General Q & A



WHAT YEAR SHOULD I ATTEND MY FIRST JOB FAIR?
It is never too early to attend your first job fair. Although you may not be on the job market as a freshman or sophomore in college, attending a job fair could give you an idea of the types of organizations that exist in your field, or the types of jobs that you can get. Make sure you go to job fairs prepared regardless of what stage of career planning you are in. You never know who you will meet or what kind of opportunities the career fair can bring. Therefore, dress appropriately (see Making the Most of a Job Fair), and if you ARE on the job market, bring a few copies of your resume (make sure your resume proofed by a mentor or career services counselor). Written by: Jill Bowers
Additional resources for attending job fairs:
How to Prepare for a Job/Career Fair [Virgina Tech website]
Top Ten Tips for Students Attending Career or Job Fairs [Quintessential Careers]
Job Fair 101; What to Wear Bring, and Ask [Men’s Life Today]

HOW SHOULD I DRESS TO MY JOB INTERVIEW?
Dress for success. The appropriate attire will vary, depending on the job for which you are applying. If possible, do your homework and know what kind of attire employees in the same positions wear or have worn. If they wear uniforms, you will have to use your own judgment. For many college graduates, business or business casual would be most appropriate. Unless you are told that shorts, jeans, or t-shirts are okay, do not wear them. For most positions, no one cares to see your behind, cleavage, or the tattoo of your grandmother on your arm.  So make sure all of your body parts are covered, even when reaching up or bending over. Be hesitant to wear facial, or too many, rings. Make sure you can walk in your shoes. If you believe the interview is more casual, or you are meeting with a professor rather than employer where you probably do not need to wear business attire, you should still think about your clothing. With t-shirts, for example, remember that words and graphics that you find amusing could be offensive to others. Be cautious and think before you dress.
Written by: Jill Bowers; Mikki Meadows
Additional resources for job interview attire:
Eight “Do’s” and “Don’ts” of Dress for Job Interviews [Huffington Post] How to Dress for Your Job Interview (12 Guidelines) [The Undercover Recruiter]
SHOULD I ARRIVE AT A CERTAIN TIME EARLY OR JUST RIGHT ON TIME?
I recommend that you arrive 10-15 minutes early. This way, if you can’t find a parking place, get lost, or have difficulties finding the right office, you still have a few extra minutes. Arriving early will give you a chance to go to the restroom, give yourself a pep talk, check for lipstick on your teeth, or burgers in your nose (nothing more distracting and a way to make sure the interviewer listens to nothing you say).
Written by: Melanie Burns
HOW IMPORTANT IS PUTTING RELEVANT RESOURCES DOWN ON A JOB APPLICATION?
I believe you might be referring to references…relevant references might include professors, previous employers, someone who you have volunteered for, or a leader of a professional organization you have been involved in. Having resources like this are really important, which is why you want to start making connections and ceasing opportunities to network or work for/with professionals early in your academic career. If you lack work or volunteer experiences, you could talk to a family friend or community member and if you have one that is in a related field (related to the position you are applying), even better!
Written by: Jill Bowers
Additional resources for job applications:
HOW CAN I START NETWORKING?
Get to know your professors, bosses, or other professionals in the field. You can start with one and may be surprised how many opportunities and connections a good mentor can lead you to. Approaching professors or other professionals that you have not talked to may be intimidating, yet it is important that you get some confidence and be willing to put yourself out there. Ask professors if they are looking for any undergraduates or students to work on projects they have going on. Talk to graduate or teaching assistants and ask them for advice. They may even be willing to proof your emails to professors, introduce you to someone, or have ideas about how you can get started. You could also network through Linked in or professional associations in your major.
Written by: Jill Bowers
Additional resources for network:
WHO SHOULD BE MY FIRST NETWORK CONTACT (PROFESSOR, TA, OTHER STUDENTS?)
To me, your first networking contact isn’t nearly as important as you networking!  Every contact you make is essential and important in its own way.  Additionally, see Bowers’ response above.
Written by: Melanie Burns 
WHEN I FIRST NETWORK WITH A PERSON, AND THEY INTRODUCE ME TO OTHER CONTACTS, IS IT COMMON COURTESY TO SEND THEM A THANK YOU E-MAIL?
Most definitely!  Good manners and a gracious attitude will get you far in life.
Written by: Melanie Burns 
WHAT TONE SHOULD I SET IN THE JOB INTERVIEW
I recommend you let the person that is leading the interview set the tone. When you are introduced you should offer your hand (if you are in the United States) for a firm shake, state your name (if it was not used when you were introduced) or say “thank you for seeing me.” At that point you can wait for the person leading the interview to lead the conversational tone. If you are unsure, proceed on the side of caution. It is always better to be a little too formal, than to be too casual. For example, avoid using someone’s first name unless instructed to do so.
Written by: Mikki Sherwood
IS IT EVER OK TO MAKE JOKES DURING THE INTERVIEW, OR JUST STAY OVERLY PROFESSIONAL?
Having a sense of humor is wonderful. Some people are able to naturally show their sense of humor in an interview, and it could be appealing and even helpful in making you stand out from your competitors, especially if you are applying to work in customer service, sales, or other positions that require a lot of direct contact with others. At the same time, do not try too hard. You’ve really either got it or you don’t with regard to the natural ability to use your sense of humor when answering interview questions or interacting with a potential boss/employer. It could be an epic failure if you think you are funny but no one else does. If you are not sure, leave the act or magic tricks at home. Although it is sometimes easier said than done, be yourself. Then, if you are hired, you and your employee will feel good about the “fit.”
Written by: Jill Bowers
Additional resources for the use of humor in job interviews:
DO I LEAVE A CONTACT NUMBER OR E-MAIL AFTER? WHICH IS BETTER?
Most definitely! You could provide your email OR phone when you follow-up with a “thank for taking the time to interview me” letter. I am not sure that one or the other is better.  If you leave your number, make sure that your voicemail recording is professional. You may want to use your University/student email account, but just make sure whichever contact information you provide to the employer is one that you check (e.g., do not provide an email address that you only check once/week or month as this would delay your interactions with them and could potentially cost you a job).  If you use a personal email account, I would use one that does not include your birthday, birth year, or too much about your personal identity (e.g., momof4@gmail.com). Most importantly, don’t use “party” names or nicknames (e.g., Fungal2@gmail.com) as that is not the persona you want to portray to a potential employer. If possible and if the job is important to you, have a mentor proof any important emails to potential employers.
Written by: Melanie Burns; Jill Bowers
HOW DO I ACT IN A CASUAL SETTING WITH PROFESSIONALS?
It is always best to follow the lead of those in a higher position;  however, there are some general rules for socializing. Avoid calling someone by his or her first name unless you are asked to do so, make sure your clothing is not too revealing and does not contain messages or graphics that do not present you in a professional manner, and avoid alcohol or smoking. It is always a good idea to avoid potentially inflammatory or embarrassing subjects such as religion or politics.
Written by: Mikki Sherwood
HOW DO I BALANCE MY SOCIAL PROBLEMS WITH PROFESSIONAL WORK?
This is one of the most difficult aspects of professionalism. It is always important to contribute to the well-being of the company or agency in which you work. It is not fair for your colleagues to have to pick up your slack when you are unable to perform your job at a reasonable level, and could cause resentment and ill feelings. The best advice I have is to try to minimize stress in your life as much as possible. Try to leave work at work and use your down time to relax and recharge. Get enough sleep and eat healthful foods. Practice good time management so that you are not always feeling the pressure of looming deadlines or late work. Communicate your needs to others, both at work and at home, and avoid taking on the jobs or the emotional responsibility for things that are not your obligation. I am sure that you have heard all of these tips before, but they really do help! Finally, if you really are struggling you should not hesitate to seek medical or psychological help. There are tools to assist with overwhelming stress. Take advantage of the medical benefits and leave time offered at your job and get healthy!
Written by: Mikki Sherwood
WHAT IS A GOOD STRESS RELIEVING EXERCISE TO DO BEFORE GOING INTO A JOB INTERVIEW?
Job interviews are stressful. The more prepared you are for the situation, the more relaxed you will feel. Make sure that you know as much about your potential employer as possible. Do research on the internet and talk to other professionals in order to gather information. Make sure you are dressed appropriately and comfortably, you can walk in your shoes, know how to tie your tie and that you are not showing too much skin. Leave early enough to account for unexpected delays; you can always wait outside for a few minutes if you are too early. Get plenty of sleep the night before and have something small to eat so you are not distracted by hunger or too full. After you arrive you can do a breathing/muscle relaxing exercise before introducing yourself for the interview. Take deep breathes while you tighten the muscles in your neck for two to three seconds and then release. Move down the body tightening and then releasing all muscle groups (don’t forget the hands and feet) until you are feeling more relaxed.
Written by: Mikki Sherwood
WHAT DO I SAY IN MY FIRST EMAIL TO A PROFESSOR FOR EXTRA-CURRICULAR ACTIVITIES (RESEARCH, PROJECTS?)
Through the years I have received many of these first emails from students, and I so appreciate them.  These emails (or better yet in-person visits) tell me that you are passionate about your chosen field and you wish to do more than just the class work.  The content of email isn’t as important as the intent of the message.  You can include a little bit about yourself and what lead you to your chosen discipline, and that you would like to meet with the professor for further guidance. Always remember to avoid using slang, emoticons, or other casual communication tools.  Additionally, sometimes “less is more” when you think about what to include in the message. Include a greeting and a salutation and use good writing techniques. Finally, remember that your professor generally has a number of different classes, all full of students. Identify yourself by first and last name and indicate in which class you are enrolled.
Written by: Melanie Burns; Mikki Sherwood
IF I DO NOT KNOW THE EDUCATIONAL LEVEL OF THE PERSON I AM CONTACTING, HOW SHOULD I ADDRESS THEM VIA EMAIL?
This can be a tough one as even some names aren’t gender specific, so Mr. or Ms. may not even work. If you are unsure, you could avoid using a salutation at all (e.g., start with “Hello. My name is…”. If the individual is teaching at the college/university level, I recommend using the title of Professor until you can determine a more accurate salutation.
Written by: Melanie Burns
Additional References for emailing employers:

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