Category Archives: It’s All About Networking

LinkedIn Professional Head Shot Event

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The LinkedIn Professional Head Shot Event is POSTPONED to Wednesday January 23. Stop by either for the morning session 10:00 AM – 12:00 PM OR the afternoon, 1:00 PM – 3:00 PM. We apologize for the inconvenience and hope to see you next week!

Whether you are definitely planning to attend or still considering, it is important that you read the following information about LinkedIn (what is that, anyway?) and preparation for the shoot. We want you in the best possible position to…

SAY CHEESE!

Poster background

What is LinkedIn?
LinkedIn is the world’s largest professional network with over 150 million professionals and over 60,000 college & university alumni groups. Your LinkedIn profile is discoverable through the millions of searches on search engines and on LinkedIn. You are in complete control over what others see on your profile, so use this opportunity to get a professional image to use on your profile. No matter if you are a First-Year or a Senior, right now is the time to get involved in your LinkedIn network. A LinkedIn profile can become an essential part of your career search now and in the future.  Consider joining the Middlebury College Community group in LinkedIn which has almost 7,000 alumni that you can connect with by searching what cities and industries they work in and the companies they’ve worked at. Don’t have a profile? Sign up!

What should I wear?
Dress in Business Casual from the waist up:
Men wear a collared shirt
Women should wear a top such as a dress shirt, blouse, sweater or jacket.

Anything Else?
For more information on LinkedIn or networking in general please stop by Career Services at the Center for Education in Action and talk to one of our counselors. Our Drop-in Hours are from 2:00pm – 5:00pm M-F.

 

 

Economy Affecting College Graduates?

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Dear Soon To Be College Graduates,

The ongoing recession has taken its toll on upcoming job opportunities as well, and companies are not as inclined to hire as they used to be.

Here are a few pointers to help you compensate for these “recessionary changes”:

Network, network, network! – it still pays (literally as well!) to  know someone high up in a company you are interested in.

Do not overlook internships! Even though they may not be the best source of financial income, they are a great way to get your foot in the door of a company you would like to work with.

Grades do matter– so don’t slack!

Last but not least, patience is a definite requirement.  Hard work and proactive job seekers will be successful during these times that require more endurance.

 

 Source: Economy Affecting College Graduates? Jobs 4 Grads Now.

 

Spring into Action Fair

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Spring time at Middlebury means outdoor eats at Proctor, really pretty flowers, an awesome MCAB concert, jumps at Bristol Falls, and of course…job fair!

This year, the Center for Education in Action (Career Services, Alliance for Civic Engagement, Health Professions Advising, and Student Fellowships & Scholarships) is hosting an “Action Fair” rather than the annual “Job Fair” since our line-up has extended to grad schools, fellowship programs, service opportunities, counseling in various industries in addition to the job leads.

MARK YOUR CALENDARS SENIORS!
When: Monday, February 28
Time: 12:00pm-2:00pm
Where: Coltrane Lounge
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To Those who Hate on Twitter…

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What’s with the beef?

Sure, Twitter is one more reason for people to be too absorbed in their Blackberrys and Iphones to have real conversations with you, but here’s the thing. Social media is taking over the world by storm. Jobs are looking for applicants who know how to tweet. They want employees who know what a trending topic is. The U.S., apparently, is attempting to utilize Twitter to engage North Korea in diplomatic negotiations.
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C&S Wholesale Grocers Info Session with Bruce Johnson ’78 TOMORROW

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Bruce Johnson ’78, C&S Wholesale Grocers Executive Vice President of Human Resources and is coming to campus tomorrow, Tuesday, October 5 from 5-6 pm in MBH 104.  C&S currently has a Business Analyst job opening for graduating seniors, but all students are welcome to come to the event to learn more about the company.

Do you have your “Elevator Speech”?

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By The Wise Job Search

Imagine you walk into an office building for an appointment. You’re looking sharp because you’re on your way to a meeting with a recruiter on the 22nd floor. You step onto the elevator, and you notice someone that you used to live next door to in the past, but haven’t seen in years. You say “Hi” to each other, and they ask what you’re doing there. You say you’re meeting a recruiter. They say “Oh, I didn’t know you’re looking for a job… how can I help? what are you looking for?”

You now have approximately 30 seconds to tell them what you’re looking for, and give them some ideas of how they can help before the elevator door opens and either you, or they, have to step off and they’re gone!

Are you ready?

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How to Make an Email Introduction to a Speaker you Heard in a Class or at an Event

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E-mail

By Gottamentor

How do you follow-up with those guest lecturers who have great industry experience or the speakers you heard at an event? Whether you had the chance to speak to them at the time or not, the likelihood of getting a response to an email is very high. Why? You will probably be the only person who reaches out to them. The majority of people who rush a speaker at the end of an event and ask for a business card never follow up. This is a big mistake because these individuals have two assets you do not, a lot of relevant experience and knowledge, and relationships that could open doors for you.

Below are examples of an email introduction to a speaker you heard in class or at an event; one is weak, one is great:

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5 Keys to Choosing the Right Job References

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reference

By Gina Chung

Most job seekers focus all of their energy on resume and interview preparation, forgetting to gather information for their references.  They typically remember this detail when asked by the hiring manager.  References are generally checked near the end of the recruiting process.  It is important to remember that the job reference can be the deciding factor in whether or not you get the a offer.  Here are 5 keys to selecting the best job references:

1.  Choose Your References
Be strategic about who would be the best references for you: ideally select a mix of people to get different viewpoints.  Select a minimum of three people who you have worked with; former managers or co-workers are ideal, as they are most familiar with your work style and character.  They can vouch for your knowledge, skills and accomplishments.  If possible, include a reference from your most recent job. Avoid listing personal friends or family members.  If you are a college student you can use references from internships or volunteer work in addition to your professors or coaches.

 

2.  Ask Permission
Once you establish your references, ask permission to use them as a reference. It is important that they are comfortable serving as a reference for you.  Have a list of back-up references prepared, should anyone decline.
 
3.  Collect Details
Make sure you get complete and current contact information for your references, like: full name, current company, title, email and phone number. 
 
4.  Communicate
Prepare your references to talk about you by keeping them informed of your search.  Provide the basic details of the job you are applying for and ask them to call to let you know they have been contacted. 
 
5.  Thank Your References
Once you`ve landed your job, don`t forget to share your news and thank your references for their help.  This is common courtesy that is so important because these people helped you get the job.

5 Reasons you should Close your Account on Monster, CareerBuilder or other Big Job Boards

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By Matt Krumrie

I did it. I closed my account on Monster.com. I had not checked it in years, and forgot I even had a profile and resumes out there. I had subscribed to a number of career-related newsletters on Monster, and while browsing an article, I saw the account log-in information and it reminded me that, yes indeed, I do have an account with Monster. I decided I should probably check into it.

What I found was shocking. I found a profile that was outdated, included personal information such as my home address, home phone number and cell phone number. This left me ripe for someone to try and steal my identity and/or leave me open to unwanted spam.

I was also shocked at how awful my profile really was, and how inaccurate the description of my career really was. I wouldn’t have even hired me four years ago when I last had checked in.

If you have a profile on Monster, Career Builder, Dice.com – or any other big job board, and are not updating or following it, I recommend you delete it, and here are five reasons why:

1. Protect yourself
If you have too much information listed, you can leave yourself open to identity theft, and to receive unwanted spam. Do we really know who is looking at our public profile? Do we really want anyone in the world to know more information about us than they should?

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sENIOR REMINDER: Are You LinkedIn?

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reminder

Too cool for facebook? LinkedIn is just the thing for you! LinkedIn is a business-oriented social networking site that connects you to classmates, colleagues, employers and even “others”. Think of it as professional networking that you can do in your pajamas.

For those who are already LinkedIn, brush off the dust on your profile and update it! Let your connections know about your most recent work/volunteer/educational experience. Connect with more people using their “People You May Know” application. It’s AMAZING how LinkedIn knows who you may know…almost scary.

After the Interview: How to Write an Effective Interview Thank You Note

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thank-you

By Andrea Rice

Anatomy of a Thank You Note

Keep 3 things in mind when you write your thank you note. It should be immediate, short, and specific.

  1. Immediate – Get the note written and out the door within 24 hours. Make sure you ask for their contact information during the interview so you’re not scrambling trying to figure out their email or snail mail address.
  2. Short – This should be a quick expression of gratitude and interest. 3-4 sentences should be fine.
  3. Specific – Your note should reference something specific you discussed or took away from the interview.  You can also reinforce your skill set as a good match for the job requirements.

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Etiquette Tip of the Week: Business Card Protocol

middkid

By Culture and Manners Institute

A business card is a representation of the person, so show it respect. Do not write on a business card in front of the person who just handed it to you. When you accept a business card, look at it for a moment.  If you like the card, compliment the person on the business card.  Present your business card with your name facing the person.  Do not cover the business name with your finger or thumb. 

When working with people from other cultures, learn their business card protocol.  In China, present and receive business cards with two hands. Spend at least a minute or two looking at the card, as a sign of respect.  In areas of the Middle East and Africa, present and receive business cards with the right hand only.

Government Executive: Job Seekers Continue to Value Face-to-Face Interaction

By Emily Long elong@govexec.com

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Federal agencies are catching on to the social media craze and leveraging that technology to attract job seekers, especially young recruits. For example, the Labor Department advertises open positions on Twitter and plans to upload its recruitment videos to YouTube. The State Department regularly updates its Facebook page and maintains the @DOSCareers Twitter account. But conventional wisdom, which holds that recent college graduates and tech-savvy young professionals respond favorably to anything on the Internet, doesn’t always apply when it comes to federal recruiting.

Recruiting “can’t simply be about information dissemination rather than a real engagement, dialogue, discussion with potential applicants,” says Tim McManus, vice president for education and outreach at the Partnership for Public Service. “One of the best mechanisms is to use those who have walked in the shoes. People want to see where people like them fit in.”

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MiddNet is for us too!

You thought MiddNet was just for alumni? INCORRECT. MiddNet also helps undergraduates find alumni who can help with career networking. Secret: alumni love current students. They also love to talk about how successful they are and how much they’ve learned about their chosen career. Search MiddNet for alumni in your field, in your region, or even in a specific company if you want an “in.”

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