What Should You Ask on the Interview?

If you've done any research on interviewing, you know that you MUST ask the employer questions.  This shows that you are interested in the job and that you've done some homework.  It's also important to know what questions you should stay away from.  Vault (Career Insider) recently shared a list of questions you SHOULD NOT ask on the interview:


1. What are the hours?


2. What is the salary? Is there an opportunity to earn a bonus?


3. Who are your main competitors?


4. What does the timeline look like for promotions?


5. What is the dress code?


6. Could I work from home?


7. How many paid vacation days and sick days would I get?


8. What other benefits would you provide?


9. Does the company monitor employee email or social media accounts?


10. What do you like least about working here?


For reasons why you shouldn't ask these questions and additional tips, read the entire post: http://access.vault.com/blog/interviewing/10-questions-never-to-ask-in-an-interview

Happy Holidays!!

The Center for Career Development wishes you much happiness this holiday season and best wishes for the New Year!!  Thanks for being our readers ;0).

Winter Productivity

Now that the fall semester is over, what are your plans? Are you going on vacation or catching up on some sleep? Maybe both. While relaxing sounds amazing remember to stay productive. This is a great time to do all of the things that you have been putting off all semester like updating your resume, applying for internships, taking winter classes or finding a job.

• Updating your resume is very favorable at this time because you may have developed new skills from one of your classes this semester, earned certification or held a job.
• If you are looking for volunteer experience this is also the perfect time, the holidays are all about helping those less fortunate.
• In need of money? Many retailers are hiring for short term employment over the winter break which may be valuable since you will be able to make money while you’re on break then focus on school when the spring semester begins.
• Here at Kingsborough Community College a six week winter module is offered from January until February which is another option for staying productive. Taking winter classes can lighten your spring course load or keep you on track to an early graduation. Taking winter classes is also a great way to network with your professors who are experienced professionals in the field of your interest.
• Consider joining LinkedIn over the break. LinkedIn’s mission is to connect the world’s professionals to make them more productive and successful.

    

Inquire about winter internships in Career Development (C-102) or on Career Wave.

Enjoy your productive winter break!

C-102 Career Peers get Strong!

 

Thoughts on the Strong Inventory Assessment from our Career Peers

 

Gerardo Battiante

 

One of the first assignments I received when I started my experience as a Career Peer was to take the Strong Interest Inventory survey.  My advisor explained to me that this was a good opportunity for me to narrow my interests and understand what would be the career path that best fits my skills and aspirations. This survey really is a good tool: the report I received was extremely detailed and very accurate. Before I took the survey, I knew I wanted to work in the field of Finance and Economics, but I wasn’t sure what exactly I wanted to be and how to get there. With the help on my advisor, I was able to read and understand what was stated on my report. I believe this tool should be a mandatory assignment for all the students in the school. It can help both students with a clear idea regarding their career, and the undecided ones.

 

Zeenib Younis

 

 I think that the strong Inventory Assessment is a great resource in terms of making decisions about one’s career field. It gives you a wide range of career choices that you can pick based on what your interests are. Even if you are fully decided what your career would be I think everyone should still take it, especially every new KCC student. And of course for those who are undecided, this should definitely help. While taking this assessment at some of the points I was able to pick more than one of my interests and I think that’s very useful. That’s because it shows you what other career fields are out there that can still fall under your interest’s category. This would be very beneficial if you believe you won’t be able to complete your major, as you still can work in the same desired field, but in a different way. For instance, if you decide the medical field is not right for you, you may consider teaching biological science. 

 

Allison

Personally, I already knew about the many careers that I wanted to pursue, so I made sure to participate in activities that involved my career interests, such as dancing, culinary arts, teaching, and politics. But when it came time to settle on a career choice I was indecisive.  From all the areas that I've tried, I didn't know which one would be best for me to fully pursue as a career. I always had a keen interest in helping people so I took up studying criminal justice. Knowing that criminal justice is a broad field, I set out to find how to narrow down my career options in a specific area, and taking the Strong Inventory Assessment greatly helped me in doing so.

While taking the assessment, I noticed questions that approached preferences of working independently or with a team, that scaled your likes or dislikes on occupational tasks that deal with mathematical ability or musical expression, and other questions that allow you to explore the possible directions you can take towards many career choices. I found it interesting how the Strong Inventory Assessment can be a great confidence booster, in that the assessment uses your interests to direct you to occupations that you may not have had in mind, but gives you an idea of what you are capable of doing.

 

There are so many decisions, skills, and years of studying that you may need to dedicate yourself to in order to reach a career that is the one you want.

The Strong Inventory Assessment gave me the extra motivation to take up in politics along with my criminal justice studies.  I now want to pursue a career as a politician, who has the potential to break barriers and make an actual difference in many people’s lives.  Whether it is in a field that gives you the opportunity to make a difference as a community service leader or the chance to innovate the next smart car as an engineer, I strongly encourage students to take the assessment and see for themselves how their interests can guide them to the potential career of their choice.

Group Interviews

So your interview is two days away and you’re nervous because you were told that it will be a group interview and you don’t know what to expect. For many job candidates, group interviews can be intimidating and nerve racking. To overcome this fear and embrace the group interview process one must understand the purposes of a group interview.  

What is a Group interview?

Group interviews involve bringing you into an interview with several other candidates who are contending for the same position. All candidates in the group are interviewed simultaneously. In this setting, Employers are assessing “skills” such as problem solving skills, communication skills and team work.  Employers can get a better insight on how you will handle any stressful situation that may arise. Types of group interviews formats usually consists of group discussions and activities. In this scenario, the candidates involved are either asked to solve a problem that is given or each candidate takes turns answering the same question. The idea is to make yourself stand out and memorable to the person conducting the interview. 

Where are Group Interviews used?

Group interviews are typically reserved for:

• High- stress fast paced environments
• Team oriented environment
• Heavy customer interaction

How to Ace a Group Interview

For people who are comfortable working in teams especially extroverts, group interviews may be easier to ace than the typical one and one. For quieter people who prefer working alone, here are some tips that can help you ace a group interview:

 

• Speak up. Be an active member in a group instead of an observer
• Be confident and not aggressive. Don’t try to undermine another candidate in effort to make yourself look better. This can appear unprofessional and uncooperative.
• Demonstrate that you are actively listening. Show your listening skills by paying attention to what others say during the interview and try not to repeat their responses.”
• Share the things that make you unique. Think about what sets you apart from the other candidates.
•  Prepare a few meaningful questions to ask at the end. Having a list of some insightful questions is an amazing chance to stand out from the other candidates.
• Research the company. Be a well-informed job candidate.

 

References:

https://www.jobinterviewtools.com/how-to-ace-a-group-interview/

https://biginterview.com/blog/2014/03/group-interview.html

                                                                                        ~Loraine DeCoteau

Are You Career Ready?

So, you have a great GPA and you participated in a few campus activities, you even have some volunteer experience.  But, are you truly career ready?

NACE provides a definition of what Career Readiness is:

Career readiness is the attainment and demonstration of requisite competencies that broadly prepare college graduates for a successful transition into the workplace.


Below is a list of recommended competencies that you need to have in order to be prepared for the world of work:

Critical Thinking/Problem Solving: Exercise sound reasoning to analyze issues, make decisions, and overcome problems. The individual is able to obtain, interpret, and use knowledge, facts, and data in this process, and may demonstrate originality and inventiveness.


Oral/Written Communications: Articulate thoughts and ideas clearly and effectively in written and oral forms to persons inside and outside of the organization. The individual has public speaking skills; is able to express ideas to others; and can write/edit memos, letters, and complex technical reports clearly and effectively.


Teamwork/Collaboration: Build collaborative relationships with colleagues and customers representing diverse cultures, races, ages, genders, religions, lifestyles, and viewpoints. The individual is able to work within a team structure, and can negotiate and manage conflict.


Information Technology Application: Select and use appropriate technology to accomplish a given task. The individual is also able to apply computing skills to solve problems.


Leadership: Leverage the strengths of others to achieve common goals, and use interpersonal skills to coach and develop others. The individual is able to assess and manage his/her emotions and those of others; use empathetic skills to guide and motivate; and organize, prioritize, and delegate work.


Professionalism/Work Ethic: Demonstrate personal accountability and effective work habits, e.g., punctuality, working productively with others, and time workload management, and understand the impact of non-verbal communication on professional work image. The individual demonstrates integrity and ethical behavior, acts responsibly with the interests of the larger community in mind, and is able to learn from his/her mistakes.


Career Management: Identify and articulate one’s skills, strengths, knowledge, and experiences relevant to the position desired and career goals, and identify areas necessary for professional growth. The individual is able to navigate and explore job options, understands and can take the steps necessary to pursue opportunities, and understands how to self-advocate for opportunities in the workplace.


Are you lacking in any of the competencies above?  Visit the Center for Career Development & Experiential Learning (Room C-102) to learn how to develop them.


Reference: http://www.naceweb.org/knowledge/career-readiness-competencies.aspx

Beware of Job Scams

The first scam dates back to 193 A.D. with the sale of the Roman Empire.  During a time of unrest a special army that was supposed to be loyal to the emperor killed him and offered his empire to the highest bidder. The highest bidder was Julianus. He paid each member of the army 250 gold pieces which is valued at $1 billion dollars today. In the end Julianus was overthrown because the empire did not belong to the army to sell. The guards that received money for the empire were later killed by the new emperor for their role in illegal sale of the empire.

A new type of scam involving job postings has become very popular with the demand for jobs and an unsteady economy. A job scam occurs when a scammer poses as an employer or recruiter, and offers attractive employment opportunities which require that the job seeker pay money in advance. This is usually under the appearance of background and/or credit checks that are required for the job. Once the money has been paid to the scammer disappears, and the job seeker is left with no job, and a loss of money. A job scammer’s goal is always the same despite the approach; to gain money and or obtain confidential personal information that can be used for identity theft.

WAYS TO AVOID JOB SCAMS

-REMEMBER! No legitimate company or recruiter will ask for money upfront. Not for anything.

-Do some research on the company, visit the company’s website. If they do not have one, or it does not have contact details, then you need to tread cautiously!

-Legitimate job related emails will come from corporate email accounts. Any recruiter or company that corresponds from a free email account such as Yahoo, Live, Hotmail or Gmail is very likely a scammer

-Check scam lists. Always check with organizations such as Better Business Bureau and the Federal Trade Commission to see if the company has been reported as a scammer

-Always remember that reputable companies are not going to offer you a role without interviewing you first. NEVER accept a job offer that has come through via email, when you have never had a telephone or face-to-face interview.

-Double check the URL, or the web address of the company.

- Be cautious of emails with grammatical and spelling mistakes.

SECURE YOUR SOCIAL SECURITY NUMBER!

You will eventually have to provide your social security number to an employer — when you’re completing a job application or employment contract — but do so only after you have validated that the company is legitimate.

                                                                                                                              ~Kyla Hendy

How to Ace the Video Interview

An interview that takes place behind a computer screen, can go by many names:

Remote interview, video interview or online interview

 

 

Take a look at these tips on how to ace that particular interview.

Before

ü  You will need a quiet place with a neutral or professional background

ü  Have your resume, pen and paper ready

ü  Dress professionally

During

Do not eat or drink

Do not have your radio or TV on

Make sure you will not be disturbed

Remember to smile, you are on camera after all!

 

After

Send a thank you note within 48 hours

~Christine Davis

What Employers Are Looking For

Of course, required skills and knowledge vary from occupation to occupation. Yet, there are certain qualities that appear high on employers’ priority lists, across multiple occupational fields.  Students may benefit from developing these regardless of their major or desired career. Here are a few of the qualities that employers seek in job candidates:

 

 

Taking Responsibility

It’s not uncommon for students just entering the work world to struggle with describing their prior responsibilities. Responsibilities both in and out of the office can be transferrable to your target job.  In your resume, be sure to include any responsibility where you care for or guide others, even if it is not in the “business” realm--for example, in a babysitting, tutoring or camp counselor position.  

Communication Skills

Despite the prevalence of apps and social networking in the digital age, face to face and written communication skills remain priorities to employers. Some of these interpersonal communication skills are practiced through working in teams, customer service, or professional correspondence in business emails and memos.  

Leadership and Being Pro-active

A leadership role in school, clubs, work or community signals to employers that you can be a self-starter.  Related to leadership, employers prize employees who think about how to improve the organization or assist their fellow workers.  During the interview, you can show this quality by asking questions about what is needed for their projects/goals, and suggest what you might contribute.

Problem Solving

Think of a time you made a process work more efficiently or helped to identify alternative solutions to a problem, either at work or for a school project.  Did you troubleshoot a technical issue? Maybe you helped implement an idea that improved the organization’s products, services or profits.  Include a brief description of this in your resume/cover letter and during the interview.

Ability to Work in a Team

Ambition is generally considered a good trait, but increasingly, employers see the benefit of employees who look at the organization’s bigger picture over their own recognition.  This includes being pro-active about assisting your co-workers.  It requires a set of interpersonal qualities--patience, empathy, and understanding others’ work and learning styles. At key moments, it may also mean putting the organization’s needs before one’s own.

Technical Knowledge Related to a Job

Whether the job entails proficiency with spreadsheets, specialized software, coding, CPR certification, or operating machinery, the more you practice the technical knowledge deemed common in a career area, the greater the advantage you’ll have over someone who needs to be trained.  If you’ve never had exposure to relevant, essential skills through employment, build them through classes, workshops or internships that provide you with guidance.

 

References:

http://www.naceweb.org/s11182015/employers-look-for-in-new-hires.aspx

http://www.inc.com/adam-heitzman/8-essential-skills-every-employer-looks-for-in-recent-graduates.html

http://www.forbes.com/sites/lizryan/2016/03/02/12-qualities-employers-look-for-when-theyre-hiring/2/#2f753b721ced

                                                                                                                           ~ Yee Ho

Panel Discussions

At some point in their college lives, students have to face the very important question: Which career to choose? One of the best ways to explore careers is through panel discussions. A panel discussion usually involves a relatively small group of people (4-10 panelists) discussing a topic in front of an audience. In higher education, the most common type of panel discussion is the career panel. A career panel is an opportunity for students to interact with professionals in various career areas and sometimes different occupations in the same industry. The main goal is to learn how to prepare for a specific career and be successful in that career.

 

Panel discussions can be in different formats. The most common format is Q&A Style where a moderator introduces the panelists, then asks them a few previously prepared questions, followed by about 25 minutes of audience questions and ending with a summary and thanks. The other formats are Initial Remarks Style and Presentation Style, both of which involve the panelists introducing themselves and sharing their perspectives for about 5 to 15 minutes before the Q&A starts.

Panel discussions can be very beneficial to students. Some benefits to attending a panel are:

-          Listening to panelists’ personal stories of their school and career challenges can help you overcome your own

-          Career panels create opportunities for networking with local employers

-          Panelists share specific information about the best ways to prepare for a specific career area (for example: volunteering or job shadowing)

If you are ever invited to attend a panel discussion, the best way to prepare is to have a list of questions ready for the panelists. If it is a career panel and you know the panelists occupations, do some research beforehand to help you identify the best questions to ask.

Sample questions to ask at a panel discussion:

-       Why were you willing to come here today to speak with us?

-       What is the most rewarding aspect of your job?

-       What motivated you to choose this career?

-       How much education and training is required for this career?

We hope these simple tips help you benefit greatly from your next panel discussion.

                                                                                                                      ~Nympha Pierre

HAPPY THANKSGIVING!!

Happy Thanksgiving from the Center for Career Development & Experiential Learning.  As you give thanks, don't forget to give back to those in need!

The Importance of Service

Fun Fact - Providing service enables individuals to obtain “physical and mental rewards” by focusing on others because it interrupts natural tension-producing patterns and stress.

Service opportunities provide potential benefits to students, faculty, and the community.

STUDENTS benefit academically, professionally, and personally.

v  Allow you to gain professional experience and encourages civic responsibility

v  Promote personal growth and self-esteem by making a difference

v  Bring people together from diverse backgrounds to work toward a common goal

 

FACULTY also benefit personally and professionally by integrating service opportunities into courses.

v  Boost course enrollment by attracting highly motivated and engaged students

v  Promote active learning, add new insights and dimensions to class discussions by engaging with students who possess different learning styles

v  Foster relationships and provides networking opportunities with engaged faculty in other disciplines

 

COMMUNITY PARTNERS benefit in these ways:

v  Afford insight into additional human resources needed to achieve organizational goals

v  Attract new energy, enthusiasm, and perspectives into the organization's work as well as grow the organization

v  Educate students about community issues by correcting misunderstandings which increase public awareness of key issues

 

A few examples of providing service are:

v  Tutoring and providing literacy to children, young adults and elderly people

v  Supporting youths by being a mentor in after-school programs

v  Beautifying the community by planting trees or cleaning beaches and parks

v  Lending a helping hand to elderly citizens

Interested in getting involved?

Visit the Center for Career Development & Experiential Learning

Room - C102
Phone: 718-368-5115

                                                                                                ~Javon John