In a survey this month of 78 employers recruiting at USC, 74% indicated they prefer an handwritten, snail mail thank-you as a follow up to an interview or networking meeting. In the past few weeks many of you have had initial interviews with prospective full time employers. Another large group of you met new employers at career fair last week. And most of you participated in an internship this past summer. All of you have the opportunity to craft your thank you.

If you have not already purchased a packet of thank you notes or note cards, head to the bookstore or your local Hallmark store to pick up a few dozen. Yes, you will be sending lots of notes this year. This will set you apart from the competition in this challenging job market.

What do you say in a thank you note? First, do not follow a template. Personalize the note to your experience and the individual connection. If you met someone at a networking event, thank them for the time they spent talking to you and cite a specific piece of advice that you acted upon. Keep the contact information in a file and periodically let this person know what you are doing and how their help was the catalyst to set you on your path.

What if you met someone at career fair and do not remember who you talked to? Stop by the CPPC. We have the contact information. Once you have the recruiters’ name take the time to write a short note. Remind the recruiter of your meeting and mention something about the connection that will create a memory for the them. Maybe you are looking for a position in Chicago and you wanted to follow up for a midwest recruiter contact. Or, they fit you onto a closed interview schedule. Just thank them for taking the time on a busy day to answer your questions.

Have you sent a note to your summer internship employer? Have you kept in touch with your spring internship folks? It is never too late to send a thank you and update people on what you are doing. And, to thank them for helping you figure out what you want to do with your life.

Career Fair is Thursday. It is time for the procrastinators to join in preparing for the Fall Career Fair. Here are a couple of things you should do in the next 48 hours to get ready. First, check your resume. If you would like additional feedback, stop in the the CPPC today and tomorrow. Once you are confident that the resume content and presentation accurately represents your experience, duplicate several copies to bring with you on Thursday. Next, check your wardrobe for the outfit you plan to wear. Do you have a folder or portfolio to hold your resumes? This will work better than searching through a backpack or purse for a folded, battered copy. Also, backpacks can wrinke your outfit.

Take a look in the mirror. Does your outfit cover your tatoos? Have you removed your various body ornaments? Most employers are conservative through the interview process, even if the actual workplace is trendy. You want to be noticed for your professional image. If you get past the gatekeepers you will have many opportunities to display your unique gifts.

Now might be a good time to google yourself. Once you have distributed your resume, you can be sure one of the employers will check your online presence.

For Women Only: It is a long day. You will be walking a lot. You may want to select a lower heel. Trousdale Parkway is not ‘heel friendly’. Large designer bags are the current fashion trend. You may want to select a smaller portfolio and a small shoulder bag. Pantsuits are acceptable. If you choose a traditional suit, be sure your skirt is conservative, just above or mid-knee length. Your skirt should be wider that your handbag. This is an interview, not a dating opportunity.

Review the list of employers attending the fair. Prioritize your top 10 and conduct some preliminary research. Arrive early to ensure you meet the employers in your top ten. Although the career fair is an outdoor ‘festival’ atmosphere, many employers will consider your first contact an interview. Be prepared. Be confident. Good luck!

On September 25th (next Thursday) over 198 employers will be on Trousdale Parkway for the Fall Career Fair. What is a career fair? Who should attend? What should you wear? For the seasoned upperclassmen the career fair is a familiar event each semester. It is the official ‘kick off’ of the recruiting season for both full time jobs and internships.

Think of the career fair as the ‘mall’ of employers. Each organization brings members of their staff to market entry-level positions and internships. These employers are seeking USC hires for their entry-level positions and internships.

All students are welcome to attend. It is a great way to see who is hiring this year. You may discover some new options. As you walk along Trousdale Parkway you can observe how each employer presents their organization and interacts with other students.

If you are a senior, I suggest you wear a suit. You are creating a first impression and you want your professional image to add to your resume. Underclassmen should select ‘business casual’ attire. For men this translates to slacks and a collared shirt, for women, a skirt and blouse or slacks will work. Wear something that adds to your level of confidence.

This is not a day to be shy. The best time to connect with the employers is early in the day. Career Fair starts at 10 and continues until 2:30. Bring along your resume and go up and introduce yourself to the recruiters. If you are thinking about multiple employers, check the list and prioritize the organizations you would like to meet.

The CPPC is hosting a few workshops to help you prepare for the Career Fair. In addition, walk-in appointments are available all day Monday – Wednesday next week. Come in to the CPPC in STU 110 and have one of our advisors review your resume.

What questions do you have as you get ready for the USC Career Fair?

How will the changes on Wall Street affect your job search? Over the weekend Lehman Brothers declared bankruptcy and there is a proposed takeover of Merrill Lynch by Bank of America. This is not a time to retreat to your room and begin filling out graduate school applications. Unless graduate school will add to your portfolio in the short term, postponing your career is not the best option. Here are a couple of ideas to keep you motivated and moving forward on your career plans.

First, be informed. What is going on in your industry? Read the trade publications. Check the website of your professional association. Read news publications either in print or online. Where is the growth? If your industry is shrinking, it is time for a course correction. Information will help you establish your priorities and target your job search efforts.

Next, explore alternatives. If you were considering a career as an investment banker, take a look at opportunities in corporate finance. In any industry, look at the ‘client side’ to create additional career options. Review your resume. If you had an internship with Lehman this summer, what skills did you acquire that would be of value to another employer?

Talk to people about what is going on in the industry. Today the Careers@4 panel discusses opportunities in the field of consulting.

Review the job listings on connectSC and the list of employers attending career fair next week. Employers are hiring.

If you have not worked in the field you are planning to enter, now is the time to obtain an internship. Gaining experience in the workplace will set you apart in a competitive market.

Keep the momentum going toward your career goal. Visit the CPPC for feedback and support.

This weekend, while fans of USC and Ohio State prepare for the ‘big game’ in the Coliseum an alumnus, Matt Cassel is getting ready to lead the New England Patriots into Giants Stadium in New York to face the New York Jets led by quarterback Brett Favre.
The student-athletes at USC spend hours preparing both mentally and physically for weekly competition. Matt, who was the backup quarterback for Matt Leinart here at USC and until last week, the backup for Tom Brady with the Patriots has spent years in workouts preparing for games. In addition, he was preparing for his life after sports, earning his degree and obtaining an internship before he graduated.  On Sunday afternoon in New York Matt Cassel will have his moment in the national spotlight just as USC will be featured Saturday in the matchup vs. the Buckeyes.
Our football program has brought national recognition to USC. The folks from ESPN will be here to broadcast the College Game Day program. As you walk around campus on Saturday, the farthest thing from your mind might be your career. But, take a minute to think about how all the folks we are here to celebrate; our team, our coaches and the media who covers them got to this point. These folks knew what they wanted. They developed a strategy. They surrounded themselves with people who could help them be successful. In many cases they have failed a number of times, only to learn from their mistakes and move forward.  And for some it was luck, being in the right place at the right time.
On Sunday afternoon, the 2005 seventh round draft choice, Matt Cassel will compete against a legendary quarterback. I do not ‘buy in’ to the media hype. But I do plan on being a Patriots fan for a day. This is one success story of many in the Trojan Family.
What is your dream? What have you done today to get there? Even if you think it is 99% luck, it will be easier to find outside the confines of your room. And if you see Lee Corso, you may want to ask him if he needs an intern.

Please take a moment today to remember those who were affected by the events of September 11, 2001. A new career blog will be posted tomorrow.

Are we in a recession? How will the economy effect your job search? You have a choice. Browse the Internet and get depressed or take control and build a competitive advantage. You need a strategy. What is the job you want? Start there. Do your research to determine the type of individual who is successful in this position. Next, do a quick assessment of your skill set. Do you have the courses, community service, involvement and experience required for the job?

Here are a few things you can do today to begin the data gathering:
Check the job listings on connectSC. Who is hiring? What are the jobs? What skills are employers looking for?
Utilize the Trojan Network. This resource has over 7800 alumni who have volunteered to be information providers – folks you can talk to about what they do and why they have been successful.
Join a professional association. Check into the chapters on campus as well as external, industry related organizations. You may be familiar with the American Medical Association and the American Bar Association. Most professions have an organization that advocates and offers professional development for members. Interested in a career in human resources? Check out the Society for Human Resource Management. Thinking about marketing? The American Marketing Association is the primary one association for practitioners. You can search for a professional association using the USC Library database. Once you are in the database click on Advanced Search. Next change the content area to Associations. You can then search by career field.These organizations give you a good sense of the trends and issues, the leaders in a particular field and an opportunity to network at local and national conferences. Most associations also have a job listings site.
Get an internship. There is no substitute for on the job experience.

Sixty three percent of graduates in the USC Class of 2008 were employed as interns at some point in their time as undergraduates. Sixty percent indicated they had more than one internship. Thirty four percent were offered positions by their internship employer. Including an internship as part of your undergraduate experience is no longer an option, it is a requirement.

Nationally, employers are hiring over 62% of their entry level employees from internship programs. Two of the major investment banks who participated in past fall recruitment have shifted their hiring process this year to spring internship interviews. The reason? All of their summer interns have accepted offers of full time employment. It is essential that you try out your career interests before you graduate.

What is an internship? One way to describe it might be as a three to four month interview. The experience allows you to decide if this is the right employer for you and it gives the employer time to observe your work performance and possibly make an offer. Many of you have had a part time job that may fit the definition. The label is not as important as the experience.

Here are my thoughts. An internship can be paid or unpaid. They key is that you have a supervisor who will provide guidance and a project that is yours. You should go into this experience with an idea of the skills you hope to develop. Remember, this is an apprenticeship that builds on your classroom experience. It will help you decide if this is a career you want to pursue or it may cause you to change direction.

If you decide to accept an internship during the semester you should think in terms of an 8 – 10 hour commitment. This works out to a couple of half days or one full day. Evaluate your skill set and think about folks who are successful in your field. What do they have that you still need to acquire? Select an internship that will add to your portfolio.

How do you get started? First, utilize the resources here at the CPPC. We have been offering a series of workshops on securing an internship. Check the calendar and come learn about the process. You will find listings of available internships on connectSC. Once you are registered you will receive the weekly internship newsletter with information on specific internship opportunities. Stop in to our Internship Programs Office in the lower level of the Student Union during daily walk in hours from 9 – 3:30. During the week of October 13th we will be hosting Internship Week. Attend one or more panel discussions to hear from employers who will be hiring interns for the spring. If you miss a panel you can always listen to a podcast.

Timing? Anytime after your first semester at USC is a good time to start. Even if you are a senior in your last semester. It is not too late to gain some internship experience.