How I feel About Graduating...

When you realize you are done with school…possibly forever:

 

  

Then realizing that every “entry-level” job requires 3-5 years experience:

When your friends start telling you that they have a job:

When people ask you “So what are your plans after graduation?” and “Do you have a job yet?”:

When one more person tells you how horrible the job market is:

Every time you look at your resume:

When people ask how you are handling all of it:

And a little bit of:

But then realizing that Career Services is here to calm your anxieties...even after you graduate:

Attending a Job Fair

Job fairs can be scary at first walking into a room of people you don't know that could be potential employers, but with a few tips it'll be a breeze!

What should I bring?

• Resume 
• Pen
• Your Smile and Personality!

What should I expect?

Typically, numerous employers sign up to come to the job fair and set up a table to talk to students. In my experience the tables are numbered and maps are provided to help you navigate your way around the room to tables of interest. Upon arriving you should sign in at the desk out front where they will provide you with a name tag and map of the floor plan. After checking in you are free to wander and talk to potential employers!

The employers at the booths are friendly and there to talk to YOU! So you should talk with them about their facility, available jobs, what they look for in an employee, etc. You're goal is to be personable and charming while portraying some of your best qualities!

Tips for Success:

Dress for Success: You should be dressed in business casual, looking professional and serious about talking to employers!

Be Early: Arrive early in order to be fully prepared and insure that you aren't waiting in line after the fair opens!

Take Initiative: Be firm and persistent speaking to employers and shaking their hand first. Show interest and professionalism by inquiring about their organization!

Be Enthusiastic: Show excitement to be there! This is one of the main characteristics employers look for in potential candidates. Smile! :)

Ask Questions: Prepare questions that are important to you or some areas that you may have inquiries about. Engaging potential employers makes you more memorable and they become more interested in you!

Practice talking about yourself: Sometimes it is difficult to talk yourself up to other people. In this case you should practice a short spiel about yourself to tell the employers at the job fair. In a few sentences brainstorm ideas and talents you want to make known and practice discussing those topics.    
  

Follow some of these helpful tips, smile, be yourself, and relax! Job fairs seem scary but if you follow these tips you'll be prepared and ready to conquer any fair!

FAQ: How Do I Set Up A Credential File?

As we dive into the Spring Semester, a lot of my friends have become extremely focused on their classes and on their job search after graduation. Many of my friends know that I work in Career Services and they frequently ask about letters of recommendation. Their questions include: Do I send out those letters? Does your office hold them for me? Are they expensive? Can I pay with a credit card?

Let us put your mind at ease ... it's simple, painless, and will provide you with a stress-free semester (in regards to job applications). Follow the steps listed below to create your very own credential file!

STEP 1: Come visit our office! We're located in GAC 111 and will be able to hand you a registration packet when you ask to set up a credential file.  

STEP 2: Simply fill out the registration packet with your information and return it to our office at your earliest convenience. 

STEP 3: Pay a small fee of $10 for your credential file with either cash or a check made payable to Nazareth College Career Services.


*IMPORTANT: We can't set up your credential file unless you pay for it! If you don't have cash or a check with you when you come into the office, we will hold the registration materials for you until you come back with the required $10. 


"What if I can't come into the office?" No worries! Visit our website: http://www.naz.edu/career-services and click on the link labeled "Credential Files" on the right hand side of the screen. From there, click on the link labeled, "How do I register?" located in the middle of the screen. Download the registration form, print and fill out the required information, include $10 cash or by check, and send it to our office via snail mail! If you have any further questions about credential files, feel free to check out our previous blog posts or stop by the office and ask! 

Career Services is Resumes and so much more!

Career Services is notorious for resume building and editing but there are many more opportunities in our office to explore to help you  prepare for your career future!

Job Search: 

Having difficulty finding a job that you want? Not anymore! Our counselors can get you resources and search engines to find opportunities and jobs that suit your needs! We understand that the job market is a competitive atmosphere and we can help you discover jobs of interest and give you tools to continue looking for jobs you want to apply to.

Career Counseling:

Aren't sure how to start looking for jobs or what kind of work you want to go into? No problem! Our career counselors can help guide you in finding a job and career path that best suits you. Once you determine your choice of career path they can also help you to find specific jobs you may be interested in and aid you in the application process.

Grad School:

Many Nazareth College students have the ambition to go on to graduate school. Looking into schools and investing more time and money in your schooling can be a trying process. The career counselors can assist you in finding a school that has your program and helping you compile all of your application materials.

Mock Interview:

Mock Interviews are 1.5 hour appointments in which student's come prepared to interview with one of the career counselors. Students come dressed professionally and mimic the interview process for an upcoming interview. Students are recorded in order to review the person's body language and their response to questions. In doing this, your counselor can get you tips on how to improve your interview skills and help you feel prepared when entering the actual interview.


Set up your appointment for any of our services today!

Just call.... 585-389-2878

Credential Files: What are they and why should I have one?

A lot of students frequently come into the office curious about credential files and what they entail. Credential files are used to store letters of recommendation for Nazareth College students. In order to create one you can come into the office (located in Shults for the remainder of Fall 2013, and moving to the 1st floor of GAC for the Spring 2014 semester). Students will select a "teaching" or "general" credential file. Those students that are education majors or who student teach should utilize the "teaching" credential file while all other majors, the general credential file. It costs $10 to set up the file which can be paid through cash or check.

A credential file packet holds four cover sheets that should be given to your letter writers when you ask them to write a letter of recommendation. The top of the form should be filled out by the student in which you should print and sign your name along with the date. You should also choose if you want your letter to be confidential or non-confidential.

Credential files allow for potential employers to read all the good things your teachers, past employers, and other important figures in your education view you and your skills. Your letters are an opportunity for grad schools or employers to see what kind of individual you are and to hear these testimonies from people other than yourself.

What can I put in my Credential file??

Credential files hold letters of recommendation. (Certifications & Proof of Fingerprinting are now accessible on the Teach System.)

Note: Transcripts, GRE scores and NYS Teacher Exam scores CANNOT be placed in the file.

Confidential vs. Non-Confidential 

Confidential means that it is not open for your review and therefore you cannot read what your letter writer has said about you. Because of this letters of recommendation that are confidential appeal better to potential employers as they know the candidate has not had the opportunity to read their letter at all.Students with confidential letters cannot have access to them as easily as non-confidential letters. For example, if a teacher has your letter finished and wants to give it to you to bring to career services, they must seal the envelope and sign the seal in order to ensure that you have not read it when you bring it into the office. Confidential letters brought in without the letter writer's signature on the seal cannot be accepted as confidential.

Non-Confidential letters are able to be reviewed by the student. Therefore there aren't any limitations to access that the student can have to these letters.

How do I send my Credential file out to Grad Schools or Potential Employers?

When you need to send out your credential file you simply contact our office. You can come in person, call (585-389-2878), or email our offices (careers@naz.edu). All you need to do is specify where you want your letters sent and if you only want specific letters sent. You need to know the name of the contact person and address of the employer or grad school you are sending your letters to. 

The Monroe-2 Boces system is an online web recruitment system used by various school districts in the Rochester area. We are able to upload these files for you through our office provided that you supply the email address you have associated with your online account. There are several other Upload Systems as well.

The first 5 send requests are FREE.

After we've sent your file 5 times, it costs $2 each time you request to send or upload your file 

For More information visit our office or call us at (585) 389-2878

FAQ: How Do I Find A Job On/Off Campus?

The most frequently asked question during the first few weeks of school is: How do I find a job on campus? Students are often lost as to where to look for jobs .. but this is where Career Services steps in to save the day.

One of the best decisions I made at Nazareth College was applying for a position at the office of Career Services. I was able to start working on campus as soon as my freshman year started. Through this experience I have been able to learn how to find a job on/off campus and how the job search process has changed over the years. Here are a few things you should know:

• NazLink is one of the most important accounts you will make while at Nazareth. Ever. NazLink provides students with an easy, and efficient, way to look for jobs both on and off campus. Simply visit our Career Services website and either log-in or make a Nazlink account. After you complete that step you may search for jobs on and off campus, various opportunity types and even different job categories! How cool is that?

• If you have trouble looking for a job on NazLink you can always set up an appointment with one of the career counselors for a "Job Search". They will help facilitate this search in the best way they can. [ Not only do they help with job searches, but they will also help you in any other way they can! ]

• Last -- but certainly not least -- LinkedIn is a great resource for networking. It is easy to use as Facebook and provides students with lots of opportunities to show off your best skills. This website combines the best features of all social media sites and provides you with just as many opportunities. Like I said.. its as easy to use as Facebook!

If you have any more questions about job opportunities off and on campus feel free to call our office, or stop by during drop-in hours!