Jessie Dicovitsky '11 Blog
May 27, 2011
LIFE ON THE JOB AFTER PRINCETON
This post is dedicated to all the seniors out there who will begin full-time jobs in the next few months—CONGRATULATIONS! I know you all have worked hard over the past few years and your positions are well deserved.
Personally, as excited as I am about having a job post-graduation, I am also apprehensive about entering into a full-time work environment. Like many of you, I have had plenty of internships in the past, but a full-time job marks a more significant transition. It is essential, therefore, to have a strategy when entering into the workforce that enables you to make the best impression possible in your first few weeks with an organization.
WHY: First impressions count. In the early days of a job, your boss and colleagues begin to form lasting impressions about you. They observe and assess your ‘typical’ behavior, including attendance, punctuality, enthusiasm, and even what ‘type’ of person you are. Especially in the first few days when introductions have begun, first impressions about you and your potential can influence your future success with the organization. Of course, employers do not expect you to know everything right off the bat. There will be time to learn the ropes at each job. However, there are several ways you can increase your chances for making a great first impression and have a major impact on your future standing.
WHAT TO DO: You want to be seen as enthusiastic, competent, and motivated in your first few weeks at a company. The key is to remember that you are under careful watch in the beginning from bosses, co-workers, and the organization as a whole, so act as professionally as possible while observing other co-workers’ habits.
1. Be Positive. Having a positive attitude is not only infectious, but it may help your cause if you accidentally blunder in your first few days. Having enthusiasm for your work, as well as enthusiasm towards your team, department, and company can go a long way towards forming new friendships, and carving out a positive niche within your organization. If at all relevant, you should show loyalty to your co-workers and, at least in the beginning, find opportunities to share credit or success with the team. And remember to learn their names quickly!
2. Watch and learn. Observe your co-workers’ dress, habits, punctuality, etc.—they will give you a good indication of what is expected of employees, even if nothing is specifically stated in your contract or training. When in doubt, dress professionally to your new job. In the beginning, even if your department has casual days, try to dress professionally because you are still trying to make an impression. Young new-hires may emulate the attire of those who are in higher-level positions to gain some credibility. Once you are comfortable in your position, watch how your co-workers dress and behave, and start to slowly merge your styles. Often times, observing how a co-worker answers a phone (always politely) or drafts an internal email (professionally) will tip you off on how you are expected to conduct business within your department. Though you should try to arrive early your first few days and work full hours, also keep track of when your co-workers arrive, take lunch breaks, and depart from the office. If people come early, eat quickly, and leave late, chances are you are expected to do the same.
3. Listen and learn. Along with watching, comes listening. Take your first few weeks and simply listen during conversations, meetings, and gatherings. In the early stages of a job, listening is much more important than talking and having some of your new ideas heard—it shows that you value and respect your co-workers existing communicative relationship and that you are not a ‘know-it-all’ straight out of college.
4. Socialize. Try to stay away from any office gossip, but do try to get to know your co-workers. Take advantage of after-hours activities such as sport leagues or happy hours, while being on your best behavior. Ask plenty of questions to your employers, co-workers, or HR representatives if you are stuck on an issue—it may even be a good way to break the ice with less friendly employees—and always show your appreciation for advice received. You should also consider finding a mentor down the line, to help guide you through your career path and introduce you to other members of your organization. Above all else, continue networking and expanding your circle of contacts—and never stop!
5. Get Informed. Learn everything you can about your company in the first few days. Gather employee handbooks and company literature to make sure you are informed before speaking up at meetings. But also keep track of your accomplishments and milestones: tracking your progress, achievements, successful projects or meetings will not only help boost your confidence, but will also help guide future conversations with your boss. Request meetings with your boss to review performance and be sure to share your own achievements with him/her too. Create goals together and work your hardest to achieve them.
Making a good impression should not be too difficult, however these tips are sure to set you ahead of other ‘rookies’ in the group. Enjoy your first job—excel—and remember, if for some reason you decide to leave your company and begin another job search, as a Princeton graduate, Princeton’s Career Services is available to assist alumni at any stage of their career. Best of luck!
May 25, 2011
CLASS OF 2011 POST GRADUATION PLANS!
If you’re a senior, all you can think about this month is: Finals! Reunions! Graduation! But slow down—these are the last days you’ll get to spend with your 2011 classmates before embarking on a new chapter of life. Take the time to enjoy each other’s company one last time.
One goal I have had this week is to find out where all my friends will be after college, so I can continue to keep in touch. I have been surprised by some of their answers: three of my friends are starting their own respective companies, many are going into finance in New York or Chicago, two brave friends are moving to Singapore for PIA, and another to Mississippi as a TFA instructor, and three are starting law school in the fall. It is exciting, to me, that my one group of friends breaks down into such a diverse range of career paths, but then again, that’s Princeton for you. We all started in Forbes College, we all like to travel and listen to music, but somehow, we are going to end up on opposite sides of the country or world, all doing what we love in different industries. Though I always imagined us leaving Princeton as a unit, I think everyone’s post-graduation plans fit their career and life goals, and will make for much better (and happier) conversations at reunions to come.
Talking to my friends about their post-graduation plan got me thinking: What is the rest of the class of 2011 doing? So, I asked some seniors to sit down with me on camera and share their plans, and here's a video with their responses:
April 26, 2011
VALUE OF YOUR EXPERIENCES...PRICELESS
As college graduation is rapidly approaching, I find myself reminiscing about my time here at Princeton and all of the great experiences I have had. I remember when I was a freshman, I made a list of all the things that I wanted to accomplish while in college. Now, after four years, I cannot say that I have checked off all of the things on my list (I have yet to travel through the steam tunnels or steal a campus flag), but I still made quite a large dent. Even more interesting though, are some of the things I did that were not on the list-such as change my major 5 times, eat at least once at every eating club, and go sky diving.
Though the accomplishments that didn't make the list may seem silly, I have come to realize that some of the seemingly 'irrelevant' or fun things you do on campus can lead to major life and career decisions later on. For example, had I stuck with the first major I declared in sophomore year-Politics, I might have been swayed by other Politics majors and friends to intern on the Hill over the summer, instead of taking my first internship in Los Angeles at a production company, and beginning my love for media. Eating in every eating club also forced me to branch out socially, allowing me to meet twice as many people as I would have had I simply stuck to my meals at Tiger Inn. Knowing people from many different social circles has helped me this year as Annual Giving Co-Chair as I reach out to the entire Class and solicit pledges for Princeton's Annual Fund. And finally, on a whim, I went sky diving last year after finals to celebrate the end of junior year. Having never done anything 'crazy' before, diving out of a moving airplane showed me that not only could I be spontaneous and adapt quickly to sticky situations, but also that I could survive almost anything, whether it be plummeting towards earth or a bad grade on a paper.
The point I am trying to make is that ALL of your experiences matter and they are all...priceless. What you do now shapes who you are and who you will become. Trying new things at Princeton can lead to greater confidence and more informed decision-making in your future.
I give you three examples of personal friends:
Talia Kwartler '12 never thought she would study abroad. However, discovering her love for the Italian language at Princeton, it became readily apparent to her that she would need to study in Bologna, Italy in order to perfect her conversational skills. While abroad, Talia studied Italian paintings and used the material she found abroad to help write a successful Junior Thesis. Her knowledge of art and her abroad experience also made her a top candidate for the Peggy Guggenheim Collection Internship in Venice, Italy, which is one of the most coveted internship positions in the art and art history world. Her experience at the Guggenheim will help her immensely on future graduate school and job applications within her field.
Annie Shapiro '11 never thought she would be tapping into her dad's professional network, but when her father met the CEO of LearnVest at a networking event, she jumped at the opportunity to meet with the founder personally. From that informational meeting, Annie was offered an internship, and then another for the next summer and school year. Finally, as a senior she has been hired full-time upon graduation working directly with the CEO on product development and marketing.
Michael Keaton ’11 has always been passionate about entrepreneurship, but it wasn’t until this year that everything fell into place in a way that he believed he could execute. In one year’s time, he found a fellow Princeton student and business partner as driven as he, a simple idea that could be tested at low cost, and the time and freedom to be able to build a company thanks to Ed Zschau's High-Tech Entrepreneurship class. When Michael experienced difficulties in coordinating group communication and events on campus, he took it upon himself to develop a web-based texting platform for student organizations called SwoopTEXT. In addition to letting students receive instant updates from their groups' leaders, SwoopTEXT provides students with a virtual campus activities fair so users can actively manage their subscriptions to groups. As a senior, he has had more free time to be able to perfect his product, and is in fact testing SwoopTEXT at Princeton next month, with the hopes of launching in the fall. Michael credits his time at Princeton for providing him with the freedom, resources, partners, and test subjects to enable his initial idea to morph into a full-fledged company.
As my time as a Communications intern for Career Services is coming to a close, I want to be able to capture the stories of some of my classmates, to hear about your experiences at Princeton and how they may shape your future! This week, armed with my flip cam, I will be a "roving reporter" looking for students to interview for one of my final assignments. If you see me coming, please step up to share your story!
April 1, 2011
SENIORS: JOIN LINKEDIN!
Although I have written about using social media for professional pursuits before, I would like to take a minute to emphasize LinkedIn as a way for seniors to energize their job searches. Believe it or not, connecting with people on LinkedIn can be a fast track to finding businesses and job opportunities that match your career goals.
LinkedIn offers students a medium in which to create professional online profiles and internet reputations, research company pages (that align with industries of choice), and reach out to experts in various fields for advice and assistance. This online social network of companies, professionals, and job seekers is more advanced than a regular job board because it puts your connections to work, providing the tools to reach out, degree by degree, with the connections of your connections for mutual benefit. In using LinkedIn to your full advantage, you may be able to research your dream job and company, reach out to contacts within the organization, apply online for a position, and obtain job referrals all on the same site. With over 60 million users, LinkedIn may be your best (and most convenient) bet to quickly make connections in your field of interest and find a job.
As some of you are not yet on LinkedIn, I will explain the basics. LinkedIn also offers tutorials on their website for students and first-time users, so as to make the process as easy as possible.
There are a few basic steps to entering into the LinkedIn community, the first and foremost being building a professional profile. All LinkedIn users, like Facebook, have a personal profile that advertises your professional information to other users. However, unlike other social media sites, LinkedIn is not a place to constantly update your friends about daily situations or to add photographs from parties and gatherings. Think of your LinkedIn profile as something you would be proud to show an employer and co-workers, and a place that adequately summarizes your career path so far. You should add a professional-looking photograph, an eye-catching header, and a strong summary statement that is concise, specific, and pointed towards your accomplishments and future aspirations. You can build your profile using information from your resume. Once you are more experienced with the site, you can begin to request/add recommendations from past employers and friends who have worked with you and know your strong-suits. And finally, you should begin to incorporate your LinkedIn account into other aspects of your professional life, such as you email signatures and resume. LinkedIn offers an excellent video tutorial displaying good examples of photographs, headers, and summary statements to get you started: http://learn.linkedin.com/students/step-2/ You can also check out Career Services’ guidelines tailored to Princeton students: http://bit.ly/auZjCm.
Once you have created a profile, it is time to start researching your career interests. Since LinkedIn is a database of the career paths of nearly 60 million users, you can begin by searching for people with careers in which you are interested, such as marketing or journalism. By typing “marketing” or “journalism” in the keyword section of the advanced people search, you can generate a list of professionals who have those words in their profile, and see if you are connected through your network or share any LinkedIn groups with them. When you click on one of the profiles, you can see their educational information, as well as all of the past internships and jobs he/she might have held to obtain his/her current position—essentially a career path laid out. You may get inspired by his/her career path, or you may find it beneficial to start joining some of his/her LinkedIn groups to meet other professionals with similar career interests, as well as participate in industry discussions. Finally, you may also start looking at the individual’s company page to begin building a strong list of companies for which you may wish to work. Again, check out LinkedIn’s tutorial to see a specific example of a search and its results: http://learn.linkedin.com/students/step-3/
Since over 70% of jobs are found through networking, LinkedIn is the perfect site to begin building your professional network. Even though seniors may be new to the workplace, LinkedIn is a place where you begin building contacts, despite not knowing people directly. You can start off by adding your friends and family by going to the contacts tab and searching for them. Once you have connected with the people you know directly, you can begin to tap into their professional networks for your own benefit. You should also join Princeton’s Alumni Group by searching in the group directly tab. Here you can meet alumni in diverse fields who are interested in connecting with other industry professionals and working with recent graduates. Reaching out to these group members, keeping up with your current contacts, and customizing your “request to connect” message will help you build a pool of relationships that you can use in a job search. http://learn.linkedin.com/students/step-4/ Also, see Career Service’s suggestions for building a network: http://bit.ly/ibzDn1.
When you are ready to reach out to your network and begin your search for a job, LinkedIn is a good place to send contacts a friendly message detailing your goal of finding a job in a specific industry, and asking for both advice and help in learning about job opportunities at their respective organizations. You may want to ask your contacts to keep an eye out for job listings on their various LinkedIn group pages, while you check out the “jobs” tab to search for postings in your area of interest. LinkedIn allows you to see which of your contacts works for the companies with the job postings, so you can ask your contact for help, referrals, or further connections when applying. To see templates for reaching out to your connections, as well as how-to instructions for looking up job postings, watch the following video: http://learn.linkedin.com/students/step-5/
Finally, should you have success in your search and land an interview; you can use LinkedIn to research the people who will be interviewing you. You can study the LinkedIn company page for information like mission statements and general information, industry knowledge, competitors, insider secrets, and ongoing updates to help sure-up your interview answers. And of course, you can go to Career Services to practice an interview set-up before the big day. http://learn.linkedin.com/students/step-6/
As you can see, I have made a pretty powerful argument for joining LinkedIn and beginning to build your network as you search for job opportunities in the “home stretch” between now and graduation day. For more information, visit Career Services’ Social Media Page (http://bit.ly/9y0Fvk) and come connect with me on LinkedIn.
February 21, 2011
THE NONPROFIT JOB SEARCH
If you are a senior, like me, who has a full-draft of your thesis due next week, it is tempting to justify putting off your job search for another few weeks—or even until your thesis is done--BUT YOU SHOULDN’T. For those of you interested in nonprofit work, the time is now to “pull out all the stops” in your job search.
Unlike many of our classmates who interviewed on campus in the fall with major corporations and investment banks, careers in nonprofit organizations, think tanks, and non-governmental organizations require students to be more proactive in their search. Many positions are filled through networking, volunteering, or interning. Employers may not have the funds, staff, or time to commit to a full-fledged recruiting process, but there are jobs available for college graduates, as long as you take the right steps:
Activating a network is key. Building a network of people who can assist you in the job search is not as difficult as some may think, especially for Princeton students. Nearly anyone with connections to the nonprofit or public service sectors can be a potential resource, and all it takes is a simple email, phone call, or meeting to begin a relationship. For seniors, alumni are a particularly good resource, and using the Alumni Careers Network (http://tigernet.princeton.edu/olc/pub/PRU/), is a quick and efficient way to search for alumni in the nonprofit field who are willing to offer career advice. Even if someone is unable to help, they may be able to introduce you to other individuals who are better suited to answer questions or assist with job searches.
Use every resource possible to search for both job openings and organizations. At Princeton, you can use tools such as TigerTracks (http://bit.ly/hRfvly). However, there are also a number of posting sites dedicated to jobs in the nonprofit field. For a detailed list of websites with nonprofit and philanthropy job postings, see the following link on Career Service’s website: (http://bit.ly/i1FvUJ). In addition, consider using social media tools such as blogs, Facebook, and Twitter to meet people in your potential field and look for job openings. Do not rule out internships or temping positions or even volunteer opportunities, as they may be easy places to get your foot-in-the-door and gain some experience.
Take advantage of Princeton’s focus on public service and the many events and programs on-campus. Every year Career Services hosts a Nonprofit Career Fair that is open to all students. It gives interested parties the opportunity to meet with dozens of organizations and discuss potential full-time, internship, and volunteer opportunities. This year, the event is in Frist’s Multipurpose room on February 25th from 1-4 PM. It is often the only time that so many of the nonprofits are represented on campus, and the most effective way to learn about organizations. Other Princeton-specific organizations, such as Princeton AlumniCorps, Princeton in Asia, Princeton in Africa, and Princeton Internships in Civic Service are also great resources. (Interested students should check the organizations’ websites and Career Services for information and application deadlines.) Finally, students should check the Career Services Events Calendar (http://www.princeton.edu/career/events/) to see when nonprofit speakers or organizations will be visiting campus. For example, the IMAGINE Speaker Series is hosting Katherine Brittain Bradley ’86 on February 25th at 4-5 PM at Career Services. As founder of CityBridge Foundation, Mrs. Bradley will be discussing her career journey in the nonprofit field and speaking with students at a networking reception afterwards.
Tailor your resume, cover letter, and interview preparation not only to the nonprofit sector, but also to the organization to which you are applying. Research each organization you are applying to and create a customized resume and cover letter that addresses their specific needs, criteria, and mission. Also, use your research as you prepare for an interview by practicing your talking points, coming up with relevant examples from your previous experiences, preparing your own questions, and showing your commitment to the field and the organization’s mission.
Personally, my father has worked for a few nonprofits over the last several years and identifies with the mission of his organization. He feels fulfilled by working for a group that is “making a difference” in the world. Students who have similar career goals may be interested in the nonprofit world, and should not be concerned if they do not see a large number of nonprofits recruiting on campus. With over 12 million employees in the nonprofit work today, there are plenty of opportunities (ranging from international in scope to grass-roots level) for those who are proactive in their search.
December 14, 2010
THE ALUMNI CONNECTIONS NETWORKING EVENT ON VIDEO
On November 10th at 6PM at Prospect House, my supervisor at Career Services handed me a flip camera and asked me to record my experiences. I had a few hours to network with alumni, talk with other students, and catch everything on video.
Upon first entering, I was immediately struck by the number of students that attended. Though the space was quite large, there always seemed to be students crowded around each alumnus for the duration of the event. Because of the diverse range of industries represented by the Princeton graduates, there was a constant flow of attendees weaving throughout the tables. In fact, I was unable to interview several of the alumni I had originally intended, such as Katie Ko '09 and Dana Dreibelbis ’78, because they were always engaged in a conversation with a student. Despite the fact that time did not permit me to interview every alumnus, I did have some very interesting conversations with about a dozen graduates. As a senior, my conversations were less geared towards garnering advice about major and industry, and more geared towards creating a career path from an entry-level job.
For me, the most compelling conversations concerned alumni’s own experiences from their first year out of college. I spoke with alumnus Larry Fox ’77 who glowed as he recounted his years teaching at an American school in Caracas, Venezuela and explained that it was an important life step before beginning a career in engineering and manufacturing. Lily Hines ’09, only two years out, happily spoke with me about the trials and tribulations of applying for law school while holding a job. I attempted to capture as many of these conversations as I could on camera, but I must admit, it was my first time using the device, and I had several mishaps. For example, I had a hard time fitting some of the attendees in one frame. When asking Kevin McGowan ’95 to share some advice for Princeton students, for instance, I attempted to show off his great Princeton tie as he was telling students to pursue a job that they can enjoy, and I ended up cutting out his entire forehead and eyes at one point. I also found it interesting that the word “passion” was used so many times throughout the interviews. Nearly every alumnus emphasized finding a job or sector that a student is “passionate about,” which is excellent advice. In fact, this common theme popped up three or four times in each conversation. (How many times can you count the word “passion” over the course of the video?)
With that said, I had a ton of fun at the event. I loved getting mixed advice from both young alumni and those more established in their fields. As I videotaped the event, I was curious to listen to the questions my peers asked and to hear the tailored advice they received. Eating good food and chatting with so many talented and smart individuals made the night a great success in my mind. Hopefully, despite some mishaps with my camera work, I was able to show what a fun and educational night this was. Check out my video below…
November 30, 2010
TIPS FOR JOB SEEKERS DURING THE HOLIDAYS
Seniors, are you wondering what to say to well-meaning friends and family over the holidays when asked about your job search? I picked up a few tips from the “Class of 2011: Job Search” event that I would like to pass on to help you to navigate the dreaded question: “So, how’s that job search coming?”
Although these inquiries may sometimes seem annoying, it is a mistake to avoid discussions with friends, family, and associates about your job search. While you may be trying to enjoy the holiday festivities to (momentarily) take your mind off your job search, be sure to stay open to opportunities that allow you to network. You never know who has ties with an organization, or where you may meet an executive or recruiter. The best way to deal with questions about your job search is to be honest and open about your progress, and take advantage of the opportunity to ask for advice or referrals.
Here are a few potential “scripts” to use:
“I am looking for opportunities within (industry or field) and have been busy identifying and researching employers with the help of my career center, alumni, and others. Please let me know if you have any suggestions for my job search. ”
“In addition to following up on job postings available through my school, I have been networking with friends, family, and alumni. Do you happen to know anyone who works in the ______industry?”
“I am exploring all the resources at my disposal and am open to learning about as many others as possible. Do you have any suggestions?”
According to the National Association of Colleges and Employers (NACE), about 75-80% of jobs are landed by networking. Reaching out to people, no matter how awkward it may seem, is one of the most effective ways to not only learn about a company, but also establish contacts. Some of the best people to talk to are family and friends. If someone gives you the name of a contact, ask them if you can use their name when reaching out, or whether they could call in advance to let the person know you will be contacting them. You can also look up individuals using Facebook or LinkedIn and reach out with personalized messages to people with whom you would like to connect.
Here are some additional tips for job seekers during the holidays:
1. If you notice fewer new job postings online during this period, increase your industry research and individual outreach. During the holidays you may notice fewer online job postings. This is the time to expand your search beyond Internet job posting sites to identify unadvertised opportunities. Job postings only represent a portion of available job opportunities—if you focus only on the job boards you may be limiting your search. Using lists like Business Week’s “Best Places to Launch a Career” or Collegegrad.com’s “Top Entry Level Employers” may help you identify companies that match your career interests. From there, Wikipedia, Google News, and LinkedIn’s company pages are excellent ways to research and target specific organizations or corporations. Proactively reaching out to these organizations to inquire about potential opportunities will help you expand your search and tap into the hidden job market.
2. Take advantage of holiday festivities to network with as many people as possible and use time off from classes to network online. Meeting new people (either in-person or online) can broaden your network, so be sure to let others know that you are looking for a job. As mentioned above, tapping into the network of your family and friends is a great way to expand your contacts. Also, do not overlook alumni as another resource for your job search. Using the Alumni Careers Network (available on the Career Services website), you can reach out to established Princeton graduates who have volunteered to offer advice to students about their field or profession. Social media tools are becoming more and more essential in the job search and the networking benefits differ from one site to another. For example, sites like Twitter allow you to follow organizations’ posts to stay up to date on their news and events, you can “like” organization Facebook pages, and you can reach out to professionals in your field using LinkedIn. Using a comprehensive approach and a combination of resources will ensure the best results.
3. Schedule an appointment with a career counselor before leaving for winter break or during reading period. Don’t forget to take advantage of the personalized attention you can receive via a scheduled career counseling appointment in Career Services. A career counselor can help you develop a tailored strategy, direct you to specific resources for your field, and offer advice to improve your self-marketing skills.
October 27, 2010
FACEBOOK AND YOUR JOB SEARCH
I check my Facebook about once every few days, but I have a feeling that most of my friends check it way more frequently. I use the site to keep in touch with friends from high school and college, send and receive reminders concerning important upcoming campus events, and update loved ones about changes in my life. However, I know people that use their Facebook page practically as a replacement cell-phone: making plans, flirting, and chatting instantly with friends. What I didn’t know, though, was that Facebook is a social media tool that students are using to advertise themselves to employers.
In the past years as I have been applying for internships, I have been given the same advice from friends, teachers, and parents: “Do not let your employers see your Facebook.” It stands to reason, then, that a Facebook page could be potentially a harmful tool in the application process. All of those pictures from Winter Formals and those comments about Jersey Shore might make a company think twice before they hire you. So why, then is Career Services providing tips on how to use social media in your job search?
In many organizations, the reality is that the HR representative or hiring manager will use Facebook as a way to increase their understanding of and informational access to applicants. A statistic quoted in Career Services’ Career Planning Guide says that according to the National Association of Colleges and Employers over 70% of employers check out candidates using social media tools. More and more companies have begun to post job offerings on Facebook. They are looking for media-savvy prospective employees who have a firm grasp on social media tools like Facebook, Twitter, and LinkedIn, who can help the company reach a wider base. Discovering a job on Facebook may be an advantage, as it demonstrates an applicant’s grasp of social media, as well as his/her understanding of the importance of networking and initiative. You can also find out about and sign up for events hosted by the company on Facebook. Organizations constantly scan their postings on information sessions or campus visits to see which students have chosen to RSVP and attend.
Facebook can also be used to make an applicant stand out. If a profile appears clean and professional, while still having personality, it may be the deciding factor in a tie between a few applicants. Employers look for things like what you are a “fan of” and what your “interests” are. You can make yourself appear very serious about the job by becoming a fan of the company and putting professional pursuits in your “personal information” section. By limiting photographs, graphics, widgets, etc. and posting content relevant to your job search, you will appear more career-minded and business savvy.
Finally, for those who have not had much experience in the job market, Facebook may be an easier way than tools such as LinkedIn, to begin the process of social networking. While LinkedIn is a professional networking site, it may be intimidating for students without work experience to begin to network with individuals who have been in the field for several years. (For helpful information about how to get started using LinkedIn click here.) Facebook allows students to foster relationships with friends and alumni in a low-pressure setting, while still being able to present a business-professional front. However, it is important to remember that if you begin conversations with professionals via Facebook, you must be aware of the other Friends you are connected to on the website. Choosing Facebook friends wisely is essential to Facebook networking because a new friend can see information about all your other friends in your profile. In essence, your current friends on Facebook reflect back on you to future employers.
Facebook can be a great way to market yourself to employers during the job search. Once you make the decision to use the website as a professional networking tool, you must remember to: 1) clean up your profile including content and friends; 2) limit photographs and extra widgets on your profile; 3) post content relevant to your career search; 4) use Facebook to build relationships with friends and working alumni. If you do all these things, Facebook could be the tool that sets you apart from other applicants in a tight pool.
For individualized information about how to tweak your Facebook Profile and use other forms of social media, visit Career Services. You can make an appointment by calling (609) 258-3325 or drop by during walk-in hours every weekday from 3-5 PM to speak with a career counselor.
October 12, 2010
FURTHER EDUCATION
My best friend, Tammi, has known she has wanted to be a lawyer since she was 9. She completed an LSAT class over the summer and just finished taking the test a few days ago. Ahead of the game, she has already applied to 12 schools with rolling admission, so she would be in the first round of candidates to be considered.
I have always envied Tammi for her confidence in choosing a career path and her commitment to seeing it through. She has been dedicated in researching schools, carefully completing applications, and choosing coursework to better prepare her for law school. She had begun contacting the appropriate people at Princeton when she was a Junior, so that she was not left with too much work her senior year. And because of all this, I know Tammi will get into a great law school and become a very successful lawyer.
Fortunately, for the rest of us, there are a few different places on campus to get information about further education after college. The Graduate and Professional School Fair this Friday (Oct. 15 in Dillon Gym) offers students the opportunity to meet with representatives from over 100 schools and ask specific questions about application procedures, studies, and how to make yourself look appealing to admissions teams. For students who want more information about specific schools, or even fields of interest, it is the perfect environment to ask personalized questions and receive direct answers. (Here is a link to the list of schools attending, http://princeton.experience.com/stu/cf_details?fhnd=4572).
I know a lot of students would rather research a school online and ask questions via email or phone, etc. I understand this approach because there is little pressure and everything is done on one’s own time. However, attending the Fair could have major (and unforeseen) benefits. I found this link on the Career Services website very helpful: http://www.princeton.edu/career/undergrads/grad-prof/graduate_school_fair/.
Another way to gain exposure to educational programs offered in several fields is to attend the many events planned for Princeton undergraduates through Career Services. In the upcoming weeks, there is a Business Ph.D. panel with admissions officers from Chicago Booth, Harvard, MIT Sloan, Northwestern Kellogg, NYU Stern, and Stanford (Oct. 15, 302 Frist); a meet-and-greet with the Yale Law School Dean (Oct. 19, 307 Frist); and a Quinnipiac University Law School Admissions Dean visit (Oct. 22, 36 University Pl.). There are several more events planned for November.
Finally, as always, the last way to stay informed is to meet with a career counselor to go over your progress in the application process, or ask any questions you may have concerning professions in law, business, etc. They will work with you to help you make the best, educated decisions possible.
October 7, 2010
ORGANIZING YOUR JOB SEARCH
I finished the several-essay-long application for thesis funding this week, only to realize that job applications are just around the corner. These next few weeks are going to be very difficult as I try to balance my schoolwork, job search, and senior thesis. However, with the help of Career Services and TigerTracks, I plan to tackle the employment hunt one-step at a time.
I begin my job search with a simple assessment of what jobs are available in the various fields in which I am interested. There are several ways to keep informed both online and in person. For one, career fairs are a good way to talk to employers one-on-one and get individualized feedback on the application process and the entry-level job descriptions. In addition, on-campus information sessions are also a way of determining which companies are hiring for relevant positions and how they operate on a corporate level. (To see a list of upcoming information sessions, click on “Information Session” in the calendar section of TigerTracks). The most direct method, of course, is doing a job search via TigerTracks targeting specific “Employer Industries” and “Job Functions.” By combining all three approaches, I will have a thorough understanding of the jobs not only available, but also best suited for my skill set and interests.
My second move will be to organize all of my applications by deadline. It is important to remember that particular jobs and industries have earlier deadlines than others, and that in order to keep options open, everyone should plan to send in applications based on deadline and not preference.
The third step will be to update my resume and draft a cover lever for each company. I have used the templates on the Career Services website with success before and will model my materials based on the examples provided (http://www.princeton.edu/career/undergrads/resumes/). During this stage, I will also make sure to have any other materials that an employer may need, such as writing samples, list of references, and a transcript.
Finally, once I submit my resume, I will schedule an appointment with a Career Services employee to practice interviewing skills. As a senior, the most convenient time to do so would be October 13th, during the “Ask Career Services for Seniors” event at Room B in 36 University Place. If I happen to miss this event due to a pressing application deadline, I always have the option of scheduling an appointment with a staff member on another day, during Career Service’s business hours (8:45-5:00).
Hopefully, completing these steps will prepare me for several interviews with employers. And, even more hopefully, I will end the school year with an offer from a company for which I would like to work.
In my opinion, separating the job search into a few, easy steps, is less daunting. The idea of trying to find a job is scary, especially with all of the activities around campus. If I complete one of these steps every few nights, I could be done with the whole process in a reasonable timeframe. Staying organized and committed is key.
September 29, 2010
WORKING A CAREER FAIR
A few days ago I added the the General Interest Career Fair into my blackberry calendar (Oct. 1st 10:30-2:30 in Dillon). It’s an easy way to meet employers one-on-one without having to go into the city or set up an appointment—it’s on your own terms. I’ve gone every year since I’ve been at Princeton (4) and each year my strategy changes a little.
My freshman year was a learning experience. I showed up in shorts and a t-shirt, having intended to go to the gym around noon on Friday, and instead found the basketball courts filled with employers. Thinking “why not!” I walked around and talked to several employers, trying to figure out which company belonged to which industry (not as easy as you’d think). I remember going up to the SAP Americas table and asking them what they did, and if they thought I should apply in future years. The representatives from SAP, of course, were very professional and not only explained their industry, but also encouraged me to apply for internships my sophomore year. In retrospect, however, I bet they were unimpressed by my attire and my lack of knowledge about their company. So embarrassing!
My sophomore year, I was a little more prepared. I came in full business attire and had resumes to spare. By that point, I knew what companies like Bain, Centerview, and Oliver Wyman were and what type of student might be interested in them. I was still curious about investing strategies and finance at the time, but chose to go the media and advertising route, hoping for a more creative summer internship. I zeroed in on a few companies that I knew would have an advertising/marketing department: Anheuser-Busch, Madison Square Garden, Target, and Rosetta Marketing. I should have done some research on what positions they had available, though, because the majority of the companies were not accepting applications from sophomores that year. If I had checked out the Career Fair page on Tiger Tracks beforehand, I would have known which companies were open to my resumes and which were not. It was still worth my while to talk to the organizations that were strictly looking for juniors and seniors. I was told by recruiters that, they would “keep your resume flagged” for next year.
My junior year I was really pumped. I had on a nice, business-casual outfit and felt confident. I brought with me a stack of resumes as well as a notepad and summaries of all of the organizations I wanted to visit. I ended up speaking with representatives from five companies: Johnson & Johnson, Madison Square Garden, Time Inc., Under Armour, and Anheuser-Busch. A few of the organizations were not accepting applications that year, and therefore I simply used the time with respective recruiters to learn more about first-year positions out of college for my senior year. However, Madison Square Garden and Under Armour turned out to be very, very good visits for me. I ended up in fantastic, 20-minute conversations at each booth. I gave the recruiters my resume and told them I would be applying for their program that night. (If I could do it again, I would have already applied before the fair, though.) I got their cards and followed up the next day. Immediately, I got a first-round phone interview with both companies the following week. Before the end of the next month, I had an internship offer from both organizations.
This year is the most important, however, because I’m no longer looking for summer internships, but rather a good job where I can begin a career. I plan to talk to a wide range of companies this year and discern whether I fit into their equations.
It is as equally important process for students as it is for recruiters. As students, we try to figure out if the company is doing the types of the things we like to do, if it is projected to do well in the next few years, and if it is nurturing to new employees. The recruiters, on the other hand, are trying to make their company as appealing as possible to prospective employees. They are looking for well-qualified, friendly people to grow with their companies.
My friend works for Bain and will be attending the fair as a recruiter. He gave me some good advice, “The young alumni and new recruiters are sometimes just as nervous and excited as the students! Therefore, the more confidence you exude, the more confident we feel, and the better the interview.”
He also told me to think of the process as though I were pitching myself to an employer off of their general requirements list. I should be able to compare my skill-set with the desired qualities of applicants on the organizations’ lists, and determine with which companies I best align. If I can see a good match early on and can verbalize a favorable comparison of my abilities with their desired qualities, I am more likely to make a lasting impression in a sea of applicants. This type of targeted preparation will keep me ahead of the pack, making me appear as though I have an insight into the pointed skills for which a company is looking.
My last bit of advice is to come early. There were over 1,000 students there last year, and a projected 1,500 for this year. Be the first to stand out!
September 23, 2010
ABOUT ME
Hi Everyone! Since this is my first post, I thought I would introduce myself. My name is Jessie Dicovitsky and I am an intern at Career Services. I am a senior majoring in visual arts and getting a certificate in creative writing. I’m involved in several activities on campus such as Business Today, Circle of Women, the Republican Club, and peer advising, as well as being a member of a sorority and the Tiger Inn eating club.
I wanted to blog for Career Services, because I’m not one of those kids who has it all figured out—I have no idea what my job will be upon graduation or even exactly what career path I am going to take. Therefore, I’m just like you: looking for internships and jobs, preparing for interviews, and hopefully figuring things out along the way.
The last couple of years I worked in the entertainment industry with the help of some generous Princeton alumni. But this year, I want to keep my options open. I just finished applications for a ton of consulting companies and am now scouring TigerTracks to see if there are any interesting jobs related to advertising and marketing. (Sign in to TigerTracks and then under “Job Search” look for “Employer Industry” and then highlight “Communications/Media”) I found a whole bunch of stuff for soon-to-be graduates, so it will take me a while to sift through the positions.
Since there is no one particular industry in which I am interested, I’m really focusing on being as prepared as possible for any type of phone or in-person interview coming up in the next couple of months. I went to the Resume Night at Frist on Tuesday so that the Career Services staff could help sharpen some of the points on my resume. My next step is to go to the Interview Skills & Strategies session this Thursday (9/23 from 4:45-5:30 at Career Services) to be able to adapt to any sort of interview environment. If I have to miss that, though, I can always make it up at Career Services Class of 2011 Walk-in Hours this week and next at 3-5PM or at the senior Mock Interview Day on Friday (9/24 from 2-5 at Career Services).
Some of my friends have told me that all of this preparation is a little overzealous, but then again, some of my friends have amazing I-banking offers and don’t have to worry about any of this… I’m not too concerned about trying to find an offer immediately, but I’d like to be ready if the opportunity arises. It’s not like attending any of the Career Services events take up that much time!—I’m still watching Party Down every night and one alumnus just sent me a screener of the movie BURIED that comes out this Friday (It’s amazing!! Go see it!!). My only point is: it never hurts to be prepared.
