Employer Perspective

The Marine Corps Officer Selection Team will be represented at the Internship Fair, Tuesday, January 27^th for students who would like more information regarding Marine Corps flight programs.

With the implementation of five new aircraft to the Marine Corps aviation inventory, the demand for pilots in the Marine Corps has significantly increased. For college students and graduates who have ever thought of soaring through the skies at 500 miles per hour, now may be the ideal time to apply for a seat at flight school.

According to Marine Corps aviator Major Scott Shuster, who has over 2,000 hours flying four different military aircraft, the thrill of flying a tactical jet is like no other.

“I’m utilizing my skills as an aviators for more than just flying from A to B,” said Major Shuster. “In the Marines, I’m pushing that aircraft and myself to our physical and mental limits.” » Read more

Most companies consider people their greatest asset. A high premium is placed on those who embrace and encourage curiosity. The most important thing you can convey to an interviewer is why you are interested in their company and their available opportunity. You need to express the value you bring, and the value you will add. Ask yourself, what is my unique ability? Am I passionate about this business and this company? Am I conveying that passion in this interview?

Recruiters and HR professionals know when hiring interns or recent college graduates that they will have limited real work experience. Regardless, all employers want to hire people that are passionate and have initiative. At Waggener Edstrom we value curiosity. We embrace and encourage curiosity at all levels of our organization. So how do you do this? » Read more

photo by zense

You might not realize it, but the customer that you wait on at your job at the neighborhood cafe could be the CEO of the company you desperately want to work for. Some preparation and practice can help you reach out to them in a way that may benefit your job search in the future. Practice interviews are a great way to hone your networking and interpersonal skills in a professional environment.

Setting up some informational or practice interviews can be intimidating, but you will see the results and learn a lot about yourself and what you want to do with your career. Start out with a parent, professor, or friend. Have them ask you basic questions and give you honest feedback. Ask them to tally the number of times you say "um," "like," "you know" or other fillers. Once you've gotten that down, head to the Career Center to do some research and ask if there are any UO alumni willing to conduct an informational interview with you at a company you're interested in. They don't have to be in HR, anyone with a job similar to your interest could be a big help. Or, just call the company up and ask if there is someone you can chat with (hint: do your homework on the company first). Here's your line:

I'm really interested in your company, and was wondering if I could have 20 minutes of your time to buy you a coffee and learn more about what you do there.

You'll be amazed at what this little bit of initiative can do for you. Who knows, you might even end up with a second interview!

The Career Center offers a one-credit class each term called Career Connections that focuses on developing skills for a successful informational interview and job search and gives you access to professionals interested in conducting these interviews. Look for Career Connections under CARC in your course schedule. Find out more about Career Connections.

Get started today. Being proactive is the key to finding a job in a tough job market. » Read more

We’ve all heard the phrase, "It's all about who you know" and in today’s world it surely plays a role in helping you get to where you want to be. The people you know can share information, get you into special events, make introductions, and yes, they can even be your ticket into getting the job of your dreams. Networking isn’t just an action...it’s a skill that takes practice and effort.

Below are some suggestions on how to make the most of building your “who you know” list:

• Interact with everyone you know and everyone you meet, and make it your business to meet new people everyday, both professionally and socially.
• Get visible! Join clubs, professional organizations, social or hobby groups, etc. -- whatever it takes to get out there.
• Be involved. Don't just join groups or volunteer--be active in them. The key is to put yourself in the position to demonstrate your abilities.
• Attend special events (like the Networking Connection on Wednesday) to learn and practice your networking skills.

As you can see it takes a lot of effort on your part but by following these tips you will not only have the potential to increase your list of contacts but hopefully you will increase the fullness of your life as well. » Read more

photo by greenapplegrenade

It is April of your senior year and life is great!  You have set yourself up with an easy last term of school so that you can take advantage of your final days with all your friends.  Again, life is great!  Then you realize that graduation is only a few weeks away and you are going enter a new phase of your life.  All of a sudden the stress that you had before a difficult final exam is upon you again.  Why, because you need to find a job!   Take my advice, don't be this person.  Don't put yourself in this position because you waited until the last minute.  Start building your resume today!  Start interviewing with companies today!  Go to the Career Center and ask for help today!  Too often I see students wait until the last minute to start researching their career paths because they don't know what they want to do.  Realize this: it is ok if you don't know what it is you want to do for the rest of your life, but start figuring out what you don't want to do through interviews, career fairs, talking to a career counselor, visiting with your professors, and networking.  This is a much better approach than switching companies every year until you are 40 trying to find a correct fit.  Whether you’re a freshman or a senior, get started today and secure a job offer 6 months before your graduate...how great will your life be then?

Ready to start next week? Learn networking skills as the Networking Connection (Wed. Nov 12) and attend the Career Fair (Thurs. Nov 13). » Read more

We believe that the pursuit of excellence is a commitment, and is ongoing. This commitment to excellence is a vital part of our culture that joins every Sherwin-Williams employee together in service to our customers and shareholders.

College students can show us that they are striving for excellence in many ways. One of the best is by actively participating in their college experience. Our company looks for well-rounded individuals that want to make a contribution and can multitask during a busy workday. Seeing a student that worked during college, was an active participant in campus activities and clubs, played intramural sports and still managed to get good grades is a dream come true for us. Not only will getting involved at UO help you to meet new friends, learn about yourself and have a fun college experience, it will have potential employers competing to try and get you to be a member of their team! » Read more

Well, we have to admit, many of our managers and executives started out thinking the same thing. When we were in college, going to the Career Center looking for job ideas, most of the time we quickly dismissed insurance companies-- and yet many of us now work in the insurance industry.  Insurance isn't just selling, though there are financially rewarding careers as insurance agents.  » Read more

Choosing an on-campus job sounds like a no brainer, right? Well, not exactly. Even prior to graduation, you begin to build your resume with important activities that a potential post-college employer is going to evaluate. Before you become the Thursday night bartender at Taylor’s or Rennie’s, or base your on-campus position on how little you can work and still get paid, consider which on-the-job experience can lend to your post-college employer. While a lot of student worker positions are work study, a great number of them are open to all students. Using UO-Joblink, find an office/clerical opening in one of the many colleges at UO. Or, even better yet, look for an internship (on or off campus) that relates to your major or career interest. Local non-profits, professors, or even employers who heavily recruit on-campus are always looking for bright and talented students. » Read more