2008 Woodie Awards
Beyond the Bachelors
Logan J. Williams
Issue date: 12/7/06 Section: Campus Briefs
The second semester is quickly approaching, along with the competition for current students and upcoming 2007 graduates to land internships and jobs. For students pursuing undergraduate degrees, the most important aspect of doing so is to go 'beyond the bachelors.'
"In order to receive the highest priority (from potential employers), it is extremely important to send out applications and resumes as early as possible," said John F. Williams, a tax manager for Verizon.
The first step to landing the most competitive jobs and internships is creating a resume that stands out from the rest, according to Jeff Barone, director of information technology and global clients at New Jersey-based Merrill Lynch.
"I look for a short and concise resume with 'poppers,'" he said. "(Resume) poppers are activities and jobs that stand out from a typical candidate."
Examples of resume 'poppers' include signs of leadership qualities from extracurricular activities, internships and hobbies. Applicants should present themselves as having an "initiative to go above and beyond the bachelors," said Barone.
Students pursuing their bachelors or graduate degrees should take part in as many clubs as they can to facilitate their resume. William Paterson University offers a wide range of clubs and activities that cover interests for students of any major.
An ideal resume should be one page. Resumes beyond a page are a turn-off for prospective employees.
"I spend less than thirty seconds at first glance of a resume," said Williams. "It's important to have something that stands out that I will remember it by."
After sending out multiple resumes and applications, prime candidates who receive interviews must be well-prepared with knowledge of both the industry and corporation.
"The best interviews are with those who turn the interview into a conversation," said Barone. "Those candidates know both the business and industry."
During the interview, prospective candidates must portray positive, intellectual and intuitive thought Barone said.
Top flight employers provide new employees with training for their respective jobs, no matter what their major or concentration may be.
Barone said that the business world looks for bright young minds to shape and mold.
"The school name or major is perhaps the least important aspect of an applicant's qualifications; anyone can be theoretically sound, but the best applicants present intuitive leadership qualities," he said. "The goal for all students should be to go beyond the bachelors."
"In order to receive the highest priority (from potential employers), it is extremely important to send out applications and resumes as early as possible," said John F. Williams, a tax manager for Verizon.
The first step to landing the most competitive jobs and internships is creating a resume that stands out from the rest, according to Jeff Barone, director of information technology and global clients at New Jersey-based Merrill Lynch.
"I look for a short and concise resume with 'poppers,'" he said. "(Resume) poppers are activities and jobs that stand out from a typical candidate."
Examples of resume 'poppers' include signs of leadership qualities from extracurricular activities, internships and hobbies. Applicants should present themselves as having an "initiative to go above and beyond the bachelors," said Barone.
Students pursuing their bachelors or graduate degrees should take part in as many clubs as they can to facilitate their resume. William Paterson University offers a wide range of clubs and activities that cover interests for students of any major.
An ideal resume should be one page. Resumes beyond a page are a turn-off for prospective employees.
"I spend less than thirty seconds at first glance of a resume," said Williams. "It's important to have something that stands out that I will remember it by."
After sending out multiple resumes and applications, prime candidates who receive interviews must be well-prepared with knowledge of both the industry and corporation.
"The best interviews are with those who turn the interview into a conversation," said Barone. "Those candidates know both the business and industry."
During the interview, prospective candidates must portray positive, intellectual and intuitive thought Barone said.
Top flight employers provide new employees with training for their respective jobs, no matter what their major or concentration may be.
Barone said that the business world looks for bright young minds to shape and mold.
"The school name or major is perhaps the least important aspect of an applicant's qualifications; anyone can be theoretically sound, but the best applicants present intuitive leadership qualities," he said. "The goal for all students should be to go beyond the bachelors."
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