COOG CAREERS
Career Workbook
Designed by University Career Services to support the career development of all UH students
SECTIONS INCLUDE: University Career Services Overview, Career
Exploration, Job / Internship Search, Graduate/Professional School,
Interview Preparation and Salary Negotiation.
www.uh.edu/ucs - 713-743-5100 - hireuh@uh.edu - @CoogCareers
TABLE OF CONTENTS
UNIVERSITY CAREER
SERVICES OVERVIEW
MEET OUR CAREER COUNSELORS - PAGE 3
SERVICES AND RESOURCES - PAGE 3
CAREER EXPLORATION
CAREER ACTION PLAN - PAGES 4-6
FINDING YOUR PASSIONS - PAGE 7
SETTING SMART GOALS - PAGE 8
CAREER GOAL DIAGRAM - PAGE 9
INFORMATIONAL INTERVIEWS - PAGE 10
SAMPLE INFORMATIONAL INTERVIEW QUESTIONS - 11
JOB/INTERNSHIP SEARCH
JOB AND INTERNSHIP PLANNING - PAGE 12
IDENTIFYING TRANSFERABLE SKILLS - PAGE 13
COVER LETTER WORKSHEET - PAGE 14
SAMPLE COVER LETTER - PAGE 15
RESUME WORKSHEET - PAGE 16
RESUME ACTION WORDS - PAGE 17
SAMPLE RESUME - PAGE 18
CAREER FAIR PREPARATION - PAGE 19
ELEVATOR PITCH WORKSHEET - PAGE 20
EMPLOYER RESEARCH WORKSHEET - PAGE 21
PERSONAL BRANDING STATEMENT - PAGE 22
BUILDING A STRONG LINKEDIN PROFILE - PAGE 23
G
RADUATE/PROFESSIONAL SCHOOL
GRADUATE/PROFESSIONAL EXPLORATION WORKSHEET - PAGE 24
GRADUATE/PROFESSIONAL SCHOOL CHECK LIST - PAGE 25
DEVELOPING A PERSONAL STATEMENT - PAGE 26
INTERVIEW PREPARATION
PREPARING FOR AN INTERVIEW - PAGE 27
PROFESSIONAL DRESS ETIQUETTE - PAGE 28
STAR METHOD FOR INTERVIEWING - PAGE 29
COMMON INTERVIEW QUESTIONS - PAGES 30-31
SALARY NEGOTIATION
SALARY NEGOTIATION GUIDE - PAGE 32
EXAMPLE MONTHLY BUDGET - PAGES 33-34
U N I V E R S I T Y C A R E E R SERV I C E S
University Career Services is a full-service career center offering current students and UH alumni resources and
assistance in the formulation and implementation of their career plans.
The University of Houston’s students and graduates represent a large and diverse pool of talented job candidates.
University Career Services provides opportunities for potential employers to find the best and brightest across all
disciplines for their respective organizations.
M E E T OUR C A R E E R C O U N S E LORS
ADALIA ESPINOSA: Liberal Arts and Social Sciences (CLASS) and Pre-Law
AYO OGUNYE: Communications, Graduate and Professional Programs and Alumni Career Services
CYNTHIA OLMEDO: Technology and Alumni Career Services
DONAH JUSTICE: Education, Social Work and Pre-Health
JAMIE GONZALES: Liberal Arts and Social Sciences (CLASS) and Pre-Law
LAUREN HERMANN: Architecture and Design, Hotel and Restaurant Management and Exploratory Studies
PRIYANKA RAUT: UH at Sugar Land and UH at Katy instructional sites
TANYA FARIRAYI: Engineering and Natural Science and Mathematics
TIFFANY BITTING: Graduate and Professional Programs
H OW T O M E E T W I T H A C A R E E R C O U N S E LO R
1. Schedule an appointment through Cougar Pathway
2. Virtually chat with a career counselor.
• Visit https://uh.edu/ucs/ for updated dates and times.
C O M M O N SERV I C E S A V A I L A B L E
• Resume and cover letter reviews
• Mock interviews and interview prep
• Career and major exploration
• Graduate and professional school preparation
• Career action plan development
• Career fairs and networking events
• On-campus student employment hub
• Weekly workshops and prep weeks
• Information sessions
• On-campus interviews
C A R E E R R E S O U RCES
COUGAR PATHWAY
• Search and apply for full-time, part-time, internship and on-campus employment
• RSVP for UCS Events
• Schedule an appointment with a Career Counselor
SMART RESUME POWERED BY VMOCK
• Upload your resume and get instant, 24/7 feedback regarding your resume format and content
• Resume will be compared to peers within your field of study
FOCUS 2
• Complete this 10-20 minute free assessment to start yourself on the path of major or career exploration
• Set up an appointment with a Career Counselor to further discuss your results
C ONTA C T INFORMA T I O N
ADDRESS: STUDENT SERVICE CENTER 1, ROOM 106 (4365 COUGAR VILLAGE DR, HOUSTON, TX, 77004)
PHONE: 713-743-5100 / EMAIL: U[email protected] / WEBSITE: WWW.UH.EDU/UCS
SOCIAL MEDIA: @COOGCAREERS (FACEBOOK, INSTAGRAM, TWITTER AND LINKEDIN)
www.uh.edu/ucs - 713-743-5100 -
hireuh@uh.edu - @CoogCareers
CAREER ACTION PLAN
Based on credit hours, this step by step plan will help to guide you in exploring interests, majors, and career options
ACTION STEPS - EXPLORE // 0-29 Credits
• Log into Cougar Pathway, create your prole and explore job opportunities and career resources
• Connect your interests to UH majors and potential careers using Focus 2
• Meet with a Career Counselor to discuss your major, career goals and explore career options
• Get involved on campus by joining a student organization, attending a campus event or volunteering
• Attend at least 2 University Career Services events
QUESTIONS TO ASK YOURSELF
What are my skills, interests or talents? Do I enjoy working with people or things?
What classes do I enjoy the most? The least?
What organizations or networking groups am I interested in joining?
4
Check out the
GET INVOLVED site
within your AccessUH
account to browse over
600 student
organizations!
www.uh.edu/ucs - 713-743-5100 - hireuh@uh.edu - @CoogCareers
CAREER ACTION PLAN
Based on credit hours, this step by step plan will help to guide you in exploring interests, majors, and career options
ACTION STEPS - ENGAGE // 30-59 credits
• Learn more about careers that interest you by using services like O-Net Online or “What can I do with this Major”
• Visit with a faculty member and ask them about their career path or if they have any advice
• Meet with a Career Counselor to draft or critique your resume, either during a drop in appointment or a scheduled
appointment through Cougar Pathway
• Create a LinkedIn prole and have it reviewed by a Career Counselor
• Attend at least 3 University Career Services events
QUESTIONS TO ASK YOURSELF
What career paths are best suited for my skills and abilities?
What occupations or professions do I admire? Why?
What relevant skills do I need to develop to succeed in my potential eld(s) of choice?
5
www.uh.edu/ucs - 713-743-5100 - hireuh@uh.edu - @CoogCareers
CAREER ACTION PLAN
Based on credit hours, this step by step plan will help to guide you in exploring interests, majors, and career options
ACTION STEPS - EMPOWER AND EMPLOY // 60-120 credits
• Search for internship opportunities, part-time, full-time employment and volunteer opportunities through Cougar
Pathway
• Practice interviewing skills by scheduling a mock interview, using the mock interview module within Cougar
Pathway or by participating in Professional Development Week Mock Interviews with employers
• Conduct an Informational Interview with an employer whose job you would enjoy
• Research potential industries and become aware of what companies meet your interests and qualications
• Prepare a career action plan for your nal year with a help of a Career Counselor
• Research and create a list of the top 5 companies that match your interests
• Finalize your resume and develop a cover letter
• Apply for positions; remember to tailor your resume and cover letter for each position you are applying for
• Follow up on applications you have submitted
QUESTIONS TO ASK YOURSELF
What are three things I do very well and what can I contribute to an employer?
What are the top industries that t well with my interests, transferable skills and abilities?
What skills do I need to further develop to better prepare myself for a job or internship search?
6
www.uh.edu/ucs - 713-743-5100 - hireuh@uh.edu - @CoogCareers
FINDING YOUR PASSIONS
Passion may seem like an odd word choice when paired with career, but rest assured that one of the most important
elements of personal happiness is being passionate about your career and your job. Take a few moments to answer the
questions below. For each question try to come up with 3-5 answers. Once you have answered the questions, look for themes
in your answers. You can also visit www.uh.edu/ucs to complete the Focus 2 career and major exploration assessment.
What do you love to do in your free time? Don’t count activities you have to do or are doing to make you look
better to other people. Identify the activities that you truly enjoy.
What are the skills that come to you without thought and eort? (Math, Helping Others, Art, etc.)
What are your favorite classes and subjects?
What professions or industries are you interested in exploring more and why?
What types of things energize you? Think about people, places, and activities?
In what areas are you already perceived as an expert (others seek your input and opinion)?
What types of volunteering/community service projects have you done or wish to get involved with?
ACTION STEP: What is one thing you can do or one person you can speak with to learn more about your areas of
interest?
7
www.uh.edu/ucs - 713-743-5100 - hireuh@uh.edu - @CoogCareers
SETTING SMART GOALS
S
SPECIFIC
M
MEASUREABLE
A
ATTAINABLE
R
RELEVANT
T
TIMELY
Be detailed about what you are seeking to achieve.
How will you track your goal and know when it has been achieved?
Is this a reasonable goal and time frame? What steps will help to achieve
this goal?
Why is this goal important? Does it build towards a long-term goal?
Set a deadline for your goal to be completed.
SMART Goals are measurable expressions of what you want to accomplish over a certain time period. SMART Goals can help
keep you on track during your career planning process.
8
www.uh.edu/ucs - 713-743-5100 - hireuh@uh.edu - @CoogCareers
8
CAREER GOAL DIAGRAM
Setting career goals requires planning. Write your goal in the center of the circle. Using the boxes surrounding the circle,
identify academic requirements for your goal, and any work or shadowing experiences that would help prepare you for your
goal. Then identify possible barriers or other factors that may aect reaching your goal.
ACADEMICS EXPERIENCE/SHADOWING
OTHER FACTORS BARRIERS
CAREER GOAL
9
www.uh.edu/ucs - 713-743-5100 - hireuh@uh.edu - @CoogCareers
10
INFORMATIONAL INTERVIEW
(4) CONDUCT THE INTERVIEW: Bring your list of questions
and be prepared to lead the interview and take notes, if
desired. Respect the person’s time by arriving early and/or
calling on time. Gain dierent perspectives and deepen your
network by asking for names of other people to meet.
QUICK TIPS
•Don’t be afraid to ask and be clear about your intention
•Proofread and edit your messages before sending
•Dress business professional and bring your resume
•Research the person and company prior to the interview
AN INFORMATIONAL INTERVIEW IS a conversation to learn about the real-life experience of someone working in a job,
industry or company of interest by asking questions about their career path and current position. The interview could be done
in person, by email or over the phone.
(5) FOLLOW UP & REFLECT: Send a thank-you note within
1-2 days and express your appreciation for the time and
information given. Write down what you learned, what you
want to know more about and your next steps.
(2) CONTACT PEOPLE ON YOUR LIST: Introduce yourself,
share how you found their information and that you are
interested in learning about their career; attach your resume
to the message. Ask for a time to meet over the phone or in
person within the next 2-3 weeks and share your availability.
Write a message below to the contacts on your list.
(3) PREPARE FOR THE INTERVIEW: Plan 6-8 open ended
and thoughtful questions to ask. These should be things you
genuinely want to know! Write down questions to ask during
the interview (see next page for sample questions).
(1) BE INTENTIONAL & CREATE A LIST: Family, friends
and UH alumni are great people to start with; nd alumni
contacts through LinkedIn. Write down a list of people to
interview; think about companies, jobs and industries that
interest you.
TIP: FIND UNIVERSITY OF HOUSTON ALUMNI THROUGH LINKEDIN! Log into LinkedIn and type University of Houston from
the search bar and click “see alumni.” You can lter results by where they live and work, what they do and what they studied.
www.uh.edu/ucs - 713-743-5100 - hireuh@uh.edu - @CoogCareers
11
SAMPLE QUESTIONS
INFORMATIONAL INTERVIEW
PREPARATION
• Can you tell me about your career path and how you got where you are?
• I saw on LinkedIn that you interned at ___ before graduating, did you nd that internship helpful for nding jobs?
• What are the qualifications you or your organization looks for in a new hire?
• What types of employment or internships would you recommend?
• What’s one thing you wish somebody would’ve told you before going into this eld?
• If you could go back and do anything dierently, would you change anything?
CURRENT JOB
• What are the major components of your job on a daily basis?
• What are the most rewarding and most challenging parts of your job?
• What are some big projects you’re working on now or that you’ve nished up in the last few months?
• What skills or talents are most essential for eective job performance?
• How would you describe somebody who would excel in this career?
LIFESTYLE/ INDUSTRY GROWTH
• What obligations does your work place on your personal time?
• How much exibility do you have in terms of dress, hours of work, vacation time or place of residence?
• How rapidly is your eld growing?
• How do you see this job changing in the next 5-10 years?
JOB HUNTING STRATEGIES
• How do people nd out about these jobs in your industry?
• I noticed you are a member of ___ (professional association)—have you found that helpful?
• Do you have any recommendations for other people I should speak with in the field to learn more? May I use your name
when reaching out to him or her?
NATURE OF ORGANIZATION
• How would you dene the culture of your organization?
• What is the average length of time employees stay with the organization?
• What type of formal or on-the-job training does the organization provide?
FOLLOW UP
• Would it be alright for us to stay in touch?
• Do you have any recommendations for other people I should speak with in the field to learn more? May I use your name
when reaching out to him or her?
• Are there professional associations or experiences that you recommend for someone pursuing this eld?
Learn as much as you can before the interview about the person’s work history, interests and education by searching the internet
and their LinkedIn prole so that you can prepare questions in advance and adapt the questions based on their experience.
Write 6-8 questions on a notepad, bring them to the interview and be prepared to lead the conversation.
Circle questions below that you will ask during the interview.
WHAT ELSE DO YOU WANT TO KNOW? WRITE YOUR QUESTIONS BELOW:
10
www.uh.edu/ucs - 713-743-5100 - hireuh@uh.edu - @CoogCareers
JOB / INTERNSHIP PLANNING
ASPIRATIONS
What do you see yourself doing after graduation? (0-5 years out)
What do you enjoy doing? What issues are you most passionate about?
What do you desire to learn and/or experience?
GOALS
What competencies/skills/knowledge are most desired in your industry?
What are your goals for this job/internship search?
What skills/abilities would you like to improve?
What are you hoping to gain from the experience?
PREFERENCES
In what type of organization/environment/culture do you want to work?
Where do you want to work? Are you willing to relocate? Do you have transportation or housing?
12
www.uh.edu/ucs - 713-743-5100 - hireuh@uh.edu - @CoogCareers
12
IDENTIFYING YOUR SKILLS
As you begin your job search, it is important that you are aware of the skills you have developed over time.
COMMUNICATION
Public speaking
Listening attentively
Facilitating discussion
Providing appropriate feedback
Delivering presentations
Fluency in another language
Negotiate thoughts and ideas
Tactfulness
Editing / proofreading
Writing reports and emails
Expressing ideas concisely
Assess impact of non-verbals
TOTAL
LEADERSHIP
Maintain posititive relationships
Resolving problems/situations
Adapting to changes
Setting priorities
Managing or supervising
Delegating responsibility
Managing a heavy workload
Identifying improvement areas
Determining policy
Setting clear expectations
Motivate others
Manage emotions
TOTAL
PROFESSIONALISM
Ethical behavior and integrity
Setting and meeting deadlines
Work productively with others
Being punctual
Managing time and work load
Accepting responsibility
Attention to detail
Asking for help or support
Making decisions
Learning from mistakes
Understand impact actions
Identify growth opportunities
TOTAL
TEAMWORK / COLLABORATION
Negotiate and manage conict
Finding resolutions
Build collaborative relationships
Willingness to listen
Motivating others and self
Providing support and care
Respecting others
Holding teammates accountable
Perceiving feelings/situations
Explain ideas clearly
Meeting team expectations
Being engaged and contributing
TOTAL
TECHNOLOGY / ANALYTICAL
Use technology eciently
Adaptability to new technology
Cyber safety and security
Common IT problem solving
Digital media knowledge
Critical thinking and action
Interpet and draw conclusions
Quick and ecient learner
Identify connections
Ask good questions
Conduct analysis and interpret
Determine alternatives
TOTAL
TOTAL up each section and write
your scores below:
WITHIN THE BOXES BELOW:
• Place a “3” in the box if you are highly skilled in the area
• Place a “2” if you are moderately skilled in the area
• Place a “1” if it is an area that needs improvement
TOTAL
Communication
Leadership
Professionalism
Teamwork / Collaboration
Technology / Analytical
What are your top 3 highest scoring
categories?
What occupations require your skill sets?
13
Check out the Top 10 skills
employers are seeking at
NACEweb.org.
www.uh.edu/ucs - 713-743-5100 - hireuh@uh.edu - @CoogCareers
COVER LETTER WORKSHEET
• BE CONCISE AND PROFESSIONAL IN TONE: Cover letters should be only one page in length and will serve as an
example of your writing abilities. Use a professional and condent tone, and make sure you PROOFREAD!
• CONVINCE THE READER TO LOOK AT YOUR RESUME: The cover letter may be seen rst—this is your movie
trailer. It must grab the reader’s attention (in a positive way) and should be targeted to that particular employer.
• HIGHLIGHT YOUR EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE: Using examples, identify specic skills and past experiences
that are relevant to the position you are seeking. Try to connect to the needs of the employer.
• REFLECT YOUR ATTITUDE: Try to convey your personality, motivation, enthusiasm, teamwork, and
communication skills.
14
JOB POSTING SKILLS YOUR EXPERIENCES / SKILLS
“T DIAGRAM”
Step 1: On the left side, list 3 skills or qualications from the job posting
Step 2: On the right side, list 3 skills or experiences you’ve had that give “PROOF” to the skills listed on the left.
The goal here is to show you have the skills or qualications they are looking for!
Step 3: Take the #1 (A) job posting skill and your #1 (B) experience/skills and craft the ideas into a paragraph.
Step 4: Repeat for #2 and #3 and tie into a paragraph. (See PARA 2 under the sample cover letter for example)
#1 (A)
#2 (A)
#3 (A)
#1 (B)
#2 (B)
#3 (B)
Craft #1 (A) and #1 (B) into a sentence: (repeat for #2 and #3)
www.uh.edu/ucs - 713-743-5100 - hireuh@uh.edu - @CoogCareers
14
SAMPLE COVER LETTER
[Month Day, Year] - Fill in
[Dear Mr. / Ms. / Mrs. / Dr. Last Name / Hiring Manager] - Fill in
[PARA 1] Introduce yourself, make sure you list the position you are seeking and explain how you found the position.
This is also the space to mention any mutual contacts or connections you may have with the company.
[Example] My name is Jane Doe and I am a senior student at the University of Houston in Houston, Texas majoring in
Biology. I am writting you today because I am interested in the Mathematics Tutor position at ABC Corporation. I found
out about this position through Cougar Pathway and felt like it matched my skills and abilities. Below I have outlined the
ways my experiences directly connect to this position:
[PARA 2] Pick a skill from the T-Diagram on pg 12: Describe that skill and give an example of how you have
demonstrated that skill. Repeat 2 more times. There should be 3 skills total listed in the whole paragraph. (only 1
listed below)
[Example] Communication: One of my top strengths is communication and in your job posting you mentioned you were
looking for someone with strong oral and written communication skills. Over the past 3 years I have developed this skill
while working a tutor for XYZ organization. Within my role I met one-on-one with stduents and provided them support
regarding Calculus 1 homework and exam questions. I had to learn how to communicate with students and provide them
examples that worked for dierent learning styles. I believe this experience truly set me up to be successful in this role.
[PARA 3] Tell why you are interested in the employer or that particular eld/industry type. Demonstrate your knowledge
of the organization to relate your educational and professional background to the employer or position. Mention specic
qualications that make you a good t for the employer’s needs.
[Example] In the mission of ABC Corporation you mention diverse learning paths and how you tailor tutoring experiences.
I truly believe in this approach and want the opportunity to contribute to this mission. I have seen customized tutoring ex-
periences work wonders on previous student’s I’ve tutored. They’ve been able to ourish and understand the content bet-
ter. Additionally, I appreciate the learning opportunities you give employees. I want to work for the company who wants to
better me and will allow me to continue my education.
PARA Thank the reader for their time and mention you are very interested. Add any additional information you feel
would be helpful.
[Example] In conclusion, thank you for taking the time to read my letter and I hope you continue on to my resume for a
further explanation of my skills and experiences. I feel condent that I can excel as a Mathematics Tutor for ABC
Corportation and look forward to hearing from you.
Sincerely,
Your Name and/or Signature
15
www.uh.edu/ucs - 713-743-5100 - hireuh@uh.edu - @CoogCareers
RESUME WORKSHEET
This worksheet is intended to help you gather information about your education, work and other experiences to assist you in
formulating your resume. Don’t forget to add your contact information at the top!
OBJECTIVE: State the position you are seeking and 2-3 relevant skills. Avoid the use of “I” and “me”. This is an optional
section and can be used to connect your relevant skills to the position.
EDUCATION: List all colleges and universities from where you received or will receive a degree. Do not abbreviate and
start with most recent. Include major and minor, GPA (optional if 3.0 and higher) and expected graduation date.
EXPERIENCE: List relevant experiences in reverse chronological order. Include: Position title, employer name, location,
employment dates, responsibilities & accomplishments. Use ACTION VERB + TASK + RESULT to format the bullets.
SKILLS: List language(s) and uency levels as well as computer programs, software, and languages relevant to the
position.
HONORS, AWARDS & ACTIVITIES: For honors and awards, include name of honor/award, date received & name of
organization. For activities, include the name of the organization, your title, and the dates of activity or membership.
Note: At least three professional references should be listed in a separate document.
16
www.uh.edu/ucs - 713-743-5100 - hireuh@uh.edu - @CoogCareers
Teaching Creative Helping Administrative Other
Adapted
Advised
Claried
Coached
Communicated
Conducted
Coordinated
Critiqued
Developed
Enabled
Encouraged
Evaluated
Explained
Facilitated
Focused
Guided
Individualized
Informed
Instilled
Instructed
Motivated
Persuaded
Acted
Adapted
Combined
Conceptualized
Condensed
Created
Customized
Designed
Developed
Directed
Displayed
Drew
Entertained
Fashioned
Formulated
Founded
Illustrated
Initiated
Introduced
Invented
Modeled
Modied
Advocated
Aided
Assessed
Assisted
Claried
Coached
Collaborated
Contributed
Cooperated
Counseled
Demonstrated
Diagnosed
Educated
Encouraged
Ensured
Expedited
Facilitated
Guided
Helped
Insured
Intervened
Motivated
Arranged
Categorized
Classied
Coded
Collected
Compiled
Distributed
Executed
Filed
Generated
Implemented
Logged
Maintained
Monitored
Obtained
Operated
Ordered
Organized
Prepared
Processed
Provided
Purchased
Achieved
Completed
Expanded
Exceeded
Improved
Pioneered
Reduced
Resolved
Restored
Spearheaded
Succeeded
Surpassed
Transformed
Won
RESUME ACTION VERBS
The bullet points under each of your work experiences should focus on accomplishments and results, not just job
duties. Use the formula ACTION VERB + TASK + RESULT and don’t forget to quantify your results.
Management Communication Research Technical Financial
Administered
Appointed
Assigned
Authorized
Converted
Coordinated
Delegated
Developed
Directed
Eliminated
Enforced
Enhanced
Established
Generated
Handled
Hired
Improved
Increased
Initiated
Recommend
Addressed
Advertised
Arranged
Claried
Composed
Consulted
Contacted
Corresponded
Dened
Described
Discussed
Drafted
Edited
Explained
Formulated
Inuenced
Interacted
Interpreted
Interviewed
Lectured
Analyzed
Claried
Collected
Critiqued
Diagnosed
Evaluated
Examined
Extracted
Identied
Inspected
Interpreted
Interviewed
Investigated
Organized
Researched
Reviewed
Summarized
Surveyed
Systematized
Computed
Conserved
Constructed
Converted
Debugged
Designed
Determined
Engineered
Fabricated
Fortied
Installed
Maintained
Operated
Overhauled
Printed
Rectied
Regulated
Remodeled
Repaired
Replaced
Adjusted
Allocated
Analyzed
Appraised
Assessed
Audited
Balanced
Calculated
Computed
Conserved
Corrected
Determined
Developed
Estimated
Forecasted
Managed
Measured
Planned
Programmed
Projected
17
16
www.uh.edu/ucs - 713-743-5100 - hireuh@uh.edu - @CoogCareers
SAMPLE RESUME
[FIRST NAME] [LAST NAME]
Cell Phone Number - Professional Email Address - City, State, Zip - LinkedIn URL (if applicable)
EDUCATION
Bachelor of Arts (or Science) in _______ (major) Month and Year of Graduation (or expected date)
University of Houston- Houston, Texas
Minor
Overall GPA or GPA in Major (Optional- Only if 3.0 or higher)
RELEVANT COURSEWORK (Pick 4-6 relevant courses)
CLASS ONE CLASS THREE CLASS FIVE
CLASS TWO CLASS FOUR CLASS SIX
ACADEMIC PROJECTS
Project Name, University of Houston Month Year
• Projects could include: team or invidiual projects, laboratory reports/projects, research papers
• Indepent projects (outside of the classroom projects could also be listed, as long as they are relevant)
• List your tasks and what you learned/skills you gained
• Use strong verbs to explain what you did and quantify, if possible
EXPERIENCE (“Work” - “Relevant” - “Research” - “Leadership” Experience)
Position Title Month Year - Month Year
Name of Business or Organization, City, State
• Use the formula ACTION VERB + TASK + RESULT to format the bullets
• Put your strongest selling point rst
• Focus on accomplishments and results, not just job duties
• Provide as much detail about your responsibilities as possible
Position Title Month Year - Month Year
Name of Business or Organization, City, State
• If it happened in the past, make sure you use past tense verbs
• Avoid repetition: try not to use the same words and/or phrases over and over again
• Quantify any results whenever possible and use industry keywords/buzzwords
SKILLS
Computer skills, technical skills, certications
Language skills (uent, bilingual, conversational)
(No soft skills - “communication, teamwork, organization..etc”)
HONORS
• Dean’s List: List semesters or range of semesters
• Include any Scholarships, Year Awarded
ACTIVITIES (“Leadership” - “Involvement” - “Professional Development” - “Volunteer Experience”)
• Student Organization, Member, Year(s) of involvement (If leadership role, list and discuss responsibilities)
• Volunteer Organization, Volunteer, Year(s) of involvement
12
www.uh.edu/ucs - 713-743-5100 - hireuh@uh.edu - @CoogCareers
CAREER FAIR PREPARATION
BENEFITS OF ATTENDING A CAREER FAIR:
• Learn about companies within your eld
• Engage with currently employed professionals
• Practice your introduction
• Establish employment contacts
• Develop your communication skills
• Obtain internships or employment opportunities
• Network with employers, peers and future colleagues
CAREER FAIR ETIQUETTE
• Bring mints to maintain fresh breath (no gum)
• Do not wear strong cologne or perfume
• Do not bring a backpack or large purse
• Shake hands rmly, but not too rm
• Turn o or silence your cell phone
• Be enthusiastic and positive during the fair
• Be courteous of the recruiter’s time
HOW TO PREPARE FOR A CAREER FAIR:
• RSVP for the Career Fair via Cougar Pathway.
• Review the employers attending on Cougar Pathway and research their mission, vision and open positions
• Decide which employers you would like to meet with and plan a strategy for speaking with them
• Prepare your resume with the help of a career counselor
• Practice answering the “tell me about yourself” question
• Pick out your professional attire. Refer to the Professional Dress Etiquette (page 26) for examples
• Arrive early to park, prepare and relax!
CREATING YOUR INTRODUCTION FOR A CAREER FAIR
These questions will get you started in creating your introduction and determining what you want to share with a
recruiter:
• What is your full name, major and academic standing?
• What is the name of the company you are speaking with and what positions do they have open?
• Why do you want to work for that company?
• What interests you about the company or their open position(s)?
• What unique work experience, skills, and course projects are relevant to that company or their open
position(s)?
• Why should someone hire you? (Brainstorm - may not be shared
19
12
www.uh.edu/ucs - 713-743-5100 - hireuh@uh.edu - @CoogCareers
ELEVATOR PITCH WORKSHEET
This job hunting technique is known by several names: elevator speech, 30-second commercial, infomercial, and
self-advertisement. It is a well-developed answer to the question “Tell me about yourself.” Creating this 30-60 second
message forces you to take stock of who you are, what you oer, and where you want to go. This spiel is an
advertisement for you; it is an opportunity to get your point across in a timely manner. It is concise and clever. Practice
it to make it a natural and powerful statement about you.
SCENARIO: You are in an elevator and recognize the person next to you as a person who works where you want to work
or does what you would like to do. There is not much time to talk before you reach your oor: Introduce yourself, tell
who you are, what you want to do, and what you have to oer, all in less than a minute.
My experience (internship, academic, research, work, leadership, study abroad, volunteerism etc.) includes:
My goals for an internship and/or job (eld of work, type of job, company, location, etc.) are:
My skills (technical- e.g. computer programs, soft skills- e.g. communication) are:
EXAMPLE:
NAME: Hi, my name is ________________________________________.
BACKGROUND: I am pursuing (major/minors) ______________________________________________ at the University of
Houston. While attending UH, I interned at ____________________________________________________ and learned ____
________________________________________________________________________________. I have also been involved in
______________________________________________________________ and have assumed a leadership role through my
work with ___________________________________________________________. In this position, I accomplished _________
___________________________________________________________________________.
EXPERTISE & GOALS: One area that I am very interested in is _______________________________________________, so I
am currently exploring opportunities in __________________________________________________________ at __________
_________________________.
SKILLS: I believe I would be an ideal candidate for this position because I have been praised for being _________________
__________________________________________________________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________________________________________________.
20
www.uh.edu/ucs - 713-743-5100 - hireuh@uh.edu - @CoogCareers
EMPLOYER RESEARCH WORKSHEET
NAME OF COMPANY
INDUSTRY
TYPE OF ORGANIZATION (PUBLIC,
PRIVATE OR NON-PROFIT?)
LOCATION
SIZE OF COMPANY
MISSION/VISION STATEMENT
WHAT PRODUCT(S) OR SERVICE(S)
DOES THE COMPANY MAKE, SELL OR
PROVIDE?
WHO ARE THE COMPANY’S CLIENTS?
COMPETITORS?
ANY RECENT COMPANY NEWS?
PRESS RELEASES? NEW PRODUCT
LAUNCHES?
INTERESTING FACTS OR COMPANY
HISTORY?
OTHER NOTES?
21
20
www.uh.edu/ucs - 713-743-5100 - hireuh@uh.edu - @CoogCareers
PERSONAL BRANDING STATEMENT
PERSONAL BRANDING is marketing yourself and your career to leave a positive impression on an individual or
organization. To explore the type of image or brand you would like to demonstrate, answer the questions below:
STEP ONE:
What are your values? (What types of things are important to you in a career?)
What are your professional career goals? (What do you want to accomplish within 3-5 years?)
What dierentiates you from your competition? (What do you oer that no on else does? What is unique about you?)
STEP TWO:
Pick six words from the questions above that you feel truly represent you.
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
STEP THREE:
String the six words together within a sentence, using ller words if needed. This is your Personal Branding Statement!
One of the best ways to market yourself online is through LinkedIn! You can add your Personal Branding Statement to
your LinkedIn prole summary!
WHY USE LINKEDIN?
85% of all jobs are lled via networking
There are 433 million users on LinkedIn
LinkedIn proles with skills listed, get 13X more views
40% of LinkedIn users log on every day
There have been 1 Billion endorsements on LinkedIn
During the 1st quarter of 2016, LinkedIn had 45 billion page views
22
www.uh.edu/ucs - 713-743-5100 - hireuh@uh.edu - @CoogCareers
22
BUILDING A STRONG LINKEDIN PROFILE
Below are the major sections within every Linkedin prole.
Go through each section and make notes of things you could
add or change within your prole.
PROFESSIONAL PHOTO: Do you have a professional
photo? (It should not be a sele and you should be dressed
professionally) Where can you get a professional photo
taken?
PROFESSIONAL HEADING: Your professional heading is
one of the rst things a connection will see (besides your
photo). You have 120 characters to describe yourself. You
can use some of the words from your personal branding
statement, you can list your title, or you can describe what
types of positions you are seeking. What do you want your
Professional Heading to say?
SUMMARY: If you did not use your personal branding
statement within the heading, your summary section is
an excellent spot for that. You can also use keywords from
your industry or specialization. (Remember, this text is
searchable by others!) What do you want to share within
your summary?
EDUCATION: List all of the institutions of higher
education that you have attended. Add activities and
organizations you were involved with in school, as well
as projects. (Projects can be listed in a dierent section)
What schools have you attended and what degrees have you
obtained?
EXPERIENCE: This is where a lot of your resume content
will go! List ALL of your work experiences within this
section. BUT, don’t just list the title and employer, add
descriptions about what you did in each position. Use
strong action words and quantify if possible. What job
experiences will you list?
SKILLS: List your top “hard skills” which can include
technical skills, computer skills or language skills. After
you add them, get your connections to ENDORSE the skills
for a strong prole. What “hard skills” will you list within
your prole?
OTHER SECTIONS TO INCLUDE:
• Volunteer Opportunities
• Organizations
• Courses and Projects
• Honors and Awards
• Publications and Presentations
• Certications
F
OR ADDITIONAL LINKEDIN TIPS FOR STUDENTS VISIT WWW.STUDENTS.LINKEDIN.COM
23
www.uh.edu/ucs - 713-743-5100 - hireuh@uh.edu - @CoogCareers
GRADUATE SCHOOL EXPLORATION WORKSHEET
QUESTIONS TO ASK YOURSELF BEFORE APPLYING TO GRADUATE SCHOOL
What are my career/professional goals? Do I see myself working in academia or industry?
How will completing a graduate degree help me accomplish my goals?
What program(s) of study am I interested in? Why?
Are there any specic research areas or focused programs that I am interested in? Are there specic faculty I want to
work with or specic schools I want to target and why?
What aspects of a graduate school program are important to me? (e.g. cohort model, assistantship)
24
www.uh.edu/ucs - 713-743-5100 - hireuh@uh.edu - @CoogCareers
GRADUATE/PROFESSIONAL SCHOOL CHECKLIST
JANUARY-APRIL (SPRING OF JUNIOR YEAR)
܆ Determine what you want to study; Explore career options and potential earnings with that graduate degree.
܆ Research graduate programs and map out dates for admission requirements. (If possible, try to meet with current
students, faculty, and advisor to ensure the program is a good t. You could reach out via email or have virtual
conversations if distance is an issue.)
܆ Research and schedule date(s) to take the required entrance exams. Start studying for the exam(s).
JUNE/JULY (SUMMER PRIOR TO SENIOR YEAR)
܆ Gain additional experience by volunteering, shadowing or interning.
܆ Continue studying for entrance exams!
AUGUST/SEPTEMBER (FALL OF SENIOR YEAR)
܆ Request application or research application process online (Be sure to note deadline for applying and addresses
for where supplemental materials should be sent.)
܆ Take the GRE or required standardized test (Make sure you are sending scores to the appropriate schools).
OCTOBER-DECEMBER (FALL OF SENIOR YEAR)
܆ Explore scholarship / fellowship / assistantship information for each school; seek out ways to fund your
graduate education. (Note within your personal statement or letter of intent if you are interested in conducting
research with a specic faculty member or if you would be interested in being considered for an assistantship or
fellowship.)
܆ Request copies of your transcript from the Registrars Oce (It is usually best to have them sent directly to the
addresses where supplemental materials should be sent.)
܆ Approach faculty members, employers, etc. to write recommendation letters. Remember to provide them with
any required recommendation forms, your resume, a stamped/pre-addressed envelope (if required), and the
deadline for submission.
܆ Compose personal statements and supplemental essays for each institution and have your statement/essay
reviewed by University Career Services, faculty members, mentors or advisors.
܆ Meet with University Career Services for a resume/CV/personal statement critique.
܆ Submit applications and application fees for each school by its published deadline.
JANUARY (SPRING OF SENIOR YEAR)
܆ File your Federal Income Tax Return (Required before you can complete the FAFSA.)
܆ Complete the FAFSA Online and submit all completed scholarship application forms.
܆ Prepare for any admission/assistantship interviews by scheduling an appointment with University Career Services
for a mock interview.
܆ Attend any preview days/assistantship interview sessions/faculty interview sessions for each institution if you
haven’t already.
MARCH-MAY (SPRING OF SENIOR YEAR)
܆ Follow-up on institutions that you have not heard from and make your nal decision.
܆ Submit commitment forms and/or fees to the institution you have chosen.
܆ Ask about program orientation and enrollment procedures.
܆ Send thank-you notes to people who wrote your recommendation letters, informing them of your success.
25
www.uh.edu/ucs - 713-743-5100 - hireuh@uh.edu - @CoogCareers
DEVELOPING YOUR PERSONAL STATEMENT
YOUR PERSONAL STATEMENT IS A(AN)...
• Picture of who you are as a person.
• Invitation to get to know you.
• Story of your self-reection.
• Indication of your priorities and choices.
YOUR PERSONAL STATEMENT IS NOT AAN...
• Academic paper about your life.
• Resume in narrative form.
• Journal entry.
• Justication or plea for admission.
BEFORE YOU BEGIN, ASK YOURSELF THESE QUESTIONS:
1. What is your overall professional aspiration or goal? How will this program help you achieve this goal?
2. Why do you want to attend graduate school and this program in particular?
3. What makes you a qualied applicant or asset to the program? (Unique life experiences and background)
ORGANIZING YOUR PERSONAL STATEMENT
INTRODUCTION
• Brainstorming questions: Think of any stories or interesting experiences that are relevant to your graduate school
interests. How did you become interested in this eld?
BODY
• Brainstorming questions: What are your major accomplishments? What have you learned from your research or
experiences? What are your future academic and professionals goals and how do they align?
CONCLUSION
• Brainstorming questions: What attracts you to the program? Any specic professors, research initiatives or program
attributes?
QUICK TIPS
• Make your personal statement interesting to read
• Use details and concrete examples when relevant
• Get feedback from people you trust
• Revise, revise, revise!
26
www.uh.edu/ucs - 713-743-5100 - hireuh@uh.edu - @CoogCareers
26
PREPARING FOR AN INTERVIEW
RESEARCH
The Company
• Know at minimum 3 specic things about the company; do your research and know more than just the
surface level facts
• Look up the person or people who will be interviewing you on LinkedIn; see if you have any professional
connections or personal interests in common
Your Field/Industry
• How does your eld contribute to society?
• Anyrecentadvancesornewtechnologiesemerged?
• Wheredoyoutintoyourindustryanditscontinuedsuccess?
• Whataretheareasofgrowth(weaknesses)ofyourindustry?
• Whatareimportantqualitiesofprofessionalswithinyoureld?
PREPARE
Interview Question Types and Example
• Basic - Tell me about yourself and your interest in this position.
• Behavioral - Describe a time you demonstrated leadership when working in a team. What was the result?
• Technical - You have been assigned to a project involving a new technology. How would you get started?
Basic Interview Logistics (Face to Face Interview)
• Do you have directions to interview location? (Think about construction, weather or trac concerns)
• Do you have reliable transportation?
• When do you plan to leave your home? How long will it take you? (Plan to arrive 20-30 min before. You can
sit in your car if need be or grab a coee near by if you arrive early.)
Basic Interview Logistics (Virtual Interview; e.g.
Teams
or Recorded)
• Do you have a quiet, professional space to conduct the interview?
• Do your
speakers, microphone, etc, work? (Make sure to test them ahead of time)
• Don’t forget to dress professionally, even though it’s virtual.
Materials for the Interview
• Resume (multiple copies)
• Professional reference list
• Unocial transcript
• Copies of work/projects
After reviewing this list, is there anything you need to do to prepare for your interview? Note them below:
CHECK OUT
GLASSDOOR
FOR COMPANY
SPECIFIC INTERVIEW
QUESTIONS
27
www.uh.edu/ucs - 713-743-5100 - hireuh@uh.edu - @CoogCareers
PROFESSIONAL DRESS ETIQUETTE
PROFESSIONAL DRESS RESOURCES:
• CAREER GEAR, GREATER HOUSTON: Career gear is a local Houston resource for men to gain professional dress
assistance. For more information: http://www.careergearhouston.org/index.html
• DRESS FOR SUCCESS HOUSTON: Dress for Success is a local Houston resource for women to gain professional
dress assistance. For more information: http://dfshouston.org/
• UCS CAREER CLOSET: The UCS Career Closet is an initiative supported by UH to oer UH students assistance
through professional dress rental. Interested students should schedule a Career Closet appointment through
Cougar Pathway.
28
SUITS
• Long-sleeve suit in black, grey or navy
• Jacket must match bottoms
• Skirt should be knee length
SHIRTS AND TIES
• White or light-colored shirt or blouse
• Conservative tie; no distracting prints
• Tie should reach belt
PANTS
• Not too tight or baggy
• Pant leg should touch front of shoe
SHOES
• Neutral ats or pumps with a 1-2’’ heel
• Polished, leather shoes with dark socks that match
ACCESSORIES
• Simple and conservative jewelry
• Small purse or professional bag
• Padfolio or portfolio for resumes
BUSINESS PROFESSIONAL
BUSINESS CASUAL
JACKETS/TOPS
• Sports coat, blazer or suite jacket
• Sweater or cardigan
• Polo shirt or button down shirt
PANTS/BOTTOMS
• Dress pants, khakis or dark jeans
• Skirt or appropriate dress
ACCESSORIES
• Tie optional
WE ASK THAT YOU
REFRAIN FROM WEARING
THE FOLLOWING ITEMS:
• HATS - fedoras, baseball caps, beanies,
berets or cowboy hats
• T-SHIRTS - short sleeved shirts, tank tops,
cut-o shirts; no exposed backs, arms or
midris
• ATHLETIC GEAR - sweatpants, workout
shorts, yoga pants or hooded sweatshirts
• SHORTS - cargo, denim or khaki
• JEANS - ripped, cut-os or light-wash
denim; must t appropriately, not too
baggy or too tight
• SHOES - ip-ops, casual sandals or
sneakers/tennis shoes
• ACCESSORIES - large or distracting
jewelry around the neck, ears or hands,
large hair accessories, or multiple pieces of
jewelry around the neck, ears or hands
REGARDING GENDER IDENTITY AND ATTIRE: Your research on a particular employer or eld, in addition to your comfort
level, will assist in your choice to wear clothes associated with your gender identity or to wear gender-neutral clothing.
www.uh.edu/ucs - 713-743-5100 - hireuh@uh.edu - @CoogCareers
28
STAR METHOD FOR INTERVIEWING
Develop a STAR example for the question below. These statements can also add value to your elevator pitch, cover
letter and interviews. Depending on your targeted position during your career search, you may want to revise these
statements to make them more relevant.
Tell us about a time you work in a team to achieve a goal; what was your role and the outcome?
SITUATION:
TASK:
ACTION:
RESULTS:
WHAT IS THE STAR METHOD?
The STAR Method is a technique to answer interview questions. This method helps you outline the exact content an
employer would like to learn from an interview answer.
S
ITUATION:
• Dene the general context
• Who/What/When
• Mention the problem you had to overcome
TASK:
• Identify the key objective and issue that you were responsible for accomplishing
ACTION:
• Describe the action you took or initiated, emphasizing the skills you used to complete the task
RESULTS:
• Summarize the outcome in business terms, giving detail and quantifying when possible
29
www.uh.edu/ucs - 713-743-5100 - hireuh@uh.edu - @CoogCareers
30
Describe a time you demonstrated creativity or innovation?
Tell me about a time when you displayed leadership when working with others?
Give me an example of a problem you faced in your job or in school and how you solved it.
Describe a time you had to deal with a dicult person.
Tell me about a time when you faced an ethical dilemma and how you handled it.
How has your education prepared you for this position?
What questions do you have for us?
COMMON INTERVIEW QUESTIONS
31
www.uh.edu/ucs - 713-743-5100 - hireuh@uh.edu - @CoogCareers
COMMON INTERVIEW QUESTIONS
Tell me about yourself.
What motivated you to apply to our company/organization?
Provide examples that illustrate your greatest strength and an area of growth as it relates to your eld of interest.
What are your short-term and long-term professional goals?
Describe your ideal work environment.
Why do you believe you would be a good t for this position?
Tell me about a time when you worked in a team to reach a goal? What was your role and the outcome?
30
www.uh.edu/ucs - 713-743-5100 - hireuh@uh.edu - @CoogCareers
SALARY NEGOTIATION GUIDE
QUICK FACTS
• Failing to negotiate your rst salary could cause you to miss out on more than $500,000 by age 60
• 75 percent of people who ask for a raise receive one
• Women earn 25.6 percent less than men
STEP : RESEARCH
• Use resources such as O*Net (onetonline.org) and GlassDoor (glassdoor.com) to understand market rates
for the position
• Take aspects other than salary into account, such as benets, work hours & vacation
• Create a realistic budget to know your minimum income
What is the market rate for positions you are interested in?
What benets, other than salary, are important to you?
STEP : STRATEGIZE
• Do not start negotiating until after you receive the job oer
• Try to avoid being the rst to name a salary gure
• Brainstorm ways to meet your goals and the employer’s needs simultaneously
• Focus on facts and research to back up your proposal
• Have a target salary and minimum salary in mind
What is your target salary or salary range?
What skills, experience, and qualications do you have to oer the employer?
STEP : NEGOTIATE
• Be persuasive and clearly articulate your value
• Listen carefully to the employer’s needs
• Don’t forget to negotiate benets
• Make a decision once you take the entire compensation package into account
How can you practice negotiation strategies and communicating your value?
32
www.uh.edu/ucs - 713-743-5100 - hireuh@uh.edu - @CoogCareers
EXAMPLE MONTHLY BUDGET
MONTHLY INCOME
BUDGETED AMOUNT ACTUAL AMOUNT DIFFERENCE
NET INCOME
Salary including Deductions
Other Income
TOTAL
MONTHLY EXPENSES
HOME
Mortgage or Rent
HOA Fees / Property Tax
Home or Renters Insurance
Home Repairs / Maintenance
UTILITIES
Electricity / Natural Gas
Water / Sewer / Trash
Internet / Cable
FOOD
Groceries
Restaurants/Out to Eat
HEALTHCARE
Insurance Premiums
Prescriptions
Fitness (Class, Gym, Etc)
TRANSPORTATION
Car Payment
Car Insurance
Car Maintenance / Repairs
Gasoline
OTHER
Entertainment (Movies/Hobbies)
Pet Care (Food/Grooming)
Personal Care Products
Clothing
DEBT
Credit Card Payments
Student Loans
SAVINGS
Emergency Fund
Savings Account
TOTAL
We recognize everyone’s nancial situation is dierent, but these activities are meant to get you thinking about your future
nancial needs and what salary amount will meet those needs.
33
www.uh.edu/ucs - 713-743-5100 - hireuh@uh.edu - @CoogCareers
MONTHLY BUDGET TIPS
We recognize everyone’s nancial situation is dierent, but these activities are meant to get you thinking about your future
nancial needs and what salary amount will meet those needs.
PART ONE: Complete the Example Monthly Budget and ll in the totals below:
MONTHLY BUDGET
TOTAL MONTHLY INCOME
TOTAL MONTHLY EXPENSES
Subtract Income from Expenses
PART TWO: Answer the questions below:
Did you encounter any surprises, challenges or interesting things while completing the Monthly Budget?
Are there any areas you want to reduce or increase?
In reviewing your monthly budget, what salary range do you need in order to cover your expenses?
How does the salary range listed above, compare to your perceived thoughts about salary within your eld? Is it similar
to what you were thinking? Is it way o?
34
www.uh.edu/ucs - 713-743-5100 - hireuh@uh.edu - @CoogCareers
