Tips Before a Career View!

By Caroline Heafey, FCLC ‘14

Congratulations to everyone who has signed up for a Career View at some point during the semester for being proactive in learning more about a particular company or industry! Be sure to keep an eye out for upcoming Career Views next semester.

What is a Career View?

A Career View is unique in that it presents a specific kind of networking opportunity and insight into an office before even scheduling an interview. Students have the opportunity to meet employers, tour an office, and receive first-hand advice about what that company is looking for in a potential intern or job candidate. It is not as formal as an interview, but not casual either. Remember you are entering a workspace, and while different offices have a range of professional dress and behavior, one usually does not know what is specific to that office until walking through the door. Thus, here are some tips for how to prepare before going on a Career View.

1. Dress Professionally

Oscar Wilde said, “You can never be overdressed or overeducated.” While it may not be entirely necessary to attend a Career View in a full suit, just remember that if this is a company that you are seriously interested in, this is also the first impression you are making with that company. As a rule of thumb, know who you will be visiting and when in doubt, dress up rather than down.

2. Research

As if you were going on an interview it is not a bad idea to have some basic knowledge about the company and the specific office you will be visiting. You don’t want to wind up in the wrong building! Start thinking about what questions you may have about the field and the company itself. It never hurts to be informed, and your knowledge will stand out to employers you meet.

3. Go With An Open Mind

Perhaps you have your heart set on one company or industry but there is a Career View to an office that you are less interested in. Maybe you heard that your friend had a poor internship experience somewhere, but you are still intrigued by a position there. Remember that each individual is different and thus every experience can be different as well. More, you may have an idea stuck in your head about what you think you want out of an internship. You may change your mind after seeing the inside of its office. Keep your mind open and your experience will be more rewarding.

4. Listen to your interests – even the small ones

Even if you do not think that you will have any interest in publishing, or finance, or whatever field the Career View may concern, go on the Career View anyway. You never know how your interests may change, and the nice thing about a liberal arts degree is that it is applicable across a variety of fields. An office environment has an enormous effect on how happy you will be working in your field, and a company that you might have otherwise disregarded because you perceived it wasn’t relevant to your goals may be what jumpstarts your career. In short, if you have any kind of interest in the event just go and take a look around. What have you got to lose?

5. Bring Your Resume

It never hurts to have your resume on hand (preferably on resume paper) in case an employer asks for it.

At the end of the day, Career Views are about presenting opportunities to students looking to enter the workforce. They can only help to gain knowledge about industries and companies, so why not take advantage? The Office of Career Services provides numerous opportunities to attend Career Views over the course of the semester so take the lead to learn more and explore the benefits of having options. It’s your future!