During the Summer...
It is never too early to start reflecting about how you will present yourself. Assuming you are looking for a job, try keeping in mind how you will leverage your experiences here at Penn State to impress recruiters.
Advice for approaching recruiters:
1) While it is useful to have the "elevator speech" listing your achievements, keep in mind that many of the recruiters will likely be talking to over 50 other students. Therefore, you can distinguish yourself by not only explaining your unique qualifications, but also by having a conversation.
--Recruiters want to hire someone they can imagine working with, so having a friendly conversation (even unrelated to actuarial science) could help make you memorable. (You can work on your conversational English if you think you are lacking).
Advice for interviews:
1) In addition to being friendly, you need to be prepared to answer questions with fluid answers. Be able to support and explain anything and everything on your resume. Your interviewer may be wondering what leadership skills you developed, or how you faced challenges as a team.
2) Get ready for: Tell me about a time when questions. Ex: "Tell me about a time when you suffered a setback. What did you do to recover?" These questions are called behavioral questions, where the interviewer wants to see how you behave in a variety of situations. They're also curious about your background experience. Be ready with stories and experiences that can help you answer these questions-- it's possible that one great experience can answer a multitude of these questions.
Reflect and share your fruitful summer experiences with your future interviewer!
Advice for approaching recruiters:
1) While it is useful to have the "elevator speech" listing your achievements, keep in mind that many of the recruiters will likely be talking to over 50 other students. Therefore, you can distinguish yourself by not only explaining your unique qualifications, but also by having a conversation.
--Recruiters want to hire someone they can imagine working with, so having a friendly conversation (even unrelated to actuarial science) could help make you memorable. (You can work on your conversational English if you think you are lacking).
Advice for interviews:
1) In addition to being friendly, you need to be prepared to answer questions with fluid answers. Be able to support and explain anything and everything on your resume. Your interviewer may be wondering what leadership skills you developed, or how you faced challenges as a team.
2) Get ready for: Tell me about a time when questions. Ex: "Tell me about a time when you suffered a setback. What did you do to recover?" These questions are called behavioral questions, where the interviewer wants to see how you behave in a variety of situations. They're also curious about your background experience. Be ready with stories and experiences that can help you answer these questions-- it's possible that one great experience can answer a multitude of these questions.
Reflect and share your fruitful summer experiences with your future interviewer!
In the Fall... Career Fair Checklist
INFORMATION SESSIONS
o Check times at website (Home page)
o Food at session denoted by * next to the location
o Dress code is business casual
o Network after the presentation
o Use information learned to create impression
CAREER FAIR
o Look at the floor plan
o Find the hiring information on Career Fair Brochure
o Apply on SmealConnect/NLCN
o Be ready for recruiter emails prior to & after career fair
o Research companies beforehand
o Work on your “pitch”
o Bring plenty of resumes
o Practice with friend to cool nerves
o Dress code is business professional
o Have conversation, be natural
INTERVIEWS
o Be friendly, give good handshake
o Recruiters looking for someone good to work with
o Know the company -- they often test understanding
o Know your resume perfectly, be able to elaborate
o Reflect upon prior experiences to discuss
Ex: leadership, teamwork, failure
“Why did you decide to pursue Actuarial Science?”
o Question types:
- Traditional (“tell me about yourself”)
- Behavioral (“tell me about a time you disagreed with teammate”)
- Brainteaser (“how many telephones are in the US”)
- Analytical/many others to think about
o Email a thank-you letter within 24 hours
See further resources at Smeal resource here and online.
Now go get a job!
Looking forward to seeing you all impress recruiters in the coming days!
o Check times at website (Home page)
o Food at session denoted by * next to the location
o Dress code is business casual
o Network after the presentation
o Use information learned to create impression
CAREER FAIR
o Look at the floor plan
o Find the hiring information on Career Fair Brochure
o Apply on SmealConnect/NLCN
o Be ready for recruiter emails prior to & after career fair
o Research companies beforehand
o Work on your “pitch”
o Bring plenty of resumes
o Practice with friend to cool nerves
o Dress code is business professional
o Have conversation, be natural
INTERVIEWS
o Be friendly, give good handshake
o Recruiters looking for someone good to work with
o Know the company -- they often test understanding
o Know your resume perfectly, be able to elaborate
o Reflect upon prior experiences to discuss
Ex: leadership, teamwork, failure
“Why did you decide to pursue Actuarial Science?”
o Question types:
- Traditional (“tell me about yourself”)
- Behavioral (“tell me about a time you disagreed with teammate”)
- Brainteaser (“how many telephones are in the US”)
- Analytical/many others to think about
o Email a thank-you letter within 24 hours
See further resources at Smeal resource here and online.
Now go get a job!
Looking forward to seeing you all impress recruiters in the coming days!
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