TABLE OF CONTENTS Chapter 1 Chapter 4 Get to Know University Career Services Find an Internship/Job Locations ...............................................................................1 Introduction of Career Interest Clusters...............................1 Overview of Services for Students .......................................2 Strategies for finding an Internship/Job.............................29 Use CareerKnight for the Internship/Job Search ...............30 Prepare for Career and Internship Fairs .......................31–32 How to Present Your Elevator Pitch at Career Fairs, Interviews, and Networking Events ....................................32 Sample Elevator Pitches .....................................................33 Develop Your Online Presence for the Job and Internship Search .........................................................34 Earn Credit for Your Internship ...........................................35 The Academic Job Search for Doctoral Students ..............36 Internship and Job Search for International Students........37 Prepare for the Interview Process ................................38–39 Behavioral Interviews ..........................................................40 Typical Questions Asked by Employers ..............................41 Tell Me About Yourself—The Two Minute Drill.............42–43 Chapter 2 Explore Majors/Careers and Build Experience Explanation of the Career Decision Making Process ...........3 Know Yourself........................................................................3 Explore Careers.....................................................................3 Make a Plan ...........................................................................4 Take Action............................................................................4 Explore Majors and Careers .................................................4 Major Doesn’t Always Equal Career ....................................4 Consider a Career Cluster ....................................................5 Research Career Clusters ......................................................5 Select a Career Cluster and Major/Minor .............................5 Explore Careers through Informational Interviews—Connect with alumni and professionals to learn about fields........................................6 Are you Internship Ready? Experiential Education—Exploring careers through Internships .............................................................................7 Chapter 3 Prepare for the Internship/Job Search Develop a Resume ................................................................9 Self-Evaluate..........................................................................9 Research Your Target Market ................................................9 Identify Transferable Skills ....................................................9 Select a Resume Format .....................................................10 Anatomy of a Resume .........................................................10 Tips to Strengthen Your Resume ........................................11 Utilize Keywords .................................................................11 Power Verbs ........................................................................12 Use Accomplishment Statements .......................................13 Resume Samples ...........................................................14–20 Curriculum Vitae vs. Resume ..............................................21 CV Samples for Graduate Students .............................22–23 Grab Their Attention With a Winning Letter or Email ....................................................................24 Professional Email Guidelines .............................................24 Cover Letter/Thank You Letter/ Email Samples ...............................................................25–27 What should I wear? ...........................................................28 EQUAL EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITY STATEMENT Chapter 5 Make an Impact at Your Internship or Full-time Job Workplace Etiquette ..................................................... 45-46 Establishing Your Professional Reputation .........................46 Chapter 6 Explore Graduate & Professional School Is Graduate School Right for You? ................................47–48 Guidelines for Writing Your Personal Statement ................49 A Statement of Purpose .....................................................50 Sponsors Graduate Program Index ......................................................52 Employer Index .....................................................................63 UNIVERSITY CAREER SERVICES CAREER & INTERNSHIP GUIDE Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey, New Brunswick, University Career Services In order to participate in on-campus interviewing on the Rutgers University campus, employers are required to follow University guidelines. All employers affirm that they are an equal opportunity employer, offering employment without regard to race, religion, ancestry, sex, sexual orientation, marital status, national origin, or age. They provide equal employment opportunity to people with disabilities, disabled veterans, and veterans of the Vietnam era. Rutgers University has adopted a policy requiring employers using University facilities for recruiting purposes to affirm in w riting that they do not discriminate in their employment practices against applicants in any of these categories. However, where employers believe applicants in any one ofthese categories are unable to meet their occupational qualifications for employment, the employers may continue to use the facilities of University Career Services if they inform such offices of their policy and the reasons that justify it. An example is the U.S. military, which by executive order excludes persons based on age, physical disability, and sexual orientation. Statements from these employers are on file with University Career Services. Get to Know University Career Services Chapter 1: GET TO KNOW UNIVERSITY CAREER SERVICES careers.rutgers.edu Offices College Avenue Campus: Gateway Transit Village 106 Somerset Street, 4th FL New Brunswick, NJ 08901 848-932-7997 732-932-0320 (Fax) Busch Campus: Busch Student Center 604 Bartholomew Road Piscataway, NJ 08854 848-445-6127 732-445-6150 (Fax) How to Use This Guide The University Career Services Career Planning Guide will help you obtain your career development objectives. This publication was developed as a tool to assist you throughout your time at Rutgers and is designed to help you achieve your career goals including making appropriate career decisions, exploring different careers, preparing for the internship/job search, networking, interviewing, and more. We look forward to assisting you in your career journey! Learn About Career Interest Clusters and Meet Our Career Development Specialists! University Career Services uses a career development model focused on career interests. This allows students to break out of viewing career opportunities based solely on college majors and opens the door to a larger variety of options. Career Clusters are broad groups of careers that share common features, skill sets, interests, abilities and activities. You can decide on a cluster by asking yourself, “which cluster(s) include occupations that match my interests?” Identifying your cluster opens up opportunities for career planning. Our Career Development Specialists are subject matter experts in each career interest cluster and can help students identify the skills necessary to pursue careers within that industry. ARTS AND ENTERTAINMENT & STUDENTS STILL DECIDING DOUG RICCI Gateway Transit Village 848-932-0137 dricci@rutgers.edu BUSINESS & COMMUNICATIONS ANDREW SEGUEL Gateway Transit Village 848-445-5584 andrew.seguel@rutgers.edu FOOD AND AGRICULTURE & ENVIRONMENTAL AND NATURAL RESOURCES LARRY JACOBS Gateway Transit Village 848-932-7997 best2u@rutgers.edu EDUCATION & PUBLIC AND HUMAN SERVICES SCOTT BORDEN MONICA BRYANT Gateway Transit Village 848-932-0141 sborden@rutgers.edu Gateway Transit Village 848-932-0143 mbryant@rutgers.edu SYLVIA CORDERO Gateway Transit Village 848-932-0140 scordero@rutgers.edu HEALTH, GENERAL SCIENCES, TECHNOLOGY, ENGINEERING, & MATH JOE SCOTT Busch Student Center 848-445-5578 joscott@rutgers.edu MINDY O’MEALIA Busch Student Center 848-445-5591 mindy.omealia@rutgers.edu TAMARA PETERS Gateway Transit Village/ Busch Student Center 848-445-5586 tamara.peters@rutgers.edu WHY JOIN A CLUSTER: How to Join a Cluster: Register for a cluster within your profile section of CareerKnight today and start exploring new career opportunities! Students within a cluster will have the opportunity to engage in tailored: Career appointments with cluster liaisons | Programs and workshops | Networking events and panels | Job and internship opportunities within CareerKnight | Career and internship fairs | Employer site visits | Weekly announcements Benefits of Joining: Individual career appointments with a cluster expert can help you in your career development process. Receive notice of programs, workshops, networking events and panels available to students within the clusters. Be prepared and put your best foot forward for career and internship fairs. Gain jobs and internship opportunities within CareerKnight specifically posted for your cluster. CAREERS.RUTGERS.EDU CAREER & INTERNSHIP GUIDE 1 Get to Know University Career Services Services for Undergraduate and Graduate Students Peer Career Educators (PCE) Can Help Fellow Students! UCS supports the career development of degreeseeking students at the New Brunswick campus. Activate your CareerKnight account to access the services below. PCEs are specially trained to help students with resume critiques and to answer general questions about University Career Services. You’ll also see them around campus conducting presentations! Overview of Services for Students University Career Services is committed to assisting you with making connections between your academic experience and career paths. We provide career-related counseling, resources, and programs to help clarify your academic and career goals, establish career plans, develop job search strategies, and make successful career transitions. Individual Career Assistance Career & Internship Fairs Workshops & Networking Events Rutgers Internship & Co-op Program (RICP) Do you need help choosing a major, developing your career plan, or looking for a job or internship? Are you planning to go to graduate school? Schedule an individual career assistance appointment today. Our Career Development Specialists can provide guidance, and serve as valuable resources. Look for our event offerings in subject areas that are relevant to YOU! Attend a workshop and learn how to network, develop internship/job search strategies, polish your interview skills, and more. Participate in one of our many networking events or panel discussions. You can always find the most up-to-date listing of programs on our website. Employer Networking & Information Sessions Learn everything you want to know about a potential employer, while seizing the opportunity to create a positive impression. University Career Services will host a variety of organizations for networking and information sessions each year. On-Campus Interviewing (OCI) Program What could be better than employers coming to you for an interview? How do you take advantage of this opportunity? Put your CareerKnight account to use by applying for interviews through the OCI program. Employers will review applications and invite potential candidates to interviews during their campus visits. Show employers your value at one of our various fairs throughout the year! Meet recruiters and make the most of every opportunity. Learn about organizations in which you are interested. Ask questions while making a good impression with recruiters, human resources professionals, and industry specialists. RICP is an online pass/fail course designed to accompany your internship or co-op. Earn academic credit during the fall, spring, and summer sessions (winter session is not an option). The course consists of career-related assignments. You can also gain an advocate through your course instructor who can help you navigate issues in your work environment. Course credits apply towards graduation as general elective credits. Get Connected We are here for you 24/7 Our online resources will help you get the inside scoop about careers in which you are interested, create a resume, practice interviewing, review listings, and apply for job and internship positions and much more. Visit us online at careers.rutgers.edu to explore the full range of resources. Online Tools CareerKnight: This is your main career management system and virtual career center. Request appointments with a Career Development Specialist and register for workshops. Apply for jobs and internships. Schedule interviews through the On-Campus Interviewing Program. Access the following tools via CareerKnight: Candid Career: Get career advice from industry professionals at any time through these informational videos. Watch interviews and explore your career options. Industry Guides: All that you ever wanted to know about a particular industry is at your fingertips. Take a look and learn about industry trends, strategies, and detailed organization information. CareerShift: Search, store, and record job listings from every job board out there! Take advantage of in-depth informational tools to gain direct contact information for various organizations. FOCUS 2: Use this online tool to make informed career decisions by assessing your skills, interests, and values. GoingGlobal: Thinking of going global with your career? Utilize country and city guides to learn about a variety of options. Information on visas is also included. Mock Interviews: Would you hire you? Use this virtual mock interviewing service and decide. This is your chance to practice, get feedback, and learn by watching yourself. Resume Builder: Develop strong resumes and cover letters by using the Resume Builder module found in CareerKnight. View approved resume samples and get ideas for strong bullet points. Student-Alumni Career Connections: Access Rutgers alumni who are willing to provide career advice. Search the database by major, job title, employer, and more to learn about their career paths. Testing & Education Reference Center: provides materials for practicing a wide variety of tests ranging from High School through Graduate study, such as AP, SAT, ACT, GRE, LSAT, MCAT and MAT, etc. 2 CAREER & INTERNSHIP GUIDE CAREERS.RUTGERS.EDU Chapter 2: EXPLORE MAJORS/CAREERS AND BUILD EXPERIENCE AC O N TI 1 EX PL TA K E N Know Yourself Personality is how well you fit in certain work environments; interests are what you enjoy doing; skills are what you do well; and values are what motivates you to work. Clarifying this self-knowledge will help you to find options that might be a good fit for you. UCS offers various career assessments including: Focus 2, Myers-Briggs Type Indicator, and the Strong Interest Inventory. PL A Areas to Explore: Career Interest Clusters Job Functions & Industries Major/Minors Experiential Education W URSELF YO EERS CAR RE O Areas to Explore: Personality Interests Skills Values KN O Two of the biggest decisions you will face at Rutgers are deciding what to study and what to do once you graduate. These are important decisions that require thoughtful consideration. Some students identify their choice of major and/or career early on, while others need more time to explore and research the various options. There are several objectives to consider when choosing a major and career. These objectives include knowing about yourself, learning about the world of work, understanding how you make decisions, and taking steps to test your decisions. The following graphic represents steps to take when making these important decisions: M A AKE 2 Areas to Explore: Your Decision-Making Style Pros/Cons of Majors & Careers Fit Between Self & Career Evaluate Options Select Career & Major Areas to Explore: Resume/Cover Letter Interviewing Skills Internship & Job Search Graduate School Explore Careers Many students have had limited exposure to the broad range of available career options. You may know about the more obvious career choices, but there are many careers you might not have considered simply because you don’t know they exist. There are also many careers about which you may have incomplete or inaccurate information. (Continued on next page) CAREERS.RUTGERS.EDU CAREER & INTERNSHIP GUIDE 3 Explore Majors/Careers and Build Experience Explanation of the Career Decision-Making process including Self-Assessment Explore Majors/Careers and Build Experience 3 Make a Plan We don’t all approach decision-making in the same manner. There are many different decision making styles, such as “intuitive,” “play-it-safe,” “impulsive,” and so on. Meeting with a Career Development Specialist can help you match what you’ve learned about yourself with what you’ve learned about the world of work. Then you can develop a plan to pursue a particular major and/or career. 4 Take Action Once you’ve decided on a potential career path, you need to start gaining both hands-on and academic experience in order to be competitive in the job market or graduate school application process. Choice of a major is only one factor in determining your future job prospects and career path. College graduates are evaluated on their complete package: academic achievements, choice of electives, campus and community involvements, internship and work experiences, skills, personal characteristics, and more. Your experiences often tell employers more about your potential than your major alone and play a large part in determining employers’ interest in you. Read the following pages for more details about the above steps. Explore Majors and Careers To evaluate the fit of a major and career you must consider what you have learned about yourself through honest self-assessment (see previous page: “Know Yourself”). Next, it is important to remember that a college major does not always equal a specific career path. Major Doesn’t Always Determine Career Some people believe that for every occupation there is a specific corresponding academic degree. While there are occupations that do require specific academic majors for certification (e.g., nursing and engineering), many do not. In fact, many graduates are working in career fields that are not directly related to their undergraduate programs of study. Consider college majors as if they were falling along a scale. At one end of the scale there are degree programs that are highly specialized in nature and provide specific knowledge and skills pertinent to a given occupation (e.g., nursing). At the opposite end of the scale there are liberal arts degrees (e.g., art history and English) that provide broad and highly transferable skills. In the middle lie degree options that are somewhat focused in terms of specific knowledge acquired and yet are still quite transferable (e.g., business and communication). “ Focus on the idea of having the same work ethic of a full-time employee, you will make an impression that demonstrates your ability to succeed as a potential hire. ” RACHAEL HOUSTON Intern at Bonnie Brae 4 CAREER & INTERNSHIP GUIDE Time taken during your first two years of college to explore career options will help you determine what educational plan best suits your needs. Refer to the UCS website (careers.rutgers.edu) to review the First-Year and Second-Year Action Plans. If you have possible career fields in mind, take the time to research educational requirements, necessary skills, pre-requisite courses, and hands-on experiences. Consider the “majors scale” and determine whether a more specialized body of knowledge and/or major is required for your interest area(s). You may pursue a liberal arts major and supplement it with a minor, concentration, or certification. A liberal arts foundation offers a broad background in communication, critical thinking, and problem solving skills, as well as the ability to learn. These are skills that employers value, especially when coupled with more occupation-specific skills, acquired either academically (e.g., a minor) or experientially (e.g., an internship). Finally, be sure to schedule an appointment with a UCS Career Development Specialist to discuss your ideas, determine where you reside on the “majors scale,” and help you match your interests, values, and skills to an occupational career interest cluster. CAREERS.RUTGERS.EDU I. Consider a Career Interest Cluster Before Choosing Your Major WHAT IS A CAREER INTEREST CLUSTER? a grouping of occupations and broad industries based on commonalities Explore Majors/Careers and Build Experience II. Research Career Interest Clusters • Schedule an appointment (via CareerKnight) with a Career Development Specialist. • Register for our “Career Exploration & Networking” programs (via CareerKnight) to meet professionals working in a variety of industries and performing various job functions. • Use the Student-Alumni Career Connections (via CareerKnight) and LinkedIn to contact professionals about their careers, a process known as informational interviewing (see the section on Informational Interviewing). • Use Vault (via CareerKnight), O*NET, and the Occupational Outlook Handbook (bls.gov/ooh) to review descriptions about industries and job titles. III. Select a Career Interest Cluster and Major/Minor • Select a career interest cluster in your CareerKnight account to receive targeted email messages informing you about cluster-specific workshops and internship/job opportunities. • Review “Explore Majors & Careers” on the UCS website, attend the Majors Fairs in October and March, and register for “Choosing a Major” workshops (via CareerKnight). • Visit academic departments (e.g., websites, speak with faculty and students), meet with academic advisors/deans, sit it on classes, and consider research via opportunities on campus such as Aresty. • Become internship-ready by engaging in experiential education, such as student organizations and other campus activities (see “Are You Internship Ready?”). Refer to the UCS website (careers.rutgers.edu) to review the action plans by academic year (e.g., Junior Year Action Plan) for additional steps to follow. Refer to our Career Interest Clusters on page 1 for more information. CAREERS.RUTGERS.EDU CAREER & INTERNSHIP GUIDE 5 Explore Majors/Careers and Build Experience Exploring Careers Through Informational Interviews Exploring careers from a professional’s first hand perspective is a valuable way to learn if a particular career is an option for you to consider. Informational interviews are often underutilized opportunities to hear “real talk” about careers and to possibly expand your professional network. Whether you have questions about the day-to-day operations of a job, the proper points of entry for a field of work, the best courses to take, or internship experiences to explore, you’ll find answers that will help develop your thoughts around suitable careers. How Do I Find People to Interview? Student-Alumni Career Connections: University Career Services offers an online database of Rutgers alumni willing to provide career advice. Search the database by major, job title, employer, and more to learn about alumni career paths. You can access this network via your CareerKnight account. View the student information sheet link in the site for helpful instructions. Academic Departments: Consider reaching out to professors, or teaching and research assistants with whom you are in contact. Many remain connected to a community of professionals in their fields of expertise. LinkedIn: This professional social networking platform allows you to connect with Rutgers alumni and other professionals individually, by industry, or through LinkedIn groups. Set up a free account and connect with the Rutgers Alumni LinkedIn Group. CareerShift: CareerShift helps job seekers successfully navigate the published and hidden job market to find employment. It can also provide you with contact information for Rutgers alumni working in various organizations. Students can access this system using the link under the “Students” section of our website. Professional Associations: Professional associations are nonprofit organizations seeking to further particular professions, the interests of individuals engaged in those professions, and the public interest. Family and Friends: Think about your family, friends, and neighbors. They may work in fields that interest you. Conversations with them may help you learn about career fields. Consider These Pointers for Maximizing Informational Interviews: 1. Conduct research: Learn what you can about their current or past careers, areas of specialty, and educational backgrounds. Let them know the source by which you’ve identified them and set a short time limit for how long you’d like to speak (i.e., “Do you have time for a 15 minute conversation?”) 2. Seek to have conversations, not ask for jobs: One of the best ways to approach your contacts is to lead your requests by humbly telling them that you are seeking career information and that you are simply interested in learning about the work that they do. 3. Ask for referrals: At the end of your interview, express a desire to remain in contact if you prefer. Do not wear out your welcome. Ask your contact if they have other colleagues with whom you might connect in order to learn more. Be sure to express your thanks after the meeting. 4. Follow up with a thank you: Whenever possible, send an email or note of thanks following the interview. It helps to make a strong impression. These are a few suggestions you can use to explore informational interviews. Consider making an appointment with one of our Career Development Specialists for a more customized approach. Sample Questions Be prepared to lead the conversations: You should have a list of questions ready to ask. Samples include: • Can you tell me about your career path and how you got where you are? • What are the different entry-level jobs in this career field? • What do you do on a typical day? • What background or experience is required or helpful? 6 CAREER & INTERNSHIP GUIDE • What aspects of this career field do you like/dislike? • What courses might be helpful for me to enhance my chances for employment in the field? • How competitive is the job market? • What is the salary range at the entry-level and higher levels? CAREERS.RUTGERS.EDU Gain Experience: Are You Internship Ready? Gaining Experience Getting Involved “ I was invited to present my research at the BioCycle East Coast Conference and then at a Rutgers Energy Institute faculty meeting. It was an amazing experience to discuss and answer questions about the project I spent all summer working on. ” ALEC ROTH Intern at Rutgers EcoComplex CAREERS.RUTGERS.EDU Joining a student organization, volunteering on campus or at a local nonprofit, working part-time, or participating in research with a faculty member, all represent valuable experiences that help build skills to include on your resume. From these experiences you can begin developing key skills employers seek such as time management, teamwork, and leadership. These experiences are the stepping-stones to increase your marketability for future internship opportunities or being “internship ready.” Get started creating your strategy for gaining experience and being “internship ready.” Review the action plans for each academic year on the University Career Services website and meet with a Career Development Specialist. You can also begin exploring career interest clusters with the goal of identifying one to two of the career interest clusters available (see Chapter 1). Getting Internships Once you have gained experience and identified your major and career interest cluster, you can begin to identify and pursue internships. Internships provide the opportunities to gain professional level experience, explore career options, and in many cases, earn compensation. Internships can also help you find full-time employment and boost your marketability for graduate school. Students can participate in internships at any stage, but most students obtain their first internships after their sophomore year and many students complete multiple internships. Chapter 4 provides information on the tools and resources available to help you find an internship and opportunities to earn credit for your internship. Chapter 5 outlines how to make the most of your internship experience. CAREER & INTERNSHIP GUIDE 7 Explore Majors/Careers and Build Experience Identifying and declaring a major is not required prior to building experience and creating your resume. Employers seek students with skills, not necessarily a specific major. Building skills and enhancing your resume should begin as early as your first year at Rutgers. While you might not be ready for an internship in your first or second year of college, you can gain experience by participating in other experiential education opportunities, which are available on and off-campus. 4-Year Career Plan GET STARTED CREATING YOUR STRATEGY FOR GAINING EXPERIENCE AND BEING “INTERNSHIP READY.” FIRST YEAR EXPLORE MAJORS AND CAREERS • Meet with a Career Development Specialist during your 2nd semester • Take the Focus 2 career assessment • Attend the majors fair FOCUS ON ACADEMICS • Set up a study schedule • Attend all classes; don’t sit in the back • Utilize tutoring services GET INVOLVED • Attend involvement fairs • Find a group of friends • Join at least one student organization SOPHOMORE SELECT YOUR MAJOR(S) & CAREER CLUSTER • Declare your major • Select a career cluster in CareerKnight • Develop relationships with faculty & administrators TAKE AN ACTIVE OR LEADERSHIP ROLE • Become more involved by serving on a committee or obtaining a leadership role PREP FOR THE INTERNSHIP SEARCH • Build a resume and get it critiqued • Identify internships of interest JUNIOR EXPLORE SPECIFIC CAREERS & GRADUATE PROGRAMS • Narrow your career focus • Explore graduate school & talk to faculty • Identify graduate school & internship search resources FIND AN INTERNSHIP • Apply to internships • Consider earning credit for your internship • Stand out at your internship NETWORK • Attend networking events • Utilize the Student-Alumni Career Connections database • Create a professional LinkedIn profile SENIOR APPLY FOR JOBS AND/OR GRADUATE PROGRAMS • Consolidate your postgraduation strategy MAINTAIN NETWORKING CONTACTS • Stay connected to faculty & colleagues after you leave PREPARE FOR THE TRANSITION FROM COLLEGE TO CAREER • Make an impact at your first job out of college • Adapt to a new work schedule Regularly visit a Career Development Specialist throughout your time at Rutgers. For more information access our guides online at careers.rutgers.edu/advise 8 CAREER & INTERNSHIP GUIDE CAREERS.RUTGERS.EDU Chapter 3: PREPARE FOR THE INTERNSHIP/JOB SEARCH Preparing for the internship and job search is a process that begins early in your college career. Use this section as a resource for building and promoting your experience. Here’s how to get started! Resumes and Cover Letters Your resume is a marketing tool representing a very special product: you! It is a succinct outline of your knowledge, skills, abilities, experience, and accomplishments relevant to your employment goals. Resumes are used to screen applicants for interviews and determine which candidates most thoroughly match the employers’ needs. This is done through a combination of human and electronic screening methods. INTERPERSONAL ❑ Relating well with customers and co-workers ❑ Listening to others’ opinions and concerns ❑ Responding to concerns ❑ Resolving disputes or conflicts ❑ Assisting others ❑ Motivating individuals and/or groups ❑ Working as a team player LEADERSHIP ❑ Decision making ❑ Delegating ❑ Evaluating ❑ Initiating ❑ Managing ❑ ❑ ❑ ❑ ❑ ORGANIZATIONAL ❑ Following through ❑ Planning ❑ Meeting deadlines ❑ Setting goals ❑ Multi-tasking ❑ Time management TECHNICAL ❑ Programming ❑ Troubleshooting ❑ Developing databases ❑ Applying software/ hardware knowledge ❑ Overseeing network administration ❑ Conducting data mining ❑ Developing system architectures COMMUNICATION ❑ Advising ❑ Presenting ❑ Articulating ❑ Public speaking ❑ Explaining ❑ ❑ ❑ ❑ ❑ CAREERS.RUTGERS.EDU Motivating others Planning Problem solving Supervising Team building Training Instructing Translating Persuading/selling Writing/editing “Transferable skills” are the skills you acquire from part-time and summer jobs, internships, externships, research projects, coursework, roles in campus clubs/ organizations, and class projects that transfer to future employment settings. Common examples of transferable skills include interpersonal, communication, leadership, presentation, technical, and organizational skills. In the list to the left, check all the skills you have learned or demonstrated through your employment, campus activities, or academic projects. This will help you choose which skills to include on your resume. Meet with a Career Development Specialist to further tailor your skills to your target industry and employers. Begin with Self-Evaluation • Think about your experiences, including internships, part-time and summer jobs, volunteer work, extracurricular activities, research, leadership, courses, and course projects. • Assess what you have accomplished and the skills you have developed in each position. Research Your Target Market • To get started on researching your target market and career interest cluster, you can schedule an appointment with a Career Development Specialist, attend our workshops and events, and review career related resources online, including the Vault and CareerShift. • Use the internship and job listings in CareerKnight to determine the knowledge, skills, and abilities employers are seeking. • Compare your qualifications to the requirements highlighted. CAREER & INTERNSHIP GUIDE 9 Prepare for the Internship/Job Search Identify Your Transferable Skills Select a Resume Format Chronological—This is the recommended format for most internship and job seekers, including undergraduate and graduate students as well as recent graduates. Educational and work experiences are presented in reverse chronological order. Functional—This format is most often used by experienced professionals, career changers, and individuals with employment gaps. It emphasizes marketable skill sets and areas of expertise, while de-emphasizing chronology. Combination—This hybrid format merges the chronological and functional by highlighting marketable skill sets and providing a brief employment history. It can be used by all job seekers. Anatomy of a Resume Follow these guidelines when writing the different sections of your resume. Many of the sections are optional depending on your background. Contact information Name (bold, all caps) • Email Address (keep it simple and professional) • Mailing Address • Telephone Number Prepare for the Internship/Job Search Objective or profile or summary (optional) • Undergraduate students and recent graduates: you might want to include an OBJECTIVE, which indicates the type of position and/or industry desired. • The OBJECTIVE should be brief/concise. It should not be too general. • More experienced candidates: You might include a PROFILE or SUMMARY that highlights several selling points. Education • Include university and location—Rutgers University, New Brunswick, NJ. • Degree (B.S., B.A.), major and month/year of graduation (May 2015). • Can include minor, concentration, option, etc. • List GPA if it is a 3.0 or above—can include Major GPA. • Study Abroad information can go in this section. • Can include other colleges attended especially if you received another degree (such as an Associate’s Degree from a community college). Related/relevant courses (optional) • List courses related to your major or the type of position to which you are applying. • Include 6–10 courses—only course titles, you do not need to include course numbers, grades, or descriptions. • Use two columns to save space. Honors/awards (optional) • Can be academic, athletic, or work related. • Include dates. Academic/research projects (optional) • Include course/project title and dates. • Describe your role, responsibilities, and accomplishments. Experience • Can use various titles for this section such as: EXPERIENCE, WORK EXPERIENCE, RELATED/ RELEVANT EXPERIENCE, INTERNSHIPS, and/or EMPLOYMENT. • Can include: part-time jobs, summer jobs, work-study jobs, internships, volunteer positions, class projects, etc. • Include employer/organization name and location (city, state). • List your position title and dates (month, year). • Describe your duties and accomplishments highlighting key skills and qualities. • Use action verbs when writing your descriptions. • List experience in reverse chronological order (most recent first). Activities/leadership/volunteer (optional) • Can include community service, student/professional organizations, and athletic participation. • Include any past or present leadership positions (with dates)—can also include a brief description of your leadership role. • Use caution if you choose to include political or religious organizations. You may want to discuss this with a Career Development Specialist. Skills • Include computer/technical, laboratory, and languages. 10 CAREER & INTERNSHIP GUIDE CAREERS.RUTGERS.EDU Tips to Strengthen Your Resume Utilize Keywords Keywords are nouns, phrases, industry “buzz words,” or acronyms used within a particular field, job description, or list of employer requirements. The keywords in a resume give important information about the job seeker. Things like: technical expertise, management skills, industry know-how, education and training, home location, and/or work history. Employers use resume screening software to identify skilled and qualified candidates. If your resume includes job-specific keywords it is more likely to be selected. Placement of Keywords in your Resume Weave keywords into the statements/descriptions in your resume. For example, you could talk about your management skills in one of your summary statements. (“Skilled at project management, conflict resolution, and internal communications.”) Also, look for ways to make lists of your keywords under logical headings. For example, you could put all of your computer applications under a “Computer Skills” heading. What Are the Right Keywords? Prepare for the Internship/Job Search No set list of keywords works for all jobs. The list varies from one job opening to the next, depending on the job requirements. Job postings are great for identifying important keywords and will tell you exactly what employers want. You can even print out a posting, highlight keywords, and use it as a checklist of keywords for your resume. Resume Key Word List by Functional Area Below is a list of sample key words for functional areas or industries. Incorporate these terms into your resume to demonstrate your familiarity with a particular industry, function, or field. CAREERS.RUTGERS.EDU CAREER & INTERNSHIP GUIDE 11 POWER VERBS Prepare for the Internship/Job Search When writing your resume, use the power verbs below to begin each of your bulleted statements. LEADERSHIP accomplished achieved administered advanced appointed attained chaired consolidated controlled coordinated decided delegated demonstrated designated developed directed enforced enhanced established exceeded excelled expanded grew handled hired improved increased influenced instituted launched led managed oversaw produced raised recruited reorganized scheduled screened secured selected sought spearheaded streamlined strengthened succeeded surpassed COMMUNICATION ORGANIZATION CREATIVE HELPING (continued) (continued) (continued) (continued) contacted contributed convinced corresponded critiqued described discussed edited elicited informed interacted interviewed involved joined lectured linked marketed mediated moderated negotiated participated persuaded presented promoted proposed publicized recommended reinforced reported represented revised solicited spoke suggested summarized translated finalized formulated generated implemented incorporated integrated maintained maximized mobilized modified monitored obtained organized planned prepared prioritized processed procured purchased recorded refined reserved resolved responded scheduled set up standardized systematized updated verified originated performed photographed revamped shaped solved tailored visualized wrote prevented provided referred rehabilitated reformed relieved remedied revitalized satisfied served smoothed supplemented supported sustained volunteered CREATIVE acted authored composed conceptualized created designed directed displayed drafted entertained envisioned fashioned founded illustrated improvised initiated innovated inspired introduced invented modernized orchestrated HELPING accommodated advocated aided alleviated ameliorated assisted bolstered boosted cared for cooperated counseled dedicated eased elevated empowered encouraged expedited fostered furthered guided helped motivated ORGANIZATION accelerated addressed approved assigned brainstormed catalogued categorized coded compiled COMMUNICATION contracted customized advertised devised apprised distributed arranged enlisted collaborated executed communicated filed consulted 12 CAREER & INTERNSHIP GUIDE TEACHING adapted advised coached coordinated developed educated enabled encouraged enriched evaluated explained facilitated individualized instructed motivated stimulated taught trained tutored RESEARCH analyzed ascertained classified collected compared concluded conducted confirmed converted correlated deciphered determined diagnosed evaluated examined experimented explored extracted formulated gathered identified indexed inspected interpreted investigated measured queried questioned researched reviewed searched solved studied substantiated submitted surveyed synthesized FINANCIAL/DATA tested validated acquired adjusted allocated apportioned appraised approximated assessed audited balanced budgeted calculated computed disbursed enumerated estimated figured forecasted issued minimized multiplied projected rated realized reconciled reduced regulated retrieved specified submitted tabulated TECHNICAL adapted assembled built computed constructed debugged deconstructed designed engineered fixed installed maintained operated overhauled programmed repaired remodeled restored upgraded utilized CAREERS.RUTGERS.EDU Use Accomplishment Statements Accomplishment statements help to create a more powerful resume. They highlight achievement, quantify results, and show impact. Each of the job, internship, or student club/involvement descriptions on your resume should include at least one impactful accomplishment statement. • The impact could be financial, helping the organization to save money or increase profit. • The impact could be enhancements to the workplace, such as increased productivity, efficiency, profitability, safety, employee morale, or client satisfaction. • The impact could be reduced expenses, inventory loss, or employee turnover. GOOD BETTER BEST Actions: Describe the specific actions you took to achieve an objective or solve a problem using power verbs. Focus on transferable skills and technical skills that directly relate to your intended field. Include key words from the industry. Results: Describe the results of your efforts. Quantify whenever possible, using percentages, dollars, or volume. Accomplishment statements may begin with the action or the result. However, leading off with the result has greater impact. Consider the examples below: Provided customer support and product demonstrations for clients. Conducted 10 customer support and product demonstration programs for 20 client organizations. Reduced customer complaints by 20% in a six-month period by conducting 10 customer support and product demonstration programs for 20 client organizations. P.A.R. Approach Use the P-A-R Approach to highlight keywords, accomplishment statements, transferable skills, and to quantify your achievements: P—Problem/Situation: What is a situation, issue, or problem that you or the organization faced? How did the situation develop? For example, assisted in troubleshooting customer service problems in a high profile department store to address a 30% decrease in business and 50% increase in unresolved customer complaints. CAREERS.RUTGERS.EDU A—Action: What did you or your team do? What actions did you take? How did you do it? Use power verbs to describe your actions. For example, analyzed the entire customer service process and identified all service deficiencies. Created, designed, and implemented an efficient customer tracking and information system. R—Result/Benefit: What was the positive result/benefit of your action for the organization? Quantify if possible and describe any benefits. For example, increased business by 20% in a six month period. Reduced customer service inquiries by 35% and only 10% of the inquiries were outstanding after 60 days. CAREER & INTERNSHIP GUIDE 13 Prepare for the Internship/Job Search When writing accomplishment statements think about the following: What skill am I trying to illustrate? What were my results? What did I achieve? What impact did this have? How did the employer benefit? Can I quantify for additional impact? The key elements of an effective accomplishment statement are actions and results: MAKE IT COUNT: Examples of how to articulate your experiences on a resume & during an interview INTERNSHIP Prepare for the Internship/Job Search Marketing Intern, ABC Agency, Washington, DC May – August 20XX • Strengthened Microsoft Excel skills by creating a more efficient client information database system • Analyzed company’s young adult marketing campaign and created comprehensive report on findings • Developed interactive presentation to present market research findings to marketing team • Based on superior performance, invited to serve on management team’s Intern Advisory Board POTENTIAL INTERVIEW QUESTIONS: • How did your technical skills improve while working at this internship? • Based on this experience do you see yourself working in the field after graduation, and why? STUDY ABROAD EDUCATION: Richmond, The American University in London, Florence, Italy Program of study: Italian language and Italian cultural studies September – December 20XX RELATED EXPERIENCE: English Language Teaching Assistant, Florence, Italy September - December 20XX Scuola Primaria San Pier Martire • Aided in the instruction of the English language to Italian students, ages 7-11 • Discussed aspects of United States culture, including American holidays, sports, and school POTENTIAL INTERVIEW QUESTIONS: • How did this position impact your experience when you were studying abroad? • Have you changed since studying abroad? If so, how? LIVING & LEARNING COMMUNITIES SPANISH IMMERSION PROGRAM SCHOLAR May 20XX – Present Language House Immersion Program, University of Maryland, College Park, MD • Interact and communicate in Spanish with 4 roommates in a living-learning environment • Research and discuss Spanish history, culture, literature, art, and ideologies in a cluster of 20 students POTENTIAL INTERVIEW QUESTIONS: • How does this living experience help you work with people from other backgrounds? • How do you handle conflicts that may arise with your peers who speak other languages or have customs different from your own? 14 CAREER & INTERNSHIP GUIDE CAREERS.RUTGERS.EDU UNDERGRADUATE RESEARCH POTENTIAL INTERVIEW QUESTIONS: • What made you interested in working in a research lab? • What skills have you gained from this research experience that you plan on using if you are offered a job here? LEADERSHIP President, Terps for the Environment, University of Maryland, College Park, MD August 20XX – Present • Increased membership by 15% while coordinating fall new member campaign • Manage yearly budget of $8500; prepared proposal for student government funding allocation • Enhanced organizational skills by coordinating event logistics such as scheduling volunteers, making room reservations, preparing meeting agendas, and overseeing social media marketing efforts POTENTIAL INTERVIEW QUESTIONS: • How do you handle personality conflicts with members of your organization? • How do you assess the success or failure of your events? SERVICE LEARNING Volunteer Tutor, Prince George’s County Public Schools, MD August 20XX – Present • Tutor 3 elementary-aged students individually once a week in math and reading • Design customized activities and games for each student based on individual needs • Increase communication skills by discussing students’ progress with teachers and parents • Awarded “Volunteer Tutor of the Year” by peers, teachers, and students, May 20XX POTENTIAL INTERVIEW QUESTIONS: • What have you learned about your communication skills while working with parents, students, and teachers? • This job does not work with the local community, so how might you use the skills you learned as a tutor in this new work setting? Content provided by University of Maryland Career Center. CAREERS.RUTGERS.EDU CAREER & INTERNSHIP GUIDE 15 Prepare for the Internship/Job Search RESEARCH ASSISTANT/LAB COORDINATOR January – December 20XX Department of Psychology, University of Maryland, College Park, MD • Conducted research in the Interpersonal Relationships Lab, translating basic science principles into therapeutic interventions • Oversaw daily activities of the lab and 14 other undergraduate assistants, and standardized all psychological measures used within the lab • Surveyed participants in an attachment study and coded data • Interviewed Research Assistant (RA) applicants for the next semester, evaluated applications, and chose new RAs 16 CAREER & INTERNSHIP GUIDE CAREERS.RUTGERS.EDU ACTIVITIES: LEADERSHIP EXPERIENCE: ADDITIONAL EXPERIENCE: RELATED EXPERIENCE: HONORS: Rutgers University, New Brunswick, NJ Bachelor of Arts, expected graduation May 2018 EDUCATION: Habitat for Humanity, 2012 to Present National Honor Society, 2011 to 2013 Varsity Soccer Team, 2011 to 2013 Chatham High School, Hamilton, NJ High School Senior Board, November 2012 to June 2013 Student Body President, September 2012 to June 2013 1st Year Student Rutgers University, New Brunswick, NJ Vice President, Students Today, Alumni Tomorrow, September 2014 to Present Customer Service, April 2011 to October 2013 Rita’s Water Ice, Madison, NJ • Provided friendly customer service in a fast-paced family environment. • Successfully handled cash transactions and balanced the register nightly. • Monitored inventory and assisted with placing restocking orders. Mission Volunteer, June 2011 to August 2011 Baja Missions, Various Cities, Mexico • Traveled to Ensenada, Vicente Guerro, and Chapultepec Mexico during a six week trip. • Distributed resources and materials to local villages. • Utilized Spanish-speaking skills to effectively communicate. Volunteer Tutor, February 2011 to June 2014 Project Elevation, Newark, NJ • Assisted non-native English speaking residents with developing conversational language skills. • Created lesson plans to facilitate learning. • Exposed student to local customs and cultures. Best Buy Scholarship, September 2014 Awarded for demonstrating academic excellence and community service, 2014 Chatham High School, Class of 2014 GPA 4.5, Ranked in top 5% of class A summer internship with a non-profit organization that utilizes my strong Spanish-speaking skills and ability to thrive in a high pressure environment. Home Address 5668 Evans Road Chatham, NJ 07123 OBJECTIVE: School Address Rutgers University–Stonier Hall New Brunswick, NJ 08901 evan.rei@rutgers.edu (301) 464-5555 EVAN REILLY • Independent Study in Design • Fundamentals of Photography • Special Problems in Studio Arts and Entertainment Cluster Professional Portfolio Available at: www.gerardharris.com CAMPUS ACTIVITIES: Student Activities Council Fall 2013–Spring 2015 • Publicity committee member Dance Marathon March 2012, 2013, 2014 • Participated as a dancer and promoter • Assisted with publicity and marketing Relay for Life October 2012, 2013, 2014 • Team leader • Raised $5,000 for the American Cancer Society LEADERSHIP: Swim Team Member – Rutgers University Fall 2012–Spring 2015 • Nominated by teammates and coaches as captain for senior season • Lead team activities for approximately 30 members outside of the pool • Represent team on the Student Athletic Advisory Board RELATED EXPERIENCE: Office Assistant – First Rate Construction Company, Edison, NJ, Summers 2013–2014 • Created and launched new company website • Designed innovative company logo and marketing materials • Established new computer folder organization system INTERNSHIP: Graphic Designer – Image Group, New York, NY, September 2014–December 2014 • Assisted with designing a brand logo for local restaurant • Presented 5 layout ideas to restaurant owner and constituents • Completed assigned layout tasks in cooperation with other interns • Implemented new layout designs into both paper and web-based advertising COMPUTER SKILLS: • Familiar with PC and Apple computer systems • Experienced with Pagemaker, InDesign, Adobe Photoshop, Adobe Illustrator, Dreaweaver Creative Suite RELATED COURSES: • Basic and Applied Design • Basic and Applied Drawing • Art Photo Process Rutgers University, New Brunswick, NJ Mason Gross School of the Arts Bachelor of Fine Arts: Visual Arts (Graphic Design Emphasis), May 2015 GPA 3.2/4.0 Minor: Communication EDUCATION: Permanent Address 4058 White Road Newtown, PA 18940 A graphic design position, which allows contributions to the organization’s creative process. GERARD HARRIS 315-123-4567 • grharris@scarletmail.rutgers.edu OBJECTIVE: Current Address 125 South Hamilton Street New Brunswick, NJ 08901 Sample Resumes: While there is no one way to create a resume, below are some sample formats that can get you started. Prepare for the Internship/Job Search CAREER & INTERNSHIP GUIDE Home Address 114 Willow Circle Woodstown, NJ 08098 Ogilvy & Mather, New York, NY January 2013–May 2015 Ogilvy.com Communications Coordinator, March 2014–May 2015 • Organized and delivered presentations regarding press releases to Account Executives in support of a major multinational client. • Coordinated with Account Executives regarding materials and supplies needed for monthly conference meetings held in Paris. • Spearheaded the design of a newsletter targeted to over 24,000 recipients. Gained 310 new customers for our client. • Recognized for displaying initiative in proactively helping resolve customer logistics issues, and was named Employee of the Month for April. RELATED EXPERIENCE Oral and Written Communication: Fluent in French, proficient in budget management, customer service, feature writing, news release and brochure development, copy editing, persuasive speaking, and presenting. Computer Experience: Macintosh and PC operating systems, Microsoft Office Suite, OptimalResume, Lexis/Nexis database application. SKILLS Business/Communications Cluster Rutgers University Visitor’s Center, Public Relations Assistant, March 2013–May 2014 RU-TV, Production Assistant, New Brunswick, November 2011–Present Public Relations Student Society of America, Member, October 2010–Present ACTIVITIES A Helping Hand Mission, Raleigh, NC July 2013–September 2013 helpinghandmission.org Volunteer • Scheduled and delivered goods to families in need. Communicated the mission’s needs to local organizations. • Produced a publication, which was delivered to over 1,000 Special Olympics attendees, leading to a record month of donations. Intern, January 2013–January 2015 (summers and winter breaks) • Member of four person team that coordinated media coverage in support of our client’s Tour de France scholarship. Received an award nomination for one of the advertisements. • Wrote and edited news releases, media advisories, and fliers. • Selected for special assignment that helped the company gain a new client. Dean’s List (three semesters) Jacques Hardre Travel Grant, Study Abroad, France National Society of Collegiate Scholars Pi Delta Phi: National French Honor Society Carol Reuss Award, School of Journalism and Mass Communication Study Abroad: Paris, France – Summer 2014 Rutgers University, New Brunswick, New Jersey School of Communication & Information B.A., Journalism and Media Studies, Public Relation concentration, French minor Expected May 2015 GPA: 3.2 klss@morgan.com Cell (908) 555–1111 • Home (484) 555-1111 HONORS EDUCATION Campus Address 109 Hamilton Street, #6F New Brunswick, NJ 08901 KELLY MORGAN Sample Resumes Home Address 400 Chestnut St. Edison, NJ 08818 May 2015 GPA: 3.4 Technical: Microsoft Office (Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Access), HTML, JAVA, C++ Language: Intermediate Spanish (oral and written) May 2011–present Business/Communications Cluster The Daily Targum (Rutgers Campus Newspaper) Public Relations Coordinator • Supervise all weekly creative newspaper releases. • Implement new public relations initiatives to increase circulation. LEADERSHIP Rutgers Student Governing Association May 2013–present Treasurer • Manage annual budget of over $5,000 for campus events. • Raise campus awareness of all activities through creative marketing efforts. SKILLS Marriot Hotel, Somerville, New Jersey May–August 2013 Assistant Manager • Controlled daily operations, including arrivals, departures, and room reservations. • Supervised staff of five front-desk associates, including weekly schedules and bimonthly performance meetings. • Negotiated rates to ensure full occupancy. • Completed 20 hours of training on sales, customer service, and management. EXPERIENCE Merrill Lynch, Somerset, New Jersey May–August 2014 Summer Analyst Intern • Analyzed client financial portfolios to determine asset allocation. • Contacted prospective customers to provide information about savings and retirement plans. • Assisted in developing new client accounts. • Created and maintained a database of new client satisfaction. Macroeconomics Managerial Economics Microeconomics Rutgers University, New Brunswick, New Jersey B.A. in Economics and Political Science A full-time position in the financial industry, utilizing my strong analytical and teamwork skills. mypatel@.rutgers.edu 732-555-1212 MANISH PATEL RELEVANT COURSES Econometrics Financial Economics International Political Economy EDUCATION OBJECTIVE Present Address Rutgers University, 123 RPO Way New Brunswick, NJ 08901 Prepare for the Internship/Job Search CAREERS.RUTGERS.EDU 17 18 CAREER & INTERNSHIP GUIDE CAREERS.RUTGERS.EDU Dean’s List, all semesters Computer Architecture Database Management Digital Systems Design Electronic Circuits and Devices Programming: SQL, HTML, XML, C++, Java, Maple Operating Systems: Windows XP, UNIX, Linux, Mac Applications: MS Visio, MS Access, Adobe Photoshop, MATLAB Rutgers University Computing Services, New Brunswick, NJ Computer Support Assistant, August 2013 – Present • Assist faculty, staff, and student users in a fast-paced, multi-platform computer lab environment. • Train co-workers in network troubleshooting and remote diagnostic procedures. HONORS RELEVANT COURSES TECHNICAL SKILLS RELATED EXPERIENCE Rutgers Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers, Treasurer, 2014 – Present Minority Engineering Educational Task, Historian, 2014 – Present ACTIVITIES STEM Cluster (Engineering) B & B Department Store, Old Bridge, NJ Sales Associate, May 2012 – August 2012 • Assisted customers with purchases and managed accurate cash register operations. • Maintained an awareness of all promotions and advertisements. WORK EXPERIENCE Ethicon, Somerville, NJ Project Management Intern, January 2013–August 2013 • Worked with a team of six on-network projects involving IP network migration. • Assisted in the design of network architecture and software development projects to aid in a system conversion. • Completed project within deadline without exceeding budget limits. Honeywell, Freehold, NJ Project Engineer Intern, May 2014 – August 2014 • Served as a project leader for a team of five interns responsible for system design, implementation, and testing. • Created layouts and detailed systems drawings using AutoCAD. • Presented projects to management level leaders and vendors. Microelectronics Programming Methodologies Software Engineering Telecommunications Networks Rutgers University, School of Engineering, New Brunswick, NJ B.S. in Electrical and Computer Engineering, May 2016, GPA: 3.57 EDUCATION anorton@rutgers.edu 908-777-9999 Electrical and computer engineering major with internship experience in system design, software development, and technical architecture seeking a systems analyst position. • Strong project management, leadership skills, and ability to work effectively with a team. • Over three years of technical support experience in a high volume university computer laboratory environment. • Extensive exposure to network troubleshooting procedures and standards. ANITA NORTON PROFILE 404 North Hamilton Street North Brunswick, NJ 08902 Sample Resumes MATT E. MATICS HONORS & ACTIVITIES WORK STEM Cluster (Science) EMT trainee, 2011-2015 Teaching assistant, 2013-2015 Omicron Delta Epsilon - The International Honor Society in Economics, 2013-2015 Sanofi-Aventis Pharmaceuticals, Inc., Bridgewater, NJ Intern, Summers 2014 - 2015 • Utilized Baseplate (TAP), Tecan Genesis 200, Matrix-Plate Mate, CyBio-well, Zymark plate labeler and REMP heat sealer for high- throughput chemical screening • Analyzed machine output and worked with vendor to perform machine troubleshooting for quality control • Applied Flexi weigh from Bohdan for automated dry compound weighing • Utilized Kardex- automated dry compound storage for maintaining, pulling and retrieving dry compounds per daily requests from Medicinal Chemistry and Biology groups Rutgers University, New Brunswick, NJ Laboratory Assistant – May 2014 - September 2014 • Transformed yeast deletion library with plasmids harboring protein toxin genes (ricin, stx1,stx2, and PAP) • Identified resistant strains and the associated knocked out genes were analyzed with bio-informatics tools RESEARCH Rutgers University, New Brunswick, NJ EXPERIENCE Research Assistant, September 2014 – Present • Manage publication process, as first author, compiling and organizing data to principle investigator • Apply a genome-wide screening approach using Saccharomyces cerevisiae to identify and characterize resistance mechanisms against the volatile organic compound, 1-octen-3-ol • Study the toxicity and effects of fungal VOC using different knockout strains of Drosophila melanogaster • Utilize site-directed mutagenesis to gain understanding of how plants sense their nutritional status with respect to macronutrient sulfur • Designe Macro-array to identify a plant pathogen called Discula sp which causes Dogwood Anthracnose Language: Technical: SKILLS Statistical Program: SAS (certified base programmer for SAS 9) Adobe Photoshop, Adobe Illustrator Microsoft Word, Excel, PowerPoint Mandarin Chinese Genome-Wide Screening and Physiological Responses of Saccharomyces, 2012 • Utilized graphical aids, transformation, multi-collinearity, and stepwise test to generate final equation to predict the accident rate on different associate factors • Generated and predicted outcome on student interest by using different associate variables in the survey • Developed a special case algorithm to handle the missing values PROJECTS Economic Development Business Law I International Marketing Advanced Cell Biology Human Anatomy/Histology Basic Statistics for Research RELEVANT COURSES Business Policy and Strategy Fundamentals of Cell Biology Fundamentals of Neurobiology Rutgers University, New Brunswick, NJ B.A. in Biological Science & Economics (Double Major), May 2016 EDUCATION mattematics@rutgers.edu (732) 123-1234 Over 2 years of lab experience in a research and academic setting , 1 year of internship experience in a pharmaceutical company, and specialization experience in genomic screening , chemical screening, and data analyzing skills seeking research opportunity applying: • Advanced team-based experience reinforced by a strong work ethic and efficient project management skill • Extensive exposure to protocol setup and machine troubleshooting procedure and standards www.linkedin.com/in/mattematics SUMMARY 1234 Rutgers Way Piscataway, NJ 08854 Prepare for the Internship/Job Search CAREER & INTERNSHIP GUIDE 19 Gel Electrophoresis Differential Stagnation Experimental Design LAB SKILLS Buffer Preparation Microscopy Preparation of Solution Bacteria Cultivation Titration DNA Extraction Soil and Water Principles of Ecology Hazardous Waste Food and Agriculture, Science, Environmental Cluster (Environment) HONORS & ACTIVTIES_____________________________________________________________________ • Alpha Zeta academic fraternity, Cook Chapter, SEBS of Rutgers University, September 2015–Present • ISCES (International Student Conference on Environment and Sustainability), participated in the section on the water ecosystem in Shanghai, China, Summer 2014 • Honored with Guangdong Yida Scholarship, 2013 • Won New Land Scholarship Competition at the Institute of Environmental Science, 2013 INTERSHIP________________________________________________________________________________ Intern, Rutgers University, New Brunswick, NJ, September 2015–December 2015 • Air samples: Set up and used Hi-Volume Air Sampler using PUF (polyurethane foam) • Performed analyses of PCBs in air samples; quantification by GC/MS/MS using deuterated PCBs as internal standards South China University of Technology, Environmental Science Department, Guangzhou, China Research Assistant, September 2013–June 2015 • Assisted with experiments to improve disinfection technology for secondary water supply safety in Pearl River • Manipulated and built a manual model to imitate water flow in the city’s irrigation system • Collected and analyzed data to find optimal disinfectants to maintain effluent quality and reduce by-products RESEARCH EXPERIENCE_________________________________________________________________ Rutgers University, School of Environmental and Biological Sciences, New Brunswick, NJ Research Collaborator, September 2015–Present • Utilize GC to examine the mechanisms and products of microbial dechlorination of organic contaminants and molecular biology lab work • Assist with experiments on Hg cycling in coastal marine environments • Examine MC-ICP-MS data to evaluate Hg isotopic fractionation • Prepare lab equipment and supplies; contribute to report writing and assist in data analysis Environmental Toxicology Environmental Law Principles of Industrial Hygiene RELEVANT COURSES Analytical Environmental Numerical Methods in Environmental Science Environmental Microbiology Laboratory EDUCTION________________________________________________________________________________ Rutgers University, New Brunswick, New Brunswick, NJ B.S. Environmental Science, May 2014, GPA: 4.00 South China University of Technology, Guangzhou, Guangdong, China Environmental Engineering, 2010–2012, GPA: 3.88 OBJECTIVE_________________________________________________________________________________ Seeking a full-time position in the environmental industry, as a research assistant, utilizing familiarity of regulations and policies, and experience with preparation of laboratory equipment, contributing strong analytical skills 10 Senior Street, Apt. 2, New Brunswick, NJ 08901 / pjwongl@rutgers.edu / 129-123-9876 P.J. WONG Sample Resumes LAURA MARIE TAYLOR 12 Sunny Street, Water Grove, NJ lmtaylor45@rutgers.edu, 609-432-8765 Food and Agriculture, Science, Environmental Cluster (Nutrition) VOLUNTEER______________________________________________________________________________ NJ Food Bank, St John Vianney Food Shelter, YMCA Cafeteria, October 2015 Helping Hands Organization Fundraiser, June 2014 Breast Cancer Walk, September 2014 CAMPUS INVOLVEMENT__________________________________________________________________ Nutrition Advocates, September 2013–Present • Assist with writing and editing the Thanksgiving 2013 Newsletter • Collect and study nutritional research on elderly Australians; presented findings at the Nutrition Advocates Conference, December 2013 Planet Bakery, Brick, NJ Assistant Baker, Summers 2012, 2013 • Assisted Chef with preparation, packaging, and storage of baked goods at high production levels • Presented educational programs to the public about healthy eating habits • Helped design dietetic options specifically tailored to senior citizens RELATED EXPERIENCE___________________________________________________________________ St. Peter’s University Hospital, New Brunswick, NJ Nutrition Assistant, March 2013–Present • Assist Dietetics Office with menu corrections for specific dietary restrictions • Deliver meals to patients during tray line service • Train new staff with required tasks and responsibilities, such as menu preparation • Work with a Registered Dietitian to create programs and spread awareness of healthy eating Quantity Food Production, Spring 2014 • Planned and executed a meal for Gourmet Night as part of group project • Constructed one-week cycle menu; modified menu for Cardiac Diet program Nutrition Counseling, Fall 2014 • Developed and presented behaviorally focused lessons to elementary school children • Designed and distributed a calcium fact sheet as part of social marketing campaign ACADEMIC PROJECTS____________________________________________________________________ Laboratory for Introduction to Foods, Spring 2015 • Applied knowledge of food composition, nutritious values, and food preparation HONORS_________________________________________________________________________________ Dean’s List, 2014–Present Awarded the Able Scholarship for Outstanding Student in Nutritional Sciences, 2014 National Society of Collegiate Scholars, 2014 National Scholars Honor Society, 2013 Relevant Courses: Nutrition Counseling, Nutrition Disease, Advanced Nutrition, Management of Food Service Systems, Quantity Food Production, Community Nutrition EDUCATION______________________________________________________________________________ Rutgers University, New Brunswick, NJ Graduation: May 2017 B.S. Nutritional Sciences, Dietetics Option GPA: 3.5 Prepare for the Internship/Job Search CAREERS.RUTGERS.EDU 20 CAREER & INTERNSHIP GUIDE CAREERS.RUTGERS.EDU Education, Public & Human Services Cluster ACTIVITIES Graduate School of Education, New Brunswick, NJ Peer Counselor, September 2015-Present ▪ Selected by the dean to volunteer as a Peer Academic Counselor ▪ Provided assistance to student regarding course registration and program requirements ▪ Referred students for academic tutoring services COMPUTER SKILLS MS Word, PowerPoint, Excel, Smart Board, EndNote, Adobe Creative Suite RELATED EXPERIENCE Camp We Love Kids, Edison, NJ Camp Counselor, Summers 2011-2013 ▪ Facilitated engaging recreational, social, and educational activities for campers ages 7-12 ▪ Ensured the safety and security of units of 30+ campers through careful supervision and enforcement of rules and regulations ▪ Exemplified camp standards of professionalism and service as a mentor to campers ▪ Designed a creative weekly newsletter to update and inform parents of campers’ activities ▪ Participated in various leadership training programs Douglass School, Somerset, NJ Teaching Practicum, Second Grade/Sixth Grade, January 2013-May 2013 ▪ Assisted and observed teachers in second and sixth grade classrooms ▪ Successfully incorporated computer and internet technology into lessons ▪ Established professional rapport with parents, teachers, and the community TEACHING EXPERIENCE Livingston School, New Brunswick, NJ Teaching Intern, Third Grade, September 2014-Present ▪ Teach all subjects to a class of 25 diverse students ▪ Develop lessons plans and instructional programs to meet individual and group needs ▪ Foster appreciation of ethnic holidays through social studies projects ▪ Utilize a whole language approach in reading groups to emphasize and develop specific skill areas ▪ Implement a variety of manipulatives to enhance math skills CERTIFICATION ▪ Certification of Eligibility with Advanced Standing, Elementary Education, July 2015 EDUCATION Rutgers University, New Brunswick, NJ ▪ Ed. M in Elementary Education, Graduate School of Education, May 2016, GPA: 3.86 ▪ B.A. in English, School of Arts & Sciences, May 2014, GPA 3.42 OBJECTIVE A position as an elementary school teacher, utilizing prior experience in creative, positive classroom learning environments 15 Williams Court, Morristown, NJ 07960 acastillo@rutgers.edu; 732-933-6500 ADRIANA L. CASTILLO Sample Resumes CHARLES MITCHELL 2323 Hensen Court • Elizabeth, NJ 07201 908-445-5798 cmitch@gmail.com Education, Public & Human Services Cluster SKILLS • Windows Vista, Windows XP, Windows 8, Mac OS • Access, PowerPoint, Word, Excel, Quickbooks, FAS, Hyperion, Quicken • Basic computer hardware assembly and component/device replacement • Proficient in Spanish and Portuguese (spoken and written); learning Mandarin VOLUNTEER WORK Habitat for Humanity, Volunteer, 2014 March of Dimes, Telemarketer, 2012-2013 Helping Hands Mission, Fund Raiser, 2012 Elizabeth Assisted Living, Volunteer, Winters 2010-2012 WORK EXPERIENCE Office Depot, Union, NJ Service Representative, December 2013–Present • Assist customers with product selection and payments. • Screen and evaluate candidates and recommend new hires. • Provide translation assistance for Spanish-speaking customers, leading to increases in business revenues up to $2,000 per month. • Work 10-15 hours per week during college while maintaining strong GPA. RELATED EXPERIENCE New Jersey Public Interest Research Group (NJPIRG), Piscataway, NJ Volunteer, “Safe Food, Healthy Kids” Campaign, January–May 2015 • Rasied awareness of nutritional topics by staffing information tables in student centers. • Increased student traffic to the campaign’s social media sites by 35% through electronic and interpersonal marketing efforts. • Researched studies on childhood nutrition, obesity and other health-related topics. • Reported findings to supervisor for use in a congressional presentation. PROJECT WORK “Political Sociology” Course, Fall 2014 • Researched and analyzed political debates on public health-care reform and the effects on society. • Interviewed the mayor of Elizabeth, NJ and a local congresswoman. • Presented a written report and PowerPoint presentation to the professor and a class of 100 students. Union County College, Elizabeth, NJ A.A. in Public Administration, GPA 3.60, May 2014 EDUCATION Rutgers University, New Brunswick, NJ B.A. in Sociology, Minor in Spanish, GPA 3.45, May 2016 OBJECTIVE A position as an elementary school teacher, utilizing prior experience in creative, positive classroom learning environments Prepare for the Internship/Job Search Curriculum Vitae vs. Resume 2. Sample CV Headings Graduate students are often uncertain whether a resume or curriculum vitae (CV) is most appropriate for their needs. In some cases, both may be necessary, depending upon your professional objective. Heading Contents OBJECTIVE Professional or career objective SUMMARY OF QUALIFICATIONS Summary of relevant skills, qualities, experiences, or training EDUCATION College and university degrees Comprehensive areas Course highlights The CV is generally longer and more comprehensive, while the resume is more concise and is usually one page for recent graduates and two pages for more experienced people. Typically, the CV highlights research, teaching, and administrative experience. Other categories may include the dissertation title and description, teaching interests and competencies, presentations and publications, professional affiliations, honors and awards, and special skills. THESIS Doctoral dissertation Master’s thesis Master’s project CERTIFICATIONS Certificates Licenses HONORS AND AWARDS Fellowships Academic awards Distinctions The CV can be used for preliminary screening for employment or as a support document in the following ways: COMPETENCIES Areas of expertise Committee leaderships Departmental leadership Faculty leadership Professional activities Professional competencies Research interests Teaching interests EXPERIENCE Administrative experience Consulting experience Professional experience Related experience Research experience Teaching experience Volunteer experience INTERNATIONAL EXPERIENCE Foreign study Language competencies Travel abroad PUBLICATIONS Arrangements/scores Articles/reviews Exhibits/exhibitions Professional papers Publications PRESENTATIONS Conference presentations Convention addresses Workshop presentations PROFESSIONAL MEMBERSHIPS Associations SKILLS Laboratory Language Technical REFERENCES References or dossier What are the differences? Generally, a CV is most appropriate for the academic and research environment. A resume is most appropriate for other employment sectors. • Grant of contract proposal • Tenure review or annual review by an employer • Support an application for a professional association • Biography for an introduction at conferences or professional presentations • Information for professional publications or activities As such, the curriculum vitae (literally translated as “course of life”) has many uses and is an important document in your professional life. Consult the following menu to choose the most appropriate categories for your CV. CAREERS.RUTGERS.EDU CAREER & INTERNSHIP GUIDE Prepare for the Internship/Job Search 1. Description of a CV 21 22 CAREER & INTERNSHIP GUIDE CAREERS.RUTGERS.EDU Scarlet Jones Departmental Address: Rutgers University History Dept. 111 Van Dyck Hall 16 Seminary Place New Brunswick, NJ 08901 Jones, Scarlet. “Saris and Kente: The Evolution of Indian and African Women’s Attire.” Women’s History Journal 64 (2013): 24-26 SELECTED PUBLICATIONS Jones, Scarlet. “Steal Away: The Role of Music in Pre-to-Post Civil Rights Movement.” The Journal of American Historic Events 80 (2014): 70-74 RESEARCH AND TEACHING INTERESTS American Civil Rights Movement, Historical and Contemporary India, Women and Gender in African History, Women in South Asian History, African Historical Studies and Early Modern South Asia AWARDS AND HONORS Bronte Historical Foundation Fellowship, 2012–present Achievers Fellowship Award (AFA) Competitive Award for Teaching Excellence, 2013 Humanities Excellence Award, University-wide Award for Scholarly Excellence, 2012 Creative Scholars Award for Outstanding Use of Classroom Technology, 2011 Hollander Foundation Graduate Research Fellowship, 2010 Phi Beta Kappa, 2007 Study Abroad: The University of Delhi, New Delhi, India, 2006 (World Cultures studies) B.A., History and Political Science, University of Maryland, College Park, MD, May 2009 M.A., History, University of North Carolina at Charlotte, Charlotte, NC, May 2012 Thesis Title: “Present-day Implications of the American Civil Rights Movements in Higher Education” EDUCATION Ph.D., History, Rutgers University, New Brunswick, NJ, Sept. 2012–present Dissertation: “Comparatives on Gandhi and King: The Nonviolent Advocacy Journey Toward Cultural Reform and the Impact on American Culture.” Home Address: 779 Masters Street, Apt. 18A New Brunswick, NJ 08901 (848) 932-0000 Scarlet.Jones60@scarletmail.rutgers.edu CV Sample PROFESSIONAL MEMBERSHIPS American Association of University Professors, 2012–present National Council for History Education, 2010–present American Historical Association, 2009–2013 Humanities ADDITIONAL EXPERIENCE University of Maryland, College Park, MD, 2008–2009 Writing Tutor • Assisted all college students with generating ideas for essays, theses, and other course-related documents. • Developed customized tutoring strategies for each student through utilization of course assignments, as well as departmental and broader resources. • Critiqued assignment drafts and provided instructional commentary on developing drafts that resulted in improved academic grades for students. University of North Carolina at Charlotte, History Department, 2009–2012 Teaching Assistant: Global History African Diaspora Liberation Movements United States History Colonialism to Globalism TEACHING EXPERIENCE Rutgers University, History Department, New Brunswick, NJ, 2012-present Instructor: Age of European Global Expansion United States History Patterns in Civilization: Love Patterns in Civilization: Death Jones, Scarlet (Presenter). “Social Change, Diaspora and Development: Similarities of Social Evolution Across Cultures.” University of Maryland, History Department, College Park, MD, 8 June 2012 Jones, Scarlet (Presenter). “Gandhi and King: Perspectives on Social Change and the Women’s Roles in Each Movement.” University of Washington, History Department. Seattle, WA, 16 October 2013 SELECTED PRESENTATIONS Jones, Scarlet (Presenter). “On Faith and Society: Religion’s Ties to Social Movements” Association for Historical Studies Regional Conference, 5, May 2014 Scarlet Jones, CV Prepare for the Internship/Job Search CAREER & INTERNSHIP GUIDE Henri Versfelt GPA 3.5 A.S., Business Administration, May 2012 Middlesex County College, Edison, NJ Professional: • Strong teamwork skills and ability to work independently, proactive communicator, detail-oriented and organized with precise design/report behavior • Actively learning the relationship between business and science by taking MBS classes Technical: • Proficient in MS Office Word, Excel, and PowerPoint • Familiar with Origin, Photoshop CS, R software for statistics ADDITIONAL SKILLS • Able to maintain, daily verify, calibrate, and troubleshoot chromatographic instruments • Proficient in routine sample preparation and wet chemistry procedures: solid phase extract and lyophilization • Experienced with collecting, interpreting, reporting, archiving data, as well as analytical technique software including: Empower, MassLynx, and Xcalibur • Proficient in separation and characterization on analytical techniques: HPLC (Waters Alliance 2695 separations module) XRD, TGA (TA Q5000) GC (Agilent G2070BA) GPC, NMR (Varian VNMRS) MS (Finnigan Mat LCQ Mass) IR/UV spectroscopy • 2+ years laboratory experience on LC-MS, LC-MS/MS, HPLC, NMR • 5+ years knowledge of analytical chemistry, organic synthesis, polymer science cGMP/ICH/ SOP guidelines for industry and bench work experience in standard lab environment LABORATORY SKILLS GPA 3.6 GPA 3.6 B.S., Chemistry, May 2014 Rutgers University, New Brunswick, NJ EDUCATION M.S., Analytical Chemistry, May 2016 Rutgers University, New Brunswick, NJ OBJECTIVE To obtain an Associate Scientist, Analytical Chemist, or QC position in R&D that utilizes my strong research skills and knowledge in analytical chemistry, and my commitment to performing as an effective team player. 75 Dunandover Drive, Middlesex, NJ 08817 · HVersfelt@gmail.com · 848-232-0000 LinkedIn: linkedin.com/profile/view?id=XX333XX012 CV Sample EXTRACURRICULAR ACTIVITIES • Volunteer and guide, MPS (Mathematical and Physical Sciences) Convocation at Rutgers, 2011–2012 • Volunteer and guide, Rutgers Day, 2010–2012 • Cellist, East Community Orchestra, 2009–present HONORS AND AWARDS • Avery Fellowship for Chemistry and Business, 2014 • Javits Scholarship, 2013 • Marcia Mellon Research Grant, 2012 • Charles Kaplan Scholarship, 2012 Science PRESENTATIONS AND PUBLICATIONS • “Reactivity and properties of tunable aryl alkyl ionic liquids”, Master degree defense, Chemistry Department, Rutgers University, NJ 2016 • “An analytical view of ionic liquids”, Research Colloquium Seminar, Rutgers University, NJ April 2015 • Hans Svenson, Anita Pace, Henri Versfelt, Suli Hung. May 2012 “Analysis on fluorescence of dual excitable Eu(TTA)3DPBT in toluene solution and PMMA”, Journal of Science, 2014,131,1719-1723 doi:10.1016/j.xxxx.2014.03.061 Research Assistant, Chemistry Department Rutgers University, New Brunswick, NJ, 2012–2014 • Synthesized and characterized DPP (diketopyrrolopyrole)-based conjugated polymers for field effect transistors and thin film polymer solar cells by using DSC, TGA and cyclic voltammetry • Conducted analysis on fluorescence of dual excitable Eu(TTA)3DPBT – a rare earth complex in toluene and PMMA thin film by using UV • Purified products with HPLC, GC, silica gel chromatography, gel filtration and distillation • Determined compound structures by spectroscopy including IR, UV and NMR Teaching Assistant, Chemistry Department Rutgers University, New Brunswick, NJ September 2014– May 2015 • Presented pre-lab lectures for class of 24 students, explaining theory behind the lab and demonstrated experiments. Assisted students with conducting experiments. • Coordinated with course instructors to grade exams and quizzes. Provided individual mentorship. RELATED EXPERIENCE Graduate Research Assistant, Chemistry Department Rutgers University, New Brunswick, NJ, September 2014–present • Self-developed a novel analytical methodology to measure kinetic acidity (pKa) of imidazolium based ionic liquids via H/D exchange kinetics by HPLC, LC-MS, LC-UV-MS, NMR. • Study RNA compounds including ATP, GTP, ApG, and CpU by using ESI-Ion Trap MS • Examine the gas phase acidity of carbenes and ionic liquids by LC-MS/MS • Apply analytical methods for small molecules’ impurities on HPLC-UV and LC/MS • Synthesize and characterized organic superbase cyclopropenimine by MS and NMR (1H, 13C) • Synthesize biodegradable polyaspirin by melt condensation and characterized with GPC Henri Versfelt, 2 Prepare for the Internship/Job Search CAREERS.RUTGERS.EDU 23 Grab Their Attention With a Winning Letter or Email Whether you are following up after a career fair or applying for an internship/job, your correspondence with employers creates an impression and illustrates your communication skills. Always use a professional tone and polished language. Adhere to the 3 Cs Rule: all correspondence must be Clear, Concise, and Compelling. You must state very clearly who you are and why you are writing. Your message must be concise and get to the point. Finally, your goal is to compel your reader to take further action, such as arranging an interview or extending a job offer. COVER LETTERS Prepare for the Internship/Job Search A cover letter introduces your resume when you are not there to do so in person. The goal is to persuade the reader to review your resume by providing a brief summary of your qualifications that match the employer’s requirements. When sending your resume via email, the body of your email message is your cover letter. Generally speaking, your cover letter can include three paragraphs. Sample Email Subject Lines: • Response to a job/internship posting: (Company Name) Ad for a _______________________ (Company Name) Job Posting on Career Knight • Networking with employers or following up on referrals: Met You at the Rutgers Career & Internship Fair Referred by ____________________________________ • Canvassing employers to explore potential opportunities: Strong Applicant for Your __________ Department Potential Internship Opportunities at ______________ Sample Lead in Sentence for 1st Paragraph: • I am a ______________ major in my ______ year at Rutgers University and am writing in response to your job posting on Hotjobs.com for a ________________. • I am very interested in the __________ position you have advertised in the New York Times and have attached my resume for your review. The position matches my background, experience and career interests perfectly. Sample Lead in Sentence for 2nd Paragraph: (Follow with a comparison of your qualifications/selling points and their requirements) • I possess many of the qualifications mentioned in your ad, including: • Please allow me to draw your attention to a few of the ways my background meets your requirements: • The attached resume provides a detailed outline of the skills I have acquired through my education and work experience. Those that may be of particular interest to you include: General Professional Email Guidelines Use the following email guidelines to create a positive impression: • Use an appropriate subject line for your email (see samples on this page). • Use professional salutations such as “Dear Mr. or Ms.” and be sure to spell his or her name correctly. • Take the time to proofread, spell check, and grammar check your message before sending. • Do not use slang terms, text message abbreviations, emoticons, overly stylized fonts, graphics, or multi-colored backgrounds. • I look forward to meeting you to discuss the needs of your _______department and how my background can accommodate them. I can be reached at _______ to arrange an interview at your earliest convenience. • I welcome the opportunity to meet with you and discuss in more detail my qualifications for the position. I look forward to hearing from you soon to set up an interview. Thank you. THANK YOU LETTERS • Make sure to get business cards from all recruiters to ensure the correct spelling of their names and email addresses. • Send an email thank-you letter within 24 hours after your interview. (Subject Line: Thank You from___________________) • Your goal is to impress the interviewer with your appreciation and reiterate your qualifications and interest in the position. • If you met with more than one individual, send personalized thank-you letters to each interviewer. Hiring decisions are often made by consensus, and you will want to impress everyone you met by including something specific that was discussed during your meeting. Sample Final Paragraph Closing: • I would like to meet personally to discuss the ways I can contribute to your organization’s needs. I can be reached at ________. Thank you for your time and consideration. 24 CAREER & INTERNSHIP GUIDE CAREERS.RUTGERS.EDU Sincerely, (Signature) Type Your Name Cover Letter Outline 3rd Paragraph—Indicate that your resume is attached. Close by asking for an opportunity to set up an interview. If you are willing to call the employer, mention that you will phone within a specified amount of time. Thank the employer for his or her time and consideration. 2nd Paragraph—Highlight one or two key qualifications from your resume that you think will be of greatest interest to the employer. Explain why you are particularly interested in the employer, location, or type of work. If you have had related experience or specialized training, be sure to point it out. If your G.P.A. is above 3.0, mention it. I would like to be considered for the position of technical writer for the American Scientist Magazine. I read about the opening on the American Scientist website. 1st Paragraph—Explain why you are writing; you would like to be considered for a position with ______ (specify the employer by name). If responding to an ad or Internet posting, mention where you saw the job posted. If following up on the suggestion of a contact person (e.g., an employee or a professor), mention the person by name. Finally, indicate that you are a Rutgers _____ major, graduating in ________ . Sincerely, (Signature) Lauren Baumann Cover Letter Email Sample Enclosed please find a copy of my resume, which demonstrates my leadership, administrative, organizational, and writing skills. I look forward to hearing from you. You can reach me at 732-xxx-1299 or at laubau@rutgers.edu. I have writing experience in several scientific and technical areas. Most recently, my article on acid rain and its impact on fish reproduction appeared in Rutgers University’s Extension Bulletin. As a contributing writer for the School of Environmental and Biological Science’s Green Print, I have greatly strengthened my technical, investigative, editing, and organizational skills. I would be happy to provide you with samples of my writing. Dear Mr. Dover: Dear Ms. Patel: Cover Letters Prepare for the Internship/Job Search CAREERS.RUTGERS.EDU CAREER & INTERNSHIP GUIDE 25 Email Samples (Email Subject Line: Networking Request from a Rutgers Student) Dear Mr. Hendrickson: I obtained your name and contact information from the Rutgers Student-Alumni Career Connections. I am interested in setting up an informational interview with you—either by phone or in person—to learn more about your career path since you graduated from Rutgers. I am a senior at Rutgers—New Brunswick, majoring in journalism and media studies. I am interested in pursuing a career in print or electronic journalism. I have had challenging internships at “W” magazine and MTV. I am well aware of the changes that the field of journalism is undergoing, but I also see many opportunities for creativity and innovation in the future. I want to be part of that future. Prepare for the Internship/Job Search I will be in New York next Thursday, October 17; could I speak with you for about 20 minutes? I look forward to meeting you. I am attaching my resume to provide some background information. Thanks in advance for your interest and time. —Sandra Walters Rutgers, Class of 2014 Dear Ms. Smith, I am writing to follow up on our discussion during the recent Fall Career & Internship Mega Fair at Rutgers University. I enjoyed speaking with you about Russo, Inc. Thank you for sharing your insights on the recruiting process and the current needs of your organization. As we discussed, I will be graduating in ______ (date of graduation) with a degree in ________ (major or majors). In researching your organization, I am particularly interested in _______ (cite 1-2 facts). (Next, highlight one or two qualifications from your resume that you think would be of greatest interest to the employer based on your career & internship fair discussion). My background in ________ (related knowledge, skills, or experience) has helped prepare me for the challenges of the position. I have attached another copy of my resume for your review. Please let me know if you require any additional information. Thank you again for your time and consideration. I look forward to speaking with you again soon. Sincerely, Melissa Pattel Note: Ask for a business card at the fair and send a note that afternoon or evening Networking—Email Career & Internship Fair Follow-Up Email (Subject Line: Thank You for the Interview) (Subject Line: Interview Follow up) Dear Ms. Atkins: Dear Ms. Dermott, Thank you for the interview on Monday, March 24 for the position of assistant product manager in the marketing department. As you consider candidates for Bank of America’s Financial Analyst position, I would like to reaffirm my interest in contributing to your organization’s growth. I enjoyed speaking with you and found the interview most informative. The prospect of joining ABC Product Company is very exciting. My economics background, combined with my recent internship experience as a marketing assistant, will enable me to become a valuable member of your marketing team. Following up on my interview on June 30, I believe my economics background and internship experience at Merrill Lynch has prepared me to become a productive member of your audit department. I am confident that my student leadership at Rutgers would facilitate my ability to take charge of projects quickly and responsibly. Please let me know if you require any additional information. Thank you for your time and consideration. I look forward to hearing from you soon. Again, thank you for your continued interest in my candidacy for the Financial Analyst position. I look forward to speaking with you to further discuss the contributions I could make to Bank of America. Sincerely, Arjun Kabir Jessica Lopez Rutgers University Note: Do not misuse or overuse LinkedIn when following up after your initial interview. One email message to the interviewer is the best practice. 1st Interview Follow-Up Email 26 (Email Subject Line: Thank You for Speaking With Me) CAREER & INTERNSHIP GUIDE Note: We recommend sending this message about 2 weeks after your initial follow-up 2nd Interview Follow-Up Email CAREERS.RUTGERS.EDU Email Samples (Email Subject Line: Accepting Your Offer) (Subject Line: Responding to Your Offer) Dear Ms. Jones: Dear Mr. Sargeant: I am writing to confirm my acceptance of your April 7 offer, and am excited about the opportunity of joining Financial Services, Inc. After considerable thought, I have decided not to accept the offer of employment for the Expeditor position in the procurement department of Super Express Company. This has been a challenging decision for me because Super Express offers some exciting opportunities. However, I have accepted another position that more closely matches my career objectives. I will do my very best to make a contribution to the company from day one. As we discussed, my starting date will be June 16, 2014. I understand that I will work at your Jersey City headquarters for the first three months and then be assigned to a regional office for a six-month rotation beginning in the fall. Sincerely, David P. Ortiz Sincerely, Erica Adams Accepting an Offer—Email CAREERS.RUTGERS.EDU Declining an Offer—Email CAREER & INTERNSHIP GUIDE 27 Prepare for the Internship/Job Search Thank you again for the confidence you have expressed in me. I look forward to a long and productive career with Financial Services, Inc. I appreciate the time you spent with me and the confidence you expressed in me. Chapter 4: FIND AN INTERNSHIP/JOB You’ve prepared your materials and now you’re ready to explore effective strategies for finding an internship or full-time job. Let’s get started with the following 6 Steps to Success. These steps will give you a brief overview of the process. You’ll find detailed information on each of the topics below in subsequent sections of this guide. Remember, it’s critical to use a variety of approaches to find opportunities—use all of the resources available to you! 1 4 Prepare Your Search Materials • Letters • Transcript • Resume • References • Business Cards • Cover Letter 2 Develop a Game Plan • Have realistic career objectives • Keep track of your applications • Make a time frame for yourself • Use multiple strategies and tools • Set and follow deadlines The key to networking is becoming comfortable talking about yourself and what you have to offer an employer. • Start with people you know: Networking has been rated the number one way to find jobs and internships. It is important to maintain relationships with your family, friends, faculty/staff, employers, and alumni because you never know who may be able to help you in the future with your career. • Make new contacts: There are many opportunities at Rutgers to network. For instance, attending employer information and networking sessions, career & internship fairs, and employer panels. Visit our website for our most up to date events calendar. Through CareerKnight, you also have access to our Student-Alumni Career Connections to reach out to alumni who interest you. • Use social media: More employers are using social media to find and research candidates. Make sure your LinkedIn, Facebook, Twitter, and all other Internet sites you use represent you in a consistent and professional way. For more information on personal branding and effectively using social media, make sure you read the following section on “Developing Your Online Presence” and attend one of our related workshops. Set aside time to apply to advertised postings. For internships, you should begin searching at least one semester in advance of when you would like to intern (3 months for example). For full-time positions, it’s common for recruiters to begin recruiting in September and October for spring graduates. However, every company and industry is different, so it’s critical to stay informed and on top of deadlines for positions you are interested in. • CareerKnight: Rutgers exclusive job/internship board • CareerShift: Online resource accessible via the University Career Services website that allows you to search through multiple job listings publicly posted on the Internet • Career and internship fairs • Company/Organization websites, industry specific websites, newspaper classifieds/bulletin boards, and other online job boards 5 Interview Check out the Interview Section for detailed information about interviewing. • Practice your responses to frequently asked questions • Prepare questions to ask the interviewer • Dress professionally • Arrive early (but not too early) • Be aware of your nonverbal cues/body language • Follow up promptly (correspondence) 6 Your Best Foot Forward • Customize all documents • Utilize keywords from the job posting/industry • Address the qualifications for the position • Reflect on your experiences; identify relevant and transferable skills • Review your online presence and make necessary edits • Make sure your voicemail greeting is professional CAREERS.RUTGERS.EDU CAREER & INTERNSHIP GUIDE 29 Find an Internship/Job 3 Network Apply Use CareerKnight for the Internship/Job Search CareerKnight is an effective resource to land a job or an internship. Employers post internships and full-time positions specifically for Rutgers students within the CareerKnight system. Some employers participate in our On-Campus Interviewing program where interviews take place in the Career & Interview Center located in the Busch Student Center. Through CareerKnight, you can manage all aspects of the recruiting process online: • Review employer internship/job descriptions. • Submit your resume to employers for their review. • See if you have been selected for an interview. • Schedule your interview at the Busch Student Center location. CareerKnight Resources to Boost Your Internship/Job Search Include: • Resume Builder—Use this resource to develop an excellent resume that will help you get the interview. Come to resume critique drop-in hours to have it reviewed. Find an Internship/Job • Mock Interviews—Use this virtual mock interviewing service to practice, get feedback, and learn how to ace an interview. Students can also have their interview critiqued by our staff. • Student-Alumni Career Connections—Search our database of nearly 2,000 Rutgers alumni. Learn about the career options they’ve pursued with their degrees and contact them for career advice! Additional Tips • Update your CareerKnight student profile in late summer or early fall. • Most full-time recruiting activity takes place during the fall semester—about 65%. So don’t wait until the spring! • Most internship recruiting activity takes place during the spring semester. • Log in to CareerKnight to “Report a Hire” under “Employment Resources” to let us know that you were hired. Meet with a Career Development Specialist for helpful CareerKnight internship/job search strategies. BEWARE OF JOB POSTING SCAMS! University Career Services offers CareerKnight as a resource for students and alumni seeking internships, co-ops, and career related jobs. We strive to keep fraudulent and scam postings off CareerKnight; however, it is impossible to ensure that every job posting is legitimate. Therefore, we are sharing common “red flags,” so you can identify scam and fraudulent job postings. Fraudulent job postings try to take your money, personal information, or both. The jobs often appear easy and convenient ways to make money with very little effort. Core Essentials to Avoiding a Job Posting Scam • Do not give your personal bank account, PayPal account, or credit card information any employer. • Do not agree to have funds or paychecks directly deposited into any accounts by an employer. (Arrangements for direct deposit or paycheck should be made during your first day or week of actual employment on site – not before.) • Do not forward, transfer or send by courier (e.g., FedEx, UPS), or “wire” any money to any employer, for any employer, using your personal account(s). • Do not transfer money and retain a portion for payment. • Do not respond to suspicious and/or “too good to be true” unsolicited job emails. • In general, applicants do not pay a fee to obtain a job (but there are some rare exceptions – so be careful, and consult with a professional at University Career Services first). Once you have accepted an offer verbally or in writing for a full-time position, internship or co-op it is ethically wrong to continue to interview, send letters of application and conduct other job search activities for opportunities with similar or competing start dates as the accepted offer. By accepting a job offer verbally or in writing, you are making a formal commitment to the employer. There are no circumstances that would legitimize your reneging on an offer. Reneging on an offer not only damages your personal credibility and professional reputation, but also reflects badly on Rutgers University. If you renege on an offer, your access to the CareerKnight system, including on-campus recruiting events, job listings, career counseling and programs will be revoked. University Career Services reserves the right to report unethical or inappropriate actions to the Office of Student Conduct for further review. See our detailed offer acceptance policy at careers.rutgers.edu and contact a Career Development Specialist for guidance on evaluating your offer before you make a decision. To access CareerKnight: Visit careers.rutgers.edu and select “Students” under the CareerKnight logo. Then log in with your NetID and password. 30 CAREER & INTERNSHIP GUIDE CAREERS.RUTGERS.EDU Prepare for Career and Internship Fairs By participating in a University Career Services career and internship fair, you’ll maximize your exposure to employers and make valuable contacts. Fairs provide students with opportunities to meet employers from varied industries. Employers can view a large number of potential candidates and promote their organization, which aids in the pre-screening process. This section will cover strategies for making you shine in 30 seconds including what to say to recruiters and how to set yourself apart from the rest! What Do Employers Expect Of Career & Internship Fair Candidates? For those seeking full-time employment or an internship: • Have some knowledge of the company/organization. • Dress professionally. • Be prepared to answer and ask appropriate questions at the fair. • Follow through after the fair. For those exploring careers and/or networking opportunities: • Be prepared to ask thoughtful and appropriate questions. • Have an idea of the type of industry and/or position you might be seeking. • Be prepared to answer questions about your interests, major, and/or skills. Preparation Is Key In Making The Most Of Your Career and Internship Fair Experience! Prior to the career and internship fair Prepare your Resume: Bring 20 or more copies of your resume with you. Research the employers attending the career and internship fair through their websites • Familiarize yourself with the employers attending the fair. Many will have links to websites, a list of the positions available within the organization, and contact information. • Print resumes on white or neutral-color paper. Check carefully for typos, spelling, and grammar mistakes. • Determine “What is my objective at the fair?” and “What do I hope to accomplish at the fair?” • Have a resume that is clear, concise (one page is preferred), and easy to read within a short amount of time. Note, don’t be discouraged if the employer does not take your resume. Many recruiters will encourage you to apply online rather than taking a paper copy because applying online is a requirement to be considered an official candidate. Wear professional attire—first impressions are critical and lasting. Plan Your Strategy • Remember, this is a meet-and-greet event. Fairs offer the opportunity for you to present yourself to potential employers as well as the opportunity for you to “interview” them! • Market yourself with a brief infomercial about yourself—your major, year in school, jobs and internships, career interests, activities, and skills. We strongly advise you to wear a suit. This is a worthwhile investment and something that you will use often. However, if you don’t own a suit, please dress in business casual attire. It is always better to lean toward the professional side. • Women—Wear a suit, or a skirt/dress with a blazer, conservative color, and no heavy jewelry or perfume. If you don’t own a suit, conservative slacks/skirt and blouse is acceptable. • Men—Wear a suit, jacket and tie with slacks, conservative color: no heavy cologne or aftershave. If you don’t own a suit, tailored slacks and a button down dress shirt is acceptable. CAREERS.RUTGERS.EDU CAREER & INTERNSHIP GUIDE 31 Find an Internship/Job • Have your resume critiqued at University Career Services before printing. Keep your resume in a folder or portfolio at the event. Prepare a List of Questions Ask about career opportunities, specific position openings for which you might be qualified, and the organization. Do not ask questions such as “So, what do you do?” or “Do you have any jobs?” Instead, ask questions such as ”What types of positions are available within your organization in the __________________ area?” • Can you tell me what characteristics your most successful employees have? • What is the hiring process for your associates/ interns? • What types of training are provided for new employees? • Is there an application I need to complete in order to apply for this position? • What types of majors do you traditionally hire for your ____________________ positions? Items to Bring ❑ Resumes (clear, clean copies), pens and pencils ❑ List of employers to target at the fair and a list of prepared questions ❑ Other information not provided on your resume (in the event you need to complete an application) Find an Internship/Job ❑ Professional portfolio with samples of work (if appropriate) Note: Carry as little as possible—no coats or backpacks How to Present Your Elevator Pitch at Career Fairs, Interviews, and Networking Events An elevator pitch or speech is a short summary used to quickly and simply define a person, product, service, or organization. It is an introduction to yourself and your background. The name “elevator pitch” reflects the idea that you can deliver your summary in the time span of an elevator ride, within 30 to 60 seconds, enough time to give a recruiter or hiring manager information about you, in order to interest them. Clarify Your Value in a Clear Pitch In a conversational manner, explain who you are, what your major is and/or your career goals are. Express why you want an internship or position with their organization. State your skills upfront. Make the employer understand how your specific skill set can improve the company’s performance. At the Fair • Be prepared to talk about your career interest areas, strengths, and educational and work background. • When you arrive, view the layout of the fair, noting the location of employers you wish to meet. • Turn off your cell phone. • Some employers will have a line of candidates waiting. You may decide to visit with another employer and come back later or use this time to review the company literature. • While waiting in line, listen to employers. You can hear what questions other candidates are asking, and the employers responses to these questions. • Introduce yourself and use a firm handshake and a genuine smile to begin the conversation. Be sure not to interrupt others who might be talking with an employer. • Answer questions directly and concisely. The conversation should be two-sided, with both parties asking questions and providing information. • Even if an employer doesn’t sound like an option for you, be gracious and thank them for their time. • Collect business cards and company literature to do further research or send an application or thank you note after the fair. • You might have a specific career interest area or geographic preference. Some organizations may be able to refer you to a related department, division, or location. Keep an open mind while you talk to various individuals. The employers as well as fellow career fair attendees may be able to provide you with resources, ideas, and contacts. After the Fair • Send thank you notes in a timely manner. Mention how much you appreciated the time they took to speak with you. Mention your interest in working for them, if appropriate. See the “Letters” section in Chapter 3 of the guide for sample follow up letters. • If an employer has asked you to complete an application, send transcripts, or contact them, do so in a timely manner. University Career Services Mobile Fair Guide For the most up-to-date career and internship fair information visit our mobile site at careers.rutgers.edu/fair 32 CAREER & INTERNSHIP GUIDE CAREERS.RUTGERS.EDU Sample Elevator Pitches Example #1: “Hi, my name is Stacey Brown. I am currently a sophomore attending Rutgers. My major is in economics with a minor in art. I worked part-time with the Wells Fargo Bank through my first two years at college. Last summer I volunteered with The World Trade Center Memorial Museum in NYC and I’m hoping to find an internship in finance this summer. I am interested in art and I’m finding that I have an aptitude for business. I would like to combine these two different fields and find a career that includes them both.” Example #2: “Hello, my name is Priya Patel. I am a junior majoring in nutrition. I am working part-time as a shift supervisor for Nestlé’s Information Center. This experience has strengthened my skills in communication, management, and leadership. I also led a team project with Nutrition Advocates on developing workshops to educate, inform and promote better nutrition, health, and wellness on campus and in the community. In my research about your company, I read about the plans for expanding the nutrition awareness program, and I am interested in learning more about it.” Example #3: “Hi, my name is Michael McDonald. I am a Division I scholarship athlete at Rutgers and was recently voted team captain. In spite of a heavy practice and travel schedule, I maintained a 3.7 GPA as a double major in economics and foreign languages. I became involved in my fraternity’s breast cancer program as a freshman and thought we could do much more. I organized a plan to recruit more fraternity members to actively participate, and it grew from 25% to nearly 65%. Last year I pitched the program to five other Greek organizations and we now have over 200 participants.” CREATE YOUR OWN ELEVATOR PITCH! Hello my name is _________________________________________________________________________________________. I am currently a {insert year in school} ____________________, majoring in________________________________________. _________________________________________________________________________________________________________ _________________________________________________________________________________________________________. I work part-time at _____________________________________ as a ______________________________________________. I am also involved with {list any student clubs/organizations, volunteering, leadership experience, sports} _________________________________________________________________________________________________________ In addition, I held an internship with ________________________________________ where I {list general responsibilities} _________________________________________________________________________________________________________ _________________________________________________________________________________________________________. These experiences have enhanced my {list skills, qualities a company would find appealing} _________________________________________________________________________________________________________ _________________________________________________________________________________________________________. I am interested in learning more about the {list type of job/internship} _____________________________ job/internship with your company. *Follow up with questions, but don’t ever ask ‘what does your company do?’ CAREERS.RUTGERS.EDU CAREER & INTERNSHIP GUIDE 33 Find an Internship/Job From the research I’ve conducted on your organization {mention something you’ve learned or something that interests you about the company} Develop Your Online Presence Social and career networking sites are critical tools for job/internship seekers and employers. LinkedIn reports that recruiters’ use of social networking has increased a phenominal 57% over the last four years, which means that you cannot afford to ignore this trend. When you consider that 46% of US companies source talent via social networks, it becomes imperative that you boost your social networking skills and the amount of time you spend on networks like LinkedIn. When using social media, think about your goals and how to present a professional image. Remember, many employers check profiles on popular networking sites before making interviewing and hiring decisions. In fact, employers have been googling job applicants for years to learn more about their online career brand. Why Use Online Networking Tools? Online networking helps you learn about industries and organizations. You can meet networking contacts or people who can help you find work. Organizations also use these sites to learn about potential employees. Networking sites are also a great way to market yourself. A professional online profile can result in career success. However, photos in bad taste, use of inappropriate language, and poor spelling can leave employers wondering what type of employee you would be. Which Online Networking Tools Should You Use? There are many social media and networking sites that can help with your job search. Here are a few of the most common ones: LinkedIn This networking site consists of millions of experienced professionals representing hundreds of industries. You can use LinkedIn to: • Showcase your skills, career goals, and work experience. • Connect with others in your field by adding them to your group of connections. Find an Internship/Job • Join groups and discussions of interest to you and your career goals. Find LinkedIn groups in your industry, or create your own networking group. Groups are also a good place to ask questions and learn about job leads. • Join the Rutgers University Alumni Group on LinkedIn to connect with Rutgers Alumni in diverse career fields to network and conduct informational interviews. • Ask internship or work supervisors, professors, and others who have worked with you for recommendations or endorsements on LinkedIn. They can post comments about your work on the site for all to see. Facebook If you use it to stay in touch with friends and family, play online games, and post your pictures, keep your privacy settings as high as possible. Your profile may include a great deal of private information that would be illegal for an employer to ask. Some of it may hurt your chances of landing a job. If you choose to use it for career purposes, it is important to clean up your profile. Remove any posts, comments, photos, or online games that an employer might not approve of. Also, be careful about which groups you join and how you act online. Like and follow organizations of interest to learn more about them. Increase your Search Engine Optimization (SEO) in your job search—please make an appointment with a University Career Services’ Career Development Specialist on CareerKnight to help develop your career brand, job search documents, and online presence today! 34 CAREER & INTERNSHIP GUIDE Twitter Twitter has become a useful tool for job seekers and employers. You can search for tweets about job openings, follow organizations of interest and industry professionals in your field, or send a link to your resume in a tweet. Common hashtags used for job searches are: • #jobs • #jobhunt • #jobsearch • #internship Blogs Blogs are a great way to attract readers and recruiters in your field of interest. Follow blogs that are relevant to your career interests and the job industry you wish to pursue. Keep up-to-date and look like a “subject matter expert” with “career ready” skills. The Mobile Job Search Mobile device traffic grew 81% between 2013-2014. It continues to drive the preference and need for short, lean text in job search-related communications such as emails, cover letters, resumes, bios, and LinkedIn messages. Cover letters should be shorter and more streamlined and resumes are trending toward shorter summaries, paragraphs, and achievement bullets with less text density than was acceptable in the past. All of these same documents should be designed in mobile-ready formats. This means that any included photos, images, or graphs/charts should be suitable for mobile consumption. Personal Website One of the best ways to build and promote your career brand is by developing a professional website that showcases your key accomplishments. You can buy a domain name and publish your resume. Publish your career portfolio, detailed employment or internship experience, professional articles, photos of projects and other keyword-filled materials that will lead prospective employers looking for someone with your qualifications directly to your site. The Rutgers Student-Alumni Career Connections Database This system allows you to identify and connect with Rutgers Alumni in various career fields to conduct informational interviews. CAREERS.RUTGERS.EDU Earn Credit for Your Internship: Rutgers Internship & Co-op Program The School of Arts and Sciences and University Career Services have partnered to offer the Rutgers Internship & Co-op Program, an online course allowing students from all majors to earn academic credit for an internship or co-op position. Why Participate? • Earn academic credit for your internship or co-op • Explore and consolidate career goals • Develop and enhance skills necessary for the work environment Questions? Email internships@echo.rutgers.edu • Gain a professional advocate to guide you through your experience What is the difference between the internship and co-op? • Internship: 3 credits Available during the fall, spring and summer semesters • Co-op: 6 credits Available during the fall (June—December) and spring (January—July) When/How Do I Apply? Visit careers.rutgers.edu/RICP for the most current details, qualifications, and online application. Where do I start if I don’t have an internship? • Begin your internship search a semester in advance • Attend a “How to Find an Internship” workshop • Apply to internship postings. Refer to Chapter 4 for internship search strategies and resources Find an Internship/Job CAREERS.RUTGERS.EDU CAREER & INTERNSHIP GUIDE 35 The Academic Job Search for Doctoral Students The perspective of faculty search committee members for academic jobs and the timelines they are often working with to hire new faculty members are great starting points for your consideration. In many cases, they have hurdled all necessary organizational criteria to begin their search approximately one to two years in advance of when it will be filled. Therefore, consider being ready no less than one year ahead of the time when you are looking to be employed. Remember, your current faculty advisor can serve as a great resource in this process. What does that mean for the timeline of your search? At least one year before you want the job to start (ideally, summer or fall), you should: • Determine your readiness to go on the market: In addition to doing further research about the academic job search process, have conversations with your faculty advisor, other professors, or peers who have experienced this process. University Career Services can help you clarify your readiness. Find an Internship/Job • Finalize your written materials for the academic job search: Be sure your curriculum vitae, cover letter, references (letter of application), written descriptions of research or teaching plans and philosophies are in pristine condition and targeted towards the proper institutions (e.g., research or teaching). • Have your credentials ready: Be clear on the process for requesting official transcripts and other certification documentation before you will need them. Consider using Interfolio to store documentation that you’ll need for your various application processes. Visit the “Grad Students” tab on our website for the Interfolio link. • Identify job openings and apply: Determine which types of academic institutions will best fit your expertise (e.g., universities that grant doctoral, master’s, bachelor’s, or associate degrees; special focus institutions, etc.) and give thought to which geographic locations would be best for you. Apply and be willing to participate in phone or video interviews when requested. • Continue to do research and seek to publish your work: These areas fortify your expertise. Having a gap in these areas will reduce your ability to speak to current activities and updated findings when interviewing. Remember, you will be submitting applications far in advance. • Assess whether you need to broaden your job considerations: For some, plans will change for a variety of reasons (e.g., interests, immediate financial consideration, etc.) and your academic job search may have to be adjusted to include options outside of academia. Additional topics to keep in mind as you plan your career in academia: • Understanding the value of networking: Building your network of contacts is one of the most effective ways to proactively further your job search. Professors, classmates, supervisors, 36 CAREER & INTERNSHIP GUIDE and other campus colleagues are a great place to start communicating about your career endeavors. Additionally, conferences, networking events, and other scholarly association leads can build your network. Also consider conducting informational interviews (See pg. 6) • Acquiring references: Have a confirmed list of professionals who will speak to your accomplishments. You may need to submit their names to potential institutions with very short turnaround time. It’s always best to clarify what portion of your experience you feel they can best speak to. Remember to discuss with them the aspects you prefer they address. • Be ready for the campus interview: Like any interview, preparation is key. You can practice interviewing with your advisor, industry professionals, and colleagues. University Career Services can also help you prepare. • Prepare for the academic job talk: This will be your opportunity in the interview process to verbally communicate your expertise to an audience. Confidently prepare based upon what you know, and do not presume that the audience knows more than you on your topic. Find out the timeframe you will be given and stick to it. Make the beginning accessible and basic, and then go on to convince them that you can communicate complex information. Be sure to make it interesting. • Be prepared to negotiate: Negotiating is an important aspect of evaluating a job offer. First, it’s important to understand what is and isn’t negotiable. Items such as salary, teaching load, leave time, and tenure clock may be negotiable depending on your discipline and institution. Some institutions will be more flexible than others. For example, state institutions generally have set salary schedules and thus less flexibility to negotiate salary. While benefits are not necessarily negotiable, make sure you ask questions and fully understand the available benefits. Candidates in the sciences and engineering can negotiate additional items such as lab space and equipment. If the institution selects another candidate, be gracious until conclusion, as he/she might be your colleague in the future. Keep networking, applying, and researching to best ensure your eventual success. “The Academic Job Search Handbook” (4th Edition), by Julia Miller Vick and Jenifer Furlong is a great resource for learning more on this topic. CAREERS.RUTGERS.EDU Internship and Job Search for International Students While many of the tips and strategies for conducting an internship/job search presented in Chapter 4 are relevant for all job and internship seekers, international students are faced with some additional challenges. One of the most pressing challenges is to learn and feel comfortable with the hiring culture and practices in the U.S. and how they differ from your home country. Review the U.S. Employer’s Role and the International Student’s Role in acclimating yourself to the differences and showing potential employers you are prepared to work in the U.S. Attend an off-campus employment workshop (Pre-completion OPT and CPT) offered through the Center for Global Sciences. The International Student’s Role in the Job & Internship Search • Job announcements on company websites, job boards, major newspapers, trade publications, or professional associations As an internship or job seeker in the U.S. your responsibility is to pursue and apply for opportunities. It is also your responsibility to become aware of the process and paperwork necessary to be eligible to work in the U.S. The Center for Global Services offers monthly workshops on post-completion, off-campus, and on-campus employment. You can also meet with your international student advisor who can help you to complete any necessary forms and inform you of costs associated with working in the United States. • Regional and national professional conferences Note: Individual equality in the U.S. is important, thus, legally, factors like race, gender, and age cannot be considered in the interview process. The U.S. Employer’s Role The employer’s role and responsibility is to find people who are the right fit for the company and the position for which they are recruiting. Your role as a job seeker is to help U.S. employers make an informed decision in their hiring by communicating your skills and experiences through your resume and the interview. Many employers restrict hiring to U.S. citizens or permanent residents because they assume it is complicated, expensive, and time-consuming to hire international students, especially for full-time positions. Additionally, many employers use internships as a way to recruit for full-time positions. So even though it is a less complicated process for employers to hire international students for an internship, they still prefer U.S. citizens whom they could more easily convert to full-time employees. Employers use various approaches to locate potential employees for internships and full-time employment. These may include: • Career and internship fairs or community job fairs • On-campus recruitment • Employment agencies (“headhunters”) • Employee referrals CAREERS.RUTGERS.EDU Additional Tips for International Students • Create a list of target employers for your internship and job search, based on your career and industry cluster. Include U.S. organizations doing business in your home country. • Research and target employers that participate in the University Career Services career and internship fairs and who are open to hiring individuals requiring visa sponsorship. • Review lists of organizations that have sponsored H1B Visa petitions in the past 12 months available through resources such as GoingGlobal. • Inform as many people as possible about your job search and your field of interest. • Network with peers. Many international students learn about internship and job opportunities through other international students who have been successful. • Refer to Chapter 3 for detailed information regarding resume development. Resumes and CVs submitted for a job/internship search in the U.S. should not include personal details such as age, marital status, gender, or religion. • Speak with confidence about your skills, accomplishments, and education as they relate to the jobs you are seeking in interviews. It is understandable that self-promotion can be uncomfortable, especially for non-U.S. job/internship seekers; however, employers view this as your responsibility to explain your credentials and the reason you are suitable for a position. CAREER & INTERNSHIP GUIDE 37 Find an Internship/Job When invited for an interview, be prepared to explain to the interviewer what is involved in the process for work authorization and hiring an international student for a job or internship opportunity. Employers could be interested in hiring you if you demonstrate you are the best-qualified candidate and if no U.S. citizens can be found with the skills they seek. **You can gain additional information and assistance with your internship or job search process related to these topics at University Career Services by scheduling an appointment via your CareerKnight account and/or visiting our website at careers.rutgers.edu. Prepare for the Interview Process Purpose of the First Interview The first interview is a key exchange of information between the employer and the applicant. The employer’s main purpose is to determine if your education, experience, and personal attributes fit the organization’s needs. Your main purpose is to emphasize your ability and interest in the job and the employer, and make it to the second round. Common Types of Interviews 1. Telephone Interviews Find an Internship/Job • Some employers conduct telephone screening interviews prior to the face-to-face interview. Here are a few tips: ► Schedule the interview at a mutually convenient time. ► Try to be relaxed and personable, while keeping in mind that this is a formal interview. ► Provide full answers to the recruiter’s questions, but don’t ramble or become long-winded. ► Have at least one good question to ask the recruiter. 2. Behavioral Interviews • These types of interviews are based on the concept of using past performance as a way of predicting future performance. • The interviewer will ask for specific examples of how a skill has been demonstrated in the past. See the next section for more details on Behavioral Interviewing. 3. Group Interviews • Designed to see how you relate to different personalities. Be sure to communicate with each interviewer during the process. 4. Case Interviews • A common interview format with consulting firms, this type of interview involves describing the steps to take in solving a specific problem. Interview Success Strategies 1. Preparing for the Interview • Research the employer by viewing their website. Take particular note of the company’s mission statement and values, key products and initiatives, along with the organizational structure. • Know the position that you are interviewing for and be able to articulate why you are the right person for the job. • Review your background, including work history, internships, coursework, activities, academic projects, interests, and goals—particularly as they relate to the employer’s needs. • Assess your skills and prepare concrete examples. Employers are looking for good oral and written communication skills, interpersonal skills, creative problem solving, the ability to handle stress, and evidence of teamwork. 2. Interview Day • Check your appearance and grooming. Your appearance makes the first critical impression. Business attire is appropriate for all interviews. • Make sure you have ample copies of your resume. Take them to the interview in a slim portfolio. • Arrive 10 to 15 minutes early. • Relax and collect your thoughts. 3. During the Interview • Greet the employer with a firm handshake. Refer to the interviewer by name. Use Mr., Ms., or Dr. unless you are invited to use a first name. • Be yourself. Display energy and a positive attitude. Show you are sincerely interested. • Answer the questions asked. Stick to the subject. • Develop a list of selling points that highlight your marketable skills and relevant accomplishments. • Provide specific support and examples for how you have demonstrated key strengths or skills. • Practice interviewing. Attend a University Career Services interview seminar or mock interview session. Consider using Mock Interviews, an online resource through CareerKnight. • Focus on your ability to learn quickly, communication skills, analytical abilities, and other strengths. • Have good questions to ask. • Emphasize your strong points. Be self-confident. Don’t be defensive or apologize for lack of experience. • Be prepared to discuss your resume in depth. 38 CAREER & INTERNSHIP GUIDE CAREERS.RUTGERS.EDU • Be aware of your non-verbal communication, especially your posture. Don’t appear too rigid or overly relaxed. Don’t fidget. Maintain eye contact. 4. Interview Knockout Factors • Unprepared for the interview; no knowledge of the employer. • Watch your grammar. Interviewers are interested in articulate candidates. Use pauses rather than “uhs.” • Unable to express ideas clearly; poor communication skills. • Never criticize a former employer, teacher, friend, colleague, or school. Stay positive. • Poorly defined career goals; little or no career direction. • Never mention salary or benefits in the first interview. If the interviewer asks what salary you want, ask what range the job pays. • No expression of interest in the employer. • Find up-to-date salary information through the National Association of Colleges and Employers’ Salary Survey. • At the close of the interview, take these steps to leave the recruiter with an excellent impression: (a) Ask for a business card. (b) Ask about the next step in the process and when you can expect to hear from the employer. (c) Re-express your interest in the position and the organization. (d) Thank the interviewer and shake hands. • Express negative attitude towards former jobs, supervisors, or schools. • Makes excuses during the interview; evasive. • Asks no questions about the job or employer. • Lack of confidence/poise; no eye contact or weak handshake. • Only interested in the best dollar offer. 5. After the Interview Write down pertinent facts from the interview (e.g., the interviewer’s name). Within 24 hours, write a short thank you letter or email message to the interviewer and reiterate your desire to work for the organization. Find an Internship/Job careers.rutgers.edu Division of Undergraduate Academic Affairs CAREERS.RUTGERS.EDU CAREER & INTERNSHIP GUIDE 39 Are You Ready for a Behavioral Interview? “Tell me about a time when you were on a team, and one of the members wasn’t carrying his or her weight.” If this is one of the leading questions in your interview, you could be in for a behavioral interview. Based on the premise that the best way to predict future behavior is by past behavior, this style of interviewing is common. How to Prepare for a Behavioral Interview Behavioral Interview Sample Question/Response Review the job description for which you are interviewing, and take note of the skills/qualifications required. It’s likely that the interviewer will ask you questions based on those “competencies.” For example: leadership, problem solving, or teamwork. Think about examples of situations where you have demonstrated those “competencies” and be prepared to discuss them in detail. Utilize the P-A-R Approach (Chapter 3) to prepare short stories for each situation; be ready to provide additional details if asked. “Tell me about a time when you were on a team and a member wasn’t pulling his or her weight” might go as follows: “I had been assigned to a team to build a canoe out of concrete. One of our team members wasn’t showing up for our lab sessions or doing his assignments. I finally met with him in private, explained the frustration of the rest of the team, and asked if there was anything I could do to help. He told me he was preoccupied with another class that he wasn’t passing, so I found someone to help him. He not only was able to spend more time on our project, but he was grateful to me for helping him. We finished our project on time and got a ‘B+.’” ❑ Recall situations that show favorable behaviors, especially those involving coursework, work experience, leadership, teamwork, initiative, planning, and customer service ❑ Be sure that the outcome reflects positively on you (even if the result itself was not favorable). ❑ Be honest. Don’t embellish or omit any part of the story. The interviewer will find out if your story is built on a weak foundation. The interviewer might then probe: “How did you feel when you confronted this person?”; “What was your role?”; “At what point did you take it upon yourself to confront him?” You can see it is important that you do not make up or “shade” information and why you should have a clear memory of the event. Find an Internship/Job ❑ Be specific. Don’t generalize about several situations; give a detailed accounting of one situation. Prepare examples of situations involving skill clusters such as leadership, teamwork, decision-making, problem solving, customer service, coping with stress, and organization/ planning. 40 CAREER & INTERNSHIP GUIDE CAREERS.RUTGERS.EDU Typical Questions Asked by Employers Practice responding to these questions. You may find it helpful to jot down key points. If you can answer each of these questions clearly, concisely, and confidently, you are well on your way to successful interviewing! College and Academic Experiences • Why did you select Rutgers? • Why did you choose your major? • In which campus activities did you participate and what did you learn or gain from these involvements? • Which college classes did you like the best/least? Why? • How would you evaluate your education at Rutgers? • Do your grades accurately reflect your abilities? • Were you financially responsible for your education? • How many classes did you miss because of illness, personal business, or other reasons? Work Experience and Accomplishments • • • • • Did you work during college? If so, where? What did you enjoy most/least about your last job? Have you ever quit a job? Why? Of which three accomplishments are you proudest? What problems have you solved on the job? Skills and Personal Qualities The Job and Employer • Why did you choose to interview with us? • What can you offer us? • How does your college education or work experiences relate to this job? • What do you know about us (products or services)? • What are your salary requirements? • • • • • Do you prefer to be supervised or work on your own? Would you be successful working on a team? Have you worked under deadline pressure? When? Are you able to work on several assignments at once? Do you prefer large or small organizations? Why? The Future • Describe your ideal job. • Where do you want to be in five years? Ten years? • Do you plan to further your education? Typical “Behavioral Interview” Questions • In dealing with a customer, think of your most difficult situation and tell me how you handled it. • Give an example when you felt your boss made a bad decision and explain how you would have handled it differently. • Describe a situation where four different things had to get done at once and how you handled it. • Describe a major problem you have faced on the job and how you handled it. Questions to Ask Employers at the First Interview • Please describe the duties of the job. • What might I expect in the first six months? • What skills are important for someone in this position? • Can you tell me about the team projects I will be working on? • Will I have an opportunity to work on special projects? • Do you offer a training program? How long does it last? • How many college graduates will you hire this year? Second or Third Interview • How much responsibility will I have during my first assignment? Subsequent assignments? • Do you promote from within or hire from the outside? • What is the largest single challenge facing your staff/ department/organization? Point of an Offer • What is the salary range for this position? • Are salary adjustments geared to the cost of living or job performance? • Do you have a standard or optional benefits package? • What is your vacation policy? • How often are performance reviews given? CAREERS.RUTGERS.EDU CAREER & INTERNSHIP GUIDE 41 Find an Internship/Job • Tell me about yourself. (Be prepared for this one. It may be the first question asked. Briefly highlight your career interests, studies, work experiences, and strengths.) • What are your greatest strengths? • Can you describe any weaknesses? (Make sure you cite something that you are actively improving upon. Turn it into a positive. Do not mention a weakness, which would directly (and negatively) impact your ability to do the job.) • What skills have you developed? • Do you have any computer experience? • Why should we hire you rather than another candidate? • Do you have any hobbies? • Define success and failure. Work Environment TELL ME ABOUT YOURSELF The Two-Minute Drill Interviews often begin with this question. Use the worksheet below to outline and develop a well-rehearsed summary of your education and experience that includes some of your most significant accomplishments or strengths and how you became interested in the field. Education/Training (Include GPA if 3.0 or higher) Begin with your education. Mention your year in school, your major(s) and minor(s), and how you became interested in the field. You can include your GPA (if 3.0 or higher), skills you have learned, or an example of an academic project. You can also mention memberships in campus organizations and any leadership roles. Relevant Experience Find an Internship/Job Include skill building experiences (work, extra-curricular, academic projects). Focus on transferable skills that would be valuable to employers in the field, and professional accomplishments or recognition you received. Key Strengths Based on your research of the organization, mention two key strengths that match their requirements. 1. 2. Your Future Include information to reveal that you are an advanced job seeker. Identify that you have chosen XYZ career for substantive reasons. Organize your thoughts into: Interest, Skills, Experience, and Personality. 42 CAREER & INTERNSHIP GUIDE CAREERS.RUTGERS.EDU Tell me about yourself outline: I am currently ➡ Strategically crafted “Branding Statement” I became interested ➡ First opportunity to connect with employer (tell the real story) I have excelled ➡ Greatest accomplishment in your career area I enjoy ➡ Second opportunity to connect with employer (again, be real) In addition ➡ Add related or volunteer experience and/or unique skill development I contributed ➡ Identify when you have made a difference In reviewing ➡ Demonstrate that you have researched employer/job I look forward ➡ Express interest in the employer and position Example • I am currently a junior at Rutgers University, majoring in computer science. I became interested in computers at a young age and took a few college-level programming courses while in high school, which helped me decide on my major. • I have excelled in all my coursework at Rutgers, while working 20 hours a week at the University Computing Center in a technical support role. I enjoy assisting users and problem solving, because it is challenging and I learn something new every day. • In addition to this, I had an opportunity to intern over the summer with XYZ Company. I contributed to software development projects, including database design. I am particularly interested in this area and this is where I would like to begin my career. Find an Internship/Job • In reviewing the job description, I was drawn to the database design aspects where I believe I would be able to make an immediate contribution. I look forward to learning more about your MIS department and the challenges of the position. Practice Using your notes, develop your response and then schedule a mock interview with one of our Career Development Specialists to practice your oral delivery. Your response should be approximately two minutes in length. CAREERS.RUTGERS.EDU CAREER & INTERNSHIP GUIDE 43 GET THE INSIDE SCOOP! Are you looking to get the inside scoop about what is going on with University Career Services, including updates about employers on campus? Career and internship fairs, workshops, networking and other major events? FOLLOW US AND STAY UPDATED! RutgersCareerServices RUCareers UCSRutgers Division of Undergraduate Academic Affairs Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey 44 CAREER & INTERNSHIP GUIDE careers.rutgers.edu CAREERS.RUTGERS.EDU Chapter 5: MAKE AN IMPACT AT YOUR INTERNSHIP OR FULL-TIME JOB Making an impact at your internship or first full-time position comes down to simply understanding and following work-place etiquette. Work-place etiquette is nothing more than the behavior and manners that are acceptable at your work site. The tricky part is that each site is different and the rules are different from the rules that apply to you as a student. People don’t expect you to be a student. Rather, they expect you to act the way they do, as a professional in their line of work. Oftentimes, the rules are seldom spelled out for you, and are not the same for any two organizations. If you don’t figure out the rules, you may have a poor experience and a poor evaluation. So what do you do? Here are a few guidelines and ideas to help you get on track: 1. Dress the part. Yes, this is important! When you walk in the door of your work site, even if it is on campus, you are no longer a student. Appropriate attire is different for every organization. Look around you. What are others wearing? What about their hairstyles? What kind of accessories are the norm, including earrings for men? Model your dress and grooming after that of your supervisor and other professional staff. 2. Follow the chain of command. It is important for you to know the formal and informal reporting structures within your organization. Once you understand them, follow them! The unspoken rule is this: do not go around, behind, or over anyone. Follow the chain of command in all your communications and actions. That means go to your site supervisor first. Also, identify the second in command or the person you can go to in your supervisor’s absence. CAREERS.RUTGERS.EDU 5. Learn basic social skills. This might seem rather silly, but if no one ever taught you such rituals, you are well advised to learn them quickly! Go to the library and read some etiquette books, or pattern your behavior after those around you. How you handle hellos, goodbyes, and basic courtesies of speech and action can win friends or turn people off. For example, don’t sit down in someone’s office until you are invited to do so. Keep your feet off the furniture. Hats off inside! Don’t chew gum. 6. Be on time. As a student, some faculty members may not penalize you if you fly into class five minutes late or if you miss class. In the work world, that just won’t cut it. Tardiness and absenteeism signal disrespect for others’ time and a lack of interest in the work. Promptness signals eagerness, responsibility, and respect for others. At the beginning of the day and at all your meetings, be on time or five minutes early. The only reasons that may justify an absence from work are serious illnesses or family emergencies. It is important to call immediately and speak directly with your supervisor if you have a problem which will keep you from work. CAREER & INTERNSHIP GUIDE 45 Make an Impact at Your Internship or Full-Time Job 3. Respect confidentiality. You can talk about issues, projects, and the work environment, but refrain from talking about people. Gossip can get back to people and wind up hurting you. Don’t be hurt if you are left out of certain discussions— some issues are for staff eyes and ears only. Finally, don’t take sides; steer clear of interoffice politics. Remember that you are there to work on your projects. 4. Respect the support staff. They have been there longer than you, and they know more than you. They can be terrific allies in helping you break in, helping you understand the unspoken rules, and helping you accomplish your goals if you treat them with the respect they are due. Wipe the thought “just a secretary” out of your mind. Remember this: without support staff, the organization would not run. 7. Learn to make a positive first impression. Practice until you acquire a firm handshake. Learn how to make introductions and how to introduce yourself to those you don’t know. Be friendly, smile, and extend yourself. These are all parts of those important first impressions, which can really earn you points. Picture this: the Executive Director of your organization is coming down the hall toward you. She is a valuable person to know. Are you ready to introduce yourself? Stay in Touch After the Conclusion of Your Internship/Job • Create a key contacts file for networking contacts you make throughout your career • Stay in touch with colleagues and supervisors you have worked with in past internships and full-time positions 8. Take initiative. Offer to help on projects and assist others in the office. • Send a note following graduation to previous internship sites to keep them updated on your progress 9. Turn off the cellphone and don’t open Facebook. Your employer expects you to work during the work day, not conduct personal business or be distracted by texting friends or checking social media. These things can be done during lunchtime or other breaks, but don’t jeopardize your position because you couldn’t wait until after work to text your friends about dinner plans. • Use good judgment regarding contact frequency 10. Be a good ambassador. Be aware that you reflect the institution. How you perform and behave at work will establish your professional image, for better or worse, and also, the future of other Rutgers interns or full-time candidates. Think about the long-term benefits of good work place etiquette. You might want to ask your previous supervisors for job recommendations or contacts. You may apply for full-time or summer jobs at a previous work site. Have you proven that you can make it in that type of environment? Have you earned a positive recommendation? What you do today can stick with you for a long time. Make it count! *Adapted from Muhlenberg College and Seattle University Make an Impact at Your Internship or Full-Time Job Establishing Your Professional Reputation Establishing your professional reputation is an important part of making an impact at your internship or first full-time position as well as an important part of your professional growth. The Rutgers Student Code of Conduct (studentconduct.rutgers.edu) outlines standards for students to follow as members of the university community. These standards are not unique to an academic setting, but can be applied to all professional settings including the workplace. Having a reputation as an ethical professional is vital in making an impact and being a respected employee or intern. with employers. Additionally, when you connect with employers and others outside the university, you represent Rutgers. UCS has established policies and ethical guidelines regarding scheduling appointments and registering for events, participating in the OnCampus interview program, participating in the Rutgers Internship and Co-op Program (RICP), and job and internship offer acceptance guidelines. These policies are in place to help students understand the importance of ethics in the workplace as well as provide fair and appropriate access to resources for all Rutgers students. Conducting yourself ethically in all aspects of your professional life includes being ethical in your interactions and engagement with departments on campus including University Career Services as well as with faculty, staff, and your peers. Representing yourself with integrity is also important in your interactions For detailed information regarding UCS policies go to careers.rutgers.edu. 46 CAREER & INTERNSHIP GUIDE CAREERS.RUTGERS.EDU Chapter 6: EXPLORE GRADUATE & PROFESSIONAL SCHOOL Is Graduate School Right for You? As you think about graduate school here are four key questions to consider: 1 Why Should You Consider Graduate School? You’re probably thinking about a graduate degree because your intended profession demands one or you are committed to further study in your chosen discipline. 2 When Should You Begin Graduate School? If your goals are clear and financial resources are available, consider studying for a master’s or doctoral degree shortly after graduation. If your career goals are not yet well established and your resources are insufficient, you should probably wait several years. 3 Where Should You Go to Graduate School? Consider these key criteria: • Interest in the Field. Your interest in and commitment to your field are probably the most important factors. If you’re uncertain about what to study, that’s a clue to wait. • Availability of a Degree Program. Do research to see which universities offer the programs that meet your interests. Look beyond the catalog to determine if a program is right for you. • Quality. Key factors in assessing quality are faculty, facilities, student body and reputation. For graduate programs requiring extensive library research, (Continued on next page) CAREERS.RUTGERS.EDU CAREER & INTERNSHIP GUIDE 47 Explore Graduate & Professional School • Career Opportunities. Look down the road a few years. What are the current job prospects in the field? What are future projections? Remember that job markets are bound to change—for better or worse—during any four-to five-year period. inquire about the size of the institution’s library holdings to ensure resources will be available when needed. To determine quality, talk to professors and professionals in the field. • Cost. The cost of graduate education varies significantly. Many graduate programs in the arts and sciences offer students a “package,” which is a combination of tuition remission, fellowships, and teaching assistantship support, particularly for Ph.D. programs. Others, especially the professional schools, provide little or no support. • Location. Do you prefer urban, suburban or rural locations? Consider the accessibility of mass transit, commuting time and costs, and proximity to other educational institutions, research institutes, and libraries. If you are considering law school think about schools located in geographical areas where you would like to establish your professional affiliations or to apply for the bar exam. Other careers such as teaching, counseling, and social work will offer certification in the state you graduated in. • Size. Institutional size provides a clue to the overall environment, character, academic resources, class size, and student-faculty ratios and relationships. • Credit vs. Non-Credit. An increasing number of non-credit, non-matriculated, and extension-type programs might be more appropriate than traditional degree programs. 4 How Do You Get Admitted? There are six key aspects to the graduate admissions process: • Undergraduate Preparation. Be sure you know the specific academic requirements of the program. • The Application. This form may be your only contact with an admissions committee and the impression you make is critical. If essays or personal statements are required, make sure you write in a clear, concise, grammatically correct style. Have your statement critiqued by a professor or Career Development Specialist. • Credentials. Graduate and professional schools require three items in support of the application: transcripts of your college work, recommendations, and standardized test scores. Transcripts are obtained from the Registrar, who will forward your official transcript to the school to which you are applying. Recommendations should be from professors or professionals in the field who know you and your work well; letters from well-known individuals are a plus. If your schools require providers of recommendations to submit letters by postal mail, be sure to set up and utilize your online credentials file at Interfolio.com. • Standardized Tests. Depending on the type of program you are applying to, the weight/value of the standardized tests relative to your admission can vary. Regardless, make sure you give yourself enough time to adequately prepare. • Interviews. Interviews are rarely required today in the admissions process with the exception of the health professions and doctoral programs. However, if an interview can be arranged, you can learn more about the program and provide a clear impression of who you are. • Deadlines. Note all deadlines, including portfolio submissions (for studio programs), interviews (if required), and standardized tests. Create a timeline to help you maintain your focus. Apply as early as possible. Early applications demonstrate a strong interest and motivation in the program. Explore Graduate & Professional School **You can get additional information and assistance with your graduate school plans by scheduling an appointment with University Career Services using your CareerKnight account and visiting our website at careers.rutgers.edu. 48 CAREER & INTERNSHIP GUIDE CAREERS.RUTGERS.EDU Guidelines for Writing the Personal Statement STEP 1: Brainstorm ACTIONS: 1. Devote time to reflect on the following questions. 2. Discuss them with friends or family members. 3. Jot down notes. In some cases write sentences. 4. Think about the flip side of each question. For example, why are you really committed to the field of biology despite pressure from your parents to become a lawyer or to get a job? Your answers to some of these questions will form the heart of your personal statement. 1. How did your pre-college education influence your decision to pursue graduate study in your field? Think about: high school courses, teachers, special, programs, student organizations, and community or volunteer work. 2. How has your Rutgers experience influenced your decision? Think about: college courses, professors, academic interests, research, special programs, student organizations, and the decision-making process of choosing your major. 3. How has your work experience influenced your decision? Think about: internships, externships, part-time jobs, summer jobs, and volunteer or community work. 4. Who has had the most influence on your decision to pursue graduate study? In what ways? Think about: Parents, relatives, teachers, professors, clergy, friends of the family, college friends, parents of friends, local merchants, supervisors, coaches, doctors, dentists, lawyers, etc. 5. What situation has had the most influence on your decision? Think about: family, academic, work or athletic situations. Think about happy, sad, traumatic, moving, or memorable situations. 6. What personally motivates you to pursue graduate study in this field? Think about: your personal skills, interests, and values. STEP 2: Write Your Personal Statement ACTIONS: 4. Accentuate your strengths and what makes you unique. 5. Explain your weaknesses in positive ways. For example, refer to them not as weaknesses but as areas for improvement or growth. 6. Paint pictures and tell stories about what makes you special. This is how the admissions readers will remember you. The story can be happy or sad. The more feeling you can inject into your statement, the more you will stand out. 7. Find out the specific orientation and philosophy of the graduate program. Adapt and refine your statement to fit. This will make you stand out from other applicants who recycle the same personal statement with each application. Suggested Outline Your personal statement will likely range from 250–1200 words or 1–6 pages double spaced. The typical personal statement should be 2–3 double-spaced pages or 500–700 words. Here is a suggested outline. You should adjust the main point of each paragraph and the number of paragraphs depending on the desired length of your personal statement and the areas in your background that you choose to emphasize. 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 this school References Write for Success: Preparing a Successful Professional School Application, Third Edition, October 2005 by Evelyn W. Jackson, PhD and Harold R. Bardo, PhD. NAAHP, National Association of Advisors for the Health Professions, Inc. “Perfect Personal Statements” by Mark Alan Stewart. Peterson’s Guide 2004 1. Incorporate your responses to the above questions. 2. Write your first draft. CAREERS.RUTGERS.EDU Personal Statement Critiques You can schedule an appointment with University Career Services for a personal statement critique. Send your personal statement via email to your Career Development Specialist at least two business days (Mon–Fri) before your appointment. CAREER & INTERNSHIP GUIDE 49 Explore Graduate & Professional School 3. Develop an outline of your statement prior to writing. It doesn’t have to be detailed. It can be three or four main points in the order you want to make them. GUIDELINES FOR WRITING THE PERSONAL STATEMENT STATEMENT OF PURPOSE The graduate program’s 1st introduction to you Personal Statements Two Major Categories: 1. General, comprehensive personal statement 2. Essays which are expected to be responses to very specific questions Only 5 minutes or 5300 characters to...TELL YOUR UNIQUE STORY STEP 1: ANSWER THE FOLLOWING QUESTIONS • What’s unique, special, distinctive and/or impressive about you or your life story? When did you originally become interested in the field and what has reinforced your interest? How has your work experience contributed to your personal growth? What are your career aspirations? Have you had to overcome any obstacles or hardships? What personal characteristics that you possess would enhance your prospects of success in the field? Why might you be a stronger applicant that other applicants? What are the most compelling reasons for the admissions committee to be interested in you? What writers and which articles in your field of study have had the greatest influence on the development of your thought? Who were your favorite professors in college and why...how has each influenced you? What is the single most important concept you have learned in your life? Any gaps or discrepancies in your academic record that should be explained (e.g., grades/low exam score)? What skills do you possess (select skills strategically as shown below)? • • • • • • • • • • • • STEP 2: LIST KEY SKILLS 1. List 5 of the Target Professional’s Skills 2. List 5 of Your Personal Skills 3. Create a Prove it Prompt* • ________________________________________________ • ________________________________________________ • ________________________________________________ • ________________________________________________ • ________________________________________________ *Prove It Prompt: a one or two word phrase to quickly retrieve your story of successfully utilizing each skill STEP 3: WRITING THE ESSAY • Select which of your responses to the above questions to include in your essay based on which stories evidence you at your best. Strategically accentuate your skills and what makes you unique based on the key skills that you have identified as important to practice in your field of choice. Explore Graduate & Professional School • BEGIN writing your first draft as follows: INTRODUCTION Thesis statement & your unique story summary TOPIC PARAGRAPH Your academic interests & achievements TOPIC PARAGRAPH Your relevant work experience TOPIC PARAGRAPH Your substantive reasons for career interest CONCLUSION Identify your qualities/interests that will benefit the graduate program Wrap up essay with highlights of the best points EXAMPLE INTRODUCTION PARAGRAPH I found great inspiration [specific unique experience]. As I witnessed time and again during [specific aspect of the career/reaffirm thesis], my enthusiasm for a career in __ developed. My goal is to become a [specific career]. Accordingly, I have endeavored throughout my college career to acquire the experience and education necessary to become a strong candidate for [specific career]. ACADEMIC INTERESTS TOPIC PARAGRAPH Specifically, I have studied a range of [specific academic] courses, researched __, and become a strong leader of a [student/volunteer organization title]. One of many memorable courses included a class on __, which helped me develop __ ability and __ knowledge of [specific aspect of the career]. I have built from each new skill gained and recently successfully achieved __, exploring __. Through my experiences, I leaned __, __, and how to __. ACHIEVEMENTS TOPIC PARAGRAPH All of these attributes were significant to my ability to succeed as I became involved in many extracurricular organizations. For example, while on the board of [student/volunteer organization title] organization at Rutgers University, I applied strategies learned from my academic experience in __ and built strong relationships with fellow students that proved to be the foundation for my success. While on the board, I am proud to have increased/accomplished __. RELEVANT WORK AND/OR RESEARCH EXPERIENCE TOPIC PARAGRAPH My most powerful experience as a [specific pre-career/careers title] allowed me to develop __ and __. Notably, I was able to gain a position providing __, __, and __. Through participation in these experiences, I have learned __, __, and __. CONCLUSION PARAGRAPH Ultimately, each experience in the field has been __, and I look forward to studying and practicing the full scope of [specific career/careers] at [your program]. Utilizing the skills gained from all of my experiences, I am equipped to successfully navigate the courses of [your program] and aspire to provide outstanding __. PERSONAL STATEMENT CRITIQUES You can schedule an appointment with University Career Services for a personal statement critique. Send your personal statement via email to your Career Development Specialist at least two business days (Monday - Friday) before your appointment. 50 CAREER & INTERNSHIP GUIDE CAREERS.RUTGERS.EDU CAREER & INTERNSHIP GUIDE 51 Explore Graduate & Professional School CAREERS.RUTGERS.EDU Graduate Program Index The advertisements by the following graduate school programs make it possible to distribute the Career & Internship Guide at no cost to you. These graduate schools demonstrate their interest in Rutgers graduates through this support. Fairleigh Dickinson University................................................. 55 Fairleigh Dickinson University School of Pharmacy................ 57 Georgian Court University ...................................................... 54 New Brunswick Theological Seminary .................................... 61 The College of New Jersey .................................................... 52 Rensselaer Lally School of Management ................................ 58 Rowan University Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences ........................................... 56 Rutgers University Graduate School of Education ................. 60 Rutgers Professional Science Master’s Program .................... 58 Rutgers School of Management and Labor Relations ............ 59 Rutgers University, Financial Statistics & Risk Management Master’s Program ................................. 61 St. George’s University ........................................................... 53 Temple University School of Podiatric Medicine .................... 58 Other Advertisers Educational Housing Services ................................................. 52 Keep America Beautiful—Recycle .......................................... 60 The Princeton Review ............................................................. 62 U.S. Army Health Professions Scholarship Program .............. 62 College Recruitment Media and Rutgers University Career Services wish to thank the above participating sponsors for making this publication available to students. 52 CAREER & INTERNSHIP GUIDE CAREERS.RUTGERS.EDU 54 CAREER & INTERNSHIP GUIDE CAREERS.RUTGERS.EDU 58 CAREER & INTERNSHIP GUIDE CAREERS.RUTGERS.EDU CAREERS.RUTGERS.EDU CAREER & INTERNSHIP GUIDE 59 FSRM - Financial Statistics & Risk Management Master’s Program Apply or Learn More at www.fsrm.rutgers.edu • Want a rewarding career in financial data analytics or risk management? • The right move is a Rutgers FSRM Master’s Degree • Be ready to earn $$$ in 3 semesters FT or work and go PT • Be sought after and competitively differentiated with “Big Data” smarts and analytics • Be part of an exciting and supportive learning environment • Receive both academic & practically focused training • Learn from and network with leading industry practitioners • Be within easy access of industry events and firms in NYC • Leverage our Academic Partnership with GARP and get a head start on the FRM CAREERS.RUTGERS.EDU CAREER & INTERNSHIP GUIDE 61 62 CAREER & INTERNSHIP GUIDE CAREERS.RUTGERS.EDU Employer Index The advertisements by the following employers make it possible to distribute the Career & Internship Guide at no cost to you. These employers demonstrate their interest in Rutgers graduates through this support. Advanced Systems Concepts, Inc..................................... 65 AdvoServ ........................................................................... 67 Bettaway Transportation Logistics and Pallet Systems ............................................................... 68 Bloomberg LP ................................................................... 64 Bonnie Brae ....................................................................... 64 Cardinal Technologies ....................................................... 64 Cintas Corporation ........................................................... 66 Clark County School District ............................................. 69 Complete Document Solutions................ Inside Back Cover Easter Seals ....................................................................... 66 Englewood Public Schools District ................................... 70 Facility Solutions Group (FSG) .......................................... 66 Forman Mills...................................................................... 70 Gerdau .............................................................................. 72 Knowledge Universe Education LLC ................................ 71 MathWorks ........................................................................ 78 New Jersey Economic Development Authority (NJEDA)......................................................... 70 Northwestern Mutual – Morristown ....... Inside Front Cover NRG Home Solar............................................................... 72 PEF Services LLC............................................................... 75 ProTapes & Specialties ...................................................... 77 Prudential .......................................................................... 63 PwC ................................................................................... 63 QuickChek ......................................................................... 74 Robert Half International Inc. ........................................... 73 Spirent ............................................................................... 76 TFS Securities, Inc. ............................................................ 76 Triveni Digital .................................................................... 76 Wegmans........................................................................... 78 WithumSmith+Brown, PC ................................................. 77 Other Advertisers New Jersey National Guard.............................................. 75 Peace Corps ...................................................................... 72 College Recruitment Media and Rutgers University Career Services wish to thank the above participating sponsors for making this publication available to students. T:3.5” BUILD YOUR CAREER WITH PURPOSE. AT PRUDENTIAL. 3 5_ Studio Billec, William Job # A4447 Date 6-30-2015 11:55 AM Talent. Dedication. The drive to make a difference. When you build your career at Prudential, you do so at a company guided by a purpose: to help people from all walks of life tackle their most daunting financial challenges. Just as it has since 1875. © 2015. Prudential, the Prudential logo, the Rock symbol and Bring Your Challenges are service marks of Prudential Financial, Inc. and its related entities, registered in many jurisdictions worldwide. Prudential is an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, genetics, disability, age, veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by law. EEO IS THE LAW. Prudential Financial, Inc., Newark, NJ. Prudential is an Employer that participates in E-Verify. 0250170-00003-00 CAREERS.RUTGERS.EDU T:4.75” To learn more about careers at Prudential, visit your CareerKnight portal. Live Trim Bleed Gutter Pub P. Date None 3.5” x 4.75” None None None None Approvals: __________ GCD __________ CD __________ AD __________ CW __________ AE __________ Traffic __________ Proof Scaled None Prudential Advertising 973-802-7361 CAREER & INTERNSHIP GUIDE 63 We are Bonnie Brae – an extraordinary school, a home and a safe haven for boys and young men in crisis, ages 8-18. Currently we have openings for Childcare/Residential Counselors, which provide supervision, counseling, behavior management and monitors the basic needs of these boys who live in cottages on campus. Work with the interdisciplinary treatment team members to develop individual treatment plans which guide the counselor's interactions with each resident. Bachelors Degree preferred and/or related experience. Related experience will be working with clients in a similar age group. Avid interest in teaming is required. Recreation experience a plus. Visit our website at www.bonnie-brae.org. Send resume with cover letter including salary requirements to Bonnie Brae, Attn: HR, PO Box 825, 3415 Valley Road, Liberty Corner, NJ 07938-0825, Fax 908647-8187 or email jobs@bonnie-brae.org. Bonnie Brae is an equal opportunity employer. 64 CAREER & INTERNSHIP GUIDE CAREERS.RUTGERS.EDU 66 CAREER & INTERNSHIP GUIDE CAREERS.RUTGERS.EDU 70 CAREER & INTERNSHIP GUIDE CAREERS.RUTGERS.EDU 72 CAREER & INTERNSHIP GUIDE CAREERS.RUTGERS.EDU CAREERS.RUTGERS.EDU CAREER & INTERNSHIP GUIDE 75 76 CAREER & INTERNSHIP GUIDE CAREERS.RUTGERS.EDU CAREERS.RUTGERS.EDU CAREER & INTERNSHIP GUIDE 77 78 CAREER & INTERNSHIP GUIDE CAREERS.RUTGERS.EDU