Where to begin?…Tips for getting your “Career On”

GREETINGS & WELCOME TO A NEW YEAR @ HOLY CROSS

By now most of us have already got into the busy regimen that Holy Cross students live for; balancing our work from class, managing groups and orgs as well as participating in athletics while also trying to maintain a social life…TOUGH STUFF! However we’re here at the Career Planning Center to help you with one of the most IMPORTANT task during your time here at Holy Cross and that’s figuring out what that NEXT journey is once school is over. . . . . .

Don’t Panic! Don’t Worry! There’s a lot to do but there’s a few ways the Career Planning Center can help!

THE FIRST!: You must know whats in HOGAN 203!

So many of us may walk right past it everyday on the way in & out of Hogan but the home of Career Planning sits comfortably in H O G A N 203!

Here lies the home of the Career Counselors! (These are the people you want to get to know)

Amy Murphy
Maura Hume’07
Pam Ahearn
Megan Chester
Melisa Jaquez’06
Julie Draczynski
Angela Barnes

These are the wonderful people who are trained to help Holy Cross students identify their career interest and objectives as we navigate securing jobs/internships over our years on the hill…and after!

To set up an appointment with one of the Career Counselors, stop by Hogan 203 or give us a call at 508-793-3880. There are also Drop-in hours everyday from 1:00pm-4:00pm

Now here’s a Career Horoscope by class year so you are aware of some things you might want to pay attention to…

FRESHMAN (1st yr): GET ACTIVE & GET INVOLVED!

This is your FIRST semester at HC! Congrats and Welcome!! As a newly arrived student, you truly have a “fresh” start at finding what your interests are and learning a great deal about yourself. Though you are just arriving and my not be as concerned with getting a head start on what your’e going to do 3 to 4 years from now, there are a few ways to set yourself up for a superb first year!

GET Involved: Join at least 2 clubs or organizations. Get interested in what they’re promoting to the campus and become an advocate. Why do you support them and where does this interest come from/where can it lead you? This is also a triple bonus because not only do you learn about yourself, you meet awesome people and its looks great to show you’ve been devoted to something outside of academics when its time to work on you resume!

SOPHOMORES: FOCUS, FOCUS, FOCUS!

You have some experience under your belt and you are ready to hone in your skills and piece together your achievements.

Now is the time to…

Work on your Resume: Now is the time to either create or refine your resume as you begin building your professional profile. Remember to schedule time to come in and meet the Career Counselors for help with perfecting your resume!
APPLY to SIP: As a sophomore you can now apply to HC’s Summer Internship Program and benefit from its resources. This is a great chance to work on your resume, cover letter and interview skills.

JUNIORS: THE JOURNEY BEGINS!

Juniors the time has come for you to start the search for your future career! Get your feet wet with internships!!!

If you haven’t already done so, APPLY TO SIP: The summer internship program gives qualified students a helpful “foot in the doors” to the amazing internships that Holy Cross and its alumni may offer.
Early Bird gets the JOB!: Start browsing different company websites for internship opportunities. Many companies set their deadlines in the fall, so have your updated resumes and cover letters ready!

SENIORS: “NETWORK,NETWORK, NEEEETWORK!”

Senior year may be daunting, might seem a little overwhelming.. but don’t fret! Senior Year is the inevitable prelude to the notorious “real world” that you’ve been hearing about for years. Best way to set yourself up for success is through networking and speaking with people who can grant you opportunities.

Stay in Touch: If you had a summer internship or job during the summer, stay in touch with the managers, supervisors, employers you’ve met! Maintaining a dialogue keeps you fresh in their minds and helps for recommendations later down the road.
Use ALL Resources: There will be a ton of opportunities either on campus or off for you to network or learn more about the job force…USE THEM! The Career Planning Center puts on a bunch of events for students to get the right information you need to do what ever it is you want after college. Be sure to use BOTH Crusader Connections and Career Advisors Network to reach out to alums in career fields you’re interested in. Also, keep an eye out for the invitation from the Alumni office to join the Alumni Online Community where you can search for additional contacts.
Always remember to Sell Yourself!: Use events like the Holy Cross Career Fair or Career Info Sessions to meet new contacts and demonstrate your professionalism. Having a stand out personality will land you so many opportunities to connect with employers.

Have questions or want help with these quick tips? Come to Career Planning in Hogan 203 for Drop-In hours (1-4pm everyday) or set up an appointment to meet with one of our amazing Career Counselors!

May 3, 2013

Motivation for Crunch Time

As scary as it may seem, the 2012-2013 academic year is already coming to an end! Since next week is crunch time for most Crusaders, we thought a little pre-Spring Weekend/Finals Week motivation would be nice to help you power through those papers, exams and applications. Whether you need some inspiration in your academic work or job search, we present to you our favorite quotes from Forbes’ list of “30 Motivational Quotes for Job Seekers.”

936769_10150292820119963_252723328_n — Spring Time at HC!

“Never put off till tomorrow what you can do today.” –Thomas Jefferson

“The future belongs to those who believe in the beauty of their dreams.” –Eleanor Roosevelt

“One important key to success is self-confidence. An important key to self-confidence is preparation.” –Arthur Ashe

“Believe in yourself! Have faith in your abilities! Without a humble but reasonable confidence in your own powers you cannot be successful or happy.”–Norman Vincent Peale

“You miss 100% of the shots you don’t take.”–Wayne Gretzky

“Do one thing every day that scares you.” –Eleanor Roosevelt

“Never say anything about yourself you do not want to come true.” –Brian Tracy

“When one door closes, another opens; but we often look so long and so regretfully upon the closed door that we do not see the one which has opened for us.” –Alexander Graham Bell

“Success doesn’t come to you, you go to it.” –Marva Collins

“Only those who dare to fail greatly can ever achieve greatly.” –Robert F. Kennedy

“Never tell me the sky’s the limit when there are footprints on the moon.” –Author Unknown

“It is never too late to be what you might have been.” –George Eliot

“I’m a great believer in luck, and I find the harder I work, the more I have of it.” –Thomas Jefferson

“Nothing in the world can take the place of persistence. Talent will not; nothing is more common than unsuccessful men with talent. Genius will not; unrewarded genius is almost a proverb. Education will not; the world is full of educated derelicts. Persistence and determination alone are omnipotent. The slogan “press on” has solved and will always solve the problems of the human race.” –Calvin Coolidge

“If you don’t like something, change it. If you can’t change it, change your attitude.” –Maya Angelou

“Whenever you are asked if you can do a job, tell ‘em, ‘Certainly I can!’ Then get busy and find out how to do it.” –Theodore Roosevelt

Happy Spring Weekend, Crusaders!

April 30, 2013

Alumni Guest Post: Tricia Dunn ’12

To round out our Alumni Guest Posts for the 2012-13 year, we’re happy to present Tricia Dunn ’12, former HC Career Planning Marketing Intern (& Blogger!) and current member of the Human Resources team at Hanover Insurance Group.

Check out more about her job & advice for students pursuing a career at Hanover or in HR!
__________________________________________________________________________

Hi Crusaders! It’s hard to believe that almost a year has passed since I graduated. And yet, while it

482452_4611909738857_2082551035_n — Tricia Dunn ’12

seems like just yesterday I was enjoying Cape Week and pre-graduation celebrations at the Pub, so much has happened since then that I can’t believe college was only a year ago.

I’m currently going on a year at The Hanover Insurance Group, where I work in the Human Resources department and am part of the company’s Future Leader’s Program. I’ve been lucky to try a variety of projects during this year here and am learning a lot. While I have enjoyed this past year and the growth and change it has brought, I will admit I do get a little nostalgic for HC sometimes. So, in that spirit, let’s pretend we’re meeting up in the pub for a $2 beer (side note: do any of you realize how great this is?!) and I’ll share what I’ve been up to over the past few months.

How did I end up at Hanover?

I first learned about The Hanover as a junior looking for internships. I wasn’t sure what I wanted to do and was applying to internships in a variety of fields and locations. Two young alumni had a lobby table in Hogan and were recruiting for The Hanover—with cupcakes. No joke, I first learned about The Hanover due to my insatiable hunger for baked goods. One of them asked me if I was interested in applying for the internship program. Since I wasn’t really thinking about insurance, I didn’t take it seriously at first, but their enthusiasm for the company took me aback and I found myself connecting with a lot of the things they mentioned. The more I learned about Hanover, the more it sounded like a place I could like.

Fast forward three months and I returned to Holy Cross having enjoyed my internship and with an offer in hand for a full time position as part of The Hanover’s Future Leaders Program. While it was a little nerve wracking to commit to a company so soon into senior year, I was excited to join the program. I liked the idea of joining a training program in which I would be given more growth opportunities, mentorship, and cross-functional training.

Through the program, I’ll get a certificate in Business Analysis, learn about other business functions and get more access to leadership and mentoring opportunities than I probably would have otherwise. Also, I started with 40 other people – many of which I’ve become great friends with!

What do you specifically do there?

This is tough for me to answer because I worked on a diverse set of projects. I am currently in HR Operations, which supports and designs tactical solutions to get done in our department. In essence, we’re the back end people, on the ground, making sure everything runs smoothly. For example, I manage our relocation program; so when the company hires a new employee who needs to move for the job, I help set them up with our relocation vendor. I consult with the HR recruiters who are making the offer, manage vendor to ensure that it is meeting our employee’s need, pay invoices and run financial reports for our finance department.

I have also done some process improvement work for our Learning & Development group, which hosts and manages all of the enterprise-wide classes and learning programs. I took a look at how the operational work was being accomplished: how the online class sign up system worked, how the classes were being set up and hosted, etc., and was able to identify issues and and make recommendations to improve the user experience and improve efficiency. This project was fun because I got to do a lot of consulting work and the impact of my work was noticeable right away!

I think Operations was a good place to start because it provided me with foundational knowledge about

528272_10151417251034685_351856710_n — Co-workers decorate Tricia’s office!

the department and exposed me to all of the different areas within it. However, as I approach my one year mark with the company, I’m looking forward to trying something new. As of June, I will still be in HR, but I’ll be working with our Community Relations & Employee Engagement group. I’ve already begun to take on some more work in this area and am really enjoying it! I am currently managing the redesign of our career site (stay tuned for improvements!), writing pieces for our internal company newsletter, and planning events with our community partners. I’m looking forward to taking on more roles with marketing and helping others.

While I’m still not exactly sure what I want to do long-term, I am really happy to be where I am today. As mentioned, I am happy for my year in Operations, but I’ve always known I wanted to get into something more community-focused and more creative. Thankfully, I have had a lot of advocates at The Hanover who have mentored me and helped me get into this new role. As for long-term plans, I think the next year will be telling. I plan to continue to take on a diversity of projects to stretch my skills and interests in new ways. I think by doing this I will discern the next step most clearly and with the experiences I’ve had at HC and The Hanover I believe I’ll be ready to take it on!

Any advice for college students?

Yes! I have three that alumni have passed on to me and that I have learned in my one year in the proverbial real world:

1. Focus on the job role, not the job title.

Titles can be misleading and box you in to a job search. While titles hint at hint at what a job entails, there is usually more than meets the eye. It’s more accurate to approach a job by thinking about what you want your daily life to look like – do you like working with people? Doing something creative? Analytical? Are you passionate about research? Whatever that be, focus on those descriptive words and the type of work which you are seeking – rather than a title.

2. Advocate for what you’re interested in…

As a political science major and a studio art minor, I knew that Excel spreadsheets all day were not going to be my jam. Early on at my time at Hanover, I found myself enjoying my projects which were more creative, solidifying my interest in that area. I made sure my manager, mentors and others knew about it. As a result, I’ve been given more creative opportunities in my current position and will be transitioning to a more creative role full-time as of June.

3. …But be open.

As a newbie to the workforce, you’re bound to be doing projects and tasks you never thought you’d be interested in. Yeah, some of those projects are going to suck as much as you expected them to, but guaranteed you will learn something—and maybe even develop new interests—if you are open to it.

4. Drink more $2 beer.

Just kidding. Sort of. Have fun and enjoy the heck out of your time at Holy Cross! It’s a great experience and I encourage you all to make the most of your time there, in the classrooms, on the fields, in extracurricular and yes, even socially.

——————————————————————-

Connect with this story?

Learn more about the opportunities at Hanover Insurance group here.

April 22, 2013

Happy Earth Day!

Happy Earth Day, Crusaders! In the spirit of environmental sustainability, we decided to feature the top 5 environmental jobs in the current marketplace, some green trends in business and a couple of at home tips to show your Earth some love.

TOP TIER ENVIRONMENTAL JOBS

[via Investopedia, Updated Salary Stats from Indeed.com]

1.) Physicist: Work to improve green technology—especially solar panels. (Median Annual Wage: $106K)

2.) Engineer: This position can factor into a number of disciplines including civil, materials, chemical, industrial, electrical, mechanical and other engineers and revolves around green technology and the creation of green architectural structures. (Median Wage: $79-92K)

3.) Construction Manager: With the popularity of constructing green buildings, this position has the potential to rake in a greater income than some engineers. (Median Wage: $84K)

4.) Biochemist (or Biophysicist): As a broad field, this job can relate to many environmental agendas. As an example, a biochemist might look at the effects of environmental toxins and pollutants on human health. (Median Wage: $74K for Biochemist, $167K for Biophysicist)

5.) Geoscientist: As masters of the physical Earth, Geoscientists are key in locating natural resources and figuring out the most environmentally friendly ways to extract them. (Median Wage: $91K)

6.) Environmental Lawyer: As a growing field within the legal realm, environmental lawyers can work with a number of different clientele—including construction firm or businesses looking to adopt greener methods. (Median Wage: $93K)

LEED CERTIFICATION: Changing the Place of Business

Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) has been providing third-party certification to buildings shaped around green design, construction and everyday operation since its creation in 1993 by the United States Green Building Council (USGBC).

The Benefits of Businesses aiming for LEED Standards: [via USGBC]

1.) It’s Economically Savvy: Decreases in operating costs & increases in occupancy and rent… Music to business’ ears!

	Operating costs	Building value	ROI	Occupancy	Rent
New construction	drop 13.6%	rises 10.9%	improves 9.9%	rises 6.4%	rises 6.1%
Existing building projects	drop 8.5%	rises 6.8%	improves 2.5%	rises 1%	rises 19.2%

2.) It reduces Risk: Certification requires standards above the minimum building code requirements, which may help decrease the chance of building quality problems and subsequent lawsuits in the long term.

3.) LEED attracts Customers: Going Green is trendy. It may sound like a lesser point for argument’s sake, but clients or tenants care about sustainability.

4.) It’s Cost Effective: “On average, an upfront investment of 2 percent in green building design results in life cycle savings of 20 percent of the total construction costs — more than 10 times the initial investment.”

The Empire State Building, a US cultural icon, is currently the largest LEED Gold certified building in the United States & Western Hemisphere!

10 Easy Ways to Be Green [via Our Earth]

As college students running on college budgets, I think it’s safe to say most don’t have the economic capital to construct a LEED skyscraper…at least right now. Although it’s important for us to see the movement of the corporate world towards more sustainable practice, some of you might ask “What can I do now to be more Green?” Your wish is my command….

1.) Reduce – Turn off the lights when you leave the room, Take shorter showers, Print Double-sided, Walk when you can, Drink more Tap water and less bottled etc.

2.) Unplug Unused Electronics – 25% of electricity used to power home electronics is consumed when the device is turned off

3.) Recycle – As of today, Holy Cross uses Single Stream Recycling … so now you don’t even have to sort!

4.) Look for the ENERGY STAR Label – If it has the label, the product has a few baseline energy efficiency standards.

5.) Used Compact Fluorescent Light Bulbs (CFLs) – They use 75% less energy!

6.) Fix Leaks – A leaky toilet can waste up to 200 gallons of water every day.

7.) Buy Recycled – Even some new school supply products derive from recycled materials

8.) Computer Power Management – Turn on Sleep Mode or turn off computers over night

9.) Properly Dispose Hazardous Waste – Don’t send old light bulbs, batteries etc. to the landfills… properly dispose of them at a local free collection box

10.) Fresh, Local, Organic – Support the local economy & eat healthier while helping the environment!

Lastly, here is this… just because it’s Earth Day:

Happy Earth Day, Crusaders!

…. Now go hug a tree!

April 17, 2013

Oh, the Places You’ll Go!

As summer rolls around the corner, many of you are preparing to leave the Worcester area. Whether you are heading home, studying on a Maymester program, relocating for a job or interning in a new place, there are many opportunities to explore during your summer vacation or time after graduation.

In the spirit of the classic Dr. Seuss book, Oh, the Places You’ll Go!, we’ve compiled a few stories on the best “places to go” (or live/work) and how to secure and maximize positions in these places…. Enjoy!

____________________________________________________________________________________

THE BEST PLACES FOR YOUNG ADULTS TO LIVE

A recent report by Business Journals named Austin, Texas the best city for young professionals, as it boasted top numbers in population growth in addition to long and short term employment growth.

San Jose, California steals the second spot with the highest percentage of young adults with incomes over $150,000. (Not Bad!) To round out the top three, Washington D.C. takes third with the greatest percentage of the population holding Bachelor’s Degrees in addition to high income levels.

Seniors, who are looking to relocate, consider these cities and the rest of the below list!

10. Raleigh, North Carolina
9. Denver, Colorado
8. Des Moines, Iowa
7. Oklahoma City, Oklahoma
6. Durham, North Carolina
5. Houston, Texas
4. Boston, Massachusetts
3. Washington D.C.
2. San Jose, California
1. Austin, Texas

____________________________________________________________________________________

THE HAPPIEST PLACES ON EARTH & HOW TO INTERVIEW ONCE YOU’RE THERE

A recent book by National Geographic’s Dan Buettner concluded that Singapore; Arhus, Denmark; San Luis Obispo, California and Monterrey, Mexico mark the “happiest places on Earth” as people experience the best health, social networks and general well being in these four areas.

Based off of these results, Going Global contributor Mary Anne Thompson outlined several interview tactics job seekers should employ if pursuing careers in these happy cities.

Singapore:

Arrive 15 minutes early to the interview
Create a clean online presence (most employers tend to check social media here)
Appearance is weighed heavily, so dress your best!
The four major languages are English, Mandarin-Chinese, Malay & Tami… knowing two or more of these languages is very helpful

Arhus, Denmark:

One interview is standard for small companies (2-3 interviews for larger companies)
Business dress is fairly informal in Denmark, but it is important to dress up for an interview
Many interviews occur during a meal and etiquette is very important

San Luis Obispo, California

Phone & Video interviews are standard for pre-screening
Punctuality is valued, so arrive early!
Make direct eye contact with the interviewer to show confidence
Outline successes and ambitions to reflect experience and drive

Monterrey, Mexico

Keep interview dress conservative and formal
Interviews tend to last longer & may require longer waiting time beforehand
Maintain a good posture, do not lean forward toward the interviewer and keep hands relatively still throughout the interview

To find positions in these cities or abroad in other areas, visit www.goinglobal.com!

____________________________________________________________________________________

THE “PLACES YOU’LL GO” IN YOUR NEXT INTERNSHIP/JOB

No matter if you are a 10min drive or a 10hour flight from home, it is important to maximize your internship/job for your personal well being and the ability to move up in the given company or your career in general. In a recent article by Forbes, contributors outlined a few ways for individuals to make the most of their internships (also applies to entry level jobs):

Create a list of short term and long term objectives for yourself before the job begins
During your interview, make sure your goals and expectations align with that of the employer
Maintain a positive Attitude—even if the task is mundane
Ask for feedback from your boss or advisor
Try to meet and network with at least 25 people (for larger companies) in a department different than your own

____________________________________________________________________________________

As the end of the semester is quickly approaching, it’s time to start securing your plans for this summer. Whether you are physically going to a new place or trying to forge a new path in your career, now is the time to explore and take chances!

As the famous Doctor Seuss book says….

“Congratulations! Today is your day. You’re off to Great Places! You’re off and away!”

As the famous Doctor Seuss book says, “Congratulations! Today is your day. You’re off to Great Places! You’re off and away!”

April 1, 2013

April Career Advice: Salty Dog & Pong in the Interview Room

How to transform your Salty Dog outfit into your Interview outfit in MINUTES!

Don’t bother spraying your shirts with Febreeze… employers are intrigued by the smell of booze on clothes. It shows initiative that you were even able to wake up for the interview after such an eventful night.
Girls: Take a tissue & wipe off the bottom of your eyeliner. Leave on the rest and it will look freshly done!
Boys (especially those interested in Investment Banking): The whole full suit stereotype is SO outdated… show those Wall Street studs your best going out tee and khakis.

The Art of a 10-page Resume:

Make sure to choose a very elusive font, as employers like a sense of mystery to draw them in. Recommendations: Wingdings or Simplified Arabic (Make ‘em translate!)
Another option is to hand write your resume. There’s a reason you spent so much time in school practicing cursive.
Include every club you’ve participated in since Middle School. How are employers supposed to take you seriously if they aren’t aware of your membership in Scrapbook Club during 6^th grade?
Quantity overrules quality.
No need to proofread!

Spruce up your Facebook & Twitter:

Upload your best Beer pong match to YouTube ASAP. Employers want to see your competitive edge. Bonus: If you are a regular champion…tack it on your resume!
If you don’t have a Red Solo Cup in your profile picture, you’re doing it wrong. Fill it up, snap a picture & show us your best Saturday 2am face. An employer’s dream.
Employers want entry-level employees who take charge of the company on Day 1, so show off your authoritative skills by cursing frequently on your public Twitter profile. Maybe throw in a disrespectful statement here and there to seal the deal.

Nail your Interview!

Always interview in a pairs just like Brennan and Dale from Step Brothers
Don’t bring copies of your resume… it looks like your trying too hard.
Always arrive 5 minutes late to the interview. If you are too punctual, they will always expect you to be on time.
Have your mother, father or sibling write a follow up thank you note—they love to see your family background prior to hiring

APRIL FOOLS, HO CRO!

P.S. If none of the above statements seemed out of place, please stop by Drop in hours ASAP (Every weekday from 1-4pm in Hogan 203) …We have some work to do!

March 26, 2013

Easter Egg Hunt vs. Your Job Hunt

Just in time for Easter Break….

Scurries of eager, bushy-eyed children arrive to the event grounds. The sea of pastel outfits and empty baskets is inescapable. It’s the calm before the storm; It’s the annual Children’s Easter Egg hunt in Suburbia, USA.

A key organizer of the event—dressed in something that can only be described as a doily’s cousin— steps up to the podium and proclaims “START NOW.” Like a stampede of African safari animals, kids charge all over the grounds to collect as many eggs as possible.

The competition heats up. Little Billy elbows his friend out of the path of a hidden blue egg, while Mary Sue (I guess this is set in the 1950s with that name) takes a tumble en route to a group of pink eggs piled at the bottom of the stairs. She picks herself up and continues to search. The famous line “All is fair in love and war—and Easter egg hunts” is coming to fruition.

Thirty minutes later, some kids manage to hoard over 30 eggs with their superior skill sets or help from a buddy, while others withdraw from the race and stand sadly on the sidelines. A few scour the yard & locate a few unearthed eggs with great persistence, while other kids joyfully receive eggs that people decided to share.

…Graduating seniors, one of the above children is YOU in the scramble for full time employment. Underclassmen, the same goes for you for your internship search. PLEASE Note that the only person in the story who does not find employment is the one who gave up! So, whether you were lucky enough to get an early offer, have started to expand your search or happen upon a job during your quest for employment, you must always be armed with optimism and dedication!

………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………..

If you are still looking for a job/internship, here are 5 Quick tips for Easter Break:

SEARCH: Sign on to Crusader Connections or the Liberal Arts Career Network and search for open positions with keywords of relevant job titles, companies, industries, etc
ESTABLISH ONLINE PRESENCE: Create or polish your LinkedIn Profile
NETWORK & LEARN: Reach out to a previous employer, family friend or HC Alum in your desired field & ask how they reached their current position
EDIT: Proofread & perfect your Resume
CONTACT US! Call or email Career Planning & make an appointment to meet with a Career Counselor to discuss your options or look over resumes, cover letters, etc. (508-793-3880 or Careers@holycross.edu)

So as you enjoy Easter Break… Remain optimistic, eat one too many chocolate eggs (or Peeps) and STAY HUNGRY IN YOUR JOB HUNT!

March 21, 2013

Friends vs. Foes: “Social Media in your Career Search” Edition

Social Media seems to be the buzz word of this century. Everywhere you look, brands are touting their online presence in order to connect with their customers in a deep, more interactive way. As you’re in the midst of searching for a job or internship, it’s important to realize how your social media activity reflects the personal brand you’re trying to convey to potential employers. Thus, here are our Friends & Foes in the social media world.

Best Friend: LINKEDIN

Get a LinkedIn….. Did you get a LinkedIn yet? …. How about now?

Now you may ask: why does LinkedIn need to be my BFF? On a basic level, LinkedIn is the Facebook of the corporate world: it’s a networking platform, an online resume and a career searching tool in ONE. Bob McIntosh of Things Career Related lays out 10 facts you should know about this social media site in order to boost your career search. Here are the highlights: [Find the complete article here]

Choose a PROFESSIONAL looking profile photo
Don’t sweat the number of “friends”…. It’s about making connections, not just numbers!
List something in your work history, even if it’s a job or internship unrelated to your desired industry
PROOFREAD…. Spelling errors count on online profiles too
Link your blog or professional works to your page!

FRENEMY: Facebook & Twitter

No one is trying to strip these popular social media sites of their valor, but proceed with caution. Regularly check your privacy settings and THINK before you post. It’s not a myth that many HR recruiters and employers actively seek out their candidates on search engines and/or social media platforms to get a better sense of who they may hire. Try googling yourself as a baseline check. Our message is by no means telling you to delete your accounts… in fact, some media, communications and PR positions want you to access Facebook for market research on consumer companies! Take home message: BE SMART!

FRIEND: The Bloggosphere

Blogging signifies your knowledge of online platforms (WordPress, BlogSpot, etc) and willingness to put your ideas and writing style in the public eye. As long as your content is not inappropriate, your blog posts can also show a side of your personality that might not emerge during the interview process.

POTENTIAL MORTAL ENEMY: Facebook Open Graph

Although we already listed Facebook as a “frenemy,” we felt the need to re-list it as the potential “Darth Vader” of the Social Media world, especially in light of new technology. As of this month, Facebook’s new search optimization tool “Open Graph” allows Facebook users to perform detailed searches and virtually target any of your information not explicitly set to private, according to The Social Media Monthly. Based on the current “Privacy Settings” format, here are some recommendations you should consider ASAP!

Under “Who Can See My Stuff”:

Change Who Can See Your Future Posts?from “Everyone” to “Friends”
Set Review all of your posts and things you’re tagged in to “Activity Log” so you can pre-approve posts before they show up on your Timeline
Under Limit the Audience for posts you’ve shared with friends of friends or the public, click “Limit Past Posts” ….That way you’re past posts are private!

Under “Who Can Look Me Up”

For Who can look you up using the email address or phone number you provided, it is really up to you. We’d recommend “Friends of Friends” at a bare minimum, so you don’t have random people stalking you via your contact info
Set Do You Want Other Search Engines to link to your timeline, PRESS “OFF” (This one is KEY)

_________________________________________

The take-home message: Enjoy social media, but think about your audience!

March 15, 2013

Lessons from a Leprechaun

**How to be a Pot of Gold level Employee**

In the 2012-2013 academic year, we’ve heard career advice from an ambitious turkey and elf trying to attain their dream internship/jobs. If you were impressed by those career savvy holiday fixtures, wait until you hear what you can learn from a leprechaun… after all we are approaching St. Patrick’s Day.

Although Santa makes his grand marketing appearance every autumn, few other holiday characters

have transcended past their season and impacted the advertising world more than the leprechaun. Yep, our dear friend Lucky, the poster child of Lucky Charms has raked in millions of dollars since its 1964 introduction to the market. Although the taste may factor into this profit, we are most impressed by Lucky’s ability to sustain his image for 59 years!

….How does he do it?

1.) Dress to Impress: When you have holiday characters like Cupid strolling around in a glorified diaper and the Easter Bunny putting no effort into his au-natural look, the bar is set pretty low for holiday symbols’ business attire. However, their fashion faux paus did not stop Lucky the leprechaun from going the extra mile by sporting a tailored green blazer, shirt, black fitted pants and some classy emerald dress shoes. This little leprechaun’s appearance is not only stylish in an understated way, but business ready.

2.) Be Memorable (In a Good Way!): The best brands boast memorable taglines, commercials and ads. (Or sometimes brands create jingles that are so annoyingly catchy you can’t forget them despite your greatest efforts—still these are memorable, just in a bad way). Similarly in the workforce well-prepared employees keep their best “elevator pitch” in their back pockets in the off chance they encounter a higher up exec one-on-one. It’s all about being able to sell yourself in the best way possible. As for Lucky, his ingenious tagline “they’re after me lucky charms” has become timeless. His cheerful delivery has inspired millions of sweet-toothed children to attempt their best Irish accent. Moreover, the jingle “hearts, stars and horseshoes! Clover and blue moons! Pots of gold and rainbows and me red balloons!” has successfully convinced every kid to pick all of the lucky charms marshmallows out of the bowl rather than eat the whole cereal. (Run out of marshmallows=Need more cereal=money in General Mills’ bank). And just for argument’s sake, who would want to hear Santa or the Tooth Fairy say “they’re magically delicious!”? ….that just doesn’t work. Case & Point: The world won’t soon forget our brisk little leprechaun.

3.) Keep a Positive Attitude: Lucky is constantly being chased by a pack of screaming children trying to steal his possessions. It’s like he is a camp counselor for overly persistent, kleptomaniac children. Despite this horrible job, Lucky maintains his cheery, optimistic demeanor and refuses to snap. Similarly in the work force, we aren’t always going to align with our superiors or fellow employees; however, staying cool, calm and collected is pivotal for excelling in a career. [Side note: Speaking of crazed children, I’d also like to give a shout-out to the Trix Yogurt Bunny here… those kids are relentless too …you are not a Silly rabbit and yogurt isn’t just for kids.]

4.) Stay Dynamic: With technology constantly evolving, adaptability is key. Today, success means staying on your toes, mapping strategies and always being willing to evolve with the industry. In Lucky Charms commercials, Lucky often finds himself cornered on the edge of a cliff or trapped in a tricky situation, yet somehow he ALWAYS manages to escape. Although these are situations Lucky cannot anticipate, he has built up a certain set of sly magical skills, which enable him to adapt to whatever predicament he finds himself in. Essentially, he is a cross between Jason Bourne & Harry Houdini…and it works.

….So, in Summary

In whatever field you go into: Dress well, Be well remembered, Have a good attitude & be adaptable!

We think Lucky the Leprechaun may secretly be Richard Branson.

HAVE A GREAT ST. PADDY’S DAY, HOLY CROSS!

February 27, 2013

“Harlem Shake” as Corporate Strategy?

It appears that Baauer’s mega hit song “Harlem Shake” is the new “Call Me Maybe” or “Gangnam Style” of 2013, as the broadest spectrum of people have been posting renditions on YouTube, boosting the song to #1 on I-tunes. Although many may brush aside “Harlem Shake” as another fad of pop culture, several businesses are maximizing the hype with their own versions of the dance.

According to an article by Stephanie Gaspary of Career Builder, companies’ “Harlem

Shake” videos are being carefully deployed as corporate recruiting strategies. How & why? Even for entry level jobs, companies are selling themselves to you just as much as you are selling yourself to them. They want to hone top talent to maintain top tier work. Numbers aside, compatibility between candidates and employers is essential and the character of a given company plays a big role in that relationship. If you’re a company, what better way to break the “big scary business” stereotype and flaunt your character than to make your own Harlem Shake video?

So far, all sorts of corporations have jumped on the bandwagon from PepsiCo to Intel. Outside of the commercial milieu, everyone from soldiers in the Norwegian Army to the Kansas University Men’s Basketball team completed “Harlem Shake” videos as a platform to broadcast their culture to the world.

INC.com claims companies with their own versions of the “Harlem Shake” are spreading the message that their business can fulfill the essentials needs of its employees, which are “to feel, connect and belong to their company.” Thus, “Harlem Shake” videos not only serve as a recruiting tool, but also as a method of increasing company morale.

For students and future employees, “Harlem Shake” and its surprising strategic use reminds us to think outside the box…. Sometimes weird methods have the biggest payoff!

P.S. We are sorry to report that Holy Cross Career Planning will not be releasing our own version of the “Harlem Shake.” Try to contain your disappointment, Crusaders.