Career Preparation for Student-Athletes: Preparing Job Search Documents Career Development Center Bucknell University

Presentation Format In this presentation, student-athletes will learn:In this presentation, student-athletes will learn: –Strategies for “marketing” athletic participation on resumes and cover letters –Strategies for utilizing professional references –Strategies for preparing for interviews

Questions Questions How should student-athletes highlight athletic participation on a resume?How should student-athletes highlight athletic participation on a resume? How should student-athletes discuss skills developed through athletic participation on a cover letter?How should student-athletes discuss skills developed through athletic participation on a cover letter? Who should serve as professional references for student-athletes?Who should serve as professional references for student-athletes? How should student-athletes prepare for interviews?How should student-athletes prepare for interviews?

Personal Characteristics Employers Seek in Job Candidates (NACE) Communication Skills (verbal)Communication Skills (verbal) Strong Work EthicStrong Work Ethic Teamwork Skills (works well with others)Teamwork Skills (works well with others) Analytical SkillsAnalytical Skills InitiativeInitiative Problem-Solving SkillsProblem-Solving Skills Communication Skills (writtenCommunication Skills (written Interpersonal Skills (relates well to others)Interpersonal Skills (relates well to others) Computer SkillsComputer Skills Flexibility/AdaptabilityFlexibility/Adaptability Source: NACE Research: Job Outlook 2011

Employer Evaluation of Career Preparation Employers evaluate candidates based onEmployers evaluate candidates based on –Education and academic background –Work experience –Co-curricular activities –Volunteer experience/Community service –Communication skills –Leadership

Student-Athletes & Transferable Skills Time ManagementTime Management TeamworkTeamwork Goal-OrientedGoal-Oriented CompetitivenessCompetitiveness ConfidenceConfidence Persistence/EndurancePersistence/Endurance LeadershipLeadership Loyalty Discipline Taking Criticism Coping with Setbacks Flexibility/Adaptability Performance under Pressure

Student-Athlete Resume General Format (Contact Information, Education, Experience)General Format (Contact Information, Education, Experience) Highlight Student-Athlete ExperiencesHighlight Student-Athlete Experiences –Summary of Qualifications Student-athlete with leadership, teamwork, and interpersonal skills who maintained academic success in accounting while devoting 25 hours per week to practice, training, and competition as a member of a Division I volleyball team.Student-athlete with leadership, teamwork, and interpersonal skills who maintained academic success in accounting while devoting 25 hours per week to practice, training, and competition as a member of a Division I volleyball team. –Education Section Relevant Courses if applicableRelevant Courses if applicable –Experience Section Public Speaking if applicable (to media, children, etc.)Public Speaking if applicable (to media, children, etc.) Coaching, Training (highlight communication and motivational skills)Coaching, Training (highlight communication and motivational skills) Co-Captain or Captain (demonstrates maturity, leadership, responsibility)Co-Captain or Captain (demonstrates maturity, leadership, responsibility) –Awards/Achievements –Volunteer/Community Service List experiences with team/campus as well as personal involvementList experiences with team/campus as well as personal involvement CDC Staff offers assistance in resume development – get feedback!CDC Staff offers assistance in resume development – get feedback! More information: information:

Resume Examples

Student-Athlete Cover Letter General Format (Contact Information, Employer Contact Information, Letter Format)General Format (Contact Information, Employer Contact Information, Letter Format) Tailor the cover letter to the positionTailor the cover letter to the position Research the company/Reference your fitResearch the company/Reference your fit Highlight Student-Athlete ExperiencesHighlight Student-Athlete Experiences –Discuss skills like time management, leadership, teamwork, adaptability, and discipline – be specific about how you developed these as a student-athlete CDC Staff offers assistance in cover letters– get feedback!CDC Staff offers assistance in cover letters– get feedback! More information: information:

Cover Letter Examples

Student-Athlete References Send a separate reference page with your resume and cover letterSend a separate reference page with your resume and cover letter List 3 professional references (not friends, family)List 3 professional references (not friends, family) –Employers –Professors –Athletic Department Staff (coaches, trainers, administration) References should speak positively about your character, work ethic, responsibility, and maturityReferences should speak positively about your character, work ethic, responsibility, and maturity

Student-Athlete Preparation for Interviews General Preparation (research company, research position)General Preparation (research company, research position) Practice, practice, practice!Practice, practice, practice! –Meet with CDC Staff for a Mock Interview Discuss participation in Division I athletics – benefits, skillsDiscuss participation in Division I athletics – benefits, skills –S.T.A.R. : Situation – Task – Action – Result Our coach told us that the Athletic Department wanted each team to participate in a new community service event. I volunteered to work with staff to develop this event for my team. I helped set up an afternoon trip to a local school where we read to second graders and helped them with reading skills. The school and students enjoyed our visit. Since this first visit, a group of my teammates and I have been reading to the students on a consistent basis. I enjoyed helping to set up this project as much as I did reading with and talking to the second graders.Our coach told us that the Athletic Department wanted each team to participate in a new community service event. I volunteered to work with staff to develop this event for my team. I helped set up an afternoon trip to a local school where we read to second graders and helped them with reading skills. The school and students enjoyed our visit. Since this first visit, a group of my teammates and I have been reading to the students on a consistent basis. I enjoyed helping to set up this project as much as I did reading with and talking to the second graders. –Give insight on time commitment to athletics, which explains why there is less direct work experience than a non-athlete peer

Summary Resumes, Cover Letters and Interviewing are similar for all candidatesResumes, Cover Letters and Interviewing are similar for all candidates –Use athletic participation to set yourself apart from your peers –Get feedback on how to highlight your athletic participation on resumes and cover letters –Practice how to discuss your athletic participation in interviews Learn how to “market” yourself to others!Learn how to “market” yourself to others!

CDC Resources Career ConsultantsCareer Consultants –One-on-one appointments for career counseling and advising –Assist with resume, cover letters, interview preparation Externship ProgramExternship Program Internship Search/Job Search AssistanceInternship Search/Job Search Assistance Networking AssistanceNetworking Assistance Job Fairs/Internship Fairs/Networking EventsJob Fairs/Internship Fairs/Networking Events Graduate School Preparation (Pre-Law, Pre-Health)Graduate School Preparation (Pre-Law, Pre-Health)

Contact the CDC Botany Building Monday – Friday 8:30am – 4:30pm

Resources NACE Job Outlook 2011 SurveyNACE Job Outlook 2011 Survey