Career Ink - Issues 1-18 by Brigham Young University - Hawaii

u SHAPE YOUR IMAGE What

you wear says more

about you than you think . find out what your attire says about you and what employers think ............

u INTERN YOUR WAY UP Check out the latest

B YU H C a r e e r s e rv i c e s n e ws l e t t e r J a n u a ry

2009

Issue 18

internship opportunities and get going , because

H Newappy Yea r!

employers are looking for experience !.....

u HOT

2&3

HIRING STATES

To get

a job , you have to

go where the jobs are !

take a peek at the latest unemployment rates by

state ..........................

Fostering the development of lifelong career management a n d p r o f e s s i o n a l l e a d e r s h i p c a pa b i l i t i e s .

The importance of a professional image What does your attire say about you? By Lillian D. Bjorseth Communication Skills Professional

The success of any personal encounter begins the second someone lays eyes on you ... often long before either of you speaks. A professional image - appearance and behavior - helps start the experience in the right vein since people decide 10 things about you within 10 seconds of seeing you.

The business casual look that really took hold in the 1990s workplace has made it more difficult to look as professional and powerful as before B.C. While some laud the trend, others think it shows less respect for self and others. Women frequently suffer more negative career consequences from business casual dress than men

because they have far more choices. Women often choose leggings, stirrup pants, mini skirts and skorts. For men, casual typically means pants and a shirt or sweater. Their biggest fault may be to choose jeans or sweat pants or muscle T-shirts. Learning the art of impression management - planning how you look and how you act to get a certain reaction - is sure to impact your career or business more favorably! You tell others how to treat you. Your business associates and coworkers mirror whether you want to be treated as Number One or Number Ten in your area of expertise and how much respect you want.

Choose your appearance wisely Color, style and fit provide the one, two, three punch in your appearance arena. Color affects people physically and psychologically, and business casual doesnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t change that.

See

IMAGE, page 2 1

Molding Your

Image Google yourself Since others are checking you out, wouldn’t you like to know what they’re finding? Even if there’s nothing embarrassing, there might still be a doppelganger whom people might mistake for you, or other material that clutters the career-enhancing results you want people to see.

Create a business e-mail address When you’re corresponding with recruiters and employers, you don’t want them having to e-mail you at PLAYAH-IN-09@hotguy. com or something embarrasing. Create a professional e-mail address that contains just your name that you can use for purposes like e-mailing professionals, mentors (and maybe your parents too).

Create & Leverage public profiles Use networking websites like LinkedIn and Facebook, which allow you to list your education, professional history, skills, achievements, interests, and links to other websites that you choose. These sites are a good way to promote your professional chops in popular places where customers and colleagues are likely to see them.

Build a website Not everybody needs one, but if you’re a frequent public speaker, you do a lot of writing in your field, or you otherwise create work-related projects, a website might be the best place to showcase your work. Companies like Google and GoDaddy make it relatively easy to build one, but keep it looking professional.

IMAGE, From Page 1

self-worth. What people see on the outside lets them know you feel about yourself on the inside. Image is the tip of the iceberg, yet it adds immeasurably to helping people understand what’s going on inside you.

Color

• Dark colors - black, navy and darker shades of gray - psychologically connote power, authority, knowledge, responsibility, and success. • Brown shows that you are dependable and stable - however you lack power and authority. • White is a good choice for a blouse or shirt since it connotes clean, formal and sophisticated. • Pastels denote Dress for the occasion. softness and femininity. If the occasion is business, Every color has a message of its own. How Then dress as if you mean you put them together business. sends your message.

“

Style

Here again business casual takes its toll, if it’s power and professionalism you want to convey. • A suit coat with long sleeves, slightly padded shoulders and a collar make you appear one-third more powerful. (Your sales will come easier when you know when to take your suit jacket off in a sales call and when to put it back on!) • Shoulder pads add authority. • Pleats and darts add bulks. • Vertical lines formed by classic threebutton jackets contribute to the illusion of heights, as do pin stripes. • Single-breasted jackets with a center vent are best for men and women of average height. Double-breasted jackets complement taller people.

Fit

Few people have “hanger figures.” Almost all of you need help to make your clothes look as if they were made for you. Many stores offer free tailoring. If not, find a neighborhood tailor who can do wonders with a nip here and tuck there. Take the shoes and any other items you will wear with the garment so your tailor can work with the real thing. Knowing that you have chosen the right color, style and fit for the occasion will give you increased self-confidence and add immeasurably to your presentation ... of yourself and your products and services.

What you wear reveals eight things about you 1. Self-esteem

How you dress is your love of self made tangible to the world. When you wear illfitting, soiled, torn, tattered clothing, it can make others aware of a poor sense of

2. Self-respect

How you wear it and what you choose to wear show others how much you respect yourself. Few people come even close to naturally having a “perfect” shape or size. Those who respect themselves know how to dress to emphasize strengths and minimize body flaws. Respect for self is lacking in women who in the workplace wear skirts that are too short, necklines that are too low, pants that are too tight; for men who wear long pants that are too “short,” ties with spots, jeans with holes; and with anyone who gains weight and then wears clothes that used to fit. Self-respect plays a big part in knowing/wearing the acceptable thing socially and professionally.

”

3. Confidence

The way you carry yourself contributes greatly to the air of confidence others perceive. What you wear also contributes to that look of confidence. When I wear a hat, inevitably men and women will say to me they love the confidence I portray. Some women say they would love to wear hats but are afraid they can’t carry it off. Men and women both say how it completes a woman’s outfit. Your goal is to create an aura of confidence and assuredness when you walk into a room. Make sure your clothing contributes its part!

4. Organizational skills

Even people who don’t like to file or plan the details of an event need to appear organized in their clothing color and style choices. You want to create a unified look from head to foot, without calling attention to any one item or color. Frequently in my “Polishing Your Professional Presence” workshops, I will ask attendees up front to

See

IMAGE, page 3

“Every person is the creation of himself, the image of his own thinking and believing. As individuals think and believe, so they are” ~Claude M. Bristol

IMAGE, From Page 2 describe what they think our time together will be like ... knowing they have been sizing me up, even though I have only said a few words. I remember the man who said, “organized, because everything from your suit to your blouse to your shoes to your hose to your jewelry is coordinated and looks as if it came together.” Recruiters tell me they use appearance to judge organizational skills. If they know where the potential employee parked, they may send someone to walk around the car to see if it looks clean and orderly ... or if it resembles the refuse bin for a fast-food restaurant or the repository for a week’s clothing that needs to be taken to the cleaners.

YCareers ID: 4284 NESTLE PURINA PETCARE Market Audit Internship, St. Louis, MO 10 continuous weeks internship (40 hours/week)

5. Soundness of judgment

Knowing and wearing the right outfit for the right occasion is an important indicator of whether you can make the right decisions at work, too. When I owned a business leads group and held after-hour events, most of the attendees wore suits or business casual wear. The member who owned a singles dating service and came attired in black velvet slacks, a rhinestone-studded strapless top and a black shawl turned more than one eye! She may have been dressed appropriately for one of her events, but not for a business event. She made a statement, and judging by all the comments I received, I doubt it was the one she wanted to make. Know when to wear a suit, business casual or formal attire to blend in appropriately.

6. Attention to detail

About 90 percent of your body is clothed in business - the remaining 10 percent of your impression is made through your grooming and includes manicured nails, trimmed mustache and beard, lack of a 5 o’clock shadow, neat and attractive hair style and the right amount of makeup and jewelry that can be seen and not heard.

DESCRIPTION Summer 2009 Nestle Market Audit Internship in St. Louis, Missouri Nestle Market Audit, based in St. Louis, MO, provides internal audit services for Nestle North American business units including NestleUSA, Purina PetCare, Nestl eCanada Inc., Nestle Nutrition, and Dreyer’s Ice Cream division headquarters and manufacturing locations. Nestl e Market Audit interns participate in audits with a team of our audit professionals, providing real-life internal audit experience and opportunities to apply academic experience in a team setting. POSITION SUMMARY Working under the supervision of experienced internal audit professionals, interns will gain knowledge, awareness and understanding of the Consumer Packaged Goods industry through participation in all aspects of team-based internal control reviews of Nestle and/ or Purina business operations to gain experience in internal control and business risk concepts including: Assist in the planning of internal audit reviews, including assessment of business risk. Review and assess business processes and perform detailed testing of internal controls to ensure identified risk areas are properly controlled. Participate in client meetings and discussions. Help promote the importance of internal controls through the maintenance and enhancement of content on our departmental intranet site. Support completion of other audit department projects and reporting initiatives as assigned. PRIMARY RESPONSIBILITIES Complete assigned portions of internal control reviews and develop required supporting work papers to ensure: • Comprehensive procedures are developed and executed to assess existence and effectiveness of internal controls over high risk areas. • Assessment of compliance with Company policies, the related risk and significance of noncompliance, and the effectiveness or efficiency of such policies. • Findings of irregularities, discrepancies and deviations from prescribed procedures and practices are fully documented and supported. • Findings and recommendations for corrective action are reported clearly and concisely and are effectively presented to the business unit. • Assist in the confirmation of the physical existence of Company assets, verification of accounting and other records and management reporting techniques, and reviews of the adequacy of the system of internal controls for both manual and automated systems. • Support completion of department special projects as assigned. • Other Duties and Responsibilities: Develop and demonstrate analytical thinking skills in the completion of internal control review work. Regularly communicate status of work to Nestl eMarket Audit Management. QUALIFICATIONS Education: Successful completion of sophomore or junior year at an accredited college or university, with major concentration in internal auditing, accounting, or a related business field of study. Committed to working at least 10 full-time weeks between the end of May and late August 2009 and willing to travel up to 20%. Experience: Prior experience in accounting or audit related position is preferred. Knowledge/Skills: Proficiency in English (oral and written) and Microsoft Office Suite. Knowledge of internal audit theory; familiarity with risk and internal control principles and information systems. Ability to work in a team environment, review data and analyze business processes. Strong oral/written communication skills. HOW TO APPLY: Please apply online at www.nestlepurinacareers.com for this opportunity and to see all other Nestle Purina opportunities.

7. Creativity

While some jobs allow more creative expression than others, all of them permit you to individualize at least a bit. Express your uniqueness through a special tie and matching hankie, a scarf or a special or exquisite piece of jewelry. Maybe your mark will become the special way you tie a scarf or how you find just the right one to complement or coordinate with your suit and blouse ... or maybe a pair of cuff links that looks expensive yet apropos for your important meeting.

8. Reliability

The sum of the above adds up to how reliable you are ... from the big picture to the details. Can you be counted on to look and behave in a professional manner wherever your job takes you?

: e t o N

ship for intern ts looking

studen amble octer & G WHO: All ns within Pr air

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YCareers Job ID: 4276 Burson Marsteller Harold Burson Summer Internship (30 internship opportunities available) 10 weeks (40 hrs/week), Locations: Chicago, Dallas, Los Angeles, New York Pittsburgh, San Francisco or Washington, D.C. DESCRIPTION: The 2009 U.S. Harold Burson Summer Internship (HBSI) Program is a paid internship at one of seven U.S. Burson-Marsteller offices - Chicago, Dallas, Los Angeles, New York, Pittsburgh, San Francisco and Washington DC. Each intern is assigned to a client team or practice group. During the internship, students work closely with experienced industry professionals. HBSI interns are given the opportunity to work as a team member, while gaining valuable work experience. Colleagues from different specialty areas of Burson-Marsteller conduct seminars for interns each week. Interns are also grouped into teams where they work on a special HBSI project, which they present to a senior management panel for review at the conclusion of the internship. The summer internship offers an invaluable career-development experience that may lead to an employment opportunity with us after graduation. Step 1: Submit resume and cover letter online via our website’s career section at www.bm.com. Cover letter should indicate location preference(s) and practice area(s) of interest. Please note that based on availability, your application will only be considered for one office location. Step 2: After applying online, please submit the following items in hard-copy format: Official college transcript which includes posted grades through December 2008; One writing sample, e.g., article for college newspaper, press release, short paper submitted for class, etc, An essay describing the skill sets and knowledge you gained while participating in extracurricular activities and how you can apply your experiences to the workplace; One of the two essays described below: (2-1) A growing number of companies across different industries are highlighting their ‘sustainability’ as a central part of the way they do business today. The challenge for customers, business partners, and the public is to know which of these companies really are showing leadership. What do you see as the key elements of being a sustainable corporation, and do you also see some risks when companies focus on what they are doing in this area? (2-2) Many observers see a growing role for Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) leadership in advancing companies’ reputation. Do you think that’s accurate, and if so, what role should public relations play in an organization’s CSR efforts? Step 3: Burson-Marsteller will provide summer housing on an as needed basis. If you feel you require housing, please submit an additional essay on how receiving summer housing would positively impact your internship experience. Please note: All written submissions should be between 1 and 3 pages long, typed, double-spaced and paginated with your name in the upper right-hand corner of each page. Important: If you wish to be considered for an internship opportunity with Marsteller Advertising, please be prepared to submit an online portfolio as part of the application process. The 2009 HBSI Application Deadline is Friday, February 20th, 2009. Please send all applications to: Internship CoordinatorBurson-Marsteller230 Park Avenue South, New York, NY 10003-1566. Offers will be extended by the end of April 2009. For questions pertaining to the Harold Burson Summer Internship Program, please be sure to visit the “US HBSI FAQ” page on our website.

QUALIFICATIONS: An undergraduate student currently in your junior or senior year of college. Maintaining a minimum G.P.A. of 3.0 (out of 4.0) or equivalent. Engaged in extracurricular activities that demonstrate broad intellect and creativity. Strong writing and other communication skills. An interest in communications, professional services and consulting. HOW TO APPLY: Submit resume and cover letter online via our website’s career section at http://www.burson-marsteller.com/Careers/Internships/Pages/The_Harold_Burson_Summer_Internship_Program(US).aspx

UNEMPLOY. RATE (% of total pop.)

3.2 ..................... 3.3 ..................... 3.4 ..................... 3.7 ..................... 3.7 ..................... 4.3 ..................... 4.3 ..................... 4.3 ..................... 4.6 ..................... 4.7 ..................... 4.8 ..................... 4.9 ..................... 4.9 ..................... 4.9 ..................... 5.3 ..................... 5.3 ..................... 5.6 .....................

STATE or DISTRICT Wyoming North Dakota South Dakota Nebraska Utah Iowa New Hampshire New Mexico West Virginia Oklahoma Virginia Hawaii Kansas Montana Louisiana Maryland Delware

UNEMPLOY. RATE (% of total pop.)

5.6 ..................... 5.7 ..................... 5.7 ..................... 5.7 ..................... 5.7 ..................... 5.8 ..................... 5.9 ..................... 6.1 ..................... 6.1 ..................... 6.1 ..................... 6.1 ..................... 6.3 ..................... 6.3 ..................... 6.4 ..................... 6.4 ..................... 6.6 ..................... 6.7 .....................

STATE or DISTRICT Wisconsin Arkansas Idaho Texas Vermont Colorado Massachusetts Alabama New Jersey New York Pennsylvania Arizona Maine Minnesota Washington Connecticut Missouri

UNEMPLOY. RATE (% of total pop.)

STATE or DISTRICT

6.9 ..................... Tennessee 7.0 ..................... Kentucky 7.1 ..................... Indiana 7.2 ..................... Mississippi 7.3 ..................... Alaska 7.3 ..................... Florida 7.3 ..................... Illinois 7.3 ..................... Ohio 7.5 ..................... Georgia 7.9 ..................... North Carolina 8.0 ..................... Washington D.C. 8.0 ..................... Nevada 8.1 ..................... Oregon 8.4 ..................... California 8.4 ..................... South Carolina 9.3 ..................... Rhode Island 9.6 ..................... Michigan

As of: Dec. 19, 2008; Source: Bureau of Labor Statistics: Geographic Profile of Employment and Unemployment

u TIGHT JOB MARKET Tough

B Y U H C a r e e r s e rv i c e s n e ws l e t t e r

economies mean

less job slots . find out how you can grab one of those slots and fit into

the job market ..............

December

2008

Issue 17

u RACK -N- STACK ‘EM Check out the latest survey which breaks down which degrees are in

demand , and more !........

u CAREER God

M Chr erry ist ma s!

TIP OF THE WEEK

is in the details ,

and your job offer could be too if you pay attention to the little

things .........................

Fostering the development of lifelong career management a n d p r o f e s s i o n a l l e a d e r s h i p c a pa b i l i t i e s .

How you fit into the This fall’s turmoil in the economy and the crisis in the financial sector has had a devastating impact on the job market. Job prospects for the graduating class of 2009 are flat and possibly shrinking. Recruiters are

cautious about making hiring predictions as many remain uncertain what will happen to staffing levels within their organizations over the next six to 12 months. As of November 2008, recruiters are saying that they expect

job market college hiring to stay even with last year’s levels. That means employers will be hiring. However, instead of growth in the job market (typically, employers have more jobs to offer to the current graduating class than they had for previous graduates) there are the same number of or fewer opportunities expected. The questions are: Which graduates are in demand? How can you make yourself the most attractive job candidate in the group being interviewed? And, what can you do if you don’t get an offer from your first- or second-choice employer? Even if you’re not graduating in 2009—you’re a freshman, sophomore, or junior—take the information as advice to ensure a better standing in the job market when it’s time to graduate? Which majors are in demand? Business, engineering, and technical majors from the Class of 2009 are most in-demand. At the bachelor’s level, federal government employers appear to be the best bet for the top five majors in demand. At the master’s degree level, nearly See

TIGHT, page 2 1

TIGHT, From Page 1

the top five new college grads say they want. Medical insurance, annual salary increases, 401(k), dental insurance, and life insurance are the top five in both camps. Plus, more than half of employers verified that they offer some benefits that seem to fit the work/life balance demanded by the latest group of graduates, including family-friendly benefits, flextime, and bonus/commission plans.

60 percent of respondents who plan to hire master’s degree candidates will target those with M.B.A.s. At the doctorate degree level, employers are looking for engineering and computerrelated degrees. Also, employers are looking for new graduates with associate degrees in business, engineering, drafting, design, and computer-aided design (CAD). Skills employers want and new The good news—that employers expect graduates lack to know more about their organizations’ It’s important that you are hiring needs by Spring 2009—is that knowledgeable in almost three-quarters of your field: an engineer employers responding Your GPA is indicative of must have engineering to the Job Outlook 2009 what you have learned in knowledge; an accountant survey said they were your field. More than half of needs an accounting making plans to recruit employers recognize this background; a nurse needs on campus in Spring by screening applicants by a medical education. Your 2009. More than half said GPA, using a cutoff of 3.0. GPA is indicative of what their plans were firm; 22 you have learned in your percent said their plans field. More than half of were tentative. employers recognize this by screening applicants by GPA, using a cutoff of 3.0. International students Add an internship or two in your field and The hiring outlook for international you show an employer that you’ve tested students remains virtually unchanged your new knowledge. from last year. Employers are most However, employers say other skills interested in graduates who will earn and abilities help job seekers stand out computer science degrees, although from the crowd of degree-holders. They there is also interest in grads with want new hires who will fit in with engineering degrees. co-workers and into the workplace, and are able to get the job done. Salary increases for 2008-09 Unfortunately—and ironically—the graduates very qualities employers look for are the More discouraging job market news. qualities they find lacking in many new The number of employers planning to graduates. Employers say new graduates increase their starting salary offers has lack face-to-face communication skills, dropped. Those who will increase their especially writing skills. They say many salary offers will offer smaller increases students tend to lack presentation skills, over last year’s average offers. Of those employers who indicated plans teamwork skills, and overall interpersonal (gets along well with others) skills. for starting salaries to master’s degree Employers also note that new grads graduates, 89.7 percent plan to offer a tend to lack a good work ethic. Some salary increase. And, the overall planned say students have trouble with time average increase is down significantly to 3.7 percent, compared to last year’s management and are unable to multitask in order to meet deadlines. Some new hires planned average increase of 5.2 do not have realistic expectations for their percent. new positions: they are not loyal to the Employers offer top benefits organization and they “have a high sense of urgency and want to climb the ladder This is good news. The overnight.” Other employers say new hires top five benefits and lack professionalism: they lack maturity policies employers and knowledge of business etiquette, say they including how to dress appropriately. coincide with Start Now. Call on Campus Resources for Help. It’s a buyer’s market, meaning,

“

”

See

TIGHT, page 3

employers rank the importance of skills & qualities

1. Communication skills 2. Strong work ethic 3. Teamwork skills 4. Initiative 5. Analytical skills 6. Computer skills 7. Flexibility/adaptability 8. Interpersonal skills 9. Problem-solving skills 10. Technical skills top bachelor degrees in demand

1. Accounting 2. Mechanical Engineer 3. Electrical Engineering 4. Computer Science 5. Business Admin/Mgnt 6. Economics/Finance 7. Information Sciences 8. Computer Engineering 9. Mngt. Info. Systems 10. Marketing who’s hiring for bachelors in demand

1. Government (Federal) 2. Accounting Firms 3. Utility businesses 4. Software dev. companies 5. Insurance companies where employers go to look for new hires

1. On-campus recruiting 2. Internship programs 3. Employee referrals 4. Co-op programs 5. Career/Job Fairs 6. Faculty contacts 7. Company’s web postings 8. Campus web postings 9. Student clubs 10. Commercial web posts Source: NACE survey 2008

“...but if ye are prepared ye shall not fear.” ~doctrine & covenants 38:30

TIGHT, From Page 2 employers have a minimum number of positions to fill, so they’re going to be rather picky about the credentials of the new graduates they hire. Here’s failsafe advice: Start today. Stop in at your college/ university career center. Trained, professional staff members are available to guide you through the job-search process and teach you how to take the various steps with success. These experts can critique your resume; help you put together an award-winning cover letter; practice interviewing with you; teach you the etiquette necessary to make it through a luncheon interview; show you how to dress professionally for faceto-face conversations with employers; and give you ideas for how to demonstrate those much needed qualities and skills employers look for. Plus, these career counselors know the employers—they work with them on a regular basis—and can put you in touch with the organizations looking for new hires. (Note: A recent online ad for “career advice” put the cost at more than $800. Students will find these services are free or very low cost on campus.) Don’t be fooled. A career counselor won’t find you a job or “place” you in a position. They’re on campus to teach you something more important: the knowledge to successfully find a job today—and in the future when you’re looking for your second, third, or 10th position! Beginning your search early is smart. According to an early 2008 survey, of those graduates who began their job searches before March 1, more than half had secured a post-graduate job by April 30. With the tight job market, it may pay to be an early bird! Get experience—it pays! Work experience adds considerable value to your resume. Ninety-five percent of employers prefer to hire new graduates who have some work experience. When employers want to hire someone for a fulltime position, many look first to their own intern pools.

But besides a potential job offer, internships pay in other ways, including in actual compensation. Among employers who pay their interns, the average hourly wage at the bachelor’s degree level is $15.99 to $17.79. This amount could be higher or lower depending on the employer, your degree, and the location of the internship. Prepare three things Repeat after me (we say this in the Job Outlook-Student Version every year). Employers tell students to go to interviews armed with three things that can improve the outcome of your job (or internship) search: 1. Research Take 60 minutes, go online, and learn everything you can about any company you might want to work for. Your goal is to be able to articulate how you will be a good fit within the company. If you have trouble putting your research into words, ask a career services counselor for help. This is the easiest step of them all— and often the most neglected! 2. Experience An internship or co-op experience (or several of these positions) on your resume will tell an interested employer that you’ve tested your career up close and you’ve learned some of the basics of the workplace. Employers see internship programs as their organizational talent pools. Employers prize relevant work experience even if it’s with another organization. 3. Have a little class Just because you put together a rudimentary resume in “career class” in high school doesn’t mean you have the skill to crank out a resume now. Among the skills you need to learn in career center workshops: ~ How to write a cover letter that markets you to employers. ~ How to compose a well-written, error-free resume that articulates your skills and course work as a match for the company and position. ~ How to interview and explain the value you can bring to a potential employer. Research, experience, and preparation: Once you have these, you’re going to be a better fit in the job market. Article by National Association of Colleges and Employers (NACE), as posted on JobWeb.com

Career

Tip of The Week SWEAT THE SMALL STUFF Don’t forget the personal touches and small details. Make sure you always send a thank-you note or e-mail after the interview and use that correspondence as an opportunity to emphasize your strengths. Don’t use a template cover letter, and make sure each letter addresses specific skills or qualities the company is looking for. It’s little details like this that can separate you from the rest of the crowd and get the attention of employers and recruiters. Details delineate.

Note:

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u ETHICS Do the

B Y U H C a r e e r s e rv i c e s n e ws l e t t e r

same ethics

apply in your personal and professional life ?

should they ? what ’ s the difference ?..................

November

2008

Issue 16

u THE POWER OF THANKS Whether you’re an interviewee , employee , or employer , the power of thanking someone can go a long way ....................

u CAREER Think

TIP OF THE WEEK

you know enough

already ? you may .... if

you want to stay where

you are ........................

Fostering the development of lifelong career management a n d p r o f e s s i o n a l l e a d e r s h i p c a pa b i l i t i e s .

Business ethics vs. Personal ethics

Is there a difference? By Brady Smith

Ethics. A word that we hear often in business and careers—not because it’s something that is engrained in business and careers, but because it’s often absent. You don’t have to look far to see the effects of a person being dishonest in their dealings with their fellow men. These days, one can turn on the news any time of the day and see CEOs of companies parachuting out of failing corporations with millions of dollars, while the average Joe walks away with a cardboard box full of personal belongings. Furthermore, in some businesses having ethics may be frowned upon, but that is usually due to the fact that business is not focused on doing what’s “right,” but what’s best for the bottom line. Ethics, from the Greek word “Ethos,” is defined in the American Heritage Dictionary as: “A set of principles of right conduct. A theory or a system of moral values. The study of the general nature of morals and of the specific moral choices to be made by a person: moral philosophy. The rules or standards governing the conduct of a person or the members of a profession.” It has also been said that there are four

tenets that comprise ethical behavior: Honesty, Integrity, Fairness, and Concern for others. These four tenets are comparable to the legs of a chair, and if one or more is missing, the whole structure begins to wobble and eventually collapses. One could easily argue that the conditions See ETHICS, page 2

ETHICS, From Page 1

aphorism, ‘as a man thinketh in his heart, so is he,’ not only embraces the whole of a man’s of our economy, Wall Street, and the domestic being, but is so comprehensive as to reach out auto industry are a direct result of one or more to every condition and circumstance of his life. of these tenets missing. A man is literally what he thinks, his character But what about practicing only several of being the complete sum of all his thoughts.” these tenets of ethics—are all of these tenets So you can see that there really is no necessary? Yes. difference between a person’s personal You cannot come to the conclusion morals and ethics and what they should that you are ethical just because you practice throughout their professional practice a couple of career. Indeed, the actions these tenets. You must you take, whether as a consistently practice student, career professional A man is literally what them all throughout the or CEO, reflect your he thinks, his character life of your career and personal thoughts. being the complete sum your personal life. As a student, you aren’t of all his thoughts. But wait, some yet faced with a myriad of James Allen people tend to think ethical decisions to be made ‘as a man thinketh’ that business ethics in an office or business are separate from setting—but like I said personal ethics. They before, business ethics and often try to separate and personal ethics are one in the compartmentalize their same. business ethics from their personal ethics. In What you practice now will be what you fact, they are one and the same. practice in the future. Many a psychologist After all, ethics are about making choices, has affirmed that the best predictor of future and sometimes the choices you make may behavior is past behavior. not always feel good or seem like they are So, make it a priority to practice ethics in beneficial to you—but you do them because all your dealings; in school, at work, with your they are “right.” It really boils down to this: family, your friends, your instructors, and with you are what you believe. yourself. This applies in your career dealings as well Keep in mind that employers are looking as your personal life. James Allen, author of for ethical people—because the alternative “As a Man Thinketh,” and often quoted by usually ends in lawsuits and the demise of their church leaders, spells it out. He states, “The corporation, “as seen on TV.”

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”

The power of Thanks

By Peter Vogt MonsterTRAK Career Coach

When my wife was hired for her first real job after graduating from college, she was remembered and saluted by her new supervisor for one seemingly small step she had taken during the interviewing process: She was the only applicant of several interviewed who had sent a thank-you note after her interview. It seems amazing, but it’s true: A simple thank-you note after a job interview can wield considerable power and influence, and reflect very favorably on your candidacy for the position. Why? Several reasons: 1. By sending a thankyou note, you show your

interviewer common courtesy and respect. Unfortunately, in our busy and often impolite world, we simply don’t acknowledge each other’s time, efforts and commitments. So in sending a thank-you note, you tell your interviewer in no uncertain terms that you appreciate the time he has given you. After all, he had to give up part or all of the day to be with you, and expend effort learning more about you and what you have to offer. 2. So few job applicants send thank-you notes that you automatically stand out if you do. It’s shocking, but the

majority of job applicants fail to send thank-you notes after their interviews. Why? Who knows? But the bottom line is that you wind up in a position to shine simply by putting forth the effort of sending a note. Strange, but true. 3. A thank-you note gives you an opportunity to reiterate points you made during your interview. Have you ever left an interview wishing you’d more strongly emphasized a certain skill or experience the employer seemed to be looking for? See

Hot Jobs Career Services receives hundreds of job postings a week in YCareers. We try to pick some of the top jobs of the week and list them here. To see more, log in to YCareers.

Account Mngr. Trainee

Employer: Reynolds& Reynolds Location: Nationwide Salary: Info Unavailable YCareers Job I.D. # 4044

Senior Admin. Assistant Employer: Bank of Hawaii Location: Honolulu, HI Salary: Info Unavailable YCareers Job I.D. # 4042

HR Recruiter/Trainer

Employer: Goodwill Industries Location: Kilihau, HI Salary: Info Unavailable YCareers Job I.D. # 4022

Space Camp Counselor

Employer: US Space & Rocket Location: Huntsville, AL Salary: $9 per hour (internship) YCareers Job I.D. # 4028

Specialist I

Employer: Child & Family Svs Location: Hilo, HI Salary: Info Unavailable YCareers Job I.D. # 4009 Log in to your YCareers account and go to “Search Jobs & Interviews” in the top navigation bar for a complete list of job postings. Choose “YCareers Jobs and Interviews” for job postings looking specifically for BYUH students.

THANKS, Page 3

“Feeling gratitude and not expressing it is like wrapping a present and not giving it.” ~W.A. Ward

A thank-you note gives you the chance to do just that. After using the first paragraph of your note to thank your interviewer, you can use a brief second paragraph to touch again upon the key points you made in your interview. You can also use a similar strategy to clean up any interview rough spots you might have had – i.e., to expand upon or clarify responses you felt were weak or shaky. 4. A thank-you note lets you make points you forgot to make in your interview. Sometimes after an interview, as you walk out to your car, you smack yourself on the forehead and say to yourself, “Why didn’t I talk about _____?” Frustrating? You bet. But you can take care of the problem to some degree in your thank-

you note. Again, perhaps in the second paragraph, you can say something to the effect of “After our discussion, it occurred to me that I forgot to tell you about _________.” 5. A thank-you note demonstrates your

written communication skills. In receiving and reading your thank-you notes, your interviewer will see firsthand how you handle yourself on paper. You’ll be using similar skills every day with the company’s potential clients, customers and vendors – so the interviewer will be reading carefully to see how you come across in print. Writing thank-you notes isn’t terribly difficult or timeconsuming. Be sure to follow through, preferably the same day as your interview. It can make a much bigger difference than you might think – perhaps even the difference between the job going to you or someone else. Article originally from career-advice.monster.com

Career

Tip of Th - Never

e Week

Stop Lea rning -

The world is cons tantly changing. Busine sses and employers are al ways looking for new and fresh ways to do business.

If you have decided that your current skills are good enough, you have also decided that your current But if you job is good enough. e future, want a career in th pdates dd regular u you should a edge. ls and knowl to your skil

u CASE INTERVIEWS Every job interview is unique , but these types

B Y U H C a r e e r s e rv i c e s n e ws l e t t e r

of interviews investigate who you are beyond just the average

u HOT JOBS Check out

Q&A.......... 1

November

2008

A s all alut vet e to er H vet app ans! era y ns day

Issue 15 some of the

most recent job postings in ycareers , and get

logged in to see what ’ s

out there !....................

u VETERAN’S Looking

DAY SPECIAL

for a career

that offers you executive management experience from day one ? you

may be looking for the

military ........................

Fostering the development of lifelong career management a n d p r o f e s s i o n a l l e a d e r s h i p c a pa b i l i t i e s .

You’re on the case (interview, that is) One of the most common interview formats, especially for consulting firms, is the case interview. It is also probably one of the most feared and difficult formats

around. It requires specific and exhaustive interview based on your resume, and they preparation, quick thinking, keen insight, are really not interested in going through and intelligence. Yes, intelligence. Many a a one-hour re-hash of your experience person who has passed regular interviews as a camp counselor, and how it helped with flying colors you become and gotten fantastic a leader. Case interviews are broadly job offers from The resume defined as an interview good companies, part of your geared around solving has crashed and interview problems on the spot. burned in the will either be case interview, cut partially simply because or fully, they weren’t smart in favor of a more real-life, nitty-gritty, enough. That’s not to “let’s see how well you think” discussion. say that if you fail one, It cuts away from the fluff about how it’s because you’re you are detail-oriented ‘cause you built dumb, but if you are not some spreadsheet in your dad’s office last the sharpest knife in the summer,’ and gauges exactly how detail drawer, you probably oriented you are, by giving you a problem won’t do very well. and seeing you work it out. The form in That’s why consulting which that problem is presented can take firms (and others) use many forms, but in every case interview, them. the interviewer is trying to judge all or some of the following: Case interviews are broadly defined Logical Thought Process. How as an interview do you go about arriving at a solution, geared around solving identifying key concepts, an orderly problems on the spot. thought process, clearly separating A lot of companies give you the See CASE INTERVIEW, Page 2

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CASE INTERVIEW, From Page 1 important facts from irrelevant facts, analytical ability, are all factors which can impact the interviewer’s assessment of your thought process.

General Business Knowledge and Acumen. Though no one wants to see

$250,000 in your head ($25,000), you’ll be in trouble. Here the interviewer just wants to make sure you don’t break into a cold sweat at the mention of a number, and that you can do some rough, back-of-the-envelope calculations accurately and quickly. It’s just arithmetic - but you better know it. Quick, if you have 15% margins on a $20 good (widget?) that you’re selling, and you sell 3,000 units - what was your profit?

you use Porter’s Model (in fact don’t use it at all), interviewer’s want to see to what degree you have insight Creativity. A new and knowledge of relevant approach to a problem, an issues in a business problem insightful remark, finding a You could be the most scenario - competitive threats, hurdle that nobody else had intelligent person in the barriers to entry, competitive noticed, using a strategy that world, but if you can’t advantages, target marketing, worked for another company communicate your ideas, pricing strategies, etc. in a similar situation - this is sell your ideas, and answer Each case will have what consultants do. If you can to criticism about your ideas, different concepts highlighted demonstrate some creativity, you will not be successful. - the interviewer wants to you will surely impress. This make sure you can recognize becomes more important in which types of business 2nd and 3rd round interviews, analysis is appropriate for his specific case, as than in the 1st. Just make sure that in your quest opposed to your trying to squeeze everything for creativity, you don’t come up with some into some Model you learned in class as the ludicrous situation that make you sound like you end-all-and-be-all of human existence. have no idea what you’re talking about. It’s a fine line? Yes. Will you have to walk it? Yes. General Knowledge. In cases, there are a lot of times when the information you Communication skills. You could be the need will just not be available. This is not a most intelligent person in the world, but if you problem, as the interviewer does not expect can’t communicate your ideas, sell your ideas, you to know them. However, you will have and answer to criticism about your ideas, you to make assumptions, and will not be successful. Not in interviews - not in the degree to which the business world either. There’s no way around your assumptions this one - learn to communicate! are reasonable will impact your Case interview questions are directed at performance. assessing your ability to communicate, structure If, for example, your thoughts, solve problems, and be creative. you are conducting The solution to a case question is not necessarily a market sizing as important as the process you go through to example, and you say answer it. Many, but not all, consulting firms “Let’s assume there use case interviewing. On rare occasion firms in are around 30 million industry will use case questions, as well. people in Canada” - that’s fine, the Brief review of answering Case exact population Interview questions. is not needed. If, 1. Ask questions; try to find out any relevant however, you say information up front. “Let’s assume there 2. State your assumptions, no matter how are 100 million people in basic. Canada”, the interviewer 3. Develop a number of solutions. might wonder what you’ve 4. Assess each solution individually, been smoking for the past speaking your thoughts out loud, until you have eight years. determined that the solution is feasible or not. 5. If a solution becomes unfeasible, discard it Comfort with Quantitative and go to the next solution. Analysis. No one will test you 6. When you reach a feasible solution - STOP, on differential calculus or unless the interviewer wants you to continue statistical regression with other solutions. abilities - but if you can’t figure Article by the Center for Engineering Career Development, out 10% of University of Virginia, 2008

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”

Hot Jobs Career Services receives hundreds of job postings a week in YCareers. We try to pick some of the top jobs of the week and list them here. To see more, log in to YCareers.

Multiple Positions

Employer: Ritz-Carlton Kapalua Location: Kapalua, HI Salary: Varies per position YCareers Job I.D. # 3940-3943

IT System Administrator

Employer: Lanakila Rehab Cntr Location: Honolulu, HI Salary: Negotiable YCareers Job I.D. # 3926

Security Eng. Officer

Employer: US Dept. of State Location: Nationwide Salary: $53,986 - $74,527 YCareers Job I.D. # 3925

Internship (Argentina) Employer: InterExchange Location: Bueno Aires Salary: Info Unavailable YCareers Job I.D. # 3903

Hospitality Positions

Employer: Yellowstone Lodges Location: Yellowstone Nat. Park Salary: Varies per position YCareers Job I.D. # 3899 Log in to your YCareers account and go to “Search Jobs & Interviews” in the top navigation bar for a complete list of job postings. Choose “YCareers Jobs and Interviews” for job postings looking specifically for BYUH students.

“I know that the Lord is always on the side of the right. But it is my constant anxiety and prayer that i and this nation should be on the Lord’s side.” ~Abraham Lincoln

A personal testimony of another option By Brady Smith, Capt., USAF Retired

world lives and dies by teamwork. Probably one of the most 5. From day one, I was managing an overlooked career possibilities out there office of people. All of them had been in is that of the military. Being that today is the military longer than I had, and half of Veterans Day, I thought it appropriate to them were older than I was. I learned how highlight this option. to be tactful, professional, understanding, I served for five years in the U.S. Air and compassionate. I learned that when I Force as a Public Affairs Officer and was took care of my able to gain people, they valuable experitook care of ence in a very me. I not only short span of learned how to time. Once I be a leader and got out of the a manager, but Air Force, I a good leader was able to find and an effective many jobs and manager. I lived professional by principles career opportuin a book that nities open to the Air Force me for several gave all of their reasons: Even though I was a Public Affairs Officer and not a pilot, I 1. Employers was able to experience things I would have never gotten the officers to read: chance to experience in the corporate world, like flying in an “Lincoln On saw all of the F-16 Fighting Falcon. Leadership,” experience I had by Donald Phillips. (I highly recommend gained in such a short time. During my short years in the Air Force, I worked with reading this book). There are many more things that I the Secret Service, the President’s Press learned in a short five years and they canCorp, coordinated visits from the Deputy not be listed here, but you get the idea. Secretary of Defense, the President of the Many people believe that you have to United States, and four-star generals. In be a U.S. citizen in order to get into the my opinion, one year’s worth of experience in the military is equal to two or three military. Not entirely true. You do not years of experience in the corporate world. have to be a citizen to join any branch of the military. However, you do have to 2. I took advantage of the Montgomery GI Bill and obtained my MBA while in the have a green card and be here legally to join. military, which looked good to employers You also get priority over people who on the outside. The cost–nothing. It was didn’t serve in the military if you choose completely free through the military. to become a U.S. citizen. 3. I learned discipline and a work In order to be an officer in the military, ethic that one rarely learns outside of the you do have to be a U.S. citizen. However, military. Employers knew this and knew I enlisted military members do not have that would be an asset to their organization. 4. I learned to be a leader. Whether you requirement. I worked with many enlisted members become an officer or enlisted, the military grinds this one characteristic into you–that who were not citizens and were in the process of gaining their citizenship. you are a leader. They teach you all the In conclusion, I want to state that the skills to be an effective leader and conjob that I currently have now as a tinually cultivate these skills. Employers Public Affairs Officer for the U.S. are looking for leaders, and they know the Forest Service is a direct result military produces leaders. 5. Having moved around in the military of the experience I gained in the military. and working in many different cultures The skills I learned with different people, I was able to illuswhile in the military are trate to employers how flexible I was and how I can become part of team quickly. In all skills I use now–from graphic and web design, the military, you don’t have a choice–you learn to work well in teams. The corporate to public relations strate-

gies and tactics, to knowing how to work well with others and be part of a team. The experience and education I took advantage of while in the military opened many more doors than I ever could have imagined. Beyond the experience I gained, serving as an Air Force officer gave me a tremendous sense of pride, meaning, joy, and satisfaction. These are some of the things you might not find so quickly in the corporate world. If you are interested in finding out more information about the different branches of military, take a look at each of their websites or talk to a recruiter. Personally, I favor the Air Force since that is how I grew up and eventually served in myself, so I am a bit biased. However, many of the same perks are offered by all branches of the military. Each branch also has their own characteristics and individual esprit de corps, so choose which one most likely reflects your personality. To all the Veterans out there who have served or are serving today, thank you for your service, dedication, and sacrifice. What you do for us today enables our freedoms tomorrow. Thank you.

u JOB-HUNTING MYTHS You’ve probably heard

every single one of these ,

but that doesn ’ t make them any more true . dispel the myths !

........................ 1

u ON-CAMPUS INTERVIEWS This is your chance

B Y U H C a r e e r s e rv i c e s n e ws l e t t e r O c to b e r

2008

Issue 14

to get in front of the people who make the decision to hire !

now !...........................

u TOUGH

JOB MARKET?

The economy

has taken

a tumble and jobs may be scarce

or are they ?

here ’ s some tips on how to secure a job in tough times

.......................... 3

Fostering the development of lifelong career management a n d p r o f e s s i o n a l l e a d e r s h i p c a pa b i l i t i e s .

14 Myths & Misconceptions of Job-hunting by Randall S. Hansen, Ph.D.

How much of a job-hunting expert are you? Read over these 14 myths and misconceptions about job-hunting and see how many of them you believed in and how many you knew were incorrect. Once you know the truths about job-hunting, you should have

more job search success -- and less stress.

Myth 1: Registering at Several Internet Job Boards Will Result in Multiple Job Offers.

One of the most prevalent misconceptions in jobhunting is that job-hunting on the Web is some

magic elixir that will result in employers lining up to interview you. While jobhunting on the Web should be one component of a job search for most jobseekers, it should not be viewed as having any higher success rates than applying to help-wanted ads in the newspaper or trade magazines. Only about 5 percent of jobseekers obtain jobs through ads.

Myth 2: Want Ads and Other Job Postings Represent the Majority of Jobs Available.

At the very most -- and some say this number is too high -- only about 15-20 percent of all available jobs are ever publicly advertised in any medium. The vast majority of job openings are part of the “hidden” or “closed” job market. And the higher the position and salary, the less likely the position will be advertised at all. How can job-seekers discover these jobs? Through networking. Networking is by far the most effective job search tool you can use. Networking is all about building relationships with people who can help you in your job search; See

HUNTING, Page 2 1

On Campus Interviews STUDENTS MUST UPLOAD RESUME AND REQUEST AN INTERVIEW THROUGH YCAREERS

WALGREENS

When: Nov. 4, 2008, 9am – 4:30pm What: Interviewing for Retail Management internship Salary Level: $13 to $15 per hour Location: Nationwide, US Students Eligible: Grad date from Dec. 2009 - Aug. 2010; GPA: 2.5; All majors; Sophmore, Junior, Seniors only; Work Authorization: US Citizen, US Permanent Resident Deadline: Last day to sign up is Nov. 1, 2008 What: Walgreens is also interviewing for Retail Management Trainee, which is a management position. Salary Level: Varies nationwide Location: Nationwide, US Students Eligible: Grad. date from Dec. 2008 - Aug. 2009; GPA: 2.5; All majors; Seniors only; Work Authorization: US Citizen, US Permanent Resident. Deadline: Last day to sign up is Nov. 1, 2008

HUNTING, From Page 1 it doesn’t mean that you need to ask everyone you know if they have a job for you.

Myth 3: Job-Seekers Who Change Jobs Often are Frowned Upon by Employers.

The notion of “job-hoppers,” those jobseekers who had multiple jobs with short stays listed on their resumes, has been disappearing for years. Ever since the great “downsizing” and “rightsizing” of companies during the 1980s and 1990s, employers have recognized that there rarely is any logical progression -- or corporate ladder -- within any one company anymore. To get ahead and gain new skill sets, job-seekers often need to make multiple moves. Avoid really short stints -- under a year -- but otherwise don’t be too concerned with moving around. And if you are concerned, focus on your transferable skills with a functional rather than chronological resume.

Myth 4: A Cover Letter is Not as Important as Other Job-Hunting Materials.

Every time you apply for a job, you should send a cover letter written specifically for the position and company you are applying to. The only exception to this rule is when the employer explicitly states that it does not want a cover letter. A cover letter, also known as a letter of introduction or letter of application, must be an integral part of your job-search strategy. A resume is useless to an employer if s/he doesn’t know what kind of job you are seeking. A cover letter tells the employer exactly what job you are seeking -- and how you are uniquely qualified for that position.

Myth 5: A Resume Must Show a Logical Progression of Jobs and Increased Responsibility. The most important part of a resume is showing that you have the skills, education (or training), and experience that the employer seeks. Most employers will spend less than 20 seconds reviewing your resume, which means you need to focus on the key components of your resume that will result in getting a job interview.

Myth 6: As Long as You’re Sending out Cover Letters and Resumes, You’ll Get Interviews.

“

Most employers will spend less than 20 seconds reviewing your resume, which means you need to focus on the key components of your resume that will result in getting a job interview.

”

Maybe in the tightest of job markets, or maybe if you are only applying to specific positions for which you are perfectly qualified, will this kind of passive job-search strategy produce any job interviews. Job-seekers must be proactive in your job search. You must follow-up every job lead. Call employers and request an interview. If you are under-qualified for a position or changing careers, request an interview anyway. You may not be qualified for that specific position, but the employer may have other openings (or know of other openings).

Myth 7: Lowering Your Salary Demands Will Make You a More Attractive Job Candidate. Job-seekers should never lower reasonable salary demands because doing so will

just make you appear desperate for the job -- and will likely result in your not getting the job offer. And even if you got the offer and accepted it, you would most likely never be happy in your job or with your employer because you would feel you were cheated out of the salary you deserved. As long as your salary demands are within acceptable range for the job you’re seeking as well as the industry and location of the employer, stick to them. And never be the first to bring up salary; let the employer raise the issue.

Myth 8: If You Can’t Schedule Job Interviews Between 9 am and 5 pm You’re Out of Luck. While it’s certainly true that a majority of job interviews are conducted during traditional business hours, employers will certainly find time during “off-hours” to interview desirable job-seekers. And it’s often better to interview during these times because there are fewer distractions.

Myth 9: The Most Qualified JobSeekers Get the Best Jobs.

Probably the biggest misconception about interviewing, it is not always the best qualified person who gets the job, but the job-seeker with the best mix of qualifications, interviewing skills, and rapport with his or her interviewer(s). So, don’t be too cocky if you feel See

HUNTING, Page 3

“Wherever thou art, do best thy part.” ~Anonymous

HUNTING, From Page 2

apply to themselves those principles that companies have used for years to successfully sell their products.

you are the most qualified person for the job - and don’t be too discouraged if you don’t feel you exactly match up with the job. If you get a job interview, it’s because the employer thinks there is a strong enough match of your skills, education, and experience to do the job -- and at the interview, you need to prove why you are the best person to fill the job.

Myth 13: It Takes One Month of Job Searching for Every $10,000 of Current Salary.

Myth 10: Headhunters and Executive Recruiters Have Your Best Interests at Heart. Headhunters and executive recruiters get paid by the companies that hire them to fill their open positions, so where exactly is their loyalty? With their client companies, of course. Recruiters will not market job-seekers to companies; instead, they try to fit job-seekers into well-defined positions with the companies that employ their services.

Myth 11: Changing Careers is Nearly Impossible.

As the workplace continues to change and evolve, more and more people will change careers in their lifetimes -- and many will change careers multiple times. As long as you have a plan and do your best to stick with it, you should be able to switch careers. That said, switching careers is not easy. It takes much effort to switch careers and may involve getting more education (or training), getting experience in the new career field, and focusing on how the skills you currently possess transfer to the new career field.

Myth 12: Job-Seekers Should Not Have to Sell Themselves to Employers.

For better or worse, job-hunting is all about marketing yourself to employers -- which often means using some key selling skills to close the deal and get the job offer. You are the product, and you need to show the employer why you are the best product for the job. In today’s job-hunting environment, the most successful job-seekers are those who understand the value of marketing and

No one seems to know where this calculation comes from -- and no one has ever substantiated it. The fact is that every job search is different. And external factors such as the economy and demand for your particular set of skills and experiences will impact your search time. Noted career expert Richard Bolles (of What Color is Your Parachute?) states in a Q&A conducted with him: “I think people adopt unrealistic guesstimates about how long their job hunt is going to take. We should expect that our job-hunt may take months, but if we persevere, we will find a job.”

Myth 14: When Times are Tough, Take the First Job Offer You Get.

In all my years of experience, the one truth is that job-hunting is streaky. You’ll have weeks where you interview for positions and you are sure you’ll get an offer and no offer ever comes, and then there will be weeks when you get multiple interviews and perhaps multiple offers. Should you take the first job offer that comes along? Only if you are sure that the job and the compensation represent the right career move. If not, a better offer will come along -- and as long as you are not about to lose your house or suffer other financial or emotional consequences, you should hold out for the job offer that best fits the direction you want to move in.

Tips on securing a job in

Tough Economic Times By Tory Johnson

We’ve lost 760,000 jobs since January and unemployment is at a five-year high. Yet hiring across the country has hardly come to a complete halt. Jobs exist, but fewer openings and more competition mean they’re not all easy to come by. If you’re out of work, your task is to get into “extreme job search” mode.

Drop the selfimposed limitations.

While everyone has specific standards on where and when they’d like to work, be wary of limiting your chances with thoughts such

as “I can only work in this industry. I can only accept a job at this salary level. I can only work this particular shift.” The more flexible you are and the more diverse your outreach efforts, the more opportunity you’ll have to choose from.

Maintain a clear focus. Don’t say, “I’ll take

anything.” Nobody will hire someone who’s desperate. You might tell five different companies that you have five different goals, but you want to maintain razorlike focus with each of them. Mask any sense of panic or despera-

tion because a confident and upbeat person will get hired before the one who’s sulking because of baggage.

Explore opportunities within your functional area of expertise as well as your industry. For ex-

ample, an accountant at a CPA firm could explore positions at other firms or in-house accounting positions at corporations. That accountant could also apply her expertise in another direction such as recruiting because she’s been in the trenches and knows what’s involved in the role so she could assist firms in finding good talent. See

TIPS, Page 4 3

TIPS, From Page 3 Look at alternative sources for job leads. Don’t rely solely on job boards. For example, LinkedIn.com has new jobs posted daily even though it’s not a job board. I send out weekly job leads with the e-mail addresses of the recruiters on my free Twitter feed (twitter.com/toryjohnson) Attend career fairs and open houses that are advertised in the Help Wanted section or online even if you’re not excited about the participating employers. You never know whom you’ll meet, so keep an open mind. Respond to “overqualified.” Don’t look like a deer in the headlights when someone says you’re overqualified. Normally applicants simply hang up or move on. They don’t respond with an attempt to get the recruiter to reconsider. Push back ever so gently, but firmly, and say, “One benefit of someone with my experience is that I’ve been around long enough to know better than to apply for a position where I’d be bored. I’ve researched this opportunity and I’m confident that you’d be pleasantly surprised at what a good match I’d be, so I’m hoping we can continue this dialogue. I don’t mind giving you more experience than you need because I’d use it to help mentor others.” Clearly label a career change. If you’re switching fields, make sure the objective summary on your resume reflects that desired shift.

Don’t rely on your resume to sell yourself. Focus on putting your face to your resume. After you apply online, find someone at the company to connect with. Use professional organizations, alumni relations, LinkedIn. com, friends, family, former colleagues and so on to find someone who works at the company you’re targeting. Internal referrals can help you get noticed. If you can’t find one, then cold-call the person you’d be working for to express your strong interest in the position and be ready to explain why you’d be an asset. Rehearse before calling.

Never put all your eggs in one basket. One job might seem

great, but don’t rely on it. You must have lots of sticks in the fire at any given time. Register with local placement agencies and headhunters in your area, but don’t rely on them to get you a job. You must rely only on yourself to make it happen. Tory Johnson is the workplace contributor on “Good Morning America” and the CEO of Women for Hire. Her Web site is www.womenforhire. com. Copyright © 2008 ABC News Internet Ventures

u TICK-TOCK TICK-TOCK Can you introduce yourself in 30 seconds ? it ’ s not as easy as it sounds , but it ’ s doable ....................... 1 u INTERVIEWS ARE COMING This is your chance

B Y U H C a r e e r s e rv i c e s n e ws l e t t e r O c to b e r

2008

Car e Thu er Fa ir r Can 10a sday non m-1p Act m ivit y C

Issue 13

to get in front of the people who make the decision to hire !

now !...........................

u 30-SECOND Find

TEMPLATE

out how to create

a basic

30-second

introduction of yourself so you ’ re prepared when you talk to

recruiters ..................

Fostering the development of lifelong career management a n d p r o f e s s i o n a l l e a d e r s h i p c a pa b i l i t i e s .

You’ve Got

Thirty seconds. That’s all you’ve got. In 30 seconds, you must be able to tell a recruiter who you are, where you come from, what you’ve done, and—most importantly—how it relates to the advertised job. This is the moment where your salesperson skills have to kick into high gear and where you sell your most important product—you. Oh, and by the way, this 30 seconds has to come off as relaxed, unrehearsed, wellprepared and impressive. I know, it sounds difficult—but it’s doable.

These 30-second introductions are sometimes referred to as “Elevator Statements” or your “Personal 30-Second Commercial.” The elevator name comes from the idea that if you are in the situation where you are introducing yourself to someone in the elevator, you only have about half a minute to do so before the elevator stops and either you or the other person steps out. Therefore, your introduction must be concise, brief and to the point.

These statements are used when talking to recruiters at career fairs, at networking events, when meeting someone for the first time, in a cover letter, and even during job interviews. “This information is useful when interviewing and asked the standard ‘Tell us about yourself’,” said Kim Austin, director of BYU Hawaii Career Services. “It is critical to have thought See 30

SECONDS, Page 2

1 See

7 TIPS, Page 2

On Campus Interviews STUDENTS MUST UPLOAD RESUME AND REQUEST AN INTERVIEW THROUGH YCAREERS

WALGREENS

30-second guideline, but just remember to keep it concise and don’t ramble on. You won’t be able to fit absolutely everything in that you through a way to introduce yourself and your would normally like to, but most of the time abilities directly related to the job at hand. I the person you are talking to will probe for notice in many interviews that only a handful more information later anyway. The 30-second of candidates take advantage of relating their introduction is like a quick headline and short personal introduction with story that captures the the job they are interviewing interest of the person in front for. Most candidates just do It is critical to have thought of you so they will want to the usual life story approach through a way to introduce know more. and never connect their yourself and your abilities Also something to keep in intro to the job they are directly related to the job mind is that when you are in an interviewing for.” interview and the interviewer at hand. So what exactly should asks, “Tell me about yourself,” you include in your 30 Kim Austin your introduction should seconds of introduction? CAREER SERVICES Director probably last a bit longer, First and foremost—your between 30-60 seconds. This name. Always introduce is like an expanded version of yourself with a firm your 30-second elevator speech. handshake and your name. You will then want Now that you get the gist of what can be some to include such things as your objective, your of the most important seconds of your life, how strengths, how you achieved those strengths, do you develop this spectacular statement of who your passions, how these things apply to the you are? Bill Brady, director of Career Services job, and remember, this has to be short and to for the Marriott School of Management in Provo, the point. This means practice is absolutely essential so that Utah, developed a template to help you out. Lucky you, we have provided that template on you can fit everything you want to within those 30 the next page (pg. 3). seconds and still appear relaxed and unrehearsed. So, get started because the career fair is only Now, there is no concrete rule that this has to stay within the 30-second time limit, but that is a two days away and it’s going to take more than a minute or two to develop your 30-second good rule of thumb to guide yourself by. personal commercial! Many times you will go beyond the

30 SECONDS, From Page 1

“

”

Fall career fair Thursday, 10am-1pm, Cannon Activity Center

“Counsel with the lord in all thy doings, and he will direct thee for good...” ~Alma 37:37

How to develop your 30-second commercial Use the template questions below to help you plan out an introductory statement to use in a variety of settings. Think about the different ways you could use an introductory statement (ie, at career fairs, at networking events and social functions, to answer the “tell me about yourself” request in an interview, or to introduce yourself at a meeting or conference) and plan out possible introductory statements for each.

Who am I? (ex: Hello, my name is ... )

Why am I talking to you? (ex: Referral’s name) suggested that I speak with you. / I’ve been trying to meet you.)

What is my objective? (ex: I am interested in advancing my career in operational management.)

What are my strengths? (ex: I have five years management experience and will complete my Bachelors degree in April. I have been effective in problem solving, collaboration, leadership, and increasing profit margins.)

What are my passions? (ex: I enjoy working with a team to improve processes and solve difficult problems.)

How do these apply to your company / industry / location? (ex:I am confident my abilities to assist an organization improve its operational processes, reduce costs, and achieve its operational objectives.)

What do I want from you? (ex: I am especially interested in company / industry / location and would like to learn more about operational management functions within your company / industry / location.)

Now, put it all together, reduce the number of “I” uses, and rehearse it until it sounds natural and unscripted. SOURCE: Information adapted from Bill Brady’s ( BYU Marriott School) presentation and a reference sheet from the University of Delaware MBNA Career Center.

u WELCOME 2 SALES In

B Y U H C a r e e r s e rv i c e s n e ws l e t t e r

an ocean of people

competing for the same

jobs , can you stand out from the crowd ?

On us s p m ew Ca rvi te In

........ 1

u INTERVIEWS ARE COMING This is your chance

September

2008

Issu e 1 2

to get in front of the people who make the decision to hire !

now !...........................

u TIP OF

THE WEEK

Got ideas?

creative

solutions to business problems can help you build a sweet

reputation ...................

Fostering the development of lifelong career management a n d p r o f e s s i o n a l l e a d e r s h i p c a pa b i l i t i e s .

Tips to

SELLING YOURSELF Most people shrink away from sales jobs, because let’s face it—sales jobs are tough. You have to convince a person you have never met or have no relationship with to buy a product that you might not even buy yourself. You have to know how to market the product, introduce the product, illustrate how the product will be beneficial to the buyer, package the product, and then close the sale. But what if the product were you? In essence, every time you apply for a job, you are entering the sales world. You become one product in an ocean of products vying for the same attention from employers. It’s all or nothing, so regardless of what you’re majoring in and the technical skills you have, you have to become a pro at selling yourself. Here’s seven tips to get you started, and welcome to the sales team:

Assess Your Soft Core Competencies

This is all about doing some soul-searching and trying to identify what your strengths are when it comes to what applicable experience you have to offer straight out of college. You need to look at things like internships you have completed, team-building exercises See

7 TIPS, Page 2 1

On Campus Interviews STUDENTS MUST UPLOAD RESUME AND REQUEST AN INTERVIEW THROUGH YCAREERS

U.S. CENSUS BUREAU DEPT. of COMMERCE

When: Oct. 17, 2008 9am – 4:45pm What: Interviewing for multiple positions: Statistician/Analyst, Mathematical Statistician, Info. Technology Specialist, Geographer, Cartographer. Salary Level: $26,264 to $75,025 Location: Maryland, US Students Eligible: Grad. date from Jan.2000 - Jan.2014, All majors and class levels, Work Authorization: US Citizen Deadline: Last day to sign up is Oct. 10, 2008

NATIONAL SECURITY AGENCY

When: Oct. 20, 2008 9am – 4:45pm What: Computer Science Positions: Database Management, Real-time Interfaces, Information Resource Management, Graphics, Project Management, Executive Support, Telecommunications, Object-oriented Programming, Web Design, Information Systems Security. Salary Level: $52,659 to $70,000 Location: Maryland, US Students Eligible: Grad. date from May 2009- Dec. 2009, GPA: 3.0; Major: Computer & Information Science, Computer Science; Senior or Alumnus only; Work Authorization: US Citizen Deadline: Last day to sign up is Oct. 10, 2008

WALGREENS

7 TIPS, From Page 1 you participated in, and mentoring activities you’ve done. Many times it’s the intangibles that help sell an individual. The job market is a tough one these days and employers are looking for students who have done more than just attend class for four years. They are looking for leaders. They are looking for graduates who have gotten involved, shown initiative, and gone further than just getting a degree. Employers are looking for that student “product” that rises above the rest in the ocean of products.

Develop an Elevator Pitch

An elevator pitch is a brief selfmarketing statement that should be used at places like networking events, career fairs, conferences and brief encounters with recruiters. The pitch should essentially cover your resume, but focus in on about four key points that are designed to attract an employer’s attention. It’s important that your pitch sound unrehearsed and informal, so practice it over and over before something like a career fair. You can do this in the mirror or even deliver it to your answering machine so you can hear what you sound like. Remember, this is a huge part of selling “you,” so package the product well. This is the figurative “wrapping paper,” if you will, of who you are—a quick attractive representation that makes the employer want to tear off the paper and look inside.

Learn to Network

Salespeople look for leads. One of the most essential ways they find leads to sell their product is through people they already know. Networking is about building a web of relationships that can eventually lead you to a person who is looking for your specific product. In order to develop that web, you must attend things like career fairs, technical conferences, classes, and special networking events designed for students. Even students, instructors, career service staff, family members and campus activities can lead you to building a bigger web. This is about being out there and making an effort to being known. This is vital to marketing “you.” Just like catchy products on the TV, the more they are seen, the more they are known. You’ll be disappointed if you sit around and wait for something to happen, because it won’t. You

might know you are great and would be an asset to a company, but how will anyone else know if you don’t get out and about.

Seek a Support Structure

Not everyone knows how to market who they are. In order to do this, seek out things like career workshops or classes, school advisors, career service staff members and others who can teach you important skills that will polish you as a product. The Career Services office is essentially your one-stop-support-structure, because they offer free workshops on skills like interviewing, writing a resume, developing a cover letter, negotiating salary, career searches and many other career skills.

Know Your Audience

Selling yourself effectively means learning everything you can about a company, from the time you write a cover letter to interview day. Before you even talk to an employer, you must have researched the company, matched your skills with what they are looking for and be able to intelligently convey this message. If you approach an employer and haven’t done your homework before the meeting, it comes off as a salesperson who doesn’t even believe in their own product. If you don’t care enough about their company and the job they are offering to know about it in detail, why should they care to put your “product” on their “shelf” of employees.

Be a Closer

Closers are confident. To be successful in sales, you’ve got to be a closer. “No worries, I’m not going into sales,” you say to yourself. You couldn’t be more wrong. The closing moment is when you convince the employer to “buy in” and invest in you by offering you a job. This is the moment when all of your marketing efforts come to fruition and where you’ve got to be confident enough to ask an up-front question like, “Based on this interview, is there anything that would keep you from hiring me for this position?” Even if a job offer is not made at that point, it’s critical to send a follow-up note to the individuals you’ve met representing the company, thanking them for See

7 TIPS, Page 3

“Efforts and courage are not enough without purpose and direction.” ~John F. Kennedy

7 TIPS, From Page 2 their time. That’s not just being a closer, but also a classy closer.

Practice Patience

Finding a job takes a while, so don’t get down if one doesn’t come along right away. For new graduates in a tough job market, the average time to find a job and convince an employer to invest in you can be about four to six months. Howver, any good salesperson will keep in mind that perseverance is important to closing the sale and finding that job. Remember, there are hundreds of thousands of products (students) out there you are competing against that are trying to sell themselves to potential buyers (employers). You’ve got to be on the top of your selling game. The compensation in this game is straight commission—you get only what you’ve earned. If you don’t put effort into selling yourself, no one is going to buy what you’re selling—even if you are a great product.

Career planning starts with self-assessment Career advice for new graduates and entry-level job seekers

One of the biggest mistakes that individuals make in their careers is to go aimlessly through school or work in an entry-level position with no clear direction (goals). They wait until the homestretch — graduation, layoff, or departure — before taking a stab at other opportunities. Finding a well-paying job or locating opportunities for advancement shouldn’t be treated as an afterthought, rather one that has been planned and prepared for months or years. Preparation, preparation, and more preparation! Imagine signing up for a marathon and waiting until the day prior to begin preparing for the race. Obviously, you’re not ready because of lack of training, you didn’t seek the assistance of a coach or mentor, and you didn’t assess the resources you would need on the day of the race. Without proper preparation, what are your chances of completing the race? Like any serious step you’ll take in life, you must first determine the number of baby steps needed to get from one spot to the next. In other words, where are you headed and how will you get there? Outline every obstacle or challenge that will hinder your progress of taking these steps. Article by Brady Smith, Career Services consultant. Each small step (short-term goal) will take you closer to satisfying the big steps, known as long-term career goals. First, take a good look at the types of positions you’ve held to date along with your college major. Ask yourself, do I like where I’m at and where do I see myself in 5 years? Don’t be ashamed if you’re not sure. Visit your favorite job bank, type in keywords for your intended career field, and examine those positions to determine if any meet your satisfaction. Second, write down job and career goals (preferably 6 months before graduating or the start of your intended job search). Job goals pertain to the position you currently hold now, whereas, career goals are the “big picture” (e.g. career change in less than two years or targeting a six-figure salary). Research 2 or 3 positions that you would love to BE INNOVATIVE! Never be afraid to think outside of obtain TODAY along with those you’re striving for in a couple of the box and put your business acumen to work. Stay years. on the lookout for creative solutions to problems Third, prepare yourself, your credentials, and your résumé that will make you — and your based on your predetermined career opportunities and goals. boss — look good. When Prepare to go back to college, join business groups, serve on you are able to solve committees, or alter your résumé to encompass all (or any) problems and come up of these. with unconventional In a career journal, make notations of the positions that interest you along with the skills required for each. Add and non-traditional other entries pertaining to outstanding credentials, and ideas that work, miscellaneous obstacles in the order that’ll need to be compeople will seek pleted, with resolutions and proposed dates of completion. your advice and The object is to not stand still. Navigate your future by you can build a performing a self-assessment that will get you from a to z in reputation of a your career. Jay Block says it best in the book, The End of creative problem the Job Search, Mastering the Art of Career Design: “Definsolver who ing your career aspirations is an essential step in the process of knows how to transforming abstract thoughts into tangible realities. get things Everything ever accomplished by man or woman first started done. as a thought.” I challenge you to assess yourself and create a master plan … it’s ONLY your career!

Career

Tip of The Week

Article by Teena Rose, a certified and published resume writer with Resume to Referral ( http:// www.resumebycprw.com ) and author to “Résumé Designs & Job-search Strategies for College Grads” (published by CareerEpublications).

u GET LINKED! If you haven’t logged on to ycareers lately , you ’ re disconnected . get linked to employers and get on the right track ...........

u WINNING WORKSHOPS Cultivate your resume,

B Y U H C a r e e r s e rv i c e s n e ws l e t t e r September

2008

Issu e 11

interview and job search skills by attending free career workshops on campus

u TIP OF

....................... 2

THE WEEK

Money, money, money. should you only look for jobs that pay the big

bucks ? here ’ s some insider information

................ 2

Fostering the development of lifelong career management a n d p r o f e s s i o n a l l e a d e r s h i p c a pa b i l i t i e s .

YCareers: Linking Students to Employers From on-campus employment to postgraduation careers, YCareers opens the door to a world of career opportunities and guidance for students. It is the main system employers use to interact with BYU-Hawaii students and post job opportunities on and off campus, local, nationally and internationally. The Career Services Office launched YCareers in August 2007 specifically for students to interact with employers, recruiters, internship coordinators and career advisors. In short, it’s the mechanism students can use to jump-start their path toward a quality career. Students can log on to YCareers at http:// apps.byuh.edu/career/YCareers.php by using their Student I.D. number and CES Net I.D. Once a student is logged in, they can view and sign up for on-campus interviews, submit resumes for critique and feedback, see when

employers are visiting campus and holding information sessions and find out which employers will be attending the career fair. For example, the next campus career fair is Oct. 16, which will feature employers that offer career opportunities locally, nationally and internationally. Employers actually register for the career fair through YCareers, and students can view which employers will be attending by logging into YCareers and clicking on “Events” in the top navigation bar and then selecting the Fall Career Fair link. Employers continue to register to attend the career fair all the way up to the week before the actual fair, so check back regularly to see which employers have signed up. YCareers is also now the main system that the university uses to post on-campus employment opportunities, so if you’re

interested in a convenient job on campus, YCareers is where you should be looking. YCareers is actually part of a online information system that is networked with more than 600 other universities, so employers from all over the world post jobs for BYU-Hawaii students to view and respond to if interested. Through YCareers, students are also able to RSVP to workshops, and career advisors also use YCareers to set up appointments with students and help them with things such as choosing a major, figuring out what types of careers will be fulfilling and satisfying, interview skills, career goals and more. The Career Services Office is just to the right of the Cafeteria entrance and staff can be reached at 675-3533 or by e-mail at careerservices@byuh.edu. Article by Brady Smith, Career Services consultant.

Hot Jobs Career Services receives hundreds of job postings a week in YCareers. We try to pick some of the top jobs of the week and list them here. To see more, log in to YCareers.

Food Service Manager

Employer: Lanakila Rehab Cntr. Location: Honolulu, HI (Hickam) Salary: Negotiable YCareers Job I.D. # 3224

Human Resource Mngr.

Employer: City & County of Hon. Location: Honolulu, HI Salary: $5,110 per month YCareers Job I.D. # 3220

Marketing Analyst

Employer: Washington Mutual Location: San Francisco, CA Salary: Info Unavailable YCareers Job I.D. # 3207

Management Trainee

Employer: Meltwater Group Location: San Francisco, CA Salary: $66,000 annual YCareers Job I.D. # 3184

Solutions Specialist

Employer: Reynolds & Reynolds Location: Nationwide Salary: Info Unavailable YCareers Job I.D. # 3148

Work the workshops Why Attend a Workshop? Okay, so YCareers connects you to jobs and employers, but have you multiplied the power of YCareers by using it for more than just looking for a job? Another synergistic component of the system is the Workshops Module. Career workshops range in topics from building a good resume and interviewing skills to how you go about looking for a job and finding that specific job that matches who you are or who you want to become. Workshops are a great way to build or sharpen your career skills and a useful tool in helping you figure out what you want to eventually do. Many people don’t know where to start or what they should do after they graduate, but that is exactly what workshops help you figure out. For example, the Do What You Are (DWYA) Workshop incorporates personality tests and exercises that help you narrow down specific careers that will interest you. Many students never take advantage of this valuable, and potentially life-changing, workshop. These kinds of workshops can usually cost upwards of hundreds of dollars to business professionals, but are free to BYU-Hawaii students -- which is another great reason to take

advantage of this valuable resource.

How Do I Sign Up? After logging in to your YCareers account, you can click on the “Events” button in the top navigation bar and then on the “Workshops” folder tab. A list will be displayed that will show every workshop coming up. Clicking on the title of the workshop will allow you to see a brief description of the workshop, as well as the start and end times and location. There will also be an RSVP button at the bottom of that page. If you are interested in attending the workshop you should click the RSVP button, which will allow the workshop instructors to see how many are expected to attend and which students.

Career

Log in to your YCareers account and go to “Search Jobs & Interviews” in the top navigation bar for a complete list of job postings. Choose “YCareers Jobs and Interviews” for job postings looking specifically for BYUH students.

Tip of The Week

After you have RSVP’d to a workshop, a small green check mark will appear in the RSVP column of the main Workshop page, which is there as a quick reminder to the workshops you have already RSVP’d to. Sometimes you may have to cancel, but that is a snap as well. All you have to do is click on the title of the specific workshop you already RSVP’d to, which will take you to the description page of the workshop. There will be a Cancel RSVP button at the bottom of that page, which will clear your RSVP. Something to keep in mind about RSVPing to a workshop: if you do end up RSVPing, instructors expect you to attend because they prepare lessons for a certain number of people. Besides, it’s just not professional if you decide to ditch at the last minute.

Money isn’t everything. Don’t look for jobs that just pay well, because that is all you may end up with in the end -- money and misery. It’s important to look for a career that is personally satisfying, challenging, parallel to your personality, and at the same time compensates you appropriately for your skills. Wealth is a by-product of being happy and passionate about what you do. Focus first on doing what you are and not so much on the salary or surface perks of the job.

“Faith means living with uncertainty -- feeling your way through life, letting your heart guide you like a lantern in the dark.” ~Dan Millman

u ON-CAMPUS STUDENT

EMPLOYMENT

Thinking

about getting

a job on campus to supplement your academic and personal life ? check this out

..................... 1

u APPLY YOURSELF Applying for an on - campus job just got easier , because we have the step - by - step list on how to do it ............... 2 u TIP OF

B Y U H C a r e e r s e rv i c e s n e ws l e t t e r August

2008

Issue 10

THE WEEK

Quick!...list all of

your

accomplishments in the past year . what , you

couldn ’ t remember them all ? here ’ s how

.......... 3

Fostering the development of lifelong career management a n d p r o f e s s i o n a l l e a d e r s h i p c a pa b i l i t i e s .

On-Campus Jobs: A How-To-Get-One Guide & more Almost every student will encounter the age-old question of whether they should get a job while going to school or not. After all, a job means more money, and more money means you can do a little more with your personal life—maybe even afford to take that special someone out on a date for some yummy Spam musubi and shave ice (transporting them on your bicycle, of course). You might even be wondering if it’s a good idea to get a job while going to school because it may take time away from studying. However, “studies have shown that students who have a part-time job and work less than 20 hours a week do better academically than those who do not work,” said Kim Austin, director of Career Services for BYU-Hawaii. “It teaches students to prioritize and manage time as

further and wonder no more! BYU-Hawaii well as develop good work habits.” has streamlined the process for students Not only does it teach all of these great and this entire newsletter is dedicated to habits, it also gives you more experience and skills to place on helping you through the your resume when the process of landing that Studies have shown that time comes to find a on-campus job. students who have a partcareer after graduating. First and foremost, you time job and work less than Having a job while going need to access your student 20 hours a week do better to school emphasizes to account in YCareers. possible future employers YCareers is a BYU-Hawaii academically than those who how dedicated and Career Services online do not work. responsible you are. It also database which students Kim Austin and employers use to demonstrates that you can CAREER SERVICES Director connect, communicate and “multi-task,” an essential collaborate in regards to skill for today’s workplace. jobs. It allows students to So now that you see view job postings, sign up for on-campus how beneficial a part-time job can be, you are probably wondering how you can get a convenient job on campus. Look no See ON-CAMPUS JOBS, Page 2

“

”

Hot Jobs Career Services receives hundreds of job postings a week in YCareers. We try to pick some of the top jobs of the week and list them here. To see more, log in to YCareers.

Account Mngr Trainee

Employer: Reynolds & Reynolds Location: Nationwide Salary: Info unavailable YCareers Job I.D. # 2966

International Internship

Employer: Alfa Fellowship Prgm Location: Moscow, Russia Salary: Stipend YCareers Job I.D. # 2934

Student Employment

Employer: BYU-Hawaii Location: On campus Salary: See job descriptions YCareers Job I.D. # 2967-3025

Environmental Internship Employer: Hawaii Youth Conservation CORPS Location: Honolulu, HI Salary: $1,250/month YCareers Job I.D. # 2908

Business Growth Strgst Employer: J&L Marketing Inc. Location: Nationwide Salary: Base plus commission YCareers Job I.D. # 2880 Log in to your YCareers account and go to “Search Jobs & Interviews” in the top navigation bar for a complete list of job postings. Choose “YCareers Jobs and Interviews” for job postings looking specifically for BYUH students.

ON-CAMPUS JOBS from Page 1 interviews, and view upcoming Career Services activities such as the Career Fair in October. It is also now the main means by which students can view and apply for on-campus jobs. To log in to your YCareers account, go to http:// apps.byuh.edu/career/YCareers.php and click on the “For Student” button. You will then use your CES Net I.D. and password to log on. If you have never logged on before, you will need to fill out some basic information under the “My Profile” tab to be able to navigate further into your account, so make sure you do that right away. The process of applying for an on-campus job is actually very simple, but it does take some preparation on your part. Any job posted in the YCareers database, including on-campus jobs, requires you to have an approved resume uploaded to your account before you can proceed any further in your job search. Career Services advisors can help you fine-tune your resume and are the ones who actually approve your resume once you have a logged in to your YCareers account and uploaded the document under the My Documents tab. After you have uploaded your resume and any other documents that may be required, advisors will see it in the system and click the approve button. (Hint: If you need help creating a resume, use OptimalResume, an online resume-builder tool that you can access from the Career Services website.) On-campus jobs vary from department to department, and the various forms you need to fill out and upload will also vary, depending on the job and what that specific department requires. Students can find the forms required on the Human Resources website (http:// hr.byuh.edu) by clicking on links in the “Student Employment” box in the center of the page. “Students must attach a resume, a completed BYUH student employment application and any

necessary clearance forms,” said Director Austin. “Individual departments may also list other documents they want submitted, such as class schedules, transcripts, samples of work and others, so it’s important that the student reads the requirements carefully.” Once students apply for an on-campus job through YCareers, the employer (manager) reviews all the applicants and invites the ones they want to interview. After all of the interviews have been done and a selection has been made, the manager will submit a Recommend for Hire form to Human Resources on your behalf. If approved, the manager will notify the student applicant to go to Human Resources to finalize paperwork and set up a time to attend New Hire Orientation. The orientation is mandatory, because no one is officially hired until that orientation class has been completed. What do you mean by mandatory, you ask? That means, if you don’t go to the orientation, you won’t be on payroll, which means you won’t get any money, which means you can say goodbye to the Spam musubi, shave ice and that cute little date you had planned. Article by Brady Smith, Career Services consultant.

How to apply for on-campus employment Logging into YCareers

1. Go to http://apps.byuh.edu/ career/YCareers.php and click on the For Student button. 2. Enter your CES Net I.D. and password and click Go.

Searching for on-campus jobs

1. Click Search Jobs & Interviews along the top navigation bar, then click YCareers Jobs & Interviews. 2. In the “Position Type”

filter, click the down arrow and choose On Campus Student Employment, then click Search. 3. A list of open student positions will show up in a list. To view detailed information, click the job title of the position you are interested in. 4. On the right hand side of the page will be application information and the documents you will need to apply. To return to the main list, click the Back button in the YCareers system.

Before applying for an on-campus job

1. In order to apply, you MUST first submit a resume and have it approved a. Once you have written and saved your resume, login to YCareers and click the My Documents tab on the top navigation bar b. Click Add New c. In the “Label” section, write your name and “Resume” See HOW

TO, Page 3

“ In three words I can sum up everything I’ve learned in life: It Goes On.” ~Robert Frost

HOW TO from Page 2 (i.e. John Smith Resume) d. For “Document Type”, choose Resume. e. In the section labeled “File”, click the Browse button in order to select your saved resume. f. Click Submit at the bottom. g. Your resume will then go into the Pending Documents section until approved (A Career Advisor will review your resume within one business day and you will receive an email notification of your file status). 2. You MUST also upload a Student Employment Application for each job you are applying for. a. To access the form, click University Services on the BYU Hawaii homepage (www.byuh.edu) → then click Human Resources → Under the section labeled Student Employment, right click on Employment Application → Click Save Target As → Name the file your name and then “Application” (i.e. John Smith Application) and save in appropriate file location. b. After saving application, open and fill out by typing in your information. c. For the “Application Signature” on the application, you have two options: Option 1: Print & Sign Form: Print out form → handsign application → Scan document (scanners can be found in the Career Center and the library) → Upload application in YCareers in the My Documents section (Make sure to label appropriately and choose Other Documents as the “Document Type”). Option 2: Digitally sign form: In the opened PDF application form, click the Sign button on the top taskbar → Click Place Signature → Click “OK” in the pop up box and then use your mouse to outline a box in the field labeled “Application Signature” on the form → Click Sign in the pop up window → Choose the third option (“Create a self-signed…..) and click Next → Click Next again → fill out name and email address and click Next → Click Browse to save appropriately, create a password and type in twice and click Finish → type in password (as long as

digital ID is yours) and click Sign → Click Save → Once signed, save document and upload to YCareers in the My Documents section (Make sure to label appropriately and choose Other Documents as the “Document Type”). 3. If you are an IWES student, you must also fill out the IWES Clearance Form. a. IWES Clearance form is found on the HR Website. b. Save form, fill out, print and take to IWES/Financial Services to obtain approval signature. c. Scan in form and upload to YCareers in the My Documents section (Make sure to label appropriately and choose Other Documents as the “Document Type”). 4. If you are applying for a second position on campus, you will also need to complete the “Clearance Form” found on the HR website. a. Save form, fill out, print and take to current supervisor to obtain approval signature. b. Scan in form and upload to YCareers in the My Documents section (Make sure to label appropriately and choose Other Documents as the “Document Type”). 5. Upload any other forms required for that position.

Applying for an On-Campus Position in YCareers

1. Login into YCareers and search for On Campus Student Employment openings (refer to step B). 2. Click job title of position applying for. 3. On the right hand side under “Application Status,” choose appropriate documents based on the notes requested from employer. 4. Click Submit. 5. Your information and documents will be sent to the supervisor/employer and you may then be contacted by email or phone regarding the job.

Career Tip of The Week When your performance report comes around, how can you show your boss what you have done? Will you be able to remember everything? No. As well, no one else is going to track your accomplishments, so make a spreadsheet and track everything as you go. For starters, include the name of the project, date, brief duties, accomplishments and the results. It’s not only helpful for raises and promotions, but can be personally satisfying.

u THE NEW STANDARD Are you doing everything you could be doing to ensure career success

after your college days ? start now !

................. 1

u HOT JOBS & MORE Check out this week’s

B Y U H C a r e e r s e rv i c e s n e ws l e t t e r August

2008

Issue 9

hottest jobs and see which employers are looking for you

u 4-YEAR

.......... 2

CHECKLIST

Regardless of what year you ’ re in school , this checklist will help you prepare for your future career

...................... 2

Fostering the development of lifelong career management a n d p r o f e s s i o n a l l e a d e r s h i p c a pa b i l i t i e s .

You, as college students, will face unlimited possibilities in the new millennium. You must, therefore, take advantage of opportunities while in school and excel academically. You must strive for at least a 3.0 cumulative grade point average; demonstrate leadership skills; participate in classroom projects which demonstrate skills; have good oral and written communication skills; learn to speak a second language such as Spanish; and have the technical skills needed to operate computers. As a second semester sophomore, junior, and senior, you should consider an internship or cooperative education. In most situations, internships are credit bearing. Co-op is always credit bearing and you may participate in the parallel or alternating programs. Parallel is when one works for an employer on a part-time basis and alternating is the full-time opportunity. Students may continue to pursue a fulltime academic course load. Experiences such as these help you to

gain marketable skills and give you an opportunity to have professional work experience in your major field of study. Thus, it provides valuable work experience needed for your resume. When you enter the college/university of your choice, one of the first places to visit should be the Career Services office. Seek information on the services provided, the kinds of programs offered to students, and when you should begin to use the different services. Maintain contact with the career counselors; attend workshops and seminars, employer information sessions, and career and job fairs. Also, apply for internships, co-ops, and summer research programs; participate in the campus recruitment program and review job announcements, which will provide you with information

on the kinds of opportunities available, and the kinds of skills sought by employers. The Internet has brought about a new way of searching for a job/career. Corporations, government agencies, and school systems have web pages for public use. You should take advantage of the opportunity to learn about employment opportunities, co-op, and internships. Resumes and cover letters can now be submitted to your employer of choice via the Internet. Professional employment is the ultimate goal of most students when they enter college. However, as freshmen, you should also consider whether or not you would like to pursue an advanced degree. Some of the undergraduate majors require that you obtain a master’s or doctoral degree. Graduate/professional

See MILLENNIUM, Page 2

Hot Jobs Career Services receives hundreds of job postings a week in YCareers. We try to pick some of the top jobs of the week and list them here. To see more, log in to YCareers.

Fin. Accounting Analyst Employer: Fed. Reserve System Location: Washington, D.C. Salary: $50,000-$142,000 YCareers Job I.D. # 2622

Software Developer

Employer: D.E. Shaw & Co., L.P. Location: California & New York Salary: Attractive YCareers Job I.D. # 2610

Telecoms Engineer Employer: Inmarsat Location: Haleiwa, HI Salary: Info unavailable YCareers Job I.D. # 2591

Executive Secretary

Employer: World Aviation Systems Location: Shenzhen, China Salary: Info unavailable YCareers Job I.D. # 2553

Multiple HTM positions

Employer: Hilton Waikoloa Village Location: Waikola, HI Salary: Varies, see listings YCareers Job I.D. # 2612-2620 Log in to your YCareers account and go to “Search Jobs & Interviews” in the top navigation bar for a complete list of job postings. Choose “YCareers Jobs and Interviews” for job postings looking specifically for BYUH students.

MILLENNIUM from Page 1 school is an option once you receive your bachelor’s degree. You must excel academically to receive the kind of financial assistance such as fellowships, stipend, and assistantships to pursue your advanced degree. Participate in graduate/professional school information days and group sessions when colleges and universities visit your campus to recruit students. Consider applying for summer research programs. Remember, that as students, you can never obtain too much information. Store all that you learn on paper and maintain a file of all information that is important to you and your future goals. At the end of your four years, you should be ready to move into a career or to pursue graduate/professional study. Article by Mary G. Johnson, Director of Career and Cooperative Education Services at Bowie State University. Used with permission from CNET Networks, Inc., Copyright 2008. All rights reserved.

Four-year career checklist for students What makes you tick? What major will fit you best? How will you find a good career? And how can you keep from going crazy trying to sort through this swirl of careerrelated questions? Many college students feel confused and overwhelmed by all of the career decisions they must make. Fortunately, there’s a strategy you can use to make the whole process a little easier on your nerves, and your brain: Pursue tangible career goals each year you’re in school. The following checklist will help you make better sense of the career development process and give you a reasonably easy way to move through it.

career (your work values); and what makes you, well, you (your personality). There are lots of ways to go about these tasks. You can: • Take a few career interest tests at your school’s career services office. • Work one-on-one with a career counselor. • Take a career planning course if one is available. • Ask other people in your life (e.g., family and friends) to help you identify your pertinent career related traits. You can also sign up for a few off-the-beaten-path

Freshman Year: Know Thyself

You have enough to worry about during your first year of school without trying to choose your life’s work on top of it all. So just start from the beginning: Get to know yourself first. What does that mean? In essence, it means learning what you enjoy doing (your interests); what you’re good at doing (your skills); what’s important to you in a future

academic courses, join a student organization, or start reading about various majors and careers -- all so you can explore potential new interests and learn new skills.

Sophomore Year: Explore What’s Out There

Once you reach sophomore year, you can start investigating major and career possibilities. How? • Learn about your school’s majors by reading the academic bulletin and talking to faculty in programs that sound interesting. Meet with a career counselor to learn about the types of careers various majors might lead to. • Talk to people who are working in careers that intrigue you. How did they prepare -both academically and experientially -- for their jobs? What advice do they have for you? • Get a part-time job or pursue a volunteer experience that somehow relates to a field that interests you. You’ll likely find that you’re ready to declare a major by the time your sophomore year is over. Though you can adjust the See CHECKLIST, Page 3

“ For everything you have missed, you have gained something else.” ~Ralph Waldo Emerson

CHECKLIST from Page 2 schedule as necessary if you need more time.

Junior Year: Get Experience

As you move through your junior year, you’ll want to focus primarily on gaining experience in your fields of interest. One of the most common ways of doing so is through an internship or co-op program, which you can set up with the help of a career counselor, professor or, in some cases, on your own. Similarly, you can gain experience through a related part-time job, a volunteer position or participation in a student organization. Junior year is also a good time to: • Develop a resume and cover letter, either on your own or with a career counselor’s help, and learn how to tailor each document to the

specific needs of specific employers. • Start researching companies or organizations you may like to work for someday. • Attend campus job fairs to get a sense of what the job hunt is like. • Try to develop alternate career options in case your initial major/ career choice doesn’t work out.

Senior Year: Search & Transition

You’ll spend most of your senior year focusing on your job hunt and the upcoming transition to the real world after graduation. What to do? • Continue getting experience through an internship, volunteer program or co-op. • Practice interviewing with a campus career counselor to become comfortable answering and asking employment-related questions.

• Put the finishing touches on your resume and cover letters. • Take a job search course if your school offers one. • Use your school’s career services office, Web sites like MonsterTRAK, newspapers and your network of connections to find job openings. • Research companies and organizations you’ll be interviewing with, prepare thoroughly for those interviews and land yourself a job! Checklist or not, you’re bound to feel overwhelmed during the process but try to keep things in perspective. You may have to modify the checklist to suit your unique needs, but remember that it can be a useful tool to help you successfully identify, prepare for and pursue the careers of your dreams. Article by Peter Vogt, MonsterTRAK Career Coach. Used with permission from monstertrack.com, Copyright 2008. All rights reserved.

u LOOKING FOR SKILLS You got skills! but which ones do you have , and

B YU H C a r e e r s e rv i c e s n e ws l e t t e r

do you have the skills employers are looking for ?

J u ly

......................... 1

2008

Issue 8

u HOT JOBS & MORE Check out this week’s hottest jobs and see which employers are looking for you

u TIP OF

.......... 2

THE WEEK

Don’t have

the

experience you need yet ? volunteering can help you fix that

...................... 2

Fostering the development of lifelong career management a n d p r o f e s s i o n a l l e a d e r s h i p c a pa b i l i t i e s .

general skills employers look for 0 1 Top Skills. There are all sorts of skills out there. People have typing skills, cooking skills, time-management skills, and many others. Dating skills… some got ‘em, some don’t. Basketball skills, personally, I never had those. Bodysurfing skills... check. But what about the skills employers value the most? How do you know what employers are looking for and how do you obtain those skills? There are essential skills that one must develop to be successful in the workplace, and the great thing about these skills is that they are all elements that you can learn, polish and maintain over your lifetime. True, there are certain skills that one must possess for a specific job, but beyond these job-specific technical skills, there are a set of general—but critical—skills that have been identified by numerous studies as ones which most employers look for in any candidate. Check out these top ten, and if you master these you are way ahead of the competition already.

Communication Skills : This includes

listening, verbal and written skills. These skills are mentioned as necessary

by the vast majority of employers, and successful communication is vital in any business or job.

Analytical & Research Skills : These kinds of skills

include your ability to assess situations, seek multiple perspectives, gather more information, identify key issues, and if you want to go the extra mile, come up with some possible solutions. These skills can help you streamline work processes and make improvements where others might have failed to do so.

Computer & Technical Literacy : Nearly every

job these days requires one to be savvy when it comes to operating a computer, using email and several other types of hardware or software programs. If you don’t know what email is by this point, you are way behind and you need to catch up—quick!

Flexibility & Adaptability :

“We’re short staffed.” Keep those words in your mind, because you will hear them throughout your career life. See TOP

10, Page 2

Hot Jobs Career Services receives hundreds of job postings a week in YCareers. We try to pick some of the top jobs of the week and list them here. To see more, log in to YCareers.

TOP 10 from Page 1 Every organization seems to be short-staffed at one time or another (or all of the time), which means you have to be a person that has a “lean forward” type of personality and can step up to the plate. You must learn to roll with the punches, be flexible and then adapt to the stress any job can throw at you. And remember, it helps if you don’t take things so serious all the time.

INTerpersonal abilities : There’s one in every

office—the guy or gal that just doesn’t want to fit in (or can’t seem to fit in). Your ability to relate to your co-workers, inspire others to participate and mitigate conflict is essential given the amount of time spent at work each day. After all, your workplace really becomes your second family so it’s important that you’re viewed as a person that can “play well with others.”

Personnel Specialists

Account Executive

Employer: HI Dept. of Education Location: Honolulu, HI Salary: Info unavailable YCareers Job I.D. # 2534-2537 Employer: Fisher Investments Location: Portland or Vancouver Salary: Base plus commission YCareers Job I.D. # 2492

Employment Counselor Employer: Goodwill Industries Location: Aiea, HI Salary: Info unavailable YCareers Job I.D. # 2538

Teacher

Employer: Hakipu’u Learning Cntr Location: Kaneohe, HI Salary: Info unavailable YCareers Job I.D. # 2532

Multicultural Sensitivity : BYU Hawaii

is the quintessential proving grounds for cultivating this skill. By the time you graduate from BYU Hawaii, this skill will polished and shiny-unless, that is, you never left your apartment.

Planning & Organizing : This involves

goal setting. Yeah, I know, you hate to set goals. So do I, but planning and organizational skills help you implement projects and tasks within an allotted timeframe. They help you remember the details—and details are everything in business.

Teamwork : Almost every

job nowadays involves working in teams or with different work groups within the

company at one time or another. Teamwork gives you a chance to build relationships of trust (RMs, remember that?) with colleagues and customers while working in a professional manner toward a common goal. Besides, there’s safety in numbers, and it helps to be working with others where you can bounce ideas off one another.

Work Ethic : Hard work,

diligence, taking initiative. Sound familiar? I hope so, because having dedication and tenacity in the workplace can lead to better positions, more responsibility, promotion and better pay. Employers seek out people who will love what they do and can keep at it until the problem is solved or the job is done.

Positive Attitude & Professional :

Listen, all of us have had jobs we’ve hated at some time in our life, or a time when we’ve had a bad day at work—that’s life. But the person that can see the silver lining and remain positive and professional is the person who is going to end up on top and be happy. “Good thoughts and actions can never produce bad results; bad thoughts and actions can never produce good results.” ~James Allen, As a Man Thinketh (great book, by the way). Of course, the list could go on and on, because there are many skills you can develop: Willingness to Learn, Self-Motivation, SelfConfidence, Loyalty, Reliability, Leadership etc. The important thing is to start developing these skills now and show evidence of these skills in your resume. You have skills, but the real question is: do you have the right skills employers are looking for?

Career

Source: www. quintcareers. com

Invasive Plant Ctrl Tech.

Employer: Invasice Plant Ctrl, Inc. Location: Eastern U.S. Salary: Varies, see listing YCareers Job I.D. # 2521 Log in to your YCareers account and go to “Search Jobs & Interviews” in the top navigation bar for a complete list of job postings. Choose “YCareers Jobs and Interviews” for job postings looking specifically for BYUH students.

Tip of The Week In a word: volunteer. If you don’t have a large amount of experience in the workplace or in a certain career field, find ways to volunteer in that area. It’s possible to seek out opportunities to volunteer or serve on advisory boards where you can build a rapport and reputation among people and it also gives you a chance to network!

“A man is literally what he thinks, his character being the complete sum of all his thoughts.” ~ James Allen

u THE JOB MAZE Need help figuring

out

which way to go in the

job - search maze ? four simple steps can point you in the right direction

... 1

u HOT JOBS & MORE Check out this week’s

B YU H C a r e e r s e rv i c e s n e ws l e t t e r J u ly

2008

Issue 7

hottest jobs and see which employers are looking for you

u TIP OF

.......... 2

THE WEEK

Streamlining

your cover

letter and resume is where it ’ s

@ .............. 2

Fostering the development of lifelong career management a n d p r o f e s s i o n a l l e a d e r s h i p c a pa b i l i t i e s .

Searching for Jobs in a Competitive Market Four steps to help you navigate the job-search maze and be successful Looking for a job can be like navigating a maze and trying to figure out what to do next to achieve success. In fact, it can be a bit like doing detective work. There are many jobs available, but you want to find YOUR job---one that gives YOU a sense of satisfaction and fits into YOUR overall career plan. One of the main things you need to

know is that getting a job is a job in itself. Many students (and others) have an unrealistic view of the time required for a job search. College students can expect to spend from 6 to 9 months searching for employment. It can take longer for international students. If you are still in school, you need to dedicate 7-8 hours per week for your search. After graduation, or if you are unemployed, your search should become a full-time effort. Looking for employment then becomes your full-time job.

Remember that if you are unemployed, a recruiter may question what you are doing with your time. You certainly want them to see you as a serious candidate for employment. There are four basic steps to take that can lead you to the end of the maze of looking for a job:

1. Create a Plan

Your search will be a lot more effective if you have determined the kind of work you want to do and then established a strategy to find that work. More specifically, identify the exact things you want to do in your job. If you have no idea, then you need to take a step back and do some career exploration. If you have an idea of the general area, but aren’t sure of the exact job title, then investigate the job titles in your area of interest. You also have to decide where you want to live. Those open to relocation will find more opportunities available to them. Keep in mind that if you limit yourself to a specific location, you may be limiting your employment options as well. Next, you must determine which employers are the best matches for you. See MAZE, Page 2

Hot Jobs Career Services receives hundreds of job postings a week in YCareers. We try to pick some of the top jobs of the week and list them here. To see more, log in to YCareers.

Jr Financial Analyst

Employer: Oakley Location: Foothill Ranch, CA Salary: Info unavailable YCareers Job I.D. # 2384

Loss Prevention Officer Employer: The Ritz-Carlton Location: Kapalua, HI Salary: $15-$17 per hour YCareers Job I.D. # 2471

Teller

Employer: Bank of Hawaii Location: Haleiwa, HI Salary: Info unavailable YCareers Job I.D. # 2431

Multiple Positions

Employer: Honolulu City & County Location: Honolulu, HI Salary: Varies per position YCareers Job I.D. # 2438-2447

Foreign Services Officer Employer: U.S. Dept. of State Location: Washington, D.C. Salary: Info unavailable YCareers Job I.D. # 2412

MAZE from Page 1 You will need to make some decisions about the types of organizations that fit your needs, work style, and personality. Remember to investigate the organization’s culture, vision and values, the management style, the size of the organization and other issues that are important to you. And, finally, you must determine your specific job search strategy and how much time you will allocate to accomplish it. What methods will you use? Will you participate in on-campus recruiting and career fairs? Will you use a network of contacts you’ve established? Will you cold-call on employers? Will you explore internet job postings? Will you use a direct mail campaign? Will you explore company web sites? Will you review classified ads and other posted job notices? Here’s a hint. While some of these methods are far more effective than others, it’s best to utilize multiple approaches and not limit yourself to only one.

2. Get Equipped

introduction. Career Services staff can help you with all of these things, so don’t hesitate to make an appointment.

3. Take Action!

All the planning in the world doesn’t help if you never implement the plan. Work your network. After all, this is the #1 most effective way to find employment. Experts estimate that the majority of openings are never advertised but are filled through “networking” or “word of mouth.” It’s known as the “hidden job market.” Also try conducting an informational interview (See the last issue of Career, Ink for more information on that). Lastly, you must implement your search strategies and keep track on your activity log.

4. Follow-up

You’ve got to be proactive if you want to be successful. Follow-up all contact either by phone, email, or posted mail. Send thank-you letters, because manners can pay off big dividends, which is one way you can differentiate yourself from others. Also, make follow-up phone calls. This can be difficult for some people, but it is very important. If your cover letter or other prior communication indicated you would follow-up with a phone call, then you absolutely must call!

Polish your cover letter. The cover letter is the first thing the employer sees. Make it work for you! It’s like an invitation. You are inviting employers to read your resume. If you don’t get These are some simple steps to help you this right, they won’t go any further. navigate the maze of searching for a job, but Get your resume ready. An employer doesn’t even more help is available at your Career know you exist— much less know about your Services office. If you need help in figuring out specific skills, education and experience that which way to go and what additional steps can relate to the job. It’s up to you to provide a bring success, make an appointment today with a written presentation to impress that employer Career Advisor! with your qualifications for the job. A resume is your personal career marketing document. Make it count! The purpose is not to get you a job but rather to get you an interview. It’s estimated that recruiters spend approximately 15 seconds to 3 minutes viewing each resume. Will yours make it to the “yes” stack? First impressions count. So, yes, the overall appearance of your document matters. And of course the content is important. The selection process is based on the strength of your document. That means your qualifications must stand out. Focus on accomplishments and not just duties and responsibilities. Remember that your resume is like an advertisement selling a product. The product is YOU! Create resume and cover letter templates to streamline your You will also need to brush job search. Have email and paper versions of your resume and up on your interview skills and cover letter ready to edit. That way you can change the content you’ll need a short 30-60 second to match the requirements of the job you’re applying for, but, personal description for selfthe contact information and your opening and closing paragraphs won’t need to be changed.

Proverbs 3:5-6

Career

Tip of The Week

u JOB RESEARCH It’s time you were the one asking questions ! find out how to conduct an informational interview and get answers

......... 1

B Y U H C a r e e r s e rv i c e s n e ws l e t t e r June

2008

Issue 6

u HOT JOBS & MORE Check out this week’s hottest jobs and see which employers are looking for you

u TIP OF

.......... 2

THE WEEK

So you think you have

all

the info you need to land

the job and get promoted ?

Think

again .

............... 2

Fostering the development of lifelong career management a n d p r o f e s s i o n a l l e a d e r s h i p c a pa b i l i t i e s .

Informational Interviewing Your chance to be the one asking the questions for once In almost every employer survey conducted at BYU Hawaii career fairs, employers consistently ranked students very low when it came to how much the students knew about the employer’s business and specific career field. Researching companies before you approach them for possible

employment is vital, and something that can be done very easily through “informational interviewing.” Informational interviewing is NOT interviewing for a job, but a simple method by which you can gather more information about a company or career field in

which you are interested. In essence, it is your opportunity to actually do the interviewing for a change. There are many professionals in the company or career field you are seeking that are willing to help you and are willing to be interviewed and answer all sorts of questions, either by phone or face to face. Additionally, the information you gather will help you make informed choices about career paths and help you be better prepared for resume and cover letter writing. You will also be better prepared when it comes to the actual job interview. Informational interviewing allows you to make valuable industry contacts, and if you leave a good impression, your name may later be passed along to someone else who is in the position to interview you. In order to leave the best impression possible, you must be prepared and act professionally. It is important to do as much research as you can about the industry and formulate intelligent questions for your informational interview. See INTERVIEWING, Page 2

Hot Jobs Career Services receives hundreds of job postings a week in YCareers. We try to pick some of the top jobs of the week and list them here. To see more, log in to YCareers.

Management Position Employer: LDS Church Location: Asia Area Salary: Info unavailable YCareers Job I.D. # 2341

Web Developer

Employer: Alpha411 Location: New York, NY Salary: Info unavailable YCareers Job I.D. # 2335

Groundfish Observer

Employer: Alaskan Observers, Inc. Location: Seattle, WA Salary: $3,900 to 6,021 per month YCareers Job I.D. # 2339

Multiple Positions

Employer: Honolulu City & County Location: Honolulu, HI Salary: Varies per position YCareers Job I.D. # 2321-2326

INTERVIEWING from Page 1 So what kind of general questions could you ask during an informational interview? Here are a few to get you started: • On Background Tell me how you got started in this field. What was your education? What educational background or related experience might be helpful in entering this field?

Of course, the list could go on and on with questions, and it is important that you are polite, professional and precise in your questioning. Because, remember, this is your chance to do the interviewing and really glean valuable information that will help you steer in the right direction when • On Challenges it comes to looking for a job What are the toughest CLICK THE LINK! later down the line. problems or biggest challenges www.quintcareers.com/ The BYU Hawaii Career you deal with? How do you informational_interviewing. Services website (www. usually go about solving such html byuh.edu/career) has more difficulties? information and links about informational interviewing. • On Life Style Click on the “A-Z Index” button What obligation does your on the left sidebar and then locate “Informational work put on you outside the work week? How Interviewing” under the I section. much flexibility do you have in terms of dress, There are links to QuintCareers.com that work hours, vacations? include information interview tutorials, Do’s and Dont’s, and even an interview report format • On Job Satisfaction document that includes many of the questions Besides the salary, what do you find most rewarding about your job and this type of work? previously discussed in this article. BYU Hawaii Career Services advisors are also available and can help you formulate • On Salary & Promotion Potential What salary level would a new entry level person questions for your interviews. Informational interviewing is an important start with? What are the fringe benefits and other part of research and can help you make difficult forms of compensation? What kind of promotion potential exists and how do people get promoted? Is decisions more simple. Besides, wouldn’t you like to be the one doing the interviewing for once? turnover high? How are employees evaluated? • On Work Environment What are the daily duties of the job? What are the working conditions and office culture like? What skills and abilities are utilized in this work?

Other helpful Informational Interview links • • • •

www.quintcareers.com/informational_interviewing-dos-donts.html www.quintcareers.com/student_informational_interviewing.html www.quintcareers.com/information_reasons.html www.quintcareers.com/information_guide.html

Career

Coordinator

Employer: The Ritz-Carlton Location: Kapalua, HI Salary: $16.89 to 18.77 per hour YCareers Job I.D. # 2319 Log in to your YCareers account and go to “Search Jobs & Interviews” in the top navigation bar for a complete list of job postings. Choose “YCareers Jobs and Interviews” for job postings looking specifically for BYUH students.

• On Advice When the time comes, how would I go about finding a job in this field or company? What experience, paid or volunteer, would you recommend? What suggestions do you have to help make my resume more effective? Do you have any other advice that you think is valuable that you wish you had before you embarked on your career?

Tip of The Week Telemachus consulting with Mentor.

Develop mentoring relationships, either inside or outside the company. Recent studies have shown that four out of five promotions are influenced by a mentor higher up in the company. Mentors are also great sources of information and career guidance.

“We are what we repeatedly do. Excellence, therefore, is not an act, but a habit.” ~Aristotle

u INTERVIEW SKILLS Get the inside scoop on interview info and find

out why it ’ s so important to practice , practice ,

practice !...................

u HOT JOBS & MORE Check out this week’s

B Y U H C a r e e r s e rv i c e s n e ws l e t t e r June

2008

Issue 5

hottest jobs and see which employers are looking for you

u CAREER

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CALENDAR

Find out when the next job interview skiills workshop is and sign up !

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Fostering the development of lifelong career management a n d p r o f e s s i o n a l l e a d e r s h i p c a pa b i l i t i e s .

Interviewing: The Final Exam Preparing for an interview can feel like studying for a final exam, because, after all, you are going to be quizzed in one way or another during the course of the interview, and you have to be prepared. It’s truly a job in and of itself to get the job. You have to become a researcher, storyteller, presenter, quick thinker,

and oh, remember to remain cool under pressure. No pressure, right? No longer can you just be armed with simple facts such as company history and the answer to why you would be the best candidate for the job. Interviews have taken on a new style and the questions have become increasingly more difficult to answer. Additionally, interviews aren’t only a one-on-one, face-to-face affair any longer. They can be done over the phone, through the Internet over a webcam, in a large room with a panel of people all judging your answers, in a group, through a recorded video, or impromptu during a career fair.

First things first

But not to worry, Career Services has all the answers to the “interview exam” and is here to help. Your first step in preparing for a job interview is to get online and visit

www.byuh.edu/career/Job_Interviews.php. This informational website includes tips on how to prepare for your interview. Each interview is unique, but every interview includes basic questions and statements such as “Tell me about yourself,” or “Why should I hire you?” So it’s vital to first do some basic studying and preparing before any interview: • Read and understand the job description. • Research the organization and industry. • Carefully think through possible questions you may be asked. • Develop a list of thoughtful questions to ask the interviewer. • Plan your interview wardrobe and check your appearance carefully. • Reconfirm interview details, such as time, location, interviewer’s name and position. • Allow plenty of time to get to the interview and relax. • Practice, practice, practice.

Behavioral-based interviews

As if it weren’t hard enough already, to add to the challenge of interviewing well, behavioral-based interviews have become See INTERVIEWING, Page 2

Hot Jobs Career Services receives hundreds of job postings a week in YCareers. We try to pick some of the top jobs of the week and list them here. To see more, log in to YCareers.

Systems Technician

Employer: Hosp. of the Pacific Location: Honolulu, HI Salary: Info unavailable YCareers Job I.D. # 2270

Multiple positions

Employer: Hilton Location: Throughout Hawaii Salary: Varies per position YCareers Job I.D. # 2254-2267

Aviation Tech. Writer

Employer: Garmin International Location: Olathe, KS Salary: Info unavailable YCareers Job I.D. # 2250

INTERVIEWING from Page 1

Career Services has an interview room with a webcam and hookup to Interview Stream which allows a student to come in on their own time and increasingly more popular, because they allow the interviewer to ask questions that probe much actually do a mock interview in a virtual setting. The student is able to record their interview deeper into who you are and how you would for critique later so they know what worked well handle specific situations. for them and what didn’t. With behavioral interviews, employers ask Interview Stream actually loads an you to describe in detail a situation or task that interviewer on screen and he or she begins to ask you needed to accomplish, the action you took you real interview questions. and the result you achieved. You must respond, just as you would in a real These kinds of interviews really test you to interview, and you can repeat each question as remember the things you have done in the past often as you like. and go through an honest selfBeyond just questions, the assessment of what you did and [Interviews are like exams, system provides tips for how how things turned out. in that] you can pass, fail or to answer better and how to For example, a behavioralland somewhere inbetween, interview well. based interview might sound but it comes down to how Each interview is allocated 30 something like this: “Give me prepared you are and how minutes to complete. a specific example of a time much you practice. To set up an appointment to when you set a goal and were BRADY SMITH try out Interview Stream, contact able to meet or achieve it.” Career Services at 675-3533. Another question/statement CAREER SERVICES CONSULTANT Career Services has many other might sound like, “Tell me tools that can help you prepare for a about a time when you had successful interview, and it’s only a phone call away. too many things to do and you were required to Each career advisor is equipped to help you prioritize your tasks.” It’s not necessary to answer as quickly as you prepare for interviews by guiding and helping you figure out the best answers for specific situations. can, but it is vital that you have an example in Advisors can also help you by conducting a your arsenal of answers, ready to be retrieved in mock interview in person so you get used to be a relaxed manner. asked questions in a formal setting. “Every interview closely resembles an Jump in the Stream exam, because you will be asked questions that The secret to success for any interview is to are difficult and seek to honestly assess your prepare and then practice, practice, practice. And lucky for you, Career Services has the tools qualifications for the position,” said Brady Smith, career services consultant. “And like for your success. any exam, you can pass, fail or land somewhere One such tool is called Interview Stream, where you are able to take part in virtual interview, inbetween, but it comes down to how prepared you are and how much you practice.” receive feedback and even save and email the file.

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Career Calendar

Foreign Services Officer Employer: U.S Dept. of State Location: Washington, D.C. Salary: Info unavailable YCareers Job I.D. # 2249

Production Leader

Employer: Lanakila Rehab. Ctr Location: Honolulu, HI Salary: Info unavailable YCareers Job I.D. # 2172 Log in to your YCareers account and go to “Search Jobs & Interviews” in the top navigation bar for a complete list of job postings. Choose “YCareers Jobs and Interviews” for job postings looking specifically for BYUH students.

Career

Workshops are held in the Career Center, ACR 135 and ACR 136. Contact Career Services or log into YCareers to see the exact location of each Workshop. MAY

10 MAY

11 MAY

17 MAY

• 2-3 p.m. Resume Workshop • 3-4 p.m. Interview Skills Wkshp • 4-5 p.m. Job Search Workshop • 6-7 p.m. DWYA Interpretation • 7-8 p.m. Resume Workshop • 2-3 p.m. Resume Workshop • 3-4 p.m. Interview Skills Wkshp • 4-5 p.m. Job Search Workshop • 6-7 p.m. DWYA Interpretation • 7-8 p.m. Interview Skills Wkshp

Tip of The Week To prepare for interviews, rehearse in front of a video camera. Study your posture, the way you make eye contact, and your body language. The more you repeat a scenario, the more comfortable you will begin to feel.

“Act is the blossom of thought, and joy or suffering are its fruit.” ~James Allen

u GENUINE GOLD How BYU Hawaii is producing genuine gold grads for asia

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B Y U H C a r e e r s e rv i c e s n e ws l e t t e r M ay

2008

A s i a A l um n i C o n f e r e nce Special Edition

u PASSING THE TORCH The importance of mentoring and lighting

BYU Hawaii .................. 2

the way for students

u YCAREERS Find

INTRO

out how to create

your own account and post jobs and internships for students to see

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Fostering the development of lifelong career management a n d p r o f e s s i o n a l l e a d e r s h i p c a pa b i l i t i e s .

Bringing home the GOLD Bringing home the gold…..GENUINE improve lives. That is the reason you should GOLD…as in genuine gold graduates of each seriously consider returning to your BYU Hawaii. native country and help light the way for Back in 1955, President David O. your own people in a way that no one else McKay referred to the can do.” graduates as genuine So, how are we doing in ... [BYU Hawaii] will gold—leaders that could our efforts to “bring home become a beacon light not be bought or sold, the gold”? of truth to Asia. but rather noble men and Our international women of character for student return to country Harold B. Lee which the world hungered. rate (measured at the time 11th Pres. of the Church More than fifty years of graduation) averaged 56 later, the university still percent in 2007. strives to produce “genuine In fact, our gold.” December 2007 return In recent years, BYU Hawaii has placed rate was more than 62 renewed emphasis on “bringing home the percent—a far cry gold,” or in other words, the need for the from the 18 percent graduates to adequately prepare themselves average of only five to return and serve in their home countries years ago. and regions of the world. To review In a January 1973 address, President more details Marion G. Romney stated, “… the on our students who come here will do so in placement and order to prepare themselves to serve their international fellowmen and particularly those of their return rate own country or culture.” data, visit He also referred to a quote from our website President Harold B. Lee, “… that the www.byuh. college will become a beacon light of truth edu/career and to Asia.” select Senior In a commencement address in 1988, Survey, then Elder Joseph B. Wirthlin stated, “When Survey Results we live and work among our own people, from the lower left we are in an excellent position to lift and menu bar.

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Passing the torch “Those who have torches will pass them on to others.” ~ Plato Light the way for BYU Hawaii students. Get connected through ProNet, our professional mentoring network, which brings current BYU Hawaii students and alums together for a mutually beneficial partnership. • Share your insights and experiences with current students. • Offer advice on career development and life after college. • Explore professional opportunities in your field or industry and also in your country. • Connect them with general news and updates on the local economic situation and employment outlook. • Maintain ties with the local church unit, family and/or friends. Through mentoring, students can explore career paths and personal aspirations while alums render service and play a vital role in the lives of our current students. Help nurture and develop our students into the “genuine gold” envisioned by President David O. McKay. An anonymous source once said, “Life affords no greater responsibility, no greater privilege, than the raising of the next generation.” Mentoring a BYU Hawaii student allows you the opportunity to help do just that. In a well-known Greek myth, the wise nobleman, Mentor, was entrusted with the guidance of young Telemachus while his father was off fighting in the Trojan War. “Mentor’s goal was to guide Telemachus as he learned from his own errors in judgment” (Mentoring for

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We need to make a little more effort to assist those who are down at the bottom of the ladder. We need to give encouragement and a lifting hand to men and women of faith and integrity and ability, who can climb the ladder with a little help. ... let us reach down and lift up ... Gordon B. Hinckley 15th Pres. of the Church

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Professional Development, Howard G. Adams). Based on this myth and named for the wise nobleman, the process of nurturing and guiding others is now referred to as “mentoring.” Now, alumni and other interested friends of the university, can guide and nurture our students just as Mentor guided young Telemachus. And the BYUH students are anxious to connect with you. In a recent news story about the alumni “Genuine Gold” awards ceremony, a junior International Cultural Studies major, April Sunshine Sanchez, was quoted regarding alums more active participation with students. She mentioned that the hardest part of being a college student is figuring out how to apply the knowledge learned in the four years at the university. “I wish I could have had more in-depth information and more time to talk with them (alumni) and get advice about how they translated their education into real life.” She also said she was interested in being able to contact the alumni for information (www.byuh.edu, What’s New, Genuine Gold Alumni, Another Student Resource, Ryan Anderson, 22 May 2008). The students are eager to hear your experiences and learn more about careers in your industry or field. Shine the light on potential opportunities or simply offer encouragement and support. Remember the words of Plato, “Those who have torches will pass them on to others.”

To participate in the BYU Hawaii Mentoring Network, log on to YCareers and create a user account. ( If you are already registered as an employer, you may access the ProNet (Professional Network) tab from your existing account profile page.) Access YCareers at www.byuh.edu/career and scroll to the YCareers logo in the lower left menu. You can determine the type and level of activity you wish to contribute. Set your own parameters for participation. Create an account today and get started! It’s time to pass the torch and light the path to the future for a current BYU Hawaii student.

Get registered on ycareers YCareers is the system employers can use to post jobs, internships, mentor and reach out to BYU Hawaii students. It is part of the NACELink network with more than 600 other universities. To register on YCareers: 1. Go to http://apps.byuh.edu/career/YCareers.php 2. Click For Employer (in the middle of the page) 3. Click the Register tab or button to create a new account. 4. Complete the registration information form. 5. Click Submit to complete registration.

6. Your user name and password will be emailed to you within one business day. Once you have your username and password, you can log in and do any number of things such as register for our career fair, post jobs and internships for students to respond to, book on-campus information sessions, interviews and other recruiting activities. For more information, contact BYU Hawaii Career Services by email at careerservices@byuh.edu or (808) 675-3533.

u EXPLORE CAREERS! Find and use career exploration tools that will help you research what job is right for you

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u HOT JOBS & MORE Check out this week’s

B Y U H C a r e e r s e rv i c e s n e ws l e t t e r M ay

2008

Issue 4

hottest jobs and see which employers are looking for you

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u ESSENTIALS Ten reasons why career exploration is an essential part of finding a quality career !

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Fostering the development of lifelong career management a n d p r o f e s s i o n a l l e a d e r s h i p c a pa b i l i t i e s .

Exploring career possibilities: The tools you need to explore and where to find them With the advent of the Internet, there seems to be an un-ending amount of information and possible tools one might use to explore the world of careers. But where can you find the sharpest tools for career exploration, along with the support staff to become part of your “crew” that will help you navigate and explore successfully? Enter Career Services and the tools they possess that students have unlimited access to for their exploration and journey.

Opening the treasure VAULT

Full of virtual gold and gifts for the career explorer, Vault is an online career library that Career Services provides free of charge to students, faculty and staff. Vault is a site where one can research things like specific career profiles, industry advice and overviews, company research, famous careers and more. The website includes career advice articles and provides valuable information on interviewing techniques, how to write resumes, advice on how to make the most of your internships, and even offers a look at specific careers under their “A Day in the Life” section. Students can even download Vault Guides that focus on industries from

accounting to media to technology, which give insight on the hiring process, career paths and more. Vault also boasts a Message Board which allows you to see what others are saying about a particular company, ranging from what the culture is like at that company to corporate info and internships. To get to Vault, go to www.byuh.edu/career/ Identify_Occupations_to_Explore.php and get a password automatically sent to you when you enter your school email address.

Get Your Feet Wet with WetFeet

WetFeet is another excellent career resource and exploration site that has comprehensive company and industry profiles. The site can help you research salary data for specific career fields and city profiles so you are prepared for what to expect if the job you’re after is in another city. Career advice articles include subjects like entrepreneurship, internships, job hunting strategies, negotiation, networking, office culture, work/life balance and more. Vault and WetFeet are only a couple of the tools Career Services offer when it comes to career exploration. Stop by Career Services and ask how to access WetFeet and other career exploration assets.

Hot Jobs Career Services receives hundreds of job postings a week in YCareers. We try to pick some of the top jobs of the week and list them here. To see more, log in to YCareers.

English Teacher

Employer: AOEN Corporation Location: Japan Salary: Approx. $2,500/month YCareers Job I.D. # 2205

Multiple HTM positions Employer: The Ritz-Carlton Location: Kapalua, HI Salary: Varies per position YCareers Job I.D. # 2193-2202

Accountant I

Employer: City of Honolulu Location: Honolulu, HI Salary: $2,887/ month YCareers Job I.D. # 2181

Internship

Employer: Microsoft Corp. Location: Redmond, WA Salary: Competitive YCareers Job I.D. # 2169

Internship

Employer: Nike, Inc. Location: Beaverton, OR Salary: Competitive YCareers Job I.D. # 2132 Log in to your YCareers account and go to “Search Jobs & Interviews” in the top navigation bar for a complete list of job postings. Choose “YCareers Jobs and Interviews” for job postings looking specifically for BYUH students.

Why Occupation Exploration Is

Occupational research pays off! Employment experts estimate that applicants who research employers increase their employability options as much as 25 percent! “Doing your homework,” or in other words, occupational research, gives applicants several advantages in the hiring process.

Competitive edge. Your knowledge of the industry and employer strengthen your candidacy. Employers view applicants who don’t have solid knowledge of the employer’s business and industry as weak choices. Many applicants don’t bother to do any research on employers. If you do, you get the Competitive Edge.

Make better career decisions. Having current knowledge of the employer, industry, and job target equip you to make informed career decisions about employers and to assess your interest in, and qualifications for, specific jobs.

Demonstrate initiative. Researching employers improves your ability to discuss specifically how your qualifications match the employer’s purpose, goals, and needs. Employers are most willing to invest training time and money in applicants who demonstrate initiative and commitment through their employer and industry knowledge.

Increased Confidence. Being well informed helps you communicate more clearly, feel more confident and project greater competence.

Prepare yourself. Jobs today require more knowledge, better skills and more flexible workers than ever before. Workers must be prepared to change jobs and careers several times, continually updating their knowledge and skills. Researching occupations helps you know what skills you will need to be successful in a specific career field.

Identify your areas of interest. See a Career Services advisor and take a personality-assessment test so you can match your desires, skills and personal goals with occupations that parallel things in your life that interest you. What good is a job that you’re miserable doing?

Networking. As you research, contact professionals in the field you want to enter and interview them in the process. Ask them what they like best and least about their job. Ask them how they became successful and what they would maybe do differently. As you interview people, you are building a network of people you may be able to rely on in the future for references.

Internships build experience. Getting an internship in the field you wish to work in allows you to build experience and your resume. It also allows you the chance to see if you really like the career field direction you’re heading.

Knowledge is power. The more you know about the occupational field you are pursuing, the more power you have to make decisions that will bring your goals closer to you. Your chances of securing a career that brings you joy and satisfaction are increased when you are informed.

10.

“FEAR is an acronym: False Evidence Appearing Real.” ~Anonymous

u GOING GLOBAL What exactly is an “international” job, and will it be something you enjoy ?

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B Y U H C a r e e r s e rv i c e s n e ws l e t t e r M ay

2008

Issue 3

u HOT JOBS & MORE Check out this week’s hottest jobs and see which employers are looking for you

u CAREER Find

........ 2

CALENDAR

out which career

workshops are coming up and how they can help you fine tune your career skills ............

Fostering the development of lifelong career management a n d p r o f e s s i o n a l l e a d e r s h i p c a pa b i l i t i e s .

Thinking about going gl The World Is In Your Hands.

You can make a difference. BUT, remember, it’s a big world out there: billions of people, nearly two hundred countries, and countless numbers of different languages, cultures, ethnic groups and religions. Globalization is now a reality ... not just a concept. With its international focus and mission, BYU Hawaii is preparing graduates to live and work in this global society. But what will you do and where will you do it?

You’ve determined you want an international job but what exactly do you mean by that?

What Exactly Is An International Job?

International does not necessarily mean abroad. You could work in the international division of a major corporation and rarely, perhaps never, travel for your job. Or, you could work as a government foreign service officer and relocate from country to country every two or three years. The usual international career involves varying degrees of work at the headquarters and out in the field. If you do wish to live and work abroad, visit Vault.com or check out the Vault Career Guide to International Careers available in the Career Center resource library to learn more about different types of workers and the various international career opportunities.

bal?

According to Vault Career Library information, in almost every country, you’ll find an interesting mix of foreigners who for a variety of reasons are living and working abroad. These range from “expat” senior executives to English teachers to students to writers to missionaries to development workers to diplomats to entrepreneurs.

Am I A Good Candidate To Live and Work Abroad?

Are you open-minded? Are you flexible? Can you cope with ambiguity? Are you emotionally stable? Are you intellectually curious? How developed are your relationship skills? Our campus career advisors can guide you to selfassessment tools that help determine if you are suited to live and work abroad. Whatever your situation, you can find plenty of information on the Career Services website to help guide you on what to do, where to do it, and how to get there. Good luck! Source: BYU Hawaii Career Services website, Adapted from the information provided by Dr. Katherine S. Brooks, Director, University of Texas at Austin, College of Liberal Arts Career Services.

Hot Jobs Career Services receives hundreds of job postings a week in YCareers. We try to pick some of the top jobs of the week and list them here. To see more, log in to YCareers.

Internship

Employer: Boeing Company Location: Chicago, IL Salary: Varies YCareers Job I.D. # 1994

Internship

Employer: Intel Corp. Location: Folsom, CA Salary: Info. not available YCareers Job I.D. # 1985

Internship

Employer: Micron Technology Location: Boise, ID Salary: Competitive YCareers Job I.D. # 1991

System Sales Trainee

Employer: Reynolds & Reynolds Location: Nationwide, US Salary: Info. not available YCareers Job I.D. # 1980

Asst. Front Office Mgr.

Employer: Hilton Grand Vacations Location: Honolulu, HI Salary: Info. not available YCareers Job I.D. # 1976 Log in to your YCareers account and go to “Search Jobs & Interviews” in the top navigation bar for a complete list of job postings. Choose “YCareers Jobs and Interviews” for job postings looking specifically for BYUH students.

Career resource tool gives students broad access to international jobs BYU-Hawaii Career Services is one of a growing number of companies and universities associated with Going Global Incorporated, provider of comprehensive career and employment resources for evaluating, selecting and transitioning into a successful career in a foreign country. Boasting more than one million users since the founding in 2002, Going Global resources are used around the world by university career centers, educational and institutional libraries, corporate human resources departments, government and international agencies. At the heart of the collection is the Going Global Country Career Guide Series, which contains more than 10,000 resources for finding international employment at home and abroad. Currently featuring 27 countries with more guides in development, users can consult insider tips and professional advice on such topics as employment trends, salary

ranges, job search resources, networking groups, resume/CV writing guidelines and work permit/visa regulations. The USA country guide features in-depth profiles for some forty major cities across the country

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Information is targeted to international job seekers of all nationalities and is a comprehensive ‘one stop’ career resource for both the job seeker and career advisor. Mary Anne Thompson

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President, Going Global

and even includes state-wide information for H1B visasponsoring employers. More guides are in the research and planning phase. Information is researched by local in-country career experts and routinely updated to reflect current employment trends and opportunities. According to Going Global President Mary Anne Thompson, “information is targeted to international job

seekers of all nationalities and is a comprehensive ‘one stop’ career resource for both the job seeker and the career advisor.” The Going Global Key Employer Directory and Job Listings provide users with access to more than 250,000 international job openings and internship opportunities. This online directory also features corporate profiles for 25,000 world-wide companies, and includes such information as sales, revenues, brand officers and key contact information. Industry sectors include: consumer goods, consulting services, finance, information technology and more. Going Global has recently added their popular Global Chat feature, where one can seek advice on work, housing options, entertainment, and more. A Going Global expert moderates the chat rooms to assure reliable and timely responses. Check out the Going Global FAQs below for more information.

Going Global FAQs How do I create a personal account? Access GoingGlobal from the BYUH Career Services website at www.byuh.edu/career. Log onto the GoingGlobal system. To use the system off-campus, you must create a personal account with your own user name and password. Just click on Create Personal Account, in the upper right-hand corner of the pages. This will guide you through straightforward set-up steps. You will receive an email with your login and password. Setting up a personal account allows you to access the content from anywhere, bookmark and add notes to pages. Note that you must initially set up the account from a campus computer connection. What are the Country Career Guides? Going Global Country Career Guides are the ultimate international job seeker’s guide! Packed with country-specific information, this

massive research tool contains more than 10,000 resources for finding international employment at home and abroad. Each country segment contains recommended web sites, detailed resource descriptions, insider tips and professional advice for such vital employment topics as: • Job search resources: general and specialized job sites, job fairs, newspapers, governmentsponsored employment offices, headhunters/ recruiters, internship programs and temporary staffing agencies. • Information on employment opportunities and trends. • Industry-specific trade and professional organization information and links. • Business resources: trade councils, Chambers of Commerce, and other professional networking organizations. See FAQs, Page 3

“To reach a goal you have never before attained, you must do things you have never done before.” ~Elder Richard G. Scott

Career Calendar

Workshops are held in the Career Center, ACR 135 and ACR 136. Contact Career Services or log into YCareers to see the exact location of each Workshop. MAY

13 MAY

14 MAY

15 MAY

20 MAY

21 MAY

• 2-3 p.m. Resume Workshop • 3-4 p.m. Interview Skills Wkshp • 4-5 p.m. Job Search Workshop

• 6-7 p.m. DWYA Interpretation • 7-8 p.m. Job Search Workshop

• 10-11 a.m. DWYA Interpretation • 2-3 p.m. Resume Workshop • 3-4 p.m. Interview Skills Wkshp • 4-5 p.m. Job Search Workshop • 2-3 p.m. Resume Workshop • 3-4 p.m. Interview Skills Wkshp • 4-5 p.m. Job Search Workshop

• 6-7 p.m. DWYA Interpretation • 7-8 p.m. Resume Workshop

• 10-11 a.m. DWYA Interpretation • 2-3 p.m. Resume Workshop • 3-4 p.m. Interview Skills Wkshp • 4-5 p.m. Job Search Workshop

Career Tip of The Week Don’t rely on one resume and cover letter. The longer the job search, the more custom resumes and cover letters you will need. Your resume and cover letter should match your skill set to that particular job’s qualification requirements.

FAQs from Page 2 • Work permits and visa regulations. • Finance and compensation information: taxes, cost of living, medical insurance, vacation/leave, etc. • Embassy listings with key contact information and links • Individual country guides include in-depth employment details for 27 countries. How do I browse the Country Guides? Clicking on the Country Guides link on the Main Page brings you to the full list of the collection, sorted alphabetically by country. Clicking on a country name opens the Guide for that country. The Topic Overview for each Guide (accessed in the left-hand menu or by scrolling down the page) includes the topics covered in each section. For example, click on “Employment Trends and Opportunities,” and then “Information Technology” to be taken to that topic and sub topic. How do I search the Country Guides? From the Country Guide page, you can enter search words into the Guide Search box. It is important to be as specific as possible! Then select the desired country for the search. The results are listed, including topic and sub topics, allowing you to quickly determine those of most interest. You can also use the Quick Search box on the right side of the page. Again, results are listed, including topics and subtopics.

What are the Key Employer Directories? A feature of the premium service is the Global Key Employer Directory. BYU Hawaii students may access this collection for free. It includes corporate details for 25,000 companies in 40 countries including sales, revenue, brands, officers, industries, web sites, contact information, and more. These listings are a mixture of “local” and “multinational” employers, including some 5,000 listings of companies based in the United States. Companies have been custom selected to reflect where professional opportunities are more likely to be available (i.e. blue collar type employers are not included). These employers have been selected to match the credentials and interest of the college graduate, in industries such as manufacturing, transportation, consumer goods, consulting services, finance, and technology. How do I search the Key Employer Directory? You can search through the entire collection by using the Profile Search box on the Employer Directory page. You may search by keyword, topics or by ranges. Select the Company Name, Address or Industry/NAICS code, enter the appropriate criteria in the box and select the desired country. Keep in mind that “industry” does not mean “function.” For example, the industry “banking” will yield results, while the function “finance” might yield none. To view findings, click on the highlighted letters in the alphabet bar. You can also search by sales or number of employees, using the Ranges search function. Select either number of employees or latest available sales from the Category box, select a country and enter in the desired numerical ranges. For all searches, results are listed alphabetically. To view findings, click on the highlighted letters in the alphabet bar.

u C.A.P. EXPLAINED Find out what the Career Advancement Plan is and how it affects you .............. 1

B Y U H C a r e e r s e rv i c e s n e ws l e t t e r April

2008

Issue 2

u C.A.P. REQUIREMENTS We took the guessing out of the equation and created a chart to show you exactly what you need to do

u HOT

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JOBS & MORE

Check out

this week ’ s

hottest jobs and see which employers are looking for you

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Fostering the development of lifelong career management a n d p r o f e s s i o n a l l e a d e r s h i p c a pa b i l i t i e s .

The F.Y.I on C.A.P.

What is it, how does it affect you, and why do you need to do it?

What Is It? But what are these tasks? No, it’s not a new form of headgear the I’m glad you asked. You can find university is requiring you to wear at graduation. It the specific requirements for your also has nothing to do small devices used to ignite career plan listed on your MyBYUH powder in musket barrels. student services page in the “To Do” The CAP or Career Advancement Plan is checklist. If you click on the item, it actually something much more important and will give you a description and direct one of the keys to a student’s you to the place success in finding a quality you need to go for The real purpose of CAP that task. career after graduation. is to help a student gain Most of the In 2006 the university meaningful employment, items, such as implemented the CAP for all or in other words, get assessments, are students, and it actually is a a good job, when they available online companion to the MAP (Major graduate from college. and can be done Academic Plan). Kim Austin quickly at the time “The real purpose of of your choosing. CAP is to help a student gain Dir. of Career Services There are certain meaningful employment, or one-hour career in other words, get a good workshops you must attend, and all are job, when they graduate from college,” said Kim offered weekly. Austin, Career Services director. Students can find out when and Under the CAP, each student has set tasks where these workshops are taking place by or requirements that they must complete within logging on to their YCareers account with a certain time period. The time periods include their CES Net ID and password. Then, just by 45 credit hours, 60 hours, 90 hours and 120 click on the Events tab and select Workshops. hours. Using this timetable, each student is able to Select which workshop you want to know more complete the tasks easily and will be on prepared for career success upon graduation.

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See PLAN, Page 2

Hot Jobs Career Services receives hundreds of job postings a week in YCareers. We try to pick some of the top jobs of the week and list them here. To see more, log in to YCareers.

Various HTM

Employer: Marriott Resort Location: Waikoloa, HI. Salary: Varies per position YCareers Job I.D. # 1843-1854

Dir. of Finance

Employer: Marriott Ko Olina Location: Kapolei, HI Salary: DOE YCareers Job I.D. # 1833

Project Associate

Employer: New York City Location: New York, NY Salary: $35-45K per year YCareers Job I.D. # 1812

International Management Trainee Employer: Meltwater Group Location: Atlanta, GA Salary: $36-66K per year YCareers Job I.D. # 1752

PLAN from Page 1 about by clicking on the name of the workshop, which will give you details and a chance to RSVP. Some of the other tasks students are required to complete include writing a resume and cover letter and recording a practice job interview. Each task is designed to hel establish a strong foundation for a successful internship or job search. Why Do I Need To Do This? Simply put: Competition and Preparation. Now more than ever, the world is full of students going to school in an effort to gain better employment, and you will be competing with an enumerable amount of individuals who will want the same job you want. Most students get a good

education, but that is only a part of landing a good job or getting into graduate school. You must know how to do things like effectively search for a specific job or school, develop a quality resume and cover letter, present yourself clearly and confidently, interview well and ask the right questions, create a portfolio and know the etiquette to interviewing and following up. The CAP is designed to help identify and develop core skills that employers value, such as leadership, ethics, accountability, personal productivity, responsibility, and commitment to continuous learning. In short, CAP gives you the edge to compete in the 21st century job market. This is just one of the many keys on your road to success.

Career

Tip of the Week Employers use email to communicate with candidates now more than ever. Always reply swiftly, be concise, to the point, personable, professional and ALWAYS check spelling before clicking Send.

CAP Requirements Brigham Young University Hawaii CAREER ADVANCEMENT PLAN (CAP)

Outlined below are the essential activities required of students to meet the 4-year CAP requirements. Those who do not complete the requirements will receive warning notices that action needs to be taken. If the requirements are not completed by the due date, restrictions will be placed on your BYUH account, which could block your registration for next semester or term. For more information, contact Career Services at (808) 675-3533. “A” SECTION REQUIREMENTS (by 45 credit hours) Register as a YCareers user. Complete a “Do What You Are” (DWYA) personality-type assessment. Attend a DWYA Workshop (or meet with a career advisor for the DWYA results interpretation).

“B” SECTION REQUIREMENTS (by 60 credit hours) Attend a basic resume and cover letter writing workshop. Create a basic resume and cover letter in the Optimal Resume system. Upload to your YCareers account. Record a mock interview on either the Interview Stream system or Optimal Resume Interview module and have critiqued by a career advisor. Complete the Strong Interest Inventory and the Eureka Micro-Skills assessment. Meet with a career advisor to establish a career/life-work plan. □ Complete the Career Planning Checklist. □ Investigate internship benefits/requirements. International Students: Investigate requirements for Optional Practical Training (OPT) after graduation.

“C” SECTION REQUIREMENTS (by 90 credit hours) Complete the MBTI Personality Inventory. Meet with a career advisor individually or at a MBTI Workshop for interpretation of results. Document evidence to demonstrate the SCANS employment competencies. Create a 30-60 second “elevator” or personal introduction statement using the Video Resume module in Optimal Resume. Meet with a career advisor to develop a job search strategy or graduate school admission plan. “D” SECTION REQUIREMENTS (by 120 credit hours, Graduation) Create an electronic career portfolio. Be actively involved in the job search process or have accepted a job offer. □ OR be actively involved in the graduate school admission process or have been granted admission to a program. □ OR designate “other” status such as full-time homemaker or missionary status. Complete the university’s graduate “Next Destination” survey.

“Action may not always be happiness, but there is no happiness without action.” ~ Anonymous

u WHY YCAREERS? Find out why it’s students ’ one - stop - shop for careers and landing that perfect job after graduation

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B Y U H C a r e e r s e rv i c e s we e k ly n e ws l e t t e r April

2008

u ON-CAMPUS INTERVIEWS Employers will be visiting campus for interviews , so find

out how to secure an interview !

u HOT

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JOBS & MORE

Check out

this week ’ s

hottest jobs and see which employers are looking for you

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Fostering the development of lifelong career management a n d p r o f e s s i o n a l l e a d e r s h i p c a pa b i l i t i e s .

Why YCareers? If you’re a student who hasn’t logged on to YCareers lately—or at all—you’re missing out on a world of career help and possible job opportunities. The BYUH Career Services Office launched YCareers last August specifically for students to interact with employers, recruiters, internship coordinators and career advisors. In short, it’s the mechanism students can use to jump-start their path toward a quality career. Students can log on to YCareers using their Student I.D. number and password. Once a student is logged in, they can view and sign up for on-campus interviews, submit resumes for critique and feedback, see when employers are visiting campus and holding information sessions and find out which employers will be attending the career fair. Jobs and internships are also found in YCareers, and students can receive help in general regarding career searches and information.

YCareers is actually part of a online information system that is networked with more than 600 other universities, so employers from all over the world post jobs for BYU-Hawaii students to view and respond to if interested. Through YCareers, students are also able to RSVP to workshops, and career advisors also use YCareers to set up appointments with students and help them with things such as choosing a major, figuring out what types of careers will be fulfilling and satisfying, interview skills, career goals and more. For students to log on to YCareers, visit http://apps.byuh.edu/career/YCareers.php. Click on the “For Student” button and log in by using your Student I.D. and password. The Career Services Office is just to the right of the Cafeteria entrance and staff can be reached at 808-675-3533 or by e-mail at careerservices@byuh.edu.

On-Campus Interviews All BYU-Hawaii students may sign up for on-campus interviews through YCareers, but there are some stipulations, and there are also two different methods employers use to select interview candidates on campus. Let’s discuss the stipulations first:

1. Students must have an approved resume uploaded in YCareers to be eligible to sign up for interviews. Students get an approved resume by submitting their resume to an Career Services advisor, who will help fine-tune the resume and approve it.

2. Each interview has screening criteria that is set up by the employer. Students must meet that screening criteria to be eligible to interview. Students can see their status by looking at the upper right hand corner of the job listing in an area called “Application Status,” which will indicate what the student needs to do See INTERVIEWS, Page 2

Hot Jobs Career Services receives hundreds of job postings a week in YCareers. We try to pick some of the top jobs of the week and list them here. To see more, log in to YCareers.

HP Sales Rep

Employer: Hewlett Packard Location: Honlolulu, HI. Salary: Competitive Contact: Ahmad Mohammadi, ahmad@hp.com, T: 286-3283

Solutions Specialist

Employer: Reynolds & Reynolds Location: Nationwide, US. Salary: Competitive YCareers Job I.D. # 1681

Pre-Audit Clerk I Employer: City & County of Honolulu Location: Honolulu, HI Salary: $2,311 per month YCareers Job I.D. # 1645

Admin. Manager

Employer: Reflexis Systems Location: Chennai, India Salary: Competitive YCareers Job I.D. # 1577 Log in to your YCareers account and go to “Search Jobs & Interviews” in the top navigation bar for a complete list of job postings. Choose “YCareers Jobs and Interviews” for job postings looking specifically for BYUH students.

Career

INTERVIEWS from Page 1

preselection. The student needs to only meet the screening criteria and to sign up for the interview and why have an approved resume uploaded. they might not be eligible to sign up Watch for future Career, Ink. for an interview. newsletters that will post on-campus interview dates and times. Preselect vs. Open Interviews Make sure to check if any Employers choose to list on-campus interviews are coming on-campus interviews using up by logging on, clicking one of two processes: Preselect “Search Jobs or Open. & Interviews” “Each process and choose Each process affects affects how, and “YCareers Jobs IF, the student is how, and IF, the & Interviews.” able to sign up In the light student is able to sign for an interview,” blue search box up for an interview. said Brady Smith, under the Show Create your own personal Brady Smith Career Services Me drop down Career Services Consultant consultant. business card that includes menu, select “All “The preselect Interviews” and your name, phone number, process is a bit click “Search.” e-mail address and major. more involved Any on-campus interviews Give your card to recruiters and requires the employer and will appear, from which you the student to check YCareers could click the title of the job to and interview panels. regularly as they interact with find out more information and one another. When an employer possibly sign up. chooses to use the Preselect process, they are choosing to view applicant resumes before actually inviting a person to interview.” Here’s how Preselect works: A student sees an on-campus All workshops are held in the Career Services Office unless interview in YCareers, meets all stated otherwise. the screening criteria and signs up. When they sign up, they are actually not signed up to Apr interview, but rather requesting - Choosing a Career Workshop, 2-3 p.m. an interview—they remain in a - Do What You Are Interpretation, 3-4 p.m. “pending” status. The employer is now able to preselect who they want to interview, so not every student who requests an interview will get one. - Resume Workshop, 2-3 p.m. Apr The employer views all of the resumes students have submitted, - Job Interview Skills Workshop, 3-4 p.m. and if they like what they see, the - Job Search Workshop, 4-5 p.m. & 7-8 p.m. employer “invites” certain students to interview. It’s important for students to submit their resumes early, because the employer must have enough time to review the Apr - Western States Chiropractic College: resumes and then “invite” students to interview. exhibit table on campus, 10 a.m. - 1 p.m. The student then must log into YCareers regularly to see if they have been “invited” and if so, they may then choose a timeslot to interview. Only then are they actually signed up to interview. Apr - Resume Workshop, 2-3 p.m. The Open process is much - Job Interview Skills Workshop, 3-4 p.m. simpler. An employer posts on-campus interview times and - Resume Workshop, 7-8 p.m. any student can grab an interview timeslot on a first-come-firstserved basis, without having to be invited to interview. There is no

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Tip of the Week

Career Calendar

“Learn from the past. Prepare for the future. Live in the present.” ~ Pres. Thomas S. Monson