CAREER SERVICES DEVELOPMENT GUIDE - NMU

Transcription

CAREER DEVELOPMENT GUIDECAREER SERVICES3302.3 C.B. HedgcockPhone: (906) 227-2800 Fax: (906) 227-2807careers@nmu.edu es/HandshakeFacebook: www.facebook.com/CareerServicesNMUInstagram: @NMUCareerServicesPinterest: www.pinterest.com/NMUCareerServicTwitter: @NMUCareerServicCONTENTS INCLUDE: Handshake Resume building Part-time student employment Preparing for a job fair Deciphering the business dress code1

Northern Michigan University Career ServicesCAREER DEVELOPMENT GUIDETABLE OF CONTENTSServices Offered . 3Career and Job Search Timeline . 4Part-Time Student Employment . 5Federal Work-Study FAQ . 7Resume Building . 9Helpful Action Words . 13What Do Employers Value in a Candidate? . 14Sample Resumes . 15Cover Letter/Letter of Application . 17Sample Cover Letter . 18Thank You Letter . 19References . 20Handshake . 22Preparing for a Job Fair . 25What to do at the Job Fair . 26Interviews from A to Z . 27Deciphering Business Dress Code . 38Protect Your Online Reputation . 41CAREER SERVICES3302.3 C.B. Hedgcock (906) 227-2800 du/careerservices/Handshake2

Services Offered: Web Site – www.nmu.edu/careers Containsinformation on hundreds of jobopportunities for after graduation, resumewriting part-time job listings andinternship opportunities for currentstudents, information on upcoming events,links to hundreds of job-related web sites,and much, much more! Handshake –www.nmu.edu/careerservices/HandshakeContains postings for all jobs – full-time,part-time on-campus, part-time offcampus, summer jobs and internships.Upload your resume to apply for jobs onlineand for employers to view. View the list ofemployers that are visiting campus and signup for information sessions and on-campusinterviews. Sign up to attend job fairs,workshops and other career-related events. Staying Connected – Staff in CareerServices work closely with staff in theAcademic and Career Advisement Center(ACAC) and Orientation in order to assiststudents with important career decisions. Job Search Workshops – Throughout theacademic year, staff in Career Services hostworkshops for classes, studentorganizations and residence hall groups.Topics include resume writing, interviewingskills, internships and summeremployment.It’s Never Too Early to Start!For students just beginning their collegecareer, as well as for those who are graduatingand entering the job market, the following jobfairs and events are sponsored during theacademic year by Career Services: Construction Management & TechnologyCareer Fair – Scheduled for early fall(during Homecoming Week), gearedspecifically towards students choosingconstruction, electronics, technology andrelated majors. Fall Semester Job Fair – Held in earlyOctober, hosts various organizations fromthe Midwest with an assortment of jobopportunities. Summer Employment Fair – Takes placeeach February, invites local, regional, andon-campus departments with seasonaland part-time openings. Winter Semester Job Fair – Hosts manylocal and national employers, in March.Have your resume reviewed before the fair –Contact Career Services to make anappointment!Visit www.nmu.edu/careers for additionalinformation on upcoming NMU job fairs andothers held throughout the United States.Call our office today to set up a time to visit with one of ouradvisers, have your resume reviewed, practice your interviewskills or discuss any topic related to your career pursuits!3302.3 C.B. Hedgcock 1401 Presque Isle Ave.Marquette, MI 49855-5329Phone: 906-227-2800; Fax: 906-227-2807Web site: www.nmu.edu/careersE-mail: careers@nmu.edu3

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PART-TIME STUDENT EMPLOYMENTCan a Part-time Job Really Improve My Grades?Research shows that students who work part-time while going to college tend to get bettergrades, on average, than students who do not work. There are, however, some importantthings to keep in mind when considering a part-time job: Whether you decide to work on- or off-campus, it’srecommended that you work no more than 20 hours aweek. Students who work between 15 and 20 hours a weektend to get better grades than students who don't work.Please note that per university policy, if you work oncampus, you’ll be limited to 20 hours per week.15 – 20 Hours/Weekis Optimal! Make sure to evaluate how much time you actually have to dedicate to a part-time job.Consider not only your class time, but also your study time, extracurricular involvement,family obligations, etc. Make sure that you also leave "sanity" time for yourself. Thendetermine how many hours a week you will be available to work. Consider your skills, experience, and interests before you apply for a position. There arelots of different types of opportunities both on- and off-campus. Do you like workingwith children? Are you good with computers? Are you athletic? Do you enjoy helpingother people? Do you like preparing meals? Apply for those positions that interest youand for which you have the skills.Don't be frustrated if you can't find a part-timejob related to your major. You can alwayssupplement your employment experience withan internship or summer job that is gearedtowards your field of study. Regardless of theposition you obtain, you will be gaining valuablejob skills, such as communication, timemanagement, accountability, etc. In addition tothese essential qualifications, there are otherbenefits to having a part-time job, including: Establishing a work history to include on your resumeAcquiring employment referencesDeveloping contacts to assist with your full-time job searchExperiencing less debt upon graduationBecoming a more integrated member of the on- and/or off-campus communityMeeting new peopleAchieving higher grades in school5

During your search for a part-time job, make sure to check out our job lists often! You can visitHandshake (www.nmu.edu/careerservices/Handshake) to view current on- and off-campusopportunities and to get on-campus applications. We post all jobs within the Upper Peninsula onour Twitter (@NMUCareerServic). We encourage you to apply for all positions for which youqualify and are of interest to you. You should also follow up with the employer about a week or soafter the application is submitted to make sure it has been received and that you are beingconsidered for the job. Make sure to check your Financial Aid statement to see if you havereceived Federal Work-Study – some positions on-campus may require it. For more informationon Federal Work-Study, review the questions on the next page or contact our office.Just because you filled out an applicationdoesn't mean you're guaranteed a job.Finding the right job takes effort andpatience. Many departments receive anumber of applications for the jobs theyadvertise. It takes them some time toreview the applications, conductinterviews, and select the right person.The key concept to learn from any job is to make the most of your employmentexperience. Learn as much as you can, share your thoughts and ideas, seek feedbackon your performance, take advantage of leadership opportunities and special projects,and network with the individuals you meet. You may find that your part-time job isone of the most rewarding aspects of your college experience!6

FEDERAL WORK-STUDY FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONSWhat is Federal Work-Study? FederalWork-Study refers to either federallyfunded or state funded programs wherethe government subsidizes a portion ofthe student’s wages. In order to qualifyfor Federal Work-Study, you mustcomplete and submit the appropriatefinancial aid forms (available in theFinancial Aid office, 2107 C.B. Hedgcock).Students are considered for FederalWork-Study based on financial need.Questions regarding financial aid shouldbe directed to the Financial Aid Office at227-2327.I have been awarded Federal WorkStudy as part of my financial aidpackage. What do I do now?When you apply for a job, make sure that youindicate on your application form that youqualify for Federal Work-Study. When anemployer enters you into the payroll systemto get paid, your Federal Work-Study awardwill be applied. This applies to on campus andoff campus jobs with Federal Work-Study.Do I get a paycheck for working or doesthe money just go right towards mystudent account?Federal Work-Study funds are intended tohelp offset your educational and livingexpenses, but the money is not credited toyour student account. You will receive apaycheck each pay period you work and it isup to you to apply it to your expenses. Allpaychecks are based on your hourly Wage andthe number of hours you worked that payperiod.How do I find a Federal Work-Study jobon campus?Career Services (located in 3302.3 of theC.B. Hedgcock Building) posts on-campuspart-time jobs in ake)If you have Federal Work-Study you canapply for any on-campus jobs, whetherthey require Federal Work-Study or not.The job postings provide information onthe hourly wage paid, the typical dutiesfor the position, the contact person ordepartment, and how to apply for the job.Job applications are available Handshake(in the Resource Library), on the CareerServices website(www.nmu.edu/careerservices) and in theCareer Services office.Students are encouraged to apply for allpositions for which they qualify andwhich interest them. We encouragestudents to follow up with the employer aweek or so after the application issubmitted to make sure it has beenreceived and that s/he is being consideredfor a job. Federal Work-Study does notguarantee you a job, so you must play anactive role in your job search process.Howhourscan I work?manya week7

Each job counts toward the 20-hr max perweek during the academic year and breaks.Am I guaranteed a Federal Work-Studyposition each year?Insupport of your academic success, studentsemployed on campus may not work morethan 20 hours a week during the regularacademic year and during breaks. Youremployer should consider the amount of yourFederal Work-Study award when determiningyour weekly work schedule if you want tospread your award out over the entireacademic year.What happens if I use all my Federal WorkStudy funds before the end of the academicyear?Once you reach your Federal Work-Studyaward level, your employer will beresponsible for paying 100% of your wagesafter that point. Due to budgetaryconstraints, some departments can’t affordto pay 100% of the student’s wages and mayhave to release you from the department.Others may continue to employ you for theremainder of the academic year. If you areconcerned about this, you should work withyour employer to develop a schedule thatallows you to spread your Federal WorkStudy award throughout the entire academicyear.I have two jobs on campus. Do both of themdraw from my Federal Work-Study funds?Yes. Remember to inform both supervisorsso they can help you monitor how quickly youare using your Federal Work-Study award.8Because Federal Work-Study is part of yourfinancial aid package, you will need to submitthe necessary financial aid paperwork eachyear in order to determine your level offinancial need. Contact the Financial Aidoffice at 227-2327 to determine the deadlinesfor submitting financial aid paperwork.Having a Federal Work-Study award does notguarantee you a job.Can my Federal Work-Study funds beapplied to an off-campus job?The Off-Campus Federal Work-Studyprogram at NMU has provided some studentsthe opportunity to apply their Federal WorkStudy awards to off-campus jobs through alimited number of local community serviceorganizations. When such jobs are available,they will be posted in n I still work on campus if I don’t qualifyfor Federal Work-Study?Absolutely! While some departments requirestudent applicants to have Federal WorkStudy, many do not. The job listings inHandshake will indicate whether or notFederal Work-Study is required, and you canapply for any position that doesn’t requireFederal Work-Study or has Federal WorkStudy preferred.If you have any additional questions relatedto student employment, feel free to visitCareer Services in 3302.3 of the C.B.Hedgcock Building, call us at 227-2800 oremail us at careers@nmu.edu.Being awarded Federal Work-Studydoes not guarantee you a job – youmust play an active role in your jobhunt!

RESUME BUILDINGThere are many ways to prepare an effective resume.The following tips have proven successful for students in the past.Remember that a resume can serve many purposes,including:Acting as an initial introductionof your professional credentialswhen applying for a job.Supporting an application forpromotion or additionalresponsibilities in your currentposition.Serving as an easy referencewhen filling out job applications.Highlighting your professionalcareer.?To an employer, your resume shouldanswer the following three questions:1. What skills do you have which willbenefit the company/organization?2. From reading your resume, how do theyknow that you have these skills?3. What sets you apart and makes youdifferent from the others who haveapplied for this job?9

ESSENTIAL RESUME CONTENTWhen creating a resume, certain information MUST be included, regardless of yourmajor or the position for which you are applying, such as education andemployment history. Include and highlight contact information, such as your name, phone number,e-mail, and mailing address with boldface type. If you will be moving soon, usethe two-address format to ensure employers will be able to contact you whereveryou are! List only colleges or universities from which you have received a degree or arecurrently attending. Include what kind of degree (e.g., Associate, Bachelor’s, orMaster’s degree) and the month and year it was earned. If you are still working onyour degree, list it as “expected” or “anticipated” along with a date, unless youare within one semester of graduating. If you have a cumulative GPA of 3.0 or higher, it is to your advantage to list it.Also a GPA of 3.5 or above qualifies you to be an “Honors Graduate” at NMU, so besure to denote that if it applies, too. Emphasize accomplishments you have earned in your positions as opposed tolisting duties. Show the employer what you have ACHIEVED at your jobs – thishelps to set you apart from other applicants. Provide detail in bullet point format.Look at the job description of the position for which you are applying, and try tofind related accomplishments at your previous positions. Give examples of whenyou performed job duties and add details. Highlight numbers and dollar values. Emphasize things like the number ofemployees you’ve trained or the amount of money you saved the company. Actualnumbers are more effective than general phrases. Good example: “Supervisedfive employees and increased sales by over twenty percent.” Always list any certifications and licenses you hold, but make sure they arecurrent! If you list a skill, be sure you can come up with a way to prove it toemployers. Don’t exaggerate and never, ever lie.RESUME FORMATTING GUIDELINES Avoid using a template, word processing wizard, or other resume softwareprograms – it is better to create your OWN resume!There are cases to be made for a longer resume, but in the majority of cases, keepit to one page. If it is difficult for an employer to find what they need (youreducation, experience, etc.) they will discard it before they even finish reading. Use standard 8½ by 11 inch good-quality paper in ivory, white or other lightcolors. Avoid flashy “look at me” colors and use the same paper for your coverletter. (Career Services will print copies of your resume and cover letter on highquality paper, for free!) Use 11 or 12 point font if possible. A smaller size can be too difficult to read andanything larger than 12 is too big. Don’t use more than two fonts, and never use10

script fonts – a basic, modern font like Helvetica or Arial works well. Simplicityand consistency go a long way to making your document look professional.Avoid using graphics, decorative fonts, pictures, and flashy colors – yourresume is a professional tool, and these things can distract employers fromfinding key information.It is a good idea to save a copy of your resume in PDF format. This ensures thatyour formatting looks the same on any computer. And back up your work! Onegood way is to submit it to Handshake (www.nmu.edu/careerservices/handshake).Submit electronic resumes with your name as part of the document name– it iseasier for an employer to find your resume if it’s called “John Maki Resume.pdf”rather than “Resume.pdf”.Avoid folding your documents! If mailing documents, use a 9” x 12” mailingenvelope (available from the post office, campus bookstore, or an office supplystore), rather than a letter-size envelope. If you are taking resumes to aninterview, use a folder or portfolio to keep them flat.OPTIONAL RESUME CONTENTThere may be other things that you might want to include in your resume.Remember that your resume is your way to market yourself to an employer. You maywant to include additional headings such as: Certifications/Licenses, RelevantCoursework, Volunteer and/or Leadership Experience, Computer Skills, or Interestsand Activities. Depending on your experiences and the space available on yourresume, you may decide to omit certain headings or add others not listed here. An objective is usually appropriate for entry-level positions and should be asspecific as possible. For example, “To obtain the position of software engineerwith Microsoft, Inc.”Consider including relevant coursework (usually 4-6 classes which directly relateto your major) to show employers what skills you have learned throughout youreducation.Employers look very highly upon membership in an organization anddemonstrated leadership skills, as well as civic involvement, community service,and volunteer activities. List all current or recent extracurricular activities inwhich you have been involved.Technology experience is also something to include. List everything that youhave had practice with, like Microsoft Office, Adobe Photoshop, Dreamweaver,etc.If there is room on your resume, you could illustrate that you have interestsoutside of your classes and work. You never know, maybe you and the interviewerhave something in common.Do not list references on your resume! Create a completely separate Referencespage for this information (see

information on upcoming NMU job fairs and others held throughout the United States. Call our office today to set up a time to visit with one of our advisers, have your resume reviewed, practice your interview . The job postings provide information on the hourly wage paid, t