We have a job module available on our website where jobs can be posted, resumes posted, job hunting tips discussed, etc. Does anyone have any thoughts or experience on how effective school websites can be as a placement service? Thank you!

Our school offers a dental assistant program on Saturdays. We also offer voluntary externships that provide good experience helpful in student placement after graduation. However, some students work during the week and can not afford to take time off to participate in the externships offered during the week. Are there any suggestions on how to encourage these working students to participate in externships? For example, does anyone offer paid externships so working students will not be financially impacted by missing work? Any thoughts will be appreciated?

It has been a challenge to motivate maturer/seasoned students to participate in placement activities because they have the "been there and done that" attidude. It's important for us to have all students participate equally so that no one develops bad habits. Any ideas on how we can get them working with us and with the class.

In my past work experiences, one of the things that I noticed is the amount of resumes received for each postion. I would like to see this training include some ideas of how you can bring your resume to the top of the pile for review. One example: I received a resume inside a shoe with a note stating "Now that I got my foot in the door" may I request a few moments of your time. Now, as a past HR professionl I felt that was extremely creative, and it worked. He got the interview.

If you had to prioritize placement functions and only offer a few of the most important what would you choose, for your students? for your school?

Our school offers a short-term program for which we provide placement services. Often students in this short-term program opt to seek employment without assistance and we have difficulty contacting them for follow-up. Do any other schools deal with this situation? How do you cultivate a long-term relationship with these students?

I try to go the extra mile and help students. I have free computers with Internet access and half a dozen resume templates. Links to multiple job boards. As well I subscribe to job post that are updated daily and then maintain contact with employers and potential employers. I role-play with students before they go on interviews and cover etiquette and dress code. I make sure the students Google earth and map quest addresses. I hold a monthly career services workshop and Q & A that are open to anyone. Is there anything else I should be doing that can make a positive difference for students and graduates? James

I have resume writing software for students and templates of cover letters. Should I have anything else as a resource? James

I have computers right now and links to diffrent job boards ad resume examples as well. But should I have books or other things? James

I want to know the feedback on booking Professional and Celebrity guest speakers. No only for a promotional tool but for motivation and successstories. Does it have to be a past alumni or can it be someone outside the school? What resources are available to book a professional on to come in and speak? James

How far should a placement department go in placing their students? I see some departments say that they give them all fo the tools (resume seminars, job search websites, networking resumes, mock interviews, etc) and say they do everything EXCEPT get them the job. Other departments, like the one at my school, offers job leads. Which is best? I do find that sometimes the students get a little lazy and learn to depend on and expect job leads from my placement department. When they do not get the amount of leads they want, they become upset. I feel that they should be responsible for their job search and they are given the tools that they need to do so. Any thoughts on how to make this transition. "Spoon feeding" them seems to make it harder on my Placement Manager and she spends her time emailing and faxing resumes when I think her time would be better spent preparing new seminars, conducting mock interviews, etc.

It's so hard to keep up with students once they graduate, especially those who live out of state. Any ideas on how to rope them in?

During our resume seminar we always stress how important it is for your resume to be unique as it is a repesentation of the person and each person is unique. However, when it comes exit interview time, lo and behold everyone's resumes look the same. Any ideas on how to guide each person on creating a unique resume for themselves?

For the entertainment industry, internships are a must. Does anyone have suggestions for how we 1)convince our graduates that internships are a necessary evil for this industry and 2)keep employers from exploiting our graduates.

I start setting appointments with students when they have one more month to go. In that session I ask them to complete a "graduate information" form with their current contact information, current employment status and information if applicable, a list of their ideal jobs, etc. It gives admin a definite update on student contact info and it gives placement another chance to see what the student's goals are.

Ok, so what do you do with the few students who, no matter what you do to help them, decide that they just are "not interested in working, but thank you for all the training"? Believe it or not, we have some students like that!

When our admissions department takes a new student to tour the campus I'm the first stop. I stand up, greet and welcome the student. Invite the students in my office and tell them that I am here for them. They are told they are welcome to my office at any time. I spend time with them. I help them get part time jobs while they are in school. Alot of them need that help. I'm open for any ideas. Richard

How do you recommend Placement Services partner with Admissions to form an effective bond with the student and instill excitement in them from the very beginning about the whole job placement process?

We have incorporated student portfolios into our professional development courses. We have completed some research on students who carry portfolios (to showcase their work)vs students who go into an interview empty handed and have found the student that has come prepared with portfolios have had a greater success rate. We have also found that it will also assist the students in remembering the actual skills that have acquired during their time at school. Has anyone else had success with portfolios or feedback?

I am the Director of the Career Services Dept. Our department covers externship, placement and student services. I have a placement assistant and as soon as we grow a little more I will have an externship assistant. We have seminars once a month for the students who are getting ready to graduate or go to externship. We have a Career Services class in every program that we assist with. This includes resume writing, dressing for success and interview information. We make visits in the community to market our students and attend many job fairs. We still see some apathy on the students part in actively searching for a job. Any suggestions?