A Boston Technical Recruiters Blog

That’s right! Today I had the Java final. It was brutal. But a realization came to me as I studied: “If push comes to shove, I could be a Java Developer.” There is nothing particularly difficulty about java, it’s just that 6 weeks can be a short time to go from zero to polymorphism and inheritance. I found that procedural programming came much easier to me in the first 3 weeks and that object oriented development takes a little getting used to.

I had failed Pascal in high school because I could not figure out how looping statements worked, but that was just a mental block since loops are probably the simples control structures. Loops were not the problem this time around, but passing methods between classes and calling constructors took a little getting used to. Luckily by the time of the final (today) I had an “Aha” moment after looking at much code and figuring out why it didn’t compile in my mind before. Hopefully I didn’t bomb the final… it was pretty hard.

So now that I have a base in Java what am I going to do with it? I’m not sure. I know I can screen developers on a more advanced level and know what they are talking about at least in the basic levels. More importantly though, is that my initial fear of java in this program has been replaced with a confidence that if need be, I can do it.

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Author Byline: The Big 4 Guru wants to help you land the perfect job! Get all the insider information that recruiters don’t want you to know!
Author Website: The Big 4 Guru

During the campus recruiting process, companies will often make themselves available at a career fair. While these all work a little differently, the basic premise is the same: representatives from each company stand around a large room, pass out information and collect resumes. Even if you have already submitted your resume by some other means to these companies, and especially if you haven’t, it is imperative that you attend this function and generate some face time. However, this is not as easy as it sounds.

On the day of the career fair the recruiters from the companies will be inundated by you and every other accounting student in your class. You have two goals. First, you must make yourself known to the recruiters and obtain at least one business card. Second, you must manage not to give the wrong impression or you will risk your resume being “accidentally left behind.” Below are 5 tips to make sure that you achieve both these goals.

1) Approach with Ease - Typically there is some sort of receiving line where you will wait your turn to speak to the recruiter. Don’t be nervous! Most companies send their friendliest and most inviting staff to these events, so this is not the place to be intimidated. When it is your turn, shake hands with the recruiter and greet them with a smile. Introduce yourself firmly and hand them a copy of your resume.

2) Do you homework - Companies meet and greet so many students that think that they want a career in public accounting but don’t know why. You should know why a career in accounting is right for you and express that to the recruiter. Rather than simply saying “I want to be an accountant,” add some more information. For example, “I am interested in auditing public companies and gaining experience with SEC clients.” By letting them know that you understand their business, at least to some degree, you will separate yourself from those individuals who simply crave the Big 4 name on their resume. For more information to generate your own statement of intention, visit the Big 4’s websites located in the Appendix of this book. Study up on the different departments and lines of business and you will be sure to impress.

3) Ask a Good Question - After showing that you have a head on your shoulders, wow them again with a great question. People love to talk about themselves, recruiters included. Ask a sincere question such as “If you could offer me one piece of advice to be successful with (Insert Company) what would it be.” This will get them talking, thereby increasing your face time, and will show them that you value their input and advice. Further, they will subconsciously feel a vested interest in your success, as they have shared their advice, and will be more likely to put in a good word for you when they submit their resumes to their boss.

4) Keep it Brief - After a brief discourse it is best to be on your way. You do not want to be that guy (or girl) that stands around yapping for an hour, wasting everyone’s’ time (and there is always one). This will NOT leave a good impression. You are there to put your face to your resume and leave on a positive note. Once you’ve completed this there is no use taking the risk of saying something stupid.

5) Take a Business Card - As you leave, ask the recruiter for a card. Begin building a horde of these as they will be invaluable in the future. The contacts you meet at the career fair are excellent resources to bounce questions off in the future. They are typically not the same staff you will interview with and can be a valuable source of candid advice.

For More information, please visit http://www.big4guru.com

Article courtesy of the Recruiting Blogswap, a content exchange service sponsored by CollegeRecruiter.com, a leading site for college students looking for internships and recent graduates searching for entry level jobs and other career opportunities.

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Author Byline: Lindsey Pollak is a college campus speaker and author of “Getting from College to Career: 90 Things to Do Before You Join the Real World” (HarperCollins, 2007)
Author Website: Lindsey Pollak

Office politics exist in virtually every workplace, so what better training for a young professional’s career than to spend some time working on a political campaign? No matter what your political persuasion, the 2008 election is a perfect opportunity to jump into the fray. To find volunteer opportunities, check out the website of your favorite candidate or party, and remember to check out the local and state levels, too. You’re likely to get more responsibility if you work on a smaller campaign.

GOTV or “Get Out the Vote” is one of the jobs to which a new volunteer will likely be assigned. What does this entail? Calling registered voters and reminding them to go to the polls on Election Day and knocking door-to-door. GOTV requires little experience, but lots of enthusiasm. This is a particularly good option for Generation Y volunteers — candidates and their staff members will love your youthful energy and your connection to other young voters.

In addition to getting out the vote, you may have the opportunity to gain specific skills that will enhance your resume. This can be especially helpful for entry-level job candidates without a lot of professional experience, or for career changers who need to learn new skills. On a campaign you can gain experience in fundraising, negotiating, direct marketing, event planning, cold calling, graphic design, database management, public relations and more. Staffers will give you as much responsibility as you are willing to handle, so don’t be shy about asking for a specific role or raising your hand for more work.

What can you do if you end up stuffing envelopes day and night and you don’t seem to be contributing much to the campaign or to your own career development? Show some initiative! If you notice that a particular staffer is overworked, you can volunteer to answer her calls or organizer her files. If an event seems to be low on RSVPs, you can get on the phone or the web and persuade more people to attend. In the chaos of a political campaign, everyone loves–and notices–a problem solver.

Another career benefit of working on a political campaign is that it will build your knowledge of current affairs. You’re sure to impress your colleagues or a potential employer if you can talk intelligently about the economy, foreign policy, labor issues, procurement opportunities, taxes or any other issues relevant to your industry or community.

Last but not least, volunteering for a political campaign provides phenomenal networking opportunities. As a political volunteer, you can meet and interact with a huge variety of people. Plus, simply observing politicians is a great way to see how networking happens. Politicians are masters of communication, mutual opportunity, compromise and — let’s be honest — schmoozing. You may not like the style of every politician, but you can use the opportunity of working on a political campaign to observe how deals get done, and how political operatives persuade people to vote for the candidates and issues they support.

Good luck, and see you on the campaign trail…

Article courtesy of the Recruiting Blogswap, a content exchange service sponsored by CollegeRecruiter.com, a leading site for college students looking for internships and recent graduates searching for entry level jobs and other career opportunities.

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