Last minute career tips for graduating seniors
By Jasmin Goodman, Staff Writer
May 21, 2008 | noon
These seniors have worked hard for the past four or more years, and now, they are preparing to enter the work force. But before commencement, there are some essential tips they will need to make their transition into the real world a little easier.
Lauren Bolland, graduate assistant and career counselor in the Office of Career Services at OU, has been working all year with graduates to put the finishing touches on their résumés, cover letters and interviewing skills. When asked about common problems graduating seniors experience, last minute job searches were at the top of her list.
“They wait too long to start the job search process,” Bolland said. “You have to treat finding a job like a full-time job.” It is important to invest time so as to make sure you find a job that you want.
For last minute job searchers, the Office of Career Services offers what could be deemed a full-service job resource center for students. Résumé and interviewing critiques are only a small part of what is available.
The office has an all-access job resource center that has information that can be hard to find elsewhere. In addition to its in-house resources, there are a number of online resources to assist job seekers.
"Career Beam and the Bobcat Online Job Search Program, which is similar to CareerBuilder, allows students to search for jobs and internships,” Bolland said.
These programs also enable students to search for OU alumni.
“CareerBeam has about 20 million national and international positions. Students can also search for OU alumni to make connections at different companies,” Bolland said.
For a minimal fee of $5, students can also sign up for the Bobcat Online Job Search Program and receive up-to-date information about job postings.
For students who have already begun the job search process and are interviewing for positions, Bolland had a few pointers.
“Many employers said they know within the first few minutes whether or not they are going to hire a candidate,” she said. Below is a list of things to avoid saying and doing in an interview, as well as things to incorporate into your interviewing technique.
1. Do NOT look at your watch during an interview. It says that you
are uninterested and would rather be doing something else,
somewhere else.
2. Do NOT continually use words such as “like” and “um.”
3. Do NOT play/twirl with your hair.
4. DO make eye contact with the interviewer. It shows that you are
confident in your résumé and qualifications.
5. DO sound polished and rehearsed—NOT scripted. Potential
employers must feel that you are genuine.
6. DO be confident, and do NOT be cocky.
7. Do NOT speak negatively about any of your past experiences.
Bolland says that students should always leave a positive
impression with potential employers.
8. DO ask questions. Bolland advises that asking questions allows
students to learn more about the company.
For the last-minute job seekers, Bolland had this to say, “I would tell them not to freak out! They will find a job!” But she also warned that students should not shortchange the process and should not waste anymore time.
For students who are not graduating, the career counselors still encourage you to take advantage of the available resources. “We really want students to come into the office, but many are intimidated because they don’t want someone they don’t know critiquing their résumé,” Bolland said.
Recently, counselors hosted “Extreme Makeover: Résumé Edition” in conjunction with an on-campus student organization. “We looked pretty ridiculous in our hard hats, but it went over really well with students,” Bolland said, laughing.
Bolland encourages underclassmen and rising seniors to come early. “Our busiest recruiting season is the fall,” she said. Career Services sends approximately 25,000 résumés to employers each year.
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