Email Signatures

Email signatures are becoming more commonplace in business and college. They help give the reader a little more information and they look really professional.

Oftentimes, I correspond with someone who asks me to call them, but they haven't left their number and they don't have an email signature. It would make it so much easier if all their information was below their name. All that information in one place is so helpful.

Professional Email Etiquette:
First and last name
Title
Company
Physical office address (optional)
Phone number
Email address
You can also hyperlink in your LinkedIn account

Why should student's have email signatures?
As you're emailing recruiters, they'll be reminded of your leadership roles and can click on your LinkedIn account to see an online version of your resume.

Student Email Signature:
First and last name
Year in school
Major(s) and minor(s)
Leadership role(s) and club/organization name(s)
University
Email address
Phone number (optional)
You can also hyperlink in your LinkedIn account

Do yourself a favor and add one to your email accounts.

Interviewing Tips

Here's a few tips for interviewing:
-Know where you're going. Research how to get there.
-Arrive early
-Be nice to everyone you meet
-After the interview, send a hand written thank you note to everyone you met with. Reiterate what you all talked about and how specifically you're a good fit for the position.
-Bring extra copies of your resume.
-Also, bring your references.
-A side note on references: You should have 3-5. They can be employers, professors, and anyone who can speak about your work and who knows you personally. I would avoid having a friend serve as a reference. Ask them ahead of time if they'd be willing to serve as a reference. Send them your resume, so they can better speak about your experience. Also, once you've set an interview, send your references a copy of the job description. This way, if they're called they can know specifics on your skills and speak to them.
-Prepare questions to ask your interviewers. This is a chance for you to see if this is a company you'd like to work for. I would prepare a minimum or 3-5 questions.
-Sample questions I've used: 1) What do you like most about working here, 2) What would a typical day be like in this role, 3) What will some of the challenges be for a person in this role, 4) What characteristics are most needed for the person in this role.
-If taken out to eat as part of the interview, order in the low to mid-range of meal prices. If everyone orders an alcoholic beverage, you can have one tops.
-Always be courteous to the waitstaff.

If you have any specific questions, let me know. I've worked in professional development for 7.5 years now and would love to share what I've learned along the way. :)

Career Tips, Part 2

Things to know:
-At a career fair, you have to be bold. If you're not feeling bold, fake it.
-Also, smile; it lightens the mood
-A good, firm handshake is a must. Practice and ask people how it felt to them.
-Wear professional, but comfortable shoes that are easy to walk in. Limping doesn't look confident.
-A pop of color is good, but stick to classic, conservative suits and colors.
-Have a leather or fake leather padfolio to keep your resumes and notes in. It looks classier than a folder.

Career Fairs Tips, Part One

I work in professional development. Sometimes, I assume things are common sense, but they're not.
If you're looking for a job here are some tips:
-Use resume paper. It's a little thicker and nicer, which gives your resume a more professional feel; literally.
-Before going to a career fair, research the companies. Know a stat about them or an award they just received. Most hosts of career fairs will have a list of companies attending.
-Once you get to a career fair, get the map of the booth layout, find a seat and chart what order you'll visit companies in. This saves you some time.
-Have an elevator pitch. Know what you're looking for and be able to articulate that to companies. It should include: your major (if you're still in school), what your job background is or what you're looking for. Also, talk about what skills you bring to the table.
-Email recruiters that you talk with. In my time as a recruiter, less than 1% of people who took my business card would actually write me. When you write, include what you all talked about to help them remember you.
-Don't talk to your dream company as soon as you get there, warm up talking to a few other companies first.
-If you want an interview ask about one. "I hear that you all are offering next day interviews. How would one get an interview?"