Auburn University Career Center Job Search Guide 2021

UU NN I VI V EE RR SS I TI T Y YCC AA RR EE EE RRCC EE NN TT EE RR

2021

JOB JOB SEARCH SEARCH

GUIDE GUIDE

©2021 University Career Center

3 0330 3MM a ratri tni nH H a lal l |l 3| 3343-48-4 84 4 -44- 7447 4 4 4| c | acraereere. ra.u ab uu b runr .ne.d eu du

©2021 University Career Center

CONTENTS YOUR JOB SEARCH

MARKET YOURSELF

LAND A JOB

START YOUR CAREER

1 2 3 4

HELPFUL RESOURCES

6 7 9 10 11 12 13 14

WHERE TO LOOK

17 20 23 24 30 32 33 34 35

TOOLS TO MARKET YOURSELF

37 38 39 40 41 43 45

INTERVIEWING: GENERAL INFO

47

EVALUATING JOB OFFERS &

48 49

ACCEPTANCE LETTER SAMPLE

HANDSHAKE EVENTS COLLEGE ROADMAP

INFORMATIONAL INTERVIEWING WHAT TO RESEARCH EXPERIENCE IS EVERYTHING BECOME CAREER READY NAVIGATE A CAREER FAIR ONLINE JOB SEARCH SPECIALIZED RESOURCES

RÉSUMÉ WRITING ACTION VERBS RÉSUMÉ SAMPLES COVER LETTER WRITING COVER LETTER SAMPLE DIGITAL FOOTPRINT MAXIMIZING LINKEDIN CAMPUS RESOURCES

TYPES OF INTERVIEWS HOW TO PREPARE BEHAVIORAL INTERVIEWING DRESS FOR SUCCESS PROFESSIONAL ETIQUETTE THANK YOU NOTE SAMPLE

NEGOTIATIONS FIRST YEAR ON THE JOB ©2021 University Career Center

1

Job Search Guide

HELPFUL RESOURCES DIGITAL CAREER CENTER

CAREER PLANNING

University Career Center Resources career.auburn.edu

Career Counseling free one-on-one sessions

Job Search Resources handshake.auburn.edu

Interest & Personality Assessments

Pathways: Major Guides aub.ie/PMG

Workshops & Networking Events

Quinncia: Online 24/7 Résumé Review aub.ie/resume

aub.ie/popular

UNIV 1150: Navigate Your Career Pathway

JOB & INTERNSHIP SEARCH

JOB & INTERNSHIP SEARCH PREP

Access

Career Coaching free one-on-one sessions

Handshake

Résumé & Cover Letter Reviews aub.ie/resume Interview Practice Workshops & Networking Events Quinncia online mock interview practice sessions Mock Interview Day

SOCIAL MEDIA “Like” Us facebook.com/aucareer Follow Us twitter.com/aucareer instagram.com/aucareer Watch our Videos aub.ie/UCCtube Join Our Group LinkedIn.com (University Career Center)

handshake.auburn.edu job/internship listings, career expos & on-campus interviews Career Shift

comprehensive job search & networking site aub.ie/popular Career Fairs

aub.ie/fairs

SPECIAL PROGRAMS Auburn on the Hill: Congressional Internships aub.ie/AUontheHill Your Major: Career Discovery Workshop aub.ie/yourmajor Pathways: Major Guides aub.ie/PMG Career Ready Program aub.ie/careerready Campus Career Closet aub.ie/ccc Merge Mentorship Program aub.ie/merge Employer Connections Breakfast aub.ie/ECB

©2021 University Career Center

All career service offices on campus utilize a career and job search platform called Handshake. Accessing your Handshake account is quick and easy!

Go to handshake.auburn.edu, click Auburn University Student Login and use your Auburn username (e.g., abc1234) and password to log in to your account.

Job Search Guide

2

HANDSHAKE.AUBURN.EDU

Access more jobs & internships

Engage with helpful career resources

Utilize powerful job search tools

View employers visiting campus

©2021 University Career Center

3

Job Search Guide

EVENTS UNIVERSITY CAREER CENTER

career.auburn.edu/events

CAMPUS PARTNERS AVIATION CAREER FAIR Fall & Spring semesters

INTERNSHIP & PART-TIME JOB FAIR

BUILDING SCIENCE CAREER FAIR & INTERVIEWS

Fall & Spring semesters

Fall & Spring semesters

CAMPUS PARTNER CAREER FAIRS

COLLEGE OF AGRICULTURE CAREER FAIR

Fall & Spring semesters

AUBURN UNIVERSITY CAREER FAIR Fall & Spring semesters

GRADUATE SCHOOL INFO DAY Fall semester

EDUCATION INTERVIEW DAY Fall & Spring semesters

MOCK INTERVIEW DAY Fall & Spring semesters

Fall & Spring semesters

CO-OP INTERVIEW DAY Fall & Spring semesters

SAMUEL GINN COLLEGE OF ENGINEERING CAREER FAIR Fall & Spring semesters

FORESTRY & WILDLIFE SCIENCES CAREER FAIR Fall semester

HDFS INTERNSHIP & PROFESSIONAL DAY Fall semester

SUPPLY CHAIN MANAGEMENT CAREER FAIR Fall & Spring semesters

©2021 University Career Center

Job Search Guide

4

THE COLLEGE ROADMAP The career planning process takes time. Small steps can be taken throughout your college education to research your opinions, develop your skills, build your résumé and make connections with potential employers. There is no need to worry if you haven’t completed each recommended step during the suggested year. Evaluate where you are in your own career planning process and take action now to prepare yourself for the job search.

FRESHMAN YEAR

SOPHOMORE YEAR

− Join at least one service or leadership organization

− Join a career related organization or professional association

− Meet with a career counselor to establish needs

− Research specific careers and required qualifications

− Begin developing a professional résumé

− Attend career fairs and employer information sessions

− Register with Handshake at handshake.auburn.edu − Look for opportunities to build your résumé (e.g. leadership, service, work, etc.)

− Participate in job shadowing or conduct an informational interview with a professional in your field of interest

− Follow us on social media platforms

− Begin developing useful skills through part–time jobs, internships, and volunteering

JUNIOR YEAR

SENIOR YEAR

− Pursue a leadership role in a campus organization

− Discuss upcoming career plans with a career counselor

− Update your résumé and have it reviewed by the University Career Center

− Update your résumé for the job search

− Update the information in your Handshake account − Attend career fairs and employer information sessions − Complete an internship to gain career related experience

− Update your Handshake account and participate in on-campus interviews − Attend career fairs and employer information sessions − Schedule a mock interview to practice interview skills − Begin applying for jobs 8-10 months before graduation

©2021 University Career Center

YOUR JOB SEARCH It has been said that looking for job feels like a job in and of itself, a sentiment that often feels true for many. Searching for a job can be arduous and timeconsuming, as there are multiple moving parts that need to successfully align to land your desired position.

Thinking about the process may feel overwhelming. You might be asking yourself, “Where do I even start?” Do not fret! Whether you are just beginning your search or are deeper into the process, this section will provide you with suggested tips, tangible steps, and valuable resources to help guide your search. It is our hope that these tools help you to develop key skills and knowledge that will enhance your search and enable you to feel more confident in the process as a whole.

One initial step that should be emphasized when job-searching is the importance of networking.

Throughout your Auburn education, you have been building your professional network as you develop relationships with peers, professors, staff, and any additional professionals you meet in and out of the classroom.

It is imperative that you maintain

these relationships and engage with professionals in a meaningful way, as well as be intentional about expanding your network through efforts such as Informational Interviews, utilizing LinkedIn, and attending career fairs.

Not only does networking help new professionals learn valuable industry knowledge, but you also never know if it could lead to a potential job opportunity.

Additionally, another good place to begin is by identifying online job-search engines that produce timely, reliable results in your desired field. Handshake is a great resource for online searching, along with other sites such as LinkedIn and CareerShift. With that said, it is also important to research companies prior to and during the application process via websites such as Glassdoor, which optimize your access to the inner workings of an organization or company.

This section will underscore the benefits of networking and informational interviews, navigating online job-search engines, where to look for positions and/or research companies of interest, and career-fair preparation.

CHRISTINA BEVILACQUA Career Counselor

©2021 University Career Center

Job Search Guide: YOUR JOB SEARCH

6

WHERE TO LOOK The job search process takes time and a lot of hard work. Fortunately, there are many ways for job seekers to go about locating employment opportunities.

To maximize your time and energy, utilize both online and in-person search methods and be purposeful in identifying opportunities and companies that mesh with your personality, skills, interests and values. Developing materials to effectively market your skills, education and experiences is also an important step.

HAVE YOU LOOKED HERE? 1. HANDSHAKE handshake.auburn.edu 2. LINKEDIN linkedin.com 3. CAREERSHIFT aub.ie/CareerShift 4. CAREER FAIRS aub.ie/careerevents 5. ON CAMPUS RECRUITING handshake.auburn.edu 6. AU FACULTY & ADVISORS 7. AU ALUMNI CLUBS alumni.auburn.edu/clubs 8. FRIENDS & FAMILY

DID YOU KNOW? Handshake is a great place for Auburn students and alumni to start the job search as it is home to over 22,00 employers and actively recruiting for open positions.

Build your profile on handshake.auburn.edu, upload your résumé and begin searching for jobs and internships immediately.

NETWORKING It is estimated that 65%–80% of jobs are found through networking. Network to gain information about your career field of interest and to develop contacts that can help you achieve your goals.

Networking contacts can fall into one of three categories: personal, pro-personal and professional. The type of connection you have with each contact can affect the way in which you communicate. For example, you will discuss career goals and plans differently with a trusted professor than with a corporate recruiter.

PERSONAL Family Friends Mentors PRO-PERSONAL Professors Advisors Classmates Alumni PROFESSIONAL Corporate Recruiters Internship Supervisors Industry Professionals Alumni Assess your current network by listing people you know from each category. Look for opportunities to expand your network through resources, activities and events such as career fairs, professional organization meetings, informational interviews and LinkedIn.

©2021 University Career Center

7

Job Search Guide: YOUR JOB SEARCH

INFORMATIONAL INTERVIEWING Informational interviewing is a popular and effective method of collecting information on a career field from professionals currently in that area. It should assist you in making your career choice by gaining a more realistic insight into your career area of interest and to network with professionals. It is not, however, a job-seeking method.

Informational interviewing helps you sharpen your perception of the career you are researching, thus helping you make more educated career decisions, develop contacts, and measure your compatibility with the people, environment and general lifestyles surrounding a certain career.

WHAT MIGHT I DO WHILE INFORMATIONAL INTERVIEWING? − Meet for 20–30 minutes in the office of the professional, over coffee or lunch. − Tour the organization. − Ask lots of questions and listen to advice. − Maintain contact and expand network by asking if there is anyone else with whom the professional would recommend you speak to.

POINTS TO COVER WHEN ARRANGING AN INFORMATIONAL INTERVIEW − Ask if the professional would be willing to meet with you to discuss their profession − Briefly share your academic background, major and minor − Arrange mutually agreeable date/time and location − Give your phone number and email − Obtain directions to the organization − Ask for parking instructions − Ask about appropriate attire

©2021 University Career Center

CONTACTING THE PROFESSIONAL PHONE When you call your contact, introduce yourself and explain the purpose of your call: “Hello, thank you for taking my call.

My name is John Smith, and I am a student at Auburn University. I am interested in exploring the field of public relations. ________ gave me your contact information and thought you might be willing to help. I was hoping you would be willing to [meet with me to discuss your position and give me some advice about entering this field] OR [allow me to conduct a job shadow]. If you are busy right now, is there a more convenient time for me to call?”

“If you are not currently able to meet with me, is there someone you know who might?

EMAIL If emailing, be sure to include a subject line and use proper grammar and spelling.

Always have someone else read over the email before you send it to avoid potential problems.

Job Search Guide: YOUR JOB SEARCH

STEPS TO CONDUCTING A SUCCESSFUL INFORMATIONAL INTERVIEW PREPARATION − Be informed about your career of interest by utilizing University Career Center resources in the office and at career.auburn.edu. − Develop a list of questions. − Start with people with whom you are familiar and practice. − Contact individual well in advance to schedule an appointment. − Be prepared to respond to questions from contact.

DURING − Dress appropriately and arrive 5-10 minutes early. − Refer to your list of questions if you need to; it shows you are prepared. − Make positive first impressions through appearance, social skills and punctuality. − Observe work environment, people, dress, etc. − Thank everyone for their time and assistance. − Ask for business cards and two or three other contacts.

FOLLOW-UP − Summarize information you gathered. − Send a written thank you note within 24 hours. − Keep contact informed if they expressed interest. − Contact new leads.

8

INFORMATIONAL INTERVIEW QUESTIONS − How did you get started in this industry? − What is your educational background and what previous work experience have you had? − What short and long-term trends affect your industry? − What are the positive and negative aspects of your position and this industry as a whole? − What are the major frustrations you encounter on your job? How do you deal with them? − What professional associations represent this industry? − Is there another professional I should talk with about career/trends in this field? − What are some other good sources of information about this industry — articles, reports, journals, people? − What are the current career opportunities in this field? − In this industry, is it more likely that I will be hired through a direct application on-line or via a referral from a current employee? − What skills, experience or other qualifications are sought by employers in this field for entry-level employees? − What is the typical career path for entry-level hires? − Of your organization’s hires the last three years, what qualities, backgrounds or achievements did they have that made them attractive candidates? − Is training typically formal or on-thejob training? − Can I contact you if I have further questions? − Is there anyone else that you know who might also be willing to speak with me? ©2021 University Career Center

9

Job Search Guide: YOUR JOB SEARCH

WHAT TO RESEARCH DO YOUR HOMEWORK

TIMELINE

Securing a job is more than a quick search on Handshake, reading the job description, and assessing it to be a fit.

Job descriptions only begin to reveal the depth and complexity of the companies and organizations to which you will be applying. Making sure that you have a sound understanding of your potential employer is essential in identifying a good position and fit.

If you, like many others, are lost and not quite sure where to begin in the investigative process, be sure to check our cheat sheet below to identify potential avenues of research. Know that each one will provide a different nuanced approach to discovering information about an organization.

JUNIOR All Year: Research prospective companies Internship Attend info sessions

SENIOR August:

September:

Create/refine résumé, cover letter, and ePortfolio with the University Career Center

Identify openings in prospective companies Attend Career Fairs Utilize On Campus Recruiting

October → Employment: Interview Tweak résumé Build network

WHAT TO RESEARCH

Keep applying!

About Your Prospective Company − − − − − − −

Products and services Company culture Mission and values Awards and achievements Locations Job titles Parent company and subsidiaries

©2021 University Career Center

WHERE TO RESEARCH

Resources for discovering the types of companies and people for whom you could work.

1.

2.

3.

4.

5.

6.

7.

Company Website Glass Door | glassdoor.com Career Shift | aub.ie/CareerShift Twitter | twitter.com LinkedIn | linkedin.com Facebook | facebook.com Instagram | instagram.com

Job Search Guide: YOUR JOB SEARCH

10

EXPERIENCE IS EVERYTHING Experience comes in many forms, and depending upon your career goals you will pursue one or more of the opportunities listed below during your college education. Employers appreciate candidates with a variety of career related experiences.

SERVICE

INTERNSHIP

INTERNATIONAL

− − − −

− Travel to another country − May be one week to a few months in length − Can involve study and/or work opportunities − Experience a different country’s culture and customs

Typically one semester in length May be paid or unpaid Can be part-time or full-time Related to your career field

CO-OP − Alternate semesters of school and work − Typically paid − Can be part-time or full-time − Related to your career field

LEADERSHIP − Available through campus and community involvement − #1 attribute employers look for on a résumé − Unpaid

− Provide volunteer service to an organization − Does not have to be related to your career field − Can be any length of time − Develop philanthropic perspective

PART-TIME JOB − Typically completed while in school or during breaks − Paid work experience − Does not have to be related to your career field − Develop skills that can transfer to any career

RESEARCH − Typically completed under the direction of a faculty member − Related to your career field − Excellent preparation for graduate or professional school

For access to detailed information on each of the forms of experience listed above, stop by the University Career Center during drop-in hours at 303 Mary Martin Hall.

©2021 University Career Center

11

Job Search Guide: YOUR JOB SEARCH

BECOME CAREER READY NACE CAREER READINESS COMPETENCIES The National Association of Colleges & Employers has identified eight competencies for being considered Career Ready through a task force of college Career Services and Human Resources/Staffing Professionals. In a 2020 NACE Job Outlook Survey, 100% of recruiters rated critical thinking as very or extremely important. The University Career Center can help you seek out and market these valuable skills. www.naceweb.org

TEAMWORK

Build and maintain collaborative relationships to work effectively toward common goals, while appreciating diverse viewpoints and shared responsibilities.

CRITICAL THINKING

Identify and respond to needs based upon an understanding of situational context and logical analysis of relevant information.

LEADERSHIP

Recognize and capitalize on personal and team strengths to achieve organizational goals.

PROFESSIONALISM

Knowing work environment differ greatly, understand and demonstrate effective work habits, and act in the interest of the larger community and workplace.

©2021 University Career Center

COMMUNICATION Clearly and effectively exchange information, ideas, facts, and perspectives with persons inside and outside of an organization.

TECHNOLOGY

Understand and leverage technologies ethically to enhance efficiencies, complete tasks, and accomplish goals.

EQUITY & INCLUSION

Demonstrate the awareness, attitude, knowledge, and skills required to equitably engage and include people from different local and global cultures. Engage in anti-racist practices that actively challenge the systems, structures, and policies of racism.

CAREER & SELFDEVELOPMENT

Proactively develop oneself and one’s career through continual personal and professional learning, awarness of one’s strengths and weaknesses, navigation of career opportunities, and networking to build relationships within and without one’s organization.

Job Search Guide: YOUR JOB SEARCH

12

NAVIGATE A CAREER FAIR BEFORE THE FAIR In a 2021 NACE Job Outlook Survey, 64% of recruiters said they will be recruiting on college campuses of virtually in the fall and 36% in the spring. To get prepared, update your résumé and have it reviewed by the University Career Center (check out page 20 for more info).

Learn about the companies who have registered: − Who they are − What they do − Where they are located − What types of positions they recruit for − aub.ie/fairprep

WHAT TO WEAR Visit the University Career Center Events page (career.auburn.edu/events) to view the required dress for each career fair, or flip to pages 41 and 42 to learn how to “Dress for Success.”

WHAT TO SAY & DO Approach the Table − Make eye contact with the representative − Introduce yourself and shake hands

Elevator Speech

aub.ie/30sec − What you are studying, What you are looking for, What main skills/qualifications you can offer the company − 30-45 seconds

Ask Questions − Be prepared to ask thoughtful questions − DO NOT ask “What does your company do?”

KEY POINTS TO CONSIDER DO − Research the companies of interest to you before arrival − Take a deep breath − Practice your elevator speech − Visit the Campus Career Closet − Try on your outfit before the fair − Have the University Career Center review your résumé − Leave time for your professional headshot

DON’T − Talk or text on your phone around company representatives − Be a table hog − Speak negatively about any company, representative, peer or yourself − Wear a book bag or heavy coat while browsing

NEXT STEPS − Find out about the company’s preferred application process (company website, Handshake, etc.) − Ask for the representative’s business card in order to follow up with a thank you letter/email. − Take notes AFTER leaving the table.

Detail the representative’s name, important items you discussed and next steps. ©2021 University Career Center

13

Job Search Guide: YOUR JOB SEARCH

ONLINE JOB SEARCH WHERE TO FIND POSITIONS

FRAUDULENT POSTING: RED FLAGS

HANDSHAKE handshake.auburn.edu Get access to full-time, part-time and internship postings by creating an account in Handshake.

− Posting asks for your personal financial information, credit card number or social security number − Email handle contains the domain or an @ that is not affiliated with a company. (Ex. @gmail, @yahoo, @ hotmail, etc.) − The position requires an initial investment such as a payment by wire service or courier − Posting includes many spelling or grammatical errors − You are offered a large payment or reward in exchange for allowing access to your bank account − The posting neglects to mention responsibilities of the job

LINKEDIN linkedin.com Find and apply for positions and network with Auburn alumni who live in the cities or work for the companies of interest to you.

CAREERSHIFT aub.ie/CareerShift CareerShift is a job aggregator that will search all public job postings using your job title, keyword or location criteria and connect you with contacts in the organization..

COMPANY WEBSITES Visit the websites of companies that interest you and search for openings on their “Career” pages.

MATCH THE DESCRIPTION Review each position description carefully and make sure your résumé and cover letter highlight the key skills and qualifications requested by the employer.

Change your cover letter and résumé for each application to highlight how you specifically fit the position description and show your interest in working for that particular company. Use the same language/wording in your résumé and cover letter that is in the job description. ©2021 University Career Center

Research any suspicious posting and watch for anonymity.

IF the posting is not listed on the named company’s site or if there is not an address, contact or company name of the posting, it is likely a fraudulent posting. *If you encounter a fraudulent job posting, please contact the University Career Center.

HOW TO IDENTIFY POSITIONS Search entry-level positions by your major in Auburn’s database, Handshake, or use LinkedIn to find recent graduates of your program to see their job titles and where they are working. Search using keywords such as your major, position titles or skills you can offer to refine your search.

To apply or not to apply? Apply for positions where you meet 75% of the qualifications.

Job Search Guide: YOUR JOB SEARCH

14

SPECIALIZED RESOURCES VETERANS

LGBTQ+

Returning to civilian life after serving in the military can bring about a variety of challenges and unique concerns. The University Career Center is happy to help ease the transition. Many employers, including the federal government, see the benefits of hiring veterans and have developed programs to increase recruitment of this population.

Utilizing all of your resources in the University Career Center and the Veterans Resource Center will help you prepare for the transition ahead and succeed in your future profession.

VETCENTRAL vetcentral.us.jobs veteransmember.asp

Job searching for those within the LGBTQ+ spectrum can present additional challenges, especially for those individuals beyond the gender binary. As there is no blanket federal non-discrimination protection for LGBTQ+ job seekers, it is important to understand the applicable discrimination protections available in the state you are applying. You will also want to be aware of discrimination policies in place for housing and public accommodations. It is also important to note that employers within discriminatory states may have higher standards when it comes to equal employment opportunity (EEO) protections. The University Career Center counseling staff is Safe Zone trained and is able to help you navigate these issues in a welcoming and judgement free zone.

COMBAT TO CORPORATE combattocorporate.com

HUMAN RIGHTS CAMPAIGN (HRC) hrc.org

VETJOBS vetjobs.com

LAMBDA LEGAL lambdalegal.org

FEDERAL JOBS usajobs.gov

OUT FOR WORK outforwork.com

HIRE HEROES USA hireheroesusa.org

OUT AND EQUAL outandequal.org TRANS EQUALITY Transequality.org

©2021 University Career Center

15

Job Search Guide: YOUR JOB SEARCH

ACCESSIBILITY The University Career Center is here to assist with any accessibility concerns you may have while job searching. There are resources available through our office and the University that can assist you with preparing for employers.

OFFICE OF ACCESSIBILITY 1228 Haley Center accessibility@auburn.edu WORKFORCE RECRUITMENT PROGRAM aub.ie/WRP FEDERAL DISABILITY RESOURCES dol.gov/agencies/odep/topics CAREER OPPORTUNITIES FOR STUDENTS WITH DISABILITIES (COSD) cosdonline.org NATIONAL ORGANIZATION ON DISABILITY nod.org Career counselors are available to meet students on campus or conduct online appointments if you have accessibility needs that could prevent you from coming to Mary Martin Hall. To schedule an online or out-of-office appointment, please call 334-844-4744.

INTERNATIONAL STUDENTS Navigating the job search as an international student can be difficult, and there is a lot you will need to know before your search. Knowing what is allowed with your specific Visa is only the beginning of the process. Come to the University Career Center for additional information. ©2021 University Career Center

GENERAL INFORMATION FOR F1 VISA STUDENTS: − Allowed to work part-time (up to 20 hours per week) for the University only. − Option of utilizing Curricular Practical Training (CPT): while in classes to gain experience related to your major. Many restrictions apply and students must attend CPT workshops and go through the official process through the Office of International Programs. − Optional Practical Training (OPT): allows students to work part-time if done prior to completion of program or full-time after completion for program without needing immediate sponsorship from an employer.

Position must relate to degree earned and typically lasts 12 months. Many restrictions apply and students must attend an OPT workshop in the Office of International Programs and file paperwork with the government to qualify. − H1B Visa: work visa that must be sponsored by an employer for continued work in the United States.

Limited number of visas are granted each year and awarded in a lottery through the Federal Government.

For much more in-depth information, visit the Office of International Programs at auburn.edu/international.

Here are some resources to help you in identifying internships, part-time and fulltime opportunities: GOINGLOBAL aub.ie/goinglobal NATIONAL ORGANIZATION ON DISABILITY nod.org MY VISA JOBS myvisajobs.com

MARKET YOURSELF Marketing yourself may be a foreign or just overwhelming concept, but it is an essential part of the job search and career progression. No, you are not a product, but like it or not, you are your own brand and it is up to you to let others know why they should be interested. What do you want people to remember about you? What skills and abilities do you bring to the table?

The key to effectively selling yourself is to think like the employer and ask yourself, “What would I want to see in an applicant?” Use this as a guide when creating your marketing materials (résumés, curriculum vitae, portfolios, etc.) and be creative in how you get your information out there.

Let’s face it, no one enjoys writing résumés, C.V.s and cover letters, but we all know they are important and will be needed for every new position, promotion, and even graduate/ professional schools. The purpose of these documents is to prove that you have the skills needed for the position and land the interview. It is just bad marketing to not adapt the documents to your audience or have misspelled words and/or grammatical mistakes.

This is the first impression others will have of you, so make it exceptional.

Just like you, employers are online and many are using the internet to find and research prospective employees before hiring. What will they see when they Google you? You will of course want to clean up any profiles or pictures that are not so flattering, but do not be afraid to use your online presence to promote yourself as well. Having a welldeveloped profile on LinkedIn and an online portfolio/ePortfolio are just two of the ways you can promote yourself and learn from others in your career field or industry. Both allow you to add artifacts that prove your skill-sets and add a picture to personalize your brand.

Just remember to include the URL from your portfolio on your résumé to direct employers to your site. Even after landing a position, keep your profiles clean and updated so you can leverage them for a promotion or new position later.

This sounds like a lot of work, but the effort will pay off in the long run.

Remember, the University Career Center is here to help every step of the way. • ADDYE BUCKLEY-BURNELL Career Counselor

©2021 University Career Center

17

Job Search Guide: MARKET YOURSELF

TOOLS TO MARKET YOURSELF Marketing materials come in various shapes, sizes, and utility. It is important to note that what might work best for one candidate, might not be the ideal model for another. As you begin considering which marketing tools might be most beneficial for you, remember too that what works best for some employers might not be what is best for others.

If you find yourself struggling to make the selection, be sure to reach out and ask the University Career Center for assistance.

DID YOU KNOW? In many international cultures, the curriculum vitae is the preferred professional document of choice. If you are conducting an international job search be sure to check out GoinGlobal in Handshake at handshake.auburn.edu for information particular to each country.

©2021 University Career Center

RÉSUMÉ Of all the items discussed in this section, the résumé is likely the most familiar.

An almost universal presence in any job search, the résumé is the de facto document of choice by employers to assess past experiences, skills and abilities.

So, what is a résumé? In short, a résumé is a targeted (emphasis on targeted) marketing document that best illustrates the most relevant skills, abilities, and experiences for the particular position that you are applying for. A résumé’s worth is not indicated by the number of pages it contains, but instead on the quality and pertinence of information provided.

Job searchers and hopeful applicants do themselves a disservice when they only create one version of their résumé and send it to all their prospective employers.

Imagine the look on your face when you receive a standard form letter in the mail. Now imagine that exact same look on an employer’s face when they read a standard form résumé. This likely was not the reaction you were hoping for. For examples of potential different layouts and different examples within majors, be sure to look at aub.ie/resume or pages 23-27.

Job Search Guide: MARKET YOURSELF

18

COVER LETTER

CURRICULUM VITAE

Arguably the most personal and potentially impactful of the marketing materials (if done correctly), the cover letter is an essential part of any applicant’s submitted materials. And yes, before you ask, a cover letter should always be included unless you are specifically told not to include one.

Where résumés and C.V.s show skills, abilities, and past experiences, a cover letter demonstrates fit for a role. This document provides the applicant an opportunity to prove why they are the best candidate for that particular position.

A potential candidate should feel free to “borrow” language from the job description and incorporate it into their selling pitch. A cover letter should entice someone to read your résumé. For many employers, having a candidate that can fit within their established company culture is an important trait in the potential applicant, and your cover letter provides an excellent opportunity to showcase this aspect. As with résumé writing, a potential applicant does themself a disservice by utilizing the same standard cover letter for all positions. It is difficult to show how one might fit in at Apple Inc. when one uses the same cover letter as their application to Microsoft Inc. Marketing materials should look to make an impact. This is exceedingly difficult to do when all your cover letters are the same.

As with résumés, for most cases, a cover letter should never exceed more than one page. Other small items to pay attention to: a cover letter is a business letter, as such it uses a colon after the salutation and does not indent paragraphs. As well, you should do your very best to find an individual to address your letter to; a little thing, but little things make all the difference.

A curriculum vitae, or as it is more commonly known C.V., is an entirely different document than a résumé.

Where a résumé is a targeted marketing document, crafted for singular positions or roles, the C.V. is a complete history of experience. For most entry level candidates there will likely be very little difference between their résumé and C.V., but in later careers the differences become more marked. Where a résumé will always be geared toward brevity and specificity, a C.V. is more of a comprehensive history of past experience.

It is not uncommon for C.V.s to go on for multiple pages.

You might also notice that the curriculum vitae is more often used in fields like academia and those where research plays a large role. Common sections included in C.V.s but not as often in résumés include: Conference Presentations, Publications, Poster Sessions, Thesis, and Research. In addition to academic settings the C.V. is often used in international job searches.

If you find yourself struggling with which document to use, come to the University Career Center (303 Mary Martin Hall) for individualized feedback.

©2021 University Career Center

19

Job Search Guide: MARKET YOURSELF

PORTFOLIO

ePORTFOLIO

There might come a time in your job search where you are asked to submit a portfolio of your work. If you do not already have a portfolio, you might find yourself wondering what exactly to include or, more importantly, what exactly is a portfolio. Simply put, a portfolio is a collection of examples. These examples will vary from field to field.

Where a graphic designer might submit examples of layouts, a health services administrator might submit a previously conducted assessment of efficiency. The sophisticated word for these things you put in your portfolio is “artifact”.

A portfolio should showcase your best work. Some fields will require examples of your creative process along with the final product. The portfolio is not the time for humility, nor is it the time for plagiarism.

Be sure that the examples/artifacts that you are using in your portfolio are actually works of superior quality and that they belong to you. Imitation might be the sincerest form of flattery, but you should want to showcase your own individual works.

Also, you should look to showcase a variety of works. Do not submit 15 versions of the same kind of item, instead showcase the breadth of your brilliance by giving an employer or admissions panel many types of artifacts so that they can see your ability to create across a spectrum.

Where a portfolio is comprised of actual tangible items, an ePortfolio is electronic.

No less representative of your work or ability, it is just not an actual physical item. The same types of things you would include into a physical portfolio should be included here as well. Include artifacts that show evidence of skills and knowledge as they relate to the positions to which you are applying. The types of artifacts included in your ePortfolio will vary between students of different majors.

The electronic version might allow for more ability to provide context and why an employer should care that you’re electing to show them these items.

One should take special note, however, to not get too weighted down in reflection and context when many employers will be wanting to get directly to the point.

What might work for an academic audience might not work for an industry oriented audience. You will need to use your best judgment when assessing what will work for either audience.

In addition to being wonderfully convenient, ePortfolios are part of official University policy. The University officially supports several electronic portfolio platforms and more information can be found at auburn.edu/eportfolios.

ARTIFACTS MAY INCLUDE: − Video recordings of presentations − Highlights from internship experiences − Pictures from volunteer or study abroad experiences − Work samples from related class projects For more information on developing an ePortfolio and to see portfolio samples from other Auburn University students, visit auburn.edu/eportfolios.

©2021 University Career Center

Job Search Guide: MARKET YOURSELF

20

RÉSUMÉ WRITING It is estimated that, on average, an employer spends between six to fifteen seconds evaluating a résumé during their first review of a document. Decidedly, this is not much time to get through one page, much less seven. For individuals with less than 10 years of experience and no advanced degree, a résumé should be one page. As with any rule, there are exceptions. Nursing majors, for example, typically have two page résumés due to their large amounts of clinical and preceptorship hours.

There is no set of rules for résumé writing, and the information included in your résumé will depend on your unique make up of experiences and skills. Additionally, the content will vary based on the type of position for which you are applying. In fact, every résumé that is sent out should be created and modified for the singular position to which you are presently applying. Though it may be a large investment of your time, the ultimate payoff (i.e. getting a job) is worth the effort.

BASIC FORMATTING Margins 0.75 inch – 1 inch Font 11-12pt Traditional/Non-Ornamental, e.g. Arial, Times New Roman, Garamond Printing 8.5 inch X 11 inch résumé paper Text Color Black Length 1 page (for individuals with a bachelor’s degree and/or less than 10 years of experience) To view sample résumé formats and receive 24/7 résumé reviews with immediate feedback, visit aub.ie/resume.

DID YOU KNOW? − Applicant Tracking Systems (ATS) are used by over 85% of employers to screen resumes which may result in your resume never being seen by those hiring. Use these suggestions and Quinncia to avoid common errors that may prevent you from getting hired. ©2021 University Career Center

21

Job Search Guide: MARKET YOURSELF

− − − − −

− −

− −

−

− − − − −

aub.ie/eresume ©2021 University Career Center

Should include full name, mailing address, phone number and email address Name should be bold and between 18-22 pt. font, or at a minimum, at least one font size larger than body You can list your current and permanent address, but it is not necessary to do so Use a school or personal email address (NEVER work email).

Depending on field, a link to your ePortfolio might be beneficial.

Education should be listed in reverse chronological order (i.e. newest to oldest) Include the degree title (easily found in the Bulletin at auburn.edu/bulletin), school name, city, state and the graduation month and year There is no need to specify“expected,” “participated,” “projected,” etc. with your graduation month or year DO NOT include high school information after first year of undergraduate study. Only degree conveying institutions have to be included.

Provide employer, job title, city, state, beginning and ending month, and year of employment (if ongoing use “Present”) This section should be in reverse chronological order (most recent first, then working backward) Pay attention to verb tense! For ongoing positions use present tense, for positions concluded use past tense.

Use consistent formatting throughout sections Be diverse in your use of verbs to effectively demonstrate your range of ability and skill.

DO NOT provide the contact information for your supervisor (e.g. direct phone line, mailing address, etc.)

Job Search Guide: MARKET YOURSELF

HEADINGS

ADDITIONAL SECTIONS

John “Mark” McAllen

567 S. College St. Apt 9 | Auburn, AL 36830 555-555-9876 | jmmcallenx@auburn.edu

---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

SAMANTHA HARRISMAN

789 Thach Ave. | Auburn, AL 36830 | 555-555-9876 | smharrismanx@auburn.edu

---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Emma Ryder

(555) 555-4321 | ewryderx@auburn.edu Portfolio: eryder.wix.com

---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Mary Lynn Baxter Permanent: 987 Beesonville Ave. • Montgomery, AL 36109 Current: 4321 N. Donahue Dr. Apt 608 • Auburn, AL 36830 334-555-2233 • mlbaxter12x@auburn.edu

---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

DANIEL DAYKINS 444-555-9876 ▪ Dani.x.daykins@auburn.edu

EDUCATION EDUCATION EDUCATION Auburn University | Auburn, Auburn University | Auburn, ALAL Bachelor Science, Human Development Family Studies | May 20XX Bachelor of of Science, Human Development andand Family Studies | May 20XX

Spanish Minor • • Spanish Minor GPA: 3.3/4.0 • • GPA: 3.3/4.0

Study Abroad | Arricia, Italy Study Abroad | Arricia, Italy Joseph S. Bruno Auburn Abroad Italy | Summer 20XX Joseph S. Bruno Auburn Abroad in in Italy | Summer 20XX

International Minor • • International Minor

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

EDUCATION EDUCATION

Bachelor Arts, Social Work, Bachelor of of Arts, Social Work University, Auburn Auburn University Auburn University • GPA: 3.5/4.0 • GPA: 3.5/4.0 • Dean’s List: 20XX, Spring 20XX, Spring 20XX • Dean’s List: FallFall 20XX, Spring 20XX, Spring 20XX

22

August 20XX August 20XX Auburn, Auburn, ALAL

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

EDUCATION EDUCATION

, Bachelor of Science in Business Administration, Finance; December 20XX Bachelor of Science in Business Administration, Finance; December 20XX Auburn University; Auburn, AL Auburn University; Auburn, AL ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------EDUCATION EDUCATION

Auburn University – Auburn, Auburn University – Auburn, ALAL Master Electrical Engineering – May 20XX Master of of Electrical Engineering – May 20XX GPA: 3.9/4.0 GPA: 3.9/4.0

Elsewhere University – Elsewhere, Elsewhere University – Elsewhere, STST Bachelor Science, Electrical Engineering (Computer Engineering option) – May 20XX Bachelor of of Science, Electrical Engineering (Computer Engineering option) – May 20XX GPA: 3.6/4.0 GPA: 3.6/4.0

Here are a few more examples of things you may want to include in your résumé.

Remember though, the focus of your résumé will be on experience. Experience will often carry more weight with an employer than other sections.

SKILLS: Use this section to highlight other abilities and assets you may possess that you may lack traditional experience to demonstrate (e.g. computer ability, foreign language skill, etc).

INVOLVEMENT: Campus organizations and activities are a great way to showcase skills and abilities. Format these as you would a paid experience so that you can highlight the skills and abilities you utilized during your tenure there, especially if you held leadership roles.

HONORS & AWARDS: This section can be used to highlight prestigious awards accumulated during your academic tenure, but should not dominate your document.

EXPERIENCE Estimating Intern | May 20XX-August 20XX Brasfield & Gorrie | Birmingham, AL • Collaborated with two estimators to evaluate project costs totaling $1.2 million • Developed proposals and presented estimates to upper management for final approval • Communicated effectively with sub-contractors to gather quotes and cost information

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------Career Center; Auburn, AL Public Relations Assistant; May 20XX- Present - Design communication and marketing pieces with Adobe Photoshop and Illustrator - Create social media content/schedule to maintain Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and blog accounts - Write press releases for Career Center events to increase student and alumni participation - Plan and execute three orientation breakfasts, educating over 75 campus partners on updated services and resources

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------Healthy Couples, Healthy Children: Targeting Youth Project and Beyond • Auburn, AL Research Assistant • January 20XX-Present • Facilitate Relationship Smarts Plus curriculum to 9th and 10th graders in 3 local high schools and introduce students to the idea of developing healthy self-worth and self-esteem • Encourage students to recognize personal values and goals through small group coaching • Teach strategies on creating and maintaining healthy relationships

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------HighTech Partners, Inc. , Atlanta, GA Engineering Intern , May 20XX-August 20XX • Improved manufacturing of modular enclosures through implementation of lean manufacturing and six sigma capability studies • Collaborated with team of 3 interns to design and implement tests to check quality of manufacturing equipment • Researched options for integrating new safety system on manufacturing floor and presented recommendations to group of 8 engineers

©2021 University Career Center

23

Job Search Guide: MARKET YOURSELF

ACTION VERBS FINANCIAL /DATA administered adjusted allocated analyzed appraised assessed audited balanced budgeted calculated computed conserved corrected

determined developed estimated measured planned prepared programmed projected reconciled reduced researched retrieved

HELPING adapted advocated aided answered arranged assessed cared for clarified coached collaborated contributed cooperated counseled demonstrated diagnosed educated encouraged ensured

expedited facilitated familiarized furthered guided insured intervened motivated prevented procured provided rehabilitated represented resolved simplified supplied supported volunteered

CREATIVE acted formulated adapted illustrated began initiated combined instituted composed integrated conceptualizedintroduced condensed invented created modeled customized modified designed originated developed performed directed photographed displayed planned drew revised entertained revitalized established shaped fashioned ©2021 University Career Center

LEADERSHIP administered analyzed appointed approved assigned attained authorized chaired considered consolidated contracted controlled converted coordinated decided delegated developed directed eliminated

emphasized enforced enhanced established executed generated handled headed hired hosted improved implemented increased initiated inspected instituted managed merged motivated

organized originated overhauled oversaw planned presided prioritized produced recommended replaced restored scheduled secured selected streamlined strengthened supervised terminated transformed

COMMUNICATION addressed drafted advertised edited arbitrated elicited arranged enlisted articulated explained authored expressed clarified formulated collaborated furnished communicatedincorporated composed influenced conferred interacted consulted interpreted contacted interviewed conveyed involved convinced joined corresponded judged debated lectured defined listened described marketed developed mediated directed moderated discussed negotiated

observed outlined participated persuaded presented proposed publicized reconciled recruited referred reinforced reported resolved responded solicited spoke summarized synthesized translated wrote

ORGANIZATION accommodated achieved approved arranged catalogued categorized charted classified coded collected compiled corrected corresponded distributed filed

generated implemented incorporated inspected logged maintained monitored obtained operated ordered prepared processed provided purchased recorded registered

reserved responded reviewed routed scheduled screened served set-up submitted supplied standardized systematized updated validated verified

TEACHING adapted advised clarified coached communicated conducted coordinated critiqued developed enabled encouraged evaluated explained facilitated focused

guided individualized informed instilled instructed motivated persuaded simulated stimulated taught tested trained transmitted tutored

RESEARCH analyzed clarified collected compared conducted critiqued detected determined diagnosed evaluated examined experimented explored extracted formulated gathered identified

inspected interpreted interviewed invented investigated located measured organized researched reviewed searched solved summarized surveyed systematized tested

TECHNICAL adapted applied assembled built calculated computed conserved constructed converted designed determined developed engineered maintained manufactured

operated overhauled printed programmed regulated remodeled repaired replaced restored solved specialized standardized studied upgraded utilized

Job Search Guide: MARKET YOURSELF

24

RÉSUMÉ SAMPLES EILEENLISTERN LISTERN EILEEN EDUCATION EDUCATION

eileen.listern@auburn.edu eileen.listern@auburn.edu (334)555-5309 555-5309 (334)

BachelorofofScience Science– –Exercise ExerciseScience Science Bachelor AuburnUniversity; University;Auburn, Auburn,AL AL Auburn GPA:3.0/4.0 3.0/4.0 • • GPA: Honors:Presidential PresidentialScholarship, Scholarship,Kappa KappaOmicron OmicronNu NuHonor HonorSociety Society • • Honors:

RELEVANTEXPERIENCE EXPERIENCE RELEVANT

May2015 2015 May

LabSpecialist SpecialistAssistant Assistantfor forHuman HumanAnatomy Anatomy Lab AuburnUniversity; University;Auburn, Auburn,AL AL Auburn Hostedopen openlab labhours hoursfor fortwo twohours hoursevery everyweek weektotoanswer answerstudents’ students’questions questions • • Hosted Correctedand andcreated createdquizzes quizzesfor for2525students studentsonce oncea aweek weekininlab lab • • Corrected Answeredquestions questionsand andassisted assistedstudents’ students’learning learning • • Answered

JobShadowing Shadowing| Physical | PhysicalTherapists Therapists(150 (150Hours) Hours) Job JohnsonMedical MedicalCenter, Center,Johnson, Johnson,TX TX Johnson JobShadowing Shadowing| Physical | PhysicalTherapists Therapists(40 (40Hours) Hours) Job EastAlabama AlabamaMedical MedicalCenter, Center,Auburn, Auburn,AL AL East CampCounselor Counselor- -Explorer ExplorerVentures, Ventures,Auburn, Auburn,AL AL Camp Ledand andparticipated participatedininactivities activitieswith with1515disabled disabledcampers campersages ages9-13 9-13 • • Led Caredfor forcampers’ campers’individual individualpersonal personalneeds needs • • Cared

Fall2013 2013 Fall

Summer2013 2013 Summer Spring2013 2013 Spring Winter2011 2011 Winter

WORKEXPERIENCE EXPERIENCE WORK

HealthyHomes HomesProgram ProgramCounselor Counselor February2013–Present 2013–Present Healthy February HealthyHomes; Homes;Dennis DennisCity, City,AL AL Healthy Facilitategroup groupworkshops workshopsthat thatassist assistindividuals individualswith withindependent independentliving living • • Facilitate Administermedications medicationsand andtake takecare careofofresidents’ residents’personal personalneeds needs • • Administer Escortresidents residentsononcommunity communityoutings outingstotoincrease increaseindependence independencewhile whileensuring ensuringsafety safety • • Escort HeadVolleyball VolleyballCoach Coach November2013–Present 2013–Present Head November AuburnJuniors, Juniors,Auburn, Auburn,AL AL Auburn Developleadership, leadership,positive positiveattitudes, attitudes,and andcontinuous continuousimprovement improvementfor foreach eachplayer player • • Develop Utilizeexpertise expertiseininvolleyball volleyballstrategy strategyand andtechnique techniquetotocoach coachplayers players • • Utilize PostOffice OfficeStudent StudentWorker Worker Post AuburnUniversity; University;Auburn, Auburn,AL AL Auburn Interacteffectively effectivelywith withcustomers customerstotoanswer answerany anymail mailrelated relatedquestions questions • • Interact Assistinintraining training1010new newstaff staffmembers membersannually annually • • Assist

September2011–Present 2011–Present September

Server December2010-May 2010-May2013 2013 Server December DownHome HomeCookin’, Cookin’,Auburn, Auburn,AL AL Down Providedfriendly friendlycustomer customerservice serviceskills skillstotoensure ensurea apositive positivedining diningexperience experience • • Provided

ACTIVITIES ACTIVITIES

VarsityVolleyball VolleyballatatAuburn AuburnUniversity University Varsity SouthernChapter ChapterofofAmerican AmericanCollege CollegeofofSports SportsMedicine Medicine Southern VolunteeratatAuburn AuburnElementary Elementary Volunteer

KEYSKILLS SKILLS&&CERTIFICATIONS CERTIFICATIONS KEY

CPRand andFirst FirstAid AidCertified Certified CPR Language:Intermediate Intermediateproficiency proficiency| Spanish | Spanish Language:

2011-Present 2011-Present March 2013–Present 2013–Present March January2012–May 2012–May2012 2012 January

February2013 2013 February

©2021 University Career Center

25

Job Search Guide: MARKET YOURSELF

Current 4321 Happy Tiger Trail, Apt 15 Auburn, AL 36830

IMA SAMPLE isr0099@auburn.edu 334-555-1234

Permanent 7654 Dreamland Drive Somewhere, AL 37549

EDUCATION Auburn University | Auburn, AL Bachelor of Chemical Engineering | May 20xx  Current Status: Sophomore  Cumulative GPA: 3.2/4.0 RELATED EXPERIENCE Auburn AIChE Chemical Engineering Car Team | Auburn, AL Chemical/Design Technician | August 20xx- Present  Design, build, and test a chemically-powered vehicle  Utilize software including AutoCAD and SolidWorks to produce three-dimensional designs and specifications  Produce EDP and MSDS reports that include information on chemical reactants and properties, design processes, and other relevant project information Smith and Sons Construction Firm | Auburn, AL Office Manager | Summer 20xx  Communicated with clients and contractors to schedule site visits and deliveries  Maintained organization of over 300 client files to ensure ease of use SKILLS Computer literacy: IBM/PC and Apple Macintosh systems Design software: Proficient in SolidWorks and AutoCAD Programming: MATLAB and C++ Operating systems: Microsoft Windows, Mac OSX, and Linux Software knowledge: Adobe Photoshop, Microsoft Office Suite (Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Publisher) and WordPerfect Language: Fluent in spoken and written Spanish- five years of Spanish language study INVOLVEMENT American Institute of Chemical Engineers, Auburn Chapter | 20xx-Present Impact, Volunteer Organization - 48 hours | January 20xx-May 20xx Auburn Alternate Student Breaks, Volunteer - Costa Rica | March 20xx HONORS & AWARDS National Society of Collegiate Scholars | 20xx-Present  2012 Auburn Chapter Scholarship Chemical Engineering Departmental Scholarship | 20xx Academic Heritage Scholarship, Auburn University | 20xx

©2021 University Career Center

Job Search Guide: MARKET YOURSELF

26

Ellie Osman

Education

205-123-4567 | ellieosman@auburn.edu |

Auburn University | Auburn, AL Bachelor of Science, Elementary Education | May 2017 • Cumulative GPA: 3.84/4.0 Elementary Education Program Internship | Opelika, AL Carver Primary School | January 2017-May 2017

Leadership Experience

College of Education | Auburn, AL Student Council | March 2014-March 2015 • Served as liaison between College of Education Students and Faculty Student Ambassador | February 2014-November 2015 • Hosted alumni and donors at various events for the College of Education Social Sorority | Auburn, AL Member | August 2013-Present President | November 2015-November 2016 • Presided over Executive Council Board and Chapter Council • Oversaw every aspect of chapter functioning, and represented the chapter at all Panhellenic events Ritual Coordinator | November 2014-Novmber 2015 • Organized formal initiation, managed a given budget, and maintained the historical order of all sorority rituals

Involvement Experience

Project Uplift | Mentor | April 2014-Present Intramural Sports | flag football and basketball | August 2014-Present Auburn for Water Organization | Member | September 2014-November 2015

Awards and Honors

Spirit of Auburn University Scholarship Recipient | August 2013-Present The Cater Society | March 2016-Present Kappa Delta Pi | September 2015-Sempter 2016 Dean’s List | Spring 2014, Fall 2014, Spring 2015, Fall 2015, Spring 2016, Fall 2016

Work Experience

Pine Hills Literacy Project | Auburn, AL Employee | August 2015-Present • Nonprofit after school program seeking to improve literacy among children in the Auburn area • Work with children on reading, grades first through fifth Pine Cove Camps | Tyler, TX Counselor | Summer 2015, Summer 2014 • Supervised 34 campers over the course of six weeks, between the ages of six and nine • Worked with 5 fellow counselors to facilitate clinics on various athletic camp activities

Classroom Experience

Wrights Mill Road Elementary School | Auburn, AL Practicum Lab Student | Fall 2016 West Smith Station Elementary School | Smiths Station, AL Practicum Lab Student | Spring 2016 Richland Elementary School | Auburn, AL Service Learning Student Tutor | Fall 2015 Northside Intermediate School | Opelika, AL Service Learning Student Mentor | Fall 2015

©2021 University Career Center

27

Job Search Guide: MARKET YOURSELF

Aafreen Kumar EDUCATION Master of Electrical Engineering Auburn University – Auburn, AL

123 Somewhere Lane • Auburn, AL akumar@auburn.edu • (334) 555-1234 May 20xx GPA: 3.67/4.00

Bachelor of Electrical Engineering May 20xx Mumbai University – Ratnagiri, India Translated GPA: 3.92/4.0  Granted 5-Star status by the National Assessment and Accreditation Council (NAAC) RELATED EXPERIENCE Graduate Assistant June 20xx – Present Samuel Ginn College of Engineering, Auburn University – Auburn, AL  Lead tours of 5-20 prospective students while explaining the University, services available, and program offerings  Plan and execute training sessions for all prospective college tour guides to ensure consistency in information delivery  Monitor lab to maintain equipment and assist students on projects as needed Electrical Engineer- Intern May 20xx – August 20xx Monsanto Company – St. Louis, MO  Recognized by department and fellow interns as having superb enthusiasm, work-ethic and communication skills thus winning the “20xx Top Intern” award  Communicated effectively with suppliers from 62 countries to insure timely delivery  Instructed vendors on purchase requirements and increased efficiency by 5%  Improved and standardized unit purchasing process as a member of the redesign team LEADERSHIP EXPERIENCE Secretary October 20xx – Present Institute of Electrical and Electronic Engineers – Auburn University  Conduct all correspondence professionally including sending regular notification of meeting minutes, events and chapter meeting dates  Record, report, and maintain file of meeting minutes, bylaws, roster and other records Member August 20xx – Present International Student Organization – Auburn University  Attend all weekly meetings and serve as insightful and active member  Tutor other international students in reading, writing and speaking English SKILLS  Programming Languages: Java, Python, C++, Assembly, C, VHDL, Verilog  Web designing: Adobe Photoshop, Flash, Macromedia Dreamweaver, Web Press  Microsoft Office: Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Project, Publisher, FrontPage, Outlook  Languages: Fluent in English, native speaker of Tamil and proficient in French

©2021 University Career Center

Job Search Guide: MARKET YOURSELF

Joseph Doe EDUCATION Bachelor of Science, Elementary Education Auburn University; Auburn, AL  Praxis scheduled for April 20xx

28

334-836-5636 ■ Auburn, AL Jod1122@auburn.edu Portfolio: aub.ie/josephdoe

May 20xx GPA: 3.5/4.0

TEACHING EXPERIENCE Student Teacher-5th Grade Spring 20xx Dean Road Elementary School Auburn, AL  Motivated class of 22 students to improve performance and exceed expectations  Prepared daily lesson plans in timely manner to ensure approval by teacher  Implemented activities and assignments to gage retention of knowledge and effectiveness of teaching styles  Developed innovative strategies to encourage learning and engagement  Maintained accurate records of grades and attendance using Excel spreadsheets  Utilized classroom control strategies to resolve classroom disputes  Enforced school rules to maintain safety and integrity of children at all times  Improved teaching style by adjusting to suggestions of supervisor  Corresponded with diverse parents/guardians about concerns and accomplishments involving students Day Camp Counselor Summers 20xx-20xx Super Fun Day Camp Opelika, AL  Supervised group of 10-12 children, ages 8-10, ensuring safety first  Worked with team of 5 counselors to develop and lead age-appropriate activities  Communicated daily schedule and behavior issues with parents in respectful way Spring 20xx Practicum- 3rd Grade (120 hours) Richland Elementary School Auburn, AL  Instructed class of 25 weekly and adapted teaching style to student needs Practicum- 4th Grade (90 hours) Fall 20xx Ogletree Elementary School Auburn, AL  Observed two classrooms involving different teaching styles and methods  Supported teachers with activities and supervised class when needed COACHING EXPERIENCE Assistant Coach/Counselor Summer 20xx Coach A’s Basketball Camp Auburn, AL  Led small group workshops to teach children ages 8-13 more refined skills  Demonstrated good sportsmanship to set example to team ADDITIONAL WORK EXPERIENCE Server- Seasonal Applebee’s

June 20xx-Present Atlanta, GA

©2021 University Career Center

29

Job Search Guide: MARKET YOURSELF

©2021 University Career Center

Job Search Guide: MARKET YOURSELF

30

COVER LETTER WRITING A cover letter is an integral part of your application packet. In fact, you should always include a cover letter unless you are expressly told not to include it. Writing a quality cover letter can be time intensive, but ultimately worth the investment, considering most job applicants will not write it correctly, and it can serve as an excellent opportunity to help you stand apart. As always, if you find yourself requiring further assistance in drafting your cover letter, feel free to come to the University Career Center (303 Mary Martin Hall) for further support and assistance.

TOP 6 COVER LETTER TIPS

A cover letter IS: − a way to explain how you meet an employer’s needs − a strategy for enticing employers to read your résumé − your opportunity to show enthusiasm for the position A cover letter IS NOT: − your autobiography − a regurgitation of your résumé − one-size-fits all

1.

ADDRESS YOUR LETTER TO A SPECIFIC PERSON: Call the company and ask to whom the letter should be addressed, or use CareerShift (aub.ie/careershift) or linkedin.com to search for contacts.

2.

TAILOR YOUR LETTER TO THE SPECIFIC POSITION: Sending out canned, generic cover letters tells the employer that you haven’t done your research on the company and position.

3.

KISS: Adopt the “Keep It Simple, Stupid” approach when writing your cover letter. The letter should communicate how you meet the employer’s needs while remaining short and to the point.

4.

SHOW ENTHUSIASM AND INTEREST IN THE POSITION: Don’t be afraid to show your enthusiasm for the company and position to which you are applying when writing your letter.

5.

DON’T REHASH YOUR RÉSUMÉ: Your cover letter should not be a summary of your résumé. Instead, it should highlight your main qualifications as they relate to the position and entice the reader to look at your résumé for more information.

6.

USE CONFIDENT LANGUAGE: Avoid using wimpy wording such as “I think, feel, or believe” when describing your qualifications and fit with the company. Strong, confident language such as “I am convinced,” “I am certain” or “I am confident” conveys a more assertive message.

DON’T CATCH “I” “MY” DISEASE When writing cover letters, many students will overuse the personal pronouns “I” and “my.” After time these words will distract the reader from your critical content. To ward off “I” “my” disease, try reading your cover letter out loud and have a trusted friend and/or advisor read it as well.

©2021 University Career Center

31

Job Search Guide: MARKET YOURSELF

Header, font(s) and margins should match format of résumé.

Date followed by 1-2 blank lines

Salutation, followed by colon and 1 blank line

Body should be single spaced, left justified, and have one blank line between each paragraph

Closing, “Sincerely” is appropriate, followed by 3 blank lines Type name, followed by 1-2 blank lines Enclosure can be typed if you are forwarding résumé, reference page, transcripts, etc.

©2021 University Career Center

Job Search Guide: MARKET YOURSELF

32

COVER LETTER SAMPLE SARAH SMITH

123 S. College St. Apt 15. | Auburn, AL 36830 | 334-555-1234 | jsmith23@auburn.edu August 15, 20xx Mr. Timothy Andersman Communications Director Children’s Healthcare of Martinsville 1455 Main Street NE Martinsville, AL 36999 Dear Mr. Andersman: During my recent search of the Auburn University recruiting database, Handshake, I found the posting for an internal communications specialist with Children’s Healthcare of Martinsville and am writing to express my interest in the position. I will be graduating in May 20xx with a bachelor’s degree in public relations and look forward to beginning a career with a not-for-profit organization focused on the well-being of children.

Throughout my education at Auburn and my two internship experiences, I have specifically sought opportunities to exercise my strength in clearly communicating policies and instructions to others through creative and engaging methods. Using Adobe Illustrator and InDesign, I have created visually appealing collateral to reach a wide variety of audiences including youth, families, physicians and caregivers. While completing my internship with the American Heart Association, I managed several projects simultaneously, adapting to changes in the deliverables requested and ensuring that all deadlines were met. Additionally, I am confident in my ability to work effectively with others to accomplish any established goals as evidenced through the multiple team based projects required of my educational program.

Beyond my education in public relations, I have pursued opportunities to volunteer with local children and youth organizations including Project Uplift and the Boys and Girls Club of Lee County. My passion for working in an environment dedicated to children’s health combined with my communication skills and educational background make me a strong fit for the internal communications specialist position. Thank you for your time and consideration and I look forward to speaking with you further about this position.

Sincerely, Sarah Smith

©2021 University Career Center

33

Job Search Guide: MARKET YOURSELF

DIGITAL FOOTPRINT Search your name in Google and on other sites to see what employers will find if they look for you online. Remove any digital dirt that you wouldn’t want a potential employer to see. Check your privacy settings often to protect your personal profiles from unwanted visitors.

Highlight your accomplishments and interests to promote a well-rounded professional image.

Biggest Positives: − Candidates who convey a well-rounded personality and professional image − Candidates’ background info supports professional qualifications − Candidates who highlight volunteer work − Biggest Negatives: − Spelling/grammar errors in tweets/posts − Candidates who post inappropriate photos and info − Candidates who post info about drinking or using drugs − Candidates who post a large number of political posts In a survey of 850 human resource and recruiting professionals spanning several industries.

Source 2020 Jobvite Recruiter Nation Survey

©2021 University Career Center

SOCIAL MEDIA IN YOUR SEARCH 2020 JOBVITE RECRUITER NATIONAL SURVEY 802 RECRUITERS SURVEYED

LINKEDIN Complete as much of your profile as possible Join career related groups and remain active in discussions

72%

of employers use LinkedIn

FACEBOOK Clean out undesirable pictures and posts Avoid discussing interviews or companies specifically, especially if you choose to use this profile primarily for personal interaction

60%

of employers use Facebook

INSTAGRAM Create a Instagram account to share information related to your career field Follow companies and well-known professionals in your field

37%

of employers use Instagram

Job Search Guide: MARKET YOURSELF

34

MAXIMIZING LINKEDIN LinkedIn.com is becoming an integral part of recruiters’ tool sets in hiring and selecting top talent. Therefore it is essential that you too utilize LinkedIn as part of your job seeker tool set. So what exactly is LinkedIn? At its most basic level, LinkedIn is Facebook for professionals.

LinkedIn is a dynamic social media hub for prospective employees, recruiters, and current talent to interact in a social and collegial environment. Effectively utilizing LinkedIn can make all the difference between a successful and effective job search and one that… well, isn’t. We hope that these usage statistics and helpful hints will help you to identify how you can enhance your LinkedIn experience.

BEST TIPS FOR USING LINKEDIN

1.

GET YOUR PROFILE TO 100%: The site is very helpful in pointing out what you need to do to reach that 100% mark. You will find more success with utilizing LinkedIn if all your pieces are filled out.

2.

HAVE A PROFESSIONAL PICTURE: The picture of you and all your friends, though precious on Facebook, is not appropriate for LinkedIn. This site is a professional networking tool. A cropped headshot of you taken in SkyBar is likely not the best selection.

3.

JOIN A GROUP: Being an active contributor to a group on LinkedIn is a great way to showcase your expertise and to passively network with other like-minded professionals.

4.

BE PROFESSIONAL: You would think it would go without saying, but LinkedIn is not the place to engage in vitrolic political debates or personal life discussion. Utilize the site as an opportunity to showcase your professional credentials.

5.

USE LINKEDIN.COM/UNIVERSITY: Feeling overwhelmed by creating and getting started with your LinkedIn account? The university site has helpful tutorials and even more tips for getting the novice started or advanced applications for experienced users.

6.

USE aub.ie/AUAlum: One of the most helpful sites within Linkedin to network and find individuals to reach out to. The alumni site allows you to search by more than 148,000 currently registered Auburn University alumni.

USAGE STATS BASED ON THE 2020 JOBVITE RECRUITER NATION SURVEY. THE RESULTS ARE COMPRISED OF THE RESPONSES OF RECRUITING PROFESSIONALS SPANNING ACROSS INDUSTRIES AND SECTORS. IF ANYTHING, THEIR FEEDBACK SHOULD BE YOUR CALL TO IMMEDIATE ACTION IF YOU DO NOT ALREADY HAVE A PROFILE.

− 77% of recruiters surveyed indicated they use LinkedIn to actively search for candidates

− 58% of recruiters view writing

samples on social media positively

− 43% of recruiters view typos on social media negatively

− 47% of recruiters view political rants on social media positively

− 60% of recruiters indicated that they view details about volunteer, professional, or social engagement work positively

©2021 University Career Center

35

Job Search Guide: MARKET YOURSELF

CAMPUS RESOURCES Crafting winning marketing materials for your job search is not an easy endeavor at first. Thankfully there are many resources across campus that can assist you in this important task. If you are struggling with coming up with a way to cleverly present your artifacts in an ePortfolio or getting some extra polish on your cover letter, the resources below are ready to assist you.

MILLER WRITING CENTER

RBD Library Learning Commons auburn.edu/writingcenter − The Miller Writing Center offers free, one-on-one consultation for all writers at Auburn University − The Writing Center specializes in helping writers in all stages of the writing process. − For those who have identified significant issues with grammar and syntax, The Miller Writing Center could be an excellent place to iron out those irksome quirks.

INNOVATION AND RESEARCH COMMONS 1st Floor RBD Library www.lib.auburn.edu/irc/

− The MDRL is happy to help you develop videos or other digital artifacts for your ePortfolio. The computers are equipped with the Adobe Creative Suite and much more. This software can help you develop artifacts by creating visual representation of your experience. − The MDRL staff can also help with a variety of technology and software questions.

UNIVERSITY CAREER CENTER 303 MARTIN HALL CAREER.AUBURN.EDU

The University Career Center offers a variety of resources to assist you with your materials development. −

ePORTFOLIO PROJECT 3436 RBD Library auburn.edu/eportfolios

− The ePortfolio Project is a campuswide initiative that offers Auburn students the opportunity to create personal electronic portfolios. − Visit their website to take advantage of ePortfolio examples, workshops and online content.

©2021 University Career Center

−

−

One-on-One Drop-ins: Need assistance getting started or have a quick question?

Take advantage of drop-ins staffed by Peer Career Advisors and a counselor on call to assist for in depth situations.

Drop-ins are an excellent opportunity to receive quick and immediate assistance on your résumé, cover letter, C.V., portfolio and ePortfolio.

Appointments with a counselor: If you know that you’ll need more than 15-20 minutes for your particular situation, consider scheduling an appointment with a graduate assistant or counselor.

Quinncia uses artificial intelligence to review your resume instantly and give you feedback to make it optimized for Applicant Tracking Software (ATS), allowing it to be seen by the people who make hiring decisions. You can also use Quinncia to practice your interview skills. Using the information provided on your resume, Quin will ask you relevant questions and give you feedback. Perfect for practicing your Zoom interview skills! Get started now using your Auburn email to log in.

LAND A JOB You did it! The many hours of researching companies, tailoring your documents and filling out job applications are over. Now you have been invited to interview, but don’t celebrate too much yet — the work has just begun! Aside from knowing your resume like the back of your hand, it is imperative that you practice your interviewing skills. Why practice, you ask? Successful interviewing does not come naturally for most of us, so confidence will stem from intentional preparation and research. Make the most of this opportunity to show them the person behind the resume.

Like most things in life, it’s the little things that make lasting impressions.

For this part in the process, that includes everything from wearing appropriate business attire to sending thank-you notes. Don’t worry, we’re here to help take some of the mystery out of interviewing from start to finish. This section equips you with empowering tools and techniques to make the best possible impression no matter the setting.• ANNA CLAIRE STINSON Career Counselor

©2021 University Career Center

37

Job Search Guide: LAND A JOB

INTERVIEWING: GENERAL INFO Interviewing is the ultimate trial for securing your job. Many applicants mistakenly believe that résumés will get them jobs, but nothing could be further from the truth. Interviewing is your chance to really showcase and flesh out those skills and abilities you alluded to in your résumé and cover letter. As well, this is the employer’s opportunity to ensure that you are a good fit for their organization and corporate culture. This is where your research about culture, organizational attributes and work type become very important.

Like any other activity, interviewing is something you should practice ahead of time. Be sure that your first interview is not before your potential employer. See page 39 for resources for how to prepare for your interview.

INTERVIEW CONDUCT At some point in the interview process, you will be asked to “tell me about yourself.” Before you start launching into the short autobiographical narrative in which you catalogue the name of your brothers, sisters, household pets and favorite color, be sure to note that this isn’t what they wanted to know. “Tell me about yourself” is your opportunity to showcase to an employer why they should talk to you for the rest of the interview. “Tell me about yourself in relation to this position” ­­­— that is the question you should be answering.

Many interviews will take place across a day with many different parties involved.

Please note that you are always being evaluated. Just because you are presently meeting with current employees in a casual atmosphere does not mean that they are not going to report back on what you said and how you said it. ©2021 University Career Center

CHECKLIST

INTERVIEWING IS CHALLENGING, BUT HERE ARE SOME HELPFUL HINTS TO TAKE AWAY SOME OF THE GUESSWORK.

□

Do your research!

□

Demonstrate during the interview, don’t state. Use facts, examples and meaningful stories to showcase skills, not merely rely on the employer trusting you to have them.

□

Take your outfit to the cleaners one week prior to the interview. Furthermore, ensure that your shoes match your belt and you are dressed in a manner becoming a prospective employee, not about to commence a night at an upscale bar. Visit the Campus Career Closet if you need help with your interview outfit.

□

Be sure to answer all questions asked. A question has three parts? Your response should as well.

□

Bring something to write with and on during the interview for complicated questions.

□

Bring copies of your résumé and cover letter, printed on quality paper.

□

Do NOT talk about salary and benefits during the interview, unless the employer brings it up first.

□

Arrive 15 minutes early, check yourself in a mirror (fly away hair, lipstick on teeth, missed buttons, etc.) and take a deep breath. You will be fine.

Job Search Guide: LAND A JOB

38

TYPES OF INTERVIEWS No two interviews are exactly the same, but when you are planning your particular interview, know that it will likely take place in one of three ways: in person, phone or video conference. Each presents its own unique challenges and hurdles. −

to actively engage with all the people in the room. Direct most of your eye contact toward the person who asked the question, but be sure to hit upon the other members as well.

Seeing the interviewer take notes is not a bad thing. Their notes are often innocuous, instead of sinister, and mostly help them remember something you said for later debate. − Be overdressed vs. underdressed. It This is a burgeoning trend in recruiting is much easier to scale back an outfit practices and you need to be prepared. than to upscale it. Confirm dress Dress as if it were in person. Yes, that expectations well in advance. includes pants and shoes. Clothes set the tone and you do not need to get too casual.

Control the environment. Do your − Telephone interviewing presents its best to control for noise and visual own particular challenges, namely the distractions. Interview in front of blank lack of visible feedback. Pay especially space as much as able, and send the close attention to your tone and roommates and household pets away. rapidity of your speech.

Look into the camera. As tempting as − Smile while talking. As contrived as it it may be to look at the screen while may sound, smiling while talking will talking, look into the camera, that is help to charge your language with the “eye” you should be attempting to positivity that you would otherwise make contact with. give in person.

Use an ethernet cable. Avoid − Silence is ok. When you’re on the conducting over Wi-Fi. Temperamental phone, silence seems to stretch connection issues might reflect poorly forever. When you’re in person, you upon you. can see the interviewer writing, being Use the University Career Center. distracted, etc., but over the phone Unable to find a quiet space free of you get none of that. When you’re distraction or do not own a video finished with your response, be ok camera? Feel free to use our facilities with the seemingly infinite silence to conduct your interview. Please call that follows.

334-844-4744 to take advantage of − Use a landline. Cell phones have the the resource. uncanny ability to go out when you need them most. Use a landline for your phone interviews. The University Career Center will allow you to use Make eye contact. This simple task one of ours, free of charge. can be particulary vexing, but it is the − Be in a quiet environment. Encourage best way to showcase that you are your roommates to leave and take plugged into what they are saying and pets with them. You need it to be as are trying to connect when you are silent as possible, especially to cut speaking as well. down on distractions.

Be prepared for a panel. Paneled interviews are not uncommon; be ready

VIDEO CONFERENCE/ ZOOM − −

TELEPHONE

−

−

−

−

IN PERSON −

−

©2021 University Career Center

39

Job Search Guide: LAND A JOB

HOW TO PREPARE Do not go into your interview ill prepared; we can help. Here are some of our favorite resources for your interview preparation.

MOCK INTERVIEW

303 Mary Martin Hall 334-844-4744 Call or schedule an appointment with a career counselor for one-on-one practice before your interview.

QUINNCIA

aub.ie/quinncia Online interview prep. Run through a series of questions and evaluate your own performance. Great for looking out for those verbal crutches and areas for improvement.

You MUST use your Auburn email address to create your account.

GLASSDOOR

glassdoor.com Great for researching prospective companies. View a growing database of millions of company reviews, CEO approval ratings, salary reports, benefits reviews, office photos and more.

ILLEGAL QUESTIONS Employers are eager to obtain as much information about a potential candidate as they possibly can in order to make the best decision possible for their organizations.

Sometimes in their zeal to know more about a candidate, an employer may accidentally, or intentionally, ask an illegal question during the interview.

There are regulations at the federal, state and local level as to what questions an employer may ask of you for your protection. However, that does not mean you should not prepare for your response.

You have three options to pursue.

1.

Answer the question if you wish. Bearing in mind you take responsibility for the information you provide and could be giving the “wrong” answer that might hinder your chances.

2.

Refuse to answer which is legally well within your rights. Depending upon your phrasing, you run the risk of sounding confrontational and/or uncooperative.

3.

Assess for what the intent behind the question is and how it might apply to the job. This is usually the best way to go.

CAREERSHIFT

aub.ie/CareerShift An additional research tool for more comprehensive data gathering as well as job hunting.

READY PREP INTERVIEW

jobinterviewquestions.com Easy to use question generator for practicing those difficult interview questions specific to different industries.

EXAMPLE ILLEGAL QUESTIONS − − − − − − −

Are you a U.S. citizen?

What is your “Native Tongue?”

What is your relationship status?

Do you have/want children?

How much do you weigh?

Do you have an disabilities?

I see you were in the military.

Were you honorably discharged?

Here are some of the more common illegal questions you might be asked. For additional assistance, speak with a career counselor in 303 Mary Martin Hall. ©2021 University Career Center

Job Search Guide: LAND A JOB

40

BEHAVIORAL INTERVIEWING Increasingly, employers are utilizing a method of interviewing known as behavioral based interviewing.

Behavioral based interviewing operates under the notion that past experiences and your actions in them are strong indicators of your ability to perform in the present should you be hired. Simply put, past performance predicts future performance. To ensure that you are providing on point responses, you may consider utilizing the STAR method of response. STAR is a great way to effectively answer the posed question and to guide your responses.

QUINNCIA Upload your resume and an AL named “Quinn” will ask you questions related to what you have included on your document and the industry you select. Afterward, she will give you feedback and offer suggestions to optimize your interview responses and technique.

HOW TO HANDLE HARD QUESTIONS Use STAR as a guide to progress through the question. Simply follow the acronym.

The “Result” is critical! You are building up to this moment. You want to be able to effectively and demonstrably showcase resolution and positive outcome.

Example Question: Tell me about a time you’ve worked with a difficult person.

S

SITUATION: Set the scenario

T

TASK: Describe the specific challenge or task that relates to the question.

“I took a course that involved a group project. My group met and decided on a topic to research and present to the class at the end of the semester.”

“As a collective group, we developed a plan of action for divvying and distributing the various pieces of research and presentation development.

It became apparent that one team member was not equally contributing.

We decided to meet with the student.”

A

ACTION: Talk about the actions that you took to accomplish the task.

“I elected to set the meeting up with the student and discuss the issues we were having as a group. We discussed what sort of tasks would be better suited to their particular skills and shifted responsibilities better suited to the students.”

R

RESULT: Present the results that followed because of the plan of action.

“After realigning the tasks to better suit the particular skills of all team members, we were able to more effectively perform and complete our assigned roles. As a result of our work we were able to complete the project and receive positive feedback from the professor.” ©2021 University Career Center

41

Job Search Guide: LAND A JOB

DRESS FOR SUCCESS Be miserly with your application of cologne/ perfume. Antiperspirant is often sufficient for odor control. Do not assume everyone finds your signature scent as delightful as you do. Accessories should be kept to a minimum. Jingling as you move about can be distracting in the workplace. As a rule, the later in the evening an event takes place, the more formal the occasion. The more formal the event the darker and longer the outfit should be (e.g. tuxedo black and evening gowns respectively). For day to day clothing expectations, be sure to read your employee handbook, and always use sound judgement when making selections.

BUSINESS CASUAL Business casual is the go-to clothing standard for many offices and professional events.

However, unlike business professional, with its very clear guidelines for dress, business casual is varying and highly particular to the specific culture present. You can look for more opportunity to express personal style and preferences, within reason. Remember it is, after all, dressing for professional engagement, not leisure. Business casual can fluctuate from situation to situation and office to office; when in doubt, ask someone familiar with the office or event. Below you will find some general guidelines and advice. − Embrace color and pattern with shirts/ blouses within reason. In some instances, golf shirts could also be appropriate for everyday wear. − More casual khaki pants, and similar fabrics, are often allowed. However, blue jeans/denim may only be allowed on select events or occasions. − Shoes no longer need to be shined to a mirror finish. Loafers, flats, boots, and even tennis shoes may be appropriate for your office setting. ©2021 University Career Center

− − − − −

Collared or polo shirt More patterns & colors accepted Tie optional Khaki pants or nice trousers Flats or heels acceptable

Job Search Guide: LAND A JOB

42

BUSINESS PROFESSIONAL Business professional attire is a staple of the interview room and more traditional workplace settings. You should assume, unless otherwise stated, that business professional is the go-to attire for your interview. With that being said, you will want to begin your investment in appropriate clothes early. Simply stated, business professional is expensive and you will want to invest in quality clothes to get the maximum wear and use. − You will want to invest in a conservative dark colored suit (i.e. matching tops and bottoms). Look for colors like charcoal, dark grey and black. − Dress shirts/blouses should appropriately compliment your selected suite (solid and muted colors being ideal). − Shoes should be closed toed and coordinated appropriately with your outfit. A good polishing is a good idea to add that extra touch to your outfit. − Socks/stocking/hosiery, contrary to prevailing fashion trends, should match your outfit for the day. − Hair should be styled conservatively and cleanly.

CAMPUS CAREER CLOSET aub.ie/ccc

The Campus Career Closet, operated by the University Career Center, provides a way for students to access FREE professional attire appropriate for career fairs, interviews, networking events and the workplace. To make an appointment, use Handshake.

1.

Students are allowed to take up to four items per academic year.

Suits count as two items. There is a limit of one suit per student.

2.

Items are the students to keep.

− Suit or sports jacket Skirt or nice dress − Tie required − Suit pants or nice trousers − Dress hosiery or heels acceptable

©2021 University Career Center

43

Job Search Guide: LAND A JOB

PROFESSIONAL ETIQUETTE COMMUNICATION

SOCIAL MEDIA

PHONE

DO

DO − Respond in a timely manner to voicemails − Stay on point when discussing matters − Use company phone for work related business − Answer with a professional greeting DON’T − Have an unprofessional voicemail − Neglect to check your voicemail − Use company phone for personal business

− Use social media to reach out and connect with clients − Network with potential new employers and colleagues − Stay informed on trends DON’T − Talk poorly of colleagues/employer.

Once it is posted it can never be taken back. − Spend time on social media sites in office if forbidden by office policy − Share everything. Ask yourself, would I want to see this?

EMAIL

THANK YOU NOTES

DO

Congratulations! You have managed to complete your interview. But you’re not done quite yet. Now comes the easiest part of the entire process — thank them for their time.

In a world of instant written communication, the traditional thank you letter goes a long way. IF, and that is a big if, your handwriting is legible enough, write a thank you letter to the interviewer.

Let them know that you value the time they took in considering you and that you look forward to hearing from them in the future. If your handwriting is not up to par, send an email. Attention to small details like thank you letters goes a very long way in helping you obtain the coveted position. For your reference, there is a sample not on page 43.

− Set up an automatic reply for when you’re out of the office − Use proper grammar and syntax for correspondence − Have a professional email signature (Name, Company, Position, Contact Information) − Always include a subject DON’T − Write emails in text speech, emoji, or use emoticons − Have an email signature that is longer than your actual email.

Uplifting quotes and admonishments about printing are frowned upon ©2021 University Career Center

Job Search Guide: LAND A JOB

DINING DO − Pass food from left to right − If asked for salt or pepper, you should pass both. − Use a piece of bread to scoop difficult foods, not your fingers. − Place your napkin in your lap. It is not, in any circumstance, to be tucked into your collar. − Wait on your host to begin eating.

Take your cue from your host. − Focus on your host and their questions. You’re there to be evaluated in a different setting, not just to eat.

44

PLACE SETTING TIPS The formal place setting can be an intimidating thing to use effectively. With its various tools, the opportunity for mistake is high, but with these helpful hints you can minimize the risk! −

−

−

When in doubt on which piece of cutlery to use, a good rule of thumb is to work your way from the outside in.

When finished, do not push your plate away, simply place your silverware across your plate from 10:00 (top) to 4:00 (bottom) Between bites, place utensils on plate.

Drinks are to the right of your plate, bread to the left.

Tip: When making the “ok” sign with your left hand makes a “b” for bread. Your right hand makes a “d” for drink.

DON’T − Order complex foods prone to mess or foods that must be eaten with your hands. − Season your food before tasting. − Ask for a “to-go box.” − Ever, under any circumstance, double dip from community dishes. − Offer for others to sample your food. If offered to sample others’ meals, politely decline. − Order the most expensive thing on the menu.

©2021 University Career Center

45

Job Search Guide: LAND A JOB

THANK YOU NOTE SAMPLE THANK YOU

Good Afternoon (Specific name of company, organization contact that you have been communicating with), Thank you for taking the time to meet with me during my interview for the (specific position) at (specific company/organization). I thoroughly enjoyed my time with you and your team and appreciate the information provided regarding the role of (specific position). I am interested to learn more about (specific responsibility or specific conversation had during the interview) and would like the opportunity to discuss my continued interest in working for (specific company/organization).

I look forward to continuing our communication regarding my candidacy for the (specific position) at (specific company/organization) and thank you again for your time and consideration.

Sincerely, Full Name

©2021 University Career Center

START YOUR CAREER You applied and interviewed for your perfect dream job. You’ve been waiting patiently for the search committee to let you know if you got the job. That moment finally comes and they tell you those words you’ve been waiting to hear, “we would love for to join our team”. You’re ecstatic! But then you start to think what’s next? This is the first step in starting your career.

First thought of course is to research and evaluate the position to see if it will be a good fit for you both financially and personally. When thinking about the offer, you want to consider everything that will go into a successful transition such as: where to live, cost of living, moving expenses, transportation, evaluating the surrounding environments and areas, retirement plans, etc. Does the mission and values of the company align with your goals?

When transitioning into a professional full-time position, there are important key items you need to keep in mind.

You will be learning a new role, you will be getting to know your new coworkers, and stepping into a new office environment that can and will be both exciting and challenging.

You want to make the best impression and also the best decision for your new career path. Being a good fit in your new role will help make the transition easier. Use the information and resources in this section for additional assistance in moving forward in your professional career.• TASHEILA WILLIAMS-TOWNSEND

Career Counselor

In this section we will focus on sharing useful advice in the job acceptance process and essential skills to help you navigate the next steps on your specific career path.

©2021 University Career Center

47

Job Search Guide: START YOUR CAREER

EVALUATING JOB OFFERS EVALUATING JOB OFFERS AND NEGOTIATING

Show me the money! Okay, now that you are done rolling your eyes at the completely dated movie quote, let’s get down to talking about what we all want to know; how can I get the highest pay available? It is no secret that salary negotiations are part of the world of work and an expectation by employers. However, most students report not knowing how to negotiate or feel confident enough in their abilities to even attempt this when applying for their first professional job. This reluctance, however, could cost you thousands of dollars over the course of your career. In addition, women are still earning on average $.80 per dollar earned by men, making it even more essential to speak up and make talking about salary commonplace. Your compensation package will include a salary and a variety of benefits. For this reason, not all offers are created equal and therefore benefits should be included when planning your negotiation. I guess, “show me the compensation package with competitive benefits!” does not sound quite as catchy.

-Addye Buckley-Burnell, Associate Director, Career Development

Salary and Cost of Living Research

The first step in planning your negotiation is getting a full understanding of realistic salary expectations for the position you are interested in holding, with your unique qualifications, and in the specific city/state. This can be a little tricky since we are usually accustomed to simply seeing a national median salary listed when doing career exploration. However, this number can vary dramatically depending on the cost of living in the location and based on your education and experience level. Getting a variety of reports of what to expect is the best way to determine a realistic range for your situation.

Favorite websites to research salary: • career.auburn.edu/students - Scroll down to Launch Your Career to find: • Salary Calculator - See realistic salary for jobs based on your experience, education, and location • Cost of Living Calculator - Helps translate salary in one location to another based of cost of living • LinkedIn.com - Find salary data for specific job titles based on location and experience level • Glassdoor.com - Find salary information for specific companies reported by current or former employees • Salary.com - Salary data based on location which includes benefit information ©2021 University Career Center

Job Search Guide: START YOUR CAREER

48

AND NEGOTIATING ESTABLISH A TARGET SALARY RANGE

Now that we know what a realistic salary expectation is for our ideal job, we need to make sure we are able to live on that salary. Use resources found on aub.ie/money to help identity what it costs to live the lifestyle to which you are accustomed. Are we accounting for taxes and automatic deductions from the paycheck? Does the salary we found fit the lifestyle we envision? If not, we need to adjust our spending to not overextend OR look for jobs that may be less ideal but pay more...the choice is yours.

TIP: Establish a sustainable budget for yourself using the tools at aub.ie/ money to ensure you are setting yourself up for financial success.

Once we establish a salary number that is in line with the research we conducted and we can live with, you can use that number as the base of your target salary range. Now, go up no more than 20% to establish a range that we can offer as our ideal range or use for negotiation.

For example, if I establish that $40,000 is a realistic salary for a position, I will state my target range as $40,000-$48,000.

Craft a Value Statement

A value statement is your way of expressing an evidence-based statement to support your target salary. This might be used when asked about your desired salary, when counter offering a salary offer, or when requesting a promotion or raise. You will always begin with expressing a value you give to an organization or evidence of your worth prior to mentioning any numbers.

For example: “Based on my experience increasing social media followers by 25% at my last internship and my research of other new graduates with degrees in public relations are making, I am looking to earn between $40,000-$48,000.”

OR “As a result of my effort to increase the number of social media followers during my internship, I created an innovative marketing plan and launched a campaign on Instagram and TikTok. This effort increased followers by 25% and resulted in an increase in sales by $10,000 last quarter. I know I can make an impact for your organization and am looking to earn $40,000-$48,000.”

Resist the temptation of pitting offers against each other or making it a comparison to another person.

©2021 University Career Center

Don’t say: 1. I have an offer from your competitor for $45,000. What can you offer me?

2. I know Karen is making $2,000 more than me and I do more work and should get a raise.

Instead: 1. I am very impressed by your organization and think the mission very much aligns with my core values and goals. I know I can make an impact for your organization and will continue to surpass sales quotas for you just like I did during my internship with XYZ. I would very much like to work for you but have just been offered a higher salary at another organization.

Would it be possible to increase the salary for this position to allow me to accept?

2. I have been working in this position for two years and have received exceptional reviews each year in addition to surpassing my sales goals each quarter. Due to my dedication and achievement in this role, I would like a 10% raise so that my salary better reflects the caliber of my contributions.

Points of Negotiation

Salary is only one area that may be negotiated and often and the employer will have less flexibility in your salary offer than you would like. In these situations, it is important to consider the rest of the compensation package may be more flexible for negotiating.

Some common benefits and if they may be negotiable: Possibly negotiable • Flexible work schedule/work from home • Relocation costs • Professional development opportunities • Organization membership costs • Tuition reimbursement • Company phone • Stock options • Company supplied car • Parking spot

Not typically negotiable: • Health insurance • Retirement accounts • Vacation day/ annual leave • Maternity/paternity leave

Determine what benefits would be most helpful for you to negotiate if the salary is not an area that can be adjusted.

Look at these benefits and learn as much as you can about each of them to determine their value to you in this process. For some of you, parking spots are not important, but in cities, this could be a large expense. Health insurance and retirement may not be at the forefront of your mind now, but can be a huge difference in your life over the next few years. Unfortunately, insurance and retirement are not typically able to be negotiated because they are standardized and packaged in bulk for organizations. Determine what benefits would be most helpful for you to negotiate if the salary is not an area that can be adjusted.

Often costs associated with these benefits come from a different account in an organization and there is more flexibility in the spending making it easier for an employer to agree. ©2021 University Career Center

Sample Conversations

Now that you have a plan, you must wait for an offer to begin the negotiation.

NEVER bring up money prior to an offer being made. Once an offer is made verbally, ask for all of the details. Express interest and appreciation but NEVER accept or decline right away. Instead, ask for a specific amount of time to consider the offer fully (typically a week or so). Weigh your options during this deliberation time and craft some responses to possible counters. Here are a few possible conversations that could occur: Employer: “We enjoyed meeting with you and are excited to make you an offer for the position of a specialist. The salary will be $38,000 with a start date of July 1. Included in your compensation is health insurance, a 401K account, vacation days that accrue at 3/month, tuition reimbursement, and a variety of discounts that are detailed on our HR site.”

Riley: “Thank you, this is very exciting. May I ask more about the tuition reimbursement; when does this begin?

Employer: “The tuition reimbursement starts once you hit the one-year mark and covers 15 credit hours of university credit per calendar year.”

Riley: “I appreciate this offer and have enjoyed meeting with you about this position. I would like some time to think this over; can I give you a response by next Wednesday?”

Employer: “Wednesday will be fine. You can visit our HR site for additional benefits questions or contact them directly. I look forward to hearing from you then.”

Wednesday- Riley calls employer in the morning Riley:[ states value statement]- “Based on my experience increasing social media followers by 25% at my last internship and my research of other new graduates with degrees in public relations are making, I am looking to earn between $40,000-$48,000. Would it be possible to discuss a higher salary?”

Employer: “Unfortunately, we don’t have any room to negotiate a higher salary.”

Riley: [Once you’ve decided what benefit you’d like to focus on]- “I understand that at this point, salary isn’t negotiable. I see that you have a tuition reimbursement program, and I want to get my project management certification. Would you consider sponsoring my certification beginning in the first few months of my start date?”

Employer: “Yes I think that can be arranged and beneficial in this role. Also know there will be opportunities for growth and raises after your annual review.”

Riley: “Because this number is a little lower than I feel comfortable with, I’d love to discuss my opportunities for the future. I know that one of the most important things in this role is [key metric here]. If I’m able to deliver that in ©2021 University Career Center

the first 6 months, would you be open to raising my compensation to $40,000 then?”

Employer: “If you are able to deliver in 6 months, we are happy to discuss a raise at that time.”

Riley: “Thank you. I would like to accept this role and look forward to working for your organization.”

Understand that this may take multiple phone calls to get approval and there may not be an opportunity to negotiate anything extra. It is up to you to determine your turning away point.

ACCEPTING OR DECLINING Remember not all offers should be created equal and you do not have to say, “yes,” if you do not feel comfortable with an employer or an offer. However, even if the position is not your dream job, it may be a great stepping stone to get there. Weigh your options and determine if this is a position and employer that will help you grow and develop skills that will help you in the future.

Do they invest in their employees?

Take a look on LinkedIn and see how long people stick around or do they leave within the first year?

Do they promote from within?

Is the location one in which I might be happy with my life outside of work?

These are just a few things to consider. If you feel the salary and benefits are sufficient and the organization is one you will enjoy, accept verbally and in writing. Be sure to outline all things that were negotiated and include anything agreed upon in this letter.

If not, you will decline confidently verbally and in writing, in a polite way. You will want to show appreciation for their time so as not to eliminate future opportunities.

DO NOT accept a position and then withdraw your acceptance! This is a great way to eliminate options in the future and possibly hurt other applicants.

Be confident. Know your worth. Do not accept less than you deserve.

©2021 University Career Center

49

Job Search Guide: START YOUR CAREER

ACCEPTANCE LETTER SAMPLE SARAH SMITH

123 S. College St. Apt 15. | Auburn, AL 36830 | 334-555-1234 | jsmith23@auburn.edu August 15, 20xx Mr. Timothy Andersman Communications Director Children’s Healthcare of Martinsville 1455 Main Street NE Martinsville, AL 36999 Dear Mr. Andersman: I am writing to formally accept the position of (specific position title) with (company/ organization name). After reviewing the position responsibilities and offer letter, I am excited to commit to the position starting at $xxxxx.xx and look forward to being a member of the (company/organization) team. I will report for my new employee orientation on September 15 at 9:00.

Please let me know if you need any additional information and I look forward to starting with Children's Healthcare of Martinsville.

Sincerely,

Sarah Smith

DECLINING POSITION LETTER Good Afternoon (Specific name of company/organization contact that you have been communicating with), I am writing to formally decline the position of (specific position title) with (company/organization name). After reviewing the position responsibilities and offer letter, I am unable to commit to the position with the (company/organization) team but appreciate the time and consideration from you and your team.

I wish you the best of luck in your search and thank you again for your consideration.

Sincerely, Full Name ©2021 University Career Center

Job Search Guide: START YOUR CAREER

50

FIRST YEAR ON THE JOB 10 TIPS FOR FIRST YEAR SUCCESS 1.

2.

3.

4.

5.

6.

7.

8.

9.

10.

Choose your attitude Adjust expectations Master adaptation skills Manage first impressions Build effective relationships Become a good follower Understand company culture Develop organizational savvy Understand your new-hire status Master the tasks of your job

OFFICE ETIQUETTE MYTHS 1.

IT IS OK TO DECORATE MY OFFICE SPACE HOWEVER I CHOOSE. No, first make sure that you are compliant with company policy and established norms. Take your cue from your office mates. Follow their lead and no trouble should be had.

2.

LAURA JUST SPOKE ILL OF MY NEW FRIEND JEFF. I SHOULD TELL HIM. Do NOT begin your tenure in a new office ensnared in office drama. Do your best to minimize contact with such situations. If you know Laura is prone to gossip, politely remove yourself from interacting with her.

3.

I CAME IN TO THE OFFICE EARLY, SO I CAN LEAVE EARLY. Some days you will have to come in early and stay late.

Do not think that because you are in early you get a pass to go home early.

Put in your full time, understanding that you may even have to do more than that.

SPRING BREAK — NO WHINING As sad as it might seem, there are no more guaranteed Spring Breaks.

Welcome to adulthood. Do not bemoan your loss, accept your loss with grace.

Your colleagues do not want to hear your whining, and it will accomplish nothing.

Be thankful for your employment and schedule a smaller break accordingly with accumulated leave.

“Don’t underestimate yourself. It is important to stay humble and to have an appetite to learn and gain experience, but confidence is key! From the first stages of interviewing to all throughout your first year on the job, confidence and boldness in your education, skill set, and abilities are going to bring you a team of ‘believers’.

Once your employer and co-workers begin to sense your genuine dedication and confidence, you will be entrusted with more and more responsibility, and your career will expand in amazing ways. It’s all about stepping stones; building blocks to lead you to where you are meant to be.”

SARAH CAIT SAWYER Publisher, Good Grit Magazine

©2021 University Career Center

FRESH OUT OF COLLEGE WITH 4. I’M PLENTY OF NEW IDEAS. I SHOULD

SHARE THEM IMMEDIATLEY. Your colleagues have likely been at this far longer than you. Before you try to change the world, first observe and see what changes, if any, need to be made and look for the appropriate time to present your ideas (i.e. when you’re asked specifically).

Remember, the University Career Center will continue to work with you for up to five years after graduation.