resume builders

Mar 30
1

Four Years: How to Make it Count

By | Career Advice | No Comments

From the first day of freshman year, eager college students choose their classes, major and more in anticipation of their final goal – graduation. But many students don’t look past the commencement ceremony to see the real world, which is not defined by term papers and final exams.

To make their college experience count, students need to focus not only on earning their diploma, but also setting the stage for a career when they transition from student to alumni. Here are five ways to make the most of this unique time:

Think long-term
College may be your main focus now, but there is life (and lots of it) post-college to plan for. Enjoy your once-in-a-lifetime college experience but make sure you devote time and energy into professional organizations and activities that will serve you long after your days on campus.

Build your resume
Just because you’re bogged down with a full course load doesn’t mean that you can’t start investing time into opportunities that will build out your resume. Internships are a must for any student, but you can also use volunteer work to gain invaluable experience that will set you apart in the job market.

Set goals now
It’s never too early to set short- and long-term career goals. Make sure they’re SMART (specific, measurable, achievable, realistic and timely) and posted somewhere that you see every day. By understanding where you want to go in the next year, five years and ten years, you can make choices that best position you to reach your goals.

Make connections
Professional networking begins on the first day of class as you interact with other aspiring young professionals and faculty. Strike up thoughtful conversation where you share your career goals, and seek out professors with a business background that matches your interests. Build your network early, so you can also reap the benefits early.

Be resourceful
Colleges recognize the need to prepare students for a career after college, so most schools provide valuable support services to set you up for success. Take advantage of these free opportunities – such as resume reviews, etiquette dinners and interview coaching – to bolster your real-world skills prior to graduation.

By setting your eyes on your future career while simultaneously working toward your degree, your college experience will lead to more than just a paper diploma. Use these four years to learn and grow in these key areas, and you will build a solid foundation for a successful professional life.

Mar 21
0

5 Ways to Make Your Spring Break Count

By | Career Advice | No Comments

It’s the middle of the semester. You’re cramming for mid-terms, while balancing an on-campus job and extracurricular activities. Spring break is just around the corner, and you’re ready to unwind on a sandy beach or at home with a Netflix marathon.

It may be tempting to use that welcomed break from the daily grind to completely step away from your long-term goals, but with a few extra days, you can take deliberate steps to furthering your future career and even have time to spare.

Here are five ways you can make this spring break count:

Apply for the Classroom to Career summer internship
If you haven’t already, visit the Dardis Academy website and learn all about our summer 2014 internship program, which combines executive-level training with real world experience to give you a competitive edge in the job market. Check out the first-hand testimonials and be sure to contact any of our Recruitment Managers with questions. Ensure you apply by our priority deadline of May 1!

Revamp your resume
The rest of your semester is sure to keep you busy, so spend your down time fine-tuning your resume. Add in your latest work and volunteer experience and review each section carefully, ensuring the formatting best displays your information and no typos distract from your accomplishments.

Volunteer your time
In addition to the inherent importance of donating your time to a worthwhile non-profit organization, many employers like to see that you’re actually using your skills and committing to something bigger than yourself. Good with numbers? Tutor at a local elementary school. Handy with tools? Spend a day with Habitat for Humanity. You won’t regret it.

Look ahead to the future
Take this opportunity to sit back and evaluate your short- and long-term goals and identify companies that interest you. Write down a list of key words such as skills and job titles to use when starting your job search, and complete a self-assessment like StrengthsFinder to get in-tune with your individual strengths.

Expand your network
Reach out to family friends, relatives or even professors to schedule lunches or coffee breaks to express your career goals and make valuable connections that will surely benefit you in the years to come. Think outside the box and research business leaders that may be looking for an opportunity to volunteer their time with an aspiring employee – you!

 Photo credit: Tulane Public Relations via Flickr

Dec 13
0

Show You’re Ready With Your Resume

By | Career Advice | No Comments

Resumes serve as a foundational tool for all professionals to advance in their careers, but for recent grads, resumes are more than foundational – they’re crucial to landing the first job out of college. Fine-tuned interview skills and real life work experience (through valuable internships like Dardis’ Classroom to Career program) can lead to a job offer, but your resume first needs to get you through the front door.

As a current student or recent grad, you’re likely wondering how to fill that important sheet of paper when you don’t have years of work experience to highlight. While seasoned professionals need to concisely summarize numerous positions, your goal is to build upon the experience you do have – both paid and unpaid – to show you have what it takes to succeed.

“Craft a strong resume that says you’re ready for the workforce.”
Amanda Augustine, Job Search Expert, TheLadders

Many experts have strong opinions on what makes a resume stand out, but there is no blanket how-to guide for crafting the perfect resume. Stick to these basic guidelines to begin, and let your resume evolve as you grow in your career.

Keep it clean
Rely on simple fonts and a clean format to keep your resume professional. Use bullet points, when possible, for an easy read.

Tell your story
Organize your resume so that the information not only flows, but tells your unique story. Prioritize what content you list first and let your personality shine through.

Be specific
Employers want to pinpoint your actual work responsibilities, so make it easy for recruiters by using action verbs and highlighting specific projects and accomplishments.

Tailor the resume for the company
While it’s easy to push your resume to dozens of prospective employers at once, it pays to customize your information for each position. Use a strong objective paragraph or cover letter to show that you’re right for that specific position.

Proofread, proofread, proofread
Don’t let a resume typo prevent you from getting the job. Reread your resume multiple times to catch any grammar errors, and look to your school’s career center for a second opinion.

Accomplished leaders don’t rely on the first version of the resume they created post-college. Continually improve the formatting and refresh the text to maintain a stellar resume that will propel you through your career.

Photo credit: michaeln3 via Flickr 

Dec 06
0

Recruitment Manager Spotlight: Courtney Conklin

By | Someone you should know | No Comments

Courtney Conklin, a member of our passionate recruiting team, truly believes that the Dardis Classroom to Career internship program is a valuable experience for any college student:

“The internship is for anyone and any major.  If you are a student who is willing to work hard and work smart, you are going to be successful, just like our previous graduates!” she  said.

Courtney travels across the state of Illinois with this very message as she searches for the best and brightest students for our Classroom to Career internship program. While the May 1 application deadline is months away, all of our recruitment managers encourage students and their parents to spend time over the holiday season discussing summer internship opportunities – including Dardis’ competitive program, which will serve as the gateway to future career success.

Learn more from Courtney in our latest recruitment manager spotlight:

What is the greatest benefit of the Dardis Classroom to Career internship program?
There are so many benefits of our Classroom to Career program!  If I had to choose the greatest benefit, I would choose personal growth.  From start to finish, students are working with a variety of professionals from different backgrounds while gaining real-life experience.  This growth and experience allows the Dardis intern to mature and develop on both a personal and professional level.

What sets the Dardis internship apart from other internship opportunities?
Dardis Academy provides the two main things employers are looking for in an applicant: communication skills and real-world experience.  Students are not only learning valuable skills in the classroom, but they are able to then apply those skills in the field. After completing our program, our graduates are a fully-trained, proven asset to any organization!

Why do you think it’s important for students to gain real life career experience while in college?
Real-world experience is the #1 thing employers look for on a resume.  Our internship provides students with that experience, giving our students the competitive edge they need to set themselves apart from other applicants.

In one word, what’s Dardis all about?
Opportunity.

How can students contact you for more information?
Students can contact me at courtney@dardisinc.com or 563-940-7547, as well as Facebook and LinkedIn.

Jul 12
1

Bennet Klostermann: Making the Most of the Dardis Opportunity

By | Someone you should know | No Comments

It was a personal phone call with Dardis Academy owner Greg Dardis that convinced University of Northern Iowa student Bennet Klostermann, 21, to join the Dardis Classroom to Career internship program. As they discussed the vision for the program and Bennet’s personal aspirations, Bennet knew the Dardis could provide the “story” he needed for his resume and his eventual career in the medical sales field.

Read on to learn more about this Dyersville, Iowa native’s internship experience so far:

What are your long-term career goals?
I look to be very successful this summer, but I really want to take everything out of these next 10 weeks I can and use them to better myself now and for my future. Dardis is giving us a great opportunity, so I would like to use this to my advantage to ensure I can be successful in the upcoming years.

What was the most valuable information you learned in the Dardis Sales Academy?
The Dardis Sales Academy was a tremendous way of being introduced to the company. We went through 40-plus hours of training on communication and image skills. I found this to be very helpful because this is what Greg and the rest of Dardis team does with huge executives and different companies from all around the world. And for me, the communication aspect of the training was very helpful and knowledgeable. It gave us the tools to be successful when approaching a potential client, giving a speech in front of a group or even during an interview with a potential employer.

What are you looking forward to the most with this summer experience?
I’m looking forward to the chance of growing and expanding my network. This is a great opportunity for us as students to really show who we are and what a hard work ethic can do for you.

How has the transition gone from the Academy to selling the Dardis product?
At the Academy, we talked a lot about goals. I set personal goals for myself, because it challenges you to keep going and to keep pushing yourself even when you’re not having the best days. The best thing that has happened to me so far this summer was when I walked into a business doing a complete cold call, and they already knew who I was and wanted to sit down with me and learn more about what Dardis has to offer. It’s a nice feeling because you know that somewhere along the line, I did my job and made a positive impact on someone and they recommended me around town, which is huge in sales.

Do you have a favorite Dardis product?
All of our products here at Dardis are great. Personally however, I really like our jackets/blazers. It’s a great product, and they go with basically everything. If I had one more choice, I would definitely say our neckwear. The ties are second to none and give everything a great look.

What fashion/menswear advice do you plan to share with all of your clients?
Dress for the job you want, not the job you currently have. A first impression is made within the first seven seconds after meeting someone. It’s necessary that a man chooses models, fabrics and colors that compliment his shape and minimize its faults. If you look good, you’re going to feel good.

How do you think your role with Dardis Clothiers will benefit you in the future as you begin your post-college career?
Not only does it give me a story and makes me stand out, but Dardis also gives me the chance to use my past experiences and learn from them. It is teaching me how to be reliable, how to manage my time and giving me the chance to show that I can work hard and work smarter too. The opportunity I have at Dardis is something that will benefit me for a long time to come, which I am truly appreciative for.

Contact Dardis today to learn more. Contact Us