Final Career Notes Before Fall Break
Hi MSTM,
In just a few days you will be entering Fall Break! Regardless of whether you are with family, friends, or staying in place, hopefully next week will provide you with much-needed time to relax, reset, and re-energize to finish off the fall semester strong. No matter what stage you are in your job search, there's always time to take advantage of the resources available to you and begin your journey.
If you are still seeking, I like to think of the months of November and December as your 'building phase' - it's your time to reset, create goals, and prepare for the Spring when campus recruitment is back in full swing. In today's 'CCC' issue, I will give you some tips on what you can focus on during the Fall break.
If we have or have not met yet, please update me on the status of your job search! The more I know, the more I likely I will be able to provide resources to help you. If you're reading this and have already secured a post-graduation position, please let me know as well! Either way, I would love to hear from you.
Note: Remember, all past newsletters are linked on Gies Groups so that you can read through them at any point. You'll see the next newsletter in the next couple of weeks!
Looking forward to supporting you,
Layla
The Happening's - Events & Workshops
RSVP's This is a quieter week in terms of recruitment and campus events. Spend this time getting to know our resources that are free for YOU and explore learning paths on LinkedIn Learning, VAULT, and Big Interview.
CAREER - DEVELOPMENT WORKSHOPS | RESOURCES:
LinkedIn Learning Path: A Career Strategist's Guide to Getting a Job
Explore strategies designed to increase the chances of hearing back from potential employers, including how to get a resume past applicant tracking systems (ATS). Job search expert Jenny Foss walks through the elements of a successful job search, from crafting a great resume to finding the right job listings. She discusses how to create a career plan, how to prepare for an interview, and how to negotiate for the best salary and benefits. Plus, Jenny covers how to make your first 60 days on the job a success.
*Reminder that you have free access to all LinkedIn Learning paths as a Gies student! This is an awesome course that provides you with a strong overview as well as action-items to help you develop your career plan.
ADDITIONAL CAREER RESOURCES
Do not ever really solely on one job board channel! There is a lot out there. Be strategic in your search. Research job descriptions and take out key words and use that as part of your search! In addition to Handshake, company websites, and tapping into your professional and personal connections, you may also want to check out additional resources such as:
- Handshake
- Careernomics - (free access for current Gies students). Job board specifically for master's level students. How to Register? After visiting the site, click on “I’m a Candidate”. Accounts have already been set up for all students so just click on "Login Here". Once on this page you will click “Forgot Your Password”. Enter your university email and the password reset option will be sent to your email. Questions with logging in? Email Deb at dhm@illinois.edu
- Illinois on-campus job board
- Research Park job board
- LinkedIn job board
- Vault Job Board (free access for current Gies students; use your Net ID)
- Indeed.com
- Parker Dewey - Short-term projects and micro-internships
- Inside Sherpa – virtual work experience projects
Search Firms
In addition to job boards/company websites, career fairs and your personal/professional connections, another 'job search channel' to consider are 3rd party search firms. Some of our previous graduate students have landed short-term, temporary contract roles or permanent roles after graduation by working with a search firm. Simply reach out to the staff to ask for more information and learn more on how the process works. To illustrate, below are a few search firms to check out:
•Robert Half
•The LaSalle Network
•Aston Carter
•Michael Page
•Aerotek
Asia-Focused firms
•Lockin China
•UniCareer
Ways to Access Career Services
Book a time with me or someone else on the Graduate Career Services team before Fall Break begins! Let us know what you have been doing for your search and gain feedback - getting an objective point of view can be key to success!
Email Advising: Have a question on your resume, a job application, LinkedIn profile, Handshake, or anything else? Just message us! The career services team will get back to you by the next business day.
30 and 60-minute Advising Appointments: There is no question too big or too small so make an appointment to discuss your career development! Most appointments are 30 minutes while practice interviews are 60 minutes. Practice interviews are usually reserved for students with an interview invitation. Full details on how to make appointments on Handshake available here.
Recommendations for Fall Break (Career Development Focus)
Big Interview -
First, learn about interviewing. Then, click on “Practice” to get questions, and record your answers! Recording and reviewing your answers will help you see what the interviewer will see and hear, and help you identify where you can improve. You can select general questions at 3 different levels, and also questions typically asked in interviews for specific industries and roles or to evaluate your competencies and skillsets.
ÔÇïÔÇïÔÇïÔÇïÔÇïÔÇïNetworking | Build your Newtork-
Many opportunities are not even advertised and are only discovered from connecting and building relationships with people (the “hidden job market”) so continue to reach out to people (personal and professional connections).
Watch “Informational Interviewing” by Barbara Bruno. This will prepare you for what you need to do to contact people in companies that interest you, or people in roles you will benefit from knowing more about before you apply, or even living in the city you are thinking about relocating to. You need to start getting to know people, and letting them get to know you.
Another Great article for tips!
Reset & Identify the Goals Under your Control -
This is a challenging and uncertain time for all of us. Our advice is to continue applying the job search strategies you learned since arriving on campus. Focus on what you can control instead of what you cannot (e.g. continue building your skills and knowledge, build connections and reach out to existing connections). It takes quite a bit of patience but know that you will land something! |
