Sample Resumes, Cover Letters, Interview Questions, and the 4-Year Developmental Plan.

Sample Resumes, Cover Letters,
Interview Questions, and the 4-Year Developmental Plan.
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WHAT IS A COVER LETTER?
A cover letter is an application or letter of interest for a particular job whether solicited from
advertisement or non-solicited. A cover letter should always be included with a resume. A cover
letter introduces a job hunter to an employer and indicates a desire for an interview with that
employer.
THREE COMPONENTS TO A COVER LETTER
1. First Paragraph: States the desired position and how you learned about the job. Job hunters
find employment openings through the newspaper, school, an employee of the company, or the
Internet.
2. Second Paragraph: Includes the body of the letter and explains why you should be hired by
describing how your work experience qualifies you for the job. Refer the employer to the resume
when describing qualifications. But do not repeat the same information that is in the resume.
Indicate why you are interested in the company. (Use a third paragraph to further explain your
qualifications and interests if necessary).
3. Final Paragraph: Indicates a desire for an interview. Include contact information and indicate
the type of response you anticipate from the letter. Always detail how you will follow up on your
application. With the exception of school districts, never end the cover letter with "look forward
to hearing from you soon." An employer (other than school districts) may not call candidates so
it is ineffective to put the ball in the employer's court.
COVER LETTER TIPS
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Always address the cover letter to a specific person, usually the individual responsible for
filling the position. Never address the cover letter to "Sir or Madam" or "To Whom It May
Concern." This is a letter to a real person so it should be addressed to a person's name. Call
the company or research the company at the library or over the Internet to get the name and
title of the person responsible for hiring. If you cannot find a particular person's name use the
person's title such as "Human Resource Manager."
Be concise but natural when writing the cover letter. Write the letter similar to the way you
normally speak.
Omit any personal information. Remember that this is a formal letter.
Do not use clichés such as "I've taken the liberty of enclosing my resume," or "I'm a people
person." A cover letter should be unique to your talents and capabilities. The more unique the
letter the higher your chance of securing an interview. Avoid sending standard cover letters
to employers. You never know if one hiring manager at one company knows another hiring
manager at another company. You would not want both individuals to discover that each
received the same letter!
Always proofread the letter for grammatical and spelling mistakes.
 Remember to sign the letter and keep a copy for yourself for future reference.
Solicited Sample Cover Letter
Your Name
17 Any Road
Any Town, NJ 99999
999-999-9999
April 15, 2011
Robert E. Barnes
Director of Human Resources
ABC
99 Any Plaza
New York, NY 10019
Dear Mr. Barnes: (Always find out the Director's name if possible)
This letter is in response to your advertisement on April 12th in The New York Times for a
Public Relations Assistant. I have enclosed my resume for your review and consideration.
Next month I will graduate from American International College with a degree in
Communications. I was inducted into Phi Beta Kappa this month and expect to graduate with
honors in May.
I am interested in working in the television industry and would be most pleased to be a part of
the ABC team. I possess strong written and verbal communication skills and feel certain that I
would do an excellent job in meeting the demands of this position. I have prepared featured
articles with the AIC Yellow Jacket, prepared press releases with the public relations office, and
organized three major recruiting events with our admissions office and other departments.
I will contact you within a week to ensure receipt of this letter of application. I am willing to
travel to New York for an interview if necessary. Thank you for your time and consideration and
I look forward to hearing from you soon.
Sincerely,
Barton T. Quigley
American International College
1000 State Street
Box 99
Springfield, MA 01109
413-999-9999
Encl.: resume
Unsolicited Sample Cover Letter
Brian Washington
2556 Any Street
Springfield, MA 99999
April 22, 2011
Ms. Leena Johnson
Crestwood Elementary School
99 Any Drive
Holyoke, MA 99999
Dear Ms. Johnson:
I will be graduating from American International College in May with a Master's degree in
Elementary Education. Please consider my application for employment as an elementary school
teacher in Crestwood Elementary School. I have enclosed my resume for your consideration. I
can also supply a complete credentials file upon request.
American International College has exposed me to the latest developments in the teaching
profession. It has also given me the opportunity to participate in different classroom situations. I
will continue to strive to be a successful teacher because I enjoy challenges, work hard, and I am
concerned with doing the best I can at all times. I attain key strengths in student counseling,
cooperative learning, child-centered classrooms, and seek to instill a sense of worth in students.
I would like to meet with you to answer any questions you may have, and so I can explain how I
can be an asset to Crestwood Elementary School. I will contact you within the next week to
ensure receipt of my resume. If you have any questions please do not hesitate to contact me.
Thank you for your time and I look forward to hearing from you soon.
Sincerely,
Brian Washington
Encl.: Resume
Sample Cover Letter - Referral by Employee
Martha Wayans
99 Any Street
New York, NY 99999
999-999-9999
E-mail: [email protected]
May 3, 2011
George Jacobs
Department of Human Resources
AT&T
999 Any Avenue
New York, NY 10019
Dear Mr. Jacobs:
Mitchell Sanderson, who works in the sales department at AT&T, suggested I contact you
regarding a possible opening in your public relations department. I have enclosed my resume for
your consideration.
I will graduate this month from American International College with a degree in
Communications. My recent induction into the Communications Honor Society (Beta Alpha Psi)
was a personal milestone. I am also a member of the Association of International Business
(A.I.B.).
I am interested in working in the communications industry in the field of public relations and I
feel that AT&T would offer much opportunity, especially since the company is renowned in the
telecommunications industry.
I will call you in one week to follow up on this letter. I am very excited about the prospects for
working at AT&T. Please feel free to call Mr. Sanderson for a reference.
Sincerely,
Martha Wayans
Encl.: resume
Sample Cover Letter: Job Fair/Employer Presentation On-Campus
Dan Lui
17 Any Road
Any Town, NJ 99999
999-999-9999
August 21, 2011
Robert Crain
Director of Human Resources
Farallon, Inc.
99 Any Drive
Any Town, NJ 99999
Dear Mr. Crain:
After your visit to American International College last May, we spoke about opportunities for
business majors within your company. At that time, you indicated there would be openings in
this area in September. I would like to schedule an interview at your earliest convenience.
In May, I graduated from American International College with a B.S. in Business
Administration. I was one of fifteen students who graduated with honors in a class of two
hundred fifty business students. My coursework included: International Business
Communications, International Marketing, Business and Marketing Strategies and several
accounting and finance courses. StanleyMorganDeanWhitter provided an excellent internship
that provided me with a great foundation in business fundamentals.
As I look forward to my career in this field, I know I would be an asset for Farallon due to my
tireless efforts to be a productive team player. I will contact you within a week to ensure receipt
of my resume. Thank you for your time and I look forward to hear from you in the near future.
Sincerely,
Dan Lui
Encl.: resume
RESUMES
"A resume should describe a picture of you and be free of errors."
Resume Formats
Chronological - Traditional format. It lists and describes education and work
experiences by company in reverse order, beginning with the most recent with
name and titles. This resume is perfect for job hunters that pursue one career path.
It shows progression in the chosen career path and adds emphasis to experience
and training.
Functional - Information is organized by skills or functions, these being the skills
or functions of the new job that is being sought. It focuses on your skills and
abilities and accomplishments. The functional resume is perfect for job hunters
with gaps between jobs, short lengths of employment at each company and limited
experience. It can omit employers and job titles. It is also ideal for those who are
returning to a career after an absence and for those who are changing careers.
Combination - The most common variant of the chronological resume is the
combination resume. It takes this name because it combines elements of both a
chronological and functional resume. Typically a Summary section leads off the
resume. The Summary may be brief, as short as two to three lines. Or it may be an
introductory sentence followed by a bulleted list. The Summary can also be quite
extensive, such as the Executive Summary that consumes nearly three-quarters of a
page of a two-page resume.
Samples are on the following pages.
SAMPLE RESUMES
Internship Sample
Your Name
Present Address: 1000 State Street ~ Box 999 ~ Springfield, MA 01109 ~ (413) 999-9999
Home Address: PO Box 99 ~ Any Town, NJ 99999 ~ (999) 999-9999 ~ E-mail: [email protected]
OBJECTIVE: To obtain an internship in marketing.
EDUCATION: American International College, Springfield, MA
BSBA Degree, Major. Marketing
Anticipated May 2011
RELATED COURSE WORK:
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Professional Sales Development
Marketing Technology
Marketing Research
International Marketing
ACTIVITIES:
• Member, American International College Soccer Team, 2007-2011
• Captain of AIC Soccer Team, 2010
• Captain of Sussex County Community College Soccer Team, 2006
CAREER RELATED CASE PROJECTS:
• Course project on simulated production marketing in fictional industry. Used market analysis, research
and segmentation, as well as market positioning based on pricing and promotion. Placed second out of ten
teams competing.
• Completed project that entailed start-up of retail store. Compiled market research of trade area for site
selection, product selection, merchandise display, competitive pricing through analysis of area price
structure. Coordinated promotion of store opening with media and in store visual displays.
WORK EXPERIENCE:
Stewart Holley Landscaping Company, Inc., Andover, NJ
Assistant Foreman/Seasonal
• Promoted to assistant foreman during Summer of 2009.
• Serviced customers and scheduled crew workload.
• Oversaw site productivity and supervision of seven person work staff.
Jun. 06 - Aug. 09
Jarnesway, Inc., Newton, NJ
Customer Service Representative/Seasonal
• Handled customer transactions and inquiries.
• Merchandised and stocked sales floor.
• Balanced register daily.
Jun. 04 - Aug. 06
Sample Resume
(Education, Chronological)
Tabitha Joseph
1000 State Street ~ Box 999
Springfield, MA 01109
(413) 999-9999
Objective:
To obtain a full time special education position at the elementary level.
Education:
American International College, Springfield MA
Bachelor of Science in Special Education and Psychology
Certification: Massachusetts Teacher Certification
Special Education
May 2011
Pending
Career Related Experience:
Salvation Army Children Learning Center, Dorchester, MA
Substitute Teacher
Teach pre-school and kindergarten children, ages 2 to 6 years of age.
5/09-present
GOALS, (Children Study Home), Springfield, MA
Psychology Internship
9/09-11/09
 Assessed clients' daily interactions.
 Documented activities, noted positive and negative behaviors.
 Assisted in case management duties, including interaction with state agencies.
English High Day Camp, Jamaica Plain, MA
Senior Counselor
6/07-8/07
 Planned daily activities for ten to fifteen children, ages 6 to 10 years of age.
 Oversaw children safety while supervising outdoor activities.
 As senior counselor, coordinated work schedule of two junior counselors.
Rebecca M. Johnson, Springfield, MA
Student Practicum
9/06-5/07
 Instructed classes in Math and Reading to Second Grade Special Education students.
 Prepared and facilitated lesson plans in accordance with state guidelines.
Haitian Multi Service Center Daycare, Dorchester, MA
Assistant Day Care Teacher
 Worked with children ages 4 and 5.
Language Skills:
Fluent in English, Haitian Creole, and French.
7/06 -9/06
Sample Resume - OT Major, Chronological
Jason L. Brimmer
99 Any Drive ~ Any Town ~ Virginia 99999
(888) 888-8888
E-mail: [email protected]
OBJECTIVE:
Occupational Therapist position with Mercy Hospital.
EDUCATION: Bachelor of Science Degree, Occupational Therapy, May 2011
American International College, Springfield, MA
Bachelor of Science Degree, Business and Hotel Management
Fairleigh Dickinson University, Rutherford, NJ
ACTIVITIES AND AWARDS
 Dean's List
 Alpha Chi Honor National Honor Society, 2009
 Who's Who, College Students of America, 2009
 Secretary, SOTA, 2008
 Representative, Student Government, 2007-2011
 Volunteer, United Way "Save our Children" Program, Springfield, MA
VOLUNTEER WORK EXPERIENCE
Riverside Rehabilitation Institute, Newport News, VA
Level I Field Work
January, 2006
 Completed Level I field work at 75-bed rehabilitation hospital.
 Followed and observed occupational therapists conducting work with brain injured and stroke
patients.
 Frames of reference included: Biomechanical, NOT, and Model of Human Occupation.
 Attended patient conference meetings as well as community group sessions covering Cognitive
 Awareness, Dysphasia, and Lunch Club Feeding Session.
Riverside Rehabilitation Institute, Newport News, VA
Volunteer
Summer, 2005
 Assisted Occupational Therapist with patient care.
 Rendered support in rehab activities for patients with hip and knee replacements as well as
amputees.
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Chicopee Child Development Center, Chicopee, MA
Student Project
Spring, 2005
 Observed and interacted with children, ages 5 and 6.
 Planned and directed activities with children.
 Examined child social interaction and fine and gross motor skills.
 Documented findings for class report.
Reed's Landing, Springfield, MA
Fall, 2004
Student Project
 Coordinated activities for small group of senior citizens.
 Conceptualized with peers various leisure activities to encourage group participation.
Sample Combination Resume
Marshall Manley
329 Main Street, Any Town, OK 09999
(567) 555-8888; cell: (567) 555-9999
E-mail: [email protected]
Objective
To obtain a Management Information Systems position that utilizes and advances my
current skills, education and experience.
Skills
Computer Knowledge
 Operating Systems: Windows 2004/NT, MS-DOS, Macintosh
 Programming Languages: C++, BASIC
 Word Processing: MS Word, Corel WordPerfect
 Spreadsheet: Lotus, MS Excel
 Graphics: Paint Shop Pro, Adobe Photoshop
 Database: MS Access, Oracle
 Presentation: MS PowerPoint
 Web Page Design: MS FrontPage 98
Hardware Experience
 Systems building/configuring
 Install/upgrade motherboards, processors, sound cards, modems, video card, hard
drives
Management/Leadership
 Reorganized management of fraternity house and delegated responsibility to exceed set
goals.
 Managed a $12,000 budget after financial setbacks without cutting programs.
 Took firm steps to enforce alcohol policy within Greek system.
 Organized an awards banquet for 360 people.
Education
American International College, Springfield, MA
Masters in Business Administration
University of Oklahoma, Norman, OK
BBA, Management Information Systems
Honors
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May 2011
May 2010
Member of Phi Theta Kappa National Honor Fraternity
President's Honor Roll
Vice President's Honor Roll
Dean's Honor Roll
Work History
Salesperson, Atria Custom Framing, Norman, OK
Graphic Designer, Hatfield & Bell, Inc., Norman, OK
Computer Lab Assistant, University of Oklahoma
Promotions Assistant, KAUT Fox 43, Oklahoma City, OK
Banner Designer, Mountain Mall, Ardmore, OK
October 2009- Present
May 2008- Present
September 2007-May 2008
May 2006- August 2006
March 2005-April 2007
Sample Functional Resume
Lauren Hales
99 Any Street
Any Town, CT 99999
(999) 999-9999
E-mail: [email protected]
Summary
Detail-oriented, organized, flexible, enthusiastic team player seeks entry-level finance position.
Excellent communication skills demonstrated through class presentations and as president of
Business Club.
Education
American International College, Springfield, MA
B.S.B.A: Concentration in Finance, G.P.A. 3.4/4.0
May 2011
Communication Skills
♦ Interface articulately in pleasant speaking voice with diverse clients.
♦ Answer multi-line telephone system in a timely and professional manner.
♦ Handle questions from clients and refer clients to appropriate person or department.
♦ Answer and diplomatically handle client inquiries and complaints.
Administrative Skills
♦ PC proficiency with Microsoft Access, Excel and PowerPoint.
♦ Conduct various administrative duties such as invoicing and scheduling clients, conducting
inventory and coordinating travel plans.
♦ Maintain an efficient filing and retrieval system.
♦ Generate reports and proposals and perform complex document preparation.
Employment
Administrative Assistant, James Law Offices
Federal Square Administrative Building, Springfield, MA
♦ Developed and organized database and spreadsheets of client data.
♦ Performed clerical functions.
♦ Answered and/or referred potential client inquiries.
Lifeguard, Town of New London
New London Beach, New London, CT
♦ Observed swimmers and ensured their safety.
♦ Maintained order and civility among bathers as needed.
Activities
Business Club Member, American International College, Springfield, MA
President:'09 -'11, Member:'07 -'08
Big Brother/Big Sister Association, Springfield, MA: Big Sister: '08 -'11
Intramural Softball, American International College, Springfield, MA: '07-'10
ACTION VERBS
Management/Leadership
Skills
replaced
analyzed
appointed
approved
assigned
attained
authorized
chaired
considered
consolidated
contracted
controlled
converted
coordinated
decided
delegated
developed
directed
eliminated
emphasized
enforced
enhanced
established
executed
generated
handled
headed
hired
hosted
improved
incorporated
increased
initiated
inspected
instituted
led
managed
merged
motivated
organized
originated
overhauled
oversaw
planned
presided
prioritized
produced
recommended
reorganized
replaced
restored
reviewed
scheduled
secured
selected
streamlined
strengthened
supervised
terminated
Communication/People
Skills
addressed
advertised
arbitrated
arranged
articulated
authored
clarified
collaborated
communicated
composed
condensed
conferred*
consulted
contacted
conveyed
convinced
corresponded
debated
defined
described
developed
directed
discussed
drafted
edited
elicited
enlisted
explained
expressed
formulated
furnished
incorporated
influenced
interacted
interpreted
interviewed
involved
joined
judged
lectured
listened
marketed
mediated
moderated
negotiated
observed
outlined
participated
persuaded
presented
promoted
proposed
publicized
reconciled
recruited
referred
reinforced
reported
resolved
responded
solicited
specified
spoke
suggested
summarized
synthesized
translated
wrote
Research Skills
analyzed
clarified
collected
compared
conducted
critiqued
detected
determined
diagnosed
evaluated
examined
experimented
explored
extracted
formulated
gathered
identified
inspected
interpreted
interviewed
invented
investigated
located
measured
organized
researched
reviewed
searched
solved
summarized
surveyed
systematized
tested
Technical Skills
adapted
applied
assembled
built
calculated
computed
conserved
constructed
converted
debugged
designed
determined
developed
engineered
fabricated
fortified
installed
maintained
operated
overhauled
printed
programmed
rectified
regulated
remodeled
repaired
replaced
restored
solved
specialized
standardized
studied
upgraded
utilized
Teaching Skills
adapted
advised
clarified
coached
communicated
conducted
coordinated
critiqued
developed
enabled
encouraged
evaluated
explained
facilitated
focused
guided
individualized
informed
instilled
instructed
motivated
persuaded
set goals
simulated
stimulated
taught
tested
trained
transmitted
tutored
Financial/Data Skills
administered
adjusted
allocated
analyzed
appraised
assessed
audited
balanced
budgeted
calculated
computed
conserved
corrected
determined
developed
estimated
forecasted
managed
marketed
measured
planned
prepared
programmed
projected
reconciled
reduced
researched
retrieved
Creative Skills
acted
adapted
began
combined
composed
conceptualized
condensed
created
customized
designed
developed
directed
displayed
drew
entertained
established
fashioned
formulated
founded
illustrated
initiated
instituted
integrated
introduced
invented
modeled
modified
originated
performed
photographed
planned
revised
revitalized
shaped
solved
Helping Skills
adapted
advocated
aided
answered
arranged
assessed
assisted
cared for
clarified
coached
collaborated
contributed
cooperated
counseled
demonstrated
diagnosed
educated
encouraged
ensured
expedited
facilitated
familiarized
furthered
guided
helped
insured
intervened
motivated
prevented
provided
referred
rehabilitated
represented
resolved
simplified
supplied
supported
volunteered
Organizational/Detail
Skills
approved
arranged
catalogued
categorized
charted
classified
coded
collected
compiled
corrected
corresponded
distributed
executed
filed
generated
implemented
incorporated
inspected
logged
maintained
monitored
obtained
operated
ordered
organized
prepared
processed
provided
purchased
recorded
registered
reserved
responded
reviewed
routed
scheduled
screened
set up
submitted
supplied
standardized
systematized
updated
validated
verified
More Verbs for
Accomplishments
achieved
completed
expanded
exceeded
improved
pioneered
reduced (losses)
resolved (issues)
restored
spearheaded
succeeded
surpassed
transformed
won
WHAT IS AN INTERVIEW?
An interview is an opportunity for you to sell yourself to the employer. Once an employer has
received your resume and cover letter you may be contacted for an interview. Most employers
will call you if they are interested in setting up an interview with you. However, if you haven't
heard from an employer within one week you can call the employer to inquire about your resume
and to ask if the company would like to interview you. (Note: It is not acceptable for job hunters
applying for teaching positions to call a school; the school will contact you if they are
interested).
Interviewing Tips
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Know yourself and review your accomplishments so that you will be prepared for the
employer's questions.
If possible, research the company so you can impress the interviewer with your
knowledge.
Dress appropriately: neatly and conservatively.
Be on time; arrive 15 minutes early if possible.
Be polite and personable. Try to establish a rapport with the interviewer. After all, you
may be working with this person so you want to show that you will get along well
together.
Let the interviewer tell you where to sit and ask for a business card to ensure you have
the proper spelling and title of the interviewer's name as well as the correct telephone
number.
Demonstrate enthusiasm, interest, and confidence. But don't over extend yourself and
your abilities. Simply say you will do your very best and note that your background
speaks for your abilities.
Stress that you are a team player.
Be an interested listener and observer.
Do not discuss salary or benefits until the interviewer has opened up the discussion
(usually by the second interview). If asked to give a salary requirement, simply tell the
interviewer you expect to be paid a fair amount for someone with your background and
qualifications. Ask the employer what the salary range is for the available position. (You
do not want to impede your chances of employment by quoting a salary well above the
employer's means).
Most importantly, be yourself.
SAMPLE INTERVIEW QUESTIONS ASKED BY AN EMPLOYER
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What qualities have you exhibited in your present position?
Your next-to-last position? The one before that?
Where do you expect to be in your career within five years? Ten years?
What do you know about our company?
What are your educational goals?
What future training do you plan in connection with your career goals?
If the people who work with you were to evaluate you, what would they say?
What is your management style?
What motivates you?
What clubs do you belong to?
What skills, experience and training do you have that make you qualified for the job?
How are your people-management skills?
Can you give me one or two examples?
Have you written any articles for a professional journal, magazine, or newspaper? When?
What were they about?
What other positions have you had that qualify you for the position?
Do you know about other countries and cultures? If so, which ones?
If your career demanded it, would you be willing to relocate for advancement?
What have you contributed to your past employers that saved the company time, money, or
enhanced its image?
Why do you want to change careers?
How many raises were you given at your last position and why were you given them?
What did you learn in your last three positions? During your career, which position did you
like best?
What are you particularly good at in your present position? Why?
What major strengths do you feel you have that will make you a great manager?
What are your three greatest strengths?
What kind of people do you like to work with most?
Which of your job supervisors did you like best? Why?
Why did you leave your last job?
Which job responsibilities did you like least? Why?
How well do you communicate in writing and orally? Give me some examples of this.
What do you know about the position I am interviewing you for?
What are your lifetime goals?
How do you best motivate others?
Can you meet deadlines? If so, give me an example.
Give me an example of a decision you made that benefited your company.
Are you willing to travel for this position?
What would your boss say about you?
Do you like your job? Why?
Which job responsibilities did you like best at your previous positions? Why?
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How soon would you be able to start work if you were hired?
How many promotions did you receive and why were you given these promotions at your
last or present company? Your next-to-last position? The one before that?
What professional associations do you belong to?
What volunteer work do you do or have you done in the past?
Have you ever received any fellowships? When? Why? What did you do?
Have you any supervisory or administrative experience? Please tell me about it.
What are your hobbies?
Have you ever done consulting work? If so, why and for whom?
What do you do in your spare time? What awards or honors have you received?
Have you ever traveled? If so, where?
Do (or did) you travel for your present or past position? How much travel was involved?
How do you get along with people?
How many days of work did you miss at (name of former employer)?
Have you ever been fired or asked to resign? Why?
Have you ever been convicted of a felony crime?
What kind of people do you like to work with least?
Sample Job Interview Questions to be asked by a Candidate
General:
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What do you think are the most important skills for this job?
What kind of person do you think will do the best in this job?
Exactly what would be expected of me in this job?
Who would be my supervisor (boss)?
What would my responsibilities be?
How much training would I receive?
How would my progress be rated? By whom?
To evaluate your future opportunities:
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What might I expect to be doing over the next three to five years?
How much freedom do employees have to determine their own job movement and
responsibilities?
What could be done if an employee doesn't feel challenged or satisfied?
Are lateral or rotational job moves available to provide broader experience? Are they
considered valuable? Are they expected?
How do promotion opportunities become available?
To evaluate the company's education programs:
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How are employees able to stay current on changes and trends in their field?
How are employees encouraged to continue their professional development over an extended
period of time?
Do you have or sponsor any continuing education programs for employees?
What kind of training is provided for prospective supervisors or managers?
To evaluate the overall quality of management at the company:
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How would you describe the quality of your company's management? What seem to be the
strengths and weaknesses?
What are management's basic philosophies in managing the business and employees?
What do your company's managers and supervisors have in common?
How does a person become a manager or supervisor at your company?
To evaluate the company's values:
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What are the company's values? What does the company stand for?
How are the company's values reflected in everyday activities?
Why is the work environment what it is (i.e. formal/casual, elegant/simple)?
What kinds of people are most successful or satisfied at your company?
To evaluate the company's compensation philosophy:
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What is your company's compensation philosophy compared with other companies'?
What kind of increases might I expect over the first several years?
How are individual increases determined?
How are changes to the benefits package made to keep it up to date with employee needs?
WHAT IS A THANK YOU LETTER?
A thank you letter is a follow up letter to an interview. It thanks the employer for the time spent
discussing your employment opportunities with the company. It also further emphasizes your
interest in the position within the company.
Many job hunters fail to write thank you letters to employers after an interview. But the small
amounts of time spent writing a thank you letter can reap substantial benefits to the job hunternamely, A JOB! An employer will be more likely to hire someone who wrote a thank you letter
instead of someone who did not, even if the latter candidate interviewed better than you did!
SAMPLE THANK YOU LETTER
August 23, 2010
Mark Andrews
Brookside Park School
99 Any Street
Hartford, CT 99999
Dear Mr. Andrews:
Thank you for giving me the opportunity to interview with Brookside Park Elementary School
for the available teaching position last Thursday.
After talking with you, I am very interested in this position and would appreciate the
opportunity to work with you, the staff, students and the community of Brookside Park. I
enjoyed learning the philosophy of the school and what you expect of a teacher. With my strong
academic background in math and with the implementation of the after-school program you
spoke of, I would be an ideal teacher for this position. As Principal James stated on my
evaluation, "Clarence has a successful track record of motivating children and helping them
surpass their expectations".
If you have any additional questions, please do not hesitate to contact me. Thank you for your
time and consideration. I look forward to hearing from you soon.
Sincerely,
Clarence S. Talley
FRESHMAN YEAR
Orientation
Opening Convocation
First-Year Seminar Program
Portals/Pathways/Traditions
Class
Identification
Pre-Engagement (Recruitment/Admissions Process
SOPHOMORE YEAR
Student Organization Involvement
On-Campus Leadership Conference
Major Decisions Program
Sophomore Review
Sophomore Reorientation
JUNIOR YEAR
Senior Year Preparation
Explore Job Search Process
Explore Graduate Schools
Student Research
Internship
SENIOR YEAR
Prepare for Graduation
Conduct Job Search
Apply to Graduate School
Develop an Action Plan
Finalize Career Decision
Other Ideas:
Class Advisors
Major program for each academic year
(FYE, Majors Decisions, Junior Focus of EDC 302 Senior Sequence)
Career Development Steps
FRESHMAN
As a freshman, your main concern is most probably what MAJOR to choose. There are a variety
of different ways to help you determine a possible major:
1) Get feedback from friends and family or those who know you best. Often, they can share with
you what skills or attributes you have and this can help you in your decision to choose a major or
potential career. Remember to use their feedback only as assistance in your decision-making, and
not as strict advice.
2) Take a values/skills/interests evaluation such as FOCUS that will assist to determine what
kind of career you are interested in and also help with choosing a major.
3) Gain experience. Often, the best way to figure out your career path or major is to gain
experience in fields that you are interested in. Look for a summer job or part-time job during
school that will help you gain experience in a field that you are interested in. You can visit the
career center or search online for employment.
4) Get involved with activities/groups/committees on your campus. This will not only be a way
to socialize and build relationships, but is also a way to gain further experience and skills such as
leadership, teamwork, community service, etc.
5) Take your general education requirements first. This will help you focus on future courses
that will help you achieve your career goals.
SOPHOMORE
1) Start to set goals for yourself: both Career and Personal:
Examples:
I will get a summer job that I am interested in
I will work on my organization skills
I will get work on my study skills and maintain my GPA
2) Do your best in school! Potential employers value an employee with good grades and high
academic achievement. Doing well in school demonstrates that you have motivation,
determination, and intellect.
3) Start working on a resume and cover letter that can be given to potential employers. The
career center offers cover letter and resume-writing assistance.
4) Browse career literature in the career office or look online at different jobs you are interested
in and the skills that each job requires.
JUNIOR
1) Look into internships that align with your course of study. First, ask your advisor for contacts
who offer internship experiences. The career center is a great place to search for internships.
2) Start developing a credential packet that can be sent to employers. This packet will include
your resume, transcript, references, credential/certification documentations, and any other
documentation that will enhance your opportunity to become employed.
3) Attend workshops that will build certain skills pertaining to your field of study and attend any
career services workshops that are offered.
4) Update your resume periodically and have someone in the career office proof-read it along
with any updated cover letters.
SENIOR
1) Job search: Utilize the assistance of the career office and online websites. Attending job fairs
is also a great way to meet employers.
2) Join associations within your field of study at a lower student rate. These memberships will
also add credentials to your resume.
3) Mock interview: Practice your interviewing skills with a career services professional.
4) Maintain your credential packet that the career center can keep on file for you to send out to
potential employers
TIPS:
Take care of yourself: physically and mentally. Make sure to get plenty of sleep and eat well.
Exercising can also reduce stress and boost energy levels.
Networking: The more people you know in a field that interests you, the better your chance is of
getting a position in that field. Make yourself known to those who have connections and soon,
you will have connections of your own.
Keep options open. Your perfect job may not be the first one you get and being open to other
locations, salaries, or populations can help you attain a job that will offer you the experience you
need for future endeavors.
Familiarize yourself with the latest technology in the career field you are interested in pursuing.
Being knowledgeable of current technology is always an excellent asset to have and makes you
more marketable.