Career & Counseling Services
806-651-2345
VHAC 210
Email Career & Counseling Services

NEWSLETTERS
TO CONSIDER

Maybe you’re actively searching for a job or maybe you’re just wanting to find a way to "get an edge" on the competition.  Or maybe you just need some words of wisdom.  Here are some newsletter links that may inform, motivate or inspire you:

http://www.48days.com/ - Dan Miller’s weekly newsletter is promoted as "stories, tips, and humor for doing the work you love."

Fast Company is a monthly magazine that also provides a daily, thought-provoking article emailed to individuals who sign up for this service.  Fast Company’s website says:  "First Impression is your daily jolt of smart thinking from Fast Company. Wake up each morning with fresh ideas and forward-thinking insight. http://www.fastcompany.com/newsletter

Do you need help getting a handle on your personal finances?  Do you need a plan to create the financial future you’re dreaming of?  Dave Ramsey has a radio program to share his ideas about "financial freedom" and also has an newsletter you can sign up for at this link: http://www.daveramsey.com/

JobSearchNews.com is a site that compiles a list of "the best job search and career newsletters you can subscribe to. And best of all...they're free!"  Check these out at: http://www.jobsearchnews.com/job-search-newsletters-page2.shtml

"Motivational and Inspiration Corner...America’s system for success" can be found at:  http://www.motivational-inspirational-corner.com/motivational_inspirational_quotes.html  This is a website where "you will find an ever growing collection of motivating and inspiring quotes made by all sorts of people from all walks of life."

Want to find out what hiring managers look for?  Read about what those who sit on the other side of the desk think about at: http://hiring.inc.com/index.html

We hope these sites are helpful and we’d love to hear about other useful sites so keep us in mind when you’re "surfing".

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COMPANY SPOTLIGHT

BASiC Energy Services, Midland Texas

BASiC Energy Services provides a range of services to America’s oil and gas producers. Our operations span the heartland of domestic onshore production from Texas, Oklahoma and New Mexico to the Rocky Mountain states. Our services support the entire life cycle of a well - from drilling to production and finally - abandonment.

Our headquarters office in Midland, Texas, supports nine geomarkets conducting operations in South Texas, the Texas Gulf Coast, the Ark-La-Tex region, North Texas, the Permian Basin of West Texas, the Mid Continent, Louisiana Inland Waters and the Rocky Mountains. Our division managers average 28 years experience – virtually all within their respective markets. With 2,500 employees, Basic ranks among the largest companies providing like services.

Our business philosophy can be described in one word: Growth.

Founded in 1992, we have grown to be the nation’s third largest well servicing contractor - providing well repair, workover and completion services from 30 locations. Our fluids service business supplies a variety of transportation, storage and disposal services used in all phases of drilling and production from 40 service points. Our pressure-pumping segment includes casing cementation and well stimulation and our well site construction business line builds and maintains critical infrastructure for the oilfield.

At Basic, we are committed to providing a safe and rewarding workplace, giving our customers the value they expect and doing our part to support a strong and viable oil and gas industry.

You can learn more about them on the web at www.basicenergyservices.com.

BASiC is looking for accounting, finance, HR, computer, and engineering graduates and interns.  The Career Services office can provide contact information if you are interested in forwarding your résumé.

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So you want an INTERNSHIP?

Everyone says you should get an internship.  Faculty, friends, and your parents all think it would be a great way to launch a career.  You agree, but how do you go about finding one of these great career- launching internships?  You’ve thought about it and have even browsed the web checking out listings, but it is harder to find a good opportunity than you thought.

If the internship search is a mystery, here is a checklist to jump-start your search:

• Know what you want to do.  The first step in the internship search is to know what you want to do.  Even though one reason for doing an internship is to gain career direction, you need to at least have a general idea of what you want to do.  Students with career direction will be more successful in the internship search. 
  
  If you don’t know what you want to do with your major, make an appointment with a career counselor in the WT Career & Counseling Services office.  Learn more about career counseling at http://wtcareer.wtamu.edu/cou/car_couns.htm or call (806) 651-2345 to make an appointment.

• Take full advantage of the WT Co-op & Internship Program.  The internship program teaches you how to find an internship, and how to develop strong résumés and interviewing skills so you can land it.  Once registered, your information will be made available to employers looking for interns.  You can learn more at http://wtcareer.wtamu.edu/coop/Co-op%20FAQS.htm.
  
  Don’t rely completely on this office to find your internship for you--but know it’s a good place to start.  This is where you’ll learn the skills you need to be effective in your search.

• Find potential employers.  Be proactive in finding employers you are interested in.  Here are some places to look:

  • The WT Career & Counseling Services Office- check out job listings and internship directories.  Also check out a list of good internship web sites at http://wtcareer.wtamu.edu/coop/olinks.htm

  • State Employment Agencies- Texas has a good web site to explore- http://www.twc.state.tx.us/jobs/job.html

  • Libraries- good source for newspaper listings, magazines and trade journals, information on professional associations, etc.  All these can be good sources for leads.

  • News Media- watch the news and read the paper.  As you learn about new businesses coming to town or employment trends, you may find job leads.

  • The Yellow Pages- this can be a good source to find a list of companies that do what you are interested in.

  • Special Interest Groups- church, civic, and professional groups may be a good source of job leads.  Don’t be shy.  Attend some of these meetings and get to know some people who may have internship leads for you.  The Career Services office can give you ideas on groups to check into.

• Research potential employers.  Once you’ve identified organizations you are interested in, you need to learn more about them.  You’ll find a great guide for conducting company research at- http://wtcareer.wtamu.edu/cs/student/how-to-research-an-org.htm
  
  Research helps you determine if you’re interested in the employer.  You’ll learn how to apply and you might even discover career opportunities you didn’t know about.   All this research will come in handy if you end up interviewing with the employer.

As you uncover internship opportunities, the Career Services office can help you draft cover letters and tailor your résumés to apply for these positions.  Career Services offers critiquing times every Tuesday and Wednesday from 1 – 3.   Staff can help you polish you résumé, cover letters, and applications.

• Informational Interviewing.  Informational interviewing is simply talking to people about their jobs.  You are an information seeker instead of a job seeker.
  
  These types of interviews can lead to information on internships, not to mention valuable career information.  This is a terrific way to start making contacts within your field.
  
  For all the details on conducting an informational interview, check out the information on the Career Services web site- http://wtcareer.wtamu.edu/cs/student/information-interviewing.htm

• Network, network, network.  The most effective way to find an internship is through networking.  Networking is an informal method of making contacts with people and organizations and letting these people and organizations know you are looking for an internship.

  • Start with family, friends, and faculty.  Give them a copy of your résumé and tell them the type of internship you are looking for.

  • Ask if they know of other people you should talk with about internships.

  • For more great ideas on networking, watch the video "Tapping the Hidden Job Market" in the Career Services office.  Call us at (806) 651-2345 to make an appointment to watch the video.

Finding an internship is hard work, but following these suggestions will greatly improve your chances of success.  Remember, the WT Co-op & Internship Program is here to support you in your search.  Let us know how we can help.

Good luck!

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Ask the Experts:
When to Accept a Straight
Commission Sales Job

Question:
Almost all of the interviews that I've been able to land are almost all willing to pay me only on a commission basis. I have some sales experience and feel that I can do well, but I'm nervous about having no base salary. Should I take a job that pays straight commission?

First Answer:
NEVER work for straight commission. Even if you never sell a single widget for your company, your efforts on behalf of the company have value - you are providing market research, lead generation, public relations, and building brand awareness. Your groundwork may very well pave the way for a big account or lucrative sale that happens at a later date. Marketing professionals are paid a salary, so sales people should be paid one as well. A good entry-level sales position is one that offers base salary, commission, bonuses, sales contests, and extensive paid training opportunities.

Also, before accepting a position, ask to talk to the top three sales professionals with company, as well as a few of the more junior sales staff - a company that rewards their sales staff will love to have their happy sales staff sell *you* on the job.

-- Tracy Laswell Williams, certified job and career transition coach, accredited resume writer and founder of CAREER-Magic.com

Second Answer:
First of all, ask yourself: "Do I want a sales job?" If the answer is "no," then it's the wrong track for you. That being said, assuming you can "get by" for six months, why not give one of these sales jobs a try if you think you would like sales and have an aptitude for it? Many sales jobs do compensate the bulk of your salary in commission, but many also offer a modest salary because they know that there is a learning curve. Negotiate so that you aren't completely dependent on commission, and don't accept a straight commission job unless you have the financial ability to be self-supporting while you get up to speed.

-- Alison Blackman Dunham, life & career expert, columnist, personal public relations consultant, half of THE ADVICE SISTERS®, and the author of the ASK ALISON career advice column

Third Answer:
That's a call that depends largely on your life situation (what are your obligations?)--as well as the company that you may represent. Straight commission is not unusual--and ultimately if you have a base salary your "security" in the long haul will still depend on your ability to produce sales.

Other considerations for each opportunity should include the following:

1. length of sales cycle

2. average amount of a sale (highly relative--but the larger the amount typically the longer the cycle)

3. policy on expenses

4. benefits and retirement plan

5. opportunity for residual commissions (pointing to customer relationships based on ongoing/renewed sales, vs. mere transactions)

6. what you are selling.

Number 6 is not to be ignored. Will you be selling something that is quite specialized, which gives you a competitive edge? Or, will you sell something that is highly commoditized, and thus is faced with heavy competition and slim margins?

Further, you have to really believe in the product you are selling, from your heart. If you don't truly believe in what you offer, then it will be very difficult to lead a successful career in sales.

-- Keith F. Luscher, Creative Director with Goettler Associates, Inc., a fund-raising consulting firm serving non-profit organizations nationwide, and author of Don't Wait Until You Graduate!

Fourth Answer:
During the dot com boom, many people were "paid" with stock options that were worth nothing after the crash - you are wise to consider your options. Most sales jobs are straight commission. With that said, here are some alternatives. Some companies pay on a draw. This means that they pay you a certain amount regularly, but you don't see any of the commissions until the draw is paid back, can you ask for this option? Some companies pay a small base salary with a low commission for an agreed upon time. After that there is no base and a high percentage rate on your commissions - this gives you a chance to grow your market base, is this an option? Are you receiving any other benefits from these companies - health insurance, training, 401K? Are they providing you with client base or are you starting from nothing? Will you be working with a senior person in the company and sharing existing accounts? These are all ways to determine how long it will take until you see a check. What is the track record of the company? What is the track record of other entry-level sales reps? Is this a company where you will get great training and exposure?

If you are still wondering, work with a professional coach who can guide you through the process easier and faster. I am offering a 20% discount on one month of coaching to anyone who mentions this article.

-- Janine A. Schindler, Professional Coach and owner of the Jas Coaching Company

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Self-Assessment:
Find out who you are before deciding what you want to do

By Francina R. Harrison
For more information and complete article see:
http://www.black-collegian.com/career/self_assessment2004-1st.shtml

Step 1. Accept Who You Are: The ability to be comfortable in your own skin, and to find your own niche, is a must for today's competitive world.

Power Statement: Failure Happens When You Try to Become Something You Are Not.

Step 2. Tap into Your Gifts and Talents: If you don't like something, you won't do it very well. In order to find your "fit" with a particular employer, you need to explore your interests, desires, natural gifts and acquired talents. Consider the following questions and write your responses. In what areas of your life have you received compliments with minimal efforts? What do you enjoy? What relaxes you? What would you do free? How do you feel when you are doing "that" activity? Do you "dream out loud?" How would you describe your ideal environment? If all of your debts were paid and you could do anything in the world, what would it be?

Power Statement: In the World of Success or Failure, Your Fit Makes the Difference.

Step 3. Discover Your Strengths/Know Your Limitations: No one will know, employer or otherwise, the areas of your life that need work, unless you decide to tell them.

Power Statement: The Road to Success Is Always Under Construction.

Step 4. Declare What You Don't Want to Do: I don't like okra. Therefore, I don't eat okra. If you don't like something, stop pursuing it.

Power Statement: When You Love What You Do, You Will Never Be Forced to Go to Work Everyday.

Step 5. Acknowledge Your Power Source: In our academic pursuits ,relationships, and work-lives, most of our actions are determined by some form of motivation. In other words, "If I do this…what's in it for me? "To find the origins of your motivation, consider these questions. Are you internally or externally focused? What motivates your successes? What compels you to select particular programs? What drives you? What fuels your passion? What keeps you connected to the things you love to do? Knowing where your passion originates is a career selling-point.

Power Statement: Find Your Life's Work Not a Work-Life!

Step 6. Deliver Your Ambition and Accomplishments.

Power Statement: Work as if You Have a Purpose.

Step 7. Manage "Your" Business: Successful people see themselves as an enterprise; they act and think like a business.

Power Statement: Your Reputation Will Out-weigh a Resume Any Day!

Final step. Use your career-resource and placement centers. You will find career assessment tools, workforce development resources and a committed staff who are partners toward your success.

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Evaluating Job Offers
and
Deciding if the Opportunity is Right for You

You’ve finally made it through the job search process, and now you have several job offers to choose from.  Congratulations!  But how do you know which job offer to accept?  You need to evaluate the job offer and decide if it’s right for you.

There are several resources available for this task, including:

Barnard Career Development offers a checklist for evaluating job offers, including the basic rules of evaluating job offers and questions to ask yourself when evaluating an offer.  Read the article at http://www.barnard.edu/ocd/factsheets/evaljobs.htm

The Black Collegian addresses what constitutes a good offer, the necessary trade-offs to consider, valuable input, and accepting an offer.  Read the article at http://www.black-collegian.com/career/joboffer-199908.shtml

Ezine Articles provides interesting tips for evaluating job offers and zooming in on the right opportunity for you in a step-by-step format.  Read the article at http://www.ezinearticles.com/?How-to-Evaluate-Job-Offers-and-
Zoom-In-On-the-Right-Opportunity-for-You&id=34894

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Career Services Calendar of Events

Special Programs

12 Step Group – Mondays in JBK room 13 at Noon – Free Lunch
Single Parent Support Group – Mondays at Noon w/ Free lunch – during Fall & Spring Semesters only
Career Coaching Group – coming soon - TBA

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