ISSUE 15 • MARCH/APRIL 2009
134 Mary Gates Hall • (206) 543-0535
careers.washington.edu
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It’s Time for Spring
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here’s a lot to love about spring: the cherry trees on the quad, the bright sense of hope at the beginning of baseball season, the release of Twilight on DVD… but our favorite thing about this time of year is the UW Spring Career Fair! This fair is the biggest career event of the year, and there is literally something for everybody, with full- and part-time positions, as well as internships. Employers will be on-hand to recruit continuing students and soon-to-be-grads from all majors and areas of study. And lucky for you, the UW Career Center has your back (as always), and will be offering a wealth of workshops and events to get you prepared for your career fair debut! So dust off that resume, dig out your business casual gear, and hit the fair on April 15th. (Who knew you’d have a reason to look forward to tax day?)
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Employers ARE Actively Looking for You
Jobs abound... So, why aren’t students looking for them? Is the current economic situation keeping you up nights? Do your recurring dreams involve long lines at the employment office? This is understandable, considering the “doomsday job market” that the media relentlessly portrays. But keep in mind, the media has a job to do, too, and “Everything is Peachy Keen” is a headline that doesn’t sell papers. Of course, work is absolutely essential. It’s as important a part of life as breathing, or watching “Lost” on Wednesday nights. While the uncertainty you may feel about your professional future is indisputably a very real and worrisome emotion, we encourage you to resist the urge to crawl under a rock until it goes away. More than ever, now is the time to get out there, explore your options, and connect with employers. The UW Career Center can prepare you to do just that, and help you make yourself the best candidate you can be. If you remember nothing else from this newsletter, remember this: SPRING CAREER FAIR, APRIL 15th. In the words of Woody Allen, “80 percent of success is just showing up.” So come to the fair! Employers are well aware of the value of a UW hire (Best of the best? Yep, that’d be you.) and they’ll be arriving at the HUB ballroom with a truckload of opportunities for candidates. 80% is pretty darn good if you ask us, but if you want to go the other 20%, we can help with that, too. Stop by the UW Career Center for help with preparing a resume and prepping for the fair, as well as advice on what to expect, information on how to interact with employers, and more! We are here to support you in all your career search efforts. Please consider us to be your complete career resource as you prepare to move into the professional world. Together, we can create the boring headlines of tomorrow.
ISSUE 15 • MARCH/APRIL 2009 • Page 1
WORKSHOPS OPEN TO ALL STUDENTS
CAREER FAIRS AND SPECIAL EVENTS
How to Find a Job
Dependable Strengths Seminar for Alumni
All workshops, unless noted, are in the UW Career Center (134 MGH).
Learn more about these events throughout this newsletter.
3/6, 1:30-2:30 • 4/2, 1:30-2:30 • 4/8, 3:30-4:30 • 4/22, 1:30-2:30
3/13 & 3/16, 8:30-5:00 • 4/17 & 4/20, 8:30-5:00
Internships and Summer Jobs
Resume Cafe
4/8, 1:30-2:30 • 4/16, 3:30-4:30
4/7, 1:30-4:30 • MGH Commons
Job Chat
Roadtrip Nation Visits the UW
3/6, 2:30-3:30 • 3/13, 2:30-3:30 • 4/3, 2:30-3:30 4/17, 2:30-3:30 • 4/24, 2:30-3:30
4/13, 10:00-4:00 • HUB Lawn
Job Offer & Salary Negotiation
4/14, 11:00-2:00 • Balmer Commons
* Fee & RSVP Req’d
Retail Day
4/24, 1:30-2:30 • 4/28, 3:30-4:30
UW Spring Career Fair
Job Search for International Students
4/15, 3:00-7:00 • HUB Ballrooms
3/10, 3:30-5:00 • 4/14, 3:30-5:00
Learn more about these and other events online at http://careers.washington.edu/Students/Calendar.
Making the Most of a Career Fair 4/10, 1:30-2:30 • 4/13, 2:30-3:30 • 4/15, 12:30-1:30
Networking for Shy People 3/5, 3:30-4:30 • 4/2, 3:30-4:30 • 4/22, 3:30-4:30 3/5, 1:30-2:30 • 3/31, 1:30-2:30 • 4/3, 1:30-2:30 • 4/6, 3:30-4:30 4/10, 2:30-3:30 • 4/13, 1:30-2:30 • 4/15, 1:30-2:30 • 4/30, 1:30-2:30
Successful Interviews 3/3, 1:30-3:00 • 4/17, 12:30-2:00 • 4/21, 3:30-5:00
interviews ... internships ... jobs
If you’re looking for a summer job, a post-graduation career or an internship, this workshop is for you. Check it out!
http://careers.washington.edu/WorkshopsandClasses
Apply
Interview! The UW Career Center’s online job board, HuskyJobs, features thousands of opportunities exclusively for Huskies! You’ll find part- and full-time jobs and internships for all majors and degree levels. Check back frequently. Employers add new opportunities every day! What are you waiting for? Log on now!
http://careers.washington.edu/huskyjobs
Get the low-down on the job market in this new and interactive workshop. Learn about the latest and best strategies and techniques for career, job and internship-hunting in this market and have your questions answered by our qualified Career Counselors.
Network Like You’ve Never Networked Before
Search
huskyjobs
JOB CHAT Workshop
! New
Resumes & Cover Letters
One of the most common things students say to us is, “I don’t have a network.” Au contraire, mes amis. You can network through career events, informational interviews, and company info sessions. Don’t forget your professors, supervisors, and mentors who work in the field every day. You can also join professional associations within your industry for networking opportunities. Shy? No worries - come to our Networking for Shy People workshop for tips and advice. Above all, be prepared to network at a moment’s notice, and make sure you follow through with future contact. Want more tips on how to network? Contact us!
Career Podcasts
http://careers.washington.edu/Podcasts
Need advice, but can’t make it into the UW Career Center? Maybe because it’s 3am? No problem. Academic and career advising podcasts are available online 24/7 at http://depts. washington.edu/advpdcst/new/wordpress and on the UW Career Center website. Check out our latest post, called “What are you going to do with a major in ______?!” for tips on how to convince parents, friends, and other skeptics that yes, your major in _______ will lead to a happy and successful professional life. More podcasts are coming soon—keep your eye on our website!
ISSUE 15 • MARCH/APRIL 2009 • Page 2
Spotlight On Events
myStory: Kirsty Frew
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icture this: you’re about to graduate from college. You’ve double majored in French and Economics. You’ve held a part-time job at a frame shop, and you just finished a year as a clerk at a law firm. You’re passionate about helping others. How do you get these seemingly unrelated factors to gel into a career? (After all, translator/ economist/sales associate/lawyer/doctor isn’t a real job.)
sentative position through HuskyJobs, the UW Career Center’s online job board. She did so, and was swept into an interview process that was both relaxed and friendly. “I wasn’t freaked out at all,” Frew said. “The whole process was very up-front. I even met with managers the night before the interview, which made the interview itself far less daunting.” Frew was hired, and has been with Progressive ever since. “This is my first job out of college and I absolutely love it! The people I work with are amazing. I’m excited to come into work each morning, and I go home at night feeling happy.”
Scotland native Kirsty Frew has the answer. She graduated from the UW in Although Frew says “there are not December 2007 in exactly this situatoo many correlations between my [past tion, and she was able to use these skills experiences] and my job now”, we beg and experiences to land a position with to differ; her economics background Progressive Insurance in January 2008. has helped her to better understand the “I never imagined that I would be work- business aspect of the company, and her ing for an insurance company,” she said. French language skills have come in “But my years as a sale associate gave me handy when working the skills that helped with international me obtain my current “I’m excited to come clients. Additionally, position.” her background in
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http://careers.washington.edu/DSSforAlumni
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Resume Cafe 4/7, 1:30-4:30 • MGH Commons Need resume help? Don’t miss out on the opportunity to get your resume reviewed by an industry representative! Get personalized, in-depth advice from employers in the know while enjoying a casual and relaxed environment. Registration starts at 1pm so get here early!
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Roadtrip Nation Visits the UW 4/13, 10:00-4:00 • HUB Lawn It all started with four friends and one dilemma: “what do I want to do with my life?” Fresh out of college and unsure about the career paths in front of them, these students were determined to expose themselves to more than just the traditional roads of life. They hopped in an old RV and hit the road Learn more, or go on a Roadtrip of your own!
into work each morn-
Let’s rewind a bit. customer service has ing and I go home at As an undergradugiven her the skills ate, Frew planned she needs to build night feeling happy.” to continue on to strong relationships law school after with her clientele, graduation. Hoping to add some related and her passion for helping others sets experience to her law school applicaher apart as an exceptional representation, she took a job as a law clerk at a tive. local firm during her senior year. Once With an open mind and a little creimmersed in the world of law, however, ativity, Kirsty Frew was able to combine Frew realized that the reality of the her various academic and professional work did not meet her expectations. experiences into a successful career. She Although the position proved to be a utilized the services available at the UW valuable and positive experience for her, Career Center to become the best canthe most important benefit of the job didate she could be, and she has reaped was the realization that law would not the rewards, putting her skills, strengths, be the best choice for her future. and interests to work. Maybe translator/ With this new realization in mind, Frew attended two career fairs sponsored by the UW Career Center. There she met representatives from Progressive Insurance Company, and was encouraged to apply for their Claims Repre-
economist/sales associate/lawyer/doctor is a job, after all.
— Written by Cara MacMillan
ISSUE 15 • MARCH/APRIL 2009 • Page 3
Dependable Strengths Seminar for Alumni 3/13 & 3/16 and 4/17 & 4/20, 8:30-5:00 Are you seeking a career change? Been downsized in your current profession? Interested in exploring how to enhance your current employment situation? The UW Career Center’s Dependable Strengths Seminar is an excellent resource for alumni in any stage of career transition. This seminar is designed for those interested in assessing their skills and opening new windows of opportunities. Registration required.
www.roadtripnation.com/explore/interests.php
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Retail Day 4/14, 11:00-2:00 • Balmer Commons Learn more about careers in retain management at Retail Day, an event that hosts big-name local, national and global retailers. You’ll have a chance to meet with company representatives to talk about career paths and opportunities. Sponsored by the Retail Management Program, and open to all students. http://bschool.washington.edu
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UW Spring Career Fair 4/15, 3:00-7:00 • HUB Ballroom On April 15th students will have an opportunity to meet with recruiters from local and national employers. These recruiters will come armed with red-hot opportunities for internships and summer jobs, as well as partand full-time career positions. Business casual attire is recommended, so dress to impress! http://careers.washington.edu/UW-Spring-Fair
Career Clips
Quick Tips for Your Career Success
3 Reasons YOU Should Attend the UW Spring Career Fair Emma O’Neill
Sure, there are other things you could do on a Wednesday afternoon, but none of those things are as cool as attending the Spring Career Fair on Wednesday, April 15th, from 3-7pm in the HUB Ballroom. You could… 1.
Watch Oprah. Not as cool as the Spring Career Fair because Oprah will not give you a job.
2.
Visit the Woodland Park Zoo. Not as cool as the Spring Career Fair because, as cute as they are, giraffes and hippos don’t want to enhance your classroom learning by providing you an internship opportunity that will give you valuable industry experience, insight into your career interests and add a killer line to your resume.
3.
Wander the Pike Place Market. Not as cool as the Spring Career Fair because networking opportunities will be limited to “Oh, you’re in town from Toledo? No, Starbucks is THAT way....”
So save the zoo for next week, Oprah for TiVo®, and the Market for a rainy Thursday in November (you’ll be thanking me for that one, I promise) and check out the UW Spring Career Fair on April 15th! Local and national employers will be in attendance, looking to hire students and alumni for a wide variety of job and internship opportunities. We look forward to seeing you there.
Career Fair Follow-Up? Get On It! Cara MacMillan
Quick Career Fair Tips Here are a few quick tips to help you shine at the upcoming UW Spring Career Fair. •
Get that Resume Reviewed. It’s important to have your resume in top form: it is the calling card you leave with recruiters at the fair. Bring it into daily walk-ins beforehand for review!
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Workshop, Workshop, Workshop. We offer a workshop called “Making the Most of a Career Fair.” Need we say more?
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Learn Career Fair Speak. “Hey dude, what’s up?” isn’t going to cut it. First impressions are vital! Pick up a “Starting the Conversation” handout at the UW Career Center and practice your opening lines.
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Get Your Taxes Done. Seriously, who wants to be slogging through their 1040-EZ on April 15th when they could be at the UW Spring Career Fair, finding the perfect job?
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Get a Haircut. Really, what would mom say about the way you’ve let yourself go? Give the locks a trim and present your best, most professional self. (That means closeting the Levis for the evening and showing up in your business casual attire.)
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Come Prepared. After doing your research make sure you have clean, crisp copies of your resume, a notepad and pen and a list of the employers you’re planning to meet. This will help you stay organized, focused, and professional at the fair.
Career fairs are hard work, there’s no doubt about it. So after you’ve given yourself a little time to recuperate (and given yourself a pat on the back for the fabulous job you undoubtedly did) take a deep breath, and get ready to get back to work. It’s important to follow-up with employers after a career fair, and it’s a step in the job search process that students are often unaware they should take. Putting forth a little extra effort to go the extra mile will make you stand out from the competition, even more than you do already, you fabulous Huskies, you. Here’s some advice from Peter Vogt, a MonsterTRAK Career Coach: •
If you have not done so already, take a few minutes to jot down notes about the employers and companies that you spoke with at the fair. It’s easy to do and it will help you remember the specifics of your conversation, the opportunities that are available with that employer, and any next steps the recruiter suggested you take. And do it soon! The longer you wait, the murkier your memory will become.
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Follow-up on what you said you’d do. If you promised a recruiter a targeted résumé, or told them you’d pass along the URL to your website, make sure to followup, posthaste. Your quickness in responding will illustrate your responsibility and professionalism.
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Send a thank you note. Take it from us: hardly anyone thinks to send a thank you note to career fair recruiters. But the extra thought and effort set you apart, and employers will appreciate and admire your gratitude. Take a moment to thank them for their time, reiterate your interest in their company, and briefly state a few of your skills that you feel qualify you to work for them.
Need help? The UW Career Center is here for you. Give us a call at (206) 543-0535 with any questions, or stop by 134 Mary Gates Hall. To read Peter Vogt’s full article, check out www.monstertrak.com/career-guide.
ISSUE 15 • MARCH/APRIL 2009 • Page 4
The UW Career Center newsletter is brought to the students of the University of Washington each month with contributions from staff and students like you. If you have any questions, please contact us through our website or by stopping by. Nick Morse, Editor and Layout Cara MacMillan, Writer Alyce Mallet, Contributing Writer