Simon CMC News

By: Anu Mukund, MS Marketing ’14

Though it may not feel like it in Rochester, April marks the first full month of spring. Spring! Yes, we can now look forward to daffodils, the sun on our backs, and many dollars spent on Claritin and Kleenex. But, apart from enjoying the warmer weather (fingers crossed that will be sooner rather than later), for many of us the epic job search continues.

And as we all know, the job search isn’t always as simple as sending in an application and keeping your fingers crossed that you’ll get an offer on the first try. There’s the preliminary research to decide which companies are best for you, what qualifications you have that set you apart from other applicants, the phone interviews, the Skype interviews, the in-person and case interviews, and finally, the hopeful final handshake of employment.

The CMC is working to provide as many services to Simon students as possible that can better prepare them for post-graduation employment. After a successful Got Mock? event, the next occasion in line is Spring Training: Skill & Drills to Hit Your Home Run!. Spring Training will be hosted on Friday, April 18^th in Gleason Hall. Students who sign up for this event will be able to improve their personal pitch for inevitable networking situations. The event will consist of two workshops and a round of Speed Networking to provide helpful tips for networking in the “big leagues.” A luncheon with authentic baseball fare will also be offered to keep with the event’s theme!

As the academic year comes to a close, make sure to make the most of all the wonderful services Simon offers to its students! Whether you’ve secured a position at a wonderful company or are still searching for what’s best for you, it never hurts to brush up on your networking skills. To sign up for Spring Training, or for more information about the event, log on to SimonWorks and RSVP under the Events tab. We look forward to seeing you on April 18^th or sooner! If you can’t make the event but would still like to work on your networking skills, feel free to stop by the CMC or make an appointment with one of our counselors. Happy spring!

By: Anu Mukund, MS Marketing ’14

Ah, New Year’s Day; it’s a peculiar time. After finishing the holiday season full of sinfully rich food and holiday sales, we know we must take a decision: what resolution will we claim we’re determined to follow to our friends and family? But apart from the usual diets and exercise regimes, Simon students can work on a very beneficial goal: finding a career path!

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It seems like a daunting task and it might even take a lifetime to understand one’s ever-evolving career path. But here we are, at the beginning of each of ours, with many roads to choose from. The occupation we take after graduation could shape the rest of our journey. That said it’s also an exciting time! To choose what path defines you as a working professional and where you want to be. As we commence our Winter Quarter, those who are graduating in the spring must seriously consider how to best secure a valuable job. Actually, the same goes for those who will still be in school next year and are looking at different internship opportunities.

So where to begin? Here are a few tips to get the old wheels in the head a-cranking.

• First ask yourself: Where do I want to see myself in 5-10 years? Weigh in the personal with the professional. Try to balance all your needs and find career options that are compatible with all aspects of your life.
• Make a timeline with specific dates of when you want to accomplish the tasks to reach your end goal: employment. If you set certain deadlines, you’re more likely to meet them rather than continually give yourself two-week extensions.
• Where do you want to work? Do you want to stay in the US or are you global bound? Usually people think success only lies in the big cities. And though that may be true in certain cases, smaller regions are also very successful with large companies. Take, for example, the RTP (Research Triangle Park) region of North Carolina. It’s booming with offices of well-known and respected companies such as Credit Suisse and Cisco Systems and yet it is situated in an active suburban environment.
• Create a list of companies that you would be happy to work for. Add as many companies as you can; the more the merrier! A good number to shoot for could be 50-100 companies. Make sure you know why you would be happy to work for these companies, beyond the fact that perhaps it’s a Fortune 500. You can be sure the interviewers will want a concrete and well thought out response.
• Use LinkedIn to meet with people related to the field/company of your interest to gain better insight about the field and career options in that company.
• Apply, apply, apply! To the companies on your list! At the end of the day, a good word put in your favor may only get your foot in the door. From that point onwards, it’s up to you to plug away and land your first job. Put your Simon education to use! Showcase your skills via LinkedIn and/or your resume and get your potential interviewers know why you are the best candidate for that position.
• Make use of the CRC and CMC! We’re here to help YOU! And we love to hear about your job search journey and its happy ending. Stop by the CMC today to schedule an appointment to just to talk about how far you’ve gotten in your job search and how you should pursue the next step. Can’t make it in person? Email us or check out our website for more information.
• Breathe. You’ve worked hard and that will pay off (pun intended).

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Good luck in the coming months in school and enjoy your time at Simon! We hope to see you soon!

The summer season is finally upon us and while many of us look forward to spending time with family and friends; we can also enjoy a much needed break from the rigorous Simon routine.  In our quest to become Corporate Athletes however, it is important to remember that Summer Break is also an excellent opportunity for us to strengthen and condition our networking muscles!

Here are some tips to make the most out of your summer social endeavors and even develop some contacts in the process.

1)      Don’t refuse an invite! Any social gathering is a networking opportunity.  Get out the house and enjoy the weather, a social invitation is always a chance to meet new people and increase your chances of meeting your next potential colleague or boss! At the very least, summer social activities provide an opportunity to improve on and practice your small talk, which can only advance your interviewing skills. Remember, interviewing is a social interaction!

2)      Prepare for the questions, “Have you found a job/internship yet?” The question is inevitable so be sure you’re ready to embrace it and turn the question into an opportunity to build a new contact! An approach to try, “Not yet, Uncle Mike but I’m constantly working on it. In fact, I’m really interested in pursuing an internship/position in Marketing. Is there someone in the Marketing department at your company that you could introduce me to?”

3)      Conduct informational interviews! For the family friend or relative that you have always admired, request to schedule an informational interview to learn more about their position and inner-workings of their company. For every interview you schedule be sure to appropriately prepare!

4)     Be specific! Any conversation can lead to “career-talk” and it’s wise to prepare a focused and concise response to use when you’re asked what you’d like to do. The more specific, the better as your contacts will have a clearer idea of how they can help.

5)     Forget the paper work. Lugging around a briefcase of resumes isn’t the most productive use of your time this holiday season. Instead be sure to pack away some business cards for a quick contact exchange. Be sure your information is up to date and any professional web links reflect consistent information.

6)     Reconnect. With all this down time it’s time to get motivated. Why not refresh your name in key contacts’ minds by sending out a card or two. Sending a card can be an easy way to wake up potential employers who may be willing to offer prospective employment opportunities.

7)     Warm up. Take a moment to check in on your LinkedIn and Facebook contacts. Making an effort to stay connected during the summer is an easy way to touch base and expand your networking base.

8)      Clean out your closet. First impressions are a must. With all the networking you now plan on doing, it is important to look your best. Take some time to get a haircut and new business attire. It will not only leave you looking great but feeling great too.

9)      Some for me, some for you. Be tactful with your networking. Approaching people just to tell them you’re job hunting is not very “socially professional”. Be sure to do as much listening as talking (if not more listening!) as networking travels a fine line of give and take.

10)      Relax! The summer season can be an important job hunting and networking opportunity but it’s also a time to be with family, friends, and loved ones so don’t overdo it. Being a dedicated professional can be hard work so don’t forget to enjoy yourself this summer!