/ GRADUATION GUIDE / THURSDAY, MAY 12, 2011 / THE UNIVERSITY DAILY KANSAN / KANSAN.COM
Wide range of options available for new graduates
BY CLAIRE MCINERNY editor@kansan.com
As some seniors are preparing for jobs and planning their lives after school, some students are experiencing a different scenario the end of college manic.
Four yea
degree late
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er. One opportunity that enables students to make that happen is through Teach for America. Teach For America is a program that allows recent college graduates to teach in public schools in low-income communities. The assignment lasts for two years.
a way to prolong having to find a job, but rather look at it as a way to find new opportunities and new ways for students to use their passions. She said a lot of politicians who now work in Congress were in the program and are now fighting for education rights.
Wiechman spent his two years in Saint Lucia doing community development. He helped a farmers' cooperative develop a grant proposal to get funding for a composting project from the United Nations and also taught reading and music at a school.
The Peace Corps was an attract- tion for Wichman because
PAGE 20
WEDNESDAY, JUNE 29, 2011
THE UNIVERSITY DAILY KANSAN
Advice to increase your employment luck
BY CHRISTY NUTT
cnutt@kansan.com
With the national unemployment rate hovering at 9.1 percent, finding a job after graduating can be a daunting experience.
experience.
Not for Derek Kauffman. Kauffman started his job as morning producer of KTTC-TV News in Rochester, Minn., one week after graduating in May. Kauffman said whenever he had down time during his final semester he updated his electronic portfolio so employers could see his work. A little luck, a lot of confidence and luck got him hired, Kauffman said.
specifically to the company;" Johnson said. "It is the little things like this that set you apart."
Kauffman, employers and experts offer advice on landing a job after graduating.
Donna Johnson, CEO of Pinnacle Technology, Inc., 2721 Oregon St., said the cover letter is the selling point. After more than 30 years of hiring, Johnson said only 1 in 100 cover letters she receives are addressed to a person and the company.
Making the resume interesting and accessible to prospective employers is most important, Kaufman said.
"Make your cover letter targeted
most important, Kudrinkar said.
Ann Hartley, associate director of the University Career Center, said every employer has a different opinion about what makes a good resume. Resumes should include the basic information the employer is looking for in a clear way and describe your experiences in details that highlight your skills, Hartley said.
Chris Bronson/KANSAN
The University Career Center offers advice on resumes, interviews, networking and more.
Hartley said networking is essential to separating yourself from the pack of applicants.
"You're not going to get anybody to look at your resume or call you for an interview if you don't somehow make a connection with them." Hartley said.
hear a speaker and possibly meet them or you can go and listen to a panel of employers and then make some contact with them, or the career fair is the obvious one," Hartley said.
tennal employees. Hire them "Take advantage of any kind of career event where you can go in and
An easy way for students to make a personal connection with employers is to attend campus events involving potential employers, Hartley said.
Mark Stogsdill, vice president of HMA Architects, 200 Mesa Way said getting involved helps students network. "Put yourself in situations where you might run into a job opportunity." Stogsdill said.
portunity, begged Johnson said being formal is not just dressing well to the interview but also making your voice mail message appropriate, keeping e-mails professional and cleaning up your social network sites.
"In a business setting, e-mail is very formal, but people forget this," Johnson said.
Many employers, including Johnson, look at candidate's social networking sites.
"If you're not embarrassed to have you mom or dad look at it, you're probably OK." Hartley said.
Also, don't volunteer information about yourself unless the employer
asks. Hartley said.
"Just stick to their agenda," she said.
Walk into the interview prepared with extra copies of your resume, sample material and knowledge of the company, Johnson said.
Saturday July 9, 2011
Book Signing: 12:45-1:45 PM
Including the winners of the John W. Campbell & Theodore Sturgeon awards, featuring the authors:
- Robin Wayne Bailey
- Karin Rita Gastraich
- Kij Johnson
- Eric T. Reynolds
The career center offers mock interviews to help students practice for the real thing. The practice interview is recorded with a webcam so the student can watch his or her performance afterward. If students are nervous they might not notice they are being fidgety, but seeing it on the webcam they can fix it, the Career Center's Hartley said.
- M.C. Chambers
- Geoffrey A. Landis
- Tessa Gratton
- Mary A. Turzillo
Many employers want specific examples to prove you have the required skill set. Students should think of examples that would be appropriate to
- Dale R. Cozort
- James Gunn
- Ian McDonald
- Nathaniel Williams
- Christopher McKitterick - Sheila Williams
- Elizabeth Anne Hull
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"If you are not involved in the conversation you have really handicapped yourself," HMA Architects' Stogsdill said.
use before going into the interview, Hartley said.
785-864-4431
"If there are possible negatives in your background think about how you are going to address them in a positive way," Hartley said.
said.
Pinnacle Technology's Johnson said the worst thing an interviewee can do is sit and stare at her without being interactive.
"I want to know your brain is working. You have got to be engaging," she said.
The interview is only one step in the hiring process. Hiring can take weeks or even months. Reminding employers that you are still interested in the job can separate you from the pack.
"Unless you get a 'hell no' it is OK to occasionally inquire about the same job!" HMA Architects' Stogsdill said
way, Hartley said.
Do research on what a typical salary is for the position you are applying for before the interview. This way you can offer a fair range if the employee asks about your expected pay, Hartley said.
In general, though, avoid bringing up salary at the first interview because it can leave the impression that all you care about is money. Hartley said.
If a job opening does become available and someone has asked numerous times about it, employers can't help but think of them, Stogsdill said
Graduate Kauffman said he was persistent at calling to check on his application status because he really wanted a chance to get the job.
A job interview is a chance for you to interview the employer as well.
"The best advice I can give is don't give up. You can always improve," Kauffman said.