UMHB Career Guide

TABLE OF CONTENTS About Career Services . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2 Career Exploration . . . . . .

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Four-Year Career Plan . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4 Internships

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Resume Check-List . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6 Sample Freshman Resume

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Sample Business Resume . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8 Sample Nursing Resume . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9 Sample Health Sciences Resume

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Sample Natural Sciences Resume . . . . . . . . . . 11 Sample Computer Science/IT Resume . . . . . . . .

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Sample Humanities CV . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

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Sample Ministry Resume . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14 Sample Federal Resume . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 15 Career-Ready Competencies . . . . . . . . . . . . 16 Powerful Action Verbs . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 17 Cover Letter Check-List . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 18 Sample Cover Letter . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 19 Sample Reference Sheet . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 20 Sample Thank-You . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 21 Social Media . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 22 Networking . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 23 Getting the Most Out of a Job Fair

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Ten Rules of Interviewing . . . . . . . . . . . . . 25 Professional Attire for Women

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Professional Attire for Men . . . . . . . . . . . . . 27 Questions Asked by Employers/Behavioral Interview . . 28 Questions to Ask Employers/Phone or Video Interviews . 29 The Salary Question/Budgeting Tips . . . . . . . . . 30 Graduate/Professional School . . . . . . . . . . . . 31 Personal Statement . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 32

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ABOUT CAREER SERVICES The mission of Career Services is to provide services to students and alumni that will facilitate the career development and job search process, including assessments, job fairs, resumes, and interviews.

Appointments are a great way to meet with us for any of these services, concerns or advice. Personal exploration includes seeking careers that offer meaningful lives, fulfilling the will of God, and contributing to service and the common good.

APPOINTMENTS  Assessments  Resume & Cover Letter Reviews  Career Class

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 Mock Interviews  Job & Internship Search  Personal Statements

CAREER EXPLORATION Deciding on an academic major or choosing a vocation can be one of the most challenging decisions you will make. We encourage you to take the assessments and begin identifying your calling early in your college career. START EARLY, GET PREPARED, BE NOTICED!

80%

Research suggests that up to 80% of entering college students admit they are not certain what they want to major in.

Approximately 50% of first-year students change their major at least once before graduation, and some several times.

50%

Visit careerservices.umhb.edu/assessments to take one today!  Focus2: A quick online assessment to get an idea of work preferences and career options.

View different careers and start researching your options!

CAREER EVENTS Each semester Career Services hosts a variety of different career events.

Go to our website for dates, times and locations of events.  Job Fairs: Part-Time Job Fair, All Majors Virtual Job Fair, Health Sciences Job Fair, and Education Job Fair  Mentor Belton Professional Mentoring Program. Apply in the fall on our website to be matched with a mentor in the spring  Senior Business Etiquette Dinner: Offered each fall for seniors  Q&A Events, Employer Information Sessions, Showcase Days, and On-Campus Interviews Check out more resources on our website, including career videos and Jobs For My Major information!

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FOUR-YEAR CAREER PLAN FRESHMEN - EXPLORE o o o o o o o o o

o

Explore interests through academic courses Take Focus 2 assessment through CS Consider volunteering to explore careers of interest Join university organizations Activate your Handshake account Create a first draft of your resume View Candid Careers videos to explore careers Explore the What Can I Do With This Major resource on CS website Learn about the internship/practical experience requirements for majors you are considering Attend job fairs to browse employers and jobs

JUNIORS – GAIN EXPERIENCE o o o o o o o o o o

SENIORS – JOB SEARCH

SOPHOMORES – CHOOSE o Continue to use of Focus 2 assessment o o o o o o o o o o o

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resources Choose a major that fits your interests Explore careers available for your major Apply for the Mentor Belton Program Begin internship/practical experience search Seek leadership roles in activities Consider studying abroad or volunteering Begin working on your professional online image Attend job fairs to explore internship opportunities Interview professionals in careers of interest Determine if your career requires graduate or professional school Enroll in UMHB 4100 Career Planning & Coaching Course (1-hour credit course)

Review and revise your resume in CS Upload your current resume into Handshake Apply for internships a semester before you need it Seek shadowing opportunities with local professionals Explore companies with interesting jobs Meet with CS for help with job/internship search Sign up for a mock interview with CS Be an active participant in a job fair Identify skills you want to gain before graduation Plan to take the entrance exam for graduate or professional school

o o o o o o o o o o o o

Finalize your resume and review with CS Submit resume to CS for job fair resume guide Talk to all employers and seek applications at the job fair Check the CS calendar for recruiting opportunities Update Handshake and LinkedIn profiles Create job search agents in Handshake to get email notifications about jobs Fall semester begin graduate/professional school applications Attend the Senior Etiquette Dinner in the fall Participate in a mock interview with CS Tell people that you are looking for a job Acquire a professional job fair/interview outfit Research realistic salary expectations

INTERNSHIPS WHY DO I NEED AN INTERNSHIP? For many majors, there is a requirement to participate in an internship/practical experience. Even if there isn’t, you should still look for an internship! This is a great chance to: o o o o

Gain experience to put on your resume Make connections with professionals in your field Try out the career you are interested in to make sure you enjoy it Apply your knowledge from the classroom in a practical setting

WHAT SHOULD I LOOK FOR IN AN INTERNSHIP? If you don’t know where to start, try to answer these questions: o o o o o

When do I want to do my internship? (Summer, fall, and spring internships are available) Where do I want to do my internship?

How many hours a week can I spend at an internship?

Will I look for paid or unpaid internships?

What industry do I want to do an internship in? (If you don’t know, consider taking a career assessment in CS)

HOW DO I PREPARE FOR AN INTERNSHIP?

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Plan Ahead: Employers fill internship positions far in advance so have an idea of when you want to do your internship. Looking for a summer internship? Start going to the Job & Internship Fair in the Fall semester. You always want to give yourself a full semester to look for options and find your ideal internship!

Get your Resume Ready: Make sure that your resume looks great before you start applying for internships. Career Services can help get it ready to go! Adding your most recent work experiences, clubs, and volunteer work is a great place to start.

Use your Resources: Starting your search is always the hardest part, but there are plenty of resources available to you. There are several online job boards that have internship opportunities: Handshake, GoinGlobal, and LinkedIn are great places to start. You can also make an appointment to come in to Career Services and talk with someone about your internship search to try and find options. Attend a Job & Internship Fair on campus to talk with companies as well.

ACADEMIC CREDIT FOR INTERNSHIPS To obtain academic credit for your internship, or fulfill a degree requirement, always check with your academic advisor. They will need to give approval on the internship/practical experience before you start. Your academic advisor will also let you know what you need to turn in to obtain credit for your internship. Communicate regularly with your academic advisor during the semester you are doing your internship to make sure you have fulfilled all the requirements!

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RESUME CHECK-LIST FORMAT o o o o o

EXPERIENCE

Easy to scan (not read) Concise (one page) 0.5”-1” margins on all 4 sides No colors or difficult to read fonts Looks professional

HEADER o o o o

Name, centered and bolded (14-16 font) Address (can be current or home address) Phone Number and professional email address URL for LinkedIn Account or Portfolio (optional)

OBJECTIVE OR SUMMARY (OPTIONAL) o

o o

1 sentence or 2-3 bullet points highlighting skills, strengths, and other information relevant to the position you are applying for Tailor these specifically to the job This is your personal marketing/branding statement

EDUCATION o o o o o o

Include only schools you have earned degrees from The most recent institution you have attended goes at the top Degrees are spelled out (no abbreviations) Major(s) and Minor(s) are listed Graduation month and year are listed (don’t list dates attended) GPA: Can include if your GPA is above a 3.0

o o o o o o

ACTIVITIES o o

o

Courses relevant to the job are listed (can be outside major) Include 4-6 classes in bullet point format

Name of the organization and a brief description Keep this list simple and don’t forget to list leadership roles

HONORS/AWARDS o o

Name of honor/award is included Provide a brief explanation if necessary so an employer will understand why you earned it

OTHER SECTIONS TO INCLUDE o o o o o

Projects or Research (related to the position) Skills (For technical or other relevant skills) Community Service Professional Organizations Certifications

GENERAL RESUME TIPS

RELEVANT COURSEWORK (OPTIONAL) o

Listing of all work experience (paid and unpaid) Include internships (#1 on resume to employers) Your most recent job will be listed first, then go backwards Month and year a job started and ended are included (present if still working) List 3-6 bullet points with major accomplishments and responsibilities Begin each bullet point with an action verb (see Page 17 for examples)

o o o o

Proofread several times Don’t include photos or headshots Keep formatting simple so that resume scanning software can track it No personal pronouns (I, me, my)

10 Best Fonts for your Resume Calibri Verdana Trebuchet MS Arial (Regular or Narrow) Times New Roman

Bell MT Cambria Book Antiqua Garamond Georgia

This list was created by Monster Career Advice 6

SAMPLE FRESHMAN RESUME Anna Crusader aecrusader@mail.umhb.edu 254-456-6789 722 Crusader Way Belton, TX 76513

EDUCATION University of Mary Hardin-Baylor, Belton, TX May 2026 Bachelor of Science in Health Sciences, Concentration: Pre-Occupational Therapy Highland High School, Lowland, TX National Merit Scholar, National Honor Society, GPA: 3.5/4.0

May 2022

WORK EXPERIENCE LOWLAND HARDWARE, Lowland, TX Lead Cashier January 2021-August 2022 • Communicated with customers to assist them in finding appropriate items and answered questions • Resolved customer complaints from other cashiers • Gained experience training new cashiers on store policies and procedures JR’S FIREWOOD, Lowland, TX Owner/Operator Winters 2019-2021 • Hired and supervised 3 employees in cutting, stacking, selling, and delivering an average of 120 cords of wood per winter • Net profit of $1500+ after paying salaries and expenses each season SKILLS • • • •

MS Word, Excel, Power Point, Teams Fluent in Spanish Leader with the ability to be responsible for a team assignment Learn new technologies and tasks very quickly with a minimal amount of training

LEADERSHIP/ORGANIZATIONS STUDENT BODY PRESIDENT Highland High School August 2020-May 2021 • Planned and managed group meetings weekly • Organized and implemented leadership development with 19 students VACATION BIBLE SCHOOL VOLUNTEER Highland Church January 2019-June 2019 • Led a team of 6 volunteers to work on games and activities for children

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SAMPLE BUSINESS RESUME CAROLINE CRUSADER cecrusader@mail.umhb.edu

254-123-4567

www.linkedin.com/in/carolinecrusader

OBJECTIVE Seeking full-time marketing position EDUCATION University of Mary Hardin-Baylor, Belton, TX Bachelor of Business Administration in Marketing RELATED COURSEWORK Event Marketing Christian Principles in Business Organizational Behavior Strategic Management & Policy

May 2023 Major GPA: 3.8

Marketing Research Consumer Behavior

RELATED EXPERIENCE Aleuro Inc. San Antonio, TX May-July 2022 Public Relations/Advertising Intern  Learned all aspects of Advertising and Marketing and how these are utilized within Aleuro  Applied Marketing principles assisting in management of company website and Twitter  Contacted 10 clients to conduct satisfaction surveys over the telephone  Utilized data from client satisfaction surveys and developed a public relations improvement plan University of Mary Hardin-Baylor, Belton, TX August 2020-May 2021 Marketing and Public Relations Intern  Analyzed web traffic throughout the UMHB website to write a usage report  Developed new content and graphics to update low traffic web pages  Communicated/worked on a team with 3 staff members to implement webpage updates

SKILLS  

Webpage Design skills with HTML and Wordpress Social Media: Instagram, Twitter, Facebook, Pinterest, and TikTok

LEADERSHIP/ORGANIZATIONS  

American Marketing Association – Treasurer and President Search CRU – Admissions and Recruitment Student Organization

HONORS    

Vice President’s Scholarship – must maintain 3.5 cumulative GPA Dean’s List, 6 semesters Second National Advertising Art Design Competition Advertisement Associations Institute Prize

VOLUNTEER EXPERIENCE 

Student United Way

Hope for the Hungry

OTHER WORK HISTORY  

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After School Tutor Babysitter

Belton ISD, Belton, TX Jones Family, Temple, TX

January 2020-Present August 2017-December 2019

SAMPLE NURSING RESUME Matthew Crusader 254-554-1234 matthew.crusader@gmail.com Objective To obtain a Graduate Nurse position in the Oncology Department Education University of Mary Hardin-Baylor, Belton, TX Expected Graduation: December 2023 Bachelor of Science in Nursing, GPA: 3.4/4.0  Capstone Research: “The Effects of Music Therapy on Patient’s PEWS Score in the Pediatric Patient” Temple College, Temple, TX Associate of Arts in General Studies

August 2021

Clinical Experience Scott & White Memorial Hospital, Temple, TX Fall 2021-Present  Total Clinical Hours: 936  Oncology Unit, Medical Surgical Unit, Pediatric Unit, Psychiatric Unit, Labor & Delivery, Emergency Room, Postpartum Unit, Cardiothoracic and Surgical ICU  Leadership Clinical on Oncology Floor Work Experience Student Nurse Technician June 2021-Present Baylor Scott & White Memorial Hospital, Temple, TX  Assist Registered Nurses with patient care, education, and meeting patient needs  Perform basic nursing skills: vital signs, baths, treatments, minor dressing changes  Maintain strict confidentiality of all sensitive patient and hospital data Server August 2019-January 2021 Olive Garden, Temple, TX  Communicated with customers daily to accurately fulfill orders  Collaborated on a team of up to 10 servers to ensure all tables were served  Trained new servers in all job roles beginning January 2020  Resolved customer complaints to ensure a satisfactory experience Certifications CPR/AED Certified-Healthcare Provider (Expires April 2026) Healthcare Basic Life Support Volunteer Experience Hope for the Hungry Food Pantry UMHB Reaching Out Day of Service

Haiti Medical Mission Trip Children’s Special Needs Network

Activities National Student Nursing Association Missions Emphasis Week, Steering Committee Member

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SAMPLE HEALTH SCIENCES RESUME Alex Crusader 1234 S. Main Street McKinney, TX 75070

254-555-1234 abcrusader@mail.umhb.edu

OBJECTIVE Seeking internship hours required for degree in Exercise Physiology EDUCATION University of Mary Hardin-Baylor, Belton, TX Bachelor of Science in Exercise Physiology

December 2024

RELATED EXPERIENCE Complete Nutrition, Temple & Killeen, TX January 2021-Present Personal Consultant  Utilize background knowledge of nutrition and exercise to recommend products  Learn about supplements and apply them correctly and beneficially to clients  Consult with up to 20 clients each day about their personal body composition  Help clients reach their goals by advising them about nutrition and lifestyle habits Lifetime Fitness, Allen, TX Summer 2021, 2022 Receptionist  Built relationships with clients and communicated regularly to meet needs  Sold memberships to over 60 new clients during the summer of 2016 and exceeded goal  Maintained emergency contact numbers and information to ensure safety of clients Whataburger, Belton, TX September 2019-January 2020 Crew Member  Processed orders efficiently and correctly for customers with 95% accuracy  Communicated clearly to upsell special items to customers  Collaborated on a team of up to 10 crew members to fulfill orders in a timely manner RELATED COURSEWORK   

Testing & Prescription Exercise Psychology Physiology of Exercise

Personal Health & Fitness Sport Nutrition Advanced Resistance Training

CERTIFICATIONS/HONORS    

CPR, First Aid, & AED Certified, Expires May 2024 Provost’s List, 4 semesters Dean’s List, 6 semesters Alpha Chi Academic Honor Society, Treasurer

PHYSICAL THERAPY OBSERVATION   

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Integrity Rehab- 68 hours Select Physical Therapy- 32 hours McLane Children’s Hospital Physical Therapy Clinic- 20 hours

SAMPLE NATURAL SCIENCES RESUME Jonathan O. Crusader jocrusader@mail.umhb.edu 123-456-7890 SUMMARY  Over 1 year of scientific research experience on multiple projects  Familiar with many lab techniques as well as basic lab safety and maintenance  Worked on a team of 5 members to perform detailed research with Beta Beta Beta EDUCATION Bachelor of Science in Biology, Minor: Chemistry, May 2024 University of Mary Hardin-Baylor, Belton, TX HONORS/AFFILIATIONS Beta Beta Beta Biological Honor Society Provost’s List – 8 semesters President’s Scholarship – Must maintain 3.5 or higher GPA RELEVANT COURSEWORK  Research Methods & Lab  General Biology I & II Labs  General Chemistry Lab

Scientific Writing Organic Chemistry Lab Statistics

RELATED EXPERIENCE Teaching Assistant, Department of Biology, University of Mary Hardin-Baylor Belton, TX, August 2022-May 2023  Supervised and instructed students on lab procedures during class periods  Ensured that proper lab protocols were followed by up to 25 students at a time in 6 different sections of cellular biology  Assisted in grading and returning lab and class materials to students with appropriate feedback on places for improvement PRESENTATIONS/RESEARCH UMHB Scholar’s Day Presentation: The impact of oil spills on oceanic biodiversity Faculty Sponsor: Dr. Cora Crusader Beta Beta Beta State Convention Spring 2022 Poster Presentation: The Impact of oil spills on oceanic biodiversity RESEARCH INTERESTS  Regulation of aerobic gene expression  DNA sequencing and determination of DNA binding domains

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SAMPLE COMPUTER SCIENCE/IT RESUME Amy Crusader aecrusader@mail.umhb.edu

512-123-4567

amycrusaderportfolio.com

Summary of Skills -

Projects completed C++, Java, and C# development in courses Bilingual in English and Spanish

Education Bachelor of Science in Computer Science University of Mary Hardin-Baylor, Belton, TX

May 2023 Overall GPA: 3.4

Related Coursework -

Object Oriented Development Telecommunications & Networking Network Security

Graphics Programming Operating Systems Programming Languages

Technical Skills -

Intermediate HTML, CSS, XML, PHP, SQL, JS, Bootstrap Basic Java, C#, C++, Ruby, Python Visual Studios, Unity, Linux, Unix, Adobe Creative Suite

Work Experience Web Design Intern January 2022-Present Edasi Ware, Killeen, TX - Presented customized website mock-ups for customer approval to 3 customers - Copied website content and finalized web design using bootstrap templates - Collaborated with 6 team members throughout design process - Met deadlines and requirements for all production stages for customers Sergeant/Aircraft Mechanic March 2016-May 2020 United States Marine Corps, Various Locations Worldwide - Supervised team and maintained professionalism in high stress environments - Communicated workload and job requirements to lower enlisted personnel - Utilized and encouraged teamwork among 15 subordinates to meet goals - Developed problem solving techniques and troubleshooting abilities - Managed multiple projects and allocated time for each to meet deadlines Volunteer Experience/Awards -

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Hope for the Hungry Belton Christian Youth Center Reaching Out-UMHB Day of Service Dean’s List-2 semesters

SAMPLE HUMANITIES CV Paul Crusader

900 College Street Box 123, Belton, TX 76513 254-555-8676 pacrusader@mail.umhb.edu

Note: A typical CV will be more than one page long.

For example purposes this has been condensed.

Objective:  To apply theological knowledge and study as well as educational experience to the pursuit of a degree from Truett Seminary.

Education:  Bachelor of Arts, University of Mary Hardin-Baylor, Belton, Texas, May 2022 o Double Major in English and Christian Studies, GPA: 3.9 Previous Work Experience:  Everyday Disciples Church: College and Worship Pastor, August 2020-Present o Lead college and young adult Bible study and programming; Plan, arrange, and perform music in Sunday morning services; Occasional preaching  University of Mary Hardin-Baylor: Hebrew Tutor, August 2021-Present o Tutor Intermediate Hebrew students; Assist professor in-class; Grade assignments  Seaton Brethren Church: Youth Minister, July 2019-August 2020 o Prepared lessons and activities for Youth Group; taught Adult Sunday School Class; Worship team (guitar/vocals) Presentations:  “An Unweeded Garden and an Inmost Glass: Hamlet and the Reformation Sin Doctrine,” UMHB Scholars Day, Belton, TX, March 2021  “Sport and Sabbath in Moltmann’s Inaugurated Eschatology,” Baylor Institute for Faith and Learning’s Symposium on Faith and Culture, Waco, TX, November 2021 Relevant Experiences:  Co-President of UMHB Baptist Student Ministries’ Ministry Leadership Council, 2021-2022 o Recruited and organized ministry teams; Facilitated weekly meeting for ministry leaders; Provided ministerial training for first-time campus ministers  Co-Director of UMHB’s Missions Emphasis Week, 2021 o Planned and facilitated seminars and opportunity fairs for 53 missionaries visiting campus; Assembled and led weekly meetings for event steering committee  Vice President, UMHB Sigma Tau Delta National English Honor Society, 2019-2020 o Planned the programming and community service opportunities for the English Program; Facilitated focus on literacy in the community Awards:  Vann English Endowed Scholarship 2020: Designated yearly for an outstanding English major  Cole-Taylor-Townsend English Scholarship: Awarded yearly based on merit and need.

Relevant Coursework:  Greek, Roman, and Italian Cultural History- Honors: Ancient Mediterranean history from the Minoans through the Classical Period; Included an independent research paper completed on the foundation of the Roman Republic  Historical Inquiry, Research, and Method: Specific skills, principles and theories relevant to historiography  World Literature: A survey of classical literature in translation from Homer and Aristophanes to Virgil and Ovid

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SAMPLE MINISTRY RESUME Andrew Crusader 900 College Street Box 123 Belton, TX 76513 Blog: www.andrewministry.com

(254) 123-4567 andrew.crusader@gmail.com Twitter/Instagram: @andrewministry

PERSONAL Birth Date: January 30, 2001 Family: Parents-Tom & Linda Crusader, Sibling-Susie Raised: McKinney, Texas Interests: Bicycling, Reading, Hiking, Watching Movies EDUCATION University of Mary Hardin-Baylor, Belton, TX Bachelor of Arts in Christian Studies, Minor: Music MINISTERIAL EXPERIENCE Camp Longhorn, Camp Counselor   

Summer 2021

Planned a youth-led worship service for the whole camp Led worship during each evening activity as part of the worship music team Developed Bible study plans for campers and ministered to small group

Sunday School Teacher, First Baptist Church Belton   

May 2023

August 2020-Present

Teaching Bible studies on Genesis, Exodus, Colossians, and 1 John to small groups of college students Prepared curriculum and handouts for class to direct small group discussions Delegating sections of lesson plans to different students each week to help teach

ACTIVITIES/HONORS Dean’s List – 4 semesters Student Government Association Chaplain

Beach Reach Mission Trip-Spring 2021 Christian Studies Scholarship

OTHER WORK EXPERIENCE Student Worker at Mayborn Campus Center, UMHB Customer Service, Dairy Queen

Fall 2019-Present March 2018-July 2019

Additional Sections to Include: These sections will be written paragraphs giving more information about yourself and your call to ministry. Be detailed, these may be lengthy but shouldn’t take up more than half a page when written out.

PERSONAL STATEMENT OF SALVATION AND CALL TO MINISTRY MINISTRY STATEMENT DOCTRINAL BELIEF

This is an example of a ministry resume, for ministry positions you will want to include personal information and other sections about your faith that you would not include on a traditional resume. Also note that a ministry resume will be more than one page, this example has been shortened to show all of the sections on one page.

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SAMPLE FEDERAL RESUME Chris Crusader 123 Main Street Belton, TX 76513 cacrusader@mail.umhb.edu

(254)123-4567

Announcement #: WTEF159952961526645EM (found in job posting - go to www.usajobs.gov) Veteran’s Preference: TP Citizenship: U.S. Citizen Federal Status: Military Veteran (list any current or previous federal status)

SUMMARY OF QUALIFICATIONS  

1 year relevant experience to Medical Technician requirements Conducted various services including proper laboratory protocol, customer service, and supervisory experience

EDUCATION University of Mary Hardin-Baylor, Belton, TX, 100 hours completed Bachelor of Kinesiology in Pre-Physical Therapy, Minor: Biology, Overall GPA: 3.75

May 2023

Central Texas College, Killeen, TX, 50 hours completed Associate of Arts in General Studies, Overall GPA: 3.65

June 2019

RELEVANT COURSEWORK Anatomy & Physiology 1

Anatomical Kinesiology

General Biology & Lab

WORK HISTORY AND EXPERIENCE Baylor Scott & White Hospital, Laboratory Medical Technician January 2017-Present 2401 S. 31st Street, Temple, TX 76508 40 hours/week Please do not contact current supervisor: Joe Smith $18/hour  Laboratory tests including chemical, microbiologic, hematologic, and blood banking  Prepare reports of lab results to communicate findings back with physicians and other medical staff at the hospital  Utilize various laboratory procedures and comply with all safety and patient privacy regulations pertaining to lab work  Started as a laboratory technician working with patients and taking all bloodwork throughout the day to send to medical technicians  Attention to detail of what bloodwork is required for each patient and carefully label each specimen to send for appropriate testing  Supervise 2 lab technician intern students for 20 hours/week each to help train them about laboratory procedures and other detailed information

HONORS AND AWARDS Provost’s Scholarship – 6 semesters, awarded to students who can maintain a 3.7 or higher GPA

AREAS OF EXPERIENCE Include relevant skills that match up with keywords in the position description Note: A Federal Resume includes more information than a traditional resume. This type of resume will be up to 8 pages long and include every work and education experience you have had. Use usajobs.gov to see more samples and contact Career Services for help writing your Federal Resume!

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CAREER-READY COMPETENCIES WHAT ARE COMPETENCIES? Competencies (sometimes referred to as soft skills or transferable skills) are those strengths, talents, qualities and personal attributes which can be applied to a wide range of different jobs and industries.

WHY ARE COMPENTENCIES IMPORTANT? Competencies are important in helping you communicate your value to an employer. If you’re currently lacking experience, competencies can be a great way to highlight why you’re a good fit for the job.

Competencies

DEVELOPED IN

TOP RATED COMPETENCIES BY EMPLOYERS (surveyed by NACE).

Critical Thinking

Teamwork

Written Communication

Leadership

Equity & Inclusion

Problem-solving

Verbal Communication

Professionalism

Career & SelfDevelopment

Technology

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POWERFUL ACTION VERBS FOR YOUR RESUME Administrative

Clerical

Communication

Counseling

administered coordinated designed established evaluated interviewed managed organized promoted

arranged catalogued compiled dispatched monitored prepared processed screened tabulated

addressed arbitrated authored corresponded directed edited influenced motivated

assessed assisted clarified coached educated guided referred

Creative

Development

Financial

Management

acted created designed developed fashioned illustrated integrated invented performed

analyzed applied developed established formulated instituted supported surveyed

allocated analyzed appraised audited balanced budgeted calculated computed forecasted

assigned chaired delegated directed improved recommended reviewed scheduled supervised

Organizational

Marketing

Problem Solving

Research

applied arranged coordinated facilitated handled consolidated planned organized systematized

generated initiated recruited implemented increased distributed participated persuaded projected

clarified decided documented evaluated investigated recommended resolved strengthened

audited examined identified inspected interpreted researched summarized surveyed

Technical

Time Management

Training

assembled computed devised engineered programmed reconciled systematized validated

administered directed generated improved increased performed prioritized

adapted advised assisted communicated critiqued explained trained unified

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COVER LETTER CHECK-LIST A cover letter introduces you by highlighting your interests, education and experience as they pertain to a particular employer and job. The personalized cover letter and resume form a package designed to get you to the next stage: the job interview. While each cover letter may be similar, each needs to be individually written.

FORMAT o

Standard business letter format (see example on Page 19) o One page long (3-4 paragraphs) o It should add new information that isn’t already on your resume, or provide more details about something listed on your resume o Consider using the same font you used on your resume

FINAL PARAGRAPH o

o o

o

FIRST PARAGRAPH o

Refer to a specific position or inquire about a possible position in a company o If applicable, mention who referred you to the organization or individual o Also state why you are interested in that company, be specific

SECOND PARAGRAPH o o o o

o

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Relate your interests and background to the specific needs of the employer Be specific in stating how your background meets their needs Name your top skills and back them up with examples and experiences Mention specific skills from the job description in your cover letter and give examples Demonstrate your potential for making a valuable contribution to their company

Request the opportunity for an interview or note you will follow up on a specific day Close with an expression of appreciation or thanks Restate your contact information and invite the employer to contact you with questions Convey you know something about the organization and are excited about exploring the possibility of working with them

ADDITIONAL TIPS o

o

o o o

o

If addressing the cover letter to a specific person, use the correct name and title of the contact If you don’t have a contact, address “To the Hiring Manager for (Company Name),” never use “To whom it may concern” Always refer to the employer as Dr., Mr. or Ms., not Mrs. Avoid starting every sentence with “I” or “My” Demonstrate to the employer how you can help them and are the perfect candidate REMEMBER TO SELL YOURSELF!

SAMPLE COVER LETTER (Name) – Write to a specific person if possible (Job Title) – If you are writing to a specific person include their job title as well Organization Address City, State, Zip Date Dear Mr./Mrs. Last Name: OR To the Hiring Manager for 123 Publishing Company: I would like to express my interest in a position as editorial assistant for your publishing company. As a recent graduate with writing, editing, and administrative experience, I believe I am a strong candidate for a position at 123 Publishing Company.

You specify that you are looking for someone with strong writing skills. As an English major, a writing tutor, and an editorial intern for both a government magazine and a college marketing office, I have become a skilled writer with a variety of experience.

Working as an office assistant at the Career Services Office at XYZ College has given me the skills necessary to perform various administrative tasks required of an editorial assistant. My job has helped me gain experience in making phone calls, performing ordinary office duties, and executing numerous tasks that involve computer programs such as Microsoft Access and Excel. For three years I have carried out these responsibilities and others with organization, speed, and accuracy, and I know this experience will fulfill the requirements including attention to detail, organization, and customer service.

As a recent college graduate, my maturity, practical experience, and eagerness to enter the publishing business will make me an excellent editorial assistant. I would love to begin my career with your company and am confident that I would be a beneficial addition to 123 Publishing Company.

I have enclosed my resume, and will call within the next week to see if we might arrange a time to speak together. Thank you for your time and consideration.

Sincerely, Signature First and Last Name jcrusader@mail.umhb.edu Cell: 254-777-1010

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SAMPLE REFERENCE SHEET ANNA CRUSADER 1234 University Belton, TX 76513

254-123-4567 crusader@umhbmail.com REFERENCES Dr. Jay Smithson Manager, Dow Chemical Company (713)332-9425 smithsonj@dow.com Former supervisor

Ms. Katy Zimmer IDS Financial Services, Inc. (512)457-2145 zimmerk@isfs.com Current supervisor

Dr. Matt Crusader University of Mary Hardin-Baylor (254)123-4567 mcrusader@umhb.edu

REFERENCES TIPS:  Choose references wisely. Identify 3-6 people who know you well and can describe your character, work traits, abilities, and accomplishments. Use professors who know your abilities as a student; use an employer who knows you in a work setting.  Be sure to request permission of references in advance of interviews and inform each time you apply for a job. You may want to provide them with copies of each job description.  List the names, titles, emails, and phone numbers of references and make it available when considered for a position or when asked.  Ask your references what their preferred contact information is before you list it.

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SAMPLE THANK YOU

Date Dear Mr., Ms. or Dr. Employer, Thank you for taking time out of your busy schedule to talk with me about the Senior Programmer Analyst position with ABC Company. I appreciate your time and consideration in interviewing me for this position.

After speaking with you and the group, I believe I would be a perfect candidate for this position, offering the quick learning and adaptability that is needed for a diversified position. I particularly enjoyed talking more about the interesting travel opportunities that come with this position.

I am very interested in working for you and look forward to hearing from you once the final decisions are made regarding this position. Please feel free to contact me at any time if further information is needed. My cell number is (254) 777-1010.

Thank you again for your time and consideration.

Sincerely, Signature First Name Last Name

THANK-YOU TIPS:  Make sure to get the interviewer’s business card to help with following up  Send a thank-you note 24-48 hours after the interview  Email thank-you notes are acceptable; most hiring processes move too quickly for a handwritten note.  Be sure to add a specific detail about the interview to really personalize the thank-you.  This is also an opportunity to withdraw yourself from consideration. If you no longer feel like the position is right for you, let the interviewer know and thank them for their time.

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SOCIAL MEDIA CREATE A LINKEDIN PROFILE Develop your professional online presence by creating a LinkedIn account. Once you have a profile, you can use it to network with professional contacts, UMHB Alumni, and professional organizations in your field. Having this profile will allow you to keep your professional information in one place (you can even put a link to your account on your resume). Make sure you keep your account up to date and use it regularly throughout school.

SOCIAL MEDIA During your job search, employers will look at your social media accounts to determine whether you are a good fit for their company. Marketing yourself professionally will help you curate a positive and professional online image! Evaluate whether your online accounts will foster callbacks, interviews and job offers.

GOOGLE YOURSELF Search for your name online occasionally to see what comes up. There may be many people with the same name, so try variations and add information to find yourself. Look at your accounts anywhere that you have ever had a profile (Facebook, YouTube, Instagram, Twitter, etc.) to ensure that they appear professional.

PRIVATE ISN’T PRIVATE Many job searchers turn their personal social media accounts private to keep employers from seeing them. Keep in mind that many companies are able to see information that you think is private. It is better to clean up your content across all social media than to rely on privacy settings to hide it.

GET A HEADSHOT While you are job searching, it is a great idea to get a new professional headshot. You can use this photo as your profile picture across all of your social media platforms to help employers easily identify that they have the right person.

To get a quality picture:    

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Dress professional Neutral background Shoulders up Just you, no props

NETWORKING Many people use online job boards as their only job search technique. Unfortunately, statistics show that only 10-20% of jobs are ever published. That means 70-80% of jobs remain hidden and are filled through networking connections.

WHAT IS NETWORKING? A network is an interconnected group of supporters who serve as resources for your job search and career. Some contacts you may already have are professors, Career Services, current or former supervisors, family friends, church members, and many others. Now is a great time to work on growing your network to meet more people in your field! Get contact information for people you meet at business and social meetings who provide you with career information and advice. It might feel awkward to ask for help at first, but this is all part of the job search process. You will get better at making connections by practicing!

KEYS TO NETWORKING

BE PREPARED

BE PROFESSIONAL

Decide what information you need and what you are trying to accomplish. Remember that your purpose is to get to know people who can provide information regarding careers and leads. Some of the benefits of networking are increased visibility within your field, finding mentors, getting referred, and finding your next job or internship!

Ask your networking prospects for advice – not for a job. Use meetings as a source of career information, advice, and contacts. Start your meeting with a firm handshake, eye contact, and a smile. Remember to always dress professionally and bring copies of your resume, this meeting is your first chance to make a positive impression!

BE TARGETED

BE FOCUSED ON QUALITY

Identify your network. List everyone you know who might be able to help: family members, friends, professors, neighbors, classmates, alumni, bosses, co-workers, and many others. Attend meetings of organizations in your area of interest and get involved. You never know where you are going to meet someone who could lead you to your next job!

In a large group setting, circulate and meet people, but don’t try to talk to everyone. It’s better to have a few meaningful contacts than many introductions that you don’t follow up on.

Be sure to meet new people and get business cards so you can connect on LinkedIn and send a follow-up note.

QUESTIONS TO ASK CONTACTS

Stay organized and track your networking contacts. Keep a list of your contacts and update it frequently. Most importantly, stay in touch over a long period. Don’t just rely on contacts when you are looking for a job. Growing a strong network will be helpful for your long-term career success.

 What do you like most/least about your job?  Describe a typical workday or week?  What type of education and experience do you need to build a career in this field?  Why do people enter/leave this field?  What advice would you give someone trying to prepare for a career in this field?  Who else would you recommend I speak with about careers in this field?

BE PROACTIVE

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GETTING THE MOST OUT OF A JOB FAIR WHAT TO EXPECT Employers use job fairs to promote their internships and job opportunities to students. Job fairs consist of tables manned by recruiters or representatives from a company, and some companies send alumni representatives. Employer displays can vary from a simple table with business cards and one recruiter to an elaborate multimedia display and a team of recruiters.

FASHION AND WHAT TO BRING Dress professional - you’ll make a better impression. If unsure, always overdress.

Bring copies of your resume in a folder. Even if you submit your resume to CS to be included in the Resume Guide, you still want resumes on-hand to give recruiters. Keep track of the recruiters you talk with and send follow-up notes to the ones who really interest you. Don’t carry your backpack – it gets in the way and doesn’t look professional.

PARTICIPATE AND CONNECT In order to maximize your job fair experience, you must be an active participant and not just a browser. If all you do is stroll around, take company literature and load up on the freebies, you really haven’t accomplished much. It is essential to talk with company representatives and ask meaningful questions. Whether looking for an internship or a full-time job, your goal is to talk to all of the companies attending the job fair. In one minute or less, be confident and tell your story. Express interest in the available positions with the company, and inquire about their application process.

ASK THE RIGHT QUESTIONS The questions you ask at a job fair depend upon your goals. Are you interested in finding out about a particular career field? Then ask generalized questions about working within the industry. Are you seeking career opportunities with a specific employer? Focus your questions on the application and interview process, and ask for specific information from that employer.

DON’’T MISS AN OPPORTUNITY Try to attend at least one job fair before beginning your formal job search. For new entrants into the professional job market, this is a good way to make the transition into “self-marketing mode” without the formality and possible intimidation of a one-on-one job interview. It’s an opportunity that’s too valuable to miss.

JOB FAIR ETIQUETTE Be sincere: Recruiters are looking for candidates who communicate well and are honestly interested in their company.

Don’t interrupt: If someone is monopolizing a recruiter’s time, be patient and make eye contact or come back later.

Make a connection: Hand your resume to a recruiter, introduce yourself, and get a business card.

Prepare: A little prior research and advance preparation goes a long way and can help you stand out.

Do your homework: Use Handshake to find out which companies will be attending the job fair.

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TEN RULES OF INTERVIEWING

1

KEEP YOUR ANSWERS BRIEF AND CONCISE.

2

INCLUDE CONCRETE, QUANTIFIABLE DATA.

3

KNOW YOUR KEY STRENGTHS.

Unless asked to give more detail, limit your answers to two to three minutes per question.

Record yourself and see how long it takes you to fully answer a question.

Provide details about specific accomplishments and include measurable information when discussing your strengths.

It’s essential that you comfortably and confidently articulate your strengths. Explain how your strengths relate to the company’s goals and how they might benefit the potential employer.

4

PREPARE FIVE OR MORE SUCCESS STORIES.

Reflect on past jobs, leadership roles, classroom experiences, or volunteer opportunities and pick instances when you demonstrated job skills successfully. Practice telling a complete story about each experience before the interview.

5

IMAGE IS OFTEN AS IMPORTANT AS CONTENT.

What you look like and how you say something are just as important as what you say. Studies have shown that 65% of the conveyed message is nonverbal; gestures, physical appearance and attire are highly influential during job interviews.

6

ASK QUESTIONS.

Good questions require advance preparation.

Just as you plan how you would answer an interviewer’s questions, write out specific questions you want to ask. Don’t ask about benefits or salary.

7

DEMONSTRATE YOU’RE A TEAM PLAYER.

Express how your skills align with the prospective employer and how you will fit in with their existing environment. No matter what type company, you will be working as part of a team.

8

MAKE A CONNECTION.

The best interview is a conversation. Find a rhythm between their questions and your answers. Use feedback questions at the end of your answers as well as body language and voice intonation to create a conversation.

9

RESEARCH THE COMPANY.

Research will provide information to help you decide whether you’re interested in the company and important data to refer to during the interview.

10

FOLLOW UP AFTER THE INTERVIEW.

As soon as possible, write a thank-you note to the interviewer. This is a great way to restate skills and express interest in the position, and leaves a positive impression. If you are not interested in the position, this is also a chance to politely withdraw your application.

IN SUMMARY.

Be sure to practice before stepping into an interview. Practicing will allow you to give the answers you want without sounding too rehearsed. The interview process is a two-way street whereby you and the interviewer assess each other to determine if there is fit. To compete successfully for the job you want, research what the employer wants in their candidates and use those factors along with your skills, education and personality to sell yourself.

Always be yourself – employers want to see the real you.

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PROFESSIONAL ATTIRE FOR WOMEN BUSINESS PROFESSIONAL

BUSINESS SMART

BUSINESS CASUAL

Every workplace will have guidelines for work attire.

But until you’ve been hired and you know dress code, it’s best to overdress.

When in doubt, dress conservatively, especially for an interview.      

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Solid and neutral colors are best Make sure your attire is wrinkle-free Closed-toe flats or heels Modest jewelry and fragrance Skirts/dresses finger-tip or to the knee Avoid plunging necklines or revealing attire

PROFESSIONAL ATTIRE FOR MEN BUSINESS PROFESSIONAL

BUSINESS SMART

BUSINESS CASUAL

Every workplace will have guidelines for work attire.

But until you’ve been hired and you know dress code, it’s best to overdress.

When in doubt, dress conservatively, especially for an interview.      

Solid and neutral colors are best Make sure your attire is wrinkle-free Tie shouldn’t be a districting color or pattern Shoes should be polished and scuff-free Belt and shoes should match Avoid athletic socks – wear dress socks

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QUESTIONS ASKED BY EMPLOYERS QUESTION

HOW TO ANSWER

“Tell me about yourself,” or “Walk me through your resume.”

These are typical opener questions. Consider the question in relation to the job for which you’re interviewing and give a quick 30-second overview of your experience and achievements.

Keep your answer simple and to the point. Demonstrate you have done research on the company and position.

Be prepared for this and have several selling points about yourself in advance. Be confidently humble.

Be prepared to present your weakness positively or explain how you are managing it. Don’t talk too long or emphasize downfalls.

Use your research to describe your plans to develop skills within the company. Avoid goals that won’t benefit the employer.

Enthusiastically offer a statement of your strongest skills to perform the job and the value you will bring to the company.

Promote yourself, but don’t be arrogant.

Prepare five or six intelligent questions in advance which reflect your research and the clarity of your thinking.

“Why are you interested in working here?”

“What are your greatest strengths?”

“What is one of your weaknesses?”

“Where do you see yourself in five years? Ten years?

“Why should we hire you?”

“Do you have any questions for me?”

BEHAVIORAL INTERVIEW TIPS Behavioral interviewing is a type of interview based on the assumption that past behavior is an indicator of future performance. A successful framework for approaching these questions is the STAR method.

Situation: Provide context by describing a specific situation, project, or challenge.

Task: What was the task involved and what was your role.

Action: What action did you take, and explain what you did and how.

Results: What was the outcome of your action and how can this experience help you in the position for which you’re applying.

EXAMPLES OF BEHAVIORAL INTERVIEW QUESTIONS Taking Initiative Conflict Resolution

-Give an example of a time you initiated and completed a project.

-Tell me about a time you went above and beyond to complete a task.

-Describe a situation when you faced conflict and how you resolved it.

Time Management/ Multitasking Analytical Thinking

-Give an example where class, work or personal activities conflicted.

-Tell me how you prioritized activities and the outcome.

-Tell me about a complex problem you solved. Describe the process.

Adaptability/Resilience

-Describe a high-pressure situation and how you handled it.

-Tell me about a time you failed and what you learned from it.

-Tell me about a time you influenced a group to agree with your idea.

-Tell me about a situation when your work was criticized.

-Describe a time when a classmate wasn’t doing their part of a joint project and how you handled it.

-Tell me about a time you took a leadership role.

-Give an example of a goal you set and how you accomplished it.

Communication/Influence Teamwork/Leadership

Goal-setting

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QUESTIONS TO ASK EMPLOYERS ABOUT THE COMPANY     

What qualities do your most successful employees share?

What is the biggest adjustment most new employees go through?

How does the company measure its success?

How would you describe the office or company culture?

What are the current goals of the company and how does this team contribute to these goals?

ABOUT THE SPECIFIC POSITION      

Is this a new role that’s been created?

How do you define and measure success for this position?

Can you walk me through a typical day of someone working in this position?

What type of training is offered for this position?

What would you like to see accomplished in the first 30-60-90 days in this position?

Do you have any reservations regarding my education or experience for this position?

ABOUT THE INTERVIEWER  

What brought you to the company?

What excites you most about the company’s future?

NEXT STEP  

What is the next step in the hiring process?

When can I expect to hear back?

TIPS FOR PHONE OR VIDEO INTERVIEWS KNOW YOUR TECHNOLOGY: Make yourself familiar with the technology before your interview   

Double check the speaker/microphone volume, settings, and picture quality Confirm your wireless strength and connection can handle transmitting webcam Know how to use the screen sharing function

CONTROL YOUR ENVIRONMENT AND IMAGE: Have a quiet place to talk     

Use a landline, preferably a speaker phone to allow for natural gestures Eliminate distractions – mute cell phone, computer, TV, iPad or tablet Arrange a time where you are alone – no roommates, friends, parents, or pets Set up in front of a blank wall, remove clutter and decor, and ensure good lighting Dress professionally to remind yourself it’s more than a casual conversation

BE PREPARED, AND REMAIN CALM & PROFESSIONAL     

Be ready to go 10 minutes early and allow extra time if the interview goes long Have a glass of water, questions, and resume close at hand Don’t ramble – allow for pauses as the interviewer takes notes Exude energy and charm - this is your chance to sell yourself to the employer Contact Career Services to book an interview room for your distance interview

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THE SALARY QUESTION KNOW YOUR WORTH  

      

Research salary ranges for the position you want. Websites that offer salary information: www.salary.com, www.glassdoor.com, www.bls.gov.

Consider your finances and decide how much you need to make to cover your bills.

Include increased living expenses if necessary. Find cost-of-living calculators at www.salary.com.

Wait to discuss salary until the second or third interview. The first interview will give you a chance to explore the position and whether the company is a good fit for you.

If asked about salary requirements, you can say salary is negotiable. Use your salary research to provide a range of salary you think you should earn based on the position.

If the salary offer is too low, be prepared to show why you deserve a higher salary. If you know market value, make a strong argument.

Wait to negotiate a final figure until a job offer is on the table.

Look at the whole benefits package (insurance, vacation, parking, overtime, bonuses, work from home). Some companies may offer a lower salary, but make it up in perks.

Never make demands about salary. Stay professional and conversational.

Expect to start at an entry-level salary. Work experience can help salary negotiations.

BUDGETING TIPS SPENDING CATEGORY

TYPES OF EXPENSES

Savings 10%-20%

Housing 20%-35%

Emergency car or home repairs, emergency health expenses, and the generally unforeseen “rainy day.” Goal is 3-6 months’ salary.

Student Loans, Credit Cards, Car Payments, and any other monthly payments that are fixed every month.

Rent or Mortgage payment, any insurance payments

Food 15%-30%

Groceries, dining out, coffee, snacks, etc.

Transportation 6%-20%

Health & Personal Care 5%-14%

Car insurance, gas, tolls, parking, maintenance, public transportation Electric/gas, water, internet/cable, cell phone, streaming accounts (Netflix, Hulu, Amazon Prime, etc.)

Doctor appointments, prescriptions, gym memberships, clothing

Miscellaneous 1%-4%

Movies/concerts, travel, pets, charitable giving

Personal Debt 10%-20%

Utilities 4%-7%

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GRADUATE/PROFESSIONAL SCHOOL WHY ATTEND GRADUATE/PROFESSIONAL SCHOOL? More students are going to Graduate and Professional school now than in the past. Make sure you are making a good choice personally before applying for school. Consider the financial and time obligations required to continue your education.

Research jobs that will be available with an advanced degree and weigh whether you actually need the education for the jobs you wish to pursue. Graduate or Professional school isn’t a good option to continue delaying entry into your first professional job. Thoughtful consideration before applying to programs often comes after working a few years in an entry level job. It’s never too late to pursue a degree if it’s what you want!

WHEN TO START The first step in the application process will be researching where you want to apply, usually the end of sophomore or beginning of junior year. This is very important because Graduate and Professional programs are much more specific than a Bachelor’s degree and each program may be a little different. Things to think about when looking at programs include financial aid, research or teaching assistant opportunities, and other specific pieces that may be important to your discipline.

ENTRANCE EXAMS Most Graduate and Professional programs require an entrance exam. There are a variety of exams including the GRE, GMAT, LSAT, MCAT, DAT, and others. It is important during your junior year to start preparing for and taking your exam. Many classes and resources are available to help you prepare; the Townsend Library has free resources for UMHB students to help with preparation. Make sure you leave yourself enough time to retake the exams if you need a higher score.

APPLICATION MATERIALS You should begin applying for programs you are interested in during the Fall semester of senior year. Application deadlines vary for each school and program, so make sure you pay close attention to them! You may need a resume, personal statement, and letters of recommendation for your application. See Pages 6-15 for help on your resume or CV and Page 32 for tips on your personal statement. Career Services can help review and refine both documents for your application. Some applications are more involved than others so make sure you pay close attention to instructions. Reach out to Admissions offices if you need questions answered or help with your application.

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PERSONAL STATEMENT WHAT SHOULD I WRITE ABOUT? The hardest part of crafting a personal statement is getting started! First, carefully read the prompt and any page, word, or character limits for your personal statement. Start with a rough draft that isn’t specific to any school to get your thoughts out and begin organizing them.

Career Services can help you clarify and organize your thoughts in a way that tells your story to the Admissions committee.

Remember, this is all about you and should really highlight the great things you have to offer that program. Some key questions to answer in a general personal statement include:     

Why are you interested in Graduate or Professional school?

Why are you passionate about this career field?

Why is our school or program a great fit for you, and why now?

What is it about you that makes you stand out as a candidate?

How will this degree help further your career goals?

THINGS TO AVOID IN YOUR PERSONAL STATEMENT There is some information that is better left out of your personal statement:     

Avoid simply rewriting information from your resume Avoid using quotes, being cheesy or cliché – this doesn’t help set you apart Avoid being too confident about getting into a program Avoid writing what you think the Admissions office wants to hear from you Avoid telling your life story – most personal statements are only 2-5 pages long

MAKE IT ABOUT YOUR PASSION Your personal statement should demonstrate your passion and how this program will help you achieve your career goals in that field. Be yourself! Great stories about your journey to this point will help you stand out to the Admissions committee. Don’t feel like you have to get too personal; share information you feel comfortable with your prospective school knowing about you.

Experiences that might help inspire your personal statement: educational journey, work experience, job shadowing, a mentor, study abroad, extracurricular activities, church involvement, mission trips, community service, and other significant life experiences.

This process is challenging, but with a little help you can really shine as a candidate. Don’t forget, Career Services and the Writing Center are here to help you proofread and refine your personal statement!

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