I learned that there are a multidude of ways to help students find career opportunities. Not just by following up on job boards but by utilizing their inital networks of friends and fellow students. By educating students the proper methods to ask about job opportunites they can further improve thier chances of success.
I liked the idea of of having the students break down what they are looking for. It will help them have a more targeted search.
I think it is important in this day and age for students to know that social media presence is important and can have a negative or a positive impact on there employment search. Its important for students to know that anything released on the internet by them can impact them in a very positive or negative way, whaich will hopefully make them careful of what they allow to happen under their names.
During this module I learned that if students are unsure on a potential career, assessments and deep-thinking is one of the first steps. Students should think deeply on what they are passionate about and also what they value as individuals.
You definitely learn something new everyday. To use the internet and googling yourself is very interesting.
I really like the ideas of updating your email signuture and getting a business card. I know that is other countries business cards are super important. It seems like your email signuate is basically a business card that you don't have to pay for!
It is important for studebnts to know ALL of the different types of jobs there are withing the fields. It is not just doctors, engineers etc... Helping them discover this before they graduate is imperative.
Can someone elaborate on how to guide students to clean up their digital footprint (if this is possible) prior to applying for employment?
The key thing is to use your contacts. Many of the people we know, knows somebody who somebody, almost the 'six degrees' of separation type of thing, in getting a person the opportunity they are looking for.
Networking and keeping track of leads are key factors in a successful job search process.
Networking can help find the 50% jobs that are not advertised. Also, you have to put in the work like researching the company before trying to even make first initial contact with the company.
One item that resonated with me empowering students to brand themselves including using Email signatures to market themselves,.
I never thought of googling yourself as part of the looking for a job, the idea of doing this and branding yourself I believe is very beneficial to help students in their job search.
Branding yourself is important. You have a product to sell, yourself. Remember that 50% of the jobs are "hidden". Teach students to dig for the job they want.
I wish students took the part about employers googling their name more seriously. I don't think students worry about their digital footprint until it is way too late. I wil continue to talk to students about this and the importance of maintaining a positive presence online.
It is important to use all resources availble when assisting students in finding a job. Encourage students to lay out all resources and have clear expectations. Service Specialist we have to ensure we are clear on students must haves to help them find a position well suited for them.
Teaching the basic skills of how to apply for a job and giving examples of "red flags" the interviewer looks for is essential in helping create a successful candidate. Teach them how HR/Hiring Manager looks at them beyond their actual skills on the job.
It's important to help students navigate several different avenues of finding a job, as well as stress the importance of creating and maintaining their professional networks.
I love the idea of teaching students how to reach out in a "cold call" situation even when an employer has not advertised that they may or may not be hiring. When you learn to properly advertise yourself, you may find yourself getting hired by a company who didn't even know they needed you. You took initiative and showed them that they needed to hire you. I love that!
I've been able to think of ways to assist students in their job searches and getting comfortable expanding their network (and networking abilities.)
