career search guide

Transcription

career search guide

2014-2015
Graduate Business Programs
CAREER SEARCH GUIDE
T C
able
of
ontents
Graduate Business Programs’
CAREER SEARCH
GUIDE
Letter from the Director. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2
Graduate Business Career Services and Programs
Team. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Appointments . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Services. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Events Overview. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Career Fairs. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
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2014-2015
ND Graduate Business Career Catalyst
Overview. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5
Assessment & Research Phase
Assessment Resources. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Research Resources. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Job Postings. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Industry and Company Research. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Job and Internship Funding. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
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GRADUATE BUSINESS CAREER SERVICES
Positioning Phase
Your Career Plan . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8
Writing Your Resume . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9
Resume Checklist . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10
List of Action Verbs . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10
Sample Functional Skills and Traits Sought by Recruiters. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11
Sample Resumes . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13
Developing Your “Elevator Pitch”. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 17
Cover Letters. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 18
Sample Cover Letters. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 19
Your Online Image. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 21
Knowledge and Skills Phase
Networking. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Writing a Networking Email . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
How to Prepare for a Career Fair . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Types of Interviews . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Interview Preparation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
The Psychology Behind Common Interview Questions. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
CAR Format: Answering Behavioral Questions. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Interview Checklist . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Questions to Ask the Interviewer. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Office Visit. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Interview Attire. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Considering a PhD?. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Business Certifications. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
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Job Search Phase
Job and Internship Strategies. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 32
International Job Search Strategies. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 32
Offer Negotiation. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 33
At Work Phase
Mendoza Office of Graduate Alumni Relations. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 34
Notre Dame Ethical Job Search Agreement. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 35
ADVERTISER INDEX
ATF Finance . . . . . . . . . . 39
Earth Share . . . . . . . . . . . 39
Ernst & Young LLP . . . . . 39
College Recruitment Media and
Mendoza College of Business,
Graduate Business Career Services
would like to thank the above sponsors
for making this publication possible.
Dear Mendoza Graduate Business Students,
Welcome to Mendoza! On behalf of the Graduate Business Career Services team, I welcome you
to the 2014-15 academic year. Our staff is dedicated to support and guide your career pursuits
every step of the way, from discovering which career is right for you, to navigating a sometimeschallenging job market. Our vision is: To create and maintain relationships among students,
employers and the Notre Dame family that lead to enhanced professional knowledge, stronger networks
and employment opportunities.
Finding the right job can seem like adding another full-time class, when you consider the time
commitment. The Graduate Business Career Services platform was designed to help you
structure your search. We provide a series of workshops and classes geared to each program,
as well as individualized coaching—all built around our signature Career Catalyst model. We
also partner with external organizations for off-campus opportunities to develop your job-search
strategy.
Within any given cohort, some students will be seeking employment after graduation, while
others intend to start businesses of their own. Our program is designed to provide resources
and build skills that will be useful to everyone—entrepreneurs, job-seekers and even those
planning to continue their education—long after leaving the halls of Mendoza.
Our mission is to provide our students and alumni with:
• Career-planning tools and the skills to executive a successful job search,
• Personal and professional development, and
• An understanding of the long-term steps vital to building executive presence.
All Mendoza students may utilize our private job and internship boards: Go IRISH, CareerLink,
MBA Focus and resources available on the Career Services tab on InsideND. While it is true that
the Internet has made it much easier to find job listings, the proliferation of online employment
sites also creates confusion. Our resources will help you determine not only good opportunities,
but opportunities that are the right fit for your career plans and personal goals.
The Graduate Business Career Services office hours are Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Please give us a call or stop by the reception desk to arrange for an appointment. We look forward
to working with you!
Patrick Perrella
Director, Graduate Business Career Services
GRADUATE BUSINESS CAREER SERVICES
GRADUATE BUSINESS CAREER
SERVICES AND PROGRAMS
T E AM
Coaches
Laura Bellis, Associate Director – MBA Consulting, EMBA and Alumni
Michael Crehan, Associate Director – MBA Finance
Tricia Ford, Assistant Director, MSB Career Development
Jeff Morris, Assistant Director, MBA Corporate Recruiting Services – Former Military
Julie Philips, Associate Director, MSA Program
Cindy Proffitt, Assistant Director, MBA General Management
John Rooney, Senior Associate Director – MBA Business Analytics, Business
Leadership, Marketing, Non-Profit
Staff
Terry Borich, Office Senior Staff Assistant
Jessica Green, Events and Projects Coordinator
Judy Truitt, Employer Relations Program Manager
AP P OI NT ME NT S
Scheduled
SERV ICES
Career Coaching
Career coaches specializing in your graduate program are
available to support concentration and career exploration,
practice interviewing, and job search strategy/tactics.
Career Services offers resources online, through workshops,
and via one-on-one career coaching.
Career Actions Groups (CAGs)
Led by second-year MBA students, Career Action Groups are
small groups of MBA students with common career interests and job search goals. Each group meets regularly to help
members gain a deeper understanding of specific functions
within overall job categories; to move through the Career
Catalyst process; to expand industry knowledge through
research, networking, and CAG events; and to generate an
ongoing supply of job leads in the CAG’s designated function,
industry, or geographic target location.
Mentoring
The Graduate Business Career Mentor Program matches
students with alumni or a second year MBA in a career,
function, company, industry, or geography of interest to the
student.
Walk-In
Walk-in appointments are appropriate for brief
questions when a scheduled appointment was
not possible and the question requires an immediate response, such as an offer negotiation.
Before requesting a mentor, discuss strategy for selection
with your career coach. Students can view the list of available mentors and request a mentor through CareerLink. The
relationship is intended to continue throughout the academic
year, connecting twice per every seven weeks in person, or by
phone or email.
Proofreading
Career-related documents will be proofread free of charge.
Feedback is received within 1-2 business days. Submit documents using the link on the Career Services tab of insideND.
Submit Microsoft Word documents only.
E VE N T S O VE R VI E W
Boot Camps
Boot Camps are 2-4 hour events for students intending to
work in banking, consulting, or marketing. Hosted by career
coaches and alumni, students gain depth of knowledge about,
and job expectations for, the particular career.
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G R A D U AT E C A R E E R S E R V I C E S
When exploring concentrations and careers, it is important
that you focus on fit. Questions to ask yourself may include:
• What do you like doing?
• What are your interests?
• What will you find motivating in your future career?
• What skills do you already possess, and which need
further development?
• What do you think your personality type is, and how
does it relate to careers?
Graduate Career Services coaches are available by appointments scheduled through the
Graduate Business Program Reception Desk.
Appointments last 30-45 minutes generally.
MENDOZA COLLEGE OF BUSINESS
Patrick Perrella, Director
Industry Nights
Industry Nights, held annually in September, are designed
to give students an understanding of possible industry career
paths. The format for these events is generally a panel discussion, with one representative from each company serving as a
panelist. After the panel concludes, each firm has a designated
area for networking and addressing individualized questions.
Previous Industry Nights/Events include
• Banking Industry Forum
• Consulting Industry Night
• Consulting Industry Forum
• Healthcare & Biotechnology Industry Night
• Leadership Development Industry Night
• Marketing Industry Night
• Wall Street Forum
CA REER FAIR S
On-Campus
Career fairs are held twice annually on campus and are
appropriate for all ND students to attend. The event is free for
currently enrolled students.
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Fall Career Fairs are typically scheduled for September with
one day dedicated to full-time and the second day to internship opportunities.
GRADUATE BUSINESS CAREER
SERVICES AND PROGRAMS continued
The Winter Career and Internship Fair, typically held in
February, is a one-day fair offering full-time and internship
opportunities.
Off-Campus
A series of national career fairs are annually organized by
affinity groups, consortiums of schools, and geography.
Companies actively begin looking at resumes for fall fairs as
early as August.
Fair attendance provides good exposure to a large group of
companies in one setting, many of whom may not otherwise
have a presence on campus. Students are responsible for
expenses associated with travel, lodging, and food.
The schedule for affinity group-sponsored fairs is provided in
the section entitled “How to Prepare for a Career Fair” later in
this Guide.
IMPORTANT: The conferences are open to everyone regardless of affinity group status (unless specifically noted below).
Affinity-sponsored fairs:
• Ascend National Association of Asian MBAs
• Ascend National Convention and Career Fair (Asian)
• Asian Bilingual Career Forum (Bilingual English-Asian
language speakers only)
• Asian MBA Leadership Conference & Career Exposition
• Association of Latino Professionals in Finance and
Accounting (ALPFA)
• MBA Veterans (Veterans Only)
• National Association of Black Accountants (NABA)
• National Black MBA Association (NBMBAA)
• National Society of Hispanic MBAs (NSHMBA)
• Net Impact Conference
• Reaching Out (LGBT) MBA
• MBA Women International (MBAWI)
Consortium-sponsored fairs:
• Midwest MBA Career Fair (internship-focused)
• CareerQuest (Mid-Atlantic Coast)
Geographically-specific fairs:
• Jobs in Japan
• European Career Fair
City Treks
Small groups of students and a Staff Member make office visits
to select cities, meeting with alumni and representatives at
host companies. These trips are generally scheduled to occur
during the fall academic break. Students are responsible for
expenses associated with travel, lodging, and food. Students
will receive an email with details and eligibility.
EVENTS
Throughout the year, various on- and off-campus events are offered in support of your
career development. Events include career fairs, industry nights, and workshops.
For more detailed information about specific upcoming events:
• MSA, MSB
http://careercenter.nd.edu/events
• MBA, EMBA, MSA, and MSB
https://mendoza-nd-csm.symplicity.com/students/
ND GRADUATE BUSINESS
CAREER CATALYST
Career Catalyst consists of five phases that are essential for success. In each stage, Graduate Business Career Services offers
coaching, tools, information, and experiences. The time spent in each phase varies by student, and mastering all phases is important to a student’s career development.
Supporting resources can be found on the Career Services tab within insideND.
https://inside-p.cc.nd.edu/cp/home/displaylogin
TM
Click each
Catalyst Phase
icon on insideND
to access related
career resources.
OVERVIEW
At Notre Dame, you will use our signature process to guide you through your career development. The process is called Career
Catalyst.
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Define a preferred functional area and concentration, develop a Career Plan that outlines
your most compelling talents and your optimal
work environments, and gain a deeper understanding of high potential career paths.
Expand your industry knowledge to validate
a strong fit with the industry or job function,
develop industry-specific job search skills,
and finalize your Career Plan, customize your
resume, and learn about additional resources
available within the Mendoza College of
Business and the Notre Dame community.
Formally launch your job search to find a
compelling career; leverage resources to organize and facilitate your job search efficiency
and effectiveness.
Learn how to give back to your peers and
future students through alumni organizations,
events, and activities once you have secured
employment.
Discuss these and any other career resource needs with your
career coach.
Find career resources, such as selfassessments and company research tools,
to gain a better understanding of yourself, to
identify key job skills and personal attributes,
and to understand the broad spectrum of
career opportunities.
CAREER CATALYST
continued
ASSESSMENT & RESEARCH PHASE
Knowing and understanding what you have to offer is key in finding a right career fit. The following self-assessments
and company research tools help to identify key job skills and personal attributes, and to understand the broad spectrum
of career opportunities available in the marketplace as you prepare for the next Career Catalyst phase—Positioning.
ASSESSMENT R ESOUR C ES
CareerLeader
careerleader.com
This web-based business career self-assessment system is offered free to all Mendoza Graduate Business students and
can be completed in approximately 60 minutes. A personalized report is immediately available and reflects business
interests, motivators, and skills as well as likely job function fit.
Additional Assessments
Many personality and career assessments are available on the market. Within your courses, faculty may ask that you
complete similar tools. If you have additional interest in assessments, consider the following instruments which are lowcost or free:
ASSESSMENT TYPE
Career
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Personality
ASSESSMENT
WEBSITE
StrengthsQuest
(Gallup)
strengthsquest.com/signin/default.aspx
O*Net
(Department of Labor)
onetonline.org
Keirsey Temperament
Sorter (KTS II)
keirsey.com/sorter/register.aspx
Myers Briggs Type
Indicator (MBTI)
myersbriggs.org/my-mbti-personality-type/
RESEA RCH R ESOUR C ES
insideND Career Services Tab
CareerShift
A comprehensive collection of online career resources for
Graduate Business students are found on insideND via the
Career Services tab. Clicking on the icon for each phase of the
Career Catalyst produces resources supporting career activities
in the phase.
CareerShift facilitates searching for and storing contacts
and jobs sourced from company career pages, job boards,
professional associations, and publications. Searches can be
performed by location, industry, and more.
Vault Online Career Library
GoinGlobal Career And Employment
Services
The Vault Online Career Library features a diverse array of
resources: industry guides, employer profiles, resume tools,
occupational profiles, and more. This valuable tool is helpful
for career exploration, company research, drafting targeted
cover letters, and preparing for interviews. Free electronic
copies of the Guides may be downloaded.
GoinGlobal provides localized career and employment
resources for locations around the world. Content includes
city and country employment guides and job search sources,
employment trends, salary and H1B visa sponsorship records,
cultural/interviewing advice, work permit/visa regulations,
and much more!
WetFeet
Job Central
WetFeet provides employer profiles, insider guides for careers
and industries, and other career-related materials. Free electronic copies of the Guides may be downloaded.
Job Central searches national and international job and
internship postings by keyword and location. Jobs and internships are posted by the 200+ companies who are members of
the Direct Employers Association.
J O B P OSTING S
GO IRISH for MSA and MSB students
CAREERLINK for EMBA and MBA students
This private database is the primary recruiting database for
on-campus and off-campus interviewing opportunities. Fulltime and internship positions are posted, as well as upcoming
employer information sessions, pre-nights, and career fair
companies registered to attend.
MBA FOCUS
This private database is available to all graduate students at
Mendoza. It provides job listings from national and international corporations who have chosen to advertise open
positions to Mendoza College of Business students.
RecPass
We have partnered with RecPass, used by more than 100
corporations, a student profile system utilizing QR code-based
technology for seamless employer-candidate interaction.
I N D USTRY A ND C OMPANY R ESEAR CH
Recruiters often comment that students lack company
research skills, interview preparation, and knowledge of
career fields. As a result of this feedback, an online Interview
Research Preparation site (on insideND) and “Interview
Checklists,” were developed as starting points for student
preparation. In addition to these resources, we highly
J O B AND IN TER NSHIP FUNDING
Indiana Careers At Notre Dame
Graduate Career Services is pleased to offer graduating
students the opportunity to apply for a year-long award
consisting of a $400 monthly
payment totaling $4,800 for the year.
These funds are provided to support
students as they “get on their feet”
financially when choosing to begin
their career in Indiana after graduating from Notre Dame. For more
information about the qualification and application process for
this program, please visit: careercenter.nd.edu/for-undergrads/job-search/ jobs-in-the-following-fields/indiana.
MBA-Exchange.com
The private database is the leading directory for MBA
Development Programs, worldwide. Job listings are also
presented by global corporations.
Affinity Organization Job Boards
The national affinity organizations have active job boards
year round—not just during the fall career fairs. We do
recommend making use of the job boards on these sites:
ALPFA, National Black MBA, National Society of Hispanic
MBAs, Forte Foundation, Asian MBA, AscendNAAMBA, and
AscendLeadership.
recommend reviewing the company website for mission statement, annual reports, investor relations content (especially
presentations), and products/services.
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Mahaffey Business Library
This University Library branch is located in the Lower Level of
Mendoza. The library has an excellent selection of resources to
aid you in your research, including Bloomberg terminals and
CapitalIQ.
The library staff are ready to help you with expert research
assistance for both academic and career information
([email protected]).
Nonprofit Funding
Making the world a better place is part of being a Notre Dame
man or woman. In support of this belief, students interested in
nonprofit internships may request Graduate Business Program
internship funding in situations where the position is uncompensated or compensates at a rate inconsistent with the cost of
housing and related internship expenses. Funding is limited to
$500 per month and requests are made through the Graduate
Business Program Office.
GARRABRANT Endowment for
Inter national Inter nships
Funded by Notre Dame Alumnus Gary Garrabrant, the
endowment provides funding for students wishing to do an
international summer internship, but who cannot due to the
increased financial challenges (airfare, etc.). Funding is limited
and students must apply for funding. This funding is available
for MBA internships only.
Conducting thorough company and industry research is vital
to an effective job search and interview. Networking contacts
and employers view researching the industry/company as a
critical factor in applicant evaluation because it demonstrates
the candidate’s interest and enthusiasm for their company.
BENEFITS FOR YOU:
• Provides quick and easy data sharing of contact information and resume with target employers
• Saves paper, time and money
• Ensures data and discussion notes are captured enabling
faster follow up by employers and preventing lost applications
• Reduces or eliminates the need to “apply online,” as
employers can now upload your documents and resume
directly
This private database is the primary recruiting database for
both on-campus and off-campus interviewing opportunities.
Full-time positions are posted, as well as upcoming employer
information sessions, pre-nights, and career fair companies
registered to attend.
RecPass technology allows you to create an electronic link to
your profile information and resume to share with employers
at career fairs and other networking and recruiting events.
CAREER CATALYST
continued
POSITIONING PHASE
YOUR CAREER PLAN
Very few successful professionals would say their career was
a straight line from Business School to their preferred career
choice. However, most would say that clarity and focus are
critical to attaining their career success. Development of your
Career Plan will help you to:
SAMP L E C A R E E R P L A N
Maverick Stetson Class of 20XX
[email protected]
(574) 555-5555
PREFERRED FUNCTION: Marketing
PREFERRED SUB-FUNCTION(S): Brand Management or Product Management
PREFERRED INDUSTRY: Food, paper, or sports products
CORE SKILLS AND EXPERIENCE:
Core Skills and Experiences
A. Leadership
B. Project
Management
C. Financial
Analysis
D. Strategic
Planning
Experience
1
Led cross-functional
team to reduce base
sheet cost for tissue
product
Managed roll-out of
new spring design
for everyday plate
business
Created new
approach to analyze
variance in fixed cost
for tissue product
line
Developed new
marketing plan
based on core
strengths of plate
strengths and design
Created online
marketing
campaign for
Brawny
Experience
2
Team captain of
college basketball
team
Managed SKU
reduction project
with manufacturing
and sales
Executed three price
increases to recover
cost increases
Created new
seasonal program
that combined cups
and plates
Designed
numerous print
advertising pieces
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• Identify core skills and experiences
• Hone your value proposition
• Add clarity to your job search target companies
• Give stakeholders, including alumni and mentors, ideas of
how they can support your journey
E. Creative
Thinking
POSITIONING STATEMENT:
I am a Notre Dame MBA candidate with a concentration in marketing. With over 4 years of experience in consumer and
customer marketing, I have worked with top retailers including Walmart, Target, and Costco. I have exceptional leadership
skills in managing cross-functional teams that include marketing, sales, finance, manufacturing, and R&D. Having successfully
completed product reformulations and portfolio changes, I have driven top line and bottom line results. I have a demonstrated
track record of moving from in-depth analysis to insights to strategy. My background in consumer marketing, project management, and retailer sales make me an ideal candidate.
CAREER PREFERENCES:
Size of organization - 5,000 to 20,000 employees
Country / Region / City – USA / Midwest focus but open to New England / Boston, Columbus, Indianapolis
People / Organizational culture – Fast-paced learning environment, ability to work with a certain degree of freedom, and exposure to customer
Other – Company that offers international assignments
Mid-term (3-5 years)
My mid-term career goal is to become a brand
manager where I have P&L responsibility and
direct reports. I also want to have responsibility
for product innovation and development.
Long-term (5-10 years)
My long-term career goal is to get to the Director level
where I am managing cross-functional teams from
marketing, finance, sales, and manufacturing. I want to
have built a track record of driving bottom line profits.
WRITING YOUR RESUME
You should not try to include everything you’ve done during
your career—instead, think of your resume as a document
that markets your most applicable skills and experiences to an
employer.
Skills
This section typically includes computer, language, science/
laboratory, and production skills when applicable.
Activities
It is important to list quality over quantity in this section. Only
include experiences where you’ve developed skills relevant to
the position.
Relevant Courses
T Y P E S OF RESUMES
For current students, you should include courses related to
your career goals, objective, and/or skills in this section.
Chronological
Honors
This is the most common resume format for college students.
A chronological (or reverse chronological) resume organizes
information by jobs/experiences in reverse chronological
order—with the most recent experiences listed first. This
format works well when:
• You are seeking an entry-level position
• You have a steady history of employment related to the
position you are seeking
Functional
Combination
This type of resume organizes information with an emphasis
on skills in reverse chronological order. Experiences and skills
can be tailored to fulfill the specific requirements of a position.
This format works well when:
• You want to highlight skills related to specific jobs
• You want to emphasize relevant skills and information that
connect your experiences
CO M MON RESUME SEC TIONS
Volunteer
List volunteer or service activities by naming the organization,
volunteer job title, date, and possibly a bullet describing the
skills or responsibilities you gained during the experience.
TIPS FOR WRITING
• One page (two pages for EMBA)
• Brief but sufficient information
• Consistency and clarity are key
• Tailor your resume to each position
• Emphasize your unique skills
• Include results and accomplishments
ADDITIONAL TIPS
• Make your resume stand out—use a personalized heading,
bold and italics, lines, etc.
• Print your resume on high-quality paper
• Keep your resume up-to-date with experiences, accomplishments, GPA, etc.
• Have your resume reviewed by a career coach
• Schedule an appointment to talk with a career coach for
assistance with content
• Use the FREE Proofreading Service for career-related
documents including resumes and cover letters. Details
available on the Career Services tab of insideND
Objective
When possible, the objective should be specific to the industry
or position. However, when utilizing a general resume, an
objective is not needed.
Executive or Professional Summary
(EMBA only)
This summary appears at the top of your resume as 3-4 lines
describing yourself in terms of accomplishments and skills
Education
This section should include degree, major, date of graduation,
GPA, and study abroad programs, if applicable.
Experience
List most recent jobs/experiences first. Use strong action
verbs and quantify results when possible. The most important
achievement should be your first bullet point in each job.
T O P 10 S KI L L S E M P L O YE R S W A NT
• Leadership
• Interpersonal (relates well to others)
• Teamwork (works well with others)
• Problem-solving
• Analytical
• Initiative
• Flexibility/Adaptability
• Communication
• Computer
• Technical
9
A functional (or skills-based) resume organizes information
into functional groupings of skills or accomplishments. This
format works well when:
• You want to demonstrate a clear relationship between
your skills and the position you are seeking
• Your experiences are not easily related to the position you
are seeking
• You have gaps in your employment history
Honors are relevant accomplishments, accreditations,
achievements, or awards earned for exceeding average standards in either academics, athletics, or in a work environment.
Your resume is often the only picture a recruiter has of you,
your abilities, and your accomplishments. Studies show
that resumes receive about 20 seconds of a recruiter’s time.
Remember, your resume is a piece of paper that represents
you.
POSITIONING PHASE
RESUME CHECKLIST
G E N ERA L FOR MAT
C ONT E N T
❑ Is my name at the top of the page
and in bold? Are my LinkedIn
address, mailing address, phone
number and email easy to read?
❑ Is my resume an appropriate length?
(1 page unless EMBA)
❑ Is formatting (e.g. bold, font, bullet
sizes, heading styles) consistent
throughout the resume? Are the
headings and statements evenly
spaced
❑ Are verb tenses in the present tense
for current jobs? Are verb tenses in
the past tense for previous jobs?
❑ Do I have approximately 2-6 bullet
statements per job?
❑ Is there a balance between white
space and content for a professional
image?
❑ Is the font size 11 point or larger?
❑ Does my objective statement clearly state what I am seeking and what I will
bring to the position?
❑ Does my Professional Summary highlight the skills and experiences that are
important to my career goals? (EMBAs only)
❑ Did I include the following headings: Education, Experience, and
Achievements/Interests?
❑ Does my education section state my official degree and expected graduation
date? Did I include my cumulative GPA (if a 3.0 or above)?
❑ Is my GPA accurate and not rounded up?
❑ Do my statements demonstrate major accomplishments rather than routine
tasks/duties? Check the statements that demonstrate your accomplishments.
❑ Do my accomplishment statements start with action verbs? Are the action verbs
in the correct tense, reflecting past or current activities?
❑ Do my accomplishment statements demonstrate the use of key skills?
❑ Do my statements demonstrate the results of my accomplishments? Did I quantify my results (e.g. use numbers when possible)?
❑ Does my resume end with strength (e.g., Achievements, Interests, Activities
section)?
❑ Is my resume completely free from spelling, punctuation, and grammatical
errors?
10
LIST OF ACTION VERBS
Begin the bullets under your work experience with action verbs. Action verbs are concise, dynamic, and indicate high-energy
initiative and creative action. They should be used throughout your resume, specifically in the experience section.
Words not to use: assisted, collaborated, helped, joined, oversaw, participated, responsible for, worked, and other
similar nondescript verbs. Instead replace these with:
accelerated
accommodated
accomplished
accounted for
achieved
acquainted
acquired
adapted
added
adjusted
administered
advertised
advised
advocated
aided
altered
analyzed
anticipated
applied
appraised
approved
arbitrated
arranged
assembled
assessed
assumed
attached
attained
attended
augmented
authored
balanced
bolstered
briefed
budgeted
built
calculated
catalogued
caused
chaired
changed
charted
checked
circulated
classified
cleared up
collected
combined
compiled
completed
computed
condensed
conducted
conferred
consolidated
constructed
consulted
controlled
converted
convinced
coordinated
copied
corrected
counseled
counted
created
critiqued
debated
decided
defined
delegated
delivered
demonstrated
designed
detached
determined
developed
devised
directed
disclosed
discovered
dispatched
displayed
distributed
drafted
dramatized
earned
edited
educated
elected
eliminated
employed
encouraged
enlisted
ensured
entered
established
estimated
evaluated
examined
executed
expanded
expedited
explained
explored
extended
facilitated
familiarized
filed
forecast
foresaw
formulated
fostered
found
founded
gained
gathered
generated
governed
graded
greeted
grouped
guaranteed
handled
heightened
highlighted
identified
illustrated
implemented
improved
incorporated
increased
informed
initiated
innovated
inspected
inspired
instructed
LIST OF ACTION VERBS continued
measured
medicated
merged
modified
monitored
motivated
negotiated
notified
observed
obtained
opened
operated
orchestrated
ordered
organized
perceived
performed
persuaded
planned
prepared
presented
processed
procured
produced
profited
programmed
projected
promoted
proofed
proposed
proved
provided
publicized
published
purchased
qualified
rated
received
recognized
recommended
recorded
recruited
reduced
referred
regulated
reorganized
repaired
replaced
reported
represented
researched
resolved
restored
restructured
resulted in
returned
revealed
reviewed
revised
saved
scheduled
screened
scrutinized
selected
sent
served
set
shipped
showed
sold
solved
sought
specified
spoke
sponsored
stabilized
started
stopped
straightened
streamlined
strengthened
studied
submitted
suggested
summarized
supervised
supplemented
surpassed
taught
terminated
tested
trained
transferred
unified
updated
upgraded
utilized
SAMPLE FUNCTIONAL SKILLS AND TRAITS
SOUGHT BY RECRUITERS
Finance Skills
Qualities
Dependable
Analytical
Quantitative
Detail oriented
Team player
Articulate
Responsible
Self-confident
Quick learner
Cooperative
Integrity
Decisive
Marketing Skills
Following through
Time management
Prioritizing work
Listening
Negotiating
Explaining
Problem solving
Initiating action
Diplomacy
Dealing with ambiguity
Working with others
Influencing others
Developing ideas
Working independently
Questioning
Motivating others
Finding opportunities
Market analysis
Expediting
Coordinating
Evaluating risks
Implementing solutions
Selling
Qualities
Persuasive
Results oriented
Cooperative
Articulate
Self-Starter
Organized
Doer
Conscientious
Dependable
Assertive
Production Skills
Trouble shooting
Listening
Coordinating
Time management
Working with others
Negotiating
Problem solving
Qualities
Enthusiastic
Trustworthy
Organized
Doer
Dependable
Calm under pressure
Global view
Flexible
Conscientious
Responsible
Creative
Cooperative
Enterprising
Human Resources
Skills
Communication skills
Influencing others
Mentoring
Motivating others
Listening
Negotiating
Coordinating
Time Management
Working with others
Qualities
Team Player
Organized
Persuasive
Articulate
Administrative
Resourceful
Cooperative
Flexible
Accounting Skills
Following through
Number manipulation
Financial analysis
Collecting data
Working with others
Coordinating
Problem solving
Explaining
Accounting
Prioritizing work
Time management
Listening
Finding problems
Questioning
Budgeting
Computer modeling
Qualities
Team player
Results oriented
Analytical
11
Prioritizing work
Listening
Finding problems
Research
Time management
Working with others
Questioning
Financial analysis
Quantitative analysis
Number manipulation
Following through
Finding opportunities
Accounting
interpreted
interviewed
invented
inventoried
invested
investigated
judged
keyed
laminated
launched
lead
learned
lectured
led
liaised
logged
maintained
managed
marketed
maximized
POSITIONING PHASE
12
SAMPLE FUNCTIONAL SKILLS AND TRAITS
SOUGHT BY RECRUITERS continued
Integrity
Cooperative
Responsible
Trustworthy
Quantitative
Dependable
Administrative
Detail oriented
Adaptable
Organized
Quick learner
Conscientious
Self-starter
Consulting Skills
Collecting data
Problem solving
Researching data
Number manipulation
Questioning
Coordinating
Market analysis
Explaining
Working with others
Developing ideas
Computer modeling
Initiating action
Prioritizing work
Following through
Influencing others
Listening
Creating concepts
Qualities
Analytical
Quick learner
Articulate
Quantitative
Dependable
Conceptualizer
Responsible
Team Player
Energetic
Adaptable
Resourceful
Integrity
Flexible
Cooperative
Calm under pressure
Self-starter
Supervising
Managing projects
Implementing solutions
Negotiating
Management Skills
Qualities
Doer
Dependable
Adaptable
Responsible
Decisive
Conscientious
Leadership
Integrity
Hands-on
Self-starter
Mature
Organized
Trustworthy
Cooperative
Results oriented
Flexible
Self-confident
Coordinating
Initiating action
Working with others
Following through
Influencing others
Expediting
Prioritizing work
Organizing people
Managing people
Explaining
Delegating
Time management
Problem solving
Inspiring others
Diplomacy
Motivating others
EMBA SAMPLE RESUME
1111 N Bosworth Avenue, #1
http://www.linkedin.com/in/you
Chicago, IL 60602
(574) 631-0000
[email protected]
An accomplished leader with 10 years extensive experience in risk management consulting
at Fortune 1000 financial services companies. A proven track record of delivering results,
maximizing team performance, and forging strong client relationships. Expertise in process
improvement, change management, and project management. Known as a thought leader and
exemplary mentor and coach.
Work Experience
PricewaterhouseCoopers
Chicago, IL
Senior Manager, Financial Services Regulatory Practice2009-present
Led diverse teams in providing risk advisory services related to consumer compliance and
enterprise risk management for complex domestic and global financial institutions. Participated
in all aspects of the business from project execution to sales and practice development
• Managed or participated in 11 projects covering a diverse range of regulatory and risk
management areas, including due diligence reviews, compliance program and process
design, core banking system design, controls assessment, money laundering and
regulatory examination preparation
The Federal Reserve Bank of Chicago
Chicago, IL
Associate Bank Examiner2003-2005
Led and participated in Compliance and Community Reinvestment Act (CRA) examinations and
offsite monitoring exercises for large and small domestic banks in the Midwest
• Served as lead examiner on three compliance examinations. Planned and executed all
elements of the examination, including management of a team of four examiners and
compiling the report of examination outlining compliance audit findings. Bank asset
sizes ranged from $24 million to $1 billion
Education and Professional Certification
UNIVERSITY OF NOTRE DAME
Master of Business Administration candidate
RADFORD UNIVERSITY
Bachelor of Business Administration in Finance, magna cum laude
Beta Gamma Sigma
Notre Dame, IN
May 2015
Radford, VA
May 2003
CERTIFIED REGULATORY COMPLIANCE MANAGER (CRCM)
August 2005
CERTIFIED INFORMATION PRIVACY PROFESSIONAL (CIPP)
October 2006
13
KPMG, LLP
Chicago, IL
Senior Associate, Financial Risk Management 2005-2009
Consumer Regulatory Advisory Services
Performed regulatory compliance and risk management projects for the nation’s largest banks
and mortgage originators
• Led or participated in 15 projects covering a diverse range of risk management areas,
including: Fair Lending, Sarbanes-Oxley, compliance program and process design,
deposit and lending compliance, and controls assessment
Career Profile
MBA SAMPLE RESUME
14
299 East LaSalle Ave #B103
South Bend, IN 46617 987-654-3210
[email protected]
Objective
Internship utilizing skills in project management and financial analysis
Education
University of Notre Dame
Master of Business Administration candidate, Business Leadership concentration
• Management Club
• GMAT 710
University of Rochester
Bachelor of Science, Electrical Engineering
Notre Dame, IN
May 2013
Rochester, NY
May 2008
Experience
Samsung Austin Semiconductor
Austin, TX
Process Engineer 2, Metrology (Measurement Science)2008-2011
• Managed projects to improve the measurement quality on a fleet of 18 scanning electron microscopes
within a memory chip fabrication facility
• Aided Metrology Department in achieving record manufacturing one day turn-around-time by
decreasing measurement errors from 5% to under 1% through data analysis and problem solving
• Led Metrology Department to an on-time and successful transfer of new memory chip technology
to Austin from Samsung headquarters by traveling to South Korea and collaborating with Korean
engineers
• Coordinated the design, programming, and implementation of a web-based reporting system to
eliminate approximately three engineering hours spent on data collection per day
• Trained engineers throughout Samsung (at facilities in Austin and South Korea) how to build and
implement similar web-based data systems
• Received APPLAUD Award for innovative system approach, a quarterly based award nominated by
mangers for employees exemplifying Samsung core values of leadership, action, unity, and dedication
(awarded to 1% of employees in company)
Kiewit Western Construction Company
Springerville, AZ
Intern Engineer 2007
• Studied substructure construction designs and developed financial change order packages
summarizing revisions for a new Arizona Springerville Generating Station
• Calculated and documented over $50M financial impacts due to power plant construction design
changes
• Supervised the safety and quality of the construction jobsite and made presentations on each issue to
the Kiewit leadership team
Activities and Skills
• Samsung College Orientation Program Mentor, 2010-2011
• Volunteer at Goodwill Computer Recycling Facility, 2008-2011
• Proficient in SQL and Visual Basic programming languages
• Active runner participating in several races per year benefitting charities and organizations
101 Pokagon
South Bend, IN 46617
MSA SAMPLE RESUME
Notre Dame, IN
5/2015
Tsinghua University
Beijing, China
Bachelor Degree in Business Administration (Accounting)
6/2014
• Major GPA: 3.62/4.0; Scholarship for Excellence 2009-2010, 2010-2011 and 2011-2012
• Chartered Financial Analyst(CFA) Level II Candidate
California State University, Bakersfield
One of ten chosen for Academic Study Abroad and Cultural Exchange Program
Bakersfield, CA
2/2010-3/2010
PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE
Lehmanbrown International Accountants
Beijing, China
Intern, Tax Department2/2013-3/2013
• Prepared working papers for tax review for Turck Tas, a Chinese heavy duty truck manufacturer
• Conducted research on newly issued tax articles; prepared comments for firm’s website
China Merchants Bank
Qingdao, China
Summer Intern, Personal Loans Department7/2012-8/2012
• Guided customers through mortgage loan application process
• Evaluated clients’ credit worthiness in 120 mortgage cases
LEADERSHIP
Challenge Cup Business Plan Competition, National Entrepreneurial Program
Qingdao, China
Chief Financial Officer9/2012-5/2013
• Led group of eight students in designing and executing survey to study feasibility of business plan; set
up financial plan, and coordinated fundraisers to implement plan
• Selected to participate in the National College Student Entrepreneurial Program
United Nations Youth Assembly New York City, NY
Representative of People’s Republic of China8/2011
• Conferred with global peers to explore Africa’s 21st century social and economic development
challenges
• Presented at Infant Mortality Workshop, on behalf of Chinese delegates sharing current developments
in China’s rural areas
SERVICE AND INTERESTS
• English-Chinese Translator, International Extreme Sailing Series, Omen National Team
• Fluent in Mandarin and English, conversational in Spanish
• Proficient in SAP Crystal Dashboard Design
15
KPMG Elite Program
Qingdao, China
Program Trainee and Winter Intern, Audit Department7/2011-5/2012
• Issued receivable confirmation letters to bank’s clients as part of year-end audit of Bank of Qingdao
• Conducted due diligence by interviewing clients
• Performed alternative audit procedures to measure solvency
EDUCATION
Master of Science in Accountancy, Financial Reporting and Assurance Service • Recipient of merit-based scholarship; teaching assistant in Accounting Department
574-999-2014
[email protected]
MSB SAMPLE RESUME
5419 Jane Doe Lane, Apt. C Notre Dame, IN 46556
16
[email protected]
(555) 555-3180
OBJECTIVE
Full-time position bridging my passion for the Arts with core business skills.
EDUCATION
University of Notre Dame Master of Science in Business candidate Notre Dame, IN
May 2015
Duke University
Durham, NC
Master of Arts in History May 2014
• GPA 3.93/4.0
• Thesis: Art in the Third Space: Hybridity & Proteanism in the Life and Paintings of Pamela Colman
Smith
Bachelor of Arts in Art History and Anthropology, summa cum laude May 2012
• Art History GPA: 4.0, Anthropology GPA 3.94
University College Dublin Concentration: Art History, Archaeology, Irish Studies Belfield, Dublin, Ireland
August–December 2010
HONORS
• Phi Beta Kappa, Epsilon of Indiana
• Duke Dean’s List – eight semesters
• Duke Undergraduate Library Research Award for Best Undergraduate Honors Thesis
EXPERIENCE
Duke Visual Resources Center
Durham, NC
Art Researcher and Cataloguer September 2012–May 2014
• Researched, compiled, and archived metadata associated with high-resolution digital art images
The Nasher Museum of Art
Durham, NC
Intern in the Nineteenth - Century European Art Collection September 2012–May 2013
• Developed an interpretive strategy through which to frame the collection so as to best suit the needs
of the academic community; this included selection of artworks for display, provenance research,
gallery design and layout, and writing didactic labels for the landscape section
• Collected demographic and use-based information during roundtable discussions with faculty,
students, and local patrons of the museum and summarized findings in report to curators
Department of Development Call Center Durham, NC
Fundraiser January 2009–May 2010
• Received formal training in negotiation and achieving university goals and initiatives
• Contacted alumni and benefactors of the university to procure monetary contributions to financial aid,
academic programs, global service, and general operating funds
• Successfully raised over $85K
SERVICE
• Team Member, Digital Education in Northern Ireland Project, Co. Armagh • Member, US Energy Policy, Environment, and Social Change Seminar D.C.
April 2012
October 2009
DEVELOPING YOUR “ELEVATOR PITCH”
Creat ing an “Elevator Pitch” typically answers the questions:
➤ Who – Who are you (degree, program, university)?
➤ What – What do you do well (skills, experience, interests)?
➤ How – How can you help them solve their needs?
➤ Why – W hy do you have interest in them or their organization (fit with
mission, values, products/services)?
Be creative with your pitch while keeping it professional. Your
pitch should be unique and expressive of your personal attributes,
skills, knowledge, and interests.
• Hello, I’m... (introduce yourself, your Program/concentration, and
interest in industry/function)
• Your company is... (demonstrate knowledge of company)
You only have one chance to make a first impression. Concisely sharing your career passion in
30 seconds or less shapes perceptions of you and your value-added to an employer at a career
fair, networking contact over the phone, or executive in an elevator.
• I’m interested because... (explain your interest in company)
17
• I can... (match your skills with their needs)
Verify your pitch by asking people who know you professionally,
or referencing past performance appraisals or self-assessment
results.
Photo © Doreen Salcher - Fotolia.com
POSITIONING PHASE
18
COVER LETTERS
Cover letters serve as a bridge between your resume and the specific job to which you are applying. Therefore,
there isn’t a “one size fits all” cover letter. A cover letter is also a reflection of your writing skills, so take time and
care to proofread and review your document.
You Should Send a Cover Letter When:
• Applying through Go IRISH/CareerLink and the employer has requested it
• Responding to a job posting via direct mail or email
• Sending in a response to a referral from a friend or acquaintance
G UID ELIN ES
Your Cover Letter Should Be:
• Formal, polished, and grammatically correct
- Precise, concise, cordial, and confident
- Written in the active voice
- Varied in sentence structure—don’t begin all
sentences with “I”
- Printed on the same type of paper as your resume
- Targeted to the needs of the company and requirements of the position
Cover Letter s Should be Addressed to a
Specific Person
If you do not have a contact name:
• Investigate the company website and other online
resources (myNotreDame, LinkedIn, CareerShift) for contacts
and addresses
• Call the company and request the name of the person
responsible for hiring graduates in your career area
• If all efforts fail—indicate a specific job title, such as
Director of Public Relations and use a proper salutation
(“Dear Sir or Madam,”)
Additional Tips
• Your cover letter should not be a repetition of the wording
on your resume
• When sending a resume via email, you may follow the
cover letter format to introduce your attachment
• Include both the cover letter and resume content in the
attachment (PDF format) as a file named with the user
in mind (e.g., [LAST NAME] [FIRST NAME] ND MXX
[DATE])
• Use the term “Enclosure” or “Enclosures” only if you are
sending hard copies of your documents
CONTENT
The First Paragraph
• States WHY you are writing
- Responding to an advertised opening
- Inquiring about a possible opening
• States WHY you are applying to, or are interested in, this
employer
- Company’s training program
- Company’s product or service
- Demonstrate your company research
• Mention your contact/referral if you have one
The Second Paragraph
• States WHAT qualifications you bring to the position
• Highlights two or three experiences or academic achievements that directly relate to the qualifications the
employer is seeking
• Illustrates brevity
• Proves, through examples of experiences and activities,
that you have key skills for the position—i.e., communication, problem-solving ability, and analytical skills
• May close with a summary sentence of your qualifications
and a confident statement that you can make a contribution to the organization
The Third Paragraph
• States WHAT you WANT—an interview or an opportunity
to further discuss your qualifications and any employment
opportunities the employer may have
• May reference your enclosed resume
• Thanks the person and indicates that you look forward to
speaking to or meeting with him/her, but indicates flexibility as to time and place
• Can state that you will call the contact person at a certain
time/day to discuss scheduling a meeting or an interview
Follow Up
Calling the employer is acceptable, as long as it is gracious
and courteous. Inquiring to make sure your application
materials were received and to ask if any other materials
would assist in arriving at a positive decision regarding your
application is also acceptable.
SAMPLE COVER LETTER
Your Address 1
Your Address 2
September 20, (year)
Two
spaces
here
Their Name
Company Name
Company Address 1
Company Address 2
12 point font
minimum!
Dear Mr./Ms. (Last Name),
Address your
letter to a specific person. Or Dear Sir or
Madam,
The first paragraph introduces you—that you are at Notre Dame getting your (degree),
graduating in May (year), and the specific job you are applying for. If you were
referred for the job, start out with the name of the referral. Immediately state why you
are interested in the company and position. It should make the person want to continue
reading the letter.
In the closing paragraph, demonstrate your research and knowledge of the company
and express your enthusiasm and interest. When applicable, state that you have
applied on Go IRISH/CareerLink or directly on their website (or both), and indicate
interest in obtaining an on-campus interview. It is acceptable to leave closing openended, but generally better to retain control by asking for a specific appointment.
Sincerely,
Knute Rockne
(Program) Candidate, Class of (year)
[email protected]
+1-574-631-5000
Enclosure
Include if
sending a hard copy of the letter and
resume
19
In the second paragraph you highlight relevant skills gained through your previous
work (full time or internships) and academic experience that you will be able to
bring the role. Draw attention to relevant skills, as defined by the job description,
and demonstrate when and how you have used them. This will typically be biggest
paragraph of the letter. Do not restate your resume!
One
inch margins
minimum
SAMPLE COVER LETTER
Your Address 1
Your Address 2
20
One
inch margins
minimum
September 20, (year)
Two
spaces
here
Their Name
Company Name
Company Address 1
Company Address 2
12 point font
minimum!
Address your
letter to a specific person. Or Dear Sir or
Madam,
The first paragraph introduces you—that you are at Notre Dame getting your
(degree), graduating in May (year) and the specific job you are applying
for. If you were referred for the job, start out with the name of the referral.
Immediately state why you are interested in the company and position. It
should make the person want to continue reading the letter. The qualities I
have to offer (company) include:
o Highlight relevant skills gained through your previous work (full time or
internships) and academic experience that you will be able to bring the
role.
o Use this format to draw attention to those specific skills and show when
and how you have used them.
o This will typically be biggest section of the letter. Do not restate your
resume!
In the closing paragraph, demonstrate your research and knowledge of the
company and express your enthusiasm and interest. When applicable, state
that you have applied on Go IRISH/CareerLink or directly on their website
(or both), and indicate interest in obtaining an on-campus interview. It is
acceptable to leave closing open-ended, but generally better to retain control
by asking for a specific appointment.
Sincerely,
Knute Rockne
(Program) Candidate, Class of (year)
[email protected]
+1-574-631-5000
Enclosure
Include if
sending a hard copy of the letter and
resume
YOUR ONLINE IMAGE
When developing your online image, consider:
• Is your online identity in line with your career goals?
• Does your online identity represent you as you want to
appear?
• How does your online identity appear to employers?
Q UI C K T I P S
• Having a complete LinkedIn profile pushes you up higher in
search results
• Having recommendations on LinkedIn pushes you up
higher in search results
• Have a consistent image (i.e. photo) across your profiles,
and make sure you are smiling in it
• Grab your Twitter name to make sure no one is tweeting in
your name
• Your Facebook profile should be private—i.e. only visible to
your friends
• Your social media profiles should all be tied together and
considered as separate entities
Once you have identified the image you want, reinforce that
image with written and verbal media including outbound
voicemail messages, your resume, elevator pitch, etc.
TOP SIT ES TO INC L UDE WH E N B UI L D I N G YO UR O N L I N E I M A G E
Public perceptions of you are based upon results returned
from a Google search of your name. Those first ten results are
considered your “digital resume.” For most of us—we have
more accidental “in the moment” content rather than strategic
or deliberate image-building content. Your digital identity is
important for your career and your job search, and will only
increase as more and more recruiting and networking moves
into the online space.
21
Facebook
Twitter
Tumblr—important for
tech and entrepreneurs
Google+
YouTube
LinkedIn—this should
be your #1 priority
CAREER CATALYST
continued
KNOWLEDGE AND SKILLS PHASE
22
NETWORKING
Approximately 70% of all jobs are found through networking!
Most career counseling professionals estimate that at least
50% of the jobs that are filled are never advertised; so how do
people find out about these opportunities? Current employees
will often tell their networking associates when a position
is opening and/or help those associates get interviews. With
this in mind, you can see how valuable this step is in your job
search.
Networking, in reality, is relationship building. The basics
include:
• Build a contact management database containing names of
who you know
• Email contacts to prepare them for your request for a
meeting/conversation
• Phone within 72 hours of making the request
• Conduct meeting/informational interview
• Send thank-you note
• Follow up two weeks later to update the contact on your
progress
C AREERLI NK
CareerLink contains job postings and contacts for EMBA/MBA
students. Also consider searching the Graduate Business
Career Mentor Program database housed within
CareerLink for contact information.
N E T W O R KI N G W I T H N O T R E D A M E
A L UM N I
Notre Dame alumni are some of the most loyal alumni in the
world. Connecting with alumni provides students with an
excellent network of contacts. Finding alumni who work in a
particular industry, at a particular company, or in a particular
geographic region can all be helpful.
myNotreDame
Mendoza graduate students can have full directory access to
myNotreDame, the Notre Dame alumni database, by creating
their own accounts at http://mynotredame.nd.edu.
Contact your career coach or the Alumni Association if you
need assistance registering for or accessing the system.
LinkedIn
http://linkedin.com
LinkedIn is a professional networking site of more than 60
million experienced professionals. As a student, you can create
a profile and join the “Notre Dame Alumni Network Group”
to instantly be connected with more than 35,000 Notre Dame
alumni.
C AREERSHI FT
CareerShift allows you to search for contacts
from millions of companies. You can search for
contacts by industry, location, or keyword.
G O I RI SH & C AR EER LINK
Go IRISH and CareerLink are excellent resources
for locating contacts. Select the “Employers” tab
and enter the name of the organization you are
targeting into the keyword search. If the organization is in the Go IRISH or CareerLink system, it
will come up in the search. Select the tab listing
the organization’s name. If there is a contact on
file, it will be revealed in the lower right-hand
corner. This search mechanism allows students to
locate contacts even if there are no current jobs or
internships posted to the system.
Alumni Clubs
The Clubs connect you with people in the specific geographic
region you are seeking. Club websites allow students to seek
out upcoming events that provide the opportunity to network
with alumni—some sites allow you to upload your resume
and others have job and internship postings. You can also try
to connect with the young alumni representative of the Club.
To find a list of alumni clubs, visit http://mynotredame.
nd.edu and select the “Clubs, Classes and Groups” tab.
WRITING A NETWORKING EMAIL
Networking email content should be written with the same degree of formality and
professionalism as a cover letter. Keep in mind:
• Date and address block are excluded from a networking email
• Salutation remains formal (i.e., “Dear Mr./Ms. [Last Name],”)
• Brevity is important; your content should be 2 short paragraphs (approximately half
the length of a cover letter)
• Tone remains professional, free of slang, abbreviations, and other shortcuts
• Clearly state the purpose of your communication—help him/her to help you!
23
General Networking Email
• Introduce yourself and where you got their name
• Explain why you are writing, i.e. obtain information and
advice on career choices, jobs or industries
• Explain why the contact’s background and perspectives are
important to you
• Give details about your interests
• Explain that you are interested in finding out how your
background, strengths, and interests could be utilized in
their industry
• Close the conversation by requesting a brief 15-20 minute
meeting and give some proposed dates and time ranges
• Stress how important the informational interview is to you
and express your thanks for their consideration
Applied for a Job At the Contact’s
Company Networking Email
• Introduce yourself and where you got their name
• Explain why you are writing, i.e. you applied for job X at
their firm and are preparing for the potential interview
(Include the job number if you know it—so they can look
it up if they want)
• Explain why the contact’s background and perspectives are
important to you
• Explain that you are interested in finding out their suggestions and advice to prepare for an interview for this role
(You have enclosed your resume so they can get an overview of your background)
• Close by requesting a brief 15-20 minute meeting and give
some proposed dates and time ranges
• Stress how important the informational interview is to you
and express your thanks for their consideration
SA M P LE N ETWOR KING EMAILS
HOW TO PREPARE FOR A CAREER FAIR
Regardless of whether the career fair is free on-campus or
involves dedication of time and funds off-campus (registration
fees, travel, lodging, and food), your results depend heavily on
planning and preparation.
I am interested in speaking with you further. How can I
obtain a slot on your interview schedule?”)
• Obtain the representative’s business card
COMPO SE A R ESUME THAT MAR KE T S
Y O U R BA CKGR OUND AND SKILLS
• Within two days of the fair, send email thank-you
messages to recruiters with companies of interest
• If you obtain an interview:
- Prepare by researching the company, industry,
competitors, and the position description
- Review this Guide and practice sample interview
questions
Career Services Staff, mentors, and peers are available to
provide resume reviews.
PREPARE, P R EPAR E, PR EPAR E
• Attend a Career Fair Preparation workshop
• Determine your objectives for attending
• Review the companies attending the fair and position
descriptions on the conference website
• Visit company website to review mission statements,
annual reports, and products or services
• Apply for jobs/internships if the companies will be doing
interviews at the conference
• Develop and refine networking skills
• Develop your “Elevator Pitch”
A T THE FAIR
24
• Dress in business attire and bring a padfolio, copies of your
resume, and a thumb drive with your electronic resume
• Be proactive by approaching employers
• Speak with both young alums and experienced
representatives
• Demonstrate confidence and enthusiasm in delivering
your “Elevator Pitch”
• If the company is conducting interviews the next day, ask a
representative how to sign up for an interview (i.e., “After
reviewing your company information and the position,
F O L L O W I N G T HE F A I R
O N -C A M P US F A I R S
To View Companies Attending
1. Login to Go IRISH or CareerLink
2. Click on “Events” tab
3. Click on the name of the fair to view participating
employers and general posting information
To View Job Postings
1. Login to Go IRISH or CareerLink
2. Click on Jobs/Internships for the source
3. Perform a keyword search for the fair using the tips on the
Jobs/Internships Search page
O F F -C A M P US F A I R S
1. Register for the fair on the host organization career fair
website
2. Post resume, apply to companies of interest
3. Check the website regularly for new companies/positions
attending the fair
C AR EER FAI R S 2 0 1 4
6/20 National Association of Black Accountants
8/5ALPFA
8/23 Ascend National Convention (Asian)
9/9 Notre Dame Internship Fair
9/10 Notre Dame Full-Time Fair
9/18-19 National Black MBA
9/26-27 National Hispanic MBA (NSHMBA)
10/3 Reaching Out (LGBT)
10/3 MBA Veterans
10/4-5 Jobs in Japan (careerforum.net) (CA)
10/11 Asian MBA
10/11 MBA Women International
10/24 CareerQuest 2014
11/7 Net Impact
11/7-9 Jobs in Japan (careerforum.net) (MA)
11/7-9 Asian Bilingual Career Forum
11/8 Ascend NAAMBA (Asian)
11/14 MBA Invitational
C AR EER FAI R S 2 0 1 5
2015
European Career Fair (date TBD)
TYPES OF INTERVIEWS
BEH AVIO RA L INTER VIEWS
Based on the premise that the best way to predict future
behavior is to determine past behavior, this style of interviewing is typical for graduate business recruiters. By
focusing on the applicant’s actions and behaviors, rather than
subjective impressions that can sometimes be misleading,
interviewers can make more accurate hiring decisions. In
these types of interviews, it is important to note what skills
and experiences the employer may be seeking—it may be
more than one, and then always make sure you describe a
specific, recent situation including key context, details, your
behavior or the actions you took to resolve the situation,
and share the outcome or the results of your actions. The
“Psychology Behind Common Interview Questions” section
offers more information on how to effectively respond to
behavioral interview questions.
PH O NE INTERVIEWS
V I D EO CO NFERENC E AND WEB
I N T E R VIEWS
If an employer wants to schedule a video conference or web
interview, Graduate Business Career Services has equipment
available. To schedule the use of our video conference room or
to request to check-out a web cam for your interview, visit the
Graduate Business Program reception desk.
Some companies, especially those involved in consulting
and finance, are concerned not only with your experience in
a particular area, but also with your ability to address unfamiliar, complex problems and reach logical conclusions based
on available facts. In essence, they want to test your ability
to solve problems that may arise in a real-life situation while
working for them. The emphasis here is on your thought
process; there is not necessarily a right or wrong answer. You
will usually be evaluated in several of the following areas:
• Logical reasoning
• Creativity
• Quantitative skills
• Business judgment (not business knowledge)
• Pragmatism
• Ability to structure problem-solving
• Intellectual curiosity and enthusiasm
• Ability to think quickly and perform under pressure
• Ability to clearly communicate your answer
Typically, you will be presented with a set of facts, ranging
from simple hypothetical situations to complex charts, graphs,
data correlations, etc. It is up to you to assume the role of the
professional.
The following resources can help prepare you for case
interviews:
- Case in Point: Complete Case Interview Preparation by Marc P.
Cosentino
- Bain & Company Practice Cases: www.joinbain.com/
apply-to-bain/interview-preparation/default.asp
- Capital One Practice Case: www.capitalone.com/
careers/hiring/business_case.php
- Deloitte: http://careers.deloitte.com/unitedstates/students/students_internships.
aspx?CountryContentID=13912
- McKinsey Practice Cases: www.mckinsey.com/careers/
how_do_i_apply/how_to_do_well_in_the_ interview/case_interview/practice_cases.aspx
- BCG: www.bcg.com/join_bcg/interview_prep/tips/
default.aspx
INTERVIEW PREPARATION
Preparation is the most important part of your job or internship interview. You can maximize your interview success with
advance planning, self-assessment, and interview practice.
Review and complete the following nine planning activities
before your job or internship interview.
1.Knowledge of yourself: know yourself in terms of skills,
interests, values, and future aspirations
2.Career plan: well-defined goals, confidence in pursuing a
chosen field of interest, and realistic plans for advancement
3.Communication skills: ability to deliver ideas, clear and
concise answers, and verbal animation
4.Qualifications: be aware of and able to communicate
specific academic training, leadership experience, critical
thinking skills, and extracurricular involvement
5.Maturity: demonstrated by poise, optimism, appearance,
and tone of voice
6.Professionalism: communicate a strong work ethic, high
moral values, and integrity
7.Execute a game plan: prepare to “sell yourself” in terms
of relating your interests, skills, and goals
8.Conduct a mock interview with a recruiter, career
coach, former employer, or even a friend—this is the key
to success! Do not memorize answers, but know how
to communicate the contents of your resume and your top
reasons for pursuing the opportunity
9.Write down 25 words that describe you prior to the
interview—be familiar with these self-descriptors and
feel comfortable delivering them in the interview: “I am a
results-oriented, technology geek who enjoys building both
relationships and technical knowledge.” Be able to provide
specific examples
25
There are different types of phone interviews. A recruiter may call
unexpectedly to conduct a pre-screen. The purpose of the prescreening is to ask a few key questions before going further in the
interview process. A scheduled phone interview is an in-depth
pre-screen before the site interview. In some cases, for example
internships, the scheduled phone interview is the actual interview.
If the phone interview is the actual interview, applicants are hired
solely on the basis of the phone interview. Scheduled interviews
can last anywhere from 15 minutes to one hour.
C A S E I N T E R VI E W S
Keep in mind that any contact you have with the employer is
part of the decision-making process and all interactions will
affect how you are perceived, even at informal events. Make
sure your cell phone is off anytime you are meeting with an
employer—whether attending a pre-night, a dinner, or an
official interview.
26
THE PSYCHOLOGY BEHIND COMMON
INTERVIEW QUESTIONS
It is important to know that some employers ask questions that seem very simple; however, the
hidden meaning behind the questions may not be simple at all. Adapted from the book, Money Jobs.
When Inter viewers Ask You:
What They Really Want to Know Is:
Describe yourself. How does your background qualify you for this job?
Can you take an incredible amount of information, organize it quickly in your
head, and present it in a concise and articulate fashion?
What are your greatest strengths and
weaknesses?
Are my perceptions of your strengths and weaknesses the same as yours? How
mature are you in dealing with your weaknesses? Can you identify methods for
self-improvement?
Where do you want to be in five years?
What motivates you and what do you want out of life? Is this job merely a stepping stone to something better?
Why this job? Why this organization?
Have you done your homework? Are you analytical?
How would your peers describe you?
How do you see yourself? Are you a leader or a follower? (A quiet confidence is
needed here—not arrogance or egotism).
What makes you think you will succeed in
this organization?
Have you accurately identified the skills and expertise needed to succeed? Can
you prove you have them?
Why should we hire you? What do you
bring to this job?
How are your promotion and persuasion skills? Are you believable? If you can’t
sell yourself, how will you be able to sell our products/company/ideas?
CO M MO N BEHAVIOR AL QUESTION S
General
• Walk me through your resume.
• Why did you choose to get your (degree), and why Notre
Dame?
• Why would you want to work in (concentration/function)?
• Why are you interested in this industry?
• Why do you want to work for our company?
• How would your past experiences help you succeed at our firm?
Interpersonal Relationships /
Communicat ion
• Tell me about a time when you had to convince someone
to see things your way (or to sell an idea).
• Tell me about a time when you had a team member who was
difficult to work with. How did you approach the situation?
Leadership / Teamwork
• Tell me about a time when you helped navigate a team
through uncertain circumstances.
• Tell me about a time when you led a group toward a
specific goal.
• Tell me about a time when you worked with an interdisciplinary (or international) team.
Innovation
• Tell me about a time when you helped lead change in an
organization.
• Tell me about a time when you created a new process or
method of doing things. What steps did you take to implement this, and what were the results?
Problem Solving
• Tell me about a time when you solved a complex problem.
• Tell me about a time when you were looked to as the expert.
• Tell me about a time when you had to complete a difficult
project with time constraints.
• Tell me about a time when you had to work with a large
amount of data.
• Tell me about a time when you were given a project with
very little information.
Self-Improvement
• Tell me about a time when you made a mistake. What
were the corrective actions you took to resolve the
situation?
• Tell me about the biggest challenge you have faced. How
did you overcome it?
In addition to the common questions above you can access a
database of past questions asked of Graduate Business students
students during their interviews. The database is separated
according to year and is sorted alphabetically by the company
name. Each year contains fields for company, interviewer(s),
position title, position type, interview type, interview length,
questions asked, and comments. The database is currently
located on insideND (Graduate Business Career Services tab).
Sometime in summer 2014 it will be replaced by MAGIC, our
new interview and offer research and reporting system for all
Graduate Business programs. MAGIC allows you to research
what interview questions companies have asked in the past—
and also allows you to report any and all questions you were
asked during your interviews, thereby allowing you to become
an integral contributor to the question bank.
CAR FORMAT: ANSWERING
BEHAVIORAL QUESTIONS
Your top personal brand characteristics:
1.___________________________________________________
2.___________________________________________________
3.___________________________________________________
For questions like “walk me through your resume,” be sure to
mention at least one thing you learned from each previous position, explain how each job connected with subsequent career
moves, and construct a continuous theme that ties the various
stages of your personal/career development together. Finally,
state what you aspire to accomplish in the future, and how the
company you are interviewing with can help you achieve that
personal mission.
If you have limited or no prior work experience, substitute
other experiences for work experience. These can include class
and volunteer experiences.
The theme to reflect in background responses is:
Where I want to go from here.
For all other behavioral responses, apply the CAR format.
C O N T E XT :
A CTION:
R E S UL T :
the background situation
what did you do to resolve or better the
situation?
what were the impacts of your actions?
Tips for Using this Format
• Keep context short and not too technical.
• When speaking about actions, use “I,” not “we.” You want
to make it clear that you were the one making decisions and
executing them, not your team.
• Always report the results. This component makes stories
impactful, and recruiters prefer quantifiable results (i.e.,
saved $X, increased productivity X%, made X number of
sales, recruited X number of people, etc.).
• Each CAR story should be approximately two (2) minutes
long, with the bulk of the content on your actions and
results.
Develop a CAR story “cheat sheet” for each question to keep
your responses focused and familiar before each interview.
INTERVIEW CHECKLIST
The following checklists include information pertinent to the
type of organization you are interviewing with—for profit,
nonprofit, and governmental agency. These lists are meant
to provide guidelines to help in your preparation. For on-line
resources to conduct your research, see “Research Resources.”
F O R PRO FIT
Organization Knowledge
• Company history
• Company mission
• Company leaders (CEO, etc.)
• Organizational structure
• Principle products/line of business
• Primary locations
• Stock price
• Stock trends
Industry Knowledge
• Industry background/general information
• Competitors
• Relative size in industry
• Industry trends and facts
Current Events
• New products/lines of business
• Recent news articles about organization
NONPROFIT ORGANIZATION
• Organization website
• Organization mission Populations served
• Executive Director
• Local, regional, national and world aspects of the
organization
• Size of local, national organization
• Volunteer structure and size
• How the organization refers to its constituents—clients,
guests, patrons, members
• Who comprises the Board of Directors
• CEO or President of the national and/or international levels
of the organization
• Partnerships with community, other agencies and organizations, corporations
• Important information from Annual Report
• Recent news
• Primary sources of funding
27
Recruiters and hiring managers often interview 50+ candidates
from various schools during recruiting season. They know what
they are looking for in a student’s answers and can appreciate
well-formatted responses.
Though this may sound counterintuitive, you can actually
stand out from the crowd by delivering polished CAR responses
for each question. Recruiters want answers that are concise, to
the point, and impactful. Using the CAR format will allow you
to stay on topic, give just the right amount of information, and
remember the main points.
In answering questions, keep in mind the top three skills and/
or experiences you would like to emphasize about yourself,
and link interview responses back to these personal brand
characteristics (i.e., leadership, interpersonal communication,
analytical, and project management skills).
28
INTERVIEW CHECKLIST continued
G OVERNMENT AGENC Y
• Size and jurisdiction of office with whom you are interviewing and its parent agency
• Recruiting terminology
• Political appointments, elected, and hired positions within
the agency
• Partnerships with nonprofit agencies
• Contracts and business relationships with corporations
• Relationship of government agency with which you are
interviewing to other government departments or agencies;
differences between focus of public services and connection
between them
• Public service mission
• Sector of the population to which agency’s services are
directed
• Top position titles and names in agency
• Level of government at which the agency functions (city,
state, federal)
• Branch of government
• Counterpart of the agency at the different levels of
government
• Recent news articles
QUESTIONS TO ASK THE INTERVIEWER
The person who interviews you will typically ask if you have
any questions about the position or the company. Don’t pass
up this opportunity to gather information—it indicates that
you are interested in the job and may help in your decisionmaking process. The best questions are those that build on the
content of your interview and/or are company-specific, but
the following are additional suggestions.
1. How will my work objectives be determined?
2.Describe the rotational training program associated
with this position/internship. How is employee performance evaluated during the training period?
3.What career paths have others generally followed
after completing the program?
4. As an Intern, what kind of projects will I receive?
5.What characteristics best describe individuals who are
successful in this position?
6.Where could a person advance who is successful in
this position? Within what time frame?
7.In what ways has this organization been most
successful in terms of products/services over the past
several years?
8. How is job performance evaluated?
9.What has been the professional growth track for other
students who have been recruited by your company
over the past 3-5 years?
10.How would you describe the culture of your
organization?
11.If I work hard and prove my value to the company,
where might I find myself in five years?
12.What is a typical work week for a (position) in your
company?
13.How much decision-making authority is given to new
employees?
14.Does your organization encourage its employees to
pursue additional education?
15.What other positions/departments will I interact with
the most?
16.What are the key business reasons driving the need for
this position?
17.Describe the three top challenges that I’ll face in this
job.
18.What has to happen for you to know you’ve hired the
best person?
19.What are the key deliverables and outcomes that this
position must achieve?
20.Describe the top three initiatives for your company/
department and how this position is linked to these
initiatives.
21.What are the key metrics for measuring success in this
position?
22.How will (current event) impact this industry/
company?
OFFICE VISIT
PREPARATION
As with the first-round interview, preparation is key to
success. Students need to collect more in-depth information about the organization and be prepared to answer more
specific questions about their abilities as it relates to the
position.
T R A VEL ARRA NGEMENT S
When an invitation is extended for an office visit, the
company will typically cover travel expenses and may assist
with travel arrangements—however, do not assume that this
is the case. If you are uncertain about your travel arrangements, be sure to clarify with the employer prior to leaving
for your interview. Make sure you have the employer contact
information with you, in case of delays or other issues.
T H E EV ENIN G P R IOR T O T HE
I N T E R VIEW
D A Y OF TH E IN TER VIEW
Get a good night’s sleep—you need to be alert and energetic.
Eat breakfast. Arrive early and obtain business cards from
everyone with whom you speak.
A D D ITIO NA L QUEST IONS
8:30 – 9:15 a.m.Candidate arrives at Office/Human
Resource (HR) Department
9:15 – 10:00 a.m.Human Resources interview (and/or
testing)
10:00 – 11:00 a.m.Facilities tour (typically conducted by
HR representative)
11:00 – 11:45 a.m. Interview I
11:45 – 12:30 p.m. Interview II
12:30 – 1:45 p.m.Lunch with HR and/or selected others
1:45 – 2:30 p.m. Interview III
2:30 – 3:15 p.m. Department Head Interview
3:15 – 3:45 p.m.Human Resource Department/
Wrap-Up/Travel Expenses
It is advisable to call the recruiting contact at the company to
inquire about the specific schedule for your office visit so you
know what to expect and can prepare accordingly.
P O S T I N T E R VI E W F O L L O W -UP
Follow-up is critical during the interview process. A thank
you, restating your interest in the position and company,
should be sent within 24 hours of each interview, and should
be sent to each person with whom you spoke.
The method for sending a thank you depends upon the interview dynamics:
• Super Day follow-up must be delivered immediately after
the interview using email since decisions will be made the
same day
• On-campus interview format provides the opportunity
for personal, same-day delivery of a hand-written thank
you note; email and postal mail delivery format is also
appropriate
• Site interview follow-up can also be timely using postal
mail if a hand-written note is left in local mail prior to
leaving the area. Email format is also appropriate.
A D D I T I O N A L F O L L O W -UP
The following are additional suggestions of questions to ask
your interviewers at the office visit.
Take no further action until at least one week beyond the date
when the company said they would contact you. At that time,
a phone call to see if a decision has been made is appropriate.
Questions to Ask
Sample Thank-You Note
An HR Representative
1. What is the typical career path for this position?
2. How are employees encouraged to effectively express
their ideas?
3. What is the typical travel schedule?
4. How often are performance reviews conducted?
A Prospective Supervisor
1. What would be my primary responsibilities?
2. What are some of the department’s special projects?
3. How much contact would I have with senior managers?
4. How much interaction would I have with superiors,
colleagues, and clients?
A Prospective Co-Worker
1. Would you describe a typical workday?
2. How would you describe the work culture?
3. What do you like best/least about working for this
company?
4. How do you express your ideas and concerns?
• Include date in upper right corner
Simple paragraph thanking them for
taking the time to meet with you, discuss
the position and that you enjoyed the
interview. A nice touch is to include
something specific about the interview
so they know you’re not simply using a
generic letter. Reiterate your interest in
the position and continued availability to
discuss it.
Sincerely,
Full Name
29
If you are meeting with a representative from the company
the night prior to your interview, remember that this is part of
the interview process. Dress appropriately and conduct yourself professionally at all times. Be sure that you know the time
and location of the meeting and arrive a few minutes early.
Everything that you say and do will factor in to the employer’s
final decision.
T YP I C A L S C HE D UL E F O R A N
O F F I C E I N T E R VI E W
The office visit is usually the final stage of the interview
process. A job offer for a full-time position is rarely made
without a second interview, which is typically held onsite, but
can also be on campus. The purpose of this interview is for the
employer and the student to become better acquainted with
one another. Make sure that your cell phone is turned off the
entire time you are with the employer—including events the
evening prior to the interview.
INTERVIEW ATTIRE
Your primary goal in dressing for an interview is to feel
good about the way you look while projecting an image that
matches the requirements of the position and company. It’s
a cliché, but it is true, especially in the recruiting world—you
only have one chance to make a good first impression
G UIDELINES FOR WOMEN
Suits, Dresses: Conservative business suit, pantsuit, or dress
of natural or woven-blend fabric; skirt length should be to the
bottom of the knee. Choose a color that complements your
skin tone and hair color; black, navy, or gray. Make sure your
clothes are not too tight or too loose.
Blouses or tops: Simple style. Avoid low-cut necklines or
very frilly styles.
Shoes: Polished, closed-toe pumps or medium heels in a color
that matches your outfit.
Stockings: Beige, tan, or natural. Avoid patterns or lacy
stockings.
G UIDELINES FOR MEN
30
Suits: Preferred dark blue, gray, or muted pin-stripes. A
quality woven blend of natural fibers looks professional. Avoid
bold pin-stripes, contrasting slacks and sport coat, or light
colors.
B US I N E S S C A S UA L A T T I R E
Business casual does not mean casual. It does not mean that you
can dress however you want—you are still expected to look
professional.
For men, a business casual wardrobe should consist of several
long-sleeved button down cotton oxford shirts; chinos in
acceptable colors (khaki, dark blue, olive green, or stone);
wool slacks; and a sport coat.
For women, shirts or blouses are acceptable, sweaters or knit
tops also work well. Pants should be non-denim fabrics that
complement the top. The addition of a fashionable jacket is
always a nice touch.
C A S UA L A T T I R E
Casual does not mean “around the house on a weekend” casual.
It does not mean that you can dress however you want—you
are still expected to look well-groomed. All clothing should be
wear and tear free, despite fashion trends to the contrary.
Fashion jeans, shorts, and shirts should fit modestly and be
no more revealing than business casual attire. Keep logos to a
minimum, opting for a plain t-shirt rather than appearing like
a walking bulletin board.
Shirts: A nice quality white classic collar is preferred, no
button downs. Oxford blue or a muted stripe is also acceptable. Be sure it is ironed.
Ties are a MUST: Conservative stripes or paisleys that
complement your suit. Silk or good quality blends only. Bow
ties are not appropriate for interviews in nearly all situations.
Shoes: Highly polished slip-ons or laced dress shoes; brown,
cordovan, or black. Your belt should match your shoes.
Guidelines for Both
Women and Men
• Avoid unkempt hair or over-the-top hairstyles
• Avoid excessive perfume or cologne
• Manicure nails (clear polish) and clean hands
• Avoid carrying a backpack or casual purse—instead
carry a reasonable sized (not extra-large) leather
bag or portfolio
• Only stud—dime-size max—earrings for ladies, no
other visible piercings
• No dangling or noisy jewelry
CONSIDERING A PhD?
Timeframe:
PhD program applications are typically due in the
December 1 - January 15 period, for matriculation in the
next academic year. It does vary by university, so be sure to
check the admissions websites’ details carefully.
Did you know? Most PhD students do not take out loans—
they get paid a stipend and receive healthcare benefits.
Specific steps to help you prepare
before applying:
1. Get involved with research while you are here at
Mendoza
A. You will have actual research to talk about on your
PhD program application
B. You will find out if you like doing research
2. Take as much statistics as you can (this is for all PhD
disciplines)
3. Get to know faculty in the department you are interested in—get recommendations from them for classes
you should take to help prepare
4. Rely on faculty for PhD program suggestions and for
referrals
PhD programs are small—many only admit a few candidates
per year. They are typically looking for three things:
1. Intellectual horsepower
2. Do you understand what it means to be a professor
(teaching and research)
3. Do you fit in with the group
You might be thinking about more than just a master degree!
Each year select Mendoza graduate students choose to investigate getting a PhD and some go on to apply to programs and
begin the process. If you are considering getting a PhD, here
are a couple suggestions that you should keep in mind.
31
The following certifications and licensures are commonly
recognized in the marketplace as indicative of a standard level
of knowledge and/or experience in a specialized professional
field. Talk with your career coach about the relative importance of securing additional certification for your individual
circumstances and career goals. Generally speaking, certified
professionals may earn as much as 10-20% more salary than
their non-certified peers.
Certified Public Accountant (CPA)
Licensed at the state level, securing a CPA requires a combination of education, supervised work experience, and
satisfactory completion of a multi-part examination.
Certified Treasury Professional (CTP)
This exam requires a graduate-level degree in finance to sit for
the exam and is certified through the Association for Financial
Professionals. Students planning careers in treasury or executive level finance careers may find this certification a job
requirement.
Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA)
The CFA Institute offers programs leading to this designation,
which is increasingly important in establishing yourself as an
equities analyst. There are three exams and then a required
amount of time working to gain the accreditation. Mendoza
has a CFA preparation program and scholarship assistance for
the first level of the CFA.
Project Management Professional (PMP)
This certification is earned from the Project Management
Institute, is globally recognized, and transfers across some
industries.
BUSINESS CERTIFICATIONS
CAREER CATALYST
continued
JOB SEARCH PHASE
32
JOB AND INTERNSHIP SEARCH STRATEGIES
When beginning your search for job and internship opportunities it is important to have three basic criteria established:
job/internship title or function, industry, and location.
Knowing these will help you begin to search for opportunities
of interest.
T I TLE OR FUNC TION
It is important to know what type of position you are seeking.
Do you want to be an accountant, a sales rep, a volunteer
coordinator, or a teacher? Knowing this is an important step in
your search. Having three to five job titles or functions in mind
is a good place to start.
I NDUSTRY
Knowing what industry(ies) you are interested in is also
helpful in your search. Once you have a targeted industry(ies),
it is important to conduct targeted research—learn about the
recruiting process, what types of opportunities are available to
you given your background, and what organizations within
the industry are of particular interest to you.
LOCATION
Where do you want to live after graduation or spend your
summer? Are you limited to a geographic region for some
reason—either financial or emotional? If so, it is important to
target organizations in those locations of preference. Look at
the “Contact Us” or “About Us” pages on company websites to
identify different locations beyond headquarters and to find
opportunities at your location of choice.
The career staff has numerous resources that can help you find
opportunities once you’ve determined your title/function of
choice, industry of interest, and geographic preference. Career
coaches are available throughout the job and internship
search process to provide help, guidance, and direction.
INTERNATIONAL JOB SEARCH STRATEGIES
Seeking a job in a country other than your home country
requires awareness and understanding of local employment
systems, practices, and culture. Similarly, you may need to
use strategies and tactics different than students applying for
positions within their home country.
International job search strategies often include:
• Applying to job functions/industries related to a degree
earned previously, demonstrating an on-going commitment to that field
• Pursuing multiple concentrations / career paths at the
same time (i.e., finance and consulting)
• Considering employment options in the host country,
home country, and a third country
Finding the right strategy for your situation involves clear and
regular communication with your career coach(es). Share
your goals, questions, and concerns openly with your career
coaches to facilitating identification of an effective search
strategy.
Also utilize the various Notre Dame offices providing support
services—they are an important part of your academic/
employment team, including:
• International Student and Scholar Affairs (ISSA), Main
Building—provides guidance and workshops to maintain
proper visa status
• English for Academic Purposes (EAP), DeBartolo Hall—
assists with accent reduction and other language services
• Graduate Business Student Services—coordinates intern
course credit and academic documentation needed by ISSA
Discussion of United States immigration law is beyond the
scope of this document. For current information, see the
following online resources:
• U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services www.uscis.
gov/working-united-states/working-us
• GoinGlobal—contains H-1B employer listing from visa
petitions, including position title and salary; access the
system through the insideND Career Services tab
OFFER NEGOTIATION
How do I accept or decline the offer?
After receiving an offer, you may ask yourself: Should I take it?
How do I decide between multiple offers?
Sending a letter declining an offer is important to assure good
relations with the organization. Decline an offer as soon as
you are no longer interested or immediately after accepting an
offer from another organization. Declining an offer tactfully
in a timely manner will not offend the organization. Offers
should be declined on the phone with a live person, not via
voicemail. You then confirm the conversation with an email.
Voicemail is never appropriate.
Many students want to know how their offer’s compensation
stacks up to other offers. You can query MAGIC to conduct
some comparisons. Keep in mind, however, that there will be
differences among criteria such as functions, industries and
locations. For example, a $90,000 starting salary in Cincinnati
likely will go a lot further than a $100,000 starting salary in
New York City. Discuss your situation with a career coach; he/
she provide insights for both offer evaluation and negotiation
strategy as well as possible competitive aggregate salary data
not found in MAGIC.
When faced with a decision to accept an offer that you feel you
can’t make in the time allotted, you can consider requesting
more time from the employer. Asking for more time usually
will not cause the employer to withdraw their offer, however,
it is important to let the employer know how interested you
are, and to be prepared to explain why you need additional
time to make a decision.
A CCEPTING A N OF F ER
When accepting a job offer, you should do so on the phone
with a live person, not via voicemail or email. You then
confirm the conversation in writing—restating your interest
and the key components of your job offer. However, any
acceptance—even verbal—must only be given with full intention of honoring that acceptance.
The Graduate Business Career Services Ethical Job Search
Agreement requires that you also notify all other organizations to which you have applied that you have accepted an
offer and wish to withdraw your name from further consideration. You may also consider notifying all those who have
helped you in your job search, including those who served as
references, provided you leads, and gave advice.
E XP L O D I N G O F F E R S
Exploding offers are those with short deadlines. The Graduate
Business Career Services Recruiting Policies outline the timing
required for employers to provide students to make decisions. If you are faced with an exploding offer, please contact
Graduate Business Career Services.
R E Q UE S T I N G M O R E T I M E
OFFER AND ACCEPTANCE REPORTING
Once you receive an offer and when you accept a job, you
must report all offers and your eventual acceptance in the
MAGIC platform. Your personal information is safe; only a
limited number of career staff personnel can view it. Only
aggregate information (never individual) will be seen by
others—and then only with MAGIC access. Your reports are
key as they:
• Provide salary and bonus information that we can use to
help you and your classmates during negotiations
• Help track students’ job search status
• Allow accurate reporting progress of the class throughout
the year
• Deliver more accurate data for submission to rankings
publications
• Allow for new company target development
33
DECLINING AN OFFER
Think very carefully about the offer and don’t accept until you
are ready, as an acceptance must be made in good faith with
an intention to honor the acceptance. Some questions to ask
yourself include:
• Are the organization’s values and lifestyles in sync with
mine?
• Is the work challenging? Do they provide me with quality
professional development opportunities? Will it take
me on my desired professional path in a reasonable time
frame?
• Even if it isn’t the exact position I was hoping for, will I
gain skills that will positively influence my career?
• Does the compensation package (salary, benefits, vacation,
health and retirement plans) meet my needs?
• Is it in a geographic location that interests me?
• How do I feel about the required level of travel?
SH O ULD I A CCE PT ANY OF F ER ?
CAREER CATALYST
continued
AT WORK PHASE
34
MENDOZA OFFICE OF GRADUATE
ALUMNI RELATIONS
Notre Dame has one of the strongest alumni networks of any
University. As an alumnus, you will continue to be supported
by the Mendoza College of Business in your career path in a
variety of ways.
N ETWO RKING R EC EPT IONS
O N L I N E R E S O UR C E S
When looking for a new position, the myNotreDame directory
search tool can be valuable as it provides access to contact
information for alumni of the University. Alumni also have
access to select Mahaffey Business Library online databases.
Each year, the Office of Graduate Alumni Relations hosts
numerous receptions throughout the country in order to give
our alumni opportunities to network with each other and to
stay connected to the College of Business.
If you would like more information on Graduate Alumni
Relations, please contact Tim Ponisciak, Graduate Alumni
Relations Director, at [email protected].
A LUMN I CAR EER SER VIC ES
G I VI N G B A C K: G R A D UA T E B US IN E S S
CAREER MENTORING
As a graduate business alumnus/na, you will have access to a
variety of services, including job boards, online career planning resources and the opportunity to work with a Career
Services staff member.
It is likely you received insights and advice from a Notre Dame
alum on your career journey. If you have interest in offering
career information and advice to help future students transition to the work world, contact Graduate Business Career
Services; we can help you to register as a professional in the
Graduate Business Career Mentor Program.
NOTRE DAME ETHICAL
JOB SEARCH AGREEMENT
1) _____ I agree to abide by the following:
• Provide accurate information on resumes, application documents and in answers
to interview questions regarding academic background, GPA, GMAT, work history,
activities, and other qualifications.
• Accept an offer of employment (full-time or internship) in good faith with full intention
of honoring my commitment.
• Immediately withdraw from the recruiting process upon accepting an offer of
employment. Reneging on a job offer can lead to penalties up to and including
barring of access to alumni career services for life.
• Conduct myself in a professional manner befitting an ND student.
• Respond to employers and GBCS staff on issues related to employment in a timely
manner.
2) _____ If an employer reports me as a “No Show” for a scheduled interview, I understand that my
CareerLink account will be immediately deactivated, and as a result, will be unable to apply
for any employment opportunities nor sign up for any new/additional interviews.
3) _____ If I am reported as a “No Show” and deactivated in the CareerLink system, I will attend all
interviews that I have scheduled before my deactivation.
5) _____ I agree to adhere to the guidelines set forth in the Ethical Job Search Contract so that I can
positively influence current and future job opportunities for fellow students and the reputation
of ND in the eyes of alumni and employing organizations.
Your signature verifies that you understand the above, and further, that you have read and agree to
abide by the Ethical Job Search Contract outlined in the Graduate Business Career Services Career
Search Guide. Additionally, your signature and adherence to the Ethical Job Search Contract entitles
you to all the resources and services of GBCS.
NAME (Print) ____________________________
DATE ________/________/__________
SIGNATURE ____________________________
EMAIL [email protected]
PHONE ___________________________
35
4) _____ Conduct myself in a professional manner befitting an ND student, including
• Arriving in appropriate dress (no casual attire) for all interactions with Notre Dame
alumni, recruiters, and members of the business community
• following through on commitments such as attending events for which there was
advance registration
• arriving early to all events and scheduled meetings with Notre Dame alumni,
recruiters, GBCS staff, and members of the business community
The Graduate Business Career Services (GBCS) at the University of Notre Dame (ND) requires
students who are engaged in a career or job search to conduct themselves in an ethical manner
reflecting the policies and expectations put forth by ND in its student handbook, DuLac. GBCS takes
this issue seriously and requires all students who use their services to sign a contract that outlines
expectations and consequences.
NOTRE DAME
ETHIC AL JO B S E A R C H A G R E E M E N T
2014 – 2015
Graduate Business Career Services — University of Notre Dame
36
Graduate Business Career Services (GBCS) at the University of Notre Dame requires students who are engaged
in a career or job search to conduct themselves in an ethical manner reflecting the policies and expectations put
forth by the University of Notre Dame (ND) in its student handbook, DuLac. GBCS takes this issue seriously and
requires all students who use its services to sign a contract that outlines expectations and consequences.
Students who renege on an offer of employment will face disciplinary action. The dean will be made aware of any
student who has reneged on an offer of employment. If you feel a company has not provided you enough time to
accept an offer of employment (please see the Notre Dame Employment Offer Policy for employer guidelines),
please contact GBCS immediately.
POL IC IES A N D P R O C E D UR E S F O R
AN E T HI C A L JO B S E A R C H
Notre Dame Students will:
1) A
TTEND ALL MEETINGS, INTER VIEWS, AND OTHER JOB-RELATED
COMMITMENTS AND OBLIGATIONS
Counseling Appointments:
• Students are expected to honor all scheduled counseling appointments by being on time and prepared.
Students more than 10 minutes late for an appointment, and who have not notified GBCS, will be asked to
reschedule.
• If a student cannot make a scheduled counseling appointment, that student is required to notify GBCS 24
hours in advance.
Interviews:
• Students will honor all interview commitments by being on time, prepared, and professional in their actions.
Students not honoring an interviewing commitment will be considered a No-Show (see No-Show policy
details).
• Canceling an on-campus interview must be done before the interview schedule “Sign Up End Date” on the
GoIrish or CareerLink system—typically 48 hours before the interview. If one cancels after an interview
schedule freezes and does not attend that interview, that student will be considered a No-Show.
• Canceling an on-campus interview due to attendance at an on-site/final round interview should be done 48
hours prior to the on-campus interview by contacting the company contact and GBCS. Failure to do so will
result in the student being considered a
No-Show for the on-campus interview.
• Canceling an on-site/final round interview
This contract is in place to protect your rights during
must be done 72 hours prior to the visit
the recruitment process as well as to continue the
by calling and emailing the company
strong reputation Notre Dame students enjoy with
contact person. This allows companies to
employers who recruit through Graduate Business
fill the interview slot with another candidate.
Career Services (GBCS). Please read through all
Canceling after the 72 hour window has
materials carefully and sign and return the last page.
passed and not attending the on-site
GBCS would like to thank you for agreeing to honor
interview will result in the student being
this contract of job search ethics and looks forward
considered a No-Show. If you receive an
to assisting you during your job search.
offer from another company that you plan
on accepting in the 72-hour window, please
contact Career Services immediately.
Commitments and Obligations:
• If a student has arranged a meeting or phone call with an employer, GBCS expects the student to honor
these commitments by being prepared, professional, and on time.
• If an employer has requested information, presence at a function, an answer to an offer, etc., GBCS expects
the student will honor all reasonable requests to the best of his/her ability and in a timely fashion.
2 ) REPRESENT YOURSELF PROFESSIONALLY IN ALL RECRUITING PRACTICES
3 ) ACT ETHICALLY WHEN ACCEPTING OFFERS OF EMPLOYMENT:
When accepting an offer of full-time employment or an internship (either paid or unpaid), the student must
have every intention of honoring that commitment. If the student accepts an offer of employment, admission to
a graduate or professional school, or other post-graduate career opportunity, he/she must withdraw from the
recruiting process immediately. This includes but is not limited to:
• Not applying to future job postings.
• Declining all future interview invitations.
• Canceling any active applications.
• Contacting all recruiters to inform them of the need to be removed from the interviewing and recruitment
process (this includes all scheduled interviews).
Students who renege on an offer of employment will face disciplinary action. The dean will be made aware of
any student who has reneged on an offer of employment. If a company has not provided enough time to accept
an offer of employment (please see the Notre Dame Employment Offer Policy for employer guidelines), please
contact GBCS immediately.
GR ADUATE B USI N E S S C A R E E R S E R VI C E S
NO-S HO W P O L I C Y
If an employer reports a student as a No Show for a scheduled interview, that student’s GoIrish or CareerLink
account will be deactivated immediately—thus preventing that student from applying to any jobs or signing up for
any additional interviews. To be reinstated on the GoIrish or CareerLink system, the student will need to:
• Complete a Missed Interview Explanation Form (this will be emailed to the student).
• Meet with a GBCS staff member to request reinstatement.
• Write a letter of apology/explanation to the employer.
• Bring the Missed Interview Explanation Form and apology letter to the scheduled meeting in an unsealed
envelope pre-addressed to the employer (include postage).
NOT R E DAME EMP L O YM E N T O F F E R P O L I C Y
Graduate Business Career Services at the University of Notre Dame requires students to sign a contract of job
search ethics prior to participating in any on-campus interviews. Students are penalized for missing interviews,
canceling appointments, etc. In addition, students are STRICTLY prohibited from accepting more than ONE
employment offer. GBCS enforces a zero tolerance policy for students who renege on offers of employment or
who conduct themselves unethically during their search. In return, GBCS asks employers to:
• Provide students a minimum of three business days notice for an off-campus interview. This will allow
students to make proper travel arrangements to avoid academic and other conflicts.
• Provide fair and reasonable time periods for students to evaluate employment offers prior to making a
decision that will affect their future careers and personal lives.
37
Students who fail to attend a scheduled interview or fail to cancel an interview within the timeline parameters
stated in the Ethical Job Search Contract will be considered a No-Show for that interview. The following details
the steps GBCS will take, student obligations, and potential consequences. Please note that until a final decision
is made concerning a missed interview, the student is expected to meet interview obligations already scheduled.
The following are practices which should be followed as students begin the job search process:
• Provide accurate information on a resume and in answers to interview questions regarding academic
background, GPA, GMAT, work history, activities, and other qualifications.
• Apply for interviews only when genuinely interested in the company and the position.
• Meet all online application deadlines for submitting resumes and obtaining interview times.
• Conduct extensive research about yourself, the industry, the company, and the position prior to your
interviews.
• Attend all information sessions sponsored by employers as your schedule permits.
• Dress and conduct yourself in a professional manner befitting a Notre Dame student.
FAL L JO B O F F E R P O L I C Y
For students who have completed an internship with your firm/company:
• Graduating students who have completed an internship with your firm should be given until at least
December 1st before requiring a decision.
38
For students who have not completed an internship with your firm/company:
In order to allow all employers time to complete the fall recruiting season, and to provide time for students
to participate in the fall recruiting process, securing employment offer decisions from students who have not
completed an internship with your firm/company should be as follows:
• Students receiving employment offers before November 1st will have a decision deadline no earlier than
November 15th.
• Students receiving employment offers from November 1st to the 15th will have a decision deadline no earlier
than November 30th.
• Students receiving employment offers after November 15th will have a decision deadline no earlier than two
weeks from the day of the offer.
SPR ING EMP L O YM E N T O F F E R P O L I C Y
Students receiving offers of employment should be given a decision deadline no earlier than March 1, or a
minimum of two weeks from the date of the offer, whichever comes later.
If an employer does not abide by the policy outlined above, students should contact GBCS immediately.
NOTES
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630.938.0200 • CRMpubs.com

career search guide

Transcription

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