HNU Career Center

Job Search Tips for New Grads

Maureen Nikaido — Wed, 08 May 2013 20:10:55 +0000

Don’t Wait to Start Your Job Search

If you haven’t started your job search yet, don’t delay; start now! It might be tempting to take some time off after graduating, but you might not realize how long a job search can take. The process can take months even in a good market, so start actively searching now.

Identity Your Job Target

Increase your chances of job search success by starting with a clear focus and job target. This includes knowing what you offer — your skills, interests, abilities and strengths as well as knowing what type position you are seeking. Consider:

What function/type of work you find interesting
What setting/environment you want to work in
What client/ type of people you would like to work with.

If you have not taken the time to identify your focus, consider going back to the Career Exploration section of CareerBeam, our virtual career center. There you will find many self-assessments to help clarify your interests, strengths and preferences. I also love Candid Career for learning about career options. It features short videos with people working in different jobs. It gives you a good feel for the work. Access it through the career center web page to be automatically logged in.

If you don’t have a job search target, you may find yourself just applying to all advertised jobs. You might feel like you’re accomplishing something by sending out lots of resumes but this isn’t a very effective approach. It can feel random and because about 80% of job openings are never advertised (this is called the hidden job market) using this strategy alone limits your options.

Develop Your Company List

Once you have a job target, you can develop a list of companies for whom you would love to work. Having a company list expands your options. You can use the internet to discover information about the company, search the company web site for open positions and find connections via LinkedIn or other resources who can help you apply for employment and possibly get an interview.

Resources for Identifying Companies

CareerBeam, accessed through the Career Center’s web site has an excellent Research Tools section that includes US and world-wide company directories, industry reports, top rated cities lists, business industry resources and much more.
Your local Chamber of Commerce is an ideal resource for finding local companies. The U.S. Chamber of Commerce has a directory you can search to find your local Chamber of Commerce. Then visit the Chamber’s web site to see if there is a directory of local companies.
The San Francisco Business Times Book of Lists provides you with listings of hundreds of the hottest area companies in their fields, by ranking. You’ll also receive the names of key decision makers, along with their titles and complete contact information. You can find this resource in the career center.

Use Your Network

Now that you have a job target and a list of potential companies, it’s time to start talking to people or networking. Networking is a way to gain insight about different jobs and companies and it’s also the key to tapping into the “hidden job market”, the 80% of jobs that are never advertised. LinkedIn is an excellent tool for developing and utilizing your network of contacts. You can learn more about getting started with LinkedIn here.

Job Listings

While is shouldn’t be your only strategy, you’ll still want to check out online job listings. Here are a few that might be helpful to you.

CareerBeam – job listings are under the “getting the job” heading on the menu bar.
Indeed.com – this site aggregates listings from thousands of web sites including job boards, company web sites, professional associations and more.
Bay Area Careers – Searchable by 8 Bay Area regions (including Sacramento). Linked to jobs on company home pages

Who’s in Demand?

Maureen Nikaido — Fri, 19 Apr 2013 17:28:36 +0000

Courtesy of the National Association of Colleges and Employers, copyright holder. www.naceweb.org.

Tips From Employers That Are Hiring

Maureen Nikaido — Fri, 19 Apr 2013 17:22:16 +0000

The best job-search advice comes from the employers that are hiring. If you take the time to follow this advice, you’ll be better prepared than your competition for your application and interview.

Here are some things you can do to aid in your job-search success:

Research the Company

What products or services does the company produce and sell?
Where is it located?
How well did the company do last year?
What activities by this company have been in the news lately?

Learn something about the company with which you want to interview. Read its website and its annual report. Search for news stories mentioning the company. Use this information to customize your resume and cover letter for the position you want. Impress the interviewer by knowing something about the company. (Learn more: See Researching Employers)

Perfect Your Qualifications

A high GPA is important. It means you know the subject matter. However, employers are looking for people with “soft skills,” too—skills you can learn through extracurricular activities such as leading a team, taking part in a group task, or organizing a volunteer project. Employers want to find communication skills, a strong work ethic, teamwork skills, initiative, the ability to relate to co-workers and customers, problem solving skills, and analytical skills.

Get Experience

Year after year, the majority of employers taking part in a survey conducted by the National Association of Colleges and Employers (NACE) say they prefer to hire job candidates who have pertinent experience. For college students, typically, relevant experience is gained through an internship.

In fact, an internship can be the “foot in the door” to a job with many employers: NACE surveys show that newly hired employees often come from the organization’s own internship program.

Build a Network

Whether you get the job you want—or even hear about the job opportunity you want—could easily depend on who you know.

Here’s where you will find people to build your professional network:

Business and professional social networking sites
Professional associations (online and in person)
Career fairs
Company information sessions
Your school’s alumni network
An internship or co-op program
A student professional organization
Faculty contacts
Employee referrals
Parents of friends who work in your field

Apply Online

Few employers want a paper copy of your resume in the mail. Many employers want to receive resumes and job applications through their websites.

Here are tips to keep your resume from getting lost in a company’s database of applicants:

Load your resume with keywords: Add job titles and specific skills—especially those that are specific to your field.
Use jargon and phrases specific to your field.
List the names of companies you’ve worked for or interned with: recruiters may look for their competitors’ names.
Post your resume on professional niche websites.

Make Career Services Your BFF

What is it worth to have someone who is in daily contact with potential employers show you how to write a winning cover letter, critique your resume, practice interviewing with you, connect you with people who are working in your field, and give you access to thousands of job opportunities?

Find the career center on your university or college campus today. Employers use this resource to find new hires, so shouldn’t you be there?

Say Thank You

Stand out among candidates. Send a thank-you note to each recruiter you meet at a career fair; to the employer who practices a mock interview with you; to a hiring manager who spends a few minutes interviewing you for a job; to anyone who serves as a job reference.

Keep your message short and confirm your interest. “Thank you for the opportunity to discuss [name of the position] at XYZ Company.”
Spell the recruiter’s name and title correctly.
Send your message immediately.

From the National Association of Colleges and Employers

http://www.naceweb.org/gg/job-search-advice/

Job and Internship opportunities

Maureen Nikaido — Mon, 18 Mar 2013 17:44:42 +0000

Oakland Metropolitan Chamber of Commerce

Special Projects Assistant

Assist staff on projects related to the marketing operations of the Chamber and a variety of other special projects and new programs. Posted on HawkJobs

Landmark Event Staffing

Event Staff

Make your own schedule. Work as an usher, ticket taker, or security. Posted on HawkJobs

Roche

Summer Internships – Digital Marketing, Project Management and more

At Roche, 82,000 people across 150 countries are pushing back the frontiers of healthcare. Working together, we’ve become one of the world’s leading research-focused healthcare groups. Our success is built on innovation, curiosity and diversity.

Galileo is now hiring Team Leaders and Assistant Instructors at 38 sites throughout the Bay Area!
Galileo, now in our 12^th year, is an innovation-focused education company which runs four summer camp programs at 38 sites throughout the Bay Area. Our mission is to develop innovators who envision and create a better world, and we reach this mission through our unique pedagogy, the Galileo Innovation Approach. We nurture creativity, curiosity and expression in campers, and believe in giving staff the opportunity to contribute their strengths toward the success of a program and company invested in their personal and professional growth.

Team Leader & Assistant Instructor positions fill quickly on a rolling basis. Apply or learn more today at http://www.galileo-camps.com/jobs/why-work-here

Pay: $350-$425 per week (Monday-Friday), depending on experience
38 locations throughout all regions of the Bay Area
6-10 week commitment, depending on location (day camp program, housing not provided)

City Year

City Year is an education focused, nonprofit organization that unites young people of all backgrounds for a year of full-time service to keep students in school and on track to graduation. At City Year’s 21 locations across the United States and two international affiliates, teams of young people called corps members serve full-time in schools for 10 months as tutors, mentors and role models. By focusing on attendance, behavior and course performance, corps members are uniquely able to help students and schools succeed. MORE

United States Liability Insurance Group, 50/50 Program

We are seeking energetic, driven, and dynamic recent college graduates for an elite training and development program. More

Leadership Preparation Program, Lincoln Financial Advisors

Are you a college senior? Are you looking to explore a leadership rotational program? The Leadership Preparation Program (LPP) at Lincoln Financial Group is designed to prepare high-performing, high-achieving college graduates for important roles within our company. More

Americorps

Each year, AmeriCorps offers 75,000 opportunities for adults of all ages and backgrounds to serve through a network of partnerships with local and national nonprofit groups. Whether your service makes a community safer, gives a child a second chance, or helps protect the environment, you’ll be getting things done through AmeriCorps!

The College Cost Reduction and Access Act of 2007 created two new federal programs: a new Public Service Loan Forgiveness program and a new Income-Based Repayment plan (IBR) for the repayment of federal loans. More

Management Training Program, Enterprise Rent-A-Car

Named one of the best places to launch your career. For the Fourth year in a row. The Enterprise Management Training Program will put you in a position to succeed immediately. You’ll learn how to run a million-dollar business, maximize profits and motivate a team of professionals, while having fun along the way. More

Progressive Insurance

“The ideal place to get started”. One of the country’s largest insurance companies, our growth is the product of all 25,000-plus employees’ efforts and dedication. You’ll have the opportunity to shine…and the expectation that, from day one, you’ll contribute. More

Target

Want an opportunity to gain relevant business experience while working with an innovative and industry-leading retailer? We offer Store Executive, Distribution, Pharmacy, Headquarters Undergraduate and Headquarters MBA internship opportunities. You’ll gain invaluable on-the-job experience, career development and leadership opportunities while getting an introduction to our collaborative, fun and engaging culture. More

IRS

Trying to decide what kind of career you want to build? How about one that helps build your nation? Here at the IRS, you’ll be part of a tax-collection process that funds our nation’s most vital programs — from securing the nation and protecting social services, to maintaining parklands and forests, building libraries, opening museums, enhancing schools and much, much more.

It takes a wide variety of bright, dedicated people working in many different career fields to accomplish this task. The IRS offers opportunities for individuals with a wide variety of backgrounds and experience. More

Jesuit Volunteer Corps

The Jesuit Volunteer Corps offers women and men an opportunity to work full-time for justice and peace. Jesuit Volunteers are called to the mission of serving the poor directly, working for structural change in the United States, and accompanying people in developing countries. More

Oakland Young Professionals Networking Mixer

Maureen Nikaido — Mon, 18 Mar 2013 17:15:48 +0000

Date: March 20, 2013 Time: 5:30 PM – 7:30 PM

Location: El Gusano Restaurant – 1015 Clay St, Oakland, Ca

Oakland Chamber Young Professionals (OCYP) serves as a peer resource network to empower, engage, and advance Oakland’s young professionals under the age of 40.

Please join us for our monthly mixer and mingle with dynamic business leaders, entrepreneurs, and other young professionals.

This event is free for Holy Names Students. If you would like to attend, please send an email to Maureen Nikaido, nikaido@hnu by 5:00 PM on Tuesday so that you can be added to the list. MORE

Paid Community Fellowship Information Session

Maureen Nikaido — Mon, 28 Jan 2013 22:37:43 +0000

February 12^th, 12:30 PM, Brennan 60

TOLA teaches a new generation of organizers to build support by engaging in positive communication about specific projects or proposals. TOLA Fellows will go on to become the energy and hard work behind many important initiatives in our community. In this session, you will learn about the Fellowship Program and application process from past and current Fellows.

LinkedIn and your Professional Brand Workshop

Maureen Nikaido — Wed, 23 Jan 2013 18:39:10 +0000

LinkedIn and your Professional Brand

Feb 12th 4:30 PM and Feb 14th 4:30, Brennan 55

Building a professional online brand is necessary in this competitive job market. Your brand showcases your skills, experience and professional reputation. In this workshop, you’ll learn how to create a profile and tips for getting the most out of LinkedIn.

Job Opening with Oracle

Maureen Nikaido — Fri, 18 Jan 2013 17:59:05 +0000

Job description : Oracle COLLEGE_INITIATIVE

Online scheduling for career counseling and resume reviews available now!

Maureen Nikaido — Mon, 14 Jan 2013 03:37:05 +0000

You can now make an appointment for career counseling and resume reviews online. Click here to schedule an appointment.

Explore Careers with CandidCareer

Maureen Nikaido — Sun, 06 Jan 2013 17:30:18 +0000

Click here to go to CandidCareer

Explore careers by watching short YouTube style videos featuring professionals actually working in the field.
Learn about careers you didn’t even know existed.
Search by industry, major, keyword or job title.
Use the information to further educate yourself on your favorite careers, complete prerequisites, and pursue internship and job opportunities.

Real People + Real Feelings = Really Good Career Advice!