Blog

Employer Feedback

Wed, 10 Oct 2007 13:34:44 EST

So on campus interviews have begun and as always, we are enjoying the chance we have everyday to hear employers rave about the quality of students here at Babson. You have been called "well prepared" and "very high caliber" by more than one of our visitors. Way to kick off the season!

But what good would feedback be if we only talked about the good stuff? We have gotten some really helpful and specific pitfalls to watch out for from a few of our partners. Hopefully these tips will help you as you prepare for your campus interviewing experience.

Know your resume. If you put something on your resume, you should know why it is there. How has that experience helped you to grow? Will the skills you learned there be applicable to this position and if so, how?

Careful with buzz words or hot industry topics. If you bring them up, be prepared to have a conversation about them. Apparently several students brought up the home mortgage crisis of this summer in their interviews, but were unable to really explain the situation and it's ramifications on the market.

Beware the canned response. We cannot stress enough the importance of the Why questions. You MUST think these through and develop an answer that truly reflects your background and goals for the future. Be as specific as possible. We have heard that some students have "parroted back what they heard at the info sessions, nearly verbatim". While the employers like to see that students were listening, they felt that a better job could have been done integrating the company's values into the conversation, without it seeming like students had memorized a list of traits.

Welcome Back!

Fri, 07 Sep 2007 16:38:53 EST

It is great to have students back on campus. We certainly missed your energy and are excited to kick off a new academic year. CCD has already been busy registering seniors for the full time campus recruiting program. Nearly 50% of the graduating class of 2007 received their job directly via the campus recruiting program and we're sure the class of 2008 will have equal success.

We have had a very busy summer here in CCD. As some of you have heard by now, we have introduced brand new recruiting software to our services called Babson Career Connections (BCC). We are thrilled to be working with this new vendor and believe that you will also enjoy the added benefits of this system upgrade. A few new features:

Increased network of opportunities. Our new system is part of a larger network supported by The National Association of Colleges and Employers (NACE). This means that in addition to access to jobs/internships posted to Babson students only, you will be able to also access opportunities that companies have posted to the general NACE network.
Easy access. No need to remember another username and password - just go to the Babson portal and link to BCC under your Smart Tools.
Help from home. Members of CCD will be available online for help using the new system. Every Monday - Friday from 1pm-4pm you can use AOL instant messenger to get assistance from BabsonCareerHelp.
Lifetime access to Babson job postings. That's right - whether a year out of school or 15 years into your career, BCC will keep you connected to employers seeking Babson talent.

It is shaping up to be a great year already! I will hop onto this blog periodically to share random insights, answer questions that seem to be popping up a lot from students in the office, and post thoughts for the day. Until next time - happy hunting!

Megan

Transitioning from School to Work: Strategies for Being Successful in Your First Year

Mon, 23 Apr 2007 09:20:25 EST

Your first year of work will likely include some successes, but also some challenges. To help you successfully make the transition from school to work, we have compiled a list of strategies for first year success:

Learn the Culture
Every company has its own personality and culture. It will be important for you to "fit in" with your new environment. Perhaps, the best strategy for doing so is to listen to and watch others. Paying attention to what is said and how individuals interact with each other can help you become an accepted member of the group as well as help you avoid embarrassing mistakes.

Learn the Art of Being New
If you really want to "knock the socks off" of your employer, acknowledge that you understand the importance of being new and do not be afraid to admit that you do not know something.

Manage Your Expectations
You will likely have many expectations about your new job. If you work at keeping your expectations realistic, you won't be disappointed. In addition, do not be surprised if your colleagues are not wooing you as the recruiters had done during the interview process.

Become a Savvy Subordinate
Bottom line: Your job is to make your boss look good. Do this well and you will succeed!

The Boston Marathon is over, but ...

Tue, 17 Apr 2007 09:30:44 EST

The Boston Marathon is over, but for some, the job/internship search is not.

If you're going to stay in the race you have to be ready.

Tips to help you win the race:

Warm up - Make sure your resume and cover letters ready to go

Train - Practice your interviewing skills, use InterviewStream (http://www3.babson.edu/Offices/ug_ccd/Virtual-Mock-Interview.cfm) or schedule a Mock Interview with CCD

Eat right & drink plenty of fluids -Talk with everyone you know about what you're interested in, drink in whatever information you can, opportunities can come from the wildest places!

Stay tough - Keep looking for opportunities on eRecruiting, use Google to find out more about an industry or company, access Vault or Monster.com to learn more about positions. Don't get discouraged if something doesn't work out; move on to the next opportunity & keep going!

With this strategy you'll make it to the end of the race! But of course no one can finish a race without fan support. Stop by CCD for help along the way, we are great cheerleaders (at least one of us sported pom pom's in her college days)! We are happy to help you in any way we can! Below are some things that might help.

Summer Internships: Am I too late?

Tue, 10 Apr 2007 09:58:10 EST

The initial answer to this is NO, you are not too late to get an internship. That being said, at this point in time you may have to keep your options open and not limit yourself to one specific internship or industry. Some companies have filled their internship quotas already so these may not be an option, but there are still many great companies out there who want to hire Babson talent. But they cannot hire you if you do not get your application/resume to them!

In addition to eRecruiting, another great way to find internships is to narrow down the companies you might be interested in working for and check their web sites (Tip: search under the keyword careers). Some companies only advertise their opportunities via their web site. Don't be afraid to apply straight to the company. If you have questions on how to do so, or how to follow up with the company, stop by during drop-in hours to chat with CCD staff about developing a strategy for this type of search.

And of course, don't forget about networking! Talking with friends and family, you parents friends or your friends parents, can also lead to great summer internship opportunities.

The Job Offer is More than Just a Salary: Assessing Benefits & Compensation

Mon, 02 Apr 2007 08:46:55 EST

When considering various jobs and job offers, there is more to consider than salary alone. Be sure to look at the entire compensation package and to closely examine whether the day-to-day job responsibilities are a strong match with your interests.

When reviewing the offer, it is wise to consider the value of several benefits: health insurance, paid time off, insurance, retirement plans, stock options and vesting. Additional benefits include bonuses (signing or seasonal) and tuition reimbursement for an advanced degree. Creating a budget can help you to assess your individual financial needs and help you determine if the salary and benefits package for a particular position is well-suited for you.

Some "perks" such as location, relocation expenses, reporting/start date, signing bonus, and/or appraisal reviews (an earlier performance review may impact your bonus or raise) are negotiable. Be sure to do your homework before you begin negotiating.

Remember, the person you are negotiating with may be your supervisor in just a few months. Evaluate the entire package and make an informed, wise decision before accepting an offer. Good luck!

Spring Fever

Mon, 26 Mar 2007 10:14:07 EST

Welcome back from spring break! We're certain you miss the warm climate and the R&R, but on the bright side, weather here in Boston this week promises to be springlike! Before spring fever truly sets in, and if you haven't done so already, it may be a good idea to focus your energy on your job/internship search.

Seniors: You may not be ready to face reality, but graduation is just around the corner. Be sure to check eRecruiting (http://babson.erecruiting.com) for upcoming application deadlines.

Juniors/Sophomores/First Years: Still searching for a summer internship? There are a couple of resources to help you:

eRecruiting (http://babson.erecruiting.com)
Vault Internship Database (http://www.vault.com/cb/careerlib/careerlib_main.jsp?cl_page=108)

Need more ideas? Feel free to visit us during drop-ins (Monday - Thursday from 1 pm - 4 pm) or call us at ext. 4125 to schedule an appointment.

International Alumni Perspectives on the U.S. Job Search

Mon, 12 Mar 2007 11:37:07 EST

What a great panel we had on campus Wednesday evening! Emir, Melissa, and Ankit, international students who graduated from Babson in 2006, secured positions in the Boston area after graduation and were able to stay in the U.S. on OPT this year. Each of them found their positions using CCD and eRecruiting. This should dispel the myths that CCD doesn't help international students in the job search!

Emir, Melissa, and Ankit offered valuable advice, summarized below, to attendees:

It is up YOU to understand the ins and outs of your VISA and what it takes to work in the US after graduation (ex. OPT...CPT...H1B sponsorship, etc...). And it is up to you to educate employers that may not know about the process for hiring an international student.
Internships help, especially between junior and senior year! Employers like to see that you have work experience in the US (and may extend an offer after an internship if they are impressed!).
Networking is the most effective way to secure a position. Use the Alumni Directory and other contacts effectively.
Get your resume out there; no one will be interested in you if they don't know about you.
Attend information sessions/recruiting sessions both on and off campus. If there is a career fair, even off campus, make an effort to attend. Employers are impressed with Babson students, but you have to put yourself out there and take advantage of opportunities that allow you to meet employers!
Ankit had a very interesting philosophy to think about... he believes your GPA and experience may get you an interview, but it is your preparedness and personality that will get you the job. What do you think? We tend to agree!

Bottom line...There are many jobs out there for international students that would like to work in the US after graduation. CCD is here to support you, but we need you to begin to think about this sooner than spring of senior year. Start early and take advantage of workshops, info sessions, and local career fairs that will guide you along the way!

Emir and Melissa will continue to work in the US after OPT as their companies are sponsoring their H1B visa. Ankit will be returning home to India to work for his family business.

"What are your weaknesses?"

Mon, 05 Mar 2007 14:57:07 EST

"What are your weaknesses?" Many interviewees fear this question. Here are several strategies for approaching this difficult interview question.

Strategy 1: Cite a weakness that, under the right circumstances, can prove to be an asset, e.g. "the strength as weakness strategy."
Identify a trait that has both positive and negative qualities and explain how, in different contexts, the trait is both a strength and a weakness.

Strategy 2: Cite a corrected weakness.
Employers do not expect you to be perfect. Provide examples of how you are working to improve upon your weakness(es).

Strategy 3: Cite a lesson learned.
Demonstrate how you have learned from your mistakes; this shows an employer that you are honest, reflective, and teachable.

Strategy 4: Cite a learning objective.
Acknowledge that you do not have the particular skill or qualification outlined in the job description and then articulate a plan for "getting up to speed."

Strategy 5: Address the unspoken question.
Another approach is to be more direct and simply ask the interviewer if he/she has a specific concern about your credentials or ability to do the job and then to address the particular issue identified by the interviewer.

Bottom line: The specific weakness(es) you identify are less important than your approach in responding to this interview question. Your ability to handle this question with confidence can convey a strong message to employers about your true strengths.

From Student to Professional: How to Show & Tell an Employer You've Got What it Takes

Mon, 26 Feb 2007 17:55:31 EST

In the interview process, you should be prepared to interpret each out-of-class experience and to show the significance of these experiences both to you (on a personal level) and to the organization you served. The strategies below are designed to assist you in marketing these experiences and skills.

Use the vocabulary of your chosen field whenever possible in your resume and interview.

Control the way your information impacts employers through sequencing and amplification. Place the emphasis in both your written and oral communication on "related experiences." It is appropriate to mention additional experiences, but make sure you emphasize the experiences that most closely relate to the position for which you are applying and/or that you emphasize the skills that are transferable.

Examine and narrate your out-of-class experiences through the "lens" of your career goal. It is important to identify connections between your experiences and your professional interests.

Convey what you learned as well as what you did in your job, internship, or activity. Even if your role was limited, you probably gained some valuable insights about a particular organization and working environment that can be communicated on your resume and during the interview process.

Take credit for your contributions. While it is important for the employer to see you as a team player, it is also important for you to take credit for the contributions you have made to the team.

Quantify your actions whenever possible. Numbers can set context and suggest intensity of effort, diligence, and level of accomplishment.

And finally, don't forget to dress the part. Dress for the position you want, not the position you have - jeans and sneakers are fine for the classroom, but suits should be worn on interviews.

One Size Does Not Fit All

Mon, 19 Feb 2007 17:43:08 EST

While components of your cover letter may resemble content you have written for other employment or internship opportunities, each letter should be personalized to the company to which you are applying. Other tips to help you differentiate yourself in the candidate pool include the following:

Keep it Short and Sweet. Don't bore employers with superfluous details and lengthy paragraphs. Use short paragraphs with varied sentence structure to keep the reader's interest.

Read Before You Write. Taking the time to research the company before you write your letter can help you differentiate yourself from other candidates.

Don't Mention Money. While some ads will request that you provide information about your salary requirements, do not include specific numbers -your numbers may be out of the ballpark. Simply, acknowledge the request and add that you are happy to discuss salary information in the context of an interview.

Additional guidelines for writing cover letters are available on the CCD Web site.

Knock their Socks Off: Tips for Networking

Mon, 12 Feb 2007 17:35:43 EST

You've heard the expression—"It's not what you know, but who you know." Yes, it is important that you do well academically, meet deadlines, and take advantage of extra curricular activities, but it is also just as important for you to be making connections with professionals in the field you want to pursue. If you do not know what field you are interested in pursuing, conducting informational interviews with people can help you explore different careers and learn about a variety of opportunities. NO...it is not your opportunity to ask for a job or internship...but rather an opportunity to pick a professional's brain for tips/advice for getting into the field or company that interests you and learning more about an industry, company, or position. If you leave a good impression...your hope is that your contact will call on your first when an opportunity arises.

Too shy? Don't think you have anything to say to a "professional"? Don't know where to begin? Check out the CCD web site for tips.

Internships: The Key to Getting a Job

Mon, 05 Feb 2007 16:58:41 EST

It is no secret now that internships are emerging as the primary gateway to many companies and organizations for recruiting new employees. In looking at the NACE 2006 Experiential Education Report, of the 303 companies surveyed, 78% are using their internship program as part of their recruiting plan. In 2006 these same employers converted 53% of their interns into full-time hires. Therefore, the importance of preparing for the internship search and understanding what the methods of acquiring an internship are essential for career success.

"Luck favors the prepared." This simply means be ready to take advantage of the opportunity when it arises. Research careers to see where your interest(s) may lie, examine companies whose work falls into particular industries, speak with staff and alumni of the college about career interests you may have, and prepare a strong resume and cover letter for the application process.

"There is more than one way to skin a cat." e-recruiting is just one way to help you acquire an internship. Remember, there are other great search engines such as Monster, Vault, BostonWorks, Internship Series on-line, and others which can be accessed on the CCD website. Additionally, the alumni directory and communication with faculty and peers will be key to your internship success.

"If it first you don't succeed, try, try again." It isn't easy getting "IN" to anything, but the more persistent you are, the better your chances will be. Just because something didn't work once, doesn't mean you shouldn't try again and always strategize when engaged in the internship search. For additional information, please check out the CCD Internship web page.

Recruiting Program Update

Mon, 29 Jan 2007 16:43:50 EST

"There just aren't any marketing jobs!"

"There just aren't any good internships!"

These are words that career placement professionals hear all the time. But did you know that at Babson, there are over 300 internships posted in the E-Recruiting database? And that 14% of the full time positions listed in eRecruiting are for marketing positions? This number does not include positions in brand management and public relations that often fall under the marketing header.

eRecruiting is Babson's database for internship and job postings. The system not only allows you to search for opportunities posted specifically to Babson students, but also to search for opportunities in the larger Experience network (e.g. Experience is the company that manages eRecruiting). Talk about a great resource for tapping into companies who seek interns and entry level hires! The best part ... eRecruiting will track the large number of resumes and cover letters you will submit to companies.

But finding a job or an internship is more than just a numbers game. It's about finding the right fit. Maybe you want to be in California this summer? Or maybe you want to work for a small start-up rather than a large corporation? Whatever it is you want to do, the Center for Career Development is here to help.

So before you yell one more time, "There just aren't any _(pick your industry)____ jobs!" swing by CCD and let us help you find the perfect job you are looking for.

Welcome Back! .... Name the CCD Blog Contest!

Mon, 22 Jan 2007 08:30:00 EST

Welcome back! After a much-deserved winter break, it is time to get back into the swing of things -classes, extracurricular activities, and internship/job search activities.

CCD is gearing up for a very busy spring semester. We look forward to seeing you in our office during campus interviews or meetings with career advisors and at career programs networking with alumni and employers.

New this semester: A new look to the student CCD home page AND ... the CCD Blog! Periodically, career advisors will post content about a particular career topic on the blog. We'll invite you to post your comments and questions too! As a first order of business, we need a name for the blog. Submit your ideas, including name and email address to undergradccd@babson.edu by Friday, March 16. The student who submits the blog name that is selected with will a gift certificate to Barnes & Nobles!