AskUCSO - You Are More Than Just Data

by Shannon Tollison, UCSO Help Desk Assistant

Hello there folks,

Around this time of year, you get this question quite frequently from parents, fellow students, and friends: “What are you doing this summer?!” Well here at the UCSO, we’re going to ask you the same thing. We want to know what your plans are! But there are other reasons it’s important beside pure interest.

Ultimately, the UCSO is here to help our students. When we have updated and complete information, we can serve students that much better. When you report your offer, you tell us where the job is, the pay, and what field you are in. Obviously all of this is kept confidential. However, the statistics really help students and future students when considering their offers. We want this information so we can provide accurate data when referencing the current job market and how Kelley is succeeding! For example, our internship placement for juniors is 92%! However, it might be higher. We’ll never know because some people never got the chance to report their offer.

Well here’s your chance! Please help us serve students best by reporting your offer. The easiest way is go to https://ucso.indiana.edu/cgi-bin/OfferAcceptance/students/index.cfm (or go to the UCSO Website --> Students tab --> Report Employment).

And then click which applies to you. Accepting an internship/full-time offer? Awesome. Are you going to graduate school? Great! We have an option for that. Deciding to postpone your job search for now? You can report that too! You can also email us at ucso@indiana.edu or simply stop by the help desk!

We get calls from prospective students on a weekly basis asking what our ranking is compared to other business schools. With your help, we can continue our tradition of success in all the rankings. Hope you’ve had a wonderful semester so far, and enjoy our warm Bloomington weather!

Shannon

Job Search Tips from FORTUNE 500 Recruiters (Part 10 of 10)

Having been a recruiter for over 12 years has allowed Michelle Flynn to compile her list of "do's and don'ts" for today's job seekers.

Top 10 job search strategies:

1. Network to build contacts.
2. Take writing your CV seriously.
3. Research your market.
4. Research the companies and people you are interviewing with.
5. Dress to impress.
6. Make sure you listen.
7. Have questions prepared.
8. Ensure continuous self-improvement to make you more marketable.
9. Be honest about what you can (and can’t) do.
10. Remember it is a small industry, so never bad-mouth your employer.

Top 3 common mistakes that job seekers make:

1. Badly written CV.
2. Lack of research for interviews.
3. Applying for jobs they are clearly not suitable for.

For more valuable tips from Michelle, as well as other Fortune 500 recuiters, be sure to check out "100 Job Search Tips from FORTUNE 500 Recruiters.

Real World = Real(istic) Budget

Just last week, I got a call that my roommate and I got our top choice in apartments, and all of the sudden the reality that I would be living (truly) on my own hit me. There is a lot to think about besides just finding a place to live . . . for example, who knew that healthcare for a relative healthy 22-year old could be so expensive? Other things to think about are if you will need a car and have to make car payments, do you have to pay extra to park this said car (in any city this will most definitely be a YES-

unless you want to get amazingly good at parallel parking), do you have to pay back college loans, and oh yeah, you have to feed yourself at some point. And if you are anything like me, shopping tends to make some what of dent in my paychecks. So for the past few days, I have been trying to figure out how much everything is going to actually cost to me when I enter "the real world". I found this great template online at Collegeboard.com, that really helps to organize everything to set up your budget and you just have to fill it in. Here is the address for the worksheet: http://www.collegeboard.com/prod_downloads/highered/res/cc_tips/BudgetGrad05.pdf

Some key things to note about this worksheet:

• A lot of the costs will depend on where you are living. Some places like New York City will be way more expensive than say Indianapolis, and you will have to devote more of your paycheck to things like living.
• Taxes take a lot from your paycheck-and depending on what you put on your W-2 affects how much taxes get taken out of each paycheck. So figure out what you want to do with your W-2 so that on your first day you aren't staring blankly at the sheet and hurriedly texting your dad for help under the table. (Just trust me)
• At your first job, retirement may seem far, far away. But the reality is that you have to put money in your 401K as soon as possible. Make sure to see if your employer will match you, many do!
• With astronomically high gas costs, your transportation may cost you a lot. The worksheet says budget about 15% of your paycheck for everything budget related, but these days you may have to budget more. There are always ways to cut back, like carpooling if you have co-workers who live near you, or roommates who conveniently work with you.
Don't forget about student loans! The worksheet says about 8% of your monthly income will go to this, but depending on what you owe and how much you make, this percentage could be very different.
• And don't forget to have fun! Budget some of your money for "entertainment". Having a pre-set budget will make it less likely that you will spend too much money on an awesome pair shoes that you just happened to stumble upon at Nordstrom.

As you can see, little things like money for retirement, add up. It's great when you get your offer and you see a nice salary, but unfortunately that money doesn't usually go straight to your pocket. Being prepared with some sort of a budget will help you not overspend, and help you save too!

AskUCSO - Welcome Back!

by Elyse LaGarenne, UCSO Help Desk Assistant

I hope you all had an amazing and relaxing spring break =) I am sure that looking for jobs was not your first priority during your week break from school. But stay calm! I am here to tell you that you still have time to lock in that internship for the summer or full time position for next fall. Here are just a few things that can help you along the way:

1. UCSO Virtual Career Fair - A great way to get in contact with employers and show them that you are interested by sending them your resume through our website! While this event started last Friday, you haven't missed the opportunity...it's still open (until Thursday at 4pm).
2. Career Coach Appointments - Our one-on-one appointments are always a great way to talk about your personal career goals and ask questions on next steps to take. There are plenty of appointments open so get on our website to make one today!
3. Job Postings - There are always job postings on the Career Street Journal. There are some great opportunities so be checking the CSJ as often as you can (daily!) to see what you could be dropping your resume for.
4. Independent Search - Of course there is always the work you do on your own! The UCSO does not host every company so going out on your own can always be a good idea. You can utilize resources such as Kelley InCircle, LinkedIn, or our company contact search to start your networking.

We hope that you all are able to utilize some of these options in order to secure employment for the coming months. And if you have any questions the UCSO is always here to help. Just remember to stay confident and calm because there are always more options!

P.S. Make sure to censor any Spring Break pictures being put online. You never know who will be searching for you!

Remember, YOU are important to us!

Do you have a summer job, internship, full-time position? Are you planning to go on to grad school, travel or complete your CPA? Are there other plans in your future?

Reported information on your employment plans is very important not only to the UCSO & Kelley, but also to students and recruiters for salary negotiations purposes. The information you report to us is kept strictly confidential, and only published as part of a large aggregate.

So, come on . . . be a part of the Kelley/UCSO brag data. Report your full-time position or internship at Report Employment or email your information to ucso@indiana.edu.

Most Admired Companies? We have them!

The Fortune list of the “World’s Most Admired Companies” was recently released and we are thrilled that we work with over half of the companies. What does this mean? We have more work to do! We will do our best to get the other half connected to Kelley!

Over the next few months while you are enjoying your summer and internships, the UCSO team will be on the road developing new business so we can attract new companies to Kelley, increasing your opportunities.

We can also use your help. If you will be working full-time or are interning with a company that does not come to campus, you can provide us with a contact at that company and we can reach out to them to try to get them involved for next year. Just email ucso@indiana.edu with the company name and contact information and we will take it from there. As soon as companies see the fantastic talent Kelley produces and it should be an easy sell.

We hope you enjoyed your Spring Break!

Job Search Tips from FORTUNE 500 Recruiters (Part 9 of 10)

Linda Di, a Director of Human Resources in China, has compiled her top "do's and don'ts" for today's job seekers.

Top 10 job search strategies:

1. Have a good network.
2. Do more homework to prepare your résumé. Begin with an executive summary.
3. Understand your career goals and your motivation to change jobs.
4. Be prepared. Do more research; study the company and the job. Prepare specific examples that can demonstrate your skills and capabilities.
5. Show passion during the interview process.
6. Clearly understand what the interviewer is looking for and reply concisely.
7. Smile and have good eye contact.
8. Be honest.
9. Try to collect more information on the job from the interviewers.
10. Send a nice thank-you letter to interviewers.

Top 3 common mistakes that job seekers make:

1. Lack of passion—have and understand the motivation or reasons why you want this position.
2. Not prepared for an interview—research the company.
3. Not sharing specific examples to prove behaviors. Need to have real examples of accomplishments. Many candidates are unprepared for this type of questioning.

For more valuable tips from Linda, as well as other Fortune 500 recuiters, be sure to check out "100 Job Search Tips from FORTUNE 500 Recruiters.

Job Search Tips from FORTUNE 500 Recruiters (Part 8 of 10)

Kate O’Connor is currently the Director of Human Resources at EMC Ireland. Check out her list of "do's and don'ts" for today's job seekers.

Top 10 job search strategies:

1. Use your personal network; let people know what opportunities you are looking for.
2. Tailor your résumé for each job you apply for, and make sure the spelling and grammar are flawless.
3. Use any time between jobs productively to develop new skills.
4. Develop your interview skills—use positive language, good eye contact, open body language, and show your enthusiasm.
5. Spend time preparing answers to questions that you can reasonably expect to be asked in an interview.
6. If you know any recruiters or managers who regularly interview prospective new employees, ask them to give you a mock interview and take their feedback on your résumé and your interview style. This will improve your confidence and performance in real interview situations.
7. Treat recruiters and prospective employers with the same courtesy that you expect from them. You may want to pursue another future opportunity with the same people, so leave a good impression.
8. Know how the job you are applying for fits into your longer-term career plans, and be ready to talk about your goals and aspirations.
9. Demonstrate genuine interest in each job you interview for, finish the interview by expressing your interest in the role, and thank the interviewer for their time.
10. Stay positive—looking for a new job can be a long process and a positive attitude goes a long way.

Top 3 common mistakes that job seekers make:

1. Insufficient preparation—spend time making sure each job application is as strong as possible.
2. Not being ready to link previous experience to the role being applied for—come prepared with examples.
3. Poor body language—never underestimate how important body language is in an interview.

For more valuable tips from Kate, as well as other Fortune 500 recuiters, be sure to check out "100 Job Search Tips from FORTUNE 500 Recruiters.

Job Search Tips from FORTUNE 500 Recruiters (Part 7 of 10)

With over 22 years of recruiting under his belt, Mitchell Schneir has compiled his list of top job seekers "do's and don'ts".

Top 10 job search strategies:

1. Network: Sign up for Linkedin.
2. A résumé should be written for the job. (Résumés are like a painter’s canvas, there are no two paintings alike.)
3. Build a skills inventory: Candidates need to know themselves and then know how to present themselves.
4. Think before answering a question: Take a breath, then answer the question. This will help you digest the question and have a stronger answer, or ask a qualifying question back before answering the question.
5. Be positive and honest.
6. Research: Do research on the company, position and person you are interviewing with.
7. At the end of the interview, ask the question, “Do you have any questions or concerns that would stop you from bringing me back for a second interview?”
8. Build a strong list of references: Ask your reference, before you offer their name, if they would be able to provide a positive reference that would help you secure your next position.
9. Build a list of questions about the position you are interviewing for. If you don’t ask questions, you seem uninterested.
10. Ask for the job. For example, “I am very interested in this position because of the following reasons. … If you agree that I am a good fit, I could accept an offer by the end of the week.”

Top 3 common mistakes that job seekers make:

1. Poor presentation: With today’s casual environments, people think they can dress casual and present themselves that way. You need to be—and look—sharp on an interview.
2. Lack of energy/enthusiasm: People need to have a spark and show desire.
3. Not answering the question directly: If an interviewer asks you a question—such as your experience on a particular subject—and you evade the question in your answer, you are not leaving a positive impression.

For more valuable tips from Mitchell, as well as other Fortune 500 recuiters, be sure to check out "100 Job Search Tips from FORTUNE 500 Recruiters.

Job Search Tips from FORTUNE 500 Recruiters (Part 6 of 10)

Liz Liptrot brings 22+ years recruiting experience to the table with her "do's and don'ts" for job seekers.

Top 10 job search strategies:

1. Network! Most positions are filled through employee referrals. Don’t be afraid to reach out to your friends, family, and professional network to ask for help in landing a job.
2. Join professional associations—go to those networking and industry meetings.
3. Ensure you are part of your school’s alumni network.
4. Looking for a position is a full-time job—don’t bank on one particular opportunity. Have options that will allow you to control your future.
5. Write a strong résumé: You should have more than one that outlines specific skills, depending on the opportunity. The résumé should be no longer than 2-3 pages. Be specific, truthful, and ensure there are no spelling or grammatical errors.
6. Be prepared: Research the company and role. Write down questions you wish to ask during the interview.
7. Be yourself and show enthusiasm. We can teach technical skills—we can’t teach attitude.
8. Don’t be late—arrive 10 minutes early. Practice the route before the interview day if you are unsure where you are going.
9. Don’t bad-mouth your previous employers. Practice how you will address questions around this before the interview.
10. Send a thank-you note outlining why you feel you are qualified and ask for the job!

Top 3 common mistakes that job seekers make:

1. Poor résumé: Remember a résumé’s purpose is to get you an interview—it will not get you a job. Résumés that are short, concise, and tailored to the position you are applying for are best. Grammar and spelling are important as well.
2. Bad-mouthing previous employer: No matter how bad your experiences may have been, never bad-mouth your previous employer. It is extremely unprofessional. If you left on bad terms, practice what you will say when asked in an interview. Don’t lie, but remember to always act professionally.
3. Doesn’t ask questions: be prepared for the interview. The first question out of your mouth should not be about money. Seem interested in the company and the opportunity. Research the company and role and come prepared with questions. I suggest practicing those questions beforehand.

For more valuable tips from Liz, as well as other Fortune 500 recuiters, be sure to check out "100 Job Search Tips from FORTUNE 500 Recruiters.

Job Search Tips from FORTUNE 500 Recruiters (Part 5 of 10)

Having 20+ years experience as a recruiter has given Dan Worthmann some valuable insight. Check out his "do's and don'ts" for today's job seekers.

Top 10 job search strategies:

1. Have a clear idea why you are looking.
2. Build your own job-hunting strategy.
3. Network using all tools available (personal network, Linkedin, User Groups, Internet, attending industry events, etc.).
4. Customize cover letters and résumés for each job you apply for.
5. Tell everyone you meet you are looking for a job.
6. Utilize all-in-one job boards like Simplyhired.com and Indeed.com.
7. Cross-reference every lead you get with your network. For example, if you see a great looking job at ABC Company, check your personal and Linkedin networks to see if you know of anyone who works at ABC Company. If so, they often can give you valuable insight into the company and job.
8. Be prepared for every interview.
9. Be passionate!
10. Be honest and persistent!

Top 3 common mistakes that job seekers make:

1. They don’t know what they want to do, so they try to be everything to all companies. Pick a specific area/field and stick with it.
2. They lack passion.
3. They aren’t prepared for the interview and didn’t research the company and its products/services, and they weren’t ready for the standard interview questions.

For more valuable tips from Dan, as well as other Fortune 500 recuiters, be sure to check out "100 Job Search Tips from FORTUNE 500 Recruiters.

Make the Most Out of Your Spring Break

During spring break, most students will choose to have a vocation or stay on their couch at home. While those options are fun and relaxing, there are many other ways to make the most out of this week-long break.

• Volunteering: Spending the spring break volunteering is a rewarding experience of life. Not only can you help people who need your help, you are also able to gain a better understanding of yourself and your capacity for helping others, and make new friends along the way. There are many volunteering programs held by different organizations at IU like Hutton Honors College, CLD, IU Habitat for Humanity, etc. Companies like Deloitte also have Alternative Spring Break programs available for college students.
• Study Abroad Program: Taking advantage of spring break to study abroad can enable you to have a quick overview of different aspects of the life in another country. Such experience is helpful for you to become a more global minded person and give you a direction of how to prepare yourself to be a globally competent leader. Office of International Program and Kelley Study Abroad Program offer great opportunities for you.
• Job Shadow: Job Shadowing is an opportunity for you to connect or “shadow” with a business professional (job shadowing mentor) who has specific knowledge about an occupation or career in which you are interested. You observe responsibilities and tasks associated with the mentor’s career and have the opportunity to ask questions about the knowledge, skills, talents, and level of education required for the job. Make an appointment with a career coach or stop by the UCSO to learn more about this program!

Thank You Notes are Just Good Manners

After countless hours of time and tireless effort to finally land the interview, I was surprised by the article I just read today about the number one mistake people make with the interview. Jessica Leibman, who is the Managing Editor of Business Insider, says that the one thing that all interviewees have in common lately...the thank you email or lack thereof.

Here's my take on this situation. Regardless of who you meet, whether it's a formal or informal interview, send a thank you note. No questions asked. It's not a choice, it's the right and polite thing to do. So please send a thank you note because chances are your competition will not.

AskUCSO - Got Questions? You better!

by Greg Watson, UCSO Help Desk Assistant

There comes that time in every interview where the interviewer is done listening to you talk and the role switches a little bit. It is now your turn to ask them some questions. If you want any company to take you seriously, it is in your best interest to have some (quality) questions to ask the interviewer(s). So to help you with this I’m going to tell you the “Why” and “What” of end-of-interview questions.

Why?

One thing you might wonder is why does the recruiter ask you if you have any questions…and luckily I have that answer for you. According to recruiters from companies such Lilly, Citigroup and Macy’s they judge a lot of the interview based on how intelligently you approach this section of the interview. They mentioned that this is the time to show off that you did your research on the company. These recruiters want to know that you took the time to carefully select their organization to pursue rather than hoping you would land a job or internship with any company. One recruiter from Citigroup told me that she enjoys getting to talk a little bit about her experiences and her knowledge of the company. It’s the one time in an interview that the interviewer can do the talking rather than the listening.

What?
Now that you know why you need to ask questions…what kind of questions should you ask?
Some of the generic questions:

“Why did you choose to work for ______________?”
“What is the timeline for the interview process?”
“What type of candidate typically ends up at your company?”

While there is absolutely nothing wrong with these questions, they are; as I said, generic. An interviewer will answer them, but it doesn’t show that you have a lot of strong interest in knowing about the company.

If you really want to show an interviewer that you care about working for their company, you should ask questions about the organization of their company. These include questions like:

“As a new employee, what training is provided to me?”
“What benefits does the company provide for its valued employees? How might I see my results appreciated while working there?”

And clearly, this is not an exhaustive list of questions. But it is a good jumpstart to help you think of plenty more! Oh, and one more thing: if you have a lot of questions that you want to ask, you might want to do some side research rather than spending 30 minutes playing 20 questions with your interviewer.

"Senioritis" - Wake Up Class of 2012!

Have most of your study sessions taken place at or immediately followed by a trip to Kilroys? Are exams now seen unfortunate inconveniences to your going-out plans? Do you hear “read pages . . .” and think “Sweet, no homework?” Are you a senior? It sounds like you may have a case of Senioritis.

As a senior who is looking for a job, who possibly has secured one, or who is on cruise control and coasting . . . it is time to be wary of this crippling disease. DON’T FORGET - You likely will be expected to send your final transcript prior to your first day of work at a company! Firms reserve the right to rescind job offers as a result of poor academic performance in a student’s final year. There are several reasons companies do this:

• A lack of follow through on commitments — From time to time seniors have to repeat a course (or courses) gone awry senior year, pushing back their official graduation date. Companies don’t like this! Employers expect you to graduate when you originally indicated - their paperwork, training, and financial processes depend on it!
• Knowledge — Kelley doesn’t require coursework just for requirement sake alone. The courses you’re taking now will actually help you on the job and employers expect you to capture this knowledge, bring it with you, and impact the organization.
• Job Requirements — Maybe you’re pursuing a CPA or other set of credentials after graduation. Companies have varying degrees of requirements for these certifications and expect you to have them by a certain deadline. The best way to derail these plans is to blow off your senior year!

Do you really want to be seen or remembered as someone with poor follow-through? (Let’s reserve that title for the Purdue’s basketball team.) In the real world, you don’t have the option to simply give up or take it easy. You will be accountable for everything you do regardless of how close you are to a promotion or the next step in your career! How do you counteract this horrible affliction called Senioritis? WAKE UP!!!

Don’t do yourself the disservice of throwing away everything you have worked so hard for. If it means you don’t go out so you can get your academics done, so be it - you owe it to yourself to finish Kelley the way you started; strong!

(If you think your offer may be in jeopardy because of poor academics this year, contact the UCSO ASAP!)

Job Search Tips from FORTUNE 500 Recruiters (Part 4 of 10)

Having spent more than 21 years in the recruiting field has helped Amy Welther pull together her list of "do's and don'ts" for today's job seekers.

Top 10 job search strategies:

1. Build a solid résumé—fill in gaps, call out successes, relay your value add, and customize it to cater to the job you are interviewing for.
2. Be prepared to sell yourself—it’s not a time to be bashful.
3. Ask questions. You need to interview the company just as much as they need to interview you!
4. Keep the conversation focused on the opportunity available.
5. Know your short-term and long-term goals.
6. Don’t be late, dress to impress, and skip the perfume/heavy cologne.
7. Don’t bring up bad experiences or bad-mouth past employers.
8. Do research on the companies you’re seeking employment with.
9. Smile; be honest and engaging.
10. Have solid references and discuss your employment opportunities with them prior to them getting a call.

Top 3 common mistakes that job seekers make:

1. Embellishing past experience.
2. Not prepared for an interview.
3. Not asking the right questions.

For more valuable tips from Amy, as well as other Fortune 500 recuiters, be sure to check out "100 Job Search Tips from FORTUNE 500 Recruiters.