Expanding Job Skills - Jan 2013

Expanding Your Job Search Skills
Workshop!
January 15, 2013!
!
Graduate Career Services Committee!

career.cornell.edu!
Brought to You By:!

Cornell Career Services (Barnes Hall)!
Doug Calby!
Leslie Kurtz!
Sheri Mahaney!
Anne Poduska!
Rebecca Sparrow!
!
CALS Career Development Office!
Laurie Gillespie!
!
!
Cooperative Education & Career

Services, College of Engineering!
Mary Ellen Buhl!
Kimberlee Swartz!
!
Office of Postdoctoral Studies,
Graduate Schools Office of
Inclusion and Professional
Development!
Cindy Grey!
Christine Holmes!
!
!
With support from the Graduate Schools Office of Inclusion and Professional
Development!
career.cornell.edu!
Career Advising Resources!

Professional Masters Degree!
Programs Office!
Career Office most closely
aligned with your graduate
field*!
Academic/Research!
Masters or Ph.D. Degree!
*College of Arts and Sciences, Human Ecology, and Veterinary Medicine

students should go directly to Cornell Career Services in Barnes Hall!
If you dont know where to go, just contact !
Cornell Career Services in Barnes Hall:!
607-255-5296 or career@cornell.edu!
career.cornell.edu!
Where Can I Get Additional Help?!

Careers outside academia!
Anne Poduska!
Cornell Career Services!
103 Barnes Hall!
Call 255-5296!
Post-doctoral positions!
Christine Holmes,!
Director of Postdoctoral Studies!
Caldwell Hall!
ch18@cornell.edu!
Faculty positions!
Contact your special committee

members and!
look for professional development
programs from the Grad School!

career.cornell.edu!
Introductions!

career.cornell.edu!
Why Choose a Career Outside of

Academia?!

career.cornell.edu!
Academic jobs!
Educational Institution:!
!
A faculty position, typically involving teaching and

research !
Non-academic jobs!
Educational Institution:!
! Not-for-profit organization:!
Alumni office!
Grants and contracts!
Public relations!
Business and Industry:!

Consulting companies!
Manufacturing!
Financial institutions!
Media outlets!
Libraries!
Museums!
Professional societies !
Government:!
Federal!
State!
Local!
!
Non-academic jobs:

Masters students

Teaching/faculty
posi?on
Business/private
corpora?ons
Overall
Government/not-for-
prot/community/
public service
Humani?es
Engineering
0%
20%
40%
60%
80%
100%
Commission on Pathways Through Graduate Schools and Into Careers. (April 2012). Pathways Through Graduate School and Into Careers, p 21.
http://pathwaysreport.org/ !

career.cornell.edu!
Non-academic jobs:

Doctoral students

Academe
Industry/business
Overall
Government/not-for-
prot/other/unknown
Humani?es
Engineering
0%
20%
40%
60%
80%
100%
Survey of Earned Doctorates:2010. Table 46: By broad eld of study. Retrieved from the Na?onal Science Founda?on website: hRp://www.nsf.gov/sta?s?cs/sed/

career.cornell.edu!
Careers in Academia!
Positives!
Negatives!
Intellectual freedom!
Flexible hours!
Interacting with students!
Access to many resources
(libraries, museums)!
Familiar setting, clear career
path!
Low pay!
Long hours!
Interacting with students!
Politics and hierarchy!
Living in undesirable
locations!
Stressful working
environment!
Limited job opportunities!
Isolation!

career.cornell.edu!
Careers Outside Academia!

Positives!
Negatives!
Good salaries!
Health insurance!
Work-life balance!
More social impact!
More interdisciplinary work!
Explore new career areas and
use skills in different ways!
Corporate culture!
Graduate degree may not be
valued!
Less intellectual freedom!
Deadline- or product-driven
environment!

career.cornell.edu!
Reasons to Stay in Academia (Even If You Dont Want To!)!
Your graduate degree will be wasted!

Your advisor wont support you if you leave academia!
Youre a failure if you leave academia!
Your personal beliefs conflict with the corporate world!
You dont know whats out there!
Youre afraid of making a career change!
You dont have any transferable skills!
Nobody will hire a PhD anyway!
You dont have time to look for a job!
Youre over- and under-qualified for non-academic jobs!
career.cornell.edu!
How Can You Overcome These Challenges?!
!
Treat your career exploration !
as another research project!

career.cornell.edu!
How Can You Overcome These Challenges?!

Your graduate experience already taught you how to:!
Define a topic of interest by reading extensively!

Figure out what you know and dont know!
Identify resources (books, websites, databases)!
Talk to experts intelligently!
Question your assumptions!
Why not use this same approach to discover how you fit
into the world outside academia?!
career.cornell.edu!
Your Career Exploration Research Project!

Background research to identify topics of interest!
Identify your skills and what is important to you in your career!
Locate resources, read, speak to experts!
Learn about careers in which you could use those skills and fulfill
your priorities!
Synthesize and analyze large amounts of information!
Process the information you found to see if any careers are a good
fit with your skills, interests, and values!
Articulate your findings and publicize!
Apply for jobs!!
career.cornell.edu!
Todays Presentations!
Understand Yourself!
Skills and Job Ad Analysis!
Explore Options!
Job-Search Resources!
Networking!
Take Action!
CV to Resume!
Cover Letters!
Interviewing!
!
!
career.cornell.edu!
Redefining Yourself!
Academia:!
Job title (Professor)!
Subjects (American
history)!
Outside of Academia!
What youve done and
could do!
(transferable skills)!
This may be why you feel as though you dont fit anywhere!
but in academia!
career.cornell.edu!
Redefining Yourself!
I am getting my
PhD in cell
biology.
Tenure-track
or adjunct
professor
High-school
teacher
I am skilled at writing, researching a

wide variety of topics, reading and
synthesizing large amounts of
information, and working independently
in high-pressure environments.
Journalism!
Grant officer!
Editor!
Government job: patent reviewer,
speech writer, foreign service officer

career.cornell.edu!
Understanding Yourself: Skills!

career.cornell.edu! !
Understanding Yourself: "

What Skills Do Employers Want
and What Transferable Skills
Do You Have?!
Presented by!
Sheri Mahaney!
sfm3@cornell.edu!
career.cornell.edu!
Knowledge of Your Skills Is Important!

Skills are an important part of the foundation for your
career planning, change, and growth!
!
Knowing your skills allows you to:!
Identify options that capitalize on your talents.!
Prepare development steps to move your career in the
direction you desire.!
Gain a rich, specific language for promoting your
strengths in resumes and interviews!
2005 SkillScan Advance Pack!

career.cornell.edu!
Three Skill Types!
Transferable/Functional Skills!
Actions used to perform a task and are transferable to different positions.!
Examples: Organize, promote, analyze, write!
!
Knowledge-Based Skills!
Specific areas of knowledge needed to perform a task, procedure, or
process.!
Acquired through education, training and on-the-job experience. !
Examples: Personnel Administration, Contract Management, Accounting!
!
Personal Qualities!
Personal characteristics that contribute to performing work activities.!
Developed in childhood and through life experience. !
Examples: Patient, diplomatic, results-oriented, independent!
2005 SkillScan Advance Pack!
Graduate
Career Services Committee!
career.cornell.edu!
Identifying Your Transferable Skills!

1) Using the skills handout, circle all of the skills that you are:!
Highly proficient in, or!
Moderately proficient in!
Note: If you possess skills not listed, add them to the list.!
!
2) Put a star next to the circled skills you enjoy using the
most.!

career.cornell.edu!
Identifying Your Transferrable Skills"

(Your Job Description Choice)!
1) Read the job description you brought. !
2) Identify five skills listed in the description that you
think are the most important.!
!
3) Are any of these skills the ones that you starred on
your skills handout? !
!
4) If so, brainstorm examples from your own experience
to demonstrate how you use 1-3 of these skills.!

career.cornell.edu!
Identifying Your Transferable Skills"

(The Chief of Staff Position)!
1) Read the Chief of Staff job description provided. !

!
2) Identify five skills listed in the description that you
think are the most important.!
!
3) Are any of these skills the ones that you starred on
your skills handout? !
!
4) Brainstorm examples from your own experience to
demonstrate how you use 1-3 of these skills.!

career.cornell.edu!
Group Discussion Questions!

For those of you who brought a job:!
Why did you choose it?!
Share your skill choices and examples. Do you enjoy using
some of these same skills in your graduate experience?!
!
For those of you who used the Chief of Staff job:!
Share your skill choices and examples. Do you enjoy using
some of these same skills in your graduate experience?!

career.cornell.edu!
A Resource for Skills and Job Descriptions!

O*NET!
Detailed job descriptions provided by the U.S. Department of
Labor which include:!
-Tasks !
-Skills !
-Abilities!
-Knowledge/Education !
-Work environment!
!
http://www.onetonline.org/skills/!
career.cornell.edu!
A Few More Resources!

JGSM (Management School) Library !
This link provides access to several business databases
such as: Career Search, Hoovers, Uniworld, and
Factiva.!
Sloan Career Cornerstone Center !
Profiles of Engineers, Mathematicians, Information
Technologists and Physicists.!

career.cornell.edu!
Questions?!

career.cornell.edu!
Explore Options: Resources "

!

career.cornell.edu!
"
Exploring Jobs and Career Connections:"

Tools & Resources"
"
! by!
Presented
Rebecca Sparrow, rms18@cornell.edu!
Kimberlee Swartz, kms273@cornell.edu!

career.cornell.edu!
Tools & Resources:"

CCNet!
Cornell Career Services communication tool
and on-campus recruiting/job-posting
management system !

career.cornell.edu!
Tools & Resources:"

CCNet Search Results!

career.cornell.edu!
Tools & Resources:"


career.cornell.edu!
Tools & Resources:"


career.cornell.edu!
Tools & Resources:"

Business Databases!
!

career.cornell.edu!
Tools & Resources:"

Business Databases!
Hoovers Online (e.g.): provides
comprehensive organization profiles that
contain company overviews and histories,
key personnel, financial performance,
competitor information, and more.!
!
!
career.cornell.edu!
Tools & Resources:"

Social Media!
LinkedIn!
Social Media Website for Professional Networking!

career.cornell.edu!
Tools & Resources!

CCNet!
Employers &
Jobs!
Hoovers!
Additional
Employers &
Jobs!
!
LinkedIn!
Connections!

career.cornell.edu!
Exploring the Tools & Resources!

CCNet!
!
Hoovers Online!
!
LinkedIn!

career.cornell.edu!
What Do I Do Now?!
Update your CCNet account!
Explore Hoovers Online (or other database)!
Create/update your LinkedIn account !
Connect your CCNet account and LinkedIn
accounts!
Research and apply to positions!
Devote time to expanding your network!
career.cornell.edu!
Final Thoughts!
Dont feel overwhelmed!
Leverage CCNet /Business Data Bases/
LinkedIn resources to expand your
opportunities!
!

career.cornell.edu!
What Are Your Questions?!

career.cornell.edu!
Schmooze or Looze!!
Presented by!
Mary Ellen Buhl!
meb7@cornell.edu!
Graduate Career Services Working Group!

career.cornell.edu!
You are looking for a job.!

!
How might you best proceed? !
a) Sign up for CCNet, check out the opportunities, and apply
for jobs you find interesting.!
b) Tell everyone you know that you are looking for a job.!
c) Find someone in your field of interest or an employer of
interest and forward your resume to them.!
d) Ask your parents to find you a job.!

career.cornell.edu!
While looking for a job you are at a party and

discover that one of the attendees is the
recruiting director for an employer of interest.!
!
What do you do? !

a) Approach and offer your business card to him/her.!
b) Ask someone who knows the person to introduce you.!
c) Hang around and wait for him/her to come chat
!
with you.!
d) Go up to him/her and tell him you like his tie/her !
dress.!

career.cornell.edu!
Its your first day on the job and the CEO gets on
the elevator with you.
!!
!
You: !
a) Introduce yourself and inform him/her that it is your
first day on the job.!
b) Discuss a recent merger with another firm.!
c) Ask him/her what floor he/she wants.!
d) Tell him/her you think he/she is a genius. !

career.cornell.edu!
You are in the lunch buffet line during an on-site

interview and you find yourself next to an analyst who
just presented a topic you found very interesting. !
!
What do you do?!

a) Say nothing at all -- you are so nervous!!
b) Mention that you enjoyed the presentation and would
love to work with him/her so you could learn more.!
c) Let him/her know that you enjoyed the presentation and
ask a question regarding the presentation, showing your
knowledge and interest in the topic.!
d) Offer tough follow-up questions to him/her to
demonstrate you know the topic, perhaps as much as he/
she does. !

career.cornell.edu!
Schmooze or Looze!!
Networking Is!

!
The process of discovering and
utilizing connections between
people. !

career.cornell.edu!
Your Network!

career.cornell.edu!
Steps to Effective Networking/Job Search!
!
Develop Your Elevator Pitch!
Start Building A Database!
Dedicate Time !

career.cornell.edu!
Develop Your Elevator Pitch!

!
Who Are You?!

!(e.g., MENG Student, from ?, specific interest)!
!
Why Are You Speaking To Them?!
!(e.g., referred by a friend or relative; attending the career
fair to find a job in x industry, x location, utilizing your x

skills)!
!
!
!
career.cornell.edu!
A So-So Elevator Pitch!

!
Hi,!
My name is Mary Smith. I am a MENG at Cornell!
I am majoring in computer science. !
I am looking for job in computer science.!
I understand you are a software company.!
!
!
!
career.cornell.edu!
A More Informative Elevator Pitch!

Hi,!
My name is Mary Smith. I decided to come to the career fair
today to look for a position with a software design company
located around the Boston area. I grew up in Salem, MA
and would like to return to the Boston area this summer.!
Harry Johnson, one of your new hires, suggested I speak
with you about internship opportunities. Harry and I were
on a software design team in high school and won the
annual Microsoft competition. I see you are coming to
campus to interview next month and have submitted my
resume in hopes that I can receive an interview.!
career.cornell.edu!
The Handshake!

career.cornell.edu!
Group Exercise:!
q Name?!
q Where From?!
q Why Did You Pick Cornell?!
q Previous Education?!
q What Type of Job You Are

Looking For?!
q Previous Jobs?!
q Do They Have Any

Suggestions?!

career.cornell.edu!
Develop A Database!
Keep track of every correspondence!

Catalogue every resume you send out!
Create reminders!
Create email folders!

career.cornell.edu!
Sample Tracking Database!

!
Date
Contact Person
Contact
Person
Address
Phone
How Contact Form of Purpose of

Obtained Contact Contact
Opening
Statement
Interview
How to
Establish
Rapport
Follow-Up
Questions to
Other Notes
Ask
Next Steps from Call

career.cornell.edu!
Networking ? "
Informational Interviewing ?!
Networking:!
The overall process of meeting people, building
relationships, and asking questions to build
rapport.!
Informational Interviewing:!
Is a piece of the networking process. It is a
planned and prepared approach to gain career/job
fit information!
career.cornell.edu!
One contact leads to another!

60+% of networking contacts produce
helpful referrals.!
Can create a new position.!
You do the screening.!
Acquaint you with many valuable
personal and business friends.!
Uncover unpublished openings.!

career.cornell.edu!
Roadblocks!
Dont like asking for favors.!

Poor planning.!
Assume people are too busy.!
Indecision.!
Shy.!
Lack of desire.!
Fear of rejection.!
Wont try new ideas.!
Dont like cold calling.!

career.cornell.edu!
Networking for Introverts!

!
http://www.pdi-online.com/
Networking_for_Introverts_Part_I.htm!
!
Start Using Strategies that Honor Your Natural!
by Dr. John T. Carlsen!
!
For most introverts, the prospect of networking with other
people - especially for finding out about job openings or
opportunities for career advancement - is only slightly less
appealing than having a root canal. In fact, a root canal might
seem preferable because it has a definite end.!
career.cornell.edu!
Networking Contacts!
F_ _ _ _ _
F_ _ _ _ _ _
A_ _ _ _ _
N_ _ _ _ _ _ _ _
D_ _ _ _ _ _
D_ _ _ _ _
F_ _ _ _ _ _
C_ _ D_ _ _ _ _!

career.cornell.edu!
Job Search Resources!

!
National Organizations!
Trade Journals!
Job Notices!
Directories!
Periodicals!
Newspapers!
Web Resources!

career.cornell.edu!
!Networking Opportunities!
!
!
Information Sessions!
Career Fairs!
Faculty!
Career Search Database!
Clubs and Activities!
Alumni!
Presentations/Seminars!
!
!
career.cornell.edu!
Career Networking with LinkedIn!

career.cornell.edu!

career.cornell.edu!
Take Action: Resumes and Cover Letters!

Take Action: "

Converting Your "
CV to a Resume and "
Writing a Cover Letter!
Presented by!
Christine Holmes, ch18@cornell.edu!
Anne Poduska, ap284@cornell.edu!
career.cornell.edu!
PhD Comic, Piled Higher and Deeper by Jorge Cham, phdcomics.com!

career.cornell.edu!
Take Action: The Job Search!

Employers hire people who have a demonstrated interest,
understanding, and aptitude for the role they are recruiting for.!
!
Your resume, cover letter, and interviews are your
opportunity to tell your story in a manner that reflects that
interest, understanding, and aptitude.!
Even after years of academic preparation, fit does
matter; think about each job you apply for as a unique
opportunity and tailor your approach appropriately.!

career.cornell.edu!
Disclaimer!
Opinions vary!
Everyone who looks at your resume is looking for
something specific!
No document will look alike, resumes do vary by field and
by industry!
Have multiple people read it!

career.cornell.edu!
Resume!
Why have a resume/CV!
Decide whether to interview you!
Develop interview questions!
What is the difference?!

Which one should you use?!
It is a living document, make changes as they happen!
Reflection of you as a professional!

career.cornell.edu!
Resume!
There is no right way just guidelines!
Only wrong resume is the one that is not accurate!
An effective resume!
Appeals to the reader!
Is written clearly and succinctly!
Is error free!
Shows how valuable you will be to the employer!

career.cornell.edu!
CV!
Resume!
Where!
Academia!
Employers outside of
the US!
US employment: private
sector, government, and
non profit!
Exceptions!
US federal Government
(PhD. Level)!
International
Organization in US!
Development
consulting firms!
Think Tank!
Content!
Full list of qualifications! Summary of Qualifications!
Length!
As long as you need!
1-2 pages!
Style!
Not important!
Very important!

career.cornell.edu!
76!
CV versus Resume!
CV !
Focus is on history of education/accomplishments!
Includes lots of nouns!
Tends to be long!
!
!
!One version is sufficient!
Resume!
Focus is on demonstration of skills/abilities !
Includes lots of action verbs!
Must be concise (2 pages at most)!
!You need multiple versions, each tailored for a specific audience!
career.cornell.edu!
CV versus Resume!
What do you do when industry asks you for a CV?!

career.cornell.edu!
What is NOT on a Resume!

A list of all poster presentations and talks!
Every single thing you have ever done!

career.cornell.edu!
Content

Curriculum Vitae

Resume

Education
Research/Teaching Interests
Thesis/Dissertation
Grants and Other Awards
Research Experience
Teaching Experience
Practical Experience
Employment
Consulting
Internships
Publications
Conference Presentations
Languages
Computer/Technical Skills
References
Education
Summary/Objective Statement (?)
Not typically tailored by

position
Very tailored by position
Select Grants and Awards

Experience
Select Publications
Select Presentations
Language Skills
Computer/Technical Skills

career.cornell.edu!
Summary/Objective Statement!
Do you need it?!
First (and easiest) place to adjust for job ad!
Seeking a responsible position in an industry lab doing
research.!
Plant Scientist with 5 years of experience managing multiple
projects in the following areas: !
Automation and high throughput plant handling systems!
Supervision of lab personnel!
Management of lab budget!
career.cornell.edu!
How Is a Resume Structured?!

Chronological!
Functional!
Combination!

career.cornell.edu!
Resume Type: Chronological!
Format:!
Most widely used style!
Information presented in reverse chronological order !
Uses: !
Highlights progressive work experience!
Best for those who have significant experience in the field
where they are seeking a job!
Problems: !
Less effective if changing careers or have little work
experience !
Older but relevant experience may be overlooked!
career.cornell.edu!
Resume Type: Chronological!

See page 58 of Career Guide!

career.cornell.edu!
Resume Type: Functional!

Format: !
Experiences are grouped by skills (e.g. leadership
skills, communication skills) !
The titles and dates of the experiences are listed at the
top or bottom of the resume!
Uses: !
Good for those changing careers or who have little
work experience or gaps in employment !
Problems:!
It can be confusing because the relationship between
a skill and an experience can be lost!
career.cornell.edu!
Resume Type: Functional!


career.cornell.edu!
Resume Type: Combination!

Format:!
Experiences are given in reverse chronology but are
arranged by type of experience (e.g. communication
experience, leadership experience)!
Uses: !
Accentuates your skills!
Draws direct parallels with skills in job ads!
Helpful if you are applying for a wide range of jobs!
Problems: !
Can be difficult to fit one experience into just one
category!
career.cornell.edu!
Resume Type: Combination!


career.cornell.edu!
Your Resume Style!
Put most important information on the first page!

List responsibilities most important to least!
Use clear, easy-to-understand language!
Start each sentence with an action verb, such as:
managed, supervised and evaluated!
Past tense vs. present tense!
Use at least 11 point font size!

career.cornell.edu!
What Skills Do Employers Want?!

Employers typically desire the following core competencies*:!
Content knowledge!
Professionalism and work ethic!
Oral and written communication!
Teamwork (including leadership) and collaboration!
Critical thinking and problem solving!
Ethics and social responsibility!
*Casner-Lotto, J., & Barrington, L. (2006). Are they really ready to work? Employers Perspectives on the Basic Knowledge and
Applied Skills of New Entrants to the 21stCentury U.S. Workforce. !
Retrieved from the Partnership for 21st Century Skills website: http://www.p21.org/storage/documents/
FINAL_REPORT_PDF09-29-06.pdf!

career.cornell.edu!
Content knowledge!
Teamwork and collaboration!
career.cornell.edu!
How do you translate

experiences into a resume
bullet point?!

career.cornell.edu!
Consulting Job Example: Communication Skills!

!
I served on the PhD admissions committee for my field. After
reviewing applications, I wrote a summary analysis of each
applicant and gave a brief presentation about each candidate to the
5-member faculty committee. When the students were invited for
on-campus interviews, I was responsible for informing them about
graduate student life, both academically and socially, and
answering their questions. !
How do you develop this into a bullet point?!

career.cornell.edu!
Turn to your neighbor and

develop 1-2 bullet points from
this example.!

career.cornell.edu!
Group Activity!
Discuss:!
What bullets did you come up with?!
What was the easiest part of the process?!
What was the hardest part?!
Where do you think you need the most help?!
!
!
career.cornell.edu!
Example Bullet Points!

Analyzed 15 student application essays and academic records
according to admissions criteria; provided written
recommendations to five-member admissions committee that
were ultimately accepted!
Advised 15 prospective students during visiting weekend
about academic and social life at Cornell!
Content knowledge!
Teamwork and collaboration!
career.cornell.edu!
What is the Purpose of a Cover Letter?!

Express your interest in the position!
Explain why you are interested in working for the
organization!
Describe what skills/experiences you have and how they
will be beneficial in the position!

career.cornell.edu!
Cover Letter Structure!
No more than 1 page!

Use the top three skills from the job ad to build your cover letter!
Typically 3-5 paragraphs:!
- Introductory paragraph!
- 2-3 paragraphs highlighting the top three skills in the resume!
- Closing paragraph!
How do you refer to your experiences without

rewriting your resume?!
career.cornell.edu!
Introductory Paragraph!
Give a 1-2 sentence self-introduction!
!
I am currently a biology PhD student at Cornell University
and anticipate graduating in May 2013. From my six years of
biology doctoral research experience, which involved extensive
interdisciplinary collaborations and grant writing, I developed
strong analytical, communication, and persuasion skills.!

career.cornell.edu!
Introductory Paragraph!
! State what position youre applying for and how you
heard about it!
Mention if you had contact with the company (e.g.
information session, informational interview, or you
know an employee from previous collaborations)!
Describe why youre interested in the position and
working for the organization !
long-term career goals!
reasons why youre changing fields!

career.cornell.edu!
Second Paragraph: Demonstrate Skills!

!
!
REPETITION OF RESUME:!
While I served on the admissions committee of my
graduate field, I advised 15 prospective students during
visiting weekend about academic and social life at
Cornell.!

career.cornell.edu!
Second Paragraph: Demonstrate Skills!

! !
BUILDING OFF OF RESUME:!
One aspect of being a consultant that appeals to me is
answering clients questions and communicating the goals
of our project to them. In my four years serving as a liaison
between our graduate admissions committee and
prospective students, I developed strong communication
skills by answering students questions, connecting
students with faculty and staff members of interest, and!
career.cornell.edu!
Closing Paragraph!
Reiterate your interest in the position and why you
think youre qualified!
Express interest in an interview!
(Potentially) mention when you will follow up with
them!
Let them know the best way to contact you!

career.cornell.edu!
Some Cover Letter Mistakes!

Lack of preparation!
Details in letter dont match job requirements!
Too much repetition of resume!
Unclear why youre applying for the job!
Cover letter is vague and generic!
Poor writing!
Awkward language (you need to sound like yourself!)!
Not written for your audience (remember theres a
person reading the letter), tell your story!

career.cornell.edu!

career.cornell.edu!
Take Action: Interviewing!

Take Action: "

Preparing for a Job Interview!
Presented by!
Doug Calby, Executive-in-Residence!

career.cornell.edu!
Take Action: "

Research!
Financial news!
Newspaper or magazine articles!
Industry news!
Competitor news!
Networking *!
* nothing compares to face-to-face/voice-to-voice
research about an employer!
Graduate Career Services Working Group

!
career.cornell.edu
Take Action: "

What are employers looking for?!
Skills!
Interest!
Understanding of the job/role/career!
Aptitude!
How can you show that youve demonstrated those
skills, interests, understanding and aptitude?!
Graduate Career Services Working Group

career.cornell.edu
Interview Types!
Phone/Skype Pre-screening Interviews!

Telephone Interviews (selection)!
Campus Interviews (face-to-face)!
Office Visits (typically full day or more)!
Panel Interviews!
Group Interviews (sometimes in finance interviews)!
Skype and Video Conference Interviews!

career.cornell.edu!
Interview Approaches!
Basic Interview!
Behavior-Based!
Case!
Stress!
Combination of some or all of the above !

career.cornell.edu!
Basic Interview!
Widely used especially for screening!
Questions pertain to the job and your qualifications!
Confirmation of your interest and understanding of the job
which is being offered!
All candidates are asked the same questions including
things like work authorization, GPA etc.!
Superficial queues matter!!
Behavior-Based!
Case !
Stress!
career.cornell.edu!
Basic Interview!
Behavior-Based!
Very popular!
Use past behavior to predict future behavior!
Helps the employer get below the surface to assess values,
self-image, etc.!
Seeks to identify personal and professional characteristics
that are consistent with success at that employer!
Case!
Stress !

career.cornell.edu!
Basic Interview!
Behavior-Based!
Case !
Typically used in Consulting but growing in popularity !
Provides insight as to how the candidate thinks on their
feet and confirms numeracy (comfort with numbers)!
See the Vault Guides and Case in Point!
Check websites: Capital One, Bain and Company,
McKinsey, CCS, etc. !
Stress!

career.cornell.edu!
Basic Interview!
Behavior-Based !
Case !
Stress!
Typically used to evaluate your composure and ability to
react under stress!
Can be used in group situations!

career.cornell.edu!
Basic Interview Questions!

Why are you interested in this position? Why did you apply
for this position?!
Can you tell me about yourself? Or Show me whats
important on your resume.!
What are your goals for the next 3 (5 or 10) years?!
What are your greatest strengths?!
What accomplishment are you most proud of?!
Why did you choose to study at Cornell? !

career.cornell.edu!
Difficult/Stressful Interview Questions!
Do you plan to stay in this location?!

What are your three greatest weaknesses? !
Why is your GPA so low?!
Why didnt you take part in service or extracurricular
activities? !
What can you do for us that someone else cant?!
What do you think your salary should be?!
Your resume suggests that you are over/under qualified for
this position. What is your opinion?!

career.cornell.edu!
Behavioral Interview Questions "

Are Very Popular!!
The behavioral approach is based on the premise that past
actions can predict future actions. Most questions start with
the phrase Tell me about a time or Can you give me an
example when!
Show understanding of the question and the skill that is
being assessed by providing a good example. !
What action did you take, how did you contribute?!
Provide an outcome.!
In Career Guide, review the section beginning on page 60.!
career.cornell.edu!
Sample Behavior Questions!

Tell me about the most complex problem youve had to
solve in the last several years (Critical Thinking).!
Tell me about a time when you were stuck solving a
problem.what did you do (Resourcefulness).!
Describe a situation where you convinced others to adopt
your position (Oral Communication).!
Tell me about a time when you were working on a team and
you had a disagreement with a team member (Teamwork,
Leadership).!
Tell me about a major obstacle that you needed to overcome
(Handling Stress, Resilience).!
career.cornell.edu!
Think STAR !
S=SITUATION or!
T=TASK!
A=ACTION!
R=RESULT!
career.cornell.edu!
Illegal Interview Questions"

(Refer to the Career Guide, page 68)!
Race!
Gender!
Religion!
Marital Status!
Physical and/or Mental
Status!
Ethnic Background!
Country of Origin!
Sexual Orientation!
Family Status!
Age!

career.cornell.edu!
An Interviewer May Ask!

Are you authorized to work in the US?!
Do you now or will you in the future require
sponsorship to work in the US?!
Do you have a work permit for the US?!
Are you a US citizen? (but only if position requires
citizenship)!

career.cornell.edu!
How to Answer: "

Are you authorized to work in the US?!
Familiarize yourself with OPT/CPT regulations on the
isso.cornell.edu website. If necessary, talk to an
immigration advisor at ISSO before the interview.!
Review the new STEM OPT option. !
If the employer doesnt discuss your work eligibility
during the first round interview, consider mentioning it
during the second round. Dont wait until a job offer has
been made.!

career.cornell.edu!
Five Steps to a Successful Interview!

Step 1: Prepare!
Step 2: Practice!
Step 3: Perform!
Step 4: Evaluate!
Step 5: Follow up!

career.cornell.edu!
Step 1: Prepare!
Research the employer, industry, and the position!
Reread the job description!
Draw connections between yourself and the job. Do
not expect the employer to do this!!

career.cornell.edu!
Interviewing Resources!
CCS Career Guide (pages 60-68)!
On the Career Services website, Library Search !
Sweaty Palms: The Neglected Art of Being Interviewed!
What Color is Your Parachute?!
For Non-US interviews: Going Global and Global
Resume and CV Guide!
http://www.glassdoor.com!
Case Interview web resources!
http://www.caseinterview.com!
http://cornell.cqinteractive.com/cqiaccess/
member_dashboard.cfm!
!

career.cornell.edu!
Interview Preparation Worksheet"

This format can be used for any position.!
CORNELL CAREER SERVICES
INTERVIEW PREPARATION WORKSHEET
Before you interview for any position with an employer, you must do your homework! This
worksheet presents a two-step process that will help you prepare for an interview.
Step 1. Background Research
You should learn as much as you can about the employer and the specific position. This requires
conducting extensive research. Good resources for this are the position listing (e.g., in CCNet),
the employers website, and Vault Guides and other reference materials available in the career
library in 103 Barnes Hall, etc.
A. What do you know about the employer? List at least three things.
Now youre ready to prepare your personal skills assessment relative to the employers needs.
Step 2: Personal Skills Assessment

A. Based on the position requirements that you identified in Step 1.D., list the top four skills that
make you a good fit for the position. Provide evidence for each skill that you identify.
1) Skill: ____________________________
Evidence/back-up:
a.
b.
1)
c.
2)
2) Skill: ____________________________
Evidence/back-up:
a.
3)
b.
B. What are some questions you have about the employer? These should be questions that cant
be answered by information easily accessible through the resources mentioned above. Think
about industry trends, recent economic events/announcements (e.g., national economic news,
product announcements, mergers and acquisitions, etc.) that may have an impact on the
employer, and other similar topics Youll need to be ready to ask an interviewer questions if
prompted to do so. The more you are able to demonstrate your interest and insight through
these questions, the better.
1)
c.
3) Skill: ____________________________
Evidence/back-up:
a.
b.
c.
2)
4) Skill: ____________________________
Evidence/back-up:
a.
3)
b.
C. Learn about the division you are applying to. What is its role in the organization? What is
the structure of the organization, and how does the division report up through it?
c.
B. Practice speaking about these skills, how youve developed them, and specific ways youve
demonstrated them in the past. This will help prepare you to address an employers
questions in a concise manner and make a positive impression on the interviewer.
D. What are the qualifications for the specific position youre applying for? Review the job
description and highlight all of the skills mentioned.
(over)

career.cornell.edu!
Step 2: Practice!
Become comfortable talking about yourself and
highlighting your skills.!
Practice interviewing skills. !
Learn to answer concisely; not too long (2 minutes) or
too short (20 seconds).!
Frame your answers (e.g., I see three main points
that relate to this issue).!
!

career.cornell.edu!
Step 3: Perform!
During the interview:!
Bring energy and excitement.!
Answer concisely.!
Be positive; show enthusiasm and confidence.!
Always remain calm and positive, even if you feel that
the interview is not going well!!
Prepare 2-3 questions to ask the interviewer "
!

career.cornell.edu!
Step 4: Evaluate!
Immediately after an interview, take notes, ask yourself
what was effective and what needed improvement. !
If necessary, meet with a career advisor to discuss issues.!
!

career.cornell.edu!
Step 5: Follow up!

Follow-up by sending a Thank You card or email.
Dont underestimate this.!
Check on application status!
If rejected, consider sending another letter thanking the
employer for the opportunity to interview then
reiterating your interest in the organization and the
position.!
!

career.cornell.edu!
Interviewing Etiquette!
First impressions count!"
!
The first "
30 seconds.!

career.cornell.edu!
Clean Up Your Digital Dirt!

Facebook!
My Space!
Blogs!
Twitter!
LinkedIn!

career.cornell.edu!
Basic Interview Etiquette!

Be on time to interview.!
Turn off cell phone prior to! interview.!
Shake hands firmly at the beginning and end of"
interview.!
Maintain good eye contact during the interview.!
Follow up with a thank-you note.!

career.cornell.edu!
Greeting!
When meeting someone!
- Rise if you are seated.! !
- Smile and extend your hand.!
- Repeat the other persons name in your greeting.!
A good handshake is importantit should be firm and"
held for three-four seconds.!
In todays business world it is not necessary to wait"
for a female to initiate the handshake. Females and"
males should both be ready to initiate the handshake.!
career.cornell.edu!
Interview Attire!
Know the culture of the
!
organization.!
If it is good for a nightclub
or disco, then it is not for a
job interview!!
Get your interview suit well
in advance.!

career.cornell.edu!
Interview Attire!
For women, it is difficult to get smaller-sized suits in Ithaca
(Talbots has them but they are expensive, try TJ Maxx in
the petite section). You can get
! a larger suit tailored down 2
sizes but give yourself at least one week (see the Yellow
Pages for Tailors).!
For men, The Bon Ton or Target in the Pyramid Mall.!
For a better suit selection, shop the Carousel Mall in
Syracuse (the tailor in the Mall can do next-day tailoring)
or the Waterloo Shopping Outlet in Waterloo.!

career.cornell.edu!
Men's Interview Guidelines!

Suit: Conservative, solid color.!
Long sleeve shirt: Choose white or light blue
solid, or conservative stripes. !
! shoes.!
Belt: Black or leather, to match your
Tie: Select good quality silk ties. Avoid fashion
extremes.!
Socks/Shoes: Dark socks, conservative leather
shoes.!
Jewelry: Wear a conservative watch. Minimal
jewelry. (i.e., earrings, flashy rings, etc.)!
Neat, professional hairstyle. !
Limit the aftershave/cologne. !
Neatly trimmed and clean nails. !
Portfolio or briefcase. "
!

career.cornell.edu!
Women's Interview Guidelines!
Suit: Wear a two-piece matched suit in navy, black, or dark

grey. Tailored pantsuits are acceptable. !
Skirt: Not overly short or tight.!
Coordinated shirt: Choose white, light solid, or
!
conservative stripes. !
Conservative shoes.!
Limited jewelry/accessories: No dangling earrings or arms
full of bracelets.!
Professional hairstyle. !
Neutral pantyhose.!
Light on the perfume. !
Cosmetics: Keep makeup conservative.!
Neatly manicured clean nails. !
Portfolio or briefcase: Pad folios are preferred over bulky
briefcases.!
Purse or bag: Keep it small and simple, in a color that
coordinates with your shoes. !

career.cornell.edu!
What NOT to Bring to "

an Interview!
Gum ! !
Cell phone (turn it off)!
iPod !
Coffee, soda, water bottle, food!
Campus Backpack !

career.cornell.edu!
Summary: "
Components of a Successful Interview!
Employer Knowledge!
Demonstrate knowledge! of the employer/product, the
position, the industry trends, and the companys culture!
Self Knowledge/Skills Match!
Explain clearly how your skills match to the position,
what you want, and why.!
Convey your top 3-4 skills/strengths.!
Interview Behavior!
Non-verbals: handshake, eye contact, posture, smile!
Communication skills, poise.!
career.cornell.edu!

career.cornell.edu!
Ask The Experts!

Panel Discussion!

career.cornell.edu!

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Expanding Your Job Search Skills

Graduate Career Services Committee!

Brought to You By:!

Cooperative Education & Career

Career Advising Resources!

*College of Arts and Sciences, Human Ecology, and Veterinary Medicine

Where Can I Get Additional Help?!

Contact your special committee

Graduate Career Services Committee!

Graduate Career Services Committee!

Why Choose a Career Outside of

Graduate Career Services Committee!

A faculty position, typically involving teaching and

Business and Industry:!

Graduate Career Services Committee!

Graduate Career Services Committee!

Graduate Career Services Committee!

Careers Outside Academia!

Graduate Career Services Committee!

Reasons to Stay in Academia (Even If You Dont Want To!)!

Your graduate degree will be wasted!

How Can You Overcome These Challenges?!

Graduate Career Services Committee!

How Can You Overcome These Challenges?!

Define a topic of interest by reading extensively!

Your Career Exploration Research Project!

I am skilled at writing, researching a

Graduate Career Services Committee!

Understanding Yourself: Skills!

Graduate Career Services Committee!

Understanding Yourself: "

Knowledge of Your Skills Is Important!

Graduate Career Services Committee!

Three Skill Types!

Identifying Your Transferable Skills!

Identifying Your Transferrable Skills"

Identifying Your Transferable Skills"

1) Read the Chief of Staff job description provided. !

Group Discussion Questions!

A Resource for Skills and Job Descriptions!

A Few More Resources!

Graduate Career Services Committee!

Graduate Career Services Committee!

Explore Options: Resources "

Graduate Career Services Committee!

Exploring Jobs and Career Connections:"

Graduate Career Services Committee!

Tools & Resources:"

Graduate Career Services Committee!

Tools & Resources:"

Graduate Career Services Committee!

Tools & Resources:"

Graduate Career Services Committee!

Tools & Resources:"

Graduate Career Services Committee!

Tools & Resources:"

Graduate Career Services Committee!

Tools & Resources:"

Tools & Resources:"

Graduate Career Services Committee!

Tools & Resources!

Graduate Career Services Committee!

Exploring the Tools & Resources!