Career Advice

The easiest way to think about reading the news is like opening a savings account – the earlier you start saving, the more capital you’ll have compounded in the long run. However, unlike a typical savings account, interest is paid in two forms: enhanced understanding and meaningful conversation. Everything you consume helps you get more out of your readings, as well as expand your mindset in academics and work. It’s this understanding that will allow you to figure out the right questions to ask in interviews and networking. You’ll also obtain a more diverse set of topics to discuss with friends, family, coworkers, and professors. By knowing more than just the headlines, you’ll be able to build credibility quickly and make a genuine human connection in each conversation.

Picking out what to wear is the last thing you should be worrying about when you’re prepping for your dream job interview, but unfortunately, it can be a source of stress before the big day. It’s tough when you want to make a good first impression, but also look like you can fit right in with the rest of the office. How you dress ultimately affects how you feel during your interview, and if you’re fidgeting and uncomfortable, you’re not going to feel confident explaining why you’re a great fit for the job. Finding the perfect outfit doesn't have to be stressful – try following these basic guidelines when you’re rummaging through your closet the night before your interview.

Actually landing an internship offer is an extensive process in itself – from sending out resumes to doing tons of interviews, it’s definitely rewarding when it ends in an offer or two. But that’s only a small part of the battle; making sure you’re making the most out of your time and absorbing as much as you can when you’re there is critical. An internship is all about learning what you do and don’t like and what industries and types of positions you might want to be in after college. Here are some tips for making the most of it:

College students spend countless hours each week devoting their energy to extracurricular activities. These organizations can provide students with valuable skills they will use in the workplace for years to come – and shouldn’t you be recognized for all your hard, out-of-class work? By listing these groups on your resume or LinkedIn profile, you will show employers that you are a dedicated individual with different interests who can bring relevant skills and experiences to the position.

As a college student, you typically don’t have “real-world” experience when it comes to interviewing for a full-time position. But when you find a job and/or company you love and have an interview lined up with them, it’s no secret that you’ll want to appear professional, experienced, and totally prepared.

You’ve negotiated your pay, accepted your job offer and moved into a new apartment. You’re ready to start your first real job. Along with excitement, you’re probably feeling a bit nervous and maybe even wondering if they picked the right person for the job. Before you stress yourself out too much, remember that the company hired you for a reason. You have the qualifications and the potential to succeed in the role and hopefully grow with the company. However, it can still be helpful to have a list of things to think about your first six months on the job.

After revising your resume countless times, building professional relationships throughout college, and making it through the interview process, you finally have an offer in hand. While this is an incredibly exciting time, it’s important to take a step back and consider the offer you’ve received before excitedly emailing back your acceptance. You’ll be at this job for at least a year, and it has the chance to lay the foundation for the rest of your career. Whether or not you have competing offers, you should still be sure that the job you accept is the right one for you, and you’re not just accepting it because it’s the first offer you received.

Ah, the cover letter. It’s the source of many hours of frustration that just might push you from potential candidate to hired employee – as long as it’s good. Equally, a poorly-written cover letter can get your name tossed from the pile, never to be heard of again. While the success of a cover letter is ultimately based on the taste of the person reading it, there are some universal tips that can help anyone along.

Technical interviews can be intimidating. While most job interviews assess your soft skills, candidates going into a software development or engineering role will be asked to test their coding and critical thinking abilities right on the spot. What’s more, there’s no master list of questions you’ll be asked to answer in a technical interview. Acing a technical interview requires a strong understanding of your fundamentals, great problem-solving skills, and the ability to stay calm and clearly convey your thinking to the interviewer.