Ryan Andrews
Coordinator, Career Services
Ryan Andrews
Coordinator, Career Services
Liaison for Employer Relations
Office: Student Union, Room 211
Phone: 330-972-5348
Email: rta@uakron.edu
"I'm part of the employer relations team here in Career Services, but I am also able to meet with students from all colleges."
Q: Can students simply drop by, or how would you prefer that they schedule time with you?
A: Students can drop by the office for walk-ins or schedule appointments through Handshake.
Q: Discuss the ways you can help students.
A: I can review resumes and cover letters, give mock interviews, and cover job searching strategies with students. I can also discuss Focus2 results to help students choose a major and define their career path.
Q: Why should students use Handshake? Do you have a Handshake power tip? What are students surprised to learn that they can do in Handshake?
A: Students should use Handshake because it’s a great one-stop-shop for all their career-related needs. Primarily, we use Handshake to post positions ranging from part-time jobs, to co-ops and internships, and even full-time positions. On-Campus recruiting uses Handshake as well, if students are looking for a job close by that will work with their schedules. Students can also use Handshake to schedule appointments with the other advisors in our office, as well as using it to register for events like the All Campus Career Fair.
My Handshake power tip is to keep checking the job board for new postings. We post a lot of new jobs each day, so you never know what new opportunity might pop up. Students are surprised to learn that we use Handshake for more than just posting jobs. It’s a versatile program that makes life a little easier for all of us.
Q: What's the best tip you have for those writing a resume or cover letter? How can you help students prepare both?
A: The best tip I have for writing a resume or a cover letter would to be personalize each one for the job you want to apply for. The resume and cover letter can follow the same basic format, but personalizing each toward each position you apply for gives it that extra touch that shows you’ve done your research and are interested in working for that employer. The other best tip I have for those writing a resume or a cover letter is to come have it reviewed by us in Career Services!
Q: How can technology can make a search easier? How has it made searches more challenging? How do you overcome that?
A: Technology helps make your job search quicker and easier. Sometimes you can complete one form and use it to apply for many different jobs, or you can use search criteria to really narrow down jobs to find results that you’re looking for. Though technology makes the job search easier in many ways, it can also make searches more challenging. Because it’s easier to find and apply for jobs, many positions will have a large number of applicants, making it harder to stand out. You can overcome this by making sure your resume and cover letter are well put together and personalized toward the position. Utilizing the terminology from the job posting itself is a good way to make sure you cover the requirements the employer wants to see from top candidates.
Q: What career services are you going to provide that students want to know about?
A: One of the biggest services we provide each semester is the All Campus Career Fair, where we have companies gather in the Jean Hower Taber Student Union Ballroom to talk to students and set up interviews on campus over the next few days. We’re also launching a new service called the Career Closet, where students can borrow a suit jacket free of charge for a week. We provide other events throughout the semester as well, such as the Etiquette Lunch, NOTED, Part Time Job Fairs and the JCPenney Suit Up Event, to name a few. Besides events, we want students to know we can review resumes and cover letters, give mock interviews, help find co-ops/internships and full-time positions, and answer any other career-related questions they might have.
Q: Why should students attend the next career fair? What's your best advice for preparing? What's a good strategy the day of?
A: Career Fairs are a great opportunity for students to network with employers. Getting a chance to talk to employers and present yourself in person can be just the foot in the door some students need. You never know what kind of opportunities will pop up at the fair! The best advice for preparing is to start early. Have your resume reviewed at least a week before so you have time to make edits, do a mock interview to practice your answers and get the jitters out. The earlier and more thoroughly you prepare, the more confident you’ll feel come the day of the fair. A good strategy the day of the fair is to get plenty of sleep the night of, wake up early and eat breakfast.