Career counselling

CAREER COUNSELING / PLACEMENT ASSISTANCE

Like most well-planned students do, AIT applicants inquire about placement even before they confirm their admission. Recognizing that placement is an important factor in the decision-making of any graduate student, the Career Center @ AIT provide platforms where you can explore possibilities for employment even while you are studying.

Whether you are interested in pursuing a career in academia or venturing into the industry, the Center hosts fairs, workshops and events that will bring you face-to-face with potential employers. It has facilities for resume databanking that will provide you job alerts even after you have left the campus.

If you are not sure what you want to do after AIT, the Career Center provides professional and student peer CAREER COUNSELOR who provides counseling and assessments that will aid you in that decision-making process. Matching your academic preparation with career fields will be one of the ways where advisors can support – they will let you recognize your skills, values, interests, and personality and how these fit into your future goals.

You should be able to receive guidance through our services as listed below.

PLANNING YOUR CAREER

Although there is no one secret to career planning, certain attitudes and behaviors would allow you to make better decisions. Here are some do’s and don’ts (extracts from computerwork.com):

Plan your career. Be proactive; periodically reappraise yourself, your job and career goals. Focus on your goals.
Have a passion for your career and life. Knowing and following your purpose gives you the courage to risk, to manage fear and to motivate yourself.
Continue to learn. Your skills should always be in sync with the changing needs of prospective employers, profession and industry.
Communicate appropriately. Listen – the most effective professionals spend 80 percent of their time listening.
Use the power of your mind. You have the power to control your career; develop and use your intuition.

Don’t

Choose an occupation just because it’s a hot trend. Working in a job which does not suit you is stressful and unproductive.
Have unrealistic expectations. Don’t expect immediate financial benefits; it takes time and work to build a career.
Waste time.
Avoid challenges and risks. View challenges as exciting new learning experiences.
Isolate yourself. Build networks; know what’s happening in your profession and industry. Exchange ideas, information and job leads. Be active, visible.
Let positive qualities become handicaps. While qualities such as confidence are positive, they lose their value when they become excessive.

PREPARING/REVIEWING YOUR COVER LETTERS/PERSONAL STATEMENT

Even if you have an impressive resume or know how to present yourself well in an interview or is sure of what kind of position you are best suited for, you wouldn’t have the chance to get your foot in the right door if you don’t have an effective cover letter.

A cover letter, just like most business letters, has four paragraphs as follows:

Paragraph 1 – Introduce yourself and explain why you’re writing
Paragraph 2 – Lay out your key skills and accomplishments
Paragraph 3 – Explain why you want to work for the company
Paragraph 4 – Thank the reader, invite him/her to contact you and lay out your follow-up plans

You can view sample for cover letter to help you get started: Sample Here are some do’s and don’ts:

Be specific on how you heard about the position and company/organization.
Try to find out the exact name and title of the person who will directly supervise you. Write his/her name instead of writing ‘Dear Sir or Dear Madam’.
Write the letter based on exactly what the ad says the employer is looking for; try to give examples from your experience for every qualification listed.
Type the letter and use paper and font that is similar to your resume and sign the letter.
Keep the letter brief – under 1 page.
Say that you are attaching a resume; include your phone number in the last paragraph.
Reread the letter before sending and/or have someone proofread it for you.

Don’t

Send a resume without a cover letter.
Discuss salary unless the ad requires it.
Repeat information that appears on the resume, except in the briefest introductory manner.
Generalize about personal qualities or past job titles. Instead, give specifics about your skills and experience.
Talk about what the job will do for you.
Give unnecessary personal information.
Give anything that you will not be able to explain in an interview.

PREPARING/REVIEWING YOUR RESUME

Your resume is normally the first and the only opportunity most employers will have to get to know you. Because of the volume of applications they receive, most employers will only give your resume fifteen seconds to make the decision. Here are some do’s and dont’s in crafting a successful resume (extracts from Career Development Center, University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee):

Allow time to perfect your resume.
Get your resume critiqued.
Keep your resume up-to-date.
Consider a bulleted style to make your resume more reader-friendly.
Place most important material with greatest amount of detail.
Expand on points related to the position and condense less relevant info.
Emphasize your skills and accomplishments relevant to the job you are applying for.
Highlight transferable skills (oral and written communication, teamwork, organization, time management, multi-tasking, problem solving, etc.). Quantify your work and show results.
List extra-curricular activities that demonstrate teamwork, leadership, time management, commitment to community, drive and competitiveness, etc.
Include your computer skills.
Include multiple ways for an employer to reach you.

Don’t

Use computerized templates.
Send a resume without a cover letter.
Expect the same resume to work in all marketplaces.
Use a resume-writing service.
Have a resume that looks cluttered or has formatting/layout inconsistencies.
Make paragraphs longer than ten to twelve lines or five to seven bullets.
Overlook unpaid experiences.
List only jobs, position titles, companies/organizations, and dates. Include relevant responsibilities, skills, and accomplishments.
List high school or college from which you didn’t obtain a degree.
Include reasons for leaving previous jobs, names of former supervisors, employer addresses or phone numbers, height, weight, age, date or place of birth, marital status, sex, ethnicity/race, health, or social security number (except on an international resume).
State salary or wage requirements. List references on your resume. Keep references on a separate sheet and provide them only when they are specifically requested.

BUILDING INTERVIEW TECHNIQUES

While your resume will get you the job interview, the interview is what will get you the job. Interviewing skills are crucial. Make sure your interviewing skills are impressive. Don’t forget to practice your answers to common questions. Make a list of questions to ask , too. Almost all interviewers will ask if you have questions. This is a great opportunity for you to show that you have done your homework and have put some thought into your questions. Also keep in mind the following do’s and don’ts:

Research on the company/organization you are applying for.
Practice interviewing before the actual interview.
Dress appropriately.
Bring extra copies of your resume.
Arrive early.
Greet the interviewer by title (Ms., Mr., Dr.) and last name.
Shake hands firmly.
Make eye contact with your interviewer.
Wait until you are offered a chair before sitting.
Be aware of body language. Maintain good posture and look enthusiastic.
Give qualitative answers to questions.
Ask for clarification if you don’t understand a question.
Emphasize your strengths.
Ask questions. This will display your interest in the position.
Be honest.
Listen carefully.
Close the interview positively. Don’t forget to let him or her know that you look forward to hearing from the company soon.
Get business cards from each person who interviewed you.
Write a thank-you letter to your interviewer(s) promptly.

Don’t

Be late.
Chew gum or smoke during the interview.
Wear heavy perfume or cologne.
Dress casual.
Have a limp or clumsy handshake.
Tell jokes during the interview.
Be soft-spoken. Confidence is key.
Answer questions with a ‘yes’ or ‘no’. Give examples.
Rely only on your resume or cover letter to do the selling for you.
Bring up or discuss personal issues or family problems.
Answer your cell phone. Turn it off.
Make negative comments about former colleagues, supervisors, or employers.
Interrupt the interviewer.
Falsify your answers to interview questions.
Be discouraged if no definite offer is made at the end of the interview.

Contact us

Career Center

Asian Institute of Technology
P.O. Box 4, Klong Luang, Pathumthani 12120, Thailand

Phone: (66) 2 524 6326 , (66) 2 524 6744
Email: careercenter@ait.ac.th
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/officialaitcareercenter/
Instagram: @aitcareercenter/

johnnie kash kings

CAREER COUNSELING / PLACEMENT ASSISTANCE

PLANNING YOUR CAREER

PREPARING/REVIEWING YOUR COVER LETTERS/PERSONAL STATEMENT

A cover letter, just like most business letters, has four paragraphs as follows:

PREPARING/REVIEWING YOUR RESUME

BUILDING INTERVIEW TECHNIQUES

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