Careers & Education
a blank slate media / litmor publications special section • september 23, 2016
34 careers & education • News Times Newspapers, Friday, September 23, 2016
How to give your resume a facelift T
he process of finding a new job has changed dramatically over the last decadeplus. Whereas professionals once printed their resumes and mailed them to hiring managers in response to job postings, nowadays resumes and cover letters are largely uploaded via the Internet or emailed directly to a company’s human resources department. But how resumes are sent is not the only adjustment job seekers must make. Resumes themselves have changed as well, and professionals looking for a new job might want to tweak their existing resumes in the following ways to increase their chances of finding a new job.
• Show accomplishments rather than responsibilities. Many hiring managers are experienced enough to know the responsibilities of a certain job title. So instead of listing your responsibilities as a Regional Sales Manager, list what you accomplished during your time in that position. Be as specific as possible, listing any sales goals you exceeded and awards you might have won. Your achievements are what set you apart from other candidates with
similar work histories, so use your resume to highlight those achievements instead of listing your responsibilities.
• Keep things brief. Brevity should be your friend when accentuating your accomplishments on your resume. Your resume should highlight those accomplishments and that should be enough to secure an interview. When you get that interview, that’s when you can go into greater detail. But try to keep your resume to one or two pages. • Remove older positions. Older positions, such as a long-ago college internship, have no place on a seasoned professional’s resume. On a similar note, if you have long since changed careers, you may not need to include much about your previous positions in another field, especially if your work experience in your new field is extensive. Hiring managers likely won’t be interested in a past work history if it’s irrelevant to your current field. • Consider a new format. Few job postings request applicants to send in their resumes via snail mail, so unlike the days of old, you probably won’t be printing
your resume as a Microsoft® Word document and mailing it to prospective employers. As a result, you might want to consider a new format when submitting your resume via a company’s Web site. Word documents might be acceptable, but such documents can easily become encoded in the uploading process or won’t be readable if the hiring manager has a different version of Word than you do. Consider uploading your resume as a PDF or as plain text, as such formats are less likely to become scrambled during when they are uploaded or downloaded. • Upload your resume to a professional networking site. Many professionals are initially hesitant to upload their resumes to a business networking site such as LinkedIn® out of fear that their current employers will feel they are looking for a new job. But so many professionals are now members of such sites that it’s no longer associated with a job search as much as it is an easy way to keep in touch with professional contacts. In addition, many recruiters rely on sites like LinkedIn to find qualified professionals, which only makes it easier to find your next job.
News Times Newspapers, Friday, September 23, 2016 • careers & education
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Use the internet to find your next job
As the job market continues to rebound, it also continues to change. Whereas job seekers once sent their resumes to prospective employers via traditional mail, nowadays many companies prefer applicants utilize the company Web site to apply for open positions. That shift has also taken place with how men and women look for work. Many job seekers rely on the Internet to research companies and find job postings. The Internet grants job seekers instant
access to the most current information and allows them to expand their job search to markets across the country and even the globe. In addition, just like companies use the Internet to promote themselves, men and women looking for work can follow suit and use the Internet to their advantage. Select the right sites. It can be daunting to find a job primarily via the Internet. Many, many job sites exist, and men and women might not know which one best suits their individual needs. When perusing a job Web site, focus on what the site offers, including a list of potential employers and a resume database. Also, when researching online job boards, look for one that doesn’t list outdated job postings. Many Web sites advertise thousands of
jobs, but the vast majority of those jobs might be outdated, which just wastes time. If using a job board that requires payment for its services, first research the site’s background, such as who is running it and who to contact should a problem arise. Network online. Networking is nothing new, and it can be done just as easily online as in person. Utilize social media Web sites, including Facebook or LinkedIn, that make it easy for you to connect with other professionals in your industry. Even if fellow professionals don’t provide any leads to job openings, they might offer valuable job seeking advice about finding work in the industry.
In addition to social media Web sites, professional organization Web sites are a valuable and accessible online tool. Such organizations
might require job seekers to sign up, but doing so can provide exclusive access to job openings within the industry. Many professional organizations also host seminars or Webinars about the industry that can provide great ways to network with fellow professionals and learn about the latest innovations and news within the industry. Target specific employers. The Internet enables job seekers to target specific companies within their industry. Company Web sites offer a wealth of information about the company’s practices, values and goals, and such information can be extremely valuable during a job interview. Job seekers can use the Internet to learn about various companies within their industry and then target the companies that most appeal to them.
Such research increases the likelihood that a job seeker will find a job and a company that best fits their needs and career goals. Don’t overdo it. When posting a resume online, it’s best not to post a resume on too many Web sites. Doing so threatens your privacy and opens you up to potential scams. It can also be difficult to stay up-todate with your resume if you post it on too many sites. Resumes should be updated regularly, particularly for people who are freelancing while looking for permanent positions. But if your resume is on too many Web sites, it’s easy to lose track of where it is and keep it updated. Finding work online might not be as easy as it sounds or easy as it was in the days before online job boards. But men and women who use the Internet to their advantage might just land their dream job.
36 careers & education • News Times Newspapers, Friday, September 23, 2016 ADVERTORIAL
Reach Higher, Reach for Farmingdale Farmingdale State College recently welcomed Dr. John S. Nader as the ninth president in its over 100 year history. Dr. Nader has a distinguished academic career, most recently serving as Provost at SUNY Delhi. In 2009, during his tenure as Mayor of the town of Oneonta, he was designated Citizen of the Year. President Nader joins a campus which is growing in every positive way. Enrollment has increased 26% in the past five years while maintaining high entrance requirements. In fact, that growth exceeded 9,000 students this fall. Transfer students are particularly welcome and the college’s Transfer Student Services Office ensures an easy transition into Farmingdale. Construction and renovation projects totaling over $200 million have created a Campus Center which serves as a hub of activities, offering enhanced dining and comfortable lounges to stimulate faculty-student interactions. A new School of Business building has opened and the Library’s Information Commons provides collaborative learning spaces and advanced technology. Plans are underway to construct an Applied Social Science building with fifteen additional classrooms to accommodate the College’s growth. A Master’s degree in Technology Management will be implemented in the Fall 2017. An interdisciplinary program, this graduate degree will blend business with engineering technology for increased career opportunities. Baccalaureate programs include Global Business Management, Visual Communications, Mechanical Engineering Technology, Urban Horticulture and Design, and Science, Technology & Society (a 21st century liberal arts degree). Unique offerings include the only 4-year professional pilot program in the State and the only 4-year Dental Hygiene program in the region. In the pipeline are additional undergraduate degrees in Sustainable Energy Technology, Computer Security Technology, and Geographic Information Systems. A new program being offered in the Fall 2017 is Interaction Design – the first in SUNY – which combines design and software development, focusing on human computer interaction. ID draws on areas such as graphic design, applied psychology, computer systems and sociology. It is the design of websites, products,
successful NCAA Division III athletics program with renovated facilities are some of the advantages Farmingdale students experience. As a result, Farmingdale has again been ranked as one of the Top Colleges in the North by U.S. News & World Report. And it’s also why Farmingdale has ranked in the top five in the category of Least Student Debt. It’s also been recognized twice as one of the safest campus in the nation.
Why is Farmingdale so popular?
Students working in the newly updated library spaces equipped with large screen monitors and booth workspaces. mobile communication devices, and software applications with the focus on the user’s experience and interaction. An example would be where to place the knob symbols on an oven so that humans can easily determine which burner they are turning on. Creative and analytical persons can graduate with employment options in web design, user experience design, and mobile interface design. Although colleges throughout the world are offering degrees in interaction design, Farmingdale is the only college on Long Island to offer this degree. At Farmingdale, students have abundant opportunities in experiential learning—internships, clinical training, and faculty-guided research—that provide practical instruction and personal growth. Farmingdale students acquire the education, skills, and critical thinking to meet the challenges of a sophisticated, changing society. Semester-long internships are offered in Albany working with New York State legislators as well as in Washington, D.C. Students can study abroad in Italy, Spain or Chile through Farmingdale or through SUNY. That makes Farmingdale a great value, with extraordinary success in preparing students for good paying jobs. In fact, the 2014-15 graduates reported that six months after graduating, 90% of graduate were employed. Of that group, 83% are working full-time and 74% are working on Long Island. Seventy-four percent are employed at a position related to their degree. Farmingdale’s Renewable Energy and Sustainability Center is engaged
in pioneering research to develop alternative energy. And students can charge their plug-in cars at the Solar Carport / Charging Station. The application of STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Math) is infused into Farmingdale’s four–year and two-year degrees. It’s been that way for over a hundred years, when the College was founded to educate a workforce needed for a largely agrarian economy. ‘Green Then. Green Now’ reflects our heritage and our philosophy. Small, personalized classes, a lush 380-acre campus and a highly
• Attractive and challenging academic programs that equip graduates with the critical thinking skills in demand by employers • Expert faculty and helpful staff • Valuable internships with leading regional industries • Affordable SUNY tuition— approximately $6,500 annually • Residential living offers convenience and networking opportunities
Reach Higher. Reach for Farmingdale.
Farmingdale students form life-long friendships. 2350 Broadhollow Road Farmingdale, NY 11735 631-420-2000 farmindale.edu
News Times Newspapers, Friday, September 23, 2016 • careers & education
Higher.
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37
38 careers & education • News Times Newspapers, Friday, September 23, 2016
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Steps first-time job seekers can take to prepare for their professional lives T
hough things have improved in the last few years, recent college graduates still face an uphill battle when beginning their professional careers. Standing out in a crowded pool of applicants isn’t easy, but firsttime job seekers must find a way to do just that.
But preparing for a professional career begins long before men and women send out their first resumes. The following are a few steps first-time job seekers can take to ensure their transition from student to professional goes as smoothly as possible.
• Clean up your online presence. College is a carefree time for many students, but those fun times should not come to define your online presence. When preparing to enter the workforce, scrub your social media presence clean of anything that does not present you in a mature and positive light. Fair or unfair, photos from nights out on the town in college can damage your reputation and prevent hiring managers from considering your resume. Clean social media profiles of any information, be it photos, blog postings or musings on Twitter, that may leave companies questioning your judgment and maturity level, and think twice before posting any such information in the future. • Clean up your physical presence. Shoulder-length hair and a scruffy beard might have projected your desired image on campus, but such an image will rarely score you points in the business world. First impressions go a long way, and appearance can make or break a first impression. Even if a more conservative look is not your personal style, it’s the style many companies prefer. Men should project a polished look, including a nice suit, while women should wear appropriate office attire and avoid going overboard with makeup and jewelry.
• Do your homework. Just because college has ended doesn’t mean first-time job seekers no longer have homework. Research the industry you want to work in, staying abreast of the latest developments and predictions as to where the industry is going and which companies figure to be leading the industry in the coming years. Research also should involve learning about companies you want to work for, and that research should be kicked into overdrive if and when you are granted a job interview. Hiring managers will
Once college has ended, first-time job seekers can employ several strategies to improve their chances of landing their first jobs. be more impressed by candidates who demonstrate a knowledge of the industry and their companies than they would be a candidate with a high GPA but little industry knowledge.
• Work free. Lounging around Mom and Dad’s house waiting for the phone to ring won’t stand out on a resume. If job offers are scarce, consider working free, offering your services to companies in your industry free of charge in an attempt to get your foot in the door. This may mean applying for an unpaid internship or simply writing hiring managers at certain companies and offering to come in a few days each week to get a feel for the industry and help in any way you can. Many professionals began their careers working for no money. This can ingratiate first-time job seekers with companies while providing them valuable experience that can help them stand out in a crowded pool of applicants.
News Times Newspapers, Friday, September 23, 2016 • careers & education
Deciding if graduate school is right for you her own. But more than just finances come into consideration when professionals are deciding if graduate school is the right way to further their careers.
G
raduate school has long been a place professionals turn to when looking to give their careers a boost. But the recent recession left many professionals wondering if graduate school would help or hurt their chances of finding a more challenging or fulfilling job.
As is typically the case during an economic downturn, graduate school applications increased during the recent recession, when job opportunities for new graduates were scarce, forcing many to seek shelter in graduate programs. But such shelter isn’t always available, nor is a graduate degree for everyone. According to the Council of Graduate Schools, graduate schools received 4.3 percent more applications for entry into master’s and Ph.D. programs in 2012 than in 2011. Despite the apparent growing interest in graduate programs, the number of students who began graduate studies decreased between 2011 and 2012, suggesting that perhaps graduate school is not for everyone, even those who go through the arduous application process. Much of the reason for that decline in enrollment can likely be traced to the cost of graduate school; costs have grown larger during the recession, when even colleges and universities felt the sting of a sagging economy. During the recession, many schools were unable to devote as much funds to incentives such as assistantships and merit-based scholarships as they were during those periods when the economy was thriving. As a result, even those applicants who were accepted to graduate school may have found their respite from the recession was likely to be anything but, forcing them to accept large amounts of debt in order to earn their advanced degrees. Determining if taking on such debt was ultimately worth pursuing an advanced degree was a decision each individual had to make on his or
• Career ambition: Many people pursue an advanced degree out of intellectual curiosity, while many others do so in an effort to resuscitate their careers or facilitate a transition to a new career. Ask yourself if your career has reached a plateau and the next logical step is an advanced degree. If a graduate degree aligns with your career goals, then you likely won’t regret pursuing such a degree regardless of the cost. On a similar note, if a graduate degree is required in another field you want to transition into, then the cost of that degree likely won’t be too much of a hindrance. But if a graduate degree isn’t necessary for your career but more of a shortcut to furthering that career, then the cost of pursuing the degree might not be worth it, and it could be something you grow to regret when loan payments come due.
• Family: Family also comes into play for many professionals who are weighing if an advanced degree is right for them. Graduate degrees are not easy to come by, and the work required to earn such a degree is considerable. Professionals with families must consider the impact their pursuits of advanced degrees may have on their families. Many professionals pursue advanced degrees part-time, which means they may not earn their degree in two years like full-time students will. Professionals with families must decide if the graduate degree is worth a three- or four-year investment and the sacrifices that will need to be made during those three or four years.
• Location: The right graduate program for you will not necessarily be close to home. Unlike younger students or recent college graduates, professionals often have established ties within a community. This includes a network of friends and fellow professionals. Leaving that life behind to pursue an advanced degree likely won’t be easy, so professionals considering such a pursuit should weigh the impact such a move may have on their quality of life and if that sacrifice is worth pursuing the degree. An advanced degree can be a great way for professionals to advance their careers while satisfying their intellectual curiosity. But such pursuits come at a cost, and those costs should be considered before the application process even begins.
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40 careers & education • News Times Newspapers, Friday, September 23, 2016
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