Career Corner: Alumni Advice

Jillian McKernan-Walley ’93, P’21, Director, Career Services

Q: What skills did you see increase in demand because of COVID?

A: Soft skills have become increasingly more important within the workplace. For example, being able to present in front of people, having the confidence to walk others through your findings/results, and showcasing your creativity when putting together a presentation. These skills will set you apart from other new hires very early on in your career.

Another skill set you should familiarize yourself with is different technologies (i.e. software, programs, etc.) used within the professional industry you seek to enter. Being able to master Excel is relevant in any industry, so start with that and build your technological directory from there.

Really, your whole mindset leading up to your interview or first job should be, “What can I do overall to better myself?”

– Obi Nwaigwe ’14, Compliance and Operations Associate, IEX Group

Q: What are things you see on resumes that you love? What are things that make you dismiss the resume?

A: In general, I love seeing the story and am not a fan of taskmasters. Here are a couple of examples to explain further:

Example 1: (what I don’t find interesting in a candidate)

Academic Advisor, Sorority

• Responsible for tracking grades, communicating with fellow students, and ensuring our chapter met standards
  

Example 2 (what I think is more powerful)

Academic Advisor, Sorority

• Led a team of students in creating and executing a plan to raise collective sorority GPA from 3.1 to 3.4 in 3 semesters

• Identified major difficulties for students with GPAs ranging from 2.5-2.9; met with them individually to provide additional support and “graduated” 80% of them to 3.0+

• Worked with the local community to provide tutoring for middle school students, bolstering GPAs and a love for learning. 
  

While these examples are fictional, the framework can apply to a multitude of activities, internships, or jobs. The first example simply listed tasks. The second told me that this student was organized, passionate, and results oriented. If I hired her on my team, I am confident she would take initiative and look for creative ways to solve problems. Hiring managers want to speak with candidates they believe can make an impact.

– Caitlyn Cimikoski ’07, Go-To-Market Lead – International, HubSpot

Q: What are characteristics you look for in candidates?

A: I would say one of the biggest things we look for is people who are motivated to work and will take the extra step to do what needs to be done without being asked, versus just doing their “assigned job.” The majority of people that we hire have done some type of internship in our clinic. They have shown that they set themselves apart and are willing to put the work in to make themselves and the clinic better.

– Dr. Emily Roy ’12, PT, DPT, SCS, Staff Physical Therapist, MGH Sports Medicine