J&J will be on campus next week interviewing Fox School students for 4 of their programs! Here is a great video detailing some of the things their recruiters look for on an interview. This is an easy way to do your research and preparation prior to the interviews!
Although the task of finding a job may seem too tough to tackle, it’s really quite simple when you compare it to one of your favorite pastimes: dating.
Just like burping out the alphabet or talking to your ex at the dinner table are sure-fire ways to blow a date, there are some things you just don’t want to do when trying to find a job. I found that if you apply these dating guidelines to the job search, you’re sure to find a dream job that’s a perfect fit for you.
If you keep these tips in mind, the job search won’t be half as grueling. Graduation will be here before you know it, and you want to make sure you’re ready when the right company comes along.
Find the original article HERE
Why Your Resume Gets Tossed
Sara Goldsmith, WetFeet.com, Yahoo! HotJobs
The average recruiter sees 5,000 resumes a year. Any legitimate reason she finds to make one disappear makes her life that much easier — and yours that much harder. Here, top-level recruiters reveal how candidates blow their chances to get a foot in the door.Numbers Don’t Add Up
If accomplishments can be quantified, do it — but use discretion. Brandishing borderline performance numbers signals a lack of experience and bad judgment. “Phrases like ‘managed a budget of $500,000′ or ‘led a team of two’ might catch my eye in a bad way,” warns Olaf Weckesser, a former recruiter for McKinsey & Co. Better to spin it as “managed company’s largest budget.”
Adds Alexandra DeMarino, a Citigroup recruiter: “If a small number is impressive, you absolutely have to put it in context.” Because you can’t provide context for academic numbers, don’t include GMAT scores below 650 if you’re targeting a top firm. DeMarino suggests bragging about nothing less than a 3.7 GPA.
Formality Takes a Vacation
Don’t succumb to the informality of email. “If you send a cover letter by email that starts with ‘Hi,’ it and your resume will probably end up in the trash,” says Cynthia Shore, an assistant dean at the University at Buffalo School of Management and former director of its career-resource center. Treat an email as you would a proper letter: Instead of “Hi,” write “Dear Mr. Case.” Instead of “Thanks,” conclude with “Sincerely.”
Keywords Are Overused
It’s true that recruiters sometimes use scanners to sort through resumes looking for certain keywords. But resumes appear contrived when candidates consciously try to include them. Describing a business-development position using such terms as “needs assessment” and “contract analysis” in order to squeeze in more keywords is a misguided strategy. Assume that a human being — not a computer — will be reading the resume. After all, these days fewer than 25 percent of all recruiters even use scanners.
Things Get Too Personal
“If you mention your age, we have to trash your resume,” says Jeremy Eskenazi, vice president of talent acquisition at Idealab!, the California incubator firm. Since it’s illegal for a company to solicit a candidate’s age, race, or marital status during the hiring process, firms have adopted a “don’t tell” policy to avoid potential bias suits. Many won’t risk even having it handed to them.
It Looks Too Fancy
“A recruiter who receives resumes in pretty plastic folders will likely toss them,” says Dave Opton, CEO and founder of ExecuNet, an online executive recruiting service. “I don’t have time to take the damn things apart.” Another faux pas: Folding a resume so that it fits into a standard business envelope. Heavy-stock paper that retains its crease can be a nuisance. Says Opton: “They’re easier to store and photocopy if they’re flat.”
Also, don’t try to differentiate your resume with boxes or ornate lettering. When recruiters see a resume that’s designed differently, they think the person’s trying to hide something. Instead, focus on content. Your resume will rise to the top of the pile.
Want more? Visit CareerTV.com for this video on keeping your resume out of the trash. For more articles on resumes and cover letters, visit WetFeet.com.
Proctor and Gamble will be hosting an online career fair on Thursday, October 1, 2009 from 10:00am to 6:00pm.
Check out what P&G is all about on their website here: http://www.pg.com/jobs/sectionmain.shtml
For more information about the Online Career Fair go here: https://vts.inxpo.com/scripts/InXpo.nxp?LASCmd=AI:4;F:QS!10100&ShowKey=1728
Dupont will be on campus hosting an information session and sharing information regarding their company, careers at Dupont focusing on their Finance/Accounting Rotational Development Full Time opportunity. This position is posted on FoxNet, so check it out!! Please RSVP on FoxNet.
DUPONT INFO SESSION:
Wednesday, September 30, 2009
12-12:50
CSPD Conference Room, Alter Hall 131
DuPont
Accounting/Finance Field Program-AcctFin0002
DuPont is a global Fortune 100 company, operating in 70 countries today. We are looking for people who have a passion for delivering innovative, sustainable solutions that meet our customer needs for a better, healthier, safer life.
DuPont offers an exciting place to work where thousands of innovations are introduced every year. You will have opportunities for growth through involvement in various dynamic industries from high-tech to high-performance; including agriculture, nutrition, electronics, communications, safety and protection, home and construction, transportation, and apparel.
At DuPont, you will find sustainability in our vision, our business and your future. If you want to work on the leading edge of your field and have a desire to make a difference, join DuPont and discover The miracles of science™.
DuPont Finance is responsible for the global financial reporting for the entire company. This accounting/finance position is an entry level position in the DuPont Finance Field Program, a rotational work experience program. The program will maximize each participant’s development by providing three or four rotating work assignments during the first 6-7 years of a DuPont career. Upon completion of the first assignment (in approximately 2-3 years) the candidate will be reassigned within DuPont Finance to a different position. Assignments may include a variety of Controllership accounting assignments, Audit, Tax, Credit, Treasury or Business Analysis positions, providing the participant with the chance to explore career directions based on his or her strengths and interests. Tenure in each assignment allows the participant to take full responsibility for the work of the position and gain a deeper understanding of this aspect of the finance arena. Most positions are located in Wilmington, Delaware, but some opportunities are also at other company locations across the middle and Eastern United States. Openness to relocation is expected of participants of this program.
Specific initial job duties may include, but are not limited to:
•Ledger processing - includes loading data, execution of programs, distributions, maintenance, and reconciliations.
•Reporting - maintain routine, standardized reports; revision and reconciliation reports to reflect accounting changes, new accounts, reorganizations, etc.
•Cost/Variance analysis - variance analysis focused on explaining actual costs before, during, and after closing
•Accounting process - design concepts and implement accounting. This is a joint responsibility shared with business analysts in case of unique design or process items.
•Initiate action - responsible for investigating and resolving issues/problems that appear within the assigned scope of responsibility. Responsible for ensuring adherence to company accounting policies and internal control standards.
•Provide education, leadership, and guidance to businesses and functions on financial / accounting matters.
•Initiate improvement initiatives.
Qualifications
•Bachelor’s Degree in Accounting, Finance, Economics (minor in MIS is a plus)
•GPA of 3.0 or greater
•Desktop software skills, particularly knowledge and use of Microsoft Excel and Word. (Access, Microsoft Project, and SAP a plus)
•Basic knowledge of internal control processes
•Candidates should have the ability to apply accounting principles to practical applications, manage multiple tasks, meet deadlines and demonstrate effective planning and organizing skills
•Strong interpersonal skills, strong oral and written communication skills and the ability to work effectively in teams will allow the candidate to perform efficiently in this position.
Performing well during the job interview is one of the most important steps in the hiring process. Every candidate wants to impress a prospective employer, but, despite his or her best efforts, not all do. Often, a simple mistake can cause an applicant to blow the entire meeting. Here are some errors to avoid:1. Arriving late
Getting to an interview on time or, for that matter, a few minutes early is an easy way to impress a prospective employer. Arriving late is not only unprofessional, it also shows the hiring manager that you have little regard for his or her schedule. It also calls into question your ability to show up to work on time, one of the most basic aspects of any job. Plus, arriving late could cause you to miss the meeting altogether if the interviewer has another appointment.
2. Being rude to the receptionist or assistant
Some candidates don’t think it matters if they’re dismissive of the hiring manager’s assistant when arranging the interview or get upset at the receptionist because he or she mispronounced their name by mistake. After all, this person isn’t the one making the hiring decision. But you may be surprised to learn that six out of 10 executives polled by Robert Half said they consider their assistant’s opinion important when evaluating potential new hires. So remember to be polite and respectful to everyone you interact with during the hiring process.
3. Acting like you’re the only person there
Consider this scenario: After you’ve checked in for the interview, you make a quick phone call to give your friend a blow-by-blow description of last night’s party, speaking so loudly that everyone in the office can’t help but hear you. That’s the wrong approach. It’s better to sit patiently and peruse any company literature in the lobby. Doing so demonstrates common courtesy and can help you learn more about the firm and its needs.
4. Going into the interview unprepared
Far too many candidates fail to properly prepare for the interview, believing that they can “wing it” and still make a strong impression. The savviest job seekers spend time considering questions the hiring manager will likely ask, so they can answer confidently during the meeting. They also research the employer ahead of time so they can explain how their skills match the open position, and also highlight their true interest in the company and position.
5. Appearing arrogant
Confidence is key for any applicant to possess, but taking it too far is sure to make you stand out — for the wrong reasons. Boasting about your abilities (”I was the best worker my previous employer had ever had!”) is a good way to appear arrogant and come across as someone who may have difficulty collaborating with others.
6. Not asking questions
As the interview winds down, the hiring manager will likely ask if you have any questions. Your answer should be yes. But your questions should go beyond “How much does the position pay?” and “How many days of vacation can I expect?” Although compensation and benefits are important components of any job, broach these subjects only if the prospective employer has expressed serious interest in hiring you — usually not until the second or third interview. More appropriate questions for a first interview include “What will my specific duties be?” “What are your top priorities for this position?” and “What does a typical day in this position look like?”
7. Not following up
Even if you feel you aced the interview, it’s not a good idea to simply sit back and wait for the hiring manager to call with an offer. Sending the hiring manager a brief note after the interview allows you to thank him or her for meeting with you, and can emphasize your interest in the position.
Robert Half International Inc. is the world’s first and largest specialized staffing firm with a global network of more than 360 offices worldwide. For more information about our professional services, please visit www.rhi.com.
Check out BusinessWeek’s article on the Best Places to Launch a Career. Many of the firms that recruit through Fox are on this list!
http://www.businessweek.com/magazine/content/09_37/b4146032027785.htm
The Center for Student Professional Development would like to welcome back all returning students and give a big welcome to all new students!! There are some exciting things happening in the CSPD office.
Senior Reception
50+ employers will be on hand to discuss permanent job opportunities with January, May, and August 2010 graduates.
When: Tuesday, September 22, 2009 11am-2pm
Where: Great Court, Mitten hall
All attendees must be CSPD’d (completion of Getting Started, Resume Development and Resume Critique OR BA2101) to participate. Stop by the CSPD office to pick up your CSPD certified card.
Professional dress required.
Fall Accouting Internship Reception
Event is open to Accounting Majors graduating in January, May & August 2011.
Employers will be recruiting for accounting internships (both Spring and Summer)
When: Tuesday, September 22, 2009 2:30pm-4pm
Where: Great Court, Mitten Hall
All attendees must be CSPD’d (completion of Getting Started, Resume Development and Resume Critique OR BA2101) to particpate. Stop by the CSPD office to pick up your CSPD certified card.
Professional dress required.
Industry Interviews
Would you like an opportunity to practice your interview skills?
Prepare for your fulltime or internship interview. Do not miss your chance to improve your interview, communication and research skills and receive valuable feedback from our corporate partners.
You will be expected to arrive on-time, dressed professionally, and to have researched the company/industry.
See the CSPD on info on how to sign up. You do not have to be CSPD to take advange of this practice interview opportunity.
Report your job offer campaign
As you know, collecting data on our students’ postgraduate plans is important to the Fox School. Report your internship and job offers to the CSPD and for all full time job offers reported receive:
A FREE Fox School class of 2010 t-shirt
A “Life After School” reference guide.
Employer Resume Critiques
Employers will be at the CSPD office critiquing resumes. This is a great way to get employer feedback about how to make your resume successful. No sign up required. Check the CSPD calendar for dates and times: http://sbm.temple.edu/cspd/workevent.html
There is much more happening in the CSPD office, so stop by for more info!
Fox School Senior Reception
September 22, 2009
11am-2pm
Great Court, Mitten Hall
All students must be CSPD’d to attend.
Business Professional Required!
MORE INFO TO COME!
Questions about salary history and expectations often elicit feelings of anxiety, particularly when times are tough in the job market. Many who have been unemployed for several months worry their power to negotiate has diminished. Others know they are overqualified for the positions they seek and fear their salary history will screen them out of consideration.
Fortunately, there are ways to sidestep these obstacles and enhance a job offer — even in this economy, says Laurence Shatkin, a leading occupational expert and author of the recently released book “Your $100,000 Career Plan.” He stresses that the most important thing to remember about salary questions is to delay discussing them until after a job offer has been made.
“Employers often ask for your salary expectations or salary history very early, perhaps even as part of the job application form or letter. This makes it easy for them to screen out a large number of applicants who don’t match the salary figure they have in mind. Don’t screen yourself out by giving this information,” Shatkin warns.
In his book, Shatkin provides a framework for answering such questions and outlines steps that will better prepare candidates to launch negotiations. His tips include the following:
Before an interview
· If there’s a blank on the job application demanding a figure, write “Negotiable.”
· If the employer refuses to interview you unless you indicate your salary expectations, give only a ballpark estimate and make clear that you expect both parties will be flexible as you learn more about each other.
During an interview
· When asked about your salary expectations, shift the conversation back to your qualifications. For example, you might want to respond, “I’m sure you pay your employees fairly, and I expect you to pay me a fair wage for a person with my background. So let’s discuss my background and what I can do for your business.”
· If you think you must specify your expectations, give a broad range based on research rather than on wishful thinking.
· Inquire about how much competition you’re facing. If you’re the only job candidate remaining, you’ll be able to negotiate from a stronger position.
· Use every opportunity to explain how you can improve the organization’s bottom line, because that is what justifies better pay.
After a job offer
· If the offer is more than you expected, congratulations! But you may get an even better one if you don’t jump at the first offer. Pause long enough to give the employer the impression you may be expecting more. You may even ask for time to think over the offer.
· If another employer has made a better offer, that’s the most powerful argument you can use.
· If you have no other offers, but your research tells you the going rate is higher than what the employer is offering, say so. Keep in mind that the employer probably has also researched the employment market, so be sure you have good sources to point to.
· If the employer won’t raise the offer enough to suit your expectations, ask the employer to agree to review your salary sooner than normal.
· Employers who won’t budge on salary offers sometimes are willing to make concessions on benefits or perks that you want. Maybe you can get stock options, extra vacation, use of a company car or the ability to work at home part of the week. Sometimes you can argue that you both will gain from the benefit; for example, if the company pays your tuition expenses for night classes, it will profit from your improved skills.
· You may also be able to get concessions on certain work responsibilities you either want or want to avoid. For example, you might ask to be given a managerial task that’s not normally part of the job, and this eventually could lead to a higher-paying position. Any tasks you ask to avoid should be lower-level so that ruling them out would not interfere with your growth in the job.
· If possible, do all your negotiations face-to-face, rather than by telephone, because you can gauge people’s reactions better in person. Sometimes, candidates will say and do everything right during the interview process and during negotiations and still won’t achieve the job offer they were seeking. In these instances, Shatkin suggests telling the employer, “that the job is one you would like if the salary were appropriate, and thank them for their time and consideration. It is possible that they will not find someone else to fill the position and will reconsider hiring you at the salary you asked for.”
Jena joined the CSPD as the Assistant Director of Recruitment and Professional Development with over 4 years career services experience including a background in corporate recruiting. She is excited to work collaboratively with the Fox School students regarding career search strategies and hopes students gain some additional insight into the job search through “Opportunity Knocks”.
Kel is an undergrad majoring in Management Information Systems, graduating in 2010. He is very involved and hopes to share some of his experiences with other students. His goal is to motivate others to do their best. He believes that with a little inspiration you can get where you want to be. Through this blog, he wants to show you that opportunities are out there.