Friday, March 30, 2012

How to Get Recommendations and References



Today's blog post is offered by a graduate intern for the Office of Career Services.

When students are in college they are most often busy with their schoolwork, work or internships and having fun with friends. In between all of their priorities many students don't think of making connections with professors or supervisors which may be helpful for them in the future. Usually, after four years have passed and students want to apply to graduate schools or jobs they realize they don't know of anyone they can list as a reference or ask for a recommendation. Starting early on making connections with people that know you and your work well will allow you to reach out to these people when you are applying for graduate programs or jobs.

So how can you find someone who can give you a recommendation or agree to be your reference? The following suggestions are a few places that can be of value to you.

First, professors are a great connection to have. Can you think of a professor you had more than once? Can that professor talk about your hard work in the class, your eagerness to participate and that you stood out among the other students? If so, that's the person you ask. If you haven't had a professor more than once, think of the professor who you may have had a special connection with in terms of visiting him/her at office hours, demonstrating special interest in the class material or have assisted the professor in any way. That is another person you can ask to write you a recommendation. For some of you currently in your senior year you may think it's too late for you to make a connection with a professor but it is never too late. Work harder in your last semester to build a relationship with a professor as best as you can. For those of you who have more time than seniors to make the connection with professors, start now and don't delay! If that professor can remember you and your accomplishments in a few years, that's the professor who will write you the best recommendation.

Another place to turn in college is a faculty member, professor, or administrator who has worked with an organization you have been involved with in college. For example, do you have an adviser you turn to with questions about your student club/organization? Does that faculty member or professor know your passion to be involved in the community or your passion for a specific field? If so, that person can speak to your involvement in school and your determination to make your club visible on the campus. Additionally, that person can speak about how you were able to not only do well in your classes but also how you were able to manage your time well with an extra commitment. Further, if you have been on a research team in college, the professor who leads the research team will definitely be able to speak highly of you in a recommendation or as a reference.

Lastly, college is not the only place to look for recommendations or references. Are you currently working, interning or volunteering? If you said yes to any of these, this is another opportunity to find your recommendation or reference. If you have a supervisor, team leader or boss who can speak to your enthusiasm, eagerness to learn and contribute, as well as your hard work, that person can write you a great recommendation. Even though these people may not know how well you do in school, your contributions to the organization and hard work will allow you to demonstrate your various skills including organizational and leadership skills which are great for graduate school and future work.

Remember, it's never too late to make connections with people but also be aware that if you start early, you have more time to make connections! Be conscious of how you can build relationships with people who are able to view your hard work and determination and from that they will be able to use their knowledge to promote you in their recommendations or as references.

Do you find these topics interesting? Have you ever thought about writing a blog? If so, join our team! Please send any interests, inquiries, or articles to Cassie Sklarz at sklarz@fordham.edu. We'd love to hear from you! 

Tuesday, March 27, 2012

Top 5 Skills For Your Resume

Today's blog post is offered by a graduate intern for the Office of Career Services.
           
Top 5 Skills For Your Resume 
  1. Ability to work in a team
  2. Leadership
  3. Written communication
  4. Problem-solving
  5. Strong work ethic  
Although being qualified for the job or internship you are applying for is important (if you haven’t taken a math class since your freshmen year of high school, that accounting internship at Chase Bank probably isn’t for you) it isn’t the only thing that employers are looking for. A recent study shows that 80% of employers want to hire someone who has demonstrated an ability to work in a team. This is an increasingly important skill, as businesses across the spectrum are coming to realize the value of collaboration. Gone are the days of the lone-wolf businessman. If that person ever existed, they certainly are not hirable anymore. Employers want people who can engage with others, who know how to compromise in a group setting, and are willing to share responsibility and blame on projects. 

Coming up in a close second and third are leadership skills and written communication skills. These skills are important for employers because they want to know that they can give you tasks and you won’t fall apart. Part of being a successful team player is knowing when and how to take orders, but also when and how to give orders. Leadership skills don’t necessarily mean that you were the owner or president of some company. It just means that you have taken charge of a project, an initiative, or a group on campus. The best way to demonstrate leadership is to take on extra responsibilities at whatever task or project you are given. And in terms of writing skills, employers want to know that you are capable of expressing yourself beyond a 160 character limit. 

Rounding out those Top 5 skills are problem-solving skills and a strong work ethic. Problem-solving is pretty straightforward – can you handle an issue successfully, and how is this demonstrated? Showing an employer that you have taken on projects/responsibilities and been successful in the past will logically lead them to conclude that you can do that again, maybe even for their company. And a strong work ethic is beyond obvious. No employer wants to pay someone who is clearly going to slack off and cycle through their favorite websites all day. They want workers! Be able to show your potential bosses that you work hard and care about the work that you do. If you don’t want to work hard or care about your work, find a job that caters to your needs. Then tell me about this job. I love the internet. 

Information for this article was taken from NACE: What Matters in a Resume.

Do you find these topics interesting? Have you ever thought about writing a blog? If so, join our team! Please send any interests, inquiries, or articles to Cassie Sklarz at sklarz@fordham.edu. We'd love to hear from you! 

Wednesday, March 21, 2012

Part-time job Opportunities

FRONT OF HOUSE POSITIONS AVAILABLE
The Joyce Theater is now looking for qualified candidates for all Front of House Positions including, ushers, lobby attendants, door guards and concessionaires.  Candidates should have experience in dealing with the public; be calm under pressure, patient and able to deal with large numbers of people in sometimes stressful situations; should be well organized, flexible in solving problems and sensitive in dealing with patrons.
Fax or Email resume to:

Sharonica Williams
House Manager
The Joyce Theater
175 Eighth Avenue
New York, NY 10011
Phone: (212) 691-9740
Fax: (212) 727-3658

North East Bronx Family Seeking helper for 90 year old woman
We would like to have a Fordham University student babysit my ninety year old mother this Thursday, March 22, 2012, from 12:00 noon to about 6:00 p.m. or 7:00 p.m. We will pay $15. per hour or approximately ninety dollars; or one hundred and five dollars, for the six or seven hours. There is very little work involved, because my mom generally takes a nap after lunch.

We would just like someone with her.  It would provide a student with the opportunity to study or do other schoolwork. My mom has a home in the north east Bronx, not far from the Fordham University campus. We will provide cab fare for the student’s return trip to your campus.Please have an interested student call Beverly at (718) 547-0899; or on my cell phone at (718) 612-9698 at your earliest convenience.  


TOP Steak House looking 4 NEW FACES for waitressing and other positions – Grant Associates
Brand new NYC steak house is seeking fun and outgoing chic aspiring Models to enhance the ambiance and promote our lifestyle
Our restaurant features and elegant yet cozy atmosphere created with an undeniable attention to detail.  Award winning menu featuring the finest prime beef, fresh seafood, and more, as well as an extensive wine collection. Our location features three private rooms providing the ideal setting for rehearsal dinners, and bridesmaid luncheon, formal receptions and small or large business meetings.
Requirement
•           Fine dining experience
•           Outgoing  Lively personality
•           No modeling experience necessary
•           Able to socially engage customers
•           Schedule varies
•           Part time as well as full time opportunities
•           Pay average for upscale dinning
•           To apply, please email your resume to vtorres@grantassociatesinc.com

Clerical Assistant (Part time) - Fordham University - Louis Calder Center, Armonk, New York
RESPONSIBILITIES:
Assist with general filing, faxing, coping, shredding and data entry. Receive and process incoming and outgoing mail. Operate office machines, copiers, and mail room equipment. Organize and order office supplies. Run errands and perform additional duties as assigned. Must be well organized and able to work independently. Position reports to the Administrative Assistant.
TRANSPORTATION:
Ram van service is available weekdays. (3 times a day)
QUALIFICATIONS:
High school diploma required. Attention to detail, strong communication and organizational skills. Must be highly proficient in MS Outlook, Word, Excel, PowerPoint and Internet use. Must be able to work quickly and consistently.
START DATE: As soon as possible
SALARY: $12 per hour (maximum 19 hours/week)
SEND LETTER & RESUME TO:
Ms. Petra Del Valle
Louis Calder Center
53 Whippoorwill Road
Armonk, New York 10504
E-mail: pdelvalle@fordham.edu
No phone calls please

Student Lab/Field Assistant (Part-time) - Fordham University - Louis Calder Center, Armonk, New York
RESPONSIBILITIES: Assist with general lab maintenance and preparation of lab materials. Assist researchers in outdoor field sampling and maintenance of field experiments. Handle other related duties as required. Position reports to the Assistant Director.
QUALIFICATIONS: Background in Biology preferred, but not required. Should enjoy the outdoors. Some tasks will require physical labor. Must have excellent communication, organizational and interpersonal skills. Must be able to work autonomously and as a team member. Skills such as MS Word and Excel are all helpful.
TRANSPORTATION: Ram van service is available weekdays.
(3 times/day)
STARTING DATE: As soon as possible
SALARY: ($12.00 PH/ maximum 19 hours a week)
SEND LETTER & RESUME:
Ms. Alissa Perrone
Louis Calder Center
53 Whippoorwill Road, Box 887
Armonk, NY 10504
aperrone@fordham.edu
No Phone calls please

Student Website Assistant (Part-time) – Fordham University - Louis Calder Center, Armonk, New York
RESPONSIBILITIES: Assist with general maintenance and updates to the Calder Center web pages. Assist in design of web pages. Position reports to the Assistant Director.
QUALIFICATIONS: Background in Fordham’s WAVES Content Management System preferred, but not required. Without this experience, must be willing to take the WAVES course. Must have excellent communication, organizational and interpersonal skills. Must be able to work autonomously and as a team member.
TRANSPORTATION: Ram van service is available weekdays.
(3 times/day)
STARTING DATE: As soon as possible
SALARY: ($12.00 PH/ maximum 19 hours a week)
SEND LETTER & RESUME: Ms. Alissa Perrone
Louis Calder Center
53 Whippoorwill Road, Box 887
Armonk, NY 10504
aperrone@fordham.edu
No Phone calls please

Tuesday, March 20, 2012

Questions to Ask the Interviewer

Today's blog post is offered by a graduate intern for the Office of Career Services.

            Going on interviews can be absolutely nerve wracking. It’s always hard to know how you did, what they are looking for, and it’s easy to forget why you’re there. 

Employers are looking for someone who is capable and interested in helping their company. As much as the interview is about marketing yourself and your brand, ultimately the company is interested in you to the extent that you can help them. So when it comes to that all important moment in an interview – do you have any questions for me? -  asking thoughtful, probing questions can demonstrate your interest in the company and your desire to help them.   Career advisor Marc Cenedella writes that the best question you can ask during this phase of the interview is: "How do I help you get a gold star on your review next year?" Now obviously this needs to be adapted depending on the company/situation, but the general idea here is that you are asking the interviewer how you can best help the company. This question speaks directly to the purpose of hiring you – to make the company better. 

Employers see their employees as investments, they put in a lot of time into vetting you, hiring you, training you, and working with you. They want to see a return on that investment. By inquiring into how you can best help them get a return on their investment, you are addressing exactly the issue at hand for them. Further, you are getting the interviewer to reveal what it is that they are looking for from you – which is invaluable. Any insight you gain into the type of qualities and candidates they are interested in is a huge advantage when presenting yourself to an organization. Tailoring your experiences and knowledge to the exact ideals that the employer is looking for will help you immensely. 

An alternative question might be: What does an ideal candidate look like for this position?’ This captures the same idea, but is more direct and straight forward. There are plenty of lists out there of good questions to ask during an interview, but the main point is this: ask questions that display insight into the company and ask questions that help you best tailor your subsequent responses to the needs/desires of your potential employer.

Do you find these topics interesting? Have you ever thought about writing a blog? If so, join our team! Please send any interests, inquiries, or articles to Cassie Sklarz at sklarz@fordham.edu. We'd love to hear from you! 

Monday, March 19, 2012

Upcoming events hosted by Fordham:

'Small Biz' Connector
March 21, 2012
6:00pm - 8:00pm
Rose Hill, Duane Library, Tognino Hall
Click here to RSVP. (all majors are welcome!)
Click here for more information.

Communications and Media Panel & Networking
March 22, 2012
6:00pm - 8:00pm
Rose Hill, Duane Library, Tognino Hall
Click here to RSVP.
Click here for more information.

LinkedIn Etiquette Presentation
April 11, 2012
4:00pm
Rose Hill, McGinley Center, Faculty Lounge
Find more information here.

Upcoming events hosted by our employers:

VetJobs Virtual Career Fair
March 1st - March 25th, 2012
View their flier for more information.

Legal Career and Internship Fair
Manhattan District Attorney's Office
March 23, 2012
2pm - 5pm
View their flier for more information. 

Monday, March 12, 2012

Upcoming Events - Mark your calendar!

Upcoming events hosted by Fordham: 
'Small Biz' Connector
March 21, 2012
6:00pm - 8:00pm
Rose Hill, Duane Library, Tognino Hall
 
View more information here.  

Communications and Media Panel & Networking
March 22, 2012
6:00pm - 8:00pm
Rose Hill, Duane Library, Tognino Hall
Click here to RSVP.
Upcoming events hosted by our employers:
VetJobs Virtual Career Fair
March 1st - March 25th, 2012
View their flier for more information.
 
Legal Career and Internship Fair
Manhattan District Attorney's Office
March 23, 2012
2pm - 5pm
View their flier for more information.

Thursday, March 8, 2012

New Intern Know-how: Starting off on the right foot

Today's blog post is offered by one of our Fordham Career Ambassadors. If you're interested in becoming a Fordham Career Ambassador, please contact: Cassie Sklarz at sklarz@fordham.edu. 

You revamped your resume, composed a killer cover letter, impressed in the interview, and got the internship!  So now what?  To get the most out of your internship, the hard work isn’t over.  Starting to work at a new company can be a difficult transition period, but these tips for staying on track can help make the process a little smoother and easier.

One of the most important things to focus on when you’re starting the internship is earning people’s trust.  This isn’t always easy or straightforward, but there are simple ways to show you're assertive and to prove yourself as a great intern.  

First, go above and beyond in the work you are assigned—even the most minor tasks.  Paying attention to detail is an attribute that your supervisors will recognize and value.  In an unfamiliar setting, it can be tricky to figure out the office culture and what's acceptable or expected of you.  Again, paying attention to detail will pay off!  Looking at what other people in the office do or how they behave is a good place to start.  Notice their good habits and make them your habits too.

Another tip to remember is that your fellow coworkers can be great resources and give you insight into the field and their own career paths.  Don’t be shy about asking for advice or asking questions about their experiences with the company.  They can tell you what they’ve found challenging, what they’ve liked, how their positions have changed over time, etc.  As you get to know your coworkers and as you learn more about your own position, another point that's important to always keep in mind is that the work you do affects others too, and not just yourself.  Once you’ve spent some time adjusting to the office culture and getting accustomed to your new position, don’t wait to be evaluated—ask your supervisors for feedback.  Asking what you can improve upon, what goals you should be striving to reach, and how you can grow and develop within your role will impress your superiors and earn you the respect of your colleagues.

Interning is a great way to gain hands-on experience, and these tips on how to continue working hard are sure to put you on the road to success.  Good luck!

Find out more about this topic here.

Do you find these topics interesting? Have you ever thought about writing a blog? If so, join our team! Please send any interests, inquiries, or articles to Cassie Sklarz at sklarz@fordham.edu. We'd love love to hear from you!