6B - The Michigan Daily - Fall Outlook - Thursday, October 24, 1996
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The Michigan Daily- Outlack - Thurs
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Going to Work
Many factors set jobs, companies apart
Going to Work
JOB HUNT
Continued from Page 3B
"They have to understand the company and the
questions they ask," Boley said.
Boley said there are two types of interviews that
engineering students can anticipate: behavioral
and case interviewing.
"Behavioral interviewing is finding out about
past behaviors and attribute it to the future," he
said.
"Case interviewing is when a company will give
you a case and expect you to come up with a solu-
tion' Boley said.o
Jason Wang, recent University alum and
recruiter for St. Paul Companies in Minnesota,
said he gets butterflies in his stomach when he
conducts interviews.
"I get butterflies because I'm the person who is
deciding someone's fate in the company," Wang
said.
Wang said the interview is the best opportunity
to display strong communication skills.
"The best thing for a student (during an inter-
view) is to be as articulate as possible," Wang
said.
"Communication is key to any company. The
better you can verbally express yourself, the better
off you will be."
START NOW
It's never too early to start looking for a job, stu-
dents and advisers said.
Just ask RC first-year student Natasha Allen,
who has already.
employment.
"I'm really exi
said. "I think it'l
and how much I
Kempton said
CP&P office no
resources.
"Starting now
manageable" Ke
finding a job as
consuming."
By Megan Exiey
For the Daily
Jobs.
Everyone has to get one sooner or later - but
many students have found that making career
choices is rather difficult.
How do you find a job that is a good match for
your personal interests and the range of jobs that
are out there? What factors make a company
"good" to work for?
Experts say there are several key characteristics
to look for in a company.
Potential employees should find out what is
involved with a particular job, like the "size" of the
job, amount of responsibilty expected and the type
of training needed to enter the field.
What does the job pay and what benefits, like
health or child care, are offered? What is the work
environment like - the building, the location,
the other employees - and will aspects like reg-
ular traveling be expected? Does the job offer
potential career ladders and promotions? What
are the future prospects for the particular career
itself?
Students at the CP&P Career Fair earlier this
month also commented on what factors they look
for when searching for an "ideal" company.
"I look at the overall 'culture' of a company,"
said Kathleen Marinelli, an LSA senior graduating
in December.
"A good training program is also a very impor-
tant issue for me. I find myself steering away from
the huge companies that require very intense train-
ing and have very stressful atmospheres,"
Marinelli said.
Many students said that location of a company
is not a significant factor when looking for jobs.
"I think if you find a job that you like, where
you live is a secondary factor," said LSA senior
Johanna Ott.
At the other end of the scale, what skills define
a desirable employee?
Many recruiters at the Career Fair said they look
for strong communication skills in potential
employees.
"Individuals who present themselves as very
interested, prepared and organized are those we
remember the most at job fairs," said Jennifer
Wurdock, a human resources administrator at
American Systems Technology Inc.
Angie Popek, a representative of The Boston
Consulting Group, added that "strong quantitative
skills, as well as good leadership and communica-
tion skills, are qualities that definitely impress
potential employers."
Malcolm Cohen, a University socio-researcher,
said the projected shift in careers in the upcoming
decades will necessitate a greater need for specif-
ic skills for employees.
"There is a definite need for increased comput-
er literacy in the future," Cohen said. "This, in
combination with a strong ability to communicate
and work effectively with others, as well as good
analytic and problem-solving skills, will place any
potential employee at a greater advantage in the
job world."
Cohen also stressed that the University provides
opportunities to garner these skills.
"Any undergrad who can gain these skills, and
put them to use, regardless of their field of study,
is very well-positioned for success in the 21st cen-
tury."
1iEl1
CENTRAL MICHIGAN
UNIVERSITY
I
- ha
i
Job fairs lure employers to 'U'
By Sonia Park
For the Daily
Professionals from all over the coun-
try are logging mileage to Ann Arbor on
their expense reports. Often they are
Michigan alums themselves, coming
back to their alma mater to serve as
ambassadors for their companies. They
come for job fairs, presentations and
scheduled interviews.
Many companies come to campus to
screen applicants for prospective jobs.
"For the southeast region alone, we
are expecting to hire 120 to 130 stu-
dents this year, so we are proactively
recruiting students on campus," said
Julie Wilhite, a recruiter from Price
Waterhouse.
Other companies come to increase
their name recognition among
University students as well as to clarify
the specific opportunities that are avail-
able.
"We want to improve the understand-
ing that we are also a high-tech compa-
ny," said Julie Yancey, managing direc-
tor of development services at FedEx,
who was on campus two weeks ago for
the Engineering job fair. "People have
walked by and they say, 'Oh, are you
here to ship boxes back for all the other
companies?"'
Often, com-
panies that are e are
well-known in
other regions for people
come to the q e
University to lot of que
increase their
visibility
among stu Entertainment
With sport-tuned
and new sto
- rtun to (
JOE WESTRATE/Daily
Matt Spurko, a representative from Kodak, speaks with Engineering senior Steven
Christenson at the Engineering Career Fair, held earlier this month.
gain knowledge and to determine that
the representatives of the company real-
ly do live up to their reputation."
Recruiters know that if they want
their company to grow, they have to
bring in new people.
"Graduates
looking
who asi
stioiis ...
- Anne Dakr
PublicationsI
often have high ideals
and while they
might not have
developed all
the skill sets
a necessary, they
bring fresh
ideas and fresh
nak energy to our
company," said
Inc. Chin Chao, a
1994
Bevin Desmond from Morningstar, a
financial services and information firm
in Chicago, said, "The students who
impress me the most are the ones who
are willing to initiate, come prepared
and present themselves well. These are
the things that get you remembered."
Often, hiring managers look for peo-
ple who would have a certain commit-
ment to stay and would, therefore, be
candidates for further advancement into
management positions.
"We would hope to get long-term
people who might start out in sales and
move to management," said Marsha
Berger, personnel director at
Coachman, a recreational vehicle com-
pany.
Alum Matt Hilzinger developed a
training program at the Handleman
Company that has been filled solely by
University graduates in its first two
years. The program targets graduating
seniors that involves rotations through
five functional divisions within the
company.
OUTSTANDING GRADUATE PROGRAMS
* Doctoral degrees offered in Audiology, History,
Mathematics, and Psychology
* Specialist's degrees offered in General Educational
Administration and Psychological Services
* Master's degrees offered in Administration, Art,
Biology, Broadcast & Cinematic Arts, Business
Administration, Business Education, Chemistry,
Communication Disorders, Computer Science,
Counseling, Economics, Educational Administration &
Community Leadership, English, Health Education &
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Studies, Humanities, Industrial Management &
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Music. Physical Education & Sport. Physical Therapy,
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AND ASSISTANTSHIPS AVAILABLE
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Central Michigan University
Mount Pleasant, MI 48859
Phone: (517) 774-GRAD
Fax: (517) 774-3439
E-mail: Grad@cmich.edu
WEB: http://www.cmich.edu/- grad
(CMU (AA/EO institution) encourages diversity, and resolves to provide equal
opportunity regardless of race, sex, disability, sexual orientation, or other irrelevant
criteria.)
:
_ ;
their own set of car keys (oi
thumbs), we made sure the new
Sa
fun to ride in, too. So you'll find mor
comfortable back seats and a quiet
ever
before.
For a free
test- drive
__._. _ _
SA TIRN a
(or test-ride),
stop by. Hope
to see you soon.
these(
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[$15,941] eailPrice incl uo're
Tin liense, et her ('ftiosuans l- required uim
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310 S. State St. " 668-6338 . 668-6023
Mon.-Thurs. 9:30-7, Fri. 9:30-8:30, Sat. 9:30-6, Sun. 12-5
dents.
Regardless of their profile on cam-
pus, companies are here to meet stu-
dents and answer their questions.
"It seems that recruiters are as eager
as we are to establish relationships," said
Lauren Barnett, an LSA senior majoring
in economics. "I went to the Bear
Stearns info session where I was able to
Engineering graduate who was on cam-
pus recently to represent McMaster-
Carr, an industrial supply company.
"We are looking for people that ask a
lot of questions and are eager to prove
themselves," said Anne Dakmak, an
account representative of Entertainment
Publications Inc.
SATURNof ANN ARBOR
500 Auto MalDr. offJackson Rd.
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