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Published by UNC Charlotte Career Center, 2017-07-20 17:56:04

University Career Center - Career Guide

EXPLORE EXPERIENCE DECIDE BRAND IMPLEMENT

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GABBY DE LA CRUZ
Major: Nursing

As a freshman, I went on a Company Trek to the Carolinas Healthcare
System University Hospital just down the road on North Tryon and met
professionals from various units, such as maternity, cardiology, emergency,
and volunteer services. I spoke with the volunteer coordinator and got
her contact information as well as information regarding the application
process. The fall of my sophomore year, I volunteered at the telemetry unit
a few days a week. Since work and volunteer experience are considered
for admission into the nursing program here at UNC Charlotte, I included
those volunteer hours in my application. As a current nursing student, I
am very grateful to have had the opportunity to develop relationships with
the nurses, nurse aides, and staff at CHS University and be exposed to a
healthcare environment as I aspire to work in that type of setting in the future.

JOHN UKPAI
Major: Philosophy

My experience with the UCC has been phenomenal! Beginning from the
career advising sessions, the resume critique to the mock interviews,
every program is specifically tailored to help me become a marketable,
well-rounded professional. One program that was essential to developing
professionalism and my brand was the Professional Clothes Closet
program. The program helped me to discover and develop my brand,
learn how to professionally sell my skills, and taught me how to dress
for success. During the program, I was also able to receive professional
clothing, which propelled my success for my upcoming interviews. I have
recently accepted a job as a sales manager at Autozone Inc., and I am
excited to continue developing my brand within the workplace.

1

career.uncc.edu
Atkins 150
704-687-0795
8am - 5pm M-F

INDEX 26 Brand
3 Explore
27 Marketing Yourself
4 Get Started 28 Power/Action Verbs
5 Assessments 29 Resume Writing 101
6 Lifeline 30 Resume Sections
7 Your Skills 32 Curriculum Vitae
8 Your Values 33 Cover Letters 101
9 Your Interests 35 Other Letters
10 Holland Game 36 LinkedIn Profile
11 Major Exploration 37 Elevator Pitch
12 Career Exploration - O*NET 38 Business Attire
13 Informational Interviews
15 Job Shadowing 39 Implement

16 Experience 40 Career Fair Prep
41 Research Employers
17 Internship Types 42 Interviewing
18 Finding Internships 45 Job Search Process
19 Get Involved 46 Building Your Network
47 Salary Negotiation
21 Decide 48 Graduate School Prep
49 Hire-A-Niner
22 Career Advising
23 Decision Chart
24 Major to Career
25 Graduate School Considerations

Learn about your values, interests,
personality, and skills. Explore potential
majors and career options.

What to Do:

● Visit the Career Center
● Participate in an informational interview
● Take a career assessment
● Look at "What Can I Do With A Major In..." (WCIDWAMI)
● Attend career-related panels
● Research careers online
● Gather specific information about occupations & industries

3

Get Started

Ready to find that great career choice? Here are 2 steps to help you
get started!

Step 1 Learn about yourself – your values, interests, and skills, to name a few. These next few pages help you do just that!

Step 2 Explore careers that might be a good fit based on what you have learned.

Below you will find ways to explore majors and careers – schedule an appointment with your
Career Advisor to learn more!

Know Your Major Find out which majors UNC Charlotte offers and details on each by visiting
Options at UNCC career.uncc.edu/majors. Learn about career options, find the academic plan
of study, watch videos about sample careers, and more.

Browse the Major Curious about a particular major? Visit the department websites here:
Websites academics.uncc.edu/undergraduate-majors. After reviewing the website,
consider if that information excites you – if so, that’s a great sign!

Make an Meet with your Career Advisor to discuss your interests one on one. We can
Appointment help you through this process. Schedule an appointment in Hire-A-Niner
by visiting career.uncc.edu/HAN. (Once you log in using your NinerNET
Research credentials, look under the Quicklinks on the right hand side and click ‘Meet
Careers with Your Career Advisor’)

Learn more about career paths relating to a major:
1. Explore careers using O*NET (onetonline.org) and the Occupational

Outlook Handbook (bls.gov/ooh)
2. Watch videos on Candid Career via career.uncc.edu/majors

Complete a Take a free career assessment to learn more about what is a good fit for you:
Career Assessment 1. Strong Interest Inventory
2. Myers Briggs Type Indicator
Consider a Major Find and take both of these assessments on the Career Center website
(career.uncc.edu/assessment)

Which majors, minors, or certificates are you MOST excited about exploring?

4

Assessments

Career Assessments

How will a career assessment help me?

A career assessment can help you explore your personal areas of interest, values, and personality; plus, you will
see how those relate to a variety of career fields.

What a career assessment will NOT do.

An assessment will not provide you with an exact list of jobs that are a "fit" for you or tell you what to major in.
Instead, the assessment will help you explore the many options you have and the paths to take to reach your
career goals. Your Career Advisor will walk with you through the process of finding a great fit.

Keep in mind that no single assessment can tell you “what you should be,” and successful career planning usually
requires more than one appointment.

What are the career assessments I can take?

Strong Interest Inventory – Helps you MBTI – Assists you with career

discover interests, preferences, and personal decisions by identifying occupations
styles—useful information as you make decisions and working environments that
about a major or career. Find out how your may fit your personality. The MBTI
interests relate to different work environments identifies individual preferences and
and activities, and how your interests compare relates these preferences to those of
with individuals in a wide variety of career fields, others in various career fields.
college majors, and specific occupations.

Please Note:

You must schedule a one-hour appointment with your Career Advisor once you have completed an assessment
to receive your results.

We are not able to discuss the results of both the MBTI and Strong Interest Inventory in one appointment. You
must schedule a separate appointment to discuss each assessment.

How do I take the assessment(s)?

Visit career.uncc.edu/assessment and select the career assessment of interest.

If you choose to take both assessments, you will register for the first assessment then use the login information
you created to take the second assessment.

5

Lifeline

This activity is meant to help you catalog the jobs and other experiences you have had,
whether paid or unpaid, as well as the ‘dreams’ you have had about your career throughout
your life. The goal is to find any common themes and patterns in what you have dreamed
about and done in the workplace.

Instructions:

The line below represents a time continuum from birth to present time.
On the top of the line, map out what jobs you have held (paid or unpaid) from as far back as you can remember to now.
Below the line, map out what types of careers (no matter how silly they might have been) you have dreamed about
since you were a small child to now.

BIRTH PRESENT
6
What themes do you notice?

Your Skills

Identifying Your Skills

Listed below are some skills that you may have developed in your school, work, volunteering, military service,
and/or extracurricular experiences. Rank each skill according to how much you enjoy using it (4 is highest,
1 is lowest) and your level of ability (4 = Excellent, 3 = Good, 2 = Weak, 1= Unable). Upon completion, you
will find that some of your skills are ranked high on both scales. Circle or highlight these skills. You have just
identified them as your motivating skills!

Enjoyment Skills Ability

Problem solving
Organizing
Planning

Maintaining and repairing equipment
Writing

Customer service
Public speaking

Bilingual
Researching

Teamwork
Creative thinking

Leadership
Teaching and training

Persuading others
Computer/Technical
Synthesizing and evaluating data
Working with numbers
Working with animals
Interpersonal communication

Mediating
Care giving

Artistic

7

Your Values

You may identify your work values according to what you hope to gain from or accomplish in your work. What we
consider to be important and worthwhile in our lives is determined by our values. Examine the list of work-related
values below to rate each value according to its importance to you. You may also add any values that are important
to you and not included in the list.

1 = Not important at all 2 = Somewhat important 3 = Important 4 = Very important

_____Achievement – Sense of accomplishment through skills, practice, perseverance, effort
_____Advancement/Professional Development – Moving forward in your career though promotions
_____Adventure – Work frequently involves risk taking
_____Aesthetics – Appreciating or studying the beauty of ideas, things
_____Autonomy – Working independently, determine nature of your work without much direction from others
_____Casual/Comfortable – A work environment with a relaxed dress code and limited rules
_____Challenge – Stimulates full use of your potential and intellect, opportunity to solve problems
_____Change and Variety – Varied, frequently changing work responsibilities, settings
_____Competition – Pit your abilities against others where there are clear win/lose outcomes
_____Cooperation – Opportunity to work as team toward common goals
_____Creativity – Being imaginative, innovative
_____Family – Being able to spend quality time and develop relationships with family
_____Flexible Hours – Opportunity to work variable hours or that fit your lifestyle
_____Friendship/Camaraderie – Develop close personal relationships with co-workers
_____Fun – Being in a work environment that is fun and exciting
_____Harmonious Environment – Co-workers get along and there isn’t tension or excessive competition
_____Health – Physical and psychological well-being
_____Help Others – Involved in helping people in a direct way, individually or in a group
_____Help Society – Do something to contribute to the betterment of the world, benefit the “Greater Good”
_____Inner Harmony – Being at peace with oneself
_____Integrity – Honesty, sincerity, adhering to strong ethical practice
_____Intellectual Status – Opportunity to be regarded as an expert in your field, expertise
_____Knowledge – Understanding gained through study and experience
_____Leadership – Influence over others
_____Leisure – Have time for hobbies, sports, activities, interests
_____Location – Work has a convenient commute and location that allow you to do what you like to do
_____Loyalty – Steadfastness and allegiance
_____Power – Authority, control over resources
_____Responsibility – Being accountable for results
_____Recognition and Prestige – Getting acknowledged for your contributions
_____Routine – Work routine and duties that are predictable, not likely to change over time
_____Spirituality – An environment where you can express your spiritual, religious values
_____Steady Income – Having enough money coming in regularly
_____Wealth – Profit, gain, making a lot of money
_____Wisdom – Understanding based on accumulation of knowledge
_____Work Alone – Low contact with people
_____Other Value(s)

Top 5 Values:

8

Your Interests

Your interests are reflected in the things you like to do and how you like to spend your
time. People are often most satisfied in their work when their interests match their
environment. The following are some questions to help you think about your interests:

1. What are the subjects and activities that peak your curiosity and enthusiasm?
2. What courses or assignments have you found so interesting that you were excited to do the work?
3. If you could have three or four research topics/disciplines, what would they be?
4. What do you do in your spare time?
5. What extracurricular activities have you participated in (social, academic, work, etc.)?
6. If you were given $500 to spend, what would you spend it on?
7. Is there a cause you feel passionately about?
8. What do you daydream about? Are there patterns in the daydreams that are indications of your possible career?
9. Do you visualize yourself in certain work situations or environments?
10. If you have a role model, what about their work is relevant to you?
11. If you could live five lives and explore a different talent, interest, or lifestyle in each, what would you be in

each of them?
12. What would you do if you knew you could not fail?
13. What are problems in the world that you would like to solve?

9

Holland Game

Activity: Imagine walking into a room to find these groups of people. Read the descriptions and circle the first group

that you would primarily be attracted to, then the second, and third if you have one. This represents your Holland Code!

Your Holland Code:

What to do next: check out onetonline.org online for an advanced search of careers based on your Holland Code. This
will help you generate an idea of career paths and work environments that might interest you. On the next page, see
what majors align with your Holland Code. Take this with you to a Career Advisor for further conversation.

10

Major Exploration

Holland Majors

Now that you know which Holland themes I am most interested in:
you identify most with, (see page 10), take
time to explore majors within those areas!

Enterprising Majors Social Majors Investigative Majors
(Persuaders) (Helpers) (Thinkers)

Accounting, Art, Business Africana Studies, Anthropology, Africana Studies, Anthropology,
Analytics, Child & Family Art, Athletic Training, Child Art History, Biology, Chemistry,
Development, Communication & Family Development, Computer Science, Criminal
Studies, Construction Communication Studies, Justice, Earth Sciences,
Management, Dance, Criminal Justice, Education, Economics, Engineering,
Economics, English, Finance, Finance, International Studies, Exercise Science, Geography,
International Business, Languages & Cultural Studies, Geology, History, Math, Nursing,
Management, Marketing, Music, Management, Marketing, Philosophy, Physics, Political
Operations & Supply Chain Nursing, Psychology, Public Science, Psychology, Public
Management, Political Science Health, Religious Studies, Social Health, Social Work, Sociology
Work, Sociology

Realistic Majors Conventional Majors Artistic Majors
(Doers) (Organizers) (Creators)

Athletic Training, Architecture, Accounting, Computer Science, Architecture, Art, Art History,
Biology, Chemistry, Earth Finance, History, Management Communication Studies, Dance,
Sciences, Engineering, Information Systems, English, History, International
Engineering Technology, Mathematics, Operations & Business, International Studies,
Computer Science, Construction Supply Chain Management Languages & Cultural Studies,
Management, Criminal Justice, Marketing, Music, Philosophy,
Earth Sciences, Exercise Theater
Science, Geology, Geography,
Management Information
Systems, Meteorology, Physics

Questions to Consider:

Does this major require internships?
Do I need to take any prerequisites before declaring a major? If so, how many?
When is it necessary to declare my major?
What is the process of declaring my major?
Why do students typically select this major?
Is this major designed to prepare students for an advanced degree?
What jobs do students who graduate with this major typically pursue?
What skills will this major help me develop?

11

Career Exploration

Career Research

Activity: Find your Holland Code by taking the assessment on page 10.
Search Holland code themes
by the following these instructions:

1. Go to onetonline.org
2. Choose Advanced Search
3. Select "Interests" in the drop-down menu
4. Choose your first (or main) Holland theme
5. Choose your second/third Holland theme
6. Choose 1 career to explore; answer

the following questions

Occupation Name:

Education Requirements:

Job Tasks:

Work Values:

Average Annual Salary:

Skills and Abilities:

Work Styles:

Knowledge:

Additional Links

- Self Assessment: career.uncc.edu/assessment
- What Can I Do With A Major In... career.uncc.edu/majors
- Major Plan of Study: academics.uncc.edu/undergraduate-majors

12

Info Interviews

Explore Your Major/Career Interests with Professionals

The purpose of the informational interview is to learn what it is really like to work in a career field that interests you,
what you need to know about the field, and how to get started in it. The informational interview differs from a job inter-
view in that instead of you being interviewed, you interview people who are working in career fields that interest you.
The information that you gather can help you to make a decision about career fields and occupations that you are
considering, uncover internship and volunteer opportunities, and make contacts for your professional network. Refer to
page 15 for additional tips. Here’s how to get started:

STEPS:

IDENTIFY a career field of interest and professionals who work in that field. (LinkedIn, organizations' websites, etc.).
CONNECT with the professional by sending an e-mail, calling, connecting online, or approaching them in person.
SCHEDULE a time and place to meet, talk by phone, or Skype. Request 30 minutes or less, even though, at the
discretion of your interviewee, the interview may last longer.
PREPARE questions that you would like them to answer.
MEET with the professional. Ask questions, listen, and take notes. What do you like/dislike about their career?
SEND a thank you note/e-mail to the professional after the interview and reflect upon what you have learned about
their career path.

Example E-mail to Connect:
Subject: Informational Interview
Dear Ms. Finch,
My name is Lance Doe, and I am a junior at UNC Charlotte where I am majoring in marketing. I am considering a
career in market research and advertising. I am trying to learn more about the field and the types of opportunities
that are available. I was wondering if you would be willing to speak with me about the profession, your role as the
account manager at Mullen, and your career path. I would appreciate the opportunity to solicit some advice on
how to best prepare to enter the field. I can meet in person or we could speak via phone or Skype. Thank you in
advance for your consideration, and I look forward to hearing from you soon.
Sincerely,

Lance Doe

Lance Doe

13

Info Interviews

Informational Interview Tips

A. Dress professionally.

B. Prepare a list of questions to ask the professional.

Sample Questions

1. Describe how you spend most of your time during a typical work day/week.
2. Why did you choose this profession?
3. What type of skills, talents, and personal characteristics are needed for working in this field?
4. What kind of experience will help me enter this field? (internships, volunteer work, classes)
5. What are some of the challenges in this field?
6. What strategies do you suggest for searching for a position in this field?
7. What professional organizations exist in this field?
8. What major would best prepare me for this field?

C. Parking directions: Confirm this ahead of time.

D. What to bring.
• Pen and paper to take notes.
• Copies of your resume.

E. Follow-up.
• Send a thank you letter.

Example Thank You:

Dear Ms. Finch,

Thank you for taking time to answer my questions and for
allowing me to tour Mullen yesterday. I enjoyed meeting you
and learning more about the marketing field. It was espe-
cially helpful to visit your company and receive a tour of the
Marketing Department.

Your explanation of the differences and similarities between
advertising, marketing, and public relations was helpful. I
had not previously realized that there were so many varied
industries in which to apply my skills and interests, includ-
ing the field of finance. The experience really opened my
eyes!

I appreciate your time and advice, and thank you for your
career tips on the marketing field.

Sincerely,

Lance Doe

14

Before Job Shadowing

During Strategies for Job Shadowing Opportunities

AfterJob shadowing will allow you to observe and perhaps even contribute to the work of someone who is working in a
career field that interests you. An organization tour and dedicated time for an informational interview will be help-
ful, too, so that you can get a feel for the organization’s culture and ask any questions that you have. Below are
some resources and tips to include in your job shadowing strategy.

Resources

• Inform family, friends, faculty, and others about your interest in job shadowing. Share your objectives for the
experience and ask for ideas and referrals.

• Reach out to members of professional associations affiliated with your career field/occupations of interest.
Example associations include the North Carolina Public Health Association, Association for Women in
Communications, and the American Association of Finance and Accounting.

• Attend University Career Center events such as the Non-profit Networking Night, Inclusivity Mixer, industry
panels, and career fairs to connect with professionals and inquire about potential opportunities. Event
dates, times, and locations can be found on the UCC Events calendar.

• Utlize your social media, such as Facebook, and online professional networks, including LinkedIn.
• Established Programs – Research the websites of companies that interest you to see if the company has an

established job shadowing program, e.g. Child Life Information Sessions at Levine Children’s Hospital.

Strategies

• Research using the Occupational Outlook Handbook (bls.gov/ooh) and O*NET (onetonline.org) to learn
about the career fields and occupations that interest you.

• Establish goals and objectives for your shadowing experience. What more do you need to know about the
occupations and/or career fields? What would you like to see and experience during your shadowing?
When would you like to conduct the shadowing?

• Use multiple resources to identify professionals and job shadowing sites.
• Ensure that you have a well-written resume to present upon request.
• Email the professionals or HR Department of organizations that you’ve identified through your networking

and research or connect with them on LinkedIn.
• Once you have obtained a professional's or organization’s agreement for you to shadow, be sure to write a

confirmation message that includes a thank-you for the opportunity.
• Prepare a list of questions that you want to ask your host, and if desired send them in advance so that the

professional can be better prepared for your meeting. You can always ask additional questions when you
are on-site.

• Wear business casual or business professional attire. See page 38.
• Arrive about 15 minutes early.
• Be prepared to stay a little longer than originally discussed in case your host extends the opportunity for

unplanned shadowing activities.
• Take a few copies of your resume in case it is requested.
• Don’t be shy about taking notes.
• Obtain business cards for your networking files and follow-up purposes.

• Write a thank-you email, hand-written note, or letter. This will further demonstrate your professionalism and
help to strengthen your position for future interaction with the organization.

• Evaluate your experience. Were you able to gain the information that you need for your career planning and
decision-making? What are your next steps? Your Career Advisor can assist you! Stay in touch.

15

Develop vital skills, knowledge, and
experience valued by employers through
activities and experiential education on
and off campus.

What to Do:

● Job shadow in a field of interest ● Conduct research with faculty

● Volunteer somewhere of interest ● Work part-time/full-time

● Get an internship/UPIP ● Attend a Company Trek

● Join student organizations ● Study abroad

16

Internship Types

Experience is the #1 thing that employers want. Internships provide a glimpse into the real world of work, allow you
to apply what you have learned in class, and enable you to navigate building relationships with current professionals
in your field. The University Career Center provides several avenues for you to pursue various types of internships.

On- and Off-Campus Internships

1. University Professional Internship Program (UPIP)

UPIP is an on-campus program that provides paid internships in professional roles to sophomores, juniors, and
seniors who are seeking their first bachelor’s degree and are in good standing with the university. This program is a
great way to learn more about potential career paths while adding value to various departments across campus.

2. Off-Campus Internships

Off-campus internships provide students an opportunity to gain experience in various fields and industries of interest.
There are many opportunities posted in Hire-A-Niner that are both paid and non-paid. Some academic departments
award academic credit for internships. Internships tend to be 10-12 weeks in length.

3. Co-op Program

Co-ops are paid career-related educational work opportunities, which help undergraduate students gain experience
in a professional setting before graduating. These are available to students in the College of Computing and
Informatics, William States Lee College of Engineering, College of Liberal Arts & Sciences, and Belk College of
Business. Participating students typically work full-time for the same employer for three total semesters, alternating
work and classes. Meet with your Career Advisor to learn more about co-op opportunities.

4. Curricular Practical Training (CPT)

CPT is specifically for international students. The Career Center and the International Student and Scholar Office
(isso.uncc.edu) assist students with this process. There are two options for CPT at UNC Charlotte:

1. CPT via the Academic Department
2. CPT via the University Career Center

Contact the International Student and Scholar Office with any questions about CPT via the Academic Department.

Domestic and International Internships
GoinGlobal

GoinGlobal career and employment resources provide worldwide job and internship postings including 80,000+
pages of career guides. The University Career Center is proud to offer the GoinGlobal resource to our community in
partnership with the Office of International Programs. Log in to access GoinGlobal for free through the Career Center
website career.uncc.edu.

17

Finding Internships

How to Find Experience

Preliminary Considerations:

1. Start your search early! Organizations often recruit interns 1-2 semester(s) in advance.
2. Before you begin your internship search, make an appointment with your designated Career Advisor to discuss
information and resources for your search. Also, have your resume and cover letter critiqued.
3. Consider internships as well as part-time positions as a way to gain experience. The Career Center can help you
learn how to finance your tuition, earn living expenses, and gain some relevant experience through part-time positions
off campus.
4. Consider mid-size and small organizations, not just large ones. Allot time for research into what employers are out
there besides the “big names.” This research can help you determine if an organization is a good cultural fit.
5. Talk to your professors in your major about reputable companies they know of that hire interns.

Internship/Part-time Search Strategies:

1. Network! Network! Network! Network!
2. Log into Hire-A-Niner (See page 49) to search for internships, UPIP, and part-time opportunities.
3. Once in Hire-A-Niner, review the Events tab to find information about Career Fairs, Company Treks, Employer
Information Sessions, Employer Panels, and Recruiting Tables.
4. Create a profile and use LinkedIn to network directly with professionals in your chosen field.
5. Use Internships.com, LinkedIn.com, Indeed.com, and SimplyHired.com to research internship opportunities.

18

Get Involved

Develop vital skills, knowledge, and experience valued by employers through activities and experiential education on
and off campus.

Student Organizations

UNC Charlotte has more than 400 student organizations to choose from, offering something for everyone. There are
many benefits to joining a student organization: making new friends, developing new skills and abilities, working as
part of a team, learning to set and achieve goals, sharing your time and talents, and having fun.
Visit to learn more about what student organizations are available here at UNC Charlotte!
studentorgs.uncc.edu/directory

Research with Faculty

All universities have research opportunities for students interested in an in-depth look at particular topics in their field.
Many of these opportunities could lead toward more formal internships or career paths in various settings. Research
is a great resume builder for those seeking to continue their educational pursuits.

Speak with your faculty members
and learn more about how
you can partner with them to
participate in research projects.
uncc.edu/landing/research

19

Get Involved

Volunteer in the Community

Realize your potential to impact the community and world through the power of social action, responsible citizenship,
and volunteerism.
Government, education, and nonprofit organizations interact with UNC Charlotte to provide students with opportunities
to give back to their community in a variety of ways. Use this experience to learn about industries, topics of interest,
and career directions. These opportunities also provide new skills, experiences, and knowledge that could be
leveraged towards full-time work and graduate programs.
Volunteer Outreach volunteer.uncc.edu
Share Charlotte sharecharlotte.org
Idealist idealist.org
Hands On Charlotte handsoncharlotte.org

Company Treks

Company Treks are one-day opportunities exclusively for UNC Charlotte students to experience the culture at
different companies and organizations in the Charlotte area and beyond. Company Treks typically consist of a tour,
an overview of the company/organization, and an opportunity to network.
Who can participate in a Company Trek? All current students in good standing at UNC Charlotte are permitted to
participate in Company Treks, though this is flexible depending on the company’s requests (i.e., some Treks are
geared towards specific majors, class levels, etc.).
Past employers who have hosted a Company Trek?
• Bank of America
• Harvey B. Gantt Center
• Victory Junction
• Red Ventures
• TIAA
• And many more!

20

Evaluate your options and utilize
effective decision making skills to
pinpoint potential career fits.

What to Do:

● Try out 2-4 good career fits
● Meet with a Career Advisor to narrow down your options
● Identify 5 potential employers/grad schools and set goals and timelines
● Search Hire-A-Niner for listings of internships & off-campus jobs

21

Career Advising

MAKE AN APPOINTMENT WITH YOUR CAREER ADVISOR

Schedule an appointment on Hire-A-Niner and use this page to get the most out of your time during the appointment.

Questions to Ask My Advisor Notes

● How do I research….

● Where can I find….

● What should I do next?











1. To Do:
2.
3.
4.

22

Decision Chart

Identify up to 4 career options you are considering and fill in the column headers below.

Some decision-making factors may be salary, job forecast (projected growth or decline), interests, values, personality
attributes, lifestyle needs, family, geography, education, skills, experience, desired work environment, long-term goals,
and job-related stress.

Do research online and in person to gather information to fill in the chart.

Career Career Career Career
Option #1 Option #2 Option #3 Option #4

Factor:

Factor:

Factor:

Factor:
Factor:

Websites for Career Research:

onetonline.org
bls.gov/ooh

Networking Tips for Career Research:

Use LinkedIn, family connections, professors, and alumni to find individuals in these roles to interview or job shadow.

23

Major To Career

Fill out the following chart to explore your career interests: select a major, choose occupations, identify potential
employers, and list sample job positions. Use What Can I Do With A Major In... (career.uncc.edu/majors) to explore
career options, O*NET (onetonline.org) to explore specific positions, and Hire-A-Niner (career.uncc.edu/han) to search
positions and employers. Make an appointment with your Career Advisor to get further help with this chart.

Major:

Occupation: Occupation: Occupation:

Potential Employer:
Potential Employer:
Potential Employer:
Potential Employer:
Potential Employer:
Potential Employer:
Potential Employer:
Potential Employer:
Potential Employer:

Job Title:
Job Title:
Job Title:
Job Title:
Job Title:
Job Title:
Job Title:
Job Title:
Job Title:

Which occupation, employer, and job title are you MOST interested in exploring first?

24

Graduate School

Considering Graduate School?

Applying to graduate school usually means you are serious, dedicated, and committed to one area of interest.
It requires careful and considerate planning.

Start with “why?”

• Is an advanced degree required to pursue the occupation you’re interested in?
• What is your purpose in going – intellectual curiosity, advancement, or entry into a job field?
• What are the financial costs and requirements? What types of scholarships, grants, or financial aid are

available?
• Are you burned out academically or need to take some time off?
• Do you want to go to school full-time or part-time?

Fill in the Pros/Cons Chart for attending graduate school.

Pros Cons

Research and select schools. Consider the following:

• Geographic location
• Program accreditation
• Cost(s) of school and living
• Duration
• Courses
• Faculty
• Research opportunities
• Diversity and inclusion
• Practical field experiences/internships
• Application requirements

Attend informational sessions held by programs you’re interested in or do informational
interviews with current graduate students or people in the field.

• Learn about the culture of the program
• Ask about work/life balance
• Ask about program requirements
• Ask how the program prepared them for the job/field
• Ask why they chose this particular program

25

Create a consistent
and professional image
that effectively articulates your value.

What to Do:

● Create a LinkedIn profile
● Make sure your other social media profiles reflect your brand
● Visit the Career Center for resume/CV/cover letter assistance
● Write and practice an elevator pitch
● Purchase professional attire

26

Marketing Yourself

How to Describe Your Part-time Job on your Resume

Never underestimate the value of what you may think of as “just a part-time job.” Consider some of these
examples of language you can adapt for bullet points on your resume.

Administrative Positions Food Industry (Wait Staff, Hostess, etc.)

• Manage administrative tasks such as • Manage dinner operations which serve
data entry and appointment scheduling more than 600 customers a night

• Greet clients, manage phone system, • Generate positive feedback from
and order office supplies customers resulting in favorable reviews
by management
• Compile and process detailed patient
information for busy healthcare practice • Attend to bar patrons while
simultaneously communicating with
• Update website and compile weekly servers to fill drink orders
report of analytics for staff
• Collaborate with team of servers for
• Initiate new inventory system in order catered events involving up to 500 guests
to reduce time for order fulfillment
• Resolve problems involving patrons’
• Prepare invoices, reports, letters, reservations and seating preferences
financial statements, and spreadsheets

Customer Service (Retail, Sales, etc.) Camp Counseling and Childcare

• Increased sales by analyzing customer • Plan and lead educational, social, and
preferences and recommending
merchandise athletic activities for children

• Promoted new products to customers in • Coach child with special needs to develop math,
order to generate increased sales
English, and social skills
• Managed cash transactions, processed
sales returns, and restocked inventory • Collaborate in supervising children’s

• Trained new employees, tracked inventory, activities; from educational to recreational
and responded to customer inquiries
• Supervise camp attendees, organize group
• Recommended changes for more
effective merchandise display activities, and communicate with parents

• Create calendars, charts, bulletin boards, and

other classroom visuals

Campus Employment and Involvement Small Business and Entrepreneurial

• Monitor library and respond to student inquiries • Launched t-shirt company and built sales
about online and print resources using social media and special events

• Manage dormitory residence of 30 freshmen; • Expanded business by generating referrals
counsel students and resolve conflicts from existing clients

• Design and implement programming for up • Conceived and established organization to
to 250 students promote green initiatives on campus

• Lead weekly meetings and community-building • Advised management on use of social media
activities to target new markets

• Tutor accounting students in one-on-one • Learned about entrepreneurship by
sessions in order to boost grades observing development of business plan

27

Power/Action Verbs

COMMUNICATION Resolved Regulated Developed Monitored TEACHING
Addressed Spoke Retrieved Directed Obtained Advised
Advertised Suggested Eliminated Ordered Coached
Arranged Summarized HELPING Emphasized Processed Critiqued
Articulated Synthesized Advocated Enforced Purchased Enabled
Authored Translated Aided Enhanced Recorded Encouraged
Collaborated Wrote Answered Established Registered Explained
Communicated Assisted Executed Reserved Facilitated
Composed CREATIVE Contributed Generated Responded Focused
Condensed Acted Cooperated Handled Routed Guided
Conferred Combined Counseled Headed Screened Individualized
Consulted Composed Demonstrated Hired Served Informed
Contacted Conceptualized Educated Hosted Submitted Instilled
Conveyed Condensed Ensured Improved Supplied Instructed
Convinced Created Expedited Implemented Updated Motivated
Corresponded Customized Familiarized Led Validated Persuaded
Debated Displayed Furthered Managed Verified Simulated
Defined Drew Helped Merged Taught
Described Entertained Insured Motivated RESEARCH Tested
Discussed Fashioned Intervened Organized Analyzed Trained
Drafted Illustrated Prevented Originated Clarified Transmitted
Edited Initiated Provided Oversaw Collected Tutored
Elicited Integrated Rehabilitated Planned Compared
Enlisted Introduced Represented Prioritized Conducted TECHNICAL
Explained Invented Simplified Produced Detected Adapted
Expressed Modeled Supplied Recommended Determined Adjusted
Formulated Modified Supported Replaced Diagnosed Applied
Furnished Performed Volunteered Restored Evaluated Assembled
Incorporated Photographed Scheduled Examined Built
Influenced Revised LEADERSHIP Secured Experimented Calculated
Interpreted Revitalized Administered Selected Explored Computed
Interviewed Shaped Analyzed Streamlined Extracted Conserved
Lectured Appointed Strengthened Gathered Constructed
Listened FINANCIAL Approved Supervised Identified Designed
Marketed Adjusted Assigned Transformed Inspected Determined
Moderated Allocated Attained Interpreted Engineered
Negotiated Appraised Authorized ORGANIZATION Invented Estimated
Observed Assessed Chaired Catalogued Investigated Maintained
Outlined Audited Considered Categorized Located Operated
Participated Balanced Consolidated Classified Measured Printed
Presented Budgeted Contracted Coded Researched Programmed
Proposed Corrected Controlled Compiled Reviewed Remodeled
Publicized Counted Converted Distributed Searched Solved
Recruited Estimated Coordinated Inspected Solved Specialized
Referred Prepared Decided Logged Studied Upgraded
Reported Reduced Delegated Maintained Summarized Utilized
Surveyed
Systematized

*Remember to put verbs in present tense for current actions versus verbs in past tense for previous actions.
28

Resume Writing 101

Guide to Resume Writing

A resume is a tailored marketing document designed to showcase your relevant education, experience, and skills.

LENGTH: 1-page unless you
can fill 2-pages with relevant
information

FONTS: Arial, Calibri, Times New
Roman. Use a 10-12 font size for
the resume body and 14-18 font
size for your name

FORMAT: Use ALL CAPS, bolding
and/or italics for section titles,
employer names, and position
titles for emphasis

Consistency is important:
• Keep your use of font size,
capitalization, bolding, and italics
the same throughout each section
• List the city and state for each
position
• Make sure all dates are
formatted the same way and line
up
• If you use periods at the end
of bullet points, be consistent
throughout

BULLETS: Describe your
experiences using detailed
accomplishments. Start each
bullet with a strong action verb

MARGINS: Use .5’’ – 1’’

ORGANIZATION OF INFO: Within
each section, list information in
reverse chronological order (most
recent experience first)

Do NOT Include: • Clipart, images, watermarks, or headshots (unless Theatre major)
29 • Full sentences or personal pronouns like “I,” “me,” or “my”
• Hobbies or interests unrelated to the position
• General statements (i.e. “Strong work ethic,” “People person,” or “Good

communicator”)
• References (Your Reference page should be separate)
• Personal information (age, gender, marital status, etc.)

Resume Sections

Examples of Resume Sections for Specific Majors/Industries

Depending on your major and experience, add some of the following sections to enhance your resume.

BUSINESS EXPERIENCE
Sales Representative, Apple – Charlotte, NC
August 2016 – December 2016

• Consistently achieved 110% of quota each month over the past year

• Regarded among the top 10-15% (out of 200+) sales representatives based on sales achievements

• Achieved gold membership in the Apple Learn and Earn Program by passing comprehensive exams

• Recognized by Apple Computer as an “Apple Product Professional”

TEACHING EXPERIENCE

University Meadows Elementary School, Charlotte, NC

Student Teacher (semester internship in K-5 Art) - Fall 2016

- Collaborated with teacher in planning, preparing, and organizing thematic units

- Taught Art courses to 530 children

- Aligned lesson plans with NC Essential Standards for K-5 Art

- Participated actively in instructional planning

- Utilized classroom management and discipline strategies

CLINICAL EXPERIENCE

Medical/Surgical II, Veterans Administration Hospital, Wilmington, DE. October - December 2016

Pediatrics, Christiana Hospital, Wilmington, DE. September - October 2016

Homeless Health Care, Elective Clinical Experience, Mary Mother of Hope House III, Wilmington, DE. May 2016

Psychiatric, Delaware State Hospital, Wilmington, DE. January - May 2016

Medical/Surgical I, Union Hospital, Elkton, MD. October - December 2015

Geriatrics, Leader Nursing Home, Wilmington, DE. August - October 2015

Maternity, Christiana Hospital, Wilmington, DE. June - August 2015

TECHNICAL EXPERIENCE

Vertscape InfoTech Pvt. Ltd. Dubai, UAE; Bangalore, India
Team Lead, Dec 2016 – July 2017
• Led a team of twelve developers on the design and implementation of the Federal e-Government portal for the Abu

Dhabi Ministry of Economy (UAE)
• Used ASP.Net 2.0, VB.Net and MS BizTalk Server 06 for development
• Implemented a content management system as well the accompanying web application (www.greatparkpursuit.com)

using ASP.Net2.0, C# and SQL Server 2015

RESEARCH EXPERIENCE

Research Fellow, Laboratory of Parasitic Diseases January 2017–May 2017

National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Disease, NIH, Bethesada, MD

- Received Intramural Research Training Award

- Managed care and treatment of 40 rats, including injection and assistance during MRI

- Utilized quantitative analysis of experimental data

- Developed rat infection model for Taenia crassiceps

PROJECT EXPERIENCE

Digital Media | Aug 2016 – Dec 2016
• Prepared graphical content meant for a company’s social media platforms

• Researched company’s website to gather appropriate content for design development

Graphic Design 1 | Jan 2016 – May 2016
• Designed logo prototypes and publication-ready advertisements for a client in the community

• Developed skills around layout design and concept development

30

Resume Sections

LEADERSHIP EXPERIENCE

YMCA: Leadership Program, Charlotte, NC
Head Counselor - May 2016 - July 2016
• Selected by main supervisor to interview, hire, and train 24 counselors
• Created an innovative leadership training curriculum for new staff onboarding
• Taught leadership lessons to groups of 10-15 campers, ages 6-12
• Managed cabin of 12 campers 24 hours per day, 7 days per week
• Designed detailed and comprehensive camp schedule for all children and staff

RELEVANT COURSEWORK

Investment Analysis and Portfolio Management, Fixed Income, Financial Accounting, Statistics, Corporate Finance,
Financial Management, Derivatives

STUDY ABROAD

Oxford University, Oxford, England
Earned 6 credit hours while developing my understanding of 18th century British literature

HONORS

Dean’s List: Fall 2016 & Spring 2017

Psi Chi: Psychology Honor Society

Bonnie E. Cone Scholarship for Merit Recipient: Selected out of 1700 freshmen based on academic achievement

CAMPUS & COMMUNITY INVOLVEMENT

American Institute of Architecture Students, Secretary, UNC Charlotte August 2016 – Present

Tau Sigma Delta, Member, UNC Charlotte January 2015 – Present

Habitat for Humanity, Volunteer (seasonal), Charlotte, NC August 2014 – June 2016

- Worked in a team of 10 to build homes in the community

- Cut, marked, and drilled lumber in preparation for building

- Cleaned work areas to maintain a clean and safe building site

ATHLETIC EXPERIENCE

Division 1 Women’s Basketball Team, University of North Carolina at Charlotte – Charlotte, NC
Starting Forward, August 2015 – Present
• Devote an average of 20 hours per week to practices, trainings, team meetings, travel, and games
• Received full athletic scholarship to the University of North Carolina at Charlotte
• Participated in 2 National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) basketball tournaments
• Won Most Valuable Player Award for 2015 – 2016 basketball season

SKILLS

Computer: Word, Excel, Access, and PowerPoint
Language: Spanish (Native), Portuguese 50% Oral Fluency
Social Media: Facebook, Pinterest, Twitter, LinkedIn, Instagram, Snapfish
Design Software: AutoCAD, Photoshop, CS, Adobe Suite, Constructware, Revit, SketchUp
Software Languages: CICS, TSO, DB2, Omegamon, Netview, Zeke, Remedy, C++, JavaScript, HTML

VOLUNTEER EXPERIENCE

Volunteer Participant - April 2017
Relay for Life, Charlotte, NC
• Raised over $700 individually and contributed to team fundraising of over $3,500
• Participated in 24-hour walk-a-thon to raise money and recognize those who have experienced cancer

31

Curriculum Vitae

A Curriculum Vitae (CV) is similar to a resume – both are utilized as a marketing tool to showcase your skills, experience,
knowledge, etc. A CV is more focused on presenting your full academic history and scholarly potential. It can be multiple
pages, and the target audience is fellow academics in your field of study.

32
When to use a CV instead of a Resume: Common sections include:

-Applying to academic, scientific, research positions -Education -Teaching Experience
-Applying to some graduate and professional programs
-Some grant, fellowship, and scholarship applications -Dissertation -Professional Affiliations
-Professional settings in law or medicine
-Departmental/tenure review -Awards/Grants -Professional/Work Experience

-Publications And more…

-Research Experience

Cover Letters 101

Guide to Cover Letter Writing

A cover letter is a tailored marketing document designed to accompany your resume or CV when applying for a position. It
tells the employer why you want the position and what makes you the best candidate.

LENGTH: Not longer than Heading Just Like
one page. Be concise and
articulate. your resume
Including your address
FORMAT: Use standard
business letter format with the email
same font and margins as your phone
resume.
Today's Date
It is worth some research time
to find the specific contact’s Hiring Manager's Name
name. Other possibilities if you Title
can’t find a name are Hiring Company
Manager, Human Resources Address
Representative, Search City, State
Committee.
Dear Ms./Mr./Dr. Last Name:
Employers will view this
letter as indicative of your First Paragraph: The first paragraph of your letter should state the position for which you
communication skills. Be are applying and how you learned of it. Include the name of a mutual contact if you have one.
concise and show your Express your enthusiasm for the position and/or the company. End with a brief summary of 2 or
best writing style. Use good 3 reasons they should hire you.
grammar, perfect spelling, and
a varied sentence structure. Middle Paragraphs: Utilize 1 - 3 short paragraphs or use bullets. Demonstrate your
knowledge of the employer and/or industry and show how it is a fit for your values, skills,
Signed in blue or black ink for experience. Give specific reasons you want to work for them.
mailed letters.
Make strong connections between your abilities and their needs. This should be very specific
to the position for which you are applying. Emphasize qualifications that best match what the
position requires, giving specific examples. Elaborate on or interpret your resume; do not repeat
it. Support each statement you make with a piece of evidence. Focus on what you can do for
the employer, not what they can do for you.

Closing Paragraph: Restate your interest in and qualifications for the position.
Mention your attached resume. Express interest in an interview. State how and when you will
follow up (and be sure to do what you say). Encourage them to contact you if they have any
questions in the meantime. Thank them for their consideration.

Sincerely,

Handwritten Name (for a mailed letter)

Typed Name

Do NOT: • Focus only on what YOU will get out of it. (Instead, emphasize what you will bring THEM.)
33 • Draw attention to any weaknesses.
• Rehash your resume; instead, elaborate.
• Have any errors. Proofread thoroughly.
• Use general statements (“Good communication skills,” “Great leader, “Best candidate

for the job,” without backing it up with specific examples).

SAMPLE JOB POSTING CORRESPONDING COVER LETTER

Highlight all the relevant qualifications they are seeking. Decide which of your qualifications are most relevant and
Match your skills with their stated needs. emphasize those. You can utilize their terminology.

Cover Letters

Sample Job Posting with Coresponding Cover Letter

34

Other Letters

Thank You Letter Example

January 14, 2017

Mr. Martin Pearson
Director of Human Resources
Gold Star, Inc.
606 Lafayette Ave.
Redding, CA 10455

Dear Mr. Pearson,

Thank you for the opportunity to discuss your opening for an auditor. I enjoyed meeting both you and Barbara Toll and
learning more about Gold Star and its current activities and upcoming projects.

I was particularly impressed with Gold Star’s strong commitment to innovation and employee satisfaction and
productivity. Your new volunteer program is a creative example of your company’s belief that corporations should be
vitally connected to their communities - a sentiment I wholeheartedly support. I would welcome the opportunity to be
part of this culture and work at your firm.

I believe that my academic training at UNC Charlotte and my experience working in the accounting department at LYP
Company last summer qualify me for this position. In addition, my extensive knowledge of computer systems would be
especially valuable as an auditor with your firm.

I look forward to hearing from you soon. If I can provide more information or answer any additional questions, please
call 704-687-0795 or email [email protected].

Sincerely,
Anita Career

Job Decline Letter Example

7 Shawnee Rd.
Short Hills, NJ 07078
201-555-0303

Mrs. Walter Mellish
Supervisor
Greenley Corp., Inc.
1010 Madison Avenue
New York, NY

Dear Mrs. Mellish,

Thank you for the time and effort you spent considering me for a position as a seminar leader. I am grateful for your
offer of employment. Because I was so impressed with Greenley Corp., I had a difficult decision to make. After much
thought and careful deliberation, however, I have decided not to accept your offer.

I wish you and Greenley Corp. the best continued success and hope our paths will cross again in the future.
Thank you again for your consideration.

Sincerely,
Anita Career

35

LinkedIn Profile

Summary: Here you’ll explain relevant

qualifications, such as degree you’re seeking and
relevant experiences. You’ll want to include what
you’re skilled in and also what your career goals
and aspirations are.

Photo: Wear professional attire and don’t forget

to smile!

Headline: Customize pre-selected headline

if desired to include what you’re doing (job,
internship, student, etc.).

Experience: List jobs you have held, including

seasonal, part-time, or full-time. You can also list
internships here. Include a description of your
roles, responsibilities, and accomplishments for
each.

Organizations: Are you involved in any student

organizations or professional associations?
Remember to include your role in this organization.

Education: List all of your collegiate

experiences, including summer programs.

Volunteer Experiences & Causes:

Volunteer experience is just as important as paid
work. List out some of your volunteer opportunities!

Skills & Expertise: Be sure to add a minimum

of 5 skill sets – your connections can then endorse
you for things you’re best at.

Honors & Awards: Think about

accomplishments and awards you’ve earned in or
outside of school.

Courses: List courses that show skill sets and

interests you’re excited about.

Projects: This could be leading a team

assignment in school or building an app on your
own. Talk about what you did and how you did it.

Recommendations: Ask supervisors,

professors, classmates, coworkers, and others
to write a recommendation. This provides extra
credibility to your skills and strengths.

36

Elevator Pitch

When you meet with employers, it is your chance to have a conversation with them and give them some quick
information about your background, strengths, skills, and abilities as they relate to the jobs that the employer has
available. One way to make a favorable first impression is to have this information prepared and practiced in advance.
An elevator pitch is a short introduction about you and your experiences, which you could give in the time it takes to ride to
another floor in an elevator with an employer.

Here are some components to consider when developing your unique elevator speech.

Greeting: Hello, my name is ____________________________________________________________________

Year in School: I am currently a _________________________________________________________________

Major/Field of Study: I am majoring in ____________________________________________________________

Type of Experience: I am looking for _____________________________________________________________

When You’re Available: for (semester) (year)

Strengths: My strengths are _____________________, _____________________, ________________________

Accomplishments: I have ______________________________________________________________________

Relevant Activities: I am involved in ______________________________________________________________

Example Elevator Pitch

“Hi, my name is Jane Niner, and I am a sophomore majoring in electrical engineering. I am currently looking for a summer
internship to further gain experience in this field. During my first engineering project, I led the team as we designed
a complete electrical circuit for an electronic stethoscope. I also analyzed a circuit design with PSpice software. Last
summer, I had an internship, and I calculated a load analysis of existing and future circuits, as well as prepared data
tables used for analyzing those circuits. I am interested in continuing to apply what I am learning in the classroom in
an internship setting and would enjoy hearing more about the internships that are available with your organization.

Quick Tips

• This is not your “life story,” so be concise and relevant
• This is a quick introduction to what someone might see on

your resume
• Articulate recent highlights that spark the interest of the

employer with whom you’re talking
• It is okay to use some examples from high school if you are

a freshman or sophomore
• It is okay to use an example from high school if it is highly

relevant to your future job
• It is okay to include previous experience, whether it was

paid or not, such as your General Engineering project or a
project you did in your spare time or your Senior Design
Project
• Use examples in the following order: Use field-specific
examples, then leadership, then communication

37

Business Attire

Business Professional vs. Business Casual

Tips for Professional Dress:

• The basic rule is to dress one step above what you’d be wearing on the job
• Be conservative; it's always better to be overdressed than underdressed
• Allow time for tailoring if necessary
• Think about your field and dress the part
• If you are not sure what is appropriate dress for your field, it is okay to call human resources and ask

What is Business Professional?
Masculine: conservative and tailored suit, tie in a muted

color, polished shoes, and well-groomed facial hair

Feminine: conservative and tailored suit (either with slacks

or skirt), closed-toed shoes, subtle jewelry, make-up, and
accessories

Gender Neutral: business suit, neutral colors, not too loose

or baggy, and avoid excessive jewelry

All: suit should be a neutral color. Consider a professional

briefcase or purse. Shine up shoes

What is Business Casual?
Masculine: slacks, collared shirt, tie
Feminine: slacks or skirt, collared shirt, or professional dress
Gender Neutral: neutral colors, not too loose or baggy, and

avoid excessive jewelry

All: avoid jeans, shorts, tennis shoes, or flip-flops

38

Develop a strong action plan and implement
strategies to secure opportunities for
employment or continued education.

What to Do:

● Practice interview skills with Big Interview
● Sign up for a mock interview
● Attend career fairs
● Participate in employer info sessions
● Connect with employers of interest
● Visit Hire-A-Niner and apply to positions of interest

39

Career Fair Prep

40

Research Employers

In the beginning of every job search, one of the first steps is researching employers. By
researching specific industries and employers, you can

• Identify employers you have not thought of before
• Prepare a customized resume and cover letter
• Prepare for the interview by understanding the employer and identifying questions you can ask at the interview

There are several ways to research employers including LinkedIn, social media, profession-
al organizations, Hire-A-Niner, and the organization’s “About Us” page. When completing
employer research, you should examine the following items:

• locations of work sites • mission statement
• growth pattern, number of employees • services or products
• organization strategies and goals • reputation
• recent news about the employer • competitors
• divisions within the organization • company culture
• history and values

41

Interviewing

What is a Mock Interview?

Here at UNC Charlotte, the mock interview will consist
of a 30-minute meeting with a recruiter from a company/
organization. For 20 minutes, you interview with the
recruiter, and for the final 10 minutes, the employer will
give you feedback on both your resume and your interview
skills. Questions asked by the recruiter tend to be common
questions asked in any interview. This program is a great
way to network with employers and fine-tune your interview
skills. Visit Hire-A-Niner to register for your mock interview
and get a jump on the competition.

What Should You do to Prepare for a Mock Interview?

1. Research the company/organization and come up with questions to ask the employer about their work or
other career-related topics.

2. Visit their careers page and search current internships or jobs they are hiring for. The mock interview is a
great way to ask about current opportunities if you are interested.

3. Pick out your proper dress attire. Business casual is acceptable, but business professional is desired.

4. Practice with Big Interview!

Visit biginterview.uncc.edu to get started!

Practice your interview skills for

• Internships
• Jobs
• Graduate school
• Law school
• Medical school and more

Share your interviews with

• Parents
• Mentors
• Professors
• Career Advisor

Receive feedback on your interview.
Learn about the interview and negotiating
your salary through a full curriculum and
video library.

42

Interviewing

Interview Tips

Tips to Prepare:

• Research the organization and the position

• Prepare situational examples using the STAR method (see page 44)

• Construct relevant and thoughtful questions to ask, such as
• Could you explain your organizational structure?
• How would you describe the organization's workplace culture?
• Can you describe an ideal employee?
• Tell me about initial training and/or professional development opportunities offered here.
• What do you enjoy most about your work with this organization?

• Dress professionally – err on the side of conservative/business attire.
• Feminine: Business suit, closed-toe shoes, simple jewelry/hair/makeup, appropriate skirt length
• Masculine: Business suit, ironed dress shirt with tie, well-groomed hair, polished dress shoes
• Gender Neutral: Business suit, neutral colors, not too loose or baggy, avoid excessive jewelry

• Types of interviews: phone, one-on-one, Skype, panel, group

• Arrive at the interview at least 10-15 minutes early

• Practice, practice, practice

During the Interview:

• Put yourself in a friendly, self-marketing state of mind

• Let the interviewer guide the conversation

• Say only positive things about previous jobs and coworkers. For responses to negative questions/topics,
emphasize how you turned the situation into a positive/what you learned

• Convince the interviewer you can add value to the organization by selling your skills and experiences

• Give concise answers using real-life examples

• Your final question should address the decision-making timeline and interview process for the position. Get
business cards for all parties involved

.
• Thank the interviewer with enthusiasm

After the Interview:

• Immediately send a thank you email, whether you think you want the position or not

• If you haven’t heard anything by the “deadline,” a phone call or email to follow up is appropriate

• Be prepared for delays and be respectful of staff

43

Interviewing

General Interview Questions:

Here are some standard, traditional questions asked in interviews across every industry.
• Tell me about yourself.
• Describe your current or most recent job role.
• Why do you want to work here?
• What are your strengths and weaknesses?
• Where do you see yourself in 5 years?
• Do you have any questions for me?

Behavior-Based Interview Questions

Behavior-based questions are designed to elicit examples and contexts from candidates that
showcase desired skills and behaviors. Employers commonly ask for examples of transferrable
skills and abilities.

Adaptability

• Tell me about a situation in which you have had to adjust to changes over which you had
no control. How did you handle it?

Analytical Skills/Problem Solving

• Describe a situation in which you found a creative way to overcome an obstacle.

Decision Making

• Give me an example of a time when you had to be quick in coming to a decision.

Teamwork

• Tell me about a time when you worked with a classmate or colleague who was not doing
their share of the work. How did you handle it?

Initiative

• Describe a situation in which you recognized a potential problem as an opportunity.
What did you do?

Communication

• Tell me about a recent successful experience in making a speech or presentation.

Leadership
• Tell me about a time when you demonstrated leadership skills.

Remember the STAR method when TIPS
answering behavior-based questions.
• Prepare strong, customized examples in each
Detail the background. Provide a context. transferrable skill area
Where? When?
• Examples can be pulled from experiences in a
Describe the challenge and expectations. job, volunteer position, club/organization position,
What needed to be done? Why? or classroom experience

Elaborate your specific action. What did • Get specific about what you did
you do? How? What tools did you use? • Give concise 2-minute-or-less answers
• Research the company and industry. Be prepared
Explain the results: accomplishments,
recognitions, savings, etc. Quantify. to answer specific questions about technical skills,
industry trends, and current issues
• Practice, practice, practice

44

Job Search Process

Prepare

• Clarify your career goals and skills you have to offer to make yourself appealing to employers
• Have application materials ready:

1. Resume/CV that has been critiqued
2. Cover letter that can be tailored to positions
3. Necessary information for applications: past work history, supervisor names & phone numbers, references
• Make sure your social media profiles and voicemail greeting are professional
• Create or update your LinkedIn profile
• Start an Excel spreadsheet to track what jobs you’ve applied to, who you reached out to,
and what communication you've had

Search for jobs

• In-person: career fairs, networking events, employer information sessions, friends/family/faculty referrals, professional
association conferences

• Online: Hire-A-Niner, LinkedIn, employer websites, state/federal job banks
1. Indeed.com: large, nation-wide job board
2. USAjobs.gov: federal government jobs
3. Idealist.org: non-profit jobs

Networking

Over 80% of jobs are found through networking and career branding. Networking is simply making connections,
performing informational interviews, and building relationships with people working in your field. Networking can be
done in several formats including face-to-face, phone calls, emails, and online. It is important for you to consider the
network you already have. A network can include campus staff, classmates, family, friends, faculty, and social media
connections.

Activity Directions: Try to list as many people as you can who are already in your network.

Campus Staff:

Friends & Family:

Faculty:

Classmates:

Social Media Connections:

Community:

45

Building Your Network

Building Your Network

After establishing who is already in your network, it is also important to draft a strategic plan to grow your network.
Like in establishing the network you already have, there are several ways to add new people to your network.
Networking includes both face-to-face and online interactions. Here some ways to network:

On-Campus Networking: There are often events all over campus that involve employers including career fairs,

employer tables, employer information sessions, the Mock Interview Program, and other university career-related
events.

*Tip: Make sure to have your 30-second pitch ready and have conducted research on the organizations that will be present.

Student Associations & Clubs: Join student organizations that are in your field of choice or that will allow you to

gain different skill sets.

*Tip: Obtaining a leadership position is a great resume builder and will allow you to network with other leaders

outside your student organization.

Informational Interviews: Conducting a 15-20 minute informational interviews with professionals in your field of

choice to learn about careers, industries, and professions. You can gain so much insight into an organization and gain
industry contacts!

*Tip: Performing informational interviews with alumni of UNC Charlotte can be extremely helpful due to shared experiences.

Online Networking: Joining professionally oriented groups on LinkedIn and other social media platforms are great

ways to network with people all over the world.

*Tip: Make sure when communicating online that your profile and communication is professional and upholds

your career brand.

Professional Organizations: Try to join professional organizations that fit your career path. By becoming involved

with a regional or local chapter of a professional organization, you can add a diversity of experiences to your network.

*Tip: A lot of professional organizations have mentorship programs. Mentors are a great way to network and

professionally develop.

Volunteer: Doing volunteer work within your field is a great way to sharpen skills, meet new people, and find potential jobs.
*Tip: Volunteering with large and small organizations or causes are a great way to network and give back

The Follow Up:

After participating in networking, the follow up can be one of the most important parts. When you meet with someone
new at an event, it is important to try to gain their contact information or find them on LinkedIn. When you gain
someone’s business card or would like to add them on LinkedIn, it is important to try to follow up within 24 hours of the
meeting. In the follow-up communication try to always personalize the message. Your message may include how you
met them, topics of conversation, any follow up questions, and a thank you.

LinkedIn Request:

“Hello Rachel, It was great meeting you yesterday at the UNC Charlotte Career Fair. I really enjoyed our
conversation about the work culture and opportunities at the XYZ Company. Thank you very much for talking
with me, and I look forward to learning more about the XYZ Company. Thank you for connecting with me."

46

Salary Negotiation

Salary Negotiation 101

Salary negotiation can seem like an intimidating process, but with an understanding of the process, you will feel
confident going into a negotiation! Salary negotiation should not be done until an employer has made an offer.
Professional negotiation that is well-researched won't lead to the offer being withdrawn. Here are some things
to consider when negotiating:

Before the Process:

• Research the industry, since each industry has different standards within negotiation. For example, often
government salaries are set and are not negotiable. Research the salary averages for your job target(s).
Try to find out the industry’s salary norms. Look for job postings with salaries, find competitors’ salaries,
conduct informational interviews, and visit organizations' websites.
• Understand your worth in terms of what you have to offer in comparison to the other candidates. You will also
need to understand what you need to thrive within an organization. Evaluate the cost of living within the area,
the minimum salary needed for personal expenses or to pay all of your bills, the job location, etc.


During the Process:

• When you first receive an offer, make sure to review it all, not just the salary. It is also important to
understand if sections of the package are negotiable.
• Things that may be negotiable may include but are not limited to start date, salary, vacation leave, stock
options, relocation expenses, tuition reimbursement, professional development, retirement plans, signing
bonuses, parking costs, or technology costs.

Ending the Process:

• The recruiter or manager will often give some verbal clues that the offer is final or nearly so: “This is the best
that we can do,” or “This is our final offer.” This is the time to finalize the agreement when you feel the offer is
fair and is within the range that you can accept. Finally, accept or decline the offer both verbally and in writing.
Log into Big Interview and watch example interview questions by going to the Mock Interview Program tab
under the Career Center's Resource page. career.uncc.edu

47

Graduate School Prep

Applying to Graduate School

1. Research degrees and programs

Master's Degree
• MA, MS, M.Ed: 1-3 years
Professional Degree
• JD (Law school): 3-4 years
• MD/DO (Med school): About 8 years
Doctorate Degree
• PhD, PsyD: 4-8 years
Consider location, cost, size of university/program, funding availability, type of clinical experiences, number of
faculty, faculty areas of research, accreditation status, and average GPA and test scores of last admitted class.
Review each program’s required coursework and course sequencing to gauge your interest and skills in
those areas.

2. Take required standardized tests

• Medical College Admission Test (MCAT)
• Law School Admission Test (LSAT)
• Graduate Management Admission Test (GMAT)
• Graduate Record Examination (GRE)
• Dental Admission Test (DAT)
• Miller Analogies Test (MAT)
• Find out what test(s) your program requires. Use study books or online prep courses to practice and study.
Know which schools you want to send your scores to.

3. Refine your resume or CV

• Use drop-in hours or make an appointment with your Career Advisor to have your document critiqued before

submission.

4. Write your personal statement

• A personal statement will summarize your goals and intent for applying to graduate school and allow you to

articulate your professional vision and showcase your writing skills.

• Have it critiqued by your Career Advisor as well as at the Writing Resource Center.

5. Request your letters of recommendation

• Ask professors or supervisors at least one month in advance about writing a letter. Provide these individuals

with a copy of your resume and personal statement.

6. Complete application forms

• Request transcripts from the Registrar’s Office.

7. Research financial aid and assistantships

• Know financial aid deadlines
• Graduate Assistantships provide stipends for on-campus work in teaching, administrative, research, or
residential positions.
• Fellowships are grants afforded at the university and national level for graduate, postdoctoral, and dissertation
work.

8. Prepare for interviews if required by your program

• Meet with your Career Advisor or practice mock interviews online at biginterview.uncc.edu.

48

Hire-A-Niner

Hire-A-Niner Navigation

career.uncc.edu/han

1. Search for jobs and internships 2. Make an appointment with your
on the home page. Career Advisor.

3. See upcoming events and career fairs. 4. Upload your resume and cover letter.
49 Your first resume needs to be approved.
You will receive feedback on your
resume within 48 business hours.


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