1. THE JOB SEARCH: THE GOOD,
THE BAD, AND THE UGLY!
PRESENTED BY: FRED CARTER, JR.
RESIDENTIAL EXPERIENCE DIRECTOR
OFFICE OF RESIDENTIAL LIFE
FRANKLIN PIERCE UNIVERSITY
CARTERF@FRANKLINPIERCE.EDU
2. LEARNING OUTCOMES
• Evaluate priorities, wants, and needs to plan for their own job search
• Recognize and appreciate the importance of institutional fit and how
to determine it
• Use best practices to create solid resumes, cover letters, and
reference lists
• Name and explain the value of the basic tenants of appropriate
interview etiquette
• Be confident in their ability to participate in a job interview
3. WHAT DO YOU WANT TO DO?
• It’s important to determine what you’re interested in doing?
• What are your interests?
• What kind of experience(s) do you have?
• Does it match your interest?
• How can you market that experience?
• What jobs are available?
• Near you?
• Distance—would you be willing to relocate?
• Consideration of Graduate School?
4. PREPARATION
• Before searching for a job, you should be prepared!
• Your resume should be completed and reviewed!
• Your Career Development Office offers assistants with
resumes! Use them!
• Also consult with your supervisor(s) and other SA Pros!
• Additional Preparation
• Research interview questions—think about your answers
and then write them out!
5. JOBS, WHERE ART THOU?
The first step in searching for a job is knowing where to look!
• Utilize your Career Development Office (Career Services). They
often have job boards or special information about posted jobs.
• Higheredjobs.com
• insidehighered.com
• Chronicle.com (The Chronicle of Higher Education)
• Now it’s time to search!
6. APPLYING
• When you begin to complete applications you can be sure
that you will need at least 3 things.
• Cover Letter
• Resume
• References (3)
7. COVER LETTER
A Cover Letter gives you the opportunity to:
• sell yourself to the employer beyond your Resume.
• Market yourself for the specific position for which you are
applying.
• Provide a writing sample
Employers may use this document as one method of screening
out unqualified candidates!
8. TYPES OF COVER LETTERS
The Invited Cover Letter
• Applying for a specific position
• Highlight your qualifications
• Express your excitement for the position, company
Letter of Inquiry/Cold-Contact Letter
• No specific position, inquiring about available positions
• Requires follow-up
• Phone call, email
Referral Letter
• Name dropping—referred by someone
• “Suzie Creamcheese from Accounting suggested I contact you about the
open position in Marketing”
9. SUCCESSFUL COVER LETTERS
• No Spelling or Grammatical Errors!
• Proofread!
• Have more than one person review it!
• Address it directly to the employer!
• Many postings will list the name and contact information. Use that as
opposed to “To Whom it May Concern”
• Use your own language!
• Don’t be fancy!
• If you’re using words outside of your vocabulary, an employer will
expect to hear you talk the talk!
• Speak about the specific institution!
• Research*
• Any similarities? How do you identify with the institution?
10. SUCCESSFUL COVER LETTERS
• Use terms/phrases that are relevant to the area
• This can be drawn from your experience
• Keep it to the point! KISS (Keep It Simple Stupid)
• Stay on topic
• Qualifications
• Avoid irrelevant information
• NO GENERIC COVER LETTERS
12. HELPFUL TIPS
DO’S
• Clear formatting and
organized
• 1 page, 10-12 pt. font
• Emphasize skills, abilities,
education, accomplishments,
experience
• Action Verbs!
• Take your time, typically 2-3
drafts
DON’TS
• Avoid resume templates on
Word, Pages, etc.
• Consistent font sizes
• No personal pronouns- I, me,
we
• References = separate sheet
• College Jr+ no HS info
• Don’t exaggerate or
misrepresent yourself!
• No personal info- age, race,
marital status
13. COMPONENTS OF A RESUME
• Contact Information
• Full name, address, email, phone number. May include LinkedIn profile
or personal website
• Profile/Summary
• 2/3 line description of accomplishments and strengths. Stress related
skills, experience, positive qualities.
• Education
• Institution, location, degree, major, GPA*, expected date of degree
conferral.
• Honors/Awards
• Relevant coursework*
• Special Projects
14. COMPONENTS OF A RESUME
• Work Experience
• Paid or unpaid (internships). Company, job title, location, dates.
• Involvement
• Highlight clubs, organizations, extracurricular activities. List any
leadership positions held.
• Volunteer Experience
• Viewed positively
• Skills
• Indicate your proficiency in foreign languages, computer usage, office
skills, or other TRANSFERRABLE SKILLS!
15. REFERENCES
• Most employers will ask for at least 3 references
• You should be able to provide more
• Ask those who know you well to serve as a reference
• They should be able to speak to your character, work
ethic, professionalism, achievements, etc.
• Inform references when you have interviewed!
• No one should be surprised that they were used as a
reference!
18. THE PHONE INTERVIEW
• Commonly used to interview interesting and qualified candidates
• Helps diminish applicant pool
• Just as important as an On-Campus Interview!
• Requires just as much preparation!
• Smile when speaking, remember that they can’t see you, but can hear the difference
when you’re smiling.
• Choose a quiet place where you can focus and not be distracted
• Keep your notes handy!
• Dress the part! Look good, Feel good!
• Practice!
• Monitor your speech patterns
• “Umm… is not an answer!”
• Take your time answering!
19. THE ON-CAMPUS/ IN-PERSON INTERVIEW
• Research
• Learn about the institution, the office, and some of it’s programs. This
will also generate questions to ask.
• Mock Interview
• Organize friends, supervisors, Career Services
• Show up on time!
• 10 minutes early is on time, on time is 10 minutes late! Plan to arrive at
least 15 minutes early!
• Dress professionally!
• Connect to employers
• Listen to their questions, sell and match skills with their needs
• Organize your thoughts
• Practice! Answers should be concise and complete
20. THE ON-CAMPUS/ IN-PERSON INTERVIEW
• Be specific!
• How can you contribute? Use examples and stories!
• ASK QUESTIONS!
• These may have been thought of during your research or your interview.
• Have 6-8 questions to ask in your “back pocket”!
• Are there any questions you have that may clarify something for you?
• Send a thank you note!
• Typed, written, or emailed thank you note
• Be sure to get business cards before leaving for contact information!
• Personalize your cards!
• Evaluate your experience!
• This was also an interview of the institution! This will help you determine fit!
