How to recover after a week-long break

After working hard all through the semester, you’ve finally earned your 2nd week-long vacation from all things work-related. Whether your staying home spending a week with family or you’re taking a nice getaway, a break can be a great way to relax your brain and step back from work – even if only for a short while.

Now some of you may be wondering, “Why do I need recovery after a break?”

Well… after you’ve returned from a tropical vacation or spending 4-5 days in bed, you may struggle to stay focused. Thankfully, the Career Planning Center is here to share some helpful tips to get you back on track with being productive for the remainder of the year.

Here are some helpful things you may want to do so your brief but fun hiatus from responsibility is well deserved.

1. Take some time to reflect

Sure, you may have had tons of time to rest during the vacation but when’s the last time you’ve taken the time to reflect? Come back from this break and reflect on your previous experiences, accomplishments and failures. Find where you were excelling greatly and what made you happy. If you haven’t explored a career or position in something you actually enjoy doing, now’s the time to look into it. Remember, if you need help you can always stop by Hogan 203 to meet with the career counselors!

       2. Expand your Search

After reflecting, you may want to widen your range of possibilities for ideal careers/internships for you. Maybe you have already explored a few options and they haven’t panned out so well or your’e looking for a new direction. Visit this cool career site www.MyNextMove.org to help plan whats right for you. Choose from their three search categories : “I want to be a”, which lets you describe your dream career, or  “Ill know it when I see it”, which gives you over 900 career options for you to choose from and “I’m not really sure” which ask questions about the type of work you might enjoy and then suggest careers that match your interests and training. This may be a great way to find a new exciting career you’d love to enter. CLICK HERE to take O*NET Interest Profiler test now!

3. Network with your contacts!

Even before you’ve gone on vacation, you should have been networking with any career contacts you managed to grab during the semester. After returning from break you want to find any legitimate excuse to get in touch with those career networks and expand on potential internship or career opportunities. You never know what might come from sending an email!

       4.VISIT US!

Seriously! As the year ends and the weather gets nicer students tend to stay away from offices, but we want you to come on by! Hogan 203 always welcomes anyone who has a quick career question or who just wants to chat. Remember that Drop-Ins are everyday from 1:00-4:00pm and for assistance over the phone call us at 508-793-3880.

 

April Advice: You May want to Follow

Its Finally April! Were reviewing the best advice we can offer students for the upcoming month! You better take notes here because this is PRICELESS info on how to land your next internship or job! READY? Here we go…

From the Bar to the Boardroom: How to transform your weekend outfit into your Interview outfit in MINUTES!

We know that with the incoming warm weather, you may want to go out, show some leg, and hit main street for all the local drink establishments, so lets go over some tips in case you find yourself having to recycle outfits for a boring job or internship interview.

  • Don’t bother spraying your shirts with Febreeze… employers are intrigued by the smell of booze on clothes. It shows initiative that you were even able to wake up for the interview after such an eventful night.
  • Ladies: Take a tissue & wipe off the bottom of your eyeliner. Leave on the rest and it will look freshly done!
  • Gents : The whole full suit stereotype is SO outdated… show those interviewers you have some real style with some fresh converses and jeans.

Here are some appropriate looks for interviews to let people know you’ve had a busy night!

 

The Art of making the perfect resume:

  • Make sure to choose a very elusive font, as employers like a sense of mystery to draw them in. Recommendations: Franklin Gothic Heavy (Make it BOLD!)
  • Another option is to have a friend write your resume. There’s a reason why they are your friends…they know you the best!
  • Include clever hashtags. Employers love it when you make them laugh. Ex: #ImTotatllyQualifiedForThisJob #HireMeorDIE #ImBrokeAndItsNoJoke #ImAKillerIntern
  • No need to proofread!
  • Use profanity if need be.

Spruce up your Online Profile:

Noooo we’re not talking LinkedIn here… Lets see those Facebook, Twitter and Instagram pages please!

  • Upload your best beer pong match to YouTube ASAP and title it with your full name (Middle Initial Included). Employers want to see your competitive edge and you want to make it easy for them to see that. Bonus: If you are a regular champion…hashtag it on your resume! #BeerPongChamp
  • If you don’t have a Red Solo Cup in your profile picture, you’re doing it wrong. Fill it up, instagram it to your facebook page & show us your best Saturday 2am face. An employer’s dream.
  • Employers want entry-level employees who take charge of the company on Day 1, so show off your authoritative skills by throwing in some disrespectful statements on your public Facebook & Twitter profile.

Nail your Interview!

Bring a pal to that next interview, especially if you’re hungover (which you should be)!

  • Always interview in pairs just like Brennan and Dale from Step Brothers.
  • Don’t bring copies of your resume… it looks like you’re trying too hard.
  • Arrive 5-10 minutes fashionably late to the interview. If you are punctual, then employers will always expect you to be on time.
  • Have your friend do all the talking for you—employers love to get real opinions of you from your friends’ perspective prior to hiring.

Above all be sure to remember one thing! 

It’s April Fools!! 

 Yes yes, you’ve been pranked!

If none of the above statements seemed out of place, please,please, pleeease stop by the Career Planning Center for Drop in hours ASAP

(Every weekday from 1-4pm in Hogan 203) …

We have some serious work to do! #YourLost