CareerCat: Job Search

A: This is a common question we receive from our alumni in career transition. Yes, you should follow up. First, try placing a phone call to the head of the search committee or the person that seemed to be the lead interviewer. Simply state that you are still very interested in the position, felt that you were a good fit, wanted to see where they are in the search process, and if you are still being considered. This will give you peace of mind to know if you are still in the running or if it’s time to move on. If you are not being considered, use this follow up call to facilitate dialogue about future openings and experience that you may have lacked for this job. This strategy is a great way of tapping the hidden job market. If you are still being considered, offer to follow up with any additional materials that may support your relevant skills. Also, ask if they have any concerns about your background or experience. Then you can clarify or share additional experience, skills or training that would strengthen your candidacy. You could even prepare a case statement on a problem the company may be facing and how you could help. Additionally, your references could go ahead and send the committee a short email of support. If you are not able to make contact by phone, the same information can be sent by email. Ideally, before leaving an interview, be sure to ask how soon the selection committee will be making their decision, will you be notified, and who will be the point of contact if you have additional questions.

Q: What is the difference between a Resume and a Curriculum Vitae (CV)?

A: If you’ve ever wondered about the difference between a resume and CV, you are not alone. Though resumes and CVs have a similar purpose, they do have distinctions. Both documents serve as a marketing tool to display your individual skills, experience, knowledge, and qualifications. However, there are a few things that clearly differentiate the two.

1.) When to use a CV: Commonly used when applying for a position in academia, science, or research. Additionally, some graduate programs, fellowships, or grant applications may request a CV upon application. A CV aims to showcase your full academic and professional history.

2.) Length: Resumes are typically two pages maximum. On a resume, you will choose your most recent/relevant experience and qualifications that pertain to the target position and employer. CVs have no length limit and can be as long as necessary.

3.) Typical sections found on a CV: Teaching Experience, Research Experience, Grants, Presentations, Publications, Dissertation, References. We encourage you to organize the sections based on pertinence to your audience.

4.) Emphasis: CVs focus on marketing academic and scholarly achievements. Resumes focus on professional experiences, job-related skills and accomplishments.

Tailor both a resume and CV towards your specific industry and audience. The ultimate goal of both documents is to prove that you are the best fit for a position of interest.

Monday, July 14, 2014

Quick Interview Preparation

As career counselors, we often get excited, yet panicked, phone calls from UK alumni who have been invited for an interview and given little notice. When this happens, we focus our one-hour Alumni Career Services counseling session on the interview bookends preparation method.

The interview bookends preparation session concentrates on three essential parts of any interview:

1) Being able to answer the “Tell Me About Yourself” question

2) Understanding the STAR behavioral interview method

3) Ending with a strong closing statement

Tell Me About Yourself Interview Opener

Some version of the “Tell Me About Yourself” question typically happens at the beginning of the interview. Unfortunately for many who answer this question poorly, the interview goes straight downhill from there. Fortunately, you can prepare for this question in advance. Begin your response by sharing a little about your past work experience or education that is relevant for the target position. Then share what you are currently doing that is relevant. Lastly, share why you are excited about this position and what you can offer that will help them. With a response of only a few minutes, your goal is to clearly convey how you are uniquely qualified for the position.

STAR Behavior Technique

Most candidates will be faced with behavioral or situation interview questions. The interview team uses this type of question to gain an idea of how you would respond in a possible work related situation. Remember the acronym STAR – Situation/Task, Action, and Result. Using the STAR response format, give a very specific example of when you did something similar, quantifying your results or outcome whenever possible (#, $, %).

Closing Statement

Sometimes you will get the specific question, “Is there anything else you would like for us to know about you?” If you are not asked a question like this when the interview is coming to a close, be prepared to make a closing statement where you would simply thank the committee for the opportunity to interview and leave them with three reasons why you are a good candidate for the job.

In addition to the bookends quick interview preparation method, alumni clients need to conduct as much company research as possible prior to an interview. Use your company and industry knowledge to make your interview responses as relevant to the target company as possible, and prove to the employer that you want to be a part of their team.

Alumni Career Services is a benefit of the UK Alumni Association membership. To schedule an appointment with an alumni career counselor, contact the UK Alumni Association at 1-888-9UKCATS (852287).

Wednesday, June 25, 2014

Common Job Search Misconceptions

Job Boards and the Internet are the best places to find a job.

If it has been a while since you conducted a job search, don’t be deceived. Networking and direct contact are still the best ways to find a job. Use a combination of in-person and social media networking through sites like LinkedIn. Successful candidates have several job search balls in the air. Each week, schedule informational interviews, networking coffees or volunteer activities to better tap the hidden job market.

The greatest qualified candidates get the job.

According to Kimberly Schultz, a UK alumnae and professional recruiter, “Education and experience matter, but they are definitely not the only things that matter. Cultural fit in a company is imperative. As a rule, I am more likely to be drawn to a candidate who I find to have character traits similar to other successful employees over someone who may look better on paper.”

Changing careers is nearly impossible.

Today’s workers will have many jobs in a variety of careers and industries. Changing careers can be a daunting task but one that many alumni successfully maneuver. Often additional education, certifications or training is required to gain entry into a new field. Update your skills. Confidently explain to an employer why you are changing careers.

The job search is extra challenging for candidates over 50.

When times are tight, it is not unusual to see companies letting go of more experienced candidates. Seasoned professionals should ramp up their technology skills and networking efforts and be open to all options. Focus on strengths, such as strong work ethic and an ability to bring in new clients. Explore consulting, freelance or encore careers.

Temporary jobs are a waste of time.

Companies are leaner today and have outsourced many of their human resource functions. Employers are resource conscious and often want to try out an employee before extending a permanent offer. Use temporary positions to test out a company, get in the door, network or to build your resume with new or updated skills.

Monday, April 28, 2014

Have you heard about LinkedIn's Alumni Tool?

The LinkedIn Alumni Tool is a hidden gem on the world’s No.1 professional social networking site. Currently, over 81,000 UK students and alumni have a LinkedIn profile, and this number is rapidly growing. Whether you’re job searching, looking to expand your network, relocating or exploring career paths, I suspect you will find the LinkedIn Alumni Tool to be an invaluable resource. Through this website, you can research UK (or any institution for that matter) alumni who are on LinkedIn, personalizing your search based on preferred geographic location, industry, company, college major and skill set.

If you’ve never visited this site before, www.linkedin.com/alumni, take a few minutes to check it out. If you don’t yet have a LinkedIn account, consider creating one so that you can reap the benefits of this feature.

When you initially access the site, be sure to expand the “Attended” dates to broaden your search. Personally, I have my dates set as broad as allowed to ensure that all of my fellow Wildcats on LinkedIn are captured in my search. (Note: You can also change schools if you have additional alma maters or want to research professionals who graduated from a grad program or institution you are considering to attend.)

Let’s say you are planning to relocate to Chicago, you are in the marketing field and you are in the process of researching viable companies in the Chicago area. You will want to select “Greater Chicago Area” from the “Where they live” column. Then select “Marketing” from the “What they do” column. Just by two clicks of your mouse, you will see that there are 105 UK alumni on LinkedIn who live in the Chicago area and are in the marketing industry. If you look under the “Where they work column" you can view a list of companies where these alumni work. Better yet, their LinkedIn profiles are generated for you and voilà! Not only will you gain insight on possible companies to consider, but you also have a list of Wildcats to network with!

Your UK alumni network is an exceptionally valuable resource of professionals. The LinkedIn Alumni Tool helps you learn ways to strategically tap into that network and connect with Wildcats across the globe.

- Posted by Kelly Allgeier

Monday, February 24, 2014

February 'Best Picks' Career Articles

Job Club facilitators read dozens of career blogs and publications each week. Attached is a compilation of their 'best picks' for the month of February.

Job Search Strategies

3 Reasons Employers Give Good References for Fired Employees

http://www.avidcareerist.com/2014/01/16/references-fired/

6 Habits of Remarkably Likeable People

http://www.inc.com/jeff-haden/6-habits-of-remarkably-likeable-people.html

One Small Communication Change That Could Help You Land The Job

http://www.thedailymuse.com/job-search/one-small-communication-change-that-could-help-you-land-the-job/

Surprise! You Shouldn’t Answer the Phone When Recruiters Call

http://jobmob.co.il/blog/dont-answer-when-recruiters-call/#axzz2rySmRtkE

15 Things You Should Know About Job Searching

http://jobsearch.about.com/od/best-tips/fl/15-things-you-should-know-about-job-searching.htm

Companies Hiring Unemployed Workers
http://jobsearch.about.com/od/jobsearchtips/fl/companies-hiring-unemployed-workers.htm

Job Search Dos and Don’ts

http://jobsearch.about.com/b/2014/02/02/job-search-dos-and-donts.htm

Laid Off at 60: What to do Next
http://www.nextavenue.org/article/2012-05/laid-60-what-do-next

Resume

6 Overused Resume Statements to Nix

http://money.usnews.com/money/careers/slideshows/6-overused-resume-statements-to-nix

This Resume Tip is Almost Too Easy
http://ezinearticles.com/?This-Resume-Tip-Is-Almost-Too-Easy&id=8291653

Networking

6 Habits of Great Connectors

http://www.inc.com/ilan-mochari/6-habits-connectors.html

7 Steps to Delivering a Powerful Elevator Pitch

http://www.businessinsider.com/7-steps-to-delivering-a-powerful-elevator-pitch-2014-1

LinkedIn and Social Media

How Recruiters Fine Top Talent on LinkedIn

http://www.vault.com/blog/networking/how-recruiters-find-top-talent-on-linkedin?utm_source=WCU_Letter&utm_medium=Newsletter&utm_campaign=1_23_2014&referer_ID=7778&utm_source=WCN012314&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=86264

10 Steps Toward a Successful LinkedIn Plan (Part 2)

http://thingscareerrelated.com/2014/01/14/10-steps-toward-a-successful-linkedin-plan-part-2/

LinkedIn Activity Feed: Optimizing Your Exposure to Stay Top of Mind

http://chameleonresumes.com/2014/01/14/linkedin-activity-feed/?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+ChameleonResumes+%28Chameleon+Resumes+|+Reinvent+Yourself!%29

Random Social Media Thoughts for #Jobseekers

http://recruitinginferno.com/2013/05/07/random-social-media-thoughts-for-jobseekers/

Interviewing/Salary Negotiation

Why Would I Hire You?

http://www.linkedin.com/today/post/article/20140123120812-32175171-why-would-i-hire-you?trk=tod-posts-post7-ptlt

How to Negotiate a Job Offer

http://www.forbes.com/sites/lizryan/2014/01/27/how-to-negotiate-a-job-offer/

9 Stept to Countering a Lousy Loball Job Offer

http://www.avidcareerist.com/2010/06/06/9-steps-lowball-job-offer/

Career Management/Professional Development/Continuing Education

10 Things to Think About Before Going Back to College

http://www.cbsnews.com/news/10-things-to-think-about-before-going-back-to-college-again/

Resignation Letter Samples

http://jobsearch.about.com/od/resignationletters/a/resignationlet.htm

Tuesday, August 13, 2013

Alumni to Alumni Job Search Advice

We recently posted the following question to the Official University of Kentucky Alumni LinkedIn Group: What job search tips would you give to recent UK grads?

Here’s what UK alumna, Lisa McMichael, director of Online Communications at Mercer University and freelance consultant/contractor, had to say:

Join and actively participate in:

· Industry groups (meet-ups, online, conferences)

· Volunteer organizations (serve on committees and boards)

· Your local alumni group (game watch parties and serve on committees or fundraisers)

Use LinkedIn aggressively:

· Grow your network of credible connections

· Research and write frequent (worthwhile) updates so that your connections will benefit from your expertise

· Mentor: You’re never too young or inexperienced for someone else to benefit from your expertise and knowledge.

Be creative. If there is a professional in your industry you want to know, don’t be shy about approaching him/her (through LinkedIn for example) and discuss how you might collaborate on a project such as an industry-focused paper/article or speaking engagement and be willing to donate your time for the “exposure.”

Cold call prospective employers to set up informational interviews and offer to buy her/him a cup of coffee for the time.

Be exclusive about posting your resume to a job board. Recruiters are most interested in working with “exclusive” candidates, not those who have resumes on multiple job boards.

Let your friends and family “circle” know you’re looking. Keep them posted on your progress with a monthly update.

Create a support group of 1-3 people you can turn to for advice and encouragement and do the same in return.

Continue to enhance your skills and knowledge with online training and workshops, podcasts and seminars. Add to your resume as “participation” and add an update on your LI page.

Give yourself a small reward each week for being diligent in your job search. Use good judgment and don’t spend a lot of money that you may not have.

Keep a journal and use it to express yourself and remain positive.

Monday, April 22, 2013

LinkedIn Profile Checklist

A complete LinkedIn profile is more likely to get noticed by other professionals. You want to make sure that all of the sections on your LinkedIn profile are filled in and accurately describe your professional capabilities. According to Jobvite's 2012 Social Recruiting Survey, LinkedIn remains the dominant recruiting network, used by 93% of respondents. The majority of employers and recruiters undoubtedly have a presence on LinkedIn. When they view your profile, what will they learn about you? - See more at: http://recruiting.jobvite.com/company/press-releases/2012/jobvite-social-recruiting-survey-2012/#sthash.f460zCqQ.dpuf

LinkedIn Profile Checklist

□ Photo

Upload a professional photo. People like to hire people. Put a face to your name.

□ Headline

Include a professional tagline or subtitle that will be associated with your name. Use industry

keywords and branding statements. What is your target profession or industry?

□ Connections

Build your professional networking database. More connections lead to more profile views and

more ways to get your “foot in the door.”

□ Websites, Twitter, Web Address

Include on-brand personal/company websites and blogs. If you tweet relevant items, add your

handle. Customize your public profile address on your LinkedIn profile and add it to your resume.

□ Summary

Similar to a professional profile on a resume, highlight your value. What are your main

achievements? Plug in industry keywords and phrases.

□ Skills & Expertise

Add industry-specific skills and competencies. Note areas of expertise, program/system

competencies (for example, C++.) Be conscious of hot industry skill sets and what recruiters and

employers are seeking in job candidates.

□ Experience

Mirror your resume. Include employer, title, dates, skills/accomplishments. (Do not simply list job

duties.) Use quantifiable information whenever possible (#,$,%). Utilize bullet points, as paragraphs

often get overlooked. Clearly and concisely demonstrate your capabilities and value. Include

internships, volunteer, and part-time work if they are on-brand. Any experience is good experience,

paid or not.

□ Education

Include institution, degree, date (if less than 10 years ago) and activities/honors/societies if relevant.

□ Groups & Associations

Join groups related to your industry, company, school, and career-related interests. Group

membership allows you to easily contact fellow group members, and engage in on-bran

discussions. Include professional associations. Network and keep up-to-date with industry

news/happenings. (Join the “Official University of Kentucky Alumni” LinkedIn Group.)

□ Recommendations & Skill Endorsements

Allow others to get an idea of your work ethic and capabilities based on fellow professionals, co-

workers, and classmates point of view.

Be ACTIVE on your LinkedIn account. Do your detective work and market yourself professionally. A new “Job Search Checklist” was recently released by LinkedIn. For additional tips on how to maximize your LinkedIn profile, click here.

Members of the UK Alumni Association are eligible for a free LinkedIn profile critique. Please email your LinkedIn URL to alumni career counselor, Kelly Allgeier (kelly.allgeier@uky.edu), if you would like your profile critiqued.

If you are not a member of the UK Alumni Association and would like to join, visit www.ukalumni.net/membership to learn more about association membership.

CareerCat

Thursday, July 2, 2015

April-June 2015 Top Picks

Enjoy some of our favorite career articles from April, May and June!

Wednesday, September 17, 2014

UK Alumni Career Q & A - Interview Follow Up Etiquette & Difference Between a Resume/CV

Monday, July 14, 2014

Quick Interview Preparation

Wednesday, June 25, 2014

Common Job Search Misconceptions

Monday, April 28, 2014

Have you heard about LinkedIn's Alumni Tool?

Monday, February 24, 2014

February 'Best Picks' Career Articles

Tuesday, August 13, 2013

Alumni to Alumni Job Search Advice

Monday, April 22, 2013

LinkedIn Profile Checklist

UK Alumni Association

About Me

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Thursday, July 2, 2015

Enjoy some of our favorite career articles from April, May and June!

Wednesday, September 17, 2014

Monday, July 14, 2014

Wednesday, June 25, 2014

Monday, April 28, 2014

Monday, February 24, 2014

Tuesday, August 13, 2013

Monday, April 22, 2013

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