Hire A Falcon helps students find jobs

With graduation in sight, some UW-River Falls students are now looking for jobs. Though seniors are taking their steps away from the University, the Hire A Falcon System can offer one final piece of service before students embark to the real world.

“It is an online job and internship search tool that assists students to find opportunities where the employer or recruiter is specifically wanting a student from the University of Wisconsin System or UWRF,” Hire A Falcon System Career Advisor and Recruitment Coordinator Melissa Wilson said. “The employers are looking for someone enrolled in the four-year program.”

Wilson said she suggests the Hire A Falcon System to students due to its simplicity.

“Without this system, these opportunities would require hours of searching,” she said. “It’s a quick and easy way to access job postings in one site.”

Hire A Falcon System Web and Database Administrator Matt Fitzgerald agrees.

“Students would need to search multiple Web sites and newspapers to uncover the positions that we consolidate into this single resource, with jobs and internships geared for college students and graduates,” Fitzgerald said.

In order to log in to the Hire A Falcon System Web site, students can use a guest username or register with their own personal information. Wilson said she recommends students create their own accounts so they can access all the extra features.

Though freshmen through seniors can register, most of the employers are looking to hire a four-year graduate.

“It’s important for students to keep their personal information current ... we all know how often students move,” Wilson said. “If an employer is trying to get a hold of you, it is important that they know where to find you.”

Besides listing personal information, students can create or upload a résumé to the site. Wilson said this is how students can be proactive in their job search.

“It is the student’s job to apply for positions because businesses simply don’t have the time,” she said.

Résumés can be stored in a student’s account along with other documents, such as a cover letter.

If a student is not sure how to create the perfect résumé, they can utilize the résumé critique provided by Career Services.

UWRF is not the only university that has this service. At least 10 of the 13 universities in the UW System have similar software.

No matter what program a student is using, the job search component is the most important feature, Fitzgerald and Wilson said.

“The job agent feature allows students to receive a daily e-mail listing of new jobs that we receive each day without them needing to log in to their account,” Fitzgerald said. “This is called ‘passive job searching,’ which requires minimal effort.”

Wilson said though the job search agent is the most important feature, it is used the least on students’ accounts.

“Students are busy and don’t have enough time to visit the Web site,” she said. “Luckily for them, they don’t have to be proactive. They can receive e-mails.”

Sophomore Shawna Carpentier said she had never heard of the Hire A Falcon System, but would consider using it in the future.

“I think it would be something I would use as a type of watchdog for a career,” she said. “If you don’t know where to look for a certain job, you probably won’t find it, but it sounds like this service would help.”

The job agent includes nationwide job options, but most of the opportunities are available in Wisconsin and Minnesota.

Some of the businesses looking for employees are Wells Fargo, State Farm and IBM.

Types of job positions include internships, part time, full-time entry level and full-time experienced.

The Hire A Falcon System also offers a directory of mentors.

“It’s an online location where students can find a listing of people who are willing to speak with them regarding career options,” Fitzgerald said.

The Hire A Falcon System serves 1,376 students, as well as some alumni, at this time. The Hire A Falcon System can be located at www.uwrf.edu/ccs/.