MURRAY STATE CAREER SERVICES
100 OAKLEY APPLIED SCIENCE BUILDING | 270-809-3735 | MURRAYSTATE.EDU/CAREER
CAREER SERVICES
HANDBOOK
RESUME AND COVER LETTER WRITING TIPS
NETWORKING AND PERSONAL BRANDING
JOB SEARCH TIPS AND STRATEGIES
INTERVIEW AND DRESS FOR SUCCESS TIPS
murraystate.edu/career MURRAY STATE UNIVERSITY 3
CAREER COUNSELING
Career counseling
What can I do with a major in ...?
FOCUS career assessment
CAREER/JOB DEVELOPMENT SERVICES
Career coaching
Résumé/cover letter critiques
Mock interviews
Networking/branding strategies
GRADUATE SCHOOL RESOURCES
Website resources
Advising
JOB SEARCH RESOURCES
Handshake
Full-time job postings
Part-time job postings
On-campus interviews
Career events
Special populations job search strategies
EXPERIENTIAL EDUCATION/ PART-TIME JOBS
National Student Exchange
Internship opportunities
Candid Careers
PRESENTATIONS/WORKSHOPS
Career Services Overview
Dining and Business Etiquette
How to Choose a Major
Interview Strategies
Job Search Strategies
Networking Strategies
Professional Brand and
LinkedIn Development Strategies
Résumé and Cover Letter Writing
Salary Negotiations
Murray State University endorses the intent of all federal and state laws created to prohibit discrimination. Murray State University does not discriminate on the
basis of race, color, national origin, gender, sexual orientation, religion, age, veteran status, or disability in employment, admissions, or the provision of services
and provides, upon request, reasonable accommodation including auxiliary aids and services necessary to afford individuals with disabilities equal access to
participate in all programs and activities. For more information, contact the Director of Equal Opportunity, Murray State University, 103 Wells Hall, Murray, KY
42071-3318. 270-809-3155 (voice), 270-809-3361 (TDD). Murray State University supports a clean and healthy campus. Please refrain from personal tobacco use.
CAREER SERVICES provides resources and
assistance in all aspects of the career development
and job search processes. Current students, faculty,
alumni, parents, University employees and local,
regional and international employers are invited to
utilize our services.
This Career Handbook is just one resource
available to help you successfully navigate the job
search process. Make sure you also meet with us
one-on-one and take advantage of our website and
Handshake. Handshake is our online job platform for
students and alumni.
The mission of Career Services is to support
the institution’s purpose of educating individuals to
become productive citizens in society by serving as
a liaison between students, alumni, faculty and the
world of work. We commit to providing meaningful
career counseling as well as up-to-date job search
coaching, résumé and cover letter writing strategies
and hiring trends resources.
We also strive to encourage and connect students
to experiential learning opportunities. Internships and
on and off-campus part-time job opportunities are
made available via our website. Career events bring
employers to campus for networking purposes as well.
The National Student Exchange program, coordinated
through our office, allows students to attend another
college or university for up to one year.
CONTACT US
Oakley Applied Science Bldg., Murray, KY
P: -- | [email protected]
murraystate.edu/career
CONTENTS
Self Assessment .............................................................................................................................................................................................-
Skills .......................................... .........................................................................................................................................................................
Work Values.......................................................................................................................................................................................................
Personal Traits ..................................................................................................................................................................................................
Job Search ................................................................................................................................................................................................... -
Plan, Process and Strategies ........................................................................................................................................................................ .
Networking ........................................................................................................................................................................................................
Informational Interviewing. ............................................................................................................................................................................
Building Your Personal Online Brand (Social Media and Your Job Search) .......................................................................................
Email and Your Job Search ..........................................................................................................................................................................
Handshake .......................................................................................................................................................................................................
Résumé, Curriculum Vitae (CV), Reference Page/Letters and Cover Letter Writing ...............................................................-
Résumé Tips .. .................................................................................................................................................................................................
Résumé Sections Layout and Content Samples. .....................................................................................................................................
Emailing, Uploading and Mailing Your Documents .. ..............................................................................................................................
Racer Tracks Résumé Minimum Qualifications and Sample .. ..............................................................................................................
Action Verbs and Top Attributes Employers Seek .. ..........................................................................................................................
Types of Résumés (Chronological, Functional and Combination) . ...............................................................................................-
Reference Page Samples .... ..........................................................................................................................................................................
CV Tips . ...........................................................................................................................................................................................................
CV Content Topics ........................................................................................................................................................................................
Cover Letter Tips ..........................................................................................................................................................................................
Other Letters .................................................................................................................................................................................................
Samples ......................................................................................................................................................................................................-
Interviewing ...............................................................................................................................................................................................-
Tips (before, during and after) ...................................................................................................................................................................
Phone Interview Tips ....................................................................................................................................................................................
Skype Interview Tips .....................................................................................................................................................................................
Sample Questions .........................................................................................................................................................................................
Behavioral Based Questions: Samples and Answering with STAR Method. .......................................................................................
Questions to Ask Recruiters.. ......................................................................................................................................................................
Handling Illegal Questions... .........................................................................................................................................................................
Other Documents (Business Card/Portfolios) .........................................................................................................................................
Dress for Success (Business Professional/Casual)..................................................................................................................................
Salary Negotiations ........................................................................................................................................................................................
Life After College (From Budgeting to Etiquette Tips)..........................................................................................................................
murraystate.edu/career MURRAY STATE UNIVERSITY 54 CAREER SERVICES | 270-809-3735
In the job search, first self-assess, identify and evaluate your interests, skills, values, goals and personality traits; think
about what type of work environment is a good fit for you; and research the job market in the geographic locations you
are considering. Then, reflect on your education and experiences to prepare to communicate what you learned and what
successes you achieved to a potential employer. Finally, evaluate your “worth” using salary calculators and cost of living
comparisons. To get started, use the following exercises to update your résumé/cover letter and prepare for interviews.
ANALYTICAL
analyzed
assessed
compared
conceptualized
critiqued
diagnosed
evaluated
identified
inspected
interpreted data
investigated
made decisions
observed
predicted
projected
proved
reflected
researched
reviewed
solved problems
surveyed
tested
thought critically
validated
COMMUNICATION
communicated
debated
defined
described
drafted
edited
explained
foreign language
interacted
interviewed
listened
presented
published
reported
spoke in public
summarized
wrote
CREATIVE
advertised
created
designed
developed
displayed
entertained
illustrated
improvised
innovated
performer
produced
promoted
FINANCIAL
appraised
audited
balanced
budgeted
earned
invested
merchandised
raised funds
HELPING
advised
coached
collaborated
counseled
guided
mentored
served
supported
taught
tutored
trained
volunteered
LEADERSHIP
authorized
chaired
directed
delegated
enforced
facilitated
founded
initiated
implemented
managed change
managed crisis
managed people
managed resources
presided
supervised
ORGANIZATIONAL
administered
consolidated
coordinated
managed time
monitored
organized
planned
performed
data entry
prioritized
processed
recorded
scheduled
PERSUASION
encouraged
influenced
mediated
motivated
persuaded
negotiated
recruited
TECHNICAL
assembled
constructed
compiled
engineered
installed
integrated
operated
measured
programmed
repaired
upgraded
ADDED VALUE
adapted
enhanced
improved
maximized
minimized
shaped
streamlined
strengthened
1) Place a check mark next to each skill you feel you possess. Be sure to consider all settings in which you might
have demonstrated each skill: classroom, organization, volunteer, part/full-time and internship experiences.
2) Review the items you checked and narrow your
list to your 10 strongest skills.
3) In this space, describe specific examples of how you
have demonstrated these 10 skills in past part/full-time
and internship experiences, related education/research
projects and community, volunteer and church activities.
SELF-ASSESS: SKILLS
1) Read each definition and check the items you would like as part of your ideal job.
HELP SOCIETY: Do something contributing to
betterment of communities or world.
HELP OTHERS: Involved in helping people directly.
AESTHETICS: Make beautiful things and contribute to
the beauty of the world.
CREATIVITY: Create new ideas, programs, products,
organizational structures or anything else not following
a format previously developed by others.
WORK ALONE: Do projects alone, without significant
amount of contact with others. Public Contact: Have
a lot of day-to-day contact with people. Collaboration:
Have close working relationships; work as team toward
common goals.
FRIENDSHIPS: Develop personal relationships with
people as a result of work activities.
COMPETITION: Engage in activities that pit my abilities
against others with clear “win” and “lose” outcomes.
KNOWLEDGE: Engage in pursuit of knowledge, truth,
and understanding for knowledge sake. Intellectual
status: Be regarded as a person of high intelligence or as
one who is an acknowledged “expert” in field.
RECOGNITION: Be recognized by others for quality of
work in some visible or public way.
ACHIEVEMENT: Have personal satisfaction and a
feeling of accomplishment in position.
SUPERVISORY RELATIONSHIP: Have a fair supervisor
with whom I get along well.
POWER AND AUTHORITY: Allowed to plan, lay
out, supervise, and be directly responsible for work
activities.
MAKE DECISIONS: Have the power to decide courses
of action, policies, etc.
FAST PACE: Work in circumstances where there are
fast-paced activities and work must be done rapidly.
EXCITEMENT: Experience a high degree of (or
frequent) excitement at work.
ADVENTURE: Work activities involve frequent risk-taking
.
CHANGE AND VARIETY: Work responsibilities change
frequently in content and setting.
INDEPENDENCE: Entrusted to determine nature of
work and how I approach it without significant direction
from others; do not have to do what others tell me to do
.
TIME FREEDOM: Complete work responsibilities
according to my own schedule; no specific working
hours required.
WAY OF LIFE: Position allows me to maintain own
identity in workplace: dress, speech, office decorations,
listening to music, eating at my desk, etc.
LOCATION: Find a place to live (town, geographical
area) which is conducive to my lifestyle and affords me
the opportunity to do the things I enjoy most.
SURROUNDINGS: Physical environment appeals to
me: temperature, noise level, privacy, view from office,
cleanliness, newness of building, furniture, decorating, etc.
STABILITY: Work routine and job duties are
predictable and not likely to change over a long period
of time. Security: Assured of keeping my job with a
reasonable financial reward.
PROFIT/GAIN: Have a strong likelihood of accumulating
large amounts of money or other material gain.
2) Review the items you have checked, identify the 10
items you want most in a position and list them below:
3) Brainstorm how you have demonstrated these
values in the past:
SELF-ASSESS: WORK VALUES
murraystate.edu/career MURRAY STATE UNIVERSITY 76 CAREER SERVICES | 270-809-3735
accommodating
accurate
adaptable
adventurous
ambitious
analytical
appreciate
diversity
appreciate
feedback
approachable
articulate
assertive
authentic
autonomous
calm under
pressure
candid
cautious
cheerful
collaborative
compassionate
committed to
integrity
common sense
competitive
confident
congenial
conscientious
conservative
considerate
consistent
cooperative
cost-conscious
creative
curious
decisive
dedicated
dependable
detail-oriented
determined
diplomatic
disciplined
discreet
driven
dynamic
eager
efficient
empathetic
energetic
entertained
enjoy challenges
enthusiastic
entrepreneurial
ethical
fair
flexible
friendly
generous
goal-oriented
good sense
of humor
hard-working
helpful
honest
imaginative
inclusive
independent
industrious
influential
innovative
intelligent
intuitive
inquisitive
level-headed
loyal
mature
methodical
observant
open-minded
optimistic
organized
outgoing
passionate
patient
perceptive
persistent
personable
persuasive
pleasant
poised
polite
practical
precise
process-oriented
productive
professional
punctual
organized
quick learner
rational
reliable
resourceful
resilient
respectful
results-oriented
responsive
seek challenges
self-aware
self-motivated
self-sufficient
self-reliant
sincere
spontaneous
tactful
take direction
well
team-oriented
tenacious
thoughtful
thorough
tolerant
trustworthy
values-oriented
versatile
visionary
willing to take
risks
1) Place a check mark next to the personal qualities you feel best describe you.
SELF-ASSESS: PERSONAL TRAITS
2) Narrow your list to the 10 words that best describe you.
3) Brainstorm how you have demonstrated these
values in the past:
murraystate.edu/career MURRAY STATE UNIVERSITY 98 CAREER SERVICES | 270-809-3735
Employer Hiring Process
Organizations go through a purposeful hiring process.
They first identify a need and develop a job description.
The description is posted through various outlets including
company website, job boards, social media, etc. Applications
are reviewed and many utilize phone or Skype interviews as the
first round interview followed by an on-site interview. Finally, a
job offer is made to the preferred candidate. According to the
National Association of Colleges and Employers Recruiting
Benchmarks Survey, here are some typical interview-to-offer
time lines:
Your Job Search Process
The average job search can take six to nine months. Pursue it
purposefully to help with efficiency. Avoid comparing yourself
to peers and maintain a positive attitude. Throughout the
process, network and follow-up. Do not “disappear” and appear
uninterested. After submitting your application (respecting
given instructions and time line), call and/or email every seven
to days (not every day). Ask employers their selection/hiring
timeline and if you can provide any additional information to
help in the consideration of your application. After an interview,
email a thank you within to hours and mail a thank you
note within hours.
Job Search Strategies
On-Campus Recruiting: Participate by registering, viewing
opportunities and applying through Handshake.
Career Fairs: Market yourself and learn about companies
hiring for positions in which you might be interested. Dress
professionally and bring résumés.
Online: Utilize Handshake and LinkedIn to find jobs and identify
contacts. Register and look on Handshake as well.
Newspaper Ads: As few as % of jobs are advertised here. When
you do find a listing, apply immediately.
Employment/Staffing Agencies: Target one that places people
within your field. Do not select one that requires you to pay a fee.
Prospecting: After identifying companies that offer (but may
not be hiring) positions in your field, call to inquire about
opportunities, submit a customized cover letter and résumé and
follow-up.
Alumni: Go to LinkedIn.com/alumni to identify and network with
alumni.
Personal Network: Tell friends and relatives the types of jobs
you seek. Ask relatives/friends with a knack for networking to
distribute your résumé.
Professional Organizations: Join career-related organizations
to network and gain access to available jobs as some companies
recruit specifically within an organization.
Volunteerism: Volunteering is an excellent way to network with
people working in different fields. Start your job search early, take
10 20 30 40
-
.
DAYS
()
JOB SEARCH
Explore Your Career Fit
After you assess your skills, values and personal traits, it is
easier to explore your fit to careers of interest. Read job
descriptions, noting required and preferred personal traits and
skills. Review company mission and value statements. Then,
evaluate the jobs that fit the parameters you have identified.
Identify areas of weakness and determine if you can strengthen
them. Ask yourself these questions:
• What are you prepared to do?
• What can you do with your major and experience?
• Where do you want to work?
• What does pay look like? Benefits?
• Where is your industry growing?
Update your Job Search Tools
• Develop résumé and cover letter.
• Create Handshake profile.
• Practice interview skills through Mock Interviews.
• Evaluate on-line “brand.”
• Identify your network.
Create and Implement Plan
• Develop time line and plan.
• Use variety of outlets
(print résumé, LinkedIn, business card, etc.).
• Tailor résumé and cover letter to each contact, every time.
• Communicate with your network for support and richer
connections.
• Follow all hiring process instructions.
• Ask questions as needed.
• Be persistent (follow-up) and patient.
Evaluate Your Plan and Adapt
• Evaluate which application methods and timing work best.
• Follow-up on each application.
• Send thank you notes and emails.
If applicable, ask why you were not selected for a position.
Remember that every job search is a process. Set short-term
objectives (getting a job), and long-term goals (where you want
your career to go).
Communicate Your Fit
Job title you want: ___________________________________
List three job requirements
)
)
)
Pick one job requirement from above and list an
applicable skill, value and personal trait from pp. -:
List examples of when you demonstrated each trait.
Complete this exercise for each job requirement.
This will help you when it’s time to write a résumé
and cover letter and prepare to interview.
Career Competencies
NACE (National Association of Colleges and Employers)
recently defined seven career readiness competencies that
employers want to see in every college graduate. Brainstorm
examples of when you have demonstrated each of these
throughout your college experience and make sure they are
evident in your résumé, cover letter, interviews and online
presence.
CRITICAL THINKING/PROBLEM SOLVING: Exercise sound
reasoning to analyze issues, make decisions, and overcome
problems. You are able to obtain, interpret, and use knowledge,
facts, and data in this process, and may demonstrate originality
and inventiveness.
ORAL/WRITTEN COMMUNICATIONS: Articulate thoughts
and ideas clearly and effectively in written and oral forms to
persons inside and outside of the organization. You have public
speaking skills; are able to express ideas to others; and can
write/edit memos, letters, and complex technical reports clearly
and effectively.
TEAMWORK/COLLABORATION: Build collaborative
relationships with colleagues and customers representing
diverse cultures, races, ages, genders, religions, lifestyles, and
viewpoints. You are able to work within a team structure and
can negotiate and manage conflict.
INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY APPLICATION: Select and use
appropriate technology to accomplish a given task. You can
apply computing skills to solve problems.
LEADERSHIP: Leverage the strengths of others to achieve
common goals, and use interpersonal skills to coach and
develop others. You assess and manage your emotions and
those of others; use empathetic skills to guide and motivate;
and organize, prioritize and delegate work.
PROFESSIONALISM/WORK ETHIC: Demonstrate personal
accountability and effective work habits, e.g., punctuality,
working productively with others, and time workload
management, and understand the impact of non-verbal
communication on professional work image. You demonstrate
integrity and ethical behavior, act responsibly with the interests
of the larger community in mind and are able to learn from
your mistakes.
CAREER MANAGEMENT: Identify and articulate one’s skills,
strengths, knowledge, and experiences relevant to the position
desired and career goals, and identify areas necessary for
professional growth. You navigate and explore job options,
understand and can take the steps necessary to pursue
opportunities and understand how to self-advocate for
opportunities in the workplace.
Resource: naceweb.org/knowledge/career-readiness-competencies.aspx
murraystate.edu/career MURRAY STATE UNIVERSITY 1110 CAREER SERVICES | 270-809-3735
an assertive approach and always remain poised. Be systematic,
looking for every opportunity to display your abilities. Finally,
follow-up on possibilities and with anyone who assists you.
Fraudulent Posting Warning Signs
Unfortunately, not all job postings are legitimate. Carefully read
job descriptions. If a position or job offer seems too good to
be true, if you feel uncomfortable with requested information
or if something just doesn’t seem right – proceed with extreme
caution. Even if the original description seems valid, proceed
with caution or stop the process if you receive follow-up
e-mails, phone calls or job offers that make you uncomfortable.
Avoid postings or offers that include the following:
• Request private/financial information
• Offer a large payment or reward in exchange for bank
account access
• Require financial investment or fees
• Job posting has misspellings
• Email address of contact doesn’t match company name
• Listed URL goes to Internet domain instead of company page
Report any suspicious postings to Career Services. If you
realize you have given personal information to contact with a
fraudulent posting, contact campus police.
Learn How to Introduce Yourself
When networking, begin a conversation with a brief
introduction or Elevator Speech. This “pitch” should be about
sentences, words and no longer than two minutes.
Prepare a statement that focuses on what motivates you and
what you can do with and for them. This is more about meeting
their needs than showcasing your accomplishments. It should
sound more like a conversation you would have with a friend
than a stuffy announcer reading your bio.
Ask yourself these questions to get started:
Why do I like my major/field?
What interests me about this field?
Why do I want to work in this field?
Why do I want to work with this employer?
What challenges energize me in a professional setting?
In this brief introduction, look to the future and share your
excitement about doing work relevant to the position of
interest rather than just listing past accomplishments. Simply
and clearly communicate your unique value proposition so that
it generates the audience to say, “Tell me more.”
In some settings it will be appropriate to give someone your
résumé during this introduction (Career Fair), but in every
situation always look people in the eye, greet them with a smile
and offer a firm handshake. Be gracious and thank people for
their time. Ask and share business cards so you may follow-up
as needed.
Additional Resources
http://bit.ly/ChrisWestfallPitch
http://bit.ly/TheLaddersPitch (Marc Cenedella)
Develop Your Network
Network to gain knowledge of specific job/career
options and make contacts for referrals in the job
search process. These people can coach you in
cover letter and résumé writing as well as interview
strategies. Networking allows you to learn industry
specific behaviors to best tailor your job search
strategies. It may also help confirm your interest in a
chosen field.
Your network is everyone you know. It might include:
family, friends, faculty, directories (organizations, church) as
well as civic, professional and LinkedIn groups.
A meeting can be as casual as asking in passing, “Can I
ask you a few questions about how you got into XYZ?” to
arranging an appointment.
EVALUATE YOUR NETWORK
Identify areas where it can grow.
(Should you make more contacts with professors who
specialize in your chosen career field?)
Inform your closest contacts of your job search status/goals.
Differentiate between the types
of contacts in your networks
Professional: employers, faculty, deans, upper administration
Personal: family and friends
Pro-personal: direct supervisors, coworkers, professors,
advisors and classmates
CONNECT
First, ask for introductions from mutual connections to avoid
appearing to be a spammer. Make contact through a message
before requesting to connect on LinkedIn or Facebook.
Clarify your intentions when making the connection. If you
are looking for career advice, say so in your message.
CULTIVATE CONNECTIONS
Take the “me” out of the equation and focus on building
quality relationships. Give first and receive second by
providing your network with relevant information to meet
their needs. Avoid asking for a job outright.
Informational Interviews are a great way to learn more about
a field. Attend Career fairs (fall and spring semesters) to
make initial contacts. Network with professionals on LinkedIn
by geographic location, career interest, alumni association
and organizations. Twitter is a fast paced way to learn about
your field of interest and those who are in that world.
Professional societies provide networking opportunities and
often publish job listings on their websites.
Informational Interviewing
Informational interviewing helps you develop career-related
contacts while you evaluate the environment as a fit for your
career goals. It is not, however, a direct job-seeking method.
PREPARATION
Research your career of interest.
Develop a list of questions.
Practice with people you know well.
Schedule appointment in advance.
Prepare to respond to questions.
DURING
• Refer to your list of questions if you need to;
it shows you are prepared.
• Dress professionally, speak respectfully and be punctual.
• Observe environment and dress.
• Thank everyone for their time.
• Ask for business cards and two or three other contacts.
QUESTIONS TO ASK
How did you get started in this field?
What did you major in for undergrad and graduate school
(if applicable)?
Did you have an internship that prepared you for your position?
What short and long-term trends do you see in your industry?
What are the positive and negative aspects of this industry?
What are major rewards of this job?
What are the major frustration you encounter on your job?
What benefits are typically offered in your industry?
Who are the recognized leaders in this industry?
What professional associations represent this industry?
Is there another professional I should talk with about careers
and trends in this field?
What are some other good sources of information about this
industry: articles, reports, journals, people?
What are the current career opportunities in this field?
What skills and experience are sought in entry-level employees?
What is the typical career path for entry-level hires?
Of your organization’s hires the last three years, what qualities and
experience did they have that made them attractive candidates?
Is training typically formal or on- the-job training?
(Offer a copy of your résumé.) Could I get your opinion on my
résumé? What strengths and/or weaknesses do you see? May I
call you in the future with questions or to check with you about
news and leads in the field?
FOLLOW-UP
• Summarize information.
• Send a thank you email that day and a written note
the following.
• Keep informed if they agreed.
• Contact new leads.
Develop Your Online Brand
Your online brand is your presence in social media and on
networking websites, and it communicates your professional
(or lack thereof) potential and fit to prospective employers.
Employers “Google” applicants, and the information they
find can make or break their decision to hire you. You are
better served to proactively and carefully develop your online
presence and brand. Note: employers do not have the right to
ask for passwords.
Social media outlets become your virtual résumé and business
card. Establish a consistent and professional image on LinkedIn
and pay attention to privacy settings to control strangers’
ability to view information on social sites. Even on social
sites, use correct grammar and spelling to convey a level of
professionalism and maturity. Always interact with your career in
mind - what you post in college, may cause trouble in the future.
Assess your online presence by Googling yourself, setting-
up a personal Google Alert and monitoring yourself through
a Reppler account. Reppler summarizes your online image,
notifies you of inappropriate content, warns you of any privacy/
security risks and provides a snapshot of your online presence.
Decide what message you want your profiles and posts to
communicate to employers and your network. Strive to
strengthen and bring consistency to your profiles. Read
and comment on career related articles and engage in
conversations on LinkedIn groups.
LINKEDIN
LinkedIn is a professional networking site that allows you
to share your virtual résumé and demonstrate expertise as
you follow companies, join groups and communicate with
professionals. As of June , LinkedIn reported over
million users with million of those being students or recent
graduates. In April, there were . million jobs posted, and %
of recruiters said they use LinkedIn to vet candidates in .
This networking resource is worth your time to develop and
maintain. Use a professional photo cropped to show your face
clearly. This should not be a selfie, but you should be alone.
Check our website for Free Headshot Friday dates and times.
Update your headline to include common keywords, not a job
title or student label. Personalize your URL and include relevant
contact information. Your summary and experience sections
should include keywords related to your field of interest.
Tell and show your successes by uploading links or files of
presentations, projects, etc.
Make connections (over increases your exposure to
like-minded people and companies). Personalize requests
to connect, reminding people of how you met or know one
another. Personalize requests for introductions to other
contacts. Give and seek recommendations and endorsements
from respected professionals. Evaluate that the endorsements
you receive are true and related to your career ambitions.
Follow companies of interest and engage with groups to
improve your visibility.
murraystate.edu/career MURRAY STATE UNIVERSITY 1312 CAREER SERVICES | 270-809-3735
FACEBOOK
Facebook is a social networking site that allows you to
communicate your personality, interests and values. Review
pictures, postings, pages you follow/like and edit posts. Rather
than connecting with strangers, subscribe to feeds and
contribute to discussions.
TWITTER
Twitter is a professional and social networking site that allows
you to follow companies and industry leaders and engage by
sharing information and participating in the conversation.
Update your 160 character bio using industry related keywords
and including a link to your LinkedIn profile. Participate often
and professionally using hashtags to show people in the industry
your relevancy to and knowledge of the field.
OTHER SITES
About.Me allows you to tie your social media presence together
on one site. Pinterest, YouTube and blogging outlets allow you
to communicate your interests, creativity and skills.
EMPLOYERS AND RECRUITERS ARE USING SOCIAL MEDIA MORE WHILE USING JOB BOARDS LESS
attract passive
candidates by
recruiting through
social media
82%
have reprimanded
or fired an employee
based on content
found online
34%
say that if they
can’t find a job
candidate online,
47%
they are less likely to call that
person in for an interview
–
,
/
You can make connections with Murray State University Alumni through the Murray State LinkedIn page or by
Filtering people on your LinkedIn page. You can search for alumnus who had the same major as you or who work at
companies you may want to work at! Feel free to send them a message and get connected with any advice they may be
able to provide.
Leverage Your Email
Communicating professionally through email is extremely
important when building your network and job searching.
Develop good habits so you don’t accidentally use text talk.
Use your murraystate.edu email as a student, but as you
transition into the world of work, create a professional email
that contains your name: fi[email protected]
CONTENT
Be cautious of word choices. An email is void of body language,
and tone can be misunderstood. Use professional language,
and don’t compensate attempts at sarcasm or humor with
emoticons or exclamation points.
Always include a subject line, salutation and closing (use
names). Remember, emails can be quickly and easily forwarded
to others. Make sure the topic is not of a private nature. Adhere
to spelling/grammatical rules. Ensure that any attachments
you are sending can be opened by the recipient to maintain
software compatibility. Keep file size small to avoid jamming the
recipient’s mailbox. Proofread text and check that attachments
have uploaded before sending.
Tips for Special Populations
Career Services recognizes that some student and alumni
groups have unique needs and questions. Here are just a few
of the topics we are happy to discuss with you. Several of these
topics have additional tips and resources available through the
Tip Sheets and Web Resources pages on our website.
INTERNATIONAL STUDENTS
Whether you are pursuing a position in another country or
the U.S., we can assist you with résumé development and job
search strategies. If you are pursuing US positions, you will
also work with an international student advisor to ensure that
documentation is completed in a timely manner.
We can help you navigate LinkedIn and Handshake to find
jobs. Programs like Uniworldbp.com are fee based but a great
resource to identify American firms and their locations in other
countries and firms based in other countries with locations in
the United States.
Please check with the office of International Student Enrollment
and Retention to see if you are eligble for CPT and OPT.
LGBT STUDENTS
As you prepare for the job search, you may first want to
research locations of interest. Learn what anti-discrimination
laws are in place and what type of support system will be
available in the community. You may want to review applicable
and available LinkedIn, social, and church groups.
Research work policies and corporate climates of companies
of interest. Do they extend benefits to same gender spouses?
Is their non- discrimination statement or policy inclusive of the
LGBT community? Are there LGBT Employee Groups? Does the
company’s health insurance plan cover medical services for
transgender individuals? It might be good to consider reaching
out to someone who identifies as LGBT in the company to find
out about the company culture and how they embrace LGBT
employees.
There are additional tips and resources on the Web Resources
page on our website.
STUDENT ATHLETES
While you likely have the drive, initiative, leadership and time
management skills employers seek, you may not have internship
and work experience. Meet with a career counselor for help in
effectively marketing your experiences as a student-athlete to
an employer.
STUDENTS WITH DISABILITIES
Some companies are now required to proactively recruit
candidates with disabilities. Because of this, many companies
will utilize a standard self-identification form. This request for
disclosure is confidential, is not available to those in hiring roles
and is for documentation purposes only.
The process of requesting reasonable accommodations is
a different process. Professional staff members in Career
Services and IDEA are happy to discuss strategies and timing
of when to make requests.
VETERAN STUDENT
Your time in the military has equipped you with a wide variety
of valuable skills in areas such as leadership, technology and
discipline that can be an asset on your résumé if you effectively
translate your military experience into civilian terms. Focus on
skills used and outcomes/successes attained rather than tasks
completed. Review your performance evaluations to brainstorm
skills used and outcomes achieved. Then, translate to civilian
terms. See additional tips on our Web Resources page.
will disqualify
a candidate
for a typo in
an initial email
70%
murraystate.edu/career MURRAY STATE UNIVERSITY 1514 CAREER SERVICES | 270-809-3735
Types of Résumés
Chronological (sample, p. 16)
Use when experience, education and activities are strong and
relevant to your objective; previous job titles or company
names sound impressive; job history shows growth or
emphasizes related accomplishments. Warning: It makes non-
impressive job titles and frequent career changes clearly visible.
Functional/Skills (sample, p. 17)
Use to deemphasize irrelevant job titles and work history
in order to draw attention to transferable skills. Draw on
all sources of experience (jobs, volunteering, activities and
coursework) to describe skills. Warning: It draws attention to
an absence of related experience.
Combination (sample, p. 18)
Combine aspects of chronological and functional formats to
emphasize work and skills/accomplishments equally.
Please see resume examples by major at
https://www.murraystate.edu/headermenu/Offices/
CareerServices/webResources.aspx
Header
• Include full name, email and phone number every time
• Include address unless privacy is a concern
• Email should be professional, contain your name and
not be work-related (remove hyperlink)
• Include link to portfolio, website or LinkedIn if applicable
• Name will be bolded - pt. font
Summary of Qualifications
According to RobinRyan.com, in a “national survey of
hiring managers, the overwhelming majority said the
most important part of your résumé is the Summary of
Qualifications.” It should be to bullets that “present an
overview of your experience, accomplishments, talents, work
habits, and skills.” Use to quickly market your skills and personal
traits to an employer.
Do not lie, exaggerate or misrepresent yourself. Highlight your
experience and accomplishments based on solid facts. Do not
repeat information from your cover letter, state the obvious or
narrow your opportunities too much.
A résumé is a targeted personal marketing piece that summarizes your education and experiences to highlight your qualifications
as they relate to the job (part or full-time jobs, internships, leadership positions, scholarships, etc.) you are seeking. It is also a way
to obtain an interview. The top two thirds of a résumé is usually referred to as the “sales zone.” This is where the most relevant
information appears in order to catch the employer’s attention. The bottom third of the page is the “reinforce zone.” Try not to
hide information there that is required for the job for which you are applying. Design and layout can make a huge difference.
And while templates are great, they can make you look the same as other candidates. Lastly we read left to right, so try to highlight
skills at the bullet rather than within the phrase. Also consider keeping headers to the left as well. Various data tells us that
recruiters spend as little as seven seconds up to a minute on an initial review of your résumé. The following tips will help you make
your résumé as easy to read and as effective as possible.
RÉSUMÉ
Education
List in reverse chronological order and include GPA of .
and above; do not round up. You may include the following
categories in this section, but consider creating a separate
section if there are three or more in the category:
• Awards, honors and scholarships.
• Education abroad experience.
• Special training, certifications or workshops.
Experience
• List in reverse chronological order (present to past).
• List in order of relevance when applicable.
• Create both Related Experience and Other Experience
sections to move more related positions to top.
Activities, Honors and Research
These are option sections, and you may want to combine
these or create separate sections, depending on how many
of each you have. List activities that demonstrate job-related
or leadership skills and memberships in career-related
organizations. However, don’t just list an organization because
you paid dues. If it’s on your résumé, you should be prepared to
talk about your involvement in an interview.
Key Skills
Include skills that align with job description. Consider including
these sections: Computer, Foreign Languages, Personal,
Certifications. For some majors, certifications should be listed
higher on the résumé.
Miscellaneous
Consider including service, publications, presentations,
willingness to travel or relocate, and date of availability. While
interests demonstrate your uniqueness, weigh the relevance to
your career goals.
References
Do not list “Available upon request” on your résumé. Prepare a
separate page and list three to five references, using the same
name header and format as your résumé. See reference page
samples: p. .
Writing an Effective Objective Statement
For many students, a ‘Statement of Qualifications’ can be
daunting, especially if you don’t have much experience to
draw from. For these situations, a carefully crafted objective
statement can be very useful AND effective.
Typical objective statements might sound like ‘Seeing an
internship’ or ‘Looking for a part-time job’. The problem with
these is that ) they aren’t specific enough and ) they don’t tell
the employer ANYTHING about you (the applicant). Let’s fix this:
) Think about what you are interested in:
Are you looking for a part-time job? An Internship?
Something else?
) Continue down that path, and customize your objective
for the position you are applying for.
Is this an on-campus position at the Health and
Wellness Center? Maybe it’s an internship at a
children’s museum. Pay attention and try to integrate
that level of detail into your objective.
) What skills can you bring to the table? Take a look
inside yourself and determine what skills you’ve
developed and honed over the years. Maybe you’re a
great communicator. Perhaps you have a great work
ethic. It’s wise to actually make a list of - of these
soft skills and keep them on your phone or somewhere
you can access them regularly.
Let’s bring all these pieces together. A strong objective
statement would look like this:
Example 1: Seeking a part-time hospitality position where
strong dependability and customer service skills can help the
company.
Example 2: Interested in a summer animal care internship
where attention to detail and strong communication skills can
help the organization.
Another way to stand out is to use the organizations name
in the objective statement:
Example 3: Seeking a summer education-focused internship
where maturity & a great personality can help Point O’ Pines
Camp.
Creating AWESOME Bullet Points
Employers can guess what you did as a restaurant server/
office assistant/student worker/landscaper/cook/factory
worker/babysitter/dog walker/insert other job here. What you
want to focus on with bullet points is YOUR QUANTIFIABLE
ACHIEVEMENTS!
Too many people do this:
When they should do this:
When looking at a resume, nobody cares that you can make
coffee, answer phones or talk to people. When creating
bullets, use approximations of your figures (‘Ex: +’, ‘over
activities’, ‘~%’). Also, use action words to start off your
bullet points to help yourself stand out from the crowd.
Here are some ideas to help you generate some meaningful
resume metrics. Think about the following as they relate to
your past or current jobs, internships, externships and student
organization or volunteer activities. Combine details about the
scope of your activities with what results you helped achieve
(as noted in ‘Confessions of a Recruiting Director’ by Brad
Karsh). Keep in mind that whole numbers, dollar amounts and
percentages are especially impressive on a resume:
• How many people do you work with?
• Do you work directly with an executive?
• What percentage of Murray State students are in the
same organization as you?
EXPERIENCE
Acme Explosives Toontown, KY May -Present
Office Assistant
• Make coffee
• Answer phones
• Talk to customers
• Multi-task
EXPERIENCE
Acme Explosives Toontown, KY May -Present
Office Assistant
• Developed and presented an advertising campaign to increase
client base by -% over the next months
• Brainstormed over promotional activities for annual
‘Boom Week’
• Implemented a new Client Relationship Management system
for 300+ clients, using Microsoft Access
murraystate.edu/career MURRAY STATE UNIVERSITY 1716 CAREER SERVICES | 270-809-3735
• Helping raise a certain dollar amount or increasing
membership for an organization
• If you (or the organization) wins an award while you
are involved with them
• Are you responsible for sensitive data?
• Do you help with projects integral to the mission of
the organization?
• Have you found more efficient ways of doing things?
• Do you have any particular quotas or sales goals that
you have to meet?
• If you work on events, how many people attend on a
regular basis?
• Do those events need sponsors that you are in charge
of bringing in?
• If you work on a company’s or RSO’s website/twitter/
Facebook/etc, how many visitors/followers/fans do
they have? How many did they have when you began?
• Working in a manual labor job can often mean
working with expensive tools - what is the dollar
amount of those items?
• What about coaching for a little league team or
running a sports camp? What age groups are you
responsible for?
Think about listing your RSO or community involvement as
experience as well:
As far as the order of experience goes, we recommend sorting
your resume based on relevance. If you are applying to a bank
and you did an internship with an investment company a couple
years ago, put that position at the top (even if you are working
somewhere else now). The idea is to get the potential employer
to see that you have some familiarity with their position or
industry.
FIRSTNAME LASTNAME
1234 College St. | Murray, KY 42071 | 123.123.1234
fi[email protected] | linkedin.com/in/FirstnameLastname
HEADER EXAMPLES
FIRSTNAME LASTNAME
Permanent Address
1234 Mom St.
Home, KY 42000
123.123.1234
Current Address
1234 College St.
Murray, KY 42071
FIRSTNAME LASTNAME
1234 College St. | Murray, KY 42071 | 123.123.1234 | fi[email protected]
FIRSTNAME LASTNAME
1234 College St. | Murray, KY 42071
123.123.1234 | fi[email protected]
linkedin.com/in/FirstnameLastname
SUMMARY OF QUALIFICATIONS
- Strong verbal communicator building rapport easily and presenting
to groups effectively
- Attentive writer trained in journalistic and professional writing styles
- Motivated contributor able to meet goals independently or as a team
- Organized problem solver with a strong attention to detail
SUMMARY OF QUALIFICATIONS
• Highly motivated professional with two years of sales experience
• Recognized interpersonal skills, comfortable cold calling as well
as building and maintaining professional relationships
• Resourceful problem solver, continually assessing available
resources and opportunities
• Organized and comfortable using various software systems for
database development
SUMMARY OF QUALIFICATIONS
- Excellence-driven professional with over years of business leadership
experience.
- Thorough understanding of GIS, cartographic principles, and map
design.
- Experienced in solving problems through the processing and analysis
of geospatial data.
- Strong technical skills including geospatial software and some
programming experience.
SUMMARY OF QUALIFICATIONS
• Organized event planner, strategically aligning resources and
problem solving to meet participant needs
• Engaging communicator with teaching and public speaking
experience, proficient in Prezi and PowerPoint
• Critical and analytical thinker with research experience, proficient
in IBM SPSS
• Data Analysis and Excel
• Proactive collaborator, thriving in diverse teamwork situations
• Familiar with truth functions, theoretical application, and cognitive
acquisition
SUMMARY EXAMPLES
EDUCATION
Murray State University; Murray, KY | Bachelor of Science, Public Relations, May XX
- Marketing Minor
- GPA: ./. | Dean’s List: Six () consecutive semesters
Discover Program; Costa Rica | Study Abroad; Dec XX
EDUCATION
Murray State University; Murray, KY
Bachelor of Science, Public Relations; May XX
• Marketing Minor
West Kentucky Community and Technical College; Paducah, KY
Associate of Arts; May XX
EDUCATION
Murray State University, Murray, KY | Master of Business Administration; Aug. XX
− GPA: .
Bachelor of Science in Geosciences; Dec. XX
− Geographic Information Science Area
− GPA: .
EDUCATION
Murray State University, Murray, KY | Bachelor of Science in Nursing; May
• Nursing GPA: . | Cumulative GPA: . | Honors Diploma
• Thesis: “Moral Distress in Baccalaureate Nursing Students” (Pending
Publication in Kentucky Nurse; Presented research during Murray State
University Scholars Week)
EDUCATION EXAMPLES
EXPERIENCE
Social Media Club Murray, KY Fall 2017-Present
Member
- Have meetings
- Listen to speakers
EXPERIENCE
Social Media Club Murray, KY Fall 2017-Present
Member
- Communicated weekly with ~15 other club members about
client meetings and strategy
- Increased membership by 5-10 members by speaking in ~7
business classes in January 2018
- Manage Twitter account with 1000+ followers
murraystate.edu/career MURRAY STATE UNIVERSITY 1918 CAREER SERVICES | 270-809-3735
OTHER SECTIONS EXAMPLES
REFERENCES
FirstName LastName
Title
Employer
Address
City, ST 12345
### - ### - ####
Email@company.com
REFERENCES
FirstName LastName: Title, Company
- 123 Park Avenue South | New York, NY 10010
- 123.123.1234 | First.Last@company.com
“StudentName is a professional in every sense of
the word. She possesses both great writing and
presentation skills.”
REFERENCE PAGE EXAMPLES
EXPERIENCE EXAMPLES
TECHNICAL SKILLS
General Software: Proficient in Microsoft Word, Excel and PowerPoint
Design Software: Working knowledge of Adobe Photoshop and InDesign
Social Media: Proficient in utilizing and evaluating analytics for Facebook, Twitter,
HootSuite and blogs
KEY SKILLS
Computer: Proficient in Microsoft Office (Word, PowerPoint and Publisher) with
working knowledge of Excel
Languages: English, Native; Spanish, Fluent; French, Conversational
Personal: Strong communication (verbal and written), organizational and problem
solving skills; demonstrate a strong work ethic and dedication to positive customer
service
ACTIVITIES
Murray Environmental Student Society: Campaign Strategist, Aug XX – May XX
Public Relations Student Society of America: Fundraising Chair, Aug XX – May XX
Growing into Respected Outstanding Women: Mentor, Jan XX – May XX
LEADERSHIP EXPERIENCE
President; Aug XX – Present | Social Fraternity; Murray, KY
• Collaborate with executive board and alumni to develop annual goals
• Delegate projects to committees, resulting in meeting all goals to date
• Coordinated event raising over $, for local organization
EXPERIENCE
Dream Employer; New York, NY | Account Intern, June 20XX – present
- Analyze digital advertising trends to project future look of Exxon and Mobil stations
- Interact with management to understand key account roles and responsibilities
- Prepare client proposal presentation with Prezi and won Best Presentation Award
out of 25 interns
EXPERIENCE
Extern, Emergency Room; Louisville, KY
St. Mary and Elizabeth’s Hospital; May XX-Aug XX
• Provided emergency care to patients in collaboration with RN to perform treatments
and procedures
• Developed understanding of staff roles, patient care management, and medication
administration
RESEARCH EXPERIENCE
Directed Independent Study; Murray, KY | Lead Investigator; Nov XX
Senior Honors Thesis; Murray, KY | Lead Investigator; May XX
Data Collection; Murray, KY | Research Assistant/Co-author; Feb XX – May XX
- Analyzed original data using SAS statistical software with , and participants
- Managed student team of five () to create, execute, analyze and present custom
marketing research project
- Collected data through SurveyMonkey.com, assessed through SPSS statistical
software and presented with Prezi
- Utilized syndicated data in GIS exercises to answer specific research questions
in segmented markets
EXPERIENCE
Walt Disney Company, Orlando, FL
Customer Service Intern, All Star Resorts Concierge; Jun XX – Jan XX
• Managed foreign currency exchanges (Ruble, Euro, British Pound and Canadian Dollar)
• Communicated effectively, recognized for excellent customer service skills and
positive attitude
• Translated or conducted business entirely in French with guests from Canada and France
• Organized tickets, rooms and dining reservations, in addition to external transportation
off property, for guests
RÉSUMÉ WRITING
On your Résumé, do …
• Update and change content for each position and consider if
format needs to be altered as well.
• Keep résumé to one page if you have less than years of
experience.
• Omit high school information by mid sophomore year.
• Use bullets, not blocks of text to encourage readability.
• Communicate responsibilities and accomplishments in
position(s) through bulleted statements.
• Prepare a separate reference page.
• Tell the truth % of the time.
• Have at least three people proof it:
• Career Services professional.
• Professional in the field (professor or supervisor).
• Personal “cheerleader” (family, friend or mentor).
On your Résumé, don’t …
• Use a template or poor formatting.
• Make it too long.
• List JUST your job title, company and dates.
• Use pronouns in résumé.
• Date résumé.
• Title it “RÉSUMÉ.”
• Introduce anything that could be perceived as a negative.
• Refer to religion, political party or national origin. Consider
using general terms to indicate experience in these areas.
• Include salary information.
• Forget to proofread your résumé.
• List references on your résumé.
• Use unprofessional email address.
• Include gender, high school info (unless relevant), marital
status, height/weight, birthplace, birth date or picture.
There are exceptions to these recommendations depending on
the field in which you are seeking entry or if you are applying
for a job in another country. Research your industry of interest
and network to confirm if there are any unique approaches in
the job search process that you need to implement.
Emailing Your Résumé
Typically, the best formats are the following:
PDF: A Portable Document File (PDF) is a common option
as the format of your document won’t change when opened
on another’s computer. Save as a PDF, rather than print/scan.
Scanning software can’t read the scanned version.
DOCX/DOC: This format is widely used and accepted. It allows
you to use effective formatting and is a good option as long as
the employer opening your document uses MS Word or has
compatibility software.
RTF: A Rich Text Format (RTF) is more versatile as it isn’t
specific to a program (MS Word). It preserves common
formatting but doesn’t allow as many options as a DOCX.
TXT: To insert your résumé into a website text box, have a Text
File (TXT) version available. Edit your résumé in Notepad to
create a version with no formatting (italics, bold, etc.).
Type position title in subject line. Use the body of the email to
professionally and briefly introduce yourself. Let the reader
know what documents are attached and note when you will
follow-up. Check that documents are attached before sending.
Uploading Your Résumé to Company
or Job Board Websites
Due to the number of applications companies receive, many
résumés are screened first by an Applicant
Tracking System (ATS) or Automated Résumé Screener (ARS).
This means that your résumé must be in a format the software
can read (DOCX, DOC and PDF are safest options) and
rich with key words relevant to the position for which you
are applying. Use common fonts it can read and avoid putting
content in the header/ footer areas or using tables.
Despite your efforts to create a visually pleasing résumé, some
employers will ask that you simply cut and paste text into a
text box. If you do this straight from Word, the result is not
pretty. So, create a résumé in Notepad where all formatting is
stripped from your document. Everything will be left justified.
Use all caps for headers and use asterisks or hyphens to identify
bulleted information.
Mailing Your Résumé
Stack your cover letter over your résumé and paper clip (do
not staple). Insert into a large manila envelope that does
not require that you fold the documents. Check for correct
postage.
FREE RÉSUMÉ REVIEW
RESOURCES
eRésumé Review:
For feedback within business
hours, submit résumé to
msu.erésumé@murraystate.edu.
Appointment:
To schedule an appointment with a
staff member, go on Handshake
or call us at
270-809-3735.
murraystate.edu/career MURRAY STATE UNIVERSITY 2120 CAREER SERVICES | 270-809-3735
RÉSUMÉ MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS
SUMMARY/HIGHLIGHTS OF QUALIFICATIONS
Summarize in 3-5 bullets, the skills and personal traits you possess and that
mirror the job description to best communicate area fit for the position/company.
An objective is NOT recommended as it is outdated. However, if specifically
requested, state specific job title seeking skills offered.
EDUCATION
University; City, ST | Degree, Major; Date of Graduation
• GPA: 4.0 Overall GPA is assumed
• Add Major GPA if higher and label as such
APPLICABLE COURSEWORK (Optional Section)
Only list courses that fill a gap in résumé or otherwise illustrate acquired
knowledge that has not been demonstrated through your experience section - if
listing more than three, use columns
EXPERIENCE
Employer; City, ST | Job Title; Dates of Employment
• List experiences present to past
• Include applicable volunteer experiences, internships, co-ops, part and
full time jobs
Special/SeniorProjects
• List Leadership contributions and outcomes for class projects if applicable to
position
ACTIVITIES (OptionalSection)
Organization - current position, dates; previous position, dates
List only those organizations (sports, clubs, student government, honor societies,
etc.) where you contribute regularly and actively
HONORS (OptionalSection)
List only those scholarships and honors that are related to your field
KEY SKILLS
Foreign Languages: List oral, written and reading competency levels, not course years
Computer: Include hardware and software proficiencies - if seeking tech position,
include more specific sections: programming languages, hardware, software,
operating systems, databases, etc.
Certifications/Licenses: List dates
Personal: List personal skills/traits that help make you a better candidate for position
In order for your résumé to be
approved in Racer Tracks and be
available to employers, it must
meet the following requirements:
Consistent format and content
• .” to ” margins (.” may be approved)
• Standard, non-ornamental fonts that are on
all computers
• Header Text Size (- pt. font)
• Body Text Size (- pt. font)
• Fills the page (should NOT be more than one
page if less than years of experience)
• NO high school info after sophomore year
unless specifically related to objective
• NO grammatical/spelling mistakes
• NO references(belonging separate page)
• NO social security number, birthdate, picture,
marital status, gender, ethnicity or religion
• Note, when printing, print on /” x ”
light, neutral résumé paper on high quality
printer in black ink
Contact Information
• Include Name, address, phone number, and
e-mail address clearly at top of page
Education
• Includes institution(s) spelled out and
location (City, ST)
• Includes Degree (Bachelor of…) and major
•
Include Expected Graduation Date (month/
year) rather than dates attended
• Degrees are listed present to past Includes
minor(s) if applicable
Experience (chronological résumés)
• Includes employer/organization(s), location,
title and dates of employment (month/year)
listed present to past
• Uses present and past tense verbs accurately
• Use concise bulleted statements, not
complete sentences (no first person)
Honors, Awards or Activities (if included)
• Listings Are Spelled Out(no abbreviations)
• Leadership roles are listed with dates
positions were held
A Curriculum Vitae may be longer than one
page but must include name and page
number subsequent pages
Current Address
Street
City, ST ZIP
FirstName LastName
phone number
email address
Permanent Address
Street
City, ST ZIP
ACTION VERBS/PERSONAL QUALITIES
These skills and others listed in job descriptions are the ones that should appear in your résumé to communicate applicable skills to an
employer. If you are currently in the position, use present tense; if no longer in the position, use past tense. Use this list to brainstorm
but also look at job descriptions, talk to current/past supervisors and utilize a thesaurus. Try to communicate a diverse skill set.
Also, review the National Association of Colleges and Employers Career Competencies listed on p. 6 and try to incorporate these in
your résumé as well.
Communication
addressed
advertised
arbitrated
articulated
authored
clarified
communicated
composed
conferred
consulted
contacted
conveyed
convinced
corresponded
debated
defined
described
discussed
drafted
edited
elicited
enlisted
explained
expressed
furnished
influenced
interacted
interviewed
involved
joined
judged
lectured
listened
marketed
mediated
moderated
negotiated
observed
outlined
participated
persuaded
presented
proposed
publicized
recruited
referred
reinforced
reported
resolved
solicited
spoke
summarized
synthesized
translated
wrote
Creative
acted
adapted
began
combined
conceptualized
condensed
created
customized
designed
directed
displayed
drew
entertained
fashioned
illustrated
initiated
instituted
integrated
introduced
invented
modeled
modified
originated
performed
photographed
planned
revised
revitalized
shaped
Financial/Data
adjusted
allocated
appraised
assessed
audited
balanced
budgeted
calculated
computed
corrected
estimated
measured
projected
reconciled
reduced
retrieved
Helping
adapted
advocated
aided
answered
cared for
collaborated
contributed
cooperated
counseled
demonstrated
educated
encouraged
ensured
expedited
familiarized
furthered
guided
insured
intervened
prevented
procured
provided
rehabilitated
represented
simplified
supplied
supported
volunteered
Leadership
administered
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
increased
initiated
inspected
managed
merged
motivated
organized
oversaw
presided
prioritized
produced
recommended
secured
selected
streamlined
strengthened
supervised
terminated
transformed
Organization
accommodated
achieved
arranged
catalogued
categorized
charted
classified
coded
collected
compiled
corrected
distributed
filed
implemented
incorporated
logged
maintained
monitored
obtained
ordered
prepared
processed
provided
purchased
recorded
registered
reserved
responded
routed
scheduled
screened
served
set-up
submitted
standardized
systematized
updated
validated
verified
Research
analyzed
collected
compared
conducted
critiqued
detected
determined
diagnosed
evaluated
examined
experimented
explored
extracted
formulated
gathered
identified
inspected
interpreted
interviewed
invented
investigated
located
measured
researched
reviewed
searched
solved
surveyed
tested
Technical
applied
assembled
built
conserved
constructed
engineered
manufactured
operated
overhauled
printed
programmed
regulated
remodeled
repaired
replaced
restored
solved
specialized
studied
upgraded
utilized
Teaching
adapted
advised
coached
enabled
facilitated
focused
guided
individualized
informed
instilled
instructed
motivated
simulated
stimulated
taught
tested
trained
transmitted
tutored
Personal
Qualities
accurate
analytical
articulate
attentive listener
attentive to detail
autonomous
cautious
competitive
competitive
conservative
consistent
customer-oriented
decisive
deliberate
diplomatic
direct/decisive
energetic
enthusiastic
fact-finder
fast-paced
flexible
friendly
goal-oriented
highly organized
improvement
independent
initiative
innovative
optimistic
outgoing
patient
people-oriented
persuasive
precise
provide variety
quick
reflective
reserved
results-oriented
risk-taker
specialist
structured
supportive
systematic
team-oriented
verbal
murraystate.edu/career MURRAY STATE UNIVERSITY 2322 CAREER SERVICES | 270-809-3735
CHRONOLOGICAL RÉSUMÉ SAMPLE
CHRONOLOGICAL RÉSUMÉ
College Street | Murray, KY
[email protected] | -- | linkedin.com/in/chronorésumé
SUMMARY OF QUALIFICATIONS
• Energetic college graduate seeking Public Relations Assistant Director position
• Innovative thinker with strong creative problem solving and analytical skills
• Strong communicator (verbal and written), experienced in technical writing, blogging and presenting
• Technologically savvy, proficient in using social media marketing strategies
EDUCATION
Murray State University (MSU); Murray, KY | BA, Public Relations; May 20XX
• GPA: ./.
EXPERIENCE
MSU Career Services; Murray, KY | Social Media Intern; January XX - Present
• Create and schedule Facebook, Twitter and Instagram posts, increasing links back to website %
• Collaborate with supervisor to develop Facebook ad
• Develop social media standards for organization
Social Sorority; Murray, KY| President; March XX - Present
• Direct -member executive council to achieve chapter/national goals
• Assess ideas and make recommendations for implementation
• Served as liaison to -member organization and national organization
VP of Marketing; March XX - February XX
• Created, implemented and maintained social media and website
• Managed print and promotional item design, printing and distribution
• Communicated effectively with members, University administration and national representatives
We Are Hip Inc.; Lexington, KY | Sales Manager; Summers/Winter Breaks XX and XX
• Supervised five sales clerks
• Initiated new reward program for sales clerks, resulting in increased sales both summers
• Maintained budget, inventory and payroll
TECHNICAL SKILLS
General Software: Proficient in Microsoft Word, Excel, PowerPoint and Publisher
Design: Proficient in Adobe Photoshop, InDesign and Illustrator
Social Media: Proficient in Facebook, Twitter, NING and blogging
FUNCTIONAL RÉSUMÉ
222 Poplar Street | Murray, KY 42071 | 270.123.1234 | [email protected]
HIGHLIGHT OF
QUALIFICATIONS
EDUCATION
KEY SKILLS
EXPERIENCE
and ACTIVITIES
− Creative with experience developing marketing solutions
− Effective and professional communicator (verbal and written)
− Relationship builder recognized for interpersonal skills
− Technically savvy including web design and social media
Murray State University, Murray, KY
Bachelor of Arts, English Major; May 20xx
− Advertising Minor
− GPA: 3.80/4.00
Humboldt State University; Arcata, CA
National Student Exchange | Aug 20XX-May 20XX
− Completed 30 hours of Advertising courses
Creativity
− Created custom designed logo and promotional materials
− Designed weekly flyers to advertise social functions
− Developed ad lay-outs for school newspaper
− Applicable course work: advertising and public relations
Writing
− Wrote, edited and distributed monthly newsletter for academic honor society
− Published fictional stories in campus literary magazine
− Promoted organization state-wide through press releases
− Applicable course work: business writing
Interpersonal
− Coordinated publication of newsletter with 11 fraternities, Greek Life Office,
and printing company to meet deadlines
− Exceeded goals for campus newspaper ad sales
− Communicated via phone and face-to-face with patrons interested in learning
about organization
− Applicable course work: personal selling, organizational behavior and
persuasive discourse
Computer
− Proficient in Microsoft Office (Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Publisher)
− Design experience with Adobe Photoshop and Illustrator
− Proficient in social media: Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and Hootsuite
− Working knowledge of web page design
Social Fraternity; Murray, KY | Publicity Chair; January 20xx - Present
The Murray Ledger; Murray, KY | Sales Rep; September 20xx - Present
Phi Beta Kappa; Murray, KY | Secretary; March 20xx - 20xx
National Kidney Foundation; Arcata, CA | Intern; January - April 20xx
FUNCTIONAL RÉSUMÉ SAMPLE
murraystate.edu/career MURRAY STATE UNIVERSITY 2524 CAREER SERVICES | 270-809-3735
COMBINATION RÉSUMÉ
123 Smart Street | Murray, KY 42071
(270) 123-1234 | combo@murraystate.edu
SUMMARY OF QUALIFICATIONS
− Detail-oriented, comfortable editing both technical and creative pieces
− Creative writer with published short stories and poems
− Dynamic communicator whether speaking to small or large groups or individuals
− Culturally aware with international travel experience, comfortable building rapport with diverse groups of people
EDUCATION
Murray State University; Murray, KY
Bachelor of Arts, English Major; May 20XX
− Theatre Minor
− GPA: 3.5/4.0 | Dean’s List: Six (6) semesters
Study Abroad, London, England; Dublin, Ireland | Spring Break 20XX
Study Abroad, Barcelona | Winter Break 20XX
Study Abroad, Shanghai, China | June – July 20XX
WRITING EXPERIENCE
The Murray Ledger; Murray, KY | Editor Intern; April 20XX – Present
− Proof incoming articles for weekly newspaper
− Write editorial pieces on national, local and campus events
− Create short stories for entertainment section bi-weekly
Happy Summer Camp; Small Town, OH | Creative Asst.; Summers 20XX, 20XX
− Wrote, directed and produced student play
− Supervised, edited and compiled 50 campers’ creative writing
− Critiqued and creatively enhanced camp newsletter
KEY SKILLS
Writing
− Edited faculty research paper to be published nationally
− Wrote four (4) short stories and three (3) poems that were published in University literary magazine
− Produced dynamic script for five (5) team members for class presentation
Creativity
− Participated in traveling improv drama group, awarded regional recognition by Paducah Sun
− Designed and presented history of film presentation to audience of 300
− Created posters, flyers and social media ads to promote performances for six sold-out shows
Computer
− Proficient in Microsoft Office (Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Publisher)
− Experienced using social media to market events and organizations: Facebook, Instagram and Twitter
− Working knowledge with Adobe (InDesign, Illustrator, Photoshop)
OTHER EXPERIENCE
Notations, Murray, KY | Contributor; Spring 20XX
Dr. Bob Smith, Murray, KY | Undergraduate Research Assistant; Fall 20XX
FunnyBone, Paducah, KY | Performer; Spring 20XX - Fall 20XX
History of Theatre Course, Murray, KY | Team Member; Fall 20XX
COMBINATION RÉSUMÉ SAMPLE REFERENCE PAGE SAMPLE
REFERENCE Page
123 Smart Street | Murray, KY 42071
(270) 123-1234 | combo@murraystate.edu
REFERENCES
Mrs. Jane Doe
Advisor
The Murray Ledger
1001 Whitnell Ave.
Murray, KY 42071
janedoe@murrayledger.com
270.753.0000
Mr. John Smith
Director
Happy Summer Camp 1212 Plaza
Small Town, OH 12345
111.111.1111
Dr. Sunny Shine
Professor
English Department
Murray State University, KY 42071
270.809.1234
murraystate.edu/career MURRAY STATE UNIVERSITY 2726 CAREER SERVICES | 270-809-3735
CURRICULUM VITAE (CV) AND REFERENCES
What is a Curriculum Vitae (CV)?
A curriculum vitae or CV is a comprehensive biographical
statement that emphasizes qualifications/ activities and is
organized so your most relevant areas stand out. It should be
clear, concise and consistent. Unless a CV is requested, send a
résumé.
Other cultures often expect a CV, but the expectations vary
greatly. Make sure to research tips and strategies for applying
for jobs internationally.
In the United States, a CV is often used in higher education to
pursue teaching, administration and research positions. The
CV should highlight academic pursuits, omitting material not
directly related to educational background/achievement. One
might also use a CV for these activities:
• Locate or change positions
• Update personnel records
• Respond to public announcements
• Re-enter the labor market
• Develop a biography
• Accompany a work annual review
• Accompany a portfolio
• Grant proposal support documentation
• Part of application process
• Presentation introduction background
To Get Started…
Brainstorm everything you might include, both educational and
professional. Then, decide what to include and exclude. Write
a draft and experiment with format and relevant information.
Adapt your CV to fit various needs and update your information
at least once a year.
Follow style and layout suggestions in the résumé section, and
make sure your name and page number appear on each page.
Outside Readers/Critics
The following people should review your CV before you
distribute it:
• Professional who knows you well enough to spot any
significant information you may have omitted.
• Professional who does not know you well and will read
critically as most of your readers will fall into this category.
• Career Services staff member.
Reference Page
List three to five people who will speak highly of your past work
performance (job, class work, research, etc.). Ask them if they
are comfortable serving as a positive reference.
• Past or present employers
• Instructors, advisors, coaches
• Professional business leaders in your community, etc.
• Colleagues/peers (use if you collaborated on a team project)
• Character/personal references (use if requested or choices
are limited)
Include the following:
• Name and title: Mr., Ms. or Dr.
• Job title
• Name of the organization
Check spelling of name, company, official job title and address
of each entry. Confirm what phone number and email address
they want used.
Educate your references
• Provide a copy of your résumé so they may speak
intelligently about your past experiences.
• Inform them of the kind of positions you are seeking.
• Coach them about the skills/ strengths you would like them
to emphasize.
• Notify them of positions for which you apply so calls are
anticipated.
• Thank references and notify them when you accept a job.
Education
Professional Studies
Thesis
Master’s Project
Comprehensive Areas
Dissertation Title
Professional Competencies
Professional Highlights
Course Highlights
Areas of Knowledge
Areas of Expertise
Areas of Experience
Professional Experience
Teaching Experience
Research Experience
Administrative Experience
Consulting Experience
Related Experiences
Distinctions
Academic Service
Professional Service
Faculty Leadership
Committee Leadership
Departmental Leadership
Professional Activities
Scholarly Presentations
Conference Presentations
Convention Addresses
Workshop Presentations
Conference Participation
Conference Leadership
Memberships / Affiliations
Professional Organizations
Professional Certifications
Licensure
Special Training
Teaching Interests
Academic Interests
Research Interests
Educational Interests
Professional Interests
Scholarships
Awards / Honors
Fellowships
Publications
Exhibits/Exhibitions
Academic Accomplishments
Activities
Foreign Studies
Travel Abroad
Foreign Languages
References
• Work address
• Preferred phone number
• Email address
Suggested CV Topics
REFERENCES CONT. AND LETTER WRITING
Don’t ever...
• List people you have not contacted.
• Assume people know who you are.
• List people with whom you have had a negative experience.
• Fabricate individuals’ names.
• List contact information that is incomplete or not current.
• Reference page samples, pp. and .
Reference Letters
An employer or graduate/professional program may request a
reference letter. This letter communicates that you are a fit for
the position and company. The letter should include
the following:
• Job title held and dates of employment (if applicable).
• Relationship of the writer to you.
• Responsibilities observed (if applicable).
• Work ethic.
• Achievements/accomplishments.
• Personal endorsement of character.
Provide them with the following:
• Self-addressed, stamped envelope or correct submission
instructions
• Copy of your résumé
• Copy of the job description or information about the
graduate/ professional school program
• List of skills, experience successes, etc. as they relate to position
• Thank you note
Reference Letter Content
The letter should be created in a business letter format, ideally
addressed to the specific individual who will review it.
First paragraph:
The first paragraph should explain the connection to you,
including why the recommender is qualified to write this letter
as regards to a job or graduate/ professional school.
Middle paragraph(s):
The next paragraph (or two) should outline specific information
about you, including why you are qualified, what you can
contribute, and why he/ she is providing a reference letter. If
necessary, more than one paragraph can communicate how
your skills match the position for which you are applying.
The writer should summarize his/her comfort level with
recommending you (“highly recommend,” “recommend
without reservation,” etc.) They may also briefly address areas
of growth to personalize the letter.
Closing paragraph:
Hopefully, the writer will conclude the letter by providing
contact information (phone number and/or email address) and
stating a willingness to answer any follow-up questions.
Cover Letter Basics
Cover letters should be written in a standard business letter
format. Use the header from your résumé, setting margins and
font to match, so you present a packet of information that goes
together. See samples on pp. -. Here are key tips:
Salutation
If possible, address the letter to Mr./Ms/Dr. LastName (call and
ask to whom to address the letter, the correct spelling and
title and/or research on CareerShift and LinkedIn. Address to
“Hiring Manager for [name of position]:” if you cannot identify
a specific person.
First paragraph should include
• The job for which you are applying
• How you learned about the position
• Attention getting summary of your personal traits and skills
that make you a fit for the position/company
• Major/graduation date (seniors)
• Name of a person who referred you, if applicable
Consider including a company fact or how the company mission
or value statement is significant to you. However, don’t waste
space educating reader on his/her organization.
Second paragraph should include
• Three (just a suggestion) skills listed in the job description
• Examples of how you have demonstrated selected skills
in the past through previous work, volunteer or leadership
positions
• Focus on past successes/outcomes
This section should expand on what is listed on your résumé,
not reiterate it.
Third paragraph should include
• Appreciation of the reader’s time and attention
• What you want the next step to be: how and when you will
follow-up or your hopes for their follow-up
• Your availability and flexibility in geographic location, if
applicable
Closing
End the letter with Sincerely, three spaces and your name.
Don’t include signature if submitting on-line.
Have someone review your cover letter. Computer spell/
grammar checks do not catch everything.
Typical Cover Letter Mistakes
• Sending résumé without cover letter
• Failing to address a specific person
• Focusing on what you want instead of what you offer an
employer
• Appearing generic, not tailoring your match to the specific
position.
• Allowing misspellings or incorrect grammar/punctuation
• Rehashing your résumé
murraystate.edu/career MURRAY STATE UNIVERSITY 2928 CAREER SERVICES | 270-809-3735
• Focusing on whole story instead of relevant part
• Using qualifiers: “I feel” / “I believe”
• Not sharing follow-up plan
• Starting every sentence with “I” or “my.”
The reader should reach the end of your letter thinking, “This
person can do the job,” and “I could work with this person,”
because you used the language from the job description and
confidently and succinctly told them that you are the match.
Other Letters (or Emails)
PROSPECTING LETTERS communicate that you have qualities
a company needs in an employee and suggest an action plan
such as an interview. Use when there is not a particular job
posted.
NETWORKING LETTERS market you and create a connection
between you and readers (e.g. MSU alum, mutual acquaintance
or similar interest). Do not pressure readers but let them
know what kind of job you are seeking. Request a meeting at a
mutually convenient time and indicate that you will call to make
those arrangements.
THANK YOU LETTERS focus on strengths and remind them
why you should be hired. Personalize the letter with your
specific fit. Each letter should be unique and sent to anyone
who spent more than ten minutes assisting you.
LETTERS OF ACCEPTANCE indicate your pleasure in having
received the company’s offer. Include your understanding of
the offer and confirm start date.
LETTERS OF ACKNOWLEDGMENT confirm receipt of the
offer, express continued interest in the position and request
more time. Indicate when you expect to make your decision.
This usually requires a phone conversation, but always follow-
up with a letter to verify.
RESPONSE TO LETTERS OF REJECTION communicate your
gratefulness for having been considered and your wish to be
considered for future opportunities that may be a better fit.
LETTERS REJECTING OFFER communicate that with
considerable thought you have decided not to accept the
position. Thank them for their time, effort and consideration,
and share your appreciation of their confidence in you.
TRADITIONAL COVER LETTER SAMPLE
IMA RACER
123 Smart Street | Murray, KY 42071
(270) 123-1234 | iracer@murraystate.edu
January 24, 20XX
Mr. U. R. Employer
Director, Personnel Department
We Help Others, Incorporated
123 12th Street Murray, KY 42071
Dear Mr. Employer:
Passionate about helping at-risk juveniles, committed to servant leadership and
driven to take initiative, I am excited to apply for the Assistant Director position
at We Help Others posted on Handshake. In addition to the bachelor’s in
Nonprofit Leadership Studies I will complete at Murray State University in May,
I also bring a strong work ethic and sense of humor to this position.
My professional and educational experiences have enabled me to develop and
utilize supervisory, leadership and marketing skills. In my current position
supervising 10 undergraduate telecounselors, I continually assess their
performance to provide meaningful training and feedback to improve
customer service and increase recruiting numbers. At Three Springs, an outdoor
therapeutic program for troubled teens, my leadership skills allowed for a
balance of patience and firm resolve to be demonstrated as I strove to create
a balance of organization goals with family member, professional and agency
satisfaction. The ability to creatively and effectively use social media for outreach
purposes and the design skills to develop print marketing pieces in Microsoft
Publisher as well as Adobe Photoshop and InDesign will allow me to immediately
influence how We Help Others, Inc. communicates with the public. Please view
samples at mywebsite.com.
Excited about the opportunities that We Help Others, Inc. provides, I am
confident that both my servant leadership skills and ethical and consistent
personal traits will allow me to make an immediate and positive impact on your
organization. Thank you for your time and consideration, and I look forward to
speaking with you soon.
Sincerely,
Traditional Cover Letter
Enclosure
Design header like résumé or follow
business letter format, typing name
and address in block format
< space >
Date (always update)
< to spaces >
Employer’s name Title
Company Name Address
< to spaces >
Salutation (specific person) – use a colon
< space >
Introductory Paragraph: Grab the
reader’s attention and communicate that
you fit the company and/or team culture
by sharing applicable personal traits and
background. Then, state why you are
writing; name the position or type of work
for which you are applying; and mention
where you learned of the position and/
or organization. Share specific names if
someone referred you to the position.
< space >
Body: The next one or two paragraphs
should explain why you are interested
and how you fulfill the demands of the
position. List specific skills from the job
description, and give examples of how you
have demonstrated them in the past.
As a recent graduate, you may use a
paragraph to address academic qualifica-
tions and another paragraph to highlight
experience and skills.
Illustrate in this section that you have
knowledge of the company’s needs and
of the position to demonstrate you have
done your “homework.” Be confident!
< space >
Closing Paragraph: Thank the employer
for his/ her consideration/time. Indicate
what steps you would like to happen next.
The Passive Approach puts the next step
in their court. The Active Approach makes
you the initiator. State a specific date
when you will verify receipt of the letter
and seek to arrange an appointment. If you
say you will contact them, do so!
< space >
Closing, “sincerely” is appropriate
Don’t include signature if emailing but sign
in black or blue ink if mailing
Type name
Include “Enclosure” if mailing
murraystate.edu/career MURRAY STATE UNIVERSITY 3130 CAREER SERVICES | 270-809-3735
EXECUTIVE STYLE COVER LETTER SAMPLE
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY STYLE LETTER
1234 Racer Rd | Murray, KY 42071
270.123.1234 | summary@murraystate.edu
January 24, 20xx
Mr. U. R. Employer
Director, Personnel Department
We Are Successful
123 12th Street
Murray, KY 42071
Dear Mr. Employer:
I am writing to apply for the Public Relations Coordinator position posted on the
wearesuccessfuljobs.com site. Not only do I have a degree in public relations from
Murray State University, but I have two years of experience using social media for
outreach purposes. In addition, I demonstrate the required and desired qualifica-
tions in the following ways:
Thank you for your time and consideration. I will contact you next week to con-
firm receipt of my application and discuss the possibility of meeting.
Sincerely,
Executive Summary Letter
Design header like résumé or follow
business letter format, typing name and
address in block format
Date (always update)
Employer’s name
Title
Company Name
Address
Salutation (specific person) – use a colon
Identifying requirements from the job
description and listing your matching
qualifications is a good practice for writing
the body of a traditional cover letter.
Leaving your list in column format is a way
to directly and efficiently communicate
your fit to the position. This style of letter
is more appropriate for technical and
business industries.
It does not highlight your writing skills,
and some critics say it is too similar to the
resume. Research industry and company
expectations before using this style.
Introductory Paragraph: Begin much like
you would in a traditional cover letter.
Body: -
ments and list bulleted statements of how
you have demonstrated them in the past.
Be confident!
Closing Paragraph: End much like you
would a traditional cover letter.
Closing, “sincerely” is appropriate
Don’t include signature if emailing but sign
in black or blue ink if mailing
Type name
Include “Enclosure” if mailing
Your Requirements
− Knowledge and application of
public relations
− Deal creatively, confidently
and professionally with diverse
audience
− Take initiative, manage
multiple projects and work
independently
− Organizational and
interpersonal skills
My Qualifications
− Utilized social media to increase annual
− Wrote press releases published in local paper
− Created engaging presentations utilizing
PowerPoint and Prezi
− Recognized for effective communication by
peers, campus administration and community
members
− Initiated development of up-to-date
− Managed internal and external marketing for
organization of over 200 members
− Organized marketing campaign for service
− Built rapport quickly with diverse audience
through service activities
INTERVIEWING
Before the Interview
Research the company/position.
• Explore the company website.
• Call alumni.
• Attend information sessions.
• Explore CareerShift, LinkedIn or similar resources.
Know yourself, work through an assessment like FOCUS
(available via our website) and ask yourself the following
questions:
• What are my accomplishments?
• What is my story?
• What are my career goals?
• What do I need to improve?
• Why should I be hired?
Prepare to communicate “your fit” with the company.
Prepare to ask and answer questions using specific
examples.
Prepare appropriate outfit, a suit.
Practice initial greeting/handshake.
Bring extra copies of your résumé.
applicable.
Prepare to give references and to release transcript
information.
10. Determine location and travel time.
11. Schedule a Mock Interview for a formal “dress rehearsal.
During the Interview
Arrive on time, offer a firm, dry handshake, stand up strait,
maintain eye contact, smile and make effective small-talk as
appropriate.
Based on your research of the company and position and self
reflection, communicate why you WANT the job, why you can
DO the job and why YOU are the perfect candidate. Hopefully,
it begins to feel more like a conversation than an interrogation.
To stand out above the competition, share your unique
value proposition. How does your experience, passion,
entrepreneurial outlook, ability to lead teams, etc. make you the
best hire? State why you are the right person for the job and
that you have the confidence to step right into the role.
Prepare not only to answer questions but to also ask questions.
Saying “no” implies you are not interested. Saying “Not at this
time,” shows you have not done your homework. Here are
some types of questions you will ask:
• Ask about the recruiter’s experience
• Ask about specific job/project
• Ask about the company’s future
• Ask about the hiring timeline
As the interview comes to a close, communicate your sincere
interest in the position. Shake hands, thank them for the
interview and relay your interest in hearing from them soon.
After the Interview
Obtain a business card from each interviewer. Email a thank you
your interest in the position and ask for the job!
Phone Interview Tips
The first contact from a potential employer is often a call, and it
is an interview regardless of whether or not you planned for it.
Review these tips for both planned and impromptu calls.
PREPARATION
• Create professional voice mail message and turn off hold
music.
• Turn alerts or call waiting off so you do not experience
interruptions.
• If the time is not convenient, ask if you can talk at another
time and suggest an alternative time.
• Keep résumé and any notes in clear view on your desktop/
phone.
• Have a short list of accomplishments available to reference.
• Have pen and paper for note taking.
• Have a glass of water available.
• Clear room of roommates and pets.
• Turn off distractions (e.g. stereo, TV).
DURING
• Use a land-line if you can. It’s more dependable than a cell
phone.
• Dress professionally to be in the best frame of mind.
• Don’t smoke, chew gum or eat.
• Smile to change tone of voice and project positive image.
• Speak slowly and enunciate clearly.
• Use the person’s title (Mr., Ms. or Dr. and their last name).
Only use a first name if they ask you to do so.
• Do not interrupt the interviewer.
• Take your time. It is perfectly acceptable to take a moment
to collect your thoughts.
• Give succinct answers.
• Thank the interviewer, reiterate your interest and ask if it is
possible to meet in person.
AFTER
• Take notes about questions asked and how you answered.
• Write thank you note (email that evening/mail the next day)
to reiterate your int
erest in the jo
b.
Virtual Interview Tips
Remote interviews are more and more often becoming the
second round interview.
PREPARATION
• Learn how to use the selected platform.
• Create a professional username.
• Practice with a friend.
• Find a location that provides a broadband connection.
• Your background should be void of personal items and non
distracting (blank or neutral is best).
murraystate.edu/career MURRAY STATE UNIVERSITY 3332 CAREER SERVICES | 270-809-3735
• Your desk should be organized.
• Consider requesting to use Career Services’ interview/
conference room.
• Check your connection just before scheduled interview.
DURING
• Look the part (dress, hair, etc.).
• Smile.
• Look into the camera, not at the screen.
• Stay present and use verbal interjections (“hm” or “yes”) to
let interviewer know you hear them.
• If getting repeated blips in communication, let the employer
know. A redial may be needed.
Review phone interview tips as well.
What Is a Recruiter Looking For?
Listen carefully to all questions during the interview. Relax as
much as possible and think in terms of “What is this recruiter
really asking me?” Do not over-analyze but listen carefully and
think a moment before responding.
Why did you sign up for this interview? - Demonstrate company
research to the recruiter to prove sincere interest.
What is your greatest strength? - Share that you possess the most
important position-related strength. Don’t offer an off-the-wall
strength that doesn’t relate to the position.
What is your greatest weakness? - Don’t focus on a “deal breaker”
negative such as “I’m never on time,” but do be sincere and
somewhat transparent. Demonstrate self awareness in areas of
needed growth or how you have grown from past mistakes. Avoid
generic answers like “I can’t say no., or “I’m a perfectionist.”
Why aren’t your grades higher than a .? - Prove your ability in
spite of average grades. Take responsibility for the GPA and be
ready to explain it.
Why did you attend this university? - Demonstrate evaluation and
decision making skills. Don’t focus on external forces: “I couldn’t
afford Vanderbilt, so I settled for Murray State.”
Think about how you impress the following to the recruiter:
PRESENTATION: Are you professional and dressed
appropriately? Did you make eye contact and use open body
language? Was your handshake firm and confident? Do you appear
to be a fit with the image of their company?
PREPARATION FOR THE INTERVIEW: Do you demonstrate
knowledge of the company and an understanding of the job
expectations? Did you demonstrate preparedness for the job?
Did you ask pertinent questions? Did you share related work and
academic experiences?
VERBAL COMMUNICATION: Were you persuasive/passionate
in presenting ideas? Do you quickly grasp concepts? Did you
respond directly to questions? Did you use correct grammar
and
vocabulary? Did you present ideas logically and succinctly?
DIRECTION: Do you have personal and professional goals?
Were you confident in your abilities? Are you proactive and self
motivated? Did you demonstrate diligence and the ability to
produce quality results in a timely fashion?
PROBLEM SOLVING: Do you resolve problems with a logical
approach and come to reasonable conclusions? Do you enjoy
and demonstrate problem solving and common sense?
LEADERSHIP: Have you held leadership roles and
responsibilities within competitive organizations? Did you
demonstrate the ability to move others to action? Do you
demonstrate sound judgment? Are you self-reliant? Do you set
goals and follow through?
SINCERITY: Do you communicate that you are honest and
sincere?
INTERPERSONAL SKILLS: Are you mature, enthusiastic,
energetic and motivated? Are you comfortable/confident
around many personality types? Do you have an open, engaging
and candid demeanor? Do you demonstrate listening skills and
empathy?
FLEXIBILITY: Do you achieve goals in face of adversity? Are
you easily discouraged or do you strive under pressure? Do you
develop effective alternatives to achieve goals?
PRODUCTIVITY: Do you thrive under high pressure? Are
you successful in managing multiple priorities? Do you have a
history of high productivity?
TEAMWORK: Do you work well on a team? Do you effectively
inform, inspire and influence others?
Questions Recruiters Ask
Employers want to know if you have the skill set needed to
perform successfully on the job and contribute positively to
their organization. Understanding the job description gives
you insight into what type of questions you might hear. If
the description is lacking, review related job titles on O*Net
(onetonline.org) to brainstorm typical skills sought. Also, review
the NACE Career Competencies on p. 6 to identify general skills
that all employers seek in viable candidates.
Before you begin interviewing, review the following questions,
practice possible responses and discuss them with a career
counselor. Practice to be sure you are able to communicate
clear, unrehearsed answers to interviewers.
PERSONAL
• Tell me about yourself.
• What do you do in your spare time?
• Why did you choose to interview with our organization?
• Describe your ideal job.
• What can you offer us?
• What do you consider to be your greatest strengths?
Weaknesses?
• How do you think your friends would describe you?
INTERVIEWING (cont.)
?
• Define success. Define failure.
• Have you ever had any failures? What did you learn from
them?
• Of which accomplishments are you most proud?
• Who are your role models? Why?
• How does your college education or
experience relate to this job?
• What motivates you most in a job?
• How have you handled getting along with a difficult former
professor/ supervisor/co-worker?
• Have you ever spoken before a group of people? How large?
• Why should we hire you rather than another candidate?
• What do you know about our organization (products/services)?
• Where do you want to be in five years? Ten years?
• Do you plan to further your education?
EDUCATION
• Why did you choose your major?
• Why did you choose to attend your university?
• Do you think you received a good education? In what ways?
• In which campus activities did you participate?
Tell me about your leadership skills.
• Which classes in your major did you like best? Least? Why?
• If you started over, how would you change your education?
• Which elective classes did you like best? Least? Why?
• Do your grades accurately reflect your ability?
Why or why not?
EXPERIENCE
• What job-related skills have you developed?
• In what positions did you work while in school?
• What did you learn from these work experiences?
• What did you enjoy most about your last employment?
Least?
• Have you ever quit a job? Why?
• Give an example of a situation in which you provided a
solution to an employer.
• Share a time when you worked under deadline pressure.
• Do you have volunteer experience?
• How would a former supervisor/ coworker describe your work?
CAREER GOALS
• What kind of boss do you prefer?
• Would you be successful working with a team?
• Do you prefer large or small organizations? Why?
• What other types of positions are you considering?
• How do you feel about working in a structured environment?
• Are you able to work on several assignments at once?
• How do you feel about working overtime? Flex time?
• How do you feel about travel?
• How do you feel about the possibility of relocating?
GENERAL
• Why are you interested in our company?
• What are your goals? Where will you be in five years?
• What do you consider your strengths?
• What personal weaknesses would you like to improve?
• What experience in your past do you believe has prepared
you for the future?
Behavioral Interview Questions Many recruiters ask behavioral-
based questions to probe your past behavior in jobs,
classrooms, group projects and activities. As you listen to the
question, think about what quality or skill they are evaluating.
STAR METHOD
The STAR Method is an effective strategy to answer behavioral-
based questions. When asked this type of question, utilize the
following steps:
• Situation: Briefly outline background information to frame
the situation.
• Task: Briefly narrate what you were trying to accomplish.
• Action: Give example of how you utilized relevant skills and
qualities to resolve the situation, achieve a goal or complete
a task.
• Result: Briefly summarize the positive outcome.
Below are sample questions by category of what skills recruiters
may be evaluating throughout an interview.
PROBLEM SOLVING
• Which class challenged you the most?
• What are the biggest challenges encountered in college?
• Give an example of when you refused to give up.
ADAPTABILITY
• How was your transition from high school to college?
• When your priorities are changed by someone else, how do
you adjust to such situations?
TIME MANAGEMENT
• How do you manage priorities?
• Tell me about a time you planned an event and what steps
you took to make sure everything went well.
• Tell me about your method for personal organization and
time management.
• Tell me about a time you were faced with conflicting
priorities. How did you determine your course of action?
• Tell me about a time you managed multiple responsibilities.
How did you organize the work you needed to do?
LEADERSHIP
• Tell me about a time you helped someone else be successful.
• Tell me about a time you were suddenly called on or forced
to be a leader.
• Tell me about a time you experienced initial failure in
convincing someone else to do something. What ultimately
happened? What did you learn?
• Share a time when you recruited someone to help you with
a project.
• Give a specific example of something you did that helped
build enthusiasm in others.
• Give me an example of a time you had to persuade other
people to take action. Were you successful?
• Tell me about a time you inspired someone toward a goal.
• Tell me about a time when you were dissatisfied with the
performance of someone who worked with you on a
project. What did you do? How did he/she react?
murraystate.edu/career MURRAY STATE UNIVERSITY 3534 CAREER SERVICES | 270-809-3735
COMMUNICATION
• Describe a time a presentation went extremely well.
How did you know it went well?
INTERPERSONAL
• Tell me about a time when you had to deal with a difficult
person. How did you handle the situation?
TEAMWORK
• Tell me about a time when you had to work with a difficult
manager, classmate or peer.
DECISION MAKING
• Give me an example of a time you had to make an important
decision. How did you make the decision?
• Tell me the most unpopular decision you have made, why
you chose to make it and what happened.
STRESS MANAGEMENT
• Tell me about a difficult situation when it was desirable for
you to keep a positive attitude.
Strategies to Answer Questions
Below are sample questions with suggested strategies to
answer the questions:
Briefly tell me about the highlights of your educational and
work experiences that are relevant to this job.
Share a related educational or work experiences when you
prioritized your time and completed tasks with “too much to do
in too little time.”
Imagine that you are on a team with a person whose behavioral
style is different from yours. You find it hard to work together
because you disagree about how things should be done. How
would you handle this situation?
Share a time when you were in this situation and dealt with it
directly, succinctly and successfully.
Share a time when you sacrificed or put your personal goals
aside to achieve an overall goal for the group.
Share what it means to be part of a whole and how you do and
do not contribute to that group.
Tell me about a time when you took on a significant new
challenge at school or a job in order to achieve personal or
professional growth.
Share an example that pushed you outside your comfort zone
where you can note growth.
Questions to ask Employers
It is typical in an interview for the recruiter to ask, “Do you
have any questions for me?” You should have questions. These
questions demonstrate a more sincere interest and awareness
of the company and position. Here are some sample questions
to consider:
• I’m excited about the job; are there any additional
expectations not outlined in the job description?
• What kinds of assignments might I expect in the
first six months?
• Does your company encourage further education?
• What products are in the developmental stage now?
• What are your growth projections for next year?
• In what ways is a career with your company better than one
with your competitors?
• What is the largest single problem facing your staff?
• What do you like best about your position?
This organization?
• Once the probation period is completed, how much
authority will I have over decisions?
• What qualities are you looking for in the candidate who fills
this position?
• What skills are really important for this position?
• What is one thing I would learn working here?
• How can I add value to the team?
• Is there a lot of team/project work?
• Will I have the opportunity to work on special projects?
• Describe a typical and atypical day.
• How much travel is involved in this position?
• What is the next course of action? When should I expect to
hear from you or should I contact you?
Do NOT ask salary questions during initial interview and be
cautious asking about flextime.
Handling Illegal Questions
Various federal, state and local laws regulate the questions a
prospective employer can ask. An employer’s questions must
be related to the job you are seeking. For the employer, the
focus must be: “What do I need to know to decide whether this
person can perform the functions of this job?”
If asked an illegal question, you have three options:
• Answer the question but remember you are giving
information that isn’t related to the job.
• Refuse to answer the question, which is well within your
rights but may appear confrontational.
• Examine the question for its intent and respond with an
answer as it might apply to the job. For example:
Q: Are you a U.S. citizen?
A: I am authorized to work in the United States.
Q: Who is going to take care of your children when you have to
travel for the job?
A: I can meet the travel and work schedule that this job requires.
Resource: jobweb.com/resources/library/Interviews/Handling_ Illegal_46_02.htm
INTERVIEWING (cont.)
OTHER DOCUMENTS
In addition to your cover letter and résumé, there are other
ways that you can effectively market yourself throughout
the job search process. Consider how a business and career
portfolio might help you better market yourself to employers.
Portfolio
A professional portfolio is a way
to collect and present your
achievements, work samples and
background information to an employer.
It should demonstrate your experiences,
skills, education, interests and professional goals/ objectives.
Your portfolio should be up-to-date, creative, well structured/
organized and presented in an attractive, applicable way.
Printed documents should be in a protective folder. Consider
developing an on-line portfolio or providing documents/ images
on a jump drive.
Portfolios are typically used in these fields: education, art,
graphic design, theatre and writing jobs but may be used for
other opportunities as well.
WHAT TO INCLUDE
The content is often called “artifacts,” and it will vary greatly
depending on your career field and the specific job for which
you are applying. Here are some artifacts to consider including:
• Cover page
• Table of contents
• Cover letter/Résumé
• Statement of work/teaching philosophy
• References
• Letters of recommendation
• Evaluations from past supervisors
• Transcript(s)
• Published work (articles, blogs, etc.)
• Awards, certificates and memberships
• Research subjects/papers
• Creative design work
• Special events you helped host/ hosted
• Volunteer work
• Conference/workshop participation
• Sample syllabus, course materials, assignments and learning
outcomes
DON’T FORGET
• Update your portfolio regularly.
• Don’t use original documents as the employer may want to
keep a copy.
• Create headers and supporting comments as needed to
enable the portfolio to speak for itself.
• Keep it professional (not scrapbook-like) by using page
protectors, tabs, quality paper and a uniform design/format.
Online Portfolio
There are many on-line portfolio options. Your academic
department may support one or there may be targeted sites for
various career paths. However, in general these free options are
a good way to market yourself:
• LinkedIn.com
• Wordpress.com
• Blogger.com
• Weebly.com
• Prezi.com
• Wix.com
• YouTube.com
Business Card
Create a unique and well designed business card that includes
your contact information, academic background and a brief
highlight of your skills. Avoid templates and attempts to be
cute or pretty. Both Microsoft Word and Publisher have
layout settings to aid you in printing to business card paper
(with perforated edges). Don’t attempt to cut them yourself.
Consider using the front and back of the card. Here is an
example of what you might include:
DUNKER B. AWESOME
Self-Motivated | Organized | Team Player | Communicator
English Major | Business Administration Minor
Bachelor of Arts| May 20XX
Murray State University | Murray, KY
123 Murray Lane | Murray, KY 42071
123.456.1234 | dawesome@murraystate.edu
murraystate.edu/career MURRAY STATE UNIVERSITY 3736 CAREER SERVICES | 270-809-3735
DRESS FOR SUCCESS
“You never get a second chance to make a first impression.”
You do not need a lot of clothes for interviews, but what you
have should be of good quality, fit properly, and be clean, ironed
and reflective of current business styles.
Business Professional attire is expected at Career Services
Events (Career Expo, Teacher Career Fair) and is expected in
many work environments.
Acceptable Business Casual attire varies greatly. Research the
organization’s environment and dress for the job you want,
not the one you have. Remember that Business Casual is often
different from Casual and Trendy.
Women
BUSINESS PROFESSIONAL
• Wear a conservative tailored suit or dress suit.
• Blouse should be frill-less and white or cream.
• Skirt should hit top of knee; avoid extreme slits.
• Wear shined basic medium/low- heeled pumps.
• Limit jewelry and select subtle options.
• Choose small handbag or portfolio.
• Nails: Conservative length and polish
BUSINESS CASUAL
• If it’s something you wear “out,” you probably shouldn’t wear it.
• Choose casual pants or skirts that aren’t too tight.
• Choose skirts that come to the knee while standing and
cover your thighs when seated.
• Top: shirts, blouses, sweaters and sweater sets that are not
tight and do not reveal cleavage.
Men
BUSINESS PROFESSIONAL
• Select a high quality, dark tone suit to communicate respect,
experience and professionalism.
• Select white or blue cotton shirts; avoid bright colors or
stripes.
• Select subdued, traditional tie.
• Match belt and shoe color.
• Shine your black or cordovan shoes. Wear dark, mid-calf
socks.
• Wear conservative watch, avoid earrings and other jewelry.
• Button an American-cut blazer/ jacket when you stand.
BUSINESS CASUAL
• Shave and have well-groomed, professional-looking hair.
• Wear lon
g-sleeved or short- sleeved (in summer) shirts.
• Iron and wear slacks or khakis.
• Wear leather shoes (no sandals, athletic shoes or boots)
with matching mid-calf socks.
• Tie is generally not needed, but if in doubt, wear one.
• Match belt with shoe color.
• Avoid earrings/jewelry.
Everyone
• Bring a folder/portfolio to hold résumé copies and a pen.
• Have well groomed hair and beard (if applicable)
• Have clean, manicured fingernails.
• Don’t wear cologne/perfume.
• Wear shoes that are well maintained.
• Iron/press your clothing.
• Look at yourself: Hair neat? Shirt tucked? Tie is knotted
properly? etc.
• Dress for the job you want, not the one you have!
These are never appropriate:
• T-shirts
• Shorts/jeans/short skirts
• Flip-flops
• Tight or baggy fits
• Excessive perfume or cologne
• Missing buttons, tears or rips.
SALARY NEGOTIATIONS
Know Your Value/Research
Most entry-level candidates do not have much clout in salary
negotiations, as many entry-level jobs have fixed, non-
negotiable starting salaries. However, you will not get more
unless you ask. Your ability to negotiate within the set range
depends on your qualifications and information gathered
through research. There is no substitute for knowing the facts
and using them to your benefit. Understand your bargaining
power: assess your worth, identify special skills, recognize what
you bring to the relationship and analyze the competition.
• Evaluate realistic personal salary requirements. How much
do you need to earn to “live”?
• Find out what your skills and level of experience are worth
in the job market (i.e. internships, co-ops, volunteer and
part-time work, education level, etc.). Speak to a career
counselor regarding your experience level and estima
ted
mar
ket averages based on experience.
• Research career fields and salary averages for various
occupations. Review web resources such as the
Occupational Outlook Handbook and NACE salary survey.
• Investigate cost of living adjustments to salary based on
employment location: salary.com, homefair.com, usacitylink.com.
• Develop a salary range (not too broad) with a high, low an
middle range.
• Examine company’s hiring history. Conduct informational
interviews or utilize your network to gather information.
Many companies’ websites list their job postings and may list
salary ranges and job descriptions.
Know When to Negotiate
Ideally, the best time to negotiate is after an offer is made by
the employer. Discussing salary before an offer is made may
screen you out of the job if your requirements are too high or it
may lock you into a low salary.
When asked what your salary requirements are by a potential
employer during an interview, indicate a range, not a dollar
amount. (“Based on the industry average and my level of
should be slightly higher than the low end of your range. Once
the offer is made, then consider negotiations.
Occasionally there will be circumstances where salary
requirements will be discussed prior to an offer. Handle each
situation with confidence. While these are not negotiations,
they can influence how later ones may go. Here are examples of
situations where salaries may be discussed and suggestions on
how to handle them:
• When responding to an ad/ application, indicate “open” or
“negotiable” under salary requirements. Under salary
history, indicate “competitive” unless it asks for a
specific amount. If asked for specific salary dollars, list total
compensation package (base salary, bonuses, medical, profit
sharing, etc.). Be truthful as most companies verify past
salaries with previous employers.
• At networking events, discuss what your interests are (not
specifics) and get their opinions on salary ranges for those
positions.
• When dealing with recruiters and employment agencies,
be honest about expectations and salary history.
• Try not to negotiate over the phone. Ask to meet in person
to discuss if possible.
When Employer Makes An Offer
Maintain an honest yet non- emotional response. This response
should be based on your research. First, restate the offer, then
“digest” it. Your body language should demonstrate thought,
not emotion. If it is less than you expect, you can indicate that it
is lower than you expected based on your research.
Be prepared to verify how and where you researched. Then
counter their offer with your researched response and desired
range. Remain objective, positive and courteous during this
conversation. They will respond with what they are able or not
able to offer. Sometimes this may involve speaking to another
person in the company and getting back to you. Know that
employers will not usually rescind an original offer as a result of
your counter offer. In rare instances, however, employers may
be forced to rescind based on current corporate circumstances
such as downsizing, mergers, acquisitions etc. The employer
should return with a response which, hopefully, meets your
needs; otherwise they will discuss why they are unwilling to
negotiate and sta
te that the offer stands.
Negotiate Beyond Salary
When salary is non-negotiable from the start, know that you
have other options to negotiate. These include bonuses, salary
reviews (consider timing, basis and percentage), health, dental,
life and disability insurance, pension plans or retirement,
overtime policies, profit sharing plans, sick days and vacation,
tuition reimbursement, employee discount, company car/
expense accounts, termination contract, stock options,
relocation/moving expenses, professional memberships,
certifications and sign on bonuses.
For example, you may negotiate the timing of your first salary
increase. Instead of receiving your first increase at one year,
you may negotiate to be evaluated in six months and receive
the same percentage allowable at that time based on your
performance.
Overcome Objections
You may hear the following objections (O). Here are some
responses (R) to overcome these:
O: Not within the budget.
R: Communicate your VALUE to the employer.
murraystate.edu/career MURRAY STATE UNIVERSITY 3938 CAREER SERVICES | 270-809-3735
O: Others in the organization with similar qualifications and
experience aren’t paid that much.
R: Emphasize compensation for performance based on VALUE.
O: Your salary history does not justify such an increase.
R: Stress that you expect to be compensated for the VALUE of
your work and what you expect to achieve.
KNOW WHEN TO SAY WHEN
If you feel like the employer is getting frustrated with your
proposals or states that is all they can do for you, stop and
evaluate what is on the table. You do not want to appear greedy
or impatient. When the company comes back to you with their
final offer, evaluate the offer and make a decision.
THE FINAL OFFER
Take time to evaluate the offer - one to two days is usually
acceptable. Weigh your options and evaluate your total
compensation package (salary, benefits, incentives, allowances,
etc.). Ensure you are clear on specific duties, performance
expectations and responsibilities.
Get the offer in writing: Once both parties have confirmed
an offer verbally, ask for a written copy. Then send a thank
you letter outlining your understanding of the offer, your
enthusiasm about starting and your appreciation for their
decision to hire you.
DIFFICULT CONVERSATIONS
Employers may ask the following:
• Have you thought about salary?
• What salary are you expecting?
• What is the minimum salary you would accept?
If possible, answer the question with a question.
• What is the salary range for this position?
• Most of my peers who are also graduating in xyz major
have been receiving offers in the $###K range. What range
is authorized for this position?
• My current salary is $###K. What are your guidelines?
If the employer tells you, “We’re going to pay somewhere in
the range of $, to $,,” you say, “Considering the
demands of the position, and the hard work I’m going to put
into this job to make sure it’s done right, I believe my salary
should be in the area of $, to $,.” You’ve set up
a bargaining situation in which it’s logical to strike a deal at
$, or $,. Use this response cautiously. You may find
the tension level created by using this to be uncomfortable.
If living costs are a concern, try, “As you know, it’s expensive to
live in this city. I’ve planned very carefully and don’t think I could
afford to live here on $, a year. Do you think a
consideration could be made?” Chances are, however, that cost-
of-living has already been factored into your salary offer. If you
have other offers, you can use them to strengthen your case.
Consider the type of industry:
Salaries are more negotiable in the private sector than at
universities or government agencies. Small companies tend
to be more flexible about responsibilities and titles than large
ones. Industries with labor shortages are more accommodating
than those with many applicants.
Plan what and how you will say it:
Identify the major points you want to make. Summarize the
requirements of the job and match your skills and abilities to
them. Anticipate how you will deal with any response from
the employer. Many times, no matter how unusual his or her
response (anger, quietness, etc.), the interviewer is checking
your reactions and tenacity. Develop convincing arguments to
possible objections. Your task is to convince him or her that
what you bring to the relationship is valuable and should be
reimbursed.
Practice ahead of time:
Rehearse (with someone or recording yourself) what you
will say and how you will handle any questions. Approach
the process of negotiation with a cooperative, friendly, but
persistent attitude.
You must also consider how long you are willing to hold out for
a specific job. Remember, a higher salary will not necessarily
make up for the salary lost as you continue to job hunt. Also, if
the company reviews salaries frequently, the starting salary is
less significant.
CALCULATE TAKE HOME PAY
Salary $ ____________________
Sign-on bonus + $ ____________________
Relocation bonus + $ ____________________
Performance bonus + $ ____________________
Year-end bonus + $ ____________________
% tax / social security - $ ____________________
Insurance - $ ____________________
Deductibles - $ ____________________
Retirement/life insurance - $ ____________________
**Net figure = $ ____________________
**Equals the amount available to live on including rent, car
payments, student loans, utilities, telephone, food, entertainment,
dry cleaning, laundry, clothing and shoe purchases, travel home,
furniture purchases, kitchen utensils, etc
.
Also, review cost of living comparison charts to assess costs in
the location you are considering.
murraystate.edu/career MURRAY STATE UNIVERSITY 4140 CAREER SERVICES | 270-809-3735
Budgeting
Before you start spending, create a budget and establish an
emergency savings account of at least one month’s salary.
Then create a line in your budget for the “toys” you’ve been
dreaming of owning, and do not buy them on credit. Ultimately,
you should have an emergency savings account equal to three
months’ income.
If you feel that you can’t afford to save $, get a second job
or sell stuff you don’t need. Establish an emergency savings
account and then start saving for retirement.
When developing your budget, note where you spent money
over two months to create a more accurate budget, and then
in the third month budget every dollar (to zero) so you know
where all of your money went at the end of the month. Don’t
forget to budget for unexpected expenses. See the sample
budget to the right for suggested categories.
Completing Tax Forms
Review rules and regulations at irs.gov
Do I need new clothes?
Not everyone will need a new wardrobe, but clubbing clothes
don’t translate to world of work clothes. Also, companies/
organizations define business professional and business casual
very differently, so do your research or ask. The following tend
to be universally accepted:
• Iron your clothes. Wrinkled clothing implies that you don’t
care about details or your own appearance, and others may
think you will approach work the same way.
• Shine your shoes and get rid of or repair shoes
with worn soles.
• Do not wear flip flops.
• Avoid noisy jewelry that may cause a distraction
in the workplace.
• Women: Camisoles are not appropriate. Also, be careful of
V-neck cuts. Invest in tank tops to go under sweaters or buy
higher cut V-necks to avoid exposing cleavage.
• Men: Socks should be dark and match your pants.
• See “Dressing for Success” on p. .
To Buy or Rent
HOME/CONDO/APARTMENT
Buying makes sense if monthly payments are no more than
a fourth of your take home pay, you plan to own it for at least
five years and you can put down at least %. Don’t put all of
your savings into the down payment because then you aren’t
prepared for something to go wrong. If you are the homeowner,
the landlord doesn’t come to fix broken pipes. You fix it or pay
to have it fixed.
So, if you aren’t prepared or don’t know how long you will be
living somewhere, rent a cheap, yet safe, apartment and save
like crazy for a down payment.
VEHICLE
Save money to buy a used car with cash. Research your options.
You want safe and economical; dream cars come later. Cars
depreciate -% upon leaving the lot. Do not lease. ALWAYS
have the power to walk-away.
CRUNCH THE NUMBERS
• bankrate.com/brm/ mortgage-calculator.asp
• bankrate.com/brm/auto- loan-calculator.asp
LIFE AFTER COLLEGE
+
+
+
+
=
Donations ________________
Emergency Savings ________________
Investment Savings ________________
Student Loan(s) ________________
Mortgage/Rent* (repairs) ________________
Electricity ________________
Water ________________
Trash ________________
Phone/Data Plan ________________
Cable/Satellite ________________
Internet/Wireless Connection ________________
Newspaper/Subscriptions ________________
Car Payment* (repairs) ________________
Insurance (car, home, rental, etc.) ________________
Life Insurance ________________
Memberships (gym, etc.) ________________
Gas* ________________
Groceries* ________________
Clothing* ________________
Dry Cleaning ________________
Entertainment ________________
Hair/Make-up ________________
Gifts ________________
Vacation ________________
Medical ________________
Miscellaneous ________________
Take Home Pay ________________
Total Expenses ________________
*Pay for these things first and then take care of the
others. It doesn’t make sense to pay off your credit card
if you can’t eat dinner or get to work.
Do I Need Insurance?
Insurance is a way to transfer risk, and until you have lots of
cash, you should have insurance as some losses could bankrupt
you. Research the following types of insurance:
• Homeowners/Rent
• Auto
• Health
• Disability
• Life Insurance
• Avoid the following types of insurance
• Credit life and credit disability
• Credit card protection
• Cancer and hospital indemnity
• Accidental death insurance
• Any insurance with cash value, investment or refund
• Prepaid burial policies
• Mortgage life insurance
• Any kind of duplicate coverage
Do I need a Retirement Plan?
It is advantageous to plan for the future and to start early. Here
are the different types of retirement plans (always do your
research on any updates on laws):
• IRA (Individual Retirement Account)
• Roth IRA
• SEPP (Simplified Employee Pension Plan)
• K, B and
Do I Set Up Investments?
There are lots of ways to invest your money and plan for
retirement. Dave Ramsey recommends using the “KISS Rule of
Investing,” which stands for “Keep it Simple, Stupid.” Make sure
you do your research. Here are different types of investments:
• Money Markets
• Single Stocks
• Bonds
• Mutual Funds
• Rental Real Estate
• Annuities
• Commodities and Futures
Resources: daveramsey.com; InvestorEducation.org;
JumpStart.org; moneytalks.ucr.edu; ncee.net; nefe.
org; ssa.gov; younginvestor.com/teens
Do I Decorate My Office?
This will vary depending on your work environment. Some work
environments require that you leave all personal items at home.
Some are more open to personal pictures, decor and plants.
Observe and mimic your supervisor’s office and those of other
respected employees to develop your work space.
In general, keep your work space neat. Do not leave old food
or candy wrappers lying around. Create a filing or organization
system … we all organize our space differently, but have
some sort of system that works for you. If personal items are
allowed, make sure that they are appropriate for your work
environment. For example, do not post spring break pictures
of you in your smallest bikini holding a fish bowl drink. Leave
potentially offensive pieces at home as well. While you may find
a sticker humorous, another may find it hurtful or offensive.
How do I Build a Social Life?
• Join professional organizations.
• Find an alumni group in your area.
• Apply for a young leaders program.
• Join service clubs and organizations.
• Volunteer.
• Visit and/or join a religious group.
• Join a gym or a club sport team.
• Take classes in an area of interest: cooking, gardening,
dance, golf, etc.
Be careful about building your social life around your co-
workers as you want to maintain a professional relationship
with those you are with during the work day. That does not
mean you can’t see them after hours. Dinner after hours can be
a great way to build rapport; partying into the wee hours of the
night is not.
How do I Stay Healthy?
Find a time of day that you can commit to exercise. Gyms don’t
tend to be as busy between : and a.m. If you go during
that time, classes won’t likely be as full, and you will have your
pick of equipment. Find a park with a walk/jog trail where you
can walk for free. If all else fails, take the stairs instead of the
elevator and park farther away in the parking lot.
Take your lunch to work. It’s cheaper, and you can control
how healthy it is. Nutritionists suggest eating six small meals a
day. Eat breakfast and take two small snacks (almonds, low fat
yogurt, cottage cheese, veggies, fruit, etc.) for morning and
afternoon. Cut out the carbonated drinks and drink more water.
If you choose to drink alcohol, you should drink no more than
two glasses of wine, beer or mixed drinks a day.
Resources: health.gov; 4women.gov; healthfinder.gov;
healthywomen.org; nimh.nih.gov; mayoclinic.com;
diet.ivillage.com/healthcalc
Succeeding on the Job
NACE’s Job Choices describes the first year in a new job as a
“separate and distinct career stage” – a time when you aren’t a
college student, but you aren’t yet respected as a professional.
murraystate.edu/career MURRAY STATE UNIVERSITY 4342 CAREER SERVICES | 270-809-3735
There are different rules to follow during this “breaking-in
stage.” Take time to figure out how to “establish yourself, learn
the way ‘things are done’ and figure out what you need
to do to earn credibility and respect.” Learn the culture and the
unspoken rules of the organization. Keep your eyes and ears
open and your mouth shut until you understand the company.
It is only then that your ideas will have true impact and respect.
• Be the first one to the office.
• Avoid office politics and gossiping. (If people are willing to
gossip with someone they barely know, who are they telling
about the conversation with you?)
• Gracefully mourn the loss of pring reak. Don’t look
shocked when they tell you there is no built in week-off and
do not whine about it!
• Continue to meet new people, have more experiences and
challenge yourself intellectually, spiritually and emotionally.
• Give back to your community and volunteer your time to
serve others.
• Take classes in areas of interest or pursue another degree to
exercise your mind.
• Challenge yourself to experience other cultures so you learn
how the world is bigger than you realized.
12 Tips to First-Year Success
) Adopt the right attitudes.
) Adjust your expectations.
) Master breaking-in skills.
) Manage the impressions you make.
) Build effective relationships.
) Become a good follower.
) Understand organization’s culture.
) Develop organizational savvy.
) Understand your new-hire role.
) Develop work savvy.
) Master the tasks of your job.
) Acquire knowledge, skills and abilities you need.
Resource: Job Choices 2006, NACE
Solomon, G. “The Job Search Organizer and National
Business Employment Weekly.” Fall 1990, pp. 28 -29
Opsata, M. “Should You Take That Job?” January 1992, pp. 27-28
Block, B. “Once You Receive A Job Offer It’s Time to Talk Money...Salary Negotiation,”
EEO Bimonthly Bloom, B. “Fast Track to the Best Job.” Knock ‘Em Dead. 1993, pp.
221-240.
Email Etiquette
• Craft a compelling and succinct subject line.
• Never send when you are angry.
• Respond to email messages within - hours.
• Before hitting send, re-read your message, check spelling
and grammar and make sure any attachments have attached.
Cell Phone Etiquette
• Turn your phone off during meetings or important lunches.
• If expecting a call/text that cannot be postponed, notify your
companion ahead of time.
• When you receive a call/text, excuse yourself from the table
or conversation and make the call brief.
• Buy a professional watch rather than using your phone as a
time piece.
• When on the phone in a public place, be at least two arm
lengths away from those around you.
Phone Messages
Voicemail messages, both work AND personal should be
professional.
Hello, you have reached FirstName LastName (insert company
name and title if applicable). Please leave a message, and I will
return your call as soon as possible.
When leaving a message, state your name and phone number
twice, and succinctly communicate the purpose of your call.
Any message should be less than two minutes.
Hello, this is FirstName LastName with xyz company. I wanted
to talk with you about your inquiry regarding next season’s
inventory. Please call me back at your convenience at --
. Again, this is FirstName LastName, and you may reach me
at --.
If you know you will be unable to check messages in a timely
manner, update your voicemail to reflect when you plan to
review messages and return calls.
Introductions
INTRODUCING OTHERS
• Introduce those “lower on the totem pole” to the highest.
• Look at the “most important” person first and say, “Mr.
Smith, I’d like to introduce you to Mr. Thomas, this year’s
intern.”
• When dealing with people outside the organization, clients
are always considered more important than anyone working
within the company.
• Tell something about each person introduced.
EXCHANGING BUSINESS CARDS
• Carry business cards in your wallet, portfolio or card holder.
• If someone offers a business card, offer one in return.
• Do not distribute worn cards.
• When taking a business card, place it in your wallet or
business card holder, not your pocket.
Professional Behavior
• Use titles (Mr. Ms. Dr.), not first names until instructed
to do otherwise.
• Be on time or - minutes early. Earlier than that can be
awkward and invasive.
• Prepare for meeting, developing an agenda if you
are leading the meeting.
• Do not interrupt meeting agendas, but in a timely manner,
be confident in concisely sharing on-topic ideas/opinions.
• Do not get intoxicated at work functions.
• Do not use profanity or tell off-colored jokes at work or
related functions.
• Do not engage in office gossip.
• Bring a positive attitude to the office and leave personal
drama at home.
• Do not air work-related frustrations via social media. (These
people make me sick. #ISITFRIDAYYET)
General Dining Etiquette
• Do not order foods that are eaten with your hands.
• Pass food from left to right.
• If asked for the salt or pepper, pass both.
• Never season food before tasting it.
• Food is served from the left, dishes removed from the right.
• Butters, spreads or dips should be transferred to your
serving dish before spreading or eating.
• Do not ask for a “to-go box” unless it is an informal dining
situation.
• For hard to scoop items like peas, use a piece of bread, not
your finger, to push items onto the fork.
• If hot food is burning your mouth, discretely drink
something cool.
• Napkins belong in your lap. Wait until the host unfolds his or
her napkin before you do.
• If you excuse yourself from the table, loosely fold your
napkin (do not refold your napkin or wad it up) and place it
beside your dinner plate.
• Meeting materials or briefcases should be left under your
chair until it is time to discuss business.
• Do not ask to taste someone else’s food or offer to let them
taste yours.
• Do not blow your nose at the table. Politely excuse yourself
to the restroom.
Casual Dining Exceptions
• You may order foods that are eaten with your hands.
• When sharing chips and salsa, you don’t have to transfer
salsa to your plate but do not double dip.
Leaving a Tip
• Fifteen to percent of the bill total is customary, but for
exemplary service, a greater percentage is accepted.
• For poor service, ask to speak to the manager; not tipping is
not an option.
Place Setting Tips
• The general rule for silverware is to work from the outside in
as the meal progresses.
• The dinner plate is the center of the place setting. When
finished, do not push the plate away from you. Instead place
both your fork and knife across the center of the plate,
handles to the right.
• Between bites, your fork and knife are placed on the plate,
handles to the right, not touching the table.
• The dessert spoon/fork is above the dinner plate.
• Drinks are to the right of your
plate, bread to the left.
To remember this, make an
“OK” sign with both hands;
your left hand makes a “b”
for bread, your right hand
makes a “d” for drinks.
dinner
knife
teaspoon
dessert
utensil
butter
knife
bread
plate
dinner
fork
salad
fork
napkin
dinner
plate
water
glass
wine
glass
