In the world of technology, submitting an application online is simply not enough. Some job search engines show how many other applicants there are that applied for the job. With my own job hunting experience, I’ve seen 500 or more applicants and would automatically get discouraged from applying. I knew that finding the right entry level position would be difficult but I discovered that it is very competitive. There are a lot of people that have the educational background and job-related experience that the job requires. So how does one stand out from the crowd?

I started using LinkedIn because my professor suggested that I create an account. But most recently, as a soon to be graduate, I’ve decided to use LinkedIn to apply for jobs, connecting with employers from companies, and comparing my qualifications to someone in my desired position.

LinkedIn is the world’s largest professional network. It has three basic functions:

• Build your professional identity online and stay in touch with colleagues and classmates
• Discover internship and professional opportunities, business deals, and new ventures
• Get the latest news, inspiration, and insights you need to be great at what you do

An article by WorkitDaily, 4 Ways to Stand Out to Employers, the second way listed was to “contact the HR director directly.” Although it may be difficult to connect with strangers, LinkedIn is used to make this task easier.

MEDC Director of Talent Attraction and Resources, Cynthia Richardson says, “A recent survey by LinkedIn indicates that 85% of professionals find their next career opportunity through networking. LinkedIn is a great resource to develop and maintain your professional relationships or find your next great hire. It is key to truly network with professionals you know or to work within your network who may introduce you to new connections. Networking will not work if you are not sincere about how you build your professional relationship.”

Making the initiative to personally contact the HR director of a company makes you stand out from everyone. In a competitive and digital job market, it’s important to make yourself memorable to land your next internship or your next your dream job.

To find valuable internship opportunities, visit Pure Michigan Talent Connect at mitalent.org.

LaTya Jefferson is a Talent Team intern with the Michigan Economic Development Corporation, working to develop content for our external and internal newsletters, highlighting success stories, programs, and resources for business attraction.

As a Michigan State University alumna and Michigan business owner, Kate Snyder uses the state’s resources to help grow Michigan’s economy. Although Kate had several opportunities to leave the state and do great things, she built a career in her hometown, while creating opportunities for others.  The company she founded, Piper and Gold Public Relations, is a boutique agency which means it’s small by choice and highly specialized. Through her business, Kate and her team are working to transform the economy and community of Michigan to reach its “vibrant and thriving” potential. She serves a variety of clients including government agencies, nonprofits, associations and small businesses while empowering others to make a difference.

Not only has Kate helped her clients but she’s also connected students to opportunities within her company. A Piper and Gold internship is a one of a kind program that gives students’ hands-on experience and Kate has been able to hire two interns with the help of the Small Company Innovation Award (SCIA).

“Michigan has come so far in the 15 years I’ve been working professionally, but still has a long way to go in terms of reflecting many of my values,” said Snyder. “There are places around the country where I see things like equality, inclusion, progressive urban planning, the arts and public education supported in deed and in dollar, and it’s hard not to feel jealous or some sort of pull when I visit communities like Columbus or Minneapolis. But at the end of the day, I wanted to be a part of the change. I want to spend my time and energy working to help Michigan become the kind of place I want to live and now, to raise my son. So I’ve spent my career in public service, and now working with government agencies and nonprofits that are striving to transform Michigan into the kind of place I’ve always wanted to be.”

The SCIA grant is provided through the Michigan Corporate Relations Network whose mission among other things is to set up university-to-business connections. SCIA offers Michigan businesses the opportunity to hire qualified students to work as interns or co-op students on innovative, mutually beneficial projects, providing 1:1 matching funds for 10-16 week internships.

“I strongly believe that government programs can help spur startup growth and success,” said Snyder “This program seemed like a great fit for our agency when we were just starting out to help increase how much I was able to pay student employees and to help me keep them on more sustainably as a young company.”

When asked how the award helped her, Kate said “For P&G, SCIA was a turning point in formalizing our program and in allowing us to offer more competitive, longer internships. We were able to move from stipends to hourly rates and increase those rates, while also retaining students past one semester to multi-semester internships as well as retaining them as full-time employees after graduation.”

To find out more information about the Small Company Innovation Award, visit http://www.michigancrn.org/. 

Are you a college student who is looking to acquire an internship? Visit Pure Michigan Talent Connect for the latest internship opportunities across Michigan. 

About: The goal of Dow Chemical Employees’ Credit Union has always been to serve the members to the best of our abilities and provide them with the best value for their money. Every day, we continually strive to improve our level of service by keeping our common focus on the members. 

Open positions:

Mortgage Loan Originator

Mortgage Loan Processor

Consumer Loan Processor

Additional information: Paid time off, paid vacations, 401K, health benefits offered for full time employees’ 

How to Apply:  Please go to:  https://dcecu.applicantpro.com/jobs/

Deadline to Apply: May 5th, 2017

About: MMI Engineered Solutions is in the business of innovation, both in what we do and how we do it. We offer competitive pay, market leading benefits and a culture that supports individual development and advancement. We are a member of the Proud to Manufacturing in Michigan organization and we are looking to grow our team. If you are interested in working in a fast paced, energetic team environment then consider MMI Engineered Solutions today!

Website: http://www.mmi-es.com/

Location: 

1715 Woodland Dr. Saline, Michigan 48176

Open positions:

• Entry level Press Operator – All Shifts
• Plastic Injection Mold Maker
• Applications Engineer
• Internship opportunities

Additional information: Medical, Dental, Vision, 401k, Company Paid Life & AD&D Insurance, up to 15 Days of PTO in first year of employment, 10 Paid holidays, Tuition Reimbursement,  Wellness program

How to Apply: 

https://mmies.applicantpool.com/jobs/111003.html

                      https://mmies.applicantpool.com/jobs/133632.html

                                   https://mmies.applicantpool.com/jobs/145406.html

Thursday, April 20, 2017 from 10:00am to 1:00pm

Located at: Glen Oaks Gymnasium, 62249 Shimmel Rd., Centreville, MI 49032. 

Business Casual Attire Required

(No Jeans/No T-Shirts/No Sandals)
Free bus transportation is available through the St. Joseph County Transit Authority with 24-hour notice.

To see a full listing of all employers that will be in attendance or if you are an employer wishing to register a booth for the Job Fair, please check out our Job Fair Employers page.

Where: Crest Marine, LLC 2710 M-52, Owosso, MI 48867

When:   9:00 AM – 1:00 PM

More Than 30 Immediate Openings
Ongoing hiring to continue throughout the year

If you have skills or experience in any of the following areas, Crest Marine would like to meet you:

Job Fair attendees will have the opportunity to tour the facility, meet with the Crest Marine leadership, and fill out an application. Select applicants may be interviewed on site.

Why Work At Crest Marine?

Crest believes that their success is based upon their people. In support of that, the company offers a variety of benefits and incentives to their team, including paid holidays, vacation time, 401k, 50% coverage of medical insurance with dental and vision also available, and employee appreciation events.

·       Accounting

·       Assembly

·       Auto Repair

·       CNC

·       Construction

·       Customer Service

·       Electrical

·       General Labor

·       Information Technology

·       Maintenance

·       Powder Coating & Sandblasting

·       Purchasing

·       Sales & Marketing

·       Sewing

·       Truck Driving

·       Welding