve your interviewing skills: 1. Virtual Mock Interviews via Gator CareerLink, visit www.crc.ufl.edu- log into GCL, click on the “Resources” tab, and select “Mock Interviews” 2. Schedule a mock interview during career planning with a staff member via Gator CareerLink or 3. Stop by our library between 9am-4pm, Monday – Friday.

CRC staff members interact with employers to establish and maintain employment connections for UF candidates. Use Gator CareerLink or check the organizations website to review their opportunities.     The following are new or inactive employers that the CRC consulted with in March:

Accountemps – A Robert Half Company

Arbor Pharmaceuticals

Astronaut Memorial Foundation – Center for Space Education

Broward County YMCA

Brown & Brown, Inc.

COMMONSENSE Office Furniture

Cuhaci+Peterson Architects

HDR

Merritt Precision Technologies, Inc.

Salt Rights, Inc.

Selovita, LLC – Florida Urban Organics

Rodan & Fields

Florida Mentor – Gainesville

District Finance Office – The Villages

Staunch Systems

Pennington & Bailes

Tek Matic

Kauffman Rossin

Country View Family Farms

Raycom Media

Sage Hospitality- Springhill Suites Gainesville

African Wildlife Foundation

Travelclick

Easter Seals – Greater Washington Region

St. Andrews Link

  Events that help students prepare for or connect with employment opportunities. Visit the CRC calendar at www.crc.ufl.edu for more info.

Want to keep up with our events for this month? Check out http://www.crc.ufl.edu/htmlemail/apr2014.html for a complete overview!

  INFORMATION SESSIONS Attend information sessions to learn about an organization or hiring process. They are FREE and open to UF faculty, staff, students and alumni.

There are no more information sessions scheduled for the rest of this month.

[careerbuzz-blog]

International Gators - Calling the Swamp Home

In this week’s post, we’re featuring a recent UF grad, Harsha Ramakrishnappa who received his master’s degree in Electrical and Computer Engineering from the University of Florida. Harsha is now a software developer for R + L Carriers Inc., in Ocala, Fl. He moved to the United States from India in August 2011. Harsha received his undergraduate degree in electronics and communication engineering from the University Visveswaraya College of Engineering, Bangalore University in Bangalore, India.

 Four Questions for Harsha:

What would you recommend to students who are following in your footsteps about exploring majors and careers?

In my opinion, it is always good to read journals and magazines, which deal with the topics you like to focus on what you want to study. When you find some type of articles interesting, you can explore more about that topic, see what the experts’ opinion about its future is and if you feel interested in it, select it as your major or minor and make your basics strong by enrolling in a few courses. It is good to do this because you are taking your decision (about your major/career) based not only on your interest but also on the industry practices and opinion.

List three ways you prepared for your job search.

My advice for finding jobs would be:

Stay prepared for opportunity at all times. Many times an opportunity will only give a 2-minute warning.

I contacted the CRC a lot to help me in my job search. I had my resume reviewed and rewritten at CRC. This was very important because a catchy resume can land interviews.

I joined many clubs at UF, which was a good way to build networks and meet with people with similar interests.

What are the biggest challenges you faced to get to this point?

My biggest challenge was dealing with all the problems alone. The best way to get over this was to work in teams with friends. By studying together and discussing what we learned, handling all the projects and homework alone was no longer a challenge. On most occasions, after discussing, homework seemed easier and took a fraction of the time it would take when I did it alone during the first couple semesters.

What are the next steps of your career journey?

Being entrepreneurial, I am interested to have my own business within the next decade but I am not sure if I want to take that risk right away and start a new business. I prefer to learn the basics and get a formal training on it and then venture into it with knowing all options available to me. While it is a slower process, success is guaranteed with hard work.

Do you have any questions for Harsha and his experience? If so, comment below!

If you would like to be considered for an International Gators feature or know someone we should interview, please email Liz Kazungu at lizk@crc.ufl.edu.

[careerbuzz-blog]

March 2014 Faculty & Staff Buzz

Request a Career Planning Appointment Our Career Planning staff can help students choose a major, explore interesting career options or start an internship/job search. Students can request an appointment with one of our Career Planning staff members either in person, phone, or Skype.

Practice Your Interviewing Skills Now We offer three ways for students to improve their interviewing skills:

Virtual Mock Interviews via Gator CareerLink, visit www.crc.ufl.edu- log into GCL, click on the “Resources” tab, and select “Mock Interviews”

Schedule a mock interview during career planning with a staff member via Gator CareerLink or

Stop by our library between 9am-4pm, Monday – Friday.

CRC staff members interact with employers to establish and maintain employment connections for UF candidates. Use Gator CareerLink or check the organizations website to review their opportunities.     *New Employers to the CRC        +Have Recently Taken Action in GCL

NASA Office of Investigations*

hackNY*

Hayes Pipe Supply, Inc.*

iD Tech*

Fully Virtual Services*

Alarion Banks*

Hotel Development Group*

Kimpton Hotels*

Citizen Crane*

Save the Date!  The Network with Recruiters in Education event takes place next week on April 1st at the Florida Gym from 4 p.m. - 7 p.m.  

Want to keep up with our events for this month? Check out http://www.crc.ufl.edu/htmlemail/MAR2014.html for a complete overview!

INFORMATION SESSIONS Attend information sessions to learn about an organization or hiring process. They are FREE and open to UF faculty, staff, students and alumni.

March 18th

d2 Paving and Site Work/Kern Company, 5 pm, CRC Library

  March 24th

Medical School for International Health, 6:15 pm, Weil Hall - 234 RM

[careerbuzz-blog]

International Gators - Calling the Swamp Home

We’re excited! This week we are introducing our new blog feature ‘International Gators, Calling the Swamp Home’.  We’ll be chatting with some of the most intriguing faculty, staff and students on campus who will share their experiences about landing a job outside of their country of origin or how they are preparing for the job search in another country.  Each person will be asked four questions about their experiences and insights that they would like to share.

Our inaugural post features Dr. Charles Bwenge who is a dynamic senior lecturer and program coordinator in African languages for the University of Florida’s Center for African Studies (CAS) and Department of Languages, Literatures and Cultures (LLC).  Dr. Bwenge hails from Tanzania and has lived in the United States for the past 19 years. 

Four Questions for Dr. Bwenge:

1. How would you recommend Graduate students to explore majors and careers?

I recommend subscribing to professional websites, journals, and other publications. This worked very well for me throughout my career and I would highly recommend it.

Mtakuja Village, Moshi rural, Tanzania (June 2010) Field trip @ Local Knowledge & Climate Change Adaptation Project (LKCCAP)

2. What are three tips that students should keep in mind when job searching for a position in the U.S.?

Have a well written CV (ask your colleagues and professors to provide comments or visit the CRC for a review).

A well written career portfolio.

Maintain good relationship with your professors who eventually will be your references.

3. What was a challenge you faced during your U.S. job search, and how did you overcome them?

For me there were a limited number of job positions in my field. In this regard, a student can try to initiate the process by sending his/her CV to potential employers! Sounds a little bit fun!

AFLI 2013, conversational session (Swahili)

4. If you could go back and share with your college-aged self one piece of advice, what would you say?

I would tell myself to try to attend as many professional conferences/gatherings as possible in order to network with individuals in your profession/field.  Also, to do as many mock interviews as possible which may help you to improve self-presentation.

Thank you Dr. Bwenge for your valuable insight!

It is an honor to be featured on the blog that targets Graduate students at UF and I hope that you will find value in sharing my experience with you as you begin your job search process as a Graduate student. Feel free to contact me, at cbwenge@ufl.edu if you have any questions.

For more information about Dr. Bwenge, please visit his profiles at http://africa.ufl.edu/bwenge and at http://www.languages.ufl.edu/faculty/bwenge.html.

If you would like to be considered for an International Gators feature or know someone we should interview, please email Liz Kazungu at lizk@crc.ufl.edu.

[careerbuzz-blog]

February 2014 Faculty & Staff Buzz

Request a Career Planning Appointment Our Career Planning staff can help students choose a major, explore interesting career options or start an internship/job search. Students can request an appointment with one of our Career Planning staff members either in person, phone, or Skype.

Practice your interviewing skills now We offer three ways to improve your interviewing skills: 1. Virtual Mock Interviews via Gator CareerLink, visit www.crc.ufl.edu- log into GCL, click on the “Resources” tab, and select “Mock Interviews” 2. Schedule a mock interview during career planning with a staff member via Gator CareerLink or 3. Stop by our library between 9am-4pm, Monday – Friday.

CRC staff members interact with employers to establish and maintain employment connections for UF candidates. Use Gator CareerLink or check the organizations website to review their opportunities.     *New Employers to the CRC        +Have Recently Taken Action in GCL

Events that help students prepare for or connect with employment opportunities. Visit the CRC calendar at www.crc.ufl.edu for more info.

European Career Fair February 1st, 8am-5pm, MIT Howard Johnson Athletic Center The European Club at MIT is hosting the 18th European Career Fair February 1st-3rd, 2014 at the MIT Howard Johnson Athletic Center in Cambridge, Mass. Visit www.euro-career.com or email candidate@euroclub.mit.edu for more information. **The Career Resource Center is not affiliated with this event. The Aftermath: What to Do After Career Showcase (Presented by Mondelēz) February 4th, 5:30pm-7pm, CRC Library This workshop will focus on how to follow up with the connections students make at career fair, develop a lasting professional brand and get the most out of their career fair experience, whether they are a freshman attending for the first time, or a seasoned upperclassman looking for a job. International Students and the Job Search Process February 5th, 4pm-5pm, CRC Library This workshop will provide an overview of International Student experiences and what they are to expect in the U.S. Job Search process. Shark Tank- The Art of Negotiation (Presented by Mondelēz) February 5th, 5:30pm-7pm, CRC Classroom Mondelez will host this workshop giving students insight into the art of negotiation. They will not only cover how to negotiate, but also when to negotiate, so that when the time comes students are well prepared.

  Certified Gator Professional Series        The Certified Gator Professional (CGP) is a series of workshops that review skills and strategies needed to succeed in a professional setting. Once students have attended the four sessions (each presented multiple times throughout the semester), they will be a Certified Gator Professional. Four workshops will occur this month:           Professionalism and Your Brand February 5th, 4:10pm-5pm, CRC Classroom    This workshop will cover topics that include creating and maintaining your brand, networking, and understanding the many components of professionalism.           Real World Communications and Interactions February 10th, 4:10pm-5pm, CRC Classroom    This workshop will review why companies are globalizing as well as strategies to increase students’ intercultural communication skills in the modern day workforce.            From Offer to Office: Succeed in Your New Position February 19th, 4:10pm-5pm, CRC Library   This workshop will review what students need to know as they begin a new professional experience as well as strategies to help them succeed in their new role.           Get Ready for Your Job & Internship Search February 25th, 5:15pm-6pm, CRC Library   This workshop will guide students in evaluating their past experiences, recognizing their transferable skills, learning where and how to search for a position, and understanding the best practices of an internship and/or job search. **CGP is available in an in-person format or through an online module!! To begin the online CGP, please click here.

  Are You Ready to Work in the Travel Industry (Presented by Online Vacation Center) February 12th, 5:00pm, CRC Library February 12th, 5:05pm, CRC Library We will cover why students should consider the travel industry, the skills needed to succeed, and the diverse sectors in travel. Students will also learn the proper ways to complete an application, and how to best prepare for assessments used by employers.

  LinkedIn 101 February 13th, 4:10pm, CRC Classroom After attending this workshop, students will be able to: •        Create a dynamic LinkedIn profile to market themselves and their experiences

•        Use LinkedIn’s features like introductions, discussions, home feed, recommendations, groups, etc.

•        Successfully utilize LinkedIn to create and maintain professional relationships

  Ph.D. & Master's Virtual Career Fair February 19th, 8am to 8pm, http://gradtalent.careereco.net/ CareerEco will host the Ph.D. & Master's Virtual Career Fair open to Ph.D., Master's, Post-Docs, and Alumni on February 19, 2014. Visit http://gradtalent.careereco.net/ or contact events@CareerEco.com for more information. **The Career Resource Center is not affiliated with this event.

  Possible Futures in Statistics & Analytics February 19th, 5:10pm, CRC Library Possible Futures in Statistics in Analytics is panel format workshop shining a light on the various career opportunities in which they can utilize their education. We have gathered several professionals, who are all eager to share their experiences, knowledge and expertise. Students will also have the opportunity to network and make meaningful connections with the representatives in attendance.

  RAPS (Healthcare) Virtual Career Fair February 20th, 10am to 4:30pm RAPS (The Regulatory Affairs Professional Society): Connecting Qualified Candidates with Leading Healthcare Organizations Virtual Fair will be hosted on February 20, 2014. Visit https://www.brazenconnect.com/event/raps_career_fair_3/ or contact info@brazencareerist.com for questions. **The Career Resource Center is not affiliated with this event.

Non-Academic Careers for Graduate Students February 20th, 4pm, CRC Library Catered for Graduate and Postdoc students, this workshop provides an overview on how one can consider and pursue non-academic career options

  Engineering Leadership Forum Q&A with Employers February 20th, 6:15pm, Hough Hall Lobby Information and Q&A sessions will be held in Hough Hall. PepsiCo and Target will speak from 6:30-7:00 in rooms 120A/B and 240 respectively. Cameron and P&G will speak from 7:15-7:45 in rooms 120A/B and 240 respectively. Arrive 15 minutes early for snacks, for a 1:1 with recruiters, and for a good seat! At each session, food and drinks will be provided. All students at the University of Florida are invited to attend. Questions? Contact Ashley Papagno at elfeweek.uf@gmail.com with questions.

INFORMATION SESSIONS Attend information sessions to learn about an organization or hiring process. They are FREE and open to UF faculty, staff, students and alumni.

February 3rd Macy's-5:30pm, Reitz Union Grand Ballroom Salon D Schlumberger-6pm, CRC Library Harris Corporation-6:30pm, Reitz Union Room 361/362

February 4th Mondelēz International-5:30pm, CRC Library Citi-7:30pm, CRC Library February 6th Capgemini-7:30pm, NEB 101 RM

February 9th Kimley-Horn and Associates, Inc.-6pm, McCarty Building G086

February 10th Deutsche Bank- 6pm, CRC Conference Room February 11th PepsiCo-7pm, CRC Library

February 12th Saks Fifth Avenue OFF 5TH-4pm, CRC Classroom

February 13th Online Vacation Center-5:30pm, CRC Library Lockheed Martin Corporation- 7pm, CRC Library February 18th HD Supply-5:15pm, Weil Hall 238 RM

February 26th Kraft Foods-Oscar Mayer Foods Division-5:30pm, CRC Conference Room Kraft Foods Group-5:30pm, CRC Classroom

February 28th St. Thomas University School Of Law-2:30pm, Weil Hall 279

[careerbuzz-blog]

Five Ways to Prepare for Career Showcase during the Break

Career Showcase is right around the corner, January 21st and January 22nd.  What are you doing over the break to get ready for it? Need help with preparing? No worries! We've listed five recommendations of how you can take advantage of your time during the holiday break to prepare for Showcase!

1.      Get fitted for and purchase a suit

When you look good, you feel good! A nice fitting suit will increase your confidence when you are meeting employers at Career Showcase. During the break, take the time to get professionally fitted for a suit, possibly ask for a new one as a holiday gift, or find a deal with post-holiday shopping sales. Also, don’t forget about your feet, break in any new shoes you have, you want to be comfortable walking around!

Do you have specific questions about professional attire?  Visit our Open House on Jan. 13th, where Dillard’s will present on how to make a lasting professional first impression.

2.      Practice your elevator speech

You will be meeting employers for the first time at Career Showcase, you only have a few seconds to make a first impression, make sure it’s a polished one! Your elevator speech should be concise, consider keeping it under a minute, yet clear.  Consider these few things when crafting your speech: who you are (name and major); your career goals; your experience and your qualifications. Wrap up the speech with a question such as, ‘Can you tell me about the culture at your company?’ or ‘Can you share why you enjoy working at ABC Company?’.  Take time during your break to craft your elevator speech. Practice it front of family and friends to build confidence.

3.      Tighten up your resume

The purpose of a resume is to help you secure an interview.  You need to make it easy for the employer to see that you are the top candidate. Employers only take 10-30 seconds to review your resume.  Take out your resume, do a self-edit to come up with a solid draft, then visit the CRC when classes start for our team to review it. For more on resumes, visit our site at www.crc.ufl.edu.

4.      Research companies you want to talk to

During Career Showcase you will get a few minutes to talk to recruiters from the companies you’re interested in. Make sure to do background research so you show the recruiter that you know about their company and the specific jobs they are hiring for. Having questions prepared to ask them isn’t a bad idea either. Log in to Gator CareerLink at the CRC’s website for a listing of participating companies at Career Showcase.

5.      Reflect on your past experiences

You’ll have the opportunity to meet with several different employers during Career Showcase.  Take the time now to reflect on your past experiences so that you’ll be able to recall them with ease. Ask yourself, ‘what can I bring to this opportunity?’ and think about the skills you learned and honed in previous positions. Your time will be brief when talking with employers, start thinking about relevant situations now to efficiently communicate why you should be considered as a candidate.

Career Showcase is less than a month away!  Start preparing during your break to ensure that you are prepared!  When you return to campus, stop by the CRC for professional development workshops prior to Career Showcase.  You can find a listing of events on our site, www.crc.ufl.edu.

 Happy Holidays!

 By Bruna Bouhid

[careerbuzz-blog]

November 2014 Faculty & Staff Buzz

Request a Career Planning Appointment Our Career Planning staff can help students choose a major, explore interesting career options or start an internship/job search. Students can request an appointment with one of our Career Planning staff members either in person, phone, or Skype.

CHOMP The Career Help for Major Planning (CHOMP) program was designed to help students find a major or consider different career paths; they can click below to get started. Let's Get Started

CRC staff members interact with employers to establish and maintain employment connections for UF candidates. Use Gator CareerLink or check the organizations website to review their opportunities.    

Events that help students prepare for or connect with employment and prepare for Career Showcase.

FOS Resume Workshop (for Sophomore FOS students only) This presentation will explain the art of resume writing and how to best market students on paper!  We will discuss the basic components of a resume and how to stand out as a candidate. Sophomore-level Florida Opportunity Scholar students are required to attend one of these resume presentations during the fall semester. All workshops will be held in the CRC Classroom. November 4th, 10:40am November 6th, 11:45am November 14th, 9:35am November 14th, 3:00pm November 15th, 4:05pm November 18th, 5:10pm November 19th, 1:55pm

Backpacks to Briefcases November 5th, 5:30pm, CRC Library This opportunity is geared toward freshmen and sophomores that may not be on the hunt for a full-time job yet but want to prepare for a future leadership position or maybe to apply for that first internship experience. Backpack to Briefcases will help students: • Develop their “60 Second Elevator Pitch” • Enhance their interviewing skills • Polish their resume • Learn the do’s and don’ts of social media and • Step up their interviewing skills Brought to you by The Leadership Development Cabinet of Student Government and the Career Resource Center.

Central Florida Employment Council Job Fair The Central Florida Employment Council Job Fair will be hosted on November 6th from 12-4pm at the Central Florida Fair Exposition Park. Please call 407-834-4022 with questions or visit: http://www.cfec.org/index.php/en/job-fair. **This event is not affiliated with the UF Career Resource Center.

Possible Futures: Careers in Technology November 6th, 4pm, CRC Library The CRC’s Possible Futures: Careers in Technology gathers several professionals from different areas of communication, all eager to share their experience, knowledge, and expertise with students. Students can come join us on November 6th at 4pm, to hear our panelists tell their stories, and also have them answer some of your own questions. Afterward there will be time for students to network and make some meaningful connections.

Gear Up For Grad School The Gear Up workshops will go over everything you need to know about applying to graduate or professional school. Attend the workshop that is the best fit for you, or attend them all. Navigating the Application Process: GRE, GPA, and other acronyms November 12th, 4:10pm, CRC Library We’ll review the application process, discuss the updates to the GRE and go over general application guidelines and timelines. Writing Personal Statements November 20th, 4:10pm, CRC Library Personal statements are a required component for a graduate school application. This workshop covers all students need to know about starting and writing a dynamic personal statement. Certified Gator Professional Series The Certified Gator Professional (CGP) is a series of personal and professional development workshops that review with students the skills and strategies needed to succeed in a professional setting. Once students have attended the three sessions, they will be a Certified Gator Professional. Purposefully Prepare for Your Search November 13th at 4:10pm, CRC Library This workshop will guide students in evaluating their past experiences, recognizing their transferable skills, learning where and how to search for a position, and understanding the best practices of an internship and/or job search. Professional Expectations and Competencies November 21st at 4:10pm, CRC Library This workshop will review what you need to know as you begin a new professional experience as well as strategies to help you succeed in your new role.

  VeteransConnect Virtual Career Fair PSI hosts VeteransConnect Virtual Career Fair November 1st-15th, 2013. For more information and questions visit psijobfair.com **The UF Career Resource Center is not affiliated with this event.

  Tampa Career Fair Tampa Career Fair hosted by National Career Fairs will be held November 20th 11am-2pm at the DoubleTree Hotel located at 4500 West Cypress Street. Call 877-561-5627 or visit https://www.nationalcareerfairs.com/career_fairs/4132/FL/Tampa/November/20/2013 for more information. **The UF Career Resource Center is not affiliated with this event.

LinkedIn 101 November 21st, 4pm, CRC Classroom With a site of over 230 million people geared for professional networking, students want to take advantage of the platform LinkedIn has to offer. After attending this workshop, students will be able to:

Create a dynamic LinkedIn profile to market yourself and your experiences

Use LinkedIn’s features like introductions, discussions, home feed, recommendations, groups, etc.

Successfully utilize LinkedIn to create and maintain professional relationships

INFORMATION SESSIONS Attend information sessions to learn about an organization or hiring process. They are FREE and open to UF faculty, staff, students and alumni.

November 6th FBI- 1pm, CRC Classroom

November 7th Peace Corps- 4pm, International Center 145 Hub

November 22nd Rangel International Affairs Program- 9:30am, International Center 145 Hub U.S. Department of State Diplomat- 10:40am, International Center 145 Hub

[careerbuzz-blog]

October 2014 Faculty & Staff Buzz

  Fall 2013 Career Showcase Career Showcase will be held on October 1st and 2nd, 2013 from 9am - 3pm in the Stephen O'Connell Center. This event is open to UF students and alumni only. Career Showcase features full-time jobs and internships and offers students and alumni a great opportunity to network with employers and explore a position or organization that they had not previously considered.

CHOMP The Career Help for Major Planning (CHOMP) program was designed to help students find a major or consider different career paths; they can click below to get started. Let's Get Started

Request a Career Planning Appointment Our Career Planning staff can help students choose a major, explore interesting career options or start an internship/job search. Students can request an appointment with one of our Career Planning staff members either in person, phone, or Skype.

CRC staff members interact with employers to establish and maintain employment connections for UF candidates. Use Gator CareerLink or check the organizations website to review their opportunities.    

Events that help students prepare for or connect with employment and prepare for Career Showcase.

FOS Resume Workshop (for Sophomore FOS students only) This presentation will explain the art of resume writing and how to best market students on paper!  We will discuss the basic components of a resume and how to stand out as a candidate. Sophomore-level Florida Opportunity Scholar students are required to attend one of these resume presentations during the fall semester. All workshops will be held in the CRC Classroom. October 7th, 9:35am October 11th, 11:45am October 15th, 10:40am October 16th, 4:10pm October 22nd, 11:45am October 25th, 11:45am October 30th, 12:50pm

Certified Gator Professional Series The Certified Gator Professional (CGP) is a series of personal and professional development workshops that review with students the skills and strategies needed to succeed in a professional setting. Once students have attended the three sessions, they will be a Certified Gator Professional.      Professional Expectations and Competencies October 7, 2013 at 4:10pm in the CRC Classroom October 29, 2013 at 4:10pm in the CRC Library This workshop will review what you need to know as you begin a new professional experience as well as strategies to help you succeed in your new role.      Purposefully Prepare for Your Search October 15th at 4:10pm in the CRC Library This workshop will guide students in evaluating their past experiences, recognizing their transferable skills, learning where and how to search for a position, and understanding the best practices of an internship and/or job search.      Professionalism and Your Brand October 24th at 4:10pm, CRC Library This workshop will cover topics that include creating and maintaining your brand, networking, and understanding the many components of professionalism.

Values in Action!  October 7th, 5pm, Career Resource Center You don’t want to miss the kickoff for Altria Week! Through interactive games and brain-busting team building exercises, students will learn the importance of strong values, and how they are used in not only their personal life but your professional experiences as well. Dress comfortably, bring your Altria 'A' game, and enjoy an engaging evening with Altria reps!

  The Art of Influencing October 8th, 5pm, Career Resource Center Understanding people, utilizing sales strategies and crafting targeted messages are key components to helping achieve your organization’s goals. Influencing is also one of the top skills employers from all industries look for in entry-level candidates. Altria Group sales experts will share ways you can develop your influencing skills and successfully launch your career.

  Things I Wish I Knew As a Freshman (Presented by IBM) October 8th, 4:05pm, CRC Library This informal session shares the best practices pulled together from College Recruiters. It is designed to help students as they begin thinking about how to make your time here in college valuable, in preparation for the next step -- a career!

  Gear Up For Grad School The Gear Up workshops will go over everything you need to know about applying to graduate or professional school. Attend the workshop that is the best fit for you, or attend them all.      Grad School 101 October 8th, 5:10pm, CRC Library Students can look at what it takes to apply to graduate school, learn how to research and evaluate programs, and what questions they should be asking today to prepare.       Navigating the Application Process: GRE, GPA, and other acronyms October 16th, 4:10pm, CRC Library We’ll review the application process, discuss the updates to the GRE and go over general application guidelines and timelines.      Writing Personal Statements October 22nd, 4:10pm, CRC Classroom Personal statements are a required component for a graduate school application. This workshop covers all students need to know about starting and writing a dynamic personal statement.

The Altria Experience October 9th, 6pm, Career Resource Center Their motto is ‘Can’t Beat the Experience’, but what exactly does that mean? Altria will share their mission, ideals, and company culture to show you how Altria could be a great fit in your professional plans.

  Bender Virtual Career Fair: Employment for Job Seekers with Disabilities October 10th, 8am-5pm The website to participate is: www.disability.careereco.net . Please contact bender@careereco.com or 770-980-0088 with questions. **The Career Resource Center is not affiliated with this event.

  Possible Futures: Careers in Health October 14, 4pm, CRC Library This workshop gathers several professionals from different areas of the health industry, all eager to share their experience, knowledge, and expertise with students. Students can join us to hear our panelists tell their stories, and also have them answer some of their own questions. Afterward there will be time for students to network and make some meaningful connections.

  LinkedIn 101 October 17th, 4pm, CRC Classroom Are you maximizing your job search potential on the world’s largest professional networking database? With a site of over 230 million people geared for professional networking, you want to take advantage of this platform. After attending this workshop, students will be able to:

Create a dynamic LinkedIn profile to market yourself and your experiences

Use LinkedIn’s features like introductions, discussions, home feed, recommendations, groups, etc.

Successfully utilize LinkedIn to create and maintain professional relationships

Possible Futures: Careers in Communications October 23rd, 4pm, CRC Library This workshop gathers several professionals from different areas of the health industry, all eager to share their experience, knowledge, and expertise with students. Students can join us to hear our panelists tell their stories, and also have them answer some of their own questions. Afterward there will be time for students to network and make some meaningful connections.

  BioMed Virtual Grad School Fair October 24, 8am-5pm This fair is for students interested in connecting with graduate schools of biomedical sciences. Visit www.biomed.careereco.net for details. Contact biomed@careereco.com for questions.

Take the Lead: Leadership Skills from Campus to Career (Presented by Target) October 24, 5pm, CRC Library Tomorrow’s leaders are in high demand. The CRC and representatives from Target Corporation are holding this workshop to provide students with the tools to become a successful leader. Students can come to “Leadership Skills from Campus to Career” to learn how to transfer their leadership skills to the workplace!

INFORMATION SESSIONS Attend information sessions to learn about an organization or hiring process. They are FREE and open to UF faculty, staff, students and alumni.

October 1st Peace Corps-3:30PM, International Center (170 HUB) Chevron Corporation-4:15pm, Weil Hall Room 234 Apple Inc.-5pm, CRC Library Bloomberg-5:30pm, CRC Classroom Amazon-5:30pm, McCartey A G186 Fisher Investments-5:30pm, Newin-Ziegler Hall 0112 ARAMARK-6:15pm, Weil Hall Room 234 Accenture-7pm, CRC Library Ford Motor Company- 7:30pm, NEB Room 101

October 2nd Cameron-5:30pm, CRC Library AirWatch-6:15pm, Weil Hall Room 234 Microsoft-6:30pm, Little Hall Room 101

October 3rd Central Intelligence Agency (CIA)-7:30pm, NEB Room 202

October 4th Wells Fargo- 5pm, Hough Hall Room 120

October 7th The Home Depot-5:30pm, CRC Classroom JP Morgan Chase: Technology-6:15pm, Weil Hall Room 234

October 8th Macy’s-5:30pm, Reitz Union Grand Ballroom Salon A Target Corporation-6:30pm, CRC Library The New England Center for Children-6:30pm, NPB New Physics Building 1220

October 9th Altria Group Distribution Company-6pm, CRC Library Schlumberger-6:15pm, LARSON 310

October 13th Kimley-Horn and Associates, Inc.-6pm, Reitz Union Matthews Suite

October 16th Saks Fifth Avenue OFF 5TH-7pm, CRC Classroom

October 17th PepsiCo-6pm, Reitz Union Meeting Room 361/362/363 Schlumberger-6pm, CRC Library

October 21st Harris Corporation-7pm, Reitz Union Room 282

October 23rd Lockheed Martin Corporation-6pm, CRC Library

October 24th Microsoft-6:30pm, Little Hall Room 101

October 30th Texas Instrument-6pm, CRC Library

[careerbuzz-blog]

September 2014 Faculty & Staff Buzz

  Fall 2013 Career Showcase Career Showcase will be held on October 1st and 2nd, 2013 from 9am - 3pm in the Stephen O'Connell Center. This event is open to UF students and alumni only. Career Showcase features full-time jobs and internships and offers students and alumni a great opportunity to network with employers and explore a position or organization that they had not previously considered.

  CHOMP The Career Help for Major Planning (CHOMP) program was designed to help students find a major or consider different career paths; they can click below to get started. Let's Get Started

  Career Planning Our Career Planning staff can help students choose a major, explore interesting career options or start an internship/job search. Career Planning Express Drop In Hours CRC Library | Weekdays | 9:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m. Students can drop in for assistance with a variety of career-related topics like developing a resume, cover letter, personal statements, mock interviews,  and general job search strategies. Request a Career Planning Appointment Students can request an appointment with one of our Career Planning staff members either in person, phone, or Skype.

  CRC Top Employers, 2012-2013 The following numbers are as reported to the CRC by employers recruiting at UF (these numbers include both intern and full time hires) for the 2012 – 2013 academic year. This list does not does represent where all our students go to work after college.

Enterprise

GE

Teach for America

PWC

KPMG

E&Y

Apple

Intel

Citi

Deloitte

P&G

Macy's

NextEra

ABC Research

Exxon Engineering

Target

Schlumberger

R&L Carriers

Blackberry, Eaton, Kimley Horn (*3-Way-Tie)

CRC staff members interact with employers to establish and maintain employment connections for UF candidates. Use Gator CareerLink or check the organizations website to review their opportunities.    

Events that help students prepare for or connect with employment and prepare for Career Showcase.

Impressing the Recruiter (Presented by Target) September 10th, 5pm-7:30pm, CRC Library Students can come  join our team as we discuss how to ‘Impress the Recruiter’ at career fairs, info sessions, workshops, etc.! Target executives will be presenting on first impressions, power stories, what to wear, and what questions to ask and which not to ask of recruiters.

Career Fair Boot Camp September 17th, 4:05pm-5pm, CRC Library Experts will discuss the many ways to prepare for Career Showcase, how to create a dynamic 2-minute commercial, how to navigate the fair and the things students can do to stand out in a crowd. Tips from this presentation can also be applied to their overall job and internship search.

Suit Up for Success presented by Dillard’s Suit Up is a professional dress workshop that answers all the questions students need to know about how to dress for success as they prepare for Career Showcase and all the job interviews that they get afterward. We won’t just cover what to wear; we will also be giving tips on makeup and hair. Suit Up for Success: Women - presented by Dillard’s September 17, 5pm- 6:30pm, CRC Classroom Suit Up for Success: Men - presented by Dillard’s September 18, 5pm – 6:30pm, CRC Classroom

CPT, OPT & OPT STEM Information Session September 19, 10am – 11:30am, CRC Library September 19, 1pm – 2:30pm, CRC Library September 20, 10 am – 11:30 am, CRC Library September 20, 1 pm – 2:30 pm, CRC Library International Student Services will be presenting info sessions about CPT, OPT and STEM OPT. Please attend to learn about your ability to do an internship during your program of study and to work after graduation. The Career Resource Center will also be available at the end of each presentation to provide you with information about CRC services. Showcase Survival- presented by Macy's September 23rd, 6pm-9pm, CRC Classroom Macy's will present on “Dress for Success”, while the CRC will challenge students’ knowledge of soft skills, while informing them of all the tips and tricks to make their showcase experience as pleasurable and productive as possible! Refreshments will be served and prizes will be awarded.

Ace the Interview (Presented by TQL) September 24th 4pm-5:30pm Total Quality Logistics will be leading a workshop that teaches students how to perfect the interview process.

Brand U (Personal Branding Workshop) September 24th, 4:30pm–5:30pm, Library Students can take a look at the best way to market themselves to employers and discuss what messages they are sending about themselves through social media, their resumes and cover letters, and even their behavior in the classroom.

  Certified Gator Professional Series       The Certified Gator Professional (CGP) is a series of personal and professional development workshops that review with students the skills and strategies needed to succeed in a professional setting. Once students have attended the three sessions (each presented multiple times throughout the semester), they will be a Certified Gator Professional. Two of the three workshops will occur this month:         Purposefully Prepare for Your Search September 9th, 4:10pm-5pm, CRC Classroom   This workshop will guide students in evaluating their past experiences, recognizing their transferable skills, learning where and how to search for a position, and understanding the best practices of an internship and/or job search.         Professionalism and Your Brand September 25th, 4:10pm-5pm, CRC Classroom This workshop will cover topics that include creating and maintaining a brand, networking, and understanding the many components of professionalism.

The Real Truth: Diversity in the Workplace September 26th, 6pm-8pm, CRC Library This employer panel will allow students to submit questions anonymously and reveal the REAL truth about diversity in the work place while giving them tips to prepare for situations that may arise.  Students will also have a chance to network with the panel after questions are answered.

 Acing the Interview - presented by TQL September 26th, 4pm – 5:30pm Total Quality Logistics will be host a workshop that teaches you how to perfect the interview process. With Career Showcase just around the corner, you won't want to miss this session.

Early Connections September, 30th 6-9pm, CRC Library The event begins with a student workshop on personal branding, then will progress to a reception with employers and small group "speed interviewing".  The twist is that the students will interview employers to discover professional development tips, and receive direct feedback on their network/soft skills, while allowing employers to engage on a more personal level with diverse groups of students. Refreshments and a token of appreciation are included. RSVP is required- EarlyConnectionsUF.eventbrite.com

INFORMATION SESSIONS Attend information sessions to learn about an organization or hiring process. They are FREE and open to UF faculty, staff, students and alumni.

September 10th URBN–6pm, CRC Conference Room Nielsen-5pm, Alumni Hall Warrington A-B

September 11th SunTrust Banks-6:15pm, Hough Hall 150 Microsoft-6:30pm, FLI 0050

September 16th Citi-6pm, CRC Library

September 17th Deutsche Bank-5:30pm, Hough Hall Room 120

September 18th RCLCO-5:15pm, FAC 0127

September 19th OmniPoint-7pm, CRC Conference Room

September 23rd JPMorgan Chase - Technology -6pm, CRC Classroom

September 30th Amica Mutual Insurance-4pm, CRC Conference Room Consolidated Electrical Distributors, Inc.-4pm, Reitz Union 347 Citi-5pm, Reitz Union 349 Citrix-6pm, CRC Classroom Clark Construction Group, LL-6pm, CRC Conference Room         GE-7pm, Turlington L007 Johnson & Johnson-6pm, Bryan Hall Room 232 Northwestern Mutual Financial Network-3pm, CRC Conference Room Ross Dress for Less-6:30pm, CRC Conference Room Siemens Shared Services LLC-6pm, Reitz Union Room 361/362/363

[careerbuzz-blog]

The 411 On Student Organization Interviews

With the new school year starting, student organizations are still typically looking for various positions to be filled and complete their board.  It is important to brush up on your interviewing skills and understand how to effectively approach the interview to guarantee the best results.  I decided to interview student leaders and faculty across campus to understand their experiences with interviews, involvement, and professionalism.

Katrice Graham, the assistant director for career development for the Career Resource Center, emphasized the importance of first impressions.  “The interview starts the moment when you walk into the building, not when you walk into the interview room,” said Graham.  She notes that employers can find out from the receptionist or anyone that saw you walk in the building how you behaved and take that into consideration when they are evaluating your interview.

Having a strong answer to the first question you are asked is key for making a favorable first impression.  This is the opportunity to show the interviewers why you are the best candidate.  The first question is typically “Tell me about yourself” or “Why do you want this position?”  Graham emphasizes that this is not an opportunity for people to talk about their life story, but a chance to share their skills and what they can offer to the organization.  To relax, she recommends a few things that may help alleviate nerves, breathe, be yourself, go to the bathroom before the interview, and remember that the interviewer is human too.  Lastly, Graham suggests to make sure you are prepared the interview, go to bed early, eat a light breakfast, and always overdress than underdress.

I also interviewed student leaders from Student Government and the Black Student Union about the best practices for interviewing for campus organizations.  They emphasized that a student should have purpose for applying for a position instead of simply applying as a resume-booster

Each leader mentioned that passion for the organization is a crucial factor and will be noted more than simply.  Jamaal Hill, the community affairs director for the Black Student Union says, “Passion is more important than experience because experienced people do not guarantee a good effort will be made.  Passionate people may not have the skills but they will try harder and be open to instruction.

Christina Chan-Pong who is currently a senator in Student Government says, “Anybody can learn to do a task, but those with experience can’t learn passion.”  Furthermore, these student leaders also look for a lot of preparation before the interview.  Aranxa Joseph who is currently the Black Student Union secretary says, “During an interview, we look for whether they have thought about the specific responsibilities of the job, that they have an outline of what they want to do under the position, and even if they already looked into event, speakers, locations or theme ideas for the organization.”

Preparation is key to being able to stand out among other candidates.  Having your own game plan of how you would want to benefit the organization and how your communicate it to the interviewers are crucial to the success of the interview. 

Before your interview, remember to stop by the Career Resource Center at the Reitz Union to have your resume critiqued and to review interview tips with a Career Ambassador.  The CRC library hours are weekdays from 9 a.m. – 4 p.m.

[careerbuzz-blog]

The Big Guide to Living and Working Overseas

The job search can be stressful for any college student and recent graduate. When international jobs are added to the mix, it can be even tougher to find the desired positions.

Luckily, University of Florida students have a major advantage; free access to the Big Guide to Living and Working Overseas.  The Big Guide is a site that aims to help students go abroad to study, volunteer, travel, intern and work. It is a great tool for students who want to gain the most of their experience abroad. 

For Kaitlyn Harrow, a second-year Finance major, this guide would have come in handy while she was job hunting in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.

After taking a Portuguese class at UF, Harrow became fascinated with the culture, and felt she could achieve greater professional growth there than in other countries.

“Due to the growth of Brazil's economy in recent years, Portuguese seemed like a valuable skill to have for conducting international business in the future,” explained Harrow.

While researching study abroad programs, Harrow relied on the UF International Center’s website and on the study abroad advisors. But she found herself alone when she began her job search. 

“I had about one and a half months to research, apply, interview, and secure a job before the true school semester began [in Brazil],” said Harrow.

She made sure to pay attention to bulletin boards on her new campus, to meet any important visitors to the college, read the local newspaper, and to reach out to sites on the internet.

Some unexpected culture shock set in when she experienced setbacks in her search.

“I sent many emails, with my resume in Portuguese, to companies actively seeking to fulfill intern positions and I never received a single response email,” said Harrow.

Her current internship with the U.S. State Department came after she walked in to the office and asked to speak to the Senior Advisor.

After being hired, she heard back from a few of the emails she sent two months prior.

“It dawned on me that I had been treating these managers and recruiters as if we were working in the U.S. and on tight timelines. I expected swift responses and direct answers via email, but I learned that doing things in person is much more valued in South America than it is in North America,” reflected Harrow.

As her time in Brazil came to an end, Harrow acquired many valuable life lessons through her job from the importance of greeting each person in the office to things such as resolving conflicts in the workplace using a different language.

“For example, every morning almost everyone would gather to drink coffee, talk about the news, and discuss new work ideas. Sometimes, I would skip this gathering and head straight to my desk. A co-worker pointed out that people noticed when I didn’t attend. She told me I might not realize it, but others found it rude and symbolic [that] I didn’t want to get to know any of them. What she said wasn’t true at all! I realized the importance of learning, sooner rather than later, the customs of the office you are working for, because they might be different than you thought.”

While, Harrow had to learn these lessons on her own as she adapted to a new working culture, her experience paid off.  She was accepted into UF's Masters of Arts in International Business program.

Other students can have the same success by utilizing  the Big Guide as a tool to make the transition much easier. 

Here are some tips before you move to a new country taken from the site and from Harrow’s own story: 

-          Be aware of a country’s cultural diversity and socioeconomic background

-          Impress employers directly with your charm, personality, and an in-person sales pitch

-          Find a home organization. Most international employers are based right here in North America.

-          Don’t ignore small and medium-size firms, since they often send junior workers abroad

-          Carry out a sector-specific rather than a country-specific job search

For more help with your search make sure to visit http://www.workingoverseas.com and register by using your UF email.

By Bruna Bouhid featuring an interview with Kaitlyn Harrow

[careerbuzz-blog]

A Student's Guide to The Elevator Pitch

One all-important tool a student should have at their disposal is a well-constructed elevator pitch.  With so much riding on first impressions it’s relieving to know that you can make a good one.  And with so many ways to get involved during your college career, there is no doubt it will come in handy.

Before we continue, here is a brief description of what an elevator pitch entails:  It is a short speech that quickly and simply describes yourself and the skills you possess.   As the name implies, it is a speech that can be given in the time-span of an elevator ride (more or less).

It’s important to remember that an elevator pitch can be used for so much more than just the job search.  Whether you want to join a club on campus, a Greek organization, begin an internship, or get to know a faculty member, it is crucial that you figure out exactly how you want to present yourself.  Here at the Career Resource Center, we want to help!  Just as you can come in for résumé advice, you can also come to any of our Career Ambassadors to ask about how to improve your elevator speech.

Below are the tips and tricks you need to know for creating your perfect pitch.

Elevator Pitch Basics:

Keep it quick and concise.  The average elevator speech is between 30 seconds to two minutes.

Spotlight what makes you unique.

Keep your speech relevant to the person you’re talking to.

o   For example: Talk about your community service to Greek life, your interests to club leaders, and your plans for the future with professors.

Be aware of your non-verbal cues.  Have a strong handshake, good eye contact, and stand up straight!

Be memorable.  Leave them with a couple interesting personal facts about yourself.

Delivery:

Have an opening line that will get their attention.

Show personality through your body language.

Practice!  You want to deliver your pitch naturally.

For whoever you are presenting your pitch to, you should remember to use basic networking etiquette in addition to the tips above.  Act professional, be prepared for whatever questions they may have, be respectful of their time, be thankful and be reciprocal.  It is important to only talk long enough to show your interest and convey your skills, but not so long that you bore the person you’re talking to.

Also keep in mind that your elevator speech does not always have to be given in person.  There are many other mediums where it can come in handy, whether it is over the phone, through social networking sites like LinkedIn or through e-mail.

Remember that the connections you make while still in school can have a huge influence on where you end up in the future.  Having your elevator pitch ready early-on can help open doors for you and keep you ahead of the pack.  And when you DO enter the job market, think of all the practice you’ll have!

For help with reviewing your elevator speech, Career Ambassadors are available from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. weekdays in the Career Resource Center located in the Reitz Union on campus.

By Kelly Holleran with advice from Kristy Spear, Assistant Director for Career Development

Photo credit: www.cbsnews.com , www.redthreadmagazine.com , www.ehow.com