<< Back to the Student Life Career Page

Students

• Resume Tips
• Quick tips when writing your resume:
• Pay careful attention to spelling punctuation, grammar, and style.
• Proofread carefully, using a dictionary and stylebook, and ask others to proofread it for you.
• Organize information in a logical manner.
• Keep information clear and concise.
• Keep it to one page, if possible.
• Use a simple, easy to read font.
• Printed copies should appear on white or off-white paper and be scannable.
• Tailor your information to the job you’re seeking.
• Ask for help at your career center.

For more information on successful resume writing tips, contact www.jobweb.com.

www.mybrcc.edu/career_services/howsay.php

• How to Prepare for a Job Interview by National Association of Colleges and Employers
•  Interviewing Tips
• Do your research

Learn as much as you can about the company or agency beforehand, including its products and services, profit margin, management, number of employees, culture, dress code, and anything else you can think of. Visit the company’s web site and learn more by using an Internet search engine, such as Google. Seek further information at your career center or college library.

• Practice

Do mock interviews with a career counselor, friends, and family members. Practice by yourself in front of a mirror. Many career centers offer workshops and one-on-one coaching and make videotapes of mock interviews.

• Be prepared

Bring extra copied of your resume, your list of references, a pen and paper, a list of questions for the interviewer, and samples of your work, if applicable.

• Dress like a professional

Plan your interview attire in advance and make sure your clothing is pressed, your shoes are shined, and your hair and fingernails are well groomed.

• Be prompt

Allow plenty of time to get to the interview. In possible, visit the site in advance and time how long it takes to get there.

• Act like a professional

Offer a firm handshake, maintain eye contact, and be enthusiastic.

• Express yourself clearly

Speak slowly and take care to enunciate your words. Don’t be afraid of pauses in the conversation. It’s OK to take a moment or two to collect your thoughts between questions.

• Be honest

Don’t try to cover up mistakes. Instead, focus on how you learned from them.

• Be assertive

Don’t be afraid to ask questions. Remember that the interview isn’t only a way for the employer to learn if you’re right for the job-it’s a way for you to know if the job is right for you.

• Be observant

If you’re interviewing at the company’s headquarters instead of on campus, make sure to note whether the employees you see represent the diversity the company claims.

• Be optimistic

Don’t assume anyone is out to discriminate against you and do assume that you’ll be judged on your qualifications for the job.

• Follow up

Ask the interviewer for a business card and send a thank-you note or e-mail as soon as possible.

•  Interviewers’ Favorite Questions

Following are some favorite questions from recruiters who seek students from diverse backgrounds, ranging from “easy” start-or –interview questions to “behavior-based” questions that are designed to measure your competence in variety of areas:

• Tell me about yourself.

This is a standard ice-breaker that has almost become a cliché in the interviewing world. Don’t tell the interviewer your life story. Offer a brief answer that relates to the job you’re seeking.

• Why did you select your major and how does it fit with your career goals?

Your answer to this question will help the interviewer understand just how passionate you are about your chosen field.

• Which of your accomplishments have made you the most proud?

Use this question to show the intensity of your involvement and commitment to groups and tasks.

• What’s your greatest strength?

Answer honestly and don’t embellish. Find a way to relate your strength to the job you’re seeking.

• What’s your greatest weakness?

Again, Answer honestly and clearly explain how you’ve become more focused, organized, or assertive after working to correct your weakness.

• Where do you see yourself five years from now?

Don’t say you don’t know and don’t offer a fantasy answer. Stay focused on your career and the employer with whom you’re interviewing.

• Why do you want to work here?

Keep your answer positive and enthusiastic, and be sure to weave in some of the research you’ve done on the company.

• Why should we hire you?

Be ready to explain how skills and experience are suited to the job, and how you would fit into the corporate culture.

• What three words best describe you?

This question measures your ability to think on your feet and answer succinctly. Your answer will show just how self aware you are.

• Tell me about a time when you recognized a potential problem as an opportunity. What did you do?

This behavior-based question is designed to determine whether you’re willing and able to take initiative on the job.

• Give me an example of a situation in which your ethics were challenged. How did you handle it?

Make sure your answer to this question shows both your understanding of right and wrong and your ability to use tact and discretion.

• Tell me about a time when you were participating in a team project and somebody dropped the ball. What did you do to help the team finish the project on time?

This question gives you an opportunity to highlight a number of skills, including time management, leadership, and commitment to a task.

• Describe a specific problem you solved for an employer or professor. How did you approach the problem? What role did others play? What was the outcome?

Make sure you give credit to other team members while highlighting your own part in solving the problem. This question gives you the opportunity to show you can make decisions and solve problems.

• Tell me about time when you failed to meet a deadline. What things did you fail to do?  What were the repercussions? What did you learn?

Your answer to this question can help the interviewer learn more about your time-management skills. Be sure to focus on the steps you now take to avoid such a situation.

• Describe a situation in which you got people who don’t like each other to work together. How did you do it? What was the outcome?

Highlight your teamwork and relationship-building skills when you answer this question.

c. Questions to ask your Interviewer

This question show you’ve given some thought to how organizations work and demonstrates your interest in particular company.

• Is diversity a part of your strategic framework?

Don’t just ask if the company supports diversity in general. Make sure that it’s part of the overall plan.

• How would you describe your company culture?

This question provides both you and the recruiter with another opportunity to determine if you and the company are suited for each other.

• What is the compensation range for this position?

Don’t make this your only questions. Pose it amid questions about the company an don’t ask it at all if the information is available elsewhere.

• How to Prepare for a Career Fair

Looking to start a new career?  Want to know your options?  A career fair is a perfect event to assist you with answering these questions.  Career fairs give you the opportunity to network and explore your career options while gaining valuable knowledge on the world of work.

Listed below are techniques Career Builders.com editor Kate Lorenz suggests are important when preparing to attend any Career Fair.
           

• Scout-For first-time job fair attendees, Ms. Lorenz suggests attending the next career fair in your area to observe recruiters and job seekers interactions.  Job seekers should pay close attention to how to dress, how to approach a company’s booth, and how to successfully work the room.
• Research-Study the companies you are interested in meeting with before the career fair.  The more knowledgeable you are about the company, the more you can interact with the company’s representative, and the more professional you look.  Avoid asking, “What does your company do?” 
• Delivery- “You get a second chance to make a first impression” Rehearse your job qualifications before attending the fair.  Recruiters do not have a lot of time to spend with each job-seeker so get to the point.  Know your skills, your work of interest, and how you can assist the company with achieving its goals.
• Questions-If time permits, ask intelligent well thought out questions.  For example, how departments are organized or how your skills may be utilized within their company.  Discuss recent news releases issued by the company, and ask the recruiter how they enjoy the corporate world.
• Business Card-Follow-up with the recruiter by acquiring their business card.  This is your opportunity to form a relationship with the recruiter and their company.
• Take advantage-Gain as much material as possible on current job opportunities and benefits offered by the company.
• Dress Attire-Remember to dress the part.  Being clean cut will not hurt you as a matter of fact it will enhance your marketability.  Refrain from wearing flashy jewelry.
• Smile-Give a confident handshake (If you are prone to sweaty palms, bring a handkerchief to use as a towel).  Keep breath mints on hand and make eye contact.
• Organize-Depending on the size of the fair you may want to bring resumes with you in a folder or portfolio of some kind.  If you do not have a portfolio, bring a notebook to write down specific notes to yourself.
• Freebies-Most companies will come with free giveaways.  It is OK to pick up one or two items from a table but AVOID saying that you are bring any items home for your family members.  Your main goal is to let them know you are interested and qualified for a job with their company.
• Energy-Meet with as many companies that fit your knowledge and skill set.  If you meet with 10 recruiters, at the end of the day you will know 10 people by name.  This always beats sending a “Blind Resume” to a Human Resources Specialist.

• Career Assessments provided by the Office of Career Services

The following assessments are available in the Office of Student Support Services located in Office 1126 in the Administration Building.  Call (337) 491-2698, ext. 32664 or email career.services@sowela.edu to schedule a time to use any of the resources or assessments.

• The Strong Interest Inventory (SII) $15
• The Myers-Briggs Type Indicator (MBTI) $15

• Career Assessments Online:

There are a number of free assessments online for individuals to select from.  Sowela Office of Career Services does not guarantee the validity of any assessments administered on off campus sites.

• Career Services Management Website link
• Directions for students login

STUDENT REGISTRATION INSTRUCTIONS
All students are eligible to use the Sowela Technical Community College online job board after completing the following registration process through a site that has been specially designed by College Central Network:

• Go to:  www.collegecentral.com/sowela
• Select the Student icon, and read the information and announcements on the next page.
• Go to the Register Now link.
• Create an Access ID and a Password that you will remember (do not use your Soc. Sec. #)
• Then Continue Registration.

REGISTRATION ENTRY

• Complete all requested information on the registration form. Employers will search this information to choose appropriate candidates, so be as thorough as possible. 
• Be sure to select the degree and major that you are pursuing so that the Job Agent can notify you of jobs posted to your school that match your interests.

JOB SEARCH

• From your homepage, select Search for Jobs/Opportunities Posted to My School, enter criteria specific to the type of job you are seeking, and then Begin Search.  You may also Search for Jobs in CCN’s Jobs Central, our national jobs database.

Note: When conducting a job search using CCN, be aware that by selecting several search criteria you are narrowing your search.  It is a good idea to conduct a focused search, but also try searching different criteria.

• To monitor your job search, select View My Job Search History from your homepage.
• From your homepage, complete the Report Offers/Hires when you are offered a job.
• Review the Career Advice Video Library to get additional job search tips and company info.

RESUME ENTRY

• On your homepage, select Upload a Resume and follow the instructions.  Acceptable formats are listed.  If you do not upload a resume, employers will not be able to find you when they search for candidates and you may miss out on opportunities.
• Your resume will be reviewed and approved by our office before it can be submitted via the system and searched by employers. You will be notified by email when your resume has been approved or if it is not approved.
• When a new resume is uploaded it takes the place of the current resume. Resumes that have not been updated in 18 months will be purged from the database.

SETTINGS

• Choose the Headlines categories that are of interest to you.

You can visit the Web site 24/7.  To login, after selecting the Student icon from the homepage, select Student Central on the next screen.  Enter your Access ID and Password.  It is imperative to keep your info updated.

• www.collegecentral.com/Sowela

• On-Campus Student Employment

Federal Work-Study Program
The Federal Work-Study Program (FWS) is an award from federal and state funds that allows a student to earn money to meet educational expenses. A student must have a financial need to be awarded work-study.  This program encourages community service and work related to the student’s course of study. Students will be paid at least the federal minimum wage and can work 10 to 20 hours per week.