CareerCoach
NEWSLETTER OF VCU BUSINESS CAREER SERVICES
IN THIS ISSUE
| JANUARY 2012
DOING IT RIGHT
Mike Eisenman
> Mike’s Message: Doing It Right
> Introducing the VCU Business
Career Services Ambassador
Program
> Save the Date: 2012 Spring
VCU Business Career Fair
> Student Organizations Spotlight:
Association of Information
Technology Professionals
Gamma Iota Sigma
> New Feature:
Griggs’ Trivia Corner
> New Feature:
From VCU Business to You,
Debbi Little
> Employer Spotlight:
FedBid
Professionalism is Key in a Successful Career Search
When I am invited to speak to classes, I will frequently ask students why an
employer would hire them. I usually hear an array of answers that focus on the
students’ skills and knowledge, some of which are quite impressive – and my point
is made. Employers’ primary objective is not to hire you, but rather to solve their
problem or to take advantage of an expanding opportunity they have. Your skills,
knowledge and abilities (KSAs) are only important as they relate to those problems
or opportunities. You are a ―tool‖ or ―part‖ of the solution. Your objective in the
recruiting process is to understand the employers’ needs and successfully convey
how and why you are not only capable of being the solution, but why you are THE
BEST solution.
Newport News Shipbuilding
Professionalism. What is professionalism? According to Google, synonyms are skill,
competence, expertise, know-how, proficiency, efficiency, experience, effectiveness,
ability. The antonym is incompetence.
> Lesser-Known Companies that
Professionalism must be demonstrated when interacting with employers, and is
especially critical during the job search process. Although professionalism
encompasses a wide array of discussions, let me share two examples.
You Should Consider
> Calendar of Events
business.vcu.edu/career
[email protected]
(Continued on next page)
4 Tips for Successful
Employer Interaction
Research Companies
Use available resources, including print media and the
web, to learn about the employer. Use that information to
enrich conversation and to generate further questions.
Dress Professionally
Wear appropriate clothes for a meeting, event, or occasion. Make sure they are clean and pressed. If you are
unsure of the appropriate dress, overdress.
Be Engaging
Know the company, prepare questions about the company
or position, and rehearse answers to questions you can
anticipate such as, ―Why do you want this position?‖
Invest Time
2011 Fall Jump $tart Your $ales Career student attendees (left)
made a positive first-impression on Altria, Cox Media, Fastenal, and
Northwestern Mutual Financial executives (right).
Research and attention to self-presentation takes time.
Those who invest time in these are more likely to reap the
benefits of quality position offers.
(Continued from previous page)
The following was emailed to a company recruiting at VCU
Business:
―Hey (first name omitted),
I am a student at VCU. I learnt about the (position
omitted) position from (first name omitted).
I am interested in this position and i believe that my
educational qualifications, employment and other
experiences are appropriate for this position.
Pl find the attached Resume.
I look forward to receiving your reply.
Thank You,
(name omitted)
Virginia Commonwealth University
School of Business‖
I have managed and or owned numerous businesses, recruited
for many positions and hired lots of individuals. The above
correspondence would go directly to the trash without my even
looking at the resume. It would also dampen my enthusiasm for
VCU Business students – as the above email did with this
employer. I recall a similar situation where the company owner
was commenting to me pertaining to another student’s cover
letter, ―This is a customer contact position. If the student writes
and communicates like this to me, how can I let him represent my
company to customers or vendors?‖
In another example, I just received a call from my counterpart at
another Virginia university where one of our former students
applied for an assistant director position. In our conversations, he
explained that he requested a cover letter, resume and
references from his applicants. Our former student was the only
applicant who sent all 3 items requested and the only applicant
who tailored the resume and the cover letter to the particular
university’s position. Currently this individual is at the top of the
list for the position.
So, we have two situations. One has distanced herself from the
rest by a professional response to a specific situation,
understanding the employer’s need and providing a detailed,
unique, positive response in the manner requested. The other is
on the great trash heap in cyber space.
Money defines professionalism as: "meticulous adherence to
undeviating courtesy, honesty, and responsibility in one's
dealings with customers and associates, plus a level of
excellence that goes over and above the commercial
considerations and legal requirements."
Professionalism is everything you do. It is certainly everything
you do in the employment search process. It ranges from how
you dress for career fairs and interviews to what is on your
Facebook and LinkedIn pages. It certainly covers your
communications. ―Text speak‖ is not acceptable – punctuation,
proper grammar and spelling are required.
In the upcoming career services events, be professional!
INTRODUCING THE VCU BUSINESS CAREER
SERVICES AMBASSADOR PROGRAM
Dannita Trice
Calling all volunteers! The VCU Business Career Services staff
is proud to introduce the VCU Business Career Services
Ambassador Program, which presents volunteer — or
Ambassador — opportunities for VCU Business undergraduate
and graduate students during Career Services events. The
program is open to all VCU Business students; the program
targets Business students who desire voluntary school and
community involvement but may be unable to commit to on-going
service because of employment or other circumstances.
Participation in this program is a great way for students to add
experience to their resume and interact with employers.
How the Program Works
A student interested in serving as a volunteer Ambassador must
complete an online Ambassador Interest Form to be added to an
Ambassador Candidate Pool. The interest form will be available
via a link on the VCU Business Career Services website by
Tuesday, January 24th. Students will be selected from the
Ambassador Candidate Pool to serve as Ambassadors on an
event-by-event basis.
Coordinating Staff
Christ University student Shiriti Sood will assist me as VCU
Business Career Services’ Volunteer Coordinator. She will act
as a liaison between VCU Business students and Career
Services, assist me with volunteer staffing plans, and facilitate
volunteer management during Career Services’ programs and
events. Email Shiriti at [email protected] with any questions.
Learn More
Learn more about the Ambassador program at one of two
Volunteer Awareness Workshops. See the events calendar at
the end of the newsletter for dates and times.
Career Services looks forward to your participation and feedback
about your experiences as a Career Services Ambassador during
the semester!
SAVE THE DATE: FEBRUARY 9TH,
2012 SPRING VCU BUSINESS CAREER FAIR
We are building towards our largest Spring Career Fair ever with many new companies. The 2012 Spring VCU Business Career Fair
will be in the Snead Hall Atrium, Thursday, February 9th, 10:00 AM—3:00 PM. Please note that the VCU Engineering Career Fair will
be in the Snead Hall Atrium Tuesday, February 7th. Though you’re welcome to interact with employers at that event, be aware that the
VCU Business Career Fair is two days afterwards. A list of attending VCU Business Career Fair companies is available on the VCU
Business Career Services website.
STUDENT ORGANIZATIONS SPOTLIGHT
Association of Information Technology Professionals (AITP)
Gamma Iota Sigma (GIS)
Association of Information Technology Professionals is a national
organization of professionals in the information systems field. The
VCU student chapter fosters career growth through regular
meetings, workshops, and educational seminars. Membership is
open to all students interested in careers in information systems or
related areas.
Gamma Iota Sigma is an international fraternity organized to
promote and encourage interest in insurance, risk management,
actuarial science, financial planning, employee benefits, safety
and other related professions but is open to all majors. The
fraternity facilitates the interaction and cooperation between
professionals and students through social activities, professional
breakfast and luncheon meetings and other exciting and
informative events.
www.aitp.org
Fall 2011 Student Organizations pamphlet, VCU School of Business Office of Student and Alumni Engagement
FROM VCU BUSINESS TO YOU
Debbi Little, Director – RISC & Advisor to Gamma Iota Sigma
Preparing yourself for the job market can be very stressful. Make
it easier by starting sooner rather than later. The more
opportunities you have to connect with the business community
the better your chances are to land an internship or job. How do
you get started? Join a student business organization.
There are many student organizations in the School of Business,
join one or two that best fits you. There is an organization for just
about every discipline. However, you do not necessarily have to
choose the one related to your major. There are many open to
all majors. Look for one that is active in the interests you would
like to be involved in. When researching a group to join, ask
yourself what is important to you: community service, leadership
opportunities, school events, activities to beef up your resumes?
Or could it be learning professionalism and using those skills at
business networking events and meetings, when working a
career fair, or while traveling and attending professional
GRIGGS’ TRIVIA
CORNER
Walter Griggs, , Jr., J.D., Ed.D, Professor
1.
What street which runs through the campus was known as
Federal Street until the Civil War?
a. Floyd Avenue
b. Cary Street
conferences? There are some organizations that provide several
of these activities and a few where you can find all of these
activities.
Remember, the learning experience expands beyond the
classroom. Get involved in a student organization and broaden
your horizons. You will be surprised at the opportunities
available to you.
More information about student organizations can be found in the
Student & Alumni Engagement Office in room B1212. I am also
always happy to talk about student organizations and activities.
Please visit me in room B2111.
Best of luck this semester and remember you never know when
you might meet your employer.
Always present yourself
professionally and use proper English when composing an email
or writing a note.
NOW OFFERING ALL-DAY WALK-IN
CAREER SERVICES ON WEDNESDAYS
Beginning Wednesday, January 25th, the VCU Business
Career Services counseling team will offer 15-minute walk-in
appointments from 9:00 AM — 12:00 PM and 1:00 PM —
4:00 PM.
This service is perfect for a quick cover letter
question or a final resume approval for RamsRecruiting.
Finally, no-appointments-necessary on Wednesdays!
c. Harrison Street
2.
Babe Ruth once played baseball in Richmond. Where did he
play?
a. Parker Field
b. Richmond Stadium
c. Mayo Island
3. Why is Grace Street called Grace Street?
a. Its named after William Russell Grace
b. Because of the large number of churches located on it
c. Its named after Nora Grace
(Find trivia answers on last page)
THE CAREER COUNSELING TEAM
Darlene Ward-Thompson, MBA, M.Ed.
Assistant Director
Majors: Accounting, Marketing
Sheela Jones, CPA, M.S.
Counselor Assistant
Majors: Finance, Human Resource Management,
MBA, Real Estate
James Cosby
Counselor Intern
Majors: Business Administration & Management,
Economics, Information Systems
EMPLOYER SPOTLIGHT
FedBid is a multi-billion dollar online marketplace where
government and commercial buyers can access a managed global
network of qualified sellers at the touch of a button. Our buyerpowered marketplace utilizes a reverse auction model that
connects buyers with the most competitive sellers of commodity
goods and simple services.
Launch a nuclear-powered submarine. Repair and modernize
aircraft carriers for the U.S. Navy. These are just two of the
successes Newport News Shipbuilding (NNS) employees work
toward every day. You can join our team of legacy shipbuilders
today and BUILD YOUR CAREER.
At FedBid, we provide a variety of opportunities to candidates who
demonstrate excellent academic performance and a drive to
succeed. We offer challenging positions, as well as knowledgeable
mentors, who will guide and inspire you to develop valuable
relationships and critical career skills as you contribute in a
meaningful way to our business. For our list of current
opportunities, visit www.FedBid.com/careers.
We are the nation’s sole designer, builder and refueler of
nuclear-powered aircraft carriers and one of only two shipyards
capable of designing and building nuclear-powered submarines.
We also provide fleet services for naval ships and have recently
expanded our nuclear and manufacturing expertise into
Department of Energy and alternative energy business ventures.
Laura Lopez, Recruiting Coordinator
www.huntingtoningalls.com/careers
If you are Interested in Business Management, Engineering,
Finance, Human Resources and Administration, Information
Technology, Manufacturing (Skilled Craftsman), Procurement or
Supply Chain Management, NNS is looking for YOU.
Marti Kuhns, Talent Acquisition and University Relations
and Recruiting
LESSER-KNOWN COMPANIES RECRUITING AT
VCU BUSINESS
Darlene Ward-Thompson, MBA, M.Ed.
We all know of the ―big name‖ companies that have hired our
students. There are many other great companies – perhaps they
are not household names that you would recognize that have
hired our students, also. Some are:
Addison Clark Online
Dorsey Wright and Associates
First Command Financial Services
Heritage Wealth Advisors
Home Care Delivered
New Visions, New Ventures
Organica Water, Inc.
Roseline Financial Group
These are some ―other names‖ that have great positions
currently posted:
Affinion Loyalty Group
Digital Innovations Group
Direct Mail Solutions
First Command Financial Services
Health Diagnostic Laboratories
Home Care Delivered
Jones Lang LaSalle Americas, Inc.
Joyce Payne Partners
Proxious
Layout Coordinator: Dannita Trice
2012 SPRING CALENDAR OF EVENTS
Trivia Answers: 1.a 2.c 3.b