Monthly Archives: March 2014

Millennials: The Leaders of Tomorrow

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For years, the Dardis family of companies has been educating future leaders and giving both young adults and experienced professionals the tools to rise above the competition. In the Classroom to Career internship program, we focus our efforts on honing the skills and experience level of college students – young professionals and members of the millennial generation.

This unique and much-analyzed generation bring unique qualities into the business world, and in a recent Huffington Post article, Dr. Tim Elmore, president of the organization Growing Leaders, provides recommendations for these young professionals on how to be successful in the job market:

Balance confidence with teachability.
Research from a variety of employment sources reveal that 76 percent of young employees believe “my boss can learn a lot from me.” That may be true, but any hint of arrogance in the interview may repel a Baby Boomer host. In the interview, know your value and strengths, but communicate a teachable spirit that you want to learn a lot from your potential employer.

Balance creativity with cooperation.
Today, 83 percent of new graduates are looking for a place where “my creativity is valued.” A full two out of three want to “invent their own position at work.” While that is understandable, your new boss may value your helping the company with their current ideas first. Let them know you’ve got ideas, but you’re hungry to help with theirs as well.

Balance listening with initiative.
Spend plenty of time on the organization’s website and learn all you can. Find out who the key leaders are, and greet them by name when you see them. In the job interview, answer questions clearly and candidly, but then, inquire if it is okay to ask the interviewer a few questions, as well. This usually is impressive. Pose questions that show you’ve gotten acquainted with their mission. Ask about the future. Embody the values of the organization if possible, demonstrating you’ll fit right in.

With real world experience from Dardis, millennials have the opportunity to strike the right balance in their careers and evolve into strong leaders that mentor the generations to come.

To read more of Elmore’s recommendations, click here.

Photo credit: itupictures via Flickr

5 Ways to Make Your Spring Break Count

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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

Dardis Classroom to Career: Just the Beginning

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As we look forward to the May 1 application deadline for our 2014 summer internship program, our Recruitment Managers are sprinting to the finish line, spreading the Dardis mission across the Midwest and beyond to prospective interns.  At career fairs, information sessions and individual meetings, they speak about our executive-level training program, the value of business experience and even the opportunity for interns to win a trip to Mexico.

Each of these pieces adds value to our Classroom to Career program, which continues to educate and propel college students into successful careers. But our internship is just the beginning for Classroom to Career alums. The tools and skills that students gain through our program impacts not only their job search post-college, but also the opportunities they have after they’ve landed their first job.

Dardis alums can rely on the professional skills and practical experiences they gain through Dardis as they advance into management roles and take on new responsibilities. The values of hard work and a commitment to excellence will make them strong and fair leaders. Our internship program is more than just selling clothes – it’s molding a business professional that can succeed and make a difference in any field, both today and years down the road.

The connections that Dardis interns make during their summer experience help them build a network quicker than their peers, which can open doors for them at any point in the future. A thorough, well-executed presentation as a Dardis intern can lead to a job opportunity or even a recommendation in a later season of life.

The Dardis experience serves as a gateway to limitless opportunities and success for young adults in a crowded job market – something that our former interns don’t take for granted.

“Learning the skills in the Academy and then seeing success as a result is huge,” said Ben B., a 2012 Dardis Academy graduate. “Not only for a confidence booster, but also for paving the way for the rest of my career. This is the real thing. Real life. Real world. Real business experience.”

Photo credit: by tableatny via Flickr

Dardis Key to Success: Business Etiquette

By | The Dardis difference | No Comments

Sales training, communication skills and presentation techniques represent several of the critical career skills interns learn through the Dardis Classroom to Career program. These pieces, combined with real world experience, prepare students for a career post-college, but to kick-off a successful career, students also need to learn proper business etiquette.

Business etiquette is more than dressing the part and knowing what to say or do.  It’s knowing how to present yourself in the best light in any business situation from an informal meeting to a black-tie event. Understanding and using proper business etiquette will provide the framework for meaningful conversations and effective work days, which will pave the way for a respected (and successful!) career.

In the Dardis Academy training program, our interns learn key business etiquette elements, including:

The handshake
What appears to be a simple gesture actually signifies your confidence in the workplace. Avoid applying too much pressure, but still approach a new client or colleague with a strong handshake that shows your professionalism.

Business cards
In this digital world, young professionals may be tempted to disregard the importance of business cards, but you never know when or where your contact information may open the door to a new opportunity. Always carry a few cards on you, and make sure the layout is clean and crisp.

Dining etiquette
Business dinners can be intimidating for any professional, but for up and coming employees, they can prove even more daunting. Our interns learn the science behind dining etiquette before their first big client dinner to ensure they know exactly which fork to use.

The nuts and bolts
On day one of your first job out of college, you’re expected to understand how to use the basic functions of your phone, voicemail and email. Our interns have the opportunity to learn these skills ahead of time, so they can focus on learning the job and not their voicemail.

Proper business etiquette separates the rising stars from the rest, giving our Dardis interns yet another competitive advantage in the workplace.

 

Photo credit: Unique Hotels Group via Flickr

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