Get Familiar With HireACane

By: Oleg Ignatenko

It has recently come to my attention that many students are aware of HireACane but the problem is that they don't know how to use it and because of this they are missing out on the many great...no, incredible opportunities it presents to them.

If you are a University of Miami student and plan on getting a internship or a job sometime in the future, HireACane is something you should know and use.  Let's go over a few important steps in the process of setting up an account and using its services:

1.  Go to www.hireacane.com and click on Student (or Alumni/Employer, whichever applies to you)

2.  Click on Log-in
3.  Once you input your log-in information, you will arrive at this screen

You're going to notice a lot of different things jumping out at you but lets remain focused and do what needs to be done first.

4.  Click on the Profile tab and fill out as much information as you can (or at least the required areas) for both the Academic and the Personal sections.

5.  From here on you will go over to the next tab titled Documents.  Here, you can upload your resume, cover letter, a writing sample, etc.  Pretty much everything that you will need when applying for that job or internship.  Also, if you haven't done a resume or a cover letter, feel free to check out these amazing blogs from out Toppel peers such as "How to make your resume a masterpiece" or "The inception of cover letter writing".

6.  Set up an appointment with an advisor.  That's right, you no longer have to come in or call to make an appointment.  Instead you can make one right from the comfort of your room or basement or wherever you may be as long as you are in front of a computer.  You will find a link on the right side of the Home page under Shortcuts.  From here on you will select the reason for your appointment, who your advisor will be and what day and time it will be for.

                                                                    (Does it get easier than this?)

7.  Well, you're done! Sort of. Now that you are all set up with the basic stuff, don't stop here.  Keep exploring the site and make sure you click on these three tabs:

• Postings
• Networking 
• Events

 Utilize the site as much as you can and you will be setting yourself up for a successful future.

Good Luck!
                  

3 Things Worse Than Searching for Jobs Online

Written by Thien Van Tran

Nobody wants to apply for jobs online, and understandably so. It's a daunting task. Not only do you have to explore a vast wilderness without so much as a starting point or a map, you have to constantly fight off would-be foes who try to deter your from your path. Like Facebook or Tumblr. And in many cases, you never hear back. Or it takes forever to get a reply. But honestly, it's not that bad. You just need to decide what types of jobs you want to find. This time around, I'll be focusing on USAJOBS, which houses almost all of the hiring opportunities available in the United States government.

If you want a federal job, www.usajobs.gov is the place to go. There are other job boards, but they usually just redirect you to the agency website, where you will need to create an account, upload resumes, documents, etc. before you can apply. This is different. USAJOBS lets you upload documents, almost like your HireACane account, that you can reuse for each additional job you decide to apply for. Almost all USAJOBS postings, with the exception of a few agencies such as NASA, allow you to reuse documents, which drastically shortens the time it takes to complete an application.

Remember what I said about not hearing back from jobs that you've applied to through the internet? Well USAJOBS has a function that mitigates that. You can check the status of your job application, so that you'll know if you're ineligible, qualified, or selected for the next level of the hiring process, so that you won't have to blindly wait for a response that may never come. They'll let you know if you've been rejected almost immediately after the posting date ends, so if you don't hear back, it may be a good thing. It's beneficial to not get attention once in a while.

Another aspect that makes this federal job board so simple to use is its standardized formatting. Every posting is arranged in almost the exact same way. There is a simple description of the agency, followed by duties, then minimum requirements, then required documents, and so on. The job search takes on a much more familiar feel, so that you can quickly find the information you want rather than reading the entire page.

Starting to not look so bad eh? Well to cement this idea, I've compiled an extremely exhaustive list of 3 things worse than searching for jobs online.

3. GOING TO THE DENTIST

I've had bad experiences with dentists. Here's what happens to every patient who has ever gone to get his/her teeth cleaned. Immediately after forcing your mouth open he/she will try to stuff as many instruments as possible at the same time into it. Then he'll ask you some questions to try and make small talk. You reply to each question with, "Errhmfggsjhdf." You know, because your mouth is forced open and stuffed with more metal than Ozzy Osbourne's iTunes. Then he will turn on some tools and immediately slice and dice your mouth. Once there's enough blood to satisfy his twisted Edward Cullen-like needs, he'll make a comment like, "Oh there's a bit of blood. Try to floss more often." Jerks.

2. DRIVING IN MIAMI

If you cannot finish Rainbow Road in Mario Kart, you should not be able to get your license. There are two main reasons why driving in Miami is so infuriating, and both of them are because the drivers here are terrible. But it's not just the drivers from Miami. Everyone who drives here just becomes awful, including myself. When I went back home to Virginia for Christmas Break, it was like returning home from a war zone. I didn't have to worry about running red lights just to fit in, or constantly look over my shoulder to make sure a helmet-less motorcyclist wasn't trying to blend in with the road. Trying to get to work on time? Sorry, the Tour de France is held every morning in Miami, and every biker thinks he's Lance Armstrong and can keep up with cars in the middle of the highway.

1. SPIDERS

Other than existing in general, there are a few things that, for some reason, make us absolutely hate spiders. But just in case you don't already hate them with the burning passion of a twelve-year-old girl at a Justin Bieber concert, I'll enlighten you. For example, did you know that the microscopic hairs on certain arachnids' legs are so tiny that they exert tremendous forces on their prey? The only way for these poor creatures to escape is to tear their own limbs off. Some of these may be insects you don't want anyway, such as moths (AKA ugly butterflies). To be fair, they are just trying to survive. But also to be fair, they are still spiders.

How to Find an On-Campus Job!

By: Bree Blair

On-campus jobs are sometimes the best of both worlds. The location is close, considering you live on or near campus, you get to meet other people from UM, and sometimes you even get to squeeze in some homework. What could be better? Well, to get all these great things about an on-campus job, you have to actually find one first!

One thing that some people get a little confused with is the Toppel Career Center and on-campus jobs. Since we are the career center, it would make sense to come looking here for jobs, but our jobs are a little different. The jobs we help with at Toppel are more the careers that you want for long-term or something that you prepared for in school with your degree. Toppel can even help you find part-time jobs or internships, but if you want a resource for on-campus jobs, check out the Office of Student Employment on campus.

The Office of Student Employment is located in the Rhodes House building, which is across from Eaton Residential College. For those of you who aren't too familiar with campus, this is located along Dickinson Drive. This office looks for degree-seeking students, and the jobs are delivered through the following programs: Federal Work Study, Miami Commitment, Student Assistant, and Graduate Assistant. If you would rather look for on-campus jobs without coming to campus, there is a way for that too!

If you log onto your myUM account, click the Life at UM tab. Once you do that, there is a section called Student Employment. Under that section are the four programs mentioned earlier, so if you were searching for a job based on your Federal Work Study, then you would click that link. Once you click the link, you can search for jobs based on location, like administrative offices to student activites, or skill, like language skills to sports instruction skills. Once you find a post that interests you, get your resume ready and apply!

If you need help with your resume, the Toppel Career Center is a great place to go! Monday through Thursday 10:00-4:30 we have peer advisers and graduate assistants who help critique resumes. We also have resume guides that will take you step by step on how to build a great resume. If coming in to Toppel would be too inconvenient, you can always submit your resume on HireACane, and we will still critique it for you. Take advantage of our great programs that we offer so that you don't have any worries when submitting your resume for your on-campus job!

Interview Tips

Written By: Cristine Befanis

The Introduction

 In my experience searching for jobs and internships as a graduating senior, I have come across three different styles of interviews: the original, the informal, and the behavior-based interviews. While several common interview questions and suggested answers can be found online, nothing is more helpful than personal experience. The established guideline below is meant to serve you and offer you interview tips from a fellow student to prepare you for the “real world.”

With any of the three types of interviews, most often, you will wait for the interviewer in a lobby after confirming your presence with a receptionist or other co-worker. During this time, it is important to maintain your composure and perhaps show interest by making observations about the office that you can then bring up upon meeting the interviewer to build rapport. Rarely do interviews begin on time, but that doesn’t mean that you shouldn’t be at least 10 minutes early.

Always be mindful of your nonverbal body language especially because other parties may be observing you as well. Maintain your posture, and keep your phone in your pocket or purse to avoid distractions. When it finally comes time to meeting the interviewer, be sure to greet him or her with a strong, firm handshake. The handshake shouldn’t be too strong that you leave a mark on the interviewer’s hand, but you also don’t want it to be too soft either. A good handshake communicates to the interviewer that you are confident and ready for the interview. From there, you will follow the interviewer into his/her office or some other room while most likely engaging in some small talk asking how each party is on the way. The interviewer invites you in and you take a seat as soon as he/she offers it, and then the interview begins. Whether the interviewer asks or not, always start the interview off by handing him/her a hard copy or your resume.

The 3 Types:

The Original:

The original interview is standard for most companies and is most often expected by students. It starts with an about me tribute, follows with some questions for the interviewee, and then ends with questions for the interviewer. The interviewer might begin by telling you a little about him/her and the company, or he/she might just go right into asking you to tell him/her about yourself as soon as you sit down. You should already have an answer prepared for this question, so you don’t go mumbling on, but make sure you address the key points that you want the interviewer to know about you. These might include your hometown, year and school, current major, current job, and plans for the future. For me, I like to bring up the fact that I am a transfer student that switched majors to emphasize the fact that I have faced obstacles in the past and have overcome them to focus on what I love.

Additional questions may stem from your about me tribute, or the interviewer will continue on by asking other questions. There are several questions that are common for an interviewer to ask during the original interview, and many of these questions and possible answers can be found online by running a Google search. Additionally, I always have answers prepared for the following difficult questions below:

• What is your biggest weakness and how do you plan to overcome it?

 This is a tricky question as you don’t want to be too honest with the interviewer as to ruin your chances of getting the position, but you also don’t want to say that you are perfect since clearly, no one is. For this question, try to answer by listing a weakness that is nonessential for the job or list a quality that can be perceived as a weakness or a strength, but focus on how you can fix it to make it more of a strength. For example, I like to say that I am detail-oriented, and sometimes, I need to be reminded of the larger picture. I then give recent examples of how I have begun to overcome that.

• Why do you want to work for this company?

      Whether you want to work for the company or you just landed the interview by accident and are exploring your options, you definitely want to come across as excited for the position. In order to answer this question, you need to have done some research about the company. It helps to bring up recent news articles that the company was featured in or some of your basic knowledge of the company after research that appeals to you. For example, you can begin answering this question by saying, “I know that X company is ______, and I really want to be a part of that environment because _______.” Also, try to tie your strengths into this answer, and be sure to give the interviewer a clear cut answer as to why you are different from everyone else interviewing for the position and should be hired. What can you bring to the position?

• Who else have you interviewed with (or have you received any job offers)?

 In my opinion, this is one of the most difficult questions an interviewer can ask. The interviewer doesn’t have any right to know the answer to this question because your job search is personal. I had first noticed this question on a Google forum and went through about 10 interviews overtime before I was finally asked this, and I was definitely caught off-guard. The interviewer is indirectly trying to see if you are interested in the company or if you are pursuing other outlets. Additionally, he/she wants to see if you are active in your job search or putting all of your eggs in one basket. For this question, do not say that the employer is the only company you are interviewing with, and you also don’t want to list all the other companies you have applied to or are interviewing for. For this question, just say that you are really interested in the ______ industry and are excited to analyze the opportunities available within that specific company. If the interviewer continues to harp on the topic, just simply tell him/her that you do not feel comfortable discussing that at this time.

After answering a series of questions, the interviewer will most likely ask you if you have any questions for him/her. Always say yes and have a few questions prepared. Everyone’s favorite topic is to talk about him/herself. Therefore, try to start by asking how the interviewer got to his/her current position in the company. You can usually branch out and form some other questions from the responses he/she gives or you can continue asking those questions that you have prepared. Try to ask questions about the company as a whole and obstacles it might face in the future and how they will be overcome. Try to limit the questions you ask to 4-5 so that the interviewer doesn’t get uneasy or bored. You don’t want to switch things up to make the interviewer feel like you have switched roles, and you are now the interviewer.

The Informal:

The informal interview is most commonly found at a later round of interviews after you have already successfully gone through other interviews within the company and are now moving up the ladder, interviewing with more important people. This interview consists of very little, if any, questions for you. The interviewer will start by telling you about the position and/or company most likely because he/she has already reviewed your resume and application and has already heard a lot about you from the other interviewers.

I originally met this type of interview in a third and final round and was shocked when it seemed that the interviewer wasn’t at all interested in me. She told me about the company and position for 10 minutes, and after, she asked if I had any questions for her. She didn’t ask me one single question, so I was definitely thrown off-guard and proceeded to ask her several questions (definitely more than 5) to keep the interview going. When she seemed that she had enough questions, I summed up myself to remind her that I was a great candidate for the position and shook her hand. I left feeling pretty badly about the interview because I didn’t really get to give my rehearsed responses, but I ended up getting the position after all.

Later, in my Professional Selling class, I asked my professor about these types of interviews, and he said that I handled myself well. In these situations, it is best to listen to the interviewer and let him/her talk because a lot has already been communicated to him/her. The interviewer wants to see you interest in the position, and you can show this by agreeing with statements he/she makes and asking intense questions that show you have done your research. At the end of this type of interview, always summarize yourself with a personalized mission statement.

The Behavior-Based Interview:

Behavior-based interviews are usually conducted by larger companies narrowing down a large pool of applicants. The interviewer might start off by asking you a few questions about yourself and then will switch to the behavior-based questions. Behavior-based questions consist of questions asking you to analyze a past situation or experience. For instance, the interviewer might ask you to tell him/her about a time when something occurred and how you overcame the problem. For these types of questions, the interviewer is looking for you to bring up an experience from work, school, or an extracurricular activity to show your involvement. He/she is looking to learn how you react in certain situations to see if you would be a good fit for the position. The interviewer might even have a pen and paper to take down notes of your answers. 

The best way to prepare for this type of interview is to think of 5-10 problems and obstacles you have faced and how you reacted. This way, you already have ideas in your mind and can pool from them depending on the specifics of the question asked. Several common behavioral-based questions can be found online so one can prepare. In the event that you are not prepared for a behavioral-based interview and are met by a surprise, the best thing you can do is think on your feet. A good way to buy yourself extra time to think of an answer when interviewing is to say things like, “That is a good question that I have never thought about before…” A statement like that is better than a long pause or saying “um.” You can even ask an additional question even if you fully understood the question just so you have more time.

Wrapping Up

At the end of any of the three interviews, depending on the position and the round of interviewing you are in, you may be extended an offer on the spot, be scheduled for another interview, or be told that you will be contacted by a certain date regarding the position. Always end by thanking the interviewer for his/her time and giving him/her a second firm handshake. If the interviewer doesn’t give you an automatic answer as to when you can expect to hear back when ending the interview, always ask because it shows you are interested and will also keep you from going crazy with the unknown while waiting to hear from the company.

Interviewing can be stressful, but as long as you take these tips with you and are confident and prepared, you will be more likely to feel good about your interview upon leaving. Remember to keep your head high and that there is always another opportunity out there for you.

Freshman Year Tip 2: Professional Voicemail

by Marissa Bell


Today’s tip requires an anecdote to start it off, otherwise the tip itself will make no sense.

There I was, a naïve 18 year old, innocent to the cruelties of the real world (who am I kidding, I still am), and applying for summer jobs. I had sent out many an application, and when people called me and followed up, I was available and picked up my phone. However, there was one time when I was in class, saw an unknown number calling me, and sent it straight to voicemail, without another thought. An hour later, I listened to the voicemail that had been left and this is what I heard:

“Oh, Hi. This is *Carly* from *Insert Company Name of Choice Here*… Uh. Just wanted to let you know that the position has been filled. Thank you for your application.”

*Names have been changed

But something wasn’t right. The person on the phone sounded bizarre, like telling me I wasn’t going to be receiving an interview wasn’t the original plan. I was left confused, but later forgot about it. Until the exact same thing happened again 2 days later. A prospective job called, I was in class, let it roll to voicemail, and then when I listened to the voicemail, the same confused voice telling me that a position had been filled. I was perplexed. I mean, not to toot my own horn, but they were simple retail positions that I had been being denied for; I didn’t understand why I wasn’t a good candidate?

And then it hit me. I remembered a Friday night 2 months ago that I thought it would be hilarious if I made my voicemail a 2 minute long pseudo-Public Service Announcement about a fabled war going on in Alaska between Narwhals and Unicorns, urging anyone who listened to donate millions of dollars to the cause. Yeah, your reaction is probably about the same as mine when I realized what was chasing those potential employers away.

And so, the clear moral of the story is: Professional Voicemails are your FRIENDS. It’s something no one ever thinks about when they’re applying for jobs. They change their names on Facebook to make sure employers can’t find them, erase their 4th grade embarrassing email address and replace it with a new one, and yet the voicemail is something that just slips people’s mind because it seems so unimportant. A professional voicemail can be as simple as, “Hi, this is *insert your name here*, sorry I can’t come to the phone right now, but leave me a message and I’ll get back to you as soon as I can. Thanks!”

Yes. It’s not as fun as you and your friends’ rendition of Carly Rae Jepsen’s “Call Me Maybe” sung in falsetto, but the second you start applying for jobs, just know that even if you look like the perfect candidate on paper, even the slightest things that make you look unprofessional could make the difference between getting that interview, and having to hear those dreaded words, “The position has been filled”.

Tips for a Skype Interview

by Robert Vanisko



  Now that springtime is on its way many UM students are in the middle of applying for their summer internships. One of the most important steps in the applying process is interviewing. But how do you interview for an internship in New York City when you are here in Miami for the rest of the semester? Although phone interviews are common, many employers prefer a face-to-face meeting for a job interview, which is why more and more employers have been turning to Skype interviews. With the frequency of Skype interviews on the rise, it is important to be prepared for one.

Here are some tips on how to prepare for a Skype interview:  

Dress for the occasion
Even though you are interviewing via the Internet, you should still dress professionally. Many job applicants make the mistake of dressing casually or only dressing professionally from the waist up, since that’s all that can be seen on camera. Professional dress is important, not only to impress the interviewer, but to also keep yourself in a professional mindset during the interview.  

Conduct your interview in a quiet location
Make sure you are located in a calm, quiet room for your interview. A crowded, noisy area could make it difficult for you and the employer to hear each other and thus distract from your interview.  

Test your Internet connection prior to the interview
Be sure to test your Internet connection prior to beginning the interview. Although dropped Skype calls are not necessarily your fault, they may reflect poorly on you in the eyes of the employer. Be sure to have an Ethernet cable on hand, as it is much more reliable that wireless Internet.  

Turn off your cell phone and all computer alerts
Just about everybody knows by now that you should never have your cellphone on when going into an interview, but that sentiment still applies to Skype interviews. Text message alerts and ringtones are just as distracting and unprofessional in a Skype interview as they are in a regular interview. Also make sure that email notifications are turned off and any website that can make noise, such as Facebook and AIM, are closed as well.

Look directly into the camera
Eye contact is very important when interviewing for a job, but where are you supposed to look to maintain eye contact in a Skype Interview? Looking directly into the eyes of the interviewer on the screen may feel like eye contact, but to the interviewer it will appear that you are looking down. The best way to maintain contact via Skype is to look directly into the camera. Looking directly into the camera will not only help you maintain eye contact, but it will also help keep you focused throughout the interview.

Toppel Stars: Marlo Wyant

Written By: Priyanka Surio

An Engineer with a Bright Future

Marlo Wyant, originally from Newport, Rhode Island, is on a fast track towards accomplishment, astounding us with her achievement much like a shooting star. She obtained a Bachelor's degree in Mechanical Engineering and recently graduated in December 2011.

She aspires to be a practicing engineer with a technical career path. She is well on her way with the 4 internships she held throughout her undergraduate career. BMW Manufacturing, GE Engineering, and the Naval Research Laboratory are a few of the big names she has worked for. Currently, she work for Solar Turbines, a company where she started as an intern with. She employed all of the techniques that lead to success upon the culmination of one's undergraduate years:

• Networking
• Gaining professional experience
• Holding more than 1 internship
• Attending professional conferences that can lead to further opportunities
• Applying to various opportunities
• Keeping a handful of options
• Visiting the Toppel Career Center

But don't just take my word for it. She is also a dazzling star among engineering students, especially when she worked as a Toppel Peer Advisor, reaching out to her fellow engineering peers. Watch the video below to witness how she utilized her years here at UM and how she plans on continuing the pathway towards her blazing future!

Figure Out What Type of Career Fits You Best

Written by Oleg Ignatenko

It all starts with a simple thought “I’m not sure what I want to do with my life”. When a person expresses this statement they should know that they are not alone. Just type those exact words into the Google search engine and it will generate about 526 million results. The earlier you think about this statement, the better, but that does not mean this thought only comes up in the mind of an individual that is 16-28 years old. This is truly one of the most complex questions because the solution lies within many aspects of every individual person. Their interests, passions, personality, goals and aspirations are just some of the factors that could help determine exactly what type of profession an individual could be interested in. The feeling of not knowing what to do for a living can be very confusing and stressful times, but there are many ways of overcoming this obstacle. First, begin by asking yourself a few general questions:

1. What do I enjoy?
   (Many people get discouraged already by this stage as they begin to think “I like playing video games, ” “I like to travel” or “I like to pet animals. ” These are common activities that many people find enjoyable, but these are all important stepping stones that will factor into your decision about a possible future career.)
2. What type of salary would I be satisfied with?
   (This is also a big factor because some people wouldn’t mind having a career that pays roughly 50K and would be completely satisfied, while others consider money as a greater importance and strive for a significantly larger income.)
3. Where do I want to work?
   (Location is very important. While some people love to travel and work in a new environment, possibly in a different state or country, others prefer to be close to where they grew up or went to college so they can be closer to their families and loved ones.)

After looking over and reviewing these three questions, you should be able to narrow down your choices significantly. Now you are ready for the fun part. It is time to do a couple of career assessment tests. This is just another way of extensively narrowing your career choices down even further. These tests have been specifically designed to help identify a specific theme that you are related to based on your interest, skills, values and work activities. This theme will tell you more about yourself and give you a list of careers you may enjoy.
There are a variety of tests that are available online. Most notable are the assessment tests on the HireACane website. We are able to provide three different tests.

• The first is the Self Directed Search (SDS) Assessment Booklet. It is very basic and is a do-it-yourself way of determining future possible occupations. This booklet is available at the Toppel Career Center to any student or alum who is interested.
• The second is the TypeFocus Career Assessment Tool. It provides an extensive questionnaire that will provide you with a deeper insight through the assessment pertaining to your personality, values, and interests. This tool is available on your HireACane account. (After logging in, scroll down on the homepage to find it)
• The third is the Strong Test. This is the most in-depth assessment test that is offered through Toppel. The Strong Test is organized through six sections that organize your results and gives you the best possible outlook on your future possible careers. This test costs ten dollars and is also offered at the Toppel Career Center.

After completing these tests, the next step is to set up an appointment with an advisor. This way you can talk about your results and options with someone who has experience with helping students choose the right path to success. This would also be a great opportunity for you to ask questions about certain areas and also a way to analyze those career choices to get a better understanding for what steps you will need to take to start the process of setting yourself up for success.

If you have taken all these steps utilizing this information, having analyzed your decisions, you should now be on your way towards a career with some sort of goal in perspective. Remember that if you get stuck, there is always help available at the Toppel Career Center and there is no need to panic if you’re having difficulty deciding what you want to do for a living. Give yourself time and follow your passions and you will surely find a career that will be satisfy you.


As you can see even the brightest people of our generation at one point had no idea what they wanted to do in their life and the only way to overcome this problem was continuing their pursuit to find happiness through trial and error and through failures and ultimately success.

Choosing the Right Employer or Option After Graduation

Written By Marlo Wyant


A job should be more than “just a job.” It is where you will be spending most of your time after you complete your formal education. In this current economic climate, it might seem difficult to be selective with your prospects for employment. However, if you do enough research, networking, and interviewing you will be able to find a job or alternative option that will match your goals or, at least, help you realize your goals.

Stay Honest throughout the Recruitment Process
When you meet with recruiters at career fairs, professional networking events, you might have the tendency to try to tell recruiters exactly what they want to hear. Regardless of the industry, if a job seeker at a professional networking event or career fair is asked by any given recruiter “What do you want to do?” The common reply is “I want to work in the “__your___” industry and a have strong interests in opportunities with “_your__” company. While this might make the recruiter suddenly take a greater interest in you, you should always try to be as honest as possible with your goals. This way, recruiters will be able to understand your aspirations and help you find a position that fits you, not just a position that you know they may have.

Don’t just accept any job
Once you have been fruitful in your job search and have one or more offers, it is now the time to think critically about what you now have on the table. Consider the total benefits in an offer package once you have received one. Make sure you are satisfied with both the actual nature of work and the company’s benefits such as Relocation, Health Care Insurance, 401(k), Pension Plans, and Vacation Time. Follow up frequently with the company recruiters, current employees, and your potential managers to discuss your future work assignments. Try to get a good picture of what your daily life at that company would be like. If it is at all possible, try to arrange for at least one site visit so that you may be granted the opportunity to explore the area and examine the office environment that you will be working in for the next two or more years. Another good resource in gaining company insight is GlassDoor.com. This website allows current and former employees of a company to post anonymous reviews and salary information about their company.

If, after all of your completed research, you do not feel completely comfortable with the offer, you should not necessarily feel obligated to accept it. Before accepting the offer, you may want to consider if you have other potential companies where you might find opportunities. Another option to consider is if continuing your education would be a viable option. For many industries, graduate degree assist in making one more marketable and specialized, which allow one to find a niche in the industry.

If you find yourself in a Situation with Multiple Offers
Some individuals may find themselves in a predicament: two or more offers for employment. While this may seem like a great situation, it also can complicate the job-seeking process. The best way to tackle this dilemma is to make a thorough list of pros and cons. As mentioned previously, examine all aspects of the job, including salary, location, insurance, vacation time, and flexible working hours. Try to make a table that compiles these aspects of the job and see if there is a clear “winning” position. If you are still not sure, try to discuss the job with your prospective managers. Finally, having a second opinion is also helpful. Make a career advising appointment at the career center. At the University of Miami, the appointments are free and give you the opportunity to talk about your options with someone. Discussion with an advisor, who knows what to look for in an offer, may be the most beneficial in determining which job is the best fit for you. In the end, you can only choose one place of work. However, do not be afraid that the job you pick after graduation is your employment for life. The average American will change his or her career between 5 and 7 times in their lifetime.

A Deadly Case of SENIORITIS

Curing and Preventing Senioritis

By Priyanka Surio

Everyone gets it at one point in their lives and it can be very very contagious! All of us can admit to being exposed in high school when we got our acceptance letters to college and felt that we needn’t jump over mountains and under hoops to study for exams or work on projects. But according to CollegeBoard and USA Today, what is becoming more common as a result of this attitude is the alarming fact that “every year colleges rescind offers of admission, put students on academic probation, or alter financial aid packages as a result of "senioritis." Now the vicious cycle threatens to continue for us seniors or those graduating from Undergraduate or Graduate school.

Symptoms
• Laziness
• Procrastination
• Excuses
• Lack of interest in all things school related
• Desire to just have fun
• Lack of seriousness
• Frustration and stress

Outcomes
• Can lead to plummeting grades
• Can lead to getting fired from jobs
• Can be chronic and deadly to your career goals

THE CURE!

There is indeed a very effective cure and prevention steps to make sure you don’t fall susceptible to this disease.

• Don’t allow yourself to get in the mindset that you are done and your responsibilities don’t matter, because even in the real world after you graduate, your responsibilities only increase.
• Do not get peer pressured into going out every night. Demonstrate self-control. You can do work Sunday - Thursday and have the last two days to yourself as a reward for working hard throughout the week.
• Do not let things slide and pile up. Time management is not for nerds only! Keep a calendar of activities and a list of things to do, and cross off the list each time you complete something. Even schedule some “me” time in there. You’ll feel more organized, stay on track, more accomplished, and more deserving of your breaks.
• Don’t just coast by with easy classes. By no means do we recommend you enroll in the hardest finance or science class, but enrolling in courses that keep your interest or that will be beneficial to you in the future, whether in graduate school or the workforce, will help to keep your attention. For example, if you are planning on working for ESPN after college as a news writer it might not hurt to take a few communication classes to learn the graphics and technical side of new television. Or let’s say you are aspiring to become a lawyer or a doctor, business classes may not hurt especially if you plan on owning your own practice at some point. These classes will pique your interest especially since they are not something you are familiar with and can just rely on prior knowledge for.
• Don’t burn bridges and don’t get frustrated. Gloria Varley an assistant director of health at the University of Georgia Health Center says, “[Senioritis] is several things – perhaps frustration, you’re done with [school] and want to move on”. A common onset to senioritis is this feeling that we can’t improve our situation or outcome, so we act apathetic or uncaring towards our academics, yearning to move on. One bad grade or an unfortunate experience with a teacher shouldn’t make or break your academic career. The choice is up to you on whether you improve your situation and can make something better out of it.
• School is your JOB! Remember, being a student is an occupation so treat it as such. Make an effort to prepare ahead for classes and be on time. In the real world, unprepared and late workers get fired, so get used to building good habits early on and don’t allow yourself to slack off even in that last semester because it is so hard to climb back up the hill once you’ve rolled down!
• Don’t STRESS! You will manage to get more done if you relax and take it one step, one day at a time. Don’t eat with your eyes and overload your plate full of things you won’t be able to complete. If you feel as if you can’t handle everything or are dealing with more than you can chew, the Counseling Center can help you manage your stress. They are your trustworthy resource in stressful times. The ACAR and Ombudsperson is also here as a resource to listen to your troubles while providing useful tips for future action.

Well what if I’m not going to school afterwards?

The worst thing about this deadly disease is its transmissibility. Senioritis can spread to the job search, securing an internship or applying for that entry level position and following through with employers. Ways to prevent this from occurring are to start EARLY!

Maybe you are confused about where to begin. The Toppel Career Center should always be your go to place to begin your first steps into a successful career. What we recommend for a successful job search:

• Pinpoint – What do you want to do? Take a Career/Personality test to determine your specific field
• Learn – how to write a stellar resume, how to win employers over with a cover letter, and how to knock your interview out of the park, by coming to our workshops or stopping by Walk in Advising hours Monday- Thursday 10:00 a.m. – 4:30 p.m.
• Network – with Networking and Career Events, Information Sessions, Career Fairs, On Campus Recruiting
• Search – for jobs in specific industries and Schedule to meet with our advisors to determine which job is a good fit for you. Also search for employers and recruiters who are part of that company so you can speak with them about their experiences. It’s your turn to conduct the interview in order to find out if this is the potential career you wish to build for yourself.
• Follow up – Don’t just apply and wait twiddling your thumbs. Follow up with a cover letter and/or email to the HR department. If you can, call and let them know you applied, and if you still haven’t heard back after a week or two, check the status of your application.