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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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Thinking about going global? Well try your luck with PASSPORT CAREER!

Welcome Crusaders to this week’s Career Planning Blog Post…hosted by yours truly in the office of Hogan 203.

This week we are excited to introduce you to the new Passport Career program—your online career resource that will help you to explore opportunities around the world! Yes… THE WORLD!

Whether you’re looking to get away from the cold New England winters or just curious of the wonderful experience interning or working abroad might bring check out PASSPORT CAREER!

Around this time you may be seeking a job, internship, volunteer work, or are studying abroad. In any situation, Passport Career provides extensive resources, guidance, strategies, tools and support to help you make your career move!

Here we have outlined 5 easy tips to getting started with Passport Career:

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1. ACCESSING PASSPORT CAREER : First time users

a. Go to www.PassportCareer.com

b. Click on Have a Registration Key? on the upper right corner of the homepage –>

c. Enter this Registration Key (notice: all lowercase & only 1 “s”): HOLYCROS

d. Fill out the brief registration form. Use your school email address (except alumni) to create your login/password for future use and you’re ready to roll!

e. Use your email/password to login in the future.

2. CHECK OUT THE TOOLS

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On the menu bar, you will find quick access to several of the tools available, including the H1B Employer Database for non-Americans seeking jobs or internships in the USA. You will also find a direct link to the International Jobs/Intern Portal, which is updated daily with more than 1,000,000 jobs/internships in 203 countries.

JOIN THE INTRODUCTORY WEBINAR

  • To maximize the benefits of Passport Career, we suggest you immediately sign up for the webinar, called Using Passport Career Strategically. This webinar is offered monthly at different times and is an excellent way to help you take advantage of all the Passport Career system has to offer you. Click on Webinars at the top of the page.

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GLOBAL OVERVIEW

  • We suggest that you begin by reviewing the guidance and strategies relevant to your situation in My Global Career Briefcase. Click on the My Briefcase link at the top of the page.4

 

 

3. AVOID THE “ONE-VISIT” TRAP

In order to be successful with your exploration and/or transition, you need to think of Passport Career as your personal career assistant. We suggest that you schedule 15-30 minutes each week to explore further the content, resources and tools. People who use Passport Career regularly have the greatest chance of success with their career goals!

4. EXPLORE THE COUNTRIES & CITIES

There are many amazing photos and videos of the countries & cities featured throughout Passport Career. There are also more than 15,000 pages of expert career content! Take the time to learn about other places—especially their business culture, which is key (along with strategic networking) to successfully transitioning your career to a new location.

5. LOOKING FOR INFORMATION THAT YOU CAN’T FIND?

Click on the “HELP” link at the top of the page and fill out the form to send to your request or question OR, you can always send an email to info@passportcareer.com.

 

We want to hear from you!

Let us know how your job/internship search and career transition are moving along. What is working for you? Where do you need more help? What questions do you have? We are here to help you, so be sure to stay in communication with the Career Planning Center, Hogan 203.

 
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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!
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Slaying Zombies & Success in the Real World

Recently, I found myself hooked on AMC’s hit show, The Walking Dead. I’m not sure whether it was the adrenaline of a good zombie-human throwdown or the perplexing amount of questions I had about the cans and cants of a Zombie Apocalypse, but either way I was hooked.

So as I anxiously await the midseason premier February 10th, I couldn’t help but consider the wide set of skills & dashes of luck you need to subsist on a zombie infested planet. Sure the average person can survive Season 1 without much dexterity, but you have to be a pretty resilient and crafty walking dead slayer to endure until Season 3.

  • Now you may ask: Why is the intern rambling about Zombies on a Career Planning blog?
  • The answer: I couldn’t help but draw a parallel between the skill sets of survivors and people who have forged successful careers in the real world. According to a recent Forbes article, “Super Achievers” share 10 major characteristics, which also match those on the Walking Dead. Let’s explore…

1.)  Dedicated to a Vision: For the leader of the pack, Rick, the survival and betterment of the group marks his top priorities and focused vision. Successful corporate figureheads also maintain a vision built on short and long terms goals.

2.)    Intelligent Persistence: Forbes differentiates between dedication & blind

persistence, noting that success is bred by people who are determined, but can also think outside the box from unique angles. Considering that the onset of a Zombie apocalypse is not something most people anticipate, the leading survivors embody endurance and the ability to be shrewd in new situations. We’ve seen Rick & the gang do everything from donning zombie guts to blend in Season 1 to transforming almost any normal object into a weapon in order to maintain their goal of survival.

3.)  Fostering a Community: On The Walking Dead, surrounding yourself with a trusting, varied community is essential. We tip ours hats to Rick for being a police man and somehow scooping up a doctor and a slew of other skilled peeps on his travels. Super Achievers also know how to surround themselves with talented people. The best actors boast top managers, publicists, assistants and connections to top tier directors and studios. Although only one name may see his/her name in shining lights, the best rise up by working with the other talented people.

4.)    Listening & Remaining 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. As the big cheese on The Walking Dead, Rick must account for new ideas from the group, especially when trying to escape dangerous situations. When Carl is injured early in Season 2, Rick remains open-minded to the medical options Doctor Hershel provides him. In a broader sense, if you aren’t willing to listen and try new things in a Zombie Apocalypse, you’re as good as gone. The same is true in business!

5.)    Good Storytelling: During a Zombie Apocalypse, holding on to your sanity and positivity means having people around you who can remind you of the past and communicate positively about the future. And if nothing else, since there is no more television or internet (AHH!), compelling story tellers act as your saving grace from perpetual boredom. Take Zombies out the equation, the ability to entice and entertain people is crucial to building networks of people and making success seem easier than it looks.

6.)    Testing Ideas in the Market: Super Achievers possess good instincts and the

fortitude to carry their instincts out. Forbes discusses Bill Gross, the founder of CarsDirect, who followed his gut and tested his online car site—before they even had inventory, four cars had been purchased! We will have to be a little looser with the concept of “market” in the world of Zombies, but Rick marks a prime example of someone who always throws new ideas on the table and tries things out in order to progress. For instance, pushing the group to find the CDC in Season 1 was something that had to be put to the test in order to learn more about the pandemic and better predict survival.

7.)    Managing Emotions: Tom Hanks was pretty spot on as he spewed “There’s no crying in baseball” in the movie A League of Their Own. Although you definitely don’t want the water works streaming in most jobs (well, unless you’re a drama film actor), managing other negative emotions like anger or frustration is equally important, as it reflects the composure shared by most successful leaders. Warding off the walking dead also beckons a sense of calm intensity. Although it is totally understandable to scream when a flesh eating creature is storming your personal space, stay as level headed as possible and the Zombie will be as good as dead… umm again.

8.)    Constantly Evolving: Adaptability is key wherever you are in life. You’re baking cupcakes for a bake sale and the store is out of eggs? Adapt. You’re about to land a multi-million dollar deal and the terms change? Adapt. You’re cornered in a high school gym filled with carnivorous walkers? Adapt… really fast. Thinking on your feet is part of continually yielding successful results.

9.)    Practicing Patience: Although trusting your gut is crucial, Super Achievers also know when to wait for certain opportunities. True go-getters complement their short and long term goals, meaning inaction can signify strategy not unwillingness. Similarly, deciding when to travel and when to stay somewhere during a hurricane of Zombies reflects the virtue of patience as well.

10.) Pursuing Happiness: Empty success equates to nothing in the end. When Super Achievers find happiness in their success, that happiness can propel further success, creating a wonderful cycle. Although portending misery tends to consume most people entrenched in a Zombie Apocalypse, the small instances of optimism tend to be the fuel that keeps Rick and his group going. This may be a relative sense of happiness, but it works!

…So the take away message?

Develop or identify some of these 10 attributes in yourself and you just may flourish in the double benefit of finding success in the real world & surviving if the Zombie plague ever dominates our civilization. Until then… keep coming to Career Planning & keep watching The Walking Dead!

Happy Zombie hunting, Holy Cross!

 
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How to Forge a Successful Career

Holy Cross students are undoubtedly the ambitious type, but what does it really take to build a successful career in the “real world”? This week Career Planning will be hosting the panel, “How to be a Successful Alumnus.” As a companion to our workshop, HC Career Counselor Megan Chester discusses some key tips to making your career successful…. Enjoy!

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Entering the world of work and achieving alumni status is an amazing accomplishment, but landing a job is only the first step.  Maintaining professional success once you leave Holy Cross is vital to the longevity of your career path.

First impressions are lasting and all situations require that you put your best professional foot forward.  Attend meetings and sessions fully prepared.  Write your ideas and questions down and complete your contribution to the best of your ability.  Before emails or documents go to your boss, clients or colleagues, be sure to thoroughly proof read your work.  Do not forget to dress the part, clothing attire is part of the office culture.  No need to break the bank on a new wardrobe, but you will want to update your closet with a few basics such as slacks, button-up shirts and a pair of sturdy dress shoes.

A new work setting comes with new co-workers.  You can pick your friends, not your staff members.    Throughout your career, you will encounter personalities that will challenge you.  Find ways to develop positive working relationships by learning the strengths of those you work with and how you can achieve company goals together.

Your first job will not be your last job, networking never ends.  Create a LinkedIn profile and join Holy Cross and industry affiliated groups.  Building relationships within your industry will allow you to move up in your career path.   The friendly staff in the Career Planning Center can help you create your profile and teach you how to effectively network online.

For more about forging your successful career, come to the How to be a Successful Alum Workshop at 4 PM in Hogan 403 on Monday November 5, click here for details.