Soft Skills Questions To participate you must : Be a Junior - PowerPoint PPT Presentation

Requirements & Academic Credit • • Registration & Navigation of the Experience Job & Internship Board Student Timeline • Soft Skills • Questions •

To participate you must : • Be a Junior or Senior Accounting major or Masters of Accounting student • Minimum 3.0 GPA  Some organizations will have higher GPA requirements • Research in advance

Register with the Experience Job & Internship Board : Must be completed by Noon on Friday, September 12 th • Online at www.kent.edu/career or via FlashLine • Create/update account and upload documents (Word or • PDF)  Your critiqued resume  Your Student Information Form (use “other” option) • Unofficial Transcript – Do not upload; turn in paper copy at your interview (ONLY for firms that request it) Do NOT wait until the last minute •

• If you obtain an internship, it may qualify for academic credit. • Requirements at: › http://www.kent.edu/business/accounting/internship- information/obtaining-academic-credit.cfm • Upon completion of the recruiting season (the first part of November), you will receive a survey. Complete and if you indicated you received an internship, Mr. Rose will send you the information of how to qualify for this course. • Be approved by the Career Services Office in the College of Business prior to the beginning of the internship. • Be approved by the Accounting Department Internship Coordinator (Mr. Rose) prior to the beginning of the internship.

Resumes: •  Has your resume been critiqued? Does it look professional?  CSC drop-in hours (M-F 11 to 12:30 and 2 to 4)  CoB CSO (A309) drop-in hours (M-R 11 to 1 or by appt. via CoB website: www.kent.edu/business - link is on the left side of the page) Interviewing: •  Do you know how to prepare? Have you practiced your responses?  Mock Interview Day  Appt. with CSC Counselor (330-672-2360) or INTERVIEW STREAM (CSC website)  CSO – CoB office – Career Counselors – appt. via CoB website

Resume/Student Information Form • 150 hours/CPA Ready • Resume SIF

Review list of employers carefully • Spring vs. Summer internships • Be realistic when signing up: •  Limit campus interviews to no more than 6; office interviews to no more than 2-3  Cannot back out once you accept Logistics: Health care insurance; • scholarships/loans; out of town internships Don’t be afraid to ask for help and advice! •

• What is sponsorship? • Why is this important? • How do I know?  Job Description  Organization website  Meet the Accountants Night program

Until Sept. 18 th Online Pre-Selection : (11:59 p.m.) Accepted Student Sign-ups: Sept. 24 th (10 p.m.) Alternate Student Sign-ups: Sept. 25 th (10 p.m.) All students should check their Applications • section of the Experience Job & Internship Board for their sign-up status.

Meet the Accountants Night: Thursday, Sept. 18 th , 5:30-8:00 pm, KSC Ballroom •  Professional attire required  Bring resumes & Student Information Forms Mock Interview Day: Thursday, Sept. 25 th , 12:45-4:00 pm, CSC (261 Schwartz) •  Professional attire required  Registration required via Experience Job & Internship Board  One-Click Search “ 2014 Accounting Mock Interview Day ”  Bring resumes & Student Information Forms

• Employers are not supposed to make any offers until Wednesday, October 15 th  You should not accept until at least October 15 th  Ask for more time, and feel free to “blame” it on the school and/or department policy

• When trying to determine the organization you want to work for, go for the fit versus the name of the employer: “The most valuable piece of advice I could offer would be to not get caught up in either the money or the name of the organization . I understand the allure of working for a big organization, and certain organizations may be able to offer more money than others. But the most important thing about picking an internship is picking the company where you feel most comfortable. An internship is way too valuable of an experience to waste. I found during the search process that I really liked the interview I had with ‘XYZ Organization’. It was very comfortable and when I went to the office for a second interview, I knew it was a place I wanted to work because I knew it was a place I would fit in. I think that’s why my internship experience has been so great; finding a place you really like is the most important step to an internship.”

• Any students that interview in the Career Services Center will receive a survey via email.  Important to complete so that you learn about obtaining academic credit  Helps us plan for next year  Complete in a timely manner

Resumes • Elevator Pitch • Interviewing Techniques • Follow up • Questions •

• Employer Comments – Average! • A survey found that recruiters spend only 6 seconds reviewing an individual resume  Overall appearance  Spacing  Pitch  Font  Bolding • How you say something • Numerous resources

Your one minute pitch should help you make a good first impression and include the following: 1. Who you are, plus a credential - your name and something that differentiates you from your peers (major/degree, athlete, veteran) and/or establishes a relationship (graduate of same college, from the same home town, etc.) 2. Your specific goal/career interest - this will allow that person to help you or possibly connect you to someone who can 3. How you have demonstrated your interest - explain your interest and experience in the field with examples of things you have already done. Don't just say "I have always wanted be a doctor," but rather "I have taken pre-med courses and volunteered at the hospital”. http://www.kent.edu/career/your-one-minute-elevator-pitch

Your one minute pitch should help you make a good first impression and include the following: Why you are qualified - demonstrate your qualifications by sharing 4. leadership and work experience, achievements, expertise, skills and strengths A question or request for assistance - consider giving the person two 5. options for ways they may be of assistance. For example, "If your company offers internships, I would appreciate the name of the person in charge of that program”, or “Perhaps I could meet with you in person to find out more about your organization and opportunities in the marketing profession." Be sure to offer each contact your business card for future reference. http://www.kent.edu/career/your-one-minute-elevator-pitch

Craft Your Pitch:  Hello, my name is and I am completing a degree in ________ at Kent State with a minor in . I am interested in a career in (or position as a) in  the field (industry). I have been involved (during college) in .  I have developed skills in . I have also had an internship position  (employment) as a with and discovered that I really enjoy . Could you tell me more about ? 

• It is a two-way communication – meaning you have to talk during the interview • Eye contact • Preparation  Common questions you will be asked?  Do you have questions for the interviewer?  Things to keep in mind  Dress • Research the Company:  Meet the Accountants Night  Actual interview

Proper hygiene: •  Bathe, clean fingernails, deodorant, brush teeth  No perfume/cologne, no smoking Appropriate dress: •  Tips on CSC website & Accounting website • No flashy hairstyles, jewelry, nail polish Professional email & voicemail message • Social Media: •  Language, content & photos

Thank you follow up: •  Short and to the point  Proof it!  Professional looking (email is OK) • What do you do if you do not hear back from an organization? • What do you do if you are pressured to give a decision and the interviewing process has not concluded yet? • What if you receive an offer and still have interviews scheduled or have multiple offers?

• Mr. John Rose Lecturer, Department of Accounting jmrose4@kent.edu • 330 -672-1108 Ms. Robin Pijor • Assistant Director, Career Services Center rpijor@kent.edu • 330 -672-2360 Ms. Kelly Krakowski • Recruiting Coordinator, Career Services Center kkrakows@kent.edu • 330 -672-2360