In today’s episode Rebecca interviews Professor Jane Murtaugh, Program Chair for the Human Resources Certificate Program at College of DuPage. Throughout the interview she discusses the career possibilities in Human Resources careers along with skills needed to succeed in the profession. Tips to get started are also shared in addition to specific details about studying the program at College of DuPage. Get more information about Human Resources at College of DuPage on the Program...

During this episode of the Career Ready Podcast, Pierre shares tips related to preparing for salary negotiation and ideas how to work through the conversation. Points of research and planning are shared along with resources for the pre-negotiation stage. Hypotheticals and things to consider for the negotiation stage are also shared. Rebecca also leads off the episode by reviewing the communication competency and breaks down one of the related behaviors as identified by NACE (National...

During this episode of the Career Ready Podcast, we share tips on the job search process from a hiring manager’s perspective. We also explore the NACE Competency of Professionalism.  Topic #1: Michelle interviews Angelo Conti, Supervisor of Mail & Warehouse Services at the College of DuPage, who shares tips on the job search process, including how job seekers can stand out to a hiring manager.   Topic #2: Pierre discusses some key behaviors from the Professionalism competency. This...

During this episode of The Career Ready Podcast, we discuss what questions to ask employers at the end of an interview. We also cover how to reach out to an employer after you've applied for a job.  Topic #1: Rebecca shares tips on what questions to ask – and not ask – at the end of a job interview. Discover what questions will help you better understand the job and the employer as well as help you shine as a candidate.  Topic #2: Michelle talks about how and when you should consider...

During this episode of the Career Ready Podcast, we hear from a student that secured an internship in her first year at College of DuPage. She shares her story and tips for other students seeking opportunities. We also explore the NACE Competency of Critical Thinking.  Topic #1 Pierre interviews Kimberly, a student at College of DuPage about her summer internship experience and how she secured the opportunity within her first year of being a college student.  Topic #2 Rebecca discusses some...

During this episode of the Career Ready Podcast, we will talk about how to discuss your strengths and weaknesses during an interview. We will also introduce CareerOneStop, which is a website helpful for researching jobs and interview prep.  Topic #1: Michelle shares tips on how to present your strengths and weaknesses to employers during interviews.  Topic #2: Rebecca talks about CareerOneStop, a career website with great resources to research jobs and strong information on...

During this episode of the Career Ready Podcast, we discuss job seeking with a disability. We will also explore a resource called Ask JAN.  Topic #1: Michelle interviews Melissa Schertz, the Interim Manager for the Career Services Center at College of DuPage, about how to approach the job search process if you have a disability, including the review of important terminology, laws, and guidance on the disclosure process.   Topic #2 : Pierre discusses the resource Ask JAN, which is a Job...

During this episode of the Career Ready Podcast, we start a new series on answering interview questions. This episode is about answering behavioral interview questions using the STAR method.  Topic #1: Pierre answers a listener question about when to show up at an interview. This is an important component of the interview that does take some planning. It is a great way to show your professionalism.   Topic #2: Rebecca talks about the most difficult interview questions, the behavioral...

During this episode of the Career Ready Podcast, we discuss the current job market and growing trends in the workforce. We also explore the NACE Competency of Technology.  Topic #1: Pierre interviews Joe Cassidy, the Assistant VP of Economic Development and Dean of Continuing Education and Public Services about current job market and growing trends in the workforce including remote work and AI.  Topic #2 : Michelle discusses some key behaviors from the Technology competency. This competency...

Welcome to Season 4! On this episode of the Career Ready Podcast, we give career tips on how to have a successful fall semester by updating your resume, participating on campus, getting ready for a spring or summer internship, and more.  We also discuss highlights from our faculty interviews from over the summer. Topic #1 – Catch up with your hosts, Michelle Malik, Pierre Michiels, and Rebecca Harrington  Topic #2 – Highlights from our summer interviews with faculty in several key programs –...

 In today’s episode Rebecca interviews Brian Clement, Associate Professor and Department Chair of Horticulture at College of DuPage. They discuss the career possibilities within horticulture along with skills needed to succeed in the profession. Tips to get started are also shared in addition to what the program has to offer its students at College of DuPage. Learn more about COD's Horticulture Program here:  cod.edu/academics/programs/horticulture/  Please visit our website Send us YOUR...

In this episode Michelle interviews Robert Plank, Assistant Professor, at College of DuPage. They discuss the career possibilities within computer and information technology along with skills needed to succeed in the profession. Tips to get started are also shared in addition to what the program has to offer its students at College of DuPage. Get more information about Computer and Information Technology at College of DuPage on the Program Page.  Please visit our website Send us YOUR...

In this episode Pierre interviews Stephanie Vlach, Assistant Professor, Co-chair for Sports Management, and Sports Management Faculty Advisor at College of DuPage. Throughout the interview the possibilities within sports management as a career are discussed along with skills needed to succeed in the profession. Tips to get started are also shared in addition to specific details about studying the program at College of DuPage.  Get more information about Sports Management at College of...

In today's episode Rebecca interviews Steve Accardi, English Professor and Program Chair of the award-winning Writing Studies program at College of DuPage. They discuss the national award-winning Professional Writing Certificate as well as the importance of writing in the workplace. From STEM to business to the arts, writing is an essential skill that propels job seekers to better opportunities. Get more information about the Writing Studies Program at College of DuPage on the Program...

In today’s episode, we’ll provide you with tips on how to give your elevator pitch in an interview setting. We’ll also answer a listener question about how to address a work gap in an interview and dive deeper into our resource of the day, Big Interview.  Topic #1: Pierre talks about the resource of the day, Big Interview, which helps prepare you for an interview by learning about interview tips and allowing you to practice your skills.  Topic #2: Michelle discusses how to give your elevator...

In this week’s episode, you’ll hear an interview with two College of DuPage international students from the CCI Program. They will talk about their experiences in transitioning to a new area leading to struggles and success in building a network from minimal connections. We’ll also answer a listener question about using a cover letter in the job search and discuss the NACE competency of Teamwork.  Topic #1: Rebecca talks about the NACE competency Teamwork. The conversation focuses on...

In this week’s episode, you’ll hear an interview with College of DuPage’s Interim Director for Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion about DEI in the workplace and how to discuss DEI during a job interview. We’ll also answer a listener question about how to list multiple jobs at the same company on a resume and discuss the NACE competency of Equity and Inclusion.  Topic #1: Pierre discusses some key behaviors from the Equity and Inclusion competency from the list of top 8 competencies from the...

During this episode of the Career Ready Podcast, we talk about how to share your elevator pitch on LinkedIn in multiple spots. The conversation covers the LinkedIn headline, about section, and a recorded introduction. The LinkedIn conversation is preceded by a review of the workforce database O*Net and followed by this week’s listener question about what content to share in the body of the cover letter.  Topic #1: Michelle reviews the workforce database O*Net. She discusses how to use the...

During this episode of the Career Ready Podcast, we talk about how to give your elevator pitch in the summary section of your resume and answer a listener mail question about creating different resumes for different applications. We also review the resource of the day: VMock SMART Resume.  Topic #1: Rebecca discusses applicant tracking software or ATS and introduces a resource called VMock Smart Resume, which provides users with instant feedback on their resume.  Topic #2: Michelle talks...

On this episode of the Career Ready Podcast, we interview Sheri Gross, the Veterans Services Manager at College of DuPage, who talks about tips for veterans during the job search process. We also discuss our resource of the day, Career Coach, and answer a listener mail question about how to approach an informational interview.  Topic #1: Pierre talks about the resource Career Coach and the many ways it can be use to research careers. Highlighted areas include completing an assessment,...

On this episode of the Career Ready Podcast, we discuss how to create and share your Elevator Pitch as part of networking and your job search. We also talk about the Career and Self Development career competency and answer a listener mail question about improving yourself to improve your job search.  Topic #1: Michelle talks about the NACE competency, Career & Self-Development. Employers like to see job seekers who “Show an awareness of [your] own strengths and areas for...

During this episode of the Career Ready Podcast, we discuss tips to help you search for internships. We also talk about using LinkedIn as an internship search tool and answer a listener mail question about becoming a competitive candidate without job experience.  Topic #1: Rebecca talks about how to use LinkedIn for your Internship Search, including updating your profile, using the alumni tool to find connections, and finding internships using the job search tool.   Topic #2: Michelle...

In this episode, host Pierre Michiels interviews host Michelle Malik on her career path. Get to know one of our hosts better while learning about the different paths our careers can take us.   Please visit our website Send us YOUR Listener Questions at [email protected] Follow us on Instagram, Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn @codcareercenter