What do Employers Really Want?

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What do Employers Really Want?

• Nancy Dilthey
• Manager, University Relations
• Johnson Johnson
• January 25, 2006 - CIEC

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Short Answer

• Employers want it all!

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Employers Want

• Top students for our openings
• Great partnerships with Universities
• Great reputation on campus
• Widespread knowledge of our business
• Pipeline of diverse candidates

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In a perfect world

• Students are
• Prepared
• Diverse
• Passionate
• Articulate
• Flexible

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Reality for Employers

• Hampered by
• Just-in-Time recruiting
• Budget constraints
• Limited resources
• Constant change

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Successful Partnerships
Students
Career Services
Employers
Seek guidance
Liaison / Partner
Partner / Provide Opportunities
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Objective We all want to help Students

• Develop Strengths
• Differentiate Themselves
• Learn Keys to Success

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Student Roadmap to Success

• Early college
• Assess your skills
• Utilize Campus Resources
• Develop Strong Resume
• Research Employers

• Getting the job
• Differentiate yourself
• Be a professional
• Demonstrate passion, flexibility leadership

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Students Assess your skills

• Honest assessment
• Consider aptitude testing
• Career aspirations
• Personal development / strengths
• Develop roadmap

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Utilize University Career Resources

• Career Services Co-op Office
• Resume critiques
• Mock Interviews / videotape
• Company Info Sessions
• Career Fairs

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Develop your resume

• Easy to read format
• Error Free
• Emphasizes strengths

• Accurate depiction
• Constantly update
• Readily available
• Differentiate yourself

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Research Employers

• Start early
• Be open minded (location, industry, etc.)
• Look for culture fit
• Have a Plan B
• Network, network, network

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Differentiate Yourself!

• On Campus
• Look for ways to demonstrate
• Teamwork
• Leadership
• Campus Involvement

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Differentiate yourself campus

• Leadership role in Student organizations
• Volunteering
• Mentoring others
• Secure scholarships
• Work closely with Professors

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Differentiate yourself Internship or Co-op

• Demonstrate your potential to company
• Teamwork
• Take initiative
• Professionalism
• Attitude and Appearance

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Differentiate yourself Internship or Co-op

• Ask for feedback
• Be adaptable to change
• Act ethically/ responsibly
• Learn other areas of the company
• Network within your department

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The Importance of Networking

• Its never too early to start!
• Involvement in dept/student boards
• Career Fairs (volunteer/follow up)
• Company Presentations
• Seek out alums of companies

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Networking on job

• Build a co-op community
• Learn about other depts
• Seek out alums ask for advice
• Offer to champion company upon return to campus

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Some Dos

• Follow chain of command/co protocol
• Act professional at all times
• Take initiative
• Demonstrate great teamwork
• Be passionate about your work
• Ask for the job

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And, some donts.

• Email the CEO for ANY reason
• Compare salaries with co-workers
• Trash company or co-workers
• Surf inappropriate web sites
• Be late or no-show
• Misuse company funds/property

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Successful Partnerships
Students
Career Services
Employer
Liaison / Partner
Seek guidance
Partner / Provide Opportunities
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Ways to Partner with Employers

• Understand their culture
• Flexibility
• Understand business needs
• Provide campus statistics
• Responsiveness

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Creating a University Program

• Take stock of the following
• -Budget
• -Hiring needs (disciplines, UG/MBA, volume,
  etc.)
• -Technology tools
• -Brand / reputation
• -Communication vehicles

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Before You Go to Campus

• Do your homework
• What are your goals / expectations?
• Demands and requirements of students
• Advance knowledge of school
• Advance knowledge of campus activities
• Understand recruitment cycles

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Best Practices

• Top Down approach / commitment
• Continuous improvement
• Program Flexibility
• Communication to University Partners/Students
• Utilize campus team model, inc. alums, interns
• Consistent presence
• Established target schools

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Levels of Engagement Who are you?
RECRUIT ONLY
RECRUIT PLUS
STRATEGIC PARTNER
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Levels of Engagement

• Recruit Only 1 or 2x year Fairs Interviews
• Recruit Plus Recruitment activities plus some
  relationship building
• Strategic Partner Full commitment to University
  over time. Recruitment activities plus strong
  partnerships, sponsorships, engagement across all
  levels

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Keys to Success

• Know your campus
• Interns are your most important resource
• Flexibility
• Communication Internal External
• Evaluate Results
• Continuous Improvement

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Closing

• Great partnerships take time
• Yield top students
• Strong relationships with schools
• Stay active in the field NACE, CEIA, Regional
  Assns, etc.
• Network and build relationships

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Q

A