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FAQs

The following links provide additional information on various career-related topics to help answer the most frequently asked questions from students.

Scroll down to view the entire list of topics and click on the topic to jump to that section:




Weston Career Center SERVICES
Express Advising/Quick Questions - What is it?
"What should I use express advising for?" The simple answer is — anything that has to do with your career search!
Express Advising/Quick Questions is available in Simon Hall, Suite 10. For specific days and times refer to the Advising section of our website.
To help you out, here are....
Top Ten Reasons to Use Express Advising/Quick Questions:
10.  To get some insight and coaching regarding an interview that is happening tomorrow (or in two hours — whatever the case may be!)
9.  To get quick feedback on your resume or a cover letter prior to submitting it to eRecruiting.
8.  To gain guidance on developing your network and target list.
7.  To answer your questions about your registration status.
6.  To provide some sample questions before your interview ... and advice on how to relax for an interview. Watch your caffeine intake!
5.  To get a cover letter proofed in less than ten minutes!
4.  To find out who the subject matter expert is in the Weston Career Center regarding a topic about which you are curious.
3.  For assistance in customizing a resume to a particular company (it's all about marketing!).
2.  For extra help with getting into eRecruiting.
And finally the number one reason to use Express Advising . . .
1.  To learn how to report your full time or internship offers!

Practice Interviews
One of our many services that we would like to see students take more advantage of is practice interviews. This will give you the opportunity to practice interview questions, improve your answers and learn form your mistakes without penalty. There is a high correlation between students who receive offers and those who have done practice interviews.
How does it work?
  • Call our office at 935-5950 and sign up for an hour block of time with an advisor.
  • Let our receptionist know what industry and role (and, if applicable, what company) you are practicing for. So we can offer you tailored interview questions. We have revamped our questions and they are targeted directly to your specific industry interest. Some of these questions are actual questions from this year's interviews.
  • Your practice interview will be video taped (if you wish) which allows you to critique your performance at home.
  • Professional business attire is required so that we can help you get comfortable with your "non verbals" while in business attire.
  • At the end of your practice interview, we provide feedback and help guide you through what may happen the day of the interview.
  • Don't delay, schedule your practice interview today!

eRecruiting
eRecruiting is a web-based, on-line recruiting system used by the Weston Career Center to manage all on-campus interviews, company-sponsored information sessions, résumé drops and job postings for current students.
  • Students should refer to this resource daily to receive up-to-date information on recruiting activity.
  • Only students who are registered with the Weston Career Center may apply for jobs in eRecruiting.
  • To open eRecruiting, use this link -
    http://olin-wustl.erecruiting.com/er/security/login.jsp.
  • You do not have to be registered to login to eRecruiting to view jobs.

Career Resources Library (CRL)
The CRL is provided as a service to the entire Washington University community but focuses exclusively on career and industry resources for students and alums with an interest in pursuing business careers.

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DRESS
What to Wear to Information Sessions
An information session is an important opportunity to establish one-on-one contact with a company representative, enabling employers to match a face with a resume and enabling students to gain valuable insight into the company and position.
  • Unless indicated otherwise, all information sessions are business casual. For men or women, this could be khakis or nice dress pants and a nice button down shirt.
  • While you do not have to wear a suit, you should NOT wear jeans, shorts, flip flops or any type of casual clothing.
  • The majority of information sessions are held in the Knight Center so you can change before you attend.
  • You don't want to be remembered as that one student in casual clothes. Instead, you want to be remembered as the student who took the time to attend the information session and was very interested in the company.

Interview Attire
Chances are, you already know the basics when it comes to dressing for interviews. Wear a suit, right? There is more to it than that and here are some specifics to help you ace that interview:
For Women:
  • Many women swear by a navy skirt suit, pearls, and pumps, and recruiters of all stripes seem to agree that a candidate can't go wrong with a well-tailored suit in a neutral color (black, navy, or gray are your best bets). At more conservative companies, such as investment banks and consulting firms, anything other than non-textured nude hose and heels is pushing the envelope of what's acceptable. Otherwise, a tasteful pantsuit with medium-heeled leather loafers will look put-together and professional. Minimal makeup and non-flashy jewelry can also help you look and feel your best in an interview, but are not required.
For Men:
  • A suit in a dark, neutral color, a white or blue dress shirt, and a tie in a conservative pattern should do just fine for most interviews. Stick to natural fabrics, like wool and cotton. For example, a navy pinstriped suit with a white or blue shirt, a dark red tie, black socks, black belt and black shiny shoes would be acceptable. "Nice shoes" generally implies a pair of polished, not ground-down-at-the-heels leather shoes in black. Don't fall victim to the white-socks-with-dress shoes syndrome that plagues many unfortunate men, and be sure that your trouser socks pass the elasticity test, so that they don't sag around your ankles midway through your interview.
Overall, you want to consider not only the culture of the company and industry, but also the prevailing norms of the department or division with which you'll be interviewing. For instance, the finance department of a newspaper is bound to be more buttoned-up than its editorial department. When in doubt, it's better to err on the formal rather than on the casual side of dress. You will want to save your perfume and cologne for dates, but don't leave home without deodorant. If this is too much to remember, at a minimum, recruiters say well groomed hair and clean hands are absolutely required.

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COMMUNICATIONS
What is the right amount of time to allow before following up with the employer?
  • Waiting to hear from an employer can become very agonizing, and sometimes weeks can drag on forever. However, there is a fine line between showing interest and being a pest.
  • We encourage you to ask about what your expectations should be regarding next steps towards the end of every interview. Keep in mind that this varies depending on the employer. Regardless of the timeframe they give you, be aware of it and only follow-up with the recruiter after the timeframe has passed. Simply reiterate your interest in the position and that you wanted to see where they were in their decision process.
  • Be sensitive to the fact that some employers may be waiting to complete all of their first round interviews across all of their schools before deciding how to proceed. Obviously, this depends on where Olin falls in their timeline; it may mean a shorter wait or a longer wait. Bottom line, they may just not have had the chance to follow-up.
  • Remember every interaction leaves an impression so make sure this one leaves a positive one.

Thank You Notes
A small note goes a long way....
  • Small social niceties are appreciated well out of proportion to the actual time it takes to do them. A thank you note both recognizes that something nice has been done for you, and leaves the impression in the recipient's mind that you are a kind, thoughtful person.
  • According to Vault's exclusive Interview Manners Survey, which surveyed 675 employees and employers, more than 35 percent of employers said that a thank you note "always helps" a candidate, and additional 42 percent said that it helps when deciding between two qualified candidates. Said one employer: "I have gone out of my way to hire/refer to my network candidates who have the grace to send a thank you note."
  • Quality counts too - in one celebrated study, a researcher who sent out poor quality cards to people he didn't know received a response rate of 10 percent - but when he sent out glossy, attractive cards, his hit rate went up 37 percent. Given this evidence, you may want to take the time out to have personalized thank you cards made up. Don't worry: not all personal engravers charge Tiffany rates. Shop around.
  • Send a thank you note whenever someone's done you a favor. Send them when you get a present, send them when you attend dinner at someone's house, send them to the person who organizes your going-away party at the office, send them to the professor who writes you a recommendation for law school or an internship. Don't procrastinate - keep a box next to your phone or on your desk. Make a note whenever someone does something worthy of a thank you note - and send it right away.

How to Communicate a Change in Status to Employers
  • Regardless if you have accepted a job, are no longer interested in continuing the interview process or need to ask for an extension in your deadline, you need to deliver these sensitive messages in a courteous, upfront and personal manner.
  • When possible, telling an employer in person is preferred. Understandably, this is not always possible. Therefore, that next best alternative is to communicate via a live phone conversation.
  • Do NOT leave this as a message. Following up with a formal email or written correspondence also sends a very professional message.
How to Decline an Offer
Circumstances may arise where you will have to decline an offer or indicate that you are unable to attend a recruiting event. To diplomatically and professionally communicate your answer, keep the following things in mind.
  • If at all possible, ALWAYS communicate in person via phone or face to face. Voice messages and email can leave a disinterested tone with limited information and sends an avoidance message (ie you'd rather avoid a direct conversation with them and just send them an email or leave a voice mail when you know they won't be there). If you need to, leave a voice mail or email to say that you really need to speak to them live and inquire when the best time is to reach them.
  • Be prepared for the "why" question. Use good judgment. If you can't make an interview because your friends have a party planned that weekend, think about what kind of message this sends to the recruiter. If you truly can't afford to be away from class at that particular time, be upfront, honest and express your commitment to academics and could you possibly come at a different time.
  • Your actions to the employer should mirror how you would prefer they respond to you. You would likely not want to receive a voice message at 2 am before an interview saying that the company has decided not to interview you. Just like you, recruiters don't like to reschedule, be caught off guard or turned down. Therefore, conduct your communications in the manner you would prefer to receive them.
  • Most importantly, remember that what you say, how you say it, and when you say it is a direct reflection on the entire school. Just as previous students have paved the way to strong relationships with employers, you too should continue to represent the school in a professional manner. By providing timely and professional responses, expectations on both sides of the recruiting table can effectively be managed.

Effectively Using Email in your Job Search
  • Writing effective email is critical to your job-search success and isn't difficult, but many students struggle with it. Consider whether you are among them by putting yourself in the position of your email recipients. Why would they read your message? How will they react if they do read it? The following tips will help you avoid some errors that you may otherwise learn only through painful personal experience.
  • Avoid mass emailing - Cookie-cutter messages are less effective than personalized messages since they don't address an employer's unique situation. In addition, mass emails are more likely to get caught in spam filters. System-wide filters frequently delete messages that look like spam before they enter an organization's email system. Individuals with a greater sensitivity to spam may have an additional filter on their personal computers.
  • Get attention with your subject line - Unless the recipient is expecting an email from you or has a specified subject line, you've got to get his or her attention to ensure that your message is opened and read. So write your email's subject line carefully — it's as important as the contents of your message. If it fails, so does your message. Keep it short, but informative. Most of the words should be visible when recipients view it in their in-box list. Use a maximum of four to six words. Make the subject line a positive attention-getter. View it like the headline for a news story. A message with a nondescript subject like "Information" or "Resume" will probably be ignored. Your subject line should be honest and accurate, but interesting enough to prompt someone to open it. For example: "Wash U Business Alum Resume." Connecting with a fellow alumnus/alumna greatly increases the probability that your message will be opened because it indicates knowledge of the person you're contacting.
  • Follow the job posting's directions - following the directions on the job posting will usually put fewer obstacles in the way of your job-search success. If the posting specifies that the job-requisition number or other identifier be provided in the subject of your email, do not ignore that instruction. In a sea of (probably) hundreds of resumes, recruiters don't have time to figure out which job you're seeking, and your shot at that opportunity will be lost. If you don't follow directions, you appear either inept (can't follow directions) or lazy (didn't bother to read them). Obviously, neither enhances your prospects with the employer.
  • Complete the "To:" field last - Wait until your message is perfect to fill in the recipient's address. Otherwise, you might embarrass yourself if you accidentally click "Send" before your message is ready. Many people learn this rule only through a painful experience. "Ignore last message!" emails are ineffective and can destroy your credibility.


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INFORMATION SESSIONS
What is an Information Session?
Information sessions are an opportunity for employers to come on-campus to promote their company and educate students about the positions they have to offer. These sessions are extremely important to attend because they provide students a chance to establish one-on-one contact with a company representative. It also allows employers to match a face with a resume while enabling students to gain valuable insight into the company and position.
  • You don't have to be 100% sold on a company to attend. If you have always wanted to learn more about the industry or company, here is the ideal environment to do so. All students are encouraged to take advantage of these sessions. Information sessions are on the Weston Career Center web calendar and are advertised through eRecruiting.
  • If for some reason, you are not able to attend one of these sessions, feel free to come early or late to introduce yourself to the company representatives. They are aware that not everyone can make every session but will appreciate the extra effort.
What is a Pre-night?
  • Pre-Nights are almost always exclusively for students who have been selected to interview with the company the next day; hence the name Pre-Night. Pre-Nights are arranged to give selected candidates the opportunity to meet the interviewer, ask general questions after the information session, and network with company representatives.
  • In some rare cases, pre-nights can also serve as an information session. If a company is unable to come to campus earlier in the semester to conduct an information session, the pre-night MAY be open to other students.
  • When in doubt, please contact the Weston Career Center for guidance on the appropriate audience/attendance at these events.

What to Wear to an Information Session
An information session is an important opportunity to establish one-on-one contact with a company representative, enabling employers to match a face with a resume and enabling students to gain valuable insight into the company and position.
  • Unless indicated otherwise, all information sessions are business casual. For men or women, this could be khakis or nice dress pants and a nice button down shirt.
  • While you do not have to wear a suit, you should NOT wear jeans, shorts, flip flops or any type of casual clothing.
  • The majority of information sessions are held in the Knight Center so you can change before you attend.
  • You don't want to be remembered as "that one student in casual clothes". Instead, you want to be remembered as the student who took the time to attend the information session and was very interested in the company.

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INTERVIEWING
Preparation
  • Preparation for a job interview is essential. To prepare adequately, practice is of utmost importance. Ask others to role play with you or schedule a practice interview with a Weston Career Center career advisor.
  • Remember that job interviewing is not a controlled situation. You cannot control your interviewer nor the questions that will be asked. You cannot control the interviewer's feelings, personality or decisions. You can only control you. If you are rejected, do not take it personally. Try to clear your mind and start planning for your next job search.
  • Remember, most jobs are filled by referrals and networking is the key! Talk to anyone and everyone, especially alumni. They are very willing to help!

When interviewing on-campus, how to obtain the interviewers contact information
  • The Weston Career Center collects business cards from every employer representative who comes to campus. Contact information can be found in eRecruiting under the employer's name, in the Business Card Binder in the Career Resources Library, or through the Weston Career Center Recruiting Coordinator.
  • Don't forget to send a thank you note to your interviewers. It is a great way to keep your name in the forefront.

Researching Companies
Top Five Things to Know about Researching Companies:
  1. Start your research early. Don't wait until you've secured an interview. Researching companies and the industry overall may point you to companies you never considered. Likewise, you may read up on a company only to find out that they have just laid off 10 percent of their work force, or are in the midst of a hiring freeze.
  2. Your first step should be to visit the company's web page and read their recruiting information. Familiarize yourself with the company's products, services, and policies.
  3. After you've seen the company's promotional information, search for media coverage of the company. Check the archives of online publications such as Business Week, The New York Times, Fortune, as well as industry specific publications such as The Industry Standard (Internet), AdWeek (advertising) and MediaWeek (media/entertainment).
  4. Research the industry. You'll want to familiarize yourself with the top companies in the industry, the latest trends and growth areas, the impact of new technologies, as well as detailed knowledge about the particular company. This will help you to formulate questions that will set you apart during the interview.
  5. Research financial information on the company. This will give you information about where the company is headed and may come up in the interview. Publicly traded companies are required to report certain financial information - annual reports, stock prices, and other related information that is easy to find on the web. Privately held companies are a bit harder to research, but a little sleuthing (and help from the CRL staff) can get you what you need.

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Interview Etiquette
The Vault "Interview Manners Survey" reports that there is considerable confusion among students regarding appropriate behavior while interviewing. Vault's Recruiting expert, Eileen Levitt, addresses some of these questions:
"When is it appropriate for candidates to bring up salary and benefits — and how? When is the right time?"
  • Most employers will ask about previous compensation and provide candidates with a benefits overview. If not, ask for a benefits summary at the end of second interview. In terms of compensation, it is best to wait until asked to mention it.
  • However, if it has not been brought up, you can discuss it with a manager or an HR person at the end of the second interview by simply saying ,"I am very interested in your company and the position that has been presented. What is the salary range and may I take away some information on your benefits?" Remember most internships do not offer benefits.
"If you're running late for an interview, is it better to reschedule or to arrive late?"
  • First, it is best to plan not to be late. If possible, figure out where you are going ahead of time to ensure you know where you are going. Mapquest.com is a great tool for getting driving directions.
  • Second, if you know you are going to be late, call, let the interviewer know that you are running late and why, and then ask the interviewer if it would be better to reschedule.
"What do I do if you have a terrible interview experience and want to try again with a different interviewer?"
  • Depending upon the circumstances, it is probably best to write a letter or call the person with whom you interviewed. Tell the interviewer that you were having a bad day, etc. and ask if you can come back again.
  • It is not wise to ask for an interview with someone else. It might seem as though you are trying to get around the first interviewer.
  • If you are very interested in the company and eventually go to work there, remember that you might be working with that person.

Interview Attire
Chances are, you already know the basics when it comes to dressing for interviews. Wear a suit, right? There is more to it than that and here are some specifics to help you ace that interview:
For Women:
  • Many women swear by a navy skirt suit, pearls, and pumps, and recruiters of all stripes seem to agree that a candidate can't go wrong with a well-tailored suit in a neutral color (black, navy, or gray are your best bets). At more conservative companies-such as investment banks and consulting firms-anything other than non-textured nude hose and heels is pushing the envelope of what's acceptable. Otherwise, a tasteful pantsuit with medium-heeled leather loafers will look put-together and professional. Minimal makeup and non-flashy jewelry can also help you look and feel your best in an interview, but are not required.
For Men:
  • A suit in a dark, neutral color, a white or blue dress shirt, and a tie in a conservative pattern should do just fine for most interviews. Stick to natural fabrics, like wool and cotton. For example, a navy pinstriped suit with a white or blue shirt, a dark red tie, black socks, black belt and black shiny shoes would be acceptable. "Nice shoes" generally implies a pair of polished, not ground-down-at-the-heels leather shoes in black. Don't fall victim to the white-socks-with-dress shoes syndrome that plagues many unfortunate men, and be sure that your trouser socks pass the elasticity test, so that they don't sag around your ankles midway through your interview.
Overall, you will want to consider not only the culture of the company and industry, but also the prevailing norms of the department or division with which you'll be interviewing. For instance, the finance department of a newspaper is bound to be more buttoned-up than its editorial department. When in doubt, it's better to err on the formal rather than on the casual side of dress. You will want to save your perfume and cologne for dates, but don't leave home without deodorant. If this is too much to remember, at a minimum, recruiters say well groomed hair and clean hands are absolutely required.

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What is the right amount of time to allow before following up with the employer?
  • Waiting to hear from an employer can become very agonizing, and sometimes weeks can drag on forever. However, there is a fine line between showing interest and being a pest.
  • We encourage you to ask about what your expectations should be regarding next steps towards the end of every interview. Keep in mind that this varies depending on the employer. Regardless of the timeframe they give you, be aware of it and only follow-up with the recruiter after the timeframe has passed. Simply reiterate your interest in the position and that you wanted to see where they were in their decision process.
  • Be sensitive to the fact that some employers may be waiting to complete all of their first round interviews across all of their schools before deciding how to proceed. Obviously, this depends on where Olin falls in their timeline; it may mean a shorter wait or a longer wait. Bottom line, they may just not have had the chance to follow-up.
  • Remember every interaction leaves an impression so make sure this one leaves a positive one.

Thank You Notes
A small note goes a long way....
  • Small social niceties are appreciated well out of proportion to the actual time it takes to do them. A thank you note both recognizes that something nice has been done for you, and leaves the impression in the recipient's mind that you are a kind, thoughtful person.
  • According to Vault's exclusive Interview Manners Survey, which surveyed 675 employees and employers, more than 35 percent of employers said that a thank you note "always helps" a candidate, and additional 42 percent said that it helps when deciding between two qualified candidates. Said one employer: "I have gone out of my way to hire/refer to my network candidates who have the grace to send a thank you note."
  • Quality counts too - in one celebrated study, a researcher who sent out poor quality cards to people he didn't know received a response rate of 10 percent - but when he sent out glossy, attractive cards, his hit rate went up 37 percent. Given this evidence, you may want to take the time out to have personalized thank you cards made up. Don't worry: not all personal engravers charge Tiffany rates. Shop around.
  • Send a thank you note whenever someone's done you a favor. Send them when you get a present, send them when you attend dinner at someone's house, send them to the person who organizes your going-away party at the office, send them to the professor who writes you a recommendation for law school or an internship. Don't procrastinate - keep a box next to your phone or on your desk. Make a note whenever someone does something worthy of a thank you note - and send it right away.
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INFORMATIONAL INTERVIEWS
What is an Informational Interview?
If you are struggling with the industry or role you want to focus on for your internship, informational interviews are a great way to gain the knowledge necessary to focus your efforts.
  • While they share some similarities, informational interviews differ from job interviews. Informational interviews are not meant as an opportunity to ask for a job. They are, however, one of the best ways to explore careers and to lay the groundwork for generating job leads and future interviews.
  • For more information, read the Weston Career Center Guide to Interviewing.

Do's and Don'ts to Informational Interviews
  • The informational interview is not a job interview. The objective of the informational interview is to gain insight into a career path, a company or an industry, and to get advice about how to ask for additional contacts.
  • Remember that getting a job offer is not the objective, and it's not a practice interview. To make the most of an informational interview, visit your contact in person at his/her work.
  • This is a learning opportunity, not a sales opportunity. Do keep in mind that every contact is an opportunity for you to shine and market yourself. It is okay to ask about the hiring process and the criteria used to select candidates.
  • Be grateful to the interviewer for his/her time and stay in touch. The more people you meet, the greater your odds are for getting real interviews and becoming a better "interviewee."
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JOB SEARCHING LATE OR OVER BREAKS
What To Do If You Are Looking For A Full-Time Position in Late Spring
Some companies are interested in hiring full time candidates this time of year. Because it is late in the season, they often request that the Weston Career Center forward resumes of small groups of qualified applicants with a very short turnaround time.
  • Advisors recommend students based on their industry, geographic, and position preferences.
  • Make sure that your primary resume in eRecruiting is up to date with your current contact information.
  • Review your profile in eRecruiting and make sure the data is correct - especially your location preferences. This is the information filtered and if it is incorrect, you could miss out on a job opportunity.
  • Make sure that your career advisors are aware of your job search status and what positions you are pursuing, along with industry and geographic preferences.
  • It is important that you check and double-check that all contact information is correct on both your PRIMARY resume and in your eRecruiting profile. This is imperative if we, or a company, need to get in touch with you. Be sure to include additional phone numbers, (i.e. cell, work, etc.). Your Primary resume will be the one forwarded to employers so it is important to make sure the content targets what you want submitted to employers.
  • The Weston Career Center is here to help you in your job search, and our effectiveness depends on the information you provide.


Searching During Vacation or Holiday Breaks
During winter break, think about getting a head start on your post-graduation job search. With exams and term papers temporarily out of the way, the vacation is ideal for exploring professional avenues.
Don't know where to start? Try these activities and put yourself on the fast track to finding a job in your chosen field after graduation:
  • Do an externship. An externship is an opportunity for students to shadow professionals in action at their workplace to see their daily activities firsthand. Most are for one week, involve a light workload and are unpaid. This knowledge will help you conduct a more focused job search. While information can easily be gathered from books and the Internet, the best way to truly test your values and personal criteria for a job is by talking to someone in an occupation of interest. An externship also helps you get a feel for the type of environment you'd prefer - a large corporation or small private firm. To set up an externship, contact employers and ask to speak with an employee who is in the job you want to learn about.
  • Conduct informational interviews. These interviews are informal meetings with professionals. They typically last 30 minutes to an hour and topics can range from skills used most to daily expectations. Ask what they enjoy most about their job and how their job fits into their overall career goals. An added benefit is seeing the work environment first hand. Everyone likes talking about what they do so most people will find the time for this kind of activity.
  • Catch up on industry news. Haven't had enough time during school to pay attention to what's happening in your field? Now's your chance to learn which companies are industry leaders, which products are hot and names of major players at top firms. Employers are looking for people who are smart, energetic and passionate about their field. They want people who know about the projects they are working on and who their competitors are. They want candidates who exude confidence and understand the market. To get started, check out magazines and newsletters published by associations or professional groups and business publications such as The Wall Street Journal. Do your homework using online directories such as Hoovers.com to find the latest news about a company.
  • Practice interviewing. Practice, Practice, Practice! You can never practice too much for an interview. Practice giving concise responses to pertinent questions. A job search is about getting inside the heads of employers to determine what skills are needed to get a job done well. Come to the interview prepared to provide examples from your background that demonstrate you have those abilities. Pay attention to your nonverbal skills as well. Give a firm handshake, make eye contact, dress in clothes that are appropriate and show enthusiasm for the position. You may have all the right qualifications on paper, but unless you come across as passionate and focused, it's hard to be perceived as a strong candidate.
  • Target top jobs. With the plethora of job ads online, in newspapers and other sources, it's easy to understand why you might feel overwhelmed. But instead of trying to produce as many resumes as possible, target a handful of your top picks and send the employers personalized letters. Take the time to research whom you're applying to and know what a job requires in order to tailor a cover letter to those specifications. By writing personal letters, you also avoid mixing up company or executive's names and other damaging mistakes that might be made conducting a mass-mail campaign. Begin by listing the jobs you want the most. Then concentrate on each job application, paying close attention to every detail. Spelling and grammatical errors can influence your candidacy, so make sure to ask someone else to proof your letter and resume before sending them out.


Making the Most of Your Summer - With or Without an Internship
Just because you don't have a formal internship planned for the summer doesn't mean you can't get involved in activities or a summer job that can be a great resume builder. Here are some tips and ideas from the Weston Career Center.
  • Volunteer in the community. If you are interested in marketing/PR/advertising, volunteer on the marketing committee for an organization such as the Zoo or Science Center ... gain experience while building your network!
  • Get a temporary position in your target market. If you communicate your preference, many temporary agencies will try to place you in your selected target market. For instance, if you are interested in commercial banking, you could ask to be placed at a bank. If you are interested in accounting you could ask to be placed at an accounting firm or department.
  • Make a goal of arranging and completing one information interview per week. This will put you ahead of the curve for next year, enable you to gather important contacts and may even help you find an internship for the fall. You can never have too much information on a company or industry. This is a great way to build your network.
  • Offer to help a professor with a research project in an area of interested in.
  • Identify your target industry, research your target industry. Build on skills that can be communicated through your resume. For example, if you are planning to go into an industry that requires excellent customer service skills, being a waitress or waiter at a restaurant will certainly help you improve your skills and experience, not to mention your patience!

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NETWORKING
Typically networking meetings are done with someone with whom you have some sort of "relationship." For example, your friend's parent, piano teacher's wife, friend of the family, etc.
It can also be someone who has been referred to you by a parent or friend. There are several reasons to have these meetings, in addition to putting a face with a name, the networking prospect will get to know your career objectives and interests, provide valuable information about their company and the industry in general, and refer you to other appropriate professionals.
Some companies do "just in time hiring" and are far away from St. Louis. This is a great time for you to reach out to them for an initial meeting,and then reconnect with them in May.
It is difficult for most of us to reach out to somebody we do not know well and ask for help. Listed below are some suggestions and tips to help you through the process.
  • Send a brief email prior to the call so that the recipient will not be caught off guard when you get them on the phone. It is best to try to reach them when they are in. You may try several times before a "live" voice picks up. If necessary, leave a voice mail message indicating when you will be recontacting them. A good time to reach someone is early in the morning (7:30 - 8:30 AM) or at the end of the work day (5:00 - 6:00 PM).
  • When you do reach them, introduce yourself and explain the reason for your call. Describe your connection, mention your reference if applicable, and explain why you are interested in a meeting.
  • Elaborate on why you are requesting a meeting. Clarify your objectives: you want advice, specific information, leads and referrals. Give some information about yourself, your interests and your research.
  • Show enthusiasm and emphasize how important this meeting is to you. Suggest a possible date and time to meet. It is usually easiest for them to meet at their office. Meeting in their office eliminates their need to travel, which means they will have more time to meet with you. It may also give you an opportunity to meet some additional sources of networking! If you are traveling especially to meet this person - don't be afraid to mention it.
  • When you arrive at the meeting, have your target list prepared to share with the contact. The flow of the meeting will go a lot easier if you have a list to share and talk about. Also have a list of questions about the industry and the company that you are visiting. Hopefully, the contact will be able to give you some additional referrals and/or information about other companies on your list. If you obtain referrals, ask if you may use their name when contacting the prospect. Also remember to bring multiple copies of your resume. Who knows? The person you are meeting may be very impressed with you and could walk you down the hall and introduce you to Sally, Joe, and Emily. So you want to be prepared.
  • Write your thank you note within 24 hours of the meeting. Always remember to follow up in a timely manner with any referrals the contact gave you!

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POST GRADUATION
Transitioning to Your New Job
It's your first job out of college! Exciting, thrilling - TERRIFYING! The stress of a job transition can be enormous. However, perception is reality and first impressions stick. The way you behave, talk, make decisions or dress the first day or week on the job can be the impression that your employer remembers until your last day on the job.
The transition from school to "the real world" can be made much easier! The following tips will help you make a good impression.
  • Develop a strategy to terminate your job search network. If you networked successfully, you probably spoke with many people, and many of them may have talked to their contacts about you. An important component in ending your search is notifying your contacts of your success and thanking them for their support. You worked hard building and maintaining your network of contacts and they are too valuable to lose! Decide who you want to keep in touch with long term, and develop a plan to stay in touch.
  • Don't stress. In the first weeks on the job, we all want to impress our new co-workers and supervisors. Many times, we try too hard in the first weeks. If you conduct yourself in a professional, attentive manner, everyone will be impressed. Anxiety can be the cause of serious career mistakes. Be patient and take the time to learn the ins and outs of your new job. The rest will come!
  • Who are the key personnel? Your success will depend on being aware of who is in the know. Although it is important to recognize the president or the executive officers, your job success may depend on working professionally with the office manager. Be aware of the key players, and conduct yourself accordingly.
  • Avoid the gossip mill. Gossip mongers are everywhere, and prey upon the new employee. Before you start your new position, decide that you will be polite but will not allow yourself to become a part of the gossip group.
  • Remember not everyone will like you. It is impractical to think that everyone we work with will like us. If you conduct yourself in a professional, supportive manner, you will initiate good working relationships. You can strive to have a good, professional relationship with your peers, supervisors and associates without having to become everyone's best friend.
  • Create partnerships. Successful leaders have one thing in common. They are excellent at networking. Just as you worked to develop leads and contacts during your job search, get to know people quickly and engage them in their activities. Ask for help. People are always willing to contribute their ideas and suggestions. You will be amazed at how such exchanges will cause relationships to bloom.
  • Focus on the right things. Before starting a new job, be clear on what you wish to accomplish. Whatever the goals, you must focus your energy and effort toward achieving them. If your goals are not clear, talk to your supervisor and get them agreed upon in writing.
  • Be visible. If you want to be successful, you must be visible to those around you. People need to know why you were hired, and what you can do. You must be clear on how you want to be "branded." Then take steps to become known by the brand you have chosen. Visibility helps you "make a name" for yourself.
Changing Your Resume After Graduation
If you are looking for a job after graduation, there are some changes that need to be made to your resume. They include:
  • Update your contact information. Typically you will only have one address going forward. Therefore, center your address underneath your name. Also, if you will not be using your Olin email account be sure to include your new email address.
  • Put an end date for your time at Washington University. For example, if you have 2000 - Present you need to change it to read 2000 - 2004.
  • Check your GPA and make sure it is up to date.
  • Include any recent honors/awards. For example, Magna Cum Laude etc.
  • Upload the new version to eRecruiting. You will continue to have access until August 1st. Also, having your new resume uploaded will allow us to send it to employers over the summer if you are still looking.
  • Remember that your resume is always a work in progress. Continue to update it with your accomplishments.
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