Amaryllis

Beware of the Brand

The concept of personal branding has become a popular subject when it comes to building an image of the “best me” to present to employers. But what I have come to realize is that people have a hard time understanding this concept because of the big B. What does branding mean to you? Branding is intended to tell potential employers what you can offer them and how you differentiate yourself from other candidates, but I find it increasingly difficult to project this demeanour when I am focused on meeting job application deadlines, attending networking events, volunteering, studying for midterms and dozens of other commitments. So I decided to scrap the “brand” terminology and focus on showcasing my individualism and personality.

I created a mantra called a “DAMN portfolio” (DAMN stands for documents, attire, media and network) where I focus on simple tricks to make myself stand out from other candidates, especially those who may have the same or, or even better qualifications for the job.

1. Documents – this aspect encompasses your cover letter, resumė and networking cards that tell your story on paper. There is nothing worse than a never-ending resumė that makes an employer feel like they are trapped in a spinning vortex (if they even read that much of it). Networking cards have been a trend but I always see students sticking to the basics with monotone colours and simple font. JAZZ IT UP! Tailor your card to the industry you are applying for and don’t be afraid to add some colour for a pop. But to take things a step forward, I applied the design of my networking cards to my cover letter and resumė to create a consistent look across all my documents. Snazzy right?

2. Attire – the key is to dress for success. Bring out your best attire, even if it means investing in a few sports jackets or blazers that you can interchange with a white dress shirt. The mistake students make is showing up to networking events dressed in jeans or running shoes. Consider every opportunity your last shot to seal the deal and kick it up a notch. If an event is “business casual” avoid graphic t-shirts, jeans, running shoes or leggings! With the Job Fair coming up on February 5th, consider slipping on a dress shirt and dress pants; not only does it put you into a professional mindset but it also shows employers that you are serious about the event.

3. Media – in terms of professional networking you want to start building a LinkedIn profile if you haven’t already. Setting up your account is the easy part; the difficult comes in when narrowing down what to display on the profile. A connection of mine had over 10 volunteer positions, 6 work positions and 20 skills displayed on her profile (not to mention a never-ending list of courses she has taken over the duration of her undergraduate). Narrow it down to your top positions that are most relevant to your career objective. Check out the Career Centre’s LinkedIn Workshop for an opportunity to revamp and redesign your page. My last tip is to beware of sharing your twitter handle with employers on your resume or LinkedIn. Make sure that you have an appropriate handle name (not @buffstud_92) and monitor what you tweet and re-tweet!

4. Network – last but far from least, you need to NETWORK. Go to any and every networking event you can attend, especially those that are free. It is a great opportunity to meet new people, pitch your “DAMN portfolio” and potentially connect with individuals who can kick-start your career! In an effort to connect students to career-center events, the Career Centre has created a Facebook page that posts updates on events for all students (search “Laurier Career Centre Events 2014 – Get Connected” and hit the ‘attend’ button)

And that, ladies and gentleman, is your unique DAMN Portfolio! I’d love to know what tricks and tips you have for career searching, networking and interviewing! Leave your comments below!

Gap Year? No Way! An Embrace Year? Sounds Good!

The semester is quickly coming to an end and many 4th year students find themselves scrambling to land the perfect job or be accepted to the best institution for post-graduate studies. But what we fail to realize is that the best decision may be to take a B-R-E-A-K.

Why is it that the societal norm of “success” is to…

a) Graduate and find a job
b) Graduate and continue on to further education

I have grown up being told by my family, instructors and mentors that taking a gap year (aka a year off) can be more detrimental. Well, I beg to differ. There is an endless amount of benefits to taking some time off after graduation to soul-search, define what your goals are, and reflect on the value of your own personal achievements thus far. I read a fantastic article written by Rosemary Counter at Maclean’s ( http://www2.macleans.ca/2013/02/12/mind-the-gap-2/ )
that examined the perception that a gap year can be detrimental in the eyes of employers. She points out the positives of a gap year, especially for Generation Y’s. Taking the time to explore your options not only allows you to ensure that you are making the best decision for YOU, but can permit you the luxury of time to broaden your perspective of the working world.

While we are on the topic, I would like to express my dislike of the terminology ‘gap year’. To me, a gap symbolizes a void or intentional delay. But a year off (if used wisely) can be extremely valuable in terms of exploring careers and yourself through volunteering, travelling and talking to professionals in multiple fields and industries. Not to mention the chance to create a differentiation factor that could set you apart from other graduates across Canada! So instead, let’s call it the ‘Embrace Year’!

Never rush to make a hasty decision! Take the time to check out this short video about some of the services at the Career Centre that can help you understand how to begin your career exploration process effectively. A process that may in fact warrant a year off after your undergraduate degree to do effectively: http://tinyurl.com/p9fc5oq

The Secret to Success

Waking up from the re-occurring nightmare that your final year of university is slowly creeping up on you can definitely cause surges of anxiety and excitement. When reality sets in we realize that our degree can only get us so far without additional experience. The challenge is to differentiate yourself from everyone else, keeping in mind the competitive nature of the job market (I mean this is a serious competition; not only with Laurier graduates but students from other institutions who are equally qualified on paper). As the quest for employment after graduation begins, I can’t help but urge everyone I meet to start preparing for combat. Many students don’t know that the journey began as early as September with dozens of jobs advertised daily through online job boards, social media mediums and print media.

I am hungry for opportunities and eager to find the organization that is the perfect fit for me. Although I am on job boards and Navigator every single day, that is not my key to success, and today I want to share with you one of the best (if not the best) strategy for making yourself stand out from the flock. But you have to PROMISE that you won’t tell anyone…

N-E-T-W-O-R-K-I-N-G. Networking is an untraditional job search method that I have taken advantage of this year. Every corporate session I attend at the Career Centre allows me to practice my communication skills and work on how to start a conversation. Building relationships with potential employers allows me to connect with them on a personal level and have that one-on-one opportunity to ask questions about the company to increase my understanding of each industry.

The Career Centre offers numerous FREE resources that range from workshops to networking sessions and even individual appointments to get you on the track for success. I always recommend the “Job Search and Networking Strategies” workshop because it changed the way that I approached networking. I use this as my opportunity to let my personality shine, ask questions about upcoming positions and requirements, and steer my career!

Your Life is Hectic…I Get it…But Volunteer Anyways!

I can’t believe we are already one month into the fall semester and only seven months away from summer break! Yikes…although the sunshine is motivating the thought of full-time jobs after graduation and summer internships seems to cloud over the sunrays. Most of us do not realize that the job hunt starts now…and what better time to start building your resumė with leadership and volunteer experience.

Employers look for candidates with a diverse portfolio that goes above and beyond academics to include: part-time jobs, community involvement, intramural sports and extracurricular activities. In my first year I was surprised by the number of clubs and organizations existing on campus and found it difficult to narrow down the choices! My recommendation is look for activities where you can contribute and learn the most. Not only will you be giving back to the community but you will also be developing your personal skills. In first year I joined my faculty’s student association, the SBESS, and found that it connected me with a network of students who became study buddies, career mentors and great friends.

But this is the dilemma…how can I contribute the most? Every organization has various positions ranging from general member to vice president. Depending on your time commitment, select a position where you feel confident that you can fulfil job duties and support the team! It is important to ask questions to know what exactly the role entails and how many hours per week are required. As a general member for Laurier Believes 4 Kids, I was able to attend events and contribute to charitable activities such as volunteering to be “pied” in the face to raise money. Staying up-to-date with upcoming events allows you to access opportunities for involvement and enhance your role.

Still having doubt? I guess it is because you are too busy to volunteer right? Too much homework? A full course load? Stop making excuses and give it a try! Check out http://www.wlu.ca/volunteer, or http://www.volunteerkw.ca.