Student Spotlight: Job Searching Strategies for Arts and Sciences Majors

The prospect of finding a job in today’s job market can be daunting, especially for students in the College of Arts and Sciences. As a graduating communication and psychology major, I consider myself lucky for landing a job in this economy. A computer-based financial analysis software company, named FactSet, has extended a job offer despite my non-business background. Here’s why:

FactSet is a company that operates as a consulting amenity in the financial services sector. Prior to receiving the job offer, I had no idea a company like this would be interested in me. However, my communication and problem solving abilities—skills refined in Arts & Sciences majors—gave me a leg up on the business students I competed against. If I hadn’t initially been open to interviewing with a company off job radar, I wouldn’t have a job lined up. So, be prepared to be surprised during the job search process.

As a Peer Career Advisor for CU Boulder Career Services, I’ve been exposed to campus recruiters for several years. What I’ve come to realize is that the interview process starts long before the interview itself. Thanks to my exposure to FactSet’s recruiters at past career fairs and employer information sessions, the company was familiar with me before my senior year and interested in talking to me about employment opportunities before graduation. When I walked into FactSet’s San Mateo, California, office for the interview, I had already established rapport with two of the four hiring managers due to my networking efforts on campus

One piece of advice I have to graduating job seekers is to stay up-to-date on hiring trends and current events relevant to the industry in which you wish to work. During my interview, I was asked to discuss recent trends in finance that interested me. After reading portions of The Economist magazine the night before to prepare for the interview, I spouted off an impressive answer that reflected my interest in market economics. Staying educated on industry news can be difficult, especially while classes can still require large amounts of reading; however, a few minutes a day spent reading information-dense texts like your local business journal or trade magazines can make the interview environment more relaxed and conversational.

Lastly, make the interview about you, too. Instead of feeling nervous about what questions are going to throw you off point, think of questions or concerns you would like to ask the interviewer. This can serve you two ways. Having questions prepared can, indeed, make the interview more conversational. Rather than simply responding to each question as if it were interrogation, you have to ability to respond to a tough question with a question of your own. Additionally, preparing questions prior to the interview will show the interviewer that you are serious and curious about the position. Turning the infamous interview setting into a conversation will relieve your anxiousness and  dissolve uncertainty once hired—two birds with one stone.

How I got my social media internship

My name is Mindy Rappoport and I’m a Peer Career Advisor (PCA) at CU Career Services. I’m currently a senior news-editorial journalism major who is also earning a technology, arts and media (digital media skills) certificate. My interest in communication ranges from traditional print media to public relations to social networking.

A little over a year ago, I interviewed Elyse Heslin for the Career Services blog. Elyse was a former PCA who had graduated the semester before I started working at Career Services. After graduating, Elyse began working at Room 214, a social media agency based in Boulder. I had stumbled upon their website while I was searching for social media and communications internships in Boulder. I couldn’t help but wonder what Elyse’s job was really like, so I emailed her some questions for her to answer for the Career Services blog post. I was amazed when she replied and told me that part of her job entailed managing “social media communities and online conversations” about such brands as Sanrio (Hello Kitty) and Crock-Pot. Working at a social media agency sounded like an incredible job for someone like me, who has strong research and writing skills and also loves social networking and communication. Once the blog was complete, I sent Elyse the link and told her how interested I was in her line of work. I could see myself going into a similar career after graduation. Elyse replied back with an offer to meet with me to talk about my career interests and learn more about social media marketing.

With graduation just a year away, I needed to hone in on the specific type of communications job I was interested in. I set up an informational interview with Elyse, where I asked her even more questions about her job and what it’s like to work at a social media agency. I left the meeting more ecstatic than ever! Not only did Elyse love communications just as much as I did, but she had landed what I was convinced was my dream job. I immediately scoured Room 214’s website for information about their company and watched every YouTube video they had posted.

Once I completed my research, I emailed Room 214 my cover letter and resume. I hoped that I could show them what a valuable and helpful part of their team I could be. They didn’t have any open positions at the time, but nevertheless I applied because the worst they could say was “no.” After interviewing with Room 214, they extended an internship offer to me and I accepted.

I’ve been working at Room 214 for a little over a month now, and as a social media intern, I conduct research, test Facebook applications that our developers have created (quality assurance), and help manage social media accounts for clients. I love the work I do in the office, and to this day I can’t help but think that if I hadn’t met with Elyse to find out more about her job, I might not have found my place in this growing social media industry.

A Day in the Life of a Veterinary Journalist

As a May 2011 graduate, Kate Spencer was part of one of the last graduating classes from CU's School of Journalism and Mass Communication.

"I really never thought of doing journalism in high school, but decided I might as well try out CU's SJMC when I came to CU in 2007," Kate explains. "When I got involved with the CU Independent, CU's online news source for students, I discovered that I loved journalism."

That love of journalism led Kate to the CU Independent, where she held multiple editorial positions, including editor-in-chief, before graduating with a double degree in journalism and international affairs. In addition to journalism, Kate has also been passionate about animals since she was a child, when she would constantly rescue wild animals and try to convince her parents to get another dog. 

Now, she has combined these two passions in her job as an online reporter/editor for Trends Today, an online source for veterinary news that is produced by the American Animal Hospital Association (AAHA).

"Finding a way to combine my natural love of animals with my journalism skills was the best thing that could have happened to me right out of college," she said.

As a veterinary journalist for Trends Today, Kate writes, edits, develops and posts content to the website. She's also working on redesigning the AAHA's Web content management system, and she's a member of the AAHA's Social Media Task Force. Kate says that the most fun part of her job is that her coworkers always bring their pets into the office, so she's always surrounded by animals, and that she loves all of the traveling she gets to do as she attends conferences all over the United States.

Kate found out about her present job from her former internship coordinator at the Colorado Veterinary Medical Association (CVMA), where she served as a social media intern during her junior year.

"My former internship supervisor from the Colorado Veterinary Medical Association called me one morning and said she had found me a job that I would love," Kate explained. "She said she had already talked to the hiring manager there and had already sent along a letter of recommendation — all I had to do was send my resume and officially apply! If I had never had the internship with the CVMA, I wouldn't have my current job."

  

What does a day in Kate's life look like?

> From 6:30 to 7:30 a.m., she wakes up then checks her email and responds to anything urgent.

> From 7:30 to 9:00 a.m., Kate makes the daily hour and a half commute to work. 

> From 9:00 to 11:00 a.m., Kate reads the veterinary news of the day and posts at least one story online about what is happening to various social media outlets.

> From 11:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m., she works on more in-depth stories that will be published later in the week.

> From 1:00 to 2:00 p.m., Kate attends a departmental meeting for Trends Magazine and Trends Today, the online news source.

> From 2:00 to 3:30 p.m., Kate meets with the social media task force.

> From 3:30 to 5:00 p.m., Kate works on redesigning the Trends Today website before heading home for the night.
What's ahead for Kate?

"I love my job – I think that’s a very rare thing to be able to say these days. There’s really nowhere else I’d rather be right now. I love knowing that I am putting my degree to a good use and am making a difference while I do it. I would like to get into government work someday, either in policy or communications, but I love where I am now. I know I also want to go back to school in the next five or seven years, likely to law school. CU is also an incredible atmosphere – I love the university and will always remember the opportunities it gave me and the friends and connections I made during my time there. I would love to come back someday and work in communications for either the Boulder campus or the CU system."

What advice would you offer current CU students?

"It was really my practical experience throughout college that landed me a job after graduation. To be competitive in today’s job market, students really need to tap into the resources the university offers and connect with professionals in the CU community."

Creative Cover Letters

Writing a cover letter can be the most difficult part of job application process.  In fact, half the battle is simply sitting down to a blank document and knowing where to start.  The following is a format CU’s Career Services office suggests for students when starting a cover letter. 

Cover letter formatting:

-        Contact information should be at the top of the page (same style as your resume)

-        Cover letters should be no longer than 1 page

-        Use a basic and professional font, size 12 pt.

-        Business style letter

Professional's Contact Information

To Ms. Smith (or “To whom it may concern” if you don’t know the person):

Introductory Paragraph:  This is the attention grabber.  Show enthusiasm to arouse the reader’s interest.  When you are applying for a specific internship or job, note the position title and the name and date of the vacancy listing.  If you saw the listing on CSO, list that information as well.  If applicable, give the person’s name that referred you to the organization.  Most introductory paragraphs are short, so be brief and clear.

Middle Paragraph:  This is the sales pitch.  It is the longest of your paragraphs.  Present specific skills, education, and/or experience that make you an attractive candidate for the position.  Highlight special skills that are relevant to the job description.  Prove that you know the company by directly referencing how your skills and experience match the position.

Final Paragraph:  This is the request for action.  Be proactive and ASK for an interview or a meeting to discuss how your skills might assist the employer.  Offer to provide more information (e.g. samples of your work, more details of your past experience or education, etc.).  You may ask the employer to call you, or you can take the lead and indicate that you will call.  Provide your telephone number and email address with the best times to contact you. 

Thank the employer for his/her time and consideration.

Sincerely,

YOUR NAME

Although this is a good starting point for formatting the cover letter we also strongly encourage you to be creative!  Unlike the resume that simply states your facts and experience, the cover letter shows the employer who you are.  At the end of the day there could be several other applicants who have similar experience, but ultimately it’s your personality illustrated in your cover letter that is going to get you the interview and hopefully the job.

For more information check out our Resumes That Rock Presentation on Tuesday, November 1 from 5:30-7:00 in Norlin E303.