Career Preparation for Student-Athletes: Preparing Job Search Documents

1. Career Preparation for Student-Athletes: Preparing Job Search Documents Career Development Center Bucknell University

2. Presentation Format • In this presentation, student-athletes will learn: • Strategies for “marketing” athletic participation on resumes and cover letters • Strategies for utilizing professional references • Strategies for preparing for interviews

3. Questions • How should student-athletes highlight athletic participation on a resume? • How should student-athletes discuss skills developed through athletic participation on a cover letter? • Who should serve as professional references for student-athletes? • How should student-athletes prepare for interviews?

4. Personal Characteristics Employers Seek in Job Candidates (NACE) • Communication Skills (verbal) • Strong Work Ethic • Teamwork Skills (works well with others) • Analytical Skills • Initiative • Problem-Solving Skills • Communication Skills (written • Interpersonal Skills (relates well to others) • Computer Skills • Flexibility/Adaptability Source: NACE Research: Job Outlook 2011

5. Employer Evaluation of Career Preparation • Employers evaluate candidates based on • Education and academic background • Work experience • Co-curricular activities • Volunteer experience/Community service • Communication skills • Leadership

6. Time Management Teamwork Goal-Oriented Competitiveness Confidence Persistence/Endurance Leadership Loyalty Discipline Taking Criticism Coping with Setbacks Flexibility/Adaptability Performance under Pressure Student-Athletes & Transferable Skills

7. Student-Athlete Resume • General Format (Contact Information, Education, Experience) • Highlight Student-Athlete Experiences • Summary of Qualifications • Student-athlete with leadership, teamwork, and interpersonal skills who maintained academic success in accounting while devoting 25 hours per week to practice, training, and competition as a member of a Division I volleyball team. • Education Section • Relevant Courses if applicable • Experience Section • Public Speaking if applicable (to media, children, etc.) • Coaching, Training (highlight communication and motivational skills) • Co-Captain or Captain (demonstrates maturity, leadership, responsibility) • Awards/Achievements • Volunteer/Community Service • List experiences with team/campus as well as personal involvement • CDC Staff offers assistance in resume development – get feedback! • More information: http://my.bucknell.edu/x54129.html

8. Resume Examples

9. Student-Athlete Cover Letter • General Format (Contact Information, Employer Contact Information, Letter Format) • Tailor the cover letter to the position • Research the company/Reference your fit • Highlight Student-Athlete Experiences • Discuss skills like time management, leadership, teamwork, adaptability, and discipline – be specific about how you developed these as a student-athlete • CDC Staff offers assistance in cover letters– get feedback! • More information: http://my.bucknell.edu/x54123.html

10. Cover Letter Examples

11. Student-Athlete References • Send a separate reference page with your resume and cover letter • List 3 professional references (not friends, family) • Employers • Professors • Athletic Department Staff (coaches, trainers, administration) • References should speak positively about your character, work ethic, responsibility, and maturity

12. Student-Athlete Preparation for Interviews • General Preparation (research company, research position) • Practice, practice, practice! • Meet with CDC Staff for a Mock Interview • Discuss participation in Division I athletics – benefits, skills • S.T.A.R. : Situation – Task – Action – Result • Our coach told us that the Athletic Department wanted each team to participate in a new community service event. I volunteered to work with staff to develop this event for my team. I helped set up an afternoon trip to a local school where we read to second graders and helped them with reading skills. The school and students enjoyed our visit. Since this first visit, a group of my teammates and I have been reading to the students on a consistent basis. I enjoyed helping to set up this project as much as I did reading with and talking to the second graders. • Give insight on time commitment to athletics, which explains why there is less direct work experience than a non-athlete peer

13. Summary • Resumes, Cover Letters and Interviewing are similar for all candidates • Use athletic participation to set yourself apart from your peers • Get feedback on how to highlight your athletic participation on resumes and cover letters • Practice how to discuss your athletic participation in interviews • Learn how to “market” yourself to others!

14. CDC Resources • Career Consultants • One-on-one appointments for career counseling and advising • Assist with resume, cover letters, interview preparation • Externship Program • Internship Search/Job Search Assistance • Networking Assistance • Job Fairs/Internship Fairs/Networking Events • Graduate School Preparation (Pre-Law, Pre-Health)

15. Contact the CDC Botany Building cdc@bucknell.edu 570.577.1238 http://www.bucknell.edu/CareerDevelopment.xml Monday – Friday 8:30am – 4:30pm

16. Resources • NACE Job Outlook 2011 Survey • http://www.niu.edu/careerServices/guides/AthleteGuide.pdf