Career Preparation For Graduate Students

1. Career Preparation For Graduate Students • Developed by: • Patty Dang, M.S. • Career Development Services Counselor

2. Learning Outcomes • Describe the key components of a CV • Summarize one job search strategy presented in this workshop • Identifythe key components of interview preparation

3. Today’s Agenda • Traditional vs. Non-Academic Careers • Resume vs. Curriculum Vitae • Job Search Strategies • Interviewing

4. Career Development Process Self-Discovery Career Research Design Your Career Plan Experience Your Field Launch Your Career • Who Am I? • What is important to me? • What do I value more? • Do my personal interests relate to careers? • How do I get help? • Career Exploration • Understand multiple career pathways • Review job descriptions • Short-term goals? • Meet with a Career Counselor • Decision-Making • Creating a timeline • Internships • Gain hands-on work experience and skills • Relationship Building • Job search strategies • Proactive job search strategies • Networking • update resume and cover letter • Practice Mock Interviews • Salary Negotiations

5. Traditional vs Non-Academic Careers:Explore Career Options • Step 1: Conduct Self-Assessment (Eureka, Career Cruising & MBTI) • Utilize Career Steps on CDS Website • Step 2: Career Research • Investigate Professions & Jobs • Attend drop-in counseling to have your assessment evaluated or speak with a Career Counselor

6. Resume vs CV? Resume Curriculum Vitae Appropriate for Academia More inclusive Publication, research and grant writing focused Can be several pages • Appropriate for non-academic careers • First Impression • Marketing Brochure • Not an autobiography • Ideally 1-2pages

7. Things to also keep in mind: • Stay Consistent (bold, caps, and periods) • Customized to the position you are applying for • The more detailed and specific the better • There’s always room for improvement • Avoid templates • DOs • Be specific on duties, skills, and tasks • Use examples of accomplishments • Use more than 5 words per line • Use bullets to be concise • DON’Ts • Change fonts or sizes throughout • Include salary history or requirements • Personal pronouns (I or We) • Include References on Resume

8. Cover Letter Basic Format • 3 paragraph email (resume is attached) • Personalize it after dissecting the job/intern description • State your Key Qualifications • Keep it short and simple Keep In Mind: • Talk about why you are interested in their organization • Don’t explain why this position is good for YOU but how your skills can help THEM • In closing, suggest that they contact you for a phone or in-person interview • Proofread, Proofread, Proofread!

9. Basic Job Strategy • Apply for positions on job bulletins (Higheredjobs.com, CareerBuilder.com, etc.) and direct organization websites • For each position customize your Resume/CV and Cover Letter for each individual opportunity

10. Proactive Job Search: Active Engagement in all of the following Research: • Career Research • Online Job/Internship Search Databases Market Yourself: • Resume • Career Counseling Network: • Attend events, mixers and social social media websites • Connect with others in or out of your field • The more you attend the better Follow-up: • Reconnecting is just as important as creating a contact • Email, connect on Linkedin or call your contacts • Engage in conversations when you see them in future networking events to establish a better relationship • Being seen repeatedly at networking events establishes rapport and signifies to your contacts you are actively seeking opportunities.

11. Proactive Job Search:Networking Build Contacts and relationships through: • Professional Organization • Social Media • Alumni • Mentor • Informational Interviews

12. Interviewing Know the organization! • Mission • Public Relations • Organization History • Need • Vision Review Mock Interview Handbook

13. Most Important Skills Employers Look For In New Hires

14. Interview Information You should know… Who? • Are you meeting with a single person or a panel What? • Are you prepared? Dress Code? When? • Time? Plan on getting there 15-20 minutes early Where?  • Location? Parking? Where is the entrance is to the building? 

15. Professional AttireWomen: Business Profession vs Business Casual Dos: Go all the way for a business professional look • Suit (Blazer with matching pants or skirt that passes the knees) • Simple and boring is safer than pretty with style (Its not a fashion show) • It’s okay to add some flair but no more than 2 items total (earrings, rings, scarf, watch, bracelet, necklace) Donts: Business Casual is for everyday work not the interview! • Save the fashion for when you actually get the job. • Don’t wear significantly bright colors, event if its small. Safe is better than sorry • Don’t wear perfume or too much make-up. This can be distracting or potentially disastrous for some who is allergic to your scent. • Avoid showing any cleavage, or looking like you don’t own an iron

16. Professional AttireMen: Business Profession vs Business Casual Dos: Go all the way for a business professional look • Suit (Jacket with matching pants) • Simple and boring is safer than flair or extra personality • Stick to solid basic colors • It’s okay to add some flair but no crazy color ties or bright purple shirts (A nice clean or fit bowtie can give you style but show clean and modern lines) Donts: Business Casual is for everyday work not the interview! • Wear too many layers and look too uptight or swallowed by your clothes • You don’t need a collard shirt, vest, sweater and jacket. Shirt and jacket with tie is plenty. • This is not the time to show us your hobby by wearing a batman or comic themed tie. Unless you are in a creative position boring is appropriate.

17. Be PreparedThings to bring to your interview… • Portfolio • Copies of Resumes • References • Questions to ask

18. First Impressions Arrive Early • 10-25 minutes is appropriate • Use the restrooms and check your tie or make-up in the mirror for a final check-up Practice Handshake • Be firm, even if your interviewer isn’t (just don’t give a death grip) • The firmness of your handshake represents your level of confidence Be Positive • No matter what they ask, answer to the best of your ability and spin the information as positive as possible • Avoid complaining, or slamming previous work experiences. Instead indicate any previous issues as a great learning experience. • Even if you don’t know something, don’t say you don’t know. Explain how you did not have an opportunity to learn that yet, and explain how much you are interested in learning more. Or answer how you think you might handle something you don’t know.

19. Arsenal of Accomplishment Every question they ask should be answered strategically with an accomplishment you have achieved in previous work experiences. This way, by the end of the interviewed they are guaranteed to know all your skills and achievements. Sell yourself • Practice your top 10 Skills, Strengths, and Accomplishments • Tell me about yourself. • Why should I hire you? • Why are you qualified for this job? • Why do you want this job?

20. Follow-Up Send a Thank You letter every time! • Reaffirm your interest in the position and strong match for the organization • Demonstrate your knowledge of organizational need • Provide an example of how you can deliver to meet their need to achieve success or meet organizational goal • Did you forget to tell them something great you did, this is an ideal time to remind them you are the best candidate! • Your interviewer spent a lot of time reviewing your resume and interrupted their normal daily activities to meet you. Tell them you appreciate their time!

21. Tips for Success • Internships, Internships, Internships! • Publish in your related field of interest • Consider Post Doctoral and Fellowship positions • Consider Part-time employment • Consider re-location

22. Resources to help you … Career Development Services: Website Career Steps on CDS Website: Career Steps Detailed Listing of Workshops & Events: Schedule Social Media http://www.facebook.com/CICareerDevelopmentServices https://twitter.com/cicareer http://www.linkedin.com/pub/csu-channel-islands-career-development-center/34/954/9b0

23. Evaluation Survey Please spend 3-7 minutes completing the following survey. This information is critical for Career Development Services to continue providing alternative programs and services to meet the needs of current CI Students. By completing the survey you will insure that you and future students at CI need and want workshops provided online. http://go.csuci.edu/gscworkshop Thank You!

24. Questions? Please feel free to come by the Career Center for Drop-in Counseling held every Thursday at 9:30 a.m. - 12:00 p.m. from September 13, 2012 – November 29, 2012 Amanda Carpenter, M.S.Coordinator of Career Development Services & Henry L. "Hank" Lacayo Institute Internship ProgramCalifornia State University Channel Islands Bell Tower 1527(805) 437-3565 (office)amanda.carpenter@csuci.eduCareer Development CenterCalifornia State University Channel Islands Bell Tower 1548(805) 437-3270 (office)(805) 437-8899 (fax)career.services@csuci.edu Patty Dang Career Development Services CounselorCalifornia State University Channel Islands Bell Tower 1548(805) 437-3270 (office)(805) 437-8899 (fax)career.services@csuci.edu