Why go to career fairs if they won't take your resume?

http://www.naceweb.org/Publications/Spotlight_Online/2010/0526/Advising_Students_on_Career_Fair_Participation.aspx

Resumes for Liberal Arts Majors

You are not an accountant, an engineer, a teacher or a social worker. You did not graduate with a readymade job title on your diploma. How can you grab an employer’s attention with your liberal arts degree?

First, realize that one resume will not cut it. Most liberal arts majors may not know what industry they want to join and want to keep themselves open for several options. For a more effective and efficient job-search experience try having a few resumes written for several different positions. One student we know has experience ranging from the nonprofit sector to administration that complements an advanced degree. She has three resumes: one for the nonprofit sector, one for university administration, and one for a faculty position in academia. While her experiences and education remain constant, and she may rearrange the order, her objective is written differently for each.

Second, know how to translate your skill set into terminology the employer is looking for. If, for example, you are an English or history major try demonstrating your analytical reading, editing, and sound research skills on your resume. You can do this by calling upon experiences where you have used those particular skills. It’s OK to mention papers or research projects you have done for classes to show off your skills to employers. Have a section for “Projects” on the resume.

Third, write a dazzling cover letter detailing you interest in the position and helping the employer see you in that job. Connect your education and experience to the position you are going for. There are books and website with examples, but in the end, it must be your own work product. So, write a draft cover letter and make an appointment with the Career Services Center at 216.687.2233. It would be our pleasure to help you craft an impressive letter that should convince employers to call you in for an interview.

Change in the workplace

How can you land that job you are looking for or feel more secure in the one you are in? Become an agent of change. Changes in the workplace, as in society occur constantly and employers are looking for people who are able to meet this demand. To feel and possibly be more secure in your current position, prove yourself to be an invaluable employee whose flexibility allows them to adjust in their responsibilities as needed. How then do you relay this quality effectively on a resume or in an interview?

First, quantify or qualify your experience managing change. Think about what you have done in your current or previous position that demonstrates your ability and willingness to change. Second, be prepared to explain what you have done to initiate positive change in your environment. Adaptability is one of the transferable skills you should include in you repertoire in order to market yourself effectively.

On line job search

The internet has become one of the, if not the most useful resource when searching for a job. If you are curious about just how powerful this tool is, google “job search.” You will receive over 220 million responses. With the current state of our economy and unemployment, such an ambiguous search will not suffice. In fact, searching one of the many online job sites may not yield any results. The search can be even more frustrating if you are one of the millions with a non-technical degree. So how can you use the internet to your advantage? Before you can start googling away, you first need to have a clear idea of what it is you are looking for. If you approach the search with the attitude of “I’m looking for anything,” or “I just need something,” you only will waste valuable time and energy.


Before sitting down at your computer, you must be able to articulate what it is you are looking for. Grab a pen and paper and ask yourself self-reflection questions such as these: Is there a particular field/industry I want to work for? Is there a certain company that interests me? Will I be using my education, experience, or both? What makes me a more qualified candidate than anyone else? Once you have a handle on your personal interests and expectations, you can begin searching in a rational and prepared manner.

What's the deal with credit checks?

So what does employment have to do with credit? Simple, many employers check your credit as a part of the interview and screening process. If you are currently in the market for a new company, be proactive. To start, visit annualcreditreport.com: this is the yearly free credit report you are entitled to. Verify that your information is correct and any discrepancies are corrected. Taking a few minutes prior to the interview will put you in a better position down the road. But what if you are in the process of making a large purchase such as a new home? Ask your potential employer during the interview whether or not they consider credit as a part of the background check. If they do, find out if they run a soft inquiry or a full one. A soft inquiry will not show up on your credit report whereas a full inquiry not only shows up, but deducts points.