Kelley Wong, Job Preparation specialist, leads one of the spring resume workshops at Truckee Meadows Community College.
At Job Prep’s Spring Boot Camp, students and alumni can attend at no cost a practical and intense workshop that provides skills toward finding and keeping a fulfilling career position.
“Last year’s training turned out really well and there was a great turnout,” said Kelley Wong, Job Preparation specialist at Truckee Meadows Community College. “We want to give super busy students an opportunity to benefit from what the Job Prep Center has to offer.”
Job Prep Boot Camp will be held Monday, Mar. 16 through Thursday, Mar. 19, in Red Mountain Building, room 256. Workshops are free and open to anyone who has taken a class at TMCC.
Each Day of the Boot Camp Offers Topics at Two Daily Times
- Intro to LinkedIn, Monday, March 16, 9-10:30 a.m.
- Interviews Made Easy, Monday, March 16, 12:30-2 p.m.
- TMCC Internship Program, Tuesday, March 17, 9-10:30 a.m.
- Intern to Employee, Tuesday, March 17, 12:30-2 p.m.
- Intern to Employee, Wednesday, March 18, 9-10:30 a.m.
- TMCC Internship Program, Wednesday, March 18, 12:30-2 p.m.
- Resume Workshop, Thursday, March 19, 9-10:30 a.m.
- Intro to LinkedIn, Thursday, March 19, 12:30-2 p.m.
Social Networking and Preparing for an Interview Are Sometimes Overlooked
LinkedIn is a professional social media platform, where users may post a career summary statement, list experience, receive recommendations and skill endorsements, and customize a URL for inclusion on business cards.
LinkedIn is a powerful job search tool; 93% of recruiters are actively looking for staff using the platform and 89% have found and hired someone through LinkedIn, Wong said. Currently, only about 34% of job seekers use the site.
“If you are looking, you will probably be found if you’re using your profile correctly,” Wong said.
After an applicant lands the first interview at a preferred company, they can prepare for it and thus feel more confident at this typically stressful question and answer meeting.
“Employers want to know if you fit into the company culture, if you have a sense of humor, or are creative,” Wong said. “They want to know what you can make of a question. For Apple, one question that has been asked is about thinking creatively; if you are given three random objects like a rock, broomstick and drum, what could you construct from the items.”
Sometimes interview questions are open-ended to discern a candidate’s ability to think outside the box, or to see what direction a job seeker will take his or her answer.
“One question might be, ‘tell me something you’ve learned this week’,” Wong said.
Internships Are a Practical Way To Get One’s Foot in the Door
Internships are covered at the Job Prep Boot Camp in two steps. An overview session details what is required to find and complete a TMCC job internship. The next session is about translating an internship into a permanent position; it will cover how to increase the likelihood of being brought on as a full time employee.
“Marcie Iannacchione is the internship coordinator here at TMCC and is an expert on the paperwork, employers, setting up a faculty advisor and fulfilling the requirements,” Wong said.
Wong advises that TMCC students plan their internship one semester ahead of time, because timing needs to be adjusted to multiple schedules.
Resumes Should Have Impact and Match up With LinkedIn Profiles
“An employer will probably give a resume six seconds of attention at first contact,” Wong said.
That means it is best if a professional resume has clarity and impact. Wong says that employers are looking for a concise, punchy document that includes key words and proven skills.
“It’s best if LinkedIn matches up with a resume factually, because they may check,” Wong said.
Job Prep Boot Camp Will Help Prepare Students for the Job Fair on April 29
Candidates applying and interviewing for an important step in their career will be more confident if they feel prepared to handle unexpected questions or snags.
“When you’re prepared, you’re naturally more confident,” Wong said. “You’ll be better informed going into an internship.”
For more information contact Kelley Wong at 775-673-7170, or visit the Job Prep Center on the Dandini Campus, RDMT 114.