On-campus job interviews offered

by Jaclyn Roco
Arts & Entertainment Editor

On-campus interviews are being held this month and next at the University of La Verne's Career Development and Placement Center. The Career Center is encouraging students to sign up for the following organizations: Cintas, City of Los Angeles, Fairfield-Suison Unified School District and EMC/Royal Alliance Association, Inc., Assistant Director Jill Bergman said. Interested students can choose from various jobs which include: teachers, sales associates, interns and accountants.

"It's something that all career centers in college campuses do. Basically employers come in our office and use our interview room for the process," Bergman said.

Before signing up, Bergman said interested students should review what prospective employers have to offer.

"A lot of employees are aware of on-campus interviewing," she said. "We have a binder that gives step-by-step instructions on how to sign up. The binder is so that students can know a little about each company and what positions they are offering."

Bergman gave an overview of what some of the organizations were looking for. Among them, Cintas, a corporation selling uniforms, is interested in hiring scholar interns and management trainees, while the City of Los Angeles is looking for accountants.

The Fairfield-Suison Unified School District is coming from the Bay area to hire teachers. Bergman said those interested must have their credential by August, 2002. Lastly, the EMC/Royal Alliance Association, Inc. is hiring sales associates and branch manager trainees.

Bergman mentioned most organizations are known to recruit from the University.

"The reason the employers come is because they had success with our students who they hired in the past," she said.

Besides descriptions of the positions offered, the binder also includes contact information, appointment times and terms of agreement. Bergman said students were responsible for keeping their appointed time.

"It's a serious thing we ask coming from them," she said. "Employers come out here and they expect them (students) to be there. It interferes with the employers' schedule."

As part of the process, students were asked to sign a "Student Responsibility Policy." The policy, according to the binder, was designed to "inform students about the requirement expected" of those participating.

Policies were as follows: 48 hours notification of cancellation, automatic termination from program if presented with a no-show and student's own liability for remembering appointment times and dressing accordingly.

Besides filling out necessary information, students are required to bring in a resume. The resume should be attached to the binder so that employers will be able to look at it when they arrive, she said.

"It's a win-win situation for both sides, for students and employers," Bergman said.

For those students interested in help in this area, the Career Center is available to instruct students on how to make a proper resume.

"We review the resumes, and we keep on doing that until it's perfect," Bergman said. "We sometimes meet more than once."

Senior Caleb Ebuchi attributed the Career Center's efforts for his "perfect" resume.

"The lady who helped me went over my resume and improved it to a more professional standard," he said.

Bergman said the main parts of the resume are: the heading, objective (optional), education, professional experience, honors and/or awards, computer skills and special skills.

She recommends BA students have at least a one-page resume in order to make it seem "simplified, clear and clean."

Students can also seek information online at www.ulv.edu/cdc.

"If you go and click on career resource management, that's where resume examples are and all kinds of information to help with the structure," Bergman said.

Bergman said the Career Center provides those who seek help with free high quality resume paper made of linen.

"The employers will notice the difference," she said.

Those who work in the Career Center suggest students come and make use of the services they provide.

"I think it's important for students to meet with us before they graduate. It helps to brainstorm with those who know the career world, otherwise they don't know," Bergman said.

Administrative Assistant Gloria Henley agrees with what the Career Center offers.

"It's a good opportunity for students. They can interview here instead of where the companies are. It's convenient," she said.

Director of the Career Development and Placement Center Laura Kiralla credits Bergman for making the on-campus interviews a success.

"She has amazing efforts with organization and outstanding networking with the employers," she said.