Gonzaga University Career Center Blog

Next week employers will be flooding our campus! This is your chance to get a jumpstart! Look forward to the Speed Mock Interviews and the Business & Liberal Arts Career Fair! Never been to a Career Fair? Check out How to Rock a Career Fair!

Thursday, November 5

Interview prep workshop: 4pm in the Road to Bali

Monday, November 9

Resume/ Cover Letter Workshop &How to Rock a Career Fair: 7pm in the Road to Bali

Tuesday, November 10

Drop-In Tuesday: Noon in the Career Center

Networking Workshop: 4pm in the Road to Bali

Wednesday, November 11

Resume/ Cover Letter Workshop & How to Rock a Career Fair: Noon in the Road to Bali

Speed Mock Interviews:7pm Lower Crosby

Limited opportunities sign up now! RSVP Careercenter@gonzaga.edu

Thursday, November 12

Business & Liberal Arts Career Fair:  1 to 5pm Jepson Center

Let the Career Center & Employers know you are coming! RSVP at Zagtrax.net.

Tags: Business Administration, Career Center Service, Career Development, Career Fair, College of Arts and Science, How to Work a Career Fair, internship, Job Search, Networking, Resume, Success in Economy

I love fall.   It is by far my favorite season of all four.  The is something magical about way the world seems to transform  almost overnight.  I cannot think of better things in the world than awakening on a chilly October morning, before the light fog has risen.   With coffee in hand, the world seems to be full of sheer opportunity and possibilities.  The vivid colors of the changing leaves with crispness in the air is a pairing that cannot be matched any other time of the year.   Campus truly seems to come alive as the trees are reminiscent of a 3-year old’s coloring experiment.

Each tree seems to have a different story to tell or a different point of view towards this magical transformation.

Just like how each tree expresses fall differently, so should your approach be in regards to writing your resume. Throw out the idea of using a template and create a document that is a reflection of your personal story and point of view.

Answer the questions: Who are you?  How do you stand out from the crowd?  What is your point of view?

Although daunting, the process of self-discovery will allow for you to gain advantage in both the job and internship hunt on your horizon.

If your resume isn’t reflecting the story you’d like to tell as vividly as possible, come see us here in the Career Center.  Our staff can coach you to develop your resume to perfection.  No resume started?  No problem, we can coach you from start to finish.
To make an appointment, e-mail us at careercenter@gonzaga.edu  or swing by the 2nd Floor of Crosby.   Also, feel free to join us for drop in hours…every Tuesday from 12-1 pm where we have staff on hand to answer any and all career development questions!

Tags: Advice, Career Center Service, Career Development, Drop-In Hour, Resume, Stand out in the Crowd, Success in Economy

Are you struggling with polishing your resume after your summer internship? Are you at a loss for how to even begin drafting a cover letter?  Well, you’re in luck!

The Career Center is having our first of the year Resume & Cover Letter Workshop on Tuesday, September 22nd at 3pm. Come to second floor Crosby, Road to Utopia to learn more about how to make your resume and cover letter stand out from the pack.

For the best workshop experience, we ask you bring your current resume and cover letter (no matter how it looks!) with you.  That way, we can assist you throughout the presentation.

If you can’t join us for this workshop consider swinging by for one of Drop-In Hours, every Tuesday from 12-1pm.

Tags: Career Center Service, Career Development, Coaching, Cover Letters, Coverletter, Event, Presentation, Resume, Workshop

I thought the idea of a “free” lunch would get your attention.  (Very smart and budget consciou Gonzaga students!)

Today the Career Center is hosting our first Resumania of the school year.  Hmmm, are you wondering what Resumanina is?  Simple.  Swing by our office (2nd Floor of Crosby) from 12-1 today with a resume and we will review it for you…while you snag some slices of the free pizza pie.

No need for an appointment or to RSVP, just come on by.

Q’s?  Give us a call at 313.4234 or carrercenter@gonzaga.edu

Tags: Career Center Service, Career Development, Coaching, Event, Resumania, Resume

CareerBuilder launched a study recently that caught my eye and could be consider “blog” worthy.  The idea of the study was highlight the highly competitive job market that the Class of 2009 faces.  Now you don’t need to have a Harvard Economics degree to find truth in that statement, but what is helpful are the areas of awareness for recent grads to consider when job hunting according to the survey.

1. Presenting Experience:

For recent graduates, one of the most challenging components of a job hunt is proving they have the relevant experience employers want in candidates.  Your resume should not only highlight tactical and tangible accomplishments like group projects, relevant course work or internships but also “soft” skill set.

Here are the top ten qualities and skills employers are looking for in new hires:

• Communication Skills
• Honesty/Integrity
• Ability to Work in a Team
• Strong Work Ethic
• Flexibility
• Adaptability
• Interpersonal Skills
• Motivation/Initiative
• Computer Skills
• Detail Oriented

The majority of Gonzaga grads have a wealth of experience with many of these qualities and skills, the problem is how do you sell it.  If you have leadership experience in a club or organization that highlights one or more of these qualities, expand it on your resume.  This is not an economy to be humble about accomplishments.

2. Interview setbacks

The survey mentioned that 63%  of employers believed that the biggest interview mistake  recent graduates make is acting bored or cocky. How can you prevent that?

• Once trick is to take notes during the interview (but no doodling!) and refer to them later when you have the chance to respond.
• Listen for key words such as:  goals, accomplishments, objectives, visions, outline, overall, etc.  These words are indicators that the interviewer is mentioning a pivotal piece of information.  Perk up!

Other interview pitfalls included:

• Lack of preparation.  (Yes, this keeps coming up over and over again.  Research really is that important.)
• Professional dress and etiquette: Iron the shirt and pants, comb your hair and turn off your cell phone.   (All the way to silent please!)  Also 12% cited that forgetting to mail a thank you card can damage a successful interview.

All of this information shouldn’t be a suprise, but I guess when it comes to advice sometimes ithas more weight from a HR recruiter.  Keep it in mind job hunters!

Tags: Career Development, Class of 2009, Coaching, Interviewing, Job Search, Resume, Success in Economy

With times being tight, every bit helps especially for those on the hunt for the next great career.  Staples is helping out with FREE (yes, free….) resumes and business cards.

Now through  Saturday June 13, Staples stores across the country will print 20 copies of your resume and 40 business cards for free as part of the office giant’s Job Stimulus Program.  For details and store locations go to: www.Staples.com/freeresume.

Tags: Helpful Links, Job Search, Resume

Does your resume really reflect you and your GU experience? Are you stumped in how to put your latest project or internship on your resume? Or you do need help getting that dreaded cover letter started?If any of these ring true, come to our Resume & Cover Letter Workshop where John will answer all your questions and more!

Tags: Career Development, Cover Letters, Resume, Workshop