All posts tagged soft skills

The Art of Having Confidence

by Valerie Kielmovitch

confidenceConfidence!  This is something that you cannot purchase or steal.  You cannot gain it overnight and it cannot be given as a gift.  Confidence takes time to acquire through personal experiences, knowledge, skills, and abilities. 

Gaining confidence begins with inward reflection.  Assessing your positive attributes help you portray confidence.  In addition, your outward appearance adds to developing a strong self-esteem. The art of having confidence is combining your internal assessments and portraying your traits outwardly. Confidence is an important part of everyone’s life, but it is especially important for those seeking a job or internship.

The job or internship search really shakes even the most confident person.  Apply to numerous job postings, interviewing for only a few, and then not getting offered a position can hurt one’s ego.  It is important, however, to maintain confidence throughout the job/internship search process because if an employer suspects a person has low self-confidence or low self-esteem, why would the employer want to hire him or her?

Below are some suggestions to keep your morale high during this tough process:

  • Make a list of your strengths and achievements – This list can be reviewed often to help maintain confidence.  Look it over right before you interview as it will help you focus on your best traits.
  • Talk to yourself in the mirror – Take time every day to tell yourself about your great qualities.
  • Ask for reassurance from loved ones – Those who are special in your life probably have a million wonderful qualities they love about you.  Ask them to remind you every so often to keep your confidence high.
  • Seek feedback after an interview – After interviewing with a company in which you thought you did extremely well, but were not selected for the position, ask the employer for some feedback.  There are so many contributing factors that go into a hiring decision that it might be beyond your realm of control.
  • Take time for yourself – During this hectic process, make sure you take plenty of ‘me’ time.  Participate in a hobby you enjoy or try a new activity.  Taking your mind off the mundane process every so often can help you maintain your confidence.
  • Seek others in the same situation – You probably know a few other people going through this same process.  Take time to discuss strategies and even hardships with them.

Confidence in a job/internship search comes from knowing that you are following the correct steps.  Take time to perfect your resume, cover letter, and other application materials.  Practice your interview skills through Perfect Interview (can be found on your main EagleHire Network once you logged in).  Use the Career Services advice and resources to ensure you are putting your best foot forward.  For more helpful information, please visit our website: careers.erau.edu.

Throughout this process, you must maintain confidence in yourself and maintain confidence that the right position is out there for you.  Helen Keller said it best “Optimism is the faith that leads to achievement.  Nothing can be done without hope and confidence.” 

Valerie Kielmovitch has been working as a Program Manager in the Career Services Office at Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University for the past 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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by eraucso on April 11, 2013  •  Permalink
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Posted by eraucso on April 11, 2013

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How to Create Your Brand: Part One

by Kristy Amburgey

brandPersonal branding is a great way for any job seeker or professional to establish his or her expertise in industry or in the market, and a personal brand, especially in the online world, allows you to be more easily found and makes it easier for someone to comprehend your brand.  Before you start to implement actual branding ideas, you first need to understand your brand…YOU.

To create your brand, you need to take the time to figure out what skills, qualities, experiences, accomplishments, etc. upon which you are going to build your reputation.  You need to evaluate what makes you unique as a job seeker and what traits your desired companies value and marry the two together into one cohesive brand.

Depending on where you are in your career, you can draw from your academic, co-op/internship, project, volunteer and work (part-time and full-time) experiences.  Consider the experiences that are most closely related to the career you want and remember to include the accomplishments that make you stand out from the typical candidate.  Directly related experiences should be prioritized as you create your brand, but you also need to apply experiences that are not typical of your industry to further show a connection between you and what the employer needs. To understand industry expectations, you should have several targeted companies in mind and know what the “typical” candidate looks like for them.

You may have a grasp on what skills, accomplishments and qualifications you are going to use to build your brand, but you must also know what you expect to achieve with your personal brand.  What job(s) do you desire?  What outcomes are you seeking with your brand?  It is difficult to create a brand when you don’t know who your target audience is or what your own goals happen to be.  When creating your brand, understand who you want to see your branding efforts and keep their personalities and preferences in mind.  When you are seeking employment, it is even more important to understand your audience and know what job you want before developing your brand.

Creating a personal brand is a valuable way to communicate information about you.  Before creating the brand, you must have a clear picture of what you can offer and what you want in order to create a strategy that works.  And you need to honestly evaluate your connection to these areas before beginning your branding efforts.

Next week, we will continue the idea of creating a brand with How to Create Your Brand: Part Two.

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.

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by eraucso on February 21, 2013  •  Permalink
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Posted by eraucso on February 21, 2013

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Alumni Career Spotlight: Kruthika Srinivasan

Kruthika Srinivasan, DB 2011

Kruthika Srinivasan, DB 2011

Kruthika Srinivasan is a 2011 graduate of Embry-Riddle’s MBA program. Born and raised in India, Kruthika left her home country at age 17 to work on a Bachelor of Engineering in Mechatronics from the University of Nottingham. Soon after receiving her degree, Kruthika realized she wanted to immerse herself in the aviation industry and decided that a degree from Embry-Riddle would be the best way to move forward with her goals. She moved to the United States and began attending Embry-Riddle’s Daytona Beach campus. As an MBA student, Kruthika landed an internship at Southwest Airlines. Soon after completing her internship, she interviewed for her current position. Kruthika is a Senior Analyst in the Network Planning Department, where she has been working for the last year.

Tell us about your position at Southwest Airlines and what you enjoy about working for them.

As a Senior Analyst in the Network planning department, I am part of the team that is responsible for routing and scheduling the approximately 520 aircraft in our network. We are constantly living in the future while we optimize the balance between the commercial requests of the schedule and the operational feasibilities. The fact that we are a point-to-point network just makes our lives as planners a lot more interesting as we solve this massive puzzle made up of at least 3000 flights a day. It is a very fulfilling job where I get to see my schedule working in the real world while making good profits for the company. I personally love working for Southwest Airlines. We, as a company, have a very different approach towards work which needs to be experienced firsthand. The culture at Southwest is outstanding, there is an excellent work-life balance, my co-workers are very friendly and the people here in general have a very positive outlook towards life. 

Many international students want to gain some work experience while in the U.S., either during their studies or after graduation.  What advice would you share with these students?

My advice to international students trying to get some work experience in the U.S.:  

  • Start early and plan ahead. This is most important.
  • Do a good amount of research about the companies that you are interested in.
  • Work closely with Career services and take advantage of the experienced counselors there.
  • Show the employer that they have a lot to gain by hiring you – not just in terms of knowledge and skill set, but also because you could bring a global perspective to their business practices and add to the diversity of the company.

You represented Southwest Airlines at the recent ERAU Industry/Career Expo.  Being on the recruiting side of the table, share a few things that stand out to you when you are talking with someone about working at Southwest.

Most students that I spoke to at ERAU seemed to have done their homework about Southwest Airlines and I definitely appreciated that. I would advise any student approaching Southwest to be confident, cheerful and have a good time. This is a company that gives importance to not only your work ethics and knowledge, but also to your all-round character.

We know that many times the education received at college is a solid foundation for the work world, but it does not completely prepare you for the career position you will have.  What skill have you found that has helped you adapt to your new position quickly?

Yes, I agree that just having a formal education does not prepare anyone for work in the real world in its entirety. However, I do believe that it is very important to have a good foundation in school as it is the basis for your thought process.  Education may not prepare you for every possible scenario, but it helps train your mind to identify the right to approach any problem.  Personally, I have found that keeping yourself up to date with the latest developments in the industry and associating how knowledge learned in the classroom could be applied to a real world problem will prepare you to hit the ground running. Also, team projects are an excellent way to learn and build on your emotional intelligence, leadership skills, time management techniques and most importantly, ability to be a team player.

Is there any other advice you would share about preparing to be successful in the work force?

Focus on the task at hand and aim to be a perfectionist. After attaining a certain level, when you are working with some of the best minds in the industry, hard work, the right attitude and good work ethic are the only things that will help you stand out in the crowd.  At the same time, don’t forget to have fun.

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by eraucso on February 18, 2013  •  Permalink
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Posted by eraucso on February 18, 2013

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Using Study Abroad Experiences after the Experience

by Sandi Ohman

Brazil … Berlin … Istanbul …  London … Luxembourg … Madrid … Paris … Sienna…

ERAU Study AbroadSounds exciting – learning in a new environment, seeing sites you’ve only researched on the internet, and making new friends!  The Study Abroad experience is part of many students’ college experiences.  There is a lot of excitement leading up to the experience, and most students are still excited once they are home.  However, the dilemma can be how to use this experience for professional development or for the benefit of the job search once the student is back in the country.

Students will typically take classes while they are abroad, so they will have some tangible education, knowledge and/or skills that can more easily be demonstrated on a resume.  It is the broader, intangible knowledge and skills that are harder to demonstrate.  Some of the intangibles learned and experienced from a Study Abroad opportunity are:

  • Exposure to working in an international environment
  • Experiencing international cultures
  • Learning a different language
  • Learning in a different language
  • Network of international contacts & friends
  • Problem-solving skills in challenging situations

Other ways that a Study Abroad experience can be beneficial after the experience is over include:

Work Experience – A variety of departments on campus will employ students to work in their offices.  Experience having lived and/or studied abroad can be desirable since there are bound to be international students that visit those departments.  Some specific departments that have an international connection are: International Admissions, Study Abroad, Language Skills/Language Institute, Campus Visit, International Student Office, Housing, Diversity, and Career Services

Graduate School – International experience can help with admission to graduate schools in the U.S. and Abroad.

Scholarships – Scholarships exist that allow undergraduate students that have studied abroad and want to return to pursue graduate studies.

Job Search – International experience and educational study is recognized by companies with a global presence.

Additionally, Study Abroad experience can enhance your resume.  This experience can be incorporated in a resume in a few different ways.

Summary/Objective Statement – This is typically where the writer will share with the resume recipient the purpose of that resume.  Sometimes this can be a one sentence objective statement, and other times, a couple of sentences including skills offered to the company or position are more effective.  Skills that can be mentioned here are language skills, working with different cultures, adaptability/flexibility, working in challenging situations, problem solving and critical thinking skills.

Education – Study Abroad experience can be mentioned on the resume in the Education section as a subsection under the college/university they completed the experience with or as a separate educational experience.  Mentioning the classes or course of study completed while on Study Abroad could be done here as well.

Project Experience – Depending on the educational accomplishments, list project experiences (group or individual) and highlight them in this specific section.

Activities – As a resume becomes full with relevant experience, i.e. research and internship experiences, the study abroad experience might not be so prominent on the resume.  The activities section can be a place to move Study Abroad experiences to, allowing for more room higher on the resume for more relevant experiences.

Take note that resumes should be customized, depending on the positions being applied to, by highlighting experience that demonstrates a good fit for the company and the position.

Experience living abroad has become an experience that many employers value.  Companies that have a global presence appreciate international experience, since they have international customers and opportunities arise within the company to work and travel abroad representing the company.  Government agencies have indicated their interest in candidates that have worked, lived or studied abroad, especially if the agency has any connection to homeland security, i.e. CIA or Department of State.  Some graduates have found an unexpected career from their time studying abroad: teaching English as a second language, for example.

International experiences are definitely valuable opportunities – they broaden the perspective of the student at the time, but this experience can also give the intern or full-time candidate an extra point to market to an employer.  That is a definite synergistic bonus!

Sandi Ohman is the Senior Program Manager in the Career Services Office at Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University.  She has been with the university for over 9 years and has advised students in most all degree areas while in Career Services.  Sandi brings additional experience having worked in the finance industry for over 6 years in her previous career.  She received her Bachelor of Science degree in Business Administration from the University of Florida, and her Master of Arts degree in Educational Leadership from the University of Central Florida. 

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by eraucso on November 29, 2012  •  Permalink
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Posted by eraucso on November 29, 2012

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Cover Letters Uncovered

by Valerie Kielmovitch

Bad Cover LetterYes!  You finally find the job posting for you and are ready to apply, but then you see it…submit a cover letter with your resume.  Your resume is top notch as you have been working on it for months, but you have never written a cover letter before and are uncertain of how to begin.  Let us uncover several top tips for generating a great cover letter.

One popular myth to uncover is that you can write one generic cover letter for all positions to which you are applying.  This is not the case, however, as it is important to tailor your cover letter to each specific position.  Find key words in the job description to include in your document, match them to your particular experiences and attributes, and integrate them into your cover letter.

Cover letters should go beyond the information that is included in your resume and really speak about your soft skills (i.e. communication, presentation abilities, etc.) that you have not included in your resume.  To expand on your related soft skills and accomplishments, you should include examples of accomplishments and achievements that will establish you as the ideal candidate for the position.

Another cover letter tip is that the format of a cover letter is important.  This document is considered a business letter, and everything is left justified on the page without any indentation.  You should also set up your cover letter in a 3-4 paragraph structure, which is described below.

You will begin your cover letter with your address, followed by the date and then the company contact information to include the contact’s title and address.  If you do not know a contact at the company, do some research on LinkedIn or Google to find a contact; if that is not possible, then address the letter to ‘Dear Human Resources Manager’ or ‘Dear Hiring Manager’ as it is more personable than the generic ‘To Whom it May Concern.’

The first paragraph should explain the position you are interested in and how you heard about it.  In addition, you can include information you know about the company or why you are interested in their organization.

The next paragraph(s) is/are where you discuss your skills, abilities, experiences, and education, all supported by concrete examples.  In this section you should concentrate on 2-3 traits and how you acquired and applied those.  Focus on how you can positively impact the company and what you can contribute.

The final paragraph is where you invite the employer to read over your resume to learn more information about your qualifications.  At this point you will want to make a call to action. This could include requesting a meeting/personal interview or stating that you will follow up with the employer in a certain amount of time. Make sure you thank the employer for their time and consideration of your application and include your contact information (both phone number and email address).

End the letter with a professional closing (i.e. Sincerely, Cordially) followed by four lines then your typed name.  If you print the letter, make sure you sign your name in black ink.  Including the word Enclosure will also signify that your resume is included as well.

Formatting aside, here’s another tip to uncover.  Writing an effective cover letter takes time and patience so make sure you begin early and give yourself plenty of time.

A final tip is to ask others to proofread the cover letter as you do not want any grammatical or spelling errors in the document.  Also ask the person to review the cover letter for clarity and use of strong, positive language.

Cover letters can communicate so much more than just what is written on the resume, so it is imperative that you uncover the best cover letter tips and use them to your advantage.  To find samples and more resources, please visit the Career Services website.

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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by eraucso on August 27, 2012  •  Permalink
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Posted by eraucso on August 27, 2012

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Interviewing Tips and Techniques

by Brian Carhide

A few months ago my brother-in-law had the opportunity to interview with two companies for a position as an aviation maintenance technician. Knowing that both positions were competitive and very desirable, he decided to call and ask for some advice. I proceeded to provide him with suggestions on proper dress, preparation, importance of the follow-up, and so on. Knowing him for many years and the fact he has been in the industry for over 20 years, I was confident in his ability to land the job.  However, at the end of the conversation, I mentioned one additional piece of advice – attitude.

In the month following while hanging-out during our annual spring turkey hunt, we were discussing his new job with the Home Depot corporate aviation department. Naturally as a career advisor, I had to ask him how the interview had gone. He proceeded to share some details, and one detail that continually stood-out was the information his manager shared with him after he had begun his new position: “our decision was between 3 candidates; we choose you because you were someone we would want to work with.” Albeit he is intelligent, competent, and very good at what he does, but in the end his attitude got him the job.

Of course you still need to possess a company’s desired skill set, but many times, if you have successfully made it to a personal interview, you have the skills. Now they are more interested in you as a person. In addition to attitude, I want to share a couple of techniques and approaches to help you be successful with interviewing.

Practice

If you are an athlete or a musician or have participated in any activity that requires skill, you have probably heard the old truisms – practice, practice, practice or practice makes perfect!  Interviewing for a job is no different. An interview can be a nerve-wracking experience, and sharpening your interviewing skills can help relax some of those nerves.

Mock interviewing can be an effective form of practicing. Whether you have access to a career advisor, a willing friend, or an experienced family member, you want to determine all your resources, take advantage of them and practice. This type of practice will enable you to perfect eye contact, mannerisms, and the delivery of answers. Mock interviewing will also help develop your story and help in selling the skills you have acquired to a potential employer. There is even software called Perfect Interview available on the EagleHire Network home page that allows you to video record yourself answering questions. Sometimes we are our greatest critics, and watching and listening to yourself can be a valuable learning tool.

Research

Following a recent Embry-Riddle career expo, several employers provided feedback about students which they interviewed. Comments made by the employers indicated students were lacking knowledge about their companies. This is the information age, and it’s very easy to Google a company’s name to obtain a plethora of information. That being said, there is no reason you should go into an interview without knowing general information about the company.

Besides the basic internet search, you may want to consider other methods of learning about a company. In the aviation industry, being that it’s a small network, there is a good chance an alumnus works at the company. Think about the pertinent company information an alumnus could provide and possibly about some specific tips for an upcoming interview. Knowing the culture of the company can be helpful information in an interview, which is also information an alumnus could provide. If possible, take a tour of the facility and observe the working environment and the interactions between the employees.

Gathering all the information you can and being knowledgeable about the company will show your level of interest and make you stand out from other candidates. It can also provide you with some quality questions to ask at the end of the interview, which will be discussed in a future blog post.

Follow-up

The follow-up can be equally as important because many people neglect this step in the interview process. I always suggest a handwritten thank you letter, mailing it off as soon as possible and no later than the next morning following the interview. If an email is all that you can do, it’s better than nothing. Again, the fact that many people neglect the thank you letter (or email) will make you stand out from the competition. Your follow-up should also include contacting the company a week or so after the interview to ask where they are in the process. This action will express your sincere interest in the position and your desire to work for their company.

Successful interviewing begins long before the actual interview. Each interview needs to be approached individually. However, with a well-developed plan of attack, basic knowledge, and practice, you can make that nerve-wracking experience a positive one.

Brian Carhide has more than 20 years of professional aviation experience. He spent many years as a professional pilot, including experience as a charter and airline pilot. Recently, he has been a leader in guiding young aviators in higher education at Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University.   

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by eraucso on July 2, 2012  •  Permalink
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Posted by eraucso on July 2, 2012

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Hey You! Connect with Me!

by Kristy Amburgey

Career practitioners talk about networking.  A lot.  It is for good reason that we focus so much of our attention on this subject.  Networking gets results.  When it comes right down to it, it is investing in networking relationships that often yields the best results.  Schmoozing is about quick conversations turned into even quicker professional interactions.  Successful networking, though, is a time-tested and fully committed relationship that can benefit both parties involved.  These relationships are your “connect with me” but “let’s truly get to know each other” connections.

Throwing out invites to network may help you gain a foothold in a company, and that is valuable.  But now comes the true test of a networking partnership: taking the relationship to the next level.  What is that next level?  It’s having a solid relationship with someone to where the person is willing and able to attest to your abilities, accomplishments and professionalism (in more casual language, sticking his or her neck out for you), and you are able to do the same for your connection.  It is a relationship built on mutual respect and a desire to help each other succeed.

You may already have these mutually beneficial relationships developed.  Faculty, fellow classmates, team members, co-workers and supervisors have seen you in action and hopefully are willing to support you through your job search.  These close connections should be nurtured and maintained throughout your professional career.  Keep your close relationships informed about your accomplishments and future goals through quarterly emails, quick updates via social media and coffee dates.  You can share articles and news-worthy information with them, and you may even want to request professional feedback and advice.

For connections who don’t have close interactions with you, develop opportunities for them to see you in action.  Volunteering, working on short-term projects, staying connected, sharing feedback via social media and more can put you in situations where others can see how valuable and knowledge you are.

Maintaining your relationships is a top priority, but you should also identify how you can meet new connections.  This step is easy; meet people in any capacity you can, including PTO gatherings, professional organizations, chance encounters, interoffice meetings and more.  Meeting others via long distance networking can be challenging, but resources such as LinkedIn, Facebook and Google+ provide outlets for gathering new friends and nurturing existing relationships.

In addition to throwing out the “connect with me” request, you should devote time getting to know people and allowing them to get to know you.  Networking is a lifelong professional goal, and it is built on relationships that stand up to weak economies, cyclical industries, distance and changes.  Networking is about investing in yourself by building strong relationships with others.

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.

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by eraucso on January 4, 2012  •  Permalink
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Employer Advice from the Industry/Career Expo

Every year at the end of the Industry/Career Expo, we survey employers to get their feedback on the event. We assess everything from the helpfulness of the Career Services staff to how happy employers were with the candidates with which they met.

This year, we also asked employers if they had any specific job search or career advice that they would like to share with students and alumni seeking job opportunities.

Industry/Career Expo 2011

Photographer: Andrea Hooper

Here is what they had to say…

regarding internships:

  • We need more ERAU students doing internships. They are more prepared. – Mark Lyden, Boeing
  • An internship is essential for grads to have under their belts, to then look for full-time employee roles for after graduation  – Dana Fortuna, StandardAero
  • Complete as many internships as you can – Ethan Croop, Lee County Port Authority

regarding career fair preparation:

  • Research companies you’re interested in. Know about them and be prepared to share. – Eric Poole, JetBlue Airways
  • Be specific. Research company and tell us why we should hire you (technical qualifications). – Annelise Deatherage, Jamco America, Inc.
  • Don’t just wait for a company to call you. Be active and apply! – Sara Gilder, CTS International
  • Introduce self with firm handshake, not death grip. Improve appearance and discuss qualifications and unique set of skills – don’t share resume [verbatim]. – American Airlines
  • Have an open mind; do not discount opportunities presented – Labinal/Safran
  • Would benefit from additional research on companies and more focused responses – GE Aviation
  • Sell [yourself] more; don’t wait for company reps to ask all of the questions – GE Aviation
  • Refrain from using the term, “you guys” when referring to employers. Always address the employer by company or by specific name. “What do you guys have to offer?” is not a good approach, or opening statement. – URS Corporation
  • Be a little more specific on your resume, not “work in a position where I can grow for a dynamic company.” – Jamco America, Inc.
  • Communicate and think about your career goals for the next 3-5 years. There are many areas of expertise to specialize in within aviation/aerospace. – StandardAero
  • Get help from Career Services; it shows when you do – Boeing

 regarding the interview process:

  • Concentrate and prepare for check rides – Scott Swanson, Air Wisconsin
  • Tie your experience to the job requirements – Pat Dunagan, Aero Simulation, Inc.
  • Please emphasize personality; in a competitive environment, it’s what sets you apart from the rest! – Peter Schroeder, Jet Support Services, Inc.
  • Have [realistic] views/expectations regarding salary and first job level. – Amy Southerland, Safran

regarding dressing for career fairs and interviews:

  • Dress to impress. Think twice about displaying body piercings or inappropriate tattoos. – Don Horn, Cessna

regarding skills:

  • [Work on] public speaking – Jason Wescott, NASIC
  • Take leadership [roles] on campus! – Tyler Chini, GE Aviation
  • Maintain high GPA, highlight leadership – get involved – James Wilson, American Eagle Airlines
  • Improve talking skills – GE Aviation
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by eraucso on October 21, 2011  •  Permalink
Posted in Employer Insights, Industry/Career Expo
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Posted by eraucso on October 21, 2011

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What Companies Want

by Kristy Amburgey

Seeking someone with great communication skills, enthusiasm, passion, technical knowledge, professionalism, energy, maturity, and analytical skills.

Sounds like a perfect partner, right?  It is!  These are some of the qualities that employers who recruit from Embry-Riddle look for in their prospective employees, and these strengths are what they often find in the best ERAU candidates.  Based on feedback from employers, there were a number of skills that were sought by the survey respondents.  Review some of the top categories and ways that you can prove your value to a potential employer.

Preparation: research the company, products and values thoroughly; the employers valued the candidate that knew information about their organizations and how, as a candidate, he or she could contribute to the overall goals

Experience: internship, lab, practical, etc. – the type of experience was secondary to the candidate’s ability to describe and apply his or her experiences to the company’s needs

Positive Attitude: talk about previous jobs, classes/faculty and experiences, even the challenges, as ways you grew and learned and not as a detriment or excuse for your past; candidates with positive attitudes stood out to our employers and made the candidates appear more hirable; professionalism was also mentioned as a valued attitude

Enthusiasm/Passion/Excitement: the easiest way to show enthusiasm – smile; you also want to use positive wording and an upbeat tone when talking about your interest in the job and/or field

Academic Success: maintain your GPA and select courses/training that support your career goals; excel in any leadership or group experiences as a way to prove academic success

Communication Skills: demonstrate your skills by providing specific examples of effective communication, which can include projects completed or result-focused stories

Some of the other valuable characteristics mentioned include: poise, team player, clear direction of what you want, self awareness, understanding of business concepts, ability to think creatively, determination, skills and technical knowledge and leadership.

Employers want to see candidates who are well-prepared, well-rounded and well-qualified for their positions, so answer that advertisement for the perfect partner and show the employer your best qualities.

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.

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by eraucso on October 19, 2011  •  Permalink
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Posted by eraucso on October 19, 2011

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