Do you want to make a lasting impression on employers? Do you want to be viewed as a professional? In today’s job market, a successful job seeker is someone who presents him/herself professionally and utilizes a portfolio during the interview process.

What is a Portfolio?

“A job search portfolio is a job-hunting tool that you develop that gives employers a complete picture of who you are – your education, your talents, your attitudes, your accomplishments, your activities, your experience, your skills and abilities, and what you have the potential to become. You can use the portfolio in job interviews to showcase a point, to illustrate the depth of your skills and experience, or to use as a tool to get a second interview.

Portfolios should be kept in a professional, three-ring binder. You should include a table of contents and use some kind of system, such as tabs or dividers, to separate the various parts of the portfolio. To hold materials, use non-glare plastic sheet protectors.

And remember… once you have created your job search portfolio, be sure to take it with you to all interviews and use it as a tool to get job offers. Once you accept a job offer, keep your portfolio current.” – Bridgewater State College

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Entering a professional workplace can often seem daunting for college students, especially for those of you who have never held a job before. When taking part in an internship it is extremely important that you make the most of your experience, garnering the skills and knowledge you set out to gain, along with making connections important to your future career.  You will notice through your Field Periods that each organization has a distinct culture and way in which they do things. With only one month to get in, gain some experience, and leave a good impression … you have a lot of assimilating to do, very quickly.

I have listed below for you some quick short tips on making the most of your upcoming Field Period.  For more tips check out the Art of a Successful Field Period.

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Former students, Keuka Alumni, are particularly good sources for networking. Not only may they have opportunities at their place of work, they also may be willing to assist you in connecting with potential sites within their own professional network, or they may even be willing to house you for Field Period.

Alumni know what it’s like to do a Field Period, and they want to help and to share in the excitement of your Field Period.

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Punctuality

Go to the site on time! When you first start, plan to arrive 10 – 15 minutes early. This extra margin could save you from making a negative first impression by arriving late due to unfamiliarity with the route to the site, or the parking facilities, traffic jams, or the like. When lateness becomes a pattern, check your own attitudes towards the job.

Communication

Notify your supervisor whenever you must be absent from work. Obtain your supervisor’s permission in advance so three is no question about the legitimacy of your absence. Try to keep absences down to a minimum.

Listen to Directions

Follow instructions, rules, and regulations! When you start your Field Period, contact your supervisor and find out exactly what you are expected to do, and once again go over your learning goals and objectives with him/her. Ask questions, and keep asking them until you understand completely where you stand and how you should proceed. Directions are usually simple to comprehend, but many people stumble on this item because they fail to listen, were daydreaming, or were not paying attention.

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LinkedIn is a great resource for students looking for an additional edge as they network and job/internship search. It’s easy to sign up for an account, but new users often get stuck asking “what next”? Simply having an account isn’t enough, so here are a few tips for students on getting started with LinkedIn:

What’s LinkedIn?

LinkedIn is the world’s largest professional network with over 40 million members and growing rapidly. LinkedIn connects you to your trusted contacts and helps you exchange knowledge, ideas, and opportunities with a broader network of professionals.

Currently, there are over 40 million professionals from 150 different industries, including executives from every Fortune 500 firm, on LinkedIn.

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