Career Advising
One-on-one career advising appointments are ideal for more in-depth questions. Appointments might include:
- Career exploration
- Resume and cover letter advising
- Internship guidance
- Job search strategy
- Career assessments
- Mock interviews
- On-campus/part-time employment search
- Elevating LinkedIn
- Personal statement review
Schedule an in-person or virtual appointment now through Handshake or call the front desk at 970-248-1404.
Career Resources
When searching and applying for jobs, your resume and cover letter are the first thing that employers look at! Demonstrate your experience and highlight your skills with an excellent resume and cover letter. Leverage your resume and cover letter to give you the opportunity to demonstrate your enthusiasm and qualifications. See examples below demonstrating how to tailor these documents regardless of your major.
The resume is your marketing tool for getting the interview. This is the employer's first impression of you, so it needs to be excellent! Being a summary of your employment qualifications, a resume should highlight your education, experience, skills, and other relevant information.
Below are some tips and examples to consider when crafting your resume.
- Use action words in your bullet points
- Be original and honest
- Keep font between 10 - 12 point
- Resumes should be appealing to the eye and allow the employer to quickly retrieve information
- Use bullets to effectively present your information - do not write in paragraph format
- Do not include photographs or personal information such as age, height, marital status, children, etc. unless it is required for the specific position (acting, modeling, etc.)
- Do not include references on bottom of resume - put references on separate page
- Proofread; proofread; proofread!
- Have at least one other person also edit your resume and/or have a professional staff member review your resume (this is a free service in our office)
- Submit your resume as a PDF to avoid formatting issues
Like your resume, your cover letter is an important self-marketing tool, and is the first impression you will make on a potential employer. The functions of a cover letter are to demonstrate a fit between you, the company, and the position; to show that you can contribute to the organization as a whole; and to convince the employer to offer you an interview. Here are some tips for making sure that your cover letter is up to the job:
- Focus on what you can contribute to the employer - not what they can do for you
- Don't exaggerate - be honest and positive
- Proofread! Have at least three different people proofread your letter
- Keep a copy of every letter you send
- Customize each letter for the specific company/position
- Make an Appointment with Career Services to review your letter
A good cover letter demonstrates knowledge about the specific company and position. Show that you are familiar with company history, and recent events, or, at the very least, that you know what the company does. Keeping up on current events, reading trade journals, and browsing the company website will provide all kinds of information you can use in your cover letter and later in an interview.
Selecting References
- Good references are people who are professional and in positions of responsibility such as Professors, Advisors, Employers, Coaches, and Community or Business Leaders
- Have 3 to 5 references
- Select people who know your abilities
- Ask permission of each reference before you use them as a reference
- Assist your references by giving them a copy of your resume-this way they have easy access to your strengths, experience, skills, activities, etc.
- Tell your reference the type of job you are looking for, so they are able to relate your positive attributes to the potential employer
- If a letter of recommendation is needed give your reference a stamped envelope addressed correctly (do not send these unless they are specifically requested by the employer)
Reference Page Guidelines
- Print references on a separate page
- Use the same heading on this page as you have for your resume and cover letter
- Indicate the reference list with a sub-heading like "References" or "Professional References" at the top
- When providing references, include the same information that would be found on the person's
business card:- name, title, organization, mailing address, email address, and telephone number
What is an Interview?
The interview is an exchange of information between an employer and a potential employee. Employers use the interview to determine whether or not a potential employee is qualified for their open position and if that person would be a good fit for the company. You, the potential employee, should view the interview not only as an opportunity to impress the potential employer, but also to gather information about the position and the company in order to evaluate whether or not to accept an offer. Use our Mock Interview Service and Interviewing Guidelines to improve your interviewing skills.
Mock Interview Service
A Mock Interview is one of the very best ways to prepare for an actual employment interview, professional program, or graduate school interview. For example, mock interviews may be conducted for: employment opportunities, the Nursing Program, Radiology, Physician Assistant, Medical School, etc. The Mock Interview will help you to learn what is expected in a real interview and how you can improve the way you present yourself.
We will try to make the interview as realistic as possible. Many of the questions you will be asked are interview questions from actual employers or professional programs. The Mock Interview will take approximately 50 minutes. You will be asked possible questions and provided immediate feedback on how you might change or improve your initial response.
The Mock Interview focuses on how well you know yourself and your past experiences, how well you know the industry you hope to enter, and how well you can convey that information. You will gain the most experience from your Mock Interview if you treat it like an actual interview. The Mock Interview is a safe place to practice your interview skills and gain feedback.
Preparation
- Prepare for the session by researching your company/industry of interest
- Investigate and identify the most common industry traits sought (analytical skills, communication skills, business knowledge and problem solving) and the skill/abilities asked for in the job description
- Outline answers to demonstrate your experience and skills
- Be prepared to answer behavioral questions, such as "Tell me about a time when" and "Can you give me an example of a time..."
The Session
- Appropriate dress/attire will be discussed but is optional for the mock interview
- Greet the interviewer with an enthusiastic handshake and smile
- Listen to the question--make sure you know what the interviewer wants to know and ask for clarification if the question is not clear
- Keep your answers concise and to the point--two to three minutes long
- Make sure you are selling the product: You!
- Have questions prepared to ask at the end of the mock interview, questions you would ask the employer/school
- To set-up a Mock Interview, call Career Services at 970-248-1404.
Interviewing Guidelines
Use the table below for more on preparing for an interview, from common interviewing questions to different types of interviews. For a printable PDF version or to see it laid out easier, see the "Preparing for an Interview" flyer, here.
Before the Interview
- Research: Company's mission statement and goals; organizational structure; products/services; how does the company compare with competitors?
- Self Assess: Be prepared to discuss anything in your Resume and Cover Letter. Review your interests, skills, and values.
- Anticipate Interview Questions: The interviewer will ask questions about your education and work experience, strengths and weaknesses, and your short and long term goals. Behind these questions are two main concerns: what will you bring to the job? And, how will you fit with the company? For more preparation, see our PDFs of Common Interview Question, Interview Q&A, and Illegal Questions.
- Plan to Ask Questions: The questions you ask are as important as the ones you answer. Good questions will not only help you obtain information, but will also demonstrate your sincere interest in the job. Make sure you have a list of 3-5 questions to ask during your interview. See out list of Questions to Ask During the Interview.
- Practice: Practice answering a variety questions you may be asked in the interview. Have a friend practice with you or schedule a mock interview with Career Services at 970-248-1404.
Day of Interview Dressing for the Interview
- Dressing for Success: You want the interviewer to focus on you, not your appearance
- The key here is to look professional
- Make sure everything is clean, ironed, and fits well
- Be professional at all times
- Plan to arrive 15 minutes early - call if you will be late (but don't be late!)
- Bring: extra copies of resume, references, pen, notepad, and your list of questions
During the Interview
- Greet the interviewer with a firm handshake
- Do not sit until you are offered a seat
- Maintain steady eye-contact
- Ask for clarification if you do not understand a question
- Watch out for "mm", "uh," "like," etc.
- Be yourself - do not exaggerate or be negative
After the Interview
Think about how the interview went. What did you do well and what could you have done better? What could you do differently next time? Make sure you send a short thank-you note.
One-On-One Interview
An in-person meeting with one or two people; typically the final interview following a first-round panel, group, or phone interview.
Panel Interview
Interviewed by several people at once with each panel member taking turns asking questions; be sure to make eye contact and engage with each interviewer on the panel.
Group Interview
An individual or panel interviews a group of candidates at the same time; this technique is used to narrow down a large candidate pool by seeing how potential employees interact and stand out from others.
Phone Interview
Typically precedes a one-on-one or panel interview; prepare for a phone interview the same way you would prepare for an in-person interview and be sure to answer the phone professionally and speak clearly.- Also note that an informal, on-the-spot, phone interview may take place as part of the candidate review process; in this case, a representative may call you and ask if you have a moment to talk about the position and answer some questions about your background.
Meal Interview
Conducted over lunch or dinner to see how well you function in social settings; treat a meal interview the same as a one-on-one interview, do not order messy or expensive foods or alcohol, treat the server with respect, do not necessarily expect the interviewer to pay for the meal, and always remain professional. Attend the Etiquette Dinner in the fall to practice in a meal interview setting!