Professional Development Skills
Reacutesumeacute cover letter and interview Guide
Career and Accessibility Center
Indiana University Kokomo Kelley Student Center 200
wwwiukeducareer-services carserviukedu
765-455-9301
IU Kokomo Career and Accessibility Center
2 |Kelley Student Center 200 2300 S Washington St PO Box 9003 Kokomo IN 46904-9003 (765)455-9301 fax (765)455-9537 carserviukedu wwwiukeducareer-
services
You have already made a plan to further your education in order to achieve your goals and get the career you want
The following package will give you the knowledge and confidence to pursue them with success
Table of Contents
3helliphelliphelliphellipFour Year Career Plan
4-5helliphelliphellipBasic Reacutesumeacute information Dorsquos and Do Notrsquos
6-17helliphelliphellipSample Reacutesumeacutes by occupation
18-19hellipScannable Reacutesumeacute information and sample
20helliphelliphelliphellipCover Letter information
21helliphelliphellipReferences and Letters of Recommendation
22-25helliphellipReacutesumeacute- Key words action words occupational words and
transferable skills
26-29helliphellipHow to Achieve Results at a Career Fair
30-37helliphellipInterview information
38helliphelliphellipBusiness attire guide ldquoDress for Successrdquo
39-42helliphellipAfter the Interview information(Thank you letters etc)
IU Kokomo Career and Accessibility Center
3 |Kelley Student Center 200 2300 S Washington St PO Box 9003 Kokomo IN 46904-9003 (765)455-9301 fax (765)455-9537 carserviukedu wwwiukeducareer-
services
Timeline for Making Sound Career Decisions Discover an amazing future for yourself It is easy with Indiana University Kokomo Career Services
4 Year Career Plan First Year Envision
Make the grades Experience a variety of courses to help you determine your area of interest Get to know a professor who is in the field of your particular interest If you are planning to major in one of the pre-professional programs (pre-med pre-dent nursing PT or pre-law) talk
with your academic advisors now Consider taking leadership and career prep classes Utilize the career resources online or counseling services to help you identify a major or career area to explore Take advantage of career assessments (SIGI3) which allow you to discover your interests personality type and
careers which may be appropriate for you (Discuss your results with a counselor) See a career counselor for an informational meeting about preparing for the next four years of career development Schedule a reacutesumeacute critique appointment with career services Attend career events on and off campus Get involved and volunteer
Second Year Plan
Make the grades Begin to think about a particular major or classes that interest you Expand your knowledge of career opportunities Utilize the career resources online or counseling services to help you identify a major or career area to explore Schedule your internship appointment with the career services Consider taking leadership and career prep classes Schedule a reacutesumeacute critique appointment with career services Continue being involved in school and community activities Ask upper class-students in your field about their job experiences
Third Year Experience
Make the grades Schedule your internship appointment with career services if you havent already Utilize the career resources online or counseling services to help you identify a major or career area to explore Consider taking leadership and career prep classes Continue updating your reacutesumeacute Learn techniques on job searching Gather information about graduate or professional schools if you are considering continuing your education Look for
application and testing deadlines Register for the GRE LSAT or GMAT if necessary Look for test dates and deadlines Schedule a mock interview with a career counselor to enhance your interviewing skills Attend career fairs and professional development events
Fourth Year Achieve
Make the grades Be sure to update and finalize your reacutesumeacute Continue your job search through networking contacts the Internet and researching Attend career fairs and professional development events Perfect your cover letter writing skills Apply to graduate and professional schools Remember there are deadlines Follow through on your interviews by sending thank-you letters Begin building your professional wardrobe if you havent already Be dedicated and patient in your search GOOD LUCK
IU Kokomo Career and Accessibility Center
4 |Kelley Student Center 200 2300 S Washington St PO Box 9003 Kokomo IN 46904-9003 (765)455-9301 fax (765)455-9537 carserviukedu wwwiukeducareer-
services
How to Write a ldquoYESrdquo Reacutesumeacute
Reacutesumeacutes and cover letters create the first impression that an employer has of you Having a dynamic reacutesumeacute and cover letter
is vital to the employment process They are the most important marketing piece in your job search Developing a well-
organized reacutesumeacute and cover letter will also help you prepare for interviews and enable you to communicate to the employer
how your skills accomplishments and abilities fit their position
The format of reacutesumeacutes can be different for each individual This could differ because of your education experience and where
you are in your career life
Technology has also impacted the way we write and submit reacutesumeacutes Online application and reacutesumeacute submissions are the most
common way to find new employment opportunities We can no longer be certain the human eye sees our reacutesumeacute once
submitted Many employers are now using the technique of scanning reacutesumeacutes into a database The computer ldquoreadsrdquo each
reacutesumeacute identifies keywords and based on those keywords places it in the appropriate database file When a job opening
occurs an employer tells the tracking system the keywords associated with the position and instructs it to pull in the reacutesumeacutes
that incorporate the matching keywords
An interview is the first goal and with a dynamic reacutesumeacute and cover letter you can easily achieve it The second goal is to get the
job Being well prepared for the interview will give you an advantage and help you get the position The interview is the
deciding factor on being hired Candidates must demonstrate knowledge and preparation for the company and position You
donrsquot have to follow any particular reacutesumeacute model exactly Many reacutesumeacutes are a mixture of more than one style but you should
follow these guidelines
IU Kokomo Career and Accessibility Center
5 |Kelley Student Center 200 2300 S Washington St PO Box 9003 Kokomo IN 46904-9003 (765)455-9301 fax (765)455-9537 carserviukedu wwwiukeducareer-
services
Reacutesumeacute Dorsquos
Do try to keep your reacutesumeacute 1-2 pages in length (someone who has prior experience in the professional world may
have a longer one) Do start with a first draft Expect to do several revisions Do make it crisp well-balanced and pleasing to the eye Use clear fonts (Arial or Times New Roman) Do use your complete legal name (no nicknames) address and phone number should be at the top of each page (leave
a where you can be reached between 8 am and 5 pm or where someone can leave a message that will be promptly returned)
Do tailor each reacutesumeacute and application to each new position Do write brief phrases ndash not full sentences (but be clear and specific) Do use phrases action verbs (initiated organized developed) and the results (see example below)
Example- Initiate and organize a variety of advertisements in the community which result in xyz new clientele per year
Do make sure to use the correct tense If it was a past job (developed organized initiated) if it is a current job (initiate organize maintain)
Do support all activities and responsibilities with results and accomplishments Include all post-secondary education and training that supports the position you are applying for
Do describe your specific responsibilities from past and current positions and use bullet points to list them Do cite any community activities and awards (if they enhance your other experiences by demonstrating leadership
organization etc) Do have complete and accurate reference lists available Do proofread final product for correct spelling punctuation grammatical and typographical errors Have an
independent ldquocriticalrdquo person proofread for errors you may have missed Do use high quality paper to print your reacutesumeacute on (water bond cotton etc in white or eggshell 85x11 Do make sure it has absolutely no typos or misspellings
Reacutesumeacute Do Notrsquos
Do not use abbreviations - only use professional and technical information when it is relevant Do not use odd-sized bordered or colored paper ndash anything that may be considered eccentric Do not list references on the body of the reacutesumeacute Do not include personal data marital status number of children or ldquoexcellent healthrdquo Do not devote more space to earlier jobs than to more recent employment Do not list grade point average or college honors unless you are a recent graduate and it is above a 3040 Do not use language that may cause the employer to stereotype or anything that might be perceived negative Do not use phrases like ldquoresponsibilitiesrdquo or ldquoduties includedrdquo Do not italicize anything Do not use ldquocuterdquo stuff such as non-standard fonts and pictures Do not use excessive detail in job experience section Do not use language that may cause employers to stereotype you in a specific occupation Do not repeat words and phrases- instead highlight how those accomplishments cover multiple related areas Do not photocopy a reacutesumeacute
The next several pages are samples of reacutesumeacutes for common occupations They will give you a good idea of what employers are expecting to see
IU Kokomo Career and Accessibility Center
6 |Kelley Student Center 200 2300 S Washington St PO Box 9003 Kokomo IN 46904-9003 (765)455-9301 fax (765)455-9537 carserviukedu wwwiukeducareer-
services
Sample Leadership Reacutesumeacute Address Phone Email
Objective (optional) Internship or summer position in the area of Social Work particular interest with juveniles
Education Indiana University Kokomo- Kokomo IN Bachelor of Arts in Sociology Minor Psychology Expected Graduation Date May 2010 GPA 3140
Related Courses Sociology Law Adolescence and Early Childhood The family in the Ecosystem
Childhood Psychology Organizational Behavior Families Psychological Behavior
Related Employment and College Activities Phi Sigma Sigma- Indiana University Kokomo Secretary (809- current)
Provide Leadership Attended leadership conference Volunteered with big brothers big sisters
Tutored school age children Assisted with multiple events on campus
CASA- Kokomo In Intern (January lsquo09-April rsquo09)
Advocate for children in the court system Assisted with court paperwork
Developed database and new registration form Counseled children and families
Skills Communication
Communicate with campus about upcoming events Addressed and resolved customerstudent concerns Presented nationally at a worldwide conference Corresponded with University superiors regarding events
Problem Solving
Counseled and worked with children on multiple situations Discovered and resolved errors on forms Coordinated monthly meetings with upper level management team
Time Management
Always met deadlines Dealt with situations and problems as they occurred to solve them in a timely manner Directed the work of three Administrative Assistants on a daily basis
Work Experience Kokomo Sports Center- Childcare Supervisor (808-current) Kroger- Supervisor (806-708) Volunteer Rescue Mission- 207- current American Cancer Society- 502-current Bridges Outreach- 0907-0408
Office of Career Services at IU Kokomo
7 |Kelley Student Center 200 2300 S Washington St PO Box 9003 Kokomo IN 46904-9003 (765)455-9301 fax (765)455-9537 carserviukedu wwwiukeducareer-
services
SAMPLE Skills Resume
Name Address City State Zip Phone Email address
Objective (optional) Entry level sales management position
Education
Indiana University Kokomo Bachelor of Science in Business Administration- May 2009 GPA 3440 Skills
Marketing Sales Promotion
Grossed $15000 in three months with summer painting business
Raised $600 in advertising space for local organizations project
Cold canvasses community for potential clients
Created informational brochure for apartment leasing company
Developed advertising campaign for class project
Management Training Organizational Ability
Assisted in organizing talent show and benefit auction for local non-profit organization
Coordinated sales presentation strategy for SIFE
Trained new restaurant employees
Communication Creative projects
Created multimedia presentations using slides music and narration
Developed sales presentation and assisted with advertising campaigns including radio spots newspaper sales brochures
Designed and distributed flyers for local non-profit organizations benefit banquet
Work experience Waiter Red Lobster Kokomo In 2002-2009 Intern Samaritan Caregivers Kokomo IN 2005 Activities
Students in Free Enterprise (SIFE) Volunteer for Samaritan Caregivers
References upon request (optional)
Office of Career Services at IU Kokomo
8 |Kelley Student Center 200 2300 S Washington St PO Box 9003 Kokomo IN 46904-9003 (765)455-9301 fax (765)455-9537 carserviukedu wwwiukeducareer-
services
SAMPLE Radiology Reacutesumeacute Name
Address Phone email address Objective (optional) To obtain a challenging rewarding full-time position as a Radiological Technologist
Education Indiana University Kokomo Kokomo IN Associate in Applied Science Radiologic Technology May 2009 GPA 30 40
Skills Diagnostic Imaging Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) Computerized Tomography (CT) Scans RMS IDX Carecast TDS order Entry Fluoroscopy procedures
Ultrasounds X-ray Radiation Protection Film evaluation
Clinical Experience Dukes Memorial Hospital Peru IN Spring 2009 Perform ultrasounds MRIs CT scans X-ray imaging portable radiography and fluoroscopic procedures Serve a diverse caseload including newborns infants children adolescents adults and geriatric patients Interpret data and provide recommendations for optimal patient care Manage 12 to 15 procedures per shift while maintaining high quality of care
Howard Regional Health Kokomo IN Fall 2008 bull Prepared patients for radiology examinations and explained procedures to patients bull Positioned radiographic equipment at correct angleheight bull Assisted with administering radiographic exams and film development
Dukes Memorial Hospital Peru IN Summer 2007 bull Prepared and positioned patients for radiographic examinations bull Operated all major necessary and portable diagnostic imaging equipment bull Experience with digital radiography bull Maintained records of examinations
Woodlawn Memorial Hospital Rochester IN Spring 2008 bull Performed all required diagnostic radiology procedures producing high quality exams bull Prepared diagnostic agents as required and explained procedures to patient(s) bull Ensured patient safety by utilizing radiation protective devices
Arnett Clinic Lafayette IN Fall 2007 bull Performed imaging procedures of the Diagnostic Imaging Department bull Assisted in x-ray examination and diagnosis of injurydisease observation bull Experience with fluoroscopic examinations bull Ensured patient comfort and operated within an integrated plan of careservice bull Verified all patient information
Honors Member American Society Radiologic Technologists 2008-Present Member Deanrsquos List 2007-2009
CERTIFICATIONS CPR Certification
Office of Career Services at IU Kokomo
9 |Kelley Student Center 200 2300 S Washington St PO Box 9003 Kokomo IN 46904-9003 (765)455-9301 fax (765)455-9537 carserviukedu wwwiukeducareer-
services
Sample Criminal Justice Resume
334 Indiana Drive Kokomo IN 46902 (765) 555-5555 nameemailcom
Seeking a position in the field of
Criminal Justice Law Enforcement
CitymdashStatemdashFederalmdashPrivate
Highly motivated energetic law enforcement graduate with strong work ethics and professional goals
Bring five years of service in office support and retail sales positions while attending college full-time
Bi-lingual with articulate fluency in English and Spanish personable easy-going communication style
Meet challenges head on work well in stressful situations in a fast-paced setting
Analytical with a lot of common sense intuitive instincts and ability to think outside the box
Maintain excellent research organization time management and problem assessmentresolution skills
Education
Bachelor of Arts in Criminal Justice- 2011
Indiana University Kokomo
Selected Courses
Analysis of Criminal Behavior
Concepts of Forensic Science
Abnormal Psychology
Physical Fitness in Law Enforcement
Criminal Law Group Dynamics
Work Experience
Receptionist ABC Store Indianapolis IN 400mdashPresent
Payroll Clerk DEF Place Kokomo IN 402mdash702
Sales Associate GHI Business Kokomo IN
Senior Sales Associate JKL Sales Kokomo IN
200mdash600
999mdash299
Provide front-desk representation clerical support and customer service for The Auto Store
Managed over 50 business payroll accounts utilizing cross-trained experience in teller and payroll services
Prepared and uploaded weekly exemptnon-exempt payroll data into network system for clients to download
Completed mandatory training that included a film study on a mock robbery to learn observation techniques
Held increasingly responsible sales positions achieving recognition for over-quota floor sales and cashier management
skills and manager-requests to return during school breaks based on performance and reliability
Provided excellence in customer service while assisting in all areas of inventory and display merchandising
Computer Skills
Microsoft Word Lexis-Nexis PsychInfo Criminal Justice Abstracts
InfoTrak Health Sociological Abstracts Internet research
Office of Career Services at IU Kokomo
10 |Kelley Student Center 200 2300 S Washington St PO Box 9003 Kokomo IN 46904-9003 (765)455-9301 fax (765)455-9537 carserviukedu wwwiukeducareer-
services
Sample Nursing reacutesumeacute Address City State Zip code
Home (222) 555-1234 Cell (222) 555-8888 nameunivnameedu Objective (optional) Seeking a challenging position as a registered nurse
CLINICALS January2007-May2009 Alta Beach Hospital Performed nursing duties in a level one trauma hospital Fairview Riverside Hospital Med-Surgery Unit Augustan Nursing Home Long term care
Education Indiana University Kokomo Kokomo IN Bachelor of Science in Nursing GPA 3040 (or higher only) Anticipated graduation date May 2009
Licenses RN - American Medical Association NAR license 3779948 State of Indiana 2008 CPR and First Aid Certified American Red Cross 2009
Employment History St Joseph Hospital Kokomo In 2009 to Present Nursersquos aide
Provide health care checks for a diverse population Perform blood pressure tests for community health outreach programs Supply a wide range of services including womens health clinic services and care for elderly patients
Saint Clair Nursing Home Kokomo In 2005-2008 Receptionist
Managed front desk Scheduled appointments for prospective clients Administered weekly evaluations of clients
SKILLS AND CERTIFICATIONS
Direct care of patients Educated patients for home care and discharge planning Operated and maintained monitors of bio-medical equipment Medical terminology and medication administration skills Maintained sterile fields and application of dressings Catheter IV and suctioning training Charting and documentation of patient care Acute and chronic care experience PC and Microsoft Office literate
Professional Affiliations Monroe County Medical Society Pennsylvania Nursing Association
References Available upon request (optional)
Office of Career Services at IU Kokomo
11 |Kelley Student Center 200 2300 S Washington St PO Box 9003 Kokomo IN 46904-9003 (765)455-9301 fax (765)455-9537 carserviukedu wwwiukeducareer-
services
SAMPLE REacuteSUMEacute FOR TEACHERS NAME
Address Phone E-Mail Address
OBJECTIVE (optional) Position as elementary teacher in grades 1 2 or 3 EDUCATION Indiana University Kokomo IN Bachelor of Science in Education May 2009 Endorsements in Reading and Science GPA 37540 TEACHING EXPERIENCE Student Teaching Maple Crest Elementary School (2008-2009)
Prepared and implemented all lesson plans for fall semester first grade class Instructed reading classes for third grade low reading group Developed learning centers to enhance vocabulary and writing skills for both groups
Methods Experience Eastern Elementary School (2007-2008)
Developed math center to reinforce learning weights and measures in 2nd grade class
Utilized songs music and dance to teach Japanese Social Studies unit to 3rd graders
Teacherrsquos Aide Western Middle School (2006)
Assisted teacher with reading groups and record keeping Scheduled field trips and parentteacher conferences
Accomplishments
Earned high marks for the quality and creativity of classroom teaching lesson plans and instructional materials used in teaching diverse subjects (eg language arts mathematics science social studies and history)
Developed innovative approaches that were repeatedly held up as the model standard for meeting district goals in areas including technology integration across the curriculum experiential learning literacy and diversity
Taught general education students as well as individuals with learning challenges and special needs within a mainstreamed inclusive classroom
Consistently commended for ability to redirect students exhibiting behavior problems by replacing disruptive unproductive patterns with positive behaviors As a result selected to lead district-wide in-service on classroom management
Established positive relationships with students parents fellow teachers and school administratorsstaff Quickly became a first-to-call resource in current substitute teaching role typically working four days per week
Personally requested by many full-time teachers to take over their classrooms during absences
OTHER EXPERIENCE Library Assistant Indianapolis Public Schools (2005-2007) ACTIVITIES Literacy Coalition Tutor President Ed Sac (2007-2008) Folk Dance Instructor Cheerleading Coach for Eastern Middle School
Office of Career Services at IU Kokomo
12 |Kelley Student Center 200 2300 S Washington St PO Box 9003 Kokomo IN 46904-9003 (765)455-9301 fax (765)455-9537 carserviukedu wwwiukeducareer-
services
Sample Entry level Information Technology Reacutesumeacute NAME
Address Phone Number Email address
Summary of Qualifications (optional)
Outstanding academic record Achieved Deans list for 1516 semesters and GPA of 375 Four years of experience as help desk technician and web developer Proficiency in various programs operating systems and applications Expert at finding and resolving malfunctions using exceptional technical and communication skills to ensure
minimization of downtime and optimal computer performance Education
Purdue University College of Technology Kokomo In Bachelor of Science in Computer and Information Technology Expected Graduation date May 2010 GPA 3040 (only if it is above a 30)
Technical Qualifications
Programming languages C Visual C++ C++ CSS ASP JavaScript Java Servlet HTML Java Server pages JBuilder XML PHP Apache
Software Applications Microsoft Suite (Excel Word Access Power Point) Macromedia Homesuite Adobe Photoshop FrontPageDreamweaver macromedia Flash DrScheme
Database Management Database SQL command MySQL Operating Systems Mac OSX Windows XP professional UNIX
Professional Experience Promega Corporation Indianapolis IN Web Developer (2008 - Present)
Helped in the re-launching and redesigning of companys web site that resulted in increased online sales by 15 and improved navigation
Responsible for implementation of programs and build databases that let the users to register unique names and passwords
Help in implementation creation and management of multiple applications for back end and web site Back end include Flash slide shows newsletter and RSS
Web site updating and editing using several languages such as XML HTML and CSS SGate Entertainment Indianapolis IN Web DeveloperHelp Desk Technician (52005-92008)
Utilized JavaScript HTML Flash and CSS to create companys web site Primarily recruited to help help desk Assured software and hardware were installed and operated at peak efficiency Accountable for long-term and day-to-day maintenance and technical support of site including suggestion solutions
and analyzing requirements to meet user needs Offered support for 10 users Helped with migration from PC to Mac environment
Volunteeractivities
Tutor computer students Assist area school corporation with computer updates
References upon request (optional)
Office of Career Services at IU Kokomo
13 |Kelley Student Center 200 2300 S Washington St PO Box 9003 Kokomo IN 46904-9003 (765)455-9301 fax (765)455-9537 carserviukedu wwwiukeducareer-
services
Sample Health Sciences Resume Address Phone Email
Education Indiana University Kokomo- Kokomo IN Bachelor of Science in Health Sciences Minor Psychology Expected Graduation Date May 2013 GPA 3140
Related Courses Ethics and civic engagement Social and behavioral sciences Cultural Diversity
Quantitative Literacy and Math Childhood Psychology Personality Psychology
Leadership Special volunteer projects (2012)
Planned and directed health screening day Organized group of student leaders on advocacy projects
Phi Sigma Sigma- Indiana University Kokomo Secretary (809- current)
Provide Leadership Attended leadership conference Volunteered with big brothers big sisters
Tutored school age children Assisted with multiple events on campus
CASA- Kokomo In volunteer (January lsquo09-current)
Advocate for children in the court system Assisted with court paperwork
Developed database and new registration form Counseled children and families
Relevant Work experience Samaritan Caregivers- Kokomo IN (summer 2012) Intern
Provided support to volunteers and staff on routine client visits Evaluated new clients
Community Howard Regional Health- Kokomo IN (summer 2011) Intern
Assisted with organization of new programs Planned and directed ldquoHealthy Teensrdquo event Researched and evaluated what needs the community had and implemented the new XYZ program
Skills CommunicationOrganizationMarketing
Strong interpersonal communication skills Designed and distributed flyers for benefit dinners and school functions Created informational and advertising brochures and slideshow presentations Participated in fundraisers and benefit dinners
ManagementTrainingSales Interviewed hired and scheduled employees Charted yearly sales records and tracked employee overtime Taught peers how to make and operate slideshows using PowerPoint Trained students on assembling and using art equipment
Office of Career Services at IU Kokomo
14 |Kelley Student Center 200 2300 S Washington St PO Box 9003 Kokomo IN 46904-9003 (765)455-9301 fax (765)455-9537 carserviukedu wwwiukeducareer-
services
Sample Informatics Resume
NAME Address Phone number Email address
Objective (optional)
Qualified IT professional with variety of software hardware and networking knowledge
Exceptional teamwork and leadership skills
Efficient troubleshooter with commitment to lifetime learning
Experience Computer Services Inc Indianapolis In Maintenance and Computer Technician 2008 - Present
Assembled computers
helped in network installation tasks
Assisted with troubleshooting Green Networks Inc Carmel IN Computer Technician 2006-2008
Responsible for the maintenance of equipment and computers used by company for multimedia advertisement Education
Indiana University Kokomo Kokomo In Bachelor of Science in Informatics Expected Graduation date May 2010 GPA 3040 (only if it is above a 30)
Skills Systems Engineering
Differentiate between various types of hardware
Set up and configure software and all the versions of Microsoft Windows
Build and maintain a computer
Troubleshoot software and hardware problems
Networking
Find out network hardware devices and cabling and their working
Implement IP schemes and administer groups
Maintain a secure network and implement network topologies
Expert in DNS Active Directory DHCP and WINS
Communications
Demonstrated skills to answer technical questions with different degrees of computer skills
Willingness to learn new things and work well with others
Good presentation skills
Demonstrated leadership skills in a team environment
Reference available on request (optional)
Office of Career Services at IU Kokomo
15 |Kelley Student Center 200 2300 S Washington St PO Box 9003 Kokomo IN 46904-9003 (765)455-9301 fax (765)455-9537 carserviukedu wwwiukeducareer-
services
SAMPLE BiologyChemistryBio-Chemistry Reacutesumeacute 190 Indiana Drive Kokomo IN 46902 (765) 555-5555 nameemailcom
High-energy and motivated individual with outstanding work ethic a strong academic background broad-based work experience and a record of personal achievement working for leading organizations
EDUCATION
Bachelor of Science in Biology May 2008 Minor Bio-Chemistry Indiana University Kokomo
PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT
Ophthalmology Intern XYZ Organization Kokomo IN Spring 2012
Transcribed 20 patient charts discussing medication and vision prescriptions
Observed 100 appointments for issues including glaucoma macular degeneration and detached retinas
Helped for new contact lens patients
Biology Lab Teaching Assistant Indiana University Kokomo August 2011 - current
Independently taught two biology labs per semester with 20 students in each
Created lesion plans and modified and presented curriculum for weekly classes
Maintained lab with spiders guinea pigs beetles and gecko
Held weekly office hours and tutored students
WORK EXPERIENCE
Server September 2005-June 2008 XYZ Restaurant Indianapolis IN Supervised dining experience of up to 40 guests per shift Exceeded sales goals by promoting specialty items
Head Lifeguard Seasonal May 2001-September 2007 LMN Business Kokomo IN Promoted twice within four summerscreated weekly schedule for 20 staff members Authorized to make management decisions in absence of manager Trained five new employees per summer concerning all assigned duties
ACTIVITIES amp INTERESTS
Biology Club Member (Fall 2011-current) Environmental Club Member (Spring 2010-current) Relay for Life Participant (Spring 2012-Spring 2011)
Office of Career Services at IU Kokomo
16 |Kelley Student Center 200 2300 S Washington St PO Box 9003 Kokomo IN 46904-9003 (765)455-9301 fax (765)455-9537 carserviukedu wwwiukeducareer-
services
Sample New Media Resume
Objective (optional)________________________________________________________________
Creative and dedicated Graphic Designer seeking a full-time position with advancement
opportunities to further enhance my knowledge in graphic design
Education________________________________________________________________________
Indiana University KokomomdashMay 2010
Bachelor of Arts in New Media GPA 36
Qualifications_____________________________________________________________________
More than 5 years of diverse hands-on design experience including experience in web-
site design magazine publishing and marketing
Adaptable organized results and detail-oriented with excellent work ethic strong time
management and interpersonal skills
Ability to create designs concepts and sample layouts based on knowledge of layout
principles and aesthetic design concepts
Extensive knowledge of design techniques tools and principals involved in production
of precision technical plans blueprints drawings and models
Ability to come up with unusual or clever ideas about a given topic or situation or to
develop creative ways to solve a problem
Team player also capable of working independently with minimal direction
Work Experience_________________________________________________________________
ABC Company Dec 2004 ndash Present Indianapolis Indiana
Coordination and production of a variety of graphics products and servicesmdashgraphic
design and art direction for ads newsletters report covers annual reports brochures
exhibit displays maps slide shows and the government cable TV channel
Study illustrations photographs and text to plan presentation of products and services
Review layouts and suggest improvements as needed
Prepare the assembly of final layouts for printing and review and approve art materials
Provide expert analysis and input on othersrsquo designs
XYZ Business Jan 2000 - Nov 2004 Indianapolis Indiana
Completed various freelance design assignmentsmdashincluding creation of a bi-monthly
printed newsletter for a lawyers association design of various logos and artwork for the
PQ Design amp Silk-Screening
Responsible for coordination and production of a variety of graphics products and services
Estimated costs coordinated graphic production and reproduction by service bureaus
Assembled final layouts for printing and provided graphic design for website
765-555-5555
1234 Indiana Drive
Kokomo IN
nameemailcom
Office of Career Services at IU Kokomo
17 |Kelley Student Center 200 2300 S Washington St PO Box 9003 Kokomo IN 46904-9003 (765)455-9301 fax (765)455-9537 carserviukedu wwwiukeducareer-
services
Sample Chaplain Reacutesumeacute Name
Address Phone Email
Objective (Optional) To seek a challenging position as a chaplain that allows me to utilize my knowledge and clinical pastoral education skills Qualifications Summary
Compassionate and devoted Chaplin providing spiritual moral guidance for 7 years
Maintains patient confidentiality according to HIPAA regulations
Excellent interpersonal and communication skills
Experience counseling patients concerning their spiritual personal and emotional needs
Professional Experience XXX Hospice Kokomo In 2007-current Hospice Resident Chaplin
Visit patientsfamilies and perform spiritual assessments
Provide spiritual support and counseling to patients and caregivers
Document all pertinent chaplain activities and audit patient charts XXX Church Kokomo In 2002-2007 Assistance Clergy
Assisted and organized religious services
Helped manage church property and finances
Participated in church programs supporting congregation and fundraising activities XXX Hospital Kokomo IN 1997-2000 Nursersquos aide
Provide health care checks for a diverse population
Perform blood pressure tests for community health outreach programs
Supply a wide range of services including womens health clinic services and care for elderly patients
Education Hospitalhellip Clinical Pastoral Education 3 units completed University of Santa Barbara CA Master of Divinity- 2002 Indiana University Kokomo Kokomo In Bachelor of Science in Nursing ndash 2000 GPA 3440
Volunteer Work
Xxx
Xxxx
Office of Career Services at IU Kokomo
18 |Kelley Student Center 200 2300 S Washington St PO Box 9003 Kokomo IN 46904-9003 (765)455-9301 fax (765)455-9537 carserviukedu wwwiukeducareer-
services
SCANNABLE REacuteSUMEacute CHECKLIST
Resume scanning is more commonly used by employers to seek out employees When a computer will be the first to
read your reacutesumeacute it should be altered If the scannable reacutesumeacute meets the computer criteria it will then be seen by
the employer
1 Left justify the entire document
2 Use key words or short phrases to describe your qualifications and abilities Use
jargon and acronyms specific to your industry Check the job listings and
industry-related materials for current buzzwords
3 Increase your list of key words by including specific names of products and
services such as Microsoft Word or Lotus Notes
4 Use nouns more than verbs For instance say ldquoproject managerrdquo instead of
ldquoimplemented projectrdquo
5 Use common section headings such as Objective Experience Employment
Work History Positions Held Appointments and Skills Use boldface andor all
CAPITAL LETTERS for each of these section headings as long as the letters
donrsquot touch each other
6 Minimize abbreviations except for common ones such as MBA or CEO
7 Use a 10- to 14- point font size Use standard typefaces such as Times New Roman Arial New Century
or Courier
8 Avoid italics script and underlined passages Minimize use of hyphens bullets or dashes Boldface is accepted by
most systems unless the employer advises otherwise
9 Avoid graphics shadings vertical or horizontal lines and boxes The scanner
reads text not graphics
10 Print your reacutesumeacute on 8frac12 X 11 inch white paper of average thickness on one
side only using a laser or other letter-quality paper Donrsquot staple or fold
multiple-page reacutesumeacutes Always make sure your name is on all pages
11 Donrsquot condense spacing between letters
12 Use enough white space between sections Computers use white space to
differentiate between topics
13 When faxing set the fax machine on ldquofine moderdquo instead of ldquostandard moderdquo
Office of Career Services at IU Kokomo
19 |Kelley Student Center 200 2300 S Washington St PO Box 9003 Kokomo IN 46904-9003 (765)455-9301 fax (765)455-9537 carserviukedu wwwiukeducareer-
services
Scannable reacutesumeacute example
NAME IN CAPS
Current address
555 Candy Lane
Kokomo IN 46901
765 555 ndash 2424
Permanent address
444 Peppermint Lane
Indianapolis IN 46077
317 555 ndash 1234
OBJECTIVE (Optional)
A fulltime position in the area that is my expertisehellip (You fill it in-see suggested buzz-word list)
EDUCATION
Indiana University Kokomo IN
Bachelor of Science in Management
Minor Management Information Systems MIS
GPA 36 40
Major GPA 38 40
Graduation May 2014
SIGNIFICANT COURSES
Fill in with significant core courses for your major that apply to the job Use one line per course
SKILLS
Proficient with (pc programs that you are proficient in and are applicable)
Any other skills that are applicable (see buzz-word list)
WORK EXPERIENCE
Bold the Job Title
Basic job description as it applies to job applying for Dates employed (begin with most recent)
Use buzz-word list based on your occupation and relevant to the position being applied for
Office of Career Services at IU Kokomo
20 |Kelley Student Center 200 2300 S Washington St PO Box 9003 Kokomo IN 46904-9003 (765)455-9301 fax (765)455-9537 carserviukedu wwwiukeducareer-
services
Cover Letters Cover letters are an additional component of a reacutesumeacute Customize every letter to each company andor position of interest
Address it to the person listed on the position advertisement or the person that you know has the authority to hire Finding this may
take some investigation to discover if the name is not announced on the position advertisement PO boxes are often used to filter
reacutesumeacutes and you can find the owner of the box by calling the post office and asking who owns the box with that number Having
this information to address the cover letter with will set you apart from those who do not
Cover letter Format Date Employers Name Use the name of the person stated in the job posting or contact the company for the contact person address and the correct spelling) Position or title Company Name Address Suite number or floor (if there is one) City state Zip Salutation Dear Mr or Ms Or Dear Sir or Madam (use the last name only of the person you listed above) If you have made every effort to find out but do not know the name or gender or the individual use a unisex greeting of Dear Manager or Dear Director Paragraph one (Introduction) State which position you are applying for and where you heard about the opening If the position was advertised refer to where it was advertised (Indianapolis Star or higheredcom) Be enthusiastic and confident about the position with a brief statement about why you are the right fit for the job Paragraph two (Body) Explain why you want to work for this company and how your skills experience and qualifications directly relate to the position You can also include your personal traits and strengths that would be an asset for the job Summarize why you are an excellent candidate for the position Highlight key examples and how they match what the company is seeking There are likely other prospective employees that are competing for this position It is very important that you highlight qualities that will set you apart and show uniqueness You are marketing yourself in this paragraph so be sure to sell the idea that you are the best one to interview and the best fit for this employer Most advertisements will list the requirements that are desired andor required for the position Be sure to detail how you meet each of those requirements Do not point out to the reader if there is a requirement that you donrsquot currently possess just do not reference that in your letter The purpose of a cover letter is to highlight the positives and do not bring up any negatives Paragraph three (Conclusion) State that you would like the opportunity to personally discuss your qualifications Indicate where you can be reached phone andor email A good sentence to use would look like ldquoI may be reached at 555-555-1234 or nameiukedurdquo Make sure to thank the reader for their time and consideration Closing Sincerely or Yours truly or Respectfully yours Signature (blue or black ink only) Your Name (Typed)
Office of Career Services at IU Kokomo
21 |Kelley Student Center 200 2300 S Washington St PO Box 9003 Kokomo IN 46904-9003 (765)455-9301 fax (765)455-9537 carserviukedu wwwiukeducareer-
services
References
Reference lists should always be available and prepared with 3-4 professional references
Do
Do get permission from each reference you plan to use
Do give each reference a copy of your reacutesumeacute to have as a guide
Do choose references that are well informed and have good verbal and written communication skills
Do Not
Do not use relatives personal friends or students as a reference
Letters of Recommendation
A letter of recommendation provides relevant information that is honest positive and portrays a up-front outlook of the skills
and potential capabilities you possess It can describe personality performance and skill attributes knowledge and
competency level
The following are suggestions of individuals who may be qualified to write a letter of recommendation
Executive Director
Vice President
Supervisors
Co-workers
CustomersClients
Subordinates
Professors
Counsellors
Coaches
Doctors
Lawyers
Ministers
Community Leaders
Office of Career Services at IU Kokomo
22 |Kelley Student Center 200 2300 S Washington St PO Box 9003 Kokomo IN 46904-9003 (765)455-9301 fax (765)455-9537 carserviukedu wwwiukeducareer-
services
Key WordsAction Words
Actively Established Evaluate Participated Schedule Coordinate Increased Proposed Strategy Created Launched Reduced Support Effect Eliminate Organized Originate
Approve Generate Program Solve Control Improve Recommend Supervise Direct Manage Motivated Responsibilities Revise Analyze Founded Pinpointed Set up
Completed Interpret Proficient Successfully Demonstrate Maintain Revamped Responsible Administer Expedite Plan Simplicity Conduct Implemented Provide Streamline Develop
Lecture Reorganized Accelerated Adapted Expanded Perform Significantly Conceived Influence Proved Structure Delegate Lead Reinforced Teach
Self-Describing Words Professional Active Diplomatic Loyal Respective Analytical Attentive Determined Logical Resourceful Ambitious Efficient Energetic Independent
Reliable Alert Economical Objective Optimistic Realistic Aggressive Discrete Methodical Sense-of-humor Sincere Adaptable Disciplined Mature
Self-reliant Broad-minded Enterprising Personable Tactful Creative Imaginative Perceptive Systematic Constructive Forceful Productive Sophisticated Consistent
Fair Practical Will relocate Conscientious Extroverted Positive Will travel Enthusiastic Pleasant Talented Dependable Trustworthy Ethical
Keywords for Interpersonal Traits Ability to delegate Accurate Assertive Creative Ethical Follow up Leadership Oral communication Public speaking Self accountable Supportive Tenacious
Ability to implement Adaptable Communication skill Customer oriented Flexible High energy Multitasking Organizational skills Results oriented Self management Takes initiative Willing to travel
Ability to plan Aggressive Competitive Detail minded Follow instructions Industrious Open minded Persuasive Risk taking Sensitive Team building Ability to train
Analytical ability Conceptual ability Empowering others Follow through Innovated Open communication Problem solving Safety conscious Setting priorities Team player
Office of Career Services at IU Kokomo
23 |Kelley Student Center 200 2300 S Washington St PO Box 9003 Kokomo IN 46904-9003 (765)455-9301 fax (765)455-9537 carserviukedu wwwiukeducareer-
services
Sample of Occupational Keywords Occupational keywords include skills titles and occupational buzz words Account manager Accounts receivable Acquisitions Bachelors Degree Bank Card Bank reconciliation Batch processing Benchmarking Blueprint reading Brochures Budget Bulletins CAD Calibrator Carpentry Cash Flow Cell Culture Media Cement Child Care Claims Justification Commercial Leasing Copy Editing Counselor Crisis Management Cross-culture training Debugging Decision making Demographics Dental management Die casting Dietitian Drywall Ecology Electronics Employee assistance Engineer Financial planning Food preparation Gas pipeline Goal setting Graphic design Grant writer Guest services Harnessing Hiringfiring Hotel ISO 9000
Journalism Journeyman Layout design Logic analyzer Magnetic theory Manager Marketing Masterrsquos Degree Microprocessor Microsoft word Nursing Oscillator Pelletizing Patient advocate Payroll Personal computer Process metallurgy Proposal writing Psychology Public Relations Purchasing Radio Raw materials Receptionist Reporter Research Sales Secretarial Software modeling Spanish Spreadsheets Statistical Process Control Stick Welding Strategic Planning Student Personnel Supervisor Taxonomy Teacher Technical Writing Time Management Transportation Travel Wave Solder WordPerfect Workflow Writer
Office of Career Services at IU Kokomo
24 |Kelley Student Center 200 2300 S Washington St PO Box 9003 Kokomo IN 46904-9003 (765)455-9301 fax (765)455-9537 carserviukedu wwwiukeducareer-
services
ACTION WORDS
ORGANIZATIONAL Assembled Enforced Prepared Reorganized
Collected Executed Planned Scheduled
Centralized Formalized Processed Updated
Coordinated Implemented Routed Catalogued
Maintained Recorded
LEADERSHIPAllocated Hired Operated Spearheaded Determined Initiated
Oversaw Sponsored Directed Inspired Pioneered Staged
Elected Instituted Presided Started Enlisted Led
Produced Supervised Formed Managed Recruited Founded
Moderated Represented Governed Motivated Selected
COMMUNICATION SKILLS Acquainted Drafted Introduced Summarized Apprised Educated
Lectured Taught Answered Explained Listened
Trained Briefed Familiarized Presented Translated Conducted
Handled Reported Wrote Contacted Informed Responded
Demonstrated Instructed Spoke
RESEARCH Analyzed Detected Examined Researched
Assessed Discovered Gathered Searched
Audited Documented Identified Surveyed
Compiled Edited Interpreted Tested
Consulted Evaluated Interviewed
CREATIVITY Authored Created Devised
Originated Conceived Composed
Established Revolutionized Conceptualized
Designed Invented
HELPING SKILLS Aided Counseled Helped Supported
Attended Comforted Instilled Tutored
Assisted Facilitated Mentored Treated
Collaborated Fostered Provided Contributed
Guided Settled
SELLING Arbitrated Marketed Promoted
Secured Convinced Mediated
Publicized Solicited
Dissuaded Negotiated Resolved
Encouraged Persuaded Sold
OTHER ACTION VERBS Adapted Developed Generated Revamped Attained Ensured Improved Revitalized
Augmented Eliminated Increased Saved Awarded Exceeded Launched Shopped
Boosted Excelled Mastered Strengthened Broadened Expanded Modernized Supplemented
Built Expedited Published Tended Calculated Fabricated Raised Utilized
Catered Financed Reconciled Decreased Gained Reduced
Office of Career Services at IU Kokomo
25 |Kelley Student Center 200 2300 S Washington St PO Box 9003 Kokomo IN 46904-9003 (765)455-9301 fax (765)455-9537 carserviukedu wwwiukeducareer-
services
Transferable Skills-Skills you have acquired from your education and employment experience that you can market to new employers
Communication the skillful expression transmission and interpretation of knowledge and ideas
Speaking effectively Writing concisely Listening attentively Expressing ideas Facilitating group discussion Providing appropriate feedback Negotiating
Perceiving nonverbal messages Persuading Reporting information Describing feelings Interviewing Editing
Research and Planning the search for specific knowledge and the ability to conceptualize future needs and solutions for meeting those needs
Forecasting predicting Creating ideas Identifying problems Imagining alternatives Identifying resources Gathering information
Solving problems Setting goals Extracting important information Defining needs Analyzing Developing evaluation strategies
Human Relations the use of interpersonal skills for resolving conflict relating to and helping people Developing rapport Being Sensitive Listening Conveying feelings Providing support for others Motivating Sharing credit
Counseling Cooperating Delegating with respect Representing others Perceiving feelings situations Asserting
Organization Management and Leadership the ability to supervise direct and guide individuals and groups in the completion of tasks and fulfillment of goals Work Survival the day-to-day skills that assist in promoting effective production and work satisfaction
Implementing decisions Cooperating Enforcing policies Being punctual Managing time Attending to detail Meeting goals Enlisting help Accepting responsibility Setting and meeting deadlines Organizing Making decisions
Initiating new ideas Handling details Coordinating tasks Managing groups Delegating responsibility Teaching Coaching Counseling Promoting change Selling ideas or products Decision making with others Managing conflict
Office of Career Services at IU Kokomo
26 |Kelley Student Center 200 2300 S Washington St PO Box 9003 Kokomo IN 46904-9003 (765)455-9301 fax (765)455-9537 carserviukedu wwwiukeducareer-
services
After you have the perfect reacutesumeacute it is time to hit the road and put your skills into action Career Fairs will help put you in communication with prospective employers and give you valuable practice for interviews
Achieve Results and Get the Most Out of a Career Fair
Attend as many job fairs as you can Not only will practice make perfect but it will expand your network of career contacts Make sure to ask precise questions and be prepared to answer specific questions the employers have regarding your background and capabilities Before the Job Fair- Be Prepared
Create a reacutesumeacute and have it reviewed by a career counselor Create a list of 3-5 references in case they are requested (Be sure to ask your references for their help before
including them on the list) Create your 30-second oral reacutesumeacute and practice practice practice Review the employer list Determine where employers are located and in what order to visit them Broaden your focus and include different types of employers For instance although you may not have thought of
working for a hospital hospitals recruit and hire professionals in many different fields Do your research Look up information about the employers of interest
o Check their websites for information about their productsservices and mission statement o What types of jobs do they have open o What kind of people are they looking for o What kind of skills do these people need to have How do you meet their skill requirements o Develop some questions you would like to ask the employer representatives at the fair
Network Network Network with people you know and via social network sites like Linked-In and Facebook for more information about the companies Also seek contact with employees you might know or seek information from alumni who work there
During the Job Fair Dress for success (See page 38) Assume you will be interviewed and dress the part Even if you dont get an interview
at the job fair you have already made a great impression Always have a penpencil and paper to take notes- a portfolio works best Bring plenty of reacutesumeacutes with you While some companies will be seeking employees for specific positions some
employers will collect reacutesumeacutes for future positions Be sure to get all of the contact information you need to complete an application
Make sure to have copies of your reference list in case an employer asks First impressions are everything Be direct have a firm handshake and make eye contact as you greet employers This
will speak volumes about your confidence If you are only gathering information let employers know that you are only interested in materials and information
Be aware of time demands of employers Do not monopolize the employersrsquo time You should have already done your homework about their company so you can better spend your time asking about the positions available (or available in the near future) and how your skills match their needs Give them your 30-second oral reacutesumeacute and impress them with what you feel you can do for their company Since practice makes perfect donrsquot give up if the first attempt doesnrsquot go well Keep trying with other employers
Ask specific questions and collect information from each booth you visit including business cards from the employer representatives Offer to follow up after the fair and ask what the best way to contact them is
After the Job Fair You now have a prime opportunity to make a distinctive impression
Use those business cards you collected to follow up with each employer you are interested in Be sure to do everything you promised at the job fair Complete the application and upload your reacutesumeacute Send a thank-you note or email to all whom you talked with within 48 hours of the career fair This shows that you
are serious about their organization and will set you apart from many who neglect to do so If you follow up on your application for a position be sure to follow the preferred contact method and dont overdo it Stay in contact and use this experience to expand your network Submit an additional or amended reacutesumeacute during your follow-up contacts if need be Follow-up and follow-through contacts are up to the student be persistent and polite
Office of Career Services at IU Kokomo
27 |Kelley Student Center 200 2300 S Washington St PO Box 9003 Kokomo IN 46904-9003 (765)455-9301 fax (765)455-9537 carserviukedu wwwiukeducareer-
services
Additional information-what employers are expecting at a career fair
What Will Impress Employers o Demonstrate that you have done your homework and researched their company o Be prepared Have your reacutesumeacute critiqued by Career Services and bring plenty of copies with you Develop
questions to ask smile and courteously and enthusiastically engage the representatives o Have a firm hand shake and good eye contact- dress for success o Never ask about salary let them bring up the subject o An expectation that you will be responsible for following up with them including a thank you note or letter o Take the initiative Walk up to them and engage the employers they want to speak to you
What Employers May Want to Learn About You o Specific careerjob objectives What are your expectations o Individual strengths and weaknesses Have specific examples that demonstrate your skills develop short
stories that showcase your skills (Remember a job fair is time sensitive and you donrsquot want to take up too much time of one employer)
o Contributions you will make to the operation Remember be specific now is not the time to blandly or generically discuss what you can do
What You Should Learn About Each Company o Employment trends Career Fairs are excellent resources for information about career decision-making o Skills necessary for different careersjobs Have meaningful conversations with representatives o Currentfuture positions o Salary benefits training and other information about the company (again let the employer bring up salary) o Who to contact for follow-up discussions and what their hiring processes are get specifics o Collect their business card or write down their contact information
30 Second Oral Reacutesumeacute Purpose It is important to practice your 30 second oral reacutesumeacute prior to attending a career fair The famous ldquoTell me about yourselfrdquo is a question that is always asked Whether the question is asked in a social setting an interview or a networking event a well-planned answer can set you apart from the crowd as well as spark additional conversation Begin preparing your oral reacutesumeacute by following the tips below
How to Prepare Your Oral Reacutesumeacute o Begin by brainstorming what you would want someone to know about you Write down all of your ideas o Consider including the following information in your oral reacutesumeacute
Job Objective Education and Training Skills
Accomplishments and Achievements Prior Employment Other Experience
o Narrow down your optionsmdashpick the top 5 things you want the person to know about you o Develop a paragraph that encompasses all of the things you wish to say o Practice makes perfect Read aloud your reacutesumeacute several times
Additional Tips Prepare more than one oral reacutesumeacute for various situations Practice your reacutesumeacute by calling your voicemail and later playing back the messagemdashthink about how it sounds and
what you would like to change Make sure that your oral reacutesumeacute will keep the listenerrsquos attention
Example Oral Reacutesumeacute Hi my name is ________ and I am a senior at IU Kokomo majoring in New Media I am looking for an internship experience in graphic designweb development Through my coursework I have developed strong computer and analytical skills Last summer I worked as an intern at the Kokomo Perspective to gain experience with print media At the Perspective I worked with the copy editor as well as the writing staff to gain experience in both fields I also volunteer at United Way developing and updating their website
Office of Career Services at IU Kokomo
28 |Kelley Student Center 200 2300 S Washington St PO Box 9003 Kokomo IN 46904-9003 (765)455-9301 fax (765)455-9537 carserviukedu wwwiukeducareer-
services
Send a Follow-up thank you note after Career Fair Send a thank you note or email to all whom you talked with within 48 hours of the career fair This shows that you are serious about their organization and will set you apart from many who neglect to do so
Be sure to remind the employer where you met them Thank you for taking the time to talk with me on Thursday at the career fair After talking with you I
am even more eager to work at _____ Summarize specific qualities and assets you obtain I am certain my education at IU Kokomo has enhanced my skill set and has provided a solid
background of knowledge in the _______ fieldhelliphellip Some experiences I have had the pleasure of doing arehellip This opportunity improved my work ethic and made me aware of my self-reliancehellip
Always attach your reacutesumeacute again for their convenience I have attached my reacutesumeacute for your convenience I look forward to an opportunity to further discuss
my qualifications You may contact me athellip (phone andor email address) Thank you again for your time and consideration
Sample Thank you
Thank you for taking the time to talk with me on Thursday November 9 at the career fair on IU Kokomorsquos campus I appreciate your time and attention and after talking with you I am even more interested in learning more about your organization You were extremely helpful in explaining companyrsquos name customer service and marketing trainee program Now that I have a better idea of what the position entails I am even more certain that I would be an asset to your team and to companyrsquos name My solid education from the IU Kokomo Communication Department and the fact that I have worked my way through college show the work ethic and determination you said were important to be successful at companyrsquos name I look forward to an opportunity to visit companyrsquos name office and speak to you further about the trainee program I will contact you next week to arrange an appointment Enclosed is an updated reacutesumeacute for your review Thank you again for your time and consideration Sincerely
Office of Career Services at IU Kokomo
29 |Kelley Student Center 200 2300 S Washington St PO Box 9003 Kokomo IN 46904-9003 (765)455-9301 fax (765)455-9537 carserviukedu wwwiukeducareer-
services
Knowledge and practice will give you the confidence you need to be prepared and give the best impression possible at an interview The following information will help prepare you for nearly any interview contingency being confidant that you can handle it is the best way to increase your chances of getting hired Here are a few things you can do to give yourself a head start
Questions to think about prior to your interview
1 Why do you want to work at this facility and what specific jobareas am I interested in a To Prepare research the facility
i Mission ii Population served
iii Financial stability iv Management style
b Learn about the job
i Job description ii Occupational outlook
iii Handbook iv employees
2 What qualities make me a good candidate
a To prepare self assessment i What are my strengths and weaknesses
ii What are my interests iii How do I know iv What kinds of results demonstrate my abilities
3 What type of shift working conditions salary and fringe benefits are most important to me (12 hours 10 hours 8
hours weekends flex-time insurance) a To prepare clarify values and lifestyle choices
i What are my values ii What kind of lifestyles do I want for myself and those close to me
4 How will I be trained
a To prepare How do I learn best i Do I need immediate feedback or can I learn well on my own
5 What are my goals Where do I want to be in 10 years
a To prepare Identify and prioritize career and life goals and objectives i Am I interested in supervision training management
ii How do I plan to reach these goals
6 What are the major issues and current events facing this specific field job occupation and company today
7 What can you bring to the organization
Office of Career Services at IU Kokomo
30 |Kelley Student Center 200 2300 S Washington St PO Box 9003 Kokomo IN 46904-9003 (765)455-9301 fax (765)455-9537 carserviukedu wwwiukeducareer-
services
Behavioral Interviews- Use the STAR Interviewing Technique for Success
The STAR acronym represents Situation Task Action and Result Recruiters and hiring managers favor the STAR technique because
it provides a better explanation of your past performance how you handle workplace challenges and whether youre able to articulate
your experiences STAR behavioral interviews are quickly becoming the most popular and common form of interview
Situation or
Task
Describe the situation that you were in or the task that you needed to accomplish You must
describe a specific event or situation not a generalized description of what you have done in
the past Be sure to give enough detail for the interviewer to understand This situation can be
from a previous job from a volunteer experience or any relevant event
Action you took Describe the action you took and be sure to keep the focus on you Even if you are discussing
a group project or effort describe what you did -- not the efforts of the team Dont tell what
you might do tell what you did
Results you achieved What happened How did the event end What did you accomplish What did you learn
For examples of past behavior use examples from
Internships
Work experience
Class projects
School activitiesorganizations you are involved with
Sports
Volunteercommunity service
Hobbies
Think about your accomplishments what are you most proud of that you want to share with the employer
How to prepare for behavior-based interviews
Identify 3-6 examples that demonstrate your top skills Look through the job description pinpoint the skills they are seeking
Pick experiences that demonstrate top behaviors of those skills
Prepare how you will ldquotell your storyrdquo using STAR
Pick examples that will be positive accomplishment
Most behavioral questions try to reveal the negative situations so be prepared with those examples However try to pick
examples that had a positive outcome
Try not to pick examples from only one topic Pick a variety of examples choosing examples from work class community
services etc
Typically the best examples are situations that happened within the last year
Go over your resume and review the accomplishments you have listed andor skills this could assist you with identifying
examples
LISTEN to the full question Be sure the example is an appropriate description of how you demonstrated what they are
asking for
Office of Career Services at IU Kokomo
31 |Kelley Student Center 200 2300 S Washington St PO Box 9003 Kokomo IN 46904-9003 (765)455-9301 fax (765)455-9537 carserviukedu wwwiukeducareer-
services
Sample Behavior-based Questions
Communication Skills
1 Give me a specific example of a time someone didnrsquot agree with your work How did you respond 2 Tell me about a time when you had to present complex information How did you ensure that everyone
understood what you were saying 3 Give an example about a time where written communication was needed
Decision Making Skills
1 What is the biggest decision or risk yoursquove made in the past year on the job Describe the process you used to make those decisions Would you do it again
2 Describe a time you overcame a challenge with an innovative solution What was the challenge What role did you play
Planning Organization Time management Skills
1 Please give an example of a time you didnrsquot meet your deadline Why did you fail to meet your deadline What did you learn from that experience
2 Give an example of how you keep track of multiple projects How do you stay on track and meet deadlines How do you stay focused
3 Describe a goal yoursquove had How you set it and achieved it
Flexibility Skills 1 Tell us about one of the toughest situations with which yoursquove had to deal with How did you handle the
stress or pressure of the situation Leadership Skills
1 Describe a time when you disagreed with a directive given by your supervisor What happened and how did you handle it
2 Give an example of a situation where team members or co-workers didnrsquot get along This could include you and someone else or two other people How did the project turn out What did you do to resolve the issue so everyone was able to work together
Office of Career Services at IU Kokomo
32 |Kelley Student Center 200 2300 S Washington St PO Box 9003 Kokomo IN 46904-9003 (765)455-9301 fax (765)455-9537 carserviukedu wwwiukeducareer-
services
Other Common Questions Asked by Employers
Personal 1 Tell me about yourself 2 Why did you choose to interview with our organization 3 Describe your ideal job 4 What can you offer us over another candidate 5 What do you consider to be your greatest strengths 6 Can you name some weaknesses 7 Define success Failure How did you learn from your failures 8 Name a couple accomplishments you most proud 9 Who are your role models Why 10 How does your college education or work experience relate to this job 11 What motivates you most in a job 12 Have you ever spoken before a group of people How large 13 What do you know about our organization (products or services) 14 Do you plan to return to school for further education 15 What would you change about yourself and why
Education
16 Why did you choose your major 17 Why did you choose to attend your college or university 18 Do you think you received a good education In what ways 19 In which campus activities did you participate 20 Which classes in your major did you like best Least Why 21 If you were to start over what would you change about your education 22 Do your grades accurately reflect your ability Why or why not
Experience
23 What job-related skills have you developed 24 Did you work while going to school In what positions 25 What did you learn from these work experiences 26 What did you enjoy most about your last employment Least 27 Have you ever quit a job Why 28 Give an example of how you have solved a problem in the work place 29 How do you resolve conflict on a team project 30 Give an example of a time in which you worked under deadline pressure 31 Have you ever done any volunteer work What kind 32 How do you think a former supervisor would describe your work
Career Goals
33 Do you prefer to work under supervision or on your own 34 What kind of boss do you prefer 35 Would you be successful working with a team 36 Do you prefer large or small organizations Why 37 What other types of positions are you considering 38 How do you feel about working in a structured environment 39 Are you able to work on several assignments at once 40 How do you feel about working overtime 41 How do you feel about travel 42 Are you willing to relocate
Office of Career Services at IU Kokomo
33 |Kelley Student Center 200 2300 S Washington St PO Box 9003 Kokomo IN 46904-9003 (765)455-9301 fax (765)455-9537 carserviukedu wwwiukeducareer-
services
Questions to Ask Employers
An interview is a two-way street Employers get an impression of you from the questions you ask Are you a critical thinker Did you comprehend and correctly process everything in the interview Have you done research and have a good grasp of the company and the scope of the position Your questions should be intelligent insightful and polite Have at least 3-5 custom questions in mind Employers look for someone who shows interest confidence and is well organized
1 Please describe (or ask them to clarify specifics) the duties of the job for me 2 Is this a new position or am I replacing someone 3 What do you like best about your jobcompany 4 What kinds of assignments might I expect the first six months on the job 5 What qualities are you looking for in the candidate who fills this position 6 Does your company encourage further education 7 Do you have plans for expansion 8 What are your growth projections for next year 9 Have you cut staff in the last three years 10 In what ways is a career with your company better than one with your competitors 11 What is the largest single problem facing your staff (department) now 12 Has there been much turnover in this job area 13 Will I have the opportunity to work on special projects 14 Where does this position fit into the organizational structure 15 How much travel if any is involved in this position 16 What is the next course of action When should I expect to hear from you or may I contact you
Interview Checklist Preparation Research research research Knowing more about the organization as a whole and the particular position you are applying for will be helpful in the interview It will help you understand questions that may be asked and will give you a chance to come up with questions to ask them The more research you conduct the more confident and comfortable you will feel in the interview It will also demonstrate to the employer how determined and pro-active you are about their company and the position you seek Get specific directions to the location If possible go there the day before and check out parking and the location of the office where your interview will be held
First Impression Put your best foot forward Remember the decision to hire you may be made in the first 5 minutes Always wait until they sit or invite you to be seated
Dress code Dress more formal than you would in the actual position Women should wear a suit or dress with a jacket Men should wear a suit or sport jacket and slacks Itrsquos a good idea to have an interview outfit ready and waiting (cleaned neat no threads or missing buttons) hanging in your closet Donrsquot wear anything too trendy or faddish (ladies no miniskirts) Check all zippers for closure and ladies should always have an extra pair of hose for emergencies Your style of dress communicates too what do you want it to say (See page 38)
Arrival Arrive a few minutes early to check out the location and parking Stop by the restroom and check your appearance Again you may want to check out the location the day before if you are unsure of the area
What to bring Always have an extra copy of your reacutesumeacute note paper and pen You will want to jot down questions as they may come about as well as information about the position Also write down the names of each person you interview with so you can mail a thank-you note
Application
Office of Career Services at IU Kokomo
34 |Kelley Student Center 200 2300 S Washington St PO Box 9003 Kokomo IN 46904-9003 (765)455-9301 fax (765)455-9537 carserviukedu wwwiukeducareer-
services
Read through the entire application before you begin Follow the directions Give specific titles You may leave the salary question blank or fill it in with a reasonable salary range Use NA where answers are not applicable Proofread the application before returning it
Legal and Illegal Pre-employment Questions CATEGORY LAWFUL
(Questions employers can ask)
UNLAWFUL (Questions employers cannot ask)
Name Have you ever worked for this company under a different name
Is any additional information relative to change of name use of an assumed name or nickname necessary to enable a check
on your work record If yes explain
What is your maiden name
Is the name on your application your real name
Address Where do you live
How long have you lived there
Birthplace Where were you born Where were your relatives born
Agebirth date Are you 18 years of age or older How old are you What is your birth date
Prove your age by submitting your birth certificate baptismal record
naturalization papers etc (see citizenship)
Photograph Requirement or option that applicant affix a photograph to employment form at
any time before hiring Citizenship Are you a citizen of the United States
If not are you authorized to work in the US
Can you verify US citizenship or your
right to work in the United States
Of what country are you a citizen Are you a naturalized or a native-born
citizen When did you acquire citizenship
Please produce naturalization papers or green card
(employers must verify citizenship or the right to work after theyrsquove decided to
extend an offer) Sex or Marital Status Are you male or female
Are you married What are your living arrangements
Relatives Do you have relatives (other than a spouse) already employed by the
company
What are their names
What are the names (addresses ages number or other information) of your
relatives not employed by the company
Children
Do you have children or plans to have children in the future
Do you have the capacity to reproduce Do you advocate any form of birth control
or family planning What are your child care arrangements
How old are your children
CATEGORY LAWFUL UNLAWFUL (Questions employers can ask) (Questions employers cannot ask)
Disability Do you have any impairment
(physical mental or medical) which would interfere with your ability to perform the job for which you have
applied
Do you have any disabilities or diseases not related to job
performance
Arrest record Have you ever been convicted of a criminal offense other than minor
traffic violations If yes explain fully
Have you ever been arrested
Experienced Please describe your work experience
Travel Overtime This position requires X amount of overtimetravel Would you be able
to meet this requirement
Who will care for your children when you travel or work overtime
Would your spouse object if you
traveled or worked overtime Language What languages do you speak and
write fluently What is your native language
How did you learn to read write or
speak a foreign language Education Please describe your academic
vocational or professional education and the public and private schools you attended
What are the dates of attendance
(To permit verification)
Notice in case of emergency What are the names and addresses of people to be notified in case of
accident or emergency (can be asked after hire)
Military experience Have you served in the US Armed Forces or in the National Guard
Describe your experience
Do you have any military experience
(other than in the United States) Organizations Do you belong to any organizations
which you consider relevant to your ability to perform this job Please
explain
Are you a member of any clubs societies or lodges
Which ones
Race or color What racecolor are you Are you a minority
Religion or creed What is your religion To which parishchurch do you
belong What religious holidays do you
observe National Origin What is your (or relatives) lineage
ancestry national origin descent percentage or nationality
Office of Career Services at IU Kokomo
36 |Kelley Student Center 200 2300 S Washington St PO Box 9003 Kokomo IN 46904-9003 (765)455-9301 fax (765)455-9537 carserviukedu wwwiukeducareer-
services
After the interview After you have interviewed for a position there are some things to do that may improve your chances
Send a Follow-up thank you note within 24 hours
This shows that you are serious about their organization and will set you apart from many who neglect to do so By taking the
time to email or write a handwritten letter thanking them for taking their time to meet with you Summarize specific qualities
you have and let them know you look forward in speaking with them further about employment
Sample Thank you
Dear Intervieweersquos Name Thank you for taking the time to talk with me on Thursday November 9 at the interview for list specifics of position and company) I appreciate your time and attention and after talking with you I am even more interested in becoming a valuable team member at companyrsquos name You were extremely helpful in explaining list position Now that I have a better idea of what the position entails I am even more certain that I would be an asset to your team and to companyrsquos name My solid education from the IU Kokomo Communication Department and the fact that I have worked my way through college show the work ethic and determination you said were important to be successful at companyrsquos name I look forward to an opportunity to work with companyrsquos name office and speak to you further about the program I will contact you next week to follow up and provide you with any further information that you may need Thank you again for your time and consideration Sincerely
Your name
The Stall Letter
There may be situations that you will need time to figure out whether a job is a good fit or have more than one position to accept or decline The stall letter is a good tool to have in this case In the introduction refer to the job offer or event that is prompting the letter In the second paragraph state your continued interest in the position but request more time to gather further information or to consider all alternatives and opportunities in order to make the best choice for the position and the company as well as yourself Give a specific time extension request If you need 24 hours for example ask for that Ask for the minimal amount of time in order to make your decision Remember this is a request and does not guarantee that the employer will accept it and be prepared for the possibility that they will not grant the time and choose another candidate In the conclusion thank them for their time and understanding and indicate when you will contact them to discuss the terms of the possible extension
Sample Stall Letter
Dear name of person that offered the position This letter is in reference to list company name and your offer of list the position I would like to take this opportunity to thank you for the opportunity and express my continued interest in the position At this time I would like to request __hours to gather some vital information in order to be completely confidant that I am making the best and most informed decision possible I want to ensure for all parties involved that I have considered all options and alternatives to be certain that my acceptance of this list position is the correct course of action for us both I appreciate your understanding and valuable time and look forward to speaking with you at your earliest convenience today so that we may discuss the terms of my request Sincerely Your Name
Office of Career Services at IU Kokomo
37 |Kelley Student Center 200 2300 S Washington St PO Box 9003 Kokomo IN 46904-9003 (765)455-9301 fax (765)455-9537 carserviukedu wwwiukeducareer-
services
Acceptance of a Job Offer Letter
Responding in writing to a job offer shows courtesy and is expected It reduces the chance of any misunderstanding that verbal acceptances do not In the first paragraph thank the employer for offering the specific position title and say that you are happy to accept it In the second paragraph state the terms of employment (salary location and start date) Emphasize any negotiations of terms that were unusual or non-standard if there were any In the last paragraph thank the employer sincerely for the opportunity and express your excitement to join their organization and be a valuable asset to them
Sample Job Offer Acceptance Letter
Dear person who offered position
I am happy to have the opportunity to accept the position of list title
The following terms of the position as I understood them include a salary of list salaryrate of pay at List location and to begin employment on list date As we discussed instead of the typical work week we agreed to the addition of evening and weekend hours during the probationary period with a return to usual business hours after 90 days We also agreed to a company vehicle provision for any off site training and appointments during the course of my employment
I truly look forward to becoming a valued member of your team and I am anticipating a productive and positive professional relationship with list company
Sincerely Your Name
Decline or Withdrawing from Consideration Letter
There may be times that you wish to decline or remove yourself from consideration from a position Doing this on a positive
and respectful note decreases the chance that future opportunities will be missed either as a future employee or possible
professional contact with the firm Thank the employer for the opportunity but decline it based on your reasons Be sure to
specifically name the person that was in charge of the hiring process If the decline is due to a term that was offered be
specific the firm could always choose to negotiate that term to better suit your situation
Date
Dear List person
Thank you very much for offering me the list position After careful consideration I regret that I must decline your offer
Although you were most encouraging in outlining future advancement possibilities within ABC Company I have accepted another
opportunity that is more in line with my skills and career goals or I found list the term to be out of line with my needs and
goals
I enjoyed meeting you and the rest of your team You have been most kind and gracious throughout the interview process and I
only wish that circumstances allowed me to accept your offer
Best wishes for your continued success
Sincerely
Your Name
Office of Career Services at IU Kokomo
38 |Kelley Student Center 200 2300 S Washington St PO Box 9003 Kokomo IN 46904-9003 (765)455-9301 fax (765)455-9537 carserviukedu wwwiukeducareer-
services
____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
This packet contains a lot of valuable information to help you achieve all the goals that an education from IU Kokomo
will prepare you for Use this as a guide for every step of the way from your freshman year graduation and beyond
IU Kokomo Career and Accessibility Center
2 |Kelley Student Center 200 2300 S Washington St PO Box 9003 Kokomo IN 46904-9003 (765)455-9301 fax (765)455-9537 carserviukedu wwwiukeducareer-
services
You have already made a plan to further your education in order to achieve your goals and get the career you want
The following package will give you the knowledge and confidence to pursue them with success
Table of Contents
3helliphelliphelliphellipFour Year Career Plan
4-5helliphelliphellipBasic Reacutesumeacute information Dorsquos and Do Notrsquos
6-17helliphelliphellipSample Reacutesumeacutes by occupation
18-19hellipScannable Reacutesumeacute information and sample
20helliphelliphelliphellipCover Letter information
21helliphelliphellipReferences and Letters of Recommendation
22-25helliphellipReacutesumeacute- Key words action words occupational words and
transferable skills
26-29helliphellipHow to Achieve Results at a Career Fair
30-37helliphellipInterview information
38helliphelliphellipBusiness attire guide ldquoDress for Successrdquo
39-42helliphellipAfter the Interview information(Thank you letters etc)
IU Kokomo Career and Accessibility Center
3 |Kelley Student Center 200 2300 S Washington St PO Box 9003 Kokomo IN 46904-9003 (765)455-9301 fax (765)455-9537 carserviukedu wwwiukeducareer-
services
Timeline for Making Sound Career Decisions Discover an amazing future for yourself It is easy with Indiana University Kokomo Career Services
4 Year Career Plan First Year Envision
Make the grades Experience a variety of courses to help you determine your area of interest Get to know a professor who is in the field of your particular interest If you are planning to major in one of the pre-professional programs (pre-med pre-dent nursing PT or pre-law) talk
with your academic advisors now Consider taking leadership and career prep classes Utilize the career resources online or counseling services to help you identify a major or career area to explore Take advantage of career assessments (SIGI3) which allow you to discover your interests personality type and
careers which may be appropriate for you (Discuss your results with a counselor) See a career counselor for an informational meeting about preparing for the next four years of career development Schedule a reacutesumeacute critique appointment with career services Attend career events on and off campus Get involved and volunteer
Second Year Plan
Make the grades Begin to think about a particular major or classes that interest you Expand your knowledge of career opportunities Utilize the career resources online or counseling services to help you identify a major or career area to explore Schedule your internship appointment with the career services Consider taking leadership and career prep classes Schedule a reacutesumeacute critique appointment with career services Continue being involved in school and community activities Ask upper class-students in your field about their job experiences
Third Year Experience
Make the grades Schedule your internship appointment with career services if you havent already Utilize the career resources online or counseling services to help you identify a major or career area to explore Consider taking leadership and career prep classes Continue updating your reacutesumeacute Learn techniques on job searching Gather information about graduate or professional schools if you are considering continuing your education Look for
application and testing deadlines Register for the GRE LSAT or GMAT if necessary Look for test dates and deadlines Schedule a mock interview with a career counselor to enhance your interviewing skills Attend career fairs and professional development events
Fourth Year Achieve
Make the grades Be sure to update and finalize your reacutesumeacute Continue your job search through networking contacts the Internet and researching Attend career fairs and professional development events Perfect your cover letter writing skills Apply to graduate and professional schools Remember there are deadlines Follow through on your interviews by sending thank-you letters Begin building your professional wardrobe if you havent already Be dedicated and patient in your search GOOD LUCK
IU Kokomo Career and Accessibility Center
4 |Kelley Student Center 200 2300 S Washington St PO Box 9003 Kokomo IN 46904-9003 (765)455-9301 fax (765)455-9537 carserviukedu wwwiukeducareer-
services
How to Write a ldquoYESrdquo Reacutesumeacute
Reacutesumeacutes and cover letters create the first impression that an employer has of you Having a dynamic reacutesumeacute and cover letter
is vital to the employment process They are the most important marketing piece in your job search Developing a well-
organized reacutesumeacute and cover letter will also help you prepare for interviews and enable you to communicate to the employer
how your skills accomplishments and abilities fit their position
The format of reacutesumeacutes can be different for each individual This could differ because of your education experience and where
you are in your career life
Technology has also impacted the way we write and submit reacutesumeacutes Online application and reacutesumeacute submissions are the most
common way to find new employment opportunities We can no longer be certain the human eye sees our reacutesumeacute once
submitted Many employers are now using the technique of scanning reacutesumeacutes into a database The computer ldquoreadsrdquo each
reacutesumeacute identifies keywords and based on those keywords places it in the appropriate database file When a job opening
occurs an employer tells the tracking system the keywords associated with the position and instructs it to pull in the reacutesumeacutes
that incorporate the matching keywords
An interview is the first goal and with a dynamic reacutesumeacute and cover letter you can easily achieve it The second goal is to get the
job Being well prepared for the interview will give you an advantage and help you get the position The interview is the
deciding factor on being hired Candidates must demonstrate knowledge and preparation for the company and position You
donrsquot have to follow any particular reacutesumeacute model exactly Many reacutesumeacutes are a mixture of more than one style but you should
follow these guidelines
IU Kokomo Career and Accessibility Center
5 |Kelley Student Center 200 2300 S Washington St PO Box 9003 Kokomo IN 46904-9003 (765)455-9301 fax (765)455-9537 carserviukedu wwwiukeducareer-
services
Reacutesumeacute Dorsquos
Do try to keep your reacutesumeacute 1-2 pages in length (someone who has prior experience in the professional world may
have a longer one) Do start with a first draft Expect to do several revisions Do make it crisp well-balanced and pleasing to the eye Use clear fonts (Arial or Times New Roman) Do use your complete legal name (no nicknames) address and phone number should be at the top of each page (leave
a where you can be reached between 8 am and 5 pm or where someone can leave a message that will be promptly returned)
Do tailor each reacutesumeacute and application to each new position Do write brief phrases ndash not full sentences (but be clear and specific) Do use phrases action verbs (initiated organized developed) and the results (see example below)
Example- Initiate and organize a variety of advertisements in the community which result in xyz new clientele per year
Do make sure to use the correct tense If it was a past job (developed organized initiated) if it is a current job (initiate organize maintain)
Do support all activities and responsibilities with results and accomplishments Include all post-secondary education and training that supports the position you are applying for
Do describe your specific responsibilities from past and current positions and use bullet points to list them Do cite any community activities and awards (if they enhance your other experiences by demonstrating leadership
organization etc) Do have complete and accurate reference lists available Do proofread final product for correct spelling punctuation grammatical and typographical errors Have an
independent ldquocriticalrdquo person proofread for errors you may have missed Do use high quality paper to print your reacutesumeacute on (water bond cotton etc in white or eggshell 85x11 Do make sure it has absolutely no typos or misspellings
Reacutesumeacute Do Notrsquos
Do not use abbreviations - only use professional and technical information when it is relevant Do not use odd-sized bordered or colored paper ndash anything that may be considered eccentric Do not list references on the body of the reacutesumeacute Do not include personal data marital status number of children or ldquoexcellent healthrdquo Do not devote more space to earlier jobs than to more recent employment Do not list grade point average or college honors unless you are a recent graduate and it is above a 3040 Do not use language that may cause the employer to stereotype or anything that might be perceived negative Do not use phrases like ldquoresponsibilitiesrdquo or ldquoduties includedrdquo Do not italicize anything Do not use ldquocuterdquo stuff such as non-standard fonts and pictures Do not use excessive detail in job experience section Do not use language that may cause employers to stereotype you in a specific occupation Do not repeat words and phrases- instead highlight how those accomplishments cover multiple related areas Do not photocopy a reacutesumeacute
The next several pages are samples of reacutesumeacutes for common occupations They will give you a good idea of what employers are expecting to see
IU Kokomo Career and Accessibility Center
6 |Kelley Student Center 200 2300 S Washington St PO Box 9003 Kokomo IN 46904-9003 (765)455-9301 fax (765)455-9537 carserviukedu wwwiukeducareer-
services
Sample Leadership Reacutesumeacute Address Phone Email
Objective (optional) Internship or summer position in the area of Social Work particular interest with juveniles
Education Indiana University Kokomo- Kokomo IN Bachelor of Arts in Sociology Minor Psychology Expected Graduation Date May 2010 GPA 3140
Related Courses Sociology Law Adolescence and Early Childhood The family in the Ecosystem
Childhood Psychology Organizational Behavior Families Psychological Behavior
Related Employment and College Activities Phi Sigma Sigma- Indiana University Kokomo Secretary (809- current)
Provide Leadership Attended leadership conference Volunteered with big brothers big sisters
Tutored school age children Assisted with multiple events on campus
CASA- Kokomo In Intern (January lsquo09-April rsquo09)
Advocate for children in the court system Assisted with court paperwork
Developed database and new registration form Counseled children and families
Skills Communication
Communicate with campus about upcoming events Addressed and resolved customerstudent concerns Presented nationally at a worldwide conference Corresponded with University superiors regarding events
Problem Solving
Counseled and worked with children on multiple situations Discovered and resolved errors on forms Coordinated monthly meetings with upper level management team
Time Management
Always met deadlines Dealt with situations and problems as they occurred to solve them in a timely manner Directed the work of three Administrative Assistants on a daily basis
Work Experience Kokomo Sports Center- Childcare Supervisor (808-current) Kroger- Supervisor (806-708) Volunteer Rescue Mission- 207- current American Cancer Society- 502-current Bridges Outreach- 0907-0408
Office of Career Services at IU Kokomo
7 |Kelley Student Center 200 2300 S Washington St PO Box 9003 Kokomo IN 46904-9003 (765)455-9301 fax (765)455-9537 carserviukedu wwwiukeducareer-
services
SAMPLE Skills Resume
Name Address City State Zip Phone Email address
Objective (optional) Entry level sales management position
Education
Indiana University Kokomo Bachelor of Science in Business Administration- May 2009 GPA 3440 Skills
Marketing Sales Promotion
Grossed $15000 in three months with summer painting business
Raised $600 in advertising space for local organizations project
Cold canvasses community for potential clients
Created informational brochure for apartment leasing company
Developed advertising campaign for class project
Management Training Organizational Ability
Assisted in organizing talent show and benefit auction for local non-profit organization
Coordinated sales presentation strategy for SIFE
Trained new restaurant employees
Communication Creative projects
Created multimedia presentations using slides music and narration
Developed sales presentation and assisted with advertising campaigns including radio spots newspaper sales brochures
Designed and distributed flyers for local non-profit organizations benefit banquet
Work experience Waiter Red Lobster Kokomo In 2002-2009 Intern Samaritan Caregivers Kokomo IN 2005 Activities
Students in Free Enterprise (SIFE) Volunteer for Samaritan Caregivers
References upon request (optional)
Office of Career Services at IU Kokomo
8 |Kelley Student Center 200 2300 S Washington St PO Box 9003 Kokomo IN 46904-9003 (765)455-9301 fax (765)455-9537 carserviukedu wwwiukeducareer-
services
SAMPLE Radiology Reacutesumeacute Name
Address Phone email address Objective (optional) To obtain a challenging rewarding full-time position as a Radiological Technologist
Education Indiana University Kokomo Kokomo IN Associate in Applied Science Radiologic Technology May 2009 GPA 30 40
Skills Diagnostic Imaging Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) Computerized Tomography (CT) Scans RMS IDX Carecast TDS order Entry Fluoroscopy procedures
Ultrasounds X-ray Radiation Protection Film evaluation
Clinical Experience Dukes Memorial Hospital Peru IN Spring 2009 Perform ultrasounds MRIs CT scans X-ray imaging portable radiography and fluoroscopic procedures Serve a diverse caseload including newborns infants children adolescents adults and geriatric patients Interpret data and provide recommendations for optimal patient care Manage 12 to 15 procedures per shift while maintaining high quality of care
Howard Regional Health Kokomo IN Fall 2008 bull Prepared patients for radiology examinations and explained procedures to patients bull Positioned radiographic equipment at correct angleheight bull Assisted with administering radiographic exams and film development
Dukes Memorial Hospital Peru IN Summer 2007 bull Prepared and positioned patients for radiographic examinations bull Operated all major necessary and portable diagnostic imaging equipment bull Experience with digital radiography bull Maintained records of examinations
Woodlawn Memorial Hospital Rochester IN Spring 2008 bull Performed all required diagnostic radiology procedures producing high quality exams bull Prepared diagnostic agents as required and explained procedures to patient(s) bull Ensured patient safety by utilizing radiation protective devices
Arnett Clinic Lafayette IN Fall 2007 bull Performed imaging procedures of the Diagnostic Imaging Department bull Assisted in x-ray examination and diagnosis of injurydisease observation bull Experience with fluoroscopic examinations bull Ensured patient comfort and operated within an integrated plan of careservice bull Verified all patient information
Honors Member American Society Radiologic Technologists 2008-Present Member Deanrsquos List 2007-2009
CERTIFICATIONS CPR Certification
Office of Career Services at IU Kokomo
9 |Kelley Student Center 200 2300 S Washington St PO Box 9003 Kokomo IN 46904-9003 (765)455-9301 fax (765)455-9537 carserviukedu wwwiukeducareer-
services
Sample Criminal Justice Resume
334 Indiana Drive Kokomo IN 46902 (765) 555-5555 nameemailcom
Seeking a position in the field of
Criminal Justice Law Enforcement
CitymdashStatemdashFederalmdashPrivate
Highly motivated energetic law enforcement graduate with strong work ethics and professional goals
Bring five years of service in office support and retail sales positions while attending college full-time
Bi-lingual with articulate fluency in English and Spanish personable easy-going communication style
Meet challenges head on work well in stressful situations in a fast-paced setting
Analytical with a lot of common sense intuitive instincts and ability to think outside the box
Maintain excellent research organization time management and problem assessmentresolution skills
Education
Bachelor of Arts in Criminal Justice- 2011
Indiana University Kokomo
Selected Courses
Analysis of Criminal Behavior
Concepts of Forensic Science
Abnormal Psychology
Physical Fitness in Law Enforcement
Criminal Law Group Dynamics
Work Experience
Receptionist ABC Store Indianapolis IN 400mdashPresent
Payroll Clerk DEF Place Kokomo IN 402mdash702
Sales Associate GHI Business Kokomo IN
Senior Sales Associate JKL Sales Kokomo IN
200mdash600
999mdash299
Provide front-desk representation clerical support and customer service for The Auto Store
Managed over 50 business payroll accounts utilizing cross-trained experience in teller and payroll services
Prepared and uploaded weekly exemptnon-exempt payroll data into network system for clients to download
Completed mandatory training that included a film study on a mock robbery to learn observation techniques
Held increasingly responsible sales positions achieving recognition for over-quota floor sales and cashier management
skills and manager-requests to return during school breaks based on performance and reliability
Provided excellence in customer service while assisting in all areas of inventory and display merchandising
Computer Skills
Microsoft Word Lexis-Nexis PsychInfo Criminal Justice Abstracts
InfoTrak Health Sociological Abstracts Internet research
Office of Career Services at IU Kokomo
10 |Kelley Student Center 200 2300 S Washington St PO Box 9003 Kokomo IN 46904-9003 (765)455-9301 fax (765)455-9537 carserviukedu wwwiukeducareer-
services
Sample Nursing reacutesumeacute Address City State Zip code
Home (222) 555-1234 Cell (222) 555-8888 nameunivnameedu Objective (optional) Seeking a challenging position as a registered nurse
CLINICALS January2007-May2009 Alta Beach Hospital Performed nursing duties in a level one trauma hospital Fairview Riverside Hospital Med-Surgery Unit Augustan Nursing Home Long term care
Education Indiana University Kokomo Kokomo IN Bachelor of Science in Nursing GPA 3040 (or higher only) Anticipated graduation date May 2009
Licenses RN - American Medical Association NAR license 3779948 State of Indiana 2008 CPR and First Aid Certified American Red Cross 2009
Employment History St Joseph Hospital Kokomo In 2009 to Present Nursersquos aide
Provide health care checks for a diverse population Perform blood pressure tests for community health outreach programs Supply a wide range of services including womens health clinic services and care for elderly patients
Saint Clair Nursing Home Kokomo In 2005-2008 Receptionist
Managed front desk Scheduled appointments for prospective clients Administered weekly evaluations of clients
SKILLS AND CERTIFICATIONS
Direct care of patients Educated patients for home care and discharge planning Operated and maintained monitors of bio-medical equipment Medical terminology and medication administration skills Maintained sterile fields and application of dressings Catheter IV and suctioning training Charting and documentation of patient care Acute and chronic care experience PC and Microsoft Office literate
Professional Affiliations Monroe County Medical Society Pennsylvania Nursing Association
References Available upon request (optional)
Office of Career Services at IU Kokomo
11 |Kelley Student Center 200 2300 S Washington St PO Box 9003 Kokomo IN 46904-9003 (765)455-9301 fax (765)455-9537 carserviukedu wwwiukeducareer-
services
SAMPLE REacuteSUMEacute FOR TEACHERS NAME
Address Phone E-Mail Address
OBJECTIVE (optional) Position as elementary teacher in grades 1 2 or 3 EDUCATION Indiana University Kokomo IN Bachelor of Science in Education May 2009 Endorsements in Reading and Science GPA 37540 TEACHING EXPERIENCE Student Teaching Maple Crest Elementary School (2008-2009)
Prepared and implemented all lesson plans for fall semester first grade class Instructed reading classes for third grade low reading group Developed learning centers to enhance vocabulary and writing skills for both groups
Methods Experience Eastern Elementary School (2007-2008)
Developed math center to reinforce learning weights and measures in 2nd grade class
Utilized songs music and dance to teach Japanese Social Studies unit to 3rd graders
Teacherrsquos Aide Western Middle School (2006)
Assisted teacher with reading groups and record keeping Scheduled field trips and parentteacher conferences
Accomplishments
Earned high marks for the quality and creativity of classroom teaching lesson plans and instructional materials used in teaching diverse subjects (eg language arts mathematics science social studies and history)
Developed innovative approaches that were repeatedly held up as the model standard for meeting district goals in areas including technology integration across the curriculum experiential learning literacy and diversity
Taught general education students as well as individuals with learning challenges and special needs within a mainstreamed inclusive classroom
Consistently commended for ability to redirect students exhibiting behavior problems by replacing disruptive unproductive patterns with positive behaviors As a result selected to lead district-wide in-service on classroom management
Established positive relationships with students parents fellow teachers and school administratorsstaff Quickly became a first-to-call resource in current substitute teaching role typically working four days per week
Personally requested by many full-time teachers to take over their classrooms during absences
OTHER EXPERIENCE Library Assistant Indianapolis Public Schools (2005-2007) ACTIVITIES Literacy Coalition Tutor President Ed Sac (2007-2008) Folk Dance Instructor Cheerleading Coach for Eastern Middle School
Office of Career Services at IU Kokomo
12 |Kelley Student Center 200 2300 S Washington St PO Box 9003 Kokomo IN 46904-9003 (765)455-9301 fax (765)455-9537 carserviukedu wwwiukeducareer-
services
Sample Entry level Information Technology Reacutesumeacute NAME
Address Phone Number Email address
Summary of Qualifications (optional)
Outstanding academic record Achieved Deans list for 1516 semesters and GPA of 375 Four years of experience as help desk technician and web developer Proficiency in various programs operating systems and applications Expert at finding and resolving malfunctions using exceptional technical and communication skills to ensure
minimization of downtime and optimal computer performance Education
Purdue University College of Technology Kokomo In Bachelor of Science in Computer and Information Technology Expected Graduation date May 2010 GPA 3040 (only if it is above a 30)
Technical Qualifications
Programming languages C Visual C++ C++ CSS ASP JavaScript Java Servlet HTML Java Server pages JBuilder XML PHP Apache
Software Applications Microsoft Suite (Excel Word Access Power Point) Macromedia Homesuite Adobe Photoshop FrontPageDreamweaver macromedia Flash DrScheme
Database Management Database SQL command MySQL Operating Systems Mac OSX Windows XP professional UNIX
Professional Experience Promega Corporation Indianapolis IN Web Developer (2008 - Present)
Helped in the re-launching and redesigning of companys web site that resulted in increased online sales by 15 and improved navigation
Responsible for implementation of programs and build databases that let the users to register unique names and passwords
Help in implementation creation and management of multiple applications for back end and web site Back end include Flash slide shows newsletter and RSS
Web site updating and editing using several languages such as XML HTML and CSS SGate Entertainment Indianapolis IN Web DeveloperHelp Desk Technician (52005-92008)
Utilized JavaScript HTML Flash and CSS to create companys web site Primarily recruited to help help desk Assured software and hardware were installed and operated at peak efficiency Accountable for long-term and day-to-day maintenance and technical support of site including suggestion solutions
and analyzing requirements to meet user needs Offered support for 10 users Helped with migration from PC to Mac environment
Volunteeractivities
Tutor computer students Assist area school corporation with computer updates
References upon request (optional)
Office of Career Services at IU Kokomo
13 |Kelley Student Center 200 2300 S Washington St PO Box 9003 Kokomo IN 46904-9003 (765)455-9301 fax (765)455-9537 carserviukedu wwwiukeducareer-
services
Sample Health Sciences Resume Address Phone Email
Education Indiana University Kokomo- Kokomo IN Bachelor of Science in Health Sciences Minor Psychology Expected Graduation Date May 2013 GPA 3140
Related Courses Ethics and civic engagement Social and behavioral sciences Cultural Diversity
Quantitative Literacy and Math Childhood Psychology Personality Psychology
Leadership Special volunteer projects (2012)
Planned and directed health screening day Organized group of student leaders on advocacy projects
Phi Sigma Sigma- Indiana University Kokomo Secretary (809- current)
Provide Leadership Attended leadership conference Volunteered with big brothers big sisters
Tutored school age children Assisted with multiple events on campus
CASA- Kokomo In volunteer (January lsquo09-current)
Advocate for children in the court system Assisted with court paperwork
Developed database and new registration form Counseled children and families
Relevant Work experience Samaritan Caregivers- Kokomo IN (summer 2012) Intern
Provided support to volunteers and staff on routine client visits Evaluated new clients
Community Howard Regional Health- Kokomo IN (summer 2011) Intern
Assisted with organization of new programs Planned and directed ldquoHealthy Teensrdquo event Researched and evaluated what needs the community had and implemented the new XYZ program
Skills CommunicationOrganizationMarketing
Strong interpersonal communication skills Designed and distributed flyers for benefit dinners and school functions Created informational and advertising brochures and slideshow presentations Participated in fundraisers and benefit dinners
ManagementTrainingSales Interviewed hired and scheduled employees Charted yearly sales records and tracked employee overtime Taught peers how to make and operate slideshows using PowerPoint Trained students on assembling and using art equipment
Office of Career Services at IU Kokomo
14 |Kelley Student Center 200 2300 S Washington St PO Box 9003 Kokomo IN 46904-9003 (765)455-9301 fax (765)455-9537 carserviukedu wwwiukeducareer-
services
Sample Informatics Resume
NAME Address Phone number Email address
Objective (optional)
Qualified IT professional with variety of software hardware and networking knowledge
Exceptional teamwork and leadership skills
Efficient troubleshooter with commitment to lifetime learning
Experience Computer Services Inc Indianapolis In Maintenance and Computer Technician 2008 - Present
Assembled computers
helped in network installation tasks
Assisted with troubleshooting Green Networks Inc Carmel IN Computer Technician 2006-2008
Responsible for the maintenance of equipment and computers used by company for multimedia advertisement Education
Indiana University Kokomo Kokomo In Bachelor of Science in Informatics Expected Graduation date May 2010 GPA 3040 (only if it is above a 30)
Skills Systems Engineering
Differentiate between various types of hardware
Set up and configure software and all the versions of Microsoft Windows
Build and maintain a computer
Troubleshoot software and hardware problems
Networking
Find out network hardware devices and cabling and their working
Implement IP schemes and administer groups
Maintain a secure network and implement network topologies
Expert in DNS Active Directory DHCP and WINS
Communications
Demonstrated skills to answer technical questions with different degrees of computer skills
Willingness to learn new things and work well with others
Good presentation skills
Demonstrated leadership skills in a team environment
Reference available on request (optional)
Office of Career Services at IU Kokomo
15 |Kelley Student Center 200 2300 S Washington St PO Box 9003 Kokomo IN 46904-9003 (765)455-9301 fax (765)455-9537 carserviukedu wwwiukeducareer-
services
SAMPLE BiologyChemistryBio-Chemistry Reacutesumeacute 190 Indiana Drive Kokomo IN 46902 (765) 555-5555 nameemailcom
High-energy and motivated individual with outstanding work ethic a strong academic background broad-based work experience and a record of personal achievement working for leading organizations
EDUCATION
Bachelor of Science in Biology May 2008 Minor Bio-Chemistry Indiana University Kokomo
PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT
Ophthalmology Intern XYZ Organization Kokomo IN Spring 2012
Transcribed 20 patient charts discussing medication and vision prescriptions
Observed 100 appointments for issues including glaucoma macular degeneration and detached retinas
Helped for new contact lens patients
Biology Lab Teaching Assistant Indiana University Kokomo August 2011 - current
Independently taught two biology labs per semester with 20 students in each
Created lesion plans and modified and presented curriculum for weekly classes
Maintained lab with spiders guinea pigs beetles and gecko
Held weekly office hours and tutored students
WORK EXPERIENCE
Server September 2005-June 2008 XYZ Restaurant Indianapolis IN Supervised dining experience of up to 40 guests per shift Exceeded sales goals by promoting specialty items
Head Lifeguard Seasonal May 2001-September 2007 LMN Business Kokomo IN Promoted twice within four summerscreated weekly schedule for 20 staff members Authorized to make management decisions in absence of manager Trained five new employees per summer concerning all assigned duties
ACTIVITIES amp INTERESTS
Biology Club Member (Fall 2011-current) Environmental Club Member (Spring 2010-current) Relay for Life Participant (Spring 2012-Spring 2011)
Office of Career Services at IU Kokomo
16 |Kelley Student Center 200 2300 S Washington St PO Box 9003 Kokomo IN 46904-9003 (765)455-9301 fax (765)455-9537 carserviukedu wwwiukeducareer-
services
Sample New Media Resume
Objective (optional)________________________________________________________________
Creative and dedicated Graphic Designer seeking a full-time position with advancement
opportunities to further enhance my knowledge in graphic design
Education________________________________________________________________________
Indiana University KokomomdashMay 2010
Bachelor of Arts in New Media GPA 36
Qualifications_____________________________________________________________________
More than 5 years of diverse hands-on design experience including experience in web-
site design magazine publishing and marketing
Adaptable organized results and detail-oriented with excellent work ethic strong time
management and interpersonal skills
Ability to create designs concepts and sample layouts based on knowledge of layout
principles and aesthetic design concepts
Extensive knowledge of design techniques tools and principals involved in production
of precision technical plans blueprints drawings and models
Ability to come up with unusual or clever ideas about a given topic or situation or to
develop creative ways to solve a problem
Team player also capable of working independently with minimal direction
Work Experience_________________________________________________________________
ABC Company Dec 2004 ndash Present Indianapolis Indiana
Coordination and production of a variety of graphics products and servicesmdashgraphic
design and art direction for ads newsletters report covers annual reports brochures
exhibit displays maps slide shows and the government cable TV channel
Study illustrations photographs and text to plan presentation of products and services
Review layouts and suggest improvements as needed
Prepare the assembly of final layouts for printing and review and approve art materials
Provide expert analysis and input on othersrsquo designs
XYZ Business Jan 2000 - Nov 2004 Indianapolis Indiana
Completed various freelance design assignmentsmdashincluding creation of a bi-monthly
printed newsletter for a lawyers association design of various logos and artwork for the
PQ Design amp Silk-Screening
Responsible for coordination and production of a variety of graphics products and services
Estimated costs coordinated graphic production and reproduction by service bureaus
Assembled final layouts for printing and provided graphic design for website
765-555-5555
1234 Indiana Drive
Kokomo IN
nameemailcom
Office of Career Services at IU Kokomo
17 |Kelley Student Center 200 2300 S Washington St PO Box 9003 Kokomo IN 46904-9003 (765)455-9301 fax (765)455-9537 carserviukedu wwwiukeducareer-
services
Sample Chaplain Reacutesumeacute Name
Address Phone Email
Objective (Optional) To seek a challenging position as a chaplain that allows me to utilize my knowledge and clinical pastoral education skills Qualifications Summary
Compassionate and devoted Chaplin providing spiritual moral guidance for 7 years
Maintains patient confidentiality according to HIPAA regulations
Excellent interpersonal and communication skills
Experience counseling patients concerning their spiritual personal and emotional needs
Professional Experience XXX Hospice Kokomo In 2007-current Hospice Resident Chaplin
Visit patientsfamilies and perform spiritual assessments
Provide spiritual support and counseling to patients and caregivers
Document all pertinent chaplain activities and audit patient charts XXX Church Kokomo In 2002-2007 Assistance Clergy
Assisted and organized religious services
Helped manage church property and finances
Participated in church programs supporting congregation and fundraising activities XXX Hospital Kokomo IN 1997-2000 Nursersquos aide
Provide health care checks for a diverse population
Perform blood pressure tests for community health outreach programs
Supply a wide range of services including womens health clinic services and care for elderly patients
Education Hospitalhellip Clinical Pastoral Education 3 units completed University of Santa Barbara CA Master of Divinity- 2002 Indiana University Kokomo Kokomo In Bachelor of Science in Nursing ndash 2000 GPA 3440
Volunteer Work
Xxx
Xxxx
Office of Career Services at IU Kokomo
18 |Kelley Student Center 200 2300 S Washington St PO Box 9003 Kokomo IN 46904-9003 (765)455-9301 fax (765)455-9537 carserviukedu wwwiukeducareer-
services
SCANNABLE REacuteSUMEacute CHECKLIST
Resume scanning is more commonly used by employers to seek out employees When a computer will be the first to
read your reacutesumeacute it should be altered If the scannable reacutesumeacute meets the computer criteria it will then be seen by
the employer
1 Left justify the entire document
2 Use key words or short phrases to describe your qualifications and abilities Use
jargon and acronyms specific to your industry Check the job listings and
industry-related materials for current buzzwords
3 Increase your list of key words by including specific names of products and
services such as Microsoft Word or Lotus Notes
4 Use nouns more than verbs For instance say ldquoproject managerrdquo instead of
ldquoimplemented projectrdquo
5 Use common section headings such as Objective Experience Employment
Work History Positions Held Appointments and Skills Use boldface andor all
CAPITAL LETTERS for each of these section headings as long as the letters
donrsquot touch each other
6 Minimize abbreviations except for common ones such as MBA or CEO
7 Use a 10- to 14- point font size Use standard typefaces such as Times New Roman Arial New Century
or Courier
8 Avoid italics script and underlined passages Minimize use of hyphens bullets or dashes Boldface is accepted by
most systems unless the employer advises otherwise
9 Avoid graphics shadings vertical or horizontal lines and boxes The scanner
reads text not graphics
10 Print your reacutesumeacute on 8frac12 X 11 inch white paper of average thickness on one
side only using a laser or other letter-quality paper Donrsquot staple or fold
multiple-page reacutesumeacutes Always make sure your name is on all pages
11 Donrsquot condense spacing between letters
12 Use enough white space between sections Computers use white space to
differentiate between topics
13 When faxing set the fax machine on ldquofine moderdquo instead of ldquostandard moderdquo
Office of Career Services at IU Kokomo
19 |Kelley Student Center 200 2300 S Washington St PO Box 9003 Kokomo IN 46904-9003 (765)455-9301 fax (765)455-9537 carserviukedu wwwiukeducareer-
services
Scannable reacutesumeacute example
NAME IN CAPS
Current address
555 Candy Lane
Kokomo IN 46901
765 555 ndash 2424
Permanent address
444 Peppermint Lane
Indianapolis IN 46077
317 555 ndash 1234
OBJECTIVE (Optional)
A fulltime position in the area that is my expertisehellip (You fill it in-see suggested buzz-word list)
EDUCATION
Indiana University Kokomo IN
Bachelor of Science in Management
Minor Management Information Systems MIS
GPA 36 40
Major GPA 38 40
Graduation May 2014
SIGNIFICANT COURSES
Fill in with significant core courses for your major that apply to the job Use one line per course
SKILLS
Proficient with (pc programs that you are proficient in and are applicable)
Any other skills that are applicable (see buzz-word list)
WORK EXPERIENCE
Bold the Job Title
Basic job description as it applies to job applying for Dates employed (begin with most recent)
Use buzz-word list based on your occupation and relevant to the position being applied for
Office of Career Services at IU Kokomo
20 |Kelley Student Center 200 2300 S Washington St PO Box 9003 Kokomo IN 46904-9003 (765)455-9301 fax (765)455-9537 carserviukedu wwwiukeducareer-
services
Cover Letters Cover letters are an additional component of a reacutesumeacute Customize every letter to each company andor position of interest
Address it to the person listed on the position advertisement or the person that you know has the authority to hire Finding this may
take some investigation to discover if the name is not announced on the position advertisement PO boxes are often used to filter
reacutesumeacutes and you can find the owner of the box by calling the post office and asking who owns the box with that number Having
this information to address the cover letter with will set you apart from those who do not
Cover letter Format Date Employers Name Use the name of the person stated in the job posting or contact the company for the contact person address and the correct spelling) Position or title Company Name Address Suite number or floor (if there is one) City state Zip Salutation Dear Mr or Ms Or Dear Sir or Madam (use the last name only of the person you listed above) If you have made every effort to find out but do not know the name or gender or the individual use a unisex greeting of Dear Manager or Dear Director Paragraph one (Introduction) State which position you are applying for and where you heard about the opening If the position was advertised refer to where it was advertised (Indianapolis Star or higheredcom) Be enthusiastic and confident about the position with a brief statement about why you are the right fit for the job Paragraph two (Body) Explain why you want to work for this company and how your skills experience and qualifications directly relate to the position You can also include your personal traits and strengths that would be an asset for the job Summarize why you are an excellent candidate for the position Highlight key examples and how they match what the company is seeking There are likely other prospective employees that are competing for this position It is very important that you highlight qualities that will set you apart and show uniqueness You are marketing yourself in this paragraph so be sure to sell the idea that you are the best one to interview and the best fit for this employer Most advertisements will list the requirements that are desired andor required for the position Be sure to detail how you meet each of those requirements Do not point out to the reader if there is a requirement that you donrsquot currently possess just do not reference that in your letter The purpose of a cover letter is to highlight the positives and do not bring up any negatives Paragraph three (Conclusion) State that you would like the opportunity to personally discuss your qualifications Indicate where you can be reached phone andor email A good sentence to use would look like ldquoI may be reached at 555-555-1234 or nameiukedurdquo Make sure to thank the reader for their time and consideration Closing Sincerely or Yours truly or Respectfully yours Signature (blue or black ink only) Your Name (Typed)
Office of Career Services at IU Kokomo
21 |Kelley Student Center 200 2300 S Washington St PO Box 9003 Kokomo IN 46904-9003 (765)455-9301 fax (765)455-9537 carserviukedu wwwiukeducareer-
services
References
Reference lists should always be available and prepared with 3-4 professional references
Do
Do get permission from each reference you plan to use
Do give each reference a copy of your reacutesumeacute to have as a guide
Do choose references that are well informed and have good verbal and written communication skills
Do Not
Do not use relatives personal friends or students as a reference
Letters of Recommendation
A letter of recommendation provides relevant information that is honest positive and portrays a up-front outlook of the skills
and potential capabilities you possess It can describe personality performance and skill attributes knowledge and
competency level
The following are suggestions of individuals who may be qualified to write a letter of recommendation
Executive Director
Vice President
Supervisors
Co-workers
CustomersClients
Subordinates
Professors
Counsellors
Coaches
Doctors
Lawyers
Ministers
Community Leaders
Office of Career Services at IU Kokomo
22 |Kelley Student Center 200 2300 S Washington St PO Box 9003 Kokomo IN 46904-9003 (765)455-9301 fax (765)455-9537 carserviukedu wwwiukeducareer-
services
Key WordsAction Words
Actively Established Evaluate Participated Schedule Coordinate Increased Proposed Strategy Created Launched Reduced Support Effect Eliminate Organized Originate
Approve Generate Program Solve Control Improve Recommend Supervise Direct Manage Motivated Responsibilities Revise Analyze Founded Pinpointed Set up
Completed Interpret Proficient Successfully Demonstrate Maintain Revamped Responsible Administer Expedite Plan Simplicity Conduct Implemented Provide Streamline Develop
Lecture Reorganized Accelerated Adapted Expanded Perform Significantly Conceived Influence Proved Structure Delegate Lead Reinforced Teach
Self-Describing Words Professional Active Diplomatic Loyal Respective Analytical Attentive Determined Logical Resourceful Ambitious Efficient Energetic Independent
Reliable Alert Economical Objective Optimistic Realistic Aggressive Discrete Methodical Sense-of-humor Sincere Adaptable Disciplined Mature
Self-reliant Broad-minded Enterprising Personable Tactful Creative Imaginative Perceptive Systematic Constructive Forceful Productive Sophisticated Consistent
Fair Practical Will relocate Conscientious Extroverted Positive Will travel Enthusiastic Pleasant Talented Dependable Trustworthy Ethical
Keywords for Interpersonal Traits Ability to delegate Accurate Assertive Creative Ethical Follow up Leadership Oral communication Public speaking Self accountable Supportive Tenacious
Ability to implement Adaptable Communication skill Customer oriented Flexible High energy Multitasking Organizational skills Results oriented Self management Takes initiative Willing to travel
Ability to plan Aggressive Competitive Detail minded Follow instructions Industrious Open minded Persuasive Risk taking Sensitive Team building Ability to train
Analytical ability Conceptual ability Empowering others Follow through Innovated Open communication Problem solving Safety conscious Setting priorities Team player
Office of Career Services at IU Kokomo
23 |Kelley Student Center 200 2300 S Washington St PO Box 9003 Kokomo IN 46904-9003 (765)455-9301 fax (765)455-9537 carserviukedu wwwiukeducareer-
services
Sample of Occupational Keywords Occupational keywords include skills titles and occupational buzz words Account manager Accounts receivable Acquisitions Bachelors Degree Bank Card Bank reconciliation Batch processing Benchmarking Blueprint reading Brochures Budget Bulletins CAD Calibrator Carpentry Cash Flow Cell Culture Media Cement Child Care Claims Justification Commercial Leasing Copy Editing Counselor Crisis Management Cross-culture training Debugging Decision making Demographics Dental management Die casting Dietitian Drywall Ecology Electronics Employee assistance Engineer Financial planning Food preparation Gas pipeline Goal setting Graphic design Grant writer Guest services Harnessing Hiringfiring Hotel ISO 9000
Journalism Journeyman Layout design Logic analyzer Magnetic theory Manager Marketing Masterrsquos Degree Microprocessor Microsoft word Nursing Oscillator Pelletizing Patient advocate Payroll Personal computer Process metallurgy Proposal writing Psychology Public Relations Purchasing Radio Raw materials Receptionist Reporter Research Sales Secretarial Software modeling Spanish Spreadsheets Statistical Process Control Stick Welding Strategic Planning Student Personnel Supervisor Taxonomy Teacher Technical Writing Time Management Transportation Travel Wave Solder WordPerfect Workflow Writer
Office of Career Services at IU Kokomo
24 |Kelley Student Center 200 2300 S Washington St PO Box 9003 Kokomo IN 46904-9003 (765)455-9301 fax (765)455-9537 carserviukedu wwwiukeducareer-
services
ACTION WORDS
ORGANIZATIONAL Assembled Enforced Prepared Reorganized
Collected Executed Planned Scheduled
Centralized Formalized Processed Updated
Coordinated Implemented Routed Catalogued
Maintained Recorded
LEADERSHIPAllocated Hired Operated Spearheaded Determined Initiated
Oversaw Sponsored Directed Inspired Pioneered Staged
Elected Instituted Presided Started Enlisted Led
Produced Supervised Formed Managed Recruited Founded
Moderated Represented Governed Motivated Selected
COMMUNICATION SKILLS Acquainted Drafted Introduced Summarized Apprised Educated
Lectured Taught Answered Explained Listened
Trained Briefed Familiarized Presented Translated Conducted
Handled Reported Wrote Contacted Informed Responded
Demonstrated Instructed Spoke
RESEARCH Analyzed Detected Examined Researched
Assessed Discovered Gathered Searched
Audited Documented Identified Surveyed
Compiled Edited Interpreted Tested
Consulted Evaluated Interviewed
CREATIVITY Authored Created Devised
Originated Conceived Composed
Established Revolutionized Conceptualized
Designed Invented
HELPING SKILLS Aided Counseled Helped Supported
Attended Comforted Instilled Tutored
Assisted Facilitated Mentored Treated
Collaborated Fostered Provided Contributed
Guided Settled
SELLING Arbitrated Marketed Promoted
Secured Convinced Mediated
Publicized Solicited
Dissuaded Negotiated Resolved
Encouraged Persuaded Sold
OTHER ACTION VERBS Adapted Developed Generated Revamped Attained Ensured Improved Revitalized
Augmented Eliminated Increased Saved Awarded Exceeded Launched Shopped
Boosted Excelled Mastered Strengthened Broadened Expanded Modernized Supplemented
Built Expedited Published Tended Calculated Fabricated Raised Utilized
Catered Financed Reconciled Decreased Gained Reduced
Office of Career Services at IU Kokomo
25 |Kelley Student Center 200 2300 S Washington St PO Box 9003 Kokomo IN 46904-9003 (765)455-9301 fax (765)455-9537 carserviukedu wwwiukeducareer-
services
Transferable Skills-Skills you have acquired from your education and employment experience that you can market to new employers
Communication the skillful expression transmission and interpretation of knowledge and ideas
Speaking effectively Writing concisely Listening attentively Expressing ideas Facilitating group discussion Providing appropriate feedback Negotiating
Perceiving nonverbal messages Persuading Reporting information Describing feelings Interviewing Editing
Research and Planning the search for specific knowledge and the ability to conceptualize future needs and solutions for meeting those needs
Forecasting predicting Creating ideas Identifying problems Imagining alternatives Identifying resources Gathering information
Solving problems Setting goals Extracting important information Defining needs Analyzing Developing evaluation strategies
Human Relations the use of interpersonal skills for resolving conflict relating to and helping people Developing rapport Being Sensitive Listening Conveying feelings Providing support for others Motivating Sharing credit
Counseling Cooperating Delegating with respect Representing others Perceiving feelings situations Asserting
Organization Management and Leadership the ability to supervise direct and guide individuals and groups in the completion of tasks and fulfillment of goals Work Survival the day-to-day skills that assist in promoting effective production and work satisfaction
Implementing decisions Cooperating Enforcing policies Being punctual Managing time Attending to detail Meeting goals Enlisting help Accepting responsibility Setting and meeting deadlines Organizing Making decisions
Initiating new ideas Handling details Coordinating tasks Managing groups Delegating responsibility Teaching Coaching Counseling Promoting change Selling ideas or products Decision making with others Managing conflict
Office of Career Services at IU Kokomo
26 |Kelley Student Center 200 2300 S Washington St PO Box 9003 Kokomo IN 46904-9003 (765)455-9301 fax (765)455-9537 carserviukedu wwwiukeducareer-
services
After you have the perfect reacutesumeacute it is time to hit the road and put your skills into action Career Fairs will help put you in communication with prospective employers and give you valuable practice for interviews
Achieve Results and Get the Most Out of a Career Fair
Attend as many job fairs as you can Not only will practice make perfect but it will expand your network of career contacts Make sure to ask precise questions and be prepared to answer specific questions the employers have regarding your background and capabilities Before the Job Fair- Be Prepared
Create a reacutesumeacute and have it reviewed by a career counselor Create a list of 3-5 references in case they are requested (Be sure to ask your references for their help before
including them on the list) Create your 30-second oral reacutesumeacute and practice practice practice Review the employer list Determine where employers are located and in what order to visit them Broaden your focus and include different types of employers For instance although you may not have thought of
working for a hospital hospitals recruit and hire professionals in many different fields Do your research Look up information about the employers of interest
o Check their websites for information about their productsservices and mission statement o What types of jobs do they have open o What kind of people are they looking for o What kind of skills do these people need to have How do you meet their skill requirements o Develop some questions you would like to ask the employer representatives at the fair
Network Network Network with people you know and via social network sites like Linked-In and Facebook for more information about the companies Also seek contact with employees you might know or seek information from alumni who work there
During the Job Fair Dress for success (See page 38) Assume you will be interviewed and dress the part Even if you dont get an interview
at the job fair you have already made a great impression Always have a penpencil and paper to take notes- a portfolio works best Bring plenty of reacutesumeacutes with you While some companies will be seeking employees for specific positions some
employers will collect reacutesumeacutes for future positions Be sure to get all of the contact information you need to complete an application
Make sure to have copies of your reference list in case an employer asks First impressions are everything Be direct have a firm handshake and make eye contact as you greet employers This
will speak volumes about your confidence If you are only gathering information let employers know that you are only interested in materials and information
Be aware of time demands of employers Do not monopolize the employersrsquo time You should have already done your homework about their company so you can better spend your time asking about the positions available (or available in the near future) and how your skills match their needs Give them your 30-second oral reacutesumeacute and impress them with what you feel you can do for their company Since practice makes perfect donrsquot give up if the first attempt doesnrsquot go well Keep trying with other employers
Ask specific questions and collect information from each booth you visit including business cards from the employer representatives Offer to follow up after the fair and ask what the best way to contact them is
After the Job Fair You now have a prime opportunity to make a distinctive impression
Use those business cards you collected to follow up with each employer you are interested in Be sure to do everything you promised at the job fair Complete the application and upload your reacutesumeacute Send a thank-you note or email to all whom you talked with within 48 hours of the career fair This shows that you
are serious about their organization and will set you apart from many who neglect to do so If you follow up on your application for a position be sure to follow the preferred contact method and dont overdo it Stay in contact and use this experience to expand your network Submit an additional or amended reacutesumeacute during your follow-up contacts if need be Follow-up and follow-through contacts are up to the student be persistent and polite
Office of Career Services at IU Kokomo
27 |Kelley Student Center 200 2300 S Washington St PO Box 9003 Kokomo IN 46904-9003 (765)455-9301 fax (765)455-9537 carserviukedu wwwiukeducareer-
services
Additional information-what employers are expecting at a career fair
What Will Impress Employers o Demonstrate that you have done your homework and researched their company o Be prepared Have your reacutesumeacute critiqued by Career Services and bring plenty of copies with you Develop
questions to ask smile and courteously and enthusiastically engage the representatives o Have a firm hand shake and good eye contact- dress for success o Never ask about salary let them bring up the subject o An expectation that you will be responsible for following up with them including a thank you note or letter o Take the initiative Walk up to them and engage the employers they want to speak to you
What Employers May Want to Learn About You o Specific careerjob objectives What are your expectations o Individual strengths and weaknesses Have specific examples that demonstrate your skills develop short
stories that showcase your skills (Remember a job fair is time sensitive and you donrsquot want to take up too much time of one employer)
o Contributions you will make to the operation Remember be specific now is not the time to blandly or generically discuss what you can do
What You Should Learn About Each Company o Employment trends Career Fairs are excellent resources for information about career decision-making o Skills necessary for different careersjobs Have meaningful conversations with representatives o Currentfuture positions o Salary benefits training and other information about the company (again let the employer bring up salary) o Who to contact for follow-up discussions and what their hiring processes are get specifics o Collect their business card or write down their contact information
30 Second Oral Reacutesumeacute Purpose It is important to practice your 30 second oral reacutesumeacute prior to attending a career fair The famous ldquoTell me about yourselfrdquo is a question that is always asked Whether the question is asked in a social setting an interview or a networking event a well-planned answer can set you apart from the crowd as well as spark additional conversation Begin preparing your oral reacutesumeacute by following the tips below
How to Prepare Your Oral Reacutesumeacute o Begin by brainstorming what you would want someone to know about you Write down all of your ideas o Consider including the following information in your oral reacutesumeacute
Job Objective Education and Training Skills
Accomplishments and Achievements Prior Employment Other Experience
o Narrow down your optionsmdashpick the top 5 things you want the person to know about you o Develop a paragraph that encompasses all of the things you wish to say o Practice makes perfect Read aloud your reacutesumeacute several times
Additional Tips Prepare more than one oral reacutesumeacute for various situations Practice your reacutesumeacute by calling your voicemail and later playing back the messagemdashthink about how it sounds and
what you would like to change Make sure that your oral reacutesumeacute will keep the listenerrsquos attention
Example Oral Reacutesumeacute Hi my name is ________ and I am a senior at IU Kokomo majoring in New Media I am looking for an internship experience in graphic designweb development Through my coursework I have developed strong computer and analytical skills Last summer I worked as an intern at the Kokomo Perspective to gain experience with print media At the Perspective I worked with the copy editor as well as the writing staff to gain experience in both fields I also volunteer at United Way developing and updating their website
Office of Career Services at IU Kokomo
28 |Kelley Student Center 200 2300 S Washington St PO Box 9003 Kokomo IN 46904-9003 (765)455-9301 fax (765)455-9537 carserviukedu wwwiukeducareer-
services
Send a Follow-up thank you note after Career Fair Send a thank you note or email to all whom you talked with within 48 hours of the career fair This shows that you are serious about their organization and will set you apart from many who neglect to do so
Be sure to remind the employer where you met them Thank you for taking the time to talk with me on Thursday at the career fair After talking with you I
am even more eager to work at _____ Summarize specific qualities and assets you obtain I am certain my education at IU Kokomo has enhanced my skill set and has provided a solid
background of knowledge in the _______ fieldhelliphellip Some experiences I have had the pleasure of doing arehellip This opportunity improved my work ethic and made me aware of my self-reliancehellip
Always attach your reacutesumeacute again for their convenience I have attached my reacutesumeacute for your convenience I look forward to an opportunity to further discuss
my qualifications You may contact me athellip (phone andor email address) Thank you again for your time and consideration
Sample Thank you
Thank you for taking the time to talk with me on Thursday November 9 at the career fair on IU Kokomorsquos campus I appreciate your time and attention and after talking with you I am even more interested in learning more about your organization You were extremely helpful in explaining companyrsquos name customer service and marketing trainee program Now that I have a better idea of what the position entails I am even more certain that I would be an asset to your team and to companyrsquos name My solid education from the IU Kokomo Communication Department and the fact that I have worked my way through college show the work ethic and determination you said were important to be successful at companyrsquos name I look forward to an opportunity to visit companyrsquos name office and speak to you further about the trainee program I will contact you next week to arrange an appointment Enclosed is an updated reacutesumeacute for your review Thank you again for your time and consideration Sincerely
Office of Career Services at IU Kokomo
29 |Kelley Student Center 200 2300 S Washington St PO Box 9003 Kokomo IN 46904-9003 (765)455-9301 fax (765)455-9537 carserviukedu wwwiukeducareer-
services
Knowledge and practice will give you the confidence you need to be prepared and give the best impression possible at an interview The following information will help prepare you for nearly any interview contingency being confidant that you can handle it is the best way to increase your chances of getting hired Here are a few things you can do to give yourself a head start
Questions to think about prior to your interview
1 Why do you want to work at this facility and what specific jobareas am I interested in a To Prepare research the facility
i Mission ii Population served
iii Financial stability iv Management style
b Learn about the job
i Job description ii Occupational outlook
iii Handbook iv employees
2 What qualities make me a good candidate
a To prepare self assessment i What are my strengths and weaknesses
ii What are my interests iii How do I know iv What kinds of results demonstrate my abilities
3 What type of shift working conditions salary and fringe benefits are most important to me (12 hours 10 hours 8
hours weekends flex-time insurance) a To prepare clarify values and lifestyle choices
i What are my values ii What kind of lifestyles do I want for myself and those close to me
4 How will I be trained
a To prepare How do I learn best i Do I need immediate feedback or can I learn well on my own
5 What are my goals Where do I want to be in 10 years
a To prepare Identify and prioritize career and life goals and objectives i Am I interested in supervision training management
ii How do I plan to reach these goals
6 What are the major issues and current events facing this specific field job occupation and company today
7 What can you bring to the organization
Office of Career Services at IU Kokomo
30 |Kelley Student Center 200 2300 S Washington St PO Box 9003 Kokomo IN 46904-9003 (765)455-9301 fax (765)455-9537 carserviukedu wwwiukeducareer-
services
Behavioral Interviews- Use the STAR Interviewing Technique for Success
The STAR acronym represents Situation Task Action and Result Recruiters and hiring managers favor the STAR technique because
it provides a better explanation of your past performance how you handle workplace challenges and whether youre able to articulate
your experiences STAR behavioral interviews are quickly becoming the most popular and common form of interview
Situation or
Task
Describe the situation that you were in or the task that you needed to accomplish You must
describe a specific event or situation not a generalized description of what you have done in
the past Be sure to give enough detail for the interviewer to understand This situation can be
from a previous job from a volunteer experience or any relevant event
Action you took Describe the action you took and be sure to keep the focus on you Even if you are discussing
a group project or effort describe what you did -- not the efforts of the team Dont tell what
you might do tell what you did
Results you achieved What happened How did the event end What did you accomplish What did you learn
For examples of past behavior use examples from
Internships
Work experience
Class projects
School activitiesorganizations you are involved with
Sports
Volunteercommunity service
Hobbies
Think about your accomplishments what are you most proud of that you want to share with the employer
How to prepare for behavior-based interviews
Identify 3-6 examples that demonstrate your top skills Look through the job description pinpoint the skills they are seeking
Pick experiences that demonstrate top behaviors of those skills
Prepare how you will ldquotell your storyrdquo using STAR
Pick examples that will be positive accomplishment
Most behavioral questions try to reveal the negative situations so be prepared with those examples However try to pick
examples that had a positive outcome
Try not to pick examples from only one topic Pick a variety of examples choosing examples from work class community
services etc
Typically the best examples are situations that happened within the last year
Go over your resume and review the accomplishments you have listed andor skills this could assist you with identifying
examples
LISTEN to the full question Be sure the example is an appropriate description of how you demonstrated what they are
asking for
Office of Career Services at IU Kokomo
31 |Kelley Student Center 200 2300 S Washington St PO Box 9003 Kokomo IN 46904-9003 (765)455-9301 fax (765)455-9537 carserviukedu wwwiukeducareer-
services
Sample Behavior-based Questions
Communication Skills
1 Give me a specific example of a time someone didnrsquot agree with your work How did you respond 2 Tell me about a time when you had to present complex information How did you ensure that everyone
understood what you were saying 3 Give an example about a time where written communication was needed
Decision Making Skills
1 What is the biggest decision or risk yoursquove made in the past year on the job Describe the process you used to make those decisions Would you do it again
2 Describe a time you overcame a challenge with an innovative solution What was the challenge What role did you play
Planning Organization Time management Skills
1 Please give an example of a time you didnrsquot meet your deadline Why did you fail to meet your deadline What did you learn from that experience
2 Give an example of how you keep track of multiple projects How do you stay on track and meet deadlines How do you stay focused
3 Describe a goal yoursquove had How you set it and achieved it
Flexibility Skills 1 Tell us about one of the toughest situations with which yoursquove had to deal with How did you handle the
stress or pressure of the situation Leadership Skills
1 Describe a time when you disagreed with a directive given by your supervisor What happened and how did you handle it
2 Give an example of a situation where team members or co-workers didnrsquot get along This could include you and someone else or two other people How did the project turn out What did you do to resolve the issue so everyone was able to work together
Office of Career Services at IU Kokomo
32 |Kelley Student Center 200 2300 S Washington St PO Box 9003 Kokomo IN 46904-9003 (765)455-9301 fax (765)455-9537 carserviukedu wwwiukeducareer-
services
Other Common Questions Asked by Employers
Personal 1 Tell me about yourself 2 Why did you choose to interview with our organization 3 Describe your ideal job 4 What can you offer us over another candidate 5 What do you consider to be your greatest strengths 6 Can you name some weaknesses 7 Define success Failure How did you learn from your failures 8 Name a couple accomplishments you most proud 9 Who are your role models Why 10 How does your college education or work experience relate to this job 11 What motivates you most in a job 12 Have you ever spoken before a group of people How large 13 What do you know about our organization (products or services) 14 Do you plan to return to school for further education 15 What would you change about yourself and why
Education
16 Why did you choose your major 17 Why did you choose to attend your college or university 18 Do you think you received a good education In what ways 19 In which campus activities did you participate 20 Which classes in your major did you like best Least Why 21 If you were to start over what would you change about your education 22 Do your grades accurately reflect your ability Why or why not
Experience
23 What job-related skills have you developed 24 Did you work while going to school In what positions 25 What did you learn from these work experiences 26 What did you enjoy most about your last employment Least 27 Have you ever quit a job Why 28 Give an example of how you have solved a problem in the work place 29 How do you resolve conflict on a team project 30 Give an example of a time in which you worked under deadline pressure 31 Have you ever done any volunteer work What kind 32 How do you think a former supervisor would describe your work
Career Goals
33 Do you prefer to work under supervision or on your own 34 What kind of boss do you prefer 35 Would you be successful working with a team 36 Do you prefer large or small organizations Why 37 What other types of positions are you considering 38 How do you feel about working in a structured environment 39 Are you able to work on several assignments at once 40 How do you feel about working overtime 41 How do you feel about travel 42 Are you willing to relocate
Office of Career Services at IU Kokomo
33 |Kelley Student Center 200 2300 S Washington St PO Box 9003 Kokomo IN 46904-9003 (765)455-9301 fax (765)455-9537 carserviukedu wwwiukeducareer-
services
Questions to Ask Employers
An interview is a two-way street Employers get an impression of you from the questions you ask Are you a critical thinker Did you comprehend and correctly process everything in the interview Have you done research and have a good grasp of the company and the scope of the position Your questions should be intelligent insightful and polite Have at least 3-5 custom questions in mind Employers look for someone who shows interest confidence and is well organized
1 Please describe (or ask them to clarify specifics) the duties of the job for me 2 Is this a new position or am I replacing someone 3 What do you like best about your jobcompany 4 What kinds of assignments might I expect the first six months on the job 5 What qualities are you looking for in the candidate who fills this position 6 Does your company encourage further education 7 Do you have plans for expansion 8 What are your growth projections for next year 9 Have you cut staff in the last three years 10 In what ways is a career with your company better than one with your competitors 11 What is the largest single problem facing your staff (department) now 12 Has there been much turnover in this job area 13 Will I have the opportunity to work on special projects 14 Where does this position fit into the organizational structure 15 How much travel if any is involved in this position 16 What is the next course of action When should I expect to hear from you or may I contact you
Interview Checklist Preparation Research research research Knowing more about the organization as a whole and the particular position you are applying for will be helpful in the interview It will help you understand questions that may be asked and will give you a chance to come up with questions to ask them The more research you conduct the more confident and comfortable you will feel in the interview It will also demonstrate to the employer how determined and pro-active you are about their company and the position you seek Get specific directions to the location If possible go there the day before and check out parking and the location of the office where your interview will be held
First Impression Put your best foot forward Remember the decision to hire you may be made in the first 5 minutes Always wait until they sit or invite you to be seated
Dress code Dress more formal than you would in the actual position Women should wear a suit or dress with a jacket Men should wear a suit or sport jacket and slacks Itrsquos a good idea to have an interview outfit ready and waiting (cleaned neat no threads or missing buttons) hanging in your closet Donrsquot wear anything too trendy or faddish (ladies no miniskirts) Check all zippers for closure and ladies should always have an extra pair of hose for emergencies Your style of dress communicates too what do you want it to say (See page 38)
Arrival Arrive a few minutes early to check out the location and parking Stop by the restroom and check your appearance Again you may want to check out the location the day before if you are unsure of the area
What to bring Always have an extra copy of your reacutesumeacute note paper and pen You will want to jot down questions as they may come about as well as information about the position Also write down the names of each person you interview with so you can mail a thank-you note
Application
Office of Career Services at IU Kokomo
34 |Kelley Student Center 200 2300 S Washington St PO Box 9003 Kokomo IN 46904-9003 (765)455-9301 fax (765)455-9537 carserviukedu wwwiukeducareer-
services
Read through the entire application before you begin Follow the directions Give specific titles You may leave the salary question blank or fill it in with a reasonable salary range Use NA where answers are not applicable Proofread the application before returning it
Legal and Illegal Pre-employment Questions CATEGORY LAWFUL
(Questions employers can ask)
UNLAWFUL (Questions employers cannot ask)
Name Have you ever worked for this company under a different name
Is any additional information relative to change of name use of an assumed name or nickname necessary to enable a check
on your work record If yes explain
What is your maiden name
Is the name on your application your real name
Address Where do you live
How long have you lived there
Birthplace Where were you born Where were your relatives born
Agebirth date Are you 18 years of age or older How old are you What is your birth date
Prove your age by submitting your birth certificate baptismal record
naturalization papers etc (see citizenship)
Photograph Requirement or option that applicant affix a photograph to employment form at
any time before hiring Citizenship Are you a citizen of the United States
If not are you authorized to work in the US
Can you verify US citizenship or your
right to work in the United States
Of what country are you a citizen Are you a naturalized or a native-born
citizen When did you acquire citizenship
Please produce naturalization papers or green card
(employers must verify citizenship or the right to work after theyrsquove decided to
extend an offer) Sex or Marital Status Are you male or female
Are you married What are your living arrangements
Relatives Do you have relatives (other than a spouse) already employed by the
company
What are their names
What are the names (addresses ages number or other information) of your
relatives not employed by the company
Children
Do you have children or plans to have children in the future
Do you have the capacity to reproduce Do you advocate any form of birth control
or family planning What are your child care arrangements
How old are your children
CATEGORY LAWFUL UNLAWFUL (Questions employers can ask) (Questions employers cannot ask)
Disability Do you have any impairment
(physical mental or medical) which would interfere with your ability to perform the job for which you have
applied
Do you have any disabilities or diseases not related to job
performance
Arrest record Have you ever been convicted of a criminal offense other than minor
traffic violations If yes explain fully
Have you ever been arrested
Experienced Please describe your work experience
Travel Overtime This position requires X amount of overtimetravel Would you be able
to meet this requirement
Who will care for your children when you travel or work overtime
Would your spouse object if you
traveled or worked overtime Language What languages do you speak and
write fluently What is your native language
How did you learn to read write or
speak a foreign language Education Please describe your academic
vocational or professional education and the public and private schools you attended
What are the dates of attendance
(To permit verification)
Notice in case of emergency What are the names and addresses of people to be notified in case of
accident or emergency (can be asked after hire)
Military experience Have you served in the US Armed Forces or in the National Guard
Describe your experience
Do you have any military experience
(other than in the United States) Organizations Do you belong to any organizations
which you consider relevant to your ability to perform this job Please
explain
Are you a member of any clubs societies or lodges
Which ones
Race or color What racecolor are you Are you a minority
Religion or creed What is your religion To which parishchurch do you
belong What religious holidays do you
observe National Origin What is your (or relatives) lineage
ancestry national origin descent percentage or nationality
Office of Career Services at IU Kokomo
36 |Kelley Student Center 200 2300 S Washington St PO Box 9003 Kokomo IN 46904-9003 (765)455-9301 fax (765)455-9537 carserviukedu wwwiukeducareer-
services
After the interview After you have interviewed for a position there are some things to do that may improve your chances
Send a Follow-up thank you note within 24 hours
This shows that you are serious about their organization and will set you apart from many who neglect to do so By taking the
time to email or write a handwritten letter thanking them for taking their time to meet with you Summarize specific qualities
you have and let them know you look forward in speaking with them further about employment
Sample Thank you
Dear Intervieweersquos Name Thank you for taking the time to talk with me on Thursday November 9 at the interview for list specifics of position and company) I appreciate your time and attention and after talking with you I am even more interested in becoming a valuable team member at companyrsquos name You were extremely helpful in explaining list position Now that I have a better idea of what the position entails I am even more certain that I would be an asset to your team and to companyrsquos name My solid education from the IU Kokomo Communication Department and the fact that I have worked my way through college show the work ethic and determination you said were important to be successful at companyrsquos name I look forward to an opportunity to work with companyrsquos name office and speak to you further about the program I will contact you next week to follow up and provide you with any further information that you may need Thank you again for your time and consideration Sincerely
Your name
The Stall Letter
There may be situations that you will need time to figure out whether a job is a good fit or have more than one position to accept or decline The stall letter is a good tool to have in this case In the introduction refer to the job offer or event that is prompting the letter In the second paragraph state your continued interest in the position but request more time to gather further information or to consider all alternatives and opportunities in order to make the best choice for the position and the company as well as yourself Give a specific time extension request If you need 24 hours for example ask for that Ask for the minimal amount of time in order to make your decision Remember this is a request and does not guarantee that the employer will accept it and be prepared for the possibility that they will not grant the time and choose another candidate In the conclusion thank them for their time and understanding and indicate when you will contact them to discuss the terms of the possible extension
Sample Stall Letter
Dear name of person that offered the position This letter is in reference to list company name and your offer of list the position I would like to take this opportunity to thank you for the opportunity and express my continued interest in the position At this time I would like to request __hours to gather some vital information in order to be completely confidant that I am making the best and most informed decision possible I want to ensure for all parties involved that I have considered all options and alternatives to be certain that my acceptance of this list position is the correct course of action for us both I appreciate your understanding and valuable time and look forward to speaking with you at your earliest convenience today so that we may discuss the terms of my request Sincerely Your Name
Office of Career Services at IU Kokomo
37 |Kelley Student Center 200 2300 S Washington St PO Box 9003 Kokomo IN 46904-9003 (765)455-9301 fax (765)455-9537 carserviukedu wwwiukeducareer-
services
Acceptance of a Job Offer Letter
Responding in writing to a job offer shows courtesy and is expected It reduces the chance of any misunderstanding that verbal acceptances do not In the first paragraph thank the employer for offering the specific position title and say that you are happy to accept it In the second paragraph state the terms of employment (salary location and start date) Emphasize any negotiations of terms that were unusual or non-standard if there were any In the last paragraph thank the employer sincerely for the opportunity and express your excitement to join their organization and be a valuable asset to them
Sample Job Offer Acceptance Letter
Dear person who offered position
I am happy to have the opportunity to accept the position of list title
The following terms of the position as I understood them include a salary of list salaryrate of pay at List location and to begin employment on list date As we discussed instead of the typical work week we agreed to the addition of evening and weekend hours during the probationary period with a return to usual business hours after 90 days We also agreed to a company vehicle provision for any off site training and appointments during the course of my employment
I truly look forward to becoming a valued member of your team and I am anticipating a productive and positive professional relationship with list company
Sincerely Your Name
Decline or Withdrawing from Consideration Letter
There may be times that you wish to decline or remove yourself from consideration from a position Doing this on a positive
and respectful note decreases the chance that future opportunities will be missed either as a future employee or possible
professional contact with the firm Thank the employer for the opportunity but decline it based on your reasons Be sure to
specifically name the person that was in charge of the hiring process If the decline is due to a term that was offered be
specific the firm could always choose to negotiate that term to better suit your situation
Date
Dear List person
Thank you very much for offering me the list position After careful consideration I regret that I must decline your offer
Although you were most encouraging in outlining future advancement possibilities within ABC Company I have accepted another
opportunity that is more in line with my skills and career goals or I found list the term to be out of line with my needs and
goals
I enjoyed meeting you and the rest of your team You have been most kind and gracious throughout the interview process and I
only wish that circumstances allowed me to accept your offer
Best wishes for your continued success
Sincerely
Your Name
Office of Career Services at IU Kokomo
38 |Kelley Student Center 200 2300 S Washington St PO Box 9003 Kokomo IN 46904-9003 (765)455-9301 fax (765)455-9537 carserviukedu wwwiukeducareer-
services
____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
This packet contains a lot of valuable information to help you achieve all the goals that an education from IU Kokomo
will prepare you for Use this as a guide for every step of the way from your freshman year graduation and beyond
IU Kokomo Career and Accessibility Center
3 |Kelley Student Center 200 2300 S Washington St PO Box 9003 Kokomo IN 46904-9003 (765)455-9301 fax (765)455-9537 carserviukedu wwwiukeducareer-
services
Timeline for Making Sound Career Decisions Discover an amazing future for yourself It is easy with Indiana University Kokomo Career Services
4 Year Career Plan First Year Envision
Make the grades Experience a variety of courses to help you determine your area of interest Get to know a professor who is in the field of your particular interest If you are planning to major in one of the pre-professional programs (pre-med pre-dent nursing PT or pre-law) talk
with your academic advisors now Consider taking leadership and career prep classes Utilize the career resources online or counseling services to help you identify a major or career area to explore Take advantage of career assessments (SIGI3) which allow you to discover your interests personality type and
careers which may be appropriate for you (Discuss your results with a counselor) See a career counselor for an informational meeting about preparing for the next four years of career development Schedule a reacutesumeacute critique appointment with career services Attend career events on and off campus Get involved and volunteer
Second Year Plan
Make the grades Begin to think about a particular major or classes that interest you Expand your knowledge of career opportunities Utilize the career resources online or counseling services to help you identify a major or career area to explore Schedule your internship appointment with the career services Consider taking leadership and career prep classes Schedule a reacutesumeacute critique appointment with career services Continue being involved in school and community activities Ask upper class-students in your field about their job experiences
Third Year Experience
Make the grades Schedule your internship appointment with career services if you havent already Utilize the career resources online or counseling services to help you identify a major or career area to explore Consider taking leadership and career prep classes Continue updating your reacutesumeacute Learn techniques on job searching Gather information about graduate or professional schools if you are considering continuing your education Look for
application and testing deadlines Register for the GRE LSAT or GMAT if necessary Look for test dates and deadlines Schedule a mock interview with a career counselor to enhance your interviewing skills Attend career fairs and professional development events
Fourth Year Achieve
Make the grades Be sure to update and finalize your reacutesumeacute Continue your job search through networking contacts the Internet and researching Attend career fairs and professional development events Perfect your cover letter writing skills Apply to graduate and professional schools Remember there are deadlines Follow through on your interviews by sending thank-you letters Begin building your professional wardrobe if you havent already Be dedicated and patient in your search GOOD LUCK
IU Kokomo Career and Accessibility Center
4 |Kelley Student Center 200 2300 S Washington St PO Box 9003 Kokomo IN 46904-9003 (765)455-9301 fax (765)455-9537 carserviukedu wwwiukeducareer-
services
How to Write a ldquoYESrdquo Reacutesumeacute
Reacutesumeacutes and cover letters create the first impression that an employer has of you Having a dynamic reacutesumeacute and cover letter
is vital to the employment process They are the most important marketing piece in your job search Developing a well-
organized reacutesumeacute and cover letter will also help you prepare for interviews and enable you to communicate to the employer
how your skills accomplishments and abilities fit their position
The format of reacutesumeacutes can be different for each individual This could differ because of your education experience and where
you are in your career life
Technology has also impacted the way we write and submit reacutesumeacutes Online application and reacutesumeacute submissions are the most
common way to find new employment opportunities We can no longer be certain the human eye sees our reacutesumeacute once
submitted Many employers are now using the technique of scanning reacutesumeacutes into a database The computer ldquoreadsrdquo each
reacutesumeacute identifies keywords and based on those keywords places it in the appropriate database file When a job opening
occurs an employer tells the tracking system the keywords associated with the position and instructs it to pull in the reacutesumeacutes
that incorporate the matching keywords
An interview is the first goal and with a dynamic reacutesumeacute and cover letter you can easily achieve it The second goal is to get the
job Being well prepared for the interview will give you an advantage and help you get the position The interview is the
deciding factor on being hired Candidates must demonstrate knowledge and preparation for the company and position You
donrsquot have to follow any particular reacutesumeacute model exactly Many reacutesumeacutes are a mixture of more than one style but you should
follow these guidelines
IU Kokomo Career and Accessibility Center
5 |Kelley Student Center 200 2300 S Washington St PO Box 9003 Kokomo IN 46904-9003 (765)455-9301 fax (765)455-9537 carserviukedu wwwiukeducareer-
services
Reacutesumeacute Dorsquos
Do try to keep your reacutesumeacute 1-2 pages in length (someone who has prior experience in the professional world may
have a longer one) Do start with a first draft Expect to do several revisions Do make it crisp well-balanced and pleasing to the eye Use clear fonts (Arial or Times New Roman) Do use your complete legal name (no nicknames) address and phone number should be at the top of each page (leave
a where you can be reached between 8 am and 5 pm or where someone can leave a message that will be promptly returned)
Do tailor each reacutesumeacute and application to each new position Do write brief phrases ndash not full sentences (but be clear and specific) Do use phrases action verbs (initiated organized developed) and the results (see example below)
Example- Initiate and organize a variety of advertisements in the community which result in xyz new clientele per year
Do make sure to use the correct tense If it was a past job (developed organized initiated) if it is a current job (initiate organize maintain)
Do support all activities and responsibilities with results and accomplishments Include all post-secondary education and training that supports the position you are applying for
Do describe your specific responsibilities from past and current positions and use bullet points to list them Do cite any community activities and awards (if they enhance your other experiences by demonstrating leadership
organization etc) Do have complete and accurate reference lists available Do proofread final product for correct spelling punctuation grammatical and typographical errors Have an
independent ldquocriticalrdquo person proofread for errors you may have missed Do use high quality paper to print your reacutesumeacute on (water bond cotton etc in white or eggshell 85x11 Do make sure it has absolutely no typos or misspellings
Reacutesumeacute Do Notrsquos
Do not use abbreviations - only use professional and technical information when it is relevant Do not use odd-sized bordered or colored paper ndash anything that may be considered eccentric Do not list references on the body of the reacutesumeacute Do not include personal data marital status number of children or ldquoexcellent healthrdquo Do not devote more space to earlier jobs than to more recent employment Do not list grade point average or college honors unless you are a recent graduate and it is above a 3040 Do not use language that may cause the employer to stereotype or anything that might be perceived negative Do not use phrases like ldquoresponsibilitiesrdquo or ldquoduties includedrdquo Do not italicize anything Do not use ldquocuterdquo stuff such as non-standard fonts and pictures Do not use excessive detail in job experience section Do not use language that may cause employers to stereotype you in a specific occupation Do not repeat words and phrases- instead highlight how those accomplishments cover multiple related areas Do not photocopy a reacutesumeacute
The next several pages are samples of reacutesumeacutes for common occupations They will give you a good idea of what employers are expecting to see
IU Kokomo Career and Accessibility Center
6 |Kelley Student Center 200 2300 S Washington St PO Box 9003 Kokomo IN 46904-9003 (765)455-9301 fax (765)455-9537 carserviukedu wwwiukeducareer-
services
Sample Leadership Reacutesumeacute Address Phone Email
Objective (optional) Internship or summer position in the area of Social Work particular interest with juveniles
Education Indiana University Kokomo- Kokomo IN Bachelor of Arts in Sociology Minor Psychology Expected Graduation Date May 2010 GPA 3140
Related Courses Sociology Law Adolescence and Early Childhood The family in the Ecosystem
Childhood Psychology Organizational Behavior Families Psychological Behavior
Related Employment and College Activities Phi Sigma Sigma- Indiana University Kokomo Secretary (809- current)
Provide Leadership Attended leadership conference Volunteered with big brothers big sisters
Tutored school age children Assisted with multiple events on campus
CASA- Kokomo In Intern (January lsquo09-April rsquo09)
Advocate for children in the court system Assisted with court paperwork
Developed database and new registration form Counseled children and families
Skills Communication
Communicate with campus about upcoming events Addressed and resolved customerstudent concerns Presented nationally at a worldwide conference Corresponded with University superiors regarding events
Problem Solving
Counseled and worked with children on multiple situations Discovered and resolved errors on forms Coordinated monthly meetings with upper level management team
Time Management
Always met deadlines Dealt with situations and problems as they occurred to solve them in a timely manner Directed the work of three Administrative Assistants on a daily basis
Work Experience Kokomo Sports Center- Childcare Supervisor (808-current) Kroger- Supervisor (806-708) Volunteer Rescue Mission- 207- current American Cancer Society- 502-current Bridges Outreach- 0907-0408
Office of Career Services at IU Kokomo
7 |Kelley Student Center 200 2300 S Washington St PO Box 9003 Kokomo IN 46904-9003 (765)455-9301 fax (765)455-9537 carserviukedu wwwiukeducareer-
services
SAMPLE Skills Resume
Name Address City State Zip Phone Email address
Objective (optional) Entry level sales management position
Education
Indiana University Kokomo Bachelor of Science in Business Administration- May 2009 GPA 3440 Skills
Marketing Sales Promotion
Grossed $15000 in three months with summer painting business
Raised $600 in advertising space for local organizations project
Cold canvasses community for potential clients
Created informational brochure for apartment leasing company
Developed advertising campaign for class project
Management Training Organizational Ability
Assisted in organizing talent show and benefit auction for local non-profit organization
Coordinated sales presentation strategy for SIFE
Trained new restaurant employees
Communication Creative projects
Created multimedia presentations using slides music and narration
Developed sales presentation and assisted with advertising campaigns including radio spots newspaper sales brochures
Designed and distributed flyers for local non-profit organizations benefit banquet
Work experience Waiter Red Lobster Kokomo In 2002-2009 Intern Samaritan Caregivers Kokomo IN 2005 Activities
Students in Free Enterprise (SIFE) Volunteer for Samaritan Caregivers
References upon request (optional)
Office of Career Services at IU Kokomo
8 |Kelley Student Center 200 2300 S Washington St PO Box 9003 Kokomo IN 46904-9003 (765)455-9301 fax (765)455-9537 carserviukedu wwwiukeducareer-
services
SAMPLE Radiology Reacutesumeacute Name
Address Phone email address Objective (optional) To obtain a challenging rewarding full-time position as a Radiological Technologist
Education Indiana University Kokomo Kokomo IN Associate in Applied Science Radiologic Technology May 2009 GPA 30 40
Skills Diagnostic Imaging Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) Computerized Tomography (CT) Scans RMS IDX Carecast TDS order Entry Fluoroscopy procedures
Ultrasounds X-ray Radiation Protection Film evaluation
Clinical Experience Dukes Memorial Hospital Peru IN Spring 2009 Perform ultrasounds MRIs CT scans X-ray imaging portable radiography and fluoroscopic procedures Serve a diverse caseload including newborns infants children adolescents adults and geriatric patients Interpret data and provide recommendations for optimal patient care Manage 12 to 15 procedures per shift while maintaining high quality of care
Howard Regional Health Kokomo IN Fall 2008 bull Prepared patients for radiology examinations and explained procedures to patients bull Positioned radiographic equipment at correct angleheight bull Assisted with administering radiographic exams and film development
Dukes Memorial Hospital Peru IN Summer 2007 bull Prepared and positioned patients for radiographic examinations bull Operated all major necessary and portable diagnostic imaging equipment bull Experience with digital radiography bull Maintained records of examinations
Woodlawn Memorial Hospital Rochester IN Spring 2008 bull Performed all required diagnostic radiology procedures producing high quality exams bull Prepared diagnostic agents as required and explained procedures to patient(s) bull Ensured patient safety by utilizing radiation protective devices
Arnett Clinic Lafayette IN Fall 2007 bull Performed imaging procedures of the Diagnostic Imaging Department bull Assisted in x-ray examination and diagnosis of injurydisease observation bull Experience with fluoroscopic examinations bull Ensured patient comfort and operated within an integrated plan of careservice bull Verified all patient information
Honors Member American Society Radiologic Technologists 2008-Present Member Deanrsquos List 2007-2009
CERTIFICATIONS CPR Certification
Office of Career Services at IU Kokomo
9 |Kelley Student Center 200 2300 S Washington St PO Box 9003 Kokomo IN 46904-9003 (765)455-9301 fax (765)455-9537 carserviukedu wwwiukeducareer-
services
Sample Criminal Justice Resume
334 Indiana Drive Kokomo IN 46902 (765) 555-5555 nameemailcom
Seeking a position in the field of
Criminal Justice Law Enforcement
CitymdashStatemdashFederalmdashPrivate
Highly motivated energetic law enforcement graduate with strong work ethics and professional goals
Bring five years of service in office support and retail sales positions while attending college full-time
Bi-lingual with articulate fluency in English and Spanish personable easy-going communication style
Meet challenges head on work well in stressful situations in a fast-paced setting
Analytical with a lot of common sense intuitive instincts and ability to think outside the box
Maintain excellent research organization time management and problem assessmentresolution skills
Education
Bachelor of Arts in Criminal Justice- 2011
Indiana University Kokomo
Selected Courses
Analysis of Criminal Behavior
Concepts of Forensic Science
Abnormal Psychology
Physical Fitness in Law Enforcement
Criminal Law Group Dynamics
Work Experience
Receptionist ABC Store Indianapolis IN 400mdashPresent
Payroll Clerk DEF Place Kokomo IN 402mdash702
Sales Associate GHI Business Kokomo IN
Senior Sales Associate JKL Sales Kokomo IN
200mdash600
999mdash299
Provide front-desk representation clerical support and customer service for The Auto Store
Managed over 50 business payroll accounts utilizing cross-trained experience in teller and payroll services
Prepared and uploaded weekly exemptnon-exempt payroll data into network system for clients to download
Completed mandatory training that included a film study on a mock robbery to learn observation techniques
Held increasingly responsible sales positions achieving recognition for over-quota floor sales and cashier management
skills and manager-requests to return during school breaks based on performance and reliability
Provided excellence in customer service while assisting in all areas of inventory and display merchandising
Computer Skills
Microsoft Word Lexis-Nexis PsychInfo Criminal Justice Abstracts
InfoTrak Health Sociological Abstracts Internet research
Office of Career Services at IU Kokomo
10 |Kelley Student Center 200 2300 S Washington St PO Box 9003 Kokomo IN 46904-9003 (765)455-9301 fax (765)455-9537 carserviukedu wwwiukeducareer-
services
Sample Nursing reacutesumeacute Address City State Zip code
Home (222) 555-1234 Cell (222) 555-8888 nameunivnameedu Objective (optional) Seeking a challenging position as a registered nurse
CLINICALS January2007-May2009 Alta Beach Hospital Performed nursing duties in a level one trauma hospital Fairview Riverside Hospital Med-Surgery Unit Augustan Nursing Home Long term care
Education Indiana University Kokomo Kokomo IN Bachelor of Science in Nursing GPA 3040 (or higher only) Anticipated graduation date May 2009
Licenses RN - American Medical Association NAR license 3779948 State of Indiana 2008 CPR and First Aid Certified American Red Cross 2009
Employment History St Joseph Hospital Kokomo In 2009 to Present Nursersquos aide
Provide health care checks for a diverse population Perform blood pressure tests for community health outreach programs Supply a wide range of services including womens health clinic services and care for elderly patients
Saint Clair Nursing Home Kokomo In 2005-2008 Receptionist
Managed front desk Scheduled appointments for prospective clients Administered weekly evaluations of clients
SKILLS AND CERTIFICATIONS
Direct care of patients Educated patients for home care and discharge planning Operated and maintained monitors of bio-medical equipment Medical terminology and medication administration skills Maintained sterile fields and application of dressings Catheter IV and suctioning training Charting and documentation of patient care Acute and chronic care experience PC and Microsoft Office literate
Professional Affiliations Monroe County Medical Society Pennsylvania Nursing Association
References Available upon request (optional)
Office of Career Services at IU Kokomo
11 |Kelley Student Center 200 2300 S Washington St PO Box 9003 Kokomo IN 46904-9003 (765)455-9301 fax (765)455-9537 carserviukedu wwwiukeducareer-
services
SAMPLE REacuteSUMEacute FOR TEACHERS NAME
Address Phone E-Mail Address
OBJECTIVE (optional) Position as elementary teacher in grades 1 2 or 3 EDUCATION Indiana University Kokomo IN Bachelor of Science in Education May 2009 Endorsements in Reading and Science GPA 37540 TEACHING EXPERIENCE Student Teaching Maple Crest Elementary School (2008-2009)
Prepared and implemented all lesson plans for fall semester first grade class Instructed reading classes for third grade low reading group Developed learning centers to enhance vocabulary and writing skills for both groups
Methods Experience Eastern Elementary School (2007-2008)
Developed math center to reinforce learning weights and measures in 2nd grade class
Utilized songs music and dance to teach Japanese Social Studies unit to 3rd graders
Teacherrsquos Aide Western Middle School (2006)
Assisted teacher with reading groups and record keeping Scheduled field trips and parentteacher conferences
Accomplishments
Earned high marks for the quality and creativity of classroom teaching lesson plans and instructional materials used in teaching diverse subjects (eg language arts mathematics science social studies and history)
Developed innovative approaches that were repeatedly held up as the model standard for meeting district goals in areas including technology integration across the curriculum experiential learning literacy and diversity
Taught general education students as well as individuals with learning challenges and special needs within a mainstreamed inclusive classroom
Consistently commended for ability to redirect students exhibiting behavior problems by replacing disruptive unproductive patterns with positive behaviors As a result selected to lead district-wide in-service on classroom management
Established positive relationships with students parents fellow teachers and school administratorsstaff Quickly became a first-to-call resource in current substitute teaching role typically working four days per week
Personally requested by many full-time teachers to take over their classrooms during absences
OTHER EXPERIENCE Library Assistant Indianapolis Public Schools (2005-2007) ACTIVITIES Literacy Coalition Tutor President Ed Sac (2007-2008) Folk Dance Instructor Cheerleading Coach for Eastern Middle School
Office of Career Services at IU Kokomo
12 |Kelley Student Center 200 2300 S Washington St PO Box 9003 Kokomo IN 46904-9003 (765)455-9301 fax (765)455-9537 carserviukedu wwwiukeducareer-
services
Sample Entry level Information Technology Reacutesumeacute NAME
Address Phone Number Email address
Summary of Qualifications (optional)
Outstanding academic record Achieved Deans list for 1516 semesters and GPA of 375 Four years of experience as help desk technician and web developer Proficiency in various programs operating systems and applications Expert at finding and resolving malfunctions using exceptional technical and communication skills to ensure
minimization of downtime and optimal computer performance Education
Purdue University College of Technology Kokomo In Bachelor of Science in Computer and Information Technology Expected Graduation date May 2010 GPA 3040 (only if it is above a 30)
Technical Qualifications
Programming languages C Visual C++ C++ CSS ASP JavaScript Java Servlet HTML Java Server pages JBuilder XML PHP Apache
Software Applications Microsoft Suite (Excel Word Access Power Point) Macromedia Homesuite Adobe Photoshop FrontPageDreamweaver macromedia Flash DrScheme
Database Management Database SQL command MySQL Operating Systems Mac OSX Windows XP professional UNIX
Professional Experience Promega Corporation Indianapolis IN Web Developer (2008 - Present)
Helped in the re-launching and redesigning of companys web site that resulted in increased online sales by 15 and improved navigation
Responsible for implementation of programs and build databases that let the users to register unique names and passwords
Help in implementation creation and management of multiple applications for back end and web site Back end include Flash slide shows newsletter and RSS
Web site updating and editing using several languages such as XML HTML and CSS SGate Entertainment Indianapolis IN Web DeveloperHelp Desk Technician (52005-92008)
Utilized JavaScript HTML Flash and CSS to create companys web site Primarily recruited to help help desk Assured software and hardware were installed and operated at peak efficiency Accountable for long-term and day-to-day maintenance and technical support of site including suggestion solutions
and analyzing requirements to meet user needs Offered support for 10 users Helped with migration from PC to Mac environment
Volunteeractivities
Tutor computer students Assist area school corporation with computer updates
References upon request (optional)
Office of Career Services at IU Kokomo
13 |Kelley Student Center 200 2300 S Washington St PO Box 9003 Kokomo IN 46904-9003 (765)455-9301 fax (765)455-9537 carserviukedu wwwiukeducareer-
services
Sample Health Sciences Resume Address Phone Email
Education Indiana University Kokomo- Kokomo IN Bachelor of Science in Health Sciences Minor Psychology Expected Graduation Date May 2013 GPA 3140
Related Courses Ethics and civic engagement Social and behavioral sciences Cultural Diversity
Quantitative Literacy and Math Childhood Psychology Personality Psychology
Leadership Special volunteer projects (2012)
Planned and directed health screening day Organized group of student leaders on advocacy projects
Phi Sigma Sigma- Indiana University Kokomo Secretary (809- current)
Provide Leadership Attended leadership conference Volunteered with big brothers big sisters
Tutored school age children Assisted with multiple events on campus
CASA- Kokomo In volunteer (January lsquo09-current)
Advocate for children in the court system Assisted with court paperwork
Developed database and new registration form Counseled children and families
Relevant Work experience Samaritan Caregivers- Kokomo IN (summer 2012) Intern
Provided support to volunteers and staff on routine client visits Evaluated new clients
Community Howard Regional Health- Kokomo IN (summer 2011) Intern
Assisted with organization of new programs Planned and directed ldquoHealthy Teensrdquo event Researched and evaluated what needs the community had and implemented the new XYZ program
Skills CommunicationOrganizationMarketing
Strong interpersonal communication skills Designed and distributed flyers for benefit dinners and school functions Created informational and advertising brochures and slideshow presentations Participated in fundraisers and benefit dinners
ManagementTrainingSales Interviewed hired and scheduled employees Charted yearly sales records and tracked employee overtime Taught peers how to make and operate slideshows using PowerPoint Trained students on assembling and using art equipment
Office of Career Services at IU Kokomo
14 |Kelley Student Center 200 2300 S Washington St PO Box 9003 Kokomo IN 46904-9003 (765)455-9301 fax (765)455-9537 carserviukedu wwwiukeducareer-
services
Sample Informatics Resume
NAME Address Phone number Email address
Objective (optional)
Qualified IT professional with variety of software hardware and networking knowledge
Exceptional teamwork and leadership skills
Efficient troubleshooter with commitment to lifetime learning
Experience Computer Services Inc Indianapolis In Maintenance and Computer Technician 2008 - Present
Assembled computers
helped in network installation tasks
Assisted with troubleshooting Green Networks Inc Carmel IN Computer Technician 2006-2008
Responsible for the maintenance of equipment and computers used by company for multimedia advertisement Education
Indiana University Kokomo Kokomo In Bachelor of Science in Informatics Expected Graduation date May 2010 GPA 3040 (only if it is above a 30)
Skills Systems Engineering
Differentiate between various types of hardware
Set up and configure software and all the versions of Microsoft Windows
Build and maintain a computer
Troubleshoot software and hardware problems
Networking
Find out network hardware devices and cabling and their working
Implement IP schemes and administer groups
Maintain a secure network and implement network topologies
Expert in DNS Active Directory DHCP and WINS
Communications
Demonstrated skills to answer technical questions with different degrees of computer skills
Willingness to learn new things and work well with others
Good presentation skills
Demonstrated leadership skills in a team environment
Reference available on request (optional)
Office of Career Services at IU Kokomo
15 |Kelley Student Center 200 2300 S Washington St PO Box 9003 Kokomo IN 46904-9003 (765)455-9301 fax (765)455-9537 carserviukedu wwwiukeducareer-
services
SAMPLE BiologyChemistryBio-Chemistry Reacutesumeacute 190 Indiana Drive Kokomo IN 46902 (765) 555-5555 nameemailcom
High-energy and motivated individual with outstanding work ethic a strong academic background broad-based work experience and a record of personal achievement working for leading organizations
EDUCATION
Bachelor of Science in Biology May 2008 Minor Bio-Chemistry Indiana University Kokomo
PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT
Ophthalmology Intern XYZ Organization Kokomo IN Spring 2012
Transcribed 20 patient charts discussing medication and vision prescriptions
Observed 100 appointments for issues including glaucoma macular degeneration and detached retinas
Helped for new contact lens patients
Biology Lab Teaching Assistant Indiana University Kokomo August 2011 - current
Independently taught two biology labs per semester with 20 students in each
Created lesion plans and modified and presented curriculum for weekly classes
Maintained lab with spiders guinea pigs beetles and gecko
Held weekly office hours and tutored students
WORK EXPERIENCE
Server September 2005-June 2008 XYZ Restaurant Indianapolis IN Supervised dining experience of up to 40 guests per shift Exceeded sales goals by promoting specialty items
Head Lifeguard Seasonal May 2001-September 2007 LMN Business Kokomo IN Promoted twice within four summerscreated weekly schedule for 20 staff members Authorized to make management decisions in absence of manager Trained five new employees per summer concerning all assigned duties
ACTIVITIES amp INTERESTS
Biology Club Member (Fall 2011-current) Environmental Club Member (Spring 2010-current) Relay for Life Participant (Spring 2012-Spring 2011)
Office of Career Services at IU Kokomo
16 |Kelley Student Center 200 2300 S Washington St PO Box 9003 Kokomo IN 46904-9003 (765)455-9301 fax (765)455-9537 carserviukedu wwwiukeducareer-
services
Sample New Media Resume
Objective (optional)________________________________________________________________
Creative and dedicated Graphic Designer seeking a full-time position with advancement
opportunities to further enhance my knowledge in graphic design
Education________________________________________________________________________
Indiana University KokomomdashMay 2010
Bachelor of Arts in New Media GPA 36
Qualifications_____________________________________________________________________
More than 5 years of diverse hands-on design experience including experience in web-
site design magazine publishing and marketing
Adaptable organized results and detail-oriented with excellent work ethic strong time
management and interpersonal skills
Ability to create designs concepts and sample layouts based on knowledge of layout
principles and aesthetic design concepts
Extensive knowledge of design techniques tools and principals involved in production
of precision technical plans blueprints drawings and models
Ability to come up with unusual or clever ideas about a given topic or situation or to
develop creative ways to solve a problem
Team player also capable of working independently with minimal direction
Work Experience_________________________________________________________________
ABC Company Dec 2004 ndash Present Indianapolis Indiana
Coordination and production of a variety of graphics products and servicesmdashgraphic
design and art direction for ads newsletters report covers annual reports brochures
exhibit displays maps slide shows and the government cable TV channel
Study illustrations photographs and text to plan presentation of products and services
Review layouts and suggest improvements as needed
Prepare the assembly of final layouts for printing and review and approve art materials
Provide expert analysis and input on othersrsquo designs
XYZ Business Jan 2000 - Nov 2004 Indianapolis Indiana
Completed various freelance design assignmentsmdashincluding creation of a bi-monthly
printed newsletter for a lawyers association design of various logos and artwork for the
PQ Design amp Silk-Screening
Responsible for coordination and production of a variety of graphics products and services
Estimated costs coordinated graphic production and reproduction by service bureaus
Assembled final layouts for printing and provided graphic design for website
765-555-5555
1234 Indiana Drive
Kokomo IN
nameemailcom
Office of Career Services at IU Kokomo
17 |Kelley Student Center 200 2300 S Washington St PO Box 9003 Kokomo IN 46904-9003 (765)455-9301 fax (765)455-9537 carserviukedu wwwiukeducareer-
services
Sample Chaplain Reacutesumeacute Name
Address Phone Email
Objective (Optional) To seek a challenging position as a chaplain that allows me to utilize my knowledge and clinical pastoral education skills Qualifications Summary
Compassionate and devoted Chaplin providing spiritual moral guidance for 7 years
Maintains patient confidentiality according to HIPAA regulations
Excellent interpersonal and communication skills
Experience counseling patients concerning their spiritual personal and emotional needs
Professional Experience XXX Hospice Kokomo In 2007-current Hospice Resident Chaplin
Visit patientsfamilies and perform spiritual assessments
Provide spiritual support and counseling to patients and caregivers
Document all pertinent chaplain activities and audit patient charts XXX Church Kokomo In 2002-2007 Assistance Clergy
Assisted and organized religious services
Helped manage church property and finances
Participated in church programs supporting congregation and fundraising activities XXX Hospital Kokomo IN 1997-2000 Nursersquos aide
Provide health care checks for a diverse population
Perform blood pressure tests for community health outreach programs
Supply a wide range of services including womens health clinic services and care for elderly patients
Education Hospitalhellip Clinical Pastoral Education 3 units completed University of Santa Barbara CA Master of Divinity- 2002 Indiana University Kokomo Kokomo In Bachelor of Science in Nursing ndash 2000 GPA 3440
Volunteer Work
Xxx
Xxxx
Office of Career Services at IU Kokomo
18 |Kelley Student Center 200 2300 S Washington St PO Box 9003 Kokomo IN 46904-9003 (765)455-9301 fax (765)455-9537 carserviukedu wwwiukeducareer-
services
SCANNABLE REacuteSUMEacute CHECKLIST
Resume scanning is more commonly used by employers to seek out employees When a computer will be the first to
read your reacutesumeacute it should be altered If the scannable reacutesumeacute meets the computer criteria it will then be seen by
the employer
1 Left justify the entire document
2 Use key words or short phrases to describe your qualifications and abilities Use
jargon and acronyms specific to your industry Check the job listings and
industry-related materials for current buzzwords
3 Increase your list of key words by including specific names of products and
services such as Microsoft Word or Lotus Notes
4 Use nouns more than verbs For instance say ldquoproject managerrdquo instead of
ldquoimplemented projectrdquo
5 Use common section headings such as Objective Experience Employment
Work History Positions Held Appointments and Skills Use boldface andor all
CAPITAL LETTERS for each of these section headings as long as the letters
donrsquot touch each other
6 Minimize abbreviations except for common ones such as MBA or CEO
7 Use a 10- to 14- point font size Use standard typefaces such as Times New Roman Arial New Century
or Courier
8 Avoid italics script and underlined passages Minimize use of hyphens bullets or dashes Boldface is accepted by
most systems unless the employer advises otherwise
9 Avoid graphics shadings vertical or horizontal lines and boxes The scanner
reads text not graphics
10 Print your reacutesumeacute on 8frac12 X 11 inch white paper of average thickness on one
side only using a laser or other letter-quality paper Donrsquot staple or fold
multiple-page reacutesumeacutes Always make sure your name is on all pages
11 Donrsquot condense spacing between letters
12 Use enough white space between sections Computers use white space to
differentiate between topics
13 When faxing set the fax machine on ldquofine moderdquo instead of ldquostandard moderdquo
Office of Career Services at IU Kokomo
19 |Kelley Student Center 200 2300 S Washington St PO Box 9003 Kokomo IN 46904-9003 (765)455-9301 fax (765)455-9537 carserviukedu wwwiukeducareer-
services
Scannable reacutesumeacute example
NAME IN CAPS
Current address
555 Candy Lane
Kokomo IN 46901
765 555 ndash 2424
Permanent address
444 Peppermint Lane
Indianapolis IN 46077
317 555 ndash 1234
OBJECTIVE (Optional)
A fulltime position in the area that is my expertisehellip (You fill it in-see suggested buzz-word list)
EDUCATION
Indiana University Kokomo IN
Bachelor of Science in Management
Minor Management Information Systems MIS
GPA 36 40
Major GPA 38 40
Graduation May 2014
SIGNIFICANT COURSES
Fill in with significant core courses for your major that apply to the job Use one line per course
SKILLS
Proficient with (pc programs that you are proficient in and are applicable)
Any other skills that are applicable (see buzz-word list)
WORK EXPERIENCE
Bold the Job Title
Basic job description as it applies to job applying for Dates employed (begin with most recent)
Use buzz-word list based on your occupation and relevant to the position being applied for
Office of Career Services at IU Kokomo
20 |Kelley Student Center 200 2300 S Washington St PO Box 9003 Kokomo IN 46904-9003 (765)455-9301 fax (765)455-9537 carserviukedu wwwiukeducareer-
services
Cover Letters Cover letters are an additional component of a reacutesumeacute Customize every letter to each company andor position of interest
Address it to the person listed on the position advertisement or the person that you know has the authority to hire Finding this may
take some investigation to discover if the name is not announced on the position advertisement PO boxes are often used to filter
reacutesumeacutes and you can find the owner of the box by calling the post office and asking who owns the box with that number Having
this information to address the cover letter with will set you apart from those who do not
Cover letter Format Date Employers Name Use the name of the person stated in the job posting or contact the company for the contact person address and the correct spelling) Position or title Company Name Address Suite number or floor (if there is one) City state Zip Salutation Dear Mr or Ms Or Dear Sir or Madam (use the last name only of the person you listed above) If you have made every effort to find out but do not know the name or gender or the individual use a unisex greeting of Dear Manager or Dear Director Paragraph one (Introduction) State which position you are applying for and where you heard about the opening If the position was advertised refer to where it was advertised (Indianapolis Star or higheredcom) Be enthusiastic and confident about the position with a brief statement about why you are the right fit for the job Paragraph two (Body) Explain why you want to work for this company and how your skills experience and qualifications directly relate to the position You can also include your personal traits and strengths that would be an asset for the job Summarize why you are an excellent candidate for the position Highlight key examples and how they match what the company is seeking There are likely other prospective employees that are competing for this position It is very important that you highlight qualities that will set you apart and show uniqueness You are marketing yourself in this paragraph so be sure to sell the idea that you are the best one to interview and the best fit for this employer Most advertisements will list the requirements that are desired andor required for the position Be sure to detail how you meet each of those requirements Do not point out to the reader if there is a requirement that you donrsquot currently possess just do not reference that in your letter The purpose of a cover letter is to highlight the positives and do not bring up any negatives Paragraph three (Conclusion) State that you would like the opportunity to personally discuss your qualifications Indicate where you can be reached phone andor email A good sentence to use would look like ldquoI may be reached at 555-555-1234 or nameiukedurdquo Make sure to thank the reader for their time and consideration Closing Sincerely or Yours truly or Respectfully yours Signature (blue or black ink only) Your Name (Typed)
Office of Career Services at IU Kokomo
21 |Kelley Student Center 200 2300 S Washington St PO Box 9003 Kokomo IN 46904-9003 (765)455-9301 fax (765)455-9537 carserviukedu wwwiukeducareer-
services
References
Reference lists should always be available and prepared with 3-4 professional references
Do
Do get permission from each reference you plan to use
Do give each reference a copy of your reacutesumeacute to have as a guide
Do choose references that are well informed and have good verbal and written communication skills
Do Not
Do not use relatives personal friends or students as a reference
Letters of Recommendation
A letter of recommendation provides relevant information that is honest positive and portrays a up-front outlook of the skills
and potential capabilities you possess It can describe personality performance and skill attributes knowledge and
competency level
The following are suggestions of individuals who may be qualified to write a letter of recommendation
Executive Director
Vice President
Supervisors
Co-workers
CustomersClients
Subordinates
Professors
Counsellors
Coaches
Doctors
Lawyers
Ministers
Community Leaders
Office of Career Services at IU Kokomo
22 |Kelley Student Center 200 2300 S Washington St PO Box 9003 Kokomo IN 46904-9003 (765)455-9301 fax (765)455-9537 carserviukedu wwwiukeducareer-
services
Key WordsAction Words
Actively Established Evaluate Participated Schedule Coordinate Increased Proposed Strategy Created Launched Reduced Support Effect Eliminate Organized Originate
Approve Generate Program Solve Control Improve Recommend Supervise Direct Manage Motivated Responsibilities Revise Analyze Founded Pinpointed Set up
Completed Interpret Proficient Successfully Demonstrate Maintain Revamped Responsible Administer Expedite Plan Simplicity Conduct Implemented Provide Streamline Develop
Lecture Reorganized Accelerated Adapted Expanded Perform Significantly Conceived Influence Proved Structure Delegate Lead Reinforced Teach
Self-Describing Words Professional Active Diplomatic Loyal Respective Analytical Attentive Determined Logical Resourceful Ambitious Efficient Energetic Independent
Reliable Alert Economical Objective Optimistic Realistic Aggressive Discrete Methodical Sense-of-humor Sincere Adaptable Disciplined Mature
Self-reliant Broad-minded Enterprising Personable Tactful Creative Imaginative Perceptive Systematic Constructive Forceful Productive Sophisticated Consistent
Fair Practical Will relocate Conscientious Extroverted Positive Will travel Enthusiastic Pleasant Talented Dependable Trustworthy Ethical
Keywords for Interpersonal Traits Ability to delegate Accurate Assertive Creative Ethical Follow up Leadership Oral communication Public speaking Self accountable Supportive Tenacious
Ability to implement Adaptable Communication skill Customer oriented Flexible High energy Multitasking Organizational skills Results oriented Self management Takes initiative Willing to travel
Ability to plan Aggressive Competitive Detail minded Follow instructions Industrious Open minded Persuasive Risk taking Sensitive Team building Ability to train
Analytical ability Conceptual ability Empowering others Follow through Innovated Open communication Problem solving Safety conscious Setting priorities Team player
Office of Career Services at IU Kokomo
23 |Kelley Student Center 200 2300 S Washington St PO Box 9003 Kokomo IN 46904-9003 (765)455-9301 fax (765)455-9537 carserviukedu wwwiukeducareer-
services
Sample of Occupational Keywords Occupational keywords include skills titles and occupational buzz words Account manager Accounts receivable Acquisitions Bachelors Degree Bank Card Bank reconciliation Batch processing Benchmarking Blueprint reading Brochures Budget Bulletins CAD Calibrator Carpentry Cash Flow Cell Culture Media Cement Child Care Claims Justification Commercial Leasing Copy Editing Counselor Crisis Management Cross-culture training Debugging Decision making Demographics Dental management Die casting Dietitian Drywall Ecology Electronics Employee assistance Engineer Financial planning Food preparation Gas pipeline Goal setting Graphic design Grant writer Guest services Harnessing Hiringfiring Hotel ISO 9000
Journalism Journeyman Layout design Logic analyzer Magnetic theory Manager Marketing Masterrsquos Degree Microprocessor Microsoft word Nursing Oscillator Pelletizing Patient advocate Payroll Personal computer Process metallurgy Proposal writing Psychology Public Relations Purchasing Radio Raw materials Receptionist Reporter Research Sales Secretarial Software modeling Spanish Spreadsheets Statistical Process Control Stick Welding Strategic Planning Student Personnel Supervisor Taxonomy Teacher Technical Writing Time Management Transportation Travel Wave Solder WordPerfect Workflow Writer
Office of Career Services at IU Kokomo
24 |Kelley Student Center 200 2300 S Washington St PO Box 9003 Kokomo IN 46904-9003 (765)455-9301 fax (765)455-9537 carserviukedu wwwiukeducareer-
services
ACTION WORDS
ORGANIZATIONAL Assembled Enforced Prepared Reorganized
Collected Executed Planned Scheduled
Centralized Formalized Processed Updated
Coordinated Implemented Routed Catalogued
Maintained Recorded
LEADERSHIPAllocated Hired Operated Spearheaded Determined Initiated
Oversaw Sponsored Directed Inspired Pioneered Staged
Elected Instituted Presided Started Enlisted Led
Produced Supervised Formed Managed Recruited Founded
Moderated Represented Governed Motivated Selected
COMMUNICATION SKILLS Acquainted Drafted Introduced Summarized Apprised Educated
Lectured Taught Answered Explained Listened
Trained Briefed Familiarized Presented Translated Conducted
Handled Reported Wrote Contacted Informed Responded
Demonstrated Instructed Spoke
RESEARCH Analyzed Detected Examined Researched
Assessed Discovered Gathered Searched
Audited Documented Identified Surveyed
Compiled Edited Interpreted Tested
Consulted Evaluated Interviewed
CREATIVITY Authored Created Devised
Originated Conceived Composed
Established Revolutionized Conceptualized
Designed Invented
HELPING SKILLS Aided Counseled Helped Supported
Attended Comforted Instilled Tutored
Assisted Facilitated Mentored Treated
Collaborated Fostered Provided Contributed
Guided Settled
SELLING Arbitrated Marketed Promoted
Secured Convinced Mediated
Publicized Solicited
Dissuaded Negotiated Resolved
Encouraged Persuaded Sold
OTHER ACTION VERBS Adapted Developed Generated Revamped Attained Ensured Improved Revitalized
Augmented Eliminated Increased Saved Awarded Exceeded Launched Shopped
Boosted Excelled Mastered Strengthened Broadened Expanded Modernized Supplemented
Built Expedited Published Tended Calculated Fabricated Raised Utilized
Catered Financed Reconciled Decreased Gained Reduced
Office of Career Services at IU Kokomo
25 |Kelley Student Center 200 2300 S Washington St PO Box 9003 Kokomo IN 46904-9003 (765)455-9301 fax (765)455-9537 carserviukedu wwwiukeducareer-
services
Transferable Skills-Skills you have acquired from your education and employment experience that you can market to new employers
Communication the skillful expression transmission and interpretation of knowledge and ideas
Speaking effectively Writing concisely Listening attentively Expressing ideas Facilitating group discussion Providing appropriate feedback Negotiating
Perceiving nonverbal messages Persuading Reporting information Describing feelings Interviewing Editing
Research and Planning the search for specific knowledge and the ability to conceptualize future needs and solutions for meeting those needs
Forecasting predicting Creating ideas Identifying problems Imagining alternatives Identifying resources Gathering information
Solving problems Setting goals Extracting important information Defining needs Analyzing Developing evaluation strategies
Human Relations the use of interpersonal skills for resolving conflict relating to and helping people Developing rapport Being Sensitive Listening Conveying feelings Providing support for others Motivating Sharing credit
Counseling Cooperating Delegating with respect Representing others Perceiving feelings situations Asserting
Organization Management and Leadership the ability to supervise direct and guide individuals and groups in the completion of tasks and fulfillment of goals Work Survival the day-to-day skills that assist in promoting effective production and work satisfaction
Implementing decisions Cooperating Enforcing policies Being punctual Managing time Attending to detail Meeting goals Enlisting help Accepting responsibility Setting and meeting deadlines Organizing Making decisions
Initiating new ideas Handling details Coordinating tasks Managing groups Delegating responsibility Teaching Coaching Counseling Promoting change Selling ideas or products Decision making with others Managing conflict
Office of Career Services at IU Kokomo
26 |Kelley Student Center 200 2300 S Washington St PO Box 9003 Kokomo IN 46904-9003 (765)455-9301 fax (765)455-9537 carserviukedu wwwiukeducareer-
services
After you have the perfect reacutesumeacute it is time to hit the road and put your skills into action Career Fairs will help put you in communication with prospective employers and give you valuable practice for interviews
Achieve Results and Get the Most Out of a Career Fair
Attend as many job fairs as you can Not only will practice make perfect but it will expand your network of career contacts Make sure to ask precise questions and be prepared to answer specific questions the employers have regarding your background and capabilities Before the Job Fair- Be Prepared
Create a reacutesumeacute and have it reviewed by a career counselor Create a list of 3-5 references in case they are requested (Be sure to ask your references for their help before
including them on the list) Create your 30-second oral reacutesumeacute and practice practice practice Review the employer list Determine where employers are located and in what order to visit them Broaden your focus and include different types of employers For instance although you may not have thought of
working for a hospital hospitals recruit and hire professionals in many different fields Do your research Look up information about the employers of interest
o Check their websites for information about their productsservices and mission statement o What types of jobs do they have open o What kind of people are they looking for o What kind of skills do these people need to have How do you meet their skill requirements o Develop some questions you would like to ask the employer representatives at the fair
Network Network Network with people you know and via social network sites like Linked-In and Facebook for more information about the companies Also seek contact with employees you might know or seek information from alumni who work there
During the Job Fair Dress for success (See page 38) Assume you will be interviewed and dress the part Even if you dont get an interview
at the job fair you have already made a great impression Always have a penpencil and paper to take notes- a portfolio works best Bring plenty of reacutesumeacutes with you While some companies will be seeking employees for specific positions some
employers will collect reacutesumeacutes for future positions Be sure to get all of the contact information you need to complete an application
Make sure to have copies of your reference list in case an employer asks First impressions are everything Be direct have a firm handshake and make eye contact as you greet employers This
will speak volumes about your confidence If you are only gathering information let employers know that you are only interested in materials and information
Be aware of time demands of employers Do not monopolize the employersrsquo time You should have already done your homework about their company so you can better spend your time asking about the positions available (or available in the near future) and how your skills match their needs Give them your 30-second oral reacutesumeacute and impress them with what you feel you can do for their company Since practice makes perfect donrsquot give up if the first attempt doesnrsquot go well Keep trying with other employers
Ask specific questions and collect information from each booth you visit including business cards from the employer representatives Offer to follow up after the fair and ask what the best way to contact them is
After the Job Fair You now have a prime opportunity to make a distinctive impression
Use those business cards you collected to follow up with each employer you are interested in Be sure to do everything you promised at the job fair Complete the application and upload your reacutesumeacute Send a thank-you note or email to all whom you talked with within 48 hours of the career fair This shows that you
are serious about their organization and will set you apart from many who neglect to do so If you follow up on your application for a position be sure to follow the preferred contact method and dont overdo it Stay in contact and use this experience to expand your network Submit an additional or amended reacutesumeacute during your follow-up contacts if need be Follow-up and follow-through contacts are up to the student be persistent and polite
Office of Career Services at IU Kokomo
27 |Kelley Student Center 200 2300 S Washington St PO Box 9003 Kokomo IN 46904-9003 (765)455-9301 fax (765)455-9537 carserviukedu wwwiukeducareer-
services
Additional information-what employers are expecting at a career fair
What Will Impress Employers o Demonstrate that you have done your homework and researched their company o Be prepared Have your reacutesumeacute critiqued by Career Services and bring plenty of copies with you Develop
questions to ask smile and courteously and enthusiastically engage the representatives o Have a firm hand shake and good eye contact- dress for success o Never ask about salary let them bring up the subject o An expectation that you will be responsible for following up with them including a thank you note or letter o Take the initiative Walk up to them and engage the employers they want to speak to you
What Employers May Want to Learn About You o Specific careerjob objectives What are your expectations o Individual strengths and weaknesses Have specific examples that demonstrate your skills develop short
stories that showcase your skills (Remember a job fair is time sensitive and you donrsquot want to take up too much time of one employer)
o Contributions you will make to the operation Remember be specific now is not the time to blandly or generically discuss what you can do
What You Should Learn About Each Company o Employment trends Career Fairs are excellent resources for information about career decision-making o Skills necessary for different careersjobs Have meaningful conversations with representatives o Currentfuture positions o Salary benefits training and other information about the company (again let the employer bring up salary) o Who to contact for follow-up discussions and what their hiring processes are get specifics o Collect their business card or write down their contact information
30 Second Oral Reacutesumeacute Purpose It is important to practice your 30 second oral reacutesumeacute prior to attending a career fair The famous ldquoTell me about yourselfrdquo is a question that is always asked Whether the question is asked in a social setting an interview or a networking event a well-planned answer can set you apart from the crowd as well as spark additional conversation Begin preparing your oral reacutesumeacute by following the tips below
How to Prepare Your Oral Reacutesumeacute o Begin by brainstorming what you would want someone to know about you Write down all of your ideas o Consider including the following information in your oral reacutesumeacute
Job Objective Education and Training Skills
Accomplishments and Achievements Prior Employment Other Experience
o Narrow down your optionsmdashpick the top 5 things you want the person to know about you o Develop a paragraph that encompasses all of the things you wish to say o Practice makes perfect Read aloud your reacutesumeacute several times
Additional Tips Prepare more than one oral reacutesumeacute for various situations Practice your reacutesumeacute by calling your voicemail and later playing back the messagemdashthink about how it sounds and
what you would like to change Make sure that your oral reacutesumeacute will keep the listenerrsquos attention
Example Oral Reacutesumeacute Hi my name is ________ and I am a senior at IU Kokomo majoring in New Media I am looking for an internship experience in graphic designweb development Through my coursework I have developed strong computer and analytical skills Last summer I worked as an intern at the Kokomo Perspective to gain experience with print media At the Perspective I worked with the copy editor as well as the writing staff to gain experience in both fields I also volunteer at United Way developing and updating their website
Office of Career Services at IU Kokomo
28 |Kelley Student Center 200 2300 S Washington St PO Box 9003 Kokomo IN 46904-9003 (765)455-9301 fax (765)455-9537 carserviukedu wwwiukeducareer-
services
Send a Follow-up thank you note after Career Fair Send a thank you note or email to all whom you talked with within 48 hours of the career fair This shows that you are serious about their organization and will set you apart from many who neglect to do so
Be sure to remind the employer where you met them Thank you for taking the time to talk with me on Thursday at the career fair After talking with you I
am even more eager to work at _____ Summarize specific qualities and assets you obtain I am certain my education at IU Kokomo has enhanced my skill set and has provided a solid
background of knowledge in the _______ fieldhelliphellip Some experiences I have had the pleasure of doing arehellip This opportunity improved my work ethic and made me aware of my self-reliancehellip
Always attach your reacutesumeacute again for their convenience I have attached my reacutesumeacute for your convenience I look forward to an opportunity to further discuss
my qualifications You may contact me athellip (phone andor email address) Thank you again for your time and consideration
Sample Thank you
Thank you for taking the time to talk with me on Thursday November 9 at the career fair on IU Kokomorsquos campus I appreciate your time and attention and after talking with you I am even more interested in learning more about your organization You were extremely helpful in explaining companyrsquos name customer service and marketing trainee program Now that I have a better idea of what the position entails I am even more certain that I would be an asset to your team and to companyrsquos name My solid education from the IU Kokomo Communication Department and the fact that I have worked my way through college show the work ethic and determination you said were important to be successful at companyrsquos name I look forward to an opportunity to visit companyrsquos name office and speak to you further about the trainee program I will contact you next week to arrange an appointment Enclosed is an updated reacutesumeacute for your review Thank you again for your time and consideration Sincerely
Office of Career Services at IU Kokomo
29 |Kelley Student Center 200 2300 S Washington St PO Box 9003 Kokomo IN 46904-9003 (765)455-9301 fax (765)455-9537 carserviukedu wwwiukeducareer-
services
Knowledge and practice will give you the confidence you need to be prepared and give the best impression possible at an interview The following information will help prepare you for nearly any interview contingency being confidant that you can handle it is the best way to increase your chances of getting hired Here are a few things you can do to give yourself a head start
Questions to think about prior to your interview
1 Why do you want to work at this facility and what specific jobareas am I interested in a To Prepare research the facility
i Mission ii Population served
iii Financial stability iv Management style
b Learn about the job
i Job description ii Occupational outlook
iii Handbook iv employees
2 What qualities make me a good candidate
a To prepare self assessment i What are my strengths and weaknesses
ii What are my interests iii How do I know iv What kinds of results demonstrate my abilities
3 What type of shift working conditions salary and fringe benefits are most important to me (12 hours 10 hours 8
hours weekends flex-time insurance) a To prepare clarify values and lifestyle choices
i What are my values ii What kind of lifestyles do I want for myself and those close to me
4 How will I be trained
a To prepare How do I learn best i Do I need immediate feedback or can I learn well on my own
5 What are my goals Where do I want to be in 10 years
a To prepare Identify and prioritize career and life goals and objectives i Am I interested in supervision training management
ii How do I plan to reach these goals
6 What are the major issues and current events facing this specific field job occupation and company today
7 What can you bring to the organization
Office of Career Services at IU Kokomo
30 |Kelley Student Center 200 2300 S Washington St PO Box 9003 Kokomo IN 46904-9003 (765)455-9301 fax (765)455-9537 carserviukedu wwwiukeducareer-
services
Behavioral Interviews- Use the STAR Interviewing Technique for Success
The STAR acronym represents Situation Task Action and Result Recruiters and hiring managers favor the STAR technique because
it provides a better explanation of your past performance how you handle workplace challenges and whether youre able to articulate
your experiences STAR behavioral interviews are quickly becoming the most popular and common form of interview
Situation or
Task
Describe the situation that you were in or the task that you needed to accomplish You must
describe a specific event or situation not a generalized description of what you have done in
the past Be sure to give enough detail for the interviewer to understand This situation can be
from a previous job from a volunteer experience or any relevant event
Action you took Describe the action you took and be sure to keep the focus on you Even if you are discussing
a group project or effort describe what you did -- not the efforts of the team Dont tell what
you might do tell what you did
Results you achieved What happened How did the event end What did you accomplish What did you learn
For examples of past behavior use examples from
Internships
Work experience
Class projects
School activitiesorganizations you are involved with
Sports
Volunteercommunity service
Hobbies
Think about your accomplishments what are you most proud of that you want to share with the employer
How to prepare for behavior-based interviews
Identify 3-6 examples that demonstrate your top skills Look through the job description pinpoint the skills they are seeking
Pick experiences that demonstrate top behaviors of those skills
Prepare how you will ldquotell your storyrdquo using STAR
Pick examples that will be positive accomplishment
Most behavioral questions try to reveal the negative situations so be prepared with those examples However try to pick
examples that had a positive outcome
Try not to pick examples from only one topic Pick a variety of examples choosing examples from work class community
services etc
Typically the best examples are situations that happened within the last year
Go over your resume and review the accomplishments you have listed andor skills this could assist you with identifying
examples
LISTEN to the full question Be sure the example is an appropriate description of how you demonstrated what they are
asking for
Office of Career Services at IU Kokomo
31 |Kelley Student Center 200 2300 S Washington St PO Box 9003 Kokomo IN 46904-9003 (765)455-9301 fax (765)455-9537 carserviukedu wwwiukeducareer-
services
Sample Behavior-based Questions
Communication Skills
1 Give me a specific example of a time someone didnrsquot agree with your work How did you respond 2 Tell me about a time when you had to present complex information How did you ensure that everyone
understood what you were saying 3 Give an example about a time where written communication was needed
Decision Making Skills
1 What is the biggest decision or risk yoursquove made in the past year on the job Describe the process you used to make those decisions Would you do it again
2 Describe a time you overcame a challenge with an innovative solution What was the challenge What role did you play
Planning Organization Time management Skills
1 Please give an example of a time you didnrsquot meet your deadline Why did you fail to meet your deadline What did you learn from that experience
2 Give an example of how you keep track of multiple projects How do you stay on track and meet deadlines How do you stay focused
3 Describe a goal yoursquove had How you set it and achieved it
Flexibility Skills 1 Tell us about one of the toughest situations with which yoursquove had to deal with How did you handle the
stress or pressure of the situation Leadership Skills
1 Describe a time when you disagreed with a directive given by your supervisor What happened and how did you handle it
2 Give an example of a situation where team members or co-workers didnrsquot get along This could include you and someone else or two other people How did the project turn out What did you do to resolve the issue so everyone was able to work together
Office of Career Services at IU Kokomo
32 |Kelley Student Center 200 2300 S Washington St PO Box 9003 Kokomo IN 46904-9003 (765)455-9301 fax (765)455-9537 carserviukedu wwwiukeducareer-
services
Other Common Questions Asked by Employers
Personal 1 Tell me about yourself 2 Why did you choose to interview with our organization 3 Describe your ideal job 4 What can you offer us over another candidate 5 What do you consider to be your greatest strengths 6 Can you name some weaknesses 7 Define success Failure How did you learn from your failures 8 Name a couple accomplishments you most proud 9 Who are your role models Why 10 How does your college education or work experience relate to this job 11 What motivates you most in a job 12 Have you ever spoken before a group of people How large 13 What do you know about our organization (products or services) 14 Do you plan to return to school for further education 15 What would you change about yourself and why
Education
16 Why did you choose your major 17 Why did you choose to attend your college or university 18 Do you think you received a good education In what ways 19 In which campus activities did you participate 20 Which classes in your major did you like best Least Why 21 If you were to start over what would you change about your education 22 Do your grades accurately reflect your ability Why or why not
Experience
23 What job-related skills have you developed 24 Did you work while going to school In what positions 25 What did you learn from these work experiences 26 What did you enjoy most about your last employment Least 27 Have you ever quit a job Why 28 Give an example of how you have solved a problem in the work place 29 How do you resolve conflict on a team project 30 Give an example of a time in which you worked under deadline pressure 31 Have you ever done any volunteer work What kind 32 How do you think a former supervisor would describe your work
Career Goals
33 Do you prefer to work under supervision or on your own 34 What kind of boss do you prefer 35 Would you be successful working with a team 36 Do you prefer large or small organizations Why 37 What other types of positions are you considering 38 How do you feel about working in a structured environment 39 Are you able to work on several assignments at once 40 How do you feel about working overtime 41 How do you feel about travel 42 Are you willing to relocate
Office of Career Services at IU Kokomo
33 |Kelley Student Center 200 2300 S Washington St PO Box 9003 Kokomo IN 46904-9003 (765)455-9301 fax (765)455-9537 carserviukedu wwwiukeducareer-
services
Questions to Ask Employers
An interview is a two-way street Employers get an impression of you from the questions you ask Are you a critical thinker Did you comprehend and correctly process everything in the interview Have you done research and have a good grasp of the company and the scope of the position Your questions should be intelligent insightful and polite Have at least 3-5 custom questions in mind Employers look for someone who shows interest confidence and is well organized
1 Please describe (or ask them to clarify specifics) the duties of the job for me 2 Is this a new position or am I replacing someone 3 What do you like best about your jobcompany 4 What kinds of assignments might I expect the first six months on the job 5 What qualities are you looking for in the candidate who fills this position 6 Does your company encourage further education 7 Do you have plans for expansion 8 What are your growth projections for next year 9 Have you cut staff in the last three years 10 In what ways is a career with your company better than one with your competitors 11 What is the largest single problem facing your staff (department) now 12 Has there been much turnover in this job area 13 Will I have the opportunity to work on special projects 14 Where does this position fit into the organizational structure 15 How much travel if any is involved in this position 16 What is the next course of action When should I expect to hear from you or may I contact you
Interview Checklist Preparation Research research research Knowing more about the organization as a whole and the particular position you are applying for will be helpful in the interview It will help you understand questions that may be asked and will give you a chance to come up with questions to ask them The more research you conduct the more confident and comfortable you will feel in the interview It will also demonstrate to the employer how determined and pro-active you are about their company and the position you seek Get specific directions to the location If possible go there the day before and check out parking and the location of the office where your interview will be held
First Impression Put your best foot forward Remember the decision to hire you may be made in the first 5 minutes Always wait until they sit or invite you to be seated
Dress code Dress more formal than you would in the actual position Women should wear a suit or dress with a jacket Men should wear a suit or sport jacket and slacks Itrsquos a good idea to have an interview outfit ready and waiting (cleaned neat no threads or missing buttons) hanging in your closet Donrsquot wear anything too trendy or faddish (ladies no miniskirts) Check all zippers for closure and ladies should always have an extra pair of hose for emergencies Your style of dress communicates too what do you want it to say (See page 38)
Arrival Arrive a few minutes early to check out the location and parking Stop by the restroom and check your appearance Again you may want to check out the location the day before if you are unsure of the area
What to bring Always have an extra copy of your reacutesumeacute note paper and pen You will want to jot down questions as they may come about as well as information about the position Also write down the names of each person you interview with so you can mail a thank-you note
Application
Office of Career Services at IU Kokomo
34 |Kelley Student Center 200 2300 S Washington St PO Box 9003 Kokomo IN 46904-9003 (765)455-9301 fax (765)455-9537 carserviukedu wwwiukeducareer-
services
Read through the entire application before you begin Follow the directions Give specific titles You may leave the salary question blank or fill it in with a reasonable salary range Use NA where answers are not applicable Proofread the application before returning it
Legal and Illegal Pre-employment Questions CATEGORY LAWFUL
(Questions employers can ask)
UNLAWFUL (Questions employers cannot ask)
Name Have you ever worked for this company under a different name
Is any additional information relative to change of name use of an assumed name or nickname necessary to enable a check
on your work record If yes explain
What is your maiden name
Is the name on your application your real name
Address Where do you live
How long have you lived there
Birthplace Where were you born Where were your relatives born
Agebirth date Are you 18 years of age or older How old are you What is your birth date
Prove your age by submitting your birth certificate baptismal record
naturalization papers etc (see citizenship)
Photograph Requirement or option that applicant affix a photograph to employment form at
any time before hiring Citizenship Are you a citizen of the United States
If not are you authorized to work in the US
Can you verify US citizenship or your
right to work in the United States
Of what country are you a citizen Are you a naturalized or a native-born
citizen When did you acquire citizenship
Please produce naturalization papers or green card
(employers must verify citizenship or the right to work after theyrsquove decided to
extend an offer) Sex or Marital Status Are you male or female
Are you married What are your living arrangements
Relatives Do you have relatives (other than a spouse) already employed by the
company
What are their names
What are the names (addresses ages number or other information) of your
relatives not employed by the company
Children
Do you have children or plans to have children in the future
Do you have the capacity to reproduce Do you advocate any form of birth control
or family planning What are your child care arrangements
How old are your children
CATEGORY LAWFUL UNLAWFUL (Questions employers can ask) (Questions employers cannot ask)
Disability Do you have any impairment
(physical mental or medical) which would interfere with your ability to perform the job for which you have
applied
Do you have any disabilities or diseases not related to job
performance
Arrest record Have you ever been convicted of a criminal offense other than minor
traffic violations If yes explain fully
Have you ever been arrested
Experienced Please describe your work experience
Travel Overtime This position requires X amount of overtimetravel Would you be able
to meet this requirement
Who will care for your children when you travel or work overtime
Would your spouse object if you
traveled or worked overtime Language What languages do you speak and
write fluently What is your native language
How did you learn to read write or
speak a foreign language Education Please describe your academic
vocational or professional education and the public and private schools you attended
What are the dates of attendance
(To permit verification)
Notice in case of emergency What are the names and addresses of people to be notified in case of
accident or emergency (can be asked after hire)
Military experience Have you served in the US Armed Forces or in the National Guard
Describe your experience
Do you have any military experience
(other than in the United States) Organizations Do you belong to any organizations
which you consider relevant to your ability to perform this job Please
explain
Are you a member of any clubs societies or lodges
Which ones
Race or color What racecolor are you Are you a minority
Religion or creed What is your religion To which parishchurch do you
belong What religious holidays do you
observe National Origin What is your (or relatives) lineage
ancestry national origin descent percentage or nationality
Office of Career Services at IU Kokomo
36 |Kelley Student Center 200 2300 S Washington St PO Box 9003 Kokomo IN 46904-9003 (765)455-9301 fax (765)455-9537 carserviukedu wwwiukeducareer-
services
After the interview After you have interviewed for a position there are some things to do that may improve your chances
Send a Follow-up thank you note within 24 hours
This shows that you are serious about their organization and will set you apart from many who neglect to do so By taking the
time to email or write a handwritten letter thanking them for taking their time to meet with you Summarize specific qualities
you have and let them know you look forward in speaking with them further about employment
Sample Thank you
Dear Intervieweersquos Name Thank you for taking the time to talk with me on Thursday November 9 at the interview for list specifics of position and company) I appreciate your time and attention and after talking with you I am even more interested in becoming a valuable team member at companyrsquos name You were extremely helpful in explaining list position Now that I have a better idea of what the position entails I am even more certain that I would be an asset to your team and to companyrsquos name My solid education from the IU Kokomo Communication Department and the fact that I have worked my way through college show the work ethic and determination you said were important to be successful at companyrsquos name I look forward to an opportunity to work with companyrsquos name office and speak to you further about the program I will contact you next week to follow up and provide you with any further information that you may need Thank you again for your time and consideration Sincerely
Your name
The Stall Letter
There may be situations that you will need time to figure out whether a job is a good fit or have more than one position to accept or decline The stall letter is a good tool to have in this case In the introduction refer to the job offer or event that is prompting the letter In the second paragraph state your continued interest in the position but request more time to gather further information or to consider all alternatives and opportunities in order to make the best choice for the position and the company as well as yourself Give a specific time extension request If you need 24 hours for example ask for that Ask for the minimal amount of time in order to make your decision Remember this is a request and does not guarantee that the employer will accept it and be prepared for the possibility that they will not grant the time and choose another candidate In the conclusion thank them for their time and understanding and indicate when you will contact them to discuss the terms of the possible extension
Sample Stall Letter
Dear name of person that offered the position This letter is in reference to list company name and your offer of list the position I would like to take this opportunity to thank you for the opportunity and express my continued interest in the position At this time I would like to request __hours to gather some vital information in order to be completely confidant that I am making the best and most informed decision possible I want to ensure for all parties involved that I have considered all options and alternatives to be certain that my acceptance of this list position is the correct course of action for us both I appreciate your understanding and valuable time and look forward to speaking with you at your earliest convenience today so that we may discuss the terms of my request Sincerely Your Name
Office of Career Services at IU Kokomo
37 |Kelley Student Center 200 2300 S Washington St PO Box 9003 Kokomo IN 46904-9003 (765)455-9301 fax (765)455-9537 carserviukedu wwwiukeducareer-
services
Acceptance of a Job Offer Letter
Responding in writing to a job offer shows courtesy and is expected It reduces the chance of any misunderstanding that verbal acceptances do not In the first paragraph thank the employer for offering the specific position title and say that you are happy to accept it In the second paragraph state the terms of employment (salary location and start date) Emphasize any negotiations of terms that were unusual or non-standard if there were any In the last paragraph thank the employer sincerely for the opportunity and express your excitement to join their organization and be a valuable asset to them
Sample Job Offer Acceptance Letter
Dear person who offered position
I am happy to have the opportunity to accept the position of list title
The following terms of the position as I understood them include a salary of list salaryrate of pay at List location and to begin employment on list date As we discussed instead of the typical work week we agreed to the addition of evening and weekend hours during the probationary period with a return to usual business hours after 90 days We also agreed to a company vehicle provision for any off site training and appointments during the course of my employment
I truly look forward to becoming a valued member of your team and I am anticipating a productive and positive professional relationship with list company
Sincerely Your Name
Decline or Withdrawing from Consideration Letter
There may be times that you wish to decline or remove yourself from consideration from a position Doing this on a positive
and respectful note decreases the chance that future opportunities will be missed either as a future employee or possible
professional contact with the firm Thank the employer for the opportunity but decline it based on your reasons Be sure to
specifically name the person that was in charge of the hiring process If the decline is due to a term that was offered be
specific the firm could always choose to negotiate that term to better suit your situation
Date
Dear List person
Thank you very much for offering me the list position After careful consideration I regret that I must decline your offer
Although you were most encouraging in outlining future advancement possibilities within ABC Company I have accepted another
opportunity that is more in line with my skills and career goals or I found list the term to be out of line with my needs and
goals
I enjoyed meeting you and the rest of your team You have been most kind and gracious throughout the interview process and I
only wish that circumstances allowed me to accept your offer
Best wishes for your continued success
Sincerely
Your Name
Office of Career Services at IU Kokomo
38 |Kelley Student Center 200 2300 S Washington St PO Box 9003 Kokomo IN 46904-9003 (765)455-9301 fax (765)455-9537 carserviukedu wwwiukeducareer-
services
____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
This packet contains a lot of valuable information to help you achieve all the goals that an education from IU Kokomo
will prepare you for Use this as a guide for every step of the way from your freshman year graduation and beyond
IU Kokomo Career and Accessibility Center
4 |Kelley Student Center 200 2300 S Washington St PO Box 9003 Kokomo IN 46904-9003 (765)455-9301 fax (765)455-9537 carserviukedu wwwiukeducareer-
services
How to Write a ldquoYESrdquo Reacutesumeacute
Reacutesumeacutes and cover letters create the first impression that an employer has of you Having a dynamic reacutesumeacute and cover letter
is vital to the employment process They are the most important marketing piece in your job search Developing a well-
organized reacutesumeacute and cover letter will also help you prepare for interviews and enable you to communicate to the employer
how your skills accomplishments and abilities fit their position
The format of reacutesumeacutes can be different for each individual This could differ because of your education experience and where
you are in your career life
Technology has also impacted the way we write and submit reacutesumeacutes Online application and reacutesumeacute submissions are the most
common way to find new employment opportunities We can no longer be certain the human eye sees our reacutesumeacute once
submitted Many employers are now using the technique of scanning reacutesumeacutes into a database The computer ldquoreadsrdquo each
reacutesumeacute identifies keywords and based on those keywords places it in the appropriate database file When a job opening
occurs an employer tells the tracking system the keywords associated with the position and instructs it to pull in the reacutesumeacutes
that incorporate the matching keywords
An interview is the first goal and with a dynamic reacutesumeacute and cover letter you can easily achieve it The second goal is to get the
job Being well prepared for the interview will give you an advantage and help you get the position The interview is the
deciding factor on being hired Candidates must demonstrate knowledge and preparation for the company and position You
donrsquot have to follow any particular reacutesumeacute model exactly Many reacutesumeacutes are a mixture of more than one style but you should
follow these guidelines
IU Kokomo Career and Accessibility Center
5 |Kelley Student Center 200 2300 S Washington St PO Box 9003 Kokomo IN 46904-9003 (765)455-9301 fax (765)455-9537 carserviukedu wwwiukeducareer-
services
Reacutesumeacute Dorsquos
Do try to keep your reacutesumeacute 1-2 pages in length (someone who has prior experience in the professional world may
have a longer one) Do start with a first draft Expect to do several revisions Do make it crisp well-balanced and pleasing to the eye Use clear fonts (Arial or Times New Roman) Do use your complete legal name (no nicknames) address and phone number should be at the top of each page (leave
a where you can be reached between 8 am and 5 pm or where someone can leave a message that will be promptly returned)
Do tailor each reacutesumeacute and application to each new position Do write brief phrases ndash not full sentences (but be clear and specific) Do use phrases action verbs (initiated organized developed) and the results (see example below)
Example- Initiate and organize a variety of advertisements in the community which result in xyz new clientele per year
Do make sure to use the correct tense If it was a past job (developed organized initiated) if it is a current job (initiate organize maintain)
Do support all activities and responsibilities with results and accomplishments Include all post-secondary education and training that supports the position you are applying for
Do describe your specific responsibilities from past and current positions and use bullet points to list them Do cite any community activities and awards (if they enhance your other experiences by demonstrating leadership
organization etc) Do have complete and accurate reference lists available Do proofread final product for correct spelling punctuation grammatical and typographical errors Have an
independent ldquocriticalrdquo person proofread for errors you may have missed Do use high quality paper to print your reacutesumeacute on (water bond cotton etc in white or eggshell 85x11 Do make sure it has absolutely no typos or misspellings
Reacutesumeacute Do Notrsquos
Do not use abbreviations - only use professional and technical information when it is relevant Do not use odd-sized bordered or colored paper ndash anything that may be considered eccentric Do not list references on the body of the reacutesumeacute Do not include personal data marital status number of children or ldquoexcellent healthrdquo Do not devote more space to earlier jobs than to more recent employment Do not list grade point average or college honors unless you are a recent graduate and it is above a 3040 Do not use language that may cause the employer to stereotype or anything that might be perceived negative Do not use phrases like ldquoresponsibilitiesrdquo or ldquoduties includedrdquo Do not italicize anything Do not use ldquocuterdquo stuff such as non-standard fonts and pictures Do not use excessive detail in job experience section Do not use language that may cause employers to stereotype you in a specific occupation Do not repeat words and phrases- instead highlight how those accomplishments cover multiple related areas Do not photocopy a reacutesumeacute
The next several pages are samples of reacutesumeacutes for common occupations They will give you a good idea of what employers are expecting to see
IU Kokomo Career and Accessibility Center
6 |Kelley Student Center 200 2300 S Washington St PO Box 9003 Kokomo IN 46904-9003 (765)455-9301 fax (765)455-9537 carserviukedu wwwiukeducareer-
services
Sample Leadership Reacutesumeacute Address Phone Email
Objective (optional) Internship or summer position in the area of Social Work particular interest with juveniles
Education Indiana University Kokomo- Kokomo IN Bachelor of Arts in Sociology Minor Psychology Expected Graduation Date May 2010 GPA 3140
Related Courses Sociology Law Adolescence and Early Childhood The family in the Ecosystem
Childhood Psychology Organizational Behavior Families Psychological Behavior
Related Employment and College Activities Phi Sigma Sigma- Indiana University Kokomo Secretary (809- current)
Provide Leadership Attended leadership conference Volunteered with big brothers big sisters
Tutored school age children Assisted with multiple events on campus
CASA- Kokomo In Intern (January lsquo09-April rsquo09)
Advocate for children in the court system Assisted with court paperwork
Developed database and new registration form Counseled children and families
Skills Communication
Communicate with campus about upcoming events Addressed and resolved customerstudent concerns Presented nationally at a worldwide conference Corresponded with University superiors regarding events
Problem Solving
Counseled and worked with children on multiple situations Discovered and resolved errors on forms Coordinated monthly meetings with upper level management team
Time Management
Always met deadlines Dealt with situations and problems as they occurred to solve them in a timely manner Directed the work of three Administrative Assistants on a daily basis
Work Experience Kokomo Sports Center- Childcare Supervisor (808-current) Kroger- Supervisor (806-708) Volunteer Rescue Mission- 207- current American Cancer Society- 502-current Bridges Outreach- 0907-0408
Office of Career Services at IU Kokomo
7 |Kelley Student Center 200 2300 S Washington St PO Box 9003 Kokomo IN 46904-9003 (765)455-9301 fax (765)455-9537 carserviukedu wwwiukeducareer-
services
SAMPLE Skills Resume
Name Address City State Zip Phone Email address
Objective (optional) Entry level sales management position
Education
Indiana University Kokomo Bachelor of Science in Business Administration- May 2009 GPA 3440 Skills
Marketing Sales Promotion
Grossed $15000 in three months with summer painting business
Raised $600 in advertising space for local organizations project
Cold canvasses community for potential clients
Created informational brochure for apartment leasing company
Developed advertising campaign for class project
Management Training Organizational Ability
Assisted in organizing talent show and benefit auction for local non-profit organization
Coordinated sales presentation strategy for SIFE
Trained new restaurant employees
Communication Creative projects
Created multimedia presentations using slides music and narration
Developed sales presentation and assisted with advertising campaigns including radio spots newspaper sales brochures
Designed and distributed flyers for local non-profit organizations benefit banquet
Work experience Waiter Red Lobster Kokomo In 2002-2009 Intern Samaritan Caregivers Kokomo IN 2005 Activities
Students in Free Enterprise (SIFE) Volunteer for Samaritan Caregivers
References upon request (optional)
Office of Career Services at IU Kokomo
8 |Kelley Student Center 200 2300 S Washington St PO Box 9003 Kokomo IN 46904-9003 (765)455-9301 fax (765)455-9537 carserviukedu wwwiukeducareer-
services
SAMPLE Radiology Reacutesumeacute Name
Address Phone email address Objective (optional) To obtain a challenging rewarding full-time position as a Radiological Technologist
Education Indiana University Kokomo Kokomo IN Associate in Applied Science Radiologic Technology May 2009 GPA 30 40
Skills Diagnostic Imaging Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) Computerized Tomography (CT) Scans RMS IDX Carecast TDS order Entry Fluoroscopy procedures
Ultrasounds X-ray Radiation Protection Film evaluation
Clinical Experience Dukes Memorial Hospital Peru IN Spring 2009 Perform ultrasounds MRIs CT scans X-ray imaging portable radiography and fluoroscopic procedures Serve a diverse caseload including newborns infants children adolescents adults and geriatric patients Interpret data and provide recommendations for optimal patient care Manage 12 to 15 procedures per shift while maintaining high quality of care
Howard Regional Health Kokomo IN Fall 2008 bull Prepared patients for radiology examinations and explained procedures to patients bull Positioned radiographic equipment at correct angleheight bull Assisted with administering radiographic exams and film development
Dukes Memorial Hospital Peru IN Summer 2007 bull Prepared and positioned patients for radiographic examinations bull Operated all major necessary and portable diagnostic imaging equipment bull Experience with digital radiography bull Maintained records of examinations
Woodlawn Memorial Hospital Rochester IN Spring 2008 bull Performed all required diagnostic radiology procedures producing high quality exams bull Prepared diagnostic agents as required and explained procedures to patient(s) bull Ensured patient safety by utilizing radiation protective devices
Arnett Clinic Lafayette IN Fall 2007 bull Performed imaging procedures of the Diagnostic Imaging Department bull Assisted in x-ray examination and diagnosis of injurydisease observation bull Experience with fluoroscopic examinations bull Ensured patient comfort and operated within an integrated plan of careservice bull Verified all patient information
Honors Member American Society Radiologic Technologists 2008-Present Member Deanrsquos List 2007-2009
CERTIFICATIONS CPR Certification
Office of Career Services at IU Kokomo
9 |Kelley Student Center 200 2300 S Washington St PO Box 9003 Kokomo IN 46904-9003 (765)455-9301 fax (765)455-9537 carserviukedu wwwiukeducareer-
services
Sample Criminal Justice Resume
334 Indiana Drive Kokomo IN 46902 (765) 555-5555 nameemailcom
Seeking a position in the field of
Criminal Justice Law Enforcement
CitymdashStatemdashFederalmdashPrivate
Highly motivated energetic law enforcement graduate with strong work ethics and professional goals
Bring five years of service in office support and retail sales positions while attending college full-time
Bi-lingual with articulate fluency in English and Spanish personable easy-going communication style
Meet challenges head on work well in stressful situations in a fast-paced setting
Analytical with a lot of common sense intuitive instincts and ability to think outside the box
Maintain excellent research organization time management and problem assessmentresolution skills
Education
Bachelor of Arts in Criminal Justice- 2011
Indiana University Kokomo
Selected Courses
Analysis of Criminal Behavior
Concepts of Forensic Science
Abnormal Psychology
Physical Fitness in Law Enforcement
Criminal Law Group Dynamics
Work Experience
Receptionist ABC Store Indianapolis IN 400mdashPresent
Payroll Clerk DEF Place Kokomo IN 402mdash702
Sales Associate GHI Business Kokomo IN
Senior Sales Associate JKL Sales Kokomo IN
200mdash600
999mdash299
Provide front-desk representation clerical support and customer service for The Auto Store
Managed over 50 business payroll accounts utilizing cross-trained experience in teller and payroll services
Prepared and uploaded weekly exemptnon-exempt payroll data into network system for clients to download
Completed mandatory training that included a film study on a mock robbery to learn observation techniques
Held increasingly responsible sales positions achieving recognition for over-quota floor sales and cashier management
skills and manager-requests to return during school breaks based on performance and reliability
Provided excellence in customer service while assisting in all areas of inventory and display merchandising
Computer Skills
Microsoft Word Lexis-Nexis PsychInfo Criminal Justice Abstracts
InfoTrak Health Sociological Abstracts Internet research
Office of Career Services at IU Kokomo
10 |Kelley Student Center 200 2300 S Washington St PO Box 9003 Kokomo IN 46904-9003 (765)455-9301 fax (765)455-9537 carserviukedu wwwiukeducareer-
services
Sample Nursing reacutesumeacute Address City State Zip code
Home (222) 555-1234 Cell (222) 555-8888 nameunivnameedu Objective (optional) Seeking a challenging position as a registered nurse
CLINICALS January2007-May2009 Alta Beach Hospital Performed nursing duties in a level one trauma hospital Fairview Riverside Hospital Med-Surgery Unit Augustan Nursing Home Long term care
Education Indiana University Kokomo Kokomo IN Bachelor of Science in Nursing GPA 3040 (or higher only) Anticipated graduation date May 2009
Licenses RN - American Medical Association NAR license 3779948 State of Indiana 2008 CPR and First Aid Certified American Red Cross 2009
Employment History St Joseph Hospital Kokomo In 2009 to Present Nursersquos aide
Provide health care checks for a diverse population Perform blood pressure tests for community health outreach programs Supply a wide range of services including womens health clinic services and care for elderly patients
Saint Clair Nursing Home Kokomo In 2005-2008 Receptionist
Managed front desk Scheduled appointments for prospective clients Administered weekly evaluations of clients
SKILLS AND CERTIFICATIONS
Direct care of patients Educated patients for home care and discharge planning Operated and maintained monitors of bio-medical equipment Medical terminology and medication administration skills Maintained sterile fields and application of dressings Catheter IV and suctioning training Charting and documentation of patient care Acute and chronic care experience PC and Microsoft Office literate
Professional Affiliations Monroe County Medical Society Pennsylvania Nursing Association
References Available upon request (optional)
Office of Career Services at IU Kokomo
11 |Kelley Student Center 200 2300 S Washington St PO Box 9003 Kokomo IN 46904-9003 (765)455-9301 fax (765)455-9537 carserviukedu wwwiukeducareer-
services
SAMPLE REacuteSUMEacute FOR TEACHERS NAME
Address Phone E-Mail Address
OBJECTIVE (optional) Position as elementary teacher in grades 1 2 or 3 EDUCATION Indiana University Kokomo IN Bachelor of Science in Education May 2009 Endorsements in Reading and Science GPA 37540 TEACHING EXPERIENCE Student Teaching Maple Crest Elementary School (2008-2009)
Prepared and implemented all lesson plans for fall semester first grade class Instructed reading classes for third grade low reading group Developed learning centers to enhance vocabulary and writing skills for both groups
Methods Experience Eastern Elementary School (2007-2008)
Developed math center to reinforce learning weights and measures in 2nd grade class
Utilized songs music and dance to teach Japanese Social Studies unit to 3rd graders
Teacherrsquos Aide Western Middle School (2006)
Assisted teacher with reading groups and record keeping Scheduled field trips and parentteacher conferences
Accomplishments
Earned high marks for the quality and creativity of classroom teaching lesson plans and instructional materials used in teaching diverse subjects (eg language arts mathematics science social studies and history)
Developed innovative approaches that were repeatedly held up as the model standard for meeting district goals in areas including technology integration across the curriculum experiential learning literacy and diversity
Taught general education students as well as individuals with learning challenges and special needs within a mainstreamed inclusive classroom
Consistently commended for ability to redirect students exhibiting behavior problems by replacing disruptive unproductive patterns with positive behaviors As a result selected to lead district-wide in-service on classroom management
Established positive relationships with students parents fellow teachers and school administratorsstaff Quickly became a first-to-call resource in current substitute teaching role typically working four days per week
Personally requested by many full-time teachers to take over their classrooms during absences
OTHER EXPERIENCE Library Assistant Indianapolis Public Schools (2005-2007) ACTIVITIES Literacy Coalition Tutor President Ed Sac (2007-2008) Folk Dance Instructor Cheerleading Coach for Eastern Middle School
Office of Career Services at IU Kokomo
12 |Kelley Student Center 200 2300 S Washington St PO Box 9003 Kokomo IN 46904-9003 (765)455-9301 fax (765)455-9537 carserviukedu wwwiukeducareer-
services
Sample Entry level Information Technology Reacutesumeacute NAME
Address Phone Number Email address
Summary of Qualifications (optional)
Outstanding academic record Achieved Deans list for 1516 semesters and GPA of 375 Four years of experience as help desk technician and web developer Proficiency in various programs operating systems and applications Expert at finding and resolving malfunctions using exceptional technical and communication skills to ensure
minimization of downtime and optimal computer performance Education
Purdue University College of Technology Kokomo In Bachelor of Science in Computer and Information Technology Expected Graduation date May 2010 GPA 3040 (only if it is above a 30)
Technical Qualifications
Programming languages C Visual C++ C++ CSS ASP JavaScript Java Servlet HTML Java Server pages JBuilder XML PHP Apache
Software Applications Microsoft Suite (Excel Word Access Power Point) Macromedia Homesuite Adobe Photoshop FrontPageDreamweaver macromedia Flash DrScheme
Database Management Database SQL command MySQL Operating Systems Mac OSX Windows XP professional UNIX
Professional Experience Promega Corporation Indianapolis IN Web Developer (2008 - Present)
Helped in the re-launching and redesigning of companys web site that resulted in increased online sales by 15 and improved navigation
Responsible for implementation of programs and build databases that let the users to register unique names and passwords
Help in implementation creation and management of multiple applications for back end and web site Back end include Flash slide shows newsletter and RSS
Web site updating and editing using several languages such as XML HTML and CSS SGate Entertainment Indianapolis IN Web DeveloperHelp Desk Technician (52005-92008)
Utilized JavaScript HTML Flash and CSS to create companys web site Primarily recruited to help help desk Assured software and hardware were installed and operated at peak efficiency Accountable for long-term and day-to-day maintenance and technical support of site including suggestion solutions
and analyzing requirements to meet user needs Offered support for 10 users Helped with migration from PC to Mac environment
Volunteeractivities
Tutor computer students Assist area school corporation with computer updates
References upon request (optional)
Office of Career Services at IU Kokomo
13 |Kelley Student Center 200 2300 S Washington St PO Box 9003 Kokomo IN 46904-9003 (765)455-9301 fax (765)455-9537 carserviukedu wwwiukeducareer-
services
Sample Health Sciences Resume Address Phone Email
Education Indiana University Kokomo- Kokomo IN Bachelor of Science in Health Sciences Minor Psychology Expected Graduation Date May 2013 GPA 3140
Related Courses Ethics and civic engagement Social and behavioral sciences Cultural Diversity
Quantitative Literacy and Math Childhood Psychology Personality Psychology
Leadership Special volunteer projects (2012)
Planned and directed health screening day Organized group of student leaders on advocacy projects
Phi Sigma Sigma- Indiana University Kokomo Secretary (809- current)
Provide Leadership Attended leadership conference Volunteered with big brothers big sisters
Tutored school age children Assisted with multiple events on campus
CASA- Kokomo In volunteer (January lsquo09-current)
Advocate for children in the court system Assisted with court paperwork
Developed database and new registration form Counseled children and families
Relevant Work experience Samaritan Caregivers- Kokomo IN (summer 2012) Intern
Provided support to volunteers and staff on routine client visits Evaluated new clients
Community Howard Regional Health- Kokomo IN (summer 2011) Intern
Assisted with organization of new programs Planned and directed ldquoHealthy Teensrdquo event Researched and evaluated what needs the community had and implemented the new XYZ program
Skills CommunicationOrganizationMarketing
Strong interpersonal communication skills Designed and distributed flyers for benefit dinners and school functions Created informational and advertising brochures and slideshow presentations Participated in fundraisers and benefit dinners
ManagementTrainingSales Interviewed hired and scheduled employees Charted yearly sales records and tracked employee overtime Taught peers how to make and operate slideshows using PowerPoint Trained students on assembling and using art equipment
Office of Career Services at IU Kokomo
14 |Kelley Student Center 200 2300 S Washington St PO Box 9003 Kokomo IN 46904-9003 (765)455-9301 fax (765)455-9537 carserviukedu wwwiukeducareer-
services
Sample Informatics Resume
NAME Address Phone number Email address
Objective (optional)
Qualified IT professional with variety of software hardware and networking knowledge
Exceptional teamwork and leadership skills
Efficient troubleshooter with commitment to lifetime learning
Experience Computer Services Inc Indianapolis In Maintenance and Computer Technician 2008 - Present
Assembled computers
helped in network installation tasks
Assisted with troubleshooting Green Networks Inc Carmel IN Computer Technician 2006-2008
Responsible for the maintenance of equipment and computers used by company for multimedia advertisement Education
Indiana University Kokomo Kokomo In Bachelor of Science in Informatics Expected Graduation date May 2010 GPA 3040 (only if it is above a 30)
Skills Systems Engineering
Differentiate between various types of hardware
Set up and configure software and all the versions of Microsoft Windows
Build and maintain a computer
Troubleshoot software and hardware problems
Networking
Find out network hardware devices and cabling and their working
Implement IP schemes and administer groups
Maintain a secure network and implement network topologies
Expert in DNS Active Directory DHCP and WINS
Communications
Demonstrated skills to answer technical questions with different degrees of computer skills
Willingness to learn new things and work well with others
Good presentation skills
Demonstrated leadership skills in a team environment
Reference available on request (optional)
Office of Career Services at IU Kokomo
15 |Kelley Student Center 200 2300 S Washington St PO Box 9003 Kokomo IN 46904-9003 (765)455-9301 fax (765)455-9537 carserviukedu wwwiukeducareer-
services
SAMPLE BiologyChemistryBio-Chemistry Reacutesumeacute 190 Indiana Drive Kokomo IN 46902 (765) 555-5555 nameemailcom
High-energy and motivated individual with outstanding work ethic a strong academic background broad-based work experience and a record of personal achievement working for leading organizations
EDUCATION
Bachelor of Science in Biology May 2008 Minor Bio-Chemistry Indiana University Kokomo
PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT
Ophthalmology Intern XYZ Organization Kokomo IN Spring 2012
Transcribed 20 patient charts discussing medication and vision prescriptions
Observed 100 appointments for issues including glaucoma macular degeneration and detached retinas
Helped for new contact lens patients
Biology Lab Teaching Assistant Indiana University Kokomo August 2011 - current
Independently taught two biology labs per semester with 20 students in each
Created lesion plans and modified and presented curriculum for weekly classes
Maintained lab with spiders guinea pigs beetles and gecko
Held weekly office hours and tutored students
WORK EXPERIENCE
Server September 2005-June 2008 XYZ Restaurant Indianapolis IN Supervised dining experience of up to 40 guests per shift Exceeded sales goals by promoting specialty items
Head Lifeguard Seasonal May 2001-September 2007 LMN Business Kokomo IN Promoted twice within four summerscreated weekly schedule for 20 staff members Authorized to make management decisions in absence of manager Trained five new employees per summer concerning all assigned duties
ACTIVITIES amp INTERESTS
Biology Club Member (Fall 2011-current) Environmental Club Member (Spring 2010-current) Relay for Life Participant (Spring 2012-Spring 2011)
Office of Career Services at IU Kokomo
16 |Kelley Student Center 200 2300 S Washington St PO Box 9003 Kokomo IN 46904-9003 (765)455-9301 fax (765)455-9537 carserviukedu wwwiukeducareer-
services
Sample New Media Resume
Objective (optional)________________________________________________________________
Creative and dedicated Graphic Designer seeking a full-time position with advancement
opportunities to further enhance my knowledge in graphic design
Education________________________________________________________________________
Indiana University KokomomdashMay 2010
Bachelor of Arts in New Media GPA 36
Qualifications_____________________________________________________________________
More than 5 years of diverse hands-on design experience including experience in web-
site design magazine publishing and marketing
Adaptable organized results and detail-oriented with excellent work ethic strong time
management and interpersonal skills
Ability to create designs concepts and sample layouts based on knowledge of layout
principles and aesthetic design concepts
Extensive knowledge of design techniques tools and principals involved in production
of precision technical plans blueprints drawings and models
Ability to come up with unusual or clever ideas about a given topic or situation or to
develop creative ways to solve a problem
Team player also capable of working independently with minimal direction
Work Experience_________________________________________________________________
ABC Company Dec 2004 ndash Present Indianapolis Indiana
Coordination and production of a variety of graphics products and servicesmdashgraphic
design and art direction for ads newsletters report covers annual reports brochures
exhibit displays maps slide shows and the government cable TV channel
Study illustrations photographs and text to plan presentation of products and services
Review layouts and suggest improvements as needed
Prepare the assembly of final layouts for printing and review and approve art materials
Provide expert analysis and input on othersrsquo designs
XYZ Business Jan 2000 - Nov 2004 Indianapolis Indiana
Completed various freelance design assignmentsmdashincluding creation of a bi-monthly
printed newsletter for a lawyers association design of various logos and artwork for the
PQ Design amp Silk-Screening
Responsible for coordination and production of a variety of graphics products and services
Estimated costs coordinated graphic production and reproduction by service bureaus
Assembled final layouts for printing and provided graphic design for website
765-555-5555
1234 Indiana Drive
Kokomo IN
nameemailcom
Office of Career Services at IU Kokomo
17 |Kelley Student Center 200 2300 S Washington St PO Box 9003 Kokomo IN 46904-9003 (765)455-9301 fax (765)455-9537 carserviukedu wwwiukeducareer-
services
Sample Chaplain Reacutesumeacute Name
Address Phone Email
Objective (Optional) To seek a challenging position as a chaplain that allows me to utilize my knowledge and clinical pastoral education skills Qualifications Summary
Compassionate and devoted Chaplin providing spiritual moral guidance for 7 years
Maintains patient confidentiality according to HIPAA regulations
Excellent interpersonal and communication skills
Experience counseling patients concerning their spiritual personal and emotional needs
Professional Experience XXX Hospice Kokomo In 2007-current Hospice Resident Chaplin
Visit patientsfamilies and perform spiritual assessments
Provide spiritual support and counseling to patients and caregivers
Document all pertinent chaplain activities and audit patient charts XXX Church Kokomo In 2002-2007 Assistance Clergy
Assisted and organized religious services
Helped manage church property and finances
Participated in church programs supporting congregation and fundraising activities XXX Hospital Kokomo IN 1997-2000 Nursersquos aide
Provide health care checks for a diverse population
Perform blood pressure tests for community health outreach programs
Supply a wide range of services including womens health clinic services and care for elderly patients
Education Hospitalhellip Clinical Pastoral Education 3 units completed University of Santa Barbara CA Master of Divinity- 2002 Indiana University Kokomo Kokomo In Bachelor of Science in Nursing ndash 2000 GPA 3440
Volunteer Work
Xxx
Xxxx
Office of Career Services at IU Kokomo
18 |Kelley Student Center 200 2300 S Washington St PO Box 9003 Kokomo IN 46904-9003 (765)455-9301 fax (765)455-9537 carserviukedu wwwiukeducareer-
services
SCANNABLE REacuteSUMEacute CHECKLIST
Resume scanning is more commonly used by employers to seek out employees When a computer will be the first to
read your reacutesumeacute it should be altered If the scannable reacutesumeacute meets the computer criteria it will then be seen by
the employer
1 Left justify the entire document
2 Use key words or short phrases to describe your qualifications and abilities Use
jargon and acronyms specific to your industry Check the job listings and
industry-related materials for current buzzwords
3 Increase your list of key words by including specific names of products and
services such as Microsoft Word or Lotus Notes
4 Use nouns more than verbs For instance say ldquoproject managerrdquo instead of
ldquoimplemented projectrdquo
5 Use common section headings such as Objective Experience Employment
Work History Positions Held Appointments and Skills Use boldface andor all
CAPITAL LETTERS for each of these section headings as long as the letters
donrsquot touch each other
6 Minimize abbreviations except for common ones such as MBA or CEO
7 Use a 10- to 14- point font size Use standard typefaces such as Times New Roman Arial New Century
or Courier
8 Avoid italics script and underlined passages Minimize use of hyphens bullets or dashes Boldface is accepted by
most systems unless the employer advises otherwise
9 Avoid graphics shadings vertical or horizontal lines and boxes The scanner
reads text not graphics
10 Print your reacutesumeacute on 8frac12 X 11 inch white paper of average thickness on one
side only using a laser or other letter-quality paper Donrsquot staple or fold
multiple-page reacutesumeacutes Always make sure your name is on all pages
11 Donrsquot condense spacing between letters
12 Use enough white space between sections Computers use white space to
differentiate between topics
13 When faxing set the fax machine on ldquofine moderdquo instead of ldquostandard moderdquo
Office of Career Services at IU Kokomo
19 |Kelley Student Center 200 2300 S Washington St PO Box 9003 Kokomo IN 46904-9003 (765)455-9301 fax (765)455-9537 carserviukedu wwwiukeducareer-
services
Scannable reacutesumeacute example
NAME IN CAPS
Current address
555 Candy Lane
Kokomo IN 46901
765 555 ndash 2424
Permanent address
444 Peppermint Lane
Indianapolis IN 46077
317 555 ndash 1234
OBJECTIVE (Optional)
A fulltime position in the area that is my expertisehellip (You fill it in-see suggested buzz-word list)
EDUCATION
Indiana University Kokomo IN
Bachelor of Science in Management
Minor Management Information Systems MIS
GPA 36 40
Major GPA 38 40
Graduation May 2014
SIGNIFICANT COURSES
Fill in with significant core courses for your major that apply to the job Use one line per course
SKILLS
Proficient with (pc programs that you are proficient in and are applicable)
Any other skills that are applicable (see buzz-word list)
WORK EXPERIENCE
Bold the Job Title
Basic job description as it applies to job applying for Dates employed (begin with most recent)
Use buzz-word list based on your occupation and relevant to the position being applied for
Office of Career Services at IU Kokomo
20 |Kelley Student Center 200 2300 S Washington St PO Box 9003 Kokomo IN 46904-9003 (765)455-9301 fax (765)455-9537 carserviukedu wwwiukeducareer-
services
Cover Letters Cover letters are an additional component of a reacutesumeacute Customize every letter to each company andor position of interest
Address it to the person listed on the position advertisement or the person that you know has the authority to hire Finding this may
take some investigation to discover if the name is not announced on the position advertisement PO boxes are often used to filter
reacutesumeacutes and you can find the owner of the box by calling the post office and asking who owns the box with that number Having
this information to address the cover letter with will set you apart from those who do not
Cover letter Format Date Employers Name Use the name of the person stated in the job posting or contact the company for the contact person address and the correct spelling) Position or title Company Name Address Suite number or floor (if there is one) City state Zip Salutation Dear Mr or Ms Or Dear Sir or Madam (use the last name only of the person you listed above) If you have made every effort to find out but do not know the name or gender or the individual use a unisex greeting of Dear Manager or Dear Director Paragraph one (Introduction) State which position you are applying for and where you heard about the opening If the position was advertised refer to where it was advertised (Indianapolis Star or higheredcom) Be enthusiastic and confident about the position with a brief statement about why you are the right fit for the job Paragraph two (Body) Explain why you want to work for this company and how your skills experience and qualifications directly relate to the position You can also include your personal traits and strengths that would be an asset for the job Summarize why you are an excellent candidate for the position Highlight key examples and how they match what the company is seeking There are likely other prospective employees that are competing for this position It is very important that you highlight qualities that will set you apart and show uniqueness You are marketing yourself in this paragraph so be sure to sell the idea that you are the best one to interview and the best fit for this employer Most advertisements will list the requirements that are desired andor required for the position Be sure to detail how you meet each of those requirements Do not point out to the reader if there is a requirement that you donrsquot currently possess just do not reference that in your letter The purpose of a cover letter is to highlight the positives and do not bring up any negatives Paragraph three (Conclusion) State that you would like the opportunity to personally discuss your qualifications Indicate where you can be reached phone andor email A good sentence to use would look like ldquoI may be reached at 555-555-1234 or nameiukedurdquo Make sure to thank the reader for their time and consideration Closing Sincerely or Yours truly or Respectfully yours Signature (blue or black ink only) Your Name (Typed)
Office of Career Services at IU Kokomo
21 |Kelley Student Center 200 2300 S Washington St PO Box 9003 Kokomo IN 46904-9003 (765)455-9301 fax (765)455-9537 carserviukedu wwwiukeducareer-
services
References
Reference lists should always be available and prepared with 3-4 professional references
Do
Do get permission from each reference you plan to use
Do give each reference a copy of your reacutesumeacute to have as a guide
Do choose references that are well informed and have good verbal and written communication skills
Do Not
Do not use relatives personal friends or students as a reference
Letters of Recommendation
A letter of recommendation provides relevant information that is honest positive and portrays a up-front outlook of the skills
and potential capabilities you possess It can describe personality performance and skill attributes knowledge and
competency level
The following are suggestions of individuals who may be qualified to write a letter of recommendation
Executive Director
Vice President
Supervisors
Co-workers
CustomersClients
Subordinates
Professors
Counsellors
Coaches
Doctors
Lawyers
Ministers
Community Leaders
Office of Career Services at IU Kokomo
22 |Kelley Student Center 200 2300 S Washington St PO Box 9003 Kokomo IN 46904-9003 (765)455-9301 fax (765)455-9537 carserviukedu wwwiukeducareer-
services
Key WordsAction Words
Actively Established Evaluate Participated Schedule Coordinate Increased Proposed Strategy Created Launched Reduced Support Effect Eliminate Organized Originate
Approve Generate Program Solve Control Improve Recommend Supervise Direct Manage Motivated Responsibilities Revise Analyze Founded Pinpointed Set up
Completed Interpret Proficient Successfully Demonstrate Maintain Revamped Responsible Administer Expedite Plan Simplicity Conduct Implemented Provide Streamline Develop
Lecture Reorganized Accelerated Adapted Expanded Perform Significantly Conceived Influence Proved Structure Delegate Lead Reinforced Teach
Self-Describing Words Professional Active Diplomatic Loyal Respective Analytical Attentive Determined Logical Resourceful Ambitious Efficient Energetic Independent
Reliable Alert Economical Objective Optimistic Realistic Aggressive Discrete Methodical Sense-of-humor Sincere Adaptable Disciplined Mature
Self-reliant Broad-minded Enterprising Personable Tactful Creative Imaginative Perceptive Systematic Constructive Forceful Productive Sophisticated Consistent
Fair Practical Will relocate Conscientious Extroverted Positive Will travel Enthusiastic Pleasant Talented Dependable Trustworthy Ethical
Keywords for Interpersonal Traits Ability to delegate Accurate Assertive Creative Ethical Follow up Leadership Oral communication Public speaking Self accountable Supportive Tenacious
Ability to implement Adaptable Communication skill Customer oriented Flexible High energy Multitasking Organizational skills Results oriented Self management Takes initiative Willing to travel
Ability to plan Aggressive Competitive Detail minded Follow instructions Industrious Open minded Persuasive Risk taking Sensitive Team building Ability to train
Analytical ability Conceptual ability Empowering others Follow through Innovated Open communication Problem solving Safety conscious Setting priorities Team player
Office of Career Services at IU Kokomo
23 |Kelley Student Center 200 2300 S Washington St PO Box 9003 Kokomo IN 46904-9003 (765)455-9301 fax (765)455-9537 carserviukedu wwwiukeducareer-
services
Sample of Occupational Keywords Occupational keywords include skills titles and occupational buzz words Account manager Accounts receivable Acquisitions Bachelors Degree Bank Card Bank reconciliation Batch processing Benchmarking Blueprint reading Brochures Budget Bulletins CAD Calibrator Carpentry Cash Flow Cell Culture Media Cement Child Care Claims Justification Commercial Leasing Copy Editing Counselor Crisis Management Cross-culture training Debugging Decision making Demographics Dental management Die casting Dietitian Drywall Ecology Electronics Employee assistance Engineer Financial planning Food preparation Gas pipeline Goal setting Graphic design Grant writer Guest services Harnessing Hiringfiring Hotel ISO 9000
Journalism Journeyman Layout design Logic analyzer Magnetic theory Manager Marketing Masterrsquos Degree Microprocessor Microsoft word Nursing Oscillator Pelletizing Patient advocate Payroll Personal computer Process metallurgy Proposal writing Psychology Public Relations Purchasing Radio Raw materials Receptionist Reporter Research Sales Secretarial Software modeling Spanish Spreadsheets Statistical Process Control Stick Welding Strategic Planning Student Personnel Supervisor Taxonomy Teacher Technical Writing Time Management Transportation Travel Wave Solder WordPerfect Workflow Writer
Office of Career Services at IU Kokomo
24 |Kelley Student Center 200 2300 S Washington St PO Box 9003 Kokomo IN 46904-9003 (765)455-9301 fax (765)455-9537 carserviukedu wwwiukeducareer-
services
ACTION WORDS
ORGANIZATIONAL Assembled Enforced Prepared Reorganized
Collected Executed Planned Scheduled
Centralized Formalized Processed Updated
Coordinated Implemented Routed Catalogued
Maintained Recorded
LEADERSHIPAllocated Hired Operated Spearheaded Determined Initiated
Oversaw Sponsored Directed Inspired Pioneered Staged
Elected Instituted Presided Started Enlisted Led
Produced Supervised Formed Managed Recruited Founded
Moderated Represented Governed Motivated Selected
COMMUNICATION SKILLS Acquainted Drafted Introduced Summarized Apprised Educated
Lectured Taught Answered Explained Listened
Trained Briefed Familiarized Presented Translated Conducted
Handled Reported Wrote Contacted Informed Responded
Demonstrated Instructed Spoke
RESEARCH Analyzed Detected Examined Researched
Assessed Discovered Gathered Searched
Audited Documented Identified Surveyed
Compiled Edited Interpreted Tested
Consulted Evaluated Interviewed
CREATIVITY Authored Created Devised
Originated Conceived Composed
Established Revolutionized Conceptualized
Designed Invented
HELPING SKILLS Aided Counseled Helped Supported
Attended Comforted Instilled Tutored
Assisted Facilitated Mentored Treated
Collaborated Fostered Provided Contributed
Guided Settled
SELLING Arbitrated Marketed Promoted
Secured Convinced Mediated
Publicized Solicited
Dissuaded Negotiated Resolved
Encouraged Persuaded Sold
OTHER ACTION VERBS Adapted Developed Generated Revamped Attained Ensured Improved Revitalized
Augmented Eliminated Increased Saved Awarded Exceeded Launched Shopped
Boosted Excelled Mastered Strengthened Broadened Expanded Modernized Supplemented
Built Expedited Published Tended Calculated Fabricated Raised Utilized
Catered Financed Reconciled Decreased Gained Reduced
Office of Career Services at IU Kokomo
25 |Kelley Student Center 200 2300 S Washington St PO Box 9003 Kokomo IN 46904-9003 (765)455-9301 fax (765)455-9537 carserviukedu wwwiukeducareer-
services
Transferable Skills-Skills you have acquired from your education and employment experience that you can market to new employers
Communication the skillful expression transmission and interpretation of knowledge and ideas
Speaking effectively Writing concisely Listening attentively Expressing ideas Facilitating group discussion Providing appropriate feedback Negotiating
Perceiving nonverbal messages Persuading Reporting information Describing feelings Interviewing Editing
Research and Planning the search for specific knowledge and the ability to conceptualize future needs and solutions for meeting those needs
Forecasting predicting Creating ideas Identifying problems Imagining alternatives Identifying resources Gathering information
Solving problems Setting goals Extracting important information Defining needs Analyzing Developing evaluation strategies
Human Relations the use of interpersonal skills for resolving conflict relating to and helping people Developing rapport Being Sensitive Listening Conveying feelings Providing support for others Motivating Sharing credit
Counseling Cooperating Delegating with respect Representing others Perceiving feelings situations Asserting
Organization Management and Leadership the ability to supervise direct and guide individuals and groups in the completion of tasks and fulfillment of goals Work Survival the day-to-day skills that assist in promoting effective production and work satisfaction
Implementing decisions Cooperating Enforcing policies Being punctual Managing time Attending to detail Meeting goals Enlisting help Accepting responsibility Setting and meeting deadlines Organizing Making decisions
Initiating new ideas Handling details Coordinating tasks Managing groups Delegating responsibility Teaching Coaching Counseling Promoting change Selling ideas or products Decision making with others Managing conflict
Office of Career Services at IU Kokomo
26 |Kelley Student Center 200 2300 S Washington St PO Box 9003 Kokomo IN 46904-9003 (765)455-9301 fax (765)455-9537 carserviukedu wwwiukeducareer-
services
After you have the perfect reacutesumeacute it is time to hit the road and put your skills into action Career Fairs will help put you in communication with prospective employers and give you valuable practice for interviews
Achieve Results and Get the Most Out of a Career Fair
Attend as many job fairs as you can Not only will practice make perfect but it will expand your network of career contacts Make sure to ask precise questions and be prepared to answer specific questions the employers have regarding your background and capabilities Before the Job Fair- Be Prepared
Create a reacutesumeacute and have it reviewed by a career counselor Create a list of 3-5 references in case they are requested (Be sure to ask your references for their help before
including them on the list) Create your 30-second oral reacutesumeacute and practice practice practice Review the employer list Determine where employers are located and in what order to visit them Broaden your focus and include different types of employers For instance although you may not have thought of
working for a hospital hospitals recruit and hire professionals in many different fields Do your research Look up information about the employers of interest
o Check their websites for information about their productsservices and mission statement o What types of jobs do they have open o What kind of people are they looking for o What kind of skills do these people need to have How do you meet their skill requirements o Develop some questions you would like to ask the employer representatives at the fair
Network Network Network with people you know and via social network sites like Linked-In and Facebook for more information about the companies Also seek contact with employees you might know or seek information from alumni who work there
During the Job Fair Dress for success (See page 38) Assume you will be interviewed and dress the part Even if you dont get an interview
at the job fair you have already made a great impression Always have a penpencil and paper to take notes- a portfolio works best Bring plenty of reacutesumeacutes with you While some companies will be seeking employees for specific positions some
employers will collect reacutesumeacutes for future positions Be sure to get all of the contact information you need to complete an application
Make sure to have copies of your reference list in case an employer asks First impressions are everything Be direct have a firm handshake and make eye contact as you greet employers This
will speak volumes about your confidence If you are only gathering information let employers know that you are only interested in materials and information
Be aware of time demands of employers Do not monopolize the employersrsquo time You should have already done your homework about their company so you can better spend your time asking about the positions available (or available in the near future) and how your skills match their needs Give them your 30-second oral reacutesumeacute and impress them with what you feel you can do for their company Since practice makes perfect donrsquot give up if the first attempt doesnrsquot go well Keep trying with other employers
Ask specific questions and collect information from each booth you visit including business cards from the employer representatives Offer to follow up after the fair and ask what the best way to contact them is
After the Job Fair You now have a prime opportunity to make a distinctive impression
Use those business cards you collected to follow up with each employer you are interested in Be sure to do everything you promised at the job fair Complete the application and upload your reacutesumeacute Send a thank-you note or email to all whom you talked with within 48 hours of the career fair This shows that you
are serious about their organization and will set you apart from many who neglect to do so If you follow up on your application for a position be sure to follow the preferred contact method and dont overdo it Stay in contact and use this experience to expand your network Submit an additional or amended reacutesumeacute during your follow-up contacts if need be Follow-up and follow-through contacts are up to the student be persistent and polite
Office of Career Services at IU Kokomo
27 |Kelley Student Center 200 2300 S Washington St PO Box 9003 Kokomo IN 46904-9003 (765)455-9301 fax (765)455-9537 carserviukedu wwwiukeducareer-
services
Additional information-what employers are expecting at a career fair
What Will Impress Employers o Demonstrate that you have done your homework and researched their company o Be prepared Have your reacutesumeacute critiqued by Career Services and bring plenty of copies with you Develop
questions to ask smile and courteously and enthusiastically engage the representatives o Have a firm hand shake and good eye contact- dress for success o Never ask about salary let them bring up the subject o An expectation that you will be responsible for following up with them including a thank you note or letter o Take the initiative Walk up to them and engage the employers they want to speak to you
What Employers May Want to Learn About You o Specific careerjob objectives What are your expectations o Individual strengths and weaknesses Have specific examples that demonstrate your skills develop short
stories that showcase your skills (Remember a job fair is time sensitive and you donrsquot want to take up too much time of one employer)
o Contributions you will make to the operation Remember be specific now is not the time to blandly or generically discuss what you can do
What You Should Learn About Each Company o Employment trends Career Fairs are excellent resources for information about career decision-making o Skills necessary for different careersjobs Have meaningful conversations with representatives o Currentfuture positions o Salary benefits training and other information about the company (again let the employer bring up salary) o Who to contact for follow-up discussions and what their hiring processes are get specifics o Collect their business card or write down their contact information
30 Second Oral Reacutesumeacute Purpose It is important to practice your 30 second oral reacutesumeacute prior to attending a career fair The famous ldquoTell me about yourselfrdquo is a question that is always asked Whether the question is asked in a social setting an interview or a networking event a well-planned answer can set you apart from the crowd as well as spark additional conversation Begin preparing your oral reacutesumeacute by following the tips below
How to Prepare Your Oral Reacutesumeacute o Begin by brainstorming what you would want someone to know about you Write down all of your ideas o Consider including the following information in your oral reacutesumeacute
Job Objective Education and Training Skills
Accomplishments and Achievements Prior Employment Other Experience
o Narrow down your optionsmdashpick the top 5 things you want the person to know about you o Develop a paragraph that encompasses all of the things you wish to say o Practice makes perfect Read aloud your reacutesumeacute several times
Additional Tips Prepare more than one oral reacutesumeacute for various situations Practice your reacutesumeacute by calling your voicemail and later playing back the messagemdashthink about how it sounds and
what you would like to change Make sure that your oral reacutesumeacute will keep the listenerrsquos attention
Example Oral Reacutesumeacute Hi my name is ________ and I am a senior at IU Kokomo majoring in New Media I am looking for an internship experience in graphic designweb development Through my coursework I have developed strong computer and analytical skills Last summer I worked as an intern at the Kokomo Perspective to gain experience with print media At the Perspective I worked with the copy editor as well as the writing staff to gain experience in both fields I also volunteer at United Way developing and updating their website
Office of Career Services at IU Kokomo
28 |Kelley Student Center 200 2300 S Washington St PO Box 9003 Kokomo IN 46904-9003 (765)455-9301 fax (765)455-9537 carserviukedu wwwiukeducareer-
services
Send a Follow-up thank you note after Career Fair Send a thank you note or email to all whom you talked with within 48 hours of the career fair This shows that you are serious about their organization and will set you apart from many who neglect to do so
Be sure to remind the employer where you met them Thank you for taking the time to talk with me on Thursday at the career fair After talking with you I
am even more eager to work at _____ Summarize specific qualities and assets you obtain I am certain my education at IU Kokomo has enhanced my skill set and has provided a solid
background of knowledge in the _______ fieldhelliphellip Some experiences I have had the pleasure of doing arehellip This opportunity improved my work ethic and made me aware of my self-reliancehellip
Always attach your reacutesumeacute again for their convenience I have attached my reacutesumeacute for your convenience I look forward to an opportunity to further discuss
my qualifications You may contact me athellip (phone andor email address) Thank you again for your time and consideration
Sample Thank you
Thank you for taking the time to talk with me on Thursday November 9 at the career fair on IU Kokomorsquos campus I appreciate your time and attention and after talking with you I am even more interested in learning more about your organization You were extremely helpful in explaining companyrsquos name customer service and marketing trainee program Now that I have a better idea of what the position entails I am even more certain that I would be an asset to your team and to companyrsquos name My solid education from the IU Kokomo Communication Department and the fact that I have worked my way through college show the work ethic and determination you said were important to be successful at companyrsquos name I look forward to an opportunity to visit companyrsquos name office and speak to you further about the trainee program I will contact you next week to arrange an appointment Enclosed is an updated reacutesumeacute for your review Thank you again for your time and consideration Sincerely
Office of Career Services at IU Kokomo
29 |Kelley Student Center 200 2300 S Washington St PO Box 9003 Kokomo IN 46904-9003 (765)455-9301 fax (765)455-9537 carserviukedu wwwiukeducareer-
services
Knowledge and practice will give you the confidence you need to be prepared and give the best impression possible at an interview The following information will help prepare you for nearly any interview contingency being confidant that you can handle it is the best way to increase your chances of getting hired Here are a few things you can do to give yourself a head start
Questions to think about prior to your interview
1 Why do you want to work at this facility and what specific jobareas am I interested in a To Prepare research the facility
i Mission ii Population served
iii Financial stability iv Management style
b Learn about the job
i Job description ii Occupational outlook
iii Handbook iv employees
2 What qualities make me a good candidate
a To prepare self assessment i What are my strengths and weaknesses
ii What are my interests iii How do I know iv What kinds of results demonstrate my abilities
3 What type of shift working conditions salary and fringe benefits are most important to me (12 hours 10 hours 8
hours weekends flex-time insurance) a To prepare clarify values and lifestyle choices
i What are my values ii What kind of lifestyles do I want for myself and those close to me
4 How will I be trained
a To prepare How do I learn best i Do I need immediate feedback or can I learn well on my own
5 What are my goals Where do I want to be in 10 years
a To prepare Identify and prioritize career and life goals and objectives i Am I interested in supervision training management
ii How do I plan to reach these goals
6 What are the major issues and current events facing this specific field job occupation and company today
7 What can you bring to the organization
Office of Career Services at IU Kokomo
30 |Kelley Student Center 200 2300 S Washington St PO Box 9003 Kokomo IN 46904-9003 (765)455-9301 fax (765)455-9537 carserviukedu wwwiukeducareer-
services
Behavioral Interviews- Use the STAR Interviewing Technique for Success
The STAR acronym represents Situation Task Action and Result Recruiters and hiring managers favor the STAR technique because
it provides a better explanation of your past performance how you handle workplace challenges and whether youre able to articulate
your experiences STAR behavioral interviews are quickly becoming the most popular and common form of interview
Situation or
Task
Describe the situation that you were in or the task that you needed to accomplish You must
describe a specific event or situation not a generalized description of what you have done in
the past Be sure to give enough detail for the interviewer to understand This situation can be
from a previous job from a volunteer experience or any relevant event
Action you took Describe the action you took and be sure to keep the focus on you Even if you are discussing
a group project or effort describe what you did -- not the efforts of the team Dont tell what
you might do tell what you did
Results you achieved What happened How did the event end What did you accomplish What did you learn
For examples of past behavior use examples from
Internships
Work experience
Class projects
School activitiesorganizations you are involved with
Sports
Volunteercommunity service
Hobbies
Think about your accomplishments what are you most proud of that you want to share with the employer
How to prepare for behavior-based interviews
Identify 3-6 examples that demonstrate your top skills Look through the job description pinpoint the skills they are seeking
Pick experiences that demonstrate top behaviors of those skills
Prepare how you will ldquotell your storyrdquo using STAR
Pick examples that will be positive accomplishment
Most behavioral questions try to reveal the negative situations so be prepared with those examples However try to pick
examples that had a positive outcome
Try not to pick examples from only one topic Pick a variety of examples choosing examples from work class community
services etc
Typically the best examples are situations that happened within the last year
Go over your resume and review the accomplishments you have listed andor skills this could assist you with identifying
examples
LISTEN to the full question Be sure the example is an appropriate description of how you demonstrated what they are
asking for
Office of Career Services at IU Kokomo
31 |Kelley Student Center 200 2300 S Washington St PO Box 9003 Kokomo IN 46904-9003 (765)455-9301 fax (765)455-9537 carserviukedu wwwiukeducareer-
services
Sample Behavior-based Questions
Communication Skills
1 Give me a specific example of a time someone didnrsquot agree with your work How did you respond 2 Tell me about a time when you had to present complex information How did you ensure that everyone
understood what you were saying 3 Give an example about a time where written communication was needed
Decision Making Skills
1 What is the biggest decision or risk yoursquove made in the past year on the job Describe the process you used to make those decisions Would you do it again
2 Describe a time you overcame a challenge with an innovative solution What was the challenge What role did you play
Planning Organization Time management Skills
1 Please give an example of a time you didnrsquot meet your deadline Why did you fail to meet your deadline What did you learn from that experience
2 Give an example of how you keep track of multiple projects How do you stay on track and meet deadlines How do you stay focused
3 Describe a goal yoursquove had How you set it and achieved it
Flexibility Skills 1 Tell us about one of the toughest situations with which yoursquove had to deal with How did you handle the
stress or pressure of the situation Leadership Skills
1 Describe a time when you disagreed with a directive given by your supervisor What happened and how did you handle it
2 Give an example of a situation where team members or co-workers didnrsquot get along This could include you and someone else or two other people How did the project turn out What did you do to resolve the issue so everyone was able to work together
Office of Career Services at IU Kokomo
32 |Kelley Student Center 200 2300 S Washington St PO Box 9003 Kokomo IN 46904-9003 (765)455-9301 fax (765)455-9537 carserviukedu wwwiukeducareer-
services
Other Common Questions Asked by Employers
Personal 1 Tell me about yourself 2 Why did you choose to interview with our organization 3 Describe your ideal job 4 What can you offer us over another candidate 5 What do you consider to be your greatest strengths 6 Can you name some weaknesses 7 Define success Failure How did you learn from your failures 8 Name a couple accomplishments you most proud 9 Who are your role models Why 10 How does your college education or work experience relate to this job 11 What motivates you most in a job 12 Have you ever spoken before a group of people How large 13 What do you know about our organization (products or services) 14 Do you plan to return to school for further education 15 What would you change about yourself and why
Education
16 Why did you choose your major 17 Why did you choose to attend your college or university 18 Do you think you received a good education In what ways 19 In which campus activities did you participate 20 Which classes in your major did you like best Least Why 21 If you were to start over what would you change about your education 22 Do your grades accurately reflect your ability Why or why not
Experience
23 What job-related skills have you developed 24 Did you work while going to school In what positions 25 What did you learn from these work experiences 26 What did you enjoy most about your last employment Least 27 Have you ever quit a job Why 28 Give an example of how you have solved a problem in the work place 29 How do you resolve conflict on a team project 30 Give an example of a time in which you worked under deadline pressure 31 Have you ever done any volunteer work What kind 32 How do you think a former supervisor would describe your work
Career Goals
33 Do you prefer to work under supervision or on your own 34 What kind of boss do you prefer 35 Would you be successful working with a team 36 Do you prefer large or small organizations Why 37 What other types of positions are you considering 38 How do you feel about working in a structured environment 39 Are you able to work on several assignments at once 40 How do you feel about working overtime 41 How do you feel about travel 42 Are you willing to relocate
Office of Career Services at IU Kokomo
33 |Kelley Student Center 200 2300 S Washington St PO Box 9003 Kokomo IN 46904-9003 (765)455-9301 fax (765)455-9537 carserviukedu wwwiukeducareer-
services
Questions to Ask Employers
An interview is a two-way street Employers get an impression of you from the questions you ask Are you a critical thinker Did you comprehend and correctly process everything in the interview Have you done research and have a good grasp of the company and the scope of the position Your questions should be intelligent insightful and polite Have at least 3-5 custom questions in mind Employers look for someone who shows interest confidence and is well organized
1 Please describe (or ask them to clarify specifics) the duties of the job for me 2 Is this a new position or am I replacing someone 3 What do you like best about your jobcompany 4 What kinds of assignments might I expect the first six months on the job 5 What qualities are you looking for in the candidate who fills this position 6 Does your company encourage further education 7 Do you have plans for expansion 8 What are your growth projections for next year 9 Have you cut staff in the last three years 10 In what ways is a career with your company better than one with your competitors 11 What is the largest single problem facing your staff (department) now 12 Has there been much turnover in this job area 13 Will I have the opportunity to work on special projects 14 Where does this position fit into the organizational structure 15 How much travel if any is involved in this position 16 What is the next course of action When should I expect to hear from you or may I contact you
Interview Checklist Preparation Research research research Knowing more about the organization as a whole and the particular position you are applying for will be helpful in the interview It will help you understand questions that may be asked and will give you a chance to come up with questions to ask them The more research you conduct the more confident and comfortable you will feel in the interview It will also demonstrate to the employer how determined and pro-active you are about their company and the position you seek Get specific directions to the location If possible go there the day before and check out parking and the location of the office where your interview will be held
First Impression Put your best foot forward Remember the decision to hire you may be made in the first 5 minutes Always wait until they sit or invite you to be seated
Dress code Dress more formal than you would in the actual position Women should wear a suit or dress with a jacket Men should wear a suit or sport jacket and slacks Itrsquos a good idea to have an interview outfit ready and waiting (cleaned neat no threads or missing buttons) hanging in your closet Donrsquot wear anything too trendy or faddish (ladies no miniskirts) Check all zippers for closure and ladies should always have an extra pair of hose for emergencies Your style of dress communicates too what do you want it to say (See page 38)
Arrival Arrive a few minutes early to check out the location and parking Stop by the restroom and check your appearance Again you may want to check out the location the day before if you are unsure of the area
What to bring Always have an extra copy of your reacutesumeacute note paper and pen You will want to jot down questions as they may come about as well as information about the position Also write down the names of each person you interview with so you can mail a thank-you note
Application
Office of Career Services at IU Kokomo
34 |Kelley Student Center 200 2300 S Washington St PO Box 9003 Kokomo IN 46904-9003 (765)455-9301 fax (765)455-9537 carserviukedu wwwiukeducareer-
services
Read through the entire application before you begin Follow the directions Give specific titles You may leave the salary question blank or fill it in with a reasonable salary range Use NA where answers are not applicable Proofread the application before returning it
Legal and Illegal Pre-employment Questions CATEGORY LAWFUL
(Questions employers can ask)
UNLAWFUL (Questions employers cannot ask)
Name Have you ever worked for this company under a different name
Is any additional information relative to change of name use of an assumed name or nickname necessary to enable a check
on your work record If yes explain
What is your maiden name
Is the name on your application your real name
Address Where do you live
How long have you lived there
Birthplace Where were you born Where were your relatives born
Agebirth date Are you 18 years of age or older How old are you What is your birth date
Prove your age by submitting your birth certificate baptismal record
naturalization papers etc (see citizenship)
Photograph Requirement or option that applicant affix a photograph to employment form at
any time before hiring Citizenship Are you a citizen of the United States
If not are you authorized to work in the US
Can you verify US citizenship or your
right to work in the United States
Of what country are you a citizen Are you a naturalized or a native-born
citizen When did you acquire citizenship
Please produce naturalization papers or green card
(employers must verify citizenship or the right to work after theyrsquove decided to
extend an offer) Sex or Marital Status Are you male or female
Are you married What are your living arrangements
Relatives Do you have relatives (other than a spouse) already employed by the
company
What are their names
What are the names (addresses ages number or other information) of your
relatives not employed by the company
Children
Do you have children or plans to have children in the future
Do you have the capacity to reproduce Do you advocate any form of birth control
or family planning What are your child care arrangements
How old are your children
CATEGORY LAWFUL UNLAWFUL (Questions employers can ask) (Questions employers cannot ask)
Disability Do you have any impairment
(physical mental or medical) which would interfere with your ability to perform the job for which you have
applied
Do you have any disabilities or diseases not related to job
performance
Arrest record Have you ever been convicted of a criminal offense other than minor
traffic violations If yes explain fully
Have you ever been arrested
Experienced Please describe your work experience
Travel Overtime This position requires X amount of overtimetravel Would you be able
to meet this requirement
Who will care for your children when you travel or work overtime
Would your spouse object if you
traveled or worked overtime Language What languages do you speak and
write fluently What is your native language
How did you learn to read write or
speak a foreign language Education Please describe your academic
vocational or professional education and the public and private schools you attended
What are the dates of attendance
(To permit verification)
Notice in case of emergency What are the names and addresses of people to be notified in case of
accident or emergency (can be asked after hire)
Military experience Have you served in the US Armed Forces or in the National Guard
Describe your experience
Do you have any military experience
(other than in the United States) Organizations Do you belong to any organizations
which you consider relevant to your ability to perform this job Please
explain
Are you a member of any clubs societies or lodges
Which ones
Race or color What racecolor are you Are you a minority
Religion or creed What is your religion To which parishchurch do you
belong What religious holidays do you
observe National Origin What is your (or relatives) lineage
ancestry national origin descent percentage or nationality
Office of Career Services at IU Kokomo
36 |Kelley Student Center 200 2300 S Washington St PO Box 9003 Kokomo IN 46904-9003 (765)455-9301 fax (765)455-9537 carserviukedu wwwiukeducareer-
services
After the interview After you have interviewed for a position there are some things to do that may improve your chances
Send a Follow-up thank you note within 24 hours
This shows that you are serious about their organization and will set you apart from many who neglect to do so By taking the
time to email or write a handwritten letter thanking them for taking their time to meet with you Summarize specific qualities
you have and let them know you look forward in speaking with them further about employment
Sample Thank you
Dear Intervieweersquos Name Thank you for taking the time to talk with me on Thursday November 9 at the interview for list specifics of position and company) I appreciate your time and attention and after talking with you I am even more interested in becoming a valuable team member at companyrsquos name You were extremely helpful in explaining list position Now that I have a better idea of what the position entails I am even more certain that I would be an asset to your team and to companyrsquos name My solid education from the IU Kokomo Communication Department and the fact that I have worked my way through college show the work ethic and determination you said were important to be successful at companyrsquos name I look forward to an opportunity to work with companyrsquos name office and speak to you further about the program I will contact you next week to follow up and provide you with any further information that you may need Thank you again for your time and consideration Sincerely
Your name
The Stall Letter
There may be situations that you will need time to figure out whether a job is a good fit or have more than one position to accept or decline The stall letter is a good tool to have in this case In the introduction refer to the job offer or event that is prompting the letter In the second paragraph state your continued interest in the position but request more time to gather further information or to consider all alternatives and opportunities in order to make the best choice for the position and the company as well as yourself Give a specific time extension request If you need 24 hours for example ask for that Ask for the minimal amount of time in order to make your decision Remember this is a request and does not guarantee that the employer will accept it and be prepared for the possibility that they will not grant the time and choose another candidate In the conclusion thank them for their time and understanding and indicate when you will contact them to discuss the terms of the possible extension
Sample Stall Letter
Dear name of person that offered the position This letter is in reference to list company name and your offer of list the position I would like to take this opportunity to thank you for the opportunity and express my continued interest in the position At this time I would like to request __hours to gather some vital information in order to be completely confidant that I am making the best and most informed decision possible I want to ensure for all parties involved that I have considered all options and alternatives to be certain that my acceptance of this list position is the correct course of action for us both I appreciate your understanding and valuable time and look forward to speaking with you at your earliest convenience today so that we may discuss the terms of my request Sincerely Your Name
Office of Career Services at IU Kokomo
37 |Kelley Student Center 200 2300 S Washington St PO Box 9003 Kokomo IN 46904-9003 (765)455-9301 fax (765)455-9537 carserviukedu wwwiukeducareer-
services
Acceptance of a Job Offer Letter
Responding in writing to a job offer shows courtesy and is expected It reduces the chance of any misunderstanding that verbal acceptances do not In the first paragraph thank the employer for offering the specific position title and say that you are happy to accept it In the second paragraph state the terms of employment (salary location and start date) Emphasize any negotiations of terms that were unusual or non-standard if there were any In the last paragraph thank the employer sincerely for the opportunity and express your excitement to join their organization and be a valuable asset to them
Sample Job Offer Acceptance Letter
Dear person who offered position
I am happy to have the opportunity to accept the position of list title
The following terms of the position as I understood them include a salary of list salaryrate of pay at List location and to begin employment on list date As we discussed instead of the typical work week we agreed to the addition of evening and weekend hours during the probationary period with a return to usual business hours after 90 days We also agreed to a company vehicle provision for any off site training and appointments during the course of my employment
I truly look forward to becoming a valued member of your team and I am anticipating a productive and positive professional relationship with list company
Sincerely Your Name
Decline or Withdrawing from Consideration Letter
There may be times that you wish to decline or remove yourself from consideration from a position Doing this on a positive
and respectful note decreases the chance that future opportunities will be missed either as a future employee or possible
professional contact with the firm Thank the employer for the opportunity but decline it based on your reasons Be sure to
specifically name the person that was in charge of the hiring process If the decline is due to a term that was offered be
specific the firm could always choose to negotiate that term to better suit your situation
Date
Dear List person
Thank you very much for offering me the list position After careful consideration I regret that I must decline your offer
Although you were most encouraging in outlining future advancement possibilities within ABC Company I have accepted another
opportunity that is more in line with my skills and career goals or I found list the term to be out of line with my needs and
goals
I enjoyed meeting you and the rest of your team You have been most kind and gracious throughout the interview process and I
only wish that circumstances allowed me to accept your offer
Best wishes for your continued success
Sincerely
Your Name
Office of Career Services at IU Kokomo
38 |Kelley Student Center 200 2300 S Washington St PO Box 9003 Kokomo IN 46904-9003 (765)455-9301 fax (765)455-9537 carserviukedu wwwiukeducareer-
services
____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
This packet contains a lot of valuable information to help you achieve all the goals that an education from IU Kokomo
will prepare you for Use this as a guide for every step of the way from your freshman year graduation and beyond
IU Kokomo Career and Accessibility Center
5 |Kelley Student Center 200 2300 S Washington St PO Box 9003 Kokomo IN 46904-9003 (765)455-9301 fax (765)455-9537 carserviukedu wwwiukeducareer-
services
Reacutesumeacute Dorsquos
Do try to keep your reacutesumeacute 1-2 pages in length (someone who has prior experience in the professional world may
have a longer one) Do start with a first draft Expect to do several revisions Do make it crisp well-balanced and pleasing to the eye Use clear fonts (Arial or Times New Roman) Do use your complete legal name (no nicknames) address and phone number should be at the top of each page (leave
a where you can be reached between 8 am and 5 pm or where someone can leave a message that will be promptly returned)
Do tailor each reacutesumeacute and application to each new position Do write brief phrases ndash not full sentences (but be clear and specific) Do use phrases action verbs (initiated organized developed) and the results (see example below)
Example- Initiate and organize a variety of advertisements in the community which result in xyz new clientele per year
Do make sure to use the correct tense If it was a past job (developed organized initiated) if it is a current job (initiate organize maintain)
Do support all activities and responsibilities with results and accomplishments Include all post-secondary education and training that supports the position you are applying for
Do describe your specific responsibilities from past and current positions and use bullet points to list them Do cite any community activities and awards (if they enhance your other experiences by demonstrating leadership
organization etc) Do have complete and accurate reference lists available Do proofread final product for correct spelling punctuation grammatical and typographical errors Have an
independent ldquocriticalrdquo person proofread for errors you may have missed Do use high quality paper to print your reacutesumeacute on (water bond cotton etc in white or eggshell 85x11 Do make sure it has absolutely no typos or misspellings
Reacutesumeacute Do Notrsquos
Do not use abbreviations - only use professional and technical information when it is relevant Do not use odd-sized bordered or colored paper ndash anything that may be considered eccentric Do not list references on the body of the reacutesumeacute Do not include personal data marital status number of children or ldquoexcellent healthrdquo Do not devote more space to earlier jobs than to more recent employment Do not list grade point average or college honors unless you are a recent graduate and it is above a 3040 Do not use language that may cause the employer to stereotype or anything that might be perceived negative Do not use phrases like ldquoresponsibilitiesrdquo or ldquoduties includedrdquo Do not italicize anything Do not use ldquocuterdquo stuff such as non-standard fonts and pictures Do not use excessive detail in job experience section Do not use language that may cause employers to stereotype you in a specific occupation Do not repeat words and phrases- instead highlight how those accomplishments cover multiple related areas Do not photocopy a reacutesumeacute
The next several pages are samples of reacutesumeacutes for common occupations They will give you a good idea of what employers are expecting to see
IU Kokomo Career and Accessibility Center
6 |Kelley Student Center 200 2300 S Washington St PO Box 9003 Kokomo IN 46904-9003 (765)455-9301 fax (765)455-9537 carserviukedu wwwiukeducareer-
services
Sample Leadership Reacutesumeacute Address Phone Email
Objective (optional) Internship or summer position in the area of Social Work particular interest with juveniles
Education Indiana University Kokomo- Kokomo IN Bachelor of Arts in Sociology Minor Psychology Expected Graduation Date May 2010 GPA 3140
Related Courses Sociology Law Adolescence and Early Childhood The family in the Ecosystem
Childhood Psychology Organizational Behavior Families Psychological Behavior
Related Employment and College Activities Phi Sigma Sigma- Indiana University Kokomo Secretary (809- current)
Provide Leadership Attended leadership conference Volunteered with big brothers big sisters
Tutored school age children Assisted with multiple events on campus
CASA- Kokomo In Intern (January lsquo09-April rsquo09)
Advocate for children in the court system Assisted with court paperwork
Developed database and new registration form Counseled children and families
Skills Communication
Communicate with campus about upcoming events Addressed and resolved customerstudent concerns Presented nationally at a worldwide conference Corresponded with University superiors regarding events
Problem Solving
Counseled and worked with children on multiple situations Discovered and resolved errors on forms Coordinated monthly meetings with upper level management team
Time Management
Always met deadlines Dealt with situations and problems as they occurred to solve them in a timely manner Directed the work of three Administrative Assistants on a daily basis
Work Experience Kokomo Sports Center- Childcare Supervisor (808-current) Kroger- Supervisor (806-708) Volunteer Rescue Mission- 207- current American Cancer Society- 502-current Bridges Outreach- 0907-0408
Office of Career Services at IU Kokomo
7 |Kelley Student Center 200 2300 S Washington St PO Box 9003 Kokomo IN 46904-9003 (765)455-9301 fax (765)455-9537 carserviukedu wwwiukeducareer-
services
SAMPLE Skills Resume
Name Address City State Zip Phone Email address
Objective (optional) Entry level sales management position
Education
Indiana University Kokomo Bachelor of Science in Business Administration- May 2009 GPA 3440 Skills
Marketing Sales Promotion
Grossed $15000 in three months with summer painting business
Raised $600 in advertising space for local organizations project
Cold canvasses community for potential clients
Created informational brochure for apartment leasing company
Developed advertising campaign for class project
Management Training Organizational Ability
Assisted in organizing talent show and benefit auction for local non-profit organization
Coordinated sales presentation strategy for SIFE
Trained new restaurant employees
Communication Creative projects
Created multimedia presentations using slides music and narration
Developed sales presentation and assisted with advertising campaigns including radio spots newspaper sales brochures
Designed and distributed flyers for local non-profit organizations benefit banquet
Work experience Waiter Red Lobster Kokomo In 2002-2009 Intern Samaritan Caregivers Kokomo IN 2005 Activities
Students in Free Enterprise (SIFE) Volunteer for Samaritan Caregivers
References upon request (optional)
Office of Career Services at IU Kokomo
8 |Kelley Student Center 200 2300 S Washington St PO Box 9003 Kokomo IN 46904-9003 (765)455-9301 fax (765)455-9537 carserviukedu wwwiukeducareer-
services
SAMPLE Radiology Reacutesumeacute Name
Address Phone email address Objective (optional) To obtain a challenging rewarding full-time position as a Radiological Technologist
Education Indiana University Kokomo Kokomo IN Associate in Applied Science Radiologic Technology May 2009 GPA 30 40
Skills Diagnostic Imaging Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) Computerized Tomography (CT) Scans RMS IDX Carecast TDS order Entry Fluoroscopy procedures
Ultrasounds X-ray Radiation Protection Film evaluation
Clinical Experience Dukes Memorial Hospital Peru IN Spring 2009 Perform ultrasounds MRIs CT scans X-ray imaging portable radiography and fluoroscopic procedures Serve a diverse caseload including newborns infants children adolescents adults and geriatric patients Interpret data and provide recommendations for optimal patient care Manage 12 to 15 procedures per shift while maintaining high quality of care
Howard Regional Health Kokomo IN Fall 2008 bull Prepared patients for radiology examinations and explained procedures to patients bull Positioned radiographic equipment at correct angleheight bull Assisted with administering radiographic exams and film development
Dukes Memorial Hospital Peru IN Summer 2007 bull Prepared and positioned patients for radiographic examinations bull Operated all major necessary and portable diagnostic imaging equipment bull Experience with digital radiography bull Maintained records of examinations
Woodlawn Memorial Hospital Rochester IN Spring 2008 bull Performed all required diagnostic radiology procedures producing high quality exams bull Prepared diagnostic agents as required and explained procedures to patient(s) bull Ensured patient safety by utilizing radiation protective devices
Arnett Clinic Lafayette IN Fall 2007 bull Performed imaging procedures of the Diagnostic Imaging Department bull Assisted in x-ray examination and diagnosis of injurydisease observation bull Experience with fluoroscopic examinations bull Ensured patient comfort and operated within an integrated plan of careservice bull Verified all patient information
Honors Member American Society Radiologic Technologists 2008-Present Member Deanrsquos List 2007-2009
CERTIFICATIONS CPR Certification
Office of Career Services at IU Kokomo
9 |Kelley Student Center 200 2300 S Washington St PO Box 9003 Kokomo IN 46904-9003 (765)455-9301 fax (765)455-9537 carserviukedu wwwiukeducareer-
services
Sample Criminal Justice Resume
334 Indiana Drive Kokomo IN 46902 (765) 555-5555 nameemailcom
Seeking a position in the field of
Criminal Justice Law Enforcement
CitymdashStatemdashFederalmdashPrivate
Highly motivated energetic law enforcement graduate with strong work ethics and professional goals
Bring five years of service in office support and retail sales positions while attending college full-time
Bi-lingual with articulate fluency in English and Spanish personable easy-going communication style
Meet challenges head on work well in stressful situations in a fast-paced setting
Analytical with a lot of common sense intuitive instincts and ability to think outside the box
Maintain excellent research organization time management and problem assessmentresolution skills
Education
Bachelor of Arts in Criminal Justice- 2011
Indiana University Kokomo
Selected Courses
Analysis of Criminal Behavior
Concepts of Forensic Science
Abnormal Psychology
Physical Fitness in Law Enforcement
Criminal Law Group Dynamics
Work Experience
Receptionist ABC Store Indianapolis IN 400mdashPresent
Payroll Clerk DEF Place Kokomo IN 402mdash702
Sales Associate GHI Business Kokomo IN
Senior Sales Associate JKL Sales Kokomo IN
200mdash600
999mdash299
Provide front-desk representation clerical support and customer service for The Auto Store
Managed over 50 business payroll accounts utilizing cross-trained experience in teller and payroll services
Prepared and uploaded weekly exemptnon-exempt payroll data into network system for clients to download
Completed mandatory training that included a film study on a mock robbery to learn observation techniques
Held increasingly responsible sales positions achieving recognition for over-quota floor sales and cashier management
skills and manager-requests to return during school breaks based on performance and reliability
Provided excellence in customer service while assisting in all areas of inventory and display merchandising
Computer Skills
Microsoft Word Lexis-Nexis PsychInfo Criminal Justice Abstracts
InfoTrak Health Sociological Abstracts Internet research
Office of Career Services at IU Kokomo
10 |Kelley Student Center 200 2300 S Washington St PO Box 9003 Kokomo IN 46904-9003 (765)455-9301 fax (765)455-9537 carserviukedu wwwiukeducareer-
services
Sample Nursing reacutesumeacute Address City State Zip code
Home (222) 555-1234 Cell (222) 555-8888 nameunivnameedu Objective (optional) Seeking a challenging position as a registered nurse
CLINICALS January2007-May2009 Alta Beach Hospital Performed nursing duties in a level one trauma hospital Fairview Riverside Hospital Med-Surgery Unit Augustan Nursing Home Long term care
Education Indiana University Kokomo Kokomo IN Bachelor of Science in Nursing GPA 3040 (or higher only) Anticipated graduation date May 2009
Licenses RN - American Medical Association NAR license 3779948 State of Indiana 2008 CPR and First Aid Certified American Red Cross 2009
Employment History St Joseph Hospital Kokomo In 2009 to Present Nursersquos aide
Provide health care checks for a diverse population Perform blood pressure tests for community health outreach programs Supply a wide range of services including womens health clinic services and care for elderly patients
Saint Clair Nursing Home Kokomo In 2005-2008 Receptionist
Managed front desk Scheduled appointments for prospective clients Administered weekly evaluations of clients
SKILLS AND CERTIFICATIONS
Direct care of patients Educated patients for home care and discharge planning Operated and maintained monitors of bio-medical equipment Medical terminology and medication administration skills Maintained sterile fields and application of dressings Catheter IV and suctioning training Charting and documentation of patient care Acute and chronic care experience PC and Microsoft Office literate
Professional Affiliations Monroe County Medical Society Pennsylvania Nursing Association
References Available upon request (optional)
Office of Career Services at IU Kokomo
11 |Kelley Student Center 200 2300 S Washington St PO Box 9003 Kokomo IN 46904-9003 (765)455-9301 fax (765)455-9537 carserviukedu wwwiukeducareer-
services
SAMPLE REacuteSUMEacute FOR TEACHERS NAME
Address Phone E-Mail Address
OBJECTIVE (optional) Position as elementary teacher in grades 1 2 or 3 EDUCATION Indiana University Kokomo IN Bachelor of Science in Education May 2009 Endorsements in Reading and Science GPA 37540 TEACHING EXPERIENCE Student Teaching Maple Crest Elementary School (2008-2009)
Prepared and implemented all lesson plans for fall semester first grade class Instructed reading classes for third grade low reading group Developed learning centers to enhance vocabulary and writing skills for both groups
Methods Experience Eastern Elementary School (2007-2008)
Developed math center to reinforce learning weights and measures in 2nd grade class
Utilized songs music and dance to teach Japanese Social Studies unit to 3rd graders
Teacherrsquos Aide Western Middle School (2006)
Assisted teacher with reading groups and record keeping Scheduled field trips and parentteacher conferences
Accomplishments
Earned high marks for the quality and creativity of classroom teaching lesson plans and instructional materials used in teaching diverse subjects (eg language arts mathematics science social studies and history)
Developed innovative approaches that were repeatedly held up as the model standard for meeting district goals in areas including technology integration across the curriculum experiential learning literacy and diversity
Taught general education students as well as individuals with learning challenges and special needs within a mainstreamed inclusive classroom
Consistently commended for ability to redirect students exhibiting behavior problems by replacing disruptive unproductive patterns with positive behaviors As a result selected to lead district-wide in-service on classroom management
Established positive relationships with students parents fellow teachers and school administratorsstaff Quickly became a first-to-call resource in current substitute teaching role typically working four days per week
Personally requested by many full-time teachers to take over their classrooms during absences
OTHER EXPERIENCE Library Assistant Indianapolis Public Schools (2005-2007) ACTIVITIES Literacy Coalition Tutor President Ed Sac (2007-2008) Folk Dance Instructor Cheerleading Coach for Eastern Middle School
Office of Career Services at IU Kokomo
12 |Kelley Student Center 200 2300 S Washington St PO Box 9003 Kokomo IN 46904-9003 (765)455-9301 fax (765)455-9537 carserviukedu wwwiukeducareer-
services
Sample Entry level Information Technology Reacutesumeacute NAME
Address Phone Number Email address
Summary of Qualifications (optional)
Outstanding academic record Achieved Deans list for 1516 semesters and GPA of 375 Four years of experience as help desk technician and web developer Proficiency in various programs operating systems and applications Expert at finding and resolving malfunctions using exceptional technical and communication skills to ensure
minimization of downtime and optimal computer performance Education
Purdue University College of Technology Kokomo In Bachelor of Science in Computer and Information Technology Expected Graduation date May 2010 GPA 3040 (only if it is above a 30)
Technical Qualifications
Programming languages C Visual C++ C++ CSS ASP JavaScript Java Servlet HTML Java Server pages JBuilder XML PHP Apache
Software Applications Microsoft Suite (Excel Word Access Power Point) Macromedia Homesuite Adobe Photoshop FrontPageDreamweaver macromedia Flash DrScheme
Database Management Database SQL command MySQL Operating Systems Mac OSX Windows XP professional UNIX
Professional Experience Promega Corporation Indianapolis IN Web Developer (2008 - Present)
Helped in the re-launching and redesigning of companys web site that resulted in increased online sales by 15 and improved navigation
Responsible for implementation of programs and build databases that let the users to register unique names and passwords
Help in implementation creation and management of multiple applications for back end and web site Back end include Flash slide shows newsletter and RSS
Web site updating and editing using several languages such as XML HTML and CSS SGate Entertainment Indianapolis IN Web DeveloperHelp Desk Technician (52005-92008)
Utilized JavaScript HTML Flash and CSS to create companys web site Primarily recruited to help help desk Assured software and hardware were installed and operated at peak efficiency Accountable for long-term and day-to-day maintenance and technical support of site including suggestion solutions
and analyzing requirements to meet user needs Offered support for 10 users Helped with migration from PC to Mac environment
Volunteeractivities
Tutor computer students Assist area school corporation with computer updates
References upon request (optional)
Office of Career Services at IU Kokomo
13 |Kelley Student Center 200 2300 S Washington St PO Box 9003 Kokomo IN 46904-9003 (765)455-9301 fax (765)455-9537 carserviukedu wwwiukeducareer-
services
Sample Health Sciences Resume Address Phone Email
Education Indiana University Kokomo- Kokomo IN Bachelor of Science in Health Sciences Minor Psychology Expected Graduation Date May 2013 GPA 3140
Related Courses Ethics and civic engagement Social and behavioral sciences Cultural Diversity
Quantitative Literacy and Math Childhood Psychology Personality Psychology
Leadership Special volunteer projects (2012)
Planned and directed health screening day Organized group of student leaders on advocacy projects
Phi Sigma Sigma- Indiana University Kokomo Secretary (809- current)
Provide Leadership Attended leadership conference Volunteered with big brothers big sisters
Tutored school age children Assisted with multiple events on campus
CASA- Kokomo In volunteer (January lsquo09-current)
Advocate for children in the court system Assisted with court paperwork
Developed database and new registration form Counseled children and families
Relevant Work experience Samaritan Caregivers- Kokomo IN (summer 2012) Intern
Provided support to volunteers and staff on routine client visits Evaluated new clients
Community Howard Regional Health- Kokomo IN (summer 2011) Intern
Assisted with organization of new programs Planned and directed ldquoHealthy Teensrdquo event Researched and evaluated what needs the community had and implemented the new XYZ program
Skills CommunicationOrganizationMarketing
Strong interpersonal communication skills Designed and distributed flyers for benefit dinners and school functions Created informational and advertising brochures and slideshow presentations Participated in fundraisers and benefit dinners
ManagementTrainingSales Interviewed hired and scheduled employees Charted yearly sales records and tracked employee overtime Taught peers how to make and operate slideshows using PowerPoint Trained students on assembling and using art equipment
Office of Career Services at IU Kokomo
14 |Kelley Student Center 200 2300 S Washington St PO Box 9003 Kokomo IN 46904-9003 (765)455-9301 fax (765)455-9537 carserviukedu wwwiukeducareer-
services
Sample Informatics Resume
NAME Address Phone number Email address
Objective (optional)
Qualified IT professional with variety of software hardware and networking knowledge
Exceptional teamwork and leadership skills
Efficient troubleshooter with commitment to lifetime learning
Experience Computer Services Inc Indianapolis In Maintenance and Computer Technician 2008 - Present
Assembled computers
helped in network installation tasks
Assisted with troubleshooting Green Networks Inc Carmel IN Computer Technician 2006-2008
Responsible for the maintenance of equipment and computers used by company for multimedia advertisement Education
Indiana University Kokomo Kokomo In Bachelor of Science in Informatics Expected Graduation date May 2010 GPA 3040 (only if it is above a 30)
Skills Systems Engineering
Differentiate between various types of hardware
Set up and configure software and all the versions of Microsoft Windows
Build and maintain a computer
Troubleshoot software and hardware problems
Networking
Find out network hardware devices and cabling and their working
Implement IP schemes and administer groups
Maintain a secure network and implement network topologies
Expert in DNS Active Directory DHCP and WINS
Communications
Demonstrated skills to answer technical questions with different degrees of computer skills
Willingness to learn new things and work well with others
Good presentation skills
Demonstrated leadership skills in a team environment
Reference available on request (optional)
Office of Career Services at IU Kokomo
15 |Kelley Student Center 200 2300 S Washington St PO Box 9003 Kokomo IN 46904-9003 (765)455-9301 fax (765)455-9537 carserviukedu wwwiukeducareer-
services
SAMPLE BiologyChemistryBio-Chemistry Reacutesumeacute 190 Indiana Drive Kokomo IN 46902 (765) 555-5555 nameemailcom
High-energy and motivated individual with outstanding work ethic a strong academic background broad-based work experience and a record of personal achievement working for leading organizations
EDUCATION
Bachelor of Science in Biology May 2008 Minor Bio-Chemistry Indiana University Kokomo
PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT
Ophthalmology Intern XYZ Organization Kokomo IN Spring 2012
Transcribed 20 patient charts discussing medication and vision prescriptions
Observed 100 appointments for issues including glaucoma macular degeneration and detached retinas
Helped for new contact lens patients
Biology Lab Teaching Assistant Indiana University Kokomo August 2011 - current
Independently taught two biology labs per semester with 20 students in each
Created lesion plans and modified and presented curriculum for weekly classes
Maintained lab with spiders guinea pigs beetles and gecko
Held weekly office hours and tutored students
WORK EXPERIENCE
Server September 2005-June 2008 XYZ Restaurant Indianapolis IN Supervised dining experience of up to 40 guests per shift Exceeded sales goals by promoting specialty items
Head Lifeguard Seasonal May 2001-September 2007 LMN Business Kokomo IN Promoted twice within four summerscreated weekly schedule for 20 staff members Authorized to make management decisions in absence of manager Trained five new employees per summer concerning all assigned duties
ACTIVITIES amp INTERESTS
Biology Club Member (Fall 2011-current) Environmental Club Member (Spring 2010-current) Relay for Life Participant (Spring 2012-Spring 2011)
Office of Career Services at IU Kokomo
16 |Kelley Student Center 200 2300 S Washington St PO Box 9003 Kokomo IN 46904-9003 (765)455-9301 fax (765)455-9537 carserviukedu wwwiukeducareer-
services
Sample New Media Resume
Objective (optional)________________________________________________________________
Creative and dedicated Graphic Designer seeking a full-time position with advancement
opportunities to further enhance my knowledge in graphic design
Education________________________________________________________________________
Indiana University KokomomdashMay 2010
Bachelor of Arts in New Media GPA 36
Qualifications_____________________________________________________________________
More than 5 years of diverse hands-on design experience including experience in web-
site design magazine publishing and marketing
Adaptable organized results and detail-oriented with excellent work ethic strong time
management and interpersonal skills
Ability to create designs concepts and sample layouts based on knowledge of layout
principles and aesthetic design concepts
Extensive knowledge of design techniques tools and principals involved in production
of precision technical plans blueprints drawings and models
Ability to come up with unusual or clever ideas about a given topic or situation or to
develop creative ways to solve a problem
Team player also capable of working independently with minimal direction
Work Experience_________________________________________________________________
ABC Company Dec 2004 ndash Present Indianapolis Indiana
Coordination and production of a variety of graphics products and servicesmdashgraphic
design and art direction for ads newsletters report covers annual reports brochures
exhibit displays maps slide shows and the government cable TV channel
Study illustrations photographs and text to plan presentation of products and services
Review layouts and suggest improvements as needed
Prepare the assembly of final layouts for printing and review and approve art materials
Provide expert analysis and input on othersrsquo designs
XYZ Business Jan 2000 - Nov 2004 Indianapolis Indiana
Completed various freelance design assignmentsmdashincluding creation of a bi-monthly
printed newsletter for a lawyers association design of various logos and artwork for the
PQ Design amp Silk-Screening
Responsible for coordination and production of a variety of graphics products and services
Estimated costs coordinated graphic production and reproduction by service bureaus
Assembled final layouts for printing and provided graphic design for website
765-555-5555
1234 Indiana Drive
Kokomo IN
nameemailcom
Office of Career Services at IU Kokomo
17 |Kelley Student Center 200 2300 S Washington St PO Box 9003 Kokomo IN 46904-9003 (765)455-9301 fax (765)455-9537 carserviukedu wwwiukeducareer-
services
Sample Chaplain Reacutesumeacute Name
Address Phone Email
Objective (Optional) To seek a challenging position as a chaplain that allows me to utilize my knowledge and clinical pastoral education skills Qualifications Summary
Compassionate and devoted Chaplin providing spiritual moral guidance for 7 years
Maintains patient confidentiality according to HIPAA regulations
Excellent interpersonal and communication skills
Experience counseling patients concerning their spiritual personal and emotional needs
Professional Experience XXX Hospice Kokomo In 2007-current Hospice Resident Chaplin
Visit patientsfamilies and perform spiritual assessments
Provide spiritual support and counseling to patients and caregivers
Document all pertinent chaplain activities and audit patient charts XXX Church Kokomo In 2002-2007 Assistance Clergy
Assisted and organized religious services
Helped manage church property and finances
Participated in church programs supporting congregation and fundraising activities XXX Hospital Kokomo IN 1997-2000 Nursersquos aide
Provide health care checks for a diverse population
Perform blood pressure tests for community health outreach programs
Supply a wide range of services including womens health clinic services and care for elderly patients
Education Hospitalhellip Clinical Pastoral Education 3 units completed University of Santa Barbara CA Master of Divinity- 2002 Indiana University Kokomo Kokomo In Bachelor of Science in Nursing ndash 2000 GPA 3440
Volunteer Work
Xxx
Xxxx
Office of Career Services at IU Kokomo
18 |Kelley Student Center 200 2300 S Washington St PO Box 9003 Kokomo IN 46904-9003 (765)455-9301 fax (765)455-9537 carserviukedu wwwiukeducareer-
services
SCANNABLE REacuteSUMEacute CHECKLIST
Resume scanning is more commonly used by employers to seek out employees When a computer will be the first to
read your reacutesumeacute it should be altered If the scannable reacutesumeacute meets the computer criteria it will then be seen by
the employer
1 Left justify the entire document
2 Use key words or short phrases to describe your qualifications and abilities Use
jargon and acronyms specific to your industry Check the job listings and
industry-related materials for current buzzwords
3 Increase your list of key words by including specific names of products and
services such as Microsoft Word or Lotus Notes
4 Use nouns more than verbs For instance say ldquoproject managerrdquo instead of
ldquoimplemented projectrdquo
5 Use common section headings such as Objective Experience Employment
Work History Positions Held Appointments and Skills Use boldface andor all
CAPITAL LETTERS for each of these section headings as long as the letters
donrsquot touch each other
6 Minimize abbreviations except for common ones such as MBA or CEO
7 Use a 10- to 14- point font size Use standard typefaces such as Times New Roman Arial New Century
or Courier
8 Avoid italics script and underlined passages Minimize use of hyphens bullets or dashes Boldface is accepted by
most systems unless the employer advises otherwise
9 Avoid graphics shadings vertical or horizontal lines and boxes The scanner
reads text not graphics
10 Print your reacutesumeacute on 8frac12 X 11 inch white paper of average thickness on one
side only using a laser or other letter-quality paper Donrsquot staple or fold
multiple-page reacutesumeacutes Always make sure your name is on all pages
11 Donrsquot condense spacing between letters
12 Use enough white space between sections Computers use white space to
differentiate between topics
13 When faxing set the fax machine on ldquofine moderdquo instead of ldquostandard moderdquo
Office of Career Services at IU Kokomo
19 |Kelley Student Center 200 2300 S Washington St PO Box 9003 Kokomo IN 46904-9003 (765)455-9301 fax (765)455-9537 carserviukedu wwwiukeducareer-
services
Scannable reacutesumeacute example
NAME IN CAPS
Current address
555 Candy Lane
Kokomo IN 46901
765 555 ndash 2424
Permanent address
444 Peppermint Lane
Indianapolis IN 46077
317 555 ndash 1234
OBJECTIVE (Optional)
A fulltime position in the area that is my expertisehellip (You fill it in-see suggested buzz-word list)
EDUCATION
Indiana University Kokomo IN
Bachelor of Science in Management
Minor Management Information Systems MIS
GPA 36 40
Major GPA 38 40
Graduation May 2014
SIGNIFICANT COURSES
Fill in with significant core courses for your major that apply to the job Use one line per course
SKILLS
Proficient with (pc programs that you are proficient in and are applicable)
Any other skills that are applicable (see buzz-word list)
WORK EXPERIENCE
Bold the Job Title
Basic job description as it applies to job applying for Dates employed (begin with most recent)
Use buzz-word list based on your occupation and relevant to the position being applied for
Office of Career Services at IU Kokomo
20 |Kelley Student Center 200 2300 S Washington St PO Box 9003 Kokomo IN 46904-9003 (765)455-9301 fax (765)455-9537 carserviukedu wwwiukeducareer-
services
Cover Letters Cover letters are an additional component of a reacutesumeacute Customize every letter to each company andor position of interest
Address it to the person listed on the position advertisement or the person that you know has the authority to hire Finding this may
take some investigation to discover if the name is not announced on the position advertisement PO boxes are often used to filter
reacutesumeacutes and you can find the owner of the box by calling the post office and asking who owns the box with that number Having
this information to address the cover letter with will set you apart from those who do not
Cover letter Format Date Employers Name Use the name of the person stated in the job posting or contact the company for the contact person address and the correct spelling) Position or title Company Name Address Suite number or floor (if there is one) City state Zip Salutation Dear Mr or Ms Or Dear Sir or Madam (use the last name only of the person you listed above) If you have made every effort to find out but do not know the name or gender or the individual use a unisex greeting of Dear Manager or Dear Director Paragraph one (Introduction) State which position you are applying for and where you heard about the opening If the position was advertised refer to where it was advertised (Indianapolis Star or higheredcom) Be enthusiastic and confident about the position with a brief statement about why you are the right fit for the job Paragraph two (Body) Explain why you want to work for this company and how your skills experience and qualifications directly relate to the position You can also include your personal traits and strengths that would be an asset for the job Summarize why you are an excellent candidate for the position Highlight key examples and how they match what the company is seeking There are likely other prospective employees that are competing for this position It is very important that you highlight qualities that will set you apart and show uniqueness You are marketing yourself in this paragraph so be sure to sell the idea that you are the best one to interview and the best fit for this employer Most advertisements will list the requirements that are desired andor required for the position Be sure to detail how you meet each of those requirements Do not point out to the reader if there is a requirement that you donrsquot currently possess just do not reference that in your letter The purpose of a cover letter is to highlight the positives and do not bring up any negatives Paragraph three (Conclusion) State that you would like the opportunity to personally discuss your qualifications Indicate where you can be reached phone andor email A good sentence to use would look like ldquoI may be reached at 555-555-1234 or nameiukedurdquo Make sure to thank the reader for their time and consideration Closing Sincerely or Yours truly or Respectfully yours Signature (blue or black ink only) Your Name (Typed)
Office of Career Services at IU Kokomo
21 |Kelley Student Center 200 2300 S Washington St PO Box 9003 Kokomo IN 46904-9003 (765)455-9301 fax (765)455-9537 carserviukedu wwwiukeducareer-
services
References
Reference lists should always be available and prepared with 3-4 professional references
Do
Do get permission from each reference you plan to use
Do give each reference a copy of your reacutesumeacute to have as a guide
Do choose references that are well informed and have good verbal and written communication skills
Do Not
Do not use relatives personal friends or students as a reference
Letters of Recommendation
A letter of recommendation provides relevant information that is honest positive and portrays a up-front outlook of the skills
and potential capabilities you possess It can describe personality performance and skill attributes knowledge and
competency level
The following are suggestions of individuals who may be qualified to write a letter of recommendation
Executive Director
Vice President
Supervisors
Co-workers
CustomersClients
Subordinates
Professors
Counsellors
Coaches
Doctors
Lawyers
Ministers
Community Leaders
Office of Career Services at IU Kokomo
22 |Kelley Student Center 200 2300 S Washington St PO Box 9003 Kokomo IN 46904-9003 (765)455-9301 fax (765)455-9537 carserviukedu wwwiukeducareer-
services
Key WordsAction Words
Actively Established Evaluate Participated Schedule Coordinate Increased Proposed Strategy Created Launched Reduced Support Effect Eliminate Organized Originate
Approve Generate Program Solve Control Improve Recommend Supervise Direct Manage Motivated Responsibilities Revise Analyze Founded Pinpointed Set up
Completed Interpret Proficient Successfully Demonstrate Maintain Revamped Responsible Administer Expedite Plan Simplicity Conduct Implemented Provide Streamline Develop
Lecture Reorganized Accelerated Adapted Expanded Perform Significantly Conceived Influence Proved Structure Delegate Lead Reinforced Teach
Self-Describing Words Professional Active Diplomatic Loyal Respective Analytical Attentive Determined Logical Resourceful Ambitious Efficient Energetic Independent
Reliable Alert Economical Objective Optimistic Realistic Aggressive Discrete Methodical Sense-of-humor Sincere Adaptable Disciplined Mature
Self-reliant Broad-minded Enterprising Personable Tactful Creative Imaginative Perceptive Systematic Constructive Forceful Productive Sophisticated Consistent
Fair Practical Will relocate Conscientious Extroverted Positive Will travel Enthusiastic Pleasant Talented Dependable Trustworthy Ethical
Keywords for Interpersonal Traits Ability to delegate Accurate Assertive Creative Ethical Follow up Leadership Oral communication Public speaking Self accountable Supportive Tenacious
Ability to implement Adaptable Communication skill Customer oriented Flexible High energy Multitasking Organizational skills Results oriented Self management Takes initiative Willing to travel
Ability to plan Aggressive Competitive Detail minded Follow instructions Industrious Open minded Persuasive Risk taking Sensitive Team building Ability to train
Analytical ability Conceptual ability Empowering others Follow through Innovated Open communication Problem solving Safety conscious Setting priorities Team player
Office of Career Services at IU Kokomo
23 |Kelley Student Center 200 2300 S Washington St PO Box 9003 Kokomo IN 46904-9003 (765)455-9301 fax (765)455-9537 carserviukedu wwwiukeducareer-
services
Sample of Occupational Keywords Occupational keywords include skills titles and occupational buzz words Account manager Accounts receivable Acquisitions Bachelors Degree Bank Card Bank reconciliation Batch processing Benchmarking Blueprint reading Brochures Budget Bulletins CAD Calibrator Carpentry Cash Flow Cell Culture Media Cement Child Care Claims Justification Commercial Leasing Copy Editing Counselor Crisis Management Cross-culture training Debugging Decision making Demographics Dental management Die casting Dietitian Drywall Ecology Electronics Employee assistance Engineer Financial planning Food preparation Gas pipeline Goal setting Graphic design Grant writer Guest services Harnessing Hiringfiring Hotel ISO 9000
Journalism Journeyman Layout design Logic analyzer Magnetic theory Manager Marketing Masterrsquos Degree Microprocessor Microsoft word Nursing Oscillator Pelletizing Patient advocate Payroll Personal computer Process metallurgy Proposal writing Psychology Public Relations Purchasing Radio Raw materials Receptionist Reporter Research Sales Secretarial Software modeling Spanish Spreadsheets Statistical Process Control Stick Welding Strategic Planning Student Personnel Supervisor Taxonomy Teacher Technical Writing Time Management Transportation Travel Wave Solder WordPerfect Workflow Writer
Office of Career Services at IU Kokomo
24 |Kelley Student Center 200 2300 S Washington St PO Box 9003 Kokomo IN 46904-9003 (765)455-9301 fax (765)455-9537 carserviukedu wwwiukeducareer-
services
ACTION WORDS
ORGANIZATIONAL Assembled Enforced Prepared Reorganized
Collected Executed Planned Scheduled
Centralized Formalized Processed Updated
Coordinated Implemented Routed Catalogued
Maintained Recorded
LEADERSHIPAllocated Hired Operated Spearheaded Determined Initiated
Oversaw Sponsored Directed Inspired Pioneered Staged
Elected Instituted Presided Started Enlisted Led
Produced Supervised Formed Managed Recruited Founded
Moderated Represented Governed Motivated Selected
COMMUNICATION SKILLS Acquainted Drafted Introduced Summarized Apprised Educated
Lectured Taught Answered Explained Listened
Trained Briefed Familiarized Presented Translated Conducted
Handled Reported Wrote Contacted Informed Responded
Demonstrated Instructed Spoke
RESEARCH Analyzed Detected Examined Researched
Assessed Discovered Gathered Searched
Audited Documented Identified Surveyed
Compiled Edited Interpreted Tested
Consulted Evaluated Interviewed
CREATIVITY Authored Created Devised
Originated Conceived Composed
Established Revolutionized Conceptualized
Designed Invented
HELPING SKILLS Aided Counseled Helped Supported
Attended Comforted Instilled Tutored
Assisted Facilitated Mentored Treated
Collaborated Fostered Provided Contributed
Guided Settled
SELLING Arbitrated Marketed Promoted
Secured Convinced Mediated
Publicized Solicited
Dissuaded Negotiated Resolved
Encouraged Persuaded Sold
OTHER ACTION VERBS Adapted Developed Generated Revamped Attained Ensured Improved Revitalized
Augmented Eliminated Increased Saved Awarded Exceeded Launched Shopped
Boosted Excelled Mastered Strengthened Broadened Expanded Modernized Supplemented
Built Expedited Published Tended Calculated Fabricated Raised Utilized
Catered Financed Reconciled Decreased Gained Reduced
Office of Career Services at IU Kokomo
25 |Kelley Student Center 200 2300 S Washington St PO Box 9003 Kokomo IN 46904-9003 (765)455-9301 fax (765)455-9537 carserviukedu wwwiukeducareer-
services
Transferable Skills-Skills you have acquired from your education and employment experience that you can market to new employers
Communication the skillful expression transmission and interpretation of knowledge and ideas
Speaking effectively Writing concisely Listening attentively Expressing ideas Facilitating group discussion Providing appropriate feedback Negotiating
Perceiving nonverbal messages Persuading Reporting information Describing feelings Interviewing Editing
Research and Planning the search for specific knowledge and the ability to conceptualize future needs and solutions for meeting those needs
Forecasting predicting Creating ideas Identifying problems Imagining alternatives Identifying resources Gathering information
Solving problems Setting goals Extracting important information Defining needs Analyzing Developing evaluation strategies
Human Relations the use of interpersonal skills for resolving conflict relating to and helping people Developing rapport Being Sensitive Listening Conveying feelings Providing support for others Motivating Sharing credit
Counseling Cooperating Delegating with respect Representing others Perceiving feelings situations Asserting
Organization Management and Leadership the ability to supervise direct and guide individuals and groups in the completion of tasks and fulfillment of goals Work Survival the day-to-day skills that assist in promoting effective production and work satisfaction
Implementing decisions Cooperating Enforcing policies Being punctual Managing time Attending to detail Meeting goals Enlisting help Accepting responsibility Setting and meeting deadlines Organizing Making decisions
Initiating new ideas Handling details Coordinating tasks Managing groups Delegating responsibility Teaching Coaching Counseling Promoting change Selling ideas or products Decision making with others Managing conflict
Office of Career Services at IU Kokomo
26 |Kelley Student Center 200 2300 S Washington St PO Box 9003 Kokomo IN 46904-9003 (765)455-9301 fax (765)455-9537 carserviukedu wwwiukeducareer-
services
After you have the perfect reacutesumeacute it is time to hit the road and put your skills into action Career Fairs will help put you in communication with prospective employers and give you valuable practice for interviews
Achieve Results and Get the Most Out of a Career Fair
Attend as many job fairs as you can Not only will practice make perfect but it will expand your network of career contacts Make sure to ask precise questions and be prepared to answer specific questions the employers have regarding your background and capabilities Before the Job Fair- Be Prepared
Create a reacutesumeacute and have it reviewed by a career counselor Create a list of 3-5 references in case they are requested (Be sure to ask your references for their help before
including them on the list) Create your 30-second oral reacutesumeacute and practice practice practice Review the employer list Determine where employers are located and in what order to visit them Broaden your focus and include different types of employers For instance although you may not have thought of
working for a hospital hospitals recruit and hire professionals in many different fields Do your research Look up information about the employers of interest
o Check their websites for information about their productsservices and mission statement o What types of jobs do they have open o What kind of people are they looking for o What kind of skills do these people need to have How do you meet their skill requirements o Develop some questions you would like to ask the employer representatives at the fair
Network Network Network with people you know and via social network sites like Linked-In and Facebook for more information about the companies Also seek contact with employees you might know or seek information from alumni who work there
During the Job Fair Dress for success (See page 38) Assume you will be interviewed and dress the part Even if you dont get an interview
at the job fair you have already made a great impression Always have a penpencil and paper to take notes- a portfolio works best Bring plenty of reacutesumeacutes with you While some companies will be seeking employees for specific positions some
employers will collect reacutesumeacutes for future positions Be sure to get all of the contact information you need to complete an application
Make sure to have copies of your reference list in case an employer asks First impressions are everything Be direct have a firm handshake and make eye contact as you greet employers This
will speak volumes about your confidence If you are only gathering information let employers know that you are only interested in materials and information
Be aware of time demands of employers Do not monopolize the employersrsquo time You should have already done your homework about their company so you can better spend your time asking about the positions available (or available in the near future) and how your skills match their needs Give them your 30-second oral reacutesumeacute and impress them with what you feel you can do for their company Since practice makes perfect donrsquot give up if the first attempt doesnrsquot go well Keep trying with other employers
Ask specific questions and collect information from each booth you visit including business cards from the employer representatives Offer to follow up after the fair and ask what the best way to contact them is
After the Job Fair You now have a prime opportunity to make a distinctive impression
Use those business cards you collected to follow up with each employer you are interested in Be sure to do everything you promised at the job fair Complete the application and upload your reacutesumeacute Send a thank-you note or email to all whom you talked with within 48 hours of the career fair This shows that you
are serious about their organization and will set you apart from many who neglect to do so If you follow up on your application for a position be sure to follow the preferred contact method and dont overdo it Stay in contact and use this experience to expand your network Submit an additional or amended reacutesumeacute during your follow-up contacts if need be Follow-up and follow-through contacts are up to the student be persistent and polite
Office of Career Services at IU Kokomo
27 |Kelley Student Center 200 2300 S Washington St PO Box 9003 Kokomo IN 46904-9003 (765)455-9301 fax (765)455-9537 carserviukedu wwwiukeducareer-
services
Additional information-what employers are expecting at a career fair
What Will Impress Employers o Demonstrate that you have done your homework and researched their company o Be prepared Have your reacutesumeacute critiqued by Career Services and bring plenty of copies with you Develop
questions to ask smile and courteously and enthusiastically engage the representatives o Have a firm hand shake and good eye contact- dress for success o Never ask about salary let them bring up the subject o An expectation that you will be responsible for following up with them including a thank you note or letter o Take the initiative Walk up to them and engage the employers they want to speak to you
What Employers May Want to Learn About You o Specific careerjob objectives What are your expectations o Individual strengths and weaknesses Have specific examples that demonstrate your skills develop short
stories that showcase your skills (Remember a job fair is time sensitive and you donrsquot want to take up too much time of one employer)
o Contributions you will make to the operation Remember be specific now is not the time to blandly or generically discuss what you can do
What You Should Learn About Each Company o Employment trends Career Fairs are excellent resources for information about career decision-making o Skills necessary for different careersjobs Have meaningful conversations with representatives o Currentfuture positions o Salary benefits training and other information about the company (again let the employer bring up salary) o Who to contact for follow-up discussions and what their hiring processes are get specifics o Collect their business card or write down their contact information
30 Second Oral Reacutesumeacute Purpose It is important to practice your 30 second oral reacutesumeacute prior to attending a career fair The famous ldquoTell me about yourselfrdquo is a question that is always asked Whether the question is asked in a social setting an interview or a networking event a well-planned answer can set you apart from the crowd as well as spark additional conversation Begin preparing your oral reacutesumeacute by following the tips below
How to Prepare Your Oral Reacutesumeacute o Begin by brainstorming what you would want someone to know about you Write down all of your ideas o Consider including the following information in your oral reacutesumeacute
Job Objective Education and Training Skills
Accomplishments and Achievements Prior Employment Other Experience
o Narrow down your optionsmdashpick the top 5 things you want the person to know about you o Develop a paragraph that encompasses all of the things you wish to say o Practice makes perfect Read aloud your reacutesumeacute several times
Additional Tips Prepare more than one oral reacutesumeacute for various situations Practice your reacutesumeacute by calling your voicemail and later playing back the messagemdashthink about how it sounds and
what you would like to change Make sure that your oral reacutesumeacute will keep the listenerrsquos attention
Example Oral Reacutesumeacute Hi my name is ________ and I am a senior at IU Kokomo majoring in New Media I am looking for an internship experience in graphic designweb development Through my coursework I have developed strong computer and analytical skills Last summer I worked as an intern at the Kokomo Perspective to gain experience with print media At the Perspective I worked with the copy editor as well as the writing staff to gain experience in both fields I also volunteer at United Way developing and updating their website
Office of Career Services at IU Kokomo
28 |Kelley Student Center 200 2300 S Washington St PO Box 9003 Kokomo IN 46904-9003 (765)455-9301 fax (765)455-9537 carserviukedu wwwiukeducareer-
services
Send a Follow-up thank you note after Career Fair Send a thank you note or email to all whom you talked with within 48 hours of the career fair This shows that you are serious about their organization and will set you apart from many who neglect to do so
Be sure to remind the employer where you met them Thank you for taking the time to talk with me on Thursday at the career fair After talking with you I
am even more eager to work at _____ Summarize specific qualities and assets you obtain I am certain my education at IU Kokomo has enhanced my skill set and has provided a solid
background of knowledge in the _______ fieldhelliphellip Some experiences I have had the pleasure of doing arehellip This opportunity improved my work ethic and made me aware of my self-reliancehellip
Always attach your reacutesumeacute again for their convenience I have attached my reacutesumeacute for your convenience I look forward to an opportunity to further discuss
my qualifications You may contact me athellip (phone andor email address) Thank you again for your time and consideration
Sample Thank you
Thank you for taking the time to talk with me on Thursday November 9 at the career fair on IU Kokomorsquos campus I appreciate your time and attention and after talking with you I am even more interested in learning more about your organization You were extremely helpful in explaining companyrsquos name customer service and marketing trainee program Now that I have a better idea of what the position entails I am even more certain that I would be an asset to your team and to companyrsquos name My solid education from the IU Kokomo Communication Department and the fact that I have worked my way through college show the work ethic and determination you said were important to be successful at companyrsquos name I look forward to an opportunity to visit companyrsquos name office and speak to you further about the trainee program I will contact you next week to arrange an appointment Enclosed is an updated reacutesumeacute for your review Thank you again for your time and consideration Sincerely
Office of Career Services at IU Kokomo
29 |Kelley Student Center 200 2300 S Washington St PO Box 9003 Kokomo IN 46904-9003 (765)455-9301 fax (765)455-9537 carserviukedu wwwiukeducareer-
services
Knowledge and practice will give you the confidence you need to be prepared and give the best impression possible at an interview The following information will help prepare you for nearly any interview contingency being confidant that you can handle it is the best way to increase your chances of getting hired Here are a few things you can do to give yourself a head start
Questions to think about prior to your interview
1 Why do you want to work at this facility and what specific jobareas am I interested in a To Prepare research the facility
i Mission ii Population served
iii Financial stability iv Management style
b Learn about the job
i Job description ii Occupational outlook
iii Handbook iv employees
2 What qualities make me a good candidate
a To prepare self assessment i What are my strengths and weaknesses
ii What are my interests iii How do I know iv What kinds of results demonstrate my abilities
3 What type of shift working conditions salary and fringe benefits are most important to me (12 hours 10 hours 8
hours weekends flex-time insurance) a To prepare clarify values and lifestyle choices
i What are my values ii What kind of lifestyles do I want for myself and those close to me
4 How will I be trained
a To prepare How do I learn best i Do I need immediate feedback or can I learn well on my own
5 What are my goals Where do I want to be in 10 years
a To prepare Identify and prioritize career and life goals and objectives i Am I interested in supervision training management
ii How do I plan to reach these goals
6 What are the major issues and current events facing this specific field job occupation and company today
7 What can you bring to the organization
Office of Career Services at IU Kokomo
30 |Kelley Student Center 200 2300 S Washington St PO Box 9003 Kokomo IN 46904-9003 (765)455-9301 fax (765)455-9537 carserviukedu wwwiukeducareer-
services
Behavioral Interviews- Use the STAR Interviewing Technique for Success
The STAR acronym represents Situation Task Action and Result Recruiters and hiring managers favor the STAR technique because
it provides a better explanation of your past performance how you handle workplace challenges and whether youre able to articulate
your experiences STAR behavioral interviews are quickly becoming the most popular and common form of interview
Situation or
Task
Describe the situation that you were in or the task that you needed to accomplish You must
describe a specific event or situation not a generalized description of what you have done in
the past Be sure to give enough detail for the interviewer to understand This situation can be
from a previous job from a volunteer experience or any relevant event
Action you took Describe the action you took and be sure to keep the focus on you Even if you are discussing
a group project or effort describe what you did -- not the efforts of the team Dont tell what
you might do tell what you did
Results you achieved What happened How did the event end What did you accomplish What did you learn
For examples of past behavior use examples from
Internships
Work experience
Class projects
School activitiesorganizations you are involved with
Sports
Volunteercommunity service
Hobbies
Think about your accomplishments what are you most proud of that you want to share with the employer
How to prepare for behavior-based interviews
Identify 3-6 examples that demonstrate your top skills Look through the job description pinpoint the skills they are seeking
Pick experiences that demonstrate top behaviors of those skills
Prepare how you will ldquotell your storyrdquo using STAR
Pick examples that will be positive accomplishment
Most behavioral questions try to reveal the negative situations so be prepared with those examples However try to pick
examples that had a positive outcome
Try not to pick examples from only one topic Pick a variety of examples choosing examples from work class community
services etc
Typically the best examples are situations that happened within the last year
Go over your resume and review the accomplishments you have listed andor skills this could assist you with identifying
examples
LISTEN to the full question Be sure the example is an appropriate description of how you demonstrated what they are
asking for
Office of Career Services at IU Kokomo
31 |Kelley Student Center 200 2300 S Washington St PO Box 9003 Kokomo IN 46904-9003 (765)455-9301 fax (765)455-9537 carserviukedu wwwiukeducareer-
services
Sample Behavior-based Questions
Communication Skills
1 Give me a specific example of a time someone didnrsquot agree with your work How did you respond 2 Tell me about a time when you had to present complex information How did you ensure that everyone
understood what you were saying 3 Give an example about a time where written communication was needed
Decision Making Skills
1 What is the biggest decision or risk yoursquove made in the past year on the job Describe the process you used to make those decisions Would you do it again
2 Describe a time you overcame a challenge with an innovative solution What was the challenge What role did you play
Planning Organization Time management Skills
1 Please give an example of a time you didnrsquot meet your deadline Why did you fail to meet your deadline What did you learn from that experience
2 Give an example of how you keep track of multiple projects How do you stay on track and meet deadlines How do you stay focused
3 Describe a goal yoursquove had How you set it and achieved it
Flexibility Skills 1 Tell us about one of the toughest situations with which yoursquove had to deal with How did you handle the
stress or pressure of the situation Leadership Skills
1 Describe a time when you disagreed with a directive given by your supervisor What happened and how did you handle it
2 Give an example of a situation where team members or co-workers didnrsquot get along This could include you and someone else or two other people How did the project turn out What did you do to resolve the issue so everyone was able to work together
Office of Career Services at IU Kokomo
32 |Kelley Student Center 200 2300 S Washington St PO Box 9003 Kokomo IN 46904-9003 (765)455-9301 fax (765)455-9537 carserviukedu wwwiukeducareer-
services
Other Common Questions Asked by Employers
Personal 1 Tell me about yourself 2 Why did you choose to interview with our organization 3 Describe your ideal job 4 What can you offer us over another candidate 5 What do you consider to be your greatest strengths 6 Can you name some weaknesses 7 Define success Failure How did you learn from your failures 8 Name a couple accomplishments you most proud 9 Who are your role models Why 10 How does your college education or work experience relate to this job 11 What motivates you most in a job 12 Have you ever spoken before a group of people How large 13 What do you know about our organization (products or services) 14 Do you plan to return to school for further education 15 What would you change about yourself and why
Education
16 Why did you choose your major 17 Why did you choose to attend your college or university 18 Do you think you received a good education In what ways 19 In which campus activities did you participate 20 Which classes in your major did you like best Least Why 21 If you were to start over what would you change about your education 22 Do your grades accurately reflect your ability Why or why not
Experience
23 What job-related skills have you developed 24 Did you work while going to school In what positions 25 What did you learn from these work experiences 26 What did you enjoy most about your last employment Least 27 Have you ever quit a job Why 28 Give an example of how you have solved a problem in the work place 29 How do you resolve conflict on a team project 30 Give an example of a time in which you worked under deadline pressure 31 Have you ever done any volunteer work What kind 32 How do you think a former supervisor would describe your work
Career Goals
33 Do you prefer to work under supervision or on your own 34 What kind of boss do you prefer 35 Would you be successful working with a team 36 Do you prefer large or small organizations Why 37 What other types of positions are you considering 38 How do you feel about working in a structured environment 39 Are you able to work on several assignments at once 40 How do you feel about working overtime 41 How do you feel about travel 42 Are you willing to relocate
Office of Career Services at IU Kokomo
33 |Kelley Student Center 200 2300 S Washington St PO Box 9003 Kokomo IN 46904-9003 (765)455-9301 fax (765)455-9537 carserviukedu wwwiukeducareer-
services
Questions to Ask Employers
An interview is a two-way street Employers get an impression of you from the questions you ask Are you a critical thinker Did you comprehend and correctly process everything in the interview Have you done research and have a good grasp of the company and the scope of the position Your questions should be intelligent insightful and polite Have at least 3-5 custom questions in mind Employers look for someone who shows interest confidence and is well organized
1 Please describe (or ask them to clarify specifics) the duties of the job for me 2 Is this a new position or am I replacing someone 3 What do you like best about your jobcompany 4 What kinds of assignments might I expect the first six months on the job 5 What qualities are you looking for in the candidate who fills this position 6 Does your company encourage further education 7 Do you have plans for expansion 8 What are your growth projections for next year 9 Have you cut staff in the last three years 10 In what ways is a career with your company better than one with your competitors 11 What is the largest single problem facing your staff (department) now 12 Has there been much turnover in this job area 13 Will I have the opportunity to work on special projects 14 Where does this position fit into the organizational structure 15 How much travel if any is involved in this position 16 What is the next course of action When should I expect to hear from you or may I contact you
Interview Checklist Preparation Research research research Knowing more about the organization as a whole and the particular position you are applying for will be helpful in the interview It will help you understand questions that may be asked and will give you a chance to come up with questions to ask them The more research you conduct the more confident and comfortable you will feel in the interview It will also demonstrate to the employer how determined and pro-active you are about their company and the position you seek Get specific directions to the location If possible go there the day before and check out parking and the location of the office where your interview will be held
First Impression Put your best foot forward Remember the decision to hire you may be made in the first 5 minutes Always wait until they sit or invite you to be seated
Dress code Dress more formal than you would in the actual position Women should wear a suit or dress with a jacket Men should wear a suit or sport jacket and slacks Itrsquos a good idea to have an interview outfit ready and waiting (cleaned neat no threads or missing buttons) hanging in your closet Donrsquot wear anything too trendy or faddish (ladies no miniskirts) Check all zippers for closure and ladies should always have an extra pair of hose for emergencies Your style of dress communicates too what do you want it to say (See page 38)
Arrival Arrive a few minutes early to check out the location and parking Stop by the restroom and check your appearance Again you may want to check out the location the day before if you are unsure of the area
What to bring Always have an extra copy of your reacutesumeacute note paper and pen You will want to jot down questions as they may come about as well as information about the position Also write down the names of each person you interview with so you can mail a thank-you note
Application
Office of Career Services at IU Kokomo
34 |Kelley Student Center 200 2300 S Washington St PO Box 9003 Kokomo IN 46904-9003 (765)455-9301 fax (765)455-9537 carserviukedu wwwiukeducareer-
services
Read through the entire application before you begin Follow the directions Give specific titles You may leave the salary question blank or fill it in with a reasonable salary range Use NA where answers are not applicable Proofread the application before returning it
Legal and Illegal Pre-employment Questions CATEGORY LAWFUL
(Questions employers can ask)
UNLAWFUL (Questions employers cannot ask)
Name Have you ever worked for this company under a different name
Is any additional information relative to change of name use of an assumed name or nickname necessary to enable a check
on your work record If yes explain
What is your maiden name
Is the name on your application your real name
Address Where do you live
How long have you lived there
Birthplace Where were you born Where were your relatives born
Agebirth date Are you 18 years of age or older How old are you What is your birth date
Prove your age by submitting your birth certificate baptismal record
naturalization papers etc (see citizenship)
Photograph Requirement or option that applicant affix a photograph to employment form at
any time before hiring Citizenship Are you a citizen of the United States
If not are you authorized to work in the US
Can you verify US citizenship or your
right to work in the United States
Of what country are you a citizen Are you a naturalized or a native-born
citizen When did you acquire citizenship
Please produce naturalization papers or green card
(employers must verify citizenship or the right to work after theyrsquove decided to
extend an offer) Sex or Marital Status Are you male or female
Are you married What are your living arrangements
Relatives Do you have relatives (other than a spouse) already employed by the
company
What are their names
What are the names (addresses ages number or other information) of your
relatives not employed by the company
Children
Do you have children or plans to have children in the future
Do you have the capacity to reproduce Do you advocate any form of birth control
or family planning What are your child care arrangements
How old are your children
CATEGORY LAWFUL UNLAWFUL (Questions employers can ask) (Questions employers cannot ask)
Disability Do you have any impairment
(physical mental or medical) which would interfere with your ability to perform the job for which you have
applied
Do you have any disabilities or diseases not related to job
performance
Arrest record Have you ever been convicted of a criminal offense other than minor
traffic violations If yes explain fully
Have you ever been arrested
Experienced Please describe your work experience
Travel Overtime This position requires X amount of overtimetravel Would you be able
to meet this requirement
Who will care for your children when you travel or work overtime
Would your spouse object if you
traveled or worked overtime Language What languages do you speak and
write fluently What is your native language
How did you learn to read write or
speak a foreign language Education Please describe your academic
vocational or professional education and the public and private schools you attended
What are the dates of attendance
(To permit verification)
Notice in case of emergency What are the names and addresses of people to be notified in case of
accident or emergency (can be asked after hire)
Military experience Have you served in the US Armed Forces or in the National Guard
Describe your experience
Do you have any military experience
(other than in the United States) Organizations Do you belong to any organizations
which you consider relevant to your ability to perform this job Please
explain
Are you a member of any clubs societies or lodges
Which ones
Race or color What racecolor are you Are you a minority
Religion or creed What is your religion To which parishchurch do you
belong What religious holidays do you
observe National Origin What is your (or relatives) lineage
ancestry national origin descent percentage or nationality
Office of Career Services at IU Kokomo
36 |Kelley Student Center 200 2300 S Washington St PO Box 9003 Kokomo IN 46904-9003 (765)455-9301 fax (765)455-9537 carserviukedu wwwiukeducareer-
services
After the interview After you have interviewed for a position there are some things to do that may improve your chances
Send a Follow-up thank you note within 24 hours
This shows that you are serious about their organization and will set you apart from many who neglect to do so By taking the
time to email or write a handwritten letter thanking them for taking their time to meet with you Summarize specific qualities
you have and let them know you look forward in speaking with them further about employment
Sample Thank you
Dear Intervieweersquos Name Thank you for taking the time to talk with me on Thursday November 9 at the interview for list specifics of position and company) I appreciate your time and attention and after talking with you I am even more interested in becoming a valuable team member at companyrsquos name You were extremely helpful in explaining list position Now that I have a better idea of what the position entails I am even more certain that I would be an asset to your team and to companyrsquos name My solid education from the IU Kokomo Communication Department and the fact that I have worked my way through college show the work ethic and determination you said were important to be successful at companyrsquos name I look forward to an opportunity to work with companyrsquos name office and speak to you further about the program I will contact you next week to follow up and provide you with any further information that you may need Thank you again for your time and consideration Sincerely
Your name
The Stall Letter
There may be situations that you will need time to figure out whether a job is a good fit or have more than one position to accept or decline The stall letter is a good tool to have in this case In the introduction refer to the job offer or event that is prompting the letter In the second paragraph state your continued interest in the position but request more time to gather further information or to consider all alternatives and opportunities in order to make the best choice for the position and the company as well as yourself Give a specific time extension request If you need 24 hours for example ask for that Ask for the minimal amount of time in order to make your decision Remember this is a request and does not guarantee that the employer will accept it and be prepared for the possibility that they will not grant the time and choose another candidate In the conclusion thank them for their time and understanding and indicate when you will contact them to discuss the terms of the possible extension
Sample Stall Letter
Dear name of person that offered the position This letter is in reference to list company name and your offer of list the position I would like to take this opportunity to thank you for the opportunity and express my continued interest in the position At this time I would like to request __hours to gather some vital information in order to be completely confidant that I am making the best and most informed decision possible I want to ensure for all parties involved that I have considered all options and alternatives to be certain that my acceptance of this list position is the correct course of action for us both I appreciate your understanding and valuable time and look forward to speaking with you at your earliest convenience today so that we may discuss the terms of my request Sincerely Your Name
Office of Career Services at IU Kokomo
37 |Kelley Student Center 200 2300 S Washington St PO Box 9003 Kokomo IN 46904-9003 (765)455-9301 fax (765)455-9537 carserviukedu wwwiukeducareer-
services
Acceptance of a Job Offer Letter
Responding in writing to a job offer shows courtesy and is expected It reduces the chance of any misunderstanding that verbal acceptances do not In the first paragraph thank the employer for offering the specific position title and say that you are happy to accept it In the second paragraph state the terms of employment (salary location and start date) Emphasize any negotiations of terms that were unusual or non-standard if there were any In the last paragraph thank the employer sincerely for the opportunity and express your excitement to join their organization and be a valuable asset to them
Sample Job Offer Acceptance Letter
Dear person who offered position
I am happy to have the opportunity to accept the position of list title
The following terms of the position as I understood them include a salary of list salaryrate of pay at List location and to begin employment on list date As we discussed instead of the typical work week we agreed to the addition of evening and weekend hours during the probationary period with a return to usual business hours after 90 days We also agreed to a company vehicle provision for any off site training and appointments during the course of my employment
I truly look forward to becoming a valued member of your team and I am anticipating a productive and positive professional relationship with list company
Sincerely Your Name
Decline or Withdrawing from Consideration Letter
There may be times that you wish to decline or remove yourself from consideration from a position Doing this on a positive
and respectful note decreases the chance that future opportunities will be missed either as a future employee or possible
professional contact with the firm Thank the employer for the opportunity but decline it based on your reasons Be sure to
specifically name the person that was in charge of the hiring process If the decline is due to a term that was offered be
specific the firm could always choose to negotiate that term to better suit your situation
Date
Dear List person
Thank you very much for offering me the list position After careful consideration I regret that I must decline your offer
Although you were most encouraging in outlining future advancement possibilities within ABC Company I have accepted another
opportunity that is more in line with my skills and career goals or I found list the term to be out of line with my needs and
goals
I enjoyed meeting you and the rest of your team You have been most kind and gracious throughout the interview process and I
only wish that circumstances allowed me to accept your offer
Best wishes for your continued success
Sincerely
Your Name
Office of Career Services at IU Kokomo
38 |Kelley Student Center 200 2300 S Washington St PO Box 9003 Kokomo IN 46904-9003 (765)455-9301 fax (765)455-9537 carserviukedu wwwiukeducareer-
services
____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
This packet contains a lot of valuable information to help you achieve all the goals that an education from IU Kokomo
will prepare you for Use this as a guide for every step of the way from your freshman year graduation and beyond
IU Kokomo Career and Accessibility Center
6 |Kelley Student Center 200 2300 S Washington St PO Box 9003 Kokomo IN 46904-9003 (765)455-9301 fax (765)455-9537 carserviukedu wwwiukeducareer-
services
Sample Leadership Reacutesumeacute Address Phone Email
Objective (optional) Internship or summer position in the area of Social Work particular interest with juveniles
Education Indiana University Kokomo- Kokomo IN Bachelor of Arts in Sociology Minor Psychology Expected Graduation Date May 2010 GPA 3140
Related Courses Sociology Law Adolescence and Early Childhood The family in the Ecosystem
Childhood Psychology Organizational Behavior Families Psychological Behavior
Related Employment and College Activities Phi Sigma Sigma- Indiana University Kokomo Secretary (809- current)
Provide Leadership Attended leadership conference Volunteered with big brothers big sisters
Tutored school age children Assisted with multiple events on campus
CASA- Kokomo In Intern (January lsquo09-April rsquo09)
Advocate for children in the court system Assisted with court paperwork
Developed database and new registration form Counseled children and families
Skills Communication
Communicate with campus about upcoming events Addressed and resolved customerstudent concerns Presented nationally at a worldwide conference Corresponded with University superiors regarding events
Problem Solving
Counseled and worked with children on multiple situations Discovered and resolved errors on forms Coordinated monthly meetings with upper level management team
Time Management
Always met deadlines Dealt with situations and problems as they occurred to solve them in a timely manner Directed the work of three Administrative Assistants on a daily basis
Work Experience Kokomo Sports Center- Childcare Supervisor (808-current) Kroger- Supervisor (806-708) Volunteer Rescue Mission- 207- current American Cancer Society- 502-current Bridges Outreach- 0907-0408
Office of Career Services at IU Kokomo
7 |Kelley Student Center 200 2300 S Washington St PO Box 9003 Kokomo IN 46904-9003 (765)455-9301 fax (765)455-9537 carserviukedu wwwiukeducareer-
services
SAMPLE Skills Resume
Name Address City State Zip Phone Email address
Objective (optional) Entry level sales management position
Education
Indiana University Kokomo Bachelor of Science in Business Administration- May 2009 GPA 3440 Skills
Marketing Sales Promotion
Grossed $15000 in three months with summer painting business
Raised $600 in advertising space for local organizations project
Cold canvasses community for potential clients
Created informational brochure for apartment leasing company
Developed advertising campaign for class project
Management Training Organizational Ability
Assisted in organizing talent show and benefit auction for local non-profit organization
Coordinated sales presentation strategy for SIFE
Trained new restaurant employees
Communication Creative projects
Created multimedia presentations using slides music and narration
Developed sales presentation and assisted with advertising campaigns including radio spots newspaper sales brochures
Designed and distributed flyers for local non-profit organizations benefit banquet
Work experience Waiter Red Lobster Kokomo In 2002-2009 Intern Samaritan Caregivers Kokomo IN 2005 Activities
Students in Free Enterprise (SIFE) Volunteer for Samaritan Caregivers
References upon request (optional)
Office of Career Services at IU Kokomo
8 |Kelley Student Center 200 2300 S Washington St PO Box 9003 Kokomo IN 46904-9003 (765)455-9301 fax (765)455-9537 carserviukedu wwwiukeducareer-
services
SAMPLE Radiology Reacutesumeacute Name
Address Phone email address Objective (optional) To obtain a challenging rewarding full-time position as a Radiological Technologist
Education Indiana University Kokomo Kokomo IN Associate in Applied Science Radiologic Technology May 2009 GPA 30 40
Skills Diagnostic Imaging Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) Computerized Tomography (CT) Scans RMS IDX Carecast TDS order Entry Fluoroscopy procedures
Ultrasounds X-ray Radiation Protection Film evaluation
Clinical Experience Dukes Memorial Hospital Peru IN Spring 2009 Perform ultrasounds MRIs CT scans X-ray imaging portable radiography and fluoroscopic procedures Serve a diverse caseload including newborns infants children adolescents adults and geriatric patients Interpret data and provide recommendations for optimal patient care Manage 12 to 15 procedures per shift while maintaining high quality of care
Howard Regional Health Kokomo IN Fall 2008 bull Prepared patients for radiology examinations and explained procedures to patients bull Positioned radiographic equipment at correct angleheight bull Assisted with administering radiographic exams and film development
Dukes Memorial Hospital Peru IN Summer 2007 bull Prepared and positioned patients for radiographic examinations bull Operated all major necessary and portable diagnostic imaging equipment bull Experience with digital radiography bull Maintained records of examinations
Woodlawn Memorial Hospital Rochester IN Spring 2008 bull Performed all required diagnostic radiology procedures producing high quality exams bull Prepared diagnostic agents as required and explained procedures to patient(s) bull Ensured patient safety by utilizing radiation protective devices
Arnett Clinic Lafayette IN Fall 2007 bull Performed imaging procedures of the Diagnostic Imaging Department bull Assisted in x-ray examination and diagnosis of injurydisease observation bull Experience with fluoroscopic examinations bull Ensured patient comfort and operated within an integrated plan of careservice bull Verified all patient information
Honors Member American Society Radiologic Technologists 2008-Present Member Deanrsquos List 2007-2009
CERTIFICATIONS CPR Certification
Office of Career Services at IU Kokomo
9 |Kelley Student Center 200 2300 S Washington St PO Box 9003 Kokomo IN 46904-9003 (765)455-9301 fax (765)455-9537 carserviukedu wwwiukeducareer-
services
Sample Criminal Justice Resume
334 Indiana Drive Kokomo IN 46902 (765) 555-5555 nameemailcom
Seeking a position in the field of
Criminal Justice Law Enforcement
CitymdashStatemdashFederalmdashPrivate
Highly motivated energetic law enforcement graduate with strong work ethics and professional goals
Bring five years of service in office support and retail sales positions while attending college full-time
Bi-lingual with articulate fluency in English and Spanish personable easy-going communication style
Meet challenges head on work well in stressful situations in a fast-paced setting
Analytical with a lot of common sense intuitive instincts and ability to think outside the box
Maintain excellent research organization time management and problem assessmentresolution skills
Education
Bachelor of Arts in Criminal Justice- 2011
Indiana University Kokomo
Selected Courses
Analysis of Criminal Behavior
Concepts of Forensic Science
Abnormal Psychology
Physical Fitness in Law Enforcement
Criminal Law Group Dynamics
Work Experience
Receptionist ABC Store Indianapolis IN 400mdashPresent
Payroll Clerk DEF Place Kokomo IN 402mdash702
Sales Associate GHI Business Kokomo IN
Senior Sales Associate JKL Sales Kokomo IN
200mdash600
999mdash299
Provide front-desk representation clerical support and customer service for The Auto Store
Managed over 50 business payroll accounts utilizing cross-trained experience in teller and payroll services
Prepared and uploaded weekly exemptnon-exempt payroll data into network system for clients to download
Completed mandatory training that included a film study on a mock robbery to learn observation techniques
Held increasingly responsible sales positions achieving recognition for over-quota floor sales and cashier management
skills and manager-requests to return during school breaks based on performance and reliability
Provided excellence in customer service while assisting in all areas of inventory and display merchandising
Computer Skills
Microsoft Word Lexis-Nexis PsychInfo Criminal Justice Abstracts
InfoTrak Health Sociological Abstracts Internet research
Office of Career Services at IU Kokomo
10 |Kelley Student Center 200 2300 S Washington St PO Box 9003 Kokomo IN 46904-9003 (765)455-9301 fax (765)455-9537 carserviukedu wwwiukeducareer-
services
Sample Nursing reacutesumeacute Address City State Zip code
Home (222) 555-1234 Cell (222) 555-8888 nameunivnameedu Objective (optional) Seeking a challenging position as a registered nurse
CLINICALS January2007-May2009 Alta Beach Hospital Performed nursing duties in a level one trauma hospital Fairview Riverside Hospital Med-Surgery Unit Augustan Nursing Home Long term care
Education Indiana University Kokomo Kokomo IN Bachelor of Science in Nursing GPA 3040 (or higher only) Anticipated graduation date May 2009
Licenses RN - American Medical Association NAR license 3779948 State of Indiana 2008 CPR and First Aid Certified American Red Cross 2009
Employment History St Joseph Hospital Kokomo In 2009 to Present Nursersquos aide
Provide health care checks for a diverse population Perform blood pressure tests for community health outreach programs Supply a wide range of services including womens health clinic services and care for elderly patients
Saint Clair Nursing Home Kokomo In 2005-2008 Receptionist
Managed front desk Scheduled appointments for prospective clients Administered weekly evaluations of clients
SKILLS AND CERTIFICATIONS
Direct care of patients Educated patients for home care and discharge planning Operated and maintained monitors of bio-medical equipment Medical terminology and medication administration skills Maintained sterile fields and application of dressings Catheter IV and suctioning training Charting and documentation of patient care Acute and chronic care experience PC and Microsoft Office literate
Professional Affiliations Monroe County Medical Society Pennsylvania Nursing Association
References Available upon request (optional)
Office of Career Services at IU Kokomo
11 |Kelley Student Center 200 2300 S Washington St PO Box 9003 Kokomo IN 46904-9003 (765)455-9301 fax (765)455-9537 carserviukedu wwwiukeducareer-
services
SAMPLE REacuteSUMEacute FOR TEACHERS NAME
Address Phone E-Mail Address
OBJECTIVE (optional) Position as elementary teacher in grades 1 2 or 3 EDUCATION Indiana University Kokomo IN Bachelor of Science in Education May 2009 Endorsements in Reading and Science GPA 37540 TEACHING EXPERIENCE Student Teaching Maple Crest Elementary School (2008-2009)
Prepared and implemented all lesson plans for fall semester first grade class Instructed reading classes for third grade low reading group Developed learning centers to enhance vocabulary and writing skills for both groups
Methods Experience Eastern Elementary School (2007-2008)
Developed math center to reinforce learning weights and measures in 2nd grade class
Utilized songs music and dance to teach Japanese Social Studies unit to 3rd graders
Teacherrsquos Aide Western Middle School (2006)
Assisted teacher with reading groups and record keeping Scheduled field trips and parentteacher conferences
Accomplishments
Earned high marks for the quality and creativity of classroom teaching lesson plans and instructional materials used in teaching diverse subjects (eg language arts mathematics science social studies and history)
Developed innovative approaches that were repeatedly held up as the model standard for meeting district goals in areas including technology integration across the curriculum experiential learning literacy and diversity
Taught general education students as well as individuals with learning challenges and special needs within a mainstreamed inclusive classroom
Consistently commended for ability to redirect students exhibiting behavior problems by replacing disruptive unproductive patterns with positive behaviors As a result selected to lead district-wide in-service on classroom management
Established positive relationships with students parents fellow teachers and school administratorsstaff Quickly became a first-to-call resource in current substitute teaching role typically working four days per week
Personally requested by many full-time teachers to take over their classrooms during absences
OTHER EXPERIENCE Library Assistant Indianapolis Public Schools (2005-2007) ACTIVITIES Literacy Coalition Tutor President Ed Sac (2007-2008) Folk Dance Instructor Cheerleading Coach for Eastern Middle School
Office of Career Services at IU Kokomo
12 |Kelley Student Center 200 2300 S Washington St PO Box 9003 Kokomo IN 46904-9003 (765)455-9301 fax (765)455-9537 carserviukedu wwwiukeducareer-
services
Sample Entry level Information Technology Reacutesumeacute NAME
Address Phone Number Email address
Summary of Qualifications (optional)
Outstanding academic record Achieved Deans list for 1516 semesters and GPA of 375 Four years of experience as help desk technician and web developer Proficiency in various programs operating systems and applications Expert at finding and resolving malfunctions using exceptional technical and communication skills to ensure
minimization of downtime and optimal computer performance Education
Purdue University College of Technology Kokomo In Bachelor of Science in Computer and Information Technology Expected Graduation date May 2010 GPA 3040 (only if it is above a 30)
Technical Qualifications
Programming languages C Visual C++ C++ CSS ASP JavaScript Java Servlet HTML Java Server pages JBuilder XML PHP Apache
Software Applications Microsoft Suite (Excel Word Access Power Point) Macromedia Homesuite Adobe Photoshop FrontPageDreamweaver macromedia Flash DrScheme
Database Management Database SQL command MySQL Operating Systems Mac OSX Windows XP professional UNIX
Professional Experience Promega Corporation Indianapolis IN Web Developer (2008 - Present)
Helped in the re-launching and redesigning of companys web site that resulted in increased online sales by 15 and improved navigation
Responsible for implementation of programs and build databases that let the users to register unique names and passwords
Help in implementation creation and management of multiple applications for back end and web site Back end include Flash slide shows newsletter and RSS
Web site updating and editing using several languages such as XML HTML and CSS SGate Entertainment Indianapolis IN Web DeveloperHelp Desk Technician (52005-92008)
Utilized JavaScript HTML Flash and CSS to create companys web site Primarily recruited to help help desk Assured software and hardware were installed and operated at peak efficiency Accountable for long-term and day-to-day maintenance and technical support of site including suggestion solutions
and analyzing requirements to meet user needs Offered support for 10 users Helped with migration from PC to Mac environment
Volunteeractivities
Tutor computer students Assist area school corporation with computer updates
References upon request (optional)
Office of Career Services at IU Kokomo
13 |Kelley Student Center 200 2300 S Washington St PO Box 9003 Kokomo IN 46904-9003 (765)455-9301 fax (765)455-9537 carserviukedu wwwiukeducareer-
services
Sample Health Sciences Resume Address Phone Email
Education Indiana University Kokomo- Kokomo IN Bachelor of Science in Health Sciences Minor Psychology Expected Graduation Date May 2013 GPA 3140
Related Courses Ethics and civic engagement Social and behavioral sciences Cultural Diversity
Quantitative Literacy and Math Childhood Psychology Personality Psychology
Leadership Special volunteer projects (2012)
Planned and directed health screening day Organized group of student leaders on advocacy projects
Phi Sigma Sigma- Indiana University Kokomo Secretary (809- current)
Provide Leadership Attended leadership conference Volunteered with big brothers big sisters
Tutored school age children Assisted with multiple events on campus
CASA- Kokomo In volunteer (January lsquo09-current)
Advocate for children in the court system Assisted with court paperwork
Developed database and new registration form Counseled children and families
Relevant Work experience Samaritan Caregivers- Kokomo IN (summer 2012) Intern
Provided support to volunteers and staff on routine client visits Evaluated new clients
Community Howard Regional Health- Kokomo IN (summer 2011) Intern
Assisted with organization of new programs Planned and directed ldquoHealthy Teensrdquo event Researched and evaluated what needs the community had and implemented the new XYZ program
Skills CommunicationOrganizationMarketing
Strong interpersonal communication skills Designed and distributed flyers for benefit dinners and school functions Created informational and advertising brochures and slideshow presentations Participated in fundraisers and benefit dinners
ManagementTrainingSales Interviewed hired and scheduled employees Charted yearly sales records and tracked employee overtime Taught peers how to make and operate slideshows using PowerPoint Trained students on assembling and using art equipment
Office of Career Services at IU Kokomo
14 |Kelley Student Center 200 2300 S Washington St PO Box 9003 Kokomo IN 46904-9003 (765)455-9301 fax (765)455-9537 carserviukedu wwwiukeducareer-
services
Sample Informatics Resume
NAME Address Phone number Email address
Objective (optional)
Qualified IT professional with variety of software hardware and networking knowledge
Exceptional teamwork and leadership skills
Efficient troubleshooter with commitment to lifetime learning
Experience Computer Services Inc Indianapolis In Maintenance and Computer Technician 2008 - Present
Assembled computers
helped in network installation tasks
Assisted with troubleshooting Green Networks Inc Carmel IN Computer Technician 2006-2008
Responsible for the maintenance of equipment and computers used by company for multimedia advertisement Education
Indiana University Kokomo Kokomo In Bachelor of Science in Informatics Expected Graduation date May 2010 GPA 3040 (only if it is above a 30)
Skills Systems Engineering
Differentiate between various types of hardware
Set up and configure software and all the versions of Microsoft Windows
Build and maintain a computer
Troubleshoot software and hardware problems
Networking
Find out network hardware devices and cabling and their working
Implement IP schemes and administer groups
Maintain a secure network and implement network topologies
Expert in DNS Active Directory DHCP and WINS
Communications
Demonstrated skills to answer technical questions with different degrees of computer skills
Willingness to learn new things and work well with others
Good presentation skills
Demonstrated leadership skills in a team environment
Reference available on request (optional)
Office of Career Services at IU Kokomo
15 |Kelley Student Center 200 2300 S Washington St PO Box 9003 Kokomo IN 46904-9003 (765)455-9301 fax (765)455-9537 carserviukedu wwwiukeducareer-
services
SAMPLE BiologyChemistryBio-Chemistry Reacutesumeacute 190 Indiana Drive Kokomo IN 46902 (765) 555-5555 nameemailcom
High-energy and motivated individual with outstanding work ethic a strong academic background broad-based work experience and a record of personal achievement working for leading organizations
EDUCATION
Bachelor of Science in Biology May 2008 Minor Bio-Chemistry Indiana University Kokomo
PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT
Ophthalmology Intern XYZ Organization Kokomo IN Spring 2012
Transcribed 20 patient charts discussing medication and vision prescriptions
Observed 100 appointments for issues including glaucoma macular degeneration and detached retinas
Helped for new contact lens patients
Biology Lab Teaching Assistant Indiana University Kokomo August 2011 - current
Independently taught two biology labs per semester with 20 students in each
Created lesion plans and modified and presented curriculum for weekly classes
Maintained lab with spiders guinea pigs beetles and gecko
Held weekly office hours and tutored students
WORK EXPERIENCE
Server September 2005-June 2008 XYZ Restaurant Indianapolis IN Supervised dining experience of up to 40 guests per shift Exceeded sales goals by promoting specialty items
Head Lifeguard Seasonal May 2001-September 2007 LMN Business Kokomo IN Promoted twice within four summerscreated weekly schedule for 20 staff members Authorized to make management decisions in absence of manager Trained five new employees per summer concerning all assigned duties
ACTIVITIES amp INTERESTS
Biology Club Member (Fall 2011-current) Environmental Club Member (Spring 2010-current) Relay for Life Participant (Spring 2012-Spring 2011)
Office of Career Services at IU Kokomo
16 |Kelley Student Center 200 2300 S Washington St PO Box 9003 Kokomo IN 46904-9003 (765)455-9301 fax (765)455-9537 carserviukedu wwwiukeducareer-
services
Sample New Media Resume
Objective (optional)________________________________________________________________
Creative and dedicated Graphic Designer seeking a full-time position with advancement
opportunities to further enhance my knowledge in graphic design
Education________________________________________________________________________
Indiana University KokomomdashMay 2010
Bachelor of Arts in New Media GPA 36
Qualifications_____________________________________________________________________
More than 5 years of diverse hands-on design experience including experience in web-
site design magazine publishing and marketing
Adaptable organized results and detail-oriented with excellent work ethic strong time
management and interpersonal skills
Ability to create designs concepts and sample layouts based on knowledge of layout
principles and aesthetic design concepts
Extensive knowledge of design techniques tools and principals involved in production
of precision technical plans blueprints drawings and models
Ability to come up with unusual or clever ideas about a given topic or situation or to
develop creative ways to solve a problem
Team player also capable of working independently with minimal direction
Work Experience_________________________________________________________________
ABC Company Dec 2004 ndash Present Indianapolis Indiana
Coordination and production of a variety of graphics products and servicesmdashgraphic
design and art direction for ads newsletters report covers annual reports brochures
exhibit displays maps slide shows and the government cable TV channel
Study illustrations photographs and text to plan presentation of products and services
Review layouts and suggest improvements as needed
Prepare the assembly of final layouts for printing and review and approve art materials
Provide expert analysis and input on othersrsquo designs
XYZ Business Jan 2000 - Nov 2004 Indianapolis Indiana
Completed various freelance design assignmentsmdashincluding creation of a bi-monthly
printed newsletter for a lawyers association design of various logos and artwork for the
PQ Design amp Silk-Screening
Responsible for coordination and production of a variety of graphics products and services
Estimated costs coordinated graphic production and reproduction by service bureaus
Assembled final layouts for printing and provided graphic design for website
765-555-5555
1234 Indiana Drive
Kokomo IN
nameemailcom
Office of Career Services at IU Kokomo
17 |Kelley Student Center 200 2300 S Washington St PO Box 9003 Kokomo IN 46904-9003 (765)455-9301 fax (765)455-9537 carserviukedu wwwiukeducareer-
services
Sample Chaplain Reacutesumeacute Name
Address Phone Email
Objective (Optional) To seek a challenging position as a chaplain that allows me to utilize my knowledge and clinical pastoral education skills Qualifications Summary
Compassionate and devoted Chaplin providing spiritual moral guidance for 7 years
Maintains patient confidentiality according to HIPAA regulations
Excellent interpersonal and communication skills
Experience counseling patients concerning their spiritual personal and emotional needs
Professional Experience XXX Hospice Kokomo In 2007-current Hospice Resident Chaplin
Visit patientsfamilies and perform spiritual assessments
Provide spiritual support and counseling to patients and caregivers
Document all pertinent chaplain activities and audit patient charts XXX Church Kokomo In 2002-2007 Assistance Clergy
Assisted and organized religious services
Helped manage church property and finances
Participated in church programs supporting congregation and fundraising activities XXX Hospital Kokomo IN 1997-2000 Nursersquos aide
Provide health care checks for a diverse population
Perform blood pressure tests for community health outreach programs
Supply a wide range of services including womens health clinic services and care for elderly patients
Education Hospitalhellip Clinical Pastoral Education 3 units completed University of Santa Barbara CA Master of Divinity- 2002 Indiana University Kokomo Kokomo In Bachelor of Science in Nursing ndash 2000 GPA 3440
Volunteer Work
Xxx
Xxxx
Office of Career Services at IU Kokomo
18 |Kelley Student Center 200 2300 S Washington St PO Box 9003 Kokomo IN 46904-9003 (765)455-9301 fax (765)455-9537 carserviukedu wwwiukeducareer-
services
SCANNABLE REacuteSUMEacute CHECKLIST
Resume scanning is more commonly used by employers to seek out employees When a computer will be the first to
read your reacutesumeacute it should be altered If the scannable reacutesumeacute meets the computer criteria it will then be seen by
the employer
1 Left justify the entire document
2 Use key words or short phrases to describe your qualifications and abilities Use
jargon and acronyms specific to your industry Check the job listings and
industry-related materials for current buzzwords
3 Increase your list of key words by including specific names of products and
services such as Microsoft Word or Lotus Notes
4 Use nouns more than verbs For instance say ldquoproject managerrdquo instead of
ldquoimplemented projectrdquo
5 Use common section headings such as Objective Experience Employment
Work History Positions Held Appointments and Skills Use boldface andor all
CAPITAL LETTERS for each of these section headings as long as the letters
donrsquot touch each other
6 Minimize abbreviations except for common ones such as MBA or CEO
7 Use a 10- to 14- point font size Use standard typefaces such as Times New Roman Arial New Century
or Courier
8 Avoid italics script and underlined passages Minimize use of hyphens bullets or dashes Boldface is accepted by
most systems unless the employer advises otherwise
9 Avoid graphics shadings vertical or horizontal lines and boxes The scanner
reads text not graphics
10 Print your reacutesumeacute on 8frac12 X 11 inch white paper of average thickness on one
side only using a laser or other letter-quality paper Donrsquot staple or fold
multiple-page reacutesumeacutes Always make sure your name is on all pages
11 Donrsquot condense spacing between letters
12 Use enough white space between sections Computers use white space to
differentiate between topics
13 When faxing set the fax machine on ldquofine moderdquo instead of ldquostandard moderdquo
Office of Career Services at IU Kokomo
19 |Kelley Student Center 200 2300 S Washington St PO Box 9003 Kokomo IN 46904-9003 (765)455-9301 fax (765)455-9537 carserviukedu wwwiukeducareer-
services
Scannable reacutesumeacute example
NAME IN CAPS
Current address
555 Candy Lane
Kokomo IN 46901
765 555 ndash 2424
Permanent address
444 Peppermint Lane
Indianapolis IN 46077
317 555 ndash 1234
OBJECTIVE (Optional)
A fulltime position in the area that is my expertisehellip (You fill it in-see suggested buzz-word list)
EDUCATION
Indiana University Kokomo IN
Bachelor of Science in Management
Minor Management Information Systems MIS
GPA 36 40
Major GPA 38 40
Graduation May 2014
SIGNIFICANT COURSES
Fill in with significant core courses for your major that apply to the job Use one line per course
SKILLS
Proficient with (pc programs that you are proficient in and are applicable)
Any other skills that are applicable (see buzz-word list)
WORK EXPERIENCE
Bold the Job Title
Basic job description as it applies to job applying for Dates employed (begin with most recent)
Use buzz-word list based on your occupation and relevant to the position being applied for
Office of Career Services at IU Kokomo
20 |Kelley Student Center 200 2300 S Washington St PO Box 9003 Kokomo IN 46904-9003 (765)455-9301 fax (765)455-9537 carserviukedu wwwiukeducareer-
services
Cover Letters Cover letters are an additional component of a reacutesumeacute Customize every letter to each company andor position of interest
Address it to the person listed on the position advertisement or the person that you know has the authority to hire Finding this may
take some investigation to discover if the name is not announced on the position advertisement PO boxes are often used to filter
reacutesumeacutes and you can find the owner of the box by calling the post office and asking who owns the box with that number Having
this information to address the cover letter with will set you apart from those who do not
Cover letter Format Date Employers Name Use the name of the person stated in the job posting or contact the company for the contact person address and the correct spelling) Position or title Company Name Address Suite number or floor (if there is one) City state Zip Salutation Dear Mr or Ms Or Dear Sir or Madam (use the last name only of the person you listed above) If you have made every effort to find out but do not know the name or gender or the individual use a unisex greeting of Dear Manager or Dear Director Paragraph one (Introduction) State which position you are applying for and where you heard about the opening If the position was advertised refer to where it was advertised (Indianapolis Star or higheredcom) Be enthusiastic and confident about the position with a brief statement about why you are the right fit for the job Paragraph two (Body) Explain why you want to work for this company and how your skills experience and qualifications directly relate to the position You can also include your personal traits and strengths that would be an asset for the job Summarize why you are an excellent candidate for the position Highlight key examples and how they match what the company is seeking There are likely other prospective employees that are competing for this position It is very important that you highlight qualities that will set you apart and show uniqueness You are marketing yourself in this paragraph so be sure to sell the idea that you are the best one to interview and the best fit for this employer Most advertisements will list the requirements that are desired andor required for the position Be sure to detail how you meet each of those requirements Do not point out to the reader if there is a requirement that you donrsquot currently possess just do not reference that in your letter The purpose of a cover letter is to highlight the positives and do not bring up any negatives Paragraph three (Conclusion) State that you would like the opportunity to personally discuss your qualifications Indicate where you can be reached phone andor email A good sentence to use would look like ldquoI may be reached at 555-555-1234 or nameiukedurdquo Make sure to thank the reader for their time and consideration Closing Sincerely or Yours truly or Respectfully yours Signature (blue or black ink only) Your Name (Typed)
Office of Career Services at IU Kokomo
21 |Kelley Student Center 200 2300 S Washington St PO Box 9003 Kokomo IN 46904-9003 (765)455-9301 fax (765)455-9537 carserviukedu wwwiukeducareer-
services
References
Reference lists should always be available and prepared with 3-4 professional references
Do
Do get permission from each reference you plan to use
Do give each reference a copy of your reacutesumeacute to have as a guide
Do choose references that are well informed and have good verbal and written communication skills
Do Not
Do not use relatives personal friends or students as a reference
Letters of Recommendation
A letter of recommendation provides relevant information that is honest positive and portrays a up-front outlook of the skills
and potential capabilities you possess It can describe personality performance and skill attributes knowledge and
competency level
The following are suggestions of individuals who may be qualified to write a letter of recommendation
Executive Director
Vice President
Supervisors
Co-workers
CustomersClients
Subordinates
Professors
Counsellors
Coaches
Doctors
Lawyers
Ministers
Community Leaders
Office of Career Services at IU Kokomo
22 |Kelley Student Center 200 2300 S Washington St PO Box 9003 Kokomo IN 46904-9003 (765)455-9301 fax (765)455-9537 carserviukedu wwwiukeducareer-
services
Key WordsAction Words
Actively Established Evaluate Participated Schedule Coordinate Increased Proposed Strategy Created Launched Reduced Support Effect Eliminate Organized Originate
Approve Generate Program Solve Control Improve Recommend Supervise Direct Manage Motivated Responsibilities Revise Analyze Founded Pinpointed Set up
Completed Interpret Proficient Successfully Demonstrate Maintain Revamped Responsible Administer Expedite Plan Simplicity Conduct Implemented Provide Streamline Develop
Lecture Reorganized Accelerated Adapted Expanded Perform Significantly Conceived Influence Proved Structure Delegate Lead Reinforced Teach
Self-Describing Words Professional Active Diplomatic Loyal Respective Analytical Attentive Determined Logical Resourceful Ambitious Efficient Energetic Independent
Reliable Alert Economical Objective Optimistic Realistic Aggressive Discrete Methodical Sense-of-humor Sincere Adaptable Disciplined Mature
Self-reliant Broad-minded Enterprising Personable Tactful Creative Imaginative Perceptive Systematic Constructive Forceful Productive Sophisticated Consistent
Fair Practical Will relocate Conscientious Extroverted Positive Will travel Enthusiastic Pleasant Talented Dependable Trustworthy Ethical
Keywords for Interpersonal Traits Ability to delegate Accurate Assertive Creative Ethical Follow up Leadership Oral communication Public speaking Self accountable Supportive Tenacious
Ability to implement Adaptable Communication skill Customer oriented Flexible High energy Multitasking Organizational skills Results oriented Self management Takes initiative Willing to travel
Ability to plan Aggressive Competitive Detail minded Follow instructions Industrious Open minded Persuasive Risk taking Sensitive Team building Ability to train
Analytical ability Conceptual ability Empowering others Follow through Innovated Open communication Problem solving Safety conscious Setting priorities Team player
Office of Career Services at IU Kokomo
23 |Kelley Student Center 200 2300 S Washington St PO Box 9003 Kokomo IN 46904-9003 (765)455-9301 fax (765)455-9537 carserviukedu wwwiukeducareer-
services
Sample of Occupational Keywords Occupational keywords include skills titles and occupational buzz words Account manager Accounts receivable Acquisitions Bachelors Degree Bank Card Bank reconciliation Batch processing Benchmarking Blueprint reading Brochures Budget Bulletins CAD Calibrator Carpentry Cash Flow Cell Culture Media Cement Child Care Claims Justification Commercial Leasing Copy Editing Counselor Crisis Management Cross-culture training Debugging Decision making Demographics Dental management Die casting Dietitian Drywall Ecology Electronics Employee assistance Engineer Financial planning Food preparation Gas pipeline Goal setting Graphic design Grant writer Guest services Harnessing Hiringfiring Hotel ISO 9000
Journalism Journeyman Layout design Logic analyzer Magnetic theory Manager Marketing Masterrsquos Degree Microprocessor Microsoft word Nursing Oscillator Pelletizing Patient advocate Payroll Personal computer Process metallurgy Proposal writing Psychology Public Relations Purchasing Radio Raw materials Receptionist Reporter Research Sales Secretarial Software modeling Spanish Spreadsheets Statistical Process Control Stick Welding Strategic Planning Student Personnel Supervisor Taxonomy Teacher Technical Writing Time Management Transportation Travel Wave Solder WordPerfect Workflow Writer
Office of Career Services at IU Kokomo
24 |Kelley Student Center 200 2300 S Washington St PO Box 9003 Kokomo IN 46904-9003 (765)455-9301 fax (765)455-9537 carserviukedu wwwiukeducareer-
services
ACTION WORDS
ORGANIZATIONAL Assembled Enforced Prepared Reorganized
Collected Executed Planned Scheduled
Centralized Formalized Processed Updated
Coordinated Implemented Routed Catalogued
Maintained Recorded
LEADERSHIPAllocated Hired Operated Spearheaded Determined Initiated
Oversaw Sponsored Directed Inspired Pioneered Staged
Elected Instituted Presided Started Enlisted Led
Produced Supervised Formed Managed Recruited Founded
Moderated Represented Governed Motivated Selected
COMMUNICATION SKILLS Acquainted Drafted Introduced Summarized Apprised Educated
Lectured Taught Answered Explained Listened
Trained Briefed Familiarized Presented Translated Conducted
Handled Reported Wrote Contacted Informed Responded
Demonstrated Instructed Spoke
RESEARCH Analyzed Detected Examined Researched
Assessed Discovered Gathered Searched
Audited Documented Identified Surveyed
Compiled Edited Interpreted Tested
Consulted Evaluated Interviewed
CREATIVITY Authored Created Devised
Originated Conceived Composed
Established Revolutionized Conceptualized
Designed Invented
HELPING SKILLS Aided Counseled Helped Supported
Attended Comforted Instilled Tutored
Assisted Facilitated Mentored Treated
Collaborated Fostered Provided Contributed
Guided Settled
SELLING Arbitrated Marketed Promoted
Secured Convinced Mediated
Publicized Solicited
Dissuaded Negotiated Resolved
Encouraged Persuaded Sold
OTHER ACTION VERBS Adapted Developed Generated Revamped Attained Ensured Improved Revitalized
Augmented Eliminated Increased Saved Awarded Exceeded Launched Shopped
Boosted Excelled Mastered Strengthened Broadened Expanded Modernized Supplemented
Built Expedited Published Tended Calculated Fabricated Raised Utilized
Catered Financed Reconciled Decreased Gained Reduced
Office of Career Services at IU Kokomo
25 |Kelley Student Center 200 2300 S Washington St PO Box 9003 Kokomo IN 46904-9003 (765)455-9301 fax (765)455-9537 carserviukedu wwwiukeducareer-
services
Transferable Skills-Skills you have acquired from your education and employment experience that you can market to new employers
Communication the skillful expression transmission and interpretation of knowledge and ideas
Speaking effectively Writing concisely Listening attentively Expressing ideas Facilitating group discussion Providing appropriate feedback Negotiating
Perceiving nonverbal messages Persuading Reporting information Describing feelings Interviewing Editing
Research and Planning the search for specific knowledge and the ability to conceptualize future needs and solutions for meeting those needs
Forecasting predicting Creating ideas Identifying problems Imagining alternatives Identifying resources Gathering information
Solving problems Setting goals Extracting important information Defining needs Analyzing Developing evaluation strategies
Human Relations the use of interpersonal skills for resolving conflict relating to and helping people Developing rapport Being Sensitive Listening Conveying feelings Providing support for others Motivating Sharing credit
Counseling Cooperating Delegating with respect Representing others Perceiving feelings situations Asserting
Organization Management and Leadership the ability to supervise direct and guide individuals and groups in the completion of tasks and fulfillment of goals Work Survival the day-to-day skills that assist in promoting effective production and work satisfaction
Implementing decisions Cooperating Enforcing policies Being punctual Managing time Attending to detail Meeting goals Enlisting help Accepting responsibility Setting and meeting deadlines Organizing Making decisions
Initiating new ideas Handling details Coordinating tasks Managing groups Delegating responsibility Teaching Coaching Counseling Promoting change Selling ideas or products Decision making with others Managing conflict
Office of Career Services at IU Kokomo
26 |Kelley Student Center 200 2300 S Washington St PO Box 9003 Kokomo IN 46904-9003 (765)455-9301 fax (765)455-9537 carserviukedu wwwiukeducareer-
services
After you have the perfect reacutesumeacute it is time to hit the road and put your skills into action Career Fairs will help put you in communication with prospective employers and give you valuable practice for interviews
Achieve Results and Get the Most Out of a Career Fair
Attend as many job fairs as you can Not only will practice make perfect but it will expand your network of career contacts Make sure to ask precise questions and be prepared to answer specific questions the employers have regarding your background and capabilities Before the Job Fair- Be Prepared
Create a reacutesumeacute and have it reviewed by a career counselor Create a list of 3-5 references in case they are requested (Be sure to ask your references for their help before
including them on the list) Create your 30-second oral reacutesumeacute and practice practice practice Review the employer list Determine where employers are located and in what order to visit them Broaden your focus and include different types of employers For instance although you may not have thought of
working for a hospital hospitals recruit and hire professionals in many different fields Do your research Look up information about the employers of interest
o Check their websites for information about their productsservices and mission statement o What types of jobs do they have open o What kind of people are they looking for o What kind of skills do these people need to have How do you meet their skill requirements o Develop some questions you would like to ask the employer representatives at the fair
Network Network Network with people you know and via social network sites like Linked-In and Facebook for more information about the companies Also seek contact with employees you might know or seek information from alumni who work there
During the Job Fair Dress for success (See page 38) Assume you will be interviewed and dress the part Even if you dont get an interview
at the job fair you have already made a great impression Always have a penpencil and paper to take notes- a portfolio works best Bring plenty of reacutesumeacutes with you While some companies will be seeking employees for specific positions some
employers will collect reacutesumeacutes for future positions Be sure to get all of the contact information you need to complete an application
Make sure to have copies of your reference list in case an employer asks First impressions are everything Be direct have a firm handshake and make eye contact as you greet employers This
will speak volumes about your confidence If you are only gathering information let employers know that you are only interested in materials and information
Be aware of time demands of employers Do not monopolize the employersrsquo time You should have already done your homework about their company so you can better spend your time asking about the positions available (or available in the near future) and how your skills match their needs Give them your 30-second oral reacutesumeacute and impress them with what you feel you can do for their company Since practice makes perfect donrsquot give up if the first attempt doesnrsquot go well Keep trying with other employers
Ask specific questions and collect information from each booth you visit including business cards from the employer representatives Offer to follow up after the fair and ask what the best way to contact them is
After the Job Fair You now have a prime opportunity to make a distinctive impression
Use those business cards you collected to follow up with each employer you are interested in Be sure to do everything you promised at the job fair Complete the application and upload your reacutesumeacute Send a thank-you note or email to all whom you talked with within 48 hours of the career fair This shows that you
are serious about their organization and will set you apart from many who neglect to do so If you follow up on your application for a position be sure to follow the preferred contact method and dont overdo it Stay in contact and use this experience to expand your network Submit an additional or amended reacutesumeacute during your follow-up contacts if need be Follow-up and follow-through contacts are up to the student be persistent and polite
Office of Career Services at IU Kokomo
27 |Kelley Student Center 200 2300 S Washington St PO Box 9003 Kokomo IN 46904-9003 (765)455-9301 fax (765)455-9537 carserviukedu wwwiukeducareer-
services
Additional information-what employers are expecting at a career fair
What Will Impress Employers o Demonstrate that you have done your homework and researched their company o Be prepared Have your reacutesumeacute critiqued by Career Services and bring plenty of copies with you Develop
questions to ask smile and courteously and enthusiastically engage the representatives o Have a firm hand shake and good eye contact- dress for success o Never ask about salary let them bring up the subject o An expectation that you will be responsible for following up with them including a thank you note or letter o Take the initiative Walk up to them and engage the employers they want to speak to you
What Employers May Want to Learn About You o Specific careerjob objectives What are your expectations o Individual strengths and weaknesses Have specific examples that demonstrate your skills develop short
stories that showcase your skills (Remember a job fair is time sensitive and you donrsquot want to take up too much time of one employer)
o Contributions you will make to the operation Remember be specific now is not the time to blandly or generically discuss what you can do
What You Should Learn About Each Company o Employment trends Career Fairs are excellent resources for information about career decision-making o Skills necessary for different careersjobs Have meaningful conversations with representatives o Currentfuture positions o Salary benefits training and other information about the company (again let the employer bring up salary) o Who to contact for follow-up discussions and what their hiring processes are get specifics o Collect their business card or write down their contact information
30 Second Oral Reacutesumeacute Purpose It is important to practice your 30 second oral reacutesumeacute prior to attending a career fair The famous ldquoTell me about yourselfrdquo is a question that is always asked Whether the question is asked in a social setting an interview or a networking event a well-planned answer can set you apart from the crowd as well as spark additional conversation Begin preparing your oral reacutesumeacute by following the tips below
How to Prepare Your Oral Reacutesumeacute o Begin by brainstorming what you would want someone to know about you Write down all of your ideas o Consider including the following information in your oral reacutesumeacute
Job Objective Education and Training Skills
Accomplishments and Achievements Prior Employment Other Experience
o Narrow down your optionsmdashpick the top 5 things you want the person to know about you o Develop a paragraph that encompasses all of the things you wish to say o Practice makes perfect Read aloud your reacutesumeacute several times
Additional Tips Prepare more than one oral reacutesumeacute for various situations Practice your reacutesumeacute by calling your voicemail and later playing back the messagemdashthink about how it sounds and
what you would like to change Make sure that your oral reacutesumeacute will keep the listenerrsquos attention
Example Oral Reacutesumeacute Hi my name is ________ and I am a senior at IU Kokomo majoring in New Media I am looking for an internship experience in graphic designweb development Through my coursework I have developed strong computer and analytical skills Last summer I worked as an intern at the Kokomo Perspective to gain experience with print media At the Perspective I worked with the copy editor as well as the writing staff to gain experience in both fields I also volunteer at United Way developing and updating their website
Office of Career Services at IU Kokomo
28 |Kelley Student Center 200 2300 S Washington St PO Box 9003 Kokomo IN 46904-9003 (765)455-9301 fax (765)455-9537 carserviukedu wwwiukeducareer-
services
Send a Follow-up thank you note after Career Fair Send a thank you note or email to all whom you talked with within 48 hours of the career fair This shows that you are serious about their organization and will set you apart from many who neglect to do so
Be sure to remind the employer where you met them Thank you for taking the time to talk with me on Thursday at the career fair After talking with you I
am even more eager to work at _____ Summarize specific qualities and assets you obtain I am certain my education at IU Kokomo has enhanced my skill set and has provided a solid
background of knowledge in the _______ fieldhelliphellip Some experiences I have had the pleasure of doing arehellip This opportunity improved my work ethic and made me aware of my self-reliancehellip
Always attach your reacutesumeacute again for their convenience I have attached my reacutesumeacute for your convenience I look forward to an opportunity to further discuss
my qualifications You may contact me athellip (phone andor email address) Thank you again for your time and consideration
Sample Thank you
Thank you for taking the time to talk with me on Thursday November 9 at the career fair on IU Kokomorsquos campus I appreciate your time and attention and after talking with you I am even more interested in learning more about your organization You were extremely helpful in explaining companyrsquos name customer service and marketing trainee program Now that I have a better idea of what the position entails I am even more certain that I would be an asset to your team and to companyrsquos name My solid education from the IU Kokomo Communication Department and the fact that I have worked my way through college show the work ethic and determination you said were important to be successful at companyrsquos name I look forward to an opportunity to visit companyrsquos name office and speak to you further about the trainee program I will contact you next week to arrange an appointment Enclosed is an updated reacutesumeacute for your review Thank you again for your time and consideration Sincerely
Office of Career Services at IU Kokomo
29 |Kelley Student Center 200 2300 S Washington St PO Box 9003 Kokomo IN 46904-9003 (765)455-9301 fax (765)455-9537 carserviukedu wwwiukeducareer-
services
Knowledge and practice will give you the confidence you need to be prepared and give the best impression possible at an interview The following information will help prepare you for nearly any interview contingency being confidant that you can handle it is the best way to increase your chances of getting hired Here are a few things you can do to give yourself a head start
Questions to think about prior to your interview
1 Why do you want to work at this facility and what specific jobareas am I interested in a To Prepare research the facility
i Mission ii Population served
iii Financial stability iv Management style
b Learn about the job
i Job description ii Occupational outlook
iii Handbook iv employees
2 What qualities make me a good candidate
a To prepare self assessment i What are my strengths and weaknesses
ii What are my interests iii How do I know iv What kinds of results demonstrate my abilities
3 What type of shift working conditions salary and fringe benefits are most important to me (12 hours 10 hours 8
hours weekends flex-time insurance) a To prepare clarify values and lifestyle choices
i What are my values ii What kind of lifestyles do I want for myself and those close to me
4 How will I be trained
a To prepare How do I learn best i Do I need immediate feedback or can I learn well on my own
5 What are my goals Where do I want to be in 10 years
a To prepare Identify and prioritize career and life goals and objectives i Am I interested in supervision training management
ii How do I plan to reach these goals
6 What are the major issues and current events facing this specific field job occupation and company today
7 What can you bring to the organization
Office of Career Services at IU Kokomo
30 |Kelley Student Center 200 2300 S Washington St PO Box 9003 Kokomo IN 46904-9003 (765)455-9301 fax (765)455-9537 carserviukedu wwwiukeducareer-
services
Behavioral Interviews- Use the STAR Interviewing Technique for Success
The STAR acronym represents Situation Task Action and Result Recruiters and hiring managers favor the STAR technique because
it provides a better explanation of your past performance how you handle workplace challenges and whether youre able to articulate
your experiences STAR behavioral interviews are quickly becoming the most popular and common form of interview
Situation or
Task
Describe the situation that you were in or the task that you needed to accomplish You must
describe a specific event or situation not a generalized description of what you have done in
the past Be sure to give enough detail for the interviewer to understand This situation can be
from a previous job from a volunteer experience or any relevant event
Action you took Describe the action you took and be sure to keep the focus on you Even if you are discussing
a group project or effort describe what you did -- not the efforts of the team Dont tell what
you might do tell what you did
Results you achieved What happened How did the event end What did you accomplish What did you learn
For examples of past behavior use examples from
Internships
Work experience
Class projects
School activitiesorganizations you are involved with
Sports
Volunteercommunity service
Hobbies
Think about your accomplishments what are you most proud of that you want to share with the employer
How to prepare for behavior-based interviews
Identify 3-6 examples that demonstrate your top skills Look through the job description pinpoint the skills they are seeking
Pick experiences that demonstrate top behaviors of those skills
Prepare how you will ldquotell your storyrdquo using STAR
Pick examples that will be positive accomplishment
Most behavioral questions try to reveal the negative situations so be prepared with those examples However try to pick
examples that had a positive outcome
Try not to pick examples from only one topic Pick a variety of examples choosing examples from work class community
services etc
Typically the best examples are situations that happened within the last year
Go over your resume and review the accomplishments you have listed andor skills this could assist you with identifying
examples
LISTEN to the full question Be sure the example is an appropriate description of how you demonstrated what they are
asking for
Office of Career Services at IU Kokomo
31 |Kelley Student Center 200 2300 S Washington St PO Box 9003 Kokomo IN 46904-9003 (765)455-9301 fax (765)455-9537 carserviukedu wwwiukeducareer-
services
Sample Behavior-based Questions
Communication Skills
1 Give me a specific example of a time someone didnrsquot agree with your work How did you respond 2 Tell me about a time when you had to present complex information How did you ensure that everyone
understood what you were saying 3 Give an example about a time where written communication was needed
Decision Making Skills
1 What is the biggest decision or risk yoursquove made in the past year on the job Describe the process you used to make those decisions Would you do it again
2 Describe a time you overcame a challenge with an innovative solution What was the challenge What role did you play
Planning Organization Time management Skills
1 Please give an example of a time you didnrsquot meet your deadline Why did you fail to meet your deadline What did you learn from that experience
2 Give an example of how you keep track of multiple projects How do you stay on track and meet deadlines How do you stay focused
3 Describe a goal yoursquove had How you set it and achieved it
Flexibility Skills 1 Tell us about one of the toughest situations with which yoursquove had to deal with How did you handle the
stress or pressure of the situation Leadership Skills
1 Describe a time when you disagreed with a directive given by your supervisor What happened and how did you handle it
2 Give an example of a situation where team members or co-workers didnrsquot get along This could include you and someone else or two other people How did the project turn out What did you do to resolve the issue so everyone was able to work together
Office of Career Services at IU Kokomo
32 |Kelley Student Center 200 2300 S Washington St PO Box 9003 Kokomo IN 46904-9003 (765)455-9301 fax (765)455-9537 carserviukedu wwwiukeducareer-
services
Other Common Questions Asked by Employers
Personal 1 Tell me about yourself 2 Why did you choose to interview with our organization 3 Describe your ideal job 4 What can you offer us over another candidate 5 What do you consider to be your greatest strengths 6 Can you name some weaknesses 7 Define success Failure How did you learn from your failures 8 Name a couple accomplishments you most proud 9 Who are your role models Why 10 How does your college education or work experience relate to this job 11 What motivates you most in a job 12 Have you ever spoken before a group of people How large 13 What do you know about our organization (products or services) 14 Do you plan to return to school for further education 15 What would you change about yourself and why
Education
16 Why did you choose your major 17 Why did you choose to attend your college or university 18 Do you think you received a good education In what ways 19 In which campus activities did you participate 20 Which classes in your major did you like best Least Why 21 If you were to start over what would you change about your education 22 Do your grades accurately reflect your ability Why or why not
Experience
23 What job-related skills have you developed 24 Did you work while going to school In what positions 25 What did you learn from these work experiences 26 What did you enjoy most about your last employment Least 27 Have you ever quit a job Why 28 Give an example of how you have solved a problem in the work place 29 How do you resolve conflict on a team project 30 Give an example of a time in which you worked under deadline pressure 31 Have you ever done any volunteer work What kind 32 How do you think a former supervisor would describe your work
Career Goals
33 Do you prefer to work under supervision or on your own 34 What kind of boss do you prefer 35 Would you be successful working with a team 36 Do you prefer large or small organizations Why 37 What other types of positions are you considering 38 How do you feel about working in a structured environment 39 Are you able to work on several assignments at once 40 How do you feel about working overtime 41 How do you feel about travel 42 Are you willing to relocate
Office of Career Services at IU Kokomo
33 |Kelley Student Center 200 2300 S Washington St PO Box 9003 Kokomo IN 46904-9003 (765)455-9301 fax (765)455-9537 carserviukedu wwwiukeducareer-
services
Questions to Ask Employers
An interview is a two-way street Employers get an impression of you from the questions you ask Are you a critical thinker Did you comprehend and correctly process everything in the interview Have you done research and have a good grasp of the company and the scope of the position Your questions should be intelligent insightful and polite Have at least 3-5 custom questions in mind Employers look for someone who shows interest confidence and is well organized
1 Please describe (or ask them to clarify specifics) the duties of the job for me 2 Is this a new position or am I replacing someone 3 What do you like best about your jobcompany 4 What kinds of assignments might I expect the first six months on the job 5 What qualities are you looking for in the candidate who fills this position 6 Does your company encourage further education 7 Do you have plans for expansion 8 What are your growth projections for next year 9 Have you cut staff in the last three years 10 In what ways is a career with your company better than one with your competitors 11 What is the largest single problem facing your staff (department) now 12 Has there been much turnover in this job area 13 Will I have the opportunity to work on special projects 14 Where does this position fit into the organizational structure 15 How much travel if any is involved in this position 16 What is the next course of action When should I expect to hear from you or may I contact you
Interview Checklist Preparation Research research research Knowing more about the organization as a whole and the particular position you are applying for will be helpful in the interview It will help you understand questions that may be asked and will give you a chance to come up with questions to ask them The more research you conduct the more confident and comfortable you will feel in the interview It will also demonstrate to the employer how determined and pro-active you are about their company and the position you seek Get specific directions to the location If possible go there the day before and check out parking and the location of the office where your interview will be held
First Impression Put your best foot forward Remember the decision to hire you may be made in the first 5 minutes Always wait until they sit or invite you to be seated
Dress code Dress more formal than you would in the actual position Women should wear a suit or dress with a jacket Men should wear a suit or sport jacket and slacks Itrsquos a good idea to have an interview outfit ready and waiting (cleaned neat no threads or missing buttons) hanging in your closet Donrsquot wear anything too trendy or faddish (ladies no miniskirts) Check all zippers for closure and ladies should always have an extra pair of hose for emergencies Your style of dress communicates too what do you want it to say (See page 38)
Arrival Arrive a few minutes early to check out the location and parking Stop by the restroom and check your appearance Again you may want to check out the location the day before if you are unsure of the area
What to bring Always have an extra copy of your reacutesumeacute note paper and pen You will want to jot down questions as they may come about as well as information about the position Also write down the names of each person you interview with so you can mail a thank-you note
Application
Office of Career Services at IU Kokomo
34 |Kelley Student Center 200 2300 S Washington St PO Box 9003 Kokomo IN 46904-9003 (765)455-9301 fax (765)455-9537 carserviukedu wwwiukeducareer-
services
Read through the entire application before you begin Follow the directions Give specific titles You may leave the salary question blank or fill it in with a reasonable salary range Use NA where answers are not applicable Proofread the application before returning it
Legal and Illegal Pre-employment Questions CATEGORY LAWFUL
(Questions employers can ask)
UNLAWFUL (Questions employers cannot ask)
Name Have you ever worked for this company under a different name
Is any additional information relative to change of name use of an assumed name or nickname necessary to enable a check
on your work record If yes explain
What is your maiden name
Is the name on your application your real name
Address Where do you live
How long have you lived there
Birthplace Where were you born Where were your relatives born
Agebirth date Are you 18 years of age or older How old are you What is your birth date
Prove your age by submitting your birth certificate baptismal record
naturalization papers etc (see citizenship)
Photograph Requirement or option that applicant affix a photograph to employment form at
any time before hiring Citizenship Are you a citizen of the United States
If not are you authorized to work in the US
Can you verify US citizenship or your
right to work in the United States
Of what country are you a citizen Are you a naturalized or a native-born
citizen When did you acquire citizenship
Please produce naturalization papers or green card
(employers must verify citizenship or the right to work after theyrsquove decided to
extend an offer) Sex or Marital Status Are you male or female
Are you married What are your living arrangements
Relatives Do you have relatives (other than a spouse) already employed by the
company
What are their names
What are the names (addresses ages number or other information) of your
relatives not employed by the company
Children
Do you have children or plans to have children in the future
Do you have the capacity to reproduce Do you advocate any form of birth control
or family planning What are your child care arrangements
How old are your children
CATEGORY LAWFUL UNLAWFUL (Questions employers can ask) (Questions employers cannot ask)
Disability Do you have any impairment
(physical mental or medical) which would interfere with your ability to perform the job for which you have
applied
Do you have any disabilities or diseases not related to job
performance
Arrest record Have you ever been convicted of a criminal offense other than minor
traffic violations If yes explain fully
Have you ever been arrested
Experienced Please describe your work experience
Travel Overtime This position requires X amount of overtimetravel Would you be able
to meet this requirement
Who will care for your children when you travel or work overtime
Would your spouse object if you
traveled or worked overtime Language What languages do you speak and
write fluently What is your native language
How did you learn to read write or
speak a foreign language Education Please describe your academic
vocational or professional education and the public and private schools you attended
What are the dates of attendance
(To permit verification)
Notice in case of emergency What are the names and addresses of people to be notified in case of
accident or emergency (can be asked after hire)
Military experience Have you served in the US Armed Forces or in the National Guard
Describe your experience
Do you have any military experience
(other than in the United States) Organizations Do you belong to any organizations
which you consider relevant to your ability to perform this job Please
explain
Are you a member of any clubs societies or lodges
Which ones
Race or color What racecolor are you Are you a minority
Religion or creed What is your religion To which parishchurch do you
belong What religious holidays do you
observe National Origin What is your (or relatives) lineage
ancestry national origin descent percentage or nationality
Office of Career Services at IU Kokomo
36 |Kelley Student Center 200 2300 S Washington St PO Box 9003 Kokomo IN 46904-9003 (765)455-9301 fax (765)455-9537 carserviukedu wwwiukeducareer-
services
After the interview After you have interviewed for a position there are some things to do that may improve your chances
Send a Follow-up thank you note within 24 hours
This shows that you are serious about their organization and will set you apart from many who neglect to do so By taking the
time to email or write a handwritten letter thanking them for taking their time to meet with you Summarize specific qualities
you have and let them know you look forward in speaking with them further about employment
Sample Thank you
Dear Intervieweersquos Name Thank you for taking the time to talk with me on Thursday November 9 at the interview for list specifics of position and company) I appreciate your time and attention and after talking with you I am even more interested in becoming a valuable team member at companyrsquos name You were extremely helpful in explaining list position Now that I have a better idea of what the position entails I am even more certain that I would be an asset to your team and to companyrsquos name My solid education from the IU Kokomo Communication Department and the fact that I have worked my way through college show the work ethic and determination you said were important to be successful at companyrsquos name I look forward to an opportunity to work with companyrsquos name office and speak to you further about the program I will contact you next week to follow up and provide you with any further information that you may need Thank you again for your time and consideration Sincerely
Your name
The Stall Letter
There may be situations that you will need time to figure out whether a job is a good fit or have more than one position to accept or decline The stall letter is a good tool to have in this case In the introduction refer to the job offer or event that is prompting the letter In the second paragraph state your continued interest in the position but request more time to gather further information or to consider all alternatives and opportunities in order to make the best choice for the position and the company as well as yourself Give a specific time extension request If you need 24 hours for example ask for that Ask for the minimal amount of time in order to make your decision Remember this is a request and does not guarantee that the employer will accept it and be prepared for the possibility that they will not grant the time and choose another candidate In the conclusion thank them for their time and understanding and indicate when you will contact them to discuss the terms of the possible extension
Sample Stall Letter
Dear name of person that offered the position This letter is in reference to list company name and your offer of list the position I would like to take this opportunity to thank you for the opportunity and express my continued interest in the position At this time I would like to request __hours to gather some vital information in order to be completely confidant that I am making the best and most informed decision possible I want to ensure for all parties involved that I have considered all options and alternatives to be certain that my acceptance of this list position is the correct course of action for us both I appreciate your understanding and valuable time and look forward to speaking with you at your earliest convenience today so that we may discuss the terms of my request Sincerely Your Name
Office of Career Services at IU Kokomo
37 |Kelley Student Center 200 2300 S Washington St PO Box 9003 Kokomo IN 46904-9003 (765)455-9301 fax (765)455-9537 carserviukedu wwwiukeducareer-
services
Acceptance of a Job Offer Letter
Responding in writing to a job offer shows courtesy and is expected It reduces the chance of any misunderstanding that verbal acceptances do not In the first paragraph thank the employer for offering the specific position title and say that you are happy to accept it In the second paragraph state the terms of employment (salary location and start date) Emphasize any negotiations of terms that were unusual or non-standard if there were any In the last paragraph thank the employer sincerely for the opportunity and express your excitement to join their organization and be a valuable asset to them
Sample Job Offer Acceptance Letter
Dear person who offered position
I am happy to have the opportunity to accept the position of list title
The following terms of the position as I understood them include a salary of list salaryrate of pay at List location and to begin employment on list date As we discussed instead of the typical work week we agreed to the addition of evening and weekend hours during the probationary period with a return to usual business hours after 90 days We also agreed to a company vehicle provision for any off site training and appointments during the course of my employment
I truly look forward to becoming a valued member of your team and I am anticipating a productive and positive professional relationship with list company
Sincerely Your Name
Decline or Withdrawing from Consideration Letter
There may be times that you wish to decline or remove yourself from consideration from a position Doing this on a positive
and respectful note decreases the chance that future opportunities will be missed either as a future employee or possible
professional contact with the firm Thank the employer for the opportunity but decline it based on your reasons Be sure to
specifically name the person that was in charge of the hiring process If the decline is due to a term that was offered be
specific the firm could always choose to negotiate that term to better suit your situation
Date
Dear List person
Thank you very much for offering me the list position After careful consideration I regret that I must decline your offer
Although you were most encouraging in outlining future advancement possibilities within ABC Company I have accepted another
opportunity that is more in line with my skills and career goals or I found list the term to be out of line with my needs and
goals
I enjoyed meeting you and the rest of your team You have been most kind and gracious throughout the interview process and I
only wish that circumstances allowed me to accept your offer
Best wishes for your continued success
Sincerely
Your Name
Office of Career Services at IU Kokomo
38 |Kelley Student Center 200 2300 S Washington St PO Box 9003 Kokomo IN 46904-9003 (765)455-9301 fax (765)455-9537 carserviukedu wwwiukeducareer-
services
____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
This packet contains a lot of valuable information to help you achieve all the goals that an education from IU Kokomo
will prepare you for Use this as a guide for every step of the way from your freshman year graduation and beyond
Office of Career Services at IU Kokomo
7 |Kelley Student Center 200 2300 S Washington St PO Box 9003 Kokomo IN 46904-9003 (765)455-9301 fax (765)455-9537 carserviukedu wwwiukeducareer-
services
SAMPLE Skills Resume
Name Address City State Zip Phone Email address
Objective (optional) Entry level sales management position
Education
Indiana University Kokomo Bachelor of Science in Business Administration- May 2009 GPA 3440 Skills
Marketing Sales Promotion
Grossed $15000 in three months with summer painting business
Raised $600 in advertising space for local organizations project
Cold canvasses community for potential clients
Created informational brochure for apartment leasing company
Developed advertising campaign for class project
Management Training Organizational Ability
Assisted in organizing talent show and benefit auction for local non-profit organization
Coordinated sales presentation strategy for SIFE
Trained new restaurant employees
Communication Creative projects
Created multimedia presentations using slides music and narration
Developed sales presentation and assisted with advertising campaigns including radio spots newspaper sales brochures
Designed and distributed flyers for local non-profit organizations benefit banquet
Work experience Waiter Red Lobster Kokomo In 2002-2009 Intern Samaritan Caregivers Kokomo IN 2005 Activities
Students in Free Enterprise (SIFE) Volunteer for Samaritan Caregivers
References upon request (optional)
Office of Career Services at IU Kokomo
8 |Kelley Student Center 200 2300 S Washington St PO Box 9003 Kokomo IN 46904-9003 (765)455-9301 fax (765)455-9537 carserviukedu wwwiukeducareer-
services
SAMPLE Radiology Reacutesumeacute Name
Address Phone email address Objective (optional) To obtain a challenging rewarding full-time position as a Radiological Technologist
Education Indiana University Kokomo Kokomo IN Associate in Applied Science Radiologic Technology May 2009 GPA 30 40
Skills Diagnostic Imaging Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) Computerized Tomography (CT) Scans RMS IDX Carecast TDS order Entry Fluoroscopy procedures
Ultrasounds X-ray Radiation Protection Film evaluation
Clinical Experience Dukes Memorial Hospital Peru IN Spring 2009 Perform ultrasounds MRIs CT scans X-ray imaging portable radiography and fluoroscopic procedures Serve a diverse caseload including newborns infants children adolescents adults and geriatric patients Interpret data and provide recommendations for optimal patient care Manage 12 to 15 procedures per shift while maintaining high quality of care
Howard Regional Health Kokomo IN Fall 2008 bull Prepared patients for radiology examinations and explained procedures to patients bull Positioned radiographic equipment at correct angleheight bull Assisted with administering radiographic exams and film development
Dukes Memorial Hospital Peru IN Summer 2007 bull Prepared and positioned patients for radiographic examinations bull Operated all major necessary and portable diagnostic imaging equipment bull Experience with digital radiography bull Maintained records of examinations
Woodlawn Memorial Hospital Rochester IN Spring 2008 bull Performed all required diagnostic radiology procedures producing high quality exams bull Prepared diagnostic agents as required and explained procedures to patient(s) bull Ensured patient safety by utilizing radiation protective devices
Arnett Clinic Lafayette IN Fall 2007 bull Performed imaging procedures of the Diagnostic Imaging Department bull Assisted in x-ray examination and diagnosis of injurydisease observation bull Experience with fluoroscopic examinations bull Ensured patient comfort and operated within an integrated plan of careservice bull Verified all patient information
Honors Member American Society Radiologic Technologists 2008-Present Member Deanrsquos List 2007-2009
CERTIFICATIONS CPR Certification
Office of Career Services at IU Kokomo
9 |Kelley Student Center 200 2300 S Washington St PO Box 9003 Kokomo IN 46904-9003 (765)455-9301 fax (765)455-9537 carserviukedu wwwiukeducareer-
services
Sample Criminal Justice Resume
334 Indiana Drive Kokomo IN 46902 (765) 555-5555 nameemailcom
Seeking a position in the field of
Criminal Justice Law Enforcement
CitymdashStatemdashFederalmdashPrivate
Highly motivated energetic law enforcement graduate with strong work ethics and professional goals
Bring five years of service in office support and retail sales positions while attending college full-time
Bi-lingual with articulate fluency in English and Spanish personable easy-going communication style
Meet challenges head on work well in stressful situations in a fast-paced setting
Analytical with a lot of common sense intuitive instincts and ability to think outside the box
Maintain excellent research organization time management and problem assessmentresolution skills
Education
Bachelor of Arts in Criminal Justice- 2011
Indiana University Kokomo
Selected Courses
Analysis of Criminal Behavior
Concepts of Forensic Science
Abnormal Psychology
Physical Fitness in Law Enforcement
Criminal Law Group Dynamics
Work Experience
Receptionist ABC Store Indianapolis IN 400mdashPresent
Payroll Clerk DEF Place Kokomo IN 402mdash702
Sales Associate GHI Business Kokomo IN
Senior Sales Associate JKL Sales Kokomo IN
200mdash600
999mdash299
Provide front-desk representation clerical support and customer service for The Auto Store
Managed over 50 business payroll accounts utilizing cross-trained experience in teller and payroll services
Prepared and uploaded weekly exemptnon-exempt payroll data into network system for clients to download
Completed mandatory training that included a film study on a mock robbery to learn observation techniques
Held increasingly responsible sales positions achieving recognition for over-quota floor sales and cashier management
skills and manager-requests to return during school breaks based on performance and reliability
Provided excellence in customer service while assisting in all areas of inventory and display merchandising
Computer Skills
Microsoft Word Lexis-Nexis PsychInfo Criminal Justice Abstracts
InfoTrak Health Sociological Abstracts Internet research
Office of Career Services at IU Kokomo
10 |Kelley Student Center 200 2300 S Washington St PO Box 9003 Kokomo IN 46904-9003 (765)455-9301 fax (765)455-9537 carserviukedu wwwiukeducareer-
services
Sample Nursing reacutesumeacute Address City State Zip code
Home (222) 555-1234 Cell (222) 555-8888 nameunivnameedu Objective (optional) Seeking a challenging position as a registered nurse
CLINICALS January2007-May2009 Alta Beach Hospital Performed nursing duties in a level one trauma hospital Fairview Riverside Hospital Med-Surgery Unit Augustan Nursing Home Long term care
Education Indiana University Kokomo Kokomo IN Bachelor of Science in Nursing GPA 3040 (or higher only) Anticipated graduation date May 2009
Licenses RN - American Medical Association NAR license 3779948 State of Indiana 2008 CPR and First Aid Certified American Red Cross 2009
Employment History St Joseph Hospital Kokomo In 2009 to Present Nursersquos aide
Provide health care checks for a diverse population Perform blood pressure tests for community health outreach programs Supply a wide range of services including womens health clinic services and care for elderly patients
Saint Clair Nursing Home Kokomo In 2005-2008 Receptionist
Managed front desk Scheduled appointments for prospective clients Administered weekly evaluations of clients
SKILLS AND CERTIFICATIONS
Direct care of patients Educated patients for home care and discharge planning Operated and maintained monitors of bio-medical equipment Medical terminology and medication administration skills Maintained sterile fields and application of dressings Catheter IV and suctioning training Charting and documentation of patient care Acute and chronic care experience PC and Microsoft Office literate
Professional Affiliations Monroe County Medical Society Pennsylvania Nursing Association
References Available upon request (optional)
Office of Career Services at IU Kokomo
11 |Kelley Student Center 200 2300 S Washington St PO Box 9003 Kokomo IN 46904-9003 (765)455-9301 fax (765)455-9537 carserviukedu wwwiukeducareer-
services
SAMPLE REacuteSUMEacute FOR TEACHERS NAME
Address Phone E-Mail Address
OBJECTIVE (optional) Position as elementary teacher in grades 1 2 or 3 EDUCATION Indiana University Kokomo IN Bachelor of Science in Education May 2009 Endorsements in Reading and Science GPA 37540 TEACHING EXPERIENCE Student Teaching Maple Crest Elementary School (2008-2009)
Prepared and implemented all lesson plans for fall semester first grade class Instructed reading classes for third grade low reading group Developed learning centers to enhance vocabulary and writing skills for both groups
Methods Experience Eastern Elementary School (2007-2008)
Developed math center to reinforce learning weights and measures in 2nd grade class
Utilized songs music and dance to teach Japanese Social Studies unit to 3rd graders
Teacherrsquos Aide Western Middle School (2006)
Assisted teacher with reading groups and record keeping Scheduled field trips and parentteacher conferences
Accomplishments
Earned high marks for the quality and creativity of classroom teaching lesson plans and instructional materials used in teaching diverse subjects (eg language arts mathematics science social studies and history)
Developed innovative approaches that were repeatedly held up as the model standard for meeting district goals in areas including technology integration across the curriculum experiential learning literacy and diversity
Taught general education students as well as individuals with learning challenges and special needs within a mainstreamed inclusive classroom
Consistently commended for ability to redirect students exhibiting behavior problems by replacing disruptive unproductive patterns with positive behaviors As a result selected to lead district-wide in-service on classroom management
Established positive relationships with students parents fellow teachers and school administratorsstaff Quickly became a first-to-call resource in current substitute teaching role typically working four days per week
Personally requested by many full-time teachers to take over their classrooms during absences
OTHER EXPERIENCE Library Assistant Indianapolis Public Schools (2005-2007) ACTIVITIES Literacy Coalition Tutor President Ed Sac (2007-2008) Folk Dance Instructor Cheerleading Coach for Eastern Middle School
Office of Career Services at IU Kokomo
12 |Kelley Student Center 200 2300 S Washington St PO Box 9003 Kokomo IN 46904-9003 (765)455-9301 fax (765)455-9537 carserviukedu wwwiukeducareer-
services
Sample Entry level Information Technology Reacutesumeacute NAME
Address Phone Number Email address
Summary of Qualifications (optional)
Outstanding academic record Achieved Deans list for 1516 semesters and GPA of 375 Four years of experience as help desk technician and web developer Proficiency in various programs operating systems and applications Expert at finding and resolving malfunctions using exceptional technical and communication skills to ensure
minimization of downtime and optimal computer performance Education
Purdue University College of Technology Kokomo In Bachelor of Science in Computer and Information Technology Expected Graduation date May 2010 GPA 3040 (only if it is above a 30)
Technical Qualifications
Programming languages C Visual C++ C++ CSS ASP JavaScript Java Servlet HTML Java Server pages JBuilder XML PHP Apache
Software Applications Microsoft Suite (Excel Word Access Power Point) Macromedia Homesuite Adobe Photoshop FrontPageDreamweaver macromedia Flash DrScheme
Database Management Database SQL command MySQL Operating Systems Mac OSX Windows XP professional UNIX
Professional Experience Promega Corporation Indianapolis IN Web Developer (2008 - Present)
Helped in the re-launching and redesigning of companys web site that resulted in increased online sales by 15 and improved navigation
Responsible for implementation of programs and build databases that let the users to register unique names and passwords
Help in implementation creation and management of multiple applications for back end and web site Back end include Flash slide shows newsletter and RSS
Web site updating and editing using several languages such as XML HTML and CSS SGate Entertainment Indianapolis IN Web DeveloperHelp Desk Technician (52005-92008)
Utilized JavaScript HTML Flash and CSS to create companys web site Primarily recruited to help help desk Assured software and hardware were installed and operated at peak efficiency Accountable for long-term and day-to-day maintenance and technical support of site including suggestion solutions
and analyzing requirements to meet user needs Offered support for 10 users Helped with migration from PC to Mac environment
Volunteeractivities
Tutor computer students Assist area school corporation with computer updates
References upon request (optional)
Office of Career Services at IU Kokomo
13 |Kelley Student Center 200 2300 S Washington St PO Box 9003 Kokomo IN 46904-9003 (765)455-9301 fax (765)455-9537 carserviukedu wwwiukeducareer-
services
Sample Health Sciences Resume Address Phone Email
Education Indiana University Kokomo- Kokomo IN Bachelor of Science in Health Sciences Minor Psychology Expected Graduation Date May 2013 GPA 3140
Related Courses Ethics and civic engagement Social and behavioral sciences Cultural Diversity
Quantitative Literacy and Math Childhood Psychology Personality Psychology
Leadership Special volunteer projects (2012)
Planned and directed health screening day Organized group of student leaders on advocacy projects
Phi Sigma Sigma- Indiana University Kokomo Secretary (809- current)
Provide Leadership Attended leadership conference Volunteered with big brothers big sisters
Tutored school age children Assisted with multiple events on campus
CASA- Kokomo In volunteer (January lsquo09-current)
Advocate for children in the court system Assisted with court paperwork
Developed database and new registration form Counseled children and families
Relevant Work experience Samaritan Caregivers- Kokomo IN (summer 2012) Intern
Provided support to volunteers and staff on routine client visits Evaluated new clients
Community Howard Regional Health- Kokomo IN (summer 2011) Intern
Assisted with organization of new programs Planned and directed ldquoHealthy Teensrdquo event Researched and evaluated what needs the community had and implemented the new XYZ program
Skills CommunicationOrganizationMarketing
Strong interpersonal communication skills Designed and distributed flyers for benefit dinners and school functions Created informational and advertising brochures and slideshow presentations Participated in fundraisers and benefit dinners
ManagementTrainingSales Interviewed hired and scheduled employees Charted yearly sales records and tracked employee overtime Taught peers how to make and operate slideshows using PowerPoint Trained students on assembling and using art equipment
Office of Career Services at IU Kokomo
14 |Kelley Student Center 200 2300 S Washington St PO Box 9003 Kokomo IN 46904-9003 (765)455-9301 fax (765)455-9537 carserviukedu wwwiukeducareer-
services
Sample Informatics Resume
NAME Address Phone number Email address
Objective (optional)
Qualified IT professional with variety of software hardware and networking knowledge
Exceptional teamwork and leadership skills
Efficient troubleshooter with commitment to lifetime learning
Experience Computer Services Inc Indianapolis In Maintenance and Computer Technician 2008 - Present
Assembled computers
helped in network installation tasks
Assisted with troubleshooting Green Networks Inc Carmel IN Computer Technician 2006-2008
Responsible for the maintenance of equipment and computers used by company for multimedia advertisement Education
Indiana University Kokomo Kokomo In Bachelor of Science in Informatics Expected Graduation date May 2010 GPA 3040 (only if it is above a 30)
Skills Systems Engineering
Differentiate between various types of hardware
Set up and configure software and all the versions of Microsoft Windows
Build and maintain a computer
Troubleshoot software and hardware problems
Networking
Find out network hardware devices and cabling and their working
Implement IP schemes and administer groups
Maintain a secure network and implement network topologies
Expert in DNS Active Directory DHCP and WINS
Communications
Demonstrated skills to answer technical questions with different degrees of computer skills
Willingness to learn new things and work well with others
Good presentation skills
Demonstrated leadership skills in a team environment
Reference available on request (optional)
Office of Career Services at IU Kokomo
15 |Kelley Student Center 200 2300 S Washington St PO Box 9003 Kokomo IN 46904-9003 (765)455-9301 fax (765)455-9537 carserviukedu wwwiukeducareer-
services
SAMPLE BiologyChemistryBio-Chemistry Reacutesumeacute 190 Indiana Drive Kokomo IN 46902 (765) 555-5555 nameemailcom
High-energy and motivated individual with outstanding work ethic a strong academic background broad-based work experience and a record of personal achievement working for leading organizations
EDUCATION
Bachelor of Science in Biology May 2008 Minor Bio-Chemistry Indiana University Kokomo
PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT
Ophthalmology Intern XYZ Organization Kokomo IN Spring 2012
Transcribed 20 patient charts discussing medication and vision prescriptions
Observed 100 appointments for issues including glaucoma macular degeneration and detached retinas
Helped for new contact lens patients
Biology Lab Teaching Assistant Indiana University Kokomo August 2011 - current
Independently taught two biology labs per semester with 20 students in each
Created lesion plans and modified and presented curriculum for weekly classes
Maintained lab with spiders guinea pigs beetles and gecko
Held weekly office hours and tutored students
WORK EXPERIENCE
Server September 2005-June 2008 XYZ Restaurant Indianapolis IN Supervised dining experience of up to 40 guests per shift Exceeded sales goals by promoting specialty items
Head Lifeguard Seasonal May 2001-September 2007 LMN Business Kokomo IN Promoted twice within four summerscreated weekly schedule for 20 staff members Authorized to make management decisions in absence of manager Trained five new employees per summer concerning all assigned duties
ACTIVITIES amp INTERESTS
Biology Club Member (Fall 2011-current) Environmental Club Member (Spring 2010-current) Relay for Life Participant (Spring 2012-Spring 2011)
Office of Career Services at IU Kokomo
16 |Kelley Student Center 200 2300 S Washington St PO Box 9003 Kokomo IN 46904-9003 (765)455-9301 fax (765)455-9537 carserviukedu wwwiukeducareer-
services
Sample New Media Resume
Objective (optional)________________________________________________________________
Creative and dedicated Graphic Designer seeking a full-time position with advancement
opportunities to further enhance my knowledge in graphic design
Education________________________________________________________________________
Indiana University KokomomdashMay 2010
Bachelor of Arts in New Media GPA 36
Qualifications_____________________________________________________________________
More than 5 years of diverse hands-on design experience including experience in web-
site design magazine publishing and marketing
Adaptable organized results and detail-oriented with excellent work ethic strong time
management and interpersonal skills
Ability to create designs concepts and sample layouts based on knowledge of layout
principles and aesthetic design concepts
Extensive knowledge of design techniques tools and principals involved in production
of precision technical plans blueprints drawings and models
Ability to come up with unusual or clever ideas about a given topic or situation or to
develop creative ways to solve a problem
Team player also capable of working independently with minimal direction
Work Experience_________________________________________________________________
ABC Company Dec 2004 ndash Present Indianapolis Indiana
Coordination and production of a variety of graphics products and servicesmdashgraphic
design and art direction for ads newsletters report covers annual reports brochures
exhibit displays maps slide shows and the government cable TV channel
Study illustrations photographs and text to plan presentation of products and services
Review layouts and suggest improvements as needed
Prepare the assembly of final layouts for printing and review and approve art materials
Provide expert analysis and input on othersrsquo designs
XYZ Business Jan 2000 - Nov 2004 Indianapolis Indiana
Completed various freelance design assignmentsmdashincluding creation of a bi-monthly
printed newsletter for a lawyers association design of various logos and artwork for the
PQ Design amp Silk-Screening
Responsible for coordination and production of a variety of graphics products and services
Estimated costs coordinated graphic production and reproduction by service bureaus
Assembled final layouts for printing and provided graphic design for website
765-555-5555
1234 Indiana Drive
Kokomo IN
nameemailcom
Office of Career Services at IU Kokomo
17 |Kelley Student Center 200 2300 S Washington St PO Box 9003 Kokomo IN 46904-9003 (765)455-9301 fax (765)455-9537 carserviukedu wwwiukeducareer-
services
Sample Chaplain Reacutesumeacute Name
Address Phone Email
Objective (Optional) To seek a challenging position as a chaplain that allows me to utilize my knowledge and clinical pastoral education skills Qualifications Summary
Compassionate and devoted Chaplin providing spiritual moral guidance for 7 years
Maintains patient confidentiality according to HIPAA regulations
Excellent interpersonal and communication skills
Experience counseling patients concerning their spiritual personal and emotional needs
Professional Experience XXX Hospice Kokomo In 2007-current Hospice Resident Chaplin
Visit patientsfamilies and perform spiritual assessments
Provide spiritual support and counseling to patients and caregivers
Document all pertinent chaplain activities and audit patient charts XXX Church Kokomo In 2002-2007 Assistance Clergy
Assisted and organized religious services
Helped manage church property and finances
Participated in church programs supporting congregation and fundraising activities XXX Hospital Kokomo IN 1997-2000 Nursersquos aide
Provide health care checks for a diverse population
Perform blood pressure tests for community health outreach programs
Supply a wide range of services including womens health clinic services and care for elderly patients
Education Hospitalhellip Clinical Pastoral Education 3 units completed University of Santa Barbara CA Master of Divinity- 2002 Indiana University Kokomo Kokomo In Bachelor of Science in Nursing ndash 2000 GPA 3440
Volunteer Work
Xxx
Xxxx
Office of Career Services at IU Kokomo
18 |Kelley Student Center 200 2300 S Washington St PO Box 9003 Kokomo IN 46904-9003 (765)455-9301 fax (765)455-9537 carserviukedu wwwiukeducareer-
services
SCANNABLE REacuteSUMEacute CHECKLIST
Resume scanning is more commonly used by employers to seek out employees When a computer will be the first to
read your reacutesumeacute it should be altered If the scannable reacutesumeacute meets the computer criteria it will then be seen by
the employer
1 Left justify the entire document
2 Use key words or short phrases to describe your qualifications and abilities Use
jargon and acronyms specific to your industry Check the job listings and
industry-related materials for current buzzwords
3 Increase your list of key words by including specific names of products and
services such as Microsoft Word or Lotus Notes
4 Use nouns more than verbs For instance say ldquoproject managerrdquo instead of
ldquoimplemented projectrdquo
5 Use common section headings such as Objective Experience Employment
Work History Positions Held Appointments and Skills Use boldface andor all
CAPITAL LETTERS for each of these section headings as long as the letters
donrsquot touch each other
6 Minimize abbreviations except for common ones such as MBA or CEO
7 Use a 10- to 14- point font size Use standard typefaces such as Times New Roman Arial New Century
or Courier
8 Avoid italics script and underlined passages Minimize use of hyphens bullets or dashes Boldface is accepted by
most systems unless the employer advises otherwise
9 Avoid graphics shadings vertical or horizontal lines and boxes The scanner
reads text not graphics
10 Print your reacutesumeacute on 8frac12 X 11 inch white paper of average thickness on one
side only using a laser or other letter-quality paper Donrsquot staple or fold
multiple-page reacutesumeacutes Always make sure your name is on all pages
11 Donrsquot condense spacing between letters
12 Use enough white space between sections Computers use white space to
differentiate between topics
13 When faxing set the fax machine on ldquofine moderdquo instead of ldquostandard moderdquo
Office of Career Services at IU Kokomo
19 |Kelley Student Center 200 2300 S Washington St PO Box 9003 Kokomo IN 46904-9003 (765)455-9301 fax (765)455-9537 carserviukedu wwwiukeducareer-
services
Scannable reacutesumeacute example
NAME IN CAPS
Current address
555 Candy Lane
Kokomo IN 46901
765 555 ndash 2424
Permanent address
444 Peppermint Lane
Indianapolis IN 46077
317 555 ndash 1234
OBJECTIVE (Optional)
A fulltime position in the area that is my expertisehellip (You fill it in-see suggested buzz-word list)
EDUCATION
Indiana University Kokomo IN
Bachelor of Science in Management
Minor Management Information Systems MIS
GPA 36 40
Major GPA 38 40
Graduation May 2014
SIGNIFICANT COURSES
Fill in with significant core courses for your major that apply to the job Use one line per course
SKILLS
Proficient with (pc programs that you are proficient in and are applicable)
Any other skills that are applicable (see buzz-word list)
WORK EXPERIENCE
Bold the Job Title
Basic job description as it applies to job applying for Dates employed (begin with most recent)
Use buzz-word list based on your occupation and relevant to the position being applied for
Office of Career Services at IU Kokomo
20 |Kelley Student Center 200 2300 S Washington St PO Box 9003 Kokomo IN 46904-9003 (765)455-9301 fax (765)455-9537 carserviukedu wwwiukeducareer-
services
Cover Letters Cover letters are an additional component of a reacutesumeacute Customize every letter to each company andor position of interest
Address it to the person listed on the position advertisement or the person that you know has the authority to hire Finding this may
take some investigation to discover if the name is not announced on the position advertisement PO boxes are often used to filter
reacutesumeacutes and you can find the owner of the box by calling the post office and asking who owns the box with that number Having
this information to address the cover letter with will set you apart from those who do not
Cover letter Format Date Employers Name Use the name of the person stated in the job posting or contact the company for the contact person address and the correct spelling) Position or title Company Name Address Suite number or floor (if there is one) City state Zip Salutation Dear Mr or Ms Or Dear Sir or Madam (use the last name only of the person you listed above) If you have made every effort to find out but do not know the name or gender or the individual use a unisex greeting of Dear Manager or Dear Director Paragraph one (Introduction) State which position you are applying for and where you heard about the opening If the position was advertised refer to where it was advertised (Indianapolis Star or higheredcom) Be enthusiastic and confident about the position with a brief statement about why you are the right fit for the job Paragraph two (Body) Explain why you want to work for this company and how your skills experience and qualifications directly relate to the position You can also include your personal traits and strengths that would be an asset for the job Summarize why you are an excellent candidate for the position Highlight key examples and how they match what the company is seeking There are likely other prospective employees that are competing for this position It is very important that you highlight qualities that will set you apart and show uniqueness You are marketing yourself in this paragraph so be sure to sell the idea that you are the best one to interview and the best fit for this employer Most advertisements will list the requirements that are desired andor required for the position Be sure to detail how you meet each of those requirements Do not point out to the reader if there is a requirement that you donrsquot currently possess just do not reference that in your letter The purpose of a cover letter is to highlight the positives and do not bring up any negatives Paragraph three (Conclusion) State that you would like the opportunity to personally discuss your qualifications Indicate where you can be reached phone andor email A good sentence to use would look like ldquoI may be reached at 555-555-1234 or nameiukedurdquo Make sure to thank the reader for their time and consideration Closing Sincerely or Yours truly or Respectfully yours Signature (blue or black ink only) Your Name (Typed)
Office of Career Services at IU Kokomo
21 |Kelley Student Center 200 2300 S Washington St PO Box 9003 Kokomo IN 46904-9003 (765)455-9301 fax (765)455-9537 carserviukedu wwwiukeducareer-
services
References
Reference lists should always be available and prepared with 3-4 professional references
Do
Do get permission from each reference you plan to use
Do give each reference a copy of your reacutesumeacute to have as a guide
Do choose references that are well informed and have good verbal and written communication skills
Do Not
Do not use relatives personal friends or students as a reference
Letters of Recommendation
A letter of recommendation provides relevant information that is honest positive and portrays a up-front outlook of the skills
and potential capabilities you possess It can describe personality performance and skill attributes knowledge and
competency level
The following are suggestions of individuals who may be qualified to write a letter of recommendation
Executive Director
Vice President
Supervisors
Co-workers
CustomersClients
Subordinates
Professors
Counsellors
Coaches
Doctors
Lawyers
Ministers
Community Leaders
Office of Career Services at IU Kokomo
22 |Kelley Student Center 200 2300 S Washington St PO Box 9003 Kokomo IN 46904-9003 (765)455-9301 fax (765)455-9537 carserviukedu wwwiukeducareer-
services
Key WordsAction Words
Actively Established Evaluate Participated Schedule Coordinate Increased Proposed Strategy Created Launched Reduced Support Effect Eliminate Organized Originate
Approve Generate Program Solve Control Improve Recommend Supervise Direct Manage Motivated Responsibilities Revise Analyze Founded Pinpointed Set up
Completed Interpret Proficient Successfully Demonstrate Maintain Revamped Responsible Administer Expedite Plan Simplicity Conduct Implemented Provide Streamline Develop
Lecture Reorganized Accelerated Adapted Expanded Perform Significantly Conceived Influence Proved Structure Delegate Lead Reinforced Teach
Self-Describing Words Professional Active Diplomatic Loyal Respective Analytical Attentive Determined Logical Resourceful Ambitious Efficient Energetic Independent
Reliable Alert Economical Objective Optimistic Realistic Aggressive Discrete Methodical Sense-of-humor Sincere Adaptable Disciplined Mature
Self-reliant Broad-minded Enterprising Personable Tactful Creative Imaginative Perceptive Systematic Constructive Forceful Productive Sophisticated Consistent
Fair Practical Will relocate Conscientious Extroverted Positive Will travel Enthusiastic Pleasant Talented Dependable Trustworthy Ethical
Keywords for Interpersonal Traits Ability to delegate Accurate Assertive Creative Ethical Follow up Leadership Oral communication Public speaking Self accountable Supportive Tenacious
Ability to implement Adaptable Communication skill Customer oriented Flexible High energy Multitasking Organizational skills Results oriented Self management Takes initiative Willing to travel
Ability to plan Aggressive Competitive Detail minded Follow instructions Industrious Open minded Persuasive Risk taking Sensitive Team building Ability to train
Analytical ability Conceptual ability Empowering others Follow through Innovated Open communication Problem solving Safety conscious Setting priorities Team player
Office of Career Services at IU Kokomo
23 |Kelley Student Center 200 2300 S Washington St PO Box 9003 Kokomo IN 46904-9003 (765)455-9301 fax (765)455-9537 carserviukedu wwwiukeducareer-
services
Sample of Occupational Keywords Occupational keywords include skills titles and occupational buzz words Account manager Accounts receivable Acquisitions Bachelors Degree Bank Card Bank reconciliation Batch processing Benchmarking Blueprint reading Brochures Budget Bulletins CAD Calibrator Carpentry Cash Flow Cell Culture Media Cement Child Care Claims Justification Commercial Leasing Copy Editing Counselor Crisis Management Cross-culture training Debugging Decision making Demographics Dental management Die casting Dietitian Drywall Ecology Electronics Employee assistance Engineer Financial planning Food preparation Gas pipeline Goal setting Graphic design Grant writer Guest services Harnessing Hiringfiring Hotel ISO 9000
Journalism Journeyman Layout design Logic analyzer Magnetic theory Manager Marketing Masterrsquos Degree Microprocessor Microsoft word Nursing Oscillator Pelletizing Patient advocate Payroll Personal computer Process metallurgy Proposal writing Psychology Public Relations Purchasing Radio Raw materials Receptionist Reporter Research Sales Secretarial Software modeling Spanish Spreadsheets Statistical Process Control Stick Welding Strategic Planning Student Personnel Supervisor Taxonomy Teacher Technical Writing Time Management Transportation Travel Wave Solder WordPerfect Workflow Writer
Office of Career Services at IU Kokomo
24 |Kelley Student Center 200 2300 S Washington St PO Box 9003 Kokomo IN 46904-9003 (765)455-9301 fax (765)455-9537 carserviukedu wwwiukeducareer-
services
ACTION WORDS
ORGANIZATIONAL Assembled Enforced Prepared Reorganized
Collected Executed Planned Scheduled
Centralized Formalized Processed Updated
Coordinated Implemented Routed Catalogued
Maintained Recorded
LEADERSHIPAllocated Hired Operated Spearheaded Determined Initiated
Oversaw Sponsored Directed Inspired Pioneered Staged
Elected Instituted Presided Started Enlisted Led
Produced Supervised Formed Managed Recruited Founded
Moderated Represented Governed Motivated Selected
COMMUNICATION SKILLS Acquainted Drafted Introduced Summarized Apprised Educated
Lectured Taught Answered Explained Listened
Trained Briefed Familiarized Presented Translated Conducted
Handled Reported Wrote Contacted Informed Responded
Demonstrated Instructed Spoke
RESEARCH Analyzed Detected Examined Researched
Assessed Discovered Gathered Searched
Audited Documented Identified Surveyed
Compiled Edited Interpreted Tested
Consulted Evaluated Interviewed
CREATIVITY Authored Created Devised
Originated Conceived Composed
Established Revolutionized Conceptualized
Designed Invented
HELPING SKILLS Aided Counseled Helped Supported
Attended Comforted Instilled Tutored
Assisted Facilitated Mentored Treated
Collaborated Fostered Provided Contributed
Guided Settled
SELLING Arbitrated Marketed Promoted
Secured Convinced Mediated
Publicized Solicited
Dissuaded Negotiated Resolved
Encouraged Persuaded Sold
OTHER ACTION VERBS Adapted Developed Generated Revamped Attained Ensured Improved Revitalized
Augmented Eliminated Increased Saved Awarded Exceeded Launched Shopped
Boosted Excelled Mastered Strengthened Broadened Expanded Modernized Supplemented
Built Expedited Published Tended Calculated Fabricated Raised Utilized
Catered Financed Reconciled Decreased Gained Reduced
Office of Career Services at IU Kokomo
25 |Kelley Student Center 200 2300 S Washington St PO Box 9003 Kokomo IN 46904-9003 (765)455-9301 fax (765)455-9537 carserviukedu wwwiukeducareer-
services
Transferable Skills-Skills you have acquired from your education and employment experience that you can market to new employers
Communication the skillful expression transmission and interpretation of knowledge and ideas
Speaking effectively Writing concisely Listening attentively Expressing ideas Facilitating group discussion Providing appropriate feedback Negotiating
Perceiving nonverbal messages Persuading Reporting information Describing feelings Interviewing Editing
Research and Planning the search for specific knowledge and the ability to conceptualize future needs and solutions for meeting those needs
Forecasting predicting Creating ideas Identifying problems Imagining alternatives Identifying resources Gathering information
Solving problems Setting goals Extracting important information Defining needs Analyzing Developing evaluation strategies
Human Relations the use of interpersonal skills for resolving conflict relating to and helping people Developing rapport Being Sensitive Listening Conveying feelings Providing support for others Motivating Sharing credit
Counseling Cooperating Delegating with respect Representing others Perceiving feelings situations Asserting
Organization Management and Leadership the ability to supervise direct and guide individuals and groups in the completion of tasks and fulfillment of goals Work Survival the day-to-day skills that assist in promoting effective production and work satisfaction
Implementing decisions Cooperating Enforcing policies Being punctual Managing time Attending to detail Meeting goals Enlisting help Accepting responsibility Setting and meeting deadlines Organizing Making decisions
Initiating new ideas Handling details Coordinating tasks Managing groups Delegating responsibility Teaching Coaching Counseling Promoting change Selling ideas or products Decision making with others Managing conflict
Office of Career Services at IU Kokomo
26 |Kelley Student Center 200 2300 S Washington St PO Box 9003 Kokomo IN 46904-9003 (765)455-9301 fax (765)455-9537 carserviukedu wwwiukeducareer-
services
After you have the perfect reacutesumeacute it is time to hit the road and put your skills into action Career Fairs will help put you in communication with prospective employers and give you valuable practice for interviews
Achieve Results and Get the Most Out of a Career Fair
Attend as many job fairs as you can Not only will practice make perfect but it will expand your network of career contacts Make sure to ask precise questions and be prepared to answer specific questions the employers have regarding your background and capabilities Before the Job Fair- Be Prepared
Create a reacutesumeacute and have it reviewed by a career counselor Create a list of 3-5 references in case they are requested (Be sure to ask your references for their help before
including them on the list) Create your 30-second oral reacutesumeacute and practice practice practice Review the employer list Determine where employers are located and in what order to visit them Broaden your focus and include different types of employers For instance although you may not have thought of
working for a hospital hospitals recruit and hire professionals in many different fields Do your research Look up information about the employers of interest
o Check their websites for information about their productsservices and mission statement o What types of jobs do they have open o What kind of people are they looking for o What kind of skills do these people need to have How do you meet their skill requirements o Develop some questions you would like to ask the employer representatives at the fair
Network Network Network with people you know and via social network sites like Linked-In and Facebook for more information about the companies Also seek contact with employees you might know or seek information from alumni who work there
During the Job Fair Dress for success (See page 38) Assume you will be interviewed and dress the part Even if you dont get an interview
at the job fair you have already made a great impression Always have a penpencil and paper to take notes- a portfolio works best Bring plenty of reacutesumeacutes with you While some companies will be seeking employees for specific positions some
employers will collect reacutesumeacutes for future positions Be sure to get all of the contact information you need to complete an application
Make sure to have copies of your reference list in case an employer asks First impressions are everything Be direct have a firm handshake and make eye contact as you greet employers This
will speak volumes about your confidence If you are only gathering information let employers know that you are only interested in materials and information
Be aware of time demands of employers Do not monopolize the employersrsquo time You should have already done your homework about their company so you can better spend your time asking about the positions available (or available in the near future) and how your skills match their needs Give them your 30-second oral reacutesumeacute and impress them with what you feel you can do for their company Since practice makes perfect donrsquot give up if the first attempt doesnrsquot go well Keep trying with other employers
Ask specific questions and collect information from each booth you visit including business cards from the employer representatives Offer to follow up after the fair and ask what the best way to contact them is
After the Job Fair You now have a prime opportunity to make a distinctive impression
Use those business cards you collected to follow up with each employer you are interested in Be sure to do everything you promised at the job fair Complete the application and upload your reacutesumeacute Send a thank-you note or email to all whom you talked with within 48 hours of the career fair This shows that you
are serious about their organization and will set you apart from many who neglect to do so If you follow up on your application for a position be sure to follow the preferred contact method and dont overdo it Stay in contact and use this experience to expand your network Submit an additional or amended reacutesumeacute during your follow-up contacts if need be Follow-up and follow-through contacts are up to the student be persistent and polite
Office of Career Services at IU Kokomo
27 |Kelley Student Center 200 2300 S Washington St PO Box 9003 Kokomo IN 46904-9003 (765)455-9301 fax (765)455-9537 carserviukedu wwwiukeducareer-
services
Additional information-what employers are expecting at a career fair
What Will Impress Employers o Demonstrate that you have done your homework and researched their company o Be prepared Have your reacutesumeacute critiqued by Career Services and bring plenty of copies with you Develop
questions to ask smile and courteously and enthusiastically engage the representatives o Have a firm hand shake and good eye contact- dress for success o Never ask about salary let them bring up the subject o An expectation that you will be responsible for following up with them including a thank you note or letter o Take the initiative Walk up to them and engage the employers they want to speak to you
What Employers May Want to Learn About You o Specific careerjob objectives What are your expectations o Individual strengths and weaknesses Have specific examples that demonstrate your skills develop short
stories that showcase your skills (Remember a job fair is time sensitive and you donrsquot want to take up too much time of one employer)
o Contributions you will make to the operation Remember be specific now is not the time to blandly or generically discuss what you can do
What You Should Learn About Each Company o Employment trends Career Fairs are excellent resources for information about career decision-making o Skills necessary for different careersjobs Have meaningful conversations with representatives o Currentfuture positions o Salary benefits training and other information about the company (again let the employer bring up salary) o Who to contact for follow-up discussions and what their hiring processes are get specifics o Collect their business card or write down their contact information
30 Second Oral Reacutesumeacute Purpose It is important to practice your 30 second oral reacutesumeacute prior to attending a career fair The famous ldquoTell me about yourselfrdquo is a question that is always asked Whether the question is asked in a social setting an interview or a networking event a well-planned answer can set you apart from the crowd as well as spark additional conversation Begin preparing your oral reacutesumeacute by following the tips below
How to Prepare Your Oral Reacutesumeacute o Begin by brainstorming what you would want someone to know about you Write down all of your ideas o Consider including the following information in your oral reacutesumeacute
Job Objective Education and Training Skills
Accomplishments and Achievements Prior Employment Other Experience
o Narrow down your optionsmdashpick the top 5 things you want the person to know about you o Develop a paragraph that encompasses all of the things you wish to say o Practice makes perfect Read aloud your reacutesumeacute several times
Additional Tips Prepare more than one oral reacutesumeacute for various situations Practice your reacutesumeacute by calling your voicemail and later playing back the messagemdashthink about how it sounds and
what you would like to change Make sure that your oral reacutesumeacute will keep the listenerrsquos attention
Example Oral Reacutesumeacute Hi my name is ________ and I am a senior at IU Kokomo majoring in New Media I am looking for an internship experience in graphic designweb development Through my coursework I have developed strong computer and analytical skills Last summer I worked as an intern at the Kokomo Perspective to gain experience with print media At the Perspective I worked with the copy editor as well as the writing staff to gain experience in both fields I also volunteer at United Way developing and updating their website
Office of Career Services at IU Kokomo
28 |Kelley Student Center 200 2300 S Washington St PO Box 9003 Kokomo IN 46904-9003 (765)455-9301 fax (765)455-9537 carserviukedu wwwiukeducareer-
services
Send a Follow-up thank you note after Career Fair Send a thank you note or email to all whom you talked with within 48 hours of the career fair This shows that you are serious about their organization and will set you apart from many who neglect to do so
Be sure to remind the employer where you met them Thank you for taking the time to talk with me on Thursday at the career fair After talking with you I
am even more eager to work at _____ Summarize specific qualities and assets you obtain I am certain my education at IU Kokomo has enhanced my skill set and has provided a solid
background of knowledge in the _______ fieldhelliphellip Some experiences I have had the pleasure of doing arehellip This opportunity improved my work ethic and made me aware of my self-reliancehellip
Always attach your reacutesumeacute again for their convenience I have attached my reacutesumeacute for your convenience I look forward to an opportunity to further discuss
my qualifications You may contact me athellip (phone andor email address) Thank you again for your time and consideration
Sample Thank you
Thank you for taking the time to talk with me on Thursday November 9 at the career fair on IU Kokomorsquos campus I appreciate your time and attention and after talking with you I am even more interested in learning more about your organization You were extremely helpful in explaining companyrsquos name customer service and marketing trainee program Now that I have a better idea of what the position entails I am even more certain that I would be an asset to your team and to companyrsquos name My solid education from the IU Kokomo Communication Department and the fact that I have worked my way through college show the work ethic and determination you said were important to be successful at companyrsquos name I look forward to an opportunity to visit companyrsquos name office and speak to you further about the trainee program I will contact you next week to arrange an appointment Enclosed is an updated reacutesumeacute for your review Thank you again for your time and consideration Sincerely
Office of Career Services at IU Kokomo
29 |Kelley Student Center 200 2300 S Washington St PO Box 9003 Kokomo IN 46904-9003 (765)455-9301 fax (765)455-9537 carserviukedu wwwiukeducareer-
services
Knowledge and practice will give you the confidence you need to be prepared and give the best impression possible at an interview The following information will help prepare you for nearly any interview contingency being confidant that you can handle it is the best way to increase your chances of getting hired Here are a few things you can do to give yourself a head start
Questions to think about prior to your interview
1 Why do you want to work at this facility and what specific jobareas am I interested in a To Prepare research the facility
i Mission ii Population served
iii Financial stability iv Management style
b Learn about the job
i Job description ii Occupational outlook
iii Handbook iv employees
2 What qualities make me a good candidate
a To prepare self assessment i What are my strengths and weaknesses
ii What are my interests iii How do I know iv What kinds of results demonstrate my abilities
3 What type of shift working conditions salary and fringe benefits are most important to me (12 hours 10 hours 8
hours weekends flex-time insurance) a To prepare clarify values and lifestyle choices
i What are my values ii What kind of lifestyles do I want for myself and those close to me
4 How will I be trained
a To prepare How do I learn best i Do I need immediate feedback or can I learn well on my own
5 What are my goals Where do I want to be in 10 years
a To prepare Identify and prioritize career and life goals and objectives i Am I interested in supervision training management
ii How do I plan to reach these goals
6 What are the major issues and current events facing this specific field job occupation and company today
7 What can you bring to the organization
Office of Career Services at IU Kokomo
30 |Kelley Student Center 200 2300 S Washington St PO Box 9003 Kokomo IN 46904-9003 (765)455-9301 fax (765)455-9537 carserviukedu wwwiukeducareer-
services
Behavioral Interviews- Use the STAR Interviewing Technique for Success
The STAR acronym represents Situation Task Action and Result Recruiters and hiring managers favor the STAR technique because
it provides a better explanation of your past performance how you handle workplace challenges and whether youre able to articulate
your experiences STAR behavioral interviews are quickly becoming the most popular and common form of interview
Situation or
Task
Describe the situation that you were in or the task that you needed to accomplish You must
describe a specific event or situation not a generalized description of what you have done in
the past Be sure to give enough detail for the interviewer to understand This situation can be
from a previous job from a volunteer experience or any relevant event
Action you took Describe the action you took and be sure to keep the focus on you Even if you are discussing
a group project or effort describe what you did -- not the efforts of the team Dont tell what
you might do tell what you did
Results you achieved What happened How did the event end What did you accomplish What did you learn
For examples of past behavior use examples from
Internships
Work experience
Class projects
School activitiesorganizations you are involved with
Sports
Volunteercommunity service
Hobbies
Think about your accomplishments what are you most proud of that you want to share with the employer
How to prepare for behavior-based interviews
Identify 3-6 examples that demonstrate your top skills Look through the job description pinpoint the skills they are seeking
Pick experiences that demonstrate top behaviors of those skills
Prepare how you will ldquotell your storyrdquo using STAR
Pick examples that will be positive accomplishment
Most behavioral questions try to reveal the negative situations so be prepared with those examples However try to pick
examples that had a positive outcome
Try not to pick examples from only one topic Pick a variety of examples choosing examples from work class community
services etc
Typically the best examples are situations that happened within the last year
Go over your resume and review the accomplishments you have listed andor skills this could assist you with identifying
examples
LISTEN to the full question Be sure the example is an appropriate description of how you demonstrated what they are
asking for
Office of Career Services at IU Kokomo
31 |Kelley Student Center 200 2300 S Washington St PO Box 9003 Kokomo IN 46904-9003 (765)455-9301 fax (765)455-9537 carserviukedu wwwiukeducareer-
services
Sample Behavior-based Questions
Communication Skills
1 Give me a specific example of a time someone didnrsquot agree with your work How did you respond 2 Tell me about a time when you had to present complex information How did you ensure that everyone
understood what you were saying 3 Give an example about a time where written communication was needed
Decision Making Skills
1 What is the biggest decision or risk yoursquove made in the past year on the job Describe the process you used to make those decisions Would you do it again
2 Describe a time you overcame a challenge with an innovative solution What was the challenge What role did you play
Planning Organization Time management Skills
1 Please give an example of a time you didnrsquot meet your deadline Why did you fail to meet your deadline What did you learn from that experience
2 Give an example of how you keep track of multiple projects How do you stay on track and meet deadlines How do you stay focused
3 Describe a goal yoursquove had How you set it and achieved it
Flexibility Skills 1 Tell us about one of the toughest situations with which yoursquove had to deal with How did you handle the
stress or pressure of the situation Leadership Skills
1 Describe a time when you disagreed with a directive given by your supervisor What happened and how did you handle it
2 Give an example of a situation where team members or co-workers didnrsquot get along This could include you and someone else or two other people How did the project turn out What did you do to resolve the issue so everyone was able to work together
Office of Career Services at IU Kokomo
32 |Kelley Student Center 200 2300 S Washington St PO Box 9003 Kokomo IN 46904-9003 (765)455-9301 fax (765)455-9537 carserviukedu wwwiukeducareer-
services
Other Common Questions Asked by Employers
Personal 1 Tell me about yourself 2 Why did you choose to interview with our organization 3 Describe your ideal job 4 What can you offer us over another candidate 5 What do you consider to be your greatest strengths 6 Can you name some weaknesses 7 Define success Failure How did you learn from your failures 8 Name a couple accomplishments you most proud 9 Who are your role models Why 10 How does your college education or work experience relate to this job 11 What motivates you most in a job 12 Have you ever spoken before a group of people How large 13 What do you know about our organization (products or services) 14 Do you plan to return to school for further education 15 What would you change about yourself and why
Education
16 Why did you choose your major 17 Why did you choose to attend your college or university 18 Do you think you received a good education In what ways 19 In which campus activities did you participate 20 Which classes in your major did you like best Least Why 21 If you were to start over what would you change about your education 22 Do your grades accurately reflect your ability Why or why not
Experience
23 What job-related skills have you developed 24 Did you work while going to school In what positions 25 What did you learn from these work experiences 26 What did you enjoy most about your last employment Least 27 Have you ever quit a job Why 28 Give an example of how you have solved a problem in the work place 29 How do you resolve conflict on a team project 30 Give an example of a time in which you worked under deadline pressure 31 Have you ever done any volunteer work What kind 32 How do you think a former supervisor would describe your work
Career Goals
33 Do you prefer to work under supervision or on your own 34 What kind of boss do you prefer 35 Would you be successful working with a team 36 Do you prefer large or small organizations Why 37 What other types of positions are you considering 38 How do you feel about working in a structured environment 39 Are you able to work on several assignments at once 40 How do you feel about working overtime 41 How do you feel about travel 42 Are you willing to relocate
Office of Career Services at IU Kokomo
33 |Kelley Student Center 200 2300 S Washington St PO Box 9003 Kokomo IN 46904-9003 (765)455-9301 fax (765)455-9537 carserviukedu wwwiukeducareer-
services
Questions to Ask Employers
An interview is a two-way street Employers get an impression of you from the questions you ask Are you a critical thinker Did you comprehend and correctly process everything in the interview Have you done research and have a good grasp of the company and the scope of the position Your questions should be intelligent insightful and polite Have at least 3-5 custom questions in mind Employers look for someone who shows interest confidence and is well organized
1 Please describe (or ask them to clarify specifics) the duties of the job for me 2 Is this a new position or am I replacing someone 3 What do you like best about your jobcompany 4 What kinds of assignments might I expect the first six months on the job 5 What qualities are you looking for in the candidate who fills this position 6 Does your company encourage further education 7 Do you have plans for expansion 8 What are your growth projections for next year 9 Have you cut staff in the last three years 10 In what ways is a career with your company better than one with your competitors 11 What is the largest single problem facing your staff (department) now 12 Has there been much turnover in this job area 13 Will I have the opportunity to work on special projects 14 Where does this position fit into the organizational structure 15 How much travel if any is involved in this position 16 What is the next course of action When should I expect to hear from you or may I contact you
Interview Checklist Preparation Research research research Knowing more about the organization as a whole and the particular position you are applying for will be helpful in the interview It will help you understand questions that may be asked and will give you a chance to come up with questions to ask them The more research you conduct the more confident and comfortable you will feel in the interview It will also demonstrate to the employer how determined and pro-active you are about their company and the position you seek Get specific directions to the location If possible go there the day before and check out parking and the location of the office where your interview will be held
First Impression Put your best foot forward Remember the decision to hire you may be made in the first 5 minutes Always wait until they sit or invite you to be seated
Dress code Dress more formal than you would in the actual position Women should wear a suit or dress with a jacket Men should wear a suit or sport jacket and slacks Itrsquos a good idea to have an interview outfit ready and waiting (cleaned neat no threads or missing buttons) hanging in your closet Donrsquot wear anything too trendy or faddish (ladies no miniskirts) Check all zippers for closure and ladies should always have an extra pair of hose for emergencies Your style of dress communicates too what do you want it to say (See page 38)
Arrival Arrive a few minutes early to check out the location and parking Stop by the restroom and check your appearance Again you may want to check out the location the day before if you are unsure of the area
What to bring Always have an extra copy of your reacutesumeacute note paper and pen You will want to jot down questions as they may come about as well as information about the position Also write down the names of each person you interview with so you can mail a thank-you note
Application
Office of Career Services at IU Kokomo
34 |Kelley Student Center 200 2300 S Washington St PO Box 9003 Kokomo IN 46904-9003 (765)455-9301 fax (765)455-9537 carserviukedu wwwiukeducareer-
services
Read through the entire application before you begin Follow the directions Give specific titles You may leave the salary question blank or fill it in with a reasonable salary range Use NA where answers are not applicable Proofread the application before returning it
Legal and Illegal Pre-employment Questions CATEGORY LAWFUL
(Questions employers can ask)
UNLAWFUL (Questions employers cannot ask)
Name Have you ever worked for this company under a different name
Is any additional information relative to change of name use of an assumed name or nickname necessary to enable a check
on your work record If yes explain
What is your maiden name
Is the name on your application your real name
Address Where do you live
How long have you lived there
Birthplace Where were you born Where were your relatives born
Agebirth date Are you 18 years of age or older How old are you What is your birth date
Prove your age by submitting your birth certificate baptismal record
naturalization papers etc (see citizenship)
Photograph Requirement or option that applicant affix a photograph to employment form at
any time before hiring Citizenship Are you a citizen of the United States
If not are you authorized to work in the US
Can you verify US citizenship or your
right to work in the United States
Of what country are you a citizen Are you a naturalized or a native-born
citizen When did you acquire citizenship
Please produce naturalization papers or green card
(employers must verify citizenship or the right to work after theyrsquove decided to
extend an offer) Sex or Marital Status Are you male or female
Are you married What are your living arrangements
Relatives Do you have relatives (other than a spouse) already employed by the
company
What are their names
What are the names (addresses ages number or other information) of your
relatives not employed by the company
Children
Do you have children or plans to have children in the future
Do you have the capacity to reproduce Do you advocate any form of birth control
or family planning What are your child care arrangements
How old are your children
CATEGORY LAWFUL UNLAWFUL (Questions employers can ask) (Questions employers cannot ask)
Disability Do you have any impairment
(physical mental or medical) which would interfere with your ability to perform the job for which you have
applied
Do you have any disabilities or diseases not related to job
performance
Arrest record Have you ever been convicted of a criminal offense other than minor
traffic violations If yes explain fully
Have you ever been arrested
Experienced Please describe your work experience
Travel Overtime This position requires X amount of overtimetravel Would you be able
to meet this requirement
Who will care for your children when you travel or work overtime
Would your spouse object if you
traveled or worked overtime Language What languages do you speak and
write fluently What is your native language
How did you learn to read write or
speak a foreign language Education Please describe your academic
vocational or professional education and the public and private schools you attended
What are the dates of attendance
(To permit verification)
Notice in case of emergency What are the names and addresses of people to be notified in case of
accident or emergency (can be asked after hire)
Military experience Have you served in the US Armed Forces or in the National Guard
Describe your experience
Do you have any military experience
(other than in the United States) Organizations Do you belong to any organizations
which you consider relevant to your ability to perform this job Please
explain
Are you a member of any clubs societies or lodges
Which ones
Race or color What racecolor are you Are you a minority
Religion or creed What is your religion To which parishchurch do you
belong What religious holidays do you
observe National Origin What is your (or relatives) lineage
ancestry national origin descent percentage or nationality
Office of Career Services at IU Kokomo
36 |Kelley Student Center 200 2300 S Washington St PO Box 9003 Kokomo IN 46904-9003 (765)455-9301 fax (765)455-9537 carserviukedu wwwiukeducareer-
services
After the interview After you have interviewed for a position there are some things to do that may improve your chances
Send a Follow-up thank you note within 24 hours
This shows that you are serious about their organization and will set you apart from many who neglect to do so By taking the
time to email or write a handwritten letter thanking them for taking their time to meet with you Summarize specific qualities
you have and let them know you look forward in speaking with them further about employment
Sample Thank you
Dear Intervieweersquos Name Thank you for taking the time to talk with me on Thursday November 9 at the interview for list specifics of position and company) I appreciate your time and attention and after talking with you I am even more interested in becoming a valuable team member at companyrsquos name You were extremely helpful in explaining list position Now that I have a better idea of what the position entails I am even more certain that I would be an asset to your team and to companyrsquos name My solid education from the IU Kokomo Communication Department and the fact that I have worked my way through college show the work ethic and determination you said were important to be successful at companyrsquos name I look forward to an opportunity to work with companyrsquos name office and speak to you further about the program I will contact you next week to follow up and provide you with any further information that you may need Thank you again for your time and consideration Sincerely
Your name
The Stall Letter
There may be situations that you will need time to figure out whether a job is a good fit or have more than one position to accept or decline The stall letter is a good tool to have in this case In the introduction refer to the job offer or event that is prompting the letter In the second paragraph state your continued interest in the position but request more time to gather further information or to consider all alternatives and opportunities in order to make the best choice for the position and the company as well as yourself Give a specific time extension request If you need 24 hours for example ask for that Ask for the minimal amount of time in order to make your decision Remember this is a request and does not guarantee that the employer will accept it and be prepared for the possibility that they will not grant the time and choose another candidate In the conclusion thank them for their time and understanding and indicate when you will contact them to discuss the terms of the possible extension
Sample Stall Letter
Dear name of person that offered the position This letter is in reference to list company name and your offer of list the position I would like to take this opportunity to thank you for the opportunity and express my continued interest in the position At this time I would like to request __hours to gather some vital information in order to be completely confidant that I am making the best and most informed decision possible I want to ensure for all parties involved that I have considered all options and alternatives to be certain that my acceptance of this list position is the correct course of action for us both I appreciate your understanding and valuable time and look forward to speaking with you at your earliest convenience today so that we may discuss the terms of my request Sincerely Your Name
Office of Career Services at IU Kokomo
37 |Kelley Student Center 200 2300 S Washington St PO Box 9003 Kokomo IN 46904-9003 (765)455-9301 fax (765)455-9537 carserviukedu wwwiukeducareer-
services
Acceptance of a Job Offer Letter
Responding in writing to a job offer shows courtesy and is expected It reduces the chance of any misunderstanding that verbal acceptances do not In the first paragraph thank the employer for offering the specific position title and say that you are happy to accept it In the second paragraph state the terms of employment (salary location and start date) Emphasize any negotiations of terms that were unusual or non-standard if there were any In the last paragraph thank the employer sincerely for the opportunity and express your excitement to join their organization and be a valuable asset to them
Sample Job Offer Acceptance Letter
Dear person who offered position
I am happy to have the opportunity to accept the position of list title
The following terms of the position as I understood them include a salary of list salaryrate of pay at List location and to begin employment on list date As we discussed instead of the typical work week we agreed to the addition of evening and weekend hours during the probationary period with a return to usual business hours after 90 days We also agreed to a company vehicle provision for any off site training and appointments during the course of my employment
I truly look forward to becoming a valued member of your team and I am anticipating a productive and positive professional relationship with list company
Sincerely Your Name
Decline or Withdrawing from Consideration Letter
There may be times that you wish to decline or remove yourself from consideration from a position Doing this on a positive
and respectful note decreases the chance that future opportunities will be missed either as a future employee or possible
professional contact with the firm Thank the employer for the opportunity but decline it based on your reasons Be sure to
specifically name the person that was in charge of the hiring process If the decline is due to a term that was offered be
specific the firm could always choose to negotiate that term to better suit your situation
Date
Dear List person
Thank you very much for offering me the list position After careful consideration I regret that I must decline your offer
Although you were most encouraging in outlining future advancement possibilities within ABC Company I have accepted another
opportunity that is more in line with my skills and career goals or I found list the term to be out of line with my needs and
goals
I enjoyed meeting you and the rest of your team You have been most kind and gracious throughout the interview process and I
only wish that circumstances allowed me to accept your offer
Best wishes for your continued success
Sincerely
Your Name
Office of Career Services at IU Kokomo
38 |Kelley Student Center 200 2300 S Washington St PO Box 9003 Kokomo IN 46904-9003 (765)455-9301 fax (765)455-9537 carserviukedu wwwiukeducareer-
services
____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
This packet contains a lot of valuable information to help you achieve all the goals that an education from IU Kokomo
will prepare you for Use this as a guide for every step of the way from your freshman year graduation and beyond
Office of Career Services at IU Kokomo
8 |Kelley Student Center 200 2300 S Washington St PO Box 9003 Kokomo IN 46904-9003 (765)455-9301 fax (765)455-9537 carserviukedu wwwiukeducareer-
services
SAMPLE Radiology Reacutesumeacute Name
Address Phone email address Objective (optional) To obtain a challenging rewarding full-time position as a Radiological Technologist
Education Indiana University Kokomo Kokomo IN Associate in Applied Science Radiologic Technology May 2009 GPA 30 40
Skills Diagnostic Imaging Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) Computerized Tomography (CT) Scans RMS IDX Carecast TDS order Entry Fluoroscopy procedures
Ultrasounds X-ray Radiation Protection Film evaluation
Clinical Experience Dukes Memorial Hospital Peru IN Spring 2009 Perform ultrasounds MRIs CT scans X-ray imaging portable radiography and fluoroscopic procedures Serve a diverse caseload including newborns infants children adolescents adults and geriatric patients Interpret data and provide recommendations for optimal patient care Manage 12 to 15 procedures per shift while maintaining high quality of care
Howard Regional Health Kokomo IN Fall 2008 bull Prepared patients for radiology examinations and explained procedures to patients bull Positioned radiographic equipment at correct angleheight bull Assisted with administering radiographic exams and film development
Dukes Memorial Hospital Peru IN Summer 2007 bull Prepared and positioned patients for radiographic examinations bull Operated all major necessary and portable diagnostic imaging equipment bull Experience with digital radiography bull Maintained records of examinations
Woodlawn Memorial Hospital Rochester IN Spring 2008 bull Performed all required diagnostic radiology procedures producing high quality exams bull Prepared diagnostic agents as required and explained procedures to patient(s) bull Ensured patient safety by utilizing radiation protective devices
Arnett Clinic Lafayette IN Fall 2007 bull Performed imaging procedures of the Diagnostic Imaging Department bull Assisted in x-ray examination and diagnosis of injurydisease observation bull Experience with fluoroscopic examinations bull Ensured patient comfort and operated within an integrated plan of careservice bull Verified all patient information
Honors Member American Society Radiologic Technologists 2008-Present Member Deanrsquos List 2007-2009
CERTIFICATIONS CPR Certification
Office of Career Services at IU Kokomo
9 |Kelley Student Center 200 2300 S Washington St PO Box 9003 Kokomo IN 46904-9003 (765)455-9301 fax (765)455-9537 carserviukedu wwwiukeducareer-
services
Sample Criminal Justice Resume
334 Indiana Drive Kokomo IN 46902 (765) 555-5555 nameemailcom
Seeking a position in the field of
Criminal Justice Law Enforcement
CitymdashStatemdashFederalmdashPrivate
Highly motivated energetic law enforcement graduate with strong work ethics and professional goals
Bring five years of service in office support and retail sales positions while attending college full-time
Bi-lingual with articulate fluency in English and Spanish personable easy-going communication style
Meet challenges head on work well in stressful situations in a fast-paced setting
Analytical with a lot of common sense intuitive instincts and ability to think outside the box
Maintain excellent research organization time management and problem assessmentresolution skills
Education
Bachelor of Arts in Criminal Justice- 2011
Indiana University Kokomo
Selected Courses
Analysis of Criminal Behavior
Concepts of Forensic Science
Abnormal Psychology
Physical Fitness in Law Enforcement
Criminal Law Group Dynamics
Work Experience
Receptionist ABC Store Indianapolis IN 400mdashPresent
Payroll Clerk DEF Place Kokomo IN 402mdash702
Sales Associate GHI Business Kokomo IN
Senior Sales Associate JKL Sales Kokomo IN
200mdash600
999mdash299
Provide front-desk representation clerical support and customer service for The Auto Store
Managed over 50 business payroll accounts utilizing cross-trained experience in teller and payroll services
Prepared and uploaded weekly exemptnon-exempt payroll data into network system for clients to download
Completed mandatory training that included a film study on a mock robbery to learn observation techniques
Held increasingly responsible sales positions achieving recognition for over-quota floor sales and cashier management
skills and manager-requests to return during school breaks based on performance and reliability
Provided excellence in customer service while assisting in all areas of inventory and display merchandising
Computer Skills
Microsoft Word Lexis-Nexis PsychInfo Criminal Justice Abstracts
InfoTrak Health Sociological Abstracts Internet research
Office of Career Services at IU Kokomo
10 |Kelley Student Center 200 2300 S Washington St PO Box 9003 Kokomo IN 46904-9003 (765)455-9301 fax (765)455-9537 carserviukedu wwwiukeducareer-
services
Sample Nursing reacutesumeacute Address City State Zip code
Home (222) 555-1234 Cell (222) 555-8888 nameunivnameedu Objective (optional) Seeking a challenging position as a registered nurse
CLINICALS January2007-May2009 Alta Beach Hospital Performed nursing duties in a level one trauma hospital Fairview Riverside Hospital Med-Surgery Unit Augustan Nursing Home Long term care
Education Indiana University Kokomo Kokomo IN Bachelor of Science in Nursing GPA 3040 (or higher only) Anticipated graduation date May 2009
Licenses RN - American Medical Association NAR license 3779948 State of Indiana 2008 CPR and First Aid Certified American Red Cross 2009
Employment History St Joseph Hospital Kokomo In 2009 to Present Nursersquos aide
Provide health care checks for a diverse population Perform blood pressure tests for community health outreach programs Supply a wide range of services including womens health clinic services and care for elderly patients
Saint Clair Nursing Home Kokomo In 2005-2008 Receptionist
Managed front desk Scheduled appointments for prospective clients Administered weekly evaluations of clients
SKILLS AND CERTIFICATIONS
Direct care of patients Educated patients for home care and discharge planning Operated and maintained monitors of bio-medical equipment Medical terminology and medication administration skills Maintained sterile fields and application of dressings Catheter IV and suctioning training Charting and documentation of patient care Acute and chronic care experience PC and Microsoft Office literate
Professional Affiliations Monroe County Medical Society Pennsylvania Nursing Association
References Available upon request (optional)
Office of Career Services at IU Kokomo
11 |Kelley Student Center 200 2300 S Washington St PO Box 9003 Kokomo IN 46904-9003 (765)455-9301 fax (765)455-9537 carserviukedu wwwiukeducareer-
services
SAMPLE REacuteSUMEacute FOR TEACHERS NAME
Address Phone E-Mail Address
OBJECTIVE (optional) Position as elementary teacher in grades 1 2 or 3 EDUCATION Indiana University Kokomo IN Bachelor of Science in Education May 2009 Endorsements in Reading and Science GPA 37540 TEACHING EXPERIENCE Student Teaching Maple Crest Elementary School (2008-2009)
Prepared and implemented all lesson plans for fall semester first grade class Instructed reading classes for third grade low reading group Developed learning centers to enhance vocabulary and writing skills for both groups
Methods Experience Eastern Elementary School (2007-2008)
Developed math center to reinforce learning weights and measures in 2nd grade class
Utilized songs music and dance to teach Japanese Social Studies unit to 3rd graders
Teacherrsquos Aide Western Middle School (2006)
Assisted teacher with reading groups and record keeping Scheduled field trips and parentteacher conferences
Accomplishments
Earned high marks for the quality and creativity of classroom teaching lesson plans and instructional materials used in teaching diverse subjects (eg language arts mathematics science social studies and history)
Developed innovative approaches that were repeatedly held up as the model standard for meeting district goals in areas including technology integration across the curriculum experiential learning literacy and diversity
Taught general education students as well as individuals with learning challenges and special needs within a mainstreamed inclusive classroom
Consistently commended for ability to redirect students exhibiting behavior problems by replacing disruptive unproductive patterns with positive behaviors As a result selected to lead district-wide in-service on classroom management
Established positive relationships with students parents fellow teachers and school administratorsstaff Quickly became a first-to-call resource in current substitute teaching role typically working four days per week
Personally requested by many full-time teachers to take over their classrooms during absences
OTHER EXPERIENCE Library Assistant Indianapolis Public Schools (2005-2007) ACTIVITIES Literacy Coalition Tutor President Ed Sac (2007-2008) Folk Dance Instructor Cheerleading Coach for Eastern Middle School
Office of Career Services at IU Kokomo
12 |Kelley Student Center 200 2300 S Washington St PO Box 9003 Kokomo IN 46904-9003 (765)455-9301 fax (765)455-9537 carserviukedu wwwiukeducareer-
services
Sample Entry level Information Technology Reacutesumeacute NAME
Address Phone Number Email address
Summary of Qualifications (optional)
Outstanding academic record Achieved Deans list for 1516 semesters and GPA of 375 Four years of experience as help desk technician and web developer Proficiency in various programs operating systems and applications Expert at finding and resolving malfunctions using exceptional technical and communication skills to ensure
minimization of downtime and optimal computer performance Education
Purdue University College of Technology Kokomo In Bachelor of Science in Computer and Information Technology Expected Graduation date May 2010 GPA 3040 (only if it is above a 30)
Technical Qualifications
Programming languages C Visual C++ C++ CSS ASP JavaScript Java Servlet HTML Java Server pages JBuilder XML PHP Apache
Software Applications Microsoft Suite (Excel Word Access Power Point) Macromedia Homesuite Adobe Photoshop FrontPageDreamweaver macromedia Flash DrScheme
Database Management Database SQL command MySQL Operating Systems Mac OSX Windows XP professional UNIX
Professional Experience Promega Corporation Indianapolis IN Web Developer (2008 - Present)
Helped in the re-launching and redesigning of companys web site that resulted in increased online sales by 15 and improved navigation
Responsible for implementation of programs and build databases that let the users to register unique names and passwords
Help in implementation creation and management of multiple applications for back end and web site Back end include Flash slide shows newsletter and RSS
Web site updating and editing using several languages such as XML HTML and CSS SGate Entertainment Indianapolis IN Web DeveloperHelp Desk Technician (52005-92008)
Utilized JavaScript HTML Flash and CSS to create companys web site Primarily recruited to help help desk Assured software and hardware were installed and operated at peak efficiency Accountable for long-term and day-to-day maintenance and technical support of site including suggestion solutions
and analyzing requirements to meet user needs Offered support for 10 users Helped with migration from PC to Mac environment
Volunteeractivities
Tutor computer students Assist area school corporation with computer updates
References upon request (optional)
Office of Career Services at IU Kokomo
13 |Kelley Student Center 200 2300 S Washington St PO Box 9003 Kokomo IN 46904-9003 (765)455-9301 fax (765)455-9537 carserviukedu wwwiukeducareer-
services
Sample Health Sciences Resume Address Phone Email
Education Indiana University Kokomo- Kokomo IN Bachelor of Science in Health Sciences Minor Psychology Expected Graduation Date May 2013 GPA 3140
Related Courses Ethics and civic engagement Social and behavioral sciences Cultural Diversity
Quantitative Literacy and Math Childhood Psychology Personality Psychology
Leadership Special volunteer projects (2012)
Planned and directed health screening day Organized group of student leaders on advocacy projects
Phi Sigma Sigma- Indiana University Kokomo Secretary (809- current)
Provide Leadership Attended leadership conference Volunteered with big brothers big sisters
Tutored school age children Assisted with multiple events on campus
CASA- Kokomo In volunteer (January lsquo09-current)
Advocate for children in the court system Assisted with court paperwork
Developed database and new registration form Counseled children and families
Relevant Work experience Samaritan Caregivers- Kokomo IN (summer 2012) Intern
Provided support to volunteers and staff on routine client visits Evaluated new clients
Community Howard Regional Health- Kokomo IN (summer 2011) Intern
Assisted with organization of new programs Planned and directed ldquoHealthy Teensrdquo event Researched and evaluated what needs the community had and implemented the new XYZ program
Skills CommunicationOrganizationMarketing
Strong interpersonal communication skills Designed and distributed flyers for benefit dinners and school functions Created informational and advertising brochures and slideshow presentations Participated in fundraisers and benefit dinners
ManagementTrainingSales Interviewed hired and scheduled employees Charted yearly sales records and tracked employee overtime Taught peers how to make and operate slideshows using PowerPoint Trained students on assembling and using art equipment
Office of Career Services at IU Kokomo
14 |Kelley Student Center 200 2300 S Washington St PO Box 9003 Kokomo IN 46904-9003 (765)455-9301 fax (765)455-9537 carserviukedu wwwiukeducareer-
services
Sample Informatics Resume
NAME Address Phone number Email address
Objective (optional)
Qualified IT professional with variety of software hardware and networking knowledge
Exceptional teamwork and leadership skills
Efficient troubleshooter with commitment to lifetime learning
Experience Computer Services Inc Indianapolis In Maintenance and Computer Technician 2008 - Present
Assembled computers
helped in network installation tasks
Assisted with troubleshooting Green Networks Inc Carmel IN Computer Technician 2006-2008
Responsible for the maintenance of equipment and computers used by company for multimedia advertisement Education
Indiana University Kokomo Kokomo In Bachelor of Science in Informatics Expected Graduation date May 2010 GPA 3040 (only if it is above a 30)
Skills Systems Engineering
Differentiate between various types of hardware
Set up and configure software and all the versions of Microsoft Windows
Build and maintain a computer
Troubleshoot software and hardware problems
Networking
Find out network hardware devices and cabling and their working
Implement IP schemes and administer groups
Maintain a secure network and implement network topologies
Expert in DNS Active Directory DHCP and WINS
Communications
Demonstrated skills to answer technical questions with different degrees of computer skills
Willingness to learn new things and work well with others
Good presentation skills
Demonstrated leadership skills in a team environment
Reference available on request (optional)
Office of Career Services at IU Kokomo
15 |Kelley Student Center 200 2300 S Washington St PO Box 9003 Kokomo IN 46904-9003 (765)455-9301 fax (765)455-9537 carserviukedu wwwiukeducareer-
services
SAMPLE BiologyChemistryBio-Chemistry Reacutesumeacute 190 Indiana Drive Kokomo IN 46902 (765) 555-5555 nameemailcom
High-energy and motivated individual with outstanding work ethic a strong academic background broad-based work experience and a record of personal achievement working for leading organizations
EDUCATION
Bachelor of Science in Biology May 2008 Minor Bio-Chemistry Indiana University Kokomo
PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT
Ophthalmology Intern XYZ Organization Kokomo IN Spring 2012
Transcribed 20 patient charts discussing medication and vision prescriptions
Observed 100 appointments for issues including glaucoma macular degeneration and detached retinas
Helped for new contact lens patients
Biology Lab Teaching Assistant Indiana University Kokomo August 2011 - current
Independently taught two biology labs per semester with 20 students in each
Created lesion plans and modified and presented curriculum for weekly classes
Maintained lab with spiders guinea pigs beetles and gecko
Held weekly office hours and tutored students
WORK EXPERIENCE
Server September 2005-June 2008 XYZ Restaurant Indianapolis IN Supervised dining experience of up to 40 guests per shift Exceeded sales goals by promoting specialty items
Head Lifeguard Seasonal May 2001-September 2007 LMN Business Kokomo IN Promoted twice within four summerscreated weekly schedule for 20 staff members Authorized to make management decisions in absence of manager Trained five new employees per summer concerning all assigned duties
ACTIVITIES amp INTERESTS
Biology Club Member (Fall 2011-current) Environmental Club Member (Spring 2010-current) Relay for Life Participant (Spring 2012-Spring 2011)
Office of Career Services at IU Kokomo
16 |Kelley Student Center 200 2300 S Washington St PO Box 9003 Kokomo IN 46904-9003 (765)455-9301 fax (765)455-9537 carserviukedu wwwiukeducareer-
services
Sample New Media Resume
Objective (optional)________________________________________________________________
Creative and dedicated Graphic Designer seeking a full-time position with advancement
opportunities to further enhance my knowledge in graphic design
Education________________________________________________________________________
Indiana University KokomomdashMay 2010
Bachelor of Arts in New Media GPA 36
Qualifications_____________________________________________________________________
More than 5 years of diverse hands-on design experience including experience in web-
site design magazine publishing and marketing
Adaptable organized results and detail-oriented with excellent work ethic strong time
management and interpersonal skills
Ability to create designs concepts and sample layouts based on knowledge of layout
principles and aesthetic design concepts
Extensive knowledge of design techniques tools and principals involved in production
of precision technical plans blueprints drawings and models
Ability to come up with unusual or clever ideas about a given topic or situation or to
develop creative ways to solve a problem
Team player also capable of working independently with minimal direction
Work Experience_________________________________________________________________
ABC Company Dec 2004 ndash Present Indianapolis Indiana
Coordination and production of a variety of graphics products and servicesmdashgraphic
design and art direction for ads newsletters report covers annual reports brochures
exhibit displays maps slide shows and the government cable TV channel
Study illustrations photographs and text to plan presentation of products and services
Review layouts and suggest improvements as needed
Prepare the assembly of final layouts for printing and review and approve art materials
Provide expert analysis and input on othersrsquo designs
XYZ Business Jan 2000 - Nov 2004 Indianapolis Indiana
Completed various freelance design assignmentsmdashincluding creation of a bi-monthly
printed newsletter for a lawyers association design of various logos and artwork for the
PQ Design amp Silk-Screening
Responsible for coordination and production of a variety of graphics products and services
Estimated costs coordinated graphic production and reproduction by service bureaus
Assembled final layouts for printing and provided graphic design for website
765-555-5555
1234 Indiana Drive
Kokomo IN
nameemailcom
Office of Career Services at IU Kokomo
17 |Kelley Student Center 200 2300 S Washington St PO Box 9003 Kokomo IN 46904-9003 (765)455-9301 fax (765)455-9537 carserviukedu wwwiukeducareer-
services
Sample Chaplain Reacutesumeacute Name
Address Phone Email
Objective (Optional) To seek a challenging position as a chaplain that allows me to utilize my knowledge and clinical pastoral education skills Qualifications Summary
Compassionate and devoted Chaplin providing spiritual moral guidance for 7 years
Maintains patient confidentiality according to HIPAA regulations
Excellent interpersonal and communication skills
Experience counseling patients concerning their spiritual personal and emotional needs
Professional Experience XXX Hospice Kokomo In 2007-current Hospice Resident Chaplin
Visit patientsfamilies and perform spiritual assessments
Provide spiritual support and counseling to patients and caregivers
Document all pertinent chaplain activities and audit patient charts XXX Church Kokomo In 2002-2007 Assistance Clergy
Assisted and organized religious services
Helped manage church property and finances
Participated in church programs supporting congregation and fundraising activities XXX Hospital Kokomo IN 1997-2000 Nursersquos aide
Provide health care checks for a diverse population
Perform blood pressure tests for community health outreach programs
Supply a wide range of services including womens health clinic services and care for elderly patients
Education Hospitalhellip Clinical Pastoral Education 3 units completed University of Santa Barbara CA Master of Divinity- 2002 Indiana University Kokomo Kokomo In Bachelor of Science in Nursing ndash 2000 GPA 3440
Volunteer Work
Xxx
Xxxx
Office of Career Services at IU Kokomo
18 |Kelley Student Center 200 2300 S Washington St PO Box 9003 Kokomo IN 46904-9003 (765)455-9301 fax (765)455-9537 carserviukedu wwwiukeducareer-
services
SCANNABLE REacuteSUMEacute CHECKLIST
Resume scanning is more commonly used by employers to seek out employees When a computer will be the first to
read your reacutesumeacute it should be altered If the scannable reacutesumeacute meets the computer criteria it will then be seen by
the employer
1 Left justify the entire document
2 Use key words or short phrases to describe your qualifications and abilities Use
jargon and acronyms specific to your industry Check the job listings and
industry-related materials for current buzzwords
3 Increase your list of key words by including specific names of products and
services such as Microsoft Word or Lotus Notes
4 Use nouns more than verbs For instance say ldquoproject managerrdquo instead of
ldquoimplemented projectrdquo
5 Use common section headings such as Objective Experience Employment
Work History Positions Held Appointments and Skills Use boldface andor all
CAPITAL LETTERS for each of these section headings as long as the letters
donrsquot touch each other
6 Minimize abbreviations except for common ones such as MBA or CEO
7 Use a 10- to 14- point font size Use standard typefaces such as Times New Roman Arial New Century
or Courier
8 Avoid italics script and underlined passages Minimize use of hyphens bullets or dashes Boldface is accepted by
most systems unless the employer advises otherwise
9 Avoid graphics shadings vertical or horizontal lines and boxes The scanner
reads text not graphics
10 Print your reacutesumeacute on 8frac12 X 11 inch white paper of average thickness on one
side only using a laser or other letter-quality paper Donrsquot staple or fold
multiple-page reacutesumeacutes Always make sure your name is on all pages
11 Donrsquot condense spacing between letters
12 Use enough white space between sections Computers use white space to
differentiate between topics
13 When faxing set the fax machine on ldquofine moderdquo instead of ldquostandard moderdquo
Office of Career Services at IU Kokomo
19 |Kelley Student Center 200 2300 S Washington St PO Box 9003 Kokomo IN 46904-9003 (765)455-9301 fax (765)455-9537 carserviukedu wwwiukeducareer-
services
Scannable reacutesumeacute example
NAME IN CAPS
Current address
555 Candy Lane
Kokomo IN 46901
765 555 ndash 2424
Permanent address
444 Peppermint Lane
Indianapolis IN 46077
317 555 ndash 1234
OBJECTIVE (Optional)
A fulltime position in the area that is my expertisehellip (You fill it in-see suggested buzz-word list)
EDUCATION
Indiana University Kokomo IN
Bachelor of Science in Management
Minor Management Information Systems MIS
GPA 36 40
Major GPA 38 40
Graduation May 2014
SIGNIFICANT COURSES
Fill in with significant core courses for your major that apply to the job Use one line per course
SKILLS
Proficient with (pc programs that you are proficient in and are applicable)
Any other skills that are applicable (see buzz-word list)
WORK EXPERIENCE
Bold the Job Title
Basic job description as it applies to job applying for Dates employed (begin with most recent)
Use buzz-word list based on your occupation and relevant to the position being applied for
Office of Career Services at IU Kokomo
20 |Kelley Student Center 200 2300 S Washington St PO Box 9003 Kokomo IN 46904-9003 (765)455-9301 fax (765)455-9537 carserviukedu wwwiukeducareer-
services
Cover Letters Cover letters are an additional component of a reacutesumeacute Customize every letter to each company andor position of interest
Address it to the person listed on the position advertisement or the person that you know has the authority to hire Finding this may
take some investigation to discover if the name is not announced on the position advertisement PO boxes are often used to filter
reacutesumeacutes and you can find the owner of the box by calling the post office and asking who owns the box with that number Having
this information to address the cover letter with will set you apart from those who do not
Cover letter Format Date Employers Name Use the name of the person stated in the job posting or contact the company for the contact person address and the correct spelling) Position or title Company Name Address Suite number or floor (if there is one) City state Zip Salutation Dear Mr or Ms Or Dear Sir or Madam (use the last name only of the person you listed above) If you have made every effort to find out but do not know the name or gender or the individual use a unisex greeting of Dear Manager or Dear Director Paragraph one (Introduction) State which position you are applying for and where you heard about the opening If the position was advertised refer to where it was advertised (Indianapolis Star or higheredcom) Be enthusiastic and confident about the position with a brief statement about why you are the right fit for the job Paragraph two (Body) Explain why you want to work for this company and how your skills experience and qualifications directly relate to the position You can also include your personal traits and strengths that would be an asset for the job Summarize why you are an excellent candidate for the position Highlight key examples and how they match what the company is seeking There are likely other prospective employees that are competing for this position It is very important that you highlight qualities that will set you apart and show uniqueness You are marketing yourself in this paragraph so be sure to sell the idea that you are the best one to interview and the best fit for this employer Most advertisements will list the requirements that are desired andor required for the position Be sure to detail how you meet each of those requirements Do not point out to the reader if there is a requirement that you donrsquot currently possess just do not reference that in your letter The purpose of a cover letter is to highlight the positives and do not bring up any negatives Paragraph three (Conclusion) State that you would like the opportunity to personally discuss your qualifications Indicate where you can be reached phone andor email A good sentence to use would look like ldquoI may be reached at 555-555-1234 or nameiukedurdquo Make sure to thank the reader for their time and consideration Closing Sincerely or Yours truly or Respectfully yours Signature (blue or black ink only) Your Name (Typed)
Office of Career Services at IU Kokomo
21 |Kelley Student Center 200 2300 S Washington St PO Box 9003 Kokomo IN 46904-9003 (765)455-9301 fax (765)455-9537 carserviukedu wwwiukeducareer-
services
References
Reference lists should always be available and prepared with 3-4 professional references
Do
Do get permission from each reference you plan to use
Do give each reference a copy of your reacutesumeacute to have as a guide
Do choose references that are well informed and have good verbal and written communication skills
Do Not
Do not use relatives personal friends or students as a reference
Letters of Recommendation
A letter of recommendation provides relevant information that is honest positive and portrays a up-front outlook of the skills
and potential capabilities you possess It can describe personality performance and skill attributes knowledge and
competency level
The following are suggestions of individuals who may be qualified to write a letter of recommendation
Executive Director
Vice President
Supervisors
Co-workers
CustomersClients
Subordinates
Professors
Counsellors
Coaches
Doctors
Lawyers
Ministers
Community Leaders
Office of Career Services at IU Kokomo
22 |Kelley Student Center 200 2300 S Washington St PO Box 9003 Kokomo IN 46904-9003 (765)455-9301 fax (765)455-9537 carserviukedu wwwiukeducareer-
services
Key WordsAction Words
Actively Established Evaluate Participated Schedule Coordinate Increased Proposed Strategy Created Launched Reduced Support Effect Eliminate Organized Originate
Approve Generate Program Solve Control Improve Recommend Supervise Direct Manage Motivated Responsibilities Revise Analyze Founded Pinpointed Set up
Completed Interpret Proficient Successfully Demonstrate Maintain Revamped Responsible Administer Expedite Plan Simplicity Conduct Implemented Provide Streamline Develop
Lecture Reorganized Accelerated Adapted Expanded Perform Significantly Conceived Influence Proved Structure Delegate Lead Reinforced Teach
Self-Describing Words Professional Active Diplomatic Loyal Respective Analytical Attentive Determined Logical Resourceful Ambitious Efficient Energetic Independent
Reliable Alert Economical Objective Optimistic Realistic Aggressive Discrete Methodical Sense-of-humor Sincere Adaptable Disciplined Mature
Self-reliant Broad-minded Enterprising Personable Tactful Creative Imaginative Perceptive Systematic Constructive Forceful Productive Sophisticated Consistent
Fair Practical Will relocate Conscientious Extroverted Positive Will travel Enthusiastic Pleasant Talented Dependable Trustworthy Ethical
Keywords for Interpersonal Traits Ability to delegate Accurate Assertive Creative Ethical Follow up Leadership Oral communication Public speaking Self accountable Supportive Tenacious
Ability to implement Adaptable Communication skill Customer oriented Flexible High energy Multitasking Organizational skills Results oriented Self management Takes initiative Willing to travel
Ability to plan Aggressive Competitive Detail minded Follow instructions Industrious Open minded Persuasive Risk taking Sensitive Team building Ability to train
Analytical ability Conceptual ability Empowering others Follow through Innovated Open communication Problem solving Safety conscious Setting priorities Team player
Office of Career Services at IU Kokomo
23 |Kelley Student Center 200 2300 S Washington St PO Box 9003 Kokomo IN 46904-9003 (765)455-9301 fax (765)455-9537 carserviukedu wwwiukeducareer-
services
Sample of Occupational Keywords Occupational keywords include skills titles and occupational buzz words Account manager Accounts receivable Acquisitions Bachelors Degree Bank Card Bank reconciliation Batch processing Benchmarking Blueprint reading Brochures Budget Bulletins CAD Calibrator Carpentry Cash Flow Cell Culture Media Cement Child Care Claims Justification Commercial Leasing Copy Editing Counselor Crisis Management Cross-culture training Debugging Decision making Demographics Dental management Die casting Dietitian Drywall Ecology Electronics Employee assistance Engineer Financial planning Food preparation Gas pipeline Goal setting Graphic design Grant writer Guest services Harnessing Hiringfiring Hotel ISO 9000
Journalism Journeyman Layout design Logic analyzer Magnetic theory Manager Marketing Masterrsquos Degree Microprocessor Microsoft word Nursing Oscillator Pelletizing Patient advocate Payroll Personal computer Process metallurgy Proposal writing Psychology Public Relations Purchasing Radio Raw materials Receptionist Reporter Research Sales Secretarial Software modeling Spanish Spreadsheets Statistical Process Control Stick Welding Strategic Planning Student Personnel Supervisor Taxonomy Teacher Technical Writing Time Management Transportation Travel Wave Solder WordPerfect Workflow Writer
Office of Career Services at IU Kokomo
24 |Kelley Student Center 200 2300 S Washington St PO Box 9003 Kokomo IN 46904-9003 (765)455-9301 fax (765)455-9537 carserviukedu wwwiukeducareer-
services
ACTION WORDS
ORGANIZATIONAL Assembled Enforced Prepared Reorganized
Collected Executed Planned Scheduled
Centralized Formalized Processed Updated
Coordinated Implemented Routed Catalogued
Maintained Recorded
LEADERSHIPAllocated Hired Operated Spearheaded Determined Initiated
Oversaw Sponsored Directed Inspired Pioneered Staged
Elected Instituted Presided Started Enlisted Led
Produced Supervised Formed Managed Recruited Founded
Moderated Represented Governed Motivated Selected
COMMUNICATION SKILLS Acquainted Drafted Introduced Summarized Apprised Educated
Lectured Taught Answered Explained Listened
Trained Briefed Familiarized Presented Translated Conducted
Handled Reported Wrote Contacted Informed Responded
Demonstrated Instructed Spoke
RESEARCH Analyzed Detected Examined Researched
Assessed Discovered Gathered Searched
Audited Documented Identified Surveyed
Compiled Edited Interpreted Tested
Consulted Evaluated Interviewed
CREATIVITY Authored Created Devised
Originated Conceived Composed
Established Revolutionized Conceptualized
Designed Invented
HELPING SKILLS Aided Counseled Helped Supported
Attended Comforted Instilled Tutored
Assisted Facilitated Mentored Treated
Collaborated Fostered Provided Contributed
Guided Settled
SELLING Arbitrated Marketed Promoted
Secured Convinced Mediated
Publicized Solicited
Dissuaded Negotiated Resolved
Encouraged Persuaded Sold
OTHER ACTION VERBS Adapted Developed Generated Revamped Attained Ensured Improved Revitalized
Augmented Eliminated Increased Saved Awarded Exceeded Launched Shopped
Boosted Excelled Mastered Strengthened Broadened Expanded Modernized Supplemented
Built Expedited Published Tended Calculated Fabricated Raised Utilized
Catered Financed Reconciled Decreased Gained Reduced
Office of Career Services at IU Kokomo
25 |Kelley Student Center 200 2300 S Washington St PO Box 9003 Kokomo IN 46904-9003 (765)455-9301 fax (765)455-9537 carserviukedu wwwiukeducareer-
services
Transferable Skills-Skills you have acquired from your education and employment experience that you can market to new employers
Communication the skillful expression transmission and interpretation of knowledge and ideas
Speaking effectively Writing concisely Listening attentively Expressing ideas Facilitating group discussion Providing appropriate feedback Negotiating
Perceiving nonverbal messages Persuading Reporting information Describing feelings Interviewing Editing
Research and Planning the search for specific knowledge and the ability to conceptualize future needs and solutions for meeting those needs
Forecasting predicting Creating ideas Identifying problems Imagining alternatives Identifying resources Gathering information
Solving problems Setting goals Extracting important information Defining needs Analyzing Developing evaluation strategies
Human Relations the use of interpersonal skills for resolving conflict relating to and helping people Developing rapport Being Sensitive Listening Conveying feelings Providing support for others Motivating Sharing credit
Counseling Cooperating Delegating with respect Representing others Perceiving feelings situations Asserting
Organization Management and Leadership the ability to supervise direct and guide individuals and groups in the completion of tasks and fulfillment of goals Work Survival the day-to-day skills that assist in promoting effective production and work satisfaction
Implementing decisions Cooperating Enforcing policies Being punctual Managing time Attending to detail Meeting goals Enlisting help Accepting responsibility Setting and meeting deadlines Organizing Making decisions
Initiating new ideas Handling details Coordinating tasks Managing groups Delegating responsibility Teaching Coaching Counseling Promoting change Selling ideas or products Decision making with others Managing conflict
Office of Career Services at IU Kokomo
26 |Kelley Student Center 200 2300 S Washington St PO Box 9003 Kokomo IN 46904-9003 (765)455-9301 fax (765)455-9537 carserviukedu wwwiukeducareer-
services
After you have the perfect reacutesumeacute it is time to hit the road and put your skills into action Career Fairs will help put you in communication with prospective employers and give you valuable practice for interviews
Achieve Results and Get the Most Out of a Career Fair
Attend as many job fairs as you can Not only will practice make perfect but it will expand your network of career contacts Make sure to ask precise questions and be prepared to answer specific questions the employers have regarding your background and capabilities Before the Job Fair- Be Prepared
Create a reacutesumeacute and have it reviewed by a career counselor Create a list of 3-5 references in case they are requested (Be sure to ask your references for their help before
including them on the list) Create your 30-second oral reacutesumeacute and practice practice practice Review the employer list Determine where employers are located and in what order to visit them Broaden your focus and include different types of employers For instance although you may not have thought of
working for a hospital hospitals recruit and hire professionals in many different fields Do your research Look up information about the employers of interest
o Check their websites for information about their productsservices and mission statement o What types of jobs do they have open o What kind of people are they looking for o What kind of skills do these people need to have How do you meet their skill requirements o Develop some questions you would like to ask the employer representatives at the fair
Network Network Network with people you know and via social network sites like Linked-In and Facebook for more information about the companies Also seek contact with employees you might know or seek information from alumni who work there
During the Job Fair Dress for success (See page 38) Assume you will be interviewed and dress the part Even if you dont get an interview
at the job fair you have already made a great impression Always have a penpencil and paper to take notes- a portfolio works best Bring plenty of reacutesumeacutes with you While some companies will be seeking employees for specific positions some
employers will collect reacutesumeacutes for future positions Be sure to get all of the contact information you need to complete an application
Make sure to have copies of your reference list in case an employer asks First impressions are everything Be direct have a firm handshake and make eye contact as you greet employers This
will speak volumes about your confidence If you are only gathering information let employers know that you are only interested in materials and information
Be aware of time demands of employers Do not monopolize the employersrsquo time You should have already done your homework about their company so you can better spend your time asking about the positions available (or available in the near future) and how your skills match their needs Give them your 30-second oral reacutesumeacute and impress them with what you feel you can do for their company Since practice makes perfect donrsquot give up if the first attempt doesnrsquot go well Keep trying with other employers
Ask specific questions and collect information from each booth you visit including business cards from the employer representatives Offer to follow up after the fair and ask what the best way to contact them is
After the Job Fair You now have a prime opportunity to make a distinctive impression
Use those business cards you collected to follow up with each employer you are interested in Be sure to do everything you promised at the job fair Complete the application and upload your reacutesumeacute Send a thank-you note or email to all whom you talked with within 48 hours of the career fair This shows that you
are serious about their organization and will set you apart from many who neglect to do so If you follow up on your application for a position be sure to follow the preferred contact method and dont overdo it Stay in contact and use this experience to expand your network Submit an additional or amended reacutesumeacute during your follow-up contacts if need be Follow-up and follow-through contacts are up to the student be persistent and polite
Office of Career Services at IU Kokomo
27 |Kelley Student Center 200 2300 S Washington St PO Box 9003 Kokomo IN 46904-9003 (765)455-9301 fax (765)455-9537 carserviukedu wwwiukeducareer-
services
Additional information-what employers are expecting at a career fair
What Will Impress Employers o Demonstrate that you have done your homework and researched their company o Be prepared Have your reacutesumeacute critiqued by Career Services and bring plenty of copies with you Develop
questions to ask smile and courteously and enthusiastically engage the representatives o Have a firm hand shake and good eye contact- dress for success o Never ask about salary let them bring up the subject o An expectation that you will be responsible for following up with them including a thank you note or letter o Take the initiative Walk up to them and engage the employers they want to speak to you
What Employers May Want to Learn About You o Specific careerjob objectives What are your expectations o Individual strengths and weaknesses Have specific examples that demonstrate your skills develop short
stories that showcase your skills (Remember a job fair is time sensitive and you donrsquot want to take up too much time of one employer)
o Contributions you will make to the operation Remember be specific now is not the time to blandly or generically discuss what you can do
What You Should Learn About Each Company o Employment trends Career Fairs are excellent resources for information about career decision-making o Skills necessary for different careersjobs Have meaningful conversations with representatives o Currentfuture positions o Salary benefits training and other information about the company (again let the employer bring up salary) o Who to contact for follow-up discussions and what their hiring processes are get specifics o Collect their business card or write down their contact information
30 Second Oral Reacutesumeacute Purpose It is important to practice your 30 second oral reacutesumeacute prior to attending a career fair The famous ldquoTell me about yourselfrdquo is a question that is always asked Whether the question is asked in a social setting an interview or a networking event a well-planned answer can set you apart from the crowd as well as spark additional conversation Begin preparing your oral reacutesumeacute by following the tips below
How to Prepare Your Oral Reacutesumeacute o Begin by brainstorming what you would want someone to know about you Write down all of your ideas o Consider including the following information in your oral reacutesumeacute
Job Objective Education and Training Skills
Accomplishments and Achievements Prior Employment Other Experience
o Narrow down your optionsmdashpick the top 5 things you want the person to know about you o Develop a paragraph that encompasses all of the things you wish to say o Practice makes perfect Read aloud your reacutesumeacute several times
Additional Tips Prepare more than one oral reacutesumeacute for various situations Practice your reacutesumeacute by calling your voicemail and later playing back the messagemdashthink about how it sounds and
what you would like to change Make sure that your oral reacutesumeacute will keep the listenerrsquos attention
Example Oral Reacutesumeacute Hi my name is ________ and I am a senior at IU Kokomo majoring in New Media I am looking for an internship experience in graphic designweb development Through my coursework I have developed strong computer and analytical skills Last summer I worked as an intern at the Kokomo Perspective to gain experience with print media At the Perspective I worked with the copy editor as well as the writing staff to gain experience in both fields I also volunteer at United Way developing and updating their website
Office of Career Services at IU Kokomo
28 |Kelley Student Center 200 2300 S Washington St PO Box 9003 Kokomo IN 46904-9003 (765)455-9301 fax (765)455-9537 carserviukedu wwwiukeducareer-
services
Send a Follow-up thank you note after Career Fair Send a thank you note or email to all whom you talked with within 48 hours of the career fair This shows that you are serious about their organization and will set you apart from many who neglect to do so
Be sure to remind the employer where you met them Thank you for taking the time to talk with me on Thursday at the career fair After talking with you I
am even more eager to work at _____ Summarize specific qualities and assets you obtain I am certain my education at IU Kokomo has enhanced my skill set and has provided a solid
background of knowledge in the _______ fieldhelliphellip Some experiences I have had the pleasure of doing arehellip This opportunity improved my work ethic and made me aware of my self-reliancehellip
Always attach your reacutesumeacute again for their convenience I have attached my reacutesumeacute for your convenience I look forward to an opportunity to further discuss
my qualifications You may contact me athellip (phone andor email address) Thank you again for your time and consideration
Sample Thank you
Thank you for taking the time to talk with me on Thursday November 9 at the career fair on IU Kokomorsquos campus I appreciate your time and attention and after talking with you I am even more interested in learning more about your organization You were extremely helpful in explaining companyrsquos name customer service and marketing trainee program Now that I have a better idea of what the position entails I am even more certain that I would be an asset to your team and to companyrsquos name My solid education from the IU Kokomo Communication Department and the fact that I have worked my way through college show the work ethic and determination you said were important to be successful at companyrsquos name I look forward to an opportunity to visit companyrsquos name office and speak to you further about the trainee program I will contact you next week to arrange an appointment Enclosed is an updated reacutesumeacute for your review Thank you again for your time and consideration Sincerely
Office of Career Services at IU Kokomo
29 |Kelley Student Center 200 2300 S Washington St PO Box 9003 Kokomo IN 46904-9003 (765)455-9301 fax (765)455-9537 carserviukedu wwwiukeducareer-
services
Knowledge and practice will give you the confidence you need to be prepared and give the best impression possible at an interview The following information will help prepare you for nearly any interview contingency being confidant that you can handle it is the best way to increase your chances of getting hired Here are a few things you can do to give yourself a head start
Questions to think about prior to your interview
1 Why do you want to work at this facility and what specific jobareas am I interested in a To Prepare research the facility
i Mission ii Population served
iii Financial stability iv Management style
b Learn about the job
i Job description ii Occupational outlook
iii Handbook iv employees
2 What qualities make me a good candidate
a To prepare self assessment i What are my strengths and weaknesses
ii What are my interests iii How do I know iv What kinds of results demonstrate my abilities
3 What type of shift working conditions salary and fringe benefits are most important to me (12 hours 10 hours 8
hours weekends flex-time insurance) a To prepare clarify values and lifestyle choices
i What are my values ii What kind of lifestyles do I want for myself and those close to me
4 How will I be trained
a To prepare How do I learn best i Do I need immediate feedback or can I learn well on my own
5 What are my goals Where do I want to be in 10 years
a To prepare Identify and prioritize career and life goals and objectives i Am I interested in supervision training management
ii How do I plan to reach these goals
6 What are the major issues and current events facing this specific field job occupation and company today
7 What can you bring to the organization
Office of Career Services at IU Kokomo
30 |Kelley Student Center 200 2300 S Washington St PO Box 9003 Kokomo IN 46904-9003 (765)455-9301 fax (765)455-9537 carserviukedu wwwiukeducareer-
services
Behavioral Interviews- Use the STAR Interviewing Technique for Success
The STAR acronym represents Situation Task Action and Result Recruiters and hiring managers favor the STAR technique because
it provides a better explanation of your past performance how you handle workplace challenges and whether youre able to articulate
your experiences STAR behavioral interviews are quickly becoming the most popular and common form of interview
Situation or
Task
Describe the situation that you were in or the task that you needed to accomplish You must
describe a specific event or situation not a generalized description of what you have done in
the past Be sure to give enough detail for the interviewer to understand This situation can be
from a previous job from a volunteer experience or any relevant event
Action you took Describe the action you took and be sure to keep the focus on you Even if you are discussing
a group project or effort describe what you did -- not the efforts of the team Dont tell what
you might do tell what you did
Results you achieved What happened How did the event end What did you accomplish What did you learn
For examples of past behavior use examples from
Internships
Work experience
Class projects
School activitiesorganizations you are involved with
Sports
Volunteercommunity service
Hobbies
Think about your accomplishments what are you most proud of that you want to share with the employer
How to prepare for behavior-based interviews
Identify 3-6 examples that demonstrate your top skills Look through the job description pinpoint the skills they are seeking
Pick experiences that demonstrate top behaviors of those skills
Prepare how you will ldquotell your storyrdquo using STAR
Pick examples that will be positive accomplishment
Most behavioral questions try to reveal the negative situations so be prepared with those examples However try to pick
examples that had a positive outcome
Try not to pick examples from only one topic Pick a variety of examples choosing examples from work class community
services etc
Typically the best examples are situations that happened within the last year
Go over your resume and review the accomplishments you have listed andor skills this could assist you with identifying
examples
LISTEN to the full question Be sure the example is an appropriate description of how you demonstrated what they are
asking for
Office of Career Services at IU Kokomo
31 |Kelley Student Center 200 2300 S Washington St PO Box 9003 Kokomo IN 46904-9003 (765)455-9301 fax (765)455-9537 carserviukedu wwwiukeducareer-
services
Sample Behavior-based Questions
Communication Skills
1 Give me a specific example of a time someone didnrsquot agree with your work How did you respond 2 Tell me about a time when you had to present complex information How did you ensure that everyone
understood what you were saying 3 Give an example about a time where written communication was needed
Decision Making Skills
1 What is the biggest decision or risk yoursquove made in the past year on the job Describe the process you used to make those decisions Would you do it again
2 Describe a time you overcame a challenge with an innovative solution What was the challenge What role did you play
Planning Organization Time management Skills
1 Please give an example of a time you didnrsquot meet your deadline Why did you fail to meet your deadline What did you learn from that experience
2 Give an example of how you keep track of multiple projects How do you stay on track and meet deadlines How do you stay focused
3 Describe a goal yoursquove had How you set it and achieved it
Flexibility Skills 1 Tell us about one of the toughest situations with which yoursquove had to deal with How did you handle the
stress or pressure of the situation Leadership Skills
1 Describe a time when you disagreed with a directive given by your supervisor What happened and how did you handle it
2 Give an example of a situation where team members or co-workers didnrsquot get along This could include you and someone else or two other people How did the project turn out What did you do to resolve the issue so everyone was able to work together
Office of Career Services at IU Kokomo
32 |Kelley Student Center 200 2300 S Washington St PO Box 9003 Kokomo IN 46904-9003 (765)455-9301 fax (765)455-9537 carserviukedu wwwiukeducareer-
services
Other Common Questions Asked by Employers
Personal 1 Tell me about yourself 2 Why did you choose to interview with our organization 3 Describe your ideal job 4 What can you offer us over another candidate 5 What do you consider to be your greatest strengths 6 Can you name some weaknesses 7 Define success Failure How did you learn from your failures 8 Name a couple accomplishments you most proud 9 Who are your role models Why 10 How does your college education or work experience relate to this job 11 What motivates you most in a job 12 Have you ever spoken before a group of people How large 13 What do you know about our organization (products or services) 14 Do you plan to return to school for further education 15 What would you change about yourself and why
Education
16 Why did you choose your major 17 Why did you choose to attend your college or university 18 Do you think you received a good education In what ways 19 In which campus activities did you participate 20 Which classes in your major did you like best Least Why 21 If you were to start over what would you change about your education 22 Do your grades accurately reflect your ability Why or why not
Experience
23 What job-related skills have you developed 24 Did you work while going to school In what positions 25 What did you learn from these work experiences 26 What did you enjoy most about your last employment Least 27 Have you ever quit a job Why 28 Give an example of how you have solved a problem in the work place 29 How do you resolve conflict on a team project 30 Give an example of a time in which you worked under deadline pressure 31 Have you ever done any volunteer work What kind 32 How do you think a former supervisor would describe your work
Career Goals
33 Do you prefer to work under supervision or on your own 34 What kind of boss do you prefer 35 Would you be successful working with a team 36 Do you prefer large or small organizations Why 37 What other types of positions are you considering 38 How do you feel about working in a structured environment 39 Are you able to work on several assignments at once 40 How do you feel about working overtime 41 How do you feel about travel 42 Are you willing to relocate
Office of Career Services at IU Kokomo
33 |Kelley Student Center 200 2300 S Washington St PO Box 9003 Kokomo IN 46904-9003 (765)455-9301 fax (765)455-9537 carserviukedu wwwiukeducareer-
services
Questions to Ask Employers
An interview is a two-way street Employers get an impression of you from the questions you ask Are you a critical thinker Did you comprehend and correctly process everything in the interview Have you done research and have a good grasp of the company and the scope of the position Your questions should be intelligent insightful and polite Have at least 3-5 custom questions in mind Employers look for someone who shows interest confidence and is well organized
1 Please describe (or ask them to clarify specifics) the duties of the job for me 2 Is this a new position or am I replacing someone 3 What do you like best about your jobcompany 4 What kinds of assignments might I expect the first six months on the job 5 What qualities are you looking for in the candidate who fills this position 6 Does your company encourage further education 7 Do you have plans for expansion 8 What are your growth projections for next year 9 Have you cut staff in the last three years 10 In what ways is a career with your company better than one with your competitors 11 What is the largest single problem facing your staff (department) now 12 Has there been much turnover in this job area 13 Will I have the opportunity to work on special projects 14 Where does this position fit into the organizational structure 15 How much travel if any is involved in this position 16 What is the next course of action When should I expect to hear from you or may I contact you
Interview Checklist Preparation Research research research Knowing more about the organization as a whole and the particular position you are applying for will be helpful in the interview It will help you understand questions that may be asked and will give you a chance to come up with questions to ask them The more research you conduct the more confident and comfortable you will feel in the interview It will also demonstrate to the employer how determined and pro-active you are about their company and the position you seek Get specific directions to the location If possible go there the day before and check out parking and the location of the office where your interview will be held
First Impression Put your best foot forward Remember the decision to hire you may be made in the first 5 minutes Always wait until they sit or invite you to be seated
Dress code Dress more formal than you would in the actual position Women should wear a suit or dress with a jacket Men should wear a suit or sport jacket and slacks Itrsquos a good idea to have an interview outfit ready and waiting (cleaned neat no threads or missing buttons) hanging in your closet Donrsquot wear anything too trendy or faddish (ladies no miniskirts) Check all zippers for closure and ladies should always have an extra pair of hose for emergencies Your style of dress communicates too what do you want it to say (See page 38)
Arrival Arrive a few minutes early to check out the location and parking Stop by the restroom and check your appearance Again you may want to check out the location the day before if you are unsure of the area
What to bring Always have an extra copy of your reacutesumeacute note paper and pen You will want to jot down questions as they may come about as well as information about the position Also write down the names of each person you interview with so you can mail a thank-you note
Application
Office of Career Services at IU Kokomo
34 |Kelley Student Center 200 2300 S Washington St PO Box 9003 Kokomo IN 46904-9003 (765)455-9301 fax (765)455-9537 carserviukedu wwwiukeducareer-
services
Read through the entire application before you begin Follow the directions Give specific titles You may leave the salary question blank or fill it in with a reasonable salary range Use NA where answers are not applicable Proofread the application before returning it
Legal and Illegal Pre-employment Questions CATEGORY LAWFUL
(Questions employers can ask)
UNLAWFUL (Questions employers cannot ask)
Name Have you ever worked for this company under a different name
Is any additional information relative to change of name use of an assumed name or nickname necessary to enable a check
on your work record If yes explain
What is your maiden name
Is the name on your application your real name
Address Where do you live
How long have you lived there
Birthplace Where were you born Where were your relatives born
Agebirth date Are you 18 years of age or older How old are you What is your birth date
Prove your age by submitting your birth certificate baptismal record
naturalization papers etc (see citizenship)
Photograph Requirement or option that applicant affix a photograph to employment form at
any time before hiring Citizenship Are you a citizen of the United States
If not are you authorized to work in the US
Can you verify US citizenship or your
right to work in the United States
Of what country are you a citizen Are you a naturalized or a native-born
citizen When did you acquire citizenship
Please produce naturalization papers or green card
(employers must verify citizenship or the right to work after theyrsquove decided to
extend an offer) Sex or Marital Status Are you male or female
Are you married What are your living arrangements
Relatives Do you have relatives (other than a spouse) already employed by the
company
What are their names
What are the names (addresses ages number or other information) of your
relatives not employed by the company
Children
Do you have children or plans to have children in the future
Do you have the capacity to reproduce Do you advocate any form of birth control
or family planning What are your child care arrangements
How old are your children
CATEGORY LAWFUL UNLAWFUL (Questions employers can ask) (Questions employers cannot ask)
Disability Do you have any impairment
(physical mental or medical) which would interfere with your ability to perform the job for which you have
applied
Do you have any disabilities or diseases not related to job
performance
Arrest record Have you ever been convicted of a criminal offense other than minor
traffic violations If yes explain fully
Have you ever been arrested
Experienced Please describe your work experience
Travel Overtime This position requires X amount of overtimetravel Would you be able
to meet this requirement
Who will care for your children when you travel or work overtime
Would your spouse object if you
traveled or worked overtime Language What languages do you speak and
write fluently What is your native language
How did you learn to read write or
speak a foreign language Education Please describe your academic
vocational or professional education and the public and private schools you attended
What are the dates of attendance
(To permit verification)
Notice in case of emergency What are the names and addresses of people to be notified in case of
accident or emergency (can be asked after hire)
Military experience Have you served in the US Armed Forces or in the National Guard
Describe your experience
Do you have any military experience
(other than in the United States) Organizations Do you belong to any organizations
which you consider relevant to your ability to perform this job Please
explain
Are you a member of any clubs societies or lodges
Which ones
Race or color What racecolor are you Are you a minority
Religion or creed What is your religion To which parishchurch do you
belong What religious holidays do you
observe National Origin What is your (or relatives) lineage
ancestry national origin descent percentage or nationality
Office of Career Services at IU Kokomo
36 |Kelley Student Center 200 2300 S Washington St PO Box 9003 Kokomo IN 46904-9003 (765)455-9301 fax (765)455-9537 carserviukedu wwwiukeducareer-
services
After the interview After you have interviewed for a position there are some things to do that may improve your chances
Send a Follow-up thank you note within 24 hours
This shows that you are serious about their organization and will set you apart from many who neglect to do so By taking the
time to email or write a handwritten letter thanking them for taking their time to meet with you Summarize specific qualities
you have and let them know you look forward in speaking with them further about employment
Sample Thank you
Dear Intervieweersquos Name Thank you for taking the time to talk with me on Thursday November 9 at the interview for list specifics of position and company) I appreciate your time and attention and after talking with you I am even more interested in becoming a valuable team member at companyrsquos name You were extremely helpful in explaining list position Now that I have a better idea of what the position entails I am even more certain that I would be an asset to your team and to companyrsquos name My solid education from the IU Kokomo Communication Department and the fact that I have worked my way through college show the work ethic and determination you said were important to be successful at companyrsquos name I look forward to an opportunity to work with companyrsquos name office and speak to you further about the program I will contact you next week to follow up and provide you with any further information that you may need Thank you again for your time and consideration Sincerely
Your name
The Stall Letter
There may be situations that you will need time to figure out whether a job is a good fit or have more than one position to accept or decline The stall letter is a good tool to have in this case In the introduction refer to the job offer or event that is prompting the letter In the second paragraph state your continued interest in the position but request more time to gather further information or to consider all alternatives and opportunities in order to make the best choice for the position and the company as well as yourself Give a specific time extension request If you need 24 hours for example ask for that Ask for the minimal amount of time in order to make your decision Remember this is a request and does not guarantee that the employer will accept it and be prepared for the possibility that they will not grant the time and choose another candidate In the conclusion thank them for their time and understanding and indicate when you will contact them to discuss the terms of the possible extension
Sample Stall Letter
Dear name of person that offered the position This letter is in reference to list company name and your offer of list the position I would like to take this opportunity to thank you for the opportunity and express my continued interest in the position At this time I would like to request __hours to gather some vital information in order to be completely confidant that I am making the best and most informed decision possible I want to ensure for all parties involved that I have considered all options and alternatives to be certain that my acceptance of this list position is the correct course of action for us both I appreciate your understanding and valuable time and look forward to speaking with you at your earliest convenience today so that we may discuss the terms of my request Sincerely Your Name
Office of Career Services at IU Kokomo
37 |Kelley Student Center 200 2300 S Washington St PO Box 9003 Kokomo IN 46904-9003 (765)455-9301 fax (765)455-9537 carserviukedu wwwiukeducareer-
services
Acceptance of a Job Offer Letter
Responding in writing to a job offer shows courtesy and is expected It reduces the chance of any misunderstanding that verbal acceptances do not In the first paragraph thank the employer for offering the specific position title and say that you are happy to accept it In the second paragraph state the terms of employment (salary location and start date) Emphasize any negotiations of terms that were unusual or non-standard if there were any In the last paragraph thank the employer sincerely for the opportunity and express your excitement to join their organization and be a valuable asset to them
Sample Job Offer Acceptance Letter
Dear person who offered position
I am happy to have the opportunity to accept the position of list title
The following terms of the position as I understood them include a salary of list salaryrate of pay at List location and to begin employment on list date As we discussed instead of the typical work week we agreed to the addition of evening and weekend hours during the probationary period with a return to usual business hours after 90 days We also agreed to a company vehicle provision for any off site training and appointments during the course of my employment
I truly look forward to becoming a valued member of your team and I am anticipating a productive and positive professional relationship with list company
Sincerely Your Name
Decline or Withdrawing from Consideration Letter
There may be times that you wish to decline or remove yourself from consideration from a position Doing this on a positive
and respectful note decreases the chance that future opportunities will be missed either as a future employee or possible
professional contact with the firm Thank the employer for the opportunity but decline it based on your reasons Be sure to
specifically name the person that was in charge of the hiring process If the decline is due to a term that was offered be
specific the firm could always choose to negotiate that term to better suit your situation
Date
Dear List person
Thank you very much for offering me the list position After careful consideration I regret that I must decline your offer
Although you were most encouraging in outlining future advancement possibilities within ABC Company I have accepted another
opportunity that is more in line with my skills and career goals or I found list the term to be out of line with my needs and
goals
I enjoyed meeting you and the rest of your team You have been most kind and gracious throughout the interview process and I
only wish that circumstances allowed me to accept your offer
Best wishes for your continued success
Sincerely
Your Name
Office of Career Services at IU Kokomo
38 |Kelley Student Center 200 2300 S Washington St PO Box 9003 Kokomo IN 46904-9003 (765)455-9301 fax (765)455-9537 carserviukedu wwwiukeducareer-
services
____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
This packet contains a lot of valuable information to help you achieve all the goals that an education from IU Kokomo
will prepare you for Use this as a guide for every step of the way from your freshman year graduation and beyond
Office of Career Services at IU Kokomo
9 |Kelley Student Center 200 2300 S Washington St PO Box 9003 Kokomo IN 46904-9003 (765)455-9301 fax (765)455-9537 carserviukedu wwwiukeducareer-
services
Sample Criminal Justice Resume
334 Indiana Drive Kokomo IN 46902 (765) 555-5555 nameemailcom
Seeking a position in the field of
Criminal Justice Law Enforcement
CitymdashStatemdashFederalmdashPrivate
Highly motivated energetic law enforcement graduate with strong work ethics and professional goals
Bring five years of service in office support and retail sales positions while attending college full-time
Bi-lingual with articulate fluency in English and Spanish personable easy-going communication style
Meet challenges head on work well in stressful situations in a fast-paced setting
Analytical with a lot of common sense intuitive instincts and ability to think outside the box
Maintain excellent research organization time management and problem assessmentresolution skills
Education
Bachelor of Arts in Criminal Justice- 2011
Indiana University Kokomo
Selected Courses
Analysis of Criminal Behavior
Concepts of Forensic Science
Abnormal Psychology
Physical Fitness in Law Enforcement
Criminal Law Group Dynamics
Work Experience
Receptionist ABC Store Indianapolis IN 400mdashPresent
Payroll Clerk DEF Place Kokomo IN 402mdash702
Sales Associate GHI Business Kokomo IN
Senior Sales Associate JKL Sales Kokomo IN
200mdash600
999mdash299
Provide front-desk representation clerical support and customer service for The Auto Store
Managed over 50 business payroll accounts utilizing cross-trained experience in teller and payroll services
Prepared and uploaded weekly exemptnon-exempt payroll data into network system for clients to download
Completed mandatory training that included a film study on a mock robbery to learn observation techniques
Held increasingly responsible sales positions achieving recognition for over-quota floor sales and cashier management
skills and manager-requests to return during school breaks based on performance and reliability
Provided excellence in customer service while assisting in all areas of inventory and display merchandising
Computer Skills
Microsoft Word Lexis-Nexis PsychInfo Criminal Justice Abstracts
InfoTrak Health Sociological Abstracts Internet research
Office of Career Services at IU Kokomo
10 |Kelley Student Center 200 2300 S Washington St PO Box 9003 Kokomo IN 46904-9003 (765)455-9301 fax (765)455-9537 carserviukedu wwwiukeducareer-
services
Sample Nursing reacutesumeacute Address City State Zip code
Home (222) 555-1234 Cell (222) 555-8888 nameunivnameedu Objective (optional) Seeking a challenging position as a registered nurse
CLINICALS January2007-May2009 Alta Beach Hospital Performed nursing duties in a level one trauma hospital Fairview Riverside Hospital Med-Surgery Unit Augustan Nursing Home Long term care
Education Indiana University Kokomo Kokomo IN Bachelor of Science in Nursing GPA 3040 (or higher only) Anticipated graduation date May 2009
Licenses RN - American Medical Association NAR license 3779948 State of Indiana 2008 CPR and First Aid Certified American Red Cross 2009
Employment History St Joseph Hospital Kokomo In 2009 to Present Nursersquos aide
Provide health care checks for a diverse population Perform blood pressure tests for community health outreach programs Supply a wide range of services including womens health clinic services and care for elderly patients
Saint Clair Nursing Home Kokomo In 2005-2008 Receptionist
Managed front desk Scheduled appointments for prospective clients Administered weekly evaluations of clients
SKILLS AND CERTIFICATIONS
Direct care of patients Educated patients for home care and discharge planning Operated and maintained monitors of bio-medical equipment Medical terminology and medication administration skills Maintained sterile fields and application of dressings Catheter IV and suctioning training Charting and documentation of patient care Acute and chronic care experience PC and Microsoft Office literate
Professional Affiliations Monroe County Medical Society Pennsylvania Nursing Association
References Available upon request (optional)
Office of Career Services at IU Kokomo
11 |Kelley Student Center 200 2300 S Washington St PO Box 9003 Kokomo IN 46904-9003 (765)455-9301 fax (765)455-9537 carserviukedu wwwiukeducareer-
services
SAMPLE REacuteSUMEacute FOR TEACHERS NAME
Address Phone E-Mail Address
OBJECTIVE (optional) Position as elementary teacher in grades 1 2 or 3 EDUCATION Indiana University Kokomo IN Bachelor of Science in Education May 2009 Endorsements in Reading and Science GPA 37540 TEACHING EXPERIENCE Student Teaching Maple Crest Elementary School (2008-2009)
Prepared and implemented all lesson plans for fall semester first grade class Instructed reading classes for third grade low reading group Developed learning centers to enhance vocabulary and writing skills for both groups
Methods Experience Eastern Elementary School (2007-2008)
Developed math center to reinforce learning weights and measures in 2nd grade class
Utilized songs music and dance to teach Japanese Social Studies unit to 3rd graders
Teacherrsquos Aide Western Middle School (2006)
Assisted teacher with reading groups and record keeping Scheduled field trips and parentteacher conferences
Accomplishments
Earned high marks for the quality and creativity of classroom teaching lesson plans and instructional materials used in teaching diverse subjects (eg language arts mathematics science social studies and history)
Developed innovative approaches that were repeatedly held up as the model standard for meeting district goals in areas including technology integration across the curriculum experiential learning literacy and diversity
Taught general education students as well as individuals with learning challenges and special needs within a mainstreamed inclusive classroom
Consistently commended for ability to redirect students exhibiting behavior problems by replacing disruptive unproductive patterns with positive behaviors As a result selected to lead district-wide in-service on classroom management
Established positive relationships with students parents fellow teachers and school administratorsstaff Quickly became a first-to-call resource in current substitute teaching role typically working four days per week
Personally requested by many full-time teachers to take over their classrooms during absences
OTHER EXPERIENCE Library Assistant Indianapolis Public Schools (2005-2007) ACTIVITIES Literacy Coalition Tutor President Ed Sac (2007-2008) Folk Dance Instructor Cheerleading Coach for Eastern Middle School
Office of Career Services at IU Kokomo
12 |Kelley Student Center 200 2300 S Washington St PO Box 9003 Kokomo IN 46904-9003 (765)455-9301 fax (765)455-9537 carserviukedu wwwiukeducareer-
services
Sample Entry level Information Technology Reacutesumeacute NAME
Address Phone Number Email address
Summary of Qualifications (optional)
Outstanding academic record Achieved Deans list for 1516 semesters and GPA of 375 Four years of experience as help desk technician and web developer Proficiency in various programs operating systems and applications Expert at finding and resolving malfunctions using exceptional technical and communication skills to ensure
minimization of downtime and optimal computer performance Education
Purdue University College of Technology Kokomo In Bachelor of Science in Computer and Information Technology Expected Graduation date May 2010 GPA 3040 (only if it is above a 30)
Technical Qualifications
Programming languages C Visual C++ C++ CSS ASP JavaScript Java Servlet HTML Java Server pages JBuilder XML PHP Apache
Software Applications Microsoft Suite (Excel Word Access Power Point) Macromedia Homesuite Adobe Photoshop FrontPageDreamweaver macromedia Flash DrScheme
Database Management Database SQL command MySQL Operating Systems Mac OSX Windows XP professional UNIX
Professional Experience Promega Corporation Indianapolis IN Web Developer (2008 - Present)
Helped in the re-launching and redesigning of companys web site that resulted in increased online sales by 15 and improved navigation
Responsible for implementation of programs and build databases that let the users to register unique names and passwords
Help in implementation creation and management of multiple applications for back end and web site Back end include Flash slide shows newsletter and RSS
Web site updating and editing using several languages such as XML HTML and CSS SGate Entertainment Indianapolis IN Web DeveloperHelp Desk Technician (52005-92008)
Utilized JavaScript HTML Flash and CSS to create companys web site Primarily recruited to help help desk Assured software and hardware were installed and operated at peak efficiency Accountable for long-term and day-to-day maintenance and technical support of site including suggestion solutions
and analyzing requirements to meet user needs Offered support for 10 users Helped with migration from PC to Mac environment
Volunteeractivities
Tutor computer students Assist area school corporation with computer updates
References upon request (optional)
Office of Career Services at IU Kokomo
13 |Kelley Student Center 200 2300 S Washington St PO Box 9003 Kokomo IN 46904-9003 (765)455-9301 fax (765)455-9537 carserviukedu wwwiukeducareer-
services
Sample Health Sciences Resume Address Phone Email
Education Indiana University Kokomo- Kokomo IN Bachelor of Science in Health Sciences Minor Psychology Expected Graduation Date May 2013 GPA 3140
Related Courses Ethics and civic engagement Social and behavioral sciences Cultural Diversity
Quantitative Literacy and Math Childhood Psychology Personality Psychology
Leadership Special volunteer projects (2012)
Planned and directed health screening day Organized group of student leaders on advocacy projects
Phi Sigma Sigma- Indiana University Kokomo Secretary (809- current)
Provide Leadership Attended leadership conference Volunteered with big brothers big sisters
Tutored school age children Assisted with multiple events on campus
CASA- Kokomo In volunteer (January lsquo09-current)
Advocate for children in the court system Assisted with court paperwork
Developed database and new registration form Counseled children and families
Relevant Work experience Samaritan Caregivers- Kokomo IN (summer 2012) Intern
Provided support to volunteers and staff on routine client visits Evaluated new clients
Community Howard Regional Health- Kokomo IN (summer 2011) Intern
Assisted with organization of new programs Planned and directed ldquoHealthy Teensrdquo event Researched and evaluated what needs the community had and implemented the new XYZ program
Skills CommunicationOrganizationMarketing
Strong interpersonal communication skills Designed and distributed flyers for benefit dinners and school functions Created informational and advertising brochures and slideshow presentations Participated in fundraisers and benefit dinners
ManagementTrainingSales Interviewed hired and scheduled employees Charted yearly sales records and tracked employee overtime Taught peers how to make and operate slideshows using PowerPoint Trained students on assembling and using art equipment
Office of Career Services at IU Kokomo
14 |Kelley Student Center 200 2300 S Washington St PO Box 9003 Kokomo IN 46904-9003 (765)455-9301 fax (765)455-9537 carserviukedu wwwiukeducareer-
services
Sample Informatics Resume
NAME Address Phone number Email address
Objective (optional)
Qualified IT professional with variety of software hardware and networking knowledge
Exceptional teamwork and leadership skills
Efficient troubleshooter with commitment to lifetime learning
Experience Computer Services Inc Indianapolis In Maintenance and Computer Technician 2008 - Present
Assembled computers
helped in network installation tasks
Assisted with troubleshooting Green Networks Inc Carmel IN Computer Technician 2006-2008
Responsible for the maintenance of equipment and computers used by company for multimedia advertisement Education
Indiana University Kokomo Kokomo In Bachelor of Science in Informatics Expected Graduation date May 2010 GPA 3040 (only if it is above a 30)
Skills Systems Engineering
Differentiate between various types of hardware
Set up and configure software and all the versions of Microsoft Windows
Build and maintain a computer
Troubleshoot software and hardware problems
Networking
Find out network hardware devices and cabling and their working
Implement IP schemes and administer groups
Maintain a secure network and implement network topologies
Expert in DNS Active Directory DHCP and WINS
Communications
Demonstrated skills to answer technical questions with different degrees of computer skills
Willingness to learn new things and work well with others
Good presentation skills
Demonstrated leadership skills in a team environment
Reference available on request (optional)
Office of Career Services at IU Kokomo
15 |Kelley Student Center 200 2300 S Washington St PO Box 9003 Kokomo IN 46904-9003 (765)455-9301 fax (765)455-9537 carserviukedu wwwiukeducareer-
services
SAMPLE BiologyChemistryBio-Chemistry Reacutesumeacute 190 Indiana Drive Kokomo IN 46902 (765) 555-5555 nameemailcom
High-energy and motivated individual with outstanding work ethic a strong academic background broad-based work experience and a record of personal achievement working for leading organizations
EDUCATION
Bachelor of Science in Biology May 2008 Minor Bio-Chemistry Indiana University Kokomo
PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT
Ophthalmology Intern XYZ Organization Kokomo IN Spring 2012
Transcribed 20 patient charts discussing medication and vision prescriptions
Observed 100 appointments for issues including glaucoma macular degeneration and detached retinas
Helped for new contact lens patients
Biology Lab Teaching Assistant Indiana University Kokomo August 2011 - current
Independently taught two biology labs per semester with 20 students in each
Created lesion plans and modified and presented curriculum for weekly classes
Maintained lab with spiders guinea pigs beetles and gecko
Held weekly office hours and tutored students
WORK EXPERIENCE
Server September 2005-June 2008 XYZ Restaurant Indianapolis IN Supervised dining experience of up to 40 guests per shift Exceeded sales goals by promoting specialty items
Head Lifeguard Seasonal May 2001-September 2007 LMN Business Kokomo IN Promoted twice within four summerscreated weekly schedule for 20 staff members Authorized to make management decisions in absence of manager Trained five new employees per summer concerning all assigned duties
ACTIVITIES amp INTERESTS
Biology Club Member (Fall 2011-current) Environmental Club Member (Spring 2010-current) Relay for Life Participant (Spring 2012-Spring 2011)
Office of Career Services at IU Kokomo
16 |Kelley Student Center 200 2300 S Washington St PO Box 9003 Kokomo IN 46904-9003 (765)455-9301 fax (765)455-9537 carserviukedu wwwiukeducareer-
services
Sample New Media Resume
Objective (optional)________________________________________________________________
Creative and dedicated Graphic Designer seeking a full-time position with advancement
opportunities to further enhance my knowledge in graphic design
Education________________________________________________________________________
Indiana University KokomomdashMay 2010
Bachelor of Arts in New Media GPA 36
Qualifications_____________________________________________________________________
More than 5 years of diverse hands-on design experience including experience in web-
site design magazine publishing and marketing
Adaptable organized results and detail-oriented with excellent work ethic strong time
management and interpersonal skills
Ability to create designs concepts and sample layouts based on knowledge of layout
principles and aesthetic design concepts
Extensive knowledge of design techniques tools and principals involved in production
of precision technical plans blueprints drawings and models
Ability to come up with unusual or clever ideas about a given topic or situation or to
develop creative ways to solve a problem
Team player also capable of working independently with minimal direction
Work Experience_________________________________________________________________
ABC Company Dec 2004 ndash Present Indianapolis Indiana
Coordination and production of a variety of graphics products and servicesmdashgraphic
design and art direction for ads newsletters report covers annual reports brochures
exhibit displays maps slide shows and the government cable TV channel
Study illustrations photographs and text to plan presentation of products and services
Review layouts and suggest improvements as needed
Prepare the assembly of final layouts for printing and review and approve art materials
Provide expert analysis and input on othersrsquo designs
XYZ Business Jan 2000 - Nov 2004 Indianapolis Indiana
Completed various freelance design assignmentsmdashincluding creation of a bi-monthly
printed newsletter for a lawyers association design of various logos and artwork for the
PQ Design amp Silk-Screening
Responsible for coordination and production of a variety of graphics products and services
Estimated costs coordinated graphic production and reproduction by service bureaus
Assembled final layouts for printing and provided graphic design for website
765-555-5555
1234 Indiana Drive
Kokomo IN
nameemailcom
Office of Career Services at IU Kokomo
17 |Kelley Student Center 200 2300 S Washington St PO Box 9003 Kokomo IN 46904-9003 (765)455-9301 fax (765)455-9537 carserviukedu wwwiukeducareer-
services
Sample Chaplain Reacutesumeacute Name
Address Phone Email
Objective (Optional) To seek a challenging position as a chaplain that allows me to utilize my knowledge and clinical pastoral education skills Qualifications Summary
Compassionate and devoted Chaplin providing spiritual moral guidance for 7 years
Maintains patient confidentiality according to HIPAA regulations
Excellent interpersonal and communication skills
Experience counseling patients concerning their spiritual personal and emotional needs
Professional Experience XXX Hospice Kokomo In 2007-current Hospice Resident Chaplin
Visit patientsfamilies and perform spiritual assessments
Provide spiritual support and counseling to patients and caregivers
Document all pertinent chaplain activities and audit patient charts XXX Church Kokomo In 2002-2007 Assistance Clergy
Assisted and organized religious services
Helped manage church property and finances
Participated in church programs supporting congregation and fundraising activities XXX Hospital Kokomo IN 1997-2000 Nursersquos aide
Provide health care checks for a diverse population
Perform blood pressure tests for community health outreach programs
Supply a wide range of services including womens health clinic services and care for elderly patients
Education Hospitalhellip Clinical Pastoral Education 3 units completed University of Santa Barbara CA Master of Divinity- 2002 Indiana University Kokomo Kokomo In Bachelor of Science in Nursing ndash 2000 GPA 3440
Volunteer Work
Xxx
Xxxx
Office of Career Services at IU Kokomo
18 |Kelley Student Center 200 2300 S Washington St PO Box 9003 Kokomo IN 46904-9003 (765)455-9301 fax (765)455-9537 carserviukedu wwwiukeducareer-
services
SCANNABLE REacuteSUMEacute CHECKLIST
Resume scanning is more commonly used by employers to seek out employees When a computer will be the first to
read your reacutesumeacute it should be altered If the scannable reacutesumeacute meets the computer criteria it will then be seen by
the employer
1 Left justify the entire document
2 Use key words or short phrases to describe your qualifications and abilities Use
jargon and acronyms specific to your industry Check the job listings and
industry-related materials for current buzzwords
3 Increase your list of key words by including specific names of products and
services such as Microsoft Word or Lotus Notes
4 Use nouns more than verbs For instance say ldquoproject managerrdquo instead of
ldquoimplemented projectrdquo
5 Use common section headings such as Objective Experience Employment
Work History Positions Held Appointments and Skills Use boldface andor all
CAPITAL LETTERS for each of these section headings as long as the letters
donrsquot touch each other
6 Minimize abbreviations except for common ones such as MBA or CEO
7 Use a 10- to 14- point font size Use standard typefaces such as Times New Roman Arial New Century
or Courier
8 Avoid italics script and underlined passages Minimize use of hyphens bullets or dashes Boldface is accepted by
most systems unless the employer advises otherwise
9 Avoid graphics shadings vertical or horizontal lines and boxes The scanner
reads text not graphics
10 Print your reacutesumeacute on 8frac12 X 11 inch white paper of average thickness on one
side only using a laser or other letter-quality paper Donrsquot staple or fold
multiple-page reacutesumeacutes Always make sure your name is on all pages
11 Donrsquot condense spacing between letters
12 Use enough white space between sections Computers use white space to
differentiate between topics
13 When faxing set the fax machine on ldquofine moderdquo instead of ldquostandard moderdquo
Office of Career Services at IU Kokomo
19 |Kelley Student Center 200 2300 S Washington St PO Box 9003 Kokomo IN 46904-9003 (765)455-9301 fax (765)455-9537 carserviukedu wwwiukeducareer-
services
Scannable reacutesumeacute example
NAME IN CAPS
Current address
555 Candy Lane
Kokomo IN 46901
765 555 ndash 2424
Permanent address
444 Peppermint Lane
Indianapolis IN 46077
317 555 ndash 1234
OBJECTIVE (Optional)
A fulltime position in the area that is my expertisehellip (You fill it in-see suggested buzz-word list)
EDUCATION
Indiana University Kokomo IN
Bachelor of Science in Management
Minor Management Information Systems MIS
GPA 36 40
Major GPA 38 40
Graduation May 2014
SIGNIFICANT COURSES
Fill in with significant core courses for your major that apply to the job Use one line per course
SKILLS
Proficient with (pc programs that you are proficient in and are applicable)
Any other skills that are applicable (see buzz-word list)
WORK EXPERIENCE
Bold the Job Title
Basic job description as it applies to job applying for Dates employed (begin with most recent)
Use buzz-word list based on your occupation and relevant to the position being applied for
Office of Career Services at IU Kokomo
20 |Kelley Student Center 200 2300 S Washington St PO Box 9003 Kokomo IN 46904-9003 (765)455-9301 fax (765)455-9537 carserviukedu wwwiukeducareer-
services
Cover Letters Cover letters are an additional component of a reacutesumeacute Customize every letter to each company andor position of interest
Address it to the person listed on the position advertisement or the person that you know has the authority to hire Finding this may
take some investigation to discover if the name is not announced on the position advertisement PO boxes are often used to filter
reacutesumeacutes and you can find the owner of the box by calling the post office and asking who owns the box with that number Having
this information to address the cover letter with will set you apart from those who do not
Cover letter Format Date Employers Name Use the name of the person stated in the job posting or contact the company for the contact person address and the correct spelling) Position or title Company Name Address Suite number or floor (if there is one) City state Zip Salutation Dear Mr or Ms Or Dear Sir or Madam (use the last name only of the person you listed above) If you have made every effort to find out but do not know the name or gender or the individual use a unisex greeting of Dear Manager or Dear Director Paragraph one (Introduction) State which position you are applying for and where you heard about the opening If the position was advertised refer to where it was advertised (Indianapolis Star or higheredcom) Be enthusiastic and confident about the position with a brief statement about why you are the right fit for the job Paragraph two (Body) Explain why you want to work for this company and how your skills experience and qualifications directly relate to the position You can also include your personal traits and strengths that would be an asset for the job Summarize why you are an excellent candidate for the position Highlight key examples and how they match what the company is seeking There are likely other prospective employees that are competing for this position It is very important that you highlight qualities that will set you apart and show uniqueness You are marketing yourself in this paragraph so be sure to sell the idea that you are the best one to interview and the best fit for this employer Most advertisements will list the requirements that are desired andor required for the position Be sure to detail how you meet each of those requirements Do not point out to the reader if there is a requirement that you donrsquot currently possess just do not reference that in your letter The purpose of a cover letter is to highlight the positives and do not bring up any negatives Paragraph three (Conclusion) State that you would like the opportunity to personally discuss your qualifications Indicate where you can be reached phone andor email A good sentence to use would look like ldquoI may be reached at 555-555-1234 or nameiukedurdquo Make sure to thank the reader for their time and consideration Closing Sincerely or Yours truly or Respectfully yours Signature (blue or black ink only) Your Name (Typed)
Office of Career Services at IU Kokomo
21 |Kelley Student Center 200 2300 S Washington St PO Box 9003 Kokomo IN 46904-9003 (765)455-9301 fax (765)455-9537 carserviukedu wwwiukeducareer-
services
References
Reference lists should always be available and prepared with 3-4 professional references
Do
Do get permission from each reference you plan to use
Do give each reference a copy of your reacutesumeacute to have as a guide
Do choose references that are well informed and have good verbal and written communication skills
Do Not
Do not use relatives personal friends or students as a reference
Letters of Recommendation
A letter of recommendation provides relevant information that is honest positive and portrays a up-front outlook of the skills
and potential capabilities you possess It can describe personality performance and skill attributes knowledge and
competency level
The following are suggestions of individuals who may be qualified to write a letter of recommendation
Executive Director
Vice President
Supervisors
Co-workers
CustomersClients
Subordinates
Professors
Counsellors
Coaches
Doctors
Lawyers
Ministers
Community Leaders
Office of Career Services at IU Kokomo
22 |Kelley Student Center 200 2300 S Washington St PO Box 9003 Kokomo IN 46904-9003 (765)455-9301 fax (765)455-9537 carserviukedu wwwiukeducareer-
services
Key WordsAction Words
Actively Established Evaluate Participated Schedule Coordinate Increased Proposed Strategy Created Launched Reduced Support Effect Eliminate Organized Originate
Approve Generate Program Solve Control Improve Recommend Supervise Direct Manage Motivated Responsibilities Revise Analyze Founded Pinpointed Set up
Completed Interpret Proficient Successfully Demonstrate Maintain Revamped Responsible Administer Expedite Plan Simplicity Conduct Implemented Provide Streamline Develop
Lecture Reorganized Accelerated Adapted Expanded Perform Significantly Conceived Influence Proved Structure Delegate Lead Reinforced Teach
Self-Describing Words Professional Active Diplomatic Loyal Respective Analytical Attentive Determined Logical Resourceful Ambitious Efficient Energetic Independent
Reliable Alert Economical Objective Optimistic Realistic Aggressive Discrete Methodical Sense-of-humor Sincere Adaptable Disciplined Mature
Self-reliant Broad-minded Enterprising Personable Tactful Creative Imaginative Perceptive Systematic Constructive Forceful Productive Sophisticated Consistent
Fair Practical Will relocate Conscientious Extroverted Positive Will travel Enthusiastic Pleasant Talented Dependable Trustworthy Ethical
Keywords for Interpersonal Traits Ability to delegate Accurate Assertive Creative Ethical Follow up Leadership Oral communication Public speaking Self accountable Supportive Tenacious
Ability to implement Adaptable Communication skill Customer oriented Flexible High energy Multitasking Organizational skills Results oriented Self management Takes initiative Willing to travel
Ability to plan Aggressive Competitive Detail minded Follow instructions Industrious Open minded Persuasive Risk taking Sensitive Team building Ability to train
Analytical ability Conceptual ability Empowering others Follow through Innovated Open communication Problem solving Safety conscious Setting priorities Team player
Office of Career Services at IU Kokomo
23 |Kelley Student Center 200 2300 S Washington St PO Box 9003 Kokomo IN 46904-9003 (765)455-9301 fax (765)455-9537 carserviukedu wwwiukeducareer-
services
Sample of Occupational Keywords Occupational keywords include skills titles and occupational buzz words Account manager Accounts receivable Acquisitions Bachelors Degree Bank Card Bank reconciliation Batch processing Benchmarking Blueprint reading Brochures Budget Bulletins CAD Calibrator Carpentry Cash Flow Cell Culture Media Cement Child Care Claims Justification Commercial Leasing Copy Editing Counselor Crisis Management Cross-culture training Debugging Decision making Demographics Dental management Die casting Dietitian Drywall Ecology Electronics Employee assistance Engineer Financial planning Food preparation Gas pipeline Goal setting Graphic design Grant writer Guest services Harnessing Hiringfiring Hotel ISO 9000
Journalism Journeyman Layout design Logic analyzer Magnetic theory Manager Marketing Masterrsquos Degree Microprocessor Microsoft word Nursing Oscillator Pelletizing Patient advocate Payroll Personal computer Process metallurgy Proposal writing Psychology Public Relations Purchasing Radio Raw materials Receptionist Reporter Research Sales Secretarial Software modeling Spanish Spreadsheets Statistical Process Control Stick Welding Strategic Planning Student Personnel Supervisor Taxonomy Teacher Technical Writing Time Management Transportation Travel Wave Solder WordPerfect Workflow Writer
Office of Career Services at IU Kokomo
24 |Kelley Student Center 200 2300 S Washington St PO Box 9003 Kokomo IN 46904-9003 (765)455-9301 fax (765)455-9537 carserviukedu wwwiukeducareer-
services
ACTION WORDS
ORGANIZATIONAL Assembled Enforced Prepared Reorganized
Collected Executed Planned Scheduled
Centralized Formalized Processed Updated
Coordinated Implemented Routed Catalogued
Maintained Recorded
LEADERSHIPAllocated Hired Operated Spearheaded Determined Initiated
Oversaw Sponsored Directed Inspired Pioneered Staged
Elected Instituted Presided Started Enlisted Led
Produced Supervised Formed Managed Recruited Founded
Moderated Represented Governed Motivated Selected
COMMUNICATION SKILLS Acquainted Drafted Introduced Summarized Apprised Educated
Lectured Taught Answered Explained Listened
Trained Briefed Familiarized Presented Translated Conducted
Handled Reported Wrote Contacted Informed Responded
Demonstrated Instructed Spoke
RESEARCH Analyzed Detected Examined Researched
Assessed Discovered Gathered Searched
Audited Documented Identified Surveyed
Compiled Edited Interpreted Tested
Consulted Evaluated Interviewed
CREATIVITY Authored Created Devised
Originated Conceived Composed
Established Revolutionized Conceptualized
Designed Invented
HELPING SKILLS Aided Counseled Helped Supported
Attended Comforted Instilled Tutored
Assisted Facilitated Mentored Treated
Collaborated Fostered Provided Contributed
Guided Settled
SELLING Arbitrated Marketed Promoted
Secured Convinced Mediated
Publicized Solicited
Dissuaded Negotiated Resolved
Encouraged Persuaded Sold
OTHER ACTION VERBS Adapted Developed Generated Revamped Attained Ensured Improved Revitalized
Augmented Eliminated Increased Saved Awarded Exceeded Launched Shopped
Boosted Excelled Mastered Strengthened Broadened Expanded Modernized Supplemented
Built Expedited Published Tended Calculated Fabricated Raised Utilized
Catered Financed Reconciled Decreased Gained Reduced
Office of Career Services at IU Kokomo
25 |Kelley Student Center 200 2300 S Washington St PO Box 9003 Kokomo IN 46904-9003 (765)455-9301 fax (765)455-9537 carserviukedu wwwiukeducareer-
services
Transferable Skills-Skills you have acquired from your education and employment experience that you can market to new employers
Communication the skillful expression transmission and interpretation of knowledge and ideas
Speaking effectively Writing concisely Listening attentively Expressing ideas Facilitating group discussion Providing appropriate feedback Negotiating
Perceiving nonverbal messages Persuading Reporting information Describing feelings Interviewing Editing
Research and Planning the search for specific knowledge and the ability to conceptualize future needs and solutions for meeting those needs
Forecasting predicting Creating ideas Identifying problems Imagining alternatives Identifying resources Gathering information
Solving problems Setting goals Extracting important information Defining needs Analyzing Developing evaluation strategies
Human Relations the use of interpersonal skills for resolving conflict relating to and helping people Developing rapport Being Sensitive Listening Conveying feelings Providing support for others Motivating Sharing credit
Counseling Cooperating Delegating with respect Representing others Perceiving feelings situations Asserting
Organization Management and Leadership the ability to supervise direct and guide individuals and groups in the completion of tasks and fulfillment of goals Work Survival the day-to-day skills that assist in promoting effective production and work satisfaction
Implementing decisions Cooperating Enforcing policies Being punctual Managing time Attending to detail Meeting goals Enlisting help Accepting responsibility Setting and meeting deadlines Organizing Making decisions
Initiating new ideas Handling details Coordinating tasks Managing groups Delegating responsibility Teaching Coaching Counseling Promoting change Selling ideas or products Decision making with others Managing conflict
Office of Career Services at IU Kokomo
26 |Kelley Student Center 200 2300 S Washington St PO Box 9003 Kokomo IN 46904-9003 (765)455-9301 fax (765)455-9537 carserviukedu wwwiukeducareer-
services
After you have the perfect reacutesumeacute it is time to hit the road and put your skills into action Career Fairs will help put you in communication with prospective employers and give you valuable practice for interviews
Achieve Results and Get the Most Out of a Career Fair
Attend as many job fairs as you can Not only will practice make perfect but it will expand your network of career contacts Make sure to ask precise questions and be prepared to answer specific questions the employers have regarding your background and capabilities Before the Job Fair- Be Prepared
Create a reacutesumeacute and have it reviewed by a career counselor Create a list of 3-5 references in case they are requested (Be sure to ask your references for their help before
including them on the list) Create your 30-second oral reacutesumeacute and practice practice practice Review the employer list Determine where employers are located and in what order to visit them Broaden your focus and include different types of employers For instance although you may not have thought of
working for a hospital hospitals recruit and hire professionals in many different fields Do your research Look up information about the employers of interest
o Check their websites for information about their productsservices and mission statement o What types of jobs do they have open o What kind of people are they looking for o What kind of skills do these people need to have How do you meet their skill requirements o Develop some questions you would like to ask the employer representatives at the fair
Network Network Network with people you know and via social network sites like Linked-In and Facebook for more information about the companies Also seek contact with employees you might know or seek information from alumni who work there
During the Job Fair Dress for success (See page 38) Assume you will be interviewed and dress the part Even if you dont get an interview
at the job fair you have already made a great impression Always have a penpencil and paper to take notes- a portfolio works best Bring plenty of reacutesumeacutes with you While some companies will be seeking employees for specific positions some
employers will collect reacutesumeacutes for future positions Be sure to get all of the contact information you need to complete an application
Make sure to have copies of your reference list in case an employer asks First impressions are everything Be direct have a firm handshake and make eye contact as you greet employers This
will speak volumes about your confidence If you are only gathering information let employers know that you are only interested in materials and information
Be aware of time demands of employers Do not monopolize the employersrsquo time You should have already done your homework about their company so you can better spend your time asking about the positions available (or available in the near future) and how your skills match their needs Give them your 30-second oral reacutesumeacute and impress them with what you feel you can do for their company Since practice makes perfect donrsquot give up if the first attempt doesnrsquot go well Keep trying with other employers
Ask specific questions and collect information from each booth you visit including business cards from the employer representatives Offer to follow up after the fair and ask what the best way to contact them is
After the Job Fair You now have a prime opportunity to make a distinctive impression
Use those business cards you collected to follow up with each employer you are interested in Be sure to do everything you promised at the job fair Complete the application and upload your reacutesumeacute Send a thank-you note or email to all whom you talked with within 48 hours of the career fair This shows that you
are serious about their organization and will set you apart from many who neglect to do so If you follow up on your application for a position be sure to follow the preferred contact method and dont overdo it Stay in contact and use this experience to expand your network Submit an additional or amended reacutesumeacute during your follow-up contacts if need be Follow-up and follow-through contacts are up to the student be persistent and polite
Office of Career Services at IU Kokomo
27 |Kelley Student Center 200 2300 S Washington St PO Box 9003 Kokomo IN 46904-9003 (765)455-9301 fax (765)455-9537 carserviukedu wwwiukeducareer-
services
Additional information-what employers are expecting at a career fair
What Will Impress Employers o Demonstrate that you have done your homework and researched their company o Be prepared Have your reacutesumeacute critiqued by Career Services and bring plenty of copies with you Develop
questions to ask smile and courteously and enthusiastically engage the representatives o Have a firm hand shake and good eye contact- dress for success o Never ask about salary let them bring up the subject o An expectation that you will be responsible for following up with them including a thank you note or letter o Take the initiative Walk up to them and engage the employers they want to speak to you
What Employers May Want to Learn About You o Specific careerjob objectives What are your expectations o Individual strengths and weaknesses Have specific examples that demonstrate your skills develop short
stories that showcase your skills (Remember a job fair is time sensitive and you donrsquot want to take up too much time of one employer)
o Contributions you will make to the operation Remember be specific now is not the time to blandly or generically discuss what you can do
What You Should Learn About Each Company o Employment trends Career Fairs are excellent resources for information about career decision-making o Skills necessary for different careersjobs Have meaningful conversations with representatives o Currentfuture positions o Salary benefits training and other information about the company (again let the employer bring up salary) o Who to contact for follow-up discussions and what their hiring processes are get specifics o Collect their business card or write down their contact information
30 Second Oral Reacutesumeacute Purpose It is important to practice your 30 second oral reacutesumeacute prior to attending a career fair The famous ldquoTell me about yourselfrdquo is a question that is always asked Whether the question is asked in a social setting an interview or a networking event a well-planned answer can set you apart from the crowd as well as spark additional conversation Begin preparing your oral reacutesumeacute by following the tips below
How to Prepare Your Oral Reacutesumeacute o Begin by brainstorming what you would want someone to know about you Write down all of your ideas o Consider including the following information in your oral reacutesumeacute
Job Objective Education and Training Skills
Accomplishments and Achievements Prior Employment Other Experience
o Narrow down your optionsmdashpick the top 5 things you want the person to know about you o Develop a paragraph that encompasses all of the things you wish to say o Practice makes perfect Read aloud your reacutesumeacute several times
Additional Tips Prepare more than one oral reacutesumeacute for various situations Practice your reacutesumeacute by calling your voicemail and later playing back the messagemdashthink about how it sounds and
what you would like to change Make sure that your oral reacutesumeacute will keep the listenerrsquos attention
Example Oral Reacutesumeacute Hi my name is ________ and I am a senior at IU Kokomo majoring in New Media I am looking for an internship experience in graphic designweb development Through my coursework I have developed strong computer and analytical skills Last summer I worked as an intern at the Kokomo Perspective to gain experience with print media At the Perspective I worked with the copy editor as well as the writing staff to gain experience in both fields I also volunteer at United Way developing and updating their website
Office of Career Services at IU Kokomo
28 |Kelley Student Center 200 2300 S Washington St PO Box 9003 Kokomo IN 46904-9003 (765)455-9301 fax (765)455-9537 carserviukedu wwwiukeducareer-
services
Send a Follow-up thank you note after Career Fair Send a thank you note or email to all whom you talked with within 48 hours of the career fair This shows that you are serious about their organization and will set you apart from many who neglect to do so
Be sure to remind the employer where you met them Thank you for taking the time to talk with me on Thursday at the career fair After talking with you I
am even more eager to work at _____ Summarize specific qualities and assets you obtain I am certain my education at IU Kokomo has enhanced my skill set and has provided a solid
background of knowledge in the _______ fieldhelliphellip Some experiences I have had the pleasure of doing arehellip This opportunity improved my work ethic and made me aware of my self-reliancehellip
Always attach your reacutesumeacute again for their convenience I have attached my reacutesumeacute for your convenience I look forward to an opportunity to further discuss
my qualifications You may contact me athellip (phone andor email address) Thank you again for your time and consideration
Sample Thank you
Thank you for taking the time to talk with me on Thursday November 9 at the career fair on IU Kokomorsquos campus I appreciate your time and attention and after talking with you I am even more interested in learning more about your organization You were extremely helpful in explaining companyrsquos name customer service and marketing trainee program Now that I have a better idea of what the position entails I am even more certain that I would be an asset to your team and to companyrsquos name My solid education from the IU Kokomo Communication Department and the fact that I have worked my way through college show the work ethic and determination you said were important to be successful at companyrsquos name I look forward to an opportunity to visit companyrsquos name office and speak to you further about the trainee program I will contact you next week to arrange an appointment Enclosed is an updated reacutesumeacute for your review Thank you again for your time and consideration Sincerely
Office of Career Services at IU Kokomo
29 |Kelley Student Center 200 2300 S Washington St PO Box 9003 Kokomo IN 46904-9003 (765)455-9301 fax (765)455-9537 carserviukedu wwwiukeducareer-
services
Knowledge and practice will give you the confidence you need to be prepared and give the best impression possible at an interview The following information will help prepare you for nearly any interview contingency being confidant that you can handle it is the best way to increase your chances of getting hired Here are a few things you can do to give yourself a head start
Questions to think about prior to your interview
1 Why do you want to work at this facility and what specific jobareas am I interested in a To Prepare research the facility
i Mission ii Population served
iii Financial stability iv Management style
b Learn about the job
i Job description ii Occupational outlook
iii Handbook iv employees
2 What qualities make me a good candidate
a To prepare self assessment i What are my strengths and weaknesses
ii What are my interests iii How do I know iv What kinds of results demonstrate my abilities
3 What type of shift working conditions salary and fringe benefits are most important to me (12 hours 10 hours 8
hours weekends flex-time insurance) a To prepare clarify values and lifestyle choices
i What are my values ii What kind of lifestyles do I want for myself and those close to me
4 How will I be trained
a To prepare How do I learn best i Do I need immediate feedback or can I learn well on my own
5 What are my goals Where do I want to be in 10 years
a To prepare Identify and prioritize career and life goals and objectives i Am I interested in supervision training management
ii How do I plan to reach these goals
6 What are the major issues and current events facing this specific field job occupation and company today
7 What can you bring to the organization
Office of Career Services at IU Kokomo
30 |Kelley Student Center 200 2300 S Washington St PO Box 9003 Kokomo IN 46904-9003 (765)455-9301 fax (765)455-9537 carserviukedu wwwiukeducareer-
services
Behavioral Interviews- Use the STAR Interviewing Technique for Success
The STAR acronym represents Situation Task Action and Result Recruiters and hiring managers favor the STAR technique because
it provides a better explanation of your past performance how you handle workplace challenges and whether youre able to articulate
your experiences STAR behavioral interviews are quickly becoming the most popular and common form of interview
Situation or
Task
Describe the situation that you were in or the task that you needed to accomplish You must
describe a specific event or situation not a generalized description of what you have done in
the past Be sure to give enough detail for the interviewer to understand This situation can be
from a previous job from a volunteer experience or any relevant event
Action you took Describe the action you took and be sure to keep the focus on you Even if you are discussing
a group project or effort describe what you did -- not the efforts of the team Dont tell what
you might do tell what you did
Results you achieved What happened How did the event end What did you accomplish What did you learn
For examples of past behavior use examples from
Internships
Work experience
Class projects
School activitiesorganizations you are involved with
Sports
Volunteercommunity service
Hobbies
Think about your accomplishments what are you most proud of that you want to share with the employer
How to prepare for behavior-based interviews
Identify 3-6 examples that demonstrate your top skills Look through the job description pinpoint the skills they are seeking
Pick experiences that demonstrate top behaviors of those skills
Prepare how you will ldquotell your storyrdquo using STAR
Pick examples that will be positive accomplishment
Most behavioral questions try to reveal the negative situations so be prepared with those examples However try to pick
examples that had a positive outcome
Try not to pick examples from only one topic Pick a variety of examples choosing examples from work class community
services etc
Typically the best examples are situations that happened within the last year
Go over your resume and review the accomplishments you have listed andor skills this could assist you with identifying
examples
LISTEN to the full question Be sure the example is an appropriate description of how you demonstrated what they are
asking for
Office of Career Services at IU Kokomo
31 |Kelley Student Center 200 2300 S Washington St PO Box 9003 Kokomo IN 46904-9003 (765)455-9301 fax (765)455-9537 carserviukedu wwwiukeducareer-
services
Sample Behavior-based Questions
Communication Skills
1 Give me a specific example of a time someone didnrsquot agree with your work How did you respond 2 Tell me about a time when you had to present complex information How did you ensure that everyone
understood what you were saying 3 Give an example about a time where written communication was needed
Decision Making Skills
1 What is the biggest decision or risk yoursquove made in the past year on the job Describe the process you used to make those decisions Would you do it again
2 Describe a time you overcame a challenge with an innovative solution What was the challenge What role did you play
Planning Organization Time management Skills
1 Please give an example of a time you didnrsquot meet your deadline Why did you fail to meet your deadline What did you learn from that experience
2 Give an example of how you keep track of multiple projects How do you stay on track and meet deadlines How do you stay focused
3 Describe a goal yoursquove had How you set it and achieved it
Flexibility Skills 1 Tell us about one of the toughest situations with which yoursquove had to deal with How did you handle the
stress or pressure of the situation Leadership Skills
1 Describe a time when you disagreed with a directive given by your supervisor What happened and how did you handle it
2 Give an example of a situation where team members or co-workers didnrsquot get along This could include you and someone else or two other people How did the project turn out What did you do to resolve the issue so everyone was able to work together
Office of Career Services at IU Kokomo
32 |Kelley Student Center 200 2300 S Washington St PO Box 9003 Kokomo IN 46904-9003 (765)455-9301 fax (765)455-9537 carserviukedu wwwiukeducareer-
services
Other Common Questions Asked by Employers
Personal 1 Tell me about yourself 2 Why did you choose to interview with our organization 3 Describe your ideal job 4 What can you offer us over another candidate 5 What do you consider to be your greatest strengths 6 Can you name some weaknesses 7 Define success Failure How did you learn from your failures 8 Name a couple accomplishments you most proud 9 Who are your role models Why 10 How does your college education or work experience relate to this job 11 What motivates you most in a job 12 Have you ever spoken before a group of people How large 13 What do you know about our organization (products or services) 14 Do you plan to return to school for further education 15 What would you change about yourself and why
Education
16 Why did you choose your major 17 Why did you choose to attend your college or university 18 Do you think you received a good education In what ways 19 In which campus activities did you participate 20 Which classes in your major did you like best Least Why 21 If you were to start over what would you change about your education 22 Do your grades accurately reflect your ability Why or why not
Experience
23 What job-related skills have you developed 24 Did you work while going to school In what positions 25 What did you learn from these work experiences 26 What did you enjoy most about your last employment Least 27 Have you ever quit a job Why 28 Give an example of how you have solved a problem in the work place 29 How do you resolve conflict on a team project 30 Give an example of a time in which you worked under deadline pressure 31 Have you ever done any volunteer work What kind 32 How do you think a former supervisor would describe your work
Career Goals
33 Do you prefer to work under supervision or on your own 34 What kind of boss do you prefer 35 Would you be successful working with a team 36 Do you prefer large or small organizations Why 37 What other types of positions are you considering 38 How do you feel about working in a structured environment 39 Are you able to work on several assignments at once 40 How do you feel about working overtime 41 How do you feel about travel 42 Are you willing to relocate
Office of Career Services at IU Kokomo
33 |Kelley Student Center 200 2300 S Washington St PO Box 9003 Kokomo IN 46904-9003 (765)455-9301 fax (765)455-9537 carserviukedu wwwiukeducareer-
services
Questions to Ask Employers
An interview is a two-way street Employers get an impression of you from the questions you ask Are you a critical thinker Did you comprehend and correctly process everything in the interview Have you done research and have a good grasp of the company and the scope of the position Your questions should be intelligent insightful and polite Have at least 3-5 custom questions in mind Employers look for someone who shows interest confidence and is well organized
1 Please describe (or ask them to clarify specifics) the duties of the job for me 2 Is this a new position or am I replacing someone 3 What do you like best about your jobcompany 4 What kinds of assignments might I expect the first six months on the job 5 What qualities are you looking for in the candidate who fills this position 6 Does your company encourage further education 7 Do you have plans for expansion 8 What are your growth projections for next year 9 Have you cut staff in the last three years 10 In what ways is a career with your company better than one with your competitors 11 What is the largest single problem facing your staff (department) now 12 Has there been much turnover in this job area 13 Will I have the opportunity to work on special projects 14 Where does this position fit into the organizational structure 15 How much travel if any is involved in this position 16 What is the next course of action When should I expect to hear from you or may I contact you
Interview Checklist Preparation Research research research Knowing more about the organization as a whole and the particular position you are applying for will be helpful in the interview It will help you understand questions that may be asked and will give you a chance to come up with questions to ask them The more research you conduct the more confident and comfortable you will feel in the interview It will also demonstrate to the employer how determined and pro-active you are about their company and the position you seek Get specific directions to the location If possible go there the day before and check out parking and the location of the office where your interview will be held
First Impression Put your best foot forward Remember the decision to hire you may be made in the first 5 minutes Always wait until they sit or invite you to be seated
Dress code Dress more formal than you would in the actual position Women should wear a suit or dress with a jacket Men should wear a suit or sport jacket and slacks Itrsquos a good idea to have an interview outfit ready and waiting (cleaned neat no threads or missing buttons) hanging in your closet Donrsquot wear anything too trendy or faddish (ladies no miniskirts) Check all zippers for closure and ladies should always have an extra pair of hose for emergencies Your style of dress communicates too what do you want it to say (See page 38)
Arrival Arrive a few minutes early to check out the location and parking Stop by the restroom and check your appearance Again you may want to check out the location the day before if you are unsure of the area
What to bring Always have an extra copy of your reacutesumeacute note paper and pen You will want to jot down questions as they may come about as well as information about the position Also write down the names of each person you interview with so you can mail a thank-you note
Application
Office of Career Services at IU Kokomo
34 |Kelley Student Center 200 2300 S Washington St PO Box 9003 Kokomo IN 46904-9003 (765)455-9301 fax (765)455-9537 carserviukedu wwwiukeducareer-
services
Read through the entire application before you begin Follow the directions Give specific titles You may leave the salary question blank or fill it in with a reasonable salary range Use NA where answers are not applicable Proofread the application before returning it
Legal and Illegal Pre-employment Questions CATEGORY LAWFUL
(Questions employers can ask)
UNLAWFUL (Questions employers cannot ask)
Name Have you ever worked for this company under a different name
Is any additional information relative to change of name use of an assumed name or nickname necessary to enable a check
on your work record If yes explain
What is your maiden name
Is the name on your application your real name
Address Where do you live
How long have you lived there
Birthplace Where were you born Where were your relatives born
Agebirth date Are you 18 years of age or older How old are you What is your birth date
Prove your age by submitting your birth certificate baptismal record
naturalization papers etc (see citizenship)
Photograph Requirement or option that applicant affix a photograph to employment form at
any time before hiring Citizenship Are you a citizen of the United States
If not are you authorized to work in the US
Can you verify US citizenship or your
right to work in the United States
Of what country are you a citizen Are you a naturalized or a native-born
citizen When did you acquire citizenship
Please produce naturalization papers or green card
(employers must verify citizenship or the right to work after theyrsquove decided to
extend an offer) Sex or Marital Status Are you male or female
Are you married What are your living arrangements
Relatives Do you have relatives (other than a spouse) already employed by the
company
What are their names
What are the names (addresses ages number or other information) of your
relatives not employed by the company
Children
Do you have children or plans to have children in the future
Do you have the capacity to reproduce Do you advocate any form of birth control
or family planning What are your child care arrangements
How old are your children
CATEGORY LAWFUL UNLAWFUL (Questions employers can ask) (Questions employers cannot ask)
Disability Do you have any impairment
(physical mental or medical) which would interfere with your ability to perform the job for which you have
applied
Do you have any disabilities or diseases not related to job
performance
Arrest record Have you ever been convicted of a criminal offense other than minor
traffic violations If yes explain fully
Have you ever been arrested
Experienced Please describe your work experience
Travel Overtime This position requires X amount of overtimetravel Would you be able
to meet this requirement
Who will care for your children when you travel or work overtime
Would your spouse object if you
traveled or worked overtime Language What languages do you speak and
write fluently What is your native language
How did you learn to read write or
speak a foreign language Education Please describe your academic
vocational or professional education and the public and private schools you attended
What are the dates of attendance
(To permit verification)
Notice in case of emergency What are the names and addresses of people to be notified in case of
accident or emergency (can be asked after hire)
Military experience Have you served in the US Armed Forces or in the National Guard
Describe your experience
Do you have any military experience
(other than in the United States) Organizations Do you belong to any organizations
which you consider relevant to your ability to perform this job Please
explain
Are you a member of any clubs societies or lodges
Which ones
Race or color What racecolor are you Are you a minority
Religion or creed What is your religion To which parishchurch do you
belong What religious holidays do you
observe National Origin What is your (or relatives) lineage
ancestry national origin descent percentage or nationality
Office of Career Services at IU Kokomo
36 |Kelley Student Center 200 2300 S Washington St PO Box 9003 Kokomo IN 46904-9003 (765)455-9301 fax (765)455-9537 carserviukedu wwwiukeducareer-
services
After the interview After you have interviewed for a position there are some things to do that may improve your chances
Send a Follow-up thank you note within 24 hours
This shows that you are serious about their organization and will set you apart from many who neglect to do so By taking the
time to email or write a handwritten letter thanking them for taking their time to meet with you Summarize specific qualities
you have and let them know you look forward in speaking with them further about employment
Sample Thank you
Dear Intervieweersquos Name Thank you for taking the time to talk with me on Thursday November 9 at the interview for list specifics of position and company) I appreciate your time and attention and after talking with you I am even more interested in becoming a valuable team member at companyrsquos name You were extremely helpful in explaining list position Now that I have a better idea of what the position entails I am even more certain that I would be an asset to your team and to companyrsquos name My solid education from the IU Kokomo Communication Department and the fact that I have worked my way through college show the work ethic and determination you said were important to be successful at companyrsquos name I look forward to an opportunity to work with companyrsquos name office and speak to you further about the program I will contact you next week to follow up and provide you with any further information that you may need Thank you again for your time and consideration Sincerely
Your name
The Stall Letter
There may be situations that you will need time to figure out whether a job is a good fit or have more than one position to accept or decline The stall letter is a good tool to have in this case In the introduction refer to the job offer or event that is prompting the letter In the second paragraph state your continued interest in the position but request more time to gather further information or to consider all alternatives and opportunities in order to make the best choice for the position and the company as well as yourself Give a specific time extension request If you need 24 hours for example ask for that Ask for the minimal amount of time in order to make your decision Remember this is a request and does not guarantee that the employer will accept it and be prepared for the possibility that they will not grant the time and choose another candidate In the conclusion thank them for their time and understanding and indicate when you will contact them to discuss the terms of the possible extension
Sample Stall Letter
Dear name of person that offered the position This letter is in reference to list company name and your offer of list the position I would like to take this opportunity to thank you for the opportunity and express my continued interest in the position At this time I would like to request __hours to gather some vital information in order to be completely confidant that I am making the best and most informed decision possible I want to ensure for all parties involved that I have considered all options and alternatives to be certain that my acceptance of this list position is the correct course of action for us both I appreciate your understanding and valuable time and look forward to speaking with you at your earliest convenience today so that we may discuss the terms of my request Sincerely Your Name
Office of Career Services at IU Kokomo
37 |Kelley Student Center 200 2300 S Washington St PO Box 9003 Kokomo IN 46904-9003 (765)455-9301 fax (765)455-9537 carserviukedu wwwiukeducareer-
services
Acceptance of a Job Offer Letter
Responding in writing to a job offer shows courtesy and is expected It reduces the chance of any misunderstanding that verbal acceptances do not In the first paragraph thank the employer for offering the specific position title and say that you are happy to accept it In the second paragraph state the terms of employment (salary location and start date) Emphasize any negotiations of terms that were unusual or non-standard if there were any In the last paragraph thank the employer sincerely for the opportunity and express your excitement to join their organization and be a valuable asset to them
Sample Job Offer Acceptance Letter
Dear person who offered position
I am happy to have the opportunity to accept the position of list title
The following terms of the position as I understood them include a salary of list salaryrate of pay at List location and to begin employment on list date As we discussed instead of the typical work week we agreed to the addition of evening and weekend hours during the probationary period with a return to usual business hours after 90 days We also agreed to a company vehicle provision for any off site training and appointments during the course of my employment
I truly look forward to becoming a valued member of your team and I am anticipating a productive and positive professional relationship with list company
Sincerely Your Name
Decline or Withdrawing from Consideration Letter
There may be times that you wish to decline or remove yourself from consideration from a position Doing this on a positive
and respectful note decreases the chance that future opportunities will be missed either as a future employee or possible
professional contact with the firm Thank the employer for the opportunity but decline it based on your reasons Be sure to
specifically name the person that was in charge of the hiring process If the decline is due to a term that was offered be
specific the firm could always choose to negotiate that term to better suit your situation
Date
Dear List person
Thank you very much for offering me the list position After careful consideration I regret that I must decline your offer
Although you were most encouraging in outlining future advancement possibilities within ABC Company I have accepted another
opportunity that is more in line with my skills and career goals or I found list the term to be out of line with my needs and
goals
I enjoyed meeting you and the rest of your team You have been most kind and gracious throughout the interview process and I
only wish that circumstances allowed me to accept your offer
Best wishes for your continued success
Sincerely
Your Name
Office of Career Services at IU Kokomo
38 |Kelley Student Center 200 2300 S Washington St PO Box 9003 Kokomo IN 46904-9003 (765)455-9301 fax (765)455-9537 carserviukedu wwwiukeducareer-
services
____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
This packet contains a lot of valuable information to help you achieve all the goals that an education from IU Kokomo
will prepare you for Use this as a guide for every step of the way from your freshman year graduation and beyond
Office of Career Services at IU Kokomo
10 |Kelley Student Center 200 2300 S Washington St PO Box 9003 Kokomo IN 46904-9003 (765)455-9301 fax (765)455-9537 carserviukedu wwwiukeducareer-
services
Sample Nursing reacutesumeacute Address City State Zip code
Home (222) 555-1234 Cell (222) 555-8888 nameunivnameedu Objective (optional) Seeking a challenging position as a registered nurse
CLINICALS January2007-May2009 Alta Beach Hospital Performed nursing duties in a level one trauma hospital Fairview Riverside Hospital Med-Surgery Unit Augustan Nursing Home Long term care
Education Indiana University Kokomo Kokomo IN Bachelor of Science in Nursing GPA 3040 (or higher only) Anticipated graduation date May 2009
Licenses RN - American Medical Association NAR license 3779948 State of Indiana 2008 CPR and First Aid Certified American Red Cross 2009
Employment History St Joseph Hospital Kokomo In 2009 to Present Nursersquos aide
Provide health care checks for a diverse population Perform blood pressure tests for community health outreach programs Supply a wide range of services including womens health clinic services and care for elderly patients
Saint Clair Nursing Home Kokomo In 2005-2008 Receptionist
Managed front desk Scheduled appointments for prospective clients Administered weekly evaluations of clients
SKILLS AND CERTIFICATIONS
Direct care of patients Educated patients for home care and discharge planning Operated and maintained monitors of bio-medical equipment Medical terminology and medication administration skills Maintained sterile fields and application of dressings Catheter IV and suctioning training Charting and documentation of patient care Acute and chronic care experience PC and Microsoft Office literate
Professional Affiliations Monroe County Medical Society Pennsylvania Nursing Association
References Available upon request (optional)
Office of Career Services at IU Kokomo
11 |Kelley Student Center 200 2300 S Washington St PO Box 9003 Kokomo IN 46904-9003 (765)455-9301 fax (765)455-9537 carserviukedu wwwiukeducareer-
services
SAMPLE REacuteSUMEacute FOR TEACHERS NAME
Address Phone E-Mail Address
OBJECTIVE (optional) Position as elementary teacher in grades 1 2 or 3 EDUCATION Indiana University Kokomo IN Bachelor of Science in Education May 2009 Endorsements in Reading and Science GPA 37540 TEACHING EXPERIENCE Student Teaching Maple Crest Elementary School (2008-2009)
Prepared and implemented all lesson plans for fall semester first grade class Instructed reading classes for third grade low reading group Developed learning centers to enhance vocabulary and writing skills for both groups
Methods Experience Eastern Elementary School (2007-2008)
Developed math center to reinforce learning weights and measures in 2nd grade class
Utilized songs music and dance to teach Japanese Social Studies unit to 3rd graders
Teacherrsquos Aide Western Middle School (2006)
Assisted teacher with reading groups and record keeping Scheduled field trips and parentteacher conferences
Accomplishments
Earned high marks for the quality and creativity of classroom teaching lesson plans and instructional materials used in teaching diverse subjects (eg language arts mathematics science social studies and history)
Developed innovative approaches that were repeatedly held up as the model standard for meeting district goals in areas including technology integration across the curriculum experiential learning literacy and diversity
Taught general education students as well as individuals with learning challenges and special needs within a mainstreamed inclusive classroom
Consistently commended for ability to redirect students exhibiting behavior problems by replacing disruptive unproductive patterns with positive behaviors As a result selected to lead district-wide in-service on classroom management
Established positive relationships with students parents fellow teachers and school administratorsstaff Quickly became a first-to-call resource in current substitute teaching role typically working four days per week
Personally requested by many full-time teachers to take over their classrooms during absences
OTHER EXPERIENCE Library Assistant Indianapolis Public Schools (2005-2007) ACTIVITIES Literacy Coalition Tutor President Ed Sac (2007-2008) Folk Dance Instructor Cheerleading Coach for Eastern Middle School
Office of Career Services at IU Kokomo
12 |Kelley Student Center 200 2300 S Washington St PO Box 9003 Kokomo IN 46904-9003 (765)455-9301 fax (765)455-9537 carserviukedu wwwiukeducareer-
services
Sample Entry level Information Technology Reacutesumeacute NAME
Address Phone Number Email address
Summary of Qualifications (optional)
Outstanding academic record Achieved Deans list for 1516 semesters and GPA of 375 Four years of experience as help desk technician and web developer Proficiency in various programs operating systems and applications Expert at finding and resolving malfunctions using exceptional technical and communication skills to ensure
minimization of downtime and optimal computer performance Education
Purdue University College of Technology Kokomo In Bachelor of Science in Computer and Information Technology Expected Graduation date May 2010 GPA 3040 (only if it is above a 30)
Technical Qualifications
Programming languages C Visual C++ C++ CSS ASP JavaScript Java Servlet HTML Java Server pages JBuilder XML PHP Apache
Software Applications Microsoft Suite (Excel Word Access Power Point) Macromedia Homesuite Adobe Photoshop FrontPageDreamweaver macromedia Flash DrScheme
Database Management Database SQL command MySQL Operating Systems Mac OSX Windows XP professional UNIX
Professional Experience Promega Corporation Indianapolis IN Web Developer (2008 - Present)
Helped in the re-launching and redesigning of companys web site that resulted in increased online sales by 15 and improved navigation
Responsible for implementation of programs and build databases that let the users to register unique names and passwords
Help in implementation creation and management of multiple applications for back end and web site Back end include Flash slide shows newsletter and RSS
Web site updating and editing using several languages such as XML HTML and CSS SGate Entertainment Indianapolis IN Web DeveloperHelp Desk Technician (52005-92008)
Utilized JavaScript HTML Flash and CSS to create companys web site Primarily recruited to help help desk Assured software and hardware were installed and operated at peak efficiency Accountable for long-term and day-to-day maintenance and technical support of site including suggestion solutions
and analyzing requirements to meet user needs Offered support for 10 users Helped with migration from PC to Mac environment
Volunteeractivities
Tutor computer students Assist area school corporation with computer updates
References upon request (optional)
Office of Career Services at IU Kokomo
13 |Kelley Student Center 200 2300 S Washington St PO Box 9003 Kokomo IN 46904-9003 (765)455-9301 fax (765)455-9537 carserviukedu wwwiukeducareer-
services
Sample Health Sciences Resume Address Phone Email
Education Indiana University Kokomo- Kokomo IN Bachelor of Science in Health Sciences Minor Psychology Expected Graduation Date May 2013 GPA 3140
Related Courses Ethics and civic engagement Social and behavioral sciences Cultural Diversity
Quantitative Literacy and Math Childhood Psychology Personality Psychology
Leadership Special volunteer projects (2012)
Planned and directed health screening day Organized group of student leaders on advocacy projects
Phi Sigma Sigma- Indiana University Kokomo Secretary (809- current)
Provide Leadership Attended leadership conference Volunteered with big brothers big sisters
Tutored school age children Assisted with multiple events on campus
CASA- Kokomo In volunteer (January lsquo09-current)
Advocate for children in the court system Assisted with court paperwork
Developed database and new registration form Counseled children and families
Relevant Work experience Samaritan Caregivers- Kokomo IN (summer 2012) Intern
Provided support to volunteers and staff on routine client visits Evaluated new clients
Community Howard Regional Health- Kokomo IN (summer 2011) Intern
Assisted with organization of new programs Planned and directed ldquoHealthy Teensrdquo event Researched and evaluated what needs the community had and implemented the new XYZ program
Skills CommunicationOrganizationMarketing
Strong interpersonal communication skills Designed and distributed flyers for benefit dinners and school functions Created informational and advertising brochures and slideshow presentations Participated in fundraisers and benefit dinners
ManagementTrainingSales Interviewed hired and scheduled employees Charted yearly sales records and tracked employee overtime Taught peers how to make and operate slideshows using PowerPoint Trained students on assembling and using art equipment
Office of Career Services at IU Kokomo
14 |Kelley Student Center 200 2300 S Washington St PO Box 9003 Kokomo IN 46904-9003 (765)455-9301 fax (765)455-9537 carserviukedu wwwiukeducareer-
services
Sample Informatics Resume
NAME Address Phone number Email address
Objective (optional)
Qualified IT professional with variety of software hardware and networking knowledge
Exceptional teamwork and leadership skills
Efficient troubleshooter with commitment to lifetime learning
Experience Computer Services Inc Indianapolis In Maintenance and Computer Technician 2008 - Present
Assembled computers
helped in network installation tasks
Assisted with troubleshooting Green Networks Inc Carmel IN Computer Technician 2006-2008
Responsible for the maintenance of equipment and computers used by company for multimedia advertisement Education
Indiana University Kokomo Kokomo In Bachelor of Science in Informatics Expected Graduation date May 2010 GPA 3040 (only if it is above a 30)
Skills Systems Engineering
Differentiate between various types of hardware
Set up and configure software and all the versions of Microsoft Windows
Build and maintain a computer
Troubleshoot software and hardware problems
Networking
Find out network hardware devices and cabling and their working
Implement IP schemes and administer groups
Maintain a secure network and implement network topologies
Expert in DNS Active Directory DHCP and WINS
Communications
Demonstrated skills to answer technical questions with different degrees of computer skills
Willingness to learn new things and work well with others
Good presentation skills
Demonstrated leadership skills in a team environment
Reference available on request (optional)
Office of Career Services at IU Kokomo
15 |Kelley Student Center 200 2300 S Washington St PO Box 9003 Kokomo IN 46904-9003 (765)455-9301 fax (765)455-9537 carserviukedu wwwiukeducareer-
services
SAMPLE BiologyChemistryBio-Chemistry Reacutesumeacute 190 Indiana Drive Kokomo IN 46902 (765) 555-5555 nameemailcom
High-energy and motivated individual with outstanding work ethic a strong academic background broad-based work experience and a record of personal achievement working for leading organizations
EDUCATION
Bachelor of Science in Biology May 2008 Minor Bio-Chemistry Indiana University Kokomo
PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT
Ophthalmology Intern XYZ Organization Kokomo IN Spring 2012
Transcribed 20 patient charts discussing medication and vision prescriptions
Observed 100 appointments for issues including glaucoma macular degeneration and detached retinas
Helped for new contact lens patients
Biology Lab Teaching Assistant Indiana University Kokomo August 2011 - current
Independently taught two biology labs per semester with 20 students in each
Created lesion plans and modified and presented curriculum for weekly classes
Maintained lab with spiders guinea pigs beetles and gecko
Held weekly office hours and tutored students
WORK EXPERIENCE
Server September 2005-June 2008 XYZ Restaurant Indianapolis IN Supervised dining experience of up to 40 guests per shift Exceeded sales goals by promoting specialty items
Head Lifeguard Seasonal May 2001-September 2007 LMN Business Kokomo IN Promoted twice within four summerscreated weekly schedule for 20 staff members Authorized to make management decisions in absence of manager Trained five new employees per summer concerning all assigned duties
ACTIVITIES amp INTERESTS
Biology Club Member (Fall 2011-current) Environmental Club Member (Spring 2010-current) Relay for Life Participant (Spring 2012-Spring 2011)
Office of Career Services at IU Kokomo
16 |Kelley Student Center 200 2300 S Washington St PO Box 9003 Kokomo IN 46904-9003 (765)455-9301 fax (765)455-9537 carserviukedu wwwiukeducareer-
services
Sample New Media Resume
Objective (optional)________________________________________________________________
Creative and dedicated Graphic Designer seeking a full-time position with advancement
opportunities to further enhance my knowledge in graphic design
Education________________________________________________________________________
Indiana University KokomomdashMay 2010
Bachelor of Arts in New Media GPA 36
Qualifications_____________________________________________________________________
More than 5 years of diverse hands-on design experience including experience in web-
site design magazine publishing and marketing
Adaptable organized results and detail-oriented with excellent work ethic strong time
management and interpersonal skills
Ability to create designs concepts and sample layouts based on knowledge of layout
principles and aesthetic design concepts
Extensive knowledge of design techniques tools and principals involved in production
of precision technical plans blueprints drawings and models
Ability to come up with unusual or clever ideas about a given topic or situation or to
develop creative ways to solve a problem
Team player also capable of working independently with minimal direction
Work Experience_________________________________________________________________
ABC Company Dec 2004 ndash Present Indianapolis Indiana
Coordination and production of a variety of graphics products and servicesmdashgraphic
design and art direction for ads newsletters report covers annual reports brochures
exhibit displays maps slide shows and the government cable TV channel
Study illustrations photographs and text to plan presentation of products and services
Review layouts and suggest improvements as needed
Prepare the assembly of final layouts for printing and review and approve art materials
Provide expert analysis and input on othersrsquo designs
XYZ Business Jan 2000 - Nov 2004 Indianapolis Indiana
Completed various freelance design assignmentsmdashincluding creation of a bi-monthly
printed newsletter for a lawyers association design of various logos and artwork for the
PQ Design amp Silk-Screening
Responsible for coordination and production of a variety of graphics products and services
Estimated costs coordinated graphic production and reproduction by service bureaus
Assembled final layouts for printing and provided graphic design for website
765-555-5555
1234 Indiana Drive
Kokomo IN
nameemailcom
Office of Career Services at IU Kokomo
17 |Kelley Student Center 200 2300 S Washington St PO Box 9003 Kokomo IN 46904-9003 (765)455-9301 fax (765)455-9537 carserviukedu wwwiukeducareer-
services
Sample Chaplain Reacutesumeacute Name
Address Phone Email
Objective (Optional) To seek a challenging position as a chaplain that allows me to utilize my knowledge and clinical pastoral education skills Qualifications Summary
Compassionate and devoted Chaplin providing spiritual moral guidance for 7 years
Maintains patient confidentiality according to HIPAA regulations
Excellent interpersonal and communication skills
Experience counseling patients concerning their spiritual personal and emotional needs
Professional Experience XXX Hospice Kokomo In 2007-current Hospice Resident Chaplin
Visit patientsfamilies and perform spiritual assessments
Provide spiritual support and counseling to patients and caregivers
Document all pertinent chaplain activities and audit patient charts XXX Church Kokomo In 2002-2007 Assistance Clergy
Assisted and organized religious services
Helped manage church property and finances
Participated in church programs supporting congregation and fundraising activities XXX Hospital Kokomo IN 1997-2000 Nursersquos aide
Provide health care checks for a diverse population
Perform blood pressure tests for community health outreach programs
Supply a wide range of services including womens health clinic services and care for elderly patients
Education Hospitalhellip Clinical Pastoral Education 3 units completed University of Santa Barbara CA Master of Divinity- 2002 Indiana University Kokomo Kokomo In Bachelor of Science in Nursing ndash 2000 GPA 3440
Volunteer Work
Xxx
Xxxx
Office of Career Services at IU Kokomo
18 |Kelley Student Center 200 2300 S Washington St PO Box 9003 Kokomo IN 46904-9003 (765)455-9301 fax (765)455-9537 carserviukedu wwwiukeducareer-
services
SCANNABLE REacuteSUMEacute CHECKLIST
Resume scanning is more commonly used by employers to seek out employees When a computer will be the first to
read your reacutesumeacute it should be altered If the scannable reacutesumeacute meets the computer criteria it will then be seen by
the employer
1 Left justify the entire document
2 Use key words or short phrases to describe your qualifications and abilities Use
jargon and acronyms specific to your industry Check the job listings and
industry-related materials for current buzzwords
3 Increase your list of key words by including specific names of products and
services such as Microsoft Word or Lotus Notes
4 Use nouns more than verbs For instance say ldquoproject managerrdquo instead of
ldquoimplemented projectrdquo
5 Use common section headings such as Objective Experience Employment
Work History Positions Held Appointments and Skills Use boldface andor all
CAPITAL LETTERS for each of these section headings as long as the letters
donrsquot touch each other
6 Minimize abbreviations except for common ones such as MBA or CEO
7 Use a 10- to 14- point font size Use standard typefaces such as Times New Roman Arial New Century
or Courier
8 Avoid italics script and underlined passages Minimize use of hyphens bullets or dashes Boldface is accepted by
most systems unless the employer advises otherwise
9 Avoid graphics shadings vertical or horizontal lines and boxes The scanner
reads text not graphics
10 Print your reacutesumeacute on 8frac12 X 11 inch white paper of average thickness on one
side only using a laser or other letter-quality paper Donrsquot staple or fold
multiple-page reacutesumeacutes Always make sure your name is on all pages
11 Donrsquot condense spacing between letters
12 Use enough white space between sections Computers use white space to
differentiate between topics
13 When faxing set the fax machine on ldquofine moderdquo instead of ldquostandard moderdquo
Office of Career Services at IU Kokomo
19 |Kelley Student Center 200 2300 S Washington St PO Box 9003 Kokomo IN 46904-9003 (765)455-9301 fax (765)455-9537 carserviukedu wwwiukeducareer-
services
Scannable reacutesumeacute example
NAME IN CAPS
Current address
555 Candy Lane
Kokomo IN 46901
765 555 ndash 2424
Permanent address
444 Peppermint Lane
Indianapolis IN 46077
317 555 ndash 1234
OBJECTIVE (Optional)
A fulltime position in the area that is my expertisehellip (You fill it in-see suggested buzz-word list)
EDUCATION
Indiana University Kokomo IN
Bachelor of Science in Management
Minor Management Information Systems MIS
GPA 36 40
Major GPA 38 40
Graduation May 2014
SIGNIFICANT COURSES
Fill in with significant core courses for your major that apply to the job Use one line per course
SKILLS
Proficient with (pc programs that you are proficient in and are applicable)
Any other skills that are applicable (see buzz-word list)
WORK EXPERIENCE
Bold the Job Title
Basic job description as it applies to job applying for Dates employed (begin with most recent)
Use buzz-word list based on your occupation and relevant to the position being applied for
Office of Career Services at IU Kokomo
20 |Kelley Student Center 200 2300 S Washington St PO Box 9003 Kokomo IN 46904-9003 (765)455-9301 fax (765)455-9537 carserviukedu wwwiukeducareer-
services
Cover Letters Cover letters are an additional component of a reacutesumeacute Customize every letter to each company andor position of interest
Address it to the person listed on the position advertisement or the person that you know has the authority to hire Finding this may
take some investigation to discover if the name is not announced on the position advertisement PO boxes are often used to filter
reacutesumeacutes and you can find the owner of the box by calling the post office and asking who owns the box with that number Having
this information to address the cover letter with will set you apart from those who do not
Cover letter Format Date Employers Name Use the name of the person stated in the job posting or contact the company for the contact person address and the correct spelling) Position or title Company Name Address Suite number or floor (if there is one) City state Zip Salutation Dear Mr or Ms Or Dear Sir or Madam (use the last name only of the person you listed above) If you have made every effort to find out but do not know the name or gender or the individual use a unisex greeting of Dear Manager or Dear Director Paragraph one (Introduction) State which position you are applying for and where you heard about the opening If the position was advertised refer to where it was advertised (Indianapolis Star or higheredcom) Be enthusiastic and confident about the position with a brief statement about why you are the right fit for the job Paragraph two (Body) Explain why you want to work for this company and how your skills experience and qualifications directly relate to the position You can also include your personal traits and strengths that would be an asset for the job Summarize why you are an excellent candidate for the position Highlight key examples and how they match what the company is seeking There are likely other prospective employees that are competing for this position It is very important that you highlight qualities that will set you apart and show uniqueness You are marketing yourself in this paragraph so be sure to sell the idea that you are the best one to interview and the best fit for this employer Most advertisements will list the requirements that are desired andor required for the position Be sure to detail how you meet each of those requirements Do not point out to the reader if there is a requirement that you donrsquot currently possess just do not reference that in your letter The purpose of a cover letter is to highlight the positives and do not bring up any negatives Paragraph three (Conclusion) State that you would like the opportunity to personally discuss your qualifications Indicate where you can be reached phone andor email A good sentence to use would look like ldquoI may be reached at 555-555-1234 or nameiukedurdquo Make sure to thank the reader for their time and consideration Closing Sincerely or Yours truly or Respectfully yours Signature (blue or black ink only) Your Name (Typed)
Office of Career Services at IU Kokomo
21 |Kelley Student Center 200 2300 S Washington St PO Box 9003 Kokomo IN 46904-9003 (765)455-9301 fax (765)455-9537 carserviukedu wwwiukeducareer-
services
References
Reference lists should always be available and prepared with 3-4 professional references
Do
Do get permission from each reference you plan to use
Do give each reference a copy of your reacutesumeacute to have as a guide
Do choose references that are well informed and have good verbal and written communication skills
Do Not
Do not use relatives personal friends or students as a reference
Letters of Recommendation
A letter of recommendation provides relevant information that is honest positive and portrays a up-front outlook of the skills
and potential capabilities you possess It can describe personality performance and skill attributes knowledge and
competency level
The following are suggestions of individuals who may be qualified to write a letter of recommendation
Executive Director
Vice President
Supervisors
Co-workers
CustomersClients
Subordinates
Professors
Counsellors
Coaches
Doctors
Lawyers
Ministers
Community Leaders
Office of Career Services at IU Kokomo
22 |Kelley Student Center 200 2300 S Washington St PO Box 9003 Kokomo IN 46904-9003 (765)455-9301 fax (765)455-9537 carserviukedu wwwiukeducareer-
services
Key WordsAction Words
Actively Established Evaluate Participated Schedule Coordinate Increased Proposed Strategy Created Launched Reduced Support Effect Eliminate Organized Originate
Approve Generate Program Solve Control Improve Recommend Supervise Direct Manage Motivated Responsibilities Revise Analyze Founded Pinpointed Set up
Completed Interpret Proficient Successfully Demonstrate Maintain Revamped Responsible Administer Expedite Plan Simplicity Conduct Implemented Provide Streamline Develop
Lecture Reorganized Accelerated Adapted Expanded Perform Significantly Conceived Influence Proved Structure Delegate Lead Reinforced Teach
Self-Describing Words Professional Active Diplomatic Loyal Respective Analytical Attentive Determined Logical Resourceful Ambitious Efficient Energetic Independent
Reliable Alert Economical Objective Optimistic Realistic Aggressive Discrete Methodical Sense-of-humor Sincere Adaptable Disciplined Mature
Self-reliant Broad-minded Enterprising Personable Tactful Creative Imaginative Perceptive Systematic Constructive Forceful Productive Sophisticated Consistent
Fair Practical Will relocate Conscientious Extroverted Positive Will travel Enthusiastic Pleasant Talented Dependable Trustworthy Ethical
Keywords for Interpersonal Traits Ability to delegate Accurate Assertive Creative Ethical Follow up Leadership Oral communication Public speaking Self accountable Supportive Tenacious
Ability to implement Adaptable Communication skill Customer oriented Flexible High energy Multitasking Organizational skills Results oriented Self management Takes initiative Willing to travel
Ability to plan Aggressive Competitive Detail minded Follow instructions Industrious Open minded Persuasive Risk taking Sensitive Team building Ability to train
Analytical ability Conceptual ability Empowering others Follow through Innovated Open communication Problem solving Safety conscious Setting priorities Team player
Office of Career Services at IU Kokomo
23 |Kelley Student Center 200 2300 S Washington St PO Box 9003 Kokomo IN 46904-9003 (765)455-9301 fax (765)455-9537 carserviukedu wwwiukeducareer-
services
Sample of Occupational Keywords Occupational keywords include skills titles and occupational buzz words Account manager Accounts receivable Acquisitions Bachelors Degree Bank Card Bank reconciliation Batch processing Benchmarking Blueprint reading Brochures Budget Bulletins CAD Calibrator Carpentry Cash Flow Cell Culture Media Cement Child Care Claims Justification Commercial Leasing Copy Editing Counselor Crisis Management Cross-culture training Debugging Decision making Demographics Dental management Die casting Dietitian Drywall Ecology Electronics Employee assistance Engineer Financial planning Food preparation Gas pipeline Goal setting Graphic design Grant writer Guest services Harnessing Hiringfiring Hotel ISO 9000
Journalism Journeyman Layout design Logic analyzer Magnetic theory Manager Marketing Masterrsquos Degree Microprocessor Microsoft word Nursing Oscillator Pelletizing Patient advocate Payroll Personal computer Process metallurgy Proposal writing Psychology Public Relations Purchasing Radio Raw materials Receptionist Reporter Research Sales Secretarial Software modeling Spanish Spreadsheets Statistical Process Control Stick Welding Strategic Planning Student Personnel Supervisor Taxonomy Teacher Technical Writing Time Management Transportation Travel Wave Solder WordPerfect Workflow Writer
Office of Career Services at IU Kokomo
24 |Kelley Student Center 200 2300 S Washington St PO Box 9003 Kokomo IN 46904-9003 (765)455-9301 fax (765)455-9537 carserviukedu wwwiukeducareer-
services
ACTION WORDS
ORGANIZATIONAL Assembled Enforced Prepared Reorganized
Collected Executed Planned Scheduled
Centralized Formalized Processed Updated
Coordinated Implemented Routed Catalogued
Maintained Recorded
LEADERSHIPAllocated Hired Operated Spearheaded Determined Initiated
Oversaw Sponsored Directed Inspired Pioneered Staged
Elected Instituted Presided Started Enlisted Led
Produced Supervised Formed Managed Recruited Founded
Moderated Represented Governed Motivated Selected
COMMUNICATION SKILLS Acquainted Drafted Introduced Summarized Apprised Educated
Lectured Taught Answered Explained Listened
Trained Briefed Familiarized Presented Translated Conducted
Handled Reported Wrote Contacted Informed Responded
Demonstrated Instructed Spoke
RESEARCH Analyzed Detected Examined Researched
Assessed Discovered Gathered Searched
Audited Documented Identified Surveyed
Compiled Edited Interpreted Tested
Consulted Evaluated Interviewed
CREATIVITY Authored Created Devised
Originated Conceived Composed
Established Revolutionized Conceptualized
Designed Invented
HELPING SKILLS Aided Counseled Helped Supported
Attended Comforted Instilled Tutored
Assisted Facilitated Mentored Treated
Collaborated Fostered Provided Contributed
Guided Settled
SELLING Arbitrated Marketed Promoted
Secured Convinced Mediated
Publicized Solicited
Dissuaded Negotiated Resolved
Encouraged Persuaded Sold
OTHER ACTION VERBS Adapted Developed Generated Revamped Attained Ensured Improved Revitalized
Augmented Eliminated Increased Saved Awarded Exceeded Launched Shopped
Boosted Excelled Mastered Strengthened Broadened Expanded Modernized Supplemented
Built Expedited Published Tended Calculated Fabricated Raised Utilized
Catered Financed Reconciled Decreased Gained Reduced
Office of Career Services at IU Kokomo
25 |Kelley Student Center 200 2300 S Washington St PO Box 9003 Kokomo IN 46904-9003 (765)455-9301 fax (765)455-9537 carserviukedu wwwiukeducareer-
services
Transferable Skills-Skills you have acquired from your education and employment experience that you can market to new employers
Communication the skillful expression transmission and interpretation of knowledge and ideas
Speaking effectively Writing concisely Listening attentively Expressing ideas Facilitating group discussion Providing appropriate feedback Negotiating
Perceiving nonverbal messages Persuading Reporting information Describing feelings Interviewing Editing
Research and Planning the search for specific knowledge and the ability to conceptualize future needs and solutions for meeting those needs
Forecasting predicting Creating ideas Identifying problems Imagining alternatives Identifying resources Gathering information
Solving problems Setting goals Extracting important information Defining needs Analyzing Developing evaluation strategies
Human Relations the use of interpersonal skills for resolving conflict relating to and helping people Developing rapport Being Sensitive Listening Conveying feelings Providing support for others Motivating Sharing credit
Counseling Cooperating Delegating with respect Representing others Perceiving feelings situations Asserting
Organization Management and Leadership the ability to supervise direct and guide individuals and groups in the completion of tasks and fulfillment of goals Work Survival the day-to-day skills that assist in promoting effective production and work satisfaction
Implementing decisions Cooperating Enforcing policies Being punctual Managing time Attending to detail Meeting goals Enlisting help Accepting responsibility Setting and meeting deadlines Organizing Making decisions
Initiating new ideas Handling details Coordinating tasks Managing groups Delegating responsibility Teaching Coaching Counseling Promoting change Selling ideas or products Decision making with others Managing conflict
Office of Career Services at IU Kokomo
26 |Kelley Student Center 200 2300 S Washington St PO Box 9003 Kokomo IN 46904-9003 (765)455-9301 fax (765)455-9537 carserviukedu wwwiukeducareer-
services
After you have the perfect reacutesumeacute it is time to hit the road and put your skills into action Career Fairs will help put you in communication with prospective employers and give you valuable practice for interviews
Achieve Results and Get the Most Out of a Career Fair
Attend as many job fairs as you can Not only will practice make perfect but it will expand your network of career contacts Make sure to ask precise questions and be prepared to answer specific questions the employers have regarding your background and capabilities Before the Job Fair- Be Prepared
Create a reacutesumeacute and have it reviewed by a career counselor Create a list of 3-5 references in case they are requested (Be sure to ask your references for their help before
including them on the list) Create your 30-second oral reacutesumeacute and practice practice practice Review the employer list Determine where employers are located and in what order to visit them Broaden your focus and include different types of employers For instance although you may not have thought of
working for a hospital hospitals recruit and hire professionals in many different fields Do your research Look up information about the employers of interest
o Check their websites for information about their productsservices and mission statement o What types of jobs do they have open o What kind of people are they looking for o What kind of skills do these people need to have How do you meet their skill requirements o Develop some questions you would like to ask the employer representatives at the fair
Network Network Network with people you know and via social network sites like Linked-In and Facebook for more information about the companies Also seek contact with employees you might know or seek information from alumni who work there
During the Job Fair Dress for success (See page 38) Assume you will be interviewed and dress the part Even if you dont get an interview
at the job fair you have already made a great impression Always have a penpencil and paper to take notes- a portfolio works best Bring plenty of reacutesumeacutes with you While some companies will be seeking employees for specific positions some
employers will collect reacutesumeacutes for future positions Be sure to get all of the contact information you need to complete an application
Make sure to have copies of your reference list in case an employer asks First impressions are everything Be direct have a firm handshake and make eye contact as you greet employers This
will speak volumes about your confidence If you are only gathering information let employers know that you are only interested in materials and information
Be aware of time demands of employers Do not monopolize the employersrsquo time You should have already done your homework about their company so you can better spend your time asking about the positions available (or available in the near future) and how your skills match their needs Give them your 30-second oral reacutesumeacute and impress them with what you feel you can do for their company Since practice makes perfect donrsquot give up if the first attempt doesnrsquot go well Keep trying with other employers
Ask specific questions and collect information from each booth you visit including business cards from the employer representatives Offer to follow up after the fair and ask what the best way to contact them is
After the Job Fair You now have a prime opportunity to make a distinctive impression
Use those business cards you collected to follow up with each employer you are interested in Be sure to do everything you promised at the job fair Complete the application and upload your reacutesumeacute Send a thank-you note or email to all whom you talked with within 48 hours of the career fair This shows that you
are serious about their organization and will set you apart from many who neglect to do so If you follow up on your application for a position be sure to follow the preferred contact method and dont overdo it Stay in contact and use this experience to expand your network Submit an additional or amended reacutesumeacute during your follow-up contacts if need be Follow-up and follow-through contacts are up to the student be persistent and polite
Office of Career Services at IU Kokomo
27 |Kelley Student Center 200 2300 S Washington St PO Box 9003 Kokomo IN 46904-9003 (765)455-9301 fax (765)455-9537 carserviukedu wwwiukeducareer-
services
Additional information-what employers are expecting at a career fair
What Will Impress Employers o Demonstrate that you have done your homework and researched their company o Be prepared Have your reacutesumeacute critiqued by Career Services and bring plenty of copies with you Develop
questions to ask smile and courteously and enthusiastically engage the representatives o Have a firm hand shake and good eye contact- dress for success o Never ask about salary let them bring up the subject o An expectation that you will be responsible for following up with them including a thank you note or letter o Take the initiative Walk up to them and engage the employers they want to speak to you
What Employers May Want to Learn About You o Specific careerjob objectives What are your expectations o Individual strengths and weaknesses Have specific examples that demonstrate your skills develop short
stories that showcase your skills (Remember a job fair is time sensitive and you donrsquot want to take up too much time of one employer)
o Contributions you will make to the operation Remember be specific now is not the time to blandly or generically discuss what you can do
What You Should Learn About Each Company o Employment trends Career Fairs are excellent resources for information about career decision-making o Skills necessary for different careersjobs Have meaningful conversations with representatives o Currentfuture positions o Salary benefits training and other information about the company (again let the employer bring up salary) o Who to contact for follow-up discussions and what their hiring processes are get specifics o Collect their business card or write down their contact information
30 Second Oral Reacutesumeacute Purpose It is important to practice your 30 second oral reacutesumeacute prior to attending a career fair The famous ldquoTell me about yourselfrdquo is a question that is always asked Whether the question is asked in a social setting an interview or a networking event a well-planned answer can set you apart from the crowd as well as spark additional conversation Begin preparing your oral reacutesumeacute by following the tips below
How to Prepare Your Oral Reacutesumeacute o Begin by brainstorming what you would want someone to know about you Write down all of your ideas o Consider including the following information in your oral reacutesumeacute
Job Objective Education and Training Skills
Accomplishments and Achievements Prior Employment Other Experience
o Narrow down your optionsmdashpick the top 5 things you want the person to know about you o Develop a paragraph that encompasses all of the things you wish to say o Practice makes perfect Read aloud your reacutesumeacute several times
Additional Tips Prepare more than one oral reacutesumeacute for various situations Practice your reacutesumeacute by calling your voicemail and later playing back the messagemdashthink about how it sounds and
what you would like to change Make sure that your oral reacutesumeacute will keep the listenerrsquos attention
Example Oral Reacutesumeacute Hi my name is ________ and I am a senior at IU Kokomo majoring in New Media I am looking for an internship experience in graphic designweb development Through my coursework I have developed strong computer and analytical skills Last summer I worked as an intern at the Kokomo Perspective to gain experience with print media At the Perspective I worked with the copy editor as well as the writing staff to gain experience in both fields I also volunteer at United Way developing and updating their website
Office of Career Services at IU Kokomo
28 |Kelley Student Center 200 2300 S Washington St PO Box 9003 Kokomo IN 46904-9003 (765)455-9301 fax (765)455-9537 carserviukedu wwwiukeducareer-
services
Send a Follow-up thank you note after Career Fair Send a thank you note or email to all whom you talked with within 48 hours of the career fair This shows that you are serious about their organization and will set you apart from many who neglect to do so
Be sure to remind the employer where you met them Thank you for taking the time to talk with me on Thursday at the career fair After talking with you I
am even more eager to work at _____ Summarize specific qualities and assets you obtain I am certain my education at IU Kokomo has enhanced my skill set and has provided a solid
background of knowledge in the _______ fieldhelliphellip Some experiences I have had the pleasure of doing arehellip This opportunity improved my work ethic and made me aware of my self-reliancehellip
Always attach your reacutesumeacute again for their convenience I have attached my reacutesumeacute for your convenience I look forward to an opportunity to further discuss
my qualifications You may contact me athellip (phone andor email address) Thank you again for your time and consideration
Sample Thank you
Thank you for taking the time to talk with me on Thursday November 9 at the career fair on IU Kokomorsquos campus I appreciate your time and attention and after talking with you I am even more interested in learning more about your organization You were extremely helpful in explaining companyrsquos name customer service and marketing trainee program Now that I have a better idea of what the position entails I am even more certain that I would be an asset to your team and to companyrsquos name My solid education from the IU Kokomo Communication Department and the fact that I have worked my way through college show the work ethic and determination you said were important to be successful at companyrsquos name I look forward to an opportunity to visit companyrsquos name office and speak to you further about the trainee program I will contact you next week to arrange an appointment Enclosed is an updated reacutesumeacute for your review Thank you again for your time and consideration Sincerely
Office of Career Services at IU Kokomo
29 |Kelley Student Center 200 2300 S Washington St PO Box 9003 Kokomo IN 46904-9003 (765)455-9301 fax (765)455-9537 carserviukedu wwwiukeducareer-
services
Knowledge and practice will give you the confidence you need to be prepared and give the best impression possible at an interview The following information will help prepare you for nearly any interview contingency being confidant that you can handle it is the best way to increase your chances of getting hired Here are a few things you can do to give yourself a head start
Questions to think about prior to your interview
1 Why do you want to work at this facility and what specific jobareas am I interested in a To Prepare research the facility
i Mission ii Population served
iii Financial stability iv Management style
b Learn about the job
i Job description ii Occupational outlook
iii Handbook iv employees
2 What qualities make me a good candidate
a To prepare self assessment i What are my strengths and weaknesses
ii What are my interests iii How do I know iv What kinds of results demonstrate my abilities
3 What type of shift working conditions salary and fringe benefits are most important to me (12 hours 10 hours 8
hours weekends flex-time insurance) a To prepare clarify values and lifestyle choices
i What are my values ii What kind of lifestyles do I want for myself and those close to me
4 How will I be trained
a To prepare How do I learn best i Do I need immediate feedback or can I learn well on my own
5 What are my goals Where do I want to be in 10 years
a To prepare Identify and prioritize career and life goals and objectives i Am I interested in supervision training management
ii How do I plan to reach these goals
6 What are the major issues and current events facing this specific field job occupation and company today
7 What can you bring to the organization
Office of Career Services at IU Kokomo
30 |Kelley Student Center 200 2300 S Washington St PO Box 9003 Kokomo IN 46904-9003 (765)455-9301 fax (765)455-9537 carserviukedu wwwiukeducareer-
services
Behavioral Interviews- Use the STAR Interviewing Technique for Success
The STAR acronym represents Situation Task Action and Result Recruiters and hiring managers favor the STAR technique because
it provides a better explanation of your past performance how you handle workplace challenges and whether youre able to articulate
your experiences STAR behavioral interviews are quickly becoming the most popular and common form of interview
Situation or
Task
Describe the situation that you were in or the task that you needed to accomplish You must
describe a specific event or situation not a generalized description of what you have done in
the past Be sure to give enough detail for the interviewer to understand This situation can be
from a previous job from a volunteer experience or any relevant event
Action you took Describe the action you took and be sure to keep the focus on you Even if you are discussing
a group project or effort describe what you did -- not the efforts of the team Dont tell what
you might do tell what you did
Results you achieved What happened How did the event end What did you accomplish What did you learn
For examples of past behavior use examples from
Internships
Work experience
Class projects
School activitiesorganizations you are involved with
Sports
Volunteercommunity service
Hobbies
Think about your accomplishments what are you most proud of that you want to share with the employer
How to prepare for behavior-based interviews
Identify 3-6 examples that demonstrate your top skills Look through the job description pinpoint the skills they are seeking
Pick experiences that demonstrate top behaviors of those skills
Prepare how you will ldquotell your storyrdquo using STAR
Pick examples that will be positive accomplishment
Most behavioral questions try to reveal the negative situations so be prepared with those examples However try to pick
examples that had a positive outcome
Try not to pick examples from only one topic Pick a variety of examples choosing examples from work class community
services etc
Typically the best examples are situations that happened within the last year
Go over your resume and review the accomplishments you have listed andor skills this could assist you with identifying
examples
LISTEN to the full question Be sure the example is an appropriate description of how you demonstrated what they are
asking for
Office of Career Services at IU Kokomo
31 |Kelley Student Center 200 2300 S Washington St PO Box 9003 Kokomo IN 46904-9003 (765)455-9301 fax (765)455-9537 carserviukedu wwwiukeducareer-
services
Sample Behavior-based Questions
Communication Skills
1 Give me a specific example of a time someone didnrsquot agree with your work How did you respond 2 Tell me about a time when you had to present complex information How did you ensure that everyone
understood what you were saying 3 Give an example about a time where written communication was needed
Decision Making Skills
1 What is the biggest decision or risk yoursquove made in the past year on the job Describe the process you used to make those decisions Would you do it again
2 Describe a time you overcame a challenge with an innovative solution What was the challenge What role did you play
Planning Organization Time management Skills
1 Please give an example of a time you didnrsquot meet your deadline Why did you fail to meet your deadline What did you learn from that experience
2 Give an example of how you keep track of multiple projects How do you stay on track and meet deadlines How do you stay focused
3 Describe a goal yoursquove had How you set it and achieved it
Flexibility Skills 1 Tell us about one of the toughest situations with which yoursquove had to deal with How did you handle the
stress or pressure of the situation Leadership Skills
1 Describe a time when you disagreed with a directive given by your supervisor What happened and how did you handle it
2 Give an example of a situation where team members or co-workers didnrsquot get along This could include you and someone else or two other people How did the project turn out What did you do to resolve the issue so everyone was able to work together
Office of Career Services at IU Kokomo
32 |Kelley Student Center 200 2300 S Washington St PO Box 9003 Kokomo IN 46904-9003 (765)455-9301 fax (765)455-9537 carserviukedu wwwiukeducareer-
services
Other Common Questions Asked by Employers
Personal 1 Tell me about yourself 2 Why did you choose to interview with our organization 3 Describe your ideal job 4 What can you offer us over another candidate 5 What do you consider to be your greatest strengths 6 Can you name some weaknesses 7 Define success Failure How did you learn from your failures 8 Name a couple accomplishments you most proud 9 Who are your role models Why 10 How does your college education or work experience relate to this job 11 What motivates you most in a job 12 Have you ever spoken before a group of people How large 13 What do you know about our organization (products or services) 14 Do you plan to return to school for further education 15 What would you change about yourself and why
Education
16 Why did you choose your major 17 Why did you choose to attend your college or university 18 Do you think you received a good education In what ways 19 In which campus activities did you participate 20 Which classes in your major did you like best Least Why 21 If you were to start over what would you change about your education 22 Do your grades accurately reflect your ability Why or why not
Experience
23 What job-related skills have you developed 24 Did you work while going to school In what positions 25 What did you learn from these work experiences 26 What did you enjoy most about your last employment Least 27 Have you ever quit a job Why 28 Give an example of how you have solved a problem in the work place 29 How do you resolve conflict on a team project 30 Give an example of a time in which you worked under deadline pressure 31 Have you ever done any volunteer work What kind 32 How do you think a former supervisor would describe your work
Career Goals
33 Do you prefer to work under supervision or on your own 34 What kind of boss do you prefer 35 Would you be successful working with a team 36 Do you prefer large or small organizations Why 37 What other types of positions are you considering 38 How do you feel about working in a structured environment 39 Are you able to work on several assignments at once 40 How do you feel about working overtime 41 How do you feel about travel 42 Are you willing to relocate
Office of Career Services at IU Kokomo
33 |Kelley Student Center 200 2300 S Washington St PO Box 9003 Kokomo IN 46904-9003 (765)455-9301 fax (765)455-9537 carserviukedu wwwiukeducareer-
services
Questions to Ask Employers
An interview is a two-way street Employers get an impression of you from the questions you ask Are you a critical thinker Did you comprehend and correctly process everything in the interview Have you done research and have a good grasp of the company and the scope of the position Your questions should be intelligent insightful and polite Have at least 3-5 custom questions in mind Employers look for someone who shows interest confidence and is well organized
1 Please describe (or ask them to clarify specifics) the duties of the job for me 2 Is this a new position or am I replacing someone 3 What do you like best about your jobcompany 4 What kinds of assignments might I expect the first six months on the job 5 What qualities are you looking for in the candidate who fills this position 6 Does your company encourage further education 7 Do you have plans for expansion 8 What are your growth projections for next year 9 Have you cut staff in the last three years 10 In what ways is a career with your company better than one with your competitors 11 What is the largest single problem facing your staff (department) now 12 Has there been much turnover in this job area 13 Will I have the opportunity to work on special projects 14 Where does this position fit into the organizational structure 15 How much travel if any is involved in this position 16 What is the next course of action When should I expect to hear from you or may I contact you
Interview Checklist Preparation Research research research Knowing more about the organization as a whole and the particular position you are applying for will be helpful in the interview It will help you understand questions that may be asked and will give you a chance to come up with questions to ask them The more research you conduct the more confident and comfortable you will feel in the interview It will also demonstrate to the employer how determined and pro-active you are about their company and the position you seek Get specific directions to the location If possible go there the day before and check out parking and the location of the office where your interview will be held
First Impression Put your best foot forward Remember the decision to hire you may be made in the first 5 minutes Always wait until they sit or invite you to be seated
Dress code Dress more formal than you would in the actual position Women should wear a suit or dress with a jacket Men should wear a suit or sport jacket and slacks Itrsquos a good idea to have an interview outfit ready and waiting (cleaned neat no threads or missing buttons) hanging in your closet Donrsquot wear anything too trendy or faddish (ladies no miniskirts) Check all zippers for closure and ladies should always have an extra pair of hose for emergencies Your style of dress communicates too what do you want it to say (See page 38)
Arrival Arrive a few minutes early to check out the location and parking Stop by the restroom and check your appearance Again you may want to check out the location the day before if you are unsure of the area
What to bring Always have an extra copy of your reacutesumeacute note paper and pen You will want to jot down questions as they may come about as well as information about the position Also write down the names of each person you interview with so you can mail a thank-you note
Application
Office of Career Services at IU Kokomo
34 |Kelley Student Center 200 2300 S Washington St PO Box 9003 Kokomo IN 46904-9003 (765)455-9301 fax (765)455-9537 carserviukedu wwwiukeducareer-
services
Read through the entire application before you begin Follow the directions Give specific titles You may leave the salary question blank or fill it in with a reasonable salary range Use NA where answers are not applicable Proofread the application before returning it
Legal and Illegal Pre-employment Questions CATEGORY LAWFUL
(Questions employers can ask)
UNLAWFUL (Questions employers cannot ask)
Name Have you ever worked for this company under a different name
Is any additional information relative to change of name use of an assumed name or nickname necessary to enable a check
on your work record If yes explain
What is your maiden name
Is the name on your application your real name
Address Where do you live
How long have you lived there
Birthplace Where were you born Where were your relatives born
Agebirth date Are you 18 years of age or older How old are you What is your birth date
Prove your age by submitting your birth certificate baptismal record
naturalization papers etc (see citizenship)
Photograph Requirement or option that applicant affix a photograph to employment form at
any time before hiring Citizenship Are you a citizen of the United States
If not are you authorized to work in the US
Can you verify US citizenship or your
right to work in the United States
Of what country are you a citizen Are you a naturalized or a native-born
citizen When did you acquire citizenship
Please produce naturalization papers or green card
(employers must verify citizenship or the right to work after theyrsquove decided to
extend an offer) Sex or Marital Status Are you male or female
Are you married What are your living arrangements
Relatives Do you have relatives (other than a spouse) already employed by the
company
What are their names
What are the names (addresses ages number or other information) of your
relatives not employed by the company
Children
Do you have children or plans to have children in the future
Do you have the capacity to reproduce Do you advocate any form of birth control
or family planning What are your child care arrangements
How old are your children
CATEGORY LAWFUL UNLAWFUL (Questions employers can ask) (Questions employers cannot ask)
Disability Do you have any impairment
(physical mental or medical) which would interfere with your ability to perform the job for which you have
applied
Do you have any disabilities or diseases not related to job
performance
Arrest record Have you ever been convicted of a criminal offense other than minor
traffic violations If yes explain fully
Have you ever been arrested
Experienced Please describe your work experience
Travel Overtime This position requires X amount of overtimetravel Would you be able
to meet this requirement
Who will care for your children when you travel or work overtime
Would your spouse object if you
traveled or worked overtime Language What languages do you speak and
write fluently What is your native language
How did you learn to read write or
speak a foreign language Education Please describe your academic
vocational or professional education and the public and private schools you attended
What are the dates of attendance
(To permit verification)
Notice in case of emergency What are the names and addresses of people to be notified in case of
accident or emergency (can be asked after hire)
Military experience Have you served in the US Armed Forces or in the National Guard
Describe your experience
Do you have any military experience
(other than in the United States) Organizations Do you belong to any organizations
which you consider relevant to your ability to perform this job Please
explain
Are you a member of any clubs societies or lodges
Which ones
Race or color What racecolor are you Are you a minority
Religion or creed What is your religion To which parishchurch do you
belong What religious holidays do you
observe National Origin What is your (or relatives) lineage
ancestry national origin descent percentage or nationality
Office of Career Services at IU Kokomo
36 |Kelley Student Center 200 2300 S Washington St PO Box 9003 Kokomo IN 46904-9003 (765)455-9301 fax (765)455-9537 carserviukedu wwwiukeducareer-
services
After the interview After you have interviewed for a position there are some things to do that may improve your chances
Send a Follow-up thank you note within 24 hours
This shows that you are serious about their organization and will set you apart from many who neglect to do so By taking the
time to email or write a handwritten letter thanking them for taking their time to meet with you Summarize specific qualities
you have and let them know you look forward in speaking with them further about employment
Sample Thank you
Dear Intervieweersquos Name Thank you for taking the time to talk with me on Thursday November 9 at the interview for list specifics of position and company) I appreciate your time and attention and after talking with you I am even more interested in becoming a valuable team member at companyrsquos name You were extremely helpful in explaining list position Now that I have a better idea of what the position entails I am even more certain that I would be an asset to your team and to companyrsquos name My solid education from the IU Kokomo Communication Department and the fact that I have worked my way through college show the work ethic and determination you said were important to be successful at companyrsquos name I look forward to an opportunity to work with companyrsquos name office and speak to you further about the program I will contact you next week to follow up and provide you with any further information that you may need Thank you again for your time and consideration Sincerely
Your name
The Stall Letter
There may be situations that you will need time to figure out whether a job is a good fit or have more than one position to accept or decline The stall letter is a good tool to have in this case In the introduction refer to the job offer or event that is prompting the letter In the second paragraph state your continued interest in the position but request more time to gather further information or to consider all alternatives and opportunities in order to make the best choice for the position and the company as well as yourself Give a specific time extension request If you need 24 hours for example ask for that Ask for the minimal amount of time in order to make your decision Remember this is a request and does not guarantee that the employer will accept it and be prepared for the possibility that they will not grant the time and choose another candidate In the conclusion thank them for their time and understanding and indicate when you will contact them to discuss the terms of the possible extension
Sample Stall Letter
Dear name of person that offered the position This letter is in reference to list company name and your offer of list the position I would like to take this opportunity to thank you for the opportunity and express my continued interest in the position At this time I would like to request __hours to gather some vital information in order to be completely confidant that I am making the best and most informed decision possible I want to ensure for all parties involved that I have considered all options and alternatives to be certain that my acceptance of this list position is the correct course of action for us both I appreciate your understanding and valuable time and look forward to speaking with you at your earliest convenience today so that we may discuss the terms of my request Sincerely Your Name
Office of Career Services at IU Kokomo
37 |Kelley Student Center 200 2300 S Washington St PO Box 9003 Kokomo IN 46904-9003 (765)455-9301 fax (765)455-9537 carserviukedu wwwiukeducareer-
services
Acceptance of a Job Offer Letter
Responding in writing to a job offer shows courtesy and is expected It reduces the chance of any misunderstanding that verbal acceptances do not In the first paragraph thank the employer for offering the specific position title and say that you are happy to accept it In the second paragraph state the terms of employment (salary location and start date) Emphasize any negotiations of terms that were unusual or non-standard if there were any In the last paragraph thank the employer sincerely for the opportunity and express your excitement to join their organization and be a valuable asset to them
Sample Job Offer Acceptance Letter
Dear person who offered position
I am happy to have the opportunity to accept the position of list title
The following terms of the position as I understood them include a salary of list salaryrate of pay at List location and to begin employment on list date As we discussed instead of the typical work week we agreed to the addition of evening and weekend hours during the probationary period with a return to usual business hours after 90 days We also agreed to a company vehicle provision for any off site training and appointments during the course of my employment
I truly look forward to becoming a valued member of your team and I am anticipating a productive and positive professional relationship with list company
Sincerely Your Name
Decline or Withdrawing from Consideration Letter
There may be times that you wish to decline or remove yourself from consideration from a position Doing this on a positive
and respectful note decreases the chance that future opportunities will be missed either as a future employee or possible
professional contact with the firm Thank the employer for the opportunity but decline it based on your reasons Be sure to
specifically name the person that was in charge of the hiring process If the decline is due to a term that was offered be
specific the firm could always choose to negotiate that term to better suit your situation
Date
Dear List person
Thank you very much for offering me the list position After careful consideration I regret that I must decline your offer
Although you were most encouraging in outlining future advancement possibilities within ABC Company I have accepted another
opportunity that is more in line with my skills and career goals or I found list the term to be out of line with my needs and
goals
I enjoyed meeting you and the rest of your team You have been most kind and gracious throughout the interview process and I
only wish that circumstances allowed me to accept your offer
Best wishes for your continued success
Sincerely
Your Name
Office of Career Services at IU Kokomo
38 |Kelley Student Center 200 2300 S Washington St PO Box 9003 Kokomo IN 46904-9003 (765)455-9301 fax (765)455-9537 carserviukedu wwwiukeducareer-
services
____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
This packet contains a lot of valuable information to help you achieve all the goals that an education from IU Kokomo
will prepare you for Use this as a guide for every step of the way from your freshman year graduation and beyond
Office of Career Services at IU Kokomo
11 |Kelley Student Center 200 2300 S Washington St PO Box 9003 Kokomo IN 46904-9003 (765)455-9301 fax (765)455-9537 carserviukedu wwwiukeducareer-
services
SAMPLE REacuteSUMEacute FOR TEACHERS NAME
Address Phone E-Mail Address
OBJECTIVE (optional) Position as elementary teacher in grades 1 2 or 3 EDUCATION Indiana University Kokomo IN Bachelor of Science in Education May 2009 Endorsements in Reading and Science GPA 37540 TEACHING EXPERIENCE Student Teaching Maple Crest Elementary School (2008-2009)
Prepared and implemented all lesson plans for fall semester first grade class Instructed reading classes for third grade low reading group Developed learning centers to enhance vocabulary and writing skills for both groups
Methods Experience Eastern Elementary School (2007-2008)
Developed math center to reinforce learning weights and measures in 2nd grade class
Utilized songs music and dance to teach Japanese Social Studies unit to 3rd graders
Teacherrsquos Aide Western Middle School (2006)
Assisted teacher with reading groups and record keeping Scheduled field trips and parentteacher conferences
Accomplishments
Earned high marks for the quality and creativity of classroom teaching lesson plans and instructional materials used in teaching diverse subjects (eg language arts mathematics science social studies and history)
Developed innovative approaches that were repeatedly held up as the model standard for meeting district goals in areas including technology integration across the curriculum experiential learning literacy and diversity
Taught general education students as well as individuals with learning challenges and special needs within a mainstreamed inclusive classroom
Consistently commended for ability to redirect students exhibiting behavior problems by replacing disruptive unproductive patterns with positive behaviors As a result selected to lead district-wide in-service on classroom management
Established positive relationships with students parents fellow teachers and school administratorsstaff Quickly became a first-to-call resource in current substitute teaching role typically working four days per week
Personally requested by many full-time teachers to take over their classrooms during absences
OTHER EXPERIENCE Library Assistant Indianapolis Public Schools (2005-2007) ACTIVITIES Literacy Coalition Tutor President Ed Sac (2007-2008) Folk Dance Instructor Cheerleading Coach for Eastern Middle School
Office of Career Services at IU Kokomo
12 |Kelley Student Center 200 2300 S Washington St PO Box 9003 Kokomo IN 46904-9003 (765)455-9301 fax (765)455-9537 carserviukedu wwwiukeducareer-
services
Sample Entry level Information Technology Reacutesumeacute NAME
Address Phone Number Email address
Summary of Qualifications (optional)
Outstanding academic record Achieved Deans list for 1516 semesters and GPA of 375 Four years of experience as help desk technician and web developer Proficiency in various programs operating systems and applications Expert at finding and resolving malfunctions using exceptional technical and communication skills to ensure
minimization of downtime and optimal computer performance Education
Purdue University College of Technology Kokomo In Bachelor of Science in Computer and Information Technology Expected Graduation date May 2010 GPA 3040 (only if it is above a 30)
Technical Qualifications
Programming languages C Visual C++ C++ CSS ASP JavaScript Java Servlet HTML Java Server pages JBuilder XML PHP Apache
Software Applications Microsoft Suite (Excel Word Access Power Point) Macromedia Homesuite Adobe Photoshop FrontPageDreamweaver macromedia Flash DrScheme
Database Management Database SQL command MySQL Operating Systems Mac OSX Windows XP professional UNIX
Professional Experience Promega Corporation Indianapolis IN Web Developer (2008 - Present)
Helped in the re-launching and redesigning of companys web site that resulted in increased online sales by 15 and improved navigation
Responsible for implementation of programs and build databases that let the users to register unique names and passwords
Help in implementation creation and management of multiple applications for back end and web site Back end include Flash slide shows newsletter and RSS
Web site updating and editing using several languages such as XML HTML and CSS SGate Entertainment Indianapolis IN Web DeveloperHelp Desk Technician (52005-92008)
Utilized JavaScript HTML Flash and CSS to create companys web site Primarily recruited to help help desk Assured software and hardware were installed and operated at peak efficiency Accountable for long-term and day-to-day maintenance and technical support of site including suggestion solutions
and analyzing requirements to meet user needs Offered support for 10 users Helped with migration from PC to Mac environment
Volunteeractivities
Tutor computer students Assist area school corporation with computer updates
References upon request (optional)
Office of Career Services at IU Kokomo
13 |Kelley Student Center 200 2300 S Washington St PO Box 9003 Kokomo IN 46904-9003 (765)455-9301 fax (765)455-9537 carserviukedu wwwiukeducareer-
services
Sample Health Sciences Resume Address Phone Email
Education Indiana University Kokomo- Kokomo IN Bachelor of Science in Health Sciences Minor Psychology Expected Graduation Date May 2013 GPA 3140
Related Courses Ethics and civic engagement Social and behavioral sciences Cultural Diversity
Quantitative Literacy and Math Childhood Psychology Personality Psychology
Leadership Special volunteer projects (2012)
Planned and directed health screening day Organized group of student leaders on advocacy projects
Phi Sigma Sigma- Indiana University Kokomo Secretary (809- current)
Provide Leadership Attended leadership conference Volunteered with big brothers big sisters
Tutored school age children Assisted with multiple events on campus
CASA- Kokomo In volunteer (January lsquo09-current)
Advocate for children in the court system Assisted with court paperwork
Developed database and new registration form Counseled children and families
Relevant Work experience Samaritan Caregivers- Kokomo IN (summer 2012) Intern
Provided support to volunteers and staff on routine client visits Evaluated new clients
Community Howard Regional Health- Kokomo IN (summer 2011) Intern
Assisted with organization of new programs Planned and directed ldquoHealthy Teensrdquo event Researched and evaluated what needs the community had and implemented the new XYZ program
Skills CommunicationOrganizationMarketing
Strong interpersonal communication skills Designed and distributed flyers for benefit dinners and school functions Created informational and advertising brochures and slideshow presentations Participated in fundraisers and benefit dinners
ManagementTrainingSales Interviewed hired and scheduled employees Charted yearly sales records and tracked employee overtime Taught peers how to make and operate slideshows using PowerPoint Trained students on assembling and using art equipment
Office of Career Services at IU Kokomo
14 |Kelley Student Center 200 2300 S Washington St PO Box 9003 Kokomo IN 46904-9003 (765)455-9301 fax (765)455-9537 carserviukedu wwwiukeducareer-
services
Sample Informatics Resume
NAME Address Phone number Email address
Objective (optional)
Qualified IT professional with variety of software hardware and networking knowledge
Exceptional teamwork and leadership skills
Efficient troubleshooter with commitment to lifetime learning
Experience Computer Services Inc Indianapolis In Maintenance and Computer Technician 2008 - Present
Assembled computers
helped in network installation tasks
Assisted with troubleshooting Green Networks Inc Carmel IN Computer Technician 2006-2008
Responsible for the maintenance of equipment and computers used by company for multimedia advertisement Education
Indiana University Kokomo Kokomo In Bachelor of Science in Informatics Expected Graduation date May 2010 GPA 3040 (only if it is above a 30)
Skills Systems Engineering
Differentiate between various types of hardware
Set up and configure software and all the versions of Microsoft Windows
Build and maintain a computer
Troubleshoot software and hardware problems
Networking
Find out network hardware devices and cabling and their working
Implement IP schemes and administer groups
Maintain a secure network and implement network topologies
Expert in DNS Active Directory DHCP and WINS
Communications
Demonstrated skills to answer technical questions with different degrees of computer skills
Willingness to learn new things and work well with others
Good presentation skills
Demonstrated leadership skills in a team environment
Reference available on request (optional)
Office of Career Services at IU Kokomo
15 |Kelley Student Center 200 2300 S Washington St PO Box 9003 Kokomo IN 46904-9003 (765)455-9301 fax (765)455-9537 carserviukedu wwwiukeducareer-
services
SAMPLE BiologyChemistryBio-Chemistry Reacutesumeacute 190 Indiana Drive Kokomo IN 46902 (765) 555-5555 nameemailcom
High-energy and motivated individual with outstanding work ethic a strong academic background broad-based work experience and a record of personal achievement working for leading organizations
EDUCATION
Bachelor of Science in Biology May 2008 Minor Bio-Chemistry Indiana University Kokomo
PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT
Ophthalmology Intern XYZ Organization Kokomo IN Spring 2012
Transcribed 20 patient charts discussing medication and vision prescriptions
Observed 100 appointments for issues including glaucoma macular degeneration and detached retinas
Helped for new contact lens patients
Biology Lab Teaching Assistant Indiana University Kokomo August 2011 - current
Independently taught two biology labs per semester with 20 students in each
Created lesion plans and modified and presented curriculum for weekly classes
Maintained lab with spiders guinea pigs beetles and gecko
Held weekly office hours and tutored students
WORK EXPERIENCE
Server September 2005-June 2008 XYZ Restaurant Indianapolis IN Supervised dining experience of up to 40 guests per shift Exceeded sales goals by promoting specialty items
Head Lifeguard Seasonal May 2001-September 2007 LMN Business Kokomo IN Promoted twice within four summerscreated weekly schedule for 20 staff members Authorized to make management decisions in absence of manager Trained five new employees per summer concerning all assigned duties
ACTIVITIES amp INTERESTS
Biology Club Member (Fall 2011-current) Environmental Club Member (Spring 2010-current) Relay for Life Participant (Spring 2012-Spring 2011)
Office of Career Services at IU Kokomo
16 |Kelley Student Center 200 2300 S Washington St PO Box 9003 Kokomo IN 46904-9003 (765)455-9301 fax (765)455-9537 carserviukedu wwwiukeducareer-
services
Sample New Media Resume
Objective (optional)________________________________________________________________
Creative and dedicated Graphic Designer seeking a full-time position with advancement
opportunities to further enhance my knowledge in graphic design
Education________________________________________________________________________
Indiana University KokomomdashMay 2010
Bachelor of Arts in New Media GPA 36
Qualifications_____________________________________________________________________
More than 5 years of diverse hands-on design experience including experience in web-
site design magazine publishing and marketing
Adaptable organized results and detail-oriented with excellent work ethic strong time
management and interpersonal skills
Ability to create designs concepts and sample layouts based on knowledge of layout
principles and aesthetic design concepts
Extensive knowledge of design techniques tools and principals involved in production
of precision technical plans blueprints drawings and models
Ability to come up with unusual or clever ideas about a given topic or situation or to
develop creative ways to solve a problem
Team player also capable of working independently with minimal direction
Work Experience_________________________________________________________________
ABC Company Dec 2004 ndash Present Indianapolis Indiana
Coordination and production of a variety of graphics products and servicesmdashgraphic
design and art direction for ads newsletters report covers annual reports brochures
exhibit displays maps slide shows and the government cable TV channel
Study illustrations photographs and text to plan presentation of products and services
Review layouts and suggest improvements as needed
Prepare the assembly of final layouts for printing and review and approve art materials
Provide expert analysis and input on othersrsquo designs
XYZ Business Jan 2000 - Nov 2004 Indianapolis Indiana
Completed various freelance design assignmentsmdashincluding creation of a bi-monthly
printed newsletter for a lawyers association design of various logos and artwork for the
PQ Design amp Silk-Screening
Responsible for coordination and production of a variety of graphics products and services
Estimated costs coordinated graphic production and reproduction by service bureaus
Assembled final layouts for printing and provided graphic design for website
765-555-5555
1234 Indiana Drive
Kokomo IN
nameemailcom
Office of Career Services at IU Kokomo
17 |Kelley Student Center 200 2300 S Washington St PO Box 9003 Kokomo IN 46904-9003 (765)455-9301 fax (765)455-9537 carserviukedu wwwiukeducareer-
services
Sample Chaplain Reacutesumeacute Name
Address Phone Email
Objective (Optional) To seek a challenging position as a chaplain that allows me to utilize my knowledge and clinical pastoral education skills Qualifications Summary
Compassionate and devoted Chaplin providing spiritual moral guidance for 7 years
Maintains patient confidentiality according to HIPAA regulations
Excellent interpersonal and communication skills
Experience counseling patients concerning their spiritual personal and emotional needs
Professional Experience XXX Hospice Kokomo In 2007-current Hospice Resident Chaplin
Visit patientsfamilies and perform spiritual assessments
Provide spiritual support and counseling to patients and caregivers
Document all pertinent chaplain activities and audit patient charts XXX Church Kokomo In 2002-2007 Assistance Clergy
Assisted and organized religious services
Helped manage church property and finances
Participated in church programs supporting congregation and fundraising activities XXX Hospital Kokomo IN 1997-2000 Nursersquos aide
Provide health care checks for a diverse population
Perform blood pressure tests for community health outreach programs
Supply a wide range of services including womens health clinic services and care for elderly patients
Education Hospitalhellip Clinical Pastoral Education 3 units completed University of Santa Barbara CA Master of Divinity- 2002 Indiana University Kokomo Kokomo In Bachelor of Science in Nursing ndash 2000 GPA 3440
Volunteer Work
Xxx
Xxxx
Office of Career Services at IU Kokomo
18 |Kelley Student Center 200 2300 S Washington St PO Box 9003 Kokomo IN 46904-9003 (765)455-9301 fax (765)455-9537 carserviukedu wwwiukeducareer-
services
SCANNABLE REacuteSUMEacute CHECKLIST
Resume scanning is more commonly used by employers to seek out employees When a computer will be the first to
read your reacutesumeacute it should be altered If the scannable reacutesumeacute meets the computer criteria it will then be seen by
the employer
1 Left justify the entire document
2 Use key words or short phrases to describe your qualifications and abilities Use
jargon and acronyms specific to your industry Check the job listings and
industry-related materials for current buzzwords
3 Increase your list of key words by including specific names of products and
services such as Microsoft Word or Lotus Notes
4 Use nouns more than verbs For instance say ldquoproject managerrdquo instead of
ldquoimplemented projectrdquo
5 Use common section headings such as Objective Experience Employment
Work History Positions Held Appointments and Skills Use boldface andor all
CAPITAL LETTERS for each of these section headings as long as the letters
donrsquot touch each other
6 Minimize abbreviations except for common ones such as MBA or CEO
7 Use a 10- to 14- point font size Use standard typefaces such as Times New Roman Arial New Century
or Courier
8 Avoid italics script and underlined passages Minimize use of hyphens bullets or dashes Boldface is accepted by
most systems unless the employer advises otherwise
9 Avoid graphics shadings vertical or horizontal lines and boxes The scanner
reads text not graphics
10 Print your reacutesumeacute on 8frac12 X 11 inch white paper of average thickness on one
side only using a laser or other letter-quality paper Donrsquot staple or fold
multiple-page reacutesumeacutes Always make sure your name is on all pages
11 Donrsquot condense spacing between letters
12 Use enough white space between sections Computers use white space to
differentiate between topics
13 When faxing set the fax machine on ldquofine moderdquo instead of ldquostandard moderdquo
Office of Career Services at IU Kokomo
19 |Kelley Student Center 200 2300 S Washington St PO Box 9003 Kokomo IN 46904-9003 (765)455-9301 fax (765)455-9537 carserviukedu wwwiukeducareer-
services
Scannable reacutesumeacute example
NAME IN CAPS
Current address
555 Candy Lane
Kokomo IN 46901
765 555 ndash 2424
Permanent address
444 Peppermint Lane
Indianapolis IN 46077
317 555 ndash 1234
OBJECTIVE (Optional)
A fulltime position in the area that is my expertisehellip (You fill it in-see suggested buzz-word list)
EDUCATION
Indiana University Kokomo IN
Bachelor of Science in Management
Minor Management Information Systems MIS
GPA 36 40
Major GPA 38 40
Graduation May 2014
SIGNIFICANT COURSES
Fill in with significant core courses for your major that apply to the job Use one line per course
SKILLS
Proficient with (pc programs that you are proficient in and are applicable)
Any other skills that are applicable (see buzz-word list)
WORK EXPERIENCE
Bold the Job Title
Basic job description as it applies to job applying for Dates employed (begin with most recent)
Use buzz-word list based on your occupation and relevant to the position being applied for
Office of Career Services at IU Kokomo
20 |Kelley Student Center 200 2300 S Washington St PO Box 9003 Kokomo IN 46904-9003 (765)455-9301 fax (765)455-9537 carserviukedu wwwiukeducareer-
services
Cover Letters Cover letters are an additional component of a reacutesumeacute Customize every letter to each company andor position of interest
Address it to the person listed on the position advertisement or the person that you know has the authority to hire Finding this may
take some investigation to discover if the name is not announced on the position advertisement PO boxes are often used to filter
reacutesumeacutes and you can find the owner of the box by calling the post office and asking who owns the box with that number Having
this information to address the cover letter with will set you apart from those who do not
Cover letter Format Date Employers Name Use the name of the person stated in the job posting or contact the company for the contact person address and the correct spelling) Position or title Company Name Address Suite number or floor (if there is one) City state Zip Salutation Dear Mr or Ms Or Dear Sir or Madam (use the last name only of the person you listed above) If you have made every effort to find out but do not know the name or gender or the individual use a unisex greeting of Dear Manager or Dear Director Paragraph one (Introduction) State which position you are applying for and where you heard about the opening If the position was advertised refer to where it was advertised (Indianapolis Star or higheredcom) Be enthusiastic and confident about the position with a brief statement about why you are the right fit for the job Paragraph two (Body) Explain why you want to work for this company and how your skills experience and qualifications directly relate to the position You can also include your personal traits and strengths that would be an asset for the job Summarize why you are an excellent candidate for the position Highlight key examples and how they match what the company is seeking There are likely other prospective employees that are competing for this position It is very important that you highlight qualities that will set you apart and show uniqueness You are marketing yourself in this paragraph so be sure to sell the idea that you are the best one to interview and the best fit for this employer Most advertisements will list the requirements that are desired andor required for the position Be sure to detail how you meet each of those requirements Do not point out to the reader if there is a requirement that you donrsquot currently possess just do not reference that in your letter The purpose of a cover letter is to highlight the positives and do not bring up any negatives Paragraph three (Conclusion) State that you would like the opportunity to personally discuss your qualifications Indicate where you can be reached phone andor email A good sentence to use would look like ldquoI may be reached at 555-555-1234 or nameiukedurdquo Make sure to thank the reader for their time and consideration Closing Sincerely or Yours truly or Respectfully yours Signature (blue or black ink only) Your Name (Typed)
Office of Career Services at IU Kokomo
21 |Kelley Student Center 200 2300 S Washington St PO Box 9003 Kokomo IN 46904-9003 (765)455-9301 fax (765)455-9537 carserviukedu wwwiukeducareer-
services
References
Reference lists should always be available and prepared with 3-4 professional references
Do
Do get permission from each reference you plan to use
Do give each reference a copy of your reacutesumeacute to have as a guide
Do choose references that are well informed and have good verbal and written communication skills
Do Not
Do not use relatives personal friends or students as a reference
Letters of Recommendation
A letter of recommendation provides relevant information that is honest positive and portrays a up-front outlook of the skills
and potential capabilities you possess It can describe personality performance and skill attributes knowledge and
competency level
The following are suggestions of individuals who may be qualified to write a letter of recommendation
Executive Director
Vice President
Supervisors
Co-workers
CustomersClients
Subordinates
Professors
Counsellors
Coaches
Doctors
Lawyers
Ministers
Community Leaders
Office of Career Services at IU Kokomo
22 |Kelley Student Center 200 2300 S Washington St PO Box 9003 Kokomo IN 46904-9003 (765)455-9301 fax (765)455-9537 carserviukedu wwwiukeducareer-
services
Key WordsAction Words
Actively Established Evaluate Participated Schedule Coordinate Increased Proposed Strategy Created Launched Reduced Support Effect Eliminate Organized Originate
Approve Generate Program Solve Control Improve Recommend Supervise Direct Manage Motivated Responsibilities Revise Analyze Founded Pinpointed Set up
Completed Interpret Proficient Successfully Demonstrate Maintain Revamped Responsible Administer Expedite Plan Simplicity Conduct Implemented Provide Streamline Develop
Lecture Reorganized Accelerated Adapted Expanded Perform Significantly Conceived Influence Proved Structure Delegate Lead Reinforced Teach
Self-Describing Words Professional Active Diplomatic Loyal Respective Analytical Attentive Determined Logical Resourceful Ambitious Efficient Energetic Independent
Reliable Alert Economical Objective Optimistic Realistic Aggressive Discrete Methodical Sense-of-humor Sincere Adaptable Disciplined Mature
Self-reliant Broad-minded Enterprising Personable Tactful Creative Imaginative Perceptive Systematic Constructive Forceful Productive Sophisticated Consistent
Fair Practical Will relocate Conscientious Extroverted Positive Will travel Enthusiastic Pleasant Talented Dependable Trustworthy Ethical
Keywords for Interpersonal Traits Ability to delegate Accurate Assertive Creative Ethical Follow up Leadership Oral communication Public speaking Self accountable Supportive Tenacious
Ability to implement Adaptable Communication skill Customer oriented Flexible High energy Multitasking Organizational skills Results oriented Self management Takes initiative Willing to travel
Ability to plan Aggressive Competitive Detail minded Follow instructions Industrious Open minded Persuasive Risk taking Sensitive Team building Ability to train
Analytical ability Conceptual ability Empowering others Follow through Innovated Open communication Problem solving Safety conscious Setting priorities Team player
Office of Career Services at IU Kokomo
23 |Kelley Student Center 200 2300 S Washington St PO Box 9003 Kokomo IN 46904-9003 (765)455-9301 fax (765)455-9537 carserviukedu wwwiukeducareer-
services
Sample of Occupational Keywords Occupational keywords include skills titles and occupational buzz words Account manager Accounts receivable Acquisitions Bachelors Degree Bank Card Bank reconciliation Batch processing Benchmarking Blueprint reading Brochures Budget Bulletins CAD Calibrator Carpentry Cash Flow Cell Culture Media Cement Child Care Claims Justification Commercial Leasing Copy Editing Counselor Crisis Management Cross-culture training Debugging Decision making Demographics Dental management Die casting Dietitian Drywall Ecology Electronics Employee assistance Engineer Financial planning Food preparation Gas pipeline Goal setting Graphic design Grant writer Guest services Harnessing Hiringfiring Hotel ISO 9000
Journalism Journeyman Layout design Logic analyzer Magnetic theory Manager Marketing Masterrsquos Degree Microprocessor Microsoft word Nursing Oscillator Pelletizing Patient advocate Payroll Personal computer Process metallurgy Proposal writing Psychology Public Relations Purchasing Radio Raw materials Receptionist Reporter Research Sales Secretarial Software modeling Spanish Spreadsheets Statistical Process Control Stick Welding Strategic Planning Student Personnel Supervisor Taxonomy Teacher Technical Writing Time Management Transportation Travel Wave Solder WordPerfect Workflow Writer
Office of Career Services at IU Kokomo
24 |Kelley Student Center 200 2300 S Washington St PO Box 9003 Kokomo IN 46904-9003 (765)455-9301 fax (765)455-9537 carserviukedu wwwiukeducareer-
services
ACTION WORDS
ORGANIZATIONAL Assembled Enforced Prepared Reorganized
Collected Executed Planned Scheduled
Centralized Formalized Processed Updated
Coordinated Implemented Routed Catalogued
Maintained Recorded
LEADERSHIPAllocated Hired Operated Spearheaded Determined Initiated
Oversaw Sponsored Directed Inspired Pioneered Staged
Elected Instituted Presided Started Enlisted Led
Produced Supervised Formed Managed Recruited Founded
Moderated Represented Governed Motivated Selected
COMMUNICATION SKILLS Acquainted Drafted Introduced Summarized Apprised Educated
Lectured Taught Answered Explained Listened
Trained Briefed Familiarized Presented Translated Conducted
Handled Reported Wrote Contacted Informed Responded
Demonstrated Instructed Spoke
RESEARCH Analyzed Detected Examined Researched
Assessed Discovered Gathered Searched
Audited Documented Identified Surveyed
Compiled Edited Interpreted Tested
Consulted Evaluated Interviewed
CREATIVITY Authored Created Devised
Originated Conceived Composed
Established Revolutionized Conceptualized
Designed Invented
HELPING SKILLS Aided Counseled Helped Supported
Attended Comforted Instilled Tutored
Assisted Facilitated Mentored Treated
Collaborated Fostered Provided Contributed
Guided Settled
SELLING Arbitrated Marketed Promoted
Secured Convinced Mediated
Publicized Solicited
Dissuaded Negotiated Resolved
Encouraged Persuaded Sold
OTHER ACTION VERBS Adapted Developed Generated Revamped Attained Ensured Improved Revitalized
Augmented Eliminated Increased Saved Awarded Exceeded Launched Shopped
Boosted Excelled Mastered Strengthened Broadened Expanded Modernized Supplemented
Built Expedited Published Tended Calculated Fabricated Raised Utilized
Catered Financed Reconciled Decreased Gained Reduced
Office of Career Services at IU Kokomo
25 |Kelley Student Center 200 2300 S Washington St PO Box 9003 Kokomo IN 46904-9003 (765)455-9301 fax (765)455-9537 carserviukedu wwwiukeducareer-
services
Transferable Skills-Skills you have acquired from your education and employment experience that you can market to new employers
Communication the skillful expression transmission and interpretation of knowledge and ideas
Speaking effectively Writing concisely Listening attentively Expressing ideas Facilitating group discussion Providing appropriate feedback Negotiating
Perceiving nonverbal messages Persuading Reporting information Describing feelings Interviewing Editing
Research and Planning the search for specific knowledge and the ability to conceptualize future needs and solutions for meeting those needs
Forecasting predicting Creating ideas Identifying problems Imagining alternatives Identifying resources Gathering information
Solving problems Setting goals Extracting important information Defining needs Analyzing Developing evaluation strategies
Human Relations the use of interpersonal skills for resolving conflict relating to and helping people Developing rapport Being Sensitive Listening Conveying feelings Providing support for others Motivating Sharing credit
Counseling Cooperating Delegating with respect Representing others Perceiving feelings situations Asserting
Organization Management and Leadership the ability to supervise direct and guide individuals and groups in the completion of tasks and fulfillment of goals Work Survival the day-to-day skills that assist in promoting effective production and work satisfaction
Implementing decisions Cooperating Enforcing policies Being punctual Managing time Attending to detail Meeting goals Enlisting help Accepting responsibility Setting and meeting deadlines Organizing Making decisions
Initiating new ideas Handling details Coordinating tasks Managing groups Delegating responsibility Teaching Coaching Counseling Promoting change Selling ideas or products Decision making with others Managing conflict
Office of Career Services at IU Kokomo
26 |Kelley Student Center 200 2300 S Washington St PO Box 9003 Kokomo IN 46904-9003 (765)455-9301 fax (765)455-9537 carserviukedu wwwiukeducareer-
services
After you have the perfect reacutesumeacute it is time to hit the road and put your skills into action Career Fairs will help put you in communication with prospective employers and give you valuable practice for interviews
Achieve Results and Get the Most Out of a Career Fair
Attend as many job fairs as you can Not only will practice make perfect but it will expand your network of career contacts Make sure to ask precise questions and be prepared to answer specific questions the employers have regarding your background and capabilities Before the Job Fair- Be Prepared
Create a reacutesumeacute and have it reviewed by a career counselor Create a list of 3-5 references in case they are requested (Be sure to ask your references for their help before
including them on the list) Create your 30-second oral reacutesumeacute and practice practice practice Review the employer list Determine where employers are located and in what order to visit them Broaden your focus and include different types of employers For instance although you may not have thought of
working for a hospital hospitals recruit and hire professionals in many different fields Do your research Look up information about the employers of interest
o Check their websites for information about their productsservices and mission statement o What types of jobs do they have open o What kind of people are they looking for o What kind of skills do these people need to have How do you meet their skill requirements o Develop some questions you would like to ask the employer representatives at the fair
Network Network Network with people you know and via social network sites like Linked-In and Facebook for more information about the companies Also seek contact with employees you might know or seek information from alumni who work there
During the Job Fair Dress for success (See page 38) Assume you will be interviewed and dress the part Even if you dont get an interview
at the job fair you have already made a great impression Always have a penpencil and paper to take notes- a portfolio works best Bring plenty of reacutesumeacutes with you While some companies will be seeking employees for specific positions some
employers will collect reacutesumeacutes for future positions Be sure to get all of the contact information you need to complete an application
Make sure to have copies of your reference list in case an employer asks First impressions are everything Be direct have a firm handshake and make eye contact as you greet employers This
will speak volumes about your confidence If you are only gathering information let employers know that you are only interested in materials and information
Be aware of time demands of employers Do not monopolize the employersrsquo time You should have already done your homework about their company so you can better spend your time asking about the positions available (or available in the near future) and how your skills match their needs Give them your 30-second oral reacutesumeacute and impress them with what you feel you can do for their company Since practice makes perfect donrsquot give up if the first attempt doesnrsquot go well Keep trying with other employers
Ask specific questions and collect information from each booth you visit including business cards from the employer representatives Offer to follow up after the fair and ask what the best way to contact them is
After the Job Fair You now have a prime opportunity to make a distinctive impression
Use those business cards you collected to follow up with each employer you are interested in Be sure to do everything you promised at the job fair Complete the application and upload your reacutesumeacute Send a thank-you note or email to all whom you talked with within 48 hours of the career fair This shows that you
are serious about their organization and will set you apart from many who neglect to do so If you follow up on your application for a position be sure to follow the preferred contact method and dont overdo it Stay in contact and use this experience to expand your network Submit an additional or amended reacutesumeacute during your follow-up contacts if need be Follow-up and follow-through contacts are up to the student be persistent and polite
Office of Career Services at IU Kokomo
27 |Kelley Student Center 200 2300 S Washington St PO Box 9003 Kokomo IN 46904-9003 (765)455-9301 fax (765)455-9537 carserviukedu wwwiukeducareer-
services
Additional information-what employers are expecting at a career fair
What Will Impress Employers o Demonstrate that you have done your homework and researched their company o Be prepared Have your reacutesumeacute critiqued by Career Services and bring plenty of copies with you Develop
questions to ask smile and courteously and enthusiastically engage the representatives o Have a firm hand shake and good eye contact- dress for success o Never ask about salary let them bring up the subject o An expectation that you will be responsible for following up with them including a thank you note or letter o Take the initiative Walk up to them and engage the employers they want to speak to you
What Employers May Want to Learn About You o Specific careerjob objectives What are your expectations o Individual strengths and weaknesses Have specific examples that demonstrate your skills develop short
stories that showcase your skills (Remember a job fair is time sensitive and you donrsquot want to take up too much time of one employer)
o Contributions you will make to the operation Remember be specific now is not the time to blandly or generically discuss what you can do
What You Should Learn About Each Company o Employment trends Career Fairs are excellent resources for information about career decision-making o Skills necessary for different careersjobs Have meaningful conversations with representatives o Currentfuture positions o Salary benefits training and other information about the company (again let the employer bring up salary) o Who to contact for follow-up discussions and what their hiring processes are get specifics o Collect their business card or write down their contact information
30 Second Oral Reacutesumeacute Purpose It is important to practice your 30 second oral reacutesumeacute prior to attending a career fair The famous ldquoTell me about yourselfrdquo is a question that is always asked Whether the question is asked in a social setting an interview or a networking event a well-planned answer can set you apart from the crowd as well as spark additional conversation Begin preparing your oral reacutesumeacute by following the tips below
How to Prepare Your Oral Reacutesumeacute o Begin by brainstorming what you would want someone to know about you Write down all of your ideas o Consider including the following information in your oral reacutesumeacute
Job Objective Education and Training Skills
Accomplishments and Achievements Prior Employment Other Experience
o Narrow down your optionsmdashpick the top 5 things you want the person to know about you o Develop a paragraph that encompasses all of the things you wish to say o Practice makes perfect Read aloud your reacutesumeacute several times
Additional Tips Prepare more than one oral reacutesumeacute for various situations Practice your reacutesumeacute by calling your voicemail and later playing back the messagemdashthink about how it sounds and
what you would like to change Make sure that your oral reacutesumeacute will keep the listenerrsquos attention
Example Oral Reacutesumeacute Hi my name is ________ and I am a senior at IU Kokomo majoring in New Media I am looking for an internship experience in graphic designweb development Through my coursework I have developed strong computer and analytical skills Last summer I worked as an intern at the Kokomo Perspective to gain experience with print media At the Perspective I worked with the copy editor as well as the writing staff to gain experience in both fields I also volunteer at United Way developing and updating their website
Office of Career Services at IU Kokomo
28 |Kelley Student Center 200 2300 S Washington St PO Box 9003 Kokomo IN 46904-9003 (765)455-9301 fax (765)455-9537 carserviukedu wwwiukeducareer-
services
Send a Follow-up thank you note after Career Fair Send a thank you note or email to all whom you talked with within 48 hours of the career fair This shows that you are serious about their organization and will set you apart from many who neglect to do so
Be sure to remind the employer where you met them Thank you for taking the time to talk with me on Thursday at the career fair After talking with you I
am even more eager to work at _____ Summarize specific qualities and assets you obtain I am certain my education at IU Kokomo has enhanced my skill set and has provided a solid
background of knowledge in the _______ fieldhelliphellip Some experiences I have had the pleasure of doing arehellip This opportunity improved my work ethic and made me aware of my self-reliancehellip
Always attach your reacutesumeacute again for their convenience I have attached my reacutesumeacute for your convenience I look forward to an opportunity to further discuss
my qualifications You may contact me athellip (phone andor email address) Thank you again for your time and consideration
Sample Thank you
Thank you for taking the time to talk with me on Thursday November 9 at the career fair on IU Kokomorsquos campus I appreciate your time and attention and after talking with you I am even more interested in learning more about your organization You were extremely helpful in explaining companyrsquos name customer service and marketing trainee program Now that I have a better idea of what the position entails I am even more certain that I would be an asset to your team and to companyrsquos name My solid education from the IU Kokomo Communication Department and the fact that I have worked my way through college show the work ethic and determination you said were important to be successful at companyrsquos name I look forward to an opportunity to visit companyrsquos name office and speak to you further about the trainee program I will contact you next week to arrange an appointment Enclosed is an updated reacutesumeacute for your review Thank you again for your time and consideration Sincerely
Office of Career Services at IU Kokomo
29 |Kelley Student Center 200 2300 S Washington St PO Box 9003 Kokomo IN 46904-9003 (765)455-9301 fax (765)455-9537 carserviukedu wwwiukeducareer-
services
Knowledge and practice will give you the confidence you need to be prepared and give the best impression possible at an interview The following information will help prepare you for nearly any interview contingency being confidant that you can handle it is the best way to increase your chances of getting hired Here are a few things you can do to give yourself a head start
Questions to think about prior to your interview
1 Why do you want to work at this facility and what specific jobareas am I interested in a To Prepare research the facility
i Mission ii Population served
iii Financial stability iv Management style
b Learn about the job
i Job description ii Occupational outlook
iii Handbook iv employees
2 What qualities make me a good candidate
a To prepare self assessment i What are my strengths and weaknesses
ii What are my interests iii How do I know iv What kinds of results demonstrate my abilities
3 What type of shift working conditions salary and fringe benefits are most important to me (12 hours 10 hours 8
hours weekends flex-time insurance) a To prepare clarify values and lifestyle choices
i What are my values ii What kind of lifestyles do I want for myself and those close to me
4 How will I be trained
a To prepare How do I learn best i Do I need immediate feedback or can I learn well on my own
5 What are my goals Where do I want to be in 10 years
a To prepare Identify and prioritize career and life goals and objectives i Am I interested in supervision training management
ii How do I plan to reach these goals
6 What are the major issues and current events facing this specific field job occupation and company today
7 What can you bring to the organization
Office of Career Services at IU Kokomo
30 |Kelley Student Center 200 2300 S Washington St PO Box 9003 Kokomo IN 46904-9003 (765)455-9301 fax (765)455-9537 carserviukedu wwwiukeducareer-
services
Behavioral Interviews- Use the STAR Interviewing Technique for Success
The STAR acronym represents Situation Task Action and Result Recruiters and hiring managers favor the STAR technique because
it provides a better explanation of your past performance how you handle workplace challenges and whether youre able to articulate
your experiences STAR behavioral interviews are quickly becoming the most popular and common form of interview
Situation or
Task
Describe the situation that you were in or the task that you needed to accomplish You must
describe a specific event or situation not a generalized description of what you have done in
the past Be sure to give enough detail for the interviewer to understand This situation can be
from a previous job from a volunteer experience or any relevant event
Action you took Describe the action you took and be sure to keep the focus on you Even if you are discussing
a group project or effort describe what you did -- not the efforts of the team Dont tell what
you might do tell what you did
Results you achieved What happened How did the event end What did you accomplish What did you learn
For examples of past behavior use examples from
Internships
Work experience
Class projects
School activitiesorganizations you are involved with
Sports
Volunteercommunity service
Hobbies
Think about your accomplishments what are you most proud of that you want to share with the employer
How to prepare for behavior-based interviews
Identify 3-6 examples that demonstrate your top skills Look through the job description pinpoint the skills they are seeking
Pick experiences that demonstrate top behaviors of those skills
Prepare how you will ldquotell your storyrdquo using STAR
Pick examples that will be positive accomplishment
Most behavioral questions try to reveal the negative situations so be prepared with those examples However try to pick
examples that had a positive outcome
Try not to pick examples from only one topic Pick a variety of examples choosing examples from work class community
services etc
Typically the best examples are situations that happened within the last year
Go over your resume and review the accomplishments you have listed andor skills this could assist you with identifying
examples
LISTEN to the full question Be sure the example is an appropriate description of how you demonstrated what they are
asking for
Office of Career Services at IU Kokomo
31 |Kelley Student Center 200 2300 S Washington St PO Box 9003 Kokomo IN 46904-9003 (765)455-9301 fax (765)455-9537 carserviukedu wwwiukeducareer-
services
Sample Behavior-based Questions
Communication Skills
1 Give me a specific example of a time someone didnrsquot agree with your work How did you respond 2 Tell me about a time when you had to present complex information How did you ensure that everyone
understood what you were saying 3 Give an example about a time where written communication was needed
Decision Making Skills
1 What is the biggest decision or risk yoursquove made in the past year on the job Describe the process you used to make those decisions Would you do it again
2 Describe a time you overcame a challenge with an innovative solution What was the challenge What role did you play
Planning Organization Time management Skills
1 Please give an example of a time you didnrsquot meet your deadline Why did you fail to meet your deadline What did you learn from that experience
2 Give an example of how you keep track of multiple projects How do you stay on track and meet deadlines How do you stay focused
3 Describe a goal yoursquove had How you set it and achieved it
Flexibility Skills 1 Tell us about one of the toughest situations with which yoursquove had to deal with How did you handle the
stress or pressure of the situation Leadership Skills
1 Describe a time when you disagreed with a directive given by your supervisor What happened and how did you handle it
2 Give an example of a situation where team members or co-workers didnrsquot get along This could include you and someone else or two other people How did the project turn out What did you do to resolve the issue so everyone was able to work together
Office of Career Services at IU Kokomo
32 |Kelley Student Center 200 2300 S Washington St PO Box 9003 Kokomo IN 46904-9003 (765)455-9301 fax (765)455-9537 carserviukedu wwwiukeducareer-
services
Other Common Questions Asked by Employers
Personal 1 Tell me about yourself 2 Why did you choose to interview with our organization 3 Describe your ideal job 4 What can you offer us over another candidate 5 What do you consider to be your greatest strengths 6 Can you name some weaknesses 7 Define success Failure How did you learn from your failures 8 Name a couple accomplishments you most proud 9 Who are your role models Why 10 How does your college education or work experience relate to this job 11 What motivates you most in a job 12 Have you ever spoken before a group of people How large 13 What do you know about our organization (products or services) 14 Do you plan to return to school for further education 15 What would you change about yourself and why
Education
16 Why did you choose your major 17 Why did you choose to attend your college or university 18 Do you think you received a good education In what ways 19 In which campus activities did you participate 20 Which classes in your major did you like best Least Why 21 If you were to start over what would you change about your education 22 Do your grades accurately reflect your ability Why or why not
Experience
23 What job-related skills have you developed 24 Did you work while going to school In what positions 25 What did you learn from these work experiences 26 What did you enjoy most about your last employment Least 27 Have you ever quit a job Why 28 Give an example of how you have solved a problem in the work place 29 How do you resolve conflict on a team project 30 Give an example of a time in which you worked under deadline pressure 31 Have you ever done any volunteer work What kind 32 How do you think a former supervisor would describe your work
Career Goals
33 Do you prefer to work under supervision or on your own 34 What kind of boss do you prefer 35 Would you be successful working with a team 36 Do you prefer large or small organizations Why 37 What other types of positions are you considering 38 How do you feel about working in a structured environment 39 Are you able to work on several assignments at once 40 How do you feel about working overtime 41 How do you feel about travel 42 Are you willing to relocate
Office of Career Services at IU Kokomo
33 |Kelley Student Center 200 2300 S Washington St PO Box 9003 Kokomo IN 46904-9003 (765)455-9301 fax (765)455-9537 carserviukedu wwwiukeducareer-
services
Questions to Ask Employers
An interview is a two-way street Employers get an impression of you from the questions you ask Are you a critical thinker Did you comprehend and correctly process everything in the interview Have you done research and have a good grasp of the company and the scope of the position Your questions should be intelligent insightful and polite Have at least 3-5 custom questions in mind Employers look for someone who shows interest confidence and is well organized
1 Please describe (or ask them to clarify specifics) the duties of the job for me 2 Is this a new position or am I replacing someone 3 What do you like best about your jobcompany 4 What kinds of assignments might I expect the first six months on the job 5 What qualities are you looking for in the candidate who fills this position 6 Does your company encourage further education 7 Do you have plans for expansion 8 What are your growth projections for next year 9 Have you cut staff in the last three years 10 In what ways is a career with your company better than one with your competitors 11 What is the largest single problem facing your staff (department) now 12 Has there been much turnover in this job area 13 Will I have the opportunity to work on special projects 14 Where does this position fit into the organizational structure 15 How much travel if any is involved in this position 16 What is the next course of action When should I expect to hear from you or may I contact you
Interview Checklist Preparation Research research research Knowing more about the organization as a whole and the particular position you are applying for will be helpful in the interview It will help you understand questions that may be asked and will give you a chance to come up with questions to ask them The more research you conduct the more confident and comfortable you will feel in the interview It will also demonstrate to the employer how determined and pro-active you are about their company and the position you seek Get specific directions to the location If possible go there the day before and check out parking and the location of the office where your interview will be held
First Impression Put your best foot forward Remember the decision to hire you may be made in the first 5 minutes Always wait until they sit or invite you to be seated
Dress code Dress more formal than you would in the actual position Women should wear a suit or dress with a jacket Men should wear a suit or sport jacket and slacks Itrsquos a good idea to have an interview outfit ready and waiting (cleaned neat no threads or missing buttons) hanging in your closet Donrsquot wear anything too trendy or faddish (ladies no miniskirts) Check all zippers for closure and ladies should always have an extra pair of hose for emergencies Your style of dress communicates too what do you want it to say (See page 38)
Arrival Arrive a few minutes early to check out the location and parking Stop by the restroom and check your appearance Again you may want to check out the location the day before if you are unsure of the area
What to bring Always have an extra copy of your reacutesumeacute note paper and pen You will want to jot down questions as they may come about as well as information about the position Also write down the names of each person you interview with so you can mail a thank-you note
Application
Office of Career Services at IU Kokomo
34 |Kelley Student Center 200 2300 S Washington St PO Box 9003 Kokomo IN 46904-9003 (765)455-9301 fax (765)455-9537 carserviukedu wwwiukeducareer-
services
Read through the entire application before you begin Follow the directions Give specific titles You may leave the salary question blank or fill it in with a reasonable salary range Use NA where answers are not applicable Proofread the application before returning it
Legal and Illegal Pre-employment Questions CATEGORY LAWFUL
(Questions employers can ask)
UNLAWFUL (Questions employers cannot ask)
Name Have you ever worked for this company under a different name
Is any additional information relative to change of name use of an assumed name or nickname necessary to enable a check
on your work record If yes explain
What is your maiden name
Is the name on your application your real name
Address Where do you live
How long have you lived there
Birthplace Where were you born Where were your relatives born
Agebirth date Are you 18 years of age or older How old are you What is your birth date
Prove your age by submitting your birth certificate baptismal record
naturalization papers etc (see citizenship)
Photograph Requirement or option that applicant affix a photograph to employment form at
any time before hiring Citizenship Are you a citizen of the United States
If not are you authorized to work in the US
Can you verify US citizenship or your
right to work in the United States
Of what country are you a citizen Are you a naturalized or a native-born
citizen When did you acquire citizenship
Please produce naturalization papers or green card
(employers must verify citizenship or the right to work after theyrsquove decided to
extend an offer) Sex or Marital Status Are you male or female
Are you married What are your living arrangements
Relatives Do you have relatives (other than a spouse) already employed by the
company
What are their names
What are the names (addresses ages number or other information) of your
relatives not employed by the company
Children
Do you have children or plans to have children in the future
Do you have the capacity to reproduce Do you advocate any form of birth control
or family planning What are your child care arrangements
How old are your children
CATEGORY LAWFUL UNLAWFUL (Questions employers can ask) (Questions employers cannot ask)
Disability Do you have any impairment
(physical mental or medical) which would interfere with your ability to perform the job for which you have
applied
Do you have any disabilities or diseases not related to job
performance
Arrest record Have you ever been convicted of a criminal offense other than minor
traffic violations If yes explain fully
Have you ever been arrested
Experienced Please describe your work experience
Travel Overtime This position requires X amount of overtimetravel Would you be able
to meet this requirement
Who will care for your children when you travel or work overtime
Would your spouse object if you
traveled or worked overtime Language What languages do you speak and
write fluently What is your native language
How did you learn to read write or
speak a foreign language Education Please describe your academic
vocational or professional education and the public and private schools you attended
What are the dates of attendance
(To permit verification)
Notice in case of emergency What are the names and addresses of people to be notified in case of
accident or emergency (can be asked after hire)
Military experience Have you served in the US Armed Forces or in the National Guard
Describe your experience
Do you have any military experience
(other than in the United States) Organizations Do you belong to any organizations
which you consider relevant to your ability to perform this job Please
explain
Are you a member of any clubs societies or lodges
Which ones
Race or color What racecolor are you Are you a minority
Religion or creed What is your religion To which parishchurch do you
belong What religious holidays do you
observe National Origin What is your (or relatives) lineage
ancestry national origin descent percentage or nationality
Office of Career Services at IU Kokomo
36 |Kelley Student Center 200 2300 S Washington St PO Box 9003 Kokomo IN 46904-9003 (765)455-9301 fax (765)455-9537 carserviukedu wwwiukeducareer-
services
After the interview After you have interviewed for a position there are some things to do that may improve your chances
Send a Follow-up thank you note within 24 hours
This shows that you are serious about their organization and will set you apart from many who neglect to do so By taking the
time to email or write a handwritten letter thanking them for taking their time to meet with you Summarize specific qualities
you have and let them know you look forward in speaking with them further about employment
Sample Thank you
Dear Intervieweersquos Name Thank you for taking the time to talk with me on Thursday November 9 at the interview for list specifics of position and company) I appreciate your time and attention and after talking with you I am even more interested in becoming a valuable team member at companyrsquos name You were extremely helpful in explaining list position Now that I have a better idea of what the position entails I am even more certain that I would be an asset to your team and to companyrsquos name My solid education from the IU Kokomo Communication Department and the fact that I have worked my way through college show the work ethic and determination you said were important to be successful at companyrsquos name I look forward to an opportunity to work with companyrsquos name office and speak to you further about the program I will contact you next week to follow up and provide you with any further information that you may need Thank you again for your time and consideration Sincerely
Your name
The Stall Letter
There may be situations that you will need time to figure out whether a job is a good fit or have more than one position to accept or decline The stall letter is a good tool to have in this case In the introduction refer to the job offer or event that is prompting the letter In the second paragraph state your continued interest in the position but request more time to gather further information or to consider all alternatives and opportunities in order to make the best choice for the position and the company as well as yourself Give a specific time extension request If you need 24 hours for example ask for that Ask for the minimal amount of time in order to make your decision Remember this is a request and does not guarantee that the employer will accept it and be prepared for the possibility that they will not grant the time and choose another candidate In the conclusion thank them for their time and understanding and indicate when you will contact them to discuss the terms of the possible extension
Sample Stall Letter
Dear name of person that offered the position This letter is in reference to list company name and your offer of list the position I would like to take this opportunity to thank you for the opportunity and express my continued interest in the position At this time I would like to request __hours to gather some vital information in order to be completely confidant that I am making the best and most informed decision possible I want to ensure for all parties involved that I have considered all options and alternatives to be certain that my acceptance of this list position is the correct course of action for us both I appreciate your understanding and valuable time and look forward to speaking with you at your earliest convenience today so that we may discuss the terms of my request Sincerely Your Name
Office of Career Services at IU Kokomo
37 |Kelley Student Center 200 2300 S Washington St PO Box 9003 Kokomo IN 46904-9003 (765)455-9301 fax (765)455-9537 carserviukedu wwwiukeducareer-
services
Acceptance of a Job Offer Letter
Responding in writing to a job offer shows courtesy and is expected It reduces the chance of any misunderstanding that verbal acceptances do not In the first paragraph thank the employer for offering the specific position title and say that you are happy to accept it In the second paragraph state the terms of employment (salary location and start date) Emphasize any negotiations of terms that were unusual or non-standard if there were any In the last paragraph thank the employer sincerely for the opportunity and express your excitement to join their organization and be a valuable asset to them
Sample Job Offer Acceptance Letter
Dear person who offered position
I am happy to have the opportunity to accept the position of list title
The following terms of the position as I understood them include a salary of list salaryrate of pay at List location and to begin employment on list date As we discussed instead of the typical work week we agreed to the addition of evening and weekend hours during the probationary period with a return to usual business hours after 90 days We also agreed to a company vehicle provision for any off site training and appointments during the course of my employment
I truly look forward to becoming a valued member of your team and I am anticipating a productive and positive professional relationship with list company
Sincerely Your Name
Decline or Withdrawing from Consideration Letter
There may be times that you wish to decline or remove yourself from consideration from a position Doing this on a positive
and respectful note decreases the chance that future opportunities will be missed either as a future employee or possible
professional contact with the firm Thank the employer for the opportunity but decline it based on your reasons Be sure to
specifically name the person that was in charge of the hiring process If the decline is due to a term that was offered be
specific the firm could always choose to negotiate that term to better suit your situation
Date
Dear List person
Thank you very much for offering me the list position After careful consideration I regret that I must decline your offer
Although you were most encouraging in outlining future advancement possibilities within ABC Company I have accepted another
opportunity that is more in line with my skills and career goals or I found list the term to be out of line with my needs and
goals
I enjoyed meeting you and the rest of your team You have been most kind and gracious throughout the interview process and I
only wish that circumstances allowed me to accept your offer
Best wishes for your continued success
Sincerely
Your Name
Office of Career Services at IU Kokomo
38 |Kelley Student Center 200 2300 S Washington St PO Box 9003 Kokomo IN 46904-9003 (765)455-9301 fax (765)455-9537 carserviukedu wwwiukeducareer-
services
____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
This packet contains a lot of valuable information to help you achieve all the goals that an education from IU Kokomo
will prepare you for Use this as a guide for every step of the way from your freshman year graduation and beyond
Office of Career Services at IU Kokomo
12 |Kelley Student Center 200 2300 S Washington St PO Box 9003 Kokomo IN 46904-9003 (765)455-9301 fax (765)455-9537 carserviukedu wwwiukeducareer-
services
Sample Entry level Information Technology Reacutesumeacute NAME
Address Phone Number Email address
Summary of Qualifications (optional)
Outstanding academic record Achieved Deans list for 1516 semesters and GPA of 375 Four years of experience as help desk technician and web developer Proficiency in various programs operating systems and applications Expert at finding and resolving malfunctions using exceptional technical and communication skills to ensure
minimization of downtime and optimal computer performance Education
Purdue University College of Technology Kokomo In Bachelor of Science in Computer and Information Technology Expected Graduation date May 2010 GPA 3040 (only if it is above a 30)
Technical Qualifications
Programming languages C Visual C++ C++ CSS ASP JavaScript Java Servlet HTML Java Server pages JBuilder XML PHP Apache
Software Applications Microsoft Suite (Excel Word Access Power Point) Macromedia Homesuite Adobe Photoshop FrontPageDreamweaver macromedia Flash DrScheme
Database Management Database SQL command MySQL Operating Systems Mac OSX Windows XP professional UNIX
Professional Experience Promega Corporation Indianapolis IN Web Developer (2008 - Present)
Helped in the re-launching and redesigning of companys web site that resulted in increased online sales by 15 and improved navigation
Responsible for implementation of programs and build databases that let the users to register unique names and passwords
Help in implementation creation and management of multiple applications for back end and web site Back end include Flash slide shows newsletter and RSS
Web site updating and editing using several languages such as XML HTML and CSS SGate Entertainment Indianapolis IN Web DeveloperHelp Desk Technician (52005-92008)
Utilized JavaScript HTML Flash and CSS to create companys web site Primarily recruited to help help desk Assured software and hardware were installed and operated at peak efficiency Accountable for long-term and day-to-day maintenance and technical support of site including suggestion solutions
and analyzing requirements to meet user needs Offered support for 10 users Helped with migration from PC to Mac environment
Volunteeractivities
Tutor computer students Assist area school corporation with computer updates
References upon request (optional)
Office of Career Services at IU Kokomo
13 |Kelley Student Center 200 2300 S Washington St PO Box 9003 Kokomo IN 46904-9003 (765)455-9301 fax (765)455-9537 carserviukedu wwwiukeducareer-
services
Sample Health Sciences Resume Address Phone Email
Education Indiana University Kokomo- Kokomo IN Bachelor of Science in Health Sciences Minor Psychology Expected Graduation Date May 2013 GPA 3140
Related Courses Ethics and civic engagement Social and behavioral sciences Cultural Diversity
Quantitative Literacy and Math Childhood Psychology Personality Psychology
Leadership Special volunteer projects (2012)
Planned and directed health screening day Organized group of student leaders on advocacy projects
Phi Sigma Sigma- Indiana University Kokomo Secretary (809- current)
Provide Leadership Attended leadership conference Volunteered with big brothers big sisters
Tutored school age children Assisted with multiple events on campus
CASA- Kokomo In volunteer (January lsquo09-current)
Advocate for children in the court system Assisted with court paperwork
Developed database and new registration form Counseled children and families
Relevant Work experience Samaritan Caregivers- Kokomo IN (summer 2012) Intern
Provided support to volunteers and staff on routine client visits Evaluated new clients
Community Howard Regional Health- Kokomo IN (summer 2011) Intern
Assisted with organization of new programs Planned and directed ldquoHealthy Teensrdquo event Researched and evaluated what needs the community had and implemented the new XYZ program
Skills CommunicationOrganizationMarketing
Strong interpersonal communication skills Designed and distributed flyers for benefit dinners and school functions Created informational and advertising brochures and slideshow presentations Participated in fundraisers and benefit dinners
ManagementTrainingSales Interviewed hired and scheduled employees Charted yearly sales records and tracked employee overtime Taught peers how to make and operate slideshows using PowerPoint Trained students on assembling and using art equipment
Office of Career Services at IU Kokomo
14 |Kelley Student Center 200 2300 S Washington St PO Box 9003 Kokomo IN 46904-9003 (765)455-9301 fax (765)455-9537 carserviukedu wwwiukeducareer-
services
Sample Informatics Resume
NAME Address Phone number Email address
Objective (optional)
Qualified IT professional with variety of software hardware and networking knowledge
Exceptional teamwork and leadership skills
Efficient troubleshooter with commitment to lifetime learning
Experience Computer Services Inc Indianapolis In Maintenance and Computer Technician 2008 - Present
Assembled computers
helped in network installation tasks
Assisted with troubleshooting Green Networks Inc Carmel IN Computer Technician 2006-2008
Responsible for the maintenance of equipment and computers used by company for multimedia advertisement Education
Indiana University Kokomo Kokomo In Bachelor of Science in Informatics Expected Graduation date May 2010 GPA 3040 (only if it is above a 30)
Skills Systems Engineering
Differentiate between various types of hardware
Set up and configure software and all the versions of Microsoft Windows
Build and maintain a computer
Troubleshoot software and hardware problems
Networking
Find out network hardware devices and cabling and their working
Implement IP schemes and administer groups
Maintain a secure network and implement network topologies
Expert in DNS Active Directory DHCP and WINS
Communications
Demonstrated skills to answer technical questions with different degrees of computer skills
Willingness to learn new things and work well with others
Good presentation skills
Demonstrated leadership skills in a team environment
Reference available on request (optional)
Office of Career Services at IU Kokomo
15 |Kelley Student Center 200 2300 S Washington St PO Box 9003 Kokomo IN 46904-9003 (765)455-9301 fax (765)455-9537 carserviukedu wwwiukeducareer-
services
SAMPLE BiologyChemistryBio-Chemistry Reacutesumeacute 190 Indiana Drive Kokomo IN 46902 (765) 555-5555 nameemailcom
High-energy and motivated individual with outstanding work ethic a strong academic background broad-based work experience and a record of personal achievement working for leading organizations
EDUCATION
Bachelor of Science in Biology May 2008 Minor Bio-Chemistry Indiana University Kokomo
PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT
Ophthalmology Intern XYZ Organization Kokomo IN Spring 2012
Transcribed 20 patient charts discussing medication and vision prescriptions
Observed 100 appointments for issues including glaucoma macular degeneration and detached retinas
Helped for new contact lens patients
Biology Lab Teaching Assistant Indiana University Kokomo August 2011 - current
Independently taught two biology labs per semester with 20 students in each
Created lesion plans and modified and presented curriculum for weekly classes
Maintained lab with spiders guinea pigs beetles and gecko
Held weekly office hours and tutored students
WORK EXPERIENCE
Server September 2005-June 2008 XYZ Restaurant Indianapolis IN Supervised dining experience of up to 40 guests per shift Exceeded sales goals by promoting specialty items
Head Lifeguard Seasonal May 2001-September 2007 LMN Business Kokomo IN Promoted twice within four summerscreated weekly schedule for 20 staff members Authorized to make management decisions in absence of manager Trained five new employees per summer concerning all assigned duties
ACTIVITIES amp INTERESTS
Biology Club Member (Fall 2011-current) Environmental Club Member (Spring 2010-current) Relay for Life Participant (Spring 2012-Spring 2011)
Office of Career Services at IU Kokomo
16 |Kelley Student Center 200 2300 S Washington St PO Box 9003 Kokomo IN 46904-9003 (765)455-9301 fax (765)455-9537 carserviukedu wwwiukeducareer-
services
Sample New Media Resume
Objective (optional)________________________________________________________________
Creative and dedicated Graphic Designer seeking a full-time position with advancement
opportunities to further enhance my knowledge in graphic design
Education________________________________________________________________________
Indiana University KokomomdashMay 2010
Bachelor of Arts in New Media GPA 36
Qualifications_____________________________________________________________________
More than 5 years of diverse hands-on design experience including experience in web-
site design magazine publishing and marketing
Adaptable organized results and detail-oriented with excellent work ethic strong time
management and interpersonal skills
Ability to create designs concepts and sample layouts based on knowledge of layout
principles and aesthetic design concepts
Extensive knowledge of design techniques tools and principals involved in production
of precision technical plans blueprints drawings and models
Ability to come up with unusual or clever ideas about a given topic or situation or to
develop creative ways to solve a problem
Team player also capable of working independently with minimal direction
Work Experience_________________________________________________________________
ABC Company Dec 2004 ndash Present Indianapolis Indiana
Coordination and production of a variety of graphics products and servicesmdashgraphic
design and art direction for ads newsletters report covers annual reports brochures
exhibit displays maps slide shows and the government cable TV channel
Study illustrations photographs and text to plan presentation of products and services
Review layouts and suggest improvements as needed
Prepare the assembly of final layouts for printing and review and approve art materials
Provide expert analysis and input on othersrsquo designs
XYZ Business Jan 2000 - Nov 2004 Indianapolis Indiana
Completed various freelance design assignmentsmdashincluding creation of a bi-monthly
printed newsletter for a lawyers association design of various logos and artwork for the
PQ Design amp Silk-Screening
Responsible for coordination and production of a variety of graphics products and services
Estimated costs coordinated graphic production and reproduction by service bureaus
Assembled final layouts for printing and provided graphic design for website
765-555-5555
1234 Indiana Drive
Kokomo IN
nameemailcom
Office of Career Services at IU Kokomo
17 |Kelley Student Center 200 2300 S Washington St PO Box 9003 Kokomo IN 46904-9003 (765)455-9301 fax (765)455-9537 carserviukedu wwwiukeducareer-
services
Sample Chaplain Reacutesumeacute Name
Address Phone Email
Objective (Optional) To seek a challenging position as a chaplain that allows me to utilize my knowledge and clinical pastoral education skills Qualifications Summary
Compassionate and devoted Chaplin providing spiritual moral guidance for 7 years
Maintains patient confidentiality according to HIPAA regulations
Excellent interpersonal and communication skills
Experience counseling patients concerning their spiritual personal and emotional needs
Professional Experience XXX Hospice Kokomo In 2007-current Hospice Resident Chaplin
Visit patientsfamilies and perform spiritual assessments
Provide spiritual support and counseling to patients and caregivers
Document all pertinent chaplain activities and audit patient charts XXX Church Kokomo In 2002-2007 Assistance Clergy
Assisted and organized religious services
Helped manage church property and finances
Participated in church programs supporting congregation and fundraising activities XXX Hospital Kokomo IN 1997-2000 Nursersquos aide
Provide health care checks for a diverse population
Perform blood pressure tests for community health outreach programs
Supply a wide range of services including womens health clinic services and care for elderly patients
Education Hospitalhellip Clinical Pastoral Education 3 units completed University of Santa Barbara CA Master of Divinity- 2002 Indiana University Kokomo Kokomo In Bachelor of Science in Nursing ndash 2000 GPA 3440
Volunteer Work
Xxx
Xxxx
Office of Career Services at IU Kokomo
18 |Kelley Student Center 200 2300 S Washington St PO Box 9003 Kokomo IN 46904-9003 (765)455-9301 fax (765)455-9537 carserviukedu wwwiukeducareer-
services
SCANNABLE REacuteSUMEacute CHECKLIST
Resume scanning is more commonly used by employers to seek out employees When a computer will be the first to
read your reacutesumeacute it should be altered If the scannable reacutesumeacute meets the computer criteria it will then be seen by
the employer
1 Left justify the entire document
2 Use key words or short phrases to describe your qualifications and abilities Use
jargon and acronyms specific to your industry Check the job listings and
industry-related materials for current buzzwords
3 Increase your list of key words by including specific names of products and
services such as Microsoft Word or Lotus Notes
4 Use nouns more than verbs For instance say ldquoproject managerrdquo instead of
ldquoimplemented projectrdquo
5 Use common section headings such as Objective Experience Employment
Work History Positions Held Appointments and Skills Use boldface andor all
CAPITAL LETTERS for each of these section headings as long as the letters
donrsquot touch each other
6 Minimize abbreviations except for common ones such as MBA or CEO
7 Use a 10- to 14- point font size Use standard typefaces such as Times New Roman Arial New Century
or Courier
8 Avoid italics script and underlined passages Minimize use of hyphens bullets or dashes Boldface is accepted by
most systems unless the employer advises otherwise
9 Avoid graphics shadings vertical or horizontal lines and boxes The scanner
reads text not graphics
10 Print your reacutesumeacute on 8frac12 X 11 inch white paper of average thickness on one
side only using a laser or other letter-quality paper Donrsquot staple or fold
multiple-page reacutesumeacutes Always make sure your name is on all pages
11 Donrsquot condense spacing between letters
12 Use enough white space between sections Computers use white space to
differentiate between topics
13 When faxing set the fax machine on ldquofine moderdquo instead of ldquostandard moderdquo
Office of Career Services at IU Kokomo
19 |Kelley Student Center 200 2300 S Washington St PO Box 9003 Kokomo IN 46904-9003 (765)455-9301 fax (765)455-9537 carserviukedu wwwiukeducareer-
services
Scannable reacutesumeacute example
NAME IN CAPS
Current address
555 Candy Lane
Kokomo IN 46901
765 555 ndash 2424
Permanent address
444 Peppermint Lane
Indianapolis IN 46077
317 555 ndash 1234
OBJECTIVE (Optional)
A fulltime position in the area that is my expertisehellip (You fill it in-see suggested buzz-word list)
EDUCATION
Indiana University Kokomo IN
Bachelor of Science in Management
Minor Management Information Systems MIS
GPA 36 40
Major GPA 38 40
Graduation May 2014
SIGNIFICANT COURSES
Fill in with significant core courses for your major that apply to the job Use one line per course
SKILLS
Proficient with (pc programs that you are proficient in and are applicable)
Any other skills that are applicable (see buzz-word list)
WORK EXPERIENCE
Bold the Job Title
Basic job description as it applies to job applying for Dates employed (begin with most recent)
Use buzz-word list based on your occupation and relevant to the position being applied for
Office of Career Services at IU Kokomo
20 |Kelley Student Center 200 2300 S Washington St PO Box 9003 Kokomo IN 46904-9003 (765)455-9301 fax (765)455-9537 carserviukedu wwwiukeducareer-
services
Cover Letters Cover letters are an additional component of a reacutesumeacute Customize every letter to each company andor position of interest
Address it to the person listed on the position advertisement or the person that you know has the authority to hire Finding this may
take some investigation to discover if the name is not announced on the position advertisement PO boxes are often used to filter
reacutesumeacutes and you can find the owner of the box by calling the post office and asking who owns the box with that number Having
this information to address the cover letter with will set you apart from those who do not
Cover letter Format Date Employers Name Use the name of the person stated in the job posting or contact the company for the contact person address and the correct spelling) Position or title Company Name Address Suite number or floor (if there is one) City state Zip Salutation Dear Mr or Ms Or Dear Sir or Madam (use the last name only of the person you listed above) If you have made every effort to find out but do not know the name or gender or the individual use a unisex greeting of Dear Manager or Dear Director Paragraph one (Introduction) State which position you are applying for and where you heard about the opening If the position was advertised refer to where it was advertised (Indianapolis Star or higheredcom) Be enthusiastic and confident about the position with a brief statement about why you are the right fit for the job Paragraph two (Body) Explain why you want to work for this company and how your skills experience and qualifications directly relate to the position You can also include your personal traits and strengths that would be an asset for the job Summarize why you are an excellent candidate for the position Highlight key examples and how they match what the company is seeking There are likely other prospective employees that are competing for this position It is very important that you highlight qualities that will set you apart and show uniqueness You are marketing yourself in this paragraph so be sure to sell the idea that you are the best one to interview and the best fit for this employer Most advertisements will list the requirements that are desired andor required for the position Be sure to detail how you meet each of those requirements Do not point out to the reader if there is a requirement that you donrsquot currently possess just do not reference that in your letter The purpose of a cover letter is to highlight the positives and do not bring up any negatives Paragraph three (Conclusion) State that you would like the opportunity to personally discuss your qualifications Indicate where you can be reached phone andor email A good sentence to use would look like ldquoI may be reached at 555-555-1234 or nameiukedurdquo Make sure to thank the reader for their time and consideration Closing Sincerely or Yours truly or Respectfully yours Signature (blue or black ink only) Your Name (Typed)
Office of Career Services at IU Kokomo
21 |Kelley Student Center 200 2300 S Washington St PO Box 9003 Kokomo IN 46904-9003 (765)455-9301 fax (765)455-9537 carserviukedu wwwiukeducareer-
services
References
Reference lists should always be available and prepared with 3-4 professional references
Do
Do get permission from each reference you plan to use
Do give each reference a copy of your reacutesumeacute to have as a guide
Do choose references that are well informed and have good verbal and written communication skills
Do Not
Do not use relatives personal friends or students as a reference
Letters of Recommendation
A letter of recommendation provides relevant information that is honest positive and portrays a up-front outlook of the skills
and potential capabilities you possess It can describe personality performance and skill attributes knowledge and
competency level
The following are suggestions of individuals who may be qualified to write a letter of recommendation
Executive Director
Vice President
Supervisors
Co-workers
CustomersClients
Subordinates
Professors
Counsellors
Coaches
Doctors
Lawyers
Ministers
Community Leaders
Office of Career Services at IU Kokomo
22 |Kelley Student Center 200 2300 S Washington St PO Box 9003 Kokomo IN 46904-9003 (765)455-9301 fax (765)455-9537 carserviukedu wwwiukeducareer-
services
Key WordsAction Words
Actively Established Evaluate Participated Schedule Coordinate Increased Proposed Strategy Created Launched Reduced Support Effect Eliminate Organized Originate
Approve Generate Program Solve Control Improve Recommend Supervise Direct Manage Motivated Responsibilities Revise Analyze Founded Pinpointed Set up
Completed Interpret Proficient Successfully Demonstrate Maintain Revamped Responsible Administer Expedite Plan Simplicity Conduct Implemented Provide Streamline Develop
Lecture Reorganized Accelerated Adapted Expanded Perform Significantly Conceived Influence Proved Structure Delegate Lead Reinforced Teach
Self-Describing Words Professional Active Diplomatic Loyal Respective Analytical Attentive Determined Logical Resourceful Ambitious Efficient Energetic Independent
Reliable Alert Economical Objective Optimistic Realistic Aggressive Discrete Methodical Sense-of-humor Sincere Adaptable Disciplined Mature
Self-reliant Broad-minded Enterprising Personable Tactful Creative Imaginative Perceptive Systematic Constructive Forceful Productive Sophisticated Consistent
Fair Practical Will relocate Conscientious Extroverted Positive Will travel Enthusiastic Pleasant Talented Dependable Trustworthy Ethical
Keywords for Interpersonal Traits Ability to delegate Accurate Assertive Creative Ethical Follow up Leadership Oral communication Public speaking Self accountable Supportive Tenacious
Ability to implement Adaptable Communication skill Customer oriented Flexible High energy Multitasking Organizational skills Results oriented Self management Takes initiative Willing to travel
Ability to plan Aggressive Competitive Detail minded Follow instructions Industrious Open minded Persuasive Risk taking Sensitive Team building Ability to train
Analytical ability Conceptual ability Empowering others Follow through Innovated Open communication Problem solving Safety conscious Setting priorities Team player
Office of Career Services at IU Kokomo
23 |Kelley Student Center 200 2300 S Washington St PO Box 9003 Kokomo IN 46904-9003 (765)455-9301 fax (765)455-9537 carserviukedu wwwiukeducareer-
services
Sample of Occupational Keywords Occupational keywords include skills titles and occupational buzz words Account manager Accounts receivable Acquisitions Bachelors Degree Bank Card Bank reconciliation Batch processing Benchmarking Blueprint reading Brochures Budget Bulletins CAD Calibrator Carpentry Cash Flow Cell Culture Media Cement Child Care Claims Justification Commercial Leasing Copy Editing Counselor Crisis Management Cross-culture training Debugging Decision making Demographics Dental management Die casting Dietitian Drywall Ecology Electronics Employee assistance Engineer Financial planning Food preparation Gas pipeline Goal setting Graphic design Grant writer Guest services Harnessing Hiringfiring Hotel ISO 9000
Journalism Journeyman Layout design Logic analyzer Magnetic theory Manager Marketing Masterrsquos Degree Microprocessor Microsoft word Nursing Oscillator Pelletizing Patient advocate Payroll Personal computer Process metallurgy Proposal writing Psychology Public Relations Purchasing Radio Raw materials Receptionist Reporter Research Sales Secretarial Software modeling Spanish Spreadsheets Statistical Process Control Stick Welding Strategic Planning Student Personnel Supervisor Taxonomy Teacher Technical Writing Time Management Transportation Travel Wave Solder WordPerfect Workflow Writer
Office of Career Services at IU Kokomo
24 |Kelley Student Center 200 2300 S Washington St PO Box 9003 Kokomo IN 46904-9003 (765)455-9301 fax (765)455-9537 carserviukedu wwwiukeducareer-
services
ACTION WORDS
ORGANIZATIONAL Assembled Enforced Prepared Reorganized
Collected Executed Planned Scheduled
Centralized Formalized Processed Updated
Coordinated Implemented Routed Catalogued
Maintained Recorded
LEADERSHIPAllocated Hired Operated Spearheaded Determined Initiated
Oversaw Sponsored Directed Inspired Pioneered Staged
Elected Instituted Presided Started Enlisted Led
Produced Supervised Formed Managed Recruited Founded
Moderated Represented Governed Motivated Selected
COMMUNICATION SKILLS Acquainted Drafted Introduced Summarized Apprised Educated
Lectured Taught Answered Explained Listened
Trained Briefed Familiarized Presented Translated Conducted
Handled Reported Wrote Contacted Informed Responded
Demonstrated Instructed Spoke
RESEARCH Analyzed Detected Examined Researched
Assessed Discovered Gathered Searched
Audited Documented Identified Surveyed
Compiled Edited Interpreted Tested
Consulted Evaluated Interviewed
CREATIVITY Authored Created Devised
Originated Conceived Composed
Established Revolutionized Conceptualized
Designed Invented
HELPING SKILLS Aided Counseled Helped Supported
Attended Comforted Instilled Tutored
Assisted Facilitated Mentored Treated
Collaborated Fostered Provided Contributed
Guided Settled
SELLING Arbitrated Marketed Promoted
Secured Convinced Mediated
Publicized Solicited
Dissuaded Negotiated Resolved
Encouraged Persuaded Sold
OTHER ACTION VERBS Adapted Developed Generated Revamped Attained Ensured Improved Revitalized
Augmented Eliminated Increased Saved Awarded Exceeded Launched Shopped
Boosted Excelled Mastered Strengthened Broadened Expanded Modernized Supplemented
Built Expedited Published Tended Calculated Fabricated Raised Utilized
Catered Financed Reconciled Decreased Gained Reduced
Office of Career Services at IU Kokomo
25 |Kelley Student Center 200 2300 S Washington St PO Box 9003 Kokomo IN 46904-9003 (765)455-9301 fax (765)455-9537 carserviukedu wwwiukeducareer-
services
Transferable Skills-Skills you have acquired from your education and employment experience that you can market to new employers
Communication the skillful expression transmission and interpretation of knowledge and ideas
Speaking effectively Writing concisely Listening attentively Expressing ideas Facilitating group discussion Providing appropriate feedback Negotiating
Perceiving nonverbal messages Persuading Reporting information Describing feelings Interviewing Editing
Research and Planning the search for specific knowledge and the ability to conceptualize future needs and solutions for meeting those needs
Forecasting predicting Creating ideas Identifying problems Imagining alternatives Identifying resources Gathering information
Solving problems Setting goals Extracting important information Defining needs Analyzing Developing evaluation strategies
Human Relations the use of interpersonal skills for resolving conflict relating to and helping people Developing rapport Being Sensitive Listening Conveying feelings Providing support for others Motivating Sharing credit
Counseling Cooperating Delegating with respect Representing others Perceiving feelings situations Asserting
Organization Management and Leadership the ability to supervise direct and guide individuals and groups in the completion of tasks and fulfillment of goals Work Survival the day-to-day skills that assist in promoting effective production and work satisfaction
Implementing decisions Cooperating Enforcing policies Being punctual Managing time Attending to detail Meeting goals Enlisting help Accepting responsibility Setting and meeting deadlines Organizing Making decisions
Initiating new ideas Handling details Coordinating tasks Managing groups Delegating responsibility Teaching Coaching Counseling Promoting change Selling ideas or products Decision making with others Managing conflict
Office of Career Services at IU Kokomo
26 |Kelley Student Center 200 2300 S Washington St PO Box 9003 Kokomo IN 46904-9003 (765)455-9301 fax (765)455-9537 carserviukedu wwwiukeducareer-
services
After you have the perfect reacutesumeacute it is time to hit the road and put your skills into action Career Fairs will help put you in communication with prospective employers and give you valuable practice for interviews
Achieve Results and Get the Most Out of a Career Fair
Attend as many job fairs as you can Not only will practice make perfect but it will expand your network of career contacts Make sure to ask precise questions and be prepared to answer specific questions the employers have regarding your background and capabilities Before the Job Fair- Be Prepared
Create a reacutesumeacute and have it reviewed by a career counselor Create a list of 3-5 references in case they are requested (Be sure to ask your references for their help before
including them on the list) Create your 30-second oral reacutesumeacute and practice practice practice Review the employer list Determine where employers are located and in what order to visit them Broaden your focus and include different types of employers For instance although you may not have thought of
working for a hospital hospitals recruit and hire professionals in many different fields Do your research Look up information about the employers of interest
o Check their websites for information about their productsservices and mission statement o What types of jobs do they have open o What kind of people are they looking for o What kind of skills do these people need to have How do you meet their skill requirements o Develop some questions you would like to ask the employer representatives at the fair
Network Network Network with people you know and via social network sites like Linked-In and Facebook for more information about the companies Also seek contact with employees you might know or seek information from alumni who work there
During the Job Fair Dress for success (See page 38) Assume you will be interviewed and dress the part Even if you dont get an interview
at the job fair you have already made a great impression Always have a penpencil and paper to take notes- a portfolio works best Bring plenty of reacutesumeacutes with you While some companies will be seeking employees for specific positions some
employers will collect reacutesumeacutes for future positions Be sure to get all of the contact information you need to complete an application
Make sure to have copies of your reference list in case an employer asks First impressions are everything Be direct have a firm handshake and make eye contact as you greet employers This
will speak volumes about your confidence If you are only gathering information let employers know that you are only interested in materials and information
Be aware of time demands of employers Do not monopolize the employersrsquo time You should have already done your homework about their company so you can better spend your time asking about the positions available (or available in the near future) and how your skills match their needs Give them your 30-second oral reacutesumeacute and impress them with what you feel you can do for their company Since practice makes perfect donrsquot give up if the first attempt doesnrsquot go well Keep trying with other employers
Ask specific questions and collect information from each booth you visit including business cards from the employer representatives Offer to follow up after the fair and ask what the best way to contact them is
After the Job Fair You now have a prime opportunity to make a distinctive impression
Use those business cards you collected to follow up with each employer you are interested in Be sure to do everything you promised at the job fair Complete the application and upload your reacutesumeacute Send a thank-you note or email to all whom you talked with within 48 hours of the career fair This shows that you
are serious about their organization and will set you apart from many who neglect to do so If you follow up on your application for a position be sure to follow the preferred contact method and dont overdo it Stay in contact and use this experience to expand your network Submit an additional or amended reacutesumeacute during your follow-up contacts if need be Follow-up and follow-through contacts are up to the student be persistent and polite
Office of Career Services at IU Kokomo
27 |Kelley Student Center 200 2300 S Washington St PO Box 9003 Kokomo IN 46904-9003 (765)455-9301 fax (765)455-9537 carserviukedu wwwiukeducareer-
services
Additional information-what employers are expecting at a career fair
What Will Impress Employers o Demonstrate that you have done your homework and researched their company o Be prepared Have your reacutesumeacute critiqued by Career Services and bring plenty of copies with you Develop
questions to ask smile and courteously and enthusiastically engage the representatives o Have a firm hand shake and good eye contact- dress for success o Never ask about salary let them bring up the subject o An expectation that you will be responsible for following up with them including a thank you note or letter o Take the initiative Walk up to them and engage the employers they want to speak to you
What Employers May Want to Learn About You o Specific careerjob objectives What are your expectations o Individual strengths and weaknesses Have specific examples that demonstrate your skills develop short
stories that showcase your skills (Remember a job fair is time sensitive and you donrsquot want to take up too much time of one employer)
o Contributions you will make to the operation Remember be specific now is not the time to blandly or generically discuss what you can do
What You Should Learn About Each Company o Employment trends Career Fairs are excellent resources for information about career decision-making o Skills necessary for different careersjobs Have meaningful conversations with representatives o Currentfuture positions o Salary benefits training and other information about the company (again let the employer bring up salary) o Who to contact for follow-up discussions and what their hiring processes are get specifics o Collect their business card or write down their contact information
30 Second Oral Reacutesumeacute Purpose It is important to practice your 30 second oral reacutesumeacute prior to attending a career fair The famous ldquoTell me about yourselfrdquo is a question that is always asked Whether the question is asked in a social setting an interview or a networking event a well-planned answer can set you apart from the crowd as well as spark additional conversation Begin preparing your oral reacutesumeacute by following the tips below
How to Prepare Your Oral Reacutesumeacute o Begin by brainstorming what you would want someone to know about you Write down all of your ideas o Consider including the following information in your oral reacutesumeacute
Job Objective Education and Training Skills
Accomplishments and Achievements Prior Employment Other Experience
o Narrow down your optionsmdashpick the top 5 things you want the person to know about you o Develop a paragraph that encompasses all of the things you wish to say o Practice makes perfect Read aloud your reacutesumeacute several times
Additional Tips Prepare more than one oral reacutesumeacute for various situations Practice your reacutesumeacute by calling your voicemail and later playing back the messagemdashthink about how it sounds and
what you would like to change Make sure that your oral reacutesumeacute will keep the listenerrsquos attention
Example Oral Reacutesumeacute Hi my name is ________ and I am a senior at IU Kokomo majoring in New Media I am looking for an internship experience in graphic designweb development Through my coursework I have developed strong computer and analytical skills Last summer I worked as an intern at the Kokomo Perspective to gain experience with print media At the Perspective I worked with the copy editor as well as the writing staff to gain experience in both fields I also volunteer at United Way developing and updating their website
Office of Career Services at IU Kokomo
28 |Kelley Student Center 200 2300 S Washington St PO Box 9003 Kokomo IN 46904-9003 (765)455-9301 fax (765)455-9537 carserviukedu wwwiukeducareer-
services
Send a Follow-up thank you note after Career Fair Send a thank you note or email to all whom you talked with within 48 hours of the career fair This shows that you are serious about their organization and will set you apart from many who neglect to do so
Be sure to remind the employer where you met them Thank you for taking the time to talk with me on Thursday at the career fair After talking with you I
am even more eager to work at _____ Summarize specific qualities and assets you obtain I am certain my education at IU Kokomo has enhanced my skill set and has provided a solid
background of knowledge in the _______ fieldhelliphellip Some experiences I have had the pleasure of doing arehellip This opportunity improved my work ethic and made me aware of my self-reliancehellip
Always attach your reacutesumeacute again for their convenience I have attached my reacutesumeacute for your convenience I look forward to an opportunity to further discuss
my qualifications You may contact me athellip (phone andor email address) Thank you again for your time and consideration
Sample Thank you
Thank you for taking the time to talk with me on Thursday November 9 at the career fair on IU Kokomorsquos campus I appreciate your time and attention and after talking with you I am even more interested in learning more about your organization You were extremely helpful in explaining companyrsquos name customer service and marketing trainee program Now that I have a better idea of what the position entails I am even more certain that I would be an asset to your team and to companyrsquos name My solid education from the IU Kokomo Communication Department and the fact that I have worked my way through college show the work ethic and determination you said were important to be successful at companyrsquos name I look forward to an opportunity to visit companyrsquos name office and speak to you further about the trainee program I will contact you next week to arrange an appointment Enclosed is an updated reacutesumeacute for your review Thank you again for your time and consideration Sincerely
Office of Career Services at IU Kokomo
29 |Kelley Student Center 200 2300 S Washington St PO Box 9003 Kokomo IN 46904-9003 (765)455-9301 fax (765)455-9537 carserviukedu wwwiukeducareer-
services
Knowledge and practice will give you the confidence you need to be prepared and give the best impression possible at an interview The following information will help prepare you for nearly any interview contingency being confidant that you can handle it is the best way to increase your chances of getting hired Here are a few things you can do to give yourself a head start
Questions to think about prior to your interview
1 Why do you want to work at this facility and what specific jobareas am I interested in a To Prepare research the facility
i Mission ii Population served
iii Financial stability iv Management style
b Learn about the job
i Job description ii Occupational outlook
iii Handbook iv employees
2 What qualities make me a good candidate
a To prepare self assessment i What are my strengths and weaknesses
ii What are my interests iii How do I know iv What kinds of results demonstrate my abilities
3 What type of shift working conditions salary and fringe benefits are most important to me (12 hours 10 hours 8
hours weekends flex-time insurance) a To prepare clarify values and lifestyle choices
i What are my values ii What kind of lifestyles do I want for myself and those close to me
4 How will I be trained
a To prepare How do I learn best i Do I need immediate feedback or can I learn well on my own
5 What are my goals Where do I want to be in 10 years
a To prepare Identify and prioritize career and life goals and objectives i Am I interested in supervision training management
ii How do I plan to reach these goals
6 What are the major issues and current events facing this specific field job occupation and company today
7 What can you bring to the organization
Office of Career Services at IU Kokomo
30 |Kelley Student Center 200 2300 S Washington St PO Box 9003 Kokomo IN 46904-9003 (765)455-9301 fax (765)455-9537 carserviukedu wwwiukeducareer-
services
Behavioral Interviews- Use the STAR Interviewing Technique for Success
The STAR acronym represents Situation Task Action and Result Recruiters and hiring managers favor the STAR technique because
it provides a better explanation of your past performance how you handle workplace challenges and whether youre able to articulate
your experiences STAR behavioral interviews are quickly becoming the most popular and common form of interview
Situation or
Task
Describe the situation that you were in or the task that you needed to accomplish You must
describe a specific event or situation not a generalized description of what you have done in
the past Be sure to give enough detail for the interviewer to understand This situation can be
from a previous job from a volunteer experience or any relevant event
Action you took Describe the action you took and be sure to keep the focus on you Even if you are discussing
a group project or effort describe what you did -- not the efforts of the team Dont tell what
you might do tell what you did
Results you achieved What happened How did the event end What did you accomplish What did you learn
For examples of past behavior use examples from
Internships
Work experience
Class projects
School activitiesorganizations you are involved with
Sports
Volunteercommunity service
Hobbies
Think about your accomplishments what are you most proud of that you want to share with the employer
How to prepare for behavior-based interviews
Identify 3-6 examples that demonstrate your top skills Look through the job description pinpoint the skills they are seeking
Pick experiences that demonstrate top behaviors of those skills
Prepare how you will ldquotell your storyrdquo using STAR
Pick examples that will be positive accomplishment
Most behavioral questions try to reveal the negative situations so be prepared with those examples However try to pick
examples that had a positive outcome
Try not to pick examples from only one topic Pick a variety of examples choosing examples from work class community
services etc
Typically the best examples are situations that happened within the last year
Go over your resume and review the accomplishments you have listed andor skills this could assist you with identifying
examples
LISTEN to the full question Be sure the example is an appropriate description of how you demonstrated what they are
asking for
Office of Career Services at IU Kokomo
31 |Kelley Student Center 200 2300 S Washington St PO Box 9003 Kokomo IN 46904-9003 (765)455-9301 fax (765)455-9537 carserviukedu wwwiukeducareer-
services
Sample Behavior-based Questions
Communication Skills
1 Give me a specific example of a time someone didnrsquot agree with your work How did you respond 2 Tell me about a time when you had to present complex information How did you ensure that everyone
understood what you were saying 3 Give an example about a time where written communication was needed
Decision Making Skills
1 What is the biggest decision or risk yoursquove made in the past year on the job Describe the process you used to make those decisions Would you do it again
2 Describe a time you overcame a challenge with an innovative solution What was the challenge What role did you play
Planning Organization Time management Skills
1 Please give an example of a time you didnrsquot meet your deadline Why did you fail to meet your deadline What did you learn from that experience
2 Give an example of how you keep track of multiple projects How do you stay on track and meet deadlines How do you stay focused
3 Describe a goal yoursquove had How you set it and achieved it
Flexibility Skills 1 Tell us about one of the toughest situations with which yoursquove had to deal with How did you handle the
stress or pressure of the situation Leadership Skills
1 Describe a time when you disagreed with a directive given by your supervisor What happened and how did you handle it
2 Give an example of a situation where team members or co-workers didnrsquot get along This could include you and someone else or two other people How did the project turn out What did you do to resolve the issue so everyone was able to work together
Office of Career Services at IU Kokomo
32 |Kelley Student Center 200 2300 S Washington St PO Box 9003 Kokomo IN 46904-9003 (765)455-9301 fax (765)455-9537 carserviukedu wwwiukeducareer-
services
Other Common Questions Asked by Employers
Personal 1 Tell me about yourself 2 Why did you choose to interview with our organization 3 Describe your ideal job 4 What can you offer us over another candidate 5 What do you consider to be your greatest strengths 6 Can you name some weaknesses 7 Define success Failure How did you learn from your failures 8 Name a couple accomplishments you most proud 9 Who are your role models Why 10 How does your college education or work experience relate to this job 11 What motivates you most in a job 12 Have you ever spoken before a group of people How large 13 What do you know about our organization (products or services) 14 Do you plan to return to school for further education 15 What would you change about yourself and why
Education
16 Why did you choose your major 17 Why did you choose to attend your college or university 18 Do you think you received a good education In what ways 19 In which campus activities did you participate 20 Which classes in your major did you like best Least Why 21 If you were to start over what would you change about your education 22 Do your grades accurately reflect your ability Why or why not
Experience
23 What job-related skills have you developed 24 Did you work while going to school In what positions 25 What did you learn from these work experiences 26 What did you enjoy most about your last employment Least 27 Have you ever quit a job Why 28 Give an example of how you have solved a problem in the work place 29 How do you resolve conflict on a team project 30 Give an example of a time in which you worked under deadline pressure 31 Have you ever done any volunteer work What kind 32 How do you think a former supervisor would describe your work
Career Goals
33 Do you prefer to work under supervision or on your own 34 What kind of boss do you prefer 35 Would you be successful working with a team 36 Do you prefer large or small organizations Why 37 What other types of positions are you considering 38 How do you feel about working in a structured environment 39 Are you able to work on several assignments at once 40 How do you feel about working overtime 41 How do you feel about travel 42 Are you willing to relocate
Office of Career Services at IU Kokomo
33 |Kelley Student Center 200 2300 S Washington St PO Box 9003 Kokomo IN 46904-9003 (765)455-9301 fax (765)455-9537 carserviukedu wwwiukeducareer-
services
Questions to Ask Employers
An interview is a two-way street Employers get an impression of you from the questions you ask Are you a critical thinker Did you comprehend and correctly process everything in the interview Have you done research and have a good grasp of the company and the scope of the position Your questions should be intelligent insightful and polite Have at least 3-5 custom questions in mind Employers look for someone who shows interest confidence and is well organized
1 Please describe (or ask them to clarify specifics) the duties of the job for me 2 Is this a new position or am I replacing someone 3 What do you like best about your jobcompany 4 What kinds of assignments might I expect the first six months on the job 5 What qualities are you looking for in the candidate who fills this position 6 Does your company encourage further education 7 Do you have plans for expansion 8 What are your growth projections for next year 9 Have you cut staff in the last three years 10 In what ways is a career with your company better than one with your competitors 11 What is the largest single problem facing your staff (department) now 12 Has there been much turnover in this job area 13 Will I have the opportunity to work on special projects 14 Where does this position fit into the organizational structure 15 How much travel if any is involved in this position 16 What is the next course of action When should I expect to hear from you or may I contact you
Interview Checklist Preparation Research research research Knowing more about the organization as a whole and the particular position you are applying for will be helpful in the interview It will help you understand questions that may be asked and will give you a chance to come up with questions to ask them The more research you conduct the more confident and comfortable you will feel in the interview It will also demonstrate to the employer how determined and pro-active you are about their company and the position you seek Get specific directions to the location If possible go there the day before and check out parking and the location of the office where your interview will be held
First Impression Put your best foot forward Remember the decision to hire you may be made in the first 5 minutes Always wait until they sit or invite you to be seated
Dress code Dress more formal than you would in the actual position Women should wear a suit or dress with a jacket Men should wear a suit or sport jacket and slacks Itrsquos a good idea to have an interview outfit ready and waiting (cleaned neat no threads or missing buttons) hanging in your closet Donrsquot wear anything too trendy or faddish (ladies no miniskirts) Check all zippers for closure and ladies should always have an extra pair of hose for emergencies Your style of dress communicates too what do you want it to say (See page 38)
Arrival Arrive a few minutes early to check out the location and parking Stop by the restroom and check your appearance Again you may want to check out the location the day before if you are unsure of the area
What to bring Always have an extra copy of your reacutesumeacute note paper and pen You will want to jot down questions as they may come about as well as information about the position Also write down the names of each person you interview with so you can mail a thank-you note
Application
Office of Career Services at IU Kokomo
34 |Kelley Student Center 200 2300 S Washington St PO Box 9003 Kokomo IN 46904-9003 (765)455-9301 fax (765)455-9537 carserviukedu wwwiukeducareer-
services
Read through the entire application before you begin Follow the directions Give specific titles You may leave the salary question blank or fill it in with a reasonable salary range Use NA where answers are not applicable Proofread the application before returning it
Legal and Illegal Pre-employment Questions CATEGORY LAWFUL
(Questions employers can ask)
UNLAWFUL (Questions employers cannot ask)
Name Have you ever worked for this company under a different name
Is any additional information relative to change of name use of an assumed name or nickname necessary to enable a check
on your work record If yes explain
What is your maiden name
Is the name on your application your real name
Address Where do you live
How long have you lived there
Birthplace Where were you born Where were your relatives born
Agebirth date Are you 18 years of age or older How old are you What is your birth date
Prove your age by submitting your birth certificate baptismal record
naturalization papers etc (see citizenship)
Photograph Requirement or option that applicant affix a photograph to employment form at
any time before hiring Citizenship Are you a citizen of the United States
If not are you authorized to work in the US
Can you verify US citizenship or your
right to work in the United States
Of what country are you a citizen Are you a naturalized or a native-born
citizen When did you acquire citizenship
Please produce naturalization papers or green card
(employers must verify citizenship or the right to work after theyrsquove decided to
extend an offer) Sex or Marital Status Are you male or female
Are you married What are your living arrangements
Relatives Do you have relatives (other than a spouse) already employed by the
company
What are their names
What are the names (addresses ages number or other information) of your
relatives not employed by the company
Children
Do you have children or plans to have children in the future
Do you have the capacity to reproduce Do you advocate any form of birth control
or family planning What are your child care arrangements
How old are your children
CATEGORY LAWFUL UNLAWFUL (Questions employers can ask) (Questions employers cannot ask)
Disability Do you have any impairment
(physical mental or medical) which would interfere with your ability to perform the job for which you have
applied
Do you have any disabilities or diseases not related to job
performance
Arrest record Have you ever been convicted of a criminal offense other than minor
traffic violations If yes explain fully
Have you ever been arrested
Experienced Please describe your work experience
Travel Overtime This position requires X amount of overtimetravel Would you be able
to meet this requirement
Who will care for your children when you travel or work overtime
Would your spouse object if you
traveled or worked overtime Language What languages do you speak and
write fluently What is your native language
How did you learn to read write or
speak a foreign language Education Please describe your academic
vocational or professional education and the public and private schools you attended
What are the dates of attendance
(To permit verification)
Notice in case of emergency What are the names and addresses of people to be notified in case of
accident or emergency (can be asked after hire)
Military experience Have you served in the US Armed Forces or in the National Guard
Describe your experience
Do you have any military experience
(other than in the United States) Organizations Do you belong to any organizations
which you consider relevant to your ability to perform this job Please
explain
Are you a member of any clubs societies or lodges
Which ones
Race or color What racecolor are you Are you a minority
Religion or creed What is your religion To which parishchurch do you
belong What religious holidays do you
observe National Origin What is your (or relatives) lineage
ancestry national origin descent percentage or nationality
Office of Career Services at IU Kokomo
36 |Kelley Student Center 200 2300 S Washington St PO Box 9003 Kokomo IN 46904-9003 (765)455-9301 fax (765)455-9537 carserviukedu wwwiukeducareer-
services
After the interview After you have interviewed for a position there are some things to do that may improve your chances
Send a Follow-up thank you note within 24 hours
This shows that you are serious about their organization and will set you apart from many who neglect to do so By taking the
time to email or write a handwritten letter thanking them for taking their time to meet with you Summarize specific qualities
you have and let them know you look forward in speaking with them further about employment
Sample Thank you
Dear Intervieweersquos Name Thank you for taking the time to talk with me on Thursday November 9 at the interview for list specifics of position and company) I appreciate your time and attention and after talking with you I am even more interested in becoming a valuable team member at companyrsquos name You were extremely helpful in explaining list position Now that I have a better idea of what the position entails I am even more certain that I would be an asset to your team and to companyrsquos name My solid education from the IU Kokomo Communication Department and the fact that I have worked my way through college show the work ethic and determination you said were important to be successful at companyrsquos name I look forward to an opportunity to work with companyrsquos name office and speak to you further about the program I will contact you next week to follow up and provide you with any further information that you may need Thank you again for your time and consideration Sincerely
Your name
The Stall Letter
There may be situations that you will need time to figure out whether a job is a good fit or have more than one position to accept or decline The stall letter is a good tool to have in this case In the introduction refer to the job offer or event that is prompting the letter In the second paragraph state your continued interest in the position but request more time to gather further information or to consider all alternatives and opportunities in order to make the best choice for the position and the company as well as yourself Give a specific time extension request If you need 24 hours for example ask for that Ask for the minimal amount of time in order to make your decision Remember this is a request and does not guarantee that the employer will accept it and be prepared for the possibility that they will not grant the time and choose another candidate In the conclusion thank them for their time and understanding and indicate when you will contact them to discuss the terms of the possible extension
Sample Stall Letter
Dear name of person that offered the position This letter is in reference to list company name and your offer of list the position I would like to take this opportunity to thank you for the opportunity and express my continued interest in the position At this time I would like to request __hours to gather some vital information in order to be completely confidant that I am making the best and most informed decision possible I want to ensure for all parties involved that I have considered all options and alternatives to be certain that my acceptance of this list position is the correct course of action for us both I appreciate your understanding and valuable time and look forward to speaking with you at your earliest convenience today so that we may discuss the terms of my request Sincerely Your Name
Office of Career Services at IU Kokomo
37 |Kelley Student Center 200 2300 S Washington St PO Box 9003 Kokomo IN 46904-9003 (765)455-9301 fax (765)455-9537 carserviukedu wwwiukeducareer-
services
Acceptance of a Job Offer Letter
Responding in writing to a job offer shows courtesy and is expected It reduces the chance of any misunderstanding that verbal acceptances do not In the first paragraph thank the employer for offering the specific position title and say that you are happy to accept it In the second paragraph state the terms of employment (salary location and start date) Emphasize any negotiations of terms that were unusual or non-standard if there were any In the last paragraph thank the employer sincerely for the opportunity and express your excitement to join their organization and be a valuable asset to them
Sample Job Offer Acceptance Letter
Dear person who offered position
I am happy to have the opportunity to accept the position of list title
The following terms of the position as I understood them include a salary of list salaryrate of pay at List location and to begin employment on list date As we discussed instead of the typical work week we agreed to the addition of evening and weekend hours during the probationary period with a return to usual business hours after 90 days We also agreed to a company vehicle provision for any off site training and appointments during the course of my employment
I truly look forward to becoming a valued member of your team and I am anticipating a productive and positive professional relationship with list company
Sincerely Your Name
Decline or Withdrawing from Consideration Letter
There may be times that you wish to decline or remove yourself from consideration from a position Doing this on a positive
and respectful note decreases the chance that future opportunities will be missed either as a future employee or possible
professional contact with the firm Thank the employer for the opportunity but decline it based on your reasons Be sure to
specifically name the person that was in charge of the hiring process If the decline is due to a term that was offered be
specific the firm could always choose to negotiate that term to better suit your situation
Date
Dear List person
Thank you very much for offering me the list position After careful consideration I regret that I must decline your offer
Although you were most encouraging in outlining future advancement possibilities within ABC Company I have accepted another
opportunity that is more in line with my skills and career goals or I found list the term to be out of line with my needs and
goals
I enjoyed meeting you and the rest of your team You have been most kind and gracious throughout the interview process and I
only wish that circumstances allowed me to accept your offer
Best wishes for your continued success
Sincerely
Your Name
Office of Career Services at IU Kokomo
38 |Kelley Student Center 200 2300 S Washington St PO Box 9003 Kokomo IN 46904-9003 (765)455-9301 fax (765)455-9537 carserviukedu wwwiukeducareer-
services
____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
This packet contains a lot of valuable information to help you achieve all the goals that an education from IU Kokomo
will prepare you for Use this as a guide for every step of the way from your freshman year graduation and beyond
Office of Career Services at IU Kokomo
13 |Kelley Student Center 200 2300 S Washington St PO Box 9003 Kokomo IN 46904-9003 (765)455-9301 fax (765)455-9537 carserviukedu wwwiukeducareer-
services
Sample Health Sciences Resume Address Phone Email
Education Indiana University Kokomo- Kokomo IN Bachelor of Science in Health Sciences Minor Psychology Expected Graduation Date May 2013 GPA 3140
Related Courses Ethics and civic engagement Social and behavioral sciences Cultural Diversity
Quantitative Literacy and Math Childhood Psychology Personality Psychology
Leadership Special volunteer projects (2012)
Planned and directed health screening day Organized group of student leaders on advocacy projects
Phi Sigma Sigma- Indiana University Kokomo Secretary (809- current)
Provide Leadership Attended leadership conference Volunteered with big brothers big sisters
Tutored school age children Assisted with multiple events on campus
CASA- Kokomo In volunteer (January lsquo09-current)
Advocate for children in the court system Assisted with court paperwork
Developed database and new registration form Counseled children and families
Relevant Work experience Samaritan Caregivers- Kokomo IN (summer 2012) Intern
Provided support to volunteers and staff on routine client visits Evaluated new clients
Community Howard Regional Health- Kokomo IN (summer 2011) Intern
Assisted with organization of new programs Planned and directed ldquoHealthy Teensrdquo event Researched and evaluated what needs the community had and implemented the new XYZ program
Skills CommunicationOrganizationMarketing
Strong interpersonal communication skills Designed and distributed flyers for benefit dinners and school functions Created informational and advertising brochures and slideshow presentations Participated in fundraisers and benefit dinners
ManagementTrainingSales Interviewed hired and scheduled employees Charted yearly sales records and tracked employee overtime Taught peers how to make and operate slideshows using PowerPoint Trained students on assembling and using art equipment
Office of Career Services at IU Kokomo
14 |Kelley Student Center 200 2300 S Washington St PO Box 9003 Kokomo IN 46904-9003 (765)455-9301 fax (765)455-9537 carserviukedu wwwiukeducareer-
services
Sample Informatics Resume
NAME Address Phone number Email address
Objective (optional)
Qualified IT professional with variety of software hardware and networking knowledge
Exceptional teamwork and leadership skills
Efficient troubleshooter with commitment to lifetime learning
Experience Computer Services Inc Indianapolis In Maintenance and Computer Technician 2008 - Present
Assembled computers
helped in network installation tasks
Assisted with troubleshooting Green Networks Inc Carmel IN Computer Technician 2006-2008
Responsible for the maintenance of equipment and computers used by company for multimedia advertisement Education
Indiana University Kokomo Kokomo In Bachelor of Science in Informatics Expected Graduation date May 2010 GPA 3040 (only if it is above a 30)
Skills Systems Engineering
Differentiate between various types of hardware
Set up and configure software and all the versions of Microsoft Windows
Build and maintain a computer
Troubleshoot software and hardware problems
Networking
Find out network hardware devices and cabling and their working
Implement IP schemes and administer groups
Maintain a secure network and implement network topologies
Expert in DNS Active Directory DHCP and WINS
Communications
Demonstrated skills to answer technical questions with different degrees of computer skills
Willingness to learn new things and work well with others
Good presentation skills
Demonstrated leadership skills in a team environment
Reference available on request (optional)
Office of Career Services at IU Kokomo
15 |Kelley Student Center 200 2300 S Washington St PO Box 9003 Kokomo IN 46904-9003 (765)455-9301 fax (765)455-9537 carserviukedu wwwiukeducareer-
services
SAMPLE BiologyChemistryBio-Chemistry Reacutesumeacute 190 Indiana Drive Kokomo IN 46902 (765) 555-5555 nameemailcom
High-energy and motivated individual with outstanding work ethic a strong academic background broad-based work experience and a record of personal achievement working for leading organizations
EDUCATION
Bachelor of Science in Biology May 2008 Minor Bio-Chemistry Indiana University Kokomo
PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT
Ophthalmology Intern XYZ Organization Kokomo IN Spring 2012
Transcribed 20 patient charts discussing medication and vision prescriptions
Observed 100 appointments for issues including glaucoma macular degeneration and detached retinas
Helped for new contact lens patients
Biology Lab Teaching Assistant Indiana University Kokomo August 2011 - current
Independently taught two biology labs per semester with 20 students in each
Created lesion plans and modified and presented curriculum for weekly classes
Maintained lab with spiders guinea pigs beetles and gecko
Held weekly office hours and tutored students
WORK EXPERIENCE
Server September 2005-June 2008 XYZ Restaurant Indianapolis IN Supervised dining experience of up to 40 guests per shift Exceeded sales goals by promoting specialty items
Head Lifeguard Seasonal May 2001-September 2007 LMN Business Kokomo IN Promoted twice within four summerscreated weekly schedule for 20 staff members Authorized to make management decisions in absence of manager Trained five new employees per summer concerning all assigned duties
ACTIVITIES amp INTERESTS
Biology Club Member (Fall 2011-current) Environmental Club Member (Spring 2010-current) Relay for Life Participant (Spring 2012-Spring 2011)
Office of Career Services at IU Kokomo
16 |Kelley Student Center 200 2300 S Washington St PO Box 9003 Kokomo IN 46904-9003 (765)455-9301 fax (765)455-9537 carserviukedu wwwiukeducareer-
services
Sample New Media Resume
Objective (optional)________________________________________________________________
Creative and dedicated Graphic Designer seeking a full-time position with advancement
opportunities to further enhance my knowledge in graphic design
Education________________________________________________________________________
Indiana University KokomomdashMay 2010
Bachelor of Arts in New Media GPA 36
Qualifications_____________________________________________________________________
More than 5 years of diverse hands-on design experience including experience in web-
site design magazine publishing and marketing
Adaptable organized results and detail-oriented with excellent work ethic strong time
management and interpersonal skills
Ability to create designs concepts and sample layouts based on knowledge of layout
principles and aesthetic design concepts
Extensive knowledge of design techniques tools and principals involved in production
of precision technical plans blueprints drawings and models
Ability to come up with unusual or clever ideas about a given topic or situation or to
develop creative ways to solve a problem
Team player also capable of working independently with minimal direction
Work Experience_________________________________________________________________
ABC Company Dec 2004 ndash Present Indianapolis Indiana
Coordination and production of a variety of graphics products and servicesmdashgraphic
design and art direction for ads newsletters report covers annual reports brochures
exhibit displays maps slide shows and the government cable TV channel
Study illustrations photographs and text to plan presentation of products and services
Review layouts and suggest improvements as needed
Prepare the assembly of final layouts for printing and review and approve art materials
Provide expert analysis and input on othersrsquo designs
XYZ Business Jan 2000 - Nov 2004 Indianapolis Indiana
Completed various freelance design assignmentsmdashincluding creation of a bi-monthly
printed newsletter for a lawyers association design of various logos and artwork for the
PQ Design amp Silk-Screening
Responsible for coordination and production of a variety of graphics products and services
Estimated costs coordinated graphic production and reproduction by service bureaus
Assembled final layouts for printing and provided graphic design for website
765-555-5555
1234 Indiana Drive
Kokomo IN
nameemailcom
Office of Career Services at IU Kokomo
17 |Kelley Student Center 200 2300 S Washington St PO Box 9003 Kokomo IN 46904-9003 (765)455-9301 fax (765)455-9537 carserviukedu wwwiukeducareer-
services
Sample Chaplain Reacutesumeacute Name
Address Phone Email
Objective (Optional) To seek a challenging position as a chaplain that allows me to utilize my knowledge and clinical pastoral education skills Qualifications Summary
Compassionate and devoted Chaplin providing spiritual moral guidance for 7 years
Maintains patient confidentiality according to HIPAA regulations
Excellent interpersonal and communication skills
Experience counseling patients concerning their spiritual personal and emotional needs
Professional Experience XXX Hospice Kokomo In 2007-current Hospice Resident Chaplin
Visit patientsfamilies and perform spiritual assessments
Provide spiritual support and counseling to patients and caregivers
Document all pertinent chaplain activities and audit patient charts XXX Church Kokomo In 2002-2007 Assistance Clergy
Assisted and organized religious services
Helped manage church property and finances
Participated in church programs supporting congregation and fundraising activities XXX Hospital Kokomo IN 1997-2000 Nursersquos aide
Provide health care checks for a diverse population
Perform blood pressure tests for community health outreach programs
Supply a wide range of services including womens health clinic services and care for elderly patients
Education Hospitalhellip Clinical Pastoral Education 3 units completed University of Santa Barbara CA Master of Divinity- 2002 Indiana University Kokomo Kokomo In Bachelor of Science in Nursing ndash 2000 GPA 3440
Volunteer Work
Xxx
Xxxx
Office of Career Services at IU Kokomo
18 |Kelley Student Center 200 2300 S Washington St PO Box 9003 Kokomo IN 46904-9003 (765)455-9301 fax (765)455-9537 carserviukedu wwwiukeducareer-
services
SCANNABLE REacuteSUMEacute CHECKLIST
Resume scanning is more commonly used by employers to seek out employees When a computer will be the first to
read your reacutesumeacute it should be altered If the scannable reacutesumeacute meets the computer criteria it will then be seen by
the employer
1 Left justify the entire document
2 Use key words or short phrases to describe your qualifications and abilities Use
jargon and acronyms specific to your industry Check the job listings and
industry-related materials for current buzzwords
3 Increase your list of key words by including specific names of products and
services such as Microsoft Word or Lotus Notes
4 Use nouns more than verbs For instance say ldquoproject managerrdquo instead of
ldquoimplemented projectrdquo
5 Use common section headings such as Objective Experience Employment
Work History Positions Held Appointments and Skills Use boldface andor all
CAPITAL LETTERS for each of these section headings as long as the letters
donrsquot touch each other
6 Minimize abbreviations except for common ones such as MBA or CEO
7 Use a 10- to 14- point font size Use standard typefaces such as Times New Roman Arial New Century
or Courier
8 Avoid italics script and underlined passages Minimize use of hyphens bullets or dashes Boldface is accepted by
most systems unless the employer advises otherwise
9 Avoid graphics shadings vertical or horizontal lines and boxes The scanner
reads text not graphics
10 Print your reacutesumeacute on 8frac12 X 11 inch white paper of average thickness on one
side only using a laser or other letter-quality paper Donrsquot staple or fold
multiple-page reacutesumeacutes Always make sure your name is on all pages
11 Donrsquot condense spacing between letters
12 Use enough white space between sections Computers use white space to
differentiate between topics
13 When faxing set the fax machine on ldquofine moderdquo instead of ldquostandard moderdquo
Office of Career Services at IU Kokomo
19 |Kelley Student Center 200 2300 S Washington St PO Box 9003 Kokomo IN 46904-9003 (765)455-9301 fax (765)455-9537 carserviukedu wwwiukeducareer-
services
Scannable reacutesumeacute example
NAME IN CAPS
Current address
555 Candy Lane
Kokomo IN 46901
765 555 ndash 2424
Permanent address
444 Peppermint Lane
Indianapolis IN 46077
317 555 ndash 1234
OBJECTIVE (Optional)
A fulltime position in the area that is my expertisehellip (You fill it in-see suggested buzz-word list)
EDUCATION
Indiana University Kokomo IN
Bachelor of Science in Management
Minor Management Information Systems MIS
GPA 36 40
Major GPA 38 40
Graduation May 2014
SIGNIFICANT COURSES
Fill in with significant core courses for your major that apply to the job Use one line per course
SKILLS
Proficient with (pc programs that you are proficient in and are applicable)
Any other skills that are applicable (see buzz-word list)
WORK EXPERIENCE
Bold the Job Title
Basic job description as it applies to job applying for Dates employed (begin with most recent)
Use buzz-word list based on your occupation and relevant to the position being applied for
Office of Career Services at IU Kokomo
20 |Kelley Student Center 200 2300 S Washington St PO Box 9003 Kokomo IN 46904-9003 (765)455-9301 fax (765)455-9537 carserviukedu wwwiukeducareer-
services
Cover Letters Cover letters are an additional component of a reacutesumeacute Customize every letter to each company andor position of interest
Address it to the person listed on the position advertisement or the person that you know has the authority to hire Finding this may
take some investigation to discover if the name is not announced on the position advertisement PO boxes are often used to filter
reacutesumeacutes and you can find the owner of the box by calling the post office and asking who owns the box with that number Having
this information to address the cover letter with will set you apart from those who do not
Cover letter Format Date Employers Name Use the name of the person stated in the job posting or contact the company for the contact person address and the correct spelling) Position or title Company Name Address Suite number or floor (if there is one) City state Zip Salutation Dear Mr or Ms Or Dear Sir or Madam (use the last name only of the person you listed above) If you have made every effort to find out but do not know the name or gender or the individual use a unisex greeting of Dear Manager or Dear Director Paragraph one (Introduction) State which position you are applying for and where you heard about the opening If the position was advertised refer to where it was advertised (Indianapolis Star or higheredcom) Be enthusiastic and confident about the position with a brief statement about why you are the right fit for the job Paragraph two (Body) Explain why you want to work for this company and how your skills experience and qualifications directly relate to the position You can also include your personal traits and strengths that would be an asset for the job Summarize why you are an excellent candidate for the position Highlight key examples and how they match what the company is seeking There are likely other prospective employees that are competing for this position It is very important that you highlight qualities that will set you apart and show uniqueness You are marketing yourself in this paragraph so be sure to sell the idea that you are the best one to interview and the best fit for this employer Most advertisements will list the requirements that are desired andor required for the position Be sure to detail how you meet each of those requirements Do not point out to the reader if there is a requirement that you donrsquot currently possess just do not reference that in your letter The purpose of a cover letter is to highlight the positives and do not bring up any negatives Paragraph three (Conclusion) State that you would like the opportunity to personally discuss your qualifications Indicate where you can be reached phone andor email A good sentence to use would look like ldquoI may be reached at 555-555-1234 or nameiukedurdquo Make sure to thank the reader for their time and consideration Closing Sincerely or Yours truly or Respectfully yours Signature (blue or black ink only) Your Name (Typed)
Office of Career Services at IU Kokomo
21 |Kelley Student Center 200 2300 S Washington St PO Box 9003 Kokomo IN 46904-9003 (765)455-9301 fax (765)455-9537 carserviukedu wwwiukeducareer-
services
References
Reference lists should always be available and prepared with 3-4 professional references
Do
Do get permission from each reference you plan to use
Do give each reference a copy of your reacutesumeacute to have as a guide
Do choose references that are well informed and have good verbal and written communication skills
Do Not
Do not use relatives personal friends or students as a reference
Letters of Recommendation
A letter of recommendation provides relevant information that is honest positive and portrays a up-front outlook of the skills
and potential capabilities you possess It can describe personality performance and skill attributes knowledge and
competency level
The following are suggestions of individuals who may be qualified to write a letter of recommendation
Executive Director
Vice President
Supervisors
Co-workers
CustomersClients
Subordinates
Professors
Counsellors
Coaches
Doctors
Lawyers
Ministers
Community Leaders
Office of Career Services at IU Kokomo
22 |Kelley Student Center 200 2300 S Washington St PO Box 9003 Kokomo IN 46904-9003 (765)455-9301 fax (765)455-9537 carserviukedu wwwiukeducareer-
services
Key WordsAction Words
Actively Established Evaluate Participated Schedule Coordinate Increased Proposed Strategy Created Launched Reduced Support Effect Eliminate Organized Originate
Approve Generate Program Solve Control Improve Recommend Supervise Direct Manage Motivated Responsibilities Revise Analyze Founded Pinpointed Set up
Completed Interpret Proficient Successfully Demonstrate Maintain Revamped Responsible Administer Expedite Plan Simplicity Conduct Implemented Provide Streamline Develop
Lecture Reorganized Accelerated Adapted Expanded Perform Significantly Conceived Influence Proved Structure Delegate Lead Reinforced Teach
Self-Describing Words Professional Active Diplomatic Loyal Respective Analytical Attentive Determined Logical Resourceful Ambitious Efficient Energetic Independent
Reliable Alert Economical Objective Optimistic Realistic Aggressive Discrete Methodical Sense-of-humor Sincere Adaptable Disciplined Mature
Self-reliant Broad-minded Enterprising Personable Tactful Creative Imaginative Perceptive Systematic Constructive Forceful Productive Sophisticated Consistent
Fair Practical Will relocate Conscientious Extroverted Positive Will travel Enthusiastic Pleasant Talented Dependable Trustworthy Ethical
Keywords for Interpersonal Traits Ability to delegate Accurate Assertive Creative Ethical Follow up Leadership Oral communication Public speaking Self accountable Supportive Tenacious
Ability to implement Adaptable Communication skill Customer oriented Flexible High energy Multitasking Organizational skills Results oriented Self management Takes initiative Willing to travel
Ability to plan Aggressive Competitive Detail minded Follow instructions Industrious Open minded Persuasive Risk taking Sensitive Team building Ability to train
Analytical ability Conceptual ability Empowering others Follow through Innovated Open communication Problem solving Safety conscious Setting priorities Team player
Office of Career Services at IU Kokomo
23 |Kelley Student Center 200 2300 S Washington St PO Box 9003 Kokomo IN 46904-9003 (765)455-9301 fax (765)455-9537 carserviukedu wwwiukeducareer-
services
Sample of Occupational Keywords Occupational keywords include skills titles and occupational buzz words Account manager Accounts receivable Acquisitions Bachelors Degree Bank Card Bank reconciliation Batch processing Benchmarking Blueprint reading Brochures Budget Bulletins CAD Calibrator Carpentry Cash Flow Cell Culture Media Cement Child Care Claims Justification Commercial Leasing Copy Editing Counselor Crisis Management Cross-culture training Debugging Decision making Demographics Dental management Die casting Dietitian Drywall Ecology Electronics Employee assistance Engineer Financial planning Food preparation Gas pipeline Goal setting Graphic design Grant writer Guest services Harnessing Hiringfiring Hotel ISO 9000
Journalism Journeyman Layout design Logic analyzer Magnetic theory Manager Marketing Masterrsquos Degree Microprocessor Microsoft word Nursing Oscillator Pelletizing Patient advocate Payroll Personal computer Process metallurgy Proposal writing Psychology Public Relations Purchasing Radio Raw materials Receptionist Reporter Research Sales Secretarial Software modeling Spanish Spreadsheets Statistical Process Control Stick Welding Strategic Planning Student Personnel Supervisor Taxonomy Teacher Technical Writing Time Management Transportation Travel Wave Solder WordPerfect Workflow Writer
Office of Career Services at IU Kokomo
24 |Kelley Student Center 200 2300 S Washington St PO Box 9003 Kokomo IN 46904-9003 (765)455-9301 fax (765)455-9537 carserviukedu wwwiukeducareer-
services
ACTION WORDS
ORGANIZATIONAL Assembled Enforced Prepared Reorganized
Collected Executed Planned Scheduled
Centralized Formalized Processed Updated
Coordinated Implemented Routed Catalogued
Maintained Recorded
LEADERSHIPAllocated Hired Operated Spearheaded Determined Initiated
Oversaw Sponsored Directed Inspired Pioneered Staged
Elected Instituted Presided Started Enlisted Led
Produced Supervised Formed Managed Recruited Founded
Moderated Represented Governed Motivated Selected
COMMUNICATION SKILLS Acquainted Drafted Introduced Summarized Apprised Educated
Lectured Taught Answered Explained Listened
Trained Briefed Familiarized Presented Translated Conducted
Handled Reported Wrote Contacted Informed Responded
Demonstrated Instructed Spoke
RESEARCH Analyzed Detected Examined Researched
Assessed Discovered Gathered Searched
Audited Documented Identified Surveyed
Compiled Edited Interpreted Tested
Consulted Evaluated Interviewed
CREATIVITY Authored Created Devised
Originated Conceived Composed
Established Revolutionized Conceptualized
Designed Invented
HELPING SKILLS Aided Counseled Helped Supported
Attended Comforted Instilled Tutored
Assisted Facilitated Mentored Treated
Collaborated Fostered Provided Contributed
Guided Settled
SELLING Arbitrated Marketed Promoted
Secured Convinced Mediated
Publicized Solicited
Dissuaded Negotiated Resolved
Encouraged Persuaded Sold
OTHER ACTION VERBS Adapted Developed Generated Revamped Attained Ensured Improved Revitalized
Augmented Eliminated Increased Saved Awarded Exceeded Launched Shopped
Boosted Excelled Mastered Strengthened Broadened Expanded Modernized Supplemented
Built Expedited Published Tended Calculated Fabricated Raised Utilized
Catered Financed Reconciled Decreased Gained Reduced
Office of Career Services at IU Kokomo
25 |Kelley Student Center 200 2300 S Washington St PO Box 9003 Kokomo IN 46904-9003 (765)455-9301 fax (765)455-9537 carserviukedu wwwiukeducareer-
services
Transferable Skills-Skills you have acquired from your education and employment experience that you can market to new employers
Communication the skillful expression transmission and interpretation of knowledge and ideas
Speaking effectively Writing concisely Listening attentively Expressing ideas Facilitating group discussion Providing appropriate feedback Negotiating
Perceiving nonverbal messages Persuading Reporting information Describing feelings Interviewing Editing
Research and Planning the search for specific knowledge and the ability to conceptualize future needs and solutions for meeting those needs
Forecasting predicting Creating ideas Identifying problems Imagining alternatives Identifying resources Gathering information
Solving problems Setting goals Extracting important information Defining needs Analyzing Developing evaluation strategies
Human Relations the use of interpersonal skills for resolving conflict relating to and helping people Developing rapport Being Sensitive Listening Conveying feelings Providing support for others Motivating Sharing credit
Counseling Cooperating Delegating with respect Representing others Perceiving feelings situations Asserting
Organization Management and Leadership the ability to supervise direct and guide individuals and groups in the completion of tasks and fulfillment of goals Work Survival the day-to-day skills that assist in promoting effective production and work satisfaction
Implementing decisions Cooperating Enforcing policies Being punctual Managing time Attending to detail Meeting goals Enlisting help Accepting responsibility Setting and meeting deadlines Organizing Making decisions
Initiating new ideas Handling details Coordinating tasks Managing groups Delegating responsibility Teaching Coaching Counseling Promoting change Selling ideas or products Decision making with others Managing conflict
Office of Career Services at IU Kokomo
26 |Kelley Student Center 200 2300 S Washington St PO Box 9003 Kokomo IN 46904-9003 (765)455-9301 fax (765)455-9537 carserviukedu wwwiukeducareer-
services
After you have the perfect reacutesumeacute it is time to hit the road and put your skills into action Career Fairs will help put you in communication with prospective employers and give you valuable practice for interviews
Achieve Results and Get the Most Out of a Career Fair
Attend as many job fairs as you can Not only will practice make perfect but it will expand your network of career contacts Make sure to ask precise questions and be prepared to answer specific questions the employers have regarding your background and capabilities Before the Job Fair- Be Prepared
Create a reacutesumeacute and have it reviewed by a career counselor Create a list of 3-5 references in case they are requested (Be sure to ask your references for their help before
including them on the list) Create your 30-second oral reacutesumeacute and practice practice practice Review the employer list Determine where employers are located and in what order to visit them Broaden your focus and include different types of employers For instance although you may not have thought of
working for a hospital hospitals recruit and hire professionals in many different fields Do your research Look up information about the employers of interest
o Check their websites for information about their productsservices and mission statement o What types of jobs do they have open o What kind of people are they looking for o What kind of skills do these people need to have How do you meet their skill requirements o Develop some questions you would like to ask the employer representatives at the fair
Network Network Network with people you know and via social network sites like Linked-In and Facebook for more information about the companies Also seek contact with employees you might know or seek information from alumni who work there
During the Job Fair Dress for success (See page 38) Assume you will be interviewed and dress the part Even if you dont get an interview
at the job fair you have already made a great impression Always have a penpencil and paper to take notes- a portfolio works best Bring plenty of reacutesumeacutes with you While some companies will be seeking employees for specific positions some
employers will collect reacutesumeacutes for future positions Be sure to get all of the contact information you need to complete an application
Make sure to have copies of your reference list in case an employer asks First impressions are everything Be direct have a firm handshake and make eye contact as you greet employers This
will speak volumes about your confidence If you are only gathering information let employers know that you are only interested in materials and information
Be aware of time demands of employers Do not monopolize the employersrsquo time You should have already done your homework about their company so you can better spend your time asking about the positions available (or available in the near future) and how your skills match their needs Give them your 30-second oral reacutesumeacute and impress them with what you feel you can do for their company Since practice makes perfect donrsquot give up if the first attempt doesnrsquot go well Keep trying with other employers
Ask specific questions and collect information from each booth you visit including business cards from the employer representatives Offer to follow up after the fair and ask what the best way to contact them is
After the Job Fair You now have a prime opportunity to make a distinctive impression
Use those business cards you collected to follow up with each employer you are interested in Be sure to do everything you promised at the job fair Complete the application and upload your reacutesumeacute Send a thank-you note or email to all whom you talked with within 48 hours of the career fair This shows that you
are serious about their organization and will set you apart from many who neglect to do so If you follow up on your application for a position be sure to follow the preferred contact method and dont overdo it Stay in contact and use this experience to expand your network Submit an additional or amended reacutesumeacute during your follow-up contacts if need be Follow-up and follow-through contacts are up to the student be persistent and polite
Office of Career Services at IU Kokomo
27 |Kelley Student Center 200 2300 S Washington St PO Box 9003 Kokomo IN 46904-9003 (765)455-9301 fax (765)455-9537 carserviukedu wwwiukeducareer-
services
Additional information-what employers are expecting at a career fair
What Will Impress Employers o Demonstrate that you have done your homework and researched their company o Be prepared Have your reacutesumeacute critiqued by Career Services and bring plenty of copies with you Develop
questions to ask smile and courteously and enthusiastically engage the representatives o Have a firm hand shake and good eye contact- dress for success o Never ask about salary let them bring up the subject o An expectation that you will be responsible for following up with them including a thank you note or letter o Take the initiative Walk up to them and engage the employers they want to speak to you
What Employers May Want to Learn About You o Specific careerjob objectives What are your expectations o Individual strengths and weaknesses Have specific examples that demonstrate your skills develop short
stories that showcase your skills (Remember a job fair is time sensitive and you donrsquot want to take up too much time of one employer)
o Contributions you will make to the operation Remember be specific now is not the time to blandly or generically discuss what you can do
What You Should Learn About Each Company o Employment trends Career Fairs are excellent resources for information about career decision-making o Skills necessary for different careersjobs Have meaningful conversations with representatives o Currentfuture positions o Salary benefits training and other information about the company (again let the employer bring up salary) o Who to contact for follow-up discussions and what their hiring processes are get specifics o Collect their business card or write down their contact information
30 Second Oral Reacutesumeacute Purpose It is important to practice your 30 second oral reacutesumeacute prior to attending a career fair The famous ldquoTell me about yourselfrdquo is a question that is always asked Whether the question is asked in a social setting an interview or a networking event a well-planned answer can set you apart from the crowd as well as spark additional conversation Begin preparing your oral reacutesumeacute by following the tips below
How to Prepare Your Oral Reacutesumeacute o Begin by brainstorming what you would want someone to know about you Write down all of your ideas o Consider including the following information in your oral reacutesumeacute
Job Objective Education and Training Skills
Accomplishments and Achievements Prior Employment Other Experience
o Narrow down your optionsmdashpick the top 5 things you want the person to know about you o Develop a paragraph that encompasses all of the things you wish to say o Practice makes perfect Read aloud your reacutesumeacute several times
Additional Tips Prepare more than one oral reacutesumeacute for various situations Practice your reacutesumeacute by calling your voicemail and later playing back the messagemdashthink about how it sounds and
what you would like to change Make sure that your oral reacutesumeacute will keep the listenerrsquos attention
Example Oral Reacutesumeacute Hi my name is ________ and I am a senior at IU Kokomo majoring in New Media I am looking for an internship experience in graphic designweb development Through my coursework I have developed strong computer and analytical skills Last summer I worked as an intern at the Kokomo Perspective to gain experience with print media At the Perspective I worked with the copy editor as well as the writing staff to gain experience in both fields I also volunteer at United Way developing and updating their website
Office of Career Services at IU Kokomo
28 |Kelley Student Center 200 2300 S Washington St PO Box 9003 Kokomo IN 46904-9003 (765)455-9301 fax (765)455-9537 carserviukedu wwwiukeducareer-
services
Send a Follow-up thank you note after Career Fair Send a thank you note or email to all whom you talked with within 48 hours of the career fair This shows that you are serious about their organization and will set you apart from many who neglect to do so
Be sure to remind the employer where you met them Thank you for taking the time to talk with me on Thursday at the career fair After talking with you I
am even more eager to work at _____ Summarize specific qualities and assets you obtain I am certain my education at IU Kokomo has enhanced my skill set and has provided a solid
background of knowledge in the _______ fieldhelliphellip Some experiences I have had the pleasure of doing arehellip This opportunity improved my work ethic and made me aware of my self-reliancehellip
Always attach your reacutesumeacute again for their convenience I have attached my reacutesumeacute for your convenience I look forward to an opportunity to further discuss
my qualifications You may contact me athellip (phone andor email address) Thank you again for your time and consideration
Sample Thank you
Thank you for taking the time to talk with me on Thursday November 9 at the career fair on IU Kokomorsquos campus I appreciate your time and attention and after talking with you I am even more interested in learning more about your organization You were extremely helpful in explaining companyrsquos name customer service and marketing trainee program Now that I have a better idea of what the position entails I am even more certain that I would be an asset to your team and to companyrsquos name My solid education from the IU Kokomo Communication Department and the fact that I have worked my way through college show the work ethic and determination you said were important to be successful at companyrsquos name I look forward to an opportunity to visit companyrsquos name office and speak to you further about the trainee program I will contact you next week to arrange an appointment Enclosed is an updated reacutesumeacute for your review Thank you again for your time and consideration Sincerely
Office of Career Services at IU Kokomo
29 |Kelley Student Center 200 2300 S Washington St PO Box 9003 Kokomo IN 46904-9003 (765)455-9301 fax (765)455-9537 carserviukedu wwwiukeducareer-
services
Knowledge and practice will give you the confidence you need to be prepared and give the best impression possible at an interview The following information will help prepare you for nearly any interview contingency being confidant that you can handle it is the best way to increase your chances of getting hired Here are a few things you can do to give yourself a head start
Questions to think about prior to your interview
1 Why do you want to work at this facility and what specific jobareas am I interested in a To Prepare research the facility
i Mission ii Population served
iii Financial stability iv Management style
b Learn about the job
i Job description ii Occupational outlook
iii Handbook iv employees
2 What qualities make me a good candidate
a To prepare self assessment i What are my strengths and weaknesses
ii What are my interests iii How do I know iv What kinds of results demonstrate my abilities
3 What type of shift working conditions salary and fringe benefits are most important to me (12 hours 10 hours 8
hours weekends flex-time insurance) a To prepare clarify values and lifestyle choices
i What are my values ii What kind of lifestyles do I want for myself and those close to me
4 How will I be trained
a To prepare How do I learn best i Do I need immediate feedback or can I learn well on my own
5 What are my goals Where do I want to be in 10 years
a To prepare Identify and prioritize career and life goals and objectives i Am I interested in supervision training management
ii How do I plan to reach these goals
6 What are the major issues and current events facing this specific field job occupation and company today
7 What can you bring to the organization
Office of Career Services at IU Kokomo
30 |Kelley Student Center 200 2300 S Washington St PO Box 9003 Kokomo IN 46904-9003 (765)455-9301 fax (765)455-9537 carserviukedu wwwiukeducareer-
services
Behavioral Interviews- Use the STAR Interviewing Technique for Success
The STAR acronym represents Situation Task Action and Result Recruiters and hiring managers favor the STAR technique because
it provides a better explanation of your past performance how you handle workplace challenges and whether youre able to articulate
your experiences STAR behavioral interviews are quickly becoming the most popular and common form of interview
Situation or
Task
Describe the situation that you were in or the task that you needed to accomplish You must
describe a specific event or situation not a generalized description of what you have done in
the past Be sure to give enough detail for the interviewer to understand This situation can be
from a previous job from a volunteer experience or any relevant event
Action you took Describe the action you took and be sure to keep the focus on you Even if you are discussing
a group project or effort describe what you did -- not the efforts of the team Dont tell what
you might do tell what you did
Results you achieved What happened How did the event end What did you accomplish What did you learn
For examples of past behavior use examples from
Internships
Work experience
Class projects
School activitiesorganizations you are involved with
Sports
Volunteercommunity service
Hobbies
Think about your accomplishments what are you most proud of that you want to share with the employer
How to prepare for behavior-based interviews
Identify 3-6 examples that demonstrate your top skills Look through the job description pinpoint the skills they are seeking
Pick experiences that demonstrate top behaviors of those skills
Prepare how you will ldquotell your storyrdquo using STAR
Pick examples that will be positive accomplishment
Most behavioral questions try to reveal the negative situations so be prepared with those examples However try to pick
examples that had a positive outcome
Try not to pick examples from only one topic Pick a variety of examples choosing examples from work class community
services etc
Typically the best examples are situations that happened within the last year
Go over your resume and review the accomplishments you have listed andor skills this could assist you with identifying
examples
LISTEN to the full question Be sure the example is an appropriate description of how you demonstrated what they are
asking for
Office of Career Services at IU Kokomo
31 |Kelley Student Center 200 2300 S Washington St PO Box 9003 Kokomo IN 46904-9003 (765)455-9301 fax (765)455-9537 carserviukedu wwwiukeducareer-
services
Sample Behavior-based Questions
Communication Skills
1 Give me a specific example of a time someone didnrsquot agree with your work How did you respond 2 Tell me about a time when you had to present complex information How did you ensure that everyone
understood what you were saying 3 Give an example about a time where written communication was needed
Decision Making Skills
1 What is the biggest decision or risk yoursquove made in the past year on the job Describe the process you used to make those decisions Would you do it again
2 Describe a time you overcame a challenge with an innovative solution What was the challenge What role did you play
Planning Organization Time management Skills
1 Please give an example of a time you didnrsquot meet your deadline Why did you fail to meet your deadline What did you learn from that experience
2 Give an example of how you keep track of multiple projects How do you stay on track and meet deadlines How do you stay focused
3 Describe a goal yoursquove had How you set it and achieved it
Flexibility Skills 1 Tell us about one of the toughest situations with which yoursquove had to deal with How did you handle the
stress or pressure of the situation Leadership Skills
1 Describe a time when you disagreed with a directive given by your supervisor What happened and how did you handle it
2 Give an example of a situation where team members or co-workers didnrsquot get along This could include you and someone else or two other people How did the project turn out What did you do to resolve the issue so everyone was able to work together
Office of Career Services at IU Kokomo
32 |Kelley Student Center 200 2300 S Washington St PO Box 9003 Kokomo IN 46904-9003 (765)455-9301 fax (765)455-9537 carserviukedu wwwiukeducareer-
services
Other Common Questions Asked by Employers
Personal 1 Tell me about yourself 2 Why did you choose to interview with our organization 3 Describe your ideal job 4 What can you offer us over another candidate 5 What do you consider to be your greatest strengths 6 Can you name some weaknesses 7 Define success Failure How did you learn from your failures 8 Name a couple accomplishments you most proud 9 Who are your role models Why 10 How does your college education or work experience relate to this job 11 What motivates you most in a job 12 Have you ever spoken before a group of people How large 13 What do you know about our organization (products or services) 14 Do you plan to return to school for further education 15 What would you change about yourself and why
Education
16 Why did you choose your major 17 Why did you choose to attend your college or university 18 Do you think you received a good education In what ways 19 In which campus activities did you participate 20 Which classes in your major did you like best Least Why 21 If you were to start over what would you change about your education 22 Do your grades accurately reflect your ability Why or why not
Experience
23 What job-related skills have you developed 24 Did you work while going to school In what positions 25 What did you learn from these work experiences 26 What did you enjoy most about your last employment Least 27 Have you ever quit a job Why 28 Give an example of how you have solved a problem in the work place 29 How do you resolve conflict on a team project 30 Give an example of a time in which you worked under deadline pressure 31 Have you ever done any volunteer work What kind 32 How do you think a former supervisor would describe your work
Career Goals
33 Do you prefer to work under supervision or on your own 34 What kind of boss do you prefer 35 Would you be successful working with a team 36 Do you prefer large or small organizations Why 37 What other types of positions are you considering 38 How do you feel about working in a structured environment 39 Are you able to work on several assignments at once 40 How do you feel about working overtime 41 How do you feel about travel 42 Are you willing to relocate
Office of Career Services at IU Kokomo
33 |Kelley Student Center 200 2300 S Washington St PO Box 9003 Kokomo IN 46904-9003 (765)455-9301 fax (765)455-9537 carserviukedu wwwiukeducareer-
services
Questions to Ask Employers
An interview is a two-way street Employers get an impression of you from the questions you ask Are you a critical thinker Did you comprehend and correctly process everything in the interview Have you done research and have a good grasp of the company and the scope of the position Your questions should be intelligent insightful and polite Have at least 3-5 custom questions in mind Employers look for someone who shows interest confidence and is well organized
1 Please describe (or ask them to clarify specifics) the duties of the job for me 2 Is this a new position or am I replacing someone 3 What do you like best about your jobcompany 4 What kinds of assignments might I expect the first six months on the job 5 What qualities are you looking for in the candidate who fills this position 6 Does your company encourage further education 7 Do you have plans for expansion 8 What are your growth projections for next year 9 Have you cut staff in the last three years 10 In what ways is a career with your company better than one with your competitors 11 What is the largest single problem facing your staff (department) now 12 Has there been much turnover in this job area 13 Will I have the opportunity to work on special projects 14 Where does this position fit into the organizational structure 15 How much travel if any is involved in this position 16 What is the next course of action When should I expect to hear from you or may I contact you
Interview Checklist Preparation Research research research Knowing more about the organization as a whole and the particular position you are applying for will be helpful in the interview It will help you understand questions that may be asked and will give you a chance to come up with questions to ask them The more research you conduct the more confident and comfortable you will feel in the interview It will also demonstrate to the employer how determined and pro-active you are about their company and the position you seek Get specific directions to the location If possible go there the day before and check out parking and the location of the office where your interview will be held
First Impression Put your best foot forward Remember the decision to hire you may be made in the first 5 minutes Always wait until they sit or invite you to be seated
Dress code Dress more formal than you would in the actual position Women should wear a suit or dress with a jacket Men should wear a suit or sport jacket and slacks Itrsquos a good idea to have an interview outfit ready and waiting (cleaned neat no threads or missing buttons) hanging in your closet Donrsquot wear anything too trendy or faddish (ladies no miniskirts) Check all zippers for closure and ladies should always have an extra pair of hose for emergencies Your style of dress communicates too what do you want it to say (See page 38)
Arrival Arrive a few minutes early to check out the location and parking Stop by the restroom and check your appearance Again you may want to check out the location the day before if you are unsure of the area
What to bring Always have an extra copy of your reacutesumeacute note paper and pen You will want to jot down questions as they may come about as well as information about the position Also write down the names of each person you interview with so you can mail a thank-you note
Application
Office of Career Services at IU Kokomo
34 |Kelley Student Center 200 2300 S Washington St PO Box 9003 Kokomo IN 46904-9003 (765)455-9301 fax (765)455-9537 carserviukedu wwwiukeducareer-
services
Read through the entire application before you begin Follow the directions Give specific titles You may leave the salary question blank or fill it in with a reasonable salary range Use NA where answers are not applicable Proofread the application before returning it
Legal and Illegal Pre-employment Questions CATEGORY LAWFUL
(Questions employers can ask)
UNLAWFUL (Questions employers cannot ask)
Name Have you ever worked for this company under a different name
Is any additional information relative to change of name use of an assumed name or nickname necessary to enable a check
on your work record If yes explain
What is your maiden name
Is the name on your application your real name
Address Where do you live
How long have you lived there
Birthplace Where were you born Where were your relatives born
Agebirth date Are you 18 years of age or older How old are you What is your birth date
Prove your age by submitting your birth certificate baptismal record
naturalization papers etc (see citizenship)
Photograph Requirement or option that applicant affix a photograph to employment form at
any time before hiring Citizenship Are you a citizen of the United States
If not are you authorized to work in the US
Can you verify US citizenship or your
right to work in the United States
Of what country are you a citizen Are you a naturalized or a native-born
citizen When did you acquire citizenship
Please produce naturalization papers or green card
(employers must verify citizenship or the right to work after theyrsquove decided to
extend an offer) Sex or Marital Status Are you male or female
Are you married What are your living arrangements
Relatives Do you have relatives (other than a spouse) already employed by the
company
What are their names
What are the names (addresses ages number or other information) of your
relatives not employed by the company
Children
Do you have children or plans to have children in the future
Do you have the capacity to reproduce Do you advocate any form of birth control
or family planning What are your child care arrangements
How old are your children
CATEGORY LAWFUL UNLAWFUL (Questions employers can ask) (Questions employers cannot ask)
Disability Do you have any impairment
(physical mental or medical) which would interfere with your ability to perform the job for which you have
applied
Do you have any disabilities or diseases not related to job
performance
Arrest record Have you ever been convicted of a criminal offense other than minor
traffic violations If yes explain fully
Have you ever been arrested
Experienced Please describe your work experience
Travel Overtime This position requires X amount of overtimetravel Would you be able
to meet this requirement
Who will care for your children when you travel or work overtime
Would your spouse object if you
traveled or worked overtime Language What languages do you speak and
write fluently What is your native language
How did you learn to read write or
speak a foreign language Education Please describe your academic
vocational or professional education and the public and private schools you attended
What are the dates of attendance
(To permit verification)
Notice in case of emergency What are the names and addresses of people to be notified in case of
accident or emergency (can be asked after hire)
Military experience Have you served in the US Armed Forces or in the National Guard
Describe your experience
Do you have any military experience
(other than in the United States) Organizations Do you belong to any organizations
which you consider relevant to your ability to perform this job Please
explain
Are you a member of any clubs societies or lodges
Which ones
Race or color What racecolor are you Are you a minority
Religion or creed What is your religion To which parishchurch do you
belong What religious holidays do you
observe National Origin What is your (or relatives) lineage
ancestry national origin descent percentage or nationality
Office of Career Services at IU Kokomo
36 |Kelley Student Center 200 2300 S Washington St PO Box 9003 Kokomo IN 46904-9003 (765)455-9301 fax (765)455-9537 carserviukedu wwwiukeducareer-
services
After the interview After you have interviewed for a position there are some things to do that may improve your chances
Send a Follow-up thank you note within 24 hours
This shows that you are serious about their organization and will set you apart from many who neglect to do so By taking the
time to email or write a handwritten letter thanking them for taking their time to meet with you Summarize specific qualities
you have and let them know you look forward in speaking with them further about employment
Sample Thank you
Dear Intervieweersquos Name Thank you for taking the time to talk with me on Thursday November 9 at the interview for list specifics of position and company) I appreciate your time and attention and after talking with you I am even more interested in becoming a valuable team member at companyrsquos name You were extremely helpful in explaining list position Now that I have a better idea of what the position entails I am even more certain that I would be an asset to your team and to companyrsquos name My solid education from the IU Kokomo Communication Department and the fact that I have worked my way through college show the work ethic and determination you said were important to be successful at companyrsquos name I look forward to an opportunity to work with companyrsquos name office and speak to you further about the program I will contact you next week to follow up and provide you with any further information that you may need Thank you again for your time and consideration Sincerely
Your name
The Stall Letter
There may be situations that you will need time to figure out whether a job is a good fit or have more than one position to accept or decline The stall letter is a good tool to have in this case In the introduction refer to the job offer or event that is prompting the letter In the second paragraph state your continued interest in the position but request more time to gather further information or to consider all alternatives and opportunities in order to make the best choice for the position and the company as well as yourself Give a specific time extension request If you need 24 hours for example ask for that Ask for the minimal amount of time in order to make your decision Remember this is a request and does not guarantee that the employer will accept it and be prepared for the possibility that they will not grant the time and choose another candidate In the conclusion thank them for their time and understanding and indicate when you will contact them to discuss the terms of the possible extension
Sample Stall Letter
Dear name of person that offered the position This letter is in reference to list company name and your offer of list the position I would like to take this opportunity to thank you for the opportunity and express my continued interest in the position At this time I would like to request __hours to gather some vital information in order to be completely confidant that I am making the best and most informed decision possible I want to ensure for all parties involved that I have considered all options and alternatives to be certain that my acceptance of this list position is the correct course of action for us both I appreciate your understanding and valuable time and look forward to speaking with you at your earliest convenience today so that we may discuss the terms of my request Sincerely Your Name
Office of Career Services at IU Kokomo
37 |Kelley Student Center 200 2300 S Washington St PO Box 9003 Kokomo IN 46904-9003 (765)455-9301 fax (765)455-9537 carserviukedu wwwiukeducareer-
services
Acceptance of a Job Offer Letter
Responding in writing to a job offer shows courtesy and is expected It reduces the chance of any misunderstanding that verbal acceptances do not In the first paragraph thank the employer for offering the specific position title and say that you are happy to accept it In the second paragraph state the terms of employment (salary location and start date) Emphasize any negotiations of terms that were unusual or non-standard if there were any In the last paragraph thank the employer sincerely for the opportunity and express your excitement to join their organization and be a valuable asset to them
Sample Job Offer Acceptance Letter
Dear person who offered position
I am happy to have the opportunity to accept the position of list title
The following terms of the position as I understood them include a salary of list salaryrate of pay at List location and to begin employment on list date As we discussed instead of the typical work week we agreed to the addition of evening and weekend hours during the probationary period with a return to usual business hours after 90 days We also agreed to a company vehicle provision for any off site training and appointments during the course of my employment
I truly look forward to becoming a valued member of your team and I am anticipating a productive and positive professional relationship with list company
Sincerely Your Name
Decline or Withdrawing from Consideration Letter
There may be times that you wish to decline or remove yourself from consideration from a position Doing this on a positive
and respectful note decreases the chance that future opportunities will be missed either as a future employee or possible
professional contact with the firm Thank the employer for the opportunity but decline it based on your reasons Be sure to
specifically name the person that was in charge of the hiring process If the decline is due to a term that was offered be
specific the firm could always choose to negotiate that term to better suit your situation
Date
Dear List person
Thank you very much for offering me the list position After careful consideration I regret that I must decline your offer
Although you were most encouraging in outlining future advancement possibilities within ABC Company I have accepted another
opportunity that is more in line with my skills and career goals or I found list the term to be out of line with my needs and
goals
I enjoyed meeting you and the rest of your team You have been most kind and gracious throughout the interview process and I
only wish that circumstances allowed me to accept your offer
Best wishes for your continued success
Sincerely
Your Name
Office of Career Services at IU Kokomo
38 |Kelley Student Center 200 2300 S Washington St PO Box 9003 Kokomo IN 46904-9003 (765)455-9301 fax (765)455-9537 carserviukedu wwwiukeducareer-
services
____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
This packet contains a lot of valuable information to help you achieve all the goals that an education from IU Kokomo
will prepare you for Use this as a guide for every step of the way from your freshman year graduation and beyond
Office of Career Services at IU Kokomo
14 |Kelley Student Center 200 2300 S Washington St PO Box 9003 Kokomo IN 46904-9003 (765)455-9301 fax (765)455-9537 carserviukedu wwwiukeducareer-
services
Sample Informatics Resume
NAME Address Phone number Email address
Objective (optional)
Qualified IT professional with variety of software hardware and networking knowledge
Exceptional teamwork and leadership skills
Efficient troubleshooter with commitment to lifetime learning
Experience Computer Services Inc Indianapolis In Maintenance and Computer Technician 2008 - Present
Assembled computers
helped in network installation tasks
Assisted with troubleshooting Green Networks Inc Carmel IN Computer Technician 2006-2008
Responsible for the maintenance of equipment and computers used by company for multimedia advertisement Education
Indiana University Kokomo Kokomo In Bachelor of Science in Informatics Expected Graduation date May 2010 GPA 3040 (only if it is above a 30)
Skills Systems Engineering
Differentiate between various types of hardware
Set up and configure software and all the versions of Microsoft Windows
Build and maintain a computer
Troubleshoot software and hardware problems
Networking
Find out network hardware devices and cabling and their working
Implement IP schemes and administer groups
Maintain a secure network and implement network topologies
Expert in DNS Active Directory DHCP and WINS
Communications
Demonstrated skills to answer technical questions with different degrees of computer skills
Willingness to learn new things and work well with others
Good presentation skills
Demonstrated leadership skills in a team environment
Reference available on request (optional)
Office of Career Services at IU Kokomo
15 |Kelley Student Center 200 2300 S Washington St PO Box 9003 Kokomo IN 46904-9003 (765)455-9301 fax (765)455-9537 carserviukedu wwwiukeducareer-
services
SAMPLE BiologyChemistryBio-Chemistry Reacutesumeacute 190 Indiana Drive Kokomo IN 46902 (765) 555-5555 nameemailcom
High-energy and motivated individual with outstanding work ethic a strong academic background broad-based work experience and a record of personal achievement working for leading organizations
EDUCATION
Bachelor of Science in Biology May 2008 Minor Bio-Chemistry Indiana University Kokomo
PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT
Ophthalmology Intern XYZ Organization Kokomo IN Spring 2012
Transcribed 20 patient charts discussing medication and vision prescriptions
Observed 100 appointments for issues including glaucoma macular degeneration and detached retinas
Helped for new contact lens patients
Biology Lab Teaching Assistant Indiana University Kokomo August 2011 - current
Independently taught two biology labs per semester with 20 students in each
Created lesion plans and modified and presented curriculum for weekly classes
Maintained lab with spiders guinea pigs beetles and gecko
Held weekly office hours and tutored students
WORK EXPERIENCE
Server September 2005-June 2008 XYZ Restaurant Indianapolis IN Supervised dining experience of up to 40 guests per shift Exceeded sales goals by promoting specialty items
Head Lifeguard Seasonal May 2001-September 2007 LMN Business Kokomo IN Promoted twice within four summerscreated weekly schedule for 20 staff members Authorized to make management decisions in absence of manager Trained five new employees per summer concerning all assigned duties
ACTIVITIES amp INTERESTS
Biology Club Member (Fall 2011-current) Environmental Club Member (Spring 2010-current) Relay for Life Participant (Spring 2012-Spring 2011)
Office of Career Services at IU Kokomo
16 |Kelley Student Center 200 2300 S Washington St PO Box 9003 Kokomo IN 46904-9003 (765)455-9301 fax (765)455-9537 carserviukedu wwwiukeducareer-
services
Sample New Media Resume
Objective (optional)________________________________________________________________
Creative and dedicated Graphic Designer seeking a full-time position with advancement
opportunities to further enhance my knowledge in graphic design
Education________________________________________________________________________
Indiana University KokomomdashMay 2010
Bachelor of Arts in New Media GPA 36
Qualifications_____________________________________________________________________
More than 5 years of diverse hands-on design experience including experience in web-
site design magazine publishing and marketing
Adaptable organized results and detail-oriented with excellent work ethic strong time
management and interpersonal skills
Ability to create designs concepts and sample layouts based on knowledge of layout
principles and aesthetic design concepts
Extensive knowledge of design techniques tools and principals involved in production
of precision technical plans blueprints drawings and models
Ability to come up with unusual or clever ideas about a given topic or situation or to
develop creative ways to solve a problem
Team player also capable of working independently with minimal direction
Work Experience_________________________________________________________________
ABC Company Dec 2004 ndash Present Indianapolis Indiana
Coordination and production of a variety of graphics products and servicesmdashgraphic
design and art direction for ads newsletters report covers annual reports brochures
exhibit displays maps slide shows and the government cable TV channel
Study illustrations photographs and text to plan presentation of products and services
Review layouts and suggest improvements as needed
Prepare the assembly of final layouts for printing and review and approve art materials
Provide expert analysis and input on othersrsquo designs
XYZ Business Jan 2000 - Nov 2004 Indianapolis Indiana
Completed various freelance design assignmentsmdashincluding creation of a bi-monthly
printed newsletter for a lawyers association design of various logos and artwork for the
PQ Design amp Silk-Screening
Responsible for coordination and production of a variety of graphics products and services
Estimated costs coordinated graphic production and reproduction by service bureaus
Assembled final layouts for printing and provided graphic design for website
765-555-5555
1234 Indiana Drive
Kokomo IN
nameemailcom
Office of Career Services at IU Kokomo
17 |Kelley Student Center 200 2300 S Washington St PO Box 9003 Kokomo IN 46904-9003 (765)455-9301 fax (765)455-9537 carserviukedu wwwiukeducareer-
services
Sample Chaplain Reacutesumeacute Name
Address Phone Email
Objective (Optional) To seek a challenging position as a chaplain that allows me to utilize my knowledge and clinical pastoral education skills Qualifications Summary
Compassionate and devoted Chaplin providing spiritual moral guidance for 7 years
Maintains patient confidentiality according to HIPAA regulations
Excellent interpersonal and communication skills
Experience counseling patients concerning their spiritual personal and emotional needs
Professional Experience XXX Hospice Kokomo In 2007-current Hospice Resident Chaplin
Visit patientsfamilies and perform spiritual assessments
Provide spiritual support and counseling to patients and caregivers
Document all pertinent chaplain activities and audit patient charts XXX Church Kokomo In 2002-2007 Assistance Clergy
Assisted and organized religious services
Helped manage church property and finances
Participated in church programs supporting congregation and fundraising activities XXX Hospital Kokomo IN 1997-2000 Nursersquos aide
Provide health care checks for a diverse population
Perform blood pressure tests for community health outreach programs
Supply a wide range of services including womens health clinic services and care for elderly patients
Education Hospitalhellip Clinical Pastoral Education 3 units completed University of Santa Barbara CA Master of Divinity- 2002 Indiana University Kokomo Kokomo In Bachelor of Science in Nursing ndash 2000 GPA 3440
Volunteer Work
Xxx
Xxxx
Office of Career Services at IU Kokomo
18 |Kelley Student Center 200 2300 S Washington St PO Box 9003 Kokomo IN 46904-9003 (765)455-9301 fax (765)455-9537 carserviukedu wwwiukeducareer-
services
SCANNABLE REacuteSUMEacute CHECKLIST
Resume scanning is more commonly used by employers to seek out employees When a computer will be the first to
read your reacutesumeacute it should be altered If the scannable reacutesumeacute meets the computer criteria it will then be seen by
the employer
1 Left justify the entire document
2 Use key words or short phrases to describe your qualifications and abilities Use
jargon and acronyms specific to your industry Check the job listings and
industry-related materials for current buzzwords
3 Increase your list of key words by including specific names of products and
services such as Microsoft Word or Lotus Notes
4 Use nouns more than verbs For instance say ldquoproject managerrdquo instead of
ldquoimplemented projectrdquo
5 Use common section headings such as Objective Experience Employment
Work History Positions Held Appointments and Skills Use boldface andor all
CAPITAL LETTERS for each of these section headings as long as the letters
donrsquot touch each other
6 Minimize abbreviations except for common ones such as MBA or CEO
7 Use a 10- to 14- point font size Use standard typefaces such as Times New Roman Arial New Century
or Courier
8 Avoid italics script and underlined passages Minimize use of hyphens bullets or dashes Boldface is accepted by
most systems unless the employer advises otherwise
9 Avoid graphics shadings vertical or horizontal lines and boxes The scanner
reads text not graphics
10 Print your reacutesumeacute on 8frac12 X 11 inch white paper of average thickness on one
side only using a laser or other letter-quality paper Donrsquot staple or fold
multiple-page reacutesumeacutes Always make sure your name is on all pages
11 Donrsquot condense spacing between letters
12 Use enough white space between sections Computers use white space to
differentiate between topics
13 When faxing set the fax machine on ldquofine moderdquo instead of ldquostandard moderdquo
Office of Career Services at IU Kokomo
19 |Kelley Student Center 200 2300 S Washington St PO Box 9003 Kokomo IN 46904-9003 (765)455-9301 fax (765)455-9537 carserviukedu wwwiukeducareer-
services
Scannable reacutesumeacute example
NAME IN CAPS
Current address
555 Candy Lane
Kokomo IN 46901
765 555 ndash 2424
Permanent address
444 Peppermint Lane
Indianapolis IN 46077
317 555 ndash 1234
OBJECTIVE (Optional)
A fulltime position in the area that is my expertisehellip (You fill it in-see suggested buzz-word list)
EDUCATION
Indiana University Kokomo IN
Bachelor of Science in Management
Minor Management Information Systems MIS
GPA 36 40
Major GPA 38 40
Graduation May 2014
SIGNIFICANT COURSES
Fill in with significant core courses for your major that apply to the job Use one line per course
SKILLS
Proficient with (pc programs that you are proficient in and are applicable)
Any other skills that are applicable (see buzz-word list)
WORK EXPERIENCE
Bold the Job Title
Basic job description as it applies to job applying for Dates employed (begin with most recent)
Use buzz-word list based on your occupation and relevant to the position being applied for
Office of Career Services at IU Kokomo
20 |Kelley Student Center 200 2300 S Washington St PO Box 9003 Kokomo IN 46904-9003 (765)455-9301 fax (765)455-9537 carserviukedu wwwiukeducareer-
services
Cover Letters Cover letters are an additional component of a reacutesumeacute Customize every letter to each company andor position of interest
Address it to the person listed on the position advertisement or the person that you know has the authority to hire Finding this may
take some investigation to discover if the name is not announced on the position advertisement PO boxes are often used to filter
reacutesumeacutes and you can find the owner of the box by calling the post office and asking who owns the box with that number Having
this information to address the cover letter with will set you apart from those who do not
Cover letter Format Date Employers Name Use the name of the person stated in the job posting or contact the company for the contact person address and the correct spelling) Position or title Company Name Address Suite number or floor (if there is one) City state Zip Salutation Dear Mr or Ms Or Dear Sir or Madam (use the last name only of the person you listed above) If you have made every effort to find out but do not know the name or gender or the individual use a unisex greeting of Dear Manager or Dear Director Paragraph one (Introduction) State which position you are applying for and where you heard about the opening If the position was advertised refer to where it was advertised (Indianapolis Star or higheredcom) Be enthusiastic and confident about the position with a brief statement about why you are the right fit for the job Paragraph two (Body) Explain why you want to work for this company and how your skills experience and qualifications directly relate to the position You can also include your personal traits and strengths that would be an asset for the job Summarize why you are an excellent candidate for the position Highlight key examples and how they match what the company is seeking There are likely other prospective employees that are competing for this position It is very important that you highlight qualities that will set you apart and show uniqueness You are marketing yourself in this paragraph so be sure to sell the idea that you are the best one to interview and the best fit for this employer Most advertisements will list the requirements that are desired andor required for the position Be sure to detail how you meet each of those requirements Do not point out to the reader if there is a requirement that you donrsquot currently possess just do not reference that in your letter The purpose of a cover letter is to highlight the positives and do not bring up any negatives Paragraph three (Conclusion) State that you would like the opportunity to personally discuss your qualifications Indicate where you can be reached phone andor email A good sentence to use would look like ldquoI may be reached at 555-555-1234 or nameiukedurdquo Make sure to thank the reader for their time and consideration Closing Sincerely or Yours truly or Respectfully yours Signature (blue or black ink only) Your Name (Typed)
Office of Career Services at IU Kokomo
21 |Kelley Student Center 200 2300 S Washington St PO Box 9003 Kokomo IN 46904-9003 (765)455-9301 fax (765)455-9537 carserviukedu wwwiukeducareer-
services
References
Reference lists should always be available and prepared with 3-4 professional references
Do
Do get permission from each reference you plan to use
Do give each reference a copy of your reacutesumeacute to have as a guide
Do choose references that are well informed and have good verbal and written communication skills
Do Not
Do not use relatives personal friends or students as a reference
Letters of Recommendation
A letter of recommendation provides relevant information that is honest positive and portrays a up-front outlook of the skills
and potential capabilities you possess It can describe personality performance and skill attributes knowledge and
competency level
The following are suggestions of individuals who may be qualified to write a letter of recommendation
Executive Director
Vice President
Supervisors
Co-workers
CustomersClients
Subordinates
Professors
Counsellors
Coaches
Doctors
Lawyers
Ministers
Community Leaders
Office of Career Services at IU Kokomo
22 |Kelley Student Center 200 2300 S Washington St PO Box 9003 Kokomo IN 46904-9003 (765)455-9301 fax (765)455-9537 carserviukedu wwwiukeducareer-
services
Key WordsAction Words
Actively Established Evaluate Participated Schedule Coordinate Increased Proposed Strategy Created Launched Reduced Support Effect Eliminate Organized Originate
Approve Generate Program Solve Control Improve Recommend Supervise Direct Manage Motivated Responsibilities Revise Analyze Founded Pinpointed Set up
Completed Interpret Proficient Successfully Demonstrate Maintain Revamped Responsible Administer Expedite Plan Simplicity Conduct Implemented Provide Streamline Develop
Lecture Reorganized Accelerated Adapted Expanded Perform Significantly Conceived Influence Proved Structure Delegate Lead Reinforced Teach
Self-Describing Words Professional Active Diplomatic Loyal Respective Analytical Attentive Determined Logical Resourceful Ambitious Efficient Energetic Independent
Reliable Alert Economical Objective Optimistic Realistic Aggressive Discrete Methodical Sense-of-humor Sincere Adaptable Disciplined Mature
Self-reliant Broad-minded Enterprising Personable Tactful Creative Imaginative Perceptive Systematic Constructive Forceful Productive Sophisticated Consistent
Fair Practical Will relocate Conscientious Extroverted Positive Will travel Enthusiastic Pleasant Talented Dependable Trustworthy Ethical
Keywords for Interpersonal Traits Ability to delegate Accurate Assertive Creative Ethical Follow up Leadership Oral communication Public speaking Self accountable Supportive Tenacious
Ability to implement Adaptable Communication skill Customer oriented Flexible High energy Multitasking Organizational skills Results oriented Self management Takes initiative Willing to travel
Ability to plan Aggressive Competitive Detail minded Follow instructions Industrious Open minded Persuasive Risk taking Sensitive Team building Ability to train
Analytical ability Conceptual ability Empowering others Follow through Innovated Open communication Problem solving Safety conscious Setting priorities Team player
Office of Career Services at IU Kokomo
23 |Kelley Student Center 200 2300 S Washington St PO Box 9003 Kokomo IN 46904-9003 (765)455-9301 fax (765)455-9537 carserviukedu wwwiukeducareer-
services
Sample of Occupational Keywords Occupational keywords include skills titles and occupational buzz words Account manager Accounts receivable Acquisitions Bachelors Degree Bank Card Bank reconciliation Batch processing Benchmarking Blueprint reading Brochures Budget Bulletins CAD Calibrator Carpentry Cash Flow Cell Culture Media Cement Child Care Claims Justification Commercial Leasing Copy Editing Counselor Crisis Management Cross-culture training Debugging Decision making Demographics Dental management Die casting Dietitian Drywall Ecology Electronics Employee assistance Engineer Financial planning Food preparation Gas pipeline Goal setting Graphic design Grant writer Guest services Harnessing Hiringfiring Hotel ISO 9000
Journalism Journeyman Layout design Logic analyzer Magnetic theory Manager Marketing Masterrsquos Degree Microprocessor Microsoft word Nursing Oscillator Pelletizing Patient advocate Payroll Personal computer Process metallurgy Proposal writing Psychology Public Relations Purchasing Radio Raw materials Receptionist Reporter Research Sales Secretarial Software modeling Spanish Spreadsheets Statistical Process Control Stick Welding Strategic Planning Student Personnel Supervisor Taxonomy Teacher Technical Writing Time Management Transportation Travel Wave Solder WordPerfect Workflow Writer
Office of Career Services at IU Kokomo
24 |Kelley Student Center 200 2300 S Washington St PO Box 9003 Kokomo IN 46904-9003 (765)455-9301 fax (765)455-9537 carserviukedu wwwiukeducareer-
services
ACTION WORDS
ORGANIZATIONAL Assembled Enforced Prepared Reorganized
Collected Executed Planned Scheduled
Centralized Formalized Processed Updated
Coordinated Implemented Routed Catalogued
Maintained Recorded
LEADERSHIPAllocated Hired Operated Spearheaded Determined Initiated
Oversaw Sponsored Directed Inspired Pioneered Staged
Elected Instituted Presided Started Enlisted Led
Produced Supervised Formed Managed Recruited Founded
Moderated Represented Governed Motivated Selected
COMMUNICATION SKILLS Acquainted Drafted Introduced Summarized Apprised Educated
Lectured Taught Answered Explained Listened
Trained Briefed Familiarized Presented Translated Conducted
Handled Reported Wrote Contacted Informed Responded
Demonstrated Instructed Spoke
RESEARCH Analyzed Detected Examined Researched
Assessed Discovered Gathered Searched
Audited Documented Identified Surveyed
Compiled Edited Interpreted Tested
Consulted Evaluated Interviewed
CREATIVITY Authored Created Devised
Originated Conceived Composed
Established Revolutionized Conceptualized
Designed Invented
HELPING SKILLS Aided Counseled Helped Supported
Attended Comforted Instilled Tutored
Assisted Facilitated Mentored Treated
Collaborated Fostered Provided Contributed
Guided Settled
SELLING Arbitrated Marketed Promoted
Secured Convinced Mediated
Publicized Solicited
Dissuaded Negotiated Resolved
Encouraged Persuaded Sold
OTHER ACTION VERBS Adapted Developed Generated Revamped Attained Ensured Improved Revitalized
Augmented Eliminated Increased Saved Awarded Exceeded Launched Shopped
Boosted Excelled Mastered Strengthened Broadened Expanded Modernized Supplemented
Built Expedited Published Tended Calculated Fabricated Raised Utilized
Catered Financed Reconciled Decreased Gained Reduced
Office of Career Services at IU Kokomo
25 |Kelley Student Center 200 2300 S Washington St PO Box 9003 Kokomo IN 46904-9003 (765)455-9301 fax (765)455-9537 carserviukedu wwwiukeducareer-
services
Transferable Skills-Skills you have acquired from your education and employment experience that you can market to new employers
Communication the skillful expression transmission and interpretation of knowledge and ideas
Speaking effectively Writing concisely Listening attentively Expressing ideas Facilitating group discussion Providing appropriate feedback Negotiating
Perceiving nonverbal messages Persuading Reporting information Describing feelings Interviewing Editing
Research and Planning the search for specific knowledge and the ability to conceptualize future needs and solutions for meeting those needs
Forecasting predicting Creating ideas Identifying problems Imagining alternatives Identifying resources Gathering information
Solving problems Setting goals Extracting important information Defining needs Analyzing Developing evaluation strategies
Human Relations the use of interpersonal skills for resolving conflict relating to and helping people Developing rapport Being Sensitive Listening Conveying feelings Providing support for others Motivating Sharing credit
Counseling Cooperating Delegating with respect Representing others Perceiving feelings situations Asserting
Organization Management and Leadership the ability to supervise direct and guide individuals and groups in the completion of tasks and fulfillment of goals Work Survival the day-to-day skills that assist in promoting effective production and work satisfaction
Implementing decisions Cooperating Enforcing policies Being punctual Managing time Attending to detail Meeting goals Enlisting help Accepting responsibility Setting and meeting deadlines Organizing Making decisions
Initiating new ideas Handling details Coordinating tasks Managing groups Delegating responsibility Teaching Coaching Counseling Promoting change Selling ideas or products Decision making with others Managing conflict
Office of Career Services at IU Kokomo
26 |Kelley Student Center 200 2300 S Washington St PO Box 9003 Kokomo IN 46904-9003 (765)455-9301 fax (765)455-9537 carserviukedu wwwiukeducareer-
services
After you have the perfect reacutesumeacute it is time to hit the road and put your skills into action Career Fairs will help put you in communication with prospective employers and give you valuable practice for interviews
Achieve Results and Get the Most Out of a Career Fair
Attend as many job fairs as you can Not only will practice make perfect but it will expand your network of career contacts Make sure to ask precise questions and be prepared to answer specific questions the employers have regarding your background and capabilities Before the Job Fair- Be Prepared
Create a reacutesumeacute and have it reviewed by a career counselor Create a list of 3-5 references in case they are requested (Be sure to ask your references for their help before
including them on the list) Create your 30-second oral reacutesumeacute and practice practice practice Review the employer list Determine where employers are located and in what order to visit them Broaden your focus and include different types of employers For instance although you may not have thought of
working for a hospital hospitals recruit and hire professionals in many different fields Do your research Look up information about the employers of interest
o Check their websites for information about their productsservices and mission statement o What types of jobs do they have open o What kind of people are they looking for o What kind of skills do these people need to have How do you meet their skill requirements o Develop some questions you would like to ask the employer representatives at the fair
Network Network Network with people you know and via social network sites like Linked-In and Facebook for more information about the companies Also seek contact with employees you might know or seek information from alumni who work there
During the Job Fair Dress for success (See page 38) Assume you will be interviewed and dress the part Even if you dont get an interview
at the job fair you have already made a great impression Always have a penpencil and paper to take notes- a portfolio works best Bring plenty of reacutesumeacutes with you While some companies will be seeking employees for specific positions some
employers will collect reacutesumeacutes for future positions Be sure to get all of the contact information you need to complete an application
Make sure to have copies of your reference list in case an employer asks First impressions are everything Be direct have a firm handshake and make eye contact as you greet employers This
will speak volumes about your confidence If you are only gathering information let employers know that you are only interested in materials and information
Be aware of time demands of employers Do not monopolize the employersrsquo time You should have already done your homework about their company so you can better spend your time asking about the positions available (or available in the near future) and how your skills match their needs Give them your 30-second oral reacutesumeacute and impress them with what you feel you can do for their company Since practice makes perfect donrsquot give up if the first attempt doesnrsquot go well Keep trying with other employers
Ask specific questions and collect information from each booth you visit including business cards from the employer representatives Offer to follow up after the fair and ask what the best way to contact them is
After the Job Fair You now have a prime opportunity to make a distinctive impression
Use those business cards you collected to follow up with each employer you are interested in Be sure to do everything you promised at the job fair Complete the application and upload your reacutesumeacute Send a thank-you note or email to all whom you talked with within 48 hours of the career fair This shows that you
are serious about their organization and will set you apart from many who neglect to do so If you follow up on your application for a position be sure to follow the preferred contact method and dont overdo it Stay in contact and use this experience to expand your network Submit an additional or amended reacutesumeacute during your follow-up contacts if need be Follow-up and follow-through contacts are up to the student be persistent and polite
Office of Career Services at IU Kokomo
27 |Kelley Student Center 200 2300 S Washington St PO Box 9003 Kokomo IN 46904-9003 (765)455-9301 fax (765)455-9537 carserviukedu wwwiukeducareer-
services
Additional information-what employers are expecting at a career fair
What Will Impress Employers o Demonstrate that you have done your homework and researched their company o Be prepared Have your reacutesumeacute critiqued by Career Services and bring plenty of copies with you Develop
questions to ask smile and courteously and enthusiastically engage the representatives o Have a firm hand shake and good eye contact- dress for success o Never ask about salary let them bring up the subject o An expectation that you will be responsible for following up with them including a thank you note or letter o Take the initiative Walk up to them and engage the employers they want to speak to you
What Employers May Want to Learn About You o Specific careerjob objectives What are your expectations o Individual strengths and weaknesses Have specific examples that demonstrate your skills develop short
stories that showcase your skills (Remember a job fair is time sensitive and you donrsquot want to take up too much time of one employer)
o Contributions you will make to the operation Remember be specific now is not the time to blandly or generically discuss what you can do
What You Should Learn About Each Company o Employment trends Career Fairs are excellent resources for information about career decision-making o Skills necessary for different careersjobs Have meaningful conversations with representatives o Currentfuture positions o Salary benefits training and other information about the company (again let the employer bring up salary) o Who to contact for follow-up discussions and what their hiring processes are get specifics o Collect their business card or write down their contact information
30 Second Oral Reacutesumeacute Purpose It is important to practice your 30 second oral reacutesumeacute prior to attending a career fair The famous ldquoTell me about yourselfrdquo is a question that is always asked Whether the question is asked in a social setting an interview or a networking event a well-planned answer can set you apart from the crowd as well as spark additional conversation Begin preparing your oral reacutesumeacute by following the tips below
How to Prepare Your Oral Reacutesumeacute o Begin by brainstorming what you would want someone to know about you Write down all of your ideas o Consider including the following information in your oral reacutesumeacute
Job Objective Education and Training Skills
Accomplishments and Achievements Prior Employment Other Experience
o Narrow down your optionsmdashpick the top 5 things you want the person to know about you o Develop a paragraph that encompasses all of the things you wish to say o Practice makes perfect Read aloud your reacutesumeacute several times
Additional Tips Prepare more than one oral reacutesumeacute for various situations Practice your reacutesumeacute by calling your voicemail and later playing back the messagemdashthink about how it sounds and
what you would like to change Make sure that your oral reacutesumeacute will keep the listenerrsquos attention
Example Oral Reacutesumeacute Hi my name is ________ and I am a senior at IU Kokomo majoring in New Media I am looking for an internship experience in graphic designweb development Through my coursework I have developed strong computer and analytical skills Last summer I worked as an intern at the Kokomo Perspective to gain experience with print media At the Perspective I worked with the copy editor as well as the writing staff to gain experience in both fields I also volunteer at United Way developing and updating their website
Office of Career Services at IU Kokomo
28 |Kelley Student Center 200 2300 S Washington St PO Box 9003 Kokomo IN 46904-9003 (765)455-9301 fax (765)455-9537 carserviukedu wwwiukeducareer-
services
Send a Follow-up thank you note after Career Fair Send a thank you note or email to all whom you talked with within 48 hours of the career fair This shows that you are serious about their organization and will set you apart from many who neglect to do so
Be sure to remind the employer where you met them Thank you for taking the time to talk with me on Thursday at the career fair After talking with you I
am even more eager to work at _____ Summarize specific qualities and assets you obtain I am certain my education at IU Kokomo has enhanced my skill set and has provided a solid
background of knowledge in the _______ fieldhelliphellip Some experiences I have had the pleasure of doing arehellip This opportunity improved my work ethic and made me aware of my self-reliancehellip
Always attach your reacutesumeacute again for their convenience I have attached my reacutesumeacute for your convenience I look forward to an opportunity to further discuss
my qualifications You may contact me athellip (phone andor email address) Thank you again for your time and consideration
Sample Thank you
Thank you for taking the time to talk with me on Thursday November 9 at the career fair on IU Kokomorsquos campus I appreciate your time and attention and after talking with you I am even more interested in learning more about your organization You were extremely helpful in explaining companyrsquos name customer service and marketing trainee program Now that I have a better idea of what the position entails I am even more certain that I would be an asset to your team and to companyrsquos name My solid education from the IU Kokomo Communication Department and the fact that I have worked my way through college show the work ethic and determination you said were important to be successful at companyrsquos name I look forward to an opportunity to visit companyrsquos name office and speak to you further about the trainee program I will contact you next week to arrange an appointment Enclosed is an updated reacutesumeacute for your review Thank you again for your time and consideration Sincerely
Office of Career Services at IU Kokomo
29 |Kelley Student Center 200 2300 S Washington St PO Box 9003 Kokomo IN 46904-9003 (765)455-9301 fax (765)455-9537 carserviukedu wwwiukeducareer-
services
Knowledge and practice will give you the confidence you need to be prepared and give the best impression possible at an interview The following information will help prepare you for nearly any interview contingency being confidant that you can handle it is the best way to increase your chances of getting hired Here are a few things you can do to give yourself a head start
Questions to think about prior to your interview
1 Why do you want to work at this facility and what specific jobareas am I interested in a To Prepare research the facility
i Mission ii Population served
iii Financial stability iv Management style
b Learn about the job
i Job description ii Occupational outlook
iii Handbook iv employees
2 What qualities make me a good candidate
a To prepare self assessment i What are my strengths and weaknesses
ii What are my interests iii How do I know iv What kinds of results demonstrate my abilities
3 What type of shift working conditions salary and fringe benefits are most important to me (12 hours 10 hours 8
hours weekends flex-time insurance) a To prepare clarify values and lifestyle choices
i What are my values ii What kind of lifestyles do I want for myself and those close to me
4 How will I be trained
a To prepare How do I learn best i Do I need immediate feedback or can I learn well on my own
5 What are my goals Where do I want to be in 10 years
a To prepare Identify and prioritize career and life goals and objectives i Am I interested in supervision training management
ii How do I plan to reach these goals
6 What are the major issues and current events facing this specific field job occupation and company today
7 What can you bring to the organization
Office of Career Services at IU Kokomo
30 |Kelley Student Center 200 2300 S Washington St PO Box 9003 Kokomo IN 46904-9003 (765)455-9301 fax (765)455-9537 carserviukedu wwwiukeducareer-
services
Behavioral Interviews- Use the STAR Interviewing Technique for Success
The STAR acronym represents Situation Task Action and Result Recruiters and hiring managers favor the STAR technique because
it provides a better explanation of your past performance how you handle workplace challenges and whether youre able to articulate
your experiences STAR behavioral interviews are quickly becoming the most popular and common form of interview
Situation or
Task
Describe the situation that you were in or the task that you needed to accomplish You must
describe a specific event or situation not a generalized description of what you have done in
the past Be sure to give enough detail for the interviewer to understand This situation can be
from a previous job from a volunteer experience or any relevant event
Action you took Describe the action you took and be sure to keep the focus on you Even if you are discussing
a group project or effort describe what you did -- not the efforts of the team Dont tell what
you might do tell what you did
Results you achieved What happened How did the event end What did you accomplish What did you learn
For examples of past behavior use examples from
Internships
Work experience
Class projects
School activitiesorganizations you are involved with
Sports
Volunteercommunity service
Hobbies
Think about your accomplishments what are you most proud of that you want to share with the employer
How to prepare for behavior-based interviews
Identify 3-6 examples that demonstrate your top skills Look through the job description pinpoint the skills they are seeking
Pick experiences that demonstrate top behaviors of those skills
Prepare how you will ldquotell your storyrdquo using STAR
Pick examples that will be positive accomplishment
Most behavioral questions try to reveal the negative situations so be prepared with those examples However try to pick
examples that had a positive outcome
Try not to pick examples from only one topic Pick a variety of examples choosing examples from work class community
services etc
Typically the best examples are situations that happened within the last year
Go over your resume and review the accomplishments you have listed andor skills this could assist you with identifying
examples
LISTEN to the full question Be sure the example is an appropriate description of how you demonstrated what they are
asking for
Office of Career Services at IU Kokomo
31 |Kelley Student Center 200 2300 S Washington St PO Box 9003 Kokomo IN 46904-9003 (765)455-9301 fax (765)455-9537 carserviukedu wwwiukeducareer-
services
Sample Behavior-based Questions
Communication Skills
1 Give me a specific example of a time someone didnrsquot agree with your work How did you respond 2 Tell me about a time when you had to present complex information How did you ensure that everyone
understood what you were saying 3 Give an example about a time where written communication was needed
Decision Making Skills
1 What is the biggest decision or risk yoursquove made in the past year on the job Describe the process you used to make those decisions Would you do it again
2 Describe a time you overcame a challenge with an innovative solution What was the challenge What role did you play
Planning Organization Time management Skills
1 Please give an example of a time you didnrsquot meet your deadline Why did you fail to meet your deadline What did you learn from that experience
2 Give an example of how you keep track of multiple projects How do you stay on track and meet deadlines How do you stay focused
3 Describe a goal yoursquove had How you set it and achieved it
Flexibility Skills 1 Tell us about one of the toughest situations with which yoursquove had to deal with How did you handle the
stress or pressure of the situation Leadership Skills
1 Describe a time when you disagreed with a directive given by your supervisor What happened and how did you handle it
2 Give an example of a situation where team members or co-workers didnrsquot get along This could include you and someone else or two other people How did the project turn out What did you do to resolve the issue so everyone was able to work together
Office of Career Services at IU Kokomo
32 |Kelley Student Center 200 2300 S Washington St PO Box 9003 Kokomo IN 46904-9003 (765)455-9301 fax (765)455-9537 carserviukedu wwwiukeducareer-
services
Other Common Questions Asked by Employers
Personal 1 Tell me about yourself 2 Why did you choose to interview with our organization 3 Describe your ideal job 4 What can you offer us over another candidate 5 What do you consider to be your greatest strengths 6 Can you name some weaknesses 7 Define success Failure How did you learn from your failures 8 Name a couple accomplishments you most proud 9 Who are your role models Why 10 How does your college education or work experience relate to this job 11 What motivates you most in a job 12 Have you ever spoken before a group of people How large 13 What do you know about our organization (products or services) 14 Do you plan to return to school for further education 15 What would you change about yourself and why
Education
16 Why did you choose your major 17 Why did you choose to attend your college or university 18 Do you think you received a good education In what ways 19 In which campus activities did you participate 20 Which classes in your major did you like best Least Why 21 If you were to start over what would you change about your education 22 Do your grades accurately reflect your ability Why or why not
Experience
23 What job-related skills have you developed 24 Did you work while going to school In what positions 25 What did you learn from these work experiences 26 What did you enjoy most about your last employment Least 27 Have you ever quit a job Why 28 Give an example of how you have solved a problem in the work place 29 How do you resolve conflict on a team project 30 Give an example of a time in which you worked under deadline pressure 31 Have you ever done any volunteer work What kind 32 How do you think a former supervisor would describe your work
Career Goals
33 Do you prefer to work under supervision or on your own 34 What kind of boss do you prefer 35 Would you be successful working with a team 36 Do you prefer large or small organizations Why 37 What other types of positions are you considering 38 How do you feel about working in a structured environment 39 Are you able to work on several assignments at once 40 How do you feel about working overtime 41 How do you feel about travel 42 Are you willing to relocate
Office of Career Services at IU Kokomo
33 |Kelley Student Center 200 2300 S Washington St PO Box 9003 Kokomo IN 46904-9003 (765)455-9301 fax (765)455-9537 carserviukedu wwwiukeducareer-
services
Questions to Ask Employers
An interview is a two-way street Employers get an impression of you from the questions you ask Are you a critical thinker Did you comprehend and correctly process everything in the interview Have you done research and have a good grasp of the company and the scope of the position Your questions should be intelligent insightful and polite Have at least 3-5 custom questions in mind Employers look for someone who shows interest confidence and is well organized
1 Please describe (or ask them to clarify specifics) the duties of the job for me 2 Is this a new position or am I replacing someone 3 What do you like best about your jobcompany 4 What kinds of assignments might I expect the first six months on the job 5 What qualities are you looking for in the candidate who fills this position 6 Does your company encourage further education 7 Do you have plans for expansion 8 What are your growth projections for next year 9 Have you cut staff in the last three years 10 In what ways is a career with your company better than one with your competitors 11 What is the largest single problem facing your staff (department) now 12 Has there been much turnover in this job area 13 Will I have the opportunity to work on special projects 14 Where does this position fit into the organizational structure 15 How much travel if any is involved in this position 16 What is the next course of action When should I expect to hear from you or may I contact you
Interview Checklist Preparation Research research research Knowing more about the organization as a whole and the particular position you are applying for will be helpful in the interview It will help you understand questions that may be asked and will give you a chance to come up with questions to ask them The more research you conduct the more confident and comfortable you will feel in the interview It will also demonstrate to the employer how determined and pro-active you are about their company and the position you seek Get specific directions to the location If possible go there the day before and check out parking and the location of the office where your interview will be held
First Impression Put your best foot forward Remember the decision to hire you may be made in the first 5 minutes Always wait until they sit or invite you to be seated
Dress code Dress more formal than you would in the actual position Women should wear a suit or dress with a jacket Men should wear a suit or sport jacket and slacks Itrsquos a good idea to have an interview outfit ready and waiting (cleaned neat no threads or missing buttons) hanging in your closet Donrsquot wear anything too trendy or faddish (ladies no miniskirts) Check all zippers for closure and ladies should always have an extra pair of hose for emergencies Your style of dress communicates too what do you want it to say (See page 38)
Arrival Arrive a few minutes early to check out the location and parking Stop by the restroom and check your appearance Again you may want to check out the location the day before if you are unsure of the area
What to bring Always have an extra copy of your reacutesumeacute note paper and pen You will want to jot down questions as they may come about as well as information about the position Also write down the names of each person you interview with so you can mail a thank-you note
Application
Office of Career Services at IU Kokomo
34 |Kelley Student Center 200 2300 S Washington St PO Box 9003 Kokomo IN 46904-9003 (765)455-9301 fax (765)455-9537 carserviukedu wwwiukeducareer-
services
Read through the entire application before you begin Follow the directions Give specific titles You may leave the salary question blank or fill it in with a reasonable salary range Use NA where answers are not applicable Proofread the application before returning it
Legal and Illegal Pre-employment Questions CATEGORY LAWFUL
(Questions employers can ask)
UNLAWFUL (Questions employers cannot ask)
Name Have you ever worked for this company under a different name
Is any additional information relative to change of name use of an assumed name or nickname necessary to enable a check
on your work record If yes explain
What is your maiden name
Is the name on your application your real name
Address Where do you live
How long have you lived there
Birthplace Where were you born Where were your relatives born
Agebirth date Are you 18 years of age or older How old are you What is your birth date
Prove your age by submitting your birth certificate baptismal record
naturalization papers etc (see citizenship)
Photograph Requirement or option that applicant affix a photograph to employment form at
any time before hiring Citizenship Are you a citizen of the United States
If not are you authorized to work in the US
Can you verify US citizenship or your
right to work in the United States
Of what country are you a citizen Are you a naturalized or a native-born
citizen When did you acquire citizenship
Please produce naturalization papers or green card
(employers must verify citizenship or the right to work after theyrsquove decided to
extend an offer) Sex or Marital Status Are you male or female
Are you married What are your living arrangements
Relatives Do you have relatives (other than a spouse) already employed by the
company
What are their names
What are the names (addresses ages number or other information) of your
relatives not employed by the company
Children
Do you have children or plans to have children in the future
Do you have the capacity to reproduce Do you advocate any form of birth control
or family planning What are your child care arrangements
How old are your children
CATEGORY LAWFUL UNLAWFUL (Questions employers can ask) (Questions employers cannot ask)
Disability Do you have any impairment
(physical mental or medical) which would interfere with your ability to perform the job for which you have
applied
Do you have any disabilities or diseases not related to job
performance
Arrest record Have you ever been convicted of a criminal offense other than minor
traffic violations If yes explain fully
Have you ever been arrested
Experienced Please describe your work experience
Travel Overtime This position requires X amount of overtimetravel Would you be able
to meet this requirement
Who will care for your children when you travel or work overtime
Would your spouse object if you
traveled or worked overtime Language What languages do you speak and
write fluently What is your native language
How did you learn to read write or
speak a foreign language Education Please describe your academic
vocational or professional education and the public and private schools you attended
What are the dates of attendance
(To permit verification)
Notice in case of emergency What are the names and addresses of people to be notified in case of
accident or emergency (can be asked after hire)
Military experience Have you served in the US Armed Forces or in the National Guard
Describe your experience
Do you have any military experience
(other than in the United States) Organizations Do you belong to any organizations
which you consider relevant to your ability to perform this job Please
explain
Are you a member of any clubs societies or lodges
Which ones
Race or color What racecolor are you Are you a minority
Religion or creed What is your religion To which parishchurch do you
belong What religious holidays do you
observe National Origin What is your (or relatives) lineage
ancestry national origin descent percentage or nationality
Office of Career Services at IU Kokomo
36 |Kelley Student Center 200 2300 S Washington St PO Box 9003 Kokomo IN 46904-9003 (765)455-9301 fax (765)455-9537 carserviukedu wwwiukeducareer-
services
After the interview After you have interviewed for a position there are some things to do that may improve your chances
Send a Follow-up thank you note within 24 hours
This shows that you are serious about their organization and will set you apart from many who neglect to do so By taking the
time to email or write a handwritten letter thanking them for taking their time to meet with you Summarize specific qualities
you have and let them know you look forward in speaking with them further about employment
Sample Thank you
Dear Intervieweersquos Name Thank you for taking the time to talk with me on Thursday November 9 at the interview for list specifics of position and company) I appreciate your time and attention and after talking with you I am even more interested in becoming a valuable team member at companyrsquos name You were extremely helpful in explaining list position Now that I have a better idea of what the position entails I am even more certain that I would be an asset to your team and to companyrsquos name My solid education from the IU Kokomo Communication Department and the fact that I have worked my way through college show the work ethic and determination you said were important to be successful at companyrsquos name I look forward to an opportunity to work with companyrsquos name office and speak to you further about the program I will contact you next week to follow up and provide you with any further information that you may need Thank you again for your time and consideration Sincerely
Your name
The Stall Letter
There may be situations that you will need time to figure out whether a job is a good fit or have more than one position to accept or decline The stall letter is a good tool to have in this case In the introduction refer to the job offer or event that is prompting the letter In the second paragraph state your continued interest in the position but request more time to gather further information or to consider all alternatives and opportunities in order to make the best choice for the position and the company as well as yourself Give a specific time extension request If you need 24 hours for example ask for that Ask for the minimal amount of time in order to make your decision Remember this is a request and does not guarantee that the employer will accept it and be prepared for the possibility that they will not grant the time and choose another candidate In the conclusion thank them for their time and understanding and indicate when you will contact them to discuss the terms of the possible extension
Sample Stall Letter
Dear name of person that offered the position This letter is in reference to list company name and your offer of list the position I would like to take this opportunity to thank you for the opportunity and express my continued interest in the position At this time I would like to request __hours to gather some vital information in order to be completely confidant that I am making the best and most informed decision possible I want to ensure for all parties involved that I have considered all options and alternatives to be certain that my acceptance of this list position is the correct course of action for us both I appreciate your understanding and valuable time and look forward to speaking with you at your earliest convenience today so that we may discuss the terms of my request Sincerely Your Name
Office of Career Services at IU Kokomo
37 |Kelley Student Center 200 2300 S Washington St PO Box 9003 Kokomo IN 46904-9003 (765)455-9301 fax (765)455-9537 carserviukedu wwwiukeducareer-
services
Acceptance of a Job Offer Letter
Responding in writing to a job offer shows courtesy and is expected It reduces the chance of any misunderstanding that verbal acceptances do not In the first paragraph thank the employer for offering the specific position title and say that you are happy to accept it In the second paragraph state the terms of employment (salary location and start date) Emphasize any negotiations of terms that were unusual or non-standard if there were any In the last paragraph thank the employer sincerely for the opportunity and express your excitement to join their organization and be a valuable asset to them
Sample Job Offer Acceptance Letter
Dear person who offered position
I am happy to have the opportunity to accept the position of list title
The following terms of the position as I understood them include a salary of list salaryrate of pay at List location and to begin employment on list date As we discussed instead of the typical work week we agreed to the addition of evening and weekend hours during the probationary period with a return to usual business hours after 90 days We also agreed to a company vehicle provision for any off site training and appointments during the course of my employment
I truly look forward to becoming a valued member of your team and I am anticipating a productive and positive professional relationship with list company
Sincerely Your Name
Decline or Withdrawing from Consideration Letter
There may be times that you wish to decline or remove yourself from consideration from a position Doing this on a positive
and respectful note decreases the chance that future opportunities will be missed either as a future employee or possible
professional contact with the firm Thank the employer for the opportunity but decline it based on your reasons Be sure to
specifically name the person that was in charge of the hiring process If the decline is due to a term that was offered be
specific the firm could always choose to negotiate that term to better suit your situation
Date
Dear List person
Thank you very much for offering me the list position After careful consideration I regret that I must decline your offer
Although you were most encouraging in outlining future advancement possibilities within ABC Company I have accepted another
opportunity that is more in line with my skills and career goals or I found list the term to be out of line with my needs and
goals
I enjoyed meeting you and the rest of your team You have been most kind and gracious throughout the interview process and I
only wish that circumstances allowed me to accept your offer
Best wishes for your continued success
Sincerely
Your Name
Office of Career Services at IU Kokomo
38 |Kelley Student Center 200 2300 S Washington St PO Box 9003 Kokomo IN 46904-9003 (765)455-9301 fax (765)455-9537 carserviukedu wwwiukeducareer-
services
____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
This packet contains a lot of valuable information to help you achieve all the goals that an education from IU Kokomo
will prepare you for Use this as a guide for every step of the way from your freshman year graduation and beyond
Office of Career Services at IU Kokomo
15 |Kelley Student Center 200 2300 S Washington St PO Box 9003 Kokomo IN 46904-9003 (765)455-9301 fax (765)455-9537 carserviukedu wwwiukeducareer-
services
SAMPLE BiologyChemistryBio-Chemistry Reacutesumeacute 190 Indiana Drive Kokomo IN 46902 (765) 555-5555 nameemailcom
High-energy and motivated individual with outstanding work ethic a strong academic background broad-based work experience and a record of personal achievement working for leading organizations
EDUCATION
Bachelor of Science in Biology May 2008 Minor Bio-Chemistry Indiana University Kokomo
PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT
Ophthalmology Intern XYZ Organization Kokomo IN Spring 2012
Transcribed 20 patient charts discussing medication and vision prescriptions
Observed 100 appointments for issues including glaucoma macular degeneration and detached retinas
Helped for new contact lens patients
Biology Lab Teaching Assistant Indiana University Kokomo August 2011 - current
Independently taught two biology labs per semester with 20 students in each
Created lesion plans and modified and presented curriculum for weekly classes
Maintained lab with spiders guinea pigs beetles and gecko
Held weekly office hours and tutored students
WORK EXPERIENCE
Server September 2005-June 2008 XYZ Restaurant Indianapolis IN Supervised dining experience of up to 40 guests per shift Exceeded sales goals by promoting specialty items
Head Lifeguard Seasonal May 2001-September 2007 LMN Business Kokomo IN Promoted twice within four summerscreated weekly schedule for 20 staff members Authorized to make management decisions in absence of manager Trained five new employees per summer concerning all assigned duties
ACTIVITIES amp INTERESTS
Biology Club Member (Fall 2011-current) Environmental Club Member (Spring 2010-current) Relay for Life Participant (Spring 2012-Spring 2011)
Office of Career Services at IU Kokomo
16 |Kelley Student Center 200 2300 S Washington St PO Box 9003 Kokomo IN 46904-9003 (765)455-9301 fax (765)455-9537 carserviukedu wwwiukeducareer-
services
Sample New Media Resume
Objective (optional)________________________________________________________________
Creative and dedicated Graphic Designer seeking a full-time position with advancement
opportunities to further enhance my knowledge in graphic design
Education________________________________________________________________________
Indiana University KokomomdashMay 2010
Bachelor of Arts in New Media GPA 36
Qualifications_____________________________________________________________________
More than 5 years of diverse hands-on design experience including experience in web-
site design magazine publishing and marketing
Adaptable organized results and detail-oriented with excellent work ethic strong time
management and interpersonal skills
Ability to create designs concepts and sample layouts based on knowledge of layout
principles and aesthetic design concepts
Extensive knowledge of design techniques tools and principals involved in production
of precision technical plans blueprints drawings and models
Ability to come up with unusual or clever ideas about a given topic or situation or to
develop creative ways to solve a problem
Team player also capable of working independently with minimal direction
Work Experience_________________________________________________________________
ABC Company Dec 2004 ndash Present Indianapolis Indiana
Coordination and production of a variety of graphics products and servicesmdashgraphic
design and art direction for ads newsletters report covers annual reports brochures
exhibit displays maps slide shows and the government cable TV channel
Study illustrations photographs and text to plan presentation of products and services
Review layouts and suggest improvements as needed
Prepare the assembly of final layouts for printing and review and approve art materials
Provide expert analysis and input on othersrsquo designs
XYZ Business Jan 2000 - Nov 2004 Indianapolis Indiana
Completed various freelance design assignmentsmdashincluding creation of a bi-monthly
printed newsletter for a lawyers association design of various logos and artwork for the
PQ Design amp Silk-Screening
Responsible for coordination and production of a variety of graphics products and services
Estimated costs coordinated graphic production and reproduction by service bureaus
Assembled final layouts for printing and provided graphic design for website
765-555-5555
1234 Indiana Drive
Kokomo IN
nameemailcom
Office of Career Services at IU Kokomo
17 |Kelley Student Center 200 2300 S Washington St PO Box 9003 Kokomo IN 46904-9003 (765)455-9301 fax (765)455-9537 carserviukedu wwwiukeducareer-
services
Sample Chaplain Reacutesumeacute Name
Address Phone Email
Objective (Optional) To seek a challenging position as a chaplain that allows me to utilize my knowledge and clinical pastoral education skills Qualifications Summary
Compassionate and devoted Chaplin providing spiritual moral guidance for 7 years
Maintains patient confidentiality according to HIPAA regulations
Excellent interpersonal and communication skills
Experience counseling patients concerning their spiritual personal and emotional needs
Professional Experience XXX Hospice Kokomo In 2007-current Hospice Resident Chaplin
Visit patientsfamilies and perform spiritual assessments
Provide spiritual support and counseling to patients and caregivers
Document all pertinent chaplain activities and audit patient charts XXX Church Kokomo In 2002-2007 Assistance Clergy
Assisted and organized religious services
Helped manage church property and finances
Participated in church programs supporting congregation and fundraising activities XXX Hospital Kokomo IN 1997-2000 Nursersquos aide
Provide health care checks for a diverse population
Perform blood pressure tests for community health outreach programs
Supply a wide range of services including womens health clinic services and care for elderly patients
Education Hospitalhellip Clinical Pastoral Education 3 units completed University of Santa Barbara CA Master of Divinity- 2002 Indiana University Kokomo Kokomo In Bachelor of Science in Nursing ndash 2000 GPA 3440
Volunteer Work
Xxx
Xxxx
Office of Career Services at IU Kokomo
18 |Kelley Student Center 200 2300 S Washington St PO Box 9003 Kokomo IN 46904-9003 (765)455-9301 fax (765)455-9537 carserviukedu wwwiukeducareer-
services
SCANNABLE REacuteSUMEacute CHECKLIST
Resume scanning is more commonly used by employers to seek out employees When a computer will be the first to
read your reacutesumeacute it should be altered If the scannable reacutesumeacute meets the computer criteria it will then be seen by
the employer
1 Left justify the entire document
2 Use key words or short phrases to describe your qualifications and abilities Use
jargon and acronyms specific to your industry Check the job listings and
industry-related materials for current buzzwords
3 Increase your list of key words by including specific names of products and
services such as Microsoft Word or Lotus Notes
4 Use nouns more than verbs For instance say ldquoproject managerrdquo instead of
ldquoimplemented projectrdquo
5 Use common section headings such as Objective Experience Employment
Work History Positions Held Appointments and Skills Use boldface andor all
CAPITAL LETTERS for each of these section headings as long as the letters
donrsquot touch each other
6 Minimize abbreviations except for common ones such as MBA or CEO
7 Use a 10- to 14- point font size Use standard typefaces such as Times New Roman Arial New Century
or Courier
8 Avoid italics script and underlined passages Minimize use of hyphens bullets or dashes Boldface is accepted by
most systems unless the employer advises otherwise
9 Avoid graphics shadings vertical or horizontal lines and boxes The scanner
reads text not graphics
10 Print your reacutesumeacute on 8frac12 X 11 inch white paper of average thickness on one
side only using a laser or other letter-quality paper Donrsquot staple or fold
multiple-page reacutesumeacutes Always make sure your name is on all pages
11 Donrsquot condense spacing between letters
12 Use enough white space between sections Computers use white space to
differentiate between topics
13 When faxing set the fax machine on ldquofine moderdquo instead of ldquostandard moderdquo
Office of Career Services at IU Kokomo
19 |Kelley Student Center 200 2300 S Washington St PO Box 9003 Kokomo IN 46904-9003 (765)455-9301 fax (765)455-9537 carserviukedu wwwiukeducareer-
services
Scannable reacutesumeacute example
NAME IN CAPS
Current address
555 Candy Lane
Kokomo IN 46901
765 555 ndash 2424
Permanent address
444 Peppermint Lane
Indianapolis IN 46077
317 555 ndash 1234
OBJECTIVE (Optional)
A fulltime position in the area that is my expertisehellip (You fill it in-see suggested buzz-word list)
EDUCATION
Indiana University Kokomo IN
Bachelor of Science in Management
Minor Management Information Systems MIS
GPA 36 40
Major GPA 38 40
Graduation May 2014
SIGNIFICANT COURSES
Fill in with significant core courses for your major that apply to the job Use one line per course
SKILLS
Proficient with (pc programs that you are proficient in and are applicable)
Any other skills that are applicable (see buzz-word list)
WORK EXPERIENCE
Bold the Job Title
Basic job description as it applies to job applying for Dates employed (begin with most recent)
Use buzz-word list based on your occupation and relevant to the position being applied for
Office of Career Services at IU Kokomo
20 |Kelley Student Center 200 2300 S Washington St PO Box 9003 Kokomo IN 46904-9003 (765)455-9301 fax (765)455-9537 carserviukedu wwwiukeducareer-
services
Cover Letters Cover letters are an additional component of a reacutesumeacute Customize every letter to each company andor position of interest
Address it to the person listed on the position advertisement or the person that you know has the authority to hire Finding this may
take some investigation to discover if the name is not announced on the position advertisement PO boxes are often used to filter
reacutesumeacutes and you can find the owner of the box by calling the post office and asking who owns the box with that number Having
this information to address the cover letter with will set you apart from those who do not
Cover letter Format Date Employers Name Use the name of the person stated in the job posting or contact the company for the contact person address and the correct spelling) Position or title Company Name Address Suite number or floor (if there is one) City state Zip Salutation Dear Mr or Ms Or Dear Sir or Madam (use the last name only of the person you listed above) If you have made every effort to find out but do not know the name or gender or the individual use a unisex greeting of Dear Manager or Dear Director Paragraph one (Introduction) State which position you are applying for and where you heard about the opening If the position was advertised refer to where it was advertised (Indianapolis Star or higheredcom) Be enthusiastic and confident about the position with a brief statement about why you are the right fit for the job Paragraph two (Body) Explain why you want to work for this company and how your skills experience and qualifications directly relate to the position You can also include your personal traits and strengths that would be an asset for the job Summarize why you are an excellent candidate for the position Highlight key examples and how they match what the company is seeking There are likely other prospective employees that are competing for this position It is very important that you highlight qualities that will set you apart and show uniqueness You are marketing yourself in this paragraph so be sure to sell the idea that you are the best one to interview and the best fit for this employer Most advertisements will list the requirements that are desired andor required for the position Be sure to detail how you meet each of those requirements Do not point out to the reader if there is a requirement that you donrsquot currently possess just do not reference that in your letter The purpose of a cover letter is to highlight the positives and do not bring up any negatives Paragraph three (Conclusion) State that you would like the opportunity to personally discuss your qualifications Indicate where you can be reached phone andor email A good sentence to use would look like ldquoI may be reached at 555-555-1234 or nameiukedurdquo Make sure to thank the reader for their time and consideration Closing Sincerely or Yours truly or Respectfully yours Signature (blue or black ink only) Your Name (Typed)
Office of Career Services at IU Kokomo
21 |Kelley Student Center 200 2300 S Washington St PO Box 9003 Kokomo IN 46904-9003 (765)455-9301 fax (765)455-9537 carserviukedu wwwiukeducareer-
services
References
Reference lists should always be available and prepared with 3-4 professional references
Do
Do get permission from each reference you plan to use
Do give each reference a copy of your reacutesumeacute to have as a guide
Do choose references that are well informed and have good verbal and written communication skills
Do Not
Do not use relatives personal friends or students as a reference
Letters of Recommendation
A letter of recommendation provides relevant information that is honest positive and portrays a up-front outlook of the skills
and potential capabilities you possess It can describe personality performance and skill attributes knowledge and
competency level
The following are suggestions of individuals who may be qualified to write a letter of recommendation
Executive Director
Vice President
Supervisors
Co-workers
CustomersClients
Subordinates
Professors
Counsellors
Coaches
Doctors
Lawyers
Ministers
Community Leaders
Office of Career Services at IU Kokomo
22 |Kelley Student Center 200 2300 S Washington St PO Box 9003 Kokomo IN 46904-9003 (765)455-9301 fax (765)455-9537 carserviukedu wwwiukeducareer-
services
Key WordsAction Words
Actively Established Evaluate Participated Schedule Coordinate Increased Proposed Strategy Created Launched Reduced Support Effect Eliminate Organized Originate
Approve Generate Program Solve Control Improve Recommend Supervise Direct Manage Motivated Responsibilities Revise Analyze Founded Pinpointed Set up
Completed Interpret Proficient Successfully Demonstrate Maintain Revamped Responsible Administer Expedite Plan Simplicity Conduct Implemented Provide Streamline Develop
Lecture Reorganized Accelerated Adapted Expanded Perform Significantly Conceived Influence Proved Structure Delegate Lead Reinforced Teach
Self-Describing Words Professional Active Diplomatic Loyal Respective Analytical Attentive Determined Logical Resourceful Ambitious Efficient Energetic Independent
Reliable Alert Economical Objective Optimistic Realistic Aggressive Discrete Methodical Sense-of-humor Sincere Adaptable Disciplined Mature
Self-reliant Broad-minded Enterprising Personable Tactful Creative Imaginative Perceptive Systematic Constructive Forceful Productive Sophisticated Consistent
Fair Practical Will relocate Conscientious Extroverted Positive Will travel Enthusiastic Pleasant Talented Dependable Trustworthy Ethical
Keywords for Interpersonal Traits Ability to delegate Accurate Assertive Creative Ethical Follow up Leadership Oral communication Public speaking Self accountable Supportive Tenacious
Ability to implement Adaptable Communication skill Customer oriented Flexible High energy Multitasking Organizational skills Results oriented Self management Takes initiative Willing to travel
Ability to plan Aggressive Competitive Detail minded Follow instructions Industrious Open minded Persuasive Risk taking Sensitive Team building Ability to train
Analytical ability Conceptual ability Empowering others Follow through Innovated Open communication Problem solving Safety conscious Setting priorities Team player
Office of Career Services at IU Kokomo
23 |Kelley Student Center 200 2300 S Washington St PO Box 9003 Kokomo IN 46904-9003 (765)455-9301 fax (765)455-9537 carserviukedu wwwiukeducareer-
services
Sample of Occupational Keywords Occupational keywords include skills titles and occupational buzz words Account manager Accounts receivable Acquisitions Bachelors Degree Bank Card Bank reconciliation Batch processing Benchmarking Blueprint reading Brochures Budget Bulletins CAD Calibrator Carpentry Cash Flow Cell Culture Media Cement Child Care Claims Justification Commercial Leasing Copy Editing Counselor Crisis Management Cross-culture training Debugging Decision making Demographics Dental management Die casting Dietitian Drywall Ecology Electronics Employee assistance Engineer Financial planning Food preparation Gas pipeline Goal setting Graphic design Grant writer Guest services Harnessing Hiringfiring Hotel ISO 9000
Journalism Journeyman Layout design Logic analyzer Magnetic theory Manager Marketing Masterrsquos Degree Microprocessor Microsoft word Nursing Oscillator Pelletizing Patient advocate Payroll Personal computer Process metallurgy Proposal writing Psychology Public Relations Purchasing Radio Raw materials Receptionist Reporter Research Sales Secretarial Software modeling Spanish Spreadsheets Statistical Process Control Stick Welding Strategic Planning Student Personnel Supervisor Taxonomy Teacher Technical Writing Time Management Transportation Travel Wave Solder WordPerfect Workflow Writer
Office of Career Services at IU Kokomo
24 |Kelley Student Center 200 2300 S Washington St PO Box 9003 Kokomo IN 46904-9003 (765)455-9301 fax (765)455-9537 carserviukedu wwwiukeducareer-
services
ACTION WORDS
ORGANIZATIONAL Assembled Enforced Prepared Reorganized
Collected Executed Planned Scheduled
Centralized Formalized Processed Updated
Coordinated Implemented Routed Catalogued
Maintained Recorded
LEADERSHIPAllocated Hired Operated Spearheaded Determined Initiated
Oversaw Sponsored Directed Inspired Pioneered Staged
Elected Instituted Presided Started Enlisted Led
Produced Supervised Formed Managed Recruited Founded
Moderated Represented Governed Motivated Selected
COMMUNICATION SKILLS Acquainted Drafted Introduced Summarized Apprised Educated
Lectured Taught Answered Explained Listened
Trained Briefed Familiarized Presented Translated Conducted
Handled Reported Wrote Contacted Informed Responded
Demonstrated Instructed Spoke
RESEARCH Analyzed Detected Examined Researched
Assessed Discovered Gathered Searched
Audited Documented Identified Surveyed
Compiled Edited Interpreted Tested
Consulted Evaluated Interviewed
CREATIVITY Authored Created Devised
Originated Conceived Composed
Established Revolutionized Conceptualized
Designed Invented
HELPING SKILLS Aided Counseled Helped Supported
Attended Comforted Instilled Tutored
Assisted Facilitated Mentored Treated
Collaborated Fostered Provided Contributed
Guided Settled
SELLING Arbitrated Marketed Promoted
Secured Convinced Mediated
Publicized Solicited
Dissuaded Negotiated Resolved
Encouraged Persuaded Sold
OTHER ACTION VERBS Adapted Developed Generated Revamped Attained Ensured Improved Revitalized
Augmented Eliminated Increased Saved Awarded Exceeded Launched Shopped
Boosted Excelled Mastered Strengthened Broadened Expanded Modernized Supplemented
Built Expedited Published Tended Calculated Fabricated Raised Utilized
Catered Financed Reconciled Decreased Gained Reduced
Office of Career Services at IU Kokomo
25 |Kelley Student Center 200 2300 S Washington St PO Box 9003 Kokomo IN 46904-9003 (765)455-9301 fax (765)455-9537 carserviukedu wwwiukeducareer-
services
Transferable Skills-Skills you have acquired from your education and employment experience that you can market to new employers
Communication the skillful expression transmission and interpretation of knowledge and ideas
Speaking effectively Writing concisely Listening attentively Expressing ideas Facilitating group discussion Providing appropriate feedback Negotiating
Perceiving nonverbal messages Persuading Reporting information Describing feelings Interviewing Editing
Research and Planning the search for specific knowledge and the ability to conceptualize future needs and solutions for meeting those needs
Forecasting predicting Creating ideas Identifying problems Imagining alternatives Identifying resources Gathering information
Solving problems Setting goals Extracting important information Defining needs Analyzing Developing evaluation strategies
Human Relations the use of interpersonal skills for resolving conflict relating to and helping people Developing rapport Being Sensitive Listening Conveying feelings Providing support for others Motivating Sharing credit
Counseling Cooperating Delegating with respect Representing others Perceiving feelings situations Asserting
Organization Management and Leadership the ability to supervise direct and guide individuals and groups in the completion of tasks and fulfillment of goals Work Survival the day-to-day skills that assist in promoting effective production and work satisfaction
Implementing decisions Cooperating Enforcing policies Being punctual Managing time Attending to detail Meeting goals Enlisting help Accepting responsibility Setting and meeting deadlines Organizing Making decisions
Initiating new ideas Handling details Coordinating tasks Managing groups Delegating responsibility Teaching Coaching Counseling Promoting change Selling ideas or products Decision making with others Managing conflict
Office of Career Services at IU Kokomo
26 |Kelley Student Center 200 2300 S Washington St PO Box 9003 Kokomo IN 46904-9003 (765)455-9301 fax (765)455-9537 carserviukedu wwwiukeducareer-
services
After you have the perfect reacutesumeacute it is time to hit the road and put your skills into action Career Fairs will help put you in communication with prospective employers and give you valuable practice for interviews
Achieve Results and Get the Most Out of a Career Fair
Attend as many job fairs as you can Not only will practice make perfect but it will expand your network of career contacts Make sure to ask precise questions and be prepared to answer specific questions the employers have regarding your background and capabilities Before the Job Fair- Be Prepared
Create a reacutesumeacute and have it reviewed by a career counselor Create a list of 3-5 references in case they are requested (Be sure to ask your references for their help before
including them on the list) Create your 30-second oral reacutesumeacute and practice practice practice Review the employer list Determine where employers are located and in what order to visit them Broaden your focus and include different types of employers For instance although you may not have thought of
working for a hospital hospitals recruit and hire professionals in many different fields Do your research Look up information about the employers of interest
o Check their websites for information about their productsservices and mission statement o What types of jobs do they have open o What kind of people are they looking for o What kind of skills do these people need to have How do you meet their skill requirements o Develop some questions you would like to ask the employer representatives at the fair
Network Network Network with people you know and via social network sites like Linked-In and Facebook for more information about the companies Also seek contact with employees you might know or seek information from alumni who work there
During the Job Fair Dress for success (See page 38) Assume you will be interviewed and dress the part Even if you dont get an interview
at the job fair you have already made a great impression Always have a penpencil and paper to take notes- a portfolio works best Bring plenty of reacutesumeacutes with you While some companies will be seeking employees for specific positions some
employers will collect reacutesumeacutes for future positions Be sure to get all of the contact information you need to complete an application
Make sure to have copies of your reference list in case an employer asks First impressions are everything Be direct have a firm handshake and make eye contact as you greet employers This
will speak volumes about your confidence If you are only gathering information let employers know that you are only interested in materials and information
Be aware of time demands of employers Do not monopolize the employersrsquo time You should have already done your homework about their company so you can better spend your time asking about the positions available (or available in the near future) and how your skills match their needs Give them your 30-second oral reacutesumeacute and impress them with what you feel you can do for their company Since practice makes perfect donrsquot give up if the first attempt doesnrsquot go well Keep trying with other employers
Ask specific questions and collect information from each booth you visit including business cards from the employer representatives Offer to follow up after the fair and ask what the best way to contact them is
After the Job Fair You now have a prime opportunity to make a distinctive impression
Use those business cards you collected to follow up with each employer you are interested in Be sure to do everything you promised at the job fair Complete the application and upload your reacutesumeacute Send a thank-you note or email to all whom you talked with within 48 hours of the career fair This shows that you
are serious about their organization and will set you apart from many who neglect to do so If you follow up on your application for a position be sure to follow the preferred contact method and dont overdo it Stay in contact and use this experience to expand your network Submit an additional or amended reacutesumeacute during your follow-up contacts if need be Follow-up and follow-through contacts are up to the student be persistent and polite
Office of Career Services at IU Kokomo
27 |Kelley Student Center 200 2300 S Washington St PO Box 9003 Kokomo IN 46904-9003 (765)455-9301 fax (765)455-9537 carserviukedu wwwiukeducareer-
services
Additional information-what employers are expecting at a career fair
What Will Impress Employers o Demonstrate that you have done your homework and researched their company o Be prepared Have your reacutesumeacute critiqued by Career Services and bring plenty of copies with you Develop
questions to ask smile and courteously and enthusiastically engage the representatives o Have a firm hand shake and good eye contact- dress for success o Never ask about salary let them bring up the subject o An expectation that you will be responsible for following up with them including a thank you note or letter o Take the initiative Walk up to them and engage the employers they want to speak to you
What Employers May Want to Learn About You o Specific careerjob objectives What are your expectations o Individual strengths and weaknesses Have specific examples that demonstrate your skills develop short
stories that showcase your skills (Remember a job fair is time sensitive and you donrsquot want to take up too much time of one employer)
o Contributions you will make to the operation Remember be specific now is not the time to blandly or generically discuss what you can do
What You Should Learn About Each Company o Employment trends Career Fairs are excellent resources for information about career decision-making o Skills necessary for different careersjobs Have meaningful conversations with representatives o Currentfuture positions o Salary benefits training and other information about the company (again let the employer bring up salary) o Who to contact for follow-up discussions and what their hiring processes are get specifics o Collect their business card or write down their contact information
30 Second Oral Reacutesumeacute Purpose It is important to practice your 30 second oral reacutesumeacute prior to attending a career fair The famous ldquoTell me about yourselfrdquo is a question that is always asked Whether the question is asked in a social setting an interview or a networking event a well-planned answer can set you apart from the crowd as well as spark additional conversation Begin preparing your oral reacutesumeacute by following the tips below
How to Prepare Your Oral Reacutesumeacute o Begin by brainstorming what you would want someone to know about you Write down all of your ideas o Consider including the following information in your oral reacutesumeacute
Job Objective Education and Training Skills
Accomplishments and Achievements Prior Employment Other Experience
o Narrow down your optionsmdashpick the top 5 things you want the person to know about you o Develop a paragraph that encompasses all of the things you wish to say o Practice makes perfect Read aloud your reacutesumeacute several times
Additional Tips Prepare more than one oral reacutesumeacute for various situations Practice your reacutesumeacute by calling your voicemail and later playing back the messagemdashthink about how it sounds and
what you would like to change Make sure that your oral reacutesumeacute will keep the listenerrsquos attention
Example Oral Reacutesumeacute Hi my name is ________ and I am a senior at IU Kokomo majoring in New Media I am looking for an internship experience in graphic designweb development Through my coursework I have developed strong computer and analytical skills Last summer I worked as an intern at the Kokomo Perspective to gain experience with print media At the Perspective I worked with the copy editor as well as the writing staff to gain experience in both fields I also volunteer at United Way developing and updating their website
Office of Career Services at IU Kokomo
28 |Kelley Student Center 200 2300 S Washington St PO Box 9003 Kokomo IN 46904-9003 (765)455-9301 fax (765)455-9537 carserviukedu wwwiukeducareer-
services
Send a Follow-up thank you note after Career Fair Send a thank you note or email to all whom you talked with within 48 hours of the career fair This shows that you are serious about their organization and will set you apart from many who neglect to do so
Be sure to remind the employer where you met them Thank you for taking the time to talk with me on Thursday at the career fair After talking with you I
am even more eager to work at _____ Summarize specific qualities and assets you obtain I am certain my education at IU Kokomo has enhanced my skill set and has provided a solid
background of knowledge in the _______ fieldhelliphellip Some experiences I have had the pleasure of doing arehellip This opportunity improved my work ethic and made me aware of my self-reliancehellip
Always attach your reacutesumeacute again for their convenience I have attached my reacutesumeacute for your convenience I look forward to an opportunity to further discuss
my qualifications You may contact me athellip (phone andor email address) Thank you again for your time and consideration
Sample Thank you
Thank you for taking the time to talk with me on Thursday November 9 at the career fair on IU Kokomorsquos campus I appreciate your time and attention and after talking with you I am even more interested in learning more about your organization You were extremely helpful in explaining companyrsquos name customer service and marketing trainee program Now that I have a better idea of what the position entails I am even more certain that I would be an asset to your team and to companyrsquos name My solid education from the IU Kokomo Communication Department and the fact that I have worked my way through college show the work ethic and determination you said were important to be successful at companyrsquos name I look forward to an opportunity to visit companyrsquos name office and speak to you further about the trainee program I will contact you next week to arrange an appointment Enclosed is an updated reacutesumeacute for your review Thank you again for your time and consideration Sincerely
Office of Career Services at IU Kokomo
29 |Kelley Student Center 200 2300 S Washington St PO Box 9003 Kokomo IN 46904-9003 (765)455-9301 fax (765)455-9537 carserviukedu wwwiukeducareer-
services
Knowledge and practice will give you the confidence you need to be prepared and give the best impression possible at an interview The following information will help prepare you for nearly any interview contingency being confidant that you can handle it is the best way to increase your chances of getting hired Here are a few things you can do to give yourself a head start
Questions to think about prior to your interview
1 Why do you want to work at this facility and what specific jobareas am I interested in a To Prepare research the facility
i Mission ii Population served
iii Financial stability iv Management style
b Learn about the job
i Job description ii Occupational outlook
iii Handbook iv employees
2 What qualities make me a good candidate
a To prepare self assessment i What are my strengths and weaknesses
ii What are my interests iii How do I know iv What kinds of results demonstrate my abilities
3 What type of shift working conditions salary and fringe benefits are most important to me (12 hours 10 hours 8
hours weekends flex-time insurance) a To prepare clarify values and lifestyle choices
i What are my values ii What kind of lifestyles do I want for myself and those close to me
4 How will I be trained
a To prepare How do I learn best i Do I need immediate feedback or can I learn well on my own
5 What are my goals Where do I want to be in 10 years
a To prepare Identify and prioritize career and life goals and objectives i Am I interested in supervision training management
ii How do I plan to reach these goals
6 What are the major issues and current events facing this specific field job occupation and company today
7 What can you bring to the organization
Office of Career Services at IU Kokomo
30 |Kelley Student Center 200 2300 S Washington St PO Box 9003 Kokomo IN 46904-9003 (765)455-9301 fax (765)455-9537 carserviukedu wwwiukeducareer-
services
Behavioral Interviews- Use the STAR Interviewing Technique for Success
The STAR acronym represents Situation Task Action and Result Recruiters and hiring managers favor the STAR technique because
it provides a better explanation of your past performance how you handle workplace challenges and whether youre able to articulate
your experiences STAR behavioral interviews are quickly becoming the most popular and common form of interview
Situation or
Task
Describe the situation that you were in or the task that you needed to accomplish You must
describe a specific event or situation not a generalized description of what you have done in
the past Be sure to give enough detail for the interviewer to understand This situation can be
from a previous job from a volunteer experience or any relevant event
Action you took Describe the action you took and be sure to keep the focus on you Even if you are discussing
a group project or effort describe what you did -- not the efforts of the team Dont tell what
you might do tell what you did
Results you achieved What happened How did the event end What did you accomplish What did you learn
For examples of past behavior use examples from
Internships
Work experience
Class projects
School activitiesorganizations you are involved with
Sports
Volunteercommunity service
Hobbies
Think about your accomplishments what are you most proud of that you want to share with the employer
How to prepare for behavior-based interviews
Identify 3-6 examples that demonstrate your top skills Look through the job description pinpoint the skills they are seeking
Pick experiences that demonstrate top behaviors of those skills
Prepare how you will ldquotell your storyrdquo using STAR
Pick examples that will be positive accomplishment
Most behavioral questions try to reveal the negative situations so be prepared with those examples However try to pick
examples that had a positive outcome
Try not to pick examples from only one topic Pick a variety of examples choosing examples from work class community
services etc
Typically the best examples are situations that happened within the last year
Go over your resume and review the accomplishments you have listed andor skills this could assist you with identifying
examples
LISTEN to the full question Be sure the example is an appropriate description of how you demonstrated what they are
asking for
Office of Career Services at IU Kokomo
31 |Kelley Student Center 200 2300 S Washington St PO Box 9003 Kokomo IN 46904-9003 (765)455-9301 fax (765)455-9537 carserviukedu wwwiukeducareer-
services
Sample Behavior-based Questions
Communication Skills
1 Give me a specific example of a time someone didnrsquot agree with your work How did you respond 2 Tell me about a time when you had to present complex information How did you ensure that everyone
understood what you were saying 3 Give an example about a time where written communication was needed
Decision Making Skills
1 What is the biggest decision or risk yoursquove made in the past year on the job Describe the process you used to make those decisions Would you do it again
2 Describe a time you overcame a challenge with an innovative solution What was the challenge What role did you play
Planning Organization Time management Skills
1 Please give an example of a time you didnrsquot meet your deadline Why did you fail to meet your deadline What did you learn from that experience
2 Give an example of how you keep track of multiple projects How do you stay on track and meet deadlines How do you stay focused
3 Describe a goal yoursquove had How you set it and achieved it
Flexibility Skills 1 Tell us about one of the toughest situations with which yoursquove had to deal with How did you handle the
stress or pressure of the situation Leadership Skills
1 Describe a time when you disagreed with a directive given by your supervisor What happened and how did you handle it
2 Give an example of a situation where team members or co-workers didnrsquot get along This could include you and someone else or two other people How did the project turn out What did you do to resolve the issue so everyone was able to work together
Office of Career Services at IU Kokomo
32 |Kelley Student Center 200 2300 S Washington St PO Box 9003 Kokomo IN 46904-9003 (765)455-9301 fax (765)455-9537 carserviukedu wwwiukeducareer-
services
Other Common Questions Asked by Employers
Personal 1 Tell me about yourself 2 Why did you choose to interview with our organization 3 Describe your ideal job 4 What can you offer us over another candidate 5 What do you consider to be your greatest strengths 6 Can you name some weaknesses 7 Define success Failure How did you learn from your failures 8 Name a couple accomplishments you most proud 9 Who are your role models Why 10 How does your college education or work experience relate to this job 11 What motivates you most in a job 12 Have you ever spoken before a group of people How large 13 What do you know about our organization (products or services) 14 Do you plan to return to school for further education 15 What would you change about yourself and why
Education
16 Why did you choose your major 17 Why did you choose to attend your college or university 18 Do you think you received a good education In what ways 19 In which campus activities did you participate 20 Which classes in your major did you like best Least Why 21 If you were to start over what would you change about your education 22 Do your grades accurately reflect your ability Why or why not
Experience
23 What job-related skills have you developed 24 Did you work while going to school In what positions 25 What did you learn from these work experiences 26 What did you enjoy most about your last employment Least 27 Have you ever quit a job Why 28 Give an example of how you have solved a problem in the work place 29 How do you resolve conflict on a team project 30 Give an example of a time in which you worked under deadline pressure 31 Have you ever done any volunteer work What kind 32 How do you think a former supervisor would describe your work
Career Goals
33 Do you prefer to work under supervision or on your own 34 What kind of boss do you prefer 35 Would you be successful working with a team 36 Do you prefer large or small organizations Why 37 What other types of positions are you considering 38 How do you feel about working in a structured environment 39 Are you able to work on several assignments at once 40 How do you feel about working overtime 41 How do you feel about travel 42 Are you willing to relocate
Office of Career Services at IU Kokomo
33 |Kelley Student Center 200 2300 S Washington St PO Box 9003 Kokomo IN 46904-9003 (765)455-9301 fax (765)455-9537 carserviukedu wwwiukeducareer-
services
Questions to Ask Employers
An interview is a two-way street Employers get an impression of you from the questions you ask Are you a critical thinker Did you comprehend and correctly process everything in the interview Have you done research and have a good grasp of the company and the scope of the position Your questions should be intelligent insightful and polite Have at least 3-5 custom questions in mind Employers look for someone who shows interest confidence and is well organized
1 Please describe (or ask them to clarify specifics) the duties of the job for me 2 Is this a new position or am I replacing someone 3 What do you like best about your jobcompany 4 What kinds of assignments might I expect the first six months on the job 5 What qualities are you looking for in the candidate who fills this position 6 Does your company encourage further education 7 Do you have plans for expansion 8 What are your growth projections for next year 9 Have you cut staff in the last three years 10 In what ways is a career with your company better than one with your competitors 11 What is the largest single problem facing your staff (department) now 12 Has there been much turnover in this job area 13 Will I have the opportunity to work on special projects 14 Where does this position fit into the organizational structure 15 How much travel if any is involved in this position 16 What is the next course of action When should I expect to hear from you or may I contact you
Interview Checklist Preparation Research research research Knowing more about the organization as a whole and the particular position you are applying for will be helpful in the interview It will help you understand questions that may be asked and will give you a chance to come up with questions to ask them The more research you conduct the more confident and comfortable you will feel in the interview It will also demonstrate to the employer how determined and pro-active you are about their company and the position you seek Get specific directions to the location If possible go there the day before and check out parking and the location of the office where your interview will be held
First Impression Put your best foot forward Remember the decision to hire you may be made in the first 5 minutes Always wait until they sit or invite you to be seated
Dress code Dress more formal than you would in the actual position Women should wear a suit or dress with a jacket Men should wear a suit or sport jacket and slacks Itrsquos a good idea to have an interview outfit ready and waiting (cleaned neat no threads or missing buttons) hanging in your closet Donrsquot wear anything too trendy or faddish (ladies no miniskirts) Check all zippers for closure and ladies should always have an extra pair of hose for emergencies Your style of dress communicates too what do you want it to say (See page 38)
Arrival Arrive a few minutes early to check out the location and parking Stop by the restroom and check your appearance Again you may want to check out the location the day before if you are unsure of the area
What to bring Always have an extra copy of your reacutesumeacute note paper and pen You will want to jot down questions as they may come about as well as information about the position Also write down the names of each person you interview with so you can mail a thank-you note
Application
Office of Career Services at IU Kokomo
34 |Kelley Student Center 200 2300 S Washington St PO Box 9003 Kokomo IN 46904-9003 (765)455-9301 fax (765)455-9537 carserviukedu wwwiukeducareer-
services
Read through the entire application before you begin Follow the directions Give specific titles You may leave the salary question blank or fill it in with a reasonable salary range Use NA where answers are not applicable Proofread the application before returning it
Legal and Illegal Pre-employment Questions CATEGORY LAWFUL
(Questions employers can ask)
UNLAWFUL (Questions employers cannot ask)
Name Have you ever worked for this company under a different name
Is any additional information relative to change of name use of an assumed name or nickname necessary to enable a check
on your work record If yes explain
What is your maiden name
Is the name on your application your real name
Address Where do you live
How long have you lived there
Birthplace Where were you born Where were your relatives born
Agebirth date Are you 18 years of age or older How old are you What is your birth date
Prove your age by submitting your birth certificate baptismal record
naturalization papers etc (see citizenship)
Photograph Requirement or option that applicant affix a photograph to employment form at
any time before hiring Citizenship Are you a citizen of the United States
If not are you authorized to work in the US
Can you verify US citizenship or your
right to work in the United States
Of what country are you a citizen Are you a naturalized or a native-born
citizen When did you acquire citizenship
Please produce naturalization papers or green card
(employers must verify citizenship or the right to work after theyrsquove decided to
extend an offer) Sex or Marital Status Are you male or female
Are you married What are your living arrangements
Relatives Do you have relatives (other than a spouse) already employed by the
company
What are their names
What are the names (addresses ages number or other information) of your
relatives not employed by the company
Children
Do you have children or plans to have children in the future
Do you have the capacity to reproduce Do you advocate any form of birth control
or family planning What are your child care arrangements
How old are your children
CATEGORY LAWFUL UNLAWFUL (Questions employers can ask) (Questions employers cannot ask)
Disability Do you have any impairment
(physical mental or medical) which would interfere with your ability to perform the job for which you have
applied
Do you have any disabilities or diseases not related to job
performance
Arrest record Have you ever been convicted of a criminal offense other than minor
traffic violations If yes explain fully
Have you ever been arrested
Experienced Please describe your work experience
Travel Overtime This position requires X amount of overtimetravel Would you be able
to meet this requirement
Who will care for your children when you travel or work overtime
Would your spouse object if you
traveled or worked overtime Language What languages do you speak and
write fluently What is your native language
How did you learn to read write or
speak a foreign language Education Please describe your academic
vocational or professional education and the public and private schools you attended
What are the dates of attendance
(To permit verification)
Notice in case of emergency What are the names and addresses of people to be notified in case of
accident or emergency (can be asked after hire)
Military experience Have you served in the US Armed Forces or in the National Guard
Describe your experience
Do you have any military experience
(other than in the United States) Organizations Do you belong to any organizations
which you consider relevant to your ability to perform this job Please
explain
Are you a member of any clubs societies or lodges
Which ones
Race or color What racecolor are you Are you a minority
Religion or creed What is your religion To which parishchurch do you
belong What religious holidays do you
observe National Origin What is your (or relatives) lineage
ancestry national origin descent percentage or nationality
Office of Career Services at IU Kokomo
36 |Kelley Student Center 200 2300 S Washington St PO Box 9003 Kokomo IN 46904-9003 (765)455-9301 fax (765)455-9537 carserviukedu wwwiukeducareer-
services
After the interview After you have interviewed for a position there are some things to do that may improve your chances
Send a Follow-up thank you note within 24 hours
This shows that you are serious about their organization and will set you apart from many who neglect to do so By taking the
time to email or write a handwritten letter thanking them for taking their time to meet with you Summarize specific qualities
you have and let them know you look forward in speaking with them further about employment
Sample Thank you
Dear Intervieweersquos Name Thank you for taking the time to talk with me on Thursday November 9 at the interview for list specifics of position and company) I appreciate your time and attention and after talking with you I am even more interested in becoming a valuable team member at companyrsquos name You were extremely helpful in explaining list position Now that I have a better idea of what the position entails I am even more certain that I would be an asset to your team and to companyrsquos name My solid education from the IU Kokomo Communication Department and the fact that I have worked my way through college show the work ethic and determination you said were important to be successful at companyrsquos name I look forward to an opportunity to work with companyrsquos name office and speak to you further about the program I will contact you next week to follow up and provide you with any further information that you may need Thank you again for your time and consideration Sincerely
Your name
The Stall Letter
There may be situations that you will need time to figure out whether a job is a good fit or have more than one position to accept or decline The stall letter is a good tool to have in this case In the introduction refer to the job offer or event that is prompting the letter In the second paragraph state your continued interest in the position but request more time to gather further information or to consider all alternatives and opportunities in order to make the best choice for the position and the company as well as yourself Give a specific time extension request If you need 24 hours for example ask for that Ask for the minimal amount of time in order to make your decision Remember this is a request and does not guarantee that the employer will accept it and be prepared for the possibility that they will not grant the time and choose another candidate In the conclusion thank them for their time and understanding and indicate when you will contact them to discuss the terms of the possible extension
Sample Stall Letter
Dear name of person that offered the position This letter is in reference to list company name and your offer of list the position I would like to take this opportunity to thank you for the opportunity and express my continued interest in the position At this time I would like to request __hours to gather some vital information in order to be completely confidant that I am making the best and most informed decision possible I want to ensure for all parties involved that I have considered all options and alternatives to be certain that my acceptance of this list position is the correct course of action for us both I appreciate your understanding and valuable time and look forward to speaking with you at your earliest convenience today so that we may discuss the terms of my request Sincerely Your Name
Office of Career Services at IU Kokomo
37 |Kelley Student Center 200 2300 S Washington St PO Box 9003 Kokomo IN 46904-9003 (765)455-9301 fax (765)455-9537 carserviukedu wwwiukeducareer-
services
Acceptance of a Job Offer Letter
Responding in writing to a job offer shows courtesy and is expected It reduces the chance of any misunderstanding that verbal acceptances do not In the first paragraph thank the employer for offering the specific position title and say that you are happy to accept it In the second paragraph state the terms of employment (salary location and start date) Emphasize any negotiations of terms that were unusual or non-standard if there were any In the last paragraph thank the employer sincerely for the opportunity and express your excitement to join their organization and be a valuable asset to them
Sample Job Offer Acceptance Letter
Dear person who offered position
I am happy to have the opportunity to accept the position of list title
The following terms of the position as I understood them include a salary of list salaryrate of pay at List location and to begin employment on list date As we discussed instead of the typical work week we agreed to the addition of evening and weekend hours during the probationary period with a return to usual business hours after 90 days We also agreed to a company vehicle provision for any off site training and appointments during the course of my employment
I truly look forward to becoming a valued member of your team and I am anticipating a productive and positive professional relationship with list company
Sincerely Your Name
Decline or Withdrawing from Consideration Letter
There may be times that you wish to decline or remove yourself from consideration from a position Doing this on a positive
and respectful note decreases the chance that future opportunities will be missed either as a future employee or possible
professional contact with the firm Thank the employer for the opportunity but decline it based on your reasons Be sure to
specifically name the person that was in charge of the hiring process If the decline is due to a term that was offered be
specific the firm could always choose to negotiate that term to better suit your situation
Date
Dear List person
Thank you very much for offering me the list position After careful consideration I regret that I must decline your offer
Although you were most encouraging in outlining future advancement possibilities within ABC Company I have accepted another
opportunity that is more in line with my skills and career goals or I found list the term to be out of line with my needs and
goals
I enjoyed meeting you and the rest of your team You have been most kind and gracious throughout the interview process and I
only wish that circumstances allowed me to accept your offer
Best wishes for your continued success
Sincerely
Your Name
Office of Career Services at IU Kokomo
38 |Kelley Student Center 200 2300 S Washington St PO Box 9003 Kokomo IN 46904-9003 (765)455-9301 fax (765)455-9537 carserviukedu wwwiukeducareer-
services
____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
This packet contains a lot of valuable information to help you achieve all the goals that an education from IU Kokomo
will prepare you for Use this as a guide for every step of the way from your freshman year graduation and beyond
Office of Career Services at IU Kokomo
16 |Kelley Student Center 200 2300 S Washington St PO Box 9003 Kokomo IN 46904-9003 (765)455-9301 fax (765)455-9537 carserviukedu wwwiukeducareer-
services
Sample New Media Resume
Objective (optional)________________________________________________________________
Creative and dedicated Graphic Designer seeking a full-time position with advancement
opportunities to further enhance my knowledge in graphic design
Education________________________________________________________________________
Indiana University KokomomdashMay 2010
Bachelor of Arts in New Media GPA 36
Qualifications_____________________________________________________________________
More than 5 years of diverse hands-on design experience including experience in web-
site design magazine publishing and marketing
Adaptable organized results and detail-oriented with excellent work ethic strong time
management and interpersonal skills
Ability to create designs concepts and sample layouts based on knowledge of layout
principles and aesthetic design concepts
Extensive knowledge of design techniques tools and principals involved in production
of precision technical plans blueprints drawings and models
Ability to come up with unusual or clever ideas about a given topic or situation or to
develop creative ways to solve a problem
Team player also capable of working independently with minimal direction
Work Experience_________________________________________________________________
ABC Company Dec 2004 ndash Present Indianapolis Indiana
Coordination and production of a variety of graphics products and servicesmdashgraphic
design and art direction for ads newsletters report covers annual reports brochures
exhibit displays maps slide shows and the government cable TV channel
Study illustrations photographs and text to plan presentation of products and services
Review layouts and suggest improvements as needed
Prepare the assembly of final layouts for printing and review and approve art materials
Provide expert analysis and input on othersrsquo designs
XYZ Business Jan 2000 - Nov 2004 Indianapolis Indiana
Completed various freelance design assignmentsmdashincluding creation of a bi-monthly
printed newsletter for a lawyers association design of various logos and artwork for the
PQ Design amp Silk-Screening
Responsible for coordination and production of a variety of graphics products and services
Estimated costs coordinated graphic production and reproduction by service bureaus
Assembled final layouts for printing and provided graphic design for website
765-555-5555
1234 Indiana Drive
Kokomo IN
nameemailcom
Office of Career Services at IU Kokomo
17 |Kelley Student Center 200 2300 S Washington St PO Box 9003 Kokomo IN 46904-9003 (765)455-9301 fax (765)455-9537 carserviukedu wwwiukeducareer-
services
Sample Chaplain Reacutesumeacute Name
Address Phone Email
Objective (Optional) To seek a challenging position as a chaplain that allows me to utilize my knowledge and clinical pastoral education skills Qualifications Summary
Compassionate and devoted Chaplin providing spiritual moral guidance for 7 years
Maintains patient confidentiality according to HIPAA regulations
Excellent interpersonal and communication skills
Experience counseling patients concerning their spiritual personal and emotional needs
Professional Experience XXX Hospice Kokomo In 2007-current Hospice Resident Chaplin
Visit patientsfamilies and perform spiritual assessments
Provide spiritual support and counseling to patients and caregivers
Document all pertinent chaplain activities and audit patient charts XXX Church Kokomo In 2002-2007 Assistance Clergy
Assisted and organized religious services
Helped manage church property and finances
Participated in church programs supporting congregation and fundraising activities XXX Hospital Kokomo IN 1997-2000 Nursersquos aide
Provide health care checks for a diverse population
Perform blood pressure tests for community health outreach programs
Supply a wide range of services including womens health clinic services and care for elderly patients
Education Hospitalhellip Clinical Pastoral Education 3 units completed University of Santa Barbara CA Master of Divinity- 2002 Indiana University Kokomo Kokomo In Bachelor of Science in Nursing ndash 2000 GPA 3440
Volunteer Work
Xxx
Xxxx
Office of Career Services at IU Kokomo
18 |Kelley Student Center 200 2300 S Washington St PO Box 9003 Kokomo IN 46904-9003 (765)455-9301 fax (765)455-9537 carserviukedu wwwiukeducareer-
services
SCANNABLE REacuteSUMEacute CHECKLIST
Resume scanning is more commonly used by employers to seek out employees When a computer will be the first to
read your reacutesumeacute it should be altered If the scannable reacutesumeacute meets the computer criteria it will then be seen by
the employer
1 Left justify the entire document
2 Use key words or short phrases to describe your qualifications and abilities Use
jargon and acronyms specific to your industry Check the job listings and
industry-related materials for current buzzwords
3 Increase your list of key words by including specific names of products and
services such as Microsoft Word or Lotus Notes
4 Use nouns more than verbs For instance say ldquoproject managerrdquo instead of
ldquoimplemented projectrdquo
5 Use common section headings such as Objective Experience Employment
Work History Positions Held Appointments and Skills Use boldface andor all
CAPITAL LETTERS for each of these section headings as long as the letters
donrsquot touch each other
6 Minimize abbreviations except for common ones such as MBA or CEO
7 Use a 10- to 14- point font size Use standard typefaces such as Times New Roman Arial New Century
or Courier
8 Avoid italics script and underlined passages Minimize use of hyphens bullets or dashes Boldface is accepted by
most systems unless the employer advises otherwise
9 Avoid graphics shadings vertical or horizontal lines and boxes The scanner
reads text not graphics
10 Print your reacutesumeacute on 8frac12 X 11 inch white paper of average thickness on one
side only using a laser or other letter-quality paper Donrsquot staple or fold
multiple-page reacutesumeacutes Always make sure your name is on all pages
11 Donrsquot condense spacing between letters
12 Use enough white space between sections Computers use white space to
differentiate between topics
13 When faxing set the fax machine on ldquofine moderdquo instead of ldquostandard moderdquo
Office of Career Services at IU Kokomo
19 |Kelley Student Center 200 2300 S Washington St PO Box 9003 Kokomo IN 46904-9003 (765)455-9301 fax (765)455-9537 carserviukedu wwwiukeducareer-
services
Scannable reacutesumeacute example
NAME IN CAPS
Current address
555 Candy Lane
Kokomo IN 46901
765 555 ndash 2424
Permanent address
444 Peppermint Lane
Indianapolis IN 46077
317 555 ndash 1234
OBJECTIVE (Optional)
A fulltime position in the area that is my expertisehellip (You fill it in-see suggested buzz-word list)
EDUCATION
Indiana University Kokomo IN
Bachelor of Science in Management
Minor Management Information Systems MIS
GPA 36 40
Major GPA 38 40
Graduation May 2014
SIGNIFICANT COURSES
Fill in with significant core courses for your major that apply to the job Use one line per course
SKILLS
Proficient with (pc programs that you are proficient in and are applicable)
Any other skills that are applicable (see buzz-word list)
WORK EXPERIENCE
Bold the Job Title
Basic job description as it applies to job applying for Dates employed (begin with most recent)
Use buzz-word list based on your occupation and relevant to the position being applied for
Office of Career Services at IU Kokomo
20 |Kelley Student Center 200 2300 S Washington St PO Box 9003 Kokomo IN 46904-9003 (765)455-9301 fax (765)455-9537 carserviukedu wwwiukeducareer-
services
Cover Letters Cover letters are an additional component of a reacutesumeacute Customize every letter to each company andor position of interest
Address it to the person listed on the position advertisement or the person that you know has the authority to hire Finding this may
take some investigation to discover if the name is not announced on the position advertisement PO boxes are often used to filter
reacutesumeacutes and you can find the owner of the box by calling the post office and asking who owns the box with that number Having
this information to address the cover letter with will set you apart from those who do not
Cover letter Format Date Employers Name Use the name of the person stated in the job posting or contact the company for the contact person address and the correct spelling) Position or title Company Name Address Suite number or floor (if there is one) City state Zip Salutation Dear Mr or Ms Or Dear Sir or Madam (use the last name only of the person you listed above) If you have made every effort to find out but do not know the name or gender or the individual use a unisex greeting of Dear Manager or Dear Director Paragraph one (Introduction) State which position you are applying for and where you heard about the opening If the position was advertised refer to where it was advertised (Indianapolis Star or higheredcom) Be enthusiastic and confident about the position with a brief statement about why you are the right fit for the job Paragraph two (Body) Explain why you want to work for this company and how your skills experience and qualifications directly relate to the position You can also include your personal traits and strengths that would be an asset for the job Summarize why you are an excellent candidate for the position Highlight key examples and how they match what the company is seeking There are likely other prospective employees that are competing for this position It is very important that you highlight qualities that will set you apart and show uniqueness You are marketing yourself in this paragraph so be sure to sell the idea that you are the best one to interview and the best fit for this employer Most advertisements will list the requirements that are desired andor required for the position Be sure to detail how you meet each of those requirements Do not point out to the reader if there is a requirement that you donrsquot currently possess just do not reference that in your letter The purpose of a cover letter is to highlight the positives and do not bring up any negatives Paragraph three (Conclusion) State that you would like the opportunity to personally discuss your qualifications Indicate where you can be reached phone andor email A good sentence to use would look like ldquoI may be reached at 555-555-1234 or nameiukedurdquo Make sure to thank the reader for their time and consideration Closing Sincerely or Yours truly or Respectfully yours Signature (blue or black ink only) Your Name (Typed)
Office of Career Services at IU Kokomo
21 |Kelley Student Center 200 2300 S Washington St PO Box 9003 Kokomo IN 46904-9003 (765)455-9301 fax (765)455-9537 carserviukedu wwwiukeducareer-
services
References
Reference lists should always be available and prepared with 3-4 professional references
Do
Do get permission from each reference you plan to use
Do give each reference a copy of your reacutesumeacute to have as a guide
Do choose references that are well informed and have good verbal and written communication skills
Do Not
Do not use relatives personal friends or students as a reference
Letters of Recommendation
A letter of recommendation provides relevant information that is honest positive and portrays a up-front outlook of the skills
and potential capabilities you possess It can describe personality performance and skill attributes knowledge and
competency level
The following are suggestions of individuals who may be qualified to write a letter of recommendation
Executive Director
Vice President
Supervisors
Co-workers
CustomersClients
Subordinates
Professors
Counsellors
Coaches
Doctors
Lawyers
Ministers
Community Leaders
Office of Career Services at IU Kokomo
22 |Kelley Student Center 200 2300 S Washington St PO Box 9003 Kokomo IN 46904-9003 (765)455-9301 fax (765)455-9537 carserviukedu wwwiukeducareer-
services
Key WordsAction Words
Actively Established Evaluate Participated Schedule Coordinate Increased Proposed Strategy Created Launched Reduced Support Effect Eliminate Organized Originate
Approve Generate Program Solve Control Improve Recommend Supervise Direct Manage Motivated Responsibilities Revise Analyze Founded Pinpointed Set up
Completed Interpret Proficient Successfully Demonstrate Maintain Revamped Responsible Administer Expedite Plan Simplicity Conduct Implemented Provide Streamline Develop
Lecture Reorganized Accelerated Adapted Expanded Perform Significantly Conceived Influence Proved Structure Delegate Lead Reinforced Teach
Self-Describing Words Professional Active Diplomatic Loyal Respective Analytical Attentive Determined Logical Resourceful Ambitious Efficient Energetic Independent
Reliable Alert Economical Objective Optimistic Realistic Aggressive Discrete Methodical Sense-of-humor Sincere Adaptable Disciplined Mature
Self-reliant Broad-minded Enterprising Personable Tactful Creative Imaginative Perceptive Systematic Constructive Forceful Productive Sophisticated Consistent
Fair Practical Will relocate Conscientious Extroverted Positive Will travel Enthusiastic Pleasant Talented Dependable Trustworthy Ethical
Keywords for Interpersonal Traits Ability to delegate Accurate Assertive Creative Ethical Follow up Leadership Oral communication Public speaking Self accountable Supportive Tenacious
Ability to implement Adaptable Communication skill Customer oriented Flexible High energy Multitasking Organizational skills Results oriented Self management Takes initiative Willing to travel
Ability to plan Aggressive Competitive Detail minded Follow instructions Industrious Open minded Persuasive Risk taking Sensitive Team building Ability to train
Analytical ability Conceptual ability Empowering others Follow through Innovated Open communication Problem solving Safety conscious Setting priorities Team player
Office of Career Services at IU Kokomo
23 |Kelley Student Center 200 2300 S Washington St PO Box 9003 Kokomo IN 46904-9003 (765)455-9301 fax (765)455-9537 carserviukedu wwwiukeducareer-
services
Sample of Occupational Keywords Occupational keywords include skills titles and occupational buzz words Account manager Accounts receivable Acquisitions Bachelors Degree Bank Card Bank reconciliation Batch processing Benchmarking Blueprint reading Brochures Budget Bulletins CAD Calibrator Carpentry Cash Flow Cell Culture Media Cement Child Care Claims Justification Commercial Leasing Copy Editing Counselor Crisis Management Cross-culture training Debugging Decision making Demographics Dental management Die casting Dietitian Drywall Ecology Electronics Employee assistance Engineer Financial planning Food preparation Gas pipeline Goal setting Graphic design Grant writer Guest services Harnessing Hiringfiring Hotel ISO 9000
Journalism Journeyman Layout design Logic analyzer Magnetic theory Manager Marketing Masterrsquos Degree Microprocessor Microsoft word Nursing Oscillator Pelletizing Patient advocate Payroll Personal computer Process metallurgy Proposal writing Psychology Public Relations Purchasing Radio Raw materials Receptionist Reporter Research Sales Secretarial Software modeling Spanish Spreadsheets Statistical Process Control Stick Welding Strategic Planning Student Personnel Supervisor Taxonomy Teacher Technical Writing Time Management Transportation Travel Wave Solder WordPerfect Workflow Writer
Office of Career Services at IU Kokomo
24 |Kelley Student Center 200 2300 S Washington St PO Box 9003 Kokomo IN 46904-9003 (765)455-9301 fax (765)455-9537 carserviukedu wwwiukeducareer-
services
ACTION WORDS
ORGANIZATIONAL Assembled Enforced Prepared Reorganized
Collected Executed Planned Scheduled
Centralized Formalized Processed Updated
Coordinated Implemented Routed Catalogued
Maintained Recorded
LEADERSHIPAllocated Hired Operated Spearheaded Determined Initiated
Oversaw Sponsored Directed Inspired Pioneered Staged
Elected Instituted Presided Started Enlisted Led
Produced Supervised Formed Managed Recruited Founded
Moderated Represented Governed Motivated Selected
COMMUNICATION SKILLS Acquainted Drafted Introduced Summarized Apprised Educated
Lectured Taught Answered Explained Listened
Trained Briefed Familiarized Presented Translated Conducted
Handled Reported Wrote Contacted Informed Responded
Demonstrated Instructed Spoke
RESEARCH Analyzed Detected Examined Researched
Assessed Discovered Gathered Searched
Audited Documented Identified Surveyed
Compiled Edited Interpreted Tested
Consulted Evaluated Interviewed
CREATIVITY Authored Created Devised
Originated Conceived Composed
Established Revolutionized Conceptualized
Designed Invented
HELPING SKILLS Aided Counseled Helped Supported
Attended Comforted Instilled Tutored
Assisted Facilitated Mentored Treated
Collaborated Fostered Provided Contributed
Guided Settled
SELLING Arbitrated Marketed Promoted
Secured Convinced Mediated
Publicized Solicited
Dissuaded Negotiated Resolved
Encouraged Persuaded Sold
OTHER ACTION VERBS Adapted Developed Generated Revamped Attained Ensured Improved Revitalized
Augmented Eliminated Increased Saved Awarded Exceeded Launched Shopped
Boosted Excelled Mastered Strengthened Broadened Expanded Modernized Supplemented
Built Expedited Published Tended Calculated Fabricated Raised Utilized
Catered Financed Reconciled Decreased Gained Reduced
Office of Career Services at IU Kokomo
25 |Kelley Student Center 200 2300 S Washington St PO Box 9003 Kokomo IN 46904-9003 (765)455-9301 fax (765)455-9537 carserviukedu wwwiukeducareer-
services
Transferable Skills-Skills you have acquired from your education and employment experience that you can market to new employers
Communication the skillful expression transmission and interpretation of knowledge and ideas
Speaking effectively Writing concisely Listening attentively Expressing ideas Facilitating group discussion Providing appropriate feedback Negotiating
Perceiving nonverbal messages Persuading Reporting information Describing feelings Interviewing Editing
Research and Planning the search for specific knowledge and the ability to conceptualize future needs and solutions for meeting those needs
Forecasting predicting Creating ideas Identifying problems Imagining alternatives Identifying resources Gathering information
Solving problems Setting goals Extracting important information Defining needs Analyzing Developing evaluation strategies
Human Relations the use of interpersonal skills for resolving conflict relating to and helping people Developing rapport Being Sensitive Listening Conveying feelings Providing support for others Motivating Sharing credit
Counseling Cooperating Delegating with respect Representing others Perceiving feelings situations Asserting
Organization Management and Leadership the ability to supervise direct and guide individuals and groups in the completion of tasks and fulfillment of goals Work Survival the day-to-day skills that assist in promoting effective production and work satisfaction
Implementing decisions Cooperating Enforcing policies Being punctual Managing time Attending to detail Meeting goals Enlisting help Accepting responsibility Setting and meeting deadlines Organizing Making decisions
Initiating new ideas Handling details Coordinating tasks Managing groups Delegating responsibility Teaching Coaching Counseling Promoting change Selling ideas or products Decision making with others Managing conflict
Office of Career Services at IU Kokomo
26 |Kelley Student Center 200 2300 S Washington St PO Box 9003 Kokomo IN 46904-9003 (765)455-9301 fax (765)455-9537 carserviukedu wwwiukeducareer-
services
After you have the perfect reacutesumeacute it is time to hit the road and put your skills into action Career Fairs will help put you in communication with prospective employers and give you valuable practice for interviews
Achieve Results and Get the Most Out of a Career Fair
Attend as many job fairs as you can Not only will practice make perfect but it will expand your network of career contacts Make sure to ask precise questions and be prepared to answer specific questions the employers have regarding your background and capabilities Before the Job Fair- Be Prepared
Create a reacutesumeacute and have it reviewed by a career counselor Create a list of 3-5 references in case they are requested (Be sure to ask your references for their help before
including them on the list) Create your 30-second oral reacutesumeacute and practice practice practice Review the employer list Determine where employers are located and in what order to visit them Broaden your focus and include different types of employers For instance although you may not have thought of
working for a hospital hospitals recruit and hire professionals in many different fields Do your research Look up information about the employers of interest
o Check their websites for information about their productsservices and mission statement o What types of jobs do they have open o What kind of people are they looking for o What kind of skills do these people need to have How do you meet their skill requirements o Develop some questions you would like to ask the employer representatives at the fair
Network Network Network with people you know and via social network sites like Linked-In and Facebook for more information about the companies Also seek contact with employees you might know or seek information from alumni who work there
During the Job Fair Dress for success (See page 38) Assume you will be interviewed and dress the part Even if you dont get an interview
at the job fair you have already made a great impression Always have a penpencil and paper to take notes- a portfolio works best Bring plenty of reacutesumeacutes with you While some companies will be seeking employees for specific positions some
employers will collect reacutesumeacutes for future positions Be sure to get all of the contact information you need to complete an application
Make sure to have copies of your reference list in case an employer asks First impressions are everything Be direct have a firm handshake and make eye contact as you greet employers This
will speak volumes about your confidence If you are only gathering information let employers know that you are only interested in materials and information
Be aware of time demands of employers Do not monopolize the employersrsquo time You should have already done your homework about their company so you can better spend your time asking about the positions available (or available in the near future) and how your skills match their needs Give them your 30-second oral reacutesumeacute and impress them with what you feel you can do for their company Since practice makes perfect donrsquot give up if the first attempt doesnrsquot go well Keep trying with other employers
Ask specific questions and collect information from each booth you visit including business cards from the employer representatives Offer to follow up after the fair and ask what the best way to contact them is
After the Job Fair You now have a prime opportunity to make a distinctive impression
Use those business cards you collected to follow up with each employer you are interested in Be sure to do everything you promised at the job fair Complete the application and upload your reacutesumeacute Send a thank-you note or email to all whom you talked with within 48 hours of the career fair This shows that you
are serious about their organization and will set you apart from many who neglect to do so If you follow up on your application for a position be sure to follow the preferred contact method and dont overdo it Stay in contact and use this experience to expand your network Submit an additional or amended reacutesumeacute during your follow-up contacts if need be Follow-up and follow-through contacts are up to the student be persistent and polite
Office of Career Services at IU Kokomo
27 |Kelley Student Center 200 2300 S Washington St PO Box 9003 Kokomo IN 46904-9003 (765)455-9301 fax (765)455-9537 carserviukedu wwwiukeducareer-
services
Additional information-what employers are expecting at a career fair
What Will Impress Employers o Demonstrate that you have done your homework and researched their company o Be prepared Have your reacutesumeacute critiqued by Career Services and bring plenty of copies with you Develop
questions to ask smile and courteously and enthusiastically engage the representatives o Have a firm hand shake and good eye contact- dress for success o Never ask about salary let them bring up the subject o An expectation that you will be responsible for following up with them including a thank you note or letter o Take the initiative Walk up to them and engage the employers they want to speak to you
What Employers May Want to Learn About You o Specific careerjob objectives What are your expectations o Individual strengths and weaknesses Have specific examples that demonstrate your skills develop short
stories that showcase your skills (Remember a job fair is time sensitive and you donrsquot want to take up too much time of one employer)
o Contributions you will make to the operation Remember be specific now is not the time to blandly or generically discuss what you can do
What You Should Learn About Each Company o Employment trends Career Fairs are excellent resources for information about career decision-making o Skills necessary for different careersjobs Have meaningful conversations with representatives o Currentfuture positions o Salary benefits training and other information about the company (again let the employer bring up salary) o Who to contact for follow-up discussions and what their hiring processes are get specifics o Collect their business card or write down their contact information
30 Second Oral Reacutesumeacute Purpose It is important to practice your 30 second oral reacutesumeacute prior to attending a career fair The famous ldquoTell me about yourselfrdquo is a question that is always asked Whether the question is asked in a social setting an interview or a networking event a well-planned answer can set you apart from the crowd as well as spark additional conversation Begin preparing your oral reacutesumeacute by following the tips below
How to Prepare Your Oral Reacutesumeacute o Begin by brainstorming what you would want someone to know about you Write down all of your ideas o Consider including the following information in your oral reacutesumeacute
Job Objective Education and Training Skills
Accomplishments and Achievements Prior Employment Other Experience
o Narrow down your optionsmdashpick the top 5 things you want the person to know about you o Develop a paragraph that encompasses all of the things you wish to say o Practice makes perfect Read aloud your reacutesumeacute several times
Additional Tips Prepare more than one oral reacutesumeacute for various situations Practice your reacutesumeacute by calling your voicemail and later playing back the messagemdashthink about how it sounds and
what you would like to change Make sure that your oral reacutesumeacute will keep the listenerrsquos attention
Example Oral Reacutesumeacute Hi my name is ________ and I am a senior at IU Kokomo majoring in New Media I am looking for an internship experience in graphic designweb development Through my coursework I have developed strong computer and analytical skills Last summer I worked as an intern at the Kokomo Perspective to gain experience with print media At the Perspective I worked with the copy editor as well as the writing staff to gain experience in both fields I also volunteer at United Way developing and updating their website
Office of Career Services at IU Kokomo
28 |Kelley Student Center 200 2300 S Washington St PO Box 9003 Kokomo IN 46904-9003 (765)455-9301 fax (765)455-9537 carserviukedu wwwiukeducareer-
services
Send a Follow-up thank you note after Career Fair Send a thank you note or email to all whom you talked with within 48 hours of the career fair This shows that you are serious about their organization and will set you apart from many who neglect to do so
Be sure to remind the employer where you met them Thank you for taking the time to talk with me on Thursday at the career fair After talking with you I
am even more eager to work at _____ Summarize specific qualities and assets you obtain I am certain my education at IU Kokomo has enhanced my skill set and has provided a solid
background of knowledge in the _______ fieldhelliphellip Some experiences I have had the pleasure of doing arehellip This opportunity improved my work ethic and made me aware of my self-reliancehellip
Always attach your reacutesumeacute again for their convenience I have attached my reacutesumeacute for your convenience I look forward to an opportunity to further discuss
my qualifications You may contact me athellip (phone andor email address) Thank you again for your time and consideration
Sample Thank you
Thank you for taking the time to talk with me on Thursday November 9 at the career fair on IU Kokomorsquos campus I appreciate your time and attention and after talking with you I am even more interested in learning more about your organization You were extremely helpful in explaining companyrsquos name customer service and marketing trainee program Now that I have a better idea of what the position entails I am even more certain that I would be an asset to your team and to companyrsquos name My solid education from the IU Kokomo Communication Department and the fact that I have worked my way through college show the work ethic and determination you said were important to be successful at companyrsquos name I look forward to an opportunity to visit companyrsquos name office and speak to you further about the trainee program I will contact you next week to arrange an appointment Enclosed is an updated reacutesumeacute for your review Thank you again for your time and consideration Sincerely
Office of Career Services at IU Kokomo
29 |Kelley Student Center 200 2300 S Washington St PO Box 9003 Kokomo IN 46904-9003 (765)455-9301 fax (765)455-9537 carserviukedu wwwiukeducareer-
services
Knowledge and practice will give you the confidence you need to be prepared and give the best impression possible at an interview The following information will help prepare you for nearly any interview contingency being confidant that you can handle it is the best way to increase your chances of getting hired Here are a few things you can do to give yourself a head start
Questions to think about prior to your interview
1 Why do you want to work at this facility and what specific jobareas am I interested in a To Prepare research the facility
i Mission ii Population served
iii Financial stability iv Management style
b Learn about the job
i Job description ii Occupational outlook
iii Handbook iv employees
2 What qualities make me a good candidate
a To prepare self assessment i What are my strengths and weaknesses
ii What are my interests iii How do I know iv What kinds of results demonstrate my abilities
3 What type of shift working conditions salary and fringe benefits are most important to me (12 hours 10 hours 8
hours weekends flex-time insurance) a To prepare clarify values and lifestyle choices
i What are my values ii What kind of lifestyles do I want for myself and those close to me
4 How will I be trained
a To prepare How do I learn best i Do I need immediate feedback or can I learn well on my own
5 What are my goals Where do I want to be in 10 years
a To prepare Identify and prioritize career and life goals and objectives i Am I interested in supervision training management
ii How do I plan to reach these goals
6 What are the major issues and current events facing this specific field job occupation and company today
7 What can you bring to the organization
Office of Career Services at IU Kokomo
30 |Kelley Student Center 200 2300 S Washington St PO Box 9003 Kokomo IN 46904-9003 (765)455-9301 fax (765)455-9537 carserviukedu wwwiukeducareer-
services
Behavioral Interviews- Use the STAR Interviewing Technique for Success
The STAR acronym represents Situation Task Action and Result Recruiters and hiring managers favor the STAR technique because
it provides a better explanation of your past performance how you handle workplace challenges and whether youre able to articulate
your experiences STAR behavioral interviews are quickly becoming the most popular and common form of interview
Situation or
Task
Describe the situation that you were in or the task that you needed to accomplish You must
describe a specific event or situation not a generalized description of what you have done in
the past Be sure to give enough detail for the interviewer to understand This situation can be
from a previous job from a volunteer experience or any relevant event
Action you took Describe the action you took and be sure to keep the focus on you Even if you are discussing
a group project or effort describe what you did -- not the efforts of the team Dont tell what
you might do tell what you did
Results you achieved What happened How did the event end What did you accomplish What did you learn
For examples of past behavior use examples from
Internships
Work experience
Class projects
School activitiesorganizations you are involved with
Sports
Volunteercommunity service
Hobbies
Think about your accomplishments what are you most proud of that you want to share with the employer
How to prepare for behavior-based interviews
Identify 3-6 examples that demonstrate your top skills Look through the job description pinpoint the skills they are seeking
Pick experiences that demonstrate top behaviors of those skills
Prepare how you will ldquotell your storyrdquo using STAR
Pick examples that will be positive accomplishment
Most behavioral questions try to reveal the negative situations so be prepared with those examples However try to pick
examples that had a positive outcome
Try not to pick examples from only one topic Pick a variety of examples choosing examples from work class community
services etc
Typically the best examples are situations that happened within the last year
Go over your resume and review the accomplishments you have listed andor skills this could assist you with identifying
examples
LISTEN to the full question Be sure the example is an appropriate description of how you demonstrated what they are
asking for
Office of Career Services at IU Kokomo
31 |Kelley Student Center 200 2300 S Washington St PO Box 9003 Kokomo IN 46904-9003 (765)455-9301 fax (765)455-9537 carserviukedu wwwiukeducareer-
services
Sample Behavior-based Questions
Communication Skills
1 Give me a specific example of a time someone didnrsquot agree with your work How did you respond 2 Tell me about a time when you had to present complex information How did you ensure that everyone
understood what you were saying 3 Give an example about a time where written communication was needed
Decision Making Skills
1 What is the biggest decision or risk yoursquove made in the past year on the job Describe the process you used to make those decisions Would you do it again
2 Describe a time you overcame a challenge with an innovative solution What was the challenge What role did you play
Planning Organization Time management Skills
1 Please give an example of a time you didnrsquot meet your deadline Why did you fail to meet your deadline What did you learn from that experience
2 Give an example of how you keep track of multiple projects How do you stay on track and meet deadlines How do you stay focused
3 Describe a goal yoursquove had How you set it and achieved it
Flexibility Skills 1 Tell us about one of the toughest situations with which yoursquove had to deal with How did you handle the
stress or pressure of the situation Leadership Skills
1 Describe a time when you disagreed with a directive given by your supervisor What happened and how did you handle it
2 Give an example of a situation where team members or co-workers didnrsquot get along This could include you and someone else or two other people How did the project turn out What did you do to resolve the issue so everyone was able to work together
Office of Career Services at IU Kokomo
32 |Kelley Student Center 200 2300 S Washington St PO Box 9003 Kokomo IN 46904-9003 (765)455-9301 fax (765)455-9537 carserviukedu wwwiukeducareer-
services
Other Common Questions Asked by Employers
Personal 1 Tell me about yourself 2 Why did you choose to interview with our organization 3 Describe your ideal job 4 What can you offer us over another candidate 5 What do you consider to be your greatest strengths 6 Can you name some weaknesses 7 Define success Failure How did you learn from your failures 8 Name a couple accomplishments you most proud 9 Who are your role models Why 10 How does your college education or work experience relate to this job 11 What motivates you most in a job 12 Have you ever spoken before a group of people How large 13 What do you know about our organization (products or services) 14 Do you plan to return to school for further education 15 What would you change about yourself and why
Education
16 Why did you choose your major 17 Why did you choose to attend your college or university 18 Do you think you received a good education In what ways 19 In which campus activities did you participate 20 Which classes in your major did you like best Least Why 21 If you were to start over what would you change about your education 22 Do your grades accurately reflect your ability Why or why not
Experience
23 What job-related skills have you developed 24 Did you work while going to school In what positions 25 What did you learn from these work experiences 26 What did you enjoy most about your last employment Least 27 Have you ever quit a job Why 28 Give an example of how you have solved a problem in the work place 29 How do you resolve conflict on a team project 30 Give an example of a time in which you worked under deadline pressure 31 Have you ever done any volunteer work What kind 32 How do you think a former supervisor would describe your work
Career Goals
33 Do you prefer to work under supervision or on your own 34 What kind of boss do you prefer 35 Would you be successful working with a team 36 Do you prefer large or small organizations Why 37 What other types of positions are you considering 38 How do you feel about working in a structured environment 39 Are you able to work on several assignments at once 40 How do you feel about working overtime 41 How do you feel about travel 42 Are you willing to relocate
Office of Career Services at IU Kokomo
33 |Kelley Student Center 200 2300 S Washington St PO Box 9003 Kokomo IN 46904-9003 (765)455-9301 fax (765)455-9537 carserviukedu wwwiukeducareer-
services
Questions to Ask Employers
An interview is a two-way street Employers get an impression of you from the questions you ask Are you a critical thinker Did you comprehend and correctly process everything in the interview Have you done research and have a good grasp of the company and the scope of the position Your questions should be intelligent insightful and polite Have at least 3-5 custom questions in mind Employers look for someone who shows interest confidence and is well organized
1 Please describe (or ask them to clarify specifics) the duties of the job for me 2 Is this a new position or am I replacing someone 3 What do you like best about your jobcompany 4 What kinds of assignments might I expect the first six months on the job 5 What qualities are you looking for in the candidate who fills this position 6 Does your company encourage further education 7 Do you have plans for expansion 8 What are your growth projections for next year 9 Have you cut staff in the last three years 10 In what ways is a career with your company better than one with your competitors 11 What is the largest single problem facing your staff (department) now 12 Has there been much turnover in this job area 13 Will I have the opportunity to work on special projects 14 Where does this position fit into the organizational structure 15 How much travel if any is involved in this position 16 What is the next course of action When should I expect to hear from you or may I contact you
Interview Checklist Preparation Research research research Knowing more about the organization as a whole and the particular position you are applying for will be helpful in the interview It will help you understand questions that may be asked and will give you a chance to come up with questions to ask them The more research you conduct the more confident and comfortable you will feel in the interview It will also demonstrate to the employer how determined and pro-active you are about their company and the position you seek Get specific directions to the location If possible go there the day before and check out parking and the location of the office where your interview will be held
First Impression Put your best foot forward Remember the decision to hire you may be made in the first 5 minutes Always wait until they sit or invite you to be seated
Dress code Dress more formal than you would in the actual position Women should wear a suit or dress with a jacket Men should wear a suit or sport jacket and slacks Itrsquos a good idea to have an interview outfit ready and waiting (cleaned neat no threads or missing buttons) hanging in your closet Donrsquot wear anything too trendy or faddish (ladies no miniskirts) Check all zippers for closure and ladies should always have an extra pair of hose for emergencies Your style of dress communicates too what do you want it to say (See page 38)
Arrival Arrive a few minutes early to check out the location and parking Stop by the restroom and check your appearance Again you may want to check out the location the day before if you are unsure of the area
What to bring Always have an extra copy of your reacutesumeacute note paper and pen You will want to jot down questions as they may come about as well as information about the position Also write down the names of each person you interview with so you can mail a thank-you note
Application
Office of Career Services at IU Kokomo
34 |Kelley Student Center 200 2300 S Washington St PO Box 9003 Kokomo IN 46904-9003 (765)455-9301 fax (765)455-9537 carserviukedu wwwiukeducareer-
services
Read through the entire application before you begin Follow the directions Give specific titles You may leave the salary question blank or fill it in with a reasonable salary range Use NA where answers are not applicable Proofread the application before returning it
Legal and Illegal Pre-employment Questions CATEGORY LAWFUL
(Questions employers can ask)
UNLAWFUL (Questions employers cannot ask)
Name Have you ever worked for this company under a different name
Is any additional information relative to change of name use of an assumed name or nickname necessary to enable a check
on your work record If yes explain
What is your maiden name
Is the name on your application your real name
Address Where do you live
How long have you lived there
Birthplace Where were you born Where were your relatives born
Agebirth date Are you 18 years of age or older How old are you What is your birth date
Prove your age by submitting your birth certificate baptismal record
naturalization papers etc (see citizenship)
Photograph Requirement or option that applicant affix a photograph to employment form at
any time before hiring Citizenship Are you a citizen of the United States
If not are you authorized to work in the US
Can you verify US citizenship or your
right to work in the United States
Of what country are you a citizen Are you a naturalized or a native-born
citizen When did you acquire citizenship
Please produce naturalization papers or green card
(employers must verify citizenship or the right to work after theyrsquove decided to
extend an offer) Sex or Marital Status Are you male or female
Are you married What are your living arrangements
Relatives Do you have relatives (other than a spouse) already employed by the
company
What are their names
What are the names (addresses ages number or other information) of your
relatives not employed by the company
Children
Do you have children or plans to have children in the future
Do you have the capacity to reproduce Do you advocate any form of birth control
or family planning What are your child care arrangements
How old are your children
CATEGORY LAWFUL UNLAWFUL (Questions employers can ask) (Questions employers cannot ask)
Disability Do you have any impairment
(physical mental or medical) which would interfere with your ability to perform the job for which you have
applied
Do you have any disabilities or diseases not related to job
performance
Arrest record Have you ever been convicted of a criminal offense other than minor
traffic violations If yes explain fully
Have you ever been arrested
Experienced Please describe your work experience
Travel Overtime This position requires X amount of overtimetravel Would you be able
to meet this requirement
Who will care for your children when you travel or work overtime
Would your spouse object if you
traveled or worked overtime Language What languages do you speak and
write fluently What is your native language
How did you learn to read write or
speak a foreign language Education Please describe your academic
vocational or professional education and the public and private schools you attended
What are the dates of attendance
(To permit verification)
Notice in case of emergency What are the names and addresses of people to be notified in case of
accident or emergency (can be asked after hire)
Military experience Have you served in the US Armed Forces or in the National Guard
Describe your experience
Do you have any military experience
(other than in the United States) Organizations Do you belong to any organizations
which you consider relevant to your ability to perform this job Please
explain
Are you a member of any clubs societies or lodges
Which ones
Race or color What racecolor are you Are you a minority
Religion or creed What is your religion To which parishchurch do you
belong What religious holidays do you
observe National Origin What is your (or relatives) lineage
ancestry national origin descent percentage or nationality
Office of Career Services at IU Kokomo
36 |Kelley Student Center 200 2300 S Washington St PO Box 9003 Kokomo IN 46904-9003 (765)455-9301 fax (765)455-9537 carserviukedu wwwiukeducareer-
services
After the interview After you have interviewed for a position there are some things to do that may improve your chances
Send a Follow-up thank you note within 24 hours
This shows that you are serious about their organization and will set you apart from many who neglect to do so By taking the
time to email or write a handwritten letter thanking them for taking their time to meet with you Summarize specific qualities
you have and let them know you look forward in speaking with them further about employment
Sample Thank you
Dear Intervieweersquos Name Thank you for taking the time to talk with me on Thursday November 9 at the interview for list specifics of position and company) I appreciate your time and attention and after talking with you I am even more interested in becoming a valuable team member at companyrsquos name You were extremely helpful in explaining list position Now that I have a better idea of what the position entails I am even more certain that I would be an asset to your team and to companyrsquos name My solid education from the IU Kokomo Communication Department and the fact that I have worked my way through college show the work ethic and determination you said were important to be successful at companyrsquos name I look forward to an opportunity to work with companyrsquos name office and speak to you further about the program I will contact you next week to follow up and provide you with any further information that you may need Thank you again for your time and consideration Sincerely
Your name
The Stall Letter
There may be situations that you will need time to figure out whether a job is a good fit or have more than one position to accept or decline The stall letter is a good tool to have in this case In the introduction refer to the job offer or event that is prompting the letter In the second paragraph state your continued interest in the position but request more time to gather further information or to consider all alternatives and opportunities in order to make the best choice for the position and the company as well as yourself Give a specific time extension request If you need 24 hours for example ask for that Ask for the minimal amount of time in order to make your decision Remember this is a request and does not guarantee that the employer will accept it and be prepared for the possibility that they will not grant the time and choose another candidate In the conclusion thank them for their time and understanding and indicate when you will contact them to discuss the terms of the possible extension
Sample Stall Letter
Dear name of person that offered the position This letter is in reference to list company name and your offer of list the position I would like to take this opportunity to thank you for the opportunity and express my continued interest in the position At this time I would like to request __hours to gather some vital information in order to be completely confidant that I am making the best and most informed decision possible I want to ensure for all parties involved that I have considered all options and alternatives to be certain that my acceptance of this list position is the correct course of action for us both I appreciate your understanding and valuable time and look forward to speaking with you at your earliest convenience today so that we may discuss the terms of my request Sincerely Your Name
Office of Career Services at IU Kokomo
37 |Kelley Student Center 200 2300 S Washington St PO Box 9003 Kokomo IN 46904-9003 (765)455-9301 fax (765)455-9537 carserviukedu wwwiukeducareer-
services
Acceptance of a Job Offer Letter
Responding in writing to a job offer shows courtesy and is expected It reduces the chance of any misunderstanding that verbal acceptances do not In the first paragraph thank the employer for offering the specific position title and say that you are happy to accept it In the second paragraph state the terms of employment (salary location and start date) Emphasize any negotiations of terms that were unusual or non-standard if there were any In the last paragraph thank the employer sincerely for the opportunity and express your excitement to join their organization and be a valuable asset to them
Sample Job Offer Acceptance Letter
Dear person who offered position
I am happy to have the opportunity to accept the position of list title
The following terms of the position as I understood them include a salary of list salaryrate of pay at List location and to begin employment on list date As we discussed instead of the typical work week we agreed to the addition of evening and weekend hours during the probationary period with a return to usual business hours after 90 days We also agreed to a company vehicle provision for any off site training and appointments during the course of my employment
I truly look forward to becoming a valued member of your team and I am anticipating a productive and positive professional relationship with list company
Sincerely Your Name
Decline or Withdrawing from Consideration Letter
There may be times that you wish to decline or remove yourself from consideration from a position Doing this on a positive
and respectful note decreases the chance that future opportunities will be missed either as a future employee or possible
professional contact with the firm Thank the employer for the opportunity but decline it based on your reasons Be sure to
specifically name the person that was in charge of the hiring process If the decline is due to a term that was offered be
specific the firm could always choose to negotiate that term to better suit your situation
Date
Dear List person
Thank you very much for offering me the list position After careful consideration I regret that I must decline your offer
Although you were most encouraging in outlining future advancement possibilities within ABC Company I have accepted another
opportunity that is more in line with my skills and career goals or I found list the term to be out of line with my needs and
goals
I enjoyed meeting you and the rest of your team You have been most kind and gracious throughout the interview process and I
only wish that circumstances allowed me to accept your offer
Best wishes for your continued success
Sincerely
Your Name
Office of Career Services at IU Kokomo
38 |Kelley Student Center 200 2300 S Washington St PO Box 9003 Kokomo IN 46904-9003 (765)455-9301 fax (765)455-9537 carserviukedu wwwiukeducareer-
services
____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
This packet contains a lot of valuable information to help you achieve all the goals that an education from IU Kokomo
will prepare you for Use this as a guide for every step of the way from your freshman year graduation and beyond
Office of Career Services at IU Kokomo
17 |Kelley Student Center 200 2300 S Washington St PO Box 9003 Kokomo IN 46904-9003 (765)455-9301 fax (765)455-9537 carserviukedu wwwiukeducareer-
services
Sample Chaplain Reacutesumeacute Name
Address Phone Email
Objective (Optional) To seek a challenging position as a chaplain that allows me to utilize my knowledge and clinical pastoral education skills Qualifications Summary
Compassionate and devoted Chaplin providing spiritual moral guidance for 7 years
Maintains patient confidentiality according to HIPAA regulations
Excellent interpersonal and communication skills
Experience counseling patients concerning their spiritual personal and emotional needs
Professional Experience XXX Hospice Kokomo In 2007-current Hospice Resident Chaplin
Visit patientsfamilies and perform spiritual assessments
Provide spiritual support and counseling to patients and caregivers
Document all pertinent chaplain activities and audit patient charts XXX Church Kokomo In 2002-2007 Assistance Clergy
Assisted and organized religious services
Helped manage church property and finances
Participated in church programs supporting congregation and fundraising activities XXX Hospital Kokomo IN 1997-2000 Nursersquos aide
Provide health care checks for a diverse population
Perform blood pressure tests for community health outreach programs
Supply a wide range of services including womens health clinic services and care for elderly patients
Education Hospitalhellip Clinical Pastoral Education 3 units completed University of Santa Barbara CA Master of Divinity- 2002 Indiana University Kokomo Kokomo In Bachelor of Science in Nursing ndash 2000 GPA 3440
Volunteer Work
Xxx
Xxxx
Office of Career Services at IU Kokomo
18 |Kelley Student Center 200 2300 S Washington St PO Box 9003 Kokomo IN 46904-9003 (765)455-9301 fax (765)455-9537 carserviukedu wwwiukeducareer-
services
SCANNABLE REacuteSUMEacute CHECKLIST
Resume scanning is more commonly used by employers to seek out employees When a computer will be the first to
read your reacutesumeacute it should be altered If the scannable reacutesumeacute meets the computer criteria it will then be seen by
the employer
1 Left justify the entire document
2 Use key words or short phrases to describe your qualifications and abilities Use
jargon and acronyms specific to your industry Check the job listings and
industry-related materials for current buzzwords
3 Increase your list of key words by including specific names of products and
services such as Microsoft Word or Lotus Notes
4 Use nouns more than verbs For instance say ldquoproject managerrdquo instead of
ldquoimplemented projectrdquo
5 Use common section headings such as Objective Experience Employment
Work History Positions Held Appointments and Skills Use boldface andor all
CAPITAL LETTERS for each of these section headings as long as the letters
donrsquot touch each other
6 Minimize abbreviations except for common ones such as MBA or CEO
7 Use a 10- to 14- point font size Use standard typefaces such as Times New Roman Arial New Century
or Courier
8 Avoid italics script and underlined passages Minimize use of hyphens bullets or dashes Boldface is accepted by
most systems unless the employer advises otherwise
9 Avoid graphics shadings vertical or horizontal lines and boxes The scanner
reads text not graphics
10 Print your reacutesumeacute on 8frac12 X 11 inch white paper of average thickness on one
side only using a laser or other letter-quality paper Donrsquot staple or fold
multiple-page reacutesumeacutes Always make sure your name is on all pages
11 Donrsquot condense spacing between letters
12 Use enough white space between sections Computers use white space to
differentiate between topics
13 When faxing set the fax machine on ldquofine moderdquo instead of ldquostandard moderdquo
Office of Career Services at IU Kokomo
19 |Kelley Student Center 200 2300 S Washington St PO Box 9003 Kokomo IN 46904-9003 (765)455-9301 fax (765)455-9537 carserviukedu wwwiukeducareer-
services
Scannable reacutesumeacute example
NAME IN CAPS
Current address
555 Candy Lane
Kokomo IN 46901
765 555 ndash 2424
Permanent address
444 Peppermint Lane
Indianapolis IN 46077
317 555 ndash 1234
OBJECTIVE (Optional)
A fulltime position in the area that is my expertisehellip (You fill it in-see suggested buzz-word list)
EDUCATION
Indiana University Kokomo IN
Bachelor of Science in Management
Minor Management Information Systems MIS
GPA 36 40
Major GPA 38 40
Graduation May 2014
SIGNIFICANT COURSES
Fill in with significant core courses for your major that apply to the job Use one line per course
SKILLS
Proficient with (pc programs that you are proficient in and are applicable)
Any other skills that are applicable (see buzz-word list)
WORK EXPERIENCE
Bold the Job Title
Basic job description as it applies to job applying for Dates employed (begin with most recent)
Use buzz-word list based on your occupation and relevant to the position being applied for
Office of Career Services at IU Kokomo
20 |Kelley Student Center 200 2300 S Washington St PO Box 9003 Kokomo IN 46904-9003 (765)455-9301 fax (765)455-9537 carserviukedu wwwiukeducareer-
services
Cover Letters Cover letters are an additional component of a reacutesumeacute Customize every letter to each company andor position of interest
Address it to the person listed on the position advertisement or the person that you know has the authority to hire Finding this may
take some investigation to discover if the name is not announced on the position advertisement PO boxes are often used to filter
reacutesumeacutes and you can find the owner of the box by calling the post office and asking who owns the box with that number Having
this information to address the cover letter with will set you apart from those who do not
Cover letter Format Date Employers Name Use the name of the person stated in the job posting or contact the company for the contact person address and the correct spelling) Position or title Company Name Address Suite number or floor (if there is one) City state Zip Salutation Dear Mr or Ms Or Dear Sir or Madam (use the last name only of the person you listed above) If you have made every effort to find out but do not know the name or gender or the individual use a unisex greeting of Dear Manager or Dear Director Paragraph one (Introduction) State which position you are applying for and where you heard about the opening If the position was advertised refer to where it was advertised (Indianapolis Star or higheredcom) Be enthusiastic and confident about the position with a brief statement about why you are the right fit for the job Paragraph two (Body) Explain why you want to work for this company and how your skills experience and qualifications directly relate to the position You can also include your personal traits and strengths that would be an asset for the job Summarize why you are an excellent candidate for the position Highlight key examples and how they match what the company is seeking There are likely other prospective employees that are competing for this position It is very important that you highlight qualities that will set you apart and show uniqueness You are marketing yourself in this paragraph so be sure to sell the idea that you are the best one to interview and the best fit for this employer Most advertisements will list the requirements that are desired andor required for the position Be sure to detail how you meet each of those requirements Do not point out to the reader if there is a requirement that you donrsquot currently possess just do not reference that in your letter The purpose of a cover letter is to highlight the positives and do not bring up any negatives Paragraph three (Conclusion) State that you would like the opportunity to personally discuss your qualifications Indicate where you can be reached phone andor email A good sentence to use would look like ldquoI may be reached at 555-555-1234 or nameiukedurdquo Make sure to thank the reader for their time and consideration Closing Sincerely or Yours truly or Respectfully yours Signature (blue or black ink only) Your Name (Typed)
Office of Career Services at IU Kokomo
21 |Kelley Student Center 200 2300 S Washington St PO Box 9003 Kokomo IN 46904-9003 (765)455-9301 fax (765)455-9537 carserviukedu wwwiukeducareer-
services
References
Reference lists should always be available and prepared with 3-4 professional references
Do
Do get permission from each reference you plan to use
Do give each reference a copy of your reacutesumeacute to have as a guide
Do choose references that are well informed and have good verbal and written communication skills
Do Not
Do not use relatives personal friends or students as a reference
Letters of Recommendation
A letter of recommendation provides relevant information that is honest positive and portrays a up-front outlook of the skills
and potential capabilities you possess It can describe personality performance and skill attributes knowledge and
competency level
The following are suggestions of individuals who may be qualified to write a letter of recommendation
Executive Director
Vice President
Supervisors
Co-workers
CustomersClients
Subordinates
Professors
Counsellors
Coaches
Doctors
Lawyers
Ministers
Community Leaders
Office of Career Services at IU Kokomo
22 |Kelley Student Center 200 2300 S Washington St PO Box 9003 Kokomo IN 46904-9003 (765)455-9301 fax (765)455-9537 carserviukedu wwwiukeducareer-
services
Key WordsAction Words
Actively Established Evaluate Participated Schedule Coordinate Increased Proposed Strategy Created Launched Reduced Support Effect Eliminate Organized Originate
Approve Generate Program Solve Control Improve Recommend Supervise Direct Manage Motivated Responsibilities Revise Analyze Founded Pinpointed Set up
Completed Interpret Proficient Successfully Demonstrate Maintain Revamped Responsible Administer Expedite Plan Simplicity Conduct Implemented Provide Streamline Develop
Lecture Reorganized Accelerated Adapted Expanded Perform Significantly Conceived Influence Proved Structure Delegate Lead Reinforced Teach
Self-Describing Words Professional Active Diplomatic Loyal Respective Analytical Attentive Determined Logical Resourceful Ambitious Efficient Energetic Independent
Reliable Alert Economical Objective Optimistic Realistic Aggressive Discrete Methodical Sense-of-humor Sincere Adaptable Disciplined Mature
Self-reliant Broad-minded Enterprising Personable Tactful Creative Imaginative Perceptive Systematic Constructive Forceful Productive Sophisticated Consistent
Fair Practical Will relocate Conscientious Extroverted Positive Will travel Enthusiastic Pleasant Talented Dependable Trustworthy Ethical
Keywords for Interpersonal Traits Ability to delegate Accurate Assertive Creative Ethical Follow up Leadership Oral communication Public speaking Self accountable Supportive Tenacious
Ability to implement Adaptable Communication skill Customer oriented Flexible High energy Multitasking Organizational skills Results oriented Self management Takes initiative Willing to travel
Ability to plan Aggressive Competitive Detail minded Follow instructions Industrious Open minded Persuasive Risk taking Sensitive Team building Ability to train
Analytical ability Conceptual ability Empowering others Follow through Innovated Open communication Problem solving Safety conscious Setting priorities Team player
Office of Career Services at IU Kokomo
23 |Kelley Student Center 200 2300 S Washington St PO Box 9003 Kokomo IN 46904-9003 (765)455-9301 fax (765)455-9537 carserviukedu wwwiukeducareer-
services
Sample of Occupational Keywords Occupational keywords include skills titles and occupational buzz words Account manager Accounts receivable Acquisitions Bachelors Degree Bank Card Bank reconciliation Batch processing Benchmarking Blueprint reading Brochures Budget Bulletins CAD Calibrator Carpentry Cash Flow Cell Culture Media Cement Child Care Claims Justification Commercial Leasing Copy Editing Counselor Crisis Management Cross-culture training Debugging Decision making Demographics Dental management Die casting Dietitian Drywall Ecology Electronics Employee assistance Engineer Financial planning Food preparation Gas pipeline Goal setting Graphic design Grant writer Guest services Harnessing Hiringfiring Hotel ISO 9000
Journalism Journeyman Layout design Logic analyzer Magnetic theory Manager Marketing Masterrsquos Degree Microprocessor Microsoft word Nursing Oscillator Pelletizing Patient advocate Payroll Personal computer Process metallurgy Proposal writing Psychology Public Relations Purchasing Radio Raw materials Receptionist Reporter Research Sales Secretarial Software modeling Spanish Spreadsheets Statistical Process Control Stick Welding Strategic Planning Student Personnel Supervisor Taxonomy Teacher Technical Writing Time Management Transportation Travel Wave Solder WordPerfect Workflow Writer
Office of Career Services at IU Kokomo
24 |Kelley Student Center 200 2300 S Washington St PO Box 9003 Kokomo IN 46904-9003 (765)455-9301 fax (765)455-9537 carserviukedu wwwiukeducareer-
services
ACTION WORDS
ORGANIZATIONAL Assembled Enforced Prepared Reorganized
Collected Executed Planned Scheduled
Centralized Formalized Processed Updated
Coordinated Implemented Routed Catalogued
Maintained Recorded
LEADERSHIPAllocated Hired Operated Spearheaded Determined Initiated
Oversaw Sponsored Directed Inspired Pioneered Staged
Elected Instituted Presided Started Enlisted Led
Produced Supervised Formed Managed Recruited Founded
Moderated Represented Governed Motivated Selected
COMMUNICATION SKILLS Acquainted Drafted Introduced Summarized Apprised Educated
Lectured Taught Answered Explained Listened
Trained Briefed Familiarized Presented Translated Conducted
Handled Reported Wrote Contacted Informed Responded
Demonstrated Instructed Spoke
RESEARCH Analyzed Detected Examined Researched
Assessed Discovered Gathered Searched
Audited Documented Identified Surveyed
Compiled Edited Interpreted Tested
Consulted Evaluated Interviewed
CREATIVITY Authored Created Devised
Originated Conceived Composed
Established Revolutionized Conceptualized
Designed Invented
HELPING SKILLS Aided Counseled Helped Supported
Attended Comforted Instilled Tutored
Assisted Facilitated Mentored Treated
Collaborated Fostered Provided Contributed
Guided Settled
SELLING Arbitrated Marketed Promoted
Secured Convinced Mediated
Publicized Solicited
Dissuaded Negotiated Resolved
Encouraged Persuaded Sold
OTHER ACTION VERBS Adapted Developed Generated Revamped Attained Ensured Improved Revitalized
Augmented Eliminated Increased Saved Awarded Exceeded Launched Shopped
Boosted Excelled Mastered Strengthened Broadened Expanded Modernized Supplemented
Built Expedited Published Tended Calculated Fabricated Raised Utilized
Catered Financed Reconciled Decreased Gained Reduced
Office of Career Services at IU Kokomo
25 |Kelley Student Center 200 2300 S Washington St PO Box 9003 Kokomo IN 46904-9003 (765)455-9301 fax (765)455-9537 carserviukedu wwwiukeducareer-
services
Transferable Skills-Skills you have acquired from your education and employment experience that you can market to new employers
Communication the skillful expression transmission and interpretation of knowledge and ideas
Speaking effectively Writing concisely Listening attentively Expressing ideas Facilitating group discussion Providing appropriate feedback Negotiating
Perceiving nonverbal messages Persuading Reporting information Describing feelings Interviewing Editing
Research and Planning the search for specific knowledge and the ability to conceptualize future needs and solutions for meeting those needs
Forecasting predicting Creating ideas Identifying problems Imagining alternatives Identifying resources Gathering information
Solving problems Setting goals Extracting important information Defining needs Analyzing Developing evaluation strategies
Human Relations the use of interpersonal skills for resolving conflict relating to and helping people Developing rapport Being Sensitive Listening Conveying feelings Providing support for others Motivating Sharing credit
Counseling Cooperating Delegating with respect Representing others Perceiving feelings situations Asserting
Organization Management and Leadership the ability to supervise direct and guide individuals and groups in the completion of tasks and fulfillment of goals Work Survival the day-to-day skills that assist in promoting effective production and work satisfaction
Implementing decisions Cooperating Enforcing policies Being punctual Managing time Attending to detail Meeting goals Enlisting help Accepting responsibility Setting and meeting deadlines Organizing Making decisions
Initiating new ideas Handling details Coordinating tasks Managing groups Delegating responsibility Teaching Coaching Counseling Promoting change Selling ideas or products Decision making with others Managing conflict
Office of Career Services at IU Kokomo
26 |Kelley Student Center 200 2300 S Washington St PO Box 9003 Kokomo IN 46904-9003 (765)455-9301 fax (765)455-9537 carserviukedu wwwiukeducareer-
services
After you have the perfect reacutesumeacute it is time to hit the road and put your skills into action Career Fairs will help put you in communication with prospective employers and give you valuable practice for interviews
Achieve Results and Get the Most Out of a Career Fair
Attend as many job fairs as you can Not only will practice make perfect but it will expand your network of career contacts Make sure to ask precise questions and be prepared to answer specific questions the employers have regarding your background and capabilities Before the Job Fair- Be Prepared
Create a reacutesumeacute and have it reviewed by a career counselor Create a list of 3-5 references in case they are requested (Be sure to ask your references for their help before
including them on the list) Create your 30-second oral reacutesumeacute and practice practice practice Review the employer list Determine where employers are located and in what order to visit them Broaden your focus and include different types of employers For instance although you may not have thought of
working for a hospital hospitals recruit and hire professionals in many different fields Do your research Look up information about the employers of interest
o Check their websites for information about their productsservices and mission statement o What types of jobs do they have open o What kind of people are they looking for o What kind of skills do these people need to have How do you meet their skill requirements o Develop some questions you would like to ask the employer representatives at the fair
Network Network Network with people you know and via social network sites like Linked-In and Facebook for more information about the companies Also seek contact with employees you might know or seek information from alumni who work there
During the Job Fair Dress for success (See page 38) Assume you will be interviewed and dress the part Even if you dont get an interview
at the job fair you have already made a great impression Always have a penpencil and paper to take notes- a portfolio works best Bring plenty of reacutesumeacutes with you While some companies will be seeking employees for specific positions some
employers will collect reacutesumeacutes for future positions Be sure to get all of the contact information you need to complete an application
Make sure to have copies of your reference list in case an employer asks First impressions are everything Be direct have a firm handshake and make eye contact as you greet employers This
will speak volumes about your confidence If you are only gathering information let employers know that you are only interested in materials and information
Be aware of time demands of employers Do not monopolize the employersrsquo time You should have already done your homework about their company so you can better spend your time asking about the positions available (or available in the near future) and how your skills match their needs Give them your 30-second oral reacutesumeacute and impress them with what you feel you can do for their company Since practice makes perfect donrsquot give up if the first attempt doesnrsquot go well Keep trying with other employers
Ask specific questions and collect information from each booth you visit including business cards from the employer representatives Offer to follow up after the fair and ask what the best way to contact them is
After the Job Fair You now have a prime opportunity to make a distinctive impression
Use those business cards you collected to follow up with each employer you are interested in Be sure to do everything you promised at the job fair Complete the application and upload your reacutesumeacute Send a thank-you note or email to all whom you talked with within 48 hours of the career fair This shows that you
are serious about their organization and will set you apart from many who neglect to do so If you follow up on your application for a position be sure to follow the preferred contact method and dont overdo it Stay in contact and use this experience to expand your network Submit an additional or amended reacutesumeacute during your follow-up contacts if need be Follow-up and follow-through contacts are up to the student be persistent and polite
Office of Career Services at IU Kokomo
27 |Kelley Student Center 200 2300 S Washington St PO Box 9003 Kokomo IN 46904-9003 (765)455-9301 fax (765)455-9537 carserviukedu wwwiukeducareer-
services
Additional information-what employers are expecting at a career fair
What Will Impress Employers o Demonstrate that you have done your homework and researched their company o Be prepared Have your reacutesumeacute critiqued by Career Services and bring plenty of copies with you Develop
questions to ask smile and courteously and enthusiastically engage the representatives o Have a firm hand shake and good eye contact- dress for success o Never ask about salary let them bring up the subject o An expectation that you will be responsible for following up with them including a thank you note or letter o Take the initiative Walk up to them and engage the employers they want to speak to you
What Employers May Want to Learn About You o Specific careerjob objectives What are your expectations o Individual strengths and weaknesses Have specific examples that demonstrate your skills develop short
stories that showcase your skills (Remember a job fair is time sensitive and you donrsquot want to take up too much time of one employer)
o Contributions you will make to the operation Remember be specific now is not the time to blandly or generically discuss what you can do
What You Should Learn About Each Company o Employment trends Career Fairs are excellent resources for information about career decision-making o Skills necessary for different careersjobs Have meaningful conversations with representatives o Currentfuture positions o Salary benefits training and other information about the company (again let the employer bring up salary) o Who to contact for follow-up discussions and what their hiring processes are get specifics o Collect their business card or write down their contact information
30 Second Oral Reacutesumeacute Purpose It is important to practice your 30 second oral reacutesumeacute prior to attending a career fair The famous ldquoTell me about yourselfrdquo is a question that is always asked Whether the question is asked in a social setting an interview or a networking event a well-planned answer can set you apart from the crowd as well as spark additional conversation Begin preparing your oral reacutesumeacute by following the tips below
How to Prepare Your Oral Reacutesumeacute o Begin by brainstorming what you would want someone to know about you Write down all of your ideas o Consider including the following information in your oral reacutesumeacute
Job Objective Education and Training Skills
Accomplishments and Achievements Prior Employment Other Experience
o Narrow down your optionsmdashpick the top 5 things you want the person to know about you o Develop a paragraph that encompasses all of the things you wish to say o Practice makes perfect Read aloud your reacutesumeacute several times
Additional Tips Prepare more than one oral reacutesumeacute for various situations Practice your reacutesumeacute by calling your voicemail and later playing back the messagemdashthink about how it sounds and
what you would like to change Make sure that your oral reacutesumeacute will keep the listenerrsquos attention
Example Oral Reacutesumeacute Hi my name is ________ and I am a senior at IU Kokomo majoring in New Media I am looking for an internship experience in graphic designweb development Through my coursework I have developed strong computer and analytical skills Last summer I worked as an intern at the Kokomo Perspective to gain experience with print media At the Perspective I worked with the copy editor as well as the writing staff to gain experience in both fields I also volunteer at United Way developing and updating their website
Office of Career Services at IU Kokomo
28 |Kelley Student Center 200 2300 S Washington St PO Box 9003 Kokomo IN 46904-9003 (765)455-9301 fax (765)455-9537 carserviukedu wwwiukeducareer-
services
Send a Follow-up thank you note after Career Fair Send a thank you note or email to all whom you talked with within 48 hours of the career fair This shows that you are serious about their organization and will set you apart from many who neglect to do so
Be sure to remind the employer where you met them Thank you for taking the time to talk with me on Thursday at the career fair After talking with you I
am even more eager to work at _____ Summarize specific qualities and assets you obtain I am certain my education at IU Kokomo has enhanced my skill set and has provided a solid
background of knowledge in the _______ fieldhelliphellip Some experiences I have had the pleasure of doing arehellip This opportunity improved my work ethic and made me aware of my self-reliancehellip
Always attach your reacutesumeacute again for their convenience I have attached my reacutesumeacute for your convenience I look forward to an opportunity to further discuss
my qualifications You may contact me athellip (phone andor email address) Thank you again for your time and consideration
Sample Thank you
Thank you for taking the time to talk with me on Thursday November 9 at the career fair on IU Kokomorsquos campus I appreciate your time and attention and after talking with you I am even more interested in learning more about your organization You were extremely helpful in explaining companyrsquos name customer service and marketing trainee program Now that I have a better idea of what the position entails I am even more certain that I would be an asset to your team and to companyrsquos name My solid education from the IU Kokomo Communication Department and the fact that I have worked my way through college show the work ethic and determination you said were important to be successful at companyrsquos name I look forward to an opportunity to visit companyrsquos name office and speak to you further about the trainee program I will contact you next week to arrange an appointment Enclosed is an updated reacutesumeacute for your review Thank you again for your time and consideration Sincerely
Office of Career Services at IU Kokomo
29 |Kelley Student Center 200 2300 S Washington St PO Box 9003 Kokomo IN 46904-9003 (765)455-9301 fax (765)455-9537 carserviukedu wwwiukeducareer-
services
Knowledge and practice will give you the confidence you need to be prepared and give the best impression possible at an interview The following information will help prepare you for nearly any interview contingency being confidant that you can handle it is the best way to increase your chances of getting hired Here are a few things you can do to give yourself a head start
Questions to think about prior to your interview
1 Why do you want to work at this facility and what specific jobareas am I interested in a To Prepare research the facility
i Mission ii Population served
iii Financial stability iv Management style
b Learn about the job
i Job description ii Occupational outlook
iii Handbook iv employees
2 What qualities make me a good candidate
a To prepare self assessment i What are my strengths and weaknesses
ii What are my interests iii How do I know iv What kinds of results demonstrate my abilities
3 What type of shift working conditions salary and fringe benefits are most important to me (12 hours 10 hours 8
hours weekends flex-time insurance) a To prepare clarify values and lifestyle choices
i What are my values ii What kind of lifestyles do I want for myself and those close to me
4 How will I be trained
a To prepare How do I learn best i Do I need immediate feedback or can I learn well on my own
5 What are my goals Where do I want to be in 10 years
a To prepare Identify and prioritize career and life goals and objectives i Am I interested in supervision training management
ii How do I plan to reach these goals
6 What are the major issues and current events facing this specific field job occupation and company today
7 What can you bring to the organization
Office of Career Services at IU Kokomo
30 |Kelley Student Center 200 2300 S Washington St PO Box 9003 Kokomo IN 46904-9003 (765)455-9301 fax (765)455-9537 carserviukedu wwwiukeducareer-
services
Behavioral Interviews- Use the STAR Interviewing Technique for Success
The STAR acronym represents Situation Task Action and Result Recruiters and hiring managers favor the STAR technique because
it provides a better explanation of your past performance how you handle workplace challenges and whether youre able to articulate
your experiences STAR behavioral interviews are quickly becoming the most popular and common form of interview
Situation or
Task
Describe the situation that you were in or the task that you needed to accomplish You must
describe a specific event or situation not a generalized description of what you have done in
the past Be sure to give enough detail for the interviewer to understand This situation can be
from a previous job from a volunteer experience or any relevant event
Action you took Describe the action you took and be sure to keep the focus on you Even if you are discussing
a group project or effort describe what you did -- not the efforts of the team Dont tell what
you might do tell what you did
Results you achieved What happened How did the event end What did you accomplish What did you learn
For examples of past behavior use examples from
Internships
Work experience
Class projects
School activitiesorganizations you are involved with
Sports
Volunteercommunity service
Hobbies
Think about your accomplishments what are you most proud of that you want to share with the employer
How to prepare for behavior-based interviews
Identify 3-6 examples that demonstrate your top skills Look through the job description pinpoint the skills they are seeking
Pick experiences that demonstrate top behaviors of those skills
Prepare how you will ldquotell your storyrdquo using STAR
Pick examples that will be positive accomplishment
Most behavioral questions try to reveal the negative situations so be prepared with those examples However try to pick
examples that had a positive outcome
Try not to pick examples from only one topic Pick a variety of examples choosing examples from work class community
services etc
Typically the best examples are situations that happened within the last year
Go over your resume and review the accomplishments you have listed andor skills this could assist you with identifying
examples
LISTEN to the full question Be sure the example is an appropriate description of how you demonstrated what they are
asking for
Office of Career Services at IU Kokomo
31 |Kelley Student Center 200 2300 S Washington St PO Box 9003 Kokomo IN 46904-9003 (765)455-9301 fax (765)455-9537 carserviukedu wwwiukeducareer-
services
Sample Behavior-based Questions
Communication Skills
1 Give me a specific example of a time someone didnrsquot agree with your work How did you respond 2 Tell me about a time when you had to present complex information How did you ensure that everyone
understood what you were saying 3 Give an example about a time where written communication was needed
Decision Making Skills
1 What is the biggest decision or risk yoursquove made in the past year on the job Describe the process you used to make those decisions Would you do it again
2 Describe a time you overcame a challenge with an innovative solution What was the challenge What role did you play
Planning Organization Time management Skills
1 Please give an example of a time you didnrsquot meet your deadline Why did you fail to meet your deadline What did you learn from that experience
2 Give an example of how you keep track of multiple projects How do you stay on track and meet deadlines How do you stay focused
3 Describe a goal yoursquove had How you set it and achieved it
Flexibility Skills 1 Tell us about one of the toughest situations with which yoursquove had to deal with How did you handle the
stress or pressure of the situation Leadership Skills
1 Describe a time when you disagreed with a directive given by your supervisor What happened and how did you handle it
2 Give an example of a situation where team members or co-workers didnrsquot get along This could include you and someone else or two other people How did the project turn out What did you do to resolve the issue so everyone was able to work together
Office of Career Services at IU Kokomo
32 |Kelley Student Center 200 2300 S Washington St PO Box 9003 Kokomo IN 46904-9003 (765)455-9301 fax (765)455-9537 carserviukedu wwwiukeducareer-
services
Other Common Questions Asked by Employers
Personal 1 Tell me about yourself 2 Why did you choose to interview with our organization 3 Describe your ideal job 4 What can you offer us over another candidate 5 What do you consider to be your greatest strengths 6 Can you name some weaknesses 7 Define success Failure How did you learn from your failures 8 Name a couple accomplishments you most proud 9 Who are your role models Why 10 How does your college education or work experience relate to this job 11 What motivates you most in a job 12 Have you ever spoken before a group of people How large 13 What do you know about our organization (products or services) 14 Do you plan to return to school for further education 15 What would you change about yourself and why
Education
16 Why did you choose your major 17 Why did you choose to attend your college or university 18 Do you think you received a good education In what ways 19 In which campus activities did you participate 20 Which classes in your major did you like best Least Why 21 If you were to start over what would you change about your education 22 Do your grades accurately reflect your ability Why or why not
Experience
23 What job-related skills have you developed 24 Did you work while going to school In what positions 25 What did you learn from these work experiences 26 What did you enjoy most about your last employment Least 27 Have you ever quit a job Why 28 Give an example of how you have solved a problem in the work place 29 How do you resolve conflict on a team project 30 Give an example of a time in which you worked under deadline pressure 31 Have you ever done any volunteer work What kind 32 How do you think a former supervisor would describe your work
Career Goals
33 Do you prefer to work under supervision or on your own 34 What kind of boss do you prefer 35 Would you be successful working with a team 36 Do you prefer large or small organizations Why 37 What other types of positions are you considering 38 How do you feel about working in a structured environment 39 Are you able to work on several assignments at once 40 How do you feel about working overtime 41 How do you feel about travel 42 Are you willing to relocate
Office of Career Services at IU Kokomo
33 |Kelley Student Center 200 2300 S Washington St PO Box 9003 Kokomo IN 46904-9003 (765)455-9301 fax (765)455-9537 carserviukedu wwwiukeducareer-
services
Questions to Ask Employers
An interview is a two-way street Employers get an impression of you from the questions you ask Are you a critical thinker Did you comprehend and correctly process everything in the interview Have you done research and have a good grasp of the company and the scope of the position Your questions should be intelligent insightful and polite Have at least 3-5 custom questions in mind Employers look for someone who shows interest confidence and is well organized
1 Please describe (or ask them to clarify specifics) the duties of the job for me 2 Is this a new position or am I replacing someone 3 What do you like best about your jobcompany 4 What kinds of assignments might I expect the first six months on the job 5 What qualities are you looking for in the candidate who fills this position 6 Does your company encourage further education 7 Do you have plans for expansion 8 What are your growth projections for next year 9 Have you cut staff in the last three years 10 In what ways is a career with your company better than one with your competitors 11 What is the largest single problem facing your staff (department) now 12 Has there been much turnover in this job area 13 Will I have the opportunity to work on special projects 14 Where does this position fit into the organizational structure 15 How much travel if any is involved in this position 16 What is the next course of action When should I expect to hear from you or may I contact you
Interview Checklist Preparation Research research research Knowing more about the organization as a whole and the particular position you are applying for will be helpful in the interview It will help you understand questions that may be asked and will give you a chance to come up with questions to ask them The more research you conduct the more confident and comfortable you will feel in the interview It will also demonstrate to the employer how determined and pro-active you are about their company and the position you seek Get specific directions to the location If possible go there the day before and check out parking and the location of the office where your interview will be held
First Impression Put your best foot forward Remember the decision to hire you may be made in the first 5 minutes Always wait until they sit or invite you to be seated
Dress code Dress more formal than you would in the actual position Women should wear a suit or dress with a jacket Men should wear a suit or sport jacket and slacks Itrsquos a good idea to have an interview outfit ready and waiting (cleaned neat no threads or missing buttons) hanging in your closet Donrsquot wear anything too trendy or faddish (ladies no miniskirts) Check all zippers for closure and ladies should always have an extra pair of hose for emergencies Your style of dress communicates too what do you want it to say (See page 38)
Arrival Arrive a few minutes early to check out the location and parking Stop by the restroom and check your appearance Again you may want to check out the location the day before if you are unsure of the area
What to bring Always have an extra copy of your reacutesumeacute note paper and pen You will want to jot down questions as they may come about as well as information about the position Also write down the names of each person you interview with so you can mail a thank-you note
Application
Office of Career Services at IU Kokomo
34 |Kelley Student Center 200 2300 S Washington St PO Box 9003 Kokomo IN 46904-9003 (765)455-9301 fax (765)455-9537 carserviukedu wwwiukeducareer-
services
Read through the entire application before you begin Follow the directions Give specific titles You may leave the salary question blank or fill it in with a reasonable salary range Use NA where answers are not applicable Proofread the application before returning it
Legal and Illegal Pre-employment Questions CATEGORY LAWFUL
(Questions employers can ask)
UNLAWFUL (Questions employers cannot ask)
Name Have you ever worked for this company under a different name
Is any additional information relative to change of name use of an assumed name or nickname necessary to enable a check
on your work record If yes explain
What is your maiden name
Is the name on your application your real name
Address Where do you live
How long have you lived there
Birthplace Where were you born Where were your relatives born
Agebirth date Are you 18 years of age or older How old are you What is your birth date
Prove your age by submitting your birth certificate baptismal record
naturalization papers etc (see citizenship)
Photograph Requirement or option that applicant affix a photograph to employment form at
any time before hiring Citizenship Are you a citizen of the United States
If not are you authorized to work in the US
Can you verify US citizenship or your
right to work in the United States
Of what country are you a citizen Are you a naturalized or a native-born
citizen When did you acquire citizenship
Please produce naturalization papers or green card
(employers must verify citizenship or the right to work after theyrsquove decided to
extend an offer) Sex or Marital Status Are you male or female
Are you married What are your living arrangements
Relatives Do you have relatives (other than a spouse) already employed by the
company
What are their names
What are the names (addresses ages number or other information) of your
relatives not employed by the company
Children
Do you have children or plans to have children in the future
Do you have the capacity to reproduce Do you advocate any form of birth control
or family planning What are your child care arrangements
How old are your children
CATEGORY LAWFUL UNLAWFUL (Questions employers can ask) (Questions employers cannot ask)
Disability Do you have any impairment
(physical mental or medical) which would interfere with your ability to perform the job for which you have
applied
Do you have any disabilities or diseases not related to job
performance
Arrest record Have you ever been convicted of a criminal offense other than minor
traffic violations If yes explain fully
Have you ever been arrested
Experienced Please describe your work experience
Travel Overtime This position requires X amount of overtimetravel Would you be able
to meet this requirement
Who will care for your children when you travel or work overtime
Would your spouse object if you
traveled or worked overtime Language What languages do you speak and
write fluently What is your native language
How did you learn to read write or
speak a foreign language Education Please describe your academic
vocational or professional education and the public and private schools you attended
What are the dates of attendance
(To permit verification)
Notice in case of emergency What are the names and addresses of people to be notified in case of
accident or emergency (can be asked after hire)
Military experience Have you served in the US Armed Forces or in the National Guard
Describe your experience
Do you have any military experience
(other than in the United States) Organizations Do you belong to any organizations
which you consider relevant to your ability to perform this job Please
explain
Are you a member of any clubs societies or lodges
Which ones
Race or color What racecolor are you Are you a minority
Religion or creed What is your religion To which parishchurch do you
belong What religious holidays do you
observe National Origin What is your (or relatives) lineage
ancestry national origin descent percentage or nationality
Office of Career Services at IU Kokomo
36 |Kelley Student Center 200 2300 S Washington St PO Box 9003 Kokomo IN 46904-9003 (765)455-9301 fax (765)455-9537 carserviukedu wwwiukeducareer-
services
After the interview After you have interviewed for a position there are some things to do that may improve your chances
Send a Follow-up thank you note within 24 hours
This shows that you are serious about their organization and will set you apart from many who neglect to do so By taking the
time to email or write a handwritten letter thanking them for taking their time to meet with you Summarize specific qualities
you have and let them know you look forward in speaking with them further about employment
Sample Thank you
Dear Intervieweersquos Name Thank you for taking the time to talk with me on Thursday November 9 at the interview for list specifics of position and company) I appreciate your time and attention and after talking with you I am even more interested in becoming a valuable team member at companyrsquos name You were extremely helpful in explaining list position Now that I have a better idea of what the position entails I am even more certain that I would be an asset to your team and to companyrsquos name My solid education from the IU Kokomo Communication Department and the fact that I have worked my way through college show the work ethic and determination you said were important to be successful at companyrsquos name I look forward to an opportunity to work with companyrsquos name office and speak to you further about the program I will contact you next week to follow up and provide you with any further information that you may need Thank you again for your time and consideration Sincerely
Your name
The Stall Letter
There may be situations that you will need time to figure out whether a job is a good fit or have more than one position to accept or decline The stall letter is a good tool to have in this case In the introduction refer to the job offer or event that is prompting the letter In the second paragraph state your continued interest in the position but request more time to gather further information or to consider all alternatives and opportunities in order to make the best choice for the position and the company as well as yourself Give a specific time extension request If you need 24 hours for example ask for that Ask for the minimal amount of time in order to make your decision Remember this is a request and does not guarantee that the employer will accept it and be prepared for the possibility that they will not grant the time and choose another candidate In the conclusion thank them for their time and understanding and indicate when you will contact them to discuss the terms of the possible extension
Sample Stall Letter
Dear name of person that offered the position This letter is in reference to list company name and your offer of list the position I would like to take this opportunity to thank you for the opportunity and express my continued interest in the position At this time I would like to request __hours to gather some vital information in order to be completely confidant that I am making the best and most informed decision possible I want to ensure for all parties involved that I have considered all options and alternatives to be certain that my acceptance of this list position is the correct course of action for us both I appreciate your understanding and valuable time and look forward to speaking with you at your earliest convenience today so that we may discuss the terms of my request Sincerely Your Name
Office of Career Services at IU Kokomo
37 |Kelley Student Center 200 2300 S Washington St PO Box 9003 Kokomo IN 46904-9003 (765)455-9301 fax (765)455-9537 carserviukedu wwwiukeducareer-
services
Acceptance of a Job Offer Letter
Responding in writing to a job offer shows courtesy and is expected It reduces the chance of any misunderstanding that verbal acceptances do not In the first paragraph thank the employer for offering the specific position title and say that you are happy to accept it In the second paragraph state the terms of employment (salary location and start date) Emphasize any negotiations of terms that were unusual or non-standard if there were any In the last paragraph thank the employer sincerely for the opportunity and express your excitement to join their organization and be a valuable asset to them
Sample Job Offer Acceptance Letter
Dear person who offered position
I am happy to have the opportunity to accept the position of list title
The following terms of the position as I understood them include a salary of list salaryrate of pay at List location and to begin employment on list date As we discussed instead of the typical work week we agreed to the addition of evening and weekend hours during the probationary period with a return to usual business hours after 90 days We also agreed to a company vehicle provision for any off site training and appointments during the course of my employment
I truly look forward to becoming a valued member of your team and I am anticipating a productive and positive professional relationship with list company
Sincerely Your Name
Decline or Withdrawing from Consideration Letter
There may be times that you wish to decline or remove yourself from consideration from a position Doing this on a positive
and respectful note decreases the chance that future opportunities will be missed either as a future employee or possible
professional contact with the firm Thank the employer for the opportunity but decline it based on your reasons Be sure to
specifically name the person that was in charge of the hiring process If the decline is due to a term that was offered be
specific the firm could always choose to negotiate that term to better suit your situation
Date
Dear List person
Thank you very much for offering me the list position After careful consideration I regret that I must decline your offer
Although you were most encouraging in outlining future advancement possibilities within ABC Company I have accepted another
opportunity that is more in line with my skills and career goals or I found list the term to be out of line with my needs and
goals
I enjoyed meeting you and the rest of your team You have been most kind and gracious throughout the interview process and I
only wish that circumstances allowed me to accept your offer
Best wishes for your continued success
Sincerely
Your Name
Office of Career Services at IU Kokomo
38 |Kelley Student Center 200 2300 S Washington St PO Box 9003 Kokomo IN 46904-9003 (765)455-9301 fax (765)455-9537 carserviukedu wwwiukeducareer-
services
____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
This packet contains a lot of valuable information to help you achieve all the goals that an education from IU Kokomo
will prepare you for Use this as a guide for every step of the way from your freshman year graduation and beyond
Office of Career Services at IU Kokomo
18 |Kelley Student Center 200 2300 S Washington St PO Box 9003 Kokomo IN 46904-9003 (765)455-9301 fax (765)455-9537 carserviukedu wwwiukeducareer-
services
SCANNABLE REacuteSUMEacute CHECKLIST
Resume scanning is more commonly used by employers to seek out employees When a computer will be the first to
read your reacutesumeacute it should be altered If the scannable reacutesumeacute meets the computer criteria it will then be seen by
the employer
1 Left justify the entire document
2 Use key words or short phrases to describe your qualifications and abilities Use
jargon and acronyms specific to your industry Check the job listings and
industry-related materials for current buzzwords
3 Increase your list of key words by including specific names of products and
services such as Microsoft Word or Lotus Notes
4 Use nouns more than verbs For instance say ldquoproject managerrdquo instead of
ldquoimplemented projectrdquo
5 Use common section headings such as Objective Experience Employment
Work History Positions Held Appointments and Skills Use boldface andor all
CAPITAL LETTERS for each of these section headings as long as the letters
donrsquot touch each other
6 Minimize abbreviations except for common ones such as MBA or CEO
7 Use a 10- to 14- point font size Use standard typefaces such as Times New Roman Arial New Century
or Courier
8 Avoid italics script and underlined passages Minimize use of hyphens bullets or dashes Boldface is accepted by
most systems unless the employer advises otherwise
9 Avoid graphics shadings vertical or horizontal lines and boxes The scanner
reads text not graphics
10 Print your reacutesumeacute on 8frac12 X 11 inch white paper of average thickness on one
side only using a laser or other letter-quality paper Donrsquot staple or fold
multiple-page reacutesumeacutes Always make sure your name is on all pages
11 Donrsquot condense spacing between letters
12 Use enough white space between sections Computers use white space to
differentiate between topics
13 When faxing set the fax machine on ldquofine moderdquo instead of ldquostandard moderdquo
Office of Career Services at IU Kokomo
19 |Kelley Student Center 200 2300 S Washington St PO Box 9003 Kokomo IN 46904-9003 (765)455-9301 fax (765)455-9537 carserviukedu wwwiukeducareer-
services
Scannable reacutesumeacute example
NAME IN CAPS
Current address
555 Candy Lane
Kokomo IN 46901
765 555 ndash 2424
Permanent address
444 Peppermint Lane
Indianapolis IN 46077
317 555 ndash 1234
OBJECTIVE (Optional)
A fulltime position in the area that is my expertisehellip (You fill it in-see suggested buzz-word list)
EDUCATION
Indiana University Kokomo IN
Bachelor of Science in Management
Minor Management Information Systems MIS
GPA 36 40
Major GPA 38 40
Graduation May 2014
SIGNIFICANT COURSES
Fill in with significant core courses for your major that apply to the job Use one line per course
SKILLS
Proficient with (pc programs that you are proficient in and are applicable)
Any other skills that are applicable (see buzz-word list)
WORK EXPERIENCE
Bold the Job Title
Basic job description as it applies to job applying for Dates employed (begin with most recent)
Use buzz-word list based on your occupation and relevant to the position being applied for
Office of Career Services at IU Kokomo
20 |Kelley Student Center 200 2300 S Washington St PO Box 9003 Kokomo IN 46904-9003 (765)455-9301 fax (765)455-9537 carserviukedu wwwiukeducareer-
services
Cover Letters Cover letters are an additional component of a reacutesumeacute Customize every letter to each company andor position of interest
Address it to the person listed on the position advertisement or the person that you know has the authority to hire Finding this may
take some investigation to discover if the name is not announced on the position advertisement PO boxes are often used to filter
reacutesumeacutes and you can find the owner of the box by calling the post office and asking who owns the box with that number Having
this information to address the cover letter with will set you apart from those who do not
Cover letter Format Date Employers Name Use the name of the person stated in the job posting or contact the company for the contact person address and the correct spelling) Position or title Company Name Address Suite number or floor (if there is one) City state Zip Salutation Dear Mr or Ms Or Dear Sir or Madam (use the last name only of the person you listed above) If you have made every effort to find out but do not know the name or gender or the individual use a unisex greeting of Dear Manager or Dear Director Paragraph one (Introduction) State which position you are applying for and where you heard about the opening If the position was advertised refer to where it was advertised (Indianapolis Star or higheredcom) Be enthusiastic and confident about the position with a brief statement about why you are the right fit for the job Paragraph two (Body) Explain why you want to work for this company and how your skills experience and qualifications directly relate to the position You can also include your personal traits and strengths that would be an asset for the job Summarize why you are an excellent candidate for the position Highlight key examples and how they match what the company is seeking There are likely other prospective employees that are competing for this position It is very important that you highlight qualities that will set you apart and show uniqueness You are marketing yourself in this paragraph so be sure to sell the idea that you are the best one to interview and the best fit for this employer Most advertisements will list the requirements that are desired andor required for the position Be sure to detail how you meet each of those requirements Do not point out to the reader if there is a requirement that you donrsquot currently possess just do not reference that in your letter The purpose of a cover letter is to highlight the positives and do not bring up any negatives Paragraph three (Conclusion) State that you would like the opportunity to personally discuss your qualifications Indicate where you can be reached phone andor email A good sentence to use would look like ldquoI may be reached at 555-555-1234 or nameiukedurdquo Make sure to thank the reader for their time and consideration Closing Sincerely or Yours truly or Respectfully yours Signature (blue or black ink only) Your Name (Typed)
Office of Career Services at IU Kokomo
21 |Kelley Student Center 200 2300 S Washington St PO Box 9003 Kokomo IN 46904-9003 (765)455-9301 fax (765)455-9537 carserviukedu wwwiukeducareer-
services
References
Reference lists should always be available and prepared with 3-4 professional references
Do
Do get permission from each reference you plan to use
Do give each reference a copy of your reacutesumeacute to have as a guide
Do choose references that are well informed and have good verbal and written communication skills
Do Not
Do not use relatives personal friends or students as a reference
Letters of Recommendation
A letter of recommendation provides relevant information that is honest positive and portrays a up-front outlook of the skills
and potential capabilities you possess It can describe personality performance and skill attributes knowledge and
competency level
The following are suggestions of individuals who may be qualified to write a letter of recommendation
Executive Director
Vice President
Supervisors
Co-workers
CustomersClients
Subordinates
Professors
Counsellors
Coaches
Doctors
Lawyers
Ministers
Community Leaders
Office of Career Services at IU Kokomo
22 |Kelley Student Center 200 2300 S Washington St PO Box 9003 Kokomo IN 46904-9003 (765)455-9301 fax (765)455-9537 carserviukedu wwwiukeducareer-
services
Key WordsAction Words
Actively Established Evaluate Participated Schedule Coordinate Increased Proposed Strategy Created Launched Reduced Support Effect Eliminate Organized Originate
Approve Generate Program Solve Control Improve Recommend Supervise Direct Manage Motivated Responsibilities Revise Analyze Founded Pinpointed Set up
Completed Interpret Proficient Successfully Demonstrate Maintain Revamped Responsible Administer Expedite Plan Simplicity Conduct Implemented Provide Streamline Develop
Lecture Reorganized Accelerated Adapted Expanded Perform Significantly Conceived Influence Proved Structure Delegate Lead Reinforced Teach
Self-Describing Words Professional Active Diplomatic Loyal Respective Analytical Attentive Determined Logical Resourceful Ambitious Efficient Energetic Independent
Reliable Alert Economical Objective Optimistic Realistic Aggressive Discrete Methodical Sense-of-humor Sincere Adaptable Disciplined Mature
Self-reliant Broad-minded Enterprising Personable Tactful Creative Imaginative Perceptive Systematic Constructive Forceful Productive Sophisticated Consistent
Fair Practical Will relocate Conscientious Extroverted Positive Will travel Enthusiastic Pleasant Talented Dependable Trustworthy Ethical
Keywords for Interpersonal Traits Ability to delegate Accurate Assertive Creative Ethical Follow up Leadership Oral communication Public speaking Self accountable Supportive Tenacious
Ability to implement Adaptable Communication skill Customer oriented Flexible High energy Multitasking Organizational skills Results oriented Self management Takes initiative Willing to travel
Ability to plan Aggressive Competitive Detail minded Follow instructions Industrious Open minded Persuasive Risk taking Sensitive Team building Ability to train
Analytical ability Conceptual ability Empowering others Follow through Innovated Open communication Problem solving Safety conscious Setting priorities Team player
Office of Career Services at IU Kokomo
23 |Kelley Student Center 200 2300 S Washington St PO Box 9003 Kokomo IN 46904-9003 (765)455-9301 fax (765)455-9537 carserviukedu wwwiukeducareer-
services
Sample of Occupational Keywords Occupational keywords include skills titles and occupational buzz words Account manager Accounts receivable Acquisitions Bachelors Degree Bank Card Bank reconciliation Batch processing Benchmarking Blueprint reading Brochures Budget Bulletins CAD Calibrator Carpentry Cash Flow Cell Culture Media Cement Child Care Claims Justification Commercial Leasing Copy Editing Counselor Crisis Management Cross-culture training Debugging Decision making Demographics Dental management Die casting Dietitian Drywall Ecology Electronics Employee assistance Engineer Financial planning Food preparation Gas pipeline Goal setting Graphic design Grant writer Guest services Harnessing Hiringfiring Hotel ISO 9000
Journalism Journeyman Layout design Logic analyzer Magnetic theory Manager Marketing Masterrsquos Degree Microprocessor Microsoft word Nursing Oscillator Pelletizing Patient advocate Payroll Personal computer Process metallurgy Proposal writing Psychology Public Relations Purchasing Radio Raw materials Receptionist Reporter Research Sales Secretarial Software modeling Spanish Spreadsheets Statistical Process Control Stick Welding Strategic Planning Student Personnel Supervisor Taxonomy Teacher Technical Writing Time Management Transportation Travel Wave Solder WordPerfect Workflow Writer
Office of Career Services at IU Kokomo
24 |Kelley Student Center 200 2300 S Washington St PO Box 9003 Kokomo IN 46904-9003 (765)455-9301 fax (765)455-9537 carserviukedu wwwiukeducareer-
services
ACTION WORDS
ORGANIZATIONAL Assembled Enforced Prepared Reorganized
Collected Executed Planned Scheduled
Centralized Formalized Processed Updated
Coordinated Implemented Routed Catalogued
Maintained Recorded
LEADERSHIPAllocated Hired Operated Spearheaded Determined Initiated
Oversaw Sponsored Directed Inspired Pioneered Staged
Elected Instituted Presided Started Enlisted Led
Produced Supervised Formed Managed Recruited Founded
Moderated Represented Governed Motivated Selected
COMMUNICATION SKILLS Acquainted Drafted Introduced Summarized Apprised Educated
Lectured Taught Answered Explained Listened
Trained Briefed Familiarized Presented Translated Conducted
Handled Reported Wrote Contacted Informed Responded
Demonstrated Instructed Spoke
RESEARCH Analyzed Detected Examined Researched
Assessed Discovered Gathered Searched
Audited Documented Identified Surveyed
Compiled Edited Interpreted Tested
Consulted Evaluated Interviewed
CREATIVITY Authored Created Devised
Originated Conceived Composed
Established Revolutionized Conceptualized
Designed Invented
HELPING SKILLS Aided Counseled Helped Supported
Attended Comforted Instilled Tutored
Assisted Facilitated Mentored Treated
Collaborated Fostered Provided Contributed
Guided Settled
SELLING Arbitrated Marketed Promoted
Secured Convinced Mediated
Publicized Solicited
Dissuaded Negotiated Resolved
Encouraged Persuaded Sold
OTHER ACTION VERBS Adapted Developed Generated Revamped Attained Ensured Improved Revitalized
Augmented Eliminated Increased Saved Awarded Exceeded Launched Shopped
Boosted Excelled Mastered Strengthened Broadened Expanded Modernized Supplemented
Built Expedited Published Tended Calculated Fabricated Raised Utilized
Catered Financed Reconciled Decreased Gained Reduced
Office of Career Services at IU Kokomo
25 |Kelley Student Center 200 2300 S Washington St PO Box 9003 Kokomo IN 46904-9003 (765)455-9301 fax (765)455-9537 carserviukedu wwwiukeducareer-
services
Transferable Skills-Skills you have acquired from your education and employment experience that you can market to new employers
Communication the skillful expression transmission and interpretation of knowledge and ideas
Speaking effectively Writing concisely Listening attentively Expressing ideas Facilitating group discussion Providing appropriate feedback Negotiating
Perceiving nonverbal messages Persuading Reporting information Describing feelings Interviewing Editing
Research and Planning the search for specific knowledge and the ability to conceptualize future needs and solutions for meeting those needs
Forecasting predicting Creating ideas Identifying problems Imagining alternatives Identifying resources Gathering information
Solving problems Setting goals Extracting important information Defining needs Analyzing Developing evaluation strategies
Human Relations the use of interpersonal skills for resolving conflict relating to and helping people Developing rapport Being Sensitive Listening Conveying feelings Providing support for others Motivating Sharing credit
Counseling Cooperating Delegating with respect Representing others Perceiving feelings situations Asserting
Organization Management and Leadership the ability to supervise direct and guide individuals and groups in the completion of tasks and fulfillment of goals Work Survival the day-to-day skills that assist in promoting effective production and work satisfaction
Implementing decisions Cooperating Enforcing policies Being punctual Managing time Attending to detail Meeting goals Enlisting help Accepting responsibility Setting and meeting deadlines Organizing Making decisions
Initiating new ideas Handling details Coordinating tasks Managing groups Delegating responsibility Teaching Coaching Counseling Promoting change Selling ideas or products Decision making with others Managing conflict
Office of Career Services at IU Kokomo
26 |Kelley Student Center 200 2300 S Washington St PO Box 9003 Kokomo IN 46904-9003 (765)455-9301 fax (765)455-9537 carserviukedu wwwiukeducareer-
services
After you have the perfect reacutesumeacute it is time to hit the road and put your skills into action Career Fairs will help put you in communication with prospective employers and give you valuable practice for interviews
Achieve Results and Get the Most Out of a Career Fair
Attend as many job fairs as you can Not only will practice make perfect but it will expand your network of career contacts Make sure to ask precise questions and be prepared to answer specific questions the employers have regarding your background and capabilities Before the Job Fair- Be Prepared
Create a reacutesumeacute and have it reviewed by a career counselor Create a list of 3-5 references in case they are requested (Be sure to ask your references for their help before
including them on the list) Create your 30-second oral reacutesumeacute and practice practice practice Review the employer list Determine where employers are located and in what order to visit them Broaden your focus and include different types of employers For instance although you may not have thought of
working for a hospital hospitals recruit and hire professionals in many different fields Do your research Look up information about the employers of interest
o Check their websites for information about their productsservices and mission statement o What types of jobs do they have open o What kind of people are they looking for o What kind of skills do these people need to have How do you meet their skill requirements o Develop some questions you would like to ask the employer representatives at the fair
Network Network Network with people you know and via social network sites like Linked-In and Facebook for more information about the companies Also seek contact with employees you might know or seek information from alumni who work there
During the Job Fair Dress for success (See page 38) Assume you will be interviewed and dress the part Even if you dont get an interview
at the job fair you have already made a great impression Always have a penpencil and paper to take notes- a portfolio works best Bring plenty of reacutesumeacutes with you While some companies will be seeking employees for specific positions some
employers will collect reacutesumeacutes for future positions Be sure to get all of the contact information you need to complete an application
Make sure to have copies of your reference list in case an employer asks First impressions are everything Be direct have a firm handshake and make eye contact as you greet employers This
will speak volumes about your confidence If you are only gathering information let employers know that you are only interested in materials and information
Be aware of time demands of employers Do not monopolize the employersrsquo time You should have already done your homework about their company so you can better spend your time asking about the positions available (or available in the near future) and how your skills match their needs Give them your 30-second oral reacutesumeacute and impress them with what you feel you can do for their company Since practice makes perfect donrsquot give up if the first attempt doesnrsquot go well Keep trying with other employers
Ask specific questions and collect information from each booth you visit including business cards from the employer representatives Offer to follow up after the fair and ask what the best way to contact them is
After the Job Fair You now have a prime opportunity to make a distinctive impression
Use those business cards you collected to follow up with each employer you are interested in Be sure to do everything you promised at the job fair Complete the application and upload your reacutesumeacute Send a thank-you note or email to all whom you talked with within 48 hours of the career fair This shows that you
are serious about their organization and will set you apart from many who neglect to do so If you follow up on your application for a position be sure to follow the preferred contact method and dont overdo it Stay in contact and use this experience to expand your network Submit an additional or amended reacutesumeacute during your follow-up contacts if need be Follow-up and follow-through contacts are up to the student be persistent and polite
Office of Career Services at IU Kokomo
27 |Kelley Student Center 200 2300 S Washington St PO Box 9003 Kokomo IN 46904-9003 (765)455-9301 fax (765)455-9537 carserviukedu wwwiukeducareer-
services
Additional information-what employers are expecting at a career fair
What Will Impress Employers o Demonstrate that you have done your homework and researched their company o Be prepared Have your reacutesumeacute critiqued by Career Services and bring plenty of copies with you Develop
questions to ask smile and courteously and enthusiastically engage the representatives o Have a firm hand shake and good eye contact- dress for success o Never ask about salary let them bring up the subject o An expectation that you will be responsible for following up with them including a thank you note or letter o Take the initiative Walk up to them and engage the employers they want to speak to you
What Employers May Want to Learn About You o Specific careerjob objectives What are your expectations o Individual strengths and weaknesses Have specific examples that demonstrate your skills develop short
stories that showcase your skills (Remember a job fair is time sensitive and you donrsquot want to take up too much time of one employer)
o Contributions you will make to the operation Remember be specific now is not the time to blandly or generically discuss what you can do
What You Should Learn About Each Company o Employment trends Career Fairs are excellent resources for information about career decision-making o Skills necessary for different careersjobs Have meaningful conversations with representatives o Currentfuture positions o Salary benefits training and other information about the company (again let the employer bring up salary) o Who to contact for follow-up discussions and what their hiring processes are get specifics o Collect their business card or write down their contact information
30 Second Oral Reacutesumeacute Purpose It is important to practice your 30 second oral reacutesumeacute prior to attending a career fair The famous ldquoTell me about yourselfrdquo is a question that is always asked Whether the question is asked in a social setting an interview or a networking event a well-planned answer can set you apart from the crowd as well as spark additional conversation Begin preparing your oral reacutesumeacute by following the tips below
How to Prepare Your Oral Reacutesumeacute o Begin by brainstorming what you would want someone to know about you Write down all of your ideas o Consider including the following information in your oral reacutesumeacute
Job Objective Education and Training Skills
Accomplishments and Achievements Prior Employment Other Experience
o Narrow down your optionsmdashpick the top 5 things you want the person to know about you o Develop a paragraph that encompasses all of the things you wish to say o Practice makes perfect Read aloud your reacutesumeacute several times
Additional Tips Prepare more than one oral reacutesumeacute for various situations Practice your reacutesumeacute by calling your voicemail and later playing back the messagemdashthink about how it sounds and
what you would like to change Make sure that your oral reacutesumeacute will keep the listenerrsquos attention
Example Oral Reacutesumeacute Hi my name is ________ and I am a senior at IU Kokomo majoring in New Media I am looking for an internship experience in graphic designweb development Through my coursework I have developed strong computer and analytical skills Last summer I worked as an intern at the Kokomo Perspective to gain experience with print media At the Perspective I worked with the copy editor as well as the writing staff to gain experience in both fields I also volunteer at United Way developing and updating their website
Office of Career Services at IU Kokomo
28 |Kelley Student Center 200 2300 S Washington St PO Box 9003 Kokomo IN 46904-9003 (765)455-9301 fax (765)455-9537 carserviukedu wwwiukeducareer-
services
Send a Follow-up thank you note after Career Fair Send a thank you note or email to all whom you talked with within 48 hours of the career fair This shows that you are serious about their organization and will set you apart from many who neglect to do so
Be sure to remind the employer where you met them Thank you for taking the time to talk with me on Thursday at the career fair After talking with you I
am even more eager to work at _____ Summarize specific qualities and assets you obtain I am certain my education at IU Kokomo has enhanced my skill set and has provided a solid
background of knowledge in the _______ fieldhelliphellip Some experiences I have had the pleasure of doing arehellip This opportunity improved my work ethic and made me aware of my self-reliancehellip
Always attach your reacutesumeacute again for their convenience I have attached my reacutesumeacute for your convenience I look forward to an opportunity to further discuss
my qualifications You may contact me athellip (phone andor email address) Thank you again for your time and consideration
Sample Thank you
Thank you for taking the time to talk with me on Thursday November 9 at the career fair on IU Kokomorsquos campus I appreciate your time and attention and after talking with you I am even more interested in learning more about your organization You were extremely helpful in explaining companyrsquos name customer service and marketing trainee program Now that I have a better idea of what the position entails I am even more certain that I would be an asset to your team and to companyrsquos name My solid education from the IU Kokomo Communication Department and the fact that I have worked my way through college show the work ethic and determination you said were important to be successful at companyrsquos name I look forward to an opportunity to visit companyrsquos name office and speak to you further about the trainee program I will contact you next week to arrange an appointment Enclosed is an updated reacutesumeacute for your review Thank you again for your time and consideration Sincerely
Office of Career Services at IU Kokomo
29 |Kelley Student Center 200 2300 S Washington St PO Box 9003 Kokomo IN 46904-9003 (765)455-9301 fax (765)455-9537 carserviukedu wwwiukeducareer-
services
Knowledge and practice will give you the confidence you need to be prepared and give the best impression possible at an interview The following information will help prepare you for nearly any interview contingency being confidant that you can handle it is the best way to increase your chances of getting hired Here are a few things you can do to give yourself a head start
Questions to think about prior to your interview
1 Why do you want to work at this facility and what specific jobareas am I interested in a To Prepare research the facility
i Mission ii Population served
iii Financial stability iv Management style
b Learn about the job
i Job description ii Occupational outlook
iii Handbook iv employees
2 What qualities make me a good candidate
a To prepare self assessment i What are my strengths and weaknesses
ii What are my interests iii How do I know iv What kinds of results demonstrate my abilities
3 What type of shift working conditions salary and fringe benefits are most important to me (12 hours 10 hours 8
hours weekends flex-time insurance) a To prepare clarify values and lifestyle choices
i What are my values ii What kind of lifestyles do I want for myself and those close to me
4 How will I be trained
a To prepare How do I learn best i Do I need immediate feedback or can I learn well on my own
5 What are my goals Where do I want to be in 10 years
a To prepare Identify and prioritize career and life goals and objectives i Am I interested in supervision training management
ii How do I plan to reach these goals
6 What are the major issues and current events facing this specific field job occupation and company today
7 What can you bring to the organization
Office of Career Services at IU Kokomo
30 |Kelley Student Center 200 2300 S Washington St PO Box 9003 Kokomo IN 46904-9003 (765)455-9301 fax (765)455-9537 carserviukedu wwwiukeducareer-
services
Behavioral Interviews- Use the STAR Interviewing Technique for Success
The STAR acronym represents Situation Task Action and Result Recruiters and hiring managers favor the STAR technique because
it provides a better explanation of your past performance how you handle workplace challenges and whether youre able to articulate
your experiences STAR behavioral interviews are quickly becoming the most popular and common form of interview
Situation or
Task
Describe the situation that you were in or the task that you needed to accomplish You must
describe a specific event or situation not a generalized description of what you have done in
the past Be sure to give enough detail for the interviewer to understand This situation can be
from a previous job from a volunteer experience or any relevant event
Action you took Describe the action you took and be sure to keep the focus on you Even if you are discussing
a group project or effort describe what you did -- not the efforts of the team Dont tell what
you might do tell what you did
Results you achieved What happened How did the event end What did you accomplish What did you learn
For examples of past behavior use examples from
Internships
Work experience
Class projects
School activitiesorganizations you are involved with
Sports
Volunteercommunity service
Hobbies
Think about your accomplishments what are you most proud of that you want to share with the employer
How to prepare for behavior-based interviews
Identify 3-6 examples that demonstrate your top skills Look through the job description pinpoint the skills they are seeking
Pick experiences that demonstrate top behaviors of those skills
Prepare how you will ldquotell your storyrdquo using STAR
Pick examples that will be positive accomplishment
Most behavioral questions try to reveal the negative situations so be prepared with those examples However try to pick
examples that had a positive outcome
Try not to pick examples from only one topic Pick a variety of examples choosing examples from work class community
services etc
Typically the best examples are situations that happened within the last year
Go over your resume and review the accomplishments you have listed andor skills this could assist you with identifying
examples
LISTEN to the full question Be sure the example is an appropriate description of how you demonstrated what they are
asking for
Office of Career Services at IU Kokomo
31 |Kelley Student Center 200 2300 S Washington St PO Box 9003 Kokomo IN 46904-9003 (765)455-9301 fax (765)455-9537 carserviukedu wwwiukeducareer-
services
Sample Behavior-based Questions
Communication Skills
1 Give me a specific example of a time someone didnrsquot agree with your work How did you respond 2 Tell me about a time when you had to present complex information How did you ensure that everyone
understood what you were saying 3 Give an example about a time where written communication was needed
Decision Making Skills
1 What is the biggest decision or risk yoursquove made in the past year on the job Describe the process you used to make those decisions Would you do it again
2 Describe a time you overcame a challenge with an innovative solution What was the challenge What role did you play
Planning Organization Time management Skills
1 Please give an example of a time you didnrsquot meet your deadline Why did you fail to meet your deadline What did you learn from that experience
2 Give an example of how you keep track of multiple projects How do you stay on track and meet deadlines How do you stay focused
3 Describe a goal yoursquove had How you set it and achieved it
Flexibility Skills 1 Tell us about one of the toughest situations with which yoursquove had to deal with How did you handle the
stress or pressure of the situation Leadership Skills
1 Describe a time when you disagreed with a directive given by your supervisor What happened and how did you handle it
2 Give an example of a situation where team members or co-workers didnrsquot get along This could include you and someone else or two other people How did the project turn out What did you do to resolve the issue so everyone was able to work together
Office of Career Services at IU Kokomo
32 |Kelley Student Center 200 2300 S Washington St PO Box 9003 Kokomo IN 46904-9003 (765)455-9301 fax (765)455-9537 carserviukedu wwwiukeducareer-
services
Other Common Questions Asked by Employers
Personal 1 Tell me about yourself 2 Why did you choose to interview with our organization 3 Describe your ideal job 4 What can you offer us over another candidate 5 What do you consider to be your greatest strengths 6 Can you name some weaknesses 7 Define success Failure How did you learn from your failures 8 Name a couple accomplishments you most proud 9 Who are your role models Why 10 How does your college education or work experience relate to this job 11 What motivates you most in a job 12 Have you ever spoken before a group of people How large 13 What do you know about our organization (products or services) 14 Do you plan to return to school for further education 15 What would you change about yourself and why
Education
16 Why did you choose your major 17 Why did you choose to attend your college or university 18 Do you think you received a good education In what ways 19 In which campus activities did you participate 20 Which classes in your major did you like best Least Why 21 If you were to start over what would you change about your education 22 Do your grades accurately reflect your ability Why or why not
Experience
23 What job-related skills have you developed 24 Did you work while going to school In what positions 25 What did you learn from these work experiences 26 What did you enjoy most about your last employment Least 27 Have you ever quit a job Why 28 Give an example of how you have solved a problem in the work place 29 How do you resolve conflict on a team project 30 Give an example of a time in which you worked under deadline pressure 31 Have you ever done any volunteer work What kind 32 How do you think a former supervisor would describe your work
Career Goals
33 Do you prefer to work under supervision or on your own 34 What kind of boss do you prefer 35 Would you be successful working with a team 36 Do you prefer large or small organizations Why 37 What other types of positions are you considering 38 How do you feel about working in a structured environment 39 Are you able to work on several assignments at once 40 How do you feel about working overtime 41 How do you feel about travel 42 Are you willing to relocate
Office of Career Services at IU Kokomo
33 |Kelley Student Center 200 2300 S Washington St PO Box 9003 Kokomo IN 46904-9003 (765)455-9301 fax (765)455-9537 carserviukedu wwwiukeducareer-
services
Questions to Ask Employers
An interview is a two-way street Employers get an impression of you from the questions you ask Are you a critical thinker Did you comprehend and correctly process everything in the interview Have you done research and have a good grasp of the company and the scope of the position Your questions should be intelligent insightful and polite Have at least 3-5 custom questions in mind Employers look for someone who shows interest confidence and is well organized
1 Please describe (or ask them to clarify specifics) the duties of the job for me 2 Is this a new position or am I replacing someone 3 What do you like best about your jobcompany 4 What kinds of assignments might I expect the first six months on the job 5 What qualities are you looking for in the candidate who fills this position 6 Does your company encourage further education 7 Do you have plans for expansion 8 What are your growth projections for next year 9 Have you cut staff in the last three years 10 In what ways is a career with your company better than one with your competitors 11 What is the largest single problem facing your staff (department) now 12 Has there been much turnover in this job area 13 Will I have the opportunity to work on special projects 14 Where does this position fit into the organizational structure 15 How much travel if any is involved in this position 16 What is the next course of action When should I expect to hear from you or may I contact you
Interview Checklist Preparation Research research research Knowing more about the organization as a whole and the particular position you are applying for will be helpful in the interview It will help you understand questions that may be asked and will give you a chance to come up with questions to ask them The more research you conduct the more confident and comfortable you will feel in the interview It will also demonstrate to the employer how determined and pro-active you are about their company and the position you seek Get specific directions to the location If possible go there the day before and check out parking and the location of the office where your interview will be held
First Impression Put your best foot forward Remember the decision to hire you may be made in the first 5 minutes Always wait until they sit or invite you to be seated
Dress code Dress more formal than you would in the actual position Women should wear a suit or dress with a jacket Men should wear a suit or sport jacket and slacks Itrsquos a good idea to have an interview outfit ready and waiting (cleaned neat no threads or missing buttons) hanging in your closet Donrsquot wear anything too trendy or faddish (ladies no miniskirts) Check all zippers for closure and ladies should always have an extra pair of hose for emergencies Your style of dress communicates too what do you want it to say (See page 38)
Arrival Arrive a few minutes early to check out the location and parking Stop by the restroom and check your appearance Again you may want to check out the location the day before if you are unsure of the area
What to bring Always have an extra copy of your reacutesumeacute note paper and pen You will want to jot down questions as they may come about as well as information about the position Also write down the names of each person you interview with so you can mail a thank-you note
Application
Office of Career Services at IU Kokomo
34 |Kelley Student Center 200 2300 S Washington St PO Box 9003 Kokomo IN 46904-9003 (765)455-9301 fax (765)455-9537 carserviukedu wwwiukeducareer-
services
Read through the entire application before you begin Follow the directions Give specific titles You may leave the salary question blank or fill it in with a reasonable salary range Use NA where answers are not applicable Proofread the application before returning it
Legal and Illegal Pre-employment Questions CATEGORY LAWFUL
(Questions employers can ask)
UNLAWFUL (Questions employers cannot ask)
Name Have you ever worked for this company under a different name
Is any additional information relative to change of name use of an assumed name or nickname necessary to enable a check
on your work record If yes explain
What is your maiden name
Is the name on your application your real name
Address Where do you live
How long have you lived there
Birthplace Where were you born Where were your relatives born
Agebirth date Are you 18 years of age or older How old are you What is your birth date
Prove your age by submitting your birth certificate baptismal record
naturalization papers etc (see citizenship)
Photograph Requirement or option that applicant affix a photograph to employment form at
any time before hiring Citizenship Are you a citizen of the United States
If not are you authorized to work in the US
Can you verify US citizenship or your
right to work in the United States
Of what country are you a citizen Are you a naturalized or a native-born
citizen When did you acquire citizenship
Please produce naturalization papers or green card
(employers must verify citizenship or the right to work after theyrsquove decided to
extend an offer) Sex or Marital Status Are you male or female
Are you married What are your living arrangements
Relatives Do you have relatives (other than a spouse) already employed by the
company
What are their names
What are the names (addresses ages number or other information) of your
relatives not employed by the company
Children
Do you have children or plans to have children in the future
Do you have the capacity to reproduce Do you advocate any form of birth control
or family planning What are your child care arrangements
How old are your children
CATEGORY LAWFUL UNLAWFUL (Questions employers can ask) (Questions employers cannot ask)
Disability Do you have any impairment
(physical mental or medical) which would interfere with your ability to perform the job for which you have
applied
Do you have any disabilities or diseases not related to job
performance
Arrest record Have you ever been convicted of a criminal offense other than minor
traffic violations If yes explain fully
Have you ever been arrested
Experienced Please describe your work experience
Travel Overtime This position requires X amount of overtimetravel Would you be able
to meet this requirement
Who will care for your children when you travel or work overtime
Would your spouse object if you
traveled or worked overtime Language What languages do you speak and
write fluently What is your native language
How did you learn to read write or
speak a foreign language Education Please describe your academic
vocational or professional education and the public and private schools you attended
What are the dates of attendance
(To permit verification)
Notice in case of emergency What are the names and addresses of people to be notified in case of
accident or emergency (can be asked after hire)
Military experience Have you served in the US Armed Forces or in the National Guard
Describe your experience
Do you have any military experience
(other than in the United States) Organizations Do you belong to any organizations
which you consider relevant to your ability to perform this job Please
explain
Are you a member of any clubs societies or lodges
Which ones
Race or color What racecolor are you Are you a minority
Religion or creed What is your religion To which parishchurch do you
belong What religious holidays do you
observe National Origin What is your (or relatives) lineage
ancestry national origin descent percentage or nationality
Office of Career Services at IU Kokomo
36 |Kelley Student Center 200 2300 S Washington St PO Box 9003 Kokomo IN 46904-9003 (765)455-9301 fax (765)455-9537 carserviukedu wwwiukeducareer-
services
After the interview After you have interviewed for a position there are some things to do that may improve your chances
Send a Follow-up thank you note within 24 hours
This shows that you are serious about their organization and will set you apart from many who neglect to do so By taking the
time to email or write a handwritten letter thanking them for taking their time to meet with you Summarize specific qualities
you have and let them know you look forward in speaking with them further about employment
Sample Thank you
Dear Intervieweersquos Name Thank you for taking the time to talk with me on Thursday November 9 at the interview for list specifics of position and company) I appreciate your time and attention and after talking with you I am even more interested in becoming a valuable team member at companyrsquos name You were extremely helpful in explaining list position Now that I have a better idea of what the position entails I am even more certain that I would be an asset to your team and to companyrsquos name My solid education from the IU Kokomo Communication Department and the fact that I have worked my way through college show the work ethic and determination you said were important to be successful at companyrsquos name I look forward to an opportunity to work with companyrsquos name office and speak to you further about the program I will contact you next week to follow up and provide you with any further information that you may need Thank you again for your time and consideration Sincerely
Your name
The Stall Letter
There may be situations that you will need time to figure out whether a job is a good fit or have more than one position to accept or decline The stall letter is a good tool to have in this case In the introduction refer to the job offer or event that is prompting the letter In the second paragraph state your continued interest in the position but request more time to gather further information or to consider all alternatives and opportunities in order to make the best choice for the position and the company as well as yourself Give a specific time extension request If you need 24 hours for example ask for that Ask for the minimal amount of time in order to make your decision Remember this is a request and does not guarantee that the employer will accept it and be prepared for the possibility that they will not grant the time and choose another candidate In the conclusion thank them for their time and understanding and indicate when you will contact them to discuss the terms of the possible extension
Sample Stall Letter
Dear name of person that offered the position This letter is in reference to list company name and your offer of list the position I would like to take this opportunity to thank you for the opportunity and express my continued interest in the position At this time I would like to request __hours to gather some vital information in order to be completely confidant that I am making the best and most informed decision possible I want to ensure for all parties involved that I have considered all options and alternatives to be certain that my acceptance of this list position is the correct course of action for us both I appreciate your understanding and valuable time and look forward to speaking with you at your earliest convenience today so that we may discuss the terms of my request Sincerely Your Name
Office of Career Services at IU Kokomo
37 |Kelley Student Center 200 2300 S Washington St PO Box 9003 Kokomo IN 46904-9003 (765)455-9301 fax (765)455-9537 carserviukedu wwwiukeducareer-
services
Acceptance of a Job Offer Letter
Responding in writing to a job offer shows courtesy and is expected It reduces the chance of any misunderstanding that verbal acceptances do not In the first paragraph thank the employer for offering the specific position title and say that you are happy to accept it In the second paragraph state the terms of employment (salary location and start date) Emphasize any negotiations of terms that were unusual or non-standard if there were any In the last paragraph thank the employer sincerely for the opportunity and express your excitement to join their organization and be a valuable asset to them
Sample Job Offer Acceptance Letter
Dear person who offered position
I am happy to have the opportunity to accept the position of list title
The following terms of the position as I understood them include a salary of list salaryrate of pay at List location and to begin employment on list date As we discussed instead of the typical work week we agreed to the addition of evening and weekend hours during the probationary period with a return to usual business hours after 90 days We also agreed to a company vehicle provision for any off site training and appointments during the course of my employment
I truly look forward to becoming a valued member of your team and I am anticipating a productive and positive professional relationship with list company
Sincerely Your Name
Decline or Withdrawing from Consideration Letter
There may be times that you wish to decline or remove yourself from consideration from a position Doing this on a positive
and respectful note decreases the chance that future opportunities will be missed either as a future employee or possible
professional contact with the firm Thank the employer for the opportunity but decline it based on your reasons Be sure to
specifically name the person that was in charge of the hiring process If the decline is due to a term that was offered be
specific the firm could always choose to negotiate that term to better suit your situation
Date
Dear List person
Thank you very much for offering me the list position After careful consideration I regret that I must decline your offer
Although you were most encouraging in outlining future advancement possibilities within ABC Company I have accepted another
opportunity that is more in line with my skills and career goals or I found list the term to be out of line with my needs and
goals
I enjoyed meeting you and the rest of your team You have been most kind and gracious throughout the interview process and I
only wish that circumstances allowed me to accept your offer
Best wishes for your continued success
Sincerely
Your Name
Office of Career Services at IU Kokomo
38 |Kelley Student Center 200 2300 S Washington St PO Box 9003 Kokomo IN 46904-9003 (765)455-9301 fax (765)455-9537 carserviukedu wwwiukeducareer-
services
____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
This packet contains a lot of valuable information to help you achieve all the goals that an education from IU Kokomo
will prepare you for Use this as a guide for every step of the way from your freshman year graduation and beyond
Office of Career Services at IU Kokomo
19 |Kelley Student Center 200 2300 S Washington St PO Box 9003 Kokomo IN 46904-9003 (765)455-9301 fax (765)455-9537 carserviukedu wwwiukeducareer-
services
Scannable reacutesumeacute example
NAME IN CAPS
Current address
555 Candy Lane
Kokomo IN 46901
765 555 ndash 2424
Permanent address
444 Peppermint Lane
Indianapolis IN 46077
317 555 ndash 1234
OBJECTIVE (Optional)
A fulltime position in the area that is my expertisehellip (You fill it in-see suggested buzz-word list)
EDUCATION
Indiana University Kokomo IN
Bachelor of Science in Management
Minor Management Information Systems MIS
GPA 36 40
Major GPA 38 40
Graduation May 2014
SIGNIFICANT COURSES
Fill in with significant core courses for your major that apply to the job Use one line per course
SKILLS
Proficient with (pc programs that you are proficient in and are applicable)
Any other skills that are applicable (see buzz-word list)
WORK EXPERIENCE
Bold the Job Title
Basic job description as it applies to job applying for Dates employed (begin with most recent)
Use buzz-word list based on your occupation and relevant to the position being applied for
Office of Career Services at IU Kokomo
20 |Kelley Student Center 200 2300 S Washington St PO Box 9003 Kokomo IN 46904-9003 (765)455-9301 fax (765)455-9537 carserviukedu wwwiukeducareer-
services
Cover Letters Cover letters are an additional component of a reacutesumeacute Customize every letter to each company andor position of interest
Address it to the person listed on the position advertisement or the person that you know has the authority to hire Finding this may
take some investigation to discover if the name is not announced on the position advertisement PO boxes are often used to filter
reacutesumeacutes and you can find the owner of the box by calling the post office and asking who owns the box with that number Having
this information to address the cover letter with will set you apart from those who do not
Cover letter Format Date Employers Name Use the name of the person stated in the job posting or contact the company for the contact person address and the correct spelling) Position or title Company Name Address Suite number or floor (if there is one) City state Zip Salutation Dear Mr or Ms Or Dear Sir or Madam (use the last name only of the person you listed above) If you have made every effort to find out but do not know the name or gender or the individual use a unisex greeting of Dear Manager or Dear Director Paragraph one (Introduction) State which position you are applying for and where you heard about the opening If the position was advertised refer to where it was advertised (Indianapolis Star or higheredcom) Be enthusiastic and confident about the position with a brief statement about why you are the right fit for the job Paragraph two (Body) Explain why you want to work for this company and how your skills experience and qualifications directly relate to the position You can also include your personal traits and strengths that would be an asset for the job Summarize why you are an excellent candidate for the position Highlight key examples and how they match what the company is seeking There are likely other prospective employees that are competing for this position It is very important that you highlight qualities that will set you apart and show uniqueness You are marketing yourself in this paragraph so be sure to sell the idea that you are the best one to interview and the best fit for this employer Most advertisements will list the requirements that are desired andor required for the position Be sure to detail how you meet each of those requirements Do not point out to the reader if there is a requirement that you donrsquot currently possess just do not reference that in your letter The purpose of a cover letter is to highlight the positives and do not bring up any negatives Paragraph three (Conclusion) State that you would like the opportunity to personally discuss your qualifications Indicate where you can be reached phone andor email A good sentence to use would look like ldquoI may be reached at 555-555-1234 or nameiukedurdquo Make sure to thank the reader for their time and consideration Closing Sincerely or Yours truly or Respectfully yours Signature (blue or black ink only) Your Name (Typed)
Office of Career Services at IU Kokomo
21 |Kelley Student Center 200 2300 S Washington St PO Box 9003 Kokomo IN 46904-9003 (765)455-9301 fax (765)455-9537 carserviukedu wwwiukeducareer-
services
References
Reference lists should always be available and prepared with 3-4 professional references
Do
Do get permission from each reference you plan to use
Do give each reference a copy of your reacutesumeacute to have as a guide
Do choose references that are well informed and have good verbal and written communication skills
Do Not
Do not use relatives personal friends or students as a reference
Letters of Recommendation
A letter of recommendation provides relevant information that is honest positive and portrays a up-front outlook of the skills
and potential capabilities you possess It can describe personality performance and skill attributes knowledge and
competency level
The following are suggestions of individuals who may be qualified to write a letter of recommendation
Executive Director
Vice President
Supervisors
Co-workers
CustomersClients
Subordinates
Professors
Counsellors
Coaches
Doctors
Lawyers
Ministers
Community Leaders
Office of Career Services at IU Kokomo
22 |Kelley Student Center 200 2300 S Washington St PO Box 9003 Kokomo IN 46904-9003 (765)455-9301 fax (765)455-9537 carserviukedu wwwiukeducareer-
services
Key WordsAction Words
Actively Established Evaluate Participated Schedule Coordinate Increased Proposed Strategy Created Launched Reduced Support Effect Eliminate Organized Originate
Approve Generate Program Solve Control Improve Recommend Supervise Direct Manage Motivated Responsibilities Revise Analyze Founded Pinpointed Set up
Completed Interpret Proficient Successfully Demonstrate Maintain Revamped Responsible Administer Expedite Plan Simplicity Conduct Implemented Provide Streamline Develop
Lecture Reorganized Accelerated Adapted Expanded Perform Significantly Conceived Influence Proved Structure Delegate Lead Reinforced Teach
Self-Describing Words Professional Active Diplomatic Loyal Respective Analytical Attentive Determined Logical Resourceful Ambitious Efficient Energetic Independent
Reliable Alert Economical Objective Optimistic Realistic Aggressive Discrete Methodical Sense-of-humor Sincere Adaptable Disciplined Mature
Self-reliant Broad-minded Enterprising Personable Tactful Creative Imaginative Perceptive Systematic Constructive Forceful Productive Sophisticated Consistent
Fair Practical Will relocate Conscientious Extroverted Positive Will travel Enthusiastic Pleasant Talented Dependable Trustworthy Ethical
Keywords for Interpersonal Traits Ability to delegate Accurate Assertive Creative Ethical Follow up Leadership Oral communication Public speaking Self accountable Supportive Tenacious
Ability to implement Adaptable Communication skill Customer oriented Flexible High energy Multitasking Organizational skills Results oriented Self management Takes initiative Willing to travel
Ability to plan Aggressive Competitive Detail minded Follow instructions Industrious Open minded Persuasive Risk taking Sensitive Team building Ability to train
Analytical ability Conceptual ability Empowering others Follow through Innovated Open communication Problem solving Safety conscious Setting priorities Team player
Office of Career Services at IU Kokomo
23 |Kelley Student Center 200 2300 S Washington St PO Box 9003 Kokomo IN 46904-9003 (765)455-9301 fax (765)455-9537 carserviukedu wwwiukeducareer-
services
Sample of Occupational Keywords Occupational keywords include skills titles and occupational buzz words Account manager Accounts receivable Acquisitions Bachelors Degree Bank Card Bank reconciliation Batch processing Benchmarking Blueprint reading Brochures Budget Bulletins CAD Calibrator Carpentry Cash Flow Cell Culture Media Cement Child Care Claims Justification Commercial Leasing Copy Editing Counselor Crisis Management Cross-culture training Debugging Decision making Demographics Dental management Die casting Dietitian Drywall Ecology Electronics Employee assistance Engineer Financial planning Food preparation Gas pipeline Goal setting Graphic design Grant writer Guest services Harnessing Hiringfiring Hotel ISO 9000
Journalism Journeyman Layout design Logic analyzer Magnetic theory Manager Marketing Masterrsquos Degree Microprocessor Microsoft word Nursing Oscillator Pelletizing Patient advocate Payroll Personal computer Process metallurgy Proposal writing Psychology Public Relations Purchasing Radio Raw materials Receptionist Reporter Research Sales Secretarial Software modeling Spanish Spreadsheets Statistical Process Control Stick Welding Strategic Planning Student Personnel Supervisor Taxonomy Teacher Technical Writing Time Management Transportation Travel Wave Solder WordPerfect Workflow Writer
Office of Career Services at IU Kokomo
24 |Kelley Student Center 200 2300 S Washington St PO Box 9003 Kokomo IN 46904-9003 (765)455-9301 fax (765)455-9537 carserviukedu wwwiukeducareer-
services
ACTION WORDS
ORGANIZATIONAL Assembled Enforced Prepared Reorganized
Collected Executed Planned Scheduled
Centralized Formalized Processed Updated
Coordinated Implemented Routed Catalogued
Maintained Recorded
LEADERSHIPAllocated Hired Operated Spearheaded Determined Initiated
Oversaw Sponsored Directed Inspired Pioneered Staged
Elected Instituted Presided Started Enlisted Led
Produced Supervised Formed Managed Recruited Founded
Moderated Represented Governed Motivated Selected
COMMUNICATION SKILLS Acquainted Drafted Introduced Summarized Apprised Educated
Lectured Taught Answered Explained Listened
Trained Briefed Familiarized Presented Translated Conducted
Handled Reported Wrote Contacted Informed Responded
Demonstrated Instructed Spoke
RESEARCH Analyzed Detected Examined Researched
Assessed Discovered Gathered Searched
Audited Documented Identified Surveyed
Compiled Edited Interpreted Tested
Consulted Evaluated Interviewed
CREATIVITY Authored Created Devised
Originated Conceived Composed
Established Revolutionized Conceptualized
Designed Invented
HELPING SKILLS Aided Counseled Helped Supported
Attended Comforted Instilled Tutored
Assisted Facilitated Mentored Treated
Collaborated Fostered Provided Contributed
Guided Settled
SELLING Arbitrated Marketed Promoted
Secured Convinced Mediated
Publicized Solicited
Dissuaded Negotiated Resolved
Encouraged Persuaded Sold
OTHER ACTION VERBS Adapted Developed Generated Revamped Attained Ensured Improved Revitalized
Augmented Eliminated Increased Saved Awarded Exceeded Launched Shopped
Boosted Excelled Mastered Strengthened Broadened Expanded Modernized Supplemented
Built Expedited Published Tended Calculated Fabricated Raised Utilized
Catered Financed Reconciled Decreased Gained Reduced
Office of Career Services at IU Kokomo
25 |Kelley Student Center 200 2300 S Washington St PO Box 9003 Kokomo IN 46904-9003 (765)455-9301 fax (765)455-9537 carserviukedu wwwiukeducareer-
services
Transferable Skills-Skills you have acquired from your education and employment experience that you can market to new employers
Communication the skillful expression transmission and interpretation of knowledge and ideas
Speaking effectively Writing concisely Listening attentively Expressing ideas Facilitating group discussion Providing appropriate feedback Negotiating
Perceiving nonverbal messages Persuading Reporting information Describing feelings Interviewing Editing
Research and Planning the search for specific knowledge and the ability to conceptualize future needs and solutions for meeting those needs
Forecasting predicting Creating ideas Identifying problems Imagining alternatives Identifying resources Gathering information
Solving problems Setting goals Extracting important information Defining needs Analyzing Developing evaluation strategies
Human Relations the use of interpersonal skills for resolving conflict relating to and helping people Developing rapport Being Sensitive Listening Conveying feelings Providing support for others Motivating Sharing credit
Counseling Cooperating Delegating with respect Representing others Perceiving feelings situations Asserting
Organization Management and Leadership the ability to supervise direct and guide individuals and groups in the completion of tasks and fulfillment of goals Work Survival the day-to-day skills that assist in promoting effective production and work satisfaction
Implementing decisions Cooperating Enforcing policies Being punctual Managing time Attending to detail Meeting goals Enlisting help Accepting responsibility Setting and meeting deadlines Organizing Making decisions
Initiating new ideas Handling details Coordinating tasks Managing groups Delegating responsibility Teaching Coaching Counseling Promoting change Selling ideas or products Decision making with others Managing conflict
Office of Career Services at IU Kokomo
26 |Kelley Student Center 200 2300 S Washington St PO Box 9003 Kokomo IN 46904-9003 (765)455-9301 fax (765)455-9537 carserviukedu wwwiukeducareer-
services
After you have the perfect reacutesumeacute it is time to hit the road and put your skills into action Career Fairs will help put you in communication with prospective employers and give you valuable practice for interviews
Achieve Results and Get the Most Out of a Career Fair
Attend as many job fairs as you can Not only will practice make perfect but it will expand your network of career contacts Make sure to ask precise questions and be prepared to answer specific questions the employers have regarding your background and capabilities Before the Job Fair- Be Prepared
Create a reacutesumeacute and have it reviewed by a career counselor Create a list of 3-5 references in case they are requested (Be sure to ask your references for their help before
including them on the list) Create your 30-second oral reacutesumeacute and practice practice practice Review the employer list Determine where employers are located and in what order to visit them Broaden your focus and include different types of employers For instance although you may not have thought of
working for a hospital hospitals recruit and hire professionals in many different fields Do your research Look up information about the employers of interest
o Check their websites for information about their productsservices and mission statement o What types of jobs do they have open o What kind of people are they looking for o What kind of skills do these people need to have How do you meet their skill requirements o Develop some questions you would like to ask the employer representatives at the fair
Network Network Network with people you know and via social network sites like Linked-In and Facebook for more information about the companies Also seek contact with employees you might know or seek information from alumni who work there
During the Job Fair Dress for success (See page 38) Assume you will be interviewed and dress the part Even if you dont get an interview
at the job fair you have already made a great impression Always have a penpencil and paper to take notes- a portfolio works best Bring plenty of reacutesumeacutes with you While some companies will be seeking employees for specific positions some
employers will collect reacutesumeacutes for future positions Be sure to get all of the contact information you need to complete an application
Make sure to have copies of your reference list in case an employer asks First impressions are everything Be direct have a firm handshake and make eye contact as you greet employers This
will speak volumes about your confidence If you are only gathering information let employers know that you are only interested in materials and information
Be aware of time demands of employers Do not monopolize the employersrsquo time You should have already done your homework about their company so you can better spend your time asking about the positions available (or available in the near future) and how your skills match their needs Give them your 30-second oral reacutesumeacute and impress them with what you feel you can do for their company Since practice makes perfect donrsquot give up if the first attempt doesnrsquot go well Keep trying with other employers
Ask specific questions and collect information from each booth you visit including business cards from the employer representatives Offer to follow up after the fair and ask what the best way to contact them is
After the Job Fair You now have a prime opportunity to make a distinctive impression
Use those business cards you collected to follow up with each employer you are interested in Be sure to do everything you promised at the job fair Complete the application and upload your reacutesumeacute Send a thank-you note or email to all whom you talked with within 48 hours of the career fair This shows that you
are serious about their organization and will set you apart from many who neglect to do so If you follow up on your application for a position be sure to follow the preferred contact method and dont overdo it Stay in contact and use this experience to expand your network Submit an additional or amended reacutesumeacute during your follow-up contacts if need be Follow-up and follow-through contacts are up to the student be persistent and polite
Office of Career Services at IU Kokomo
27 |Kelley Student Center 200 2300 S Washington St PO Box 9003 Kokomo IN 46904-9003 (765)455-9301 fax (765)455-9537 carserviukedu wwwiukeducareer-
services
Additional information-what employers are expecting at a career fair
What Will Impress Employers o Demonstrate that you have done your homework and researched their company o Be prepared Have your reacutesumeacute critiqued by Career Services and bring plenty of copies with you Develop
questions to ask smile and courteously and enthusiastically engage the representatives o Have a firm hand shake and good eye contact- dress for success o Never ask about salary let them bring up the subject o An expectation that you will be responsible for following up with them including a thank you note or letter o Take the initiative Walk up to them and engage the employers they want to speak to you
What Employers May Want to Learn About You o Specific careerjob objectives What are your expectations o Individual strengths and weaknesses Have specific examples that demonstrate your skills develop short
stories that showcase your skills (Remember a job fair is time sensitive and you donrsquot want to take up too much time of one employer)
o Contributions you will make to the operation Remember be specific now is not the time to blandly or generically discuss what you can do
What You Should Learn About Each Company o Employment trends Career Fairs are excellent resources for information about career decision-making o Skills necessary for different careersjobs Have meaningful conversations with representatives o Currentfuture positions o Salary benefits training and other information about the company (again let the employer bring up salary) o Who to contact for follow-up discussions and what their hiring processes are get specifics o Collect their business card or write down their contact information
30 Second Oral Reacutesumeacute Purpose It is important to practice your 30 second oral reacutesumeacute prior to attending a career fair The famous ldquoTell me about yourselfrdquo is a question that is always asked Whether the question is asked in a social setting an interview or a networking event a well-planned answer can set you apart from the crowd as well as spark additional conversation Begin preparing your oral reacutesumeacute by following the tips below
How to Prepare Your Oral Reacutesumeacute o Begin by brainstorming what you would want someone to know about you Write down all of your ideas o Consider including the following information in your oral reacutesumeacute
Job Objective Education and Training Skills
Accomplishments and Achievements Prior Employment Other Experience
o Narrow down your optionsmdashpick the top 5 things you want the person to know about you o Develop a paragraph that encompasses all of the things you wish to say o Practice makes perfect Read aloud your reacutesumeacute several times
Additional Tips Prepare more than one oral reacutesumeacute for various situations Practice your reacutesumeacute by calling your voicemail and later playing back the messagemdashthink about how it sounds and
what you would like to change Make sure that your oral reacutesumeacute will keep the listenerrsquos attention
Example Oral Reacutesumeacute Hi my name is ________ and I am a senior at IU Kokomo majoring in New Media I am looking for an internship experience in graphic designweb development Through my coursework I have developed strong computer and analytical skills Last summer I worked as an intern at the Kokomo Perspective to gain experience with print media At the Perspective I worked with the copy editor as well as the writing staff to gain experience in both fields I also volunteer at United Way developing and updating their website
Office of Career Services at IU Kokomo
28 |Kelley Student Center 200 2300 S Washington St PO Box 9003 Kokomo IN 46904-9003 (765)455-9301 fax (765)455-9537 carserviukedu wwwiukeducareer-
services
Send a Follow-up thank you note after Career Fair Send a thank you note or email to all whom you talked with within 48 hours of the career fair This shows that you are serious about their organization and will set you apart from many who neglect to do so
Be sure to remind the employer where you met them Thank you for taking the time to talk with me on Thursday at the career fair After talking with you I
am even more eager to work at _____ Summarize specific qualities and assets you obtain I am certain my education at IU Kokomo has enhanced my skill set and has provided a solid
background of knowledge in the _______ fieldhelliphellip Some experiences I have had the pleasure of doing arehellip This opportunity improved my work ethic and made me aware of my self-reliancehellip
Always attach your reacutesumeacute again for their convenience I have attached my reacutesumeacute for your convenience I look forward to an opportunity to further discuss
my qualifications You may contact me athellip (phone andor email address) Thank you again for your time and consideration
Sample Thank you
Thank you for taking the time to talk with me on Thursday November 9 at the career fair on IU Kokomorsquos campus I appreciate your time and attention and after talking with you I am even more interested in learning more about your organization You were extremely helpful in explaining companyrsquos name customer service and marketing trainee program Now that I have a better idea of what the position entails I am even more certain that I would be an asset to your team and to companyrsquos name My solid education from the IU Kokomo Communication Department and the fact that I have worked my way through college show the work ethic and determination you said were important to be successful at companyrsquos name I look forward to an opportunity to visit companyrsquos name office and speak to you further about the trainee program I will contact you next week to arrange an appointment Enclosed is an updated reacutesumeacute for your review Thank you again for your time and consideration Sincerely
Office of Career Services at IU Kokomo
29 |Kelley Student Center 200 2300 S Washington St PO Box 9003 Kokomo IN 46904-9003 (765)455-9301 fax (765)455-9537 carserviukedu wwwiukeducareer-
services
Knowledge and practice will give you the confidence you need to be prepared and give the best impression possible at an interview The following information will help prepare you for nearly any interview contingency being confidant that you can handle it is the best way to increase your chances of getting hired Here are a few things you can do to give yourself a head start
Questions to think about prior to your interview
1 Why do you want to work at this facility and what specific jobareas am I interested in a To Prepare research the facility
i Mission ii Population served
iii Financial stability iv Management style
b Learn about the job
i Job description ii Occupational outlook
iii Handbook iv employees
2 What qualities make me a good candidate
a To prepare self assessment i What are my strengths and weaknesses
ii What are my interests iii How do I know iv What kinds of results demonstrate my abilities
3 What type of shift working conditions salary and fringe benefits are most important to me (12 hours 10 hours 8
hours weekends flex-time insurance) a To prepare clarify values and lifestyle choices
i What are my values ii What kind of lifestyles do I want for myself and those close to me
4 How will I be trained
a To prepare How do I learn best i Do I need immediate feedback or can I learn well on my own
5 What are my goals Where do I want to be in 10 years
a To prepare Identify and prioritize career and life goals and objectives i Am I interested in supervision training management
ii How do I plan to reach these goals
6 What are the major issues and current events facing this specific field job occupation and company today
7 What can you bring to the organization
Office of Career Services at IU Kokomo
30 |Kelley Student Center 200 2300 S Washington St PO Box 9003 Kokomo IN 46904-9003 (765)455-9301 fax (765)455-9537 carserviukedu wwwiukeducareer-
services
Behavioral Interviews- Use the STAR Interviewing Technique for Success
The STAR acronym represents Situation Task Action and Result Recruiters and hiring managers favor the STAR technique because
it provides a better explanation of your past performance how you handle workplace challenges and whether youre able to articulate
your experiences STAR behavioral interviews are quickly becoming the most popular and common form of interview
Situation or
Task
Describe the situation that you were in or the task that you needed to accomplish You must
describe a specific event or situation not a generalized description of what you have done in
the past Be sure to give enough detail for the interviewer to understand This situation can be
from a previous job from a volunteer experience or any relevant event
Action you took Describe the action you took and be sure to keep the focus on you Even if you are discussing
a group project or effort describe what you did -- not the efforts of the team Dont tell what
you might do tell what you did
Results you achieved What happened How did the event end What did you accomplish What did you learn
For examples of past behavior use examples from
Internships
Work experience
Class projects
School activitiesorganizations you are involved with
Sports
Volunteercommunity service
Hobbies
Think about your accomplishments what are you most proud of that you want to share with the employer
How to prepare for behavior-based interviews
Identify 3-6 examples that demonstrate your top skills Look through the job description pinpoint the skills they are seeking
Pick experiences that demonstrate top behaviors of those skills
Prepare how you will ldquotell your storyrdquo using STAR
Pick examples that will be positive accomplishment
Most behavioral questions try to reveal the negative situations so be prepared with those examples However try to pick
examples that had a positive outcome
Try not to pick examples from only one topic Pick a variety of examples choosing examples from work class community
services etc
Typically the best examples are situations that happened within the last year
Go over your resume and review the accomplishments you have listed andor skills this could assist you with identifying
examples
LISTEN to the full question Be sure the example is an appropriate description of how you demonstrated what they are
asking for
Office of Career Services at IU Kokomo
31 |Kelley Student Center 200 2300 S Washington St PO Box 9003 Kokomo IN 46904-9003 (765)455-9301 fax (765)455-9537 carserviukedu wwwiukeducareer-
services
Sample Behavior-based Questions
Communication Skills
1 Give me a specific example of a time someone didnrsquot agree with your work How did you respond 2 Tell me about a time when you had to present complex information How did you ensure that everyone
understood what you were saying 3 Give an example about a time where written communication was needed
Decision Making Skills
1 What is the biggest decision or risk yoursquove made in the past year on the job Describe the process you used to make those decisions Would you do it again
2 Describe a time you overcame a challenge with an innovative solution What was the challenge What role did you play
Planning Organization Time management Skills
1 Please give an example of a time you didnrsquot meet your deadline Why did you fail to meet your deadline What did you learn from that experience
2 Give an example of how you keep track of multiple projects How do you stay on track and meet deadlines How do you stay focused
3 Describe a goal yoursquove had How you set it and achieved it
Flexibility Skills 1 Tell us about one of the toughest situations with which yoursquove had to deal with How did you handle the
stress or pressure of the situation Leadership Skills
1 Describe a time when you disagreed with a directive given by your supervisor What happened and how did you handle it
2 Give an example of a situation where team members or co-workers didnrsquot get along This could include you and someone else or two other people How did the project turn out What did you do to resolve the issue so everyone was able to work together
Office of Career Services at IU Kokomo
32 |Kelley Student Center 200 2300 S Washington St PO Box 9003 Kokomo IN 46904-9003 (765)455-9301 fax (765)455-9537 carserviukedu wwwiukeducareer-
services
Other Common Questions Asked by Employers
Personal 1 Tell me about yourself 2 Why did you choose to interview with our organization 3 Describe your ideal job 4 What can you offer us over another candidate 5 What do you consider to be your greatest strengths 6 Can you name some weaknesses 7 Define success Failure How did you learn from your failures 8 Name a couple accomplishments you most proud 9 Who are your role models Why 10 How does your college education or work experience relate to this job 11 What motivates you most in a job 12 Have you ever spoken before a group of people How large 13 What do you know about our organization (products or services) 14 Do you plan to return to school for further education 15 What would you change about yourself and why
Education
16 Why did you choose your major 17 Why did you choose to attend your college or university 18 Do you think you received a good education In what ways 19 In which campus activities did you participate 20 Which classes in your major did you like best Least Why 21 If you were to start over what would you change about your education 22 Do your grades accurately reflect your ability Why or why not
Experience
23 What job-related skills have you developed 24 Did you work while going to school In what positions 25 What did you learn from these work experiences 26 What did you enjoy most about your last employment Least 27 Have you ever quit a job Why 28 Give an example of how you have solved a problem in the work place 29 How do you resolve conflict on a team project 30 Give an example of a time in which you worked under deadline pressure 31 Have you ever done any volunteer work What kind 32 How do you think a former supervisor would describe your work
Career Goals
33 Do you prefer to work under supervision or on your own 34 What kind of boss do you prefer 35 Would you be successful working with a team 36 Do you prefer large or small organizations Why 37 What other types of positions are you considering 38 How do you feel about working in a structured environment 39 Are you able to work on several assignments at once 40 How do you feel about working overtime 41 How do you feel about travel 42 Are you willing to relocate
Office of Career Services at IU Kokomo
33 |Kelley Student Center 200 2300 S Washington St PO Box 9003 Kokomo IN 46904-9003 (765)455-9301 fax (765)455-9537 carserviukedu wwwiukeducareer-
services
Questions to Ask Employers
An interview is a two-way street Employers get an impression of you from the questions you ask Are you a critical thinker Did you comprehend and correctly process everything in the interview Have you done research and have a good grasp of the company and the scope of the position Your questions should be intelligent insightful and polite Have at least 3-5 custom questions in mind Employers look for someone who shows interest confidence and is well organized
1 Please describe (or ask them to clarify specifics) the duties of the job for me 2 Is this a new position or am I replacing someone 3 What do you like best about your jobcompany 4 What kinds of assignments might I expect the first six months on the job 5 What qualities are you looking for in the candidate who fills this position 6 Does your company encourage further education 7 Do you have plans for expansion 8 What are your growth projections for next year 9 Have you cut staff in the last three years 10 In what ways is a career with your company better than one with your competitors 11 What is the largest single problem facing your staff (department) now 12 Has there been much turnover in this job area 13 Will I have the opportunity to work on special projects 14 Where does this position fit into the organizational structure 15 How much travel if any is involved in this position 16 What is the next course of action When should I expect to hear from you or may I contact you
Interview Checklist Preparation Research research research Knowing more about the organization as a whole and the particular position you are applying for will be helpful in the interview It will help you understand questions that may be asked and will give you a chance to come up with questions to ask them The more research you conduct the more confident and comfortable you will feel in the interview It will also demonstrate to the employer how determined and pro-active you are about their company and the position you seek Get specific directions to the location If possible go there the day before and check out parking and the location of the office where your interview will be held
First Impression Put your best foot forward Remember the decision to hire you may be made in the first 5 minutes Always wait until they sit or invite you to be seated
Dress code Dress more formal than you would in the actual position Women should wear a suit or dress with a jacket Men should wear a suit or sport jacket and slacks Itrsquos a good idea to have an interview outfit ready and waiting (cleaned neat no threads or missing buttons) hanging in your closet Donrsquot wear anything too trendy or faddish (ladies no miniskirts) Check all zippers for closure and ladies should always have an extra pair of hose for emergencies Your style of dress communicates too what do you want it to say (See page 38)
Arrival Arrive a few minutes early to check out the location and parking Stop by the restroom and check your appearance Again you may want to check out the location the day before if you are unsure of the area
What to bring Always have an extra copy of your reacutesumeacute note paper and pen You will want to jot down questions as they may come about as well as information about the position Also write down the names of each person you interview with so you can mail a thank-you note
Application
Office of Career Services at IU Kokomo
34 |Kelley Student Center 200 2300 S Washington St PO Box 9003 Kokomo IN 46904-9003 (765)455-9301 fax (765)455-9537 carserviukedu wwwiukeducareer-
services
Read through the entire application before you begin Follow the directions Give specific titles You may leave the salary question blank or fill it in with a reasonable salary range Use NA where answers are not applicable Proofread the application before returning it
Legal and Illegal Pre-employment Questions CATEGORY LAWFUL
(Questions employers can ask)
UNLAWFUL (Questions employers cannot ask)
Name Have you ever worked for this company under a different name
Is any additional information relative to change of name use of an assumed name or nickname necessary to enable a check
on your work record If yes explain
What is your maiden name
Is the name on your application your real name
Address Where do you live
How long have you lived there
Birthplace Where were you born Where were your relatives born
Agebirth date Are you 18 years of age or older How old are you What is your birth date
Prove your age by submitting your birth certificate baptismal record
naturalization papers etc (see citizenship)
Photograph Requirement or option that applicant affix a photograph to employment form at
any time before hiring Citizenship Are you a citizen of the United States
If not are you authorized to work in the US
Can you verify US citizenship or your
right to work in the United States
Of what country are you a citizen Are you a naturalized or a native-born
citizen When did you acquire citizenship
Please produce naturalization papers or green card
(employers must verify citizenship or the right to work after theyrsquove decided to
extend an offer) Sex or Marital Status Are you male or female
Are you married What are your living arrangements
Relatives Do you have relatives (other than a spouse) already employed by the
company
What are their names
What are the names (addresses ages number or other information) of your
relatives not employed by the company
Children
Do you have children or plans to have children in the future
Do you have the capacity to reproduce Do you advocate any form of birth control
or family planning What are your child care arrangements
How old are your children
CATEGORY LAWFUL UNLAWFUL (Questions employers can ask) (Questions employers cannot ask)
Disability Do you have any impairment
(physical mental or medical) which would interfere with your ability to perform the job for which you have
applied
Do you have any disabilities or diseases not related to job
performance
Arrest record Have you ever been convicted of a criminal offense other than minor
traffic violations If yes explain fully
Have you ever been arrested
Experienced Please describe your work experience
Travel Overtime This position requires X amount of overtimetravel Would you be able
to meet this requirement
Who will care for your children when you travel or work overtime
Would your spouse object if you
traveled or worked overtime Language What languages do you speak and
write fluently What is your native language
How did you learn to read write or
speak a foreign language Education Please describe your academic
vocational or professional education and the public and private schools you attended
What are the dates of attendance
(To permit verification)
Notice in case of emergency What are the names and addresses of people to be notified in case of
accident or emergency (can be asked after hire)
Military experience Have you served in the US Armed Forces or in the National Guard
Describe your experience
Do you have any military experience
(other than in the United States) Organizations Do you belong to any organizations
which you consider relevant to your ability to perform this job Please
explain
Are you a member of any clubs societies or lodges
Which ones
Race or color What racecolor are you Are you a minority
Religion or creed What is your religion To which parishchurch do you
belong What religious holidays do you
observe National Origin What is your (or relatives) lineage
ancestry national origin descent percentage or nationality
Office of Career Services at IU Kokomo
36 |Kelley Student Center 200 2300 S Washington St PO Box 9003 Kokomo IN 46904-9003 (765)455-9301 fax (765)455-9537 carserviukedu wwwiukeducareer-
services
After the interview After you have interviewed for a position there are some things to do that may improve your chances
Send a Follow-up thank you note within 24 hours
This shows that you are serious about their organization and will set you apart from many who neglect to do so By taking the
time to email or write a handwritten letter thanking them for taking their time to meet with you Summarize specific qualities
you have and let them know you look forward in speaking with them further about employment
Sample Thank you
Dear Intervieweersquos Name Thank you for taking the time to talk with me on Thursday November 9 at the interview for list specifics of position and company) I appreciate your time and attention and after talking with you I am even more interested in becoming a valuable team member at companyrsquos name You were extremely helpful in explaining list position Now that I have a better idea of what the position entails I am even more certain that I would be an asset to your team and to companyrsquos name My solid education from the IU Kokomo Communication Department and the fact that I have worked my way through college show the work ethic and determination you said were important to be successful at companyrsquos name I look forward to an opportunity to work with companyrsquos name office and speak to you further about the program I will contact you next week to follow up and provide you with any further information that you may need Thank you again for your time and consideration Sincerely
Your name
The Stall Letter
There may be situations that you will need time to figure out whether a job is a good fit or have more than one position to accept or decline The stall letter is a good tool to have in this case In the introduction refer to the job offer or event that is prompting the letter In the second paragraph state your continued interest in the position but request more time to gather further information or to consider all alternatives and opportunities in order to make the best choice for the position and the company as well as yourself Give a specific time extension request If you need 24 hours for example ask for that Ask for the minimal amount of time in order to make your decision Remember this is a request and does not guarantee that the employer will accept it and be prepared for the possibility that they will not grant the time and choose another candidate In the conclusion thank them for their time and understanding and indicate when you will contact them to discuss the terms of the possible extension
Sample Stall Letter
Dear name of person that offered the position This letter is in reference to list company name and your offer of list the position I would like to take this opportunity to thank you for the opportunity and express my continued interest in the position At this time I would like to request __hours to gather some vital information in order to be completely confidant that I am making the best and most informed decision possible I want to ensure for all parties involved that I have considered all options and alternatives to be certain that my acceptance of this list position is the correct course of action for us both I appreciate your understanding and valuable time and look forward to speaking with you at your earliest convenience today so that we may discuss the terms of my request Sincerely Your Name
Office of Career Services at IU Kokomo
37 |Kelley Student Center 200 2300 S Washington St PO Box 9003 Kokomo IN 46904-9003 (765)455-9301 fax (765)455-9537 carserviukedu wwwiukeducareer-
services
Acceptance of a Job Offer Letter
Responding in writing to a job offer shows courtesy and is expected It reduces the chance of any misunderstanding that verbal acceptances do not In the first paragraph thank the employer for offering the specific position title and say that you are happy to accept it In the second paragraph state the terms of employment (salary location and start date) Emphasize any negotiations of terms that were unusual or non-standard if there were any In the last paragraph thank the employer sincerely for the opportunity and express your excitement to join their organization and be a valuable asset to them
Sample Job Offer Acceptance Letter
Dear person who offered position
I am happy to have the opportunity to accept the position of list title
The following terms of the position as I understood them include a salary of list salaryrate of pay at List location and to begin employment on list date As we discussed instead of the typical work week we agreed to the addition of evening and weekend hours during the probationary period with a return to usual business hours after 90 days We also agreed to a company vehicle provision for any off site training and appointments during the course of my employment
I truly look forward to becoming a valued member of your team and I am anticipating a productive and positive professional relationship with list company
Sincerely Your Name
Decline or Withdrawing from Consideration Letter
There may be times that you wish to decline or remove yourself from consideration from a position Doing this on a positive
and respectful note decreases the chance that future opportunities will be missed either as a future employee or possible
professional contact with the firm Thank the employer for the opportunity but decline it based on your reasons Be sure to
specifically name the person that was in charge of the hiring process If the decline is due to a term that was offered be
specific the firm could always choose to negotiate that term to better suit your situation
Date
Dear List person
Thank you very much for offering me the list position After careful consideration I regret that I must decline your offer
Although you were most encouraging in outlining future advancement possibilities within ABC Company I have accepted another
opportunity that is more in line with my skills and career goals or I found list the term to be out of line with my needs and
goals
I enjoyed meeting you and the rest of your team You have been most kind and gracious throughout the interview process and I
only wish that circumstances allowed me to accept your offer
Best wishes for your continued success
Sincerely
Your Name
Office of Career Services at IU Kokomo
38 |Kelley Student Center 200 2300 S Washington St PO Box 9003 Kokomo IN 46904-9003 (765)455-9301 fax (765)455-9537 carserviukedu wwwiukeducareer-
services
____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
This packet contains a lot of valuable information to help you achieve all the goals that an education from IU Kokomo
will prepare you for Use this as a guide for every step of the way from your freshman year graduation and beyond
Office of Career Services at IU Kokomo
20 |Kelley Student Center 200 2300 S Washington St PO Box 9003 Kokomo IN 46904-9003 (765)455-9301 fax (765)455-9537 carserviukedu wwwiukeducareer-
services
Cover Letters Cover letters are an additional component of a reacutesumeacute Customize every letter to each company andor position of interest
Address it to the person listed on the position advertisement or the person that you know has the authority to hire Finding this may
take some investigation to discover if the name is not announced on the position advertisement PO boxes are often used to filter
reacutesumeacutes and you can find the owner of the box by calling the post office and asking who owns the box with that number Having
this information to address the cover letter with will set you apart from those who do not
Cover letter Format Date Employers Name Use the name of the person stated in the job posting or contact the company for the contact person address and the correct spelling) Position or title Company Name Address Suite number or floor (if there is one) City state Zip Salutation Dear Mr or Ms Or Dear Sir or Madam (use the last name only of the person you listed above) If you have made every effort to find out but do not know the name or gender or the individual use a unisex greeting of Dear Manager or Dear Director Paragraph one (Introduction) State which position you are applying for and where you heard about the opening If the position was advertised refer to where it was advertised (Indianapolis Star or higheredcom) Be enthusiastic and confident about the position with a brief statement about why you are the right fit for the job Paragraph two (Body) Explain why you want to work for this company and how your skills experience and qualifications directly relate to the position You can also include your personal traits and strengths that would be an asset for the job Summarize why you are an excellent candidate for the position Highlight key examples and how they match what the company is seeking There are likely other prospective employees that are competing for this position It is very important that you highlight qualities that will set you apart and show uniqueness You are marketing yourself in this paragraph so be sure to sell the idea that you are the best one to interview and the best fit for this employer Most advertisements will list the requirements that are desired andor required for the position Be sure to detail how you meet each of those requirements Do not point out to the reader if there is a requirement that you donrsquot currently possess just do not reference that in your letter The purpose of a cover letter is to highlight the positives and do not bring up any negatives Paragraph three (Conclusion) State that you would like the opportunity to personally discuss your qualifications Indicate where you can be reached phone andor email A good sentence to use would look like ldquoI may be reached at 555-555-1234 or nameiukedurdquo Make sure to thank the reader for their time and consideration Closing Sincerely or Yours truly or Respectfully yours Signature (blue or black ink only) Your Name (Typed)
Office of Career Services at IU Kokomo
21 |Kelley Student Center 200 2300 S Washington St PO Box 9003 Kokomo IN 46904-9003 (765)455-9301 fax (765)455-9537 carserviukedu wwwiukeducareer-
services
References
Reference lists should always be available and prepared with 3-4 professional references
Do
Do get permission from each reference you plan to use
Do give each reference a copy of your reacutesumeacute to have as a guide
Do choose references that are well informed and have good verbal and written communication skills
Do Not
Do not use relatives personal friends or students as a reference
Letters of Recommendation
A letter of recommendation provides relevant information that is honest positive and portrays a up-front outlook of the skills
and potential capabilities you possess It can describe personality performance and skill attributes knowledge and
competency level
The following are suggestions of individuals who may be qualified to write a letter of recommendation
Executive Director
Vice President
Supervisors
Co-workers
CustomersClients
Subordinates
Professors
Counsellors
Coaches
Doctors
Lawyers
Ministers
Community Leaders
Office of Career Services at IU Kokomo
22 |Kelley Student Center 200 2300 S Washington St PO Box 9003 Kokomo IN 46904-9003 (765)455-9301 fax (765)455-9537 carserviukedu wwwiukeducareer-
services
Key WordsAction Words
Actively Established Evaluate Participated Schedule Coordinate Increased Proposed Strategy Created Launched Reduced Support Effect Eliminate Organized Originate
Approve Generate Program Solve Control Improve Recommend Supervise Direct Manage Motivated Responsibilities Revise Analyze Founded Pinpointed Set up
Completed Interpret Proficient Successfully Demonstrate Maintain Revamped Responsible Administer Expedite Plan Simplicity Conduct Implemented Provide Streamline Develop
Lecture Reorganized Accelerated Adapted Expanded Perform Significantly Conceived Influence Proved Structure Delegate Lead Reinforced Teach
Self-Describing Words Professional Active Diplomatic Loyal Respective Analytical Attentive Determined Logical Resourceful Ambitious Efficient Energetic Independent
Reliable Alert Economical Objective Optimistic Realistic Aggressive Discrete Methodical Sense-of-humor Sincere Adaptable Disciplined Mature
Self-reliant Broad-minded Enterprising Personable Tactful Creative Imaginative Perceptive Systematic Constructive Forceful Productive Sophisticated Consistent
Fair Practical Will relocate Conscientious Extroverted Positive Will travel Enthusiastic Pleasant Talented Dependable Trustworthy Ethical
Keywords for Interpersonal Traits Ability to delegate Accurate Assertive Creative Ethical Follow up Leadership Oral communication Public speaking Self accountable Supportive Tenacious
Ability to implement Adaptable Communication skill Customer oriented Flexible High energy Multitasking Organizational skills Results oriented Self management Takes initiative Willing to travel
Ability to plan Aggressive Competitive Detail minded Follow instructions Industrious Open minded Persuasive Risk taking Sensitive Team building Ability to train
Analytical ability Conceptual ability Empowering others Follow through Innovated Open communication Problem solving Safety conscious Setting priorities Team player
Office of Career Services at IU Kokomo
23 |Kelley Student Center 200 2300 S Washington St PO Box 9003 Kokomo IN 46904-9003 (765)455-9301 fax (765)455-9537 carserviukedu wwwiukeducareer-
services
Sample of Occupational Keywords Occupational keywords include skills titles and occupational buzz words Account manager Accounts receivable Acquisitions Bachelors Degree Bank Card Bank reconciliation Batch processing Benchmarking Blueprint reading Brochures Budget Bulletins CAD Calibrator Carpentry Cash Flow Cell Culture Media Cement Child Care Claims Justification Commercial Leasing Copy Editing Counselor Crisis Management Cross-culture training Debugging Decision making Demographics Dental management Die casting Dietitian Drywall Ecology Electronics Employee assistance Engineer Financial planning Food preparation Gas pipeline Goal setting Graphic design Grant writer Guest services Harnessing Hiringfiring Hotel ISO 9000
Journalism Journeyman Layout design Logic analyzer Magnetic theory Manager Marketing Masterrsquos Degree Microprocessor Microsoft word Nursing Oscillator Pelletizing Patient advocate Payroll Personal computer Process metallurgy Proposal writing Psychology Public Relations Purchasing Radio Raw materials Receptionist Reporter Research Sales Secretarial Software modeling Spanish Spreadsheets Statistical Process Control Stick Welding Strategic Planning Student Personnel Supervisor Taxonomy Teacher Technical Writing Time Management Transportation Travel Wave Solder WordPerfect Workflow Writer
Office of Career Services at IU Kokomo
24 |Kelley Student Center 200 2300 S Washington St PO Box 9003 Kokomo IN 46904-9003 (765)455-9301 fax (765)455-9537 carserviukedu wwwiukeducareer-
services
ACTION WORDS
ORGANIZATIONAL Assembled Enforced Prepared Reorganized
Collected Executed Planned Scheduled
Centralized Formalized Processed Updated
Coordinated Implemented Routed Catalogued
Maintained Recorded
LEADERSHIPAllocated Hired Operated Spearheaded Determined Initiated
Oversaw Sponsored Directed Inspired Pioneered Staged
Elected Instituted Presided Started Enlisted Led
Produced Supervised Formed Managed Recruited Founded
Moderated Represented Governed Motivated Selected
COMMUNICATION SKILLS Acquainted Drafted Introduced Summarized Apprised Educated
Lectured Taught Answered Explained Listened
Trained Briefed Familiarized Presented Translated Conducted
Handled Reported Wrote Contacted Informed Responded
Demonstrated Instructed Spoke
RESEARCH Analyzed Detected Examined Researched
Assessed Discovered Gathered Searched
Audited Documented Identified Surveyed
Compiled Edited Interpreted Tested
Consulted Evaluated Interviewed
CREATIVITY Authored Created Devised
Originated Conceived Composed
Established Revolutionized Conceptualized
Designed Invented
HELPING SKILLS Aided Counseled Helped Supported
Attended Comforted Instilled Tutored
Assisted Facilitated Mentored Treated
Collaborated Fostered Provided Contributed
Guided Settled
SELLING Arbitrated Marketed Promoted
Secured Convinced Mediated
Publicized Solicited
Dissuaded Negotiated Resolved
Encouraged Persuaded Sold
OTHER ACTION VERBS Adapted Developed Generated Revamped Attained Ensured Improved Revitalized
Augmented Eliminated Increased Saved Awarded Exceeded Launched Shopped
Boosted Excelled Mastered Strengthened Broadened Expanded Modernized Supplemented
Built Expedited Published Tended Calculated Fabricated Raised Utilized
Catered Financed Reconciled Decreased Gained Reduced
Office of Career Services at IU Kokomo
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services
Transferable Skills-Skills you have acquired from your education and employment experience that you can market to new employers
Communication the skillful expression transmission and interpretation of knowledge and ideas
Speaking effectively Writing concisely Listening attentively Expressing ideas Facilitating group discussion Providing appropriate feedback Negotiating
Perceiving nonverbal messages Persuading Reporting information Describing feelings Interviewing Editing
Research and Planning the search for specific knowledge and the ability to conceptualize future needs and solutions for meeting those needs
Forecasting predicting Creating ideas Identifying problems Imagining alternatives Identifying resources Gathering information
Solving problems Setting goals Extracting important information Defining needs Analyzing Developing evaluation strategies
Human Relations the use of interpersonal skills for resolving conflict relating to and helping people Developing rapport Being Sensitive Listening Conveying feelings Providing support for others Motivating Sharing credit
Counseling Cooperating Delegating with respect Representing others Perceiving feelings situations Asserting
Organization Management and Leadership the ability to supervise direct and guide individuals and groups in the completion of tasks and fulfillment of goals Work Survival the day-to-day skills that assist in promoting effective production and work satisfaction
Implementing decisions Cooperating Enforcing policies Being punctual Managing time Attending to detail Meeting goals Enlisting help Accepting responsibility Setting and meeting deadlines Organizing Making decisions
Initiating new ideas Handling details Coordinating tasks Managing groups Delegating responsibility Teaching Coaching Counseling Promoting change Selling ideas or products Decision making with others Managing conflict
Office of Career Services at IU Kokomo
26 |Kelley Student Center 200 2300 S Washington St PO Box 9003 Kokomo IN 46904-9003 (765)455-9301 fax (765)455-9537 carserviukedu wwwiukeducareer-
services
After you have the perfect reacutesumeacute it is time to hit the road and put your skills into action Career Fairs will help put you in communication with prospective employers and give you valuable practice for interviews
Achieve Results and Get the Most Out of a Career Fair
Attend as many job fairs as you can Not only will practice make perfect but it will expand your network of career contacts Make sure to ask precise questions and be prepared to answer specific questions the employers have regarding your background and capabilities Before the Job Fair- Be Prepared
Create a reacutesumeacute and have it reviewed by a career counselor Create a list of 3-5 references in case they are requested (Be sure to ask your references for their help before
including them on the list) Create your 30-second oral reacutesumeacute and practice practice practice Review the employer list Determine where employers are located and in what order to visit them Broaden your focus and include different types of employers For instance although you may not have thought of
working for a hospital hospitals recruit and hire professionals in many different fields Do your research Look up information about the employers of interest
o Check their websites for information about their productsservices and mission statement o What types of jobs do they have open o What kind of people are they looking for o What kind of skills do these people need to have How do you meet their skill requirements o Develop some questions you would like to ask the employer representatives at the fair
Network Network Network with people you know and via social network sites like Linked-In and Facebook for more information about the companies Also seek contact with employees you might know or seek information from alumni who work there
During the Job Fair Dress for success (See page 38) Assume you will be interviewed and dress the part Even if you dont get an interview
at the job fair you have already made a great impression Always have a penpencil and paper to take notes- a portfolio works best Bring plenty of reacutesumeacutes with you While some companies will be seeking employees for specific positions some
employers will collect reacutesumeacutes for future positions Be sure to get all of the contact information you need to complete an application
Make sure to have copies of your reference list in case an employer asks First impressions are everything Be direct have a firm handshake and make eye contact as you greet employers This
will speak volumes about your confidence If you are only gathering information let employers know that you are only interested in materials and information
Be aware of time demands of employers Do not monopolize the employersrsquo time You should have already done your homework about their company so you can better spend your time asking about the positions available (or available in the near future) and how your skills match their needs Give them your 30-second oral reacutesumeacute and impress them with what you feel you can do for their company Since practice makes perfect donrsquot give up if the first attempt doesnrsquot go well Keep trying with other employers
Ask specific questions and collect information from each booth you visit including business cards from the employer representatives Offer to follow up after the fair and ask what the best way to contact them is
After the Job Fair You now have a prime opportunity to make a distinctive impression
Use those business cards you collected to follow up with each employer you are interested in Be sure to do everything you promised at the job fair Complete the application and upload your reacutesumeacute Send a thank-you note or email to all whom you talked with within 48 hours of the career fair This shows that you
are serious about their organization and will set you apart from many who neglect to do so If you follow up on your application for a position be sure to follow the preferred contact method and dont overdo it Stay in contact and use this experience to expand your network Submit an additional or amended reacutesumeacute during your follow-up contacts if need be Follow-up and follow-through contacts are up to the student be persistent and polite
Office of Career Services at IU Kokomo
27 |Kelley Student Center 200 2300 S Washington St PO Box 9003 Kokomo IN 46904-9003 (765)455-9301 fax (765)455-9537 carserviukedu wwwiukeducareer-
services
Additional information-what employers are expecting at a career fair
What Will Impress Employers o Demonstrate that you have done your homework and researched their company o Be prepared Have your reacutesumeacute critiqued by Career Services and bring plenty of copies with you Develop
questions to ask smile and courteously and enthusiastically engage the representatives o Have a firm hand shake and good eye contact- dress for success o Never ask about salary let them bring up the subject o An expectation that you will be responsible for following up with them including a thank you note or letter o Take the initiative Walk up to them and engage the employers they want to speak to you
What Employers May Want to Learn About You o Specific careerjob objectives What are your expectations o Individual strengths and weaknesses Have specific examples that demonstrate your skills develop short
stories that showcase your skills (Remember a job fair is time sensitive and you donrsquot want to take up too much time of one employer)
o Contributions you will make to the operation Remember be specific now is not the time to blandly or generically discuss what you can do
What You Should Learn About Each Company o Employment trends Career Fairs are excellent resources for information about career decision-making o Skills necessary for different careersjobs Have meaningful conversations with representatives o Currentfuture positions o Salary benefits training and other information about the company (again let the employer bring up salary) o Who to contact for follow-up discussions and what their hiring processes are get specifics o Collect their business card or write down their contact information
30 Second Oral Reacutesumeacute Purpose It is important to practice your 30 second oral reacutesumeacute prior to attending a career fair The famous ldquoTell me about yourselfrdquo is a question that is always asked Whether the question is asked in a social setting an interview or a networking event a well-planned answer can set you apart from the crowd as well as spark additional conversation Begin preparing your oral reacutesumeacute by following the tips below
How to Prepare Your Oral Reacutesumeacute o Begin by brainstorming what you would want someone to know about you Write down all of your ideas o Consider including the following information in your oral reacutesumeacute
Job Objective Education and Training Skills
Accomplishments and Achievements Prior Employment Other Experience
o Narrow down your optionsmdashpick the top 5 things you want the person to know about you o Develop a paragraph that encompasses all of the things you wish to say o Practice makes perfect Read aloud your reacutesumeacute several times
Additional Tips Prepare more than one oral reacutesumeacute for various situations Practice your reacutesumeacute by calling your voicemail and later playing back the messagemdashthink about how it sounds and
what you would like to change Make sure that your oral reacutesumeacute will keep the listenerrsquos attention
Example Oral Reacutesumeacute Hi my name is ________ and I am a senior at IU Kokomo majoring in New Media I am looking for an internship experience in graphic designweb development Through my coursework I have developed strong computer and analytical skills Last summer I worked as an intern at the Kokomo Perspective to gain experience with print media At the Perspective I worked with the copy editor as well as the writing staff to gain experience in both fields I also volunteer at United Way developing and updating their website
Office of Career Services at IU Kokomo
28 |Kelley Student Center 200 2300 S Washington St PO Box 9003 Kokomo IN 46904-9003 (765)455-9301 fax (765)455-9537 carserviukedu wwwiukeducareer-
services
Send a Follow-up thank you note after Career Fair Send a thank you note or email to all whom you talked with within 48 hours of the career fair This shows that you are serious about their organization and will set you apart from many who neglect to do so
Be sure to remind the employer where you met them Thank you for taking the time to talk with me on Thursday at the career fair After talking with you I
am even more eager to work at _____ Summarize specific qualities and assets you obtain I am certain my education at IU Kokomo has enhanced my skill set and has provided a solid
background of knowledge in the _______ fieldhelliphellip Some experiences I have had the pleasure of doing arehellip This opportunity improved my work ethic and made me aware of my self-reliancehellip
Always attach your reacutesumeacute again for their convenience I have attached my reacutesumeacute for your convenience I look forward to an opportunity to further discuss
my qualifications You may contact me athellip (phone andor email address) Thank you again for your time and consideration
Sample Thank you
Thank you for taking the time to talk with me on Thursday November 9 at the career fair on IU Kokomorsquos campus I appreciate your time and attention and after talking with you I am even more interested in learning more about your organization You were extremely helpful in explaining companyrsquos name customer service and marketing trainee program Now that I have a better idea of what the position entails I am even more certain that I would be an asset to your team and to companyrsquos name My solid education from the IU Kokomo Communication Department and the fact that I have worked my way through college show the work ethic and determination you said were important to be successful at companyrsquos name I look forward to an opportunity to visit companyrsquos name office and speak to you further about the trainee program I will contact you next week to arrange an appointment Enclosed is an updated reacutesumeacute for your review Thank you again for your time and consideration Sincerely
Office of Career Services at IU Kokomo
29 |Kelley Student Center 200 2300 S Washington St PO Box 9003 Kokomo IN 46904-9003 (765)455-9301 fax (765)455-9537 carserviukedu wwwiukeducareer-
services
Knowledge and practice will give you the confidence you need to be prepared and give the best impression possible at an interview The following information will help prepare you for nearly any interview contingency being confidant that you can handle it is the best way to increase your chances of getting hired Here are a few things you can do to give yourself a head start
Questions to think about prior to your interview
1 Why do you want to work at this facility and what specific jobareas am I interested in a To Prepare research the facility
i Mission ii Population served
iii Financial stability iv Management style
b Learn about the job
i Job description ii Occupational outlook
iii Handbook iv employees
2 What qualities make me a good candidate
a To prepare self assessment i What are my strengths and weaknesses
ii What are my interests iii How do I know iv What kinds of results demonstrate my abilities
3 What type of shift working conditions salary and fringe benefits are most important to me (12 hours 10 hours 8
hours weekends flex-time insurance) a To prepare clarify values and lifestyle choices
i What are my values ii What kind of lifestyles do I want for myself and those close to me
4 How will I be trained
a To prepare How do I learn best i Do I need immediate feedback or can I learn well on my own
5 What are my goals Where do I want to be in 10 years
a To prepare Identify and prioritize career and life goals and objectives i Am I interested in supervision training management
ii How do I plan to reach these goals
6 What are the major issues and current events facing this specific field job occupation and company today
7 What can you bring to the organization
Office of Career Services at IU Kokomo
30 |Kelley Student Center 200 2300 S Washington St PO Box 9003 Kokomo IN 46904-9003 (765)455-9301 fax (765)455-9537 carserviukedu wwwiukeducareer-
services
Behavioral Interviews- Use the STAR Interviewing Technique for Success
The STAR acronym represents Situation Task Action and Result Recruiters and hiring managers favor the STAR technique because
it provides a better explanation of your past performance how you handle workplace challenges and whether youre able to articulate
your experiences STAR behavioral interviews are quickly becoming the most popular and common form of interview
Situation or
Task
Describe the situation that you were in or the task that you needed to accomplish You must
describe a specific event or situation not a generalized description of what you have done in
the past Be sure to give enough detail for the interviewer to understand This situation can be
from a previous job from a volunteer experience or any relevant event
Action you took Describe the action you took and be sure to keep the focus on you Even if you are discussing
a group project or effort describe what you did -- not the efforts of the team Dont tell what
you might do tell what you did
Results you achieved What happened How did the event end What did you accomplish What did you learn
For examples of past behavior use examples from
Internships
Work experience
Class projects
School activitiesorganizations you are involved with
Sports
Volunteercommunity service
Hobbies
Think about your accomplishments what are you most proud of that you want to share with the employer
How to prepare for behavior-based interviews
Identify 3-6 examples that demonstrate your top skills Look through the job description pinpoint the skills they are seeking
Pick experiences that demonstrate top behaviors of those skills
Prepare how you will ldquotell your storyrdquo using STAR
Pick examples that will be positive accomplishment
Most behavioral questions try to reveal the negative situations so be prepared with those examples However try to pick
examples that had a positive outcome
Try not to pick examples from only one topic Pick a variety of examples choosing examples from work class community
services etc
Typically the best examples are situations that happened within the last year
Go over your resume and review the accomplishments you have listed andor skills this could assist you with identifying
examples
LISTEN to the full question Be sure the example is an appropriate description of how you demonstrated what they are
asking for
Office of Career Services at IU Kokomo
31 |Kelley Student Center 200 2300 S Washington St PO Box 9003 Kokomo IN 46904-9003 (765)455-9301 fax (765)455-9537 carserviukedu wwwiukeducareer-
services
Sample Behavior-based Questions
Communication Skills
1 Give me a specific example of a time someone didnrsquot agree with your work How did you respond 2 Tell me about a time when you had to present complex information How did you ensure that everyone
understood what you were saying 3 Give an example about a time where written communication was needed
Decision Making Skills
1 What is the biggest decision or risk yoursquove made in the past year on the job Describe the process you used to make those decisions Would you do it again
2 Describe a time you overcame a challenge with an innovative solution What was the challenge What role did you play
Planning Organization Time management Skills
1 Please give an example of a time you didnrsquot meet your deadline Why did you fail to meet your deadline What did you learn from that experience
2 Give an example of how you keep track of multiple projects How do you stay on track and meet deadlines How do you stay focused
3 Describe a goal yoursquove had How you set it and achieved it
Flexibility Skills 1 Tell us about one of the toughest situations with which yoursquove had to deal with How did you handle the
stress or pressure of the situation Leadership Skills
1 Describe a time when you disagreed with a directive given by your supervisor What happened and how did you handle it
2 Give an example of a situation where team members or co-workers didnrsquot get along This could include you and someone else or two other people How did the project turn out What did you do to resolve the issue so everyone was able to work together
Office of Career Services at IU Kokomo
32 |Kelley Student Center 200 2300 S Washington St PO Box 9003 Kokomo IN 46904-9003 (765)455-9301 fax (765)455-9537 carserviukedu wwwiukeducareer-
services
Other Common Questions Asked by Employers
Personal 1 Tell me about yourself 2 Why did you choose to interview with our organization 3 Describe your ideal job 4 What can you offer us over another candidate 5 What do you consider to be your greatest strengths 6 Can you name some weaknesses 7 Define success Failure How did you learn from your failures 8 Name a couple accomplishments you most proud 9 Who are your role models Why 10 How does your college education or work experience relate to this job 11 What motivates you most in a job 12 Have you ever spoken before a group of people How large 13 What do you know about our organization (products or services) 14 Do you plan to return to school for further education 15 What would you change about yourself and why
Education
16 Why did you choose your major 17 Why did you choose to attend your college or university 18 Do you think you received a good education In what ways 19 In which campus activities did you participate 20 Which classes in your major did you like best Least Why 21 If you were to start over what would you change about your education 22 Do your grades accurately reflect your ability Why or why not
Experience
23 What job-related skills have you developed 24 Did you work while going to school In what positions 25 What did you learn from these work experiences 26 What did you enjoy most about your last employment Least 27 Have you ever quit a job Why 28 Give an example of how you have solved a problem in the work place 29 How do you resolve conflict on a team project 30 Give an example of a time in which you worked under deadline pressure 31 Have you ever done any volunteer work What kind 32 How do you think a former supervisor would describe your work
Career Goals
33 Do you prefer to work under supervision or on your own 34 What kind of boss do you prefer 35 Would you be successful working with a team 36 Do you prefer large or small organizations Why 37 What other types of positions are you considering 38 How do you feel about working in a structured environment 39 Are you able to work on several assignments at once 40 How do you feel about working overtime 41 How do you feel about travel 42 Are you willing to relocate
Office of Career Services at IU Kokomo
33 |Kelley Student Center 200 2300 S Washington St PO Box 9003 Kokomo IN 46904-9003 (765)455-9301 fax (765)455-9537 carserviukedu wwwiukeducareer-
services
Questions to Ask Employers
An interview is a two-way street Employers get an impression of you from the questions you ask Are you a critical thinker Did you comprehend and correctly process everything in the interview Have you done research and have a good grasp of the company and the scope of the position Your questions should be intelligent insightful and polite Have at least 3-5 custom questions in mind Employers look for someone who shows interest confidence and is well organized
1 Please describe (or ask them to clarify specifics) the duties of the job for me 2 Is this a new position or am I replacing someone 3 What do you like best about your jobcompany 4 What kinds of assignments might I expect the first six months on the job 5 What qualities are you looking for in the candidate who fills this position 6 Does your company encourage further education 7 Do you have plans for expansion 8 What are your growth projections for next year 9 Have you cut staff in the last three years 10 In what ways is a career with your company better than one with your competitors 11 What is the largest single problem facing your staff (department) now 12 Has there been much turnover in this job area 13 Will I have the opportunity to work on special projects 14 Where does this position fit into the organizational structure 15 How much travel if any is involved in this position 16 What is the next course of action When should I expect to hear from you or may I contact you
Interview Checklist Preparation Research research research Knowing more about the organization as a whole and the particular position you are applying for will be helpful in the interview It will help you understand questions that may be asked and will give you a chance to come up with questions to ask them The more research you conduct the more confident and comfortable you will feel in the interview It will also demonstrate to the employer how determined and pro-active you are about their company and the position you seek Get specific directions to the location If possible go there the day before and check out parking and the location of the office where your interview will be held
First Impression Put your best foot forward Remember the decision to hire you may be made in the first 5 minutes Always wait until they sit or invite you to be seated
Dress code Dress more formal than you would in the actual position Women should wear a suit or dress with a jacket Men should wear a suit or sport jacket and slacks Itrsquos a good idea to have an interview outfit ready and waiting (cleaned neat no threads or missing buttons) hanging in your closet Donrsquot wear anything too trendy or faddish (ladies no miniskirts) Check all zippers for closure and ladies should always have an extra pair of hose for emergencies Your style of dress communicates too what do you want it to say (See page 38)
Arrival Arrive a few minutes early to check out the location and parking Stop by the restroom and check your appearance Again you may want to check out the location the day before if you are unsure of the area
What to bring Always have an extra copy of your reacutesumeacute note paper and pen You will want to jot down questions as they may come about as well as information about the position Also write down the names of each person you interview with so you can mail a thank-you note
Application
Office of Career Services at IU Kokomo
34 |Kelley Student Center 200 2300 S Washington St PO Box 9003 Kokomo IN 46904-9003 (765)455-9301 fax (765)455-9537 carserviukedu wwwiukeducareer-
services
Read through the entire application before you begin Follow the directions Give specific titles You may leave the salary question blank or fill it in with a reasonable salary range Use NA where answers are not applicable Proofread the application before returning it
Legal and Illegal Pre-employment Questions CATEGORY LAWFUL
(Questions employers can ask)
UNLAWFUL (Questions employers cannot ask)
Name Have you ever worked for this company under a different name
Is any additional information relative to change of name use of an assumed name or nickname necessary to enable a check
on your work record If yes explain
What is your maiden name
Is the name on your application your real name
Address Where do you live
How long have you lived there
Birthplace Where were you born Where were your relatives born
Agebirth date Are you 18 years of age or older How old are you What is your birth date
Prove your age by submitting your birth certificate baptismal record
naturalization papers etc (see citizenship)
Photograph Requirement or option that applicant affix a photograph to employment form at
any time before hiring Citizenship Are you a citizen of the United States
If not are you authorized to work in the US
Can you verify US citizenship or your
right to work in the United States
Of what country are you a citizen Are you a naturalized or a native-born
citizen When did you acquire citizenship
Please produce naturalization papers or green card
(employers must verify citizenship or the right to work after theyrsquove decided to
extend an offer) Sex or Marital Status Are you male or female
Are you married What are your living arrangements
Relatives Do you have relatives (other than a spouse) already employed by the
company
What are their names
What are the names (addresses ages number or other information) of your
relatives not employed by the company
Children
Do you have children or plans to have children in the future
Do you have the capacity to reproduce Do you advocate any form of birth control
or family planning What are your child care arrangements
How old are your children
CATEGORY LAWFUL UNLAWFUL (Questions employers can ask) (Questions employers cannot ask)
Disability Do you have any impairment
(physical mental or medical) which would interfere with your ability to perform the job for which you have
applied
Do you have any disabilities or diseases not related to job
performance
Arrest record Have you ever been convicted of a criminal offense other than minor
traffic violations If yes explain fully
Have you ever been arrested
Experienced Please describe your work experience
Travel Overtime This position requires X amount of overtimetravel Would you be able
to meet this requirement
Who will care for your children when you travel or work overtime
Would your spouse object if you
traveled or worked overtime Language What languages do you speak and
write fluently What is your native language
How did you learn to read write or
speak a foreign language Education Please describe your academic
vocational or professional education and the public and private schools you attended
What are the dates of attendance
(To permit verification)
Notice in case of emergency What are the names and addresses of people to be notified in case of
accident or emergency (can be asked after hire)
Military experience Have you served in the US Armed Forces or in the National Guard
Describe your experience
Do you have any military experience
(other than in the United States) Organizations Do you belong to any organizations
which you consider relevant to your ability to perform this job Please
explain
Are you a member of any clubs societies or lodges
Which ones
Race or color What racecolor are you Are you a minority
Religion or creed What is your religion To which parishchurch do you
belong What religious holidays do you
observe National Origin What is your (or relatives) lineage
ancestry national origin descent percentage or nationality
Office of Career Services at IU Kokomo
36 |Kelley Student Center 200 2300 S Washington St PO Box 9003 Kokomo IN 46904-9003 (765)455-9301 fax (765)455-9537 carserviukedu wwwiukeducareer-
services
After the interview After you have interviewed for a position there are some things to do that may improve your chances
Send a Follow-up thank you note within 24 hours
This shows that you are serious about their organization and will set you apart from many who neglect to do so By taking the
time to email or write a handwritten letter thanking them for taking their time to meet with you Summarize specific qualities
you have and let them know you look forward in speaking with them further about employment
Sample Thank you
Dear Intervieweersquos Name Thank you for taking the time to talk with me on Thursday November 9 at the interview for list specifics of position and company) I appreciate your time and attention and after talking with you I am even more interested in becoming a valuable team member at companyrsquos name You were extremely helpful in explaining list position Now that I have a better idea of what the position entails I am even more certain that I would be an asset to your team and to companyrsquos name My solid education from the IU Kokomo Communication Department and the fact that I have worked my way through college show the work ethic and determination you said were important to be successful at companyrsquos name I look forward to an opportunity to work with companyrsquos name office and speak to you further about the program I will contact you next week to follow up and provide you with any further information that you may need Thank you again for your time and consideration Sincerely
Your name
The Stall Letter
There may be situations that you will need time to figure out whether a job is a good fit or have more than one position to accept or decline The stall letter is a good tool to have in this case In the introduction refer to the job offer or event that is prompting the letter In the second paragraph state your continued interest in the position but request more time to gather further information or to consider all alternatives and opportunities in order to make the best choice for the position and the company as well as yourself Give a specific time extension request If you need 24 hours for example ask for that Ask for the minimal amount of time in order to make your decision Remember this is a request and does not guarantee that the employer will accept it and be prepared for the possibility that they will not grant the time and choose another candidate In the conclusion thank them for their time and understanding and indicate when you will contact them to discuss the terms of the possible extension
Sample Stall Letter
Dear name of person that offered the position This letter is in reference to list company name and your offer of list the position I would like to take this opportunity to thank you for the opportunity and express my continued interest in the position At this time I would like to request __hours to gather some vital information in order to be completely confidant that I am making the best and most informed decision possible I want to ensure for all parties involved that I have considered all options and alternatives to be certain that my acceptance of this list position is the correct course of action for us both I appreciate your understanding and valuable time and look forward to speaking with you at your earliest convenience today so that we may discuss the terms of my request Sincerely Your Name
Office of Career Services at IU Kokomo
37 |Kelley Student Center 200 2300 S Washington St PO Box 9003 Kokomo IN 46904-9003 (765)455-9301 fax (765)455-9537 carserviukedu wwwiukeducareer-
services
Acceptance of a Job Offer Letter
Responding in writing to a job offer shows courtesy and is expected It reduces the chance of any misunderstanding that verbal acceptances do not In the first paragraph thank the employer for offering the specific position title and say that you are happy to accept it In the second paragraph state the terms of employment (salary location and start date) Emphasize any negotiations of terms that were unusual or non-standard if there were any In the last paragraph thank the employer sincerely for the opportunity and express your excitement to join their organization and be a valuable asset to them
Sample Job Offer Acceptance Letter
Dear person who offered position
I am happy to have the opportunity to accept the position of list title
The following terms of the position as I understood them include a salary of list salaryrate of pay at List location and to begin employment on list date As we discussed instead of the typical work week we agreed to the addition of evening and weekend hours during the probationary period with a return to usual business hours after 90 days We also agreed to a company vehicle provision for any off site training and appointments during the course of my employment
I truly look forward to becoming a valued member of your team and I am anticipating a productive and positive professional relationship with list company
Sincerely Your Name
Decline or Withdrawing from Consideration Letter
There may be times that you wish to decline or remove yourself from consideration from a position Doing this on a positive
and respectful note decreases the chance that future opportunities will be missed either as a future employee or possible
professional contact with the firm Thank the employer for the opportunity but decline it based on your reasons Be sure to
specifically name the person that was in charge of the hiring process If the decline is due to a term that was offered be
specific the firm could always choose to negotiate that term to better suit your situation
Date
Dear List person
Thank you very much for offering me the list position After careful consideration I regret that I must decline your offer
Although you were most encouraging in outlining future advancement possibilities within ABC Company I have accepted another
opportunity that is more in line with my skills and career goals or I found list the term to be out of line with my needs and
goals
I enjoyed meeting you and the rest of your team You have been most kind and gracious throughout the interview process and I
only wish that circumstances allowed me to accept your offer
Best wishes for your continued success
Sincerely
Your Name
Office of Career Services at IU Kokomo
38 |Kelley Student Center 200 2300 S Washington St PO Box 9003 Kokomo IN 46904-9003 (765)455-9301 fax (765)455-9537 carserviukedu wwwiukeducareer-
services
____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
This packet contains a lot of valuable information to help you achieve all the goals that an education from IU Kokomo
will prepare you for Use this as a guide for every step of the way from your freshman year graduation and beyond
Office of Career Services at IU Kokomo
21 |Kelley Student Center 200 2300 S Washington St PO Box 9003 Kokomo IN 46904-9003 (765)455-9301 fax (765)455-9537 carserviukedu wwwiukeducareer-
services
References
Reference lists should always be available and prepared with 3-4 professional references
Do
Do get permission from each reference you plan to use
Do give each reference a copy of your reacutesumeacute to have as a guide
Do choose references that are well informed and have good verbal and written communication skills
Do Not
Do not use relatives personal friends or students as a reference
Letters of Recommendation
A letter of recommendation provides relevant information that is honest positive and portrays a up-front outlook of the skills
and potential capabilities you possess It can describe personality performance and skill attributes knowledge and
competency level
The following are suggestions of individuals who may be qualified to write a letter of recommendation
Executive Director
Vice President
Supervisors
Co-workers
CustomersClients
Subordinates
Professors
Counsellors
Coaches
Doctors
Lawyers
Ministers
Community Leaders
Office of Career Services at IU Kokomo
22 |Kelley Student Center 200 2300 S Washington St PO Box 9003 Kokomo IN 46904-9003 (765)455-9301 fax (765)455-9537 carserviukedu wwwiukeducareer-
services
Key WordsAction Words
Actively Established Evaluate Participated Schedule Coordinate Increased Proposed Strategy Created Launched Reduced Support Effect Eliminate Organized Originate
Approve Generate Program Solve Control Improve Recommend Supervise Direct Manage Motivated Responsibilities Revise Analyze Founded Pinpointed Set up
Completed Interpret Proficient Successfully Demonstrate Maintain Revamped Responsible Administer Expedite Plan Simplicity Conduct Implemented Provide Streamline Develop
Lecture Reorganized Accelerated Adapted Expanded Perform Significantly Conceived Influence Proved Structure Delegate Lead Reinforced Teach
Self-Describing Words Professional Active Diplomatic Loyal Respective Analytical Attentive Determined Logical Resourceful Ambitious Efficient Energetic Independent
Reliable Alert Economical Objective Optimistic Realistic Aggressive Discrete Methodical Sense-of-humor Sincere Adaptable Disciplined Mature
Self-reliant Broad-minded Enterprising Personable Tactful Creative Imaginative Perceptive Systematic Constructive Forceful Productive Sophisticated Consistent
Fair Practical Will relocate Conscientious Extroverted Positive Will travel Enthusiastic Pleasant Talented Dependable Trustworthy Ethical
Keywords for Interpersonal Traits Ability to delegate Accurate Assertive Creative Ethical Follow up Leadership Oral communication Public speaking Self accountable Supportive Tenacious
Ability to implement Adaptable Communication skill Customer oriented Flexible High energy Multitasking Organizational skills Results oriented Self management Takes initiative Willing to travel
Ability to plan Aggressive Competitive Detail minded Follow instructions Industrious Open minded Persuasive Risk taking Sensitive Team building Ability to train
Analytical ability Conceptual ability Empowering others Follow through Innovated Open communication Problem solving Safety conscious Setting priorities Team player
Office of Career Services at IU Kokomo
23 |Kelley Student Center 200 2300 S Washington St PO Box 9003 Kokomo IN 46904-9003 (765)455-9301 fax (765)455-9537 carserviukedu wwwiukeducareer-
services
Sample of Occupational Keywords Occupational keywords include skills titles and occupational buzz words Account manager Accounts receivable Acquisitions Bachelors Degree Bank Card Bank reconciliation Batch processing Benchmarking Blueprint reading Brochures Budget Bulletins CAD Calibrator Carpentry Cash Flow Cell Culture Media Cement Child Care Claims Justification Commercial Leasing Copy Editing Counselor Crisis Management Cross-culture training Debugging Decision making Demographics Dental management Die casting Dietitian Drywall Ecology Electronics Employee assistance Engineer Financial planning Food preparation Gas pipeline Goal setting Graphic design Grant writer Guest services Harnessing Hiringfiring Hotel ISO 9000
Journalism Journeyman Layout design Logic analyzer Magnetic theory Manager Marketing Masterrsquos Degree Microprocessor Microsoft word Nursing Oscillator Pelletizing Patient advocate Payroll Personal computer Process metallurgy Proposal writing Psychology Public Relations Purchasing Radio Raw materials Receptionist Reporter Research Sales Secretarial Software modeling Spanish Spreadsheets Statistical Process Control Stick Welding Strategic Planning Student Personnel Supervisor Taxonomy Teacher Technical Writing Time Management Transportation Travel Wave Solder WordPerfect Workflow Writer
Office of Career Services at IU Kokomo
24 |Kelley Student Center 200 2300 S Washington St PO Box 9003 Kokomo IN 46904-9003 (765)455-9301 fax (765)455-9537 carserviukedu wwwiukeducareer-
services
ACTION WORDS
ORGANIZATIONAL Assembled Enforced Prepared Reorganized
Collected Executed Planned Scheduled
Centralized Formalized Processed Updated
Coordinated Implemented Routed Catalogued
Maintained Recorded
LEADERSHIPAllocated Hired Operated Spearheaded Determined Initiated
Oversaw Sponsored Directed Inspired Pioneered Staged
Elected Instituted Presided Started Enlisted Led
Produced Supervised Formed Managed Recruited Founded
Moderated Represented Governed Motivated Selected
COMMUNICATION SKILLS Acquainted Drafted Introduced Summarized Apprised Educated
Lectured Taught Answered Explained Listened
Trained Briefed Familiarized Presented Translated Conducted
Handled Reported Wrote Contacted Informed Responded
Demonstrated Instructed Spoke
RESEARCH Analyzed Detected Examined Researched
Assessed Discovered Gathered Searched
Audited Documented Identified Surveyed
Compiled Edited Interpreted Tested
Consulted Evaluated Interviewed
CREATIVITY Authored Created Devised
Originated Conceived Composed
Established Revolutionized Conceptualized
Designed Invented
HELPING SKILLS Aided Counseled Helped Supported
Attended Comforted Instilled Tutored
Assisted Facilitated Mentored Treated
Collaborated Fostered Provided Contributed
Guided Settled
SELLING Arbitrated Marketed Promoted
Secured Convinced Mediated
Publicized Solicited
Dissuaded Negotiated Resolved
Encouraged Persuaded Sold
OTHER ACTION VERBS Adapted Developed Generated Revamped Attained Ensured Improved Revitalized
Augmented Eliminated Increased Saved Awarded Exceeded Launched Shopped
Boosted Excelled Mastered Strengthened Broadened Expanded Modernized Supplemented
Built Expedited Published Tended Calculated Fabricated Raised Utilized
Catered Financed Reconciled Decreased Gained Reduced
Office of Career Services at IU Kokomo
25 |Kelley Student Center 200 2300 S Washington St PO Box 9003 Kokomo IN 46904-9003 (765)455-9301 fax (765)455-9537 carserviukedu wwwiukeducareer-
services
Transferable Skills-Skills you have acquired from your education and employment experience that you can market to new employers
Communication the skillful expression transmission and interpretation of knowledge and ideas
Speaking effectively Writing concisely Listening attentively Expressing ideas Facilitating group discussion Providing appropriate feedback Negotiating
Perceiving nonverbal messages Persuading Reporting information Describing feelings Interviewing Editing
Research and Planning the search for specific knowledge and the ability to conceptualize future needs and solutions for meeting those needs
Forecasting predicting Creating ideas Identifying problems Imagining alternatives Identifying resources Gathering information
Solving problems Setting goals Extracting important information Defining needs Analyzing Developing evaluation strategies
Human Relations the use of interpersonal skills for resolving conflict relating to and helping people Developing rapport Being Sensitive Listening Conveying feelings Providing support for others Motivating Sharing credit
Counseling Cooperating Delegating with respect Representing others Perceiving feelings situations Asserting
Organization Management and Leadership the ability to supervise direct and guide individuals and groups in the completion of tasks and fulfillment of goals Work Survival the day-to-day skills that assist in promoting effective production and work satisfaction
Implementing decisions Cooperating Enforcing policies Being punctual Managing time Attending to detail Meeting goals Enlisting help Accepting responsibility Setting and meeting deadlines Organizing Making decisions
Initiating new ideas Handling details Coordinating tasks Managing groups Delegating responsibility Teaching Coaching Counseling Promoting change Selling ideas or products Decision making with others Managing conflict
Office of Career Services at IU Kokomo
26 |Kelley Student Center 200 2300 S Washington St PO Box 9003 Kokomo IN 46904-9003 (765)455-9301 fax (765)455-9537 carserviukedu wwwiukeducareer-
services
After you have the perfect reacutesumeacute it is time to hit the road and put your skills into action Career Fairs will help put you in communication with prospective employers and give you valuable practice for interviews
Achieve Results and Get the Most Out of a Career Fair
Attend as many job fairs as you can Not only will practice make perfect but it will expand your network of career contacts Make sure to ask precise questions and be prepared to answer specific questions the employers have regarding your background and capabilities Before the Job Fair- Be Prepared
Create a reacutesumeacute and have it reviewed by a career counselor Create a list of 3-5 references in case they are requested (Be sure to ask your references for their help before
including them on the list) Create your 30-second oral reacutesumeacute and practice practice practice Review the employer list Determine where employers are located and in what order to visit them Broaden your focus and include different types of employers For instance although you may not have thought of
working for a hospital hospitals recruit and hire professionals in many different fields Do your research Look up information about the employers of interest
o Check their websites for information about their productsservices and mission statement o What types of jobs do they have open o What kind of people are they looking for o What kind of skills do these people need to have How do you meet their skill requirements o Develop some questions you would like to ask the employer representatives at the fair
Network Network Network with people you know and via social network sites like Linked-In and Facebook for more information about the companies Also seek contact with employees you might know or seek information from alumni who work there
During the Job Fair Dress for success (See page 38) Assume you will be interviewed and dress the part Even if you dont get an interview
at the job fair you have already made a great impression Always have a penpencil and paper to take notes- a portfolio works best Bring plenty of reacutesumeacutes with you While some companies will be seeking employees for specific positions some
employers will collect reacutesumeacutes for future positions Be sure to get all of the contact information you need to complete an application
Make sure to have copies of your reference list in case an employer asks First impressions are everything Be direct have a firm handshake and make eye contact as you greet employers This
will speak volumes about your confidence If you are only gathering information let employers know that you are only interested in materials and information
Be aware of time demands of employers Do not monopolize the employersrsquo time You should have already done your homework about their company so you can better spend your time asking about the positions available (or available in the near future) and how your skills match their needs Give them your 30-second oral reacutesumeacute and impress them with what you feel you can do for their company Since practice makes perfect donrsquot give up if the first attempt doesnrsquot go well Keep trying with other employers
Ask specific questions and collect information from each booth you visit including business cards from the employer representatives Offer to follow up after the fair and ask what the best way to contact them is
After the Job Fair You now have a prime opportunity to make a distinctive impression
Use those business cards you collected to follow up with each employer you are interested in Be sure to do everything you promised at the job fair Complete the application and upload your reacutesumeacute Send a thank-you note or email to all whom you talked with within 48 hours of the career fair This shows that you
are serious about their organization and will set you apart from many who neglect to do so If you follow up on your application for a position be sure to follow the preferred contact method and dont overdo it Stay in contact and use this experience to expand your network Submit an additional or amended reacutesumeacute during your follow-up contacts if need be Follow-up and follow-through contacts are up to the student be persistent and polite
Office of Career Services at IU Kokomo
27 |Kelley Student Center 200 2300 S Washington St PO Box 9003 Kokomo IN 46904-9003 (765)455-9301 fax (765)455-9537 carserviukedu wwwiukeducareer-
services
Additional information-what employers are expecting at a career fair
What Will Impress Employers o Demonstrate that you have done your homework and researched their company o Be prepared Have your reacutesumeacute critiqued by Career Services and bring plenty of copies with you Develop
questions to ask smile and courteously and enthusiastically engage the representatives o Have a firm hand shake and good eye contact- dress for success o Never ask about salary let them bring up the subject o An expectation that you will be responsible for following up with them including a thank you note or letter o Take the initiative Walk up to them and engage the employers they want to speak to you
What Employers May Want to Learn About You o Specific careerjob objectives What are your expectations o Individual strengths and weaknesses Have specific examples that demonstrate your skills develop short
stories that showcase your skills (Remember a job fair is time sensitive and you donrsquot want to take up too much time of one employer)
o Contributions you will make to the operation Remember be specific now is not the time to blandly or generically discuss what you can do
What You Should Learn About Each Company o Employment trends Career Fairs are excellent resources for information about career decision-making o Skills necessary for different careersjobs Have meaningful conversations with representatives o Currentfuture positions o Salary benefits training and other information about the company (again let the employer bring up salary) o Who to contact for follow-up discussions and what their hiring processes are get specifics o Collect their business card or write down their contact information
30 Second Oral Reacutesumeacute Purpose It is important to practice your 30 second oral reacutesumeacute prior to attending a career fair The famous ldquoTell me about yourselfrdquo is a question that is always asked Whether the question is asked in a social setting an interview or a networking event a well-planned answer can set you apart from the crowd as well as spark additional conversation Begin preparing your oral reacutesumeacute by following the tips below
How to Prepare Your Oral Reacutesumeacute o Begin by brainstorming what you would want someone to know about you Write down all of your ideas o Consider including the following information in your oral reacutesumeacute
Job Objective Education and Training Skills
Accomplishments and Achievements Prior Employment Other Experience
o Narrow down your optionsmdashpick the top 5 things you want the person to know about you o Develop a paragraph that encompasses all of the things you wish to say o Practice makes perfect Read aloud your reacutesumeacute several times
Additional Tips Prepare more than one oral reacutesumeacute for various situations Practice your reacutesumeacute by calling your voicemail and later playing back the messagemdashthink about how it sounds and
what you would like to change Make sure that your oral reacutesumeacute will keep the listenerrsquos attention
Example Oral Reacutesumeacute Hi my name is ________ and I am a senior at IU Kokomo majoring in New Media I am looking for an internship experience in graphic designweb development Through my coursework I have developed strong computer and analytical skills Last summer I worked as an intern at the Kokomo Perspective to gain experience with print media At the Perspective I worked with the copy editor as well as the writing staff to gain experience in both fields I also volunteer at United Way developing and updating their website
Office of Career Services at IU Kokomo
28 |Kelley Student Center 200 2300 S Washington St PO Box 9003 Kokomo IN 46904-9003 (765)455-9301 fax (765)455-9537 carserviukedu wwwiukeducareer-
services
Send a Follow-up thank you note after Career Fair Send a thank you note or email to all whom you talked with within 48 hours of the career fair This shows that you are serious about their organization and will set you apart from many who neglect to do so
Be sure to remind the employer where you met them Thank you for taking the time to talk with me on Thursday at the career fair After talking with you I
am even more eager to work at _____ Summarize specific qualities and assets you obtain I am certain my education at IU Kokomo has enhanced my skill set and has provided a solid
background of knowledge in the _______ fieldhelliphellip Some experiences I have had the pleasure of doing arehellip This opportunity improved my work ethic and made me aware of my self-reliancehellip
Always attach your reacutesumeacute again for their convenience I have attached my reacutesumeacute for your convenience I look forward to an opportunity to further discuss
my qualifications You may contact me athellip (phone andor email address) Thank you again for your time and consideration
Sample Thank you
Thank you for taking the time to talk with me on Thursday November 9 at the career fair on IU Kokomorsquos campus I appreciate your time and attention and after talking with you I am even more interested in learning more about your organization You were extremely helpful in explaining companyrsquos name customer service and marketing trainee program Now that I have a better idea of what the position entails I am even more certain that I would be an asset to your team and to companyrsquos name My solid education from the IU Kokomo Communication Department and the fact that I have worked my way through college show the work ethic and determination you said were important to be successful at companyrsquos name I look forward to an opportunity to visit companyrsquos name office and speak to you further about the trainee program I will contact you next week to arrange an appointment Enclosed is an updated reacutesumeacute for your review Thank you again for your time and consideration Sincerely
Office of Career Services at IU Kokomo
29 |Kelley Student Center 200 2300 S Washington St PO Box 9003 Kokomo IN 46904-9003 (765)455-9301 fax (765)455-9537 carserviukedu wwwiukeducareer-
services
Knowledge and practice will give you the confidence you need to be prepared and give the best impression possible at an interview The following information will help prepare you for nearly any interview contingency being confidant that you can handle it is the best way to increase your chances of getting hired Here are a few things you can do to give yourself a head start
Questions to think about prior to your interview
1 Why do you want to work at this facility and what specific jobareas am I interested in a To Prepare research the facility
i Mission ii Population served
iii Financial stability iv Management style
b Learn about the job
i Job description ii Occupational outlook
iii Handbook iv employees
2 What qualities make me a good candidate
a To prepare self assessment i What are my strengths and weaknesses
ii What are my interests iii How do I know iv What kinds of results demonstrate my abilities
3 What type of shift working conditions salary and fringe benefits are most important to me (12 hours 10 hours 8
hours weekends flex-time insurance) a To prepare clarify values and lifestyle choices
i What are my values ii What kind of lifestyles do I want for myself and those close to me
4 How will I be trained
a To prepare How do I learn best i Do I need immediate feedback or can I learn well on my own
5 What are my goals Where do I want to be in 10 years
a To prepare Identify and prioritize career and life goals and objectives i Am I interested in supervision training management
ii How do I plan to reach these goals
6 What are the major issues and current events facing this specific field job occupation and company today
7 What can you bring to the organization
Office of Career Services at IU Kokomo
30 |Kelley Student Center 200 2300 S Washington St PO Box 9003 Kokomo IN 46904-9003 (765)455-9301 fax (765)455-9537 carserviukedu wwwiukeducareer-
services
Behavioral Interviews- Use the STAR Interviewing Technique for Success
The STAR acronym represents Situation Task Action and Result Recruiters and hiring managers favor the STAR technique because
it provides a better explanation of your past performance how you handle workplace challenges and whether youre able to articulate
your experiences STAR behavioral interviews are quickly becoming the most popular and common form of interview
Situation or
Task
Describe the situation that you were in or the task that you needed to accomplish You must
describe a specific event or situation not a generalized description of what you have done in
the past Be sure to give enough detail for the interviewer to understand This situation can be
from a previous job from a volunteer experience or any relevant event
Action you took Describe the action you took and be sure to keep the focus on you Even if you are discussing
a group project or effort describe what you did -- not the efforts of the team Dont tell what
you might do tell what you did
Results you achieved What happened How did the event end What did you accomplish What did you learn
For examples of past behavior use examples from
Internships
Work experience
Class projects
School activitiesorganizations you are involved with
Sports
Volunteercommunity service
Hobbies
Think about your accomplishments what are you most proud of that you want to share with the employer
How to prepare for behavior-based interviews
Identify 3-6 examples that demonstrate your top skills Look through the job description pinpoint the skills they are seeking
Pick experiences that demonstrate top behaviors of those skills
Prepare how you will ldquotell your storyrdquo using STAR
Pick examples that will be positive accomplishment
Most behavioral questions try to reveal the negative situations so be prepared with those examples However try to pick
examples that had a positive outcome
Try not to pick examples from only one topic Pick a variety of examples choosing examples from work class community
services etc
Typically the best examples are situations that happened within the last year
Go over your resume and review the accomplishments you have listed andor skills this could assist you with identifying
examples
LISTEN to the full question Be sure the example is an appropriate description of how you demonstrated what they are
asking for
Office of Career Services at IU Kokomo
31 |Kelley Student Center 200 2300 S Washington St PO Box 9003 Kokomo IN 46904-9003 (765)455-9301 fax (765)455-9537 carserviukedu wwwiukeducareer-
services
Sample Behavior-based Questions
Communication Skills
1 Give me a specific example of a time someone didnrsquot agree with your work How did you respond 2 Tell me about a time when you had to present complex information How did you ensure that everyone
understood what you were saying 3 Give an example about a time where written communication was needed
Decision Making Skills
1 What is the biggest decision or risk yoursquove made in the past year on the job Describe the process you used to make those decisions Would you do it again
2 Describe a time you overcame a challenge with an innovative solution What was the challenge What role did you play
Planning Organization Time management Skills
1 Please give an example of a time you didnrsquot meet your deadline Why did you fail to meet your deadline What did you learn from that experience
2 Give an example of how you keep track of multiple projects How do you stay on track and meet deadlines How do you stay focused
3 Describe a goal yoursquove had How you set it and achieved it
Flexibility Skills 1 Tell us about one of the toughest situations with which yoursquove had to deal with How did you handle the
stress or pressure of the situation Leadership Skills
1 Describe a time when you disagreed with a directive given by your supervisor What happened and how did you handle it
2 Give an example of a situation where team members or co-workers didnrsquot get along This could include you and someone else or two other people How did the project turn out What did you do to resolve the issue so everyone was able to work together
Office of Career Services at IU Kokomo
32 |Kelley Student Center 200 2300 S Washington St PO Box 9003 Kokomo IN 46904-9003 (765)455-9301 fax (765)455-9537 carserviukedu wwwiukeducareer-
services
Other Common Questions Asked by Employers
Personal 1 Tell me about yourself 2 Why did you choose to interview with our organization 3 Describe your ideal job 4 What can you offer us over another candidate 5 What do you consider to be your greatest strengths 6 Can you name some weaknesses 7 Define success Failure How did you learn from your failures 8 Name a couple accomplishments you most proud 9 Who are your role models Why 10 How does your college education or work experience relate to this job 11 What motivates you most in a job 12 Have you ever spoken before a group of people How large 13 What do you know about our organization (products or services) 14 Do you plan to return to school for further education 15 What would you change about yourself and why
Education
16 Why did you choose your major 17 Why did you choose to attend your college or university 18 Do you think you received a good education In what ways 19 In which campus activities did you participate 20 Which classes in your major did you like best Least Why 21 If you were to start over what would you change about your education 22 Do your grades accurately reflect your ability Why or why not
Experience
23 What job-related skills have you developed 24 Did you work while going to school In what positions 25 What did you learn from these work experiences 26 What did you enjoy most about your last employment Least 27 Have you ever quit a job Why 28 Give an example of how you have solved a problem in the work place 29 How do you resolve conflict on a team project 30 Give an example of a time in which you worked under deadline pressure 31 Have you ever done any volunteer work What kind 32 How do you think a former supervisor would describe your work
Career Goals
33 Do you prefer to work under supervision or on your own 34 What kind of boss do you prefer 35 Would you be successful working with a team 36 Do you prefer large or small organizations Why 37 What other types of positions are you considering 38 How do you feel about working in a structured environment 39 Are you able to work on several assignments at once 40 How do you feel about working overtime 41 How do you feel about travel 42 Are you willing to relocate
Office of Career Services at IU Kokomo
33 |Kelley Student Center 200 2300 S Washington St PO Box 9003 Kokomo IN 46904-9003 (765)455-9301 fax (765)455-9537 carserviukedu wwwiukeducareer-
services
Questions to Ask Employers
An interview is a two-way street Employers get an impression of you from the questions you ask Are you a critical thinker Did you comprehend and correctly process everything in the interview Have you done research and have a good grasp of the company and the scope of the position Your questions should be intelligent insightful and polite Have at least 3-5 custom questions in mind Employers look for someone who shows interest confidence and is well organized
1 Please describe (or ask them to clarify specifics) the duties of the job for me 2 Is this a new position or am I replacing someone 3 What do you like best about your jobcompany 4 What kinds of assignments might I expect the first six months on the job 5 What qualities are you looking for in the candidate who fills this position 6 Does your company encourage further education 7 Do you have plans for expansion 8 What are your growth projections for next year 9 Have you cut staff in the last three years 10 In what ways is a career with your company better than one with your competitors 11 What is the largest single problem facing your staff (department) now 12 Has there been much turnover in this job area 13 Will I have the opportunity to work on special projects 14 Where does this position fit into the organizational structure 15 How much travel if any is involved in this position 16 What is the next course of action When should I expect to hear from you or may I contact you
Interview Checklist Preparation Research research research Knowing more about the organization as a whole and the particular position you are applying for will be helpful in the interview It will help you understand questions that may be asked and will give you a chance to come up with questions to ask them The more research you conduct the more confident and comfortable you will feel in the interview It will also demonstrate to the employer how determined and pro-active you are about their company and the position you seek Get specific directions to the location If possible go there the day before and check out parking and the location of the office where your interview will be held
First Impression Put your best foot forward Remember the decision to hire you may be made in the first 5 minutes Always wait until they sit or invite you to be seated
Dress code Dress more formal than you would in the actual position Women should wear a suit or dress with a jacket Men should wear a suit or sport jacket and slacks Itrsquos a good idea to have an interview outfit ready and waiting (cleaned neat no threads or missing buttons) hanging in your closet Donrsquot wear anything too trendy or faddish (ladies no miniskirts) Check all zippers for closure and ladies should always have an extra pair of hose for emergencies Your style of dress communicates too what do you want it to say (See page 38)
Arrival Arrive a few minutes early to check out the location and parking Stop by the restroom and check your appearance Again you may want to check out the location the day before if you are unsure of the area
What to bring Always have an extra copy of your reacutesumeacute note paper and pen You will want to jot down questions as they may come about as well as information about the position Also write down the names of each person you interview with so you can mail a thank-you note
Application
Office of Career Services at IU Kokomo
34 |Kelley Student Center 200 2300 S Washington St PO Box 9003 Kokomo IN 46904-9003 (765)455-9301 fax (765)455-9537 carserviukedu wwwiukeducareer-
services
Read through the entire application before you begin Follow the directions Give specific titles You may leave the salary question blank or fill it in with a reasonable salary range Use NA where answers are not applicable Proofread the application before returning it
Legal and Illegal Pre-employment Questions CATEGORY LAWFUL
(Questions employers can ask)
UNLAWFUL (Questions employers cannot ask)
Name Have you ever worked for this company under a different name
Is any additional information relative to change of name use of an assumed name or nickname necessary to enable a check
on your work record If yes explain
What is your maiden name
Is the name on your application your real name
Address Where do you live
How long have you lived there
Birthplace Where were you born Where were your relatives born
Agebirth date Are you 18 years of age or older How old are you What is your birth date
Prove your age by submitting your birth certificate baptismal record
naturalization papers etc (see citizenship)
Photograph Requirement or option that applicant affix a photograph to employment form at
any time before hiring Citizenship Are you a citizen of the United States
If not are you authorized to work in the US
Can you verify US citizenship or your
right to work in the United States
Of what country are you a citizen Are you a naturalized or a native-born
citizen When did you acquire citizenship
Please produce naturalization papers or green card
(employers must verify citizenship or the right to work after theyrsquove decided to
extend an offer) Sex or Marital Status Are you male or female
Are you married What are your living arrangements
Relatives Do you have relatives (other than a spouse) already employed by the
company
What are their names
What are the names (addresses ages number or other information) of your
relatives not employed by the company
Children
Do you have children or plans to have children in the future
Do you have the capacity to reproduce Do you advocate any form of birth control
or family planning What are your child care arrangements
How old are your children
CATEGORY LAWFUL UNLAWFUL (Questions employers can ask) (Questions employers cannot ask)
Disability Do you have any impairment
(physical mental or medical) which would interfere with your ability to perform the job for which you have
applied
Do you have any disabilities or diseases not related to job
performance
Arrest record Have you ever been convicted of a criminal offense other than minor
traffic violations If yes explain fully
Have you ever been arrested
Experienced Please describe your work experience
Travel Overtime This position requires X amount of overtimetravel Would you be able
to meet this requirement
Who will care for your children when you travel or work overtime
Would your spouse object if you
traveled or worked overtime Language What languages do you speak and
write fluently What is your native language
How did you learn to read write or
speak a foreign language Education Please describe your academic
vocational or professional education and the public and private schools you attended
What are the dates of attendance
(To permit verification)
Notice in case of emergency What are the names and addresses of people to be notified in case of
accident or emergency (can be asked after hire)
Military experience Have you served in the US Armed Forces or in the National Guard
Describe your experience
Do you have any military experience
(other than in the United States) Organizations Do you belong to any organizations
which you consider relevant to your ability to perform this job Please
explain
Are you a member of any clubs societies or lodges
Which ones
Race or color What racecolor are you Are you a minority
Religion or creed What is your religion To which parishchurch do you
belong What religious holidays do you
observe National Origin What is your (or relatives) lineage
ancestry national origin descent percentage or nationality
Office of Career Services at IU Kokomo
36 |Kelley Student Center 200 2300 S Washington St PO Box 9003 Kokomo IN 46904-9003 (765)455-9301 fax (765)455-9537 carserviukedu wwwiukeducareer-
services
After the interview After you have interviewed for a position there are some things to do that may improve your chances
Send a Follow-up thank you note within 24 hours
This shows that you are serious about their organization and will set you apart from many who neglect to do so By taking the
time to email or write a handwritten letter thanking them for taking their time to meet with you Summarize specific qualities
you have and let them know you look forward in speaking with them further about employment
Sample Thank you
Dear Intervieweersquos Name Thank you for taking the time to talk with me on Thursday November 9 at the interview for list specifics of position and company) I appreciate your time and attention and after talking with you I am even more interested in becoming a valuable team member at companyrsquos name You were extremely helpful in explaining list position Now that I have a better idea of what the position entails I am even more certain that I would be an asset to your team and to companyrsquos name My solid education from the IU Kokomo Communication Department and the fact that I have worked my way through college show the work ethic and determination you said were important to be successful at companyrsquos name I look forward to an opportunity to work with companyrsquos name office and speak to you further about the program I will contact you next week to follow up and provide you with any further information that you may need Thank you again for your time and consideration Sincerely
Your name
The Stall Letter
There may be situations that you will need time to figure out whether a job is a good fit or have more than one position to accept or decline The stall letter is a good tool to have in this case In the introduction refer to the job offer or event that is prompting the letter In the second paragraph state your continued interest in the position but request more time to gather further information or to consider all alternatives and opportunities in order to make the best choice for the position and the company as well as yourself Give a specific time extension request If you need 24 hours for example ask for that Ask for the minimal amount of time in order to make your decision Remember this is a request and does not guarantee that the employer will accept it and be prepared for the possibility that they will not grant the time and choose another candidate In the conclusion thank them for their time and understanding and indicate when you will contact them to discuss the terms of the possible extension
Sample Stall Letter
Dear name of person that offered the position This letter is in reference to list company name and your offer of list the position I would like to take this opportunity to thank you for the opportunity and express my continued interest in the position At this time I would like to request __hours to gather some vital information in order to be completely confidant that I am making the best and most informed decision possible I want to ensure for all parties involved that I have considered all options and alternatives to be certain that my acceptance of this list position is the correct course of action for us both I appreciate your understanding and valuable time and look forward to speaking with you at your earliest convenience today so that we may discuss the terms of my request Sincerely Your Name
Office of Career Services at IU Kokomo
37 |Kelley Student Center 200 2300 S Washington St PO Box 9003 Kokomo IN 46904-9003 (765)455-9301 fax (765)455-9537 carserviukedu wwwiukeducareer-
services
Acceptance of a Job Offer Letter
Responding in writing to a job offer shows courtesy and is expected It reduces the chance of any misunderstanding that verbal acceptances do not In the first paragraph thank the employer for offering the specific position title and say that you are happy to accept it In the second paragraph state the terms of employment (salary location and start date) Emphasize any negotiations of terms that were unusual or non-standard if there were any In the last paragraph thank the employer sincerely for the opportunity and express your excitement to join their organization and be a valuable asset to them
Sample Job Offer Acceptance Letter
Dear person who offered position
I am happy to have the opportunity to accept the position of list title
The following terms of the position as I understood them include a salary of list salaryrate of pay at List location and to begin employment on list date As we discussed instead of the typical work week we agreed to the addition of evening and weekend hours during the probationary period with a return to usual business hours after 90 days We also agreed to a company vehicle provision for any off site training and appointments during the course of my employment
I truly look forward to becoming a valued member of your team and I am anticipating a productive and positive professional relationship with list company
Sincerely Your Name
Decline or Withdrawing from Consideration Letter
There may be times that you wish to decline or remove yourself from consideration from a position Doing this on a positive
and respectful note decreases the chance that future opportunities will be missed either as a future employee or possible
professional contact with the firm Thank the employer for the opportunity but decline it based on your reasons Be sure to
specifically name the person that was in charge of the hiring process If the decline is due to a term that was offered be
specific the firm could always choose to negotiate that term to better suit your situation
Date
Dear List person
Thank you very much for offering me the list position After careful consideration I regret that I must decline your offer
Although you were most encouraging in outlining future advancement possibilities within ABC Company I have accepted another
opportunity that is more in line with my skills and career goals or I found list the term to be out of line with my needs and
goals
I enjoyed meeting you and the rest of your team You have been most kind and gracious throughout the interview process and I
only wish that circumstances allowed me to accept your offer
Best wishes for your continued success
Sincerely
Your Name
Office of Career Services at IU Kokomo
38 |Kelley Student Center 200 2300 S Washington St PO Box 9003 Kokomo IN 46904-9003 (765)455-9301 fax (765)455-9537 carserviukedu wwwiukeducareer-
services
____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
This packet contains a lot of valuable information to help you achieve all the goals that an education from IU Kokomo
will prepare you for Use this as a guide for every step of the way from your freshman year graduation and beyond
Office of Career Services at IU Kokomo
22 |Kelley Student Center 200 2300 S Washington St PO Box 9003 Kokomo IN 46904-9003 (765)455-9301 fax (765)455-9537 carserviukedu wwwiukeducareer-
services
Key WordsAction Words
Actively Established Evaluate Participated Schedule Coordinate Increased Proposed Strategy Created Launched Reduced Support Effect Eliminate Organized Originate
Approve Generate Program Solve Control Improve Recommend Supervise Direct Manage Motivated Responsibilities Revise Analyze Founded Pinpointed Set up
Completed Interpret Proficient Successfully Demonstrate Maintain Revamped Responsible Administer Expedite Plan Simplicity Conduct Implemented Provide Streamline Develop
Lecture Reorganized Accelerated Adapted Expanded Perform Significantly Conceived Influence Proved Structure Delegate Lead Reinforced Teach
Self-Describing Words Professional Active Diplomatic Loyal Respective Analytical Attentive Determined Logical Resourceful Ambitious Efficient Energetic Independent
Reliable Alert Economical Objective Optimistic Realistic Aggressive Discrete Methodical Sense-of-humor Sincere Adaptable Disciplined Mature
Self-reliant Broad-minded Enterprising Personable Tactful Creative Imaginative Perceptive Systematic Constructive Forceful Productive Sophisticated Consistent
Fair Practical Will relocate Conscientious Extroverted Positive Will travel Enthusiastic Pleasant Talented Dependable Trustworthy Ethical
Keywords for Interpersonal Traits Ability to delegate Accurate Assertive Creative Ethical Follow up Leadership Oral communication Public speaking Self accountable Supportive Tenacious
Ability to implement Adaptable Communication skill Customer oriented Flexible High energy Multitasking Organizational skills Results oriented Self management Takes initiative Willing to travel
Ability to plan Aggressive Competitive Detail minded Follow instructions Industrious Open minded Persuasive Risk taking Sensitive Team building Ability to train
Analytical ability Conceptual ability Empowering others Follow through Innovated Open communication Problem solving Safety conscious Setting priorities Team player
Office of Career Services at IU Kokomo
23 |Kelley Student Center 200 2300 S Washington St PO Box 9003 Kokomo IN 46904-9003 (765)455-9301 fax (765)455-9537 carserviukedu wwwiukeducareer-
services
Sample of Occupational Keywords Occupational keywords include skills titles and occupational buzz words Account manager Accounts receivable Acquisitions Bachelors Degree Bank Card Bank reconciliation Batch processing Benchmarking Blueprint reading Brochures Budget Bulletins CAD Calibrator Carpentry Cash Flow Cell Culture Media Cement Child Care Claims Justification Commercial Leasing Copy Editing Counselor Crisis Management Cross-culture training Debugging Decision making Demographics Dental management Die casting Dietitian Drywall Ecology Electronics Employee assistance Engineer Financial planning Food preparation Gas pipeline Goal setting Graphic design Grant writer Guest services Harnessing Hiringfiring Hotel ISO 9000
Journalism Journeyman Layout design Logic analyzer Magnetic theory Manager Marketing Masterrsquos Degree Microprocessor Microsoft word Nursing Oscillator Pelletizing Patient advocate Payroll Personal computer Process metallurgy Proposal writing Psychology Public Relations Purchasing Radio Raw materials Receptionist Reporter Research Sales Secretarial Software modeling Spanish Spreadsheets Statistical Process Control Stick Welding Strategic Planning Student Personnel Supervisor Taxonomy Teacher Technical Writing Time Management Transportation Travel Wave Solder WordPerfect Workflow Writer
Office of Career Services at IU Kokomo
24 |Kelley Student Center 200 2300 S Washington St PO Box 9003 Kokomo IN 46904-9003 (765)455-9301 fax (765)455-9537 carserviukedu wwwiukeducareer-
services
ACTION WORDS
ORGANIZATIONAL Assembled Enforced Prepared Reorganized
Collected Executed Planned Scheduled
Centralized Formalized Processed Updated
Coordinated Implemented Routed Catalogued
Maintained Recorded
LEADERSHIPAllocated Hired Operated Spearheaded Determined Initiated
Oversaw Sponsored Directed Inspired Pioneered Staged
Elected Instituted Presided Started Enlisted Led
Produced Supervised Formed Managed Recruited Founded
Moderated Represented Governed Motivated Selected
COMMUNICATION SKILLS Acquainted Drafted Introduced Summarized Apprised Educated
Lectured Taught Answered Explained Listened
Trained Briefed Familiarized Presented Translated Conducted
Handled Reported Wrote Contacted Informed Responded
Demonstrated Instructed Spoke
RESEARCH Analyzed Detected Examined Researched
Assessed Discovered Gathered Searched
Audited Documented Identified Surveyed
Compiled Edited Interpreted Tested
Consulted Evaluated Interviewed
CREATIVITY Authored Created Devised
Originated Conceived Composed
Established Revolutionized Conceptualized
Designed Invented
HELPING SKILLS Aided Counseled Helped Supported
Attended Comforted Instilled Tutored
Assisted Facilitated Mentored Treated
Collaborated Fostered Provided Contributed
Guided Settled
SELLING Arbitrated Marketed Promoted
Secured Convinced Mediated
Publicized Solicited
Dissuaded Negotiated Resolved
Encouraged Persuaded Sold
OTHER ACTION VERBS Adapted Developed Generated Revamped Attained Ensured Improved Revitalized
Augmented Eliminated Increased Saved Awarded Exceeded Launched Shopped
Boosted Excelled Mastered Strengthened Broadened Expanded Modernized Supplemented
Built Expedited Published Tended Calculated Fabricated Raised Utilized
Catered Financed Reconciled Decreased Gained Reduced
Office of Career Services at IU Kokomo
25 |Kelley Student Center 200 2300 S Washington St PO Box 9003 Kokomo IN 46904-9003 (765)455-9301 fax (765)455-9537 carserviukedu wwwiukeducareer-
services
Transferable Skills-Skills you have acquired from your education and employment experience that you can market to new employers
Communication the skillful expression transmission and interpretation of knowledge and ideas
Speaking effectively Writing concisely Listening attentively Expressing ideas Facilitating group discussion Providing appropriate feedback Negotiating
Perceiving nonverbal messages Persuading Reporting information Describing feelings Interviewing Editing
Research and Planning the search for specific knowledge and the ability to conceptualize future needs and solutions for meeting those needs
Forecasting predicting Creating ideas Identifying problems Imagining alternatives Identifying resources Gathering information
Solving problems Setting goals Extracting important information Defining needs Analyzing Developing evaluation strategies
Human Relations the use of interpersonal skills for resolving conflict relating to and helping people Developing rapport Being Sensitive Listening Conveying feelings Providing support for others Motivating Sharing credit
Counseling Cooperating Delegating with respect Representing others Perceiving feelings situations Asserting
Organization Management and Leadership the ability to supervise direct and guide individuals and groups in the completion of tasks and fulfillment of goals Work Survival the day-to-day skills that assist in promoting effective production and work satisfaction
Implementing decisions Cooperating Enforcing policies Being punctual Managing time Attending to detail Meeting goals Enlisting help Accepting responsibility Setting and meeting deadlines Organizing Making decisions
Initiating new ideas Handling details Coordinating tasks Managing groups Delegating responsibility Teaching Coaching Counseling Promoting change Selling ideas or products Decision making with others Managing conflict
Office of Career Services at IU Kokomo
26 |Kelley Student Center 200 2300 S Washington St PO Box 9003 Kokomo IN 46904-9003 (765)455-9301 fax (765)455-9537 carserviukedu wwwiukeducareer-
services
After you have the perfect reacutesumeacute it is time to hit the road and put your skills into action Career Fairs will help put you in communication with prospective employers and give you valuable practice for interviews
Achieve Results and Get the Most Out of a Career Fair
Attend as many job fairs as you can Not only will practice make perfect but it will expand your network of career contacts Make sure to ask precise questions and be prepared to answer specific questions the employers have regarding your background and capabilities Before the Job Fair- Be Prepared
Create a reacutesumeacute and have it reviewed by a career counselor Create a list of 3-5 references in case they are requested (Be sure to ask your references for their help before
including them on the list) Create your 30-second oral reacutesumeacute and practice practice practice Review the employer list Determine where employers are located and in what order to visit them Broaden your focus and include different types of employers For instance although you may not have thought of
working for a hospital hospitals recruit and hire professionals in many different fields Do your research Look up information about the employers of interest
o Check their websites for information about their productsservices and mission statement o What types of jobs do they have open o What kind of people are they looking for o What kind of skills do these people need to have How do you meet their skill requirements o Develop some questions you would like to ask the employer representatives at the fair
Network Network Network with people you know and via social network sites like Linked-In and Facebook for more information about the companies Also seek contact with employees you might know or seek information from alumni who work there
During the Job Fair Dress for success (See page 38) Assume you will be interviewed and dress the part Even if you dont get an interview
at the job fair you have already made a great impression Always have a penpencil and paper to take notes- a portfolio works best Bring plenty of reacutesumeacutes with you While some companies will be seeking employees for specific positions some
employers will collect reacutesumeacutes for future positions Be sure to get all of the contact information you need to complete an application
Make sure to have copies of your reference list in case an employer asks First impressions are everything Be direct have a firm handshake and make eye contact as you greet employers This
will speak volumes about your confidence If you are only gathering information let employers know that you are only interested in materials and information
Be aware of time demands of employers Do not monopolize the employersrsquo time You should have already done your homework about their company so you can better spend your time asking about the positions available (or available in the near future) and how your skills match their needs Give them your 30-second oral reacutesumeacute and impress them with what you feel you can do for their company Since practice makes perfect donrsquot give up if the first attempt doesnrsquot go well Keep trying with other employers
Ask specific questions and collect information from each booth you visit including business cards from the employer representatives Offer to follow up after the fair and ask what the best way to contact them is
After the Job Fair You now have a prime opportunity to make a distinctive impression
Use those business cards you collected to follow up with each employer you are interested in Be sure to do everything you promised at the job fair Complete the application and upload your reacutesumeacute Send a thank-you note or email to all whom you talked with within 48 hours of the career fair This shows that you
are serious about their organization and will set you apart from many who neglect to do so If you follow up on your application for a position be sure to follow the preferred contact method and dont overdo it Stay in contact and use this experience to expand your network Submit an additional or amended reacutesumeacute during your follow-up contacts if need be Follow-up and follow-through contacts are up to the student be persistent and polite
Office of Career Services at IU Kokomo
27 |Kelley Student Center 200 2300 S Washington St PO Box 9003 Kokomo IN 46904-9003 (765)455-9301 fax (765)455-9537 carserviukedu wwwiukeducareer-
services
Additional information-what employers are expecting at a career fair
What Will Impress Employers o Demonstrate that you have done your homework and researched their company o Be prepared Have your reacutesumeacute critiqued by Career Services and bring plenty of copies with you Develop
questions to ask smile and courteously and enthusiastically engage the representatives o Have a firm hand shake and good eye contact- dress for success o Never ask about salary let them bring up the subject o An expectation that you will be responsible for following up with them including a thank you note or letter o Take the initiative Walk up to them and engage the employers they want to speak to you
What Employers May Want to Learn About You o Specific careerjob objectives What are your expectations o Individual strengths and weaknesses Have specific examples that demonstrate your skills develop short
stories that showcase your skills (Remember a job fair is time sensitive and you donrsquot want to take up too much time of one employer)
o Contributions you will make to the operation Remember be specific now is not the time to blandly or generically discuss what you can do
What You Should Learn About Each Company o Employment trends Career Fairs are excellent resources for information about career decision-making o Skills necessary for different careersjobs Have meaningful conversations with representatives o Currentfuture positions o Salary benefits training and other information about the company (again let the employer bring up salary) o Who to contact for follow-up discussions and what their hiring processes are get specifics o Collect their business card or write down their contact information
30 Second Oral Reacutesumeacute Purpose It is important to practice your 30 second oral reacutesumeacute prior to attending a career fair The famous ldquoTell me about yourselfrdquo is a question that is always asked Whether the question is asked in a social setting an interview or a networking event a well-planned answer can set you apart from the crowd as well as spark additional conversation Begin preparing your oral reacutesumeacute by following the tips below
How to Prepare Your Oral Reacutesumeacute o Begin by brainstorming what you would want someone to know about you Write down all of your ideas o Consider including the following information in your oral reacutesumeacute
Job Objective Education and Training Skills
Accomplishments and Achievements Prior Employment Other Experience
o Narrow down your optionsmdashpick the top 5 things you want the person to know about you o Develop a paragraph that encompasses all of the things you wish to say o Practice makes perfect Read aloud your reacutesumeacute several times
Additional Tips Prepare more than one oral reacutesumeacute for various situations Practice your reacutesumeacute by calling your voicemail and later playing back the messagemdashthink about how it sounds and
what you would like to change Make sure that your oral reacutesumeacute will keep the listenerrsquos attention
Example Oral Reacutesumeacute Hi my name is ________ and I am a senior at IU Kokomo majoring in New Media I am looking for an internship experience in graphic designweb development Through my coursework I have developed strong computer and analytical skills Last summer I worked as an intern at the Kokomo Perspective to gain experience with print media At the Perspective I worked with the copy editor as well as the writing staff to gain experience in both fields I also volunteer at United Way developing and updating their website
Office of Career Services at IU Kokomo
28 |Kelley Student Center 200 2300 S Washington St PO Box 9003 Kokomo IN 46904-9003 (765)455-9301 fax (765)455-9537 carserviukedu wwwiukeducareer-
services
Send a Follow-up thank you note after Career Fair Send a thank you note or email to all whom you talked with within 48 hours of the career fair This shows that you are serious about their organization and will set you apart from many who neglect to do so
Be sure to remind the employer where you met them Thank you for taking the time to talk with me on Thursday at the career fair After talking with you I
am even more eager to work at _____ Summarize specific qualities and assets you obtain I am certain my education at IU Kokomo has enhanced my skill set and has provided a solid
background of knowledge in the _______ fieldhelliphellip Some experiences I have had the pleasure of doing arehellip This opportunity improved my work ethic and made me aware of my self-reliancehellip
Always attach your reacutesumeacute again for their convenience I have attached my reacutesumeacute for your convenience I look forward to an opportunity to further discuss
my qualifications You may contact me athellip (phone andor email address) Thank you again for your time and consideration
Sample Thank you
Thank you for taking the time to talk with me on Thursday November 9 at the career fair on IU Kokomorsquos campus I appreciate your time and attention and after talking with you I am even more interested in learning more about your organization You were extremely helpful in explaining companyrsquos name customer service and marketing trainee program Now that I have a better idea of what the position entails I am even more certain that I would be an asset to your team and to companyrsquos name My solid education from the IU Kokomo Communication Department and the fact that I have worked my way through college show the work ethic and determination you said were important to be successful at companyrsquos name I look forward to an opportunity to visit companyrsquos name office and speak to you further about the trainee program I will contact you next week to arrange an appointment Enclosed is an updated reacutesumeacute for your review Thank you again for your time and consideration Sincerely
Office of Career Services at IU Kokomo
29 |Kelley Student Center 200 2300 S Washington St PO Box 9003 Kokomo IN 46904-9003 (765)455-9301 fax (765)455-9537 carserviukedu wwwiukeducareer-
services
Knowledge and practice will give you the confidence you need to be prepared and give the best impression possible at an interview The following information will help prepare you for nearly any interview contingency being confidant that you can handle it is the best way to increase your chances of getting hired Here are a few things you can do to give yourself a head start
Questions to think about prior to your interview
1 Why do you want to work at this facility and what specific jobareas am I interested in a To Prepare research the facility
i Mission ii Population served
iii Financial stability iv Management style
b Learn about the job
i Job description ii Occupational outlook
iii Handbook iv employees
2 What qualities make me a good candidate
a To prepare self assessment i What are my strengths and weaknesses
ii What are my interests iii How do I know iv What kinds of results demonstrate my abilities
3 What type of shift working conditions salary and fringe benefits are most important to me (12 hours 10 hours 8
hours weekends flex-time insurance) a To prepare clarify values and lifestyle choices
i What are my values ii What kind of lifestyles do I want for myself and those close to me
4 How will I be trained
a To prepare How do I learn best i Do I need immediate feedback or can I learn well on my own
5 What are my goals Where do I want to be in 10 years
a To prepare Identify and prioritize career and life goals and objectives i Am I interested in supervision training management
ii How do I plan to reach these goals
6 What are the major issues and current events facing this specific field job occupation and company today
7 What can you bring to the organization
Office of Career Services at IU Kokomo
30 |Kelley Student Center 200 2300 S Washington St PO Box 9003 Kokomo IN 46904-9003 (765)455-9301 fax (765)455-9537 carserviukedu wwwiukeducareer-
services
Behavioral Interviews- Use the STAR Interviewing Technique for Success
The STAR acronym represents Situation Task Action and Result Recruiters and hiring managers favor the STAR technique because
it provides a better explanation of your past performance how you handle workplace challenges and whether youre able to articulate
your experiences STAR behavioral interviews are quickly becoming the most popular and common form of interview
Situation or
Task
Describe the situation that you were in or the task that you needed to accomplish You must
describe a specific event or situation not a generalized description of what you have done in
the past Be sure to give enough detail for the interviewer to understand This situation can be
from a previous job from a volunteer experience or any relevant event
Action you took Describe the action you took and be sure to keep the focus on you Even if you are discussing
a group project or effort describe what you did -- not the efforts of the team Dont tell what
you might do tell what you did
Results you achieved What happened How did the event end What did you accomplish What did you learn
For examples of past behavior use examples from
Internships
Work experience
Class projects
School activitiesorganizations you are involved with
Sports
Volunteercommunity service
Hobbies
Think about your accomplishments what are you most proud of that you want to share with the employer
How to prepare for behavior-based interviews
Identify 3-6 examples that demonstrate your top skills Look through the job description pinpoint the skills they are seeking
Pick experiences that demonstrate top behaviors of those skills
Prepare how you will ldquotell your storyrdquo using STAR
Pick examples that will be positive accomplishment
Most behavioral questions try to reveal the negative situations so be prepared with those examples However try to pick
examples that had a positive outcome
Try not to pick examples from only one topic Pick a variety of examples choosing examples from work class community
services etc
Typically the best examples are situations that happened within the last year
Go over your resume and review the accomplishments you have listed andor skills this could assist you with identifying
examples
LISTEN to the full question Be sure the example is an appropriate description of how you demonstrated what they are
asking for
Office of Career Services at IU Kokomo
31 |Kelley Student Center 200 2300 S Washington St PO Box 9003 Kokomo IN 46904-9003 (765)455-9301 fax (765)455-9537 carserviukedu wwwiukeducareer-
services
Sample Behavior-based Questions
Communication Skills
1 Give me a specific example of a time someone didnrsquot agree with your work How did you respond 2 Tell me about a time when you had to present complex information How did you ensure that everyone
understood what you were saying 3 Give an example about a time where written communication was needed
Decision Making Skills
1 What is the biggest decision or risk yoursquove made in the past year on the job Describe the process you used to make those decisions Would you do it again
2 Describe a time you overcame a challenge with an innovative solution What was the challenge What role did you play
Planning Organization Time management Skills
1 Please give an example of a time you didnrsquot meet your deadline Why did you fail to meet your deadline What did you learn from that experience
2 Give an example of how you keep track of multiple projects How do you stay on track and meet deadlines How do you stay focused
3 Describe a goal yoursquove had How you set it and achieved it
Flexibility Skills 1 Tell us about one of the toughest situations with which yoursquove had to deal with How did you handle the
stress or pressure of the situation Leadership Skills
1 Describe a time when you disagreed with a directive given by your supervisor What happened and how did you handle it
2 Give an example of a situation where team members or co-workers didnrsquot get along This could include you and someone else or two other people How did the project turn out What did you do to resolve the issue so everyone was able to work together
Office of Career Services at IU Kokomo
32 |Kelley Student Center 200 2300 S Washington St PO Box 9003 Kokomo IN 46904-9003 (765)455-9301 fax (765)455-9537 carserviukedu wwwiukeducareer-
services
Other Common Questions Asked by Employers
Personal 1 Tell me about yourself 2 Why did you choose to interview with our organization 3 Describe your ideal job 4 What can you offer us over another candidate 5 What do you consider to be your greatest strengths 6 Can you name some weaknesses 7 Define success Failure How did you learn from your failures 8 Name a couple accomplishments you most proud 9 Who are your role models Why 10 How does your college education or work experience relate to this job 11 What motivates you most in a job 12 Have you ever spoken before a group of people How large 13 What do you know about our organization (products or services) 14 Do you plan to return to school for further education 15 What would you change about yourself and why
Education
16 Why did you choose your major 17 Why did you choose to attend your college or university 18 Do you think you received a good education In what ways 19 In which campus activities did you participate 20 Which classes in your major did you like best Least Why 21 If you were to start over what would you change about your education 22 Do your grades accurately reflect your ability Why or why not
Experience
23 What job-related skills have you developed 24 Did you work while going to school In what positions 25 What did you learn from these work experiences 26 What did you enjoy most about your last employment Least 27 Have you ever quit a job Why 28 Give an example of how you have solved a problem in the work place 29 How do you resolve conflict on a team project 30 Give an example of a time in which you worked under deadline pressure 31 Have you ever done any volunteer work What kind 32 How do you think a former supervisor would describe your work
Career Goals
33 Do you prefer to work under supervision or on your own 34 What kind of boss do you prefer 35 Would you be successful working with a team 36 Do you prefer large or small organizations Why 37 What other types of positions are you considering 38 How do you feel about working in a structured environment 39 Are you able to work on several assignments at once 40 How do you feel about working overtime 41 How do you feel about travel 42 Are you willing to relocate
Office of Career Services at IU Kokomo
33 |Kelley Student Center 200 2300 S Washington St PO Box 9003 Kokomo IN 46904-9003 (765)455-9301 fax (765)455-9537 carserviukedu wwwiukeducareer-
services
Questions to Ask Employers
An interview is a two-way street Employers get an impression of you from the questions you ask Are you a critical thinker Did you comprehend and correctly process everything in the interview Have you done research and have a good grasp of the company and the scope of the position Your questions should be intelligent insightful and polite Have at least 3-5 custom questions in mind Employers look for someone who shows interest confidence and is well organized
1 Please describe (or ask them to clarify specifics) the duties of the job for me 2 Is this a new position or am I replacing someone 3 What do you like best about your jobcompany 4 What kinds of assignments might I expect the first six months on the job 5 What qualities are you looking for in the candidate who fills this position 6 Does your company encourage further education 7 Do you have plans for expansion 8 What are your growth projections for next year 9 Have you cut staff in the last three years 10 In what ways is a career with your company better than one with your competitors 11 What is the largest single problem facing your staff (department) now 12 Has there been much turnover in this job area 13 Will I have the opportunity to work on special projects 14 Where does this position fit into the organizational structure 15 How much travel if any is involved in this position 16 What is the next course of action When should I expect to hear from you or may I contact you
Interview Checklist Preparation Research research research Knowing more about the organization as a whole and the particular position you are applying for will be helpful in the interview It will help you understand questions that may be asked and will give you a chance to come up with questions to ask them The more research you conduct the more confident and comfortable you will feel in the interview It will also demonstrate to the employer how determined and pro-active you are about their company and the position you seek Get specific directions to the location If possible go there the day before and check out parking and the location of the office where your interview will be held
First Impression Put your best foot forward Remember the decision to hire you may be made in the first 5 minutes Always wait until they sit or invite you to be seated
Dress code Dress more formal than you would in the actual position Women should wear a suit or dress with a jacket Men should wear a suit or sport jacket and slacks Itrsquos a good idea to have an interview outfit ready and waiting (cleaned neat no threads or missing buttons) hanging in your closet Donrsquot wear anything too trendy or faddish (ladies no miniskirts) Check all zippers for closure and ladies should always have an extra pair of hose for emergencies Your style of dress communicates too what do you want it to say (See page 38)
Arrival Arrive a few minutes early to check out the location and parking Stop by the restroom and check your appearance Again you may want to check out the location the day before if you are unsure of the area
What to bring Always have an extra copy of your reacutesumeacute note paper and pen You will want to jot down questions as they may come about as well as information about the position Also write down the names of each person you interview with so you can mail a thank-you note
Application
Office of Career Services at IU Kokomo
34 |Kelley Student Center 200 2300 S Washington St PO Box 9003 Kokomo IN 46904-9003 (765)455-9301 fax (765)455-9537 carserviukedu wwwiukeducareer-
services
Read through the entire application before you begin Follow the directions Give specific titles You may leave the salary question blank or fill it in with a reasonable salary range Use NA where answers are not applicable Proofread the application before returning it
Legal and Illegal Pre-employment Questions CATEGORY LAWFUL
(Questions employers can ask)
UNLAWFUL (Questions employers cannot ask)
Name Have you ever worked for this company under a different name
Is any additional information relative to change of name use of an assumed name or nickname necessary to enable a check
on your work record If yes explain
What is your maiden name
Is the name on your application your real name
Address Where do you live
How long have you lived there
Birthplace Where were you born Where were your relatives born
Agebirth date Are you 18 years of age or older How old are you What is your birth date
Prove your age by submitting your birth certificate baptismal record
naturalization papers etc (see citizenship)
Photograph Requirement or option that applicant affix a photograph to employment form at
any time before hiring Citizenship Are you a citizen of the United States
If not are you authorized to work in the US
Can you verify US citizenship or your
right to work in the United States
Of what country are you a citizen Are you a naturalized or a native-born
citizen When did you acquire citizenship
Please produce naturalization papers or green card
(employers must verify citizenship or the right to work after theyrsquove decided to
extend an offer) Sex or Marital Status Are you male or female
Are you married What are your living arrangements
Relatives Do you have relatives (other than a spouse) already employed by the
company
What are their names
What are the names (addresses ages number or other information) of your
relatives not employed by the company
Children
Do you have children or plans to have children in the future
Do you have the capacity to reproduce Do you advocate any form of birth control
or family planning What are your child care arrangements
How old are your children
CATEGORY LAWFUL UNLAWFUL (Questions employers can ask) (Questions employers cannot ask)
Disability Do you have any impairment
(physical mental or medical) which would interfere with your ability to perform the job for which you have
applied
Do you have any disabilities or diseases not related to job
performance
Arrest record Have you ever been convicted of a criminal offense other than minor
traffic violations If yes explain fully
Have you ever been arrested
Experienced Please describe your work experience
Travel Overtime This position requires X amount of overtimetravel Would you be able
to meet this requirement
Who will care for your children when you travel or work overtime
Would your spouse object if you
traveled or worked overtime Language What languages do you speak and
write fluently What is your native language
How did you learn to read write or
speak a foreign language Education Please describe your academic
vocational or professional education and the public and private schools you attended
What are the dates of attendance
(To permit verification)
Notice in case of emergency What are the names and addresses of people to be notified in case of
accident or emergency (can be asked after hire)
Military experience Have you served in the US Armed Forces or in the National Guard
Describe your experience
Do you have any military experience
(other than in the United States) Organizations Do you belong to any organizations
which you consider relevant to your ability to perform this job Please
explain
Are you a member of any clubs societies or lodges
Which ones
Race or color What racecolor are you Are you a minority
Religion or creed What is your religion To which parishchurch do you
belong What religious holidays do you
observe National Origin What is your (or relatives) lineage
ancestry national origin descent percentage or nationality
Office of Career Services at IU Kokomo
36 |Kelley Student Center 200 2300 S Washington St PO Box 9003 Kokomo IN 46904-9003 (765)455-9301 fax (765)455-9537 carserviukedu wwwiukeducareer-
services
After the interview After you have interviewed for a position there are some things to do that may improve your chances
Send a Follow-up thank you note within 24 hours
This shows that you are serious about their organization and will set you apart from many who neglect to do so By taking the
time to email or write a handwritten letter thanking them for taking their time to meet with you Summarize specific qualities
you have and let them know you look forward in speaking with them further about employment
Sample Thank you
Dear Intervieweersquos Name Thank you for taking the time to talk with me on Thursday November 9 at the interview for list specifics of position and company) I appreciate your time and attention and after talking with you I am even more interested in becoming a valuable team member at companyrsquos name You were extremely helpful in explaining list position Now that I have a better idea of what the position entails I am even more certain that I would be an asset to your team and to companyrsquos name My solid education from the IU Kokomo Communication Department and the fact that I have worked my way through college show the work ethic and determination you said were important to be successful at companyrsquos name I look forward to an opportunity to work with companyrsquos name office and speak to you further about the program I will contact you next week to follow up and provide you with any further information that you may need Thank you again for your time and consideration Sincerely
Your name
The Stall Letter
There may be situations that you will need time to figure out whether a job is a good fit or have more than one position to accept or decline The stall letter is a good tool to have in this case In the introduction refer to the job offer or event that is prompting the letter In the second paragraph state your continued interest in the position but request more time to gather further information or to consider all alternatives and opportunities in order to make the best choice for the position and the company as well as yourself Give a specific time extension request If you need 24 hours for example ask for that Ask for the minimal amount of time in order to make your decision Remember this is a request and does not guarantee that the employer will accept it and be prepared for the possibility that they will not grant the time and choose another candidate In the conclusion thank them for their time and understanding and indicate when you will contact them to discuss the terms of the possible extension
Sample Stall Letter
Dear name of person that offered the position This letter is in reference to list company name and your offer of list the position I would like to take this opportunity to thank you for the opportunity and express my continued interest in the position At this time I would like to request __hours to gather some vital information in order to be completely confidant that I am making the best and most informed decision possible I want to ensure for all parties involved that I have considered all options and alternatives to be certain that my acceptance of this list position is the correct course of action for us both I appreciate your understanding and valuable time and look forward to speaking with you at your earliest convenience today so that we may discuss the terms of my request Sincerely Your Name
Office of Career Services at IU Kokomo
37 |Kelley Student Center 200 2300 S Washington St PO Box 9003 Kokomo IN 46904-9003 (765)455-9301 fax (765)455-9537 carserviukedu wwwiukeducareer-
services
Acceptance of a Job Offer Letter
Responding in writing to a job offer shows courtesy and is expected It reduces the chance of any misunderstanding that verbal acceptances do not In the first paragraph thank the employer for offering the specific position title and say that you are happy to accept it In the second paragraph state the terms of employment (salary location and start date) Emphasize any negotiations of terms that were unusual or non-standard if there were any In the last paragraph thank the employer sincerely for the opportunity and express your excitement to join their organization and be a valuable asset to them
Sample Job Offer Acceptance Letter
Dear person who offered position
I am happy to have the opportunity to accept the position of list title
The following terms of the position as I understood them include a salary of list salaryrate of pay at List location and to begin employment on list date As we discussed instead of the typical work week we agreed to the addition of evening and weekend hours during the probationary period with a return to usual business hours after 90 days We also agreed to a company vehicle provision for any off site training and appointments during the course of my employment
I truly look forward to becoming a valued member of your team and I am anticipating a productive and positive professional relationship with list company
Sincerely Your Name
Decline or Withdrawing from Consideration Letter
There may be times that you wish to decline or remove yourself from consideration from a position Doing this on a positive
and respectful note decreases the chance that future opportunities will be missed either as a future employee or possible
professional contact with the firm Thank the employer for the opportunity but decline it based on your reasons Be sure to
specifically name the person that was in charge of the hiring process If the decline is due to a term that was offered be
specific the firm could always choose to negotiate that term to better suit your situation
Date
Dear List person
Thank you very much for offering me the list position After careful consideration I regret that I must decline your offer
Although you were most encouraging in outlining future advancement possibilities within ABC Company I have accepted another
opportunity that is more in line with my skills and career goals or I found list the term to be out of line with my needs and
goals
I enjoyed meeting you and the rest of your team You have been most kind and gracious throughout the interview process and I
only wish that circumstances allowed me to accept your offer
Best wishes for your continued success
Sincerely
Your Name
Office of Career Services at IU Kokomo
38 |Kelley Student Center 200 2300 S Washington St PO Box 9003 Kokomo IN 46904-9003 (765)455-9301 fax (765)455-9537 carserviukedu wwwiukeducareer-
services
____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
This packet contains a lot of valuable information to help you achieve all the goals that an education from IU Kokomo
will prepare you for Use this as a guide for every step of the way from your freshman year graduation and beyond
Office of Career Services at IU Kokomo
23 |Kelley Student Center 200 2300 S Washington St PO Box 9003 Kokomo IN 46904-9003 (765)455-9301 fax (765)455-9537 carserviukedu wwwiukeducareer-
services
Sample of Occupational Keywords Occupational keywords include skills titles and occupational buzz words Account manager Accounts receivable Acquisitions Bachelors Degree Bank Card Bank reconciliation Batch processing Benchmarking Blueprint reading Brochures Budget Bulletins CAD Calibrator Carpentry Cash Flow Cell Culture Media Cement Child Care Claims Justification Commercial Leasing Copy Editing Counselor Crisis Management Cross-culture training Debugging Decision making Demographics Dental management Die casting Dietitian Drywall Ecology Electronics Employee assistance Engineer Financial planning Food preparation Gas pipeline Goal setting Graphic design Grant writer Guest services Harnessing Hiringfiring Hotel ISO 9000
Journalism Journeyman Layout design Logic analyzer Magnetic theory Manager Marketing Masterrsquos Degree Microprocessor Microsoft word Nursing Oscillator Pelletizing Patient advocate Payroll Personal computer Process metallurgy Proposal writing Psychology Public Relations Purchasing Radio Raw materials Receptionist Reporter Research Sales Secretarial Software modeling Spanish Spreadsheets Statistical Process Control Stick Welding Strategic Planning Student Personnel Supervisor Taxonomy Teacher Technical Writing Time Management Transportation Travel Wave Solder WordPerfect Workflow Writer
Office of Career Services at IU Kokomo
24 |Kelley Student Center 200 2300 S Washington St PO Box 9003 Kokomo IN 46904-9003 (765)455-9301 fax (765)455-9537 carserviukedu wwwiukeducareer-
services
ACTION WORDS
ORGANIZATIONAL Assembled Enforced Prepared Reorganized
Collected Executed Planned Scheduled
Centralized Formalized Processed Updated
Coordinated Implemented Routed Catalogued
Maintained Recorded
LEADERSHIPAllocated Hired Operated Spearheaded Determined Initiated
Oversaw Sponsored Directed Inspired Pioneered Staged
Elected Instituted Presided Started Enlisted Led
Produced Supervised Formed Managed Recruited Founded
Moderated Represented Governed Motivated Selected
COMMUNICATION SKILLS Acquainted Drafted Introduced Summarized Apprised Educated
Lectured Taught Answered Explained Listened
Trained Briefed Familiarized Presented Translated Conducted
Handled Reported Wrote Contacted Informed Responded
Demonstrated Instructed Spoke
RESEARCH Analyzed Detected Examined Researched
Assessed Discovered Gathered Searched
Audited Documented Identified Surveyed
Compiled Edited Interpreted Tested
Consulted Evaluated Interviewed
CREATIVITY Authored Created Devised
Originated Conceived Composed
Established Revolutionized Conceptualized
Designed Invented
HELPING SKILLS Aided Counseled Helped Supported
Attended Comforted Instilled Tutored
Assisted Facilitated Mentored Treated
Collaborated Fostered Provided Contributed
Guided Settled
SELLING Arbitrated Marketed Promoted
Secured Convinced Mediated
Publicized Solicited
Dissuaded Negotiated Resolved
Encouraged Persuaded Sold
OTHER ACTION VERBS Adapted Developed Generated Revamped Attained Ensured Improved Revitalized
Augmented Eliminated Increased Saved Awarded Exceeded Launched Shopped
Boosted Excelled Mastered Strengthened Broadened Expanded Modernized Supplemented
Built Expedited Published Tended Calculated Fabricated Raised Utilized
Catered Financed Reconciled Decreased Gained Reduced
Office of Career Services at IU Kokomo
25 |Kelley Student Center 200 2300 S Washington St PO Box 9003 Kokomo IN 46904-9003 (765)455-9301 fax (765)455-9537 carserviukedu wwwiukeducareer-
services
Transferable Skills-Skills you have acquired from your education and employment experience that you can market to new employers
Communication the skillful expression transmission and interpretation of knowledge and ideas
Speaking effectively Writing concisely Listening attentively Expressing ideas Facilitating group discussion Providing appropriate feedback Negotiating
Perceiving nonverbal messages Persuading Reporting information Describing feelings Interviewing Editing
Research and Planning the search for specific knowledge and the ability to conceptualize future needs and solutions for meeting those needs
Forecasting predicting Creating ideas Identifying problems Imagining alternatives Identifying resources Gathering information
Solving problems Setting goals Extracting important information Defining needs Analyzing Developing evaluation strategies
Human Relations the use of interpersonal skills for resolving conflict relating to and helping people Developing rapport Being Sensitive Listening Conveying feelings Providing support for others Motivating Sharing credit
Counseling Cooperating Delegating with respect Representing others Perceiving feelings situations Asserting
Organization Management and Leadership the ability to supervise direct and guide individuals and groups in the completion of tasks and fulfillment of goals Work Survival the day-to-day skills that assist in promoting effective production and work satisfaction
Implementing decisions Cooperating Enforcing policies Being punctual Managing time Attending to detail Meeting goals Enlisting help Accepting responsibility Setting and meeting deadlines Organizing Making decisions
Initiating new ideas Handling details Coordinating tasks Managing groups Delegating responsibility Teaching Coaching Counseling Promoting change Selling ideas or products Decision making with others Managing conflict
Office of Career Services at IU Kokomo
26 |Kelley Student Center 200 2300 S Washington St PO Box 9003 Kokomo IN 46904-9003 (765)455-9301 fax (765)455-9537 carserviukedu wwwiukeducareer-
services
After you have the perfect reacutesumeacute it is time to hit the road and put your skills into action Career Fairs will help put you in communication with prospective employers and give you valuable practice for interviews
Achieve Results and Get the Most Out of a Career Fair
Attend as many job fairs as you can Not only will practice make perfect but it will expand your network of career contacts Make sure to ask precise questions and be prepared to answer specific questions the employers have regarding your background and capabilities Before the Job Fair- Be Prepared
Create a reacutesumeacute and have it reviewed by a career counselor Create a list of 3-5 references in case they are requested (Be sure to ask your references for their help before
including them on the list) Create your 30-second oral reacutesumeacute and practice practice practice Review the employer list Determine where employers are located and in what order to visit them Broaden your focus and include different types of employers For instance although you may not have thought of
working for a hospital hospitals recruit and hire professionals in many different fields Do your research Look up information about the employers of interest
o Check their websites for information about their productsservices and mission statement o What types of jobs do they have open o What kind of people are they looking for o What kind of skills do these people need to have How do you meet their skill requirements o Develop some questions you would like to ask the employer representatives at the fair
Network Network Network with people you know and via social network sites like Linked-In and Facebook for more information about the companies Also seek contact with employees you might know or seek information from alumni who work there
During the Job Fair Dress for success (See page 38) Assume you will be interviewed and dress the part Even if you dont get an interview
at the job fair you have already made a great impression Always have a penpencil and paper to take notes- a portfolio works best Bring plenty of reacutesumeacutes with you While some companies will be seeking employees for specific positions some
employers will collect reacutesumeacutes for future positions Be sure to get all of the contact information you need to complete an application
Make sure to have copies of your reference list in case an employer asks First impressions are everything Be direct have a firm handshake and make eye contact as you greet employers This
will speak volumes about your confidence If you are only gathering information let employers know that you are only interested in materials and information
Be aware of time demands of employers Do not monopolize the employersrsquo time You should have already done your homework about their company so you can better spend your time asking about the positions available (or available in the near future) and how your skills match their needs Give them your 30-second oral reacutesumeacute and impress them with what you feel you can do for their company Since practice makes perfect donrsquot give up if the first attempt doesnrsquot go well Keep trying with other employers
Ask specific questions and collect information from each booth you visit including business cards from the employer representatives Offer to follow up after the fair and ask what the best way to contact them is
After the Job Fair You now have a prime opportunity to make a distinctive impression
Use those business cards you collected to follow up with each employer you are interested in Be sure to do everything you promised at the job fair Complete the application and upload your reacutesumeacute Send a thank-you note or email to all whom you talked with within 48 hours of the career fair This shows that you
are serious about their organization and will set you apart from many who neglect to do so If you follow up on your application for a position be sure to follow the preferred contact method and dont overdo it Stay in contact and use this experience to expand your network Submit an additional or amended reacutesumeacute during your follow-up contacts if need be Follow-up and follow-through contacts are up to the student be persistent and polite
Office of Career Services at IU Kokomo
27 |Kelley Student Center 200 2300 S Washington St PO Box 9003 Kokomo IN 46904-9003 (765)455-9301 fax (765)455-9537 carserviukedu wwwiukeducareer-
services
Additional information-what employers are expecting at a career fair
What Will Impress Employers o Demonstrate that you have done your homework and researched their company o Be prepared Have your reacutesumeacute critiqued by Career Services and bring plenty of copies with you Develop
questions to ask smile and courteously and enthusiastically engage the representatives o Have a firm hand shake and good eye contact- dress for success o Never ask about salary let them bring up the subject o An expectation that you will be responsible for following up with them including a thank you note or letter o Take the initiative Walk up to them and engage the employers they want to speak to you
What Employers May Want to Learn About You o Specific careerjob objectives What are your expectations o Individual strengths and weaknesses Have specific examples that demonstrate your skills develop short
stories that showcase your skills (Remember a job fair is time sensitive and you donrsquot want to take up too much time of one employer)
o Contributions you will make to the operation Remember be specific now is not the time to blandly or generically discuss what you can do
What You Should Learn About Each Company o Employment trends Career Fairs are excellent resources for information about career decision-making o Skills necessary for different careersjobs Have meaningful conversations with representatives o Currentfuture positions o Salary benefits training and other information about the company (again let the employer bring up salary) o Who to contact for follow-up discussions and what their hiring processes are get specifics o Collect their business card or write down their contact information
30 Second Oral Reacutesumeacute Purpose It is important to practice your 30 second oral reacutesumeacute prior to attending a career fair The famous ldquoTell me about yourselfrdquo is a question that is always asked Whether the question is asked in a social setting an interview or a networking event a well-planned answer can set you apart from the crowd as well as spark additional conversation Begin preparing your oral reacutesumeacute by following the tips below
How to Prepare Your Oral Reacutesumeacute o Begin by brainstorming what you would want someone to know about you Write down all of your ideas o Consider including the following information in your oral reacutesumeacute
Job Objective Education and Training Skills
Accomplishments and Achievements Prior Employment Other Experience
o Narrow down your optionsmdashpick the top 5 things you want the person to know about you o Develop a paragraph that encompasses all of the things you wish to say o Practice makes perfect Read aloud your reacutesumeacute several times
Additional Tips Prepare more than one oral reacutesumeacute for various situations Practice your reacutesumeacute by calling your voicemail and later playing back the messagemdashthink about how it sounds and
what you would like to change Make sure that your oral reacutesumeacute will keep the listenerrsquos attention
Example Oral Reacutesumeacute Hi my name is ________ and I am a senior at IU Kokomo majoring in New Media I am looking for an internship experience in graphic designweb development Through my coursework I have developed strong computer and analytical skills Last summer I worked as an intern at the Kokomo Perspective to gain experience with print media At the Perspective I worked with the copy editor as well as the writing staff to gain experience in both fields I also volunteer at United Way developing and updating their website
Office of Career Services at IU Kokomo
28 |Kelley Student Center 200 2300 S Washington St PO Box 9003 Kokomo IN 46904-9003 (765)455-9301 fax (765)455-9537 carserviukedu wwwiukeducareer-
services
Send a Follow-up thank you note after Career Fair Send a thank you note or email to all whom you talked with within 48 hours of the career fair This shows that you are serious about their organization and will set you apart from many who neglect to do so
Be sure to remind the employer where you met them Thank you for taking the time to talk with me on Thursday at the career fair After talking with you I
am even more eager to work at _____ Summarize specific qualities and assets you obtain I am certain my education at IU Kokomo has enhanced my skill set and has provided a solid
background of knowledge in the _______ fieldhelliphellip Some experiences I have had the pleasure of doing arehellip This opportunity improved my work ethic and made me aware of my self-reliancehellip
Always attach your reacutesumeacute again for their convenience I have attached my reacutesumeacute for your convenience I look forward to an opportunity to further discuss
my qualifications You may contact me athellip (phone andor email address) Thank you again for your time and consideration
Sample Thank you
Thank you for taking the time to talk with me on Thursday November 9 at the career fair on IU Kokomorsquos campus I appreciate your time and attention and after talking with you I am even more interested in learning more about your organization You were extremely helpful in explaining companyrsquos name customer service and marketing trainee program Now that I have a better idea of what the position entails I am even more certain that I would be an asset to your team and to companyrsquos name My solid education from the IU Kokomo Communication Department and the fact that I have worked my way through college show the work ethic and determination you said were important to be successful at companyrsquos name I look forward to an opportunity to visit companyrsquos name office and speak to you further about the trainee program I will contact you next week to arrange an appointment Enclosed is an updated reacutesumeacute for your review Thank you again for your time and consideration Sincerely
Office of Career Services at IU Kokomo
29 |Kelley Student Center 200 2300 S Washington St PO Box 9003 Kokomo IN 46904-9003 (765)455-9301 fax (765)455-9537 carserviukedu wwwiukeducareer-
services
Knowledge and practice will give you the confidence you need to be prepared and give the best impression possible at an interview The following information will help prepare you for nearly any interview contingency being confidant that you can handle it is the best way to increase your chances of getting hired Here are a few things you can do to give yourself a head start
Questions to think about prior to your interview
1 Why do you want to work at this facility and what specific jobareas am I interested in a To Prepare research the facility
i Mission ii Population served
iii Financial stability iv Management style
b Learn about the job
i Job description ii Occupational outlook
iii Handbook iv employees
2 What qualities make me a good candidate
a To prepare self assessment i What are my strengths and weaknesses
ii What are my interests iii How do I know iv What kinds of results demonstrate my abilities
3 What type of shift working conditions salary and fringe benefits are most important to me (12 hours 10 hours 8
hours weekends flex-time insurance) a To prepare clarify values and lifestyle choices
i What are my values ii What kind of lifestyles do I want for myself and those close to me
4 How will I be trained
a To prepare How do I learn best i Do I need immediate feedback or can I learn well on my own
5 What are my goals Where do I want to be in 10 years
a To prepare Identify and prioritize career and life goals and objectives i Am I interested in supervision training management
ii How do I plan to reach these goals
6 What are the major issues and current events facing this specific field job occupation and company today
7 What can you bring to the organization
Office of Career Services at IU Kokomo
30 |Kelley Student Center 200 2300 S Washington St PO Box 9003 Kokomo IN 46904-9003 (765)455-9301 fax (765)455-9537 carserviukedu wwwiukeducareer-
services
Behavioral Interviews- Use the STAR Interviewing Technique for Success
The STAR acronym represents Situation Task Action and Result Recruiters and hiring managers favor the STAR technique because
it provides a better explanation of your past performance how you handle workplace challenges and whether youre able to articulate
your experiences STAR behavioral interviews are quickly becoming the most popular and common form of interview
Situation or
Task
Describe the situation that you were in or the task that you needed to accomplish You must
describe a specific event or situation not a generalized description of what you have done in
the past Be sure to give enough detail for the interviewer to understand This situation can be
from a previous job from a volunteer experience or any relevant event
Action you took Describe the action you took and be sure to keep the focus on you Even if you are discussing
a group project or effort describe what you did -- not the efforts of the team Dont tell what
you might do tell what you did
Results you achieved What happened How did the event end What did you accomplish What did you learn
For examples of past behavior use examples from
Internships
Work experience
Class projects
School activitiesorganizations you are involved with
Sports
Volunteercommunity service
Hobbies
Think about your accomplishments what are you most proud of that you want to share with the employer
How to prepare for behavior-based interviews
Identify 3-6 examples that demonstrate your top skills Look through the job description pinpoint the skills they are seeking
Pick experiences that demonstrate top behaviors of those skills
Prepare how you will ldquotell your storyrdquo using STAR
Pick examples that will be positive accomplishment
Most behavioral questions try to reveal the negative situations so be prepared with those examples However try to pick
examples that had a positive outcome
Try not to pick examples from only one topic Pick a variety of examples choosing examples from work class community
services etc
Typically the best examples are situations that happened within the last year
Go over your resume and review the accomplishments you have listed andor skills this could assist you with identifying
examples
LISTEN to the full question Be sure the example is an appropriate description of how you demonstrated what they are
asking for
Office of Career Services at IU Kokomo
31 |Kelley Student Center 200 2300 S Washington St PO Box 9003 Kokomo IN 46904-9003 (765)455-9301 fax (765)455-9537 carserviukedu wwwiukeducareer-
services
Sample Behavior-based Questions
Communication Skills
1 Give me a specific example of a time someone didnrsquot agree with your work How did you respond 2 Tell me about a time when you had to present complex information How did you ensure that everyone
understood what you were saying 3 Give an example about a time where written communication was needed
Decision Making Skills
1 What is the biggest decision or risk yoursquove made in the past year on the job Describe the process you used to make those decisions Would you do it again
2 Describe a time you overcame a challenge with an innovative solution What was the challenge What role did you play
Planning Organization Time management Skills
1 Please give an example of a time you didnrsquot meet your deadline Why did you fail to meet your deadline What did you learn from that experience
2 Give an example of how you keep track of multiple projects How do you stay on track and meet deadlines How do you stay focused
3 Describe a goal yoursquove had How you set it and achieved it
Flexibility Skills 1 Tell us about one of the toughest situations with which yoursquove had to deal with How did you handle the
stress or pressure of the situation Leadership Skills
1 Describe a time when you disagreed with a directive given by your supervisor What happened and how did you handle it
2 Give an example of a situation where team members or co-workers didnrsquot get along This could include you and someone else or two other people How did the project turn out What did you do to resolve the issue so everyone was able to work together
Office of Career Services at IU Kokomo
32 |Kelley Student Center 200 2300 S Washington St PO Box 9003 Kokomo IN 46904-9003 (765)455-9301 fax (765)455-9537 carserviukedu wwwiukeducareer-
services
Other Common Questions Asked by Employers
Personal 1 Tell me about yourself 2 Why did you choose to interview with our organization 3 Describe your ideal job 4 What can you offer us over another candidate 5 What do you consider to be your greatest strengths 6 Can you name some weaknesses 7 Define success Failure How did you learn from your failures 8 Name a couple accomplishments you most proud 9 Who are your role models Why 10 How does your college education or work experience relate to this job 11 What motivates you most in a job 12 Have you ever spoken before a group of people How large 13 What do you know about our organization (products or services) 14 Do you plan to return to school for further education 15 What would you change about yourself and why
Education
16 Why did you choose your major 17 Why did you choose to attend your college or university 18 Do you think you received a good education In what ways 19 In which campus activities did you participate 20 Which classes in your major did you like best Least Why 21 If you were to start over what would you change about your education 22 Do your grades accurately reflect your ability Why or why not
Experience
23 What job-related skills have you developed 24 Did you work while going to school In what positions 25 What did you learn from these work experiences 26 What did you enjoy most about your last employment Least 27 Have you ever quit a job Why 28 Give an example of how you have solved a problem in the work place 29 How do you resolve conflict on a team project 30 Give an example of a time in which you worked under deadline pressure 31 Have you ever done any volunteer work What kind 32 How do you think a former supervisor would describe your work
Career Goals
33 Do you prefer to work under supervision or on your own 34 What kind of boss do you prefer 35 Would you be successful working with a team 36 Do you prefer large or small organizations Why 37 What other types of positions are you considering 38 How do you feel about working in a structured environment 39 Are you able to work on several assignments at once 40 How do you feel about working overtime 41 How do you feel about travel 42 Are you willing to relocate
Office of Career Services at IU Kokomo
33 |Kelley Student Center 200 2300 S Washington St PO Box 9003 Kokomo IN 46904-9003 (765)455-9301 fax (765)455-9537 carserviukedu wwwiukeducareer-
services
Questions to Ask Employers
An interview is a two-way street Employers get an impression of you from the questions you ask Are you a critical thinker Did you comprehend and correctly process everything in the interview Have you done research and have a good grasp of the company and the scope of the position Your questions should be intelligent insightful and polite Have at least 3-5 custom questions in mind Employers look for someone who shows interest confidence and is well organized
1 Please describe (or ask them to clarify specifics) the duties of the job for me 2 Is this a new position or am I replacing someone 3 What do you like best about your jobcompany 4 What kinds of assignments might I expect the first six months on the job 5 What qualities are you looking for in the candidate who fills this position 6 Does your company encourage further education 7 Do you have plans for expansion 8 What are your growth projections for next year 9 Have you cut staff in the last three years 10 In what ways is a career with your company better than one with your competitors 11 What is the largest single problem facing your staff (department) now 12 Has there been much turnover in this job area 13 Will I have the opportunity to work on special projects 14 Where does this position fit into the organizational structure 15 How much travel if any is involved in this position 16 What is the next course of action When should I expect to hear from you or may I contact you
Interview Checklist Preparation Research research research Knowing more about the organization as a whole and the particular position you are applying for will be helpful in the interview It will help you understand questions that may be asked and will give you a chance to come up with questions to ask them The more research you conduct the more confident and comfortable you will feel in the interview It will also demonstrate to the employer how determined and pro-active you are about their company and the position you seek Get specific directions to the location If possible go there the day before and check out parking and the location of the office where your interview will be held
First Impression Put your best foot forward Remember the decision to hire you may be made in the first 5 minutes Always wait until they sit or invite you to be seated
Dress code Dress more formal than you would in the actual position Women should wear a suit or dress with a jacket Men should wear a suit or sport jacket and slacks Itrsquos a good idea to have an interview outfit ready and waiting (cleaned neat no threads or missing buttons) hanging in your closet Donrsquot wear anything too trendy or faddish (ladies no miniskirts) Check all zippers for closure and ladies should always have an extra pair of hose for emergencies Your style of dress communicates too what do you want it to say (See page 38)
Arrival Arrive a few minutes early to check out the location and parking Stop by the restroom and check your appearance Again you may want to check out the location the day before if you are unsure of the area
What to bring Always have an extra copy of your reacutesumeacute note paper and pen You will want to jot down questions as they may come about as well as information about the position Also write down the names of each person you interview with so you can mail a thank-you note
Application
Office of Career Services at IU Kokomo
34 |Kelley Student Center 200 2300 S Washington St PO Box 9003 Kokomo IN 46904-9003 (765)455-9301 fax (765)455-9537 carserviukedu wwwiukeducareer-
services
Read through the entire application before you begin Follow the directions Give specific titles You may leave the salary question blank or fill it in with a reasonable salary range Use NA where answers are not applicable Proofread the application before returning it
Legal and Illegal Pre-employment Questions CATEGORY LAWFUL
(Questions employers can ask)
UNLAWFUL (Questions employers cannot ask)
Name Have you ever worked for this company under a different name
Is any additional information relative to change of name use of an assumed name or nickname necessary to enable a check
on your work record If yes explain
What is your maiden name
Is the name on your application your real name
Address Where do you live
How long have you lived there
Birthplace Where were you born Where were your relatives born
Agebirth date Are you 18 years of age or older How old are you What is your birth date
Prove your age by submitting your birth certificate baptismal record
naturalization papers etc (see citizenship)
Photograph Requirement or option that applicant affix a photograph to employment form at
any time before hiring Citizenship Are you a citizen of the United States
If not are you authorized to work in the US
Can you verify US citizenship or your
right to work in the United States
Of what country are you a citizen Are you a naturalized or a native-born
citizen When did you acquire citizenship
Please produce naturalization papers or green card
(employers must verify citizenship or the right to work after theyrsquove decided to
extend an offer) Sex or Marital Status Are you male or female
Are you married What are your living arrangements
Relatives Do you have relatives (other than a spouse) already employed by the
company
What are their names
What are the names (addresses ages number or other information) of your
relatives not employed by the company
Children
Do you have children or plans to have children in the future
Do you have the capacity to reproduce Do you advocate any form of birth control
or family planning What are your child care arrangements
How old are your children
CATEGORY LAWFUL UNLAWFUL (Questions employers can ask) (Questions employers cannot ask)
Disability Do you have any impairment
(physical mental or medical) which would interfere with your ability to perform the job for which you have
applied
Do you have any disabilities or diseases not related to job
performance
Arrest record Have you ever been convicted of a criminal offense other than minor
traffic violations If yes explain fully
Have you ever been arrested
Experienced Please describe your work experience
Travel Overtime This position requires X amount of overtimetravel Would you be able
to meet this requirement
Who will care for your children when you travel or work overtime
Would your spouse object if you
traveled or worked overtime Language What languages do you speak and
write fluently What is your native language
How did you learn to read write or
speak a foreign language Education Please describe your academic
vocational or professional education and the public and private schools you attended
What are the dates of attendance
(To permit verification)
Notice in case of emergency What are the names and addresses of people to be notified in case of
accident or emergency (can be asked after hire)
Military experience Have you served in the US Armed Forces or in the National Guard
Describe your experience
Do you have any military experience
(other than in the United States) Organizations Do you belong to any organizations
which you consider relevant to your ability to perform this job Please
explain
Are you a member of any clubs societies or lodges
Which ones
Race or color What racecolor are you Are you a minority
Religion or creed What is your religion To which parishchurch do you
belong What religious holidays do you
observe National Origin What is your (or relatives) lineage
ancestry national origin descent percentage or nationality
Office of Career Services at IU Kokomo
36 |Kelley Student Center 200 2300 S Washington St PO Box 9003 Kokomo IN 46904-9003 (765)455-9301 fax (765)455-9537 carserviukedu wwwiukeducareer-
services
After the interview After you have interviewed for a position there are some things to do that may improve your chances
Send a Follow-up thank you note within 24 hours
This shows that you are serious about their organization and will set you apart from many who neglect to do so By taking the
time to email or write a handwritten letter thanking them for taking their time to meet with you Summarize specific qualities
you have and let them know you look forward in speaking with them further about employment
Sample Thank you
Dear Intervieweersquos Name Thank you for taking the time to talk with me on Thursday November 9 at the interview for list specifics of position and company) I appreciate your time and attention and after talking with you I am even more interested in becoming a valuable team member at companyrsquos name You were extremely helpful in explaining list position Now that I have a better idea of what the position entails I am even more certain that I would be an asset to your team and to companyrsquos name My solid education from the IU Kokomo Communication Department and the fact that I have worked my way through college show the work ethic and determination you said were important to be successful at companyrsquos name I look forward to an opportunity to work with companyrsquos name office and speak to you further about the program I will contact you next week to follow up and provide you with any further information that you may need Thank you again for your time and consideration Sincerely
Your name
The Stall Letter
There may be situations that you will need time to figure out whether a job is a good fit or have more than one position to accept or decline The stall letter is a good tool to have in this case In the introduction refer to the job offer or event that is prompting the letter In the second paragraph state your continued interest in the position but request more time to gather further information or to consider all alternatives and opportunities in order to make the best choice for the position and the company as well as yourself Give a specific time extension request If you need 24 hours for example ask for that Ask for the minimal amount of time in order to make your decision Remember this is a request and does not guarantee that the employer will accept it and be prepared for the possibility that they will not grant the time and choose another candidate In the conclusion thank them for their time and understanding and indicate when you will contact them to discuss the terms of the possible extension
Sample Stall Letter
Dear name of person that offered the position This letter is in reference to list company name and your offer of list the position I would like to take this opportunity to thank you for the opportunity and express my continued interest in the position At this time I would like to request __hours to gather some vital information in order to be completely confidant that I am making the best and most informed decision possible I want to ensure for all parties involved that I have considered all options and alternatives to be certain that my acceptance of this list position is the correct course of action for us both I appreciate your understanding and valuable time and look forward to speaking with you at your earliest convenience today so that we may discuss the terms of my request Sincerely Your Name
Office of Career Services at IU Kokomo
37 |Kelley Student Center 200 2300 S Washington St PO Box 9003 Kokomo IN 46904-9003 (765)455-9301 fax (765)455-9537 carserviukedu wwwiukeducareer-
services
Acceptance of a Job Offer Letter
Responding in writing to a job offer shows courtesy and is expected It reduces the chance of any misunderstanding that verbal acceptances do not In the first paragraph thank the employer for offering the specific position title and say that you are happy to accept it In the second paragraph state the terms of employment (salary location and start date) Emphasize any negotiations of terms that were unusual or non-standard if there were any In the last paragraph thank the employer sincerely for the opportunity and express your excitement to join their organization and be a valuable asset to them
Sample Job Offer Acceptance Letter
Dear person who offered position
I am happy to have the opportunity to accept the position of list title
The following terms of the position as I understood them include a salary of list salaryrate of pay at List location and to begin employment on list date As we discussed instead of the typical work week we agreed to the addition of evening and weekend hours during the probationary period with a return to usual business hours after 90 days We also agreed to a company vehicle provision for any off site training and appointments during the course of my employment
I truly look forward to becoming a valued member of your team and I am anticipating a productive and positive professional relationship with list company
Sincerely Your Name
Decline or Withdrawing from Consideration Letter
There may be times that you wish to decline or remove yourself from consideration from a position Doing this on a positive
and respectful note decreases the chance that future opportunities will be missed either as a future employee or possible
professional contact with the firm Thank the employer for the opportunity but decline it based on your reasons Be sure to
specifically name the person that was in charge of the hiring process If the decline is due to a term that was offered be
specific the firm could always choose to negotiate that term to better suit your situation
Date
Dear List person
Thank you very much for offering me the list position After careful consideration I regret that I must decline your offer
Although you were most encouraging in outlining future advancement possibilities within ABC Company I have accepted another
opportunity that is more in line with my skills and career goals or I found list the term to be out of line with my needs and
goals
I enjoyed meeting you and the rest of your team You have been most kind and gracious throughout the interview process and I
only wish that circumstances allowed me to accept your offer
Best wishes for your continued success
Sincerely
Your Name
Office of Career Services at IU Kokomo
38 |Kelley Student Center 200 2300 S Washington St PO Box 9003 Kokomo IN 46904-9003 (765)455-9301 fax (765)455-9537 carserviukedu wwwiukeducareer-
services
____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
This packet contains a lot of valuable information to help you achieve all the goals that an education from IU Kokomo
will prepare you for Use this as a guide for every step of the way from your freshman year graduation and beyond
Office of Career Services at IU Kokomo
24 |Kelley Student Center 200 2300 S Washington St PO Box 9003 Kokomo IN 46904-9003 (765)455-9301 fax (765)455-9537 carserviukedu wwwiukeducareer-
services
ACTION WORDS
ORGANIZATIONAL Assembled Enforced Prepared Reorganized
Collected Executed Planned Scheduled
Centralized Formalized Processed Updated
Coordinated Implemented Routed Catalogued
Maintained Recorded
LEADERSHIPAllocated Hired Operated Spearheaded Determined Initiated
Oversaw Sponsored Directed Inspired Pioneered Staged
Elected Instituted Presided Started Enlisted Led
Produced Supervised Formed Managed Recruited Founded
Moderated Represented Governed Motivated Selected
COMMUNICATION SKILLS Acquainted Drafted Introduced Summarized Apprised Educated
Lectured Taught Answered Explained Listened
Trained Briefed Familiarized Presented Translated Conducted
Handled Reported Wrote Contacted Informed Responded
Demonstrated Instructed Spoke
RESEARCH Analyzed Detected Examined Researched
Assessed Discovered Gathered Searched
Audited Documented Identified Surveyed
Compiled Edited Interpreted Tested
Consulted Evaluated Interviewed
CREATIVITY Authored Created Devised
Originated Conceived Composed
Established Revolutionized Conceptualized
Designed Invented
HELPING SKILLS Aided Counseled Helped Supported
Attended Comforted Instilled Tutored
Assisted Facilitated Mentored Treated
Collaborated Fostered Provided Contributed
Guided Settled
SELLING Arbitrated Marketed Promoted
Secured Convinced Mediated
Publicized Solicited
Dissuaded Negotiated Resolved
Encouraged Persuaded Sold
OTHER ACTION VERBS Adapted Developed Generated Revamped Attained Ensured Improved Revitalized
Augmented Eliminated Increased Saved Awarded Exceeded Launched Shopped
Boosted Excelled Mastered Strengthened Broadened Expanded Modernized Supplemented
Built Expedited Published Tended Calculated Fabricated Raised Utilized
Catered Financed Reconciled Decreased Gained Reduced
Office of Career Services at IU Kokomo
25 |Kelley Student Center 200 2300 S Washington St PO Box 9003 Kokomo IN 46904-9003 (765)455-9301 fax (765)455-9537 carserviukedu wwwiukeducareer-
services
Transferable Skills-Skills you have acquired from your education and employment experience that you can market to new employers
Communication the skillful expression transmission and interpretation of knowledge and ideas
Speaking effectively Writing concisely Listening attentively Expressing ideas Facilitating group discussion Providing appropriate feedback Negotiating
Perceiving nonverbal messages Persuading Reporting information Describing feelings Interviewing Editing
Research and Planning the search for specific knowledge and the ability to conceptualize future needs and solutions for meeting those needs
Forecasting predicting Creating ideas Identifying problems Imagining alternatives Identifying resources Gathering information
Solving problems Setting goals Extracting important information Defining needs Analyzing Developing evaluation strategies
Human Relations the use of interpersonal skills for resolving conflict relating to and helping people Developing rapport Being Sensitive Listening Conveying feelings Providing support for others Motivating Sharing credit
Counseling Cooperating Delegating with respect Representing others Perceiving feelings situations Asserting
Organization Management and Leadership the ability to supervise direct and guide individuals and groups in the completion of tasks and fulfillment of goals Work Survival the day-to-day skills that assist in promoting effective production and work satisfaction
Implementing decisions Cooperating Enforcing policies Being punctual Managing time Attending to detail Meeting goals Enlisting help Accepting responsibility Setting and meeting deadlines Organizing Making decisions
Initiating new ideas Handling details Coordinating tasks Managing groups Delegating responsibility Teaching Coaching Counseling Promoting change Selling ideas or products Decision making with others Managing conflict
Office of Career Services at IU Kokomo
26 |Kelley Student Center 200 2300 S Washington St PO Box 9003 Kokomo IN 46904-9003 (765)455-9301 fax (765)455-9537 carserviukedu wwwiukeducareer-
services
After you have the perfect reacutesumeacute it is time to hit the road and put your skills into action Career Fairs will help put you in communication with prospective employers and give you valuable practice for interviews
Achieve Results and Get the Most Out of a Career Fair
Attend as many job fairs as you can Not only will practice make perfect but it will expand your network of career contacts Make sure to ask precise questions and be prepared to answer specific questions the employers have regarding your background and capabilities Before the Job Fair- Be Prepared
Create a reacutesumeacute and have it reviewed by a career counselor Create a list of 3-5 references in case they are requested (Be sure to ask your references for their help before
including them on the list) Create your 30-second oral reacutesumeacute and practice practice practice Review the employer list Determine where employers are located and in what order to visit them Broaden your focus and include different types of employers For instance although you may not have thought of
working for a hospital hospitals recruit and hire professionals in many different fields Do your research Look up information about the employers of interest
o Check their websites for information about their productsservices and mission statement o What types of jobs do they have open o What kind of people are they looking for o What kind of skills do these people need to have How do you meet their skill requirements o Develop some questions you would like to ask the employer representatives at the fair
Network Network Network with people you know and via social network sites like Linked-In and Facebook for more information about the companies Also seek contact with employees you might know or seek information from alumni who work there
During the Job Fair Dress for success (See page 38) Assume you will be interviewed and dress the part Even if you dont get an interview
at the job fair you have already made a great impression Always have a penpencil and paper to take notes- a portfolio works best Bring plenty of reacutesumeacutes with you While some companies will be seeking employees for specific positions some
employers will collect reacutesumeacutes for future positions Be sure to get all of the contact information you need to complete an application
Make sure to have copies of your reference list in case an employer asks First impressions are everything Be direct have a firm handshake and make eye contact as you greet employers This
will speak volumes about your confidence If you are only gathering information let employers know that you are only interested in materials and information
Be aware of time demands of employers Do not monopolize the employersrsquo time You should have already done your homework about their company so you can better spend your time asking about the positions available (or available in the near future) and how your skills match their needs Give them your 30-second oral reacutesumeacute and impress them with what you feel you can do for their company Since practice makes perfect donrsquot give up if the first attempt doesnrsquot go well Keep trying with other employers
Ask specific questions and collect information from each booth you visit including business cards from the employer representatives Offer to follow up after the fair and ask what the best way to contact them is
After the Job Fair You now have a prime opportunity to make a distinctive impression
Use those business cards you collected to follow up with each employer you are interested in Be sure to do everything you promised at the job fair Complete the application and upload your reacutesumeacute Send a thank-you note or email to all whom you talked with within 48 hours of the career fair This shows that you
are serious about their organization and will set you apart from many who neglect to do so If you follow up on your application for a position be sure to follow the preferred contact method and dont overdo it Stay in contact and use this experience to expand your network Submit an additional or amended reacutesumeacute during your follow-up contacts if need be Follow-up and follow-through contacts are up to the student be persistent and polite
Office of Career Services at IU Kokomo
27 |Kelley Student Center 200 2300 S Washington St PO Box 9003 Kokomo IN 46904-9003 (765)455-9301 fax (765)455-9537 carserviukedu wwwiukeducareer-
services
Additional information-what employers are expecting at a career fair
What Will Impress Employers o Demonstrate that you have done your homework and researched their company o Be prepared Have your reacutesumeacute critiqued by Career Services and bring plenty of copies with you Develop
questions to ask smile and courteously and enthusiastically engage the representatives o Have a firm hand shake and good eye contact- dress for success o Never ask about salary let them bring up the subject o An expectation that you will be responsible for following up with them including a thank you note or letter o Take the initiative Walk up to them and engage the employers they want to speak to you
What Employers May Want to Learn About You o Specific careerjob objectives What are your expectations o Individual strengths and weaknesses Have specific examples that demonstrate your skills develop short
stories that showcase your skills (Remember a job fair is time sensitive and you donrsquot want to take up too much time of one employer)
o Contributions you will make to the operation Remember be specific now is not the time to blandly or generically discuss what you can do
What You Should Learn About Each Company o Employment trends Career Fairs are excellent resources for information about career decision-making o Skills necessary for different careersjobs Have meaningful conversations with representatives o Currentfuture positions o Salary benefits training and other information about the company (again let the employer bring up salary) o Who to contact for follow-up discussions and what their hiring processes are get specifics o Collect their business card or write down their contact information
30 Second Oral Reacutesumeacute Purpose It is important to practice your 30 second oral reacutesumeacute prior to attending a career fair The famous ldquoTell me about yourselfrdquo is a question that is always asked Whether the question is asked in a social setting an interview or a networking event a well-planned answer can set you apart from the crowd as well as spark additional conversation Begin preparing your oral reacutesumeacute by following the tips below
How to Prepare Your Oral Reacutesumeacute o Begin by brainstorming what you would want someone to know about you Write down all of your ideas o Consider including the following information in your oral reacutesumeacute
Job Objective Education and Training Skills
Accomplishments and Achievements Prior Employment Other Experience
o Narrow down your optionsmdashpick the top 5 things you want the person to know about you o Develop a paragraph that encompasses all of the things you wish to say o Practice makes perfect Read aloud your reacutesumeacute several times
Additional Tips Prepare more than one oral reacutesumeacute for various situations Practice your reacutesumeacute by calling your voicemail and later playing back the messagemdashthink about how it sounds and
what you would like to change Make sure that your oral reacutesumeacute will keep the listenerrsquos attention
Example Oral Reacutesumeacute Hi my name is ________ and I am a senior at IU Kokomo majoring in New Media I am looking for an internship experience in graphic designweb development Through my coursework I have developed strong computer and analytical skills Last summer I worked as an intern at the Kokomo Perspective to gain experience with print media At the Perspective I worked with the copy editor as well as the writing staff to gain experience in both fields I also volunteer at United Way developing and updating their website
Office of Career Services at IU Kokomo
28 |Kelley Student Center 200 2300 S Washington St PO Box 9003 Kokomo IN 46904-9003 (765)455-9301 fax (765)455-9537 carserviukedu wwwiukeducareer-
services
Send a Follow-up thank you note after Career Fair Send a thank you note or email to all whom you talked with within 48 hours of the career fair This shows that you are serious about their organization and will set you apart from many who neglect to do so
Be sure to remind the employer where you met them Thank you for taking the time to talk with me on Thursday at the career fair After talking with you I
am even more eager to work at _____ Summarize specific qualities and assets you obtain I am certain my education at IU Kokomo has enhanced my skill set and has provided a solid
background of knowledge in the _______ fieldhelliphellip Some experiences I have had the pleasure of doing arehellip This opportunity improved my work ethic and made me aware of my self-reliancehellip
Always attach your reacutesumeacute again for their convenience I have attached my reacutesumeacute for your convenience I look forward to an opportunity to further discuss
my qualifications You may contact me athellip (phone andor email address) Thank you again for your time and consideration
Sample Thank you
Thank you for taking the time to talk with me on Thursday November 9 at the career fair on IU Kokomorsquos campus I appreciate your time and attention and after talking with you I am even more interested in learning more about your organization You were extremely helpful in explaining companyrsquos name customer service and marketing trainee program Now that I have a better idea of what the position entails I am even more certain that I would be an asset to your team and to companyrsquos name My solid education from the IU Kokomo Communication Department and the fact that I have worked my way through college show the work ethic and determination you said were important to be successful at companyrsquos name I look forward to an opportunity to visit companyrsquos name office and speak to you further about the trainee program I will contact you next week to arrange an appointment Enclosed is an updated reacutesumeacute for your review Thank you again for your time and consideration Sincerely
Office of Career Services at IU Kokomo
29 |Kelley Student Center 200 2300 S Washington St PO Box 9003 Kokomo IN 46904-9003 (765)455-9301 fax (765)455-9537 carserviukedu wwwiukeducareer-
services
Knowledge and practice will give you the confidence you need to be prepared and give the best impression possible at an interview The following information will help prepare you for nearly any interview contingency being confidant that you can handle it is the best way to increase your chances of getting hired Here are a few things you can do to give yourself a head start
Questions to think about prior to your interview
1 Why do you want to work at this facility and what specific jobareas am I interested in a To Prepare research the facility
i Mission ii Population served
iii Financial stability iv Management style
b Learn about the job
i Job description ii Occupational outlook
iii Handbook iv employees
2 What qualities make me a good candidate
a To prepare self assessment i What are my strengths and weaknesses
ii What are my interests iii How do I know iv What kinds of results demonstrate my abilities
3 What type of shift working conditions salary and fringe benefits are most important to me (12 hours 10 hours 8
hours weekends flex-time insurance) a To prepare clarify values and lifestyle choices
i What are my values ii What kind of lifestyles do I want for myself and those close to me
4 How will I be trained
a To prepare How do I learn best i Do I need immediate feedback or can I learn well on my own
5 What are my goals Where do I want to be in 10 years
a To prepare Identify and prioritize career and life goals and objectives i Am I interested in supervision training management
ii How do I plan to reach these goals
6 What are the major issues and current events facing this specific field job occupation and company today
7 What can you bring to the organization
Office of Career Services at IU Kokomo
30 |Kelley Student Center 200 2300 S Washington St PO Box 9003 Kokomo IN 46904-9003 (765)455-9301 fax (765)455-9537 carserviukedu wwwiukeducareer-
services
Behavioral Interviews- Use the STAR Interviewing Technique for Success
The STAR acronym represents Situation Task Action and Result Recruiters and hiring managers favor the STAR technique because
it provides a better explanation of your past performance how you handle workplace challenges and whether youre able to articulate
your experiences STAR behavioral interviews are quickly becoming the most popular and common form of interview
Situation or
Task
Describe the situation that you were in or the task that you needed to accomplish You must
describe a specific event or situation not a generalized description of what you have done in
the past Be sure to give enough detail for the interviewer to understand This situation can be
from a previous job from a volunteer experience or any relevant event
Action you took Describe the action you took and be sure to keep the focus on you Even if you are discussing
a group project or effort describe what you did -- not the efforts of the team Dont tell what
you might do tell what you did
Results you achieved What happened How did the event end What did you accomplish What did you learn
For examples of past behavior use examples from
Internships
Work experience
Class projects
School activitiesorganizations you are involved with
Sports
Volunteercommunity service
Hobbies
Think about your accomplishments what are you most proud of that you want to share with the employer
How to prepare for behavior-based interviews
Identify 3-6 examples that demonstrate your top skills Look through the job description pinpoint the skills they are seeking
Pick experiences that demonstrate top behaviors of those skills
Prepare how you will ldquotell your storyrdquo using STAR
Pick examples that will be positive accomplishment
Most behavioral questions try to reveal the negative situations so be prepared with those examples However try to pick
examples that had a positive outcome
Try not to pick examples from only one topic Pick a variety of examples choosing examples from work class community
services etc
Typically the best examples are situations that happened within the last year
Go over your resume and review the accomplishments you have listed andor skills this could assist you with identifying
examples
LISTEN to the full question Be sure the example is an appropriate description of how you demonstrated what they are
asking for
Office of Career Services at IU Kokomo
31 |Kelley Student Center 200 2300 S Washington St PO Box 9003 Kokomo IN 46904-9003 (765)455-9301 fax (765)455-9537 carserviukedu wwwiukeducareer-
services
Sample Behavior-based Questions
Communication Skills
1 Give me a specific example of a time someone didnrsquot agree with your work How did you respond 2 Tell me about a time when you had to present complex information How did you ensure that everyone
understood what you were saying 3 Give an example about a time where written communication was needed
Decision Making Skills
1 What is the biggest decision or risk yoursquove made in the past year on the job Describe the process you used to make those decisions Would you do it again
2 Describe a time you overcame a challenge with an innovative solution What was the challenge What role did you play
Planning Organization Time management Skills
1 Please give an example of a time you didnrsquot meet your deadline Why did you fail to meet your deadline What did you learn from that experience
2 Give an example of how you keep track of multiple projects How do you stay on track and meet deadlines How do you stay focused
3 Describe a goal yoursquove had How you set it and achieved it
Flexibility Skills 1 Tell us about one of the toughest situations with which yoursquove had to deal with How did you handle the
stress or pressure of the situation Leadership Skills
1 Describe a time when you disagreed with a directive given by your supervisor What happened and how did you handle it
2 Give an example of a situation where team members or co-workers didnrsquot get along This could include you and someone else or two other people How did the project turn out What did you do to resolve the issue so everyone was able to work together
Office of Career Services at IU Kokomo
32 |Kelley Student Center 200 2300 S Washington St PO Box 9003 Kokomo IN 46904-9003 (765)455-9301 fax (765)455-9537 carserviukedu wwwiukeducareer-
services
Other Common Questions Asked by Employers
Personal 1 Tell me about yourself 2 Why did you choose to interview with our organization 3 Describe your ideal job 4 What can you offer us over another candidate 5 What do you consider to be your greatest strengths 6 Can you name some weaknesses 7 Define success Failure How did you learn from your failures 8 Name a couple accomplishments you most proud 9 Who are your role models Why 10 How does your college education or work experience relate to this job 11 What motivates you most in a job 12 Have you ever spoken before a group of people How large 13 What do you know about our organization (products or services) 14 Do you plan to return to school for further education 15 What would you change about yourself and why
Education
16 Why did you choose your major 17 Why did you choose to attend your college or university 18 Do you think you received a good education In what ways 19 In which campus activities did you participate 20 Which classes in your major did you like best Least Why 21 If you were to start over what would you change about your education 22 Do your grades accurately reflect your ability Why or why not
Experience
23 What job-related skills have you developed 24 Did you work while going to school In what positions 25 What did you learn from these work experiences 26 What did you enjoy most about your last employment Least 27 Have you ever quit a job Why 28 Give an example of how you have solved a problem in the work place 29 How do you resolve conflict on a team project 30 Give an example of a time in which you worked under deadline pressure 31 Have you ever done any volunteer work What kind 32 How do you think a former supervisor would describe your work
Career Goals
33 Do you prefer to work under supervision or on your own 34 What kind of boss do you prefer 35 Would you be successful working with a team 36 Do you prefer large or small organizations Why 37 What other types of positions are you considering 38 How do you feel about working in a structured environment 39 Are you able to work on several assignments at once 40 How do you feel about working overtime 41 How do you feel about travel 42 Are you willing to relocate
Office of Career Services at IU Kokomo
33 |Kelley Student Center 200 2300 S Washington St PO Box 9003 Kokomo IN 46904-9003 (765)455-9301 fax (765)455-9537 carserviukedu wwwiukeducareer-
services
Questions to Ask Employers
An interview is a two-way street Employers get an impression of you from the questions you ask Are you a critical thinker Did you comprehend and correctly process everything in the interview Have you done research and have a good grasp of the company and the scope of the position Your questions should be intelligent insightful and polite Have at least 3-5 custom questions in mind Employers look for someone who shows interest confidence and is well organized
1 Please describe (or ask them to clarify specifics) the duties of the job for me 2 Is this a new position or am I replacing someone 3 What do you like best about your jobcompany 4 What kinds of assignments might I expect the first six months on the job 5 What qualities are you looking for in the candidate who fills this position 6 Does your company encourage further education 7 Do you have plans for expansion 8 What are your growth projections for next year 9 Have you cut staff in the last three years 10 In what ways is a career with your company better than one with your competitors 11 What is the largest single problem facing your staff (department) now 12 Has there been much turnover in this job area 13 Will I have the opportunity to work on special projects 14 Where does this position fit into the organizational structure 15 How much travel if any is involved in this position 16 What is the next course of action When should I expect to hear from you or may I contact you
Interview Checklist Preparation Research research research Knowing more about the organization as a whole and the particular position you are applying for will be helpful in the interview It will help you understand questions that may be asked and will give you a chance to come up with questions to ask them The more research you conduct the more confident and comfortable you will feel in the interview It will also demonstrate to the employer how determined and pro-active you are about their company and the position you seek Get specific directions to the location If possible go there the day before and check out parking and the location of the office where your interview will be held
First Impression Put your best foot forward Remember the decision to hire you may be made in the first 5 minutes Always wait until they sit or invite you to be seated
Dress code Dress more formal than you would in the actual position Women should wear a suit or dress with a jacket Men should wear a suit or sport jacket and slacks Itrsquos a good idea to have an interview outfit ready and waiting (cleaned neat no threads or missing buttons) hanging in your closet Donrsquot wear anything too trendy or faddish (ladies no miniskirts) Check all zippers for closure and ladies should always have an extra pair of hose for emergencies Your style of dress communicates too what do you want it to say (See page 38)
Arrival Arrive a few minutes early to check out the location and parking Stop by the restroom and check your appearance Again you may want to check out the location the day before if you are unsure of the area
What to bring Always have an extra copy of your reacutesumeacute note paper and pen You will want to jot down questions as they may come about as well as information about the position Also write down the names of each person you interview with so you can mail a thank-you note
Application
Office of Career Services at IU Kokomo
34 |Kelley Student Center 200 2300 S Washington St PO Box 9003 Kokomo IN 46904-9003 (765)455-9301 fax (765)455-9537 carserviukedu wwwiukeducareer-
services
Read through the entire application before you begin Follow the directions Give specific titles You may leave the salary question blank or fill it in with a reasonable salary range Use NA where answers are not applicable Proofread the application before returning it
Legal and Illegal Pre-employment Questions CATEGORY LAWFUL
(Questions employers can ask)
UNLAWFUL (Questions employers cannot ask)
Name Have you ever worked for this company under a different name
Is any additional information relative to change of name use of an assumed name or nickname necessary to enable a check
on your work record If yes explain
What is your maiden name
Is the name on your application your real name
Address Where do you live
How long have you lived there
Birthplace Where were you born Where were your relatives born
Agebirth date Are you 18 years of age or older How old are you What is your birth date
Prove your age by submitting your birth certificate baptismal record
naturalization papers etc (see citizenship)
Photograph Requirement or option that applicant affix a photograph to employment form at
any time before hiring Citizenship Are you a citizen of the United States
If not are you authorized to work in the US
Can you verify US citizenship or your
right to work in the United States
Of what country are you a citizen Are you a naturalized or a native-born
citizen When did you acquire citizenship
Please produce naturalization papers or green card
(employers must verify citizenship or the right to work after theyrsquove decided to
extend an offer) Sex or Marital Status Are you male or female
Are you married What are your living arrangements
Relatives Do you have relatives (other than a spouse) already employed by the
company
What are their names
What are the names (addresses ages number or other information) of your
relatives not employed by the company
Children
Do you have children or plans to have children in the future
Do you have the capacity to reproduce Do you advocate any form of birth control
or family planning What are your child care arrangements
How old are your children
CATEGORY LAWFUL UNLAWFUL (Questions employers can ask) (Questions employers cannot ask)
Disability Do you have any impairment
(physical mental or medical) which would interfere with your ability to perform the job for which you have
applied
Do you have any disabilities or diseases not related to job
performance
Arrest record Have you ever been convicted of a criminal offense other than minor
traffic violations If yes explain fully
Have you ever been arrested
Experienced Please describe your work experience
Travel Overtime This position requires X amount of overtimetravel Would you be able
to meet this requirement
Who will care for your children when you travel or work overtime
Would your spouse object if you
traveled or worked overtime Language What languages do you speak and
write fluently What is your native language
How did you learn to read write or
speak a foreign language Education Please describe your academic
vocational or professional education and the public and private schools you attended
What are the dates of attendance
(To permit verification)
Notice in case of emergency What are the names and addresses of people to be notified in case of
accident or emergency (can be asked after hire)
Military experience Have you served in the US Armed Forces or in the National Guard
Describe your experience
Do you have any military experience
(other than in the United States) Organizations Do you belong to any organizations
which you consider relevant to your ability to perform this job Please
explain
Are you a member of any clubs societies or lodges
Which ones
Race or color What racecolor are you Are you a minority
Religion or creed What is your religion To which parishchurch do you
belong What religious holidays do you
observe National Origin What is your (or relatives) lineage
ancestry national origin descent percentage or nationality
Office of Career Services at IU Kokomo
36 |Kelley Student Center 200 2300 S Washington St PO Box 9003 Kokomo IN 46904-9003 (765)455-9301 fax (765)455-9537 carserviukedu wwwiukeducareer-
services
After the interview After you have interviewed for a position there are some things to do that may improve your chances
Send a Follow-up thank you note within 24 hours
This shows that you are serious about their organization and will set you apart from many who neglect to do so By taking the
time to email or write a handwritten letter thanking them for taking their time to meet with you Summarize specific qualities
you have and let them know you look forward in speaking with them further about employment
Sample Thank you
Dear Intervieweersquos Name Thank you for taking the time to talk with me on Thursday November 9 at the interview for list specifics of position and company) I appreciate your time and attention and after talking with you I am even more interested in becoming a valuable team member at companyrsquos name You were extremely helpful in explaining list position Now that I have a better idea of what the position entails I am even more certain that I would be an asset to your team and to companyrsquos name My solid education from the IU Kokomo Communication Department and the fact that I have worked my way through college show the work ethic and determination you said were important to be successful at companyrsquos name I look forward to an opportunity to work with companyrsquos name office and speak to you further about the program I will contact you next week to follow up and provide you with any further information that you may need Thank you again for your time and consideration Sincerely
Your name
The Stall Letter
There may be situations that you will need time to figure out whether a job is a good fit or have more than one position to accept or decline The stall letter is a good tool to have in this case In the introduction refer to the job offer or event that is prompting the letter In the second paragraph state your continued interest in the position but request more time to gather further information or to consider all alternatives and opportunities in order to make the best choice for the position and the company as well as yourself Give a specific time extension request If you need 24 hours for example ask for that Ask for the minimal amount of time in order to make your decision Remember this is a request and does not guarantee that the employer will accept it and be prepared for the possibility that they will not grant the time and choose another candidate In the conclusion thank them for their time and understanding and indicate when you will contact them to discuss the terms of the possible extension
Sample Stall Letter
Dear name of person that offered the position This letter is in reference to list company name and your offer of list the position I would like to take this opportunity to thank you for the opportunity and express my continued interest in the position At this time I would like to request __hours to gather some vital information in order to be completely confidant that I am making the best and most informed decision possible I want to ensure for all parties involved that I have considered all options and alternatives to be certain that my acceptance of this list position is the correct course of action for us both I appreciate your understanding and valuable time and look forward to speaking with you at your earliest convenience today so that we may discuss the terms of my request Sincerely Your Name
Office of Career Services at IU Kokomo
37 |Kelley Student Center 200 2300 S Washington St PO Box 9003 Kokomo IN 46904-9003 (765)455-9301 fax (765)455-9537 carserviukedu wwwiukeducareer-
services
Acceptance of a Job Offer Letter
Responding in writing to a job offer shows courtesy and is expected It reduces the chance of any misunderstanding that verbal acceptances do not In the first paragraph thank the employer for offering the specific position title and say that you are happy to accept it In the second paragraph state the terms of employment (salary location and start date) Emphasize any negotiations of terms that were unusual or non-standard if there were any In the last paragraph thank the employer sincerely for the opportunity and express your excitement to join their organization and be a valuable asset to them
Sample Job Offer Acceptance Letter
Dear person who offered position
I am happy to have the opportunity to accept the position of list title
The following terms of the position as I understood them include a salary of list salaryrate of pay at List location and to begin employment on list date As we discussed instead of the typical work week we agreed to the addition of evening and weekend hours during the probationary period with a return to usual business hours after 90 days We also agreed to a company vehicle provision for any off site training and appointments during the course of my employment
I truly look forward to becoming a valued member of your team and I am anticipating a productive and positive professional relationship with list company
Sincerely Your Name
Decline or Withdrawing from Consideration Letter
There may be times that you wish to decline or remove yourself from consideration from a position Doing this on a positive
and respectful note decreases the chance that future opportunities will be missed either as a future employee or possible
professional contact with the firm Thank the employer for the opportunity but decline it based on your reasons Be sure to
specifically name the person that was in charge of the hiring process If the decline is due to a term that was offered be
specific the firm could always choose to negotiate that term to better suit your situation
Date
Dear List person
Thank you very much for offering me the list position After careful consideration I regret that I must decline your offer
Although you were most encouraging in outlining future advancement possibilities within ABC Company I have accepted another
opportunity that is more in line with my skills and career goals or I found list the term to be out of line with my needs and
goals
I enjoyed meeting you and the rest of your team You have been most kind and gracious throughout the interview process and I
only wish that circumstances allowed me to accept your offer
Best wishes for your continued success
Sincerely
Your Name
Office of Career Services at IU Kokomo
38 |Kelley Student Center 200 2300 S Washington St PO Box 9003 Kokomo IN 46904-9003 (765)455-9301 fax (765)455-9537 carserviukedu wwwiukeducareer-
services
____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
This packet contains a lot of valuable information to help you achieve all the goals that an education from IU Kokomo
will prepare you for Use this as a guide for every step of the way from your freshman year graduation and beyond
Office of Career Services at IU Kokomo
25 |Kelley Student Center 200 2300 S Washington St PO Box 9003 Kokomo IN 46904-9003 (765)455-9301 fax (765)455-9537 carserviukedu wwwiukeducareer-
services
Transferable Skills-Skills you have acquired from your education and employment experience that you can market to new employers
Communication the skillful expression transmission and interpretation of knowledge and ideas
Speaking effectively Writing concisely Listening attentively Expressing ideas Facilitating group discussion Providing appropriate feedback Negotiating
Perceiving nonverbal messages Persuading Reporting information Describing feelings Interviewing Editing
Research and Planning the search for specific knowledge and the ability to conceptualize future needs and solutions for meeting those needs
Forecasting predicting Creating ideas Identifying problems Imagining alternatives Identifying resources Gathering information
Solving problems Setting goals Extracting important information Defining needs Analyzing Developing evaluation strategies
Human Relations the use of interpersonal skills for resolving conflict relating to and helping people Developing rapport Being Sensitive Listening Conveying feelings Providing support for others Motivating Sharing credit
Counseling Cooperating Delegating with respect Representing others Perceiving feelings situations Asserting
Organization Management and Leadership the ability to supervise direct and guide individuals and groups in the completion of tasks and fulfillment of goals Work Survival the day-to-day skills that assist in promoting effective production and work satisfaction
Implementing decisions Cooperating Enforcing policies Being punctual Managing time Attending to detail Meeting goals Enlisting help Accepting responsibility Setting and meeting deadlines Organizing Making decisions
Initiating new ideas Handling details Coordinating tasks Managing groups Delegating responsibility Teaching Coaching Counseling Promoting change Selling ideas or products Decision making with others Managing conflict
Office of Career Services at IU Kokomo
26 |Kelley Student Center 200 2300 S Washington St PO Box 9003 Kokomo IN 46904-9003 (765)455-9301 fax (765)455-9537 carserviukedu wwwiukeducareer-
services
After you have the perfect reacutesumeacute it is time to hit the road and put your skills into action Career Fairs will help put you in communication with prospective employers and give you valuable practice for interviews
Achieve Results and Get the Most Out of a Career Fair
Attend as many job fairs as you can Not only will practice make perfect but it will expand your network of career contacts Make sure to ask precise questions and be prepared to answer specific questions the employers have regarding your background and capabilities Before the Job Fair- Be Prepared
Create a reacutesumeacute and have it reviewed by a career counselor Create a list of 3-5 references in case they are requested (Be sure to ask your references for their help before
including them on the list) Create your 30-second oral reacutesumeacute and practice practice practice Review the employer list Determine where employers are located and in what order to visit them Broaden your focus and include different types of employers For instance although you may not have thought of
working for a hospital hospitals recruit and hire professionals in many different fields Do your research Look up information about the employers of interest
o Check their websites for information about their productsservices and mission statement o What types of jobs do they have open o What kind of people are they looking for o What kind of skills do these people need to have How do you meet their skill requirements o Develop some questions you would like to ask the employer representatives at the fair
Network Network Network with people you know and via social network sites like Linked-In and Facebook for more information about the companies Also seek contact with employees you might know or seek information from alumni who work there
During the Job Fair Dress for success (See page 38) Assume you will be interviewed and dress the part Even if you dont get an interview
at the job fair you have already made a great impression Always have a penpencil and paper to take notes- a portfolio works best Bring plenty of reacutesumeacutes with you While some companies will be seeking employees for specific positions some
employers will collect reacutesumeacutes for future positions Be sure to get all of the contact information you need to complete an application
Make sure to have copies of your reference list in case an employer asks First impressions are everything Be direct have a firm handshake and make eye contact as you greet employers This
will speak volumes about your confidence If you are only gathering information let employers know that you are only interested in materials and information
Be aware of time demands of employers Do not monopolize the employersrsquo time You should have already done your homework about their company so you can better spend your time asking about the positions available (or available in the near future) and how your skills match their needs Give them your 30-second oral reacutesumeacute and impress them with what you feel you can do for their company Since practice makes perfect donrsquot give up if the first attempt doesnrsquot go well Keep trying with other employers
Ask specific questions and collect information from each booth you visit including business cards from the employer representatives Offer to follow up after the fair and ask what the best way to contact them is
After the Job Fair You now have a prime opportunity to make a distinctive impression
Use those business cards you collected to follow up with each employer you are interested in Be sure to do everything you promised at the job fair Complete the application and upload your reacutesumeacute Send a thank-you note or email to all whom you talked with within 48 hours of the career fair This shows that you
are serious about their organization and will set you apart from many who neglect to do so If you follow up on your application for a position be sure to follow the preferred contact method and dont overdo it Stay in contact and use this experience to expand your network Submit an additional or amended reacutesumeacute during your follow-up contacts if need be Follow-up and follow-through contacts are up to the student be persistent and polite
Office of Career Services at IU Kokomo
27 |Kelley Student Center 200 2300 S Washington St PO Box 9003 Kokomo IN 46904-9003 (765)455-9301 fax (765)455-9537 carserviukedu wwwiukeducareer-
services
Additional information-what employers are expecting at a career fair
What Will Impress Employers o Demonstrate that you have done your homework and researched their company o Be prepared Have your reacutesumeacute critiqued by Career Services and bring plenty of copies with you Develop
questions to ask smile and courteously and enthusiastically engage the representatives o Have a firm hand shake and good eye contact- dress for success o Never ask about salary let them bring up the subject o An expectation that you will be responsible for following up with them including a thank you note or letter o Take the initiative Walk up to them and engage the employers they want to speak to you
What Employers May Want to Learn About You o Specific careerjob objectives What are your expectations o Individual strengths and weaknesses Have specific examples that demonstrate your skills develop short
stories that showcase your skills (Remember a job fair is time sensitive and you donrsquot want to take up too much time of one employer)
o Contributions you will make to the operation Remember be specific now is not the time to blandly or generically discuss what you can do
What You Should Learn About Each Company o Employment trends Career Fairs are excellent resources for information about career decision-making o Skills necessary for different careersjobs Have meaningful conversations with representatives o Currentfuture positions o Salary benefits training and other information about the company (again let the employer bring up salary) o Who to contact for follow-up discussions and what their hiring processes are get specifics o Collect their business card or write down their contact information
30 Second Oral Reacutesumeacute Purpose It is important to practice your 30 second oral reacutesumeacute prior to attending a career fair The famous ldquoTell me about yourselfrdquo is a question that is always asked Whether the question is asked in a social setting an interview or a networking event a well-planned answer can set you apart from the crowd as well as spark additional conversation Begin preparing your oral reacutesumeacute by following the tips below
How to Prepare Your Oral Reacutesumeacute o Begin by brainstorming what you would want someone to know about you Write down all of your ideas o Consider including the following information in your oral reacutesumeacute
Job Objective Education and Training Skills
Accomplishments and Achievements Prior Employment Other Experience
o Narrow down your optionsmdashpick the top 5 things you want the person to know about you o Develop a paragraph that encompasses all of the things you wish to say o Practice makes perfect Read aloud your reacutesumeacute several times
Additional Tips Prepare more than one oral reacutesumeacute for various situations Practice your reacutesumeacute by calling your voicemail and later playing back the messagemdashthink about how it sounds and
what you would like to change Make sure that your oral reacutesumeacute will keep the listenerrsquos attention
Example Oral Reacutesumeacute Hi my name is ________ and I am a senior at IU Kokomo majoring in New Media I am looking for an internship experience in graphic designweb development Through my coursework I have developed strong computer and analytical skills Last summer I worked as an intern at the Kokomo Perspective to gain experience with print media At the Perspective I worked with the copy editor as well as the writing staff to gain experience in both fields I also volunteer at United Way developing and updating their website
Office of Career Services at IU Kokomo
28 |Kelley Student Center 200 2300 S Washington St PO Box 9003 Kokomo IN 46904-9003 (765)455-9301 fax (765)455-9537 carserviukedu wwwiukeducareer-
services
Send a Follow-up thank you note after Career Fair Send a thank you note or email to all whom you talked with within 48 hours of the career fair This shows that you are serious about their organization and will set you apart from many who neglect to do so
Be sure to remind the employer where you met them Thank you for taking the time to talk with me on Thursday at the career fair After talking with you I
am even more eager to work at _____ Summarize specific qualities and assets you obtain I am certain my education at IU Kokomo has enhanced my skill set and has provided a solid
background of knowledge in the _______ fieldhelliphellip Some experiences I have had the pleasure of doing arehellip This opportunity improved my work ethic and made me aware of my self-reliancehellip
Always attach your reacutesumeacute again for their convenience I have attached my reacutesumeacute for your convenience I look forward to an opportunity to further discuss
my qualifications You may contact me athellip (phone andor email address) Thank you again for your time and consideration
Sample Thank you
Thank you for taking the time to talk with me on Thursday November 9 at the career fair on IU Kokomorsquos campus I appreciate your time and attention and after talking with you I am even more interested in learning more about your organization You were extremely helpful in explaining companyrsquos name customer service and marketing trainee program Now that I have a better idea of what the position entails I am even more certain that I would be an asset to your team and to companyrsquos name My solid education from the IU Kokomo Communication Department and the fact that I have worked my way through college show the work ethic and determination you said were important to be successful at companyrsquos name I look forward to an opportunity to visit companyrsquos name office and speak to you further about the trainee program I will contact you next week to arrange an appointment Enclosed is an updated reacutesumeacute for your review Thank you again for your time and consideration Sincerely
Office of Career Services at IU Kokomo
29 |Kelley Student Center 200 2300 S Washington St PO Box 9003 Kokomo IN 46904-9003 (765)455-9301 fax (765)455-9537 carserviukedu wwwiukeducareer-
services
Knowledge and practice will give you the confidence you need to be prepared and give the best impression possible at an interview The following information will help prepare you for nearly any interview contingency being confidant that you can handle it is the best way to increase your chances of getting hired Here are a few things you can do to give yourself a head start
Questions to think about prior to your interview
1 Why do you want to work at this facility and what specific jobareas am I interested in a To Prepare research the facility
i Mission ii Population served
iii Financial stability iv Management style
b Learn about the job
i Job description ii Occupational outlook
iii Handbook iv employees
2 What qualities make me a good candidate
a To prepare self assessment i What are my strengths and weaknesses
ii What are my interests iii How do I know iv What kinds of results demonstrate my abilities
3 What type of shift working conditions salary and fringe benefits are most important to me (12 hours 10 hours 8
hours weekends flex-time insurance) a To prepare clarify values and lifestyle choices
i What are my values ii What kind of lifestyles do I want for myself and those close to me
4 How will I be trained
a To prepare How do I learn best i Do I need immediate feedback or can I learn well on my own
5 What are my goals Where do I want to be in 10 years
a To prepare Identify and prioritize career and life goals and objectives i Am I interested in supervision training management
ii How do I plan to reach these goals
6 What are the major issues and current events facing this specific field job occupation and company today
7 What can you bring to the organization
Office of Career Services at IU Kokomo
30 |Kelley Student Center 200 2300 S Washington St PO Box 9003 Kokomo IN 46904-9003 (765)455-9301 fax (765)455-9537 carserviukedu wwwiukeducareer-
services
Behavioral Interviews- Use the STAR Interviewing Technique for Success
The STAR acronym represents Situation Task Action and Result Recruiters and hiring managers favor the STAR technique because
it provides a better explanation of your past performance how you handle workplace challenges and whether youre able to articulate
your experiences STAR behavioral interviews are quickly becoming the most popular and common form of interview
Situation or
Task
Describe the situation that you were in or the task that you needed to accomplish You must
describe a specific event or situation not a generalized description of what you have done in
the past Be sure to give enough detail for the interviewer to understand This situation can be
from a previous job from a volunteer experience or any relevant event
Action you took Describe the action you took and be sure to keep the focus on you Even if you are discussing
a group project or effort describe what you did -- not the efforts of the team Dont tell what
you might do tell what you did
Results you achieved What happened How did the event end What did you accomplish What did you learn
For examples of past behavior use examples from
Internships
Work experience
Class projects
School activitiesorganizations you are involved with
Sports
Volunteercommunity service
Hobbies
Think about your accomplishments what are you most proud of that you want to share with the employer
How to prepare for behavior-based interviews
Identify 3-6 examples that demonstrate your top skills Look through the job description pinpoint the skills they are seeking
Pick experiences that demonstrate top behaviors of those skills
Prepare how you will ldquotell your storyrdquo using STAR
Pick examples that will be positive accomplishment
Most behavioral questions try to reveal the negative situations so be prepared with those examples However try to pick
examples that had a positive outcome
Try not to pick examples from only one topic Pick a variety of examples choosing examples from work class community
services etc
Typically the best examples are situations that happened within the last year
Go over your resume and review the accomplishments you have listed andor skills this could assist you with identifying
examples
LISTEN to the full question Be sure the example is an appropriate description of how you demonstrated what they are
asking for
Office of Career Services at IU Kokomo
31 |Kelley Student Center 200 2300 S Washington St PO Box 9003 Kokomo IN 46904-9003 (765)455-9301 fax (765)455-9537 carserviukedu wwwiukeducareer-
services
Sample Behavior-based Questions
Communication Skills
1 Give me a specific example of a time someone didnrsquot agree with your work How did you respond 2 Tell me about a time when you had to present complex information How did you ensure that everyone
understood what you were saying 3 Give an example about a time where written communication was needed
Decision Making Skills
1 What is the biggest decision or risk yoursquove made in the past year on the job Describe the process you used to make those decisions Would you do it again
2 Describe a time you overcame a challenge with an innovative solution What was the challenge What role did you play
Planning Organization Time management Skills
1 Please give an example of a time you didnrsquot meet your deadline Why did you fail to meet your deadline What did you learn from that experience
2 Give an example of how you keep track of multiple projects How do you stay on track and meet deadlines How do you stay focused
3 Describe a goal yoursquove had How you set it and achieved it
Flexibility Skills 1 Tell us about one of the toughest situations with which yoursquove had to deal with How did you handle the
stress or pressure of the situation Leadership Skills
1 Describe a time when you disagreed with a directive given by your supervisor What happened and how did you handle it
2 Give an example of a situation where team members or co-workers didnrsquot get along This could include you and someone else or two other people How did the project turn out What did you do to resolve the issue so everyone was able to work together
Office of Career Services at IU Kokomo
32 |Kelley Student Center 200 2300 S Washington St PO Box 9003 Kokomo IN 46904-9003 (765)455-9301 fax (765)455-9537 carserviukedu wwwiukeducareer-
services
Other Common Questions Asked by Employers
Personal 1 Tell me about yourself 2 Why did you choose to interview with our organization 3 Describe your ideal job 4 What can you offer us over another candidate 5 What do you consider to be your greatest strengths 6 Can you name some weaknesses 7 Define success Failure How did you learn from your failures 8 Name a couple accomplishments you most proud 9 Who are your role models Why 10 How does your college education or work experience relate to this job 11 What motivates you most in a job 12 Have you ever spoken before a group of people How large 13 What do you know about our organization (products or services) 14 Do you plan to return to school for further education 15 What would you change about yourself and why
Education
16 Why did you choose your major 17 Why did you choose to attend your college or university 18 Do you think you received a good education In what ways 19 In which campus activities did you participate 20 Which classes in your major did you like best Least Why 21 If you were to start over what would you change about your education 22 Do your grades accurately reflect your ability Why or why not
Experience
23 What job-related skills have you developed 24 Did you work while going to school In what positions 25 What did you learn from these work experiences 26 What did you enjoy most about your last employment Least 27 Have you ever quit a job Why 28 Give an example of how you have solved a problem in the work place 29 How do you resolve conflict on a team project 30 Give an example of a time in which you worked under deadline pressure 31 Have you ever done any volunteer work What kind 32 How do you think a former supervisor would describe your work
Career Goals
33 Do you prefer to work under supervision or on your own 34 What kind of boss do you prefer 35 Would you be successful working with a team 36 Do you prefer large or small organizations Why 37 What other types of positions are you considering 38 How do you feel about working in a structured environment 39 Are you able to work on several assignments at once 40 How do you feel about working overtime 41 How do you feel about travel 42 Are you willing to relocate
Office of Career Services at IU Kokomo
33 |Kelley Student Center 200 2300 S Washington St PO Box 9003 Kokomo IN 46904-9003 (765)455-9301 fax (765)455-9537 carserviukedu wwwiukeducareer-
services
Questions to Ask Employers
An interview is a two-way street Employers get an impression of you from the questions you ask Are you a critical thinker Did you comprehend and correctly process everything in the interview Have you done research and have a good grasp of the company and the scope of the position Your questions should be intelligent insightful and polite Have at least 3-5 custom questions in mind Employers look for someone who shows interest confidence and is well organized
1 Please describe (or ask them to clarify specifics) the duties of the job for me 2 Is this a new position or am I replacing someone 3 What do you like best about your jobcompany 4 What kinds of assignments might I expect the first six months on the job 5 What qualities are you looking for in the candidate who fills this position 6 Does your company encourage further education 7 Do you have plans for expansion 8 What are your growth projections for next year 9 Have you cut staff in the last three years 10 In what ways is a career with your company better than one with your competitors 11 What is the largest single problem facing your staff (department) now 12 Has there been much turnover in this job area 13 Will I have the opportunity to work on special projects 14 Where does this position fit into the organizational structure 15 How much travel if any is involved in this position 16 What is the next course of action When should I expect to hear from you or may I contact you
Interview Checklist Preparation Research research research Knowing more about the organization as a whole and the particular position you are applying for will be helpful in the interview It will help you understand questions that may be asked and will give you a chance to come up with questions to ask them The more research you conduct the more confident and comfortable you will feel in the interview It will also demonstrate to the employer how determined and pro-active you are about their company and the position you seek Get specific directions to the location If possible go there the day before and check out parking and the location of the office where your interview will be held
First Impression Put your best foot forward Remember the decision to hire you may be made in the first 5 minutes Always wait until they sit or invite you to be seated
Dress code Dress more formal than you would in the actual position Women should wear a suit or dress with a jacket Men should wear a suit or sport jacket and slacks Itrsquos a good idea to have an interview outfit ready and waiting (cleaned neat no threads or missing buttons) hanging in your closet Donrsquot wear anything too trendy or faddish (ladies no miniskirts) Check all zippers for closure and ladies should always have an extra pair of hose for emergencies Your style of dress communicates too what do you want it to say (See page 38)
Arrival Arrive a few minutes early to check out the location and parking Stop by the restroom and check your appearance Again you may want to check out the location the day before if you are unsure of the area
What to bring Always have an extra copy of your reacutesumeacute note paper and pen You will want to jot down questions as they may come about as well as information about the position Also write down the names of each person you interview with so you can mail a thank-you note
Application
Office of Career Services at IU Kokomo
34 |Kelley Student Center 200 2300 S Washington St PO Box 9003 Kokomo IN 46904-9003 (765)455-9301 fax (765)455-9537 carserviukedu wwwiukeducareer-
services
Read through the entire application before you begin Follow the directions Give specific titles You may leave the salary question blank or fill it in with a reasonable salary range Use NA where answers are not applicable Proofread the application before returning it
Legal and Illegal Pre-employment Questions CATEGORY LAWFUL
(Questions employers can ask)
UNLAWFUL (Questions employers cannot ask)
Name Have you ever worked for this company under a different name
Is any additional information relative to change of name use of an assumed name or nickname necessary to enable a check
on your work record If yes explain
What is your maiden name
Is the name on your application your real name
Address Where do you live
How long have you lived there
Birthplace Where were you born Where were your relatives born
Agebirth date Are you 18 years of age or older How old are you What is your birth date
Prove your age by submitting your birth certificate baptismal record
naturalization papers etc (see citizenship)
Photograph Requirement or option that applicant affix a photograph to employment form at
any time before hiring Citizenship Are you a citizen of the United States
If not are you authorized to work in the US
Can you verify US citizenship or your
right to work in the United States
Of what country are you a citizen Are you a naturalized or a native-born
citizen When did you acquire citizenship
Please produce naturalization papers or green card
(employers must verify citizenship or the right to work after theyrsquove decided to
extend an offer) Sex or Marital Status Are you male or female
Are you married What are your living arrangements
Relatives Do you have relatives (other than a spouse) already employed by the
company
What are their names
What are the names (addresses ages number or other information) of your
relatives not employed by the company
Children
Do you have children or plans to have children in the future
Do you have the capacity to reproduce Do you advocate any form of birth control
or family planning What are your child care arrangements
How old are your children
CATEGORY LAWFUL UNLAWFUL (Questions employers can ask) (Questions employers cannot ask)
Disability Do you have any impairment
(physical mental or medical) which would interfere with your ability to perform the job for which you have
applied
Do you have any disabilities or diseases not related to job
performance
Arrest record Have you ever been convicted of a criminal offense other than minor
traffic violations If yes explain fully
Have you ever been arrested
Experienced Please describe your work experience
Travel Overtime This position requires X amount of overtimetravel Would you be able
to meet this requirement
Who will care for your children when you travel or work overtime
Would your spouse object if you
traveled or worked overtime Language What languages do you speak and
write fluently What is your native language
How did you learn to read write or
speak a foreign language Education Please describe your academic
vocational or professional education and the public and private schools you attended
What are the dates of attendance
(To permit verification)
Notice in case of emergency What are the names and addresses of people to be notified in case of
accident or emergency (can be asked after hire)
Military experience Have you served in the US Armed Forces or in the National Guard
Describe your experience
Do you have any military experience
(other than in the United States) Organizations Do you belong to any organizations
which you consider relevant to your ability to perform this job Please
explain
Are you a member of any clubs societies or lodges
Which ones
Race or color What racecolor are you Are you a minority
Religion or creed What is your religion To which parishchurch do you
belong What religious holidays do you
observe National Origin What is your (or relatives) lineage
ancestry national origin descent percentage or nationality
Office of Career Services at IU Kokomo
36 |Kelley Student Center 200 2300 S Washington St PO Box 9003 Kokomo IN 46904-9003 (765)455-9301 fax (765)455-9537 carserviukedu wwwiukeducareer-
services
After the interview After you have interviewed for a position there are some things to do that may improve your chances
Send a Follow-up thank you note within 24 hours
This shows that you are serious about their organization and will set you apart from many who neglect to do so By taking the
time to email or write a handwritten letter thanking them for taking their time to meet with you Summarize specific qualities
you have and let them know you look forward in speaking with them further about employment
Sample Thank you
Dear Intervieweersquos Name Thank you for taking the time to talk with me on Thursday November 9 at the interview for list specifics of position and company) I appreciate your time and attention and after talking with you I am even more interested in becoming a valuable team member at companyrsquos name You were extremely helpful in explaining list position Now that I have a better idea of what the position entails I am even more certain that I would be an asset to your team and to companyrsquos name My solid education from the IU Kokomo Communication Department and the fact that I have worked my way through college show the work ethic and determination you said were important to be successful at companyrsquos name I look forward to an opportunity to work with companyrsquos name office and speak to you further about the program I will contact you next week to follow up and provide you with any further information that you may need Thank you again for your time and consideration Sincerely
Your name
The Stall Letter
There may be situations that you will need time to figure out whether a job is a good fit or have more than one position to accept or decline The stall letter is a good tool to have in this case In the introduction refer to the job offer or event that is prompting the letter In the second paragraph state your continued interest in the position but request more time to gather further information or to consider all alternatives and opportunities in order to make the best choice for the position and the company as well as yourself Give a specific time extension request If you need 24 hours for example ask for that Ask for the minimal amount of time in order to make your decision Remember this is a request and does not guarantee that the employer will accept it and be prepared for the possibility that they will not grant the time and choose another candidate In the conclusion thank them for their time and understanding and indicate when you will contact them to discuss the terms of the possible extension
Sample Stall Letter
Dear name of person that offered the position This letter is in reference to list company name and your offer of list the position I would like to take this opportunity to thank you for the opportunity and express my continued interest in the position At this time I would like to request __hours to gather some vital information in order to be completely confidant that I am making the best and most informed decision possible I want to ensure for all parties involved that I have considered all options and alternatives to be certain that my acceptance of this list position is the correct course of action for us both I appreciate your understanding and valuable time and look forward to speaking with you at your earliest convenience today so that we may discuss the terms of my request Sincerely Your Name
Office of Career Services at IU Kokomo
37 |Kelley Student Center 200 2300 S Washington St PO Box 9003 Kokomo IN 46904-9003 (765)455-9301 fax (765)455-9537 carserviukedu wwwiukeducareer-
services
Acceptance of a Job Offer Letter
Responding in writing to a job offer shows courtesy and is expected It reduces the chance of any misunderstanding that verbal acceptances do not In the first paragraph thank the employer for offering the specific position title and say that you are happy to accept it In the second paragraph state the terms of employment (salary location and start date) Emphasize any negotiations of terms that were unusual or non-standard if there were any In the last paragraph thank the employer sincerely for the opportunity and express your excitement to join their organization and be a valuable asset to them
Sample Job Offer Acceptance Letter
Dear person who offered position
I am happy to have the opportunity to accept the position of list title
The following terms of the position as I understood them include a salary of list salaryrate of pay at List location and to begin employment on list date As we discussed instead of the typical work week we agreed to the addition of evening and weekend hours during the probationary period with a return to usual business hours after 90 days We also agreed to a company vehicle provision for any off site training and appointments during the course of my employment
I truly look forward to becoming a valued member of your team and I am anticipating a productive and positive professional relationship with list company
Sincerely Your Name
Decline or Withdrawing from Consideration Letter
There may be times that you wish to decline or remove yourself from consideration from a position Doing this on a positive
and respectful note decreases the chance that future opportunities will be missed either as a future employee or possible
professional contact with the firm Thank the employer for the opportunity but decline it based on your reasons Be sure to
specifically name the person that was in charge of the hiring process If the decline is due to a term that was offered be
specific the firm could always choose to negotiate that term to better suit your situation
Date
Dear List person
Thank you very much for offering me the list position After careful consideration I regret that I must decline your offer
Although you were most encouraging in outlining future advancement possibilities within ABC Company I have accepted another
opportunity that is more in line with my skills and career goals or I found list the term to be out of line with my needs and
goals
I enjoyed meeting you and the rest of your team You have been most kind and gracious throughout the interview process and I
only wish that circumstances allowed me to accept your offer
Best wishes for your continued success
Sincerely
Your Name
Office of Career Services at IU Kokomo
38 |Kelley Student Center 200 2300 S Washington St PO Box 9003 Kokomo IN 46904-9003 (765)455-9301 fax (765)455-9537 carserviukedu wwwiukeducareer-
services
____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
This packet contains a lot of valuable information to help you achieve all the goals that an education from IU Kokomo
will prepare you for Use this as a guide for every step of the way from your freshman year graduation and beyond
Office of Career Services at IU Kokomo
26 |Kelley Student Center 200 2300 S Washington St PO Box 9003 Kokomo IN 46904-9003 (765)455-9301 fax (765)455-9537 carserviukedu wwwiukeducareer-
services
After you have the perfect reacutesumeacute it is time to hit the road and put your skills into action Career Fairs will help put you in communication with prospective employers and give you valuable practice for interviews
Achieve Results and Get the Most Out of a Career Fair
Attend as many job fairs as you can Not only will practice make perfect but it will expand your network of career contacts Make sure to ask precise questions and be prepared to answer specific questions the employers have regarding your background and capabilities Before the Job Fair- Be Prepared
Create a reacutesumeacute and have it reviewed by a career counselor Create a list of 3-5 references in case they are requested (Be sure to ask your references for their help before
including them on the list) Create your 30-second oral reacutesumeacute and practice practice practice Review the employer list Determine where employers are located and in what order to visit them Broaden your focus and include different types of employers For instance although you may not have thought of
working for a hospital hospitals recruit and hire professionals in many different fields Do your research Look up information about the employers of interest
o Check their websites for information about their productsservices and mission statement o What types of jobs do they have open o What kind of people are they looking for o What kind of skills do these people need to have How do you meet their skill requirements o Develop some questions you would like to ask the employer representatives at the fair
Network Network Network with people you know and via social network sites like Linked-In and Facebook for more information about the companies Also seek contact with employees you might know or seek information from alumni who work there
During the Job Fair Dress for success (See page 38) Assume you will be interviewed and dress the part Even if you dont get an interview
at the job fair you have already made a great impression Always have a penpencil and paper to take notes- a portfolio works best Bring plenty of reacutesumeacutes with you While some companies will be seeking employees for specific positions some
employers will collect reacutesumeacutes for future positions Be sure to get all of the contact information you need to complete an application
Make sure to have copies of your reference list in case an employer asks First impressions are everything Be direct have a firm handshake and make eye contact as you greet employers This
will speak volumes about your confidence If you are only gathering information let employers know that you are only interested in materials and information
Be aware of time demands of employers Do not monopolize the employersrsquo time You should have already done your homework about their company so you can better spend your time asking about the positions available (or available in the near future) and how your skills match their needs Give them your 30-second oral reacutesumeacute and impress them with what you feel you can do for their company Since practice makes perfect donrsquot give up if the first attempt doesnrsquot go well Keep trying with other employers
Ask specific questions and collect information from each booth you visit including business cards from the employer representatives Offer to follow up after the fair and ask what the best way to contact them is
After the Job Fair You now have a prime opportunity to make a distinctive impression
Use those business cards you collected to follow up with each employer you are interested in Be sure to do everything you promised at the job fair Complete the application and upload your reacutesumeacute Send a thank-you note or email to all whom you talked with within 48 hours of the career fair This shows that you
are serious about their organization and will set you apart from many who neglect to do so If you follow up on your application for a position be sure to follow the preferred contact method and dont overdo it Stay in contact and use this experience to expand your network Submit an additional or amended reacutesumeacute during your follow-up contacts if need be Follow-up and follow-through contacts are up to the student be persistent and polite
Office of Career Services at IU Kokomo
27 |Kelley Student Center 200 2300 S Washington St PO Box 9003 Kokomo IN 46904-9003 (765)455-9301 fax (765)455-9537 carserviukedu wwwiukeducareer-
services
Additional information-what employers are expecting at a career fair
What Will Impress Employers o Demonstrate that you have done your homework and researched their company o Be prepared Have your reacutesumeacute critiqued by Career Services and bring plenty of copies with you Develop
questions to ask smile and courteously and enthusiastically engage the representatives o Have a firm hand shake and good eye contact- dress for success o Never ask about salary let them bring up the subject o An expectation that you will be responsible for following up with them including a thank you note or letter o Take the initiative Walk up to them and engage the employers they want to speak to you
What Employers May Want to Learn About You o Specific careerjob objectives What are your expectations o Individual strengths and weaknesses Have specific examples that demonstrate your skills develop short
stories that showcase your skills (Remember a job fair is time sensitive and you donrsquot want to take up too much time of one employer)
o Contributions you will make to the operation Remember be specific now is not the time to blandly or generically discuss what you can do
What You Should Learn About Each Company o Employment trends Career Fairs are excellent resources for information about career decision-making o Skills necessary for different careersjobs Have meaningful conversations with representatives o Currentfuture positions o Salary benefits training and other information about the company (again let the employer bring up salary) o Who to contact for follow-up discussions and what their hiring processes are get specifics o Collect their business card or write down their contact information
30 Second Oral Reacutesumeacute Purpose It is important to practice your 30 second oral reacutesumeacute prior to attending a career fair The famous ldquoTell me about yourselfrdquo is a question that is always asked Whether the question is asked in a social setting an interview or a networking event a well-planned answer can set you apart from the crowd as well as spark additional conversation Begin preparing your oral reacutesumeacute by following the tips below
How to Prepare Your Oral Reacutesumeacute o Begin by brainstorming what you would want someone to know about you Write down all of your ideas o Consider including the following information in your oral reacutesumeacute
Job Objective Education and Training Skills
Accomplishments and Achievements Prior Employment Other Experience
o Narrow down your optionsmdashpick the top 5 things you want the person to know about you o Develop a paragraph that encompasses all of the things you wish to say o Practice makes perfect Read aloud your reacutesumeacute several times
Additional Tips Prepare more than one oral reacutesumeacute for various situations Practice your reacutesumeacute by calling your voicemail and later playing back the messagemdashthink about how it sounds and
what you would like to change Make sure that your oral reacutesumeacute will keep the listenerrsquos attention
Example Oral Reacutesumeacute Hi my name is ________ and I am a senior at IU Kokomo majoring in New Media I am looking for an internship experience in graphic designweb development Through my coursework I have developed strong computer and analytical skills Last summer I worked as an intern at the Kokomo Perspective to gain experience with print media At the Perspective I worked with the copy editor as well as the writing staff to gain experience in both fields I also volunteer at United Way developing and updating their website
Office of Career Services at IU Kokomo
28 |Kelley Student Center 200 2300 S Washington St PO Box 9003 Kokomo IN 46904-9003 (765)455-9301 fax (765)455-9537 carserviukedu wwwiukeducareer-
services
Send a Follow-up thank you note after Career Fair Send a thank you note or email to all whom you talked with within 48 hours of the career fair This shows that you are serious about their organization and will set you apart from many who neglect to do so
Be sure to remind the employer where you met them Thank you for taking the time to talk with me on Thursday at the career fair After talking with you I
am even more eager to work at _____ Summarize specific qualities and assets you obtain I am certain my education at IU Kokomo has enhanced my skill set and has provided a solid
background of knowledge in the _______ fieldhelliphellip Some experiences I have had the pleasure of doing arehellip This opportunity improved my work ethic and made me aware of my self-reliancehellip
Always attach your reacutesumeacute again for their convenience I have attached my reacutesumeacute for your convenience I look forward to an opportunity to further discuss
my qualifications You may contact me athellip (phone andor email address) Thank you again for your time and consideration
Sample Thank you
Thank you for taking the time to talk with me on Thursday November 9 at the career fair on IU Kokomorsquos campus I appreciate your time and attention and after talking with you I am even more interested in learning more about your organization You were extremely helpful in explaining companyrsquos name customer service and marketing trainee program Now that I have a better idea of what the position entails I am even more certain that I would be an asset to your team and to companyrsquos name My solid education from the IU Kokomo Communication Department and the fact that I have worked my way through college show the work ethic and determination you said were important to be successful at companyrsquos name I look forward to an opportunity to visit companyrsquos name office and speak to you further about the trainee program I will contact you next week to arrange an appointment Enclosed is an updated reacutesumeacute for your review Thank you again for your time and consideration Sincerely
Office of Career Services at IU Kokomo
29 |Kelley Student Center 200 2300 S Washington St PO Box 9003 Kokomo IN 46904-9003 (765)455-9301 fax (765)455-9537 carserviukedu wwwiukeducareer-
services
Knowledge and practice will give you the confidence you need to be prepared and give the best impression possible at an interview The following information will help prepare you for nearly any interview contingency being confidant that you can handle it is the best way to increase your chances of getting hired Here are a few things you can do to give yourself a head start
Questions to think about prior to your interview
1 Why do you want to work at this facility and what specific jobareas am I interested in a To Prepare research the facility
i Mission ii Population served
iii Financial stability iv Management style
b Learn about the job
i Job description ii Occupational outlook
iii Handbook iv employees
2 What qualities make me a good candidate
a To prepare self assessment i What are my strengths and weaknesses
ii What are my interests iii How do I know iv What kinds of results demonstrate my abilities
3 What type of shift working conditions salary and fringe benefits are most important to me (12 hours 10 hours 8
hours weekends flex-time insurance) a To prepare clarify values and lifestyle choices
i What are my values ii What kind of lifestyles do I want for myself and those close to me
4 How will I be trained
a To prepare How do I learn best i Do I need immediate feedback or can I learn well on my own
5 What are my goals Where do I want to be in 10 years
a To prepare Identify and prioritize career and life goals and objectives i Am I interested in supervision training management
ii How do I plan to reach these goals
6 What are the major issues and current events facing this specific field job occupation and company today
7 What can you bring to the organization
Office of Career Services at IU Kokomo
30 |Kelley Student Center 200 2300 S Washington St PO Box 9003 Kokomo IN 46904-9003 (765)455-9301 fax (765)455-9537 carserviukedu wwwiukeducareer-
services
Behavioral Interviews- Use the STAR Interviewing Technique for Success
The STAR acronym represents Situation Task Action and Result Recruiters and hiring managers favor the STAR technique because
it provides a better explanation of your past performance how you handle workplace challenges and whether youre able to articulate
your experiences STAR behavioral interviews are quickly becoming the most popular and common form of interview
Situation or
Task
Describe the situation that you were in or the task that you needed to accomplish You must
describe a specific event or situation not a generalized description of what you have done in
the past Be sure to give enough detail for the interviewer to understand This situation can be
from a previous job from a volunteer experience or any relevant event
Action you took Describe the action you took and be sure to keep the focus on you Even if you are discussing
a group project or effort describe what you did -- not the efforts of the team Dont tell what
you might do tell what you did
Results you achieved What happened How did the event end What did you accomplish What did you learn
For examples of past behavior use examples from
Internships
Work experience
Class projects
School activitiesorganizations you are involved with
Sports
Volunteercommunity service
Hobbies
Think about your accomplishments what are you most proud of that you want to share with the employer
How to prepare for behavior-based interviews
Identify 3-6 examples that demonstrate your top skills Look through the job description pinpoint the skills they are seeking
Pick experiences that demonstrate top behaviors of those skills
Prepare how you will ldquotell your storyrdquo using STAR
Pick examples that will be positive accomplishment
Most behavioral questions try to reveal the negative situations so be prepared with those examples However try to pick
examples that had a positive outcome
Try not to pick examples from only one topic Pick a variety of examples choosing examples from work class community
services etc
Typically the best examples are situations that happened within the last year
Go over your resume and review the accomplishments you have listed andor skills this could assist you with identifying
examples
LISTEN to the full question Be sure the example is an appropriate description of how you demonstrated what they are
asking for
Office of Career Services at IU Kokomo
31 |Kelley Student Center 200 2300 S Washington St PO Box 9003 Kokomo IN 46904-9003 (765)455-9301 fax (765)455-9537 carserviukedu wwwiukeducareer-
services
Sample Behavior-based Questions
Communication Skills
1 Give me a specific example of a time someone didnrsquot agree with your work How did you respond 2 Tell me about a time when you had to present complex information How did you ensure that everyone
understood what you were saying 3 Give an example about a time where written communication was needed
Decision Making Skills
1 What is the biggest decision or risk yoursquove made in the past year on the job Describe the process you used to make those decisions Would you do it again
2 Describe a time you overcame a challenge with an innovative solution What was the challenge What role did you play
Planning Organization Time management Skills
1 Please give an example of a time you didnrsquot meet your deadline Why did you fail to meet your deadline What did you learn from that experience
2 Give an example of how you keep track of multiple projects How do you stay on track and meet deadlines How do you stay focused
3 Describe a goal yoursquove had How you set it and achieved it
Flexibility Skills 1 Tell us about one of the toughest situations with which yoursquove had to deal with How did you handle the
stress or pressure of the situation Leadership Skills
1 Describe a time when you disagreed with a directive given by your supervisor What happened and how did you handle it
2 Give an example of a situation where team members or co-workers didnrsquot get along This could include you and someone else or two other people How did the project turn out What did you do to resolve the issue so everyone was able to work together
Office of Career Services at IU Kokomo
32 |Kelley Student Center 200 2300 S Washington St PO Box 9003 Kokomo IN 46904-9003 (765)455-9301 fax (765)455-9537 carserviukedu wwwiukeducareer-
services
Other Common Questions Asked by Employers
Personal 1 Tell me about yourself 2 Why did you choose to interview with our organization 3 Describe your ideal job 4 What can you offer us over another candidate 5 What do you consider to be your greatest strengths 6 Can you name some weaknesses 7 Define success Failure How did you learn from your failures 8 Name a couple accomplishments you most proud 9 Who are your role models Why 10 How does your college education or work experience relate to this job 11 What motivates you most in a job 12 Have you ever spoken before a group of people How large 13 What do you know about our organization (products or services) 14 Do you plan to return to school for further education 15 What would you change about yourself and why
Education
16 Why did you choose your major 17 Why did you choose to attend your college or university 18 Do you think you received a good education In what ways 19 In which campus activities did you participate 20 Which classes in your major did you like best Least Why 21 If you were to start over what would you change about your education 22 Do your grades accurately reflect your ability Why or why not
Experience
23 What job-related skills have you developed 24 Did you work while going to school In what positions 25 What did you learn from these work experiences 26 What did you enjoy most about your last employment Least 27 Have you ever quit a job Why 28 Give an example of how you have solved a problem in the work place 29 How do you resolve conflict on a team project 30 Give an example of a time in which you worked under deadline pressure 31 Have you ever done any volunteer work What kind 32 How do you think a former supervisor would describe your work
Career Goals
33 Do you prefer to work under supervision or on your own 34 What kind of boss do you prefer 35 Would you be successful working with a team 36 Do you prefer large or small organizations Why 37 What other types of positions are you considering 38 How do you feel about working in a structured environment 39 Are you able to work on several assignments at once 40 How do you feel about working overtime 41 How do you feel about travel 42 Are you willing to relocate
Office of Career Services at IU Kokomo
33 |Kelley Student Center 200 2300 S Washington St PO Box 9003 Kokomo IN 46904-9003 (765)455-9301 fax (765)455-9537 carserviukedu wwwiukeducareer-
services
Questions to Ask Employers
An interview is a two-way street Employers get an impression of you from the questions you ask Are you a critical thinker Did you comprehend and correctly process everything in the interview Have you done research and have a good grasp of the company and the scope of the position Your questions should be intelligent insightful and polite Have at least 3-5 custom questions in mind Employers look for someone who shows interest confidence and is well organized
1 Please describe (or ask them to clarify specifics) the duties of the job for me 2 Is this a new position or am I replacing someone 3 What do you like best about your jobcompany 4 What kinds of assignments might I expect the first six months on the job 5 What qualities are you looking for in the candidate who fills this position 6 Does your company encourage further education 7 Do you have plans for expansion 8 What are your growth projections for next year 9 Have you cut staff in the last three years 10 In what ways is a career with your company better than one with your competitors 11 What is the largest single problem facing your staff (department) now 12 Has there been much turnover in this job area 13 Will I have the opportunity to work on special projects 14 Where does this position fit into the organizational structure 15 How much travel if any is involved in this position 16 What is the next course of action When should I expect to hear from you or may I contact you
Interview Checklist Preparation Research research research Knowing more about the organization as a whole and the particular position you are applying for will be helpful in the interview It will help you understand questions that may be asked and will give you a chance to come up with questions to ask them The more research you conduct the more confident and comfortable you will feel in the interview It will also demonstrate to the employer how determined and pro-active you are about their company and the position you seek Get specific directions to the location If possible go there the day before and check out parking and the location of the office where your interview will be held
First Impression Put your best foot forward Remember the decision to hire you may be made in the first 5 minutes Always wait until they sit or invite you to be seated
Dress code Dress more formal than you would in the actual position Women should wear a suit or dress with a jacket Men should wear a suit or sport jacket and slacks Itrsquos a good idea to have an interview outfit ready and waiting (cleaned neat no threads or missing buttons) hanging in your closet Donrsquot wear anything too trendy or faddish (ladies no miniskirts) Check all zippers for closure and ladies should always have an extra pair of hose for emergencies Your style of dress communicates too what do you want it to say (See page 38)
Arrival Arrive a few minutes early to check out the location and parking Stop by the restroom and check your appearance Again you may want to check out the location the day before if you are unsure of the area
What to bring Always have an extra copy of your reacutesumeacute note paper and pen You will want to jot down questions as they may come about as well as information about the position Also write down the names of each person you interview with so you can mail a thank-you note
Application
Office of Career Services at IU Kokomo
34 |Kelley Student Center 200 2300 S Washington St PO Box 9003 Kokomo IN 46904-9003 (765)455-9301 fax (765)455-9537 carserviukedu wwwiukeducareer-
services
Read through the entire application before you begin Follow the directions Give specific titles You may leave the salary question blank or fill it in with a reasonable salary range Use NA where answers are not applicable Proofread the application before returning it
Legal and Illegal Pre-employment Questions CATEGORY LAWFUL
(Questions employers can ask)
UNLAWFUL (Questions employers cannot ask)
Name Have you ever worked for this company under a different name
Is any additional information relative to change of name use of an assumed name or nickname necessary to enable a check
on your work record If yes explain
What is your maiden name
Is the name on your application your real name
Address Where do you live
How long have you lived there
Birthplace Where were you born Where were your relatives born
Agebirth date Are you 18 years of age or older How old are you What is your birth date
Prove your age by submitting your birth certificate baptismal record
naturalization papers etc (see citizenship)
Photograph Requirement or option that applicant affix a photograph to employment form at
any time before hiring Citizenship Are you a citizen of the United States
If not are you authorized to work in the US
Can you verify US citizenship or your
right to work in the United States
Of what country are you a citizen Are you a naturalized or a native-born
citizen When did you acquire citizenship
Please produce naturalization papers or green card
(employers must verify citizenship or the right to work after theyrsquove decided to
extend an offer) Sex or Marital Status Are you male or female
Are you married What are your living arrangements
Relatives Do you have relatives (other than a spouse) already employed by the
company
What are their names
What are the names (addresses ages number or other information) of your
relatives not employed by the company
Children
Do you have children or plans to have children in the future
Do you have the capacity to reproduce Do you advocate any form of birth control
or family planning What are your child care arrangements
How old are your children
CATEGORY LAWFUL UNLAWFUL (Questions employers can ask) (Questions employers cannot ask)
Disability Do you have any impairment
(physical mental or medical) which would interfere with your ability to perform the job for which you have
applied
Do you have any disabilities or diseases not related to job
performance
Arrest record Have you ever been convicted of a criminal offense other than minor
traffic violations If yes explain fully
Have you ever been arrested
Experienced Please describe your work experience
Travel Overtime This position requires X amount of overtimetravel Would you be able
to meet this requirement
Who will care for your children when you travel or work overtime
Would your spouse object if you
traveled or worked overtime Language What languages do you speak and
write fluently What is your native language
How did you learn to read write or
speak a foreign language Education Please describe your academic
vocational or professional education and the public and private schools you attended
What are the dates of attendance
(To permit verification)
Notice in case of emergency What are the names and addresses of people to be notified in case of
accident or emergency (can be asked after hire)
Military experience Have you served in the US Armed Forces or in the National Guard
Describe your experience
Do you have any military experience
(other than in the United States) Organizations Do you belong to any organizations
which you consider relevant to your ability to perform this job Please
explain
Are you a member of any clubs societies or lodges
Which ones
Race or color What racecolor are you Are you a minority
Religion or creed What is your religion To which parishchurch do you
belong What religious holidays do you
observe National Origin What is your (or relatives) lineage
ancestry national origin descent percentage or nationality
Office of Career Services at IU Kokomo
36 |Kelley Student Center 200 2300 S Washington St PO Box 9003 Kokomo IN 46904-9003 (765)455-9301 fax (765)455-9537 carserviukedu wwwiukeducareer-
services
After the interview After you have interviewed for a position there are some things to do that may improve your chances
Send a Follow-up thank you note within 24 hours
This shows that you are serious about their organization and will set you apart from many who neglect to do so By taking the
time to email or write a handwritten letter thanking them for taking their time to meet with you Summarize specific qualities
you have and let them know you look forward in speaking with them further about employment
Sample Thank you
Dear Intervieweersquos Name Thank you for taking the time to talk with me on Thursday November 9 at the interview for list specifics of position and company) I appreciate your time and attention and after talking with you I am even more interested in becoming a valuable team member at companyrsquos name You were extremely helpful in explaining list position Now that I have a better idea of what the position entails I am even more certain that I would be an asset to your team and to companyrsquos name My solid education from the IU Kokomo Communication Department and the fact that I have worked my way through college show the work ethic and determination you said were important to be successful at companyrsquos name I look forward to an opportunity to work with companyrsquos name office and speak to you further about the program I will contact you next week to follow up and provide you with any further information that you may need Thank you again for your time and consideration Sincerely
Your name
The Stall Letter
There may be situations that you will need time to figure out whether a job is a good fit or have more than one position to accept or decline The stall letter is a good tool to have in this case In the introduction refer to the job offer or event that is prompting the letter In the second paragraph state your continued interest in the position but request more time to gather further information or to consider all alternatives and opportunities in order to make the best choice for the position and the company as well as yourself Give a specific time extension request If you need 24 hours for example ask for that Ask for the minimal amount of time in order to make your decision Remember this is a request and does not guarantee that the employer will accept it and be prepared for the possibility that they will not grant the time and choose another candidate In the conclusion thank them for their time and understanding and indicate when you will contact them to discuss the terms of the possible extension
Sample Stall Letter
Dear name of person that offered the position This letter is in reference to list company name and your offer of list the position I would like to take this opportunity to thank you for the opportunity and express my continued interest in the position At this time I would like to request __hours to gather some vital information in order to be completely confidant that I am making the best and most informed decision possible I want to ensure for all parties involved that I have considered all options and alternatives to be certain that my acceptance of this list position is the correct course of action for us both I appreciate your understanding and valuable time and look forward to speaking with you at your earliest convenience today so that we may discuss the terms of my request Sincerely Your Name
Office of Career Services at IU Kokomo
37 |Kelley Student Center 200 2300 S Washington St PO Box 9003 Kokomo IN 46904-9003 (765)455-9301 fax (765)455-9537 carserviukedu wwwiukeducareer-
services
Acceptance of a Job Offer Letter
Responding in writing to a job offer shows courtesy and is expected It reduces the chance of any misunderstanding that verbal acceptances do not In the first paragraph thank the employer for offering the specific position title and say that you are happy to accept it In the second paragraph state the terms of employment (salary location and start date) Emphasize any negotiations of terms that were unusual or non-standard if there were any In the last paragraph thank the employer sincerely for the opportunity and express your excitement to join their organization and be a valuable asset to them
Sample Job Offer Acceptance Letter
Dear person who offered position
I am happy to have the opportunity to accept the position of list title
The following terms of the position as I understood them include a salary of list salaryrate of pay at List location and to begin employment on list date As we discussed instead of the typical work week we agreed to the addition of evening and weekend hours during the probationary period with a return to usual business hours after 90 days We also agreed to a company vehicle provision for any off site training and appointments during the course of my employment
I truly look forward to becoming a valued member of your team and I am anticipating a productive and positive professional relationship with list company
Sincerely Your Name
Decline or Withdrawing from Consideration Letter
There may be times that you wish to decline or remove yourself from consideration from a position Doing this on a positive
and respectful note decreases the chance that future opportunities will be missed either as a future employee or possible
professional contact with the firm Thank the employer for the opportunity but decline it based on your reasons Be sure to
specifically name the person that was in charge of the hiring process If the decline is due to a term that was offered be
specific the firm could always choose to negotiate that term to better suit your situation
Date
Dear List person
Thank you very much for offering me the list position After careful consideration I regret that I must decline your offer
Although you were most encouraging in outlining future advancement possibilities within ABC Company I have accepted another
opportunity that is more in line with my skills and career goals or I found list the term to be out of line with my needs and
goals
I enjoyed meeting you and the rest of your team You have been most kind and gracious throughout the interview process and I
only wish that circumstances allowed me to accept your offer
Best wishes for your continued success
Sincerely
Your Name
Office of Career Services at IU Kokomo
38 |Kelley Student Center 200 2300 S Washington St PO Box 9003 Kokomo IN 46904-9003 (765)455-9301 fax (765)455-9537 carserviukedu wwwiukeducareer-
services
____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
This packet contains a lot of valuable information to help you achieve all the goals that an education from IU Kokomo
will prepare you for Use this as a guide for every step of the way from your freshman year graduation and beyond
Office of Career Services at IU Kokomo
27 |Kelley Student Center 200 2300 S Washington St PO Box 9003 Kokomo IN 46904-9003 (765)455-9301 fax (765)455-9537 carserviukedu wwwiukeducareer-
services
Additional information-what employers are expecting at a career fair
What Will Impress Employers o Demonstrate that you have done your homework and researched their company o Be prepared Have your reacutesumeacute critiqued by Career Services and bring plenty of copies with you Develop
questions to ask smile and courteously and enthusiastically engage the representatives o Have a firm hand shake and good eye contact- dress for success o Never ask about salary let them bring up the subject o An expectation that you will be responsible for following up with them including a thank you note or letter o Take the initiative Walk up to them and engage the employers they want to speak to you
What Employers May Want to Learn About You o Specific careerjob objectives What are your expectations o Individual strengths and weaknesses Have specific examples that demonstrate your skills develop short
stories that showcase your skills (Remember a job fair is time sensitive and you donrsquot want to take up too much time of one employer)
o Contributions you will make to the operation Remember be specific now is not the time to blandly or generically discuss what you can do
What You Should Learn About Each Company o Employment trends Career Fairs are excellent resources for information about career decision-making o Skills necessary for different careersjobs Have meaningful conversations with representatives o Currentfuture positions o Salary benefits training and other information about the company (again let the employer bring up salary) o Who to contact for follow-up discussions and what their hiring processes are get specifics o Collect their business card or write down their contact information
30 Second Oral Reacutesumeacute Purpose It is important to practice your 30 second oral reacutesumeacute prior to attending a career fair The famous ldquoTell me about yourselfrdquo is a question that is always asked Whether the question is asked in a social setting an interview or a networking event a well-planned answer can set you apart from the crowd as well as spark additional conversation Begin preparing your oral reacutesumeacute by following the tips below
How to Prepare Your Oral Reacutesumeacute o Begin by brainstorming what you would want someone to know about you Write down all of your ideas o Consider including the following information in your oral reacutesumeacute
Job Objective Education and Training Skills
Accomplishments and Achievements Prior Employment Other Experience
o Narrow down your optionsmdashpick the top 5 things you want the person to know about you o Develop a paragraph that encompasses all of the things you wish to say o Practice makes perfect Read aloud your reacutesumeacute several times
Additional Tips Prepare more than one oral reacutesumeacute for various situations Practice your reacutesumeacute by calling your voicemail and later playing back the messagemdashthink about how it sounds and
what you would like to change Make sure that your oral reacutesumeacute will keep the listenerrsquos attention
Example Oral Reacutesumeacute Hi my name is ________ and I am a senior at IU Kokomo majoring in New Media I am looking for an internship experience in graphic designweb development Through my coursework I have developed strong computer and analytical skills Last summer I worked as an intern at the Kokomo Perspective to gain experience with print media At the Perspective I worked with the copy editor as well as the writing staff to gain experience in both fields I also volunteer at United Way developing and updating their website
Office of Career Services at IU Kokomo
28 |Kelley Student Center 200 2300 S Washington St PO Box 9003 Kokomo IN 46904-9003 (765)455-9301 fax (765)455-9537 carserviukedu wwwiukeducareer-
services
Send a Follow-up thank you note after Career Fair Send a thank you note or email to all whom you talked with within 48 hours of the career fair This shows that you are serious about their organization and will set you apart from many who neglect to do so
Be sure to remind the employer where you met them Thank you for taking the time to talk with me on Thursday at the career fair After talking with you I
am even more eager to work at _____ Summarize specific qualities and assets you obtain I am certain my education at IU Kokomo has enhanced my skill set and has provided a solid
background of knowledge in the _______ fieldhelliphellip Some experiences I have had the pleasure of doing arehellip This opportunity improved my work ethic and made me aware of my self-reliancehellip
Always attach your reacutesumeacute again for their convenience I have attached my reacutesumeacute for your convenience I look forward to an opportunity to further discuss
my qualifications You may contact me athellip (phone andor email address) Thank you again for your time and consideration
Sample Thank you
Thank you for taking the time to talk with me on Thursday November 9 at the career fair on IU Kokomorsquos campus I appreciate your time and attention and after talking with you I am even more interested in learning more about your organization You were extremely helpful in explaining companyrsquos name customer service and marketing trainee program Now that I have a better idea of what the position entails I am even more certain that I would be an asset to your team and to companyrsquos name My solid education from the IU Kokomo Communication Department and the fact that I have worked my way through college show the work ethic and determination you said were important to be successful at companyrsquos name I look forward to an opportunity to visit companyrsquos name office and speak to you further about the trainee program I will contact you next week to arrange an appointment Enclosed is an updated reacutesumeacute for your review Thank you again for your time and consideration Sincerely
Office of Career Services at IU Kokomo
29 |Kelley Student Center 200 2300 S Washington St PO Box 9003 Kokomo IN 46904-9003 (765)455-9301 fax (765)455-9537 carserviukedu wwwiukeducareer-
services
Knowledge and practice will give you the confidence you need to be prepared and give the best impression possible at an interview The following information will help prepare you for nearly any interview contingency being confidant that you can handle it is the best way to increase your chances of getting hired Here are a few things you can do to give yourself a head start
Questions to think about prior to your interview
1 Why do you want to work at this facility and what specific jobareas am I interested in a To Prepare research the facility
i Mission ii Population served
iii Financial stability iv Management style
b Learn about the job
i Job description ii Occupational outlook
iii Handbook iv employees
2 What qualities make me a good candidate
a To prepare self assessment i What are my strengths and weaknesses
ii What are my interests iii How do I know iv What kinds of results demonstrate my abilities
3 What type of shift working conditions salary and fringe benefits are most important to me (12 hours 10 hours 8
hours weekends flex-time insurance) a To prepare clarify values and lifestyle choices
i What are my values ii What kind of lifestyles do I want for myself and those close to me
4 How will I be trained
a To prepare How do I learn best i Do I need immediate feedback or can I learn well on my own
5 What are my goals Where do I want to be in 10 years
a To prepare Identify and prioritize career and life goals and objectives i Am I interested in supervision training management
ii How do I plan to reach these goals
6 What are the major issues and current events facing this specific field job occupation and company today
7 What can you bring to the organization
Office of Career Services at IU Kokomo
30 |Kelley Student Center 200 2300 S Washington St PO Box 9003 Kokomo IN 46904-9003 (765)455-9301 fax (765)455-9537 carserviukedu wwwiukeducareer-
services
Behavioral Interviews- Use the STAR Interviewing Technique for Success
The STAR acronym represents Situation Task Action and Result Recruiters and hiring managers favor the STAR technique because
it provides a better explanation of your past performance how you handle workplace challenges and whether youre able to articulate
your experiences STAR behavioral interviews are quickly becoming the most popular and common form of interview
Situation or
Task
Describe the situation that you were in or the task that you needed to accomplish You must
describe a specific event or situation not a generalized description of what you have done in
the past Be sure to give enough detail for the interviewer to understand This situation can be
from a previous job from a volunteer experience or any relevant event
Action you took Describe the action you took and be sure to keep the focus on you Even if you are discussing
a group project or effort describe what you did -- not the efforts of the team Dont tell what
you might do tell what you did
Results you achieved What happened How did the event end What did you accomplish What did you learn
For examples of past behavior use examples from
Internships
Work experience
Class projects
School activitiesorganizations you are involved with
Sports
Volunteercommunity service
Hobbies
Think about your accomplishments what are you most proud of that you want to share with the employer
How to prepare for behavior-based interviews
Identify 3-6 examples that demonstrate your top skills Look through the job description pinpoint the skills they are seeking
Pick experiences that demonstrate top behaviors of those skills
Prepare how you will ldquotell your storyrdquo using STAR
Pick examples that will be positive accomplishment
Most behavioral questions try to reveal the negative situations so be prepared with those examples However try to pick
examples that had a positive outcome
Try not to pick examples from only one topic Pick a variety of examples choosing examples from work class community
services etc
Typically the best examples are situations that happened within the last year
Go over your resume and review the accomplishments you have listed andor skills this could assist you with identifying
examples
LISTEN to the full question Be sure the example is an appropriate description of how you demonstrated what they are
asking for
Office of Career Services at IU Kokomo
31 |Kelley Student Center 200 2300 S Washington St PO Box 9003 Kokomo IN 46904-9003 (765)455-9301 fax (765)455-9537 carserviukedu wwwiukeducareer-
services
Sample Behavior-based Questions
Communication Skills
1 Give me a specific example of a time someone didnrsquot agree with your work How did you respond 2 Tell me about a time when you had to present complex information How did you ensure that everyone
understood what you were saying 3 Give an example about a time where written communication was needed
Decision Making Skills
1 What is the biggest decision or risk yoursquove made in the past year on the job Describe the process you used to make those decisions Would you do it again
2 Describe a time you overcame a challenge with an innovative solution What was the challenge What role did you play
Planning Organization Time management Skills
1 Please give an example of a time you didnrsquot meet your deadline Why did you fail to meet your deadline What did you learn from that experience
2 Give an example of how you keep track of multiple projects How do you stay on track and meet deadlines How do you stay focused
3 Describe a goal yoursquove had How you set it and achieved it
Flexibility Skills 1 Tell us about one of the toughest situations with which yoursquove had to deal with How did you handle the
stress or pressure of the situation Leadership Skills
1 Describe a time when you disagreed with a directive given by your supervisor What happened and how did you handle it
2 Give an example of a situation where team members or co-workers didnrsquot get along This could include you and someone else or two other people How did the project turn out What did you do to resolve the issue so everyone was able to work together
Office of Career Services at IU Kokomo
32 |Kelley Student Center 200 2300 S Washington St PO Box 9003 Kokomo IN 46904-9003 (765)455-9301 fax (765)455-9537 carserviukedu wwwiukeducareer-
services
Other Common Questions Asked by Employers
Personal 1 Tell me about yourself 2 Why did you choose to interview with our organization 3 Describe your ideal job 4 What can you offer us over another candidate 5 What do you consider to be your greatest strengths 6 Can you name some weaknesses 7 Define success Failure How did you learn from your failures 8 Name a couple accomplishments you most proud 9 Who are your role models Why 10 How does your college education or work experience relate to this job 11 What motivates you most in a job 12 Have you ever spoken before a group of people How large 13 What do you know about our organization (products or services) 14 Do you plan to return to school for further education 15 What would you change about yourself and why
Education
16 Why did you choose your major 17 Why did you choose to attend your college or university 18 Do you think you received a good education In what ways 19 In which campus activities did you participate 20 Which classes in your major did you like best Least Why 21 If you were to start over what would you change about your education 22 Do your grades accurately reflect your ability Why or why not
Experience
23 What job-related skills have you developed 24 Did you work while going to school In what positions 25 What did you learn from these work experiences 26 What did you enjoy most about your last employment Least 27 Have you ever quit a job Why 28 Give an example of how you have solved a problem in the work place 29 How do you resolve conflict on a team project 30 Give an example of a time in which you worked under deadline pressure 31 Have you ever done any volunteer work What kind 32 How do you think a former supervisor would describe your work
Career Goals
33 Do you prefer to work under supervision or on your own 34 What kind of boss do you prefer 35 Would you be successful working with a team 36 Do you prefer large or small organizations Why 37 What other types of positions are you considering 38 How do you feel about working in a structured environment 39 Are you able to work on several assignments at once 40 How do you feel about working overtime 41 How do you feel about travel 42 Are you willing to relocate
Office of Career Services at IU Kokomo
33 |Kelley Student Center 200 2300 S Washington St PO Box 9003 Kokomo IN 46904-9003 (765)455-9301 fax (765)455-9537 carserviukedu wwwiukeducareer-
services
Questions to Ask Employers
An interview is a two-way street Employers get an impression of you from the questions you ask Are you a critical thinker Did you comprehend and correctly process everything in the interview Have you done research and have a good grasp of the company and the scope of the position Your questions should be intelligent insightful and polite Have at least 3-5 custom questions in mind Employers look for someone who shows interest confidence and is well organized
1 Please describe (or ask them to clarify specifics) the duties of the job for me 2 Is this a new position or am I replacing someone 3 What do you like best about your jobcompany 4 What kinds of assignments might I expect the first six months on the job 5 What qualities are you looking for in the candidate who fills this position 6 Does your company encourage further education 7 Do you have plans for expansion 8 What are your growth projections for next year 9 Have you cut staff in the last three years 10 In what ways is a career with your company better than one with your competitors 11 What is the largest single problem facing your staff (department) now 12 Has there been much turnover in this job area 13 Will I have the opportunity to work on special projects 14 Where does this position fit into the organizational structure 15 How much travel if any is involved in this position 16 What is the next course of action When should I expect to hear from you or may I contact you
Interview Checklist Preparation Research research research Knowing more about the organization as a whole and the particular position you are applying for will be helpful in the interview It will help you understand questions that may be asked and will give you a chance to come up with questions to ask them The more research you conduct the more confident and comfortable you will feel in the interview It will also demonstrate to the employer how determined and pro-active you are about their company and the position you seek Get specific directions to the location If possible go there the day before and check out parking and the location of the office where your interview will be held
First Impression Put your best foot forward Remember the decision to hire you may be made in the first 5 minutes Always wait until they sit or invite you to be seated
Dress code Dress more formal than you would in the actual position Women should wear a suit or dress with a jacket Men should wear a suit or sport jacket and slacks Itrsquos a good idea to have an interview outfit ready and waiting (cleaned neat no threads or missing buttons) hanging in your closet Donrsquot wear anything too trendy or faddish (ladies no miniskirts) Check all zippers for closure and ladies should always have an extra pair of hose for emergencies Your style of dress communicates too what do you want it to say (See page 38)
Arrival Arrive a few minutes early to check out the location and parking Stop by the restroom and check your appearance Again you may want to check out the location the day before if you are unsure of the area
What to bring Always have an extra copy of your reacutesumeacute note paper and pen You will want to jot down questions as they may come about as well as information about the position Also write down the names of each person you interview with so you can mail a thank-you note
Application
Office of Career Services at IU Kokomo
34 |Kelley Student Center 200 2300 S Washington St PO Box 9003 Kokomo IN 46904-9003 (765)455-9301 fax (765)455-9537 carserviukedu wwwiukeducareer-
services
Read through the entire application before you begin Follow the directions Give specific titles You may leave the salary question blank or fill it in with a reasonable salary range Use NA where answers are not applicable Proofread the application before returning it
Legal and Illegal Pre-employment Questions CATEGORY LAWFUL
(Questions employers can ask)
UNLAWFUL (Questions employers cannot ask)
Name Have you ever worked for this company under a different name
Is any additional information relative to change of name use of an assumed name or nickname necessary to enable a check
on your work record If yes explain
What is your maiden name
Is the name on your application your real name
Address Where do you live
How long have you lived there
Birthplace Where were you born Where were your relatives born
Agebirth date Are you 18 years of age or older How old are you What is your birth date
Prove your age by submitting your birth certificate baptismal record
naturalization papers etc (see citizenship)
Photograph Requirement or option that applicant affix a photograph to employment form at
any time before hiring Citizenship Are you a citizen of the United States
If not are you authorized to work in the US
Can you verify US citizenship or your
right to work in the United States
Of what country are you a citizen Are you a naturalized or a native-born
citizen When did you acquire citizenship
Please produce naturalization papers or green card
(employers must verify citizenship or the right to work after theyrsquove decided to
extend an offer) Sex or Marital Status Are you male or female
Are you married What are your living arrangements
Relatives Do you have relatives (other than a spouse) already employed by the
company
What are their names
What are the names (addresses ages number or other information) of your
relatives not employed by the company
Children
Do you have children or plans to have children in the future
Do you have the capacity to reproduce Do you advocate any form of birth control
or family planning What are your child care arrangements
How old are your children
CATEGORY LAWFUL UNLAWFUL (Questions employers can ask) (Questions employers cannot ask)
Disability Do you have any impairment
(physical mental or medical) which would interfere with your ability to perform the job for which you have
applied
Do you have any disabilities or diseases not related to job
performance
Arrest record Have you ever been convicted of a criminal offense other than minor
traffic violations If yes explain fully
Have you ever been arrested
Experienced Please describe your work experience
Travel Overtime This position requires X amount of overtimetravel Would you be able
to meet this requirement
Who will care for your children when you travel or work overtime
Would your spouse object if you
traveled or worked overtime Language What languages do you speak and
write fluently What is your native language
How did you learn to read write or
speak a foreign language Education Please describe your academic
vocational or professional education and the public and private schools you attended
What are the dates of attendance
(To permit verification)
Notice in case of emergency What are the names and addresses of people to be notified in case of
accident or emergency (can be asked after hire)
Military experience Have you served in the US Armed Forces or in the National Guard
Describe your experience
Do you have any military experience
(other than in the United States) Organizations Do you belong to any organizations
which you consider relevant to your ability to perform this job Please
explain
Are you a member of any clubs societies or lodges
Which ones
Race or color What racecolor are you Are you a minority
Religion or creed What is your religion To which parishchurch do you
belong What religious holidays do you
observe National Origin What is your (or relatives) lineage
ancestry national origin descent percentage or nationality
Office of Career Services at IU Kokomo
36 |Kelley Student Center 200 2300 S Washington St PO Box 9003 Kokomo IN 46904-9003 (765)455-9301 fax (765)455-9537 carserviukedu wwwiukeducareer-
services
After the interview After you have interviewed for a position there are some things to do that may improve your chances
Send a Follow-up thank you note within 24 hours
This shows that you are serious about their organization and will set you apart from many who neglect to do so By taking the
time to email or write a handwritten letter thanking them for taking their time to meet with you Summarize specific qualities
you have and let them know you look forward in speaking with them further about employment
Sample Thank you
Dear Intervieweersquos Name Thank you for taking the time to talk with me on Thursday November 9 at the interview for list specifics of position and company) I appreciate your time and attention and after talking with you I am even more interested in becoming a valuable team member at companyrsquos name You were extremely helpful in explaining list position Now that I have a better idea of what the position entails I am even more certain that I would be an asset to your team and to companyrsquos name My solid education from the IU Kokomo Communication Department and the fact that I have worked my way through college show the work ethic and determination you said were important to be successful at companyrsquos name I look forward to an opportunity to work with companyrsquos name office and speak to you further about the program I will contact you next week to follow up and provide you with any further information that you may need Thank you again for your time and consideration Sincerely
Your name
The Stall Letter
There may be situations that you will need time to figure out whether a job is a good fit or have more than one position to accept or decline The stall letter is a good tool to have in this case In the introduction refer to the job offer or event that is prompting the letter In the second paragraph state your continued interest in the position but request more time to gather further information or to consider all alternatives and opportunities in order to make the best choice for the position and the company as well as yourself Give a specific time extension request If you need 24 hours for example ask for that Ask for the minimal amount of time in order to make your decision Remember this is a request and does not guarantee that the employer will accept it and be prepared for the possibility that they will not grant the time and choose another candidate In the conclusion thank them for their time and understanding and indicate when you will contact them to discuss the terms of the possible extension
Sample Stall Letter
Dear name of person that offered the position This letter is in reference to list company name and your offer of list the position I would like to take this opportunity to thank you for the opportunity and express my continued interest in the position At this time I would like to request __hours to gather some vital information in order to be completely confidant that I am making the best and most informed decision possible I want to ensure for all parties involved that I have considered all options and alternatives to be certain that my acceptance of this list position is the correct course of action for us both I appreciate your understanding and valuable time and look forward to speaking with you at your earliest convenience today so that we may discuss the terms of my request Sincerely Your Name
Office of Career Services at IU Kokomo
37 |Kelley Student Center 200 2300 S Washington St PO Box 9003 Kokomo IN 46904-9003 (765)455-9301 fax (765)455-9537 carserviukedu wwwiukeducareer-
services
Acceptance of a Job Offer Letter
Responding in writing to a job offer shows courtesy and is expected It reduces the chance of any misunderstanding that verbal acceptances do not In the first paragraph thank the employer for offering the specific position title and say that you are happy to accept it In the second paragraph state the terms of employment (salary location and start date) Emphasize any negotiations of terms that were unusual or non-standard if there were any In the last paragraph thank the employer sincerely for the opportunity and express your excitement to join their organization and be a valuable asset to them
Sample Job Offer Acceptance Letter
Dear person who offered position
I am happy to have the opportunity to accept the position of list title
The following terms of the position as I understood them include a salary of list salaryrate of pay at List location and to begin employment on list date As we discussed instead of the typical work week we agreed to the addition of evening and weekend hours during the probationary period with a return to usual business hours after 90 days We also agreed to a company vehicle provision for any off site training and appointments during the course of my employment
I truly look forward to becoming a valued member of your team and I am anticipating a productive and positive professional relationship with list company
Sincerely Your Name
Decline or Withdrawing from Consideration Letter
There may be times that you wish to decline or remove yourself from consideration from a position Doing this on a positive
and respectful note decreases the chance that future opportunities will be missed either as a future employee or possible
professional contact with the firm Thank the employer for the opportunity but decline it based on your reasons Be sure to
specifically name the person that was in charge of the hiring process If the decline is due to a term that was offered be
specific the firm could always choose to negotiate that term to better suit your situation
Date
Dear List person
Thank you very much for offering me the list position After careful consideration I regret that I must decline your offer
Although you were most encouraging in outlining future advancement possibilities within ABC Company I have accepted another
opportunity that is more in line with my skills and career goals or I found list the term to be out of line with my needs and
goals
I enjoyed meeting you and the rest of your team You have been most kind and gracious throughout the interview process and I
only wish that circumstances allowed me to accept your offer
Best wishes for your continued success
Sincerely
Your Name
Office of Career Services at IU Kokomo
38 |Kelley Student Center 200 2300 S Washington St PO Box 9003 Kokomo IN 46904-9003 (765)455-9301 fax (765)455-9537 carserviukedu wwwiukeducareer-
services
____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
This packet contains a lot of valuable information to help you achieve all the goals that an education from IU Kokomo
will prepare you for Use this as a guide for every step of the way from your freshman year graduation and beyond
Office of Career Services at IU Kokomo
28 |Kelley Student Center 200 2300 S Washington St PO Box 9003 Kokomo IN 46904-9003 (765)455-9301 fax (765)455-9537 carserviukedu wwwiukeducareer-
services
Send a Follow-up thank you note after Career Fair Send a thank you note or email to all whom you talked with within 48 hours of the career fair This shows that you are serious about their organization and will set you apart from many who neglect to do so
Be sure to remind the employer where you met them Thank you for taking the time to talk with me on Thursday at the career fair After talking with you I
am even more eager to work at _____ Summarize specific qualities and assets you obtain I am certain my education at IU Kokomo has enhanced my skill set and has provided a solid
background of knowledge in the _______ fieldhelliphellip Some experiences I have had the pleasure of doing arehellip This opportunity improved my work ethic and made me aware of my self-reliancehellip
Always attach your reacutesumeacute again for their convenience I have attached my reacutesumeacute for your convenience I look forward to an opportunity to further discuss
my qualifications You may contact me athellip (phone andor email address) Thank you again for your time and consideration
Sample Thank you
Thank you for taking the time to talk with me on Thursday November 9 at the career fair on IU Kokomorsquos campus I appreciate your time and attention and after talking with you I am even more interested in learning more about your organization You were extremely helpful in explaining companyrsquos name customer service and marketing trainee program Now that I have a better idea of what the position entails I am even more certain that I would be an asset to your team and to companyrsquos name My solid education from the IU Kokomo Communication Department and the fact that I have worked my way through college show the work ethic and determination you said were important to be successful at companyrsquos name I look forward to an opportunity to visit companyrsquos name office and speak to you further about the trainee program I will contact you next week to arrange an appointment Enclosed is an updated reacutesumeacute for your review Thank you again for your time and consideration Sincerely
Office of Career Services at IU Kokomo
29 |Kelley Student Center 200 2300 S Washington St PO Box 9003 Kokomo IN 46904-9003 (765)455-9301 fax (765)455-9537 carserviukedu wwwiukeducareer-
services
Knowledge and practice will give you the confidence you need to be prepared and give the best impression possible at an interview The following information will help prepare you for nearly any interview contingency being confidant that you can handle it is the best way to increase your chances of getting hired Here are a few things you can do to give yourself a head start
Questions to think about prior to your interview
1 Why do you want to work at this facility and what specific jobareas am I interested in a To Prepare research the facility
i Mission ii Population served
iii Financial stability iv Management style
b Learn about the job
i Job description ii Occupational outlook
iii Handbook iv employees
2 What qualities make me a good candidate
a To prepare self assessment i What are my strengths and weaknesses
ii What are my interests iii How do I know iv What kinds of results demonstrate my abilities
3 What type of shift working conditions salary and fringe benefits are most important to me (12 hours 10 hours 8
hours weekends flex-time insurance) a To prepare clarify values and lifestyle choices
i What are my values ii What kind of lifestyles do I want for myself and those close to me
4 How will I be trained
a To prepare How do I learn best i Do I need immediate feedback or can I learn well on my own
5 What are my goals Where do I want to be in 10 years
a To prepare Identify and prioritize career and life goals and objectives i Am I interested in supervision training management
ii How do I plan to reach these goals
6 What are the major issues and current events facing this specific field job occupation and company today
7 What can you bring to the organization
Office of Career Services at IU Kokomo
30 |Kelley Student Center 200 2300 S Washington St PO Box 9003 Kokomo IN 46904-9003 (765)455-9301 fax (765)455-9537 carserviukedu wwwiukeducareer-
services
Behavioral Interviews- Use the STAR Interviewing Technique for Success
The STAR acronym represents Situation Task Action and Result Recruiters and hiring managers favor the STAR technique because
it provides a better explanation of your past performance how you handle workplace challenges and whether youre able to articulate
your experiences STAR behavioral interviews are quickly becoming the most popular and common form of interview
Situation or
Task
Describe the situation that you were in or the task that you needed to accomplish You must
describe a specific event or situation not a generalized description of what you have done in
the past Be sure to give enough detail for the interviewer to understand This situation can be
from a previous job from a volunteer experience or any relevant event
Action you took Describe the action you took and be sure to keep the focus on you Even if you are discussing
a group project or effort describe what you did -- not the efforts of the team Dont tell what
you might do tell what you did
Results you achieved What happened How did the event end What did you accomplish What did you learn
For examples of past behavior use examples from
Internships
Work experience
Class projects
School activitiesorganizations you are involved with
Sports
Volunteercommunity service
Hobbies
Think about your accomplishments what are you most proud of that you want to share with the employer
How to prepare for behavior-based interviews
Identify 3-6 examples that demonstrate your top skills Look through the job description pinpoint the skills they are seeking
Pick experiences that demonstrate top behaviors of those skills
Prepare how you will ldquotell your storyrdquo using STAR
Pick examples that will be positive accomplishment
Most behavioral questions try to reveal the negative situations so be prepared with those examples However try to pick
examples that had a positive outcome
Try not to pick examples from only one topic Pick a variety of examples choosing examples from work class community
services etc
Typically the best examples are situations that happened within the last year
Go over your resume and review the accomplishments you have listed andor skills this could assist you with identifying
examples
LISTEN to the full question Be sure the example is an appropriate description of how you demonstrated what they are
asking for
Office of Career Services at IU Kokomo
31 |Kelley Student Center 200 2300 S Washington St PO Box 9003 Kokomo IN 46904-9003 (765)455-9301 fax (765)455-9537 carserviukedu wwwiukeducareer-
services
Sample Behavior-based Questions
Communication Skills
1 Give me a specific example of a time someone didnrsquot agree with your work How did you respond 2 Tell me about a time when you had to present complex information How did you ensure that everyone
understood what you were saying 3 Give an example about a time where written communication was needed
Decision Making Skills
1 What is the biggest decision or risk yoursquove made in the past year on the job Describe the process you used to make those decisions Would you do it again
2 Describe a time you overcame a challenge with an innovative solution What was the challenge What role did you play
Planning Organization Time management Skills
1 Please give an example of a time you didnrsquot meet your deadline Why did you fail to meet your deadline What did you learn from that experience
2 Give an example of how you keep track of multiple projects How do you stay on track and meet deadlines How do you stay focused
3 Describe a goal yoursquove had How you set it and achieved it
Flexibility Skills 1 Tell us about one of the toughest situations with which yoursquove had to deal with How did you handle the
stress or pressure of the situation Leadership Skills
1 Describe a time when you disagreed with a directive given by your supervisor What happened and how did you handle it
2 Give an example of a situation where team members or co-workers didnrsquot get along This could include you and someone else or two other people How did the project turn out What did you do to resolve the issue so everyone was able to work together
Office of Career Services at IU Kokomo
32 |Kelley Student Center 200 2300 S Washington St PO Box 9003 Kokomo IN 46904-9003 (765)455-9301 fax (765)455-9537 carserviukedu wwwiukeducareer-
services
Other Common Questions Asked by Employers
Personal 1 Tell me about yourself 2 Why did you choose to interview with our organization 3 Describe your ideal job 4 What can you offer us over another candidate 5 What do you consider to be your greatest strengths 6 Can you name some weaknesses 7 Define success Failure How did you learn from your failures 8 Name a couple accomplishments you most proud 9 Who are your role models Why 10 How does your college education or work experience relate to this job 11 What motivates you most in a job 12 Have you ever spoken before a group of people How large 13 What do you know about our organization (products or services) 14 Do you plan to return to school for further education 15 What would you change about yourself and why
Education
16 Why did you choose your major 17 Why did you choose to attend your college or university 18 Do you think you received a good education In what ways 19 In which campus activities did you participate 20 Which classes in your major did you like best Least Why 21 If you were to start over what would you change about your education 22 Do your grades accurately reflect your ability Why or why not
Experience
23 What job-related skills have you developed 24 Did you work while going to school In what positions 25 What did you learn from these work experiences 26 What did you enjoy most about your last employment Least 27 Have you ever quit a job Why 28 Give an example of how you have solved a problem in the work place 29 How do you resolve conflict on a team project 30 Give an example of a time in which you worked under deadline pressure 31 Have you ever done any volunteer work What kind 32 How do you think a former supervisor would describe your work
Career Goals
33 Do you prefer to work under supervision or on your own 34 What kind of boss do you prefer 35 Would you be successful working with a team 36 Do you prefer large or small organizations Why 37 What other types of positions are you considering 38 How do you feel about working in a structured environment 39 Are you able to work on several assignments at once 40 How do you feel about working overtime 41 How do you feel about travel 42 Are you willing to relocate
Office of Career Services at IU Kokomo
33 |Kelley Student Center 200 2300 S Washington St PO Box 9003 Kokomo IN 46904-9003 (765)455-9301 fax (765)455-9537 carserviukedu wwwiukeducareer-
services
Questions to Ask Employers
An interview is a two-way street Employers get an impression of you from the questions you ask Are you a critical thinker Did you comprehend and correctly process everything in the interview Have you done research and have a good grasp of the company and the scope of the position Your questions should be intelligent insightful and polite Have at least 3-5 custom questions in mind Employers look for someone who shows interest confidence and is well organized
1 Please describe (or ask them to clarify specifics) the duties of the job for me 2 Is this a new position or am I replacing someone 3 What do you like best about your jobcompany 4 What kinds of assignments might I expect the first six months on the job 5 What qualities are you looking for in the candidate who fills this position 6 Does your company encourage further education 7 Do you have plans for expansion 8 What are your growth projections for next year 9 Have you cut staff in the last three years 10 In what ways is a career with your company better than one with your competitors 11 What is the largest single problem facing your staff (department) now 12 Has there been much turnover in this job area 13 Will I have the opportunity to work on special projects 14 Where does this position fit into the organizational structure 15 How much travel if any is involved in this position 16 What is the next course of action When should I expect to hear from you or may I contact you
Interview Checklist Preparation Research research research Knowing more about the organization as a whole and the particular position you are applying for will be helpful in the interview It will help you understand questions that may be asked and will give you a chance to come up with questions to ask them The more research you conduct the more confident and comfortable you will feel in the interview It will also demonstrate to the employer how determined and pro-active you are about their company and the position you seek Get specific directions to the location If possible go there the day before and check out parking and the location of the office where your interview will be held
First Impression Put your best foot forward Remember the decision to hire you may be made in the first 5 minutes Always wait until they sit or invite you to be seated
Dress code Dress more formal than you would in the actual position Women should wear a suit or dress with a jacket Men should wear a suit or sport jacket and slacks Itrsquos a good idea to have an interview outfit ready and waiting (cleaned neat no threads or missing buttons) hanging in your closet Donrsquot wear anything too trendy or faddish (ladies no miniskirts) Check all zippers for closure and ladies should always have an extra pair of hose for emergencies Your style of dress communicates too what do you want it to say (See page 38)
Arrival Arrive a few minutes early to check out the location and parking Stop by the restroom and check your appearance Again you may want to check out the location the day before if you are unsure of the area
What to bring Always have an extra copy of your reacutesumeacute note paper and pen You will want to jot down questions as they may come about as well as information about the position Also write down the names of each person you interview with so you can mail a thank-you note
Application
Office of Career Services at IU Kokomo
34 |Kelley Student Center 200 2300 S Washington St PO Box 9003 Kokomo IN 46904-9003 (765)455-9301 fax (765)455-9537 carserviukedu wwwiukeducareer-
services
Read through the entire application before you begin Follow the directions Give specific titles You may leave the salary question blank or fill it in with a reasonable salary range Use NA where answers are not applicable Proofread the application before returning it
Legal and Illegal Pre-employment Questions CATEGORY LAWFUL
(Questions employers can ask)
UNLAWFUL (Questions employers cannot ask)
Name Have you ever worked for this company under a different name
Is any additional information relative to change of name use of an assumed name or nickname necessary to enable a check
on your work record If yes explain
What is your maiden name
Is the name on your application your real name
Address Where do you live
How long have you lived there
Birthplace Where were you born Where were your relatives born
Agebirth date Are you 18 years of age or older How old are you What is your birth date
Prove your age by submitting your birth certificate baptismal record
naturalization papers etc (see citizenship)
Photograph Requirement or option that applicant affix a photograph to employment form at
any time before hiring Citizenship Are you a citizen of the United States
If not are you authorized to work in the US
Can you verify US citizenship or your
right to work in the United States
Of what country are you a citizen Are you a naturalized or a native-born
citizen When did you acquire citizenship
Please produce naturalization papers or green card
(employers must verify citizenship or the right to work after theyrsquove decided to
extend an offer) Sex or Marital Status Are you male or female
Are you married What are your living arrangements
Relatives Do you have relatives (other than a spouse) already employed by the
company
What are their names
What are the names (addresses ages number or other information) of your
relatives not employed by the company
Children
Do you have children or plans to have children in the future
Do you have the capacity to reproduce Do you advocate any form of birth control
or family planning What are your child care arrangements
How old are your children
CATEGORY LAWFUL UNLAWFUL (Questions employers can ask) (Questions employers cannot ask)
Disability Do you have any impairment
(physical mental or medical) which would interfere with your ability to perform the job for which you have
applied
Do you have any disabilities or diseases not related to job
performance
Arrest record Have you ever been convicted of a criminal offense other than minor
traffic violations If yes explain fully
Have you ever been arrested
Experienced Please describe your work experience
Travel Overtime This position requires X amount of overtimetravel Would you be able
to meet this requirement
Who will care for your children when you travel or work overtime
Would your spouse object if you
traveled or worked overtime Language What languages do you speak and
write fluently What is your native language
How did you learn to read write or
speak a foreign language Education Please describe your academic
vocational or professional education and the public and private schools you attended
What are the dates of attendance
(To permit verification)
Notice in case of emergency What are the names and addresses of people to be notified in case of
accident or emergency (can be asked after hire)
Military experience Have you served in the US Armed Forces or in the National Guard
Describe your experience
Do you have any military experience
(other than in the United States) Organizations Do you belong to any organizations
which you consider relevant to your ability to perform this job Please
explain
Are you a member of any clubs societies or lodges
Which ones
Race or color What racecolor are you Are you a minority
Religion or creed What is your religion To which parishchurch do you
belong What religious holidays do you
observe National Origin What is your (or relatives) lineage
ancestry national origin descent percentage or nationality
Office of Career Services at IU Kokomo
36 |Kelley Student Center 200 2300 S Washington St PO Box 9003 Kokomo IN 46904-9003 (765)455-9301 fax (765)455-9537 carserviukedu wwwiukeducareer-
services
After the interview After you have interviewed for a position there are some things to do that may improve your chances
Send a Follow-up thank you note within 24 hours
This shows that you are serious about their organization and will set you apart from many who neglect to do so By taking the
time to email or write a handwritten letter thanking them for taking their time to meet with you Summarize specific qualities
you have and let them know you look forward in speaking with them further about employment
Sample Thank you
Dear Intervieweersquos Name Thank you for taking the time to talk with me on Thursday November 9 at the interview for list specifics of position and company) I appreciate your time and attention and after talking with you I am even more interested in becoming a valuable team member at companyrsquos name You were extremely helpful in explaining list position Now that I have a better idea of what the position entails I am even more certain that I would be an asset to your team and to companyrsquos name My solid education from the IU Kokomo Communication Department and the fact that I have worked my way through college show the work ethic and determination you said were important to be successful at companyrsquos name I look forward to an opportunity to work with companyrsquos name office and speak to you further about the program I will contact you next week to follow up and provide you with any further information that you may need Thank you again for your time and consideration Sincerely
Your name
The Stall Letter
There may be situations that you will need time to figure out whether a job is a good fit or have more than one position to accept or decline The stall letter is a good tool to have in this case In the introduction refer to the job offer or event that is prompting the letter In the second paragraph state your continued interest in the position but request more time to gather further information or to consider all alternatives and opportunities in order to make the best choice for the position and the company as well as yourself Give a specific time extension request If you need 24 hours for example ask for that Ask for the minimal amount of time in order to make your decision Remember this is a request and does not guarantee that the employer will accept it and be prepared for the possibility that they will not grant the time and choose another candidate In the conclusion thank them for their time and understanding and indicate when you will contact them to discuss the terms of the possible extension
Sample Stall Letter
Dear name of person that offered the position This letter is in reference to list company name and your offer of list the position I would like to take this opportunity to thank you for the opportunity and express my continued interest in the position At this time I would like to request __hours to gather some vital information in order to be completely confidant that I am making the best and most informed decision possible I want to ensure for all parties involved that I have considered all options and alternatives to be certain that my acceptance of this list position is the correct course of action for us both I appreciate your understanding and valuable time and look forward to speaking with you at your earliest convenience today so that we may discuss the terms of my request Sincerely Your Name
Office of Career Services at IU Kokomo
37 |Kelley Student Center 200 2300 S Washington St PO Box 9003 Kokomo IN 46904-9003 (765)455-9301 fax (765)455-9537 carserviukedu wwwiukeducareer-
services
Acceptance of a Job Offer Letter
Responding in writing to a job offer shows courtesy and is expected It reduces the chance of any misunderstanding that verbal acceptances do not In the first paragraph thank the employer for offering the specific position title and say that you are happy to accept it In the second paragraph state the terms of employment (salary location and start date) Emphasize any negotiations of terms that were unusual or non-standard if there were any In the last paragraph thank the employer sincerely for the opportunity and express your excitement to join their organization and be a valuable asset to them
Sample Job Offer Acceptance Letter
Dear person who offered position
I am happy to have the opportunity to accept the position of list title
The following terms of the position as I understood them include a salary of list salaryrate of pay at List location and to begin employment on list date As we discussed instead of the typical work week we agreed to the addition of evening and weekend hours during the probationary period with a return to usual business hours after 90 days We also agreed to a company vehicle provision for any off site training and appointments during the course of my employment
I truly look forward to becoming a valued member of your team and I am anticipating a productive and positive professional relationship with list company
Sincerely Your Name
Decline or Withdrawing from Consideration Letter
There may be times that you wish to decline or remove yourself from consideration from a position Doing this on a positive
and respectful note decreases the chance that future opportunities will be missed either as a future employee or possible
professional contact with the firm Thank the employer for the opportunity but decline it based on your reasons Be sure to
specifically name the person that was in charge of the hiring process If the decline is due to a term that was offered be
specific the firm could always choose to negotiate that term to better suit your situation
Date
Dear List person
Thank you very much for offering me the list position After careful consideration I regret that I must decline your offer
Although you were most encouraging in outlining future advancement possibilities within ABC Company I have accepted another
opportunity that is more in line with my skills and career goals or I found list the term to be out of line with my needs and
goals
I enjoyed meeting you and the rest of your team You have been most kind and gracious throughout the interview process and I
only wish that circumstances allowed me to accept your offer
Best wishes for your continued success
Sincerely
Your Name
Office of Career Services at IU Kokomo
38 |Kelley Student Center 200 2300 S Washington St PO Box 9003 Kokomo IN 46904-9003 (765)455-9301 fax (765)455-9537 carserviukedu wwwiukeducareer-
services
____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
This packet contains a lot of valuable information to help you achieve all the goals that an education from IU Kokomo
will prepare you for Use this as a guide for every step of the way from your freshman year graduation and beyond
Office of Career Services at IU Kokomo
29 |Kelley Student Center 200 2300 S Washington St PO Box 9003 Kokomo IN 46904-9003 (765)455-9301 fax (765)455-9537 carserviukedu wwwiukeducareer-
services
Knowledge and practice will give you the confidence you need to be prepared and give the best impression possible at an interview The following information will help prepare you for nearly any interview contingency being confidant that you can handle it is the best way to increase your chances of getting hired Here are a few things you can do to give yourself a head start
Questions to think about prior to your interview
1 Why do you want to work at this facility and what specific jobareas am I interested in a To Prepare research the facility
i Mission ii Population served
iii Financial stability iv Management style
b Learn about the job
i Job description ii Occupational outlook
iii Handbook iv employees
2 What qualities make me a good candidate
a To prepare self assessment i What are my strengths and weaknesses
ii What are my interests iii How do I know iv What kinds of results demonstrate my abilities
3 What type of shift working conditions salary and fringe benefits are most important to me (12 hours 10 hours 8
hours weekends flex-time insurance) a To prepare clarify values and lifestyle choices
i What are my values ii What kind of lifestyles do I want for myself and those close to me
4 How will I be trained
a To prepare How do I learn best i Do I need immediate feedback or can I learn well on my own
5 What are my goals Where do I want to be in 10 years
a To prepare Identify and prioritize career and life goals and objectives i Am I interested in supervision training management
ii How do I plan to reach these goals
6 What are the major issues and current events facing this specific field job occupation and company today
7 What can you bring to the organization
Office of Career Services at IU Kokomo
30 |Kelley Student Center 200 2300 S Washington St PO Box 9003 Kokomo IN 46904-9003 (765)455-9301 fax (765)455-9537 carserviukedu wwwiukeducareer-
services
Behavioral Interviews- Use the STAR Interviewing Technique for Success
The STAR acronym represents Situation Task Action and Result Recruiters and hiring managers favor the STAR technique because
it provides a better explanation of your past performance how you handle workplace challenges and whether youre able to articulate
your experiences STAR behavioral interviews are quickly becoming the most popular and common form of interview
Situation or
Task
Describe the situation that you were in or the task that you needed to accomplish You must
describe a specific event or situation not a generalized description of what you have done in
the past Be sure to give enough detail for the interviewer to understand This situation can be
from a previous job from a volunteer experience or any relevant event
Action you took Describe the action you took and be sure to keep the focus on you Even if you are discussing
a group project or effort describe what you did -- not the efforts of the team Dont tell what
you might do tell what you did
Results you achieved What happened How did the event end What did you accomplish What did you learn
For examples of past behavior use examples from
Internships
Work experience
Class projects
School activitiesorganizations you are involved with
Sports
Volunteercommunity service
Hobbies
Think about your accomplishments what are you most proud of that you want to share with the employer
How to prepare for behavior-based interviews
Identify 3-6 examples that demonstrate your top skills Look through the job description pinpoint the skills they are seeking
Pick experiences that demonstrate top behaviors of those skills
Prepare how you will ldquotell your storyrdquo using STAR
Pick examples that will be positive accomplishment
Most behavioral questions try to reveal the negative situations so be prepared with those examples However try to pick
examples that had a positive outcome
Try not to pick examples from only one topic Pick a variety of examples choosing examples from work class community
services etc
Typically the best examples are situations that happened within the last year
Go over your resume and review the accomplishments you have listed andor skills this could assist you with identifying
examples
LISTEN to the full question Be sure the example is an appropriate description of how you demonstrated what they are
asking for
Office of Career Services at IU Kokomo
31 |Kelley Student Center 200 2300 S Washington St PO Box 9003 Kokomo IN 46904-9003 (765)455-9301 fax (765)455-9537 carserviukedu wwwiukeducareer-
services
Sample Behavior-based Questions
Communication Skills
1 Give me a specific example of a time someone didnrsquot agree with your work How did you respond 2 Tell me about a time when you had to present complex information How did you ensure that everyone
understood what you were saying 3 Give an example about a time where written communication was needed
Decision Making Skills
1 What is the biggest decision or risk yoursquove made in the past year on the job Describe the process you used to make those decisions Would you do it again
2 Describe a time you overcame a challenge with an innovative solution What was the challenge What role did you play
Planning Organization Time management Skills
1 Please give an example of a time you didnrsquot meet your deadline Why did you fail to meet your deadline What did you learn from that experience
2 Give an example of how you keep track of multiple projects How do you stay on track and meet deadlines How do you stay focused
3 Describe a goal yoursquove had How you set it and achieved it
Flexibility Skills 1 Tell us about one of the toughest situations with which yoursquove had to deal with How did you handle the
stress or pressure of the situation Leadership Skills
1 Describe a time when you disagreed with a directive given by your supervisor What happened and how did you handle it
2 Give an example of a situation where team members or co-workers didnrsquot get along This could include you and someone else or two other people How did the project turn out What did you do to resolve the issue so everyone was able to work together
Office of Career Services at IU Kokomo
32 |Kelley Student Center 200 2300 S Washington St PO Box 9003 Kokomo IN 46904-9003 (765)455-9301 fax (765)455-9537 carserviukedu wwwiukeducareer-
services
Other Common Questions Asked by Employers
Personal 1 Tell me about yourself 2 Why did you choose to interview with our organization 3 Describe your ideal job 4 What can you offer us over another candidate 5 What do you consider to be your greatest strengths 6 Can you name some weaknesses 7 Define success Failure How did you learn from your failures 8 Name a couple accomplishments you most proud 9 Who are your role models Why 10 How does your college education or work experience relate to this job 11 What motivates you most in a job 12 Have you ever spoken before a group of people How large 13 What do you know about our organization (products or services) 14 Do you plan to return to school for further education 15 What would you change about yourself and why
Education
16 Why did you choose your major 17 Why did you choose to attend your college or university 18 Do you think you received a good education In what ways 19 In which campus activities did you participate 20 Which classes in your major did you like best Least Why 21 If you were to start over what would you change about your education 22 Do your grades accurately reflect your ability Why or why not
Experience
23 What job-related skills have you developed 24 Did you work while going to school In what positions 25 What did you learn from these work experiences 26 What did you enjoy most about your last employment Least 27 Have you ever quit a job Why 28 Give an example of how you have solved a problem in the work place 29 How do you resolve conflict on a team project 30 Give an example of a time in which you worked under deadline pressure 31 Have you ever done any volunteer work What kind 32 How do you think a former supervisor would describe your work
Career Goals
33 Do you prefer to work under supervision or on your own 34 What kind of boss do you prefer 35 Would you be successful working with a team 36 Do you prefer large or small organizations Why 37 What other types of positions are you considering 38 How do you feel about working in a structured environment 39 Are you able to work on several assignments at once 40 How do you feel about working overtime 41 How do you feel about travel 42 Are you willing to relocate
Office of Career Services at IU Kokomo
33 |Kelley Student Center 200 2300 S Washington St PO Box 9003 Kokomo IN 46904-9003 (765)455-9301 fax (765)455-9537 carserviukedu wwwiukeducareer-
services
Questions to Ask Employers
An interview is a two-way street Employers get an impression of you from the questions you ask Are you a critical thinker Did you comprehend and correctly process everything in the interview Have you done research and have a good grasp of the company and the scope of the position Your questions should be intelligent insightful and polite Have at least 3-5 custom questions in mind Employers look for someone who shows interest confidence and is well organized
1 Please describe (or ask them to clarify specifics) the duties of the job for me 2 Is this a new position or am I replacing someone 3 What do you like best about your jobcompany 4 What kinds of assignments might I expect the first six months on the job 5 What qualities are you looking for in the candidate who fills this position 6 Does your company encourage further education 7 Do you have plans for expansion 8 What are your growth projections for next year 9 Have you cut staff in the last three years 10 In what ways is a career with your company better than one with your competitors 11 What is the largest single problem facing your staff (department) now 12 Has there been much turnover in this job area 13 Will I have the opportunity to work on special projects 14 Where does this position fit into the organizational structure 15 How much travel if any is involved in this position 16 What is the next course of action When should I expect to hear from you or may I contact you
Interview Checklist Preparation Research research research Knowing more about the organization as a whole and the particular position you are applying for will be helpful in the interview It will help you understand questions that may be asked and will give you a chance to come up with questions to ask them The more research you conduct the more confident and comfortable you will feel in the interview It will also demonstrate to the employer how determined and pro-active you are about their company and the position you seek Get specific directions to the location If possible go there the day before and check out parking and the location of the office where your interview will be held
First Impression Put your best foot forward Remember the decision to hire you may be made in the first 5 minutes Always wait until they sit or invite you to be seated
Dress code Dress more formal than you would in the actual position Women should wear a suit or dress with a jacket Men should wear a suit or sport jacket and slacks Itrsquos a good idea to have an interview outfit ready and waiting (cleaned neat no threads or missing buttons) hanging in your closet Donrsquot wear anything too trendy or faddish (ladies no miniskirts) Check all zippers for closure and ladies should always have an extra pair of hose for emergencies Your style of dress communicates too what do you want it to say (See page 38)
Arrival Arrive a few minutes early to check out the location and parking Stop by the restroom and check your appearance Again you may want to check out the location the day before if you are unsure of the area
What to bring Always have an extra copy of your reacutesumeacute note paper and pen You will want to jot down questions as they may come about as well as information about the position Also write down the names of each person you interview with so you can mail a thank-you note
Application
Office of Career Services at IU Kokomo
34 |Kelley Student Center 200 2300 S Washington St PO Box 9003 Kokomo IN 46904-9003 (765)455-9301 fax (765)455-9537 carserviukedu wwwiukeducareer-
services
Read through the entire application before you begin Follow the directions Give specific titles You may leave the salary question blank or fill it in with a reasonable salary range Use NA where answers are not applicable Proofread the application before returning it
Legal and Illegal Pre-employment Questions CATEGORY LAWFUL
(Questions employers can ask)
UNLAWFUL (Questions employers cannot ask)
Name Have you ever worked for this company under a different name
Is any additional information relative to change of name use of an assumed name or nickname necessary to enable a check
on your work record If yes explain
What is your maiden name
Is the name on your application your real name
Address Where do you live
How long have you lived there
Birthplace Where were you born Where were your relatives born
Agebirth date Are you 18 years of age or older How old are you What is your birth date
Prove your age by submitting your birth certificate baptismal record
naturalization papers etc (see citizenship)
Photograph Requirement or option that applicant affix a photograph to employment form at
any time before hiring Citizenship Are you a citizen of the United States
If not are you authorized to work in the US
Can you verify US citizenship or your
right to work in the United States
Of what country are you a citizen Are you a naturalized or a native-born
citizen When did you acquire citizenship
Please produce naturalization papers or green card
(employers must verify citizenship or the right to work after theyrsquove decided to
extend an offer) Sex or Marital Status Are you male or female
Are you married What are your living arrangements
Relatives Do you have relatives (other than a spouse) already employed by the
company
What are their names
What are the names (addresses ages number or other information) of your
relatives not employed by the company
Children
Do you have children or plans to have children in the future
Do you have the capacity to reproduce Do you advocate any form of birth control
or family planning What are your child care arrangements
How old are your children
CATEGORY LAWFUL UNLAWFUL (Questions employers can ask) (Questions employers cannot ask)
Disability Do you have any impairment
(physical mental or medical) which would interfere with your ability to perform the job for which you have
applied
Do you have any disabilities or diseases not related to job
performance
Arrest record Have you ever been convicted of a criminal offense other than minor
traffic violations If yes explain fully
Have you ever been arrested
Experienced Please describe your work experience
Travel Overtime This position requires X amount of overtimetravel Would you be able
to meet this requirement
Who will care for your children when you travel or work overtime
Would your spouse object if you
traveled or worked overtime Language What languages do you speak and
write fluently What is your native language
How did you learn to read write or
speak a foreign language Education Please describe your academic
vocational or professional education and the public and private schools you attended
What are the dates of attendance
(To permit verification)
Notice in case of emergency What are the names and addresses of people to be notified in case of
accident or emergency (can be asked after hire)
Military experience Have you served in the US Armed Forces or in the National Guard
Describe your experience
Do you have any military experience
(other than in the United States) Organizations Do you belong to any organizations
which you consider relevant to your ability to perform this job Please
explain
Are you a member of any clubs societies or lodges
Which ones
Race or color What racecolor are you Are you a minority
Religion or creed What is your religion To which parishchurch do you
belong What religious holidays do you
observe National Origin What is your (or relatives) lineage
ancestry national origin descent percentage or nationality
Office of Career Services at IU Kokomo
36 |Kelley Student Center 200 2300 S Washington St PO Box 9003 Kokomo IN 46904-9003 (765)455-9301 fax (765)455-9537 carserviukedu wwwiukeducareer-
services
After the interview After you have interviewed for a position there are some things to do that may improve your chances
Send a Follow-up thank you note within 24 hours
This shows that you are serious about their organization and will set you apart from many who neglect to do so By taking the
time to email or write a handwritten letter thanking them for taking their time to meet with you Summarize specific qualities
you have and let them know you look forward in speaking with them further about employment
Sample Thank you
Dear Intervieweersquos Name Thank you for taking the time to talk with me on Thursday November 9 at the interview for list specifics of position and company) I appreciate your time and attention and after talking with you I am even more interested in becoming a valuable team member at companyrsquos name You were extremely helpful in explaining list position Now that I have a better idea of what the position entails I am even more certain that I would be an asset to your team and to companyrsquos name My solid education from the IU Kokomo Communication Department and the fact that I have worked my way through college show the work ethic and determination you said were important to be successful at companyrsquos name I look forward to an opportunity to work with companyrsquos name office and speak to you further about the program I will contact you next week to follow up and provide you with any further information that you may need Thank you again for your time and consideration Sincerely
Your name
The Stall Letter
There may be situations that you will need time to figure out whether a job is a good fit or have more than one position to accept or decline The stall letter is a good tool to have in this case In the introduction refer to the job offer or event that is prompting the letter In the second paragraph state your continued interest in the position but request more time to gather further information or to consider all alternatives and opportunities in order to make the best choice for the position and the company as well as yourself Give a specific time extension request If you need 24 hours for example ask for that Ask for the minimal amount of time in order to make your decision Remember this is a request and does not guarantee that the employer will accept it and be prepared for the possibility that they will not grant the time and choose another candidate In the conclusion thank them for their time and understanding and indicate when you will contact them to discuss the terms of the possible extension
Sample Stall Letter
Dear name of person that offered the position This letter is in reference to list company name and your offer of list the position I would like to take this opportunity to thank you for the opportunity and express my continued interest in the position At this time I would like to request __hours to gather some vital information in order to be completely confidant that I am making the best and most informed decision possible I want to ensure for all parties involved that I have considered all options and alternatives to be certain that my acceptance of this list position is the correct course of action for us both I appreciate your understanding and valuable time and look forward to speaking with you at your earliest convenience today so that we may discuss the terms of my request Sincerely Your Name
Office of Career Services at IU Kokomo
37 |Kelley Student Center 200 2300 S Washington St PO Box 9003 Kokomo IN 46904-9003 (765)455-9301 fax (765)455-9537 carserviukedu wwwiukeducareer-
services
Acceptance of a Job Offer Letter
Responding in writing to a job offer shows courtesy and is expected It reduces the chance of any misunderstanding that verbal acceptances do not In the first paragraph thank the employer for offering the specific position title and say that you are happy to accept it In the second paragraph state the terms of employment (salary location and start date) Emphasize any negotiations of terms that were unusual or non-standard if there were any In the last paragraph thank the employer sincerely for the opportunity and express your excitement to join their organization and be a valuable asset to them
Sample Job Offer Acceptance Letter
Dear person who offered position
I am happy to have the opportunity to accept the position of list title
The following terms of the position as I understood them include a salary of list salaryrate of pay at List location and to begin employment on list date As we discussed instead of the typical work week we agreed to the addition of evening and weekend hours during the probationary period with a return to usual business hours after 90 days We also agreed to a company vehicle provision for any off site training and appointments during the course of my employment
I truly look forward to becoming a valued member of your team and I am anticipating a productive and positive professional relationship with list company
Sincerely Your Name
Decline or Withdrawing from Consideration Letter
There may be times that you wish to decline or remove yourself from consideration from a position Doing this on a positive
and respectful note decreases the chance that future opportunities will be missed either as a future employee or possible
professional contact with the firm Thank the employer for the opportunity but decline it based on your reasons Be sure to
specifically name the person that was in charge of the hiring process If the decline is due to a term that was offered be
specific the firm could always choose to negotiate that term to better suit your situation
Date
Dear List person
Thank you very much for offering me the list position After careful consideration I regret that I must decline your offer
Although you were most encouraging in outlining future advancement possibilities within ABC Company I have accepted another
opportunity that is more in line with my skills and career goals or I found list the term to be out of line with my needs and
goals
I enjoyed meeting you and the rest of your team You have been most kind and gracious throughout the interview process and I
only wish that circumstances allowed me to accept your offer
Best wishes for your continued success
Sincerely
Your Name
Office of Career Services at IU Kokomo
38 |Kelley Student Center 200 2300 S Washington St PO Box 9003 Kokomo IN 46904-9003 (765)455-9301 fax (765)455-9537 carserviukedu wwwiukeducareer-
services
____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
This packet contains a lot of valuable information to help you achieve all the goals that an education from IU Kokomo
will prepare you for Use this as a guide for every step of the way from your freshman year graduation and beyond
Office of Career Services at IU Kokomo
30 |Kelley Student Center 200 2300 S Washington St PO Box 9003 Kokomo IN 46904-9003 (765)455-9301 fax (765)455-9537 carserviukedu wwwiukeducareer-
services
Behavioral Interviews- Use the STAR Interviewing Technique for Success
The STAR acronym represents Situation Task Action and Result Recruiters and hiring managers favor the STAR technique because
it provides a better explanation of your past performance how you handle workplace challenges and whether youre able to articulate
your experiences STAR behavioral interviews are quickly becoming the most popular and common form of interview
Situation or
Task
Describe the situation that you were in or the task that you needed to accomplish You must
describe a specific event or situation not a generalized description of what you have done in
the past Be sure to give enough detail for the interviewer to understand This situation can be
from a previous job from a volunteer experience or any relevant event
Action you took Describe the action you took and be sure to keep the focus on you Even if you are discussing
a group project or effort describe what you did -- not the efforts of the team Dont tell what
you might do tell what you did
Results you achieved What happened How did the event end What did you accomplish What did you learn
For examples of past behavior use examples from
Internships
Work experience
Class projects
School activitiesorganizations you are involved with
Sports
Volunteercommunity service
Hobbies
Think about your accomplishments what are you most proud of that you want to share with the employer
How to prepare for behavior-based interviews
Identify 3-6 examples that demonstrate your top skills Look through the job description pinpoint the skills they are seeking
Pick experiences that demonstrate top behaviors of those skills
Prepare how you will ldquotell your storyrdquo using STAR
Pick examples that will be positive accomplishment
Most behavioral questions try to reveal the negative situations so be prepared with those examples However try to pick
examples that had a positive outcome
Try not to pick examples from only one topic Pick a variety of examples choosing examples from work class community
services etc
Typically the best examples are situations that happened within the last year
Go over your resume and review the accomplishments you have listed andor skills this could assist you with identifying
examples
LISTEN to the full question Be sure the example is an appropriate description of how you demonstrated what they are
asking for
Office of Career Services at IU Kokomo
31 |Kelley Student Center 200 2300 S Washington St PO Box 9003 Kokomo IN 46904-9003 (765)455-9301 fax (765)455-9537 carserviukedu wwwiukeducareer-
services
Sample Behavior-based Questions
Communication Skills
1 Give me a specific example of a time someone didnrsquot agree with your work How did you respond 2 Tell me about a time when you had to present complex information How did you ensure that everyone
understood what you were saying 3 Give an example about a time where written communication was needed
Decision Making Skills
1 What is the biggest decision or risk yoursquove made in the past year on the job Describe the process you used to make those decisions Would you do it again
2 Describe a time you overcame a challenge with an innovative solution What was the challenge What role did you play
Planning Organization Time management Skills
1 Please give an example of a time you didnrsquot meet your deadline Why did you fail to meet your deadline What did you learn from that experience
2 Give an example of how you keep track of multiple projects How do you stay on track and meet deadlines How do you stay focused
3 Describe a goal yoursquove had How you set it and achieved it
Flexibility Skills 1 Tell us about one of the toughest situations with which yoursquove had to deal with How did you handle the
stress or pressure of the situation Leadership Skills
1 Describe a time when you disagreed with a directive given by your supervisor What happened and how did you handle it
2 Give an example of a situation where team members or co-workers didnrsquot get along This could include you and someone else or two other people How did the project turn out What did you do to resolve the issue so everyone was able to work together
Office of Career Services at IU Kokomo
32 |Kelley Student Center 200 2300 S Washington St PO Box 9003 Kokomo IN 46904-9003 (765)455-9301 fax (765)455-9537 carserviukedu wwwiukeducareer-
services
Other Common Questions Asked by Employers
Personal 1 Tell me about yourself 2 Why did you choose to interview with our organization 3 Describe your ideal job 4 What can you offer us over another candidate 5 What do you consider to be your greatest strengths 6 Can you name some weaknesses 7 Define success Failure How did you learn from your failures 8 Name a couple accomplishments you most proud 9 Who are your role models Why 10 How does your college education or work experience relate to this job 11 What motivates you most in a job 12 Have you ever spoken before a group of people How large 13 What do you know about our organization (products or services) 14 Do you plan to return to school for further education 15 What would you change about yourself and why
Education
16 Why did you choose your major 17 Why did you choose to attend your college or university 18 Do you think you received a good education In what ways 19 In which campus activities did you participate 20 Which classes in your major did you like best Least Why 21 If you were to start over what would you change about your education 22 Do your grades accurately reflect your ability Why or why not
Experience
23 What job-related skills have you developed 24 Did you work while going to school In what positions 25 What did you learn from these work experiences 26 What did you enjoy most about your last employment Least 27 Have you ever quit a job Why 28 Give an example of how you have solved a problem in the work place 29 How do you resolve conflict on a team project 30 Give an example of a time in which you worked under deadline pressure 31 Have you ever done any volunteer work What kind 32 How do you think a former supervisor would describe your work
Career Goals
33 Do you prefer to work under supervision or on your own 34 What kind of boss do you prefer 35 Would you be successful working with a team 36 Do you prefer large or small organizations Why 37 What other types of positions are you considering 38 How do you feel about working in a structured environment 39 Are you able to work on several assignments at once 40 How do you feel about working overtime 41 How do you feel about travel 42 Are you willing to relocate
Office of Career Services at IU Kokomo
33 |Kelley Student Center 200 2300 S Washington St PO Box 9003 Kokomo IN 46904-9003 (765)455-9301 fax (765)455-9537 carserviukedu wwwiukeducareer-
services
Questions to Ask Employers
An interview is a two-way street Employers get an impression of you from the questions you ask Are you a critical thinker Did you comprehend and correctly process everything in the interview Have you done research and have a good grasp of the company and the scope of the position Your questions should be intelligent insightful and polite Have at least 3-5 custom questions in mind Employers look for someone who shows interest confidence and is well organized
1 Please describe (or ask them to clarify specifics) the duties of the job for me 2 Is this a new position or am I replacing someone 3 What do you like best about your jobcompany 4 What kinds of assignments might I expect the first six months on the job 5 What qualities are you looking for in the candidate who fills this position 6 Does your company encourage further education 7 Do you have plans for expansion 8 What are your growth projections for next year 9 Have you cut staff in the last three years 10 In what ways is a career with your company better than one with your competitors 11 What is the largest single problem facing your staff (department) now 12 Has there been much turnover in this job area 13 Will I have the opportunity to work on special projects 14 Where does this position fit into the organizational structure 15 How much travel if any is involved in this position 16 What is the next course of action When should I expect to hear from you or may I contact you
Interview Checklist Preparation Research research research Knowing more about the organization as a whole and the particular position you are applying for will be helpful in the interview It will help you understand questions that may be asked and will give you a chance to come up with questions to ask them The more research you conduct the more confident and comfortable you will feel in the interview It will also demonstrate to the employer how determined and pro-active you are about their company and the position you seek Get specific directions to the location If possible go there the day before and check out parking and the location of the office where your interview will be held
First Impression Put your best foot forward Remember the decision to hire you may be made in the first 5 minutes Always wait until they sit or invite you to be seated
Dress code Dress more formal than you would in the actual position Women should wear a suit or dress with a jacket Men should wear a suit or sport jacket and slacks Itrsquos a good idea to have an interview outfit ready and waiting (cleaned neat no threads or missing buttons) hanging in your closet Donrsquot wear anything too trendy or faddish (ladies no miniskirts) Check all zippers for closure and ladies should always have an extra pair of hose for emergencies Your style of dress communicates too what do you want it to say (See page 38)
Arrival Arrive a few minutes early to check out the location and parking Stop by the restroom and check your appearance Again you may want to check out the location the day before if you are unsure of the area
What to bring Always have an extra copy of your reacutesumeacute note paper and pen You will want to jot down questions as they may come about as well as information about the position Also write down the names of each person you interview with so you can mail a thank-you note
Application
Office of Career Services at IU Kokomo
34 |Kelley Student Center 200 2300 S Washington St PO Box 9003 Kokomo IN 46904-9003 (765)455-9301 fax (765)455-9537 carserviukedu wwwiukeducareer-
services
Read through the entire application before you begin Follow the directions Give specific titles You may leave the salary question blank or fill it in with a reasonable salary range Use NA where answers are not applicable Proofread the application before returning it
Legal and Illegal Pre-employment Questions CATEGORY LAWFUL
(Questions employers can ask)
UNLAWFUL (Questions employers cannot ask)
Name Have you ever worked for this company under a different name
Is any additional information relative to change of name use of an assumed name or nickname necessary to enable a check
on your work record If yes explain
What is your maiden name
Is the name on your application your real name
Address Where do you live
How long have you lived there
Birthplace Where were you born Where were your relatives born
Agebirth date Are you 18 years of age or older How old are you What is your birth date
Prove your age by submitting your birth certificate baptismal record
naturalization papers etc (see citizenship)
Photograph Requirement or option that applicant affix a photograph to employment form at
any time before hiring Citizenship Are you a citizen of the United States
If not are you authorized to work in the US
Can you verify US citizenship or your
right to work in the United States
Of what country are you a citizen Are you a naturalized or a native-born
citizen When did you acquire citizenship
Please produce naturalization papers or green card
(employers must verify citizenship or the right to work after theyrsquove decided to
extend an offer) Sex or Marital Status Are you male or female
Are you married What are your living arrangements
Relatives Do you have relatives (other than a spouse) already employed by the
company
What are their names
What are the names (addresses ages number or other information) of your
relatives not employed by the company
Children
Do you have children or plans to have children in the future
Do you have the capacity to reproduce Do you advocate any form of birth control
or family planning What are your child care arrangements
How old are your children
CATEGORY LAWFUL UNLAWFUL (Questions employers can ask) (Questions employers cannot ask)
Disability Do you have any impairment
(physical mental or medical) which would interfere with your ability to perform the job for which you have
applied
Do you have any disabilities or diseases not related to job
performance
Arrest record Have you ever been convicted of a criminal offense other than minor
traffic violations If yes explain fully
Have you ever been arrested
Experienced Please describe your work experience
Travel Overtime This position requires X amount of overtimetravel Would you be able
to meet this requirement
Who will care for your children when you travel or work overtime
Would your spouse object if you
traveled or worked overtime Language What languages do you speak and
write fluently What is your native language
How did you learn to read write or
speak a foreign language Education Please describe your academic
vocational or professional education and the public and private schools you attended
What are the dates of attendance
(To permit verification)
Notice in case of emergency What are the names and addresses of people to be notified in case of
accident or emergency (can be asked after hire)
Military experience Have you served in the US Armed Forces or in the National Guard
Describe your experience
Do you have any military experience
(other than in the United States) Organizations Do you belong to any organizations
which you consider relevant to your ability to perform this job Please
explain
Are you a member of any clubs societies or lodges
Which ones
Race or color What racecolor are you Are you a minority
Religion or creed What is your religion To which parishchurch do you
belong What religious holidays do you
observe National Origin What is your (or relatives) lineage
ancestry national origin descent percentage or nationality
Office of Career Services at IU Kokomo
36 |Kelley Student Center 200 2300 S Washington St PO Box 9003 Kokomo IN 46904-9003 (765)455-9301 fax (765)455-9537 carserviukedu wwwiukeducareer-
services
After the interview After you have interviewed for a position there are some things to do that may improve your chances
Send a Follow-up thank you note within 24 hours
This shows that you are serious about their organization and will set you apart from many who neglect to do so By taking the
time to email or write a handwritten letter thanking them for taking their time to meet with you Summarize specific qualities
you have and let them know you look forward in speaking with them further about employment
Sample Thank you
Dear Intervieweersquos Name Thank you for taking the time to talk with me on Thursday November 9 at the interview for list specifics of position and company) I appreciate your time and attention and after talking with you I am even more interested in becoming a valuable team member at companyrsquos name You were extremely helpful in explaining list position Now that I have a better idea of what the position entails I am even more certain that I would be an asset to your team and to companyrsquos name My solid education from the IU Kokomo Communication Department and the fact that I have worked my way through college show the work ethic and determination you said were important to be successful at companyrsquos name I look forward to an opportunity to work with companyrsquos name office and speak to you further about the program I will contact you next week to follow up and provide you with any further information that you may need Thank you again for your time and consideration Sincerely
Your name
The Stall Letter
There may be situations that you will need time to figure out whether a job is a good fit or have more than one position to accept or decline The stall letter is a good tool to have in this case In the introduction refer to the job offer or event that is prompting the letter In the second paragraph state your continued interest in the position but request more time to gather further information or to consider all alternatives and opportunities in order to make the best choice for the position and the company as well as yourself Give a specific time extension request If you need 24 hours for example ask for that Ask for the minimal amount of time in order to make your decision Remember this is a request and does not guarantee that the employer will accept it and be prepared for the possibility that they will not grant the time and choose another candidate In the conclusion thank them for their time and understanding and indicate when you will contact them to discuss the terms of the possible extension
Sample Stall Letter
Dear name of person that offered the position This letter is in reference to list company name and your offer of list the position I would like to take this opportunity to thank you for the opportunity and express my continued interest in the position At this time I would like to request __hours to gather some vital information in order to be completely confidant that I am making the best and most informed decision possible I want to ensure for all parties involved that I have considered all options and alternatives to be certain that my acceptance of this list position is the correct course of action for us both I appreciate your understanding and valuable time and look forward to speaking with you at your earliest convenience today so that we may discuss the terms of my request Sincerely Your Name
Office of Career Services at IU Kokomo
37 |Kelley Student Center 200 2300 S Washington St PO Box 9003 Kokomo IN 46904-9003 (765)455-9301 fax (765)455-9537 carserviukedu wwwiukeducareer-
services
Acceptance of a Job Offer Letter
Responding in writing to a job offer shows courtesy and is expected It reduces the chance of any misunderstanding that verbal acceptances do not In the first paragraph thank the employer for offering the specific position title and say that you are happy to accept it In the second paragraph state the terms of employment (salary location and start date) Emphasize any negotiations of terms that were unusual or non-standard if there were any In the last paragraph thank the employer sincerely for the opportunity and express your excitement to join their organization and be a valuable asset to them
Sample Job Offer Acceptance Letter
Dear person who offered position
I am happy to have the opportunity to accept the position of list title
The following terms of the position as I understood them include a salary of list salaryrate of pay at List location and to begin employment on list date As we discussed instead of the typical work week we agreed to the addition of evening and weekend hours during the probationary period with a return to usual business hours after 90 days We also agreed to a company vehicle provision for any off site training and appointments during the course of my employment
I truly look forward to becoming a valued member of your team and I am anticipating a productive and positive professional relationship with list company
Sincerely Your Name
Decline or Withdrawing from Consideration Letter
There may be times that you wish to decline or remove yourself from consideration from a position Doing this on a positive
and respectful note decreases the chance that future opportunities will be missed either as a future employee or possible
professional contact with the firm Thank the employer for the opportunity but decline it based on your reasons Be sure to
specifically name the person that was in charge of the hiring process If the decline is due to a term that was offered be
specific the firm could always choose to negotiate that term to better suit your situation
Date
Dear List person
Thank you very much for offering me the list position After careful consideration I regret that I must decline your offer
Although you were most encouraging in outlining future advancement possibilities within ABC Company I have accepted another
opportunity that is more in line with my skills and career goals or I found list the term to be out of line with my needs and
goals
I enjoyed meeting you and the rest of your team You have been most kind and gracious throughout the interview process and I
only wish that circumstances allowed me to accept your offer
Best wishes for your continued success
Sincerely
Your Name
Office of Career Services at IU Kokomo
38 |Kelley Student Center 200 2300 S Washington St PO Box 9003 Kokomo IN 46904-9003 (765)455-9301 fax (765)455-9537 carserviukedu wwwiukeducareer-
services
____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
This packet contains a lot of valuable information to help you achieve all the goals that an education from IU Kokomo
will prepare you for Use this as a guide for every step of the way from your freshman year graduation and beyond
Office of Career Services at IU Kokomo
31 |Kelley Student Center 200 2300 S Washington St PO Box 9003 Kokomo IN 46904-9003 (765)455-9301 fax (765)455-9537 carserviukedu wwwiukeducareer-
services
Sample Behavior-based Questions
Communication Skills
1 Give me a specific example of a time someone didnrsquot agree with your work How did you respond 2 Tell me about a time when you had to present complex information How did you ensure that everyone
understood what you were saying 3 Give an example about a time where written communication was needed
Decision Making Skills
1 What is the biggest decision or risk yoursquove made in the past year on the job Describe the process you used to make those decisions Would you do it again
2 Describe a time you overcame a challenge with an innovative solution What was the challenge What role did you play
Planning Organization Time management Skills
1 Please give an example of a time you didnrsquot meet your deadline Why did you fail to meet your deadline What did you learn from that experience
2 Give an example of how you keep track of multiple projects How do you stay on track and meet deadlines How do you stay focused
3 Describe a goal yoursquove had How you set it and achieved it
Flexibility Skills 1 Tell us about one of the toughest situations with which yoursquove had to deal with How did you handle the
stress or pressure of the situation Leadership Skills
1 Describe a time when you disagreed with a directive given by your supervisor What happened and how did you handle it
2 Give an example of a situation where team members or co-workers didnrsquot get along This could include you and someone else or two other people How did the project turn out What did you do to resolve the issue so everyone was able to work together
Office of Career Services at IU Kokomo
32 |Kelley Student Center 200 2300 S Washington St PO Box 9003 Kokomo IN 46904-9003 (765)455-9301 fax (765)455-9537 carserviukedu wwwiukeducareer-
services
Other Common Questions Asked by Employers
Personal 1 Tell me about yourself 2 Why did you choose to interview with our organization 3 Describe your ideal job 4 What can you offer us over another candidate 5 What do you consider to be your greatest strengths 6 Can you name some weaknesses 7 Define success Failure How did you learn from your failures 8 Name a couple accomplishments you most proud 9 Who are your role models Why 10 How does your college education or work experience relate to this job 11 What motivates you most in a job 12 Have you ever spoken before a group of people How large 13 What do you know about our organization (products or services) 14 Do you plan to return to school for further education 15 What would you change about yourself and why
Education
16 Why did you choose your major 17 Why did you choose to attend your college or university 18 Do you think you received a good education In what ways 19 In which campus activities did you participate 20 Which classes in your major did you like best Least Why 21 If you were to start over what would you change about your education 22 Do your grades accurately reflect your ability Why or why not
Experience
23 What job-related skills have you developed 24 Did you work while going to school In what positions 25 What did you learn from these work experiences 26 What did you enjoy most about your last employment Least 27 Have you ever quit a job Why 28 Give an example of how you have solved a problem in the work place 29 How do you resolve conflict on a team project 30 Give an example of a time in which you worked under deadline pressure 31 Have you ever done any volunteer work What kind 32 How do you think a former supervisor would describe your work
Career Goals
33 Do you prefer to work under supervision or on your own 34 What kind of boss do you prefer 35 Would you be successful working with a team 36 Do you prefer large or small organizations Why 37 What other types of positions are you considering 38 How do you feel about working in a structured environment 39 Are you able to work on several assignments at once 40 How do you feel about working overtime 41 How do you feel about travel 42 Are you willing to relocate
Office of Career Services at IU Kokomo
33 |Kelley Student Center 200 2300 S Washington St PO Box 9003 Kokomo IN 46904-9003 (765)455-9301 fax (765)455-9537 carserviukedu wwwiukeducareer-
services
Questions to Ask Employers
An interview is a two-way street Employers get an impression of you from the questions you ask Are you a critical thinker Did you comprehend and correctly process everything in the interview Have you done research and have a good grasp of the company and the scope of the position Your questions should be intelligent insightful and polite Have at least 3-5 custom questions in mind Employers look for someone who shows interest confidence and is well organized
1 Please describe (or ask them to clarify specifics) the duties of the job for me 2 Is this a new position or am I replacing someone 3 What do you like best about your jobcompany 4 What kinds of assignments might I expect the first six months on the job 5 What qualities are you looking for in the candidate who fills this position 6 Does your company encourage further education 7 Do you have plans for expansion 8 What are your growth projections for next year 9 Have you cut staff in the last three years 10 In what ways is a career with your company better than one with your competitors 11 What is the largest single problem facing your staff (department) now 12 Has there been much turnover in this job area 13 Will I have the opportunity to work on special projects 14 Where does this position fit into the organizational structure 15 How much travel if any is involved in this position 16 What is the next course of action When should I expect to hear from you or may I contact you
Interview Checklist Preparation Research research research Knowing more about the organization as a whole and the particular position you are applying for will be helpful in the interview It will help you understand questions that may be asked and will give you a chance to come up with questions to ask them The more research you conduct the more confident and comfortable you will feel in the interview It will also demonstrate to the employer how determined and pro-active you are about their company and the position you seek Get specific directions to the location If possible go there the day before and check out parking and the location of the office where your interview will be held
First Impression Put your best foot forward Remember the decision to hire you may be made in the first 5 minutes Always wait until they sit or invite you to be seated
Dress code Dress more formal than you would in the actual position Women should wear a suit or dress with a jacket Men should wear a suit or sport jacket and slacks Itrsquos a good idea to have an interview outfit ready and waiting (cleaned neat no threads or missing buttons) hanging in your closet Donrsquot wear anything too trendy or faddish (ladies no miniskirts) Check all zippers for closure and ladies should always have an extra pair of hose for emergencies Your style of dress communicates too what do you want it to say (See page 38)
Arrival Arrive a few minutes early to check out the location and parking Stop by the restroom and check your appearance Again you may want to check out the location the day before if you are unsure of the area
What to bring Always have an extra copy of your reacutesumeacute note paper and pen You will want to jot down questions as they may come about as well as information about the position Also write down the names of each person you interview with so you can mail a thank-you note
Application
Office of Career Services at IU Kokomo
34 |Kelley Student Center 200 2300 S Washington St PO Box 9003 Kokomo IN 46904-9003 (765)455-9301 fax (765)455-9537 carserviukedu wwwiukeducareer-
services
Read through the entire application before you begin Follow the directions Give specific titles You may leave the salary question blank or fill it in with a reasonable salary range Use NA where answers are not applicable Proofread the application before returning it
Legal and Illegal Pre-employment Questions CATEGORY LAWFUL
(Questions employers can ask)
UNLAWFUL (Questions employers cannot ask)
Name Have you ever worked for this company under a different name
Is any additional information relative to change of name use of an assumed name or nickname necessary to enable a check
on your work record If yes explain
What is your maiden name
Is the name on your application your real name
Address Where do you live
How long have you lived there
Birthplace Where were you born Where were your relatives born
Agebirth date Are you 18 years of age or older How old are you What is your birth date
Prove your age by submitting your birth certificate baptismal record
naturalization papers etc (see citizenship)
Photograph Requirement or option that applicant affix a photograph to employment form at
any time before hiring Citizenship Are you a citizen of the United States
If not are you authorized to work in the US
Can you verify US citizenship or your
right to work in the United States
Of what country are you a citizen Are you a naturalized or a native-born
citizen When did you acquire citizenship
Please produce naturalization papers or green card
(employers must verify citizenship or the right to work after theyrsquove decided to
extend an offer) Sex or Marital Status Are you male or female
Are you married What are your living arrangements
Relatives Do you have relatives (other than a spouse) already employed by the
company
What are their names
What are the names (addresses ages number or other information) of your
relatives not employed by the company
Children
Do you have children or plans to have children in the future
Do you have the capacity to reproduce Do you advocate any form of birth control
or family planning What are your child care arrangements
How old are your children
CATEGORY LAWFUL UNLAWFUL (Questions employers can ask) (Questions employers cannot ask)
Disability Do you have any impairment
(physical mental or medical) which would interfere with your ability to perform the job for which you have
applied
Do you have any disabilities or diseases not related to job
performance
Arrest record Have you ever been convicted of a criminal offense other than minor
traffic violations If yes explain fully
Have you ever been arrested
Experienced Please describe your work experience
Travel Overtime This position requires X amount of overtimetravel Would you be able
to meet this requirement
Who will care for your children when you travel or work overtime
Would your spouse object if you
traveled or worked overtime Language What languages do you speak and
write fluently What is your native language
How did you learn to read write or
speak a foreign language Education Please describe your academic
vocational or professional education and the public and private schools you attended
What are the dates of attendance
(To permit verification)
Notice in case of emergency What are the names and addresses of people to be notified in case of
accident or emergency (can be asked after hire)
Military experience Have you served in the US Armed Forces or in the National Guard
Describe your experience
Do you have any military experience
(other than in the United States) Organizations Do you belong to any organizations
which you consider relevant to your ability to perform this job Please
explain
Are you a member of any clubs societies or lodges
Which ones
Race or color What racecolor are you Are you a minority
Religion or creed What is your religion To which parishchurch do you
belong What religious holidays do you
observe National Origin What is your (or relatives) lineage
ancestry national origin descent percentage or nationality
Office of Career Services at IU Kokomo
36 |Kelley Student Center 200 2300 S Washington St PO Box 9003 Kokomo IN 46904-9003 (765)455-9301 fax (765)455-9537 carserviukedu wwwiukeducareer-
services
After the interview After you have interviewed for a position there are some things to do that may improve your chances
Send a Follow-up thank you note within 24 hours
This shows that you are serious about their organization and will set you apart from many who neglect to do so By taking the
time to email or write a handwritten letter thanking them for taking their time to meet with you Summarize specific qualities
you have and let them know you look forward in speaking with them further about employment
Sample Thank you
Dear Intervieweersquos Name Thank you for taking the time to talk with me on Thursday November 9 at the interview for list specifics of position and company) I appreciate your time and attention and after talking with you I am even more interested in becoming a valuable team member at companyrsquos name You were extremely helpful in explaining list position Now that I have a better idea of what the position entails I am even more certain that I would be an asset to your team and to companyrsquos name My solid education from the IU Kokomo Communication Department and the fact that I have worked my way through college show the work ethic and determination you said were important to be successful at companyrsquos name I look forward to an opportunity to work with companyrsquos name office and speak to you further about the program I will contact you next week to follow up and provide you with any further information that you may need Thank you again for your time and consideration Sincerely
Your name
The Stall Letter
There may be situations that you will need time to figure out whether a job is a good fit or have more than one position to accept or decline The stall letter is a good tool to have in this case In the introduction refer to the job offer or event that is prompting the letter In the second paragraph state your continued interest in the position but request more time to gather further information or to consider all alternatives and opportunities in order to make the best choice for the position and the company as well as yourself Give a specific time extension request If you need 24 hours for example ask for that Ask for the minimal amount of time in order to make your decision Remember this is a request and does not guarantee that the employer will accept it and be prepared for the possibility that they will not grant the time and choose another candidate In the conclusion thank them for their time and understanding and indicate when you will contact them to discuss the terms of the possible extension
Sample Stall Letter
Dear name of person that offered the position This letter is in reference to list company name and your offer of list the position I would like to take this opportunity to thank you for the opportunity and express my continued interest in the position At this time I would like to request __hours to gather some vital information in order to be completely confidant that I am making the best and most informed decision possible I want to ensure for all parties involved that I have considered all options and alternatives to be certain that my acceptance of this list position is the correct course of action for us both I appreciate your understanding and valuable time and look forward to speaking with you at your earliest convenience today so that we may discuss the terms of my request Sincerely Your Name
Office of Career Services at IU Kokomo
37 |Kelley Student Center 200 2300 S Washington St PO Box 9003 Kokomo IN 46904-9003 (765)455-9301 fax (765)455-9537 carserviukedu wwwiukeducareer-
services
Acceptance of a Job Offer Letter
Responding in writing to a job offer shows courtesy and is expected It reduces the chance of any misunderstanding that verbal acceptances do not In the first paragraph thank the employer for offering the specific position title and say that you are happy to accept it In the second paragraph state the terms of employment (salary location and start date) Emphasize any negotiations of terms that were unusual or non-standard if there were any In the last paragraph thank the employer sincerely for the opportunity and express your excitement to join their organization and be a valuable asset to them
Sample Job Offer Acceptance Letter
Dear person who offered position
I am happy to have the opportunity to accept the position of list title
The following terms of the position as I understood them include a salary of list salaryrate of pay at List location and to begin employment on list date As we discussed instead of the typical work week we agreed to the addition of evening and weekend hours during the probationary period with a return to usual business hours after 90 days We also agreed to a company vehicle provision for any off site training and appointments during the course of my employment
I truly look forward to becoming a valued member of your team and I am anticipating a productive and positive professional relationship with list company
Sincerely Your Name
Decline or Withdrawing from Consideration Letter
There may be times that you wish to decline or remove yourself from consideration from a position Doing this on a positive
and respectful note decreases the chance that future opportunities will be missed either as a future employee or possible
professional contact with the firm Thank the employer for the opportunity but decline it based on your reasons Be sure to
specifically name the person that was in charge of the hiring process If the decline is due to a term that was offered be
specific the firm could always choose to negotiate that term to better suit your situation
Date
Dear List person
Thank you very much for offering me the list position After careful consideration I regret that I must decline your offer
Although you were most encouraging in outlining future advancement possibilities within ABC Company I have accepted another
opportunity that is more in line with my skills and career goals or I found list the term to be out of line with my needs and
goals
I enjoyed meeting you and the rest of your team You have been most kind and gracious throughout the interview process and I
only wish that circumstances allowed me to accept your offer
Best wishes for your continued success
Sincerely
Your Name
Office of Career Services at IU Kokomo
38 |Kelley Student Center 200 2300 S Washington St PO Box 9003 Kokomo IN 46904-9003 (765)455-9301 fax (765)455-9537 carserviukedu wwwiukeducareer-
services
____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
This packet contains a lot of valuable information to help you achieve all the goals that an education from IU Kokomo
will prepare you for Use this as a guide for every step of the way from your freshman year graduation and beyond
Office of Career Services at IU Kokomo
32 |Kelley Student Center 200 2300 S Washington St PO Box 9003 Kokomo IN 46904-9003 (765)455-9301 fax (765)455-9537 carserviukedu wwwiukeducareer-
services
Other Common Questions Asked by Employers
Personal 1 Tell me about yourself 2 Why did you choose to interview with our organization 3 Describe your ideal job 4 What can you offer us over another candidate 5 What do you consider to be your greatest strengths 6 Can you name some weaknesses 7 Define success Failure How did you learn from your failures 8 Name a couple accomplishments you most proud 9 Who are your role models Why 10 How does your college education or work experience relate to this job 11 What motivates you most in a job 12 Have you ever spoken before a group of people How large 13 What do you know about our organization (products or services) 14 Do you plan to return to school for further education 15 What would you change about yourself and why
Education
16 Why did you choose your major 17 Why did you choose to attend your college or university 18 Do you think you received a good education In what ways 19 In which campus activities did you participate 20 Which classes in your major did you like best Least Why 21 If you were to start over what would you change about your education 22 Do your grades accurately reflect your ability Why or why not
Experience
23 What job-related skills have you developed 24 Did you work while going to school In what positions 25 What did you learn from these work experiences 26 What did you enjoy most about your last employment Least 27 Have you ever quit a job Why 28 Give an example of how you have solved a problem in the work place 29 How do you resolve conflict on a team project 30 Give an example of a time in which you worked under deadline pressure 31 Have you ever done any volunteer work What kind 32 How do you think a former supervisor would describe your work
Career Goals
33 Do you prefer to work under supervision or on your own 34 What kind of boss do you prefer 35 Would you be successful working with a team 36 Do you prefer large or small organizations Why 37 What other types of positions are you considering 38 How do you feel about working in a structured environment 39 Are you able to work on several assignments at once 40 How do you feel about working overtime 41 How do you feel about travel 42 Are you willing to relocate
Office of Career Services at IU Kokomo
33 |Kelley Student Center 200 2300 S Washington St PO Box 9003 Kokomo IN 46904-9003 (765)455-9301 fax (765)455-9537 carserviukedu wwwiukeducareer-
services
Questions to Ask Employers
An interview is a two-way street Employers get an impression of you from the questions you ask Are you a critical thinker Did you comprehend and correctly process everything in the interview Have you done research and have a good grasp of the company and the scope of the position Your questions should be intelligent insightful and polite Have at least 3-5 custom questions in mind Employers look for someone who shows interest confidence and is well organized
1 Please describe (or ask them to clarify specifics) the duties of the job for me 2 Is this a new position or am I replacing someone 3 What do you like best about your jobcompany 4 What kinds of assignments might I expect the first six months on the job 5 What qualities are you looking for in the candidate who fills this position 6 Does your company encourage further education 7 Do you have plans for expansion 8 What are your growth projections for next year 9 Have you cut staff in the last three years 10 In what ways is a career with your company better than one with your competitors 11 What is the largest single problem facing your staff (department) now 12 Has there been much turnover in this job area 13 Will I have the opportunity to work on special projects 14 Where does this position fit into the organizational structure 15 How much travel if any is involved in this position 16 What is the next course of action When should I expect to hear from you or may I contact you
Interview Checklist Preparation Research research research Knowing more about the organization as a whole and the particular position you are applying for will be helpful in the interview It will help you understand questions that may be asked and will give you a chance to come up with questions to ask them The more research you conduct the more confident and comfortable you will feel in the interview It will also demonstrate to the employer how determined and pro-active you are about their company and the position you seek Get specific directions to the location If possible go there the day before and check out parking and the location of the office where your interview will be held
First Impression Put your best foot forward Remember the decision to hire you may be made in the first 5 minutes Always wait until they sit or invite you to be seated
Dress code Dress more formal than you would in the actual position Women should wear a suit or dress with a jacket Men should wear a suit or sport jacket and slacks Itrsquos a good idea to have an interview outfit ready and waiting (cleaned neat no threads or missing buttons) hanging in your closet Donrsquot wear anything too trendy or faddish (ladies no miniskirts) Check all zippers for closure and ladies should always have an extra pair of hose for emergencies Your style of dress communicates too what do you want it to say (See page 38)
Arrival Arrive a few minutes early to check out the location and parking Stop by the restroom and check your appearance Again you may want to check out the location the day before if you are unsure of the area
What to bring Always have an extra copy of your reacutesumeacute note paper and pen You will want to jot down questions as they may come about as well as information about the position Also write down the names of each person you interview with so you can mail a thank-you note
Application
Office of Career Services at IU Kokomo
34 |Kelley Student Center 200 2300 S Washington St PO Box 9003 Kokomo IN 46904-9003 (765)455-9301 fax (765)455-9537 carserviukedu wwwiukeducareer-
services
Read through the entire application before you begin Follow the directions Give specific titles You may leave the salary question blank or fill it in with a reasonable salary range Use NA where answers are not applicable Proofread the application before returning it
Legal and Illegal Pre-employment Questions CATEGORY LAWFUL
(Questions employers can ask)
UNLAWFUL (Questions employers cannot ask)
Name Have you ever worked for this company under a different name
Is any additional information relative to change of name use of an assumed name or nickname necessary to enable a check
on your work record If yes explain
What is your maiden name
Is the name on your application your real name
Address Where do you live
How long have you lived there
Birthplace Where were you born Where were your relatives born
Agebirth date Are you 18 years of age or older How old are you What is your birth date
Prove your age by submitting your birth certificate baptismal record
naturalization papers etc (see citizenship)
Photograph Requirement or option that applicant affix a photograph to employment form at
any time before hiring Citizenship Are you a citizen of the United States
If not are you authorized to work in the US
Can you verify US citizenship or your
right to work in the United States
Of what country are you a citizen Are you a naturalized or a native-born
citizen When did you acquire citizenship
Please produce naturalization papers or green card
(employers must verify citizenship or the right to work after theyrsquove decided to
extend an offer) Sex or Marital Status Are you male or female
Are you married What are your living arrangements
Relatives Do you have relatives (other than a spouse) already employed by the
company
What are their names
What are the names (addresses ages number or other information) of your
relatives not employed by the company
Children
Do you have children or plans to have children in the future
Do you have the capacity to reproduce Do you advocate any form of birth control
or family planning What are your child care arrangements
How old are your children
CATEGORY LAWFUL UNLAWFUL (Questions employers can ask) (Questions employers cannot ask)
Disability Do you have any impairment
(physical mental or medical) which would interfere with your ability to perform the job for which you have
applied
Do you have any disabilities or diseases not related to job
performance
Arrest record Have you ever been convicted of a criminal offense other than minor
traffic violations If yes explain fully
Have you ever been arrested
Experienced Please describe your work experience
Travel Overtime This position requires X amount of overtimetravel Would you be able
to meet this requirement
Who will care for your children when you travel or work overtime
Would your spouse object if you
traveled or worked overtime Language What languages do you speak and
write fluently What is your native language
How did you learn to read write or
speak a foreign language Education Please describe your academic
vocational or professional education and the public and private schools you attended
What are the dates of attendance
(To permit verification)
Notice in case of emergency What are the names and addresses of people to be notified in case of
accident or emergency (can be asked after hire)
Military experience Have you served in the US Armed Forces or in the National Guard
Describe your experience
Do you have any military experience
(other than in the United States) Organizations Do you belong to any organizations
which you consider relevant to your ability to perform this job Please
explain
Are you a member of any clubs societies or lodges
Which ones
Race or color What racecolor are you Are you a minority
Religion or creed What is your religion To which parishchurch do you
belong What religious holidays do you
observe National Origin What is your (or relatives) lineage
ancestry national origin descent percentage or nationality
Office of Career Services at IU Kokomo
36 |Kelley Student Center 200 2300 S Washington St PO Box 9003 Kokomo IN 46904-9003 (765)455-9301 fax (765)455-9537 carserviukedu wwwiukeducareer-
services
After the interview After you have interviewed for a position there are some things to do that may improve your chances
Send a Follow-up thank you note within 24 hours
This shows that you are serious about their organization and will set you apart from many who neglect to do so By taking the
time to email or write a handwritten letter thanking them for taking their time to meet with you Summarize specific qualities
you have and let them know you look forward in speaking with them further about employment
Sample Thank you
Dear Intervieweersquos Name Thank you for taking the time to talk with me on Thursday November 9 at the interview for list specifics of position and company) I appreciate your time and attention and after talking with you I am even more interested in becoming a valuable team member at companyrsquos name You were extremely helpful in explaining list position Now that I have a better idea of what the position entails I am even more certain that I would be an asset to your team and to companyrsquos name My solid education from the IU Kokomo Communication Department and the fact that I have worked my way through college show the work ethic and determination you said were important to be successful at companyrsquos name I look forward to an opportunity to work with companyrsquos name office and speak to you further about the program I will contact you next week to follow up and provide you with any further information that you may need Thank you again for your time and consideration Sincerely
Your name
The Stall Letter
There may be situations that you will need time to figure out whether a job is a good fit or have more than one position to accept or decline The stall letter is a good tool to have in this case In the introduction refer to the job offer or event that is prompting the letter In the second paragraph state your continued interest in the position but request more time to gather further information or to consider all alternatives and opportunities in order to make the best choice for the position and the company as well as yourself Give a specific time extension request If you need 24 hours for example ask for that Ask for the minimal amount of time in order to make your decision Remember this is a request and does not guarantee that the employer will accept it and be prepared for the possibility that they will not grant the time and choose another candidate In the conclusion thank them for their time and understanding and indicate when you will contact them to discuss the terms of the possible extension
Sample Stall Letter
Dear name of person that offered the position This letter is in reference to list company name and your offer of list the position I would like to take this opportunity to thank you for the opportunity and express my continued interest in the position At this time I would like to request __hours to gather some vital information in order to be completely confidant that I am making the best and most informed decision possible I want to ensure for all parties involved that I have considered all options and alternatives to be certain that my acceptance of this list position is the correct course of action for us both I appreciate your understanding and valuable time and look forward to speaking with you at your earliest convenience today so that we may discuss the terms of my request Sincerely Your Name
Office of Career Services at IU Kokomo
37 |Kelley Student Center 200 2300 S Washington St PO Box 9003 Kokomo IN 46904-9003 (765)455-9301 fax (765)455-9537 carserviukedu wwwiukeducareer-
services
Acceptance of a Job Offer Letter
Responding in writing to a job offer shows courtesy and is expected It reduces the chance of any misunderstanding that verbal acceptances do not In the first paragraph thank the employer for offering the specific position title and say that you are happy to accept it In the second paragraph state the terms of employment (salary location and start date) Emphasize any negotiations of terms that were unusual or non-standard if there were any In the last paragraph thank the employer sincerely for the opportunity and express your excitement to join their organization and be a valuable asset to them
Sample Job Offer Acceptance Letter
Dear person who offered position
I am happy to have the opportunity to accept the position of list title
The following terms of the position as I understood them include a salary of list salaryrate of pay at List location and to begin employment on list date As we discussed instead of the typical work week we agreed to the addition of evening and weekend hours during the probationary period with a return to usual business hours after 90 days We also agreed to a company vehicle provision for any off site training and appointments during the course of my employment
I truly look forward to becoming a valued member of your team and I am anticipating a productive and positive professional relationship with list company
Sincerely Your Name
Decline or Withdrawing from Consideration Letter
There may be times that you wish to decline or remove yourself from consideration from a position Doing this on a positive
and respectful note decreases the chance that future opportunities will be missed either as a future employee or possible
professional contact with the firm Thank the employer for the opportunity but decline it based on your reasons Be sure to
specifically name the person that was in charge of the hiring process If the decline is due to a term that was offered be
specific the firm could always choose to negotiate that term to better suit your situation
Date
Dear List person
Thank you very much for offering me the list position After careful consideration I regret that I must decline your offer
Although you were most encouraging in outlining future advancement possibilities within ABC Company I have accepted another
opportunity that is more in line with my skills and career goals or I found list the term to be out of line with my needs and
goals
I enjoyed meeting you and the rest of your team You have been most kind and gracious throughout the interview process and I
only wish that circumstances allowed me to accept your offer
Best wishes for your continued success
Sincerely
Your Name
Office of Career Services at IU Kokomo
38 |Kelley Student Center 200 2300 S Washington St PO Box 9003 Kokomo IN 46904-9003 (765)455-9301 fax (765)455-9537 carserviukedu wwwiukeducareer-
services
____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
This packet contains a lot of valuable information to help you achieve all the goals that an education from IU Kokomo
will prepare you for Use this as a guide for every step of the way from your freshman year graduation and beyond
Office of Career Services at IU Kokomo
33 |Kelley Student Center 200 2300 S Washington St PO Box 9003 Kokomo IN 46904-9003 (765)455-9301 fax (765)455-9537 carserviukedu wwwiukeducareer-
services
Questions to Ask Employers
An interview is a two-way street Employers get an impression of you from the questions you ask Are you a critical thinker Did you comprehend and correctly process everything in the interview Have you done research and have a good grasp of the company and the scope of the position Your questions should be intelligent insightful and polite Have at least 3-5 custom questions in mind Employers look for someone who shows interest confidence and is well organized
1 Please describe (or ask them to clarify specifics) the duties of the job for me 2 Is this a new position or am I replacing someone 3 What do you like best about your jobcompany 4 What kinds of assignments might I expect the first six months on the job 5 What qualities are you looking for in the candidate who fills this position 6 Does your company encourage further education 7 Do you have plans for expansion 8 What are your growth projections for next year 9 Have you cut staff in the last three years 10 In what ways is a career with your company better than one with your competitors 11 What is the largest single problem facing your staff (department) now 12 Has there been much turnover in this job area 13 Will I have the opportunity to work on special projects 14 Where does this position fit into the organizational structure 15 How much travel if any is involved in this position 16 What is the next course of action When should I expect to hear from you or may I contact you
Interview Checklist Preparation Research research research Knowing more about the organization as a whole and the particular position you are applying for will be helpful in the interview It will help you understand questions that may be asked and will give you a chance to come up with questions to ask them The more research you conduct the more confident and comfortable you will feel in the interview It will also demonstrate to the employer how determined and pro-active you are about their company and the position you seek Get specific directions to the location If possible go there the day before and check out parking and the location of the office where your interview will be held
First Impression Put your best foot forward Remember the decision to hire you may be made in the first 5 minutes Always wait until they sit or invite you to be seated
Dress code Dress more formal than you would in the actual position Women should wear a suit or dress with a jacket Men should wear a suit or sport jacket and slacks Itrsquos a good idea to have an interview outfit ready and waiting (cleaned neat no threads or missing buttons) hanging in your closet Donrsquot wear anything too trendy or faddish (ladies no miniskirts) Check all zippers for closure and ladies should always have an extra pair of hose for emergencies Your style of dress communicates too what do you want it to say (See page 38)
Arrival Arrive a few minutes early to check out the location and parking Stop by the restroom and check your appearance Again you may want to check out the location the day before if you are unsure of the area
What to bring Always have an extra copy of your reacutesumeacute note paper and pen You will want to jot down questions as they may come about as well as information about the position Also write down the names of each person you interview with so you can mail a thank-you note
Application
Office of Career Services at IU Kokomo
34 |Kelley Student Center 200 2300 S Washington St PO Box 9003 Kokomo IN 46904-9003 (765)455-9301 fax (765)455-9537 carserviukedu wwwiukeducareer-
services
Read through the entire application before you begin Follow the directions Give specific titles You may leave the salary question blank or fill it in with a reasonable salary range Use NA where answers are not applicable Proofread the application before returning it
Legal and Illegal Pre-employment Questions CATEGORY LAWFUL
(Questions employers can ask)
UNLAWFUL (Questions employers cannot ask)
Name Have you ever worked for this company under a different name
Is any additional information relative to change of name use of an assumed name or nickname necessary to enable a check
on your work record If yes explain
What is your maiden name
Is the name on your application your real name
Address Where do you live
How long have you lived there
Birthplace Where were you born Where were your relatives born
Agebirth date Are you 18 years of age or older How old are you What is your birth date
Prove your age by submitting your birth certificate baptismal record
naturalization papers etc (see citizenship)
Photograph Requirement or option that applicant affix a photograph to employment form at
any time before hiring Citizenship Are you a citizen of the United States
If not are you authorized to work in the US
Can you verify US citizenship or your
right to work in the United States
Of what country are you a citizen Are you a naturalized or a native-born
citizen When did you acquire citizenship
Please produce naturalization papers or green card
(employers must verify citizenship or the right to work after theyrsquove decided to
extend an offer) Sex or Marital Status Are you male or female
Are you married What are your living arrangements
Relatives Do you have relatives (other than a spouse) already employed by the
company
What are their names
What are the names (addresses ages number or other information) of your
relatives not employed by the company
Children
Do you have children or plans to have children in the future
Do you have the capacity to reproduce Do you advocate any form of birth control
or family planning What are your child care arrangements
How old are your children
CATEGORY LAWFUL UNLAWFUL (Questions employers can ask) (Questions employers cannot ask)
Disability Do you have any impairment
(physical mental or medical) which would interfere with your ability to perform the job for which you have
applied
Do you have any disabilities or diseases not related to job
performance
Arrest record Have you ever been convicted of a criminal offense other than minor
traffic violations If yes explain fully
Have you ever been arrested
Experienced Please describe your work experience
Travel Overtime This position requires X amount of overtimetravel Would you be able
to meet this requirement
Who will care for your children when you travel or work overtime
Would your spouse object if you
traveled or worked overtime Language What languages do you speak and
write fluently What is your native language
How did you learn to read write or
speak a foreign language Education Please describe your academic
vocational or professional education and the public and private schools you attended
What are the dates of attendance
(To permit verification)
Notice in case of emergency What are the names and addresses of people to be notified in case of
accident or emergency (can be asked after hire)
Military experience Have you served in the US Armed Forces or in the National Guard
Describe your experience
Do you have any military experience
(other than in the United States) Organizations Do you belong to any organizations
which you consider relevant to your ability to perform this job Please
explain
Are you a member of any clubs societies or lodges
Which ones
Race or color What racecolor are you Are you a minority
Religion or creed What is your religion To which parishchurch do you
belong What religious holidays do you
observe National Origin What is your (or relatives) lineage
ancestry national origin descent percentage or nationality
Office of Career Services at IU Kokomo
36 |Kelley Student Center 200 2300 S Washington St PO Box 9003 Kokomo IN 46904-9003 (765)455-9301 fax (765)455-9537 carserviukedu wwwiukeducareer-
services
After the interview After you have interviewed for a position there are some things to do that may improve your chances
Send a Follow-up thank you note within 24 hours
This shows that you are serious about their organization and will set you apart from many who neglect to do so By taking the
time to email or write a handwritten letter thanking them for taking their time to meet with you Summarize specific qualities
you have and let them know you look forward in speaking with them further about employment
Sample Thank you
Dear Intervieweersquos Name Thank you for taking the time to talk with me on Thursday November 9 at the interview for list specifics of position and company) I appreciate your time and attention and after talking with you I am even more interested in becoming a valuable team member at companyrsquos name You were extremely helpful in explaining list position Now that I have a better idea of what the position entails I am even more certain that I would be an asset to your team and to companyrsquos name My solid education from the IU Kokomo Communication Department and the fact that I have worked my way through college show the work ethic and determination you said were important to be successful at companyrsquos name I look forward to an opportunity to work with companyrsquos name office and speak to you further about the program I will contact you next week to follow up and provide you with any further information that you may need Thank you again for your time and consideration Sincerely
Your name
The Stall Letter
There may be situations that you will need time to figure out whether a job is a good fit or have more than one position to accept or decline The stall letter is a good tool to have in this case In the introduction refer to the job offer or event that is prompting the letter In the second paragraph state your continued interest in the position but request more time to gather further information or to consider all alternatives and opportunities in order to make the best choice for the position and the company as well as yourself Give a specific time extension request If you need 24 hours for example ask for that Ask for the minimal amount of time in order to make your decision Remember this is a request and does not guarantee that the employer will accept it and be prepared for the possibility that they will not grant the time and choose another candidate In the conclusion thank them for their time and understanding and indicate when you will contact them to discuss the terms of the possible extension
Sample Stall Letter
Dear name of person that offered the position This letter is in reference to list company name and your offer of list the position I would like to take this opportunity to thank you for the opportunity and express my continued interest in the position At this time I would like to request __hours to gather some vital information in order to be completely confidant that I am making the best and most informed decision possible I want to ensure for all parties involved that I have considered all options and alternatives to be certain that my acceptance of this list position is the correct course of action for us both I appreciate your understanding and valuable time and look forward to speaking with you at your earliest convenience today so that we may discuss the terms of my request Sincerely Your Name
Office of Career Services at IU Kokomo
37 |Kelley Student Center 200 2300 S Washington St PO Box 9003 Kokomo IN 46904-9003 (765)455-9301 fax (765)455-9537 carserviukedu wwwiukeducareer-
services
Acceptance of a Job Offer Letter
Responding in writing to a job offer shows courtesy and is expected It reduces the chance of any misunderstanding that verbal acceptances do not In the first paragraph thank the employer for offering the specific position title and say that you are happy to accept it In the second paragraph state the terms of employment (salary location and start date) Emphasize any negotiations of terms that were unusual or non-standard if there were any In the last paragraph thank the employer sincerely for the opportunity and express your excitement to join their organization and be a valuable asset to them
Sample Job Offer Acceptance Letter
Dear person who offered position
I am happy to have the opportunity to accept the position of list title
The following terms of the position as I understood them include a salary of list salaryrate of pay at List location and to begin employment on list date As we discussed instead of the typical work week we agreed to the addition of evening and weekend hours during the probationary period with a return to usual business hours after 90 days We also agreed to a company vehicle provision for any off site training and appointments during the course of my employment
I truly look forward to becoming a valued member of your team and I am anticipating a productive and positive professional relationship with list company
Sincerely Your Name
Decline or Withdrawing from Consideration Letter
There may be times that you wish to decline or remove yourself from consideration from a position Doing this on a positive
and respectful note decreases the chance that future opportunities will be missed either as a future employee or possible
professional contact with the firm Thank the employer for the opportunity but decline it based on your reasons Be sure to
specifically name the person that was in charge of the hiring process If the decline is due to a term that was offered be
specific the firm could always choose to negotiate that term to better suit your situation
Date
Dear List person
Thank you very much for offering me the list position After careful consideration I regret that I must decline your offer
Although you were most encouraging in outlining future advancement possibilities within ABC Company I have accepted another
opportunity that is more in line with my skills and career goals or I found list the term to be out of line with my needs and
goals
I enjoyed meeting you and the rest of your team You have been most kind and gracious throughout the interview process and I
only wish that circumstances allowed me to accept your offer
Best wishes for your continued success
Sincerely
Your Name
Office of Career Services at IU Kokomo
38 |Kelley Student Center 200 2300 S Washington St PO Box 9003 Kokomo IN 46904-9003 (765)455-9301 fax (765)455-9537 carserviukedu wwwiukeducareer-
services
____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
This packet contains a lot of valuable information to help you achieve all the goals that an education from IU Kokomo
will prepare you for Use this as a guide for every step of the way from your freshman year graduation and beyond
Office of Career Services at IU Kokomo
34 |Kelley Student Center 200 2300 S Washington St PO Box 9003 Kokomo IN 46904-9003 (765)455-9301 fax (765)455-9537 carserviukedu wwwiukeducareer-
services
Read through the entire application before you begin Follow the directions Give specific titles You may leave the salary question blank or fill it in with a reasonable salary range Use NA where answers are not applicable Proofread the application before returning it
Legal and Illegal Pre-employment Questions CATEGORY LAWFUL
(Questions employers can ask)
UNLAWFUL (Questions employers cannot ask)
Name Have you ever worked for this company under a different name
Is any additional information relative to change of name use of an assumed name or nickname necessary to enable a check
on your work record If yes explain
What is your maiden name
Is the name on your application your real name
Address Where do you live
How long have you lived there
Birthplace Where were you born Where were your relatives born
Agebirth date Are you 18 years of age or older How old are you What is your birth date
Prove your age by submitting your birth certificate baptismal record
naturalization papers etc (see citizenship)
Photograph Requirement or option that applicant affix a photograph to employment form at
any time before hiring Citizenship Are you a citizen of the United States
If not are you authorized to work in the US
Can you verify US citizenship or your
right to work in the United States
Of what country are you a citizen Are you a naturalized or a native-born
citizen When did you acquire citizenship
Please produce naturalization papers or green card
(employers must verify citizenship or the right to work after theyrsquove decided to
extend an offer) Sex or Marital Status Are you male or female
Are you married What are your living arrangements
Relatives Do you have relatives (other than a spouse) already employed by the
company
What are their names
What are the names (addresses ages number or other information) of your
relatives not employed by the company
Children
Do you have children or plans to have children in the future
Do you have the capacity to reproduce Do you advocate any form of birth control
or family planning What are your child care arrangements
How old are your children
CATEGORY LAWFUL UNLAWFUL (Questions employers can ask) (Questions employers cannot ask)
Disability Do you have any impairment
(physical mental or medical) which would interfere with your ability to perform the job for which you have
applied
Do you have any disabilities or diseases not related to job
performance
Arrest record Have you ever been convicted of a criminal offense other than minor
traffic violations If yes explain fully
Have you ever been arrested
Experienced Please describe your work experience
Travel Overtime This position requires X amount of overtimetravel Would you be able
to meet this requirement
Who will care for your children when you travel or work overtime
Would your spouse object if you
traveled or worked overtime Language What languages do you speak and
write fluently What is your native language
How did you learn to read write or
speak a foreign language Education Please describe your academic
vocational or professional education and the public and private schools you attended
What are the dates of attendance
(To permit verification)
Notice in case of emergency What are the names and addresses of people to be notified in case of
accident or emergency (can be asked after hire)
Military experience Have you served in the US Armed Forces or in the National Guard
Describe your experience
Do you have any military experience
(other than in the United States) Organizations Do you belong to any organizations
which you consider relevant to your ability to perform this job Please
explain
Are you a member of any clubs societies or lodges
Which ones
Race or color What racecolor are you Are you a minority
Religion or creed What is your religion To which parishchurch do you
belong What religious holidays do you
observe National Origin What is your (or relatives) lineage
ancestry national origin descent percentage or nationality
Office of Career Services at IU Kokomo
36 |Kelley Student Center 200 2300 S Washington St PO Box 9003 Kokomo IN 46904-9003 (765)455-9301 fax (765)455-9537 carserviukedu wwwiukeducareer-
services
After the interview After you have interviewed for a position there are some things to do that may improve your chances
Send a Follow-up thank you note within 24 hours
This shows that you are serious about their organization and will set you apart from many who neglect to do so By taking the
time to email or write a handwritten letter thanking them for taking their time to meet with you Summarize specific qualities
you have and let them know you look forward in speaking with them further about employment
Sample Thank you
Dear Intervieweersquos Name Thank you for taking the time to talk with me on Thursday November 9 at the interview for list specifics of position and company) I appreciate your time and attention and after talking with you I am even more interested in becoming a valuable team member at companyrsquos name You were extremely helpful in explaining list position Now that I have a better idea of what the position entails I am even more certain that I would be an asset to your team and to companyrsquos name My solid education from the IU Kokomo Communication Department and the fact that I have worked my way through college show the work ethic and determination you said were important to be successful at companyrsquos name I look forward to an opportunity to work with companyrsquos name office and speak to you further about the program I will contact you next week to follow up and provide you with any further information that you may need Thank you again for your time and consideration Sincerely
Your name
The Stall Letter
There may be situations that you will need time to figure out whether a job is a good fit or have more than one position to accept or decline The stall letter is a good tool to have in this case In the introduction refer to the job offer or event that is prompting the letter In the second paragraph state your continued interest in the position but request more time to gather further information or to consider all alternatives and opportunities in order to make the best choice for the position and the company as well as yourself Give a specific time extension request If you need 24 hours for example ask for that Ask for the minimal amount of time in order to make your decision Remember this is a request and does not guarantee that the employer will accept it and be prepared for the possibility that they will not grant the time and choose another candidate In the conclusion thank them for their time and understanding and indicate when you will contact them to discuss the terms of the possible extension
Sample Stall Letter
Dear name of person that offered the position This letter is in reference to list company name and your offer of list the position I would like to take this opportunity to thank you for the opportunity and express my continued interest in the position At this time I would like to request __hours to gather some vital information in order to be completely confidant that I am making the best and most informed decision possible I want to ensure for all parties involved that I have considered all options and alternatives to be certain that my acceptance of this list position is the correct course of action for us both I appreciate your understanding and valuable time and look forward to speaking with you at your earliest convenience today so that we may discuss the terms of my request Sincerely Your Name
Office of Career Services at IU Kokomo
37 |Kelley Student Center 200 2300 S Washington St PO Box 9003 Kokomo IN 46904-9003 (765)455-9301 fax (765)455-9537 carserviukedu wwwiukeducareer-
services
Acceptance of a Job Offer Letter
Responding in writing to a job offer shows courtesy and is expected It reduces the chance of any misunderstanding that verbal acceptances do not In the first paragraph thank the employer for offering the specific position title and say that you are happy to accept it In the second paragraph state the terms of employment (salary location and start date) Emphasize any negotiations of terms that were unusual or non-standard if there were any In the last paragraph thank the employer sincerely for the opportunity and express your excitement to join their organization and be a valuable asset to them
Sample Job Offer Acceptance Letter
Dear person who offered position
I am happy to have the opportunity to accept the position of list title
The following terms of the position as I understood them include a salary of list salaryrate of pay at List location and to begin employment on list date As we discussed instead of the typical work week we agreed to the addition of evening and weekend hours during the probationary period with a return to usual business hours after 90 days We also agreed to a company vehicle provision for any off site training and appointments during the course of my employment
I truly look forward to becoming a valued member of your team and I am anticipating a productive and positive professional relationship with list company
Sincerely Your Name
Decline or Withdrawing from Consideration Letter
There may be times that you wish to decline or remove yourself from consideration from a position Doing this on a positive
and respectful note decreases the chance that future opportunities will be missed either as a future employee or possible
professional contact with the firm Thank the employer for the opportunity but decline it based on your reasons Be sure to
specifically name the person that was in charge of the hiring process If the decline is due to a term that was offered be
specific the firm could always choose to negotiate that term to better suit your situation
Date
Dear List person
Thank you very much for offering me the list position After careful consideration I regret that I must decline your offer
Although you were most encouraging in outlining future advancement possibilities within ABC Company I have accepted another
opportunity that is more in line with my skills and career goals or I found list the term to be out of line with my needs and
goals
I enjoyed meeting you and the rest of your team You have been most kind and gracious throughout the interview process and I
only wish that circumstances allowed me to accept your offer
Best wishes for your continued success
Sincerely
Your Name
Office of Career Services at IU Kokomo
38 |Kelley Student Center 200 2300 S Washington St PO Box 9003 Kokomo IN 46904-9003 (765)455-9301 fax (765)455-9537 carserviukedu wwwiukeducareer-
services
____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
This packet contains a lot of valuable information to help you achieve all the goals that an education from IU Kokomo
will prepare you for Use this as a guide for every step of the way from your freshman year graduation and beyond
CATEGORY LAWFUL UNLAWFUL (Questions employers can ask) (Questions employers cannot ask)
Disability Do you have any impairment
(physical mental or medical) which would interfere with your ability to perform the job for which you have
applied
Do you have any disabilities or diseases not related to job
performance
Arrest record Have you ever been convicted of a criminal offense other than minor
traffic violations If yes explain fully
Have you ever been arrested
Experienced Please describe your work experience
Travel Overtime This position requires X amount of overtimetravel Would you be able
to meet this requirement
Who will care for your children when you travel or work overtime
Would your spouse object if you
traveled or worked overtime Language What languages do you speak and
write fluently What is your native language
How did you learn to read write or
speak a foreign language Education Please describe your academic
vocational or professional education and the public and private schools you attended
What are the dates of attendance
(To permit verification)
Notice in case of emergency What are the names and addresses of people to be notified in case of
accident or emergency (can be asked after hire)
Military experience Have you served in the US Armed Forces or in the National Guard
Describe your experience
Do you have any military experience
(other than in the United States) Organizations Do you belong to any organizations
which you consider relevant to your ability to perform this job Please
explain
Are you a member of any clubs societies or lodges
Which ones
Race or color What racecolor are you Are you a minority
Religion or creed What is your religion To which parishchurch do you
belong What religious holidays do you
observe National Origin What is your (or relatives) lineage
ancestry national origin descent percentage or nationality
Office of Career Services at IU Kokomo
36 |Kelley Student Center 200 2300 S Washington St PO Box 9003 Kokomo IN 46904-9003 (765)455-9301 fax (765)455-9537 carserviukedu wwwiukeducareer-
services
After the interview After you have interviewed for a position there are some things to do that may improve your chances
Send a Follow-up thank you note within 24 hours
This shows that you are serious about their organization and will set you apart from many who neglect to do so By taking the
time to email or write a handwritten letter thanking them for taking their time to meet with you Summarize specific qualities
you have and let them know you look forward in speaking with them further about employment
Sample Thank you
Dear Intervieweersquos Name Thank you for taking the time to talk with me on Thursday November 9 at the interview for list specifics of position and company) I appreciate your time and attention and after talking with you I am even more interested in becoming a valuable team member at companyrsquos name You were extremely helpful in explaining list position Now that I have a better idea of what the position entails I am even more certain that I would be an asset to your team and to companyrsquos name My solid education from the IU Kokomo Communication Department and the fact that I have worked my way through college show the work ethic and determination you said were important to be successful at companyrsquos name I look forward to an opportunity to work with companyrsquos name office and speak to you further about the program I will contact you next week to follow up and provide you with any further information that you may need Thank you again for your time and consideration Sincerely
Your name
The Stall Letter
There may be situations that you will need time to figure out whether a job is a good fit or have more than one position to accept or decline The stall letter is a good tool to have in this case In the introduction refer to the job offer or event that is prompting the letter In the second paragraph state your continued interest in the position but request more time to gather further information or to consider all alternatives and opportunities in order to make the best choice for the position and the company as well as yourself Give a specific time extension request If you need 24 hours for example ask for that Ask for the minimal amount of time in order to make your decision Remember this is a request and does not guarantee that the employer will accept it and be prepared for the possibility that they will not grant the time and choose another candidate In the conclusion thank them for their time and understanding and indicate when you will contact them to discuss the terms of the possible extension
Sample Stall Letter
Dear name of person that offered the position This letter is in reference to list company name and your offer of list the position I would like to take this opportunity to thank you for the opportunity and express my continued interest in the position At this time I would like to request __hours to gather some vital information in order to be completely confidant that I am making the best and most informed decision possible I want to ensure for all parties involved that I have considered all options and alternatives to be certain that my acceptance of this list position is the correct course of action for us both I appreciate your understanding and valuable time and look forward to speaking with you at your earliest convenience today so that we may discuss the terms of my request Sincerely Your Name
Office of Career Services at IU Kokomo
37 |Kelley Student Center 200 2300 S Washington St PO Box 9003 Kokomo IN 46904-9003 (765)455-9301 fax (765)455-9537 carserviukedu wwwiukeducareer-
services
Acceptance of a Job Offer Letter
Responding in writing to a job offer shows courtesy and is expected It reduces the chance of any misunderstanding that verbal acceptances do not In the first paragraph thank the employer for offering the specific position title and say that you are happy to accept it In the second paragraph state the terms of employment (salary location and start date) Emphasize any negotiations of terms that were unusual or non-standard if there were any In the last paragraph thank the employer sincerely for the opportunity and express your excitement to join their organization and be a valuable asset to them
Sample Job Offer Acceptance Letter
Dear person who offered position
I am happy to have the opportunity to accept the position of list title
The following terms of the position as I understood them include a salary of list salaryrate of pay at List location and to begin employment on list date As we discussed instead of the typical work week we agreed to the addition of evening and weekend hours during the probationary period with a return to usual business hours after 90 days We also agreed to a company vehicle provision for any off site training and appointments during the course of my employment
I truly look forward to becoming a valued member of your team and I am anticipating a productive and positive professional relationship with list company
Sincerely Your Name
Decline or Withdrawing from Consideration Letter
There may be times that you wish to decline or remove yourself from consideration from a position Doing this on a positive
and respectful note decreases the chance that future opportunities will be missed either as a future employee or possible
professional contact with the firm Thank the employer for the opportunity but decline it based on your reasons Be sure to
specifically name the person that was in charge of the hiring process If the decline is due to a term that was offered be
specific the firm could always choose to negotiate that term to better suit your situation
Date
Dear List person
Thank you very much for offering me the list position After careful consideration I regret that I must decline your offer
Although you were most encouraging in outlining future advancement possibilities within ABC Company I have accepted another
opportunity that is more in line with my skills and career goals or I found list the term to be out of line with my needs and
goals
I enjoyed meeting you and the rest of your team You have been most kind and gracious throughout the interview process and I
only wish that circumstances allowed me to accept your offer
Best wishes for your continued success
Sincerely
Your Name
Office of Career Services at IU Kokomo
38 |Kelley Student Center 200 2300 S Washington St PO Box 9003 Kokomo IN 46904-9003 (765)455-9301 fax (765)455-9537 carserviukedu wwwiukeducareer-
services
____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
This packet contains a lot of valuable information to help you achieve all the goals that an education from IU Kokomo
will prepare you for Use this as a guide for every step of the way from your freshman year graduation and beyond
Office of Career Services at IU Kokomo
36 |Kelley Student Center 200 2300 S Washington St PO Box 9003 Kokomo IN 46904-9003 (765)455-9301 fax (765)455-9537 carserviukedu wwwiukeducareer-
services
After the interview After you have interviewed for a position there are some things to do that may improve your chances
Send a Follow-up thank you note within 24 hours
This shows that you are serious about their organization and will set you apart from many who neglect to do so By taking the
time to email or write a handwritten letter thanking them for taking their time to meet with you Summarize specific qualities
you have and let them know you look forward in speaking with them further about employment
Sample Thank you
Dear Intervieweersquos Name Thank you for taking the time to talk with me on Thursday November 9 at the interview for list specifics of position and company) I appreciate your time and attention and after talking with you I am even more interested in becoming a valuable team member at companyrsquos name You were extremely helpful in explaining list position Now that I have a better idea of what the position entails I am even more certain that I would be an asset to your team and to companyrsquos name My solid education from the IU Kokomo Communication Department and the fact that I have worked my way through college show the work ethic and determination you said were important to be successful at companyrsquos name I look forward to an opportunity to work with companyrsquos name office and speak to you further about the program I will contact you next week to follow up and provide you with any further information that you may need Thank you again for your time and consideration Sincerely
Your name
The Stall Letter
There may be situations that you will need time to figure out whether a job is a good fit or have more than one position to accept or decline The stall letter is a good tool to have in this case In the introduction refer to the job offer or event that is prompting the letter In the second paragraph state your continued interest in the position but request more time to gather further information or to consider all alternatives and opportunities in order to make the best choice for the position and the company as well as yourself Give a specific time extension request If you need 24 hours for example ask for that Ask for the minimal amount of time in order to make your decision Remember this is a request and does not guarantee that the employer will accept it and be prepared for the possibility that they will not grant the time and choose another candidate In the conclusion thank them for their time and understanding and indicate when you will contact them to discuss the terms of the possible extension
Sample Stall Letter
Dear name of person that offered the position This letter is in reference to list company name and your offer of list the position I would like to take this opportunity to thank you for the opportunity and express my continued interest in the position At this time I would like to request __hours to gather some vital information in order to be completely confidant that I am making the best and most informed decision possible I want to ensure for all parties involved that I have considered all options and alternatives to be certain that my acceptance of this list position is the correct course of action for us both I appreciate your understanding and valuable time and look forward to speaking with you at your earliest convenience today so that we may discuss the terms of my request Sincerely Your Name
Office of Career Services at IU Kokomo
37 |Kelley Student Center 200 2300 S Washington St PO Box 9003 Kokomo IN 46904-9003 (765)455-9301 fax (765)455-9537 carserviukedu wwwiukeducareer-
services
Acceptance of a Job Offer Letter
Responding in writing to a job offer shows courtesy and is expected It reduces the chance of any misunderstanding that verbal acceptances do not In the first paragraph thank the employer for offering the specific position title and say that you are happy to accept it In the second paragraph state the terms of employment (salary location and start date) Emphasize any negotiations of terms that were unusual or non-standard if there were any In the last paragraph thank the employer sincerely for the opportunity and express your excitement to join their organization and be a valuable asset to them
Sample Job Offer Acceptance Letter
Dear person who offered position
I am happy to have the opportunity to accept the position of list title
The following terms of the position as I understood them include a salary of list salaryrate of pay at List location and to begin employment on list date As we discussed instead of the typical work week we agreed to the addition of evening and weekend hours during the probationary period with a return to usual business hours after 90 days We also agreed to a company vehicle provision for any off site training and appointments during the course of my employment
I truly look forward to becoming a valued member of your team and I am anticipating a productive and positive professional relationship with list company
Sincerely Your Name
Decline or Withdrawing from Consideration Letter
There may be times that you wish to decline or remove yourself from consideration from a position Doing this on a positive
and respectful note decreases the chance that future opportunities will be missed either as a future employee or possible
professional contact with the firm Thank the employer for the opportunity but decline it based on your reasons Be sure to
specifically name the person that was in charge of the hiring process If the decline is due to a term that was offered be
specific the firm could always choose to negotiate that term to better suit your situation
Date
Dear List person
Thank you very much for offering me the list position After careful consideration I regret that I must decline your offer
Although you were most encouraging in outlining future advancement possibilities within ABC Company I have accepted another
opportunity that is more in line with my skills and career goals or I found list the term to be out of line with my needs and
goals
I enjoyed meeting you and the rest of your team You have been most kind and gracious throughout the interview process and I
only wish that circumstances allowed me to accept your offer
Best wishes for your continued success
Sincerely
Your Name
Office of Career Services at IU Kokomo
38 |Kelley Student Center 200 2300 S Washington St PO Box 9003 Kokomo IN 46904-9003 (765)455-9301 fax (765)455-9537 carserviukedu wwwiukeducareer-
services
____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
This packet contains a lot of valuable information to help you achieve all the goals that an education from IU Kokomo
will prepare you for Use this as a guide for every step of the way from your freshman year graduation and beyond
Office of Career Services at IU Kokomo
37 |Kelley Student Center 200 2300 S Washington St PO Box 9003 Kokomo IN 46904-9003 (765)455-9301 fax (765)455-9537 carserviukedu wwwiukeducareer-
services
Acceptance of a Job Offer Letter
Responding in writing to a job offer shows courtesy and is expected It reduces the chance of any misunderstanding that verbal acceptances do not In the first paragraph thank the employer for offering the specific position title and say that you are happy to accept it In the second paragraph state the terms of employment (salary location and start date) Emphasize any negotiations of terms that were unusual or non-standard if there were any In the last paragraph thank the employer sincerely for the opportunity and express your excitement to join their organization and be a valuable asset to them
Sample Job Offer Acceptance Letter
Dear person who offered position
I am happy to have the opportunity to accept the position of list title
The following terms of the position as I understood them include a salary of list salaryrate of pay at List location and to begin employment on list date As we discussed instead of the typical work week we agreed to the addition of evening and weekend hours during the probationary period with a return to usual business hours after 90 days We also agreed to a company vehicle provision for any off site training and appointments during the course of my employment
I truly look forward to becoming a valued member of your team and I am anticipating a productive and positive professional relationship with list company
Sincerely Your Name
Decline or Withdrawing from Consideration Letter
There may be times that you wish to decline or remove yourself from consideration from a position Doing this on a positive
and respectful note decreases the chance that future opportunities will be missed either as a future employee or possible
professional contact with the firm Thank the employer for the opportunity but decline it based on your reasons Be sure to
specifically name the person that was in charge of the hiring process If the decline is due to a term that was offered be
specific the firm could always choose to negotiate that term to better suit your situation
Date
Dear List person
Thank you very much for offering me the list position After careful consideration I regret that I must decline your offer
Although you were most encouraging in outlining future advancement possibilities within ABC Company I have accepted another
opportunity that is more in line with my skills and career goals or I found list the term to be out of line with my needs and
goals
I enjoyed meeting you and the rest of your team You have been most kind and gracious throughout the interview process and I
only wish that circumstances allowed me to accept your offer
Best wishes for your continued success
Sincerely
Your Name
Office of Career Services at IU Kokomo
38 |Kelley Student Center 200 2300 S Washington St PO Box 9003 Kokomo IN 46904-9003 (765)455-9301 fax (765)455-9537 carserviukedu wwwiukeducareer-
services
____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
This packet contains a lot of valuable information to help you achieve all the goals that an education from IU Kokomo
will prepare you for Use this as a guide for every step of the way from your freshman year graduation and beyond
Office of Career Services at IU Kokomo
38 |Kelley Student Center 200 2300 S Washington St PO Box 9003 Kokomo IN 46904-9003 (765)455-9301 fax (765)455-9537 carserviukedu wwwiukeducareer-
services
____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
This packet contains a lot of valuable information to help you achieve all the goals that an education from IU Kokomo
will prepare you for Use this as a guide for every step of the way from your freshman year graduation and beyond