Networking Demystified!

What do you think when you hear the word networking? For some, it sounds great; it is the prospect of meeting new people and making social and business connections. For others, the word causes anxiety. The idea of leaving your social comfort zone can be scary, but it does not have to be. Networking starts with friends and people you already know. It can be informal and easy once you know where to start.

Networking is a powerful tool when you are job searching. Check out this informative infograph to get a head start on your networking this summer!

Startup Job Fair in NYC

Don’t miss this unique job fair! All the employers attending this fair are start up entrepreneurial companies. The recent surge of entrepreneurial activity in New York has created a surge in hiring. Now is the time to join some of New York's most creative and industrious minds to bring the next wave of computer products and services to the forefront of daily use.

Come on June 16th at the Armory for a Startup Talent Fair, where you'll have plenty of time to meet with exciting new startups and network with other talented individuals like yourself.

To register and see a list of employers attending visit: http://www.myworkster.com/myworkster/page/eventdetail/1587252515.

Featuring: JMU Student Ambassadors for Disney & Target

One way employers connect with students at universities is through student ambassadors. These students serve as campus representatives for large companies to recruit new employees through presentations and networking with students on campus. Generally they have already interned with the company and hope to work for the company full-time after graduation. At JMU, Christine Dang, representing Target and Monica Blackwell, representing Disney are two successful participants in these programs. Here is a little insight into what they do and why they do it.

Christine Dang- Target 

What are the benefits of being a Student Ambassador For Target?
The benefits of being a student ambassador for Target are to gain more experience working with different actors within the company and of course to source candidates for Target at the student level. As a student myself, it is sometimes easier for other students to approach me knowing that I'm one of their own going through the same job search.

Who do you target in your sessions?
Target is looking for candidates in all fields and majors.


What are your expectations as an ambassador?
My expectations are to follow up with candidates, attend career events, do presentations with different organizations as well as give status updates to my field campus recruiter and intern captain in the Northern Virginia district.

How will this help further your career with the company?
This helps me with my future career because I get to build a strong network with people in different positions within the company.

What will you be doing post graduation?
Post graduation, I will be working as an Executive Team Leader (ETL) in the NOVA district.


Monica Blackwell- Disney

Little about me: Originally, from Stuart, VA, I obtained my undergraduate degree from the University of Georgia. I am a graduate student in the Adult Education/Human Resource Development Program with a concentration in Instructional Design. For my Disney Experiences, I completed two professional internships with the Disney Learning Centers and the Disney Youth Education Series. I am currently a Disney Campus Representative.


What are the benefits of being a Student Ambassador For Disney? Who do you target in your sessions?
While being a campus representative for Disney, you are able to meet and get to know students from all across campus. I have met people from different majors as well as international students! From a Disney standpoint, being a campus representative allows me to continue networking with Disney leaders and recruiters. It also allows me to continue to reap some of the benefits of being a cast member at Disney.

What are the expectations of you?
It is expected that as a campus representative that I represent the Disney College Program in a positive light by my marketing tools and personal actions. Each semester Natalie (another campus representative) and I promote the program to students of all majors. We post flyers, hold info tables, and hang banners to help communicate information about the Disney experiences to all students. Natalie and I also work closely with a Disney recruiter in order to improve our program.


How will this help futher your career with the company?
I hope to one day return to Disney to work as an Instructional Designer for their training programs. This experience has allowed me to continue my relationships further than my two internship experiences.


What will you be doing post graduation?
After graduation, I will be getting married and moving further south to pursue a career in Instructional Design.

Featured Article: Why You're Not Getting Hired

 Applying to a ton a places but not hearing anything back?  You may have some potential problems with how you are presenting yourself.  From resume issues or lack of networking, this US News Money article explains 9 reasons why you are not getting hired.  Check it out here!

Attend the 2011 Charlottesville Community Spring Job Fair

Still looking for employment?  Attend a job fair with over 80 employers present as well as workshops.  Workshops will be held throughout the day and will cover topics such as staying motivated during the job search, finding and applying for federal jobs, and starting a business.  Check it out!

Charlottesville Community Spring Job Fair
Wednesday, April 27th
10:00am-3:00pm
John Paul Jones Arena
295 Massie Drive; Charlottesville, VA

Free Admission, Free Parking, & Door Prize Drawings

Tips for the Event:

• Resume- Bring multiple copies of your resume to show to employers
• Dress to impress- Professional attire is recommended
• 60 Second Introduction- Be ready to present your strengths in one minute

For more information check out www.charlottesville.org/jobfair

Any questions?  Contact Mary Grant at grantm@charlottesville.org

Land a Job Using Social Media

As we know in this job market, it can be tough to land the job of our dreams.  However, the Internet still plays an enormous role as a job search outlet.  In this recent blog by USA Today College, Kendall Byl explains that college student should do what they do best in looking for jobs: Social Media!

She explains how establishing a brand, networking, and following companies are all strategies that could result in great opportunities.  Check out the article here!

Use Skype For a Job Interview

Did you know you can use Skype for a job interview?  Conducting a long distance job search can be tough, especially if you have to travel far for interviews.  Many employers are starting to use Skype for interviews now instead of incurring travel costs.  This means that sometimes, when you get an offer to interview with an employer, the employer may suggest the use of Skype.  If this happens, don’t panic!  Skype is free and very easy to use.  Recruiting Services offers Skype assistance for interviews.  If an employer contacts you and wants to set up a Skype interview, feel free to contact us at recruitaduke@jmu.edu.  We have a Skype account, computer, webcam and interview space you can use.  Of course, if you have your own Skype account, computer and/or webcam and just wish to conduct the interview in a more formal setting, you can use one of our interview rooms and your own computer and Skype account.  While this new interview format may be nerve-racking, don’t fear.  Use these tips to help you ace that Skype interview:

1. When confirming the interview, provide your Skype account name. Show the interviewer that you’re comfortable with the technology right from the start. Also, ask if you are to dial them, or if they will call you. No sense starting off on this weird note.
2. If your Skype name is cutesy or unprofessional, set up another account. And not MadSkillz or HireMaddie. Just your name, please. Or something close to it if yours is already taken.
3. Practice first. I recognize that this might sound obvious, but you’d be amazed by how many people don’t do it. Dial up a friend, relative or professional mentor and run through a few mock questions. Check the audio levels, make sure the room lighting looks normal
4. Get the eye contact thing down. This can feel a little strange on Skype, but eye contact is VERY important in an interview. Be sure and look into the webcam a large portion of the time. You’ll be tempted to stare at the screen, because that’s where the interviewer’s image appears. But if you look there the whole time? It will come across that you’re looking down the entire time. Eye contact. A must
5. Don’t even think about doing it in a coffee shop. Quiet, clean room. Absolutely no environmental hustle and bustle, none.  Oh, and when I say “quiet, clean room?” Assume I mean “quiet, clean room with no weird crap in the background.
6. Silence any other phone or potentially interrupting technologies before the interview. That’d be your cell phone, your land line and any other audible alerts that could pop up on your computer during the call.
7. Go professional, but remember you’re probably sitting at home. Some professionals will argue me on this, but I think that, for most positions, it’s unnecessary to get all spiffed out in an “interview suit” for a Skype interview. “Hi, I’m sitting in my apartment in pinstripes. Just a regular old day here.” It just seems odd to me. Absolutely look polished, ironed and professional (and wear pants, for heaven’s sake,) but I say suit is not required (unless, of course, you’re in the running for some big Wall Street or CPA gig, then yes, probably.)

*If you use an interview room in the Sonner Interview Center you may wish to dress up a bit more professionally since you will be in a more formal setting.

8. Prepare in the exact same way that you would for a face-to-face interview. Research the company, the industry and the players with whom you’ll be interviewing. Come to the interview with thoughtful questions related to these. Listen. Listen. Listen. And then answer questions calmly and succinctly. Smile. Just like you’d do in person.
9. Don’t panic if you have a dropped connection. More than likely, the interviewer already knows that this happens sometimes with a Skype call. In the event it happens on your interview? Take a couple of deep breaths and wait for him or her to re-connect. If five minutes passes and he or she doesn’t? Redial.
10. Say thank you. And do so while you’re looking at that webcam.

For more information visit: http://www.lifeaftercollege.org/blog/2011/04/06/guest-post-10-tips-to-shred-the-competition-in-your-skype-interview-by-jenny-foss/.