Ways to Make an Impression at Your College Career Fair

Are you planning to attend your college's career fair this spring? If so, I would recommend that you read this helpful article about how to make an impression on recruiters: http://www.psychologytoday.com/blog/career-transitions/201402/how-succeed-career-fair.

I would add one more tip and that is to practice your technique with an employer that you're not really interested in. Then you'll be good to go and meet the recruiters from your dream companies.

You Gotta Have Heart to Get the Job

Recruiters consistently say that they are looking to hire employees that have heart for the organization. Well, they don't exactly say it that way, but since this post is coming on the heels of Valentine's Day, I thought it would be fun to relate this post to the heart-obsessed holiday.

Having coached numerous college seniors in their job searches,  I know just how grueling the job search can be for you, especially since there's just so much competition out there. How do you set yourself apart from the thousands of equally bright and ambitious recent college grads who are applying for the same positions as you? The key is to demonstrate heart, or enthusiasm and passion, for the company you're applying to. So how do you do this? It can be done in several ways. One way is to follow the company on LinkedIn. Another way is to connect with recruiters and people you know or your school's alumni who work at the company. A third way is to show your passion in your cover letter. And lastly, the ultimate way, is to show your enthusiasm during every stage of the interview process.

If you're finding it hard to muster up your enthusiasm during any step in the job application process, it could be a red flag that the company and/or position isn't a good fit for you. Go with your gut feelings. Then find a job and company that do excite you, and you'll be surprised at just how easily everything flows.

And by the way, this advice doesn't just apply to college seniors. It applies to anyone looking for a job. Read this article to learn more about the connection between passion and landing the job: http://jobs.aol.com/articles/2014/01/23/aol-career-luck-college-student-needs-job/

Meditate Your Way to a New Job

Recently, I had an interview for a contract career counseling position at a university in Boston. As I was getting ready that morning, I remarked to my daughter that I wasn't nervous at all! I had, however, been on other recent interviews where I experienced some feelings of nervousness in the days and moments leading up to my interview. Sometimes I hadn't slept well the night before, worrying that I might not hear the alarm clock ring or that I might get lost on my way there, etc. etc.

What was the difference this time? Well, I had just come back from spending a weekend at Kripalu where I had taken several yoga classes and meditation workshops. I hadn't gone there with the intention of preparing for my upcoming interview on Monday. I had simply gone there for some R&R and to be engulfed in the panoramic beauty of the Berkshires.

Most people understand that meditation will make you more calm, but I experienced other benefits as well on my interview. I felt confident and focused. I was able to be personable and make small talk with ease. I answered unexpected interview questions confidently and articulately. My mood was happy, positive and energetic throughout.

According to an article published in the February issue of Time, mindfulness and meditation are quickly becoming more mainstream in US businesses and schools. In fact, "Google has an in-house mindfulness program called Search Inside Yourself where employees learn "attention-focusing techniques, including meditation...for creativity and big thinking" and "Apple co-founder Steve Jobs said his meditation practice was directly responsible for his ability to concentrate and ignore distractions." So mindfulness is not just great for improving your interview performance - it can also be extremely beneficial once you are employed.

A lot of people (including myself a few years ago) tend to think that meditation and mindfulness are mysterious techniques reserved for yogis who sit cross-legged on padded cushions chanting "Om" all day. I was constantly worried that I wasn't doing it right. But then I took a mediation class and realized that meditation can be as simple as breathing in and out and being aware of your breath. You don't need a special room or a special cushion to do it. However, if you need some assistance to get you started, there are lots of podcasts and CD's available incorporating all sorts of meditative techniques. Don't get turned off from meditation if the first thing you try doesn't resonate with you. Keep exploring until you find the one that does.

Well, it turned out that I got the job offer at the university. The same can happen for you. In addition to doing all of the things you typically do to prepare for an interview, try adding a 10-15 minute meditation the night before or day of your big interview. You just might be pleasantly surprised by the outcome.

Quick Interview Tip

Always put your interviewer's phone number in your cell phone in case you experience an unexpected delay. Although you never want to be late for an interview, sometimes things can happen that are beyond our control.

Bloom Where You are Planted

I love hydrangeas so was really excited when I planted a couple of shrubs a few years ago on the south side of my house facing the ocean. They never did well there though because of the strong winds, salt air and constant sun. However, a couple of years ago I planted a hydrangea on the north side of my house where the conditions aren't so harsh, and it is thriving, as you can see in the picture to the left. 
 
Employees also need to work in an environment where they can thrive and flourish in order to be their most productive, creative and expressive selves. While I realize that most college students are eager to get any job, it is worth taking the time to reflect on the type of environment you work best in and what type of manager motivates you to do your best work. Then, when you are interviewing, you can assess if the company's culture is a good fit for you. GlassDoor.com is another way you can research a company's culture.

A great tool to help you identify the values most important to you in the workplace is the free O'Net "Work Importance Profiler." (Your college's career center may have other similar assessments for you to use.)  After you determine your workplace preferences, you will be able to find occupations that match your values.  If you need help taking the assessment or interpreting its results, make sure to speak with an advisor at your college's career center.

By putting the time into assessing what's important to you in the work environment, you'll be able to thrive and flourish in your first job out of college by being a happier and more productive employee. Now, what manager wouldn't like that?