Everything You Wanted To Know About Getting Hired For a Job

1. Everything You Wanted To Know About Getting Hired For a Job Presented by: David S. Clurman, University of Maryland, Baltimore County MACUHO Annual Conference, 10.27.2011

2. First Things First • Introductions • About me • About you • What do you want to do? • What do you need to do to get there?

4. Typical Titles in Housing/Residence Life Entry Level Titles Mid-Management Titles • Apartment Manager • Area Coordinator • Area Director • Facilities Manager • Hall Director • House Advisor • Housefellow • Quad Director • Residence Hall Coordinator • Residence Hall Director • Residence Life Coordinator • Resident Director • Resident Life Specialist • Area Coordinator • Area Director • Assistant Dean • Assistant Director • Assistant to the Director • Associate Dean • Associate Director • Complex Coordinator • Complex Director • Director • Housing Coordinator

5. Competencies - What are they?Entry-level • Supervision • Staff Selection • Crisis Management • Written Communication • Goal Setting • Evaluating Staff • Assessing Needs of Students/ Diversity • Developing Relationships with Peers • Managing Multiple Priorities • Oral Communication • Working with Change • Mission Implementation • Accountability • Accessibility/ Availability • Understanding “Political” Environment

6. Competencies - What are they?Mid-Management Level • Recognizing Needs of Diverse Staff • Creating Vision • Assess Student Needs • Organizational Management • Accountability • Policy Development • Accessibility/ Availability • Customer Service • Supervision • Crisis Management • Written Communication • Evaluating Staff • Working with Change • Staff Selection • Understanding Political Environment • Managing Multiple Priorities

7. Being an Entry-Level Staff Member: Obstacles to Overcome • Why are you doing the work you do? • You must find a job that you enjoy • Recent graduate?…still in “theory” mode? • Learn to how delegate • Learn about the finances • We know that our jobs are important • Dream of making those “important” decisions • Be prepared for the political environment • Fear of change • Money

8. Some Research What are some the best and worst things that you have seen a candidate do within a search process (cover letters, resumes, references, dress, etc.)?

10. The Interview Process • Cover Letters • Resumes • References • Dress & Non-Verbal Behavior • Interviews • Food & Travel • Communication

11. The Interview ProcessCover Letters • Customize them to the institution • Add something more than just repeating your resume • Match desired skills with yours • Form letters – don’t use them • Send as a PDF if possible

12. The Interview ProcessResumes & References • Keep to 1-2 pages • Don’t embellish or lie • Have them reviewed by many people • Update at least once a year • List your current supervisor • Explain your relationship • Proofread and then do it again!

13. The Interview ProcessDress & Non-Verbals • Professional dress • Better than business casual (no khakis, sweaters, boots, or non-dress shoes • For women – skirts that are too short • Don’t slump or lay back in a chair • Don’t appear too familiar, laid back, overly confident, bored, or disengaged • Don’t act like a comedian • Turn off your cell phone

14. The Interview ProcessInterviews • Prepare & incorporate experiences • Give specific examples • Answer questions completely • Bring a portfolio • Have institution-specific questions prepared • Name drop appropriately • It is often about fit

15. The Interview ProcessFood & Travel • Confirm address & directions • Provide plenty of travel time • Eat appropriately • No alcohol • Don’t overeat • Watch out for sauces • Ask about travel costs

16. The Interview ProcessCommunication • Well-written Thank You notes • Provide timely response to e-mail and phone messages • Explain why you want that specific position • Ask important questions prior to an on-campus interview • For graduate positions – know about the graduate programs

17. Red Flags • Bashing your current or previous supervisor or institution • Asking no questions • Not doing research about position, department, or institution • Making things up • Focusing on salary, apartment, perks, etc. • Taking too long to answer a question • Not preparing references

18. Want That Next Position? Be Sure to… • Learn as much as you can about the various jobs • Be able to learn the job on your own • Make presentations • Own up to your mistakes • Learn how to effectively communicate • Make good first impressions • Read • Look for your next job • Share your accomplishments • Keep your resume up-to-date

19. RELI: Regional Entry-Level Institute • What is it? • An intensive two and a half day professional development seminar spotlighting activities for entry-level professionals who aspire to attain a mid-level position in housing or residential life. • When/Where… • Towson University • June 2012

20. Some Upcoming Conferences • MAPC – Reading, PA Feb 23-24 • OPE – Oshkosh, WI Mar 1-4 • TPE – Phoenix, AZ Mar 7-11 • NASPA – Phoenix, AZ Mar 10-14 • ACPA – Louisville, KY Mar 24-28 • NHTI – Athens, GA Jun 12-16 • ACUHO-I – Anaheim, CA Jul 7-10

21. Conference Interviews • Know what you are looking for • Bring copies of resumes and references • Stay hydrated • Watch what you say and what you do • Pace yourself • Be strategic about scheduling interviews • Review materials that are given to you • Practice

22. Helpful Job Search Sites • Jobs.Studentaffairs.com • HigherEdJobs.com • Chronicle.com/Jobs • Academic360.com • Tedjob.com • Simplyhired.com • Others?

23. Questions?