Why ROCS?
You need a job! We know money is tight, your parents are nagging you to get something different than folding clothes and sitting atop a lifeguard chair. Now, we don't put those folks down (besides, we've had those type of jobs before). However, we realize there are students trying to get ahead...and ROCS is your kind of place.
ROCS isn't just a place that provides jobs....we'd like to consider ourselves a lifestyle. In the course of a year, we will begin to offer students seminars on proper dress and even retirement.
We have jobs in all fields
- Marketing + Communications
- IT
- HR
- Engineering
- Accounting + Finance
- Graphic / Web Design
- and more..
Advice + Tips:
Prepare for an Interview
Prepare for an Interview
We can give you all the help in the world but when it comes down to it, you still have to sell yourself. In order to get the part you have to act it. We know sweatpants, t-shirts, ripped jeans, and hats are the most convenient, preferrable items to throw on, but the business world does not except these as a standard. You never know when that firm hand shake, dry cleaned shirt, or direct eye contact will be the difference between you and your desired job. There are no manuals for getting the best job 100% of the time (believe us we’ve looked.) On the other hand, there are critical and important ways to boost your chances. We have full seminars and guides to help, but here is a quick breakdown.
1. The Company: Know it
Take a few minutes to check out the company’s web site and soak in some info. You should be able to answer the following questions:
2. Dress: Appropriately
Appearance is a critical evaluation component. Make sure that your attire is tasteful, clean and wrinkle free. Unless you are told otherwise, it's best for guys to wear a suit and ladies to wear a professional business outfit. Also, you want to avoid showing anything (tattoos, piercings, skin, etc.) that might take away attention from your qualifications and skills. If you are unsure of anything, just give us a cal and we'll help you out. (Heads Up: You're interviewing for work, not a date)
3. Questions: Be Prepared
Your greatest asset is how you effectively communicate your traits, skills, and experiences. It's all about marketing. An interview is basically one big Q+A. So heads up - they'll ask questions! You can't control what questions they'll ask, but you can be prepared for some of the common ones which are listed below:
4. The Early Bird: Catches the Job
Arrive 15-30 minutes early. This is what companies’ consider “on time” for interviews. No matter the excuse, being late is a first impression you don’t want to make. Arriving early gives you time to review notes and calm down before the interview.
5. Non-Verbal + Verbal Skills: They Matter
Greet your interviewer with a smile, direct eye contact and a firm handshake. Be confident about yourself and your skills. Show your enthusiasm and interest in the job and don’t be afraid to show your own character. Ask questions and do your best to turn the interview into a two-way conversation. Try to have a question or two about the company or the position. Finally, close the interview with another smile, firm handshake and a “thank you.” Ask them when they will be making their final hiring decision and if you should follow up. (Remember: Anyone you come in contact with might be involved in the hiring decision.)
5. Follow Up: With Yourself + the Employer
When it’s all over and you’re safe and sound by yourself, spill the beans. Write down how you feel the interview went and any key notes, names of those who interviewed you from the interview to remember! This will help you during a follow up call/interview and wrting a thank you letter.
We can give you all the help in the world but when it comes down to it, you still have to sell yourself. In order to get the part you have to act it. We know sweatpants, t-shirts, ripped jeans, and hats are the most convenient, preferrable items to throw on, but the business world does not except these as a standard. You never know when that firm hand shake, dry cleaned shirt, or direct eye contact will be the difference between you and your desired job. There are no manuals for getting the best job 100% of the time (believe us we’ve looked.) On the other hand, there are critical and important ways to boost your chances. We have full seminars and guides to help, but here is a quick breakdown.
1. The Company: Know it
Take a few minutes to check out the company’s web site and soak in some info. You should be able to answer the following questions:
- What services or products does the company provide?
- How many employees does the company have?
- Who are their customers?
- Do they have any specific company values or cultures?
2. Dress: Appropriately
Appearance is a critical evaluation component. Make sure that your attire is tasteful, clean and wrinkle free. Unless you are told otherwise, it's best for guys to wear a suit and ladies to wear a professional business outfit. Also, you want to avoid showing anything (tattoos, piercings, skin, etc.) that might take away attention from your qualifications and skills. If you are unsure of anything, just give us a cal and we'll help you out. (Heads Up: You're interviewing for work, not a date)
3. Questions: Be Prepared
Your greatest asset is how you effectively communicate your traits, skills, and experiences. It's all about marketing. An interview is basically one big Q+A. So heads up - they'll ask questions! You can't control what questions they'll ask, but you can be prepared for some of the common ones which are listed below:
- What are your goals?
- Tell me about yourself.
- What did you do in your last job and why did you leave?
- What are your strengths and weaknesses?
- What do you know about this company?
- Why do you want to work here?
- What are some of your proudest achievements?
- Describe a conflict and your resolution to the problem.
4. The Early Bird: Catches the Job
Arrive 15-30 minutes early. This is what companies’ consider “on time” for interviews. No matter the excuse, being late is a first impression you don’t want to make. Arriving early gives you time to review notes and calm down before the interview.
5. Non-Verbal + Verbal Skills: They Matter
Greet your interviewer with a smile, direct eye contact and a firm handshake. Be confident about yourself and your skills. Show your enthusiasm and interest in the job and don’t be afraid to show your own character. Ask questions and do your best to turn the interview into a two-way conversation. Try to have a question or two about the company or the position. Finally, close the interview with another smile, firm handshake and a “thank you.” Ask them when they will be making their final hiring decision and if you should follow up. (Remember: Anyone you come in contact with might be involved in the hiring decision.)
5. Follow Up: With Yourself + the Employer
When it’s all over and you’re safe and sound by yourself, spill the beans. Write down how you feel the interview went and any key notes, names of those who interviewed you from the interview to remember! This will help you during a follow up call/interview and wrting a thank you letter.
How to Dress
While the college campus may be the perfect forum in which to exhibit your flair for the latest in fashion style, the interview is not the place to do so. With very few unusual exceptions (my apologies to Apple Computer), sandals and sweatshirts are out. Oxfords and business suits are still in. I don't like a necktie (noose?) any better than the next person, but it is still a fact of life in interviewing. Even though many companies have relaxed the internal company dress code, interviews still follow the conservative standard. Don't buck the trend.
Unfortunately, most college grads are woefully under prepared with proper interview dress. They feel they can "get by" with what is already in their wardrobe. Usually not. Dress for the world outside college is quite different from the campus scene. Remember that stylish is not conservative. You should be doing the talking, not your clothes.
This is not to say that you need to go out and buy a whole new wardrobe. Go for quality over quantity. One or two well-chosen business suits will serve you all the way to the first day on the job and beyond. Then, when you are making some money (and have a chance to see what the standard "uniform" is for the company), you can begin to round out your wardrobe. For now, no one will fault you for wearing the same sharp outfit each time you interview. If you desire some variety within a limited budget, you might consider varying your shirt/blouse/tie/accessories as a simple way to change your look without breaking your wallet.
Unfortunately, most college grads are woefully under prepared with proper interview dress. They feel they can "get by" with what is already in their wardrobe. Usually not. Dress for the world outside college is quite different from the campus scene. Remember that stylish is not conservative. You should be doing the talking, not your clothes.
This is not to say that you need to go out and buy a whole new wardrobe. Go for quality over quantity. One or two well-chosen business suits will serve you all the way to the first day on the job and beyond. Then, when you are making some money (and have a chance to see what the standard "uniform" is for the company), you can begin to round out your wardrobe. For now, no one will fault you for wearing the same sharp outfit each time you interview. If you desire some variety within a limited budget, you might consider varying your shirt/blouse/tie/accessories as a simple way to change your look without breaking your wallet.
Resume Tips Advice
1. What NOT to Put on a Resume
2. A few guidelines for a better resume
- The word "Resume" at the top of the resume
- Fluffy rambling "objective" statements
- Salary information
- Full addresses of former employers
- Reasons for leaving jobs
- A "Personal" section, or personal statistics (except in special cases)
- Names of supervisors
- References
2. A few guidelines for a better resume
- The resume is visually enticing
- There is uniformity and consistency in the use of italics, capital letters, bullets, boldface, and underlining
- There are absolutely no errors
- All the basic, expected information is included
- Jobs listed include a title, the name of the firm, the city and state of the firm, and the years.
- Strengths are highlighted / weaknesses de-emphasized
- It has focus
- Use power words
- Show you are results-oriented
- Vary long sentences (if these are really necessary) with short punchy sentences