January 2016 – Penn & Beyond

Not Invited? Try an Add-on!

by Marlene L. Cohen, Recruiting Manager, Career Services/On Campus Recruiting

There is an employer on PennLink that you have submitted your resume for consideration. You really want to be selected as an invite. You wait – you check PennLink – you’re “Not Invited.” Don’t be discouraged, submit an “Add On” request. Over 150 Add On interviews were held in OCR last season. Most employers will look at and even schedule last minute interviews with students who have submitted an add-on request. Of course there is no guarantee of acceptance, but you never know! Sometimes employers will experience a late cancellation or even a dreaded no show and would like to fill those empty slots. If your resume is in their packet, you may be selected.

The process is very simple. Go on the Career Services website and under the main OCR page, select Recruiter Add-on Interview Request Form. Fill out the form or print several copies to have on hand. Once the form is filled out, attach your resume and bring them to the Career Services office in the basement level of the McNeil Building, Suite 20. There you will find the Recruiter Add-On Interview Request Box. The box will be available to you between the hours of 9:15 am until 2:00 pm. Now please keep in mind that you’re submitting add-on requests for the next working day’s interviews. For instance, submit on Monday for Tuesday interviews; submit on Friday for Monday interviews. The add-on requests will be given to the recruiters when they check into OCR the following morning. The recruiter will review the resumes at their convenience and will ask the OCR receptionist to call the students they wish to interview. There is no need to call and check on the status of your add-on request. The OCR receptionist will contact you by telephone if you are selected for an add-on interview. If you are not selected, you will not be contacted.

Many students who have received add-on interviews have also received offers from those employers. So try it! You might get an interview with the employer you really want!

Finding Some Perspective in LinkedIn

By: S. David Ross, Associate Director

Recently, I logged into my LinkedIn account to see the latest updates and information and then something caught my eye. I noticed a blog post from a professional in my field that I am indirectly connected to through a group. It is very common to see links to news stories and updates while browsing on LinkedIn. Many people use the system for professional networking or assistance during their job or internship search. But the blog post I read reminded me that you can use LinkedIn to gain perspective on an industry or current issues within an industry from those currently working in the field.

This perspective and these insights shared by experienced professionals may be helpful as you consider if an industry or sector is the right fit. They may also be helpful as preparation for upcoming interviews – particularly as a basis for questions you may want to ask the interviewer at the end regarding current industry developments. So if you have the chance, read through some industry-related blog posts in LinkedIn and you may just find some powerful stories and valuable perspective.

CS Radio Episode 12: Internship Recruiting

Happy 2016! Mylène and Michael are back with a new batch of podcasts for the spring semester! This week, we take a look at the on-campus recruiting process for internship recruiting that begins in February and take a look at the vast amount of programming that’s coming up in the next week.

Enjoy!

I THINK I Said Yes…

by Jamie Grant, C’98 GEd ’99, Associate Director

“I think I said yes…”

At least once or twice every season, I talk with a current student or alumnus who, when discussing a verbal job offer received, somewhat hesitantly says to me, “I think….I said yes?” Have you ever, in your excitement, made a verbal commitment you weren’t quite ready to honor? If so, you’re not alone, but if you’re in the midst of a job search and do this you have given your word.

If you find yourself on the interviewing circuit for any type of role – part-time job, internship, full-time position, experienced role – and are considering multiple opportunities or are just not ready to commit, please be very, very careful with your words and phrasing when you get to that oh so important offer stage!

To get you ready, please practice with me: “Thank you so much for this offer, I am very excited about the opportunity! I would greatly appreciate some time to review the details and give this thought – when would you need to hear back from me?” By being prepared and not caught off guard in the moment of excitement, you will have the best chance to determine if this offer is your best offer!

Pressing the Pause Button

by Sharon Fleshman

A little over a week ago, I participated in a resource fair for an orientation on campus and sat next to a representative from the Office of the Chaplain. Her giveaway for those in attendance was a button with a pause sign. In our fast-paced world, there is still a place for pressing the pause button. How might this work in your career planning or job search?

You may listen to classmates’ career plans and make comparisons, perhaps losing sight of your own goals. Press the pause button and reaffirm your own career interests and values. Reflect on experiences that remind you of why you are pursuing your own path.

You may be overwhelmed with all that you have to do with juggling classes, a part-time job, activities, the job search and so on. Press the pause button and take a walk or nap. Take a moment to just breathe, meditate or pray. Then think about how to organize your time going forward. Establish a healthy rhythm of work and replenishment.

You may feel discouraged, trying to figure out why things are not working out in your job search. Press the pause button and connect with family, friends and others in your support system. Talk to a mentor or career advisor who can help you regroup and strategize with a positive mindset.

You may be stumped by a question during an interview. Rather than jump right into an answer just to fill the silence, press the pause button. Acknowledge the question and get any necessary clarity on it, and if necessary, ask for a few seconds to think about it before responding.

Pressing the pause button is an act of self-care than typically lasts only minutes or hours, but can make all the difference in your outlook and productivity.