Advice for your First Winter Break!

This is for the first years who have never had a Winter Break last more than two weeks. While upperclassmen discuss the Winternships they're doing or all the cool networking and applying they plan on doing, there's definitely a pressure to get some career stuff happening over the break.

Break will be here before you know it! (source)

As first-years (and second-years as well!), this is a good time to "prep" your career. You don't need to be out there working to work on your career development. Working on your career can be something you do from the comfort of your own couch this break!

Aww, the Career Center wants to see you, too! (source)

One resource that will be available to you over the break is the Career Center!  Here are a few ways you can work with them:

1. Have a virtual appointment* The Career Center is open to your questions and resume critiques throughout the winter break. You can call or email any of your questions, and Skype appointments are available as well. Just call so that you can get in contact with the proper person.
2. Have a Skype/phone mock interview* Not only is it important to practice how to conduct yourself during an interview, but there are specific things to practice during a Skype/phone interview as well! Here's some helpful tips on the different types of interviews from the Career Center website.
3. Come on in! If you're local, come say hi to the Career Center! It's a bit slower this time of year, so there is more availability for appointments. Again, just call beforehand.
4. Check up on our job/internship opportunities. Each day, employers are adding new opportunities for Tufts students for internship and job positions. Stay tuned!
5. Look through our resources! The Career Center website has sooo much to offer on its own, including the Winter Break Guides for each class year.   If you ever get tired of your Facebook newsfeed, try switching to the Career Center website! We have resources for internship search, job or fellowship search, tips for resumes and cover letters, and so much more <-- so many hyperlinks!! :D

(*You can make an appointment by calling: 617-627-3299)

Whenever you're done with...whatever it is you're doing...(source)

A lot of what you can accomplish career-wise over break won't take more than a couple spare hours a week. Whenever you find time between Netflix episodes, maybe sit at your hometown café and leisurely work on one or a few of these career necessities:

1. Create/Update your resume. This is especially important for freshman and sophomores who may not even have a resume. Without a resume you can't apply for a internship, and if you don't keep it updated, it could be a disaster trying to make changes right before a deadline!
2. Create a LinkedIn profile. In the similar vein of having a resume, LinkedIn is a great way to connect with professionals and get noticed by recruiters. 
3. Look for summer opportunities. Maybe the deadline is far away, but winter break is the perfect to start looking. Hopefully by next semester, you have a narrowed down list of opportunities that you can start applying for. And of course, you can bring this list to the Career Center for help on apps!
4. Look at the Alumni page.  Tufts Alum extend to all career fields, and rest assured, there's nothing people love more than talking about how they got to where they are today. Send out a few e-mails asking for informational interviews and see what happens. But don't be too sad if they don't respond--it is the holidays after all...

There are a lot of important things to get done around break (source)

Speaking of the holidays, remember: It's still break! You deserve to laze around and enjoy your time with friends, family, and probably TV. Here's a list of non-career activities that I suggest:

1. Do absolutely nothing for at least one full day
2. Watch Netflix all day and night until other people think I've died
3. Visit friends and family to reassure them that I'm alive
4. EAT HOMECOOKED FOOD!!
5. Read a book! 
6. Probably hug your dog/cat/gerbil/fish/pet rock (I have no pets--not even a pet rock, so I'm very jealous)

If you try to get a little bit of career work done each week, by the end of the break, you'll be surprised by what you bring to the Career Center next semester.

Get pumped for the holiday season! (source)

Enjoy your time at home! It's been great spreading Career Center cheer throughout this semester~~

Thanks for reading and see you in January!

Nina Joung

Class of 2018

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First-Years' Guide to the Career Fair (taught through Parks and Recreation)

The Tufts Career Fair is next week.

If that statement scares you, and if you're a first-year, this article could SAVE you.

This big event is happening on Wednesday, September 30 from 11:30 to 2:30 in Gantcher gym (where Fall Gala was). The Career Fair can be overwhelming and intimidating, but that should only be the case if you have no idea what you're doing. Hopefully after reading these steps and tips, you'll have the confidence of a junior/senior (but without the actual pressure to find a job *thank goodness*). 

Confession: The only two times I've gone to the gym were for Fall Gala and the Career Fair...what is exercise?
(Career Center)

Before the fair

1. Update or create your professional resume! You and the delete button are really going to get to know each other during this process...Although there are some aspects of high school that can still be used in a first-year's college resume, (i.e. GPA, related experiences, outstanding achievements) most of your resume will need a MAJOR college makeover. 

My high school resume
(www.buzzfeed.com)

Thankfully, the Career Center is having three resume critique events, Sept. 24, 25 and 28 (Click here for details) Of course, you can also go to the Career Center's drop-in hours for resume critiques.

2. Make it work! This event is all about first impressions and interactions, so presentation is key. If you put effort into a professional outfit, employers and recruiters will see that you are serious about wanting to speak with them. Luckily, for first-years, you don't necessarily need to wear a suit, but definitely no gym clothes (even though we're in Gantcher) and no sloppy looking clothes. (Tip: wear comfy shoes walking TO the fair, and change them before you start meeting employers--let's not relive the struggles of walking in heels to Fall Gala)

Looking good can make a municipal building look like a runway
(www.vulture.com)

One perk of really dressing the part is that there will be a LinkedIn photo booth taking professional head shots that you can use for your professional profile. (Because, unfortunately, no employer wants to see a selfie as your LinkedIn profile pic...)

3. Get the Career Fair App! Use the Tufts Career Fair Plus app to get all the information you need for the fair. With the new app, you can add career center events to your phone's calendar, find career fair tips, see a list of employers and view a map of employer tables.

The app is perfect for organizing your plan at the Career Fair - use the app's list of employers, filter your search by job type or major, and favorite the ones you're interested in seeing. Read their bio on the app and link to the company website. Then, use the map to know where their table is located. It's called the Job Hunt, right? You got to strategize your attack!

At the Fair

1. Take it all in...Get a feel for the setting. It can be intimidating to be around so many recruiters, but there's no need to rush right into it. Notice where everyone stashes their backpacks and extra stuff before heading out to fair. Also, the Career Center will have a table right at the entrance to answer any questions or concerns you have. 

If you feel like this at the Career Fair, come by the Career Center table. Please.
(fictionalcharactermbti.tumblr.com)

2. Actually talk to someone. Whether you're at the career fair to look for an internship, or you just want to see what the fair is like, don't waste an opportunity to practice talking to companies. You should have a general "Elevator Pitch" practiced or at least in mind with information like:

• You name, class and (prospective) major
• Things in your background that relate to the particular employer (activities, interests, projects, research, work, volunteer experience...)
• Questions to keep the conversation going such as: Could you tell me a little more about the internship program that you mention on your website? What skills/experiences do successful interns have? 

This should not be your main selling point...
(www.cosmo.ph)

If you have no idea what to say to a company representative, this is your opportunity to listen in on other people's conversations with employers and learn. Afterwards, you can step aside, take a few minutes to research the company, and come back later to talk.

3. Be mindful. Be aware of your body language. (just be an attentive listener - good posture, good eye contact, and try to hide the fear in your eyes...) Also, be considerate to other students who want to speak with the employer. If you see a huge line forming behind you, don't be a jerk. Ask for a business card to continue the conversation later (Tip: write down notes about the conversation on the back of the card!).

Don't be a jerk, cuz Andy's allergic.
(giphy.com)

After the fair

1. Reflect! Think about what opportunities sounded cool and what companies you liked. Also research the company or the person you found interesting, too, before you forget.

Be true to your interests. Be Ron Swanson.
(uproxx.com)

2. Follow through! This can be done in two ways (neither of them use a basketball)

One: Write a follow-up email to the people you talked to thanking them for meeting with you and attach a resume. Don't let your resume be lost among the pile - make an impression whenever you can before you lose the connection.

Two: Apply to the internship that they are offering. Just so you know, adding your resume to the pile at the fair doesn't count as applying for the job. Some employers at the career fair will take your contact info and send you an application, but most times, YOU are going to take the first step. If this frightens you, come by the Career Center for a cover letter writing session and any other application support you need!

Don't come barging in with your resume three years later - Follow up immediately!
(www.indianapolismonthly.com)

3. Excel! For companies you're consider applying for, create a spreadsheet that organizes all the steps you should take, events they are holding, and any general notes about the company's hiring process. Here's a Sample spreadsheet made by the Career Center.

My final piece of advice? You got this! At your first career fair, you have room to learn and room to make mistakes, so put on that suit jacket your mom made you bring and go forth!

Career Fair? Please, you got this.
(www.buzzfeed.com)

Thanks for reading!

Nina Joung
Class of 2018

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