Nearly everyone, at some point in their career, will have to decide if they want to pursue a leadership role. However, many people focus their consideration on the wrong factors. Yes, leadership positions come with pay bumps, extra perks, and more prestigious titles. But to be a successful leader, you need to be honest with yourself. Are you ready, and is this the kind of role you want?

Moving into managerial or other types of leadership roles is a big responsibility. It impacts more than just your career. It could either greatly improve or hurt your entire company in some way, and as a people manager, it can certainly impact the lives of those on your team.  The choice is also complicated by the fact that a leadership role will, undoubtedly, be very different than your previous positions. The required skills are not likely strengths you’ve regularly been using. The position could even reveal weaknesses, so if you’re not ready, the transition can be jarring for your career.

Before jumping at that promotion, ask yourself the following questions to see if it’s truly time to take the next step and become a leader:

It happens every year. Students are right on track with their job search, but then they go home for the holidays. They’re torn between family events, re-energizing, and catching up with their old friends. Then your job seekers return to school stressed out because they’ve fallen behind in their plan to land a job after graduation.

While it’s important for students to enjoy the holidays, if they don’t make time for the job search, they will miss out on great career opportunities. Luckily, with a little bit of forethought, they can find ways to incorporate their job search into the holidays. All it takes is a little guidance from a career services professional, like you.

Help your job seekers make the most of their break by showing them how they can participate in the holiday revelry while focusing on their careers. Here are three tips to keep your job seekers on track during this busy time of year:

Trust. A simple five-letter word that has the power to make or break any relationship in life. And we’re not just talking about personal connections — trust plays a significant role in the professional world, too.

This Edelman Trust Barometer report found that 76% of employees trust their employers. As a job seeker, you want to become part of that 76% — but how? It’s hard to know if you can trust a company before you’re actively employed.

Here are four tactics you can use during your job search to sleuth out whether each prospective employer is truly trustworthy:

While it’s important to round up all the lessons from your courses and major classes in preparation for job searching, it’s also crucial to think outside of the box. You’ve learned just as much — or maybe more — about the real world outside of the classroom.

Now it’s time to take what you’ve learned and start applying it to find your dream job. Here are three lessons every college graduate needs to take into their job search:

Talking about future goals and career interests is a key component of almost every interview. But the questions“Tell me a little bit about why you want this position” and “Where do you see yourself five years from now?” regularly spark a sense of dread. 

Admitting that you’re only there because you need money or because your school requires you to have an internship is honest but uninspiring. It is never wise to lie in an interview, but blatantly stating that you don’t care about what this organization does or stands for isn’t a great alternative. 

Fortunately, there is another option for answering this question that communicates interest without lying. And that’s by explaining what you hope to gain in this role that would, ultimately, connect to your career interests. It doesn’t have to be an exact match to your long-term goals to teach you the skills you’ll need for that future. 

Use these three tips to portray those career interests in a positive light: 

While it’s easy to hyper-focus on a position that fits your major, the qualifications needed, and the paycheck, there are still several other factors to consider when searching for a job. Overall job satisfaction is a critical factor to consider.

Resumes serve as the gateway to career opportunities, making it essential for job seekers, especially college students, to craft compelling and effective resumes. Career service professionals play a crucial role in guiding students through this process. In this blog post, we will delve into the intricacies of resume writing, offering detailed insights, industry-specific tips, and best practices. 

These guidelines are tailored to assist career service professionals in creating templates and resources that empower college students on their job-seeking journey.

Getting ready for graduation is an exciting time, but it can also add extra pressure to perform at the next level, especially when it comes to interviewing for your future career. Many job interviews and opportunities are also now conducted virtually. This means you have another job search skill to pick up or sharpen. 

Here are a few ways you can apply everyday experiences as a student to your online interviews skills to become a better interviewee before graduation:  

The entrepreneurial journey is an exhilarating path that beckons to those with a spirit of innovation and a desire to create something extraordinary. For graduates and alumni, entrepreneurship offers a unique avenue for professional fulfillment and impact. 

It’s important for students and alumni to understand the world of entrepreneurship, weighing its pros and cons. The career center is an invaluable tool for outlining crucial factors to consider, and providing valuable resources for aspiring entrepreneurs. Let’s navigate the terrain of entrepreneurial development and uncover the keys to success for graduates and alumni.