Making the Most of Winter Break: A Junior Perspective

This is it, people.

Winter break is days away.

I don't know about you, but I've been waiting a long time for this break. While part of me thinks the semester has flown by, so much has happened in such a short time, including here at the Career Center. From events like the Fall Career Fair, Junior Kickstart, and Senior Launch, to the rolling out of the Career Fellows program (make an appointment with us now!), and with countless info sessions, workshops, and panels along the way, I would say that the Career Center is just as ready for a break as I am. (However, the Career Center never really "breaks" - they don't stop working for students after we leave campus. You can even make a Skype/phone appointment with a Career Advisor over the break!)

While plenty of time in the coming weeks will (and should) be spent relaxing, you might get bored after doing nothing but watching every season of Friends, How I Met Your Mother, and Parks and Rec over break (confession: I did this over my last break. I'm not proud. Except I kind of am). A bunch of high-achieving Tufts nerds like us need some good intellectual stimulation once in a while. It's like food for us - if we go too long without it, we get cranky and lash out at our mothers (confession: I did this over my last break too. Again, not proud). So, before you begin your third straight week of sitting on your couch this January, consider being productive. Like the Career Center always says, winter break is the perfect time to focus on your career development. Here are a few things you can do over winter break that involve minimal effort and can put you in great shape to start the next semester off right:

I know the feeling.

Explore summer internship opportunities. Remember all those perfect internships you found on your study breaks this semester? Now is the time to learn more about them, augment your list of positions, and start filling out some applications. Speaking from experience, getting a jump now while you have a (temporary) respite from schoolwork will be hugely beneficial for you in the long-term. Be sure to set aside a good amount of time for your internship search - you'll thank yourself later.

Network in your hometown. Planning to head back home after graduation? Now is the time to explore career opportunities in your area. Whether it's contacting someone you already know, or reaching out to local professionals you don't know yet, networking is a great way to make the most of winter break. Even if you're not planning to move back home after Tufts, it can never hurt to grab coffee with someone working your dream job to learn about their story and the advice they can pass on to you. (Hint: LinkedIn is a great way to connect with professionals all over the country who want to help you succeed. Learn how to join here.)

Shadow a professional in your field of interest. If your networking travels lead you to someone particularly interesting or helpful, you may want to ask to shadow them. Short-term experiences like shadowing are a great way to get hands-on experience with a career. Even if it's only for a few days, these experiences can give you a snapshot of what a typical day or week is like for a particular profession. How do I know this? I shadowed several veterinarians two summers ago, some for several weeks and some for only a day. Regardless of the length, each and every shadowing experience I had really informed me (in really different ways) about what it means to be a veterinarian.

Attend a networking night or other career development event. Like I said, the Career Center never stops working for students. This January, there will be Tufts Alumni Career Networking Nights in both Washington, DC and New York City. For students in these areas, this is a great time to meet Tufts alumni in person (not just on LinkedIn) and learn about their careers and paths to them. If you're headed for somewhere near DC or NYC this break, check these events out! See the Career Center Events Calendar for details.

Plan a timeline for the spring. If you're still desperate for some productivity over the break, consider planning out the next few months of your life (an unknown phenomenon to me, since I barely can plan for the next week). Set a few big dates, like when you want to have all your internship applications completed and sent in and when you want to have secured an internship. You could even take a look at your class schedule and build in a weekly hour or two for personal career development time. Weekly time to work on your internship/job search, update your resume, and research careers of interest will make the entire process a lot less overwhelming than trying to cram everything into a weekend or two.



I know I've used this quote before, but it just speaks to me.

Thanks for sticking it out this far into my post, especially after I suggested preposterous notions like doing things over winter break! As I said before, winter break is of course a time to unwind and do nothing. But doing something will not only keep your mind from turning into mush before school starts again. It will get you ready to rock the upcoming semester and secure that perfect internship you've always wanted. Stay organized, stay safe, and have fun!

Until next time,
Sean Boyden
Class of 2017

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You don’t need an Aunt [or Uncle] in the business…You just have to find one

One of the most common things I hear is: “I’ll never find a job in finance because my – Dad, Mom, Uncle, Aunt, Cousin, insert any family member name here – doesn’t work in the business.” 

While having a familial connection is wonderful, it is by no means required to land a job. And to prove this, let’s take a step back for a moment… 

Many of the major financial firms are named after people: Goldman Sachs, J.P. Morgan, and Morgan Stanley to name a few. If our family theory was correct, then you would expect, accounting for marriages and name changes through the years, that about 40-50% of the employees would have the same last name as the founders of the firm. After a four second check in LinkedIn, that theory is disproven. Now that we know that you don’t need a relative in the business and that non-family members can and do get hired, the real question is, how do YOU get hired? This brings us to the second part of the title: You just have to find one. An Aunt [or Uncle], that is. 

“But how Chris?” is what I am sure you are thinking, and thank you for asking. The solution to your question is something that you do every day without even thinking about it. Think about the last meal you had. Was it with someone else? If it was, did you sit there in silence just staring at each other, or did you speak? I’m guessing there was a conversation going on. Whether it was philosophical or sophomoric, you were conversing, and that, my friend, is the answer to your question: The Conversation! 

Source: Raphael Love, Instagram

I can see the confused look on your face, and that’s OK (and no your laptop camera isn’t on). You’re wondering, “How is a conversation going to solve my issue of no relatives in the business?” Well, when you break it down, all a relative is in this situation is an advocate inside the firm, and anyone, as long as they know and like you, can be an advocate. Think about every person that you have a good relationship with, and I would bet with 100% certainty that you have had at least one, but likely many conversations with that person. It is those conversations that build the bond that makes one person want to go out of their way to help another. Familial bonds are there at birth, but bonds are built between unrelated people every day. This bond is what will make your new found Aunt or Uncle want to help you. 

The best people to help you are your fellow Jumbos in the industry, really any industry that you want to work in. How do you find us? (Yes, I am a double Jumbo.) Your best bet is to use LinkedIn and the ‘Find Alumni’ tool. Going too deep into the how will make us miss the point of today’s conversation: talking to people is the answer to our problem. 

You’re now thinking, “OK, so I talk to people. Haven’t you just disguised Networking as a Conversation?” Yes, yes, I have. But did you notice that this is the first time that scary word popped into your mind? I’m guessing it’s because I mentioned LinkedIn. LinkedIn is an amazing tool that makes the job of connecting so much easier, but when using the tool, people have looked past the real goal – having a conversation with an interesting person that will likely create an opportunity – and have turned it into – networking is the pain I must endure for the sake of getting a job. At their underlying core, they are the same thing – talking to someone to make things happen –but like most things in life, it is all about how you look at the problem. As you can imagine, I’m all for the first point of view, and not as much of a fan of the second. 

Now grab a burrito from Anna’s, sit down with a friend, and happy talking.

Chris Di Fronzo is the Director of the Tufts Finance Initiative, and a double Jumbo – BS in Mechanical Engineering, and MS in Engineering Management from The Gordon Institute. Before coming back to Tufts for the 3^rd time, Chris started his career in the software industry, and most recently built his own financial services business, while simultaneously building and leading teams in the financial industry. 

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Age of Social Media: Connecting with Recruiters

Remember the beginning days of social media - when it was claimed to be the future? The rise of Mark Zuckerberg's "The Facebook", friends in high school urging me to get on Twitter, and explaining to my parents why I really needed Facebook. It wasn't too long ago that we were teaching different generations about up and coming social media platforms, and how to connect and engage with people across the Internet. Now, mostly everyone has caught up. Companies and recruiters (and parents) are on social media.

In my Fall Cleaning post last year I covered some tips to ensure your social media presence is blemish free. In this post I want to highlight some ways you can use social media to your advantage in the job and internship search. What's particularly interesting about today's social media is the creative ways that you can not only express yourself, but reach out and connect with other people. Connect with companies and recruiters on a professional account, not a personal account. You don't want to seem creepy (Check out this video by Relationship Science). 

"Remember: don't connect with recruiters unless you've actually had a substantive conversation (in person or via email) with them!"

LinkedIn
This is the main social media professional platform for recruiters to learn about you and for you to learn about them. What I love about LinkedIn, unlike other platforms, is that you can tell who is looking at your page. Many recruiters have Premium accounts which allow them to browse accounts anonymously, leaving you wondering who is looking at your account. Having a LinkedIn presence is one of the more important things you can do to move beyond your conventional resume.  Here are some tips to leverage LinkedIn to connect with companies and recruiters:

• Look at recruiters' profiles
• Research their background, maybe you have a connection with them through their education or work
• They can see you're looking at them, and it's not creepy! It actually shows that you prepared before meeting them
• Follow the company
• Following the company you want to work for is a no-brainer.  It also puts you in the know for what's going on with that company
• Looking at a company's page will help you identify connections through your LinkedIn network. This could help in getting an informational interview with someone who works or worked at the company, and this "someone" could offer you next steps in your job/internship search
• Find the job/internship listing you're applying for
• Locating a job listing on LinkedIn could help you identify the recruiter's contact information, allowing you to address your cover letter to this person and follow up directly.  Too often, there is no name or contact information on job listings that you find on search engines or even on company websites
• Connect with the recruiter
• Only connect with the recruiter after you've had a substantive conversation through email or in person.  Recruiters often have several connections because of the nature of their job, but don't think that just because a recruiter agrees to connect that it's an indication you've got the job. It's only the first step to proving to them that you are a worthy candidate for their company

To keep this list balanced, here are some tips for How NOT to Contact Recruiters on LinkedIn in a great post by the Undercover Recruiter.

Source

Twitter
Twitter is great. To me it's a real indication of where the world is going, as it continues to provide real time updates to billions of people across the world, connecting them through 140 characters (and maybe more). Many people have Twitter handles - some are personal and some professional, so you have to decide where your Twitter account falls. If you decide that your Twitter account is personal, I highly recommend having a private account. If you want to use it to attract recruiters, have a public account so it's easy for them to follow and see your tweets. The Muse's post on 5 Proven Ways to Attract Recruiters is a great source for those looking to leverage tweeting in the job search. Here are some interesting ways to connect:

• Twitter Bio (Personal Branding)
• Make sure your personal brand is clearly communicated in your Twitter Bio. But be sure to mix in some personality
• Professional headshot and backdrop
• Use an "avi" or avatar photo that clearly shows that it's you. This is important so the recruiter can actually tell that it's you
• Follow companies and influencers
• Twitter is a great place to be in the know, especially in fields that pertain to your interests. Follow influencers, businesses, and news handles that cover your field of interest. This can reinforce to recruiters how much you want to work in that industry
• Keep it clean!
• This goes without saying, no one wants a cursing maniac in their office. Twitter is a great place for recruiters to find your voice, and also a further indicator of character when you're not in front of the recruiter directly. So remember to be professional in every tweet.
• Also make sure you're using proper grammar, for the most part! Abbreviations are welcomed on Twitter, if they are clear.
• Watch out for retweets
• Retweets are great, especially for sharing articles about topics that you think are important. However, you can get into trouble if you retweet someone who isn't professional or who tweets information that isn't factual
• If you want to be super safe, leave space in your bio that says Retweet ≠ Endorsements so you're clear to the world. Check out Mashable's perspective on retweeting!
• Mention people you've met!
• After I meet someone at an info session or talk, I mention them on Twitter. It's a great way to follow up if it was a large session or you want to reveal the events you've attended without just frankly stating it
• It may also encourage that person to follow you or retweet you, which would give you even more page views

Each social media platform is it's own animal, but what remains constant is what I call the classy rule. If you're unsure whether something is inappropriate or unprofessional, ask yourself if you'd mind your grandmother reading it. It is a surefire way to determine the class of your post.  Keep tweeting and connecting online!  Hope everyone is enjoying fall!

Carpe Diem,

Nicole Brooks

Class of 2016

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Midterm Season: 5 Simple Career Steps

My brain is fried. Is yours?

It's midterm season ladies and gents! That means it's time to retreat with the masses to Tisch, or if you're feeling extra classy, to fancy Ginn Library. It is finally time to catch up on those readings you were supposed to complete weeks ago, attempt to start and finish group projects, or memorize 50 formulas (when only 2 will be on the test). We've all been there.  Seems like yesterday it was just the first day of classes - when teachers were more interested in learning everyone's names and favorite colors rather than frying your brain with papers and exams. Time flies when you're having fun. 

In order to regain sanity in this current world of chaos I've decided to write a simple post listing some baby steps in your career search. The goal is simplicity. It's as simple as 2+2=4, but even that's not always so simple I hear. Well this list will be simpler, I promise!

1. LinkedIn Mobile App

I already spoke about the wonders of LinkedIn, the world's largest professional networking platform, in a past post. However, one of the ways to ensure that you are constantly aware of your LinkedIn presence and opportunities is by downloading the LinkedIn app! Getting notifications of potential connections, companies you are interested in, and networking with recruiters keeps you on top of improving your profile. We don't all have time to sit down and revamp our LinkedIn profile, but taking small, effortless steps each day will help to keep your page up-to-date and make you more aware of who's doing what on LinkedIn and in the real world.


2. Social Media Presence

As I stressed in a previous post, social media presence is extremely important, so, make sure your profiles are blemish free. If you're interested in using your media platforms to indicate your interests to employers, then you should demonstrate this through a retweet, a re-posting of someone else's tweet, and your following list, who you follow. Whether on Instagram, Facebook, or LinkedIn, liking and following companies you're interested in, or and applying to, is a small detail which demonstrates your commitment to the company. Also, following Influencers on LinkedIn such as Arianna Huffington and Bill Gates shows the people who look to for ideas and inspiration. Having companies' posts and influencers' opinions in your daily news feed will provide tips and advice as well as timely content for cover letters, informational interviews and actual interviews.

3. JumboJobs, LACN & engIN

Jumbo Jobs, LACN and engIN are three of the best resources available to Tufts students in the job and internship search. With a database of thousands of opportunities, Jumbo Jobs can actually be set to notify you (it's called a "job agent") about openings that match your search criteria. This makes it super easy to keep up with new listings. LACN (Liberal Arts Career Network) allows employers to broadcast to students at 35 top liberal arts colleges across the country, while engIN is 9 engineering schools sharing jobs and internships. This is particularly helpful, as the employers only want students from member schools to be able to see the job and internship opportunities, which means they're not being advertised to the rest of the world!

4. Update your resume

"Call the Career Center for an appointment!"
Source

OK, this may seem like a BIG step. Honestly, updating your resume does seem tedious, but with little effort, you can have a resume makeover in 15-30 minutes! Call the Career Center to set up an appointment with our amazing advisors, and they will look over your resume and cover letters. It's important to get as many perspectives on your resume as possible so it's polished and ready to send to employers and alumni. Career advisors are available during 15 minute drop-in appointments and 30 minute scheduled appointments (Robin Kahan, career advisor for engineers) meets with students in Anderson, Halligan and Sci-Tech!) to make it easy for students to get their resumes critiqued. "So call me, beep me, if you wanna reach me."


5. Follow Tufts Career Center!

"It's so easy a dog can do it!"
Source

It's as easy as a click! Seriously! What do you have to lose? Getting career advice and notifications of upcoming events on your Facebook and Twitter time lines is extremely helpful. Create reminders on your social media networks to alert you of upcoming events from the Tufts Career Center calendar. A simple step in career development is knowing about the various opportunities and resources for Tufts students. The Career Center is a great resource and is always ready to help, just like in this elephant family video. Help us help you!

Alright guys, hang in there! Midterm season is almost behind us, and Halloween and Thanksgiving are coming up. Talk about great incentives!  Soon enough, the midterm season fog will clear, and hope will appear on the horizon - full of fall sweater-weather days. But always remember, winter is coming.

Carpe Diem,

Nicole Brooks
Class of 2016

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"Fall Cleaning"

Alright, we've all been lectured by our parents about our social media presence. In fact, many of us find that the tables are turning and we are starting to lecture our parents on their social media practices. When it comes to our career, being particularly savvy in our increasingly connected technological world is an asset for a job candidate in any field. The ability to represent yourself virtually as well as in person is a necessity nowadays. Here are some steps toward guaranteeing that your online presence is blemish free.

Since we are going through this journey together, I've created a series of steps to check up on your online presence. It takes less than 5 minutes, trust me!

• Step 1: Google Yourself!
• I know this can seem slightly narcissistic, but it's extremely important to know what your name is attached to online. You don't want to walk into a job interview and then get questions about why you picked a certain Neopet a few years back, or why "nicky4uballergirl@aol.com" seemed like an appropriate email. Yeah, I don't know why either.
• When Googling yourself, include your school name, for example, "Jane Doe Tufts" or "Jane Doe Hogwarts." Make sure to Google your high school name too! 
• If you have a common name, you might start using your middle initial to differentiate yourself. If you share names with infamous people/celebrities, you might benefit from the inclusion of a middle initial. 
• Step 2: Review your Google images and videos
• Just to make sure none of those embarrassing videos you and your friends made in 2nd grade are still attaining internet fame, double check to ensure everything attached to your name is still relevant and you're comfortable with it being out there.

LinkedIn

Trying to ignore the whispers about the secrets and mysteries of LinkedIn? Set up a profile and haven't logged in for a few months? Have no fear! Here are some suggestions toward maintaining a strong presence on LinkedIn. Not only is LinkedIn the largest online professional networking site (300+ million people in 200+ countries), it also allows you to follow companies and leaders online. Being active on LinkedIn is a first minor step that can guarantee some online swag. One of our former bloggers, Nirvanna Lildharrie, covered some great LinkedIn tips in a post last year. Maintaining an updated LinkedIn profile is linked to an increase in the number of page views you receive, according to Forbes.

• Connections
• Only connect to people you know!
• Join groups that are an easy fit; there are many affinity groups for Tufts students and alumni.
• Six degrees of separation makes the whole world go round, especially in business!
• LinkedIn Photo
• Your LinkedIn photo should be a quality, even professional, photo of you.
• If you need a new LinkedIn profile picture, the Career Center has arranged for the university photographer to take pictures at the Career Fair in Gantcher on Wednesday October 1st.
• List it all!
• Resumes limit you to one page while LinkedIn doesn't adhere to pages. You can go into more detail, describing your experiences and activities without a word count. 
• LinkedIn is dynamic. You can link yourself to companies you've worked for and follow prospective employers, demonstrating your interest in working for them.

Twitter

Twitter is one of the easiest ways for companies to observe your online social media presence. In only 140 characters, companies can make an assumption about the type of person you are, who you affiliate with, and how you will represent the company. Scary, I know. Twitter reveals opportunities for interaction with people you don't know, as well as broadcasting your thoughts to the world within seconds. Once it's out there, it's hard to get it back - kind of like that movie filmed on Tufts campus last year. Here is a guide to Twitter etiquette that, I think, is helpful for students looking to use Twitter to display their communication skills and interests, and also for those who simply want to use Twitter just between friends.

http://gph.to/1tpCY52
Keep it classy my friends!

Facebook

Oh ye olde Facebook, how you have aged over the years. Facebook, though many of us regret to acknowledge it, remains the major social media network today. With the new attractions of Facebook, more people are connected than ever before making it easier for employers to find your profile. Though we use privacy settings to ensure our posts and photos stay within our network, the main theme of the internet still applies. Once it's up, it's up forever. Even with the most secure settings, companies are still able to find your profile, according to the Huffington Post.

"The Internet has been a boon and a curse for teenagers" -J.K Rowling. This fact is especially cringe-worthy considering how cool we all thought we were in middle school. Even though you may never be able to remove all your photos from the internet, it's important to be aware of the photos you are tagged in, and this semester is a great time to start. The Huff Post makes recommendations about the types of photos and posts you wouldn't want a potential employer (and your grandmother) to see on Facebook.

• Red Solo Cups
• There will always be a time when no other drinking receptacle is available, and a picture is snapped
• Limit the amount of these pics posted online!
• Party Pictures
• Hanging out with friends is great but make sure it's not a party you wouldn't feel comfortable explaining to your grandmother from start to finish.
• Grandmothers are great indicators of "classy"
• Complaining Posts/Rants
• As college students, we get motivated by the things we believe in. So, the next time you feel like ranting about the lack of kale served in the dining halls, make sure you remember the Golden Rule - that everyone can see it.

"You cat to be kitten me with that post!"

Start off your year right by taking these small steps to ensure that you will never be taken off guard by your social media presence. Social media is one of the best ways for companies to learn about who you are from another source.  Making sure your online presence is blemish free is an important part of conducting a job/internship search. Feel free to stop by the Tufts Career Center for a drop-in appointment if you need help with social media in your job search. Stay classy and business chic, my friends!

Carpe Diem,

Nicole Brooks
Class of 2016

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"Why do people buy Cheerios?", Part 1 of Prof. Jack Derby's advice on the job search

This past spring, I attended a workshop led by Jack Derby, a marketing professor in the Entrepreneurial Leadership Studies Department at Tufts. Jack has his own management consulting company and sits on the board of the investor network Common Angels. At Tufts, he teaches Entrepreneurial Marketing. Students in the class requested a lecture focused specifically on the job search.  In part 1 of this post, I thought I'd highlight Jack's advice for preparing your job search tools.  In part 2 of this post, I'll highlight his suggestions for the interview process.

PREPARING YOUR TOOLS

Targeting the best you

Look at your strengths and weaknesses, and work from there. One trick is to find someone on LinkedIn who has the job that you want, and look at their qualifications and strengths and how they present themselves - then aim for that as you build yourself. In the short term, you need to prepare for interviewers to ask about your weaknesses - have a response ready to counteract their concerns. To evaluate yourself, try using a SWOT analysis - a template frequently used in business to break down Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities, and Threats. You can find more on how to do a personal SWOT analysis from Forbes and Monster.com.

Resume

Your resume...is actually only “moderately important,” according to Jack. What’s more important is your CVP or Customer Value Proposition.  If you want more on resumes check out the Career Center’s links on resumes or schedule an appointment this summer to have someone look over your resume. (Yes, the Career Center is open 9am-5pm during the summer!)

CVP (Customer Value Proposition) trumps resume, aka, “Why Cheerios is the best-selling cereal” 

This is the part of Jack’s presentation that really stood out to me, and I think it’s an idea that I will keep in mind for the rest of my life. He took out a little box of Cheerios, and told us that Cheerios are the best selling cereal in the world - with twice the sales of any other cereal. He asked us why, and people said because they’re healthy, they’re good for your heart. And that is the Cheerios value proposition: that’s what they say they’ll do for you.

The nutrition facts on the side of the box? That’s your resume. It’s dry and boring, and it’s not important in the purchasing process. People don’t buy this product because it has 3 grams of fiber and the ingredients list has whole grain oats and trisodium phosphate. Yeah, 3 grams of fiber, so what? People buy Cheerios because Cheerios are pitched as being healthy and good for your heart. What does this tell us? Well, it’s not really about your specifications. It’s about the value you will deliver.

I think this mentality is the most important thing I’ve learned from Jack. Look at your resume (or any answer to an application/interview question) and ask yourself, “So what?” Okay, I did this internship and I completed these tasks. So what? I have experience in A and B area. So what? I can help your company improve in this area because I bring X and Y to the table. That's what you need to get to. What is your value? I don’t care about ingredients - what can you do for me?

LinkedIn

Employers really do search for you on LinkedIn - an interviewer has asked me about things mentioned on my profile. It’s a chance to flesh out your experience without the limits of a one-page resume. For example, my LI profile has links to blog posts I’ve written. Here is Jack’s list of LinkedIn best practices (because a badly done LinkedIn profile may be worse than none at all):

• Complete profile (i.e. fill things out)
• Professional-looking headshot 
• At least 150 connections 
• At least 5 recommendations (written positive reviews - not to be confused with endorsements, which are just a +1 for a particular skill) 

Email signature

Here’s what you should have in the automatic signature at the bottom of your email:

• Name 
• School & graduation year 
• Cell phone number 
• LinkedIn 
• Twitter 

This makes it easy for the recipient to remember you and to reply later. And perhaps most importantly, your LinkedIn allows them to effortlessly find more info on you.

References

Keep in contact with past employers so they remember you and retain a positive impression. Ask them to write you recommendations on LinkedIn and then potential employers who might not bother to spend time actually calling people will still get positive reviews of you.

Personal blog or website

Many people might claim to be really passionate and experienced with x topic, but with a blog, you’re putting your money where your mouth is. It’s an extra step that makes you stand out from your peers (more on that in our previous blog post on How To Get A Job With Fluffy Liberal Arts Skills)

Next time, I'll highlight Jack's thoughts on the interview process.

Reach out to Jack! 

I know this sounds cheesy, but Jack really is dedicated to helping students succeed in their careers. He stays in touch with his students, and one day in class he mentioned that he’d woken up early for a 4am phone call with a former student in Singapore (12 hour time difference). He has a very extensive network and frequently recommends students to his contacts. He's been giving me frequent advice on a tricky situation I've been dealing with, and connected me to his friend who had done a talk for our class. I met with him for an informational interview, and he's now going to forward my resume to some of his contacts. But don’t expect Jack to hand you a job on a silver platter. Do your homework and show him you’re worth it.

His email is on the last slide of the presentation (I don't want to write his email out because of spam bots), or you can find him on LinkedIn.

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Start Your Job Hunt in 6 Steps!

Hey Seniors! Midterm season is coming to a close and the halfway point of our senior year is slowly creeping up on us... 

And if you're anything like me and my friends, maybe you've been having some weird stress dreams lately.

Or have been breaking out into belligerent crying fits every once and a while... 

Well, whether or not the behaviors above fit your character, it's about time for us all to face the inevitable truth: We can't remain at our beloved Tufts University forever. The job hunt must begin! 

But then come a series of questions: What do I want to do? Where do I start? What can I even do? How can I do what I really want to do? Where does my liberal arts degree fit into the job world? How can I make best use of my skills? How can I be the happiest? How can I make change? How can I make the most money?

And there are probably a million other questions you can add to the list...

Well, don't fret, Seniors! Tufts Career Center has some tips and steps for you on where and how you can get started on your job search right now!

Step 1: Self-Assessment

To help you get a good idea of some places to start, ask yourself questions like: What's your story? What makes you unique? What do you believe in? How do you want to develop? 

And don't forget-- For many people, careers are more like jungle gyms than ladders, and your first job will most likely be a step in the journey, rather than the final destination. Your first job is usually just your first job.

If you're having trouble with this step, you can always call (617) 627-3299 to schedule an appointment with a Career Counselor. The Career Center is here to coach you throughout the career process; you don't have to do it all alone!

Step 2: Use your new-found self-knowledge to brainstorm what you can do.

Not what you "want" to do because you'll never really know what that might be until you try! So think: Where can you use your strengths and skills? Where can you pursue your interests? Where can you put your values to work? Establish specific goals, and then determine 2-3 potential career fields that are compatible with your interests, skills, and values. You might want to check out the "Careers & Majors" section on the Career Center Website.

If you're having trouble with this step (hint-hint!), you can always call (617) 627-3299 to schedule an appointment with a Career Counselor. The Career Center is here to coach you through the career process; you don't have to do it all alone!

Step 3: Talk to people who are doing similar things.

If someone from your high school who you never even met emailed you asking questions about Tufts and what you do here, would you respond? Few of us wouldn't. You'd probably either be really eager to share your wisdom, or you'd just see yourself in that adorable little prospy (slang for "prospective student") and just answer them to be nice! 

The Career Center recommends using LinkedIn to perform informational interviews with people who work in fields of interest. 

What all this means is: Find a way to reach out to an alum who is currently on a path you want to explore, and write them saying, "Hello! I'm a Senior, majoring in X, looking to do Y. I see you do Z. Please tell me more! I also have these questions: a, b, c? THANK YOU."

Our post on LinkedIn includes a lot of great tips on how to reach out to the alumni.

And of course (nudge-nudge!), if you're having trouble with this step, you can always call (617) 627-3299 to schedule an appointment with a Career Counselor. The Career Center is here to coach you through the career process; you don't have to do it all alone!

Step 4: Prepare your marketing materials and skills.

Now that you're all focused, update your resume! Perfect your cover letters! Assemble your references! Sharpen your interviewing skills by practicing!

If you're having trouble with any of this (wink-wink!), call (617) 627-3299 to schedule an appointment with a Career Counselor for resume and cover letter critiques, one-on-one counseling, and mock interviews. The Career Center is here to coach you through the career process; you don't have to do it all alone! 

Step 5: Research companies

Potential employers can be found on Jumbo Jobs, through the On-Campus Recruiting program, Career Center programs (like career panels, networking events, info sessions), alumni networking contacts via LinkedIn and the Tufts Career Advisory Network (Tufts CAN), professional associations, and on and off-campus Career Fairs (a list of which is available at the bottom of the Tufts Career Homepage).

Research each one online (company Facebook, Twitter, and LinkedIn profiles are great for this), and see if you can connect with alums who work or have worked there for insider advice. 

If you're having any trouble with this step (cough--ahem!), you can call Tufts Career Center at (617) 627-3299 to schedule an appointment with a Career Counselor. The Career Center is here to coach you through the career process; you don't have to do it all alone!

Step 6: Get organized and Apply

Before you begin to apply to jobs, you'll need to establish an organized system to stay on top of your progress. We recommend compiling a list of job openings and companies looking to hire on a spreadsheet or within a file system. List employers of interest, contacts, important dates, and next steps. Once your system is all set up, begin to initiate contact with employers. Submit your resume with a focused cover letter and then follow up. 

And of course, if you're having trouble with this step, you know what to do! (Call (617) 627-3299 to schedule an appointment with a Career Counselor. The Career Center is here to coach you through the career process; you don't have to do it all alone!)

These 6 steps will lead you to people, will lead you to interviews, will lead you to first jobs, will lead you to careers. As a senior myself, I know how incredibly emotional and nerve-wrecking this process is, but the glass is also half full: the job hunt can also be exciting! 

And if you learn only one thing from this post, please let it be that the Career Center is here to coach you through the career process. You don't have to do it all alone! You can always call (617) 627-3299 to schedule an appointment with a Career Counselor for assistance with any of these steps.

Happy hunting, Jumbos!

Until next time,

Best regards,

Nirv

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LinkedIn: Your New Favorite Networking Tool

By now, you've at least heard about LinkedIn, the largest online professional networking site... And perhaps you've already made a LinkedIn profile to market your skills and make you look really good when people Google-search your name-- great!

...But now what? Now that you've created your LinkedIn profile, what are the best ways to use it?

You'll be happy to learn-- LinkedIn is far more than just a marketing tool: It's also a networking and research tool that really can, through harvesting valuable connections and focusing your job search, help you get hired.

Here's HOW:

Make *Meaningful* Connections
You always want to connect with people you know (otherwise it's a little creepy [just a little]), so maybe start with your family and friends! Best practice is to delete the "I'd like to add you to my professional network," and replace it with a personal message about how you know your connection, including their name and the words "thank you." LinkedIn is not like Twitter, where it's socially acceptable to follow anyone, or like Facebook where you can friend everyone you met once and their dog (if ONLY puppies had social networking sites!). With LinkedIn you need to be both professional and personable--so channel that deep-seated anxiety you have about your Twitter and Facebook profiles possibly preventing you from getting a job into the idea that maybe LinkedIn will!

Research Companies

There's a "Search Companies" function on LinkedIn where you can search companies by size, location, industry, or keyword. This is great for narrowing your job search or researching a company you're applying to. LinkedIn also shows you if there's anyone in your network employed at the organization. 

Prepare for Interviews

Before an interview, you should definitely look over the company's LinkedIn Page, as well as your interviewer's profile. Pay close attention to the company's values and culture, as well as the skills and job functions utilized by its employees. Think about way you have exhibited the same traits and used the same skills.

Join Tufts Groups
There are over 100 Tufts groups on LinkedIn--many of which are career-specific--so join as many Tufts groups as you find intriguing. Looking for a good place to start? The two largest Tufts groups on LinkedIn: Tufts University Professional Network and Tufts University Alumni are must-joins.

Gather Networking Contacts 

In Your Groups

Search your groups for potential networking contacts. Anyone doing anything you'd like to be doing? Anyone working for a company you'd like to work for? 

Using the "Find Alumni" Tool

Under the "Network" tab, LinkedIn has this AWESOME "Find Alumni" tool that can help you search your alma mater's alumni (THOUSANDS OF JUMBOS!) by keyword, company, location, major, activity, or field! Look for people whose career path is relevant to your interests, and then...

Network with Contacts!

Even if you're not connected, LinkedIn allows group members to message each other. So no need to pay money for InMail--Just search a contact's name in the group to send them a message... But not just any message:

THE INFORMATIONAL INTERVIEW

This is essentially the meat (or tofu, if you're vegetarian) of LinkedIn networking. This is what you need to do to get you a job. I strongly suggest reading through this link, especially page 4 on Informational Interviews. In the meantime, here is a sample LinkedIn message:

Subject line: Tufts IR major seeking career advice 

Dear Mr./Ms. (Last Name),

I’m a senior IR major at Tufts and I found your name 

through the Tufts International Relations Program group 

on LinkedIn. From your LinkedIn profile, I see that you’ve 

worked at a variety of NGOs, most recently in Syria.

As I’ve focused my own studies on the Middle East, 

including time spent studying abroad in Cairo, I’d like to 

return to the region after college. I’d love to hear about 

your own experiences living and working in the region, as 

well as any advice you might have for me as I begin an 

international job search.

I wonder if you might have 20 minutes to speak, at your 

convenience, on the phone or via Skype. Thank you for 

considering my request.

Sincerely,

Your Name

Tufts University, Class of XXXX

Perfecting Your Profile
Before you begin using LinkedIn to network, you'll want to make sure your profile says everything you want it to say and is ready to go! Here are some of my favorite Career Center tips:

• Fill in your experience; don't be shy. Your resume should only be one page, so here is the place to show off what you've accomplished in detail. Use targeted keywords and don't forget about any projects, organizations, volunteer work, and causes you've been involved with.
• Update your headline. "Graduating Economics major seeking financial analyst position"--be direct and simple, but also engaging and meaningful.
• Upload a professional photo. You wouldn't trust someone without a profile photo--Adding a face to your profile breeds familiarity, which breeds trust, which is essential to networking.
• Tell your story. The section that says "Summary" is where you can write about what you do and why--or what you'd like to do and why! Write your summary in first person to add a voice to your profile, include targeted words, and keep it career-oriented.
• Market your skills. Give yourself credit for your areas of expertise-- What languages do you speak? Which computer programs or websites can you use proficiently? Are there any skills that you picked up while working in the lab?
• Pick a location and industry--any location and industry! It doesn't have to be "Higher Education in the Greater Boston Area" just because we're Tufts students on the Medford campus. Gives some thought to where you want to be.
• Include all of your links. Have a blog or Twitter that you're looking to show off to a potential employer? Link away! You can also link from your blog/Twitter to your LinkedIn.
• Don't forget to proofread. Because your skills should never be upstaged by the wrong "your" or "there." Because you care.
• Personalize your URL. So that when you include your LinkedIn address on your resume and emails, you won't have to remember: LinkedIn.com/abcdefg983745905820917452334.
• Publicize your profile! Your LinkedIn is one of the few things about you on the internet that you want everyone to see. That being said, it's best to update your privacy settings so you are in fact visible to "everyone."

If you found these tips helpful and want to learn more, call the Tufts Career Center at (617) 627-3299 to pre-register for our next LinkedIn Lab on Wednesday, October 23rd, 12-1pm in Eaton 208.

Until next time,
Best regards,
Nirvanna

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LinkedIn 102: Style my Profile

By Angela Sun

So you've got an imported resume and are on a steady route to building your 500+ connections. Now what? You look over the shoulders of Joe Schmo next to you and it's all oatmeal. Profile after profile, everyone looks the same.

Since our LinkedIn 101 blog post from last year, the platform has evolved dramatically. Beyond a new layout, there are many nifty features that I would dare to say not many people know about. So if you're ready for a little flavor, log in to your LinkedIn to take advantage of these tips!


Custom URL

It's your page, so claim your custom URL before someone else does. Under your name at the top right-hand corner of the screen, click 'Settings'. Find 'Edit your public profile'. And at the bottom right hand corner you will see a 'Your public profile URL' box. There you can 'Customize your public profile URL'. 

For example, instead of random numbers following '/in/', my URL is www.linkedin.com/in/asun2013. I've streamlined it with my Twitter and other online presence so it's neat and easy to remember. Now I can link people to my LinkedIn page on my resume, in emails, etc. 

Applications

This really is one of the best ways to set your profile apart. Just like how applications allow you to customize your mobile devices, LinkedIn is supporting a growing number of applications that allow you to customize your profiles!

The selection is still limited right now, but quite powerful. Here are just a couple recommendations:

Box.net
This application allows you to upload documents like PowerPoints, Word, and Excel documents. Upload your resume, writing samples (news clips, academic papers), presentations, and more.

Creative Portfolio Display
If you have an visual work, whether you're an artist or a graphic designer, this application allows you to showcase your work right on your profile.

Blog Link/ WordPress
Keep an interesting, professional blog? Embed your blog with these tools.

Refer to this page for more applications.

On the note of social media integration, as of a few months ago Twitter has ended its syndication agreement with LinkedIn. There is a fascinating read on fortune CNN about the business and social media marketing strategy beyond this break-up. For any of you interested in these fields, check it out!

Signatures and Embeds

Link people to your linkedIn profile from by creating a custom email signature here. Mine looks like this:








You can also create LinkedIn buttons to embed on your personal website, blog and more. These are available under the same box you accessed above to create a custom URL.

Groups

Tufts Career Center recommends that all Tufts students join the Tufts University Professional Network and Tufts University Alumni groups.  This will instantly grow your network and connect you with thousands of Tufts alums.  Of course not all groups on LinkedIn are as useful as these. However, if you are able to find one that is active, you can connect with other professionals, often times many levels higher than you, get interesting articles on what's trending in the industry, and job/internship postings!

Trials

Once in a while, LinkedIn will offer a free trial of LinkedIn Premium. Here is a list of how the different options stack up. Feel free to take this opportunity to check out some of the different perks of LinkedIn Premium, but remember to cancel your subscription if you don't plan on continuing at the end of your trial.

The two features I found most useful is the ability to send InMail (direct messages) to anyone, and the ability to save profiles. However, I didn't find either compelling enough for me to get Premium at this point. I could still send brief messages to cold contacts in inviting them to be part of my network (hint:  select 'friends' under 'how you know this person' if it is a cold contact). And of course, I could save profiles just by saving the URL myself.

Sample Profiles

I am still working on mine, but feel free to check out these examples of people who have put a lot of TLC into their profiles. Depending on your network, you may or may not be able to see some of these profiles. Either way, what you will notice is that these users worked hard on the content of their profiles, from recommendations, to detailed descriptions of their various positions. But so long as you can get some quality content on your profile, you probably won't need to have that many recs/ descriptions.

And if you stopped by my LinkedIn, feel free to send me an invitation to connect. I would love to add you to my network.

You can also drop a line for post ideas/ comments via career.services@ase.tufts.edu.

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