Career Guide

2010-2011

Career Center

UCLA has enjoyed a long standing reputation for world class research, teaching, and public service. The University has attracted the best international and domestic students by offering some of the countrys most innovative and dynamic academic programs. The UCLA Career Center offers an innovative lineup of programs, resources, and professional services to help you navigate a world of career choices.

Excellence. Delivered.
A Department of Student Affairs

Career Center Career Center

Great Careers Begin at UCLA

Career Guide 2010-2011

Career Center
Excellence. Delivered.
A Department of Student Affairs

With sincere appreciation, we thank our Benefactor and Partners for their significant contributions to the UCLA Career Center. Gifts from these corporations play crucial roles in sustaining and building career development and employment services for UCLA students.

Benefactor Target Corporation

Executive Partners Neiman Marcus Wal-Mart Cisco Systems, Inc. Senior Partners Kaplan Enterprise Rent-A-Car Target Stores Goldman Sachs Lilly Towers Perrin Amgen Vector Marketing Partners Lockheed Martin Northrop Grumman Raytheon The Princeton Review Deloitte & Touche KPMG PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP Broadcom General Motors FTI Consulting Southwestern Company Shimmick Construction Teledyne Scientific and Imaging ViaSat, Inc. Macys Blizzard Entertainment Bank of America
For information on how your company may become a Benefactor or Partner, please send an email to Albert E. Aubin at aaubin@career.ucla.edu or call 310.206.1935.

Table of Contents
Chapter 1 UCLA Career Center....................................................... 5 Our Location................................................................... .5 Facebook......................................................................... 5 Career Counseling Services........................................... 6 Peer Advisors.................................................................. 6 Workshops and Events....................................................6 Career Resources........................................................... 7 International Opportunities.............................................. 7 Internships....................................................................... 8 Employment Opportunities.............................................. 8 Career Fairs / Career Events 2010-2011........................ 8 Pre-Professional and Graduate School Services............ 9 PhD and Masters Student Services.............................. 10 Alumni Career Services and Resources........................11 Chapter 2 Career Planning............................................................. 13 A Four-Year Career Plan................................................13 Two Year Transfer Student Career Plan......................... 14 Your Career Journey...................................................... 15 Getting to Know Yourself................................................15 Career Course Education 150....................................... 16 Getting to Know Careers............................................... 17 Chapter 3 Career Exploration......................................................... 18 The Informational Interview............................................18 Requesting an Informational Interview.......................... 19 Questions to Ask............................................................20 Getting On the Job Experience......................................21 Chapter 4 Job Search Strategies & BruinViewTM.......................... 24 Finding Job Leads....................................................... 24 Career Fairs................................................................. 26 Networking................................................................... 27 Identifying and Researching Employers...................... 29 Career Center Library / Lab Resources.......................30 Job Search on the Internet.......................................... 31 Company Information on the Internet.......................... 32 Chapter 5 Resumes and Correspondence................................... 34 Writing Your Resume................................................... 34 Guidelines to Crafting Your Resume............................ 37 Resume Formats......................................................... 37 Power Verbs That Enhance Your Resume................... 39 Action Verbs By Functional Skill Area..........................40 Template of Chronological Resume.............................41 Example of Chronological Resume............................. 42 Example of Targeted Chronological Resume.............. 43 Example of Business Resume.....................................44 Example of Economics Major Resume........................45 Example of Teaching Resume..................................... 46 Example of Functional Resume with Limited Paid Experience........................................................ 47 Example of Combination Resume for Substantial Experience in One Industry....................................... 48 The Technical Resume................................................ 49 The Scannable Resume.............................................. 49 Template of Technical Reverse Chronological Resume.............................................. 50 Example of Technical Chronological Resume............. 51 Example of Pre-Health Resume.................................. 52 Example of Pre-Law Resume...................................... 54 Example of Student Athlete Resume...........................55 Example of Science / Biotechnical Resume................ 56 Example of First Year Student Resume....................... 57 Career Correspondence.............................................. 58 The Cover Letter.......................................................... 58 Template of Cover Letter..............................................60 Example of Cover Letter.............................................. 61 Example of Internship Cover Letter............................ 62

Chapter 6 Choosing & Applying to Professional or Graduate School................................................... 63 What is Graduate School?.......................................... 63 Is Graduate School Right for You?.............................. 63 Graduate School Timetable......................................... 66 The Personal Statement.............................................. 66 Need Help with Your Personal Statement?.................. 66 Letter of Reference Services....................................... 67 UCLA Pre-Professional Services Referral Sheet.........69 Chapter 7 Services for PhD and Masters Students.......................71 The Curriculum Vitae..................................................... 71 Example of Curriculum Vitae......................................... 73 Example of Academic Cover Letter............................... 75 Credentials File Services...............................................76 The Academic Interview................................................ 76 Example of Resume Converted from Curriculum Vitae..........................................................77 Example of Business / Industry / Consulting Resume.....78

Chapter 9 Negotiating a Compensation Package.........................91 Handling Salary Questions ......................................... 92 Benefits........................................................................ 92 The Art of Skillful Salary Negotiation...........................93 Chapter 10 Evaluating Job Offers...................................................94 Decision Making Criteria..............................................94 New Recruitment Policies............................................ 95 Handling Multiple Offers and Offer Deadlines............. 95 Additional Pointers....................................................... 95 Chapter 11 Surviving Your First Job............................................... 96 Strategies for Success................................................. 96 Succeeding in Your First Job........................................96 What to Wear to Work..................................................97 Tips For Your First Job: Finances, Job Benefits, and Investing In Your Future......................................98 Our Advertisers

Chapter 8 Successful Interviewing................................................. 80 The Interview: What Its All About..................................80 Strategies for Handling Tough Questions...................... 80 Practice Your Responses...............................................81 Typical Questions Employers Ask Candidates.............. 81 Interview Preparation.....................................................82 Interview Settings ........................................................82 Types of Interviews........................................................ 84 Before the Interview.......................................................87 Day of the Interview....................................................... 88 The Close of the Interview.............................................89 Following the Interview.................................................. 89 Example of Thank You Letter......................................... 90

Wed like to thank our advertisers for helping to support the work we do for our UCLA students and alumni: St. Georges University ViaSat Inc. Luxe Hotel National University of Singapore UCLA Extension, The Arts UCLA Extension, Paralegal UCLA Extension, Business Management Directors Guild Producer Training Plan Yoga Works Disability Group, Inc.

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Chapter 1 - UCLA Career Center

The Career Center is much more than the place to go to find a job when youre ready to graduate. In fact, were here for you from the first day you arrive at UCLA! Early on, the Career Center can introduce you to an amazing array of career possibilities, and help you explore the link between academic majors and employment options. If youve already picked your dream job, we can help you develop skills and strategies to get you where you want to go. Along every step toward earning your degree, the Career Center staff will help you make and re-evaluate career choices, write resumes, practice interviewing, build networking skills, and gain real world experience through internships. When it is time to begin a full time career, we can put you in touch with thousands of challenging entry level positions in a wide variety of regional, national, and international organizations. If graduate or professional school is your goal, well assist you with the program selection and application process. This Career Guide, along with our friendly professional staff and a complete lineup of personal and web based services and resources, will help you prepare for a great future and a great career.

Drop-In Counseling & Career Library / Lab, Second Floor Email ccadmin@career.ucla.edu Phone 310.206.1915 Fax 310.206.3938 Business / Economics Career Information, Second Floor Email kdavy@career.ucla.edu Phone 310.206.1931 Check website for Drop-In locations and hours Internship & International Opportunities, Second Floor Email internships@career.ucla.edu Phone 310.206.5358 Fax 310.206.6623 PhD and Masters Student Career Counseling in the Graduate Student Resource Center, B11 Student Activities Center Get quick answers about CVs/resumes, job search strategies, information sources, and more. No appointment necessary! Hours are announced each quarter at career.ucla.edu/DropInCounseling and at gsrc.ucla.edu. For Alumni - Second Floor Email AlumService@career.ucla.edu Phone 310.206.1944 For Employers - Third Floor Email BruinView@career.ucla.edu Phone 310.206.1902 Fax 310.794.2024

Our Location
501 Westwood Plaza (at Strathmore, north entrance) Floors Two and Three Los Angeles, CA 90095-1573 Were conveniently located south of Bruin Walk and southwest of Ackerman Student Union. Our spacious and modern facility is fully equipped with up to date technologies and comfortable amenities to make your visit as pleasant and productive as possible. For specific directions: career.ucla.edu/HowToFindUs

Join UCLA Career Centers

Ackerman Student Union

group today for the latest: Career Center Events News / Updates FAQs Online Videos Related Links

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Strathmore Place

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Career Center
Third Floor, North Entrance

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Log into facebook, Search for the UCLA Career Center, and join! p5

Charles

E. Young Drive South

Career Counseling Services

Experienced career counselors will help you clarify your career preferences, explore career options, target and organize your job search, and investigate employment and graduate school opportunities. They will also critique your resume and cover letter. The first step is a quick question and get acquainted session, available on a first come, first serve, drop-in basis. Drop-in Counseling hours may change occasionally because of special events. If youre making a special trip, you might want to call the Career Center or check our website at career.ucla.edu/DropInCounseling, to confirm that scheduled drop-in counseling hours are in effect. After an initial session, additional counseling appointments may be scheduled. Online Resume Critique Service A polished, professional resume is the first step to getting an interview. Find out how your resume stacks up by getting it critiqued without leaving home. Submit your resume through our website at career.ucla.edu/Online ResumeCritique. Your resume will be thoroughly examined by a professional career counselor. In five business days, you'll receive a personal email with constructive feedback and advice. Career Assessments Learn more about your personal preferences, skills, and career interests through assessments such as the MyersBriggs, SkillScan Card Sort, and Strong Interest Inventory. These are offered through workshops and also available as part of the appointment counseling process.

lessons and course projects, students will learn strategies to anticipate and effectively deal with lifelong professional challenges such as work/life balance, career fulfillment, and career transitions. To learn more about the Education 150 course and review the syllabus, please visit career.ucla.edu/CareerCourse.

Workshops and Events (reservations required)

Enhance your career knowledge and job search efforts by attending one of the many targeted workshops offered throughout the year. Topics include: Career Planning and Exploration, Job and Internship Search, Study or Work Abroad, Graduate and Professional School Planning, Mock Interviews, Personal Statement Critiques, and specialty workshops (e.g., for transfer students, international students, PhD and Masters students, and student athletes). To view the complete workshop schedule and to register for workshops, please visit BruinView. Information Sessions Employer presentations give you a chance to learn more about companies and career fields. These informal forums provide an overview of entry level positions, career paths, training programs, and other company information. Online Resume Writing Workshop Create a stellar resume with this workshop offered exclusively through our website at career.ucla.edu/OnlineWorkshops. This step-by-step guide will walk you through resume writing, provide information and advice including key principals of a resume, and incorporate different elements and appropriate resume formats. Online Career Fair Preparation Workshop Another UCLA Career Center exclusive, this workshop will answer questions such as how to prepare for career fairs, what questions to ask recruiters, and what to wear to the many UCLA Career Center career fairs. Visit career.ucla.edu/OnlineWorkshops. Online Interview Workshop Learn how to prepare for an interview, the different interview styles and types, how to follow-up, and other resources that can help you succeed in this process. career.ucla.edu/OnlineWorkshops

Peer Advisors
In addition to our career counselors, the Career Centers Peer Advisors are available to assist you with orientation to our services, answers to quick questions while waiting for your drop-in counseling sessions, and personalized one-on-one assistance in our Career Library / Lab. The Peer Advisors are currently enrolled UCLA students who have been trained to assist you with your career-related issues. As fellow students, they can offer you a unique peer perspective.

New Class! Education 150, Two Unit Course

The UCLA Career Center is proud to announce a new collaborative effort with the Graduate School of Education and Information Studies to offer Education 150: Student Development in Theory and Practice: Strategic Career Decision-Making. This course will provide students with a unique opportunity to earn academic credit while learning the importance of making informed career decisions and understanding how cultural and family values play a role in the career development process. Through interactive p6

Job Search JumpStart Looking for high-impact, core job-search strategies offered in a fast-paced, three hour time slot? Then you need Job Search Jump Start! Receive expert instruction and guidance on your job search strategies, resume and correspondence, and interviewing skills. Maximize your use of the Career Center resources and services to jumpstart your job search and gain the winning edge! Visit career.ucla.edu/JumpStart for a list of upcoming workshops, registration, and fee information.

Student Groups Affiliated with the UCLA Career Center Joining one of the student group organizations is a great way to develop a network of friends who share similar career interests with you. Check out our current list at career.ucla.edu/StudentGroups. For more information, contact us at ccadmin@career.ucla.edu.

Career Resources
Career Library / Lab - A multimedia collection of more than 3,000 books, periodicals, videos, directories, and other materials makes the UCLA Career Center Library one of the largest and most comprehensive in the nation. The Career Library is a wonderful place to browse and get career ideas, occupational statistics, and information on graduate education. When youre ready to begin your job search, youll find a wealth of resources to help you identify and research potential employers. Youll discover information on careers and career exploration, job search strategies, resume writing, employment and salary trends, interview questions and answers, industries and employers, college majors and what to do with them, graduate school programs, internships, and much more. The Career Labs computer bank is a convenient place to tap into exclusive BruinView internship and job listings, and to access career planning and job search information on the Internet.

UCLA Business Council The UCLA Career Center, along with the Department of Economics, has created a partnership with 17 businessrelated student organizations to form the UCLA Business Council (UBC). The goal of this council is to collaborate on events, streamline employer contact, and promote career-related programming on campus. Groups include: Alpha Kappa Psi, Beta Alpha Psi, Black Business Students Association, B Green Consulting, Bruin Actuarial Society, Bruin Consulting, Bruin Business Review, Bruin Finance, Bruin Real Estate Association, Delta Sigma Pi, Future Business Leaders of America, Latino Business Students Association, Phi Gamma Nu, Sports and Entertainment Business Network, Student Accounting Society, Undergraduate Business Society, and Venture Capital and Private Equity Club. For more information, contact us at ubc@career.ucla.edu.

International Opportunities
Experience and gain an understanding of the cultures and languages of countries all over the world! Develop foreign language skills, make international contacts, and build your resume through short-term work abroad and experiential learning programs. International Internships & Volunteering Explore opportunities with paid and unpaid internship placement programs, international volunteer programs and organizations, and UCLA volunteer groups.

The Library is open 9am to 5pm, Monday through Friday. Remember, you can also reach all of our website resources from any personal computer with Internet access through career.ucla.edu/CareerCenterLab. Internship Zone The Internship Zone provides students with quick access to internship and fellowship information from a variety of industries. Located in the far left corner of our Career Lab, the Internship Zone offers extensive, updated information on local, national, and international opportunities. The Zone is divided into nine main sections: Business; Arts & Entertainment; Public Service; Science, Engineering, Technology, Math; Teaching Abroad; Volunteering Abroad; International Fellowships; Washington DC and Sacramento Internship Programs; and Pre-professional (pre-law and pre-med) internships. p7

Short-Term Work and Teaching Abroad Many possibilities exist for undergraduate/graduate students and recent graduates to live and work overseas. International Scholarships & Fellowships Get the funding you need to pursue study, research, or experiential learning in another country. Some of the programs* available include: The State Department Internship Program JET (Japan Exchange and Teaching) Programme Peace Corps Grants for Teaching Assistants in Spain International Cooperative Education (ICE) Westwood Rotary International Scholarship Fulbright English Teaching Assistantships Congress-Bundestag Youth Exchange *Deadlines vary, as early as Summer or Fall

Questions to Consider: What are your goals for living/working abroad? Where in the world do you want to go? What are your financial & logistical needs? What are the options? What are your qualifications? Is gaining hands-on international/global experience recommended for you to pursue future educational and career goals? International Opportunities Information Sessions See schedule at career.ucla.edu/Workshops.

Employment Opportunities
BruinView Listings Thousands of current full time career positions and internships available in Southern California and opportunities nationwide are advertised via the Internet exclusively for UCLA students and eligible alumni. You can tap into BruinView 24 hours a day. Its fast, easy, and convenient. Employers from throughout Greater Los Angeles and from UCLA academic and administrative departments also use BruinView to list hundreds of part time and seasonal employment opportunities each month. These jobs can help finance your college education, add spending money to your budget, and give your resume a boost with valuable on-the-job experience. BruinView Campus Interviews Year round, several hundred employers conduct interviews on campus with undergraduate and graduate students for entry level career opportunities, summer jobs, and internships. Positions are available in accounting, aerospace and defense, consulting, education, electronics, engineering, financial services, healthcare, high tech, manufacturing, marketing, retail management, sales, government, and other professions. Log on to career.ucla.edu for details. Career Fairs Our career fairs provide convenient one stop shopping for positions with Fortune 500 corporations, as well as small and mid size companies, non-profits, government, and school districts. Held several times throughout the school year, career fairs provide a wonderful opportunity to develop contacts with recruiters, explore new career options, and identify current full time positions, summer jobs, and internships. For participating employers, details, and updates, go to career.ucla.edu/CareerFairs.

UCLA Study Abroad Fair

Tuesday, October 5, 2010 11am-3pm Ackerman Ballroom www.ieo.ucla.edu/studyabroadfair/overview.htm Undergrads, Grads, & Recent Grads: Meet representatives from more than 70 organizations and find information about International Scholarships, Work & Teaching Abroad, Internship & Volunteer Opportunities. For ALL information regarding UC and non-UC Study Abroad programs, please visit the International Education Office in Murphy Hall, or go to www.ieo.ucla.edu

Internships
The Career Centers office of Internship & International Opportunities supports Bruins as they gain experience with a wide variety of companies, government agencies, and non-profit groups. Our team, utilizing the full resources of Career Center counselors and the Career Center Lab, provides resources and advice for internships in a host of popular fields, including advertising, consulting, entertainment, healthcare, law, public service, and many other industries. Many clients come to us with a specific internship in mind, while others want to learn about all the fields where their skills can be best applied. UCLA interns often choose to work in Los Angeles, the Bay Area, and New York, but a host of geographic options are available. Start by searching BruinViewTM to apply for internships, fellowships, and research assignments specifically targeting UCLA candidates. Although most assignments will be in California, BruinViewTM will also connect you to excellent opportunities in major U.S. and international cities. For over 41 years, the Career Centers IIO office has offered the Washington DC Internship Program and Sacramento Internship Services to help Bruins find and fund ten-week work experiences in the national and state capitals. This program offers financial and housing support to interns all four quarters with opportunities available even one quarter after graduation. While many Bruins choose to work with elected officials, others opt for internships with major media networks, government agencies, think tanks, or the court system. Whatever your career goal - an internship, fellowship, or research assignment is the ideal way to network and build your resume. When you visit our office, your goal becomes our own. We look forward to serving you! p8

Career Fairs / Career Events 2010-2011

Fall 2010 Jobs for Bruins Wednesday, October 6, 11am-3pm, Ackerman Ballroom Engineering & Technical Fair Tuesday, October 12, 11am-3pm, Ackerman Ballroom Engineering & Technical Night Tuesday, November 9, 6:30-8:30pm, Career Center Business Internship Night Thursday, November 18, 6:30-8:30pm, Career Center (pre-registration required)

Winter 2011 Internship and Summer Job Fair Wednesday, January 19, 11am-3pm, Ackerman Ballroom Engineering & Technical Fair Tuesday, January 25, 11am-3pm, Ackerman Ballroom Marketing & Entertainment Internship Night Wednesday, February 9, 6:30-8:30pm, Career Center Spring 2011 Career Roundup Fair Wednesday, May 4, 11am-3pm, Ackerman Ballroom Networking Night Thursday, May 19, 6:30-8:30pm, Career Center (pre-registration required) Internship and Industry-Focused Career Events The UCLA Career Center hosts a variety of Internship Open House events throughout the year. These events are targeted towards specific industries and provide students with a unique opportunity to network with internship employers and learn more about their summer opportunities. Business Casual dress is required and admission is free to UCLA students who bring a copy of their resume and a valid BruinCard. Please note that pre-registration is required for the Business Internship Night and Networking Night. Please visit career.ucla.edu/ CareerFairs for more details.

Letters of Reference (LOR) Service The Career Center will accept and maintain your confidential reference letters and, upon your request, send them to the graduate and professional programs to which you are applying. Visit career.ucla.edu/LOR for more information about this dynamic, web-based service. After reading Chapter Six, check out the Career Centers targeted web pages designed to help you with every aspect of your journey to graduate or professional school: career.ucla.edu/GraduateSchoolPreProfessionalServic es. Fellowships and Scholarships Fellowships provide the opportunity for study, research, or work related to ones particular field of interest. Ranging in duration from six months to two years, fellowships usually include a stipend or other benefits. Most fellowships require that applicants have a B.A. or B.S. degree or are currently working on or have already secured a graduate or professional degree. For further information on eligibility, application procedures, and assistance in competing for awards to fund graduate study or research, please visit the Internship & International Opportunities office on the second floor. More Great Resources for UCLA Graduate Students Graduate Student Resource Center (GSRC) B11, Student Activities Center or see gsrc.ucla.edu Graduate Student Association gsa.asucla.ucla.edu UCLA Graduate Division www.gdnet.ucla.edu

Pre-Professional and Graduate School Services

Personal assistance and programs are offered for the graduate and professional school application process, including program selection, the personal statement (see page 66), faculty recommendations, admissions tests, and financial assistance. Special guidance is offered to prehealth and pre-law candidates, and in Chapter Six, Choosing and Applying to Graduate or Professional School (page 63), you will find information that will help you chart a four-year plan and a referral list of the many UCLA departments that offer assistance with your preprofessional planning. UCLA Graduate and Professional School Fair In the fall quarter the Career Center hosts this annual fair which attracts representatives from hundreds of colleges and universities who showcase their university and programs, and offer admission information. For more information, please go to career.ucla.edu/GradSchoolFair.

BruinViewTM Postings - Thousands of current full time career positions and internships available in Southern California and opportunities nationwide are advertised via the Internet exclusively for UCLA students and eligible alumni. You can tap into BruinView 24 hours a day. Its fast, easy, and convenient. Employers from throughout Greater Los Angeles and from UCLA academic and administrative departments also use BruinView to list hundreds of part time and seasonal employment opportunities each month. These jobs can help finance your college education, add spending money to your budget, and give your resume a boost with valuable on the job experience.

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PhD and Masters Student Services

We help you explore academic and nonacademic career options, find full time and part time employment, pursue internship and fellowship leads, and develop skills to achieve your career goals. Career Planning and Job Search Assistance Career Counseling Professional career counselors will assist you through every stage of your career decision-making and job search activities. Attend a drop-in session to determine what level of assistance you need. Career counselors hold regularly scheduled drop-in hours at the Career Center and at the Graduate Student Resource Center (see page 4 for hours). Career Library/Lab A multimedia collection of 3,000 books, directories, periodicals, videos, and other reference materials are available. Targeted bibliographies are available for many distinct graduate and PhD career paths. Credentials File Services UCLA graduate students and alumni seeking employment in higher education can store their confidential reference letters with the Career Centers state-of-the-art web based system. Letters are forwarded to colleges and universities upon your request (see career.ucla.edu/CredentialsFileServices). BruinViewTM BruinViewTM is an online career management system you can utilize for jobs, internships, and interviews, 24 hours a day. Its especially valuable for graduate students seeking technical or management positions in non-academic settings. Exclusive job listings put you in touch with current positions in business and industry, government, nonprofit TM organizations, and education. BruinView , the UCLA Career Centers alliance with more than 40 other prestigious Research I institutions across the nation, provides our masters and PhD students shared access to thousands of positions posted at all of these campuses. Career Fairs An excellent opportunity to meet representatives from corporations, school districts, government agencies, and nonprofit organizations, campus career fairs have become popular among employers recruiting masters and PhD candidates. Workshops and Events for Graduate Students Specialized workshops are offered each quarter with topics including career options, skills assessment, networking, curriculum vitae, resume writing, interviewing, and job search strategies for both academic and nonacademic positions. Expanded Options is a series of workshops designed to assist PhD students in exploring non-academic careers, understanding the value of a PhD outside of academia, and identifying careers that match their interests, and draw from their strengths. p10

Transforming your CV into a Resume - What do publishing companies, consulting firms, government agencies, and nonprofits have in common? They all expect a resume from their applicants. Learn how to present your skills and experience in a language that nonacademic employers understand. Special events, including Career Week 2010 - Custom designed programs for PhD students introduce you to successful PhD graduates who are pursuing exciting careers both in academic and non-academic arenas. Preparing for the Academic Job Market - Wondering how to get started? This series of workshops will help you take the first steps and offer clear guidance on how to write a CV, draft effective cover letters, and assemble a credentials file. The most effective job search is a diversified search. Learn how and where to find academic job listings, evaluate options, and stay abreast of emerging opportunities. Mastering the Academic Interview: Science and Engineering or Humanities and Social Sciences These programs include discipline-specific panels of UCLA professors who address the academic interview from start to finish. The panelists discuss how they approached the academic interviewing process, how they prepared for the social aspects of the interview, planned successful job talk/teaching sessions, avoided common pitfalls, and successfully negotiated academic job offers. All currently enrolled UCLA graduate students are welcome to attend all Career Center workshops and events. Check our website or stop by the Career Center for a quarterly schedule. For more information on our services for PhD and Masters students, refer to Chapter Seven, page 71, and visit our website at career.ucla.edu/PhDMasters.

Internships, International Opportunities, and Fellowships These opportunities provide access to study, research, or work related to ones particular field of interest. They can range from six months to two years in duration and usually include a stipend or other benefits. Many fellowships require that applicants have a BA or BS degree or are currently working on or have already secured a graduate or professional degree, so this can be a rich and rewarding option for graduate students. For further information on eligibility, application procedures, and assistance in competing for awards to fund graduate study or research, please visit Internship and International Opportunities office on the second floor.

Alumni Career Services and Resources

Whether you are beginning your career journey, looking for new opportunities, or making a mid-career change, the UCLA Career Center offers resources and specialized fee-based services for University of California graduates. As a University of California graduate, you may access select UCLA Career Center services and resources by purchasing: BruinView for Alumni subscription (exclusively for UC graduates who are UCLA Alumni Association members), Bruin AlumLink package, and Online Resume Critique. Credentials File Services are available for UCLA alumni. For updated details: career.ucla.edu/AlumniServices Network with UCLA Alumni The UCLA Alumni Association manages a database of thousands of alumni called the UCLA Career Network. These contacts are willing to share their knowledge and expertise about a variety of interesting career fields. As a member of the UCLA Alumni Association, you can select which contact information you would like to reveal, but your information will not be displayed without your permission. To meet fellow Bruins and other Alumni Association members through the UCLA Career Network, visit: www.uclalumni.net/NetworkingCareers/UCLACareerN etwork.

BruinView for Alumni is a six month subscription for access to BruinView online job listings. This is currently an exclusive service for eligible UC alumni. UCLA degree holders with UCLA Alumni Association membership pay a nominal fee of $30. Note: Alumni of other UC campuses who join the UCLA Alumni Association can purchase a six month subscription for $75. Exclusive BruinView Listings, available 24 hours a day on the web, with thousands of current full time, part time, and seasonal openings in Southern California and nationwide. Career Center Library/Lab access during regular business hours (Monday through Friday, 9am to 5pm). A multimedia collection of 3,000 books, directories, videos, periodicals, and other materials are available for your use in the Career Center Library. Admission to exclusive Career Center career fairs.

Looking for high-impact, core job-search strategies offered in a fast-paced, three hour time slot? Then you need Job Search JumpStart! Receive expert instruction and guidance on your job search strategies, resume and correspondence, and interviewing skills. Maximize your use of the Career Center resources and services to jumpstart your job search and gain the winning edge! Visit career.ucla.edu/JumpStart for a list of upcoming workshops, registration, and fee information.

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Bruin AlumLink Virtual Career Counseling Services The UCLA Career Center provides UC eligible alumni with the convenience of confidential career counseling online. The application process is completed via our secure website. You verify your alumni status, register your profile, and pay with your credit card. And you never have to leave your home or office. Once registered for Bruin AlumLink, you will enjoy these services and benefits: Online assessments that assist you in defining your skills,objectives, and interests. An interactive relationship with a National Certified Counselor who will devote four hours of research and preparation to your specific case. Personalized, counseling. objective, and confidential career

Online Resume Critique Service For Alumni During these challenging and competitive times, you only have one chance to make a first impression. To be confident that your resume represents you effectively, have it professionally scrutinized before you send it to prospective employers. The UCLA Career Center offers an exclusive and expert resume analysis for a reasonable fee (less than half the cost of the commercial marketplace). Your resume will be thoroughly examined by a professional career counselor. In five days or less, you'll receive a personal email with constructive feedback and advice specifically geared to enhancing your resume for your targeted jobs. Purchase the Online Resume Critique Service for the $60 standard fee: career.ucla.edu/AlumniOnlineResumeCritique. Letter of Reference Services The Letter of Reference Services allows UCLA undergraduates, graduate students, and alumni (who pay an annual activation fee) to store their letters of reference for graduate and professional school programs with our department. Since these letters are solely for the purpose of supporting the application to graduate and professional school programs, we will only send letters to admissions offices at universities and colleges. We will not send letters to support applications to scholarships, fellowships, or internships. Since the purpose of these services is to send letters to multiple graduate and professional schools, we can only accept non-specifically addressed letters. For more information: career.ucla.edu/LOR. Credentials File Services Credentials File Services allow UCLA students (and alumni who pay an annual activation fee) to store their letters of reference with our department. These letters are limited to those written to support PhD employment searches in the fields of higher education, psychology, research, and librarianship. Since these letters are solely for the purpose of supporting your application for faculty and research positions, we will ONLY send your letters to universities and colleges. Since the purpose of this service is to send letters to multiple institutions, we only accept nonspecifically addressed letters. For more information: career.ucla.edu/CredentialsFileServices.

120 minutes of telephone counseling, scheduled at your convenience, to assist you with your career decisions, resume review, interviewing skills, and techniques for job searching. Interactive email access to your assigned counselor for one full year to answer your immediate questions. A five page written summary of your counseling sessions and resources, networking strategies, and your personalized career action plan. Web based tools to assist you with specific aspects of your career and employment search, including Resume Writing, Interview Techniques, Job Search Strategies, and Skills Assessments. One full-year access to UCLAs exclusive BruinView Job Listings, available 24 hours a day via the web. It puts you in touch with thousands of current positions in Southern California and nationwide. Bruin AlumLink goes beyond traditional individualized career counseling by offering you the convenience of distance access, powerful online tools, and a systematic plan to help you reach your career goals in a strategic, logical way. The fee for Bruin AlumLink is $475 for UC alumni, nearly 50% less than the cost of these powerful tools and services through the commercial market. Register for Bruin AlumLink today: career.ucla.edu/BruinAlumLink. p12

Are you a UC graduate? Our alumni services can be an asset as you develop your career! career.ucla.edu/AlumniServices.

Chapter 2 - Career Planning

A Four-Year Career Plan
The career planning process begins as early as your first year at UCLA. This gives you plenty of time to get to know yourself and your interests before you make a career decision. But its never too late to get started, even if youre a senior or graduate student. First Year: A Time of Self Discovery As you begin your college education, its perfectly okay not to know what you want to do later in life. Take time now to learn as much as you can about your skills, personality, lifestyle preferences, interests, and values. This information will help you choose a major so you can begin to explore the exciting world of career possibilities that await you! Are you asking these questions?: Who am I? Where do I fit in? What do I do best? What major should I choose? If so, then follow these five steps: 1 - Develop your interests and skills through student organizations, sports, general education classes, and extracurricular activities. 2 - Get acquainted with whats available at the Career Center Lab. Read about different occupations. 3 - Talk about your career interests with parents, friends, professors, and other individuals who are already employed. 4 - Stop by the Career Center for Drop-In counseling. Take self-assessments to learn more about yourself. Identify your skills and strengths. 5 - Study hard and keep your grades as high as possible. Sophomore Year: Expand Your Career Horizons. Continue to explore and gather information about career fields. The best resources are people who work in the career fields that interest you. Summer jobs, internships, and volunteer activities will provide first-hand insights. Are you asking these questions?: I know my major, but what can I do with it? What career options do I have with my major? Whats out there? What can I do with a liberal arts degree? If so, then follow these five steps: 1 - Continue to expand your knowledge of career options. Make a list of the ones which sound interesting. 2 - Learn more about the job market by visiting the Career Center Lab, and by researching materials available on the Internet, including the Occupational Outlook Handbook online at www.bls.gov/oco. p13 3 - Conduct informational interviews with people who work in career fields of interest to you. Spend a day on the job with a professional. 4 - Pursue internships, part time and summer jobs, and volunteer activities to gain work experience and to learn more about your work preferences. 5 - Attend UCLA career fairs (career.ucla.edu/CareerFairs) and other career related programs to increase your knowledge of the full range of jobs that people perform. Junior Year: Narrow the Options Internships and summer employment will help you acquire new skills, learn more about careers, and develop a network of contacts. Aim for outstanding academic performance, especially in your major. Nows the time to go back and once again ask the questions Who am I? and What do I want? Do you find yourself asking these questions?: Im looking at several career options - which is the best for me? What do I need to do to prepare for this career? How have my interests changed since my freshman year and how will this influence my present action? Then follow these five steps: 1 - Narrow down your choices and discuss your career ideas with a career counselor. Are you satisfied with your early decisions? 2 - Start preparing for graduate school if your career choice requires an advanced degree. Check admission requirements, testing dates, and timelines for applications. 3 - Research companies and work environments. Pinpoint organizations with job titles that use your skills and for which you believe you are a good match. 4 - Begin to establish professional contacts to assist with your job search campaign. 5 - Continue to gain career related work and leadership experience. 6 - Attend the annual Graduate and Professional School Fair in October (career.ucla.edu/GradSchoolFair).

Career Center
501 Westwood Plaza (Strathmore Building) M-F 9-5 310.206.1915 career.ucla.edu
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Two Year Transfer Student Career Plan

Year One: Explore Career Options
I have a major, but what options do I have? What are the resources available to me as a transfer student? What do I need to do to prepare for my future career?
As you begin your UCLA education as a transfer student, it is imperative that you become familiar with the resources available to students on the UCLA campus. Visit the Career Center to discover or research career options in a host of fields of study. You can further explore career opportunities and gain experience in your area of interest by applying for jobs, internships, and volunteer activities. Stop by the Career Center for drop-in counseling and to become familiar with different occupations by utilizing the Career Center Library. Conduct informational interviews with professionals who work in your career field of interest by networking wit alumni. Shadow a professional at their work place; attend informational sessions, career fairs, and career related programs. Explore leadership opportunities with UCLA student groups. Research companies/organizations and gain experience in your field of interest by applying for jobs, internships and volunteer opportunities. This will help you learn more about your work preferences. Prepare for graduate school if your career choice requires an advanced degree by researching programs, attending graduate school information sessions and fairs, and becoming familiar with admissions requirements and deadlines. Decide if you want to attend directly upon receiving your undergraduate degree, or take a year or more off to work or travel. Develop a relationship with faculty members and request letters of recommendation. Open a reference file with the Career Center while the details of your accomplishments are still fresh in your professors mind. Study hard and keep your grades as high as possible.

Year Two: Make a Career Decision

What types of jobs are available? How do I find a job thats right for me? Should I go to graduate school now or later?
As a transfer student with limited time at UCLA, it is important to plan ahead and set reasonable goals for yourself. Soon you will be facing the transition from college to a career position or graduate school. BruinView, career fairs, internships, and interviews will help you identify prospective employers and career positions. If you are considering a graduate program, graduate and professional school applications, letters of reference, and test scores must be submitted early. Discover the ABCs of a successful job search by continuing to attend a variety of workshops offered through the Career Center. Consult with a career counselor to set timelines and establish goals to be accomplished before graduation. Network and use contacts to identify job opportunities and to get referrals. Include your Community College experience, and any work, leadership, internship, and volunteer experience on your resume Explore all opportunities. Continue to attend career fairs and employer presentations. Check BruinView for jobs, internships, and interviews. Finish applying to graduate and professional schools if your career plans require a graduate degree. Confirm your degree requirements to graduate at the beginning of the year with your academic advisor so there are no surprises when it comes time to graduate. p14

Senior Year: Make a Career Decision Plan ahead and set reasonable career goals for yourself. By now you are facing a transition from college to graduate school or a career position. Graduate school applications, letters of reference, and test scores must be submitted early. BruinView campus interviews and job listings, and career fairs will help you identify prospective employers and career positions. Are you asking these questions?: What types of jobs are available? How do I find the job thats right for me? Should I go to graduate school now or later? If so, then follow these five steps: 1 - Discover the ABCs of a successful job search by attending workshops at the Career Center and consulting with a career counselor. 2 - Prepare for your first job. Talk with UCLA alumni about their first year on the job and some of the challenges you can expect. Join the UCLA Alumni Association to make new contacts for now and in your future. Find out more about it at www.uclalumni.net. 3 - Use your contacts to identify job opportunities and get referrals. 4 - Explore all opportunities. Attend career fairs and employer presentations. Register for BruinView campus interviews at career.ucla.edu/BruinView, then check BruinView job listings by logging in at career.ucla.edu. 5 - Confirm your remaining degree requirements at the beginning of the year so there are no surprises when it comes time to graduate.

Explore the Options Familiarity with different career fields, and knowing the responsibilities and skills required for different jobs, will help you determine options which are compatible with your interests, values, and skills. Know the Job Market The more you know about industry and occupational trends, the better you can assess what skills and qualifications employers are seeking, evaluate your odds of entry and success, and learn how to market yourself.

Getting to Know Yourself

Theres a big difference between getting a job and having a career where you love what you do. This section on self examination gives you some tools to take an honest look at yourself and suggests ways to transition into successful career planning and job searching goals. The first step in this quest is one that you will repeat many times in your life. Make an inventory of your interests, values, personal style, and skills. Even if you have a good idea of what you want to do, self examination is essential before writing your resume and accepting a job interview. Career Quiz This six-part quiz can help you determine where you are in the career planning cycle. Circle each statement that applies to you and then read your answers out loud. This will help you to get to know yourself. Part 1: Self-Assessment Obtaining Information About Yourself: I am aware of the interests that I possess and can name five activities that I enjoy. I am aware of the skills that I possess and can identify my five most developed skills. I am aware of the personality characteristics that I possess and can name five characteristics to describe myself. I know what I value in a career and can list five work values that meet my career expectations. Part 2: Career Exploration Increasing Knowledge of Career Options: I can identify ten careers that integrate my interests, skills, personality characteristics, and work values. I can identify five career resource publications that provide information about my career options. I can list the names and titles of five people to interview for information about my career options.

Your Career Journey

Follow Your Dreams & Pursue Your Passions - Are you headed along the right path to your dream career? Like any adventure, your career journey is certain to be much more exciting and satisfying if you have a destination in mind. When you are focused and know your strengths and interests, you can target the industries, organizations, and positions that best match your talents and personality. Your immediate goal should be to make the best career choices possible at this point in your life. Keep in mind, its only natural that your dreams and aspirations may change over time. Changing interests and personal circumstances, combined with the rapidly evolving nature of the world of work, will require you to make numerous career-related decisions throughout your lifetime. Discover the Real You Self-assessment requires a hard look at yourself and an honest evaluation of your strengths and weaknesses. It is one of the most challenging pieces of the career puzzle, but also one of the most important.

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W! E

Career Course
Education 150
The UCLA Career Center is proud to announce a new career development course, Education 150: Strategic Career Decision Making.

Earn two units through this career course!

Strategic Career Decision-Making

Fall 2010 Sections
Update: Fall 2010 sections are full. For the Winter and Spring schedules, visit career.ucla.edu/CareerCourse

Section 1: Tuesdays, 1-2:50pm, Strathmore Building, Room 200 Section 2: Wednesdays, 10am-11:50am, Strathmore Building, Room 200
To learn more about the Education 150 course and review the syllabus, please visit career.ucla.edu/CareerCourse.

This course will provide students with a unique opportunity to earn academic credit while learning the importance of making informed career decisions and understanding how cultural and family values play a role in the career development process. Through interactive lessons and course projects, Strategic Career Decision Making will provide students with strategies to anticipate and effectively deal with lifelong professional challenges such as work / life balance, career fulfillment, and career transitions.

Register today! To enroll, please complete the brief information request online at: www.surveymonkey.com/s/Education150

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Please note that enrollment is on a first-come, first-served basis.
A Department of Student Affairs

Career Center

Part 3: Career Decision Making Selecting a Primary Career Goal: I have researched information on five career choices. I am familiar with one decision making method and can describe that process. I have made a career decision and can describe that choice in detail (i.e., title, duties, qualifications, salary, and career path).

Getting to Know Careers

Now that you know yourself, youre ready to move on to the next question: What kind of work do I want to do and where do I want to do it? A Checklist of Things to Do: Find out where people work who have your skills, interests, personality, values, and needs. Pinpoint what types of industries and companies are looking for someone with your skills and capabilities. Is a graduate degree required? Think about job titles with characteristics that match your self assessment. You can get ideas from the Dictionary of Occupational Titles and the Occupational Outlook Handbook (available in the Career Center Library). Consider your ideal work environment. Do you prefer a large corporation, small business, or a start-up company? Or would you prefer a government, nonprofit organization, or educational institution? Conduct informational interviews with people who are already working in career fields youre considering. Keep an open mind. Envision new and previously unimaginable career possibilities. Get on-the-job experience through internships and summer jobs. This will enable you to make firsthand comparisons of careers and work environments. Research geographic areas where you would like to live and work. Do you prefer an urban, suburban, or rural setting? Become a frequent visitor to the Career Center Lab. Read about careers, job trends, salary information, work environments, and qualifications. Learn About Careers Through Student Organizations By joining career related student organizations, you can meet other students with common interests, and make connections with professionals from the world of work. For more ideas: www.studentgroups.ucla.edu. You can also join one of the student groups affiliated with the UCLA Career Center. For a current list: career.ucla.edu /StudentGroups. UCLA Business Council The UCLA Business Council (UBC) is a collaborative effort of 17 student organizations along with the UCLA Career Center and UCLA Department of Economics. This council promotes career related programming on campus for a variety of business-related industries. Consider attending a UBC event to learn more about fields including: investment banking, consulting, accounting, real estate, venture capital, private equity, green careers, actuarial science, finance, sports, entertainment, and more. For more information, contact ubc@career.ucla.edu.

Part 4: Preparation Creating a Career Goal Action Plan: I can identify five work qualifications that are necessary in my career choice. I can identify academic programs and courses relevant to my career choice (i.e., major, minor, and graduate schools). I can list the titles or locations of five volunteer, internship, or work experience opportunities relevant to my career choice. I can name five student or professional organizations that are related to my career choice. Part 5: Job Search Job Seeking and Career Employment: I have developed an effective resume and cover letter. I have developed effective interviewing skills. I am familiar with five different strategies for job seeking. I can name ten companies or industries that are potential employers. Part 6: Career Management Advancing in Your Career: I can describe and rank by preference the positions I have been offered. I have accepted an offer of career employment. I can describe organization. methods of advancing in my

I can describe my next career goal. I know how to initiate a career change when it is necessary. p17

Chapter 3 - Career Exploration

The Informational Interview
One of the best ways to find out what an industry, company, or position is really like is to talk with people in careers youre considering. No one else can give you a better sense of the real life experiences, the challenges and opportunities, the specifics and perhaps hidden demands, and the drawbacks and limitations of the career field. What exactly is an Informational Interview? An informational interview is a highly focused information gathering session with a networking contact designed to help you choose or refine your career path by giving you an insider point of view. What are the benefits of conducting an Informational Interview? The concept of informational interviewing was conceived by Richard Nelson Bolles, author of the best selling career handbook series, What Color Is Your Parachute? Bolles describes the process as ...trying on jobs to see if they fit you. He notes that most people choose a career path without taking the time to speak with professionals in their field of interest. As a result, they find themselves in careers not truly matched to their skills, values, interests, and abilities. The Informational Interview allows you to: Gather valuable information from industry professionals on career planning and job search strategies. Discover the realities of a particular career field and what it is really like to work in a given industry. Evaluate whether a career is compatible with your skills, interests, lifestyle, and goals. Receive specific suggestions on how and where to acquire the experience and knowledge required. Develop confidence in interviewing with professionals by discussing your interests and goals. Gain access to the hidden job market. Over 80% of quality jobs are secured through networking. Expand your network of contacts in your field of interest for future opportunities. Gain referrals to other professionals in the same field for additional networking. Are Informational Interviews only for students ready to graduate? Not at all. Informational interviews are appropriate for first year students through alumni. If you are in the process of choosing an academic major, making career choices, beginning a job search, or transitioning to a different career, the informational interview can be an excellent tool to explore your options and increase your career knowledge. What are some typical subjects discussed about the industry or organization during the Informational Interview? Work Environment Industry Trends Lifestyle Ideal Skill Set/Qualifications Challenges/Rewards Career Path of Interviewee Typical Compensation Career Ladder of Field Challenges/Rewards

Can I ask for a job during an Informational Interview? Never. It is absolutely taboo to ask for a job during an informational interview. The informational interview is not a scheme or trick to get you into the door to talk to a potential employer about a job (although it can open doors to specific job opportunities down the road). How do I find the contacts for the Informational Interview? Usually you will talk with a person you dont know personally but who has been referred to you. Ask friends, family members, colleagues, faculty members, and/or former employers for a referral to a candidate for an informational interview. Also, check out the UCLA Alumni Associations UCLA Career Network, where you can talk with UCLA alumni who will work in your field of interest. How does the Informational Interview work? The informational interview works best if it is done in person in the setting that you are interested in working (i.e., a hospital, investment bank, consulting firm, or non profit organization, etc.) However, it can also be done by telephone, email chat group, or on the Internet. How do I set up an Informational Interview? Many career counselors recommend a written request followed by a phone call. This professional and respectful approach can have a more favorable response. The letter serves as a preliminary introduction to help communicate your intention for information only. p18

How can I best prepare for the Informational Interview? Read about the career area and organization in which the person you are interviewing is affiliated. Review materials in the Career Library for background information on the industry or career field. Check the company or organizations website. Know your own interests, skills, and values, and how they relate to the career field represented by the person you are interviewing. Prepare and rehearse an opening statement that gives a brief profile of who you are and your interest in the field. Develop a number of thoughtful, open ended questions to stimulate a meaningful discussion. If you meet face-to-face, dress appropriately in interview attire. You want to give a good first impression and look like someone who could be an asset to the profession, even though youre just gathering information that day. Preparation is the key to success. In advance of the meeting, you should prepare as you would for a traditional interview. What happens after the Informational Interview? Be sure to send a formal thank you letter to the person you interviewed. A nice touch is to share with them the results of any project or suggestion discussed during the interview and inform them what steps you have taken to apply the advice you received. Report back to anyone who gave you a lead. This is not only common courtesy, it helps keep others interested and involved in your career plans and job search. Continue to maintain contact with the person you interviewed. Keep in touch by sending an occasional article on a business related topic that you think would be of interest or a quick note updating them on your current activities. Later on, if you decide to pursue the career field, you may wish to send out a feeler letter along with your progress report by stating something like, If you hear of any job possibilities, I am enclosing my resume and would appreciate hearing from you. Thank you so much for your time and consideration.

Requesting an Informational Interview

Develop an Outline or Script Before you attempt to schedule an informational interview, develop an outline or script of what you are going to say. This will decrease your anxiety and increase your chances of getting the results you want. Be sure to rehearse your lines out loud after you plan the kinds of things you will communicate. Rehearsing in front of the mirror, with a tape recorder, and/or with a friend could prove to be very useful as well. Follow these Basic Guidelines to Set Up an Informational Interview: Say who you are and why you want to get together. Make it clear you are not asking for a job. Mention a personal referral or mutual interest to stimulate conversation. Ask for a brief meeting at a time thats convenient for that person. Example of Letter Dear__________: I am a communications major at UCLA and am interested in a journalism career. Joe Bruin suggested that you might be willing to share your work experiences and offer advice on how I might better prepare to break into the field. At this time, I am not looking for a job, but am interested in learning as much as I can about journalism as a career field. I would greatly appreciate a few minutes of your time to get your perspectives on the challenges and opportunities in journalism. I will contact you next week to try and arrange a time that would be convenient for you to meet. Sincerely, Your Name

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What hours do you normally work? Is there much travel involved? Use a landline indoors, alone, in a quiet space, with your notes and pen in front of you. What is the job title of the person you report to? What are the titles of people who report to you? What do you find most satisfying about your job? What are the positive or challenging aspects of working in this field? Example of Telephone Scripts Hello . . . my name is ________________. Joe Bruin suggested I call you because I am doing some research on careers in journalism. He thought you would be a good person to answer some questions I have about the profession. I could meet you for coffee or lunch one day. Or, if it is more convenient, I could call back at a time when you might have 15 or 20 minutes to spare. Do you think you might be able to find some time for me? If you could start all over again, would you choose the same career path? Is your career path typical? If not, what might a beginner expect today? What are the entry level jobs in this field or organization? What career paths are generally available? What are the major responsibilities of these positions? What skills and education are needed to enter this field? What kind of an entry level job or internship do you think is a good training ground? What are the newest developments in this field? What trends and developments do you see affecting career opportunities? What is the corporate culture of your company? Is it informal or formal? Do people work autonomously or in teams? Can you share advice with me on how to transition into this field? Have you been active in any professional organizations? Are students encouraged to participate in these organizations?

Hello. . . my name is ________________. I recently heard you speak at a Los Angeles Journalism Club meeting. Im a senior at UCLA and am interested in a journalism career. Im not looking for a specific job at this time, but Id really appreciate the opportunity to discuss some specific questions about this career field. Could I schedule 15 or 20 minutes with you at your convenience? I could meet you at your office.

Questions to Ask
You should develop basic questions about the career field to fit your particular knowledge and experience level. Depending on the interest and willingness of your contact to talk, you may have an opportunity to ask more specific personal, company, and industry questions. Here are some examples of the information you may wish to obtain: What do you do as a _____________? How do you spend a typical day or week? Do you spend most of your time at your desk, moving around the company, or out in the field? What kinds of problems do you deal with? What kinds of decisions do you make? What are your major responsibilities? p20

Informational Interviewing Resources Available at the Career Center Library / Lab Information Interviewing: How to Tap Your Hidden Job Market The Everything Job Interview Book (See chapter on Informational Interviews) Your First Interview (See Chapter 4: How to Create Your Network: Interviewing for Information)

Getting On the Job Experience

Internships, Summer, and Part Time Programs Two questions employers frequently ask themselves when evaluating potential employees are How will this person fit into our organization? and What can this person contribute to our bottom line? Students who successfully perform in an internship or summer program have a definite advantage when it comes to landing full time career positions, particularly in highly competitive career fields.

Short-Term Decisions Its important to give some thought to your goals for the internship or summer job. Here are questions to consider: What is the primary reason youre looking for an internship or summer job? To earn money? Test out career alternatives? Gain experience to add to your resume? Develop career related skills? What are you interested in doing? Where? With whom? In what type of organization? What skills can you bring to the job? Why should you be hired instead of any other college student? Is money an issue? How much money do you need to make? What is the bare minimum? Can you afford to do volunteer work or an unpaid internship that might relate more directly to your career objective? Will you need to relocate? What impact will this have on your bank account? Will you get class credit? Will the position provide an entre into your dream career? Is it important for your summer work experience or internship to tie in with your academic pursuits and career goals? Remember: There does not have to be a direct connection. You may feel a real need to take a break from your studies and do work that doesnt relate at all to your major. Internships Internships provide vital links to contacts within your future profession and a place to put your classroom training to the test. What better way to gain practical experience for your resume. Many corporations and nonprofit organizations offer highly structured internship programs, hoping to attract the best and brightest before they graduate. These programs generally offer invaluable on the job training. Internships are readily available in many career fields and industries in Southern California, across the nation, and around the globe. Each year, numerous companies actively recruit UCLA students for internships and summer positions through BruinView listings and campus interviews. For more information: career.ucla.edu/CareerFairs.

The Inside Track to Your First Full Time Job More than ever, employers today look at an entry level job candidates track record of real world experiences and accomplishments before extending an offer for a permanent position. They rely heavily on internships and summer programs to assess the skills, abilities, and qualifications of potential full time employees. Internship and summer programs provide prospective employers an opportunity to observe your intelligence, initiative, creativity, skills, values, interests, and other personal attributes, which are a few of the intangible qualities that dont come through on a resume and manifest themselves only briefly during an interview. An internship or summer job gives you a chance to explore and test your career interests on a temporary basis. Youll be able to get a realistic idea of what the career field is all about, decide whether the job is one you enjoy, and evaluate whether you fit into the company culture. Its definitely a two-way street! Benefits of Working As an Intern or Summer Employee Gain valuable real world experience and learn new skills. Explore and test different career possibilities before making a long term commitment. Demonstrate to future employers your interest in your chosen career field. Make contacts and develop important networking and mentoring relationships. Prove yourself on a trial basis to a potential employer.

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By the time they receive their UCLA degree, many students will have completed several internships or summer programs to gain experience and get a competitive advantage in the job market. Washington DC Internship Programs Each summer, the Career Center supports up to 40 Bruins as they pursue internships with elected officials, international non-profit groups, private sector companies, and a host of other Washington, DC employers. Students in the DC internship program stay in shared apartments at the UC Washington Center conveniently located five blocks from the White House. Interns who qualify based on financial aid status can earn helpful stipends or scholarships to cover some living expenses. Many Bruins also choose the option of independent study units during their internship, in order to maintain degree progress or qualify for a financial aid supplement. Undergraduates, grad students, and spring grads from all majors are eligible to apply during Fall quarter through BruinView. For updated program information, please visit career.ucla.edu/internships. In addition, the Career Center encourages Bruins to consider the outstanding academic-year internship program in DC offered through CAPPP, the Center for American Politics and Public Policy (cappp.ucla.edu). CAPPP students live at UC Washington Center and intern during Fall, Winter, or Spring quarters, while pursuing a full-time academic program. Because interns remain fulltime students, all financial aid and scholarships can be applied during the CAPPP program. The Career Center also supports students and new grads who prefer to pursue paid internship assignments with federal government agencies. A wide range of federal internship programs welcome applications from current Bruins or new grads, who arrange their own housing, earn excellent wages, and do not receive other UCLA financial support. Many of these programs put students in a strong position for entry-level employment after graduation. Bruins seeking advice on how to apply may meet with any Career Counselor or Peer Advisor during regularly schedule Drop-In advising hours. Find more information on all these options in the Internship Zone and online at career.ucla.edu. Sacramento Internship Services The Career Center also provides resources for Bruins seeking a summer public service internship in Sacramento. Undergrads, grad students, and Spring grads who receive federal or state financial aid are eligible to earn a small program stipend or scholarship. Public service assignments include the Governors Office and Cabinet Agencies, the State Senate and Assembly, nonprofit groups, and educational institutions. For more information, please visit career.ucla.edu/internships.

Internship Zone The Internship Zone, located on the second floor of the Career Center, provides students with quick access to local, national, and international internship and fellowship information from a variety of industries. Visit one of our nine industry areas to learn more about opportunities in: Business; Arts & Entertainment; Public Service; Science, Engineering, Technology, Math; Teaching Abroad; Volunteering Abroad; International Fellowships; Washington DC and Sacramento Internship Programs; and Pre-professional (pre-law and pre-med) internships. Summer and Part Time Jobs Summer and part time work (especially if it is relevant to your career goal) can lead to great opportunities, and it should be a vital component in any job search strategy. Many employers are impressed with a person who has had to work his or her way through school and has still managed to maintain a good academic record and excel in extracurricular activities. In highly competitive fields and those with few traditional avenues of entrance such as entertainment and advertising, summer and part time work experience accelerate your efforts to find a career position. Personal contacts are essential in these industries, and your work experience will give you wonderful access to the prospective employers you need to know. Summer and part time opportunities run the gamut from simple clerical work to formal corporate training programs where technical and business related skills are often essential to positions strictly seasonal in nature. Some large corporations begin recruiting for summer programs in the preceding fall. Students are in high demand at camps, resorts, amusement parks and tourist attractions, city parks, summer theaters, construction companies, country clubs, and a variety of other businesses with peak summer or holiday hiring needs. Many organizations add seasonal staff to handle special projects or fill in for vacationing employees. Temporary Employment Opportunities range from one day assignments to longer term commitments. Most often these positions can be found through employment service firms and include a diversity of professional and technical opportunities. Community Service and Volunteer Work Involvement in social, political, cultural, performing arts, religious, and public service organizations can add valuable experience and leadership responsibilities to your resume. What are your interests? What issues and causes do you strongly support? Volunteer your services and get involved.

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Career Library / Lab Resources Job Experience The Back-Door Guide to Short-Term Job Adventures The Internship Advantage The Internship Bible Internships in International Affairs Los Angeles County Social Services Resource Directory The Music and Entertainment Internship Guide National Directory of Arts Internships Smithsonian Opportunities for Research and Study in History, Art, and Science The Undergraduates Guide to Corporate Leadership Development Programs Vault Guide to Top Internships Volunteer America: A Comprehensive National Guide to Opportunities for Service, Training, and Work Experience Green Careers Journal Work Your Way Around the World

NEW

Internship Zone

The Internship Zone, located on the second floor of the Career Center, provides students with quick access to local, national, and international internship and fellowship information from a variety of industries. Visit one of our nine industry areas to learn more about opportunities in: Business Arts & Entertainment

BruinViewTM Postings
Thousands of current full time career positions and internships available in Southern California and opportunities nationwide are advertised via the Internet exclusively for UCLA students and eligible alumni. You can tap into BruinView 24 hours a day. Its fast, easy, and convenient. Employers from throughout Greater Los Angeles and from UCLA academic and administrative departments also use BruinView to list hundreds of part time and seasonal employment opportunities each month. These jobs can help finance your college education, add spending money to your budget, and give your resume a boost with valuable on the job experience. Log on today! Go to career.ucla.edu.

Public Service Science / Engineering / Technology / Math Teaching Abroad Volunteering Abroad International Fellowships Washington DC and Sacramento Pre-professional (pre-law, pre-med) Come to the Internship Zone today!

Excellence. Delivered.
A Department of Student Affairs

Career Center

Strathmore Building Career Center Second Floor

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Chapter 4 - Job Search Strategies & BruinViewTM

Finding Job Leads
Job opportunities arise in many ways and from many sources. By using a number of job search methods, you will increase your chances of identifying career opportunities that are compatible with your career and life goals. How to Find Job Openings Industries and organizations with more applicants than positions (e.g., entertainment industry) dont need to advertise job openings. Youll find positions in these career fields through resourcefulness and networking, not by waiting for the perfect job to appear in a newspaper or on an Internet posting. Directories and reference materials at the Career Center Laboratory will assist in this phase of your job search. The Career Center also offers many workshops that will teach you ways to tap into the hidden job market. Take advantage of Job Search JumpStart! (career.ucla.edu/JumpStart). Growth industries (e.g., high technology and business services) actively recruit and advertise to generate a large pool of candidates. Employers in these fields will frequently list current openings with BruinView, participate in the campus interviews and career fairs, run ads in major newspapers or trade publications, and post positions on the Internet. BruinView Campus Interviews Participation in the free web based BruinView system is easy and convenient. Simply log on to the Career Center website at career.ucla.edu to get started. Online step-bystep directions will guide you through the process. Convenience - Our web based system makes it easy to get information about employers who will conduct campus interviews. You can browse job descriptions, determine if you meet the qualifications, create and submit your resume, and sign up for interviews entirely online. Diversity - Fortune 100 corporations, small and mid size companies, nonprofits, and school systems recruit UCLA students from every major through the BruinView Campus Interview system. Opportunities - Theres something for everyone. BruinView features full time career positions for seniors and graduate students ready to enter the workplace, plus career related summer jobs and internships for freshmen, sophomores, and juniors who wish to explore options and gain valuable on-the-job experience. How does the BruinView system work?- BruinView is primarily an online pre-select system. Once resumes are submitted by students, most employers screen resumes, select candidates that best meet the position p24 qualifications, and invite those students to sign up for an interview. If the company has chosen an open sign up schedule, all qualified candidates are eligible to select an interview time slot on a first come basis. When should I start using the BruinView system? Start early! If you are a senior with a March or June graduation date, you should begin signing up for BruinView campus interviews during Fall quarter, particularly if your goal is a position in management consulting, investment banking, or accounting. More than 50% of all BruinView employers conduct interviews for full time positions during Fall quarter, and many extend offers by December. Although Fall quarter is the busiest recruiting season, numerous employers visit the campus during Winter and Spring quarters to fill a myriad of interesting and challenging career positions and internships. Many BruinView employers visit campus several times each year, but they may be interviewing for different positions during each visit. New Recruitment Policies The UCLA Career Center believes that students should have sufficient time to make important career and internship decisions. With this in mind, we have implemented specific Employer Recruitment Policies to guide on-campus recruiting activities. As a student, you should be aware of the guidelines set forth for employers who recruit on-campus at UCLA. For full-time positions, students should be given three weeks to make a decision. For internship positions, students should be given two weeks to make their final decision. Employers should not make offers or pressure students to accept early offers include those requiring a quick response time, nor should they attach incentives involving diminishing bonuses, reduced options for location preferences, etc. The Career Center does not permit students to cancel first-round interviews to attend second-round interviews. Students who violate our policies are required to meet with Career Center staff; each case is considered individually. Consequences range in scope and can include forfeiture of all campus recruiting privileges. We have established expectations for employers to ensure students ability to comply with our second-round policy. Please review our employer timeline and recruitment policies online at career.ucla.edu/CampusRecruitmentPolicies If you have any questions about our policies, please contact our Employer Relations team at bruinview@career.ucla.edu.

NEW

BruinView Portfolio is a new service available to help students prepare for the world of work.
You can document and archive your academic and non-academic experiences in a professional and organized format! Think of it as your private and personal online database. This new feature was designed to enhance your experience as you find internships and career opportunities through BruinView. So log into your account, take advantage of this tool at career.ucla.edu, and learn more about BruinView Portfolio today!

Excellence. Delivered.
A Department of Student Affairs

Career Center

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Newspaper Advertisements (Print and Online) By analyzing ads, you can unearth valuable information relating to todays job market. You can learn of current salaries, pick up buzz words to use in cover letters and at interviews, and find out which skills, qualifications, degrees, and work experiences to emphasize in your resume and cover letter. Most newspapers provide web pages where they include jobs which were advertised in recent editions. Attend a Job Search JumpStart Conference Register for Job Search JumpStart as early as possible. You'll receive expert instruction and guidance on job search strategies, resume and correspondence, and interviewing skills -- all in a high impact, three-hour time slot! Check out what students are saying about Job Search JumpStart and register now at career.ucla.edu /JumpStart. Make the Most of Job Listings Focus your cover letter specifically to the ad. If the employers identity is revealed, find out something about the company and personalize your cover letter. Read the ad carefully. Fit your profile to the position. If an employer lists skills, degree, or level of experience, be sure you communicate that you possess each of the traits theyre looking for. Turn negatives into positives. What if your qualifications are not a perfect match? For example, if your internship job title differs from the advertised opening, but the responsibilities of the positions are very similar, communicate this in your cover letter. Show how your major and the one preferred by the employer are compatible or of equal value. Professional and Trade Publications There are thousands of magazines, journals, and newsletters with information about specific fields or industries which may contain job listings. The Career Library / Lab collection includes many professional and trade publications to help you identify current openings such as: American Translators Association Chronicle Graduating Engineer and Computer Careers Current Jobs in Performing Arts Green Careers Journal Nonprofit Directions: Southern California Current Jobs in Art Current Jobs in Writing, Editing, and Communications International Career Employment Weekly

they send your resume. Most employment service companies have websites where you can view current opportunities. Some operate their business exclusively on the Internet. Private Employment Services Commonly known as placement firms, employment agencies, or third party recruiters, these firms function as matchmakers. Their goal is to bring job seekers and employers together. Once an employer-employee match is satisfactorily made, they are entitled to a fee, either from the candidate (applicant paid fees) or from the employer (employer paid fees), which is most common and most desirable to job seekers. Investigate thoroughly those who charge fees to the applicant to ensure you will get value for your money. Read the contract carefully before making any commitment. Contingency Search Firms Often referred to as headhunters, these firms usually deal with mid level professional and technical recruitment. They are paid by the hiring company only for successful placements. Because of their compensation arrangement, they tend to seek out resumes and may put forth considerable effort on the job seekers behalf. While there are many fine contingency firms, you should be cautious about those who intend to float your resume in hopes of earning a fast commission. Executive Search Firms These firms typically conduct nationwide searches for individuals to fill mid to top level positions, generally in the six figure salary range. They contract with client companies to find candidates with significant experience and who meet highly specialized criteria. They are paid in advance for their services, whether or not the candidates they recommend are actually hired.

Career Fairs
If you are looking for career ideas or actively pursuing a full time job, it is definitely worth your while to attend career fairs. The relaxed and friendly open house format make it easy to ask questions, explore career options, develop a network of professional contacts, identify job openings, and sometimes even land an interview...all in one location. Prepare for the Fair Attending a career fair can be an effective tool in your job search, if you are prepared. To assist you, the Career Center hosts many career fair preparation workshops and offers an online career fair preparation workshop at career.ucla.edu/CareerFairPreparation. Topics covered in the workshops are what to expect, what questions to ask recruiters, what you might be asked, and more. Be in the Know The UCLA Career Center website at career.ucla.edu/CareerFairs provides a list of participating employers and their websites prior to the fair. Of this list, select a few companies that you would like to target and learn about their mission, culture, and industry. Look to the Career Center Library / Lab or Internet for supplementary information. p26

Employment Services Employment service firms can be a source of jobs not found elsewhere, and should not be overlooked in your job search campaign. Keep in mind there are good ones and bad ones. Check out their reputation to see if you feel comfortable with having them represent you. Discuss their procedures so there is no overlap where you and

Zooming In Prepare several targeted resumes. Cover the basics like work experience, internships, skills and accomplishments, educational credentials, extracurricular activities, volunteer work, awards, and honors. Remember to keep track and write notes of which resume you give to each employer. Advertising Yourself Consider your interaction at the career fair as the first round of a job interview. Be ready with a thumbnail sketch of skills and talents that set you apart from the other students who are competing for the same job. Rehearsing your pitch to friends, family, or even a mirror will make you feel and appear more confident, organized, and focused. Looking the Part Looking and acting professional when interacting with a recruiter demonstrates your professionalism as an employee. Greet recruiters with confidence and enthusiasm as you offer a firm, friendly handshake and make eye contact to establish rapport. You should try to dress professionally for the fair. If you have work or school before the fair and cant change clothing, you should still attend. The opportunity to meet and interact with recruiters is most important. Look for these events during the year. Visit our website at career.ucla.edu/CareerFairs and watch for our UCLA Daily Bruin ads for participating employers, additional information, or updates.

UCLA Career Network You may want to check out the UCLA Alumni Associations UCLA Career Network where opportunities to meet thousands of alumni are plentiful. Its a positive way to learn about careers. More details at www.uclalumni.net/NetworkingCareers/UCLACareerN etwork Build the Foundation It is important to start meeting and talking to professionals early in your college years, even if you are uncertain about the exact type of position you are seeking. However, to be the most effective at networking, it helps to be clear about the kind of job you want and your qualifications for that job. Try to have fun with your networking activities and dont discuss work all of the time. Get to know what your professional acquaintances like to do in their spare time. Do they have a special interest? Do they volunteer for a cause? Ask questions, listen carefully, and become well versed in their areas of interest and expertise. Nurturing & Maintaining Your Networks Always respect your contacts names. Get an OK before you use a persons name as a referral to meet someone else. Remember the little things. Send contacts copies of newsletters, newspaper and magazine articles, reports, and program materials that you think will interest them. Include a short, handwritten note than can be as simple as FYI. If the article relates to your mutual career interests, this will raise your professional credibility because it shows that you keep abreast of industry happenings. Think of creative ways to keep in touch. Send cards at holiday time. Extend an invitation to lunch for no particular reason. Send a congratulatory note to someone who has recently received a promotion or an advanced degree. Keep an eye on the clock. Respect other peoples busy schedules and make sure you call at appropriate times that are convenient for your contacts. Dont overlook the common courtesies. Thank everyone who helps you or provides you with ideas or leads. Its wise to thank people for leads even if their suggestions dont pan out. Your contacts will appreciate the follow up.

Networking
The world revolves around relationships. Studies indicate that up to 80 percent of all positions (the hidden job market) are obtained through networking and connections. Networking is a skill that will not only be critical to your job search, but will prove valuable for the rest of your career. What is Networking? The concept of networking is simple: its letting people know that youre in the job market, describing your interests and the kind of work you prefer, and asking for advice and assistance in achieving your career goals. Start Making Contacts Now Everyone you know and everyone you meet is a contact and a potential source of career advice and referrals to other individuals. Make a list of who you know. Include the names of roommates, friends, friends of friends, parents and relatives, classmates, teaching assistants, and professors. Add bosses and co-workers (past and present) and people youve met at the health club, while traveling, or doing volunteer work. Expand your list with people from social, political, or religious organizations. Include your physician and dentist. All of a sudden, your list of connections has grown by leaps and bounds! p27

How to Make Connections in a Room Full of Strangers The I dont know anyone here jitters can bring on a real anxiety attack, but the following tips can help you get past those first few dreaded minutes. Initiate conversations. Dont wait until you get to the meeting site to strike up a conversation. If you notice other attendees in the parking lot or elevator, take the opportunity to get acquainted. Psyche yourself up. Refocus your preoccupation with your own anxieties by thinking about the other attendees. Pretend you are about to host a party and concentrate on helping others have a good time. Set yourself up for a positive experience. Before arriving at a meeting, find out as much as you can about the organization and its members. Its often a good idea to contact the program or membership chair to ask a question about the speaker or the program agenda. This way you will have forged a connection and will have a friendly face to look for when you arrive. Pay attention to your body language. If youre seen as approachable, youll find it easier to meet new people. Make eye contact and look interested. You can always learn something new when you communicate with someone. Be prepared for small talk. Have at least three small talk questions in mind that will serve as conversation openers, such as How did you find out about tonights meeting? or What do you know about tonights speaker? Ask open ended questions to draw people out, then turn their answers into a two way conversation. Find kindred spirits. When you are seeking out people to talk with, scan the reception area for eye contact and friendly smiles. Seek out people who are by themselves. Instead of going up to a group of people, find someone on equal footing who may also be standing alone. Seat yourself strategically. Do not approach a round table where eight people are seated and only one or two seats are left. The group will already be engaged in conversation and may not notice your arrival. But if you approach a table where few people are seated, youll find them eager (and grateful) to welcome you. Take on projects and serve on committees. Volunteering for high-profile assignments and committees is an excellent way to get noticed. If you volunteer, be sure to fulfill your commitments and promises. Dont Give Up, and Other Networking Tips Take stock of who you know by listing current, past , and future contacts. Target your contacts. Who can open the door for you?

Organize the business cards you collect and on each one, jot down the date of the meeting, where you met, and what you talked about. Join groups and organizations to make social and business contacts. Develop your own public relations list and let people know about your accomplishments. Practice good etiquette by always thanking people who help you or give you leads. Break the ice by learning the art of small talk. Dont give up! Networking is a long term process. Career Library / Lab Resources How to Work a Room: The Ultimate Guide to Savvy Socializing in Person and Online Networking for Job Search and Career Success Power Networking: 59 Secrets for Personal and Professional Success Vault Reports Guide to Schmoozing: Insider Advice on Making Contacts and Building Rapport to Boost Your Career Seven Days to Online Networking Join and Participate in Professional Associations Youll find international, national, state, and local organizations geared to virtually every type of industry, career field, or special interest imaginable. Some are targeted or based upon: Broad professional disciplines (e.g., American Marketing Association) Industry-specific (e.g., American Film Marketing Association) Gender (e.g., Financial Women International) Ethnicity (e.g., National Black MBA Association) Sexual orientation (e.g., Gay and Lesbian Journalists Association) Membership services include meetings and networking opportunities, trade shows, seminars, internships, publications, professional development, and employment referrals.

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Make an Impression The easiest way to meet other members in the organization is to get involved! Volunteering gives you a role or function at an event, which in turn makes networking easier. Some activities include: Joining a committee Volunteering to help with a project Running for an office Offering to help with meeting logistics or registration

Performance and Personnel: Size and number of employees, accomplishments, sales, financial performance, research and development activities, employee diversity, and hiring and promotion policies. Philosophy and Culture: Mission statement, goals and objectives, traditional values, beliefs, views and operating styles that characterize the organization, and the impact of private or family ownership on possible advancement potential. Plans for the Future: Expansion and restructuring plans, new projects, projected financial growth, and new market ventures and downsizing activities. Where to Find Information With a bit of resourcefulness and elbow grease, you can find considerable information about many industries, employers and career opportunities. The Internet has become a valuable tool for researching companies. Look to the Career Centers website, career.ucla.edu, to get you started.

Career Library / Lab Resources - General Encyclopedia of Associations: International Organizations Encyclopedia of Associations: National Organizations of the U.S. National Trade and Professional Associations of the U.S. Nonprofit Sector Yellow Book State and Regional Associations of the U.S. Career Library / Lab Resources - Specialized California Directory Healthcare Association Membership

Government Affairs Yellow Book Los Angeles County Social Service Resource Directory Sports Market Place Directory Hollywood Creative Directory The Performing Arts Directory The Environmental Resource Handbook Plunketts Engineering and Research Industry Almanac Tips on Researching Public and Private Companies Use the Internet to locate corporate websites. Consult directories, such as Hoovers Handbook of American Business, Hoovers Handbook of Emerging Companies, and The Almanac of American Employers. These and other reference books are available at the Career Center Library, the Rosenfeld Library at The Anderson School, and other university and public libraries. Call, write, or visit the company to request an Annual Report to Stockholders, sales brochures, and recruiting literature. Contact the local Chamber of Commerce for information, particularly if the company youre interested in is small or privately owned. Search periodical indexes for articles in newspapers, business publications, and professional journals. The Wall Street Journal provides a quick and insightful overview of the business world and global economy. Talk to company representatives at career fairs and professional association meetings. Attend Employer Information Sessions at the Career Center. You must register with BruinView to access the schedule. With your BruinView account, access Insider Industry Guides and Employer Profiles. p29

Identifying & Researching Employers

The competitive advantage in the job market goes to candidates who do their homework. Youll be ahead in identifying career fields that meet your needs, targeting potential companies, and succeeding on the interview. What You Need to Know Employer research will help you: 1) Decide if you are interested in working for a particular company or organization; 2) Find out about different career paths available if you are hired; and 3) Prepare for an interview. The more you know about employers in your field of interest, the stronger and more focused your job search. Here is the type of information you should look for: The Basics: Products and services, organizational structure, operating divisions and subsidiaries, location of plants and facilities, international operations, major competitors, training and development programs, and typical career paths.

Targeting Companies by Location (U.S.) Hawaii Business: The Top 250 The Metropolitan New York Job Bank Nevada in Your Future The Phoenix Job Bank The Texas 500 The Atlanta Book of Lists The Boston Book of Lists The New Mexico Book of Lists The Portland Book of Lists The Washington [D.C.] Book of Lists Targeting Companies by Location (International) Directory of American Firms Operating in Foreign Countries Directory of Foreign Firms Operating in the United States Fortune Global 500 Hoovers Handbook of World Business How to Get a Job in Europe International Research Centers Directory International Career Employment Weekly Jobs and Careers Abroad Living and Working in the Far East Working and Living in Canada Researching Corporations (Process) Keys to Reading an Annual Report 101 Mission Statements From Top Companies The Skeptical Business Searcher Job Choices for Students Researching Corporations Almanac of American Employers Fortune 500 Fortunes 100 Best Companies to Work For Fortunes Cool Companies Hoovers Handbook of American Business: Profiles of 750 Major U.S. Companies Hoovers Handbook of Private Companies Plunketts Employers Internet Sites with Careers Information Fortunes Americas Most Admired Corporations Standard & Poors 500 Guide: Americas Most Watched Companies

Career Center Library / Lab Resources

Many excellent materials are available in the Career Center Library / Lab to enhance your corporate research. Researching Industries Career Guide to Americas Top Industries Encyclopedia of American Industries Encyclopedia of Emerging Industries Encyclopedia of Global Industries Industries and Careers for Undergrads Targeting Companies by Industry Consultants and Consulting Organizations Directory Directory of Venture Capital and Private Equity Firms Field Directory: A Resource Guide of Local, State, Regional, and National Arts Organizations Los Angeles County Social Services Resource Directory NALP Directory of Legal Employers Plunketts Biotech & Genetics Industry Almanac Plunketts Healthcare Industry Almanac Plunketts Telecommunications Industry Almanac Publishers Directory Sports Market Place Directory Vault Guide to the Top 50 Banking Employers Vault Guide to the Top Media & Entertainment Employers Targeting Companies by Academic Interest Government Research Directory Job Choices for Business & Liberal Arts Students Job Choices for Science, Engineering, & Technology Students Research Centers Directory (nonprofit companies) Research Services Directory (for-profit companies) Targeting Companies by Location (California) Hoovers MasterList: California Edition The Los Angeles Book of Lists Orange County Business Directory The Sacramento Book of Lists San Diego County Commerce and Industry Directory The San Francisco Job Bank The San Jose/Silicon Valley Book of Lists The Southern California Business Directory p30

Things to Do on the Internet Visit company web sites. Get the latest stock market reports and financial information. Search for newspapers, trade publications, books, and articles. Tour cities you may be considering for relocation.

Job Search on the Internet

The Internet has fast become a professional necessity. Not only can the ability to conduct an online job search put you in touch with thousands of career opportunities, it can showcase to employers your adaptability to change, capability to learn new tools of the trade, and initiative to keep your technology skills current. Although the Internet is a powerful tool to add to your job search arsenal, dont neglect traditional strategies such as networking, company research, a winning resume, and thorough interview preparation. Internet 101: The Basics The Internet is a dazzling information resource providing access to individuals, companies, and organizations from around the world. There are thousands of career and job search sites on the web. The powerful and dynamic technology of the Internet can enhance your job search activities in many ways. You can: Collect data online in a relatively short amount of time, instead of spending hours, days, or weeks in the library gathering bits and pieces of information from many sources. Conduct your job search research anytime that fits your schedule, even if its two oclock in the morning. The Internet remains open 24 hours a day, long after libraries and the Career Center Library / Lab are closed for the night. Find job leads and send your resume electronically before most people even know theres an opening. The speed and immediacy of the Internet can be really useful for you. Reap the benefits today and use one of our computers in the Career Lab. Its comfortable, roomy, a great place to focus on your career planning and research, and has wireless connection. The multi-station Career Lab is here for your job searching convenience. While youre there, dont forget to register for BruinView at career.ucla.edu. Career Information on the Web With a few easy clicks of your computer mouse, youll discover avenues to literally thousands of newly posted job opportunities on the West Coast, across the continent, and around the world. More and more companies now include employment opportunities as part of their website, in addition to recruiting through online employment services. p31

Obtain salary surveys and read about job market projections. Research hundreds of industries and professions. Network with potential employers and other job seekers. Submit online resumes and participate in electronic interviews. Beginning the Search Before you begin searching, refer back to the assessment of your interests, skills, personality, preferences, and work values in the beginning of this book. Based on these results, you may want to target your search based upon: A field or industry Type of position or employers Geographical location Or a combination of the above three. career.ucla.edu An excellent place to begin your job search research is the UCLA Career Center website at career.ucla.edu. Here youll find direct links to some of the best and most comprehensive job search resources available, including BruinView job and internship listings and links to our corporate partners websites. Online Directories Online directories can help you focus your search on a specific area. These websites have been categorized by topic, making it easier for you to concentrate on looking at certain fields, industries, or positions. Popular online directories include about.com and yahoo.com. For example, by typing in management consulting the results will display a list of subcategories such as employers in this industry, professional associations, and different positions within this field.

Keyword Searching Once you have an idea of what you want to look for, you can focus your search by using a search engine. The advantage (and disadvantage) of using search engines is that they have to search thousands of pages for information, resulting in a huge return on your search. Therefore, the more specific you are in your keyword search, the more targeted and useful the resulting information will be. Principles of Internet Job Searching Remember, the Internet is only one of many tools available to conduct a job search. Dont put all your faith in conducting a job search by only using this strategy. Technology is no substitute for strategy. The best kind of job search is highly selective and focused, and Internet job searching is no exception. More is not always better (Internet listings are a lot like classified ads not the best place to put your energy and likely to overwhelm you with the sheer quantity of information). There is no substitute for personal, direct contact. The Internet can help you find contacts, but you have to take it from there. Internet Job Search Resources The Guide to Internet Job Searching Recent Graduate Web Sites Best Career and Education Web Sites Job-Hunting Online Weddles Guide to Employment Sites on the Internet

Job Bank (compiles list www.jobbankUSA.com

from

major

sites)

at

UCLA Career Center, Academic Job Search at career.ucla.edu/Students/PhDMastersCareerSvcs/Aca demicJobSearchLinks.aspx UCLA Career Center, Non-Academic Job Search at career.ucla.edu/Students/PhDMastersCareerSvcs/NonA cademicJobSearchLinks.aspx UCLA Career Center at career.ucla.edu/Students/JobSearchWebsites.aspx Researching Companies Industry Guides and Employer Profiles, a Career Resource Site at UCLA Career Centers BruinView. Just log into your BruinView account from career.ucla.edu (top left corner) and check the My BruinView desktop (right side). Hoovers Online Business Network (company and salary information) at www.hoovers.com Career Resource Center at www.careers.org Public Registers Annual Report Service (company financial information) at www.annualreportservice.com Standard & Poors (company financial information) at www.standardandpoors.com Visiting Employers on the Web (company profiles) at www.jobweb.com Web 100 (company rankings) at www.metamoney.com Yahoo! Finance Company & Fund Index (company financial profiles) at finance.yahoo.com

Company Information on the Internet

The Internet makes it easy to visit company sites and explore hundreds of industries and professions. An excellent place to begin your job and company research is the Career Center website, career.ucla.edu, which provides direct links to some of the best and most comprehensive job search resources available, including BruinView career opportunities. Below are just a few examples of the many additional sites that can assist in your research via the Internet. Job Search Sites CalJobs (California EDD system) at www.caljobs.ca.gov Campus Career Center at www.campuscareercenter.com Career Builder (listings from major newspapers and career sites) at www.careerbuilder.com p32

Researching Occupations and Careers Occupational Outlook Handbook/Bureau of Labor Statistics (career & salary info by occupation) www.bls.gov/oco Princeton Review (Career profiles) www.princetonreview.com/careers.aspx The Riley Guide (Resources and listings) www.rileyguide.com Salary.com (salary ranges and benefits information) www.salary.com California Employment Development Department www.labormarketinfo.edd.ca.gov Job Star Central (Resume, career guide, salaries) www.jobstar.org

(Please note that the Career Center is not responsible for the content of external websites. The appearance of a site on this list does not imply the endorsement of the site.)

Benefactor and Partners of the UCLA Career Center

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Chapter 5 - Resumes and Correspondence

Writing Your Resume
Your resume is a powerful marketing tool to land an interview. Its an important part of your total package, and must be clear, concise, appealing, and informative. There is no right or wrong way to write your resume. It should reflect your unique experience, personality, and style. Your objective is to communicate what makes you stand out as a stellar job candidate. What are some of my more important personal attributes? How do they relate to the world of work? Where have I successfully used these abilities? Make a list of special qualities that set you apart from other applicants. Employers will be looking for examples of: Your ability to deal with high pressure situations Willingness to assume responsibility A high energy level Strong interpersonal skills and initiative.

Think of specific examples of where and how each skill or attribute led to a tangible result or achievement. Include work experience, internships, volunteer activities, clubs and organizations, research projects, sports, etc. Write down your personal attributes, relevance to job performance, place, or situation. Generate a list of your accomplishments Prospective employers want to know what you have achieved and how your performance made a difference. Identify at least three accomplishments for each example or situation you listed in the preceding exercise. Your answers to these questions may help you to identify challenges or problems you faced, your solutions, and the accomplishments of which you are most proud. Did you do something faster, better, or cheaper? Did you increase membership, participation, or sales? Did you save your organization any money or eliminate waste? Did you identify and/or help solve any problems? Did you institute any new methods, systems, or procedures? Did you suggest a new service, product, or project? Did you re-organize or improve an existing system? Did you refine the nature of an existing task? Did you maintain a consistently high level of performance? Did you demonstrate leadership skills and exhibit good team player skills? Did you reach out for more work or more responsibility? Did you achieve results with little or no supervision? Did you motivate others? Did you coordinate any event or project? Did you train another person? What were the results? Did you tutor anyone? Did their grades improve? Did you acquire industry-specific knowledge? p34

Why Create a Resume? Looking good on paper is often the first step to an interview. It summarizes your skills, education, activities, and on-the-job experiences, and demonstrates how your qualifications match the employers needs. Resumes should be customized or tailored to a specific job description. Employers typically view a resume for no more than 15 to 30 seconds. In that time, your resume must be clear, concise, and quickly demonstrate how you meet their needs. Four Steps to a Power Packed Resume 1. Take stock of what you have to offer. 2. Prioritize your skills and experience. 3. Pull it all together. 4. Put it on paper. Take Stock Before you touch your fingers to the computer keyboard, take an inventory of what you can offer an employer. The following exercises can help you thoroughly assess your professional abilities, technical skills, personal attributes, experience, and accomplishments. What are my major skills and abilities? Look for relevant life skills that are transferable and can be used in a variety of different work settings, such as organizational, analytical, time management, leadership, and communication skills. What are my special, technical, or field specific skills? Highlight qualities that will respond to employers needs, such as skills in bilingual communication, word processing, spreadsheet and database management, programming languages, clerical, cash handling, customer service, and sales.

Emphasize the Results Quantifying your accomplishments gives prospective employers a sense of how you went about an assignment or project and the bottom-line results of your performance. Numbers speak volumes to people who make hiring decisions. Consider how much more impressive it is to show measurable results to an employer. For example, this sentence, Organized all sorority philanthropic events which resulted in contributions of over $4000 is much more impressive than Organized all sorority philanthropic events. Heres another example of how quantifying your accomplishments can be quite powerful, Developed tact and diplomacy in dealing with customers in a fast paced environment is more effective than Served food. The statement, Commended for efficiency and accuracy in completing office duties gives you more mileage than, Responsible for typing and filing. Prioritize Your Skills and Experience Identifying your primary career objective will help you decide which skills and experiences to emphasize and which ones to omit when creating your resume. If you havent yet made a career decision, it may be helpful to enroll in the Career Centers Skills Assessment or How to Discover Your Dream Job workshops and to consult with a career counselor. Ideally, each resume you produce will be tailored to fit the specific job for which you are applying. When precise tailoring is not possible, construct your resume so that it is targeted towards your primary career or job objective. You can then use your cover letter to emphasize or add job specific skills. Think about your primary career objective and write down your principal abilities, skills, attributes, and experience desired by employers in this field. Pull it All Together Regardless of the format you have chosen, the following information should be included in your resume. Heading At the top of the page, list your name, address, and a daytime telephone or cell phone number where you can be reached or a message can be left. Make sure a responsible person is there to take a message for you or invest in a reliable answering machine or voice mail service. Keep your outgoing message businesslike. If you include your email address, be sure to check regularly for incoming messages.

Objective Whether to include an objective section is optional. If you decide to use one, state your objective clearly and succinctly. Avoid lengthy, meaningless statements, such as A challenging and rewarding assignment in a dynamic company that will use my exceptional managerial skills. If you have more than one career interest, you can prepare several versions, each tailored to a different objective. Or you can mention your objective in your cover letter and omit it from your standard or master resume. For general use, such as for distribution at career fairs, we recommend that you create a version without an objective statement so that your resume does not screen you out. Qualifications Summary Most recent graduates probably will not use this section or may title it Special Skills. Only people who have several years of experience and/or technical skills they want to bring to the attention of prospective employers generally use a Summary of Qualifications. The key word is summary. You do not need to provide details or tell where you gained the special skill. This information will be included in your Experience section. Education This may be the first section of the resume for many students and recent graduates. List Education before Experience when education is your strength, and Experience first when it is your greatest asset. This principle of leading with your strengths should be used in deciding on the order of major sections and for prioritizing information within sections. If your degree is directly related to the type of work you are pursuing, list your degree first and University of California, Los Angeles second. Otherwise, graduating from UCLA is your strength so list University of California, Los Angeles first. If your major is not career related, but some of your coursework is relevant, you may want to include a subsection that begins, Relevant courses: . . . Include your Grade Point Average if it is high and you are a continuing student or recent graduate.

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Experience Your experience is not limited to paid positions. Also include non paid and volunteer work. You may choose from different ways to portray your experience: Reverse chronological order. You may include all part time jobs, internships, and other work experience in one section. Or you may create special sections (e.g., Marketing Experience and Related Experience), and arrange the positions in reverse chronological order within each section. Categorized by skills and major areas of accomplishment. Some skills categories might be: Leadership Teamwork Research/Analytical Communication Computers and Technology Interpersonal Skills. Activities and Honors List student organizations, professional associations and committees, indicating any offices held. University activities that show evidence of leadership, initiative, community involvement or the use of special skills may be listed under Leadership. Organize the information to highlight your greatest skills and achievements. Recent graduates and continuing students also should include academic honors (Deans List, honor societies, and scholarships). You may list honors separately or as a subheading under Education. Other Information You may want to highlight other achievements or skills that are not easily incorporated into the other sections. This may include such things as licenses, certifications, credentials, research, or publications. Simply create an appropriate heading and insert it in your resume so that it gets the attention it merits. References You do not generally list your references on your resume. Instead type them on a separate sheet of paper and take them along to the interview.

Personal Data Under most circumstances, it is not appropriate to include your ethnicity, age, marital status, religion, sports interests, and hobbies. However, if your research indicates that some element of personal information may increase your chances of getting an interview, then by all means use it. Put It On Paper The next step is to put all the information in front of you together in a layout that is graphically pleasing, attention getting, easy to read, and focused on your accomplishments and results. Your overall objective will be to present yourself, skills and accomplishments in the best possible light and catch the readers attention in about 30 seconds. It should be presented in a clean, simple, professional, easy to read manner where the employer should not have to work at finding what they need to on your resume. The Final Draft Congratulations! Youve completed your resume draft. Before you send it out, make sure your resume is persuasive, targeted, and memorable: Put yourself in the shoes of the person you hope will hire you. Is your resume visually appealing? Does it make you look impressive? Does it sell your skills and abilities? Does it make you stand out in the crowd of applicants? Bring your resume to the career center or submit your finished draft online through career.ucla.edu/Resume Writing and receive feedback from a career counselor. Ask one or more managerial-level individuals from your target industry to critique your resume before sending it off to a prospective employer. Career Library / Lab Resources The Adams Resume Almanac Encyclopedia Of Job-Winning Resumes The Job Hunters Word Finder: The Complete Guide to Key Words and Phrases for Resumes, Cover Letters, Interviews, and Job Descriptions Best Resumes for College Students and New Grads Designing Creative Resumes From College to Career: Entry-Level Resumes for Any Major Perfect Phrases for Resumes

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Format Choose the format that best represents you and your career objective. The Resume Formats section of this guide offers advantages of different styles. Dozens of books are available at the Career Center Lab and bookstores to give you additional ideas.

Resume Formats Guidelines to Crafting Your Resume

Content Emphasize accomplishments and results most likely to increase your appeal as a job candidate. Minimize job descriptions and listings of responsibilities. What you did to make a difference is important to a prospective employer. Speaking of position titles, you do not have to use your precise payroll title. Use titles that are descriptive of your responsibilities. For example, Accounting Clerk Intern is much more descriptive than Intern. Layout Leave some white space to create an uncluttered, organized look. Be consistent in your use of indentations, capitalization, fonts, and spacing. Proofread Check and double check to make sure your finished draft contains no mistakes in spelling, punctuation, and grammar. Paper Use high quality 8 1/2 x 11 bond in white or ivory, laser printed, on one side only. If possible, buy envelopes and letterhead paper to match or complement your resume. Style Brisk, active phrases convey energy and enthusiasm. Use a bullet format, listing one task or accomplishment per line. You will probably think of points to add once you begin composing your resume. Length Strive to be brief and concise, yet provide pertinent information. Remember that a prospective employer will spend less than a minute evaluating your resume. Unless you are working in a very technical field and have many years of experience, limit your resume length to one page two at the most. Appearance Choose a standard, easy-to-read font (such as Helvetica or Times) in a 10-12 point size. Use bold type to emphasize key points, but use it sparingly. A word of caution: Many large companies and organizations use computer based resume scanning systems to make the initial cut. Some of these programs have difficulty reading bold and italicized fonts and flashy graphics. p37 There are three basic formats for resume preparation: chronological, functional, and combination. There is no magic or prescribed formula, each has its own advantages. The best advice is to choose a format that best portrays your skills and experience at a glance. Chronological Format Chronological resumes are the easiest to prepare and read, and the most commonly used. This format puts emphasis on past experience and employment, such as work experience, community service, relevant course work, special projects, student groups, and extra curricular activities. Information about your current or most recent position is listed first and then previous positions follow in reverse chronological order. Functional Format The functional format enables you to focus on skills and qualities that can be applied to a number of work situations. It is best suited when you want to deemphasize your employment record. You might choose this format if you have no work experience, have significant gaps in your employment record, have a pattern of short term jobs (subsequent to graduation from college), or have held several positions in which you have exercised the same skills. The functional format is often used by job seekers who are making a drastic career change and want to emphasize their transferable skills. The Combination Format As the name implies, the combination format merges elements of both the functional and chronological resume. It stresses skills and capabilities, but adds positions, employers, and dates. The main advantage is that it shows the potential employer where and when you gained the skills you are highlighting. If you have a stable employment record, it is important to include a job history to help remove some of the suspicions that often rise in the minds of employers reading functional resumes. Drop-In Counseling Drop-In Counseling is a great opportunity to meet one-onone with a career counselor for fifteen minutes without a prior appointment and is the first step in the counseling process. This counseling session can address many of your needs, including a resume or cover letter critique. It will also determine your need for further counseling. Please check the schedule for daily changes prior to stopping by. Go to career.ucla.edu/DropInCounseling.

Looking for high-impact, core job search strategies offered in a fast-paced three-hour time slot? Then you need *Job Search JumpStart! Receive expert instruction and guidance on your job search strategies, resume and correspondence, and interviewing skills. Maximize your use of the Career Center resources and services to jumpstart your job search and gain the winning edge! Register today at career.ucla.edu/JumpStart

Fall 2010 Thursday, September 23, 4-8pm Law (Session Full) Career Center, 3rd Floor, Conf. Rm. Wednesday, September 29, 4-7pm Prep for Fall Recruiting Career Center, 3rd Floor, Conf. Rm. Monday, October 4, 4-7pm Consulting Career Center, 3rd Floor, Conf. Rm. Thursday, October 7, 4-7pm Prep for Fall Recruiting Career Center, 3rd Floor, Conf. Rm. Wednesday, October 13, 4-7pm Econ / Finance / Accounting Career Center, 3rd Floor, Conf. Rm. Thursday, October 21, 4-7pm Corporate Leadership Career Center, 3rd Floor, Conf. Rm.

Winter 2011 Tuesday, January 11, 4-7pm Internship Search Career Center, 3rd Floor, Conf. Rm. Thursday, January 20, 4-7pm Technology / Engineering / Consulting Career Center, 3rd Floor, Conf. Rm. Tuesday, February 8, 4-7pm Entertainment Career Center, 3rd Floor, Conf. Rm. Thursday, February 10, 4-7pm Dentistry Career Center, 3rd Floor, Conf. Rm. Wednesday, February 23, 4-7pm Nursing Career Center, 3rd Floor, Conf. Rm. Tuesday, March 1, 4-7pm Optometry Career Center, 3rd Floor, Conf. Rm.

Spring 2011 Wednesday, April 6, 4-7pm Pharmacy Career Center, 3rd Floor, Conf. Rm. Tuesday, April 12, 4-7pm Post Bac / Gap Year Career Center, 3rd Floor, Conf. Rm. Thursday, April 14, 4-7pm Public Health Career Center, 3rd Floor, Conf. Rm. Wednesday, May 11, 4-7pm Marketing / PR / Advertising Career Center, 3rd Floor, Conf. Rm. Tuesday, May 17, 4-7pm MBA Career Center, 3rd Floor, Conf. Rm. Tuesday, May 24, 4-8pm Medicine Career Center, 3rd Floor, Conf. Rm.

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Power Verbs That Enhance Your Resume Accelerated Accommodated Accomplished Acquired Acted Activated Added Addressed Adjusted Administered Admitted Advanced Aided Alleviated Allocated Allowed Altered Ameliorated Amended Appointed Apportioned Appraised Apprised Approved Approximated Arbitrated Arranged Ascertained Assembled Assessed Assigned Attained Attested Audited Augmented Authorized Balanced Bolstered Boosted Brainstormed Budgeted Calculated Catalogued Centralized Certified Chaired Charted Clarified Classified Coached Collaborated Collected Commissioned Committed Communicated Compared Compiled Completed Composed Computed Conceptualized Concluded Confirmed Consented Consolidated Constructed Contracted Contributed Controlled Converted Cooperated Correlated Corresponded Critiqued Customized Debugged Decided Deciphered Dedicated Delegated Deliberated Delivered Demonstrated Designated Designed Determined Devaluated Developed Devised Diagnosed Directed Disbursed Dispatched Displayed Drafted Eased Eclipsed Edited Educated Elevated Elicited Employed Empowered Enabled Encouraged Endorsed Engineered Enhanced Enlarged Enlisted Enriched Enumerated Envisioned Equipped Established Estimated Evaluated Examined Excelled Executed Exercised Expanded Expedited Explained Extended Extracted Fabricated Facilitated Familiarized Fashioned Figured Finalized Forecasted Formulated Fostered Founded Fulfilled Generated Grew Guaranteed Guided Handled Hired Identified Illustrated Implemented Improved Improvised Increased Indexed Indicated Inferred Influenced Informed Initiated Innovated Inspected Inspired Instituted Instructed Integrated Interceded Interpreted Interviewed Introduced Invented Investigated Involved Issued Judged Justified Launched Lectured Led Licensed Lightened Linked Maintained Managed Marketed Measured Mediated Minimized Mobilized Modeled Moderated Modernized Modified Monitored Motivated Multiplied Negotiated Officiated Operated Orchestrated Organized Originated Overhauled Performed Persuaded Pioneered Planned Polished Prepared p39 Prescribed Prioritized Processed Procured Produced Programmed Projected Promoted Publicized Purchased Queried Questioned Raised Rated Realized Recommended Reconciled Recorded Recruited Rectified Reduced (losses) Refined Referred Reformed Regarded Regulated Rehabilitated Reinforced Rejuvenated Related Relieved Remedied Remodeled Repaired Reported Represented Researched Reserved Resolved (problems) Restored Retrieved Revamped Reviewed Revised Revitalized Revived Sanctioned Satisfied Scheduled Screened Scrutinized Secured Served Set goals Settled Shaped Smoothed Sold Solicited Solved Sought Spearheaded Specified Spoke Stimulated Streamlined Strengthened Studied Submitted Substantiated Suggested Summarized Supervised Supplemented Surveyed Sustained Synthesized Systematized Tabulated Tailored Taught Traced Trained Transacted Transformed Translated Transmitted Updated Upgraded Validated Valued Verified Visualized Wrote

Action Verbs by Functional Skill Area COMMUNICATION Aided Arbitrated Advised Clarified Consulted Co-authored Collaborated Coordinated Counseled Defined Enlisted Formulated Influenced Informed Inspired Interpreted Interviewed Mediated Merged Negotiated Promoted Publicized Recommended Represented Resolved Suggested ORGANIZING Achieved Assigned Consulted Contracted Controlled Coordinated Decided Delegated Developed Established Evaluated Negotiated Organized Planned Prepared Prioritized Produced Recommended Reported CREATIVE Active Abstracted Adapted Composed Conceptualized Created Designed Developed Directed Drew Fashioned Generated Illustrated Imagined Improvised Integrated Innovated Painted Performed Planned Problem solved Shaped Synthesized Visualized Wrote DETAIL ORIENTED Analyzed Approved Arrange Classified Collated Compared Compiled Documented Enforced Followed through Met deadlines Prepared Processed Recorded Retrieved Set priorities Systemized Tabulated FINANCIAL Administered Allocated Analyzed Appraised Audited Budgeted Calculated Computed Developed Evaluated Figured Maintained Managed Performed Planned Projected MANUAL SKILLS Arranged Assembled Bound Built Checked Classified Constructed Controlled Cut Designed Developed Drove Handled Installed Invented Maintained Monitored Prepared Operated Repaired Tested PROVIDING SERVICE Advised Attended Cared Coached Coordinated Counseled Demonstrated Explained Furnished Generated Inspected Installed Issued Mentored Delivered Referred Repaired Provided Purchased Submitted

LEADERSHIP Administered Chaired Convinced Directed Examined Executed Expanded Facilitated Improved Initiated Managed Oversaw Produced Recommended Reviewed Supervised

RESEARCH/INVESTIGATION Calculated Cataloged Collected Computed Conducted Correlated Critiqued Diagnosed Discovered Examined Experimented Extrapolated Evaluated Gathered Identified Inspected Investigated Monitored Proved Reviewed Surveyed Tested p40

TECHNICAL Assembled Built Calculated Computed Designed Engineered Fabricated Maintained Operated Programmed Remodeled Repaired Solved

TEACHING SKILLS Adapted Advised Clarified Coached Developed Evaluated Encouraged Informed Inspired Motivated Represented Participated Provided Supported Taught Trained Verified

Template of Chronological Resume FIRST NAME MI. LAST NAME

Mailing Address, City, State, Zip Code (Area) Phone Number OBJECTIVE: Briefly and succinctly, state the type of job and the industry you prefer. EDUCATION: University of California, Los Angeles* BA/BS, Major Field of Study Expected June 201X GPA: (list if 3.0 or above) * If your Major Field of Study is closely related to your objective, place that above University of California, Los Angeles and bold it (in that case do not bold UCLA). Include amplifying remarks that may strengthen your competitiveness. You may mention courses, independent studies, significant work commitments, scholarship, etc. { * } SKILLS: * Preface your skills title with an industry specific title such as MARKETING SKILLS. Summarize any industry-related experience, technical, language, communication, or transferable skills that you possess. { * } EXPERIENCE: * Preface your experience title with an industry-specific title such as SALES EXPERIENCE. Position Title (Most recent first) FIRM/AGENCY, City, State Accomplishment Bullets. Avoid literal descriptions of duties and tasks. Create bullet points that demonstrate your skills through results and accomplishments. Try to generate three or more bullets for each position in this section. LEADERSHIP EXPERIENCE: Position Title (Most recent first) CLUB/AGENCY, City, State Accomplishment Bullets. Avoid literal descriptions of duties and tasks. Create bullet points that demonstrate your skills through results and accomplishments. Try to generate three or more bullets for each position in this section. If you have any leadership experience whether elected, or appointed describe it as if it were a job. Employers come to UCLA to recruit the future leaders of their company. Give yourself an appropriate title and follow the format suggested above. RELATED EXPERIENCE: If you have room and have substantive accomplishment bullets, you may list as indicated above. If you lack space or accomplishment bullets, you may simply want to list the position title, firm or agency, and dates. ACTIVITIES AND HONORS: List any academic or other honors that you have earned, community activities, and organizational activities that were not substantive enough to be listed under Leadership Experience. p41 Email Address

Dates

Dates

Example of Chronological Resume

MASAKO BRUIN
405 Hilgard Avenue, Los Angeles, CA 90024, (310) 825-4321 OBJECTIVE: A management trainee position in retail merchandising. EDUCATION: University of California, Los Angeles Bachelor of Arts in English GPA: 3.46 Coursework includes: Elementary Accounting, Business Law, Economic Principals, Statistics, Research Methods, Business Writing, and an independent research project. SKILLS: Proficient in Microsoft Word, Excel, Powerpoint, Outlook, and Access. Familiar with Mac systems. Fluent in Spanish. Conversational Japanese. EXPERIENCE: Assistant Manager SANDS FURNITURE, Santa Monica, California Joined firm as sales associate; rapidly promoted to Assistant Manager. Scheduled and supervised a staff of seven employees. Increased sales volume by 25% in six months time. Program Coordinator ASIAN EDUCATION PROJECT, UCLA Began as volunteer; selected for promotion to Program Coordinator. Trained 15 new volunteers to work with at-risk elementary school children. Wrote, compiled and edited a twenty page manual for training volunteers. Expanded the program to include five additional elementary schools. Office Assistant THOMAS TEMPORARIES, INC., Sherman Oaks, California Provided clerical support for several large corporate offices and law firms. Enhanced administrative skills and became proficient in the use of computers. Received several offers for permanent employment based on excellent performance. HONORS & ACTIVITIES: Deans List Program Director, UCLA Business Investment Society Contributing Writer, Pacific Ties, UCLA (student special interest newspaper) Mbruin@ucla.net

Expected June 2011

2008 - Present

2006 - 2008

2006 - 2008

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Example of Targeted Chronological Resume

MASAKO BRUIN
405 Hilgard Avenue, Los Angeles, CA 90024, (310) 825-4321 Mbruin@ucla.net

CAREER OBJECTIVE: An entry-level position on a newspaper editorial staff. EDUCATION: Bachelor of Arts in English UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA, LOS ANGELES GPA: 3.46 Independent Research Project: Wrote a 40 page report on Latino influences on mainstream popular American culture. Researched current periodicals covering cultural, educational, economic and social issues. SKILLS: Proficient in Microsoft Word, Powerpoint, Adobe Photoshop, Web Design, and Blogging. Bilingual Spanish/English (oral and written translation). Conversational Japanese. WRITING EXPERIENCE: Contributing Writer PACIFIC TIES, UCLA Authored articles targeting Asian American issues for special interest newspaper. Researched community issues and interviewed prominent community leaders. Program Coordinator/Editor ASIAN EDUCATION PROJECT, UCLA Compiled and edited a 20 page training manual for volunteers. Expanded program to include five additional elementary schools. Recruited and trained volunteers to work with at-risk elementary school children. RELATED EXPERIENCE: Assistant Manager SANDS FURNITURE, Santa Monica, California Joined firm as sales associate; rapidly promoted to assistant manager. Created ad copy and developed other promotional materials. Composed a wide variety of business correspondence. Office Assistant THOMAS TEMPORARIES, INC., Sherman Oaks, California Enhanced administrative skills and became proficient in the use of computers. Received four offers for permanent employment based on excellent performance.

Expected June 2011

2006 - 2008

2006 - 2008

2009 - Present

2006 - 2008

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Example of Business Resume BENJAMIN BRUIN

3330 De Neve Dr, Room #C5-315 Los Angeles, CA 90024 (310) 555-5555 bbruin@ucla.net EDUCATION University of California Los Angeles | Los Angeles, CA B. A. Business Economics Expected June 2011 Accounting Minor; Specialization in Computing Cumulative GPA: 3.90; Major GPA: 3.96; SAT: 2310 Relevant Coursework: Finance, Managerial Accounting, Computer Science, Statistics, International Trade National Champion DECA Business Plan Competition (2008) UCLA Travel Study | London, England Studied International Business Law & Taxation within the European Union Summer 2008

PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE Jefferies & Company, Inc. | Century City, CA Wealth Management Intern Summer 2009 Assisted Managing Director in creating performance reports and asset allocation proposals Identified new opportunities to realize capital gains and maintain credit quality, coupon rate, and maturity Prepared marketing materials and PowerPoint presentation for prospective corporate account Beacon Economics | Los Angeles, CA Intern Spring 2009 Conducted literature reviews and gathered data analyzing shortage of future Allied Healthcare workers Created written reports and presentations to assist in gaining media coverage of recent research findings UCLA Daily Bruin | Los Angeles, CA Account Executive March 2007- December 2008 Implemented innovative marketing strategies to develop stronger partnerships with potential clients Generated 20 new clients and over $15,000 in sales within the first three months of employment Collaborated with a team of 10 representatives to exceed Student Medias annual revenue goal of $900,000

LEADERSHIP AND CAMPUS INVOLVEMENT UCLA Bruin Consulting| Los Angeles, CA January 2010 - Present Finance and Outreach Director Collaborate with a 9-person board to implement over 7 quarterly professional events for 450+ members Planned and hosted UCLAs largest annual Consulting Fair with 20+ firms and 250+ attendees Developed innovative marketing campaign that increased event attendance by 70% UCLA Undergraduate Business Society | Los Angeles, CA Fall 2009 Investment Banking Workshop Participant Selected to participated in a 6-week intensive workshop series on valuation techniques, merger & acquisition models, restructuring and market/industry trends led by top investment banking firms Strategy & Operations Healthcare Case Competition April 2009 Led a team of 4 to develop strategic and operational recommendations for new market entry Created strategic plan for partnership with a major pharmaceutical corporation to gain advanced sales and marketing workforce

HIGHLIGHTS Computer: Experienced in Excel, PowerPoint, Word; Adobe InDesign, Photoshop; basic C++ Language : Intermediate Fluency in Spanish; Conversational Farsi Interests: Classical piano, camping in the Sierras, scuba diving, Sudoku

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Example of Economics Major Resume JESSICA BRUIN

501 Westwood Plaza, Los Angeles, California 90095 (310) 206-1931 jjbruin@ucla.net EDUCATION UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA, LOS ANGELES Los Angeles, CA Bachelor of Arts, Business Economics Expected June 2012 Minor in Accounting Cumulative GPA: 3.76 Relevant Coursework: Macroeconomic Theory, Microeconomic Theory, Principles of Accounting, Intermediate Accounting, Management Accounting, Tax Principles and Policy, Principles of Economics Honors: 2010 William Sharpe Fellow; UCLA Deans List Activities: Undergraduate Business Society; Delta Sigma Pi; Beta Alpha Psi EXPERIENCE MORGAN STANLEY Los Angeles, CA Wealth Management Intern Summer 2010 Generated 20+ leads for a private wealth management group with over $250 million in client assets Investigated new prospects and created comprehensive call lists of real estate prospects Developed a strong professional network while perfecting effective communication skills HIGHER SALES TRAINING COURSE Los Angeles, CA Sales Trainee Fall 2009 Selected to participate in two day sales training course held by Accelerate Performance Sales Consulting Received certification for completion of intensive training in telephone, face to face consultative sales skills Conducted case study as an account executive selling sponsorships to corporate partners LEADERSHIP DELTA SIGMA PI, UCLA Los Angeles, CA Vice President Fall 2009- Spring 2010 Compiled and created Annual Business Report and submitted final copy to the National Chapter Managed financial statements, recorded activities, and contacted employers to support organizations efforts PRICEWATERHOUSE COOPERS CASE COMPETITION Los Angeles, CA Tax Project November 2009 Developed an effective healthcare reform proposal and presentation for a small fictitious company Collaborated with a team of 5 to brainstorming ideas, adjusting ideas to make ideas more concise and relevant GIRL SCOUTS OF AMERICA Gold Award Recipient April 2007 Dedicated over 100 hours to plan and execute a community-wide book drive generating 1,240 books for a library in Botswana Developed curriculum about Botswana and Africa and taught the material to elementary school students COMMUNITY INVOLVEMENT UCLA Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) Income Tax Preparer Volunteer with low-income residents to help them meet federal and state tax regulations Assist in filling out 1040 Individual Tax forms and answering client questions regarding tax forms SKILLS Computer: Proficient in Microsoft Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and Adobe Photoshop Language: Fluent in conversational Mandarin

Los Angeles, CA Fall 2009 - Present

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Example of Teaching Resume

JAMES BRUIN
501 Westwood Plaza, Los Angeles, CA, 90095 310-555-5555 bruin@ucla.net

EDUCATION University of California, Los Angeles Bachelor of Arts, Sociology Expected June 2011 GPA: 3.3 Awarded the Chancellors Service Award Relevant Coursework: Child Development, Social Psychology of Higher Education, Understanding Gifted Students, and Academic Success in your Undergraduate Experience

TEACHING EXPERIENCE Project Literacy, UCLA Travel once per week, four hours per week, to tutor a 4th grade student in Watts Assist the student in developing personal learning strategies Review homework, create flashcards, and engage the student in the learning process Consult with teachers and parents regarding student progress and attendance

Sept. 2008-present

Undergraduate Section Leader, UCLA Sept. 2009-Dec 2009 Led section of 15-students through discussion of course material and review for midterm. Utilized learning theories to create interactive lessons and student-run discussion Assisted students in selecting and writing a 20-page research paper Oversaw the development of a training manual for future section leaders Academics in the Commons Workshop Leader, UCLA Sept. 2008-June 2009 Trained to provide educational workshops to fellow undergraduates Presented 4 workshops per quarter, on topics including: Preparing for Law School, Transfer Adjustment, and Study Skills Utilized technology to engage students through visual and interactive learning Swim Instructor/Lifeguard Summer of 2007, 2008 Taught 30-minute swim lessons to students, ranging from 2 years old to adults Presented safety workshops to educate the students on issues including: pool safety, community health, and handling emergency situations Evaluated mastery of techniques for advancement to the next skill level

LEADERSHIP EXPERIENCE Resident Assistant, UCLA Sept 2007-present Assisted with the high school to college transition for 90 first-year students Facilitated roommate contracts and effectively handled counseling situations Created 7 active and passive programs per quarter on academics, personal growth, citizenship and community development Awarded Hall of Fame programming award for canned food drive Served as part of a rotating duty team enforcing on-campus housing policy.

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Example of Functional Resume with Limited Paid Experience

ANDY BRUIN
405 Hilgard Avenue, Los Angeles, CA 90095 (310) 825-4321 abruin@ucla.net

OBJECTIVE A cooperative education position or internship in the computer industry. EDUCATION Computing specialization, Bachelor of Arts, Economics University of California, Los Angeles Mathematics, Associate of Science Fresno City College Coursework includes: Systems Programming, Computer Architecture, Operating Systems, Modeling, Network Fundamentals, Programming Languages, Compiler Construction, Artificial Intelligence, Algorithms & Complexity, and related mathematics courses. COMPUTER SKILLS Technical Programming Languages: HTML, XML, ASP, Visual Basic, PHP, Java, JavaScript, C++, Visual FoxPro Operating Systems & Environments: Windows 7, Windows XP, Windows Server 2008, Linux, Solaris, UNIX Application Software: Microsoft Office 2007 and 2003 (Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Access, Outlook), Adobe Creative Suite Web Premium (Photoshop, Illustrator, Flash Professional, Dreamweaver, Fireworks, Version Cue, Bridge, Stock Photos, Device Central), Adobe Acrobat 9.0 Professional Programming: Designed purchasing system for a Novell Network using FoxPro language. Produced computerized chess game using artificial intelligence problem solving. Designed own homepage using HTML, XML, Java. Research Participated in research project involving heuristic search algorithms. Prepared written reports of research projects.

Expected December 2010

June 2009

ACTIVITIES/HONORS Computer Science Students Association, UCLA Webmasters Student Group, UCLA UC Regents Scholars, UCLA National Association of Collegiate Scholars (NACS), UCLA Transfer Student Association, UCLA

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Example of Combination Resume for Substantial Experience in One Industry JAIME BRUIN
200 Oso Drive, Los Angeles, California, 90095 (310) 825-4321 jamie@ucla.net ACCOMPLISHMENTS Designated Sales Person of the Year three years in a row. Achieved a 57% increase in sales volume within first year as manager. Recommended a new product line that resulted in $3.5 million dollar increase in business. Designed system for inventory control that resulted in 30% reduction in merchandise loss.

MARKETING SKILLS Sales Promotion: Prepared and supervised sales promotion projects for major business organizations. Created newspaper, radio, and television advertising campaigns for new product lines. Represented company at trade association meetings to promote products and services. Management: Recruited, trained, and supervised local and regional sales staff. Developed and implemented sales training and development programs. Assigned territories, established quotas, and supervised achievement of goals. Market Research: Organized and directed market research projects to determine customer needs. Prepared sales forecasts; recommended product design, pricing and distribution. Composed detailed reports of survey results for corporate management team. ADDITIONAL SKILLS MS Word, Excel, Indesign, Photoshop, Illustrator, Quark XPress, LINUX, Windows Bilingual Spanish/English

Computer: Language:

RELEVANT EXPERIENCE Director of Marketing & Sales ImageNet USA Communications, Montebello, CA Assistant Sales Manager True Gear Clothing Company, Los Angeles, CA Account Executive Weber-Ubick Engineering Company, Ceres, CA PROFESSIONAL ASSOCIATIONS Latino Business Association, Information Technology, Chairperson, Los Angeles Latino Business Student Association, Founder, Alumnus, UCLA EDUCATION University of California, Los Angeles Bachelor of Arts, Political Science

2007 - Present

2005 - 2007

2003 - 2005

2008

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The Technical Resume

Although the technical resume uses one of the traditional formats (chronological, functional, or combination), there are some nuances in the content and presentation. Individuals targeting positions in information technology, engineering, or consulting should consider using this approach. Some subsections that may be viable are Technical Skills, Projects, or Relevant Coursework. Include all paid and unpaid experiences, projects, or hobbies that relate to the industry that you are targeting. Include operating systems, hardware platforms, environments, programming languages, software applications, communication protocols, databases, etc., of which you are knowledgeable. Remember to use buzz words that would catch the eye of the employer or scanning programs. However, do not misrepresent your skills by including skills with which you are not familiar. List relevant coursework or projects that emphasize your technical skills, knowledge, and experience. List coursework by title, e.g., Logic Design rather than by course number. Summarize your technical skills and knowledge in an itemized fashion (e.g., a bulleted format) and prioritize them by your proficiency using them. Quantify your experience whenever possible. Cite numerical figures, percentages of efficiency improvement, lines of code written or debugged, numbers of machines supported, etc. If appropriate, also include accomplishments achieved in coursework, student activities, etc. Include your GPA if its 3.0 or higher. Many technical companies assume that if your GPA is not listed, it is below 3.0. You can list your overall, major, or upper division coursework. Use simple, traditional fonts and avoid heavy use of italics and underlining. Usually, a one page resume is adequate for an undergraduate level of accomplishment. If your resume has more than one page, your name and page number should be on all successive pages. Do not be modest. This is the time to market yourself in an honest way. Make sure you are highlighting your strengths and qualifications.

The Scannable Resume

Many companies today use software that scans resumes looking for specific keywords or phrases that match the job opening. By using this method, the company can quickly match qualified job seekers with positions. Keywords and Nouns You can improve your odds of winning an interview by filling your electronic resume with keywords (most keywords are nouns). Use nouns that state specific job functions, skills or responsibilities, such as marketing, competitive analysis, sales quota, TQM (Total Quality Management), Spanish, and specific computer software youre proficient in using. Get noun ideas by reading job descriptions. Note nouns used by firms on your prospect list. If responding to a specific job opening, try to use as many keywords as possible from the job description. Forget the admonition about not using jargon and buzz words. Include terminology from your profession or industry. Scannable Resume Tips Choose a simple font such as Arial, Times New Roman, or Helvetica in size 10 to 12 points. Keep it simple. Avoid complicated layouts, graphics and shading. Use all caps for major headings, and avoid overusing bold, italics, or underlining. Use a laser printer or high quality inkjet. Scanners are not good at reading dot-matrix text. Print on white or very light color paper. Always include a cover letter to supplement your resume. Try not to bend, staple, or fold your resume. Mail it flat in a large envelope. For more information, refer to Electronic Resume Revolution by Joyce Lain Kennedy and Thomas J. Morrow, available at the Career Center Library / Lab and most bookstores. p49

Online Workshops are available career.ucla.edu/OnlineWorkshops

for

you

at

Resume Writing Resume Critique Service Career Fair Preparation Interview Workshop

Template of Technical Reverse Chronological Resume

FIRST NAME MI LAST NAME

Mailing Address, City, State, Zip Code, (Area) Phone Number Email Address OBJECTIVE Concise statement of position and desired status (Internship, entry level position, full time, etc.) EDUCATION MA/MS, Major Field of Study BA/BS, Major Field of Study UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA, LOS ANGELES

Dates Dates

List education and certificate programs completed post high school. Include institution, degree, field of study, and graduation date. GPA should be listed if it is 3.0 or above. You may include course titles relevant to your career objective; prioritize by listing the most relevant first. TECHNICAL SKILLS List programming languages, operating systems, platforms, software, and hardware. Prioritize based on your proficiency. Remember to use buzz words that would catch the eye of the employer or scanning software. CAUTION: These become fair game for interview discussions, so include them only if you are knowledgeable or experienced with it avoid filler content. PROJECTS: List and describe class or personal projects that emphasize your technical skills, knowledge, and experience. EXPERIENCE: Position Title (Most recent first) FIRM/AGENCY, City, State Accomplishment Bullets (See the Generate an Accomplishments List exercise). Avoid simply listing duties and tasks describe how you made a difference. Try to generate three or more bullets for each position in this section. You may also include bulleted statements about your responsibilities, and functions. List applicable paid and unpaid work experience in reverse chronological order. Whenever possible, quantify your accomplishments and tasks. OTHER SECTIONS You may want to include one or more of the following: Skills or Qualifications Summary Leadership Activities Awards/Honors Publications Community Service Citizenship or Security Clearance (usually included only if required for position)

Dates

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Example of Technical Chronological Resume

JENNIFER BRUIN
405 Hilgard Avenue, Los Angeles, CA 90095 (310) 825-4321 OBJECTIVE: Full time electrical engineering position focused on integrated circuit design EDUCATION: BS, Electrical Engineering UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA, LOS ANGELES Major GPA 3.11 Coursework: Circuit Analysis Digital Design Semiconductor Device Design jenbruin@seas.ucla.net

Expected June 2011

Analog Circuits Laser Laboratory Integrated Circuit Components

ENGINEERING PROJECTS: Circuit Analysis Electrical Engineering Department, UCLA Worked on eight-bit ADC using successive approximation method in CMOS. Designed layout and performance analysis of D-FF using MNOS and CMO. Designed and conducted SPICE analysis of dual stage operational amplifiers. Digital Circuit Design Electrical Engineering Department, UCLA Designed, implemented, and debugged digital logic circuits. Programmed in AHDL in conjunction with the Altera 610 EPLD. EXPERIENCE: Engineering Intern Raytheon, El Segundo, CA Assisted with design of man-machine interface for system planning device. Tested integrated circuits. Obtained U. S. Industrial Secret Clearance. Project Manager Institute of Electrical and Electronic Engineers (IEEE), Student Chapter, UCLA Initiated pc-board electronics projects for members using a computer program to design pc-board layout and fabrication. Increased member base by 50% during recruitment campaign. Information System Coordinator Eta Kappa Nu, Electrical Engineering Honor Society, UCLA Maintained organizations website. Tutored members in C++, HTML, XML, and JAVA. ACTIVITIES: Society of Women Engineers (SWE), UCLA National Society of Black Engineers (NSBE), UCLA

2009

2008

Summer 2009

2007

2007 - Present

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Example of Pre-Health Resume DAVID E. BRUIN

100 Violet Avenue, Los Angeles, CA, 90019 (310) 851-XXXX DavidBruin@ucla.net EDUCATION: University of California, Los Angeles Bachelor of Science in Microbiology, Immunology, & Molecular Genetics Overall GPA: 3.56/Science GPA 3.64

Expected June 2011

RELEVANT COURSEWORK: Evolution, Ecology, and Biodiversity, Introduction to Molecular Biology, Genetics, General and Organic Chemistry Laboratory, Molecular Parasitology, Advanced Molecular Genetics

RESEARCH EXPERIENCE: Clinical Research Assistant, Cardiac Surgery, UCLA Medical Center Performed a review study of minimally invasive versus conventional heart valve surgery. Retrieved, studied, and evaluated patient charts for left anterior descending coronary artery endarterectomy clinical outcome study and performed patient follow ups. Research Assistant, Pathology, L.A. County-USC Medical Center

June-July 2009

March 2009-May 2010

Collected and analyzed heart dimension measurements, stained tissues, performed photo imaging; analyzed proteasome, transcription factor, and myocyte activity. Honors Thesis Presentation, April 2008: "Effect of a Proteasome Inhibitor on Reperfusion Injury of the Myocardium Using a Pig Myocardial Infarction Model" (publication). Clinical Research Assistant, Cardiac Laboratory, UCLA Medical Center June 2008-April 2010 Worked on clinical study correlating link between mast cells and coronary artery disease (one publication, three manuscripts in preparation). Consented patients, collected samples, analyzed data, observed procedures and consults. Clinical Research Assistant, Emergency Room, UCLA Medical Center Shadowed emergency room physicians. Collected and analyzed data of troponin measurements for clinical study on myocardial infraction patients. December 2008

CLINICAL EXPERIENCE: CARE Corps Volunteer, Ayacucho, Peru June 2008-July 2009 Health Mission Volunteer, Peruvian American Medical Society, Ayacucho Regional Hospital Assisted physicians from the United Stated and Peru in healthcare facilities (i.e., emergency and family medicine, pediatrics, surgery, rural mountainside house calls). Observed healthcare professions give disease prevention presentations to high school students Administered fluoride treatment to grade school students. Clinical Assistant, Family Practice of Robert D. Kashman, MD, Sierra Madre, CA Shadowed and assisted physician and staff (i.e., administered flu shots, bandaging, x-rays). April 2008

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PRESENTATIONS: "Coronary Artery Disease and the Inflammatory Process," Pathology 134 Poster "Uniqueness of Zarathushtra's Vision and Its Impact," December 2009 7th World Zoroastrian Congress, Houston, TX "Mast Cell Tryptase Measurements during Cardiac Catheterization and the Effect of Heparin Administration," American Heart Association Poster Session, Chapel Hill, NC "Factors that Control the Habitats of May Flies in Western North Carolina," Appalachian State University, Boone, NC August 2008 August 2010

July 2008

PUBLICATIONS: B. Upadhya, J.L. Kontos, D. Bruin, J. Pye, W. Boucher, T.C. Theoharides, G.J. Dehmer, E.N. Deliargyris. Mast Cell Tryptase is Not Elevated in Patients with Left Ventricular Systolic Dysfunction. J Heart Fail 2006; 7(1): 72. Joseph Pye, David Bruin, Arlene McCain, Dwight D. Bellinger, Elizabeth Merricks, Julian Adams, Peter J. Elliott, Christine Pien, Thomas H. Fischer, Albert S. Baldwin, and Timothy C. Nichols. Proteasome Inhibition Ablates Activation of NF-kB Induced During Myocardial Reperfusion and Reduces Reperfusion Injury. Am J Physiol Heart Circ Physiol. November 7, 2006.

HONORS AND AWARDS: Phi Beta Kappa Honor Society Federation of Zoroastrian Associations of North American Academic Scholarship UCLA Undergraduate Research Support Award American Heart Association Student Research Award Dean's List Recognition

April 2010 April 2010 October 2009 April 2010

RELEVANT TRAINING: AIDS: Principles & Policies Problems in Health Education (Independent Project) Human Anatomy & Physiology UCLA Mini-Medical School: Health & Research Seminar Physical, Organic, Analytical, & Bio-Chemistry Statistics & Data Analysis Complementary & Alternative Medicine: Principles & Policies Clinical Lab Science-Medical Topics Genetics, Cellular, Developmental, & Molecular Biology Emergency Medical Technician-Basic

LANGUAGES: English & French - Bilingual

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Example of Pre-Law Resume AMANDA E. BRUIN

1029 South Landmark Ave., Los Angeles, CA, 90019 (323) 851-XXXX AmandaBruin@ucla.net EDUCATION: Bachelor of Arts in Political Science UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA, LOS ANGELES Major GPA: 3.46 Overall GPA: 3.59 Coursework includes: Principles of Thinking and Philosophy, Business Law, Labor Policy, International, Comparative and American Politics, Ethnic Studies, Community Development, Statistics, Grassroots Organizing, Macro Economics, and Calculus. Education Abroad Program UNIVERSITY OF CHIANG MAI, THAILAND As part of the Program, completed a 15-page independent research report on Thai student civic involvement, including community service and voting behaviors. LEGAL RELATED EXPERIENCE: Reebok International Ltd., Los Angeles, CA Legal Intern Conduct extensive web-based and conventional legal research for athletic apparel corporation. Develop concise legal advertising guidelines for marketing department on use of certain descriptive terms. Prepare presentations for supervisor on legal aspects of Internet privacy and intellectual property. Areas of legal research also included employment, sales, and contracts. ADDITIONAL EXPERIENCE: American Red Cross, Long Beach, CA Summer Youth Services Coordinator Joined organization as youth services staff; rapidly promoted to Lead Coordinator. Directed continual expansion of youth involvement in Red Cross health and disaster preparedness programs. Supervised and actively involved over 100 youth volunteers in programs and services. LEADERSHIP EXPERIENCE: UCLA Pre-Law Society: President and Treasurer Plan and supervise all Society events, which have included presentations by area attorneys, an LSAT preparation course forum, and informal discussions with UCLA Law School students. Collaborate with law school counselors to schedule information panels with various law schools. Create an alumni network that will aid Society members in choosing law schools and finding employment.

Expected June 2011

Summer 2010

September 2009-Present

Summer 2008

September 2008-Present

United Cambodian Students of UCLA: President September 2008-June 2009 Revitalized the morale of the organization by stressing individual needs and re-assessing the importance of members. Supervised a leadership board consisting of eight personnel and a membership comprised of 30 members. Drafted and administered the addition of a mentorship and internship program to UCS. p54

Example of Student Athlete Resume

Terry Bruin
12345 Hilgard Avenue, Los Angeles, CA 90095 tbruin@ucla.net (310) 555-5555 SUMMARY OF SKILLS: Exceptional time management, interpersonal, and team-building skills enhanced through four years of Division One Volleyball Competitions Maintained a solid academic record while honoring rigorous practice schedules and delivering community service Conversational ability: French Proficient in Microsoft Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and Outlook

EDUCATION: University of California, Los Angeles Bachelor of Arts in History

Expected June 2011

EXPERIENCE: Team Member, UCLA Womens Volleyball Team August 2006-Present Competed at the Division One level in one of the nations most recognized conferences Practiced up to 25 hours per week and traveled while handling a full course load and other related commitments Worked directly with coaches and team captain on strategy/team building exercises Served as a mentor to recruits and each freshman class

Volleyball Instructor, UCLA Volleyball Camps Summers, 2008, 2009 Taught communication and teamwork skills to children ages five through fourteen Developed weekly lesson plans and goals customized to various skill and learning levels Communicated with parents, students, and other coaches Promoted additional UCLA-sponsored clinics resulting in improved attendance and revenue for the UCLA Athletic Department

Server, Chilis Bar and Grill, Sacramento, CA June-August 2006 Provided excellent, friendly, customer service as noted in the positive evaluations from patrons Quickly learned complex order-entry system and trained new servers on the system Polished interpersonal skills and assisted with scheduling duties

HONORS AND ACTIVITIES: Two-time recipient of the Third Team All Pac 10 award Most Improved Freshman Player Award Community Service Participant in the ABC Orphanage of Los Angeles

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Example of Science / Biotechnology Resume Lindsay Bruin

100 Veteran Avenue Los Angeles, CA 90095 818-222-5555 bruin_lindsay@ucla.net OBJECTIVE: Seeking an entry level Manufacturing Associate or Quality Associate position in order to develop a foundation for an opportunity in project management or regulatory affairs. EDUCATION: UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA, LOS ANGELES Bachelor of Science, Molecular, Cellular, Developmental Biology Overall GPA: 3.6; Major GPA: 3.75 Coursework includes: Biochemistry, Organic / Inorganic Chemistry LAB TECHNIQUES / SKILLS: Assays Protein purification PCR Autoclave Gel electrophoresis Spectroscopy RELEVANT EXPERIENCE: AMGEN Supply Quality Management, Corporate Quality Quality Assurance Intern Responsible for non-compliance issues with suppliers Changed material specifications within a defined change control system Assessed material changes Updated company supplier database UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA, LOS ANGELES Department of Molecular, Cellular & Developmental Biology Lab Assistant Generated lab strains for projects (Bordetella strain with Tetracycline resistance) Assisted with lab projects under Post Docs (competition assays) Mini-prepped plasmid samples with micro centrifuge protocol using micro columns or phenol/chloroform precipitation Disposed biological and hazardous waste Cleaned and sterilized equipment / stock solutions Maintained sterile supplies in lab UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA, LOS ANGELES Chemistry Department Lab Assistant / Clerk Cleaned toxic spills (mercury) and disposed waste (organic solvents, acids and bases) and maintained equipment Prepared stock solutions and prepared labs for use Stocked commonly used chemicals Maintained NMR functionality ACTIVITIES: UCLA Rock Wall Climbing Instructor Supervise climbers safety in gym and teach belaying technique courses for new climbers p56

Los Angeles, CA Expected June 2011

Thousand Oaks, CA June 2010 - present

Los Angeles, CA May 2009 June 2010

Los Angeles, CA August 2008 May 2009

Los Angeles, CA September 2007-present

Example of First Year Student Resume

Fletcher Bruin
Fletcher Bruin 501 Westwood Plaza Los Angeles, CA 90095 310-555-5555 fbruin@ucla.net

EDUCATION: University of California, Los Angeles Bachelors Degree in Progress

Expected June 2014

LEADERSHIP EXPERIENCE: Assistant Social Chair Third Floor-Sproul Residential Hall, Los Angeles, CA September 2010-Present Coordinate team-building activities for residential community of 50 students. Collaborate with a four-member leadership team and participate in bi-weekly meetings. Brainstorm creative ideas and execute implementation of those ideas. Develop promotional campaigns resulting in 25% increase in fall quarter program attendance. Assignment Editor Thomas Jefferson High School Warrior Press, Oakland, CA Oversaw staff of six for award-winning student newspaper. Assigned topics and reviewed content and submissions. Researched news stories and organized weekly meetings.

September 2009-June 2010

CUSTOMER SERVICE EXPERIENCE: Hostess Steve Fishers Steak and Eggs, Berkeley, CA June 2009-September 2009 Provided quality customer service in a fast-paced, high-volume establishment. Collaborated with serving staff and participated in team-building trainings. Resolved customer complaints and polished multi-tasking capabilities. Recognized by management team for promptness and perfect attendance.

COMMUNITY OUTREACH EXPERIENCE: Volunteer Rosemary Meadows Senior Center, Richmond, CA Led 25 residents in weekly creative art projects. Kept detailed records of attendance for Gold Star Program.

January 2009-June 2009

MEMBERSHIP: UCLA Undergraduate Business Society

September 2010-Present

SKILLS: Proficient in Microsoft Office. Experience with Photoshop and Dreamweaver. Type over 70 wpm.

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Career Correspondence
Should you write a letter, call, or send an email? Theres no single, correct answer. How you get in touch and what you decide to say depends on the circumstances. If you ask yourself, Whats most appropriate? you probably wont go wrong with your decision. Current and popular ways to correspond with potential employers include the cover letter, the telephone, the letter of inquiry, and email. Each has distinct advantages. Sometimes the choice is obvious; other times its not so clear cut. If there is ever any doubt as to which method would be most appropriate, select the cover letter or the letter of inquiry. Here are some situations to consider: A job listing may state, No phone calls, please, which immediately narrows your choices. The culture or nature of the industry. Email has become a way of life in many corporations. On the other hand, a letter may be more appropriate when corresponding with someone in a conservative business environment. The closeness of your relationship with the contact. You may decide to email a recruiter that you hit it off with at a career fair and send formal cover letters to the rest. Or you may feel comfortable picking up the phone to follow up with an individual you recently met. The Telephone A phone call may be a good choice once youve established contact with the individual or organization. Be cautious: many busy prospective employers are turned off by unsolicited phone calls. Begin by asking if this is a good time to talk. If not, ask for a specific time to call back. Introduce yourself. Get to the point quickly. Have specific questions or topics in mind just in case the conversation takes off so you appear motivated and organized. Always act and sound professional. Make sure you dont appear indifferent, overconfident, or lazy. It is always a great idea to draft a tentative outline of what you would like to cover in your conversation. Email Message While some employers accept resumes by email, many prefer that candidates apply through their online application process. Please keep in mind that the way your application looks on your computer might not be the way the employer views it, if you are asked to apply online. p58

To help assure your communication arrives at its destination in the same format that you sent it, you may insert your resume as an attachment and copy and paste your resume into the body of your email message. You may also want to follow up with a hard copy by mail to ensure that your resume reaches the potential employer in the correct format. If you doubt the potential success of sending career correspondence via email, choose another method. Types of Correspondence The Letter of Inquiry The purpose of the letter of inquiry is very similar to that of the cover letter. The main difference between the two is that a letter of inquiry is a request to obtain information about possible openings or career paths within a company, while the cover letter is sent in response to an actual posted opening or opportunity. A letter of inquiry usually begins with expressing your interest in the company. Heres an example: Dear ________, I read your companys description in Forbes magazine and would like to inquire about employment opportunities in your consultant training program. I am extremely interested in the health care consulting field and read that your company is one of the fastest growing in the industry. The body of the letter of inquiry follows the cover letter goals and rules as outlined on the following pages.

The Cover Letter

In most cases, a cover letter should accompany each resume and/or application. It lets you go in depth to support what you mentioned in your resume. As important as it is, a cover letter has a life expectancy of only about eight seconds, but in that short amount of time, it must achieve certain goals. Goals of the Cover Letter To quickly and clearly point out your skills, knowledge, and track record. To explain how these credentials can make a tangible contribution to a prospective employer. To persuade the reader to continue on to your resume with positive expectations. Sources for Additional Assistance - Personalized cover letter critiques by a career counselor are available on a drop-in basis Monday through Friday at the Career Center. For more information: career.ucla.edu/DropInCounseling.

The Career Center offers Job Search JumpStart sessions for currently enrolled UCLA students where correspondence guidelines are discussed (as well as expert instruction and guidance on job search strategies, resume tips, and interviewing skills). Register online: career.ucla.edu/JumpStart. Rules for Cover Letters Target your message. Relate your skills and experience to a specific position in a specific organization. Spotlight your accomplishments and measurable results. Show how your credentials match the requirements of the job. Incorporate information that reflects your knowledge of the company, its industry, and relevant issues. Editorialize the accomplishments cited in your resume. Expand on the information in your resume, dont repeat it. Focus on what you have to offer. Describe how your skills, expertise, and accomplishments can benefit the employer. Follow standard business protocol. Write clearly and concisely, and check your letter for spelling and grammar. Use the same font and paper that you used for your resume. Print your letter using a laser printer for better quality. Send your letter to a specific individual. Ideally, the letter should be addressed to the person who is likely to make employment decisions. It may take some resourcefulness on your part to identify this person, but the letter will probably be better received. Make sure you have the correct spelling of their name and title before mailing. If you cannot find the name of the person the letter is addressed to, you may use To Whom it May Concern or Good Morning. Dont forget to sign your letter. The Thank You Letter Information regarding the thank you letter and a sample can be found in Chapter 8: Successful Interviewing. Career Center Library / Lab Resources The Adams Cover Letter Almanac Cover Letters That Knock Em Dead The Perfect Cover Letter Gallery of Best Cover Letters Perfect Phrases for Cover Letters past Looking for high-impact, core job search strategies offered in a fast-paced three-hour time slot? Then you need Job Search JumpStart! Receive expert instruction and guidance on your job search strategies, resume and correspondence, and interviewing skills. Maximize your use of the Career Center resources and services to Jump Start your job search and gain the winning edge! Get all the job advice you need in one place at one time. Beat the competition with these crucial tips. Make the most out of the little time you have. Invest in yourself by registering for one of these powerful "Job Search JumpStart" sessions and you will reap great dividends as a prepared and informed job seeker. Professional advice from our career experts is waiting just for you. And remember, the Job Search JumpStart series is not open to the public -- it is available exclusively for currently registered UCLA students. Look for a list of general and targeted sessions this year, including: Law (Session Full) Consulting Corporate Leadership Technology, Engineering, Consulting Nursing Pharmacy Public Health MBA Prep for Fall Recruiting Econ / Finance / Accounting Internship Search Entertainment Dentistry Optometry Post Bac, Gap Year Marketing, PR, Advertising Medicine

Go to career.ucla.edu/JumpStart for the updated schedule and online registration process. Only $20 per session charged to your BAR account.

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Template of Cover Letter

Your Name Address, City, State, Zip Code Phone number, Email

Date

Name of Contact Title Name of Organization Address City, State Zip Code

Dear ________________,

INTRODUCTION: State the position or type of work for which you are applying. Identify how you heard of the position (e.g., UCLA Career Center or through a business contact/referral). Briefly (in one or two sentences) introduce yourself and explain your interest in the job and something about the company that attracts you (will show your ambition, passion and interest). SELL YOURSELF: Expand on why youre qualified for the position. Highlight two or three major accomplishments that demonstrate your initiative, creativity, follow through, communication skills, and problem solving capabilities. Be sure to draw a connection between the needs of the current job opening and the skills you can bring to the job. Research the company and industry beforehand. This section can be either one or two paragraphs. ASK FOR AN INTERVIEW: Reemphasize your interest, politely thank the employer for their time, and request an interview.

Sincerely,

Sign your name here.

Your name typed

Enclosure: Resume

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Example of Cover Letter

Kahrear Scentor 406 Belmont Avenue #106 Springfield, CA 91108 (413) 737-2079, Kahrear@ucla.net

May 27, 2010

Mr. HR Human Resources Manager California Medical Group 8800 Wilshire Boulevard, 10th Floor Beverly Hills, CA 90210

Dear Mr. HR, I am applying for the Human Resources Representative position advertised in the May issue of the Human Resources Career Bulletin. I will graduate in June with a Bachelors degree in Psychology from the University of California, Los Angeles. The values of commitment, integrity, and dedication to everyone in regards to healthcare is something that is very important to me and Im excited about the prospect of working for California Medical Group who espouses those same values. Through my internship in the Human Resources department at Interprint, I acquired an excellent understanding of the responsibilities and expectations associated with working in this field. This knowledge, combined with my computer proficiency (in Windows, Excel, and Access) allow me to be extremely innovative and efficient. Additionally, I developed strong written and verbal communication skills through human resources activities such as drafting job postings, evaluations, and speaking to audiences of over 75 people. I believe that I could be a valuable asset to the California Medical Group. Please contact me at your earliest convenience so I may provide you with more information. I can be reached at (413) 737-2079 or Kahrear@ucla.net.

Sincerely,

Kahrear Scentor
Kahrear Scentor

Enclosure: Resume

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Example of Internship Cover Letter

JESSICA BRUIN
501 Westwood Plaza, Los Angeles, California 90095 (310) 206-1931 jjbruin@ucla.net

January 06, 2010 Internship Program Walt Disney Studios 500 South Buena Vista Street Burbank, CA 91521 Dear Internship Coordinator: I would like to be considered for the Walt Disney accounting internship program posted on UCLAs BruinView website. I am currently a junior and majoring in Business Economics with a minor in Accounting at the University of California, Los Angeles. My academic integrity and work experience have given me the essential skills to excel as a member of your team. My interests in accounting first started last year when I had the opportunity to volunteer with low income residents and help them with their federal and state income tax returns. My coursework in accounting, finance, and management has provided the strong quantitative and analytical skills mentioned in your internship posting. This internship program provides a great opportunity for me to apply my communication, organizational, creative, and quantitative skills in a collaborative and interactive environment. For the past two years I have worked as a student assistant for the UCLA Anderson School of Management. This position requires organization, effective communication, and technical skills, as I am responsible for scheduling appointments and interfacing with prominent alumni and professionals. Having such an important role, I have truly learned how to effectively manage my time to balance my work, school, and leadership commitments. This position has provided me with an opportunity to develop strong communication and computer skills from using programs like Excel and PowerPoint in addition to learning how to prioritize tasks to ensure all projects are completed in a timely manner. I believe that I will provide an immediate benefit to the Accounting team at Disney because I am a dedicated and determined individual. Thank you for your time and consideration, I look forward to scheduling an interview where I can talk more about my interests and qualifications.

Sincerely,

Jessica Bruin

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Chapter 6 - Choosing & Applying to Professional or Graduate School

What is Graduate School?
Unlike undergraduate programs which provide a broad education in a wide range of subjects, a graduate curriculum involves concentrated research and course work in a specialized area. The graduate degree you decide to pursue depends on your personal and professional career interests and goals. Masters Programs A masters degree usually takes one or two years to complete and can be a stepping stone to a doctorate program or required for certain positions. It can also be an entry point for new and better job opportunities in business, industry, government, and education. For example, it can open doors to teaching, administration, and staff positions in elementary and secondary schools, community colleges, and other institutions of higher learning. It also may be required to meet national and state licensing requirements in professional fields, such as psychology, social work, counseling, and therapy. Professional Masters This program is designed to give you a set of practical skills needed to practice in a particular field. It is typically a final or terminal degree, and often involves an internship, practicum, or field work. A professional masters may be required for certain positions, such as teaching or counseling. Common professional masters programs are a Masters in Business Administration (MBA), Masters in Science (MS), Masters in Arts (MA), Masters of Marriage Family Therapy (MFT), and Masters of Divinity (MDiv). Research Masters A Research Masters program provides experience in research and scholarship, and generally requires a thesis. It may be a springboard into a PhD program, or it may be a terminal degree. Doctoral Programs The doctoral degree usually requires a minimum of four to six years of full time study. The first year or two will be spent on course work, followed by qualifying examinations to demonstrate factual and theoretical knowledge of your field. After passing the exams, you will then be permitted to move on to independent research and begin work on a doctoral dissertation. Like the masters program, there are different types of doctorate degrees.

Professional Doctorate The most common degrees required for professional practice are the MD for medicine, JD for law, and PsyD for Psychology. Research Doctorate Requirements for this degree usually involve course work and an independent research project. The degrees awarded, the Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) or Doctor of Education (EdD), are designed as preparation for creative activity and sometimes original research, often in association with college or university teaching. Although many PhDs pursue careers in an academic environment, numerous career options are also available in corporate and government settings. For example, a PhD can lead to research and development positions in companies where state-of-the-art products are a priority, and to positions with government agencies where the skill to analyze large amounts of complex data is essential.

Is Graduate School Right for You?

The decision to attend graduate school is not one to be taken lightly. It is a huge time and financial commitment, so ask yourself what your motivations are for attending graduate school. Being honest with yourself is the best way to establish if graduate school is right for you. The Right Reasons to Attend Graduate School You have a clear sense of the career you want to pursue and an advanced degree will boost you in that field. You have a love for scholarly pursuits and dont mind that youll be studying and doing research for several years. You are a career changer whose new interests have little connection to your undergraduate major. A graduate degree could add to your marketability in the job market. p63

The Wrong Reasons to Attend Graduate School You havent decided what kind of career you want to pursue and would rather go back to school to find yourself or to postpone the real world. Youre getting pressure from your parents, friends, or professors. You think graduate school is a last resort because you wont be able to get a job. Dont buy into this myth. Attend graduate school if you are working toward a goal. Dont use graduate school as an excuse to postpone making a career decision or to avoid looking for a job. UCLA has equipped you with many skills that employers seek when hiring entry level job candidates. You will discover that your problem solving, critical thinking, teamwork, and communications skills are highly valuable in the job market.

Graduate School Timetable

The guidelines in this timetable are general recommendations to follow when planning for graduate or professional school. Most deadlines for the Falls entering class are between January and March of your senior year. Some schools follow a different time schedule, so be sure to check with your prospective program for specific deadlines and adhere to them carefully. Junior Year Review your career goals before considering enrollment in a graduate program. Research graduate schools and specific programs in your field through books, online services, and discussions with your advisor, faculty, and current graduate students. Write for catalogue and application materials to individual schools. Attend UCLAs Graduate & Professional School Day in the Fall (usually in October) and other on campus events and resources. Evaluate the programs and narrow down your choices. Check the application deadlines and rolling admissions policies. Register and prepare admission tests. for appropriate graduate

Summer between Junior & Senior Year Questions to Ask Yourself What do I want to accomplish in my lifetime? What are my long term and short term professional goals? Is graduate school necessary for me to achieve these goals? Am I simply postponing my career planning and decision making? Will the amount of time and money spent on a program ultimately translate into greater career mobility and financial possibilities? Am I willing to meet the extensive research, course work, and major paper demands of another academic program? Would continuing education alternatives, such as University Extension, vocational school, community college, or professional seminars and workshops assist in achieving my goals? p64 Participate in a summer research internship. These programs are offered at all ten UC campuses between the junior and senior year. Visit graduate schools that interest you the most. Write your personal essay. Senior Year Fall Take the required admissions test. Request letters of recommendation. Open an LOR file: career.ucla.edu/LOR. Order official transcripts from the Registrars Office. Mail your completed applications - the earlier, the better. Deadlines are important so check dates carefully. Dont jeopardize your application by mailing it late or incomplete. Research fellowships, loans, assistantships, and work study options. Obtain and complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA).

Wednesday, October 27, 2010 11am-3pm, Ackerman Ballroom

Graduate & Professional School Fair

Meet representatives from over 150 schools, covering a wide range of programs:
Art and Design Architecture Biological / Biomedical Sciences Business Management Chiropractic Communications Dentistry Economics Education Engineering Environmental Finance Health Humanities Human Resource Development International Relations Information Studies Information Technology Journalism Law Marketing / Communications Mathematical Sciences Medical Nursing Schools Nutrition Optometry Other Health Pharmacy Physical Sciences Political Science Psychology Public Policy Seminary / Religion Social Work Sports Management Teaching

For a complete list of participants: career.ucla.edu/GradSchoolFair2010

Open to UCLA students, faculty, & staff. Current UCLA identification required. Sponsored by the UCLA Career Center.

Excellence. Delivered.
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Career Center

A Department of Student Affairs

Senior Year Spring Check with all graduate schools before deadlines to verify that your application, letters of recommendations, and transcripts have been received. Schedule interviews and other campus visits. Select a school from those that have accepted you. Mail a deposit to the graduate school you decide to attend. Notify other graduate schools that have accepted you of your decision to attend another program. Send thank you notes to the writers of your recommendation letters and inform them of your graduate school plans. UCLA Pre-Professional Services Referral Sheet (also known as the Green Sheet) There are many offices on campus ready to assist you with your pre-professional planning: The UCLA Career Center; College Counseling; Departmental Counseling; and Academics in the Commons (Pre-Health Peer Counseling and Workshops). More details and a four year pre-professional plan are available on the "UCLA PreProfessional Services Referral Sheet," which starts on page 69. You can also download this document from our website at career.ucla.edu/GradSchool. Pre-Professional Resume Examples Be sure to review the pre-health and pre-law resume examples on pages 52 through 54.

The essay is an opportunity for you to: Convey your long and short term career goals. Present yourself as an individual with desirable personal abilities, background, interests, and plans. Describe the nature and significance of your relevant experiences, and give concrete evidence of your competence and motivation in the field of your choice. Explain your special interest in this particular graduate program. Account for any conspicuous weaknesses in your record. Demonstrate your writing ability and communication skills. Things to consider before you start writing Why do I want to pursue a graduate or professional school degree? Can I trace my interest and motivation to a specific experience or influence? What are the special features, approaches, or values of this particular program? How do my interests, values, strengths, experiences, ambitions, and plans relate to what this program offers? Why do I want to be part of this program? Why would this program want me? What are my strengths related to this field personally, academically, and professionally? What experiences demonstrate my competence in this field?

Need Help With Your Personal Statement?

The UCLA Career Center has resources to assist you! Career Center Workshops on How to Write Winning Personal Statements - For the most current listing of workshops, go to career.ucla.edu/workshops. Personal Statement Critique Sessions New schedules are posted at the Career Center each quarter. Online registration required through BruinView. Log in at career.ucla.edu. Graduate School Resources (located in the Library / Lab) Negotiating Graduate School Playing the Game: The Streetsmart Guide to Graduate School Get Into Graduate School Graduate School Companion p66

The Personal Statement

Your essay will be read by an Admissions Committee composed of members of your future profession or academic discipline. They will be seeking depth and substance, along with a true passion and commitment to your field of study. In general, the admissions committee hopes to learn about your personal characteristics, such as creativity, intellectual curiosity and achievement, ability to overcome hardships, recognition for exceptional performance, unique talents, initiative and motivation, leadership, persistence, service to others, and multicultural experiences. You should not attempt to address all of these factors. A better approach is to describe what is important to you, why it is important, and how you have demonstrated that importance in your life. Essay requirements will vary depending upon each institutions criteria for evaluating applicants.

Personal Statement Resources for Graduate and Professional Programs (located in the Career Center Library / Lab): Graduate Admission Essays How to Write a Winning Personal Statement for Graduate and Professional School Perfect Personal Statements Real Essays for College and Grad School Personal Statement Disclaimer The personal statement critique sessions provided by the UCLA Career Center focus exclusively on content and thematic issues. Given the time constraints for these sessions, students should not anticipate intensive grammatical, spelling, and syntax revisions to take place during these meetings. General From Northwestern University Careers Services comes this Graduate and Professional School guide that contains a to-the-point section on the Personal Statement. www.northwestern.edu/careers/explorecareers/career /grad_prof_school.html Accepted.com is a site full of tips and outlines for the graduate application process. There are sample essays of personal statements for all of the major areas - Medical, Law, Business, and Graduate School Programs. www.accepted.com Berkeley's Career Center has created a well thought out step-by-step process on writing the personal statement. http://career.berkeley.edu/Grad/GradStatement.stm Comments from Admissions Officials Ever wonder what admission officials are really looking for? Perfect Personal Statements by Mark Alan Stewart (available in the Career Center Library / Lab) contains comments about the personal statement directly from admissions officials from top medical, law, and business programs! Specifically for Medical School For a very useful six step process to writing the personal statement and for sample essays utilizing various techniques and angles, go to www.studentdoctor.net/essays. Essays That Will Get You Into Medical School, by Daniel Kaufman, et al. (Available in the Career Center Library / Lab) Specifically for Law School The University of Maryland provides an explanation of what they look for in the personal statement: www.law.umaryland.edu/prospective/applying/jd.html #statement. Essays That Will Get you Into Law School, by Daniel Kaufman, et al. (Available in the Career Center Library) p67

Letter of Reference Services

The Letter of Reference Services allows UCLA undergraduates, graduate, and alumni (who pay an annual activation fee) to store their letters of reference for graduate and professional school programs with our department. Since these letters are solely for the purpose of supporting the application to graduate and professional school programs, we will only send letters to admissions offices at universities and colleges. We will not send letters to support applications to scholarships, fellowships, or internships. Since the purpose of these services is to send letters to multiple graduate and professional schools, we can only accept non-specifically addressed letters. For more information: career.ucla.edu/LOR.

Looking for high-impact, core job search strategies offered in a fast-paced three-hour time slot? Then you need Job Search JumpStart! Receive expert instruction and guidance on your job search strategies, resume and correspondence, and interviewing skills. Maximize your use of the Career Center resources and services to Jump Start your job search and gain the winning edge! Get all the job advice you need in one place at one time. Beat the competition with these crucial tips. Make the most out of the little time you have. Invest in yourself by registering for one of these powerful "Job Search JumpStart" sessions and you will reap great dividends as a prepared and informed job seeker. Professional advice from our career experts is waiting just for you. And remember, the Job Search JumpStart series is not open to the public -- it is available exclusively for currently registered UCLA students. Look for a list of general and targeted sessions this year, including: Law (Session Full) Consulting Corporate Leadership Technology, Engineering, Consulting Nursing Pharmacy Public Health MBA Prep for Fall Recruiting Econ / Finance / Accounting Internship Search Entertainment Dentistry Optometry Post Bac, Gap Year Marketing, PR, Advertising Medicine

Go to career.ucla.edu/JumpStart for the updated schedule and online registration process. Only $20 per session charged to your BAR account.

2010 International Affairs

Graduate School Fair
APSIA Association of Professional Schools of International Affairs

Thursday, October 28
UCLA Career Center, Strathmore Building

Panel Discussion, Entering the Field of International Affairs, 5-5:30pm

With admissions officers from: Georgetown, UCSD, Princeton, Michigan and USC

APSIA Graduate School Fair, 5:30-7:30pm

List of Participating APSIA Universities Programs From Previous Years
Check the website for updates at career.ucla.edu/APSIA

American University School of International Service Columbia University School of International and Public Affairs Duke University Sanford School of Public Policy George Washington University Elliott School of International Affairs Georgetown University Edmund A.Walsh School of Foreign Service Graduate Institute of International and Development Studies (The Graduate Institute, Geneva) Harvard University John F. Kennedy School of Government Johns Hopkins University Paul H. Nitze School of Advanced International Studies National University of Singapore Lee Kuan Yew School of Public Affairs Princeton University Woodrow Wilson School of Public and International Affairs Sciences Po Paris School of International Affairs Syracuse University The Maxwell School International Relations Program Tufts University The Fletcher School of Law and Diplomacy University of California, San Diego Graduate School of International Relations and Pacific Studies University of Denver Josef Korbel School of International Studies University of Maryland School of Public Policy University of Michigan Gerald R. Ford School of Public Policy University of Minnesota Hubert H. Humphrey Institute of Public Affairs University of Pittsburgh Graduate School of Public and International Affairs University of Southern California Annenberg School for Communication University of Washington Henry M. Jackson School of International Studies Yale University MacMillan Center for International and Area Studies
Presented by the UCLA Career Center, UCLA Alumni Association, UCLA School of Public Affairs, Student Alumni Association (SAA), and APSIA (www.apsia.org)

SCHOOL OF PUBLIC AFFAIRS

Career Center
Excellence. Delivered.
A Department of Student Affairs

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PRE-PROFESSIONAL SERVICES
Referral Sheet
Pre-Professional program planning services are offered by the Career Center and Academic Counseling offices. UCLA CAREER CENTER What: Pre-Professional Drop-In Counseling, M-F, 10am-4pm (see career.ucla.edu for exceptions) Test information for MCAT, LSAT, OAT, DAT, GMAT, GRE Application information for AMCAS, LSDAS, AADSAS Assistance with personal statements (Development and Review) Letters of Reference Service, career.ucla.edu/LOR Pre-Professional Workshops (Navigating the Application Process/Writing the Personal Statement) Pre-Health/Pre-Law Career information and timeline information Pre-Health/Pre-Law internship information Mock interviews for medical/professional school register through BruinView at career.ucla.edu Pre-Health student groups affiliated with the UCLA Career Center can be found at career.ucla.edu/GraduateSchoolPreProfessionalServices Where: Strathmore Building, 2nd Floor, 501 Westwood Plaza

ACADEMIC AND COURSE ENROLLMENT QUESTIONS ARE HANDLED BY ACADEMIC COUNSELING STAFF

COLLEGE COUNSELING What: Course planning for first and second year students Where: AAP Students: 1209 Campbell Hall College Honors Students: A311 Murphy Hall Athletes: Morgan Center All other L&S Students: A316 Murphy Hall

DEPARTMENTAL COUNSELING What: Course planning for third and fourth year students Recommended academic plans for application and entrance exam preparation Major and transfer requirements Articulation, transfer evaluations, and substitutions Where: Check www.registrar.ucla.edu/soc/counsel.htm for location and contact information regarding specific departments

ACADEMICS IN THE COMMONS What: Workshops (e.g., Applying to Medical and Law School, alternatives to Medical School, etc.); consult your My.UCLA page to sign up my.ucla.edu Email questions: Questions will be answered by the next school day Pre-health related questions: prehealth@college.ucla.edu Pre-law related questions: prelaw@college.ucla.edu Where: Second floor Covel Commons

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Continued on back page

First Year
Attend pre-professional workshops in Covel Commons and at the UCLA Career Center. Check your My.UCLA homepage at my.ucla.edu and career.ucla.edu for details. Meet with a career counselor to explore all options. Check the UCLA Career Center homepage career.ucla.edu for details. Meet with your college counselor or counseling assistant for program planning and course selection. Begin extracurricular activities and participate in pre-professional student organizations. Develop a pre-professional course of study. Consider summer internship, work, or volunteer experience. (Register with BruinView at career.ucla.edu.) Request letters of recommendation, and open an LOR file in the Career Center at career.ucla.edu/LOR. Visit the AAP Mentoring Office. Attend workshops on pre-professional topics. 1202 Campbell Hall 310.794.4186 www.ugeducation.ucla.edu/aap

Second Year
Continue with extracurricular activities, including leadership. Fine-tune your college schedule. Maintain a strong GPA. Start thinking about taking the appropriate entrance exams (MCAT, LSAT, GMAT, etc.). Visit Internship and International Opportunities (2nd Floor) in the Career Center for information on preprofessional internships. Make sure you sign up for access to BruinView at career.ucla.edu to get internship leads. Apply for special summer pre-professional or research programs. Complete a practice AMCAS (American Medical College Application Service). Request letters of recommendation. Explore entry-level research opportunities; apply for research scholarships (visit the URC-Humanities and Social Sciences or the URC-Science, Engineering and Math/Center for Academic and Research Excellence). www.college.ucla.edu/urc-care Email: urcsem@lifesci.ucla.edu Visit the Center for Community Learning (A265 Murphy Hall) for information on service learning courses, community-based research, internships, the Civic Engagement Minor, and AmeriCorps scholarship programs www.college.ucla.edu/up/ccl

Third Year
Study and register for your entrance exam - consider taking a preparation course. Meet with a career counselor to review timeline to apply. Meet with your major advisor and college counselors to fine-tune the academic plan. Research your graduate programs of choice - check websites, look for special programs, talk to current students, and visit early. Continue to request letters of recommendation. Develop your personal statement. Obtain transcripts to take care of any pending changes or notations. Start applications this summer. Sign up for a mock interview at the Career Center (go to BruinView at career.ucla.edu). Apply for upper-division research scholarships. Prepare proposal for Honors Thesis or Departmental Honors research experience. Enroll in an academic, credit-bearing internship through the Center for Community Learning. www.college.ucla.edu/up/ccl

Fourth Year
Maintain strong GPA - schedule courses carefully to work with the interview process. Complete appropriate secondary/supplemental applications. Meet with college and major advisors to review graduation requirements. Send in acceptance offers or keep track of waiting list results.

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Chapter 7 - Services for PhD and Masters Students

The UCLA Career Center has a long history of providing career services and programs that specifically address Masters and PhD students career needs. Over the course of your UCLA graduate education you will develop advanced skills in teaching, research, leadership, collaboration, writing, publishing, and international experience, to name a few. These transferable skills are attractive to academic and non-academic employers. Whether you choose an academic or non-academic career path, the UCLA Career Center will work with you to explore options, pursue internships, and develop job search skills to achieve your career goals. The Career Center provides a full range of services including individual career counseling, workshops, job listings, career resources, and reference file services. Our career counselors are trained to assist you through every stage of your career decision-making and job search activities. We deal with graduate student issues such as creating a Curriculum Vitae or resume, preparing for an interview, and personal issues that impact your career. We also utilize career assessments that will help you to factor in skills, values, interests, and personal style. During the fall quarter, we offer the Academic Job Search Series of workshops designed to prepare PhDs for the academic market (see career.ucla.edu/PhDMasters). During winter and spring quarter we present the Expanded Options Series and Career Week (see career.ucla.edu/CareerWeek) programs for PhDs to address non-academic employment options. We strive to select panelists, employers, and other speakers that can specifically address the needs of UCLAs graduate students. We are proud of our collaborations and outreach efforts to various graduate departments and student services. We invite you to visit us to learn how we may assist you in the transition from graduate student to professional. We recommend that you review the additional sections of the career guide as there is great information on such services as internships, interviewing tips and questions, applying to further graduate study, and preparation for the non-academic market that will be useful to you. Resources for Non-Academic Careers for PhD and Masters Students (available in the Career Center Library / Lab) Nonfiction Book Proposals Anybody Can Write So What Are You Going to Do With That?: Finding Careers Outside Academia The WetFeet Insider Guide to Consulting for PhDs, Doctors, and Lawyers What Else You Can Do With a PhD: A Career Guide for Scholars Research Services Directory: Commercial and Corporate Research Centers Alternative Careers in Science

The Curriculum Vitae

The Curriculum Vitae (CV) is commonly used when you are applying for a fellowship or grant, or seeking a career position in higher education, government, or research. The CV is a record of your education, experience, accomplishments, expertise, and special professional qualities. Unlike the resume, which is restricted in length, the CV is a comprehensive biographical statement that may be three to ten pages in length. The CV often accompanies the additional pieces of the academic application. These include the academic cover letter, letters of reference, transcripts, teachingevaluations, research proposals, portfolio samples, and other paper credentials. When building a CV, the most important question to ask yourself is, Why am I crafting this CV? Your answer will determine content and emphasis. Are you crafting the CV for a teaching position? A research position? A combined position? A postdoctoral position? A grant or fellowship? The kinds of experiences you need to highlight will vary with your career objectives. Appearance Counts Search committees will see your CV long before they see you. The visual impact of the CV sends a message to the readers about your attention to detail, thoroughness, understanding of the position requirements, and professional image. Is your CV attractive and well designed? Are the categories clearly labeled? Have you proofread it several times to check for errors? Is it printed on bond or writing paper (20 lb., 24 lb., or 28 lb.)? p71

Guidelines for Preparing a Curriculum Vitae Choose your vocabulary carefully and make every phrase powerful. Elaborate rather than eliminate when it comes to selecting categories. Search committees have varying agendas, so you need to give them a complete picture. You might want to craft a Master CV a document that you can continue to amend as your experience grows. Then, when you apply for positions, select relevant information to develop each document. Basic Categories of the Curriculum Vitae The following is a list of sample headings that you may incorporate into your CV. The kinds of headings you use and the order in which they are presented will vary depending on your experience, academic field, and the type of position for which you are applying. Identifying Information - Name, address, phone, email address, and fax. If still in the program, it is appropriate to list both home and school contact information. Do not include marital status, number of children, or other personal characteristics. Education - Begin with the most recent degree or expected degree. List degrees, majors, institutions, and dates in reverse chronological order. List minors or fields of emphasis. List honors awarded upon graduation. Dissertation or Thesis - Title and brief description of work, theoretical framework, conclusions, advisor and readers (if they add breadth, depth, or new perspectives). Awards, Honors, Fellowships, and Scholarships Recognition by university or field is very important to acknowledge prominently. If you have two or more entries, give each a section. List membership in honorary societies here if not in the education section. Professional Experience - This section will have several sub-categories, i.e., research experience, consulting, fieldwork, teaching, practice, postdoctoral work, industry, training, etc. List all in reverse chronological order.

Publications, Papers, Exhibits, Etc. - List in reverse chronological order. Clarity of presentation is important. You can subdivide publications into journal publications, conferences, posters, etc. Teaching & Research Interests - List all courses you are prepared to teach, and list topics of present and future research interest. If you are qualified to teach in several fields, add a list of graduate courses taken as an appendix and refer to it. Academic Service - Include university-wide groups, task forces, committees, etc., on which you have worked. List leadership positions assumed on each. Professional Affiliations - List all professional groups and offices held. Indicate leadership of special projects. Languages - Include all you speak, read, or write. Indicate those in which you are fluent. Reference or Placement file - You may list references contact information (i.e., name, position, address, email, phone, or fax). Selected Career Library / Lab Resources The Academic Job Search Handbook The Career Portfolio Workbook Curriculum Vitae Handbook How to Prepare Your Curriculum Vitae The Perfect Digital Portfolio Tomorrows Professor: Preparing for Academic Careers in Science and Engineering Other Example Headings Include: Professional Service Professional Development Abstracts Conference - Attendance, Participation, Presentation, or Leadership Workshops and Training Presentations Book Reviews Certification or Licensures Major Committees Professional Summary Consulting Experience Technical Papers Editorial Appointments Activities and Distinctions Travel or Study Abroad p72

Look for these helpful links at career.ucla.edu/PhDMasters PhD and Masters Workshops Credentials File Services Preparing for the Academic Job Market Academic Job Search Listings Non-Academic Job Search Listings Academic Interviewing

Example of Curriculum Vitae (Page 1 of 2) CURRICULUM VITAE SALLY BRUIN

Home 1234 Rose Ave. Long Beach, CA 90002 (562) 555-1234 Email: Sbruin@ucla.net EDUCATION University of California, Los Angeles PhD, Developmental Psychology, expected September 2012. (APA Accredited) University of California, Los Angeles MA, Developmental Psychology, June 2007 University of Pennsylvania BA, Psychology, December 2001 Work University of California, Los Angeles 701 UNEX Building, 215672 Los Angeles, CA 92001-2200 (310) 555-4321

LANGUAGES Fluent in conversational Spanish

TEACHING EXPERIENCE Instructor Undergraduate Psychology Course, Human Sexuality University of California, Los Angeles April 2009 June 2009 (Spring Quarter) Taught upper-division psychology course entitled Human Sexuality. Course integrated issues of behavioral, cultural, and ethnic diversity into an overview of the biological, behavioral, and psychological aspects of human sexuality. Duties included curriculum design, lecture planning and implementation, test design, and evaluation of student progress.

RESEARCH EXPERIENCE Principal Investigator University of California, Los Angeles June 2009 present Dissertation: Methods for Increasing Cultural Diversity in After-School Programs. This study investigates the content, programming and accessibility of after-school programs developed for adolescents in three urban public schools. The existing programs will be evaluated based on enrollment, attrition, and measured impact on participating students. Gender, race, and age differences will be examined. Chair: Victoria Barnett, PhD

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Bruin, Sally, Page 2 of 2

CLINICAL EXPERIENCE Psychological Evaluation Trainee Santa Monica Child Guidance Center, Santa Monica, CA August 2006 - July 2007 Conducted assessments of children, adolescents and mothers. Presenting issues included ruling out learning disabilities, clinical depression, ADHD, and oppositional defiant disorder. Duties included: Consultation with parents, teachers, and therapists. Battery administration, scoring and report writing. Attended weekly assessment training seminars, and individual supervision. Supervisor: Bob Lamonta, PhD

SUPERVISION EXPERIENCE Supervisor Undergraduate Research Team University of California, Los Angeles August 2007 July 2008 Supervised and trained a group of undergraduate researchers in developing, conducting, and evaluating schoolbased interventions. Accompanied on site interventions. Provided feedback and assistance in carrying out projects. Supervisor: Delongpre Dannon, PhD

PRESENTATIONS AND POSTERS Doyle, W.P., Shrapshire, E., Bruin, S. (April 2009). In search of processes to explain gender differences in adolescent onset obsessive compulsive disorders. Poster presented at the annual meeting of the Western Psychological Association, Seattle, WA. Bruin, S., Lankman, F., Smith, L., Davis, M., Stapleton, B. (2008). Multidisciplinary training as an educational experience for emerging school-based interventions. In B. Blinkman (Chair), Prevention across all levels for the culturally diverse urban center. Invited presenter at the Annual Meeting of the American Psychological Association, Toronto.

PUBLICATIONS Doyle, W.P., Bruin, S., Thurman, A.E., Lamonta, B.S. (2009). Obsessive Compulsive Disorder in Children and Adolescents: A Review. Journal of Adolescent Health, 39 (2), 69-78. Shrapshire, E., Doyle, W.P., Bruin, S., Lamonta, B., Thurman, A.E. (2007). High-Risk Behavior and Rates of HIV Infection Among Low-Income Urban Adolescents. Journal of Social Issues, Sum, 85 (4), 199-215.

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Example of Academic Cover Letter

October 30, 2010 Professor Gerald Jones Search Committee Chair Department of English University Name Street Address City, State Zip Dear Professor Jones: I am writing to apply for the position of Assistant Professor of Eighteenth-Century Literature advertised by your department in the October MLA Job Information List. My advisor, Professor ___________ informed me about this position. I am interested in the position because I am committed to contributing my time and career work to an academic department that has a established history of scholarly research that coincides with my general field of interest. I expect to receive my PhD in June 2011 from the department of English at the University of California, Los Angeles. My dissertation, The Character of Commerce: Writing and Credit in Eighteenth-Century Britain, demonstrates how the discourses of philosophy, literature, and aesthetics ordered the domain of authority and value that we now call the economy. Each chapter situates a text from eighteenth-century Britain--John Lockes An Essay Concerning Human Understanding (1690), Daniel Defoes Colonel Jack (1722) and The Fortunate Mistress (1724), Eliza Haywoods Memoirs of a Certain Island Adjacent to the Kingdom of Utopia (1725), and Edmund Burkes A Philosophical Inquiry into the Origin of the Idea of the Sublime and the Beautiful (1757)--in relation to historical developments in money, law, property, and representation more generally. Drawing on the work of theorists such as Jean-Joseph Goux, Michel Foucault, and J.G.A. Pocock, I historicize how terms like credit, exchange, and the sublime emerged to become privileged concepts that helped transform Britain into a commercial society. To use the periods own idiom, the problematic I trace can be imagined as the relationship between character and credit, both of which are key words unlocking contemporary discourses addressing personality, writing, and economics. The story my dissertation tells is how individual character, like the political-economic system in general, was increasingly imagined as depending on credit, so that a social order legislated by the invisible hand becomes naturalized, its fictionality forgotten. Last year, I was awarded a teaching fellowship with the English department for a position as an instructor for a course called Methods Textual Studies, I was a member of a five-person staff of faculty and graduate students who designed and taught the course, which included texts intended to represent a number of critical methods-deconstruction, historicism, psychoanalysis, formalism--as well as literary texts--canonical (Hawthornes short stories, Shakespeares Macbeth), contemporary (Morrisons Beloved), and various popular works that stretch the limits of the definition of text. The goal of the course as we designed it was not simply to introduce a number of critical methods but to use such methods to help make students more conscious that reading literary and other texts is a conscious and critical activity. Thank you for reviewing my application for the position. I plan on attending the MLA conference in December and would welcome the opportunity to meet with you at that time. Attached is a list of the references that are being sent under separate cover. I have also attached a copy of my CV for your perusal. I look forward to hearing from you soon. Sincerely,

David Bruin Doctoral Candidate University Name, Department of English Enclosures p75

Credentials File Services

The Credentials File Services allows UCLA students and alumni (who pay an annual activation fee) to store their letters of reference with the Career Center. These letters are limited to those written to support PhD employment endeavors in the fields of higher education, psychology, research, and librarianship. Since these letters are solely for the purpose of supporting your application for faculty and research positions, we will ONLY send your letters to universities and colleges. Since the purpose of this service is to send letters to multiple institutions, we can only accept nonspecifically addressed letters. For more information: career.ucla.edu/CredentialsFileServices.

Wear clothing that is comfortable and professional in appearance. Bring a couple of outfits as you may be invited to dinner or a cultural experience later in the day. Ask about travel expenses in advance. Usually you will be reimbursed for your travel expenses. General Academic Interview Questions We strongly recommend that you consult with faculty to learn what types of field-specific questions and dissertation issues you may encounter during the interview. Here are some general questions to consider. Tell us about yourself. Share more about yourself than what is written in your application materials. Be brief, however. Please discuss your dissertation research with the committee. How would you teach an undergraduate or graduate course on XYZ topic? What texts, pedagogical approach, and / or theory would you utilize? What are your professional goals? Short-term? Longterm? Describe your research plan. What are potential funding sources? What contributions are you prepared to make to our department? Describe a challenging situation with a professor, colleague, or student. How did you address it? What questions do you have for us? This is important to prepare. Possible questions may address curriculum, job duties, promotion and tenure, research, the future trends of the department. Prepare to handle direct questions about your work as well as controversial or competing issues. Be prepared to also explain how your research fits in with the rest of the department and how you conceive of it in the years to come. Remember, most institutions wish to appoint candidates whose research they see as tenure-worthy.

The Academic Interview

The academic interview is a process. It is both challenging and rewarding and different than interviewing for nonacademic jobs. Most campus interviews are one to two days in length. The day will consist of several interviews with search committee members, students, faculty, other campus departments, and administrators. You will also give an academic job talk presentation, dine with the search committee, and have a campus and residential tour. Here are a few tips to help you prepare for this experience. Attend all departmental programs on the academic job search. Attend the Academic Job Search Series during the Fall quarter led by the UCLA Career Center (see career.ucla.edu/Workshops). Depending on the type of institution research university, liberal arts college, or community college - the description for faculty position will differ. For instance, a teaching position will focus more questions about your teaching experience, pedagogical issues, philosophy, etc. A research institution will focus more questions on the nature of your research and future plans for research. Prepare for interviews early. Schedule a mock academic job interview with your departmental faculty and/or UCLA graduate career counselor (see career.ucla.ed u/DropInCounseling). Learn about strategies for handling campus, conference, telephone, and video-conference interviews. You may encounter several of these for one position. Practice your academic job talk. It is the hallmark of the academic interviewing process in most fields. Usually they are 60 minutes in length and provide the committee an opportunity to evaluate your presentation style and general professional demeanor while learning about your research.

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Example of Resume Converted from Curriculum Vitae

(Refer to CV Sally Bruin, page 66)

SALLY BRUIN
1234 Rose Avenue, Long Beach, CA 90002, (562) 555-1234 sbruin@ucla.net While the CV often includes academic contact information, it is recommended that you identify a personal contact address on your resume. OBJECTIVE The Objective section should contain a clear and concise statement identifying your desired position or targeted industry. Typically this statement is tailored toward the specific position or employer you are targeting. Seeking a position as a program coordinator for a private foundation specializing in adolescent education and development. EDUCATION University of California, Los Angeles PhD, Developmental Psychology, expected September 2013 MA, Developmental Psychology, June 2008 University of Pennsylvania BA, Psychology, December 2002 SPECIAL SKILLS The Skills section of a resume allows you to highlight the specific transferable skills you possess that are most relevant to the job you are targeting. You can preface this heading with a title that identifies a particular professional area of expertise (i.e., Program Management Skills). Project Design and Development Fellowship and Grant Writing Data Tracking and Statistics Assessment and Evaluation Coordination of Child Services Conversational Spanish Project Supervision Diversity Awareness Word, Access, Excel

PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE The Program Evaluator, Project Coordinator/Supervisor, and Psychological Evaluator positions were drawn from the dissertation research, supervisory, and clinical experience sections of the CV respectively. Note the changes in emphasis from an academic to an applied context. For example, Sallys statistical knowledge is presented as a tool for generating funding. Her research skills are presented as tools for communication, program development, and strategic planning. University of California, Los Angeles June 2009 Present Program Evaluator Evaluate content, programming, and accessibility of after-school programs Interview participating students to assess program effectiveness Facilitate communication between program administrators, parents, and students Initiated a data tracking system that increased funding opportunities for programs Devise solutions for increasing program accessibility for diverse student populations Present findings and recommendations for strategic planning and development University of California, Los Angeles August 2007 July 2008 Project Coordinator/Supervisor Consulted with area high school students and staff to identify needs Oversaw the development of school-based programming for urban adolescents Supervised and trained a group of undergraduate students in program implementation Santa Monica Child Guidance Center, Santa Monica, CA Psychological Evaluator Assessed children, adolescents, and mothers for diagnosis and treatment Coordinated treatment planning meetings with families, teachers, and staff Prepared written reports for treatment and insurance providers August 2006 - July 2007

PROFESSIONAL ACHIEVEMENTS AND ACTIVITIES Awarded three grants for child and adolescent development research Member: American Psychological Association, Child, Youth, Family Services Division p77

Example of Business/Industry/Consulting Resume (Page 1 of 2)

Patricia Bruin
31 ABC Avenue, Westwood, CA 90095; 310-555-5555; sbruin@ucla.net

EDUCATION
University of California, Los Angeles Candidate for PhD degree in Material Science & Engineering Used stochastic simulation techniques to gain new insights into polymer structure Established collaboration with experimental group in the Mech. Eng. Dept. Pursuing unique integrated approach to develop new molecular models better suited to designing optimal industrial processes. GPA: 3.9/4.0 Business Courses: Management of Innovation and Technology, International Management, Entrepreneurship, Microeconomics, Macroeconomics, Management and Policy in the International Economy, Marketing, Finance Theory, Options and Derivatives, Investment Banking, Operations Research, all with grade A. * All courses taken throughout the entire college career University of California, Los Angeles Master of Science in Material Science & Engineering University of California, Irvine Bachelor of Arts in Natural Science and Chemical Engineering June 2011

June 2006

June 2003

INDUSTRY INTERNSHIPS
Merck Pharmaceuticals West Point, PA Team Leader: Found systematic method to raise glass transition temperature of vaccines. This allowed a higher storage temperature for the vaccines. Generated $5 million annual saving in refrigeration costs. Dow Corning, Midland, MI Team Leader: Removed a bottleneck to allowing doubling of a plants capacity $10 million capital saving. Wrote software for simulating complex distillation processes that was adopted throughout Dow Chemicals. Summer 2002

Summer 2001

UNITED STATES ATOMIC ENERGY AUTHORITY, Washington, DC Worked for fluid mechanics groups on technical consulting projects for the petroleum industry. Frequently delivered presentations to clients. Achievements: Incorporated new algorithms into pipeline simulation modules and achieved tenfold increase in speed. Developed strategies to reduce pipeline erosion. Improved reliability of flowrate measurement devices in oil pipelines to allow clients to better monitor throughputs.

Summer 2000

Please note: This example was adapted from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Office of Career Services. p78

Bruin, Patricia, Page 2 of 2

LEADERSHIP
Student Leadership Council of Material Scientists, UCLA President Leader in this group of 200 students that promotes collaboration between five major research universities. Organized videoconferences to allow students to share research ideas. Planning summer retreat to further student collaboration. Investigating ways to promote science and technology in secondary schools and the community. 2005 - Present

UCLA Material Science & Engineering Student Affairs Committee Student Representative Led student/faculty discussion on ways to enhance student/advisor interaction. Served as spokesperson for graduate student concerns and issues. Co-facilitated networking nite with industry with other department student leaders.

2006 - Present

Department of Material Science and Engineering, UCLA Teaching Assistant Organized tutorials to clarify course material. Wrote instruction manual to help students use math software. Class scored 7% higher in final than any of the professors former classes.

Fall 2007

AWARDS & HONORS

Winner of National Science Foundation Poster Competition (2009); Sigma Xi Engineering Research Honors Society (2003); Mobil Prize for Best Performance in Chemical Engineering, University of California, Irvine (2002); Senior Scholarship for Outstanding Academic Performance, UC Irvine (2001).

ACTIVITIES
Dancing (UCLA Salsa Club), Classical Guitar, UCLA Toastmasters.

Please note: This example was adapted from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Office of Career Services. p79

Chapter 8 - Successful Interviewing

Dont underestimate the importance of the job interview. It is the single most important part of an employers selection process. But theres no need to get butterflies or sweaty palms if youre prepared to effectively package and present your skills and abilities, work and volunteer experiences, academic accomplishments, and career interests. The pointers in this chapter will help you plan, prepare, and practice for a great interview.

Strategies for Handling Tough Questions The Interview: What Its All About
The job interview is a two way exchange of information between you and a prospective employer. Its a chance to get to know each other and explore a mutually rewarding working relationship. The purpose of an interview is to determine whether you are right for the job and whether the job is right for you. Equally important, the interview also provides an opportunity to ask pivotal questions about the organization and the position. This will help you decide if there is a good match between your qualifications, career goals, and the position for which youre interviewing. Your Interviewing Goals Demonstrate how your experience, knowledge, and capabilities match the qualities and skills the organization is seeking. Convince the interviewer of your enthusiasm for his/her company, that you will fit in, and that you will contribute to the needs of the organization and the position. Gather information that will help you decide whether you can be successful in the position and whether the company will give you the opportunity for growth and development. The Purpose of the Interview Your Role First and foremost, you should approach every interview with the attitude, I want to work here! This means leaving a clear and convincing impression of who you are, what you can do to contribute to the organizations needs, and why you should be hired for the position instead of another candidate. Effective communication skills will have a strong influence on the outcome of your interviews. Employers Role The interviewer will determine whether you have the skills, knowledge, and abilities needed to be an effective member of the organization. If the interviewer predicts a probable fit between your qualifications and the organizations needs, you will be invited back for the next round of interviews. p80 A question that can throw you into a tail spin may not even phase your best friend. Anticipate what may be a tough question for you to answer. You will reduce your anxiety level if youre ready to field the types of questions most likely to cause you to lose sleep. Here are a couple of examples for you to think about ahead of time. What is your GPA? If you have a 3.7 or higher GPA, this may be a routine question. It may create apprehension if you have a 2.4 GPA. If you are concerned about how an employer may view your GPA, spend some time thinking about what compensating experience you may have. Formulate a non-defensive response such as: I managed to maintain a 2.4 GPA while working 24 hours a week, and being active in two student groups. What are your weaknesses? Another challenging question. The best way to handle this question is to relate your weakness to one of your strengths, put it in the past tense, and explain how you have learned to compensate. For example, if one of your major strengths is meticulous attention to detail, you might formulate this type of response: I mentioned that one of my strengths is paying meticulous attention to detail when working with written documents. In the past, this trait sometimes caused me to come close to missing deadlines. To compensate, I have developed the habit of assigning myself an artificial deadline, two days before the project is due. On that day, I do my detailed final inspection of my product. Thus, I believe I have learned to achieve a practical balance between perfection and administrative excellence.

The CARR Approach - You may find it helpful to remember the acronym CARR in composing a concise and thoughtful response to the interviewers question. Heres how it works: Tell the Context in which you exercised a desired skill or strength. Explain the Action you took. Describe the Results you achieved. Relate your skills, action, and results to the employers business.

The Question Not Asked If, for example, you have an obvious physical limitation, the interviewer is unlikely to bring up the subject for fear of offending you or provoking a law suit. However, the question of whether you can do the job could be lingering in the employers mind. The best way to deal with this possibility is for you to introduce the discussion. You might say something like: If I were interviewing a person who uses a wheel chair, I might be wondering whether her disability would interfere with her ability to travel to different cities to meet with clients. Let me tell you about my study abroad experience and my extensive travel experience. The same principle applies for persons who are concerned about age, gender, marital status, or other discrimination concerns. Bring the issue out in the open in a non-defensive, non-accusatory manner and cite an example that will allay the employers unspoken concerns.

Practice, Practice, Practice If you know what you will say and how you will respond to typical interview questions, you will feel and appear more confident, organized, and focused. Review and practice your responses to the questions below, to the specific questions for the resume based case, and to the behavioral interviews. Here are additional suggestions: Prepare written answers to questions the interviewer is likely to ask. Get together with a friend or family member to practice your responses. Ask for constructive feedback on the quality of your answers. Pay close attention to any mannerisms or slang expressions that may detract from your overall presentation. Practice in front of a mirror or with a tape recorder. Be aware of what your posture, gestures, tone of voice, and facial expressions are communicating. Sign up for a mock interview at the Career Center. Following this one-on-one practice session, a career counselor will critique your performance and offer suggestions on ways to improve your presentation and communication skills: career.ucla.edu/workshops.

Practice Your Responses

The 60 Second Sound Bite So, tell me about yourself. Why do you want to work for this company? Why should we hire you? These are favorites of recruiters (often early in the interview) and killer questions if youre not ready for them. With a well constructed opening statement, (a 60-second sound bite) its not difficult to turn these types of questions into your advantage in nearly any situation. Heres how: Think of your response as a 60 second commercial about yourself. It should be a quick summary of your major qualifications for the position and your reasons for being interested in the organization. Include a thumbnail sketch of your work experience, a few key accomplishments, and what you hope to achieve in the position. Conclude your statement with a brief mention of personal or volunteer activities or hobbies to support your interests and track record of success.

Typical Questions Employers Ask Candidates

What can you tell me about our company, our products, and our mission statement? What do you know about the position Im interviewing you for? What do you consider to be your greatest strengths? Your weaknesses? Describe what you would consider to be the ideal job. What would you do if members of your team werent doing their share of the work? Describe how you would go about making a decision. In what significant ways do you think you can contribute to our organization? Career Library / Lab Resources 101 Great Answers to the Toughest Interview Questions Adams Job Interview Almanac Information Interviewing Job Interviewing for College Students Perfect Phrases for the Perfect Interview Your First Interview: For Students and Anyone Preparing to Enter Todays Tough Job Market Can I Wear My Nose Ring to the Interview? I Cant Believe They Asked Me That!: 110 Tips and Techniques to Quickly Prepare for a Tough Job Interview 101 Smart Questions to Ask on Your Interview p81

 What kind of boss do you prefer? Do you prefer a large or small organization? Why? How do you feel about working in an unstructured environment? Why should we hire you instead of another candidate? Which accomplishment are you most proud of, and why? Describe your most rewarding college experience. Who are your role models? How do you handle stressful situations? Give me an example. If one of your professors was to evaluate you, what would he or she say? Do you have anything else youd like to tell me? Know the Industry, Organization, and Position Candidates who know the employers business and the requirements of the position are the ones most likely to make it to the next round of interviews. Industry research helps you understand typical career paths, identify appropriate level positions, and gather information about salaries and working conditions in your field of interest. It also helps you get to know the competition, rank, and reputation of different companies in the field. Company research will help you prepare appropriate points to emphasize and questions to ask. It will also give you a head start in responding to such interview questions as: What do you know about our company? Why are you interested in working for this company? Learning about the companys financial status can help you evaluate the stability of the company (an important consideration when evaluating job offers). Things you should know before the interview include: The companys mission Products & services Divisions & affiliations Sales Locations Plans for expansion.

Interview Preparation
The interview is your chance to really shine. Careful preparation is critical to conveying a polished image. Employers will be impressed when you give specific examples of how your skills and achievements are right for the job at hand. Youll stand out if you take the time before the interview to obtain as much information as you can about the organization and the job. Know Yourself Think of yourself as the marketing representative for a very unique product. Before your sales call, you must be able to offer convincing proof that you are the person best qualified for the position. Clearly defined self knowledge will help you answer the interviewers questions about your career goals and where you see yourself within the organization. Five Steps to Selling Yourself 1. Conduct a thorough, in depth self assessment. The Career Quiz in the Career Planning section (Chapter Two, pages 13-15) of this guide can help identify your most marketable skills and attributes. 2. Write down specific examples of how youve used your skills to achieve tangible and measurable results. Then, relate your accomplishments to the requirements of the position. Employers want to know your track record. 3. Review and rehearse the results of your self assessment so that you can communicate your skills and relate your experience to the specific position with ease and confidence. 4. Visit the Career Center and ask a counselor for advice and assistance if you have difficulty identifying and articulating your key attributes. 5. Participate in a Skills Asessment workshop at the Career Center or utilize a computerized selfassessment program to identify your competencies, interests, strengths, and weaknesses. p82

Position research provides valuable clues to the kinds of questions youll be asked at the interview. The better you understand the position, the better you will be able to communicate your interest in the job and evaluate its impact on your immediate and long term career goals.

Interview Settings
BruinView Campus Interviews Recruiters from hundreds of companies and organizations conduct campus interviews for entry level career positions with UCLA graduating seniors and graduate students through the BruinView system (some companies also visit the campus to interview freshman, sophomores, and juniors for summer jobs and internships). The standard on

campus session is conducted in one of the Career Centers interview rooms and lasts from 30 minutes to one hour. The campus interview may be conducted by a human resources representative, by a department or division manager, or by an employee who works in the same type of position for which you are being considered. It is not uncommon for companies to send a recent UCLA graduate who is working for their firm to conduct all or part of the interview. Like any other first interview, the campus interview is essentially a screening interview. Keep in mind it is just as important to prepare thoroughly for a campus interview as any other interview. Your performance will determine whether you will continue in the selection process. If you pass the first round of the selection process, you will be invited to a follow up interview which usually takes place at the companys local or home office. On Site Interviews The on site visit may be your first contact with the prospective employer, or it may be the final step in the selection process. The on site interview gives you a chance to tour the facility, interact with staff at all levels, learn more about the organizations products and services, and experience the work environment and its employees. Your initial on site interview will generally last 45 minutes to one hour. If things are going well, it may last several hours. It is not uncommon for follow up interviews for entry level jobs to consume an entire day. An important point to keep in mind is scheduling. Do not schedule more than two initial interviews in one day one in the morning and one in the mid afternoon. When you receive an invitation to a follow up interview, try to clear your schedule for the entire day so that you do not have to cut short your opportunity to present your qualifications and obtain a job offer. Video Conference Interviews This pre-screening technique is used primarily to interview cross country candidates by organizations who are looking for cost effective ways to recruit. It may also be used for localized searches. The video conference interview falls into two types. In either case, video conference interviewing contains the challenges of the telephone interview without any of its advantages. You need to make a special effort to ensure that your enthusiasm and your warmth are projected to the interviewers. Type 1 - You will be asked to report to the office of an independent vendor that specializes in contracting out its video conference facilities to corporate customers. The

facilities and technology can be rather elaborate, and you may be interviewed by a professional interviewer who will ask pre-determined questions. A video recording of your interview is then turned over to the organization that is interested in your qualifications. Type 2 - In other circumstances, you may be invited to a companys branch office or to a facility with a less sophisticated set up. The video conference equipment may consist of a PC, a slow scan camera, and a microphone. In this setting, you will usually be interviewed by someone in the companys human resources department or another staff member. Telephone Interview The telephone interview is a pre-screening technique often used by employers who neither have the time nor budget to meet face-to-face with each candidate during the preliminary stages of the selection process. If the interviewer decides there is a fit worth pursuing, a face-toface interview will follow. Sometimes the recruiter will call ahead and schedule the telephone interview for a specific time in the future. Other times, the caller will jump right into the interview without giving you advance notice. Do not take the telephone interview lightly. Be prepared to present your best background and qualifications. Tips for the Telephone Interview Here are some tips that can help you progress to the next step in the employers selection process: If your phone interview is arranged in advance, be where you say you will be at the appointed hour, and be ready to answer your phone. If youre using a cell phone, make sure the battery is charged and youre in an area with clear reception. Dont drive during the interview or engage in any other distractions. Keep it professional. Pick a quiet location where you can speak openly and without interruption. Dont take other calls during the interview. If you have call waiting, ignore it. Prepare a written script or jot down on index cards key points to make. Practice so your delivery sounds natural and conversational. Keep your resume and cover letter (and job ad if you responded to a particular opening) nearby for reference.

p83

Overcoming Challenges of the Telephone Interview Challenge #1 - There are no non-verbal cues, such as nodding or smiling, to help guide your responses or to help the interviewer at the other end of the line interpret your responses. Solution - If youre in doubt about the meaning or intent of any question, ask for clarification, and think out your responses clearly before you answer. On the other hand, if you sense that you havent communicated a reply clearly, try again until you are sure that your message has been received correctly. Challenge #2 - It can be difficult sometimes to communicate professionalism, warmth, and enthusiasm. Solution - It may help to dress in business attire for your telephone interview just as you would for an in person session. Some job seekers have achieved good results from placing a large mirror on their desk near the telephone. By looking into the mirror and smiling throughout the interview, you stand a better chance of communicating your smile and your enthusiasm over the telephone.

Preparation Tips Write out and rehearse the details surrounding each item on your resume. Be prepared to describe in detail how a particular accomplishment or experience translates to a benefit to the employers organization and the position you have applied for. Typical Resume Based Interview Questions What motivated you to choose your major and career field? What internships have you completed? What did you learn? Did you work while going to school? In what positions? Have you done any volunteer work? What kind? Do you have any leadership experience? Please tell me about it. How has your education at UCLA prepared you for your career? What college subjects did you like the most? The least? Why? What skills or qualifications do you have that would make you successful in this position? What are some things in your past jobs that you feel you have done particularly well? What do you feel needs improvement? What did you enjoy the most about your last job? What did you enjoy the least? Why did you leave your last job? Why did you decide to seek a position with this company, and what do you know about us? What are your short term and long range career goals, and how do you see a position with this company fitting into your plans?

Types of Interviews
There are three main types of interviews: the resume based interview, the case interview, and the behavioral based interview. Its not unusual for an interviewer to mix and match various combinations of these techniques during the course of your interview. The Resume Based Interview The interviewer using this question-and-answer technique will seek to confirm your qualifications by asking you to describe in greater detail the experiences summarized on your resume. Currently, this is the most widely used method of interviewing by most companies and organizations. Dont forget: the interview is a two way exchange of information. Be sure to interview the interviewer. Ask questions to make your interview an interactive experience. If youve done your research, youll have formulated the organizations resume in your mind. If you have a copy of the companys annual report or access to their website, view this as a presentation of its skills and background. Always go into an interview with about four or five questions already mapped out. p84

The Case Interview The interviewer will present you with a complex problem involving issues or situations that are not likely to be familiar. You will be asked to formulate a solution to the problem under tight time constraints. Methods of presenting the case study can range from formal written documents containing considerable information to brief oral descriptions of the problem accompanied by little guidance or information. In either extreme, the interviewer will be looking for these qualities: Demonstrated enthusiasm for solving complex problems. Use of a structured, hypothesis-driven approach. Logical thought process and analytical rigor. Ability to synthesize information and draw analogies. Creativity accompanied by common sense and good business instinct. Comfort with drawing conclusions in the face of ambiguity and uncertainty. Internet Job Search Resources Ace Your Case!: Consulting Interviews Case in Point: Complete Case Interview Preparation Vault Guide to the Case Interview Preparation Tips Figure out in advance what approach works best for you in analyzing ambiguous and complex issues. Then practice using this technique until it becomes second nature. Remember, there is seldom a single right answer. Demonstrating enthusiasm, logical and analytical thought processes, and comfort with ambiguity are your primary goals in case interviewing. Case Interview Tips Listen to and read the introduction and case description carefully. Keep note taking to a minimum and concentrate on remembering key facts. Ask one or two clarifying questions. Identify potential issues and related sub topics. Structure the problem by stating a hypothesis (e.g., It sounds like a cash flow problem). Pick one sub topic to probe. Develop the hypothesis. Check the appropriateness through dialog with the interviewer. Discard if the topicappears not to be relevant; pursue if viable. Pick a second branch to pursue as above. Budget your time. Always save the last five minutes to pull everything together, summarize your conclusions, and make a recommendation or identify a plan of action. p85

Case Interview Resources The UCLA Career Center Career Library has a number of resources available to help students prepare for case interviews.

Visit the library Monday-Friday 9am-5pm to review the Vault Guide to Case Interviews or Case in Point books.

The Behavioral Interview Behavior based interviewing is currently popular with a growing number of employers and builds upon the basic premise that future performance is best predicted by past behavior. The interviewer will cite an experience, skill, or attribute that the company looks for in its employees and will ask you to describe a specific time that you demonstrated that characteristic. The key word is specific. A person well trained in this interviewing technique will not let you get away with a general or vague answer. Compared to a traditional interview, the behavioral interview is much more structured and probing. Its focus is on real life experiences and actions. A typical line of questioning might be: Tell me about a time when you...? You will be expected to frame your response in a three step process by describing in detail: 1) The situation 2) The action you took 3) The result or outcome. There are other differences you may expect in a behavioral interview: The interviewer will ask open ended questions to assess whether you have the skills and traits considered essential for job success. The interview will focus on areas that are important to the employer, rather than allowing you to bring up points that you may want to emphasize. The interviewer may interrupt or follow up with questions that probe for depth and detail, such as: What were you thinking at that point? Tell me more about your meeting with that person. Lead me through your decision making process.

Preparation Tips Thoroughly research your field or industry and the firms with which you intend to interview. Your main objective during that research should be to identify the skills, attributes and experiences highly valued by the industry. Be prepared to discuss several examples from your list of accomplishments for each of those desired qualities. Strategies for Success in a Behavioral Interview Youll be at a distinct advantage if youre prepared with hard evidence to demonstrate specific skills and capabilities. For example, if you have participated in a team project, be ready with stories or specific examples to describe your actions that were integral to the groups success, such as initiative, consensus building, good communication, and leadership. Generally speaking, behavioral based questions will evaluate your skills and expertise in specific areas. The following are examples of questions the interviewer may ask to evaluate your potential for successful job performance. Decision Making Give an example of a time when you had to make a difficult decision. Describe a situation when you had to defend a position or decision. Tell about a time when you had to be relatively quick in coming to a decision. Summarize a situation where you had to seek out relevant information, define key issues, and determine the steps to take to get desired results. Give a specific example of a time when you used good judgement and logic in making a decision. Teamwork Describe a time when other members of your work team disagreed with your ideas. What did you do? Give an example of when you had to arrive at a compromise or guide others to a compromise. Tell of a situation when you worked with a colleague who was not completing his share of the project. Who, if anyone, did you tell or talk to about it? Did the manager take any steps to correct your colleague? Did you agree or disagree with the managers actions and why?

Analysis or Problem Solving Give an example of how you identified a small problem and fixed it before it became major. Recall a time from your work experience when your manager or supervisor was unavailable and a problem arose. How did you handle that situation? Give an example of a time when you were assigned to a complex project. Specifically, what steps did you take to prepare for and finish the project? Were you happy with the outcome? What steps would you have done differently if given a second chance? Describe an instance when you had to think on your feet to disengage yourself from a difficult situation. Adaptability Describe a problem you faced in making the transition from college to work. Describe a situation in which you had to adjust quickly to changes over which you had no control. What was the impact of the change on you? By providing examples, describe how you can adapt to a wide variety of people, situations, and environments. Describe a time on any job that you held in which you were faced with problems or stresses that tested your coping skills. Communication Tell of a time when your active listening skills really paid off for you. Have your listening and speaking skills ever helped you better understand a person or a situation? Describe. Tell about a time in which you had to use your written communication skills in order to get across an important point. Have you ever made a presentation to a large group? Describe that experience. What has been your most successful experience in speech making? Describe a situation in which you were able to use persuasion to successfully convince someone to see things your way.

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Sensitivity or Interpersonal Skills Tell about a time when you had to be assertive. Give an example of when you had to work with someone who was difficult to get along with. Why was this person difficult? How did you handle the situation? Give an example of a time when you were able to successfully communicate with another person even when the individual may not have personally liked you (or vice versa). Tell about a time you had to resolve a conflict or a sensitive or personal nature.

Work Standards or Ethics Describe a time when you were not very satisfied or pleased with your performance. What did you do about it? How have you differed from your boss in evaluating your performance? How did you handle the situation? Have you ever disagreed with a rule or procedure? What did you do? Initiative Give an example where you pushed yourself to do more than the minimum. Describe a project or idea that was implemented or carried out successfully, primarily because of your efforts. Tell about a time when you had to go above and beyond the call of duty in order to get a job done. Planning and Organizing How do you determine priorities in scheduling your time? Give an example. Describe a time on the job when you had any projects or assignments due at the same time. What steps did you take to get them all done? Give an example of an important goal which you set in the past. Tell about your success in reaching it. Describe a situation that required a number of things to be done at the same time. How did you handle it? What was the result? Supervision In a supervisory or group leadership role, have you ever had to discipline or counsel an employee or group member? What was the nature of the discipline? How did you feel? Have you ever given feedback to someone? What did you do? Tell about a time when you had to fire someone. Describe how you felt. Have you ever had to motivate someone to do something? Describe.

Before the Interview

Take a Test Drive to Increase Your Comfort Zone Before your interview, drive to the interview site (or take whatever public transportation you will use on the interview day). If possible, take your test commute at about the same time of day you would be traveling on the day of the interview and note the time it takes to get there. On the day of the interview, allow plenty of extra time so that you arrive at your destination ten to fifteen minutes early. Know Where to Park Find out where to park on your test drive. In the case of fee based parking, contact the company in advance to find out whether they validate parking for persons interviewing with the firm. If so, get specific instructions on where to park and procedures to follow. If you will be parking on the street, be sure you have an adequate supply of change for the meter. What to Wear What to wear depends somewhat on the type of industry and area of the country. As a general rule of thumb, your interview attire should be equivalent to that worn by senior managers when they meet with their best clients. An increasing number of campus recruiters are dressing in casual clothing. Unless they specify that you should dress casually for the interview, you cant go wrong dressing up for the occasion in business attire. Make sure your chosen outfit is ready to step into the day of your interview. You dont need the stress of a missing belt or unpolished shoes at the last minute. No matter your gender, you should minimize fragrances (e.g., perfumes, colognes, after shaves) and pay attention to fresh hygiene and good grooming. Clean nails, breath, and hair are important final touches to your polished and professional image. Remember, your work potential may be judged by the kind of attention you give your appearance. p87

Just for Ms. Bruin Suit or tailored dress: conservative style and color. Shoes: polished pumps in a dark or neutral color. Accessories: minimal jewelry. Add a leather portfolio for carrying your resume and other important papers. Interviews most often begin with small talk about the weather, traffic, or some recent public event. Soon, the conversation will shift to a more serious vein and you will be asked an open ended icebreaker, such as Why are you interested in our company? As your interview continues, the interviewer will ask you to fill in details. Do not hesitate to volunteer information or ask for clarification. At some point during the interview, usually as the interview draws to a close, the interviewer will ask if you have any questions. Be sure you do! Having questions that have been well thought out in advance will impress the interviewer. The questions you ask an employer should: Give you a better understanding of the duties and tasks of the job. Show a genuine interest in the company, yet not be so basic that they lead the interviewer to believe you have not researched the company. Help you prepare for your follow up interviews. It is not appropriate at a first interview to ask questions that deal with salary, vacation, and other benefits. If a follow up interview takes place, there will be ample time to discuss these issues. Questions for the Interviewer How does this position fit into the overall organizational structure? What percentage of time would be devoted to each of the responsibilities of the position? What challenges or opportunities are associated with the position? What is the nature of the training program and supervision provided to new employees? How does the company measure performance? When are evaluations scheduled?

Just for Mr. Bruin Suit: two-piece suit of medium blue or darker color. Shirt: long-sleeved shirt in solid white or blue. If you opt for blue, keep its shade much lighter than your suit jacket. Tie: a conservative pattern and of a contrasting color that is darker than your shirt. Shoes: polished dress shoes in a dark color. Socks: choose a solid dark color that either matches or complements your suit trousers. Accessories: keep to a minimum. A leather portfolio for carrying your resume and other papers is appropriate.

Day of the Interview

When You Arrive If you arrive more than 15 minutes early, wait in your car. Use the extra time to review your resume and organize your thoughts. About 15 minutes prior to your scheduled time, go into the building, enter a restroom, and check your appearance. Now youre ready for your appointment. Check in with the receptionist. Be friendly and polite to everyone you meet. You dont always know who may be involved in your evaluation. While you are waiting, relax by looking at company literature or magazines. Greet the interviewer with a smile and a firm handshake. Maintain good eye contact and demonstrate your enthusiasm and self confidence throughout the interview. p88

 What are the backgrounds of other employees I would be working with in this position? What is the management style and corporate culture? What are the characteristics of your most outstanding employees in a similar position?

Following the Interview

It pays to be proactive in your follow up activities. After your job interviews, keep in touch with the interviewers. Even if you dont get a job offer, the relationships you establish can lead to further referrals, more interviews, and ultimately a job offer that truly meets your expectations.

The Close of the Interview

After you have finished your questions, you will probably hear a comment similar to, Well, if you dont have anything else, that should be all for today. Thanks for coming. This is an opportune time to make a strong close by summarizing your qualifications and expressing your interest in the position. Be sure to get a business card from the interviewer so you can send a thank you note the next day. Before leaving the interview, be certain you understand the next step. Will the interviewer contact you? Will you make the next move? It is appropriate for you to take the initiative to set a time frame for getting a response. Sample Closing Heres a sample script to get you started on your own personalized closing: This sounds likes an exciting opportunity just the kind I am looking for. I believe my (insert your most relevant strengths and experience here) make me an ideal candidate for this position. I look forward to becoming a member of your team. If the last sentence seems too aggressive for your style, substitute: I am looking forward to the next step in your selection process. Thank You Letter Always send a thank you letter following an interview. It is a professional courtesy and demonstrates your consideration, enthusiasm, and appreciation for the opportunity to interview. The letter doesnt have to be long and drawn out. A brief, to-the-point letter can still be effective and can sometimes be the difference between getting the job or not. Check the letter carefully for grammar and spelling, and make sure you have the interviewers name and title correct. Thank the interviewer for his or her time and interest in meeting with you and explaining the position. Emphasize the skills, strengths, and abilities you can bring to the job. Express your interest in the position. Maintain Contact Give the interviewer about one week to get your letter, then make a quick phone call to express your continuing interest in the company. Ask if you can provide additional information to assist in the decision making process. Keep in touch with the interviewer on a regular basis (we suggest once a week) until you have been offered the position or have been told that someone else has been chosen. Hang in there! If someone else is selected and you felt that you had good rapport with the interviewer, continue to maintain contact on a monthly basis. No might simply mean they found another candidate who they believe is a better match for that particular position. If the employer knows you are still interested, they may invite you to an interview for another position. p89

Example of Thank You Letter

Kahrear Scentor 321 Belmont Ave., #106, Los Angeles, CA 99999, (555) 555-5555 Kahrear@ucla.net

May 27, 2011

Mrs. Joanna Lastname Human Resources Wealth Management Fictious Name 12345 Wilshire Blvd., Sixteenth Floor Century City, CA 99999 Dear Mrs. Lastname: I want to thank you for giving me the opportunity to meet with you and discuss the financial analyst position. I enjoyed speaking with you and learning more about Wealth Management Fictious Name and your department. My enthusiasm for the position and interest for working for Wealth Management Fictious Name were greatly strengthened as a result of our interview. I am confident that my academic background and work experience provide a good fit with your requirements of the job. Please feel free to contact me at (555) 555-5555 or by email to Kahrear@ucla.net if you would like me to provide you with any additional information. Thank you again for the interview and your consideration.

Sincerely,

Kahrear Scentor
Kahrear Scentor

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Chapter 9 - Negotiating a Compensation Package

When it comes to negotiating salary and benefits, most job seekers would rather move on to less painful tasks. Employers expect you to negotiate your salary and often ask about your expectations on application forms or during the interview. Be Ready to Answer That Inevitable Question: What salary are you looking for? Advance preparation will not only maximize the potential for a better compensation package, it will show that youve done your homework and know your value and the market rate of the position. Whether you get what you think you deserve will depend on two major things: How well you lay the groundwork and deliver your request. The salary range the employer has in mind. The Reality of Salaries The salary for most jobs is usually flexible within a predetermined range. Most employers know what they are willing to pay for a particular position. On occasion, an employer may be willing to come up with more money or additional benefits to accommodate your particular skills and abilities. Under these circumstances, you are in an excellent position to negotiate an attractive compensation package. What is your bargaining power? Employers will negotiate within a range, but rarely exceed it unless you are an exceptional candidate. Most state and federal government jobs have rigid, non-negotiable salary scales based on education and experience. In general: Entry level base salaries are usually subject to no more than 10 percent of the original salary offered. Mid level positions typically have a negotiation range of between 10 and 20 percent. Higher level management and executive positions offer the greatest opportunities for negotiation. Before You Begin Negotiating Preparation is the key to success. If youre ready with facts and figures and state your salary goal in the right way, you will be in a considerably better position to negotiate. The following offer a few simple clues to help you present a winning case. Evaluate your worth Ask yourself, How valuable and important am I to the company? Know your skills and what they are worth to the employer. Be sure to clearly communicate your strengths and capabilities during the interview. Determine the going rate Salary surveys are fairly easy to come by and will provide an industry wide perspective. Once you get the information, take into account differences in the cost of living which may be significantly higher in a large metropolitan area than in a smaller city, town, or rural area. Before relying on salary data, you need to check whether it is current and know if it is from a reputable source. Research the job market Scan newspapers and trade publications for classified ads or browse Internet job listings to get an idea of what similar positions pay for a person with your education, background, and experience. Check with professional organizations. Ask friends and networking contacts. Call employment agencies or search firms. Additional tips Be realistic. Dont be the first to mention salary during the interview. Dont worry about what your friends are making. The employer certainly isnt. Never lie about your salary history. Salary Comparison Application for UCLA Job Seekers The UCLA Salary Comparison program can be used to augment your career planning efforts. You can anonymously enter your academic credentials and work experience into the program in order to receive compensation guidance. Go to career.ucla.edu/SalaryComparison for more details.

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Handling Salary Questions

There are many books and other resources, including UCLA Career Center counselors, available to provide assistance in preparing for this part of your job search process. Here are just a few tips on how to respond to salary questions: What are your salary requirements? One appropriate response might be: I understand the current market rate in Los Angeles for this job is $30,00035,000. Another approach: summarize the requirements of the position as you understand them, and then ask the interviewer what the companys normal salary range is for that type of position. How much did you earn in your last job? Tell the interviewer that you would prefer to learn more about the current position before you discuss compensation. Explain that you are confident you will be able to reach a mutual agreement if there is a good match between your qualifications and the companys needs. The salary range for this position is $40,000 to $50,000 ... is that what you were expecting? Tell the interviewer that it does come near your expectations, and then offer a range that places the top of the employers range into the bottom of your range (e.g., I was thinking in terms of $50,000 to $60,000). This keeps you within their price range but shows you are interested in somewhat more compensation. Be sure that the range you were thinking about is consistent with what you learned about the market rate for that position.

A More Comprehensive Benefits Package Might Include: Cell phone and/or pager Child and daycare services Company car Computer equipment Cost of living adjustments Desirable office and furnishings Education and training programs Expense accounts Flexible work schedule Maternity or parental leave Preferred parking Professional membership dues Profit sharing and savings plans Relocation expenses Retirement and 401K plans Special equipment (e.g., computers) Stock and equity options Supplementary pay plans Telecommuting Termination agreement (severance pay) Unpaid leave time

Benefits
Part of the Compensation Package Its important to keep in mind that your total compensation is more than the money in your paycheck. Other benefits may be worth at least one third of your compensation. Many employee benefits are considered standard. They come with the job and are not subject to negotiation. However, an increasing number of companies offer flexible benefit packages which give employees a variety of choices and perks. Most entry level employees can expect a basic benefit package consisting of: Health, dental, disability, and life insurance. Paid vacation, sick leave, and holidays.

Concierge services Note: Please keep in mind that during these challenging economic times, many of these benefits may not be available.

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The Art of Skillfull Salary Negotiation

Have an amount in mind Decide what you want and what youll accept. This means knowing three important figures: Your dream salary the most you can ask for without fear of alienating your prospective employer. Your bottom line the lowest figure youd settle for. Your goal - a realistic amount you think you have a good chance of getting. Take a hard look at your salary requirements Construct a basic budget by listing your expected monthly expenses. Your actual paycheck will reflect income tax and other deductions. Be ready to compromise A heavy-handed pay me what Im worth or else ultimatum is not recommended. If the employer comes close to what youre after, youll have to decide whether to settle on this figure. Emphasize your skills and abilities, not your needs Dont present your request in terms of how you will benefit (e.g., pay off your student loans or buy a new car). Instead, point out how the company will benefit by the experience and contributions you will make. Stay cool, calm and collected Salary negotiation should not be an adversarial process, but rather a friendly, open dialogue. When the discussion isnt going your way, dont become angry and lose control. Seek creative alternatives If the salary you have in mind is out of the question, perhaps a bonus could be justified. Ditto for other perks, such as taking a job related course or starting a graduate program. Consider negotiating for non monetary awards, such as flexible hours, a better office space, or more responsibility. Keep things in the proper perspective Remember that your salary has nothing to do with your value as a human being. Its strictly an economic issue. Compensation is a high priority for nearly everyone, but it should never be the sole factor in deciding whether to accept a job offer. Where to Get Salary Information A general search on the Internet will provide links to numerous general and profession-specific salary surveys, a salary IQ test, and salary negotiating strategies.

Numerous references, such as the following, may be obtained at public and university libraries, bookstores, and newsstands. General periodicals such as U.S. News and World Report or Working Woman Major newspapers Trade journals Career Library / Lab Resources on the World of Work Job Offer!: A How-To Negotiation Guide Negotiating Salary and Perks Negotiating Your Salary Occupational Outlook Handbook (Check under the Earnings section of each profession profiled) Salary Survey of the National Association of Colleges and Employers Salary Facts Handbook: The Definitive Source of Pay Information on 800 Jobs

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Chapter 10 - Evaluating Job Offers

Decision Making Criteria
At least half of your waking day will be spent at work performing your new job. Evaluate how the position fits into your short and long term lifestyle and career goals and how it will provide opportunities for job satisfaction, enjoyment, and personal growth. A nice starting salary is great, but if you dont get up in the morning looking forward to going to work, no amount of money is worth it. The Position What will you be doing on a day-to-day basis? Will you have the opportunity to use your background and experience in a meaningful way? What skills are required? What are the prospects for learning new skills? How much responsibility will you have, and how soon? Is the work routine or project based? How big is your work group and what is your role in it? Does anyone report to you? What percentage of time will you travel? The Company Is it a large, multi-national conglomerate or is it a small start up company where you know everyone, including the president? What is the companys reputation? Its size and sales? Its growth potential and position in the market? Is the management style hierarchical or consensus oriented? Does the company welcome and value people of differing cultural, ethnic, or racial backgrounds? Supervision Who do you report to? What is that persons management style? How much day-to-day supervision will you have? Who gives you assignments? Who approves them? How much independence and decision making go with the position? Work environment What is the corporate culture? Is it a fast paced atmosphere with deadlines, or is it a slow and calm environment? Is it a structured organization providing stability and security or unstructured environment where you are given complete responsibility and power to make decisions? Do you have an office? A cubicle? A desk in a bullpen? How many hours are you expected to put in? What time do people in your position get to work? When do they leave? Co-workers Who will you work closely with? Are they congenial? Can you spend eight hours or more a day with them? Do you think youll be comfortable with the people youll be dealing with? Is the staff diverse? Potential for advancement Is the position compatible with your career plans? Are you able to move cross functionally? What is the upward mobility? Is transfer or relocation necessary or desirable for advancement in the company? Is training available? Compensation and benefits Is the base salary competitive? Does the salary start high and peak or begin lower with potential for significant increases? What is the quality of the medical and dental coverage? Does the company provide relocation expenses or allowances? What perks can you expect, such as a health club membership, company car, or expense account? Performance evaluation Is a formal appraisal system in place? Will performance goals be set and measured? Are salary increases and bonuses tied to performance? Does individual performance affect your annual bonus or profit sharing potential?

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New Recruitment Policies

The Career Center believes that students should have sufficient time to make important career and internship decisions. With this in mind, we have implemented specific Employer Recruitment Policies to guide on-campus recruiting activities. As a student you should be aware of the guidelines set forth for employers who recruit oncampus at UCLA. For full-time positions, students should be given three weeks to make a decision. For internship positions, students should be given two weeks to make their final decision. Employers should not make offers or pressure students to accept early offers include those requiring a quick response time, nor should they attach incentives involving diminishing bonuses, reduced options for location preferences, etc. The Career Center does not permit students to cancel first-round interviews to attend second-round interviews. Students who violate our policies are required to meet with Career Center staff; each case is considered individually. Consequences range in scope and can include forfeiture of all campus recruiting privileges. We have established expectations for employers to ensure students ability to comply with our second-round policy. You can review our employer timeline and recruitment policies online at career.ucla.edu/CampusRecruitmentPolicies If you have any questions about our policies, please contact our Employer Relations team at bruinview@career.ucla.edu.

you are given sufficient time to attend career fairs, participate in on-campus interviews, and/or complete the interviewing in which you are currently engaged, you are more likely to make good long-term employment decisions. As it is unrealistic to enforce a specific time frame regarding offer and acceptance of employment, the decisions are ultimately between you and the employer. COMMUNICATION IS KEY. Maintain regular contact between you and the employer from the time the offer is received. If you are waiting on a preferred employer, contact them and ask how far they have proceeded with your application and when you are likely to hear of their decision. Contact the employer who has made you the offer and ask if they are prepared and willing to extend the offer acceptance deadline, if needed. This is a common practice and does not automatically imply that their offer is second best, especially if you explain that you want to complete the interviewing cycle in which you are currently engaged, in order to make the most informed decision. If the employer does insist on your making a decision quickly, you might ask yourself whether you want to work for an organization which is pressuring you to make a hasty choice. Do not stretch their patience too much, though they deserve to know your decision within a reasonable amount of time so they can offer the position to someone else, should you withdraw or decline. Do not accept an offer that you are not comfortable with, or to hedge your bets in case your preferred offer doesnt come through. Youve successfully secured one offer you can do it again. The onus is on you to do as much self assessment and employer research as possible to be in the best position to make informed decisions. The onus is on employers to not improperly influence and affect your job acceptance. And how can the Career Center help you? Again, COME SEE A CAREER COUNSELOR!

Handling Multiple Offers and Offer Deadlines

In the generally fast-paced employment market, where employers are eager to secure students, often months before they will start work, dilemmas you may face are what to do if you receive multiple employment offers, and how to handle offer deadlines given by employers when you have not finished talking to all the organizations you are interested in. For example, you are given a week to accept an offer by the X Corporation, but have an interview scheduled in two weeks with the Y Corporation, who you are potentially more interested in. Given the variability of employers hiring practices and time frames, combined with your unique needs and schedule, this is a complex issue and unfortunately there are no clear rules for every situation. That being said, there are some important things to keep in mind and steps you should take. The first is, if possible, CONSULT WITH A UCLA CAREER COUNSELOR! Come to the Career Center for a Drop-In counseling session where we can help you assess the situation and examine your options. Here are some other valuable suggestions and guidelines for handling multiple offers and offer deadlines: Experience shows that the best employment decisions for both you and employers are those made without pressure and with the greatest amount of information. If p95

Additional Pointers
Be sure to give yourself time to reflect on any offer extended to you. Never accept a verbal offer. Ask for the offer in writing so there wont be any misunderstandings later. If you decide the job offer meets your criteria, call the employer to accept and follow with a letter. Restate your understanding of the agreed upon terms, such as starting date, position title, salary, and benefits. Once you have accepted an offer, write a polite and tactful letter declining other offers you may have received.

Chapter 11 - Surviving Your First Job

Transitioning from college to a new career is one of the most exciting times of your life. There are new people to meet and new things to do. As a new employee, it will serve you well to become acquainted with the organizational culture. You will be evaluated on your ability to catch on and fit in. This is the time when all of your observational, investigative, and analytical skills will come in handy. The things you do first on a new job build a foundation and send important messages to colleagues, customers, and your boss. Show that you are capable of handling more than one job effectively By positioning yourself for new responsibilities, you can increase your chances for survival, even if your present slot is eliminated in downsizing or restructuring. Keep your boss informed Initiate formal and informal discussions to update your boss on what youre working on and how youre doing. And dont hesitate to remind a busy or forgetful manager when its time for your performance review. Learn Your Bosss Style of Interaction Does he or she mind frequent interruptions? Or is a scheduled meeting to discuss your questions more preferable? Daily briefings? Written reports? A good relationship with your boss requires sensitivity to different working styles. Keep the lines of communication open. Use networking to multiply your productivity Joining a professional association is another effective way to increase your networking opportunities. If you are not the expert in an area, then find out who is. Set a meeting or offer lunch so you can learn what they know.

Strategies for Success

Monitor your expectations When beginning your new job, youll be eager to showcase what you learned as a college student. But be patient. Your new employer hired you because of your potential to be successful in the organization. Take time to get to know more about the company and the people in it. You will begin to develop an understanding of how and why things are done. And you will learn how to give input and make contributions without stepping on toes. Pay your dues You will be approached with many projects. Some you will be able to do with ease, others not. Some you will enjoy, others not. As a new employee, you may not have enough information to determine the relevance or importance of a project to the big picture. Therefore, it is in your best interest to take advantage of the opportunities as they arise and do the best you can. Once you earn the respect and confidence of your boss and co-workers, you can expect to have more flexibility to work on projects that interest you most. Take the initiative Go beyond the job description, help others, be ready to take risks, and see projects through to completion. Focus on being a great new professional, and dont get ahead of yourself Learn your job well and do a great job at it, no matter how unimportant, boring, or trivial you may think it is. Too many new hires look past their position and spend so much time trying to get promoted that they neglect the job at hand. Establish a reputation as being a cooperative team player No one wins by being out for himself. Dont use or manipulate people for your personal gain. Instead treat everyone at every level with respect and dignity. Come early, stay late Cheerfully putting in extra time shows your commitment.

Succeeding in Your First Job

Plan and organize your time Get in the habit of making a things to do list each day and follow it. Those who can anticipate workplace problems and opportunities and plan their activities accordingly will be the most successful. Set priorities The 80/20 rule applies here: Eighty percent of the benefit to the organization (and thus to your career) will be derived from about 20 percent of the tasks in front of you. p96

Learn your organizations culture and personality Watch your colleagues carefully. How do they talk, dress, act, and conduct their business? How do they deal with customers, bosses, and subordinates? What is the language of the organization? Look for common denominators so that you will know if you are violating the organizations norms and values. Set goals for your progress Record your accomplishments as they occur. Take advantage of the regular performance reviews to carefully note your strengths and weaknesses as the company sees them. Find out how you can improve your job performance.

What to Wear to Work

Your professional appearance matters. Certain dress is accepted in different organizations and in different parts of the country. You may have heard the saying that if you want to move up, dress like the person two levels ahead of you. Rules on Professional Appearance If you want the job, look the part. If you want the promotion, look promotable. If you want respect, dress as well or better than the industry standard. If your organization has Casual Fridays, take your queue from your supervisor. Lean toward a more conservative look, to be on the safe side. Observe Men and Women at Work As a student, when you go to employer information meetings or visit the work setting on an interview, look at what the employees wear. Is it a dark blue suit or faded blue jeans? Politely ask if this is the usual attire just in case it is a casual dress day at work. Dressing for work is hardly different than dressing to go out with friends. Dress to fit in. Just like different industries use different professional jargon, they may also dress differently. Dress can be very conservative in some professions or companies, and very casual in others.

Career Library / Lab Resources on the World of Work

Beyond Business Casual: What to Wear to Work If You Want to Get Ahead First-Job Survival Guide I Hate My Boss: How to Survive and Get Ahead When Your Boss is a Tyrant, Control Freak, or Just Plain Nuts Welcome to the Real Working World: What Every Employee MUST Know to Succeed Your Rights in the Workplace 101 Tips for Graduates: A Code of Conduct for Success and Happiness in Your Professional Life When Reality Hits: What Employers Want Recent College Graduates to Know Your First 90 Days in a New Job (How to Make an Impact)
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Disclaimer About Financial Information

The following financial information is of a general nature, is not intended to be specific advice, and should not to be relied upon as a substitute for professional financial advice. This generalized information does not take into account your individual objectives, financial affairs, or needs. You should talk to your financial advisor before making any decisions about your particular situation.

but if your employer offers it, consider taking it. Often there is a short sign-up period once you start your new job. If you miss the cut off date, you may be out of luck. Check all of your options carefully in the beginning. Save for the Future Become knowledgeable on the basics of finance and investing. Go to the library and check out well-known, reputable books for beginners, watch financial television shows, and do searches on the Internet so you can grasp this important information as soon as possible. Start setting savings goals (e.g., emergency funds for six to twelve months, a car for basic transportation, your first home, a family, retirement) and focus on ways to reach your goals. Employers often provide savings plans or access to savings and investments where your contributions are deducted directly from your paycheck. This could be a wonderful benefit for you but find out the pros and cons before you make any decisions. Many employers also offer retirement savings plans such as 401(k) or 403(b) plans, which can help to decrease your current taxable income and save for the future. Many employers will match a portion of your savings, investment and retirement funds. That can be like free money. Carefully check this out before making any decisions. Equities (e.g., stocks, real estate), bonds (e.g., treasury or corporate notes), and mutual funds are common types of investments you may want to consider. Make sure you consult with reputable financial experts and think it through before making any decisions. Obtain more than one opinion to make sure you enhance your options. Start saving early. Through compounding, your retirement account can grow very quickly.

Tips For Your First Job: Finances, Job Benefits, and Investing In Your Future
Typically, a recent graduates goals include getting an apartment, new clothes for work, and paying off student loans. Dont forget to focus on saving money for emergencies and your future. Be proactive. Learn to live with less. Paying attention to this type of advice will help you find long term financial success and security. In this challenging economy, it is more important than ever to control your spending and to not live beyond your means. Planning your budget (and sticking to it) will keep stress levels down so you can focus on excellent performance in your first job after college. The following are some tips for you to consider. Preparing for Short-Term Financial Responsibilities Learn how to develop and stick to a budget, which expenses are necessary, and how much you should designate for optional expenses, including eating out and leisure activities. If you have student loans, discover options and set-up a plan that works for you. Seek information from a financial aid officer, government agencies and other sources, and contact your lenders representatives or visit their website to discover a host of various options, including full payment schedules, deferments, interest only payments, and salary based payments. Set Aside Emergency Cash As soon as possible, begin to build up a six to twelve month savings account at a well-known and reputable bank or credit union. Protect Yourself from Financial Risk When you first start out, your main source of protection from financial risk will probably be insurance. You may already be familiar with car insurance requirements in California, but make sure you consider having disability insurance and health insurance too. That unexpected illness may pop up when you are not covered and wipe out all other savings and more. So plan ahead to protect yourself. If you are in between jobs, consider purchasing temporary health insurance. If you do not have dependents that need your financial help, life insurance may not be as important, p98

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The UCLA Career Center provides a wide range of Programs and Services exclusively for UCLA Students:
Individual Career Counseling Internship & International Opportunities Workshops BruinViewTM Online Jobs and Internships Employer Information Sessions Job Interviews - On Campus Job Search JumpStart Conferences Online Resume Critique Fairs - Careers, Graduate and Professional School, APSIA International Affairs Graduate School Fair Career Week

Library, Electronic, and Computer-Based Resources in the Career Library / Lab Pre-Professional Career Services Credentials File Services Letters of Reference Services Career Workshops for PhD and Masters Students Networking Opportunities Academic & Non-Academic Job Search Tips

Fee-Based Services for Qualified UCLA and UC Alumni:

Excellence. Delivered.
A Department of Student Affairs

Career Center

Career Fairs BruinViewTM for Alumni Online Job Listings Bruin AlumLinkTM Career Counseling
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Alumni Career Forums Online Resume Critique Credentials File Services

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Questions? Go to career.ucla.edu, email us at ccadmin@career.ucla.edu, or call 310.206.1915.

Staff at the UCLA Career Center

John Andriacchi, Assistant Director, Finance, Marketing, and Operations Albert E. Aubin, Senior Associate Director, Campus Relations and Development Joel Bellon, Assistant Director, Information Technology John Coate, Counseling Manager, Employer Services Maryann Davis, Budget Analyst - Accounts Payable/Receivable Katie Davy, Career Services Specialist, Economics Lilia Elias, Administrative Assistant, Employer Services David Flores, Career Assistant Cara Folk, Executive Assistant to the Director Cynthia Hall, Career Counselor Supervisor Chris Howell, Interim Manager, Internships and International Opportunities Karol Johansen, Counseling Manager, Pre-Professional Services Sharon Kamiya, Associate Director, Employer Relations & Customer Services Roni Lavi, Career Counselor Jordan Maness, Counseling Manager, Student Engagement Patty Manzano, Library Assistant Ren Mao, Applications Manager, Information Technology Timothy Mar, Coordinator, Information Services Sanaz Nabati, Career Counselor Cynthia Oh, Manager, Marketing, Publications, and Media Relations Grace Park, Career Counselor Precious Robinson, Career Counselor Christina Ruiz, Coordinator, Letters of Reference Services Kathy L. Sims, Director Ryan Singzon, Information Technology Specialist Don Spring, Career Librarian Markell Steele, Counseling Manager, Graduate Student Services John Taborn, PhD, Associate Director, Counseling Services Antoinette Turk, Payroll/Accounting and Facilities Coordinator

Career Guide 2010-2011 2010 Career Center, University of California, Los Angeles. All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced or transmitted in any form, by any means, electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording, or otherwise, without prior written permission. Contact Marketing, Publications, and Media Relations, UCLA Career Center, 501 Westwood Plaza, Los Angeles, CA 90095-1573, or by email at publications@career.ucla.edu, for authorizations. Hard copies of the Career Guide are free for currently enrolled UCLA students and UC alumni who subscribe to Bruin AlumLink and/or BruinView for Alumni (career.ucla.edu/AlumniServices). For all other interested parties, hard copies may be purchased at the UCLA book store (www.uclastore.com).

career.ucla.edu