New students who want to get a jump on their careers can seek help at the Career Planning and Placement Center.

The center is located in Swen Parson Hall, Room 210, and is open Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.

The center offers a variety of help for students. Some of its services include:

‘Counselors available to talk about job-related concerns

‘Workshops on resume writing, interviewing, job search strategies and related topics.

‘On-campus interviews

‘Part-time and temporary off-campus job listings

‘Weekly job bulletins

‘Credential services for education and human services majors

‘Alumni resume referral service

‘Job fairs

Gary Scott, director of the center, said there are staff members “to help critique resumes.” Scott said students can bring in drafts of their resumes to counselors to be checked.

He said the job market is “extremely competitive” so students “need to establish a good track record.” Scott said part of establishing a good record is getting good grades and work experience.

The center also sponsors job fairs. Each job fair brings in about 400 to 500 employers, he said. Most of the job fairs are at NIU, but there is one in Chicago, he said.

“A job search is really a marketing campaign,” Scott said. “Students need to know how to present themselves.”

Scott said it is important for students to begin planning early.

The center also offers customized workshops for different majors.