An Open Letter to Bradley University Students and Alumni

As our country struggles through one of the deepest economic recessions in a generation or more, we realize that many of you are concerned - and some downright worried - about your job prospects. As we watch the economic news daily, we know the situation is tough and may seem beyond your control, but there are steps you can take to ensure that you are doing everything YOU can to find a place in the job market.

With this backdrop in mind, here are some of the things WE are doing to mitigate the impact these economic conditions may have on you. We are:

• Reaching out to any employers who have recruited here in the past four years to keep Bradley University students and alumni on their radar.
• Offering additional workshops throughout the semester focusing on specific job search-related skills (interviewing, resumes, dress for success, networking, etc.). View our online calendar of upcoming events.
• Collaborating with our colleagues in Alumni Relations to tap into the networks of Bradley University alumni, so we can increase the number of job postings we bring to you.
• Maintaining - and refining where we can - our existing services and programs to better prepare you for the job market.

Here are some of the things YOU can do:

• Take full advantage of the services, educational programs, and resource materials we offer, including our online services.
• Use your eRecruiting account to its fullest extent:
• • Make sure your "profile" is completed updated
  • Upload and publish a current resume, so employers can identify you through our online Resume Book
  • Use the newly re-vamped BU Mentor to locate parents of students, alumni, and friends of Bradley University
  • Search the "Jobs & Internships" section using broad criteria. Also, learn how to use the "save search" feature so the system can e-mail newly posted jobs to you ASAP.
• Make sure your paperwork (resumes, cover letters, etc.) is top-notch. In this kind of a market there is very little, if any margin for error. Check Resume info and Cover letter info.
• Go to the various on campus, off campus, and virtual career fairs. As we receive notifications about events, they will be posted on our website.
• NETWORK! Make sure that the people you are closest to know that you're in the market and ready to go to work. And, then, ask them to connect you with their networks. It's not necessarily who you know; it's who they know. Use resources such as:
• • BU Mentor (within your eRecruiting account).
  • Alumni Online Directory (visit the Alumni Relations Office in Comstock Hall for a User ID and password).
  • Facebook and MySpace (friends, family, etc.), LinkedIn (professional-level, parents, etc.), Twitter (micro blog/updates).
  • Social and professional organizations within your area of interest.
  • Riley Guide - networking information.
• Do not underestimate the assistance you can get from faculty members. Ask them to let you know about any opportunities they become aware of. And don't wait until the end of the semester to request letters of recommendation.
• Understand - and master - the fundamentals of the job-search process. Attend our workshops and set up an appointment with your Career Advisor (call 309-677-2510 for an appointment).
• Get started NOW. Remember, finding a job IS a job and you need to allow plenty of time to search, network, research, contact, interview, etc.
• Embrace the value of tenacity. If you know what you're doing and you keep doing it, you will be successful.

And, to take some of the mystery out of the process, understand that a successful job search revolves around just two considerations:

1. Qualifications - you're already a step ahead on this given the quality of your educational experiences at Bradley; and
2. Being able to effectively communicate your unique value and potential to prospective employers.

The bottom line is that it isn't necessarily the best qualified candidate who gets the job, but rather, the individual who knows the most about how to get hired.

It would be wrong for you to think that your Bradley University degree will shield you from the economic realities facing all of us. But your Bradley degree - coupled with competent knowledge of how to identify and compete for available positions - will give you a clear competitive advantage.

We're committed to your success and we're here to help.

Sincerely,
The Smith Career Center Staff