Winter break is a great time to keep your career prep moving so that you are ready for spring recruiting, summer internships, on-campus jobs, whatever is next for you! And the good news is that there are some key actions you can take that don’t take much time at all. So you’ll still be able to rest and recharge before the semester starts up again.
- Check your resume (5 minutes)
- Visit the Career Development Center’s page for all things resume! Remember that your resume is a work in progress. This is a document you’ll be editing a LOT, so it’s good to keep this on your radar even if you aren’t actively searching for a job.
- Practice a few interview questions (15 minutes)
- Review our interview page for questions, example responses, and other tips to go into your interview with confidence.
- Get clear on your career goals (30 minutes)
- This is the perfect time to reflect on your career goals and clarify your next steps. If you’ve decided on your major and the industry you want to pursue, congratulations! Take some time to think about the goals you have for the next semester, year, or 5 years, and map out your plan of action.
- If you’re still feeling a little uncertain about your career, visit Traitify, a visual personality assessment that helps you understand how your qualities and passions relate to potential careers by recommending career options based on your interests, aptitudes and education level. Then skim through a few Firsthand Guides for a deeper dive into industry insights and jobs. There are so many possibilities!
- Build in-demand skills (30 minutes- 2 hours)
- Whether you just have one minute or you want to spend a few hours leveling up your skills, LinkedIn Learning has tons of options for free courses. Select the courses that best align with your goals. Courses include topics as general as time management and as specific as algorithmic trading and stocks. Choose your own adventure, and enjoy learning concepts and skills for success!
- Grow your network (10 minutes)
- When was the last time you looked at your LinkedIn profile? If it’s been a minute and the idea of updating your profile feels daunting, it doesn’t have to be! Follow the steps in this guide to get your profile up to date and ready for your network in just 10 minutes.
- LinkedIn is a great platform to learn about different organizations and connect with people who can help you along your career path. Now that your profile is looking spiffy, take a look around and start building your network!
BONUS TIP
Did you know that you can get personalized newsletters sent to your inbox that are tailored to your interests? Follow these steps to customize your profile. Wherever you are in your college and career journey, you’ll stay up to date with the latest tips and trends!
