“Our plans miscarry because they have no aim. When you don’t know what harbor you’re aiming for, no wind is the right wind.”

Seneca

I. Why Participate in an Internship?

a) Put into practice your “book knowledge”.

b) Learn new skills~

c) Establish key rapport with a mentor

d) Use the Internship to “Test Drive”

II. How to Obtain the RIGHT Internship for YOU

a) Know thyself FIRST!

b) Research, Research, Research companies

c) Do your homework~

d) Seek and ye shall find~

III. Be Realistic About the Outcome

a) Understand and accept the timeframe of the Internship.

b) Understand and accept the financial arrangements for the position.

c) Understand and accept that “grunt work” WILL be involved in most positions.

d) Understand and graciously accept all offers

How To Work A Job Fair

"Pretend that every single person you meet has a sign around his or her neck that says, 'Make Me Feel Important'. Not only will you succeed in sales, you will succeed in life."

Mary Kay Ash

I. Prepare Your Resume
a) Update your resume and make sure it conveys a positive first impression.
b) Make sure you have enough copies of your resume on hand.
c) Check for TYPOS!

II. Prepare Your Wardrobe
a) Pick an outfit that indicates you are a professional
b) Wear a "signature piece" that will enable the interviewer to recall you.
c) Pay special attention to your SHOES!

III. Prepare To Meet Perspective Employers
a) Research all companies attending, PRIOR to the start of the Job Fair.
b) Prepare a list of questions you can easily customize to each employer.
c) Know WHY it is YOU stopped by to meet them. Be specific about your interest

IV. Prepare Yourself
a) Have a 60 second 'mini commercial' prepared about yourself
b) Be prepared to provide specific examples of your accomplishments
c) Prepare yourself mentally to be able to adapt to different interviewers.

How To Energize Your Resume & Cover Letter

"Think of a resume as an advertisement for yourself. Follow the same rules that make for a good ad:


a) Have a compelling headline that captures attention.
b) Make a promise to the reader that provides a benefit.
c) Supply information that supports the promise made."

Denise and Bruce Johnson of the consulting firm, D.B. Johnson

I. WHAT IS THE PURPOSE OF A RESUME?
(*Resumes open doors to job interviews.... interviews open doors to jobs.)

a) Your resume is a description of your accomplishments, skills and experience.
b) Your resume should be written in such a way as to address the needs and goals of a potential employer.
c) Your resume acts as a "calling card" to help you get the interview.

II. TECHNOLOGY AND RESUMES

a) Email etiquette is crucial to your success as a job seeker.
b) Scannable resumes; know how to make yours leap out!
c) Consider the use of a homepage to showcase your skills.

III. RESUME FORMATS

a) Recruiters' favorite~ Chronological
b) Functional Resume
c) Combination Resume
d) E-Resume (Electronic Resume)

IV. PITFALLS TO AVOID

a) Not meeting high enough image standards
b) Aiming too high, too soon
c) Making employers guess
d) Ignoring employer's needs

Employer Tips & Expectations

"Of all our human resources; the most precious is the desire to improve."
Anonymous

I. How timely should I be? Being late or too early can hinder your interview.

II. When does the interview actually begin? The moment you pull into the parking lot!

III. How can you present yourself in the best light? Everyone you meet could potential play a role in whether you get the job or not.

IV. How prepared should you be for an interview? What you need to know beyond the history of the company.

V. What is the definition of "professional dress"? Genius and job offers are found in the details. Learn what you should be paying attention to related to appropriate attire.

VI. How “Real” should you be with the interviewer? Concerned about how “honest” to be in an interview, we’ll show you how much is right on and how much is too much.

VII. How important is a thank you note? Handwritten or electronic, saying “thank you” in the right way can put you over the top.

VIII. How should you manage your job hunt process? Learn the keys to being professional and savvy in your job-hunt process.

Putting Your Best Foot Forward

"Class is an aura of confidence... Class has nothing to do with money. Class never runs scared. It is self-discipline and self-knowledge. It's the sure footedness that comes with having proved you can meet life."

Ann Landers

I. How you present yourself is how you will be “read”.

II. Setting the Stage – Do’s and Don’ts for Men and Women

A. Checklist for women: Don’ts

B. Checklist for women: Do’s

C. Checklist for men: Don’ts

D. Checklist for men: Do’s

III. The Three Main Styles of Dress for Today’s Business World

A. Business professional

B. Business casual

C. Casual and “Casual Friday”

IV. Interactive segment with examples of appropriate attire for both men and women for each of the above styles of dress.

Make Yourself the Easy Hire

"The easiest thing to be in the world is you. The most difficult thing to be is what other people want you to be. Don't let them put you in that position."

Leo Buscaglia

I. “Suit Up” For First Impressions – Making Your First 20 Seconds Count

A. Look confident

B. Properly introduce yourself

C. Give a good handshake

D. Look “polished”

E. Stay professional

II. Take Your Education Seriously

A. The importance of an internship

B. The benefits of volunteerism

C. Mentoring with a professional

D. Be bold, be daring

III. Aspire to Be the Easy Hire

A. Use the tactic LRDR

B. Share your attention with the room

C. Say the right thing

D. Leave your humble self at home!

Key Traits Employers Are Seeking

"A winner is someone who recognizes his God-given talents, works his tail off to develop them into skills, and uses these skills to accomplish his goals."

Larry Bird

I. Listen Effectively

A. What does listening mean?

B. What does hearing mean?

C. Which trait is more important to employers?

II. Communicate Clearly

A. Give an overview and then elaborate

B. Have a sense of the dramatic when you talk

C. Match your tone to your intentions

D. Respond rather than react when spoken to

III. Adopt an Entrepreneurial Spirit

A. What IS an entrepreneurial spirit?

B. What entrepreneurial traits are desired?

IV. Admit to Mistakes or Errors in Judgment

A. Don’t give excuses

B. Accept the consequences

C. Don’t blame others

D. Take ownership

V. Accommodate Change

A. Change=Progress

B. Think clearly, act calmly

C. Consider necessary change within yourself

D. Direct passive fear into active energy

VI. Practical Tips for Long Term Survival

A. Be punctual

B. Don’t be a “clock watcher”

C. Have a clear understanding of your job duties

D. If in doubt, ASK

E. To thine own self be true

The Interviewer’s Secret Thoughts About You

"The pessimist complains about the wind; the optomist expects it to change. The realist adjusts the sails."

William Arthur Ward

I. First Impressions: Making Your First 20 Seconds Count

A. Look confident

B. Properly introduce yourself

C. Give a good handshake

D. Look polished (*4 bonus tips, overlooked areas)

E. Stay professional

II. Strategic Errors That Can Cost You A Job Offer

A. Use the tactic LRDR: Listen, Replay, Decide, Respond

B. Trying to lead the interview

C. Venting personal frustrations

D. Not sharing your attention

III. Tips To Avoid Potential Interview Disasters

A. Don’t arrive late!

B. Don’t say the wrong name!

C. Don’t say the wrong thing!

D. Don’t be too modest!

IV. How To Stand Out From the Crowd

A. When does your interview begin?

B. Be prepared for the interview

C. Be open, honest, “REAL” with the Interviewer

D. Send a THANK YOU NOTE!

E. Be organized in your job search!

HOW TO STAND OUT IN A CROWD

“I’ve always wanted to be somebody, but I see now I should have been more specific.”

Lily Tomlin

I. Prepare for “battle”

A. Prepare mentally~ do your ‘homework’

B. Prepare physically~ Are you in top form?

II. Know the question BEHIND the question

A. Why should they hire YOU?!

B. Help the Interviewer out on their ‘fishing trip’

III. Expect the unexpected

A. Are you prepared to tell them about yourself?

B. How do you handle inappropriate questions?

IV. Dirty Laundry is for the washing machine

A. If you ‘bash’, you crash

B. Providing a professional explanation for life’s trials

V. Consider the view from “The Big Desk”

A. Forget the psychic link; be perceptive

B. Volunteer to answer ‘unasked’ questions

VI. Did I say something?!

A. Watch YOUR body language & non verbal cues

B. Watch the INTERVIEWER’S body language & non verbal cues

VII. Money; Taboo subject or not during the interview?

A. When is the best time to discuss money?

B. Whoever shows their ‘hand’ first, loses

VIII. Follow-up method is a “deal breaker”

A. Thank You note is important; timing is essential

B. Closing the deal with finesse

HOW TO MARKET YOURSELF WITH DIFFERENT INTERVIEW FORMATS

“Too many people overvalue what they are not and undervalue what they are.”
Malcolm S. Forbes

I. FOCUS ON THE THREE “D’S”

A. DRESS

B. DEMEANOR

C. DIALOGUE

II. SCREENING OR PHONE INTERVIEW

A. TAKE THE CONTROL SEAT

B. PREPARE YOUR BACKGROUND

C. PREPARE YOURSELF

III. IN PERSON INTERVIEW

A. THE DIRECTED INTERVIEW

B. THE BEHAVIOR BASED INTERVIEW

C. THE CONVERSATIONAL INTERVIEW

D. THE STRESS INTERVIEW

IV. RECALL OR SECONDARY INTERVIEW

A. KNOW WHO THE ‘PLAYERS’ ARE

B. CONSIDER YOURSELF A FINAL CONTESTANT

C. PUT YOURSELF ON THE OTHER SIDE OF THE ‘BIG DESK’

V. PANEL INTERVIEW

A. WHO ARE THE ATTENDEES

B. DIRECT YOUR RESPONSES APPROPRIATELY

C. PERSONALIZE YOUR HANDSHAKE AND GREETING

VI. DINING INTERVIEW

A. YOU ARE STILL ‘ON RECORD’

B. MAKE THE PROPER MENU SELECTIONS

C. BE WARY OF ATTEMPTS AT ILLEGAL QUESTIONS