1. How to succeed in life without really trying*.
*Just kidding!

2. Letters of reference: how to ask for & get great ones.

3. When do I start? Now! What? How? Get to know your faculty!
Let your faculty know you.

4. I’m applying to grad schools. What now?
Find out each school’s criteria for LOR.
Ask faculty to write letter for you.
Things to consider:
In which classes did you do well?
In which classes did you show improvement over the semester?
In which classes did you stand out in a positive way?
Have you worked closely with particular faculty on a project?
Do you have a good relationship with any particular faculty members?

5. How to approach faculty
By or in person during office hours (not during class!)
Information to provide:
Classes you took with this professor, terms taken, grades
What was unique/notable about you (especially if it’s been a while)
Brief description of the programs to which you are applying

6. What faculty want from you
Always:
Instructions for all letters needed
Clear due dates for all letters
Reminders as dates approach
Often:
Resume
Sample paper you wrote for their classes
Statement of interest to program
Other information about you (what you’d like us to say, what makes you special)

7. Resumes: get noticed!

8. Pop Quiz! Answer: 15 – 20 seconds minimum 45 seconds maximum
What is the initial amount of time an employer takes to review an applicant’s resume?
Answer:
15 – 20 seconds minimum
45 seconds maximum

9. Why do you need a resume? A marketing tool
To obtain an interview, not a job
Requirement of many organizations

10. Resumes Tailor to each position/area to which you are applying.
So, have a resume for your waitressing work and one for graduate school applications.
Which format is correct?
The one that paints you in the best light.

11. Resume- hidden messages
You
Neat
Well-organized
Attention to detail
Careful & Competent
Neat
Well-organized
Error free
Professional appearance

12. Sections of a Resume

13. The Header Name Permanent and present address E-mail address
What should be included?
Name
Permanent and present address
address
Telephone number
Where should contact information go?
Top of the page

14. Objective Statement Purpose Examples
Communicate the type of position you are interested in
Examples
Management trainee position with a specialty retailer.
Technical sales with an energy related industry in the Southwest. Long range goals of regional sales management.
To obtain a position as field service representative with XYZ Software Corporation.

15. Education Name of Institution Name of your degree and major
Include city and state if not part of the title
Name of your degree and major
Bachelor of _________ in ___________
Bachelor of Science in Business Administration: Accounting
List degrees in reverse chronological order
Most recent degree is listed first

16. Education GPA: 4.0, Summa Cum Laude
Date or expected date of graduation
Graduation Date: May 2014
Expected Graduation Date: May 2015
GPA
Major or overall at least 3.0
Round down to the nearest tenth
3.0 not 3.062
GPA: 4.0, Summa Cum Laude
High School Information
Do not include after Sophomore year

17. Experience Use the term "experience" Information to include
What is considered experience?
Full and part-time jobs
Self-employment
Volunteer work
Practicum, field, and cooperative education
Information to include
Job Title
Dates of employment
Company name
City & State

18. Listing Responsibilities
Use bullet points
Start of each line with an action verb
Present tense if currently employed
Past tense if no longer employed
Vary your choice of verbs
Tailor skills and experiences to the position for which you are applying
Be concise while providing enough detail

19. Honors & Awards Reverse chronological Order by dates
Rank order by importance to the career objective

20. Professional Affiliations & Activities
Order by date
Reverse chronological
Rank order by importance to the career objective
Do not say Member of …
Emphasize your leadership roles
Spell out the organization’s name:
Do not use abbreviations or acronyms

21. Resume Dos Use action verbs Use short, concise sentences
Use #, %, $ amounts
Keep resume easy to read
Keep resume about one page

22. Resume Don’ts Do not use the pronouns such as I, me, my, etc.
Do not include references
Do not clutter your resume with nonessential information
Do not make any misrepresentations
Do not include personal information
SSN, age, sex, height, weight, marital status, photograph, etc.

23. Cover letters: You’re the best!

24. What is a cover letter? Usually sent with a resume
Introduces you, describes why you are a good fit
In-depth description of key experiences
Different for each opportunity to which you apply!

25. Parts of a cover letter Greeting – name if you know it
Introduce yourself
Mention the job – be specific!
Why you’re a good fit for the job
Skills, experiences: be specific! Go further than your resume
Make them want to read your resume

26. Show, don’t tell Soft statement: “I have excellent evaluation skills”
Strong statement: “I refined my evaluation skills when serving as a graduate assistant with the Tobacco Technical Assistance Consortium, where I conducted phone interviews and entered and analyzed qualitative data as part of a process evaluation of a capacity-building program for state tobacco control programs.”

27. Tips Use formal letter format – check online!
Tailor letter to the job description
Use words from the job description (scanning software or human screener)
Proofread!!!
Show you know about the company/organization (consider for closing)
Keep letter to one page if possible

28. Need Additional Help? Between the Health Center & the Gym Resumes
Cal State LA Career Development Center
Between the Health Center & the Gym
(323)

29. Need Additional Help?
Cover letters Cover Letter Guide: tter%20Guide_revised%20June% pdf