The Career Ready Podcast – Details, episodes & analysis

In this episode, hosts Rebecca Harrington and Pierre Michiels shine a spotlight on apprenticeships—an exciting way to get paid while pursing your career. Pierre kicks things off by discussing the importance of Career and Self Development, emphasizing the need for setting goals and seeking feedback. Then, Rebecca interviews Daneille Kuglin Seago from Project HireEd at College of DuPage, diving into the ins and outs of apprenticeships. Learn what apprenticeships are, how they differ from traditional education, and the unique benefits they provide for both students and employers. Whether you're just starting out or looking to advance in your field, this episode is packed with insights and practical tips for leveraging apprenticeships to enhance your career journey. 

Please visit our website

Send us YOUR Listener Questions at careerpodcast@cod.edu

Follow us on Instagram, Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn @codcareercenter

In today’s episode, we discuss things to help you star exploring career options when you do not have a path in mind. Ideas and resources shared will help you understand different ways job are classified to help discover possibilities based on your interests. We also provide information on multiple resource based on Department of Labor data to help identify and research careers.

Resources discussed/referred to include:
Career OneStop
O*Net
COD, Career Coach

Please visit our website

Send us YOUR Listener Questions at careerpodcast@cod.edu

Follow us on Instagram, Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn @codcareercenter

Listen to this episode to learn how to connect your resume to each opportunity as you apply by tailoring it to the job posting and each organization's needs. The best way to get noticed is to make sure it is easy for the employer to connect your skills and experience to the specific job. Also listen to our listener mail to learn about how to create a resume when you have been out of the workforce for several years, but are now moving to a new field. 

Topic #1: Michelle answers a listener question submitted to careerpodcast@cod.edu.   

“I was listening to the podcast that was published on April 2 and mostly the discussion included persons that were out of work due to caring for a relative or layoff for extended time. What is your advice for a person that has been employed for the past 10 years but now is moving into another field of career that isn’t the same as the job that they are applying for. How would a person address this in a resume and cover letter?” 

Topic #2: Rebecca talks about how to connect your resume to each opportunity as you apply by tailoring it to the job posting and each organization's needs. 

Please visit our website

Send us YOUR Listener Questions at careerpodcast@cod.edu

Follow us on Instagram, Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn @codcareercenter

Study Abroad and Field Studies are a great way to learn about the world. But did you know they can also help you prepare for your career? Listen to our interview with Sue Kerby, Coordinator of Study Abroad at College of DuPage talk about how to travel and gain valuable experience that will help you in your job search and career.  

Topic #1: Michelle interviews Sue Kerby, Coordinator of Study Abroad at College of DuPage to learn about this amazing form of experiential learning that not only expands our worldview, but also our resume.  

Topic #2: Rebecca answers a Listener Question about how to answer unexpected interview questions.  

Please visit our website

Send us YOUR Listener Questions at careerpodcast@cod.edu

Follow us on Instagram, Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn @codcareercenter

In today’s episode, Pierre leads the discussion on different types of experience that can be shared with employers. Tips are provided on presenting experiences beyond employment on the resume. Rebecca starts the episode by providing information on the NACE Competency of Equity and Inclusion. 

Topic #1 (Competency): Rebecca discusses some key behaviors from the Equity and Inclusion competency. This competency is a part of the top 8 competencies from the National Association of Colleges and Employers (NACE). 

Topic #2 (Main Topic): Pierre talks about how to include experience on a resume outside of employment. Tips include formatting, content to include, and strategic use of headers. 

Please visit our website

Send us YOUR Listener Questions at careerpodcast@cod.edu

Follow us on Instagram, Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn @codcareercenter

In today’s episode, Rebecca interviews Susi Pihera from WorkNet DuPage about addressing employment gaps in the job search. The conversation includes tips on how to approach the conversation with employers and how to minimize the appearance of gaps on resumes and applications. Before the interview, Pierre answers a listener question about sharing the cover letter with employers. 

Topic #1 (Listener Mail): Pierre answers the questions, “An employer requested resume and cover letter be sent through e-mail. Do I attach the cover letter, or do I include it in the body of the e-mail?” 

 Topic #2 (Interview): Rebecca interviews Susi Pihera from WorkNet DuPage about addressing employment gaps while job seeking. Find your local American Job Center here: www.careeronestop.org/LocalHelp/local-help.aspx  

Please visit our website

Send us YOUR Listener Questions at careerpodcast@cod.edu

Follow us on Instagram, Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn @codcareercenter

In today’s episode, we talk about employment experience and how you can use it to create an impactful resume. We also provide information on the NACE Competency of Leadership. 

Topic #1 (Competency): Pierre discusses some key behaviors from the Leadership competency. This competency is a part of the top 8 competencies from the National Association of Colleges and Employers (NACE). 

Topic #2 (Main Topic): Michelle talks about how to include employment experience on your resume, such as how to format these experiences, how to create relevant bullet points, and how to reference your transferable skills. 

Please visit our website

Send us YOUR Listener Questions at careerpodcast@cod.edu

Follow us on Instagram, Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn @codcareercenter

In today’s episode, Pierre interviews a former student that faced many challenges as a non-traditional age student. She shares her story of perseverance and overcoming barriers to be recognized as an outstanding grad and better prepared to enter the workforce. Before the interview Michelle answers a listener question about presenting projects to employers and more specifically on a resume.

Topic #1 (Listener Mail): Michelle answers the questions, “I've been working on a lot of personal projects lately, but I'm not sure if it's worth sharing with employers. How do I incorporate it into the application process?”

Topic #2 (Interview): Pierre interviews Bonnie Bailey a College of DuPage outstanding grad from the May 2022 commencement ceremony about persevering as a student to be better prepared for the work force. 

Please visit our website

Send us YOUR Listener Questions at careerpodcast@cod.edu

Follow us on Instagram, Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn @codcareercenter

In today’s episode, we explain the value of the cover letter and how to approach the content to include on the document. The cover letter is compared to the resume and how the two documents supplement each other in the job search. We also provide information on a resource called VMock SMART Resume which helps users understand the resume AI review process. 

Topic #1 (Listener Mail): Listen to Michelle provide a review of the platform VMock SMART resume which provides guidance in the resume building process and insight to the resume AI review process. 

Topic #2: Pierre provides insight on why cover letters are important documents for a job search. Tips for writing an impactful cover letter are shared along with things to consider for the document to better enhance the content on the resume. 

Please visit our website

Send us YOUR Listener Questions at careerpodcast@cod.edu

Follow us on Instagram, Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn @codcareercenter

In today’s episode, we cover how to tailor your resume to beat the ATS system that often prevents resumes from being considered by employers. We also answer a listener question on how to tailor your resume when you are applying for a job in a new field. 

Topic #1 (Listener Mail): Listen to Pierre answer a listener question: “Many jobs, even what I think of as entry level jobs, set minimum qualifications for a certain amount of experience (e.g.: at least 3 years of experience working in direct customer service, at least 2 years' experience with sales, etc….). How do I get a job in the field I’m hoping to work in if I don’t have a way of getting the experience they are looking for?” 

 Topic #2: Has anyone ever submitted a job application and gotten an instant rejection? That may happen due to what we call applicant tracking software or ATS, which is a computer system that most companies use to scan your resume. Michelle talks about tips to beat the ATS, so you have a greater chance of your resume being seen by a hiring manager.

Please visit our website

Send us YOUR Listener Questions at careerpodcast@cod.edu

Follow us on Instagram, Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn @codcareercenter