Author Archives: lapoura

We do What?!

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By Linsey Stripling, Career Assistant and OSU Junior

Even if you're a first-year, come and have your resume critiqued!
Even if you're a first-year, come and have your resume critiqued!

Career Services is a great resource for every student on campus—from the anxious first year to the exhausted fifth year.  There’s just one problem…all the time, I talk to students who DON’T KNOW ANYTHING ABOUT US!

As a Career Assistant who spends lots of time at Career Services, I have compiled a list of many of our “Hidden Secrets” that every student should know.

  • Our Location: We are located in B008 in the Basement of the Kerr Administration Building; once you get off the elevator turn right and you can’t miss us.
  • Drop Ins: We offer drop in hours Monday through Thursday 1pm-4pm. This is the time you can stop by and get advice and tips on how to create your resume and cover letter.
  • Beaver Job Net: This is our online database for student jobs, internships, and careers.
  • Mock Interviews: Do you have a job interview coming up? Schedule a practice interview with one of our career counselors and receive feedback on how you presented yourself as a professional, and receive tips on how to improve.

If you are looking for more information on the services that we offer, feel free to visit our website at http://oregonstate.edu/career or you could even stop by our office…now where is that located again?

Resumes: It’s Not Just About Experience

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By:  Silver Trujillo, Career Assistant & OSU Junior

Don't let this be you!
Don't let this be you!

Resumes are a crucial piece to finding the job you’re looking for, whether it’s a part time position, or the dream job you’ve always wanted. When asked how their resume is looking, many people reply with, “My resume is great, it doesn’t need any work.”  But is any resume ever perfect? There is always room for improvement.

Often times people confuse that question with how much experience they have listed, as opposed to the resume layout and format. A person may have tons of experience, but they may not correctly show it on their resume.  A great example is shown below.

Great experience, but not-so-great layout or content:

November-September   Sales Associate    Prestigious company inc.          Corvallis, OR.

  • Talk to people
  • Write reports
  • Check if items are in stock
  • Show new sales associates how things are done

Great experience, great layout and content:

11/1/05-Present                              Prestigious Company Inc. Corvallis, OR

Sales Associate

  • Assist in processing and replenishing merchandise and monitoring floor stock
  • Participate and contribute to the development of customer relation programs offered to clients, prospects and company employees
  • Maintain contact with all customers in the market area to ensure high levels of customer satisfaction
  • Responsible for training new employees by showing them work policies and excellent customer service

Keep in mind that this is one of the many aspects of a resume that can be improved. For more resume tips, follow the link to our career guide.

It’s Never too Early

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By:  Rachel Erickson, “Career Assistant” and OSU Senior

School is about to start.  We all have a lot to do.  It’s back to a full load of classes for many of us, finding or returning to

Start that networking!
Start that networking!

campus jobs, and adjusting to new living arrangements.  Starting the job or internship search is usually low on the summer priority list.  But if you’re serious about getting an internship or landing an ideal job next summer, it’s important to start now.  Many employers actually begin recruiting for their summer positions during the previous fall term.  By the end of winter term, many internships are filled.

The good news is that you can start your job or internship search with easy steps.  Research the companies in your field to get an idea of the careers they employ, job titles and their descriptions.  Examine the desired qualifications in those careers and how they match your own.  Find out what careers you are interested in.  Find job titles to entry level positions in those careers.  Think about the primary geographic areas you plan to live when doing your job or internship, and what options in your field are offered there.

Come down to Career Services and take advantage of opportunities that will help strengthen your job search.  Consider doing informational interviews with employers in your field.  Attend the workshops in Career Services before the Career Fair to get help on resume writing, effective job search, and interviewing skills.  Research the companies you are interested in that will be attending the Career Fair and come up with information about each you can express interest in when speaking to the companies representative at the fair.  Sign up for MOCK Interviews to help perfect your interviewing skills before the real deal.

As you can see there is much preparation and not much time to spare.  Start your search early.  You can also find more tips on preparing for the job/internship process at this website.

And come down to Career Services to make your job or internship search a success!

Welcome to the Career Services Blog!

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internships1Hello, and welcome to the official blog of Oregon State University’s Career Services. We’re glad you found us! No matter what your career-related interests may be, we hope this blog has something for you. We promise to update regularly with posts on everything from choosing a major, to “hot jobs” in the current economy.

So follow us! Read, comment, question, and pass it on–you know you have a friend who could use the tips too. Career Services is here to help you find the information, resources, and guidance you need.

Til next time, remember to think about pursuing professional experiential opportunities before graduation rolls around.  Here’s a helpful website for internships and similar programs through the government.