One Year's Worth of Advice!

As the last “Hegi Happenings” column runs in the Daily Campus this school year, we hope the information provided in the weekly columns have helped you with your career development process. And in case this is your first time reading this column, here is a brief summary of the tips from the other 28 columns:

· Keep in touch with your summer internship colleagues

· More and more employers are looking for global experience

· Employers should not ask about your relationship status, religion or political views in an interview

· Researching a company is vital for job interviewing success

· Graduate school is not a good idea just because you don’t know what else to do

· Use sites like www.bls.gov/oco to explore different career fields

· Career and major uncertainty is very common

· Soft skills, such as communication, are just as important to develop as your technical skills

· Always send a thank-you follow-up to an employer after an interview

· Get registered in SMU’s MustangTrak to find jobs and internships

Not quite the details you were looking for? To discuss these topics and anything else, please make an appointment to visit the Career Center. We are here all summer! And seniors, the services are available to you as alumni as well.

Have a great summer!

Hughes-Trigg, Main Floor, Room 200
214-768-2266 • www.smu.edu/career

Salary Negotiations Made Simple

There are many areas to think about when considering a job offer – and salary is definitely an important component. For many students, however, questions arise when it comes to knowing if they are getting a competitive salary and about if/when they should negotiate. And if you do negotiate, how do you do it effectively? To answer these questions, check out the following do’s and don’ts when it comes to job offers:

DO your research. Web sites such as www.salary.com and www.salaryexpert.com are two examples of resources to use to research job salaries – based on experience, location, industry, etc.

DON’T accept an offer unless and until it is in writing.

DO be realistic. Sometimes the manager just can’t budge on things like salary, vacation, and health benefits, so be ready to consider alternatives to a salary hike.

DON’T be too pushy when negotiating. Negotiating is about creating a win-win situation for both the employee and the employer, not just about getting everything you want.

DO consider the non-monetary aspects of the compensation package when negotiating – hiring bonus, relocation expenses, time of annual review, etc. There might be more flexibility in these areas for the employer.

DON’T forget to look at the entire compensation package when evaluating an offer, not just salary. For example, if your company will reimburse your grad school tuition, you need to add that money to the total salary.

For more salary negotiation tips, check out the Career Center podcast at www.smu.edu/itunes.

Hughes-Trigg, Main Floor, Room 200
214-768-2266 • www.smu.edu/career

Last-Minute Internship Scramble

Still looking for a summer internship? You have one more day (today!) to participate in the SUMMER INTERNSHIP “CYBER” SCRAMBLE. No need to leave the house, just log on and start applying!

To start exploring these opportunities, visit www.smu.edu/career for a virtual internship fair where you will be able to interact virtually with approximately 65 employers hiring for summer internship positions and send your resume directly to the employer.

When interacting with employers via e-mail, remember these simple, yet important tips:
Always have a salutation on your e-mail, such as “Dear Mr. Smith:” And on the same note, always end your e-mail by “signing” your name.

E-mail with employers is different than with your friends, so be more formal. Do not say “Hey” – even if it is a follow-up e-mail and you felt you had a really good interview. Stay professional!

Use proper capitalization and punctuation. Many of us write casual e-mails in all lowercase and it’s hard to break the habit, but this will probably lead to your resume ending up in the trash.

PROOFREAD! Make sure there are no accidental typos. Even in an e-mail message, your attention to detail is paramount.

Upcoming Career Events:
Today: Coast Bound, 5 p.m. – 6 p.m., Neuhoff Center Living Room


Hughes-Trigg, Main Floor, Room 200
214-768-2266 • www.smu.edu/career

Going Global

Interested in working abroad? Consider these suggested skills from Swedish career advisor Marie-Louise Hansson for navigating and succeeding in the global market:

· The ability to deal with ambiguity and constant change – and love it.
· The ability to be informed about the industry, the informal and the formal organization, and where the power is located.
· The ability to take moderate risks and take a step forward in an unfamiliar situation.
· The ability to act in a diplomatic way and build lasting relations – in the real and in the virtual world.
· The ability to create visions about the future and how you and your part of the organization fit in the larger picture.
· The ability to execute leadership, regardless of position, and have respect for different nationalities, cultures and religions.

Upcoming Career Events:
Tuesday, April 8: Creating an International Profile, 5 p.m. – 6 p.m., HT Promenades
Thursday, April 10: Salary Negotiation Workshop, 5 p.m. – 6 p.m., 354 Maguire


Hughes-Trigg, Main Floor, Room 200
214-768-2266 • www.smu.edu/career

What it takes to succeed!

Today, the phrase “job skills” goes way beyond the technical skills needed for a particular position or industry. According to the National Association of Colleges and Employers, the following are the top skills and qualities that employers are looking for in new graduates:

*Communication skills (verbal and written)
*Honesty/integrity
*Interpersonal skills (relates well to others)
*Motivation/initiative
*Strong work ethic
*Teamwork skills (works well with others)

This Friday, April 4, the Hegi Family Career Development Center will host the Excel on the Job! Workshop. Come learn about what it takes to succeed in your job or internship and what your boss wants you to know, but doesn’t have time to teach you.

The workshop will take place from 2 p.m. – 3 p.m. in Atrium AB. Topics include:

Nail the “first impression” – It’s all about confidence without arrogance.
College vs. Real World – What everyone forgot to mention.
Office Etiquette – Real-life “bad” examples that will shock you!


Upcoming Career Events:
Friday, April 4: Excel on the Job, 2 p.m. – 3 p.m., HT Atriums AB
Tuesday, April 8: Creating an International Profile, 5 p.m. – 6 p.m., HT Promenades
Thursday, April 10: Salary Negotiation Workshop, 5 p.m. – 6 p.m., 354 Maguire


Hughes-Trigg, Main Floor, Room 200
214-768-2266 • www.smu.edu/career

It’s Half-Way Through The Semester. Have You…?

Freshmen:
*Met with a Career Counselor to discuss uncertainty about major and/or career focus and to take an assessment?

*Talked with people in each major area in which you have an interest?

Sophomores:
*Used DISCOVER online and other resources to continue exploration of self, majors, and careers?

*Identified and researched occupations related to possible majors?

Juniors:
*Met with a career counselor to develop a specific plan of action outlining post- graduation plans?

*Attended the career fair and other career-related events to learn about internship opportunities?

Seniors:
*Developed multiple avenues for job searching, such as MustangTrak, online sources, job posting sites, career fairs and other events?

*Scheduled a mock interview to develop effective interviewing skills?

Call 214-768-2266 to schedule an appointment now with a Career Counselor!


Upcoming Career Events:
Friday, April 4: Excel on the Job, 2 p.m. – 3 p.m., HT Atriums AB
Tuesday, April 8: Creating an International Profile, HT Promenades


Hughes-Trigg, Main Floor, Room 200
214-768-2266 • www.smu.edu/career

Are You on TRAK?

Marketing. Non-profit. Communications. Real Estate. Engineering. Educational Services. These are just a few examples of industries that have jobs and/or internships currently posted on MustangTrak, SMU’s online database of jobs and internships. And there are many more from over 45 different professional areas. So, the question is: are you on TRAK? If not, then you might want to know that:

*75% of all jobs and internships in MustangTrak are for all majors

*There are 700+ jobs and internships in MustangTrak at all times

*Registering is easy! Simply go to www.smu.edu/career and click on the MustangTrak logo on the left-hand side.

Once you are registered in MustangTrak, you can start searching for and applying for jobs; store your resumes, DPRS and cover letters; maintain a calendar of career-related events; and gain access to on-campus interviewing. So get registered today!

And don’t forget to check out the Career Center podcasts on www.smu.edu/itunes to get tips about resumes, interviewing and conducting a job/internship search.


Upcoming Career Events:
Friday, April 4: Excel on the Job, 2 p.m. – 3 p.m., HT Atriums AB
Tuesday, April 8: Creating an International Profile, HT Promenades



Hughes-Trigg, Main Floor, Room 200
214-768-2266 • www.smu.edu/career