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

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

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

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?

How to approach faculty By email 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

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)

Resumes: get noticed!

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

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

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.

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

Sections of a Resume

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

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.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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.

Cover letters: You’re the best!

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!

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

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.”

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

Need Additional Help? Between the Health Center & the Gym Resumes Cal State LA Career Development Center Between the Health Center & the Gym (323) 343-3237 http://www.calstatela.edu/univ/cdc careers@calstatela.edu

Need Additional Help? Cover letters Cover Letter Guide: https://www.sph.emory.edu/careers/documents/Cover%20Le tter%20Guide_revised%20June%202010.pdf