Career Week is right around the corner and campus is ready to help you get a jumpstart on your career aspirations. Being prepared to meet employers and build connections is key to making a lasting impression. That’s why we explored the best ways you can prepare and get the most out of Career Week!
Register for the Career and Internship Fair
Whether you’re starting to explore options, actively searching for an internship, or planning ahead for life after graduation, everyone can gain valuable career information by attending the Career and Internship Fair! Meeting face-to-face with employers is always the best way to stand out against other applicants—especially in the digital age. Make use of this opportunity and practice your career readiness skills! This year’s Fall Career and Internship Fair takes place in The Dome on Wednesday, Oct. 1, from 2-6 p.m. Register for the event and see which employers are attending by visiting Handshake!
Update Your Resume
Making sure your resume is clean, cohesive and updated is one of the key parts to preparing for Career Week. The Career Services website offers tons of information on how to begin creating your resume, how to structure it, and what you should and should not include. Additionally, all students have access to VMock, a platform built specifically for college students to create and update their resume. Upon registration, there will be an option for you to view the specific template associated with your school/college. You are also able to upload an existing resume to have VMock offer suggestions on what to change. Be sure to make any necessary changes and updates! Once you have your resume finalized, make sure to print out plenty of copies. Keep them clean, flat and organized in a manila folder so you can hand them out to employers.
Be Active on Handshake
Handshake is a student-tailored career and internship connection app used to help university students find jobs. Having an active and updated Handshake profile is the best way to appeal to employers—especially when it comes to getting internships. Make sure to upload your most recent resume and add a professional photo of yourself. This will increase the credibility of your profile and make employers more likely to engage with you!
Update Your Professional Photos
It’s easy to get swept away by the effort it takes to land a job or internship and forget to take care of the little things—including having an updated professional portrait of yourself. To get an updated professional portrait, visit the Iris Photo Booth located in the Career Center! The Iris Photo Booth offers Syracuse University students free professional photos in just a couple of minutes. You’re able to take three photos per session with one retake, and your photos will be emailed directly to you in minutes! You can visit the Iris Photo Booth as many times as you’d like throughout the school year Monday-Friday, 10 a.m.-4 p.m.
Prepare a Professional Outfit
Dressing to impress is a real thing—presenting yourself professionally makes a good first impression on employers before even speaking to them! To make sure you’re dressed appropriately when you meet potential employers, the University also offers a Virtual Career Closet for students to rent professional clothes at an affordable price. You’ll speak to a stylist who will curate up to six items of clothing for you that’ll be shipped straight to your door. You’ll receive the box within 5-7 business days, and then have 30 days to decide to keep or return the clothes. If you want to keep anything you were sent, you can purchase them at a discount! Using Career Closet costs $60/box, but financial assistance is available through the Student Access Fund. This is a great and super convenient way to get multiple professional outfits all for a low price!
Preparing for Career Week doesn’t have to be difficult or overwhelming. By making the most of this week and all of the career opportunities you have here on campus year-round, you’re setting yourself up for success in your future career. And remember, if you have any questions about anything career-related, you can always schedule an appointment with a Career Services staff member or swing by the Career Services office in 111 Waverly Ave., Suite 230. Have a happy and successful Career Week!
Written By Mirren Grimason ’29, S.I. Newhouse School of Public Communications and Maxwell School of Citizenship and Public Affairs