Part-Time Job: Big Time Gain

College is expensive. 

This concept is not a new one; we all know, little things add up quickly. We like to indulge on late night snacks, the daily Starbucks coffee, and the occasional concert or two, in addition to the cost of tuition, fees, books, living expenses, and maybe even the occasional parking ticket.  The university experience may seem priceless, but when you add it up, the average student has to look for ways to offset these expenses.  This reality often results in the practical consideration of part-time employment. 

 According to the U.S. Census of 2011, nationwide there are 19.7 million undergraduate students, and 72 percent of these scholars are employed.  On the Auburn University campus, more than 5,000 students are employed on-campus, and many more off-campus in our local Auburn and Opelika community.  These students have embraced the challenge of working while enrolled, and while it does offset their surmounting expenses, there are other reasons to pursue part-time work.

So, other than money, why work?

Build Transferable Skills

Employers look to hire recent college graduates with demonstrated competency.  Employers want graduates with experience – “2 to 3 years” is often the way it is cited in the endless entry-level job descriptions sorted through during the full-time job search.  The question often considered for recent graduates is, “How do we gain experience if they will not hire us?”  This answer has been knocking on your door the entire time; the experience does not necessarily have to be directly in line with the position you are seeking, rather you need to translate the skills gained from part-time employment, internships, and other valuable experiences into ways you are prepared to take on this new challenge.  Part-time employment (regardless of the industry) demonstrates your ability to verbally communicate, work in a team structure, solve problems, and prioritize (to name a few).   It is important that you sell yourself accurately when the time comes to apply for your full-time position by demonstrating these skills on your resume and cover letter.

Create Balance

When considering whether or not a college job is for you, the big decision should not necessarily be where you work, rather how often; balancing your schedule and becoming an expert time manager is not always an easy task.  With academic demands alongside co-curricular activities, initially it may appear that part-time employment may only add to those stressors rather than alleviate your burdens.  However, part-time employment can assist you with balancing your time and help you find moderation in the midst of an otherwise hectic schedule. Auburn University encourages student employees to work no more than a total of 20 hours per week in an effort to maintain a solid focus on academic programs and to promote academic success.

Create a Social Network

When we think of social networking, our first thoughts may go to the unreasonable amount of social media apps we continuously glance at throughout the day.  However, think outside the realm of your phone or laptop when considering the creation of your social network.  There is some truth in the old adage, “It is not always about what you know -- it is who you know.”  Through part-time employment and other skill building opportunities, you can start to shape a network of connections that will be great references and mentors throughout your career. 

Now that you have considered reasons to pursue part-time employment, you are most likely anxiously trying to figure out the next steps to finding your ideal job.  The Career Center provides a unique service called the Tiger Recruiting Link which assists students with locating on and off-campus part-time employment.  Check out the Tiger Recruiting Link at www.jobs.auburn.edu; sign in with Auburn user ID and password and boom! Jobs are at your fingertips, waiting for you to apply. 

The extra money you will earn as a part-time employee will certainly be nice, but the other benefits you will gain will greatly enhance your college experience and better prepare you for what is next beyond Auburn University.  So, stop sitting here reading this – get on the Tiger Recruiting Link and find a job!

By: Lauren Hobbs

Student Employment Coordinator

How Not to Dine and Dash... Your Hopes and Dreams Upon the Rocks of Unemployment and Shame: An Interviewers Guide to the Meal Interview

Your interview has presently been ongoing since 8:00 AM that morning.  Volley after volley of questions have been hurled at you.  You have framed and re-framed in innumerable ways the value you would bring to the organization, deftly discussed your weakness without intentionally taking aim at your foot with a high caliber bullet, and gracefully recovered from that ever so awkward moment when your mind mercilessly emptied and left you unknowing your own name (much less where you see yourself five years from now).  Now as you sit listening to your potential supervisor extol to you in meticulous detail how they are a magnificent human being, your thoughts wander to the perceived oasis that is the lunch portion of your interview.  First, stop mentally wandering.  Second, you aren’t out of the woods yet.

As long as you are with an agent of the organization you are being interviewed.  Strolls through the hallway, small-talk during breaks during the day, and especially at the dining table you are being evaluated, critiqued, and cataloged.  Many an intrepid interviewer has met their demise at the hands of the formal place setting and a too casual response to questioning.  Before we tackle the questions let us first acclimate to our surroundings. 

1. Place your napkin in your lap while seated.
2. If you’re unsure which is your drink and bread plate make “b” with your left hand and “d” with your right.  B is for Bread, D is for drink.  Should your interviewer be so uncouth as to take either of yours, discreetly ask your server for a replacement, do not continue the vicious cycle of mannerlessness and steal one of your other dining companion’s items.
3. As a general rule one should work their way toward the plate with the various forks, spoons, and knives.  Forks on the left, knife on the right (should you be unrolling from a cloth napkin).  The sharp edge of the blade should always be facing your plate.
4. Do not concern yourself with the wine glasses.  You are on an interview, not an evening on the town.  Politely decline if encouraged to do so, your friends may love the intoxicated version of you, Ferguson from accounting likely will not.
5. Order something simple enough that you do not need the finely honed concentration and dexterity of a trained neurosurgeon so as to eat without spoiling your clothes.  Ultimately you are here to talk, not engorge yourself.

Knowing what to do mechanically at the table is only part of the puzzle, you must also have effective conversation.  The food portion of the interview is, thankfully, a more casual opportunity to discuss you.  In many respects it is flattering to be the center of attention, but when you remember that your words carry the weight of your future upon their syllables it is no longer quite as fun.  Often employers and potential colleagues are looking to see how you would fit into the already established office culture.  As clichéd as the advice may sound, it is important during this stage to be yourself.  Authenticity and earnestness are important character traits, and traits which individuals who conduct many interviews will have a talent in discerning in their potential employees.  You might say that’s all well and good, but what do I actually talk about?  If it would make your grandmother blush or be uncomfortable, it is probably not in good taste to discuss at the table.  Furthermore, allow your host to lead the discussion, and if you don’t know anything about the topic at hand, do not pretend that you do. 

Interviewing is rarely an activity that many of us look forward to, but it holds the opportunity to be an enjoyable experience.  If you’re concerned about your upcoming interview and want to speak more about it feel free to come to the Career Center, and if you’re especially concerned when the when the crab cracker or the honey dipper should be used we can help with that as well.  

4 Ways to Make the Most of Spring Break

Spring Break: a time to take a vacation, relax, enjoy the sunshine, and network! While that last option might sound out-of-place, Spring Break is the perfect time to work on your résumé, conduct informational interviews, shadow someone in your field of interest, or search for internships or jobs. Fortunately, we have some resources that can assist you with making the most of your time off during Spring Break.

1. Work on your résumé: Take some time to review our sample résumés online at www.auburn.edu/career/resume. On this page, you’ll also see that we have an online e-resume review system where you can upload your résumé and a career counselor will review it, record a screencast of suggested edits, and send it back to you within three business days. If you’re in town for Spring Break, stop by the Career Center in 303 Martin Hall to meet one-on-one with someone who can look over your résumé.

2. Conduct informational interviews: Either set up a meeting with a professional in your field of interest or check out Candid Career informational interview videos on our website at www.auburn.edu/career/students (#4 under “Explore Majors and Careers). Informational interviews are an excellent way to see if a certain career field is right for you. Through these interviews, you can see what the professionals like about their job, the challenges they have faced in their position, how they got to where they are today, the education requirements for the job, etc.

3. Shadow someone in your field of interest: Arrange a day or two for shadowing a professional in your area of interest. You can often learn the most about a specific job when you get to experience it firsthand. If you don’t know who to contact within your career field, do some networking on LinkedIn (www.linkedin.com), and reach out to individuals in your area of interest. Make sure your LinkedIn profile is up-to-date before doing so.

4.  Search for internships or jobs: Take advantage of having some downtime and search for internships or jobs. Check out Tiger Recruiting Link (www.jobs.auburn.edu) and use the advanced search feature to look for internships and jobs in your field. On TRL, you can find full-time jobs, part-time jobs, paid internships, unpaid internships, on-campus jobs, and graduate assistantships.

If you are in town for Spring Break, you can always stop by the Career Center during walk-in hours to get assistance with any of the above suggestions. Our walk-in hours are always listed on our website at www.auburn.edu/career. Have a great break!

Post by:

Dori Weldon

Career Counselor 

The Job Search is a Lot Like Dating...

I was talking with a friend the other day about her latest dating fiasco and it occurred to me that the dating world is remarkably like a job search. Now I certainly do not support too much crossover between the two, but the fundamentals are alarming similar.

Your dating profile and your LinkedIn profile need a lot of thought.

Faceless avatars are creepy

The picture you use will be analyzed by a recruiter or potential suitor so make it appropriate for the occasion and the audience. It is unlikely that you will use the same picture for your dating profile as you do for LinkedIn, but lighting, personality, clothing choices should all be considered when choosing. What does this picture say about me?

These profiles will also be looked at for completeness and to tell the viewer about you. Generic information or missing information does not bode well for you as a date or applicant, so be sure to fill out the profiles completely and with information that would catch the attention of your targeted audience.

Get out and meet people, both in-person and online

The number one way anyone finds a job or a date is by personal referrals. It is unlikely someone is going to track you down in your apartment to ask you out or hand you a job if you are not putting yourself out there. Having a strong network is key and leveraging your network online is a must. Simply leaving your profiles out there will do little for your search for a date or a job, you need to do some of the leg work and contact people with whom you might be interested in speaking. Being able to hold a conversation is an art that everyone needs to practice. 

Good first impression is a must.

When reaching out to a potential date or network contact, how you approach them will make or break you chances for a meeting. Opening with “I need a job” or “I need a date” will likely end with no response or a response I am not able to post in blog. For a job search, it is more appropriate to compliment the person’s career progression and ask for information and advice instead of a job. Everyone’s favorite topic is themselves, so let them talk.

When you do finally meet, be on time, dress appropriately, and be polite. This goes for dating, networking, or interviewing.

Showing interest works better than generics.

In a cover letter or initial conversation, everyone wants to feel wanted. For the job search, this means that the company to which you are applying should feel like you know about them and sought them out to apply. Do your research…you know they will be researching you.

You will be Googled.

Around 80% of employers report they are Googling potential hires. I would venture to say that number is even higher for those who are going on a date, especially if meeting online. What are they seeing about you? It is important to keep your online image clean, but even more important to be able to be found online. If you have not already done so, set a Google alert with your name so you are emailed every time you name is posted online. Also, create some professional profiles, like an ePortfolio or LinkedIn to ensure a professional image is projected.

A commitment is often being sought by one party.

Hiring a new person is a costly investment for a company. Just like dating, when a commitment is being sought, it is best to know as much as possible beforehand to make an informed decision. Whether you are looking for a long commitment or not, do not indicate to a company any plans that would take you away from your work in the near future to avoid thoughts of you leaving in less than a year.

Desperation ruins chances.

Whether you are on an interview or on a first date, it is never a good decision to tell the other person how many dates/interviews you have had recently or how badly you want a relationship/job. No one wants to be the last resort or end up with someone no one else wants. Confidence is key but avoid overconfidence if possible.

Personality plays a big part in attraction.

The vast majority of companies are very concerned with hiring someone who will fit into a company’s culture. Your personality plays a big role in showing how you would fit in a company or relationship, so it is essential you let that show through…to an extent at least. 

Remember, an interview is a lot like a first date, you are not going to share EVERYTHING about yourself, only the highlights that will keep the person interested.

Rules for following up.

I am sure there are a lot of rules out there about how long to wait before calling someone after meeting them. The same thing applies to the job search. You do not want to come off as desperate, but showing interest goes a long way. Follow up after meeting a contact within 1-2 weeks and if you have not heard back in the stated hiring time frame, follow up a few days later. There is a fine line between showing interest and being a pest…in dating and in the job search.

Rejection stinks, but is natural.

Whether you are dating or on a job search, not every person or every company is going to be Mr./Mrs. Right. It is perfectly natural and okay to be not receive a call back or be offered a job. "There are always more fish in the sea," as we are constantly reminded. How you handle the rejection will say a lot about who you are as a professional, so remember to be cordial and thank them for their time. If you are concerned that it was something you did wrong (in an interview, not on a date), you are welcome to meet with a Career Center staff member to discuss the event or practice your interview skills. 

I am sure there are even more similarities than I have expressed here; what have you noticed?

Social Media: Pitfalls and Step Ups

There is no secret that social media is here and will be here to stay as it works to draw the masses of people all over the world closer together. Now this can be amazing for all things career related as different companies, brands, consumers, and producers have the ability to reach out to each other. It also has the ability to create a general consensus on various events. This is where social media can become a cautionary tale over and over again. Social media has created a very distinct line to where many have fallen victim of not getting employment opportunities and even fired for reckless behavior over the last few years. It is very much ok and within your rights to voice your opinion on anything, but the way to go about it and the language used has often been the problem. Often times during the hiring phase, companies will check out social media presence to grasp a better sense of who you are.

On a lighter note, social media can be very helpful as you are transmitting new ideas as well as absorbing them. Luckily for this generation, LinkedIn, a professional social media, has been created to better serve the community of professionals that are tried to branch out to other professionals across the world. I highly recommend giving this one a try. It has been helpful to me in my job search and in finding other professionals within my field. When you create a LinkedIn page, it will be completely blank as your typical social media would be. It allows you to input all of your different experiences to display to potential employers, peers, and coworkers as a way to connect on a professional level. The neat thing about LinkedIn is the recommendation feature that is built in the program. It is set up so that your peers and people that know your work ethic can cosign your strengths and skills. LinkedIn’s primary goal is to draw you closer to other professionals and that is exactly what it does. It allows you to add them to your online network as well as provides you with a wide array of paths that have been taken by other professionals to help you reach your career goals after graduation. It gives you a real world view that we all have to start somewhere whether it is serving as an intern or taking on a leadership role in a student organization.

What do you want your social media to say about you? Will an employer shutter away thinking of a complete disaster or think that you are thoughtful and aware of the outside world without using damaging words? Take all of this into consideration when participating online as it can be both a pitfall and a step up. Hopefully, each and every one you will use it for a step up. Technology is always advancing and career readiness has taken a major leap in the technological direction by fully embracing LinkedIn as a way to gather information on future employers and future companies to create the best fit for everyone involved. So go ahead and enjoy your posts, blogs, picture sharing, and trending topics, but use judgement as the internet doesn’t go away no matter how much time has passed.  

Contributed by:
Wade Manora, Jr.

Graduate Assistant

Establishing A Clear Career Objective

Imagine you are at the car lot to end all car lots. Every car known to man is available for purchase. The salesman asks you which car you want. Money is not a concern when purchasing this car.  Take a moment to picture in your mind your ideal car. On a sheet of blank paper, describe this car.

Looking at your car description, take note of a few items. Does your description name the make and model of the car? Did you include model year or exterior color? Have you gone as far as to think about the interior material, rim size, and any additional desired upgrades? If you were to describe your ideal car to the salesperson at the car lot would they be able to clearly understand and picture the vehicle you are imagining?

At some point in your college career you will probably be asked the question, “What do you plan to do with your degree?” or “What type of job are you looking for after graduation?” Your ability to clearly and specifically answer these questions will determine the level to which the person asking the questions can help you in your job search. The first step in any job search is to define your objective. If you aren’t certain of the type or even types of positions you want, how can you go about effectively searching for jobs, networking with potential employers, or soliciting support from friends, family, and faculty?

Just like knowing the specifics of your ideal car can help your salesman locate it, knowing your career objective will help your target audience, those in the position to help you reach your goals, be able to connect you with desired opportunities. 

As you develop your career objective think about the following criteria:

• What industry do you want to work in? Examples: Manufacturing, Banking and Finance, Logistics, Healthcare, Retail, Education, Hospitality, Agriculture, Real Estate, etc.
• What kind of role do you want to play? Examples: Research and Development, Consulting, Design, Engineering, Business Management, Service, Accounting, etc.
• Would you prefer to work with a smaller or larger company?
• Is your ideal job located in a certain part of the country?
• Are you looking for a company that offers a certain salary or benefits? Examples: Affordable Health Insurance, 401k Matching, On-Site Childcare Options, Flexible Work Hours, Bonus Pay, Tuition Reimbursement, an Employee Gym, etc.
• What are the key skills and qualifications you can offer a potential employer?

Having a specific career objective in mind will help you pitch your goals and value to others who can support you in your job search. It can also provide motivation to jumpstart your job search in the midst of fulfilling your many other roles and responsibilities. As you begin to identify and apply for opportunities note criteria that you are willing to compromise on or be more flexible with and items that are non-negotiables for you. Modify your objective as needed as your goals become clearer.

Next time you are asked the once dreaded questions, “What do you plan to do with your degree?” or “What type of job are you looking for after graduation?” you can respond with more than the quick, vague default answer, “A good job.” 

And I'll take one of these babies in the driveway.

Ready for the Rise in Hiring

The National Association of Colleges and Employers (NACE) recently announced that results from the 2016 Job Outlook survey indicate a hiring increase for new college graduates of 11 percent over the class of 2015. With the market primed for job search success, college seniors can do three things before spring semester starts to prepare to take advantage of these upcoming opportunities.

1. Know your options

Begin researching potential employers and job titles ahead of time and learn about the company culture, required qualifications for the job, and if/when the employer will have representatives on campus for career fairs and interviews. Use Auburn’s job search database, Tiger Recruiting Link (TRL) at jobs.auburn.edu to find much of this information. You can also use the companies’ websites and glassdoor.com to do your research. Knowing what type of job you want and the companies for which you’d like to work will put you in the position to apply quickly when positions are posted.

2. Prep your resume

Having a resume that is tailored for each job description will help you stand out in a crowd of similarly qualified graduates, but you can prepare ahead of time by having your standard resume reviewed by a career center staff member or peer advisor. Use the resume resources on the Auburn Career Center website to view formatting options and gather ideas for how to highlight your skills and experiences. Cometo the Career Center during walk-in hours to have a peer advisor review your resume and offer suggestions for improvement. Also, reach out to faculty members and other advisors to gain additional feedback. When your ideal job is posted, you’ll be ready to tweak the standard resume to fit the individual specifications required by that employer.  

3. Practice your interview skills

The prospect of interviewing can send many job seekers into a state of panic. Work out the jitters and gain confidence in your ability to nail the interview by practicing typical questions before spring career fair and on-campus interview season kicks off. For those with little interview experience or who are feel their skills are rusty can use an online tool such as Interview Stream to prepare in the comfort of their own rooms. The Career Center also offers mock interviews when you are ready to practice in person.

Don’t be lulled into a false sense of security by an anticipated hiring increase for 2016. College graduates will still be competing for positions and employers aren’t lowering their standards. Adequate preparation requires early and on-going effort but definitely pays off when you start the career you’ve been working 4+ years for.  

3 Scary Interview Mistakes

Interviewing requires you to think quickly on your feet and sift through your background for the best examples that demonstrate your skills, abilities and experiences pertaining to the position. Often, the most anticipated interview questions give candidates the biggest grief and lead to responses that frighten employers. Don’t scare the employer away with these 3 interview mistakes.

1. You are clueless about the company.

In many interview situations, the interviewer will ask you to share your knowledge of the company and the position. Typical questions may be phrased as “What do you know about our company?” or “Why are you interested in this position?” Applicants who struggle with their responses demonstrate to the employers a lack of adequate preparation or lack of enthusiasm for the job. Before attending the interview research the company to learn about their products, services, locations and main mission and think of a few aspects about the job description that appeal most to you. Bonus points: When describing your interest in the position, also highlight how your skills are suited for the job.

2.  You don’t share how you are improving upon your weaknesses.

Let’s face it. Talking about weaknesses and failures is the last thing any candidate wants to do when trying to convince an employer to hire them. Often they will quickly gloss over the topic with a quick response or use a cliché like, “I’m too much of a perfectionist.” The employer’s true motive for asking about weaknesses is to see that the candidate can identify problem areas and actively work to improve them or overcome them.  When discussing this topic in the interview, first make sure the weakness isn’t one that will impede your ability to perform the job and then wrap up your response by highlighting how you’ve improved upon that weakness.

3.You aren’t sure what makes you stand out from other candidates.

By the time a candidate reaches the interview phase of the hiring process, the employer has a pretty good inkling that they have the skills and abilities to perform the job. During the interview process, they are trying to find the candidate who will be the best fit for their position and the team. When asked to describe what makes them stand out from other applicants, many candidates freeze and struggle to highlight their top selling points. Prior to the interview take time to review the job description closely and note ways in which your background is uniquely suited for the position. Think about the products and people with whom you will be working and identify specifically how your skills and background tie into the company’s mission and culture.

Last Minute Tips for Career Fair Prep

The semester is winding down and so are the career fairs. It is not too late to take advantage of this great opportunity to have employers come to campus to meet with you to discuss internships and full-time positions. If you are just now finding out about the upcoming All Majors Career Expo or have just been too busy to adequately prepare, this is for you.

Top 5 things you can do today to be ready for the upcoming Career Expo: 

 5. Review the list of employers

Take a look at who will be attending to the Career Expo and do a little research on the employers of particular interest. There will be employers looking to hire from all majors on campus, so there is something for everyone. The Career Fair + app is a great resource to have this information at your fingertips and allows you to filter by major and type of positions, among other things, as well as providing tips for navigating the event and a floor plan to map your route.

4. Dust off that resume

If you have not looked at your resume in a while, now is the time to dust it off and get it looked over before the event. Update your document using these resources and stop by the Career Center during walk-in hours to have your resume reviewed before printing copies for the employers. Resumes should be printed on resume paper which may be found at the bookstore, office supply stores, or even Walmart.

3. Dress to impress

Business professional attire is required for this event so "Suit Up." Wrinkled, tight, or unprofessional clothing will not present the best first impression so choose wisely.

2. Practice your introduction

You will be introducing yourself to employers throughout the event and it is helpful to have something prepared more than just your name. Consider creating a 30 second commercial or introduction about yourself to give a full picture of who you are and why the employer should be interested.

  

1. Arrive early

Speaking with company representatives at the beginning of the expo when you and they are still fresh and energized will work in your favor. Avoid long lines or possibly missing the chance to speak with a company of interest by getting to the event as close to 3:00 as possible.

There is no need to register for the Career Expo, you will check in when you arrive. Upon check in, you will have a name tag printed which will include your major. The Career Center staff will be available to answer your questions or give you last minute tips if needed. Now take a deep breath and good luck. 


By Addye Buckley-Burnell
Assistant Director of Career Development
Auburn University Career Center

I Pity the Fool...ish Mistakes that Cost You the Job

When faced with a large applicant pool, employers often search for any reason possible to eliminate candidates and narrow the group. Even extremely qualified candidates can be overlooked for committing seemingly small mistakes. The list of potential blunders is long but here are 3 easy ones to avoid in your own job search.

Basic Resume Errors

Technology can be both your friend and your enemy when searching for a job. Leverage this “frenemy” for good by making use of spell check before finalizing and sending in your resume. Remember that spell check will not catch all errors including homonyms (i.e. their, they’re and there) and spelling mistakes in ALL CAPS type (i.e. ACTIVITES). Also, when updating your previous job descriptions, read through each statement carefully to ensure that all verbs are changed to past tense (i.e. Communicated effectively with customers and provide efficient and friendly service). Ask career counselors, peer advisors, professors, friends and family to review your resume so that simple mistakes don’t slip through the cracks.

Applying for Anything and Everything

It may take many casts to catch a fish, but if you aren't throwing your net in the right spot you’ll be going home empty handed every time. When looking for a job, be strategic in identifying the positions that fit your skills, education and experience as well as the companies that offer the type of culture you desire. Read each job description carefully before applying and look for opportunities to highlight your best qualifications in your resume and cover letter. Meet with a peer advisor or career counselor make sure that your marketing materials are tailored to each position and to learn about methods for finding positions that fit your individual background and career goals.

A Flat Interview

By the time an employer invites you to interview for a position, they probably have a pretty good feeling that you have the skills, education and experience needed to perform the daily tasks required of the job. A big part of the interview process is showing the employer that you will fit with her company culture. Sadly, when many job seekers are thrust into the nerve wracking situation that is the interview, their typically engaging personality succumbs to jitters and an intense focus on both answering the questions well and appearing composed and professional. Though strong interview responses and professionalism should not be neglected in the interview setting, fight back the urge to let them overtake your enthusiasm and spirit. Infuse your professional and thorough responses with your personality and show the employer that you will fit in well with her team. Practice your interview skills using InterviewStream or sign up for a mock interview with a career counselor.

“A smart man makes a mistake, learns from it, and never makes that mistake again. But a wise man finds a smart man and learns from him how to avoid the mistake altogether.” – Roy H. Williams