Summer break is the perfect time to get a head start on your personal or career goals. Take a look at our top five ways to make the most of your time off.
- Update you résumé
Summer break is a prime time to update your résumé to include experiences, skills, education, and activities you’ve acquired over the past year or semester. In an ideal situation, we encourage all students to develop what we call a master résumé. This is for your eyes only. It should include and extensively detail all education (including coursework), experiences skills, activities, and any other academic or career-related involvements. You will draw on your master résumé when customizing the résumé and cover letter for a particular position and/or organization. And for those interested in government work, a federal style résumé will require most of what is on your master résumé. - Conduct informational interviews
One of the best sources for gathering information about what’s happening in an occupation or an industry is to talk to people working in the field through an informational interview — you initiate the interview and you ask the questions, much like a journalist. These interviews can provide clarity about your career goals, expand your network, and allow you to learn of potential opportunities in the field. So, pick up your phone or open your email and invite an alum for coffee.
- Invest in nice clothes
You need to up your look when you go for an interview. How you dress and present yourself can have just as much of an impact as the answers you provide to questions, the firm handshake you deliver, and the thank you letter you send following the interview. Appropriate attire supports your image as someone who takes the interview process seriously and understands the nature of the industry in which you are trying to become employed. Be aware that in some industries, customer contact and image are critical and your attire will be judged more carefully. So take time this summer break and search out those perfect interview clothes. - Conduct a personal SWOT analysis:
Complementary to exploring career options and setting career goals, is the personal SWOT (strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, threats) analysis. To get started, you will need to examine your current position. What are your strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and threats; and how can they help and/or hinder your ability to secure a job or internship? Consider the following:- Strengths & Weaknesses: What differentiates you from the competition and what personal improvements can you make? Identify your positive and negative VIPS (values, interests, personality, and skills). Inventory your education and experience. Evaluate your drive and ability to network. Understand that these are things you CAN control.
- Opportunities & Threats: What external factors can you take advantage of and/or what stands in the way of your career goals? Research the industry. Understand what external attributes will provide advancement versus act as roadblocks. Know that these are things you CANNOT control. The personal SWOT analysis provides you with a deeper understanding of your brand. It is now up to you to promote and position your brand with potential employers.
- Create or Update Your LinkedIn Profile
Think of your LinkedIn profile as an interactive business card. It’s a summary of your professional experience, interests, and capabilities that is designed to attract the attention of important people who are searching for you online — recruiters, networking contacts, and grad school admissions officers. A strong profile is a key differentiator in the job market. If you don’t have a professional headshot, take a trip to Target or Walmart and have one taken. In addition to your photo, update your tag line (this is the line directly under your name). Think of this tag line as a short description of how you differentiate yourself from others, including those in your field.
Next, update the Experience section of your profile. Because there is no length limitation, we recommend that you detail your specific contributions for each experience and include the skills used, competencies gained, and, most importantly, how you benefited the organization.
This is also a good time to begin asking for recommendations for each of your experiences. These can include supervisors or managers, but could also include co-workers, clients, or other stakeholders who can speak on behalf of your work.
Summer is a time for relaxation and fun, but it is also the perfect time to prepare yourself for the job market. Take advantage of these tips and you’ll be ready in no time to ace your next interview. Good luck and happy break!
