Talking Stick - March/April 2019 - 44

Words of Advice
"In your next job, employers
are not looking to read through
your current job description on
your résumé - they're looking for
the extra things you did," says
Brandon B. Barile, assistant vice
president for campus life and
dean of student engagement and
conduct at Hobart and William
Smith Colleges in Geneva, New
York. "I was at a conference once
and overheard a hiring manager

3.
4.

say 'This candidate wrote about
the RA presentations they
did . . . I expect them to facilitate
those. I want to know - what else?'
I understood the sentiment. Try to
present at a regional conference
to show you're willing to present

to other professionals. If you do
a lot of RA presentations, focus
on those for which you'll be an
asset at a new institution. For
example, do you run an amazing
workshop or team builder on
understanding someone else's
socioeconomic perspective? If so,
talk and explain that one - and
demonstrate to the new employer
why they need THAT workshop
(and you!) on their campus. Don't
just list the traditional 'Policies
and Procedures' or 'Documenting
an Incident' presentations
you've completed."

TALKING STICK

of a skilled mentor. "Agreed," says Brandon Barile. "If your
performance is not up to par in your current job, imagine what
that potential new employer will hear from your supervisor,
whether or not they're listed as a reference. If you are having
a difficult time in your current job, make sure you have a
rationale [during the interview] that doesn't explain away shortcomings but focuses on what you learned and why your next
position might be a better fit." Leyson adds, "Ask for new experiences if you are not getting them in your workplace. You are
your best advocate and the expert in your own experiences."
Continue to develop new skills where you currently are. Don't
let grass grow beneath your feet if there is a skill set you can
attain that will enhance your day-to-day work. Never lose the
curiosity to learn. It will only help you build your résumé.
Stay involved with your go-to associations like ACUHO-I and
your regional student affairs and housing associations. If that
is not possible, stay connected and network with professionals
in your department or on campus. Being in a strong professional network allows you to let people know discreetly and
professionally that you are looking for that next opportunity. If
people know you are looking, they will keep you in mind when
they hear of positions opening or hear of others searching for
good candidates.
Student housing is a small world, so be aware of how you
present yourself online. Your presentation should be dignified
and respectful. In fact, be prepared for potential employers to
review your online presence. "A CareerBuilder survey in 2018
said 70 percent of employers do it," says Chris MacDonald,
executive director of housing at West Virginia University in
Morgantown. "While most employers won't spend time and
resources doing an exhaustive search through your online
presence, you should expect a prefatory review. Despite
reasonable arguments of personal versus professional, highly
provocative or personal posts on your various timelines and
stories could be seen by potential employers. So double-check
your settings."
It's harder to put yourself out there the second time in the
job search. You had the momentum and the glow from grad
school that boosted you the first time around. You were a
recent graduate making the big step into your first professional position, and you probably felt like everyone wanted to see
their favorite student succeed. Plus, everyone assumed you
were looking for a job. Additionally, you may not now have
the freedom to announce your job search. Here is another
time that a network of colleagues can help you. Leyson says,
"Use your connections to renew the connection," when you
realize that you have applied to a campus where some of your
network colleagues work.

Talking Stick - March/April 2019

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