Headshot of Career Services Coordinator Karen S. Hernandez.Karen S. Hernandez

Karen S. Hernandez

Coordinator, Career Services & Student Employment

Liaison for Employer Relations

Office: Student Union, Room 211
Phone: 330-972-5028
Email: khernandez@uakron.edu


Headshot of Career Services Coordinator Karen Hernandez.

"Serving students in all majors on a walk-in basis, I can help students by guiding them through resume review, interviewing preparation and overall career search by using our online job board, Handshake."


Q: Can students simply drop by, or how would you prefer that they schedule time with you?

A: They can drop in, and if I cannot meet with them I can reschedule, or they can visit with a coworker. Setting an appointment may be easier.

Q: Discuss the ways you can help students.

A: I can help students by guiding them through resume review, interviewing preparation and overall career search by using our online job board, Handshake.

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: It is a powerful online job board with an amazing selection of employers that would love to hire our students for full-time or part-time jobs, co-ops and internships. Students can search local careers, or jobs as well as national opportunities.

Q: What's the best tip you have for those writing a resume or cover letter? How can you help students prepare both?

A: I would say the best tip is to have another set of eyes review your resume, as it is difficult to catch your own mistakes. Make sure on the cover letter to match up your skills with the required tasks of the job.

Q: What one interview question should students in your area be prepared for? What tips do you have for answering it? What's the best way to prepare for an interview? Do you conduct mock interviews with students?

A: Prepare yourself to answer the “tell me about yourself” question. Make your answer concise and relevant again to match your skills with the job you are interviewing for. Practice our common questions so you can review your best answers, and we offer mock interviews so you can practice. You have the opportunity to be videotaped and critiqued by one of us so you are ready.

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: Yes, students should attend the career fair. It is a high energy event with a lot of amazing opportunities to meet with employers who want to hire our students. Prepare by looking at the list of employers, researching four to five you would like to speak with, have a short “elevator pitch” about yourself, dress professionally, bring copies of your resume and make sure to follow up with an email thank you to the person you spoke with, or a handwritten note.