Day(s) in the Life! Fresh Grad, iMentor, BlackRock

Our Twitter handle, @NYUWassEmployer has been getting lots of love from different employers! If you’re interested in checking out how things go for people at BlackRock,

How to avoid a future like Leah Dunham’s character on ‘Girls’

In the HBO series ‘Girls’ Leah Dunham’s character, Hannah, finds herself at a crossroads when she fails to her turn her internship into a job after a year of working there… for free.

How do we college students avoid having to move back to our parent’s house, work at local restaurants and default on our student loans?

Below are a few tips to get you at least a little closer to a job offer letter.

Be Proactive:

Nearly every article, employer and advice columnist urges interns to do this. It is essential that employers see you really showing what you are made of.  If you finish your tasks don’t log on to Facebook or Twitter, ask for more work, reach out to other employees and asks them questions. Use your time there as the ultimate learning resource. Show your employers what kind of employee you’d be, believe it or not they are watching.

Speak Up:

Terry Pile at Fox News wrote a great article on how to get hired after an internship. Perhaps the most interesting piece of advice was to not be shy about expressing your goals and wants. Too often, especially among women, we feel that we shouldn’t speak up for whatever irrational fears we may have. This is doing a serious disservice to yourself and your career.

Pay Attention to Office Culture:

Often times getting hired has a lot to do with that dread “N” word- Networking. But paying attention the daily interactions and practices of the office can help. By adapting to the culture you make it easier for the staff to bond with you and really see you as part of the team.

Sneak peak: FreshGrad offers a new way to look at job searching

Welcome to a day at FreshGrad! Haven’t heard of us? We understand. Right now, we’re hard at work to launching our website in August.

Some quick information about us: FreshGrad is dedicated to giving NYU/NYU Poly and Columbia students and graduates the tools they need to stand out in this big world’s job market. Using key descriptive terms to place the student’s strengths and weaknesses, FreshGrad then chooses jobs that fit their psychographic profile. To apply and refine their results, the students then move on to build a resume, using a clear, direct template to display to employers.

My name is Mia and I am a proud intern on the FreshGrad team. In that case, you may wonder why I’ve referred to myself as part of this team.

This is no paper-pushing, coffee-fetching internship. I work as a part of the main team, aside the CEO and every member of the team to build a revolutionary product. The work that I do contributes directly to the success of this company, and is a great source of pride for me, not to mention an (sterling) addition to my resume.

I’m here to tell you what a day in the office is like.

To preface my daily duties, I’d like to say that I work in a beautiful Fifth Avenue office with a team of great people that truly value my input and are excellent company. The office environment is welcoming and comfortable, combining serious work with playful attitude.

Now, on to the good stuff.

During a normal week, I spend my Wednesdays in the office and Mondays working remotely. Every Wednesday we have the weekly meeting to hear about progress and address concerns. We also discuss further goals to ensure that we never lose our focus of providing the best product to our students. What comes next often depends on the day. Some days, I accompany staff to a career fair to promote our software and make our name known; more recently, I’ve been residing in the office to proctor our software beta tests. Students are treated to a complementary (delicious) breakfast spread and a sneak-peek at what’s to come when the site launches in August. In addition, they are also added to an exclusive mailing list keeping them in the loop of the exciting events we have in preparation for our full site launch.

A good amount of my job entails university outreach. It’s my responsibility to invite as many people from multiple backgrounds to participate in the FreshGrad experience. Sometimes we do it at a career fairs or we hold on-campus beta tests. Soon enough, we’ll be releasing a special test via email so students can take part in the comfort of their own homes.

Amidst my work, the opportunities are endless. I am given daily networking connections through meeting sponsors or students, and am graced by good company on that same daily basis. FreshGrad is giving me the tools I need to succeed, and it can do the same for you!

How to Tuesday: How to Rock the Class of 2013 Resume Book Collection

Class of 2013! You’re just a couple of weeks away from senior year. Which means…. its time to start looking for jobs!

Still reading? Okay great..

Don’t you wish a magical job fairy would find the perfect job for you, and send employers scrambling to call you? Well, we have the closest thing: Resume Books! Put your best foot forward and let the employers who want you, find you themselves.

Starting TODAY until Thursday, May 17, 2012 at 3pm, the Wasserman Center for Career Development will collect resumes for the Class of 2013 Resume Book Collection . These books will be distributed to hundreds of employers in industries such as government/nonprofit,  finance, marketing, engineering and technology, advertising, public relations, entertainment, health care, consulting, education, real estate and many more, and serve as one source for recruiting Class of 2013 graduates.

The Steps in a Nutshell (Must be completed by May 17th 3pm):
1) a) Meet the eligibility requirements below. b) Come in during walk-ins and get your resume signed off on by a counselor.

Yes, you must still come in – even if someone here has looked at your resume before. It never hurts to get another set of eyes on it!

2) Submit the signed form and hard copy of your resume book to the recruitment desk.

3) Select up to 4 books for your resume to be included in

4) Complete the electronic upload process (you’ll get these instructions after we receive your hard copy).

Eligibility Requirements:
- Be officially recognized by the University as receiving an academic degree (Bachelor, Master or PhD) in January, May or September 2013 (certificate candidates, MBAs and Law students are NOT eligible).

-Get your resume critiqued and signed off on by the Wasserman Center or NYU-Poly Career Center staff before the deadline. Click here for the Wasserman walk in hours schedule. Click here for the NYU-Poly walk in hours schedule. This must take place even if a counselor has looked at your resume in the past.

For detailed submission instructions go to http://www.nyu.edu/careerdevelopment/students/recruitment/resume_book.php

In case you missed it: COED Media’s day in the life

Did you miss Amanda’s tweets of her day as the Marketing Manager at COED Media? You can follow her tweets from the trenches of the marketing world here!

 

 

Don’t forget to follow us at @NYUWassEmployer for the latest on ‘day in the life.’

WasserWord of the Week: Dress Code/Professional Attire

Dress Code: formally or socially imposed standards of dress

There are a myriad of rules and suggestions for appropriate business dress. For interviews or events it is important to know what it means to adhere. Definitions of “dress code” usually fall into 3 different categories:

Business appropriate attire is generally a suit. For women, some dresses accompanied by a blazer are also appropriate. Choose basic colors (navy, charcoal gray, brown, or black) and keep the styles simple.

Business casual is a very popular dress code these days. This most often refers to slacks with a sweater or a casual blazer. Contrary to what many believe, putting a blazer over jeans does not make it business casual. Jeans are a strictly casual clothing item and should never be worn to an interview or an employer event.

Social/Evening wear is for formal events only. Do not wear an evening gown or a tuxedo to an interview or an event unless explicitly asked to do so.

Shoes should be conservative. Women, this means no stiletto heels, platforms, or open-toes. Men, stick with basic black or brown dress shoes in classic styles.

Accessories should always be simple and minimal. Ladies, do not wear overly large jewelry as it may be distracting during an interview. Men and women, if you have any facial piercings consider removing them for the event.

Always find out what the dress code is for an event you are attending. If in doubt, wear a suit. It is always better to be dressed more professionally than to appear too casual. Remember the old adage, “Dress for the job you want, not the job you have!”

How to Tuesday: Mastering the Career Change

Are you thinking about a career change? If so, it’s a good time to assess your current situation, explore different career options and choose a career that will best satisfy you and meet your goals.

Below are a few steps to point you in the right direction towards making a successful career change.

  • Evaluate your current job situation. Keep a journal and record your reactions to daily work situations and look for reoccurring situations and emotions you experience. What aspects of your current job do you like/dislike?
  • Asses your interests, skills and values. Make a list of successful past job experiences, volunteer work, projects you’ve worked on and activities you engage in during your free time. Determine whether your values and skills are addressed through your current occupation.
  • Brainstorm new career options. Discuss your ideas with friends, family, networking contacts and career counselors. Visit the Wasserman Center and make an appointment with a counselor who can help walk you through the career change process.
  • Do your research. Read as much as you can about the fields you are interested in and reach out to personal contacts you have in those areas. Scheduling an informational interview and/or shadowing one of those contacts is a great way to learn more about a particular career field.

Career counselors are also here to help make this transition seamless! Feel free to make an appointment to discuss!

What now, Wasserman? The Overseas Job Search

After studying abroad and traveling through Europe, I think I’d like to work abroad when I graduate. This seems a daunting task as job hunting is tough enough already. How do I search for jobs overseas? What now, Wasserman?

-Apprehensive Abroad

Dear Apprehensive,

While it may seem a herculean endeavor, finding work abroad is actually more feasible now than ever. First things first, you need to think long and hard about where you want to go. There is a lot to consider in deciding on a country to live and work in. Before getting on a plane with a stack of resumes, you need to first do extensive research on the country you are considering. A work permit is necessary to be legally employed, so you will need to research your chosen country’s policies ahead of time.

Make sure your resume is appropriate for the country you will be applying for jobs in. International resumes differ from domestic resumes and you need to ensure you are submitting an appropriate CV. Schedule an appointment with a career counselor to be certain it is the correct length and includes any additional information they may expect.

So you have your country picked out and your resume updated.. what now? Fortunately, the Wasserman Center has a vast array of resources available to help you find work abroad. Start by visiting the global resources on our website, or information and job listings for countries around the world. You can also access the GoingGlobal database through NYU CareerNet, which contains more than 80,000 pages of information from work visas to employment trends and everything in between. Ready to apply for that dream job now? Good luck! Buona fortuna! Bonne chance!

How to Tuesday GLOBAL: Tips for International Interviews and Job Searches

We’re going GLOBAL this  How To Tuesday. Check out some general tips for international job searches and interviews:

  • Don’t criticize the host country/politics/military operations/national religion(s)/members of royal families during your interview(s). 
Note: In some countries, such as Thailand, speaking ill of the royal family in public is a criminal offense.
  • Don’t be surprised if you are asked to come in for multiple interviews, or encounter interview formats you are unfamiliar with (i.e. Board interviews).
  • Don’t wait until they contact you, in many countries being proactive (especially as a foreign applicant) is an asset and shows initiative.
  • Entrance exams and psychometric/psychological testing before the interview can be common.
  • Don’t criticize former employers.
  • Obtaining copies of your diploma(s) and certification(s) before you apply will save time. Note: many countries require these documents to be attached to your CV/resume.
  • Be aware of typical management styles and office environments of the host country.
  • Don’t underestimate the power of networking with contacts in the host country, especially if you are able to visit before beginning your official job search process.
  • It is advisable to write in both English and the host country’s national language, unless the employer conducts business exclusively in English. However, if you are not fluent or at a minimum conversational in the host country language this is not a good business practice.
  • Utilize your contacts in the host country or those who have worked in the country to network, often this is the best way to obtain interviews for foreign applicants.
  • Find out what style of business dress is typical and adhere to those standards during interviews and for any photos that may need to be attached to your CV/Resume.
  • Use country specific information when it comes to manners and culturally sensitive, culturally correct terminology (in both written and spoken formats).  Note: in some languages it is always inappropriate to use informal pronouns when addressing employers or those higher in the office hierarchy.
  • Be aware that the application process and visa process can take several months.
  • Some countries prefer factual CV /resumes others like will like a sales document, research before applying.
  • Be punctual

Traits that make a successful international/foreign employee experience:

Enjoy change, enjoy challenges, ability to cope with stress, understanding of culture shock, flexibility, humor, self-knowledge, emotionally stable, patience, curiosity, language skills, self-discipline, versatility in working experiences, organizational skills, people skills, diplomacy, resourcefulness.

 

Job Hunting and Email Etiquette

The most common form of communication while searching for a job is via email. Therefore it’s important to keep your emails very professional. Here are some tips to keep in mind when communicating with potential employers:

  • State your reason for writing the email up front: Within the first two sentences you should state your reason for emailing.
  • Keep your emails short and simple: Its very tempting to tell your life story over email because its less intimidating and also because you want to make a good impression. However most employers are very busy and don’t have time to read long emails.
  • Always leave multiple ways for them to follow up with you: Rewrite your email address and telephone number at the end of the email. This way the person can choose how they want to follow up with you.
  • Always attach your resume: It’s a great way to sell yourself and can say more about you than an email can.
  • Follow up (within reason): If you don’t receive a response right away, wait a week or two before you follow-up with an additional email. If you still don’t get a response, chances are you never will. That’s the nature of the job hunt. Keep looking for other jobs/contacts