Job Search Bootcamp: Registration Open!

Are you a 2012 or 2013 Letters & Science Graduate?

Have you missed all of our L&S Career Services sponsored workshops this semester?  

Get them all in 1 day!

Join us for the 2013 Job Search Bootcamp

Friday, June 21, 9:00 am – 5:00 pm

Room 120 Middleton Building

Topics covered will include: Job search strategy, networking, resume & cover letter writing, interviewing plus a chance to do a mock interview, and salary & benefit negotiation.

Register at: http://go.wisc.edu/ym2722

Questions? Contact Andrea Lowe, alowe2@wisc.edu or (608) 262-3921

Preparing Your Elevator Speech

Approaching a Company Representative

It can be nerve-wracking to introduce yourself to someone new, especially recruiters. There are so many variables to consider when trying to make a good impression. Do you shake hands? Do you address their company and its work before discussing your own goals? And most importantly, how do you market yourself as a potential employee?

Then once you finally start talking with them, you’ve got thoughts going through your head like “Was that supposed to be a joke? Should I laugh? Am I making too much eye contact?”

Become confident talking with employers by preparing an “elevator speech."
What is this “elevator speech” I’ve mentioned?

It is a short introduction of yourself, what you are looking for, and how you can benefit the company. Your speech should only be about one minute.

Parts of an Elevator Speech

1) Where are you now?
• State your name and major, and shake hands with the representative.
2) What have you done?
• What experiences have you had, and what strengths and skills do you have to offer?
• Also include volunteer experiences and other activities
3) Where are you going?
• State why you are interested in that company/position. Do your research. Address their corporate goals and mission while explaining how you can be an addition.

This elevator speech is one part of networking with employers that may make you nervous, but it’s an important step in appearing marketable as a job candidate. Confidence is key in making a lasting impression- and practice helps!

How L&S Career Services can Help

We have handouts on how to use career fairs to your advantage, a resume critique service, and career counselors available to help with everything from what you want to do in life to creating your “elevator speech” for introducing yourself to employers.

Looking for more tips on approaching employers, or maximizing your time at the career fair?

Stop in at our extended drop-in hours:
This week M-F 9:00am - 4:00pm
Monday, January 30 – Tuesday, January 31, 9:00am – 4:00pm

Also check out our upcoming career fair prep workshops. You not only can leave with career tips, but we will also be raffling off free prizes for attendees.

Resume Writing / How to Make the Best Use of a Career Fair
Wednesday, January 25, Noon – 1:30pm, Room 120 Middleton Building or
Monday, January 30, 4:30pm – 6:00pm, Room 120 Middleton Building

To see a list of employers attending each of the career fairs coming up soon, follow the links below.

Public Service Fair
Thursday, January 26
11:00 a.m. – 2:00 p.m.
Great Hall, Memorial Union
Participating Employers
Find full-time, volunteer, and internship positions within the public service and government sectors. Whether you want to help with the environment or at-risk children, there are opportunities available. Come see how you can make a difference.

Spring Career and Internship Fair
Tuesday, January 31
4:30 – 8:00 p.m.
Kohl Center
Participating Employers
At the largest career fair of the semester, meet with representatives from more than 175 local, regional, and national employers. Begin a job or internship search, start networking with employers, or just start researching companies and careers.

Badger Career Night
Monday, February 6
7:30 – 9:00 p.m.
Kohl Center
Participating Employers
This fair, targeted towards student athletes and student leaders, offers students the opportunity to meet with employers specifically searching for the skill set they’ve acquired through their activities. All students are welcome.

In the Middle of a Job Search? Networking Pays Off!

Is hunting for a job really all about who you know? No, not all the time, but it sure does help.

In my role as a sourcing & diversity specialist, I often find myself stressing to job seekers how important it is to make appropriate connections that will assist in their job search. If you’re searching, I’d typically advise that, if you’re not already a member, it’s a good idea to join networks like LinkedIn or Facebook. Look for pages or groups devoted to the companies you’re interested in working with. On American Family’s LinkedIn and Facebook pages, I spend much of my time sharing information about our company, culture, position types, tasks/qualifications and other nice-to-know stuff, such as benefits and flexible work schedules.

So, you’ve done your research via social media. Will that help you get a job? Obviously, your skills and qualifications for the role need to be a good match, as well as your cultural fit with the organization and company values. Beyond that, who lands the ever-so-desired offer? Now, more than ever, landing an interview and then an offer is a competitive business. It’s a time when a job posting can produce upwards of 100 to 200 applicants within a few days or a week (not all qualified, of course). The way to rise to the top is NETWORKING. Know your skills and know how to network. I’ve witnessed this more times than I can count -- it really does produce job offers.

So, how does networking really work? The key to networking is finding the right people to connect with and then sharing some brief information about who you are, what you can do and what your interests are, in hopes that you can create a memorable impression. Finding commonalities with people will help them remember you and even cause them to recommend you to someone else – and that someone else may be just the person you need to know. I see this happen every day as I’m making connections for job seekers with our recruiters (staffing specialists), who in turn work with our managers, who hire for positions within the company. I’ve seen several job offers extended and accepted as a result of connections made through our LinkedIn Careers group and inquiries over the American Family Careers Facebook page, for example.

I know there are so many variables that come into play regarding career opportunities, from the type of position you want, whether or not you’d like to relocate, and most importantly, how the timing works out. Networking can help you spread the word about the type of work you want, where and when. And you never really know when it might pay off for you.

Here are a few of my favorite networking tips. When having a conversation with someone:
• Be brief. Avoid too much small talk and make your points.
• Set an agenda for your conversation, if only for yourself. You’ll stay on point.
• Keep yourself in front of your connections. Don’t forget to thank people for meeting with you.
• Search online groups or discussions to find industry professionals you might meet.
• Pay it forward – help others and they will help you.

Lisa Beauclaire is a sourcing and diversity specialist with American Family Insurance who also uses social media extensively to connect with potential job candidates. American Family is a Fortune 500 company specializing in property, casualty and life insurance with operations in 19 states. Connect with AmFam via Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn, YouTube, and The Family Room Career Blog.