2019 Career Resource Guide by ACU Career Development

Career Guide

TABLE OF CONTENTS Budgeting/Finances

Internship/Job Search

Career Plan

Interview Preparation

Cover Letters

Networking

Curriculum Vitae

E-Portfolio

Grad School Prep

Résumés

Job search, on campus events, and resume help

Make Appointment Connect Online

PREPARE YOUR COVER LETTER PURPOSE A cover letter should always accompany your résumé. The purpose is to introduce you and your résumé to potential employers. It is the first impression employers have of you. It should not simply repeat your résumé content but provide specific examples and expand upon your experience. CONTENT

Salutation The salutation should be personalized if at all possible, for example Dear Ms. Jill Fortson. If you do not know the name of the individual, research the company’s website, the employer contact information in your College Central Network account, or call the company and politely ask for the name of the hiring manager in charge of the position. If you are unable to locate a specific name it is recommended to use Dear Hiring Manager rather than To Whom It May Concern.

Paragraph One In the initial paragraph, state the specific position or type of work for which you are applying and indicate where you learned of the opening (Career Center, etc.).

Paragraph Two Explain why you are interested in the position and organization. Indicate that you understand their needs and why you believe you are a good fit for the position. Use this opportunity to show that you researched the organization. Bring out some information about the company that makes them interesting to you.

Paragraph Three State your request for an interview and how you can be reached. Thank them for the opportunity. We encourage you to be proactive by adding a statement regarding your intention to reach out to them in a few weeks to discuss the position further. COMMON MISTAKES  Rehashing your résumé. Your cover letter should serve as an introduction to the résumé.  Too long. Keep your cover letter concise and down to one page.  Irrelevant Information. Be sure the information you share is pertinent to the job and the values of the organization.  Assuming Gender. If you are unsure of the gender of the recruiter, do not use Ms. or Mr. Instead address the letter to the full name of the recipient. For example, Dear Chris Jones, rather than Mr. or Ms. Jones.

Cover Letter Example

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June 1, 2016 Susan B. Goode Account Management Big Media 123 Advertising Street Big City, Texas 79248 Dear Ms. Goode, I would like to express my interest in the Account Manager position with Big Idea Media. Jill Fortson, ACU Career Center’s Director, brought this opportunity to my attention. With the combination of my Bachelor’s degree in Journalism and my internship experience with Purple Cow Advertising. I feel I can immediately develop new client relationships. My attached résumé highlights my education and experience that is a strong match for your requirements. Since my introduction to the advertising field, it has been my goal to work for a firm of Big Idea Media’s reputation. Big Idea Media is well known for having one of the best creative teams and a reputation for innovation within the industry. I am confident that my drive and relationship management skills are an excellent fit for this position. While interning with Purple Cow, I managed a $250,000 budget for Adidas Golf’s nontraditional advertising strategies, resulting in a 36% sales growth for their products. As an Assistant Account Manager, I progressed from having limited client contact to developing an effective business relationship with Adidas Golf clientele. I will be in touch with you in the next few weeks to arrange a convenient time to meet and discuss how my qualifications are a great fit for your team. Thank you for your consideration. Sincerely, Mary Smith

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May 9, 2017 Molly Parker Department Manager Hendrick Health System 1900 Pine Street Abilene, TX 79601 Dear Ms. Parker, As a senior in the Abilene Christian University School of Nursing, I am eager and ready to begin my career as an RN. As a calm presence and quick learner, I believe I am a great fit for a Registered Nurse position in the Emergency Department. During my education in the ACU School of Nursing, I have maintained a 3.8 GPA. I spent six weeks last summer completing a clinical rotation in the Emergency Department at Abilene Regional, and I absolutely loved my time there! The variety of cases that came into the ED, the fast-paced environment, and the team collaboration were an ideal fit for me. Thank you for reviewing my resume and LinkedIn profile. I would be delighted to meet you for an in-person interview at your earliest convenience. Best, Mary Smith

PREPARE YOUR RÉSUMÉ A résumé summarizes your education, experience, and credentials as they relate to your employment goals. The résumé’s primary purpose is to convince an employer, in a very short period of time, of your relevant qualifications and create a first impression that motivates the employer to contact you. Building an effective résumé is an ongoing process. It usually takes a few reviews to catch format inconsistencies, typos, and grammatical errors. Always have your résumé reviewed by a career coach before sending it to potential employers. REQUIRED ELEMENTS Heading Use your full name centered at the top. Under your name, center your contact information and URL to your LinkedIn profile or your online portfolio. Please be sure that both your email address and voicemail messages are professional and appropriate. Education Starting with the most recent, list the name(s) of the college(s) attended, location, degree or certificates received, expected date of graduation (month and year only), and major(s). Do not include high school information. Work/Relevant Experience This section shows how your experience relates to your target position. Include relevant experience from any of the following: full-time, summer, part-time work; internships; field work; research projects; volunteer work; or extracurricular activities. High school activities and achievements should be eliminated unless they are directly relevant to the job. For each experience, indicate your job title, name of organization, city, state, and dates of employment or service. See the “Writing Success Statement Descriptions” page for assistance articulating your responsibilities for each position. OPTIONAL ELEMENTS Additional Experience/Activities This section can add depth by reflecting highly desirable skills, commitment, and involvement outside academic coursework and employment. Include leadership positions, memberships in clubs or organizations, volunteer experience, professional development, and athletics. Include your position title, organization name, city, state, and dates of involvement. Related and Additional Skills Use this section to emphasize skills applicable to your field of interest. Skills could include, but should not be limited to, foreign language fluency, computer/technical applications, scientific/laboratory, and/or special certifications. Achievements, Awards, Publications, or Honors List only those received while in college and that are of particular relevance to your field of interest.

Sample Action Verbs

Résumé Checklist Sample Résumés

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Success Statements

HINTS AND TIPS E-Résumé Formatting Most companies use Applicant Tracking Systems (ATS) for job applications. Your résumé must be formatted to be easily scanned and read by the system. Include key words from the job description for which you are applying to optimize your fit for the position. Keywords are nouns and phrases that describe your knowledge and experience. The keyword summary can be the most important part of the résumé.

DO…      

Put your name first, followed by your contact information. Keep text aligned to the left (except your name and contact information) Use a standard font such as Times New Roman, Arial or Helvetica in 12 pt. font size Align dates to the right of the page using a right-aligned tab to preserve formatting When printing your résumé, use standard résumé paper, not card stock Customize your résumé for each opportunity

DON’T…     

Be too lengthy. Keep your résumé to one page if at all possible. Rely on spellcheck. Spellcheck does not catch all errors. For example, the word “lead” and the word “led”, will both pass the Spellcheck test, but have very different meanings. Be sure to have your résumé reviewed by others. Use graphics or pictures, etc. Unless you are in a design field, steer clear of graphics. Keep your résumé uncluttered and easy to read. List references. References should be kept in a separate document and not included on the résumé. Also do not add the line “References Available Upon Request” to your résumé. Use personal pronouns. Do not use “I, we, or my” statements. Click on Optimal Resume to build your resume below!

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TYPES OF RÉSUMÉS Chronological (Recommended for College Students) This type of résumé consists of a reverse chronological list of education, job experiences, and accomplishments, typically condensed to one page only. Start with your current or most recent experience and end with your earliest position. As the most common type of résumé, it is recommended for college students, professionals staying in the same career field, and for those working in a field where traditional job search methods are utilized.

Functional (Recommended for Experienced Professionals) This type of résumé highlights the professional skills you have gained throughout your career. The content is similar to a chronological résumé but presented around skill clusters. This format is recommended for professionals with a variety of work experience, individuals interested in a career change who do not have direct job experience in the new career area, those who have changed employers frequently and those who have been absent from the job market or have gaps in employment. The functional résumé is typically 1-2 pages long.

Curriculum Vitae This is a specialized résumé within the academic community to highlight work experience as well as research interests and professional development within an academic setting. The format is recommended for graduate students and those pursuing teaching or research positions in a college or university.

Infographic Résumé or Présumé (Recommended for Creative Fields) An infographic résumé uses pictures, graphics, and sound for employers to click through to review your qualifications. You can create an infographic résumé using tools such as wix.com, Prezi, Piktochart, or Flipboard.

Chronological

Infographic

Functional

Présumé

Curriculum Vitae

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RÉSUMÉ CHECKLIST Appearance and Organization  Visually pleasing and easy to read  Print on résumé paper  Limit to one page, if possible  Should not be too text heavy, nor have too much white space  If more than one page, do NOT staple Content  Use descriptive action verbs  Emphasize marketable skills  Stress achievements  Be honest  Minimize use of repetitive words  Current job is in present tense  Past jobs are in past tense  NO typos, grammatical or spelling errors  NO first person such as “I”, “me’, “my”  NO abbreviations except states and GPA  Update on a regular basis so it is current

Education  School, city & state  Degree(s), major, minor, concentration  Honors and awards (unless listed in separate section)  Study abroad and/or thesis  Relevant certificate programs Work/Relevant Experience  Any experience related to your field; paid, volunteer, part-time, full-time, internships, jobs  Your title, organization name, city and state  Experiences are listed in reverse chronological order  Dates of employment are consistently formatted  Position description with bullet points highlighting skills and accomplishments, not just duties  Use action verbs to qualify responsibilities where possible  Explain how your tasks contribute to the organizational objective

Format/Layout  Font size should be between 10-12  Choose a font style such as Arial, Helvetica or Times New Roman  Use bullet points to separate items  Print only one side of page  Use right-aligned tab setting for dates on Additional Section(s) the right side of the page. DO NOT tab or  Sample categories: Community Service, Volunteer Experience, space over Leadership, Activities and Athletics, etc… Objective/Profile Statement (optional)  Objective: Describes type of work sought  Offices held (including title, organization and dates)  Profile (Recommended): Uses descriptive  Pertinent memberships and words to show strengths you bring affiliations  Certifications such as EMT, CPR, etc….

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CREATING SUCCESS STATEMENTS Success statements are NOT a list of duties or responsibilities. They are a bulleted list of statements explaining your accomplishments achieved through the performance of the duties. Success statements are results-oriented, providing measurable results, if possible.

Sample Success Statements Use strong action verbs to describe specific facts regarding your responsibilities, and accomplishments, instead of general verbs and adjectives. Doing so will strengthen your resume and make it stand out. Below are some typical examples and ways to expand and strengthen them. Poor: Customer Service Better: Provide customer service for bank clients.  What were the bank services?  Were there policies/procedures?  What was the result? Best: Resolved customers’ problems, explained bank services and policies, and communicated knowledge of financial planning, resulting in greater customer satisfaction. Poor: Made Policy decisions. Better: Collaborated in making policy decisions.  How did you make policy decisions?  With whom did you collaborate?  Who was affected by the decision? Best: Collaborated with other club members in evaluating and establishing policy indicatives brought to the council by students, faults, and campus administrators. Poor: Worked with children with special needs. Better: Organized and initiated group activates for children with special needs.  What Duties?  What was the result?  How did they fit into working with special needs? Best: Organized and initiated craft activities for groups of 8-12 children with special needs to enhance peer interaction and develop motor skills. Poor: Duties include research. Better: Conducted research on issues pertaining to presidential administration.  What were you topics of research?  What was the purpose of your research? Best: Conducted research on congressional, political, and economic issues that assisted Strategic Initiatives staff policy recommendations to presidential administration.

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Sample Action Verbs for Success Statements ACHIEVEMENT ANALYSIS

COMMUNICATION

COORDINATION CREATION

DEVELOPMENT EFFICIENCY GROWTH LEADERSHIP MANAGEMENT

ORGANIZATION REDUCTION SALES SUPPORT TRAINING

Achieved, Awarded, Earned, Elected, Maintained, Mastered, Performed, Salvaged, Saved, Solved, Started, Succeeded, Utilized, Volunteered Allocated, Analyzed, Appraised, Ascertained, Assessed, Calculated, Clarified, Conducted, Determined, Discovered, Estimated, Evaluated, Forecasted, Identified, Integrated, Interpreted, Investigated, Pinpointed, Planned, Probed, Projected, Researched, Revised, Selected, Solved, Studied Addressed, Argued, Authored, Clarified, Collaborated, Communicated, Composed, Consulted, Corresponded, Counseled, Debated, Explained, Interacted, Interpreted, Marketed, Moderated, Motivated, Negotiated, Persuaded, Petititoned, Presented, Promoted, Published, Recommended, Reported, Synthesized, Translated, Wrote Activated, Arranged, Assembled, Controlled, Coordinated, Directed, Facilitated, Harmonized, Maintained, Orchestrated, Presided, Scheduled, Shaped, Steered, Systematized Animated, Authored, Composed, Conceived, Conceptualized, Created, Defined, Designed, Developed, Engineered, Fashioned, Formulated, Founded, Illustrated, Initiated, Invented, Mapped, Originated, Pioneered, Reproduced, Visualized, Wrote Analyzed, Converted, Cultivated, Designed, Developed, Devised, Engineered, Established, Evaluated, Examined, Explored, Improved, Improvised, Installed, Planned, Refined, Researched, Updated, Upgraded Combined, Converted, Eased, Expedited, Facilitated, Mobilized, Remodeled, Reorganized, Repaired, Reshaped, Restored, Revitalized, Simplified, Streamlined Accumulated, Advanced, Amplified, Augmented, Broadened, Concentrated, Condensed, Consolidated, Doubled, Enhanced, Enlarged, Expanded, Gained, Heightened, Increased, Intensified, Maximized, Reinforced, Saved, Strengthened Administered, Advocated, Appointed, Arranged, Controlled, Directed, Envisioned, Explained, Governed, Guided, Managed, Orchestrated, Presided, Recruited, Scheduled, Stimulated, Supervised, Trained Accomplished, Administered, Analyzed, Approved, Arranged, Consulted, Contacted, Contributed, Coordinated, Determined, Directed, Discussed, Established, Facilitated, Formulated, Fostered, Handled, Maintained, Marketed, Organized, Planned, Prepared, Prescribed, Promoted, Recommended, Reviewed, Supervised, Trained Arranged, Catalogued, Classified, Collated, Collected, Indexed, Itemized, Organized, Revised, Scheduled, Specified Alleviated, Curbed, Decreased, Diminished, Divided, Lowered, Minimized, Reduced, Simplified Distributed, Energized, Generated, Marketed, Obtained, Penetrated, Promoted, Recruited, Sold, Stimulated Assisted, Augmented, Boosted, Participated, Provided, Relieved, Represented, Strengthened Advised, Briefed, Coached, Counseled, Educated, Enhanced, Enlightened, Groomed, Guided, Instilled, Instructed, Motivated, Oriented, Stimulated, Taught, Trained

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PREPARING FOR GRADUATE SCHOOL WRITING THE PERSONAL STATEMENT Most graduate school application processes require a personal statement or statement of purpose. Individual schools determine the format. Some require the applicant to address specific information while others give the applicant freedom to address a chosen topic. Your statement should include the following information:     

Your eligibility and preparedness for graduate study Your purpose for graduate study How you plan to use your graduate study Your research interests Previous experience and academic work

TIPS FOR SUCCESS      

Follow the format determined by the school Begin with an outline to help with flow Provide good transitions between paragraphs Research the university and provide examples of your knowledge of the program Narrow your focus to one or two ideas or experiences Visit the ACU Writing Center for proofreading and writing assistance

COMMON MISTAKES     

Spelling and grammatical errors Telling too much of your life story (Focus on your interests and goals) Discussing finances as motivation Dwelling on negative situations or giving excuses Using an unprofessional format

Sample Statements at Purdue OWL

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FUNCTIONAL FORMAT

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Name [Street Address][City], [State] [Postal Code] Phone: [Your Phone] Fax: [Your Fax] E-Mail:

Education B.A. or B.S., Major Field, Year Received or Expected, University, City, State M.A. or M.S., Field, Year Received or Expected, University, City, State Ph.D., Field, Year Received or Expected, University, City, State Professional Experience • Beginning with your college years, list all work you have done that is relevant to the program or position you are applying to. Include research positions with project titles and supervisors, and, optionally, a brief description of the duties you performed. This is also a good place to list any consulting, manuscript reviewing, or editorial experience you have (or, if you have had extensive experience in one of these areas, you can form a separate category for "Research Experience," "Consulting Activities," "Ad Hoc Reviewing," or "Editorial Experience").

[Insert Dates]

• Integer eleifend diam eu diam. Nam hendrerit. Nunc id nisi.

[Insert Dates]

Publications/Presentations • If you are a young professional, this is the heart of your vita. List references in APA format according to date (including unpublished manuscripts or papers in press). Be careful, though, not to list any papers you are unprepared to make available if requested.

[Insert Dates]

• Etiam cursus suscipit enim. Nulla facilisi.

[Insert Dates]

Research Experience • Describe your current research in one or two paragraphs. This will often be an overview of your thesis work. If you are working in more than one area, summarize each project in a separate paragraph. Conclude with a brief statement describing your future program of research for

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[Insert Dates]

Name Page 2

the next five years or so. • Integer eleifend diam eu diam. Nam hendrerit. Nunc id nisi.

[Insert Dates]

Teaching Experience List any courses you have taught, co-taught, or assisted with as a TA. If you received strong teaching evaluations, consider attaching a separate sheet with a statistical summary and 5-10 examples of the most positive praise you have received. Also, faculty job candidates should list 4-6 courses that they are prepared to teach if hired (from the most general courses to advanced courses and specialized seminars). For example, a prospective assistant professor of social psychology might include the following statement:

[Insert Dates]

I am prepared to teach the following courses: • • • • •

Introductory Psychology Social Psychology Introduction to Statistics Research Methods in Social Psychology Seminar on the Psychology of Prejudice and Discrimination

Professional Presentations • List the titles of talks given to professional audiences, the sponsoring organizations, the places, and the dates.

[Insert Dates]

• Integer eleifend diam eu diam. Nam hendrerit. Nunc id nisi.

[Insert Dates]

Affiliations/Memberships In this section, list all memberships in:

[Insert Dates]

• Psychology associations such as APA and APS (click here for a listing of groups) • APA divisions (e.g., Society for the Psychological Study of

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Name Page 3

Social Issues) • International groups (e.g., International Society of Political Psychology) • Honors societies (e.g., Psi Chi, Phi Beta Kappa, Sigma Chi, Phi Kappa Phi) • Science groups (e.g., American Association for the Advancement of Science) • Other professional organizations that link you with an interest or area of specialization • Integer eleifend diam eu diam. Nam hendrerit. Nunc id nisi.

[Insert Dates]

Honors and Awards This is the place to list academic honors, graduation prizes, fellowships, scholarships, writing prizes, and so forth. List each award, the granting institution, and the date awarded (Note: If all your awards are graduation honors, then omit this category and subsume the information under "Education").

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BUILDING AN EFFECTIVE NETWORK     

Networking is the lifelong process of making connections, securing information, and building bridges of mutual assistance. Networking does not mean asking someone for a job, but it can be extremely helpful in obtaining referrals, advice, and inside information on a company, position, or industry – all vital to succeeding in the hidden job market. Networking is a two-way, ongoing relationship Networking begins with creating an inventory of who you know. Organize your contacts in “tiers” of relevance to your target industry.

Types of Networking In Person  Join your local ACU Alumni Chapter  Participate in student and professional organizations and become familiar with faces and issues in the industry  Check out your local Chamber of Commerce and attend their events  If you are moving to a new city, tell the people you know that you are moving and ask who they know in that location  Try to get involved in organizations that interest you or find places to volunteer. Community service or outreach projects are a great way to meet people  Don’t be afraid to ask if a contact knows anyone else you should talk to.

Informational Interviews  Ask open-ended questions eliciting broad and comprehensive responses  Try to keep the interview focused on your informational needs and not strictly on their job or particular organization  Keep an open mind and objectively evaluate your sources in considering the information you have obtained  At the end, always ask for a referral to one or two other people in the field so you may gather further information  Send thank you notes and continue to follow up and let them know what you end up doing

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May 9, 2017 Sam Fields Regional Director Idea Grove 14800 Qurorum Drive Suite 320 Dallas, TX 75254 Dear Sam, I hope this note finds you well! The last time we spoke, I had just started my classes as an Advertising/Public Relations major. I just started my senior year at ACU and am excited to launch my career next summer. I am particularly passionate about representing clients in the technology sector. At this point, my goal is to build my network and share contacts in the Advertising/PR field in the Dallas/Fort Worth area. Any networking referrals you can share would be a great help to me. I will also send you an invitation to connect on LinkedIn this week. Any contacts or leads in the Dallas/Fort Worth area would be greatly appreciated. I will follow up with you next week to see what networking ideas you may have. Thanks for your ongoing help. Sincerely, Mary Smith

May 9, 2017

Josh Barnes Holt Lunsford Commercial Real Estate 5055 Kelle Springs, Ste 300 Addison, Texas 75001 Dear Mr. Barnes, Your name was given to me by the ACU Career Center Staff as being someone who would be a good contact in my search for employment. My goal is to work for a company like Lunsford Commercial Real Estate and any information or assistance you could provide would be greatly appreciated. Let me share with you a highlight of some significant qualifications: • Bachelor of Business Administration from Abilene Christian University, anticipated graduation May 2018 in Finance • Dean’s Honor Role recipient for past 5 semesters • President of ACU Collegiate Entrepreneurial Organization • Internship within your industry Please feel free to share my information with anyone else in your organization. If you prefer, just send me their contact information and I can communicate with them directly. My résumé is attached and will provide some insight into my sill sets and experience. Thanks for your time and consideration. I look forward to setting up a time to meet with you and discuss my qualifications. Sincerely,

Mack Smith Enclosure (1) 5055 Keller Springs Suite 300 Addison, Texas 75001 5055 Keller Springs Suite 300 Addison, Texas 75001

May 9, 2017

Mack Smith Enclosure (1) 5055 Keller Springs Suite 300 Addison, Texas 75001 5055 Keller Springs Suite 300 Addison, Texas 75001

LinkedIn LinkedIn is a professionally oriented social media platform that allows you to post your career information (experience, skills, interests, work samples), connects with other professionals, search for jobs, connect with ACU alumni or employees of specific organizations, and more. It is often the first place a recruiter or hiring manager will go to check you out. LinkedIn functions to explore include:  Alumni search functions by location, graduation year, employer, etc.  Job postings and search functions  Student job and internship postings  Professional groups and discussion boards with employers and experts in your field of interest  Informational and tips sheets for using LinkedIn effectively.

Social Media Your social media presence is a permanent and valuable part of your personal brand and emerging professional identity. The availability of social media allows you to use and leverage your digital reach and influence in your job search. Many companies check social media pages to see if information matches applications and interviews, and to determine a fit with their company. Many employers embrace social media as a recruiting tool. They may post job openings on Facebook, ask for personal pitches on Twitter or implement a contest on Instagram. Rather than feeling afraid of what might be revealed when an employer accesses your social media, be smart and strategic about what you are doing and posting online. Some tips include:  Conduct an audit of your accounts and profiles. Complete privacy is never possible, so be smart about your posts and tags.  Think about your personal brand. What do current posts and pictures say about you?  Follow companies and organizations you admire. Interact with their pages and posts to increase your credibility.  Post information and pictures connected to your field. Become an advocate, an expert, or show your awareness of the world around you as it relates to your industry.

Important Networking Tips  Be courteous to your contacts, listen to their advice and thank them for their suggestions.  Prepare an elevator pitch so when you’re given the opportunity to sell yourself you are ready. Visit the Career Center to learn more about how to craft an effective speech.  Establish a detailed system to keep track of your contacts and follow-up.  Always ask permission to use someone’s name in making a contact.  Write thank you notes to acknowledge their kindness and help.

INTERVIEW PREPARATION In interviews, employers ask questions to uncover information about your skills in a particular area to determine if you are a good fit for the position they are trying to fill. They will look for examples of your behavior in previous employment situations or student activities. Because of this, your responses require preparation. Preparing requires you to reflect on your experiences (professional, educational, and personal) and to develop brief stories that highlight your accomplishments.

DO YOUR HOMEWORK! Conduct research to learn more about the organization in general, financial information, the organization’s mission and search the Internet for recent news and press releases.

Sample Interview Questions       

Tell me about yourself. (Use your “elevator pitch”) Describe a situation where you had to deal with a difficult person. What happened and how did you handle that person? (Teamwork/Interpersonal skills) What are your career goals in the next five years and what have you done to accomplish them? (Self-management) At one time or another, we have all had a difficult time getting our point across. Give me an example of when this happened to you and what you did to resolve it. (Innovation and Creativity) Describe a time where you were experiencing conflicting work demands. What were the conflicts? How did you respond? (Influence/Leadership) Tell me about a recent meeting you attended. What role did you play in that meeting? (Communication) Tell me about a time you had to work in a fast-paced environment. (Motivational Fit)

Concluding with Questions This is the only part of the interview that you can control. Take time to prepare your questions. Informed questions can make a great, lasting impression! Ask questions to clarify or follow up on information provided by the interviewer. Sample questions to ask:  What are some methods by which trainees are evaluated?  What do you like about your job?  What are some accomplishments your team has made that you are most proud of?  When can I expect to hear back from you?

Want to practice your interview skills more? Practice online with:

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Mr. Chris Thomas Hiring Manager First Financial Bank 400 Pine Street Abilene, TX 79601 Dear Mr. Thomas, Let me begin by highlighting my strong interest in the Market Analyst position at First Financial. This is my top choice for a position in finance, and I desire to continue ahead in the hiring process. I have attached a copy of my resume, but I would like to highlight the following skills that are ideal for this position: • • • •

Ability to multi-task and stay organized Commitment to completing projects and meeting deadlines Strong customer service skills Strong oral and written communication

I look forward to hearing from you and would love to meet soon. Please let me know when is a good time for you. Sincerely,

Mary Smith LinkedIn Profile Resume (Insert link)

TYPE OF INTERVIEWS PANEL INTERVIEWS This is a group interview. Each panel member will typically take turns asking questions relevant to their needs. This type of interview is often more formal and organized and may have a standard set of questions that will be asked of all candidates. Still prepare as you would a one-on-one interview. Make eye contact with the person asking the question and then also look at the other members. Address panel members by name when answering their question. As the interview closes out, make sure you thank each panelist by name as you shake their hand. Follow up with a personal thank you card written to each member of the panel.

PHONE INTERVIEWS Often you are given the opportunity for a phone interview. Typically employers will use this method as the first step in the screening process for applicants. Following are a few tips to make your interview more successful:     

Schedule the call for a time when you are available and can focus completely. Find a quiet location and use a landline, rather than a cell phone, if possible. (Contact the Career Center to reserve an interview space during office hours as an option). Have research and documentation at your fingertips. Smile while speaking on the phone. You will sound more upbeat and engaged. Focus on your language and voice. Stay positive and speak clearly.

SKYPE INTERVIEWS A Skype interview can be provided if a physical face-to-face meeting is not an option. Skype interviews can give both parties the opportunity to see each other during the interview and gain a better rapport than during a phone interview by viewing body language and facial expressions. Following are a few tips to help your Skype interview go smoothly:        

Make sure your username is professional in nature. Prepare for possible technological glitches by practicing with another Skype user ahead of time. Find a quiet location with no visible distractions in the background (Contact the Career Center to reserve an interview space during office hours as an option). Dress professionally to be taken seriously. Maintain eye contact by looking at the webcam, not the screen. (This can be hard to do, so practice!) Speak clearly and pause between answers to allow for any echoes or delays in sound. If there are any technical glitches, handle them with grace and professionalism and offer to contact them via phone as a back-up plan. Make sure to silence your phone, turn off any notifications on your computer, or social media to make sure there are no interruptions.

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Tips for Day of the Interview      

Be on time, which means 10-15 minutes early. Dress professional. Determine what the regular attire is for the organization and plan accordingly. When being introduced, stand up, smile, make eye contact, and shake hands firmly. Realize that everyone you meet is interviewing you, so treat everyone, especially the receptionist, with respect. Ask the interviewer questions. Avoid salary and benefits issues on the first interview unless asked. Then be prepared. Ask the interviewer for a business card and learn everyone’s name.

After the Interview    

If you were given a date to expect to hear back from the employer, and that date has passed, wait a day. Then, make a call to the interviewer asking about the time frame or if any additional informational is needed in order for you to continue in the process. If you were not given a date, wait for a minimum of one week before making a call. Remember to always be professional and polite in your correspondence. Write a brief hand written formal thank you note expressing your interest and thanking the interviewer for his or her time. The card should be mailed within 24 hours.

THANK YOU NOTE SAMPLE

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INTERNSHIP AND JOB SEARCH STRATEGIES Let’s discuss strategies for how to find an internship and ultimately your full-time job after graduation. BRAINSTORM  What career fields or position types are you pursuing?  What is your preferred location? PREPARE TO SEARCH Have you completed your Handshake account registration? This is where you will find information about job postings that are sent directly to the ACU Career Center. This is the “hub” of our Career Center postings, events, résumé builder program and much more.       

Complete your profile on LinkedIn and send connection requests to the contacts you already have. Join various ACU groups. Lastly seek out companies that you are interested in and follow them, often they post jobs on their pages. Connect with alumni on LinkedIn Begin telling everyone you know that you’re conducting a job search and specifically what you need from them in order to be successful in your search. This will include your 30-second elevator speech (who you are, what you’re looking for and when/where). Join professional associations connected with the career you are pursuing. Participate in local networking groups. Start volunteering with an organization that can expose you to additional networking contacts in your career area. Create a job search strategy following these tips.

Handshake Registration Instructions

Handshake On-Campus Interview Instructions Back to Table of Contents

Handshake Job and Internship Search Instructions 40

ADDITIONAL RESOURCES FOR JOB SEARCH Work in Texas About Jobs All Hospitals America's Job Bank ACU's Available Positions Best Jobs USA Camp Staff Career Builder Career Bliss Career.com Careers360

Career Mag Career Net Career Rookie College Grad Hunter Computersciencemajor.org Cool Works Creative Circle Flip Dog Future Step Hound IM Diversity Job.com

Job Bank USA JobHuntersBible.com Job Source Nation Job Neuvoo O*Net Online Overseas Jobs Quintessential Careers The Riley Guide Simply Hired State Job Listings Wet Feet

RESOURCES FOR INTERNATIONAL STUDENTS Going Global Asia Jobs ELT News-Jobs in Japan English Teaching Jobs in Japan European Jobs H1B-Visa Information/Jobs International Staffing Consultants International Jobs

Jobs in Japan Latin America Professional Network Overseas Jobs Taiwan Job Listings UK Jobs JobiJoba UK My Visa Jobs

(ACU Career Center Disclaimer: ACU does not specifically endorse or support all opportunities posted on other website links. We encourage job and internship seekers to research all opportunities and companies thoroughly before applying.) Back to Table of Contents

STAYING ON TRACK

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AFTER GRADUATION Need help relocating for your new job or grad school after graduation? The ACU Career Center has partnered with Homebase Relocation Service to provide a Wildcat-friendly service that finds available housing in MINUTES that fits your move-in date and budget…up to 6 months in advance of your career start date in your new city. Advantages include: 

Find Housing in MINUTES: Homebase finds available apartments in Dallas that match your move-in date and rent budget in MINUTES. Their patented search allows you to find & secure available housing up to 6 months into the future.

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Meet Other Wildcats Moving With You: Get connected to local alumni from your school moving to your new city

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Wildcat Roommate Match: Use the private roommate match to find other WILDCATS also moving to your new city

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Eliminate Stress! Enjoy your remaining classes and graduate without stress!

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Save money and time! Homebase saves the average student about 15-20 hours of time in their search. Their early alert process also can save from 5-15% or more off your monthly rent.

To begin your Lightning-Fast Wildcats Campus Hires Housing Service: Sign Up Here

Create a Budget Create a budget to help you stay on track with your finances while paying back your student loans. Use this sample budget spreadsheet to help get you started. For further ideas on how to handle your finances, utilize the free service, $ALT provided by ACU.

Other Tips to Navigate Your New Career  

Salary Negotiation Tips – Read helpful tips when negotiating salary and other advice on aftercollege.com to help you navigate your new career. Letter of Resignation – View a sample letter of resignation and tips for changing jobs as you move further into your career.

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