GRADUATE STUDENT

CAREER
GUIDE
Syracuse University
2009 – 2010

Syracuse University Career Services 1

 SYRACUSE UNIVERSITY
Greetings, Graduate Students!
CAREER
I’m delighted to welcome you to
the first Graduate Career Guide
developed by Career Services
GUIDE
here at Syracuse University.
Inside you will find tips and Table of Contents
resources for masters students
looking for internships and jobs, The Big Picture..............3
as well as doctoral students con-
sidering either faculty or non- Industry
academic positions (or both!).
Resumes......................5
I invite you to call Career Services at (315) 443-3616
to set up a strategy consultation on your job search. Cover Letters...............11
We can help you refine your career goals, improve
your application materials, expand your network, Interviewing................13
locate resources and practice interviewing. We look
forward to getting to know you! OrangeLink.................15

Best regards, Networking.................16

Rosanne Ecker, Ph.D. Academia

Associate Director
Counseling and Graduate Student Career Services Overview....................18

CV vs. Resume.............19

Career Services CV Headings...............20

Suite 235, Schine Student Center
Syracuse University Academic Interviews.....22
careerservices.syr.edu
phone (315) 443-3616 Transferable Skills........23
fax (315) 443-2805
Video Resources...........24

Be a Part of Next Year’s Guide

This guide was greatly enriched by the students and alumni
who shared their stories, resumes and advice. If you have
an idea for next year’s guide or you would like to share your
story, just let us know. We would love to hear from you!

Diana Ecker, Editor Dan Klamm, Designer

diecker@syr.edu deklamm@syr.edu

2 Syracuse University Career Services

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Syracuse University Career Services 3

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 The BIG
Picture
Making Time for Career Planning
You may already be busy with your course
work, teaching, or research (or all three!) and
feel that you have little time to think about
the future. However, it is worth making the
time. Making strategic decisions now can
pay off significantly down the road.
When Should I Visit
Career Services?
You are encouraged to come in for a consul-
tation during any stage of your career explo-
ration and job search process. You can make
an appointment to meet with staff who
consult to graduate students by calling
(315) 443-3616. Our counseling staff can
review your resume or CV, help you prepare
for interviews, explore your options, or
simply offer you informed support through
what may be a stressful process.
A Range of Possibilities
As you advance through your graduate
program, you may consider various career
options. Many graduate students will go on
to academic positions, whereas others will
explore opportunities in industry, non-prof-
its, government, and other sectors. Whether
or not you are certain about your career
direction, Career Services staff can help you
explore and refine your goals, and connect
to useful resources.
4 Syracuse University Career Services
Graduate students, welcome! This guide has been customized
specifically for you. Over the years, we’ve found that many
grad students benefit from exploring these topics as they ad-
vance through their programs and look ahead to their careers.
Knowing Your Work-Self
What are your interests, passions, unique capabilities
and talents? It is helpful to understand what motivates
you, your desired work-life balance, and the skills that
you might want to develop during gradute school. At
Career Services, we can help you assess yourself, and
connect you with alumni in fields or jobs that interest
you through the Mentor@SU program.
Determining Your Career Direction
How and where do you want to apply your education,
values, interests and skills? Where in the world is there
an inviting city, work environment, organizational
structure or culture that suits you? Figuring out where
to direct your energies can help you make the most of
the time you have available for career planning and
networking.
Finding the Right Opportunity
Once you are aware of your work-self and your goals,
Career Services can assist you with strategies for locat-
ing a position that is the right fit for you, be it in an aca-
demic or a non-academic setting. In addition to sharing
our extensive collection of web-based resources, we can
also help you choose among opportunities and negoti-
ate a job offer.
Graduate Student Workshops
Workshops are offered during the academic
year, as well as by request to graduate student
groups, classes, or departments, on all of the
topics presented on the pages that follow.
Contact Career Services for more information
about scheduling a workshop or customizing an
existing workshop to fit your group’s interests.
© 2008 KPMG LLP, a U.S. limited liability partnership and a member firm of the KPMG network of independent member firms affiliated with KPMG International, a Swiss cooperative. 080603b
YouTube is a trademark of Google, Inc.

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Syracuse University Career Services 5

RESUMES
Writing a resume is not easy, and making sure it stands out to an employer is even more challenging. You’ve got just a
few seconds to catch your readers’ attention and show them why you’re a terrrific fit for their organization and the job
or internship you’re applying for.
Stand out from the pack! By asking yourself three key questions and then using just a few simple tricks, you can create
a resume that highlights exactly those experiences, skills, and qualities that make you a great candidate.
What kinds of experience and skills do you have?
Brainstorm about jobs that you’ve held, academic
projects, internships, extracurricular activities.
Worked in a family business? Started your own busi-
ness? Write down specifically what you did in these
roles, and include quantitative results when possible.
What does the employer want?
Employers want candidates who will be a good fit.
But how can you figure out what an employer is
looking for? Easy! Check the job description. If you
don’t have a specific job in mind, find a description
you like. Go through it and underline or highlight key
points. What is the employer asking for? What skills
and experience are important?
Where does your experience overlap with what the
employer wants?
Ultimately, a resume is a persuasive document. Your
goal is to show the employer that your experience
and skills fit their needs. Once you figure out which
of your experiences and skills the employer is looking
for, you’re halfway there — because you know which
experiences and skills you want to emphasize in your
resume.
When you know what you want to emphasize in your
resume, the question is: how do you do it? The tips in
the box to the right provide five solutions...
6 Syracuse University Career Services
Getting Started and
Getting Noticed!
Five Easy Ways to Make
Your Resume Better:
1. Headings: Make the most of your head-
ings. Don’t use a generic heading like “Ex-
perience” when you can use a more specific
heading (“Communication Experience,”
“Administrative Experience”), especially one
that relates to the job or internship you want.
2. Priorities: Give the most important and
relevant information more space, and put it
closer to the top of the page, where it will be
noticed first.
3. Descriptions: Write detailed descriptions
explaining what you did in internships, jobs,
and activities. Start each line with a verb
(managed, coordinated, collaborated...).
4. Formatting: Make sure you’re using bold,
italics, font size and spacing to consistently
highlight employers, institutions, and job
titles in a way that emphasizes your most
relevant experience.
5. Deal with Distractions: Consider remov-
ing information and experience that doesn’t
relate to the job or internship you want.
Read on for examples of resumes and explana-
tions of each of the Five Easy Ways to Make
Your Resume Better.
Resume Makeovers:
Five Case Studies
These five before-and-after case studies, drawn from a variety of disciplines, illustrate key principles for formatiting
and structuring your resume strategically. As you read through each one, consider how the principle illustrated might
relate to your own resume.
Headings are general
Josh was applying for a position with a nonprof-
it that works on behalf of children.
Under “Experience,” Josh listed everything,
from his internships with a variety of nonprofits
to his work as a camp counselor at a variety of
camps.
BEFORE
Priorities are unclear
Angela had worked in her old job for five years
before coming to SU to earn her masters in an
unrelated field. She was hoping to get a summer
internship in her new field of study.
On her resume, though, she provided lengthy,
detailed information about her old job. It started
at the top of the page was clearly the focus of
the resume.
BEFORE
Headings are specific
Josh eliminated “Experience” as a heading and
divided his work under two new headings:
Nonprofit Experience and Youth Experience.
When the employer skimmed his resume, it was
immediately apparent just from the headings that
he brought relevant experience.
AFTER
Priorities match employer’s
Angela took a step back and put herself in a po-
tential employer’s shoes. She realized it looked
like her priorities were still related to her old job
and her old field.
She shortened the description of her old job
significantly. She also moved it further down the
page, putting her new masters program, relevant
coursework, and related course projects ahead
of the old job.
AFTER
Syracuse University Career Services 7
 Descriptions are dull
Emma had designed an elaborate project
for a class that took most of the semester to
complete. She knew it would be of interest
to a potential employer.
She wrote a long, detailed paragraph about
the project: its goals, its components, and its
outcomes. It was hard to read and not very
engaging.
BEFORE
Formatting is confusing
Alejandro went through his resume and
bolded the words that seemed important.
He also used italics, underlining, and several
different fonts to draw attention to other
things he hoped the employer would like.
BEFORE
Distractions get in the way
Renna had kept the same resume since col-
lege, adding to it every year or two since to
keep it updated.
It contained information about summer jobs
from years ago, activities in college, and so
on. She had always thought that an employ-
er could go through and find the relevant
parts.
BEFORE
8 Syracuse University Career Services
Descriptions are dynamic!
Emma realized that there had to be a bet-
ter way to describe the project.
She decided to emphasize what she had
personally accomplished. She started
each line with a bullet point and verbs
like coordinated, oversaw, managed, and
analyzed. The emphasis was now on her
accomplishments and was engaging and
appealing to the employer.
AFTER
Formatting helps clarify
Alejandro decided that all of the formatting
was actually making things more confusing,
not less.
He decided to use formatting consistently to
make his resume easy to read: organizations
were bolded, job titles were italicized, and
headings were underlined. This consistency
made it easy to skim.
AFTER
Distractions are reduced
After talking to some employers, Renna
came to the conclusion that she needed to
make it easier -- not harder -- for the most
relevant information to stand out.
From then on, whenever she applied for a
job, Renna went through the long version
of her resume and deleted experience and
information that didn’t relate. This way, she
wasn’t distracting the reader’s attention away
from her qualifications.
AFTER
Resume Examples Adrian Student
These four samples are excerpts from 111 Syracuse Ave. - Syracuse, NY 13210 - 111-111-1111 - astudent@syr.edu

resumes, selected to highlight some Education

Syracuse University, School of Education, Syracuse, NY
key points and provide ideas for how M.S., Community Counseling, May 20xx
you might format your own resume. GPA: 4.0

Regional University, City, State

B.S., Public Relations, May 200x
GPA: 3.9; Dean’s list all semesters

Adrian’s resume Counseling Experience

This student is applying for a position
where both counseling and research ex-
perience are valued, and the headings are
specific in order to catch the employer’s
attention.
In the descriptions that follow the bullet
points, the student has quanitified experi-
ence where possible (“three groups per
week,” “up to 50 students”).
In addition, distractions have been re-
moved: experience that does not relate
at all has been left off the resume, so the
employer can focus on the more relevant
experience.
Syracuse VA Medical Center, Syracuse, NY
Community Care Center Staff Member (January 200x – December 200x)
• Provided supportive intensive case management services on a daily basis, which
included strengths-oriented and supportive counseling, psychosocial rehabilitation
and assistance with community reintegration
• Co-facilitated or facilitated at least three groups per week and community groups
• Covered a caseload of four veterans as primary intensive case manager
Health Services, Regional University, City, State
Peer Educator (January 200x – May 200x)
• Delivered presentations on topics related to students and personal health for
groups of up to 50 students
• Developed university-wide newsletter for the office
Research Experience
Syracuse VA Medical Center, Syracuse, NY
Research Assistant (August 200x to present)
• Run participants for health behaviors study
• Input data into Excel spreadsheets from health behavior and demographic questionnaires
• Research health behaviors topics
• Develop poster project on reactivity, coping and aggression in substance-dependent population
Professional Memberships
American Psychological Association, Member (November 200x to present)
American Counseling Association, Member (November 200x to present)
Chi Sigma Iota (January 200x to present)

DEVON STUDENT
100 Oak Street • Syracuse, NY 13244 • dstudent@syr.edu

E D U CAT I O N
Master of Science in Engineering Management (20xx) Devon’s resume
Syracuse University, L.C. Smith College of Engineering and Computer Science, Syracuse, NY
GPA: 3.9 As your interests evolve, your
Bachelor of Science in Mechanical Engineering (200x) resume can evolve too. In
Syracuse University, L.C Smith College of Engineering and Computer Science, Syracuse, NY this case, a student with an
GPA: 3.0
engineering background was
MANAGEMENT EXPERIENCE interested in emphasizing the
Department of Energy Industrial Assessment Center, Syracuse University, Syracuse, NY
Lead Engineer (May 200x to Present), Engineer (200x to 200x)
management aspect of his
• Initiate and oversee projects under the aegis of the director of the Department of Energy Industrial experience as opposed to the
Assessment Center, Syracuse University and private companies technical aspects. The main
• Conduct in-depth facility-wide industrial assessments and report authorship, in a rapid 60 day cycle,
resulting in over $1 million of personally recommended savings from energy reduction, waste stream heading reflects this focus.
reduction and productivity optimization
• Manage a six-member team of graduate and undergraduate engineers including project delegation, In addition, this student chose
technical advising, training and overseeing Department of Energy Industrial Assessment Center to include an interests section.
compliance
• Guide the purchase and use of data acquisition equipment, including thermal imaging, combustion Although it is not necessary
analysis and data logging to include a category like this,
COMPUTER SKILLS
in this it functions as a unique
• Engineering: Autodesk AutoCAD, PTC Pro-Engineer, MathCad, Maple, MatLab, eQuest, RetScreen conversation-starter and con-
• Administrative: Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Access, Visio, Outlook, FrontPage, MathType, Photosho tributes to the student’s goal
• Other: Secure Shell and WinSock (WS) File Transfer Protocol, Website Development
of demonstrating experience
ADDITIONAL WORK EXPERIENCE in international travel to the
Syracuse University School Press Institute, Syracuse, NY
Resident Advisor (Summer 200x and Summer 200x) employer.
• Oversaw the registration, safety and guidance for the duration of a week long summer workshop
• Coordinated between 40 and 60 room assignments for workshop schedule

INTERESTS
• Travel: U.S. and Israeli Citizenships, knowledge of Hebrew, trips to Africa, the Middle East and Europe
• Dance: Compete in ballroom dance competitions (200x to Present)
• Aviation: Piloted single-engine aircraft

Syracuse University Career Services 9

 Anjali Student Each Resume Has a Goal
100 Oak Street, Syracuse, NY 13244
(315) 555-1234 astudent@syr.edu
What was the student hoping to accom-
plish with this particular version of his
EDUCATION
Syracuse University, Syracuse, New York or her resume? It’s a good idea to fine-
L.C. Smith College of Engineering and Computer Science
M.S., Computer Engineering, May 20xx
tune your resume to fit a particular job
GPA: 3.85 or internship description.
University of Mumbai, India
Bachelor of Engineering, May 200xx

RELATED COURSEWORK
Graduate: Software Modeling & Analysis, Advanced Computer Architecture, Object Oriented De-
sign, Design of Operating Systems, Data Structures & Algorithms, Principles of Network Security
Undergraduate: Computer Programming, Micro-Computer and Embedded System Design Anjali’s resume
TECHNICAL SKILLS Anjali is applying for a variety of
Programming Languages: C, C++, C#
Operating Systems: Win 98/NT/2000/XP, Linux, Unix
technical positions. Depending on
Application Software: Visual Studio .NEt, Microsoft Office, Visio, SQL Server the exact position, the order of the
Other: MS Access, XML, UML, HTML, SQL courses, skills, and projects can be
WORK EXPERIENCE modified (including more relevant
Motorola, Inc., City, State, ones first, and possibly leaving off
Intern, May 20xx to August 20xx
• Updated a DOCSIS simulator written in C and designed to work on Linux/Unix
ones that are not relevant at all).
• Acquired working knowledge of the cable system headend with a concentration on the DAC6000
An objective can also be added,
PROJECTS especially for career fairs. It should
Requirements Database Manager
Created a database manager utility that maintains the mapping between the customer requirements
include the type of position sought
and developer requirements. The development environment was Visual Studio 2005 and the database (i.e., summer internship, full-time
server was SQL Server 2005. position, etc.) as well as a specific
Deliverable: SRS, Source Code (Visual C#) and Design Document
area within the field.
Directory Synchronizer
Designed and implemented a GUI based directory synchronizer that works across a network using
sockets.
Deliverable: Source code developed in Visual C++ 8.0 with XML messaging.

Rishi Student Cell: 315-555-1234100 Oak

Rishi’s resume
The bullet points in this resume,
which was designed for consult-
ing positions related to information
technology, are especially effective.
Each one starts with a verb, and the
emphasis is on what the student did
as opposed to the project itself.
This student also determined that,
based on the positions, professional
experience was most relevant,
followed by academic projects, and
then technical skills. It is important
to determine for yourself (and by
consulting people who work in your
field) which categories of experience
are most important, and then struc-
ture your own resume accordingly.
Street, Syracuse, NY 13244 E-Mail: rstudent@syr.edu
EDUCATION
M.S. in Information Management (December 200x)
Syracuse University, School of Information Studies, Syracuse, NY. GPA: 3.58/4.00
Relevant Coursework: Project Management, Advanced Database Management Systems, E-Commerce
Technologies, CCNA, Applied Information Security, Strategic Management of Information Resources
Bachelor in Engineering – Instrumentation (May 200x)
Rajiv Gandhi Institute of Technology, University of Mumbai, India
CONSULTING EXPERIENCE
Business Technology Analyst, Whitman School of Management, Syracuse, NY (1/xx to present)
▪▪ Interact with clients to gather business and system requirements
▪▪ Analyze the business functionality and document the business process based on the clients’
requirements
▪▪ Perform business modeling, resource gathering and allocation
ACADEMIC PROJECTS
Database Management System (August 200x to December 200x)
▪▪ Designed and implemented a complete working database to manage manufacturing chain
▪▪ Documented working database to facilitate its maintenance
▪▪ Designed database using Oracle 10g and SQL plus
E-Commerce Website (August 200x to December 200x)
▪▪ Developed a database-driven website using ASP.Net with functionalities such as a login page
and e-mail page, protected page, product catalog, administration page and shopping cart

TECHNICAL SKILLS
Languages: C++, C, JAVA, Visual Basic.net, SQL, PL/SQL, HTML, XHTML, CSS, RSS, ASP.NET
Software: Microsoft Office Suite, MS Project, MS Access, MS Visio, MS Visual Studio, MS SQL, Oracle
10g, Adobe Photoshop, Macromedia Dreamweaver 8
Operating Systems: Windows 95, NT, 98, 2000, XP, Vista, Ubuntu
Information Security: Concepts and Best Practices

10 Syracuse University Career Services

 Verbs That Work
The staff of Career Services brainstormed generated operated reviewed
our favorite resume verbs, and we invite you greeted orchestrated revised
to use suggestions from this list to reflect guided organized revitalized
back on your experiences at internships, headed oversaw saved
jobs, and volunteering – then choose your hired participated scheduled
favorites or add your own verbs to bring hosted partnered secured
your resume to life. identified patented selected
illustrated perfected served
accomplished defined implemented performed simplified
acted delegated improved persuated solidified
adapted delivered improvised piloted solved
administered demonstrated incorporated pioneered sorted
advised designed increased planned standardized
advocated developed influenced prepared stimulated
analyzed devised informed presented streamlined
answered diagnosed initiated presided structured
assembled directed innovated processed strategized
assessed distributed inspired programmed strengthened
assisted diversified instituted promoted succeeded
authored drafted instructed proposed summarized
built edited integrated publicized supervised
calculated educated interviewed qualified supported
cataloged eliminated introduced reached surveyed
challenged emphasized invented realigned systematized
clarified encouraged investigated rebuilt targeted
coached energized judged received taught
coded engaged launched recognized trained
collaborated engineered led recommended transformed
communicated enhanced leveraged reconciled transitioned
compiled enlisted maintained recorded translated
completed ensured managed recruited troubleshoot
composed entered marketed redesigned tutored
conceived established marshaled reduced unified
conceptualized evaluated masterminded regulated united
connected examined measured rehabilitated updated
consolidated exceeded mediated reorganized upgraded
constructed expanded mentored reported utilized
consulted expedited modified repositioned verbalized
contributed explored monitored represented verified
conveyed facilitated motivated researched welcomed
coordinated filed navigated resolved worked
counseled fixed negotiated responded wrote
created formalized observed restored
critiqued formulated obtained restructured
decreased gathered officiated retrieved

Syracuse University Career Services 11

 Cover Letter
FAQs This section was developed in collaboration
with Emily Dressing of SU’s Writing Center

Q. What’s the purpose of a cover letter?

A. Short answer: to get an interview. Long answer: to demonstrate a terrific fit between what the
organization needs and what you can offer. Your letter should make the reader want to take a
closer look at your resume. Show your sense of purpose, confidence, and enthusiasm, explaining
how you can help the employer meet their needs and goals. Tailor your letter to address the
specifics of the position and the employer.

Q. Does this mean I’ll have to write a new cover letter for each job I apply to?
A. Maybe. For similar positions, you can likely use similar letters. However, each letter should be
customized specifically for the position and the organization.

Q. Should I focus on what I want to get out of the position?

A. A better idea is to focus on what you have to contribute to the organization. Emphasize the skills
and experiences you have to offer.

Q. How do I know which skills and experiences to emphasize in my cover letter?

A. First, read the job or internship description very carefully. If it’s online, consider printing out a
copy and highlighting or underlining what the employer is looking for. Next, think about the skills
you’ve utilized in past jobs, internships, volunteer work, extracurricular activities, and class projects.
It’s especially helpful to be able to illustrate the outcomes and results of your efforts.

Q. Am I allowed to repeat things from my resume?

A. Yes! It’s important that you share your experiences. Think of the letter as a way to elaborate on
the highlights of your resume, just not to copy and paste. You can go in-depth or tell a story or give
an example that illustrates something on your resume – it’s okay, even necessary, to “repeat.”

Q. How long should the letter be? How long should a paragraph be?
A. Keep the letter to one page. If a paragraph looks like too much text for someone to read comfort-
ably, look for ways to divide it into two or more paragraphs.

Q. Will the person reading my letter review it carefully?

A. It depends. More than likely, the first time someone reads your letter, they will skim it quickly to
see if you’re a good fit for the position. Make it easy for the reader to see why you’re qualified.

The staff of both the Writing Center and Career Services are happy to assist you with your cover letters. It’s
especially helpful when you come in to bring not only a draft of your letter, but a copy of the internship or job
description with you as well.

12 Syracuse University Career Services

 Writing a Cover Letter
After reading the Cover Letter FAQs, most people want to know one thing: how do I set up my letter?
The following is a general format that will serve most candidates well for most positions. On the other
hand, if you have a more dynamic, personal, or attention-getting way to express yourself in a cover
letter and it is appropriate for the industry and the employer, go for it! And remember – you can always
bring a draft of your letter to Career Services for a second opinion.

100 Campus Road Your address (but not your name) goes here
Syracuse, NY 13244
January 1, 2010 …and the date follows

Ms. Firstname Lastname   If you have the name and title of the person, they go here -- try
Hiring Manager to find the name of the recruiter or hiring agent so you can
Future Enterprises, Inc. personalize your letter
355 Success Blvd.
New York, NY 10012
If you don’t know the employer’s name, To Whom It May Concern,
Dear Ms. Employer:
Dear Sir or Madam, or something similar will also work
1st Paragraph: Get the reader’s attention and establish credibility
Why are you writing? What should the employer know about you immediately? Include the
position you are applying for and the employer. Consider adding why this employer appeals
to you (e.g., their successes, mission, products, etc.). You may also give a hint of what’s to
follow (i.e., briefly mention the experiences and skills you would hope to contribute).

2nd Paragraph: Persuade the reader and include specifics

Sell yourself – describe highlights from your background that would be of interest. Focus
on skills, activities, and experiences that you can contribute. Be specific, with strong con-
crete examples. Expand on what you included on your resume, and tell a story rather than
just listing your skills. This second paragraph can be divided into two or more paragraphs if
necessary.

3rd Paragraph: Reiterate your message and offer thanks

Remind the employer why you are a good match for the position. You may want to ex-
press willingness to provide additional information. Ask for the opportunity to interview
or discuss the position in more detail, and include your e-mail and phone number. And, of
course, thank the recipient for his or her time and consideration.

Closing
Sincerely,
Your Name

Syracuse University Career Services 13

Winning at Interviewing:
Prepare, Practice, and SCORE!
Chuck Reutlinger, a former recruiter and outplacement consultant and current Associate Director in
Career Services, has conducted hundreds of real and simulated interviews. Firmly believing that most
people can interview much better than they currently do, he offers a framework for pre-
paring to interview effectively.

Interviewing for a job or an internship is a lot like playing darts. How can you
increase your chances of winning? Read on to find out…

Bull’s eye! The center of the target is THE JOB ITSELF. Read and re-read
the job description – you have to know what you’re aiming for. Do research
on the position, network with professionals in that field if possible – whatever
will help you understand the employer’s needs and preferences and how they
intend to utilize the person who occupies this position.

Outer rings: The rest of the target is THE EMPLOYER. An employer will probably not take
you seriously if you can’t speak about their business. They also need to see that you understand
their culture and can adapt to their unique work style. The more you know about the company
and their culture, the better — so learn about the employer before you apply.

The darts: Your INTERESTS, SKILLS, TRAITS, WORK STYLE, EXPERIENCES and
KNOWLEDGE are the darts. Your ability to assess and assertively articulate your strengths
and experiences as they relate to the employer’s profile of needs and preferences – in other
words, to aim them accurately at the target – is the key to further consideration, and ultimately
an offer.

Knowing the rules of the game: If you understand the INTERVIEW PROCESS, you’ll know
how the game is played. Interviews have predictable stages, and a well-prepared candidate can
learn to use these stages to influence an interviewer’s evaluations. Anticipating employers’
goals, their likely interviewing styles and the questions and cues they will use to conduct their
candidate assessment is critical to interviewing success. The more you know, the more you
increase your competitive edge!

Have an Interview Coming Up Soon?

Whether you are in search of the best
way to explain a complicated project to
a potential employer or simply trying
to come up with an answer to that most
difficult of questions, “Tell me about
yourself,” we are here to help. Strength-
en your interviewing skills by schedul-
ing a mock interview. Before the mock
interview, you send us your resume, cov-
er letter, and job description. Our offices
are equipped with digital video cameras
and we can record your interview and
review it together. Call (315) 443-3616 to
schedule a mock interview.

14 Syracuse University Career Services

What They’re Really Asking:
Strategies for Common Interview Questions
QUESTION What NOT Because they’re Your strategy
to say REALLY saying

Tell me about “My name is Tell me what you want me to Talk about your passion for
yourself. _____, I’m a know about you – and why the field or key experiences.
_______ major, you’re a great fit for this posi- Be sure to practice this in
and I’m from tion. advance, and to tailor your
________.” answer specifically for each
employer.

Tell me about “Well, I work on Tell me a great story with a
a time when teams a lot.” beginning, a middle, and end
from your work, an internship,
you worked
a class or extracurricular expe-
with a team. rience. It should address an
element (in this case, team-
work) of the job or our envi-
ronment.
Try the CCAR formula.
Think of a specific example,
and then explain the Con-
text, as well as the Chal-
lenge you faced. Talk about
the Actions you took, and
then share the Results –
how did it all work out?

Why do you “Because you’re What do you and our Talk about the company’s
want to work prestigious,” or company have in common? culture, work, or approach.
“Because I like Where do your values and the Be specific!
for us?
this field.” company’s culture overlap?

If you were “What does that Are you flexible and imagina- Take a minute to think if
a fruit, what have to do with tive? Do you have a sense of you need it. Then connect
kind of fruit anything?” humor? And can you use this the question to something
would you question to remind me about a relevant: “This job would
be, and why? quality that makes you a good require me to work with
fit for this position? others. So I’d be a grape –
they come in bunches!”

Do you “Nope.” Are you interested in this Write down questions

have any position and curious to learn before the interview. If
more? they’ve all been answered,
questions
ask for more information
for me? about an interesting topic
that came up during the
interview — and don’t be
afraid to jot down notes.

Syracuse University Career Services 15

OrangeLink: Linking You to Career Opportunities,
Internships, and More

Find thousands of employers looking for Syracuse University and ESF students from the comfort of your own dorm
room, apartment, or computer lab on SU’s career database, OrangeLink. The link is available through our home page
at careerservices.syr.edu, or you can just bookmark https://syr-csm.symplicity.com/students.

Getting Started
You need an account to access OrangeLink. If you don’t have one yet, stop by and see us at the Career
Services Recruiting Help Desk, in Suite 235 of the Schine Student Center, give us a call at (315) 443-9093
or e-mail careers@syr.edu.

Use OrangeLink to…

• Browse full-time jobs, internships, fellowships, scholarships and summer jobs
• Upload resumes and cover letters to apply for opportunities
• Find an SU alumni mentor in the Mentor@SU program
• Register an internship that you’re taking for credit
• Register for career events and workshops
• View the list of employers attending SU’s Career Fairs
• Publish your resume in online resume books viewable by employers

Tips for Making the Most of OrangeLink

Having trouble logging in? Make sure you’re using your
complete email address including the @syr.edu (or the second half
of whatever e-mail address you used when you registered).

To keep your account secure, remember to change your password;

you can do this under the Privacy Tab in your profile.

Attend an OrangeLink Orientation. Find dates, times and

locations on the Career Services website calendar! Questions or problems?
Call 443-9093 to speak with
Complete your entire profile, including the personal, academic the Recruiting Help Desk, or
and privacy tabs, so that OrangeLink will allow you to search for e-mail careers@syr.edu.
jobs, internships and mentors. Don’t forget to update your profile
every year!

Can’t turn up the job or internship you’re looking for? Try

a variety of different searches.

Log in often to check out upcoming events and important

deadlines.

16 Syracuse University Career Services

Make the Connection:
Effective Networking
Kelly Lux is the Alumni Services Coordinator at Career Services. She works with Syracuse University alumni who are
seeking advice on their own job search, coordinates the “SUccess In The City” events every summer for recent SU grads
in cities around the United States, and oversees the Mentor@SU database, with more than 1,500 alumni mentors who
have volunteered to provide advice to SU students. Here, she shares her advice for networking both in person and online.

I’ve had a lot of different jobs over the years, and almost every one — including my current position — has
been facilitated by a personal connection. The experiences of the students and alumni I have worked with
bear this out over and over again: The more you build up your professional network with strong contacts,
and the sooner you do it, the more likely you will be to land that job or internship you really want.

Reach Out Through Your Own Networks

Think about who you know. A neighbor, a friend of a friend, a faculty member, your cousin’s roommate’s
neighbor…brainstorm a list of people who work in fields that interest you. Take some time to think about
what you want to say to them. Asking “Do you know of any jobs?” or saying “I’ll take anything” does
not work as well as coming up with a thoughtful list of questions about their experiences and advice. After
you’ve put together your list of questions, get in touch and ask if they might be able to spare 20 minutes to
chat. And after you talk, be sure to follow up with a thank-you note.

Collecting Business Cards Isn’t Enough

At career fairs and professional events, you can become a world-class collector of business cards, but this
alone does not make you an effective networker. When someone gives you a business card, make a brief
note on the back to remind yourself who they are and what you talked about. The effective networker
then follows up on every business card they collect with a personalized handwritten note, an e-mail, or a
phone call. Once relationships are established, good networkers connect again and again.

Connecting Online: What to Keep in Mind

Social networking sites like LinkedIn (linkedin.com) can be very useful networking tools – if you use them
effectively. This means doing more than sending out generic invitations to “connect.” Instead, focus on
creating an actual connection with someone you want to communicate with – send a customized message,
and remember that you’re writing to a real person.
Connecting with alumni or others within companies that interest you is a great way to start a conversa-
tion – but you need to know why you are connecting. Is this because you want more information on their
company? Their career path? Are you looking for regional or industry-specific information? Make sure
you have something to say and questions to ask — don’t expect the person you connect with to take the
lead. And always find out if there is something you can do for them in return.

Connecting in Person: Why It’s the Best

While the internet affords great opportunities to make large numbers of connections, the goal should al-
ways be to connect by phone or in person, if possible. A telephone conversation or face-to-face meeting can
advance the networking relationship by leaps and bounds.

Networking can be a bit nerve-racking at first. To set up a time to talk about your particular situation and networking
needs with a member of the Career Services staff, call our office at (315) 443-3616.
Syracuse University Career Services 17
Networking Advice from SU Alumni
Your alumni network is one of the most valuable assets you will have as a grad student at Syracuse University
– and as an alum. Getting connected and staying connected, early and often, is essential in growing your own
professional network. Here, SU alumni offer tips to help you get started. For more on this topic, visit the Career
Services website or contact the office at (315) 443-3616 to meet with a staff member.

Focus on the person you are talking to,
whether it’s a cold call or someone you meet
in a social setting.
Ask them what they do and how did they
end up in that field; it’s a surefire icebreaker
and a natural lead-in to get them to inquire
about what your own goals and aspirations
are.
Independent Capital Markets Professional
Most of all, remember that “the people you
meet on the way up are the people you need
on the way down.” In other words, get busi-
ness cards and be kind to everyone.
One more thing: because people switch
jobs so often, you’ll need to stay in frequent
touch with those contacts.
Principal
Anders Advertising

1. Be yourself SEND A THANK-YOU NOTE. Not a

2. Be truly interested in the people you thank-you e-mail. Not a thank-you text. Not
are meeting a thank you Facebook message. A written,
3. Don’t simply try to sell yourself snail-mailed, thank-you note.
4. Goal is to build relationships
5. Have fun Development & Production Executive
Managing Partner The Ladd Company
General Counsel, PC

If students have not already built a profile on-
line, including their relevant work/internship
experience and recommendations from folks to
include in their profile, they should start now.
LinkedIn is a great resource to make connec-
tions, network, learn of open positions, etc.
Senior Recruiter, Eastern US
Starbucks Coffee Company
Networking may seem intimidating at first.
But the more you talk to people, the easier it
will get.
And remember: you’ll have plenty of oppor-
tunities to pay it forward down the road!
Marketing Coordinator
Syracuse University

18 Syracuse University Career Services

The Academic Job Search:
About This Section of the Guide
Greetings, Ph.D. and master’s students preparing for the academic job search! It can take a lot of time
and effort to craft an effective application for a faculty position. Your faculty members are a wonderful
resource in this process, and we encourage you to seek discipline-specific advice from your department.
Career Services is here to help, too. The materials in this section of the guide were developed as a supple-
ment to your faculty’s assistance.

Taking a Strategic Approach

During your master’s or doctoral program, you are likely to be developing teaching and research skills,
participating in conferences in your field, writing for publication, and getting involved in the campus com-
munity. By the time you’re ready to pursue a faculty position, you will want your application materials to
best showcase all that you have accomplished. On the pages that follow, you will find strategies and re-
sources for preparing your CV and academic cover letters, getting ready for interviews, and even negotiat-
ing an academic job offer (hint: it’s not just about the salary!).

Making Challenging Choices

Your search for a faculty position may involve a number of difficult decisions. Where do you want to live?
Would you rather focus on research or teaching? Should you do a postdoc before going on the academic
job market? This section includes resources to help you make the best decisions for you, including links
to online videos of faculty panels that address topics including “Large or Small, Public or Private, Where
Will I Find the Best Fit?”

Keeping Your Options Open

You may also be holding open the option of applying your skills outside of academia. This guide includes
a list of transferable skills to get you thinking about how you can use the skills you’re developing in your
graduate program in positions in fields other than academia, if that is of interest to you.

Utilizing Career Services

The staff of Career Services would be delighted to offer you assistance in crafting your teaching and
research statements, reviewing your CV or helping you practice some typical questions that could come
up in your academic interview. We want to help you make your dream job a reality! To set up an appoint-
ment, just call Career Services at (315) 443-3616.
Throughout the year, panels and programs for
PhD students offer helpful perspectives and
advice. One popular panel was “Surviving
and Thriving in a Doctoral Program: Advice
from International Graduate Students,” in
October 2008.

From left, moderator Yan Wang, from China

(Child and Family Studies) and panelists
Soohyun Kim, from South Korea (Child and
Family Studies); Ankit Balaria, from India
(Environmental Engineering); Satoshi Hira-
bayashi, from Japan (Environmental
Resources and Forest Engineering); and Kun
Cheng, from China (Chemistry).

Syracuse University Career Services 19

 The CV vs. The Resume
One of the most frequently asked questions we’ve encountered from graduate students over the years at Career
Services is “What’s the difference between a CV and a resume?” The chart that follows contains general guidelines
intended to highlight the differences between the two.

If you are a Ph.D. (or ABD) and are looking at teaching positions, typically you will be asked to submit your CV.
If you are expanding your job search beyond academia, you will probably want to convert your CV to a resume.

Need some assistance converting your CV to a resume, or creating a CV from scratch? Call Career Services for an
appointment. We’re happy to help!

CVs
What is the goal of a CV?
To clearly present your comprehensive aca-
demic achievements and scholarly potential
What should I include?
Your full academic history, including teaching
and research, awards and service. Some com-
mon categories include Education (including
dissertation topic and advisor), Publications,
Presentations, Teaching and Research Experi-
ence, Honors, and Grants
How long is a CV?
As many pages as needed, as long as the mate-
rial is well organized
What should I probably not include?
Activities unrelated to academic pursuits
Should I list references?
Yes — list three references (after you’ve asked
them!), with their title, affiliation, phone, and
e-mail
Resumes
What is the goal of a resume?
To provide a concise and targeted snapshot of your
relevant skills, experiences, and accomplishments
from both paid and volunteer work
What should I include?
Education; jobs you’ve held (listing company, posi-
tion title and dates of employment) often with a bul-
leted description of your duties at each); computer
and language skills; other categories as warranted.
How long is a resume?
Generally one page, maybe more if you have over
three years of relevant work experience
What should I probably not include?
Publications, presentations and classes you have
taught unless they are related to the position you are
applying for
Should I list references?
Not on your resume. Send them separately if re-
quested. If you are a finalist, the organization will
contact you to request them later.

20 Syracuse University Career Services

Choosing headings for sections of
Imagine the members of your search commit- Education
tee, after a long day of teaching and research, Educational Background
sitting down to a tall stack of CVs. You may Academic Preparation
have only a few minutes to show them that Academic Training
you’re a good candidate for the position. Educational Highlights
Academic Interests
Headings help convey information almost
instantly to the reader, and should be cho- Dissertation
sen with care. Below you will find groups of Thesis
headings for your CV. Each group contains Dissertation Abstract
headings which communicate slightly differ- Dissertation Title
ent shades of meaning. Dissertation Summary

Look for headings that highlight and summa- Career Highlights

rize your experience best. Of course, this list Summary
is just a starting point and not intended to be Areas of Expertise
all-inclusive; feel free to construct new head- Areas of Concentration
ings for your CV so that you most accurately
portray, summarize, or highlight your experi- Professional Background
ence. Experience Highlights
Accomplishments
The order of your headings may vary on dif- Professional Experience
ferent versions of your CV. If you are apply-
ing to community colleges or small liberal arts Teaching Experience
colleges where teaching is highly valued, you Teaching Competencies
should list your teaching experience before Courses Taught
your research experience. Alternatively, if the Trainings
university you are applying to values research Teaching Interests
first, follow your education and your disserta- Informal Teaching Activities
tion title with research experience. Distance Teaching
Course Development
Consult your department’s faculty for disci- Instructional Design and Media
pline-specific conventions and for the format Professional Competencies
for listing your publications and presenta-
tions. Commonly used headings are
bolded for your convenience.
Want another set of eyes on your CV? Call
Career Services at (315) 443-3616 to set up
a CV review.

Syracuse University Career Services 21

your CV is a strategic decision!
Conference Presentations Language Proficiency Laboratory Experience
Conference Leadership Language Competency Instrumentation Experience
Conference Participation Instrument Experience
Scholarly Presentations Writing/Directing Highlights Scientific Skills
Film Production
Research Experience Design Experience International Study
Research Interests Creative Work Study Abroad
Research Exhibits/Exhibitions Travel
Invited Reviews Arrangements/Scores International Experience
Selected Abstracts Editorial Experience
Selected Seminars University Service
Research Projects Honors and Awards Service to the Profession
Research Interests and Activities Awards Professional Service
Grants Distinctions Departmental Service
Awards and Fellowships Committee Leadership
Publications Honors and Distinctions University Involvement
Presentations Fellowships Administrative Experience
Review Articles Scholarships Academic Service
Refereed Publications Academic Awards
Professional Papers Career Highlights Consultation
Professional Presentations Professional Achievements Consulting Experience
Programs and Workshops
Conference Leadership Fieldwork Professional Affiliations
Invited Reviews Industry Experience Scholarly Societies
Invited Lectures Association Memberships
Papers Presented Licensure Professional Memberships
Invited Panelist Professional Certifications Affiliations and Boards
Workshop Presentations Professional Credentials
Selected Abstracts Licenses References
Encyclopedia Entries Clinical Experience Recommendations
Supervision Experience
Administration
Leadership Experience

TIP:
Add words like
selected, recent, and
highlights as needed.

Adapted from Finding a Job in Your Field: A Handbook for PhD’s and Mas. R.
Anthony & G. Roe, Princeton, NJ: Peterson’s Guides, 1984

22 Syracuse University Career Services

Preparing for Your Academic Interview:
Selected Resources
Online Resources
Mary Corbin Sies, Ph.D., now an associate profes-
sor in the Department of American Studies of the
University of Maryland, College Park, compiled a
list of questions when she was applying for college
or university positions. Her commentary is insight-
ful, funny and useful, making this site an essential
stop on the internet for anyone applying for an
academic positions:
http://www.otal.umd.edu/~sies/jobquess.html
Another site with a range of helpful information
about academic interviews:
http://gradschool.about.com/od/academicinterviews/
Interviewing_for_Academic_Positions.htm
Books
A great resource on the entire academic job
search (with three chapters on academic
interviews) is The Academic Job Search Handbook,
Fourth Edition by Julie Vick and Jennifer Fur-
long, University of Pennsylvania Press, 2008.
There is also a section on the interview process
in Cracking the Academia Nut: A Guide to Preparing
for Your Academic Career by Margaret L. New-
house, Ph.D. Office of Career Services, Harvard
University, 1997 (don’t be put off by the publica-
tion date! It’s still very useful).

Real-Life Practice
Check with your department and see if your faculty will do a Mock Academic Interview to help prepare
you for your upcoming interviews. If you want more practice, make an appointment with Career Services
and we will help you prepare for your upcoming phone interview or campus visit.

The Academic Cover Letter

Recommended Website
The Owl At Purdue, Academic Cover Letters by Liz Thelen
http://owl.english.purdue.edu/owl/resource/639/01
Solid, strategic advice on how to present your qualifications when you apply
for a faculty position. Includes a sample academic cover letter.

“Piled Higher and Deeper” by Jorge Cham

Syracuse University Career Services 23

Applying Your Academic Skills
Outside the Ivory Tower
Marketing yourself outside the academic setting requires valuing the skills you have acquired
during graduate school. Which of these skills have you developed during your graduate educa-
tion? Also make note of skills that you have acquired in your work, volunteer and life experience.

Research and Analytic Skills Interpersonal Skills

It is likely that you can: You may have developed:
• Locate and assimilate new information rapidly • Leadership skills (in a lab or a classroom)
• Understand complex information and synthesize it • Diplomacy (a survival skill in graduate
• Reach independent conclusions and defend them school!)
• Analyze and solve problems • The ability to accept criticism
• See the big picture while still paying attention to • The ability to cope with and manage different
details personalities
• The ability to navigate complex environments
Communication Skills • Persuasion skills, e.g. grant proposals, negoti
It is also likely that you can: tion within your department
• Write clearly at different levels, from abstracts to • Consensus-building skills (with your depar
book-length manuscripts ment/committee)
• Edit and proofread • The ability to handle complaints (e.g. with
• Speak before large groups students over grades)
• Convey complex information to non-expert
audiences Entrepreneurial Skills
You may know how to:
Skills Needed to Advance to Candidacy and • Work independently
Complete Your Dissertation • Acquire funding (e.g. write grant proposals)
• Intellectual strength • Manage a budget
• The ability to perform under pressure
• The ability to meet deadlines Organization and Management
• The ability to meet high expectations You can:
• Focus, tenacity, stamina and discipline • Manage a project (your dissertation!)
• The ability to see a task to completion • Maintain records
• Organize and plan events (programs, panels)
Supervision Skills • Motivate others to participate
You may have:
• Evaluated others’ performance, e.g. graded exams Intellectual Qualities
or papers You are likely to be:
• Monitored or oversaw the work of others in a lab • Intellectually curious
or classroom • Intellectually mature

Need help converting your CV to a skills-based resume? Flip back to the beginning of this guide to review
resume strategies and samples. Then call (315) 443-3616 to set up an appointment at Career Services for
assistance.

24 Syracuse University Career Services

Grant Writing Series for Gradu-
ate Students: A Four-Part Series
Trish Lowney, Ph.D., the direc-
tor of the Office of Sponsored
Programs at Syracuse University,
clarifies the grant application pro-
cess, and sheds light on identifying
funding sources as well as under-
standing the review process. Three
of the four programs – Managing
Expectations, Practical Strategies,
Resources for Finding Funding
and Mechanics of Applying – are
accompanied by downloadable
PowerPoint slides.
The Expanded (Non-Academic)
Job Search for PhDs
Susan Basalla, Ph.D., is the au-
thor of the groundbreaking book
for doctoral students looking
beyond academia, So What Are
You Going to do With That? In this
presentation, she offers real-life
examples and practical advice for
M.A.s and Ph.D.s seeking fulfill-
ing work outside of the academy.
What Can You Do with a PhD
at a University Besides Teach?
Panelists – all of whom have doc-
torates -- speak about how they
got their non-faculty positions at
Syracuse University in such areas
as Multicultural Affairs, Gradu-
ate Enrollment Management,
Development and Academic
Integrity. They also share steps
doctoral students can take to
make themselves marketable for
staff roles in higher education.

Video
The Academic Job Search: The Academic Job
Negotiating an Academic Job Search: Large or Small,
Offer Public or Private –
Syracuse University faculty Where Would I Find the
from Political Science, Best Fit?

Resources
Religion, Biology and A panel of faculty from
Engineering who have Hamilton College, Le
been on the other side of Moyne College, Syracuse
the negotiating table share University and Ononda-
pragmatic negotiation advice. ga Community College
Watch this video before you address the effect of their
accept an offer! for PhDs context on their personal
and professional lives.

The Changing Landscape of How to Get a Post-Doc and

Higher Education
Chris M. Golde, Ph.D., Associate
Vice Provost for Graduate Educa-
tion at Stanford University and
Research Director of the Carnegie
Initiative on the Doctorate, pro-
vides an overview of higher educa-
tion in the United States, address-
ing how changes in tenure and in
the student population will affect
your future as a professor.
Adjusting to Your First Year as
Faculty
Gina-Lee Glauser, SU’s Vice
President of Research, offers
frank, specific and practical
advice for setting yourself up for
success when you begin your first
year as faculty. A must see!
Make the Most of It
Three SU first-year faculty and
two postdocs describe their
experiences searching for – and
productively using – their post-
doc opportunities in both the
humanities and the sciences at
Yale, Harvard, Dartmouth, and
Syracuse University.

Career Services is delighted to be able to share videos of panels and presentations for graduate students at Syracuse Uni-
versity who are seeking careers in academia. Visit our website at careerservices.syr.edu (check under PhD Resources),
and enjoy them from the comfort of your own computer!

Syracuse University Career Services 25

 Syracuse University Career Services
Suite 235, Schine Student Center
phone (315) 443-3616
fax (315) 443-2805
http://careerservices.syr.edu

26 Syracuse University Career Services