Career Resource Guide

CAREER RESOURCE GUIDE

CAREER RESOURCE GUIDE

Table of Contents

Career Exploration 2-3
Four-Year Career Development Plan 4-5
Resume Basics 6-7
Resume Power Verbs 8-9
Constructing Your Resume 10-12
What is a CV or “Curriculum Vitae”? 13
Sample Resumes 14-15
The Cover Letter 16
Sample Cover Letters 17
Proactive Letter 18
Portfolios 19
Graduate School 20-21
Networking & Career Fairs 22
Job/Internship Search 23
The Interview 24-25
The Thank You Letter 26
Sample Thank You Letter 27
Social Media as a Tool 28
Connect With Us 29
Notes 30

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CAREER RESOURCE GUIDE

Career Exploration

Don't know what you can do with a major? Thinking of changing your major?

Whether you are exploring multiple majors or searching for information about your chosen
field, the What Can I Do With This Major Website will help you connect majors to careers.
Learn about various career areas and the types of employers that hire people with each
major, as well as strategies to make you a more marketable candidate.

Access the website here: http://whatcanidowiththismajor.com/

Want to learn more about yourself?
Are you interested in taking an Assessment with a counselor?

We have certified counselors who have extensive experience
with assessments including the Myers Briggs Type Indicator®,
the Strong Interest Inventory® and more!
Schedule an appointment with a counselor for more information.

Looking for a different type of assessment? What about a GAME?
With Pymetrics you can…

1) Play games based on decades of neuroscience research.
2) Discover strengths unique to your cognitive makeup.
3) Explore careers where your inherent careers lead to success.
4) Get recruited by companies you are perfect for.

How does it work?

 Play 12 fun, scientifically valid games.
 Discover more than 50 key cognitive and emotional traits.
 Get matched with careers your traits predispose you for.
 Get recruited by companies thinking to rethink the resume.

Sign up with your FDU email and complete your profile to start playing!

Visit: https://pymetrics.com/welcome/fairleigh-dickinson-university

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CAREER RESOURCE GUIDE

Career Exploration

Looking for more detailed information about occupations and careers?

Check out the Occupational Outlook Handbook from the United States Department of Labor.
This site provides a wide array of career information for hundreds of jobs including:
 Career summaries and job duties
 Description of work environments
 Education and training
 Pay
 Employment estimates and growth
 State and area information
 Similar occupations
 Additional resources

Visit the site at: http://www.bls.gov/ooh/

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CAREER RESOURCE GUIDE

Four-Year Career Development Plan

The Career Development Center follows a developmental pattern of student awareness,
exploration, experience and choice, taking into account personal values and opportunities that
contribute to society. Student career preparation should begin in freshman year. Following a
specific plan each year of college enhances career development.

FRESHMAN YEAR SOPHOMORE YEAR

Goals Goals

o Learn about career development at o Strive for a strong grade point average (GPA).
www.fdu.edu/career o Develop specific career alternatives and

o Register for online job search at explore options.
www.fdu.edu/career o Continue the career development self-

o Create a personal career development plan. exploration process.
o Become knowledgeable of career options o Learn about cooperative education and/or

related to specific majors. internships.
o Initiate and continue the career development o Take responsibility for life/career decisions.

self-exploration process.
o Become involved in extracurricular activities.

Activities Activities

o Develop an initial curriculum plan, including o Attend on-campus information programs.
internships, cooperative education, community o Utilize the Career Resource Library.
service and summer jobs, with assistance from o Continue to use assessment tools.
the academic adviser. o Learn and prepare for a co-op or internship, or

o Take an assessment test to guide in educational work a part-time or summer job.
and career planning. o Reaffirm curriculum plan with adviser.
o Participate in career-related workshops.
o Join a club or organization to practice and o Attend on- and off-campus career fairs.
develop interpersonal, communication and o Investigate and join professional association(s).
leadership skills.

o Seek help in obtaining part-time and/or
summer jobs.

o Nonbusiness majors should consider taking some
business courses.

o Enroll in as many writing and speaking classes
as possible. Good communication skills are
essential for everything!

o Explore a wide variety of career areas by
reading and talking to faculty, staff and alumni
in your field of interest.

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CAREER RESOURCE GUIDE

Four-Year Career Development Plan

JUNIOR YEAR SENIOR YEAR

Goals Goals

o Validate career choice. o Complete second co-op or internship.
o Consider graduate or professional school o Transition from student to employee or

options. graduate student.
o Become better prepared to enter the job o Continue to expand career network.
o Secure employment or graduate-school
market.
acceptance.
Activities
Activities
o Complete co-op or internship.
o Continue to investigate graduate school options. o Arrange for interviews off campus.
o If considering graduate school, take GRE, o Participate in on-campus interviewing.
o Obtain additional career-related work
GMAT, LSAT, etc. Prepare alternate plan if
graduate study plans change. experience.
o Continue to network with professionals and o Explore and apply for graduate internships.
attend career fairs. o Utilize the alumni network.
o Update résumé and practice interviewing skills. o Attend on- and off-campus career fairs.
o Maintain membership in professional o Apply to graduate-school programs.
association(s). o Maintain membership in professional

association(s).

Review your career development plan frequently and
make adjustments when necessary. Feel free to

personalize your plan to meet your specific career goals.

Put Your PLAN
Into ACTION!

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CAREER RESOURCE GUIDE

Resume Basics

Before You Begin Writing…

1) Self-Evaluate

Start by evaluating all of your past experiences. This includes internships, coursework/projects, part-
time and volunteer work, and extracurricular activities. Make notes of your accomplishments within
these experiences and develop a list of skills that you have gained.

2) List Transferable Skills

Transferable skills are skills that can be used in any occupation—they are universal skills that can be
transferred from one type of work to another. Review the list below to get you started.

Interpersonal Communication Leadership Organizational

• Relating well with • Advises others • Decision making • Follow through
others • Articulating • Delegating • Meeting deadlines
• Explaining • Evaluating • Multi-tasking
• Listening to others • Instructing • Initiating • Event Planning
concerns/opinions • Persuading/selling • Managing • Setting goals
• Presenting • Motivating others • Time management
• Resolving • Public speaking • Planning • Fundraising
disputes/conflicts • Training • Problem solving
• Translating • Supervising
• Teamwork • Writing/Editing • Team building
• Written and Oral • Service/Volunteer

Communication Work
• Tutoring/Coaching

*You will use your self-evaluation, transferable skills, and the power verbs on the following pages to
help construct your resume.*

Adapted from: https://careerservices.princeton.edu/undergraduate-students/resumes-letters-online-profiles/resumes/transferable-skills

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CAREER RESOURCE GUIDE

Resume Basics

Your resume is one of the most important pieces of the job search!

Employers take on average 10 seconds to review your resume for the first time, so it is
important to adequately capture yourself and your abilities in a structured, concise
manner. You successfully differentiate yourself from others by incorporating your skill set,
experiences, and accomplishments into an organized resume. Exceptional resumes are to
be used as a dynamic selling tool to market and sell your unique package of education
and experience.

Resumes do not get the job — they get the interview!

Helpful Tips

 Keep your resume to one page (graduate students and more experienced professionals may be longer).

 Use easy to read fonts like Arial, Garmond, Georgia, or Serif fonts: Bell MT, Bodoni MT, Bookman Old Style,
and Cambria.

 Font size should be between 10-12pt.

 The margins should be between .5” and 1.00”.

 Your resume should be printed in black ink only, on white or off-white resume paper.

 Majors such as Graphic Design have more freedom with their resumes. Students in these majors have the
chance to show their creativity in their resumes by using color and graphics. Performing Arts resumes also
differ slightly, with the bulk of the resume listing roles performed.

 Spell check and proofread carefully.

 Be sure that all of your information is truthful and accurate.

 Do not include personal information (race, age, date of birth, SSN).

 Your resume should be updated regularly to include new information (phone numbers, work experience).

 You may create different resumes for different positions and career interests.

 Stay away from pre-made templates, as they can be difficult to update/change.

 Do not use pronouns anywhere in your resume. No “I” or “my”.

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CAREER RESOURCE GUIDE

Power Verbs

General Achievements

o Accelerated o Discovered o Expedited o Mastered o Reduced
Doubled o Founded o Originated o Spearheaded
o Achieved o Earned o Improved o Overcame o Strengthened
Eliminated o Increased o Overhauled o Transformed
o Attained o Expanded o Launched o Pioneered o Upgraded

o Completed o o Implemented o Prepared o Specified
o Inspected o Processed o Systematized
o Convinced o o Listed o Purchased o Tabulated
o Monitored o Recorded o Validated
Clerical Skills o Compiled o Operated o Retrieved
o Dispatched o Organized o Screened o Reconciled
o Approved o Edited o Recruited
o Arranged o Executed o Formulated o Negotiated o Resolved
o Assembled o Filed o Influenced o Persuaded o Spoke
o Catalogued o Generated o Interpreted o Presented o Summarized
o Classified o Lectured o Promoted o Translated
o Collected o Mediated o Proposed o Wrote
o Moderated o Publicized
Communication Skills o Motivated o Published o Revised
o Revitalized
o Addressed o Counseled o Founded o Invented o Set up
o Illustrated o Originated o Shaped
o Arbitrated o Defined o Innovative o Performed o Streamlined
o Instituted o Pioneered o Structured
o Arranged o Developed o Integrated o Planned
o Introduced o Produced o Reduced
o Authored o Directed o Researched
o Computed o Managed o Sold
o Co-authored o Drafted o Developed o Marketed
o Estimated o Planned o Supported
o Collaborated o Edited o Forecasted o Projected o Taught
o Increased o Reconciled o Trained
o Corresponded o Enlisted o Verified
o Gave o Referred
Creative Skills o Designed o Guided o Rehabilitated
o Developed o Helped o Reinforced
o Acted o Directed o Inspired o Represented
o Composed o Discovered o Motivated o Resolved
o Conceived o Established o Participated o Served
o Conceptualized o Fashioned o Provided o Strengthened
o Created
o Customized

Financial Skills o Audited
o Balanced
o Adjusted o Budgeted
o Administered o Calculated
o Allocated o Compared
o Analyzed
o Appraised

Helping Skills o Demonstrated
o Diagnosed
o Aided o Educated
o Assessed o Encouraged
o Assisted o Expedited
o Clarified o Facilitated
o Coached o Familiarized
o Consulted
o Counseled

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CAREER RESOURCE GUIDE

Power Verbs

Management Skills o Coordinated o Handled o Organized o Revitalized
o Decided o Implemented o Oversaw o Scheduled
o Administered o Delegated o Improved o Planned o Spearheaded
o Analyzed o Developed o Increased o Prioritized o Strengthened
o Assigned o Directed o Inspired o Produced o Supervised
o Attained o Encouraged o Led o Recommended o Transformed
o Chaired o Evaluated o Managed o Reorganized
o Conceived o Executed o Motivated o Reviewed o Strengthened
o Consolidated o Studied
o Contracted o Detected o Handled o Performed o Trained
o Diagnosed o Helped o Rehabilitated o Treated
Medical Skills o Evaluated o Identified o Researched
o Examined o Increased o Served o Solved
o Aided o Trained
o Assisted o Compiled o Engineered o Pinpointed o Troubleshot
o Consulted o Computed o Maintained o Programmed o Upgraded
o Decreased o Designed o Operated o Remodeled
o Devised o Overhauled o Repaired o Performed
Research Skills o Sold
o Delivered o Improved o Managed o Streamlined
o Analyzed o Doubled o Increased o Negotiated o Supervised
o Assembled o Expanded o Installed o Ordered
o Built o Expedited o Launched o Performed o Team-taught
o Calculated o Trained
o Coordinated o Explained o Lectured o Tutored
Sales Skills o Defined o Facilitated o Persuaded o Updated
o Developed o Guided o Presented
o Built o Enabled o Informed o Set Goals o Summarized
o Collected o Encouraged o Initiated o Stimulated o Surveyed
o Conducted o Evaluated o Instructed o Taught o Systematized
o Convinced
o Diagnosed o Inspected o Published
Teaching Skills o Evaluated o Interpreted o Reported
o Examined o Interviewed o Researched
o Adapted o Extracted o Investigated o Reviewed
o Advised o Identified o Organized o Studied
o Clarified
o Coached
o Communicated
o Conducted

Technical Skills

o Clarified
o Collected
o Compiled
o Critiqued
o Detected

Adapted from: http://www.vertex42.com/resumes/action-verbs.html

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CAREER RESOURCE GUIDE

Constructing Your Resume

Constructing a resume takes time, effort and patience. Try completing it in sections and take breaks
when necessary. Use this list as a guide for what to include in each section of your resume. Sample
resumes can be found on pages 15-16.

Heading

 Your heading can be centered, left or right aligned. Your name should be bold and a slightly larger size
font than the rest of the heading. You want the reader to see your name first!

 Include your phone number and e-mail address; mailing address is optional. Make sure you have access to
the phone and email address that you provide.

 You may also include your Linkedin URL (if you have a professional profile) or a link to an online portfolio or
online work samples.

 Use a professional e-mail address. If you don't have one, create one with Google.
 Be sure that your phone’s voicemail greeting states your name and is professional.

Objective

 Objectives are optional, not required.
 Make it specific and keep it short.

(i.e., Public Relations Professional, Marketing Research Analyst)

Career Summary/Profile

 The summary/profile tends to work best for students or alumni with several years of work experience. It is
rarely used by first-year students.

 A few sentences (2-3) about your qualifications and career goals. Remember…no pronouns!

Education

 It is OK for first-year students to include high school, but Fairleigh Dickinson University should be listed first.
Eventually, your will remove your high school once you gain more experiences throughout your time at
college.

 Write out your degree according to your transcript including any minors/concentrations;
Bachelor of Science in Marketing; Minor in Psychology

 Include your anticipated graduation date; May, 2016
 Include your GPA if 3.0 or better and list any awards/honors; Dean’s List- Fall, 2015
 If you were part of a study abroad program, include that information as well.

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CAREER RESOURCE GUIDE

Constructing Your Resume

Experience

 This refers to any job experience/co-op/internship or extracurricular role that relates to your career
interests. This includes all (related) positions (summer, part-time, on campus student employment or any
extracurricular role that directly relates to your career interests.)
i.e. Yearbook Editor is relevant for a student interested in journalism or publishing.

 List all related experiences in reverse chronological order-begin with the most recent or current experience
and work backwards.

 Include the company/organization name, city & state, your job title, and month(s)/year(s) that you were
employed.

 Bullet out your responsibilities and daily tasks for each position held. Start the phrase with an action verb
and be clear and concise (no paragraphs and remember, no pronouns).

 Pay attention to tense. Indicate past tense if you are no longer working there and present tense if it is a
current job.

Activities/Campus Involvement

 List activities or clubs you are involved in. (Marketing Club, Student Government, and/or any
sorority/fraternity involvement)

 Expand on select leadership roles. Were you president of a club? Talk about it!

Professional Affiliations

 Plan to join one or two professional affiliations before you graduate—membership noted on your resume
further qualifies you as a professional in your field.

Additional Skills

 Here you can note any computer skills you have including proficiency;
i.e. proficient in Microsoft Office, Adobe Photoshop, AutoCAD etc.

 Note if you speak, or can read/write in another language and indicate proficiency;
i.e. Fluent in Spanish, conversational French

Once you have created your resume, make an
appointment with Career Development to review it.

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CAREER RESOURCE GUIDE

Constructing Your Resume

While creating your resume it is important to think about these tips…

1. Format! Format! Format!

- Generally, employers scan your resume for organization and structure before they
read any of its content. A resume that is poorly formatted, sloppy, or exceeds two
pages may get tossed to the side.
o Use logical format, clean type and clear headings.
o Use tab stops to help align your information.
o Selectively apply bold and italic typeface that help guide the reader’s eye. These should be uniform and consistent
throughout the document. If a job title is in italics, all job titles should be italicized. If you bold a company name, bold
all company names.
o Use bullet points to call attention to important points. No paragraphs.

2. Identify accomplishments, NOT just job descriptions

- Hiring managers seek candidates who can help solve problems, complete projects, increase productivity, and
ultimately benefit the company as a whole.
o Focus on what you did in the job, not what your job was.
o For each point ask yourself, “What was the benefit of having done this?”
o Accomplishments should be unique to you, not just a list of tasks.

3. Replace your objective with a career summary

- Most objectives end up sounding too similar to other candidates. A career summary is designed to give a brief
overview of who you are and what you do.
o This is the first thing an employer will read—start with a great impression!
o Spend some time developing a summary that immediately gets their attention and accurately and powerfully describes
you.

4. Include any type of experiences/extracurriculars related to the position

- These can be broken down into two sections: 1) “Professional Experience” or “Related Experience” and for
extracurricular activities, “Leadership” or “Leadership and Service”. It will help show everything you can bring to
the table, whether it was paid or unpaid.
o For each section, list your title, the organization, location and dates of employment.
o Each section should have two-four bulleted phrases describing your accomplishments and the significant impact you
made on the organization.

5. PROOFREAD!

- Although proofreading is implied, it tends to be taken for granted. You do not want to create the perfect
resume, submit it, and then find out you misspelled the company name!
o Check your resume, cover letter, and other supporting documents for typos and/or grammatical errors. Then, ask
someone else to proofread it again. It helps to read the documents aloud.
o Make sure to check for accuracy in your contact information as well (phone, email).

Adapted from: https://www.asme.org and https://tulane.edu

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CAREER RESOURCE GUIDE

What is a CV or “Curriculum Vitae”?

A CV is similar to a resume in that it is for potential employers, but it differs in that it is typically
used solely in academia, (think teachers or professors). It includes your complete history of
academic credentials and experiences, skills etc.

-Curriculum Vitae literally translates to “courses of life” –thus it is usually long!

This chart further explains the differences…

In addition to the typical sections of a resume, a CV may also have the following:

 Research  Presentations

 Teaching Experience  Conferences

 Teaching Certifications/Licensures  Volunteer Experience

 Publications  Honors/Awards

*Font type/size and the margins are similar to a resume.
*Full name and page number should appear in the header or footer.
*There is no page limit.

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CAREER RESOURCE GUIDE

Sample Resumes

 These samples have
clean margins, and a
good balance of text
and white space.

 The font type, size, and
style make it easy to
read and follow. Make
note of the selected text
that is bolded and
italicized in order to

show emphasis.

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Sample Resumes CAREER RESOURCE GUIDE

*Take note*- Performing
Arts resumes may have a
slightly different format
than a traditional resume.
It may be a good idea to
create a few different
forms of your resume to
use them for different
pursuits.

Notice the creativity in this
Designer’s resume. Make
it your own with color,
graphics, format, and
overall design. The
possibilities are endless. It
may be wise to create a
traditional resume as well
for additional job
opportunities.

Source: Career-resume.blogspot.com

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CAREER RESOURCE GUIDE

The Cover Letter Basics

Typically, an employer may ask for a cover letter in addition to your resume.  A cover letter is never longer
This document formally indicates your application for a position. It articulates than a page and is usually 3-4
how your skills and experiences correspond to the position and the company. paragraphs.
Often times, if a cover letter is required and an applicant did not submit one,
their resume will not even be reviewed!  Use the same header that is on
your resume to create consistency
Paragraph  This paragraph is brief and serves as your between your documents.
One introduction and explains why you are writing.
 Include the date, company name
 It indicates what position you are applying for and and address on the document.
where/how you found the position. Try to find the name of the
specific person you are writing
 This is where you provide brief information about to. (Check the company directory)
yourself-major, graduation date and career goals. If you don’t have a name, “Hiring
Manager” can be used.
The first paragraph also includes your HOOK!

Tie in the company’s mission statement, vision, or core
values with your own. Mention something specific about
the company that you found in your research that you
would like to hear more about. You want your cover
letter to stand out (in a good way). Go the extra mile!

Paragraph  This paragraph explains your background and  Review the job description as you
Two/Three qualifications. Here you can elaborate on your write to make sure that you
skills and experiences that relate to the position. mention key words and skills in
Match your skills to the employer’s needs. your letter that are essential to
the job. (Don’t go overboard)
 You may create an additional paragraph here to
further explain your qualifications or any  Do your research! Mention
additional credentials that qualify you for the job. something specific that you found
out about company or a specific
Paragraph  Your closing paragraph summarizes what you’ve aspect of their organization that
Three/Four written and requests the opportunity to interview you are interested in.
or to discuss the position further.
 A handwritten signature goes a
 Indicate how/when you will follow up. long way. Print it, sign it, and
scan it to your e-mail. This allows
 Make sure to thank the employer for their you to send a digital copy, as
consideration. well as keep a copy for your
own records.
Create this diagram to help match what you have to their needs.

What They Want What I Have

Job Requirement #1 Your experience/achievement/goal that matches  Proofread. Then, have someone
Job Requirement #2 Your experience/achievement/goal that matches else proofread it as well. Read it
out loud to make sure it sounds
perfect.

Job Requirement #3 Your experience/achievement/goal that matches  This format may also be used to
create a general letter of interest
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CAREER RESOURCE GUIDE

Sample Cover Letters

The header and font
size/style should match
your resume. Margins can
be between .5” and 1”.

This cover letter is very
detailed and could be
utilized for more

advanced positions.

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CAREER RESOURCE GUIDE

Proactive Letter

The proactive letter is a great way to contact future employers and leaders in your chosen field. The purpose of the
proactive letter is to set up a meeting with someone working in a position you hope to hold one day and to learn
more about their experiences, day-to-day work life and their employer. This can be done by setting up an
informational interview, which is a brief meeting or phone call where you will ask questions so you can learn more
about what the job entails and what you need to do to be successful in it!

The proactive letter comes with a hidden bonus as well; it introduces you to someone who could hire you someday!
Simply by meeting others in your field (this is called networking) you start to make connections that could get you a
job when you graduate. You don’t want to explicitly state this but keep this in the back of your mind and treat any
meeting you set up as you would an interview.

Key Tips:
Practice email edict! Proofread, remove the “sent from iphone” and be
concise.

Make sure to introduce yourself! State how you are connected to this
person, who you are and why you are writing.

Be courteous, gracious and professional! Please, thank you and
flattery never hurts.

Don’t be discouraged if you do not get a response! Professionals
sometimes get busy and don’t have a chance to respond to every
email. Don’t take it personally and instead send a similar email to
someone else you’re just as interested in meeting and connecting with.

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CAREER RESOURCE GUIDE

Portfolios

Portfolios are an excellent way to showcase your best academic projects or work samples. Taking
the time and effort to compile your work into one organized and appealing portfolio shows that you
go the extra mile. This is a great supplement to your resume and cover letter that allows you to show
a bit of your creativity; while maintaining professionalism. A few different options include:

1) Print: You can create a professional looking portfolio with a binder—complete with a table of contents to list
your projects. Use sheet protectors for everything that you include. You could potentially bring this along to an
interview to give the employer a preview of your work.

2) Online: Another option is to create an online portfolio—this way you can add the portfolio link to your
resume header or cover letter for the employer to visit at his or her leisure.
Here are a few (free) sites that you can use:

www.wix.com | www.weebly.com | www.wordpress.com | www.behance.net | www.carbonmade.com

What should you include?  Design samples (photos, animation, videos)
 Copies of any certifications and awards
 Resume  List of references (3)
 Transcripts (official or unofficial)  Letters of recommendation
 Writing samples (papers, lab reports)
 Project samples (fliers, brochures)

*You will continuously add work samples to your portfolio throughout your time as a student, but be
sure to update it to ensure that you are showcasing your best work!*

Tips

 Portfolio design should be relative to your major and jobs you will be applying for. A Graphic Design
portfolio would display a much higher level of creativity than a Psychology portfolio.

 Be sure to obtain permission when using any documents that have other student’s work included (i.e. group
projects/papers)

 For print versions—be sure to print using the same type of paper and ink. White paper or off-white resume
paper can be used for the entire portfolio. Also, think about adding a cover page if you have a binder with a
clear front—it should include your name, degree, major, and any concentrations and/or minors.

 All portfolios should be organized and easy to navigate. Your resume should be first, as it is the most
important document. Use dividers to label and separate each section

 You don’t have to include EVERYTHING you’ve done. Pick and choose your best work that you are most proud
of that highlights your skills and talents.

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CAREER RESOURCE GUIDE

Adapted from: http://drexel.edu/scdc/professional-pointers/application-materials/portfolio-dev/#

Graduate School

Are you thinking about applying for graduate school?

 Applying to graduate school is a big decision. Take your time thinking about it and discuss with family,
friends, professors, advisors or counselors.

 Lay the groundwork and maintain professional relationships with your instructors so that you feel
comfortable and confident asking for letters of recommendation when the time comes.

 Start the process early- (Junior year) Search for institutions with reputable programs for your intended
major. A good starting point for the search process: www.petersons.com

Preparation

 Review the application process and program requirements for your target schools. Track the deadlines and
research financial aid and scholarship opportunities. Scholarship search:
https://www.petersons.com/graduate-schools/graduate-school-scholarships.aspx

 Register for and take the required admissions tests (GRE, GMAT etc.) Make sure that you send your scores to
the appropriate schools. Don’t forget any additional supporting documents (resume, list of references, letters
of recommendation, transcripts).

 Don’t forget to pay the application fee!
 Plan a visit to your target schools if possible. Search for Graduate Open House or Information Session

opportunities.

NOTE: * Graduate School is intense and involves rigorous coursework.
It is not simply a continuation of your undergraduate studies! *

Adapted from: https://careerservices.princeton.edu/undergraduate-students/graduate-school/application-timeline,
https://owl.english.purdue.edu/owl/resource/642/01/ and https://career.berkeley.edu/Grad/GradStatement

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CAREER RESOURCE GUIDE Source: pitweb.pitzer.edu

Graduate School Source: gradschools.com

Personal Statement/Essay

 The personal statement is one of the MOST important parts of your application.
 Keep in mind—you will likely revise and edit your statement multiple times.
 Your statement should tell a story with concrete examples of your

experiences.
 Get personal, but not too personal.
 Ensure that you are answering any questions truthfully and

completely.
 Find a “hook” or unique angle to your story and play it up.
 Your statement can be 2-3 pages but may vary depending on the

school’s instructions.
 Use the writing center throughout the process and meet with a

career counselor to review your letter before you submit it.

Step 1: Brainstorming

Reflect on the following questions and write down some notes:

 How did your pre-college education influence your decision to pursue graduate study in your field?
o High school courses, teachers, student organizations, volunteer work etc.

 How has your FDU experience influenced your decision?
o College courses, professors, campus involvement, choosing your major.

 How has your work experience influenced your decision?
o Internships, part-time jobs, summer work, volunteer work.

 Who has had the most influence on your decision to pursue graduate study? In what ways?
o Parents, relatives, teachers, professors, supervisors, coaches etc.

 What situation has had the most influence on your decision?
o Family, academic, work, athletic. Situations could be happy, sad, traumatic, moving, or

memorable.

 What personally motivates you to pursue graduate study in this field?
o Personal skills, interests, values and how they relate to the field.

Step 2: Writing

Use your reflections from the above questions to guide your personal statement.

 Paragraph 1: A personal human-interest story
 Paragraph 2: Your academic interests and achievements
 Paragraph 3: Your relevant work and/or research experiences
 Paragraph 4: Your career interests
 Paragraph 5: Why you are interested in this particular school
 Paragraph 6: The qualities you will bring to the school

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CAREER RESOURCE GUIDE

Networking & Career Fairs

According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics,
70% of all jobs are found through networking!

What is Networking?

 A two-way mutually beneficial
professional relationship

 Information gathering
 Gaining insights, support and

advice
 Learning strategies and tactics
 Obtaining referrals and

searching for a mentor

Where to Start?

 Seek out Career Fairs and other networking opportunities to meet professionals in your
prospective field.

 Once you create a LinkedIn profile, browse the site for people and companies you may
know. Join and follow relevant groups.

 Always ask for a business card/contact information of those that you meet.
 Prepare your “60 second commercial”: (about 30-60 seconds long)

o This is a quick summary of who you are and what you are seeking.
o Some possible things to mention: Your name, current position, what you’re seeking,

selling points, qualifications, passions, etc. This answers “Tell me about yourself”

Career Fairs

 Dress professionally. Pretend as if you’re going to an interview!
(No jeans, sneakers, sweatshirts!!!)

 Bring many copies of your resume and keep them protected and organized in a padfolio
or folder…this way you also have a place to keep business cards or any
information/documents that you may receive.

 Use a firm handshake and introduce yourself with your first and last name.
 Use your “60 second commercial” to tell the employer who you are and what you are

seeking. The conversation should be balanced with equal time speaking and listening.
 Act as if you’re on an interview—be professional when you speak and be mindful of

non-verbals (crossing your arms, eye contact, fidgeting, etc.)
 Follow up via e-mail or LinkedIn. Mention something specific that you talked about and

thank them for taking the time to speak with you.

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CAREER RESOURCE GUIDE

Job & Internship Search

FDU has GREAT resources to begin your job or internship search:

1) CareerQuest

 Employers who post to CareerQuest have direct contact with counselors in our Career
Development Offices. Postings here are vetted by our team and go through an
approval process.

 Many of these companies and organizations are seeking to hire FDU students/alumni.
o Sign up/in with your FDU e-mail here: bit.ly/fducareerquest
o Be sure to complete your academic and personal profile in the My Account tab.
o Start searching for jobs, internships, work study and volunteer opportunities
through the Jobs tab.
o Upload your resumes and cover letters to the Documents tab.
o Be sure to click on the Events tab for upcoming activities like career fairs,
information sessions, workshops, and networking events.

2) Career Shift

 Career Shift pulls search results from various different job search engines and
compiles them into one results list. (Indeed, Monster, company websites, etc.)

 Sign up with your FDU e-mail here: www.fdu.careershift.com
 Search by job title, company name, keywords, or location.

Be sure to check our “Finding Jobs and Internships” tab for additional resources for
your job/internship search: http://view2.fdu.edu/inside-fdu-edu/career/job-search/

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CAREER RESOURCE GUIDE

The Interview

STEP 1: PREPARE Source: wordpress.viu..ca

 Research the company and job. You want to know what What to wear?
you’re talking about.
 Dress professionally, but still comfortable. You
 Review common interview questions and practice your don’t want to be fidgeting in your chair in an
answers (out loud and in front of a mirror helps). Prepare uncomfortable jacket or stumbling on your way
a few relevant questions to ask the interviewer; it shows in wearing high heels.
interest and enthusiasm. Check the next page for some
sample questions.  Clothing should not be too loud or busy; be
conservative to avoid creating distractions. You
 Get clothing and materials ready the night before. Bring want the interview focused on you/your talents,
extra copies of your resume and references in a not what you are wearing.
folder/padfolio/briefcase. Bring a pad and a few pens.
 Keep makeup and perfume/cologne light and
 Have directions on hand. Keep an eye on the weather jewelry to a minimum. Do your best to hide any
and check for traffic. Plan to arrive 10-15 minutes early. tattoos and remove any facial piercings.
Manicures should be modest.
 Relax!
 It is better to be over-dressed than under-
STEP 2: SHOWTIME! dressed.*

 Be polite to everyone you pass on your way in. Manners STEP 3: THANK YOU
matter!
 Send a thank you e-mail (about a paragraph or
 Start off on the right foot; introduce yourself with your two) no more than 24 hours after the interview. If
first and last name along with a smile and a firm you interviewed with multiple people, send
handshake. individual e-mails.

 Be mindful of your nonverbal communication; sit up  Remember proper e-mail etiquette! Use
straight and comfortable in your chair, smile Mr./Mrs./Dr. and have your contact info at the
appropriately, be aware of your hand gestures and eye bottom of the e-mail.
contact.
 Mention something specific about the interview.
 Be prepared to go over your resume in depth. Provide
concrete examples and emphasize your strengths when  Additionally, it shows extra effort if you send a
opportunity arises. hand-written thank you letter by regular mail.

 Never speak negatively about your past employers/jobs.
Everything is a learning experience.

 Ask a few questions from the list you prepared. Do not
bring up salary or benefits on the first interview. Ask
about the timeline of when you can expect to hear back.

 Thank the interviewers for their time and the opportunity
to come in. Offer another firm handshake and leave. Do
not linger around the office or building.

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CAREER RESOURCE GUIDE

The Interview Questions to Ask Employers

Questions Asked by Employers Do not ask intrusive/personal questions
OR questions about salary/benefits.
Prepare answers for these common questions.
1. Can you describe to me a typical day in this position?
1. Tell me about yourself. 2. Is this a new position or a replacement?
2. Why are you interested in this position? 3. What qualities are you looking for in a colleague?
3. What made you go into this field of work? 4. How would you describe the office environment?
4. Tell me about your education/qualifications. 5. Is there any travel involved in this position?
5. Tell me about a difficult time at work and how you 6. What do you enjoy most about working here?
7. Is there room for growth in the future?
handled it. 8. What is a typical problem faced in the office?
6. What is your biggest weakness? 9. What should this employee do to succeed in this
7. What strength are you most proud of?
8. How would others describe you? position?
9. Where do you see yourself in five years? Ten years? 10. What kinds of assignments might I expect in the first six
10. Why should we hire you?
11. Do you enjoy working alone or with others? months on the job?
12. What does success look like to you? 11. What skills are most important for this position?
13. Describe your ideal office environment. 12. Is there a busy time of year for the company?
14. What sets you apart from other candidates? 13. When do you hope to make a hiring decision?
15. What are your career goals?

 Interviewers commonly ask behavioral questions. These questions are meant to provide the employer
with examples of your behavior and how you handle certain situations.

Example: “Tell me about a difficult situation at work and how you handled it.”

In these instances, remember: P-A-R! or Problem, Action, Result

1) Problem: Describe the problem, situation or issue that you or the organization faced and why were
you in that position?

2) Action: What did you or your team do? What actions or steps did you take? What skills did you use?
3) Result: What was the positive result/benefit of having done what you did? Quantify if possible.

Still feel nervous or unprepared for your interview?

 Make an appointment with Career Development for more personalized tips,
techniques or a mock interview. Our counselors can help you sharpen your skills
so that you feel confident to ace that interview!

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CAREER RESOURCE GUIDE Source: www.secure-booker.com

The Thank You Letter

Congratulations on making it through the interview!
Now, it’s time to send your Thank You letter…

 Thank you letters should be sent within 24 hours of the interview via e-mail or regular mail.
(Factor in the time it will take to be delivered if using regular mail.)

 You can utilize the same format from your cover letter to maintain consistency between your
documents. (Header, company name and location info, date, font style, etc.)

 Thank you letters are brief, 1-2 paragraphs long and express genuine appreciation for the
time it took to meet and speak with you.

 Note something specific that you enjoyed about the interview or something particularly
memorable for you.

 If you interviewed with multiple people, send individual thank you letters and adjust them
slightly. Personalize it! Do not simply send the same letter with the name changed for each
interviewer.

 Remember to proofread and read your letter aloud to make sure it sounds perfect.

o Double check that you spelled all names correctly.
o Reinforce your interest and enthusiasm for the position.
o Be sure to be genuine in your appreciation, but don’t go overboard.
o Keep it short and concise.
o Hand sign it!

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CAREER RESOURCE GUIDE

Sample Thank You Letter

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CAREER RESOURCE GUIDE

Social Media as a Tool

Information Gathering

 After reviewing an official company website, search for it on LinkedIn and browse the
content. Note if there are any Alum that currently work there.

 Connect with FDU Alumni to get some insight on the job market and tips for the job search.
 Follow FDU Career Development on Twitter, Facebook, and LinkedIn to stay in tune with

events on campus like workshops, presentations, career fairs and other events.

Cleaning up Your Social Media Identity

 Be mindful of what you post on social media. Remove/untag yourself in anything
unprofessional and adjust privacy settings on your accounts if necessary.

 Never complain about a job, coworker, or boss on social media.
 Do not take this lightly. A typical first step of an employer after reviewing your resume is

searching for you online. Search yourself on Google, including the image search, to see
what comes up in the results list. Follow the necessary steps to remove anything that is
unprofessional.
*You’ve put in a great deal of effort to make your resume and cover letter look and sound perfect.
Don’t harm your chances of getting an interview with unprofessional content on social media. *

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CAREER RESOURCE GUIDE

We’d love to hear from you!

@FDUDevilCareer
@FDUKnightCareer

Facebook.com/FlorhamCareerDevelopment
Facebook.com/MetroCareerDevelopment

FDU Career Development- Florham Campus

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CAREER RESOURCE GUIDE

Notes

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