Career Conversations
Advice and News from the Cohen Career Center
3 Ways to Make Sure Your Resume Bullet Points Will Impress Recruiters
When you're applying for a job, it often feels like a lot is riding on just your one-page resume. It can be hard to distill all of the experience and skills you gained from a past position into a few short bullet points.
Ask yourself these 3 questions to help write better bullets and maximize space:
1. Is it kind of a big deal? You don’t have a ton of space on your resume, so don't waste it on the more trivial aspects of your past jobs. Instead, focus on the big stuff—things that could be considered impressive achievements.
2. Did you make an impact? Simply put, did you make something better? To really highlight the impact you made, use numbers to quantify what you've accomplished. Numbers give context, making it easier to illustrate the difference you made.
3. Is it common sense to include? Include things that are directly relevant to the position you’re applying for. It may not be a huge accomplishment, but if it’s in the job description, you should probably describe your experience with it on your resume.
Read this complete article, or visit our website for more help crafting a resume.
How to Find Your "Genius Zone" - And how it can Help in your Job Search
Are you having a hard time choosing a field for after graduation? Finding your "Genius Zone can be a huge help! The Genius Zone is where your greatest passion meets your innate talent. Your zone is unique to you, and when you're in it, you get so lost in your work that you don't notice time passing.
Uncovering your zone of genius starts with the understanding that innate talent. Think not only about what you do, but how you do it. Typically, people equate talent with what they do--singing, playing a sport, or performing surgery. But true talent has more to do with how you approach your work.
How do you identify your greatest passion? It's an activity that you could do for countless hours with joy. This is not always straightforward, but can be embedded in your psychology and linked to your personal journey.
When you apply for jobs, recruiters have to choose between you and hundreds of others. If you are clear about your passion and why you are doing what you’re doing, it provides an additional connection point and makes you stand out. Operating in this sphere of self-awareness is also extremely empowering, and it can make your work a blissful experience. It’s the new American Dream epitomized: making money doing what you love. Because when you are clear to yourself and others about what you are exceptional at, you will be better at doing it!
Learn more about the idea behind the Genius Zone.
Are you having trouble finding your Genius Zone? Do you have questions about how to apply it to the working world? Visit the Career Center to make a career counseling appointment, or check our calendar for upcoming events.
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CAREER LINKS OF THE WEEK
Social media can be a great way to express yourself online and communicate with friends. It should also represent you well to anyone who might visit your online profile. More and more employers check up on potential hires' social media accounts - you wouldn't want those Spring Break photos to cost you your dream job! Check out this infographic for tips on how to keep your online presence professional.
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ANNOUNCEMENTS
Making a Living Making a Difference Career Symposium THIS Saturday!
The Making a Living Making A Difference Symposium is coming up on Saturday, March 28th from 10am to 3pm. This event brings William and Mary alumni and other professionals working in government, non-profits, environmental jobs, or internationally to campus to talk about their experiences and answer your questions!
Industries include: museum management, law, international careers, education, politics, environmental, advocacy groups, intelligence, and public health.
Come talk to 25+ alumni about how their jobs are making a difference in the world, learn about career options that might work for you. This event is free, but space is limited. Register here.
This is NOT a career fair, the point is to have real conversations and make genuine connections with these alumni. Business casual attire is appropriate. Light refreshments are provided during the midday networking reception.
Be A Career Center Ambassador!
The Career Center Ambassadors program is a peer education program designed for students to help other students create and enhance their career skills.
Ambassadors must be enthusiastic, energetic, dedicated, responsible, and have a strong understanding of and appreciation for the Cohen Career Center.
If this sounds like you, submit your resume and a cover letter explaining why you would make a great Career Center Ambassador through Tribe Careers by noon on Friday, April 3, 2015.
Freshman & Sophomore Career Programming will be a four-part series of workshops. The Career Center will hold the complete series twice this semester
Quick Questions with Executive Parterns
All semester long, some of William & Mary's Executive Partners will be conducting "Quick Questions" walk-in hours in the Career Center Atrium. These real-world professionals have unique experience and knowledge to help you with your resume, cover letter, and more.
Monday & Thursday 1-4pm
Tuesday & Wednesday 3-5pm
Friday 9-12pm
Visit www.mycareer.wm.edu for more information on our upcoming events.
Visit www.tribecareers.wm.edu to update your academic profile to get information specific to your career interests, and for recent job and internship listings.
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Upcoming Events
Week of March 23rd:
Jobs outside of Academia Panel and Mock interviews
Monday, March 23rd, 12-6pm - Cohen Career Center, Presentation Rooms A&B
Monday, March 23rd, 6-8pm - Cohen Career Center
Representatives will highlight the software company's products and services, growth, culture, and opportunities for students.
Wednesday, March 25th, 12-1pm - Cohen Career Center
Get advice on exploring law careers, developing experience, and applying to law school.
The Career Benefits of Working in Food Service in College: A Panel Discussion
Wednesday, March 25th, 4:30-5:30pm - Cohen Career Center, Presentation Rooms A&B
Hosted by The Order of the White Jacket, an alumni organization that provides scholarships for William & Mary students who work in food service while in school.
Making a Living, Making a Difference
Saturday, March 28th, 9am-3pm - Sadler Center
Cohen Career Center
Issue 6/Series 2
March 23rd, 2015
Email: career@wm.edu
Website: mycareer.wm.edu
Location: Next to the Sadler Center
Phone: 757-221-3231
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/WMCareerCenter
Twitter: @wmcareer