Effective Preparation for Your Next
Steps: Career & Internship Searches
Kathryn E Frantz
Admissions Counselor
Kent State University
Purpose of Today:
Help you to find that ideal internship and career
that matches your goals and objectives
Plan for Your Success
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Professional Goals- Setting attainable objectives
Marketing your experience, capabilities, and knowledge
Structuring a reliable career search network
Effective résumé techniques
Internship & career fair etiquette
Application trends: The E-Application
Interview etiquette
Proper follow-up
Understanding & Attaining Goals
• As a college student, you, and hundreds of others, may
be unsure of a career choice
• If you have identified your career and understand the
steps required to obtain that ideal internship or job,
don’t forget to follow through
• Even if you have had your professional life planned since
you were in grade school, a mental review of your short
and long term career goals is advisable
A New Beginning
• Job seekers have a tendency to plunge into a job search full of
enthusiasm, but pay little attention to their final goal
• Irrational job searchers are likely to start considering other
opportunities three to six months into their assignment
• Take time to understand various factors which may influence your
job satisfaction. Doing so will provide you with a stronger sense of
your “ultimate job
The “Critical Three” Profile
• Developed in 1978 by William Crockett of National Training
Laboratories
• Job Task Preferences (ex. Predictable vs. unpredictable work,
being a leader vs. a supporting actor)
• Self-Management Preferences (ex. Team player vs. individual
contributor, learning from doing vs. observation)
• Interpersonal Relationship Preferences (ex. Active
involvement in conflict resolution vs. allowing others to handle the
situation, using authority to accomplish tasks vs. negotiation)
Focus on Past Experiences
• List all positions held and any work experience that will
assist you with your next career
• Consider how pleased you were with your level of
influence
• Rate each position on a scale of “very satisfied” to “very
dissatisfied”
Focus on Past Experiences
• As with the previous exercise, list all positions
you have held or currently hold
• Consider how comfortable you felt “fitting in”
with the environment and co-workers
• Rate each position on a scale of “very satisfied”
to “very dissatisfied”
• Determine commonalities between each “very
satisfied” position
Profiling Your Ideal Boss
• Consider the various bosses, coaches or
community leaders with whom you have
worked
• Develop an idea of the type of boss you want to work for in
your first full-time job
• Create a list of 10 phrases describing your best boss
• What are the positive traits of this boss? How did these traits
affect your work effort and behavior? Did this boss motivate
you to work harder?
Marketing Your Experience and
Capabilities
• Step one: Identify your skills!
• Write a success story about yourself with regards to an
accomplishment
• Describe what you did, identify any obstacles you
encountered and strengths you used to achieve your goal
Marketing your Experience and
Capabilities
• Request input about your skills from coworkers,
classmates, friends, and even professors
• Ask individuals to think about both technical
and transferable skills and provide concrete
examples
Are your “Preferred” Skills in Demand?
• Make a list of your strongest skills
• Narrow this list down to your “preferred” skills
• Read through job descriptions of positions you are
considering and take note of their recommended skills
• Highlight your “preferred” skills that are listed in job
descriptions and promote them during your job search
Cold-Contact Marketing
• Employ a mass-mailing strategy of your resume
• 3 critical rules:
1. Target your market
2. Contact a specific person
3. Tailor your cover letters to each company
Structuring a Reliable Network
• It is never too early to begin building a network
• More than 70% of jobs are found through personal and
professional networks (De Back, 2010)
• Create an “A” list of people you know including
classmates, friends, family members and neighbors who
work in your desired field
Structuring a Reliable Network
• Before contacting an individual in your network,
think about what you can offer in return for their assistance
• Contact network prospects by telephone or in-person
• Maintain networking relationships even if the individual is unable to
help you immediately
Tips for Maintaining your Network
• Keep an organized plan for regular contact with individuals
• Record notes about your contacts and interactions with them
• Look for ways you can help your contacts with issues they
face—this will improve your two-way relationship
Do something for somebody every day for which you
do not get paid.
Albert Schweitzer
An Informational Interview
• Connect with someone in your desired field through your
network contacts.
• Call the individual you would work for if employed by
their company to ask for a lunch meeting.
• Tell the individual that you would like to learn more
about their job field.
P.S. Do not hint that you are looking for a job.
Conducting the Informational
Interview
• Play the role of the interviewer
• What do you look for when hiring individuals?
• What qualifications do you see as most valuable?
• What skills do you feel are vital to your success?
• Why do you enjoy your position and what do you
like most about the company?
Stand Out in the Market: Leadership
Experience
• Gain real-world experience as soon as possible
• It is never too early to visit your college career center
• Take advantage of free career counseling!
Stand Out in the Market: Leadership
Experience
• If there is an association for your chosen
profession, join it!
• Join at least ONE campus based organization
and obtain a leadership role
• Employers are searching for individuals who are
enthusiastic about taking strides to improve
their company
Leadership involves finding a parade and getting
in front of it.
John Naisbitt
Leadership is getting someone to do what they
don’t want to do, to achieve what they want to
achieve.
Tom Landry
Key Components of Your Resume
• A specific objective is imperative. Focus on the exact
position you are seeking at the entry level
• Choose the most successful objective
1. “To obtain a position with a progressive
organization that will fully utilize my talents and
skills”
2. “Marketing position with a computer software
vendor in the Chicago area”
Key Components of Your Resume
• Correct answer: Option 2
• Narrow your career objective in any of the
following areas: 1. Job type 2. Industry
3. Geographical area
• A well-structured objective will effectively set
you apart from competitors
The Buzzword Resume Prevails
• What are buzzwords?
The job-defined keywords representing areas of
skills the employer feels are essential to good job
performance
• More than 80% of resumes undergo electronic
“keyword searches” to sieve through applicants
(Beatty, 2006)
Sample Buzzword Categories
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Educational level
Job levels (supervisor, vice president)
College major
School name (Penn State, University of Maryland)
Professional skills (architectural drawing, marketing
research)
• Traits ( self-motivated, ability to stay on task, diligent)
Internship & Career Fair Success
In the middle of difficulty lies opportunity.
Albert Einstein
• On-campus job fairs are always the most
productive - employers already have an interest
in your college
• Be prepared—these are the first interviews you
will encounter with potential employers
Internship & Career Fair Success
What if I am unable to research prospective employers
ahead of time?
1. Make note of whom you specifically want to visit
2. After gathering hand-outs, and take a few steps back
to hear what the recruiter is asking
3. While standing in line, immerse yourself in the
information presented in the employer’s
materials
4. Network with other prospects while waiting in line
Internship & Career Fair Success
Prepare yourself fully for every employer you meet at the
job fair. You may not get a second chance.
Brian Krueger, C.P.C.
When introducing yourself to the recruiter:
1.step up with confidence
2.clearly state your mission statement and how it
matches their specific needs
Internship & Career Fair Success
• Leave a lasting impression by visiting your
“favorite” company before you leave. Thank the
recruiter and express your interest in speaking
with them soon
• Don’t forget to follow up!
Application Trend: E-Application
• If the position seems like a stretch for you, it
most likely is.
• Only send materials specified in the job
announcement
• Do not forget the cover letter!
• Keep it professional
Competitive Interview Preparation
• Dress the part; keep it professional
• Evaluate nonverbal gestures
• Interview before you interview; complete a mock
interview
Knock ‘Em Dead Interview Strategies
• Three Major Steps
1. Establish Rapport
2. Gather Information
3. Close
To be a great champion, you must believe you are the
best. If you’re not, pretend you are.
Muhammad Ali
8 Tough Interview Questions
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Tell me about yourself.
Why should I hire you?
What is your long-term goal?
How has your education prepared you for your
career?
Are you a team player?
Have you ever had a conflict with a boss or
professor? Explain how you resolved the situation.
What is your greatest weakness.
What qualities do you feel a successful manager
should possess?
Proper Interview Follow-up
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Objectively analyze the interview
Compose a traditional follow-up letter
Address the letter or e-mail to main interviewer
Send letter within 24 hours of interview
Contact the interviewer after 5 days
References
Beatty, R.H. (2006). The ultimate job search. Indianapolis, IN: Jist Works.
De Back, A. (2010). Get hired in a tough market. New York, NY: McGraw-Hill.
King, J.A., & Sheldon, B. (1995). The smart women’s guide to resumes and job
hunting (3rd ed.). Pompton Plains, NJ: Career Press, Inc.
Krueger, B. D. (2008). The college grad job hunter (6th ed.). Avon, MA:
Adams Media.
Sullivan, J.L., & Jansen, S.C. (2005). E-Application Etiquette. The Chronicle
of Higher Education. Retrieved from
http://chronicle.com/article/E-Application-Etiquette/44933/
Yate, M. (2010). Knock ‘em dead: The ultimate job search guide. Avon, MA:
Adams Media.