icc.ucdavis.

edu

Career Resource Manual

2010 - 2011

U N I V E R S I T Y O F C A L I F O R N I A , D AV I S
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 CAREER
RESOURCE
Table of Contents MANUAL
Career Development 2010-2011
A Quick Tour of the ICC Web Site . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2
Career Planning Timeline . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3 The Internship
Career Planning: A Lifelong Process . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4 & Career Center
First, Second and
The Internship/Job Search Third Floors,
Ready to Launch a Job Search? . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6 South Hall and
Informational Interviews . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7 The Buehler Alumni
How to Research Employers and Jobs . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8 & Visitors Center
Job Search Strategies . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10
Networking: The Number One Job Search Strategy . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11 University of
How to Prepare for the Fair . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12 California
Transferable Skills . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13
Davis, CA 95616
icc.ucdavis.edu
Resumes and Correspondence
(530) 752-2855
Resumes . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14
Resume Tips for Specific Fields . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14 ADMINISTRATIVE STAFF
Resume Content . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 15 Director:
Subhash H. Risbud 752-6659
Verb List for Resumes & Letters . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 16 Associate Director and Project
Resume Samples . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 17 Manager:
Jeanne Shelby 752-6653
Online Resumes . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 25 Project Managers:
Advanced Degree Resumes . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 26 Chris Dito 752-8979
Marcie Kirk Holland 752-0752
Curriculum Vitae Samples . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 28
Janice Morand 754-8332
Teaching Resume Samples . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 31 Administrative Assistant:
CV Supplement and Grad Skills List . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 32 Stephanie Thompson 752-0722
Asking for a Reference or a Letter of Recommendation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 33
PROGRAM AREAS
Cover Letters . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 34 Program Area
Sample Letters . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 36 Information 752-2855
Agricultural & Environmental
   Sciences
Interviewing for Employment Engineering & Physical Sciences
Graduate Student & Postdoctoral
Interviewing . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 39
   Career Services
Interview Questions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 43 Health & Biological Sciences
Factors in Accepting a Job Offer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 44 Liberal Arts & Business
Managing the Stress of the Job Search . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 45 Career Recruiting
   Programs 752-2286
Community Service
Advertiser Index . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 45    Resource Center 752-3813
International Programs 752-2670
Washington Program 754-5718

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 A Quick Tour of the ICC Web Site
Career Development

icc.ucdavis.edu
Students: Explore our robust website to find internships
and careers, learn about upcoming events and connect with
advising staff.
Grad Students/Postdocs: Career and professional de­vel­op­ment
re­sourc­es for graduate students and postdoctoral scholars.
UC Davis Alumni: Take advantage of the services available
online such as Aggie Job Link and career fair information.

Internships and Jobs

• Aggie Job Link: Browse career jobs and internships,
upload resumes and cover letters, submit applications, sign
up for campus ­interviews, view dates for information
sessions and keep track of your job search activities.
• Links to other regional, national and international job
search sites.

Fairs and Events

• Career Fairs: Meet with companies at one of our six career
fairs held each year.
• Find locations, dates and times of upcoming career fairs
and events.
• Learn about companies at upcoming fairs and find contact
information for companies from previous fairs.
• Read the quarterly Program of Events (POE) online to learn
about upcoming workshops, events and special events like
“Pathways Career ­­Sym­­po­sium for Graduate Students and
Postdoctoral Scholars,” and “Career Speed Dating.”
Advising
• Learn about our focused program areas: Agricultural and
Environmental Sciences; Career Recruiting Programs;
Engineering and Physical Sciences; Graduate Student
and Postdoctoral Career Services; Health and Biological
Sciences; International Programs; Liberal Arts and Business.
• Discover our specialty programs: Community Service
Resource Center; Peace Corps; UC Center Sacramento;
UC Davis Washington Program.
• Meet with advising staff during appointments.
• Join ICC Mail and get the scoop on new internships and
career postings or special events.
Career Help
• Career Planning Process to help guide you to a rewarding
career.
• Access this Manual online for samples of resumes, cover
letters, interview tips and more.
• Find the book you’re looking for with our online index
of over 600 career resources in the Internship and Career
Center Library, 215 South Hall.
• Be the first to enroll in our popular Career Decision
Making course, AMS 95.
• Watch an ICC workshop at your computer desk.
• Research labor market/salary information for various
geographic ­locations.
• Explore every career field with our career exploration tools
including fastest growing occupations, employer profiles
and job outlook.

2  University of California, Davis 

Career Planning Timeline

Career Development
T
he following “Career Planning Timeline” is intended to serve as a set of guidelines to help you integrate academic, co-curricular
and career planning as you progress through UC Davis. Remember, these are just suggestions! Your personal career decision-
making process may not conform exactly to this Timeline, and that’s OK! (For another model, see “Career Planning: A
Lifelong Process” on page 4).

icc.ucdavis.edu  3
 Career Planning: A Lifelong Process
Career Development

The model shown is designed to help you make

career decisions not only as you begin your
career search but also throughout your lifelong
career path.
Self Exploration

Why Take Career Self

Assessments?
  Assessments serve as a tool or
lens to examine jobs, careers and
vocations and help you identify what
you might like to do. Assessments
do not tell you what you “should
do” or “should be.” They can help
you identify professions that may
be satisfying to you.

Take the Career Decision Making Course (AMS 95)

  Open to all majors, this 2 unit course will help you under-
stand and apply career development theories and practices.
Contact the Internship & Career Center for information about
the next term the course will be offered.

Experiential Education
World of Work Research
Research Your Career Internships
Options   Create an account on Aggie
Internship and Career Center Job Link icc.ucdavis.edu
Library, South Hall Room 215. to find internship postings.
Choose according to your
Browse through hundreds of academic and career ­interests
­up-to-date, career-related books. and qualifications.
Also contains graduate and
­professional school information,   Another option is to develop
computers and a copy machine. your own internship by
networking with professionals
who have jobs or work at organizations that interest you. See
Identify Job Titles an ICC Coordinator for assistance.
Look into the Occupational Outlook Handbook
(www.bls.gov) for ­thousands of job titles and information
on education required, job outlook and a job description.
Gain Practical Skills
  Through academic course work, volunteering and interning
you can gain leadership, communication, interpersonal,
Conduct Informational Interviews teamwork, quantitative and computer skills, all of which are
Find professionals working in careers or organizations that important in today’s workplace.
interest you and gain a better understanding of the career or
industry. See page 7.
Service Learning
  An effort to increase citizen involvement in community ­service,
Job Shadowing this is a combination of serving and learning which results in change
Once you have identified a professional who is willing to for both the provider and the recipient. It provides a teaching
talk to you about his or her career, ask if you may “shadow” approach that integrates community service with academic study to
them to gain a sense of what a typical work day is like. enrich learning, teach responsibility, and strengthen communities.
Service learning links academic content and standards to ­community
needs. Academic credit may be awarded in some classes.

4  University of California, Davis 


Decision-Making
There are several steps to
t ake as you make decisions about
your career. One model widely
used in career development and
created by America’s Career
Resource Network, describes it
as a cyclical process that can be
entered at any point and repeated
over and over until satisfaction is
achieved. For examples visit:
www.acrnetwork.org/
decision.htm.
Contact the Internship & Career Center; 2nd floor
of South Hall or call 752-2855. You can schedule an
individual appointment.
Job Search
Now that you have narrowed
your focus and set your goals,
it’s time to prepare for your job
search.
•  How to tailor your resume
and cover letter to the
specific position for which
you apply.
•  Use a variety of job search
methods.
• Develop strong interviewing skills.
• Network, network, network!
• Once you are offered an employment opportunity, evaluate
it carefully before accepting.
Career Development
Career Management
Congratulations, you’re ready to
start your new job! The following
tips will help you successfully
manage your new career.
•  Be realistic about your
expectations.
•  Promotions are earned
through diligence, initiative
and hard work.
• Arrive early, stay late.
• Keep your supervisor informed about your interests and
accomplishments.
• Act and speak professionally, offer firm handshakes,
respect your co-workers.
• Be a team player.
• Establish a mentor relationship with a seasoned veteran.
• Participate in committees and professional associations.
• Benchmark your skills and be a life-long learner!
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Set yourself apart with an
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LEARN MORE:
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info@intraxinternshipsabroad.com
University of California, Davis  5
 Ready to Launch a Job Search?

ARE YOU READY? Take this quick quiz!

   There’s more to job hunting than sending out resumes and cover letters. To assess whether you are “ready
to launch a job search,” check all the statements below that you have accomplished.

___Identified my strongest skills and abilities

___Know and can articulate my best accomplishments
___Have identified my interests and how they fit into my career goals
___Know what I need to do to excel at a job
The Internship/Job Search

___Understand my values and priorities

___Have an achievable career objective
___Understand what skills employers are seeking
___Identified what skills I have to offer employers
___Can clearly state to employers what I do well and enjoy doing
___Have support (family, friends, and mentors) for the job/career I want
___Know how to use the Internet to research occupations and employers
___Can identify potential employers that I want to contact
___Know how to do an informational interview
___Know what to do at an Internship and Career Fair
___Have developed a network of people that I can contact for referrals and job leads
___Know how to market my internship and/or community service experience
___Have secured at least three people to serve as references
___Have cleaned up my social networking websites
___Have prepared a resume and cover letter template and had them critiqued by the ICC
___Have developed responses to typical interview questions
___Have a strategy to deal with my weaknesses and liabilities
___Have prepared potential answers to behavioral interview questions
___Have secured appropriate interview clothes
___Can follow up on job interviews
___Have a strategy on how to negotiate salary and benefits

If you haven’t checked all the above statements, come see us so we can help you prepare.

Adapted from Job Search and Career Checklists 101 Proven Time-Saving Checklists to Organize and Plan
Your Career Search, JIST Works, 2005. pg. 86-87.

6  University of California, Davis 

Informational Interviews
1.  What is an “informational interview,” and why is it
beneficial to you? An informational interview is an arranged
meeting with someone who works in a job, career field, or
organization that interests you.
Benefits:
• Very effective technique for researching and screening
careers, jobs, or employers.
• Answers questions about what it’s like to work in
a particular career field, or job, or for a specific
organization.
• Increases your network of contacts (the majority of jobs
are obtained through networking).
• Talking to industry professionals is a good way of
finding out if a field really is a good fit for you.
• Helps prepare you for the job search.
2.  How do I find people who will talk to me? This may
be easier than you think. People are generally willing to give
advice to future generations. Start with your own network:
• Faculty
• ICC and UC Davis staff
• Aggie Job Link Professional Network
• Friends and family members (don’t forget roommates
and classmates)
• Directories, other print resources or through website
links.
• Cal Aggie Alumni Association Career Resource
Network
3.  How do I initiate contact? Be clear about your objective
before you initiate contact. Set clear goals about what you want
to gain from the informational interview. Once you have a
contact name or names, you may contact this person by letter,
email or telephone. Let this person know how you found out
about him or her. When you call, explain why you are calling
and be polite, positive, and businesslike. Request a mutually
convenient, thirty-minute face-to-face meeting. It’s best to
prepare a “telephone script.” Following is a sample telephone
script, but of course you can develop your own.
“Hello, my name is Max Mustang. Alex Aggie suggested I
call you. I am a senior majoring in English at UC Davis, and am
interested in learning more about careers in technical writing.
Alex recommended you as someone who is well respected in this
field. I’m wondering if I might make a half-hour appointment
with you sometime soon to seek your advice. Thank you!” You
can use a similar script for email requests.
4.  How do I prepare for the informational interview?
Do initial research on the career field or employer using the
Internet or the print resources in the Internship and Career
Center Library, Room 215 South Hall. Once you’ve done the
research, develop a 30-second overview of yourself, including
your ­reasons for contacting this person. Plan open-ended
questions to keep the conversation flowing, instead of ques-
tions that require a “Yes” or “No” answer (see sample question
section). Dress neatly and appropriately, just as you would for
a job interview. Take multiple copies of your resume and a
notepad and pen, along with a list of prioritized questions to
ask.
5.  How should I conduct the informational interview? Start by
thanking your contact for taking the time to meet with you, then
establish rapport by engaging in a bit of small talk. After that, start
with your prioritized questions. As a rule, you should not take
more than a half hour of this person’s time, so you may not be
able to ask all your questions. Remember, this is a conversation,
not an interrogation, so let it flow. Following are sample questions
you can ask (again, you won’t have time to ask all of them).
Questions about the career:
1.  How did you become interested in this career?
2. What is a typical workday like? What are your job
responsibilities?
The Internship/Job Search
3. What are the rewards, challenges, and frustrations of
working in this career?
4. What entry-level jobs are available in this field?
5.  What experience is necessary to enter this career?
6. What advice do you have for someone preparing to enter
this career?
Questions about the organization/industry:
1. How does your position fit within the organization/
industry/career field?
2.  What is your work environment like?
3. What is the economic forecast for this industry?
4. What is unique to your organization? Who are your
competitors?
Questions about future growth/salary information?
1. What are the employment prospects for someone
­entering this field?
2. What are some of the current issues and trends in this field?
3. What is a typical starting salary or salary range in this field?
Follow-up questions:
1. Would you mind taking a quick look at my resume?
How should I target my resume for your industry?
2. Are there professional publications I should read or
associations I should join?
3. What other professionals in this field would you recom-
mend I speak with for additional information? May I use
your name when I contact them?
4.  May I have your business card?
Don’t be afraid to ask your own questions. This is your chance
to get the information you need from an industry professional.
Shortly after your interview, send a thank-you note or
email. This will let the person you spoke to know how much
you appreciated their time and advice. That person might
think about alerting you in the future when a job opportu-
nity arises in that organization... or he or she might refer
your resume to colleagues in other organizations. Also, keep
that contact active for future use.
Remember: Always send a thank-you note and don’t ask
for a job!
To view a sample of an Introductory Letter, visit
icc.udavis.edu/students/ntltr.htm
icc.ucdavis.edu  7
 How to Research Employers and Jobs
Research employers and jobs to discover:
• Industry trends
•  Employer histories, missions, products, services,
locations, profiles, cultures, expectations, financial status,
salaries, benefits and retirement plans
•  Job titles, responsibilities and duties
•  Typical career paths in various industries
•  Location of entry-level jobs, minimum qualifications
•  Appropriate vocabulary to use in discussing specific jobs
  You can approach your research from one or more of the
The Internship/Job Search
­following directions. You can research:
•  a specific job title
•  a career industry/field
•  employment sectors
•  a specific employer
You can conduct two types of research: primary research
and secondary research. Primary research involves talking
directly with people in a specific occupation or people who
work for a specific employer.
  Secondary research involves gathering information from print
materials (books, newspapers, directories, etc.) or Internet sites.
If you want to conduct primary research, consider one of
the following two strategies:
• Conduct informational interviews with people to learn
more about a job title, a career field, an employment
sector or an employer. See page 7
• There’s no better way to conduct primary research on a
career or employer than by doing an internship. Research
internships on Aggie Job Link at icc.ucdavis.edu; search
by key word or job function. Talk to an ICC staff member
for more information and learn how to recieve transcript
notation and/or academic credit for an internship.
If you want to conduct secondary research, visit the
ICC Career Library in Room 215 South Hall, where you’ll find
numerous career resources to assist you.
How can I research a specific job title?
• Explore the Occupational Outlook Handbook
bls.gov/oco/
• Visit the O*NET Occupational Information Network
online.onetcenter.org
How can I research a specific industry or career field?
• Attend employer information meetings on campus.
• Meet employer representatives at career fairs & ICC
events. Pick up a copy of the Program of Events at the
ICC or check out the events calendar at our website.
• Join a career-related, registered, student organization. Visit
spac.ucdavis.edu for a list of organizations.
• Read newspapers specific to your geographic area of
interest. (e.g. sfgate.com/jobs for the Bay Area)
8  University of California, Davis 
• Go to the following websites to conduct industry research:
     rileyguide.com
     weddles.com/associations
     wetfeet.com
Employment Sectors To Research:
• business/the corporate world/the private/for profit sector
• the nonprofit sector
• local, state or federal government
• education
How can I find out about employment in the ­corporate
world?
• Use Aggie Job Link to research employers that recruit
and hire UC Davis students through the On-Campus
Recruiting. Also learn out about employer info meetings
and research the companies attending career fairs.
• Read periodicals (e.g., Sacramento Business Journal, Fortune
Magazine, Wall Street Journal, etc.).
How can I find out about employment in the ­nonprofit
sector?
• Attend the Community Service Fair during fall quarter.
• Visit the following websites:
     - Nonprofit Resource Center in Sacramento:
nprcenter.org (select Job Link)
     - Young Nonprofit Professionals Network:
ynpn.org
      - CA Association of Nonprofits:
canonprofits.org
How can I find out about employment in
government?
• Talk to government employers at career cairs.
•  Visit icc.ucdavis.edu/students/internships/
InternshipsbyInterests.htm, search for Government.
• Visit the following websites:
- Federal Government: www.usajobs.gov
- State of CA: www.spb.ca.gov
• Visit federal and state agency websites to learn about the
agency’s purpose, job listings and requirements, exam
information, the hiring process, etc.
NOTE: Most career positions in state government require
you to take a civil service examination and/or complete an
oral interview. You will achieve a numerical score on the
exam which will then determine your eligibility for positions
as they become available. This examination process can be
lengthy, but worthwhile if you want to pursue a career in
government.
How can I find out about employment in education?
• Go to edjoin.org to search for jobs in schools, K-12.
• Use Aggie Job Link to research school districts recruiting
at UC Davis.
 Discover a career
How can I find out about employers? that puts your second
After you have identified your preferred employment ­sector,
research and develop a list of potential employers. To start:
• Attend employer info meetings and ICC events.
language—first
• Talk to employer representatives at career fairs.
• Consult the Book of Lists for information about employers
in each city. Ask the ICC receptionst on the second floor
Become a California
to view the book.
• Contact the Chamber of Commerce in the city you are
court interpreter!
interested in for information about local/small/privately
owned employers: chamberofcommerce.com
• Visit the employer’s website.

The Internship/Job Search

• Generate a list of potential employers in a particular
career field or industry, try:
- Job Star: California Job Search Guide:
jobstar.org
• For researching large companies, try these sites:
- HooversOnline: hoovers.com
- WetFeet.com: wetfeet.com

What job search sites can I use?

  The first preference of employers is for you to visit their
websites. When searching online for a job, keep in mind that,
in addition to using Aggie Job Link, you should visit:
   Monster: monster.com
   Hot Jobs: hotjobs.yahoo.com
Career Builder: careerbuilder.com
America’s Job Bank: jobbankinfo.org
Craigslist: craigslist.org
LinkedIn: linkedin.com
For a list of the employers who offer the most entry-level
jobs to college graduates, go to: collegegrad.com/topem-
ployers. AND don’t forget to ask ICC Coordinators for their
favorite recommendations on other industry-specific job listing
sites. California Court interpreters enjoy:
What if I just want a short-term, temporary ­position? • A chance to provide a valuable community service
If you want to “find a job for your year off” before graduate
school or while you travel abroad, search online or visit the • A stable career
ICC for a list of local temporary employment agencies. Use • A minimum full-time starting salary of $68,000
only “employer-paid” temporary ­agencies.
• A comprehensive benefits and retirement package
I know how to search for a job online. What else do I
need to know? For more information: 1-866-310-0689
Remember an effective job search usually requires more
than just Google. Networking, Informational Interviewing, www.courtinfo.ca.gov/interpreters
In-Person Visits, and using our on-campus Career Recruiting
Programs, as well as Employment Agencies to help your
job search. Read pages 7, 10 and 11 for job search help!
Watch a Job Search Strategies workshop online at icc.ucdavis.
edu/webshops.

For more websites about researching jobs and employers,

visit icc.ucdavis.edu/students/researchhelp.htm

icc.ucdavis.edu  9

T
here are many ways to look for a job, some of which are better than others. Presented below are some of the most ­popular
ways, as well as helpful hints and pros and cons of each.
Strategy
NETWORKING
Approximately 80% of jobs
are obtained through net-
working. Talk to everyone
you know to develop a list
of possible contacts; ask for
information on job/companies
The Internship/Job Search
and to circulate your resume.
ON-CAMPUS
RECRUITING
Follow specific pro­cedures
to secure on-campus
­interviews.
CAREER FAIRS
Attend job fairs to network
with recruiters and pass out
copies of your resume.
INTERNET
Search online job banks and
company websites. Submit
resume online/post on job
boards.
ONLINE NETWORKING
Create a profile on profes-
sional networking sites such
as LinkedIn. Increasingly,
recruiters are using online
networking sites to source
candidates.
PRINT/ELECTRONIC
RESOURCES
Scan want ads. Mail resume
with cover letter tailored to
specific job qualifications.
IN-PERSON VISIT
Visit many companies. Ask
to see someone in a ­specific
department. Submit resume
and application, if possible.
TARGETED MAILING
Develop a good cover ­letter
tailored to a specific type
of job and the needs of
the company. Send letter
with resume to selected
­companies.
10  University of California, Davis
Tools
• List of contacts
• Resumes
• Business attire
• Scheduling interviews
• Employer literature
• Resumes
• Business attire
• Fair information is
available at
icc.ucdavis.edu
• Bulletin boards and emails
• Access to the Web
• Electronic resume
• Access to the Web
• List of people to invite in
as your contacts
• Newspapers
• Journals
• Newsletters
• Trade magazines
• Cover letters
• Resumes
• Business attire
• Company address list
• Resumes
• List of well-researched
companies
• Tailored cover letters
• Resumes
• Electronic mail and fax
Job Search Strategies
Pros
May learn of unadvertised
openings. May result in a
courtesy interview. Often
results in a closer match of
your interests to a job.
One of the primary ways in
which companies recruit for
technical and business posi-
tions.
Small amount of time to
develop network of contacts.
Guaranteed access to more
than one employer of
interest. Get pre-selected for
on-campus interviews.
Actual job openings. Many
employers use a wide ­variety
of job listing ­services. Many
listings have free to low-cost
access. Worldwide geographic
reach.
Good way to find networking Takes a small amount of
contacts, as well as profes- time to set up profile
sional groups for researching
and networking.
Involves minimal invest-
ment of time in identifying
companies. Resume and
cover letter are sent for
actual job opening.
Resume and application are
on file with the ­company.
Better approach than the mass-
mailing method. Investment
of time and effort should
merit stronger response from
employers.
Adapted and reprinted with permission from Career Services, Pennsylvania State
University, University Park, PA.
Cons
A contact in itself is not • Follow through on all leads.
enough to get you a job. You • K  eep broadening your
may exhaust all leads without
landing a job. Quite time-
consuming.
May be less effective for
nontechnical/nonbusiness
candidates.
Student traffic can be heavy.
Arrive early to maximize
time.
Competition is growing as • Use the Web frequently
use of the Web increases.
Pay attention to multiple
listings—one position posted • May need to conduct your
on a few sites­—to avoid
applying multiple times.
Resume and cover letter will
compete with large number
of others. Ads ­follow
job market; least effec-
tive in times of ­economic
downturn.
Requires a great deal of time
to make a relatively small
number of contacts.
Requires a significant invest-
ment of time in researching
companies and writing cover
letters as well as following up
with contacts.
Helpful Hints
­network of contacts.
• Use the interview ­schedule
as a way to ­identify ­possible
­employers, even if you don’t
get to interview on campus
with those employers.
• Follow up on leads and
networking opportunities.
• Obtain a list of companies
in advance to create a plan
of action.
as information and sites
change quickly.
search at off-peak times
(early morning or late at
night).
• Everything you post should
be strictly professional in
tone and content.
• Use as a meter on the job
market in a certain career
field.
• Try to get your materials
in as early as possible.
• Research the companies
prior to your visit. Ask for
a specific person or ask
about a specific type of job.
• Try to find out who is in
charge of the area in which
you want to work; send
your materials to that person.
Great method when used
in conjunction with
­networking.
Networking: The Number One 
Job Search Strategy
M
ost job opportunities are never formally published.
Networking is the key to finding those jobs that are
just waiting for you in the “hidden” job market.
What Is Networking?
Networking is the process of developing reciprocal rela-
tionships with others who can support you in your internship
or job search. It’s an information exchange between you and
people you know or acquaintances you identify through other
relationships. Networking involves establishing mutually bene-
ficial relationships with people who, over time, can help you in
your search and career development.
Eight Tips for Networking
1) Identify Your Network
You may not realize it, but you already have a network.
Create a worksheet listing all your personal contacts under
these headings: family, schools, employers/co-workers (past and
present), neighbors, friends, working professionals, volunteers,
faculty, advisors, UC Davis alumni, clubs, sports, religious
communities, etc. Look at your list of contacts. Who in the list
can provide you with ­relevant career information, has the
power to hire you or can refer you to another contact?
2) Develop Your Network
You may develop your network one-to-one, at a ­networking
event or online.
One-to-one: Contact the people in your network by
­telephone, letter or email. It’s best to arrange an in-person ­visit
if possible. Your network meeting should include 1) An intro-
duction, if necessary; 2) A personal “overview” ­(prepare a
script ahead of time); 3) Prepared questions to ask (see box);
4) Asking for referrals (these are your next set of “leads” that
will help you expand and grow your network); 5) Sharing
your resume if appropriate; 6) Closing (remember to thank
your contact for his or her time and ­assistance.) To view a
sample networking letter, visit icc.ucdavis.edu/students/
ntltr.htm.
At a networking event: On campus, you can attend career
fairs, company information meetings, club and organiza-
tion events, and you can even network in class! Off-campus
networking opportunities include job or career fairs, trade-
shows, conventions and conferences, employer visits, or
participation in civic groups or religious organizations.
Online: Through social networking sites like LinkedIn, you
can connect with employers, professionals in your field, profes-
sional associations and alumni. Join the UC Davis Internship
and Career Center LinkedIn group to start networking online
today. ICC coordinators are available in the group to address
etiquette and strategy-related questions. Professionalism online
is just as important as in person.
The people with whom you are networking may not have
a job opening, but they may know someone who is hiring.
The key is to exchange information and then expand your
network by obtaining additional referrals each time you
meet someone new. Be sure to mention the name of the
­person who referred you.
3) Create Your Personal Script (A “One-Minute
Commercial”)
Know yourself and be prepared with a summary of your
­talents, skills, accomplishments, interests and goals.
Highlight your background and experience.
Practice your “commercial” so it sounds natural and
spon­taneous and makes a positive first impression. Here’s an
example:
“Good morning, Mr. Jones. My name is Jason King. I will
complete my bachelor’s degree at UC Davis in Design in June
and am seeking an entry-level position in Interior Design. I
The Internship/Job Search
completed an internship recently with another design firm where
I learned a lot about the interior design process including use
of color, furniture and fabric selection, and overall space plan-
ning. Your firm, ABC Interiors, has the reputation as the region’s
premier design firm and I am very interested in your current
opening for a Design Consultant. Can you tell me a little about
what it is like to work at ABC Interiors?”
4) Know How to Start Your Conversation
When in doubt, use an icebreaker question to start your
networking conversation. Read page 7 for a list of great
suggestions.
5) Be Professional
Do not ask your contacts for a job. The purpose of your
networking meetings is to gain advice and information from
your contact. Put your best foot forward from beginning
to end. Start with a firm hand shake, engage in meaningful
conversation about the field, be respectful of your contact’s
time, avoid sharing your life’s history and thank the person
after your meeting.
6) Ask for referrals
The people with whom you are networking may not have a job
opening, but they may know someone who is hiring. The key is to
exchange information and then expand your network by obtaining
additional referrals each time you meet someone new. Be sure to
mention the name of the person who referred you.
7) Develop a System
A system for organizing and tracking your networking
­contacts and meetings. Update it with the names of new leads
and information about how you followed through.
8) Maintain Your Connections
Networking should be an ongoing process. You will want to
stay connected with your contacts as you continue to develop
your career plan and move towards your career goals.
Important Protocols
•  Always send a thank-you note or email.
•  Follow up on any promises.
• Update the contact with the results of any referrals or let them
know how the discussion helped you in a given situation.
• Request follow-up assistance, coaching or advice.
• Be patient but persistent with your leads.
• Remember that it is a reciprocal relationship, so always ask
yourself, “What can I do to help this person?”
icc.ucdavis.edu  11
 How to Prepare for the Fair
T
he friendly and informal format of a career fair makes
it easy to ask questions, explore internship and career
options, develop a network of professional contacts,
­identify job openings and even land an interview… in a short
amount of time!
What to expect at the fair...
A typical career fair at UC Davis attracts 1,500 students
and 70-150 employers. Allow yourself adequate time. Fairs are
­typically less crowded in the morning hours and busiest during
the lunch hour. Just have a few minutes? Don’t let a limited
amount of time keep you from attending the fair.
The Internship/Job Search
Market yourself...
A career fair is not the place to be passive or shy. Be ready
with a one-minute commercial ( see page 11) of the skills
and talents that set you apart from others who are competing
for the same job. Rehearsing your “pitch” will help you feel and
appear more confident, organized, and focused. For assistance
in preparing a persuasive, upbeat and convincing “commercial,”
visit the Internship & Career Center for help.
Research companies...
See ICC’s website ( icc.ucdavis.edu), click on
Internship & Career Fairs for the list of companies, company
descriptions and possible links to company websites. Update
your knowledge of current events by watching news and busi-
ness reports on TV or reading online.
Bring copies of your resume...
Be sure to have your resume reviewed by an ICC student
or staff advisor before distributing it. See pages 17-24 for
example resumes.
First impressions last...
Greet recruiters with confidence, enthusiasm and a firm
handshake. Smile, make eye contact and don’t forget to express
interest in their companies and internship, summer or career
opportunities. Remember to ask for a business card for follow-
up with that company.
State your purpose...
When job hunting, state the type of position you are
seeking. Dress in business casual. Get complete information on
how to apply and/or contact information.
After the fair...
Contact those companies in which you are most interested.
Be sure to mention in your letter how you made contact at the
fair. Include an updated copy of your resume.
Attend an ICC “Prepare for the Fair” workshop.
Learn how to prepare, what to wear, what to ask and how to follow up. For dates visit
12  University of California, Davis 
Career fair etiquette...
Be polite and courteous to everyone. Don’t interrupt the
employer respresentatives or other career fair attendees. If
you’re unable to speak to the representative immediately,
consider visiting another employer and then returning. Don’t
drop off your resume without speaking to the representative.
Personal interaction could be key to your success. And finally,
feel free to take the “give-aways,” but only if you’ve talked with
the representative—to “grab and go” is a no-no!
Internship and career fairs serve as a recruiting tool for
many employers and a popular event for savvy students.
Following are the fairs you can look forward to in 2010-
2011. Visit our website for dates, times and participating
employers.
Study and Intern Abroad Fair
Come learn about the world of internship and study
abroad opportunities that await you. (Fall Quarter)
Fall Internship and Career Fair
An annual event for all students, all majors. It’s a great
way to kick off the school year! (Fall Quarter)
Community Service Fair
A great opportunity to explore community service
internships and/or career opportunities with non-profit
organizations. (Fall Quarter)
Engineering and Physical Sciences Internship and
Career Fair
A huge event for engineering, physical and computer
science students. Great for experience and networking!
(Winter Quarter)
Winter Internship and Career Fair
All students and every major are encouraged to attend.
A great opportunity to network with employees and find
internships and careers. (Winter Quarter)
Spring Internship and Career Fair
Attend the last fair of the year to find a summer job,
internship or career. All majors ­welcome! (Spring
Quarter)
icc.ucdavis.edu
Transferable Skills
B
elow is a list of five broad
skill areas which are divided
into specific skill sets. Use a
checkmark to indicate which skills
you’ve developed. Write down
examples of when you used your
strongest skills and describe what
the end result was.
Communication
The skillful expression, transmission and
interpretation of knowledge and ideas.
__Speaking effectively
__Writing effectively
__Listening attentively
__Expressing ideas
__Facilitating discussions
__Providing feedback
__Negotiating
__Persuading
__Perceiving non-verbal messages
__Presenting information
__Describing feelings
__Interviewing
__Editing
Research & Planning
The search for specific knowledge and the
ability to conceptualize future needs and
solutions.
__Predicting
__Creating theories and ideas
__Identifying problems
__Imagining alternatives
__Identifying resources
__Gathering information
__Solving problems
__Setting goals
__Extracting information
__Defining needs
__Developing evaluations
__Creating spreadsheets and databases
__Calculating results
Human Relations
The use of interpersonal skills for resolving
conflict, relating to and helping people.
__Developing relationships
__Being sensitive
Example
If the only job you have ever had is working at a hamburger restaurant—what skills have
you gained from this experience that are related to a lab research position?
• Following protocol • Cleanliness
• Time management • Team work
Instead of focusing on the obvious: handling cash, making hamburgers and fries. You show
your reader what skills you have gained that are related to the position you are applying for.
__Listening __Meeting goals
The Internship/Job Search
__Conveying feelings __Enlisting help
__Providing support __Accepting responsibility
__Motivating __Setting and meeting deadlines
__Sharing credit __Organizing
__Counseling __Making decisions
__Cooperating
__Delegating with respect
__Representing others
__Perceiving feelings, situations
__Asserting Write Accomplishment Phrases
Set your resume apart from the competition’s
Organizing, Management & by listing your experiences as accomplish-
Leadership ments rather than a listing of duties. Use the
Ability to supervise and guide SAR technique:
individuals and groups in the   •  S – Think of a situation (or problem)
completion of goals. you encountered at work, school
__Initiating new ideas or in a volunteer experience and
write a few sentences describing it.
__Handling details
  •  A – Write a few sentences about the
__Coordinating tasks
action you took to address the
__Managing groups situation.
__Delegating responsibility   •  R – Write a few sentences about the
__Teaching result your action had.
__Coaching For example, “When I interned at the pedi-
__Advising atric clinic, the sample medications cabinet
was disorganized and it was difficult for the
__Promoting change physicians and staff to quickly locate sample
__Selling ideas or products drugs. I decided to completely reorganize the
__Decision making with others cabinet and create a log sheet using Excel to
track the supplies. As a result, the doctors
__Managing conflict
and staff were able to quickly find the neces-
sary patient medications and we were able to
Work Survival reorder medications before running out.”
The daily skills that assist in These sentences can be boiled down to a
promoting effective production and brief bullet statement on your resume as
work satisfaction. such:
__Implementing decisions   • Reorganized medications cabinet and
__Cooperating created Excel spreadsheet tracking log
which ensured sufficient product
__Enforcing policies
quantities and quick access and loca-
__Being punctual tion of all sample drugs by physicians
__Managing time and medical staff.
__Attending to detail
icc.ucdavis.edu  13

Purpose
  Your resume is a concise summary of your education,
­experience, skills and accomplishments. The resume is a
­marketing tool to entice your reader to invite you to an
­interview! Employers are looking for well-rounded applicants
in these areas: academic, work accomplishments and interests/
activities. Incorporating these three categories into your resume
will demonstrate your overall accomplishments. There is no one
perfect resume or resume format.
General Resume Guidelines
• O  ne page for recent graduates; two pages if you have
­extensive work history. Do not put more than 10+ years on
your resume.
• Direct the reader’s eye using layout/headings.
• Proofread! No typographical, spelling or grammatical errors.
Don’t rely on spell-check.
Resume Tips for Specific Fields
Arts and Communication
• Portfolios/work samples are required and should be noted
Resumes and Correspondence
on resume: “Portfolio available upon request.”
• Graphics are invited in this field and will be seen as a
demonstration of your creativity.
• It’s OK to translate your internships into job titles that accu-
rately describe your duties, e.g., Public Relations Assistant.
• For journalism opportunities, include fluency in other
languages.
Business
• In most cases “management” isn’t a very realistic objective.
Focus on a particular area—finance, marketing, human
resources—and express long-term interest in management.
• Business employers are interested in results. Be sure your
resume highlights specific achievements, times when you
exceeded goals, etc.
• Quantify your experience: “Increased sales by 30%.” Show
accomplishments in previous experience.
• Stress tangible leadership experience when listing extracur-
ricular involvement.
• List transferable skills such as time management, conflict
resolution and decision making.
Human Services
• For many of these occupations, experience as a volunteer
is considered a strong measure of knowledge and commit-
ment. List key responsibilities and outcomes.
• For teaching jobs, experience you had working with young
people and any tutoring/teaching experience are important.
14  University of California, Davis 
Resumes
• Tailor contents to each job/application.
• List information in reverse chronological order.
• Sell yourself—be selective about what you include, and
­organize information logically.
• Use consistent verb tense.
• Some job boards and employer sites ask you to upload a
text version of your resume. See page 25 for instructions
regarding online resumes.
Let’s Get Started!
1. List accomplishments.
2. Analyze job description—highlight the most important
skills and qualifications and incorporate these keywords
into the resume.
Life Sciences/Physical Sciences
• Research and lab techniques should be listed for jobs in
these fields. List scientific techniques you are most familiar
with or have recently used.
• Since the employer will be looking for certain majors, your
education should be near the top of your resume.
• Healthcare jobs place a strong emphasis upon communica-
tion skills, including bilingual ability.
• Include science organization memberships.
Technology
• Employers in this field prefer objectives that are precise,
indicating a particular area of interest or expertise.
• Include technical courses/projects to support interest and
objective.
•  GPA should be included.
• Break technical skills into subcategories. This will make it
easier for the reader to pick up the specific skills they are
looking for. (i.e., Operating Systems, Hardware, Software,
Networking and Programming Languages.)
• Be sure your resume is loaded with key words denoting
skills. Have a text version of your resume for sites
requesting this format.
• Including both technical and non-technical work experi-
ence demonstrates experience working in professional
settings.
Adapted from UCSD Career Services Center
Resume Content
Content Essentials Hints

These components are ESSENTIAL for EVERY resume.

Name, address, phone number, ­email Make sure email address, phone
Contact Information and web address you would like number and webpage are “employer
­employers to see. appropriate” and typo-free.

Name of school, degree earned, major

List your highest degree first followed
Education and minor, expected graduation date
by other degrees you have received. List
and depending on the field, GPA
Education Abroad.
( see page 17).

Job title, company name, dates of Include paid and non-paid positions,
Relevant Experience ­experience, describe job duties, significant internships and military duty. Present
accomplishments and contributions. achievements, contributions and results.

The following categories are usually included on a resume—include the categories that best describe your skills and
experience.

A one-line description of position Should be specific rather than a general

Objective desired. statement.

Resumes and Correspondence

Identify skills the employer is looking
for. They may be grouped by category List only the skills you can perform
such as: with little or no supervision. Think
Skills/Abilities • language, about “Transferable Skills” ( See
• laboratory, or page 13).
• computer skills

Group/Class Projects/Relevant Coursework List the course title, not the course
Relevant classes and/or projects.
number.

Current students or recent grads can Can be listed separately or as a

Honors and Awards include honors and scholarships. Be sure subsection under Education.
to include a description.

Travel Project title, where published and when.

List countries and travel experiences, if

Research/Publications relevant to position for which you are
applying.

Volunteer Activities/Community Service/ List organization, office(s) held and a May want to place internship positions
Leadership brief description of accomplishments. under Experience section.

List if applicable to the position for

Certifications/Licenses which you are applying.

You do not need to end your resume

Always take a typed list of your references
with “References Available Upon
References to the interview, ( see “Asking for a
Request” since the employer knows this
Reference or Letter of Recommendation”
already. Use the extra space to expand
on page 33 for specific information).
on accomplishments.
icc.ucdavis.edu  15
 Verb List for Resumes & Letters
Use strong actions verbs to describe your experience and skills. Choose words from the lists below to express yourself.

Management Skills diagnosed Financial Skills represented

administered evaluated administered validated
analyzed examined allocated
assigned extracted analyzed Administrative or
attained identified appraised Detail Skills
chaired inspected audited approved
consolidated interpreted balanced arranged
contracted budgeted catalogued
interviewed
coordinated calculated classified
investigated
delegated computed collected
organized
developed developed compiled
directed reviewed forecasted dispatched
evaluated summarized managed executed
executed surveyed marketed generated
improved systematized planned implemented
increased projected inspected
organized Technical Skills researched monitored
oversaw assembled operated
planned
built Creative Skills organized
prioritized acted prepared
calculated
produced ­conceptualized processed
computed
recommended created
designed purchased
reviewed customized
devised recorded
scheduled designed retrieved
strengthened engineered developed screened
supervised fabricated directed specified
maintained
Resumes and Correspondence

established systematized
Communication Skills operated fashioned tabulated
addressed overhauled illustrated
arbitrated programmed initiated
authored instituted
Leadership
remodeled achieved
collaborated repaired integrated
coordinated
convinced solved introduced
corresponded invented delegated
upgraded developed
drafted originated
edited performed directed
formulated Teaching Skills planned enlisted
influenced adapted revitalized executed
interpreted advised shaped expanded
lectured clarified expedited
mediated coached Helping Skills founded
moderated communicated assessed improved
negotiated developed assisted initiated
persuaded enabled clarified
promoted pioneered
encouraged coached
publicized recruited
evaluated counseled
spoke demonstrated reduced (losses)
translated explained
diagnosed resolved (problems)
wrote facilitated
educated restored
guided
facilitated spearheaded
Research Skills informed familiarized transformed
analyzed instructed guided
clarified set goals motivated Adapted from The Damn Good
collected stimulated referred­ Resume Guide by Yana Parker,
critiqued trained rehabilitated Berkeley: Ten Speed Press.

16  University of California, Davis 

Chronological Format for Internship Position

TITUS MACG
REW
tmac@ucdavis.
edu
Local Address
: 100 Alvarado
Permanent Add Avenue, Davis
ress: 123 Clove , California 95
r Lane, Any City 616. (530) 753-
, California 9X XXXX
OBJECTIVE XXX. (555) 42
1-XXXX
A laboratory re
search internsh
ip with ABC C
ompany.
EDUCATION
Bachelor of Sc
ience in Biolog
University of C ical Sciences,
alifornia, Davis June 20XX

Related Course
Work : General
Chemis
Organic Chem try (Lab), Microbiology (Lab
istry (Lab), Zo )
ology (Lab), Bi
SKILLS ology
  •  Familiar
with buffer prep
  •  Excelle aration, microsc
nt ability to ac opy, pH meter
curately keep la , and analytical
  •  Experien bo ra to ry records. balances.
ce using Micro
soft Word, Exce
l and Access in
PC and Mac pl
SPECIAL PRO atforms.
JECT

Resumes and Correspondence

Iodine Shorta
ge Project, UC
Worked with a Davis, Davis,
CA
in Indonesia. Ragroup of seven students raisin 1/XX-present
of iodine defic is ed funds for g over $10,000
iency and deve research, iodine distribution to help the current iodine sh
presentations. loped promotio and literature. ortage
Ra na Re
presentations to ised funds through classes, l materials including poster searched the effects
friends and on s
sororities and
fraternities. -campus activiti and flyers for in-class
es, including nu
merous
EXPERIENCE
Shift Leader,
In-N-Out Burg
  •  Provided er, Davis, CA
outstanding cu
  •  Acted as stomer service 10/XX-present
cashier; entrus and handled cu
ted by supervis stomer complai
  • Trained or to record and nt s.
and supe deliver bank de
performance re rvised ten staff members. Pr posits.
views and iden ovided input fo
  •  Maintai tif ie d ar ea s fo r r ne w hi re
ned accurate in additional traini
  • Ensured ventory count ng.
proper food sa of all products
ni ta tion . No need to me
by strictly adhe
ring to all food procedures were followed whether a posit
ntion 
handling safety or vo
ion is paid  
protocols. lun tary.
ACTIVITIES
Volunteer, Em
ergency Room
Activities Coord , UC Davis Med
inator, Botany ical Center
Member, Biolog Club
ical Sciences C
lub

Visit icc.ucdavis.edu for additional tips on writing your resume.

icc.ucdavis.edu  17
 Chronological Format for Career Position
A chronological resume presents your education and work experience in a straightforward, reverse chronological order format,
listing current or most recent job first. If the majority of your work experience is related to your stated job objective, the
chronological format is generally preferred.

N
ANH NGUYE Permanent
reet
XXX Green St
ci sc o, CA 12 345
San Fran XX
Campus (415) 48 X -X X
Avenue
999 University
n, CA 99999
Collegetow
30 ) 75 X -X X XX
(5
vis.edu
anguyen@ucda

OBJECTIVE n in sales and

marketing
A ca re er po si tio
n, University of
a minor in Communicatio
EDUCATION erial Economics with
ience in Manag
Bachelor of Sc 20 X X XX
is, Ju ne adrid, Spain 20
California, Dav
ca tio n Abr oa d Program, M
Participant, Edu
ac
er in PC and M
l an d Internet Explor
SKILLS cel, em ai
ord, Ex
icient in MS W
Computer: Prof
environments. ten and spoken
). tations to large
ve public presen
Resumes and Correspondence

w le dg e of V ietnamese (writ ci ng ly an d gi
Language: Kno nvin
e clearly and co
n: Able to writ
Communicatio
groups.
)
(6/XX–Present
E X PE R IE NCE ts , Sa cramento, CA
RELEVAN T ssive Mic ro pr od uc
marketin g an d
tin g/ Sa le s Intern, Progre el op and implement pp le
Mar ke w are and softw ar e. D ev
inment softw are fo r A
m pu te r ha rd l an d en te rta 00 0 visitors
Market pers
onal co educationa ore than 3,
te gi es . D es ign and develop te r tra de sh ows hosting m
advertising st ra pu
numerous com
. Participate in
computer system vendors.
150
and more than /XX)
is, CA (5/XX–9
rs on G ra nd Auto, Inc., Dav $3 5 m illion. Worked
­
in ee /S al es pe , s ex ce ed in g
t Tra al sa le ntory using a
Managemen k fo r au to parts store w
ith annu
ne d a la rge store inve es.
Performed sale
s w or ees. M ai nt ai 34 representativ
w ith cu st om ers and employ an d tra in ed a sales force of op ed ef fe ct ive
effectivel y . Supervised k flow. Dev el
ve nt or y sy st em en ha nc ed w or
­computerized
in for
reorganization
rts department
Implemented pa .
indow displays
in-store and ­w
/XX–4/XX)
om pa ny , W oodland, CA (9 sed over $10,00
0 per
n, su m er Distributing C
lo g ch ai n store. Proces eric al tasks.
Salesperso
C on e ca ta eted cl
m er ch an di se sales for larg ve nt or y co ntro l, and compl
ra l in
Performed gene cards, performed
ecks and credit .
week in cash, ch awards for sales performance
rly
Received quarte
(dates)
siness fraternity
LEADERSHIP irp er so n, D el ta Sigma Pi, a bu
Fundraising Cha ates)
Association (d
em be r, V ie tn amese Student
M

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18  University of California, Davis 

Functional Format for Career Position
A functional resume concentrates on skills you have demonstrated that relate to your stated objective rather than on the jobs you
have held. This format is particularly effective if your past work experience is not directly related to your job objective, if you are
changing careers or if you are seeking a promotion. Choose broad “skill categories” appropriate to the desired job and how you have
demonstrated those same skills in past positions/jobs.

ANH NGUYE
XXX Green Stre
N
San Francisco, et
CA 12345
(415) 48X-XXXX
anguyen@ucda
vis.edu
OBJECTIVE
A career positio
n in sales and
marketing
EDUCATION
Bachelor of Scie
nc
Communcations e degree in Managerial Econ
omics with a m
University of C inor in
alifornia, Davis,
Participant, Ed June 20XX
ucation Abroa
d Program, M
SUMMARY O adrid, Spain 20
F QUALIFICA XX
• Three year TIONS
s increased resp
• Extensive an onsibility in sa
d les
• Received aw up-to-date knowledge of th
ards for sales pe e computer softw
• Proficient in rfo are industry
Word, Excel, em rmance
• Knowledge ai l an d Internet Explor
of Vietnamese er in PC and M
and Spanish (w ac environmen
ritten and spok ts.
Marketing/Sale en)

Resumes and Correspondence

s
• Marketed pe
rsonal compute
• Developed r hardware and
and implemen software
• Performed ted marketing
sales work for and advertising
auto parts chai st
• Recognized
fo n store with an rategies
• Performed r impressive sales record and nual sales exce
eding $35 mill
general merchan received quarte ion
• Participated dise sales for la rly
in numerous co rge catalog sale awards for outstanding perfo
mputer trade sh s store rmance
ows
Organization/
Plan
• Designed an ning
d
• Implemente developed educational and en
d parts departm terta
• Developed ent reorganizatio inment software for Apple co
effective in-sto n for enhanced mputer system
re and window work flow
displays
Communicatio
n
• Communic Skills
ated effectively
• Revised po w
licy manuals an ith customers and employees
• Supervised d developed cu
an rricula for traini
• Gave presen d trained sales personnel ng sessions
tations to grou
ps of 150 or m
ore people
EMPLOYMEN
T HISTORY
Marketing/Sale
s Intern, Prog
Management re
Trainee/Salesp ssive Microproducts, Sacram
Salesperson, C erson, Grand Au ento, CA, 6/XX
onsumers Dist to –Present
ributing Compa , Inc., Davis, CA, 5/XX–9/X
ny, Woodland, X
ACTIVITIES CA, 9/XX–4/XX
Fundraising C
hairperson, Del
Member, Vietna ta Si
mese Student As gma Pi, a business fraternity
sociation

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icc.ucdavis.edu  19
 Chronological Format for Entry-Level Career Position
The resume below uses a chronological format. Your resume should represent you. Be sure to have your resume draft critiqued by an
ICC staff member.

1 A specific objective is
highly recommended.
However, a more general
objective can be used at
AUDREY KIM
career fairs.
6
avis, CA 9561
en ue   t   A pt, # 33  t  D
1122 Aggie Av   t  (925) 388-
1212 This is a sub-category of
(530) 757-1212
2
s.ed u EDUCATION. The title
akim@ucdavi should be bold, lower
1
Consulting case, and ­indented.
an ne r po si tion with XYZ
tal Pl
Environmen ning
OBJECTIVE lysis and Plan
vi ro nm en tal Policy Ana 3 If you have performed
ience, En the protocol several times
Bachelor of Sc ation
EDUCATION or of A rt s, Communic you may list your ability
Bachel , June 20XX
rs ity of Ca lifornia Davis 2 to perform procedures
Uni ve used in a lab as “adept
at,” ­“proficient in” or
licy,
se Work: sportation Po
Related Cour g, G IS an d Society, Tran other accurate terms.
portin
tal Impact Re eography
Environmen at er Law, Urban G
 en ta l La w , W
Envi ro nm
t  Double majors
d CWA
QA, NEPA an ct assessmen
ts ­indicate:
Fa miliar with CE vi ro nmental impa d ArcGIS
3
“Double Majors
SK IL LS ow le dg e of en Su ite , ER SI an
Worki ng kn O ffi ce
of Microsoft in ___ and
applications
Proficient in sk ill s ___” or state
rt writing
Excellent repo munity
“Bachelor of Arts
ng and Com in ___, Bachelor
cr am en to County Planni - 3/ X X of Science in
Intern, Sa , CA 10/XX
Resumes and Correspondence

Planning t, Sacramento amento Coun

ty.
EXPERIENCE ar tm en r Sa cr ___.”
el op m en t D ep d ho us in g fo .
Dev ployment an e General Plan
Created a da
tabase of em
e st ud y as directed by th
balanc
 jobs/housing
Conducted a w,
t Studies Fello
ro nm en ta l Managemen X - 9/XX
work of Envi hia, PA 6/X
National Net ec tio n A ge ncy, Philadelp pa ct
 ental Prot ronmental Im
U.S. Environm ents on Envi Information
ed an d pr ovided comm na te Geographic
Review to co or di significant
 Formulated pl
an rticipated in
statements. re nt fe de ra l agencies. Pa
among diffe
System data
ea ch efforts.
public outr d
Education an
rn , St ud en t Landowner X X
In te 1/XX - 4/
tal Education WS), Davis, CA
Environmen p Program (SLE d stream corr
idor
 St ew ar ds hi ric ul tu ra l an
W at er sh ed en ts in ag
ols stud t native
led high scho students abou
Planned and Re se ar ch ed and taught gn ed , constructed
ojects . si

restoration pr ec os ys te m sensitivity. De .
ction and loca
l hing purposes
species intera in g pi le s fo r on-site teac
d compost
and maintaine - present
y Club, 20XX
en ta l Sc ie nce and Polic X
Member, Envi
ronm January 20X
ACTIVITIES n, UC Davis,
lu nt ee r, Fo cus The Natio 20 X X
Vo s, Spring
edgerow Farm
Volunteer, H

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20  University of California, Davis 

Combination Format for Research Position
The combination chronological/functional resume uses elements of both styles. The qualifications (areas of effectiveness) of the
­functional resume remain within specific job/experience descriptions. The jobs/experiences are then grouped and categorized to
show the strengths in two to four categories. This resume format is effective if at least some of your experience is related to the job
objective, and also when the job objective has more than one component and you have experience in these different components
(e.g., technical and management; sales and organizational).

Local Address MARIA GARCIA

55 College Drive Permanent Address
Davis, CA 95616 1930 Grape Avenue
(530) 75X-XXXX Fairfield, CA 94533
mgarcia@ucdavis.edu

OBJECTIVE
Research position in biochemistry labo
rator y.

EDUCATION
Bachelor of Science in Biochemistry
University of California, Davis
Degree expected December, 20XX

SKILLS
Protocol design for proteolytic digests
Gas chromatography SDS-PAGE
HPLC Spectrophotometry

Resumes and Correspondence

Ability to keep accurate laboratory reco UV/VIS
rds Computer data analysis
Laboratory animal handling

RESEARCH EXPERIENCE
Protein Biochemistry Intern, Genente
ch, Inc., San Francisco, CA. (June to
Investigated structure-function ­relati September 20XX)
onships of interferon. Experiments inclu
­proteolitic digests, SDS-PAGE, and ded the use of limited
HPLC.
Clinical Pathology Intern, Departm
ent
to June 20XX) Developed a buffer syste of Clinical Pathology, University of California, Davis. (March
m
in urine. Performed gas ­chromatograph for liquid chromatographic isolation of pesticide metabolites
y on purified samples.

LABORATORY ANIMAL HANDLI

NG EXPERIENCE
Laboratory Helper, Animal Science
Department, University of California,
Maintained murine colony used for Davis. (May to July 20XX)
transgenic experiments.

POSITION HELD TO FINANCE EDU

Salesperson, Macy’s, Sacramento, CA. CATION
(May to September 20XX)
Provided customer service, engaged
in sales transactions, public relations
­balanced cash register receipts. , inventory control and

ACTIVITIES
President, Biochemistry Club
Member, Chicanos/Latinos in Health
Education
Swimming, intramural basketball

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icc.ucdavis.edu  21
 International Relations

MOHAM ED SINGH
) 555-5555
(530 Campus
vis.edu
aggie123@ucda 9 U ni ve rs ity Avenue
78 6
Davis, CA 9561
ress
Permanent Add
ai n St re et
123 M
116
San Jose, CA 95
(408) 555-5555 rpersonal skills.
mbines my an alytical and inte
A position that co
OBJECTIVE:
uble major
and French do
EDUCATION ing, International Relations XX
Senior stand degrees expect
ed June 20
0
Bachelor of Arts lifornia, Davis GPA: 3.23/4.0 ce
University of Ca es—Lyon, Fran

an d l’I ns tit ut d’Etudes Politqu
of Lyon II
the University
Junior year at ns, Proficiency

, em ai l an d In ternet applicatio sing software
l, PageMaker st loan proces
in Word, Exce with LoanQue
SKILLS
pu te r: A dv an ced proficiency PCs and MACs, Experience ility),
Com Familiar with mited written ab
in PowerPoint, ed bi lli ng da tabase en ch , Co nv er sant in Farsi (li
-bas d oral Fr
and OMS web cy in written an Spanish confident, wor
k
ofessional fluen al riting aptitude,
Languages: Pr knowledge of written and or ill s, str on g w
Elementary munication sk ble, honest
terpersonal com leadership competent, teacha
ar ac te r Tr ai ts: Excellent in ar e, so ci ab le ,
Ch culturally aw
well in teams,
– 1/20XX)
, CA (9/20XX
EX PE R IE N CE io na l R el at io ns, Sacramento Senators and/or Senate staff. l
RELEVANT e Senate Office of Internat een foreign dignitaries and for incoming in
ternationa
Resumes and Correspondence

Intern, Stat
fic ia l m ee tin gs weekly betw pitol staff to arrange meetings marize pertinent information
nd of d Ca tries and sum of Senators
Atte unicate with Senate staff an on foreign coun xes) on behalf
Comm
rfo rm op en source research spondence (letters, emails, fa d foreign governments.
delegates. Pe ulate corre bassies, an Senate
legations. Form nsulates, US em publication in
for outgoing de International Relations to Co l and Word applications for
of ce
and the Office ty of reports and data into Ex
rie rt.
Compiled a va ional Relations Annual Repo
at XX)
Office of Intern (6/20XX – 7/20 lting in increase
d
Se rv ic es , In c., San José, CA twork at business fairs resu ovided tech
et ne pr
er, CAL Intern s to effectively base. Patiently
Billing Manag ersonal communication skill OMS web-based billing data sed sales. Participated in
se d in te rp lli ng us in g an d in cr ea
U les. Managed bi mer satisfactio
n
contacts and sa chnical clients ensuring custo rrespondences in Word.
t to no n- te co m pa ny co
suppor ficial
ting, Drafted of
sales and marke X) with
/20XX – 9/20X omote continued relationships alogue,
A nn ua l Fu nd , Davis, CA (7 le ph on e to pr an d sin ce re di
is a te nal
Caller, UC Dav Davis Alumni and parents vi by implementing professio $100-$1,000
act UC
Cont sity. Foster a positive image
for UCD
n fo r do na tio ns between
ig
univer support, Campa
solicit financial
Encourage and XX) y provided
(9/20XX – 7/20 ore than 4,000 meals per da sure smooth
C of fe e H ou se, Davis, CA e th at se rv es m w or ke rs to en
D nu co
Cashier, ASUC r on-campus food service ve ctively communicated with
king fo ifts. Effe
Wor er service during busiest sh ere.
custom mosph
a welcoming at
operations and
X)
20XX – 6/20X
INTERESTS UC Davis (10/
ACTIVITIES/ en’s Novice Curling Team, imbing.
Captain, M ing, rock cl
t-lifting, sketch
Running, weigh ided Upon Requ
est
References Prov

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22  University of California, Davis 

Laboratory Research Assistant

123 Maple Ave Job Landis

nue • Davis, C
A 95000 • 530-
OBJECTIVE 555-5555 • xxxx
@ucdavis.edu
To obtain a po
sition as a Labo
ratory Researc
h Assistant
EDUCATION
University of C
alifornia Davis
Anticipated Gra Bachelor of Sc
duation date Ju ience in Biologi
ne 20XX cal Sciences
RELEVANT
COURSEWO
Molecular and RK
Cellular biolog
Neurobiology y (Lab)
Pathology
Microbology Organic Chem
istry (Lab)
LAB SKILLS Chemistry (Lab
)
SDS-PAGE
Electrophoresis PC R/Cloning
Spectrophotom
Gas Chromatog etry ELISA
raphy DNA/Extractio C
Microscopy n/Quantificatio omputer Data
n Analysis
Amino acid an
alysis
SUMMARY O
FQ
• Familiar with UALIFICATIONS
fundamental la
• Intelligent, b procedures in
analytical and cluding pipetti
• Excellent co highly motivat ng, buffer prep
ed; ability to m aration and SD

Resumes and Correspondence

mmunication sk ultitask, attentiv S-PAGE
• PC Skills: W ills, dedicated e to details
ord, Excel, Pow to professionalism
• Fully fluen erpoint, Acces and high-qualit
t both orally an s y work
d written in En
glish and Span
EXPERIENC ish
E
Clinical Pathol
ogy Intern, D
• Developed epartment of C
a buffer system linical Patholog
• Accurately for liquid chro y, UC Davis
performed gas matographic is 5/XX-9/XX
• Recognized chromatograph olation of pest
by supervisor fo y on purified sampl ic id e metabolites in
r outstanding co es urine
ntributions to su
Team Lead, B cc essful research
est Burgers, D project complet
• Placed orde avis, CA ion
rs and perform
• Suggested ne ed cashiering du 6/XX-9/XX, 6/
w method of pa ties in high-vol XX-9/XX
approximately ckaging to go ume fast food
50% orders which re establishment
• Promoted to duced customer
Team Lead afte wait time by
r 60 days
ACTIVITIES/
LEADERSHIP
President, Biolo
gical Sciences
Swimming, In Club
tramural basket
ball 9/XX-Present
COMMUNIT
Y SERVICE
Society for Prev
ention of Cruel
Habitat for Hum ty to Animals
anity Volunteer

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icc.ucdavis.edu  23
 Technical
We use this term to describe a resume that is used to apply for positions in information technology, engineering or consulting.
Though the format is similar to other examples in the book we include it to demonstrate ways in which technical skills can
be presented.

Victoria Buleon
vis.edu
vbuleon@ucda
23 50 M ai n St reet
6
Davis, CA 9567
19 57 C ell
(530) 759-

ing
Students major
:
OBJECTIVE in technical
position disciplines, e.g.
are engineering engineering, ar
e
A full-time softw ­encouraged to
include GPA.
:
EDUCATION
XX, GPA 3.2
D eg re e Ex pected June 20 rnia, Davis
Bachelor of Sc
ienc e
ne er in g, U ni versity of Califo
nce and Engi
Computer Scie
E: XX
EXPERIENC A lto , C A, June 20XX
-September 20
le topics
Pa lo m ultip
te rn ew le tt-Packard, ncep t involving
opment In , H
stant mes sa gi ng co
omized central
Software Devel otyp e in V isua l Basic of an in
D ig ita l D as hb oard for a cust
a prot Pages and
   • Created Active Server
C re at ed a prototype in
   •  ing division
by an engineer
Resumes and Correspondence

tools
webpage of web tio n to ol us ed essaging softw
are
al ua te d a vi rtu al collabora e ne xt -g en er ation instant m
   •  Ev isual Basic of th
prototype in V
   •  Built a
XX
X-September 20
trans, June 20X the unit
IT Intern, Cal -based applic at io n us ed by
ed a w eb at e pages utilized ram
   •  Te st tal Word tem pl r training prog
•  R ed es igne d de pa rtm en
or t fo r a w eb -based compute re gi st ra tio n
   ail supp ing the
•  Pr ov id ed phone and em iv e Se rv er Pa ges for automat
   gA ct
web pages usin
   •  Created
SKILLS: Perl, Visual Bas
ic,
COMPUTER Pages, HTML,
, Java Server
C, C, C++, Java
Languages: B
ASI
Programming da rd ML x
Active Server
Page s, St an sh, UNIX, Linu
s: S, W in dows, Macinto
st em D O
Operating Sy
IONS:
AL AFFILIAT
PROFESSION X
December 20X
y of A rc hi te ct s & Engineers, es en t
an Societ ors Society, Ju
ly - Pr
Filipino Americ En gineering Hon
Pi N at io na l
Tau Beta
: 0XX),
LEADERSHIP sent), Secretar
y (20XX-2
(20XX-pre
0X X ), Web si te Programmer
X-2
President (20X d Engineering
in o A m er ic an s in Science an
Pilip

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24  University of California, Davis 

Online Resumes
Many websites will accept Word documents but some request that you cut and paste a text version of your
resume. Resumes submitted online frequently get imported into a database known as an Applicant Tracking
System or Hiring Management System. This includes resumes posted to employer sites and Internet resume
banks. Your resume will usually not be seen until it has been retrieved from the database using keyword
searching techniques. Many of these resume systems request a text version of your resume. The text version is
designed to be read by a computer and eventually screened by human readers.

ANH NGUYEN

Campus Some employer

999 Universi s
term “scannab still use the
ty Avenue
XXX Green St le”
reet Scannable resu resumes.
Permanent mes are simply
older technolo
Collegetown, gy. A text
CA 99999 resume can be
(530) 75X-XX San Francisc us
XX (415) 48
X-XXXX
o, CA 12345 ever a scannabl ed when-
e resume is
anguyen@uc requested.
davis.edu
OBJECTIVE
A career posi
tion in sales
and marketin
g
EDUCATION
Bachelor of
Science in M
Associate of anagerial Ec
Arts in Busine onomics, Un
20XX ss Administr iversity of Ca
ation, City Co lifornia, Davi
llege of San s, June 20XX
Francisco, CA
SKILLS , June
Computer: Pr

Resumes and Correspondence

oficient in W
environments ord, Excel, em
. ail and Intern
Language: Kn et Explorer in
owledge of V PC and Mac
Communicat ietnamese (w
ion: Able to ritten and sp
speak and w oken).
rite clearly an
RELEVANT EX d convincing
PERIENCE ly.
Marketing/Sa
les Intern, Pr
Market person ogressive Mic
al computer roproducts,
and advertis hardware an Sacramento
ing strategies d software. , CA (6/XX-Pr
for Apple co . Design and Develop and esent)
mputer syst develop educ implement m
em. Participat ational and en arketing
e in numerou tertainment
Management s co mputer trad software
Trainee/Sale e shows.
Performed sa sperson, Gran
les work for d Auto, Inc.,
Worked effe auto parts st Davis, CA (5
ctively with ore with annu /XX-9/XX)
inventory us customers an al sales exce
ing a compu d em ployees. Mai ed ing $35 milli
personnel. Im terized invent ntained a larg on.
plemented pa ory system. e store
Developed ef rts departm Supervised an
fective in-sto ent reorgani d trained sa
re and windo zation for en les
w displays. hanced work
Salesperson, flow.
Consumer Di
Performed ge stributing Co
neral merchan mpany, Woo
performed in dise sales fo dland, CA (9
ventory cont r large catalo /XX-4/XX)
rol, and com g chain stor
pleted cleric e. Handled ca
LEADERSHIP al tasks. sh,
Fundraising
Chairperson,
Member, Vie Delta Sigma
tnamese Stud Pi, a business
ent Associatio fraternity (d
n (dates) ates)

See the ICC website for additional information regarding online

resumes: https://iccweb.ucdavis.edu/students/career/resume.htm

icc.ucdavis.edu  25
 Advanced Degree Resumes
EVELYN K. CHOU
2100 Pine Tree Grove Lane
Davis, California 95616
(530) XXX-XXXX
ekchou@ucdavis.edu

OBJECTIVE Editorial Assistant at University of California Press

SUMMARY OF QUALIFICATIONS
• Staff Editor for The Archaeological Review
• Trained in expository, media and academic writing
• Developed archival system for museum film collection
• Proficient in Microsoft Word, PowerPoint, Publisher, SASS and Macintosh programs

SKILLS

Writing/Editing

Functional Format
• Edited submitted papers for content, coherence, and language usage.
• Transferred edited copy from print to Quark and formatted material for publication.
• Completed PhD dissertation: currently synthesizing select chapters for publication.

Research

• Developed, implemented and interpreted ten-page questionnaire.

• Created sampling techniques including special variant of standard random sample.
• Prepared raw data for computer analysis.

Organization/Administration

• Coordinated all aspects of four-day, international professional conference. Developed agenda,

scheduled speakers and organized discussion groups.
• Catalogued and curated the American Indian Ethnographic Film Collection for the California
Indian Museum.
• Scheduled and coordinated auditions and interviews for performers and technical staff for ­commercial
and industrial film projects.
• Evaluated and contacted prospective clients and talent agencies as production assistant in ­commercial
and industrial film projects.

WORK HISTORY

Teaching Assistant Department of Anthropology, UC Davis, Fall 20XX-Present Mark Sanders

213 J Street, Apt. 20A, Davis, California 95616
Associate Instructor Department of Anthropology, UC Davis, Summer 20XX
Phone: (530) 890-2100, Email: masanders@ucdavis.edu
Curatorial Intern Gorman Museum, UC Davis, Summer 20XX
Field Archaeologist Sequoia National Park, CA, 20XX-20XX Objective: Seeking full-time position as an agricultural assistant project manager with AgriPros.
Resumes and Correspondence

EDUCATION Education:
PhD, Food Science, University of California, Davis Degree Expected December 20XX
Ph.D. Anthropology, Degree Expected June 20XX Topic of research: Effects of alternative post-harvest treatments on the microbiological quality of strawberries.
University of California, Davis
Bsc, Food Technology, University of Freiburg, Germany 20XX
B.S. Social Sciences, 20XX
California Polytechnic State University, San Luis Obispo Qualifications Summary:
  • Seven years experience with post-harvest fruit treatments gained through graduate research and family farming
background.
  • Significant experience interacting with high ranking industry and academic professionals.
  • Genuine enthusiasm for agricultural trade, and eagerness to gain more experience in this field.

Relevant Coursework:
Industrial and Consumer Marketing Intermediate Microeconomics (I&II)
Industrial Management Quantitative Methods in Econometrics
Project Management Agricultural Policy Analysis (Audited)

Leadership/Management Experience
Involvement in the Institute of Food Technologists (IFT) and IFT Student Association:
  • Experience at networking/interacting with high-level food science academics and industry professionals on committees
and task forces.
Co-chair and Treasurer, of Food Science Graduate Student Association:
  • Represented Food Science at UC Davis Graduate Student Assemblies
  • Provided leadership and contact points for Food Science Graduate Students
Secretary and committee member, Baxter Grant Fund:
  • Interviewed applicants (students from diverse socio-economic backgrounds) and evaluated grant applications

Organizational/Planning Experience
Co-chair, Treasurer, Food Science Graduate Student Association
  • Organized several events, including a major orientation picnic; plus visits by Distinguished IFT Fellows (departmental
tours, catered dinners, campus-wide seminars)
Researcher and Assistant Lecturer, Department of Food Technology, Clark-Case University, Australia
  • Organized on-site short-term certification course for industrial employees, plus other labs, field trips for university
students
  • Sole responsibility for introductory food technology course

Computer Skills
Macintosh and PC systems Designing presentations with PowerPoint
Webpage design with Dreamweaver Statistical Packages: SAS, Shazam, Minitab
Microsoft Office Suite

Language Skills
German (native speaker) English (fluent) Spanish (conversational ability)

Professional Experience
Research Assistant U.C. Davis Department of Food Science Spring 20XX-Present
Teaching Assistant U.C. Davis Department of Food Science Winter 20XX
Research Assistant U.C. Davis Department of Food Science Summer 20XX-Winter 20XX
Researcher Food Technology Research Center, Australia January-June 20XX
Assistant Lecturer Univ. of Freiburg Food Technology Depart. December 20XX-February 20XX
Internship Cadbury Foods Inc. Summer 20XX

Citizenship Status: Green Card

26  University of California, Davis 

Advanced Degree Resume

1234 Spring St Advanced D.

reet
Davis, CA 9561 Graduate
6
(530) 55
adgraduate@ho 5-1234
CAREER OB tmail.com
JECTIVE: A
position as Proj
ect Manager at
EDUCATION General Electri
: c Power System
Master s.
of Business Adm
inistration in
California at D
avis, June 20X Finance & Inte
Bachelor of Sc X rnational Man
ience in Mecha agement—Uni
nical Enginee versity of
QUALIFICAT ri ng—UC Davis
ION SUMMA , June 20XX
  • Specializ RY:
ed in project m
communications anagement, stra
, and networki tegic planning,
  • Experienc ng. research & deve
ed in power sy lopment, negotia
  • Innovativ st ems and distrib tions,
e R&D engine uted grid infras
  • Managem er with patent tru ct ur e industry.
ent and trainin awards.
  • Interested g experience in
in globalizatio production and
n and internatio use of technolo
nal issues. Spea gy for engineer
PROFESSION k basic German s and customer
AL EXPERIE . s.
Manager, Bus NCE:
iness Develop
Anuvu, Inc.— ment
Sacramento, C
  • Managed alifornia (Career, Novem
technological/fi ber 20XX-Prese
systems. nancial develo nt; June 20XX
pment of PEM -Sep
hydrogen fuel
  • Created co
mplex engineer cell applications tember 20XX)
  • Presente ing models and in power
d gr financial progra
  • Wrote bu id infrastructure engineering/ ms for technolo

Resumes and Correspondence

siness plan for financial model gy/investment
a $4 to domestic an va
  • Negotiate
d contract for pr .5M OEM hydrogen fuel cell d foreign busine luation.
  • Develop oduct testing an contract. ss partners.
ed network and d integration w
Research and relationships w ith OEM partn
Development ith Original Eq er and State Te
Medtronic Vasc Engineer uipment Manuf
acturer (OEM)
sting Group.
ular, Inc.—Sant customers.
  • Patented a Rosa, Californ
mechanical de ia
clinical use. sign of device
and led project (June 20XX-S
  • Develop from inception eptember 20XX
ed processes, eq to successful in )
product lines. ui pm en t, and trained pe te rnational
  • Managed rsonnel for mar
production line ket release of m
  • Coordinat and personnel edical device
ed joint R&D/M w hile creating an
  • Wrote pr anufacturing ef d fabricating su
ocedures for pr forts to effectiv pp
Total Quality ocesses and da ely meet compa ort tooling and equipment.
Manager - Inte ta collection for G ny production
Hunter Innovatio rn MP and ISO-9
00X quality sy
deadlines.
ns
  • Organized Inc.—Sacramento, California stems.
and led trainin
  • Wrote an g of Hunter Ass (June 20XX-December 20XX
d implemented ociates in Qualit , June 20XX-D
artificial hip jo Good Manufac y Control and ecember 20XX
in t implant sales an tu rin g Pr ac tice (GMP) Sy G MP systems. )
  • Designed d m an uf st em fo r
and programm ac turing. FD A regulatory ap
estimated at $1 ed components proval of
0,000/month fo for CNC lathe
Project Engin r th an d m ill m
eer - Intern es e co m ponents. an uf ac tu ring resulting in
Ames Co. /Flu sales
id C
  • Leader of ontrol Systems—Woodland,
“Int California
  • Created an roduction to Production” te (June 20XX-S
d maintained en am and respon eptember 20XX
  • Researche gi sible
d and designed neering documentation, bill of for vendor communications. )
prototype back m at er ials and bill of
flow check valv operations.
INTERESTS: es and lead pilo
t production.
Basic German,
foreign service,
rugby.

icc.ucdavis.edu  27
 Curriculum Vitae for Science Position
A curriculum vitae (CV) is the name of the resume used by individuals seeking a teaching and/or research position in a ­postsecondary
institution or a high-level research position in industry. For examples of ­curriculum vitaes that have been converted to resume
format, please visit the Grad/Postdoc link on the ICC website.

ELIZABETH A. SAMUEL
easamuel@ucdavis.edu

Department of Microbiology 2413 Main Street

University of California, Davis Davis, California 95616
(530) 75X-XXXX (530) 55X-XXXX

EDUCATION
Ph.D., Microbiology, University of California, Davis. Degree expected Spring 20XX.
­Dissertation: Analysis of the regulation of leucine biosynthesis by ppGpp in Escherichia coli.
Advisor: Dr. Sara Smith.

Master of Science, Microbiology, California State University, Long Beach, August 20XX.
Thesis: Restriction endonuclease analysis of the satellite DNA component from two ­extremely
halophilic bacteria. Advisor: Dr. Paul Jones.

Bachelor of Science, Biological Sciences, University of California, Davis, June 20XX.

AREAS OF SPECIALIZATION
   (Optional)

RESEARCH EXPERIENCE
   Doctoral Research, UC Davis, 6/XX - present.
Conceived and optimized novel selection procedures using leu::Mud::lac fusions to ­isolate
1) mutations in the leucine promoter, and 2) unlinked ­mutations that give rise to decreased
expression of biosynthesis in Escherichia coli. Genetically mapped unlinked mutations.
Future work involves analysis in an S-30 in vitro system and cloning of the mutants.
Dr. Sara Smith, Department of Microbiology.

   Masters Research, CSU Long Beach, 9/XX - 8/XX.

Isolated and characterized the satellite DNA component from Halobacterium sp. by density ELIZABETH A. SAMUEL
gradient centrifugation and restriction endonuclease analysis. Dr. Paul Jones, Department of Page 2
Microbiology. PUBLICATIONS
Smith, S., and E. A. Samuel. 20XX. Use of M13mp phages to study gene regulation, structure
   Research Assistant, Veteran’s Administration Medical Center, Long Beach, 9/XX - 9/XX. and function: cloning and recombinational analysis of genes of the E. coli leucine operon. J.
Collected, maintained and statistically evaluated data for ongoing studies ­including Bact.:26: 147.
Resumes and Correspondence

drug evaluations, immunological studies, iron therapy studies and studies on long-term
dialysis patient care. Dr. Khosrow Mirahmadi, Medical Hemodialysis.
TEACHING EXPERIENCE
   Associate Instructor, Introduction to Microbiology, UC Davis, 9/XX - 12/XX.
As sole instructor of 175 students, designed course curriculum, gave lectures, supervised three
teaching assistants and held office hours.
   Teaching Assistant, Bacterial Genetics and Physiology Laboratory, UC Davis, 9/XX - 6/XX.
Pre-ran experiments and produced detailed protocols for new experiments. Demonstrated
techniques and assisted students in everyday laboratory routines. Dr. William Wolff,
Department of Microbiology.
Samuel, E. A. 20XX. Bacteriological Projects for Biological Sciences 1 ­Students. (In-house
publication)
ABSTRACTS AND PRESENTATIONS
Samuel, E. A., and S. Smith. Use of leu::lac fusions to isolate leucine operon regulatory
­mutations in Escherichia coli (Poster). Presented at the 20XX Annual Meeting of the American
Society for Microbiology, San Diego, CA.
ACADEMIC SERVICE
- Chairperson, Microbiology Graduate Student Association, UC Davis (20XX - present).
- UC Student Representative to the Board of Admissions and Relations with Schools
Subcommittee on Research (20XX - 20XX).

PROFESSIONAL AFFILIATIONS
- American Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS)
- American Society for Microbiology (ASM)

RESEARCH GRANTS
- Co-authored proposal for National Institutes of Health (NIH). Funded $65,000. (Principal
Investigator: Don Pruitt, Ph.D.)

HONORS
- Recipient, Outstanding Graduate Student Teaching Award, UC Davis, May 20XX.

REFERENCES
Sara Smith, Ph.D. ssmith@ucdavis.edu
Department of Microbiology, University of California, One Shields Ave.,
Davis, CA 95616 530-75X-XXXX

Don Pruitt, Ph.D. dpruitt@ucdavis.edu

Department of Microbiology, University of California, One Shields Ave.,
Davis, CA 95616 530-75X-XXXX

Paul Jones, Ph.D. pjones@ucdavis.edu

Department of Biology, California State University,
Long Beach, CA 95616 530-75X-XXXX

William T. Wolff, Ph.D. wwolff@ucdavis.edu

Department of Microbiology, University of California, One Shields Ave.,
Davis, CA 95616 530-75X-XXXX

28  University of California, Davis 

Curriculum Vitae for Humanities Position
The curriculum vitae can vary according to standards within a discipline. The humanities curriculum vitae is similar to Sample 1 but
offers a different approach on the first page. Pay particular attention to the list of common support documents below. They may be
expected even if they are not specifically requested. If in doubt, contact the hiring institution.

Morgan A. Sm
ith
11223 Lupine
Court
Davis, CA 9561
6
(530) 756-XXX
X
masmith@ucda
EDUCATION vis.edu
Ph.D. Compa
rative Literatu
Major Field re, University
of Study: 17th of California, D
Century British avis, expected
literature June 20XX
M.A. Compara
tive Literature
June 20XX with honors, M
ichigan State U
niversity, East
Lansing, MI,
B.A. English m
agna cum laud
e, San José Stat
e University, Ju
DISSERTATIO ne 20XX
N
Title: “Three B
ritish Poets: A
and Fletcher.” T Comparative St
he dissertation udy of the Con
development of examines a com ventions Used
mock-heroic an parative study by Chaucer, B
Samuel C. Lee d mock-epic co of prominent B eaumont
nventions in En ritish poets tra
glish poetry. D cing the
issertation Adv
DISTINCTIO isor:
NS

Resumes and Correspondence

Outstanding G
raduate Studen
Ph.D. Qualifyi t Teacher Awar
ng Exam passed d Rhodes Schola
with distinctio r finalist
n
TEACHING A Jastro Shields
Fe
ND RESEAR llowship
• Areas of re CH INTEREST
search specializ S
poetry. ation include R
enaissance and th
• Teaching 17 century lit
interests includ erature and ­met
e. ..( Vi si aphysical
list of courses t the web site of
you want to teac the prospective
h, including th employer and
ose in the listin provide a
TEACHING E g.)
XPERIENCE
A
 ssociate Inst
ructor, Departm
present. Interp ent of Compara
retation of Lite tive Literature,
evaluated exam rature. Develop UC Davis, Janu
ary 20XX-
inations. Held ed course sylla
weekly office bus and lectures
hours. . Wrote and
T
 eaching Assis
tant, Departm
Solely responsi ent of English,
ble for lectures UC Davis, Sept
Narrative Li and exam eval ember 20XX-J
terature (3 quar uations. Held anuary 20XX.
Freshm te rs ) weekly office
hours. Courses
an Compositio
Lyric Po n (4 quarters) ­included:
etry (upper divi
sion, 1 quarter)
RESEARCH
EXPERIENC
E
From here, follo
w format provid
ed on page 28.

icc.ucdavis.edu  29
 Curriculum Vitae for Community College Position

ROBIN COMMUNITY
rcommunity@ucdavis.edu
1260 Lake Blvd.
Davis, CA 95616
(530) 75X-XXXX

EDUCATION
M.S. Animal Biology, University of California, Davis, June 20XX.
B.S. Biological Sciences, University of California, Davis, June 20XX.
A.A. Sacramento City College, June 20XX.

California Community College Credential, Biological and Zoological Sciences, 20XX.

Life Science Credential, University of California, Davis, June 20XX.

QUALIFICATION SUMMARY (Optional)

• Five years teaching experience at the postsecondary and secondary levels with students
diverse in age, ability and ethnicity.
• Areas of teaching competence include Biology, Advanced Placement Biology, Evolution,
Human Physiology, Marine Biology, Family Life and Human Sexuality, among others.
• Experienced in developing course curricula as well as executing field trips, laboratory
­exercises, and other activities beyond traditional lectures.

TEACHING EXPERIENCE
Instructor, Ohlone Community College, September 20XX - present.
Resumes and Correspondence

General Biology. Prepared curricula and lectured on the principles of cell biology, animal and
plant structure and function. Wrote manual on biological sciences projects. Arranged field trip
to Klamath Wildlife Refuge.
Heredity, Evolution and Society. Taught contemporary issues in evolution and ­genetics to
non-science majors. Revised curriculum and prepared lab manual.

Teacher/Department Head, Sacramento Country Day School, September 20XX - August 20XX.
Taught advanced placement courses in Biology and Human Physiology to 95% college-bound
student body. Developed laboratory resources and participated in design of teacher training
and evaluation program.

Teaching Assistant, University of California, Davis, January 20XX - June 20XX.

Solely responsible for lectures, course syllabi, examinations, and final evaluations. Courses
included:  Principles of Biology (two quarters)
General Zoology and Laboratory (one quarter)

RESEARCH EXPERIENCE (Optional—can combine under “Teaching and Related Experience”)

From here, follow format provided on page 28.

30  University of California, Davis 

Teaching Credential Candidate (K-12) Resumes
A teaching resume compares closely to a combination chronological/functional resume. However, teaching resumes are generally
longer, with more elaboration on teaching ­experiences, including the grade level, type of classroom, subjects taught and materials and
methods used. A teaching resume should include a section for hobbies and/or ­extracurricular activities.

Susan B. Anthony
sbanthony@ucdavis.edu
1234 Cowell Blvd. #101 (530) XXX-XXXX
Davis, CA 95616 http://soe.ucdavis.edu/ss321/anthony

OBJECTIVE: To obtain a position as a junior high or high school English teacher, with an emphasis in
teaching English as a Second Language.

EDUCATION
   • Preliminary Single Subject English Credential with CLAD, University of California, Davis,
expected June 20XX. Master of Arts in Education expected to be awarded March 20XX.
   • Bachelor of Arts in English, Minor in Education, University of California, Davis. Graduated with
Honors in June 20XX.

EXPERIENCE
   Student Teacher Cordova High School Rancho Cordova, CA 1/XX-5/XX
Folsom-Cordova Unified School District. Early-Advanced English Language Development and
Senior English 4B class. Planned and implemented California standards-based curriculum in
grammar, writing, literature, and oral language. Prepared and administered exams. Participated in
parent conferences, school-wide special events and report card preparation. Participated in faculty
and department meetings and conferences.
   Student Teacher Martin Luther King, Jr. Junior High School Sacramento, CA 9/XX-12/XX
Grant Joint Union High School District, Title I school. Taught a culturally diverse 8th grade ELD
class with a scripted High Point program. Taught a 7th grade English class. Provided lesson plans
with consideration for English language learners. Administered benchmark assessments. Provided
scaffolding to make the work accessible for all.
   Substitute Teacher Grant Joint Union High School District Sacramento, CA 1/XX-6/XX
Substitute taught at several junior high schools in the Grant School District. Followed and
implemented California standards-based lesson plans. Provided a safe and supportive environment
for all children.
   Paraeducator Patwin Elementary School Davis, CA 3/XX-6/XX
Davis Joint Unified School District. First and second grade classroom. Taught small groups and
individuals in reading and writing. Supplied differentiated instruction to meet the needs of all
students. Prepared lessons that met the divergent needs of students.
   Teacher’s Assistant Davis Joint Unified School District Davis, CA 9/XX-3/XX
Assisted English teachers in three Davis Senior High School classrooms: 12th grade English, 10th
grade Sheltered English, and 11th grade American Literature, and two Holmes Junior High School
classrooms: 8th grade GATE English, 7th/8th grade ELL. Volunteered 100+ hours.

SPECIAL SKILLS
   • Demonstrated ability to speak, write, and read Spanish (Intermediate)

Resumes and Correspondence

BRENDA C. LEAH    • Recognized as an experienced singer, actress, and event planner
bcleah@ucdavis.edu    • Interested in teaching leadership and drama
801 J Street #22 (530) XXX-XXXX
SERVICE AND INTERESTS
Davis, CA 95616­­­ http://www.bcleah.com Volunteer, Aggie Ambassador Teaching Program.
Interests include singing, acting, creative writing, exercising, nutrition, and leadership.

OBJECTIVE: A teaching position in a second through sixth-grade classroom. HONORS AND AWARDS
Dean’s List (six quarters), “Rising Star” awarded for drama, First Place-Undergraduate Research
(awarded to top five of 3000 contenders).
EDUCATION
Preliminary Multiple Subject Teaching Credential with ELL authorization, University of
California, Davis, June 20XX. Master of Arts in Education to be awarded March 20XX.

Bachelor of Science, Geology, San José State University, June 20XX.

EXPERIENCE

Student Teacher, Silveyville School, Dixon Unified School District, Dixon, CA. 1/XX-3/XX.
Second grade classroom. Planned and implemented lessons in science, social ­science,
language arts and math. Led classroom discussions; prepared and administered exams.

Student Teacher, Waggoner Elementary School, Winters Joint Unified School District,
Winters, CA. 9/XX-12/XX. Self-contained culturally diverse fourth-grade classroom. Led
weekly informal singing group.

Teacher’s Aide, Birch Lane School, Davis Unified School District, Davis, CA. 1/XX-6/XX.
Third grade classroom. Taught small groups in the areas of math and reading. Tutored
­individual students.

SPECIAL SKILLS
• Demonstrated fluency in Spanish (reading, writing and speaking).
• Developed enrichment techniques in science with emphasis on experiential learning.
• Recognized as an accomplished pianist and violinist.
• Interested in coaching basketball, track and cross-country.
• Utilized computers for classroom instruction.

COMMUNITY SERVICE
Volunteer, National Committee for Prevention of Child Abuse
Leader, Boy Scouts, Girls Scouts and 4-H

INTERESTS
Creative writing, nutrition, reading, running, cycling and travel.

TRAVEL
Lived in Mexico for three months. Traveled throughout Europe and Canada.

icc.ucdavis.edu  31
 CV Supplement and 
Grad Skills List
More Categories and Clarifications General Skills
Particular to Graduate Students
RELEVANT COURSEWORK: Use only if requested or if it
serves to clarify preparation. If more than 2-3 lines, substitute
“See Addendum I” and attach the addendum. Communication Skills
Ability to: 
write clearly and concisely 
PROFESSIONAL STUDIES/CONTINUING
listen well
EDUCATION/STUDY ABROAD: If significant and brief,
speak publicly 
include under Education. If lengthy, attach it as an ­addendum.
interpret the dynamics of interpersonal relations 
distinguish fine shades of meaning 
CERTIFICATIONS/LICENSURE: Follows Education. distinguish verbal and non-verbal messages 
teach and train 
QUALIFICATION SUMMARY: This section offers a counsel and advise 
thumbnail sketch of your skills, interests and experiences serve as resource/referral person
mentioned throughout your CV (redundancy is good). It  
includes a list of 4-8 bulleted points (see format on CV sample General Research Skills
on page 30). Carefully study the job description and select Ability to:
related items from the following: retrieve data
  • Quantify the number of years experience (research, acquire data 
teaching, industry; part-time counts). analyze data 
  • Indicate areas of research specialization. Include significant manipulate data 
outcomes. use methodology 
  • Indicate areas of teaching competence. produce survey work, e.g., develop questionnaires, interview 
  • List technical skills and methods that can be used in the lab observe 
or on the job. classify 
  • Include noteworthy entries such as number of publications, test hypotheses for acceptance or 
textbook chapters, patents, etc.     rejection against known evidence 
  • Draw attention to distinctions or honors. identify and use resources
Resumes and Correspondence

  • Subjective comments of a professional nature should be

limited but can be included. Example: comments on collab- Technical Skills
orative efforts, other professional ­interests, work ethic, etc. Ability to:
program computers 
PUBLICATIONS: If lengthy, include subheadings such as edit 
refereed, non-refereed, textbooks, chapters, technical papers,
etc. Distinguish between those in press, ­submitted, under Field Research Skills
review, limited distribution and in preparation. Use biblio-
graphic style appropriate for your discipline. Problem-Solving/Analytical/Conceptual Skills
Ability to: 
SHOWS/EXHIBITS/PERFORMANCES: Cite works analyze 
composed, conducted or ­performed. reason logically 
identify problems 
GRANTS AND CONTRACTS: Include only if you have analyze problems 
authored or co-authored the proposal and received funding. perceive parts in relation to whole 
Indicate the funding source and the name of the ­principal see patterns 
investigator. develop theories out of pattern 
synthesize 
LANGUAGES: Indicate fluency: reading, writing, speaking. condense material to its important components 
manipulate abstract concepts
formulate hypotheses 
SUPPORT DOCUMENTS:
think flexibly 
Cover Letter (Never send a CV without one.)
impose structure—create order out of “chaos” 
Teaching Philosophy Statement
evaluate programs
A Statement of Research Goals: Past, Present and
 
   Future
Managerial Skills
Teaching Evaluation Summary
Ability to: 
A Sample Course Syllabus
supervise 
Publication Reprints
evaluate performance of others 
Dissertation Abstract assume authority 
Dossier/Credentials delegate authority 
Transcripts (Only if requested.) manage time 
establish goals
set objectives 
motivate people 
tolerate ambiguity

32  University of California, Davis 

Asking for a Reference or  
Letter of Recommendation
­Selecting People
• References are people you have worked, volunteered or
interned for such as faculty, current or former supervisors
and/or campus staff.
• References can include advisors, coaches, mentors or ­anyone
in a professional position who can speak about your char-
acter, skills and work ethic.
• References should NOT be family, friends or peers.
• Choose people who have known you for a minimum of
six months. The longer they have known you the better;
­however, try to choose someone with whom you have
­interacted in the past year.
• Do not choose people who are not well versed on your
background and accomplishments.
• If you must choose between several people who know you
well, select those who hold a higher rank in their profession.
References for Audrey Kim
• One person may be appropriate as a reference for employ-
ment, while another would be better to write a letter of
recommendation for graduate/professional school or a
scholarship application.
• Always ask permission from your recommenders before you
use their names. Ask your references if they are willing to
provide a strong, supportive recommendation.
Try to Meet Face to Face
• An in-person meeting is best to see how interested an
individual is in serving as your reference. Discuss your career
goals and what you’d like the letter to reflect.
• Trust your instincts—if the potential reference seems
reluctant, thank the person for meeting with you and leave
on a positive note.
Help Your References
• Provide your references with a copy of your resume and
information about the position you are seeking. For a letter of
recommendation for graduate/professional school include a
one-page summary of any achievements or skills and a state-
ment of your future goals as well as a resume.
• Encourage your references to speak to your interpersonal,

Resumes and Correspondence

leadership, oral and written communication, conflict
Campus Address Permanent Address resolution, and decision-making skills and to highlight your
1122 Aggie Avenue #33 555 Home Street initiative and grasp of your field of study.
Davis, CA 95616 Antioch, CA 9XXXX
• Give your references ample time to complete their letters
(530) 757-1212 Messages (415) 48X-XXXX
Email: akim@ucdavis.edu and provide them with pre-addressed stamped envelopes or
instructions for online submission.
If you list your email address check it daily • Remember—a reference should attest to your skill and
ability level. Any inconsistencies between what you say in
Anne Robertson
Associate Director an interview and a reference’s response could eliminate you
Sacramento County Planning and Community Development from consideration for the position.
Department
361 Capitol Mall
Sacramento, CA 95XXX How Many References?
(916) 82X-XXXX • It is standard to provide three to five references. See sample
arobertson@scpcdd.ca.gov for how to format a reference list.
Robert Wood, Ph.D.
Director
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency Remember
121 Green Avenue
• Provide references with a resume. If you request a recom-
Philadelphia, PA 19XXX
(215) 71X-XXX ext. XXX mendation for graduate/professional school include a
rwood@epa.gov one-page summary of your achievements or skills and a
­statement of your future goals.
Janet Collier
• Give your references ample time to complete their letters;
General Manager
Student Landowner Education and Watershed Stewardship provide them with pre-addressed stamped envelopes, or
Program (SLEWS) instructions for online submission.
University of California • Follow up and let them know the status of your plans and
One Shields Avenue
search.
Davis, CA 95616
(530) 75X-XXXX
jxcollier@ucdavis.edu
Adapted from “Letters of Recommendation” by Roseanne R. Bensley,
Career Services, New Mexico State University.

icc.ucdavis.edu  33
 Cover Letters
A cover letter can be sent by email or by mail. If you choose to send your cover letter by mail you should use the same color paper
and font you used on your resume. When sending the cover letter by email it should be the text of the email. Emails should be
professional and businesslike. Never use emoticons (either text or symbol) or netspeak (e.g., LOL) in your job search emails.

A cover letter is important because it:

• Bridges the gap between resume and the employer
• Introduces you and your resume
• Explains why you are a good fit for this opportunity
• Can make the difference between landing an interview or having your resume discarded

Josie Beech
555 A Street
616
Davis, CA 95
(520 ) 86 7- 92
jbeech@gmail.c
81
om Internship
November 10,
20XX Position
ram
t– Internship Prog
ces Departmen
Human Resour
Radio
National Public
t Street
123 Governmen
C 20301
Washington, D
Resumes and Correspondence

Coordinator,
Dear Internship edia Relations
m m un ic at io ns/Public and M 14th. I am a Junior at
rnship in the Co January 9th through March udies with a m
inor
sted in the inte g
I am very intere th e W in te r Q uarter beginnin el or ’s de gr ee in American St at media is
ring a bach the way th
Department du avis, pursuing d my interest in ational Public Radio and
of California, D nce has sparke
the University se ar ch ex pe rie th e m iss io n of N
ions. My re I believe in
in Communicat marketing and advertising.
h nization.
delivered throug to be an intern with your orga
be ex ci te d
would from a different
to lo ok at A merican culture to inform citiz
ens.
stu dy in g ab ro ad I was able
s de liv er y an d how it helps St ud en ts of
hile new Associated
This summer w has increased my interest in Senator for the ting on
perspective. Th
is
be el ec te d to the position of ar stu de nt s while collabora unication
ly fre sh m an to es en tin g fir st- ye fe ct iv e co m m
I was the on lenge of repr the value of ef
C D av is, an d rose to the chal these experiences I learned
U ug h
y issues. Thro
larger universit of media.
l fo rm s
through al have prepared
g in te re sts in the goals of NPR ard to
stron fo rw
nces, skills and resume and look n.
that my experie ve attached my consideratio
I am confident intern for your program. I ha ur tim e an d
g you for yo
me to be a stron ifications with you. Thank
qual
discussing my

Sincerely,

Josie Beech

Enclosure

34  University of California, Davis 

Cover Letter
It is often not possible to identify
a specific person to address the
letter to especially when submit-
ting your cover letter to a website.
Limit your cover letter to three or
four paragraphs and not more than
one page.
Show your enthusiasm for the job
on your cover letter.
Career Position
Write about what skills you can
bring to the company, not what the
organization can do for you.
Match your cover letter to the job
description. Avoid using a generic,
“one size fits all” cover letter.
Stephanie Aggie
1686 Visalia Court
Resumes and Correspondence
Visalia, CA 94570
707-888-9283
Stephanie.aggie@gmail.com
June, 20XX
Re: Engineer I Chemical/Biochemical position
I recently graduated with a degree in Chemical Engineering from the University
of California at Davis, and I am excited to begin my professional career. A
demanding course load, multiple campus leadership positions, a challenging
internship, and a variety of work experiences have prepared me for the rigors that
comprise the Engineer I position at the National Renewable Energy Laboratory.
It has always been a passion of mine help discover and create alternative fuels.
This is exemplified through my involvement with the American Institute of
Chemical Engineers (AIChE) Chemical Car team and research with Solid Oxide
Fuel Cells which are further explained in my enclosed resume. I am confident
my organizational skills, motivation, leadership and problem solving abilities can
make a positive contribution to your organization.
My internship at Anheuser-Busch’s Research Pilot Brewery as well as my course
work at UC Davis have given me a strong background and beneficial knowledge
of the fermentation process. While working at the Pilot Brewery I was a Project
Manager and the sole person working the fermentation department during my
shift. During my internship I improved process techniques and wrote technical
reports on experiments I conducted.
I am confident that my experience, education and my enthusiasm to work in the
field of renewable energy will make me a strong candidate for the Engineer I
position. I look forward to meeting with you so I can provide you with additional
information to supplement what is provided on my enclosed resume.
Sincerely,
Stephanie Aggie
Enclosure
icc.ucdavis.edu  35
 Apology Letter
An apology letter is a personalized note apologizing for a last-minute interview cancellation or no-show. The note is an effort to
remain in good standing with the company.

123 D Street
6
Davis, CA 9561
X X
(530) 758-XX

X
March 21, 20X

n
Ms. Sally Brow
ABC Com pa ny
123 Main Street
5XXX
Anytown, CA 9

n:
Dear Ms. Brow d with ABC Com
pany on
w sc he du le
interv ie pt me
y ap ol og y for missing the un fo rs ee n em ergency that ke
Please accept m
m. I experience
d an preciate
20 at 2: 15 p. ua bl e op po rt unity, and I ap
ch al
Thursday, Mar ny offers an ­inv
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Sincerely,

Joe Green
Joe Green

36  University of California, Davis 

Thank-You Letter
A thank-you letter underscores your continued interest in the position and demonstrates courtesy and appreciation. It should emphasize your
background and reference your interview or meeting. Thank-you ­letters should be sent to the interviewer(s) within 24 hours of your inter-
view. If you interview with a panel, send each panelist a thank-you ­letter. Thank-you letters should be sent after follow-up interviews as well.
Handwritten notes, cards or emails are also acceptable.

1234 Raleigh C
ourt
Davis, CA 9561
6
(530) 758-0000

March 12, 20X

X
Ms. Karen Smith
, Coordinator
The Internship
and Career Cen
University of C ter
alifornia, Davis
One Shields Av
enue
Davis, CA 9561
6
Dear Ms. Smith
,
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the opportunity
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Resumes and Correspondence

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Thank you agai 30).
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and considerat
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Stephanie Aggie
Sincerely,

Stephanie Agg
ie

icc.ucdavis.edu  37
 Additional Letter Samples
192 Beta Drive
Davis, CA 95616
(530) 75X-XXXX
Letter to Accept a Job Offer
March 28, 20XX Notify the employer as soon as you decide to accept a job
offer. Confirm your ­acceptance in writing even if you’ve
already accepted the offer by telephone. Restate the date of the
Mr. Kevin Jones offer, the position, the salary and the starting date. Express
Personnel Manager ­enthusiasm for the company and your ­position and future
ABC Corporation with it.
3 Wallaby Place
San Francisco, CA 10XXX If you are relocating, let the employer know your travel plans
and expected date of arrival. Inform the employer of your new
Dear Mr. Jones:
(or interim) ­address and telephone number.
Thank you for your letter of March 25, 20XX and your invitation to
become a member of your organization following ­graduation. I am
pleased to accept your offer of employment.

I understand this is a 12-month career position, and I will begin

employment on (date). I have read and understand the information
contained in the benefits package and agree to my salary offer of
($ _____). If any of this information is in error, please let me know as
soon as possible. I can be reached at (530) 756-XXXX.

I look forward to a satisfying and mutually productive career with ABC

Corporation.

Sincerely,

Robyn Ryan
Robyn Ryan 1313 Ivory Tower Lane
Resumes and Correspondence

College Town, CA 91984

(530) 75X-XXXX

May 13, 20XX

Jeanne Richard
Vice President
XYZ, Inc.
1000 Smith Way
Los Angeles, CA 90XXX

Dear Ms. Richard:

I am grateful for the offer of a career position with your ­organization. My

interviews with you and other members of the staff were pleasant, and
I was very impressed with the ­excitement, productivity and strengths
of XYZ, Inc.

Regretfully, I must decline your offer as I have accepted a position at

another firm.

I appreciate the opportunity to interview with your organization and

Letter to Decline a Job Offer want to thank you for your time and consideration.
It is courteous to inform employers from whom you’ve
received offers that you have accepted another position. Sincerely,
Your letter should be positive and gracious, but need not
elaborate on the reasons for your decline. Indicate your
appreciation of the ­offer and thank ­people who were David Fox
particularly helpful.
David Fox

38  University of California, Davis 

Interviewing
Getting Started
Know Yourself
   The interview is your opportunity to promote yourself to an
employer. It is about your ability to tell a story about yourself.
Because of this, it is important to know yourself well before
beginning the interview process. You must be able to articulate
your:
• Values • Skills • Interests • Abilities • Long term plans
Specifically discuss:
   • How the job matches with your professional goals and
how your skills and experiences will contribute to the job.
   • Specific skills and an example of a time when you demon-
strated those skills; it isn’t enough to say you have great
communication skills; support that statement with an
example.
Page 13 offers a “transferrable skills” check list.
  
How to Prepare and Practice
Know the Organization
Research information about the organization. Review the
organization’s website and understand the mission of the
company. Note any important details on the website (new
products or services, news, acquisitions, etc.) in the event they
are mentioned during the interview.
Scan the company’s annual report and company literature,
attend on-campus company information sessions and meet
representatives at internship and career fairs. Read area news-
papers and industry trade journals, and listen to local and
national news to keep informed about trends.
Know the Interview Details
You can call HR or the recruiter to find out the interview
details:
   • The structure and type of interview, e.g., “Is it a panel
interview? Should I bring writing samples to the inter-
view?” or “Are tests a component of the interview?”
(See page 40).
   • The length of the interview. “How much time should I
allow for the interview?” If you are considering scheduling
multiple interviews in one day, this will be important to
know.
   • Accurate directions to the interview location (use multiple
sources).
Review
Before the interview, review the responsibilities in the job
description and come up with specific examples of success for
each responsibility based on your past experiences.
   Review your resume and be prepared for questions about its
content.
Additional preparation tips include:
   • Bring multiple copies of your resume, transcripts and
references.
   • Have questions prepared for the interviewer, to ask at the
end of the interview. (See page 43).
Rehearse
Practice answering questions before the interview (See
page 43 for examples). Here are suggestions for interview
rehearsing:
   • Hold a mock interview and ask for feedback about your
interview performance.
   • Use a tape recorder, video camera, mirror or other item to
help you practice.
   • Eliminate “filler words” in your vocabulary, e.g., “um,”
“like,” and “you know”; also listen to how fast you talk and
pace your speech accordingly.
   • Anticipate the unexpected. An employer may ask a ques-
tion you haven’t prepared for. If this happens, you can
repeat the question aloud, allowing you some time to
formulate your answer. There are no right or wrong inter-
view answers. If you need more time to think, say “That’s
a good question; I’ll have to think about it.”
Interview Help Anytime!
Visit icc.ucdavis.edu/webshops and watch “Interviewing
Skills” to get interview help whenever you need it.
What to Wear
What you wear to an interview makes a lasting impression
and affects the direction of your interview. Wear clothing that
is clean, pressed and businesslike. In most cases, “businesslike”
translates to a suit. If you are uncertain about what to wear to
an interview, call HR to find out what the typical work attire
is and dress one level up, look at the company’s website to
learn more about the company culture or watch the “Dress for
Success” webshop found at icc.ucdavis.edu/webshops.
Tips
   • Pressed clothes, no wrinkles.
   • Clean and polished shoes. No open-toe or tennis shoes.
   • Nylons or dark socks.
   • Minimal jewelry. No facial piercings, cover tattoos.
   • No sleeveless clothing, spaghetti straps, bare midriffs or
low-cut blouses.
   • Not too tight or short—skirts should be just above the
Interviewing for Employment
knee when seated.
   • Men—wear a white t-shirt under your dress shirt.
   • Go light on the cologne/perfume or do not use at all since
some people have fragrance allergies.
   • No gum chewing at the interview!
   • Before the interview, turn off cell phone—not vibrate.
   • Have a couple of interviewing outfits so you’ll have a
change option if asked back for a second interview.
To Stay Within a Budget
  Research consignment stores in the area, e.g., All Things Right
and Relevant. Consider a versatile blazer and two matching trousers
or skirts. Learn to mix and match with shirts and accessories. This
is a cost effective option that provides interview variety.
icc.ucdavis.edu  39
 In an Emergency
  Pack an “interview emergency bag” to have in your car with
mints, mouthwash, map, comb, extra nylons and cell phone.
You may want to bring an extra shirt/blouse and tie if you have
multiple interviews in a day (in case of a mishap when you
don’t have the opportunity to return home).
References
  Prepare your reference sheet before the interview. Your refer-
ences should be the only information on a single sheet of paper
with a heading that includes your name and address. Be sure to
include at least three references. You should contact your refer-
ences to let them know about your interviews and email an
updated copy of your resume and the job description to them
as a courtesy. Prepare your references to discuss your quali-
ties that relate best to the new position. Be prepared to present
your reference sheet in each interview if requested.
Different Types of Interviews
   • Screening. This interview takes place at either the on-
campus recruiting office (at the Buehler Alumni Center) or
at the employer’s office, and usually lasts 30-45 minutes.
A brief screening may take place at the internship and
career fair, so be prepared to answer impromptu inter-
view questions. It is used to determine whether you rank
among the top candidates meriting further consideration.
   • On-site interview. This interview is conducted at a
company facility. Often this is a second interview. If
travel is involved, the company may offer to pay for your
expenses. Keep receipts and carefully follow the guidelines
provided by the company for all expenses.
   • Interview over a meal. This interview usually takes place
in a restaurant setting. Manners count!
   •  Phone interview. Some companies conduct phone inter-
views in order to screen candidates. Make sure you are
in a quiet location, able to focus on the call and speak
clearly. Have your resume, job description, references
and notes by the phone. If using a cell or portable phone,
make sure your batteries are charged and you are in a
location where you have good ­reception.
The interview may also vary in size:
Interviewing for Employment
   •  One-on-one interview. One interviewer and one inter­viewee,
is the most common interview experience. You may have indi-
vidual interviews with several members of an organization.
   • Panel interview. The interviewee is interviewed by a
committee, usually between 2-6 people. It is important to
make eye contact with all interviewers on the ­interview
panel and shake each of their hands at the beginning and
end of the interview.
   • Group interview. You and other interviewees are
­interviewed simultaneously. The interviewers take turns
asking each person questions while the other group
members observe. Show your listening skills by paying
attention to what others say during the interview and try
not to repeat their responses. Also be prepared for group
projects. If your group is assigned a project, use this
40  University of California, Davis 
opportunity to show your leadership skills by keeping the
group on track and completing the project.
   • Group Panel. You and other interviewees are interviewed
by a panel/committee. The interviewing panel can be large
in size, depending on the number of interviewees. Again,
listen to what others say so you don’t repeat their responses.
Day of the Interview
  It is likely you will be nervous before your interview.
Here are some tips for the interview day:
   • Personal hygiene. Shower and be well groomed.
   • Leave time for mishaps. Traffic, road construction, flat
tire; think of the things that could go wrong and leave
time in the event that something does happen.
   • Eat prior to the interview to avoid a growling stomach.
   • Be courteous to all employees at the interview loca-
tion. You don’t know who will be interviewing you, so be
polite and pleasant to everyone including the receptionist
and service workers. If you are rude to anyone—even a
janitor—that information will, more than likely, get back
to the interviewer.
   • Arrive early. Arrive at the interview site approximately 15
minutes before your scheduled interview. Do not be late! If
you find you will be late, call and let the interviewer know.
The Interview Process
   •  Casual conversation. The interview begins with light
­conversation meant to make the interviewee feel at ease.
Typical questions include: “How was the traffic?” and “Did
you find us easily?”
   • Down to business. The actual interview begins with
the interviewer describing the position and organization.
Listen for any recent changes and how the recruiter refers
to the position. Don’t ask any questions at the end of the
interview addressed by the recruiter during this “pre-
interview time.”
   • Employer will ask questions about skills, education,
training and work history. Many standard or behavioral
based interview questions will be asked. ( See pages
42 and 43).
   • You should be selective about the experiences you ­present
and always emphasize the positive, but NEVER exaggerate
or falsify information.
   • Show confidence in your responses, even if they ask about
a skill or experience you don’t possess (example: “I have
not worked with that particular software package but
have worked with similar packages such as _____ and feel
confident I can learn this program in minimal time”).
   • When asked about your weaknesses, do not reveal a major
flaw and be cautious about revealing a personal problem.
Talk about an area you would like to improve and
mention the steps you’ve taken to improve it as well as the
results; or mention a weakness you’ve overcome and how
you did it.
   • Be truthful about your willingness to travel or relocate.
Different Types of Interview Questions
  Recruiters often draw from various sets of questions
including traditional, behavioral and case interview questions.
Traditional Interview Questions. These questions seek
insight into who you are, your experience (educational, work,
and leadership) and how you would fit into the job and
­organization. (See page 43 for examples).
Behavioral Interview Questions. These questions are based
on the theory that your past behavior is a key indicator of
your future performance. Review your background, and look
for examples from class projects, work experience, leader-
ship activities and community service illustrating your talents,
problem solving abilities, communication and leadership skills
and professional demeanor. Think of situations in your past
that did not go well. Think of what you did to resolve the situ-
ation, and what you learned from it. (See box on page 42
for more information).
Case Study Interview Questions. These questions give
recruiters an opportunity to observe how well you think on
your feet. You will be presented a complex question and asked
to find a solution. For example, “How many people are using
the Internet right now?” or “How many airplanes are currently
in the air?” In this type of question, the recruiter is looking
for insights about your analytical and problem solving skills.
It’s expected that you think out loud, walking the recruiter
through your thought process.
Illegal Interview Questions
  It is illegal for potential employers to ask questions
regarding your race, gender, sexual orientation and
­identity, religion, marital or family status, age, disabilities,
­ethnic background and country of origin. If you feel that
you have been asked an illegal question you can choose
to answer it, politely decline to answer it, or answer the
“intent” of the question. For instance, if asked, “Where
were you/your parents born?” You could respond, “I
would prefer not to answer that, but I can legally work in
the United States.” Consult with an ICC staff member or
visit the US Equal Employment Opportunity Commission
website at www.eeoc.gov for more information as
well as examples of illegal questions and possible ways
to respond. Please report any illegal questions to Career
Recruiting Programs.
At the End of the Interview
   At the close of an interview you will have an opportunity to
ask questions. Remember, interviews go both ways. They will
interview you to see if you are a right fit for the company, but
you should take the same opportunity to see if the company is
a good fit for you. Ask strategic questions that help you assess
the fit of the job for you or highlight your knowledge about the
company or position. (See page 43 for a list of possible
questions). Questions related to salary, benefits, vacation time
and schedule can wait until the employer initiates the conversa-
tion or you are offered the position.
Do
   • Leave the interviewer with a positive image of you being
confident, enthusiastic and courteous.
   •  Ask the recruiter when you can expect to be contacted.
   •  Re-emphasize your interest in the position.
   • Ask for a business card—make sure you have the inter-
viewer’s name (or ask the receptionist).
   • Shake the recruiter’s hand, and sincerely thank her/him for
considering you.
   • Send a thank-you letter within 24 hours. Refer to the
interview, the knowledge you gained about the ­position and
organization and your qualifications and interest. An email
thank you is appropriate. (See page 37).
Don’t
   • Apologize if you think you interviewed poorly.
   • Ask for feedback on your interviewing style.
Follow-up Letter
If you don’t hear from a company within two or three weeks of
submitting your resume or interviewing with them, follow-up
with a phone call or a follow-up letter. It is ­also advisable to send
follow-up letters to company representatives you speak to at career
fairs.
7777 Hollywood Road
Davis, CA 95616
(530) XXX-XXXX
pmraidt@ucdavis.edu
March 12, 20XX
Mr. David William Arp
Hiring Manger
EGP Laboratories
123 Street Name
Sometown, ST 00000
Dear Mr. Arp,
Thank you for discussing the various laboratory positions available within
your company at the UC Davis Career Fair on February 8, 20XX. I am
excited about both the manufacturing and quality control divisions of your
organization and would like to work for EGP Laboratories after I graduate
in June.
Interviewing for Employment
My background as a Biotechnology major has prepared me to understand the
theory behind the work at your company and has supplied me with a number
of the skills you described as necessary including PCR, gel electrophoresis
and aseptic technique. You emphasized the value of teamwork within
your organization. I believe my participation in the Student Leadership
Development Series and as a Student Advisor in the Human Corps office
attest to my ability to work as a team member while being independently
responsible for prioritizing my work and meeting deadlines.
I’m including an updated copy of my resume for your review and would
welcome an opportunity to speak with you further. Please let me know if
I can answer additional questions about my experience or to schedule an
interview.
Sincerely,
Patricia M. Raidt
Patricia M. Raidt
icc.ucdavis.edu  41

Tips for the Behavioral Interview
   Behavioral Interview questions assess how you have acted in past situ-
ations, with the idea that past ­performance is a key indicator of your
future efforts.
How to Prepare
  4 Review past experiences that reflect positively on your behavior
including work situations, course work (especially project-
based or with teams), campus activities, community service and
­leadership experience.
  4 Jot down ideas about each experience and examine your role.
How did you handle problems, show initiative and contribute to
the outcome?
  4 Use the S.T.A.R. method to help you form an example:
• Situation • Task/Problem • Action • Result
  4 Select some challenging experiences (most behavioral questions
are about challenging experiences or difficult times). Remember,
employers are also investigating how you dealt with problems,
failures, difficult teammates or supervisors. Focus on your
strengths and positive attributes, without complaining or criti-
cizing others.
  4 Expect the employer to ask an open-ended ­question about a past
experiences and then ­continue to ask ­questions that reveal any of
the following:
    • communication skills  integrity.
    • leadership  • organizational ability
    • analytical and problem solving skills
    • your decision-making process
    • cooperative and/or competitive nature
    • initiative  • flexibility  • creativity
  4 Be honest. Don’t exaggerate. Your answers will be reviewed for
consistency.
  4 Practice. Draw from several types of experiences to show depth.
  4 Remember to turn any interview question into a behavioral answer
with an example.
  4 Examples of Behavioral Interview questions can be found at
icc.ucdavis.edu, click on Interview Do’s and Don’ts.
Example of a Behavioral Interview Question and Response:
Interviewer: “Give me an example of a time when you took the initiative
Interviewing for Employment
to improve a project.”
Possible Response Using the S.T.A.R. Method: “As a Peer Advisor
at the Internship and Career Center (Situation), students often asked
me how to find job opportunities in business (Task/Problem). Since
I was also curious about my future in this industry and had taken a
Web-authoring class, I asked my supervisor if I could create a website
linked to our home page discussing many of the different business
options (Action). After developing the site, I shared the online resource
with the professional staff at the ICC. They were so pleased with the
resource that they now refer students to the site during their advising
sessions (Result).”
Expect the interviewer to probe with additional ­questions: “How did you
prioritize this additional work load? How did you decide what options to
include? Where can I see this webpage?” You need to be able to back up
your statements.
42  University of California, Davis 
Salary
   • Wait for the interviewer to bring up the topic
of salary, benefits and sick/vacation time.
   • You can ask about salary if you have been
offered a job without the salary package being
disclosed.
   • When asked how much you expect to earn,
always state the market range, not a single
figure. Visit the Salary/Labor Market links
on the ICC website: icc.ucdavis.edu to
find this information. When researching, take
into account different aspects such as loca-
tion. While the Internet has helpful salary
information, often the best sources on salaries
are current employees within your industry.
You can also discuss salary questions with the
advisors at the ICC.
   • If you are offered a salary that is unaccept-
able to you, respond with a counter offer,
supporting your offer with market salary
figures and your qualifications. Know before
you make your counter offer if you are willing
to walk away from the job offer if your
counter is not accepted.
   • Always approach negotiation with tact and
Variation on the Traditional Interview Model
  Some employers are beginning to rely on
methods other than (or in addition to) the inter-
view in making hiring decisions. You may be
asked to:
   • submit or evaluate a writing sample to the
employer.
   • make a presentation to the interview
committee (often using electronic media.)
   • take a personality assessment to evaluate
potential fit with a particular position.
   • engage in an active simulation or assessment
to ­demonstrate problem solving capabilities.
   • communicate with employers via phone,
Skype or other technological means.
Interview Questions
Employers May Ask You...
   • Tell me about yourself. (This question gets asked the
majority of the time—expect it.)
   • Why did you choose to interview with our organization?
   • Describe your ideal job.
   • Define success. Failure.
   • Of which three accomplishments are you most proud?
   • Tell me about a time when you were in a leadership
position.
   • What skills or ideas do you bring to a job that another
candidate may not be able to offer?
   • Where do you want to be in five years?
   • Why did you choose your major?
   • Why did you choose to attend UC Davis?
   • In which campus activities did you participate?
   • Which classes did you like most? Least? Why?
   • What job-related skills have you developed?
   • What did you enjoy most about your most recent
employment?
Interview Tip
While you will need to rehearse answers for an inter-
view, remember: An interview is a business conversation.
Avoid answering an interview question with a memorized
response! Share information and detail beyond what you
summarized in your resume.
   • Give me an example of a time in which you provided a
solution to an employer.
   • How do you think a former supervisor would describe
your work?
   • Tell me about a time when you have persuaded others to
adopt your ideas.
   • What kind of supervisor do you prefer?
   • Describe your experience working in a team.
   • How do you organize and plan major projects?
   • Describe your communication style.
   • Tell us about your experience working in diverse work
environments.
Second Interviews, Interviews over Meals, and
More...
The information presented here will assist you in
successfully completing your initial/screening interview.
For more detailed information on interviewing topics
such as second interviews, interviews over meals, and
dressing for success; talk to an ICC coordinator or go
to the ICC website at icc.ucdavis.edu.
You May Ask Employers...
   • What types of assignments might I expect in the first
six months on the job?
   • What will the first three weeks be like? Is training
­provided?
   • What do you like best about your job/company?
   • What products (or services) are in the development stage
right now?
   • Do you have plans for expansion?
   • What characteristics do the achievers in this company
seem to share?
   • Is there a lot of team/project work?
   • What are your growth expectations for the next year?
   • How do you feel about creativity and individuality?
   • In what ways is a career with your company better than
one with your competitors?
   • What is the largest single challenge facing your staff
(department) right now?
   • Where does this position fit into the organizational
structure?
   • What is the next step? When should I expect to hear from
you or should I contact you?
   • How would you describe the management style in this
company/department?
   • Where might a person who has been in this position
expect to be in five years?
Remember that this is a time to show what you know about
the company. Ask questions that highlight your knowledge
e.g.:
“I noticed on your website that teamwork is a core value of
your company. How often do employees work in teams versus
independently?”
Review books on “interview questions” in our
Internship and Career Center Library, 215 South
Hall, UC Davis:
There are many resources to help you with tough Interviewing for Employment
interview questions, and other tips on preparing for the
interview.
icc.ucdavis.edu  43
 Factors in Accepting a Job Offer
I
t can be confusing to determine what job offer is best for you, especially if this is your first “real job” out of college. Listed below
are aspects of a career or job choice that can make the difference between your satisfaction and dissatisfaction in a position.
Consider each factor below in relation to your personal preferences and needs. In addition, see career resources at iccweb.
ucdavis.edu/students/jobsandcareers.htm and iccweb.ucdavis.edu/students/lifeafterdavis.htm to help you find additional
information about an industry or occupation. You can also talk to an adviser at the Internship & Career Center (ICC) for further
discussion. The more information you have, the better decision you can make for yourself. Good luck!

Example
Offer #1

Offer #2

Offer #3
Indicate with a “+” or “-” sign whether an occupation satisfies your preferences for each factor.

Advancement Opportunities +
   • What are my chances of moving up in the field or organization?
   • What is the typical way to advance?
   • Am I willing and able to do what it takes to advance?
Hours
   • What are the usual hours? Is it full-time or part-time? Include weekends? -
Interests
   • Would I like this type of work enough to make it a career? +
License Requirements N/A
   • Are certificates or licenses required?
   • Can I qualify for them?
Outlook for the Job +
   • What are my chances for finding work in this field in the future?
   • Are there many job openings now? Where are they?
   • Will I be competitive?
Physical Capability +
   • Am I physically able to do this kind of work?
Skills +
   • Do I possess the skills and abilities needed to enter the occupation?
Could I develop them? Would I enjoy using these skills?
Tasks Performed +
   • What tasks are performed in the job?
   • Would I be primarily working with people, information or things?
Is that what I want to do?
   • Are these the kind of people I like to help, serve or be around?
Training and Education +
   • Am I willing and able to get the training required?
   • Do I have the time and money needed for training/education?
Values +
   • Is this work compatible with my life priorities?
Interviewing for Employment

   • Will this kind of work help me reach my long-range goals?

Wages -
   • What salary does an entry level person in the position earn?
   • Is there potential for higher earnings later?
   • What are the organization’s policies for financial promotions?
   • What kind of benefits does the offer include? Vacation? Sick leave?
Financial Need +
   • Will I earn enough to cover my living expenses and bills every month?
Work Setting +
   • Where would I work? Is this a setting I would like?
   • What are the conditions (indoors/outdoors, noisy, etc.)?

Results: Total the number of positive responses (+) for each offer under consideration.
Which offer is the best match for you? 10

44  University of California, Davis 

Managing the Stress of the Job Search
O
ne of the most surprising things many recent grads
discover about the job search is that it can take longer
than expected. They may have friends who luckily    
stepped right into a job straight out of college and may start
to question their own ability to find work. What many job
seekers don’t know is that even in a good economy, a job
search can typically take between three to six months and, in    
a more challenging job market, even longer. Job search, in and
of itself, is a stressful activity and when a job search stretches    
on longer than expected, stress can increase with the pressures
of looming student loan payments and our family and our own    
expectations.
  Here are some practical guidelines on how to view the job
search and minimize stress levels:
  • It is often said that job search is a numbers game. It takes
15 no’s for every 1 yes. Don’t get discouraged by rejec-    
tion. Stay focused and positive and remind yourself that
you have an excellent education and good skills. You will
find a job–it takes getting the word out to everyone you
know that you’re looking, submitting lots of resumes and
remaining positive.
  • Think back on the times you faced a tough project or
final exam. What stress management strategies did you
use to help you get through the situation? Use those same
techniques now. Here are some ideas:
4 Take good care of yourself: get adequate rest and
exercise. If you physically feel better, you’ll mentally
feel better.
4 Learn to distinguish things you can change from
those beyond your control.
4 Think positively–remember the glass is half full vs.
half empty approach.
4 Find support from family and friends. Talk to
someone else you know who is also looking for a job
and agree to be job search “buddies”. Having someone
to compare notes with and encourage and be encour-
aged by is a good way to keep things in perspective.
4 If you feel overwhelmed and unable to deal with
stress, find help through on-campus and community
resources. CAPS - Counseling and Psychological
Services can assist currently enrolled students and
provide referrals for alumni caps.ucdavis.edu.
If you move outside the local area, contact the
psychological counseling office of any major
university for local referrals.

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