GreenLink & Your Job Search

Laura DeJoseph McArdle

Agenda• Application Materials• Professional Image• Identifying Jobs• Applying• Interviews• Offers

APPLICATION MATERIALS

Resume• Details previous experience: education, work

history, skills, other involvements.

• Summarizes your previous responsibilities and accomplishments.

• Makes a case for why you are qualified for a particular job.

Resume• Contact Information• Education– Related Coursework

• Relevant Experience– Jobs, Internships, Projects, Volunteer Work, Classes

• Other Involvements– Clubs, Volunteer Work, Work History, Awards

Resume

Resume• Optimal Resume– http://www.esf.edu/career/

Cover Letter• A detailed letter to a prospective employer

describing why you are the right candidate for a specific position.

• Highlights your interest in the position, your previous experiences (jobs, education, volunteer work) and how they’ve prepared you for this job.

References• A list of people employers can call to discuss

your qualifications with:– Former boss– Faculty members– Advisors– Community Members

PROFESSIONAL IMAGE

Attire• At Career Fairs– Business attire

• When Interviewing– Business attire

• Meeting new connections– Business casual

Attire• Business attire• Ironed clothes• Polished appearance• Minimal accessories• Nothing offensive• Be aware of perceptions of tattoos and

piercings

Attire

Correspondence• Generic email– Usually that includes your name

• Professional sounding voicemail– Helps to have a personalized recording

• Any written or verbal communication– Err on the side of formal

LinkedIn• Social networking site for building your

professional network• Nice to have a professional internet presence• Professional image and experience• www.linkedin.com

Google• Google yourself– And Google Image

• Monitor your internet presence• Consider if someone gained access to your

profiles

IDENTIFYING JOBS

Job Titles• Your academic departments/website– http://www.esf.edu/admissions/programs.htm

• Search similar job titles and occupations– http://www.onetonline.org/

• See what ESF alumni from your program do– Alumni Office database– www.linkedin.com/alumni

Research• Begin researching companies– Alumni– Google– LinkedIn– Job Search Sites– Career Fairs

• Some post on job search sites• Others post on their company page• Some don’t post at all

Job Search Sites

• ESF’s Career Management System• Postings of Jobs and Internships– From employers, faculty, alumni

Job Search Sites• Indeed.com• Idealist.org• USAJobs.gov• State Departments of Civil Service– Civil Service Examinations (Get on the listserve)

• Texas A&M Job Board• Professional Organizations– Ex: American Chemical Society, The Wildlife Society

• Social Media pages for programs• LinkedIn

APPLYING

Professional Documents• Triple check your materials– Have them looked at by someone else– Career Services/Friend/Parent/Faculty

• Follow instructions• Customize!– Be careful of using a template

PROFESSIONAL CORRESPONDENCE

Correspondence• Always err on the side of formal• Introducing yourself to a connection• Thank you notes– After a conversation, introduction, interview

• Follow up to your application/interview

INTERVIEWS

Before the Interview• Research the organization• Make copies of your resume to bring• Familiarize yourself with the location– Consider practicing the route

• Consider a mock interview• Develop questions to ask during the

interview – Save some for the end

During the Interview• Pay attention to questions• Make sure you’re answering the question• Highlight yourself in a positive way– Focus on your skills and achievements

• Be authentic and interested• Smile, show some personality• Sit up straight, shake hands, look people in the

eye• Consider asking for a timeline for a decision

After the Interview• Send a thank you to the people you

interviewed with • Follow up after a week or so to express your

continued interest and see where they are in the process

Offers• Always be polite and gracious, whether you

accept or not.• After an offer is made, it is appropriate to ask

for some time to think about it.• If you’re unsatisfied with the rate, ask if the

salary is at all negotiable.• Consider other benefits if it is not negotiable.

Offers• "Thank you for choosing me for this role. I am

very excited about joining your team. That being said, this is really hard for me, but I wanted to call you personally and share a challenge. While I could accept the job at this rate, it's on the low side of my income needs. I was really hoping for ____. This higher rate would ensure I could do this job without any concerns of covering my expenses.

Rejection• Don’t take it personally.• Everyone will experience this.• You do not know the circumstances that led

to that other person receiving the job.

Thank You!

Career Services Office110 Bray Hall

careers@esf.edu 315-470-6660