Month: September 2016

By Emily Bowman ’17

 

So you’ve attended the Career Fair, stocked up on business cards and handed out more resumes than you can keep track of. Success!  But now what?  One of the most crucial steps of any networking experience is the follow-up.  Letting people know that you valued their conversation and were truly interested in what they had to offer will go a long way.  Don’t forget, these recruiters talked to hundreds of students… you have to make yourself stand out!

In the email, you should thank the recruiter for taking the time to speak with you.  You should then mention one or two specific details of your conversation that really stuck with you.  This will demonstrate that you were engaged in the conversation and have spent time thinking about the discussion since then.  It’s also another opportunity for you to make a connection to the company – use the conversation as a way to prove your potential asset to the company.

If you felt that your dialogue with the recruiter was a helpful and productive one, you might want to ask the him/her a question to keep the conversation rolling.  Specific questions about the company or about the recruiter’s role are great.  It’s also more than appropriate to ask for any advice they might have for you at this stage in the job search process.  Recruiters understand the ins and outs of the networking process better than anyone else, so capitalize on this chance to pick their brains!

Overall, networking is about making connections on any level.  Keep your emails professional and friendly… but never be afraid to add a touch of personality too! The purpose of following up is to keep the conversations going, network further, and show recruiters that you would be a catch at any company!

If you have any questions about networking or want help crafting your follow-up emails, feel free to stop by the Center for Career Development (Hogan 203) during drop-in hours Monday-Friday, 1-4pm.

By John Swartzwelder ‘19

My first memory of the Co-Curricular Extravaganza was somewhat of a blur- and here’s why. The room was noticeably hotter than outside, more hectic than NYC during rush hour and louder than ten million girls screaming Justin Beiber’s name. Just about every club on campus is tightly packed into the Hogan Ballroom and overly enthusiastic RSO’s do just about anything to grab your attention to hear their club’s sales pitch. But do not be discouraged from going- if I survived and was able to meet with some clubs then you can too! Below, I’ve provided some advice to help you navigate the Co-Curricular Extravaganza and make the most of your experience there.

• Grab a list of clubs present. If you skim through the packet quickly, you can save yourself a lot of time walking around. You can find the list just outside the ballroom.
• Walk around and take everything in. Maybe walk around again. And again. You may just find something that catches the eye the second time around.
• Do not be afraid to talk to the club director or general member at the table. You can ask them general to specific questions, which may give you a better idea about the club.
• Put your name down on the email list! If you change your mind later, you can always take your name off. It is best to receive emails from clubs regarding informational sessions and general member meetings.
• As a reward for being interested in their club, most tables provide freebies. Take them!
• Do not feel pressured to join anything, especially if you already feel too overwhelmed. I express this piece of advice especially towards first-year students. Life at Holy Cross is hectic enough- your class dean recommends joining no more than two clubs and stresses the importance of academics first.
• Just have fun! Holy Cross truly prides itself on creating and fostering “community” ideals, which starts with students getting involved with various clubs and organizations. Hopefully by the time you finish browsing, you will have found a co-curricular, or two, that truly interests you.

And on a final note, if you do join a club…Congratulations! Becoming a member of any campus organization is a full commitment but also extremely rewarding. My last piece of advice is to stop by the Center for Career Development to start or approve your resume, which will showcase all your accomplishments and highlight your on-campus involvement. Hours are M-F 1-4 pm and Wednesday 10am-12pm.