5 Things to Do to Prepare for The JIT Fair

Written by Lauren Lind

Are you looking for an internship or job and are starting to freak out a little since summer is right around the corner? Have no fear....the Just In Time Fair is here! Okay that was cheesy, but seriously if you are in need of an internship or job come to the JIT Fair this Thursday. The fair is in the UMC from 9:00am-3:00pm and ALL employers attending are hiring.

Here are 5 things to do show up prepared for this fair:

1.  Look at the list of employers attending before hand and decide which companies you want to speak with. Click here to see who will be attending the fair and their job categories.

2.  Research the companies attending and show up with well thought out questions for the recruiters. It will show that you are serious about working for their company and have done your homework.

3.  Step up your professional wardrobe. We have received feedback from employers that students dress too casual at career fairs. Always err on the side of overdressing than underdressing. You’ll make a much better impression this way.

4.  Make sure your resume is up to date. Bring copies with you and be able to discuss your previous work experience in detail. Career Services has drop-ins this week from 1:30-4:00pm where you can get a quick 15-minute review of your resume. Come by our office in C4C, N352.

5.  Be open to exploring all your options. There are many opportunities in industries that you might not have considered, so be open-minded.

Being prepared for the Just In Time Fair will set you apart from competitors. If you really want a job or internship then show up with confidence ready to make a good impression! Let us know how the career fair went for you by tweeting @CUCareerServ or posting on our CU Career Services Facebook wall. Best of luck in your job and internship search!

#GoBuffsPro: How Becoming a Buffs Professional Can Benefit You

-->Written by Lauren Lind

Stand out with the Buffs Professional Program certificate! These four workshops offered by Career Services are designed to prepare you for the professional work world.  Learn what it takes to transition into the professional world after college.

April is your last chance this semester to earn your Buffs Professional Program certificate! Simply attend the four workshops (or participate in them online) and attend the career fair. Once you've completed the required workshops and attended the career fair, you'll be invited to attend the Summit event on April 24th. You do not have to complete the classes in any particular order. Below are the in-person workshops.

Explore Majors and Careers

Tuesday, April 8^th, 5:30-6:30pm, S350

Learn about majors you're interested in and career assessments. This workshop will allow you to connect your strengths and skills to areas of interest.

Resumes & Networking

Tuesday, April 15^th, 5:30-6:30pm, S350

It has been said that 80% of jobs are found through networking. Often times it’s about whom you know and getting your foot in the door.  During this class you can craft a resume from scratch or work on your existing resume.

Internship/Job Search & Interviewing

Tuesday, April 22^nd, 5:30-6:30pm, S350

Begin the internship and job search process and learn the ins and outs of how to be successful in your search. This class emphasizes building social media job searching skills and interviewing skills to put you ahead of the competition.

Professionalism Skills

Tuesday, April 29^th, 5:30-6:30pm, S350

Gain insight into professionalism on the job and skills to adapt to changing work environments. Learn the professional skills that employers seek in candidates.

This is a unique opportunity to make your application stand out and understand what employers are looking for in candidates. Click here to see the student requirements. 

To get started, email: BuffsPro@Colorado.edu with your student ID number. The Buffs Professional Program is managed through Desire2Learn, so you can attend workshops in person or online.

Major Problem: How to Choose a Degree with Confidence

Written by Lauren Lind

When it comes to choosing your major, it can feel very overwhelming. There are so many interesting areas that you could decide to focus your studies on and you don’t want to make the wrong decision. Don’t worry, we’ve got some tips for your ‘major problem.’



Here’s how you can choose a degree with confidence:

• Take a deep breath and relax. Your major does not automatically equal a set career path. When employers are hiring, they will look at your major; however, they are interviewing and hiring YOU, not your degree. Be sure to think outside of your major.

• Be honest with what interests you. Decide what sparks your excitement and what does not. If your parents want you to study engineering, yet your passion lies in a completely different area, go with your gut instinct or you could end up being miserable.

• Come into Career Services. Meet with a career counselor to look at different
career paths within your major and explore some other majors you might be interested in. Look at the requirements for different degrees. Don’t forget to look up salary ranges on a site such as Salary.com, so you aren’t surprised after you have received your degree.

• Research. Look into different possible careers that you could go into that your desired major could be applicable to. Use your resources and talk to people who are studying what you think you might want to pursue studying. This is a great opportunity to do an informational interview with someone in a career you’re interested in pursuing.

• Be resilient. Don’t be ashamed to change your major after trying it out. One in three CU students change their majors by junior year. College is the time to explore and study things that you might not get an opportunity to study ever again.

• Don’t over think things. This is an exciting time in your life. You should be proud of yourself for pursuing a higher education. There will be times when you love what you study and other times when you feel an immense dislike for your major. Over-thinking about what to study isn’t the best use of your time, so instead pick an area that interests you and go with it! You can change your major, but if you never try, you’ll never know.

Be sure to check out Career Service’s “Explore Majors and Careers” on April 8th at 5:30PM in C4C S350.

What’s your major and why did you pick it? We’d love to know more about what our fellow buffs study. Tweet us at @CUCareerserv, leave a comment, or write on our Facebook wall.

Hat tip: Chris Kyle

They’re Just Not That Into You, but Why?

Written by Lauren Lind

You think you aced the interview but you still haven’t heard back. You got good vibes from the recruiters and the conversation flowed perfectly, so what’s the deal?

Here are a few reasons why the employer may just not be that into you:

• When the recruiter asked if you had any questions you said “no.”

• Your social media profile has inappropriate posts.

• You forgot to send a thank you email or card.

•   You only sent a thank you email, but neglected to send a handwritten card as well. Some employers will only talk to interviewees who handwrite their thank you cards.

• You called the recruiter to personally thank them and tell them every detail about why you loved interviewing with them.

• Your thank you card was overly detailed and slightly creepy.

• You sent a thank you card but never followed up again one to two weeks after the

interview. 

• Many interviewers are trained to be “players.” They want to make every candidate feel wanted. Don’t become too comfortable during your interview. Make sure you are answering questions professionally with support to back up your claims.

And last but not least…

• You simply were not the best candidate for the position.

Feeling neglected after an interview hurts the ego, but don’t let it hurt your chances to learn from each interviewing experience. After each interview, even if it’s an informational interview, be sure to thank the employer genuinely, but don’t go over the top, and follow up appropriately.

There are many reasons why the employer has decided to pick a different candidate so don’t be too hard on yourself. The right employment match is out there for you; stay positive and remain persistent in your job search. With any relationship (personal or professional) always remain calm, collected, and respectful in the face of rejection. Crazy isn’t a good look on anyone. Don’t speak ill of any organization and definitely do not dis the company that decided to hire a different candidate on the internet. Word spreads like wildfire, especially in our technology saturated society.

For advice on job search andinterviewing skills, save the date for Career Services Buffs Pros event on Wednesday, March 19th at 5:30 pm in the Center for Community S350.

Set Yourself Up for Success: 5 Must Do’s

Written by Lauren Lind

The pressure is on for those looking for internships or jobs as we are officially past the halfway point of the semester. Don’t panic! Here are 5 tips that can help to set you up for job searching success.

5.  Go shopping. Yup, that’s right, we said it. What better excuse to go shopping than to update your wardrobe with professional attire fit for interviews? Be ready to look dapper in case you land an interview that requires you to come in on short notice.

4.   Find good references. Make sure that you have asked trusted friends, co-workers, supervisors, or teachers ahead of time to be your references. This will let them know you are looking for jobs and they will not be caught off guard when contacted by an employer. 

3.  Prep yourself for interviewing. Do your research; learn about the ins and outs of companies you are interviewing with. You will want to know as much as possible and show the interviewer that you did your homework. Train yourself on interview etiquette (how to answer difficult questions, writing thank you cards, etc.) and be sure to have thoughtful questions to ask the interviewer.

2.  Polish your resume. Be sure to update your experience and skills. Stand out from your competitors by having a strong resume free of grammatical and spelling errors.

1.  Network. Finding a job if often about who you know. Networking is crucial in job searching. It always helps to have someone put in a good word for you. The more people you meet and connect with, more opportunities will come your way.

What are some things that you have done to set yourself up for success? For more information about how to be prepared for job searching attend Career Services’ Resumes and Networking workshop on Wednesday, March 12th at 5:30pm.

Hat tip: The American Nurses Association

There are No Wrong Paths

Written by Lauren Lind

Some say that the DWYL (do what you love) mantra will lead to the eventual decline of interest in what you used to be passionate about. Others say that you should find what you love and go with it because when you are doing what you love, it no longer feels like work.

I believe that you should have a passion for what ever you do for a living because it makes your work feel worth the energy. College students are at a pivotal point in their lives. I know this first-hand about what it is like to feel confused about what to be when I grow up. I ruled out grad school for a couple years and I knew I wanted to travel the world and help people. However, I also knew that I was going to have to support myself after graduation. I felt completely overwhelmed, not wanting to make a mistake by choosing one path over another. The truth is, there isn’t really “one” definitive path.  Finally, I have decided that I want to go into the industry that my majors have trained me for, simply because I love the field that I study. There are many types of jobs that advertising and communication can be applicable to, and I have decided to that I want to work in account management, brand strategy, public relations, or marketing. Some people may not feel that they want to go into the industry that their major has trained them for and that is completely okay because majors do not  equal careers.  I think that whatever you decide to do, you should feel passionate about it.

Howard Shultz, founder of Light-hearted Entertainment, attended Career Services Executives Tell All Panel a few weeks ago, and he said, “I tell my kids that whatever they do, they must be passionate about it. If they were to tell me that they want to be a garbage truck driver, then I’d tell them to go and be the best garbage truck driver there ever was.” He described being eager and passionate about what you do as one of the most important factors when entering the work force.

My father has been pilot for United Airlines for the past 30 years and he is one of the few people I know that genuinely love their job.He studied economics in college and originally went into sales. My point is that where you end up will most likely be very different from where you thought you would end up when you started considering your options. As for being worried about choosing the wrong path, keep in mind that there are no “wrong” paths at this point. So far, I have learned that one decision can connect you with people and things that you had never even considered before. Take a leap of faith and follow your instincts.

If you are unsure about what it is you are passionate about here are a few tips from Martha Beck:

•Quit with the “yeah-but” statements. Go with the yeah and get rid of the but. This will open you to infinite possibilities. Think about what you would do if there were no limitations.

•Get enough rest. If your mind and body feel fatigued and like they cannot be excited about life, take care of yourself.

•Do what you had previously considered to be forbidden. Many times the thought of doing something becomes a shutdown thought due to being judged by others, so instead surround yourself with people who support you.

•Follow your dreams even when you are scared. Fear can hinder us, but it can also provoke us to take action. In order to become unstuck, you must stand in the face of fear and embrace it.

Be passionate about whatever you do. Do what you love and love what you do. It is possible. If you are passionate about energy frontiers be sure to attend the Energy Career and Networking Fair on Thursday March 6th at 5:30 p.m. in the Glenn Miller Ballroom!

We'd love to know what you are passionate about Buffs! Tweet @CUCareerServ,  post on our Facebook wall, or leave a comment. 

Hat tip: Martha Beck

Stay Classy CU

Written by Lauren Lind 

Adapting to an ever-changing world can be a difficult task when it comes to entering a job right out of college. Going from 4 years of schooling and a bit of leniency to working a 9 to 5 job can be a shock to many graduates. There are many fantastic skills that we learn throughout those four years at school, however, there are simply some skills that are required for a professional job that we do not learn in class. Developing professionalism skills can help make your transition easier and make you an even more qualified candidate. You may look great on paper, but if you don’t know how to behave on the job, chances are you may not be there long enough to learn. CU is an outstanding university academically, but be prepared to prove to employers that you are serious about working for them.

Here are some key attributes of professionalism that you can work on to help you keep it classy and remain appropriate:

• Specialized knowledge. You can work on this by building expertise in a specific area and staying current with any changes in that area.

• Competency. Work on actively listening to others and observing situations with empathy. This will help to develop your emotional intelligence.

• Honesty and integrity. Don’t be a flake. If you agree to something, stand by your commitment. If you are going to miss a deadline, make sure you have open communication with your boss and co-workers.  

• Respect. Use your manners. It might sound simple, however, sometimes we forget basic kindness and good manners when it comes to dealing with people we don’t like.

• Accountability. Hold yourself to a standard. This also ties in with not being a flake because you want others to be able to count on you. Show up mentally present and with the tools you need to complete tasks.

• Self-regulation. You are the only person who can control your actions and thoughts. Set goals and strive to reach them. Your boss does not want to be constantly nagging you to do your job. If that becomes the case, you might not have a job anymore.

• Image. The way you speak, dress, act, and perform are all very influential upon your image. Your online presence also reflects your image. Be yourself, but remember to be professional in the workplace.

For more information on professionalism, be sure to check out the Professionalism Skills workshop tomorrow, February 25th, in the Center For Community S350 from 5:30-6:30pm. This event will be hosted by Career Services.

Hat tip: Mindtools.com