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Jobs!  Jobs! Jobs!  Companies are hiring despite what you hear in the news.  Is it as easy to get a job as it was before?  No way. You have to try harder and make yourself stand out.  Here are some things you can do to get yourself noticed: 

1)      First of all, make sure you know what job you are applying for and gear your résumé/cover letter toward that job. Have multiple people review your résumé. You can always improve it.

2)      Make sure you have all your skills and accomplishments listed on your résumé. Don't forget the soft skills: communication, leadership, research, analytical, and computer and teamwork.  These skills are just as important (and sometimes more) than your technical skills. 

3)      Make sure leadership roles stand out. Do you belong to any clubs/organizations? Have you been active in them? Have you held any office or chaired or co-chaired any events?  Employers like to see these leadership skills on your résumé.

4)      What about community service? Employers also like to see this on your résumé.

5)      Did you pay your way through school? Make sure that is listed on your résumé, too. 

6)      Networking is the best way to get a job. You have to keep at it. Find the networking events that apply to your major and go to those events. Network with everyone you know. 

Overall, employers want a well-rounded individual. Yes, you may have an excellent GPA, but what else have you done?  Employers look at a multitude of things when deciding who to interview.  So make yourself stand out. Visit the Career Planning Office (BS4090) and we can help you with your job search skills. 

Here is an article regarding companies hiring for the holidays: http://www.theworkbuzz.com/job-search/companies-holiday-hiring/.

I recently had a major medical scare in my life and had to have major surgery.  Everything ended up turning out great, but it made me reevaluate some areas in my life that needed to be changed.  I share this with you because it might help you in some way also reevaluate what is really important. 

We are always being pulled in so many directions.  I have 2 kids and a husband.  I have a career.  My husband and I have 17 siblings between the 2 of us, along with over 50 nieces and nephews.  There is always something to do and something going on with graduations, bridal/baby showers, new babies, weddings, etc.  The list goes on and on.  As you can see, there's not much time for myself. 

I started making some minor changes.  I made a list of things that I really enjoy and that are important to me.  I'm a list maker.  I put things on there such as reading and doing crossword puzzles.  (I know-I'm such an exciting person-believe it or not-I was the life of the party in my 20's).  I started walking 5 times a week for 30 minutes and listen to my iPod.  I actually really enjoy this time and put this on my list too.  I got my iPod over a year ago and just never took the time to use it.  With the help of my son and husband, I have over 800 songs on there now.  This walk with music is such a joy to me.  I get time to myself for 30 minutes and I am helping my health with stress reduction and hopefully-no weight gain.  Why didn't I do this before????

Another thing I do is cut out anything that really isn't important.  I get a lot of invites to in-home parties and used to try to make it to most of them if I could.  Why?  I don't know except to please others.  So I started saying no to those(unless I really want to go). 

I started enjoying the time on my deck and stopped stressing about the small stuff.  The laundry will get done-sometime.  The house will get cleaned-sometime. 

My point in all of this is for you to live life.  Don't put off anything that is enjoyable to you.  You can fit it in.  If you would have asked me a year ago if I had time to walk for 30 minutes a day, I would have said "No way."  But now that it's a priority, and a good one, I take the time.  Make a list of what you really enjoy and what is really important and start doing those things.  Cut the unimportant stuff out of your life!  And remember, if you do have a health scare, we have the best hospital right here on campus!  IU Medical Center is awesome! 

In this economy and market, everyone is trying to make an extra buck or two.  Please beware of job scams.  I received this article,  Job Scams ( Job Scams Feb 2009.pdf) from the Wall Street Journal and wanted to share it with you.   Whatever you do, do not pay money to get a job.  If anyone tells you that they need money from you before they can help you find a job, run out of the office.  There are many reputable search firms out there who do not charge you money.   Keep that in mind when using search firms for your job search.  Also do not give out any personal information unless you know for sure that it is a legitimate job or place of employment. 

The best way to get a job is through networking and talking to people.  Let everyone you know that you are seeking a job.  This includes your neighbors, friends, friend's sisters, dentists, pastor, etc.  Let them know the type of job you are seeking.  Keep talking to people.  Even when you secure a job, keep working on your network.  You never know when your next big break will come from someone you met while networking.   I got the job I am in now due to someone I worked with years ago at my previous job.  She remembered that my dream job was to work in a Career Planning Office and she contacted me when there was an opening. 

Be smart about your job search and you will be okay.  If there's ever anything you're not sure of or if something just doesn't seem right, then it's best to move on to something else.  You can always contact our office if you have any questions regarding your job search.  Good luck out there and remember that we are here to help students get through the job search process. 

Companies Hiring: 

Midwest ISO, Carmel, IN
US Internet, Connersville, IN 

Alorica Inc., Lafayette, IN

Sonco Worldwide

I recently got the pleasure to work with 2 outstanding Kelley students, among others, planning the Kelley Career and Internship Fair.   What a great experience!  These 2 students planned most details about the career fair.  They communicated with employers, ordered tables for the event, handled the decorations and placement of the tables,  made presentations to students  in classrooms, marketed the event and assisted with the so many details it takes to put on a job fair-while being full time students.   They did an excellent job!  Over 225 students took advantage of the Kelley Career Fair, which was held on Tuesday, April 14^th.   It is so great to see students stepping up and taking control of what events happen on campus.  

You see, students have not bought in into the events that the Career Planning Office has planned in years past. We have held many "Meet the Recruiter" events and have had only 9 students show up.  It is quite a long event when you have more employers there than students.   Our office is looking to do many more events partnered with student groups.   I have seen how students can encourage other students to participate and attend their events.   This is also another experiential learning event.  Both students are marketing majors and they both got solid experience that they can list on their resumes.  They also got exposure to employers and both got interviews partly due to their planning of this event.  This is a win-win situation for students, employers and our office.  Students will get the experience of planning events along with the exposure to prospective employers.  We get the advantage of guaranteeing our employers that many students will be attending these events.  With Kelley student groups, we intend to plan many more events! 

Indiana companies hiring now:  ExactTarget, Fastenal, Dave & Buster's, FBI, Naval Surface Warfare Center-Crane, WestPoint Financial