long before you earn your degree

It wont be long before you earn your degree, and you can hardly wait. You heard about the graduate fair, and youre eager to find a job earlier than what your coursemates would do. You cant tease them, as they have to focus on the coursework. Youre smart to go early, but it doesnt guarantee a job before fall.You must be prepared for it, as employers didnt pay to set up a booth and look attractive from nine to five. Here are the following things to keep in mindNew graduates arent the only ones to attend the fair. Think of those who are unemployed at the moment. Consider those who are looking for abedrngnisher job. And dont discount those who are contemplating a career change. You have competition, which will put you in a fighting mood. Right? Youll confess the jitters, not to mention your intimidation at your more experienced applicants. No need to push the panic button, as youre chances are as good as anyone elses. Dress up for the occasion. (If you want to be taken seriously, then yo u might want to pass by during the first day. Take note of the attire. Black and white can be good enough.) Keep a relaxed attitude. Believe on a positive outcome.Tell them why youre the best candidate for the job. You come to sell yourself. If you havent figured it out, then do a research before the start of the fair. Its not difficult to find out the companies participating in the event. Study each firm, of what qualities they look for an employee. Do a soul searching for several minutes or so. Do you have skills that match what they are looking for? If not, you have two options. You can look for another company (and do the same procedure). You may also think of preparing a statement, which might be your back up. You might have learned some things at the university, which can be related to the skills (that a particular company is looking for). Analyze yourself. (Are you a team player?) It can take you a day, which is fine.Dont rush on this one. Not that youre lacking in grit, but you better do it step by step. Some may opt to apply without looking at the company brochures thoroughly. And they would be hired on the spot. Dont be green with envy, as theres a possibility that theyll give their resignation letter in a year or less. It will be your first job, but it might be the right one. (And the years of service can tell a thing or two about an employee.) mora importantly, you must remember your coursework. Youre not done yet. Another option will be to make inquiries, ask for contact details, and make a follow-up e-mail (or call) later.Shyness wont get you anywhere. You have nothing to lose, so try to be friendly with everyone. Youll learn a few things from a few minutes of conversation, which can be useful later. Youll also widen your professional circle, which is what you came for. Its natural to be nervous, but your few years at the university should have taught you what to do on such an occasion.Bring your CV. If you have no idea on how to compose a winnin g CV, then you might ask your tutor about it. Older students (who attended the fair) could provide valuable information. And your parents are a call away.

Im a Recruiter, And Heres the Advice I Give Female Job Seekers About Finding Their Dream Job

Im a Recruiter, And Heres the Advice I Give Female Job Seekers About Finding Their Dream Job Karen Rivera has what many people (including Rivera herself) would describe as a dream job. Thats because, as a Talent Acquisition Partner for Ultimate Software, she gets to spend each day selling something she truly believes in and benefits from personally her companys work culture.A leader in cloud-based HR software solutions, Ultimate has set itself apart from the stereoschriftarts that often cling to other tech companies as being less-than hospitable spaces for female and diverse employees. For Rivera, a Latinx military spouse, that kind of work environment isnt one shes willing to get behind which is why she was so impressed by the diversity she found at Ultimate upon joining three years ago.Throughout her time at Ultimate, Rivera has helped take what was already an inclusive culture to the next level by enhancing the companys existing DI recruiting efforts. None of this, she adds, has exactly been a tough sell. Company leadership has always been in enthusiastic rckendeckung of DI initiatives, something Ultimates wide lineup of employee resource groups speaks to. And, from the candidate-side of things, Rivera has the advantage of representing a company that takes the value it returns to employees seriously.The benefits are a huge highlight, she said. Most of the time, I have to repeat the unlimited PTO benefit because candidates think they heard me wrong. It is just one benefit that sets us apart and makes work-life balance at Ultimate so attainable.Recently, Rivera shared with Fairygodboss the two aspects of life at Ultimate she thinks any candidate should know about, as well as her No. 1 piece of advice to women who are currently job seeking.How long have you been in your current role, and what were you doing previously?I have been at Ultimate a little over three years, and I absolutely love it I specifically recruit for tech roles. Previously, I was a Senior Ac quisitions Manager in Hawaii for DFS, a Hong Kong-based retailer of luxury products.Whats the first thing you do at work every day?The first thing I do at work is say good morning to my gruppemates. They really are what makes it great to come into the office. After that, I check my calendar and get the feel of my schedule so I can prepare for the day.As a recruiter, what are two things about your company that you always make sure to highlight when talking to a candidate?The people and the culture. I came from a very different type of working environment, and I appreciate what a positive impact working for a company like Ultimate can make in someones life. Everyone here is passionate about what they do. They are hardworking but also know how to go out and have some fun. So, I always try to highlight how amazing our people are and how unique the culture is.Whats one thing your company does whether a formal policy or program, or more in terms of office culture that you think is parti cularly unique or unexpected?The benefits are a huge highlight. The 45% dollar-for-dollar 401(k) match and our unlimited paid time off program are most notable for our candidates, since many companies dont have such generous vacation policies or retirement plans.Most of the time, I have to repeat the unlimited PTO benefit because candidates think theyve heard me wrong. It is just one benefit that sets us apart and makes work-life balance at Ultimate so attainable.Tell me a bit about your companys DI efforts and employee resource groups.I noticed immediately when I started working here that everyone has a voice to speak up about their ideas. I also noticed just how diverse the tech teams are, which was a surprise given the overall tech industrys reputation.Being a Latina and a military spouse, I dove into finding job fairs or conferences that geared toward those demographics so that we could enhance our existing DI efforts. My manager and Ultimate were very supportive, which made me happy to be able to bring more of these groups into our Ultimate family.Ultimate has a number of employee resource groups, which we call Communities of Interest. We have UltiVETS, which is for military veterans and active service members as well as their friends and families, and its also a way for non-military folks to express their appreciation for veterans service. We have Women In Leadership, which is open to women in all types of roles, and Women in Technology, specifically for women who are in tech jobs or are interested in tech jobs. We also have PRIDEUS, which is in support of the LGBTQ+ community, and even a group called UltiHOPE, which brings cancer patients, survivors, and caregivers together to empower one another to continue fighting and thriving through cancer.Being at a company that supports all demographics and interests is such a blessing, and it makes me feel like I really belong here at Ultimate.Whats your No. 1 piece of advice for women who are looking for jobs r ight now?My best advice is to not underestimate yourself when it comes to a role, a title or a salary. Ask for the higher end of your salary range. Ask for that title you have had your eye on for years. You are more than capable of getting exactly what you want just go for itWhats something you think most people (perhaps even current employees) dont know about your company that you think they should?Make sure to take advantage of all the great training and development opportunities at Ultimate. We have an amazing Learning team and Talent Development team that put out so much content and great leadership programs to help you advance your career.--Fairygodboss is proud to partner with Ultimate Software.