Employee-friendly workplace

As the our newly minted graduates enter the work force it is important to take some time to reflect not only on what we want to do but where we want to do it. You will spend about forty hours a week at this place, so you should at least enjoy it a little bit, right?

When I ponder an ideal workplace I think of Google and New Belgium Brewing. Both of these employers go out of their way to ensure that their employees are happy, caffeinated, active, and have stress release from what can bog down an employee’s creative energy and drive. Google provides massages, gyms, pool tables, playgrounds, and refreshments to its employees. New Belgium, though on a much smaller scale than Google, has an in house rock climbing wall, foosball, a slide, and provides trademark fat tire bikes at the one year anniversary of employment. These may seem like a waste of money, especially in this economic climate, but not if one digs deeper.

What else do these two companies have in common? Profit and large market shares. New Belgium was upgraded to Craft Brewery status due to their increased size and revenue. Google remains cutting edge, competitive, and profitable when many other similar companies have failed. It turns out, having fun at work makes your employees more productive. They are more likely to look for more solutions when they are less stressed and feel valued by the company as a whole.

So on your job search, find somewhere fun to work. It is better for you and your employer.

For more on this subject, check out John Mossman’s Denver Post article: http://www.denverpost.com/topworkplaces/ci_22970656/employee-friendly-workplace-culture-key-company-success

Interior Design

Creativity is a priceless and one of the most useful skills needed in the job markets, as well as life.   Most people think of themselves as not creative, but in several cases they tend to surprise themselves.   Creativity can and is more that the popular associations, such as, painting, drawing, sculpture and photography.  It goes beyond that and can be associated with Interior Design.

Interior Designers are used in all kinds of projects, from remodels of huge hospitals or small or large private homes.   They are used to lend their experience, as well as, brainstorm ideas and changes that might bring about a different atmosphere or feeling within a structure.  It is very important to have active listening stills, most of the direction needs to come from the client and understand their goals and needs in regards to their vision.  In addition, Interior Designers need formal schooling,  such as,  a bachelors or associates and relevant work experience through a job or internship.  The Interior Design Experience Program helps new graduates gain the experience they need to build a portfolio and get a job. Here is the website,  http://www.ncidq.org/idep.aspx.  There are several other websites that help new graduates, as well as experienced designers with tips and strategies.  This website can help to locate and find professional associations in your area as well how to become a Designer   http://accredit-id.org/professional-organizations/.   Check out which ones have local chapters and get involved, not only to network but to continue your education and get ideas from others in your field.

If you are interested in becoming an Interior Designer, feel free to make an appointment with a career counselor to start the process.  To make an appointment contact our front office at 303-458-3508 or going to our homepage and clicking schedule an appointment.

Congratulations Class of 2013!!!

Class of 2013, 

We are SO proud of you!! Welcome to the Regis Alumni Family, we look forward to continuing to serve your career development needs today, tomorrow and FOREVER! 

Regis Career Services 

Ace your Interview!

For many of us, the interview is the most terrifying and intimidating portion of the job application process. It is difficult to shine a light on the best attributes of ourselves when clouded by nerves, anxiety, and fear. There a quite a few steps we can take to ameliorate this situation – the most obvious being to take time to prepare for the interview. One should always research the company and the position thoroughly prior to interviewing. Make sure you have questions for them as well; these show that you are genuinely interested in the organization and its future.

The article linked below by Scott Willyerd highlights nine great tips for all interviewees:

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/scott-willyerd/interview-nerves_b_3178193.html

Don’t forget to make a mock interview appointment with a career counselor!  

Business Email Etiquette

As we embark further into the information age, it is imperative that we carry our manners with us. Many college graduates email our office and employers without even hitting the spell check or double checking their predictive text. Please realize that while most of your contemporaries may not hold this against you, the people hiring you will. The simple steps below can ensure that you are conveying the proper image in professional emails. You want to make sure the person on the receiving end knows that you took the time to write a thoughtful and professional note:

1. Always use proper spelling, formatting, and grammar.
2. Take the time to write a greeting and a closing, just like a regular letter.
3. CC anyone you mention in the email.
4. Use the subject line as a quick summary; include your name if it is to a prospective employer.
5. Answer emails as swiftly as possible.
6. Re-read all your emails before sending.
7. Do not use capitals – THIS IS SHOUTING.
8. Do not attach unnecessary files.
9. Do not overuse the “high priority” classification.
10. Do not email confidential information, such as social security number or credit card information.

For a more hilarious representation, check out:

http://theoatmeal.com/comics/email

How to Answer Scenario-Based Questions during a Job Interview

Employers during job interviews are now focusing more than ever on scenario-based questions. These questions begin with “tell me about a time…”, “give me an example of…”, or “what’s a situation when…”

Basically, the employer wants you to give a specific example of a scenario to showcase how you handled it successfully using relevant skills. There’s an easy way to structure answers to these questions. Use this acronym to structure and organize your scenario-based answers:

P: problem

•  
•  Bring the interviewer into your story by describing the scenario/problem to them. Make it concise and focus on the main points.

 

A: action

 

•  Discuss the skills you implemented to solve the problem. Make sure you are using relevant skills. If you’re applying for a nursing position, you probably shouldn’t highlight your accounting abilities. Instead, focus on patient care, assessment skills, ability to work in a team, etc.

 

R: result

•  Don’t forget to let the employer know how the scenario played out. Was it successful or was it a complete failure? Obviously, if it was successful, the employer will be more impressed by your answer, so don’t forget to tell him or her.

 Brent Vogel, Senior Career Counselor

DO Doctor

The art of helping people can be utilized in a variety of career fields, but the most common career that comes to mind is medicine.  Most students coming out of high school interested in medicine have thought about being becoming a doctor, but may not know there are two types of physicians, Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine (DO) and Medical Doctor (MD).

Each type of physician has the same requirements: four-year bachelor’s degree, a four-year degree from an accredited MD or DO school, an internship or residence after professional school ranging from 3-8 years, and practice in an accredited health care facility.  But the difference is that “DO’s combine today’s medical technology with their ears to listen caring to their patients, with their eyes to see their patients as whole persons, and with their hands to diagnose and treat patients for injury and illness” (American Osteopathic Association).  They also strive to help the person as a “whole”, through the additional training focusing on the musculoskeletal system. 

If you think you might be interested in pursuing the field of medicine and/or think becoming a DO doctor might be a good fit, feel free to check out the American Osteopathic Association website http://www.osteopathic.org/Pages/default.aspx or checking out Colorado’s DO medical school Rocky Vista http://www.rvu.edu/ for more information.   In addition, make an appointment with a career counselor by calling us at 303-458-3508 or clicking book now on our website to make a graduation plan and/or answer any about pursing this career.