1. TITLE
TBD
Economics Career
Development Office
www.econ.wisc.edu/ecdo
7329 Social Science
265.2888
banelson2@wisc.edu
Connect with us!

2. QUESTIONS TO ASK
YOURSELF
Define Career Goals
• What skills do I enjoy
using?
• How have supervisors or • Assess your skills
colleagues praised me?
• When have I been
happiest in a position?
• Determine how your skills and experiences
• What types of duties do I relate to a position
find most enjoyable?
Least enjoyable?
• Research companies and industries
HOW TO RESEARCH • Network with professionals to learn more about
their career path and about the realities of a
• Company web sites and
career page
specific position
• Business
journals/newspapers
• Network with current and
former employees of
company
• Review materials
gathered from career
fairs and employer
information sessions

3. Register for BuckyNet REMINDERS
Each August you are
required to update your
• UW-Madison online recruiting system BuckyNet account or else it
will be blocked!
• Companies that target UW-Madison students What to update:
• Address
• Job Status (ex: seeking
• Many employers only hire through this FT or Internship)
recruiting process • Year or Class Level
• Resume
• Details on Employer Information Sessions NOT REGISTERED FOR
BUCKYNET?
• List of employers attending Career Fair
Attend a Job Search 101
Session! More information
• Many companies recruit in early fall! can be found on the ECDO
Events page:
www.econ.wisc.edu/ecdo

4. RESUME TIPS
Have at least two people
Update Resume
proofread.
• Attend a Resume Workshop
Don’t rely on spell check!
Don’t use the phrase • Tailor resume to position/industry
“Responsibilities include” or
“Duties include.” It’s a waste
of words! • Use action verbs
Add quantitative information. • Include relevant information from:
If you managed people, how
many? Did you raise funds? • Internships
If so, how much? Was it a • Part time positions
xx% increase? • Volunteering
Don’t start with the verb
• Student organizations and other campus
“work.” Use a stronger, more involvement
descriptive verb. • Class projects
Think about the impact or
results of what you did. Did • Transferrable skills are important!
you improve a process?
Surpass a goal? Save the
• Don’t underestimate yourself and the work you do
company time/money/etc.?
Show the employer that you
make things happen! • Keep the format simple
• Sample resumes

5. COMPANIES USING
Manage Your Online Reputation SOCIAL MEDIA FOR
RECRUITING
• Employers will Google you In 2011, 89% of companies
were expected to use social
networks for recruiting
• Facebook candidates, according to
• Set profile to private CareerEnlightenment.com. Of
all companies surveyed,
• Untag photos of yourself • 45% currently use Twitter
• “Like” company pages – many post important • 56% currently use
Facebook
information about their hiring process • 80% currently use
LinkedIn
• Twitter
Many have separate accounts
• Don’t tweet anything inappropriate! specifically for careers.
• Follow companies Examples:
• http://www.facebook.com/
• Interact with recruiters generalmillscareers
• Stay updated on industry news • http://www.facebook.com/
gecareers
• @boeingcareers
• LinkedIn • @MplsFedCareers
• The “professional” Facebook
• Connect with professional network 1 of 5 use social networking
sites to research job
• Follow companies candidates
• Join groups related to academics, activities and
1 of 3 employers rejected
career candidates based on
• Include a professional photo information they found online
• Bea A Badger sample profile

6. INFORMATIONAL
INTERVIEWS Start Your Network
What are they?
• Brief meetings between you • Networking can help you
and a professional working • Learn more about a specific position, company or
in a position and/or at a
company that interests you. industry
• They usually last 20-30 • Define your career goals
minutes. • Make connections with people in position to hire
• You ask the questions.
• Obtain referrals to other companies
How do I contact people? • Learn about open positions that will never be
• Via phone is recommended advertised
though email is acceptable.
• Be prepared prior to initial
contact. Research their • Know how to answer the question “How can I help you?”
company and review their
LinkedIn profile. • Where to find people to connect with
• Make a great first
impression! • Family, friends, students organizations, professors
• LinkedIn
What do I ask them? • Alumni Directory
• Questions about the
company, their career
• Cold call companies
path, skills needed to be
successful. • Majority of positions are never advertised – hidden job
• Ask for referrals to others. market
• To review your resume.
• About potential positions.
• Follow up with a thank you! Always.
For more advice on informational • Informational Interview Guide from Bureau of Labor
interviewing make an appointment Statistics
with Bethany Nelson, Career
Advisor.

7. COMPANIES THAT
Attend Career Events RECRUIT THROUGH
BUCKYNET
• Learn about company and what they’re looking for in • Kohl’s Department
candidates Stores
• General Mills
• Target Corporation
• Provides opportunity to talk with recruiter one-on-one • Huron Consulting
• 3M
• Bon-Ton Stores, Inc.
• Practice your elevator pitch – 30-60 second chance to • Macy’s
tell recruiter why you’re a fit for the position • Lands’ End
• United Way of Dane
• Differentiate yourself from the other candidates who County
• Best Buy Corporation
don’t attend these events • Walgreen’s
• Epic
• Recruiters more likely to pay attention to your resume if • Uline
they can put a face to your name • Northwestern Mutual
• IBM
• ALDI, Inc
• Events: • BMO Capital Markets
• Fall and Spring Career Fair • Capital One
• CUNA Mutual Group
• Employer Information Sessions • FactSet Research
• Alumni panels Systems
• Other career workshops • And more!
• Follow up! Every interaction counts.

8. WHAT TO WRITE
Perfect Your Cover Letters
Use the job posting as a
guideline to what you will
write.
• Always include with your resume
First paragraph: state the
position you’re applying • Each letter is specific to position
for, how you found it, your
interest in the company and
why you are qualified. • Tell the employer how you will meet their needs
Middle paragraph(s): describe
how your background • Concise
(education, experience, etc.)
relates to the position. Get
them to picture you in the • Address to a specific person
position!
Last paragraph: reiterate your
interest in the position and
company and your wish to
interview with them. Thank
them.
Be confident in your abilities.
Don’t point out any lack of
skills.

9. Improve Your Interviewing Skills SAMPLE INTERVIEW
QUESTIONS
• Participate in mock interviews Tell me about yourself
Why did you choose to
• Research companies and know what is major in economics?
happening in the industry Why do you want to work
here?
Why should we hire you?
• Prepare for a variety of interview questions
What do you know about our
company?
• Always have a list of questions to ask at the end Tell me about a time when
of the interview you had to work with a
difficult customer?
What are 2-3 of your
• Do not ask about salary, benefits, etc. Wait until strengths?
you are offered the position What is one of your
weaknesses?
• Do not get too informal with interviewer What is your expected
salary?
Do you have any questions
• Send a thank you to each person who for us?
interviewed you
For more information on how to
prepare for interviews make an
appointment with Bethany!

10. HOW TO FORMAT
REFERENCES
Select References/Recommendations
Name (include
Dr., Professor, etc. if
• Have 3-5 references who can speak to your
applicable) academic and professional abilities
Position Title
Organization Name
Address • Ask permission to list them on applications
Phone
Email
• If you are seeking references for graduate
school, ask professors as soon as possible.
• Keep them informed of your job search or
graduate applications
• Let them know what type of job you’re looking
for – they may have connections!
• Only submit your references if requested

11. Dress to Impress GUIDELINES
• First impressions matter
• Business Professional • It is better to be
• Suit overdressed than
• Required for Career Fair, interviews, and most events underdressed.
• Clothing should fit well.
Have item tailored if ill
fitting.
• No wrinkles.
• No scuffs on shoes.
• Don’t show skin.
• Gentlemen – don’t wear
athletic socks with your
suit!
• Ladies – closed toe shoes
only for business
• Business Casual professional attire.
• Dress pants/skirt, khakis, button up shirt, tie (optional)
• Go easy on the
• Sufficient attire for career panels and some employer events perfume/cologne.
• Long hair should be pulled
back.
• Jewelry should be simple.
• If you would wear an outfit
to a bar it is not
appropriate for a career
event!