Career

Planning
Workbook
 TABLE OF CONTENTS

Career Planning Services 2

Developing Your Career Plan 3

Career Planning Foundations 4

Self-Assessments 6

Explore the Possibilities 11

Help From Career Advisors 14

Four-Year Plan 15

Beginning Your Job Search 16

Navigating a Career Fair 18

30-Second Introduction 19

Creating your resume 21

Resume Approval Checklist 23

Sample Resume 27

Reference examples 33

Cover Letter examples 34

Thank you Letter example 37

Other Job Search Documents 39

Preparing for Interviews 40

Handshake Tip and Tricks 41

Social Media and Personal Branding 43

LinkedIn Checklist 44

Gap Year & Short-Term opportunities 46

Deciding on Graduate/Professional School 48

Notes

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 CAREER PLANNING SERVICES

These are just a few of the things that Career Services offers for students and alumni.
This handbook will serve as the foundation for our workshops, labs and meetings.
Throughout the year we encourage you to check into our website for additional
opportunities and events

● Individualized Career Advising

● Major & Occupational Exploration & Selection

● Resumes, Cover Letters & Professional Documents

● Handshake: Jobs, Internships, & Appointments

● Interview Preparation & Mock Interviews

● Job Search Strategies

● Networking Opportunities

● On campus and virtual recruiting & career fairs

● Grad School Preparation

● LinkedIn & Social Media Strategies

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 DEVELOPING YOUR CAREER PLAN

In order to develop your career plan, it is important to start early so that you can better

understand your motivations and needs and make an informed decision. Career

planning is not a one or two meeting experience, but rather it encompasses your

education and experiences throughout your undergraduate education and beyond. Here

are a few things to consider as you start things off.

1. Explore

Look inward. Know yourself. Interests, strengths, skills, values.

2. Determine your interests

Activities about which you are passionate. What do you enjoy doing in your spare time?

3. Recognize your aptitudes

The skills you have and those you want to develop. What do you do well?

4. Evaluate your work experience & education

Acquired knowledge that will help you advance toward your desired career paths. What

are your accomplishments?

5. Recognize your personal qualities

Traits that make you a strong candidate. What unique characteristics define you?

6. Select potential career areas

Areas of career interest for further research and exploration. What career fields do you

gravitate towards?

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 CAREER PLANNING FOUNDATIONS

La Sierra Career Services utilizes Focus 2 Career to help students better understand their
preparation, needs and motivations for career planning and exploration. Following is a list of
exercises to use as you navigate through the modules.
Website https://www.focus2career.com/Portal/Login.cfm?SID=1727
Access code to register: lasierra

MY CAREER PLANNING INVOLVEMENT

The My Career Planning Involvement assessment measures your level of involvement in

activities that support self-awareness, career exploration and your satisfaction with your career
planning. Your results are displayed graphically and verbally.

● Self Assessment (Self) It is important that you are actively involved in self assessment
because it is the most important and the first step in career planning.
● Career Exploration (Exploration) It is important that you are actively involved in career
exploration because it will help you to discover and understand career options.
● Career Planning Satisfaction (Planning) Your career planning satisfaction reflects how
ready you are to engage in career planning activities. Obstacles that could interfere with
your ability to plan could be financial, family responsibilities, etc. If your Planning score is
low it would be wise for you to seek help from a career counselor to help you resolve
your planning concerns.

What support services are available to you at your college to assist you with career planning
readiness?
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What action steps will you take to increase your scores in your career planning status
assessment?
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MY ACADEMIC STRENGTHS

What is your action plan to take advantage of your academic strengths and address any
academic weaknesses that could impact your education plans and future career?
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AM I CAREER READY?

The National Association for Colleges and Employers (NACE) has identified 8 competencies
that will give you a professional edge. Employers want to hire applicants who have these
in-demand skills and strengths.

They are: Critical Thinking, Teamwork, Leadership, Career and Self Development,
Communication, Technology, Professionalism and Equity & Inclusion.

Which competencies do you need to work on the most? Did you over-rate yourself? Many
students do. Be sure to be honest to yourself.
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What is your action plan to develop these competencies?

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SELF-ASSESSMENTS

Several self assessments are available to you in FOCUS 2 CAREER. The results of each self
assessment include occupations and supporting majors at your college that match your
personal attributes. Self Assessment is an important first step in selecting a major, choosing an
occupation, planning your career and doing a job search. Pay attention to the descriptions of
your personal attributes in each of your self assessments. Being able to articulate and discuss
your work interests, values, personality type and skills to a potential employer is an important
part of a fruitful job search.

Work Interest Assessment: The FOCUS 2 CAREER work interest assessment identifies and
matches your work interests to occupations and supporting majors at your college. The bar
graph displayed in your results shows the strength of each of your work interests.
Historically, the assessment of work interests has been the focal point of the career planning
process. The work interest assessment measures your self reported career interests using a
nationally recognized standardized instrument using the RIASEC scales developed by John
Holland. In the sample graph below the top 3 work interests are Investigate, Realistic, and
Artistic (IRA). A person’s top 3 work interests make up their Holland Code and can be matched
to occupations that have similar Holland Codes.

SAMPLE WORK INTEREST PROFILE

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*The Holland Code for this sample is IRA (Investigative, Realistic, and Artistic)

The average score for each work interest is also shown as a number ranging from 0 to 100
where
0=Low Interest 50=Moderate Interest 100=High Interest
The descriptions below the bar graph summarize each of the Holland Code work interests

Investigative: "The Thinkers"

People in the investigative category often have a strong desire to understand cause and effect, and solve
puzzles and problems. They often work in jobs that are scientific in nature. Their work often involves the
analysis of data, using formulas, graphs and numbers. Investigative types typically prefer to work
independently, and with minimum supervision. People in this category generally enjoy using computers,
solving math problems, interpreting formulas, and thinking abstractly.

Enterprising: "The Persuaders"

People in the enterprising category often prefer activities selling and promoting. They enjoy influencing
others and being in a leadership position. They often use their skills to influence others. They often like
competitive activities and are often self-confident, talkative and energetic. They generally enjoy
discussing politics, selling and promoting, having power and status,
giving talks and speeches, and leading groups.

Realistic: "The Doers"

People in the realistic category often prefer to work with objects and things. They are likely to enjoy
creating things with their hands and using tools and machines. Some prefer large, powerful machines like
tractors, while others prefer precision machinery such as X-ray or electronic equipment. People in this
category generally enjoy being physically active, repairing
equipment, rebuilding cars, fixing electrical things, solving mechanical problems, playing sports, working
outdoors, and using their hands.

Social: "The Helpers"

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People in the social category prefer to work with others. They tend to be highly verbal, express
themselves well, and get along well in groups. Social types typically prefer the team approach to problem
solving. People in the social category often describe
themselves as cooperative, friendly, and understanding. They generally enjoy teaching, caring for others,
volunteering, mediating disputes, meeting new people, and working in groups.

Artistic: "The Creators"

People in the artistic category prefer to be expressive. They like the opportunity to create new things and
be innovative. They typically do not like structure or conformity. They prefer to use their imagination and
be creative. People in this category generally enjoy activities such as: writing, poetry, photography,
designing, singing, acting, dancing, painting, attending theaters and exhibits, and reading.

Conventional: "The Organizers"

People in the conventional category often prefer orderly, systematic work. Work tasks often include
keeping records, and organizing written and numerical materials according to a plan. They like to see
things run efficiently and smoothly, which means they will pay attention to administrative details. They
generally enjoy keeping accurate records, organizing, working
with numbers, and using a computer.

What is your Holland Code? _____________

Describe the characteristics of your Holland Code type (top three work interests) and the types
of work activities that typically appeal to people with these work interests.

Top Work Interest (description and type of work found appealing)

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Second Work Interest (description and type of work found appealing)
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____________________________________________________________________________
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Third Work Interest (description and type of work found appealing)
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Personality Assessment

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The FOCUS 2 CAREER personality assessment utilizes Carl Jung’s theory of personality and
the research insights surrounding the use of the Myers-Briggs Type Indicator. The assessment
measures how a person likes to focus his/her attention, prefers to acquire information, handle
information, look at the world, and make decisions. Your personality type is matched to
occupations and supporting majors at your college.

Describe the characteristics of your personality and the types of work activities that typically
appeal to your personality type.
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Skills Assessment

A skill is defined as the ability to perform an activity proficiently. A skill can be acquired through
education, work experience and job training or can be the result of a natural ability. Your skills
are matched to occupations and the majors at your college that will support the occupations.

Describe your top three skills and the types of work that use these skills.
____________________________________________________________________________
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Values Assessment

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An assessment of your values enables you to focus on what is important to you in work and
your life. Your values are matched to occupations that you may find satisfying, based on the
similarity between your work values (such as achievement, autonomy, and conditions of work)
and the work values associated with various occupations.

Describe your top three work values and the types of work that encompass your work values.
____________________________________________________________________________
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Leisure Interest Assessment

The leisure interest assessment identifies your top leisure interests and matches your leisure
interests to occupations and supporting majors at your college.

Describe your top three leisure preferences and how they relate to occupations.
____________________________________________________________________________
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Combining Assessments to Narrow Down Your Results

Combine your assessment results to create a list of best-fit occupations.

Activity: Identify and Explore Occupations that Occur in Multiple Assessments

Complete several of the FOCUS 2 assessments. Click on Combining Assessments and select
the assessments that you wish to combine. Print the occupation list that is generated by
combining the assessments of your choice and then examine the list.

● Circle the occupations that immediately appeal to you

● Underline the occupations that surprise you but sound interesting
● Put an X through the occupations that do not appeal to you

Examine the details of the occupations that you have circled and underlined.
What did you learn from this exercise?

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____________________________________________________________________________
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What are your top 3 favorite occupations?
____________________________________________________________________________
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EXPLORE THE POSSIBILITIES:

FOCUS 2 CAREER offers a variety of tools to help you explore occupations and majors:
● Use What Can I Do with a Major In…? to learn about the majors offered at your college
and the occupations associated with those majors and save those majors that appeal to
you
● Explore Any Area of Study: Click on any area of study to learn about the specialization
areas associated with any major area of study
● Explore Any Occupation: Explore over 1,000 occupations
● Explore Occupations by Job Family: Explore occupations associated with any industry
area
● Use Compare Any Two Occupations on the FOCUS 2 CAREER dashboard to compare
and contrast occupations

YOUR SAVED OCCUPATIONS:

Ongoing exploration of occupations using the FOCUS 2 CAREER system will help you to make
informed decisions about your career and education. Review your saved occupations in your
career portfolio. Be sure to examine the job duties, employment outlook, advancement
opportunities, earnings, areas of study and required credentials, etc. associated with an

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occupation of interest to you. You can link to professional associations that people in that field
are members.

List 5-10 of your favorite occupations that you have saved:

● ____________________________________________
● ____________________________________________
● ____________________________________________
● ____________________________________________
● ____________________________________________
● ____________________________________________
● ____________________________________________
● ____________________________________________
● ____________________________________________
● ____________________________________________

Y___ or N____ Are your preferred occupations in alignment with your assessment results?

Y___ or N____ Are your work interests a good match with the work interests of your favorite
occupations? (To
answer this question, click an occupation name and examine that occupation’s Interest Profile. If
you have completed the Work Interest Assessment, the graph will compare your Holland Code
to the Holland Code for that occupation)

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What questions/comments do you have about the occupation(s) you find appealing?
____________________________________________________________________________
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Do your preferred occupations support your work interests, personality preferences, skills and
values? Why are these occupations a good fit for you?
____________________________________________________________________________
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YOUR SAVED MAJORS

Review your saved majors in your career portfolio. Click on Make Top Choice to identify the
major that is most appealing to you.
List your top choice major and 2-3 other majors that you find appealing:
● ____________________________________________
● ____________________________________________
● ____________________________________________
● ____________________________________________

Y___ or N____ Do you find the subject matter of your preferred majors appealing?

Y___ or N____ Do you find the occupations associated with your preferred majors appealing?

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Y___ or N____ Do your preferred majors match the majors displayed in your self assessment
results?

Y___ or N____ Do your preferred majors support your career goals and favorite occupations?

What questions / comments do you have about the major(s) you are considering?
____________________________________________________________________________
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____________________________________________________________________________
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____________________________________________________________________________
_

Do your preferred majors support your personality preferences, career interests, skills and
values? Why are these majors a good fit for you?
____________________________________________________________________________
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HELP FROM CAREER COUNSELORS/ADVISORS:

COPING WITH OBSTACLES AND CONCERNS

Occasionally, you may foresee some possible barriers that could interfere with your ability to
plan your career or you may have some concerns about your current career and education
plans. You should discuss your concerns with a career counselor or an advisor.

Write an X next to any of the following you need help with:

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____Deciding on a major and career field
____Taking the next steps to implement your career plan
____ Making plans for further education/ training
____Other (please elaborate)
____________________________________________________________________________
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Place an “X” next to the items that apply to you:

____ I need more details about occupations, majors, education requirements, etc.
____ My self assessment work interests scores are low or are not very different from each other.
____ The occupations that match my self assessments are too limited.
____ I have too many occupations that appeal to me. I need help narrowing down my choices.
____ I think the courses in my preferred major might be too difficult for me.
____ I need some advice about a personal situation affecting my career decision making.
_____ Other people have to approve or support my plans.
_____I am experiencing financial problems.
_____Other? (Describe below)
____________________________________________________________________________
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____________________________________________________________________________
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Career Services contact information:

Location: Sierra Vista Hall
Front Desk: 951-785-2452
Email: [email protected]
Website: lasierra.edu/careers

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 Four-Year Career Plan

Freshman Year Sophomore Year Junior Year Senior Year

Enroll in UNST or PREH 101A Explore interests, values, Assume leadership roles Selectively focus on
to learn about strategies for and skills through in your co-curricular leadership
academic success, experiential opportunities experiences both on and development through
opportunities for campus such as campus clubs or off campus co-curricular
involvement, financial literacy, student organizations, experiences
and major & career exploration volunteer work, leadership
roles, etc.

Gather information about Begin identifying Participate in internships, Finalize graduate and
co-curricular experiences such internships, research, and job professional school
as student organizations, undergraduate research, observations aligned with applications
study abroad programs, and study abroad options your major and career
athletics, and undergraduate that align with your goals.
research academic, personal, and
career goals

Activate your Handshake Complete your Update your Handshake Update your
account. Explore events and Handshake profile. account and make sure Handshake account
opportunities in Handshake. Update your professional your profile is visible to with your current
resume and post it on employers and La Sierra resume and monitor
Handshake. Explore and Students events and job
apply for opportunities postings
related to your goals.

Meet with your academic Meet with your advisor to Monitor and revise your Start Early! Map out
advisor to choose courses that develop a completion plan academic progress and your job search
best serve your academic and and create a pathway to graduation plan with your strategies with a
career interests. complete your degree major advisor career advisor

Complete Focus 2 Career Attend Career events, Attend career and Participate in
career readiness and including Employers on networking events to learn conversations and
assessments to better campus, the Expo, more about your field of programming to aid in
understand your skill set, Employer information interest and potential financial planning
values, and interests and how sessions, and networking employers after college
that lines up with your major events.
and career options.

Begin drafting a resume and Complete an informational Practice interviewing Attend career and
cover letter that may be used interview with a through mock interviews networking events to
to apply for part-time jobs, professional whose career by using Standout connect with
volunteer opportunities, or interests you. employers and
internships related to your opportunities
interests.

Explore whether graduate Take the first

school is a good fit for destination survey to
your career choice. report job and
Investigate programs and graduate school offers
deadlines and begin the to La Sierra Career
application process. services.

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 Beginning You Job Search

BEGIN WITH SELF AWARENESS (FOCUS2CAREER)

● What are your interests, strengths, skills, and values?
● What are your personal and professional goals?
● Where would you like to live? What are your preferred geographic locations?

EXPLORE CAREER & JOB INFORMATION

● Explore resources like O*Net, BLS, and Chamber of Commerce websites to research
organizations and job titles.
● Read job descriptions and evaluate career fields/industries/employers.
● Conduct informational interviews (see page ____ for details).
● Think about personal qualities and skills required for jobs of interest. Where might your
natural talents fit into different occupations?

DEVELOP JOB SEARCH SKILLS AND GET STARTED

● Set specific and tangible goals and create a job search plan. Get organized!
● Create strong resumes and cover letters, and hone your interview skills.
● Build and use your network.
● Complete your profile on Handshake.
● Identify a variety of job search resources and learn to use them effectively.
● Apply to positions of interest and follow up. Tailor your resume and communication
accordingly.
● Send thank you notes after each employer/professional interaction.
● Be persistent and recognize that the job search takes time. Plan accordingly!

THE POWER OF NETWORKING

A successful job search entails using a variety of strategies, and an important component of the
search is building strong relationships through networking! We know that 80-90% of jobs are
found via referrals and networking, so it’s essential to start creating professional contacts early
in your college career. When embarking on the job search, experts suggest that 60% of your
time should be spent meeting and connecting with professionals, 30% of your time spent
researching opportunities, and 10% sending resumes to contacts.

LEARN MORE ABOUT CAREERS AND EMPLOYERS THROUGH INFORMATIONAL

INTERVIEWS

One of the best ways to learn more about a specific job, career, or organization is to conduct an
information-gathering interview. Talk with a connection you already have, a La Sierra alumna, or
use other resources such as Handshake or LinkedIn to identify individuals working in a
career field that interests you. Craft a professional message to the person, requesting an
appointment to discuss their career path in an information-gaining capacity.

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Be respectful of your contact’s time and stick to the amount of time you originally requested
(usually 30 minutes to an hour). Ideally, the meeting will take place at the person’s work setting,
but phone and email interactions can be just as valuable. Dress appropriately for the
work setting, send a thank you note after the meeting, and stay in touch with your new
connection. Bonus: you’ll expand your professional network while gaining valuable career
insights at the same time!

SAMPLE INFORMATION INTERVIEW QUESTIONS

● Describe your career path.

● How did you decide to pursue this career path?
● What do you enjoy most about your position? What is most challenging?
● What does a typical day look like in your role?
● What qualifications do you seek in new hires? Is a graduate degree required for this line
of work?
● What advice do you have for students who are preparing to enter this field?

GETTING TO KNOW HANDSHAKE

HANDSHAKE

Handshake is La Sierra’s premier recruiting database that connects students with employers.
Through a modern, streamlined platform, Handshake offers students the ability to:
● Access personalized job recommendations based on your major and interests
● View and register for upcoming career fairs and employer events
● Apply for jobs, internships, and on-campus interviews with top companies
● Schedule appointments with career counselors
● Post jobs, internships, and co-op opportunities for students
● Schedule on-campus interviews and participate in mock interviews
● Provide contact information for students
● View and search for student resumes based on criteria such as major and graduation
date

EMPLOYERS USE HANDSHAKE TO:

The Career Services Office vets every employer and job opportunity posted in Handshake prior
to posting. We work hard to protect the quality of opportunities available through Handshake;
however, we cannot guarantee the legitimacy of all postings or employers. Additionally, you may
be using search engines such as indeed.com, simplyhired.com or other open job posting
aggregators. Use common sense and pay attention to your instincts -- if an opportunity seems
too good to be true, it probably is. Have a question about an opportunity? Contact Career
Services for advice!

Source: https://www.meredith.edu/assets/images/content/career_planning_workbook.pdf

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 NAVIGATING CAREER FAIRS

BEFORE
Locate the list of employers attending the fair and research the employers that interest
you most. You should know: company products/services, history, strengths, competitors,
and roles you may be interested in.
Write down questions that you have for each employer. These should be questions that
you can’t find the answer to on the Internet.
Prepare and practice your 30-second introduction.
Make many copies of your professional resume on high-quality resume paper. Consider
making business cards.
Choose your professional attire for the fair. Aim for conservative, professional clothing:
black, gray or navy suit with a blouse, closed-toe shoes with hosiery, manicured and
neutral nails, and minimal jewelry.
Prepare for questions an employer might ask: Why are you interested in our company?
What skills and experiences do you possess that would be a good fit with our
organization?

DURING
Travel lightly! If possible, leave your backpack at home. Bring only a portfolio with your
resumes and essential items.
Break the ice and make yourself more comfortable by beginning with an employer that is
not on the top of your list.
Start the conversation with employers. Introduce yourself and ask an open-ended
question.
Pay attention to your nonverbal communication (smile, eye-contact, handshake,
posture).
Limit personal use of your phone. Be mindful that employers may be observing you.
Ask for the representative’s business card and discuss appropriate follow-up.
Thank the representative and after leaving the table, jot down a few notes about what
you learned.

AFTER
Send thank you notes to each representative. Remind the employer of where you met,
reiterate your interest in the organization, and the skills and experiences you can
contribute.
Complete any other follow-up you discussed with the representative.
Reflect on what you learned at the fair. How do your skills and experiences align with the
positions that interest you most? Which organizations seemed like the best fit for your
values and interests? What would you do differently at the next career fair?

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 30 Second Introduction

At a career fair, or during a networking event, you want to be prepared to introduce yourself and
start a conversation with an employer.

EXAMPLES:

“Hello. My name is John Smith and I plan to graduate this June from La Sierra University with a Bachelor
of Science degree in psychology. I am very interested in working with children who have special needs
and truly enjoyed working at Stepping Stones as an
intern. My career goal is to become a counselor and use my passion and experience to improve the lives
of young people. I know your organization is highly regarded in this area. Would you be willing to speak
with me about related opportunities within your organization?”

“People find me to be an upbeat, self-motivated team player with excellent communication skills. For the
past several years I have worked in lead qualification, telemarketing, and customer service in the
technology industry. My experience includes successfully calling people in director-level positions of
technology departments and developing viable leads. I have a track record of maintaining a consistent
call and activity volume and consistently achieving the top 10 percent in sales, and I can do the same
thing for your company.”

“I am a dedicated person with a family of four. I enjoy reading, and the knowledge and perspective that
my reading gives me has strengthened my teaching skills and presentation abilities. I have been
successful at raising a family, and I attribute this success to my ability to plan, schedule, and handle many
different tasks at once. This flexibility will help me in the classroom, where there are many different
personalities and learning styles.”

Sources:
https://www.xavier.edu/career/students/documents/Option2-Introduceyourself-30secondelevatorspeech.pdf
https://www.latterdaysaintjobs.org/ers/ct/articles/me-in-30-seconds-statements?lang=eng

Additional Resources:
3 Steps to Describe Yourself Effectively in 30 Seconds (or less!)
https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/3-steps-describe-yourself-effectively-30-seconds-less-dandan-zh
u/
How to craft a killer professional introduction (Part I)—whether you’ve got 30 seconds or 2
minutes
https://www.selfspoken.com/your-professional-introduction/
Presenting ME in Under 30 seconds
https://www.apa.org/education-career/job-search/presenting-me

NOW YOUR TURN!

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 CREATE YOUR INTRODUCTION

Your introduction is personal and should reflect your individual strengths, interests, and goals.
The way that you introduce yourself may change depending upon who you are talking to.
Remember, the most memorable conversations happen when a connection is formed. As
you think about how to introduce yourself, consider what skills, experiences, interests, and
values may be important to an employer.

Who you are:

What you are good at:

A key relevant experience:

What are you looking for/why you

are interested in their
organization:

ASK A QUESTION
Continue the conversation by asking good questions. The best questions are open-ended, can’t
be answered with a quick web search, and come from a genuine interest in the organization or
role. Examples of questions you might ask:

● As an entry-level employee, what could I expect to be doing 2, 5, 10 years from now?

● What courses would best prepare me for your entry-level positions? Are there any
student organizations or experiences that would be beneficial in preparing for a position
at your company?
● What is one of the biggest challenges in this role?
● My major is X. What positions at your company would be a strong fit for someone with
my education background?
● How long is the application and interview process and what does it consist of?

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Source: https://www.meredith.edu/assets/images/content/career_planning_workbook.pdf
CREATING YOUR RESUME

DEVELOPING YOUR RESUME

Resumes are a brief summary of your work and/or experiences, education, and skills. Resumes
are tailored to highlight qualifications and experience as they relate to the job or opportunity you
are seeking. You do not have to include every experience you have had. This is often your first
impression and your way of securing an interview.

TOP TIPS:
● Be accurate and honest about your qualifications.
● Proofread carefully to avoid any mistakes.
● Avoid including potentially discriminating information such as your picture, race, gender,
religion, national origin, political preference, birthdate, height, or weight.
● For each position, include 2-5 bullets that start with action verbs and describe your
accomplishments or the skills you used.
● Use a consistent font style and format to create a document that is visually appealing.
● Review the resume approval checklist.
● Print your resume on high quality paper, and use matching paper for your cover letter
and references.
● Upload your resume to Handshake and make it visible to employers.

RESUME FORMATS:
(use the existing content-- chronological, functional, combination)

CREATING YOUR RESUME

Which Sections Will You Include on Your Resume?
Education
Honors & Awards
Skills & Certificates (Technical skills, Language skills, etc.)
Relevant Courses
Relevant Projects
Leadership Experience
Related Research
Publications
Military Experience
Work Experience
Campus/Community
Involvement
Athletic Experience
Other: ______________

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WRITING STRONG DESCRIPTIONS
Under the heading for each of the experiences you choose to highlight, you will add brief
statements that describe the type of project you worked on, skills you used, or contributions you
made. Each statement should begin with an action verb and include numbers to help
demonstrate the scope or impact of your work. Use the action verb list to choose different verbs
that highlight your skills. Practice creating strong bullets by using the STAR (Situation, Task,
Action, Result) format.

POSITION TITLE/ ROLE (SITUATION) ______________________

TASK

ACTION

RESULT

Source: https://www.meredith.edu/assets/images/content/career_planning_workbook.pdf

24
 CAREER SERVICES RESUME APPROVAL CHECKLIST

Student Name Reviewer Name

Date Approved for Handshake? YES NO

If approved, upload to Handshake where it will be officially approved within 1 business day.

Resume Approval Checklist

The checklist below covers widely recognized best practices for a basic resume.
✓ You must meet all the criteria on the checklist (except in the optional section) for resume approval.

General Format

1 page

Name is prominent and a larger font than any other text on the page

Includes Amherst and/or home address, email, and phone number

Font size 10-12

Modern font style (Arial, Calibri, Cambria, Garamond, Georgia, Tahoma…)

Margins between 0.5-1.0 inches

Consistent use of bold, italics, indentations, CAPS, symbols, and bullet style

Education Section

Institutions are listed in reverse chronological order

Each institution has the name, location, and relevant dates or anticipated graduation date

Includes study abroad experience(s)

Does not include non-academic awards or experiences

Degree is spelled out (Bachelor of Arts)

Includes major (if declared), prospective major (if not declared), and no major (if you have no idea yet)

Includes GPA (if available), GPA formatted 3.36/4.00

Experience Sections

Each experience section title reflects the content within it

Each experience is listed in reverse chronological order within the section

Each experience includes the name of the organization, position title, location, and relevant dates

The dates are month + year (e.g. June – August 2017), not seasons (Summer 2017)

If the experience is ongoing, it should be formatted as June 2017 – Present

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 Grammar & Descriptive Statements

No grammatical or spelling errors

Statements begin with active verbs (e.g. prepared, marketed, managed, researched, etc…) and do not
include passive phrases like “duties included” or “responsible for”

Active verbs are in the correct tense (past tense for experiences that have ended and present tense for
ongoing experiences)

No personal pronouns (e.g. me, my, I, our)

Includes concrete examples of what you did and, whenever possible, your impact or
accomplishments. When relevant, include quantifiable results.

Optional: Skills & Interests Section

Accurately indicates the level of proficiency for language or technical skills

Does not include soft skills such as teamwork, communication, strategic thinking

Shares specific interests that are not reflected in the rest of the resume (e.g. Salsa dancing, Boston sports
teams, hiking in the Adirondacks, reading sci-fi, etc…)

Targeting: Not required for approval but essential for an effective resume. Every resume should be targeted
to a specific industry, position, or organization. This means you will have many different versions of your
resume. See the back side of this sheet for more information.

Source: https://www.amherst.edu/system/files/media/2018-19%2520Resume%2520checklist.pdf

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 Targeting your Resume
Different employers seek distinct qualities and experiences from their candidates. To be a strong
candidate, you must target your resume to the relevant industry, organization, and position.
General Targeting Tips
● Include your relevant coursework. If you have completed courses that are relevant to your
opportunity, include the names of classes in your education section.
● Create a Relevant Experience section. This section should fall right under your Education section
and contain any experience (paid, unpaid, extracurricular, volunteer, etc...) that is relevant to the
position. You can also create sections that reflect relevant competencies (e.g. Communications,
Experience, Teaching Experience, Research Experience, etc.).
● Focus on relevant experiences. An experience is “relevant” if: (in order of importance)
○ It was in the industry of the position you’re applying for
○ You learned content/knowledge that relates to the work you would be doing
○ You developed skills in another industry that are “transferrable,” in other words, you could
apply those skills in the position you’re applying for
○ It demonstrates hard work and dedication
● Prioritize your bullets. To capture the employer’s attention, your most important and relevant
contributions and responsibilities should be listed first under each experience.
● Use language that your target employers recognize. Integrate the key words of a job description
or industry to show your understanding of the job/industry/employer.
Industry Specific Targeting Tips
Most industries have their own preferences for types of information and formatting in a resume. After your
resume is approved, we recommend you meet with a Careers advisor to have them review your resume
and give you industry specific feedback. Below are a few examples of industry-specific tips...
Arts & Communication
● Whether you’re interested in journalism, film, writing, performance, or marketing, linking to a
digital portfolio can offer employers the opportunity to see your skills in action and context.
Business & Finance
● Business and finance companies value academic achievements. Highlight your academics (GPA,
study abroad, extra courses taken, awards, etc.) Include SAT/ACT or equivalent.
Education
● Use terminology important to educators in the organizations where you’re applying. For example,
if you hope to work in a STEM field, familiarize yourself with the relevant pedagogieS and key
words of the Next Generation Science Standards.
Government & Nonprofit
● For federal government jobs through USAJobs.com, use the resume builder to ensure you
include all of the specialized information required. Use key words from the job description to
describe your skills in order to be selected as a qualified applicant by the computer program
doing the initial application review.
Health Professions
● If you plan to apply to medical school, highlight experiences that demonstrate the core
competencies for medical students by the American Medical Association, such as service
orientation and cultural competence.
Science & Technology
● For tech, include side personal projects such as websites, apps, or other tools that you built
outside of class to demonstrate your other technical skills. Include a link to your Github profile.
page, but only include experiences that are substantive

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Source: All resumes from https://www.resume.com/

34
 REFERENCES

A reference is a person who provides a recommendation for you when you are seeking
employment or an introduction. Some employers will request that you include contact
information for references with your application. For others, you will bring a copy with
you to your interview.

Tips for Success:

1. Select individuals who know you well and can speak about your strengths: current or
former faculty, advisers, or supervisors.
2. Meet with your references to obtain permission from each person prior to using their
name as a reference.
3. Share a copy of your resume, information about your goals and positions that interest
you with your references.
4. Keep your references up to date on your progress!

Source: https://www.thebalancecareers.com/sample-reference-list-for-employment-2062940

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 COVER LETTERS AND EXAMPLES
There are two types of cover letters--those that draw the reader in and entice him or her to read
your resume, and those that eliminate you from the running before your resume gets read.

● The cover letter serves as the introduction to your resume. No resume should ever be sent
without one. While your resume can remain the same for every company to which you apply, the
cover letter should be created separately and individually for each position for which you express
interest. Your career objective should be included in the cover letter. By including it in the cover
letter, you can tailor the objective to the advertisement to which you are responding or to the "hot
tip" you received through your professional network.
● Studies indicate that your cover letter has a life expectancy of about eight seconds, so it must be
brief yet informative. The letter should have three recognizable parts: the opening, which explains
why you are writing ("I'm responding to your advertisement..."); the main body, which lists two or
three of your major accomplishments and gives the reader good reason to interview you; and the
closing, which expresses a desire for future communication. Be sure your letter draws a
connection between the needs of the current job opening and the skills you can bring to the job.
● While the experience of the applicant in the sample on the next page is undoubtedly different
from your own, you can adapt the format shown here to suit your individual career search needs.

36
37
38
 THANK YOU LETTERS

Send a thank you letter to each person with whom you interview, each time you interview. This is your
opportunity to remind the hiring manager what a great applicant you are.
● This letter may be brief, expressing your appreciation for the interview, re-emphasizing key points
discussed during the interview, and reiterating your continued interest in the position.
● Make your note unique by referencing something special about the person or interaction.
● Ideally, a thank you letter should be sent within 24 hours.
● Nothing stands out quite like a handwritten note; however, it is acceptable to email thank you
notes particularly when you anticipate that a decision will be made quickly.

Short thank-you note

This brief thank-you note includes all of the essentials in a straightforward manner:

Subject line: Thanks for meeting with me

Hello Pat,

Thanks again for taking the time to meet with me yesterday afternoon. I enjoyed our conversation about the
Marketing Manager position and appreciated learning more about working with the marketing team.

It sounds like a rewarding role, especially given the opportunities for collaboration and advancement. I think my
master's in marketing and marketing experience would make me an excellent candidate for the role.

I look forward to discussing this opportunity with you more. Please don't hesitate to contact me if you need
additional information about my references.

Thank you,

Hannah Lee

[email protected]

222-555-7777

Source: https://www.indeed.com/career-advice/interviewing/sample-thank-you-letter-after-interview

Detailed thank-you note

If you want to add more information to what you discussed during the interview, consider sending a more
detailed thank-you letter. A detailed thank-you letter can show that you were being attentive during the
interview by referencing details of what was discussed.

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 Subject line: Thank you for meeting with me

Hello Pat,

Thank you for taking the time to interview me this morning. I enjoyed our conversation about the Marketing
Manager position and appreciated learning more about how the role works. The way the marketing and advertising
teams work together sounds ideal for reaching goals and optimizing performance.

The Marketing Manager position sounds like a rewarding role, especially given the opportunities for leadership and
advancement. I think my master's in marketing from Edison University and more than seven years of experience
leading marketing teams would make me an excellent candidate for this position.

I look forward to discussing this opportunity with you more. Please don't hesitate to contact me to arrange a
follow-up interview.

Thank you,

Hannah Lee

[email protected]

222-555-7777

Informal thank-you note

If you apply for a job in an industry that prioritizes casual communication, or you are interviewing for an
internal position and you know your interviewer, an informal thank-you note may be appropriate.

Subject line: Great to meet you

Hi Pat,

Thanks so much for taking the time to talk with me earlier today. Our conversation about the Marketing Manager
position was inspiring, and it was fantastic to learn more about the role.

The job sounds exciting, and I think I would be an ideal candidate, thanks to my master's degree and years of
experience in the field.

Please contact me if you want to discuss further. Thanks again for the opportunity.

Thanks,

Hannah Lee

[email protected]

222-555-7777

40
 OTHER JOB SEARCH DOCUMENTS

CURRICULUM VITAE
A curriculum vitae (CV) is a comprehensive biographical statement, usually three or more pages
in length. A CV is most often used by those seeking academic or research focused positions.
Unlike a resume, a CV may include the following sections:
● Presentations
● Publications
● Professional Affiliations
● Research Experience
● Certifications/ Licensure
● Teaching Experience
● Areas of Expertise
● Fellowships/ Scholarships
LETTERS OF RECOMMENDATION
For most job or internship applications, you will provide a reference list rather than letters of
recommendation. Letters of recommendation
will typically be used in applications for graduate programs, scholarships, fellowships, and
positions in academia.
● When do I ask? Give your references plenty of time to write their letters of recommendation, at
least three weeks before your deadline is preferred.
● Who do I ask? Check instructions for your application. Often, there are specific guidelines on who
you need recommendations from.
● Ask faculty, supervisors, advisors, or community members who know you well, write well, and can
speak to your fit with the program or opportunity to which you are applying.
● What information do I need to give my references? Share an updated copy of your resume, your
specific interest in the program or role, information about the program or role, and
deadlines.
PROFESSIONAL EMAILS
Professional emails are very different from casual emails or text messages. The ability to craft
professional, clear, and concise written communications is rated among the top competencies
employers seek year after year.
TIPS FOR SUCCESS:
● Respond in a timely manner. Return a message regardless of your interest in the position.
● Use formal, professional language in your greeting and to introduce yourself. For example, Dear
Mrs. X: I am writing in regard to your posting on... for XYZ positions in financial services.
● Choose an appropriate email address. Keep it simple, ideally a combination of your first and last
names.
● Be brief. Include all necessary information but save detailed stories or examples for attachments
or verbal communications.
● Proofread! Did you name the correct company and contact? Check spelling, grammar, and tone.
● Pick up the phone and follow up with a hiring manager. Don’t just rely on email.

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 PREPARING FOR INTERVIEWS

Preparing for an interview primarily means taking time to thoughtfully consider your goals and
qualifications relative to the position and employer. To accomplish this, you should perform
research on the company and carefully review the job description to understand why you would
be a good fit. Let’s look at the steps to preparing for an interview.

Source: https://www.indeed.com/career-advice/interviewing/how-to-prepare-for-an-interview

42
 HANDSHAKE TIPS & TRICKS

Thanks to Handshake and other digital tools, employers are increasingly focused on recruiting
college students online. Recruiters are able to find the right student for the job or internship, no
matter what school they attend.

As a job seeker, this is great news for you. It means you can find your next job or internship
without having to rely on multiple in-person meetings with recruiters. How can you utilize
Handshake to find a job virtually? Here are four helpful tips from recruiters.

Fill out your Handshake profile

The most important step to landing a job or internship on Handshake is filling out your profile.
Employers are searching for students on Handshake based on the information in their profiles,
and messaging candidates with event invites or to encourage them to apply for new job
opportunities.

That’s why completing your profile, and keeping it up-to-date, is essential. Beyond the basic
information like your major and graduation date, make sure to fill out your job interests, work
experience, skills, courses, and clubs and organizations you’re involved with. The more
information you provide, the easier it is for recruiters to find you!

Attend virtual events

Employers like IBM and Under Armour often host virtual events on Handshake to connect with
students from across the country. Attending these events is a unique way to meet employees at
the companies you want to work for. Virtual events also give you an opportunity to learn more
about a company before applying for a job.

Be sure to check Handshake for new events and sign up for behind-the-scenes tours, coffee
chats, and Q&A sessions, so you can get an inside look at your next potential employer.

Showcase your soft skills

As mentioned, skills are an important part of your Handshake profile. The hard skills you’ve
developed in the classroom, at work, or through extracurriculars—such as digital marketing or a
programming language—help you stand out to employers looking for students like you.
However, don’t forget to include soft skills like communication, problem solving, collaboration,
and creativity.

According to a recent survey of hiring managers, 92 percent said that soft skills matter as much
or more than hard skills when they’re hiring. When preparing for an interview, try to think of

43
specific projects or experiences that you can talk about to illustrate how you’ve applied these
skills in your life.

Reply to recruiters ASAP

Last year, employers sent more than 16 million messages to students on Handshake.
Typically, recruiters send messages to invite students to networking events or encourage them
to apply for new opportunities. Chatting with a recruiter on Handshake is a great way to make a
personal connection to the companies you want to work for, and helps distinguish you from
other job candidates.

So, when you get a message from a recruiter, make sure to reply as soon as you can.
Download the Handshake app in the App Store or Google Play, so you can be notified when you
get a message.

Log into Handshake today to start getting recruited for your next job!

Source: https://joinhandshake.com/blog/students/get-a-job-online-as-a-college-student-4-tips-from-recruiters/

Visit Handshake’s “Help” page for FAQ’s and additional support

44
 SOCIAL MEDIA & YOUR BRAND

Sources: https://blog.execu-search.com/infographic-8-steps-for-social-media-job-searching-success/

45
 LINKEDIN PROFILE CHECKLIST

Consider your professional LinkedIn Profile to be equivalent to the front page of the website of
you. It’s not a resume of your experiences: It’s a tool to showcase your professional brand. And
while recruiters might check you out as a potential candidate if you have a strong profile with
relevant skills, the objective in creating one is about building out your branded career story and
showcasing the key positions you’ve had and experiences that will help your profile standout
and showcase your core skills.

46
Source:
https://university.linkedin.com/content/dam/university/global/en_US/site/pdf/LinkedIn_Sample_Profile_onesheet-Davi
d.pdf

47
 GAP YEAR & SHORT TERM OPPORTUNITIES

● Do you want a break from school before pursuing more education?

● Are you not quite sure what you want to do yet, or what to concentrate on in
graduate/professional school?
● Then working in the industry of your interest or a related field and exploring options,
while gaining experience, may be your best path. Do you need to improve your grades or
complete a pre-requisite for medical or professional school applications?

Explore post-bac programs. Consider opportunities to travel, volunteer, or pursue a personal

interest. Also, particularly in some STEM fields, getting a year of industry experience can be
really helpful—if the company likes your work and sees the benefit of you furthering your
academic experience, they may even pay for your graduate school.

Short-Term Opportunities
Program Description Link

Opportunities for adults to serve through http://www.americorps.gov/for_individu

a network of partnerships with local and als/overview/index.asp
AmeriCorps national nonprofit groups. Members
address critical needs in communities
across America.

Volunteers serve overseas to work and http://www.peacecorps.gov/

collaborate with community members on
issues ranging from AIDS education to
Peace Corps information technology and
environmental preservation.

Teach For National teacher corps of recent http://www.teachforamerica.org/why-te

America graduates committed to teaching in ach-for-america
under-resourced urban and rural public
schools.

International exchange program http://fulbright.state.gov/

sponsored by the U.S. government.
Fulbright Offers grants to study, teach, and
conduct research for U.S. students to go
abroad.

International exchange program between http://www.jetprogramme.org/

The JET Japan and other nations. Participants
Programme focus on foreign language education and
international exchange activities.

48
 A two-year fellowship program for recent https://www.lead4america.org/
grads dedicated to building community
through strengthening and transforming
local government institutions. Fellows
serve in cities and towns across the
country.
Lead For America

For those who want to see the world and https://www.projects-abroad.org/gap-y

experience different projects, from ear/?utm_campaign=gap_year_abroa
service in South Africa to teaching in d&utm_medium=paid_referral&utm_so
Peru. After an orientation in Africa, you’ll urce=goabroad.com
be able to participate in some set
Projects Abroad
volunteer projects and also select the
projects that interest you at certain
locations. The program ends with a
month of diving and marine
conservation!

With Sea|mester Study Abroad at Sea's https://www.seamester.com/

90 Day Voyage, you can travel across
SeaMester the ocean visiting numerous destinations
along the way for three months, while
living abroad on a ship with other young
people.

For students who may not have the https://www.internationalteflacademy.c

funds for a gap year, earning a TEFL om/-ab-variant-d7aeb497-e3d2-46cc-b
certificate and teaching English abroad 6a2-a3f43ce7743d
International TEFL Academy can be a great option for career
advancement and cultural immersion
while making money instead of spending
it.

49
 DECIDING ON A GRADUATE/PROFESSIONAL SCHOOL
In today’s competitive job market, it is becoming more and more important to have an advanced degree.
The benefits of a graduate degree include the following:
● Personal Growth- If you really liked your undergraduate degree and want to learn more, or if you
found your passion later in your undergraduate education and want to pursue a different pathway,
a graduate degree will allow you to continue to grow in you knowledge
● Greater Employment Opportunities- Many career sectors are already requiring advanced degrees
for employment. The master’s degree is now what the bachelor’s degree was 30 years ago.
● Greater Career Advancement- Having an advanced degree opens doors for you to be promoted
for leadership and management positions. The ability to complete a master’s degree shows to
employers that you have demonstrated success and persistence which are qualities they look for
in an employee
● Financial Reward- Those with graduate degrees earn on average 30% more than those with a
bachelor’s degree. Many government and state job pay scales reward employees with additional
units and degrees in education as well.
Here is a quick checklist of things that you should consider when looking for a graduate/professional
school

Goals Why do you want to go to graduate school?

Academic What is the size of the program? How many students would be in your cohort?

How do students in the program describe their relationship with faculty members?

What concentrations or specialities is the program known for?

What format are classes offered in(in-person, distance, hybrid)?

Career Is further education beyond a bachelor’s degree required for your career choice?

What opportunities are available to you with an advanced degree?

Is it necessary/desirable to have professional work experience prior to getting an

advanced degree?

Experiential Is the program offering you practical experience in addition to coursework?

How does the location fit with what you would like to do outside the classroom?
What organizations and companies are located near the camps that might offer
volunteer, research, internship, or job opportunities?

What is the campus culture of the institution?

If relocating, what does housing and transportation look like during your
education?

Financial What opportunities exist to help you finance your graduate education. Are there
assistantships, fellowships, scholarships?

How does your projected salary change by completing this degree program?

Is it possible to work while completing this program? What are some examples of

50
 jobs past students in this program have had?
Source: https://www.meredith.edu/assets/images/content/career_planning_workbook.pdf
GRADUATE SCHOOL CHECKLIST

Do your research
Research colleges and universities of interest
Ask faculty, advisers, and the advisors at the Career Services office about how to begin
your search
Visit campuses, if possible, or schedule meetings to speak with admissions
representatives, faculty, and students
Check Handshake for upcoming graduate and professional school fairs
Establish a list of schools you plan to apply to, check their application criteria & deadlines
Create a personal system for ranking the institutions
Discuss financial needs and plans with trusted advisers, family, or financial aid counselors

Prepare application materials

Prepare and register for admissions tests (GMAT, LSAT, MCAT, GRE, etc.) at least four - six
months prior to your application deadline
Write your personal statements and essays
Visit the Career Services office for ideas and content, and visit the Writing Center for
grammar and overall flow. Review your ideas with your faculty advisors and get feedback
as you edit
Tailor your resume/CV
Take admission tests
Request letters of recommendation at least three weeks prior to your deadline
Be sure to gain a variety of recommendations. Academic and professional
recommendations give a holistic picture of your ability to be a successful graduate
student. Follow all application instructions for the number and type of recommendations
required.

Submit your application

Submit completed applications and be sure to include all necessary supplemental information
Request official transcripts from the Registrar's Office
Contact the department or check online to make sure your application file is complete
Continue to check your application status
Complete any necessary financial aid paperwork (FAFSA)

Accept and celebrate

Send required information and/or fees to the institution where you have been accepted
Send thank you notes to recommendation writers, and inform them of your final decision

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