Job Search

When I give presentations about the Career Center’s services to large groups, I frequently begin by asking this question:  “How many of you would rather go to the dentist than think about career planning?” Every time I ask this question, students raise their hands in agreement. For many of us, planning for future careers and searching for a job or internship is a lot like going to the dentist, something we’d rather put off for another six months because it’s uncomfortable or even scary to think about. 

If you’re worried or uncomfortable about beginning a job or internship search, or starting life after you graduate, the Career Center offers a class through the Career Connections Program to help you get started.  This one-credit class will help you feel more confident about your job or internship search and next steps for after you graduate.  In class, you will » Read more

The Fall Career Fair has come and gone. Over 65 employers including Fred Meyer, Enterprise Rent-a-Car, Yelp, and US Marine Officer Selection met with 450 UO students and 12 companies scheduled next day, on campus interviews with almost 90 students.

So, what now?

Whether you made a great employer connection or not, read on. There’s advice here for everyone!

If you talked with an employer at the fair and found what they had to offer interesting, be sure to follow up with them. Whether by e-mail, phone, or standard mail, contacting the employer is a great way to remind them about you and show your seriousness about the job opportunity. Here are a few examples of follow up to your discussion at the fair:

 • If you left the initial conversation with no clear next step, send a follow up note thanking them for their time at the fair and ask what they suggest as a next step in the process.

 • If the employer asked you to fill out an on-line application, after completing the application send a note letting the employer know you completed that step and ask about the next step in the process. » Read more

If you’ve been offered a job by an employer in a different location, you may want to ask whether help is available for your move. Many companies will assist new hires with relocation costs. While relocation packages vary widely from organization to organization, it never hurts to ask what is available. What kinds of costs should you be thinking about? Trips to visit the area to look for a place to live, fees associated with buying or renting a home, and the cost of moving your possessions, among others.

Relocation Bonuses
Many organizations will simply offer a relocation bonus, a set amount of money to help you with the costs of moving. While the bonus may tempt you as an opportunity to reward yourself with a major purchase – like a large flat screen TV – think twice before rushing off to the store. Make a list of all the costs associated with moving and settling into a new home and figure out how much you will need up front. » Read more

Kelli Koontz
Recruiting & Employment Specialist, Fred Meyer Stores

I travel to many schools within the Pacific Northwest seeking the best candidates for our summer internship program. A very important thing to keep in mind when you’re at The Fall Career Fair this Thursday is that you have only one opportunity to make a first impression.  Here are a few suggestions on how to make that first interaction a positive one.

Tips for success at the Career Fair: » Read more

Make a Good First Impression
If you are planning to attend the Fall Career Fair, November 12 at the EMU, you’re probably wondering what to wear. As you may have guessed, this is not the time to wear your jeans, hoodie and flip-flops. Focus on making a good first impression. While the employers may be coming  to your environment, they are wondering how you would fit into their environment. You want to look like the kind of person who would be an asset to their organization.

How to Dress?
We recommend business casual: unwrinkled cotton trousers with a belt, a pressed long-sleeved shirt or nice polo shirt, and leather shoes (not athletic shoes) or a skirt (but not a mini and not too tight), a tailored blouse or tailored sweater or sweater set, and dress shoes (not athletic shoes). A simple knee-length or longer dress is also appropriate (in plain colored, not patterned materials, with no velvet or shimmery fabrics). Showing cleavage is not appropriate. » Read more

The Fall Career Fair is approaching and everyone keeps saying you need to be prepared. So you’ve perfected your resume and have a general idea of the type of position that will use your skills. Now, how do you work the fair and set yourself apart from the competition? One strategy is to develop your “elevator speech.” » Read more

We’ve all heard the phrase that “someone found a job because they knew someone.”  This is the essence of one of the most effective job search strategies: NETWORKING. Connecting with people in a career area of interest allows you to gain valuable information about a particular career, company, and/or industry while letting that person learn more about you. In a networking conversation, you are able to discuss your strengths and interests in perhaps, a more informal way.

Networking also helps you prepare for the interview process and prepares you to answer crucial questions asked during an interview. If the person with whom you are networking is an employee of the company you are interested in, they might “put in a good word” for you. The more you talk to professionals in your career area of interest, the easier it’s going to be when you actually have a formal job interview. 

The Career Center is hosting several upcoming events designed to help you practice your networking skills and increase your confidence: » Read more

Imagine that it’s the day of the Fall Career Fair, you’ve just stepped into the Ballroom, and you’ve found an employer that you want to speak with, but now what!?  What is the employer looking for, how do you make a good impression?

When it comes to Career Fairs, one thing you can trust is that employers are here to look for qualified UO candidates for their employment opportunities. It’s good to know the room full of people is actually there to recruit.  So hold your head up high and dive in, but before you do, it’s important to know what the employers are expecting.  Here are a few tips and tricks on how to make the most of your conversation with recruiters. » Read more

*** This is part of the Student to Job Seeker Series. Keep an eye out for future posts that will guide you through the sometimes difficult transition from being a student to an active and successful job seeker.

The Fall Career Fair is only eleven days away. Dozens of companies and organizations will be showing up on Thursday, November 12 ready to take resumes and hire University of Oregon students so it is best to narrow down who you are interested in and where they will be at in the fair.

Start your research with the searchable list of participating employers or our downloadable guide to the fair. » Read more

I Thought I was supposed to Plan My Career!

Especially in a down economy, people may ask “what can you do with a Liberal Arts degree?” The answer is, of course, a lot of things. While we encourage you to explore possible career paths, and then make a plan of action, we also know the value of being open to possibilities that arise along the way to your goal. What kind of possibilities? Chance encounters, unexpected opportunities and bits of information that can help you or steer you in a new direction. If you are prepared, you can take advantage of this kind of serendipity!

How to Prepare for Chance Opportunities » Read more