George Mason University University Career Services
www.careers.gmu.edu 348 SUB I, 703-993-2370
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Job Growth, 2007 – 2008 • Increase of 40,700 in Wash. DC Metro area • Increase of 50,000 (highest growth)Dallas and Houston • Loss of 60,000 (greatest loss) in Detroit area Unemployment, Sept 2008 • 4% in Wash. DC Metro area (lowest rate nationally) • 6% in total US • 8+% in Detroit (highest nationally)
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Change 08-09
Number of respondents, NACE Job Outlook Survey 2009
Percent of respondents, NACE Job Outlook Survey 2009
Number of respondents, Mason Fall 2008 Job Fair Employers 6 71 105 182
Percent of respondents, Mason Fall 2008 Job Fair Employers 3.3% 39% 57.7% 100%
Decrease No Change Increase Total
73 19 48 140
52.1% 13.6% 34.3% 100%
Note: More than 97% of employers attending our Fall Job & Internship Fair expect to increase hiring of college graduates, or stay at the same level as in 2008.
Internship Resume Focus: School or campus activities and course-related transferable skills Job Resume Focus: Communicating transferable skills gained through intern/work experiences Both Require: Self-knowledge, time and effort, tools and ability to communicate knowledge, skills, and abilities
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COOPERATIVE EDUCATION
INTERNSHIPS
Eligibility: Undergraduate, Graduate, and International students (see Co-op eligibility forms for specific requirements.) At completion, will receive a Co-op notation on transcript. A commitment of a minimum of 12 consecutive weeks with the same employer; may be parttime or full-time. Always paid – salaries can range from $9 -$28 per hr.
May receive credit; departments have different eligibility requirements— check with department. Can be paid and unpaid – some employers offer stipends. Commitment varies; typically will be for one semester, often part-time. May not be called an internship but may still offer valuable careerrelated experience.
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Job Search or Employer Directories (Career Library)
WBJ Book of Lists, How to Get a Job in Europe, Student’s Federal Career Guide, Developing a Lifelong Career in the Sports Marketplace, etc. Associations Unlimited database (see university libraries’ database list)
Trade Journals & Professional Associations
Researching Employers and Industries Link
http://careers.gmu.edu/students/jobhunt/researching.html
Local and National Newspapers or websites (long distance job search), Business Periodicals (Lexis-Nexis) & Annual reports
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Apply directly on-line for positions Learn what is “out there” by reading job descriptions and employer information “Publish” your resume in PJW’s electronic Resume Book. Registered employers may review resumes. Mason students register for PJW (free):
◦ University Career Services, 348 SUB I or ◦ SOM Career Services, 8 Enterprise Hall
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60%-90% of all jobs are found through networking. Networking is linking together people, through in-person meetings and/or social situations, for information gathering or job search. Anyone and everyone can be part of your network including Friends, Family, Neighbors, Classmates, Faculty...
RESOURCES:
◦ GMU Career Network (alumni contacts) http://careers.gmu.edu/cn ◦ Student organization or Professional Association members ◦ Career Panels (ex., Mason’s annual International Careers panel) ◦ Workshops such as How to Network. For a complete schedule see: http://careers.gmu.edu/calendar.
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County, State, Federal & specialized sites, go to: (http://careers.gmu.edu/links, Find a Job) O*NET http://online.onetcenter.org/ (occupational and career information) Riley Guide http://www.rileyguide.com/jobs.html Professional or Trade Association job listings Job & Internship Fairs On Campus Interviewing **Don’t rely on the internet as your only job search strategy; spend more time on specialized sites than on the commercial job listings. Why?
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COMMITMENT JOB
TARGETS AND TIMELINE
CHECKLIST
**For a sample plan, see: http://careers.gmu.edu/students/jobfind/jhtipspdf/J Hcomplete.pdf
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Can you describe the following? ◦ Who you are ◦ What type of position you’re looking for ◦ Your accomplishments (Education, Training & Experience) 30 Second Commercial Prepare list of networking questions Supply your contact with up-to-date resume Follow-up/thank you notes are essential!
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Construct a personal pitch – A personal pitch is a brief statement that typically takes about thirty to 60 seconds to say that introduces you and your situation. Pitch your strengths, current work /student role and your skills, education, expertise, interests, and accomplishments. At the end of the pitch clarify what you want or are looking for.
◦ Hello, I’m John Smith and I am a sophomore majoring in Sociology at George Mason University. I think I have good writing skills and I speak Spanish. I’d like to ask you some questions about what it is like to work in a federal government agency. I’ve heard there are a lot of internships for students but I don’t know where to start.
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Brainstorm Alternatives
◦ Goal: finance positions on Wall Street ◦ Alternative: finance positions in FBI or other government agencies
Investigate Expanding Industries
◦ Industries with many baby boomers planning to retire ◦ Government, security and defense employers ◦ Health services and related businesses (biotechnology, nanotechnology, medical products) ◦ Contract management; acquisitions; procurement; insurance ◦ Energy and utilities; transportation ◦ Agricultural production; food processing
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Jobs options associated with Student Loan Forgiveness http://www.finaid.org/loans/forgiveness.phtml In demand occupations http://online.onetcenter.org/ Growth industries http://stats.bls.gov/emp/empfastestind.htm Occupations with the largest job growth http://stats.bls.gov/emp/emptab3.htm
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Accurate Personal Data (Is it okay to round up your GPA?) Background Check/ Drug Testing (answer all ?s truthfully) Interview Invitations (Keep the appointment; if you need to cancel do so well in advance) Timeliness (If you ask for extra time, reply ASAP, within the agreed amount of time.) Accepting Job Offers (Withdraw all other applications; it is not okay to continue job search activities after accepting a position.) Reimbursements (Carefully track expenses and submit receipts ASAP.) Other dilemmas??
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Confidentiality Access to Accurate Information Fair Treatment Nondiscrimination
References
◦ http://www.naceweb.org/principles/reasonable_offer.htm ◦ http://som.gmu.edu/pace/web.asp?JobSearchEthicsAdviceFromTheExperts
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