Career Kit - Career and Professional Development

Transcription

Career Kit
Wake Forest University
Office of Career Services
Dear Schools of Business Students,
As the Assistant Director, Undergraduate Schools of Business in the Office of Career Services I
am committed to ensuring you have the necessary tools to identify and obtain your desired career goals. This Career Kit includes resources to assist with the development of your career related documents; advice on industry, company, and career track research; tips for your essential
networking strategy; and information about Wake Forest’s on and off campus recruiting opportunities.
The Office of Career Services offers a wide variety of resources to assist you. I encourage you
to become involved with our office as soon as you begin thinking about your career, internship, or
the job search process. The best way to start is to schedule an appointment with a career advisor. Here are the three ways you can schedule an appointment:
Telephone
336.758.5902 between 8:30am and 5pm
In person
Reynolda, RM 8 between 8:30am and 5pm
Via Email
[email protected]; be sure to let us know which days/times you are available
Best wishes for a successful year that includes rewarding experiences and fulfilling career opportunities. I look forward to partnering with you on your career journey.
Best,
Megan Wallace
Assistant Director
Undergraduate Schools of Business
Kirby, RM 222
Reynolda Hall, Room 8 · 336.758.5902 · wfu.edu/career · [email protected]
Documents
RESUME
Resume Samples
Action Verbs for Resumes
Resume Content Tips
COVER LETTER
Elements of a Cover Letter
Cover Letter Format
REFERENCES
Elements of a Reference List
Reference List Format
Document Reviews
The Office of Career Services, Reynolda Hall RM 8, has 15 minute walk-in hours for resume
and cover letter reviews.
Monday – Thursday from 1PM – 3PM
Friday from 10AM – Noon & 1PM – 3PM
Schedule a one-on-one career advising appointment to have your resume or cover letter
reviewed. To schedule a career advising appointment:
Call – 336.758.5902
Stop By – Reynolda, RM 8
Email – [email protected]
Demon Deacon
4400 Reynolda Road
Wake Hall #100
Winston-Salem, NC 27106
[email protected]
336-758-1234
EDUCATION
Wake Forest University, Schools of Business
Bachelor of Science in Business and Enterprise Management
Concentration: Marketing; Minor: Entrepreneurship
GPA: 3.6
Winston-Salem, NC
May 2012
WORK EXPERIENCE
Wake Forest Athletics Department
Winston-Salem, NC
Marketing Intern
August 2009 – Present
• Manage sporting event promotions including audience participation games to boost team spirit
• Create and post electronic advertisements during various sporting events
• Distribute promotional material such as giveaways and team information to build team support
Wake Forest Annual Funds Committee
Winston-Salem, NC
Student Call Manager
March 2008 – Present
• Cold call parents and alumni to obtain fund contributions averaging $52 more per pledge than cumulative
committee average
• Draft telephone scripts to be used by student call team to request credit card pledges
• Train new team members on customer service and pledge request techniques via simulation phone calls
Dry Cleaning Station
Winston-Salem, NC
Sales Associate
Summer 2007
• Sold pick-up and delivery service door-to-door, outperforming next top sales associate by 57%
• Developed competitive bid, in collaboration with sales associates, in response to request for proposal
• Advertised services through flier distribution, networking, and word of mouth marketing campaign
• Redesigned website for ease of use and greater search recognition resulting in weekly increase of 150 users
Oak Woods Country Club, Golf Shop
Customer Associate
• Supported customers in-person and via phone to find desired merchandise
• Categorized and replenished merchandise throughout store for ease of shopping
• Administered cash and credit card transactions to complete customer point of sale process
Raleigh, NC
Summer 2006
LEADERSHIP ACTIVITIES
Club Basketball Team, Wake Forest University
Winston-Salem, NC
Secretary
May 2010 – Present
• Take notes and administer registration for monthly club meetings
• Create written and electronic promotional material to market annual fundraiser tournament
Habitat for Humanity
Volunteer
• Planned and executed annual fundraiser auction raising $5,575 for organization
• Participated in 5 home building projects as construction team member
COMPUTER AND LANGUAGE SKILLS
Computer: Proficient in Microsoft Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Dreamweaver
Language: Working knowledge of French (oral and written)
Raleigh, NC
May 2006 – May 2008
Jane Reynolda
0001 Polo Road, APT 12 | Winston-Salem, NC 27109 | [email protected] | 336.123.4567
EDUCATION
Bachelor of Science in Finance
Concentration: Corporate Finance; Minor: Italian
GPA: 3.65; Honors Program
Winston-Salem, NC
May 2011
STUDY ABROAD EXPERIENCE
Temple University, Rome, Italy
Fall 2010
 Completed course work relating to Italian culture, European business, and international marketing
 Participated in Italian language immersion program enhancing basic oral and written abilities
 Traveled independently throughout Middle East and parts of Europe for well-rounded cultural experience
WORK EXPERIENCE
Merrill Lynch
New York, New York
Intern
Summer 2010
 Created $1.5 million investment portfolio tailored to hypothetical client requests and presented results highlighting
risk management and return on investment strategies
 Evaluated and researched mutual funds for clients seeking investments in healthcare and energy industry segments
 Researched potential new points of contact and associated financial data in Bloomberg to assist analysts with business
development efforts
 Coordinated financial seminar agenda and room logistics for non-profit and private foundation board of directors
Hotel Comfort
Winston-Salem, NC
Client Service Representative and Conference Coordinator
May 2009 – December 2009
 Prepared and organized conference rooms for scheduled meetings and panel discussions based on customer
specifications and special requests
 Greeted quests upon arrival in reception area and answered general inquires about hotel and surrounding
geographic area
 Answered reservation phone lines, replied to guest reservation questions via email, and assigned guest rooms
using online database
 Created online and print marketing materials to publicize available services and venues offered by hotel
Campus Grounds Coffee Shop
Winston-Salem, NC
Manager
Summer 2008
 Analyzed financial reports and $35,000 budget to develop cost savings suggestions and resource recommendations
 Constructed business plan to assist with relocation of student run business to increase customer foot traffic by 25%
 Drafted and presented budget status reports at biweekly advisory board meetings
 Developed agendas and facilitated monthly 22 member team meetings
Shift Supervisor
Summer 2006, 2007
 Supervised 4 to 8 hour shifts by managing breaks, rotating baristas, and handling all customer needs
 Drafted weekly store supply order forms and processed an average of 10 daily incoming orders for accuracy
LEADERSHIP ACTIVITIES
 Member, Finance Club, Wake Forest University
 Recruitment Counselor, Delta Zeta Sorority, Wake Forest University
 Computer: Proficient in Microsoft Office Suite
 Language: Fluent in Italian, Proficient in Spanish
August 2009 – May 2010
Student Smith
123 Anywhere Street, Clemmons, NC 20000 | 336.555.1212 | [email protected]
EDUCATION
Bachelor of Science in Mathematical Business
GPA: 3.85/4.0
Winston-Salem, NC
May 2011
PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE
Center for International Studies
Washington, DC
Product Development Intern
Summer 2009
• Negotiated lower cost data source from United Kingdom vendor resulting in $20,000 annual savings
• Managed and trained 2 office assistants on office operations and Microsoft Project software
• Redesigned report analysis process by incorporating automated system reducing review time by 50%
• Pitched proposal to Board of Directors resulting in addition of 2 new information products to the line
XYZ International
Charlotte, NC
Financial Management Intern – Transportation
Spring 2008
• Created user-friendly database to organize supplier contracts, codes, serial numbers, union contracts, and
information regarding various truck and train parts
• Organized supplier data in Microsoft Excel on truck engines purchased overseas to receive correct
amount of duty-drawback fees
• Compiled figures on pricing, weights, and quantity of alloys to update respective databases to current
year and forecasted prices resulting in 10% efficiency increase
• Contributed to the development of pricing model to forecast future market trends
Home Loans Company
Charlotte, NC
Finance Intern
Summer 2007
• Researched and developed reports for strategic planning of company’s real estate and space needs
• Performed market research of local and national real estate markets for strategic positioning of
organization’s real estate division
• Attended daily sales meetings with financial and commercial real estate analysts and department heads
ACTIVITIES AND MEMBERSHIPS
Math Club, Wake Forest University
Winston-Salem, NC
Marketing Committee Chair
• Develop and disseminate electronic and print promotional material to advertise organization events
• Maintain organization website utilizing Microsoft FrontPage and respond to email inquires
Case Study Competition
Winston-Salem, NC
Team Lead
February 2010
• Led 5 member second place team in business case analysis and employer recommendation
Product Marketing Association
Team Member
• Awarded first place in National New Product Development Competition
Washington, DC
November 2009
TECHNOLOGY SKILLS
• Proficient in Microsoft Office Suite, Microsoft Project, Microsoft Access, Microsoft FrontPage
Josh Gold
182 Deacon Drive, Winston-Salem, NC 27109 | [email protected] | 336-987-6543
EDUCATION
Bachelor of Science in Business and Enterprise Management
Concentration: Marketing
Major GPA: 3.84; Cumulative GPA: 3.62
Winston-Salem, NC
May 2010
Relevant Coursework: Global Marketing Strategy, Consumer Brand Behavior, Marketing Research
PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE
Finance and Marketing Intern, Interlock Media, Boston, MA
May 2009 – Present

Manage $25,000 marketing project budget to ensure accurate funding allocations and efficient reimbursements

Design and implement budget restructuring blueprint to reduce monthly marketing expenses by $1250
Teaching Assistant, Wake Forest Schools of Business, Winston-Salem, NC
January 2008 – Present

Plan and create curricular programs for students utilizing information technology and Web 2.0 applications for
collaborative hands-on learning experiences and social networking

Assist marketing professor with in-class technology and posting information to class collaboration website
Business Development Assistant, Travel Specialists, Raleigh, NC
May 2007 – August 2007

Developed company website and blog as useful marketing and exposure tools to new and existing customers

Established customer relationship management software enabling mass email capability to increase customer reach

Integrated technology to reduce paper usage by 60% in office environment
Co-Owner, Auto Detailing, Cary, NC
May 2004 – June 2008
Established professional car detailing company serving more than 220 high-end owners with vehicle needs

Managed all aspects of business including $250,000 budget and staffing 25 person team

Created and implemented marketing campaigns reaching approximately 10,000 individuals

Marketing Intern, Property Group, Cary, NC
September 2006 – January 2007

Created and implemented mall marketing programs to increase online and onsite customer traffic resulting in
greater merchandise sales

Assisted Vice President of Marketing with business development ventures designed to secure opening of 10 new
stores in various geographic locations

Increased user satisfaction survey response rate by 15% by integrating technology into customer feedback process
Sales Consultant, Auto Group, Cary, NC
May 2005 – September 2006

Sold new and pre-owned automobiles to diverse customer base in commission based sales environment

Collaborated with financing department to administer auto loans for final point of sale

Guided customers through sales paper work to ensure completion and accuracy of applications
AWARDS AND ACHIEVEMENTS

Teague Scholarship, Wake Forest University – Awarded two time $4,000 scholarship for outstanding
achievement in business

Chamber of Commerce Grant Award – Finance and entrepreneurship research award

Wake Forest Entrepreneurship Competition – First place finish in Spring 2009
Computer: Proficient in Microsoft Office Suite, ADP Management System, ClientBase CRM
Language: Working knowledge of Spanish (oral and written)
Accomplishment
achieved
completed
expanded
exceeded
improved
pioneered
reduced (losses)
resolved (issues)
restored
spearheaded
succeeded
surpassed
transformed
won
Communication
addressed
advertised
arbitrated
arranged
articulated
authored
clarified
collaborated
communicated
composed
condensed
conferred
consulted
contacted
conveyed
convinced
corresponded
debated
defined
described
developed
directed
discussed
drafted
edited
elicited
enlisted
explained
expressed
formulated
furnished
incorporated
influenced
interacted
interpreted
interviewed
involved
joined
judged
lectured
listened
marketed
mediated
moderated
negotiated
observed
outlined
participated
persuaded
presented
promoted
proposed
publicized
reconciled
recruited
referred
reinforced
reported
resolved
responded
solicited
specified
spoke
suggested
summarized
synthesized
translated
wrote
Creativity
acted
adapted
began
combined
conceptualized
condensed
created
customized
designed
developed
directed
displayed
drew
entertained
established
fashioned
formulated
founded
illustrated
initiated
instituted
integrated
introduced
invented
modeled
modified
originated
performed
photographed
planned
revised
revitalized
shaped
solved
Financial/Data
administered
adjusted
allocated
analyzed
appraised
assessed
audited
balanced
calculated
computed
conserved
corrected
determined
developed
estimated
forecasted
managed
marketed
measured
planned
programmed
projected
reconciled
reduced
researched
retrieved
Helping
adapted
advocated
aided
answered
arranged
assessed
assisted
cared for
clarified
coached
collaborated
contributed
cooperated
counseled
demonstrated
diagnosed
educated
encouraged
ensured
expedited
facilitated
familiarize
furthered
guided
helped
insured
intervened
motivated
provided
referred
rehabilitated
presented
resolved
simplified
supplied
supported
volunteered
Management/
Leadership
administered
analyzed
appointed
approved
assigned
attained
authorized
chaired
considered
consolidated
contracted
controlled
converted
coordinated
decided
delegated
developed
directed
eliminated
emphasized
enforced
enhanced
established
executed
generated
handled
headed
hired
hosted
improved
incorporated
increased
initiated
inspected
instituted
led
managed
merged
motivated
organized
originated
overhauled
oversaw
planned
presided
prioritized
produced
recommended
reorganized
replaced
restored
reviewed
scheduled
streamlined
strengthened
supervised
terminated
Organization
approved
arranged
cataloged
categorized
charted
classified
coded
collected
compiled
corresponded
distributed
executed
filed
generated
implemented
incorporated
inspected
logged
maintained
monitored
obtained
operated
ordered
organized
prepared
processed
provided
purchased
recorded
registered
reserved
responded
reviewed
routed
scheduled
screened
set up
submitted
supplied
standardized
systematized
updated
validated
verified
Research
analyzed
clarified
collected
compared
conducted
critiqued
detected
determined
diagnosed
evaluated
examined
experimented
explored
extracted
formulated
gathered
identified
inspected
interpreted
interviewed
invented
investigated
located
measured
organized
researched
searched
solved
summarized
surveyed
systematized
tested
Teaching
adapted
advised
clarified
coached
communicated
conducted
coordinated
critiqued
developed
enabled
encouraged
evaluated
explained
facilitated
focused
guided
individualized
informed
instilled
instructed
motivated
persuaded
set goals
simulated
stimulated
taught
tested
trained
transmitted
tutored
Technical
adapted
assembled
built
calculated
computed
conserved
constructed
converted
debugged
designed
determined
developed
engineered
fortified
installed
maintained
operated
overhauled
printed
programmed
rectified
regulated
remodeled
repaired
replaced
restored
solved
specialized
standardized
studied
upgraded
utilized
Resume Content Tips
Your experiences set you apart from other applicants. Your resume should only contain
information relevant to the employer’s hiring needs. Your resume content is relevant if it
addresses the three criteria outlined below:
1. CAN YOU DO THE JOB?—Employers want to know if you possess the requisite
experience and skills to successfully perform the functions of the job. A resume that
successfully answers this question demonstrates the knowledge and skills that you’ve
gained through relevant work experience (including jobs, internships, Capstone, and
volunteer work), education, and research. It also highlights the ways in which these
elements are related to the employer’s position requirements.
2. WILL YOU DO THE JOB?—Employers want to know if you are committed to the issues
and populations that drive the organization’s work. A resume that successfully answers
this question emphasizes the degree to which your relevant work experience (including
jobs, internships, Capstone, volunteer work), education, and research are related to the
employer’s mission and field of practice.
3. WILL YOU FIT IN?—Employers want to know if your personality and work style match
the culture of their organization. A resume that successfully answers this question
incorporates language from the job description and other industry specific jargon, which
demonstrates your understanding of the issues, policies, stakeholders, and other factors
that impact the organization’s work. This also helps to convey shared organizational
values, which are further emphasized in the cover letter and interview.

Bullets should be achievement based, not simply responsibilities – DELETE ALL
“Responsibilities or duties included”

Start all bullets with an action verb (see Action Verbs for Resumes) – avoid using the
same verb multiple times

Avoid use of pronouns (I, me, my, etc.), use short descriptive phrases, not sentences

Current positions should be written in present tense and past positions in past tense

Delete filler words

o
Developed a project proposal and presented it to the executive vice president
(INCORRECT)
o
Developed and presented project proposal to executive vice president
(CORRECT)
Focus on accomplishments and outcomes. Ask “so what?” to make sure you fully
quantify and qualify your achievements. Check to see bullets are in the P-A-R format to
convey to employers you are a problem solver, action taker, and results oriented.
o
Problem – Articulate the problem/challenges /situation you faced to achieve the
results.
o
Action – Describe the action you took that effected results. What solution/idea
did you offer? How did you take action?
o
Results – Quantify and/or qualify your impact wherever possible. Contact past
employers if necessary to gain quantitative data on projects/solutions you
implemented.
Elements of a Cover Letter
PURPOSE
The purpose of a cover letter is to entice the recipient to read your resume by highlighting the
reason(s) you are a good fit for the position and organization. Employers use cover letters to
determine your interest in a position and to assess your written communication skills. Even those
employers who don’t read cover letters at first may eventually review them to compare applicants
who seem similarly qualified.
The cover letter should answer the following questions:
• Why are you interested in the position?
• How are you qualified?
• Why should you be hired?
Keep these guidelines in mind:
• Address the letter to a specific individual if possible.
• Be brief. Use powerful words, concise sentences, and short paragraphs.
• Don’t restate your resume; instead, explain how your experiences meet the specific needs of
the position.
• Focus on the particular employer’s needs and what you can do for them, not what they can
do for you.
• Keep it to one page.
• Match the type style and paper with your resume.
• Proofread for spelling and grammatical errors.
• Keep a record of where you have applied, when you’ve sent each cover letter, and
when you plan to follow up with a phone call.
STRUCTURE
Paragraph 1 – Introduction
• Name the position (and position number if applicable)
• Tell the employer how you became aware of the position
• State why you are interested in the position
Paragraph 2 – Relevant Experience
• Indicate what you can do for the employer
• Explain how your academic background and the skills you have acquired from other
experiences such as internships, part time jobs, and activities make you a qualified
candidate for the position (do not simply restate bullets from your resume)
Paragraph 3 – Unique Qualifications & Company Interest
• Provide examples of other qualifications that sets you apart from other applicants
• Describe why you want to work for the company
Paragraph 4 – Conclusion and Request for Action
• Restate your interest in the position/organization
• Include your contact info (email/phone
• State what you will do next (such as calling to see if an interview can be arranged at the
employer’s convenience)
• Thank the employer for their time and consideration
Salary Requirements – If the employer asks for salary requirements, either state your salary
qualifications are commensurate with industry standards or provide a salary range and express you
are willing to negotiate.
Insert Header From Resume
Date
(4 blank lines)
Employer Point of Contact Name
Employer Point of Contact Title
Organization
Street Address
City, State, Zip
(2 blank lines)
Dear Mr./Ms. ________:
Name the position for which you are applying and how you became aware of the position.
Make sure to include the specific position title, and number if applicable for which you are
applying. If an individual or personal contact referred you to the organization, be sure to
mention the name in the first or second sentence. Then provide a brief explanation of your
interest that reflects your research into the organization. Keep the first paragraph brief and
attention grabbing.
It is with excitement that I submit my application for the analyst position (9898798) at Sample Firm which was
advertised with the Office of Career Services at Wake Forest University. I am enthusiastic about this
opportunity because of the diversity of global clients from government and industry to academia and nonprofits the firm represents. My educational background, internships, and leadership experience make me a
strong candidate for this position.
In one or two paragraphs, indicate what you can do for the employer. Show how your
qualifications, skills, and attributes will benefit the firm. Explain how your academic
background and the skills you have acquired from other experiences, such as internships,
activities, and volunteer work make you a qualified candidate for the position. Make sure not
to reproduce your resume in this space, but highlight your most pertinent experiences. This
is your opportunity to highlight any relevant qualifications or experiences that are not noted
on your resume. If you have access to a position description or job listing, specifically
address how your background matches the qualifications they are seeking. Your objectives
here are to demonstrate that you are a “match” for the position and to stimulate enough
interest that the contact person will want to read your resume. Create a “need” for yourself at
the company, and indicate your willingness to contribute to the organization.
I have the academic background and relevant experience to make an impact at Sample Firm. Through my
business coursework, I have had extensive training in survey design and data collection. I put this knowledge
to work last summer as an intern in the accounts management department at Klein and Associates, a fullservice marketing and advertising firm in Winston-Salem, NC. In this fast-paced environment, I collected
marketing information for three major client accounts by conducting over 20 different focus groups. The data I
collected was then used by the account managers to develop advertising campaigns.
In addition to my academic and work experience I participate in several extracurricular activities. As the
treasurer of a 150 member group I manage a $100,000 budget. I am also able to utilize my creativity as the
sales and promotions committee chair. This role involves designing t-shirt logos, event flyers, and a section of
the external website.
In the closing paragraph, refer the reader to an enclosed resume. State what you will do next
or suggest what you would like the employer to do next. Thank the person for his/her time
and consideration of your credentials.
Insert Header From Resume
I look forward to the prospect of discussing the analyst position further and, if given the opportunity, I would
work diligently to contribute to the mission of the Sample Firm. Should you require additional information or
wish to speak further, please contact me at 336.123.4567 or [email protected]. Thank you for taking the
time to review my resume and consider me as a candidate.
Sincerely,
Jane Reynolda
Jane Reynolda
Enclosure
ELEMENTS OF A REFERENCE LIST
•
On the same type of paper stock that you use for your resume, create a list of 3-5 professional
references to provide upon an employer’s request.
•
References should be persons in positions of authority who have direct knowledge of your work
or study habits, such as former supervisors from work-study, summer job, internship, and/or
volunteer programs; professors; advisors; satisfied clients or customers; etc.
•
Ask people who can honestly speak highly of your background, attitude toward your work, and
overall character.
•
Ask each person for permission to use his/her name and provide him/her with a copy of your
resume and the description of the opportunity for which you are applying
•
Most employers will phone your references only after having made a decision to consider you
seriously for a position.
•
Keep your reference providers informed of your plans. Let them know about the position(s) for
which you are interviewing, so they can be better prepared for a phone call.
Insert Header from Resume Here
REFERENCES FOR JANE REYNOLDA
Dr. David Jzare
Associate Professor
Campus Box 0000 Reynolda Station
Winston-Salem, North Carolina 27109-0000
Office: (000) 000-0000
E-mail: [email protected]
Business Professor and Advisor
Ms. Donna Ackerman
Director of Marketing
Acme Distributing
4000 Any Road
Anytown, New York 00000
(123) 908-0000
E-Mail: [email protected]
Internship Site Supervisor
Ms. Karen Carson
Volunteer Coordinator
Red Cross of Winston-Salem
123 Industrial Park Drive
Winston-Salem, North Carolina 00000
(987) 654-3210
[email protected]
Volunteer Work Supervisor and Mentor
Research
INDUSTRY, CAREER, COMPANY RESEARCH TOOLS
Z. Smith Reynolds Library Resources
 IBISworld
 Reference USA
 Hoover’s Online
Vault Career Insider
General Business Career Websites
INDUSTRY INFORMATION SHEETS
INDUSTRY & COMPANY RESEARCH TOOLS
Access industry and company information via the Z. Smith Reynolds Library site http://zsr.wfu.edu/
•
•
•
•
In the Research section – Click on the Research Guides link
Under Browse By Subjects on the left hand side – Click on the Business & Economics
link
Under Business & Economics resources – Click on the Career Search link
Click on the Interview Prep Tab
IBISworld
This database contains hundreds of industry reports. From the home page, enter the name
of a company or an industry and you'll get a list of matches OR scroll down to view an
alphabetical listing. Select the most appropriate industry area of interest and click on it. Click
through the table of contents in the left-hand column or download the entire report in PDF
format and save it to your computer.
Reference USA
Use the custom search feature in the U.S. Business tab to create a list of prospects. You
can specify business type, size and location, among other parameters.
Hoover's Online
Hoover's is a good starting place for company and industry research. Here, you can read
the company or industry overview; learn about the products and services it offers; learn the
names of managers; and more.
Vault Career Insider – Explore industry information and download guides to gain insight into
a variety of careers. You have access to Vault through the Office of Career Services
webpage – http://www.wfu.edu/career (you must use your wfu email address to gain access).
Additional websites that can be used to research business industries of interest.
http://www.careers-in-business.com
http://www.wallstreetoasis.com
http://www.wetfeet.com
ADVERTISING
What is Advertising?
Positioning and creating brands and persuading consumers to buy them through messages in mass
media. The clothes you wear, the cars you drive, the food you eat and the soft drinks you consume
are all brands. [Vault Career Guide to Advertising, 2004]
How are Advertising Agencies Structured?
Full Service Agency
As the name implies full-service agencies provide clients with a wide range of services from ad
creation and production to media planning, and buying to strategic development. In the past 10
years, advertising has witnessed considerable consolidation. Most major agencies are now owned
by one of six holding companies.
Creative Boutique
Creative boutique firms provide a more limited range of services typically focused on ad creation and
production. Often these firms are founded by established art directors or copywriters who have
chosen to leave the “big” agency world. Clients may seek out these for more cutting-edge design, or
to try to save money.
Media Agencies
Media agencies focus on media planning and buying, which is the management and purchasing of
media time and space.
What types of positions are there within an agency?*
The majority of advertising firms are located in major cities. Careers in advertising agencies can
cover a wide array of areas including:
 Account Services Department
Positions in account services include: assistant account executive, account executive, senior
account executive, accounts supervisor/accounts manager.
•
Advocates for client with agency and for agency with client.
•
Manages relationship with client, acting as a liaison between art department, production
department and client.
•
Responsible for keeping team motivated and on schedule.
•
Must communicate well with different types of people, be detail-oriented and be
knowledgeable about client/brand.
 Media Services Department
Positions in media include: assistant media buyer/planner, media buyer/planner, associate
media director, media director, and media manager.
•
Planners strategize where and when to buy media space, buyers negotiate the purchase of
that space.
•
Applies statistical models to audience, circulation, and cost figures to minimize media cost
and maximize media effectiveness.
•
Manages the purchase and control of large blocks of media time/space, recommends and
allocates this space among clients according to campaign requirements.
•
Must be analytical, detail oriented, able to draw conclusions from research and data, able to
negotiate and sell ideas.
 Account Planning/Research Department
Positions in research include: research project director, research account executive, associate
research director, advertising research director and research department manager.
•
Research focuses on quantitative analysis; researchers serve as experts in statistical
applications, mathematical modeling, project design, and methodology.
ADVERTISING
•
•
Account planning involves qualitative evaluation of consumers including focus groups,
telephone interviews, surveys, etc.
These areas may be separate or combined areas depending on the needs of the agency.
 Creative Department – Art Direction
Positions in art direction include: assistant art director, junior art director, art director, and senior
art director.
•
Requires knowledge of advertising trends and strong visual communication skills.
•
Develops and recommends visual strategy and oversee creation of final campaign.
•
Oversees progression of campaign from rough sketches through final production.
 Creative Department – Copywriting
Positions in copywriting include: junior copywriter, copywriter, senior copywriter, copy chief.
•
Responsible for writing ad and promotional copy and developing concepts for campaigns.
•
Requires knowledge of advertising trends and a strong writing ability, works closely with art
director.
 Creative Department – Production
Positions in production include: layout worker, graphic artist, production manager.
•
Artists and layout workers create the visual impact of the ad by selecting photographs,
drawing illustrations, choosing print size and type, and sketching scenes for commercials to
accompany the copy.
•
Designs packages and creates logos, trademarks and symbols.
•
Production managers oversee the actual printing of ads, filming of commercials, and/or
recording of radio spots.
 Business Development
•
Focus on acquiring new accounts, usually a small department.
 Traffic
•
Responsible for guaranteeing that departments meet deadlines.
•
Responsible for making sure that the ad meets all deadlines and receives all necessary
approvals from all departments.
•
Must be organized, detail-oriented and able to work under pressure.
*NOTE: Most entry-level positions are found in Account Services
ADVERTISING WEBSITES
For more information on advertising, industry trends or job postings visit the following:
 AAF Triad http://aaftriad.org
 Ad Club of Metropolitan Washington dcadclub.com
Website of the Advertising Club of Metropolitan Washington, a chapter of the American
Advertising Federation. Hosts local professional development, educational and networking
events. Maintains a job bank.
 Ad Forum www.adforum.com
Includes a search engine to locate agencies by location, client and/or business sector. Site also
displays top company website hits, and provides portfolios of select advertising firms. Includes
information on over 18,000 agencies and 50,000 ads.
 ADWEEK www.adweek.com
Weekly magazine covering advertising, marketing and media
 Advertising Age www.adage.com
Magazine of marketing, media and advertising, published weekly. Publishes helpful reports in its
“data center.”
 Advertising Educational Foundation www.aef.com
Non-profit supported by ad agencies, advertisers and media companies that serves to provide
educational content to students and professors studying advertising. AEF sponsors
conferences, provides curriculum and classroom resources, and provides career advice.
 Advertising Women of New York www.awny.org
AWNY hosts over 40 events a year including an annual advertising career conference. They
also maintain a job database.
 Advertising World http://advertising.utexas.edu/world
Marketing communications directory.
 American Advertising Federation www.aaf.org
Trade association representing advertising professionals. National network of professional
advertising clubs as well as over 200 college- and university-based clubs.
 American Association of Advertising Agencies www.aaaa.org
The national trade association representing advertising agencies. Provides roster of members
with an agency search that includes a description of the agency; also has a client/brand search
tool. Maintains a job search engine.
 Careers-in-Business, Advertising and Public Relations http://www.careers-inmarketing.com/ad.htm
 Media Bistro www.mediabistro.com
Job search engine for creative positions.
 New York Time – Stuart Elliott www.nytimes.com
Sign up for New York Times columnist Stuart Elliott’s weekly newsletters on advertising. Go to
www.nytimes.com, search for “Stuart Elliott” and select “receive newsletter” from the box on the
right.
ADVERTISING WEBSITES
 Occupational Outlook Handbook (Advertising and Public Relations Services)
http://www.bls.gov/oco/ocos019.htm
 Talent Zoo www.talentzoo.com
Job search engine for communication industry.
 Vault, Career Insider Guides http://www.wfu.edu/career (*must use your wfu email to access)
Vault, Career Insider – Vault Career Guide to Advertising
Vault, Career Insider – Vault Guide to Top Advertising and PR Employers
 Wetfeet Careers & Industries http://wetfeet.com
Overview of the advertising industry and careers within the field.
CONSULTING
WHAT IS CONSULTING? Consultants are hired advisors with skill in assessing and solving a wide
variety of business problems. Consulting firms are hired by companies who need their expertise,
fresh outside perspective, and/or extra set of hands (Vault Career Guide To Consulting, 2007). On a
project by project basis, consultants help clients solve a specific identified business problem, or
research and develop strategies for improving the client company.
Types of problems in consulting might include developing an improved service marketing plan,
pulling together a strategy for a new product launch, planning for technology investments inside the
client firm, valuing external investments from a financial perspective or evaluating the impacts of a
government policy. Consulting firms sell services in virtually any industry, such as health care,
consumer packaged goods, heavy manufacturing, high tech or energy.
Due to the varied and complex nature of company needs, consulting firms are categorized into
diverse segments.
CONSULTING FIRM SEGMENTS
Boutique Strategy – Focus on specialized functional areas or industries. Typically smaller in size
with a narrow group of clients.
Sample Firms: Cornerstone Research (litigation support), Gartner (high-tech research), PRTM
Management Consultants (high-tech operations), Putnam Associates (pharmaceuticals,
biotechnology, and medical devices)
Human Resources – Focus on maximizing employee performance through effective organizational
development or change management initiatives.
Sample Firms: Accenture (Change Management Group), Buck Consultants, Deloitte Consulting LLP,
Hay Group, Hewitt Associates, Mercer Human Resource Consulting, Towers Watson & Co.
Example Projects:
Recommend change to organizational structure, such as corporate reorganization, business unit
development, or downsizing to streamline business operations, in order to facilitate more
effective timely decisions.
•
Develop employee evaluation criteria, process, and associated compensation system.
•
Create and implement internal leadership and professional development training.
•
Management – Focus on a wide range of strategic and core operational issues.
Sample Firms: Accenture, A.T. Kearney, Bain & Company, Booz Allen Hamilton, The Boston
Consulting Group (BCG), Marakon Associates, McKinsey & Company, Monitor Group
Example Projects:
•
Corporate Strategy – Assistance with issues related to mergers and acquisitions, market
analysis, and competitive positioning.
•
Operations – Assistance with the way a client’s business runs day to day including marketing,
sales and distribution, manufacturing, and research and development.
•
Financial Planning – Assistance with “macro” issues about a client’s business such as examining
a client’s financial statements in order to forecast and budget, analyze financial performance,
and create a financial strategy.
CONSULTING
Technology and Systems – Focus on technical services related to computer system and application
design, integration, and support.
Sample Firms: Accenture, Capgemini, Computer Sciences Corporation (CSC), HP Enterprise
Services, IBM Global Services, Novell, Oracle, SAP, Synopsis, Unisys
Example Projects:
•
Assess how computer systems could improve the efficiency of company operations by
automating manual processes.
•
Analyze efficiency of company’s current technology and recommend refresh and purchase
agreement plans.
•
Evaluate costs and benefits of establishing new Internet-based B2B exchange.
CONSULTING WEBSITES
For more information on consulting, industry trends or job postings visit the following:
 About.com Consulting Careers – http://jobsearch.about.com/cs/businessjobs/a/consulting.htm
Information about the consulting application process, typical positions, job requirements, and
career and job information.
 Careers-in-Business, Consulting – http://www.careers-in-business.com/consulting/mc.htm
Information about top consulting firms, and different practice such as strategy, healthcare,
litigation, and finance consulting.
 Consulting Crossing – Consultingcrossing.com
A site dedicated solely to aggregating jobs in the consulting industry from numerous sources.
 Consulting Magazine – http://www.consultingmag.com
 Kennedy Consulting Research & Advisory – http://www.consultingcentral.com
Provides research information, publications and resources for management consultants and for
those exploring the industry
 Occupational Outlook Handbook (Management Analysts) –
 Princeton Review Career Profile – http://www.princetonreview.com/Careers.aspx
A brief day in the life description with additional facts and figures information.
 Top Consultant – http://www.top-consultant.com
A database with job opportunities in the Consulting industry.
 Vault, Career Insider Guides – http://www.wfu.edu/career (*must use your wfu email to access)
Vault, Career Insider – Vault Career Guide to Consulting
Vault, Career Insider – Vault Guide to the Top 50 Management and Strategy Consulting Firms
Vault, Career Insider – Vault Guide to the Top 25 Technology Consulting Firms
 Wetfeet Careers & Industries – http://wetfeet.com
Overview of the consulting industry and careers within the field.
Consulting Professional Associations
 Association of Management Consulting Firms – http://www.amcf.org/amcf
 International Council of Management Consulting Institutes – http://www.icmci.com
 Institute of Management Consultants – http://www.imcusa.org
 Society of Professional Consultants – http://www.spconsultants.org
FINANCIAL SERVICES
WHAT IS CORPORATE FINANCE? Managing an organization’s money, including forecasting
where it will come from, knowing where it is, and helping its managers decide how to spend it in
ways that will ensure the greatest return. Pore over spreadsheets that detail cash flow, profitability,
and expenses. Look for ways to free up capital, increase profitability, and decrease expenses. If any
department wants to make a big expenditure, it usually must be run by the finance department to
ensure the company is in a position to provide the funding. Two key functions within corporate
finance are accounting and finance.
1. Accounting: day-to-day operations. Balance the books, track expenses and revenue, execute
payroll, and pay the bills. Compile all the financial data needed to issue a company's financial
statements in accordance with government regulations.
2. Finance: analyze revenue and expenses to ensure effective use of capital. Advise businesses
about project costs, make capital investments, and structure deals to help companies grow.
CORPORATE FINANCE CAREER TRACKS
Staff Accountants – consolidate information for the official corporate financial reports—primarily
comparing the present to the past.
Financial Analysts – assigned to either a product line or business unit. Help management set up
profit objectives, analyze current unit results, and anticipate future financial performance.
Over time, financial analysts and staff accountants eventually specialize in one of the areas
described below.
General Accounting – General accountants are responsible for producing all of the financial records
a corporation uses to track its progress internally and to meet government regulations. Such workers
also gather all the information needed to compute a company's balance sheet, profit and loss
statements, and income statements. They also track the corporate budget, cash flow, and pay all the
bills.
Usually, your first job in general accounting will be in accounts payable or accounts receivable.
Success in accounting might lead you to a position as a controller, overseeing a larger group,
aggregating information, or working on portions of the corporate budget.
Internal Audit – When most people think of an audit, they think of an outside audit—a large
accounting firm like Ernst & Young checking the corporate books on behalf of the shareholders.
However, most large companies have an internal audit group that regularly visits individual company
branches and checks the company's accounting systems.
Internal auditors perform the investigative and corrective work that ensures the external auditors
don't find anything. The internal audit group reviews the quality of the data, making sure it's both
accurate and complete. They also evaluate whether the corporate accounting procedures are
effective and universally followed. Finally, internal auditors introduce or revise procedures to improve
efficiency and reduce costs.
Divisional Financial Services – In this area, you work with each division's business team to prepare
financial plans, make forecasts, and compare actual financial results to forecasts. You may also
evaluate the financial consequences of alternative strategies.
Responsibilities include everything from analyzing new business opportunities to restructuring a
business or developing a capital spending program. The primary concerns are to find better ways of
using company assets, reduce costs, and research better methods of forecasting. Financial services
evaluates the risks versus potential return of any course of action and develops recommendations
so that managers can pick the most profitable strategies, depending on their goals.
FINANCIAL SERVICES
Tax – Activities in this area involve administering taxes (i.e., paying taxes on time—or finding
loopholes to avoid paying them) and determining how to decrease the company's tax burden.
Responsibilities include working with attorneys on tax litigation, researching tax laws and reporting
requirements by nation (if the company is international), and keeping up with new government rules
and regulations.
Large companies have an entire department dedicated to recommending methods to minimize the
tax impact of any business decision such as a new division launch, a capital spending plan, or
purchasing a new company. Investments and pensions also need to be managed with an eye toward
minimizing taxes. The tax department helps structure transactions, makes recommendations on the
timing of acquisitions or sales based on what else will be written off that year, and can decide what
corporate reporting structure reduces taxes—for example, creating a wholly owned subsidiary
versus having an internal division.
Treasury – The treasury department is responsible for all of a company's financing and investing
activities. This department works with investment bankers who help the corporation raise capital with
stock or bond sales or expand through mergers and acquisitions. Treasury also manages the
pension fund and the corporation's investments in other companies. The department also handles
risk management, making sure that the right steps are taken to safeguard corporate assets by using
insurance policies or currency hedges.
Cash Management – This is a company's piggy bank. The cash management group makes sure the
company has enough cash on hand to meet its daily needs. The group also sees to it that any
excess cash is invested overnight by picking the best short-term investment options. And it
negotiates with local banks to get regional business units the banking services they need at the best
price.
Corporate Development and Strategic Planning – Corporate development involves both corporate
finance and business development. Finance experts in corporate development study acquisition
targets, investment options, and licensing deals. Often they assess the best firms to buy or invest in,
such as pre-IPO cutting-edge technology companies with complementary products that could either
extend the company's product line or mitigate competition.
INVESTMENT BANKING
WHAT IS INVESTMENT BANKING? I-banking is the term used to describe the business of raising
capital for companies. Capital in this sense means cash or money. When firms need cash in order to
grow and expand their businesses, I-banks sell securities to public investors to raise this cash.
Investment banks may work with corporations, governments, institutional investors and/or
extraordinarily wealthy individuals to raise capital and provide investment advice. Jobs in investment
banks are divided into four areas: corporate finance, sales, trading, and research.
Corporate Finance – Financial consulting to businesses. Specific activities range from underwriting
the sale of equity or debt for a corporate client to providing advice on mergers and acquisitions,
foreign exchange, economic and market trends, and specific financial strategies.
Security Sales and Trading – An investment bank relies on its sales department to sell bonds or
shares of stock in companies it underwrites. Investors who want to buy or sell a certain stock or
bond will place an order with a broker or sales representative, who writes the ticket for the order. The
trader makes the trade. Securities salespeople and traders are independent, working on
commission to bring to market the financial products that others create.
Sales (Brokers or Dealers) – The bottom line in sales is how well you can sell new debt and equity
issues and how quickly you can translate news events or a market shift into transactions for your
clients. These jobs are usually much less hierarchical than the banking side. Your sales volume and
asset growth are what matter.
Securities Sales Representative (Broker) – Securities sales representatives, or brokers, act
as intermediaries between buyers and sellers, and they make money off of commissions. In
some cases, such as when trading stocks, bonds, and options, they need to be registered as
agents of an investment house. Brokers give advice to customers and then make deals
happen. Usually they specialize in a particular type of security, such as futures, options, or
bonds. Brokers are sometimes called dealers, investment advisers, investment counselors,
or investment representatives, but the work is the same.
Branch Manager – Senior sales representatives who have proven themselves on the trading
floor may become branch managers. Branch managers hire salespeople, fire those who
don't do well, and make sure that brokers meet sales and revenue targets. While branch
managers make additional income in the form of commission overrides (a percentage of the
commissions made by the brokers working under them), they're responsible not just for their
sales, but their office totals.
Trading – This is as close to the money as you can get. Trading is considered tougher, riskier, and
more intense than any other job in finance. Traders manage the firm's risk and make markets by
setting the prices, based on supply and demand, for the securities Corporate Finance has
underwritten. Similar to sales, you are tied to your desk and phones while the markets are open.
Traders make money by trading securities. Although they're the ones who transact trades for the
brokers and their clients, traders are primarily responsible for taking a position in a security issue
and buying or selling large amounts of stocks or bonds using an employer's (or their own) capital.
Floor Trader – Floor traders run around the floor of an exchange (e.g., the NYSE), swapping
tickets and making trades. Floor traders are responsible for locating the buyers and
connecting them with the sellers (or connecting the sellers with the buyers). As prices
change quickly in a turbulent market, traders are under constant pressure to get deals
executed at the prices their clients (or their employers) specify. If a trader can't find
somebody to buy or sell at a specified price, the buy or sell order won't go through, and
nobody profits—not the buyer, not the seller, and not the trader (or the trader's employer)—
because there's no commission. Traders work during an exchange's hours of operation,
INVESTMENT BANKING
usually without breaks. While floor traders used to be common, there are predictions that this
track will phase out over the next few years, as more brokerages work with electronic trading
tools.
Desk Trader – NASDAQ is what might be called a virtual stock exchange, as there is no
physical building where traders meet to make deals with each other. Brokers have a
"NASDAQ desk," which means they can trade on NASDAQ. That desk is actually a bank of
traders, all staring intently at their computer screens to see how the market is shaping up,
speaking into several phones at once in a mad rush to find buyers or sellers whom brokers
or online investors have requested. (Trades made through an online account, such as at
Charles Schwab or TD Waterhouse, go directly to the trader, bypassing the broker.)
Research Analyst – Research departments are generally divided into fixed income (debt) and equity.
Both do quantitative research (corporate-financing strategies, product development, and pricing
models), economic research (forecasts for U.S. and international markets, interest rates, currencies),
and individual company coverage. An equity analyst usually focuses on a particular sector—software,
oil and gas, or health care, for example. You move up in this profession by consistently predicting
the movement of specific company stocks.
MUTUAL FUNDS AND BROKERAGE
WHAT ARE MUTUAL FUNDS AND BROKERAGE?
When a large amount of money is needed for any enterprise, from building a factory to funding a
corporation to drilling wells in a new oil field, that money is raised from investors—usually a large
number of them. Commonly, the enterprise raises that money by either selling ownership shares in
itself or simply borrowing it. When ownership is sold, the investor gets shares of stock. When money
is borrowed, the investor gets bonds. Stocks and bonds are both securities. Investors buy and sell
individual securities through brokers, also called securities dealers.
Additionally, mutual fund companies—and other so-called asset management firms—form funds,
which consist of a variety of securities. The asset management company buys and sells the
securities in a fund, seeking to maximize its value, and it sells shares in these funds to investors
directly and through securities brokers.
Portfolio Manager (Mutual Funds) – Portfolio fund managers use their knowledge of investment
theory, market experience, research from staff and outside companies, and occasionally luck to pick
investments for their fund portfolios. To reach the pinnacle in this profession, count on many years in
the ranks of investment advisory and money management. Passing the SEC's Series 7 exam is
necessary to be registered and the Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA) designation is a huge plus for
people planning on entering portfolio management.
Wholesaler – Brokers and many of their clients tend to like passive investments, and funds are ideal
for these types of people. But they may also want a little more involvement in fund information and
more details than Mr. and Mrs. J.Q. Public. Enter the wholesaler from mutual fund XYZ, ready to
host a "client appreciation program." Wholesalers market their funds to huge clients such as Merrill
and Morgan Stanley, but also must focus on smaller brokers and independent financial advisors.
Analyst or Researcher – Here you delve into the fundamentals, examining every single feature of a
security to determine if it's really a buy. You specialize in a certain industry or an industry segment
and come to know the companies that compete there inside out. Expect to give computer screens
lots of quality time and to really get cozy with annual reports. If you don't like reading, accounting,
crunching numbers, and more reading, you won't be happy here. But it's excellent training for more
substantive and lucrative investment-advisory work or portfolio management.
Financial Planner – Financial planners help people work out money questions and problems. You
need to know a lot about tax law and different investment strategies. You can work alone with a fair
amount of flexibility as an independent or join a firm. Many of these professionals now opt for a CFP
(Certified Financial Planner) certification.
Sales and Marketing – These jobs are similar to product management positions at consumer
products companies, but the products are financial products. Marketers focus on both the long-term
picture and specific current product offerings. Who needs what and how much will they pay for it?
Customer Service – Responsible for being on top of challenges and issues and making them
disappear or at least diminish by the close of trading. And investors, especially the new ones, have
endless questions. It is your job in customer service to "research" the right answers quickly, capably,
and cordially. If you are interested in working in marketing or portfolio management this is a good
place to start because you will gain customer knowledge.
INSURANCE
WHAT IS INSURANCE? Insurance is the transfer of risk, from the insured to the insurer, in
exchange for a premium.
TYPES OF INSURANCE
Life and Health Insurance – The policies in this sector provide benefits packages that policyholders
pay a premium to enjoy.
Property and Casualty Insurance – The focus in this sector is on protection for owners of cars,
homes, and businesses from loss, damage, and injury.
Reinsurance –The insurance of insurance companies. Insurance companies pay reinsurers to
assume some or all of the risk the insurers have taken on in writing policies for their clients. Insurers
use reinsurance to protect against the risk of unusual losses. Reinsurers write reinsurance because
their business allows them to pool enormous numbers of individual insurance risks, making their
risks even more predictable than the risks faced by primary insurers.
KEY JOBS
Actuary – Predict the risk to insure people, property, and businesses. Mathematics and statistics will
help you make these decisions. You'll also need to know general social trends and laws that affect
risk.
Insurance Brokers – Brokers act as go-betweens, uniting buyers and sellers of insurance and
creating the contracts that bind them. Furthermore, they play the role of risk consultants for large
clients, researching industry information to advise companies on managing risk exposure.
Agent or Broker – Give advice for a living. You'll tell others how they can best protect their
valuables. Then you'll sell them a policy. Knowledge of insurance contracts is essential.
Claims Adjuster – Negotiate claims when people lose something by theft, fire, flood, etc. You'll
need to be good with people, because your job is to be fair to those the company insures, while
being fair to the company, too.
Service Representative – Liaison between the agent who sells the policy and the company that
writes the policy. You'll need to know your company's products and work well with others.
Loss-Control Specialist – Try to prevent accidents and losses from happening by scouting out, say,
the shop floor. Knowledge of safety management or engineering is generally a prerequisite.
Risk Manager – Large corporations hire risk managers to help them figure out how to save money.
Risk managers advise upper management on the best type of insurance to buy or on how the
workplace can be made safer. They also help manage employee benefit plans.
Underwriter – Decide to insure or not to insure an applicant. The applicant's exposure to risk
generally determines the type of policy offered, and the price.
Information Technology – Large insurers need IT experts to manage information. If you like
computers and figuring out the best way to work with the huge networks and databases that
insurance companies develop, here's a job for you.
COMMERCIAL BANKING
WHAT IS COMMERCIAL BANKING? Commercial banks take deposits from individual and
institutional customers, which they then use to extend credit to other customers. They make money
by earning more in interest from borrowers than they pay in interest to those whose deposits they
accept. They're different from investment banks and brokerages in that those kinds of institutions
focus on underwriting, selling, and trading corporate and municipal securities.
Most of us maintain checking accounts at commercial banks and use their ATMs. The money we
deposit in our neighborhood bank branch or credit union supports economic activity through
business loans, mortgages, auto loans, and home repair loans. Banks also provide loans in the form
of credit card charges, and render local services including safe deposit, notary, and merchant
banking.
TYPES OF COMMERICAL BANKS
Consumer or Retail Banking – A small to mid-sized branch with tellers and platform officers. In
addition to extending their consumer-banking operations, many of the larger banks have added to
their investment banking and asset management capabilities. Make sure you're applying to the right
part of a large diversified organization.
Business or Corporate Banking – Many of the players in this group are the same ones in the
consumer banking business; others you'll find on Wall Street rather than Main Street. At the highest
level, the larger players provide a wide range of advisory and transaction management services to
corporate clients. Depending on which institution and activity area you join, the work can resemble
branch banking or investment banking.
Securities and Investments – Traditionally, this field has been the domain of a few Wall Street
firms. However, as federal regulations have eased, many of the biggest commercial banks, have
added investment banking and asset management activities to their portfolios. For anyone interested
in corporate finance, securities underwriting, and asset management, many of these firms offer an
option.
Nontraditional Options – Increasingly, a number of nonbank entities are offering opportunities to
people interested in financial services. Players include credit card companies, credit card issuers,
and credit reporting agencies. Although people at these firms are still in the money business, the
specific jobs vary greatly, perhaps more widely than jobs at traditional banks.
CAREER TRACKS
Loan Officer – Loan officers determine who gets loans (and on what terms) and who does not. They
assess a customer’s situation, identify the most suitable loan option to meet the customer’s needs
and walk the customer through the loan process.
Branch Manager – Oversees all operations of the branch, including supervising employees, selling
and delivery of all financial services, supporting sales goals, and maintaining and developing
business relationships in the community.
Bank Teller – This is the front line in the banking world. In addition to having extensive customer
contact, tellers have to have a good feel for numbers, a willingness to handle large amounts of cash,
and an attention to detail. There are more than 500,000 tellers in the United States; most work 9 to 5,
and one-third work part-time.
Programmer – Financial institutions have a huge need for programmers and people with technical
skills. Specific responsibilities can range from managing network systems to coding applications for
a wide variety of transaction-oriented processes to modeling bank functions such as loan approvals
and risk management. Positions usually require specific platform experience or programming
knowledge.
COMMERCIAL BANKING
Sales – Banks are competing with brokerages, investment banks, and mutual funds, all of which
offer more obvious and alluring opportunities in sales. If you seem to have a talent for this and you
would like a chance to be a big fish, then a commercial bank might be just the pond for you. Demand
is also rising for salespeople who understand product development and for investment managers
(brokers).
Trust Officer – Involves helping clients with trust services, estate planning, taxes, investing, and
probate law. This job requires diplomacy, tact, deference, and a better, more current understanding
of tax law than most attorneys need.
FINANCIAL SERVICES WEBSITES
For more information on financial services, industry trends or job postings visit the
following:
•
Accounting Career Network http://www.searchaccountingjobs.com
National database of employment opportunities in the areas of accounting and finance.
•
American Bankers Association www.aba.com
•
American Academy of Financial Management http://www.aafm.us
•
Association for Finance Professionals http://www.afponline.org
Has an online job center with access to finance jobs within Fortune 500 companies
•
BankJobs.com http://www.bankjobs.com
Career site for banking and financial services positions
•
Careers in Finance http://www.careers-in-finance.com
Information on careers in fields like investment banking, real estate and financial planning.
•
Certified Financial Planning Board of Standards, Inc. http://www.cfp.net
•
eFinancialCareers http://www.eFinancialCareers.com
Offers news, advice, and job postings for various sectors in the financial services industry.
•
Jobs in the Money http://www.jobsinthemoney.com
Job search site dedicated to finance, accounting and banking.
•
Jobs on Wall Street http://www.jobsonwallstreet.com/index.html
Job board dedicated exclusively to the financial services and Wall Street industry.
•
Financial Job Site www.financialjobs.com
Accounting and Financial jobs for professionals at all levels.
•
Financial Job Network http://www.financialjobnet.com
Site to view global job opportunities for financial executives in the following categories: Chief
Financial Officer, Controller, Auditor, Finance (VP, Analyst, Operations, Manager, Development, Tax,
Accounting, Engineer, etc.) and Actuary.
•
Financial Industry Regulatory Authority (FINRA) http://www.finra.org
•
Mergers and Acquisitions http://www.mergersandinquisitions.com
An excellent resource for students interested in investment banking.
•
Occupational Outlook Handbook, Bureau of Labor Statics http://www.bls.gov/oco/ooh_index.htm
•
QuintCareers http://www.quintcareers.com
Career and job resources website for college students for over 14 years. This site offers over 4,500
pages of free content that can be useful when seeking a new career or job.
•
Securities and Financial Markets Association http://www.sifma.org
•
Vault, Career Insider Guides http://www.wfu.edu/career (*must use your wfu email to access)
Check out industry, career, and employer guides, plus hot links to finance firms, newsletters,
interview information and more.
FINANCIAL SERVICES WEBSITES
•
Wall Street Oasis http://www.wallstreetoasis.com
Online financial community with access to industry and interview guides.
•
WetFeet http://www.wetfeet.com
Learn about financial industry trends, markets, major players, requirements, career tracks, and job
outlooks, and more.
HUMAN RESOURCES
What is Human Resources? Human resources deal with the management and development of the
people or employees within an organization. Human resource activities include recruiting and
staffing, compensation and benefits, training, knowledge management, labor and employee relations,
and organization development.
HR specialty areas include:
• Compensation and benefits: Conducting and analyzing salary surveys or administering
benefits plans.
•
•
•
Employment, recruiting and staffing: Recruiting and staffing specialists are common in
organizations with a steady stream of hiring or a need to place new hires in jobs.
Labor and employee relations: Usually found in unionized companies, labor and employee
relations specialists learn the nitty-gritty of union contracts and may specialize in interpreting
those contracts or resolving employee disputes and grievances.
Training, learning and organization development: Leading new hire orientation or
coordinating employee development activity.
Vault Guide to Human Resources Careers, 2005
Job Positions
Human Resources Generalist – Perform a wide variety of activities depending on the size of the
organization. If the position is with a small company, it will require someone with a strong
background in individual HR specialties who can perform human resource duties for the entire
company. In larger companies, the position is for someone who is learning about the various areas.
Responsibilities can vary greatly depending on the needs of the company.
Human Resources Manager – A middle management position that may require overseeing
specialists responsible for several distinct areas in a division of a company. Strategic work may be
involved-such as planning human resource policy and setting procedures.
Recruiter – Screens, interviews, and recommends prospective employees, and extends offers to
successful candidates.
Benefits Analyst – Qualifications can vary greatly depending on the company's needs and the
person's experience. At the bottom of the scale, it can be entry level, involving carrying out benefits
programs and possibly researching new ones. At the top of the scale, the position may report to a
VP and involve strategy and business planning.
Training Manager – Designs, plans, and implements corporate training programs.
Compensation Analyst – Evaluates and conducts surveys and analyzes salary data to come up with
the full monetary package offered to employees, including salary, bonuses and perks, such as stock
options. In many cases, compensation analysts deal only with the packages offered to executives or
even come in on a contract basis to help research and negotiate the package for an incoming CEO.
In other cases, the compensation analyst will deal with all job categories in a company. Regardless,
the compensation analyst has to be familiar with a company's job titles and responsibilities.
Labor Relations Manager – Works primarily in manufacturing or service industries and deals with
labor unions. A labor relations manager prepares information for management to use when a
contract is up for renewal. He or she may supervise a group of labor relations specialists.
Vice President of Human Resources – The VP of HR helps set the tone of the company's corporate
culture. He or she brings information about the workforce to executive management so that
management can set policies after mergers, acquisitions, closures, layoffs, and similar changes.
This position often involves extensive travel and very long hours.
HUMAN RESOURCE WEBSITES
For more information on human resources, industry trends or job postings visit the
following:
•
Careers-in-Business, HR – http://www.careers-in-business.com/hr.htm
•
Jobs4HR – http://jobs4hr.com
Human resource job listings.
•
HR People – www.hrpeople.com
Tips and tricks on how to break into an HR career including interview advice, salary ranges and job
expectations.
•
Occupational Outlook Handbook, Bureau of Labor Statistics http://stats.bls.gov/oco/ocos021.htm
Description of human resources careers.
•
Society for Human Resource Management – http://www.shrm.org
Provides educational program information, careers, volunteer opportunities and articles.
•
The American Association for Training and Development – http://www.astd.org
The leading resource on workplace learning and performance issues. Lists jobs and resources.
•
College and University Professional Association for Human Resources
http://www.cupahr.org/index.aspx
Contains job listings, resources and HR news.
•
Vault, Career Insider – Vault Career Guide to Human Resources
•
Wetfeet Careers & Industries – http://wetfeet.com
Overview of the human resources industry and careers within the field.
MARKETING
What is Marketing? Marketing is the strategic function between product development and sales.
The four components of marketing are product, price, promotion and place. Marketing takes a
product with specific features and benefits, creates pricing and promotional strategies, and oversees
the methods that will be used to bring it to market. WetFeet, Careers in Marketing Guide, 2008.
Marketing Departments
There are many aspects of marketing that may interest and appeal to you. Most marketing positions
involve one or more of the following activities: cultivating relationships, managing information,
speaking, researching and evaluating. The following is a sample of some of the potential
departments within marketing:
 Advertizing Salesperson: Negotiates contracts with clients for advertising in publications and
on radio and television.
 Brand and Product Management: Planning, directing, and controlling business and marketing
efforts for their products; they are concerned with research and development, packaging,
manufacturing, sales and distribution, advertising, promotion, market research, and business
analysis, a newcomer will join a brand/product team and learn the ropes by doing numerical
analysis and watching senior members.
 Business to Business Marketing: Marketing targeted at organizations such as businesses,
non-profits, government entities, and middlemen, this represents a large majority of marketing
efforts.
 Internet Marketing: Opportunities in this field are new and still emerging, with options in
electronic retailing, web page design, internet promotions, and managing websites.
 Marketing Communications: Creating promotional efforts and other marketing activities that
communicate with the organization’s customers, includes advertizing, public relations, sales
promotions and direct marketing.
 Marketing Research: Define problems and identify the information needed to resolve them,
figuring out what drives people to buy certain products by designing research projects, preparing
questionnaires and samples, analyzing data, preparing reports and presenting findings.
 Non-Profit Marketing: Performs marketing and public relation functions and conducting
fundraising for non-profits, offers the opportunity to make “traditional” marketing decisions at an
early age
 Sales: A sales career path ranges from salesperson to the highest levels of management,
opportunities can be found in advertising, financial, insurance, consulting and government
organizations.
 Securities and Financial Services Marketing: Selling banking and related services, providing
many related services to clients, often in positions such as account executives, stock brokers,
and registered representatives.
 Sports Marketing: Promoting and managing athletes, teams, and sports facilities among other
things, sports marketers may work for a team, association or marketing firm to strategize about
how to best leverage sponsorship, plan and coordinate events, conduct market research and
produce promotional material.
MARKETING
Marketing Positions
There are many types of positions within the marketing industry. Below are just a few examples of
the different positions available in the marketing field:

Account Director or Supervisor:
o Administer client relationships with an agency. This person delivers presentations to
potential clients. They also supervise the account managers. Qualities like great
interpersonal, customer service and organizational and communications skills are
required.

Account Manager or Senior Account Executive:
o Creates the strategy, organizes, direct and applies publicity campaigns. S/he confers
with management to know the publicity needs and determine objective and establish
annual financial plan. Directs creative and production of the advertisement (media
establish timing and calculate costs. Supervise account executives.

Account Executive:
o Serves as liaison to the clients to ensure a successful and timely execution of the
marketing plan/project. Help clients to create strategy and secure all the business.

Junior Account Executive:
o Gives support to account services department. Her or his jobs are research of
business news opportunities, tracking projects and providing assisting managers.

Marketing Manager:
o Directs all the activities of the marketing department. These managers require having
finest communication, organizational, analytical and managerial skills.

Assistant Marketing Manager:
o Assistant to the marketing manager. Help in creation and application of marketing
goals. Direct market research and coordinate, the creative and production teams, to
realize promotional materials. Need effective communication and directorial skills.

Brand or Product Manager:
o Creates the strategy, direct and apply brand and marketing publicity for a particular
product or business. The manager ask about market requirements and product
features to improvement teams

Copy Editor:
o Edits the written material to publish it by correcting it of spelling and grammar. Editor
need to have a detail eye and knowledge of grammar and spelling.

Copywriter:
o Develops and writes concepts for a publicity campaigns. S/he reproduces
promotional materials for internal and external. Develops materials such as scripts,
print or web projects, reports, and speeches.
MARKETING

Event or Trade Show Manager:
o Creates and directs events for a company. The manager work with corporate
marketing and public relations department. His or her job is to identifying event
locations; developing budgets for functions; acquiring event permits; securing
speakers, products for display and promotional giveaways; overseeing set up and
tear down of demo booths; ensuring availability of proper equipment and supplies;
booking hotel or conference rooms; and coordinating activities

Event or Trade Show Coordinator:
o Helps the trade show manager with all the organization of the event.
MARKETING WEBSITES
For more information on marketing, industry trends or job postings visit the following:
•
Advertising Age – http://adage.com/register.php
Marketing and Media News, Analysis and Data
•
Careers In Marketing – http://www.careers-in-marketing.com
Designed to help you find a rewarding and interesting job in the world of marketing
•
Creative Hotlist – www.creativehotlist.com
Dedicated career site for creative professional
•
Creativity Online – http://creativity-online.com
•
Direct Marketing Association – http://www.the-dma.org/index.php
•
Know This – http://www.knowthis.com
Knowledge source for market research, marketing plans, internet marketing, marketing careers and
much more
•
MarketingHire.com – http://www.marketinghire.com
An alliance of leading US marketing associations that provides you with access to marketing,
advertising, and pr jobs from respected employers
•
Marketingjobs.com – http://www.marketingjobs.com
General marketing career information
•
Occupational Outlook Handbook (Advertising, Marketing, Promotions, Public Relations, and Sales
Managers) – http://www.bls.gov/oco/ocos020.htm
•
Talent Zoo – www.talentzoo.com
Ad, Marketing, Media, Digtal Jobs
•
Vault, Career Insider Guides – http://www.wfu.edu/career (*must use your wfu email to access)
Vault, Career Insider – Vault Career Guide to Marketing and Brand Management
•
Wetfeet Careers & Industries – http://wetfeet.com
Overview of the marketing industry and careers within the field
Professional Associations
• American Association of Advertising Agencies – www.aaaa.org
• Smart Brief – http://www.smartbrief.com/aaaa/
• American Marketing Association – http://www.marketingpower.com
• Business Marketing Association – www.marketing.org
• The National Association of Sales Professionals – www.nasp.com
• The Professional Associate of Design – www.aiga.com
NONPROFIT & SERVICE
What is Nonprofit or Service Work?
1. The purpose of a nonprofit company is to serve society rather than make money, and at the end
of the year any profits that do exist are recycled back into the organization’s programs.
2. Nonprofits are tax exempt.
3. Volunteers make up a large portion of the work force.
4. Nonprofits depend on fundraising to survive by soliciting money from the general public, private
companies, government, and foundations.
5. Nonprofits are required to have a board of directors made up of three or more volunteers
responsible for setting policies, electing officers, and ensuring the organization’s mission is
carried out.
6. Decisions are not based on cost-effectiveness, but rather on more “mission-related” criteria.
7. A nonprofit company measures its productivity not in dollars but in how well it reaches its goals
and fulfills its mission.
8. Nonprofit salaries are generally 15 to 20 percent less than for-profit companies.
9. The atmosphere in most nonprofits is more casual and relaxed.
10. Nonprofits often provide experience in many different areas and functions.
Reprinted with permission from Experience.com
Recruiting and Hiring
The non-profit industry is vast and there is no set recruiting season, hires are made year round when
the need to fill a vacancy arises. The size of a non-profit organization ranges from three employees
to thousands of employees. The best way to get your foot in the door is to start as a volunteer to
gain experience and a network within the industry.
Nonprofit Jobs
Common entry-level positions in nonprofits include:
• Assistant Director
• Fundraising/Development Assistant
• Program Analyst
• Volunteer Coordinator
• Program Officer/Associate
• Community Outreach Coordinator
Wake Forest and Winston-Salem, NC Resources
Pro Humanitate Center Summer Internships
http://phc.provost.wfu.edu
The Pro Humanitate Center offers two summer internship programs:
The Pre-Ministerial Internship Program
The Non-Profit Internship Program
The Office of Volunteer Services
www.wfu.edu/studentdev/2volunteer.php
The Office of Volunteer Services is located in Benson 321 and oversees the Volunteer Service
Corps (VSC), international and domestic service trips, large scale volunteer events, Campus Kitchen,
and leadership development through service initiatives.
VSC is a student run organization dedicated to furthering the University’s motto of “Pro Humanitate”
by engaging students, faculty, and staff in meaningful volunteer service. In addition to overseeing
large annual events such as Project Pumpkin and DESK, the VSC works hard to connect volunteers
to nearly 40 non-profit agencies in the Winston-Salem community. Go to http://vsc.groups.wfu.edu
for more information.
NONPROFIT AND SERVICE WEBSITES
Jobs and Networking Opportunities
Great site! Includes job listings in nonprofits
National database of nonprofit organizations
ELeads
Philanthropy Careers
Nonprofit Jobs
Nonprofit Jobs
DeepSweep
Opportunity Knocks
Fellowships in Public Service
One Year Service Opportunities
DeaconSource
DC Young Nonprofit Leaders
Nonprofit Career Network
Society for Nonprofit Organizations
www.idealist.org
www.guidestar.org
www.wfu.edu/career
www.philanthropy.com/jobs.dir/jobsmain.htm
www.nonprofitjobs.org
www.nonprofit-jobs.org
www.deepsweep.com
www.opportunitynocs.org
www.idealist.org/career/fellowship.html
www.idealist.org/career/oneyearservice.html
www.wfu.edu/career
www.dcynl.org
www.nonprofitcareer.com
www.snpo.org
Electronic Journals/News Sources*
Chronicle of Philanthropy
Philanthropy Journal
Philanthropy News Digest
Philanthropy News Network Online
Foundation News and Commentary
Nonprofit Online News
* most of these also have links to job posting sites
http://philanthropy.com
www.philanthropyjournal.com
www.fdncenter.org/pnd
www.pnnonline.org
www.foundationnews.org
http://news.gilbert.org
Nonprofits—General
General information about nonprofits
Organizers’ Collaborative
Independent Sector
Internet Nonprofit Center
National Council of Nonprofit Associations
Center for Philanthropy
Salary Surveys for Nonprofits
Vault, Career Insider Guides
(*must use your wfu email to access)
http://nonprofit.about.com
http://organizenow.net
www.independentsector.org
www.nonprofits.org
www.ncna.org
www.npgoodpractice.org
www.idealist.org/career/salarysurvey.html
http://www.wfu.edu/career
Foundations
Council on Foundations
The Foundation Center
Washington Grantmakers
www.cof.org
www.fdncenter.org
www.washingtongrantmakers.org
Nonprofit Management and Consulting
Alliance for Nonprofit Management
Association of Consultants to Nonprofits
www.allianceonline.org
www.acnconsult.org
Fundraising
American Association of Fundraising Counsel
Association of Fundraising Professionals
Association of Professional Researchers for
Advancement
www.aafrc.org
www.afpnet.org
www.aprahome.org
NONPROFIT AND SERVICE WEBSITES
Nonprofit Research Centers/Academic Programs
Association for Research on Nonprofit
Organizations and Voluntary Action
www.arnova.org
Independent Sector Research
www.independentsector.org
List of Nonprofit Administration
Programs www.gradschools.com/programs/nonprofit_administration.html
International
UN Department of Public Information NGOs
InterAction (Voluntary International Action)
Civicus
European Foundation Center
www.un.org/dpi/ngosection/dpingo-directory.asp
www.interaction.org
www.civicus.org
www.efc.be
PUBLIC RELATIONS
What is Public Relations?
Public relations is the business of perception. Public relations professionals are responsible for
shaping people’s viewpoints; how the consumer, the competition, the international community and
the average person on the street view a client. A large amount of the news put in print, on television,
and on the Internet is the direct result of public relations.
Position Types
Public relations positions involve one or more of the following activities: event programming,
cultivating relationships, writing and editing, managing information, producing, speaking, researching
and evaluating. The following is a sample of some of the potential departments within public
relations:
 Research:
o Determining attitudes and behaviors of the public and analyzing the causes for these
attitudes and behaviors in order to plan, implement and measure activities to influence or
change them.
 Media Relations:
o Relating with communications media in seeking publicity or responding to their interest in
an organization.
 Employee/Member Relations:
o Responding to concerns as well as informing and motivating an organization’s
employees/members, its retirees and their families.
 Community Relations:
o Continuous, planned and active participation with and within a community to maintain and
enhance its environment to the benefit of both an organization and the community.
 Public Affairs:
o Developing effective involvement in public policy, and helping an organization adapt to
public expectations; a term also used by military services and some government agencies
to describe their public relations activities.
 Government Affairs:
o Relating directly with legislatures and regulatory agencies on behalf of an organization,
usually as a central element of a public affairs program; often called “lobbying”.
 Issues Management:
o Identifying and addressing issues of public interest in which an organization is, or should
be, concerned.
 Financial Relations:
o Creating and maintaining investor confidence and building positive relationships with the
financial community; also called investor or shareholder relations.
 Industry Relations:
o Relating with trade associations and other firms in an organization’s industry.
 Development/Fund Raising:
o Demonstrating the need for and encouraging an organization’s members, friends,
supporters and others to voluntarily contribute to support the cause.
PUBLIC RELATIONS
 Multicultural Affairs:
o Relating with individuals and groups in minorities.
 Special Events:
o Stimulating an interest in a person, product or organization by means of a focused
“happening;” also, activities designed to enable an organization to listen to and interact
with its customers and the public.
 Marketing Communications:
o Combination of activities designed to sell a product, service or idea, including advertising,
collateral materials, publicity, promotion, packaging, point-of-sale display, trade shows and
special events.
PUBLIC RELATIONS WEBSITES
For more information on PR, industry trends or job postings visit the following:
 The Association for Women in Communications http://www.womcom.org
Organization for women across communication disciplines. Hosts conference and other professional
development activities. Includes a job board.
 Cascadia Communication Associates http://www.prheadquarters.com
Discussion forum for senior practitioners in issues management and crisis management, and for students
of public relations.
 Council of Public Relations Firms http://www.prfirms.org
Represents over 100 of the leading PR firms. Provides “find a firm” features with roster of member PR
firms by geographic location, size and expertise. Maintains a job bank.
 Institute for Public Relations http://www.instituteforpr.com
An independent non-profit organization serving educators, researchers, PR professionals, and their
clients. Site includes free, downloadable research reports and news.
 International Association of Business Communicators http://www.iabc.com
Professional network including more than 70 countries and 14,000+ professionals; hosts seminars
(including web) and conferences, publishes research and publications, and maintains a job bank. Some
content is members-only.
 Media Bistro http://www.mediabistro.com
One of the best job search engines for communications jobs. Site also includes events, forums and news.
 Media Week http://www.mediaweek.com
Site of trade publication for media industry. Focuses on news, analysis of and commentary on the media
business. Includes job search engine (for all media/communications jobs, including PR).
 O’Dwyer PR http://www.odwyerpr.com
Includes free access to rankings of firms, list of PR firms by specialty (located under “1,000 PR
specialties”), extensive list of PR associations and organizations, blogs, and related links. Maintains a job
bank.

Occupational Outlook Handbook (Advertising and Public Relations Services)
 PR Channel http://www.prchannel.com
Check the blog section for interesting tips, PR situations, and general industry info. Includes listing of the
top PR and Advertising Agencies.
 PR News Online http://www.prnewsonline.com
Provides the latest news and strategies related to PR and marketing, including industry resources and
research.

PR Temp Jobs http://www.prstaffing.com
 PRWeek http://www.prweekus.com
Extension of PRWeek, a weekly industry trade publication. Site provides news, reviews, profiles,
techniques, and fresh research relating to the PR industry. Includes job postings.
 Public Relations Society of America http://www.prsa.org
The largest professional organization for PR professionals (also includes 255 college and university
chapters, http://www.prssa.org/). PRSA focuses on continuing education for members through
networking, professional development and publications. Maintains a job bank.
PUBLIC RELATIONS WEBSITES

Public Relations Student Society http://www.prssa.org
 Talent Zoo www.talentzoo.com
Job search engine featuring media blogs and the latest headlines in the communication industry.

Vault, Career Insider – Vault Guide to Top Advertising and PR Employers

Wetfeet Careers & Industries http://wetfeet.com
Overview of the public relations industry and careers within the field.
REAL ESTATE
Career Fields
Job opportunities in the real estate industry are divided into four distinct fields: sales, management,
development, and acquisition and analysis. Although crossover among these sectors is possible,
most people start out specializing in a specific area.
Sales and Leasing – This segment includes everything from residential real estate brokers to larger
corporations that broker bigger commercial properties such as office towers.
Management – Property managers are responsible for maintaining property values. They deal with
tenants, manage finances, and physically tend to the property.
Development – Developers are responsible for taking a property idea and making it a reality. This is
a complex process involving architects, engineers, zoning officials, builders, lenders, and
prospective tenants.
Acquisition and Analysis – Any kind of investing in real estate requires a thorough understanding
of how to analyze the value of a property and navigate the maze of land-use regulations, zoning
laws, environmental impact reports, financing realities, and other barriers to buying and developing a
property. The people who develop, market, and manage REITs and other real estate investments
are financial types, who are charged with evaluating and arranging for the purchase of properties.
Job Positions
Residential or Commercial Agent or Broker – Agents are individual sales professionals who
provide their services to a broker for a commission. A commercial sales professional typically
specializes in a specific property type: apartments, retail, office, hospitality, shopping centers or
industrial plants. The majority of real estate salespeople are paid through commissions, earnings
will depend on success rate and type of properties sold.
Appraiser – A real estate appraiser estimates the value of properties for taxation or valuation
purposes using a series of standard methodologies. Though relatively immune to the cycles of the
industry, an appraisal position is somewhat insular within the industry and doesn’t offer the mobility
across functions as do other positions.
Property Manager – A property manager manages and leases properties for owners. Day-to-day
duties include a broad spectrum of activities including leasing property to tenants, handling tenant
relations, maintaining occupancy levels and lease rates, preparing reports and budgets for property
owners, hiring service employees, collecting rents, paying bills, negotiating contracts, and
maintaining and repairing property. A property manager often arrives at his or her position through
previous work as a leasing agent tenant services representative, assistant property manager, or
other specialist within the property management field.
Consultant or Advisor – With the increase in institutional investing, demand for this type of expert
has risen. Prior experience in investing or management is necessary. A real estate advisor is
generally good with statistics and excels at dealing with clients.
Developer – A developer makes property plans come to life. Developers manage labor, establish
time estimates, and obtain equipment operators and construction crews to work on building new
properties. To become a developer, you'll need excellent communication skills and a strong
understanding of all aspects of the real estate industry. Most developers start out in entry-level
positions with a developer or contractor and then work their way up.
REAL ESTATE WEBSITES
For more information on real estate, industry trends or job postings visit the following:

Vault, Career Insider – Vault Career Guide to Real Estate
Vault, Career Insider – Vault Guide to Top Real Estate Employers
 Wetfeet Careers & Industries http://wetfeet.com
Overview of the real estate industry and careers within the field.
 Occupational Outlook Handbook, Bureau of Labor Statics
http://www.bls.gov/oco/ooh_index.htm
 National Association of Realtors www.realtor.org
 Real-Jobs www.real-jobs.com
Job opportunities in real estate
 American Real Estate and Urban Economics Association (AREUEA) www.areuea.org
Academics interested in real estate
Commercial/Development
 Commercial Property News www.commercialpropertynews.com
An excellent source of news, data and scoop on the world of commercial property.
 Real Estate Job Store www.realestatejobstore.com
Commercial real estate job opportunities
 The National Association of Industrial and Office Properties (NAIOP) www.naiop.org
Trade association for developers, owners and investors in industrial, office and related
commercial real estate; job postings
 Housing Zone www.housingzone.com
Lots of information and articles for builders and real estate agents
 National Association of Home Builders www.nahb.org
This professional organization represents property developers and is a good source of
information about the industry.
 Society of Industrial and Office Realtors www.sior.com
 Certified Commercial Investments Member www.ccim.com
Certificate designates expertise in commercial and investment real estate
Contractors/Construction
 Associated General Contractors of America www.acg.org
 Construction Managers Association of America http://cmaanet.org
Construction managers are responsible for organizing and managing a construction job. This
association provides information on who is in this field and how to break in.
Property Management
 Institute of Real Estate Management www.irem.org
Trade association for property managers; job postings
REAL ESTATE WEBSITES
Investment/Mortgage
 National Association of Real Estate Investment Trusts (NAREIT) www.nareit.com
Tracks goings on in one of the most dynamic sectors of the real estate business
 Mortgage Bankers Association of America www.mbaa.org
Focuses on mortgage banking, the mortgage-backed securities market and loan services; job
postings
Appraisal
 Appraisal Foundation www.appraisalfoundation.org
Great student section with general info about getting started as an appraiser
Network
NETWORKING
INFORMATIONAL INTERVIEWS
A professional networking site. Use this site to create an online professional profile, network with recruiters
and alumni, and search for jobs. To maximize your efforts, join groups such as professional associations,
affinity groups, Wake Forest Alumni groups, as well as city specific alumni groups. Get started with
LinkedIn's guide for grads: Grads.LinkedIn.com.
CAREER FAIRS AND INFORMATION SESSIONS
Become a FAN and stay up to date with career services events and information
such as information sessions, employer panels, and tips from the Wake
Forest’s VP of Career Development.
Networking
What is Networking?
Networking is the process of discovering and utilizing connections between people. Tap into
your circle of friends, family, professors, previous employers, and Wake Forest alumni.
The purposes of networking include:
• To gain information and advice about a career field, an industry, or an organization.
• To learn about possible job opportunities (but you are NOT asking for a job!).
• To connect with more people who are doing the things you want to do.
• To tell people about you.
Why is Networking Important?
Over 80% of jobs are not posted online and are obtained through networking.
Direct contact with people, preferable face-to-face, is one of the most effective ways to learn
about career fields and discover internship and job opportunities.
Networking Tips
• Know yourself including your skills, interests, qualifications, and goals.
• Know what it is you want from others. Prepare your questions in advance of a
conversation.
• Have a 1 – 2 minute pitch prepared that succinctly describes your background and what
your goals are.
• Share information, ideas, resources, and contacts with others. Networking is a two way
process.
• Know basic information about careers that interest you.
• Set specific, attainable goals for yourself and your job search.
• Think of everyone you meet as a networking contact.
• Use various professional networking resources such as LinkedIn, professional
associations, clubs and organizations, career fairs and alumni groups.
• Keep a well documented record of your contacts – how, when, details of the
conversation and any follow up necessary.
• Be polite, professional, and thankful. Send thank you notes after meetings or
conversations.
• Keep in touch. After being introduced to new people, follow-up with a short
communication such as an e-mail or a phone call.
Informational Interviewing
What is an Informational Interview?
An informational interview is a meeting requested by you to ask for advice and/or information
about a field, company, or position type. Keep in mind that the interviewee’s purpose is to
provide information about their career field and organization, NOT to provide an interview or
a job.
Sample Informational Interview Questions
Preparation
•
How did you choose this career field?
•
What kind of training and background do you have?
•
What types of employment or internships would you recommend?
•
What type of prior experience is absolutely essential?
•
What credentials or degrees are required for entry into this kind of work?
•
What are entry-level opportunities in this field?
•
How did you prepare yourself for this work?
Work Environment
•
How would you describe your work environment?
•
How would you describe a typical day/week/month? What are your regular duties,
projects, responsibilities?
•
How much flexibility are you permitted in your job (hours, vacation, dress code, etc)?
•
How much autonomy do you have on the job?
•
How much outside or overtime work is required?
•
What portion of your job involves interacting with others, including co-workers and
clients?
•
Is there travel involved in your job? If so, how much and what type?
•
What are your biggest challenges or problems you must deal with?
•
What do you like the most about your job? What would you change about your job?
Industry
•
What are the challenges facing this industry today?
•
Who do you consider to be the leaders in this industry?
•
How do you view the current state of the industry?
Organization/Company
•
What is the size of your organization?
•
What geographic locations do you have offices?
•
What is the organizational structure?
•
How does the work of your group/division/office fit into the work of the overall
organization?
•
What is the average length of time employees stay with the organization?
•
What type of formal on the job training is provided?
•
What is the on-boarding process for a new employee entail?
•
How are performance reviews conducted and how often?
•
What sets your organization apart to similar ones in this industry?
Job Requirements and Experience
•
What skills or talents are most essential for effective job performance and to succeed
in your field?
•
What college courses have been the most helpful to you in your position?
•
Is there special certification, licensing, or an advanced degree required for your job?
•
What is the most rewarding part of your job?
•
How did you get to this point in your career?
Informational Interviewing
Job Hunting Strategies
•
How do most people enter this field?
•
What type of position in this field might I reasonably target given my background?
•
If you were in charge of hiring someone to assist you, what criteria would you use to
make your selection and why?
•
Are there any professional groups in the field that you recommend I join?
•
What was the best advice you received when you started in this field?
•
What specific aspects of my background should I highlight or sell the most when
applying for positions?
•
What organizations (based on your list of target companies) would you recommend I
pursue?
Advice
•
Do you have any suggestions on my job search strategy?
•
Are there any questions I should have asked but did not?
Referrals
•
Can you refer me to any other people in the field who might be willing to speak with
me about their experiences?
•
Do you mind if I stay in touch with you regarding my career search?
•
Thank you for your time, this has been very informative and valuable, can you
suggest any other individuals I might speak to in your field that I might be able to
contact for an informational interview?
Always thank the individual for their time and send a hand written thank you note!
How to Build a Professional Student LinkedIn Profile
Think of your LinkedIn profile as an interactive business card. It’s a summary of your professional experience, interests,
and capabilities that is designed to attract the attention of important people who are searching for you online — recruiters,
networking contacts, and grad school admissions officers. A strong profile is a key differentiator in the job market. So let’s
get started...
1. Craft an informative profile headline
Your profile headline gives people a short, memorable way to understand who you are in a professional context. Think of
the headline as the slogan for your professional brand, such as “Student, National University” or “Recent honors grad
seeking marketing position.” Check out the profiles of students and recent alums you admire for ideas and inspiration.
2. Display an appropriate photo
Remember that LinkedIn is not Facebook or MySpace. If you choose to post a photograph — and we recommend that
you do — select a professional, high-quality headshot of you alone. Party photos, cartoon avatars, and cute pics of your
puppy don’t fit in the professional environment of LinkedIn.
3. Show off your education
Be sure to include information about all institutions you’ve attended. Include your major and minor if you have one, as well
as highlights of your activities. It’s also appropriate to include study abroad programs and summer institutes. Don’t be shy
— your LinkedIn profile is an appropriate place to show off your strong GPA and any honors or awards you’ve won.
4. Develop a professional summary statement
Your summary statement should resemble the first few paragraphs of your best-written cover letter — concise and
confident about your goals and qualifications. Remember to include relevant internships, volunteer work, and extra
curriculars. Present your summary statement in short blocks of text for easy reading. Bullet points are great, too.
5. Fill your “Specialties” section with keywords
“Specialties” is the place to include key words and phrases that a recruiter or hiring manager might type into a search
engine to find a person like you. The best place to find relevant keywords is in the job listings that appeal to you and the
LinkedIn profiles of people who currently hold the kinds of positions you want.
6. Update your status weekly
A great way to stay on other people’s radar screens and enhance your professional image is to update your status at least
once a week. Tell people about events you’re attending, major projects you’ve completed, professional books you’re
reading, or any other news that you would tell someone at a networking reception or on a quick catch-up phone call.
7. Show your connectedness with LinkedIn Group badges
Joining Groups and displaying the group badges on your profile are the perfect ways to fill out the professionalism of your
profile and show your desire to connect to people with whom you have something in common. Most students start by
joining their university’s LinkedIn group as well as the larger industry groups related to the career they want to pursue.
8. Collect diverse recommendations
Nothing builds credibility like third-party endorsements. The most impressive LinkedIn profiles have at least one
recommendation associated with each position a person has held. Think about soliciting recommendations from
professors, internship coordinators and colleagues, employers, and professional mentors.
9. Claim your unique LinkedIn URL
To increase the professional results that appear when people type your name into a search engine, set your LinkedIn
profile to “public” and claim a unique URL for your profile (for example: www.linkedin.com/in/yourname). This also makes it
easier to include your LinkedIn URL in your email signature, which is a great way to demonstrate your professionalism.
10. Share your work
A final way to enhance your LinkedIn profile is to add examples of your writing, design work, or other accomplishments by
displaying URLs or adding LinkedIn Applications. By including URLs, you can direct people to your website, blog, or
Twitter feed. Through Applications, you can share a PowerPoint or store a downloadable version of your resume.
Visit grads.linkedin.com today!
How to Network Professionally Online
You’ve heard it a million times (so it wouldn’t hurt to hear it again): “Success is not just about what you know; it’s about
who you know.” With LinkedIn, the world’s largest professional online network, the “who” is at your fingertips. Follow these
easy steps to get connected now—and to turn those connections into opportunities.
1. 100% complete = 100% more likely to get noticed
You can’t build connections if people don’t know you exist or see what you have to offer. Your LinkedIn profile is your
online business card, your resume, and your letters of rec all in one. Don’t be shy: users with complete profiles are 40
times more likely to receive opportunities through LinkedIn.
2. You’re more experienced than you think
Complete profiles are so important because the more information you provide, the more people will find reasons to
connect with you. Think really broadly about all the experience you have, including summer jobs, unpaid internships,
volunteer work, and student organizations. You never know what might catch someone’s eye.
3. Use your inbox
Contrary to popular belief, networking doesn’t mean reaching out to strangers. The best networks begin with those you
know and trust, and then grow based on personal referrals. Start building your LinkedIn network by uploading your online
address book and connecting to friends, relatives, internship colleagues, and professionals you know in the “real world.”
4. Get personal
As you build your connections on LinkedIn, always customize your connection requests with a friendly note and, if
necessary, a reminder of where you met or what organization you have in common. If you’re being referred by a mutual
friend, write a brief intro of who you are and why you’d like to connect. You’ll impress people with your personal touch.
5. Join the “in” crowd
Another way to form new online relationships is to join LinkedIn Groups. Start with your university group—alums love to
connect with students—and then find volunteer organizations or professional associations you already belong to. As a
member, you can comment on discussions, find exclusive job listings, and meet people who share common interests.
6. Lend a (virtual) hand
As you build connections and group memberships, think about what you can do to support other people. Comment on a
classmate’s status update, forward a job listing that fits the criteria of a friend, or write a recommendation for a summer
job colleague. You’ll find that your generosity is always rewarded (and, of course, it feels really good to help someone!).
7. Update your status #early and #often
Networking is not just about who you know; it’s about who knows you. Stay on other people’s radar screens by updating
your LinkedIn status at least once a week—you can do this directly on LinkedIn or by linking your Twitter account and
marking tweets with #in. Mention events you’re attending, projects you’ve completed, and other professional news.
8. Question (and answer) everything
LinkedIn’s Answers feature is a great place to seek advice from a wide variety of people all around the world. You can also
show the world what you have to offer by answering people’s questions about a topic where you have some expertise.
The more active you are in Answers, the more people will view your profile and want to connect with you.
9. Do your homework
Before an informational interview, a job interview, or a networking get-together, use LinkedIn to learn about the
background and interests of the people you’re scheduled to meet. Access Company Pages to research organizations and
their employees, and use Advanced Search to find things you have in common with people you’re meeting.
10. Now step away from the computer...
There’s a perception that young people are only comfortable communicating online, so be sure to support your online
networking with real human contact. Set up phone calls, attend live events, and send snail mail notes to people you
interact with on LinkedIn. Remember that online methods should supplement, not replace, in-person relationship-building.
How to Conduct Essential Employer Research on LinkedIn
One of recruiters’ biggest complaints about entry-level job candidates is their lack of knowledge about
an employer’s organization. Before attending a career fair, networking meeting, or job interview, you
must do your homework. Here are some tips on how to use LinkedIn to research effectively and gain
an advantage over your less-prepared peers.
1. Be open to new opportunities
While you may have some idea of the company you want to work for, there are lots of opportunities at
organizations you’ve never even heard of. Keep an open mind as you conduct your research and
remember that the wider you expand your search, the more likely you are to find a great job.
2. Just start searching
LinkedIn’s Advanced Search is a powerful tool for job seekers like you. Simply type in any keyword -“marketing,” “accounting,” “theater,” “baseball,” “Seattle,” “India,” anything -- and you’ll see the
LinkedIn profiles of people whose careers include that keyword. This is a great way to explore
potential career paths and to learn about companies or job titles that might be a perfect fit for you.
Save your searches to keep a record of careers and people that interest you.
3. Put yourself in good Company (Pages)
As you find employers you might want to work
for, check out their LinkedIn Company Pages.
Each page provides a wealth of information
about an organization’s operations, employees,
locations, available jobs, and more. Plus, when
you visit any of the 150,000 Company Pages on
LinkedIn, you’ll see how you are personally
connected to people at that organization. Then
you can reach out for advice or to request
informational interviews and referrals to open
positions. Not connected to anyone at your
target company? Join a university alumni,
industry, or interest group.
4. Know before you go
It’s the night before a big career fair,
informational interview, or job interview and
you’re feeling really nervous. Calm those jitters by using LinkedIn to research the person or people
you’ll be meeting. You can discover facts about someone’s education, work experience, interests,
group memberships, and connections you might have in common. This will make you feel more
prepared and confident and provide you with some good conversation starters.
5. Follow the buzz
Want to keep up to the nanosecond with a particular company’s news and image? Add the LinkedIn
Company Buzz application and you’ll be able to view a constant feed of everything people are saying
about that organization on Twitter. This is an absolute must the night before a big job interview!
Q&A: LinkedIn Etiquette Guide for Students & Recent Grads
Etiquette rules in the offline world are pretty clear: Say please and thank you; shake hands firmly;
keep your elbows off the table. But what are the rules for interacting professionally online? Here are
some guidelines for managing your e-manners.
Q: How often should I check LinkedIn?
A: While logging in daily is ideal, what’s most important is that you maintain a consistent presence
and respond to messages and connection requests in a timely fashion. LinkedIn will send you a
Network Update once a week or once a day -- you can use that email as a reminder to log in and
send someone a note, respond to a request or post to a group discussion.
Q: How do I make sure my LinkedIn profile is professional?
A: First, be totally truthful and never stretch the facts -- remember that your profile is public. Next,
post a photo that is professionally appropriate (no pets, quirky backgrounds or funny expressions).
Finally, write up your experience and credentials as you would present them on a resume or cover
letter. Your writing can be a little less formal on LinkedIn, but proper grammar, spelling and
proofreading are essential.
Q: What’s the best way to request to connect with someone?
A: LinkedIn provides a basic message “I'd like to add you to my professional network on LinkedIn,”
but it’s a good idea to customize your requests. You’ll get a better response rate if you write a brief,
personalized, polite note to each potential connection reminding them how you met (if necessary) and
explaining why you’re interested in connecting -- e.g., to ask for advice or to keep in touch after
meeting at a conference.
Q: How do I ask for an introduction?
A: When you request an introduction, you’ll be prompted to write a note to your mutual connection
and then a separate note to the person you want to meet. In both cases, draft a compelling subject
line and a short note that introduces you and explains why you hope to connect. Just remember
never to ask directly for a job -- it’s not polite or appropriate.
Q: What should I do if someone doesn’t respond to my connection request or message?
A: There is no guarantee that everyone you want to connect with will want to connect with you. If you
haven’t heard from a potential connection in over a month, it’s okay to send that person an email to
say that you’ve reached out and would like to connect. If that doesn’t work, it’s best to move on to
people who are more interested or responsive.
Q: How do I handle a request from someone I don’t know or don’t want to connect with?
A: You can either reply with a short note requesting an explanation (“Hi - can you remind me how we
know each other?”) or you can click “Archive” to ignore the request or save it for the future. If you
definitely don’t want to connect, simply click “Archive” and move on. If you want to report the person
as a spammer, then click “I don’t know this user.” Users who receive several of these clicks are
removed from LinkedIn.
Q: Will people know if I un-connect from them?
A: If you unconnect from someone, that person will not be alerted. Of course, if that person looks
through his or her contacts or attempts to send you a message, you will no longer be shown as a 1stdegree connection.
Q: How many groups should I join?
A: The number of groups you belong to on LinkedIn should reflect approximately the number of
professional affiliations you have (or want to have) in real life. For instance, if you attend college, are
an accounting major and love social media, it would be great to join your alumni group, an accounting
group or two and a social media group or two. To get the most benefit from group participation,
quality trumps quantity.
Q: What is the most polite way to ask someone to write a recommendation for me?
A: Most importantly, you want to request recommendations from people who really know you and
your work, such as former bosses or professors. Customize each Recommendation Request with a
polite, gracious and personalized note, and provide a few words outlining the accomplishments or
qualities this person might mention about you. And, of course, always thank the person for writing the
recommendation.
Q: What’s appropriate to write in my LinkedIn status updates?
A: Although LinkedIn status updates can cross-post with Twitter, be careful only to post professional
comments to LinkedIn. This means no posts about the weather or your crazy cat. The best status
updates are like snippets from a networking conversation: quick notes about events you’re attending,
accomplishments you’re proud of, articles or books you’ve read and professional announcements like
a new position.
Overall, use your judgment, be polite and act maturely. If you wouldn’t do it in person, don’t do it on
LinkedIn!
Apply
DEACONSOURCE
The Office of Career Services maintains DeaconSource, the hub for all career-related information offered
by the Office of Career Services. In an effort to improve student engagement and ease of use for employers the previous system – ECHO – has been replaced by DeaconSource. DeaconSource allows students
to search for, apply for, and set up interviews for both internships and jobs. All events sponsored by the
Office of Career Services such as career fairs, company information sessions, and unique professional development programming are available to students through DeaconSource. There is an Announcements
section on the homepage to assure students do not miss any significant career-related alerts and the system has the ability to send out targeted emails based on unique job search parameters set by students.
MOCK INTERVIEWS
Interview Stream
In an effort to give you a leg up on your competition, the Office of Career services has purchased Interview
Stream. Interview Stream is an interactive video mock interview program to enhance interviewing skills.
Interview Stream allows you to set up an interview by selecting custom industry based interview questions
and film your responses through a web camera. The recording can be reviewed and critiqued at any time.
The tool also includes access to interview tips and advice from experts.
In Person Mock Interview
A targeted practice interview using a real job description for your upcoming job interview and/or a job description that is of interest to you, as well as for graduate and professional school interview preparation.
 Mock Interview Guidelines
 Mock Interview Request Form
SALARY NEGOTIATION FUNDAMENTALS
MOCK INTERVIEW GUIDELINES
Have a big job or internship interview coming up and not sure how to prepare? Like any good athlete,
you need to practice before going into the game! Let the Office of Career Services assist you in
making a strategic game plan for acing your interview and landing the job.
The Office of Career Services can help you with interview preparation in the following capacities:
Interview Stream – an online mock interview program which can be accessed the Office of Career
Services website. We recommend this before you come in for an actual mock interview.
Counseling Appointment – a meeting with a career counselor during which you can discuss
interviewing and how to be best prepared (not a mock interview and does not require a mock
interview request form).
Mock Interview – a targeted practice interview using a real job description for your upcoming job
interview and/or a job description that is of interest to you, as well as for graduate and professional
school interview preparation; must follow mock interview guidelines and fill out a request form to
make an appointment.
Mock Interview Guidelines
Our experienced career counselors want to prepare you for an upcoming interview by giving you the
most effective and helpful feedback possible. To ensure that you leave your mock interview session
feeling confident and ready to ace your interview, we need you to follow a few steps prior to your
mock interview:
1. Fill out the Mock Interview Request Form.
2. Attach a copy of your resume and copy of the job description (if you are not prepping for
an interview with a specific company, print off any job description that interests you).
3. Bring form and attachments with you to the Office of Career Services in Reynolda Hall
Room 8 to schedule a mock interview appointment.
4. Please plan to wear appropriate interview attire to the mock interview, compatible with the
company/organization environment with which you are interviewing.
MOCK INTERVIEW REQUEST FORM
Please complete the following steps in order to secure a targeted mock interview with a career
counselor:
•
•
•
•
Fill out the form below.
Attach a copy of your resume and copy of the job description (if you are not prepping for an
interview with a specific company, print off any job description that interests you).
Bring form and attachments with you to the Office of Career Services to schedule a mock
interview appointment.
Wear appropriate interview attire to the mock interview, compatible with the
company/organization environment with which you are interviewing.
*If you would like for a counselor to talk with you about interviewing in general, you can set-up a
regular appointment to discuss interviewing (without filling out this form) before actually having a
targeted mock interview for a specific job/company.
Your Name: ______________________________________________________________
Major: ____________________________________ Class Year: ____________________
1. Research the employer and job description
Company/Organization Name: _____________________________________________
Company/Organization Website: ___________________________________________
Using the job description, please list the following:
Employer is seeking (skills/qualifications)
1.
Example of how I possess these skills/qualifications
1.
2.
2.
3.
3.
2. Consider a few practice questions
Tell me about yourself.
Why are you interested in working for us?
What do you know about our organization?
What is your greatest strength? What is your greatest weakness?
Tell me about a time when you had to go above the call of duty to get a job done.
Give me an example of how you manage your time. What factors do you consider?
3. Attach resume and job description to this form
4. Bring form to Career Services and schedule a mock interview
________________________________________________________________________________
Office Use Only
Date Received _________Appointment Day/Time _________Career Counselor Assigned______________________
InterviewStream User Guide
Accessing InterviewStream
You have 2 options:
1) Log-in to DeaconSource (using your DeaconSource username and password) and click on the
InterviewStream link.
2) Go to wfu.interviewstream.com. Using your WFU email address as your username, choose a password
and create an account (only use this option if you do NOT have a DeaconSource profile).
Getting Started on the User Dashboard
The main components include:
1. Conduct Interview: Pick your question set, sit in front of your camera (built into the top of your laptop screen),
and conduct a practice interview.
2. Watch Interview: View your practice interviews and critique your interviewing skills.
3. Interview Webinar: Watch 8 expert modules giving you a complete overview on how to ace an interview.
4. Expert Tips & Advice: Learn from experts by watching short clips on how to approach certain questions.
1
2
3
Still confused about
how to navigate
InterviewStream?
Check out the online
Tutorial Video about
how to conduct a
practice interview.
4
InterviewStream
Conducting an Interview
You have 2 options for conducting an Interview:
1) Choose the “General Interview”
2) Customize your own interview questions
*InterviewStream TIP: When customizing your own interview questions, remember to choose a MIX of
questions from the topic/category that fits the job for which you are interviewing AND general questions
that will be asked in almost any interview situation.*
Once you’ve selected your interview questions, you will be
prompted to set-up your Webcam/Flash Security &
Microphone:
You will need to check the tiny box next to
“Allow” and “Remember” before clicking the
“Close” button.
 You will then be prompted to test out your microphone Level Meter to ensure that it surpasses the red line,
then click “Next.”
 Once your webcam and microphone levels are properly set, you may click “Proceed to My Interview.”
During the actual interview:
 The interviewer will ask you a question and a timer will count down 3...2...1 before your webcam will begin
recording your response, giving you 2 minutes to respond to each question. Remember: Make eye contact
with the webcam, NOT with the interviewer or you will look like you are looking down at your keyboard in the
video.
 Click the mouse anywhere when you are finished with your response and the webcam will stop recording.
 3 options following each question: Review your response; Retry the question; or Continue.
Watching Your Interview
Click “Watch Interview” on the User Dashboard once you have completed your practice interview. Find the
interview that you would like to review and click each question one at a time to view your responses. You will have
several options for reviewing your interviews:
 Assessment: Fill out a self-assessment form or invite another InterviewStream user to assess your interview.
 Comment: Make a comment about your response to a question or allow other users to comment.
 Send: Send your practice interview video to a family member, friend, mentor, or professor via email or
hyperlink.
 Verbal Filler Counter: Count how many times you say “Ummm,” “Like,” “I Mean,” and “You Know” during
your interview! The counter will reset each time you come back to view a video.
For additional interview assistance, fill out a Mock Interview Request Form (go to
www.wfu.edu/career or pick up a form in Reynolda Hall Room 8) and make an appointment for
an in-person interview with a career counselor.
•
Determine the market rate salary range for the position type and industry.
•
Prepare a budget to determine your financial needs.
•
Before you go into the interview, decide what salary you want to earn, what you need to
live on, and what you will be willing to settle for. Be realistic: entry-level salaries are less
negotiable than salaries for mid level or executive positions.
•
Practice your salary negotiation skills with a friend or during a mock interview with a
career counselor.
•
Document your skills and accomplishments and be prepared to talk about them. Know
why you are worth whatever you expect to be paid!
•
Don’t be the first to mention salary during the interview, but use the negotiating tips listed
below when the topic does come up. Never say, “I need at least ______ dollars.”
•
Don’t worry about what your friends are making; the employer certainly isn’t.
•
Once you have accepted a job offer and salary level, be sure to get it in writing.
How can I find out the market rate salary range?
•
Visit the following websites:
www.payscale.com
http://www.glassdoor.com – Glassdoor gives you an inside look at company reviews,
interview questions, & salary information for thousands of companies.
www.jobstar.org – Jobstar Salary Surveys
http://www.bls.gov/oes/oes_data.htm – Bureau of Labor Statistics
www.salary.com
http://www.youngmoney.com – budgeting advice and more
http://finance.toolkit.com – budgeting tips and tools
•
•
•
Talk with professionals, friends, networking contacts, and other job seekers
Call employment agencies or executive search firms
Talk with a career advisor in the Office of Career Services
Are salaries really negotiable?
The degree to which a salary is negotiable depends on the position, the manager, the
organization, your perceived value, and the state of the job market. Most entry level positions
have set salaries that are subject to very little if any negotiation, perhaps a few hundred
dollars of negotiating room. Mid-level positions typically have salary ranges between 10 and
20 percent. For example, a job paying $35,000 a year may have a salary range between
$31,500 and $38,500. Employers will negotiate within the range, but will rarely exceed it
unless you are an exceptional candidate. Most state and federal government jobs have rigid,
no-negotiable salary scaled based on education and experience. In general, higher level
management and executive position offer the greatest opportunities for negotiation. Once a
salary has been offered to you, take time to think about it. Express your strong interest and
let your interviewer know that you need some time to think over a decision of this magnitude.
Be mentally prepared for the negotiation.
The company has invested a great deal in you as a potential employee. In addition, you are
seriously considering the offer. Therefore, it is essential that negotiations be handled
professionally and confidently. Listed below are some pointers.
• Be prepared to support your assertion, using the results of your salary research and/or
your assessment of your unique qualifications for the position.
• Be willing to listen to the employer’s issues and to negotiate.
• Be prepared to accept an offer if the issue can be settled.
How to start this process?
• Convey your enthusiasm and interest in the offer.
• Contact the company representative who extended the offer.
• Express your concern about the salary, and provide a rationale for your request for a
higher starting salary
Be prepared for possible responses, including:
• What salary are you willing to work for?
Respond by providing a salary range with your ideal salary as a mid-point.
•
That figure is beyond our salary range for this position.
You have the opportunity to make another counteroffer if you are willing to consider a
salary lower than your targeted range. Even if the base salary cannot be negotiated
further, you could try the strategy described below:
•
The salary we offered was at the top of the range for your position. OR We are offering
all of our new hires the same, non-negotiable salary.
You may wish to talk about alternate methods of achieving your financial goals. Alternate
methods may include a signing bonus, a 60-, 90- or 120-day performance and salary
review, or bonuses during the year.

Career Kit - Career and Professional Development

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