eaglesNEST: Connect with ERAU Alumni and Start Building Your Network Today

7084d213-f715-474c-a331-ae8c4407ebdcOne of the most powerful tools for any job search and professional growth is networking.  Networking is a lifelong process by which you build strong connections with those around you.  Your connections can put you in contact with the right people to support your job search, career development and personal aspirations.  The Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University community is a great place to start networking, and you have a built-in group of connections in your fellow alumni.

Embry-Riddle offers you a way to meet alumni through the eaglesNEST online community. Graduates may network virtually through a directory that allows alumni to search for and connect with former classmates based on geographic location and employment/company.  The directory is available to alumni only via a password-protected portal. Embry-Riddle graduates must sign into their eaglesNEST account in order to view the directory.  (Creating an account is easy and free, click here to start.)

One of the most useful ways to leverage the directory is by using the “Advanced Search” method. For example, let’s say you are an aerospace engineer interested in securing a job at Boeing in Seattle, and you would like to get to know alumni who are already employed there. You can use the Advanced Search tool in the directory to search by company name, city and major (and a number of other search terms). Our directory search engine examines the eaglesNEST profiles of our alumni to generate the results. In this instance, nine alumni were identified using these criteria. Alumni with an envelope icon next to their names have an email address tied to their eaglesNEST profiles, so you can send them a note and introduce yourself. Those with a yellow “Post-It” icon next to their names haven’t made their email addresses available; however, you can still send them a message and it will remain in their eaglesNEST inbox until the next time they log into the community.

The eaglesNEST also offers numerous opportunities for alumni to network face-to-face at gatherings hosted across the country and world. Events are often hosted by the Embry-Riddle Alumni Association at tradeshows and air shows, in addition to being organized by alumni chapters, which function similarly to clubs but do not require membership dues. Event information is posted regularly on the eaglesNEST. With more than 20 networks hosting events year-round, you are sure to find an activity near you.

To ensure that you stay informed about events and make yourself available for networking opportunities, keep your contact information current on the eaglesNEST by creating a profile and updating it from time to time, such as when you relocate or accept a new job. This helps the Alumni Association stay in touch and keep you apprised of events happening near you.

As an Embry-Riddle alumnus/a, your potential networking pool is 100,000-plus strong.  Make the most of Embry-Riddle alumni resources such as eaglesNEST and the official alumni LinkedIn group to identify and connect with colleagues who are also Embry-Riddle Eagles.  If you work to build and maintain these relationships over time, lifelong partnerships will result. Happy networking!

Article from the Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University Alumni Relations Department and Career Services

CareerSpots Video Highlight: 7 Tips for Researching Companies

Embry-Riddle Career Services wants you to review CareerSpots videos, a series of visual resources to help with your internship/job search and career development.

Research is an important job search activity to complete before making career decisions, changing careers, applying for positions, interviewing or accepting jobs.  Hear several recruiters give their advice on researching employers.

WATCH 7 Tips for Researching Companies

Researching Companies

Dress Professionally for Interview Success

by Kristy Amburgey

You have researched the company with which you will be interviewing.  You Job-Interview-Dressing-for-Successhave practiced your answers to interview questions.  You have printed out your resume.  You have thank you cards for after the interview.  You are ready to conquer that interview!  But did you think about what you will wear during the interview process?  What you wear makes a distinct first impression, so you want to dress in the most professional and fitting attire for your interview situation.  For many of the career fields within aviation and aerospace, conservative attire is key.  For other career fields, you may find that less formal business dress is appropriate.

Suit

A business suit is the most appropriate attire for an interview.  For both men and women, a suit conveys authority, power and professionalism.  Suits should fit well and be altered or tailored as needed.  Ladies can wear either pant or skirt suits, but the skirt must hit at or below the knee.  Suit colors can vary, but the most conservative color palettes are navy, grey and soft black; dark colors are best when selecting a suit.

Shirt

The shirt you wear under your suit should also be subdued in color and fit.  Gentlemen should wear a long-sleeved, button down shirt.  Ladies can wear button down shirts as well; other choices include knit, rayon, silk or other smooth fabric shirts with a neckline appropriate for an office setting.  The recommended colors of the shirts are white, off white or light blue.  Other shirt colors can be considered, but it is best to be conservative in your choice.  Fit is just as important in a shirt as in a suit.  Ensure that the neckline, sleeves and length fit well and select shirts that do not pull or gap down the front.

Tie

Gentlemen should wear ties with their suits and long-sleeved shirts.  The tie should be in a restrained pattern or a solid that complements the colors of the shirt and suit.

Shoes and Socks/Stockings

Shoes are also an important piece of an interview outfit and can convey a distinct message about how you present yourself.  Always wear clean, polished, un-scuffed shoes that are for a professional work environment.  Gentlemen, wing-tips and lace-ups are common dress shoes and considered professional.  Ladies, closed-toe flats and heels are appropriate; keep the heel height to no more than two to three inches.  If wearing socks, the color should match your pants or shoes.  Ladies, it is recommended that you wear pantyhose when wearing a skirt suit.

Accessories

Gentlemen, a belt, braces, tie bar, cuff links, jewelry, a watch and other accessories can be appropriate.  Just limit the number of pieces you wear to avoid distracting the interviewers.  Ladies can also wear accessories like jewelry and a watch; ensure that the jewelry enhances your look without overwhelming you.

Grooming

Good hygiene and grooming are just as imperative as what you wear.  Pay attention to the small details that can make you look and feel ready for the interview. Ensure that your nails are clean and you are showered and fresh.  Ladies, get touch ups on any outgrown hair color or highlights and select hair styles that will prevent you from playing with strands during the interview.  Makeup should be muted but enhance your look, if you choose to wear it.  Gentlemen, trim facial hair if applicable and ensure your hair has been recently cut and is neat.

There are certain things to avoid when dressing for an interview.  Avoid wearing clothes that are too revealing or too ill-fitting.  Don’t wear pieces with stains, rips, missing buttons or other issues that convey you don’t care about your appearance.  Avoid strong colognes, perfumes and other smells that not everyone appreciates.  Fresh breath is always a benefit; avoid drinking strong beverages or smoking right before an interview.

For the ladies and gentlemen, there are some alternatives to interview dress.  Ladies, you can wear a dress and suit jacket combination.  Gentlemen, for certain industries, you can wear a pair of slacks with a navy blazer and button-down shirt with tie.  At times, certain career fields will find a pressed polo shirt and ironed khaki pants appropriate.

It is important to always research the industry, field and company to identify their standards for interview attire.  For an interview, it is best to dress above the standard of what your future employer would consider professional dress.

Please visit the Career Services Pinterest group and peruse the What to Wear – Men, What to Wear – Women and What Not to Wear – Men and Women boards for ideas on professional dress.

For both the Prescott, AZ  (October 3) and Daytona Beach, FL (October 9) Industry/Career Expos, professional dress is required.  Over the summer, plan your Expo event attire.

Kristy Amburgey is the Associate Director of Career Services – Daytona Beach campus and currently manages marketing and employer relations for the department.  She has been with Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University for approximately 10 years and with Career Services for nine years.

The New Social Media on the Block: Pinterest

By Amy Treutel

Pinning.  It’s a common word that has spread like wildfire thanks to the up andPinterest-Logo-Tag-Cloud1 coming social media sensation, Pinterest.  Pinterest is an image-based social media that centers around virtual pinboards.  Users create accounts to follow these online boards, “pin” graphics to their own boards and like and comment on others’ pins.  Pinterest is a great platform to begin visually building your personal brand.

Most people who are familiar with Pinterest know it as a way to pin their favorite quotes, dream homes, cute animals, party ideas and cleaning tips.  While Pinterest is, in fact, great for pinning all of the above items, let’s consider some options on how to use Pinterest professionally to attract employers and help build your brand.

  • Start by following Career Services on Pinterest!  There are a multitude of resources on the various boards we have pinned.  Go ahead and use some of these for inspiration to get yourself started.
  • Follow different companies in which you are interested.  See what they’ve pinned on their boards and comment on some of their individual pins that resonate with you.  Please keep in mind, however, that if you aspire to work at a company, keep your comments extremely professional in nature.
  • Pin your interests.  Pinterest gives potential employers more of a personal insight into your life, and while, yes, you do want to show them you are a capable professional, different hobbies and interests you have can show them you live a well-balanced life.  They might even find something they have in common with you.
  • Use the text boxes associated with each pin effectively.  If you’re going to pin a mirage of images, give an explanation as to why you found that image useful or how it inspired you.  Remember, people (and employers) looking at your boards cannot read your mind, so tell them why it is important you pinned what you did.
  • Follow career experts on Pinterest.  That is one of the easiest ways for you to keep up with hiring trends and learn useful information regarding the job search and interview process.  And as an added bonus, infographics are a great visual learning tool that many of these career experts use, so getting the information is quick and efficient.

One important thing to note about Pinterest, however, is it is vital to continuously update your boards to keep your brand fresh.  Repin others’ pins and like their boards to help keep yourself relevant.  When you find an interesting article while browsing the internet, take a couple of extra seconds and immediately pin it to your corresponding board.  That way if an employer is searching for you on social media, they will see you are up-to-date on current events and take an active role in keeping your brand fresh.

As with all social media, it is very important to protect your privacy.  Please view the Career Services Social Media Privacy Guide for some tips.

Amy Treutel has a Bachelor of Science in Air Traffic Management and a Master of Science degree in Aeronautics with a specialization in Management from Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University.  She currently works as the Office Associate and has been part of the Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University Career Services team for over five years.

Getting the Most Out of Career Services Resources

by Adriana Hall

I recently read a quote from Tony Robbins: Success is not about your resources.  It’s about how resourceful you are with what you have.”  The Career Services team is constantly reviewing, monitoring, evaluating and shaping our resources to reflect the breadth and needs of our constituents and industries. We want you to take full advantage of the resources available to explore opportunities, discover your career goals and attributes, navigate the job search process and showcase your skills. Our office wants you to get the most out of your education by using what is available to you. Here are some tips on how to be more proactive with the resources available:

Start Early: Don’t wait until graduation to utilize the resources and services available to you. Starting early is an advantage as it allows you to fully use your time in school to develop your career plan, learn about companies and opportunities and prepare for your job search, integrating the various resources available into this process. For example, some internship programs target sophomore and junior students, so you need to be aware of the timing of the programs available by accessing the EagleHire Network to find out this information. In addition, start building your network as early as possible through resources such as career events, the Career Services LinkedIn group,  conferences, professional organizations and more.  Spread out the career development and job search process timeline by starting early using the resources you have at your full disposal.

Do your Homework:  Preparation is important, so do your homework using the resources available to take charge of your career and job search. Check out samples to enhance your resume and cover letter, research opportunities on the EagleHire Network and outside of the system, practice interviewing via Perfect Interview, participate in presentations and company information sessions and research, research, research. Not only do you want to know what resources are available to you, but you want to understand how you can take advantage of the resources to accomplish your job search homework.

Be an Active Participant: Job seekers often look at various career resources, such as job boards, every day, but many of these people are passively waiting for employers to contact them or for a hiring manager to “notice” them.  As you use the resources available to you, understand that you must put yourself out there in the job search world to achieve results. After you apply for a position, don’t just wait for a response from the company; find a contact within the company to help you find better ways to connect with the hiring personnel or follow up with the hiring manager directly to make your case for employment.  Instead of expecting your network to come to you, find ways to meaningfully help your network (sharing resources or knowledge.  Be an active participant in your own search.

Bonus Tip – Be Professional: Although not necessarily a resource, professionalism is imperative to job search success.  Without professionalism, all the smart use of resources won’t put you any closer to career growth. With this in mind, you should practice professionalism in your interactions with any campus department, with your fellow students and alumni and with all employers. This expectation includes appearance, communication, punctuality and preparedness.

Career Services provides many resources for you, and you will find many more just an internet search away. Find ways to make these resources work for you and your situation. Be resourceful and explore all your career options to put yourself in the best place possible for professional success.

Adriana Hall has a Bachelor of Arts in Languages (Spanish-English) from Colombia-South America and a Master of Science in Aeronautics from Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University.  She has been with ERAU for 9 years. Adriana worked for the Department of State in Colombia at the United States Embassy before moving to the U.S.

Where’s the List?!?

by Adriana Hall & Valerie Kielmovitch

People love lists…they like making to-do lists, they watch David Letterman give a top ten list every night, and they find grocery lists to be useful.

What about a list of employers to target during a job search, employers who will hire you based on your specific circumstances?  That would be a great list to have!  We often have students ask Career Services for a list of employers who are hiring, but the truth is that you can make your own list.  Every job seeker should have a list of targeted companies to help guide him or her through the job search process.

Formulating your list of employers will take time and patience. To set you on the right track,  here are a few resources that we suggest you use to create your list.

  • EagleHire Network – career management system with a database in which companies and Career Services post both full-time and internship positions for Embry-Riddle students and alumni. Once logged in to EagleHire, you can conduct employer searches based on various criteria and identify companies that may be interested in your education, skills, and experience
  • CareerShift – job/internship search engine that can be accessed through the EagleHire Network; it is especially valuable for those searching based on geographical location. It also allows students and alumni to search company contact information and track their job search efforts
  • Company-specific Websites – search company career pages for opportunities
  • LinkedIn – professional networking site with job postings and groups to join. We recommend that you join the Embry-Riddle Career Services group along with those groups related to your field of study and interests
  • Networking – connect with those around you, including your fellow classmates
  • Industry/Career Expo – October 10, 2010 from 9am-4pm in the ICI Center (Check out the list of 2012 attendees)
  • Online Recruiting Events – Career Services hosts a Virtual Hiring Event in the spring, and you can take advantage of other groups offering online events
  • Professional Associations/Conferences – seek out associations to join and conferences to attend; many of the associations have job opportunity sections and lists of their industry members and conference attendees
  • On-Campus Visits – stay up-to-date on what employers will be on campus giving an information session and/or interviewing for open positions
  • Home Country – if you are a citizen of another country, conduct research about other countries’ bi-lateral agreements with your own country
  • Home Stateresearch companies in your home town/state. Again, CareerShift is a great resource for these efforts
  • Going Global – all students and alumni have access to this database through the EagleHire Network, which hosts an H1B section that summarizes a list of companies from the Department of Labor who have requested H1Bs in the past
  • Internet – there are many resources, but a good one to start with is myvisajobs.com, which discusses information about H1B visas, green cards and work visas and contains information on preparing for a job search in the U.S.
  • Faculty – talk to faculty; let them know your career aspirations and ask if they know of any companies that may be a match

Once your list is developed, you want to effectively use it to search for co-op/internship or full-time job opportunities.  Your list can guide you through many of the basic job search methods, including networking, researching, preparing, interviewing and more.  For research purposes, you can spend your time wisely learning about your top companies and their culture, developments and resume and interview preferences.  You can focus your networking efforts on people who are working at or have connections to your targeted companies.  Many of the more advanced company applicant tracking systems allow you to set up a job feed, so you automatically get a list of opportunities in your inbox.  Use the list throughout your search but be ready to adapt it based on your changing needs and priorities such as a new geographical preference or a new career goal.

Your targeted company list can be consistent, or it can constantly evolve.  There are many reasons to regularly re-evaluate your targeted company list, but the main, overreaching reason is that companies have changing needs just like you do.  Other reasons include new product development, different company focuses, varying government contracts and company regulations that change on a frequent basis.    For example, a company may advertise desirable jobs, but the organization may lose out on its bid to obtain a contract, which means that those job opportunities are no longer available.  In other scenarios, a company may advertise opportunities open to non-U.S. citizens, but the next day the opportunities may change due to restrictions imposed by various governing agencies.  It is imperative that you stay up-to-date on these developments, so you can revise your targeted company list based on real-time information.

Lists are part of everyone’s life, and many people rely on lists to help them through their professional and personal experiences.  For your job search experience, create your own targeted company list that enhances your abilities to conduct the search to your specifications…a list just for you.

Adriana Hall has a Bachelor of Arts in Languages (Spanish-English) from Colombia-South America and a Master of Science in Aeronautics from Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University.  She has been with ERAU for 9 years. Adriana worked for the Department of State in Colombia at the United States Embassy before moving to the U.S.

Valerie Kielmovitch has been working as a Program Manager in the Career Services Office at Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University for nearly two years.  She completed her undergraduate degree at the University of Central Florida and Master of Education specializing in Higher Education and Student Affairs at the University of South Carolina.  Valerie has a diverse background in the field of higher education from residence life to career services.

Check Out The New and Improved ERAU Career Services Website

http://careers.erau.eduEmbry-Riddle Career Services has a new website! Please update your bookmarks and check us out at http://careers.erau.edu.

The new Embry-Riddle Career Services website is inclusive of all three campuses and includes information on everything you need to know to be successful in your job search, including, but not limited to:

  • Upcoming events, including the Industry/Career Expo
  • Career planning
  • In-person and social networking
  • Resume/CV tips and samples
  • Cover letter and references tips and samples
  • Interviewing preparation
  • Resources for special populations, including military transitioners, career changers, international job seekers, displaced professionals, disabled job seekers, and PhD candidates
  • How to access and utilize the EagleHire Network, Embry-Riddle’s online career management system
  • Co-op/Internship Program information
  • Interns in Action
  • Federal employment, civic service, and research opportunities
  • Useful links
  • Information on the services and resources available at each of the three ERAU campuses
  • How to recruit candidates for full-time and co-op/internship positions

Get Your Resume to Employers at the Industry/Career Expo!

EagleHire Network LogoYou can still get your resume to employers recruiting at this event!

Through the EagleHire Network, resume books are available allowing you to submit your resume to companies attending both Industry/Career Expos.

To publish your resume to any of the resume books in the system, log into your EagleHire Network account and mouse over “Documents” in the upper navigation bar, then select “Publish a Resume” – you will then select from career focus-specific resume books in the system.

We are informing all Expo exhibitors at both the Daytona Beach and Prescott campuses to log in and access the resume books in the system.

Note that if you haven’t already uploaded a resume into the system, it will first need to be approved before you can publish your resume to the resume books in EagleHire.

Resume Book Tips:

  • If you already have one or more resumes published in EagleHire, double-check to make sure your documents are up to date with your current contact information and most recent experience.
  • Only submit your resume to those resume books that apply to your level of experience and areas of expertise/career focus. Submitting your resume to every resume book, including those with no relevancy to your background, will not increase your chance of getting a phone call…if anything, it may decrease your chances.
  • Be proactive – research the companies attending the Industry/Career Expo at the Daytona Beach and Prescott campuses and apply online to any opportunities of interest.
  • Submit your resume to resume books even if you plan on attending the Industry/Career Expo. There are nearly 1500 linked employers in EagleHire who have access to log in to the system and search for resumes at any time throughout the year.

Move your Career into the Fast Lane with CareerShift

You may know about the EagleHire Network, Embry-Riddle Career Services’ career management system, but do you know about the other amazing resources at your disposal once you log in to EagleHire?

CareerShift is one such resource. This system allows you to:

  • Search, select and store job and internship listings from job boards and company listings on the internet. This means that you do not have to go searching dozens of job boards and company websites to find the opportunities that interest you. It’s all available for you in one place.
  • Get up-to-date contact information, including email addresses, for millions of companies.
  • Access in-depth information about contacts and companies posting jobs. Great for conducting pre-interview research.
  • Record, save and store correspondence history records, helping you to easily keep track of every aspect of your job search.
  • Create personal marketing campaigns, including unlimited resumes and cover letters, easily, and save them to access, print, or email.

How is this different from the EagleHire Network? The EagleHire Network has many similar features, such as the ability to search jobs, company information, and contact information. There are many jobs in the EagleHire Network, most aviation and aerospace related, but employers tend to only post a fraction of their openings in our system. With CareerShift, you can search and find those positions that are not in the EagleHire Network. These two systems complement each other well and should both be part of any job search.

To get started using CareerShift, click on the image above or visit http://erau.careershift.com. Register with your ERAU email address to receive a free account. Alumni may utilize the system for free by entering in our group code. If you are an alumnus, please be sure to enter the group code foreveraneagle when creating your account.

Company Information Sessions Unleashed

by Valerie Kielmovitch

You have seen the notices all over campus:  Company ‘XYZ’ will be presenting this evening!  You start to think of all of the projects, homework, activities, and other obligations you have and decide not to attend. But…you have always had an interest in working for company ‘XYZ’ and have researched their website on the internet.  Even so, you think to yourself that you really are not missing that much, right?

Wrong!!!

Attending a company information session has considerable advantages. Here are a few reasons why you should always plan to attend:

  • Companies host information sessions because they want students to learn more about their company beyond what is found on the internet or their company website
  • You have the opportunity to network and connect with recruiters or professionals who may be influential in helping you to secure a position in the company
  • Many alumni return to present at these sessions and are more than willing to network with students at their alma mater
  • Presenting your resume to a company representative in person could lead to an interview and a potential job
  • A few companies provide food at their sessions and who doesn’t enjoy free food?!?!

Here are some tips to be successful at these sessions:

  • Make sure you are on time
  • Dress in business casual clothing
  • Take notes and ask thoughtful questions
  • Bring an updated copy of your resume on quality resume paper
  • Be willing to stay after the session to speak with a recruiter, but remember not to be pushy or overbearing
  • Stay up-to-date with information sessions and presentations by utilizing Career Services and by checking the calendar in the EagleHire Network regularly

Companies come to ERAU because they know you are pursuing a great education. Make sure you take advantage of all the opportunities that are available to you in order to increase your options when it comes time for you to graduate.

Valerie Kielmovitch has been working as a Program Manager in the Career Services Office at Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University for nearly two years.  She completed her undergraduate degree at the University of Central Florida and Master of Education specializing in Higher Education and Student Affairs at the University of South Carolina.  Valerie has a diverse background in the field of higher education from residence life to career services.

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