Student Career Guide (2011-2012)

8/3/2019 Student Career Guide (2011-2012)

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http://careers.utah.edu | 3

WHAT IS

CAREER SERVICES?

Career Services focuses on everyaspect of your career explorationand development process. Allmajors (with the exception of the

professional schools) are served anda dedicated counselor is available toassist every student. The center alsoprovides employment resources forstudents and employers at thepart-time, internship and full-timeprofessional level.

We also host interviews withemployers in a wide range of indus-tries, offer a variety of workshops,

and organize several career eventsannually.

Alumni Career Services providescareer support to those studentsmore than one year past graduation.

Visit us on campus in the Student Services Building, Room 350, or

online at www.careers.utah.edu.

Welcome to Career Services at

The University of Utah



HOW NEW JOB SEEKERS FOUND THEIR JOB........20

JOB SEARCH STRATEGIES..........21

INTERNSHIPS................22

NETWORKING WORKS......23

GETTING RESULTS AT A CAREER FAIR........24

PREPARING TO INTERVIEW......26

YOUR ONLINE IDENTITY.........27

DRESS TO IMPRESS.........28

NEGOTIATING JOB OFFERS............30

ALUMNI CAREER SERVICES........31

Implementation and the Job Search

Contents

GET FAMILIAR WITH UCAREERLINK........6

CAREER ADVISING.....8

WORKSHOPS AND INFO SESSIONS...8

CAREER FAIRS.........8

PROFESSIONALISM AND ETHICS..............9

Career Services: Who Are We and Why Do You Need Us?

Choosing a Major and a Career

DEVELOPING YOUR CAREER PORTFOLIO.......10

SELF-DISCOVERY,.....11

INVESTIGATION AND EXPLORATION........12

IS GRADUATE SCHOOL FOR ME?........13

WHEN YOUR MAJOR ISNT A ROADMAP TO A CAREER......14

INFORMATION INTERVIEWS, SHADOWING,AND THE MENTOR DATABASE...........15

CAREERS FOR THE PUBLIC GOOD........16

THE INTERNET JOB SEARCH.......18

DECISION MAKING AND GOAL SETTING.......19


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Tools of the Trade

WRITING A WINNING RESUME......3

DEVELOPING ACCOMPLISHMENT STATEMENTS......3

RESUME FORMATTING TIPS................3

CATEGORIES OF INFORMATION...........3

ACTION WORDS...........3

RESUME TYPES.........3

PORTFOLIOS......4

COMMUNICATION ESSENTIALS..........4

WRITING EFFECTIVE COVER LETTERS..........4

LETTER OF INQUIRY..............4

THANK YOU LETTERS............5

CATCH PHRASES...............5



UCAREERLINK


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YOUR MAP TO EVERYTHING CAREER

HOME

Home is where you will find Career Services announcements and quick tips to help you better understand UCareerLin

MY ACCOUNT

My Account is divided into three categoriesMy Profile, My Documents, andMy Applications/Interviews.My Profile contains important information regarding your graduation date, majors, GPA, and other demographicinformation. It is VERY important to keep this information up-to-date because it will determine whether or notyou qualify for certain interviews and positions.

My Documents stores your resumes, cover letters, application forms, and unofficial transcripts. Many schedules anevents require you to upload a resume toMy Documents in order to register.

My Applications/Interviews will show you job postings sent by your Career Services counselor, as well as employerswho have viewed your resume through UCareerLink. It is also the place to review interview schedules or information sessions for which you have applied.

JOBS

Career Jobs and Student Jobs & Internshipsare found under the Jobs heading. You may filter your search, view all jobs by leaving all criteria fields blank in the Job Advanced Search feature. Jobs is also where ycan create a Job Search Agent, a feature that will email you when new jobs matching your search criteria amade available.

EMPLOYER INTERVIEW SCHEDULES

Employer Interview Schedules is where you will find a list of employers who have scheduled on-campusinterviews with students/graduates through University of Utah Career Services. You may choose between

View Onlyand Sign Upin the Employer Interview Schedules menu. Sign Up will provide you with a list ofschedules that you are qualified for. View Onlyallows you to view all schedules, even those for which you arenot qualified.

CAREER EVENTS

Career Events provides you with a list of upcoming events, including employer information sessions, Career

Services workshops, and Career Fairs.

MENTORS

The Mentors feature in UCareerLink allows you to locate and contact a University of Utah alumna or alumnu

or other professional who is interested in networking with current University of Utah students and alumni. Amentors primary purpose is to contribute to a students career exploration by giving tips on finding a new jobproviding advice on getting into a particular career path, and insight to possible careers related to certain ma-

jors. The mentors should not be solicited directly for employment.

CAREER RESOURCES

Career Resources are external assessment and research applications designed to assist you with your careeexploration process. It is recommended that you complete one or more of these assessments before meetinwith your Career Services counselor.



Career AdvisingCareer advisors can help with every stage of career planning. Freshmanthrough senior, graduate student or alumnuswhether your goal is employmentor graduate school, we can help.

Our services are free to students and recent graduates and include personal

career counseling with someone who is a specialist in career options for majorsin your college.

Because individual appointments with a counselor are in high demand, pleaseregister for services at www.careers.utah.edu and attend a workshop or twobefore you come see us to help make the most ofyour individual time.

We know the Internet is a valuable tool, buttheres more. Our Career Library contains countlessresources to make your research easier. Discoverinformation about careers, nationwide internships,

job market trends, salary information, graduateschool guides and personal exploration.

Everything Career Services has to offer is availableto recent graduates for one year after graduation.And if you have graduated beyond the one year mark,University of Utah Alumni Career Services is for you- www.alumni.utah.edu/career

Workshops and

Information Sessions

Workshops are held frequently in conjunction with ourCareer Caf. For a detailed listing, login to UCareerLink, clickon Career Events, then Career Services Workshops. Sampletopics include:

Resume writing

Preparing for a career fair

Networking

Interviewing

Successful career planning

How to land a government job

Presentations and information sessions by featured speakers includingalumni, employers, faculty and other experts

Career Fairs

Career Services sponsors at least five Career Fairs everyyear and there may be specialty fairs from time to time.Be sure to check the Career Services website often fordates and places. Want to know how to succeed at aCareer Fair? Go to our website www.careers.utah.eduand click on Career Fairsor go to page 24 and readGetting Results at a Career Fair.

Student Employment Fair: held soon afterschool begins in the fall

Science and Engineering Fair: first Tuesday ofOctober featuring internships and full-timeprofessional opportunities for technical majors

Fall Career Fair: first Thursday of October forBusiness, Humanities and Liberal Arts majors

Spring Career Fair: February for internships andfull-time professional opportunities for allmajors

Summer Jobs Fair: February for those seekingsummer employment

Teacher Fair: generally in March for allEducation majors

Who is Career Services and why do you need us?


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One of the things we are so proud of in University of Utah students is their refined sense of integrity and professional-ism. These qualities are key in defining the person you really are and the degree of happiness and success you willachieve in your life.

On campus we expect you to follow certain policies and practices and to honor your commitments with a very fine-tuned sense of integrity. Keep in mind your actions are not isolated and in most cases will affect those around you.

What is integrity? From Webster: moral soundness; honesty

FALSIFICATION OF INFORMATION

Students and alumni registering with Career Services and submitting their resume data arecertifying that the information is completely truthful and accurate. Those found providing falseinformation in any way risk becoming ineligible for services.

EMPLOYER INTERVIEW APPOINTMENT CANCELLATION

You are expected to keep every interview appointment scheduled.A no-show for an interview is professionally unacceptable anddemonstrates a lack of respect and responsibility and will result ininactivation of your UCareerLink account. Occasionallyemergency situations arise, but you will be expected to informyour counselor in Career Services and to write an email of

apology to the employer.

ACCEPTANCE OF JOB OFFER

If you have accepted a job offer, you are part of a contractualagreement and should not continue to interview withemployers. Notify employers with whom youmay have upcoming interviews and withdrawyour application.

RENEGING

Reneging is accepting an offer and thenchanging your mind - forwhatever reasons - to acceptanother offer. This reflects badlyon you and the University atlarge and is never appropriate.Carefully plan and manage yourentire job search process withthe help of your counselor sothis never becomes an issue.

PROFESSIONALISM & ETHICS

As a student at the University of Utah, you should be willing to follow these policies:



Choosing a Major

and a Career

Developing Your Career Portfolio CAREERDEVELOPMENT

PROCESS

Career planning is a

lifelong process and wedlike to suggest four stepsthat are designed to helpyou now as well as withyour future career plans.As you begin the stepslisted on the next page,youll find questions toconsider, resources tohelp, and results we hopeyoull recognize before

moving on.

You might use these stepsjust once; you might usethem many times. Thisprocess does not happenovernight and CareerServices is here to help.

SELF-DISCOVERY

INVESTIGATION/

EXPLORATION

DECISION MAKING/

GOAL SETTING

IMPLEMENTATION

Did you know that the same services offered toyou FREE by your Career Services office wouldcost from $500 to $3,000 at a professional careercounseling service?

DID KNOW?


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What am I good at? What examples do I haveof this?

What motivates me?

What am I passionate about? How could this

passion reflect my potential major or career?

What activities do I want to try in the future?

What would my friends and family say I amgood at?

What would my previous employers orteachers say Im good at?

What are my greatest strengths? Weaknesses?

What do I value? How would these valuesreflect my potential major orcareer?

What are my life goals? Careergoals? Personal goals? Other?

What are other factors that mightinfluence my major and careerchoices? Perhaps education/trainingrequirements, parental influence,earning potential, cultural consid-

erations, or ethics.

SELF-DISCOVERY

RESOURCES Visit your career counselor who is

trained to help you in this journey ofdiscovery

Take a career assessment to discoveryour interests, values, strengths andpersonality type

Assessments and a whole lot of otherinformation are found on our website atwww.careers.utah.edu

Have you heard? Books still work! OurCareer Library has dozens of careerexploration books.

Take the Career Exploration class




INVESTIGATION & EXPLORATION

How Can You Narrow the Fieldof Potential Employers? Determine up to three geographic areas of interest

Create a list of 5-10 organizations with whom you aremost interested in working. Spend most of your timeresearching these organizations and actively trying tonetwork and develop contacts within the organizations.

Researching employers and career paths canhelp you: Explore occupations and industries

Find out about qualifications, education, andother requirements

Gain knowledge and insight you can use in yourinterviews

Obtain salary and outlook information

Decide if a career or employer is a good fit

How do you start? Visit career research websites like www.bls.gov/ocoor

www.online.onetcenter.org

Watch career videos at www.acinet.org

Use the Marriott Library Business Resource Database tofind potential employers

Conduct information interviews and use our mentordatabase

Stop by the Career Services library for books on careerpaths and employers

Career Services has dedicated counselors who havesubstantial networks and great resources for you

The Walt Disney Company owns the ABCtelevision network and the Walt DisneyInternet Group, which includes ESPN.com.You may be talking with a subsidiary of amuch larger organization and not realize it.

DID KNOW?


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IS GRADUATE SCHOOL FOR ME?

WHY GO?

You may be driven by intellectual curiosity

It is a requirement of a profession suchas medicine, law, or teaching in highereducation

You perceive it will get you a betterentry-level job or provide advancementin a current position

THINGS TO CONSIDER

Are you realistic about the commitment intime, effort and resources?

Will this degree actually lead you to where

you want to be professionally? How will you finance it? Have you researched entry requirements? Consider information interviewing of

professionals who have completed thisprocess

WHO GETS IN?

Graduate schools look for the peoplethey feel will have the best chance ofsucceeding in their program

Make it clear in your application thatyou are this person

Faculty referrals are veryvaluable

Academic excellence, relatedwork experience, participationin student government, volun-teer activities and involvementbeyond the classroom areimportant to graduateadmissions committees

HOW DO I CHOOSE?

Use the Career Library, the Internet and your personal network toidentify programs in your chosen field

Check program rating Talk to graduate admissions counselors for individual departments Investigate financial aid

HOW DO I APPLY?

Follow the rules; be thorough, accurate and timely Begin earlymany deadlines occur early in the academic year You will have to write a personal statement; use this URL for some

help www.wpi.edu/Academics/FS/essays.html Arrange for letters of recommendation Prepare for a personal interview

ADMISSIONS EXAMINATIONS

Take a test prep class www.continue.utah.edu/prep/index.php Contact the University Testing Center for dates, times, locations and

registration for examinations




WHEN YOUR MAJOR

ISNT A ROADMAP TO A CAREER

It is sometimes your responsibility to enlightenthe employer that youre a qualified candidate.

The trick here is to get beyond job titles andpreferred majors. Instead, focus on qualificationsand skills.

Before you start, ask yourself some questions about whats

important to you when it comes to work and life in general:

How will your career choice complement other aspects of your personality?

What role will your career play in your life?

What kinds of things intrigue you about working?

What strengths and talents do you want to use in a career?

Are there definitely things you do notwant to do?

Put your degree in perspective.

Just because the curriculum hasnt steered you

along a particular career path, you still havethousands of options and many employers areextremely interested in hiring liberal arts majors.You probably chose this major not because of the

job it represented, but because of your passion andinterest in the subject matter.

So, you may not have a roadmap to a specificcareer, but you are up to the challenge of figuringout what you want to do next! Without theroadmap, you can head off in many interestingdirections and can do just about anything you wantonce you have determined your skill sets and yourinterests.

DID KNOW?


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MENTOR DATABASEIf you are registered in UCareerLink you have access tovolunteers who have offered to share information abouttheir present occupation and any previous relevant

employment. They can also offer career-related adviceand provide encouragement.

Login to your UCareerLink account

Click on Mentors in the upper toolbar

You will be advised how the volunteer wishesto be contacted

Be the professional in every way!

If you have any questions about this, speakto your career counselor before makingthe contact

INFORMATION INTERVIEWSUnlike the job interview, an information interview depends on youto initiate contact with an employer and to schedule theappointment. The information interview is an opportunity toobtain insider employer or industry information, and mayprovide answers to your questions that written or electronicresources do not cover.

Want to know who you should talk to?

Want to know how to get started?

Need a list of questions you can ask?

Its all there on our website:

careers.utah.edu/careers/infointerviews.htm

SHADOWINGDuring a typical job shadowing visit, you shadow an

employee at work for a couple of hours or sometimes afull day. The visit provides an up-close and personal look atthe workplace and what the daily activities include.

Ask questions, be polite and unobtrusive, andconsider the potential pros and cons of a particularprofession or industry

Be observant as to what workplace skills and career-related experiences are necessary to being successfulin your chosen field




CAREERS FOR THE PUBLIC GOOD

DONT LIMIT YOURSELF TO THE BIG PLAYERS.

You already know about the United Way, Red Cross or SierraClub, but there are many smaller nonprofit organizations thatmight not be so well known. Check out the jobs on www.idealist.org

DEFINE YOUR INTERESTS.

Are you interested in the environment, public health, research,international relations? The more specific you are, the moresuccessful you will be in finding organizations that might be rightfor you.

SHOWCASE YOUR SKILLS.

The more you stand out as a person with a variety of valuableskills, the more competitive you will be. Do you have webdevelopment skills? Are you a good writer? Can you organizegroups of people?

The vast majority ofnonprofit organizationshave paid, full-time stafffrom all kinds of academicbackgrounds. From

management, volunteercoordination, writing,accounting, marketing, and

moreyou could likely find aplace to use your talents and

social awareness in a career witha nonprofit organization.

IS A NONPROFIT A

GOOD FIT FOR YOU?

Nonprofit organizationsdiffer from for-profitcompanies in that making aprofit isnt their bottomline. That doesnt mean

they dont raise money orgenerate revenue.However, the money theyraise is primarily used toforward their mission.

Nonprofit organizationscan be human serviceproviders, environmentalgroups, professionalassociations, politicalactivist organizations,educational institutions,

just to name a few. Dosome research. Theresprobably one out theredoing work you feel

strongly about and wouldlike to be part of.

So, where do you start?There are thousands ofnonprofit organizationsto choose from, soknowing where tobegin can be achallenge.

DID KNOW?
http://www.idealist.org/http://www.idealist.org/http://www.idealist.org/


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EMPLOYMENT

WITH THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT

Where can I find these jobs?Hiring in the federal government isdecentralized with each agency hiringindependently. By law, all government agenciesmust post vacancies to outside applicants onthe Office of Personnel Management (OPM)

website.

www.usajobs.gov How do I apply?The application process for government positions can be lengthy andconfusingbe patient! And be thorough ignoring the smallest detailscan void your application.

Lets look at the numbers Over 425,000 arts, humanities and social science alums work

in federal agencies

Median salaries for these people tend to be higher whencompared to other employers

High rates of retirementmore than 550,000 individuals in thenext five yearsare creating job openings across the country

Federal, state, county and city governments have allkinds of great jobseverything from atmosphericscience to graphic design. And did you know thefederal government is the leading employer of liberalarts grads?

DID KNOW?



Advantages

Identify local, national andinternational companies and joblistings around the clock

Locate and copy files ofemployer literature

Exchange messages withprofessionals in your field

Locate unusual or difficult-to-find career information

THE INTERNET JOB SEARCH


Drawbacks

Vast, sometimes unwieldyamounts of career and jobsearch information.

Privacy issues related to postingyour resume online

Over-utilizing the Internet whileunder-utilizing other resources

The disappearance or relocationof useful career sites withoutnotice

The Job Info by Major page on the Career Services

website is one of the best places to find trade,professional, or industrial associations and otheronline resources.

DID KNOW?


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What career path seems to be the bestfit for me?

What are some job titles I would liketo have?

Who are the top employers in thispossible field?

What are my short-term, inter-

mediate, and long-term goals?

What are the steps I need to taketo achieve my goal?

What is my target date for the nextstep in achieving mycareer goals?

Nobody is interested in a desperate jobseeker. You must look more like a greatpotential colleague and an asset they cant

live without. It is your job to understandyour top companies needs. Then developyour skills and place yourself in situationswhere you can demonstrate your abilities.

DID KNOW?

DECISION MAKING AND GOAL SETTING

Analyze and integrate the information

from previous steps into the world of

work. Identify viable career options and

establish goals to create a plan, giving

a sense of purpose and direction to

your career development process.



Implementation

And the Job Search

HOW NEW JOB SEEKERS FOUND THEIR JOB

Taking risks broadens your vision for the future

Get to know faculty outside the classroom Learn about their research and passions Take a tour of a company youre interested in Volunteer at a company you like if they cant afford to hire you Go on an Alternative Spring Break program Experiment with electives and Study Abroad programs

DID KNOW?


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JOB SEARCH STRATEGIES

Learnhow to sell your skills and experience.

Networking is perhaps your most powerfulresource whether it be through acquaint-

ances or an online tool

Consider all options and be flexible andopen minded

Follow through and pay attention to thedetails

Be optimistic and persistent

Seek encouragement and hang in there

Career Services directors from more than forty universitiesacross the country compiled ideas during spring 2009 to offercollective wisdom on job search strategies. For a list of theseschools, see the end of the article. Thank you to Arizona Statefor sharing this excellent information.

http://students.asu.edu/career/strategies_article

INTERNATIONAL

STUDENTS AND THE

JOB SEARCH

In the best of times the jobsearch can be a challenge, butwe would like to make theprocess as stress-free aspossible for you. Even if youhave a clear idea of what youwant to do, where you want todo it, and for whom, an interna-tional student has additionalhurdles to overcome.

There are both legal andcultural barriers involved ininternational students job

searches. Visas and workauthorization processes can becomplicated and the culturaldifferences in resumes, inter-views and networking can beunsettling.

Find your counselor based onour major and discuss yourconcerns with him/her.Additionally the InternationalCenter located in the UnionBuilding has excellent resourcesfor job searching and detailsregarding CPT (CurricularPractical Training) and OPT(Optional Practical Training).

UCareerLink can provide one-stop shopping for all yourcareer strategy needs? Be sure to keep your profile up-to-date with current GPA, major, and grad date information.And please include a professional email address now that

you are a job seeker.

DID KNOW?



INTERNSHIPS: GETTING THE MOST

OUT OF CAREER-RELATED EXPERIENCE


CONSIDER ACADEMIC CREDIT FOR YOUR INTERNSHIP

The Career Services Internship Program (CSIP) offers upper-division credit for internships. Many departmentsoffer the same as credit toward the major. Talk to your Career Services counselor to find out if your internshipis eligible

SET GOALS

Before you begin, sit down with your supervisor and establish several realistic goals for your learningexperience. Ask, What results should I be working toward? Use these goals to evaluate yourself throughoutyour experience.

BE RESPECTFUL

You will be working with professionals who have many more years of experience inthe field than you have. Communicate respectfully with all employeesthose withcollege degrees and those without. You can learn from all of them. At the same time,dont be afraid to share your ideas. Sometimes a fresh perspective andcollege-age thinking is just what your employer needs.

FIND A MENTOR

More than likely you will have a supervisor who will assist and guide you. If not,seek out someone who will coach you and answer your questions.

TAKE THE INITIATIVE

Many of your duties will be well defined, but some work may not be.Your employer will be impressed when you see a problem or issueand address it. When you take ownership in your work, youll find itmore rewarding and you may discover solutions that will benefit the

company in the long run.

HAVE FUN!

Learning about your chosen field can be a lot of fun. Make friends atwork and take it upon yourself to organize after-work socialactivities. As you exhibit a strong work ethic and enthusiasm for your

job, you will be respected by those you work with.

Whether youre employed in an internship or full-time professional position, employers arehoping you turn into the star they were hoping youd be. But for now, lets focus on internships, because if you get it right in an internship, youll be a fabulous full-time employee.


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NETWORKING WORKS

If 80% of the best jobs arent advertised, then how can you find them?

Networking is the key!

When you hear the word networking, do you feel uncomfortable? Many

students associate networking with botheringand imposing and dont want to involve peoplethey know in their job search. The good news isthe more you do it, the more confident youll beand the process will become part of your com-fort zone. And heres a flash: most people aredelighted to assist you and will go to greatlengths to be of help.

Four Quick Job Networking Hints

Be the consummate professional and make a good impressionquickly. Be brief and to the point about what you are hoping toachieve from the conversation.

Try to get a business card, phone number, referral, etc. Somemethod of future contact or followup allows you to develop thisfurther. If you say youll follow up, make sure you do it!

Be gracious. Send a thank-you note or express your gratitude forthe networking assistance.

Keep records to stay organized and focused. An Excelspreadsheet works nicely.

Eight Sources to Start Your Network

Family, friends, neighbors

Presentations and events where employers will

be there and be interested in talking to you

Former co-workers as they migrate intoother companies

Classmates and professors

Professional student groups andassociations

Volunteer at Career Fairs orcommunity events and let people see

you in action

Electronic tools such as LinkedIn

Career Services counselors and theUCareerLink Mentor Database




GETTING RESULTS AT A CAREER FAIR

Before the fair . . .

KNOW WHO WILL BE ATTENDING

The list of organizations attending will be on the Career Services website. Make aranked list of employers that interest you.

RESEARCH EMPLOYERS YOU ARE INTERESTED IN

If you want to make an impression, be able to talk to the recruiter about what the or-ganization does and how your skill set fits. At the very least, make it clear you haveresearched their website to learn about products, services, clients, and locations.

GET YOUR RESUME READY

Career Services will offer a variety of workshops to help you prepare the

resume that will catch a recruiters attention. If you have multiple targets, more thanone resume may be in order.

DEVELOP YOUR ONE-

MINUTE COMMERCIAL

In order to make an impression insuch a short time, you need to beable to quickly introduce yourself,demonstrate knowledge of thecompany, express interest andenthusiasm, and relate your abilitiesto the recruiterall while sounding

relaxed and natural. Refer to theOne-minute Commercialworksheet for assistance.

A Capsule Biography is your "One-minute Commercial"from Arizona State University Student Affairs

This technique will help you introduce yourself to people in a field thatinterests you. Once you have the details of your introduction jotted down foryourself, practice saying it. Rehearsing ahead of time will make it easy for you toapproach employers with confidence. Give the recruiter the opportunity to hear

about your education, skills, interests, related work experience, and career goalswithin one minute.

Hello, my name is ________________________________________

I am interested in ________________________________________

I have experience in ______________________________________

My strongest skills include __________________________________

My qualifications include ___________________________________

I am looking for information about opportunities in _______________

My immediate goals are ___________________________________

Do you have some suggestions for me or could you advise me how Icould connect with someone who may be able to assist me?

A career fair is not always aboutfinding a job; in fact, some companies

attend even if they are not hiring rightnow. However, it is a place whereyou make professional contacts andlearn what work in your field isactually about. Dont wait until you

really need a job to attendbecomesophisticated early so when you areready, you can get the job you reallywant!

DID KNOW?


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During the fair . . .

GET ORGANIZED

Pick up a map and strategize your game planbased on employers you wish to talk to.

THEYRE WATCHING YOUBe the professional from the minute you step on the floor.Recruiters will notice how you dress, how you interact withother students and other recruiters.

APPROACH AN ORGANIZATION

Remember the recruiter is here to meetstudents, so dont be shy. Offer a firmhandshake, nice smile, and then give yourcommercial. If youre interested in acertain position, let them know.

TALK TO THE RECRUITERMake eye contact and dont beafraid to let your enthusiasmshow. Being truly passionateabout the company and theopportunities they have can makeall the difference. Focus on theconversation you are having andforget about the free stuff! Make useof the research you have conductedand dont just wander up and say, So, what

do you guys do?

BE RESPECTFUL OF THE RECRUITERS TIME BUT ASK

THE QUESTIONS YOU NEED TO ASK

A career fair is all about networking, so askintelligent questions and gather information.However, if you are at the fair to try to land a

job, recruiters need to know you have doneyour research and you need to be able toexpress why you would be a good hire.

After the fair . . .

FOLLOW THROUGHIf you have promised to send the recruiter something after the fair(portfolio, website link, cover letter, etc.) then make sure you get theinformation out immediately.

SEND THANK-YOU NOTES

Send a thank-you note or email to everyone you spoke withwithin24 hours. Believe it or not, most students know they should do this,but few actually get around to itand employers notice which ones do.It can make all the difference. For more information on what to say,see page 50 of this guide.

MAKE SURE YOU GET THE NAMES OF THE RECRUITERS YOU

TALK TO AND IF POSSIBLE A BUSINESS CARD. AFTER SPEAKIN

TO A RECRUITER, YOU MAY NEED TO STEP AWAY FROM THE

TABLE AND MAKE A FEW NOTES.




PREPARING TO INTERVIEW

P The PROBLEM

Give an example of a situation inwhich you were involved that resultedin a positive outcome

A The ACTIONWhat actions did you take to completethe task?

R The RESULT

What directly followed because of youractions?

Sample behavioral question:

Tell me about a time when youhad to deal with conflict in agroup.

Possible answer using the PAR method:

Problem:During my internshiplast summer, I was responsible for

managing various events. I noticedattendance at these events haddropped by 30% over the past 3years and wanted to do somethingto improve these numbers.

Action:I designed a new promo-tional packet to go out to the localcommunity businesses. I alsoincluded a rating sheet to collectfeedback on our events andorganized internal round table

discussions to raise awareness ofthe issue with our employees.

Result:We utilized some of thewonderful ideas we received fromthe community, made our internalsystems more efficient and visibleand raised attendance by 18% thefirst year.

Whats the purpose of an interview?

Up to now youve had a very brief exchange with anemployer, or your resume has had to represent you. Theinterview allows the employer to evaluate your ability to dothe job and fit in with the company culture. You look for amatch between your interests and the work.

How do you answer behavioral questions?

The PAR method is an excellent tool to use when trying to

formulate your answers to behavioral questions. Think ofthe times in your life when you excelled, made a difference,showed leadership, communicated effectively, exercisedinitiativein other words, times when you were reallyeffective and impressive!

At the end of the interview, be prepared with questions ofyour own that demonstrate thoughtful interest in thecompany.

Write a thank-you letter within 24 hours of

the interview.

Thank them for their time and remind them of positive pointsyou discussed. If there were items that needed clarification orexpansion, address them now.

Restate your interest in the position and close with a futureaction. Future action may be based on information received asto how soon a candidate will be selected or something similar.

Whats a behavioral interview?

Behavioral interviewing assumes your past experiences aregood indicators of future performance. The employer willattempt to assess your skills and behavior based on the stories

you tell in order to answer the questions.

Its not so much a matter of a right answer or a wrong

answer. However, you want to accurately select examplesfrom your life that have meaning to the employer and thatillustrate you will be successful in this job.


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YOUR ONLINE IDENTIT

What does your online reputation say about you as a candidate?

Google yourself and check your social networking profiles to see what the online world is sayingabout you. Like it or not, employers are turning to the Internet and social networking sites as a wayof screening candidates. Many employers will use these sites to look for insight into who you are andsearch for red flags that may prevent them from hiring you. Questionable material, comments, orphotos may all influence their decision onwhether or not to bring you in for aninterview.

Dont get burned!

Follow these steps to avoid negative consequences to your online post-ings.

Investigate: try searching with your name in quotation marks

Secure social networking accounts: remove compromising orquestionable material

Email: dont use the same email address on these accounts thatyou use for career-related correspondence

Privacy settings: restrict access to trusted friends if you feel thais necessary

Ask for help: request those who may have damaging informatioabout you on their sites to remove the postings

Consult an at- torney (only in extreme situations

Use it a positive way!

Consider being more proactive in building your

own professional identity

Learn to use linkedin.com,ziggs.com, andzoominfo.com

Post videos highlighting special achievementson YouTube.com or video.google.com

Looking for a career as a sales rep forRossignol? Post a video of you participatingin a downhill competition

Start an insightful blog or create a page oniKarma.com

Get found! Increase your Page Rank on Googleby linking to multiple sites and prep your pagesfor the search engines

Consider purchasingyour domain name froma reputable registrar

A survey of 100 executive recruiters conducted by ExecuNet, a jobsearch and recruiting network, found that 77% of the recruiters usesearch engines to learn more about candidates and out of thoseemployers, 35% have eliminated a candidate from considerationbased on the information discovered online.

DID KNOW?




DRESS TO IMPRESS!

You know that thing about never getting a second chance

to make a first impression?

Its absolutely true! Maybe your first encounter will be at a CareerFair, not in a formal interview, but you are still front and center andneed to play the part.

You might be the best candidate for the job in terms of skills andabilities, but the employer is looking for someone who can fill thatprofessional role the employer has in mind for you. The wholeworking world doesnt revolve around dark conservative suits.Research the industry you are interested in and adapt your style tosuit that model.

WHAT TO WEAR TO MAKE

THAT IMPRESSION

TRADITIONAL/BUSINESS CAREERSlike banking, accounting, finance,law, corporate or managementpositions, public relationsyoullwant a conservative look that conveyscompetence and authority. The classicsuit in black, grey, navy or taupeworks nicely here. Shirts and blousesdont have to be white, but pick a

neutral color or subtle print tocomplement the suit. Keep ties and

jewelry understated.

TECHNICAL CAREERSin areas likeengineering, information technology,sciences, etc.a clean, sharp lookthat conveys knowledge, innovationand efficiency is important. Suitsshould be conservative in subtlecolors with complementing shirts,blouses and accessories. Coordinatedseparates can also work.

PEOPLE-FOCUSED CAREERSsuchas counseling, teaching, sales, andsocial work require an image thatprojects expertise, but also approach-ability. Conservative suits or dresseswith a jacket can work effectively.

CREATIVE CAREERSmore oppor-

tunity for expression of personal stylecan be found in careers in advertising,art, design, and entertainment toname a few. This doesnt mean youcan come dressed as a free spiritawell-cut suit, dress, jacket and slacksare still appropriate, but selectsomething that expresses creativity,innovation and competence.


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WHAT ON EARTH IS BUSINESS CASUAL?

Business casual attire is appropriate for social events, job shadowing, informational interviews and other morecasual encounters.

It would be great if all students showed up at a career fair and a job interview dressed in a suit, but there maybe occasions where a suit might make you overdressed. When in doubt, ask! Either the employer hosting theevent or your career counselor can give you guidance on what to wear.

Even so, dress professionally. No ripped jeans, sweatshirts, graphic Ts, or flip -flops. Great for hanging out withyour friendsdisastrous when meeting a potential employer!

Follow the Some Rules Work for Everyone and consider the items below when youre deciding what to wear.

khakis or casual cotton pantsdress shoes or loafers low heelssubtle print silk or cotton shirtbutton-down shirtsweaterblazer or

casualjacket

SOME RULES WORK FOR EVERYONE

Hair should be clean, well cut and groomed. Simple,classic styles are best

No visible tattoos or body piercings

Remove multiple earrings.(Women: one pair. Men: none.)

No strong perfume, aftershave or breath mints

Women: avoid trendy clothingshortskirts, low necklines, extreme prints orcolors generally do not project an imageappropriate for a professional meeting

Men: baggy pants, wrinkled or un-tuckedshirts or athletic shoes do not lookprofessional

Crisp, clean, well-pressed clothing is a must

Designer brands dont work any betterthan budget brandsif you follow theguidelines above




NEGOTIATING JOB OFFERS

Its Not Just About the SalaryThe most important question to ask yourself is: Are

you excited about this job and the salary?Lets hopeyour excitement and passion for the field you areentering is balanced by realistic salary and benefitsexpectations.

If you are lukewarm about both, you probably wont

be a great employee, and you arent likely to have agood experience with the organization.

You dont have to accept the first salary youreoffered. You have the ability to negotiate for betterbenefits, training or payassuming youve doneyour homework and you have the data to back upyour negotiations. Feel free to ask for time toadequately examine and evaluate your total offer.Get all the elements in writing, including wages,stock options, profit sharing, and other measurablebenefits. Most companies can put a dollar figure to

benefit packages.

Negotiation ToolsThe strongest tools to negotiate with are two-fold. First, solidinformation for your industry, and second, the value of the uniqueskills you bring to the table. The industry economic climate and thelocation of your position will both have a major influence on thesalary offer. Do some research on cost of living indexes. San Jose,California is not the same as Boise, Idaho in terms of cost of living.

Our database is your quick reference foreffective salary research. Check out links onnegotiating salaries and also Who Hires OurGraduates for University of Utah studentinformation and averages.

DID KNOW?


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ALUMNI CAREER SERVICES

The collaboration of U of U Career Services, whose motto is putting your education

to work, and the Alumni Association, whose mission is linking you with the U, is

designed to create a large bang for your buck

We understand that many alumni must be mindful of every dollar they spend. For those who maybe out of work, there is little discretionary money for expensive outplacement programs or coach-ing fees. In order to help, Alumni Career Services and the Alumni Association now provide real

oomph to our membership benefits vis--vis your career. After all, you went to the University of Utah for an educa-tion that would give you a leg up in the world of work.

Recent Graduate Alumni Association Membership:

First year after graduation: FREE - and you will continue to work withyour Career Services counselor

Second-year graduate: $20Third-year graduate: $20

Regular Alumni Association Annual Membership:

Single membership, one year: $40

Not a U grad? We can offer you the same services at a slightfee up charge. Go to alumni.utah.edu/careerto read all aboutit and check out this amazing value.

BENEFITS OF AN

ALUMNI

ASSOCIATION

MEMBERSHIPOne private counseling

session with our careercoach by phone or inperson

Access to variouswebinars

Two half -day workshops

that encompass a varietyof job-related issues

Access to U CareerLink, ourjobs database

A subscription to CareerServices job newsletter

Participation in Job Club, aweekly seminar for jobseekers held Fridays from 2

to 4 p.m.

Six months to access theabove services. (You mustmaintain your Alumni Asso-ciation membership duringthat time.)

You may access our AlumniCareer Services program oneyear after graduation.

Alumni need and want expertise in career coaching, rsum writing, and understandinghow to leverage skills and strengths in a challenging job environment. Alumni Career

Services can help answer serious questions such as:

Where are the jobs?

How can I find them? And whats all this talk about LinkedIn?

How do I stand out in this market?

What is a unique selling proposition?

How do I brand myself?

How can I negotiate my best salary?



Tools

of the Trade

WRITING A WINNING RESUME

IDENTIFY YOUR

TRANSFERRABLE

SKILLSEven if you think that your work

experience isnt related to theposition youre applying for,

chances are youve learned skillsthat would be useful andapplicable in almost any worksetting. For example, yourinvolvement in extra curricularactivities, volunteer work, andwork experience while incollege demonstrates that youare able to manage your timeeffectively and balance multiple

tasks at once.

Here is a short list of transfer-rable skills. Although there aremany other skills that are not onthis list, you may use this as aguide when you are writing yourresume.

Delegate responsibilityMotivate othersAttend to visual detail

Assess and evaluate my own workAssess and evaluate others workDeal with obstacles and crisesMulti-taskManage timeKeep recordsHandle complaintsResearchBuild or constructManage financesSpeak a foreign language (specify)Train or teach othersUtilize computer software (specify)Identify and manage ethical issues

Whats a resume for anyway?You want your resume to catch the attention of an employer and make theminterested in talking to you. Employers receive many resumes, and usuallyspend only seconds skimming them. Make your important information easy for

them to see.

Use bullets rather than writing in paragraphs

Be as articulate as possible about your skills and qualifications.

Use headings to clearly organize your content.

Theres no such thing as a One-Size-Fits-All resume. If you are considering avariety of career options and/or applying for many different kinds of positions,you will need to customize each resume you submit. It is important to tailoryour resume to the particular position as much as possible. Remember to

incorporate language from the actual job description into your headings andbulleted accomplishment statements(see page 31) whenever you can.

A resume is NOT a list of

everything youve ever done.

Let the job description guide you in whatto include on your resume and what toleave out. Employers are interested inwhat you have done recently, soinclude activities and experiencesthat youve had since youve beenin collegedont include highschool educationor activities.


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DEVELOPING ACCOMPLISHMENT STATEMENTS

Employers are interested in more than the tasks you performed on a particular job. They want toknow about accomplishments, outcomes and results.

How do you write it?

Start with an action word Indicate what the action was and quantify Tell the result, goal, purpose of benefit

Duties and Responsibilities Accomplishments

Was responsible for sales in UT and IDIncreased sales in UT and ID by 57% in three

months, despite a reduction in sales force

Saved money on corporate benefits

Researched long-term disability insurance and

found a package that would save the company

$7,000 annually

Step 1: ACTION WORD Step 2: WHO/WHAT/HOW MANY?Step 3: WHY? RESULT GOAL,

PURPOSE, BENEFIT

Designed and implemented a training program for sales staff of 35which clarified procedures and

increased competency

Produced a set of reports for the accounting departmentin accordance with the new SBA

guidelines

Provided system administrationfor an information systems

organization of 12 users

which resulted in more efficient

daily operations

Reducedproduction time by 3 hours on a key

weekly report

getting essential information to the

media by noon instead of 3 pm



Tools of the Trade

RESUME FORMATTING TIPS

General formatting rules you should always remember:For a recent college undergraduate applying for an entry-level position, stick to one page. (Exceptions are for

federal resumes or higher degree required resumes which tend to be longer because additional experience,

coursework, internships, etc might be relevant).

One-inch margins (all the way around) are standard for resumes.

Be consistent with your format throughout the document. Use the same line spacing, font, font size, etc

Avoid italics and underlining since they can be misread by optical scanners that are used by many employersfor scanning resumes into electronic database systems. Instead, use ALL CAPS and bold to make yourimportant work and phrases stand out.

Choose a font that is easy to read. Good fonts include Arial, Times New Roman, Garamond, Tahoma, Calibriand Verdana. Use no less than 11 points for smaller fonts; larger fonts can easily be read at 10 points.

Make headers and contact information larger than the body text.

DO NOT USE TEMPLATES OR RESUME PROGRAMS TO CREATE YOUR RESUME. Anyone who spendstime looking at a lot of resumes can spot them a mile away.

Use Action Verbs to begin bullet points whenever possible. This way, an employer will easily see your skills(analyzed, organized, wrote, taught, solved) just by skimming over the beginning of each line.

There are no rules about what a resume should look like orwhat content matter it should include. It all depends on the

job you are applying for, the type of employer, and the imageof yourself that you want to project.

DID KNOW?


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CATEGORIES OF INFORMATION

PERSONAL INFORMATION OR HEADER: Name, Address, Phone Number, EmailMake sure your e-mail address is professional and doesnt include slang or inappropriate language.

PROFESSIONAL OBJECTIVE (optional)Use only if it clarifies how the resume should be considered. Information concerning your job interests and

qualifications for this particular job may be better described in a cover letter. If you use an objective it must becustomized, brief and to the point.

SUMMARY OF QUALIFICATIONS (optional)You may list three or four highlights or measurable results you have achieved. Examples: Awarded national

recognition for top auditor intern in region as opposed to Detail oriented.

EDUCATIONList highest level of education being pursued. Do not list high school or colleges attended where no degree was

earned. However, if some items in the high school background show high honors or leadership or generally reinforcthe career objective, then those items should be included in a separate category such as Honors/Awards.

EXPERIENCEThis category reflects your contact with employers including internships, summer jobs, special projects, or military

experience. If you wish to highlight experience most related to your objective, you may have two categories:Related Experience and Employment.

List the name of the organization, job title, city/state, dates and duties. The most relevant tasks should be listed first,

however, do not simply list tasks. Provide outcomes and results based on your efforts. (See page 33). You may alsowant to use the Action word list on pages 36-37 to help you identify and document your past experiences.

VOLUNTEERInclude information on campus, community or church involvement. When listing an experience with a religious

organization, do not list the denomination (e.g., Volunteer Church Representative, Barcelona, Spain, 20042006,Selected to supervise the work of 30 other volunteers, rather than LDS Missionary, Zone Leader, etc.)

INTERESTS (optional)Include information that portrays you as a multi-dimensional individual. Personal achievements in sports, music or

some other outside pursuit may be appropriate. For instance a manufacturer of sporting equipment may beinterested in your lacrosse abilities. A mortgage company may or may not care.

REFERENCESThese should be listed on a separate sheet; they do not belong on the resume. Particularly, do not say References

available upon request; this is understood. The reference page should duplicate the identification or header on youresume. Below that header, title the page References. List three to four professional references including name,

job title, organization, telephone number, and e-mail. You may also include an address if you wish. Ask permission iadvance to use their contact information.



Tools of the Trade

ACTION WORDS

Leadership and Management

Advocated Formed Mentored RecruitedApproved Founded Moderated RepresentedAuthorized Governed Monitored RespondedCounseled Guided Motivated ReviewedDetermined Headed Negotiated SpearheadedDeveloped Hired Operated SponsoredDiagnosed Influenced Originated StagedDirected Initiated Oversaw StartedDisseminated Inspired Pioneered StreamlinedElected Installed Presided StrengthenedEnforced Instituted Prioritized SupervisedEnlisted Instructed Processed TaughtEnsured Integrated Produced TrainedExamined Led PromotedExplained Managed Recommended

Technical and Analytical

Administered Developed Generated MaintainedAnalyzed Devised Identified OperatedAssessed Discovered Improved ProgrammedAudited Documented Increased Reduced

Charted Drafted Inspected ResearchedClassified Edited Installed RestoredCompiled Evaluated Instituted SearchedComputed Examined Integrated StreamlinedConducted Expanded Interfaced SurveyedConsulted Forecast Interpreted SystematizedDesigned Formed Interviewed TestedDetected Gathered Launched Wrote

Administrative and Organizational

Arranged Ensured Maintained ReorganizedAssembled Examined Monitored ReviewedCatalogued Executed Operated RoutedCollected Explained Organized Scheduled

Coordinated Formalized Planned StreamlinedDeveloped Implemented Prepared StrengthenedDisseminated Initiated Processed UpdatedDistributed Installed Recorded


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Communication and Interpersonal

Advised Corresponded Interpreted RecruitedAnswered Demonstrated Interviewed ReportedApprised Drafted Introduced RespondedAssessed Edited Lectured Scheduled

Authored Educated Planned ScreenedBriefed Explained Presented SpokeClarified Facilitated Projected SummarizedComposed Familiarized Proofread TaughtConducted Handled Publicized TrainedConstructed Informed Published TranslatedContacted Instructed Reconciled Wrote

Counseling and Helping

Aided Contributed Helped SupportedAssisted Counseled Instilled TreatedAttended Facilitated Mentored TutoredCollaborated Fostered ProvidedComforted Guided Settled

Marketing and Selling

Arbitrated Educated Increased ProposedAttained Ensured Influenced PublicizedAugmented Established Integrated PublishedBoosted Exceeded Launched PurchasedBroadened Excelled Led Researched

Calculated Expanded Maintained ResolvedCentralized Expedited Marketed RevampedConsulted Familiarized Mediated RevitalizedConvinced Gained Negotiated SecuredDecreased Generated Performed SoldDeveloped Identified Persuaded SolicitedDissuaded Implemented Produced StrengthenedDocumented Improved Promoted Supplemented

Creative and Innovative

Arranged Developed Initiated PresentedAuthored Devised Invented Produced

Composed Directed Launched RevitalizedConceived Edited Modernized RevolutionizedConceptualized Established Originated ShapedCreated Fashioned Performed StimulatedDesigned Formulated Planned



Tools of the Trade

RESUME TYPES

Chronological ResumeLists, describes, and provides dates for each job and

educational experience separately and in reversechronological order (most recent first)

Many employers prefer this style

Works best for those who have progressed in titlesand have a good work history

Functional ResumeHighlights your skills and how they qualify

you for the desired position whilede-emphasizing employers and dates.

Works well for those with limitededucation, significant employment gaps,lack of work experience, or experiencein a different field. This format can beused both by recent grads and careerchangers.

The actual employment history is listedat the end of the resume andprovides only the most basicinformation such as employer

name, job title, location, and dates. Combination ResumeCombines both detailed work history and skills

Usually includes a skills summary or highlights section near the top ofyour resume

TIP: Keep your skills section short, somewhere around four bullets

Once youve decided what type of format will work best for you, its time to start writing! Begin by making a listof your skills, work experience, honors, awards, certifications, activities, internships, etc. Include anything you

think an employer might want to know. Once you have created this mega-resume, it will be easier to customizeeach resume for each employer, and include only relevant information.


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CHRONOLOGICAL RESUME

Your Name201 South 1460 East, Salt Lake City, Utah 84112 (801) 581-6186 [email protected] of Qualifications

Over 3 years experience working in a marketing/public relations environment, skilled in developing creative and innovativemarketing efforts for retail, real estate, and non-profit organizationsInternational business experience: 2 years working and living abroad, ability to speak, read, and write Chinese fluently

Technical skills include DisplayWrite, Flash, Adobe Photoshop, QuarkExpress, HTML, Front Page EducationUniversity of Utah, David Eccles School of Business Salt Lake City, UtahBachelor of Science in Marketing Graduation: May 2011Grade Point Average: 3.7, Deans List Fall 2008ExperienceSmith Realty Corporation Salt Lake City, UtahMarketing Internship January 2010May 2010

Conceptualized marketing plan for retail commercial, medical, and industrial real estate markets, which increased companyrevenue by 2 million dollars in 6 months.Conducted feasibility analysis specifically for various governmental, medical, retail and industrial projects.Developed 6 print advertisement campaigns designed to increase industry awareness of Smith Realty Corporation properties.

Hot Shot Public Relations Agency Salt Lake City, UtahPublic Relations Intern August 2009December 2009

Wrote press releases on new product introductions for XYZ Bakery and ABC Engineering, resulting in products being featuredon KSTU Fox and KTVX ABC TV morning new shows.Researched construction, outdoor sports, and needlecraft trade journals for potential story pitches.

Volunteer Experience American Marketing Association, University of Utah Chapter Salt Lake City, UtahNetworking Coordinator, Member May 2008Present

Corresponded with professionals in the marketing field by arranging guest speakers and creating networking opportunities forthe American Marketing Association (AMA) members.Led marketing SWOT Analysis and developed a regional demographic focused ad campaign for a regional convenience storechain.Presented case for the national AMA case competition in which we took 3rd place nationally.Created unique fundraising campaigns which resulted in a 15% increase in the University of Utah AMA 2009 fundraising drive.

Volunteer Service Organization Beijing, China Volunteer Representative June 2006May 2008

Directed volunteer efforts and training of more than 200 representatives on presentation skills, organizational strength, goalsetting and achievement, team building, and managing cultural differences.Launched promotional activities intended to educate the public on organizations mission and goals.Delivered message through presentations and door-to-door marketing campaigns. Efforts increased team recruitment results by35% in two-year period.



FUNCTIONAL RESUME

Tools of the Trade

Your Name201 South 1460 East (801) 581-6186Salt Lake City, Utah 84112 [email protected] secure a marketing position with the Salt Lake City office of the United Marketing Group EducationUniversity of Utah, David Eccles School of Business Salt Lake City, UtahBachelor of Science in Marketing Graduation: May, 2011Grade Point Average: 3.7Deans List Fall 2008Skills and QualificationsMarketingOver 3 years of experience working in a marketing/public relations environment. Skilled in developing creative and innovative

marketing efforts for retail, real estate, and non-profit organizations.Conceptualized marketing plan for retail commercial, medical, and industrial real estate markets, which increased company reve-

nue by 2 million dollars in 6 months.Conducted feasibility analysis specifically for various government, medical, retail and industrial projects.CommunicationCorresponded with professionals in the marketing field by arranging guest speakers and creating networking opportunities for

the American Marketing Association (AMA) members. .Presented case for the national AMA case competition in which we took 3rd place nationally.Created unique fundraising campaigns which resulted in a 15% increase in the University of Utah AMA 2006 fundraising drive.LeadershipInternational business experience including 2 years of experience working and living abroad. Ability to speak, read, and write

Chinese fluently.Directed volunteer efforts and training of more than 200 representatives on presentation skills, organizational strength, goal set-

ting and achievement, team building, and managing cultural differences.Launched promotional activities intended to educate the public on organizations mission and goals.Public Relations

Wrote press releases on new product introductions for XYZ Bakery and ABC Engineering, resulting in products being featuredon KSTU Fox and KTVX ABC TV morning news shows.

Researched construction, outdoor sports, and needlecraft trade journals for potential story pitches.Employment American Marketing Association, University of Utah Chapter Salt Lake City, UtahNetworking Coordinator, Member May, 2008

Present

Smith Reality Corporation Salt Lake City, UtahMarketing Internship January, 2010May, 2010Hot Shot Public Relations Agency Salt Lake City, UtahPublic Relations Intern August, 2009December,2009 Volunteer Service Organization Beijing, China Volunteer Representative June, 2006- May, 2008


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COMBINATION RESUME

Ima Student1460 East 201 South * Salt Lake City, UT 84112 * 801-581-6186 * [email protected]

_________________________________________________________________________________OBJECTIVE

To obtain a summer 2011 Park Guide Interpretation internship with Arches National Park through the

Student Conservation Association

_________________________________________________________________________________

SKILLS PROFILE

Presented to groups of up to 100, successfully communicating safety skills and camp protocol,

certified in CPR and basic First Aid

Experienced in nature interpretation and research using archival and library resources

Completed coursework in Geomorphology, Resource Conservation and

Environmental Management

Studied interpretive services and visitor information systemsWorking knowledge of MS Word, PowerPoint, Excel and Adobe Photoshop

_________________________________________________________________________________

EDUCATION

Bachelor of Arts, Environmental Studies May 2012

University of Utah Salt Lake City, UT

GPA 3.75/4.0Member Golden Key International Honour Society _________________________________________________________________________________

EXPERIENCE

Climbing Instructor, Girl Scouts of Utah Summer 2010

Provided organized climbing instruction in a safe atmosphereExplained and demonstrated climbing equipment, techniques, and hand and feet climbing methodsSupervised campers on the wall to ensure safety procedures are adhered toMaintained order and safety in the rock wall area

Volunteer, Salt Lake Hikers Association May 2008- Present

Worked one on one with special needs hikers to guide and interpret trails Evaluated trails for safety, hazards and inclement weatherPresented to children ages 5-12 on hiking trails in and around Salt Lake County, UT

Server, Marks Caf July 2007 - Present

Quickly learned procedures for preparing food in proficient and safe manner

Improved communication skills through interaction with customers Trained new employees for opening, middle and closing shifts

_________________________________________________________________________________

ACTIVITIES

Volunteered for Utahs Outdoor Activity Exposition fundraiserTen (10) years experience of active involvement in summer outdoor recreation, including hiking,

camping and rock climbingExperienced in trail creation and maintenance



Tools of the Trade

WHATS WRONG?

This is an MS Word template!Show employers that youcan think for yourself anduse word processing soft-ware skillfully.

The contact information hereis too small.

Dont use an unprofessional

e-mail address!

If youre including an objective

in your resume, keep it shortand employer-focused.

Avoid using first-person (i.e.,

I, my, and me).Employers know youretalking about yourself. Savethe space for words thatreally matter.

There are inconsistencies inthe size of bullets, formattingof lines, and too many fonts,as well as grammatical andspelling errors.

Bullet points for work experi-ence are very task-oriented.

Dates are listed in the front(another pitfall of tem-plates!), which isnt wherethey belong.

Dont use abbreviations andacronyms.

Its nice to have interests, but

those listed here dont applyto the world of business orrelate to the positionfor which this student isapplying.

Dont include references onyour resume.

Ima Student1460 East 201 South 801-581-6186 [email protected]

Objective To get a job working in hospitality where I can advance and strengthen mycommunication, teamwork and leadership skills.

Experience Assistant Manager

Sept. 2007-Present U - Deli, Salt Lake City, UT

Manage staff.

Ordered supplies and inventory.

Prepare customers orders and provided customer assistance.

Waitress

Aug. 2006- May 2007 Generic Sports Bar and Grill, Park City, UT I took orders and served food.

Cleaned lobby and bathrooms and performed other jobs.

Sales Associate

Summer 2006 Sport Outlet , St. George, UT

Assisted customers with purchase.

Stocked merchandise by myself.

Education U of U, SLC, UT

2006-2010 B.S. in Parks Recreation and Tourism, Hospitality Mgt emphasis

Deans List every semester but one

Study Abroad, Summer 2007

Interests Swimming, hiking, reading, traveling, listening to music

References Ima Reference, U-Deli

555 East 555 South Salt Lake City, UT(801) 581-6186, [email protected]

Ima Reference, Generic Sports Bar and Grill

555 Donnor Drive, Park City, UT(435) 581-6186, [email protected]


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WHATS RIGHT?

Name and contact informationis large and easy to read.

Degree and awardinginstitution are spelled out.

Additional areas of study arehighlighted, as well as morespecific information on theStudy Abroad program.

Formatting is consistent -dates line up, bold and CAPSmake important informationstand out, font sizes (andstyles) are the same through-out, bullets are uniform.Overall, the resume looks

orderly and organizedwithout even reading it.

Experience related to thestudents field of interest

(business) is highlighted in thebullet points describing workhistory.

Past tense is used consistentlyto demonstrate readiness tomove forward and leave even

current experience behind.

Points are specific (note theuse of numbers) anddemonstrate the studentssuccess with and impact onthe operations of previousemployers.

Employers are increasinglylooking for employees withsolid technology skills. Use

descriptors like skilled,proficient, etc. todemonstrate your level ofproficiency with variousprograms/applications.

Employers expect that youllhave references to offer, soincluding a line to that effectisnt needed.

Ima Student1460 East 201 South, Salt Lake City, UT

801-581-6186 [email protected]

EDUCATION

____________________________________________________________________________Bachelors of Arts, Parks Recreation and Tourism May 2010University of Utah

Additional Concentration in Hospitality/Tourism and Japanese

Deans List (5/6 semesters)

EXPERIENCE

____________________________________________________________________________

Assistant Manager Sept. 2007-PresenU-Deli Salt Lake City, UT

Supervised and trained services staff of 10

Ordered $7,000 in weekly supplies and inventoryIncreased sales by 10% during tenure as assistant manager

President August 2008-Prese

Student Advisory Committee, University of Utah Salt Lake City, UT

Organized and supervised work of 3 subcommittees

Allocated annual budget of $3,000

Interacted with university, city and state officials in service projects

Increased membership by 15% during presidency

Study Abroad: Advertising in Asia Summer 2007

Japan and China

Studied interactive advertising management theory and practice in Tokyo and Beijing

Visited 9 advertising firms and gained insight into creative sales and managementpractices in major Asian markets

Completed team advertising projects using digital media and gaming for cell phonedistribution and presented to panel of advertising and business executives

Sales Associate Summer 2006

Sport Outlet St. George, UT

In charge of direct sales of athletic shoes, accessories and apparel

Determined product display placement and arrangement

Involved in most aspects of managing a retail store including: scheduling, store securitycustomer relations, opening and closing, as well as coaching employees to increase salresults

COMPUTER SKILLS

____________________________________________________________________________Skilled in MS Word and electronic research systems

Proficient in MS Excel, PowerPoint and Adobe Photoshop

Working knowledge of MS Access, Macromedia Dreamweaver, and Adobe Illustrator



Tools of the Trade

PORTFOLIOS

Portfolios are great tools for students from all majors. A professionalportfolio is usually taken to an interview or may be viewed online. This

type of portfolio is a documentation and demonstration of your accom-plishments. It shows growth in your skills and understanding over time.A portfolio not only documents your results, but also how you got thereand what you learned in the process.

Portfolio BenefitsRegardless of how youll use the finished product, all portfolios can help you:Write or update your resume more quickly, since all the relevant infor-

mation will be in one place.

Organize information youve gathered over the years, such as awards,certificates, and records of other accomplishments.

Showcase your achievements, skills and abilities for an interview.

See your career as a collection of skills and talents that youve developed,rather than just a list of job titles.

PORTFOLIO DOSShow a breadth of work

Include a copy of your resumewith your portfolio

Develop a leave-behind, a smallcopy of some of your work thatyou leave with potentialemployers

Demonstrate problem-solving byincluding a before and after

piece

Design your portfolio as a whole.Strong pieces should anchor theportfolio front and back, and therest should be organized eitherby medium or class

Get feedback. Show your portfolioto your professors, otherstudents, or professionals inyour desired field

PORTFOLIO DONTS

Dont put in any work you feelneeds explaining

Dont leave your original portfolioat a company

Dont include copyrighted materialunless you own the copyright

Dont leave out important pieces.If you think it will add to yourpresentation, finish it and theninclude it.

Dont add anything to the portfoliofor which you might apologize.This is the best of your work,and should well represent you.


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COMMUNICATION ESSENTIALS

Using the Phone

Dont take a cell phone call or page when with another person its rude. This isespecially true during an interview, site visit, or other professional event!

When leaving a voice mail or message, speak slowly and clearly so your message isclear. Keep your message short. Leave your name and phone number to ensure theemployer can call you back.

Return calls the day theyre received. If for some reason you cant call back thesame day, call within 24 hours.

Make sure that the greeting for your answering machine and/or voice mail is appro-

priate. Employers often complain about greetings that include loud and/or obscenemusic, background noise, or are just generally unprofessional.

Effective E-mailing

Dont use an unprofessional e-mail address (e.g., [email protected]). The recipient could delete the messagethinking its spam or porn.

Always include a meaningful subject line that makes it clearwhat will be covered in the message, such as Jose Vega Confirming Friday Interview Time or U of U Finance Jun-ior Seeking Information.

Always include your full name and contact information ineach e-mail.

Remember that there is no guarantee that an e-mail is pri-vate.

When replying to a message, always include the previousmessage in your response. Keeping the thread of thediscussion together will help both you and your contactto follow the course of your e-mail discussion.

Always re-read and spell-check every e-mail before youhit send!

Overall Tips

Every time you communicate with an employer, be asprofessional as possible.

Always use correct grammar when speaking or writing.Even if e-mail isyourpreferred way of communicating,

check with your contacts to see what theirpreferredcontact method is so you can communicate with themmost effectively.



Tools of the Trade

WRITING EFFECTIVE COVER LETTERS

The Overview

Write a separate cover letter for every position. The best cover letters are customizedfor the employer receiving them.

Dont just talk about you. Your resume talks about you. Demonstrate youve done your

employer research and show them how youre the best candidate for them. This meanstalking about them and how youre a fit for what they need/want.

Demonstrate professional, simple and direct writing style while also expressing personalinterest and excitement.

As with your resume, your cover letter is a writing sample. Proofreading for grammatical

and spelling errors, typos, and content/style is just as important. Mistakes can wreckyour chances of moving forward.

The Details

Your resume and cover letter should matchin both style and appearance.

Fold them together and mail them in amatching envelope, or because employersare increasingly scanning resumes, send

your cover letter and resume unfolded ina large envelope.

If youre e-mailing your resume as anattachment, its not necessary to alsoattach a cover letter. The e-mail messageitself serves as a cover letter. Write itaccordingly.

Address the letter to a specific individual.


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COVER LETTER TIPS

First Paragraph

Arouse the interest of theemployer. State theposition you are applyingfor and show interest andenthusiasm. If there is aspecific opening, you canmention how you heardabout the opportunity.

Second Paragraph

Explain why you areinterested in working forthis employer. Point outyour qualificationsyoureducation and experiences.

Last Paragraph

Pave the way for aninterview by asking foran appointment, by offeringto call the employer in thenear future, or by makingsome similar suggestion tofacilitate an immediate andfavorable reply. Give addi-tional contact information.

The cover letter should beno longer than 1/2 to 1 pagelong.

Your Current Address

City, State, Zip Code

Date

Ms. Employer

Title

Organization

Street Address

City, State, ZIP Code

Dear Ms. Employer:

State why you are writing (I am applying for the position of Process Engineer as listed on

the Career Services website). State who you are in terms of your education status (student,

graduate student, Ph.D., etc.), your professional status (an experienced writer, researcher,

etc.) or someone with experience in a relevant area (fluent in Chinese, knowledgeable about

issues of international trade, etc.). Make the reader interested in you so they will continue

reading past the first couple of sentences. Indicate if you have a personal connection to the

employer or if someone recommended that you write. Tell something you know about the

organization/business.

Mention some compelling qualifications that focus on what you can do for them based

on the job description. Let the employer know why you are interested in the employer,

job and location. If you have related experience or specialized training, point it out.Indicate why you are the best applicant. Keep a positive, confident tone throughout the

letter. If the information on your resume does not seem obviously related to this career

choice, make sure your reasons for applying are clear.

Thank the employer for his/her consideration of your application materials. Close by

making a request for an opportunity to visit the employer. Indicate you will follow up

with a phone call about the possibility of a meeting. Thank the employer for their time

and consideration. Make sure your closing is not vague, but makes a specific action from

the reader likely.

Sincerely,

Your Handwritten Signature (if it is mailed)

Type Your Name

Enclosure



Tools of the Trade

LETTER OF INQUIRY

AVOID COMMON

MISTAKES

Do not emphasize whatthe company can do foryou.

Do not use general bro-chure language such as

"industry leaders," "in theforefront of technology,""opportunities for growthand advancement."Choose words that carryreal meaning and clearlydescribe you and yourqualifications.

Don't just state yourqualifications, illustratethem by citing examples

of your accomplishments.

Don't try to use fancywords, choose the rightwords. Don't be cute("I'm the person you wantto hire.")

Do not use too much self-evaluation (I am confidentthat I will contrib-ute. Why should they

believe you? Let yourqualifications speak forthemselves.

Do not present yourstrengths too weakly

The Overview

This is a letter written to a company you are interested in and

one for which you have not been able to find employment

information on their website.

Write to a specific person within the company, making a

phone call if necessary to see to whom your letter should be

addressed.

State your interest in the organization and explain why they

should be interested in you.

Emphasize your positive assets and skills and attach a resume.

State when you would be available

to meet for an interview.The Details

A first sentence telling the reader why youare writing.

In the body of the letter, market youraccomplishments. You might describe aproblem relevant to the industry. Statehow you handled it and what results youachieved.

Close the letter with a positive state-ment and request a face-to-face meeting.


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201 South 1460 EastSalt Lake City, UT 84112

September 1, 2010

Mr. Ima Employer

Vice PresidentABC Corp.

2301 Maple Lane

Salt Lake City, UT 84112

Dear Mr. Employer,

I am seeking a position in materials evaluation at a high technologycompany such as yours. I am aware from researching your firm that you

have a training program for physicists and engineers.

As you will note from the enclosed resume, I have majored in physics and

have participated in significant research. This background, as well as

several business courses, has prepared me to combine an interest in motivat-

ing people with a desire to work in a technical environment.

I would like to learn more about your trainee position, and I will contactyour office the week of September 15th to arrange an appointment at yourconvenience.

Sincerely,

hand written signature (if it is mailed)Ima Student

Enclosure

Identify Objective

Refer to Resume

Point out qualificationsand special interests

Arrange an Interview



Tools of the Trade

THANK YOU LETTERS

The Overview

May be sent by US Mail or e-mail.

Express appreciation for the interviewers

time and consideration.

Reiterate your interest in the employer

by mentioning new points or qualities

you may have forgotten to

address in the original interview.

Express your interest and anticipation in

receiving word regarding their decision.

The Details

Always send a thank-you letter after aninterview or other personal interaction.Show the people you met that youappreciate their time and attention.

Thank-you letters can be sent viae-mail, a hand-written note, orformal letter.

Wondering whether or not e-mail isthe best way to send a thank-you note? As with most things, it depends on the organization.

More conservative employers will likely prefer a formal letter. Employers who have ahigh-touch approach to customer service or a high level of relationship development withclients are more likely to prefer a hand-written note or card. But any employer with a quickturn-around time between interview and offer (you interview on Thursday and they tell youthey p

Student Career Guide (2011-2012)

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Transcript of Student Career Guide (2011-2012)