GET STARTED
EXPERIENCEEXPLORE PREPARE ACHIEVE
3
GET STARTED
1
Career Communities
4
How to Use Careers.uiowa.edu/handshake
5
READY TO EXPLORE
6
Career Assessments 6
Career Exploration Worksheet 7
Informational Interviews 8
Informational Interview Sample Questions 9
LET’S PREPARE
10
Tips for a First College Resume 11
Basics of Building a Resume 12
Identifying & Describing Transferable Skills 14
CliftonStrengths For Students 15
Writing Bullet Points 18
Power Verbs 20
Resume Examples
Beginning Resume
22
Intermediate Resume 23
Advanced Resume 24
Creative Resume 25
Engineering Resumes 26
Nursing Resume 27
CV (Curriculum Vitae) Basics 28
CV: Sections to Include 28
CV Example 29
Cover Letters 30
Cover Letters: Utilizing the Job Description 31
Online Portfolios 32
Sample Email of Introduction 33
Acquiring & Maintaining References 34
Networking 36
LinkedIn® 37
LinkedIn® Messaging 38
GAIN EXPERIENCE
39
Student Employment 39
Gaining Experience 40
Preparing for an Internship Search 41
Ready to Land an Internship 42
TIME TO ACHIEVE
43
Job Search Checklist 44
Making the Job & Internship Fair Work for You 45
Thank You Emails Following the Job & Internship Fair 46
Practice Interviews 47
Interviewing Tips 48
Interview Questions 49
Behavioral Interview Questions 50
Illegal Interview Questions 51
Questions to Ask Employers 52
Evaluating Job Offers 53
Negotiating an Offer 54
Graduate & Professional School Checklist 55
Graduate & Professional School Program Research 56
Writing a Statement of Purpose 57
More resources can be discovered at:
careers.uiowa.edu
100 Pomerantz Center, C310
Iowa City, IA 52242-7700
(319) 335-1023
CAREER GUIDE
SERVICES
• Career exploration and coaching
• Career assessments
• Help with choosing a major that connects to a career
• Full-time position and internship listings
• On-campus and virtual interviewing and mock interviews
• Big Interview - a web program to practice interviewing skills
• Job search strategies
• Career-related courses such as, Job Search Essentials,
Graduate Admissions 101, Major & Career Explorations, and
Career Leadership Academy
DROP-IN HOURS
Meet with a Career Peer Advisor, Monday – Friday,
10 a.m. – 2 p.m., at Pomerantz Center, C310 for resume, cover
letter and general career assistance.
Engineering students can meet with an Engineering Peer
Advisor in 3612 Seamans Center.
MEET WITH YOUR CAREER COACH*
Visit myui.uiowa.edu to schedule an appointment with a Career
Coach. *Engineering students meet with Engineering Career
Services located in 3612 Seamans Center.
TABLE OF CONTENTS
ALUMNI Highlights
Sarah (Arens) Wilhelmi 5
James Huerta 9
Holly Harris 11
David Janssen 13
Queta Wanatee-Diego 19
Andrew Carton and Ryan Hellan 32
Cole Cooper 35
Lauryn Ash 43
4
CAREER COMMUNITIES
Science Research
Are you interested in learning about scientic issues
or applying technical concepts to solve problems?
Does it sound like fun to perform lab experiments or
utilize a microscope to examine cells? Could you see
yourself investigating scientic principles by collecting and analyzing
data? Careers in this community focus on designing and conducting
research to improve products, processes, and ways of living.
Law & Public Service
Are you interested in learning about developing public
policy or addressing issues through governmental
initiatives? Does it sound like fun to argue legal issues
or lead a civic improvement project? Could you see
yourself working for a city, state, or federal agency or non-prot
organization? Careers in this community focus on public affairs,
politics, and serving the community.
Data & Information Technology
Are you interested in learning about preparing
statistical charts, writing code, or analyzing data?
Does it sound like fun to test computer programs
and software applications? Could you see yourself
working in a constantly changing high-tech environment? Careers in
this community focus on developing computer systems, managing
computer networks, and interpreting and presenting data to address
industry problems.
Helping & Counseling
Are you interested in learning about mental health,
criminal probation, or community development? Does
it sound like fun to empower others, handle a crisis, or
develop resources? Could you see yourself working
at a clinic, a community center, a non-prot organization, a church, or
starting your own private practice? Careers in this community focus
on understanding people, supporting them through dicult times, and
equipping them to grow and thrive.
Health & Wellness
Are you interested in learning about how the body
works and how to keep it healthy? Does it sound
like fun to work at a hospital, clinic, laboratory, or
recreation center? Could you see yourself working
with specic populations, like athletes, children, senior citizens, or
animals? Careers in this community focus on decreasing illness and
injury and supporting others to be healthy and wholesome.
Environment & Sustainability
Are you interested in learning about human/
environment interactions or conservation efforts
that support sustainable living? Does it sound fun to
conduct eld work outside? Could you see yourself
analyzing environmental data through geologic mapping, helping
to prevent environmental hazard disasters, or advocating for “going
green?” Careers in this community focus on studying the physical
aspects of the earth and applying knowledge to educate and inform
on how to protect the environment and human/animal health.
Engineering*
Are you interested in learning about how things
operate or turning an idea into a functional creation?
Does it sound like fun to examine
ways a process, product, or technique can become
more ecient? Could you see yourself working to address complex
problems within manufacturing, transportation, healthcare, or
military operations? Careers in this community focus on the
application of math, science, and technology in order to invent, design,
build, and improve. *Students in this community are advised by the
Engineering Career Services oce located in 3612 Seamans Center.
Education
Are you interested in learning about best methods
to reach students or setting curriculum standards?
Does it sound like fun to explain ideas and concepts
to a classroom of learners? Could you see yourself
teaching others to assist with understanding and comprehension?
Careers in this community focus on facilitating learning by guiding
and encouraging others.
Business & Entrepreneurship
Are you interested in learning about marketing a
product or conducting a nancial analysis? Does
it sound like fun to try to persuade or inuence
those around you? Could you see yourself working
in a corporate environment collaborating with others to accomplish
company goals? Careers in this community focus on leading people
and projects, developing business plans, and preparing accounting
records.
Arts, Media, & Entertainment
Are you interested in learning about developing public
relations campaigns, stage production, or creating
museum exhibits? Does it sound like fun to work in
a less structured environment with the freedom to
voice your originality? Could you see yourself planning art projects or
sporting events for others to enjoy? Careers in this community focus
on composing, writing, designing, and performing.
Students schedule advising appointments based on their interest in exploring or pursuing careers in the following career communities.
Our career communities are organized by career elds and industries. Instead of asking, “What can I do with a major in ______________?”,
start asking “What work environments and job duties interest me?”. If that sounds scary or overwhelming, let us help! If you are an open
major and unsure of your interests, all of our career communities allow for exploration. If you have multiple interests, you may select more
than one career community.
GET STARTED
EXPERIENCEEXPLORE PREPARE ACHIEVE
5
HOW TO USE CAREERS.UIOWA.EDU/HANDSHAKE
Handshake is the University of Iowa’s primary online recruiting
system. It is free for students. Students can upload their resumes,
register an internship, search for jobs and internships, and schedule
on-campus interviews. Students can also choose to make their
profiles searchable for employers looking for candidates just like
them!
Visit Handshake, click on Student and use your HawkID and
password to get started.
Upload your resume
You have the option of pre-lling your prole with your resume. If you
want to do this, don’t answer the initial questions that pop-up when
you log-in as those will be populated later when you choose to ll
your prole from your resume.
Review your prole and add information as needed
• In your privacy settings, you can select to “Make Your Profile
Public” to community or to employers.
• Be sure to include GPA in your profile. Employers who screen by
GPA will need this information to consider your candidacy when
you apply. Also be sure to add your Graduation Start and End
Date as many employers choose this for their preferences.
• Check your Notification settings. Click on your name over to
the right, Settings & Privacy and then Notification Preferences.
It’s important that you select to receive either an email or a
notification (within the system). The important sections you
will want to turn email notifications on for are: Experiences,
Applications, Documents, Jobs and Interview Schedules.
Otherwise, important emails may not get to your inbox.
Go to Career Center – Experiences and Request an Experience to
add your internship information if you would like to request to
register for a Pomerantz Career Center internship course
• Be sure to fill out all of the information even though it isn’t
required. We will need supervisor email, location etc. Missing
information may slow down the processing of your request.
Search for student employment, internships and full-time jobs
• Click the “Jobs” tab at the top to begin your search.
• Create a Saved Search by going to the “Jobs” tab. After entering
a keyword and running a search, click on the “Save Your Search”
link (it should appear below the keyword search box).
• Review applications & track interviews using the “Applications”
and “On-Campus Interviews” tabs at the top of the screen.
Search for Events by clicking on the “Events” tab at the very top
• Select “Career Fair” button to find upcoming UI Career Fairs.
If you have a different view, click on the Employer tab and then
select Category “Career Fair”. Under “More Filters” choose posted
at my school.
• Favorite and Join events to receive reminders from Handshake.
• You can view all employers once you “Join” an event.
• Select “All Filters” to explore Information Sessions
or workshops.
ALUMNI Highlight
Olympic-size dream
began at Iowa
Former Hawkeye runner Sarah (Arens) Wilhelmi
now works to build bridges between college athletes
and Team USA Olympians and Paralympians.
Story: Emily Nelson
Photography: courtesy of Sarah Wilhelmi; Reggie Morrow
Suffering an injury just before a championship race can be
devastating for an athlete. But this scenario had a silver lining
for University of Iowa distance runner Sarah Wilhelmi: Instead
of competing, she pitched in with the management side of the
2000 Big Ten track and eld championships.
“That absolutely was a turning point for me,” Wilhelmi says. “I
had so many majors my freshman year. But that opportunity
to work behind the scenes and experience the energy and
excitement of putting on an event like that made me think, ‘This
is a business I want to keep exploring.”
Read more:
stories.uiowa.edu/sarah-wilhelmi-olympic-size-dream
6
Whether you’re condent or unsure of your career path, all students can benet
from exploring how their interests and aptitudes align with majors, occupations,
and work environments.
This checklist will help you get started. Visit careers.uiowa.edu/exploring-majors-careers for more info.
□ Find career communities of interest to you and schedule an appointment with a Career Coach to
assist as you begin exploring career options.
□ Consider taking an assessment if you’re feeling confused or overwhelmed about your interests,
abilities, and how those relate to majors and/or careers.
□ Conduct informational interviews to talk with professionals working in elds of interest to you.
□ Begin researching careers using resources within career community pages of interest to you.
□ Register for a Career Center course to assist. Consider CCP:1300 Major & Career Explorations or
LS:2002 Career Leadership Academy.
EXPLORE
Ready to
EXPLORE SECTION
CAREER ASSESSMENTS
Career assessments are designed to help you understand how your personal attributes impact potential success and satisfaction with
different career options and work environments. While no assessment can perfectly capture who you are or predict what occupation you’ll
pursue, they can help you narrow choices and discover options you may not have considered. Taking an assessment is a rst step in the
career exploration process. The Pomerantz Career Center offers the following career assessments:
careeronestop
• FREE, online source for career exploration, training and jobs
• Learn about careers, nd career information, and locate career
resources and advice
• Discover how to best utilize career assessments
• Plan your job search and nd openings
My Next Move
• FREE, online resource that provides easy access to career
exploration, educational and training programs, and job postings
• Find great tools in helping determine your next move on the
road to a satisfying career
YouScience
• FREE, online assessment that is comprised of 16 separate
“brain game” exercises
• Identies both your interests AND aptitudes allowing you to
discover what makes you unique
• Offers an interactive result prole that provides information on
occupations that align with who you are and your abilities
• Plan on 1.5–2 hours to complete the assessment; results are
provided within 12 hours
https://careers.uiowa.edu/career-prep/exploring-majors-careers
GO TO THIS WEBSITE TO TAKE THESE ASSESSMENTS
GET STARTED
EXPERIENCEEXPLORE PREPARE ACHIEVE
7
WHO AM I?
The purpose of this activity is to help you reect on what’s important to you, which is the rst step to understanding what to look for in a job
or career. This exercise is just a starting point—we strongly encourage you to schedule an appointment with a Career Coach to address your
questions and discuss next steps in your career exploration and decision-making process. Reect on the following and ll in the boxes.
CAREER EXPLORATION WORKSHEET
WHAT I’M GOOD AT...
List Top 5 Strengths, Skills, Favorite Classes or Subjects, etc.
WHAT I’D LIKE TO IMPROVE, WHAT EXPERIENCES I’D LIKE TO GAIN...
□ Achievement
□ Building Relationships
□ Challenge
□ Collaboration/Teamwork
□ Compensation/Salary
□ Creativity
□ Cultural Diversity
□ Helping Others/Society
□ Independence
□ Job Security
□ Leadership
□ Leisure
□ Prestige
□ Recognition
□ Self-Expression
□ Support
□ Utilizing Skills
□ Variety
□ Working Inside
□ Working Outdoors
□ Other
List activities, clubs, hobbies, internships, job shadows, leadership
positions, part-time jobs, volunteer work, etc.
Mark which values are most important to you in relation to your
career
NEXT STEPS. WHAT CAN I DO TO MAKE PROGRESS ON THE ABOVE?
MY EXPERIENCES WHAT’S IMPORTANT TO ME
8
INFORMATIONAL INTERVIEWS
What is an Informational Interview?
The informational interview is an opportunity to learn about a career which interests you by meeting or talking with someone who is
working professionally or who has completed an internship in that eld. In a question-and-answer session in person or via phone you
will learn rst-hand about a job directly from someone who performs or has performed the tasks daily.
Arranging an Informational Interview
• Your Career Coach at the Pomerantz Career Center
can help you brainstorm potential people to interview.
Friends, parents, friends’ parents, and parents’ friends
are potential sources of locating people who might be
willing to participate in an informational interview with
you.
• Use LinkedIn® to nd Iowa alums to network with or
to set up informational interviews. Your Career Coach
can teach you more about using LinkedIn® (see page
38 for more information).
• Prioritize your list based on areas of greatest interest
to you and convenience of arrangements. Select two
or three prospective professionals to interview. When
you contact them, identify yourself as a student at the
University of Iowa, state that you are interested in the
career or internships they have chosen, and ask if they
mind meeting or speaking with you for 20–30 minutes
to discuss their career and to answer some questions.
• See Informational Interview Request sample
email (right).
Preparing for an Informational Interview
• Consider what you want to learn during the interview
and select questions accordingly.
• Utilize Informational Interview Questions (see page 9)
to help you select your questions.
• If meeting in-person dress for the job you are
investigating and arrive 10–15 minutes early.
SAMPLE EMAIL
From:
To:
Subject:
jan-student@uiowa.edu
xyz@company.com
Informational Interview Request
Dear Mr/Ms. XYZ,
As a sophomore focusing on both creative writing and American
studies, I found your name on LinkedIn® through The University of
Iowa alumni group, and I wanted to contact you about information
pertaining to careers in writing and criticism. Your experience would
be insightful to me as I choose my own career.
Schedule permitting, I am hoping that I could conduct a brief
informational interview with you during the week of February 20th
to learn more about your career path. I would really appreciate any
insight you could provide to me about careers in freelance writing.
I look forward to speaking with you soon.
Sincerely,
Jan Student
The University of Iowa
Metropolitan Reporter, The Daily Iowan
jan-student@uiowa.edu
MANGO is a free tool that coaches you through networking, starting with
the outreach email. Write customized networking emails, have productive
informational interviews, and manage one-on-one networking step-by-step.
Access MANGO via careers.uiowa.edu or directly at mangoconnects.com.
Did you
know?
• If speaking over the phone, be sure that you have
reception and are in a quiet place.
• Bring or email a copy of your resume in case it is
requested. However, don’t approach the interview as if you are looking for a job—your purpose is to gather information.
Informational Interview Etiquette
• Be sure to give your volunteer ample time to schedule the informational interview.
• It is not appropriate to email them the day before and ask to meet or speak with them the following day.
Evaluation and Follow Up
• Evaluate your experience. What did you learn from it? Do you have new questions? Did the interview reinforce your interest in this
career? How does this career match for you? Talk with your Career Coach about it.
• Keep names, addresses, and telephone numbers of your contacts for future reference.
• Send a brief thank you note to each person you interviewed thanking them for their time.
GET STARTED
EXPERIENCEEXPLORE PREPARE ACHIEVE
9
Industry, Field, or Career Path Questions
• What are the various jobs in this eld or organization?
• How does your company differ from its competitors?
• What sorts of changes are occurring in your occupation?
• How does a person progress in your eld? What is a typical
career path in this eld or organization?
• What were the keys to your career advancement? How did you
get where you are and what are your long-range goals?
• If you could do things over again, would you choose the same
path? Why? What would you change?
• How much travel and/or geographic relocation is required in
your eld?
College Involvement Questions
• Does your work relate to any experiences or studies you had
in college?
• How well did your college experience prepare you for this
job/internship?
• What courses have proved valuable to you in your work? What
would you recommend for me?
• How important are grades/GPA for obtaining a job/internship
in this eld?
• Are there any written materials you suggest I read? Which
professional journals and organizations would help me learn
more about this eld?
• What are the educational requirements for this job? What
other types of credentials or licenses are required? What
types of training do companies offer persons entering this
eld? Is graduate school recommended? Does the company
encourage and pay for employees to pursue
graduate degrees?
Advice Questions
• What kinds of experience, paid or unpaid, would you
recommend for persons pursuing a career in this eld?
• What special advice do you have for someone seeking to
qualify for this type of position?
• Can you suggest other people I might be able to speak with
who have similar career interests?
• Would you mind taking a look at my resume?
• What professional associations or conferences do
you recommend?
Position Related Questions
• What is your job/internship like?
• A typical day?
• What do you do? What are the duties/functions/
responsibilities?
• What kinds of problems do you deal with?
• What kinds of decisions do you make?
• What percentage of your time is spent doing
or how does the time use vary?
• Why did you decide to work for this company?
• Was your internship paid or unpaid? What is the starting
salary range for this position?
• What do you like most about this company/position?
• What would you most like to change about your position?
• What abilities or personal qualities do you believe contribute
most to success in this job/internship?
• What are the skills that are most important for a position in
this eld? How did you learn these skills? How can I evaluate
whether or not I have the necessary skills for a position such as
yours?
• Why did this type of work interest you and how did you get
started?
• How did you nd your job or internship?
• What jobs and experiences have led you to your present
position?
• What part of this job do you personally nd most satisfying?
Most challenging?
• Does your company offer full-time employment to interns
following their internship?
INFORMATIONAL INTERVIEW SAMPLE QUESTIONS
ALUMNI Highlight
High-ying
Hawkeye
UI graduate James Huerta, who enrolled in the Army
ROTC during college, is an ocer at the Army’s ight
school at Fort Rucker in Alabama, where he ultimately
hopes to y Black Hawk helicopters.
Story: Richard C. Lewis
Photography: Justin Torner
James Huerta’s decisions have paid off handsomely.
He joined the military because it would pay for college. He chose
to attend the University of Iowa because it has a well-regarded
business school. He majored in nance because he wants to be
monetarily secure.
“For much of my life, I have stuck to what I’ve thought is right,
and it’s helped me to achieve things that I never believed would
be possible for somebody in my situation,” says Huerta, who
graduated in December.
Read More:
stories.uiowa.edu/grads-fall21-huerta-high-ying-hawkeye
10
Once you’ve evaluated who you are, begin prepping for next steps by starting your resume and connecting
with employers through career fairs and networking events.
This checklist will help you get started. Visit careers.uiowa.edu and look under “Resume & Cover Letters” and “Career Prep” for
additional resources to complete items on this list.
□ Write or update your resume and have it reviewed during drop-in advising.
□ When needed, prepare cover letters or other required documents. These can also be reviewed during drop-in advising.
□ When ready, upload your resume into Handshake so you can begin applying for student employment or internship positions.
□ Create or update your LinkedIn® prole and clean up all social media accounts.
□ Learn to network and prepare your introduction to new contacts and potential employers.
□ Prepare and practice for interviews. Schedule a mock interview.
□ If interested in graduate or professional school, review resources to help you research programs and manage applications.
□ Schedule an appointment on MyUI with a Career Coach for additional assistance
and resources.
PREPARE SECTION
PREPARE
Let’s
Download a copy today!
tinyurl.com/Hawkeyes-MakeItHappen
Did you
know?
The Pomerantz Career Center Peer Advisor Program serves as a way for undergraduate UI students to receive
high-quality career tips and guidance from their peers. Peers are paid for their time and learn great leadership
skills to help them with their future careers.
Interested in becoming a future Career Peer?
Learn about the program at careers.uiowa.edu/career-peer-advising.
WITH THE
CHECKLIST
GET STARTED
EXPERIENCEEXPLORE PREPARE ACHIEVE
11
□ Create your own resume format
Resume templates can place your information in an odd format and are dicult to revise, so we
recommend not using a template to develop your resume. Visit careers.uiowa.edu and search for
“Resumes” to view sample resumes that you can edit to make your own
□ Keep it to one page in length
A 2–3 page resume is not needed for the standard college resume. Formatting and spacing can help with this.
□ Include your college degree
Now that you’re a Hawkeye, be sure to include the University of Iowa, your degree, and your anticipated graduation semester/year.
Instead of writing “major,” write “BA English” or “BS Psychology”. If you are an open major, writing “Open Major” will be suitable as you
explore. Additionally, you only need to list other institutions if you received a degree (for example, an AA degree).
Student employment positions and internships are listed on Handshake. Along with your application, many oces and departments
require that you also submit a resume to apply.
TIPS FOR A FIRST COLLEGE RESUME
Connecting the
world through
language
By becoming uent in Portuguese and Spanish,
Holly Harris is striving for an international career
where she can use the power of language to bring
people together.
Story: Hannah Timmerman
Photography: Justin Torner
Growing up in the Midwest, Holly Harris always felt a connection
with the opposite side of the world. Harris was adopted from
China at just 10 months old, and she developed a passion for
exploring differences between cultures. As she got older, her
experiences through school and travel transformed her interest
in life outside the U.S. into a dream career.
Read More:
stories.uiowa.edu/grads-fall21-harris-connecting-world-through-
language
□ Leave high school o at a certain point
You don’t need to list your high school diploma, but if you are
an incoming student, your high school experiences are relevant.
Starting sophomore year, we recommend that high school
activities be replaced by college experiences.
□ Use bullet points to describe experiences
Bullet points allow the reader to easily skim your resume for
information. Use 2–5 bullet points for each experience. Each
point should start with an action word/verb written in past tense
(i.e., managed). [ A formula that may help in writing each bullet is:
Skill (verb) + What you did + Results/Purpose (how or why) ]. Try
to include the who, what, when, where, why and how to write a
descriptive bullet point.
□ Include dates and locations for all of your experiences
Please list the month/semester and year for dates (for example,
June 2019 or Spring 2019). Please list city and state for locations.
□ Be in reverse chronological order
Your most recent experiences should be listed rst within
each section.
□ Don’t include references
References, although very important, are actually a separate
document and therefore don’t need to be included on your
resume. Additionally, you do not need to write that your
references are available upon request.
□ Be free of all grammar and spelling errors
Employers expect your resume to reect strong writing skills
and attention to detail.
□ Visit careers.uiowa.edu and search for “Resumes”
You’ll nd more information on developing or revising your
resume at our website. Additionally, we offer sample resumes
that you can edit to make your own.
ALUMNI Highlight
12
• Name (make it big and bold). If you have a preferred name, place in parentheses – i.e.,
David (Allan) Smith
• School and/or home address, phone, and email
• Web links to LinkedIn® prole or portfolio (if applicable)
• The University of Iowa, Iowa City, IA
• Degree and major (i.e., BBA Management, BS Psychology)
• Major track/emphasis, minors, and/or certicates
• Graduation date only
• Cumulative and/or major GPA if about 3.0
• UI Dean’s List, and UI Honors (if applicable)
• Study abroad (if applicable)
• Other institutions only if you received a degree (i.e., AA degree)
• Be descriptive with category headings – this allows you to highlight specic experiences.
Examples Include:
- Course Highlights
- Class Experience
- Relevant Experience
- Internship Experience
- Leadership Experience
- Employment Experience
- Community Involvement
- Volunteer Experience
- Foreign Language Prociency
• Include classes that are relevant to the occupation/eld you are seeking
• Consider class projects, research, group work, and industry knowledge/skills you gained
• List course title, department, and semester
• Can also list 4–6 related class titles under course highlights
• Position title
• Company name, city and state
• Dates of employment/involvement
• 2–5 bullet points describing duties, tasks, and skills acquired (See pages 16,18, & 19)
- Begin with a power/action verb (i.e., managed, planned, assisted)
- Start all bullet points in past tense (even for current positions)
- Answer the who, what, when, where, why, and how to write a descriptive bullet point
- Use numbers to quantify information
- Bullet points don’t require periods
• Place most recent experiences rst within each section
• List general membership in other campus/community organizations
• Can list bullet points if involvement is relevant to career goals
Header
Education
Tailored Headings
Coursework (Optional)
Experience Sections
& Bullet Points
BASICS OF BUILDING A RESUME
Additional Activities
GET STARTED
EXPERIENCEEXPLORE PREPARE ACHIEVE
13
Other Reminders • Keep to one page in length
• Don’t use a template to format
• Place dates on the right side of the page
• Stay consistent with format and layout
• Use 10–12 point traditional font
• Don’t state “References available upon request”
• Check for spelling and grammatical errors
• Only include high school information if you are a rst-year student
• Tailor information to position sought and place most relevant experiences at the top
• Developing your resume to be compatible for Applicant Tracking Systems (ATS) software:
over 98% of Fortune 500 organizations use ATS software. To get an interview with a large
organization, you have to be savvy about how you customize, format, and submit your resume.
Keywords and simple formatting are key. Search “ATS” on our website for more tips.
• Visit the Pomerantz Career Center for a resume review. Engineering students visit the
Engineering Career Services oce in 3612 Seamans Center
David Janssen graduated from the
University of Iowa with a medical
degree and returned to his roots in
northwest Iowa to practice family
medicine. He says his goal is to take
care of residents, so the community
can thrive.
Story: Richard C. Lewis
Photography: courtesy of David Janssen
Sometimes, it’s an unexpected assist that
makes you grateful to have returned home.
That’s what happened to David Janssen,
a family medicine doctor in Sioux Center,
Iowa. After working a late shift at the
hospital, Janssen awoke with a start one
morning when he heard noise above him.
When he investigated, he found his neighbor
removing leaves from his roof.
Back home, rooted in
family medicine
“We had talked a few days ago about raking leaves together, but I didn’t realize it would happen then, and he would be on my roof,”
Janssen says.
“He is one of my best friends now,” he adds with a laugh.
For Janssen, a University of Iowa Carver College of Medicine graduate, the seless deed crystallized why he decided to become a family
medicine physician and to practice near where he grew up.
Janssen was born in Sioux Center, and works with some of the nurses involved in his birth and his post-delivery care. He spent summer
days as a lifeguard at the pool, the main hangout place for him and his friends. The family routinely convened for evening supper.
“I think it really was a quintessential small-town experience,” Janssen recalls. “Kids go out during the summer, stay outside all day, and
don’t come home until supper.”
Read more:
stories.uiowa.edu/david-janssen-sioux-center-family-medicine
ALUMNI Highlight
14
REVIEW THE LIST BELOW OF ATTRIBUTES EMPLOYERS SEEK ON A CANDIDATE’S RESUME.
(From National Association of Colleges & Employers Job Outlook 2018)
Star the skills/attributes you possess, mark the ones you are unsure of with “?”, and put an “X” next to the ones you don’t feel procient in.
Problem-solving
skills
Team Work
Written
Communication
Leadership
Strong work ethic
Analytical/
quantitative skills
Verbal
Communication
Initiative
Detail-oriented
Flexibility/
adaptability
Technical skills
Interpersonal skills
Computer skills
Organizational
ability
Strategic planning
Creativity
Friendly/outgoing
personality
Tactfulness
Entrepreneurial
skills/risk-taking
Fluency in a foreign
language
Now, write down your top 5 Strengths and consider where they can be found in the above list of transferable skills.
Circle as many skills that connect with your strengths.
Pick 2–3 of the attributes/skills that you starred, write them below and an example of how you’ve used this skill/attribute.
Now, using one of your examples, write a bullet for your resume and an example for interviews that describes what you did AND the
outcome achieved, how you did it, or skills used.
EXAMPLES
Resume
>
(Includer Strength,
Teamwork Skill)
Developed a culture of inclusion during large committee meetings by making sure all voices were heard
and information was shared openly.
Interview Answer
>
(Discipline Strength,
Organization Skill)
I demonstrate my strength in discipline through the organization I utilize to plan out my week. Using a
planner, every weekend I take a look at the week ahead and plan for the events I have coming up, making
sure to adjust my schedule for enough time to accomplish all my daily tasks.
Next steps: for the skills you put an X next to, pick two. Brainstorm at least one way, for each, you can improve the skill. Think about
summer jobs, volunteer work and/or job shadowing as a way to help you develop these skills.
IDENTIFYING & DESCRIBING TRANSFERABLE SKILLS
GET STARTED
EXPERIENCEEXPLORE PREPARE ACHIEVE
15
REVIEW THE LIST BELOW OF ATTRIBUTES EMPLOYERS SEEK ON A CANDIDATE’S RESUME.
(From National Association of Colleges & Employers Job Outlook 2018)
Star the skills/attributes you possess, mark the ones you are unsure of with “?”, and put an “X” next to the ones you don’t feel procient in.
CLIFTONSTRENGTHS FOR STUDENTS
CliftonStrengths for Students was designed specically for students—to help them learn, develop, and succeed using their strengths. It
gives students the resources, techniques, and inspiration to thrive in school and in life after college. From deciding how to get involved on
campus to determining their career path, students can use CliftonStrengths for Students to make choices that consider natural talents.
Contact the Pomerantz Career Center at 319-335-1023 or careers.uiowa.edu to:
• Discuss your CliftonStrengths results
• Explore major, career & involvement options that leverage your talents
• Sell yourself in resumes, cover letters & interviews
• Search for organizations & jobs where your strengths will shine
Achiever
People especially talented in the Achiever
theme have a great deal of stamina and work
hard. They take great satisfaction from being
busy and productive.
Activator
People especially talented in the Activator
theme can make things happen by turning
thoughts into action. Once a decision is
made, they want to act quickly.
Adaptability
People especially talented in the Adaptability
theme prefer to “go with the ow.” They tend
to be “now” people who take things as they
come and discover the future one day at a
time.
Analytical
People especially talented in the Analytical
theme search for reasons and causes. They
have the ability to think about all the factors
that might affect a situation.
Arranger
People especially talented in the Arranger
theme can organize, but they also have a
exibility that complements this ability. They
like to gure out how all of the pieces and
resources can be arranged for maximum
productivity.
Belief
People especially talented in the Belief
theme have certain core values that are
unchanging. Out of these values emerges a
dened purpose for their life.
Command
People especially talented in the Command
theme have presence. They can take control
of a situation and make decisions.
Communication
People especially talented in the
Communication theme generally nd it easy
to put their thoughts into words. They are
good conversationalists and presenters.
Competition
People especially talented in the Competition
theme measure their progress against the
performance of others. They strive to win
rst place and revel in contests.
Connectedness
People especially talented in the
Connectedness theme have faith in the links
between all things. They believe there are
few coincidences and that almost every
event has a reason.
Consistency
People especially talented in the Consistency
theme are keenly aware of the need to treat
people the same. They try to treat everyone
in the world with consistency by setting up
clear expectations and adhering to them.
Context
People especially talented in the Context
theme enjoy thinking about the past. They
understand the present by researching its
history.
Deliberative
People especially talented in the Deliberative
theme are best described by the serious care
they take in making decisions or choices.
They anticipate the obstacles.
Developer
People especially talented in the Developer
theme recognize and cultivate the potential
in others. They spot the signs of each small
improvement and derive satisfaction from
these improvements.
Discipline
People especially talented in the Discipline
theme enjoy routine and structure. Their
world is best described by the order they
create.
Empathy
People especially talented in the Empathy
theme can sense the feelings of other people
by imagining themselves in others’ lives or
others’ situations.
Focus
People especially talented in the Focus
theme can take a direction, follow through,
and make the corrections necessary to stay
on track. They prioritize, then act.
Futuristic
People especially talented in the Futuristic
theme are inspired by the future and what
could be. They inspire others with their
visions of the future.
Harmony
People especially talented in the Harmony
theme look for consensus. They don’t
enjoy conict; rather, they seek areas of
agreement.
Ideation
People especially talented in the Ideation
theme are fascinated by ideas. They are
able to nd connections between seemingly
disparate phenomena.
Includer
People especially talented in the Includer
theme are accepting of others. They show
awareness of those who feel left out, and
make an effort to include them.
Individualization
People especially talented in the
Individualization theme are intrigued with the
unique qualities of each person. They have
a gift for guring out how people who are
different can work together productively.
Input
People especially talented in the Input theme
have a need to collect and archive. They may
collect information, ideas, history, or even
relationships.
16
TALKING ABOUT STRENGTHS DURING AN INTERVIEW
When in an interview, be sure to bring your top 5 Strengths into the conversation. Your Strengths can demonstrate for potential employers
your abilities to carry out the role they are interviewing you for well. But how does one talk about Strengths beyond the word? Below are
some examples:
• Discipline: As I carry out any task or role, I nd that I like to create a routine that helps promote my own effectiveness in the workplace
setting. Once I have an established way of carrying out my job I can excel exceptionally well.
• Responsibility: I take ownership of anything I do in my role. It is important to me that I nish anything I start or am assigned to the
very end.
• Input: Before I dive into action on a task or role, I like to assess the different components of what is at hand. I tend to research and ask
questions to make sure that before I move forward I know as much as possible about what I am being asked to do.
STRENGTHS BASED RESUMES & COVER LETTERS
Integrating your top 5 themes from Strengths into your resume or cover letter does not mean you explicitly state them, “I am an Includer.
I am a Maximizer. I have an Input strength.” If you go about integrating your top 5 Strengths in this manner, potential employers will be
confused as to what you are trying to convey. Instead, when integrating your Strengths into your resume and/or cover letters, formulate
Strengths into bullet points, phrases, or sentences that convey their greatness in a manner that makes the most sense, such as:
Resume
• Includer: Worked on various group projects, making sure that all members involved had a part and contributed to the overall goal
• Woo: Met with potential customers, welcoming them and established rapport quickly with them
Cover Letters
• Includer: In contributing to the mission of (Company Name) when conducting the role of (Position Title), I would seek the input of all
staff members involved to make sure they are able to contribute to the overall project.
• Woo: I can ensure that the best possible service is given to all customers through my ability to build quick rapport with people and
connect with them.
CLIFTONSTRENGTHS FOR STUDENTS
Intellection
People especially talented in the Intellection
theme are characterized by their intellectual
activity. They are introspective and
appreciate intellectual discussions.
Learner
People especially talented in the Learner
theme have a great desire to learn and want
to continuously improve. In particular, the
process of learning, rather than the outcome,
excites them.
Maximizer
People especially talented in the Maximizer
theme focus on strengths as a way to
stimulate personal and group excellence.
They seek to transform something strong
into something superb.
Positivity
People especially talented in the Positivity
theme have an enthusiasm that is contagious.
They are upbeat and can get others excited
about what they are going to do.
Relator
People especially talented in the Relator
theme enjoy close relationships with others.
They nd deep satisfaction in working hard
with friends to achieve a goal.
Responsibility
People especially talented in the
Responsibility theme take psychological
ownership of what they say they will do.
They are committed to stable values such as
honesty and loyalty.
Restorative
People especially talented in the Restorative
theme are adept at dealing with problems.
They are good at guring out what is wrong
and resolving it.
Self-Assurance
People especially talented in the Self-
Assurance theme feel condent in their
ability to manage their own lives. They
possess an inner compass that gives them
condence that their decisions are right.
Signicance
People especially talented in the Signicance
theme want to make a big impact. They
are independent and sort projects based
on the level of inuence it will have on their
organization and others around them.
Strategic
People especially talented in the Strategic
theme create alternative ways to proceed.
Faced with any given scenario, they can
quickly spot the relevant patterns and issues.
Woo
People especially talented in the Woo
theme love the challenge of meeting new
people and winning them over. They derive
satisfaction from breaking the ice and
making a connection with another person.
GET STARTED
EXPERIENCEEXPLORE PREPARE ACHIEVE
17
CLIFTONSTRENGTHS FOR STUDENTS
Colin Winn
[email protected]; 319-555-2020,
123 Hawkeye Road, Iowa City, IA 52246
www.linkedin.com/in/colinwinnnnn
EDUCATION
B.B.A. Management & Organizations
Emphasis: Human Resource Management
Minor: Human Relations; Certicate in Leadership Studies
The University of Iowa, Iowa City, IA
May 20xx
A.A. Business Administration
Iowa Western Community College, Council Bluffs, IA
July 20xx
RETAIL EXPERIENCE
Hy-Vee, Inc., Iowa City, IA August 20xx–
Present
Current Position:
Starbucks Barista (Certied Barista)
• • Connected with customers assisting with product information, order fulllment, and Connected with customers assisting with product information, order fulllment, and
merchandise selectionmerchandise selection
• Maintained the cleanliness and order of the coffee kiosk, monitoring product supply levels and
health regulations on self-life of products
• • Opened and closed kiosk properly through, obtaining and returning money till, Opened and closed kiosk properly through, obtaining and returning money till,
setup and take down of espresso and brewing machines, and stocking and emptying of pastry setup and take down of espresso and brewing machines, and stocking and emptying of pastry
casecase
• Managed the kiosk inventory of supplies for making and selling product, including drink
containers, food supplies, and merchandise
• • Delivered high standard of customer service on a daily basis to all customers who approached Delivered high standard of customer service on a daily basis to all customers who approached
the kioskthe kiosk
Training Programs:
• Completed Starbucks barista training program and was issued certication to operate kiosk
independently
Von Maur, Iowa City, IA June
20xx–August 20xx
Store Management Intern
• Provided excellent customer service through product knowledge and shopping assistance
• Maintained the department through cleaning, organizing, and stocking merchandise
• Assisted other sales associates with customer matters, stocking of merchandise, and
organizing products
HONORS/ACTIVITIES
Campus Leaders Today, Career Leaders Tomorrow April 20xx–May
20xx
Empowerment Committee Chair
• Responsible for all social and fundraising event for the student organization
• Manages leadership positions within three different committees
Phi Sigma Pi National Honor Fraternity February 20xx–May
20xx
The University of Iowa, Iowa City, IA
Strength
Demonstrated:
Woo –
connecting with
customers rapidly
can require
winning others
over quickly.
Strength
Demonstrated:
Responsibility –
setting up and
closing down an
entire business
operation
requires a lot
of personal
ownership of
the tasks
Colin Winn
[email protected]; 319-555-2020,
123 Hawkeye Road, Iowa City, IA 52246
www.linkedin.com/in/colinwinnnnn
November 1, 2016
Gabriel L’Arc
Director of Human Resources
L’Arc Human Resources
123 Sherm Circle
West Des Moines, IA 50266
Dear Mr. L’Arc:
I am writing to express interest in the Human Resources Generalist position posted on the L’Arc
Human Resources website. I am excited to work for this company, as I have read reviews of the
great services it has provided for the Des Moines, West Des Moines, and surrounding areas.
As my resume indicates, I am a recent graduate of the University of Iowa where I majored in
management and organizations. The concentration I had with my major was that of human
resources. I have found human resources fascinating since learning about the functions of it. I I
have a strong desire to work with people, but in the manner of helping them develop to their fullest have a strong desire to work with people, but in the manner of helping them develop to their fullest
potentials as working individuals in their roles.potentials as working individuals in their roles.
I bring to this role as well a lot of customer service experience, which I know would serve me well
in working with clients. I understand the importance the customers hold for continued business
operations. Customers are both those who come into L’Arc and are served by L’Arc.
From my prior From my prior
experiences with working with customers, I know I can build rapport quickly and connect well with experiences with working with customers, I know I can build rapport quickly and connect well with
people.people.
My experiences and education have given a deeper understanding of human resources and
customer service, both which make me a competitive candidate for the Human Resources
Generalist position. I would welcome the opportunity to discuss this position in detail. Please feel
to contact me should you need additional information. Thank you for reviewing my materials. I look
forward to your response.
Sincerely,
Colin Winn
Colin Winn
Strength
Demonstrated:
Woo –
connecting with
customers rapidly
can require
winning others
over quickly.
Strength
Demonstrated:
Developer –
seeing the
potential in
others having
the desire to
help grow
continuously.
18
Students often tell us that writing bullets is the hardest part of a resume. When writing bullet points it is important to go beyond just your
“duties” at a job. One way to do this is to think of the “5 W’s and an H” rule you learned in school.
Who: Who did your job help? The company? Clients? Customers?
What: What happened with the results of the job? If you did research, was that information published? If you had to do a report, what was
done with that information?
When: When did this happen? Daily? Weekly, Monthly? Talking about how often you did something is an easy way to show productivity in
your job.
Where: Where did your duties occur? Did you have to travel for a job? Were you responsible for interacting with people outside of your
organization?
Why & How: Why did you do this? How did your job duties help or add to the organization’s ability to function?
Before: Made a documentary
After + “How”: Filmed 10 minute documentary using the
x3000 camera
After + “Why”: Filmed 10 minute AIDS awareness
documentary for class presentation
Skill
(power verb)
Results/Purpose
(how / why)
BULLET POINT FORMULA:
Use this formula as a starting point when writing your detailed bullet points.
American Marketing Association (AMA) Fall 20XX - Present
Member
• Created personal brand
• Attended weekly meetings
• Volunteered at service activities and fundraising events
Member Fall 20XX - Present
American Marketing Association (AMA)
• Enhanced skills for future success and created own personal brand shared with 12 area employers
• Participated in bi-weekly meetings in order to expand knowledge of several marketing concepts
• Attended and participated in 4 service activities and 3 fundraisers in order to apply learned theory
Below are additional samples of how to add content and valuable details to your resume. The details will set you apart from other
candidates and showcase your skills and expertise appropriately.
EXAMPLE 1
EXAMPLE 2
Before
>
Before
>
After
>
After
>
Sal’s T-shirt Depot, Any Town, IL June 20XX - Present
Sales Associate
• Assisted with inventory
• Provided quality customer service
• Built displays for featured products
Sales Associate June 20XX - Present
Sal’s T-shirt Depot, Any Town, IL
• Assisted with daily and monthly inventory of over 1200 domestic and foreign products
• Provided quality customer service by handling customer questions, complaints, and problem solving
• Handled over 200 cash and credit transactions, balanced drawer, and ATM accurately as part of each shift
An important thing to remember is to quantify. Adding numbers—dollar amount, number of times you did something, or how much of
something you accomplished—shows productivity. Productivity is always transferable.
Tip: If you are having trouble writing your bullet point(s) focus on the basic responsibility you were doing and use the “Power Verbs” section
in this guide to get yourself started. Example: if your role was communication-related, go to that section in the power-verb pages in this
guide and pick the appropriate word to begin your bullet point with.
What
(job duty)
WRITING BULLET POINTS
GET STARTED
EXPERIENCEEXPLORE PREPARE ACHIEVE
19
Channeling her
heritage to help
others
ALUMNI Highlight
Having built connections and found a supportive community on the University of Iowa campus, Queta
Wanatee-Diego strives for a career where she can shine a light on Native American culture and have a
positive impact on many lives.
Story: Hannah Timmerman
Photography: Tim Schoon
Having grown up on the Meskwaki Settlement in Tama, Iowa,
Queta Wanatee-Diego has always been surrounded by her
Native American heritage. The roots of the Sac & Fox Tribe of
the Mississippi in Iowa, with whom her family is aliated, go
back centuries.
As a rst-generation minority student, Wanatee-Diego says
going off to college meant not only leaving her home, but an
entire community that feels like one big family.
“Being Native American, it feels like you’re related to everyone in
your tribe. Both sides of my family are just so big,” she says. “I
like to joke that everyone’s my cousin.”
Thanks to her family’s personal ties to the UI, Wanatee-Diego
says she’s always felt a connection to the university, which
made her transition as a college student a lot easier.
“The rst time I got to visit the Latino Native American Cultural
Center (LNACC) on campus, I found pictures of my family from
like the ’90s. To me that felt like a sign that I’m supposed to be
here, that this was my home. All because of that connection that
was established when I was growing up.”
Wanatee-Diego knew from an early age that her purpose in life
was to help others, and it was when she applied for college as a
rst-generation student that she decided to make that the focus
of her career.
Read More:
stories.uiowa.edu/wanatee-diego-channeling-heritage-help-
others
20
COMMUNICATING
Example: Presented to groups of 30+ transfer students on a weekly basis concerning university policies and procedures
Acted
Adapted
Addressed
Admitted
Allowed
Amended
Arbitrated
Argued
Ascertained
Attested
Briefed
Claried
Cleared Up
Closed
Communicated
Composed
Concluded
Consented
Consulted
Convinced
Corresponded
Critiqued
Dedicated
Dened
Deliberated
Demonstrated
Drafted
Dramatized
Edited
Educated
Elicited
Explained
Extracted
Fabricated
Fashioned
Greeted
Highlighted
Illustrated
Improvised
Indicated
Inferred
Informed
Instructed
Interpreted
Interviewed
Justied
Lectured
Marketed
Mediated
Moderated
Negotiated
Perceived
Persuaded
Presented
Publicized
Queried
Questioned
Referred
Reinforced
Related
Rendered
Reported
Represented
Revealed
Sanctioned
Settled
Shaped
Smoothed
Sold
Solicited
Specied
Spoke
Submitted
Substantiated
Suggested
Summarized
Supplemented
Supported
Surveyed
Synthesized
Systematized
Taught
Tested
Translated
Transmitted
Veried
Welcomed
Wrote
EXECUTING
Example: Handled 20–35+ customer calls per shift regarding coverage changes, renewal rates and billing procedures
Acted
Administered
Carried out
Collected
Completed
Conducted
Displayed
Distributed
Entered
Exercised
Forwarded
Handled
Input
Installed
Labored
Merchandised
Operated
Performed
Processed
Produced
Proofed
Prospected
Proved
Shipped
Sold
Stocked
Transacted
GETTING RESULTS
Example: Increased student participation by 25% over a 6-month period
Accomplished
Achieved
Added
Advanced
Boosted
Built
Combined
Completed
Consolidated
Constructed
Contributed
Delivered
Demonstrated
Diminished
Earned
Eclipsed
Eliminated
Enlarged
Enjoyed
Enlisted
Ensured
Excelled
Expanded
Expedited
Finalized
Fullled
Gained
Generated
Grew
Guaranteed
Hastened
Heightened
Improved
Increased
Innovated
Integrated
Introduced
Invented
Joined
Launched
Lightened
Minimized
Modernized
Obtained
Opened
Orchestrated
Overcame
Prevailed
Produced
Qualied
Realized
Received
Reduced(losses)
Rejuvenated
Renovated
Restored
Targeted
HELPING
Accommodated
Advised
Aided
Alleviated
Assisted
Assured
Bolstered
Coached
Continued
Cooperated
Counseled
Dealt
Eased
Elevated
Enabled
Endorsed
Enhanced
Enriched
Familiarized
Helped
Interceded
Mobilized
Modeled
Polished
Prescribed
Provided
Rehabilitated
Relieved
Rescued
Returned
Saved
Served
Sustained
Tutored
Validated
Example: Provided academic support for 30+ at-risk primary school students through comprehensive after-school program
CREATING
Example: Formed an improvisational comedy troupe of 10 members that performed 6 shows in a year
Authored
Brainstormed
Built
Composed
Conceived
Constructed
Cultivated
Curated
Designed
Determined
Drafted
Drew
Established
Fabricated
Formed
Formulated
Framed
Generated
Initiated
Instituted
Introduced
Invented
Made
Modeled
Originated
Performed
Played
Portrayed
Prepared
Produced
Promoted
Set up
Sketched
Started
Theorized
Visualized
TIPS FOR CHOOSING POWER VERBS
1. Take time to choose the one that most
accurately describes what you did.
2. Use past tense for verbs—even for
current positions for uniformity.
3. Try not to repeat the same verbs
throughout your resume.
POWER VERBS
GET STARTED
EXPERIENCEEXPLORE PREPARE ACHIEVE
21
PLANNING
Example: Developed and implemented a training program that resulted in a 45% increase in employee satisfaction
Administered
Anticipated
Commissioned
Determined
Developed
Devised
Evaluated
Forecasted
formulated
Identied
Observed
Planned
Prepared
Prioritized
Researched
Reserved
Revised
Strategized
Studied
Tailored
ORGANIZING
Example: Coordinated weekly oce schedules for 8 employees
Acquired
Activated
Adjusted
Allocated
Altered
Appointed
Arranged
Assembled
Assessed
Assigned
Authorized
Cataloged
Centralized
Charted
Classied
Collected
Committed
Conrmed
Contracted
Coordinated
Customized
Delegated
Designated
Designed
Established
Facilitated
Housed
Implemented
Incorporated
Instituted
Issued
Linked
Logged
Mapped out
Obtained
Ordered
Organized
Procured
Programmed
Recruited
Retrieved
Routed
Scheduled
Secured
Selected
Simplied
Sough
Straightened
Suggested
Tracked
SUPERVISING
Example: Developed and supervised the implementation of new computer ling system that reduced paper use by 35%
Adjusted
Analyzed
Apportioned
Assessed
Certied
Compared
Controlled
Corrected
Correlated
Developed
Discovered
Established
Examined
Explored
Graded
Indexed
Inspected
Judged
Licensed
Maintained
Measured
Modied
Monitored
Ociated
Overhauled
Oversaw
Policed
Prohibited
Rened
Regulated
Reviewed
Revised
Screened
Scrutinized
Set
Supervised
Supplied
Tightened
Traced
Updated
PROBLEM SOLVING
Example: Streamlined ordering through the use of computer technology, decreasing wait time from 6 to 2 days
Alleviated
Analyzed
Applied
Brainstormed
Collaborated
Conceived
Conceptualized
Crafted
Created
Debugged
Decided
Deciphered
Detected
Determined
Diagnosed
Engineered
Foresaw
Formulated
Found
Gathered
Investigated
Recommended
Remedied
Remodeled
Repaired
Resolved
Revamped
Revitalized
Revived
Satised
Solved
Streamlined
Synthesized
Theorized
QUANTITATIVE
Example: Converted les from COBAL to JAVA in order to increase compatibility with current systems
Accounted for
Appraised
Approximated
Audited
Balanced
Budgeted
Calculated
Checked
Compiled
Compounded
Computed
Conserved
Converted
Counted
Dispensed
Dispersed
Earned
Enumerated
Estimated
Figured
Financed
Grossed
Increased
Inventoried
Maximized
Multiplied
Netted
Proted
Projected
Purchased
Quantied
Rated
Reconciled
Recorded
Reduced
Tabulated
Totaled
LEADING
Example: Trained 20+ new employees in computer procedures over a 2-year period
Accelerated
Assumed
Caused
Chaired
Changed
Conducted
Directed
Disproved
Elected
Employed
Empowered
Encouraged
Enlisted
Envisioned
Fostered
Founded
Guided
Hired
Inuenced
Initiated
Inspired
Involved
Led
Managed
Mentored
Motivated
Originated
Pioneered
Promoted
Raised
Recognized for
Set goals
Spearheaded
Stimulated
Strengthened
Supervised
22
Beginning Resume
This sample resume highlights some examples of what an incoming or beginning college student seeking a part-time job may want to
include on their resume. For beginning resumes it is okay to include some high school experiences, however by sophomore year we
recommend that high school activities be replaced by college activities.
Ginger Snap
100 Mayower Hall, Room 206, Iowa City, IA 52242
[email protected]; (812) 533-7821
EDUCATION
The University of Iowa, Iowa City, IA Anticipated May 20XX
BA, Communication Studies
GPA: 3.0/4.0
COURSE HIGHLIGHTS
Interpersonal Communication Business and Professional Communication
Organizational Leadership Communication for the Workplace
WORK EXPERIENCE
Front Desk Assistant August 20XX–Present
Pomerantz Career Center, The University of Iowa, Iowa City, IA
• Greeted students, faculty, staff, and employers visiting the Career Center
• Assisted 50+ students weekly with scheduling advising appointments
• Answered phone calls, made copies, and performed data entry as needed
Detasseler Summers 20XX–20XX
Knights Detasseling, Galena, IL
• Inspected multiple rows of corn to remove pollinating tassels
• Developed teamwork and interpersonal skills working in a group to ensure smooth operation
• Promoted to Lead Detasseler by achieving high performance and perfect attendance
VOLUNTEER EXPERIENCE
Volunteer, The University of Iowa Hospitals & Clinics, Iowa City, IA June 20XX–Present
• Aided Child Life staff in providing activities for 30+ pediatric patients
• interacted with patients by making crafts, playing games, and reading stories
• Strengthened communication skills by meeting with parents, siblings, and other family members
Volunteer, Special Olympics, Peoria, IL June 20XX
• Greeted 100+ spectators daily and sold tickets to various events
• Assisted with games by recording scores and presenting awards
• Served lunch to 500+ participants and family members
COLLEGE ACTIVITIES
Member, Theta Pi Sorority August 20XX–Present
Member, Intramural Sport - Volleyball September 20XX–May 20XX
HIGH SCHOOL ACTIVITIES
Yearbook Editor, Galena High School, Galena, IL August 20XX–May 20XX
• Managed team of 20 students in planning, designing, and editing 75-page yearbook
• Tracked school’s events calendar to ensure all activities were photographed
• Raised $600 in donations from local businesses
Member, Speech & Debate Team, Galena High School, Galena, IL August 20XX–May 20XX
• Attended National Speech and Debate Convention and was awarded top debater 2 years in a row
Member, Show Choir, Galena High School, Galena, IL August 20XX–May 20XX
• Enhanced verbal communication skill by presenting to audiences
RESUME EXAMPLES
GET STARTED
EXPERIENCEEXPLORE PREPARE ACHIEVE
23
Intermediate Resume
This sample resume highlights some examples of what a college student seeking an internship or research opportunity may want to
include on their resume. For intermediate resumes, all high school activities should be removed and the focus should be on college
activities, coursework and work experiences.
Herbert F. Sampson
Current Address: 100 Hillcrest Hall N217, Iowa City, IA 52242, (224) 682-0423
Permanent Address: 1443 E. Riverside Dr., Schaumburg, IL 60043, (847) 544-7797
linkedin.com/in/herbertsampson
EDUCATION
The University of Iowa, Iowa City, IA Anticipated May 20XX
BBA, Economics
Minor: Sociology
CLASS PROJECT EXPERIENCE
Money, Banking, and Financial Markets Spring 20XX
• Department of Economics, The University of Iowa, Iowa City, IA
• Analyzed nancial reports to project future earnings for Fortune 500 companies
• Presented investment strategy to simulated corporate client regarding a potential acquisition
• Developed a bond interest rate project utilizing Excel macros and historical nancial reporting
WORK EXPERIENCE
Caddie Summers 20XX–20XX
Barrington Hills Golf Club, Barrington, IL
• Trained and mentored 15 new caddies a year
• Developed a client base of over 40 members
• Assisted an average of 8 members per week in transporting golf bags
Tutor August 20XX–May 20XX
Introduction to Statistics and Inference, The University of Iowa, Iowa City, IA
• Provided tutoring services to 10 students weekly
• Increased students’ exam scores by approximately 30%
• Created worksheets that were used as study tools
LEADERSHIP EXPERIENCE
Career Leadership Academy December 20XX–Present
The University of Iowa, Iowa City, IA
• Two semester academic program focused on developing leadership and employment skills
• Strengthened communication, teamwork, interpersonal, and presentation abilities
• Attended employer panels and presentations by community leaders
COLLEGE ACTIVITIES
Member, Delta Sigma Pi Business Fraternity August 20XX–Present
Member, Bass Fishing Club January 20XX–Present
24
Advanced Resume
This sample resume highlights some examples of what a college student seeking full-time employment may want to include on their
resume. For advanced resumes, the focus should be on college internships, work experience, and skills.
THOMAS RAVENELLI
401 South Maple St., Iowa City, IA 52241
(319) 400-6543 | thomasrav[email protected]
EDUCATION
The University of Iowa, Iowa City, IA
Ma
y 20XX
Bachelor of Science - Computer Science
Bachelor of Arts - Psychology
COMPUTER SKILLS
Languages:
SQL, C++, Java, Ruby, Python
Operating Systems: UNIX, Windows, LINUX, Mac OS X
Software: Microsoft Access, Adobe Acrobat
PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE
Technology Intern
Ma
y 20XX–Present
Iowa Children’s Museum, Coralville, IA
• Designed and maintained museum’s web page using Java
• Assisted with computer installation and conguration of various operating systems
• Resolved technical problems for 9 professional staff members
Computer Lab Monitor
A
ug. 20XX–Dec. 20XX
The University of Iowa, Iowa City, IA
• Monitored computer lab of 25 computers
• Provided technical assistance on a daily basis to 100+ students
• Coordinated and facilitated technical instruction sessions for students as needed
CLASS PROJECT EXPERIENCE
Software Design and Development
A
ug. 20XX–Present
The University of Iowa, Iowa City, IA
• Learned HTML5 and CSS basics for webpage creation and design
• Utilized GitHub and GitBash Lennox command window emulator to understand how to track our work through local and remote
repositories
Data Communications Jan. 20XX–Present
The University of Iowa, Iowa City, IA
• Studied the O
SI and Hybrid Model which depict how software and hardware interconnect and communicate with each other
• Explored the different types of modern networks in use today, and how IPV4 and IPV6 addressing functions as an integral part of
network communication
LEADERSHIP EXPERIENCE
Pr
esident, Phi Kappa Tau Fraternity
Jan.
20XX–Present
Member, Phi Kappa Tau Fraternity
A
ug. 20XX–Present
The University of Iowa, Iowa City, IA
• Planned and conducted weekly meetings for 85 members
• Recruited 30 new members for the 20XX–20XX school year
• Organized 5 volunteer events to support local non-prot organizations
WORK EXPERIENCE
Book Store Clerk May 20XX–Aug. 20XX
The University Book Store, Iowa City, IA
•
Prioritized restocking order according to customer demand
• Assisted 50+ students daily in locating textbooks during the start of the semester
• Reconciled cash drawers with an average of $4,000 nightly
VOLUNTEER EXPERIENCE
Big Brother/Big Sister Program
Jan. 20XX
–Dec. 20XX
Salvation Army
Mar
. 20XX–Aug. 20XX
LANGUAGE PROFICIENCIES
Fluent in Spanish; Conversational in Italian
RESUME EXAMPLES
GET STARTED
EXPERIENCEEXPLORE PREPARE ACHIEVE
25
Creative Resume
This sample resume highlights some of what a college student seeking an internship or employment opportunity may want to include on
their resume, and is intended to showcase creative ability, wordsmithing, and personal branding capabilities. Depending on the discipline,
including a link to an online portfolio or website of work is also recommended. These resumes should be limited to a single page.
HERKY
HAWKEYE
CONTACTEXPERIENCE
EDUCATION
SKILLSET &
AWARDS
JOURNALIST | SOCIAL MEDIA MANAGER | DIGITAL MARKETER
Iowa Youth Writing Project
Optics Intern
• Attended monthly IYWP workshops and events
• Created original content for Iowa Youth Writing Project
(IYWP) blog
• Published content for IYWP social media channels
• Volunteered weekly at South East Junior High
• Planned and presented class curriculum
• Attended weekly and monthly team meetings
Ed on Campus/VERVE Magazine
Editor
• Assisted members with pitches and article content
• Communicated with members regarding edits
• Published member articles
• Presented material on social media and other marketing strategies
• Attended all bi-monthly meeting, workshops, and events
The Tab Iowa
Editor-in-Chief
• Published and edited member articles daily
• Communicated daily with members regarding articles and
upcoming events
• Organized weekly meetings and team events
• Managed team Facebook account
• Recruited 15 new members
• Distributed and scheduled member articles on Facebook
The Tab Iowa
Senior Reporter
• Pitched, wrote, and published weekly articles
• Member of founding team
• Attended weekly meetings
• Recruited 10 new members
641.555.1222
herky.hawk@uiowa.edu
linkedin.com/in/hhawk
20XX – 20XX
The University of Iowa
BA Journalism and
Mass Communication
Entrepreneurial Management
Certification
Writing Certification—
Publishing Track
• Photo, video, and audio
storytelling and editing
• Final Cut Pro
• Audacity
• Microsoft Suite
• Google Suite
• Adobe Creative Suite
• Facebook, Instagram, Twitter,
Google and Wordpress analytics
• Social media marketing
• Proficient in AP style
• Mac and PC proficient
• Dean’s List
• Spring 20XX
• Fall 20XX
• U of I Joan Lahart-Van Bortel
Endowed Scholarship
• Carl A. Erikson Scholarship
Aug 20XX – Dec 20XX
Sept 20XX – Dec 20XX
Aug 20XX – Aug 20XX
Dec 20XX – Aug 20XX
26
RESUME EXAMPLES: ENGINEERING
Herky Hawk
https://www.linkedin.com/in/herky-hawk
825 Stadium Dr
Iowa City, IA 52240
319-555-555
EDUCATION
University of Iowa │Iowa City, IA Bachelor of Science in Engineering May 20XX
Major: Electrical and Computer Engineering GPA: 3.42/4.00
Relevant Coursework: Data Structures, Software Design, Programming Language Concepts, Modern
Databases, Communication Networks, Operating Systems, Internet of Things, and Embedded Systems
TECHNICAL SKILLS
• C++ (Intermediate)
• Access Database
• Solidworks
• Java (Intermediate)
• Excel
• Creo
• MatLab (Intermediate)
• R (Basic)
• LaserWorks
ENGINEERING EXPERIENCE
Software Developer │College of Engineering, Iowa City, IA August 20XX - Present
• Contributed to MONAI, an open-source framework for deep learning in healthcare imaging (Python)
Software Engineer Intern │Grace Technologies, Davenport, IA May 20XX - August 20XX
• Completed distributor locator map widget for corporate site (backend: C#, SQL -frontend: TypeScript)
• Designed parsing software to dynamically generate product descriptions (C#, SQL)
• Communicated with engineering, sales, and marketing departments to reach desired vision
ENGINEERING PROJECTS
Design for Manufacturing │Creo Modeling August 20XX - December 20XX
• Created toy brick models in Creo and exported machine files with team of 7 members
• Operated CNC Lathe machine and injection molding machine to produce plastic toy bricks
Information and Systems Design │Website Building and Design January 20XX - May 20XX
• Learned various coding languages including HTML, CSS, and PHP
• Collaborated with three students to design and implement a service website for online shopping
LEADERSHIP EXPERIENCE
The University of Iowa, College of Engineering
Undergraduate Teaching Assistant │Internet of Things August 20XX - Present
• Provide insight, lead discussions, and troubleshoot technical problems
• Aid professors with facilitation of classes containing upwards of 375 students
Engineering Student Ambassador │Office of Recruitment & Outreach August 20XX - June 20XX
• Led tours and offered information to prospective students and families
• Coordinated and presented the electrical and computer engineering info session for large visit events
Vice President │National Society of Black Engineers April 2019 – May 2020
• Coordinated chapter’s social media engagement, which included utilizing LinkedIn to showcase
member’s successes in research, internships, and full-time jobs
• Planned and implemented Black Girls Do Science with three executive board members, an annual
large-scale event that invites underrepresented girls from all over the state to pursue STEM
ACTIVITIES & RECOGNITION
• Theta Tau Member
• IEEE Secretary
• Dean’s List (x4)
• Old Gold Scholarship Recipient
VANESSA HAWKEYE
www.linkedin.com/in/vHawkeyes.com
EDUCATION
University of Iowa Iowa City, IA May 20XX
Bachelor of Science in Engineering Overall GPA: 3.34 / 4.00
MAJOR: Industrial Engineering Focus Area: Big Data Analytics Major GPA: 3.60 / 4.00
TECHNICAL SKILLS
• AutoCAD
• C++
• PTC Creo
• Google Suite
• Lean Manufacturing
• Microsoft Office Suite
• Pro Engineer
• SketchUp
• SolidWorks
INDUSTRY EXPERIENCE
Collins Aerospace Cedar Rapids, IA May 20XX – Dec. 20XX
Industrial Engineering Co-op
• Directed a layout redesign project worth $250K for the expansion of two product lines in a 35,000 ft
2
facility
• Managed a continuous improvement project reducing build time for 15+ assembly designs using SAP
• Led weekly meetings with professional engineers to optimize all layout moves to increase growth rate of an Integrated
Product Team (IPT)
• Reduced assembly time by 8% using various diagrams to aid decisions in layout of machines and stations
• Analyzed inventory costs and implemented alternative designs, resulting in a savings of $60K
• Designed and 3D printed new fixtures using SolidWorks for circuit boards to aid operators in repair and testing
University of Iowa Hospital & Clinics Iowa City, IA Sep. 20XX – May 20XX
Senior Design Project Consultant
• Consulted for a team of radiologists to optimize patient schedules and alleviate bottlenecks in the Positron Emission
Tomography (PET) Department
• Analyzed the flow of 400+ patients by creating time studies and fit distribution using analysis software
• Lobbied for additional patient prep rooms by presenting findings to Hospital Administration
• Designed a website using HTML to grant liaisons access to the project data
RESEARCH EXPERIENCE
Additive Manufacturing-Integrated Lab Iowa City, IA Sep. 20XX – May 20XX
Undergraduate Researcher
• Collaborated with College of Dentistry to brainstorm current 3D printing plans for synthetic bone designs
• Researched and worked with three PhD students to improve efficiency of existing 3D printers
• Printed and analyzed 150+ microscopic shapes to determine the efficiency and quality of the 3D printed results
• Tested the viscosity and coating thickness of a printing material using digital projection techniques
CAMPUS LEADERSHIP & INVOLVMENT
SpaceX Hyperloop Design Competition Chicago, IL Jan. 20XX – May 20XX
• Selected as one out of 1000 entries to compete amongst 150 teams in Design Weekend at Texas A&M
• Collaborated in a team of 16 to design several possible solutions for the hypothetical design of a hyperloop
Society of Women Engineers Iowa City, IA Sep. 20XX – May 20XX
• Served as treasurer for one academic year and monitored the organization’s overall finances
• Collaborated with the executive board to host networking events and employer visits to weekly and monthly
meetings
GET STARTED
EXPERIENCEEXPLORE PREPARE ACHIEVE
27
RESUME EXAMPLE: NURSING
Sarah Jacobson
(319) 555-1212
EDUCATION
The University of Iowa, Iowa City, IA May 20XX
Bachelor of Science, Nursing
Minor in Spanish
• GPA: 3.9/4.0
• Member, Sigma Theta Tau Honor Society of Nursing
SENIOR INTERNSHIP EXPERIENCE
Cardiac Intensive Care Unit Spring 20XX
University of Iowa Hospitals & Clinics (UIHC), Iowa City, IA (225 hours)
• Completed senior internship in a 24-bed cardiac unit for both medical and post-surgical care
• Competent in monitoring advanced hemodynamic care
• Developed/Strengthened skills in….
RESEARCH EXPERIENCE
Independent Research September 20XX–Present
University of Iowa College of Nursing Honors Independent Study
• Designed an independent honors project focused on maternal/child health outcomes
• Shadowed midwives through assessments, deliveries, and postpartum appointments, while providing emotional
support to the patients
• Developed a conference poster presentation
ADDITIONAL CLINICAL EXPERIENCE
Adult Surgery Specialty Unit Fall 20XX
UIHC, Iowa City, IA (135 hours)
• Provided post-operative care for patients undergoing complex procedures such as organ transplants, bariatric
surgery, and emergency general surgery
• Offered both physiological and psychological care for patients after their illness or injury
Pediatric Cancer Center Spring 20XX
UIHC, Iowa City, IA (90 hours)
• Cared for patients ranging from newborns to young adults who were navigating various oncology treatments
• Treated patients undergoing bone marrow transplants at Iowa’s only FACT accredited Bone Marrow Transplant
Center
Geriatrics Spring 20XX
Prairie Hills Senior Living Facility, Cedar Rapids, IA (90 hours)
• Assisted with patient assessments evaluating functional status, comorbidities, cognition, nutritional status,
psychological state, social support, and review of medications
• Offered compassionate hospice care for residents with terminal health conditions
General Psychiatry Fall 20XX
St. Luke’s Hospital, Cedar Rapids, IA (90 hours)
• Provided empathetic care for patients struggling with dementia, depression, anxiety, and other mental health
conditions
• Collaborated with care team to follow therapy and medication treatment plans
Community and Public Health Spring 20XX
Johnson County Health Department, Iowa City, IA (90 hours)
• Partnered with Public Health ocials to administer free STI testing to community members
• Generated community awareness of smoking cessation resources available at the health department
Current Address:
222 First Ave, Apt 305
Iowa City, IA 52243
Permanent Address:
555 Main St
North Aurora, IL 60542
Sarah Jacobson
Pg. 2
OTHER HEALTH CARE EXPERIENCE
Monitor Technician October 20XX–August 20XX
Mercy Hospital, Iowa City, IA
• Completed 40 hours of training and orientation prior to interpretation of EKGs
• Monitored patients on telemetry unit and medical/surgical unit
• Printed, read, and posted strips in patient charts
Certied Nursing Assistant Summers 20XX–20XX
Keystone Retirement Residence, Aurora, IL
• Cared for 25 residents by aiding with dressing, eating, oral care, bathing, and transportation
• Trained 8 new nursing assistants to the facility
LEADERSHIP EXPERIENCE
Programming Director August 20XX–Present
Dance Marathon, The University of Iowa, Iowa City, IA
• Acquired $1,000 in donations for annual event that raised more than $2 million beneting pediatric oncology
patients at the University of Iowa Stead Family Children’s Hospital
• Managed a committee of 15 students in organizing social activities for pediatric patients and their families
• Participated in service events aimed at increasing awareness of the Children’s Miracle Network
WORK EXPERIENCE
Sales Assistant January 20XX-May 20XX
The University of Iowa Book Store, Iowa City, IA
• Assisted 30 students weekly in locating and purchasing textbooks
• Reconciled cash drawers with an average of $4,000 nightly
COLLEGE ACTIVITIES
Member, Delta Alpha sorority August 20XX-Present
M ember, University of Iowa Association of Nursing Students August 20XX-Present
Member, Campus Activities Board August 20XX-May 20XX
AWARDS & HONORS
President’s List, University of Iowa May 20XX
“Making a Difference” Recognition Award, UIHC April 20XX
CERTIFICATIONS
Certicate in Quality & Safety
Certicate in Emergency Management
LANGUAGE PROFICIENCY
Fluent in Spanish
28
What is a CV?
A CV is a comprehensive, biographical statement emphasizing your professional qualications and activities. An International CV looks
different from a US CV, varies by country/region, and may include personal details such as age, marital status, gender, and
a photo.
What is the dierence between a US CV and a Resume?
• A CV includes more information than a resume and can range from 2 to 50 pages in length.
• Rather than focusing on work history, a CV provides a summary of one’s educational and academic background by highlighting
teaching and research experience, publications, presentations, professional aliations, and academic honors.
• CVs are typically written in a narrative, paragraph format, as opposed to bullet points.
When is a CV appropriate?
A CV should only be used when specically requested. This might occur in the following instances:
• Applications for admission to graduate or professional programs
• Proposals for fellowships or grants
• Applications for international employment (see examples by country online at goinglobal.com)
• Independent consulting in a variety of settings
• Providing information related to professional activities (i.e. applications for professional memberships and leadership positions, and
presentations at professional conferences)
• Applications for positions in academia, including: Higher education positions in teaching and research, institutional research and
consulting, or school administration (i.e., elementary or secondary principals, superintendents, deans of schools)
CV: SECTIONS TO INCLUDE
Contact Information
Name, address(es), phone number(s),
and email
Education
List academic degrees beginning with the
degree in progress or most recently earned.
Include: Name of institution, city & state,
degree type (BA, BS, MA, etc.) and area of
concentration, and month/year degree was
(or will be) received. If your GPA is 3.0 or
higher, it’s appropriate to include. You may
also include “Relevant Coursework” under
this heading.
Certications
List all relevant certications and the
year awarded.
Honors and Awards
List receipt of scholarships, fellowships,
assistantships, names of scholastic honors,
teaching or research awards.
Relevant Experience
Listing of positions (part-time, full-time,
volunteer, internship) related to the work
sought. Include: company/organization
name, city and state, job/position title, and
dates of employment. Include brief bulleted
descriptions of your activities/duties, listed
in reverse chronological order.
Other Experience
Listing of other experiences or positions
that are not directly related to the work
sought. Include: company/organization
name, city and state, job/position title, and
dates of employment. Include brief bulleted
descriptions of your activities/duties, listed
in reverse chronological order.
Grants Received
Include name of grant, name of granting
agency, date received and title or purpose
of research project, etc.
Professional Associations
List memberships in professional
organizations. Also include appointments/
positions/committees in these associations.
Student memberships are appropriate.
Publications
Give bibliographic citations for articles,
chapters, research reports, or any other
publication that you have authored or co-
authored. In ne arts areas, this can include
descriptions of recitals and art exhibits.
Research
Description of research projects recently
conducted or in progress. Include the type
of research and brief description of the
purpose.
Educational Travel
Include names of countries, dates, and
purpose of travel.
Community Involvement
List relevant volunteer work and involvement
with community service organizations, etc.
Include brief descriptions of experiences
and dates.
Leadership Experience
List relevant campus or community
leadership involvement, include positions/
titles held, brief description of experience
and dates.
Qualications or Skills
A summary of relevant strengths or skills
you want to highlight. For example, a listing
of special computing/software skills or
language skills.
CV (CURRICULUM VITAE) BASICS
GET STARTED
EXPERIENCEEXPLORE PREPARE ACHIEVE
29
CINDY TU
[email protected], (515) 444-9135
Current Address: 123 South Dodge Street, Iowa City, IA 52243
Permanent Address: 4567 W. First Street, Ankeny, IA 50023
EDUCATION
The University of Iowa, Iowa City, IA BS Psychology, May 20XX
Minor: Human Relations
GPA: 3.7/4.0
Honors: Psi Chi, national honorary society in psychology; Dean’s List–8 semesters
COURSE HIGHLIGHTS
RESEARCH EXPERIENCE
Undergraduate Research Assistant, May 20XX–Present
Center for Couple and Family Studies, The University of Iowa, Iowa City, IA
•
Administer
ed semistructured interviews about the interplay between intimate relationships and
mental health
•
Coded data
from 14-day diary studies
•
P
articipated in weekly lab discussions about marital research literature
Undergraduate Research Assistant, September 20XX–April 20XX
ADHD and Development Lab, The University of Iowa, Iowa City, IA
•
Administer
ed a 2 hour testing interview to research participants biweekly
•
Recor
ded results accurately into a database
•
P
articipated in weekly lab discussions about ADHD research literature
PRESENTATIONS
Poster Presenter, April 20XX
Spring Undergraduate Research Festival, The University of Iowa, Iowa City, IA
• Created poster display explaining research summary regarding proposed sexual education mobile device
app for teens with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD)
•
E
valuated 158 mobile device apps that would inform development of planned
education intervention
•
Explor
atory design was employed with apps targeting persons with ASD and addressing social or language
development meeting inclusion criteria
• Statistical Methods
•
Resear
ch Practicum
•
Resear
ch Methods in Psychology
•
Adv
anced Research Practicum
• Introduction to Counseling Psychology
•
Marriage
and Family Interaction
•
Ethics in Human Relations &
Counseling
•
Motiv
ational Interviewing
TEACHING/ADVISING EXPERIENCE
Undergraduate Research Assistant, May 20XX–Present
Center for Couple and Family Studies, The University of Iowa, Iowa City, IA
•
Administer
ed semistructured interviews about the interplay between intimate relationships and mental
health
•
Coded data
from 14 day diary studies
•
P
articipated in weekly lab discussions about marital research literature
CLINICAL VOLUNTEER EXPERIENCE
Crisis Intervention Volunteer, May 20XX–Present
Crisis Center of Johnson County, Iowa City, IA
•
P
articipated in 60+ hours of Crisis Intervention training
•
Ref
erred 50+ individuals to community resources
• Listened empathetically and nonjudgmentally to individuals in need
Child Psychiatric Unit Volunteer, September 20XX–December 20XX
The University of Iowa Hospitals and Clinics, Iowa City, IA
•
Monit
ored daily school activity group of 38 patients with psychiatric problems
• Assisted with clerical tasks to ensure eciency of the unit
•
Dedicated
70+ hours to tutoring K12 patients in their school assignment
P.A.T.H. Leader, August 20XX–May 20XX
Grant Wood Elementary School, Iowa City, IA
• Attended monthly speakers discussing educational goals, drugs, and healthy decision making
•
Led a
group of 8-10 fth grade students regarding goal setting and managing peer pressure
•
Cr
eated questions to extend student’s understanding of monthly speaker topic
•
De
veloped an open and trusting learning environment for students
EXTRACURRICULAR ACTIVITIES
Member, National Alliance on Mental Illness, August 20XX–Present
Member, Iowa Students Psychology Association (ISPA), August 20XX–Present
Participant, LeaderShape Institute, January 20XX
P
articipant, Alternative Spring Break to Memphis, Tennessee, March 20XX
CV EXAMPLE
30
The cover letter is an important part of the job search process. A cover letter (when requested) always accompanies the resume when it is
sent to a potential employer. The most effective letters are interesting, informative, and concise.
JANE Q. DOE
123 Main Street | Iowa City, IA | 52242
(515)296-7787 | [email protected]
Date
Name of Contact Person
Their Title
Organization Name
Street Address
City, State, Zip
Dear Contact Person (Mr./Ms. and last name):
(If a contact name is not listed, call the organization to ask for the appropriate contact. If you cannot locate a
specic individual, address your letter to Members of the Search Committee or Human Resources Director.)
Opening Paragraph
Use this paragraph to get the employer’s attention. Show your initiative, and what you have learned about
the company that makes it attractive to you. Identify what position you are applying for and how you
learned about the position. If you have been referred to the position by someone in you network, include
that information here. Your goal is to convince the employer that you are a strong candidate qualied for an
interview.
Body of the Letter
This section of the letter is where you justify why you should be considered as a candidate. Relate your
qualications to the specic job requirements, using examples of your experiences and achievements to
convey your knowledge and skills. Do not simply duplicate the information your resume; rather highlight
or add pertinent details of interest to the employer. Use wording similar to the job description and make a
connection between your experiences and the duties/tasks of the position.
Closing Paragraph
The nal paragraph is used to express an interest in an opportunity to interview for the position or to meet to
discuss your qualications. Indicate a willingness to supply the employer with additional information. Also,
indicate that you will take the next step, which may be a follow-up phone call (be sure to mark your calendar
and then make the call). Remember to thank the employer for reviewing your application.
Sincerely,
Your Signature (use black ink)
Your typed name
Enclosure (if you are including a resume or another document with your cover letter)
COVER LETTERS
GET STARTED
EXPERIENCEEXPLORE PREPARE ACHIEVE
31
When writing your cover letter, it is important to relate your skills and knowledge to the position for which you’re applying. What related
experiences can you emphasize to show a connection between your abilities and the position? Also, think about developing your cover
letter from the employer’s perspective. If roles were reversed and you were hiring for this position, would you consider yourself a strong
candidate qualied for an interview? In short, have you sold yourself on paper and linked your experiences to what is asked within the job
description and desired qualications?
The following position was posted on Handshake, the University of Iowa’s online job and internship database. The underlined text
illustrates where the applicant intends to detail their experiences that connect to that particular job task or desired skill. The following
cover letter will demonstrate how the applicant relates their experiences to the job description.
SAMPLE COVER LETTER
Job Title: Sales Account Executive
(Full-time)
Organization:
KWKB-TV
Location: Iowa City, Cedar Rapids,
Waterloo, IA
Industry: Media/Broadcast; Communication;
Television; Sales
Description
KWKB CW 20 has an immediate opening
for a highly motivated Account Executive.
The primary responsibility of our Account
Executives is to sell commercial advertising
time and other station products to local
advertisers and/or advertising agencies.
KWKB programming includes America’s Next
Top Model, Gossip Girl, and Vampire Diaries.
This is a tremendous opportunity for a highly
motivated individual to join a progressive
company.
Responsibilities
• Generate revenue for station by
retaining current business and developing
new business
• Contact local advertising agencies and
direct advertisers
• Attract advertisers to sell products and
services via broadcast television
• Make sales presentations to all
classications of advertisers to obtain
orders for advertising time and use of
commercial production facilities
• Attain budgeted revenue goals through
eective solicitations and promotions
Desired Skills
• Strong planning and organizational skills
• Procient in MS Word, Excel, and
PowerPoint
• Previous media sales experience a plus,
other sales experience preferred
• Must be accountable and reliable
Please note: The underlined text illustrates the direct connections to the job
description the applicant made when writing their cover letter. Do not underline
in your actual cover letter—this is intended for learning purposes only.
JOB POSTING
Ryan Kennedy
123 Market St, Iowa City, IA 52242
(515) 234-5678; ryan-k[email protected]
March 22, 20XX
Joy Anderson
Senior Account Executive
KWKB-TV
501 1st Avenue
Cedar Rapids, IA 52404
Dear Ms. Anderson:
I am writing to express interest in the Sales Account Executive position posted on the KWKB-TV
website. I am excited to work for one of the region’s most recognized and accomplished television
stations and would like to be considered as a candidate for this position.
As my resume indicates, I am currently the Advertising Manager for The Daily Iowa (DI), the
University of Iowa’s student newspaper. In my position, I manage the accounts of more than 200
businesses that choose to advertise in the DI. Through working with a variety of companies in
the Iowa City area, I understand the importance of cultivating customer relationships through
personal contacts, and I am devoted to providing clients the best experience possible. I also have
experience with creating promotions to generate revenue. For example, I developed a “Buy Two
Ads, Get One Free” promotion that I presented to local businesses to encourage them to advertise
in special editions of the DI that were distributed during summer orientation programs. This
promotion increased summer ad sales of 35%. I pride myself on being dedicated to my work and
not afraid to take on challenges.
In addition to my advertising knowledge, I also possess several years of retail experience. As the
Assistant Manager of a large retail chain, I have learned to be organized, ecient, and accountable.
Through this experience, I understand how providing quality customer service is vital to repeat
business.
My experiences have given me an understanding of the advertising sales industry and make me a
competitive candidate for the Sales Account Executive position. I would welcome the opportunity
to discuss this position in detail. Please feel free to contact me should you need additional
information. Thank you for reviewing my materials. I look forward to your response.
Sincerely,
Ryan Kennedy
Ryan Kennedy
COVER LETTERS: UTILIZING THE JOB DESCRIPTION
32
An online portfolio is a method to display your work and can be personalized to target your audience and industry. This tool is frequently
used in lm/video, design, journalism and publishing, or other positions that may require examples of your work. Often, online portfolios
are a blog, or a personalized website organized to show your work for an employer or potential client to skim quickly.
What does a portfolio typically include?
Your resume, digital images of your graphic designs, photographs or artwork, writing samples, and/or video and audio les. Depending
on the eld, it could include grant proposals, policy analysis, lesson plans…pretty much anything you want an employer to view. Just
remember, a portfolio is a curated body of work—only include the best works that are most relevant to the opportunity.
What else might be in a portfolio?
Newspaper clippings or examples of web content about your work or an award, recommendations, or testimonials can be included but are
‘extras’. Whenever possible, draw attention to the results and impact of your work. For an online branding opportunity, create an “About
Me” page in your portfolio.
Should you also have a hard copy portfolio?
Yes! You can include similar documents as above, but also include personal information about what you studied and where, your contact
information, and a contents list of the relevant work that you included. Hard copy portfolios are especially useful for candidates that have a
physically evident disability; the candidate can immediately counter bias in an interview by showing the employer proof of their ability to do
the job via hard copy documents or using their laptop to demo their online portfolio.
Visit careers.uiowa.edu and search for “Portfolios”
for more information and links to free website and portfolio products.
ONLINE PORTFOLIOS
ALUMNI Highlight
From small towns
to big NASA gig
Recent University of Iowa graduates
Andrew Carton and Ryan Helland grew
up in small communities in Iowa never
dreaming they’d be involved in space
research. But through their academic
experiences at Iowa, they both secured
jobs with a landmark NASA mission.
Story: Richard C. Lewis
Photography: Tim Schoon
You don’t need big-city credentials to succeed
at the University of Iowa.
Just ask Andrew Carton and Ryan Helland.
Each hails from a small town in Iowa,
discovered a love for physics at the UI, and
soon after graduating scored jobs on a space
mission that is the largest externally funded
research endeavor in university history.
The Iowa-led mission, Tandem Reconnection and Cusp Electrodynamics Reconnaissance Satellites (TRACERS), received $115 million
from NASA to study the mysterious, powerful interactions between the magnetic elds of the sun and Earth. TRACERS is part of a larger
initiative, NASA’s Explorers Program, studying how the sun affects space and the space environment around planets.
Carton and Helland were hired to the TRACERS team within months of graduating from Iowa in May 2020. Carton is overseeing the
development of a circuit board critical to the research, and Helland is helping to build a magnetic search coil that will measure magnetic
elds.
Read More: stories.uiowa.edu/iowa-grads-from-small-towns-land-big-nasa-gig
GET STARTED
EXPERIENCEEXPLORE PREPARE ACHIEVE
33
WHAT CONTENT SHOULD
YOU INCLUDE?
First Paragraph
Emphasize knowledge of
the organization and why it
appeals to you. This could be
about a mission/philosophy t
or their achievements or skills
that you deem important.
Want to name drop? Do it here.
For example:
My former supervisor, Mr.
Marcus Jones, thinks very
highly of The Foundation
based upon your collaboration
on the economic development
initiative; he recommended that I
contact you regarding a possible
internship.
Middle
Brief summary of skills,
knowledge, and/or experience
that apply to this
particular organization.
Final Paragraph
Summarize any next steps
regarding follow up. Be clear
with your intentions and
remember that an in person
visit is not always necessary,
but could be a phone call or
Skype meeting instead. It’s
okay to do a follow-up email or
phone call after two weeks if
you have not heard back.
From:
To:
Subject:
karen-smith@uiowa.edu
j.johnson@company.com
Internship Inquiry
Dear Ms. Johnson:
A recent issue of Non-prot Quarterly highlighted The Foundation, describing the excellent
grant making opportunities that you provide. This funding and your excellent service is
essential for many non-prots. As I did not see any internships posted on your website, I
am writing regarding my interest in grant making or communications internships with your
organization. I am interested in learning more about The Foundation’s work, as well as any
anticipated internship openings on your staff that will use my experience to your benet.
I have enclosed my resume for your review; my specic qualications for an internship
include:
• Grant making & grant writing projects with Wells Fargo and the Muscular
Dystrophy Association
• 1 year overseeing creative communication strategies for the consulting program of
the UI PRSSA chapter
• Writing experience on civic issues for the Daily Iowan
• Advanced coursework in Communication Studies as well as Fundraising &
Philanthropy Communications
If your schedule permits, I would appreciate the opportunity to meet in person or talk
via phone to hear more about The Foundation and your internships. Thank you for your
consideration!
Sincerely,
Karen T. Smith
The University of Iowa
Communication Studies and Fundraising & Philanthropy Communication Certicate
Inspire Director, Iowa Public Relations Student Society of America
Local Government Reporter, The Daily Iowan
Karen-smith@uiowa.edu | (123)-456-7890
: KarenSmith_resume.pdf
When would you send it?
Use emails or letters of introduction when you are interested in an organization/company and you do not see open positions posted on
their website.
Why would you send it?
It is a great way to create a networking opportunity so you can work on becoming a stronger candidate before they do have openings. It
can also be a great way to start a conversation about creating an internship opportunity especially for you if they do not have a formal
program.
Who do you send it to?
Typically, you would send an email of introduction to human resources; if the organization is too small to have a human resources division,
then send it to the director of the department in which you are interested.
SAMPLE EMAIL OF INTRODUCTION
34
How many?
Plan to identify 3–5 people to use as references and then provide 3–5 for each position applied for, depending on who is the most relevant
for each position.
Who to ask?
Full-time and part-time work supervisors, volunteer coordinators, peer advisors/mentors, professors and academic instructors, academic
advisors, and any other person that can speak to your abilities related to the job you are applying for. Do not list parents, friends, family,
signicant others, etc.
What to ask?
Schedule a short meeting or phone call with this person (in-person meeting preferred) and ask them to be a positive reference for you.
Talk about the position you want and your qualications so that you and your reference are on the same page about what information is
being presented about you. Make sure to ask this person for their preferred contact information so you can include it on your reference
page, and remember to say thank you.
What to provide?
A copy of your current cover letter and resume, and anything else the reference may need from you. Note: Notify references when you
apply to a position. They will appreciate the heads-up.
Reference Page
Use the same heading on the top of your
reference sheet that you used on the top
of your resume—they should match. Write
“References” as your section heading and
format it so it looks the same as the section
headings on your resume.
List 3–5 references, in order of importance
for the specic position being applied
for. Include their name, relationship to
you (i.e. Academic Advisor), their address
(professional preferred), phone number,
and email.
Jackie A. Jorgensen
jackie-jorgensen@uiowa.edu
Present Address:
500 North Drive
Iowa City, IA 52240
(319) 351-0000
References
David Jones, MA
Psychology Teaching Assistant
University of Iowa
4 Iowa Avenue, Iowa City, IA 52240
(319) 400-3030
david-jones@uiowa.edu
*Teaching Assistant for Educational Psychology Course
Carrie Kirk
Internship Coordinator
Great American Leasing
625 First St. SE, Suite 800, Cedar Rapids, IA 52401
(319) 363-0000
*Former Internship Supervisor
Paul Parker
Manager
Olive Garden
24 Racine Ave, West Des Moines, IA 52693
(319) 344-0481
paul-parker@hotmail.com
*Current Work Supervisor
Permanent Address:
411 Windsor Drive
Dubuque, IA 50312
(515) 465-1234
SAMPLE REFERENCE PAGE
ACQUIRING & MAINTAINING REFERENCES
GET STARTED
EXPERIENCEEXPLORE PREPARE ACHIEVE
35
ALUMNI Highlight
Hawkeye’s NFL gig
is about more
than a game
As the social content intern for the Denver Broncos, 2020 University of Iowa graduate Cole Cooper is combining
his creative skills with his marketing education to help build the professional football team’s brand.
Story: Sara Epstein Moninger
Photography: Gabriel Christus
Former Hawkeye athletes won’t be the only ones representing the University of Iowa when the NFL’s Denver Broncos take the eld during
the 2021 football season. Recent UI graduate Cole Cooper will be on the sidelines capturing photo and video content for the team’s social
media channels.
“I’m constantly being challenged to do new things, and the content goals differ from day to day,” he says. “I might be making a highlight
package or putting together an Instagram carousel or trying to capture really cool photo bursts for us to use later in a video. I’m learning
every second that I’m here.”
Working full time as part of a creative team covering sports is ideal, Cooper says. In fact, he is zeroing in on his dream job.
Read More: stories.uiowa.edu/always-hawkeye-cole-cooper-denver-broncos
36
Networking is
• Making connections with people and developing mutually benecial
relationships.
• Asking people for assistance (without feeling like you’re imposing).
• Gathering and exchanging information, contacts,
and experiences.
• Listening.
2. Create Your Elevator Pitch
An elevator pitch is
+ + + =
CONNECT
Go to where the people
are and be visible
Make eye contact with
those speaking
Listen more,
talk less
Keep moving
around the room
ENGAGE
• Break the ice with an open-ended question: Are you…? Do you...? Then ask a close-ended question: Who? Where? Which? Then repeat
with more open-ended questions.
• Anyone will speak to you for ten minutes if you are not speaking about yourself.
• Have quality conversations rather than quantity. At large functions, be content with a quality conversation with 5-7 people, who will
remember you and what you spoke about the next day.
• Be respectful of time. Pay special attention for cues from the other person indicating that they are ready to move on.
REVIEW
• Keep record of who you spoke to.
• Follow-up: Say thank you.
• Keep your promises: do what you say you’ll do.
• Keep your “network” informed. Shared good news, success
stories, resources, and information with your network.
MAKE YOUR TALK WITH A STRANGER SUCCESSFUL BY
• Practicing
• Focusing on impact
• Sharing your success
• Speaking slow and steady
• The world is your elevator
PREPARE
1. Develop a list of people who would be willing to assist you...
• A quick way to sell yourself when making introductions to strangers.
• Sets the stage for why someone would be interested in learning more about you.
• Can be use in a variety of settings: conferences, career fairs, grad school visits, and social visits.
“I see that you
work at Brainstorm
Marketing. Can you
tell me more about
your position?”
“I have a specic
interest in [topic].
This summer I am
seeking an internship
with a rm in the
marketing sector.”
“Hi, I’m
Melanie Smith.”
“I’m a sophomore
studying
Communications
Studies at the
University of Iowa.”
Networking is important because it
• Allows you to reach your goals more quickly.
• Increases your visibility.
• Provides future career opportunities.
• Offers an association with people/resources that you can
utilize for life.
NETWORKING
Members of Groups,
Clubs, Teams, & Activities
Advisors, Teachers,
Coaches, Mentors,
& Supervisors
Friends, Friends’ Parents,
Siblings, & Your Family
Objective
Follow-up
question
Talking to
strangers
Who you are Credential
GET STARTED
EXPERIENCEEXPLORE PREPARE ACHIEVE
37
Manage your online presence and jump start your professional networking using LinkedIn®. Think of your LinkedIn® prole as an
interactive business card. It’s a summary of your professional experience, interests, and capabilities that is designed to attract the
attention of important people who are searching for you online – recruiters, networking contacts, and graduate school admissions offers a
strong LinkedIn® prole is a key differentiator in the job market.
BUILDING A LINKEDIN® PROFILE
• Photo. Add a professional-looking prole photo to be seven times more likely to be found in searches.
• Headline. Stand out with a keyword-rich headline that describes how you want to be known on LinkedIn®.
• Summary. Write a brief summary describing your professional background and aspirations.
• Experience. List all jobs you’ve held, along with brief descriptions of each role.
• Education. Add all the schools and colleges you’ve attended.
• Skills/Expertise. Add at least ve key skills to your prole.
• Recommendations and Endorsements. Get recommendations and endorsements from former colleagues, clients, managers,
and classmates.
• URL. Customize your prole URL and put it on your website, resume, email signature, and business cards to drive trac to your
LinkedIn® prole.
How to create an Eective Summary Statement
LINKEDIN®
Step 1: First, what is your goal?
Prior to writing, think of your ultimate goal,
then plant the seeds. This guides your
audience towards taking action. If you’re
on the job hunt, your goal would be to get
recruiters to look at your prole.
Step 2: Keep it brief.
Even though LinkedIn® gives you 2000
characters to play with, it only shows 220
of them on a desktop or 92 characters on a
smart device. Make sure you t your must-
read info upfront, and remember: teasers
get people to expand.
Step 3: 1st Person
Unlike your resume, LinkedIn® is all about
telling people who you are in the
rst person.
Step 4: Include a call-to-action at
the end.
Summary Statement Examples
EXAMPLE 1
Describe your
strengths
Yi Cheng is a Business Analytics major looking for a summer internship in the nance eld.
Hard-charging University of Iowa junior studying business analytics and seeking opportunities to enter
nance industry in an analytical role. I am seeking a summer internship in the heart of the Chicago area
and would appreciate any leads toward that goal. Please feel free to connect with me!
EXAMPLE 2
Elevator Pitch
Lauren has a strong interest in sustainability, along with her Biology degree.
I’m a senior at the University of Iowa who:
• Has strong writing skills
• Works eectively both independently and within small groups
• Learns and understands scientic and technical information quickly
• Excels at solving problems related to sustainable use of materials
I am looking for opportunities in the Midwest in a research or manufacturing facility to apply my skills.
Please connect with me via LinkedIn® if you are interested.
EXAMPLE 3
Tell them what
you can do
Landon’s top 5 Strengths are Woo, Ideation, Connectedness, Maximizing, and Achieving. He doesn’t have a
career goal, but wants to use his strengths to set himself apart from others and gain ideas of possible options.
I’m a person who builds strong relationships with others, have a creative mind that nds connections and
pulls disparate ideas together to make things and teams better than they are. I excel at accomplishing
things that I set out to do and am interested in developing in a challenging career eld and to connect with
employers who value these kinds of attributes.
38
LINKEDIN® MESSAGING
Many professionals have taken to recruiting qualied candidates from LinkedIn®. If you’re interested in pursuing a position within a certain
company, it may be a good idea to reach out to an alumni from your school that currently works at that company.
When you send a connection request, you’ll want to include a message to introduce yourself or remind them who you are. It’s a good
idea to connect with others after meeting them at networking events, career fairs, company events or panels. You will be limited to 300
characters, so keep it brief.
Jasmine Doe
NEW MESSAGE
Hi Jasmine,
I’m currently a junior at the University of Iowa studying Journalism. I found your prole through the alumni tool and saw that
you work at CNN. Might you be willing to answer a few questions about your career path? I look forward to connecting.
Thanks,
David
SEND
Natalie Scott
NEW MESSAGE
Hi Natalie,
It was great talking to you and the rest of the panel
yesterday evening. I would love to talk more about
your experience in the marketing eld and how I
can better prepare myself for my future career. If
you are ever free to talk,
I would greatly appreciate it.
Have a great day! Go Hawks!
Sarah
SEND
Learn More: https://careers.uiowa.edu/linkedin
EXAMPLES
GET STARTED
EXPERIENCEEXPLORE PREPARE ACHIEVE
39
The Pomerantz Career Center aims to provide work opportunities
for students looking to help offset the cost of education
while gaining valuable experience that is imperative in today’s
competitive job market.
• Students working 1-20 hours per week
have a higher average GPA than their
non-working peers?
• The average student employee works
about 11 hours per week?
• On-campus workers have increased enrollment retention and
graduation rates?
• In year 2021, there were approximately 8,000 total
student employees?
• In year 2021, the average wage for part-time jobs was
$13.26/hour?
Student employment opportunities can be found on
Handshake. Additionally, the Pomerantz Career Center assists in
the professional development of student employees by providing
opportunities such as the UI STEP (Student to Employed
Professional) professional development workshop and the
2-credit hour professional development
academic course.
Now it’s time to act—it’s crucial that you gain experience to expand your resume and
develop your skill set through internships and campus involvement.
This checklist will help you get started. Visit careers.uiowa.edu and look under “Jobs & Internships”
for additional resources to complete items on this list.
□ Work part-time on or near campus.
□ Get involved in student organizations of interest. Consider clubs that relate to your
career interests.
□ Volunteer in the community.
□ Develop your leadership skills.
□ Find and complete one or more internships or co-ops.
□ Consider studying abroad or working, interning or volunteering abroad.
□ Participate in research.
□ Schedule an appointment with a Career Coach for additional assistance and resources.
STUDENT EMPLOYMENT
EXPERIENCE SECTION
EXPERIENCE
Gain
Did you
know?
40
Looking to explore careers? Consider getting involved in experiences. There are many benets to engaging with activities on and off
campus. Find your t by rating your goals in each column (1 = most important).
Improve Your Skills
• Practice your communication and
teamwork skills
• Gain leadership and job related skills
• Gain experience helping others
• Exposure to multicultural competence
• Gain condence in your own abilities
• Other new skills or knowledge:
Explore Careers
• Decide if you like the eld’s work
environment (ex. oce vs. school)
• Gain advice from older students with similar
career goals
• Gain advice from professionals
or alumni
• Practice networking
• Apply knowledge you’ve learned
in school
Professional & Personal Development
• Learn about a career eld from the inside
• Find a mentor
• Make new friends
• Add to your resume for internships, jobs, or
grad school applications
• Serve your community
• Explore Iowa City or the world
• Have fun
• Develop a hobby
NOW BRAINSTORM & DISCUSS THE CATEGORIES & QUESTIONS BELOW.
Student Organizations
leadandserve.uiowa.edu/student-
organizations
Ideas:
Benets:
Student Employment
Handshake
Ideas:
Benets:
Volunteering & Service Learning
leadandserve.uiowa.edu
Ideas:
Benets:
Research
uiowa.edu/icru
Ideas:
Benets:
Internships/Co-ops
careers.uiowa.edu
Ideas:
Benets:
Study Abroad
international.uiowa.edu
Ideas:
Benets:
What activities or hobby do you want to continue for stress relief and/or fun?
What types of activities meet your current needs and why?
What types of activities should you do before graduation and why? What semester will you participate?
GAINING EXPERIENCE
GET STARTED
EXPERIENCEEXPLORE PREPARE ACHIEVE
41
WHAT ARE YOUR TOP MOTIVATIONS FOR BEING AN INTERN?
Rate the following with 1 being your top goal and 10 being the one of least importance.
Apply Skills Learned in School
Build Your Resume
Career Exploration
Gain Industry Knowledge Firsthand
Gain Professionalism
Leadership Development
Network
References
Skill Development
Try out a Career Field
Do a little planning below; then discuss your goals with your Career Coach for resources tailored to you. To learn what counts as an
internship see
careers.uiowa.edu/internships
.
GET READY FOR YOUR INTERNSHIP SEARCH
What do you hope to learn specically from the internship?
What kind of responsibilities, projects, or tasks would you like to have?
CONSIDER YOUR PRIORITIES
Think of a Plan A & B
(You can have plans all the way to Z!)
Home, Iowa City, or
Other?
Paid or Unpaid?
Size of Organization?
Eligible for Course Credit?
Housing/Cost of Living
Full-time or Part-time?
Find Your Own or do a
Fee-based Program?
Plan A Plan B
$7,000 is the average additional starting salary made by UI graduates who completed an internship, co-
op, research project, or practicum compared to UI undergraduate students who did not have one of those
experiences.
Did you
know?
PREPARING FOR AN INTERNSHIP SEARCH
Summer or School Year?
42
Having three or more unpaid
internships or having one paid
internship experience increases
the likelihood of full-time job oers
before graduation by approximately
24% and 26% respectively. (Looksharp
State of College Hiring 2015)
Want your internship on your transcript? See options across campus at
careers.uiowa.edu and search “Registering You Internship”
If you are looking to start your
career in government, non-prots,
arts, media, or PR (elds where
internships are typically unpaid),
you will want to do more than one
internship or related experience to
be a competitive candidate.
HOW DO YOU ACTUALLY FIND ONE?
• Use as many resources as possible
• Have your resume and cover letter reviewed at the Career Center or at the Engineering Career Services oce (3612 SC)
• Practice your interview skills
• Network, network, network
• Apply to multiple internships
CHECKLIST TO FIND INTERNSHIPS
Leverage your human capital
• Talk with Career Coach for eld-specic resources or with the Engineering Career Services
• Ask older students in student organizations, part-time jobs, or classes for referrals
• Ask academic advisors, faculty members, or staff members for referrals
• Ask family and friends for referrals
• Ask relevant guest speakers in class or after events
Consider programs
• The Washington Center (through the Pomerantz Career Center)
• Oce of Study Abroad international and virtual internship programs
USE ONLINE RESOURCES
• Filter and Create Search Alert functions on Handshake
• LinkedIn.com
• General searching sites like Google, Indeed.com, and Wayup.com
• Employer Reviews on Handshake
• Careers.uiowa.edu job and internship listing links, DEI for Job Seekers, and Career Community pages
BE CREATIVE
• Send a letter of introduction to an organization that is not currently advertising for interns
• Submit an internship proposal to a company that does not have a formal internship program
Did you
know?
What does that
mean for you?
READY TO LAND AN INTERNSHIP
ATTEND EVENTS
Attend a networking event
• Science, Health, and Sustainability Career Fair
• Journalism Speed Networking
• Connecting @ Kinnick
• Tippie Tech
• Meet the Firms
• Career Treks
• Lunch & Learns
Attend one or more Job & Internship Fairs
• Fall All Majors Career Fair
• Spring All Majors Career Fair
• Hire Big 10+ Virtual Fair on Handshake
• Engineering Career Fair
• Virtual All Majors Career Fair
• Virtual Engineer Career Fair
• Academic Department Specic Events
GET STARTED
EXPERIENCEEXPLORE PREPARE ACHIEVE
43
As you transition from college to career (or grad school), maximize success by developing
a plan and taking steps to achieve where you want to be upon graduation.
This checklist will help you get started. Visit careers.uiowa.edu for additional resources to
complete items on this list.
□ Use Handshake and Career Fairs to begin your job search. Start 6–9 months before you
graduate to maximize success.
□ Tap additional job and internship links using Job Search section of our website. More links are
provided within your desired career community page.
□ Research employers using: Research Basics, specic Career Community resources and
Resources for Diverse populations within Job Search section of our website.
□ Evaluate job offers and learn more about negotiation before accepting an offer.
□ Apply to graduate or professional school if that is your desired next step. Consider Gap Year
Opportunities if you need more time or experience before applying.
□ Schedule an appointment with a Career Coach for additional resources and help with your job
search strategy, timeline and resources.
□ Interested in national fellowships? Visit with the Director of Scholar Development.
ACHIEVE SE CT ION
ACHIEVE
Time to
ALUMNI Highlight
Merging a love of
writing and gaming
Lauryn Ash always knew she wanted to be
a writer. And in creating the worlds found
in video games, the University of Iowa
graduate found her passion.
Story: Emily Nelson
Photography: Courtesy of Lauryn Ash
It’s common career advice: “Pursue your passion.”
University of Iowa alumna Lauryn Ash pluralized
the saying, weaving writing and gaming into her
professional life.
The writer, game designer, and entrepreneur has
worked on games such as Marvel’s Avengers and
Dungeon Defenders II since graduating from Iowa
in 2014 with a BA in English with a creative writing
track, a BA in international studies, and a certicate in
entrepreneurial management.
Ash, who lives in San Francisco and now works for
video game studio 31st Union, says while she may
not have always known she’d work in the video game
industry, she never doubted writing was in her future.
Read More:
stories.uiowa.edu/lauryn-ash-video-game-design
44
Break down your job search into manageable steps. You don’t have to do every step in order; for example, you can start working on your
resume before you decide what specic job you are interested in. Check off as many of these steps as you can, and you will be well on
your way to a job.
STEP 1
Know Your Career Priorities
• Identify values, interests, priorities, and skills/strengths
• Search keywords of job skills to identify job functions that may be worth considering
• Consider top three geographic areas to live and work
• Research potential career elds: typical entry level jobs, typical salaries, best geographic location for
jobs, and expected job outlook
• Research organizations or companies that hire someone with your skills, interests, and experience
(Vault.com or LinkedIn® are great tools)
• Identify at least 10 employers for the type of work you’re seeking
STEP 2
Get Ready for the Job Search
• Complete or Update your Handshake prole
• Create a LinkedIn® account and have it reviewed
• Develop resume and cover letter; have them reviewed by the Pomerantz Career Center or the Engineering Career Center (3612 SC)
• Write and practice elevator pitch for short encounters when attending networking events
• Create networking contact list including people you know and people you need to know
• Request and prepare at least three individuals to be references (See page 34 for tips)
• Incorporate in-person and LinkedIn® networking into job search strategy
• Use a neutral/professional email address to give employers (e.g. UI email address)
• Create a professional sounding voicemail message
• Own an interview suit/outt that is appropriate for eld
• Prepare for interviews by practicing responses to typical questions and/or do a mock interview
STEP 3
Implement Your Job Search Strategy
• Decide on 2–3 careers/job elds to pursue
• Network with friends, parents, faculty, alumni, and other to let them know goals and gain advice and referrals
• Apply to job postings and consider temporary work via temp agencies or gig sites
• Attend career fairs, company presentations, professional association meetings, and conferences
• Broaden the scope of job search to include alternative Plans A, B, and C as part of job search strategy
• Track and follow up on applications submitted either by phone or email
• Prepare for each interview by researching the organization and create a list of eld related questions to ask
• Follow up after job interviews with thank you emails or cards
• Research salaries/benets and know how to negotiate when offers are made
• Discuss options with trusted others (such as Career Coaches, Engineering Career Center (3612 SC), or mentors)
• Keep network informed of progress and offer thanks when an offer has been accepted
• Create a table to keep track of job search progress. See below example:
JOB SEARCH CHECKLIST
Interview Date Interviewer
Name
Title Phone # Interviewer
email
Mailing address Date thank-you
sent
Comments
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EXPERIENCEEXPLORE PREPARE ACHIEVE
45
Career Fairs provide individuals who are seeking jobs, internships or a chance to network the opportunity to connect with employers. A
variety of employers are invited to attend our fairs. We encourage all students to attend these fairs in order to begin their career search.
Tips for a successful career fair experience are below.
General Information
• Dress professionally or business casual. Professional dress includes a suit
or dress. Business casual can include dress slacks, dress shirt, or khakis.
• Check in at the information table. Wear a name tag. Employers like to know
with whom they are speaking.
• Plan to visit a few times throughout the day. Hundreds of students attend
and it may be necessary to wait in line. Plan for your own breaks.
• Don’t expect to receive private time with an employer. This is an informational
fair and a lot of people are trying to be heard. Be patient and do your best to
listen carefully when an employer is talking to you.
• If you are not looking for a job, gathering information about potential employers is also benecial. If doing so, spend some time
speaking informally with employers and gathering pamphlets and business cards.
Identify Employers
• Attend a Prepare for the Career Fair session to learn more about speaking with employers.
• Read the list of employers participating in the fair. You will be more productive if you identify in advance the employers you want to
meet with.
• Research the organizations that interest you. Review their websites or research employer information on Handshake. This will help
you be more informed of their company or organization when you speak with them.
• Write down questions to ask representatives from your targeted companies or organizations.
• If possible, apply to the positions you are interested in ahead of the fair.
Speaking with Employers
• Visit your target companies/organizations rst. You’ll tire easily if you talk to too many. Gather business cards when you can.
• Pick up materials from each employer you visit, this will help you make a decision about pursuing employment with this employer and
remember your conversations.
• Tell the company/organization representative about yourself.
• Ask the representative questions.
• Leave your resume if they are accepting them at their booth or complete the next steps for applying that they give you. Note: Many
employers cannot accept resumes in person.
• Walk around and speak informally with organization representatives you may be interested in learning more about.
When the Fair is Over
1. Continue to research potential employers.
2. Apply for positions with those companies.
3. Write thank you notes to representatives you spoke with. This is especially important for employers who are interested in you or in
whom you are interested.
4. Attend workshops offered by the Pomerantz Career Center and/or meet with a Career Coach, or the Engineering Career Center (3612
SC) to learn more about the job search process.
DON’T FORGET
Have your resume reviewed
prior to the Career Fair
Meet with a Peer Advisor during drop-in hours,
see hours here: careers.uiowa.edu/contact
DOWNLOAD
the Handshake app
View companies, fair maps, events,
announcements, and more.
careers.uiowa.edu/handshake
MAKING THE JOB & INTERNSHIP FAIR WORK FOR YOU
46
Recruiters can meet upwards of hundreds of potential candidates during a week of recruiting at college career fairs. If you want to stand
out from the rest, be sure to send a thank-you email to follow up with any recruiters or company representatives you speak to at the fair.
It’s best to write an email within 24 hours of the fair, while the memory is still fresh in your and the recruiter’s mind.
At the Fair
• When you speak to a recruiter, be sure to request their business card or name & email address before leaving.
• Take a moment after your conversation to jot down a few key points from your conversation. This will help you remember the
conversation later when you’re writing your thank-you email.
EXAMPLE
From:
To:
Subject:
danielle-smith@uiowa.edu
j.johnson@company.com
Career Fair Follow-up — The University of Iowa
Dear Ms. Johnson,
Thank you for speaking with me at The University of Iowa Career Fair regarding the Credit Administration position and the culture at Hawkeye
Bank. I enjoyed learning how invested upper management is to each employee’s career progression and the opportunities for advancement.
My experiences as a Sales Process Intern correlate to the desired skills of this position, specically my exibility when tasked with complex
and changing responsibilities. In addition, my V.P. of Finance role and my current coursework, such as Commercial Banking, will aid in the
understanding of nancial aspects. I have submitted my application for the opening on Hawkeye Bank’s website and I hope to hear from you
soon.
Best regards,
Danielle Smith
The University of Iowa | Finance
V.P. of Finance | Student Organization
daniel-smi[email protected] | 319-456-7890
THANK YOU EMAILS FOLLOWING THE JOB & INTERNSHIP FAIR
Email Signature
In your email correspondence with employers, be sure to have an email signature. An email signature is an important part of presenting
yourself in a professional way via electronic communication. Include key information about yourself – especially if you are emailing
employers or professionals that may not know you. Try to keep your signature to no longer than 5 lines, and focus on the most important
positions or aspects of yourself.
Some Things to Consider Including:
• Your full name
• Your school and/or specic college of enrollment
• Your major/area of study
• Any leadership positions of relevance (i.e. an executive position in a student organization)
• Your phone number (optional)
• Your email address (optional – you may want to include this if you tend to get included in email chains, where your contact
information may become lost)
• A link to your LinkedIn® prole (optional – only include if you have a complete prole that you regularly use)
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EXPERIENCEEXPLORE PREPARE ACHIEVE
47
PRACTICE INTERVIEWS
Mock Interviews with Industry Professionals
1. Log into your Handshake account
2. Click on jobs at the top
3. Type “mock Interview” into the search box
4. Click on the mock interview of your choice
5. Read information and instructions about the mock interview
(do not sign up for a mock interview during a scheduled
class time)
6. Click “apply” & attach your resume
7. Submit your application
8. Select your preferred mock interview time slot
a. On occasion mock interviews are offered for technical
majors only. If you do not meet all qualications of the mock
interview, you will not be able to select a mock interview
time slot.
b. You can go back in and withdraw your application, edit
your prole and re-apply so that you are able to select a
time slot.
9. If you need to withdraw your applications within the period
allowed by the cancellation policy, you can do so by clicking
on “jobs” and then “applications”, and removing your name
from the selected time slot.
Arrive at the Pomerantz Career Center at your selected date
and time to mock interview. Review Cancellation Policy:
careers.uiowa.edu and search for “Handshake and Interview
Cancellation Policy”.
Consider using Big Interview to practice for your upcoming
job or graduate school interview. Get coached by experts
so you know what to expect and can interview with
condence!
To set up an account…
Go to uiowa.biginterview.com and click “Register”.
1. Complete registration process with your UIowa
email address
2. You’ll then receive a conrmation email at your UIowa
address. Click “Verify” in the email, and you’ll be able
to start using Big Interview.
48
PRE-INTERVIEW
• Be sure that you’ve researched the company. Know what their product or service is, who they serve, and who their competitors are.
• Look over typical interviewing questions and think about how you will answer them.
• Conrm your appointment within 24 hours.
• Be on time; plan to arrive 10-15 minutes early. Check your appearance before checking in with receptionist.
• Ask ahead to know the interviewer or interviewers names and how to pronounce them. If you don’t know, ask the scheduler of
appointment or the recruiter.
• Bring extra copies of your resume. Also bring a copy of your transcripts, a list of references, and supporting materials that you want to
showcase.
• Bring a portfolio and pen and paper for jotting down information during and after the interview.
• Be friendly with those you meet and politely show an interest in them, recognizing that they are at work and have other things to
concentrate on.
• Dress appropriately and professionally; a business suit is appropriate for most interviews. Make sure your hair and nails are neat and
clean. Polish your shoes. Go easy on the perfume/cologne and jewelry.
THE INTERVIEW
• Pay attention to your posture, eye contact, and other non-verbals (watch out for those pesky “ums” and “ahs”).
• Think “inward” not “outward”. If you think “inward” you are concentrating on your qualications, what you can offer the company, and
what makes you qualied. If you think “outward” you are concentrating more on how you look or how nervous you are.
• Talk about the experiences and knowledge you have.
• Be sure you understand the question. If not, ask for clarication.
• Emphasize the positive and use examples to back up your statements.
• Let the interviewer bring up the subject of salary. This may not occur until after an offer is made. However, be prepared for the
question, “What salary are you expecting?” (See negotiating an offer, page 55)
• Emphasize what you can do for the organization.
• Never speak negatively a former employer, teacher, or institution. If there were problems with previous experiences, try to make your
answers positive.
• If you catch yourself making an error, correct it. Don’t try to cover up.
• Don’t expect an offer on the spot. However, do ask as a nal question about when the team hopes to make a decision.
• Be yourself. You don’t want to get hired on the basis of something you are not or, worse, miss out on a great opportunity by being seen
as inauthentic.
• Thank each person you meet and ask for a business card so that you can stay in touch.
POST-INTERVIEW
• Take a few moments to jot down notes about the meeting and how things went. Jot down things like deadlines, tricky questions, or
points that you made that seemed to make an impact.
• Within 48 hours, send a thank you note or thank you email to those you have contact info from. Personalize the messages as best as
you can based on things you said to them during your interview.
• If you promised additional information, be sure to follow through with it as soon as possible.
• Inform people who are your references that they may be contacted and to give them an idea of points that would be helpful for them
to discuss and/or send the job description.
• If you do not receive a call or email about their next step or decision when it was supposed to happen, pick up the phone and follow-up
with the key point of contact.
• Be prepared to discuss accepting the position if it is offered, including considering points of negotiation.
• If you are interviewing with other organizations, it is probably good to mention it if an offer has been made, because you may need to
ask for time to fully consider multiple offers.
• If you receive news that you were not selected, follow-up with a call and ask for input that may help you to succeed in another role with
the organization or with another employer.
• Finally, continue your job or internship search full-speed until you have accepted an offer and signed an acceptance letter.
• Inform any person who has been helpful to you in your job search that you have accepted an offer and thank them for
their support.
What to do Before, During, & After an Interview
Because the interview is the “make or break” moment for your effort to land a job, it is very important to be fully prepared.
INTERVIEWING TIPS
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EXPERIENCEEXPLORE PREPARE ACHIEVE
49
INTERVIEW QUESTIONS BY THEIR DESIGN ARE INTENDED TO HELP AN EMPLOYER TO KNOW TWO MAIN THINGS ABOUT YOU:
The interview for you is a chance to discern whether your credentials and career goals match up with what the company seeks and to
understand the work environment. Being prepared to answer and ask questions during the interview is important to practice and master
to be successful in your job search. It is also important to be able to handle dicult, and in some cases illegal questions that you may be
asked. Finally, you should be prepared to ask questions of your own that help you to understand the job and how you can be successful in
the role.
QUESTIONS YOU COULD BE ASKED
Knowing how to prepare for your interview will make the results of your interview that much more successful. Before your interview, take
the time to review questions that you could be asked. It is not necessary to have prepared answers memorized, but be prepared to talk
about yourself, your skills, and your experiences. The following questions can serve as a guide to prepare you for an interview.
Personal
These are intended to understand how you best function and
what your strengths are.
• Tell me a little about yourself. (Keep your answer
career oriented).
• What are your strengths?
• What causes you stress and how do you handle it?
• Give me three adjectives that describe you.
• What do you consider your greatest accomplishment?
• What do you like to do in your spare time?
Career Goals
These are intended to understand how you plan and what your
ambitions may be.
• Where do you see yourself in ve years? (Again, focus on your
career goals).
• How do you dene success?
• What type of supervision do you prefer? What do past
supervisors say about you?
• What type of steps do you take to stay informed of new
developments within your career eld?
• How do you feel about working nights and weekends for
special events/activities?
Employer Information
These are intended to know what you understand about the
organization, and about your preparation and enthusiasm levels.
• What do you know about our company/organization?
• What do you know about this position?
Education
These are intended to understand how your education “ts” with the
job and also your level of self-reection about it.
• How did you decide on your career/eld/major?
• What classes have you enjoyed the most/least during college
and why?
• How have the activities that you have been involved with during
college inuenced you?
• Do you have future plans of furthering your education?
• What electives did you enjoy the most? Why?
Experience
These are intended to understand how your experiences have given
you needed skills and relevant experiences related to the position
for which you are interviewing.
• How would your co-workers/supervisors describe you?
• Tell me about a time when you had to inuence someone to
accept your idea.
• Give me an example of a time when you had to make an
important decision and how you came to that decision.
• Tell me about a time when you had to work with a dicult
person and how you handled it.
• Tell me about your position with and the valuable
skills you learned.
• Please give me an example where you have demonstrated the
ability to be an effective member of a team.
• Give me three reasons why I should hire you.
• Is there anything you would like to add?
• What did you like the most and the least about your last place
of employment?
Atypical Questions
These are intended to understand how you think on your feet,
understand your decision making process or address how creative
you may be. There are no correct answers.
• If you were a fork, knife, or a spoon, which would you be
and why?
• Why are manhole cover round?
• Sell me something in this room, anything.
• What did you do poorly in you last position or on your
last project?
• If you had to choose, would you be an elephant or a giraffe?
Explain why.
• Create an argument for one of these statements: salt is better
than pepper or pepper is better than salt.
• If you had to pick a title for an autobiography about your life (at
this point in time), what would you name the title?
• If you were a type of food, what type of food would you be
and why?
• If you could have dinner with anyone from history, who would it
be and why?
1. Do you have the necessary skills to do the job? 2. Will you t in to the culture of the organization?
INTERVIEW QUESTIONS
50
Behavioral based interview questions are the most popular among recruiters. The purpose of behavioral questions is to identify how a
potential new employee would act in future situations. Behavioral questions are often open ended, leaving the interviewee to ll in the
blanks. To answer these questions in the most effective way, follow the STAR method below. Remember to spend most of your time
talking about the Result—that is what employers are most interested in hearing.
STAR METHOD
During the interview, your responses need to be specic and detailed. Tell them about a particular situation that relates to the question,
not a general one. Briey tell them the situation, what you did specically, and the positive outcome or result (i.e. what did you learn). Your
answer should contain these four steps: Situation, Task, Action, and Result.
Tell me about a time when you took on a dicult project and what were the results?
Situation
Set up the situation in which you had a positive outcome or result
that relates to the question asked. For example, it can be something
from class, an internship or a volunteer experience.
Task
What goal were you working toward?
Action
What did you do specically to make an impact? What was
your role?
Result
Describe what happened as a result of your actions. What did you
learn? The result is what they are really looking to hear in your
response, so spend the most time talking about the result.
Example of Behavioral
Interview Question
Example STAR Answer
SAMPLE QUESTIONS ABOUT YOU
• Tell me about a time when you had a list of things to do and your supervisor/instructor came to you and said “I need this project/
assignment completed by 5 o’clock”. How did you handle the situation?
• Give me an example of a time where you failed to meet a goal. What did you fail to do? What were the consequences? What was
the outcome?
• Describe a time when you were assigned a task but were provided little direction about how to complete the task. What steps did
you take to complete the task? What was the outcome?
• Tell me about how you keep yourself organized so to meet deadlines or goals.
SAMPLE QUESTIONS ABOUT WORKING WITH OTHERS
• Give me an example of a time when you had to deal with a dicult co-worker or fellow student on a project.
• How did you handle the situation? What were the outcomes?
• Tell me about a time when you had to make a dicult decision that affected those with whom you worked. What was the outcome?
• Describe a time when you were a team leader. Who was on the team, and what did you do to help your team be successful?
• Tell me about a time when you had to persuade someone to see your point of view. What tactics did you use? What were the
outcomes? What did you learn?
• Give me an example of a time when you used creativity to complete a project, work with someone else, or develop a new idea. How
did you communicate your idea and how was it received?
• Tell me about a time you were involved in a project with a group.
• Give me an example of a time when you had to supervise someone.
• Describe a time when a co-worker criticized your work. How did you handle the situation? What was the outcome?
• Provide me with an example of a time when you had to motivate others. What were the outcomes?
During my internship last
summer, I was charged with
managing and
improving events.
I noticed attendance was
dropping each summer and
wanted to improve attendance
and event quality.
I designed a new marketing
campaign and focused on
social media and other
free venues. I surveyed
focus groups to hear what
our target population
would like to see changed
with our events and made
recommendations to
the event manager.
We utilized some of the ideas
we gathered and promoted
events daily. Our attendance
grew by 80% last summer,
and this resulted in more
money raised. Our board of
directors was very pleased
with this increase.
BEHAVIORAL INTERVIEW QUESTIONS
Situation Task Action
Result
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EXPERIENCEEXPLORE PREPARE ACHIEVE
51
Marital Status No questions
Are you married? Is this your
married name?
Can you help me understand
how being married relates to
this position?
The Civil Rights Act of 1964 indicates that discrimination based on national origin, citizenship, age, marital status, disabilities, arrest record,
military discharges, or personal information is illegal. Various federal, state, and local laws regulate the questions a prospective employer
can ask you. Questions must relate to the job for which you are applying.
You have options if you are asked an illegal question:
Parental Status
Name of an applicant’s relatives
already employed by company.
Are you pregnant?
How many kids do you have?
Are you concerned about my
time constraints? If so, you
should not be because…
Sexual Orientation or
Gender Identity*
No questions
What is your sexual
orientation? Are you
transgender?
Can you help me to understand
how my sexual orientation is
relevant to this position?
Age
Discussion should be kept
to questions about the
applicant’s career stage.
How old are you? When were
you born? When did you
graduate high school?
I have the experiences you are
seeking which can be seen on
my resume...
STATUS LEGAL QUESTIONS ILLEGAL QUESTIONS SAMPLE RESPONSES
Personal
Are you a member of any
professional societies or
organizations? (Exclude
the organizations’ name or
character of which indicates
race, creed, color, or national
origin of its members)
How much do you weigh?
What is your political
aliation? What is your
religious aliation?
Can you help me understand
how my religion relates to the
position we are discussing?
Military
Applicant’s work experience,
including names, addresses of
previous employers, dates of
employment, reasons
for leaving
Were you honorably discharged
from the Military?
I left the military in good
standing and received excellent
leadership training which I can
go into greater detail, if you’d
like.
Citizenship**
Are you legally authorized to
work in the United States?”
Where are your parents from?
What is your native language?
I can assure you that I possess
the communication skills
necessary to be successful in
this position.
Disabilities
Can you lift packages up to
50 pounds?
May we see your medical
records? Do you have a
disability? Have you been
hospitalized recently? Why?
I am very condent in my
abilities to do this job.
Arrest/Criminal
Record
Have you ever been convicted
of a felony?
Do you have a criminal record?
Have you ever been in jail?
What for?
If you’d like to see my legal
history, I am willing to give you
written permission to perform
a background check.
Information excerpted from “Guide to Unacceptable Interview Questions” from Yale University:
provost.yale.edu/sites/default/les/guide_to_unacceptable_interview_questions_09-01-2015.pdf
*Any dialog or questions regarding sexual preference are inappropriate and illegal.
**To determine work authorization, employers may lawfully ask two questions of all applicants: 1. Are you currently authorized to work in the United States on a full-time basis for
any employer without restriction? 2. Will you now or in the future require employment visa sponsorship, such as H-1B? If the applicant answers yes, the employer may ask what
the applicant’s current employment eligibility is based on, what the applicant’s immigration status is, and how long it will last. (Information excerpted from Rhoads, M. B. (2013)
Interviewing and Hiring International Students. NACE Journal, 8-15.)
1. Choose to answer the question knowing
you are providing information that isn’t job
related. You take the risk that a “wrong”
answer could harm your chances for a
position.
2. Refuse to answer the question. You will be
within your rights, but you may come off
as uncooperative or confrontational which
could put off potential employers.
3. Examine the intent behind the question
and respond with an answer to this. For
example, if asked if you are married or
engaged, you might choose to respond
that your personal life allows you to meet
the requirements for the position.
ILLEGAL INTERVIEW QUESTIONS
52
Always feel free to ask questions to clarify details you need to understand. Be prepared to ask questions at the end of your interview that
show an interest and enthusiasm for the job and the company to which you are applying. This is also your opportunity to interview the
interviewers so to determine your own t for the position. Researching the company ahead of time can help you develop questions and
avoid asking questions available on their website or company literature. Be sure to prepare at least 4–5 questions as some of them may be
answered during the interview. Below are some sample questions to ask at the interview.
Company/Organization
• What types of people seem to do well in this
department/organization?
• What opportunities exist for advancement?
• Do you most often promote internally or externally?
• What are the opportunities you see for this department/
organization in the next year?
• What are the greatest strengths of this organization?
• What would you change about this organization if you could?
• How well do departments interact with each other?
• Will the organization continue to be competitive? How?
• How does your organization react to adopting new
technology? New ideas?
• What type of growth do you foresee in the next few
years? Why?
Position Specic
• What is a typical day like in this position?
• Is there anything else I should know that would help me
understand the position?
• Why is this position available?
• How many people have held this position in the last three
years? (If it seems like there has been high turnover, ask
for an explanation.)
• What are the typical hours of this position? Will overtime,
night or weekend work be required?
• What new tasks or responsibilities do you see someone in
this position taking on?
• What type of supervision would I receive in this position?
• What traits have you observed that have made a person
successful in this role?
• What other positions in this company might I grow toward as
a result of being successful in this job?
• Besides those who have interviewed me, who else might it be
typical for a person in this job to interact with?
Personal Experience
• What do you like best about working here?
• How does this organization encourage personal and
professional growth?
• How did you start with the organization?
• What do you like about working for this organization? How
would you compare it to others you have worked for?
• Where in the organization do you hope to be in ve years?
(A good way to sense potential growth.)
• What are the biggest changes that you have observed in this
company and has the change been managed well?
• If you were starting your career over at this company, what
would you do differently now?
• Do you value creativity (independence, spontaneity,
teamwork, etc.) in your coworkers?
• In your opinion, what makes a person good at their job here?
• This job requires 40% travel, how do you balance the
requirements of your work with other parts of your life?
QUESTIONS TO ASK EMPLOYERS
What are other questions that are important for you to ask?
GET STARTED
EXPERIENCEEXPLORE PREPARE ACHIEVE
53
You have received one or more job offers. First off, congratulations! Time for a victory lap, right? Not so fast. Evaluate the benets in
addition to salary because a great package can make up for a lesser salary if you’re saving substantial money on health care, have great
vacation time or a exible schedule. Consider the details and use this checklist to evaluate your offers:
Do you know what is expected of you: job duties,
time commitment, how you’ll be evaluated?
A primary reason that most new employees quit is
because they did not understand what was expected of
them or the job was not what they expected.
Do you know when they want you to start? When
they expect a decision to accept the job?
Ask!
What is the cost of living dierence?
Cost of living varies greatly, use this cost-of-living
calculator: payscale.com/cost-of-living-calculator
Is the salary fair compared to other companies?
Salary Calculator:
glassdoor.com/Salaries/index.htm
Does the oer t well with your career goals/
career direction?
All jobs will build new skills and improve existing ones.
Consider the opportunities that the new skills may
provide.
Are there opportunities like job growth or travel?
What is the typical career path—ask before accepting.
Find out if you get the use of frequent ier miles or do
they belong to the company?
Do you have a good feeling about your ability to
work with your boss and co-workers?
Trust your “gut” if you have any doubts or reach out to
present or past employees and seek their guidance.
Is there room for negotiation? See “Negotiating an Oer” on the next page.
Does the oer have an exploding deadline?
An exploding oer is one that is reneged on if not agreed
to within a limited period of time.
Is there an acceptance letter to sign?
It is to your advantage to have any oers documented. If
the oer is made verbally, seek an emailed or written oer.
Evaluating an Oer Pro Tips
Benets: (Vacation/sick time, health insurance, life
insurance, 401(K), pension plans, stock options, overtime
or comp time, company transportation/car allowance,
and other “perks”?)
Work Environment and location: (Casual/Formal; exible/
rigid; work from home/workplace; requires relocation?)
COMPARING JOB OFFERS
Criteria Oer 1 Oer 2
EVALUATING JOB OFFERS
Salary: (Hourly vs weekly or monthly pay or draw against
commission/salary + bonuses? Does it meet your
budget requirements?)
Hidden Costs: (Relocation expenses, parking, wardrobe,
transportation, childcare, expense accounting?)
Pros/Cons (list the pros and cons of the job oer you
are considering. Which one comes out ahead? If one
outweighs the other, your decision making will be easier.
54
You have identied the company of your dreams and the perfect job has landed in your lap. One problem though…the salary that’s offered
is too low. How do you get started?
There are two reasons why you would want to negotiate:
1. You have received an unacceptable offer but you are still
interested in working for the company.
2. You have received an acceptable offer but want to see if there
is a way to get a desired benet or salary increase.
Don’t know if the oer is acceptable or unacceptable? Get more information about the job if that will help you
decide. Questions may include:
• What is the salary range?
• What is the hiring salary range?
• Do you ever pay higher than that range?
• What is the average increase?
• How often are employees reviewed?
• What does professional progression look like at
this organization?
UNACCEPTABLE OFFER
If your offer is truly unacceptable, you must communicate this fact in no uncertain terms to the decision maker while keeping the outlook
for resolution positive.
I am still very interested in working with you and your company: however (never use the word ‘but’), at this point
I am not able to accept the oer for the following reason: (state your reasoning succinctly and what part or parts
of the oer are lacking). If you were able to ……… (give your proposed solution), I would gladly accept the position
immediately. Are you in a position to be able to help?
Example
Key Elements of this Approach
• Puts the job offer at risk, since you are asking for a
different offer.
• You must communicate specically what is lacking in
the initial offer.
• You must provide a proposed solution and reassure the
employer that if your stipulations are met you will
denitively accept.
• “If it is within your power” appeals to the position and
their power.
• Be ready to consider alternatives if necessary, i.e. Hiring bonus
or relocation assistance in lieu of higher pay
• Indicate when you will make your decision and stick to it.
• Avoid commitment words: always, must have, deal breaker,
never, won’t consider.
ACCEPTABLE OFFER
When starting negotiations on an acceptable offer it’s important to do two things: 1) Formally accept the position and
2) Approach your future supervisor by asking him/her for his assistance in meeting your further needs, giving him/her an opportunity to
show his power within the company.
I’m calling you with some very good news. I would like to accept your oer and I’m looking forward to working with
you and becoming a valuable member of the team. I am committed to working with you, and as my future supervisor
there are a few minor issues about the oer that I would like to discuss. I don’t know if you able to make changes in
these areas, but I’d surely appreciate your looking into that possibility. Namely, would it be possible to...?
Example
Key Elements of this Approach
• This locks in your acceptance and takes that acceptance out of
the negotiations.
• Works because it is a win/win situation
• Give reasons why you want something. These do not include:
I just bought a new boat, house, etc.
• Avoid commitment words: always, must have, deal breaker,
never, won’t consider.
HAVE YOU CONSIDERED...
There are many items that may inuence your decision or that you may negotiate. Research your industry, the company, and your role to
gure out the norm before you use these as negotiation points.
• Start date
• Location
• Moving/Housing Assistance
• Special Projects of Interest
• Professional Development
• Transportation/Phone Assistance
• Signing Bonus/Bonuses
• Health Benets
• Stock Options
• Vacation/Health/Retirement Benets
• Overtime/Comp Time
Perks may also inuence your decision but typically aren’t negotiated: oce cafe, wellness space, loan repayment, philanthropy programs,
etc.
NEGOTIATING AN OFFER
GET STARTED
EXPERIENCEEXPLORE PREPARE ACHIEVE
55
JUNIOR YEAR
Research
□ Clarify your interests, set tentative career goals, and start looking for programs.
□ Understand the differences between master’s, professional and doctoral programs.
□ Determine what you want to study and for how long.
□ Meet with faculty members to learn more about programs and begin to cultivate references.
□ Seek relevant employment, service, internship, or research experience.
□ Start to create a long list of disciplines and programs that interest you. Use program websites to help you get started and attend live
or virtual open house events.
□ Identify the application timelines and note deadlines for each program (see page 56).
□ Begin to research nancial aid and deadlines at each of the programs.
□ Contact Honors at Iowa to learn about scholarship competitions that include institutional endorsement.
□ Consider geographic preference, curriculum, competitiveness, cost, reputation, public vs private, research/internship/practicum
opportunities, etc.
□ Talk to friends, family, or mentors for their perspective; speak with current students and/or alumni of programs you are interested in.
□ By the end of the year, hone your list of schools/programs to 6 to 12 including some that are reach programs, some that you have a
50/50 chance of admission, and some that you are fairly certain you will gain admission.
SUMMER BEFORE & SENIOR YEAR - PREPARE & APPLY
Entrance Exam Preparation (3–6 months before application due date)
□ Schedule your entrance exam and leave enough time to study and retake it if you do not do well.
□ Allow yourself 3 months prior to the test date to prepare.
□ Prepare via practice tests, ash cards, work books, online materials, and/or courses.
□ See
careers.uiowa.edu and search for “Plan graduate and professional school”
for entrance exam links; most also offer a handful
of free study materials.
Application Preparation (3 months before application due date)
□ Create a schedule of deadlines.
□ Begin crafting your personal statement.
□ Have career and academic advisors, mentors, faculty, and/or the Writing Center provide essay feedback.
□ Research nancial aid options.
□ Meet with recommenders.
□ Follow the application directions explicitly, and have someone familiar with you (and the application process) review your application
before submitting (Ex. pre-med, pre-law, etc. specic advisors).
□ Wait for schools to contact you about interviews once you have applied.
After Application Submission
□ Prepare for interviews.
□ Wait for acceptance letters and prepare for campus visits.
□ Continue to investigate all need and merit-based nancial aid options.
□ Continue to engage in activities that enhance your application and apply to gap year programs and jobs as a parallel plan.
□ If you are wait-listed, be patient; let the program(s) know that you are still interested in admission.
IS A GAP YEAR RIGHT FOR YOU?
Do you want or need to take a year or two o before applying to graduate school? Do you need a break to gure things out before
continuing your education? Use this time strategically and productively! Build skills and gain experience to improve your
candidacy.
There are many types of Gap Year experiences for you to consider:
-Fellowships -Service Programs -Jobs/Internships -Experiences Abroad
More information about these experiences can be found here: careers.uiowa.edu/students
GRADUATE & PROFESSIONAL SCHOOL CHECKLIST
56
Applications are undertakings that require planning, searching for information, and commitment. For reection questions (about whether
it’s the right decision for you), for resources to research programs, and for admissions test info, go to
careers.uiowa.edu
.
To keep track as you learn about programs, create an Excel spreadsheet with your priorities in one column and then 6-12 programs across
the top.
Potential Priorities
• Acceptance Rates
• Admissions/Program
Coordinator contact info
•
Application Requirements
• Application Status (Application turned in,
Accepted, Rejected, Wait listed?)
• Articles/Books (Seminal works
by professors)
•
Audition or Portfolio Requirements
• Informational interview of
Current Student
• Job Placement Rates
• Potential Faculty Advisors
• Publications (Law/Literary Review,
Academic Journals)
• Ranking
• School/program Specic
Scholarships
• Size of the Department
EXAMPLE START OF AN APPLICATION TRACKING GRID
Tuition per Semester &
Application Fees
Opportunities for Practicums,
Internships, Research, if Needed
Typical Job Placements or
Placements of Recent Alumni
# Letters of Recommendation
Minimum or Target GPA
Notes
As you continue to research, you will eventually want to decide upon a minimum of six schools to apply to (if nances allow). You are aiming
to apply to at least two safety schools, two schools where you have a 50/50 chance of acceptance, and two reach schools.
GRADUATE & PROFESSIONAL SCHOOL PROGRAM RESEARCH
Dual JD/MPH (102 s.h.)
~$21,000 (JD Resident); no app fee
~$4,500 (MPH Resident)—contact re: fee
Professors Agrawal & Gittler (JD); Required practicum & Exec. Presentation
workshop (MPH)
MHIRT Summer Internship; 4 local hospitals; Iowa Legal Aid + on campus
recruitment by employers
JD: Research Assistantships for 2nd & 3rd year only—> salary & healthcare subsidy
MPH: RAs + TAs
Have Career Center (JD). Private practice; Hospitals; Assistant Attorney General;
Health Compliance & Privacy; Network for Public Health Law
LSAT (Can use for both)
2 (Law); 3 (MPH)—call to see if 3 total is okay or if they need 5 total
2-3 pages, see webpage for prompt/directions; www.xxxxxxxx.edu
Minimum 3.0 (MPH); contact JD for average
May 1—JD (submit ASAP--start accepting Sept 1) CAS on LSAC for JD; must be
admitted to JD rst. April 15—SOPHAS for MPH portion; March 1 for Opportunity
Award—so apply early
Professors & students from visit day seem nice; may be dicult to navigate academic
advising between the two programs; love Iowa City & wouldn’t have to move
Type of Degree
Special Aspects of their Program
Fellowships or
Assistantships Available
Exam Requirements
Essay Requirements
Deadlines for Application and
for Financial Support
GET STARTED
EXPERIENCEEXPLORE PREPARE ACHIEVE
57
Initial thoughts or ideas
PRE-WRITING: REFLECTION
Answer these questions about yourself
• What are your motivations for attending graduate school?
• What are your professional and personal goals for the future?
• Why is this kind of program a good t? (i.e. public policy instead of law school)
• How do your interests, skills, and goals match with the program you are applying to?
• What 1–2 signicant events deeply affected you? How? What did you learn from them?
• How and when have you demonstrated leadership?
• What experiences have enabled you to understand and empathize with those of different
backgrounds and cultures?
• What are your greatest strengths and assets? What makes you a strong candidate for this
particular program?
• What characteristics do you have that will help you be a good _________________________ student? (i.e. medical, law, Ph.D., MPA, etc.)
• What about you should you share that will not be in other parts of your application?
Answer these questions from information you’ve collected from websites, conversations with current students
and faculty, and/or campus visits.
• What is unique about the program?
• What are the values and culture of the program and institution?
• What are the professors’ areas of expertise?
STATEMENT OF PURPOSE “DO’S”
• Demonstrate your writing skills, but still make sure you answer
the prompt.
• Statements of purpose are all about why—why you’re applying,
why you’re a good t, why you’ll succeed in the program.
• Follow the required page limit or word count.
• If creating statements for multiple schools, write the essay for
your top choice rst.
• Customize each statement to show your interest in that
specic program.
• Share what faculty or courses interest you.
• Be realistic: passion is great but also address how you
will succeed.
• Make sure to have a strong introduction that grabs the
audience’s attention.
• Double check grammar, mechanics, and spelling.
• Be sure it is clear, focused, and organized writing.
• Use concrete nouns and active verbs.
• Use details, evidence, or examples to illustrate your
main points.
• Have multiple critics: take your drafts to the University of Iowa
Writing Center, Career Coaches at the Pomerantz Career Center,
and faculty in the eld you want to enter.
Initial thoughts or ideas
STATEMENT OF PURPOSE “DON’TS”
• Avoid clichés and be careful with humor.
• Don’t use the same generic statement for all schools.
• Don’t dwell on crisis.
• Don’t explain the eld, program, or school. The experts will be the ones reading your essays.
• Don’t cram too much information into the essay or be repetitive of other parts of application.
WRITING A STATEMENT OF PURPOSE
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Make it happen.
EXPLORE. PREPARE.
EXPERIENCE. ACHIEVE.
Arts, Media, &
Entertainment
Business &
Entrepreneurship
Science ResearchLaw &
Public Service
Helping &
Counseling
Health &
Wellness
Environment &
Sustainability
EngineeringEducation
CAREER
COMMUNITIES
Data & Information
Technology
