Guest Speaker From The Career Center

At St. John's University the students have the Career Center available for use. On Tuesday my multimedia communications class welcomed our guest speaker, Elisa Zervos, from the Career Center at St. John's.

I'm sure we all received helpful advice regarding our career paths, even if we are still in the beginning stages of it.

Here are some tips and suggestions I took note of as Zervos spoke:

• "Start from within" when looking for a career path. What are your passions and interests?
• Research the occupation you are interested in.
• Know the salary range of the position you are applying for so that you won't be cheated (receive wages less than the average amount).
• Set up a LinkedIn account. LinkedIn is like a professional-business like version of Facebook. Facebook is more for social relations with friends and family, where LinkedIn is for the purpose of finding a job. You can upload you resume and provide specific details that may qualify you for a job. I've heard many times from my professors that even employers search LinkedIn to find the next few individuals they will hire; so it's best to have ones profile filled with relative (to business/career) detail and to talk about ones passion in the summary section of your profile. Don't forget to upload a professional picture!

Zervos also gave some wonderful tips in attending career fairs

• Target 5 companies.
• Search the Internet for their available positions. Then while at the Career Fair as questions about the position(s) you are interested in.
• Dress professionally.
• Network! I've heard this probably a million times over the last six months. Professors stress the importance of networking because employers are most likely to hire someone that has been recommended for the job by someone that is already an employee. So while attending classes in college - NETWORK!  Even at Career Fairs - NETWORK! Ask for a business card, email or phone number. If you have a business card, or better yet your resume offer it to them.
• "Before leaving, say goodbye." Before going home to review all the information you received make one more round to say goodbye to all the people you spoke with.

What about the interview process?

• Think about specific questions you yourself may have to ask the person(s) interviewing you. Questions about the company or the position you're being interviewed for.
•  After an interview , if rejected, stay in contact by sending a thank you letter or email; most especially if they spent three to four hours with you.

Lastly, here are some websites to check out:

What Can I Do With My Major?

U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics

O*Net Online