In this issue: - Congrats Grads - Graduating Student Surveys - Hire-a-Shocker Stats
WS U C a re e r S ervices
Hire-a-Shocker
Issue 08 / 12.10.12
Congrats December 2012 Grads! A letter from our Director, Jill Pletcher “Congratulations!” What a joyful word. Finishing a degree is a significant cause for celebration. For some, graduation is a milestone on the way to a graduate or professional degree. For others, it’s the culmination of years of hard work leading to a job and career in a rewarding field of study. For some, however, feelings about graduating are a bit more ambivalent. “I’m still in the part-time job I held all through school.” “I’ve been submitting my resume everywhere and I’m not getting interviews.” “I haven’t even started my job search yet.” Our services are available to new grads up to a year after you graduate, at no cost. Here are ways we can help: • Review your resume. We meet regularly with local employers to discuss what distinguishes good resumes from those that don’t make the cut. Employers don’t like resume templates. They insist on error-free resumes. And they want to see what you’ve accomplished, not just a list of your job responsibilities. We’ll share what they’ve taught us. • Brainstorm with you about the job search process and resources. We can show you ways to use Hire-a-Shocker to ensure you see the positions you most want to see, introduce you to additional position listing resources, talk about alternatives to searching online, and answer salary-related questions.
Free ser�ices for 1 year aſter g�aduation!
The Office of Career Services offers resume reviews, mock interviews, and free job search assistance for a year after you graduate. You are also invited to continue using Hire-a-Shocker and to attend all career events.
Resume Review - Check our website for Walk-In hours next semester, www.wichita.edu/career. Mock Interview - Schedule a practice interview with a career counselor to prepare for your real world interviews. The counselor will advise you about your responses to questions, appearance and overall readiness to interview. Hire-a-Shocker - You’ll want to continue using Hire-aShocker, the online recruiting system where employers post jobs and view resumes. Employers use the system because they want to hire our grads. Don’t miss this opportunity to have your resume viewed by local and national companies. Access your Hire-a-Shocker account from your myWSU. Job Search Assistance - Meet with a career counselor to learn additional methods and resources that will help to jump-start your career. Career Events - Alumni are welcome to attend all career events hosted by Career Services, including the Fall and Spring Career Fairs. Bookmark our website to stay abreast of all events.
Congrats Grads
• Take you through a mock (practice) interview. We frequently hear students say, “I had no idea how difficult the interview would be.” The interview is your opportunity to explain how you can contribute skills, experience, and talent to the position. It’s your job to communicate why you are the better candidate. It’s not easy to talk about yourself. Practice helps. We can’t get a job for you. But we can coach you through the process. To set up an appointment, give us a call at 978-3435.
To make an appointment or for more information: career.services@wichita.edu www.wichita.edu/careers 316.978.3435 203 GW
How to Handle a Salary Request When an employer requests a salary history, many job seekers find themselves at a loss. You don't want to price yourself out of a job, but you don't want the employer to offer less than the going rate for the position.
Kansas Department of Commerce / Rural Opportunity Zone Program The Rural Opportunity Zones (ROZ) program sponsored by the state of Kansas could have a significant impact on you as you begin your
So what's the right answer? • Don't include salary history on your resume.
post-college career.
• Handle the request at the end of your cover letter. First, highlight your skills, experience, and interest in the position - information that is far more important to your consideration as a candidate. • Respond to the question positively without giving a specific amount. (Example: "I'm earning in the mid-30s.") • Say "salary is negotiable."
The Program is designed to revitalize 50 rural Kansas communities that have experienced significant population decline in the past decade. It has two different incentives: student loan repayment up to $15,000 which is open to Kansas residents and non-residents alike and a Kansas income tax waiver
• If you know the market value for the position and for someone with your skills and background, give a $3,000-$5,000 range. (Use the free NACE Salary Calculator to find an appropriate range on our website, http://www.jobsearchintelligence.com/NACE/salary-calculator-intro/.) • Be prepared to respond to this question in an interview. Carry a list of your positions in reverse chronological order, including the name of the company, your title, a synopsis of your duties, and, lastly, a general compensation amount (e.g. mid-30s).
for up to five years which pertains to out-of-state residents who move to an opportunity zone county. For more details about eligibility requirements, the application process, and to view detailed profiles of participating counties, visit www.TaxFree.ks.gov.
• Don't lie about your salary history. Employers may verify salary history through reference checks. Salary requests are difficult for all job searchers to handle, not just new college grads. The key is to shift the focus, politely but firmly, from what you made in the past to competitive compensation for the position you want. Courtesy of the National Association of Colleges and Employers, copyright holder, www.naceweb.org.
Career Coffee Blog...By Jan Mead Graduating in December? If you graduate in December, congratulations from all of us at Career Services! And, a reminder about our services, as well as the fact these services continue to be free to you for a year after graduation. Interviewing skills: do you know about behavior-based questions? If you don’t now, you will when you interview. These questions are the preference of employers and they can be difficult to answer. Our “Ace the Interview Kit” contains sample questions and other information you need to be prepared to interview. Download a copy from our website or stop by our office to pick one up. Be sure to make an appointment for a practice interview to give you that extra bit of skill and confidence.
Sample Faculty Reference Letter The National Association of Colleges and Employers (NACE) connects campus recruiting and career services professionals, and provides best practices, trends, research, professional development, and conferences. This form reference letter provided by NACE can be used by faculty who are asked to give references for students.
Dear [Name of Employer]: This reference letter is provided at the written request of [name of student], who has asked me to serve as a reference on [his/her] behalf. It is my understanding that [name of student] is being considered by your organization for the position of [job title]. Please be advised that the information contained in this letter is confidential and should be treated as such. The information should not be disclosed to [name of student, if student has waived access] or anyone in your organization who would not be involved in the hiring decision regarding this individual. Additionally, the information should not be disclosed to anyone outside of your organization without the consent of the student. I have known [name of student] for the past [number of months, semesters, years] as [he/she] has taken the following courses which I teach: [list courses, give brief description of content of course]. As [his/her] professor, I have had an opportunity to observe the student's participation and interaction in class, and to evaluate the student's knowledge of the subject matter. I would rate the student's overall performance in these subjects as average. This is evidenced by [his/her] grades—[state the grades].
Resumes and job search correspondence: we won’t write a resume or cover letter for you, but we will help you make it ready for the most discriminating employers. Refer to our “Starter Kit” for all the basics and then let us be an extra set of eyes to review it. Hire-a-Shocker: Review job postings and upload your resume in Hire-a-Shocker. This system is available to you now and after you graduate. Employers use this system because they want to hire WSU graduates. Maybe you just aren’t sure what kind of job you want. You may need some help clarifying what is most important to you as you look for your first position out of college. Perhaps you don’t even know where to start. We are here to help you develop a job search plan. Once again, congratulations! All our best. And, remember we’re here to help with all things job related!
[One or two specific examples of the student's performance may be appropriate.] As part of [his/her] grade in [name of course], the student was required to prepare a paper. The paper was designed to measure the student's ability to research, to analyze the results of the research, and to write. [Discuss how the paper submitted by the student indicated to you the student's skills in these areas.] Based upon this, I rate the student's skills as competent, but not excelling. The one area in which the student performed above average was in oral communications. [Give specific example to support this.] Based upon the student's academic performance and my understanding of the position for which the student is applying, I believe the student would perform (place overall evaluation here). If you would like to discuss this further, please feel free to contact me. Sincerely, [Name] [Title] [Affiliation] Courtesy of the National Association of Colleges and Employers, copyright holder. www.naceweb.org.
Graduating Student Survey Salary information can be an important factor when selecting a major. The office of Career Services collects salary data from students who are graduating with a bachelor’s degree. Students use this information to research career paths and to learn what first-year professionals are earning. Faculty and advisors may find this information helpful when speaking with students about career possibilities.
How do we collect the data? A link to the survey is emailed at the time of graduation. Three months after graduation, if the survey has not been returned, a paper survey is mailed. Recent grads are contacted by phone in a final attempt to collect salary data.
Hire-a-Shocker Stats for the Fall 2012 Semester Graphs display the variety of jobs, posted from August 1 through November 18. Each graph is based upon a count of 841 jobs. *Employers may select more than one position type and any number of job categories which pertain. For positions not requiring a specific major, employers may select “All Majors.”
Breakdown for Position Type
Are you required to complete a survey? No. But why wouldn’t you? The survey is online and takes less than 3 minutes to complete. We want to know if you have a job, the company name and location, your job title and, of course, your annual salary. All information is confidential. Neither your name nor the name of the company where you are employed will appear in data released to the public. Completing the survey is a service to future graduates and to the University.
How do we use the salary data? “Salary ranges in potential careers are often considered as important information by students as they choose a major. Although salary should be only one of many considerations, the GSS provides the data on Wichita State graduates specifically rather than as aggregate information at the state or national level,” said Jill Pletcher, director. Career Services gathers this information to help students with career decisions. They also provide salary information upon request to employers who want to make fair and competitive offers to WSU graduates. Additionally, the various colleges request the information as part of their accreditation process. All information gathered is used strictly for statistical purposes. Student and company names do not appear in data used for the GSS reports. The latest salary information was gathered from those graduating in August ’11, December ’11 and May ’12. The data is available on our website – www.wichita.edu/career.
Degree Preferred - 42% No Degree Required - 25% Degree Required - 25% Seasonal/Temp/One-Time - 4% On Campus - 4% Volunteer - 0%
Breakdown for Most Requested Job Categories
Be proactive. Don’t wait until you graduate to get a job. Make an appointment with a career counselor for job search help six months before your graduation date.
Top Grossing Majors by Colleges (in averages) Computer Related - 13% Administration, Support Staff - 12% Engineering - 12% Health Services/Healthcare - 11% Teaching/Education - 11% Sales - 7% Customer Service - 7% Accounting/Auditing - 6% Management - 6% Communications/Journalism - 5% Advocacy, Counseling, Social Work - 5% Banking, Finance - 5%
For more information and statistic from the Graduating Student Surveys, refer to our website at www.wichita.edu/career
Number of new employers: 247 Jobs posted with Wichita location: 272
Career Services will be closed from December 21 at 5:00 pm until 8:00 am January 2, 2013. Information on resume writing and interviewing is on our website www.wichita.edu/career. Hire-a-Shocker is available through your myWSU account. So you can get started on your resume or a job search over the holidays, if necessary. Resumes uploaded during the holiday break will not be reviewed until the office reopens in 2013.
Best wishes for a happy holiday from the Career Services staff! Jill Pletcher, Director Jan Mead, Assistant Director Rachel Gibson, Career Counselor Karen Gillenwater, Recruiting Coordinator Jeanne Hopkins, Job Board Coordinator Lori Godderz, Office Manager Val Perkins, Graduate Student Kelci Engle, Marketing Assistant /Job Location Development Daniel Delzer, Student Assistant Abby Brown, Student Assistant Jakob Gutierrez, Student Assistant Rachel Smith, Student Assistant
Watch for our next newsletter in January 2013!
Office Hours
Spring 2013 Events Jan. 22 - Feb. 1 - Wild West Welcomefest event on Hire-a-Shocker Jan. 30 - Resumania - 9:00 am to 3:00 pm - RSC Lobby Feb. 13 - Wu Wednesday - Resumania - 10:00 am to 1:30 pm - Clinton Hall Lobby Feb. 18 - Education Interview Day - 8:30 am to 4:30 pm - Hughes Metroplex Feb. 20 - Wu Wednesday - Window Letter Wednesday - 8:00 am to 5:00 pm - Career Services, 203 GW Feb. 27 - Wu Wednesday - Resumania - 8:00 am to 5:00 pm - Career Services, 203 GW Feb. 28 - Spring 2013 Job Fair - 4:00 to 6:30 pm - Koch Arena Apr. 12 - Physical Therapy Career Fair - 2:00 to 4:00 pm - WSU Downtown Campus
Monday through Friday 8:00 am - 5:00 pm
Walk-In Hours
Check our website for Walk-In hours next semester!
Notice of Nondiscrimination Wichita State University does not discriminate in its programs and activities on the basis of race, religion, color, national origin, gender, age, sexual orientation, marital status, political affiliation, status as a veteran, genetic information or disability. The following person has been designated to handle inquiries regarding nondiscrimination policies: Director, Office of Equal Employment Opportunity, Wichita State University, 1845 Fairmount, Wichita KS 67260-0205; telephone (316) 978-6791.
Hire-a-Shocker November Stats Degree Preferred - 40% Degree Required - 30% No Degree Required - 22%
1845 Fairmount Street, Wichita, KS 67260-0042 316.978.3435 - career.services@wichita.edu www.wichita.edu/career
Seasonal/Temp/One Time - 5% On-Campus - 3%
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Volunteer - 0%