• Encourage your child to visit the university’s Career Center (and you go too!)
  Most university career centers offer career information and job-search help, including:

• A jobs room with currently available jobs (on and off campus) for students.

• Computers for job searching, equipped with resume development software.

• Valuable workshops on resume-building, interviewing and other topics.

• Connections to employers for information as well as employment.

• Information on internship and co-op opportunities.

• Connections to volunteer opportunities. 

• A knowledgeable staff ready to assist students.
  
  

Many students use their first semester to "settle into" college life and, for some students, the spring semester of the freshman year is the optimal time to start using Career Center services. But remember that it's never too early for that first visit. Whether your child is a freshman or a senior, the sooner a student becomes familiar with the center's staff, resources and programs, the better prepared he or she will be to make wise career decisions.
 

• Drop by the university’s Counseling Center and pick up a business card from one of the career counselors. When your son or daughter is feeling anxious about the future, offer the card and say, "Please call this person. He (or she) can help you."


 

• Challenge your student to become "occupationally Iiterate."
  Avoid placing too much pressure on your child to know from the beginning what he or she wants to do after graduation. Just be sure your student takes steps to establish a college plan as soon as possible. Encourage your student to conduct research to see what the world needs.

  We also recommend:

  • Taking a "self-assessment inventory," such as the Strong Interest Inventory. These assessments can be found at most university counseling centers.

  • Talking to favorite faculty members to explore and ask questions about possible career fields

  • Researching a variety of interesting career fields and employers. Students should talk to employers who provide information tables on campus during the semester, and participate in any career fairs that are offered.

  A career decision should be a process and not a one-time, last-minute event. Discourage putting this decision off until the senior year.

  Recommended reading: Knock ‘em Dead 2007: The Ultimate Job Search Guide, by Martin Yates, Albany Media Corporation 2006
  
  Recommended Web sites:
  Occupational Outlook Handbook, U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics
  CareerBuilder.com
   

Writing a resume can be a "reality test," and can help a student identify weak areas that require improvement. Starting early will provide time to develop the skills and experience to present to prospective employers after graduation. CSU's Career Center has computers equipped with Resume Quicksteps software to help your child get started.

The Web offers a variety of advice and guidance on resume writing. However, not all of it is appropriate for a college student or new grad. Use the university's services, which are designed specifically for your student.

You can review resume drafts for grammar, spelling and content, but we recommend that the final product be critiqued by a Career Center professional.

Recommended Reading: Resumes that Knock ‘em Dead by Martin Yates, Albany Media Corporation 2006, 7th edition

Occupational Outlook Handbook JIST Works, April 2006
 

Prepare

• Assemble an excellent resume.
• Be able to discuss each point on your resume and give examples.
• Be able to talk about yourself.
• Anticipate questions and plan your answers.
• Research the company or employer.
• Prepare questions.

Dress

• Visit your potential employer and note the office dress code or style.
  
• Select an outfit in advance. Dress as if you already work there.
  
• Try it on, walk in it, sit in it.
  
• Be sure it is comfortable and clean, including your shoes.
  
• Be well-groomed in every respect.

Advance work

• Find out how long it takes to get to the interview location.
  
• Identify where you will park.

What to take

• Copy of the resume you sent to that company.
  
• Questions of your own.
  
• A notebook and pen.
  
• Examples of your work you are willing to leave behind.
  
• Information for the application — just in case you get asked to complete one.
  
• A copy of your references.

During the interview

• Listen, listen, listen!
  
• Think before you speak.
  
• Sit comfortably. Relax, but stay alert to opportunities.
  
• Ask questions.

Closing the interview

• Thank the interviewer for their time.
• If you want the job, tell them!

Follow up with a "thank you" letter. Include something you learned during the interview.

The Career Center will not "place" your child in a job at graduation. Colleges grant degrees, not job guarantees, so having relevant experience in this competitive job market is critical. Your student should continually look for opportunities to learn beyond the classroom.

Your son or daughter can sample career options by performing internships, co-ops, volunteer work and experimenting with summer employment opportunities.

Why an internship?

• Employers are interested in communication, problem-solving and cognitive skills, all of which can be developed through internships.
  
• Employers look for experience on a student's resume and often hire from within their own internship programs.
  
• Having a high GPA is not enough.
  
• A strong letter of recommendation from an internship supervisor can often tip the scale in a job-seeker's favor.

Why volunteerism?

• Students can experience personal growth and develop citizenship skills.
  
• Networking opportunities and references often result.
  
• Students can learn more about the world in general.
• Employers want to hire people who know how to work as part of a team.

• Persuade your child to stay up to date with current events. Employers will expect students to know what's happening around them. Encourage their input in discussions of news events.
• Encourage informational interviews in areas of interest.
• Introduce your student to people in careers or jobs that interest them.
• Suggest your son or daughter contact people in your personal and professional networks for information on summer jobs.
• Encourage your child to "shadow" someone in the workplace to increase awareness of interesting career fields.
• Build independence and encourage a sense of personal responsibility. Give students living away from home for the first time guidance for good decision-making. Discuss how bad credit or a negative security check can cost someone a job. Discuss how bad decisions on the weekend can cancel out good grades during the week.
• Encourage extracurricular involvement. Part of experiencing college life is to be involved and active outside the classroom. Interpersonal and leadership skills — qualities valued by future employers — often are developed in extracurricular activities. Joining a professional organization also shows a sincere interest in a chosen field.