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!

Googling Yourself: Why Should You Do It and How to Clean up Your Image

Have you ever Googled yourself?  Try it – you might be surprised by what comes up.  When I Google myself, I get 3,650,000 results of which approximately 20 are directly related to me.  The results I immediately noticed were my professional pictures, my LinkedIn account, my personal website, and a Spokeo search on me.  Seeing my professional pictures, LinkedIn account, and my personal website be among the first 10 searches was exactly what I wanted to see.  These are positive online sites about me that will enhance my professional image for recruiters and employers searching for me online.  On the other hand the Spokeo account can be a little disturbing and is something everyone should be aware of. 

Nowadays, there are sites such as Spokeo, whose purpose is to seek out intimate information about individuals including: personal addresses, phone numbers, email accounts, etc.  It is important to be aware of what personal information is on these sites and always try to minimize this information by privatizing personal social networks and acting with caution with your online presence.   

Nonetheless, Googling yourself is the first step to identifying what is online about you.  Once you know what is out there, you can minimize the negative things; and more importantly, enhance the positive things.   

MINIMIZING A NEGATIVE ONLINE PRESENCE

1. Scrutinize anything personal online, including your posts on Facebook and Twitter.
2.  Don’t post ANYTHING you could potentially be embarrassed about – once it’s online it’s hard to really remove it forever. 
3. Screen your friends’ postings about you (this can be customized in your account and privacy settings).
4. Separate your personal and professional online presence by not linking the two together and privatizing your personal account. 

ENHANCING A POSITIVE ONLINE PRESENCE

1. Create at least one professional online profile (Twitter, Facebook, Blog, Personal Website, Info-graphic Resume, LinkedIn, etc.).
2. Quality over quantity:  Just because there are many social networking sites to choose from, doesn't mean you have to be on all of them.  It’s better to master one and then move on to more social media sites rather than be on all sites and not put that much effort into them.
3. Sign up  for a LinkedInProfile.  
4.  Although you don’t want to completely privatize your professional profiles (since you want people to see it), make sure you don’t put personal addresses, phone numbers, and email addresses online unless you don’t mind the whole world having access to that information.
5.  Consistently update your statuses.  Social media won’t be useful if you don’t make an effort to update your profiles and engage with other people on the social networks.

For more information about creating a professional online presence visit the following web pages:

1. Create an Online Presence 
2. Leverage Social Media 
3. Linkin’It Up  Presentation

How to Market Yourself Through Social Networking

In light of our ever-changing technological society, the Peer Career Advisers facilitate an innovative workshop to share resources and opportunities to market yourself using social media. The workshop will focus on the primary social media tools and how to incorporate a professional edge when using these sites. The first half of the workshop will review best practices for Facebook, Twitter, blogs, and personal/professional websites to further your knowledge on the sites and how to use them to attract employers. The second half of the program will focus on LinkedIn with a demonstration and thorough review of the website and its benefits for students. LinkedIn is the primary professional networking site and is extremely useful and easy to use. Linkin’It Up is a great way to keep up with new digital media and learn how to adequately market yourself in a professional manner! Participants are encouraged to bring their laptops to follow along for a hands-on learning experience.

Written by Brittany Moore

The secret to networking

Become career keen at the Annual Networking Night this Wednesday!

While unemployment rates in today’s job market have hovered around 9% for several years, the prospect of finding a job is promising for students who do their homework and start early. Yes, I’m talking about class projects and papers; but also, networking. Many people say the interview itself can make or break a job opportunity. However, I argue that employers begin to interview you much sooner than the formal interview process.

The job market is crowded with individuals looking for work, but rest assured, there are opportunities out there. Often there are many opportunities that go unapplied for on CSO (Career Services Online). So what’s the secret to finding a job? The secret is: companies are looking to meet their future employees early on in their college careers through career fairs, networking and internships. Intentionally reaching out to employers and people in positions to hire well before graduation has greatly aided CU students. This shows that networking works!

Fortunately for CU students, Career Services is hosting their Annual Networking Night this Wednesday, October 26, at 5:30-7:00 p.m. in the Abrams Lounge (C4C). With over 40 industry professionals in attendance, this is a fantastic opportunity to meet employers from various industries and occupations. Along with learning about what types of opportunities await you after college, you may have the chance to spark a relationship that lands you a job. Sponsored by Pandora Radio and LivingSocial, this event has been a favorite among student job seekers for years. Free appetizers and beverages will be served. This event is open exclusively to CU-Boulder students and alumni. Pre-registration is highly recommended, but walk-ins are welcome! Register here.

Before attending the Annual Networking Night, here are some words of wisdom from Cori Shaff—Career Counselor and Student Outreach Coordinator:

- Try finding something in common with the potential employer when starting your conversation.

- Be sure to give a great first impression (attire, smile, handshake, and introduction).

- Research the companies in attendance to have something to talk about with them (this information can be found when registering for the event on CSO).

- After your conversation, ask for their business card so that you can contact them afterward.

- Be interested, interesting, and genuine!

- Engage other students in conversations. You never know how your connections can work for you in the future!

What's the Big Deal About Linked In?

Most likely you have heard about it – but why is this social networking site a MUST for college students entering the professional industry?


- “LinkedIn operates the world’s largest professional networking on the Internet with more than 90 million members in over 200 countries and territories.”

- There were nearly two billion people searches on LinkedIn in 2010

- As of January 2011, LinkedIn counts executives from all Fortune 500 Companies as members. Its hiring solutions were used by 69 of the Fortune 100 companies at the end of 2010.”

- “It’s no longer enough to simply have a solid resume. Students now need a professional online presence.” (Holly Paul – US Recruiting Leader for Pricewaterhouse Coopers.)

- Recruiters are using Google to search for you… Both positive and negative online presence is taken into account during job recruitment

Check out this FREE workshop designed to help you navigate the world of social media and use to your advantage during your job search! All majors and years are welcome to attend!

Linkin’ It Up: How to Market Yourself through Social Networking

Thurs, March 31, 6:30-8pm, C4C, S350, FREE!
In light of our ever-changing technological society, the Peer Career Advisors will facilitate an innovative workshop to share resources and opportunities to market yourself using social media. The workshop will focus on the primary social media tools and how to incorporate a professional edge when using these sites.


The first half of the workshop will review best practices for Facebook, Twitter, blogs, and personal/professional websites to further your knowledge on the sites and how to use them to attract employers. The second half of the program will focus on LinkedIn with a demonstration and thorough review of the website and its benefits for students. LinkedIn is a primary professional networking site and is extremely useful and easy to use. Linkin’ it up is a great way to keep up with new digital media and learn how to adequately market yourself in a professional manner! Participants are encouraged to bring their laptops to follow along for a hands-on learning experience.

How to Use Career Services Online (CSO)

One of the main questions CU students ask is “Where can I find jobs and internships?” Career Services Online is the answer to this question as well as a resource for many other things. CSO is FREE for all CU Boulder students and alumni. Please use the following explanation to better navigate CSO! (more...)