Get Your Students Hired
On a daily basis, I remind my students that they represent themselves everywhere they go. I also remind them that a potential employer could be at their local grocery store or the dentist office or sitting across from them on the bus. I encourage them to network with friends, family, coworkers etc.
Colleen,
I like the way you break down the term-indeed even I cringe a little when someone suggests I network!
Elizabeth Kemler
I would encourage students to utilize their professional and personal network by having them first decided pinpoint exactly what they are looking for in their job field. I would want my student to make a list of what is most important to them within a job opportunity. I believe this would help them center their thoughts on what to say within a email to friends, family, and professionals in the field they are interested in. I would have them draft a letter on what they have to offer to their field and perspective company. I would have my students email and send out the letter in the postal service as well. I would also have my student make sure their online forums such as facebook is appropriate. I would question them to see if they be comfortable with anyone seeing what they have openly available. Lastly I would tell them to follow up! People get busy. Follow up with friends and family. Remind them of your interest and what ask them if they have any leads to assist you. Keep communication open and always say thank you. Common courtesy goes a long way.
Like everyone else here I talk to my students about networking. However, I tell them that while "networking" sounds like a scary term, it's really just telling everyone you know and meet what you do and that you are looking for a new opportunity. I tell them that it's really just a matter of "six degrees of separation" and that they'll be amazed how quickly they might find a contact that will help them. I love getting the excited stories when they do make/find a "live lead" contact.
Students here have the opportunity to do an internship/externship. If they are interested in a particular organization then I try to establish a connection and point of contact with that prospective employer for the student; I also work with the student in editing their resumes, and motivating them to volunteer and also to do mock-interviews; the mock interviews gives the student a chance to get some practice and feedback as to what will help them in their real interview for any job, volunteer opportunity or internship/externship. It also helps them build confidence.
I do the same; I strongly encourage the students to join and update their accounts on LinkedN and FB. I also have several recruiters and employers come each quarter to do a presentation on their company, the available openings and an on-site meet/greet interview. It encourages students to prepare a resume in advance, and wear apparel that is business casual appropriate. We also maintain a job board that is updated weekly, and have created a FB page just for the students to see the available job openings and to respond directly to the employers.
One way we encourage networking is through the externship that is required of all students. For licensure purposes all students are required to complete an externship equaling 40 hours. During this time students shadow professionals in the field and get hands on training in the day-to-day work life. While completing this externship students work alongside these professionals, meeting potential employers and colleagues that they will be associated with once they are employed. For most students those individuals that they shadow will become valuable resources when beginning their job search.
We start by hosting in-house visits with employers, in an informal setting. The students are encouraged to ask questions, this often breaks the ice for everyone and many go on to secure employment with an employer who has attended our business course(s). I also encourage our grads to reach out to alumni working in the field, check if the alumni may be somewhere they could envision themselves working and to make a contact and talk with the alum. We've been very fortunate that so many employers want repeat hires from our school. People find this reassuring, knowing that our school has such a good reputation, and that many employers value our grads. Often if they make a good connection with an alum, if they or their employer are not hiring, they can steer the new student/graduate towards someone who is hiring.
Jason,
I like this gradual approach; helps to ease them into networking which is certainly uncomfortable for a lot of people.
Elizabeth Kemler
Pamela,
Very sound advice-it always pays to be on your best as you never know who you might be working for down the road.
Elizabeth Kemler
Our students have an internship they do through the school. Many of the clients they come in contact with are potential employers so they need to be on their best with every single client. Also, I encourage them to keep a guest book with them during the internship and ask clients if they would like to be contacted once student graduates.
I encourage our students to not scare themselves by trying things they aren't used to. First off, go with Facebook, Twitter, friends and family. If networking face to face is an issue, we practice that in class on a regular basis. We teach how to strike up conversations with professionals that encourage contact at a later date. Also, have those business cards in hand and ready to distribute.
I have found that many current students are working in the industry already and know about job opportunities, so I encourage the students to get to know one another, seek advise from one another, and identify those who may be potential business partners in the future. They can also speak with their instructors many of them have years of experience in there field.
In our case our school is transportation based. In the case of networking I would encourage our students to stay in contact with each other as well as the school. Many of our students are business owners or are employees of companies that desire employees with the particular certificate that we offer.
In addition because we are so flexible with working around peoples schedules, finances, and lives our students tend to be very loyal and do come back to us when they need additional employees.
Chad,
I had written you a response to this twice but it doesn't look like either went through-my apologies. I had said that I think getting them familiar and comfortable with the use of social media for job hunting-particularly having them create Linkedin profiles is and excellent idea.
Elizabeth Kemler
Cathy,
This is an excellent idea-the first time I've heard it.
Elizabeth Kemler
In addition to utilizing personal and professional resources as mentioned in your posts, I encourage students to attend local chapter meetings of a professional organization to network with the many seasoned employers who are active within this organization. This provides them with a more informal atmosphere in which they can be comfortable yet still present themselves professionally and cultivate new connections within that business realm.
In the first week of my class it is dedicated solely to social media and the advantages of using it correctly. We make LinkedIn profiles, that way they are able to come in contact with local employers, as well as using the advantages of Facebook and twitter. Also throughout my class i have them apply for 25 jobs online, and 5 out in public, to get them used to marketing themselves in the public. Its all about using soft skills. If you get rid of the nerves and be able to use the soft skills,( Personality and people skills) then i feel like they will have a much easier time, and it has worked for me.