Health and Human Services Professional Development

Future Employers are Interviewing You: Are you also Interviewing Them? by   Mikki Sherwood   on   November 17, 2013   There are so many places to get information about answering questions asked of you in a job interview. However, have you ever considered the fact that a job interview is also YOUR opportunity to ask questions of a potential employer? The job interview offers you the opportunity to find out about the position to which you are applying, gather information about the expectations of those in charge, and determine whether the job would be a good fit for you. You should be comfortable using some of the time at a job interview asking your own questions. Think about the following questions: What is the style of leadership I would find here? Could you provide some examples of projects on which I would be working? What specific skills would you say are needed for this position? What types of opportunities are available for advancement? What is y...

What are Social Skills? by   Jill Bowers   on   June 3, 2013 Social skills involve picking up on social cues, interpreting the behavior of others, and interacting with others in positive ways.  Examples of social skills may include self-confidence, problem-solving, being flexible and adaptable, displaying empathy, dealing with conflict, smiling, being polite, showing interest, actively listening, and many more. Necessary social skills can vary based on the social norms of a given culture or setting. Some social skills may be innate, but many can be learned. As Daniel Goleman noted in his book,  Social Intelligence , a crucial component to acting wisely in relationships is to develop an understanding of how our moods or reactions are influenced by our interactions (past and present) with others and equally important, how our actions, words, and nonverbal behaviors make others feel and react to us. Example of good social skills: Maintaining eye contact ...

Employer-Proofing Your Social Media Profiles by   Jill Bowers   on   November 23, 2013   The number of online articles about personal social media accounts and the research your potential employers are likely doing continues to grow. It seems inevitable that a potential employer is going to attempt to gather information about what you are NOT telling them, so what kind of impression are you making with your online profiles or tweets? True or false? You are generally safe with venting via Twitter because less than half of your followers actually read your tweets, and the chances that your hashtags will go viral are slim.   FALSE  – at least the first part. If you doubt this, ask the high school senior who attended a campus information day in Brunswick, Maine and proceeded to post negative or derogatory comments about others while she was there (see  They Loved Your G.P.A. Then They saw Your Tweets. – NY Times ). Remember that employers can...

Communicating with Professors, Employers, or Potential Employers by   Jill Bowers   on   June 3, 2013 Communication is a social or personal skill that when done right, plays a role in your success in college, on the job market, and in work settings. Here are some basic tips to consider when communicating (written, oral, or nonverbal) with others in professional settings. Written or electronic communication Written or electronic communication may be one of the first contacts that you make with a professional. First impressions are critical. Address professors, employers, or potential employers with proper salutations. Although you may hear someone else call that person by their first name, do not take it upon yourself to consider it okay to do the same unless that person offers (e.g., “You can call me ‘Justin’ rather than Dr. Smith.” For those that have PhDs or MDs, addressing them as “Dr. X” is appropriate. If it is a professor and you are unsure, you can always ...

Are Writing Skills Really That Important? by   Elissa Mitchell   on   January 11, 2014  YES, writing skills are THAT important. Writing is a form of communication that is critical in the real world! You may not be looking for a career as a professional writer, yet writing is most likely going to be a part of your job responsibilities. Whether you are writing case notes for client files, communicating with your coworkers or supervisors, submitting a grant application, or creating a brochure to advertise your agency, writing skills are important. Being able to effectively communicate is a key skill in the professional world and employers are looking for it. If your resume or cover letter has grammar or spelling mistakes, then you’re not likely to make a good impression on the employer. On the other hand, a letter that is clear and easy to read shows employers that you care and put in the time to proofread and revise your document. This study by Gramm...

The Importance of Self-Care by   Elissa Mitchell   on   January 19, 2014 In today’s busy, do-it-all world, many of us are overburdened with responsibilities and never-ending to do lists. In an attempt to be the best student/friend/partner/employee/etc., we often forget the most important thing – taking care of ourselves. Whether you’re completing your internship, your final year(s) of college, or on the job market, stress is inevitable. Good self-care is important, especially in the often stressful field of human services. Taking time out to relax and care for yourself is important and makes you more capable of caring for others. There are many ways to do this and you need to find what works best for you. Taking a walk, talking with friends, exercising, or simply taking a nap are all important aspects of self-care. I encourage you to take a  Self-Care Assessment  to see how you’re doing. Think about ways to lower the stress in your life ( http://stress.about...

Stress Management by   Jill Bowers   on   June 3, 2013 Although stress can be a normal part of life, especially for those of you who are on the job market and experiencing additional demands and pressures to succeed.  At the same time, too much or frequent stress can negatively influence your physical health (e.g., headaches or weakened immune system), mental health (e.g., mood swings, irritability, or depression), and relationship health (e.g., finding with friends, family, or romantic partners). Although everyone handles and reacts to stress differently, it is best to avoid being overly stressed. See tips for  stress management  and  how to fight stress with healthy habits  here. Source:  http://www.webmd.com/balance/stress-management/stress-management-topic-overview  and http://www.heart.org/HEARTORG/GettingHealthy/StressManagement/FightStressWithHealthyHabits/Fight-Stress-with-Healthy-Habits_UCM_307992_Article.jsp Additi...

What Do You Wish You Knew Before College? by   Mikki Sherwood   on   February 9, 2014 What do you wish you knew before you went to college? Do you have any hints for those starting an academic journey? Hannah Flom writes of the 14 things she wished she had known before college. I think her list is fun; you can go over to  Thought Catalo g to read the entire post. Some of her thoughts: • Making real friends takes time • It is hard to be away from home • Go to your professors’ office hours • Transferring schools is not the end of the world • College is a time for mistakes I especially like the fact that she allows for mistakes to be made. College is about trying new experiences. Some of those experiments are going to go very well, some….not so much. But, if you are afraid to try something new, and afraid of possible failure, you will miss so many opportunities. *Originally posted on the Career Skillet website (Permission granted by Jill Bowers).

Networking as a Student by   Jill Bowers   on   June 3, 2013   Many students graduate and cannot get a job or find opportunities in their field. Networking plays an essential role in this. To network is to exchange ideas, interests, or desires with another person. In the professional arena, networking can mean making a connection to a professional or establishing a mentor in your field of interest.  Work and volunteer opportunities allow students to meet professionals in the field; work or volunteer opportunities also give them the opportunity to connect with other students who share similar interests.  Being able to hear what others are doing may help you to learn about opportunities or motivate you or other students to seek mentors or other job opportunities. Professors can serve as mentors throughout school and offer tips to help make you successful on the job market. Work, volunteer opportunities, or doing research for a professor will also bo...

The Realities of Internships by   Elissa Mitchell   on   February 9, 2014 This comic ( http://mashable.com/2014/01/08/internships-comic/ ) from mashable.com highlights the lofty expectations of some new interns and the realities that often find them. Sure, you want to have high expectations of your position and hope that it will work out for the best. However, in reality, your internship may not live up to these expectations. Remember that you’re there for the learning experience and to keep a positive attitude. You never know where it might take you! *Originally posted on the Career Skillet website (Permission granted by Jill Bowers).