Talking Jobs with Jamie Finco
Brief Bio
- Jamie Finco
- UW-Madison alumna, 2002 Spanish
- Masters in education at UW-Lacrosse
- Career Advisor and Assistant Director of Undergraduate Services at the Business Career Center - 5 years
1. What do you like best about your job?
I feel like I have the best job on earth, because I get to work with students while they’re here and help them develop their career, whether it’s updating resumes, talking about interviews or choosing companies to pursue.
2. What is the most common question you answer for students?
Seniors ask more specific questions: “What companies should I be looking at?” With freshman, sophomores and juniors it’s more basic: “What are some of my career options?" Getting students to connect with alumni, informational interviews and job shadowing helps them with their selections down the road.
I feel like I have the best job on earth, because I get to work with students while they’re here and help them develop their career, whether it’s updating resumes, talking about interviews or choosing companies to pursue.
2. What is the most common question you answer for students?
Seniors ask more specific questions: “What companies should I be looking at?” With freshman, sophomores and juniors it’s more basic: “What are some of my career options?" Getting students to connect with alumni, informational interviews and job shadowing helps them with their selections down the road.
3. What advice do you give to graduating seniors who haven’t found a job?
Never settle for a job that you are not passionate about. I tell students not to panic; there are a lot of great resourses out there. As an advisor, I am available to them for a year after they graduate, along with the Business Career Center. They can also apply for jobs on the WAA web site and BuckyNet. It’s not like the resources go away. We’re still here for new graduates because they are Badgers and we want to support them through and through.
4. How can recent graduates use their school connections to enhance their networking?
I don’t think it’s ever too early to start networking with alumni. About 80% of jobs are never posted, so if you can talk with someone, especially an alumnus who’s passionate about Wisconsin, they’re going to be able to let you know what those opportunities are. We have great alumni groups on Facebook, LinkedIn and some of the other social network sites.
Never settle for a job that you are not passionate about. I tell students not to panic; there are a lot of great resourses out there. As an advisor, I am available to them for a year after they graduate, along with the Business Career Center. They can also apply for jobs on the WAA web site and BuckyNet. It’s not like the resources go away. We’re still here for new graduates because they are Badgers and we want to support them through and through.
4. How can recent graduates use their school connections to enhance their networking?
I don’t think it’s ever too early to start networking with alumni. About 80% of jobs are never posted, so if you can talk with someone, especially an alumnus who’s passionate about Wisconsin, they’re going to be able to let you know what those opportunities are. We have great alumni groups on Facebook, LinkedIn and some of the other social network sites.
5. What is the biggest mistake you see when looking over resumes?
Employers read resumes in about 10-15 seconds. So, it needs to be formatted in a way that’s concise. For example, saying “Provided excellent service to 300 students daily” is much better than saying “Served food.”
6. What would you say to alumni and recent graduates looking for jobs right now?
Be resilient. Remain positive. For entry level positions, employers are going to want to hire you because you have a fresh perspective and a great skill set. So, come to your career center and talk to your advisor. We can connect you to events, career fairs and employers.
7. General Advice
Establish a network. Never give up hope. Set your sites high and do what you can to achieve your goals.
Employers read resumes in about 10-15 seconds. So, it needs to be formatted in a way that’s concise. For example, saying “Provided excellent service to 300 students daily” is much better than saying “Served food.”
6. What would you say to alumni and recent graduates looking for jobs right now?
Be resilient. Remain positive. For entry level positions, employers are going to want to hire you because you have a fresh perspective and a great skill set. So, come to your career center and talk to your advisor. We can connect you to events, career fairs and employers.
7. General Advice
Establish a network. Never give up hope. Set your sites high and do what you can to achieve your goals.
Events
- Twin Cities - Cards Anyone? - October 29
- Twin Cities (WAA Chapter) - Become a fan on Facebook! - April 10
- GO WEST HAPPY COW - LOS ANGELES MOOVIE PREMIERE - July 31
- Twin Cities - Senior Send Off - August 1
