CareerHub_GraduateHandbook

Graduate
Career Development
Handbook

Fall 2019

Indiana University – Bloomington
Paul H. O’Neill School of Public and
Environmental Affairs Career Hub

O’Neill Career Hub 2



Table of Contents

Director’s Welcome ................................................................................................................................ 6

Your Professional Development Resources at the O’Neill School ....................................................7
The Team .................................................................................................................................................7
Career Communities .............................................................................................................................. 8
Signature Events .................................................................................................................................... 8
Online Resources.................................................................................................................................... 8
Student Code of Professional Conduct................................................................................................ 9

Create Your Professional Development Strategy ............................................................................. 11
Internship Process ................................................................................................................................14
Fraudulent Posting Red Flags .............................................................................................................. 15
Reneging a job offer ..............................................................................................................................18

Develop Your Career Narrative and Strategy ................................................................................... 20
Your Professional Style and Positioning Statement......................................................................... 20
Transferrable Skills Analysis............................................................................................................... 28
Your Core Values...................................................................................................................................31
Your Ideal Job ....................................................................................................................................... 34
Individual Personal Development ........................................................................................................37
Individual Professional Development Plan for Graduate Students ................................................. 39

Explore Your Career Pathways ............................................................................................................41
LinkedIn................................................................................................................................................. 43
Connect with Employers...................................................................................................................... 45
Connecting with Faculty ....................................................................................................................... 51
How to Be Successful at a Conference .............................................................................................. 52
Networking Social Media Tips............................................................................................................. 55
Networking and Social Media for Federal Internship and Job Search..............................................57
The Internship and Job Search ........................................................................................................... 59
The 2-Hour Job Search Guide ............................................................................................................. 59
Organization Research Guide.............................................................................................................. 65
15 Questions to Ask in an Informational Interview............................................................................ 68

O’Neill Career Hub 4

How to Apply for a Federal Job ........................................................................................................... 70
State and Local Government Job Search............................................................................................72
Maximize Your Job Search Productivity ............................................................................................ 74

High-Impact Applications.................................................................................................................... 75
Resumes.................................................................................................................................................75
General Resumes...................................................................................................................................75
Accomplishment (STAR) Stories and High Impact Resumes .......................................................... 79
High Impact Resumes .......................................................................................................................... 82
Writing High Impact Resumes............................................................................................................. 84
High-Impact Resume Preparation Worksheet ................................................................................... 86
Resume Action Verbs........................................................................................................................... 87
Cover Letters ........................................................................................................................................ 90
High-Impact Cover Letters Overview ................................................................................................. 90
High-Impact Cover Letters: Practice .................................................................................................. 92

Interviewing........................................................................................................................................... 95
The STAR Format for Behavior Based Interview Questions............................................................. 95
The 6 Stories You Should Be Able to Tell.......................................................................................... 101
“Tell Me About Yourself…” ................................................................................................................ 104
Closing Strong with Types of Questions to Ask .............................................................................. 106
Create a 30-60-90 Day Plan for Interviews ...................................................................................... 110

Offers and Negotiations ..................................................................................................................... 112
After the Interview Negotiation ......................................................................................................... 112

International Student Guide .............................................................................................................. 112

Director’s Welcome

Introduction text here from Jennifer about the
Career Hub, etc.
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finibus dignissim turpis a bibendum. Cras egestas nunc ut luctus porta. Morbi
ultricies elit ut risus pulvinar ultricies. Vestibulum ante ipsum primis in faucibus orci
luctus et ultrices posuere cubilia Curae.

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himenaeos. Mauris ornare pulvinar elit, ut consequat massa posuere sit amet. Duis
sagittis augue in velit feugiat, vitae luctus nisl egestas. Pellentesque faucibus risus in
ante consectetur, consequat facilisis sem ornare. In auctor elit ut sapien accumsan
feugiat et vel libero. Integer tristique tellus a lorem suscipit euismod. Integer nunc
ligula, tristique dignissim egestas vel, vulputate vitae velit. Pellentesque ut porta
quam, eget vehicula nunc.

Praesent vehicula turpis a nunc ullamcorper blandit. Nulla rhoncus odio vestibulum
nisi commodo fringilla. Nullam eu vulputate ligula, nec molestie mauris. Donec
laoreet, sapien eget porttitor pellentesque, mauris tellus posuere arcu, dignissim
scelerisque elit turpis lacinia massa. Mauris porttitor rhoncus neque.

Sincerely,

Signature Here

Jennifer Schepers
Director, Career Hub

O’Neill Career Hub 6

Your Professional Development Resources at the
O’Neill School

PHOTO OF CAREER HUB TEAM HERE

The Team Lauren McCalister

Jennifer Schepers Student Services Assistant
[email protected]
Director (812) 855-7966 | Office: 200L-2
[email protected]
(812) 855-7455 | Office: 200B Miranda Redman

Megan Boris Assistant Director of Internships
and Employer Relations
Career Consultant [email protected]
[email protected] (812) 855-7963 | Office: 200C
(812) 855-1390 | Office: 200K
Kasandra Richardson
Kelsea Lovig
Career Coach
Assistant Director of On-Campus [email protected]
Recruitment Office: 200
[email protected]
(812) 855-5220 | Office: 200H Susan Sandberg

Autumn Brunelle Career Consultant
[email protected]
Internship Coordinator (812) 855-7681 | Office: 200D
[email protected]
(812) 855-5695 | Office: 200

Career Communities Signature Events
January
Business, Administration, and Management February
March
This career community encompasses a wide range of professional April
interests and industries primarily in the private sector. This is for you if May
you want to pursue entrepreneurial endeavors, manage people or ------ Summer Break ------
processes, or use your analytical skills to work with data to maximize
profitability or effectiveness. August
September
Creative Arts Engagement October
November
Art organizations, government agencies, and the artists themselves play December
a vital role in developing cultural identity and contributing to economic
vibrancy. Top skills needed for this field are, collaboration, critical
thinking, communication, creativity, and passion for the arts. Careers
include, but are not limited to administrators, fundraisers, writers,
performers, designers, managers, and curators.

Policy, Service, and Advocacy

You could use policy in government departments, agencies, and
councils at the local, state, and federal levels to address issues including
public health and safety, education, infrastructure, defense, security
and intelligence, foreign affairs, budgeting, social justice, community
services, and humanitarian aid. Roles in this industry could lead to
positions as public officials and professionals who set policy in motion
to solve public problems.

You might also be interested in a career that seeks to empower people
and their communities, ensuring that they have the services and
representation they need. Your aim may be to serve organizations that
support children/family services, faith-based services, educational
advancement, health services, economic development, or cultural
education, such as museums and cultural centers.

Social Service and Advocacy

You might be interested in a career that seeks to empower people and
their communities, ensuring that they have the services and
representation they need. Your aim may be to serve organizations that
support children/family services, faith-based services, educational
advancement, health services, economic development, or cultural
education, such as museums and cultural centers.

Online Resources

VMock:

Mentor Collective:

O’Neill Career Hub 8

Student Code of Professional Conduct

In order to ensure the effectiveness of services offered by the Career Hub and to
maintain the excellent reputation of the O’Neill School of Public and Environmental
Affairs among employers, you are expected to conduct yourself in a professional
manner and adhere to the following guidelines.

I AGREE TO:
1. PROVIDE ACCURATE INFORMATION AND MAINTAIN CONFIDENTIALITY. I
certify that any job search documents and profile information (including, but not
limited to GPA, Degree, and Graduation Date) provided to an employer, university or
other academic or professional institution in a written, oral, or indirect manner are
truthful and accurate. I will keep my ONeillCareers login & password, as well as any
company information confidential. I understand that misrepresenting myself is
unethical and will result in loss of the privilege to use ONeillCareers. Intentional acts
of misrepresentation, in any professional setting, will result in institutional action.

2. PRACTICE PROFESSIONALISM IN COMMUNICATIONS. I will respond in a timely
manner to employer and Career Hub communications throughout the recruitment
process including, but not limited to: email, telephone and in-person interactions.

3. ACCEPT INTERVIEWS ONLY WITH EMPLOYERS THAT GENUINELY INTEREST
ME.

4. KEEP ALL INTERVIEW APPOINTMENTS. If I need to cancel, I will cancel through
ONeillCareers at least 3 days in advance of the interview. In an emergency situation,
I will notify the Career Hub directly as soon as possible and know that my situation
will be reviewed and documentation may be requested. Missing a scheduled interview
is unacceptable and unprofessional. I have read and understand the Career Hub’s
Interview Cancellation and Interview No-Show Policies below. I understand that
should I miss a scheduled interview, my ONeillCareers account will be immediately
disabled.

5. KEEP ALL EVENT RSVPs. If I need to cancel, I will cancel through ONeillCareers
at least 3 days in advance of the event. In an emergency situation, I will notify the
Career Hub directly as soon as possible and know that my situation will be reviewed
and documentation may be requested. Missing an event I have RSVPed for is
unacceptable and unprofessional. I have read and understand the Career Hub No-

Show Policy below. I understand that should I miss an event I RSVPed for, my
ONeillCareers account will be immediately disabled.

6. NOTIFY EMPLOYERS OF MY ACCEPTANCE OR REJECTION OF OFFERS BY
THE MUTUALLY AGREED UPON DATE/TIME. If any concerns about an offer arise,
I will contact the Career Hub to discuss the situation.

7. HONOR AN ACCEPTED OFFER AND DISCONTINUE INTERVIEWING UPON
PROVIDING VERBAL OR WRITTEN ACCEPTANCE. Once an offer has been
accepted, I will cancel all upcoming interviews by contacting the Career Hub and the
organizations. I will also notify the Career Hub of my internship/job acceptance, stop
applying for positions, and decline any additional interview invitations. I understand
that reneging is unprofessional and will result in loss of the privilege to use
ONeillCareers.

POLICIES

The Career Hub Interview Cancellation Policy: The Career Hub allows students to
cancel an interview until 3 days before the interview through ONeillCareers. In an
emergency situation, the student must notify the Career Hub as soon as possible
prior to the interview. Each situation will be reviewed and documentation may be
requested. Students will be required to meet with Career Hub leadership and write a
note of apology to the recruiter with whom the interview was to occur. Cancelling an
interview less than 3 days before the interview may result in a loss of ONeillCareers
privileges.

The Career Hub No-Show Policy: Students who miss a scheduled interview or do
not come to an event they RSVP’ed for will lose ONeillCareers privileges immediately.
Students will be required to meet with Career Hub leadership and write a note of
apology to the recruiter with whom the interview was to occur.

O’Neill Career Hub 10

Create Your Professional Development Strategy

Graduate Professional Development Timeline

Beginning of Program Create an Individual Professional Development Plan (IPDP).

Self-Assessment Go to the Career Studio to assess your values, interests, personality, and
and Development strengths/skills to help you focus your development activities.

Professional Internship and Job Search
Preparation
Join the Career Communities most aligned with your professional
interests.

Complete the Grad Career Core Series.

Create your internship search strategy; stay accountable tracking your
progress with the Professional Development Tracking Form.

Apply for internships in the private and public sectors in the fall;
nonprofit sector in the spring.

Strengthen your interview skills by participating in mock interviews.

Expand Your Network

Attend Focus Career Fairs and Career Catalysts.

Participate in Career Community employer and alumni programs.

Participate in the Mentor Collective.

Industry Knowledge

Conduct informational interviews. Develop a weekly plan for research,
outreach, and interview time.

Follow organizations and influencers relevant to your career interests on
LinkedIn and other social media; contribute to discussions.

Read journals/blogs/articles/publications relevant to your field – in
addition to what you are reading for your classes.

Join professional organizations relevant to your interests.

International Students

Attend International Student programming hosted by the Career Hub to
learn about CPT and OPT eligibility.

Create Your Professional Development Strategy

Mid-Program Honestly reflect on your internship and practicums: is it the kind of work
you want to do after graduation, what skills do you still need to develop, is
Self-Assessment this the sector you want to work in, etc.
and Development
Update your Individual Professional Development Plan (IPDP).

Professional Job Search
Preparation
Update your resume and LinkedIn profile to reflect your internship and
practicum experiences.

Request a letter of recommendation and a LinkedIn recommendation
from your supervisors at the end of your experiences.

Expand Your Network

Contact alumni in your internship city and take them to coffee.

Industry Knowledge

Attend a professional conference.

Conduct informational interviews with colleagues in your internship
organization and city.

Ask your supervisor and colleagues about the
journals/blogs/articles/publications they find useful in their work.

End of Program Update your Individual Professional Development Plan (IPDP).

Self-Assessment Go to the Career Studio to re-assess your values, interests, personality,
and Development and skills to help focus your job search strategy.

Professional Job Search
Preparation
Update your resume and LinkedIn profile to reflect your internship and
practicum experiences.

Meet with a career consultant in the Career Hub to refine your job search
strategy.

Attend professional development check-ins with your cohort.

Email your professional contacts to inquire about positions or referrals.

Apply for full-time positions in the private and public sectors in the
fall; nonprofit sector in the spring.

O’Neill Career Hub 12

Expand Your Network

Attend Focus Career Fairs and Career Catalysts.

Participate in Career Community employer and alumni programs.

Participate in the Mentor Collective.

Industry Knowledge

Conduct informational interviews.

Attend professional conferences.
Follow organizations and influencers relevant to your career interests on
LinkedIn and other social media.
Read journals/blogs/articles/publications relevant to your field – in
addition to what you are reading for your classes.

International Students
Attend International Student programming hosted by the Career Hub to
learn about CPT and OPT eligibility.

Create Your Professional Development Strategy

Internship Process

TEXT + IMAGES HERE ABOUT INTERNSHIP PROCESS

Class aptent taciti sociosqu ad litora torquent per conubia nostra, per inceptos
himenaeos. Mauris ornare pulvinar elit, ut consequat massa posuere sit amet. Duis
sagittis augue in velit feugiat, vitae luctus nisl egestas. Pellentesque faucibus risus in
ante consectetur, consequat facilisis sem ornare. In auctor elit ut sapien accumsan
feugiat et vel libero. Integer tristique tellus a lorem suscipit euismod. Integer nunc
ligula, tristique dignissim egestas vel, vulputate vitae velit. Pellentesque ut porta
quam, eget vehicula nunc.

Class aptent taciti sociosqu ad litora torquent per conubia nostra, per inceptos
himenaeos. Mauris ornare pulvinar elit, ut consequat massa posuere sit amet. Duis
sagittis augue in velit feugiat, vitae luctus nisl egestas. Pellentesque faucibus risus in
ante consectetur, consequat facilisis sem ornare. In auctor elit ut sapien accumsan
feugiat et vel libero. Integer tristique tellus a lorem suscipit euismod. Integer nunc
ligula, tristique dignissim egestas vel, vulputate vitae velit. Pellentesque ut porta
quam, eget vehicula nunc.

Class aptent taciti sociosqu ad litora torquent per conubia nostra, per inceptos
himenaeos. Mauris ornare pulvinar elit, ut consequat massa posuere sit amet. Duis
sagittis augue in velit feugiat, vitae luctus nisl egestas. Pellentesque faucibus risus in
ante consectetur, consequat facilisis sem ornare. In auctor elit ut sapien accumsan
feugiat et vel libero. Integer tristique tellus a lorem suscipit euismod. Integer nunc
ligula, tristique dignissim egestas vel, vulputate vitae velit. Pellentesque ut porta
quam, eget vehicula nunc.

Class aptent taciti sociosqu ad litora torquent per conubia nostra, per inceptos
himenaeos. Mauris ornare pulvinar elit, ut consequat massa posuere sit amet. Duis
sagittis augue in velit feugiat, vitae luctus nisl egestas. Pellentesque faucibus risus in
ante consectetur, consequat facilisis sem ornare. In auctor elit ut sapien accumsan
feugiat et vel libero. Integer tristique tellus a lorem suscipit euismod. Integer nunc
ligula, tristique dignissim egestas vel, vulputate vitae velit. Pellentesque ut porta
quam, eget vehicula nunc.

O’Neill Career Hub 14

Fraudulent Posting Red Flags

The Career Hub maintains the job postings as a service to our students and
employers. In providing this service, the O’Neill School makes no representations or
endorsements concerning the opportunities posted or the organizations that post.
Prospective applicants should also independently research the employers and
opportunities presented.

If you are ever concerned about the validity of a posting, please email
[email protected] for assistance in researching the position. We strive to keep
fraudulent and scam postings off ONeillCareers as each employer and position is
reviewed by someone on our Employer Relations Team. However, it is impossible to
ensure that every job posting is legitimate, and impossible to keep track of every
employer and position after submission. Therefore, we are sharing common “red
flags,” things that alarm us in postings, so you too, can attempt to identify such scam
and fraudulent job postings. The following “red flags” are general markers to help you
conduct a safer job search and protect your identity.

These “red flags” in no way cover all possible instances of fraud or all the red flags.
Therefore, please always use your own discretion when applying to a position or
interacting with a potential employer. Fraudulent job postings try to take your money,
personal information, or both. The jobs often appear easy and convenient ways to
make money with very little effort.

Here are some fraud warning signs:

Personal and Financial Information
• You are asked to provide your credit card, bank account numbers, or other
personal financial documentation. Do NOT give out any financial information
at any point during your job search and hiring process.
• The position requires an initial investment, such as a payment by wire service
or courier.
• You are offered a large payment or reward in exchange for allowing the use of
your bank account (often for depositing checks or transferring money).
• You are asked to provide your social security and driver’s license information
in the initial application. Personal information should never be asked during the
initial application process.

Create Your Professional Development Strategy

• You are asked to provide a photo of yourself.

Job Posting
• The posting appears to be from a reputable, familiar company (often a Fortune
500). Yet, the email handle in the contact’s email address does not match the
domain used by representatives of the company (this is typically easy to
determine from the company’s website). Another way to validate is to check
the open positions on the company’s website, by checking their careers/jobs
page.
• The posting includes spelling and grammatical errors.
• The posting neglects to mention the responsibilities of the job. Instead, the
description focuses on the amount of money to be made.
• The position indicates a “first-year compensation” that is in high excess to the
average compensation for that position type. The salary range listed is very
wide (e.g., “employees can earn from $40K – $80K the first year!”).

Contact and Communication
• Look at the company’s website. Does it have an index that tells you what the
site is about; or does it contain information only about the job in which you are
interested? Scammers often create quick, basic web pages that seem
legitimate at first glance.
• The contact email address contains the domain @live.com or an @ that is not
affiliated with the company. Example: @gmail, @yahoo, @hotmail, etc.
• Watch for anonymity. If it is difficult to find an address, actual contact,
company name, etc., this is cause to proceed with caution. Fraud postings are
illegal, so scammers will try to keep themselves well hidden.
• When you Google the company name and the word “scam” (e.g., Acme
Company Scam), the results show several scam reports concerning this
company. Another source for scam reports is http://www.ripoffreport.com.
• Google the employer’s phone number, fax number, and/or email address. If it
does not appear connected to an actual business organization, this is a red flag.
You can use the Better Business Bureau, Hoovers and AT&T’s Anywho to
verify organizations.
• The employer contacts you by phone, but there is no way to call them back (the
number is not available).
• The employer tells you that they do not have an office set up in your area and
will need you to help them get it up and running (these postings often include

O’Neill Career Hub 16

a request for your banking information, supposedly to help the employer make
transactions).

Interview
• The interview is conducted online, via chat and an offer is given almost
immediately.
• The employer responds to you immediately after you submit your resume.
Typically, resumes sent to an employer are reviewed by multiple individuals or
not viewed until the posting has closed. Note: this does not include an auto-
response you may receive from the employer once you have sent your resume.

If Already Involved in a Scam
If you have encountered a fraudulent posting, company or organization, please
contact the Career Hub at 812-855-9639 or email [email protected] so the
posting can be investigated and appropriate action can be taken.

Interviewing Scams
Follow these safety tips when going on an interview:

• Always ensure it is in a public place and that someone knows of your plans to
interview and the location.

• If your instincts tell you it’s suspicious, it probably is.
• Do not feel pressured to give personally identifiable information in an

application if you are not comfortable during an interview or during
online/phone correspondence.
• Ask to take the document with you to complete and return so you have time to
research the issue further. To learn more about employment scams, your
rights, and appropriate actions, please visit this helpful page from the Riley
Guide: http://www.rileyguide.com/scams.html

Create Your Professional Development Strategy

Courtesy of the National Association of Colleges and Employers

Reneging a job offer

After interviews with several top companies, you accept a job offer from Corporation
A to begin a week after graduation. Then, XYZ Startup, a company that just began
recruiting new college grads, interviews you and offers you a job to begin a week after
graduation.

You want to work for XYZ Startup—but what will you do about the job you’ve accepted
at Corporation A?

No big deal? Companies hire and fire people all the time, you think. You’ll just let
Corporation A know that you’ve changed your mind.

Before you pick up the phone to renege on your job with Corporation A, consider this:
• The job you accepted with Corporation A may have been someone else’s
“dream job.” By accepting the job, you’ve taken that opportunity out of the job
market.
• Telling Corporation A that you’re not going to show up for work may have an
impact on your future career.
• Backing out on the job you’ve accepted may hurt the future job prospects of
other students and alumni at your school.

What happens to the job when you renege an offer?
Many times, a renege comes at the tail-end of the college recruitment season—April
and May.

• The position may go unfilled and the budget set aside for that position may be
allocated for other purposes. One job lost to the college job market.

• Final hiring numbers are lower for the employer, which may affect the
company’s hiring numbers next year. (Meaning, fewer job opportunities for
future new grads.)

• The now-disappointed (and frustrated) employer may choose to not interview
students or new grads again.

O’Neill Career Hub 18

Your choice today may ruin your choices in the future

Truth: Some employers keep a running list of names of students who renege after
they’ve accepted a job offer—a “do not call” list. Even without a list, recruiters will
remember you.

If you are offered a job, it’s because you stand out in the crowd of applicants. The
recruiter and hiring manager see and hear your name over and over during the
interview and hiring process—in e-mails, on your resume, and in discussions with
other employees.

Someday, you may want a job at Corporation A. Or, you may run into the same
recruiter at a different organization where you want to work. Plus, recruiters talk to
each other about students who back out on a job acceptance.

And, even if you seem to have a good reason for reneging on the acceptance—
“personal reasons” or “to travel abroad”—your profile on LinkedIn will show that
you’ve lied when you list the job you take.

You may lose alumni privileges
Universities value their corporate partnerships, and they do not want to risk having
companies stop recruiting new grads and alumni. That means, if you renege on a job
acceptance, your name may end up on a “no services” list. If your school finds out
that you’ve reneged—and they will—you may be denied access to university job
boards and alumni career services when you need help finding your next job.

Kayla Villwock is the Intern Program Manager for SAS.

Develop Your Career Narrative and Strategy

Your Professional Style and Positioning Statement

Before actively pursuing any position, you have to understand what you offer the
employer. Organizations want to know how you will contribute in your role as both a
leader and a team member – regardless of whether or not the role is responsible for
formally leading a team or is more self-tasked.

Review the following team contract and establish the expectations and parameters
of an ideal team that you are leading, and an ideal team you are a member of.
Consider your past team experiences and aspects made them successful or not as
you complete the table for each element.

I. Team Contract

Procedures

1. Day, time, and place for regular team meetings:

Role Expectations Why?

Leader

Team
Member

2. Preferred method of communication (e.g., e-mail, cell phone, wired phone, face-to-
face, in a certain conference room) in order to inform each other of team meetings,
announcement, updates, reminders, problems:

Role Expectations Why?

Leader

Team
Member

O’Neill Career Hub 20

3. Decision-making policy (Example: by consensus? by majority vote?):

Role Expectations Why?

Leader

Team
Member

4. Method for setting and following meeting agendas (Who will set each agenda? When?
How will team members be notified/reminded? Who will be responsible for the team
following the agenda during a team meeting? What will be done to keep the team on
track during a meeting?):

Role Expectations Why?

Leader

Team
Member

5. Method of record keeping (Who will be responsible for recording & disseminating
minutes? Will there be records? How & when will the minutes be disseminated? Where
will all agendas & minutes be kept?):

Role Expectations Why?

Leader

Team
Member

Develop Your Career Narrative and Strategy

II. Team Expectations
Work Quality

1. Project standards (What is a realistic level of quality for team presentations,
collaborative writing, individual research, preparation of drafts, peer reviews, etc.?):

Role Expectations Why?

Leader

Team
Member

2. Strategies to fulfill these standards:

Role Expectations Why?

Leader

Team
Member

Team Participation

1. Strategies to ensure cooperation and equal distribution of tasks:

Role Expectations Why?

Leader

Team
Member

O’Neill Career Hub 22

2. Strategies for encouraging/including ideas from all team members (team
maintenance):

Role Expectations Why?

Leader

Team
Member

3. Strategies for keeping on task (task maintenance):

Role Expectations Why?

Leader

Team
Member

4. Preferences for leadership (informal, formal, individual, shared):

Role Expectations Why?

Leader

Team
Member

Develop Your Career Narrative and Strategy

Personal Accountability

1. Expected individual attendance, punctuality, and participation at all team meetings:

Role Expectations Why?

Leader

Team
Member

2. Expected level of responsibility for fulfilling team assignments, timelines, and deadlines:

Role Expectations Why?

Leader

Team
Member

3. Expected level of communication with other team members:

Role Expectations Why?

Leader

Team
Member

O’Neill Career Hub 24

4. Expected level of commitment to team decisions and tasks.

Role Expectations Why?

Leader

Team
Member

IV. Deconstruct Your Preferences

1. Based on your expectations above, in five words, describe the type of workplace
environment you are successful in as a team member. Does this match the top five
work values you selected for yourself in the earlier exercise? If not, what is your new
list of top five values that will guide your career search?

2. As a leader, how would you make your organization and team “culture distinct”
through your management and leadership? (How would you help move it beyond
typical buzzwords used like innovative, talented, dedicated, etc. to be different from
your competitors?)

3. As you imagined the teams for each role, did you see yourself in:

1. A large or small organization? How many employees would this organization
have?

2. Managing a highly structured day, or one that is more flexible?
3. A team that is located around the country or globe, or a team all on-site?
4. A permanent team, or one that came together for a project?
5. Are your answers the same for each role?

4. Based on the structures you created above, would you consider yourself to be more
effective in a team or in a self-tasked role? How will you translate this into value-add
for the organization considering hiring you?

5. Was it difficult or easy for you to determine clear expectations for each category?
Would you determine that you think in more practical/concrete terms, or are you
more creative/abstract? How is this going to make you successful in the role you are
applying for?

Develop Your Career Narrative and Strategy

6. Do you see any patterns in the preferences you demonstrated for each role? When
you assess those patterns in light of what is important to you (your previously
identified VIPS), are there any competing priorities? Are there tendencies in either
profile you would like to change? Why? What would you like to add to your profile as
a leader? As a team member?

O’Neill Career Hub 26

V. Your Positioning Statement

Now that you have identified your attributes from some different perspectives, you have
to communicate them to the employer in a way that will make you competitive.

Consider all the above information you collected about yourself. Think about how you
will articulate the most relevant information in a positioning statement for employers.
This statement should be a concise summary of who you are, the value you bring, and
how you are unique. This would be appropriate to use as your summary on LinkedIn, the
foundation you use to develop cover letters, and the framework for your micro-pitch at
networking events.

1. What You Do (What problem do you solve?) – This should be more than your
degree or concentration. Choose a way to describe yourself that says you are
excited about what yo have done, what you are learning, and what you hope
to do.

2. How You Do It Uniquely (How are you different from other candidates?) –
Identify your top two or three talents, and express them in a few phrases.
What makes you different from other people wo are pursuing the same
degree/concentration/job?

3. Why You Do It (For whom did/do you do it?) – This is where your personality
and enthusiasm must come through to seal the deal. Your ending should
describe your passion and commitment, your motivation, and the impact you
want to make.

Write your general positioning statement below. You will use this to develop your
tailored statements for specific opportunities.

Develop Your Career Narrative and Strategy

Transferrable Skills Analysis

The following list of transferable skills is a great start to identifying and prioritizing
your skills gained as a student, volunteer, during part-time jobs and internships, and
through other experiences. Using the list below, check the box next to the skills you
feel confident using. Then evaluate the checked skills and underline those that you
enjoy doing daily.

Research & Information Management
Locate and assimilate new information rapidly, applicable to a given problem
Understand and synthesize large quantities of complex information
Design research instruments (e.g., surveys) and effectively analyze results
Develop organizing principles to effectively sort and evaluate data

Analysis & Problem Solving
Clearly define a problem and identify possible causes
Comprehend large amounts of information
Form and defend independent conclusions
Design an experiment, plan, or model that defines a problem, tests potential
resolutions and implements a solution

Communication Skills – Written & Oral
Prepare concise and logically written materials, for different audiences in
different contexts: from abstracts to book-length manuscripts
Edit and proofread
Organize and communicate ideas and complex information effectively in oral
presentations to specialized and non-specialized audiences in small and large
groups
Persuade others in both written and oral format using logical argument
Write effective grant and research proposals

Interpersonal & Leadership Skills
Facilitate group discussions or conduct meetings
Teach skills or concepts to others
Work effectively in teams, and collaborate on projects
Navigate complex or bureaucratic environments effectively
Diplomatically communicate and respond to positive or negative feedback
Motivate others to complete projects Build consensus among groups or
individuals (e.g., with your department/committee)
Effectively mentor subordinates and/or peers

O’Neill Career Hub 28

Organization & Management
Manage a project or multiple projects from beginning to end
Identify and establish goals or tasks to be accomplished in a reasonable
timeline
Organize and prioritize tasks
Anticipate possible challenges
Maintain flexibility in the face of changing circumstances

Supervision Skills
Evaluate others’ performance (e.g., grade exams or papers)
Monitor or oversee the work of others in a lab or classroom, and provide
feedback

Entrepreneurial Skills
Meet deadlines and manage competing priorities
Perform under pressure
Work independently
Acquire funding (e.g., write grant/fellowship

Analyze your Skills, Strengths & Values

I. Rank order the top five skills that you do well, and enjoy doing daily.
1.

2.

3.

4.

5.

Do any of these fall under a particular skill category?

Develop Your Career Narrative and Strategy

II. Use your transferable skills to explore career options.

Go to www.indeed.com and enter in one of the transferrable skill categories you
have identified as a search term with either your discipline, or an interest area.
(Example: environmental science communication)

List the position titles you find: 6.
1. 7.
2. 8.
3. 9.
4. 10.
5.

List the organizations you find:

1. 6.
2. 7.
3. 8.
4. 9.
5. 10.

III. Your next steps

Visit speacareerhub.indiana.edu.
1. Go to the Resources tab and select Online Resources.
2. Search the various websites with the position titles you listed above.
3. Find contacts within the organizations you find in this search using either
LinkedIn and/or the organization website. (Organize in a spreadsheet.)
4. Reach out and request an informational interview with those contacts.

Go to LinkedIn.com.
1. Search for Indiana University; go to that page and select the Alumni button.
2. Search for the position titles and organizations you listed above.
3. Add the alumni and organizations to your spreadsheet.
4. Reach out and request an informational interview.

O’Neill Career Hub 30

Your Core Values

Determine your core values. From the list below, choose and write down on a
separate sheet of paper every core value that resonates with you. Do not overthink
your selection. As you read through the list, simply write down the words that feel
like a core value to you personally. If you think of a value you possess that is not on
the list, write it down.

2. Group all similar values together from the list of values you just
created. Group them in a way that makes sense to you, personally. Create a
maximum of five groupings. If you have more than five groupings, drop the least
important grouping(s). See the example below.

Develop Your Career Narrative and Strategy

3. Choose one word within each grouping that represents the label for the
entire group. Again, do not overthink your labels – there are no right or wrong
answers. You are defining the answer that is right for you. See the example below –
the label chosen for the grouping is bolded.

4. Add a verb to each value so you can see what it looks like as a actionable core
value, for example:

• Live in freedom.
• Seek opportunities for making a difference.
• Act with mindfulness.

O’Neill Career Hub 32

• Promote well-being.
• Multiply happiness.

This will guide you in the actions you need to take to feel like you are truly living on
purpose.

5. Finally, write your core values in order of priority in your planner, so they are
available as an easy reference when you are faced with decisions.
For example:

• Live in freedom.
• Act with mindfulness.
• Promote well-being.
• Multiply happiness.
• Seek opportunities for making a difference.

Develop Your Career Narrative and Strategy

Your Ideal Job

Step 1

Everybody has their own preferences about work. But many people fail to state
them clearly. Think about the questions below, then write down your answers in as
much detail as possible.

1. Type of work. What type of work would you prefer to do? Should your work be
meaningful such as helping others versus just making money for your employer?
What scope of responsibility do you prefer? Do you need wide variety? Describe the
level of challenge you need.

2. Use of your skills. How important is it that you have the opportunity to use your
skills and abilities in a direct and meaningful way?

3. Culture. How important is the company’s reputation to you? Is it important that
the company be socially responsible? Should they have a clear sense of mission,
values and goals?

4. Industry. What industry sectors appeal to you? Which ones match your values?

5. Company. Do you prefer a start-up, a growing entrepreneurial company, or a
large well-established organization? Does company size even matter? How
important is the company’s reputation to you? Is it important that the company be
socially responsible?

6. Your boss. What kind of boss would you like to work for? What leadership
qualities does your ideal boss have?

7. Autonomy. To what degree do you need autonomy in your work? Are you okay
being told what to do or would you prefer to make your own decisions?

8. Job security. How important is job security to you? Is it necessary for you to feel
comfortable in your job at all times and not worried that you are going to get laid
off?

9. Work/life balance. How important for you is maintaining a balance between life
and work? Might options like flex-time and telecommuting make a difference?

O’Neill Career Hub 34

10. People. What types of people do you like to work with? Do you prefer to work on
your own? How important is it that work gives you a sense of community?

11. Professional growth. What are your expectations around growth? Do you need
to work for an employer who promotes professional development and lots of
opportunity to learn new things?

12. Physical location. Where do you want to work? How far away is it from your
home? How would you plan to get to work: car, bike, walk, transit? What amenities
are nearby?

13. Work environment. What would you like your workspace to be like: open
workspace, private office, natural light, etc.? What about a home office? Describe
the overall physical work environment that you prefer.

14. Values alignment. What values are important and non-negotiable for you? Is it
necessary that the values of your employer align with your own? Even if a job paid a
lot of money but their values differed from your own, could you work there?

15. Opportunity for advancement. What types of advancement opportunities
(upward; lateral; new location) are you seeking?

16. Recognition. To what degree do you need to be recognized and acknowledged
for your work?

17. Compensation. How much do you want to make in your next job? How much do
you need to make? Are you comfortable with a form of incentive-based pay?

18. Benefits. What benefit coverage do you need? Are there other benefits, such as
flex-time or a shorter work day, that you would accept if your salary target is not
met?

19. Vacation. How much vacation do you want given your years of work?

20. Status and title. Answer honestly: how important is status and title to you? Do
you want these to reflect your relative rank in society?

Develop Your Career Narrative and Strategy

Step 2

Once you’ve written down your answers, it’s time to decide which ones are most
important to you. Group them into these categories:

Category A: Absolutely essential that I have these in a job;

Category B: Very important to me but not absolutely essential;

Category C: Of lesser importance, but still nice to have;

Category D: Not important to me.

As a rough guide, you should select about five for each category.

Category A Category B Category C Category D

Use this information about what you want in your ideal job to begin your search for
opportunities. Visit the Career Hub website and use job search resources to find positions
by keywords, geographic locations, and function.

Exercise taken from:
Gerald Walsh. (n.d.) 20 Questions That Will Help You Determine Your Ideal Job. Retrieved
from https://www.geraldwalsh.com/blog/20-questions-that-will-help-you-determine-your-
ideal-job/

O’Neill Career Hub 36

Develop Your Career Narrative and Strategy

Individual Personal Development

Internship/Job or Career Field to Explore:
Internal

Strengths (What do I do well? What is my Weaknesses (What do I need to improve? What
biggest achievement? What do others recognize tasks do I typically avoid? What are my personal
me for? What personal qualities do I possess?) flaws?)

Develop Your Career Narrative and Strategy

External

Opportunities (What are the trends in my Threat (What are the obstacles? Who is competing
professional industry? Who can support me in for this kind of job/career? What macro-level
achieving my goals? What additional training or changes might impact this career (political,
experience is available to me?) environmental, etc)?

O’Neill Career Hub 38

Individual Professional Development Plan for Graduate Students

Organizations and Positions of Interest
List the organizations and positions you are interested in. Consider the career path to your ultimate
goal – will you need intermediary positions to gain required ROI before you are ready for that
ultimate position?

Organizations Positions (job titles)

1. 1.
2. 2.
3. 3.
4. 4.
5. 5.

Skills Gap Analysis
List the skills/talents/abilities necessary for the positions listed above. Assess your current
skills/talents/abilities and compare them to the required ones. What are the areas you need to
develop?

Required Skills Current Skills (Can you prove Development Needs
you have it?)

1. 1. 1.
2. 2. 2.
3. 3. 3.
4. 4. 4.
5. 5. 5.

Develop Your Career Narrative and Strategy

Development Goals
Create a detailed plan for your individual development. What can you do to develop the skills you
need to become competitive in your internship/job search? Use the following pages to write
development goals and outline the steps you will take to meet them.

As you learn and develop new abilities, set new goals for yourself. There are always areas to grow and
enhance regardless of where you are in job search process.

Action Plan Target Date:
Development Goal #1: Target Date:
Tasks/Activities that will help you reach your goal: Target Date:
Target Date:
1. Target Date:
2.
3.
Development Goal #2:
Tasks/Activities that will help you reach your goal:
1.
2.
3.
Development Goal #3:
Tasks/Activities that will help you reach your goal:
1.
2.
3.
Development Goal #4:
Tasks/Activities that will help you reach your goal:
1.
2.
3.
Development Goal #5:
Tasks/Activities that will help you reach your goal:
1.
2.
3.

O’Neill Career Hub 40

Explore Your Career Pathways

Job Search Checklist

JOB SEARCH PLANNING AND PREPARATION
Define your search criteria: top 3 geographic locations, salary range by geographic

area, job type, industries, sectors, etc.
Define your network of contacts and brush up on networking skills.
Identify and contact people who might become professional references.
Create a list of 40 target organizations and industries that most interest you.
Conduct your personal SWOT analysis to identify your strengths and weaknesses.
Develop your unique selling proposition, which will help you distinguish yourself

from other job seekers.
Identify key accomplishments from all school and work experiences and develop

your STAR stories.
Download and use the Professional Development Tracking Form to organize your

search.
Create your search plan: what you will do when, how many people you will contact

each week, what websites/blogs/periodicals you will read daily to stay at the top of
your game.

Practice your micro-pitch until you can introduce yourself comfortably and with
confidence to a variety of stakeholders.

Attend a Career Hub job search lab for guidance with all the above.

NETWORKING
Update your resume using VMock; share it with several people to get

feedback. Work with the Career Studio to tailor your resume to fit different job
opportunities.

Update your LinkedIn profile so it is consistent with your resume.
Set weekly goals for the number of people you will reach out to, connect and meet
with as part of your job search.
Identify and join professional organizations (the student membership rate is
deeply discounted); identify industry conferences for networking opportunities.
Identify O’Neill School alumni who work in companies, industries and positions of
interest, and contact them requesting informational interviews to learn more about
what they do.

Prepare your answers for the Six Stories You Should Be Able to Tell.

Explore Your Career Pathways

HIGH IMPACT APPLICATIONS
Conduct an informational interview with at least 1 person in the organization

before you submit an application. In addition to learning about the organization, also
ask about the interview process.

Research each organization you apply to using HireED; demonstrate your
relevance to their needs in your cover letter and tailored resume.

Write a tailored cover letter for each position and organization you apply to; tailor
your resume using organization-specific language. Ask your contact’s permission to
mention their name in the cover letter.

INTERVIEW PREP
Prepare organization-specific answers in the STAR format for the most common

behavior-based interview questions.
Prepare for other interview formats your contact told you about (case, technical,

presentation, etc.).
Develop a competitive “opening” to the interview by writing an answer to “Tell me

about yourself” that demonstrates your fit with the position and organization.
Prepare a "closing" for the interview that expresses not only your desire for the job

but also reiterates your mission alignment, ability to meet their pain points, and
reminds them of the impact you feel you could help them make in the role.

Participate in mock interviews in the Career Studio.
Write strong questions that you will ask the interviewer(s) that will demonstrate
your experience and your fit for the position. Prepare questions for every
person/each department you will interview with.
Research salaries and have clear expectations for what a potential offer might be.
After the interview, send thank you notes (email and handwritten) to every person
you met with – including the front office worker who greeted you when you arrived.

O’Neill Career Hub 42

LinkedIn

LinkedIn is one of the most important tools you will use to find opportunities,
conduct organization research, and find alumni and contacts to reach out to and
request informational interviews. LinkedIn is also a place where you can be
discovered looking for potential candidates to fill their positions. It’s important to
have a profile that represents you well as it will often be the first impression
someone has of you.

Do the following to enhance your profile:
1. Choose a professional photo to have on your profile. Generally you just need
a headshot; if you feel you would like something a bit edgier, look at the
photos of professionals in your desired field and follow their lead. Do NOT use
a selfie as your profile picture!
2. Write an impactful headline. What do you want people to know about you
before they take a closer look at your profile?
3. Your summary is basically your elevator pitch or positioning statement. It
should be written in a professional voice appropriate for your intended
audience. But don’t be too stuffy – this is where you can let your voice and
your personality come through.
4. Add all your projects, volunteer experiences, and any
certifications/languages/licenses that you may not have on your resume.
The purpose of LinkedIn is to connect with other people; the more you
include, the easier it is for the platform’s algorithms to suggest possible
connections for you.
5. Enhance your experiences by posting Multimedia to demonstrate the quality
of work you do. This includes videos, photos, slide presentations, and
anything you’ve written.
6. Request recommendations from previous instructors, coaches, supervisors,
coworkers, classmates, fellow volunteers, etc.
7. Join LinkedIn Groups relevant to your interests and professional aspirations.
Interact with members – comment on their posts and send them an In-
Message to discuss a topic they are knowledgeable about. Use this as an
informational interview. Knowing what topics are currently being discussed
will help you ask relevant questions in interviews.

Explore Your Career Pathways

8. Make sure other people can see you. Include your contact information, and
make sure your profile settings allow you to be seen by anyone searching
LinkedIn. (Change your settings to private when you are doing research; you
may not always want other people to know that you have looked at their
profile.)

VMock, a 24/7 virtual assistant,

Provides instant tailored feedback based on the O’Neill School standards and
employer criteria. VMock can even identify careers that fit you best and provide
actionable recommendations that strengthen your candidacy.

Visit the Career Hub website to access VMock and make your profile even stronger.

O’Neill Career Hub 44

How to Use LinkedIn

I. Searches
Content Searches

• Click on the "Search" field at the top of your LinkedIn page, you will see a
drop-down for People, Jobs and Content. If you choose Content, you will be
taken to LinkedIn's feed of posts by users.

• Refine and access posts on any topic of your choosing (use keywords).
• A quick read of the posts will tell you what people are writing and thinking

about related to your search.
• Look at the companies and individuals posting the content. These are your

new prospects who have a vested interest in your topic.
Job Searches

• Use the key words you gleaned from your content searches. This approach
will help you find “ideal” jobs that may not have a title you are familiar with.

• Not every organization and position will be a match for you, but you will
develop a list of prospective organizations that are new targets for your
outreach.

People Search
Alumni

• Search for university
• Select “Alumni” button on the left side of the page
• Use filters
Cold Contacts
• Start with the potential companies from your top 40 list.
• Use the search box and select People.

o Identify your first or second degree connections and reach out.
o Use filters to search titles and find the hiring manager (use “talent

acquisition” “human resources” “university relations” and any other
that might apply to the organization you are interested in).

II. Research
• Company Pages

o Follow the organization
o Set Job Alerts – notifies recruiters that you are interested in them
o Click “People” tab on the far left menu; see where employees are

based, what they studied, their job functions, what skills they have, and
how they’re connected (not available for all)

Explore Your Career Pathways

o Communities section (right hand side) – see hashtags they are
promoting, and the conversations they’re participating in (check this
before any interview or networking event)

III. Features
• Trending Topics in the upper right hand corner shows you what people are

talking about each day.
• You can add up to 6 blog posts, video testimonials, Slideshare presentations,

etc. to demonstrate the quality of your work.
• An active status will show for people currently logged in so you can instant

message them. DO NOT go crazy with this.
Your Turn! Use the following guidelines to begin making industry connections and
exploring opportunities. Do not limit yourself to these suggested search terms; this
is just to get you started.

Company Search
1. Search Companies for “hospital & healthcare, LOCATION”. Review and follow
any organizations you are interested in.
2. Select one organization of interest.
3. Review Jobs. Are any positions posted that you are interested?
a. YES
• DO NOT PRESS THE “APPLY” BUTTON.
• Save the job.
• Search for a connection. Reach out or ask for an introduction.
• Request a conversation – See The 2-Hour Job Search Guide
b. NO
• Search for a connection. Reach out or ask for an introduction.
• Request a conversation – See The 2-Hour Job Search Guide

People Search
4. Search People for:
a. industry “hospital & healthcare”
b. job title keywords (hospital administration; healthcare director; etc.)
c. search for recruiters with search keywords (healthcare recruiter,
hospital talent acquisition, etc.)
5. Uses the filters at top of page to select Connections and Locations.
6. Reach out – See The 2-Hour Job Search Guide

O’Neill Career Hub 46

Job Search
7. Search Jobs for:
a. industry “hospital & healthcare”
b. job title keywords (hospital administration; healthcare director; etc.)
c. Organizations of interest
8. Uses the filters at top of page to refine.
9. DO NOT PRESS THE “APPLY” BUTTON.
10. Reach out – See The 2-Hour Job Search Guide

Content Search
11. Search for:
a. Your industry and “hire”
b. job title keywords and “hire”
c. search for recruiters with search keywords (healthcare recruiter,
hospital talent acquisition, etc.)
12. Uses the filters at top of page to select Industry, Posted By, Date Posted; All
Filters
13. Reach out – See The 2-Hour Job Search Guide

Update your Professional Development Tracking Form to keep your search

Connect with Employers

The Career Hub hosts a wide variety of events that are an excellent way for students
to connect with recruiters, industry experts, and alumni. Each career community
also hosts events tailored to the industries and organizations in their communities.
You should begin attending events immediately and should plan to check the Career
Hub events calendar regularly. Sign up to receive the newsletter for your Career
Community/Communities of choice.
Some of the benefits of attending employer events include:

• Build your network of employers and alumni – and fellow students – you
meet at the event.

• Learn about organizations and roles within organizations. You don’t know
what is possible for you unless you make an effort to learn about all the ways
you can use your O’Neill degree in the world.

• Get feedback on your resume and advice about ways you can make yourself
more competitive during your academic career.

Employer Engagement Opportunities at the O’Neill School

Explore Your Career Pathways

All employer events are posted on our website and featured in the appropriate
Career Community newsletters. Sign up to begin receiving the newsletter of your
choice on the Career Hub website.

Blog or Video for Website: Employers may record a video introduction of
their company for the Career Hub website blog.
Career Catalyst: Washington, DC: The O’Neill School brings employers and
alumni to campus to meet students and educate them about working and
living in DC.
Career Express Take-Over: The employer volunteers a period of time
(usually a day) to offer a variety of services, including resume critiques, mock
interviews, networking advice, and general career advice, on the Career
Express floor.
Case Activity: Participants compete for the best solution to a business or
industry-related problem created by the employer within an allocated
timeframe.
Deep Dive: These sessions comprise of a company profile presentation by
the employer followed by questions from the students.
Focus Career Fair: Each career community has its own fair with up to 20
organizations attending. Some communities have multiple fairs, check your
Career Community newsletter for details!

Lab: Labs are programming that helps students develop and strengthen skills
that will help them succeed in their career search. Topics vary, but may
include: resume writing, interview skills, networking, and etiquette.
Net(WORK)ed: This series traditionally consists of a panel event that is
designed to introduce students to various industries and organizations in
those industries; after general questions are answered by the panel, there is a
period of time for networking between students and employers.
On-campus Interviews: The organization selects the criteria for the students
they wish to interview—only those students will have access to the event.
Specialized Event: We will work individually with employers to create an
event to meet specific recruiting needs.

Prepare to Attend an Event
Before the Event Checklist

□ Review the list of employers attending the event and create a list of your top
preferences.

O’Neill Career Hub 48

□ Research the organizations and the representatives using resources like
LinkedIn, Glassdoor.com, and the organizations’ websites.

□ Visit the Career Studio and work on defining your goals for the event and
developing questions for the representatives you will meet.

□ Update your resume and print copies to bring with you.
□ Update your LinkedIn profile, and invite the representatives you are

interested in meeting to connect with you. Be sure to tell them you are
looking forward to meeting them at the event in the invitation.
□ Practice your micro-pitch and be comfortable using it to introduce yourself to
a variety of people.
□ Prepare your strategy for larger events – know who you want to talk to first. A
good strategy is to develop your top 10 list, 10 being the organization you are
most interested in. Begin by approaching your company 1 so that you can get
comfortable delivering your micropitch and having conversations with
representatives. By the time you get to your company 10, you will be at ease
and ready to make a great impression.
□ Stay flexible within your strategy – let yourself connect with as many guests
as possible.

At the Event Checklist
□ Approach the guests and introduce yourself by shaking hands, making good
eye contact, and delivering your micropitch.
□ Speak with multiple employers, ask genuine questions and make a positive
impression.
□ Give your resume to employers you are interested in. You can do this even if it
is not a career fair.
□ Thank the guests for attending the event and for any promotional materials
you were given.
□ Collect business cards if they are available (recruiters do not always have
cards available – do not be offended if you ask for one and they say they don’t
have any). Take time to quickly jot down where you met them and the date so
you can remember for future reference.

After the Event

Explore Your Career Pathways

□ Update your Professional Development Tracking Form with the contacts you
met at the event.

□ Email the guests you met thanking them for attending and sharing their time
with you.

□ Connect with any guests on LinkedIn you haven’t yet connected with.

O’Neill Career Hub 50