Roll playing help one to relax and take the pressure off making it easier to move forward.
Jo-Anna,
This is all great advice for job-seeking students; do you offer them an opportunity to practice those kinds of dialogues?
Elizabeth Kemler
By Utilizing your Networks you can obtain support and knowledge. It also casts a larger net of resources to fine the ideal job. Most people want to help you succeed.
Begin with an introduction of yourself displaying a handshake, eye contact, and a smile. Let them know with enthusiasm the kind of work you are seeking. Ask politely if they would be willing to help with resources,phone calls, introductions, use of their name, or share names of a few people that might be in the field you have choose to work in.
How would you go about asking for the support you would need? How to be specific and target what your hearts desire? Like the saying goes. If you love what you do you will never work a day in your life. Express with passion your need to find this path.
Elizabeth,
You put this perfectly; you often hear about students letting themselves 'slide' when it comes to professional behavior when they don't think the person they're dealing with will have impact on their career.
Elizabeth Kemler
Hi,
I try to impress upon students that you never know who will be that 'person' who can be the link to your next job. It is extremely important to treat all with respect and express yourself in a manner that is friendly as well as professional. All networks, no matter how small, can be the key to achieving your new job.
patricia,
Networking is a good idea but can be confusing and daunting for many students; I like your idea of going with them and wonder if you also create any networking events at your school and/or have professionals from the field come and speak to your students.
Elizabeth Kemler
Students are lead by example. Network yourself, lead students to network groups. Go with them, yo are on the same field. It is always good to network.
Theresa,
This is a great idea; do you also have people working in the field come to speak to the students?
Elizabeth Kemler
We encouage students to network by job fairs, conferences, trade shows, with people who share the same professional interests, perhaps, Facebook, Twitter and LinkedIn and online resources. Also, let family members know as they may know someone who is looking for an employee in their field.
Marion,
All excellent advice..do you also have people working in the field come in to speak with the students?
Elizabeth Kemler
The first thing to encourage students seeking a job to do is to put aside pride. Many students seems shy in asking people they know (friends, family, past professional relationships)whether their jobs are hiring or if they know anyone whose workplace is hiring. The first thing is to help the student gain confidence in the skills they have trained for. Oftentimes, they fear the interviewing process and sometime doubt whether they can truly do it. We have to help student vision the workplace, the requirements for the job, and help them see how they training suits the requirements. This helps to give them the confidence they need to talk with people about their career aspirations.
Robert,
Those are two excellent ways to help students build their professional network; another idea is to have people working in the industry come to speak to your students and do a little meet and greet afterwards.
Elizabeth Kemler
Well first the student often needs to develop a network. Many of our students are either career changers, new to the industry, or have never worked so anyone in their "personal" network probably won't be able to help them.
To build a professional network we utilize social media and local volunteer opportunities to start connecting our students with employers.
Arturo,
Do you offer your students support in maintaining a positive attitude and staying motivated?
Elizabeth Kemler
Arturo,
This is sound advice to be sure.
Elizabeth Kemler
Maria Rosario,
What a fantastic opportunity; I can't think of a better way for students to get real-world experience while making critical connections.
Elizabeth Kemler
By communicating their skills and strengths to their network, and maintaining a positive attitude towards their work search.
I think a good way is to let your network group learn of your skills and, in communicating with them, to let them know of any new skill or education you may have recently obtained.
We are fortunate that our school is situated in a city that is considered a culinary mecca. With these come a lot of events whereby students would have the opportunity to volunteer and work alongside local chefs and even celebrity chefs. Students leave the events with new skills they learned from these chefs. Whenever there are volunteer events of this nature, we encourage the students to show their passion, great attitude, skills because the chefs whom they work with may be observing them and may one day be their future employers. We advise students to keep in touch with the chefs like sending a thank you note about their experience or updating them where they are in the program. Oftentimes, students meet with the different chefs several times throughout the year and I am proud to say that many students are able to secure employment through their volunteer work. Scheduled on-campus career fairs are also a great networking opportunity. We tell students to meet with the recruiters even if they are not currently looking for employment. Talk to them about the culture of the company, about opportunities, shadowing the chef, etc. Networking also gives the students to make sound decisions as to their ideal place they would like to work.
Yolanda,
It's great that you're offering students both these things--it really makes a difference when you see firsthand what the people and work environment are like.
Elizabeth Kemler
