Interview 101

Interviews can often be the key player in determining if you get the job or not. Many people experience more anxiety over the actual interview itself than the job on the table. The Shelton State Career Services Center (CSC) has several tools that can help alleviate the stress over an interview.

In the current year, we have helped hundreds of students practice interviewing through InterviewStream. InterviewStream is designed to allow the student to conduct mock interviews using predetermined questions and a webcam. The student can then view the interview and assess the content of their answers by a click of the button. The program will determine how many times the student used the phrases “Um” and “Like”. Many of Shelton State’s Nursing, Office Administration, and Ready To Work students have seen instant results and have left the CSC feeling more confident about his or her next interview.

The CSC has also researched leading websites focused on job searching tools and tips. Over the next three weeks we will be sharing the 3 stages of the interview process as posted on Employopedia.com.

The following is the introduction to the series:

What is an Interview?


An interview is a screening process in which you are given the opportunity to learn about an organization and the organization has the opportunity to evaluate you as a prospective employee. The interview is an exchange of information between you and the interviewer to determine whether there is a match between your interests and qualifications and their requirements and needs.


A job interview performs three major functions:


• Serves as a learning experience regarding the employer and available career opportunities


• Permits you to “present” your qualifications and interest in the position to the employer


• Enables the employer to determine if you will “fit in” with the company and fulfill the needs of the organization


What is the Purpose of the Interview?

While getting the interview is the purpose of your résumé, getting the job is the purpose of the interview. The interview process provides you with a face-to-face opportunity to set yourself apart from your competition and expand on the information the employer already has about you from your résumé. As a well-prepared candidate, you can use the interview process to send the message, “I am the best person for this job” through everything you say and do.


To succeed in today’s job market you must do more than be able to establish evidence of your talents and skills – you must be prepared to sell yourself. This requires you to have a thorough understanding of who you are, including your long and short term goals, what motivates you, and what you believe sets you apart from the competition.


Top Personal Qualities Employers Seek in Candidates:


• Communication skills


• Honesty/integrity


• Teamwork skills


• Interpersonal skills


• Motivation/initiative


• Strong work ethic


• Analytical skills


• Flexibility/adaptability


• Computer skills


• Self-confidence


The Interview Process

The interview process involves three stages. Solid preparation for each stage will increase your chances for success –


• STAGE 1: Before the interview,


• STAGE 2: During the interview


• STAGE 3: After the interview

Reference:

http://www.employopedia.com/index.php/Job-Interviewing/interviewing-the-basics.html

Deciding A Major

Trying to decide a major can be a difficult task. The Shelton State Career Services Center (CSC) has resources to help give you direction in order to relieve some of the stress you may feel while deciding.

The #1 tool we use in the CSC is DISCOVER. This is an assessment based on your values, interests, and abilities. DISCOVER will assist you in planning a long-term career path. In order to use DISCOVER, you must have a login ID. If you do not have a login ID, contact Deborah Reynolds at 205.391.2204.

For transferring students, the CSC also has provided you links to the top 3 schools Shelton State students transfer to.  These links will provide you with outlines of common career areas and employers to help you connect majors with careers.  Click HERE to view the links.

Technical students can find general information regarding each program of study answering touch questions such as "What is the program?" and "What jobs will this program prepare me for?" by clicking HERE.

The following is an excerpt from Employopedia.com. Over the next few weeks, the CSC will be sharing more with you from this informative site in hopes to help guide you to your dream job.

DECIDING A MAJOR: Reference: www.employopedia.com



If you’re unsure about what major to pursue, you are not alone. Many students entering college are undecided about their majors and others start with a declared major and end up changing it. The time a student spends in college is a period of exploration and consideration of the many possibilities available. Any major can equip students with knowledge and skills that can apply to a wide range of jobs in many diverse fields.


Statistics say that adults will experience on the average a career change every seven years. A college major should be a base for such a change. Today critical thinking, interpersonal communication, creative problem solving, and techno-savvy are all examples of what career and personnel professionals call transferable skills. All majors dedicate a significant portion of time to the development of these skills.

QUESTION OF THE WEEK:
Why did YOU choose the program of study you are enrolled in?  Join the discussion by logging in to our blog.

How much does a Forensic Science Technician make?

Many job seekers are not only concerned about the starting salary for a specific occupation but are also concerned about how much top earners can make. In addition, many job seekers would like to know more about the job market in a specific region.
The Shelton State Career Services Center has added a link to explore the NACE Salary Calculator Center for salary data on more than 500 occupations in 560 regions of the United States.

Click on the following link which will take you to our homepage. Once you are there, click on the link that reads “NACE Salary Calculator”.

Click HERE to go to the site.

Hunt Refining/ SSCC Co-Op Program Opportunity

Hunt Refining Company is looking to partner with Shelton State students that are pursuing an Associate's Degree in a technical program. In addition to their classwork, students will work 24 hours per week, typically on a Monday, Wednesday, Friday schedule. Students should have a strong work ethic and a desire to be part of a growing, dynamic company that values competition and works diligently to impact the community.

Students are eligible to participate after they have completed 24 semester hours. Students will receive a starting salary of $13.50 per hour with the opportunity for periodic raises each succeeding semester. Tuition, books and class fees will be paid by Hunt Refining Company during the Co-op Program.

CURRENT CO-OP RECRUITING INFORMATION


Wednesday, June 9, 2010: 3:00 PM Room 1207

Thursday, June 10, 2010: 9:00 AM Room 1207



Contact Mike Fields at 205.391.2461 or mfields@sheltonstate.edu for more information.

 
The following is information provided by NACE (National Association of Colleges and Employers). Even though this is based on graduates of 4 year degrees, the information will help you while planning for job options. In addition to long-term planning, the information is still applicable to 2 year graduate seekers as well.






Interns More Likely to Have Job Offers

Spotlight Online for Career Services Professionals, May 26, 2010

New graduates who took part in an internship program are more likely to have received a job offer than their peers who decided to forgo the experience, according to a new study from the National Association of Colleges and Employers (NACE).


NACE’s 2010 Student Survey shows 42.3 percent of the seniors who had internship experience and applied for a job received at least one job offer. Conversely, only 30.7 percent of seniors without internship experience who applied for a job received an offer.

The study also found that those who had an internship were more likely to accept the offer—and have a job to go to following graduation. More than one-quarter of the intern group with offers accepted them; less than 20 percent of the non-intern group did so.

One possibility for interns’ higher acceptance rate: a higher salary than the average offered their non-intern counterparts.

“Results of our study show the median accepted salary offer for seniors with an internship was $45,301—nearly 31 percent higher than the $34,601 median accepted salary offer to non-intern seniors,” says Marilyn Mackes, NACE executive director.

NACE expects to release additional highlights from the 2010 Student Survey throughout the month. A final report on the study’s finding will be available later this year.

About NACE’s 2010 Student Survey: NACE polls students about their job search, career plans, and other issues related to employment on an annual basis. The 2010 Student Survey was conducted February 9, 2010, through April 30, 2010. More than 31,470 students representing more than 400 colleges and universities nationwide took part; more than 13,000 of those were graduating seniors. Information in this release is based on data gathered from graduating senior respondents.


About NACE: Since 1956, the National Association of Colleges and Employers (NACE) has been the leading source of information about the employment of college graduates. For more information, visit www.naceweb.org. NACE maintains a virtual press room for the media at www.naceweb.org/pressreleases/.