Five things to know about an informational interview and how to land one

An informational interview can be a key step to securing a position in "the real world" after your internship and can give helpful insight into the industry! Her Campus' Amber Rambharose shares some helpful steps to setting up these important meetings that you should never leave any internship without!

1. Know what an informational interview is
2. Know how to ask
3. Know that flattery will get you everywhere
4. Know that a “no” isn’t the end of the world
5. Know how to rock an informational interview

For more information, please visit: http://www.hercampus.com/intern-diaries/intern-diaries-informational-interviews

Are you using Recruit-A-Duke?

Thinking about what to do next summer or after graduation? Now is the perfect time to jump start your job or internship search! One of the most powerful tools you have as a JMU student is the online Recruit-A-Duke system. If you have never accessed your account, or have not enabled your On-Campus Recruiting rights, don't delay any longer! Below are a few easy steps to getting started on the system. If you already have access to the system, skip to Step 4.

STEP 1: Log on to Recruit-A-Duke and get started!
Click here to log in to the Recruit-A-Duke system. Enter your JAC Card number for your username and if you don't remember your password click on Need a Password? and your password will be sent to your JMU email account.

STEP 2: Update your profile and click on the Authorization Statement
After logging in, click on the Profile tab to verify and update your academic and personal profile information. In your profile, you must also click on the Privacy tab to read and agree to the Authorization Statement.

STEP 3: Get your resume reviewed and upload it onto Recruit-A-Duke
You can upload your resume to Recruit-A-Duke by logging in and selecting the Resumes and Other Documents tab. Don't miss these great opportunities to have your resume reviewed before you submit it to employers.

STEP 4: Become eligible to submit your resume to On-Campus Recruiting (OCR) opportunities
To be eligible to interview with employers on campus and to participate in the Mock Interview program, you must complete the 15 minute Recruit-A-Duke Online Tutorial. Once you have completed the tutorial, you will be granted On-Campus Recruiting access within 24 business hours.

After you have completed these steps you will be well on your way to participating in mock interviews, applying for on-campus recruiting jobs and internships and so much more! If you have any questions please contact the Recruiting Services Team at recruitaduke@jmu.edu. Thank you and have a great day!

Acing a phone interview

Acing a phone interview may sound like a daunting task, but with preparation and these tips from Her Campus, a successful phone interview isn't out of your reach! Make sure to:

• Confirm the time zone
• Eliminate background noises and distractions
• Dress as you would for an in-person interview
• Use the bathroom beforehand
• Have a glass of water nearby

If you can't find a quiet place off-campus, make a reservation at Sonner Hall! Email us at recruitaduke@jmu.edu

To access the other Career & Academic Planning services, check it out here: http://www.jmu.edu/cap/

To learn more, please visit: http://www.hercampus.com/career/how-ace-phone-interview

Accounting, Finance and CIS Majors: Don't Miss Meet the Firms!

Beta Alpha Psi Presents...

Meet the Firms Night

Location: Festival Ballroom
Date: Wednesday, September 14
Time: 6pm - 8pm
Dress: Business Professional

Meet with companies in the accounting, computer information systems and finance areas about opportunities for you! Don't forget to bring resumes!

Sign Up for a Mock Interview!

Need experience for the job interviewing process?

Worried about what is involved?

Do you know how to answer behavioral interview questions?

If any of these situations apply to you, JMU's Mock Interview Program can help you gain valuable experience interviewing with actual company representatives without leaving campus!

Mock Interviews, sponsored by Career and Academic Planning, are an opportunity for you to practice interviewing with an employer. The employer will offer you professional feedback on your performance. All Mock Interviews are held in the Sonner Hall Interview Center, on the lower level.

Mock Interviews are by appointment only and you must first participate in the online Recruit-A-Duke workshop to sign up for Mock Interviews.

Check the Career and Academic Planning Calendar for upcoming Mock Interview dates.

What do the students have to say about participating in mock interviews?

• 97% of students who participated gained valuable experience from their mock interview
• "The recruiter provided a lot of great input that I will carry with in future interviews. It was a great experience."
• "It was prompt and timely, offered a meaningful learning experience. I definitely advise other students to use this resource."
• "This was my first professional interview. I think that it was very helpful and than you for giving me the opportunity! I plan to sign up for more in the future."

How do I sign up for a Mock Interview?

• Make sure that you've viewed the Recruit-A-Duke online workshop first, in order to be an authorized user of the system. See link above.
• Go to the Recruit-A-Duke Student Log-in page. Enter your username and password.
• Click Job Opportunities > On Campus Recruiting.
• Type in "Mock" under the keyword search.
• Sort list by clicking on Deadline heading. Deadlines are always 2 days prior to the event- so if you want to interview on September 15th, look for September 13th deadlines.
• Click on the name of a company to sign up for an interview. You do not need to be interested in that organization to interview with them.

Many Mock Interviews include BEHAVIORAL interview questions. These questions are open-ended and ask you about past work or life experiences. Learn more about behavioral interviewing, so you'll know what to expect.

For more information, peruse the Interviewing portion of our website.

Don't Miss Resume Roundup on September 12th!

Welcome back to JMU! As you ease into the fall semester and start thinking about your future, consider having your resume reviewed before Meet the Firms or the Career Fair at Resume Roundup.

Resume Roundup is right around the corner! This is an event you won’t want to miss.

Resume Roundup, sponsored by Career and Academic Planning, provides an opportunity for you to have your resume reviewed by employers in a relaxed environment. The event will take place on Monday, September 12, 2011 from 12-3:30 pm in the Festival Ballroom.

Arrive with a copy of your resume and you will be seen on a first-come first-served basis. This is a great opportunity to meet with an employer and gain valuable insight and perspective on your resume in preparation for the Fall Career Fair! CAP staff will also be on-hand for resume reviews.

Participating employers include:

Johnson Lambert & Co
MicroLink
Deloitte
Protiviti
Horace Mann
Peace Corps
City Year
Target
Rackspace
American Woodmark
CGI Federal
Teach for America
Harris Corporation

RSVPs are encouraged. To RSVP follow this link: https://jmu-csm.symplicity.com/students/index.php?mode=form&id=ff43de6cc7aa706b075c4447ed7edb5d&s=event&ss=ws and log into Recruit-A-Duke, then click on RSVP.

Social Media and Hiring Infographic

Ever wondered if social media is really an effective tool in the job search? Check out this fascinating infographic which breaks down the numbers of how many employers have successfully used social media to hire new candidates. The numbers might surprise you! After checking this out, make sure your social media profiles are employer-friendly.