Alumni Career Services - Resources
Whether you just graduated, or you've been in the workforce for a long time, Alumni Career Services is here to help you. Take advantage of all the resources available to you--from articles, webinars, and online tools to Fairfield alumni career coaches.
Some Job Search Tips!
Resume Tip
Make your words count. Your resume should be loaded with keywords that match the words used in job descriptions of the position you are seeking. Most resumes are read by machines before they are passed onto HR! Yours will be thrown out by the automatic tracking system if it doesn’t recognize keywords.
LinkedIn Tip
Keywords are essential on LinkedIn, too. Load your professional summary and your headline with keywords that will increase your chances of surfacing in a recruiter search.
Interview Tip
Follow-up is as important as researching the company. Make it a point at the end of the interview to ask the person when a hiring decision will be made. Then be proactive by asking, “If I don’t hear from you by that time, how should I contact you?”
Networking Tip
Follow up with the new contacts you made at any business or social gathering on LinkedIn. Send them an invitation to connect, but forgo the default “I’d like to add you to my professional network on LinkedIn”. Customize your invitation and make reference to how you met or who you know in common.
Executive Education at the Dolan School of Business: Leading the Business
Fairfield University and TRI Corporation present a three-day seminar for selected clients to develop their future leaders. To learn more about the seminar, please contact Patricia Pivarnik.
Online Career Resources
The following resources have been reviewed and are recommended for insight on career development, resume writing, job search techniques, and other quality career content.
Recommended websites for articles on job search topics:
Fairfield University alumni exclusive career management tool. Read articles on resume writing, interviews, networking, and career management. Manage your portfolio, search for jobs, and sign up for a free newsletter.
Career-intelligence.com (founded by Annette Richmond, M.A.’99) is a by-women, for-women career resource with a philosophy of "Stretch, Grow, Achieve." Her mission is to help you achieve personal and professional satisfaction by providing the information, support and tools you need to succeed in today's competitive economic environment.
WetFeet helps more than a million job candidates each year nail their interviews, avoid making ill-fated career decisions, and add thousands of dollars to their compensation packages.
Job Search Engine Sites:
Indeed.com is a search engine for jobs, allowing job seekers to find opportunities posted on thousands of company career sites and job boards. Unlike many job boards, Indeed provides job seekers with an aggregated list of the freshest job opportunities available - free to all users.
Simply Hired is a vertical search engine company working to build the largest online database of jobs on the planet. Their goal is to make finding your next job a simple yet effective, enjoyable journey. They can't always promise you'll discover your dream job, but they'll give you the best chance possible to get a bigger paycheck, a more considerate boss, or a shorter commute.
Webinars from Experts
The Interview: Your Most Important Presentation by Debbie Fay
Debbie Fay is the founder of bespeak presentation solutions, llc, a public speaking coaching, training, and presentation development company. From Fortune 500 companies to entrepreneurs and start-ups, Debbie helps her clients design and deliver presentations that get heard and get results. Click here for more information. Watch Debbie's webinar.
View Karen Pinkman's webinar on "How to Get Ahead of the Candidate Pack." This webinar will shed light on how to apply for positions and how to work with recruiters.
Visit our webinar archives for other presentations on a range of topics covering job search strategies and professional development.
Articles from Experts
The Journey Forward - Reinvention for Workforce Re-Entry, by Ana Alvarez-Conant, ’85
10 Key Steps to a Successful Job Search
How to succeed in your first full-time job
Making the right decision is easier when you know what you want,
How to create a job-specific resume
How to show employers you're right for the job
"The Changing Mode of Communication - and how this impacts your job search!", by Karen Pinkman, Chief Career Strategist at Executive Job Search Strategies.
Visit Career-Intelligence.com, founded by Annette Richmond, M.A.'99, for additional articles.
Networking with Other Alumni
Connect with STAGS online:
Guidelines to networking with alumni:
- Don't ask for a job
- Do ask for 5 - 10 minutes for an informational interview - you will more than likely get more when you seek less
- Always be understanding and appreciative of their time
- Be prepared and professional - have your questions ready to go
- Use correct grammar, check for spelling errors
- Always send a thank you note or thank you e-mail
- Ask if they could recommend someone else to speak to when you are finished
- Ask if you can keep in touch
The Career Planning Center at Fairfield University
The Career Planning Center is not just for current Fairfield students! The Center also offers a host of services to assist alumni in the job search process. Whether you're re-entering the job market, evaluating a career change, or looking to move into a different organization, the Center can support you in reaching your career goals.
Sample Services