Dear MSBA students and new graduates,
As the holiday season approaches, many of you have asked: “How do I prepare myself for a job or internship search during this time?” Here are six tips to prepare yourself for a meaningful winter break.
Recap and Reflect
Take a moment to consider how classes went this semester. What have you learned, and what skills have you developed? Did you enjoy solving the puzzles through a coding assignment? Did you feel accomplished by collaborating in a team? Pay attention to moments that could inform your career interests, not only what you like to do but also HOW you would like to do it.
Hone the Basics
Take some time to review your resume this winter. Have you proofread to make sure there are no grammar or spelling errors? Do the expressions and word choices reflect the industry jargon? Is your resume consistent, concise, and relevant to the internship or job you’re applying for? After all, it’s worth the time to polish the details.
Develop Online Presence
If you already have a stellar resume, it’s time to up your LinkedIn game! In addition to using the well-crafted content from your resume, you can add multimedia files of your projects and presentations to LinkedIn. Use the free CSE resource LinkedIn Guide by the LinkedIn Guys to build your brand.
Practice Interviewing
Once receiving the interview invitation, you typically have one or two weeks, sometimes even a day or two, to prepare. So be proactive this winter, practice basic interviewing questions on Big interview, and learn more about potential technical or case questions based on your target position and industry.
Connect and Reconnect
It’s the best time of the year for networking as we are all inclined to relax and spend time with friends and families. While you’re considering new contacts to create, don’t forget those who are already in your corner! A seasonal greeting card to a former colleague, a simple check-in message to an old friend, or a thank-you note to a mentor, may create conversations that inspire you about a new career direction or give you insights into a particular industry. Don’t forget to update your contacts on your professional development this semester!
Refine Your Strategies
Identifying your goals is the first step towards a successful search. What type of positions are you looking for? The more clearly you can describe your goals, the better chance you will find it! Still exploring? Can’t decide? Unsure about your options? No worries. Make an appointment with me to strategize for your next steps. My January appointment slots are already available on Handshake. I look forward to brainstorming with you!
Hope you find these tips helpful and enjoy a restful yet productive winter break!
Best,
Sonia Liang, MSBA Career Coach
