Tattoos in the Workplace?

 

My tattoo is a way I express my individualism but I've heard it might cause a problem during interviews or even on the job. I believe I'm simply expressing myself, but I still need a job. What should I do?

Nearly anything you read about proper interview attire will recommend that you hide visible body piercings and tattoos during the course of the interview. It is also recommended that you steer clear of perfume/cologne, excessive jewelry, and distracting hairstyles. Getting rid of distractions allows the interviewer focus on you alone. While many college students see tattoos as something fun, most experts agree that they can be viewed as unprofessional in the workplace. Tattoos are often something that makes a person unique and your concern over not letting your true self show through is a common one. However, depending on what and where your tattoo is, you may be able to reveal it once you have the job. It’s imperative to find out for certain if it is acceptable, rather than taking a coworker’s word for it. If it turns out that tattoos or piercings are frowned upon in the workplace, you may need to concentrate on expressing your individualism in other ways, such as through other types of (acceptable) work clothing. It may be necessary to make sacrifices to obtain or keep a job, so be prepared to utilize your time off-the-clock to express your unique style!

Jump-start on Internships

I wanted to do an internship for school credit this fall but didn’t get one. Should I start looking for one for next semester now or wait?

It would be smart to keep looking. Many times, a student doesn’t secure an internship simply because they waited too long to start looking. It’s especially important to start your search early if you are in a competitive field or are looking for an internship in another city. An internship search is nearly identical to any part-time or full-time job search. Check with Career Planning & Development about having your cover letter and resume reviewed and/or doing a mock interview. Network both online and in person (LinkedIn.com is a great start). Talk with faculty and others about what kind of internship you would like and ask if they have any contacts you could reach. Identify any particular companies you would like to intern for and start researching to see if they post internships online or get in touch with a recruiter and inquire about upcoming opportunities. You can also search a number of job/internship databases for opportunities. Schedule a meeting with a staff member in our office to discuss options and to find out where other Drury students have interned in the past. Many employers are impressed when it appears a student is taking initiative and showing a genuine interest in their company or organization. Showing interest now could help you stand out from the crowd.

Interview Questions: What are my weaknesses?!

The dreaded weakness question! You don’t want to come off arrogant, but you don’t want to come off as a total slug either. The happy medium is to play it safe in the middle. Obviously, it helps to know your audience and the job description. For example, if you are applying for a cashier position you wouldn’t want to say your math skills are horrible. Alternatively, you could choose a weakness that doesn’t directly relate to your potential position, without seeming too off subject. While an employer isn’t necessarily expecting you to be completely blunt about your worst weaknesses, you should think about what weaknesses you have and how you handle them. Try to give an answer that briefly states the weakness, but then explain how you are working on it constructively or are learning from it. Avoid overused answers such as “I’m a workaholic” or “I’m a perfectionist.” A more specific answer is much more effective, such as “I have had some difficulty in the past delegating when working on teams. I sometimes take on too much when I lead, but I’m becoming more comfortable asking for help and dividing up responsibilities in order to accomplish a goal.” Be ready to give specific examples if needed. Remember, if you’re interviewing for a management position, this probably won’t be a great answer! 

It happens every year

The Bean in Millennium Park-Chicago

Every summer, we say we can't believe it's already August. A few years ago, Jill made the comment that once the Fourth of July hits, summer is essentially over. I couldn't bear to hear that and told myself it wasn't true. But maybe there is some truth to it. In August, Tina and I were able to attend a regional conference in Chicago for colleges and employers. It gave us a chance to get away and learn about new ideas, best practices and hot topics. It feels like it was already a long time ago and it hasn't even been a month! When we returned, of course we said we couldn't believe school started in mere weeks...then ONE week...then TOMORROW! Even though we always wish we had time to finish one more project before summer break slipped away, we are happy to have more students back on campus. We are excited about our upcoming classroom presentations, our waiting area's new look (check it out!) and our new iPad to use for student satisfaction surveys. We are having a career fair this October and already have seven employers scheduled for fall on-campus recruiting visits. It will be another busy year, and we look forward to working with you! Welcome back!

Who is interviewing at DU this fall?

Is your head spinning with all the on-campus recruiting interviews this fall? Instructions vary, according to employer preferences, so read individual postings carefully. Employers will select candidates they choose to interview and you will be notified regardless of whether you are chosen to interview or not. To see opportunities and application instructions, go to College Central Network and search for the employer name. To interview on campus, you also need to fill out a Formal Policy for our office to have on file (one will be good for the entire academic year). For a handy guide to who is coming when, see below:

See complete details at College Central Network


*When submitting documents to CP&D, email to career@drury.edu.

*Formal Policy can be dropped off, emailed or faxed to us at 873-7808.

Questions? Contact career@drury.edu, call 417-873-7284 or stop by Bay Hall 148. Good luck!

 

What you need to know about interviewing on campus

When you hear of an activity being held “on campus,” it’s usually okay to show up in flip flops and your latest free t-shirt. However, that’s not the case when it comes to on-campus interviews. Just to be clear, “on-campus interviews” are not the same thing as interviewing for a job located on Drury's campus. On-campus interviews (also referred to as “on-campus recruiting”) are when an employer actually visits Drury to interview students for the organization/company’s job openings. It’s really a win-win situation. Employers can interview many students in a day, visit with professors and see our campus.  Students have the convenience of interviewing close to home and avoid traveling to an unfamiliar location. Even though it takes place on campus, it should be treated like any other professional interview. Dress professionally, arrive early and leave your cell phone at home. Send a thank you.  To learn about opportunities, watch your Drury email, “like” Career Planning & Development on Facebook and visit our website. Follow directions from beginning to end. Employers often have different requirements and deadlines vary, so pay attention! Even though Drury’s smaller than many schools, employers often say they come to Drury because they prefer quality over quantity. They get an overall impression of what our students are like after a full day of interviews. Each candidate has the chance to make their best impression individually and for Drury.