Gustavus Career Blog

Kaplan Free Practice Test

Over the past few months, many Gustavus students have been preparing themselves for a standardized test that may help determine what graduate school they attend. Although studying is a great way to increase scores, there are few studying tactics that beat taking practice exams. To help improve test scores, Kaplan is once again giving students the opportunity to experience the test before actually having to sit down to the real thing. Kaplan’s Free Practice Test Event is offering the GRE, GMAT, LSAT, MCAT, DAT, OAT, and PCAT to anyone with access to the internet. Kaplan’s “Classroom Anywhere” environment will give students a sense of what they will face on test day as well as a better idea of where they need improvement. The online version of the exam will last about four hours and is proctored will be just like the real test.

Upon completing the test, students will immediately be able to see their scores. Additionally, Kaplan instructors will lead the students through a short workshop with to review test-taking strategies and answer questions. For students feeling nervous about the quickly-approaching exam, this is a great way to ease the anxiety. If you are interested in signing up for the free practice test, visit bit.ly/GustPractice and fill out the web form. However, there are limited slots, so sign up as early as possible. The practice test takes place on Saturday, February 25th on any computer that has access to the internet. After completing the online sign-up, an email will be sent confirming your registration as well as providing instructions for checking in that Saturday. If you have any questions, feel free to stop in to the Center for Servant Leadership for help.

Google Interview Questions

0 comments Posted by JMV at 8:30 AM

With books and classes devoted to it, interviewing has become a sort of science. Although the actual interview may still be nerve-racking, job candidates are able prepare themselves by studying the most common interview questions. While planning ahead is beneficial to the interviewee, this preparedness poses problems to the employer. Rather than being able to judge the candidates’ actual intelligence and quick-thinking like they wanted, employers are only getting a sense of what the interviewee’s prepared.

Google, however, is looking to change that. By moving away from traditional interview questions that allow for preparation, the Internet giant is beginning to ask questions that rely on intelligence and problem-solving abilities, like those found on I.Q. tests. For example, a potential employee may be told to solve this problem: “There are eight balls, seven of them weight the same, but one is heavier. Using a balance scale, how do you find the heaviest ball in just two weighings?” Google hopes that questions like this will give employers a better grasp on the interviewees’ abilities before any of them are actually hired.

Although many of the traditional interview questions will always be a necessary part of the hiring process, it is likely that Google is starting a new trend. Do not be caught off guard at your next interview if a potential employer asks you to solve a math problem or answer a general knowledge question. In fact, to see if Gustavus students would be ready for these new types of questions, the Center for Servant Leadership is offering a prize to the first person who brings in the correct answer to the question asked above.

By E.W. 3/8/2012

0 comments Posted by JMV at 8:30 AM

As our world is becoming increasingly computerized, more companies are using technology to sort through potential job candidates. In fact, the Wall Street Journal reports that some employers are looking at a candidate’s online presence, not résumé, when considering him or her for a position. With this in mind, many people have begun to build up their online profiles. Although Twitter, Tumblr, and Dopplr accounts offer insights into the candidates’ personality, sites like LinkedIn offer benefits to the potential employer as well as to the profile holder.

From the eyes of the employer, LinkedIn offers a one-stop-shop without all the paper. By looking at a potential candidate, an employer can see an entire résumé along with recommendations. The employer can also get a sense of how a candidate would fit into the work environment by looking at the listed interests and honors/awards received. On the other hand, by maintaining an account on LinkedIn, a profile holder can look and apply for jobs directly from the site. Job seekers can also join groups that allow them to connect with others that may share similar education and career paths. For example, after being accepted into the Gustavus Adolphus College Alumni group, alumni of the college can message others in the group for advice and recommendations.

Overall, LinkedIn is a user friendly site. Setting up a profile is free and relatively easy. However, because the site has so much to offer, completing and updating a profile can be confusing, especially to those who are not familiar with the site. Fortunately, LinkedIn offers tutorials that teach users how to make the most of what it offers. The Center for Servant Leadership can also provide insight to those wanting to set up and make the most of their LinkedIn account.

By E.W. 2/6/12

MN Green Jobs Report

0 comments Posted by JMV at 2:31 PM

The Department of Employment and Economic Development recently released its findings from its study on green jobs in Minnesota. The data, compiled between October 2009 and June 2011, identified current environmental job trends in the state. The data presented by the study is especially helpful for those interested in pursuing a career in environmental science. For example, according to the study, most green job vacancies can be found in private construction and manufacturing industries and deal with energy and resource efficiency. Because the research is broken down into categories based on region, occupations, and even the size of the company, people looking for information on possible career options can easily sift through the data to find what they need. There is even a section that lists the average wages of careers in various green fields.

If you would like to read more on the research done by the Department of Employment and Economic Development see the link www.positivelyminnesota.com/greenjobs

By E. W. 2/3/12

0 comments Posted by JMV at 8:16 AM

By Elizabeth Weiers, 1/9/12

The Center for Servant-Leadership hit the ground running this new year with January Jump Start. The event, held last Thursday, offered Gustavus students a long list of various activities and events to take advantage of while on campus this J-Term. Containing150 different activities (in celebration of Gustavus’ sesquicentennial), the list suggests movies to watch, books to read, and even questions to think about and discuss. Also among the 150 different items are ideas to help prepare those gearing up for job applications and interviews. Compiled by the CSL staff, the activities on the list range greatly to fit a variety of personalities and schedules.

Through events like January Jump Start, the CSL hopes to bring in students who are less acquainted with the center. Senior Economics and Psychology double major Anna Nelson and junior Biology and Scandinavian Studies double major Dawn Comstock both agree that the CSL is more than just a place to get help for a resume. In fact, with help from the staff at the CSL, both women were able to obtain an internship through the Mayo Innovation Scholarship Program. Vincent Thomas, the Internship Director for the Center for Servant-Leadership, believes that because the CSL is relatively young, “students don’t realize yet the full benefits.” However, he hopes that by holding events like January Jump Start, students will become more acquainted with the center area and staff members in addition to learning what the center has to offer during students’ four years at Gustavus. Throughout the month of January, students have numerous opportunities to stop into the CSL including Knitting Club on Tuesdays, Tea Time Thursdays and Fondue Friday on Jan. 13.

Gustavus Career Blog

Kaplan Free Practice Test

Google Interview Questions

LinkedIn

MN Green Jobs Report

Top 10 Buzzwords on LinkedIn

Topics

Twitter