Skip to main content
Search
Southern Illinois University Edwardsville Logo
Apply to SIUE
Career Development Center employee working with a student.

Career Development Center Sub MenuDismiss

  About Us Students Employers Co-ops/Internships Faculty & Staff Alumni

Students

Career Development Center Students

Virtual Career Center

Job-Search Preparation

We are here to help you develop all the tools you will need when seeking employment. If you are just getting started, we can help you develop your resume and cover letter, prepare a portfolio and write a CV. The qualified and trained employees in the CDC can give you insightful feedback to ensure that you are presented in the most professional way possible.

Contact us to schedule an appointment

 

Handouts 

Resumes

A resumé’s purpose is to get you an interview. It is a personal, written communication that indicates your skills and abilities. Employers often scan resumés very quickly, giving only 6 to 15 seconds to each. Therefore, you want the content and organization to be dynamic enough so that the employer will give your resumé a longer look.

There is no one right way to construct your resumé. Every person who looks at your resumé will probably have some suggestions for changes. It is important for you to use these guidelines, but to tailor them to suit your needs and objective. Remember that your resumé is always a work in progress. As you gain new skills and experiences, you will want to add them to your resumé.

Length and Style
  • One-page resumés are best, but a two-page resumé may be desirable if you have extensive experience.
  • When writing your resumé:
Formats
  • The chronological resumé is the most common style. It is used by job seekers who have consistent employment, and/or a progressive history within a particular field. Chronological resumés list past jobs in reverse chronological order.
  • The functional resumé is a skill-based resumé and is primarily used for job seekers who have great transferable skills but little direct experience in the area in which they are targeting their search. Functional resumés are great for career-changers, those with gaps in their work experience, or who lack direct experience in a particular field. With this resume, all forms of transferable experience are listed.
  • The combination resumé maximizes the benefits of both the functional and the chronological resumé. A combined resumé contains a heading for skills and accomplishments, followed by a reverse chronology of work experience. It is important for the candidate to choose the resumé format that best suits his or her needs.
  • Scanned resumés are preferred when employers put resumé in a computer database and search for candidates based on key words. If you sure the resumé will be scanned, any of the above three formats may be used. However, all italics, boldface or lines should be deleted.
  • Keywords can be added to any resumé that will be electronically scanned. Keywords are labels that can be used to describe you. They can encompass technical skills, degrees you hold, job titles, personal traits and other buzzwords. One technique that can be used is to place at the bottom of your resumé a box filled with applicable keywords that might not appear in the body.
  • An example for a human resources professional:
  • Talents: team leader, people and communication skills, hardware needs evaluation, database management, client orientation, word-processing, arbitration, union negotiation, downsizing.
Education
  • This section includes degrees, majors, minors, graduation dates, name of school, city and state of school, certificates, awards and academic honors. University and college experience should be listed in reverse chronological order (don’t include high school education on your resumé). Relevant course work may be added following each university or college. Resumé for accounting majors should include your GPA. For all other resumés, include your GPA if it is high and you are proud of it.
Experience
  • For each position, briefly state job title, dates, organization name and location. Skills and responsibilities should be described using action verbs in the past tense. Whenever possible, use concrete results and data to maximize your accomplishments. List each position in reverse chronological order. Functional resumés can include all transferable experience gained through volunteer and school experience.
Additional Headings
  • You may want to add specific headings such as “honors,” “professional affiliations,” “certifications,” “extracurricular activities,” etc. Never include remarks about your physical appearance, hobbies or other personal data. Only list items that are pertinent to your objective.

View Sample Resumés

Videos

Handouts

Cover Letters

When submitting a resumé, it is important to include an explanation for doing so. The traditional way to do this is to provide a cover letter along with the resumé. The cover letter explains to the reader your situation and what action you are requesting. It is designed as an introduction to your resumé.

Writing Your Cover Letter

While the same resumé may be sent to many different companies, the cover letter must be targeted to each job opening. Studies show that your cover letter will get eight seconds of the reader’s time, so it must be brief, yet informative.

Length and Style

  • Cover letters should be limited to one page of three to four paragraphs in length. Block style is popular for business letters — all information is typed flush to the left margin. It should be printed on the same high-quality bond paper as your resumé.

Salary Inquiries

  • When an employment posting asks applicants to include salary requirements or salary history, you may address this in the cover letter with a comment such as, “An acceptable salary range for me would be $25,000 to $30,000 and I would be willing to discuss my salary requirements with you further upon learning more about the specific responsibilities for this position.” If posting doesn’t ask for salary history, don’t mention salary until an offer is on the table.

Opening Paragraph

  • The opening paragraph should state why you are writing and why you are interested in the organization. If you are writing about a job opening, you should name the specific position for which you are applying and explain how you learned about the position. In addition, tell the employer how you became aware of the vacancy.
  • If you were referred to the employer, this is the best place to mention the referrer’s name and to point out that he or she suggested you write. A letter of inquiry should provide evidence of your career direction by mentioning desired job functions if you are not sure of a specific job title.

Middle Paragraph

  • Explain why you are interested in working for this employer and the specific motivation for desiring this type of work. If you have relevant work experience or related education, be sure to point this out. Emphasize skills or abilities you have that relate to the job for which you are applying. If you have qualifications that are not on your resumé, this is your opportunity to discuss them.

Closing Paragraph

  • The closing paragraph states what you will do next (such as calling to arrange an interview at the employer’s convenience) or what you would like the recipient of the letter to do next. An appropriate closing can pave the way for an interview.

View Sample Cover Letter

Video 

Handouts 

Curriculum Vitae (CV)

The curriculum vitae (also referred to as CV or vita), is a comprehensive review of your academic work. A CV may include:

  • Research and creative activities
  • Articles published in scholarly journals
  • Teaching experience

CVs are often submitted by graduate students and faculty when applying for teaching and research positions. It is important to note that nuances of the CV vary from field to field. When writing your CV, utilize your faculty and department chair as resources for feedback.

Typically, the CV includes the following sections:

  • Name and contact information
  • Education
  • Dissertation or thesis
  • Awards, honors, fellowships, scholarships
  • Experience
  • Publications, creative work
  • Academic presentations
  • Academic service
  • Professional affiliations
  • Special training
  • Languages
  • References

Handout 

Portfolios

A portfolio is a collection of work that displays your skills and abilities. While portfolios have traditionally been associated with work in the arts, many positions now require the submission of a portfolio. A portfolio can help you display the quality of your work and market your abilities.

A portfolio typically includes:

  • Your resumé, CV and other application materials
  • Licenses or certifications
  • Letters of reference
  • Evidence of specific skills
  • Work samples

Each field requires specific material to be included in a portfolio. Contact us to meet with a career counselor for more assistance.

Education Portfolios

Before you apply for teaching positions, should carefully prepare a portfolio representing:

  • The work completed during student teaching
  • Scholastic achievements
  • Testimonials of quality and integrity

Your portfolio should be designed and organized with future employment in mind. The emphasis should be on quality rather than quantity.

The following list represents common items included in a portfolio. However, which you choose to include are completely at your discretion. Also keep in mind that this list is not all-inclusive.

  • Table of contents
  • Brief statement of philosophy
  • Resumé
  • Cover Letter (for that specific position)
  • Letters of reference
  • Student teacher evaluations
  • Unofficial copy of transcripts
  • Sample unit plans developed during student teaching
  • Sample lesson plans developed during student teaching
  • Sample materials developed during student teaching
  • Samples of students’ work
  • Sample tests or evaluation instruments
  • Photographs of activities
  • Additional information as needed or desired

Handout 

Interviewing

First impressions are lasting impressions and there are no second chances. It pays to be prepared! Being prepared for your interview can be the difference that gets you the job.

Before your interview, you should:

  • Develop a sound resume with experience and skills that support your objective (don’t forget – we can help you!)
  • Research the potential employer and the job responsibilities for the position in advance
  • Have a copy of the complete job description for the specific job
  • Know how you can benefit the employer and the skills you have to offer
  • Prepare a 1-2 minute mini script about yourself including your educational background, experience and reason why you are interested in the position

Arriving for the Interview

  • Have directions in advance; if driving, ask where you are to park
  • Take a trial run ahead of time so you know exactly where you will be going and the time required to get to the interview setting.
  • Get there early (10-15 minutes); find a restroom and use a mirror to be sure you’re put together.
  • Take care of breath odor.
  • Notify the receptionist of your arrival.
  • Be sure you know how to pronounce the name of the person you’ll be interviewing with.
  • Observe the environment (corporate culture) and take note of newsletters, journals, and hangings in the waiting room.
  • Relax; take deep breaths.
  • Reframe your thoughts if you’re nervous; focus on “what would it be like to work here?”

Non-Verbals

  • Greet the interviewer with a firm handshake and smile.
  • Maintain straight body posture.
  • Make eye contact.
  • Talk loud enough but not too loudly.
  • Communicate with pride, honesty and confidence about your accomplishments and potential.
  • Be energetic and enthusiastic.

Be Mindful

  • Developing rapport – follow the lead for small talk.
  • Background information – keep them focused on your resumé.
  • Determining whether your skills are a good fit for the position and company.
  • Closing – you may ask questions.

During the Interview

  • Keep in mind that employers are interested in how you respond, i.e., in a logical and thoughtful manner.
  • Try not to hurry your responses; take time to formulate your thoughts. It’s OK for a few seconds of silence as you prepare your answer.
  • Pay special attention to questions for which you answer “no.” If you have to answer “no,m” then qualify it positively. For example, if you are asked if you can do something like sprout wings and fly to the moon and back within 24 hours, you might respond by saying “no, I do not remember reading that in the job description. However, I know that I can learn.” The point is not to leave a negative perception with the interviewer.
  • Pay attention to “illegal” questions that the interviewer may ask. If you perceive that the information is irrelevant to the responsibilities, you could ask how that information affects your employment with the company or your ability to perform the responsibilities of the position.

After the Interview

  • Follow up with a thank you within 24 hours.
  • Re-emphasize your strengths.
  • Send a thank you to everyone with whom you interviewed.

Videos 

Handouts

Networking

Have you ever heard that when it comes to finding a job, it's not what you know, but who you know? This cliché describes the important role that your network plays in a job search. In fact, when it comes to a successful job search, any career service professional will tell you that networking is the #1 method by which people learn about and/or land a job.

Building your network

When your goal is to increase the number of contacts that you have in your network, it's helpful to not view a new contact as simply someone that you want help from in learning about or getting a position. Effective networking is based on relationships that are cultivated so that a mutual exchange of information, advice, and support is given and received. You can network to decide on a career choice, to conduct a job search, for career management, or for business development.

Networking contacts can include:

  • Social Circles (friends, family, co-workers, etc.)
  • Education (professors, advisors, continuing education seminars, etc.)
  • Professional Groups (trade associations, formal networking groups, breakfast clubs)
  • Personal & Professional Services (physicians, attorneys, accountants, etc.)
  • Multimedia (newsgroups, web sites, personal e-mail address list, authors, etc.)

How to network:

  • Create a personal commercial about yourself:
  1. Who you are in terms of education, work situation, and roles.
  2. Highlight your skills, qualifications, and accomplishments.
  3. Explain why you are networking (job leads, information about a career, etc.)
  • Establish rapport:
  1. Speak clearly and enthusiastically.
  2. Don't speak too fast or too slowly.
  3. Try to remain poised and relaxed.
  4. Minimize distracting body language.
  5. Smile!

Where to Network:

  • Networking can include an informal chat, e-mail, a formal appointment, or over telephone:
  1. One-to-one meetings with networking contacts
  2. Conferences or conventions
  3. Training sessions or workshops
  4. Networking groups
  5. Social and Community settings
  • Using the Telephone and/or E-mail for Networking:
  1. Have a professional message on your voice mail.
  2. When leaving a message, speak your name and contact information clearly.
  3. Use an appropriate e-mail address (e.g., firstlastname@mail.com).
  4. Use proper grammar and verbiage in your e-mail.
Connect with a Mentor

A mentor is an invaluable resource whether you’re a student, a recent graduate or a seasoned pro. A mentor can give you advice based on experience, provide an unbiased perspective and help you expand your professional network.

SIUE students can connect with mentors through the Career Connections program.

View the Mentee Fact Sheet HERE.

If you would like to learn more about being connected with a mentor through the Mentor Program, please contact our office at 618-650-3708 to schedule an appointment.


Video 

Handouts 

Career Fairs/Employer Interviews/Events

Videos 

Handouts 

Other

Videos 


Handouts


 

© 2024  SIUE, Edwardsville, IL 62026 Contact SIUE Privacy Notice | Consumer Disclosures & Complaints Equal Opportunity Employer Employment Emergency Notification (e-Lert)

Southern Illinois University Edwardsville is authorized to operate as a postsecondary educational institution by the  Illinois Board of Higher Education.