Job help for December Graduates (and all students!)

Handshake: The number one way college students find jobs. Join today and get recruited by the top employers for full-time, part-time jobs and internships--no experience required.Congratulations December Graduates!  Do you need help mapping out a game plan for your job search? Career Services is here to help! We want to help polish your résumé, interview skills and job search strategy. Visit Handshake to view employment opportunities.

Career Coach – review the top Charlotte area employers for your program!

Not graduating and still thinking about your career direction?  We can help whether you are transferring or a returning student preparing for registration. Get in touch with Career Services so we can can help you elevate your career.

Get Ready to Get Hired with Career Development Week Nov. 1-3

Group of people in conversation around tables, consulting laptops

Meet with employers and get interviewing tips and resume help.

Mark your calendars: November is National Career Development Month, and to celebrate, we have designed a week full of professional development opportunities just for you!

You can expect employers from different industries to share employment opportunities, discuss the skills you need to be successful in today’s job market, attend workshop presentations from employers, and even get a free professional photo for your LinkedIn profile. 

Workshops and events for Career Development Week.

Register for sessions during Career Development Week.

Employers coming to campus in October

Looking for a job? These recruiters will be coming to Central Campus on Wednesdays in October.

Date

Company

Looking for:

Wed, Oct. 12

Panera Bread

Retail and sandwich/ salad maker positions

Wed, Oct. 19

Spoiled Rotten Scholars

Lead and assistant teachers, floaters

Wed, Oct. 26

Shake Shack

Team members, and shift and restaurant managers

  • Central Campus
  • Parr Center (first floor, Quad side, next to the Information Desk)
  • 10:30 a.m. – 1 p.m.

Remember, even if you can not attend the recruiting events, there are hundreds of opportunities on our job board Handshake – including on-campus, part time, full time and seasonal positions. Check “events” to learn more about the employers coming to campus.  Resumes are not required to attend.

Career Services is here to help with your job search! We want to help polish your resume, practice interview skills, and with your job search strategy. Meet with a Career Counselor.

Need a Game Plan After Graduation?

female student in graduation cap and gownGraduation can be one of the most exciting, yet scarier times in your life. Do you need help mapping out a game plan?  Career Services is here to help! We want to help polish your resume, interview skills and job search strategy.  Here are the top three tips to map out your plan:

  1. Visit Handshake to view employment opportunities, including part-time, full-time and paid internships.  Handshake is the #1 way college students find jobs.  Remember to complete your profile, because you are 5x more likely to be contacted by an employer.
  2. Use Big Interview to get ready to rock the interview!  This online system builds your interview confidence and expertise. Watch this 3 minute video for a quick introduction and check out the Big Interview flyer for tips on how to get started.
  3. Career Coach – see the top Charlotte area employers for your program!

Not graduating and still thinking about your career direction?  We can help whether you are transferring or a returning student preparing for registration.  Get in touch with us. Career Services can help you elevate your career.

Let Career Coach Help You

masked female student looking at laptopReach your career goals and discover majors,  in-demand careers, and education based on your interests with Career Coach!

Customized for Charlotte and Central Piedmont, Career Coach provides real time, local labor market data for hundreds of occupations and connects those occupations with Central Piedmont’s programs of study. Career Coach also offers a quick assessment to match yourself to careers (60 question option recommended).

Reasons to take advantage of Career Coach:

  • Undecided about your career? Use the career assessment to get career ideas.
  • Started your program, but don’t know which specific career to pursue? Research the occupations that are related to your degree.
  • Graduating in May? Conduct career research and find and apply for specific job openings.

Watch this short 1-minute Career Coach tutorial to learn how to get started. Check out  today.

Still Deciding on Your Career or Major?

As major life decisions go, choosing what to study in college isn’t to be taken lightly. Career Services can equip you with the tools to help you make those tough decisions.

Attend an online “It’s a ‘Major’ Decision” workshop session on Wed. April 13 or Wed. April 27 at noon.   The workshops are open to all students and pre-registration is not required.  These are the final sessions this semester – don’t miss out!

Here are the top 4 reasons to attend “It’s a ‘Major’ Decision workshop:

  • learn how to choose your program or future transfer major
  • get reliable information about where the jobs are in Charlotte (and beyond)
  • find out what degree is needed for the job you want and how much it pays
  • interact with plenty of time for your career questions

Career Services helps you elevate your career. Just need to talk to someone?  Career counselors are here for you. Contact Career Services today!

Career Services is Here for You

Interview between two womenGetting experience outside of the classroom can kick start your career!  Summer is coming and now is the time to make plans.  Central Piedmont’s online student job board lists paid internships and you already have an account!  Visit Handshake to see the paid internships and other employment opportunities.

Why an internship is important

  • Students with paid internships have higher starting salaries when they graduate

  • Employers often use internships as a hiring pipeline for full-time jobs

  • Gain valuable work experience and network with professionals in your field

Transfer students can participate in internships too.  Informational interviews (see pages 10-11 in the Career Guide) and LinkedIn are good ways to network.  Once you land your awesome internship, here is some advice to help make the most of the opportunity.  Don’t forget there are lots of other terrific ways to get experience besides internships, such as student organizations, workplace learning, and job shadowing.

Need help?  Career Services is here for you.  Get in touch with us. Career Services helps you elevate your career!

Looking for a better job? Career Services Can Help

Student using phone and laptop in open seating areaLooking for a better job?  Career Services is here for you! We want to help polish your resume, interview skills and job search strategy. Visit Handshake to view employment opportunities, both part and full-time.

Handshake Tips:

  • Complete your full profile in Handshake for a chance to win a prize (contest running through Feb. 18)
  • Your account is already created – login or download the app to activate it
  • You are 5x more likely to be contacted with a complete profile
  • More than jobs – learn about hiring events hosted by area employer partners

Reasons To Use Handshake:

  • Recruiters are seeking to hire Central Piedmont students for professional entry level roles
  • Recruiters are active on Handshake.  They sent 16 million messages last year to students!
  • Handshake is customized to you and gives personalized job suggestions
  • Central Piedmont has built a rapport with the employers listed there, so you have an increased chance of success!
  • No experience required – the jobs you see are for students!
  • Career Services has your back if you need help.  Get in touch with us. Career Services helps you elevate your career!

Career Services Helps You Build Your Network

student engaging in an interviewDespite social distancing, the end of the year is still a great opportunity to build connections that elevate your career.  With so many people working and attending school virtually, people are easier to contact online than ever before.  Check out this short video to learn quick tips like these:

  • Put together a nice holiday/New Year’s message to touch base with your network, like former instructors, coworkers, and supervisors

  • Ask your network for names of people you should know

  • Develop your LinkedIn profile (see page 8 in the Career Guide) and find us at Central Piedmont Career Services

  • Reach out to professionals doing what interests you for a virtual informational interview or brief chat about their career journey

Want to know more?

  • Central Piedmont Career Services Career Guide features information about building connections in the “Introducing You” section beginning on page 5.

  • Read a quick article with holiday networking tips.

  • Watch our 3-minute video for more expert tips!

  • Meet with a career counselor.  We will be open until December 23.  Get in touch with us. Career Services helps you elevate your career!

Business and Accounting Student Leadership Series

woman standing in front of a projector screen presentingWould you like to learn more about great careers in the area’s most popular industry sectors? Would you like to talk directly to professionals in careers that interest you? Join us each month at the Business and Accounting Student Leadership Series to learn real-world experiences and success stories from industry partners and professionals.

Different programs and featured guests will share their experiences and answer questions. Central Piedmont Career Services professionals will also share tips on how to land the top jobs in the industry. This is an exciting opportunity to learn, network, and become a leader in your chosen career field.

Learn more today!

Attention all Graduates! Need help with your next steps?

Dr D holding diploma t commencementCongratulations December Graduates.  Do you need help mapping out a game plan for your job search?  Career Services is here to help! We want to help polish your resume, interview skills and job search strategy. Visit Handshake to view employment opportunities, both part and full-time.

Interviewing in a mask?  Here are some tips:

  • Select a mask before hand, and make sure others can clearly understand you when you speak
  • People will still be able to see you smile in your eyes, so use facial expressions even when masked
  • Be sure to wear your mask properly, covering your mouth and nose
  • Choose a professional mask in a neutral tone without graphics or slogans

Ready for more interview tips?

  • Big Interview is an online system that builds your interview confidence and expertise. Watch a short video to learn more about it.
  • Join Student Engagement and Career Services to learn about small talk, successfully talking about yourself, networking, and other career related communication skills. Session held Tue, November 16, 3pm – 4pm.  More information and Zoom link to join.

Career counselors can practice interview skills with students.  Get in touch with us. Career Services helps you elevate your career!

Looking for Seasonal Work?

visual arts student

Start looking for a seasonal job now. There’s only 11 weeks until Winter Break!  Recently, a range of good seasonal opportunities for students have been posted.  Due to a shortage of workers, many seasonal jobs are paying more this year than ever before! Sometimes they develop into a permanent position.

Good places to look for seasonal jobs:

Not sure if seasonal work is for you? Charlotte is having a part-time job fair Thursday, October 7, from 11am-2pm and Central Piedmont students are invited. While these jobs are not necessarily seasonal, this is another great opportunity to find part-time work.  Check out the event details.

Just need to talk to someone?  Career counselors are here for you.

Get in touch with us. Career Services helps you elevate your career!

Career Services is Here to Help

student sitting in front of computer in business attireStill deciding on your career or major?  Career services is here to help you take the next step. Here are some helpful resources:

Career Coach

Online “It’s a ‘Major’ Decision” session  

Learn the basics of making a career decision, including how to:

  • Choose your program or future transfer major
  • Get reliable information about where the jobs are in Charlotte (and beyond)
  • Find out what degree is needed for the job you want and how much it pays
  • Starting September 15 , sessions are held Wednesdays at Noon and Thursdays at 4 pm.  Please sign up today!

Career Counseling

As Emma Watson said (remember her from Harry Potter?), “I don’t want other people to decide who I am.  I want to decide that for myself.”

Central Piedmont has a student new job board.  Join Handshake!

student engaging in an interview

Central Piedmont has transitioned to a new job board called Handshake! Handshake is the number 1 way students find jobs. With the student job board, you can manage and customize an unlimited number of open job opportunities. Career Services staff collaborates with faculty to promote your full-time, professional career opportunities. Creating an account on the student job board also helps you stay in the know on upcoming recruiting events.

Big Interview

Big Interview is available too!  This online system builds your interview confidence and expertise. Watch this 3-minute video for a quick introduction and check out the Big Interview flyer for tips on how to get started.

LinkedIn

Follow us on LinkedIn.  This will be a space for Central Piedmont students and employers looking to hire students and graduates. We will share updates like hot jobs, career events, and help polish your online networking skills for jobs. Find us at Central Piedmont Career Services.  If you need help setting up your account, reach out to us.

We want to help polish your resume, interview skills and job search strategy.  Still deciding on your major? We can help with that too! Get in touch with us. Career Services helps you elevate your career!

New Student Job Board Coming Soon – How to Get Ready

two females sitting in front of computer
Career Services will have some big changes to our online job board. We are excited to announce that we will be transitioning to Handshake, an online job board and networking tool used by many colleges throughout the country.  The last day for you to have access to our current Student and Graduate Job Board is June 30, 2021.

Actions you should take:

  1. It is crucial for you to download any documents you have uploaded to your job board account, such as your resume, before June 30, 2021. Any documents that are not downloaded by June 30 will be lost and cannot be recovered.

  2. Students that want to apply for any jobs currently posted on the Student and Graduate Job Board can apply by June 30 or note an email address or hiring website if one is provided. More information about creating a Handshake account will be sent out at a later date.

If you need your resume reviewed by a career counselor, please email your request and resume attachment to resumes@cpcc.edu. Please note the preferred document types are Word and PDF. Please remember to send using your student email address.

Reminder: you can’t access the Student and Graduate Job Board if you haven’t reactivated your Central Piedmont username through the Activator application. If you haven’t already reactivated your username following the February 2021 technology interruptions, you need to do so as soon as possible (even if you never lost access to your email).

Attend an ‘It’s a Major Decision’ Session

You want a career plan and answers instead of uncertainty?  With registration going on, now is the time to think ahead.  Career Services online “It’s a ‘Major’ Decision” sessions can help.  In an hour, learn the basics of making a career decision, including how to:

  • choose your program of study or future transfer major
  • get reliable information about where the jobs are in Charlotte (and beyond)
  • find out what degree is needed for the job you want and how much it pays

Open to prospective and current Central Piedmont students – so invite your friends who are interested in attending too!  Come with questions to ask our career counselors, because there will be plenty of time.  Sessions are held Wednesdays at noon, and Thursdays at 4 p.m.  Sign up!

Career Services at Central Piedmont helps students with career/major decisions, job searches, and connects students with employers. Visit our website and let us help elevate your career.

Prepare to Connect: Expert tips for your next job search

student engaging in an interviewCareer Services is hosting Prepare to Connect this week to help you get ready for your spring job search. The format allows you to pick sessions to attend based on your schedule and needs. No registration is required.  Learn more and join on April 15 during Prepare to Connect.

Don’t forget – Employer Connect is coming soon and Harper Connect (trades related) is April 15

Employer Connect, which involves a variety of industries hiring for both full and part time positions, is April 29. Talk to employers interested in hiring students and graduates.  Learn more and register for Employer Connect, the virtual career fair.  All employers are actively hiring and looking for candidates like you!

Expert Tips to Land Your Next Job

student sitting in front of computer in business attireYour next job could be out there waiting for you! Even if you’re not currently looking, its never too early to get prepared and learn valuable skills to help you when the time comes.
Career Services has developed new sessions that provide reliable career resources and expert tips on resumes and interviewing to help you navigate your job search.
Mark your calendars for the Prepare to Connect sessions held April 1 and April 15. Experienced Career Counselors will be available to answer questions and you will receive resume assistance, learn interviewing skills, and gain valuable job search tips. No prior registration is required – join us during on the day and time that works best for your schedule.
 

Thursday, April 1

1:00 – 3:00 PM

 

Resumes – 1:00 pm

Job Search – 1:30 pm

Interviews  – 2:00 pm

Virtual Job Fair How To Tips – 2:30 pm

 

Thursday, April 15

5:30 – 7:30 PM

 

Resumes – 5:30 pm

Job Search – 6:00 pm

Interviews  – 6:30 pm

Virtual Job Fair How To Tips – 7:00 pm

We have several events coming up featuring employers seeking to hire for full-time and part-time positions.  Harper Connect is April 14 and Employer Connect is April 29!
You’ll be able to use these tools at our upcoming Employer Connect week of virtual hiring events held April 14 and April 29. Mark your calendars!

February Job Readiness Challenge: Get Valuable Feedback and Win a Starbucks Gift Card

student engaging in an interviewFEBRUARY JOB READINESS CHALLENGE – INTRODUCTORY SPEECH

Over 70% of jobs are found through networking. Having an introductory speech ready to go will help you take advantage of networking opportunities as they arise. Use this tool at our upcoming Employer Connect week of virtual hiring events (March 2-4), virtual networking events, or with neighbors, friends, and others in your community. Your next job could be out there waiting for you!

Craft the statement by talking a little bit about what you’ve done in the past, what you’re now working on in the present, and what your goals are for the future.  Remember to keep it professional and short (around 30 seconds). Focus on experiences and skills that will be relevant to the employer you’re speaking to. Watch the How to Answer the Tell Me About Yourself video for valuable information and tips on how to make a great first impression.

To complete this challenge: 

  • Write your own introductory speech using this Tell Me About Yourself template.
  • Next, take a video reciting your speech or snap a picture of your completed worksheet, and then complete the submission form.
  • Every participant will receive feedback from a career counselor, AND a $10 Starbucks gift cards while supplies last!
  • The deadline for completing this challenge is Friday, February 26.

Virtual Career Services: Events You Don’t Want to Miss!

student sitting in front of computer in business attire

Save the Date! It’s never too early to start preparing for your future. Career Services has developed new sessions that provide reliable career resources and tips to help you navigate your job search. Mark your calendars for:

  1. Prepare to Connect: (February 16 -18)  resume assistance, interviewing, and job search tips 
  2. Employer Connect: (March 2 – 4) virtual hiring events where you connect directly with employers

Applicant Tracking Systems: Watch this short video from Career Services about how employers track your applications online to learn how to get noticed and make these systems work for you!  If you like learning the latest job search tips, be sure to join us for Prepare to Connect on February 16, 17, and 18.

It’s a Major Decision sessions start on January 28:

  • Participants learn expert tips on how to choose a career/major
  • Sessions held weekly and open to current and prospective students
  • Check out this brief video to learn more about the sessions and then sign up online