For Grads: Using the Career Center for Landing Full-Time Jobs
By Lauren Brose ‘15
Monday Motivation:
- Plan in decades
- Think in years
- Work in months
- Live in days
- Celebrate in moments
Finding a job nowadays is a full-time job within itself and just because we have USC on our resumes doesn’t mean getting hired is as simple as filling out a job application. As much as I’d love to say all major companies handpick graduates from USC, that simply isn’t true. USC is a great university to learn, grow and emerge into the working world from for a number of reasons; however, getting a high-paying job handed to you as you receive your diploma at graduation is not one of them. There is good reasoning behind why some grads are receiving offers of employment.
They’re applying consistently
While your dream job may have been at Sony, it is never a bad idea to apply to Warner Bros., Focus Features, Universal, Legendary, as well as other competitors in the industry. It is never a bad idea to cast a wide net as no one has access to the jobs you’ve applied for other than yourself. Having options is a plus, but it is wise to look at your career in the long run. Ideally, employers would love to bring a new hire in from a company they directly compete with. They’ll have confidence in your competencies as well as in the contrasting ideas you bring to the drawing board.
Asking for an “informational interview” is a good way to get a foot in the door since it puts no pressure on hiring managers. You’re not implying that you expect to be hired; you are implying your interest in that industry and company thus placing the ball in their court if anything.
When I was on the job hunt, I was told to make finding a career my full-time job. This doesn’t mean applying to a handful of jobs one Saturday afternoon and hoping for the very best. It’s a really cut-throat, competitive world out there— especially with the pool of applicants coming from other top universities in our country. I’d suggest dedicating an hour or two 3x a week to researching and applying to jobs.
They’re utilizing ConnectSC
ConnectSC announces job openings, informational sessions and career fairs USC hosts on campus. It’s a good resource to take advantage of in addition to looking for jobs directly on a company’s website. Sometimes not all companies will show up on ConnectSC and sometimes employers specifically post job openings only on ConnectSC and not their website. It’s not a tradeoff but a secondary resource to help open more doors. It doesn’t hurt to check it out— it’s an incredible useful perk that comes with our place in the Trojan family. My friend, and former UCLA student, asked me how I found out about Oracle’s position and I told her all about ConnectSC. All I had to do was submit my resume and a recruiter was in touch with me within a couple weeks. When asked if UCLA has a database similar to ConnectSC, she said they didn’t. There you have it— USC is doing you a favor by bringing you to a one-stop shop for job openings. All you have to do is apply… the worst that could happen is not getting a call back.
They are using USC for network opportunities
- Get involved in clubs related to your job interests.
Clubs will often be approached by companies looking to hire people within that specific field. Sometimes these employers exclusively go to these clubs instead of reaching out to the mass student body through ConnectSC.
- Keep business cards of all people met
Archive them and take notes directly on the business card if needed. I’d recommend sending follow-up emails within 24 hours of meeting (no need to do written but that isn’t totally forbidden). Simply thank them for talking to you about working at their company and keep it brief and cordial. I’d also make an Excel doc with all contacts and keep track of last time contacted and follow up occasionally (maybe monthly but definitely when you hit new milestones).
- Look into informational sessions that are being held on campus such a the Wells Fargo Informational session coming up in 2 weeks.
Where: Trojan Presentation Room (STU B3)
When: Tuesday, January 19 from 6-9PM
You need to register on ConnectSC in order to attend this event! Come with questions, your resume and your a-game. Recruiters will discuss future opportunities with working at this esteemed company.
- Career and Internship Connections (CIC) 2016 in New York, NY
What it is: Informational sessions that are being held in specific cities such as New York, Washington DC and Boston for those who wish to work there after graduation.
The schedule:
Washington, DC - January 5, 2016
New York - January 6, 2016
Los Angeles - January 8, 2016
Boston - January 8, 2016
There is currently still open registration for these sessions! Since school is starting up Monday, January 11, there is still time to hit these cities up. This year’s PASSWORD TOKEN is “cic2016”. Do it for the job security during finals week of your last semester as a student. It’s a great feeling–– I’d know B)
- Enroll in USC’s on campus recruiting (OCR)
What it is: The career center will be hosting a number of on-campsus interviews with companies for the convenience of their students. This is a great opportunity to secure a full-time job or internship after graduation. Fill out your OCR fall & spring contract here if interested (who wouldn’t be?)
Who can sign up: Current undergrad and graduate students are eligible for USC’s On Campus Recruiting program
When: January 13 - April 14, 2016
<3 GOOD LUCK EVERYONE & FIGHT ON OBVIOUSLY <3
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