Introducing Career Fair 2009

Wednesday, October 14, 2009, 12:00 p.m. - 4:00 p.m.
McCown Gym, Winona State University, Winona, MN

Interviews only:
Thursday, October 15, 2009, 10:00 - 3:00 p.m.
East Hall, Winona State University

This annual event is sponsored by the offices of Career Services at Saint Mary's University, Winona State University and Minnesota State College - Southeast Technical. Career Fair is open to all students, freshman through seniors, who are exploring career options or looking for internship and job opportunities. As a participant of Career Fair, you may wish to speak with employers about their organization in general, about coursework and extracurricular activities that are helpful or necessary for entry into certain fields, or about specific opportunities within their organization, including internships, summer jobs, and permanent positions.

No pre-registration is required for students. Employers who would like to register, or students who would like to set up an interview, should contact Director of Career Services & Internships Jackie Baker at (507) 457-6695 or jbaker@smumn.edu.

Participating employers & graduate schools

The 5 Greatest Lessons to Learn from a Job Search

Article by Jessica Santina, CollegeGrad.com

1. The phone is your friend. Many job hunters hide behind their computers, expecting that once they've filled in those resume templates online, the offers will start rolling in. But 94 percent of companies never respond to applicants, so don't wait. Get on the phone. Start making inquiries and using your connections. And once you hit the workforce, your comfort level with the phone will enable you to pick it up and make that much-needed sale, which will serve you well throughout your career.

2. It pays to donate your time. When you're gainfully employed or in school, it's hard to find time to volunteer or try an internship. These days, many unemployed people are finding value in doing both, for several reasons:

It keeps your mind and body engaged
It's rewarding
It teaches you new skills
It introduces you to new people
It might just open the door to careers you wouldn't have previously considered

Plus, once the economy starts to rebound, many companies and nonprofit organizations hire volunteers and interns for entry-level jobs that just opened up. Research shows that those who work in their fields, even at low-paying or unpaid jobs, tend to rebound more quickly when things pick up.

3. Balance is important. Forced time off may be hard to enjoy, but if you can, try to find pleasure in it--reconnect with friends, explore a hobby, get some exercise. You may not have this kind of time again to try new things and spend time with your family. Maintaining a balance is important for staying positive, which, in turn, is vital when job hunting. Ironically, this positive attitude often makes you more attractive to employers.

4. You can do more than you thought. Just because you've studied and prepared yourself for certain kinds of careers doesn't mean that's all you can do. Once you open up your mind to new possibilities and capitalize on your untapped talents, you might be pleasantly surprised with where you land. Look for entry-level jobs that you're qualified for, and if you aren't qualified, look into which online degrees you could complete to meet the requirements--a little knowledge can go a long way. You could even try temp work, particularly in positions that expose you to different fields and work environments. Why not use this chance to broaden your horizons?

5. You can always be better at what you do. Graduate applications at colleges around the country were up by 8 percent in 2007-2008, and they continue increasing as job hunters look to enhance or add to their skills and make themselves more desirable to employers. Consider online degrees, which can often be completed more quickly and less expensively than traditional programs, and offer the flexibility that allows you to still job hunt or volunteer on weekdays. Learn more at http://www.collegegrad.com/education/

No one ever said job hunting was easy. But it can certainly be a time to learn more about yourself and have new experiences, and that's definitely a good thing.

Top 4 Tips for Recent Graduates Looking for a Job in 2009

Article by Melissa Bullard, CollegeGrad.com

If you're a recent college graduate, the current economic situation and news about rising unemployment may have you concerned about getting a job, particularly if you've already searched and come up short. Don't panic. There are a few tactics that can make your resume stand out, improve your chances of getting one of those fantastic entry-level jobs, and give you something worthwhile to do with your time.

1. Keep a Positive Attitude - According to the Wall Street Journal, the unemployment rate in April among those with only high school diplomas was about three times that of college graduates the same age. Even if job opportunities aren't abounding at the moment, you've still got an edge over those without a degree. Many companies are still hiring; it's just a matter of matching your particular skills to those most needed by employers. Eventually, waiting longer means you may appreciate the job you get even more.

2. Consider Rewiring Your Resume or Curriculum Vitae (CV) - Think outside the box: just because you graduated with a degree in math doesn't mean you have to teach math or work in finance. People have used elementary education degrees as a step toward social work. What sub-skills, extra training, and uncommon volunteer experience do you have? You may have the necessary skills to get your dream job, but no employer knows that unless you pull them out from hiding under your degree and job titles and make them explicit in your resume. What happened when you helped out at the food bank? Did the administration go wireless? Did efficiency increase? Were you key in recruitment of new volunteers? Now may be a good time to revise your resume or CV, highlighting volunteer experience and remembering to focus not just on tasks, but also on results.

3. Prepare Yourself As Best As Possible - Take advantage of tools and advice that can help you in your job search. Many career fairs offer networking opportunities, and some offer free resume consultation. If the school where you graduated offers career counseling or mock interviews, take advantage of these resources to hone your interviewing skills and find new fields that match your coursework. College preparation Web sites such as CollegeGrad.com can give you resume, interviewing, and job search tips.

In the meantime, see what is missing from your education or experience. Some jobs require a particular skill or knowledge set that you might not have. If you are unable to find employment, take advantage of the extra time to take classes, earn a particular certification, or even go to graduate school. If you think you may eventually need a master's degree to get ahead in your career and you're having trouble finding a job now, why not consider starting the master's degree now, or at least taking some graduate courses?

4. Keep Looking - Don't give up the search. CollegeGrad.com and dozens of other career Web sites post new job ads every day. Finding employment can be like a full-time job, but harder you work at it, the better your chances are of stumbling upon your dream career. Good luck!

Attention current students & alumni:

Join the Career Services & Internships Office, the Alumni Association, and the Kabara Institute for Entreprenuerial Studies for SMU Network '09. This great opportunity will take place on Wednesday, August 12, 2009 in Minneapolis. For more information and online registration, please visit www.smumn.edu/network.

Rock Your Résumé in Any Situation

Posted Jun 3rd 2009 5:27PM
by Rachel Zupek, CareerBuilder.com writer

Whether you're currently employed, facing a layoff or looking for a job, keeping your résumé up-to-date is always important. In today's economy, however, it's even more vital to have a current copy of your résumé on hand. After all, you never know when an amazing job opportunity -- or pink slip -- might fall into your hands.

"You have to be ready to submit your résumé on short notice," says Dustin DeVries, senior director of LEAD DAWG, a job search consulting firm. "Candidates who have taken time to update their résumé may be passed over for another candidate of similar caliber that is ready to go now. You just never know when that opportunity may land in your lap and you have to be ready to act."

Updating one's résumé today, however, may not be as easy as it once was. As job losses and layoffs continue to swell, people have to do more with less to enhance their résumés. Job seekers are unsure how to deal with lack of employment, gaps between work, title demotions, less duties and shortened job spans when updating their résumés.

Here are some ways to beef up your résumé if it is lacking in any of the following areas:

1. You have a gap between jobs
Depending on the length of the gap, Miriam Salpeter of Keppie Careers, says you should fill in the gap with something you've been doing in your time off. This will show employers you've taken initiative during this period rather than waiting for something to fall into your lap.
"Consider getting actively involved in volunteer projects and/or consulting opportunities, even if you do the work for free," Salpeter says. "This will allow you to use your skills in a way that is worth describing on your résumé."

2.You've been laid off
No employer will be surprised see an applicant who's been laid off. Be honest about your departure, DeVries says. "In this economy, it's going to happen. Don't misrepresent that you're still employed by dating your last position as 'to present' if you're not currently with that company. [It's a] red flag if a recruiter sees [you] as currently employed when in fact you've been laid off."

3. You were hired recently but laid off right away due to the economy
Don't leave any employment off your résumé, no matter how short a period you may have worked there. Just don't explain the details on your résumé.
"In today's economy, most people will give you the benefit of the doubt that your departure was not a result of your performance," Salpeter says. "Be prepared to discuss it if it comes up in a conversation or interview."

4.You were demoted or had a title change
Titles are just that -- a title. It says nothing about your specific accomplishments and your track record of meeting or exceeding metrics for your organization, DeVries says.
"State your title, but focus [on] your achievements for the organization. Any good recruiter or potential employer is going to be most interested in your track record of meeting objectives no matter what your role," DeVries says. "A 'director' of marketing for one company may require something completely different from a 'director' role at another company. Focus on your measurable accomplishments."

5. You went from a senior-level position to a "filler" position at lower level
In this situation, it's critical to include an objective that outlines what type of position you're looking for at the company where you're applying, DeVries says.
"If you have to take a 'filler' position between professional positions, you need to include the role but place your focus on the activities you have maintained during that time to remain current in your professional field," he says. Volunteering, professional networking and taking classes are all things that will help keep you current.

Top Jobs for Liberal Arts Majors

Top Jobs for 2008-09 Liberal Arts Majors*

Teaching
$35,071

Sales
$42,677

Management Trainee (Entry-Level Mgmt.)
$33,238

Social Work
$27,873

Law Enforcement
$43,806

Management, General (Mid to Upper Level)
$45,775

*Source: Summer 2009 Salary Survey, National Association of Colleges and Employers. Data are for bachelor’s degree graduates only.

Update from a summer intern

Amira Sadek, senior at SMU, is doing a summer internship with the Department of Transportation in Anchorage, Alaska. She is having a wonderful time. Stay in touch with what Amira is doing and her many adventures.

Check out Amira's blog at http://amirassenioryear.blogspot.com/