Career Services Success Portfolio

SUCCESS PORTFOLIO Everything you need to enter the real world‌

Career Services Bomberger 110 www.ursinus.edu/career career@ursinus.edu 610-409-3599

CAREER SERVICES

WELCOME TO CAREER SERVICES

The Career Services Office invites you to take advantage of the many services and resources offered to Ursinus students. We encourage you to meet with a career advisor to develop a successful career plan.

WHO:

Amy Brink, Career Advisor Beverly Gaydos, Information Manager Michele Poruban, Career Advisor Sharon Powers, Associate Director for Employer Relations Nancy Reilly, Office Coordinator Carla Rinde, Director

WHAT:         

abrink@ursinus.edu bgaydos@ursinus.edu mporuban@ursinus.edu spowers@ursinus.edu nreilly@ursinus.edu crinde@ursinus.edu

Assistance with job searching, resume writing, and interviewing skills.

Networking with Ursinus College Alumni Career Ambassadors.

Resources and assistance with Graduate & Professional School planning.

Career Counseling, Interest Assessments, and FOCUS career exploration program.

Mock Interview sessions with a career professional.

UC CareerNet, a state-of-the-art web based job & internship management system.

CareerShift, job hunting and career management solutions.

Workshops and programs on career-related topics.

Annual UC Job, Internship & Networking Fair – February 8, 2012

WHERE:

Bomberger Hall – Suite 110 www.ursinus.edu/career career@ursinus.edu 610-409-3599

WHEN:

Office hours are Monday – Friday 9:00 am-5:00 pm Walk-in Wednesdays- 1:00-4:00 pm Appointments strongly encouraged

Section 1: INTERNSHIP & JOB SEARCH  all about internships, (ILA) internship learning agreement form  resume and cover letter preparation  networking tips and resources  interviewing guidance  2012 job, internship, and networking fair

Career Services Office Bomberger Hall Suite 110 Ursinus College 601 East Main Street P.O. Box 1000 Collegeville, PA 19426 Phone : (610) 409-3599 Fax :(610) 409-3631 Email : career@ursinus.edu

ALL ABOUT INTERNSHIPS: SEARCH & APPLY What is an Internship?

Career Services Office Bomberger Hall Suite 110 Ursinus College 601 East Main Street P.O. Box 1000 Collegeville, PA 19426

Phone : (610) 409-3599 Fax :(610) 409-3631 Email : career@ursinus.edu

An internship is a structured and supervised professional experience for which a student may receive academic credit. It is an opportunity to link classroom theories with practical knowledge in the workplace. By pursuing one or more internships, you will benefit personally, academically, professionally, and possibly financially.

Benefits include:  Apply classroom theory to life situations  Develop self-understanding, self-discipline, and confidence in your abilities  Develop networking/mentoring relationships  Learn more about a chosen industry or field  Evaluate potential career choices  Investigate organizational culture  Develop career-related and transferable skills  Develop a competitive edge for the job market and/or graduate school  Supplement academic/tuition costs with paid internships  Satisfy the Independent Learning Experience (ILE) with a credit internship

Types of Internships For more information on internships & resources, see our website at: www.ursinus.edu/career Click on ―Jobs & Internships‖

Students may opt to do credit and/or non-credit internships. Either type of internship may be paid or unpaid. The employer determines if compensation will be offered. For all internships, advisors in Career Services can help you identify your interests and skills, find an internship, navigate the application process, and prepare you for the internship experience.

All students (freshman through senior) may opt to complete non-credit internship(s). Noncredit internships do not require completion of formal paperwork or formal evaluations by the site supervisor. Students pursuing non credit internships are strongly encouraged to consult with faculty and advisors in the Career Services Office for help finding and developing goals for the internship.

Navigating the Internship Application Process      

   

Consult with your professors and the Career Services Office.

Prepare a resume.

Identify internships of interest. Utilize resources and tips below.

Apply to more than one internship.

Get Organized. Keep track of your application status, interview dates, etc.

Review application requirements. o Always include a cover letter. o Ask professors and supervisors if they will serve as references for you. o If required, request transcripts from the registrar’s office. o Prepare a portfolio of work samples (e.g., writing samples), if appropriate o Prepare for interviews.

Follow up after you have sent your applications.

Always send thank you letters to interviewers and to those people who have helped you in the search.

Carefully choose an internship. Don’t be in a hurry to accept an offer. Ask for extra time if needed.

Remove yourself from consideration with other organizations once you have accepted an offer.

Finding an Internship Finding an internship is a time consuming activity. It is suggested that you start the process early. It is also important to note that the more competitive internships require you apply 6-9 months prior to the semester of the internship. Starting early will help you get the internship you really want!

Internship “Want-Ads” Many companies and organizations actively recruit interns. Organizations advertise these opportunities in many ways including posting them through colleges, posting them on internship Web sites, posting them on their own Web site, and listing them in print directories.

Internships advertised through Ursinus Career Services Office are listed and maintained on UC CareerNet, a web-based database accessible through the Career Services home page (http://www.ursinus.edu/careers). There are also print directories available in the Career Library and many Internship listing Web sites posted on the Career Services Web site (click on “internships” under the “jobs & internships section”).

Finding/Creating your own Internship Many organizations may be willing to offer an internship, but do not have a formal program. Using your research and networking skills, and some assertiveness, you may be able to create your "dream" internship. Assertively pursuing your ideal internship can be intimidating, but can lead to great success. The basic steps to creating your internship include:  Know yourself -- Assess and understand your interests, skills, values, and preferences for work environment.  Identify & Research industries that may be a good match for you.  Within these industries, identify organizations of interest through online career and company research, networking, and professional associations.  Research the organization(s) of interest (e.g., company Web site)  Contact the organization(s) using your network to identify a key player in the organization. Prepare a 20-second script to introduce yourself and to let them know why you are calling.  For help with this process, please schedule an appointment with a career advisor (email: career@ursinus.edu or call 610-409-3599).

What is expected of an intern?

The internship is a professional experience that requires professional behavior. Although the responsibilities for an internship will vary from employer to employer, the following are some general guidelines that will help ensure success in the workplace  Be Punctual – employers are aware when you are not on time. If you have an emergency and are unable to arrive on time, make sure you call to inform your supervisor. Be sure that you have arranged reliable transportation to ensure punctuality.

      

Take Initiative – Extend yourself to help with projects and offer suggestions and ideas. You are there to learn!

Meet deadlines – You must meet deadlines. Do not ask for extensions.

Demonstrate a positive attitude – Be professional and enthusiastic about your work.

Avoid office gossip – Don’t get caught up in the office politics and gossip. Keep personal issues to yourself.

Respect everyone – Everyone could be a future job contact.

Dress appropriately.

Set priorities – Make sure you can handle all your responsibilities. You can’t “cut” your internship when you have a test or paper due.

 Be aware of and respect office policies – For example telephone use, computers, email, etc.

STUDENT GUIDE TO CREDIT INTERNSHIPS WITH INTERNSHIP LEARNING AGREEMENT (ILA) Internships offer a great opportunity to learn by doing! Internships provide a chance to explore career directions, bring meaning to classroom learning, acquire new skills, earn credit or financial compensation (or both!), make an impact in the real world, establish career networks or mentors and learn about yourself and your skills.

Follow this checklist to ensure that you receive credit for your internship

HOW DO I RECEIVE CREDIT FOR MY INTERNSHIP?  Meet with your Academic Adviser to discuss your eligibility to participate in an academic internship.  Secure a Faculty Internship Adviser from the department in which your internship will be conducted. The Faculty Internship Adviser will determine whether an internship opportunity meets the standards to qualify for academic credit. For summer, you must make arrangements with faculty before the end of the spring semester.  Submit your completed Internship Learning Agreement (ILA) to the Career Services Office.

Forms are accepted in person, via mail, fax (610.409.3631) or email (career@ursinus.edu) by:  The second Friday of the fall semester (Fall Internship)  The second Friday of the spring semester (Spring Internship)  The second Friday in June (Summer Internship) Signatures from your Site Supervisor and Faculty Internship Adviser are required to complete the ILA. Incomplete forms will not be accepted.In consultation with your Academic Adviser, register for the internship class during the course registration period by completing a course registration form. Refer to the Academic Catalog for the number and description of the appropriate internship course and prerequisites. Students register for a summer internship during the spring registration period. If your course registration form reflects a course overload, you must contact the Registrar for permission to take the additional credits.  Be sure to save a copy of the ILA for your records.

DO I QUALIFY FOR A CREDIT BEARING INTERNSHIP? You can enroll in an internship if you meet the following qualifications:  

Junior or senior status and have completed three courses within the department that administers the internship, or permission of the faculty internship adviser Earned an overall GPA of 2.0

CAN I ENROLL IN MORE THAN ONE INTERNSHIP? Students are permitted to take two internships under any of the following conditions*:    

the internship site requires a two-term commitment the student is a double major and wishes an internship in each major the second internship is outside the major (e.g. in the minor) the two internships are within the same major but are so different as to constitute a markedly different experience  the internships are not concurrent *Exceptions to these qualifications must be approved by the Academic Standards and Discipline Committee

HOW MANY CREDITS DO I RECEIVE FOR MY INTERNSHIP? Four credit internships have a minimum requirement of 160 hours per semester. Three credit internships require a minimum of 120 hours per semester. The number of credits assigned to an internship varies by department. Discuss specific credit requirements with your Faculty Advisor from the department in which your internship will be conducted.

HOW IS THE INTERNSHIP GRADED? The faculty Internship Adviser and student work collaboratively to identify goals of the internship, desired learning outcomes, and any specific visible product or activity required to enable the faculty adviser to appropriately issue a grade. This could include:  a journal or daily log recording activities and hours  scheduled meetings with the faculty internship adviser  a final research paper or other visible product such as a portfolio or video  a public oral presentation of results The Site host is also required to complete an evaluation of the student’s work which is used to assess student performance and determine the grade.

WHAT ARE THE STANDARDS FOR AN ACADEMIC INTERNSHIP? To ensure that students select the most meaningful sites, faculty are involved in approving all internships for credit. Both faculty and staff in the Career Services Office assist students in evaluating sites by using the following standards to ensure that internships that are granted academic credit are of the highest caliber. All internships for credit must comply with these standards*. Internships that do not meet these criteria will not be approved. 

Internships taken for credit must be completed off-campus unless approved by the Academic Standards and Discipline Committee.  Internship work experiences are substantive and challenging and relate to the student’s internship course. No more than 25% of an intern’s time should be spent doing clerical work.  A Site Supervisor provides on-going supervision. The supervision should include regularly scheduled meetings in which the student has opportunities for questions and feedback.  The Site Supervisor must be a professional in a field related to the student’s major. A student’s relative may not be involved in supervision.  The Site Supervisor provides orientation to the work site and training for specific job duties.  The internship must take place in a professional setting. In-home settings are not ordinarily acceptable.  Opportunities to develop specific skills (i.e. research, writing, computer, and presentation skills) must be available.  The Faculty Adviser must be from the department in which the internship credit will be awarded.  The Faculty Adviser and Site Supervisor must be different people.  Students must complete an online evaluation of their internship experience at the end of the internship semester and return it to the Career Services Office. *Exceptions to these standards must be approved by the Academic Standards and Discipline Committee

Career Services Office, Ursinus College, 601 East Main Street, P.O. Box 1000, Collegeville, PA 19426 career@ursinus.edu * (610) 409-3599 * Fax (610) 409-3631

INTERNSHIP LEARNING AGREEMENT (ILA) STUDENT SECTION - Please Print Name: ___________________________________________________Class Year __________ Student ID: _______________________________ Major(s): ___________________________________________________________________

Minor(s): _________________________________

Phone #: ___________________________________________________________________

Cell Phone#: ______________________________

Academic Department Granting Credit: ______________________________________________________________________________________ Semester for which you are seeking credit: □ fall □ spring Semester you will complete the internship on-site work:

year: ___________________

□ fall

□ winter

□ spring

□summer

year: _________________________

Deadlines to complete and submit the ILA: Fall- second Friday of the fall semester; Spring- second Friday of spring semester; Summer- second Friday in June.

Important Reminders: 1.

2.

3.

4.

The faculty internship adviser will determine whether an internship opportunity meets the standards to qualify for academic credit.

The ILA MUST be completed and signed by the Student, Site Supervisor, and Faculty Internship Adviser and returned to the staff in the Career Services Office by the deadlines listed above in order for credits to be processed.

If the ILA is not completed and returned by the deadlines listed, the registrar will drop a student from the internship class.

Students completing summer internships must register for the internship class on their fall semester schedule. In certain instances, and with approval from the registrar and faculty adviser, credit may be delayed until spring semester.

STUDENT RESPONSIBILITIES As a student seeking credit for an internship experience, I agree to:  Obtain proper approval from my Faculty Internship Adviser in the academic department granting the credit.  Complete the Internship Learning Agreement and submit it to the Career Services office.  Perform to the best of my ability those tasks assigned by my Supervisor which are related to my learning objectives and to the responsibilities of the position.  Follow all the rules, regulations, and normal requirements of this placement's organization.  Complete the academic requirements outlined in this ILA under the guidance of my faculty internship adviser.

Student Signature: _______________________________________________________________ Date: ________________________________

EMPLOYER SECTION (this section must be completed and signed by the Site Supervisor) Site Supervisor: _____________________________________________Title: _______________________________________________________ Organization Name: _____________________________________________________________________________________________________ Address: ___________________________________________________City/State___________________________________________________ Phone #: __________________________________________________ Fax#_______________________________________________________ Email: ________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

Career Services Office, Ursinus College, 601 East Main Street, P.O. Box 1000, Collegeville, PA 19426 career@ursinus.edu * (610) 409-3599 * Fax (610) 409-3631

EMPLOYER SECTION CONTINUED: Internship Compensation:

□ paid (hourly)

□ paid (stipend)

□ unpaid

Internship Position Description (attach a position description if possible): ______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ SITE SUPERVISOR RESPONSIBILITIES Ursinus College greatly appreciates your participation in our internship program.

Your role is integral to the student’s internship experience and success.

As a site supervisor for this internship, I agree to:  Clearly discuss the responsibilities and parameters of the internship with the student intern.  Work with the student to develop on-site goals and learning outcomes.  Provide ongoing supervision and feedback to the student on his/her performance.  Be available to talk with the Faculty Internship Adviser and/or meet with him/her during a site visit.  Complete a candid evaluation of the student’s performance and attitude during the internship so that the Faculty Internship Adviser can evaluate both field and academic components of the student’s work.

Site Supervisor Signature: _________________________________________________________ Date: ________________________________

FACULTY INTERNSHIP ADVISER SECTION: (this section must be completed and signed by the Faculty Internship Adviser) Name: ____________________________________________________Department: ____________________________________________ Phone: ___________________________________________________ Email: ________________________________________________ FACULTY RESPONSIBILITIES As a Faculty Internship Adviser for this internship, I agree to:  Register the student for the internship ―class‖ with the Registrar’s Office.  Work with the student to formulate concise, clear goals and learning outcomes for the internship. * (See below)  Maintain regular communication with the student during the internship- a minimum of 3 contacts during the internship semester is recommended  Contact the site supervisor at least once during the internship semester to discuss the student’s performance, preferably at the mid-point  Assess the student's learning based upon the site supervisor's evaluation and the completed activities required by the department including; specified hours at the site, submission of the ILA, a daily journal, meetings with the faculty internship advisor, final paper or other visible product, and public oral presentation, if possible.

Internship Learning Objectives and Outcomes (attach an additional page if needed): An academic internship is a carefully monitored work experience in which an individual has intentional goals and reflects actively on what she or he is learning throughout the experience. Faculty and students work collaboratively to identify goals and desired learning outcomes. The student’s learning outcomes should fit into three broad areas: Academic Learning, Professional Learning, and Personal Learning. It is recommended that two or more specific learning outcomes be identified in each area with clear strategies for accomplishing and evaluating them. ___________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ Faculty Internship Adviser Signature: ________________________________________________ Date: ________________________________ Career Services Office, Ursinus College, 601 East Main Street, P.O. Box 1000, Collegeville, PA 19426 career@ursinus.edu * (610) 409-3599 * Fax (610) 409-3631

EFFECTIVE RESUME WRITING Purpose of a Resume Career Services Office Bomberger Hall Suite 110 Ursinus College 601 East Main Street P.O. Box 1000 Collegeville, PA 19426

Phone : (610) 409-3599 Fax :(610) 409-3631 Email : career@ursinus.edu

Resume Services and Resources:  Resume Critiques  Resume Writing Videos (Career Services website)  Resume paper and writing books available in the Career Services Library

A resume is a job-hunting tool that is used to market yourself to employers. It is a personalized statement that highlights your education, skills, accomplishments, capabilities, etc. The main goal of a resume is to attract the attention of readers enough for them to want to meet and interview you.

Tips for Writing an Effective Resume Target the resume to your particular field of interest  A resume is not a laundry list of facts about you, but rather a clear, concise, focused presentation of your education, skills, accomplishments, and experiences as they relate to particular jobs that are of interest to you.  If you have varied interests, it is highly recommended that you develop more than one version of your resume.

Use a resume format that best presents your skills & strengths  There are many appropriate formats and layouts from which to choose.  Employers spend 20-30 seconds on average reviewing a resume – highlight the most relevant information first.  Be creative and make your resume a unique reflection of your competencies.

Writing style and length  A resume is typically one page for college students and recent graduates.  Omit all personal pronouns (e.g., I, me, my).  Avoid wordiness, slang, and abbreviations.  Develop concise phrases that begin with action verbs. Avoid descriptions that begin with the phrase, “Responsibilities included….”  Unlike a job application you are not required to include all experiences on your resume.

Make it readable and visually appealing  Develop a resume that is readable, visually appealing, and not cluttered.  Direct the reader’s attention by effectively using space, bullets, bolding, italics and capitalization to emphasize important words and phrases (TIP: Avoid underlining – it is not compatible with many scanners used by employers to read resumes).  Be sure to maintain consistency throughout the document (e.g., if you bold your job title in one experience, make sure the title is bolded in every experience listed).

Presentation and attention to detail are critical  It is essential that your resume is error-free! Have several people you trust proofread your resume and have it critiqued by Career Services.  Print your resume on quality business paper using a high-quality printer.  Most employers prefer conservative colors (e.g., white, off-white, gray).

Where to Begin?

Writing a resume can be a time-consuming, but rewarding process. Writing an effective resume requires you to focus on defining what you want to do, and to organize your qualifications in support of your goal or objective. This process results in a thorough understanding of your education, experience, activities, and skills. It also will prepare you for an interview, as it helps you integrate information about yourself, your fields of interest, and your career objectives. It is critical that you give yourself plenty of time to write your resume – a strong resume requires numerous drafts and revisions before it is ready to submit to employers.

The first step in developing a resume is to write an extensive rough draft of your background in reverse chronological order using the categories that are listed below. At this stage do not worry about length. Once you have all possible information from your background in front of you, it will be easier to construct logical groupings and organize a resume that best represents your qualifications. This process will ensure that you do not omit pertinent information.

Resume Categories Identifying Information The goal is to make it easy for the employer to contact you. Include your name, address, email and telephone number (with area code). List your fax number if you have one. While in school, list both present and permanent addresses – list your preferred address on the left margin. Your name should be in bold and larger then any other item listed on your resume.  

Include an email address that has a professional appearance, an example NOT to use: partygoer@uc.edu Provide a telephone number that will always be answered professionally and has an appropriate outgoing message

Objective (optional) An objective conveys a sense of direction to the reader. The objective states what you want to do for the organization; the rest of the resume is supporting information (i.e., this is why I can do the job). To develop a targeted objective, think about the following questions:  What type of position do you want?  Where? What type of organization or work environment?  What skills are you offering?

Avoid jargon or clichés in the statement such as "challenging and responsible position using my education and experience.” If you are pursuing several career objectives, consider creating a separate resume for each alternative.

Summary (rarely used by new graduates) A summary can be used in addition to or in place of an objective – its goal is to intrigue the reader to read on. It can be arranged in either paragraph or bulleted form. The summary highlights the skills, experiences, qualifications, traits, etc. that are most applicable to your job objective (e.g., Excel at oral communication as evidenced by four successful years on the debating team; Extensive experience in a variety of computer applications; Highly organized with proven ability to meet deadlines; Effective ability to work independently and as a team member on group projects).

Education Beginning with your most recent educational experience, include your degree, major, minor, date of graduation, and name of school and its location (city and state). High school information is generally not included unless it is of special interest to your audience.

Other academic information could be included, if relevant and supportive of your objective, including:  Relevant Coursework  Honors project topic  Honors (e.g. scholarships, Dean’s List, awards)  Study Abroad  GPA (if it is strong) What is my degree? Below you will find a list of majors associated with each degree. NOTE: if you are a double major you do not receive two degrees, but you do have the opportunity to chose between the two.

Bachelor of Arts American Studies Anthropology and Sociology Art Business and Economics Classics Dance East Asian Studies

English Environmental Studies French German History International Relations Media and Communication Studies Philosophy

Politics Spanish Theater Bachelor of Science Biology Chemistry Exercise and Sport Science

Computer Science Biochemistry and Molecular Biology Mathematics Neuroscience Physics Psychology

Skills (optional) In this section include “hard” skills that relate to your objective. Skill areas include: computer/technology, language, and laboratory skills. If relevant, you may want to state your level of expertise, distinguishing between those with which you are fluent, proficient, and familiar (e.g., fluent in written and spoken Spanish) `

Experience Include relevant full-time jobs, part time jobs, internships, and significant extracurricular/volunteer experiences.  Consider dividing this section into more than one category (e.g. related experience and other experience).  List entries in reverse chronological order within the section (i.e. most recent job first).  Job title, name and location of employer and employment dates should be included in each entry.  As you progress through college, emphasize college experiences and de-emphasize high school experiences.  Write concise, descriptive phrases that summarize the key components of each experience. Make sure that your phrases show the scope and results of your activity (e.g., improved a procedure, resolved a problem).  Use strong action verbs in describing your skills, tasks/functions, and accomplishments.  Qualify and quantify what you have accomplished (e.g., trained 100 new employees).  Give special attention to your responsibilities that were most relevant to your targeted job objective.  Focus on transferable skills in your descriptions if you do not have any related experience.

Activities (optional) Involvement in student activities, community service, and leadership positions may significantly strengthen your resume and highlight marketable experience. It is especially important to highlight activities that are closely related to your career goals and/or the needs of the employer.

Other Categories (optional) Certifications, Professional Memberships, Publications/Presentations, Research Experience, Leadership Experience

E-Resumes (resumes uploaded to an online search engine) Your e-resume may vary from your printed resume. Keep in mind these three things when posting your resume online.

1) Zip Code: Be sure that the address you list on your resume corresponds with the city, state and zip code where you are seeking employment.

2) Skills, Techniques, Computer Technology, Companies: Recruiters will search for qualified candidates using keywords to identify those possessing skills need for the job or who have a history of working for a competitor. Identify what skills are valuable by searching for and reviewing job descriptions similar to the one you are trying to obtain.

3) Keywords: Use terms found on employer Web sites, in government job descriptions, in career related networking groups and on industry association Web sites and hard-copy publications. Utilize keywords from the job posting.

4) Refresh: Recruiters view resumes in order of most recently posted. Keep your resume at the top of the pile by refreshing your posting at least once a week.

Action Verb List Management

Communication

administered analyzed assigned attained chaired consolidated contracted coordinated delegated developed directed evaluated executed improved increased organized oversaw planned prioritized produced recommended reviewed scheduled strengthened supervised

addressed arbitrated arranged authored collaborated convinced corresponded developed directed drafted edited enlisted formulated influenced interpreted lectured mediated moderated negotiated persuaded promoted publicized reconciled recruited spoke translated wrote

Research Verbs

Technical Verbs

clarified collected diagnosed evaluated examined extracted identified inspected interpreted interviewed investigated organized reviewed summarized surveyed systematized

assembled built calculated computed designed devised engineered fabricated maintained operated overhauled programmed remodeled repaired solved upgraded

Teaching /Helping

Creative Verbs

Clerical Verbs

Accomplishment Verbs

adapted advised advocated assessed clarified coached communicated coordinated counseled demonstrated developed diagnosed educated enabled encouraged evaluated expedited explained facilitated guided informed instructed motivated persuaded referred set goals stimulated trained

acted conceptualized created customized designed developed directed established fashioned founded illustrated initiated instituted integrated introduced invented originated performed planned revitalized shaped

approved arranged catalogued classified collected compiled dispatched executed generated implemented inspected monitored operated organized prepared processed purchased recorded retrieved screened specified systematized tabulated validated

achieved expanded improved pioneered reduced (losses) resolved (problems) restored spearheaded transformed

Education Keywords: differentiated instruction, standards, homogeneous, curriculum, Individualized Education Plan (IEP) , cooperative learning, rubrics, portfolios, exceptionalities, behavior management, multiple intelligences, interdisciplinary, diversity, disabilities, cognitive development

`

LuLu Lalique lulalique@ursinus.edu Present Address

Permanent Address

Ursinus College MSC Collegeville, PA 19426 (610) 409-5567

55545 Pine Tree Lane Stowe, PA 19454 (215) 321-9863 REFERENCES FOR LULU LALIQUE

Harry Smith Director Montgomery Co. High-Risk Preschool Program 377 Germantown Pike Norristown, PA 19416 Phone: (610) 489-6777 Fax: (610) 489-6767 Email: hsmith@montco.com Supervisor Ursilla Davidson Ph.D. Associate Professor of Psychology Ursinus College P.O. Box 1001 Collegeville, PA 19426 Phone: (610) 409-3454 Email: udavidson@ursinus.edu Instructor for Developmental Psychology and Personality Theory Kelly Clarkson Kindergarten Teacher Goddard School 34 Teacher Avenue Collegeville, PA 19426 Phone: (610) 489-6523 Fax: (610) 489-9888 Email: kclarkson@goddard.com Cooperating Teacher Maple Treetop Counseling Coordinator Laurel House 346 Peachtree Road Stowe, PA 19338 Phone: (610) 579-5789 Fax: (610) 579-9800 Email: mtree@comcast.net Superviser/Mentor

What is a Reference?

One to whom another may refer for a recommendation when seeking employment or an introduction. A reference should be able to attest to your personal qualifications, work related skills, and dependability.

Guidelines  List three to four references.  References generally should include at least one college professor and at least one former or present supervisor.  Be sure to obtain approval from each party prior to using their name as a reference.  Be sure all reference names are spelled correctly and job titles are accurate.  References are not included in the resume but listed on a separate sheet of resume paper.  It is a good idea to help your references by sharing your resume with them and providing them with a description of the positions for which you are applying.  Write a thank you letter to show your appreciation to your references. `

Sample Resume

Joseph Strock 1755 Strafford Avenue—Collegeville, PA 19426—(610) 409-7215—jostroble@ursinus.edu Objective:

To obtain admission in the Organic Chemistry Program at The George Washington University.

Education:

Bachelor of Science in Chemistry, May 2012 Ursinus College, Collegeville, PA Cumulative GPA: 3.4/4.0 Major GPA: 3.7/4.0 Related Coursework: Organic Chemistry, Advanced Analytical Chemistry, Molecular Biology, Biochemistry

Skills:

Laboratory: Synthesis: organic, organometallic, inorganic, and polymer compounds Purification: column chromatography, distillation, sublimation, extraction Instruments: GC/Mass Spec, NMR, IR, UV/VIS, Laser Raman, EPR Computer: Familiar in both Macintosh and IBM compatible software: Microsoft Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Access, C/C++

Research Experience:

Research Assistant, Chemistry Department, Ursinus College, Collegeville, PA (Academic Years 2010-2012) · Researched the synthesis and analysis of bioorganic chemicals. · Improved average yields by 150% · Awarded competitive research grant Summer Research Fellow, Ursinus College, Collegeville, PA (Summer 2011) · Investigated polyelectrolyte polymer/dye interactions using molecular UV/Vis absorption and Fluorescence Spectroscopies. · Formulated hypotheses and analyzed data. · Presented results at the 2009 Student Conference of the American Chemical Society.

Research Intern, ACME, Inc., Canton, OH (Summer 2010) · Conducted coatings and resins research and development · Developed scratch-resistant chemical coatings · Worked in team of five scientists and interns

Leadership Experience:

Resident Assistant, Office of Student Life, Ursinus College, Collegeville, PA (Academic Years 2010-2012) · Problem-solved campus issues with other resident advisors and supervisors in a team-oriented environment. · Advised thirty residents on personal, social, and academic issues. · Developed and planned programs to foster community spirit and awareness.

Leadership Scholar, Leadership Studies Program, Ursinus College, Collegeville, PA (Academic Years 2009-2011) · Selected as one of 23 students from a class of 435 as a 2009 Leadership Scholar. · Participated in an intensive, four-day leadership and problem solving training program. · Completed with distinction a four-credit leadership studies course. · Directed a Project Pericles Leadership Program involving planning, recruitment, evaluation, and execution of comprehensive Scholastic Aptitude Test preparation courses at Norristown High School.

Activities & Affiliations: `

The American Chemical Society Award, Recipient, 2012 American Chemical Society, Student Affiliate, 2009-2012 Habitat for Humanity, Volunteer, 2009-2011 Table Tennis Team, Ursinus College, Member, 2008-2012

Sample Resume Alyssa Snodgrass asnodgrass@ursinus.edu Present Address Ursinus College—MSC 456 Collegeville, PA 19426 (610)454-3486

Permanent Address 812 East 4th Street Brooklyn, NY 11281 (718)738-4631

Career Objective A position working in the health and fitness field.

Education

Bachelor of Science in Exercise and Sport Science, May 2012 Ursinus College, Collegeville, PA Minor concentration in Athletic Training GPA: 3.55/4.00

Certifications

CPR and First Aid

Related Experience

Fitness Intern Body Transit Fitness Center, Collegeville, PA September 2011 – present Instructed clients on the proper use of the facilities and equipment. Managed the operations at the front desk. Designed and facilitated various educational fitness programs. Wrote health-related articles for the weekly bulletin.

Personal Training Intern Wall Street Boxing Gym, New York, NY Summer 2011 Observed and assisted the on-site personal trainer. Trained in boxing. Developed an aerobics workout incorporating boxing techniques.

Fitness Assessment Technician Philadelphia Public Schools, Philadelphia, PA January – April 2011 Performed fitness tests on students in various Philadelphia public schools.

Weight-Training Instructor Ursinus College, Collegeville, PA September – December 2010 Designed and instructed an Introduction to Weight-Training Program for the faculty and staff at Ursinus College.

Other Experience

Cashier/Sales J.C. Penney Catalog Distribution Center, New York, NY Summers 2009 – 2010 Performed cash/credit sales. Placed special orders by communicating with customers in a professional manner via the telephone. Utilized mathematical ability to balance daily earnings. Utilized several computer programs to complete responsibilities.

Hostess Water Club Restaurant, New York, NY Summers 2007 – 2008 Monitored operations for the entire club. Exhibited management and organizational skills when receiving and confirming reservations. Completed general office duties. Exhibited exceptional customer service skills when greeting guests and operating the register.

Computer Skills

PC and Macintosh. Microsoft Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook.

Activities

Volleyball Team, Ursinus College, Member (2009-2012) Exercise & Sport Science Club, Ursinus College, Member (20109-2012) Phi Alpha Psi Sorority, Ursinus College, Treasure (2010-2012) American Alliance for Health, Physical Education, Recreation & Dance, Member (2009-2012) Lenape Survival Challenge, Lenape, PA, Volunteer (2009-2010)

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Sample Resume

Michael Roberts 600 Main Street, Apt 222 Collegeville, PA 19426 610-555-1442 mroberts@Ursinus.edu

Objective

To obtain a position in the financial services industry.

Education

Bachelor of Arts in Business and Economics, May 2012 Ursinus College, Collegeville, PA Minor: Media and Communication Studies Course Highlights: Corporate Finance, Financial Markets and Institutions, Financial Accounting, Research Methods for Economics and Business.

Skills

Computer: Microsoft Word, Microsoft Excel, SAS Language: Proficient in Japanese

Related Experience

Econometrics Lab Assistant September 2011—Present Ursinus College, Collegeville, PA  ▪Improved ability to synthesize information by interpreting and solving questions posed by lab students.  ▪Utilized my extensive knowledge of SAS programming to assist students’ data input and analysis of results.

Broker Operations Intern Summer 2009 Delaware Investments Group, Philadelphia, PA  Collaborated with other professionals as a member of the mainframe system conversion team.  Analyzed and interpreted broker/dealer database to ensure proper data mapping to new system.  Exhibited outstanding verbal and written communication when interacting with various brokerage firm representatives.

Additional Experience

Programming Intern Ursinus College, Student Activities Office, Collegeville, PA  Supervise a staff of five assistants.  Run, monitor, and oversee various campus activities.

August 2010—Present

Orientation Team Leader Summer 2010 Ursinus College, Student Activities Office, Collegeville, PA  Planned, implemented, and supervised orientation activities for more than 350 freshmen.  Selected and trained 55 student volunteers to assist with orientation.

Leadership Experience

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Finance Club – President Campus Activities Board and Student Government – Treasurer The Grizzly College Newspaper – Business Manager Activity Fee Allocation Committee – Secretary and Treasurer Men’s Lacrosse Team – Captain

Sample Resume LuLu Lalique lulalique@ursinus.edu Present Address Ursinus College MSC 555 Collegeville, PA 19426 (610) 409-5567

Permanent Address 45 Pine Tree Lane Stowe, PA 19454 (215) 321-9863

Objective To obtain a position with Child and Youth Services of Montgomery County where I can utilize my outstanding interpersonal and counseling skills while interacting with children and families.

Education Bachelor of Science in Psychology, May 2012 Ursinus College, Collegeville, PA GPA: 3.8/4.0 Honors: Phi Beta Kappa, Dean's List, Steinbright Scholar Related Experience Teacher's Aide, The Goddard School, Collegeville, PA Academic year 2011– 2012 Assisted teachers in planning daily schedules for children ranging from infant to 8 years old. Facilitated interaction through educational and social activities.

Counselor, Montgomery Co. High-Risk Preschool Program, Norristown, PA Summer 2011 Assisted in preventative community mental health program for children identified as at risk psychologically. Developed and facilitated educational programs for participants. Conducted outreach in the community, raising awareness of mental health issues.

Group Co-Facilitator, Laurel House, Stowe, PA June 2010 – May 2011 Co-facilitated support groups for children at a shelter for abused women and their children. Researched and maintained a directory of community resources available to the shelter’s clients. Received training in crisis management.

Counselor, Camp Courageous of Iowa, Canton, IA Summers 2008 – 2009 Provided leadership in co-ed residential program for youths 3 - 15. Designed programs for the hearing impaired, learning disabled, developmentally disabled, visually handicapped and autistic children.

Community Service · Big Brothers/Big Sisters of Montgomery County 2009 – present · Habitat for Humanity 2009 – 2010 · Leader and implementer of a tutorial/support program for a local middle school 2007 – 2008 Activities · Psychology Club—Member · Kappa Delta Kappa Sorority—Service Coordinator · Campus Activities Board—Treasure · Ursinus College Yearbook—Layout Staff Conferences & Affiliations · American Counseling Association—Student Affiliate · American Psychological Association, Region IV Meeting—Attendee · Association of Students in Psychology, Regional Conference—Presenter

References Available Upon Request

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Sample Resume BARBARA BOCKBURN 5372 Locust Street, Philadelphia, PA 19104 · 215-598-9876 · babockburn@ursinus.edu Objective A position with a financial institution utilizing my skills in administration and international relations.

Education Bachelor of Arts in International Relations & Politics, May 2012 Ursinus College, Collegeville, PA Minor: Japanese Honors: Presidential Scholarship; Dean’s List Course Highlights: International Trade Theory and Practice, Comparative Economic Systems, International Politics, U.S. Foreign Policy, Accounting, and Public Speaking Skills Language: Proficient in spoken and written French and Wolof. Beginner level spoken and written modern Arabic.

Computer: Microsoft Word, Excel, Access, Outlook and Minitab .

Study Abroad Ursinus in Paris, Paris, France, Fall 2010 Participated in a rigorous academic student and intensive language program with emphasis on French literature, art and culture.

International & Related Experience Intern, United States Department of State, US Embassy: Cotonou, Benin, July 2011 – August 2011 Assisted with daily duties in the Consular and Management sections of the US Embassy in West Africa. Interacted one-on-one with refugees and aid workers to create a report on ―trafficking in persons‖. Updated the American citizen services emergency system. Visited an AIDS refugee hospital construction project. Constructed a rightsizing report and housing market survey. Helped create the current official website for the embassy.

Tutor, Office of Tutorial Services, Ursinus College, September 2009 – present Tutored English as a Second Language (ESOL) for international students. Met weekly and practiced conversation skills while teaching basic US History / Politics.

International Student Orientation Assistant, International Affairs, Ursinus College, August 2010 Volunteered to help international students adapt to culture shock and learn about US history, culture, college life and customs.

LEADERSHIP EXPERIENCE Resident Assistant, Ursinus College, Collegeville, PA September 2011—present Provide academic, emotional, and social support for 35 resident students. Serve as a liaison between peers and administration, and work to create a safe and productive living environment. Foster community development among residents through programming efforts.

Group Leader, Smithville Community Youth Group, Smithville, PA Summer 2009—2010 Developed, coordinated, and facilitated educational and recreational activities for a group of 50 culturally diverse children. Trained in diversity issues, conflict resolution, and successful activity planning.

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Sample Resume

Howard Stine hostine@ursinus.edu

Present Address Ursinus College – MSC 1111 Collegeville, PA 19426 (610) 409-4380

Permanent Address 17 Juniper Lane Cherry Hill, NJ 07321 (639) 642-5630

OBJECTIVE To obtain a reporting position with a regional newspaper SUMMARY Extensive experience in editing, layout, design, and advertising.

Proficient in relevant software packages including Microsoft Word, Excel, PowerPoint, PageMaker.

Highly organized with proven ability to meet deadlines.

EDUCATION Bachelor of Arts in English, May 2012 Ursinus College, Collegeville, PA Minor: Media & Communication Studies Honors Paper: “The effects of FCC regulations on prime-time television programming” University of London, London, England, Fall 2010 Coursework in British Literature RELATED EXPERIENCE Producer Academic Year 2010 Present PBC-Channel 4, Pottstown, PA  Produce a one-hour talk show that highlights human-interest stories in the local viewing area.  Develop story ideas and conduct story background investigations.  Script questions and interview weekly guests.  Worked with the advertising department to develop a successful marketing strategy. Viewing in the local area increased 20% after implementing this marketing plan.  Developed technical skills to edit video footage for the production.

Staff Writer The Grizzly, Ursinus College, Collegeville, PA  Coordinated and designed the editorial section of the weekly College newspaper.  Supervised 3 staff members.  Interviewed faculty, administration and students for pieces and published 2-3 stories weekly.

Academic Year 2009 - 2011

Editor The Lantern, Ursinus College, Collegeville, PA  Designed layout and edited the College’s biannual literary magazine.  Reviewed and selected included works from more than 160 poetry and prose submissions.  Supervised 9 staff members.

Academic Year 2008 - 2009

ADDITIONAL EXPERIENCE Instructor Summers 2008 - present The Lobster Pot, Haddonfield, NJ Taught cooking classes for children 8 - 12. Managed billing and receipts. Ordered and maintained equipment.

Waitress/Hostess, Iron Hill Restaurant and Brewery, Media, PA Administrative Assistant, Comfort Keepers, Springfield, PA 2009 Receptionist/Runner, Wright, Smith, and Jones Law Offices, Media, PA

January 2009 - April 2011 Seasonal 2007 Summer 2008

COMPUTER SKILLS Mac & PC; Microsoft Office, Adobe Photoshop, PageMaker, Illustrator, Acrobat, QuarkXPress ACTIVITIES Abroad International Newsletter, Writer Ursinus College Yearbook, Writer & Photographer “The Grizzly” student newspaper, Writer Recording Club, Ursinus College, Member

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America Reads, Tutor Upsilon Phi Delta Sorority, Cultural Chair Ursinus Fencing Association, Web Master Southeast Asian Student Association, Vice President

Sample Resume

A. James Patton Present Address ▪ Ursinus College ▪ PO Box 1000 – MSC 1234 ▪ (267) 640-3954 ▪ adpatton@ursinus.edu Permanent Address ▪ 1 Jane Avenue ▪ Phoenixville, PA 19460 ▪ (610) 489-6691 ▪ peteacher@yahoo.com OBJECTIVE To obtain a position as a teacher instructing Health, Physical Education and/or Outdoor Education.

EDUCATION Bachelor of Science in Exercise and Sport Science, May 2012 Ursinus College, Collegeville, PA Minor in Biology Instructional Certificate for the State of Pennsylvania: Physical Education K-12 May 2011 TEACHING EXPERIENCE Physical Education Student Teacher March 2012 – May 2012 Gwyn Nor Elementary School, North Penn School District, North Wales, PA Taught 24 sections of K-6 Physical Education classes, 4-6 classes per day with approximately 20 students in each class. Instructed 2 sections of Adaptive Physical Education classes per week. Presented lessons that focused on gross motor skills, open manipulative skills, and cooperative games and activities. Contributed to school responsibilities of lunch and bus duty.

Health and Physical Education Student Teacher January 2012 – March 2012 North Penn High School, North Penn School District, Lansdale, PA th Taught 11 sections of 11 grade health, 4 classes per day with 25-30 students in each class. Utilized district curriculum to develop lesson plans that incorporated various teaching methods to engage students and accommodate different learning styles. Created and administered test, and assigned homework related to an th th Environmental Health unit. Instructed 7 classes of 11 and 12 grade Physical Education with topics including team sports, racquet sports, and adventure activities. Participated in the school’s Student Outdoors Club.

INTERNSHIP EXPERIENCE Program Intern August 2011 – January 2012 Audubon Branch YMCA, West Norriton, PA Organize, coordinate, and design advertise to promote YMCA sponsored programs. Referee Youth Sport Leagues. Facilitate adult and youth health education classes. Assist the head teacher for Pre-K fitness classes.

ATHLETIC AND OUTDOOR EXPERIENCE Outdoor Adventure Course Facilitator, Experiential Dynamics, West Chester, PA “True Life Adventure” Counselor, ESF Summer Camp, Greenwich, CT Assistant Basketball Coach, Perkiomen Valley West Middle School, Schwenksville, PA Assistant Track and Field Coach, Perkiomen Valley High School, Collegeville, PA Assistant Supervising Counselor, Central York H.S. Basketball Camp, York County, PA Fitness Trainer, The Athletic Club, York, PA & Ursinus College Fitness Center, Collegeville, PA

2011–present 2011 – 2012 2010 – 2011 2010 – 2011 2009 – 2010 2007 – 2009

CONTINUING EDUCATION & CERTIFICATIONS Outdoor Workshop Trainings (a wide range of climbing topics covered), Philadelphia Rock Gym, Oaks, PA Lifeguard Training, First Aid, Oxygen Administration, CPR/AED for the Professional Rescuer, American Red Cross Certified Sports Conditioning Specialist, American Fitness Professionals and Associates (AFPA) Certified Personal Trainer, YMCA of the USA ACTIVITIES & AFFILIATIONS National Parks Conservations Association (NPCA), Member Appalachian Mountain Club (AMC), Member Varsity Basketball & Track Team, Ursinus College, Member Delta Pi Sigma Fraternity, Ursinus College, Vice President `

2010 – present 2010 – present 2009 – 2011 2009 – 2010

Sample Resume

Amanda Wiley amwiley@ursinus.edu College Address Ursinus College MSC 0020 Collegeville, PA 19426 610.387.7830

Permanent Address 336 Hawarden Road Apartment 3B Springfield, PA 19064 610.543.5846

CAREER OBJECTIVE To obtain an internship in the field of accounting where I can utilize my knowledge of public accounting, my interpersonal skills and ability to show close attention to detail.

EDUCATION Bachelor of Arts in Business/Economics & Spanish, May 2012 Ursinus College, Collegeville, PA Concentration: Accounting Current GPA: 3.85 Relevant Coursework: Global Economics, Financial Accounting STUDY ABROAD Ursinus in Madrid, Madrid, Spain, Fall 2010 Intensive study of Spanish Language—Clerical work at a Non-Profit Social Services Agency EXPERIENCE Office Support Staff Summer 2011  Lionel Bayberry: Certified Elder Law Attorney, Scranton, PA  Scheduled appointments and coordinated events in busy office.  Managed publicity and customer relations by writing script for television show, creating visual displays and attending events.  Filed client Wills, Powers of Attorney and assisted with basic financial and accounting tasks.  Assisted attorneys when transcribing dictation, witnessing legal transactions, coping and collating legal documents and sending mail.

Server November 2009 - present  La Fontana Ristorante, Collegeville, PA  Showed attention to detail when performing accurate cash and credit transactions.  Completed tasks independently with little supervision and worked cooperatively with other employees to maintain and generate business.  Trained and advised new employees.  Developed strong relationships with customers and fellow workers.  Executed numerous tasks while maintaining organization.

COMPUTER SKILLS Knowledge of Microsoft Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook.

ACTIVITIES & ATHLETICS Finance Club, Ursinus College, Member (2010 - Present) Omega Chi Sorority, Ursinus College, Corresponding Secretary (2011 - Present) Future CPAs of America, Perkiomen Valley High School, President (2008 - 2010) Varsity Softball & Soccer, Perkiomen Valley High School, Member (2005 - 2010) Junior Achievement, Stone Ridge, NY, Student Advisor (2008 - 2009)

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Resume Review Follow the steps below to transform your resume into a well written visually appealing marketing tool.

1.

2.

3.

4.

Use the questions bellow to review your resume. Look at it from the perspective of the employer at the company where you are applying.

Make marks on your resume as you go through this sheet where there are errors or something is unclear.

When you have answered every question on the sheet, correct any problems noted on your resume and return to any questions where you answered “NO” to eliminate errors. Even one mistake is unacceptable.

Have someone in Career Services review your resume to catch any mistakes you may have missed.

Contact Information Are your name, address, phone number and email included? Is it a professional email?

Education Is the institution, city, state, degree, major, minor, graduation month and year and GPA (if over 3.0) included?

Did you include “related coursework”? (if coursework is relevant to your objective) Is your study abroad experience listed?

Experience Is your experience in reverse chronological order?

Did you include jobs, internships, research, significant leadership roles?

Do the job title, company name, company location (city & state), and dates employed introduce each experience?

Are action verbs used at the start of each bullet point to describe your accomplishments and skills developed?

Is the correct verb tense (past or present) used in your bullet points?

Are your descriptions clear, concise and related to the position you are applying for?

Does the description paint a clear picture of what you did and accomplished in the experience?

If this section is too full, did you consider dividing it into multiple sections (i.e. Experience, Leadership)?

Skills Are computer skills listed?

Language and laboratory skills listed if applicable?

Honors & Awards Did you include the name of the award, the organization that awarded it and the date?

Activities, Affiliations & Service Are the activities organizations on campus or in the community?

Did you list the organization, community or campus affiliation, your role and the dates?

Are they listed in reverse chronological order?

Are you comfortable disclosing your affiliations to individuals you do not yet know (i.e. political, religious)?

Format/Layout Did you utilize the entire page (not too much white on either side?

Are your bullets understated and consistent throughout the document?

Did you select a plain font and use only one font throughout the entire document? Is the font 10, 11 or 12 point?

Is your resume limited to one page?

Effectiveness Is everything presented in a way that is relevant to this particular employer? (future not past orientated) Did you avoid using acronyms and abbreviations that this employer may not understand?

Are your sections arranged in an order that is most relevant to this particular employer?

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YES

NO

Resume vs. Curriculum Vitae (C.V.)…

What's the Difference?

Although the terms are often used inter-changeably, a resume and a CV are indeed different documents.

Resume    

CV

    

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A resume is most appropriate for the business and non-profit sectors.

A resume is a “summary” of one's education and experiences- a short, targeted list of transferable skills and accomplishments A resume is more concise and usually runs one page for a recent graduate A resume is written in the third person so as to appear more objective and factual- using action verbs to describe experiences.

A CV is most appropriate for the academic and research environment.

A CV is generally longer and more comprehensive- often much longer than a page. It is a complete record of your professional history A CV highlights research, teaching and administrative experience and lists titles of honors papers, teaching interests and competencies, presentations and publications, professional information, affiliations, honors and awards, and special skills.

A CV (literally translated as "course of life") is written in paragraph style, generally not broken up with bulleted or italicized information to highlight any skills, accomplishments, or achievements for each specific experience A CV lists the responsibilities from a first person perspective "I" and "my".

WRITING EFFECTIVE COVER LETTERS Career Services Office Bomberger Hall Suite 110 Ursinus College 601 East Main Street P.O. Box 1000 Collegeville, PA 19426

Cover Letters are used in combination with your resume to narrate your experiences and explain to an employer why you are qualified and would excel in the position to which you are applying. The quality of your letters is crucial to your success! This handout reviews important aspects of the cover letter and provides guidelines and samples to help you with your writing.

TYPES OF COVER LETTERS The cover letter is a standard business letter that accompanies your resume. There are two basic types of cover letters:

 Phone : (610) 409-3599 Fax :(610) 409-3631 Email : career@ursinus.edu



A Letter of Application expresses your interest in a specific position known to be open in an organization. It includes pertinent information about your qualifications and fit for the position and requests an opportunity to interview for the position.

When responding to a specific job posting, ALWAYS include a cover letter with your resume.

A Letter of Inquiry is used to contact an organization where no known opening exists.

It communicates your interest in the organization and requests an opportunity to interview for an appropriate position. This is an invaluable tool for developing contacts in organizations you have targeted as being of interest to you.

TRUTH ABOUT COVER LETTERS BE CONCISE:  The average piece of business correspondence gets less then thirty seconds of the readers attention.  Quality is valued above quantity.

VARY SENTENCE STRUCTURE:  Make your letter more interesting and engaging by varying your sentence structure. One trap that many job searchers fall into is starting all or most sentences with the pronoun “I.”  Good writers write sentences that are positive and direct containing action verbs that inform the reader about what you did and how you did it.  Sentences should be no longer then 20 words, fewer is better.

INCLUDE SALARY REQUIREMENTS WHEN NECESSARY:  It is not recommended that the job searcher be the first to mention salary.  There may be some instances where you feel obligated to include salary information in your application. If you chose to include salary information it should be in the cover letter or attached to the cover letter but never on the resume.  When desired salary is requested do not limit yourself to a specific figure but instead provide a range.

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SU 2011

BE HONEST:  Be confident and flaunt your qualifications.  Never falsify or misrepresent your background.

TOP 10 LETTER WRITING TIPS Here are 10 tips to guide your creation of an exceptional Cover Letter. Remember CAREER SERVICES CAN HELP! Once you create a draft, you can request assistance from a counselor in the Career Services Office.

1.

Personalize letters. If necessary, call the organization to learn the name of the appropriate individual, his/her title, and the correct spelling. The company’s website may also provide these details.

2.

Individualize your letter for each employer; never mass-produce job search letters.

3.

Maintain balance in your letters. Job search letters should maintain a professional appearance and tone while reflecting your natural style and personality.

4.

Be specific and direct. Avoid clichés and get to the point in an efficient and effective manner. Make every sentence count toward describing your qualifications.

5.

Use positive and active language, conveying energy, productiveness, and benefit to the employer. Your letter should be work-centered and employer-centered (what you can do for the employer), not self-centered (what the employer can do for you).

6.

Tailor your letter when responding to an advertisement, thoroughly read and re-read the ad to determine what competencies the potential employer is seeking. Try to speak to the “need” of the organization -- some reading between the lines may be necessary so that your letter will be focused toward a specific position.

7.

Accentuate the strengths and qualities you can offer the employer. Avoid apologizing for strengths you lack.

8.

Be available. Make sure you tell the employer how you can be reached during the day. Include your phone number and an email address that you check several times each day.

9.

Use high quality stationery and envelopes, following standard business letter style.

10. Proofread thoroughly to ensure an error-free document. Do not rely on spell check – have a friend or a counselor in Career Services proofread your cover letters to ensure that they are error free. Don't forget to sign your letters! Keep a copy of all letters that you sent out in your job search files.

ADDITIONAL RESOURCES IN THE CAREER LIBRARY  

Knock ‘em Dead, The Ultimate Job Search Guide Slam Dunk Cover Letters

RESOURCES ON THE INTERNET jobweb Quintcareers.com Monster.com Career Services

http://www.jobweb.com/students.aspx?folderid=134 http://www.quintcareers.com/covres.html http://resume.monster.com/coverletter/home.aspx http://www.ursinus.edu/NetCommunity/Page.aspx?pid=833

SU 2011

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GENERAL OUTLINE FOR A COVER LETTER

Your Present Address City, State & Zip Code Today's Date

Name of Employer Representative Title Organization Name Street Address City, State & Zip Code Dear Mr. or Ms. (make every attempt to use the name of the individual receiving this letter): Opening Paragraph: State the purpose of the letter (e.g., applying for a specific known opening or expressing interest in working for the organization). If available, indicate a referral name or provide information on how you heard of the organization and/or opening. Use a strong beginning sentence showing the benefits to the organization if he/she reads further. Complement the organization while telling them why you want to become part of their team.

Middle Paragraph(s): Highlight your knowledge, skills, and abilities as they relate to that particular organization and/or specifics of the known opening (i.e., tell them how you are qualified).

This section should not be a restatement of your enclosed resume, but rather a careful selection of those qualifications that will be of greatest interest to the reader. Demonstrate your research and knowledge of the organization in terms of this position and your selection of it as a place where your skills and knowledge can make a contribution. Be confident and remember that the reader will view your letter as an example of your writing skills.

Final Paragraph: If not mentioned previously, refer the reader to the enclosed resume.

Close by asking for an interview. You may state that you will call within a certain period of time (e.g., two weeks) to set up an interview. Alternatively, you may ask that the employer call you, providing specifics on how and when you can be contacted for the interview. Reiterate your interest in the organization and thank the employer for considering your application.

Sincerely,

(Leave 4 spaces blank and sign your name) Type your name

Enclosure: Resume

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SAMPLE COVER LETTER1

999 Main Street Collegeville, PA 19426 April 20, XXXX

Mr. Michael Smith The Communications Group 111 Smith Road Anytown, PA 19111 Dear Mr. Smith, In response to the position for a Public Relations Assistant listed on Ursinus College’s UC CareerNet, I have enclosed my resume for your review and consideration. I am confident that I have the skills and experience required for this position, and I would be interested in discussing them with you in more detail.

My internship as a Marketing Assistant for Global Networks, Inc. allowed me to successfully advertise and promote over 20 major events attended by more than 22,000 participants. In this position I gained experience in writing news releases and promotional materials, and I assisted with the design and development of public relations campaigns.

In addition to my experience in the field, through my coursework I have developed clear concise writing skills along with the ability to conduct research and to design engaging presentations using a variety of technology and media. I consider myself to be creative and enthusiastic with excellent communication skills. In addition, I enjoy interacting with diverse groups of people and collaborating on projects.

I would welcome the chance to meet with you to discuss the position and my qualifications. I can be reached by phone at (610) 555-1234 or by email at pacollins@ursinus.edu to provide you with more information or to schedule an interview. Thank you for your consideration.

Sincerely,

Paul Collins

Enclosure

1

Source: Moving On, A Guide for Career Planning & Job Search, 2001-02, George Mason University Career Services, Fairfax, VA

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SAMPLE COVER LETTER 370 West Main Street Ursinus College Anywhere, PA 19000 October 16, XXXX Karen Jones Goldrich Company Equities & Investment Management Division 10 New York Plaza, 20th Floor New York, NY 10001 Dear Ms. Jones, I am a senior Business & Economics major at Ursinus College, and I am writing to express my interest in the analyst position that was posted through the Career Services Office. For several years I have been interested in pursuing a career in business, specifically working in Investment Management and Consulting. To me, there is nothing more exciting than working in a dynamic team environment where you are constantly analyzing financial issues for clients.

I believe that my education, skills, and experiences prepare me for work as an analyst and will allow me to excel in the business world. In addition, my work as a research analyst for the New York Economics Foundation this past summer provided me the opportunity to experience the work of an analyst and develop skills in the field. As a summer analyst I conducted extensive research on over 400 successful companies in the New York City area, analyzed the data set and, based on my findings, made recommendations for developing companies in the region. This invaluable experience at the Economics Foundation allowed me to develop a solid understanding of management consulting and confirmed my decision to enter the field.

I am aware of the commitment of time and energy required to be successful in this field and believe that my record at Ursinus is evidence of my ability to manage a demanding schedule. As a student I have balanced the demands of a rigorous course load while contributing to the college through extracurricular activities, including my role as a vital member of the field hockey team. My participation on the team has given me great confidence in my ability to effectively work with peers in a team setting and to manage my time effectively. I am confident that I will be able to transfer this experience to the business world and succeed in this challenging environment.

Thank you for considering me for the Equities and Investment Management Division at Goldrich Company. I am very excited about the possibility of having the opportunity to discuss with you my interest in, and my qualification for the analyst position with Goldrich Company. I look forward to hearing from you.

Sincerely,

Jill Smith

Enclosure

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SAMPLE COVER LETTER

601 East Main Street Collegeville, PA 19426 September 19, XXXX

Erin Smith English Department Chair St. John’s Academy One Main Street Anytown, MA 09999 Dear Ms. Smith: I am a senior English major at Ursinus College in Collegeville, PA, and I am applying for a position to teach English and Literature in St. John’s Internship Program. I learned about this exciting opportunity through the Ursinus Career Services Office. I plan to pursue a career in education and believe that this teaching opportunity will prove to be invaluable.

Education has been a top priority in my life. As a high school student I attended St. Peter’s Academy, a private high school in New Jersey, and while there I developed a passion for literature and learning. I believe that teachers who are enthusiastic and love the subject they teach have the power to inspire students to learn. When I found myself looking forward to reading assignments and classroom discussions, I realized my high school teachers had done just that. They were excellent mentors and a true inspiration for me to pursue teaching as a career.

Through various experiences at Ursinus I have had the opportunity to share my enthusiasm for literature and learning and to develop my teaching skills. For example, as a grade-school tutor for the local America Reads Program I worked one-on-one and in group settings with students to help them develop reading and writing skills. More importantly, through this work I had the chance to instill in them a true appreciation for literature. This internship at St. John’s Academy seems a perfect way for me to continue this work while allowing me the chance to develop my skills in the classroom.

I am confident that St. John’s Academy and its students would benefit from my skills, knowledge of literature, and passion for the subject. I would welcome the opportunity to interview with you to further discuss the program and my qualifications. I can be reached at (610) 426-5555 or email at jadoe@ursinus.edu. I look forward to hearing from you.

Thank you for your time and consideration.

Sincerely,

Jane A. Doe Enclosure

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THE COMPLETE INTERVIEW SKILLS GUIDE Career Services Office Bomberger Hall Suite 110

PREPARATION FOR THE JOB INTERVIEW Know Yourself 

Ursinus College 601 East Main Street P.O. Box 1000 Collegeville, PA 19426

 

Phone : (610) 409-3599 Fax :(610) 409-3631 Email : career@ursinus.edu



Know what you have to offer a potential employer. Evaluate yourself in terms of your strengths, and how you can translate these strengths into skills the potential employer can use.

Know your weaknesses. However, do not elaborate on your weaknesses.

Try to turn them into potential strengths.

Know your Resume. Be prepared to respond to detailed questions regarding any and all experiences you listed. Talk about these experiences and use examples to illustrate skills in leadership, organization and teamwork.

Think about what you offer an employer. How can you contribute to the organization? Why should YOU be hired?

Know the Employer 





An interview is one of the only opportunities you have to convince a potential employer that YOU are the perfect person for the job. You will want to do everything possible to make a good first impression and demonstrate how your qualifications fit the requirements of the desired job. This is your opportunity to "sell yourself"

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Employers will often evaluate you on whether you have "done your homework". Research the organization. Gain an understanding of the philosophy and culture of the organization.

Learn the products, services, mission, organizational structure, and success record. Use this as an opportunity to demonstrate your research skills as well as your interest and enthusiasm for the job.

Use the Career Services Library and internet resources to conduct your research. Some good sites include:  http://www.hoovers.com  http://www.wetfeet.com  http://www.vault.com  http://www.businessweek.com  http://www.forbes.com/2002/11/07/privateland.html

C. Practice Interviewing 

  

You must be able to express yourself to the interviewer and demonstrate outstanding communications skills during your interview. The best way to improve your skills is to practice.

Anticipate common interview questions. You can write out your responses or role play with a friend.

Avoid memorizing your responses to questions. If you come across like you have a speech prepared, your interview may be less effective.

Make an appointment with a career advisor for a mock interview. A mock interview enables you to improve your interviewing skills and build your confidence as you prepare to search for a job or internship.

DURING THE INTERVIEW Arrive on Time It is better to be a few minutes early than one minute late.

Dress for Success  Consider what your appearance and personal hygiene say about you. Many employers base initial impressions on an applicants dress and appearance.  Pay special attention to cleanliness. Keep hair neat, present a clean-shaven face or a well kept beard, clean and trim your nails, and avoid gaudy or flashy jewelry.  Dress appropriately, generally, conservatively and avoid trendy and party clothing.

Consider the Non-Verbals  Offer a firm, full handshake.  Strong eye contact communicates confidence and enthusiasm.  Consider your tone of voice. Soft speech may cause the interviewer to lose interest.  Good posture is critical. Be relaxed, but not sloppy.  Be attentive. Nodding and smiling are signals that show you’re interested and paying attention.  Use appropriate gestures. Some hand gestures come naturally and can be used to emphasize important points. Fidgeting, foot shaking and playing with jewelry can get annoying to the interviewer.

TYPICAL STAGES OF AN INTERVIEW Breaking the Ice Interviewers usually begin with conversation to help you get as comfortable as possible. They usually begin with basic questions that draw on information you are familiar with, intending for you to be more relaxed and less tense.

Questioning & Background Exploration Through a series of questions, the interviewer is assessing your motivations and looking for examples to "prove" you possess the skills you say you do. While a resume provides the facts, this is the time the interviewer will probe for the "how's and "whys".

Your turn for questions Now is the time you can show even greater assertiveness by gaining information about the employer through interviewing the interviewer. Formulate some meaningful questions to determine if this is a good fit for you.

The Close Thank the interviewer for taking the time to talk with you. Reemphasize your interest in the position.Discuss the next step. Should you call to follow-up or will the interviewer call you?

AFTER THE INTERVIEW Write a Thank you letter Review your qualifications you discussed in the interview. Restate your interest in the position. Review the Career Services Guide "Writing Effective Job Search Letters" for help with your thank you letter.

Reflect on your interview Think about your responses and use each interview as a learning opportunity. Consider ways you can improve. Did you use examples in your responses? Did you present your qualifications well? Did you talk too much or too little? Were you too aggressive or not aggressive enough?

TIPS FOR A GOOD INTERVIEW  Be honest. Present yourself as you are - not how you think the interviewer wants you to be.  Tell stories. Use examples. Back up what you say. Be prepared to cite incidents where you demonstrated the skills you say you possess.  Listen carefully to the interviewer. Adapt to the interviewer's style and ask for clarification, if needed.  Be assertive- but not aggressive- An overbearing know-it-all attitude will get you nowhere.  Be enthusiastic, convey your interest and use positive language.  Unless it is brought up by the interviewer, avoid questions about salary, benefits, vacation and working hours in the first interview.  Always write a thank you letter and follow-up with a phone call if you are interested in the job. `

PHONE INTERVIEW GUIDELINES Many employers conduct phone interviews as a screening process to determine who they want to meet in person. This reduces the expense and time needed to meet numerous candidates while expanding the recruiting area. The employer’s goal will be to verify that you are qualified for the position.

Prior to the Phone Interview Note: If you did not schedule the interview, feel free to ask the interviewer if you can call back at a better time. You will not sound disinterested, but rather, you will sound concerned for managing your life by organizing your commitments.

Prepare for a phone interview in the same ways you prepare for a face-to-face interview:  Research the company’s mission and focus and review the position description  Rehearse answers to behavioral based and common interview questions  Prepare questions to ask the interviewer  Schedule a mock phone interview with a Career Advisor in the Career Services Office or ask a relative or friend to help you practice Prepare the Surroundings  Select a quiet location where you will get strong reception (or use a landline) and have room to sit or stand. Standing will allow for hand gestures and may help the conversation to flow more easily. Smiling is said to also project a positive image to the interviewer.  Have access to a tabletop with enough room to layout your resume, other application materials, the job description, your list of questions, paper and pen for notes and a glass of water in case of a dry throat.  Take care to remove or turn off any items that may distract you, such as a computer or cell phone.  Have your calendar available in case you are asked to schedule an in-person interview at the end of the conversation.

Ending the Phone Interview.  Be sure to thank the interviewer for his or her time  Don't forget to close.

An interview is about selling yourself, and the best salespeople are closers. Your goal for a phone interview is to get an inperson interview. So don't get off the phone until you have made some efforts to get to that step. For example ask: “What are the steps in the interview process?” Therefore you know what to ask at each step of the interview process. To continue moving forward in the process consider saying “Based on this conversation Miss X, I am very excited about the position at Company A. Can we go ahead and schedule a time to meet in a face to face interview next week?”

Send a thank you note within 24 hours of your phone interview.  See the “Thank You Notes” guide to determine which delivery methods are best: email, written or typed.

QUESTIONS ASKED IN AN INTERVIEW 1. What tools or habits do you use to keep organized?

2. What was a major obstacle you were able to overcome in the past year?

3. In what ways do you raise the bar for yourself and others around you?

4. What unique experiences or qualifications separate you from other candidates?

5. What do you see yourself doing five years from now?

6. What do you really want to do in life?

7. What are your long-range career objectives?

8. How do you plan to achieve your career goals?

9. What are the most important rewards you expect in your career?

10. Why did you choose the career for which you are preparing?

11. What do you consider to be your greatest strengths and weaknesses?

12. How would you describe yourself?

13. How do you think a friend or professor who knows you would describe you?

14. What motivates you to put forth your greatest efforts?

15. How has your college experience prepared you for a business career?

16. Why should I hire you?

17. What qualifications do you have that make you think you will be successful in business? `

18. How do you determine or evaluate success?

19. What do you think it takes to be successful in a company like ours?

20. In what ways do you think you can make a contribution to our company?

QUESTIONS TO ASK THE INTERVIEWER 1. What kind of employee are you looking for?

2. I read in your company literature that you are starting a new venture in _____. What are the firm’s plans?

3. What other growth areas do you anticipate in the future?

4. How does your firm handle the problem of _______? (A current topic of interest to the profession or industry) 5. What is the promotion/advancement potential in the company?

6. How did you first begin in the organization?

7. If you were not to offer me the position, what could I improve to change your mind?

8. If you could change one thing about (company), what would that be?

9. What kind of assignments might I expect during the first six months?

10. What staff development programs are available after the initial training?

BEHAVIOR BASED INTERVIEWING Behavioral interviews are based on the premise that a person's past performance on the job is the best predictor of future performance.

When a company uses behavioral interviewing they want to know how you act and react in certain circumstances. They also want you to give specific "real life" examples of how you behaved in situations relating to the questions.

How These Questions Work and How to Answer Them: The interviewer will ask you to describe a time when you demonstrated a specific behavior (for example, leadership, communications skills, teamwork, etc). The interviewer might say "Tell me about a time you _____ (had to handle a conflict OR contributed to a team success)." In response, you'll describe a relevant experience you had in a job, internship, class project, volunteer activity, team, or similar. To answer these questions successfully, you'll need to:      

Be very familiar with the job/internship description and the skills and qualities being sought for it.

Anticipate the questions or topics you'll be asked about. (Scroll down for common questions.)

PRACTICE how you'll answer these questions, or what examples you'll give. Be sure your examples illustrate the Use examples that are as recent as possible.

Avoid using examples from your personal life (like relationships, friends, family).

Vary your examples—don't just talk about one project or one area of your life.

Also, consider using the STAR technique to respond to questions.  SITUATION OR TASK: Describe a specific situation or task you have encountered that will make a point about one of your skills or strengths. Be ready to describe details.  ACTION: Describe the specific action you took to remedy the task or situation  RESULT: Explain the result of your action. Make sure that the outcome reflects positively on you (even if the result itself was not favorable)

EXAMPLES OF BEHAVIOR-BASED QUESTIONS 1.

2.

3.

4.

5.

6.

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Describe a major problem you have faced and how you dealt with it.

Give an example of when you had to work with your hands to accomplish a task or project.

Tell me about a time when you worked effectively under pressure.

Give me an example of when you persuaded team members to do things your way.

Tell me about a specific situation where you had to get something across to someone he or she found difficult to understand.

Give me an example of a time when you had to go beyond the call of duty to get a job done.

THANK YOU NOTES Writing a thank you letter after an employment interview is a must. In fact, some employers think less of those interviewees who fail to follow-up promptly. A thank you letter is sent preferably within twenty-four hours of your interview and can be typed, handwritten or emailed.

Like any piece of writing, it is best to keep your audience in mind. Address their issues and concerns. In general, typed thank you letters are recommended. Consider the "personality" of the organization and the rapport you felt during your interviews. If your interview was a fairly informal process and/or you achieved an immediate rapport with your interviewer, a handwritten note might be fine. Be conscientious of the length of time it will take for the interviewer to receive your mailed note.

E-mail is appropriate, particularly as a supplement (i.e. do both e-mail and hard copy) when that has been your means of contact with the person you want to thank, or if your contact has expressed a preference for e-mail. This quick method also shows your attention to detail when he or she is likely still in the decision making process of who to hire for the position.

In addition to thanking the person you talked with, the thank you letter reinforces the fact that you want the job. Note: Even if you do not want the job, write a thank you letter respectfully withdrawing your application, because you never know what the future holds, always keep your options open.

You may also view your thank you letters as follow-up "sales" letters. In other words, you can restate why you want the job, what your qualifications are and/or how you might make significant contributions. This thank you letter is also the perfect opportunity to discuss anything of importance that your interviewer neglected to ask or that you neglected to answer as thoroughly as you would have liked.

If you meet with a group of people during an interview you will have to decide whether to send a group or an individual thank you note. Choose your approach based on what you think will be most in keeping with the "personality" of the organization.

Also, consider whether the interviews had very much in common with one another. If there was a great deal of similarity (i.e., shared concerns mutually voiced by your interviewers), perhaps a "group" letter will suffice. However it is recommended to take the extra time and send an individual thank you letter to everyone you met with.

Sample Letter MSC 340-Ursinus College Collegeville, PA 19426 June 13, XXXX Ms. Roberta Stowe Personnel Manager ABC, Incorporated 345 Atlantic Avenue Mount Laurel, NJ 34095 Dear Ms. Stowe; Thank you for meeting with me on Thursday, June 12, 2009 to discuss the copywriter position that is available at ABC, Incorporated. I was impressed with the enthusiasm you displayed for ABC's future and the helpfulness of your office personnel. Learning about your company's upcoming advertising campaign was exciting and demonstrated your creative approach to advertising.

Your description of the special qualifications needed for this position was especially interesting. My ability to work under pressure and meet deadlines has already been proven in the advertising position I held with the Collegeville Independent. As I stated at our meeting, I enjoy the challenge of a competitive environment in which success is based on achievement.

I would also like to mention that since our meeting I have received the College Reporter's Award for an article I submitted to the Collegeville Independent. This is my first national award, and I am quite encouraged by this approval of my work.

Again, thank you for considering me for this position. I look forward to hearing from you soon.

Sincerely,

Don Bishop

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Sample Thank you note

Dear Ms. Jones, It was a pleasure to meet with you and members of your staff during my interview last Tuesday, March 8th. I appreciate the opportunity to learn more about For Kids Sake, Inc. and I was very impressed by the talented staff you employ and their commitment to the meaningful mission your organization strives to achieve.

This meeting has increased my interest and enthusiasm about the prospect of becoming a full time employee in your Philadelphia office. I hope your search committee decides that my qualifications are a good fit for your organization because I am confident that I can make a contribution and together we can positively impact the lives of many children and adolescents.

Sincerely, Susie Sunshine

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Sample Email

Dear Mr. Smith: It was very enjoyable to speak with you about the assistant account executive position at the Smith Agency. The job, as you presented it, seems to be a very good match for my skills and interests. The creative approach to account management that you described confirmed my desire to work with you.

In addition to my enthusiasm, I will bring to the position strong writing skills, assertiveness and the ability to encourage others to work cooperatively with the department. My artistic background will help me to work with artists on staff and provide me with an understanding of the visual aspects of our work.

I appreciate the time you took to interview me. I am very interested in working for you and look forward to hearing from you about this position.

Sincerely, Joseph Wanajob

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Tips For Career Networking 75 % OF JOBS/INTERNSHIPS ARE FOUND THROUGH NETWORKING What is Networking? Networking is the process of talking with people about your career goals and asking them for information about their jobs, companies, and names of other people you can meet with to discuss career options. It does not mean asking for a job, although an opening may develop from meeting someone.

NETWORKING OBJECTIVES:     

Gain knowledge of specific jobs and career options Make contacts for referrals in the job search process Refine your interview skills Increase confidence in your chosen field Learn behaviors of professionals in your field

GETTING STARTED: Step 1: Know Yourself What Do You Have To Offer? What are your Skills, Interests, Accomplishments and Goals?

Knowing yourself better will enable you to talk easily and with greater confidence to your networking contacts. Take a few minutes to reflect on the following questions:           

What are your greatest accomplishments?

Of what are you most proud?

What are the skills or experiences that enable you to achieve these accomplishments?

What interests you professionally and personally?

What courses, work experiences, or activities do you enjoy?

What do you dislike doing?

What is important to you?

Is it helping others?

Is it working in a creative environment?

Are positions of influence and authority attractive to you?

Do you want to work independently, or as part of a close-knit team?

Step 2: What is your purpose in contacting your network?   

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Exploring majors and career direction Gathering information about jobs and careers of interest to you Obtain advice on how to conduct your job search and to get job leads

Step 3: Who do you know? Develop a list of potential contacts.          

Members of professional organizations Members of club/organization of which you belong Internet on-line discussion groups, chat rooms, web based networks Other contacts: high school teachers, family doctor/dentist, clergy, and classmates Ursinus Alumni Parents & other family members, friends, neighbors Parents of classmates/roommates Professors & advisors Current & former employers Guest speakers & career fair representatives

ADDITIONAL NETWORKING TIPS and ON-LINE RESOURCES:      

Volunteer and get involved in organizations that spark your interest Gain hands on experience in your chosen field with an internship Get a part-time job in an environment in which you’re planning to spend most of your career Adopt a mentor Check out On-line networking tools, i.e.: Facebook, LinkedIn, Ziggs, Chachinko, Ryze, and Twitter https://career.berkeley.edu/article/021011b.stm Go to a networking event with confidence by reading about how to prepare for interactions with “strangers.”

LATEST TREND: QR codes A QR code is a barcode that can be scanned by a smart phone’s camera. The code then directs the viewer to a message such as a vCard or website. There are several websites that generate personal QR codes. Two sites that offer the generating service are Kaywa or QRStuff. Once at the site select the action you want to generate, enter your website address or custom text, and click generate.

There are many creative ways QR codes can be used. Consider linking QR codes to a:  LinkedIn page  YouTube video  vCard  Custom landing page  Blog page  Portfolio page  Text message Incorporating a QR code in your resume can help you stand out from the crowd.

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What is LinkedIn? LinkedIn is the world’s largest professional network with over 40 million members and growing rapidly. LinkedIn connects you to your trusted contacts and helps you exchange knowledge, ideas, and opportunities with a broader network of professionals.

How you can use LinkedIn? Establish your professional profile

LinkedIn gives you the keys to controlling your online identity. Have you Googled yourself lately? You never know what may come up. LinkedIn profiles rise to the top of search results, letting you control the first impression people get when searching for you online.

Stay in touch with colleagues and friends

In today’s professional world, people change jobs and locations constantly. By connecting on LinkedIn, your address book will never go out of date. Your contacts update their profiles, keeping you current with their latest jobs, projects and contact info. You’ll stay in closer contact with great tools to communicate and

collaborate.

Find experts and ideas

Sometimes your immediate circle can’t resolve a unique business challenge. Tools like Answers and Groups let you locate and interact with experts through trusted introductions. LinkedIn Search lets you explore the broader network by name, title, company, location, and other keywords that will help you find the knowledge you’re looking for.

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Explore opportunities Whether you’re looking for a career opportunity, winning new clients or building your professional reputation, LinkedIn connects you to jobs, sales leads and ideal business partners. A jobs board shows who you know at listed companies. LinkedIn is the place to turn for new opportunities.

New User Starter Guide Get the most out of LinkedIn by starting with these three easy steps.

Step 1: Own a profile that truly represents you.

  

List your current and past positions & education along with your tenure there. This helps the right people and opportunities find you.

Add a profile photo– people never forget a face!

Add a summary paragraph. Think of it as your professional elevator pitch.

Step 2: Ensure your connections represent your “real-world” network.   

Use webmail import to see, in seconds, all the people you know who are already on LinkedIn. You can then select who you wish to invite to join your trusted network.

Upload a contacts file from Outlook, Palm, ACT!, or Mac Address View our list of your colleagues and classmates that are already on LinkedIn.

Step 3: Leverage the power of your LinkedIn network!

With a profile and connections that truly represents you and your “real-world” network; you’re all set to get the most out of LinkedIn.   

Post a question on Answers and tap into the experts you’re connected to and the entire LinkedIn network. With a professional community of 40+ million, this is the perfect place for those tough questions.

Look up someone’s profile before you meet with them. Learn their background and see who you know in common to get off to a fast start.

Search for Service Providers and select based on trusted recommendations from people in your network. Anonymous web searches to find providers are a thing of the past.

Source:

More information

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HOW TO NETWORK PROFESSIONALLY ONLINE You’ve heard it a million times (so it wouldn’t hurt to hear it again): ―Success is not just about what you know; it’s about who you know.‖ With LinkedIn, the world’s largest professional online network, the ―who‖ is at your fingertips. Follow these easy steps to get connected now—and to turn those connections into opportunities.

1. 100% complete = 100% more likely to get noticed You can’t build connections if people don’t know you exist or see what you have to offer. Your LinkedIn profile is your online business card, your resume, and your letters of rec all in one. Don’t be shy: users with complete profiles are 40 times more likely to receive opportunities through LinkedIn.

2. You’re more experienced than you think Complete profiles are so important because the more information you provide, the more people will find reasons to connect with you. Think really broadly about all the experience you have, including summer jobs, unpaid internships, volunteer work, and student organizations. You never know what might catch someone’s eye.

3. Use your inbox Contrary to popular belief, networking doesn’t mean reaching out to strangers. The best networks begin with those you know and trust, and then grow based on personal referrals. Start building your LinkedIn network by uploading your online address book and connecting to friends, relatives, internship colleagues, and professionals you know in the ―real world.‖

4. Get personal As you build your connections on LinkedIn, always customize your connection requests with a friendly note and, if necessary, a reminder of where you met or what organization you have in common. If you’re being referred by a mutual friend, write a brief intro of who you are and why you’d like to connect. You’ll impress people with your personal touch.

5. Join the “in” crowd Another way to form new online relationships is to join LinkedIn Groups. Start with your university group—alums love to connect with students—and then find volunteer organizations or professional associations you already belong to. As a member, you can comment on discussions, find exclusive job listings, and meet people who share common interests.

6. Lend a (virtual) hand As you build connections and group memberships, think about what you can do to support other people. Comment on a classmate’s status update, forward a job listing that fits the criteria of a friend, or write a recommendation for a summer job colleague. You’ll find that your generosity is always rewarded (and, of course, it feels really good to help someone!).

7. Update your status #early and #often Networking is not just about who you know; it’s about who knows you. Stay on other people’s radar screens by updating your LinkedIn status at least once a week—you can do this directly on LinkedIn or by linking your Twitter account and marking tweets with #in. Mention events you’re attending, projects you’ve completed, and other professional news.

8. Question (and answer) everything LinkedIn’s Answers feature is a great place to seek advice from a wide variety of people all around the world. You can also show the world what you have to offer by answering people’s questions about a topic where you have some expertise.

The more active you are in Answers, the more people will view your profile and want to connect with you.

9. Do your homework Before an informational interview, a job interview, or a networking get-together, use LinkedIn to learn about the background and interests of the people you’re scheduled to meet. Access Company Pages to research organizations and their employees, and use Advanced Search to find things you have in common with people you’re meeting.

10. Now step away from the computer...

There’s a perception that young people are only comfortable communicating online, so be sure to support your online networking with real human contact. Set up phone calls, attend live events, and send snail mail notes to people you interact with on LinkedIn. Remember that online methods should supplement, not replace, in-person relationship-building.

Visit grads.linkedin.com today! `

Career Services On-line Resources www.ursinus.edu/career

Ursinus College Career Services www.ursinus.edu/career Your one-stop shop Career Resource Center An awesome collection of online career info

View our new job search video series.

Visit our web page to play any of our ten 3-minute “YouTube” style clips!

Like us on our facebook page!

Ursinus College Career Services www.facebook.com

Using CareerShift, students can uniquely crossreference job and contacts, then tailor and organize documents and correspondence.

www.uccareernet.com

UC CareerNet is your one-stop solution to finding jobs, internships, part-time and full-time jobs. Post your resume and connect to over 3000 employers!

Log on to the largest and most vibrant professional and social network! www.linkedin.com

Alumni Career Ambassadors Search an Ursinus Database to find Alumni in the career fields that interest you!

Visit www.ursinus.edu/career under Resources

Cash Course is a website dedicated to help Ursinus students with personal financial management. http://www.cashcourse.org/ursinus

Internships-USA http://www.internships-usa.com www.ursinus.edu/career

View the Internship Series On LineFOCUS is a self-paced, online career planning tool. a super collection of internships Assess your career relevant personal qualities and User name: work; Password: learn explore career fields and major areas of study that are most compatible with who you are!

PASSWORD: BEARS Check us out! · Career Services · Bomberger 110 · career@ursinus.edu · 610-409-3599 `

Ursinus College Job, Internship & Networking Fair February 8, 2012 TIPS FOR WORKING THE FAIR 1. RESEARCH ORGANIZATIONS PARTICIPATING IN THE FAIR Review the list of organizations who will be attending the Job Fair by visiting the Career Services website at http://www.ursinus.edu/career. Research those organizations of interest to you and visit their website. Develop a clear understanding of the organization and its mission and purpose. Get updated on recent news and events.

UC CareerNet is a great tool that can help with this research! Students who put some extra effort into learning about the employer make a great first impression.

2. CREATE A RESUME THAT STANDS OUT - BRING MULTIPLE COPIES Prepare a solid, concise, well-written resume that clearly reflects your accomplishments, skills and experiences. Make sure that it is error free and printed on resume paper using a high-quality printer. Take the time to have your resume critiqued by Career Services. Resume paper can be purchased in the Career Services Office, Bomberger 110. Bring an adequate supply of resumes (at least 10-12) to the Fair.

3. MAKE A GOOD FIRST IMPRESSION Prepare to make a strong first impression by dressing in professional business attire. If you are a senior applying for full-time jobs, wear a suit just as you would for a regular interview. If you are a freshman-junior looking for internships, "business-casual" attire is appropriate.

Please leave sweat pants and jeans at home.

4. HAVE A PLAN OF ATTACK You have limited time at the Fair – use it wisely! Prioritize the employers with whom you would like to speak and identify the information you want to get from them. Visit the “Participating Employers” section on the Fair Web site to get an up-to-date list of the organizations that will be attending.

5. PREPARE THE ALL-IMPORTANT COMMERCIAL Prepare and rehearse a "30-second commercial." Think about how you can sell yourself in a brief introduction that will summarize your background & strengths and give the recruiter a good idea of what you are looking for. Walk up to the employer's table, smile and establish eye contact, hand the recruiter your resume and get ready to launch into a powerful introduction. For example…

"Hello, I'm Holly Harris. I'm a senior majoring in English. I'm very interested in a marketing career. As you can see on my resume, I just completed an internship in the Marketing Division of the Whatagreat Company in Wilmington. I've also taken some courses in business.

I'm interested in talking with you about marketing opportunities with your organization."

6. PRACTICE YOUR INTERVIEWING SKILLS Practice answering specific interview questions. Have a good understanding of your academic/career goals and the type of experience you are looking for. Think about academic and work experiences which back up your stated skills. Also, mentally prepare questions you would like to ask the employer. Examples may include: 1) What kind of entry level positions exist within your organization? 2) How many employees are in my area of interest? 3) What is your recruitment process? Practice your interviewing aloud and with friends.

7. BRING ENERGY AND A POSITIVE ATTITUDE! Demonstrate enthusiasm, initiative, and confidence! Employers identify “enthusiasm” as the most important personal attribute students can bring to their first position! So SMILE and project interest in the organization.

8. KEEP TRACK OF CONTACTS Ask for a business card. Have paper and a pen with you to note important details about particular conversations and organizations, including names of people who may not have had business cards.

9. THANK AND FOLLOW-UP WITH EMPLOYERS Send a thank you letter to those organizations in which you are most interested – this may help bring attention to your name. Within two weeks of the Fair, make follow-up contact with the representatives you spoke to, unless you have discussed an alternative arrangement. If calling to follow-up, be prepared! `

Contact Log Organization: ________________________________________________________________________________________________ Primary Contact: _____________________________________________________________________________________________ Email: ______________________________________________________________________________________________________ Phone: _____________________________________________________________________________________________________ Fax: ________________________________________________________________________________________________________ Alumni Connections: __________________________________________________________________________________________ Date:

Spoke To:

 Resume reviewed  Sent Application  Studied Organization

Type of Contact:  In Person  Email: ____________________________

 Networked (LinkedIn/Twitter)

 Phone: ____________________________

st

 1 Interview

Comments:

 Thank You Note nd

 2 Interview

Date:

Spoke To:

nd

 2 Thank You Note  Received Offer  Accepted/Declined

NOTES:

Type of Contact:  In Person  Email: ____________________________  Phone: ____________________________ Comments:

Date:

Spoke To:

Type of Contact:  In Person  Email: ____________________________  Phone: ____________________________ Comments:

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EVALUATING JOB OFFERS Once you have received a job offer, you have more “power” at that point than at any other time in the interviewing process. An offer can arrive anywhere from one day to six weeks after your second or third interview. Continue to make a good impression when the offer arrives. In a professional manner, convey your enthusiasm and excitement to the employer who has just made an offer to you. Don’t accept the job offer on the spot. Although you may have already been considering the possible offer, you need time to evaluate all the factors of this decision. Have a date in mind when you can give the employer your decision prior to receiving an offer so you won’t get caught off guard – be prepared to negotiate the date when a decision must be made. Employers know you are interviewing with other organizations and will appreciate your being honest and careful about your decision.

Consider your Priorities Job offers do not necessarily overlap – often you will need to evaluate an offer without knowing what alternatives you will have. It is important to establish criteria to help you decide if this position is right for you. Consider factors such as those highlighted in the box on the right side of this page. Identify the features that are important to you in your first job and then rank them in order of priority.

After you have a good understanding of your values, needs, and priorities, make sure that you get all the relevant and necessary information about the position and the organization that will enable you to make a decision about an offer. Ask the employer and/or conduct research to determine details about salary and benefits, the organization, and other details such as reporting date. Weigh your list of priorities against the offer.

Remember that no job is perfect – decide which factors you are willing to compromise on or can have met in other ways.

Compensation – How Much are you Worth?

For everyone, compensation is an important factor to consider. Remember that compensation includes salary and benefits – a generous benefits package can sometimes be worth as much as 30-40% in addition to your actual salary. Take a close look at your salary requirements (living expenses, transportation, loans, etc.) and develop an understanding of what your skills are worth in the market. Salary range information is available from a number of resources including the NACE Salary Survey* available in the Career Services Office, professional associations related to your field, and salary websites such as salary.com. Consider your range in terms of low/middle/high. If you are considering a position in another region, be aware of the differences in the cost of living.

The more information you have, the more effective you will be in evaluating and negotiating a job offer.

Accepting & Declining Offers Declining an offer should be done in writing and as soon as you accept another position.

This is an important step because you may need this contact later on, so never burn your bridges.

Acceptance letters are extremely important in restating your understanding of the offer.

Remember to include the following: Salary; starting date and time; location; any perks, signing bonuses, etc. that were negotiated; and any other factors that you feel were vague or were not in writing.

Factors to Consider1 The Organization  Reputation  Growth potential  Size  Financial stability  Quality of the management team  Organizational culture The Job  Training Program  Day-to-day work  Stress/pressure  Relocation/travel  Independence on the job  Salary  Opportunity for advancement  Benefit package (e.g. health care plan, 401k plan, vacation, etc.)  Physical work environment  Social significance of work  Supervisor  Opportunity for continuing training/education General Lifestyle Issues  Comfort with the organization’s goals/philosophy  Geographic location  Recreational, cultural, educational facilities  Proximity of educational institutions for further study  Value of life/work balance  Dress requirements 1

Remember that searching for your first job is an exciting process, but it can also be stressful. Use the resources and advising services available in Career Services to help you make this important decision.

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Adapted from the Job Search Handbook of the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill

Withdrawing From a Search Once you have accepted an offer with an organization you are obligated to notify all other employers to whom you have submitted applications that you would no longer like to be considered for the position in question. This can be done through a business letter or email.

ACCEPTANCE/DECLINING LETTER SAMPLE

50 Pine Tar Tree Stowe, PA 19454 May 1, XXXX

Ms. Raquel Smith Director of Corporate Public Relations The Alpha Corporation Louisiana Street Washington, DC 99887 Dear Ms. Smith, Acceptance Thank you for your offer of employment with The Alpha Corporation. I am very pleased to accept the invitation to join the firm as an Information Specialist at the salary and terms described in your letter dated April 22, 2010.

I will be able to report to work on June 15, 2010 and will have completed the employee orientation and medical examination by that time. Also prior to that date, I will be in touch with your office regarding any additional pre-employment procedures. The financial aid defraying my moving expenses is greatly appreciated and is a key factor in my ability to relocate so readily.

I am looking forward to joining the company and working with your fine staff. Thank you for your confidence in me and for the opportunity this represents.

~ Or ~

Withdraw Thank you for the offer that you extended for a position as a research assistant in the Department of the Interior Extension Library. The offer was very attractive, and I had much to consider in reaching my decision.

You have an impressive organization and there are many aspects of the position that appeal to me. After much thought, however, I have decided to take a position at the Library of Congress. Their specialized resources and location in Washington, where my family resides, were the deciding factors in this difficult decision.

I appreciate your interest in me and wish to express again my gratitude for your courtesy and consideration.

Sincerely,

Joseph Brown `

Withdrawal Letter Sample

MSC 555 Ursinus College Collegeville, PA 19426 May 25, XXXX

Ms. Emily Roberts Vice-President for Operations Lakeland Industries 388 Professional Center Philadelphia, PA 19416 Dear Ms. Roberts; I am writing to withdraw my name from consideration for the Accounting Assistant position with Lakeland Industries. As I indicated when we met, I have been exploring several employment options. This past week I was offered an opportunity with another organization, which I have decided to accept. I believe it to be a better match for me at this time.

I do thank you for the chance to interview with Lakeland Industries and to be considered for employment. Your organization is an excellent one and it was a pleasure to have an opportunity to learn about it.

Sincerely,

Eric Rodriquez

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100 Best Companies to Work For 2011 Rank Company

Job U.S. Growth Employees

Rank Company

Job U.S. Growth Employees

1

SAS

3%

5,629

26

Plante & Moran

-4%

1,478

2

Boston Consulting Group

2%

1,713

27

CHG Healthcare Services

-5%

1,124

3

Wegmans Food Markets

6%

39,255

28

Bingham McCutchen

7%

1,607

4

Google

N.A.

N.A.

29

Quicken Loans

4%

3,179

5

NetApp

9%

5,455

30

NuStar Energy

4%

1,419

6

Zappos.com

37%

1,843

31

W. L. Gore & Associates

1%

5,770

7

Camden Property Trust

0%

1,719

32

Chesapeake Energy

10%

8,529

8

Nugget Market

-2%

1,240

33

Qualcomm

2%

12,520

9

Recreational Equipment (REI)

-1%

9,380

34

QuikTrip

5%

10,936

10

DreamWorks Animation SKG

10%

1,994

35

Genentech

3%

11,464

11

Edward Jones

2%

35,987

36

Southern Ohio Medical Center

18%

2,276

12

Scottrade

19%

2,884

37

Scripps Health

5%

11,847

13

Alston & Bird

-12%

1,611

38

PCL Construction

-4%

1,323

14

Robert W. Baird

5%

2,406

39

American Fidelity Assurance

-1%

1,495

15

Mercedes-Benz USA

-3%

1,657

40

Balfour Beatty Construction

37%

2,079

16

JM Family Enterprises

-2%

3,688

41

Devon Energy

-10%

3,508

17

USAA

-1%

21,889

42

Baptist Health South Florida

5%

12,249

18

Stew Leonard's

-7%

1,991

43

Shared Technologies

-3%

1,192

19

The Methodist Hospital System

2%

11,298

44

Intuit

-3%

6,475

20

Cisco

3%

36,612

45

TDIndustries

-11%

1,429

21

Container Store

-3%

3,338

46

Johnson Financial Group

-4%

1,259

22

DPR Construction

-7%

1,073

47

Novo Nordisk

-1%

3,340

23

Goldman Sachs

7%

13,154

48

Build-A-Bear Workshop

-7%

4,250

24

Whole Foods Market

3%

52,915

49

American Express

-3%

26,329

25

Umpqua Bank

18%

2,154

50

Baker Donelson

1%

1,127

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Rank Company

Job U.S. Growth Employees

Rank Company

51

Intel

-1%

42,694

77

Ernst & Young

52

Salesforce.com

15%

2,725

78

SRC/SRCTec

53

Four Seasons Hotels

N.A.

11,729

79

54

Atlantic Health

5%

7,418

55

Perkins Coie

2%

1,726

56

Millennium: The Takeda Oncology Company

11%

1,269

Job U.S. Growth Employees -7%

23,102

9%

1,054

National Instruments

-1%

2,545

80

St. Jude Children's Research Hospital

-1%

3,557

81

CarMax

3%

13,436

82

Teach For America

10%

1,236

6%

6,735

-4%

13,737

9%

23,294

57

Aflac

0%

4,400

83

Kimpton Hotels & Restaurants

58

General Mills

1%

16,803

84

59

Hasbro

-4%

3,055

Bright Horizons Family Solutions

60

Children's Healthcare of Atlanta

-1%

6,521

85

Booz Allen Hamilton

86

KPMG

-5%

19,892

61

Mayo Clinic

-1%

41,068

87

Men's Wearhouse

-1%

14,548

62

OhioHealth

4%

12,529

88

Meridian Health

-8%

8,004

63

Deloitte

-1%

38,493

89

8%

3,112

64

FactSet Research Systems

3%

1,355

Brocade Communications Systems

65

Adobe Systems

18%

4,788

90

CH2M Hill

-12%

13,486

66

EOG Resources

5%

1,811

91

The Everett Clinic

4%

1,633

67

Publix Super Markets

-1%

141,217

92

Rackspace Hosting

14%

2,405

68

Stryker

-2%

8,389

93

J. M. Smucker

-4%

4,157

69

Mattel

-2%

5,161

94

AĂŠropostale

7%

16,589

70

S.C. Johnson & Son

-1%

3,310

95

Morningstar

14%

1,224

71

Marriott International

-4%

106,280

96

MITRE

2%

6,686

72

Microsoft

-4%

53,410

97

Darden Restaurants

21%

167,537

73

PricewaterhouseCoopers

-4%

28,168

98

Starbucks

-5%

103,425

74

Nordstrom

19%

49,447

99

Accenture

4%

31,000

75

Arkansas Children's Hospital

2%

3,776

100 W. W. Grainger

-3%

13,699

76

Gilbane

-9%

1,761

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Section 2: Graduate School Search    

decision and timeline evaluation of programs application process financial assistance

Career Services Office Bomberger Hall Suite 110 Ursinus College 601 East Main Street P.O. Box 1000 Collegeville, PA 19426 Phone : (610) 409-3599 Fax :(610) 409-3631 Email : career@ursinus.edu

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GRADUATE & PROFESSIONAL SCHOOL PLANNING THE GRADUATE SCHOOL DECISION There are so many great reasons to go to graduate or professional school. Graduate school gives students the opportunity to focus on a topic they are passionate about and can open the door to career advancement, financial security as well as a rich and satisfying life.

However, before jumping in to the graduate school application process, you may want to consider whether graduate school is the right option for you.

The decision to go to graduate school requires careful thought and should not be made lightly. In addition to making a financial commitment, you could be spending from one to seven years enrolled in a program. Reflect and consider the following:       

Do I really love the field enough to obtain an advanced degree?

Is an advanced degree required to enter my field of interest?

Am I enthusiastic about continuing my education now? Am I ready for more school or am I feeling “burned out”?

Am I going to grad school to postpone entrance into the “real world”?

Do I have the qualities and skills necessary for success in graduate school?

Am I making the decision to go to graduate school or am I satisfying the expectations of family, friends and/or faculty?

Do I have the financial resources and what is the financial cost benefit of attending graduate school at this time?

WHEN TO ATTEND? Each year, approximately 25-30% of Ursinus college graduates pursue additional education immediately after graduation. However, a far greater percentage earns a graduate or professional school degree at some point later in their career. Many UC grads work for a year or more before beginning an advanced degree.

Reasons to attend immediately  I am in the “study mode” and continuing now will be easier for me  I have no major financial pressures such as marriage, mortgage or children  My undergraduate loans can be deferred while in graduate school  I can enter my profession sooner than if I took some time off Reasons to postpone attending graduate school  Senior year is busy; I will have more time to research the right program  A year of work or service will make me a more competitive & committed applicant  I need a little time off to re-group, refocus and revive

THE GRAD SCHOOL TIMELINE The following is a general guide to planning your application process Junior Year/Summer (before senior year)  Begin researching programs and discussing plans with your academic advisor, interested faculty and Career Services advisors  Identify appropriate programs, visit websites and narrow down a list of target schools  Prepare and sign up for required standardized testing – complete testing, if possible  Explore opportunities for fellowships, scholarships and other financial assistance  Strengthen your grad school application by participating in the UC Summer Fellows program and/or completing an honors project in your major.  Begin to request strong letters of recommendation from faculty & advisors `

September/October  Begin work on applications and request official transcripts  Complete all required testing and write first draft of personal statement  Continue to request strong letters of recommendation from faculty & advisors November/December  Get feedback on personal statement and prepare final draft  Complete all parts of application and mail or submit online. Keep copies of everything you send  Begin working on financial aid applications  Remind letter writers of recommendation deadlines January/February/March  Interview or visit potential schools  Write thank you notes to those who have met with you and helped you  Relax and wait for your letters of acceptance  Mail the deposit to your new school  Celebrate!

RESEARCHING & EVALUATING GRADUATE PROGRAMS Searching for a graduate school is very different than searching for a college. There are different elements to consider as you pursue a more specialized course of study. Use the following criteria to help guide your decision making:        

The reputation and/or rankings of the university The reputation and/or rankings of the specific department The curriculum, length of time it takes to complete the degree, and course/research requirements The faculty members and their individual research interests The number of students and percentage of applicants accepted The location and size of the university The cost of the program, funding and financial assistance Success of the department’s graduates

There are many helpful resources for researching and evaluating graduate programs. Consider the following:     

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FACULTY- Faculty often know many of the best programs in their discipline and even know people within those programs. Be sure to consult your faculty about your ideas.

CAREER SERVICES- A large collection of books and directories are housed in the Career Library. Advisors are available to help you navigate the application process.

STUDENTS- Talk to students currently enrolled in the programs you are interested in. Get their perspective on the school, program, faculty, campus culture and quality of life for grad students.

CAMPUS VISITS- If you can afford to go- visit the university before accepting an offer of admission. Some programs will support your travel once you have been accepted.

WEB SITES- Most graduate schools have their own Web sites with information on their programs, admission requirements, and applications to download. Some general sites for researching programs include: o Peterson’s o GradSchools.com o Princeton Review o Graduate School Guide o US News and World Report

THE GRADUATE SCHOOL APPLICATION Completing a competitive application takes time, energy and thoughtful preparation. Don’t wait for deadlines to approach. Start early and avoid the last minute time pressures.

Application & Fees Many schools have applications available on their Web site for downloading. Some schools prefer the application be typed or neatly hand-written. Apply as early as possible – particularly if there is a rolling admissions process.

Letters of Recommendation Schools typically require 3-4 letters of recommendation from current or former professors. In choosing your writers, remember that your graduate school is looking to assess your potential as a student and a scholar, so letters from faculty are stronger than letters from past employers or supervisors. Letters are more valuable to the evaluator if they are written by people who know you well and are in a position to evaluate your work. (Do not focus on people with important titles- solicit writers who know your work and can provide examples to illustrate your strengths) Provide your letter writers with a resume, list of activities, your graduate school essay and other pertinent information that can help them write a strong letter. Make an appointment with your writers to discuss your goals and reasons for applying to particular schools.

Give your writers a deadline and continue to check-in with them to see if they have completed the letter. To allow ample time for a response, ask your writers early in the fall semester or beforehand if he/she will be on sabbatical.

In September, 2010, the Career Services Office partnered with Interfolio to enable students and alumnae to collect and manage their credentials files online, replacing the Career Services Office paper based credentials file service.

Interfolio is an online credentials, dossier and portfolio service, whereupon you can request and store confidential letters of recommendation online, build an online portfolio, and deliver application materials to any location around the world, electronically or in hard copy. Interfolio provides powerful tools and outstanding customer service to applicants, application receivers, university partners, letter writers, and works with ETS (Educational Testing Service) to deliver a secure, convenient and easy way to handle letters of recommendation.

To set up a file, visit www.interfolio.com Don’t forget to send thank you notes to your writers. Inform them of your acceptances and your final choice.

Personal Statement/Grad Essay The personal essay is a critical piece of the application packet. A well-written essay could make the difference when all of the static pieces of your application (GPA, test scores, etc) are equal.

Spend some time on writing your essay. Ask several people to review and provide feedback and suggestions. Be concise, and compelling.

Consult the following online resources: http://gradschool.about.com/od/essaywriting/ http://www.rpi.edu/dept/llc/writecenter/web/gradapp.html http://departments.colgate.edu/diw/gradschool.html https://career.berkeley.edu/Grad/GradStatement.stm http://career.ucsd.edu/_files/personalstmt.pdf

Graduate Admissions Tests Research the programs where you are applying to determine if graduate testing is required or recommended. The following are the most commonly requested graduate exams: GRE (for arts & science programs) LSAT (for law programs MCAT (for medical school) http://www.aamc.org/students/mcat http://www.mba.com/ `

Additional exams that may be required: MAT (Miller Analogies Test) DAT (Dental Admission Test) OAT (Optometry Admission Test) TOEFL (Test of English as a Foreign Language) When English is not your native language.

For information on test preparation: Kaplan Princeton Review Official Transcripts You will need to provide an official Ursinus transcript for all the schools where you apply. Requests for transcripts should be made to the Office of the Registrar. There is a $2.00 charge for each transcript requested. Contact the Registrar’s office or visit their Web site for the transcript request form.

Resume You may be asked to submit a resume with your application to graduate school. Obtain a copy of the Resume Guide in the Career Services Office and draft a rough copy. Be sure you bring your rough draft to Career Services to be critiqued by a career counselor.

Download a copy of the resume guide Interview Some schools will require an interview for admission to their graduate programs. Others- particularly large research institutions- cannot offer personal interviews because of the volume of applications. However, it may be in your best interest to schedule time to talk with the faculty who share your research interests. If you do have an interview, be sure to prepare by researching the institution and considering what makes you a good candidate for the program. Review interviewing tips and guidelines in the Career Services office and on the Web page.

FUNDING & FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE There is a variety of aid and funding you can explore Grants & Scholarships: Assistance that does not need to be paid back and does not require any work in exchange Assistantships: Research, Teaching and Residential assistantships are available in many departments and usually will include a tuition waiver and stipend Federal Loans: Stafford Loans and Federal Perkins Loans State Loans Public or Private Fellowships In-State Tuition: sometimes an out of state applicant will be given in-state tuition as a grant Web Resources for Financial Assistance www.fastweb.monster.com www.finaid.org www.grantsnet.org www.students.gov www.iefa.org http://gradschool.about.com/od/financialaid/

COMPETITIVE FELLOWSHIPS There are several competitive fellowship programs that have outlined an extensive & formal application procedure. Please meet with the Coordinator of Student Fellowships and Scholarships in Corson Hall for more information. View Website

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