Career Center Weekly Blog

Internships are an important part of every student’s college career.  If it isn’t, it should be.  Many majors require students to complete an internship before they can even graduate.  They do this because they know that completing one will be beneficial to you in the long run.  As a student myself, I can truthfully tell you how important it really is.  Internships allow you to experience what goes on in the career field that you are thinking about.  It’s almost like a semester long, “Take Your College Student to Work Day.”  .  This is important to do before you graduate and get a job, because you might realize that you aren’t cut out for this specific area and want to work somewhere else. 

With an internship, you get to see what happens on a day to day basis. You get to complete assignments and daily tasks that are specific to the job.  In many cases you may even have a special project to complete that you alone are in charge of.  Another perk of doing an internship is the networking that you get to do.  These people that you work with are good resources not only for questions and help, but also for possible future job contacts and references.  So if you can’t decide on whether or not to do an internship, and you think your advisor is just saying you should to give you extra work, they’re not.  Take it from another fellow student, it’s worth the time and work!

Holley Springfield, Class of 2009

10. Dress the part! Come to the interview in professional business suit. This will impress the interviewer and they will be able to picture you working in their office.

9. Maintain eye contact! This is a simple but effective way to show confidence in yourself and your abilities.

8. Speak clearly and smoothly. You want the interviewer to understand you so no slang and no filler words to jumble up your answers. Also, if you have a thick accent try to enunciate clearly.

7. Arrive early for the interview. Show up to the interview at least 15 minuets in advance, yes you may have to wait but it is all about the company—not you.

6. Be familiar with the position you are applying for. While this may seem very obvious, know the title and duties of the position you are applying for, you do not want to make a fool of yourself when you have to ask the “stupid” questions.

5. Take notes during the interview. This is a way to show the interviewer that you are really interested in the position and the company plus it will help you later when you have to way different options. But don’t forget to give the interviewer your undivided attention.

4. Ask questions. This is another way to show interest in the position. If you do not ask questions the interviewer may perceive you as uninterested and pass you by.

3. Do your research before hand. This will not only help you develop questions to ask the interviewer but it will be a gold star for you in their eyes. Showing knowledge about the company shows your interest and helps with conversation.

2. Act like everyone you talk to is interviewing you. This includes the secretary, all the employees you are introduced to, everyone! While these people may not be part of the formal interview, it is part of an informal interview—they will all share their notes afterwards and you want to make a great impression.

1. Know yourself! You’re most likely thinking that this is the easiest thing but it is hard for some. You need to not only know all of your past experiences but know where you want to go and where you are currently. This will come in handy when the interviewer asks you “Why should I hire you?”

We have previously discussed how a mentor can help you with determining what you want to do with the rest of your life. But have you thought about a mentor for when you start that new job? A mentor in the workplace is a great contact to have. And you can have one in your part-time work, internship, or full-time positions.

What can a mentor do for you? Besides the obvious of guiding you through work place do’s and don’ts, a mentor can help you along with your career. Choose someone who has been in the profession for a number of years. Their experience in the field can teach and mold you. Plus, if you develop an effective relationship with them they can help you in the future with your career goals.

As you are reading this you are probably wondering what this has to do with you the student? You have a few months to a few years before you are in the work world so what can a mentor do for you now? In the here and now a mentor can be a fellow student, a professor, or someone else who can keep you motivated during your schooling and job search. You have friends who give you that emotional boost but sometimes you need someone who will listen without judging and offer you viable solutions to your academic problems.

So, choose a mentor to help you succeed now in your academic or internship experience but also choose one when you start that new job. Good luck!

At the College of Charleston, many students decide to seek employment (either permanently or temporarily) in a foreign country. This is a great idea but each country has its own customs and rules when it comes to resumes. So how do you prepare for the global job search with an American resume? You don’t! If you are seeking employment in a foreign country you need to learn what they expect from a resume because there are key differences.

One of those differences is the listing of personal information (marriage status, age, place of birth, or a picture) is not acceptable on an American resume. It provides too much liability when the organization is hiring. They are supposed to hire you based on your qualifications not your age or skin color. But in some European or South American countries (among others) this information is essential for the hiring organization and they expect it on your resume.

There are other differences that may present themselves. In order to become better prepared for the global job search the Career Center has a print resource, “The Global Resume and CV Guide,” that you are welcome to come and view (sorry the book can not be taken from the Career Center). This book provides you with details (including examples and other resources) about writing resumes for 40 different countries. The guide also lists advice and help on interviewing in a foreign country as well as cultural advice. So when you are preparing your resume for the global search please stop by the Career Center and look at our resources!

Do you know of other resources to help with the global job search? If so, please share in the comments below!