Hey CSPD readers,

It’s been a while since I’ve written and I apologize for that, but I’m back with a new article. I was fortunate enough to have a great job with an online social network startup by the name of Anthillz. Though I no longer work with Anthillz as heavily, due to the fall semester, I think working with a startup was a great experience and I want to try and convey why I think other students might get alot out of the experience like I did.

1. In a startup, no one specializes. Sometimes you have to do gruntwork, sometimes you can sit in on strategy and staff meetings. A startup is a great opportunity to try many facets of a business and figure out what you do and don’t like doing.

2. You can get given a load of responsibility. Think of it like sports: it’s like being 3rd in line on the depth charts for a position. Say… Wide Reciever. Suddenly, we have an injury and a trade and now there is no one left but you. Perhaps the team can work to get a new guy, but you are right there to take advntage if you are up to it.

3. Everyone wants to have a young Protege. Maybe I was always around nice entrepreneurs and kind investors (oxymoron? joking!), but I felt like everyone wants a mentor. It’s amazing how positive and helpful everyone in the new venture community is that I’ve met thus far in Philadelphia. I say take advantage of their eagerness to educate by learning everything you possibly can from them.

4. You’ll be surrounded by others who want to change the world. I can’t really attest to the corporate culture of a financial institution but I sure do know the culture of startups is full of optimists with grand ideas and aspirations and it’s really great to be able to share ideas and collaborate on projects together.I love the people I met while working with the startup.

5. Work with a startup while you can! I admit it. I at times had a hard time with the pay I was getting. Thing is, I’m glad I was able to do this now while I have so little bills. If I thought it was a financial stress to work with a  startup as a junior in college then I can’t imagine how much more difficult it is to do with a family and a home.

Startups are hard work, but the knowledge and connections you can make can be priceless. On the upside you could be in on a fun ride of quickly growing company (maybe even with stock options!). However, most businesses fail, but even so I doubt you would regret the time you spend with a startup. I know I won’t regret my time with a startup.

Hello Fellow Students,

I am proud to introduce myself as the latest blogger to the CSPD site. I am currently a Business Law Major, and this is my third year attending Temple. I have prior work experience as a Manager for a local pharmacy, and also as an Aide in a Nursing Home. I decided that I wanted to get into Business because I wanted to help people, but through the business aspect of things. Furthermore, Law will strengthen my ability to help people.

I am just starting off in an internship search, and at first, found it overwhelming. However, now I feel more relaxed having been to some of the CSPD events, and some other workshops offered in the center. I was hired as an intern last summer, but sadly things fell through because my supervisor’s husband passed away shortly after my start date. I guess I would say that I may not have had the best of luck in internships thus far. However, I recently attended the Part-Time Job and Internship Fair today, at the Liacouras Center. There was a diverse mix of companies looking for anything from babysitters, to police officers, and Finance Interns. There was something for everyone. I am definitely interested in applying for internships I came across. I would definitely recommend that everyone check out the Fox School CSPD, to check for upcoming job opportunities, or events. And remember to its never too early to get CSPD’d. I would recommend to freshman and sophomores to attend the workshops now, this way you will be able to attend the Spring Reception. And make sure you look-out for my future posts. -Mike

PodCast Episode 5 – Email Etiquette for the Job Search and Beyond

Click above to listen!

Much of what we do in life involves first impressions.  For many of you during your internship and full time job search, your first correspondence with employers will be through email.  For many, you may continue this correspondence for some time before you actually meet your perspective employer face to face.  Once you do land an internship or position in your field of interest, proper use and formatting of your emails will be essential to keeping up your professional image.  We have compiled a great list of ways to make sure that your emails are warmly and properly received and not deleted.  Remember, the #1 skill that employers look for in new hires is excellent communication skills, written and verbal.  Email is a part of that writing skill category!

While everyone has their own unique writing style, there are some simple rules that will promise to keep your emails proper and professional.  First of all, remember that email is like any other business communication so you should absolutely watch your spelling and grammar.  Do not use the instant messaging or text messaging abbreviations.  Improper grammar, punctuation and spelling give a bad impression but they can also change the tone of your email and convey the wrong message.  Also, most know that an email is all CAPS is the equivalent of screaming but it can’t hurt to reiterate that again.  Recently, we had an employer forward us an email that a student had sent requesting an interview.  There were so many spelling and capitalization errors that the employer was forced to pull them from candidacy for the position.  Proofreading and spell check are definitely your friends!!

  Take notice of the employers name in an email.  Thomas should not become Tom and Patricia should not become Pat.  Make sure to see how they signed their name in previous emails and if you have any questions err on the side of caution.

  Make sure you read an email from the receiver’s perspective as well.  Communication between people is about 55% body language, 37% tone of your voice, and only 8% of what you are actually saying.  With email, you remove the first 92% of your communication.  Because of this you must be obvious with your meanings; subtleties will be lost or completely misunderstood.  Along the same lines, if you feel compelled to clarify your message with emoticons, those smiley or frowning faces or LOL, or HAHA than rewrite the sentence or message.  There is no place for these types of words or symbols in professional email and business correspondence.

When writing your message, keep your subject line clear and short at all times.  Many will automatically delete those emails with the forward or reply subject lines.  Make the subject clearly explain with that purpose of the email is.  Keep the email short enough to answer any questions or clearly convey a message.  Long emails are much harder to read than longer documents in paper form so keep that in mind.  If it would be better to hand deliver, fax, or mail a business document, do so.  Also, use proper structure and layout in an email.  Sloppily written emails will be looked at as informal and impersonal and if you are trying to get an urgent reply, this is not the best way to do so.

Email is a quick correspondence.  It is general business practice to reply to emails within 24 hours of receipt and even better to do so within the same business day.  Even if it is a matter you can not respond to yet, just email the sender to let them know that you have received their email and will be emailing them tomorrow, in a week, etc.  Once you send an email, do not request a delivery and read receipt.  This becomes burdensome to the receiver of your email.  It is best to follow-up with a phone call or wait for a response.  

An important point to consider, there are over 8 billion emails sent every single day in the United States.  Make sure your email does not get lost in the bunch by choosing the most appropriate communication method for your message.  Many times emails delay solutions to issues or questions because of the wait time involved.   Sometimes a good old face to face conversation, letter, or phone call would be more appropriate.

If you have any questions about the professionalism of an email you need to send to an employer, don’t forget that you can easily check with someone in the CSPD office before you send it! 

Click on the image above to read an article from “One Day One Job” about how 5 job seeking students utilized Facebook advertisements to get thousands of employees from their Target company to contact them.  This is a really interesting approach to turning the tables on employers and instead of companies posting ads and students click on them, students post the ads and hopefully the employers click on them.  Interesting concept! Check it out!

How To Negotiate Your Salary

Salary is one of the key elements to factor into a job offer. Remember, it is not the only thing to consider and should be taken into consideration with the whole offer, including benefits, responsibilities, etc. Please watch the movie above which offers some great, simple tips on how to negotiate that starting salary with a prospective employer.

STEP 1= DO YOUR HOMEWORK
This basically means to research what the average starting salary is for the position you are interviewing for in the location that you are interviewing. There are a lot of great sites that assist you with this and many of them are listed here!When an employer gives you a salary range for which the position falls you want to know whether this is acceptable or not. If you dont do your research before hand you wont have any point of reference.

STEP 2= STALL TACTICS
You dont want to have to start talking salary until well into the interview process. If you havent had the chance to prove your worth to an employer, they are most definitely going to start out at the low end of their salary range. If and when you prove that you would be a wonderful asset to the organization they will more likely to work with you and your salary goals. Stall them…dont put salary in your cover letters, never ask in a first interview, and if they bring it up put the ball in their court.

STEP 3=SHIFT THE BURDEN
When an employer asks you what your salary range is, put it back in their court. Let them know that the experience that this positon will offer is much more important than the salary, what range did you have in mind? This will hopefully allow you to have a better understanding of what the low and high ends of their range look like.

STEP 4=CUT TO THE CHASE
If they are persistent and have asked you multiple times what your salary range is, than give it to them. Quote the salary averages that you have researched and let them know that you would expect to be compensated comparable to others in your field, with your experience. This is where the prior research will come into play, and this is extremely important.

STEP 5=JUST SAY NO
Dont feel compelled to accept the first offer they give you. Employers will ALWAYS quote you in the low end of their range because they expect some negotiation. It cant hurt to ask! If you feel that you are being offered a low salary, you do have the option to say no.

STEP 6=MULL IT OVER
Even if they offer you more than you were expecting, dont throw your hands up in triumph. Keep a professional demeanor and let them know that you want to review the offer and you will let them know in 24 hours.

Salary negotiations can be daunting, especially for entry level candidates, but remember, most employers expect it. They are waiting for a counter offer and expect that you will take some time to review the package they have offered you. Take the time to make sure that it is definitely the position you want, at the salary you want, but be realistic!!!