Career and Placement Unit

Campus Life

The Career and Placement Unit supports students and alumni in securing various categories of employment and gaining exposure to the working world. We stand ready to help you on your career journey and guide you each of the way. At our office, a warm welcome awaits you!

Mandate

The Career and Placement Centre aims to equip individuals with the skills, knowledge and resources needed to successfully navigate their career paths and achieve their professional goals.

Mission Statement

“Empowering careers and igniting potential through information, training, research, and employment opportunities for lifelong growth.

Career and Placement Officer's Message

Welcome to the UTech, Ja. Career and Placement Unit's services. We know choosing a career is tough and we want to help! The Career and Placement Unit stands ready as your partner and support system in crafting a career that fits your interests and aligns with your life goals.

We are one of the five (5) sub-units of the Division of Student Services Registry and you will find us on the first floor of the Students Services Building which is just across from the Medical Centre. Our services are free of cost to all UTECH students and include Individual and Group Career Counselling, Personality Assessments, training to boost your chances of employment, Resume Vetting, access to a Work and Travel Programme, Job Placement and Recruitment.

Our strategic partnerships with corporate partners and industry leaders provide the opportunity for both current students and graduates to launch into their career of choice.

We pray that your journey and your experiences throughout your university life will help you to make the right choices. Book an appointment with us by calling 876 9705030 or emailing placement@utech.edu.jm. We hope to see you soon!

Abundant blessings,

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Job Placement Services

The Career and Placement Unit assists students/alumni in gaining various forms of employment and/or exposure to the working world.

The following forms of employment can be obtained through the Unit:

Full-time
Part-time
Seasonal – e.g. summer employment
Voluntary

We receive daily requests from companies for various forms of employment and, from our pool of applicants, we fill these requests. Additionally, we make contact with potential employers to initiate job placement.

How do you access the placement services of the Career and Placement Unit?

Accessing the services of the Career and Placement Unit only takes three simple steps;

Bring a hard copy version of your résumé to the Career and Placement Unit to be vetted.
AFTER corrections are made, submit your résumé via email to placement@utech.edu.jm. Résumés are to be submitted with the email subject having one of the following formats depending on the type of job being requestedFor students who are still studying:
- - Full-Time and seeking a full-time job:
    eg. Full-Time – Mark Brown – Faculty of Law
  - Part-Time and seeking a part-time job:
    eg. Part-Time – Mark Brown – Faculty of Law
  - Summer and seeking a summer job:
    eg. Summer – Mark Brown – Faculty of Law
  - For Graduates
    Graduate who have completed their studies and are seeking a job:
    eg. Graduate – Patrick Pinnock Jr. – School of Business Administration – Accounting
Wait for an email to tell you that your résumé was received

Annual Job Fair

We host an annual Job Fair in semester two which gives our clientele an opportunity to start networking with human resource professionals who are poised to offer various forms of employment. The Job Fair focuses on company representatives interviewing final year students. However all students are invited to participate.

Services Offered

What is a Résumé?

A résumé is a marketing tool that summarizes one’s employment qualifications for a targeted audience.

The product being marketed is you.
It should be a factual, accurate, honest and result-oriented presentation of yourself to your potential employer.
It is a documentation of your past and it is geared towards your future and what you can bring to the organisation.
It should contain an emphasis on skills and accomplishments rather than on attitude and personality traits.
The goal is to enable you to get into face-to-face interaction with the person who has authority to hire you.

Elements of a résumé

Most résumé include seven (7) parts:

Your name, email, and phone number
A job or employment objective
Your skills
Your work experience
Your education
Your special interests
Your references

Common résumé mistakes to avoid:

The word “résumé” at the top of the resume
Fluffy rambling “objective” statements
Salary information
Full addresses of former employers
Reasons for leaving jobs
A “Personal” section, or personal statistics (except in special cases)
Names of supervisors
Contact information for references

Sample Résumés

1 Column - Simple

1 Column - Classic

2 Column - Modern

2 Column - Simple

Checklist to ensure that your resume is complete and fit for use

One to two pages only, unless you have significant previous experience.
Word processor generated, with full spell check and proofing.
Times Roman or other Serif fonts, 10-point to 12-point size.
No more than two fonts and two sizes.
Margins no less than .75″ and no more than 1.5″.
Quality bond paper, 8 X 11 inches.
Contact information clearly stated; campus and permanent addresses both listed if appropriate, e-mail addresses, fax number and telephone number.
Clear, focused objective.
Summary of your top three or four skills listed as bullet points.
Degree listed first, college second.
Graduation date listed, even if you have not yet graduated.
Experience section listing most notable accomplishments.
Descriptive or actual job titles.
Industry buzzwords and key words included.
Activities section listing your most notable extra-curricular activities.

Need help with your resume or assistance with a job?

If you are a student/graduate sending a resume, please direct same via email to placement@utech.edu.jm under an applicable subject heading:

Full Time – Year – First Name, Last Name – Faculty/School/College – Major
Graduate – Year – First Name, Last Name – Faculty/School/College – Major

For more assistance, watch this Presentation on our YouTube Channel on How to Effectively Write a Resume

Applying for an advertised opening

Applicants often say something like “I look forward to hearing from you”, when concluding their cover letter. However, if you have further contact info (e.g. phone number) and if the employer hasn’t said “no phone calls”, it’s better to take the initiative to follow-up. Therefore, say something like, “I will contact you in the next two weeks to see if you require any additional information regarding my qualifications” instead.

Asking about the possibility of an opening

Don’t assume the employer will contact you. You should say something like, “I will contact you in two weeks to learn more about upcoming employment opportunities with (name of organization)”. Then mark your calendar to make the call.

Sample Cover Letters

Sample Cover Letter 01

Sample Cover Letter 02

Sample Cover Letter 03

Sample Cover Letter 04

All cover letters should:

Explain why you are sending a resume.
Don’t send a resume without a cover letter. Don’t make the reader guess what you are asking for; be specific: Do you want a summer internship opportunity, or a permanent position after graduation? Are you inquiring about future employment possibilities?
Tell specifically how you learned about the position or the organization
A flyer posted in your department, a web site, a family friend who works at the organization. It is appropriate to mention the name of someone who suggested that you write.
Convince the reader to look at your resume.
The cover letter will be seen first. Therefore, it must be very well written and targeted to that employer.
Call attention to elements of your background.
Education, leadership, experience — that are relevant to a position you are seeking. Be as specific as possible, using examples.
Reflect your attitude, personality, motivation, enthusiasm, and communication skills.
Provide or refer to any information specifically requested in a job advertisement that might not be covered in your resume, such as availability date, or reference to an attached writing sample.
Indicate what you will do to follow-up.

Tune in to this Presentation on our YouTube Channel on How to Effectively Write a Cover Letter

The Interview

A job interview is your opportunity to show an employer what kind of employee he/she will get if you’re hired. That is why it is essential to be well prepared for the job interview.

How to be Prepared for an Interview

Practice makes perfect! Before you ever go on an interview, go through some checklists to make sure you have covered all of your bases. Practice answering the questions that may be asked. You may practice with a friend or family member or in front of the mirror. The more you practice, the more comfortable you will become with the process. It is very important to present yourself to an employer in a way that will show that you will be a good worker. Employers conduct interviews to help them choose the person they think is best qualified for the job. A positive attitude is very important!

Ask yourself the following questions before you go to an interview:

Do I know the person that I am interviewing with?
Am I sure of the time, place, and location of the interview?
Do I know I have copies of my resume and/or personal data sheet?
Do I know what position I am interviewing for?
Have I thought of some questions that I might be asked?
Have I practiced interviewing with someone?
Do I really want to work there?
Have I thought of some questions that I might ask the employer?
How is my appearance? (See the check list below).
Is my hair clean and cut? Have I showered and used deodorant?

For more assistance, tune in to this Presentation on our YouTube Channel on:

Interviewing Skills

Dressing for Success

Interview Dos and Don'ts

At an interview, you need to present your best professional self to an employer. Here are a few tips to ensure that your first impression is a good and lasting one.

Interview Dos:

Do destress yourself before interview using relaxation techniques.
Do focus on your skills and achievements that can be related to the particular job.
Do research the employer before hand.
Do take a practice run to the location where you are having the interview, so you know exactly where it is and how long it takes to get there.
Do greet interviewers by title (i.e. Ms., Dr., Mr.).
Do shake hands firmly.
Do wait until you are offered a chair before sitting.
Do show enthusiasm in the position and the company.
Do make eye contact with your interviewer(s).

Interview Dont’s:

Don’t say anything negative about former colleagues, supervisors, or employers.
Don’t answer cell phone calls during the interview, and do turn off (or set to silent ring) your cell phone and/or pager
Don’t answer questions with a simple “yes” or “no.” Explain whenever possible. Describe those things about yourself that showcase your talents, skills and determination. Give examples.
Don’t inquire about salary, vacations, bonuses, retirement, or other benefits until after you’ve received an offer. Be prepared for a question about your salary requirements, but do try and delay salary talk until you have an offer.
Don’t ever not ask any questions – it shows a lack of interest.
Don’t respond to an unexpected question with an extended pause or by saying something like, “boy, that’s a good question”. Do not repeat the question out loud or ask for the question to be repeated to give you a little more time to think about an answer. Also, a short pause before responding is okay.

Polishing Your Image

Part of making that first impression good and lasting is how we physically present ourselves and how were are attired. Our clothes are often the first things interviewers observe about us, even before we say a word. Therefore, we have to make our clothes speak well for us. “Dress like you already have the job” is a good rule to follow when we are deciding on our interview outfits.

These are a few tips for both males and females to consider when determining what to wear for your interview.

Women's Interview Attire

Solid colour conservative suit
No close-fitting garments
Coordinated blouse
Moderate shoes
Limited jewelry
Neat, professional hairstyle
Tan or light hosiery
Sparse make-up & perfume
Manicured nails
Portfolio or briefcase

Men's Interview Attire

Solid colour conservative suit
Solid colour long sleeve shirt
Conservative tie
Dark socks, professional shoes
Very limited jewelry
Neat, professional hairstyle
Go easy on the aftershave
Neatly trimmed nails
Portfolio or briefcase

For more assistance, tune in to these presentations on our YouTube Channel for useful and helpful tips.

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Campus Life