Key Tasks To Complete at Career Services
Everyone is in college for a reason – to learn a skill set to earn an income. Taking internships and jobs while in school is a great way to boost your resume and earn critical experience that could help you stand apart from other candidates when you graduate. But how, especially when you don't have any work experience, do you get started? The answer: at your college's Career Services Office.
What is Career Services?
Career Services is an office on campus that helps students and alumni find internships and jobs. But it also does a lot more. There could be many different services available for students, depending on the size and location of your college, that can help you advance your professional goals. To help you get the most out of this resource, here are three critical tasks to complete.
Resume Creation and Review
A resume is a document that shows your work experience, skills, and qualifications that make you an ideal candidate for the job. If creating this document sounds daunting, don’t worry – this is where Career Services can help. Whether you have one already written, or don’t have any work experience at all, working with a Career Services Officer can help you create, refine, and polish your resume. Further, they can even provide key tips and best practices for having your resume stand out from the others for competitive jobs.
Pro Tip: Schedule an appointment and come prepared. This isn’t a task you want to rush and try to come with a list of ideas that could be added to your resume. The more prepared you are, the more beneficial it will be.
Practice Interviews
It's said that the key to success is practice, practice, practice. Whether it's to play at Carnegie Hall or to remove some anxiety before an important interview, practicing your interviewing skills can help immensely. From answering example questions to simulating the environment, career services can help you feel better prepared for your meeting and boost your chances of receiving a job offer.
Pro Tip: If you have an interview coming up, practice asking and answering questions for it by working with your Career Services Office. They can help you think of insightful questions or better answering strategies tailored for that specific opportunity.
Job Search
Nearly every college advertises the active and helpful qualities of their alumni association, particularly when it comes to hiring new graduates. To take advantage of these connections, you have to stop by your Career Services Office. This is the primary way that alumni look to connect with students, and it could provide you with an inside track to earning an interview.
Pro Tip: Hone your networking skills. Learn how to professionally interact with potential employers, practice your elevator speech, and set up a meeting for an interview by rehearsing with your Career Services Office.
Career Services is a critical tool to help you make the most of your college experience and secure employment upon graduation. It’s well worth your time, whether you’re stopping in for an appointment or swinging by to learn more about their services. For more insights on how you can make college more affordable and set yourself up for success after graduation, be sure to subscribe to our Knowledge Base.
