I had originally planned to write a post about finding a job outside your major, an obstacle many students encounter around this time of year as a Junior or Senior. In fact, I did write a post about it. A full page of advice I thought would be helpful to students in a squeeze, disappointed in their decision and without the time, money, or energy to change majors. But there was a big problem: the post was boring. I found myself guilty of the same mistakes so many of us make. I was just going through the motions, typing up the same career advice you can find through our

I had 2 options: post the piece I had written, or write something that would provide a new perspective and be something I’m proud of.

These are essentially the same choices you’re faced with when deciding whether to continue into a career traditionally related to your major that may not be what you want, or take the risk of venturing into something you’re truly passionate about.

Competitiveness and drive for positions will be a necessity. While I don’t recommend pepper-spraying other candidates before an interview, the interviewee who shows the most passion for a position will have a leg up on a more experienced but less passionate competitor.

Also consider informational interviews with people who are successful in the career you’re considering. Just a half hour with someone can provide a lot of insight. In my experience, 5 people in the same career will have 5 different paths they took to get there. These short meetings are also an excellent opportunity to network.

Finally, meet with your Career Consultant to make sure the path you’re considering is an option right out of school. Also make sure you aren’t selling yourself short by choosing a position you will be excessively over-qualified for.

A career in landscaping may not be the best choice for your MBA

What it comes down to is gaining experience and getting your name out there in the field you’re considering. An internship or externship through the Career Center’s Intern For a Day Program will give you exposure to the real world activities in an industry. As far as obtaining an internship, joining pertinent student organizations will provide the networking opportunities to make the transition as smooth as possible.

Bear in mind that the extra effort will be worth it. If you’ve truly found your passion and calling in life, the satisfaction you’ll receive on the job will outweigh any trouble getting into the field initially. With the proper preparation, you’ll be surprised how many people are willing to help out.

How did you get into Career Services?

Originally I had wanted to use my psychology degree in the field of mental health counseling. When I was looking into graduate programs, I found that UGA had a community counseling program which has many different counseling options. Through this I found an interest in career counseling. After being accepted into the program, I interviewed with the Career Center and received a graduate assistant position.

What do you enjoy most about your job?

I really enjoy all the student interaction. I love meeting all the diverse students here at UGA and seeing how excited they are about their future plans.

Do you have any helpful career advice?

Choose a major or career path that makes you happy, not what others expect you to do.

What do you enjoy doing in your spare time?

I love baking and trying new recipes. I also enjoy spending time with friends and being surrounded by people.

What is your favorite thing to do in Athens?

I have really enjoyed eating at all the locally owned restaurants. The food is great!

What was your first part-time job?

I started out as a hostess at an Italian restaurant, but quickly became a server. I worked there for five years.

What is something unique about you?

This is pretty random, but my parents are both named Terry. It was always confusing when someone would call asking for Terry and I had to figure out who they wanted to talk to.

Why do the CDIs love Leigh?

“I have never left Leigh’s office without a smile on my face. Her positive attitude makes her someone you always want to be around. Despite her busy schedule, she always finds time to get to know all of the CDIs. She is a great resource for any career related advice.” - Corrie  

Day before

While the main reason for my trip was to be interviewed for a job that I would love to have, I also used the time to evaluate whether I could see myself relocating to fill the position. Having only visited Boston twice before, I knew I needed time to assess whether it was truly a place I could not only visit but also move to after graduation. My flight arrived the day before the interview and I used the afternoon to walk around the city, use the mass transit system and talk to locals myself. An additional perk? This gave me ample time to sleep and prepare for the interview the next day.

Morning of

As a notorious over-sleeper, I took drastic steps to ensure I would wake-up with plenty of time to spare the morning of my interview. My personal orchestra of alarms began serenading me three hours prior to the interview start time. Consisting of a quartet of hotel wake-up calls and mid-show solo by a phone call from mom, I was wide awake before the final encore- a Piezo alarm courtesy of Sprint – could begin.

While John mentioned listening to some serious psych-up music before his interview, I personally enjoy a pre-interview workout. With a copy of my resume and the job description in hand, I spent time reviewing my answers to probable interview questions in the hotel gym. This trend continued as I finished getting ready and headed downstairs to the lobby.

Something to consider if you’re staying overnight: to avoid being charged a late check-out fee, I checked out of the hotel prior to leaving for my interview. I made sure to allot for extra time for this process and to leave my bags with the doorman.

Arrival

After checking out of the hotel, I dodged the blustery Boston wind by taking a taxi to my interview. While the walk would have only been a few blocks the taxi assured I arrived on-time and without any clothing or shoe malfunctions.

Upon arriving at the office, I was asked to wait in the lobby with the other interviewees until we were called back. While this time may seem intimidating for some, I reveled in the opportunity to meet my potential co-workers. (Because I was interviewing for a development program, I knew I’d be working closely with at least some of these “competitors” if selected.) After twenty minutes or so, we made our way to the interview room.

The interview begins

After being offered refreshments by a member of the interview team, we took our seats for a presentation about the company and specific program we were applying for. Some employers may choose to hold this portion of the interview day over a meal- if so, check out this link here for dining etiquette tips! The presentation is often a great time to review the research you have conducted to prepare for the interview and also helped me by addressing minute details regarding the position I was applying for.

Following the session, the interviewees were led to our individual interview rooms after a brief break. We interviewed with 3 separate employees, each for approximately 30 minutes. While I won’t get into the specifics of the questions asked, I will say this- be sure to find out the types of questions you will be asked prior to the interview, on-site or otherwise, so you can plan accordingly. I have heard a few tragic tales of friends entering interviews completely prepared to answer behavioral questions only to find that the interview was focused on case-study questions instead.

When you do find out the type of questions asked, check out this blog for ways to prepare specifically. As always, remember to answer each question directly and with confidence, and don’t be afraid to brag a bit about your experiences that have prepared you so well for the job! Also, be sure to collect business cards from your interviewers to follow-up with thank you notes or emails later.

As with most on-site interviews, we were given a tour of the facilities after completing our individual interview sessions. This was a great time for me to gauge whether or not I could see myself working not only in the position I was applying for but the company as a whole- an important aspect of the on-site interview to keep in mind!

The follow-up

After wrapping up for the day, I was sure to thank our host before departing for the airport. With the business cards I had collected from my interviewers in hand, I was sure to send thank you emails when I got home. Once I had finished this final step, I took a deep breath and began the waiting game. While my interview team laid out the exact plan for following up with us, you may want to ask an interviewer if you aren’t briefed on the process already. It will help to put you at ease- I promise!

Born and raised in Lawrenceville, GA, Elizabeth Pittard is definitely a girl worth meeting while here at UGA. She has lots of stories to share, along with a smile and a very welcoming attitude. She attended North Georgia College & State University and made her way to Athens when she received an Administrative Assistant position in the Office of Student Conduct. Her undergraduate degree in psychology has helped her learn about the human mind and apply theories to the development of the college student.

How did you get in Career Services?

            I was an administrative assistant here at The University of Georgia and I kept hearing people talk about the Career Center. I realized this job relates to student affairs and I became really interested in the department as well as a career in Student Affairs. I began networking and learning more about the graduate program, and then I was hired for the graduate assistant position.

What do you enjoy most about your job?

               I really enjoy helping students with mock interviews. Not only is it fun to be on the other side of an interview for a change; I believe practicing is very important. I rather have a student make a mistake with me than for them to make a mistake in a real interview.

Do you have any helpful career advice?

            Networking; be aware of who you meet and what they do. You never know what doors can open.

What do you enjoy doing in your spare time?

I love to go out to eat in different restaurants around Athens. One of my favorite restaurants is the Last Resort.

What was your first part-time job?

           My first part-time job was working for Polo outlet. A job in retail was not really for me and I only worked there for a few months.

What is something unique about you?

               I am currently in a unique situation as a full time graduate student, a graduate assistant at the Career Center and a newlywed. There is a lot on my plate to manage time for all these things, but I wouldn’t have it any other way.

Why do the CDIs love Elizabeth?

               Every time I see Elizabeth she always has a smile on her face and a great outfit to match. She is very interactive with the CDI’s and the faculty in the office. Getting to know her this semester has been great; she has a lot of insight about career development and offers realistic advice on how to succeed.

Doing proper research on the company will help you better understand the goals of the company and how to go about answering questions during the interview.

Here are a couple ways to tackle employer research before your interview.

1. Find out if the company has an information session.

• This is a great way to learn more about the company and the position you are applying for. This also gives you the opportunity to network with the employers and ask any questions you may have.

2. Utilize online resources.

• To start head to the company website to find information such as the mission statement, the job description, and key personnel.
• Other areas of the company to focus on include financial information, products and services, marketing strategies, key clients, major competitors, and the recruiting profiles.
• Factiva and LexisNexis Academic are great websites to use for company research. These websites and many others can be found through the UGA Main Library at http://guides.libs.uga.edu/subject-guide/34-Know-Your-Employer-Prep-for-Internships-and-Job

The more knowledge you have on the company, the more prepared you will feel, leading to a successful interview!

How did you get in Career Services?

I was very lucky to get a Graduate Assistantship in Mississippi State’s Career Services office. It was there that I had hands-on experience with students and was introduced to the inner workings of career development.

What do you enjoy most about your job?

I love connecting with students. When students leave my office, 90% of the time they have gained something and that is really rewarding. I especially love when they get the job or interview and let me know about it.

What is the best career advice you have been given?

I give this advice all the time because it was given to me: It’s not about the end goal but the next step. If you focus on just taking the next step and the next step and the next step, you will be led to your end goal. You have to take the next step before you can truly get where you’re going.  

What did you want to be when you grew up?

I actually really wanted to be a teacher and a vet. At the same time.

What is your favorite place in Athens and why?

I love Memorial Park and the IM fields. I love to take my dog on walks and he loves the dog park at Memorial and jumping in the lake at the IM fields.

What was your first part-time job?

I worked at a bank as a teller. I enjoyed working with people and the customers but didn’t like the content side of the job.

What is something unique about you?

I worked at Yellowstone National Park for a summer during undergrad and then took a semester off after graduation to work at a ski resort in Big Sky, Montana. 

Why do the CDIs love Bethany?

“Bethany has graciously served as my mentor for the past year and a half. She is constantly encouraging me in my personal career development and life in general. Her passion for helping others- students and staff- is truly admirable and inspires me constantly. I am truly blessed to know her and think every Education student should take the time to meet her at satellite hours, programs, or through an appointment.” -Ashley  

This preparation works best for me in the form of a routine. While you don’t have to be as predictable as Mr. Rogers changing his shoes or as cinematic as Dexter cutting himself when shaving, following certain steps can have a big impact on your success.  Location will play a big role, but regardless of where the interview is held, your preparation should begin a week before the interview. This may seem excessive, but I promise it’s not. In a recent conversation, a recruiter from a Big 4 accounting firm mentioned that they view students’ appearance at the interview as seeing the student at their absolute best. You don’t want to leave them expecting more.

The first step should be a haircut. This is more important for guys, but both guys and girls should look fresh with hair off your face and collar. Next, make sure your suit and the shirt or blouse you plan to wear are wrinkle-free. Suits only need to be dry cleaned a couple times per year, but getting it pressed is a good idea. The shirt or blouse you plan to wear should be dry cleaned with minimal starch. Trust me, employers can tell the difference between a professional and this guy.

I briefly mentioned location, but knowing for sure where you’ll have the interview is key. This is more important for office visits or second-round interviews in larger cities such as Atlanta, but taking 5 minutes to look up exactly where Clark-Howell Hall is or whether there’s construction on I-285 will relieve a lot of stress the day of. As a side note, if your interview is on campus, I’ve found paying a couple bucks to park in the Tate deck is worth it. This will save you from getting sweaty or wind-blown on the way.

The weekend before the interview, I’m a big fan of picking up something new. Unless you have a lucky “interview” tie or pair of socks, wearing a new pair of earrings for girls or silk tie for guys can give you that first-day-of-school confidence.

The night before, I always lay out or separately hang exactly what I’ll being wearing, even down to my socks and shoes. As far as what to choose, pick what you feel you’ll look your best in (within these guidelines).

Girls, you’ll want to channel Kate Middleton (if she were going to an interview). Make sure your shoes are comfortable and easy to walk or stand in. Also, check the length of your skirt standing, sitting, and sitting with crossed legs.

Guys, I recommend looking to Stephen Colbert. He usually nails the conservative but confident look.  My personal suggestion is that guys should always go with a white shirt.  It’s a classic for a reason. Also, double check that your lace-ups are polished.

Be sure to get a good night’s sleep, and set the alarm a little earlier than usual.

The morning of the interview, do the usual shower, shave, and brushed teeth routine with extra attention to detail. I always make sure to play music that will get me pumped for the day. A personal favorite is James Brown’s “Big Payback.” This song on repeat will make you feel like nothing can stop you. If 70’s funk isn’t your thing, pick tracks that will help you wake up and set the tone for the day. Eat light, but always make sure to eat sometime. This will pay dividends when your brain is functioning fast for that unexpected question about your biggest weakness. If you’re a coffee drinker, feel free to have a cup. However, too much caffeine may make it difficult to stay relaxed in the interview.

On the drive to your interview, pick a song that you can sing along to. This will warm up your voice and prevent any early-morning croaking when answering that first question.

Upon arriving to the interview location, give yourself a minute or two to relax, go over your answers, take some deep breaths, and visualize being successful in the interview. Also, play the song below in your car or headphones. Do it. This song can make the most mundane task awesome, and you’ll be ready to nail the interview.

What pre-interview routine do you follow? Feel free to leave any suggestions in the comment section!

According to the August 2011 U.S. Bureau Labor of Statistics, college graduates have almost double the chance of finding a job than non-college graduates. The unemployment rate for high school graduates is around 9%, completing only some college results in 8.4% and lastly for the zealous and perseverant college students who earned their Bachelor’s degree, the unemployment rate drops to a low 4.2%.

In addition to the benefits of a degree, according to the National Association of College Employers (NACE), employers plan to hire 19.3% more new college graduates this fall in comparison to the employment rates from last year. So it is clear; higher education does pay off. Even in the midst of the discrepancies of the U.S. economy, college graduates continue to reap benefits.

Times are changing, and it is possible for a student to earn a salary around $50,000 after graduation. Of course, this will not be the case for all students, but with hard work and through the power of networking this can be you.

All in all, my point is there are several doors open for college graduates, and it is important to not take your degree and education for granted. Outside of all the stats, your personal will and determination will direct you to where you are able to find a job. Today you can take effective steps in order to gain insight and be the cream of the crop.  

One way to gain more knowledge about your intended profession is by visiting different websites, and researching the job outlook. CareerCast.com is a career guidance website which includes concrete details regarding different careers. The site also offers an evaluation of the Top Jobs of 2011 based on pay, outlook, work environment, stress and physical demands. The Top 5 on the list this year are: Software Engineer, Mathematician, Actuary, Statistician and Computer Analyst.

Also, great resources and services can be found at the Career Center. The Career Center contains the people, services and events to help you be successful. Schedule an appointment with a Career Consultant if you want to discover more information about your major or related internships. Apply to part-time jobs on Dawglink if you need to make some extra cash. Participate in mock interviews in order to be prepared for future interviews you have with companies. The benefits of visiting the Career Center are endless and truly can make a difference in your job search.

Sonya Leak is in her first year as a Career Consultant at The University of Georgia. Sonya graduated from Middle Tennessee State University with an undergraduate degree in Organizational Communications, and went on to receive her Master in Higher Education and Administration degree. Sonya is a Career Consultant for the College of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences, the Faculty of Engineering, the Warnell School of Forestry and Natural Resources, the College of Environment and Design, the College of Public Health, and the Franklin College of Arts and Sciences (Math and Stats).

How did you get started in Career Services?

My first exposure to Career Services was at Middle Tennessee State University. We had a program similar to the Career Development Intern program, but we were called Peer Career Advisors. I worked as a Peer Career Advisor, helping students with resumes and career advice.

What do you enjoy most about your job?

I enjoy being able to guide students in the right direction. I like to help students before their interviews so they feel prepared and do well.

What is the best career advice you’ve ever been given?

Do what you need to do to get where you want to be. You don’t want to be stuck at a job that you don’t enjoy!

What did you want to be when you grew up?

A wedding planner!

What is your favorite place in Athens and why?

Your Pie. They have great pizza!

What was your first part-time job?

My first part-time job was working at Chick-fil-a during my junior year of high school. One summer I had three part time jobs working at a movie theater, Icing, and Champs.

What is something unique about you?

I have five best friends that I have literally known since birth. We are all extremely different, and currently live all over the country, but are still best friends to this day.

Why do the CDIs love Sonya?

“The CDIs love Sonya because she gives great career and life advice.  She is always willing to listen, and helps answer any questions we may have. Her extensive career related knowledge makes her an excellent resource for the CDIs and students. The CDIs love dropping by Sonya’s office to say hi.”