Experts, including CSUN Career Center officials, say that to get an interview with a potential employer in this economy, one’s resume must stand out.

Typically, an employer’s first look at a resume is approximately three seconds, says Patricia Gaynor, assistant director for the Transition and Employment Programs at the Career Center.

‘The number one reason that most employers say they immediately will dispose of a resume without reading it through is a typo,’ says Gaynor. ‘The resume and cover letter are extremely important. They serve as one’s advertising and marketing tool. The primary objective is to grab the employer’s interest enough to want to call you for an interview.’

If there’s a boot camp for troubled teens and a boot camp for improving physical fitness, why not a boot camp for improving job-readiness?’ Well, there is.

Senior Boot Camp, a one-day workshop on Saturday, April 25, includes sessions on resume writing, interview skills and salary negotiation, plus other information and skills that CSUN graduating seniors may not have mastered in the classroom.’

There is also still time this semester to sign up online for ‘Real Life 101,’ ‘Resumania!’ and ‘Interview Frenzy!’

Gaynor says there’s always a certain group of graduating seniors who take advantage of all resources available to them at the Career Center and this will go a long way in giving them top-notch job seeking skills now and in the future.

And those who don’t, she says, might not know about the services or don’t make time to take advantage of them. This group may not be as well prepared, particularly during recessionary times, when one needs a competitive edge just to get an interview.

If students are unable to visit the Career Center, a variety of workshops are available online at www.csun.edu/career/.

The Career Center’s resources are free to students. However, 30 days after graduation, the gratis ends, but by joining the Alumni Association, certain services such as accessing job databases are free and others, such as counseling, are available for a modest fee.
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Upcoming Career Center Events

All listed events, except Senior Boot Camp, take place at University Hall, Room 105.
o’ ‘ ‘ Real Life 101: 3-hour series of speakers for graduating seniors, includes money management, transitioning from college to work.’ Friday, April 17, 9-Noon.
o’ ‘ ‘ Resumania!: Have your resume critiqued by a professional.’ Wednesday, April 22, 10 to 11:30 a.m. and 2:15 to 2:30 p.m.
o’ ‘ ‘ Senior Boot Camp: A full day of workshops, clinics and presentations to help prepare graduating seniors for the job search and working.’ Includes resume writing, interview skills, salary negotiation, networking and more.’ Saturday, April 25, 8:30 a.m. to 3 p.m., USU, Grand Salon
o’ ‘ ‘ Interview Frenzy!’ Practice Interviewing with a professional. April 29, 10-11:30 a.m. and 12:15 to 2:30 p.m.
o’ ‘ ‘ Visit the Career Center for more details.
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