Interview Dilemmas: Dos and Don’ts for Getting That Call

Over the past couple of weeks, we’ve had a bevy of interviewers roll through our offices. This is good news for students: even in a down economy, many companies are still hiring for entry-level positions. In fact, according to a September Chicago Sun-Times article, entry-level jobs are the least affected in this economy, because they’re the least expensive. Because of staffing shortages caused by layoffs, this is also a good time for recent graduates to get higher-level experience than they might otherwise.

So, that’s the good news. The bad news is that, as you might have guessed, this job market is even more competitive than usual. That means that job-seekers need to be on top of their game at all times to snag that illusive and all-important interview. You’ve probably heard the most important tips: make sure your resume and cover letter are targeted and polished; try to submit your materials to a person, not a database; do your research on the company and the position. You also probably know that setting up an appointment with CAPS is a good way to get advice and feedback on your materials and your job search, as well as practice for an interview. Once you’ve taken care of the obvious steps, however, here are a few more tips to keep in mind:

• Get a business card. Even if you don’t have a title to list under your name, a business card is a lot less likely to wind up in the trash than a scrap of paper with your name scribbled on it. Printing companies like Kinko’s offer relatively inexpensive cards, as do a lot of web-based companies. Don’t try to be fancy—stick to your name, address, and contact information. The bottom line is that when you meet someone unexpectedly—on the bus, in the grocery store, at a cultural event—you want to give them a way to remember you. After all, personal connections can go a looong way when you’re looking for a job. And speaking of networking...

• Look for a person, not a position. Try to figure out what company or companies you’re interested in working for, then look for people you know who can help you get there. Talk to anyone you can think of, because you never know who might know someone who knows someone who...you get the idea. According to the same Sun-Times article, 80% of jobs are filled by personal referral. The bottom line? Make your network work for you. And remember that your network also includes thousands of University alumni. Check out the Alumni Careers Network (find log in instructions at caps.uchicago.edu) to make contact with those working in the industry you’re interested in.
  

• Dress to impress. True story: one prospective candidate wrote in her cover letter, “I have been in professional environments and I know when I need to pull my hair up and act like a lady.” Then, she showed up to her interview in jean shorts. Bad call. Whether you’re going to an interview or simply meeting an acquaintance for an information session, make sure that you’re dressed professionally and appropriately. Be mindful of your audience—i.e., whether you’re talking to someone in a formal or informal company—but when in doubt, wear a suit. One recruiter who was recently at CAPS told us that when making decisions about which students to invite back, how an interviewee dressed can make or break it.

Once you've gotten the interview...

• Use your waiting time effectively. Keep in mind that you aren’t just trying to impress the interviewer—you can make important connections in the waiting room, too. One job-seeker found out that the receptionist at the company she was interviewing with was a friend of a friend, a connection that worked in her favor. While you won’t necessarily get that lucky, you can learn a lot from the waiting room, like the culture of the company and the types of personalities they are looking for. Whatever you do, don’t get on your cell phone and loudly recount your exploits from the night before. Be professional at all times.

And finally, mistakes not to make in an interview...

Nothired.com has built a website around funny, stupid, and in some cases, unbelievable mistakes that job-seekers have made in cover letters, resumes and interviews. But as you laugh, remember to proof your materials thoroughly...some of the resume and cover letter mistakes could happen to anyone.

Some of the top interview tips, courtesy of Not Hired:
• Don’t stretch out on the floor to fill out a job application.
• Don’t bring your dog to the interview.
• Don’t wear an MP3 player and tell the interviewer that you can listen to it and
him/her at the same time.
• Don’t challenge the interviewer to an arm-wrestling match.
• Don’t ask to see the interviewer’s resume to see if he/she is qualified to judge
you.
• Don’t tell them that if you’re hired, you’ll demonstrate your loyalty by having
the company logo tattooed on your forearm.
• Don’t whistle while the interviewer is talking.
• Don’t throw up on the interviewer’s desk, and then start asking questions about
the job although nothing has happened. Actually, don’t throw up at all.
• And most importantly, don’t offer the interviewer cocaine (or any illegal substance) at the start of an interview.

Check out www.nothired.com to read more hilarious, scandalous, and awkward job-search mistakes.

Questions, comments, tips or interview stories of your own? Post a comment!

How to Think Yourself Into a Job

Chances are that at some point you’ve encountered a promise that sounded too good to be true. Marketing campaigns promising things like “you’ll lose 10 pounds overnight!” are usually at the top of my “To avoid” list, since I’m pretty sure the only ways to lose 10 pounds overnight involve stomach flu or the amputation of a major extremity. That said, don’t fear, wary job seeker: new research proves that you really can think yourself to job search success.

Here’s the deal. Researchers at the University of Missouri studied the efforts of 327 job seekers between the ages of 20 and 40. The goal of the study was to identify how personality traits—specifically positive thinking, extraversion and conscientiousness—influenced the job search process. Researchers conducted three surveys over the course of eight months, collecting data on demographics; personality; emotions; planning and goal setting; job search results; and job offers. What the study revealed is both groundbreaking and commonsense: it turns out that developing a plan at the beginning of a job search, sticking with that plan, and maintaining a positive outlook are all key to success.

Since we at UChicago are especially interested in theories, let’s break down this one a little bit further. According to the study, conscientiousness and extraversion are both important qualities. Job seekers with these traits engaged in more metacognitive activities, like setting goals, assessing their own skills, and keeping a record of their job search progress. These activities, in turn, led to a higher number of resume submissions and first round interviews.

Researchers also noted that conscientious job seekers had another edge: they conducted higher quality job searches and followed up with employers more effectively. When I was little, my grandmother went to great lengths to remind me that after-Christmas thank you notes are important. The same is true for after-interview thank you notes! Never waste an opportunity to make a good impression.

The final piece of the puzzle, according to the study, is the ability to think positively. The study questionnaires revealed that extraverted job seekers reported feeling positive throughout the job search process. Researchers also discovered that optimistic job seekers were more likely to score follow-up interviews, and thus received a higher percentage of job offers than other applicants.

At this point, you’re probably feeling pretty good if you consider yourself a conscientious, extraverted person. If you struggle with the whole job search process, however, don’t feel dejected: you don’t have to change your personality to get a job. What you can do is utilize the same set of behaviors that proved beneficial in the study. The first step is to set goals, and the second step is to make a plan. As you might have guessed, this being the CAPS blog and all, CAPS counselors are a great resource if you need help with these steps! We can assist you with determining realistic goals, figuring out where to start your search, and making an easy-to-follow plan.

Finally, it’s important to monitor your job search progress. If six months have passed and you haven’t achieved the goals you wanted to, be honest with yourself about it. Sit down and assess your goals and your accomplishments, and make a new plan. As Professor Daniel Turban, chair of the Department of Management and the lead researcher on the study noted, “Some of these recommendations seem like they are commonsense, but they are just not that common. People don’t have strategies, they don’t assess their plans, and they don’t think about their strategies and reflect on whether [they are] working or how to make them work better. They just don’t do it." By making sure that you do take these steps, and keeping a positive attitude, you can beat the odds and up your chances of job search success.

Source: Effects of Conscientiousness and Extraversion on New Labor Market Entrants’ Job Search: The Mediating Role of Metacognitive Activities and Positive Emotions.

What steps have you taken to make your job search successful? Please share your tips and leave your comments below!

The Real CAPS, Part 2

Last week, I discussed three of the myths about CAPS: The Crystal Ball (we can't tell you what your future holds), The Box of Jobs and Basket of Internships (sadly, getting a job is not that easy) and The Secret Map to Success (everyone's path will vary). This week I’ll discuss the top three myths about CAPS, as well as some more information about the real resources that we have to offer, which are way better than a crystal ball.

3. The Incantation of Employability

Like the Secret Map to Success, this myth is related to the idea that one visit to CAPS is all it takes to find a job. While the CAPS staff is here to help in any way that we can, there is no incantation of employability to magically make you the ideal candidate. And yes, it often takes more than one visit to CAPS, and a fair amount of leg work, to reach your employment goals. The truth is, becoming competitive in the job market requires knowledge and skills that must be developed over time. As you go through college, and then enter the work world, this knowledge will become more substantial and more useful. When you're look for ways to build this knowledge after college, remember that CAPS isn’t just for undergrads. Our services can be used by alumni, too. Basically, we’re here for you forever.

2. The Unchanging Temple of CAPS

True story: My first two years as an undergrad here, I refused to visit CAPS. Why? Because I wasn’t interested in business or finance, and from everything I’d heard, those were the only industries CAPS was useful for getting into. As it turns out, this was another myth I’d fallen for. While there are a good deal of employers who recruit for positions in business and finance, CAPS also caters to students looking for careers in the nonprofit sector, the arts, law, journalism, teaching…you get the idea. In fact, CAPS has staff members specifically focused on bringing in employers outside of business and finance. These folks have worked in their industries, so they know how to make connections that will help students. The truth is, CAPS is not an unchanging, unresponsive organization that only exists for a narrow student population. We are here to help all students explore their career interests, regardless of what those interests are. We are also creating new ways to connect with students—services like Live Chat and same-day appointments—so that we’re working with your schedule, instead of asking you to work around ours.

1. The Magic U of C Feather

Okay, allow me a moment of school pride: the U of C is a pretty great academic institution. Whenever people ask me where I went to college, I puff out my chest (just a little) and smile like a mom whose kid just scored the winning goal. That said, here’s a reality check: just because you went to an outstanding school doesn’t mean that doors will magically open for you. In fact, as anyone who’s had to explain the difference between U of C and UIC knows, not every person on the street knows what U of C is. The same is true for employers. For each recruiter that’s impressed, there will be another one who could not care less. The truth is, what’s important to most hiring managers is not so much where you went to school, but what you have gotten out of your education. This is where the U of C experience becomes a key factor. Even if your interviewer has never heard of the University of Chicago, they will appreciate the skills you have honed here—like critical thinking and a strong work ethic. The key to career success is combining these skills with self-reflection and career exploration, so that you are able to identify your abilities, talents and interests, and understand how to use those to your advantage. And, as you’ve probably figured out by now, that process of reflection and exploration is exactly what CAPS is here to help with!

Are there any myths or misconceptions you know about that weren’t mentioned here? Leave them in a comment below!

Getting to Know the Real CAPS

Now that the mercury is falling and the homework is piling up, summer might seem like a distant dream. In fact, looking for work is probably the last thing you want to think about as the quarter kicks into gear. But next summer—and for fourth-years, graduation—tends to come more quickly than you think. That doesn’t mean that you need to start looking for a job or internship today. But when you are ready to start, the good news is that you don’t have to figure things out alone. Whether you’re looking for a job in finance, the nonprofit sector, government, the arts or journalism (among others!), the CAPS staff is here to help you.

You may have been to CAPS several times, or never. Either way, you probably have a few ideas about what we do here…and a few impressions about how we do it. As an undergrad, I was fairly certain that it was CAPS’ job to get me a job, and I was a little disgruntled when I realized that CAPS is primarily a planning and career exploration service. Once I figured that out, I wondered what other myths about CAPS were floating around. So, to help you get to know the real CAPS, over the next two weeks I’ll be exploring, in descending order, the top six myths about CAPS, as well as explaining what we actually do.

6. The Crystal Ball

Imagine the following: John Doe, a fourth-year, is looking for a job, but isn’t sure what he wants to do. He figures that he should go to CAPS, since they can tell him what to do with his life.

Sound like anyone you know? The truth is that no one but you can tell you what to do with your life, or what’s in your future. Life is unpredictable, and the process of figuring out what you want to do is an internal one. While you might have wanted to be a ballerina or a firefighter when you were younger, your career goals have probably changed as you’ve grown up and figured out more about yourself. At CAPS, we offer resources such as career counseling, career exploration workshops, and a wealth of programs and networking events to help you learn about and explore your options. However, we can’t do it for you, just like we can’t look into a crystal ball and tell you what your future holds.

5. The Box of Jobs and Basket of Internships

When I started working for CAPS, more than a couple of my friends asked, “So you can find me a job now, right?” They were joking (sort-of), but it reminded me of my mistaken assumption that it was CAPS’ job to find me a job. While it would be great if all CAPS counselors had a magical box of jobs or basket of internships under their desks to dispense to students, that’s not the case. The truth is, job- and internship-searching requires dedication and hard work, and it can be a long process. The old saying “looking for a job is a full-time job” is often true. That can seem daunting—but the good news is that CAPS does have a bevy of resources to help you out. First and foremost, we teach job-searching and networking skills, so that when you find that golden opportunity, you can take advantage of it. Second, we help connect students, employers and alumni, because networking is a big part of finding a job. Third, we have an extensive online job board, as well as several job fairs each year. If you invest some time in your search, and take advantage of the resources CAPS offers, chances are you will be well-positioned to capitalize on opportunities that come your way.

4. The Secret Map to Success

It’s commonsense that the most direct route between two points is a straight line. With this in mind, it would seem that there must be a “direct route” to the job or internship of your choice. The myth is that every CAPS member has this ”secret map to success” tucked away in a desk drawer, and that getting the job you want is as simple as following the prescribed steps. While this is partly true in some cases (you need to go to medical school if you want to be a surgeon, for example), for the vast majority of students there are a number of different ways to reach the same goal. Your path may have branches, loops or dead ends. The most important thing to remember is to be flexible and keep an open mind, because you are the one who determines your career path. What CAPS can do is help you learn more about the career(s) you are interested in, and connect you with people and resources in that field. One last thing: never feel that your major must determine your career. Film studies majors can work in finance, just like Economics majors can become actors. It’s all about how you choose to pursue your interests.

Check back next week to read about the top three CAPS myths...

Comments? Questions? Criticisms? Please leave your feedback below!

Cover Letter and Resume Tips from a Tired Resume Reader

True story: this anonymous blogger works in an office that is currently hiring. The hiring process obviously involves reviewing the resume and cover letters that candidates submit for an open position. And after reviewing many, many cover letters and resumes, I have some tips about using key words and tailoring your cover letter to a particular position.

Here's what not to do, based upon my personal experience:
1) Do not state in your cover letter that you do not possess the skills that I am looking for. Instead, highlight the skills that you do have, and indicate how those are relevant to my position.
2) Don't be vague. Instead, use key words that are found in the job posting. If my job description says I am looking for a strong writer, in your cover letter discuss your strong WRITING skills.
3) Don't use a generic resume. Just as your cover letter should be targeted, the same is true for your resume. If my job description calls for management experience, your resume should indicate when you've MANAGED a project or a team.

The idea of using key words is also important, because in some cases it's not a person like me reading your resume or cover letter, it's a computer program. This can be true when you're applying to large organizations who simply do not have the human resources staff on hand to review hundreds of resumes a day. To help crack those software programs and get your resume into the hands of an actual living and breathing human being, here are some more tips, courtesy of Edison International's website:

To maximize our computer's ability to read your resumé, you should provide a "clean" original, and use a standard style. Follow these style tips:
• Use white or light-colored 8 1/2 x 11" paper
• Provide a laser quality original if possible
• Do not fold or staple your resume
• Use standard fonts such as Times or Courier
• Use a font size of 10 to 14 points
• Place your name at the top of the page on its own line
• Use standard address format below your name
• Use boldface and/or all capital letters for headings
• Avoid fancy treatments such as italics, and shadows
• Avoid vertical and horizontal lines, graphics, and boxes
• Avoid two-column formats
• Don't condense spacing between letters

A Word about "Key Words"
Because the computer extracts information from your résumé, you may want to include a few key words that will increase your opportunities for matching job requirements. Recruiters and managers access the résumé database in many ways, either to search your resumé or search for specific experience. Here are a few tips to get your resume noticed:
• Use enough key words to define your skills, experience, education, professional affiliations, etc.
• Describe your experience with concrete words rather than vague descriptions
• Be concise and truthful
• Use more than one page if necessary. The computer can easily handle multiple-page resumes
• Increase your list of key words by including specifics
• Use common heading such as: Objectives, Experience, Employment, Work History, Skills, Affiliations, etc.
• If room allows, describe your interpersonal traits and attitude
• Use jargon and acronyms specific to your industry (spell out the acronyms).

Bottom line: Tailor your resume. Because even if a person is reading your materials and not a computer program, trust me when I say that presenting your most relevant skills in an easily understandable format will really make that person really happy.

Questions or comments for today's blogger? Post them here.

When I Network I Feel: Dirty, Desperate or Discouraged?

An article on MediaBistro(create a free MediaBistro account to read the article in its entirety) last week asked the following question:

I wish more people thought of me as:
a) Aggressive
b) Obnoxious
c) Annoying
d) Pathetic
e) Slimy
f) A name-dropper

This pop quiz is useful, because it explains why so many people, especially students and recent alumni who are entering the job market for the first time, cringe when they think about "networking." It can feel slimy, irritating and sometimes desperate to actively be seeking out individuals to talk to, in the hopes that they will help you land a job.

We talk about networking A LOT on the CAPS Blog, and with good reason - there is no way around it, you must network to find job leads, especially in this tough job market.

Some of our favorite points that this most recent article made, include:

"This is my mantra: Stop looking for a job and start looking for a person. The right person will lead you to the right job. This applies whether you're looking for a job or just personal and professional connections in general..." That's the thing with networking - it's about making personal connections. So even if your roommate's brother's girlfriend works in an industry that does not at all relate to your interests, she might have a friend, cousin, neighbor who does. The point being, don't discount the people you meet - they might have an insider connection that will help you out.

Also good advice - Be specific: "Don't tell people 'I'll do anything' or 'I'm interested in everything.' They can't help you without specific guidelines about what you want. You are not being flexible; you are being naïve. I'm willing to talk to you and open my Rolodex but I need parameters: specific jobs, industries, geographical areas. Help me help you!" This doesn't mean you need to know EXACTLY what you're looking for or EXACTLY what type of job you want - but it helps to provide a little bit of background information. For example, "Wow, I didn't realize you were a biology major in undergrad. I'm actually graduating with a degree in biology this spring, and I'd like to use my degree at work. Do you have any suggestions of organizations I could look into?" Simple, right?

Our favorite piece of advice from MediaBistro? Use your career services office: "These offices and associations range from the highly structured to informal or nonexistent; private institutions in particular place great emphasis on maintaining these kind of networks. You can call up the alumni association, career or magazine office, explain that you're interested in talking with alumni in your industry or area, and see what they come up with. Some schools have online databases or alumni magazines, some with "class notes" sections. Read these to find names of like-minded alumni and find out if they're willing to be contacted and what their preferred mode of communication is. Your class may have regional officers or representatives; reach out to them. The people who volunteer to serve in these roles are generally connectors. Attend local gatherings or reunion events." The good news - the University of Chicago DOES have an on-line database of like-minded alumni who are willing to serve as career contacts for students and fellow alums. It's called the Alumni Careers Network, and to log on, click here.

Sick of hearing about the importance of networking? Tell us about it - and post your comments, suggestions and ideas here.

International Experience Grants and Summer Action Grants awarded to 23 University of Chicago College students

Today's post comes from guest blogger and CAPS' staff member Shayna Plaut, Assistant Director, Employer Relations, specializing in non-profit and government fields.

From rural China to downtown Chicago, from predatory loans to foreign diplomacy – this year’s recipients of the International Experience Grants and the Summer Action Grants span the spectrum of geographic region, thematic focus, class year and major – but all share one thing in common: ideas of action, generated by the student, and funded (at least in part) by the College.

Experiential education, the idea that learning takes place by doing, is a not a new idea. It was most formally promoted by John Dewey and has served as a cornerstone for liberal education. The University of Chicago has supported the notion of experiential education in many fields however, much of the support was tied to particular disciplines.

And there are times where students' ideas just don’t quite fit into a specific discipline.

The International Experience Grants and the Summer Action Grants were a response to this. The Grants allow students to propose their own ideas, to pitch themselves and explore the nitty-gritty of budgets, personnel and proposals. And when students are given such creativity and responsibility, they excel. This is the first year the College has offered the International Experience Grants and the Summer Action Grants and the student response to these opportunities was very strong.

We want to thank Dean John W. Boyer for providing the funding, the committee members for providing the time and energy and the students for providing the ideas. Due to the diverse and rich reach of the program, the funding for these grants will again be available next year.

Below you will find the recipients of the 2009 International Experience Grants and the Summer Action Grants; and please offer your congratulations to these students:

International Experience Grants

• Samuel Berkowitz, Economics, Beijing Global Village, China
• Lee Davidson, Economics, Community-based Conversation and Development, China
• Peter Slezkine, History, European Court of Human Rights, France
• Lady Velez, Biological Sciences, Hospital de Manta Rodriguez Zambrano, Ecuador
• Brittany Jackson, Anthropology, Marj Rabba, Israel
• Shashin Chokshi, Political Science, Self-Employed Women’s Association, India
• Jessica Dragonetti, Anthropology, Tshulu Trust, South Africa
• Karry Lu, International Studies, U.S. Commercial Service, Australia
• Anonymous, U.S. Department of State, Russia
• Shengziao Yu, Undeclared, Zhejiang, China

Summer Action Grants

• Rebecca Maurer, Interdisciplinary in the Humanities, interactive community mapping program, Chicago
• Charles Gerstein, Economics, Bronx Legal Aid, New York
• Rachel Cromidas, Law Letters and Society, Chicago Studies Olympic Bid, Chicago
• Lucy Little, Undeclared, CircEsteem, Chicago
• Isabela Blatchman – Biatch, Political Science, Center for Wrongful Convictions, Chicago
• Abimbola Oladokun, Political Science, Coalition for the International Criminal Court, New York
• Meredith Spoto, Law, Letters and Society, Cook County Public Defender, Chicago
• Jonathan Hartley, Economics, Federal Reserve Bank of Chicago, Chicago
• Kathryn O’Mara, Public Policy, Glaser Progress Foundation, Seattle
• Lauren Winer, English, Global Witness, Washington, DC/London
• Dallas Donnell, African American Studies, Greater Philadelphia Urban Affairs Coalition, Philadelphia
• Alexander Abbott Boyd, Economics, Neighborhood Economic Development Agency, Chicago
• Pater Salib, Philosophy, STRIVE, Chicago

Questions, ideas or feedback about grants, internships and summer plans? Post them here.