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Spring up and Finish strong!

Gearing up for the last run of the semester. Its March and the weather (contrary to the mini blizzard we received this morning) is turning around! So why not take the time to do some turning around of your own and make sure your’e not stuck in the winter rut? With spring around the corner, it’s a good time to do some cleaning up and reevaluating where you want to be in your career endeavors moving forward. 

Here are some quick tips to keep you ahead:

  • Research: Whether you are applying for an internship or full-time position, researching companies before you apply is essential. Many corporate websites feature a “Career” section, so take a look at what kind of positions are available and what qualifications they require. Also, check out our very own Crusader Connections to see what positions are available to you. (We post A LOT of jobs/internships for you!)
  • It’s March, Rip the Runway: No we don’t mean the actual runway…there’s no Tyra Banks here … rather, invest in some staple business outfits so you are ready to roll for upcoming interviews or networking events. Remember that the “What not to wear“ ghost from our October blog post still has its eye on you, so check back to see what appropriate clothing you should have at your disposal. You want to be all set once those call backs start coming in!
  • Seniors –APPLY APPLY APPLY! Those words may have left a bad taste in your mouth that even a tasty margarita could not fix, but if you haven’t already, it’s time to start applying. As employers identify their hiring needs they will start to post opportunities! So, keep searching and sending out your resumes & cover letters! P.S. Drop in the Career Planning Center for any career-friendly advice.
  • Internship Seekers: THE TIME IS NOW! Many employers set their deadlines in March. Continue checking internship postings on the Career Center’s website. Schedule an appointment to get started or just to chat!
    • Reach out directly to companies you would like to intern for.
    • Focus on looking for smaller, more local internships.
  • Polish & Plan: One can never proofread their resume too many times. At the very least, you want to make sure to spice up your portfolio during the break. There is never a dull time to have someone else look over and help you polish up your resume/elevator pitch/interview skills. EVEN then you and a friend can exchange ideas for ways to tackle certain interview questions. Take a look at Career Builder’s challenging interview questions –>Top Interview Questions

HAVE A GREAT ST. PADDY’S DAY, HOLY CROSS!
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Career Planning Twitter Alumni-Student Initiative

 

         Welcome Crusaders to the Twitter Edition of our #CareerPlanningBlog where we’ll be talking all about one of your favorite places to visit, #Twitter and  how it can help you on your path to landing a great internship/job opportunity. 

We all know how fun #twitter is in communicating thoughts, ideas and news! Hash-tag’s have become a huge part of our modern day lingo and many #companies look to twitter as a tool for reaching out to customers and clients as well as sharing information on #JobOpening’s and opportunities available to apply for. You may have thought twitter was all about your friends cleverly communicating every aspect of their life (even the aspects you don’t want to hear about), but in fact 77% of Fortune 500  companies actively use twitter. Why? #ThreeReasons 

                                           1. #Connect With Customers         2.#Visibility            3. #Self-Promotion

You may now be thinking, “So why is Twitter so important for an undergraduate seeking career advice at Holy Cross?”

            Well…Here at the Career Planning Center, we want to educate you about all ways of communication between students and the sources that help provide news/opportunities about exciting careers and internships. As it just so happens, we also have not ONE but TWO twitter accounts @CrusaderCareers & @HCSIP, which we would like to use in the most efficient of ways, so…we have come up with an initiative to better help you reach alumni who are currently in your preferred field.

Here’s what you have to do!

 1. TWEET US. (ANYTHING!) most importantly, we want to hear your questions!

Tweet us your questions using #HCCareerQuestions or #HCCQ and we’ll do our best to have that question answered by an alumni who has experience which can help you in your career endeavors. WHO KNOWS! you might get paired with an alumni who may just land you your next internship at a Fortune 500! 

All you have to do is send a simple Tweet. Here are some possible questions asked by completely imaginary HC Students:

@HCSophomore23: Hey I’m interested in marketing and advertising, what internships are out there for me? #HCCareerQuestions

@KingoftheHill77: Hi, Is there a place I can find out more about Business Programs at the Graduate School level? #HCCQ #HCCareerQuestions

@LarrytheCrusader: I took an internship at GE this summer, can I please connect with someone who has experience with this company? #HCCQ

@MaddieFitzgerald358: Hey I’m a junior interested in entering the fashion and designer world, is there anyone I can contact? #HCCareerQuestions 

So next time you’re daydreaming about where you’ll end up after the hill, or your scrolling down your timeline and run into a question, TWEET US! @CrusaderCareers or @HCSIP. We’ll be happy to answer and/or send it to a Alum in that same field.
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Flap your way to sucess!

 

Recently, I found myself hooked on the latest app sensation, FLAPPY BIRD. I know I’m not alone in this epidemic, as  the demand for the app has gone up and through the roof!! Currently iPhones which have the app installed are selling at $9,000 online!! I’m not sure what exactly it is about this gamehowever, considering people are willing to pay a pretty steep price just to conquer it, I think that makes it news worthy as well as career worthy !!

  • Now you may ask: Why is the intern rambling about Flappy Bird on a Career Planning blog?

Well… I couldn’t help but draw a parallel between the skill sets needed to survive more than 8 rounds of Flappy Bird (My High Score) and successful careers tips for the real world. According to a recent article, featuring CEO Felipe Venetiglio, a few career lessons can be learned from playing the infamous Flappy Bird. Let’s explore…

1.)  Aim HIGH but not too high: “Ambition is great and should always motivate you. But your career choices should be smart and planned or else you might bump your head and need to restart all over again.” In other words, if you  are aiming to be CEO of Microsoft directly after your time on the Hill, just know it is not that easy. Think smart and plan for careers you can honestly see yourself learning and benefiting from. You’ll work toward that CEO position in no time!

2.)  Don’t be afraid of taking risk:  Sure, some obstacles will seem too difficult- but playing it safe will not help you either.  If you are doubting a job choice, come in for Drop-In’s @Career Planning Center #Hogan203 from 1:00-4:00pm or Tweet us @CrusaderCareers / @HCSIP

3.) You might FAIL…then FAIL AGAIN : In Flappy Bird, you are haunted by that little buzzing sound of failure every time you bump into something. No matter how many times you hear that sound, you can not give up! “If careers had high scores you wouldn’t get yours on the 1st,  2nd or 3rd try. Remember to be cool, keep your calm, you’ll get there! Everyone gets stuck at some point but it is continued effort that gets you further!”

4.) Remain Open: Success does not solely hinge on delegating tasks and having your opinion heard, it also depends on listening. Thriving leaders share the ability to hear others’ opinions and remain open to changing their ideas. You may think you’re about to nail the new high score then fall short. The same is true for the internship/job search. Remember to remain open and interested in all opportunities you are presented with… you never know which might land you the job of your dreams!

5.) Make sure you like it: You should want a healthy relationship with your job/ internship. Try not to endure something for its name or position. If you’re in a new internship and dreading the work that you’re doing, let it be a learning experience. You wouldn’t want to apply yourself to a future career that might not be for you.

…So the take away message?

Develop or identify some of these quick tips and find the inner Flappy bird champ in yourself.  You just may flourish in finding success in the job/internship world! Remember to use as many career resources both online on the Career Planning site as well as in the office, Hogan 203!

 PS: If you have never played Flappy Bird, please ask someone  about its addictive qualities… You may just want to try it out yourself..
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Turkeys need Cover Letter’s too!

So it is the week before Thanksgiving Break!

A great time for food, family and football. (Wooo!) But before we go, your friends in Hogan 203 have some news to share concerning our old buddy Thomas the turkey.

For those who have never met Thomas, he’s a professional Turkey who comes out every November to remind students to use their break by applying to jobs & internships!

Thomas has applied to his one big gig of the year, the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade. Check out his cover letter below and be sure to check out how it matches up with the resume he made last using this link –> http://careerplanning.me.holycross.edu/2012/11/

So in the spirit of the holiday, take a look at Thomas Turkey’s resume and see how yours shapes up in comparison!

Thomas Turkey

1843 Your Dinner Table Road                          

Plymouth,MA

tomturkeytastebetter@gmail.com

11/22/13

Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade Inc.

Float Model Manager

Macy’s Thanksgiving Parade 2013

New York, NY

10475

Dear Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade Inc.:

Ever since I was a younger turk, my family praised the joy of Thanksgiving. Having the opportunity to be out on the float and share that experience with viewers all around the world is a task I would be honored to do. Timmy Turkey, Director of Turkey Relations suggested that I contact you regarding the open Float Model position available at the Macy’s Thanksgiving Parade 2013. My educational background at Holy Cross, along with my professional experience as a Turkey, makes me an excellent candidate for this position.

I have more than 5 years of experience in the field of float modeling . My resume shows that I have been consistently volunteering at Big Turkey, Little Turkey since 2009. While volunteering there I mentored young turkeys and last year I lead an entire 5K race right down Madison Ave for underprivileged turkeys and raised $2000. The experience of planning such a successful and charitable event was a direct result of my commitment to professional excellence . In my spare time while at Holy Cross, I was editor of the weekly newspaper titled, The Crusader. I created a “Vegan Corner” column in the paper for students to participate in healthier eating choices while at the college. This healthy lifestyle column reflects my passion for maintaining a nice figure around the holidays. I do not want this position solely due to my ability to look good on a dinner plate. My years of experience coupled with my passion for exuding thanksgiving culture well qualify me for the float model position in the Macy’s parade.

I look forward to meeting you to further discuss employment opportunities with the Macy’s Thanksgiving Parade 2013. If you have questions, or if you want to schedule an interview, please contact me at tomturkeytastebetter@gmail.com.

Thank you for your time and consideration.

Sincerely,

Thomas Turkey
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10 Mobile Apps you want to download to keep you in the loop on careers!

Hey Crusaders,

           Welcome back to this week’s Career Planning blog sponsored by your friends in Hogan 203. As you may be aware, we are looooong past the Jurassic age when people used the yellow pages to search for things and carried around beepers. We are right in the mist of the booming tech era and if you haven’t noticed EVERYONE NOW HAS A SMARTPHONE! So why not use this “smart” phone to make smart decisions regarding your career search? Today’s job seeker must be on the hunt for new opportunities 24/7 to maintain a competitive advantage over other candidates. But to do so successfully, job seekers must have constant access, both at home and on the go… To help you ready your device, we have compiled a short list of FREE apps that may be worth installing if you want to get a job or internship in this century.

 
 
Job Search Apps

1  CareerBuilder AppJobs by CareerBuilder.com (FREE): This free app brings the power of CareerBuilder.com straight to your mobile device, giving you instant access to search and apply to nearly 2 million job postings on CareerBuilder.com, the largest job site in the US.

2    Monster Jobs AppMonster.com Jobs (FREE): In addition to feeding the latest job postings from Monster.com, this free app lets you take your Monster.com account with you on the go so that you can apply directly to new listings right from your mobile device.

3 Indeed Jobs AppJob Search by Indeed.com (FREE): Indeed is a powerful job search aggregator that collects job listings from all the major job search engines and job boards into one convenient location for you to review.

4 LinkUp AppJob Search Engine by LinkUp.com (FREE): LinkUp’s unique search engine, updated daily, lists only jobs that are found on company and employer websites. This helps you uncover the hidden job market of opportunities not publicly advertised on the major job search engines.

5 SimplyHired AppSimply Hired (FREE): Simply Hired is one of the largest job search engines, aggregating job postings from across the web, including major job search engines, online newspapers, company websites and more.

6 SnagaJob AppSnagAJob (FREE): SnagAJob is a top-ranked search engine for full-time and part-time hourly positions throughout the US. This free app provides you immediate access to their database of new job listings.

7 JobAware AppJobAware (FREE): JobAware app allows you to search jobs in cities near you leveraging the iPhone’s GPS and helps you organize and track your progress throughout the job application process. It also offers salary comparisons for hundreds of occupations, LinkedIn account integration to help you take advantage of your network and job search advice from top career experts.

8 JobCompass AppJobCompass (FREE): JobCompass uses the iPhone’s GPS to find open positions within a given radius of the area you are in. In addition to providing job description information, this app also allows you to apply directly from your phone.

9 SnapDat Digital Business Cards (FREE): SnapDat is the #1 app for designing and sending digital business cards directly from your iPhone! You can create unlimited digital business cards with a provided template or picture and can email it instantly to your contact’s address

10 Interview Prep Questions App (FREE): Interview Prep is a fully-featured flash card app that prepares you for dozens of job interview questions. Each question is accompanied by suggestions that will help you answer these tough questions.

 

Remember to stop by the Career Planning Center’s Drop-In hours, M-F between 1-4pm if you find a job or internship and have questions or concerns before applying.

                        Now there are HUNDREDS of apps that can help you and you’re encouraged to look at all of them. We know that you’re all busy being Holy Cross students and all so if you only have time to search ten, then these are the ones you’ll want to search. Now you can take your career search mobile by using these incredible apps anywhere!…Except during class! Now GO!

LET THE DOWNLOADING & CAREER HUNTING COMMENCE!

#CareerPlanningCenter   #10AppstoDownload   #Careers
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Battle the Cold, Stay Ahead of the Fold

Nothing says “Welcome to Spring Semester at Holy Cross” quite like a cold front and sub-zero temperatures! While Snuggies, Hot Tea and Netflix mark the most popular ways to cope with Antarctica’s encroachment into Worcester, use your extended indoor hibernation to push yourself ahead of the pack in your career search. How? We thought you’d never ask…

First up: The Good News → College Hiring is up 4% overall! WOOOO

….But who exactly is being hired?


According to a study from Michigan State’s Collegiate Employment Research Institute, prime college hiring revolves around these key facts:

  1. Campus oriented internships and career fairs are the top two recruiting strategies for companies.
  2. Faculty and alumni referrals are two other top recruiting strategies.
  3. Internships are now the hiring source of choice.
Adapted from Youtern.com

…Now what should you do?


  • Come to Career Planning!! (#Hogan203)

    • Career Planning manages our connections to employers & maintains Crusader Connections, so this is the place to go for internship/job hunting
    • Drop-in Hours are Monday thru Friday 1-4PM
      • Drop-ins are appointments for quick career questions or edits to a resume or cover letter
    • Stop by Hogan 203 or call (508) 793-3880 to make a 30-60min appointment with a career counselor
      • Whether you want to create a resume/cover letter or simply discuss career options, these meetings provide the time you need to bolster your success

 

  • Make Connections & Network, Network, Network:
    • Come to our Networking Program Workshop (2/1, Hogan 407/08, 12-1pm) & learn the ins and outs of forging connections
    • Meet alums at the 2013 Student Alumni Career Networking Reception (2/7, Hogan Ballroom, 7:30-9pm) RSVP via Crusader Connections
    • Reach out to alumni & learn about their career paths using the Career Advisor’s Network

 

  • Go DIGITAL (…you can stay in your Snuggie for this one)
    • As the “Facebook of the business world,” LinkedIn is a social media outlet where you want to  establish an online presence
    • Make or update your LinkedIn Profile (Education, Activities, Job/Internships, Honors/Awards, etc.)
    • Connect with friends, family, past co-workers, neighbors, etc.—Even if you think you can’t relate to Aunt Bethany’s career as a cat sweater knitter, still request her on LinkedIn…Aunt Bethany might be knitting sweaters for the CEO of your dream company’s cat!
    • Remember: Many employers search for you on other social media platforms, so adjust privacy settings & be cautious about posting things you wouldn’t want employers to see

    Pick something from the above list & get proactive with your career!

…Then you can hop back in your bed & relax… after all Season 1 of Homeland is not going to watch itself.

Happy career hunting, Crusaders!

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Things to Do over a Long Winter Break

The holidays are over, and winter has definitely settled in.  You have weeks before classes start again, and it’s freezing outside.

Are you bored yet?  Luckily for you, Career Planning can think of a lot of things to do!

Attend a Site Visit
Amica Insurance is putting on an event next Tuesday, January 11th, inviting students to come see what working for them entails.  This two-hour event will be at their corporate headquarters in Lincoln, RI, and it’s a great opportunity to find out about different career paths within the company.  The visit to Amica will include a continental breakfast, a brief information session about the company and a panel discussion with current employees regarding our corporate culture, relocation, career paths and our promote-from-within philosophy.  For more information contact Kerry Feather – if you just want to register ASAP, contact the organizer, Amy Weinstein, via email –  or via telephone 401-874-4043.  Brought to you by the Eastern Association of Colleges and Employers – see older post below for more information!

Work on your Resume and have it critiqued

We are here over winter break and will be having Instant Message Drop-In Hours next Wednesday, January 12th, from 1-4 PM via google chat.  Chat with a career counselor about your resume, job search strategy, cover letters, or any other career-related quick question you need answered.  Of course, if you are local and want to come in for an appointment, you can do that too. Call 508-793-3880 to set one up.

Apply for jobs or internships

Have you SEEN Crusader Connections lately?  Lots o’ jobs and internships on there… here are a few INTERNSHIPS with upcoming deadlines:

  • Operations Coordinator, Teach for America
  • Various Summer Positions, Tabor Academy
  • Summer Festival Intern, Jacob’s Pillow Dance
  • Discover KPMG Program, KPMG (NOT just for Accounting and Economics Majors – check it out!)
  • Customer Marketing & Strategy Event Internship – Kraft Sports Group (NE Pats, Revolution, etc.)

…and more! Quick Tip: If you see something you like, apply SOON! Some employers review resumes on an ongoing basis.  Don’t procrastinate and lose out on a great opportunity.

Research employers, network, and plan for the semester

Think of an employer for whom you would love to work, or a type of job you would love to do.  Now go to Career Search, Vault, Going Global, Glassdoor.com, or any of the other helpful links on our website to research the organization, AND its competitors, who likely have similar positions.
Plan for career fairs and other networking opportunities – check calendars, the Career Planning Facebook page, Calendar, and Blog for dates for off-campus events and helpful career information.

There are many off-campus career fairs coming up in January and February including:

In order to start, or continue networking, update or create a LinkedIn account and start to talk to people about your search. Find alums on the Career Advisor Network as well. Networking WORKS!

Sit at home watching the Food Network and HGTV

Learn how to cook Beef Wellington, or better yet, find out which house in Costa Rica the couple on House Hunters International bought!
(but, unfortunately, unless you are planning to become a realtor or chef, doing these things won’t help you get a job)