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Easter Egg Hunt vs. Your Job Hunt

Just in time for Easter Break….

On the Hunt…

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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!

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

  1. 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
  2. ESTABLISH ONLINE PRESENCE: Create or polish your LinkedIn Profile
  3. NETWORK & LEARN: Reach out to a previous employer, family friend or HC Alum in your desired field & ask how they reached their current position
  4. EDIT: Proofread & perfect your Resume
  5. 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!
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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)

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