Two great questions...

(1) While in college, should I work or just focus my entire time on studying?

This is an awesome question! Remember that the answer to this question will be based on a steady work load and good performance. My advise is study and work in your desired field. Now days, it is important to have the education and experience to work in the field of your choosing. If you are the entrepreneur type of person, track record and experience is key when building rapport and branding yourself.

A student that is enrolled in a Bachelors of Psychology program and aspire to be a School Psychologist, will be recommended to work or volunteer in a school or children center where they are able to gain experience working with children. This opportunity will also allow the student to have contact with the School Psychologist and ask if there are volunteering opportunities with him/her.

(2) I do not know where to look or how to start. Where should I seek advise?

The best and most valuable response I can give is the following: Visit you college Career Counseling / Career Advising Department. This department will help you construct a resume, provide leads on how to and where to look for employment, internship or volunteer opportunities, and advise you along the way until graduation. This is one of the most important departments I suggest you should build a positive relationship with, visit regularly and take advantage of all the resources they provide. The Career Counseling / Career Advising Department also provides interview practice sessions, personal development workshops and may even host career fairs.

Información mas importante que debe incluir en su resume

Después de tantos consejos de empleo, decidí hacer una completamente en español para miembros de la comunidad latina que leen este blog. De antemano les quiero dar las gracias.

El tema de hoy que me gustaría hablarles es acerca de que es la información más importante que debe tener en su resume u hoja de vida. Muchas veces he visto que la información más importante que debería estar arriba, es puesta de último o como parte de la descripción de una posición que sostenía. Recuerde que sus habilidades y cualidades es importante ponerlas en una posición donde el empleador pueda ver con facilidad ya que en muchos casos solo le dedican no más de 1 minuto.

Si es cierto que el resume u hoja de vida debe tener su nombre, número de teléfono, correo electrónico, experiencias, educación, etc. Pero es muy importante que incluya "fully bilingual in English and Spanish". Es importante poner esta información en alguna de las partes posteriores de su resume. Si es posible, incluya una parte que lee "skills" donde el punto inicial es "fully bilingual in English and Spanish".

Al seguir este simple consejo, subirá sus probabilidades de conseguir empleo.

Dress for Success

You have been looking for a job for now three months and have finally landed a job interview. The big question is what should you wear?

Before answering this question, I would like to tell a short story. I once walked into a wireless store to get my cell phone serviced. When I looked around, I noticed that all the men were dress in a nice shirt and slacks and the women in a nice dress or blouse and skirt. Although everybody looked really professional and put together, I could not help notice that one individual was dressed in a nice brown suite with a yellow shirt, brown lined tie and shiny black shoes. When I saw him the first thought I had was "Oh he must be the manager" so I walked over to him to talk about the issue I was having with my phone. After about 5-10 minutes into the conversation, I noticed his name badge said sales associate. At this point, I found myself complimenting him on his professional attire. I even mentioned confusing him with the manager. He then laughed and said it happens all the time and explained why he dressed up so well every day. He said

"Every day is an opportunity to put your best foot forward. Why should I not do my best to form a great first impression? I love that when people see me they think I am the manager. That actually is my motivation to dress for success everyday."

Remember when I said in a previous post that it only takes 10 seconds for a first impression to be made? Well I can tie that concept together with dressing for success. When getting call for an interview, the tip is to always dress conservatively and know what the attire of the organization is. This means that it is very important to visit the organization before the day of the interview to observe how the people are dressed.

A few suggestions on what to wear:

Women (all conservative colors ei. Black, brown, navy, grey, dark red):

• Solid color blouse
• Pants or skirt suit.
• Pantyhose – although I prefer shear, solid is acceptable. This should be solid (with no pattern or lines), in colors black, dark grey or flesh toned.
• Conservative hair style.
• Makeup rule is less is best. Light foundation, powder, eye liner, lip gloss.
• Nails should be clean, groomed and polished (clear or French nails in recommended)
• Like makeup, jewelry rule is less is best. A simple earring (not long, big or super shinny). Personally I prefer no necklace. But if have to you can use a simple necklace.
• Clean, pump shoes that matches the suit.
• Go light on the perfume.

Men (all conservative colors ei. Black, brown, navy, grey, dark red):

• Solid color shirt
• Two piece suit. If the dress code is not as dressed up, you wear slacks and a blazer.
• Clean, polished shoes
• Clean cut hair
• No jewelry
• Silk tie
• Make sure all facial hair is groomed and trimmed
• Go light on the cologne

These are just some suggestions. Remember after researching the organizations and knowing what their dress code is, then you will be able to know how you will dress to impress.

Good luck on your next interview!