Job Searching? Plan to Succeed 1

Top Three Strategies for Navigating a Career Fair

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Employers Rate Internet Job Postings MostEffectiveTechnicalApplication 2

TheAlumniConnection3

Employers Plan to Visit Campus 4

Exploring Careers Panel Presentations 4

Career Expo Re-Do 5

EducationDay20135

The Employer Spotlight 6

Wandering Wisely 8

The job search often feels overwhelming, but if we break this complex process into smaller, more manageable steps, we start to control the process—instead of feeling like it’s controlling us. Following are three key factors concerning the job search:

• Job searches takes a great amount of time and effort.

• Job searches shouldn’t be haphazard and random. Instead, job seekers should create an action plan—preferably in writing.

• Job Seekers need to have a clear focus on the specific types of positions they’re seeking and be able to communicate how their skills, experience, knowledge, and accomplishments make them the best candidate for the position.

Put Time and Effort into Your Job SearchSearching for a job is time consuming. You may be taking classes, working part-time or full-time, involved in activities, and taking care of family responsibili-ties. Add the time spent sleeping, eating, traveling, cooking—and all the other daily tasks—and how much time is left for your job search? Probably not much.

Many of us have heard the adage “looking for a job is a full-time job.” However, many job seekers are currently employed—either in a full-time or part-time position or internship—so 40 hours a week probably isn’t realistic. But what is a realistic gauge? Job search guru Alison Doyle recommends 25 hours per week for individuals who aren’t working and 15 hours per week for employed job seekers.1

JOB SEARCHING?PLAN TO SUCCEED

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Spring 2013

Carrington 309/Glass 103417.836.5636

http://careercenter.missouristate.edu

Scan with your smart phone to learn more about the Career Center:

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Career fairs provide job seekers with great opportunities to meet employers, build networking contacts, and learn about companies and organizations. Following are three strategies that will benefit you as you navigate a career fair.

Have a Game PlanKnowing your career goals before com-ing to the Career Expo is key to your success. Get off to a good start by asking yourself the following questions: • Who will be at the Expo?• Which companies do I want to talk

to?• What do I know about each com-

pany?• What do I want to know about

each company?

EMPLOYERS RATE INTERNET JOB POSTINGS MOST EFFECTIVE TECHNICAL APPLICATIONNACE’s (National Associa-tion of Colleges and Employ-ers) 2012 Recruting Bench-marks Survey reveals that employers view Internet job postings from on-campus websites (such as the Career Center’s JobTracks) and employers’ websites as the most effective technical tool for recruiting applicants.

The following table shows which technical applica-tions employers use and the effectiveness of those applications.

Notice also employers’ increased use from the previous year of social networking sites.

TOP THREE STRATEGIES FOR NAVIGATING A CAREER FAIR

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• What questions will I ask? • What positions are available?• Do I meet the requirements for the

available positions?

Hit the Professional MarkDressing appropriately is an important part of your professional success, but it’s not the only part. Remember to bring several copies of your updated résumé printed on professional résumé paper.

In addition, have a well-developed personal elevator pitch to deliver to each employer. Give them the impres-sion that you’re a fun, yet professional, person to work with. Ask yourself—• Who am I? • What are my career goals?

• How do I fit in with the company I am speaking with?

Finally, be respectful of each employer’s time. Deliver your elevator pitch, ask a few thoughtful questions, and move on to the next employer on your list.

Remember to Follow upWhy follow up? Sending a follow-up email or personal note can set you apart from your competition, help you build your professional network, and give you an opportunity to ask follow-up questions that you were unable to ask at the Expo. Don’t miss out on this clear opportunity to continue com-munication with each employer in the pursuit of your dream career.

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Newsletter TeamSue Douglas

Dominiece HoelyfieldCaleb JobeKim Lucas

Gary StaffordValerie D. Kidd Turner

If you have an idea for an article that you would like to contribute, please email—careercenter@missouristate.edu

The mission of the Career Center is to provide professional assistance and intervention to Missouri State students and alumni through the use of career counseling, internship and full-time job searches, and vocational and educational information, so they may make insightful career decisions.

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Don’t wait until you graduate to start your job search. The Department of Labor’s January 2013 report showed that the median amount of time spent in the job search was 16 weeks. That may seem like a long time, but previously it had been 25 weeks.2 The 16-week statistic is just the median—it isn’t a guarantee. Depending upon your industry, you may find a job quickly, or—if you’re in a competitive field—it may take much longer than 16 weeks.

Continued from page 1.Plan to Succeed

This issue of Career Centered profiles Rebecca Todd, a 2010 graduate from Missouri State University with a Bachelor of Science degree in professional writing. Rebecca describes the education and experiences that led to her current career:

Currently, I work at Netuitive, Inc. with a job title of Docu-mentation Specialist and Training Curriculum Developer. Netuitive defines itself as an emerging company that provides predictive analytics software for application performance management in an enterprise environment. In other words, our software is used to monitor critical software systems for customers such as PayPal and Verizon Wireless.

I love my job. I have been working here for a little over a year and a half. Because it is a small company, I feel like I contribute directly to the company’s success, and the culture is amazing. Netuitive has a talented, intelligent, and innovative group of people, and I’m proud to be a part of the team.

Netuitive’s products are complex and very technical. I develop and maintain documentation and help systems for our three main products and over 20 integrations. I would estimate that I maintain one to three versions of at least 30 documents, not including output types. To keep it straight, I use versioning software in combination with a single sourcing tool.

The Professional Writing program at MSU provided me with an excellent foundation and technical skillset that is re-quired to do my job. One thing that I have learned is that the software industry requires more than knowing how to write policies, guides, and procedures. The best documentation specialists must know how to learn and adapt to new tools and technologies.

Working in my field before graduation was a key step in the path that brought me to Netuitive. During college, I started working as a technical writer for a company called DataLink, Inc. My experiences at DataLink allowed me both to develop my writing skills and to advance my technical skillset. Even better, it put over a year’s experience on my résumé. It would have been much harder to get my foot in the door profession-ally after graduation had I not worked there.

The best advice that I can give anyone in school right now would be to work in your field before you graduate. It is not enough to simply graduate with the minimum set of require-ments (including a single, short internship). Put yourself out there and build your skills. Meet people. Network. Take time now to dabble in technologies and tools that aren’t covered by your curriculum but are common in your field. You won’t regret it later.

Alumni: Rebecca ToddMSU Connection: Bachelor of Science in

Professional Writing

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Create a Job-Search StrategyTo use your time most efficiently, record keeping should be a major component of your job-search strategy. Consider this an opportunity to prac-tice—or develop—your organizational skills. If you’ve resisted using time-management tools (such as Microsoft Outlook) and to-do lists, consider adopting these systems as part of your job-hunting strategy.

Keep track of the amount of time you spend in your job search. In fact, you may want to block at least 15 hours on your calendar each week for “job search appointments,” in which you focus specifically on job search tasks.

Make a list of all of the tasks you need to do. Consider creating a master list, a weekly list, and a daily list. These lists aren’t static, because as you work through them, you probably will add

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EMPLOYERS PLAN TO VISIT CAMPUS

On-Campus RecruitingDate Employer Positions DeadlineMar 25 D&D Stainless and Alloys Sales Representative Mar 24Mar 26 ALDI, Inc. District Manager

District Manager InternMar 24

Apr 4 University Directories Sales/Marketing Internship Apr 3Apr 5 University Directories Sales/Marketing Internship Sign up at April 5th Career Fair

Redo (See page 5 of this newlet-ter.)

Apr 8 Target Stores Executive Team LeaderStores Executive Intern

Students meet Representative at April 5th Career Fair Redo.

Apr 10 Jet Aviation St Louis, Inc. Structural Engineer I Apr 9

Information InterviewsDate Employer Time Location

Mar 25 ALDI, Inc. 6:00–9:00 pm Glass Hall 102Apr 5 American Board 1:00–3:00 pm PSU Contact Table

Employers are still conducting on-campus interviews, so don’t miss these last few opportunities this semester:

EXPLORING CAREERS PANEL PRESENTATIONSOn Wednesday, April 17, the Career Center will host an Exploring Careers Panel in Plaster Stu-dent Union Room 313 (Traywick Room). Topics include—

• How to Prepare for the Workforce While in College

• General Business/Management: Stand out in Your Job Search

• Careers in Kinesiology• Liberal Arts: The Skills, Not the Degree

Check the Career Center website for more details.

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Education Day 2013 is scheduled for Tuesday, April 9, 10 am–1 pm in the JQH Arena. The employers plan-ning to attend consist of local, regional, and national school districts and primarily are seeking teacher can-didates. Candidates should dress professionally and

bring copies of their résumés. For more in-formation, visit the Career Center’s website at http://careercenter.missouristate.edu.

The snowstorm last month prevented some employers from attending Career Expo 2013. Therefore, the Career Center is hosting a Career Expo Re-Do on Friday, April 5, in the Plaster Student Union 3rd Floor Ballroom.

All the employers that registered for the Career Expo, especially those that couldn't attend due to weather, have been asked to return to campus and participate in this re-do. The Career Center also will open the event to employers that weren’t able to register to attend the Career Expo.

Come take advantage of this Career Expo Re-Do and meet those employers you may have missed in February. To see a list of the employers plan-ning to attend, visit our website at http://career-center.missouristate.edu/CareerExpo.htm

CAREER EXPO RE-DO

EDUCATION DAY 2013

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6 Missouri State University is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action Institution

TQL’s long-term vision is to be the #1 freight brokerage firm in the U.S. To do so, they continue to expand and hire the best and the brightest.

Company: Total Quality LogisticsWebsite: www.tql.com

Total Quality Logistics (TQL) was founded in 1997 by Ken Oaks. At first, Oaks focused on the transportation of produce, leveraging the experience and relationships he gained while working for years as a buyer in the industry. The perishable nature of this commodity was one of the driving forces behind the company’s commitment to acces-sibility and integrity. Over the years, this commitment has helped TQL earn credibility and a reputation for impeccable service; it has evolved into the core of their company culture.

Today’s Total Quality LogisticsIn many ways, the Total Qual-ity Logistics of today is a different company than it was 15 years ago. TQL’s freight brokerage service has expanded in terms of scope and expertise. “We’ve moved over 2 mil-lion truckloads for our customers and added over 2,000 employees.” However, one thing has remained the same. The mindset of exceeding their customers’ expectations is still very much a part of TQL’s DNA. They call it being “truly essential,” and you can see it every day in the actions of the employees.

Sometimes the commitment is extreme, taking the shape of a missed vacation or a load covered on Christmas morn-ing. More often than not, it’s as simple as staying late on a Friday or answering a phone call at 1:00 a.m. It’s about doing absolutely everything possible to com-plete a load or to help a driver pick up and deliver safely and on time. It’s about choosing a carrier that has proven to be

reliable and trustworthy, and providing proactive, honest communication at every step of the way.

Long-Term Vision

“It’s more than a business promise or mission. It’s our legacy.”

TQL is a nationally recognized, proven leader in transportation logistics. They connect consumer product and indus-trial goods shippers with truck operators who transport their freight to market destinations across North America.

TQL’s 2,000+ member workforce identi-fies the right trucks for particular freight loads, negotiates rates, and ensures on-time delivery. “Our insistence on honest, straightforward communications mini-mizes missed shipments, delays, and product shortages on store shelves.”

“In 2012, we worked with more than 8,000 customers and 85,000 carriers

across North America to move more than 600,000 loads.” They moved ap-proximately 3,500 different types of commodities including fresh fruits and vegetables, packaged foods and bever-ages, meat and poultry, machinery and equipment, and much more. “We are recognized experts in moving time-sen-sitive products, temperature controlled shipments, and cross-border moves.”

TQL’s long-term vision is to be the #1 freight brokerage firm in the U.S. To do so, they continue to expand and hire the best and the brightest. TQL will continue to launch new satellite offices across the US (#21 in Orlando, Florida, launches this month).

Seeking Future Employees“Due to rapid growth and expansion across the U.S., TQL is seeking elite talent for our high profile National Expansion Team.” The N.E.T.work is reserved for individuals who are moti-vated by an opportunity to experience one city while they participate in TQL’s comprehensive training and mentor-ing program. They will then take those talents to any of TQL’s rapidly growing satellite locations across the country.

Total Quality Logistics is now accept-ing applications for its National Ex-pansion Team. If you have the drive to cultivate leadership and sales excellence in yourself and others, consider one of TQL’s career opportunities across the country. “The NETwork Program is the future and life blood of our company. Join Us.”

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Continued from page 6.Total Quality Logistics

TQL’s Relationship with MSUTQL is excited to partner with Missouri State University. TQL will be on campus every month for great events put on by the MSU Career Services Team and to speak with students directly in class as well as in organizations.

You can Like TQL on Facebook (Life At TQL) or connect directly with National Expansion Team Recruiter, Stephanie Morris, on LinkedIN or by contacting

her via phone: (800) 580–3101 x. 56963 or (314) 799–5122 or email: SMMorris@TQL.com.

Company ValuesQuintessential TQL :• Celebrate Success• Form Rewarding Relationships• Achieve More Together

TQL’s 4 Winning Principles:

• Pledge Integrity• Exceed Customer Expectations

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Continued from page 3.Plan to Succeed

new tasks. What should those tasks be? A general to-do list may include the following:• Create/revise job-search materials

(e.g. resume and/or curriculum vitae, letters, portfolio, references, social media profiles).

• Practice interview skills.• Network in person and through social

media sites such as LinkedIn. At-tend events, participate in your field’s professional organizations, conduct information interviews, and establish connections with groups and indi-viduals on LinkedIn and in person.

• Research your industry and its orga-nizations and employers.

• Search for jobs posted through on-line job sites and employer websites.

• Apply for positions and tailor your materials to those specific positions.

Have a Clear FocusWhich of these tasks should you do first? The answer varies from person to person. Of course, to begin any job search, you need to know your career goals and direction. For example, con-sider the analogy of going on a journey.

When you take a trip, you decide on the destination and plan the activities you’re going to do once you’re there. You don’t just go to the airport and get on the first plane. Unfortunately, many job seekers put more thought and effort into planning a vacation than planning a job search.

Maintain Confidence and Enthusiasm Although the job search process can seem daunting—especially after several weeks of little or no success, it’s im-portant to maintain your confidence and enthusiasm. Continue to believe you have the skills and abilities that employers in your field are seeking. If necessary, brush up on skills you would like to improve. Just because you may not be working in your career field doesn’t mean you should stop develop-ing your skills.

Enthusiasm also is important to main-tain. Every time you communicate with an employer or networking contact, make sure you’re demonstrating your enthusiasm, interest, and energy.

The employer who interviews you may be a future colleague. Try to imagine yourself from the employer’s point of view: If you were that person, would you want to hire someone with your experience and skills? Would you want to be a co-worker of someone with your traits and attitude? Ideally, the answer is yes, but if you feel you could market yourself more strongly, now is the time to improve your technique.

1Doyle, A. (2012, October 2). How much time should you spend job searching? Retrieved from http://jobsearch.about.com/b/2012/10/02/how-much-time-should-you-spend-job-searching.htm

2Matthews, S., Miller, R., & Smialek, J. (2013, March 3). Job-hunt time shrinks in U.S. from record high. Retrieved from http://www.bloomberg.com/news/2013-03-04/job-hunt-time-shrinks-in-u-s-from-record-high.html

• Recognize the Value of Teamwork• Be Forthright about Conflict.

TQL’s Mission Statement:“Exceed the customer’s expecta-tions at all times and handle their transportation requirements from the moment of pickup until deliv-ery, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, 365 days a year.”

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WANDERING WISELY

Now is the time many students are preparing to register for next semester’s classes. However, if you haven’t decided on a major yet—or if you aren’t sure the major you selected is the best fit for you, then you might be interested in doing some career assess-ments with a career resources specialist in the Career Center.

What is a “career assessment”? Sometimes people refer to these as “career tests,” but that implies right or wrong answers. Instead, assessment is the more accurate term. This basically is an instru-ment that helps determine our interests, work-related values, skills, and personality.

The Career Center offers several self assessments that help students to decide on a major. Some of these assessments are on-line, and some require an appointment with a career resources specialist.

• FOCUS2isaweb-based,computerizedcareerandedu-cational planning system that guides students through a process enabling them to assess interests, skills, personal-ity, values and leisure activities and align them with their occupational goals.

• StrongInterestInventoryisanonlineassessmentthatgivesstudents insight into their areas of interests and shows the similarities between their responses and the responses of individuals working in various occupations.

• TheMyers-BriggsTypeIndicator®isusedincareercounsel-ing to assist students in understanding how their personality preferences can help them decide what they want to do and how to improve their chances of getting what they want.

• TheMultipleIntelligencesChecklistwasdesignedtoevaluatethe way a person thinks and learns based on life experiences in childhood and the present time.

The title for this column comes from Katharine Brooks, Ed.D., author of You Majored in What?: Mapping Your Path from Chaos to Career, in which she explains that career paths usually are not linear. She implores us to be receptive to exploring the many routes to career satisfaction, to be “wise wanderers.”

Career Planning Begins with Self Assessment

• TheCareerCenterhasavarietyofskillsexercises,includingSkillScan and other activities to help students identify the skills they have and most enjoy using. The skills they find they have can be the foundation upon which they are likely to build their career.

• TheReviewofWorkValuesasksstudentstoprioritizetheval-ues or the characteristics that are important for them to have in their work. Results show the importance students place on various conditions within a workplace setting and can be helpful for bringing students awareness of workplace values.

Many self assessment reports also will provide a list of suit-able occupations. However, it’s important to remember that this is simply a list of occupations in which people with similar results have found satisfaction. Never will an assess-ment tell us that we should or should not go into a specific occupation.

Self assessment is a vital first step in the career planning process. It’s important, though, not to rely on only one assess-ment, expecting it to give us the “magic answer.” For example, some people select a career because other people have told them they would be good at it, but then they discover it doesn’t really interest them. Or they select a major or career because it interests them and then discover it doesn’t fit their personality or fulfill their work-related values. Using a variety of assessments provides more comprehensive insight, which should result in wise career decisions.

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