UT Career Services

Second Interviews

2011-11-07T08:00:00.003-05:00

Congratulations! You have made it through the first round of interviews and now have been invited back for a second interview or company visit. Now what do you do?

Second interviews are typically different from screening interviews or on-campus interviews in that they are longer. Most company visits will consist of several hours, to a half a-day, to a whole day or even a day and a half of interviews. You will be meeting with a lot of different people including your hiring manager, someone from HR, Senior VP level staff, co-workers/teammates, individuals from other departments and even sometimes other candidates in consideration for the same opportunity. Needless to say, the second interview can seem a little daunting. Below are some basic tips to help you prepare and take the stress out of second interviews.

Ask for an agenda in advance of the interview: This will allow you to not only see the schedule to determine when you might have breaks or if you are expected to prepare to give a presentation or prepare for a skills test but will also allow you to learn more about the people that will be interviewing you. Use this information to research their background to learn more about them. Helpful information such as previous positions or schools attended could help you create small talk and break the ice. Plus it really shows the interviewer that you have done your homework and taken the time to get to know more about them.

Plan to dress professionally but wear comfortable professional shoes: Plan to wear a professional suit in neutral colors (charcoal grays, navy or black). However avoid the blisters and sore feet by choosing comfortable professional shoes as you will be walking quite a bit and/or touring facilities. It is best not to use the second interview to try out a brand new pair of shoes but rather rely on a pair of professionally polished older shoes that are in good condition.

Confirm travel arrangements: Some companies are prepared to make all travel arrangements on behalf of the candidate including prepaying for the flight (if needed), hotel arrangements and ground transportation. In some cases, the employer will expect you to make the arrangements and send a travel itinerary with estimated costs in advance. In these cases, you may be expected to prepay for all travel and seek reimbursement, if offered. In some cases, you as the candidate might be expected to cover all travel expenditures and no reimbursement is offered. Check with your contact that extended the invitation to confirm all details regarding travel in advance.

Research! Research! Research!: Go beyond just what is on the company’s website and dig a little deeper. Research the organization similar to preparing a research paper for class. Use multiple sources to find out more about their history, structure, values, products/services, customers, competitors, financial records, the particular department that you would be working in and position. You will be asked a lot more detailed questions about your interest in the company, position and how you feel that you are the best candidate for the role. So the more research that you do on the organization and reflection on how your skills and experiences match up, it will be easier for you to answer these questions. Plus nothing impresses the interviewers more than candidates that have done their research and can really answer questions that get at the heart of why they should hire you.

Prepare for Behavioral Questions: You may have already experienced these during the screening interview. However, you will likely experience them again and more frequently during the second interview. Come prepared with specific examples that highlight your work specific skills (AutoCAD, etc.), functional/transferable skills (communication, leadership, etc.) and adaptability/self-management skills (ability to deal with change, interpersonal skills, etc.). Be sure that your examples reference the situation/task that you were involved in, the action that you took and the result or outcome. For more information on behavioral interviewing, please check out the Career Services Interview Guide available online at http://career.utk.edu/resumeinterviewing.php or schedule a mock interview with a Career Services staff member to practice.

Brush up on your meal-time etiquette: At some point during the second interview, you will be scheduled for a meal-time interview which may include an evening networking event the night prior, a breakfast interview, a lunch interview or any combination of the above. It is important that you follow business professional meal-time etiquette during these times and follow the lead of your host as you will be evaluated on your ability to handle these social but professional events. Candidates are generally advised to dress for a social dinner (if the evening prior), eat moderately, avoid alcoholic beverages (or limit to 1 glass of wine or beer) and ask good well-developed questions related to the conversation at hand.

Prepare a list of well-developed questions: Similar to the screening interview, use this interview time to gauge if this is the right opportunity for you by asking questions that will tell you more about the company, the culture, the leadership style and the position. Before leaving the interview for the day, be sure to ask about next steps so you know when to follow-up.

Tracking expenses and seeking reimbursement: Be sure to keep receipts for all your personal expenditures while traveling for the interview and promptly return these to the person coordinating your interview, if reimbursement has been offered by the company. Examples of major expenses incurred and reimbursed by the company might include: airline tickets, hotel room, ground transportation, parking, cab fares, business phone calls (in conjunction with the interview), meals enroute and tips. Additional expenses incurred by the candidate such as after dinner snacks, newspapers/books for travel, personal phone calls, etc. are not typically covered by the employer, and the candidate should expect to cover these costs.

Follow-up after the visit: Within 48 hours, be sure to send a personal letter or e-mail of thanks to all the people that you met during the interview. If you do not have the contact information or names of everyone that you met, then as a standard you should send a personal letter of thanks to the main contact. This letter serves as the final opportunity to show that you are the right person for the position and really show them that you are interested in the opportunity.

Students with questions or needing more information are encouraged to contact Career Services at 865-974-5435 to schedule an appointment or check out the resources on our website at http://career.utk.edu

Author: April Gonzalez- Consultant, College of Engineering

PEOPLE, PLANET, PROFIT – YOUR CAREER’S TRIPLE BOTTOM LINE

2011-10-11T16:59:00.000-04:00

Not so long ago, I might have found it strange to be having a conversation about socially responsible careers that included existing opportunities in the for-profit business world. The two concepts might have even seemed contradictory in a typical “I want to change the world and I want a job that allows me to do so” discussion. Yet, there I was for the second time within a few weeks in the same coffee house having just that conversation. The noted peculiarity was replaced with enthusiasm as I discussed with a student the merits of pursuing a venture-based entrepreneurship which would fund sustainable projects in impoverished communities around the world and the desire to make it her full time job.

When did this shift occur? When did a socially-minded student’s options go from not only nonprofit and government to now include profit-based business? For a hint, we might glance back over the last few years: a General Electric ECOmagination commercial on every other channel, Tom’s Shoes on the feet of every third college student (and mine today – it’s Friday), the influx of ‘green’ products and foods in our grocers, retailers, and restaurants, the multitude of companies incorporating volunteering hours into their employees’ work weeks, and who could forget the infamous day Starbuck’s closed - and reopened with a new mission. These are just a few of the telltale signs that have pointed towards a new era – one where businesses are seeing the value of considering the customer’s (and employee’s) values. The result is a new way to do business; a new bottom line that counts the social and environmental impact along with the profit margin.

As a Career Consultant, it only seems logical to consider the career opportunities that might exist in this new public service. After all, these are for-profit businesses; a profit is being made and someone is getting paid to be involved in these initiatives, thus, there must be job opportunities. While we might find limited opportunities to be hired in social purpose companies like Tom’s Shoes or Seventh Generation or in an upper-level position in a traditional company’s corporate social responsibility department, many have ventured out on their own to start social entrepreneurships (such as my student in the coffee house). Even more common, however, are those students who are taking the path of “intrapreneurship”; they are getting their start in entry level jobs with traditional corporations with the goal of a steady paycheck and the hopes of impacting change from within.

As the business world continues to develop as a corporate citizen, a strategic social or environmental advocate/job seeker might explore how their career and personal values align along the continuum of government, nonprofits, B-Corps, LL3Cs, or Socially Responsible Corporations. If you consider yourself among these students who want more from a career than a paycheck, you might find value engaging in this upcoming presentation:

DOING WELL BY DOING GOOD – A STUDENTS GUIDE TO SOCIALLY RESPONSIBLE CAREERS
Career Services Presents Donald Asher, a nationally recognized career development speaker to discuss:
· The Meaning of Social Responsibility
· The Kinds of Careers Available in Social Responsibility
· Why Corporations are Hiring Graduates Interested in Social Responsibility
· How to Find Companies and Organizations that Fit the Graduate’s Values

Date: October 13^th 2011
Time: 1:00pm
Location: University Center Shiloh Room

By the way, in case you were curious, the first coffee house conversation was with Mr. Asher. We hope you will join us!

Author: Shawna Hembree

Disability Careers Office

2011-09-19T09:11:00.000-04:00

The Disability-Careers Office (DCO) is a collaboration of UT Career Services and the Office of Disability Services that offers career development and employment preparation assistance to UT college students and alumni who have various disabilities. The DCO works with students with all types of disabilities including but not limited to: learning disabilities (including ADHD and TBI), psychological disabilities, mobility disabilities, hearing disabilities, visual disabilities, and chronic health disabilities.

We are happy to provide many services including:

major and career exploration counseling
information on job-seeking skills
self-advocacy and self-disclosure skill development
information on interviewing techniques and preparation
information regarding rights, responsibilities, and options for reasonable accommodations in the workplace

…and many other informational and career counseling services!

Along with our day to day individual appointments, the DCO also provides many programs and events for students to participate in. October is going to be a big month for our office as we host Disability Mentoring Month and the Workforce Recruitment Program!

Disability Mentoring Month is officially recognized during the third Wednesday of October, but the DCO is recognizing the importance of mentoring for the entire month of October! Participation in this program offers you an opportunity to be mentored by a professional in a career field that interests you. During this experience you can learn about the workplace, participate in informational interviews, observe a professional through job shadowing, and learn about potential internships and other opportunities.

The Workforce Recruitment Program is co-sponsored by the Office of Disability Employment Policy, U.S. Department of Labor and the U.S. Department of Defense. Each year a government recruiter visits the UT campus to interview current students and recent graduates with disabilities. Students are interviewed and then have the opportunity to be contacted for internships and employment at federal and private worksites throughout the Unites States (and abroad!). Approximately 2,200 students are interviewed through this program each year and in 2011 over 500 of the participants were hired!

It is never too early or too late to get involved with the DCO! We strongly encourage you to start utilizing the many resources that the DCO offers. Whether you are a freshman looking for a part-time job, a sophomore looking for an internship, or an alumni looking to start a new career, we are here to assist and support you through the process!

If you would like to learn more about any of these events or would like to set up an individual appointment, contact the DCO Coordinator, Sarah Helm by email at shelm1@utk.edu or by phone at (865) 974-6860 or the DCO Graduate Assistant, Myranda Bertrand by email at maustin3@utk.edu or by phone at (865) 974-5549.

Grad School Bound?

2011-09-12T08:00:00.018-04:00

If you’re a senior, there’s a good chance you’ve considered going to graduate school. You might have friends who are going and wondered if you should as well. Or maybe somebody has told you that a bachelor’s degree is what a high school diploma used to be and you need an advanced degree to get ahead. Here are some good reasons to go to graduate school along with not so good reasons.

Your career goals require graduate degree. Some fields absolutely require graduate school, for example, speech pathologist, lawyer or counselor. In this case, your decision is easy because you have to go to graduate school to achieve your goal. But remember to have a backup plan in case you don’t get admitted.

A graduate degree will offer more career opportunities, advancement, and higher salaries. In many areas, like psychology, biology or public administration, you will have more career options with an advanced degree. In this case, you could likely find work with your bachelor’s degree, but it might not be the kind of work you want to do long term. Continuing your education will often provide the skills and experiences needed for higher level positions in the field.

You hold a true passion for a subject area or desire to conduct research. If you love your major, whether it’s philosophy or physics or anything in between, and want to take your knowledge to the next level, graduate school could be the way to go. Often people who have interests such as these want to teach or research and share their knowledge with others, much as a university professor would do.

Graduate school provides an opportunity to change fields. At some point during your undergraduate education, you may decide that you don’t like your major any more or you discover a new interest after it’s too late to change majors. Graduate school is a good way to redirect your career goals. In many cases, graduate programs will accept students from a wide variety of backgrounds. I majored in business as an undergrad but studied counseling in a master’s program without taking any additional prerequisite courses.

And the not so good reasons… Don’t go to graduate school to avoid a full-time job or because you don’t really know what you want to do in life. Graduate school is a big investment of your time and money. It’s not ok to be an undecided grad student! At this point in your education, you should have a somewhat specific career goal in mind and know that the degree you’re pursuing will prepare you for that field. If you don’t, look for an alternative experience for one to two years while you figure it out.

Once you’ve decided to pursue graduate school, utilize Career Services to help you navigate the admissions process. We have many resources (http://career.utk.edu/graduate.php) on our website to help you get started and College Consultants on staff available to assist you. You won’t want to miss this week’s presentation, Gaining Admission to Highly Competitive Graduate Programs featuring Donald Asher. See our events calendar for details.

Author: Stephanie Kit - Associate Director, Career Planning

Part-Time Job Fair

2011-08-22T08:00:00.004-04:00

The Part-Time Job Fair will take place on Wednesday, August 24^th from 2:00-5:00 pm in the University Center Ballroom. This is a great opportunity for you to talk with employers recruiting for both on and off-campus part-time jobs. A partial list of employers includes Aramark, Clayton Homes/Vanderbilt Mortgage, Jewelry TV, Knoxville Utilities Board (KUB), UT Telefund, UT Recycling, etc.

Please see http://utk-csm.symplicity.com/events/ to view a complete list of employers attending the fair (updated daily).

The Part-Time Job Fair is for ALL students in ANY major. Don’t miss this annual event!

Getting a Part-Time Job

2011-08-18T15:38:00.021-04:00

As classes start up, many students are looking for ways to get experience and boost their resumes this semester. A part-time job is a great way to get experience, whether building customer service skills or gaining insight to a possible career. The start of the semester is when a lot of local employers are seeking students to fill positions previously held by summer employees, as well as many openings on campus.

The Part-Time Job fair is a great opportunity for UT students to network and find employment that works nicely around their class schedule. With employers hiring for all majors, students with a variety of interests have the opportunity to find a job that suits them. The fair takes place Wednesday, August 24 from 2:00-5:00 in the UC Ballroom. Before going, check out the list of employers who will be attending. The list is available on Hire-A-Vol, under the Events Tab. Research any positions posted, and prepare a list of possible jobs you're interested in applying for.

Throughout the semester, students can find plenty of opportunities to get a part-time job.
Visit Hire-A-Vol for a great resource for browsing local part-time jobs, as well as internships and full-time positions across the nation. The postings are updated daily, so be sure to check back frequently for more opportunities.

Many offices and facilities on-campus provide flexible schedules for student workers. TRECS and Dining Services, as well as residents halls often have openings for a variety of work hours.

Another option students can consider is Work Study, a program that places students in offices around campus based on their FAFSA. Visit the Office of Financial Aid for more information and to see if you qualify.

Finally, keep in mind that holding a part-time job is just one option for gaining experience and boosting your resume. Volunteer opportunities exist throughout the Knoxville community, and on-campus organizations are great ways to network and build leadership experience.

Student Success Stories

2011-04-20T08:44:00.001-04:00

Do you have a Success Story?

Career Services is highlighting individuals who have utilized Career Services or participated in activities that have helped them to be successful as students and prospective employees.

Click on the Student Success Stories image above to see some of the students who have benefited from Career Services. If you or someone you know has a Success Story, email us at utcareerpeers@utk.edu.

Green Careers Workshop

2011-04-15T08:26:00.002-04:00

It seems like everyone is "going green," but what does that really mean?

On Tuesday, April 19 at 4p.m., Career Services is hosting a Green Careers Workshop at Dunford Hall as part of Earth Month Activities. This is a chance for students to not only learn more about the variety of industries with environmentally sustainable career opportunities, but to also learn about some essential resources to utilize when looking for a job.

Are you interested a green career but can't attend the workshop? We have a full list of Environmental/Green Career Fields on our website.

If you have any additional questions, please contact Career Services at (865) 974-5435.

Virtual Career Fair Information

2011-04-13T09:35:00.000-04:00

Starting today and continuing through tomorrow, The University of Tennessee along with Mississippi State University and Auburn University, will host a Virtual Career Fair for Engineering, Technical and Logistics Majors. Students and Alumni are invited to participate in this unique virtual event that helps job seekers meet employers in an efficient, environmentally-conscious way.

If you are currently in the process of looking for a job or a way to network with various companies, this is an excellent opportunity for you. A virtual career fair is conducted via the internet which in the end saves you time and money. Numerous companies (such as Amazon, Proctor & Gamble, and US Xpress) will be in attendance. To see a complete listing of the companies click here. Below are a few of the many advantages for attending the virtual career fair:

• Connect with employers from the convenience of a computer

• Avoid standing in long lines

• Upload your resume once

• Environmentally friendly

• …..and it’s FREE!

Although participants will not attend the fair in person there are still some tips to keep in mind. For your convenience, a slideshow tutorial is on the website to aid you in registering and preparing for the fair. Most of the participating companies do not require you to have the video chat feature available, but if you are interested in a company that does there is no need to worry. Come on into career services on the day of the virtual career fair to use one of our mock interview rooms (available on a first come first serve basis).

Register for the fair today. Once you complete your online profile and upload your resume, you even have a chance to win an iPod nano.

If you have any questions, please contact Career Services at (865) 974-5435.

Don't be a Fool for OddBall Questions

2011-04-01T09:31:00.000-04:00

In honor of April Fools' Day, here are some interviewing tips for those tricky questions that employers like to ask. Employers sometimes like to ask questions that you cannot anticipate, and some of the questions may even cause you to wonder if the interview is serious at all. However, these following questions are not a joke. Below are a few questions obtained from GlassDoor that major companies ask in actual interviews, as well as some suggestions for how to answer these questions.

It is okay if you do not know the answer. Most of these questions are designed for you to think on your feet.

“How many basketballs can you fit in this room?” -Google

Unless you know a piece of trivia like this, you will have to think on your feet. Explain to the interviewer how you might go about estimating this.

You might describe the estimated dimensions of the room and the volume of a basketball and use some quick math to give an estimate.
Another way to answer, if you have no idea, would be to assure the employer that, if asked a question you cannot answer, you would research to find out. Tell the employer, "I am unsure right now, but I'd be more than happy to research and get back to you with an answer.

“There are three boxes, one contains only apples, one contains only oranges, and one contains both apples and oranges. The boxes have been incorrectly labeled such that no label identifies the actual contents of the box it labels. Opening just one box, and without looking in the box, you take out one piece of fruit. By looking at the fruit, how can you immediately label all of the boxes correctly?” –Apple

This question does have a right answer, but in the pressure of an interview it may be difficult to logically figure it out. This question aims to determine what kind of problem-solving skills you have, so if you’re confident in your logic abilities, feel free to try and solve the problem out loud. Your main goal should be to verbalize how you are approaching the problem.

If you are not confident in your ability to think logically and analytically during an interview, try thinking outside the box. A response such as, “I would label each of the boxes ‘fruit’” or “I would smell the boxes” shows that you understand the question and can think on your feet with a creative answer.

Bottom Line: be able to share your thought process and think on your feet with oddball questions in an interview!

Spoiler Alert: here’s the answer to the Apples and Oranges Question:

Each of the boxes is labeled incorrectly, so you know that the one labeled “Apples and Oranges” will contain only the fruit that you pull out; this will be the one you choose to look in. If you pull out an apple, then you know to label that basket “Apples” (similarly, label it “Oranges” if you pull out an orange). Now look at your other two baskets: you now know that one of these contains both apples and oranges, and the other contains the fruit you did not pull out. So, if you pulled out an apple, you know that the box labeled “Oranges” cannot contain all apples, nor can it contain all oranges (because it is labeled incorrectly), so you will label it “Apples and Oranges.” Finally, the box labeled “Apples,” must have only oranges.

For a full list of the top 25 oddball questions, visit the GlassDoor website. Each interview is different, but hopefully you will be able to tackle these weird questions in a logical way. Bottom line: show the employer how you would go about answering a question that you do not immediately know how to answer. For general interview help, visit the Career Services website.

Happy April Fools' Day:)

Spring Cleaning Your Resume

2011-03-11T10:14:00.000-05:00

The official date of Spring is near (March 20 to be exact). Why not do a little spring-cleaning on your resume? Here are some tips for deciding what to include and exclude on your resume.

High School Information

If you are a sophomore, this is usually the time that we suggest removing your high school activities and hopefully replacing it with college experience. It is important to start getting involved on campus and gaining experience outside of the classroom during your first few years of college. Replacing your high school experience with your college organizations and experiences will help you in keeping your resume concise.

“Work history” or “Experience”

You do not want to include EVERYTHING that you have done in your whole life. Look at what experience or jobs relate to your current career objective and exclude those positions that are unrelated. If you gained essential skills from an unrelated position, feel free to include that experience under “Other Experience” section. Do not go back more than five years for work experience unless it strongly relates to your current career objective.

“Additional Information”

Include this category only if the content will include more information than interests and hobbies, and if it will expand the information related to the career objective, e.g., a farm background if the job desired is in agribusiness. Also include any specialized skills, training, certification, or licenses not related to the career objective such as foreign language ability, ability to sign for the deaf, pilot’s license, chauffeur license, CPR, etc. Many employers desire computer skills and you may want to include this information depending on your skill level.

Overall, your resume will change depending on what job you are applying for. Remember, cater your resume to fit the employer’s job requirements and make sure that you double-check for grammatical errors and formatting issues.

Tip-Off Week Recap

2011-03-04T20:41:00.000-05:00

Tip-Off Week consisted of a variety of workshops and presentations to prepare students for the Spring Job Fair. Click on the video below for a full recap of the events or check it out on our YouTube channel.

Thanks to everyone who participated in Tip-Off Week. It was a great success and we hope that next year will be even better. The week may be over, but remember that Career Services is always here to help you with all things career-related.

Want to Get Away?

2011-02-09T10:00:00.000-05:00

Do you want to get away from the U.S. for a while? Why not study abroad?

We sat down with Lauren Irby, a Peer Career Advisor at Career Services, to discuss her study abroad experience in Madrid, Spain. Lauren also offered some suggestions for students who are interested in adventuring abroad.

Where did you study abroad?

I had an internship abroad in Madrid, Spain.

Was it hard for you to adjust to a new place, if so, what were some of the difficulties and how did you adjust to them?

I was terrified at first because I had never been to a foreign country. This was also my first time traveling by plane and a metro.

I also had trouble changing my habits to accommodate for the limitations abroad such as the music. For example, Pandora does not operate outside of the U.S., so I had to adjust to the live music constantly played on the streets of Spain (a hard adjustment, I know).

My best advice would be to change a few words in your vocabulary.

• Do NOT use the word “lost.” Instead, use the word “adventure.” This can apply to being physically “lost” without a map. Use this opportunity to adventure, interact with locals and see less-touristy sites. “Lost” might also refer to losing something, such as your luggage. The adventure here would be learning to say “toothpaste” in Spanish. Plan for the worst, and make the best of it. You can never replace your study abroad experience, so on days when things might seem to be going badly, put a positive spin on it!

• Don’t ever think, “I don’t understand” and give up. This may result from a language barrier, or even just a cultural difference that baffles you. Instead say, “Show me,” or “Let’s try it.” So if you’re asking directions, see if your new friend would be willing to accompany you. Or if you don’t see how eating something could be appetizing whatsoever, try it anyway.

What would you say to those current students who want to study abroad but think that they do not have the time or money to do so?

The time issue is easily solved: be open-minded about the kind of experience you want to have. Study abroad sessions can be year-long, semester-long, trimester-long, summer-long or a summer session (5 weeks). There is also Mini-Term or even Spring Break trips that will still get you course credit.

Students check-in at the
Study Abroad Fair

Money can definitely be an intimidating obstacle, but with planning, dedication and a lot of paperwork, studying abroad CAN be affordable. First you need to determine how much you’re willing to spend. Factor in the cost of your program, tuition, housing, meals and travel (including your plane ride over; for the best price, buy it as early as possible)! Semester terms are more expensive than the shorter terms, but often more scholarships are available for these types of studies. Many programs also offer exchange programs. This is where your UT scholarships and tuition will transfer, so you will pay the same amount to your abroad university. Unfortunately, this does not cover everything, so don’t immediately think this is the way to go! Be sure to consider those other factors; you may also need health insurance, a visa, or other legal documentation. Also be thinking about how you will communicate; you may choose to get a cell phone, or need to locate an internet café (or buy a carrier pigeon, depending on where you want to go). Keep in mind the currency exchange rate for your destination, as well as any fees your bank may charge for use abroad.

Regardless of what kind of program you choose to do and where you want to go, you will likely have to apply for many scholarships, grants, etc. Some great places to start are here at UT. The Study Abroad office offers the CIE scholarship through a simple application. Also check with your department, as well as any program or organization you’re affiliated with (many honors programs offer competitive grants). Your study abroad program itself may also offer scholarships, so be sure to check with them. The best way to fund your trip is to be proactive in your search for outside funds: explore online for scholarships offered, and check back frequently, as new scholarships are always being offered through various organizations.

Why is it important to study abroad?

Studying abroad is the chance of a lifetime, and is one that you can never replicate. In high school you may have travelled with your family or school, but you probably did not have the freedom you would have to jump on a plane to Prague as a last-minute weekend trip, or go hiking in the mountains with some locals you just met. Waiting until after college may mean you will have more funds and means to travel, but your life after college may limit your freedom, too. You will (hopefully) have a full-time job or other obligation after graduating; it can be very difficult finding a job that permits you to spend three months in another country. Granted, many careers offer some great international opportunities, but most of these require you to already have international experience. A Human Resources department will not likely send you to China to establish client relations if you know little about the country itself. A study abroad is also a chance to build connections abroad: if you want a career in Germany, knowing someone in Berlin can really help you network your way to a job there!

Studying abroad opens your eyes immensely to cultures throughout the world.

For more information, visit the Study Abroad Homepage.

Start the Year off Right

2011-01-18T13:27:00.001-05:00

It’s a new year, a new semester, and new opportunities are awaiting you at Career Services. Whether your New Year’s resolution is to secure a summer job, decide on a major, or improve your resume, Career Services is here to help you achieve it. We have many events and workshops that will be beneficial to all students regardless of your major or classification. So pull out your planner and mark these upcoming dates!

January 25, 2011

• Graduate Student Workshop: Curriculum Vitae (CV) for Academia—100 Dunford Hall— 4:00p.m. - 5:00p.m.

This workshop for master’s and PhD students will cover techniques, formatting, and strategies for writing your CV specifically for academic positions.

January 25, 2011

• Graduate Student Workshop: Resumes for Industry—100 Dunford Hall—5:00p.m. - 6:00p.m.

This workshop for master’s and PhD students will cover techniques, formatting, and strategies for writing your resume or converting your CV to a resume for non-academic positions.

February 2, 2011

• So What if You Don’t Get Into Medical School?—100 Dunford Hall—

4:00p.m. - 5:00p.m.

February 9, 2011

• Summer Job and Internship Fair—UC Ballroom—2:00p.m. - 6:00p.m.

March 1, 2011

• Diversity Job Fair—UC Ballroom—3:00p.m. - 5:00p.m.

March 2, 2011

• Spring Job Fair—Thompson-Boling Arena—2:00p.m. - 6:00p.m.

If you have any questions about an event, do not hesitate to contact us or drop by our office.

What are you going to do after graduation?

2010-10-21T16:17:00.001-04:00

For some students, graduate school is an option. There are many decisions that students must make before attending graduate school such as which school to attend, what degree to pursue, and financial resources.

We talked with a graduate student to get the behind the scenes look at how life really is before and during graduate school. Take a walk in the shoes of graduate student Suzanne Stambaugh.

Suzanne Stambaugh is a Counseling Psychology Doctoral Candidate at the University of Tennessee, Knoxville. She is also the West Area Graduate Assistant for UT Housing.

Q: What degree are you pursuing?

A: I am a Ph.D. student in Counseling Psychology at UT. I am in my 6th year in the program and hopefully this will be my last year.

Q: How did you decide on your major?

A: I decided in high school that I wanted to go into psychology. I had a great teacher in high school who taught psychology, and I enjoyed learning the subject from him. I did have a dilemma though. I knew that I wanted to go to graduate school; however, I did not know how I was going to finance graduate school.

Q: How was the graduate school application process?

A: Getting into graduate school was quite a challenge because graduate school in psychology is so competitive. That’s part of why I came to UT, because I was fortunate enough to get accepted here and receive an assistantship here. So, I knew that I could not pass that up. I researched helpful tips, and I tried to do those things that would help me get into graduate school. I applied to about 13 graduate schools, so it was a lot of work.

Q: What advice do you have for undergrad students pursuing graduate school?

A: Make sure you are budgeting your time so that you can apply for all your desired graduate schools. Also, it is important to be conscious of building relationships during your undergrad years with people who can and will give you letters of recommendation. This is very important at a big university, where it is hard for professors to remember students. This is where work experience is helpful also, because you can get one-on-one interaction with your supervisor. If your grad program includes interviews, utilizing Career Services for a mock interview is also helpful.

Q: Is it difficult balancing both work and school in grad school.

A: It is hard. You wear many different hats, and you have to meet different expectations that sometimes conflict with each other. It helps to keep a realistic approach about it. You cannot please everybody all the time. So, you have to prioritize things.

Q: Compared to undergrad, is graduate school more difficult?

A: I think it is, because I feel like I play a lot of more roles than I did in undergrad at the University of Florida. Even though, in my undergrad I had similar responsibilities, such as work and school, I think that, in graduate school, the expectations are higher. Unlike the big classes in my undergrad, graduate school contains smaller classes. There are more expectations and the environment is more competitive. You are just under more scrutiny, because there is more expected of you, and you can’t blend in or hide in small classes.

Q: How did you learn about the different ways of financing graduate school?

A: When I was first thinking about graduate school, I did not really know about graduate assistantships. I minored in mass communications and did some internships in the PR area during my undergrad years, because my plan was to work in PR and go to graduate school part-time. However, as I did more research, I realized that you had to go full-time for Ph.D. programs in psychology and you get this thing called a graduate assistantship, and that’s how you pay for graduate school. So, that was helpful to learn.

Q: How did you utilize your Career Services to help in your graduate school transition?

A: Being a psychology major as an undergrad, I was frequently asked: “So, what are you going to do with this degree?” I knew needed to be able to support myself. So, I did utilize the services my undergrad’s Career Center offered, such as the What Can I do with this Major? I utilized its resources and went there to talk to the counselors. I also did a mock interview there, where they recorded my interview and gave me feedback. That was helpful because I realized how I sounded during an interview.

Q: What advice do you have for students who want to go to graduate school but are hesitant because of the lack of finances?

A: I would advise them to talk to some of their professors who are in their field. I would also suggest that they speak with students in their field and drop by Career Services for additional help. I would recommend they ask students who are in the graduate programs they are interested in and ask how they pay for school. I think it also helps to think about your bachelor’s degree and what kind of career you are pursuing, what you are expected to make with a bachelor’s degree and compare it to what you would earn with an advanced degree. I think it helps to think about that cost-benefit analysis, when considering graduate school.

For more information and resources on graduate school, visit our website at career.utk.edu.

Recap of Fall Job Fair

2010-10-12T22:51:00.002-04:00

On Tuesday, September 28 more than 150 employers visited The University of Tennessee-Knoxville for the Fall Job Fair. This career fair is typically our largest event of the year. Corporate employers, government agencies, and non-profit organizations all came to recruit students for full-time entry-level positions and/or internships.

We asked some students about their experience at the Fall Job Fair.

What did they have to say? Click on the video below to find out.

Bored? Find out what you can do this summer to prepare for your career or part-time job.

2010-06-02T15:04:00.000-04:00

Summers are a time for hanging out with your friends and having fun but you can also use the summer to get a head start on preparing for your career. Here are some tips for easy things you can do this summer.

1. Read the previous posts in this blog.
You're already here so why not go back and read some more? You might find the answers to questions you have or just get some helpful tips on things like job searching and social networking sites.
2. Revamp your resume.
Your resume is one of the most important things in your job search. It is your first impression and you want it to be a lasting one. When I say lasting I mean because it was really good, not because they couldn't stop laughing at it. So take some time to make it right. You'll be glad you did.
3. Try out Career Services' Interview Stream.
You may or may not have done Perfect Interview in the past. Either way, Interview Stream is a great way to work on your interview skills. Just go on Hire-A-Vol and click on the Interview Stream logo. From there you can customize your interview and be recorded answering questions. Go back and review your recordings and look for things you could work on. Still need some help? Call us and create an appointment for a mock interview.
4. Volunteer.
Any kind of volunteer work looks good on your resume but if you're feeling ambitious, try and find something in the field you want to work in. The worst case scenario is that you find out you don't want to work in that field and the best is that you show future employers you are serious about your work and have a passion for it. Either way it's a win-win situation and you'll feel good knowing you helped out.
5. Read.
If you're not sure what kind of job you want or think you know but want to find out more about it then reading is a great way to do so. Find some books on fields that you might be interested in or come by Career Services and read some of ours.

These are just a few things you can do to be proactive this summer. There are many more so be creative! If you try something else out let us know by leaving a comment. We'd love to hear from you!

-Kaity M

Puzzling Interview Questions

2010-04-12T16:26:00.001-04:00

How Would You Move Mount Fuji? is a book by William Poundstone about the tricky mind puzzles often asked in Microsoft interviews for potential new hires.

A few employers ask problem or puzzle questions during their interviews. This is usually done to test your logic skills, intelligence, and ability to effectively think under pressure. While most companies do not ask questions such as these, they are fun to consider and may improve your problem-solving skills.

A few include...

There are three ants at the three corners of a regular triangle. Each ant starts moving on a straight line toward another, randomly chosen corner. What is the probability that none of the ants collide?
Design a spice rack for a person who is blind.
How many gas stations are there in the United States?
How would you weigh a jet plane without using scales?

Use the comment feature on the blog to try your hand at answering the question below. You can post anonymously if you wish. We look forward to hearing what you come up with!

You have 3 picnic baskets filled with fruit. One has apples, one has oranges, and the third has a mixture of apples and oranges. You cannot see the fruit inside the baskets. Each basket is clearly labeled. Each label is wrong. You are permitted to close your eyes and pick one fruit from one basket, then examine it. How can you determine what is in each basket?

-Rebekah

Tweet your way to a job!

2010-03-31T12:38:00.000-04:00

Twitter is slowly gaining popularity among the college crowd; however, among companies, organizations and firms- it is booming! Check out this employer twitter account list that is constantly updated with job posts and company info from over 160 nationwide employers. In addition, the average age among twitter users is 31, more than likely making a lot of them professionals in their field for more than just a couple of years.

Keppie Careers shares these bits of insight about what Twitter can do for you...

Afford access to other professionals in your field. When you follow industry leaders, you’ll know who spends time with them, what conferences they attend (and what they think of the speakers!), what they’re reading and what is on their minds. This is great information to leverage for your search.
Provide exposure and credibility as well as personal and professional relationships when you connect to others in your industry.
Offer you a venue to demonstrate your expertise and share information in quick, pithy bursts of wisdom. This is perfect if you don’t have the time or energy to create a blog.

So how can you use your twitter account to stand out?

Put your brief "elevator speech" as your bio. Be professional and go beyond your hobbies to include career/academic aspirations.
Use a professional looking profile picture.
Have a custom background design that is professional but unique.
Have a link to your online resume (sites like VisualCV and BriteTab can help).
Follow industry, career advice and job search experts on Twitter.
Use your status updates to RT, link, and interact with the employers in your industry as well as promote current projects you may be completing. You want to be viewed as someone “in the loop”.
Be consistent on image throughout all your online platforms ( LinkedIn, Facebook, etc.)

-Courtney H

Tips for e-mailing your resume!

2010-03-17T13:58:00.000-04:00

Most employers these days require you to submit application and job inquiries on-line via their company website or through a contact person's e-mail. However, it is important to note that the informality typically associated with the ease and speed of Internet use is something to be avoided in these situations. There are some tips that students should keep in mind as they are interacting with employers on the web.

E-mailing your Resume

Put your Resume in PDF format. PDF is compatible with all computer systems and will keep your resume formatting from changing. On most computers you can convert a file to .pdf by clicking File> Print and under Printer name select PDF and OK.
Attach your resume to an e-mail. Never copy and paste your e-mail into the body of an e-mail. Most e-mail servers have limited formatting abilities and there is no telling how your resume will show up.
List the job position title and your name in the e-mail's subject line. This automatically indicates to an employer where or whom your e-mail should go and makes it easy to find when looking for it at a later time. You can simply put "Sales Associate position- John Smith".
Send it using a professional e-mail account that you check often. Your university given e-mail account will work great; however, if you have another e-mail you check more often it might be ideal to use that one instead. Make sure you are not sending it from your personal account such as "volfan2010@hotmail.com or cutestuff30@yahoo.com".

E-mail Cover Letter
Just as you need to send a cover letter when submitting a resume via snail mail, it is very important to include that same detailed information when e-mailing a resume. This is what will go in the body of your e-mail.

Begin your e-mail formally. Use "Dear Mr./Ms. Last Name", and address it to the specific person responsible for hiring your position if possible.
The first paragraph should include your reason for writing, the position you are applying for, how you heard about it and any previous contact with the employer/company.
The middle paragraph(s) should elaborate on what you have to offer the employer and how that matches up with the specific job description and qualifications. Feel free to mention specific details from previous experience but don't repeat your resume.
The last paragraph should conclude your message. Direct the employers attention to your attached resume, thank them for consideration of your application and indicate how they can follow-up with you.
End the e-mail formally. "Sincerely", "Best regards," etc. and then your name are ideal closings. Under your name you will also want to include your 'signature' or contact information including e-mail address, telephone number, and mailing address.

Examples of different types of e-mail correspondance and e-mail etiquette tips can also be found in this article.

-Courtney H

Priceless Job Fair Advice from a Peer

2010-02-17T14:08:00.002-05:00

Unpressed shirts, unruly hair, unpolished resumes and overwhelmed expressions....

Each year at the job fair, employers and staff see some common and very preventable mistakes made by attending students. Some may immediately reduce your credibility to a recruiter while correcting others will guarantee your chances as an exceptional job candidate.

Appearance

Professional attire is highly suggested! By professional, we mean conservative business suits, collared shirts, ties, modest jewelry and close-toed shoes. Avoid carrying around bags and back packs. Find a place to leave them along with your coat. Invest in a black zipper portfolio to carry your resumes, pens and to collect any handouts you may get from employers' booths.

Resume

A strong resume that is concise, easy to scan and error-free is essential! Have multiple people read over and check your resume including professionals, faculty and Career Services staff.. Print them on resume paper and be sure you bring multiple copies on the day of the job fair

Preparation

Look at the list of employers coming to the fair and make a list of your "Top 10". Become familiar with these organizations and the positions they are offering through their website and company publications. Note the job responsibilities, services/products provided by the company, and what interests you most about the organization. Use these things to prepare a short 30-second "commercial" to use when you greet an employer at their job fair booth.

Follow-Up

Fulfill any employer requests or promises that were made such as an electronic version of your resume, an appointment for an interview, or completion of an online application. In addition, help yourself stand out as a job candidate by sending a thank-you note within 48 hours specifically to the recruiter you spoke with. Asking for business cards during the fair will help with this step!

I hope you will take these simple steps so you can approach the job fair with confidence and success!

-Courtney H

Start your Summer job search now!

2010-01-13T16:28:00.003-05:00

With a new year and new semester come new resolutions and goals! For many students, some resolutions may revolve around finding a part-time job or internship for the upcoming year. As the saying goes, "Never put off until tomorrow what you can do today." While it may seem early, January is the perfect time to start preparing for your summer job or internship search. The earlier you begin, the better prepared you will be to compete for the position you want! Here are some steps you can begin to take now!

1. Brainstorm position types and companies that interest you as a summer job or internship prospect. Research possible course credit and requirements for internships in your academic field. Create a list of ideal employers, job responsibilities, and skills you would like to gain.

2. Explore available job & internship opportunities. Using the brainstorm list, search UT Career Services' Hire-A-Vol system by field, position type, or company to find opportunities you qualify for and the materials you will need to submit for applications. Also search employer websites for job postings. If you can't find any specific postings for a company you would like to work for, don't be afraid to email or call a contact person and ask!

3. Build your resume. Bring in your resume to Career Services during Walk-in Hours (Monday- Thursday from 3-5 pm) or meet with a Career Consultant to get your resume in shape.

4. Practice your interviewing skills. Schedule a mock interview or attend the upcoming workshop "How to Interview" on February 3rd.

5. Attend the Summer Job & Internship Fair on February 10 from 10 am-3 pm in the UC Ballroom. Dress professionally and bring multiple copies of your resume. To view and research the employers that will be attending, go to http://utk-csm.symplicity.com/events/.

6. Apply! Take note of application deadlines and requirements. If needed, contact former employers and other references well in advance. If submitting a resume via snail mail or e-mail, don't forget to write and include a unique cover letter for each position (for cover letter tips, visit http://career.utk.edu/coverletter.php).

Find more resources and information about your summer job and internship search on our website career.utk.edu.

-Courtney H

Family, Food, Gifts, and Job Searching?

2009-11-20T11:33:00.015-05:00

With Thanksgiving just around the corner and holiday decorations already out on store shelves, you may find yourself wondering what you can do during the holiday break to continue your job search process. Whether you are seeking a summer internship, part-time job for the school year or that first full-time job when you graduate in May, below are some tips to help you get ahead this holiday season!

1. Networking at Holiday Parties

Be Conservative: You are trying to impress potential employers and colleagues. Avoid revealing or questionable clothing and limit your alcohol consumption.

Be Casual: Being overly aggressive about getting employment information will turn people away. As you meet new people, the topic of employment will eventually come up, and you can casually mention your job search.

Be Prepared: As a job hunter, you should always have business cards with you!

2. Sending Holiday Cards With a Purpose

It may seem a bit cheesy, but holiday cards are a fantastic and easy way to get the attention of an employer or recruiter. However, there are a few things to keep in mind:

Avoid holiday specific cards. As a matter of professional courtesy and respect for religious diversity, use cards with generic messages like “Happy Holidays” or “Season’s Greetings” .

Do not send cards to people you have not corresponded with. The real advantage of sending a card is that is serves as an unimposing reminder to people with whom you have interviewed or discussed work.

3. Working Around Vacation Schedules

During the Holidays, people go on vacations, schedules become tight, and open time slots vanish; however people have not stopped hiring.

The early bird catches the worm. If you contact a recruiter earlier in the holiday season, they will have more available time periods in their schedule. In additions, you never know when a recruiter may unexpectedly be available so be prepared for a call at anytime.

Hold back on your own vacation. If other job seekers are not available during the holidays and you are, you stand a much better shot at landing a job.

4. Beating the Holiday Blues

Create a holiday schedule. Schedules allow you to allocate time for constructive job-hunting activities and set aside time for relaxation or holiday celebrations.

‘Tis the season to give. Volunteering opportunities during the holiday are numerous. Helping others can give you a sense of pride and more experience for your resume. You will also get to network with other people in the community!

* Information adapted from an EOE journal article

by Nathan Newberger

-Courtney H

Interviewing: Don't sweat the tough stuff!

2009-10-28T13:50:00.002-04:00

I was giving a mock interview today to a student and afterward he said that he never expected such challenging questions and wouldn't have been prepared to give a good answer to some of them in an actual interview. It wasn't my intention to drill him or anything, but we do try to tailor our mock interview questions to get students thinking outside of the box and to see all types of questions a potential employer might ask.

Interviewing for a possible job is a process, and not just a simple one time meeting. The interview process begins before you even greet the employer with a handshake and doesn't end when they have finished asking questions. By viewing each of your interviews in this way, you can be prepared and confident even for the unexpected, tough and dreaded questions!

Before the Interview:
-Research the company, organization and interviewers.
-Prepare relevant questions to ask the interviewers.
-Make sure your interview attire is properly pressed and appropriate.
-Have extra copies of your resume.

Addressing some tough questions during the interview:
"What is your greatest weakness?"
   Of course you don't want to reply with "I don't have any" or the over-used "I'm a perfectionist" but, at the same time, you are trying to market yourself in the best possible way. You do want to state a real professional-level weakness (time management, short deadlines, creativity, etc.) but remain confident in your ability to overcome it. Remember to tell the interviewer what steps you are currently taking to improve the weakness.

Behavioral Questions
     These questions are aimed at getting you to provide specific examples of how you have developed the required skills for the job. For instance, they may ask "Describe a project where you used computer programming skills," "Describe a situation where you worked as part of a team," or "Tell me about a conflict situation you have encountered in the workplace."
     By applying the STAR method, you can give the interviewer all of the information they need. Describe a specific Situation or Task and give enough detail for the interviewer to understand but not be overloaded. Describe the Action you specifically took and not just the efforts of the team. And don't forget to state the Result by identifying what was accomplished and learned.

"Why should we hire you?"
   This question is commonly used to wrap up an interview and gives you a chance for a "final sales pitch" of your skills and experience. Try to highlight some unique skills or traits that would set you apart from other candidates and show your determination to succeed in the position. Don't be afraid to state that you are the 'best person for the job' but be sure you back it up with specific evidence!

After the interview:
-Be sure to ask your prepared questions.
-Ask the interviewer for a business card or contact information.
-Be sure you know how follow-up will be conducted (Should you call them? Will they call you?)
-Don't forget to send a thank you note to the interviewers within 48 hours!

If you are still feeling unsure or nervous about a big interview coming up, schedule a Mock Interview in our office or practice with a friend! These are only a few of the tough questions you may encounter- just remember to prepare before every interview!

-Courtney H

LinkedIn, Facebook, Twitter, Oh My!

2009-10-05T14:59:00.001-04:00

With all the buzz about online networking sites, have you ever thought about how they could help and hurt your job and career search?

I recently saw a comic that depicted a woman sitting at her office desk. On her computer screen, she was looking at her Facebook home page which read, "You have 17 requests to get on with your work." We have all probably been distracted from class, a job or studying with 'facebook stalking' or 'tweeting' every detail of our day.Yet, even social networking can be productive if used the right way- especially when looking for a job, internship or career.

LinkedIn is an online social networking site that is getting a lot of hype lately and I think it deserves some attention from college students. LinkedIn is a professional site where you can connect to former colleagues, classmates and potential employers. Your profile basically looks like an online resume and there are options to search for other people on LinkedIn by career, company and university. What makes LinkedIn stand out? First of all- the people who are using it. LinkedIn seems to draw the professional and professional-wannabes so you won't see 30 picture albums and everyone's favorite quotes on their page. In fact, Members from all Fortune 500 companies are on LinkedIn. Secondly, LinkedIn features a Recommendation option where former employers can post a recommendation to your profile. Lastly, through LinkedIn, your connections can "forward" you to any of their contacts. This means anyone they know with a potential job opening can see your information in a flash (maybe even before the position is posted elsewhere)!

I also mentioned Twitter and you may be wondering just how you could "tweet" your way to a job. Twitter has gained a large popularity among companies and organizations for publicity and media purposes. As long as you avoid trivial content in your tweets, search out companies in your field or that you would like to work for. Not only do some employers post links to job openings, but it also serves as a great way to keep up to date with current news and activity within the company! Consider using Twitter's search tool to look for keywords that describe an ideal job. By posting a URL in your Tweet, you can also use Twitter as a branching out point to market any other online work you may have- blog, published articles, an online portfolio, features of your work, etc.

By now, most college students have figured out that monitoring your Facebook profile is also essential to your social networking image. Making your profile 'private' can help, but you still never know who could gain access to the notes, pictures and comments you post. Keep that in mind as you are adding content to your page!

Here is some additional advice when it comes to networking websites:

*Manage your online image. Once you put something out on the World Wide Web, don't assume that people won't be able to find it. Internet content has a long shelf life and may even be searchable after you think it is long gone.
*Monitor the comments and postings on your profiles and the ones you leave for others. I read a story about an friend who posted the following on an employee's Facebook wall: "I had so much fun hanging out today! We need to skip work more often!" The employee's supervisor happened to be browsing her page the next day and discovered the comment!
*Google yourself- employers do! A recent study by the executive search firm ExecuNet found that 77 percent of recruiters run searches of candidates on the Web to screen applicants. Check to make sure that anything you don't want a company to see is not out there!

If you want to find more about online networking, check out these articles:
10 Job Tweeters You Should Be Following
Tweet Yourself to a New Job
10 Tips to Enhance your Job Search on LinkedIn
Using Twitter and Facebook to Find a Job

-Courtney H

What in the world is Career Services?

2009-09-04T10:12:00.005-04:00

Well we are glad you asked!

The University of Tennessee Career Services is your first stop for all things career-related! From trying to find a major to getting that first full-time job after you graduate, we provide the resources to help students every step of the way! Career Services provides resume help, workshops, campus job fairs, graduate school admissions assistance and more!

So then, who are the Peer Career Advisors?

There are 5 of us Peer Career Advisors (or PCAs) who were trained to provide career development assistance on a peer to peer level through UT Career Services. We staff the resume walk-in hours, conduct mock interviews, assist with workshops and presentations and help promote all Career Services programs. In other words, we are here to help YOU!

Let us introduce ourselves:

Courtney Holder- Senior in Communication Studies

Fun fact: "I went skydiving last summer and loved it!"

LaRonda Jones- Senior in Electrical Engineering

Fun fact: "I'm from Georgia but I've never eaten a peach!"

David Lepard- Senior in Political Science

Rebekah Linn- Junior in Child and Family Studies
Fun fact: "One of my favorite things to eat for dinner is pancakes."

Neeley Polka- Senior in Marketing/International Business

Where is Career Services?

We get this question a lot! And since we would love to have you come visit, make an appointment with a career consultant in your field and check out our resource center- we will make it as easy as possible to find us! Our office is located in 100 Dunford Hall, right in front of Greve and Massey Halls. If you are coming around "the horseshoe" and are facing Greve, we are the building on the left. You will see our sign out front!

How can I find out more information?

Our website (career.utk.edu) has TONS of guides and tools to help you get started with any part of the major and career exploration process. You can also call our office at 865-974-5435 to schedule an appointment with a staff member. Now, you can even be a fan on our Facebook page (UT Knoxville Career Services) and follow us on Twitter (VolCareers)!