Here’s some great advice from our Director in the CDC on how to make the most of your winter break:
1. Join Linked-In. Complete your profile, and if connecting with others be sure to add a personal note mentioning how you know the individual or why you would like to connect with them. Join our Bucknell Alumni Group and check out the University Pages and What Not to do while Networking on LinkedIn. Not sure how to get started? Here’s a quick video of the top 5 profile to-do’s for students.
httpv://www.youtube.com/watch?v=B8WZxYFaSmI
2. Send Holiday Wishes to any professionals you have encountered in the last year. Invest time sending holiday wishes to any professionals – perhaps you’ve met at the Employer Expo, On-Campus information sessions, or classroom presentations. An email is appropriate, but you can also opt for a hand-written holiday card, be sure to include a brief personal note.
3. Schedule Informational Interviews as a way to connect with professional, and learn more about an industry (especially those you are pursuing in your job search). The face-to-face interactions will be beneficial as the connection may lead to previously unknown job leads and other opportunities. Here’s an previous post with more advice on Informational Interviews.
4. Update Your Resume and Prepare for the Spring Semester.
Our Internship & Job Fair is scheduled for Tuesday, January 28 in Davis Gym. (Professional attire, AKA bring your suit back to campus). We’ll also host 2 off-campus fairs: Communication & Arts in NYC on Tuesday, February 4 and DC Career Fair (Government, Nonprofit, International & Public Affairs) on Tuesday, February 25.
5. Continue your Job and Graduate School Search Activities.
If you are actively searching and have been working with employers or graduate school representatives, it is a good idea to make your contacts aware of the time period that you’ll be away from campus and on winter break. [Not sure how to do this? Here’s a post on setting up vacation email settings.] It is also a good idea to let them know how they are able to reach you during winter break. Be sure to check email and voicemail accounts for messages and correspondence throughout break and proactively suggest this as a possible time to meet for further conversations/interviews, either by phone or in person if you are able to travel. Keep an eye on the BRIDGE, as we hear from employers and learn of new job leads we’ll be adding them to the BRIDGE and you’ll be able to apply while on break.
6. And of course Stay Connected to Us.
Our office is open during Winter Break – except for December 23 – January 3 for our Bucknell Holiday time off. Our office will be open 8:30 – 12, 1 – 4:30 starting on January 6th and you can call us, make an appointment, or email us. Here’s all our contact info. You can also find us on various social media platforms including Twitter (@BucknellCareer and @HireABison), Facebook,Pinterest, and Instagram!