Job Search Resource Guide Office of Human Resources Table of Contents Introduction 2 Overview of the Steps 3 Getting Started_____ 4 Conduct a Self-Assessment 5 Explore Options_________ 6 Networking Social Media Develop a Plan 10 Apply for Positions 11 Writing an Effective Cover Letter Analyzing a Job Description Worksheet Sample Cover Letters Resume vs. Curriculum Vitae Writing an Effective Resume / Curriculum Vitae Resume Preparation Worksheet Action Words Resource Sheet Sample Sections to Include on a CurriculumVitae Sample Resumes Sample Curriculum Vitae Tips When Applying for Northwestern Positions External Online Job Search Engines Local Universities Job Search Tracking Worksheet Interview 36 Preparing for an In-Person Interview Preparing for a Telephone Interview Sample Interview Questions Questions to Ask and Avoid During the Interview Post-Interview Follow Up Closing Document last updated 8/8/2012. 44 1 Introduction Northwestern University is committed to supporting employees with the tools and information necessary to assist with a career transition. With this in mind, NorthwesternвЂ™s Office of Human Resources has developed a resource guide to support staff in the job search process. This guide provides a summary of the key steps in conducting a job search, along with practical tools and resources for getting started. Should you have questions regarding your job search, you may contact the Office of Human Resources at 847-491-7507 (Evanston) or 312-503-8481 (Chicago). 2 Overview of the Steps Conduct a SelfAssessment Land Your New Position Explore Options Interview Develop a Plan Apply for Positions 3 Getting Started There are many components to conducting an effective job search. Before you begin, consider the following: пѓј Do you have a good understanding of yourself and the type of employment that interests you? пѓј Have you identified industries, companies, and organizations that interest you? пѓј Have you identified what positions are currently open within your target industries and organizations? пѓј Have you identified networking opportunities? пѓј Do you have a cover letter and resume prepared? пѓј Have you prepared for interviews? пѓј Are you prepared to track your progress toward finding employment? Being thoughtful about these components before you begin your job search can help to streamline the search process and lead to a more successful outcome. 4 Conduct a Self-Assessment Self-assessment is the first step in an effective job search. It is important to understand early on who you are and what is important to you in a job. The following are questions to consider when thinking about your career: п‚· What makes me happy? п‚· What things have I done in the past that I really enjoyed? п‚· What types of things interest me? п‚· What are my skills, abilities, and interests? п‚· What type of work environment do I like? п‚· What things are most important to me in a job on which I am unwilling or unable to compromise? п‚· What type of people do I like to spend time with? п‚· What type of management style do I work best under? п‚· What qualifications and education do I bring to the table? п‚· Do I value work / life balance and what am I willing to trade for it? As you think about what positions, industries (e.g. manufacturing, higher education, service, technology), and organizations you plan to target in your job search, consider them in the context of how you responded to the questions above. For example: п‚· Are they a good fit given my skills, abilities, and interests? п‚· Will I find the work interesting and challenging? п‚· Will they provide me with the things that are most important to me and on which I cannot compromise? If you are looking for additional support in determining what career best fits your own skills, interests, and abilities, there are a number of free self-assessment tools available on the Internet that you may find useful. Additionally, the Office of Human Resources also has an assessment profile at no additional charge to University employees called the CareerPortrait, available at Workplace Learning under Career Planning Tools. 5 Explore Options The next step in your job search is to explore options. Write down all your ideas for new possibilities. What types of positions are you looking for? What industries are of interest? What potential paths would you like to explore? A resource to help you explore various career paths is Beverly KayвЂ™s seminal Up is Not the Only Way. If you are considering not only changing jobs, but also changing careers, there are additional considerations you must address, such as: п‚· What type of experience is necessary to qualify me for a position in my career of interest? If you lack the requisite experience, consider signing up for volunteer work or enrolling in a course to gain exposure to this type of work. п‚· What skills do I need for the type of positions I am interested in? Do I possess these skills? Consider that many skills are often transferable. Explore how to reframe past experiences to highlight your transferrable skills rather than your specific work activities. п‚· Do I have a compelling story for why I want to switch careers? Since there will undoubtedly be other job applicants who possess experience more directly relevant to the position, it will be important that you have a compelling reason for changing careers and that you can clearly articulate this to potential employers. Develop a brief, minute-long вЂњstoryвЂќ highlighting your reason(s) for changing careers. Also, ensure that your cover letters describe why you are seeking to change careers and the ways in which your skills translate to the new career. A recommended resource that can help you further explore the process of career reinvention is Herminia IbarraвЂ™s book Working Identity. 6 Networking Career networking is a very powerful tool to leverage when you are in the midst of a job search. When thinking about networking, it is important to remember that networking should not be a one-sided relationship or only about you getting a job. Rather, networking is about creating long-lasting, mutually beneficial relationships that allow you to tap into career opportunities that might not otherwise be known. While it is essential that you are honest and relaxed when networking, you also shouldnвЂ™t wing it. Before beginning to network, you will want to develop a list of potential contacts. Think broadly about these contacts and consider individuals from all different parts of your life. These could include contacts from Northwestern, previous employers, schools you attended, associations to which you belong, and those within your community. Once you have compiled your list of contacts, thoroughly research their backgrounds and work history. Also consider forums for creating new contacts, such as business conferences, continuing education classes, and volunteer opportunities. There are several professional and social organizations within Northwestern that provide excellent networking opportunities for staff, including: п‚· AHEAD@NU The Association for Higher Education Administrators' Development helps higher education administrators establish and fulfill their academic, career, personal and social objectives, while also providing support for navigating the potential challenges encountered. http://www.northwestern.edu/ahead/ п‚· ANUW The Association of Northwestern University Women supports the professional development of women in administration at the University. http://www.northwestern.edu/anuw/ п‚· GLUU The Gay and Lesbian University Union is an organization for LGBT graduate students, faculty, staff and alumni at Northwestern University. http://www.northwestern.edu/gluu/ п‚· NURAP Northwestern University Research Administration Professionals supports research administration professionals at Northwestern University and is open to all members of the Northwestern University research community. http://www.research.northwestern.edu/nurap/ п‚· NUSAC Northwestern University Staff Advisory Council is a group of volunteer staff members appointed by the President to promote a positive work environment and serve as an advocacy group and communication channel between staff and University administration. http://www.northwestern.edu/nusac/ 7 п‚· University Circle University Circle provides opportunities for Northwestern University women to participate in service, scholarship and social activities that enhance the University community. http://www.northwestern.edu/university-circle/ п‚· The Women's Center The WomenвЂ™s Center serves as a gathering place for women students, staff and faculty across lines of race, class and sexual orientation. It is a safe haven where NU women connect, as well as an environment suited to enrich personal, professional and academic lives. http://www.northwestern.edu/womenscenter/ Finally, PlanIt Purple, the UniversityвЂ™s events calendar located on the main home page, is also a great resource for staying abreast of events happening on and around our campuses. 8 Social Media With the Internet buzzing with social media, there are many ways to use this in order to network and augment your job search. Several of the most prominent social networking sites are included below. As you use these sites, it is important to appropriately set your privacy settings and be mindful of how posts and pictures may be perceived. You should represent yourself professionally on social media sites and in a way that is consistent with your broader job search. п‚· LinkedIn LinkedIn is a business-oriented social networking site that allows you to build and maintain professional connections with colleagues, business prospects, or others within your industry. It allows you to create a professional profile detailing your professional expertise and work history and provides a useful forum for seeking employment. http://www.linkedin.com/ п‚· Facebook While Facebook is a social networking site more popularly used for connecting or reconnecting with personal friends or other people you know, when used appropriately it can also be an effective networking tool. It allows you to create a profile of personal information and to share messages, photos, links, videos, and other information. http://www.facebook.com/ п‚· Twitter Twitter is an online social networking and microblogging service that enables you to send and read brief text-based posts. From a networking standpoint, Twitter allows you to connect with other individuals based on a common interest. http://twitter.com/ 9 Develop a Plan Once youвЂ™ve explored some options, set some targeted goals. Targets/goals should be S.M.A.R.T.: Specific Measurable Attainable Relevant Time-Bound When setting targets, think aboutвЂ¦1 п‚· How will you know whether or not you are on the right track? п‚· Can the goal be broken down into a series of sub-goals that can be monitored to assure that you are moving in the desired direction? Evaluating Attainability п‚· Is this a logical next step from the present position and salary grade? п‚· What is the competition likely to look like and how will my qualifications compare? Evaluating Relevance п‚· Is the goal in sync with my recent position, skills, and abilities? п‚· Is the goal a step in the right direction? Your targets should reflect a match between the realities of the organization, the marketplace, and your skills and aspirations. Targets By When 1. _______________________________________________ 2. _______________________________________________ 3. _______________________________________________ _______________________ _______________________ _______________________ For your top two targets, what actions do you need to take and by when in order to meet your target? What new skills and education might you need to acquire? 1 Actions (Sub-Steps to Meet Your Target) By When 1. _______________________________________________ 2. _______________________________________________ 3. _______________________________________________ _______________________ _______________________ _______________________ Adapted from Up is Not the Only Way, Beverly Kaye, 2001 10 Writing an Effective Cover Letter A cover letter is an introductory letter that accompanies your resume when applying for a position. It is important to include a cover letter each time you apply for a position, as it can be a great asset in your job search. The purpose of a cover letter is to demonstrate that you are a viable candidate for the position and to help you stand out from the other applications that have been received. The best cover letters are those that are tailored to the specific position to which you are applying. The general components of a cover letter are as follows: п‚· Begin the letter by indicating why you are writing and to what position you are applying. Indicate how you learned of the position, particularly if it was through a personal contact. If you are writing a letter of interest in which you are asking about what positions may be available, specify why you are interested in working for this particular employer. п‚· In the next one to two paragraphs, outline your qualifications and match them to the requirements of the position. Demonstrate enthusiasm and a desire to help the organization reach its goals. Indicate why you stand out relative to the position or organization. Be brief but provide specific examples, and relate relevant details about the organization so the employer knows you have done research ahead of time. п‚· Include a brief final paragraph that indicates what action will come next. Direct the employer to the enclosed resume, make your availability known for an interview and, whenever possible, let them know that you will contact them to discuss the opportunity further. п‚· Close by thanking the employer for their time and consideration. Consider the following tips when creating a cover letter: 2 п‚· п‚· п‚· п‚· п‚· 2 Keep your cover letter brief and simple. A half-page cover letter is ideal and you should avoid going over one page in length. Steer away from using buzzwords, acronyms, jargon, and overly personal language. Use a font size that is simple and clear. Grab the employerвЂ™s attention right from the start by pointing out how you can make a difference in a way no other candidate can. Rather than simply listing your past accomplishments and titles, position them in terms of how they benefit the organization. Your cover letter needs to answer the question вЂњWhatвЂ™s in it for the organization?вЂќ Always use spellcheck and have someone else check your cover letter for proper spelling, grammar, and overall readability. After sending in your cover letter and resume for a position, be sure to follow up. YouвЂ™ll increase your chances for an interview and demonstrate your enthusiasm if you contact the employer to follow-up rather than merely waiting for a call. Adapted from http://www.allbusiness.com/human-resources/careers-cover-letter/1599-1.html. 11 Analyzing a Job Description Worksheet3 Three key errors that individuals often make when applying for a position are: a) not thoroughly reading and analyzing the job posting; b) not including a cover letter; and c) not customizing their cover letter and resume for each individual job posting. Following these simple steps listed below will assist you in customizing your cover letter and resume to a specific job posting: 1. Read every single word in the job posting. 2. Identify the key position requirements and write them down (using the left column below). 3. Identify the вЂњimpliedвЂќ position requirements and add those. For example: You read вЂњminimal supervisionвЂќ вЂ“ that probably means they want someone who can hit the ground running, make accurate decisions quickly, be self-directed without the need for much structure, and deal with ambiguity. Does that fit you? If so, use those вЂњread between the linesвЂќ phrases that accurately describe you when writing your cover letter. 4. For each position requirement, write down the examples/evidence from your experience and education that demonstrate your skill and ability to meet those requirements and competencies (using the right column below). Position Qualifications, Requirements and Competencies (Both stated and implied) Your Evidence 1. 1. 2. 2. 3. 3. 4. 4. 5. 5. 6. 6. 5. Be sure all of your matching evidence for a particular job posting is highlighted in your cover letter and included within your resume. Clearly lay out what the hiring manager is looking for вЂ“ that is, someone whose skills, abilities and experience match what is needed for the position. Make it easy for the hiring manager to find that information. 12 The example below demonstrates how you can use this exercise to develop a customized cover letter or follow-up letter to an organization in which you are interested: Dear Ms. Smith: It is my understanding, through a friend who is employed at Northwestern, that your office is reviewing applications for a Communications Specialist. I have submitted my resume for consideration and want to reiterate my interest in the position directly to you. The responsibilities of the position appeal to me, and I am confident that I could meet the challenges presented. For your review, attached is a copy of my resume that details my key qualifications listed below: Your Required Minimum Qualifications My Qualifications B.A. or B.S. in Marketing or related field B.S. in Mass Communications with an emphasis in Public Relations 3 вЂ“ 5 years writing experience 3 years as journalist and 1 year as Editor for the Beloit College newspaper 2 years as staff writer for Grainger, IT Communications Experience working in a collaborative, fastpaced environment Experience with cross-functional teams meeting tight deadlines Ability to develop and present educational information to a public audience Developed and hosted bi-monthly TechTalk series to large audiences (averaging 50 вЂ“ 100 Participants) I look forward to discussing the position with you in more detail. Thank you. Robert Garcia a Job Description Worksheet excerpted from Northwestern UniversityвЂ™s Managing Your Career Series, Office of Human Resources. 3 Analyzing 13 Sample Cover Letters October 14, 2011 Mr. William Jackson Delaney University 13764 Jefferson Parkway Roanoke, VA 24019 Dear Mr. Jackson: I am writing to apply to the Administrative Assistant 3 position with Delaney University advertised on your organizationвЂ™s web site. I have a Certificate III in Office Administration and have spent over nine years working as a personal assistant in leading companies including Build It Funds Management and Igloo Human Capital Management. Overall, I have 12 years of experience working in office administration. In my current role as Personal Assistant to the Vice President at Build It Funds Management, I am required to manage a range of general administrative and specialized tasks in a timely and accurate manner. This includes organizing meetings, distributing agendas, managing a complex and everchanging executiveвЂ™s calendar, preparing presentations, and drafting correspondence. I possess advanced Microsoft Office skills and have used them to help produce the companyвЂ™s annual report and prospectus that are available on the companyвЂ™s web site. I work effectively both autonomously and in a team environment. While providing high-quality assistance to the companyвЂ™s Vice President, I am also required to liaise with and assist 12 other staff members. This requires excellent time management skills, as well as the ability to communicate effectively and professionally. I am confident and friendly and believe that my experience and skills would be an asset to Delaney University. Thank you for taking the time to consider my application. I look forward to the opportunity to meet with you and discuss my candidacy for the position. Sincerely, Layne A. Johnson 5542 Hunt Club Lane #1 Blacksburg, VA 24060 (540) 555-8082 [email protected] 14 November 12, 2011 Mr. Robert Burns President, Research Management MEGATEK Research Corporation 9845 Technical Way Arlington, VA 22207 [email protected] Dear Mr. Burns: During my online research, I was more than enthused to find your recent opening for a Research Technologist 1 at MEGATEK Research Corporation. I have just the right level of experience, training, and expertise that you request in your advertisement for this position. I have been a Research Technician for the past nine years at ATR International, Inc. and Precision Research Corporation and have extensive experience in all aspects of lab work, research, analysis, and troubleshooting. I am proficient with all tools and equipment related to the field and I am extremely knowledgeable about how to test and review various specimens. In both of my most recent positions, I have been responsible for the development and validation of method testing for pharmaceuticals, and I also have significant experience in the handling, storing, and distribution of pharmaceuticals. I have a deep understanding of the nature of a Research TechnicianвЂ™s job and the high level of accuracy, efficiency, and industry knowledge required for success. In addition to my relevant work experience, I also hold a bachelorвЂ™s degree in Biology from Eastern University and am highly analytical, astute, and communicative. I am confident that my background uniquely qualifies me for success in this position. Thank you in advance for your review of my enclosed resume. I will contact you next week to discuss the possibility of meeting in person to discuss this position further. In the meantime, should you need to contact me, I can be reached at the telephone number below. Sincerely, Morgan Stevens 123 Ascot Lane Blacksburg, VA 24060 (540) 555-2556 [email protected] 15 Resume vs. Curriculum Vitae In addition to submitting a cover letter when applying to a position, you will also need to submit a current copy of your resume or curriculum vitae, which is often referred to as a C.V. for short. You may be wondering how these two documents differ. A resume is a concise one- or two-page written summary of your accomplishments, abilities, skills, qualifications, and experience. A C.V., on the other hand, is a longer and more detailed account of your background. In fact, вЂњcurriculum vitaeвЂќ is a Latin expression that can loosely be translated as вЂњthe course of my life.вЂќ A C.V. frequently includes a summary of your education and academic background, teaching and research experience, publications, presentations, awards, honors, affiliations, fellowships, relevant coursework, references, and other details. In the United States, a C.V. is frequently used when applying for academic, education, scientific, or research positions. 16 Writing an Effective Resume / Curriculum Vitae When creating a resume or C.V., it is important to keep the following tips in mind: 4 п‚· Use a font and font size that are simple and clear. Standard fonts include Arial, Helvetica, Universe, Times New Roman, Palatino, Century Gothic, and Courier. Standard font sizes range from 10 to 14 points. п‚· Ensure the document is grammatically perfect and free of typos. Formatting within the document should be consistent. п‚· To manage your job search and the correspondence you send and receive, open a new email account that will only be used for your job search. This will be the email address you include on your resume and that you use to post your resume or application to any job boards. Ensure the email address you select is appropriate to include on your resume. Email addresses that are too personal or that include your birth year should not be used. п‚· To help protect your privacy, consider having two versions of your resume вЂ“ one that includes your home mailing address and full contact information and another that includes only your name, city, state, cell phone number, and email address. The general version can be used more broadly, such as for applications you post to online job boards, while the more personalized version can be shared on a more limited basis once you are further along in the selection process. п‚· Place your personal information, such as your name, city, state, phone number, and email address into the header area of your resume or C.V. so that it prints at the top of each page. This will prevent employers from losing a page even if they become separated after printing. п‚· Ensure the length of your document is appropriate given your work experience and background. A resume is typically one to two pages in length. As mentioned previously, a C.V. is typically longer and frequently spans many pages. With a C.V., it is more important to focus on the documentвЂ™s comprehensiveness than its length. п‚· In a C.V., the вЂњeducationвЂќ section should either be the first section you include or immediately follow a summary statement. In a resume, where you place the вЂњeducationвЂќ section will depend on the length of your prior work experience. Frequently, recent graduates or those with minimal work experience will place the вЂњeducationвЂќ section near the beginning of the resume, while those with more work experience will place it near the end since it requires less emphasis. 17 4 п‚· In a resume, it is important that the descriptions of your past experience are accomplishmentoriented and frequently they will be listed in a bulleted format. When listing accomplishments, use action verbs to describe your experience and ensure that each bullet point you include answers the question вЂњSo what?вЂќ A C.V., on the other hand, will place more emphasis on who you worked with, where you attended school, and where you published. п‚· Consider including your grade point average (G.P.A.) for the institution(s) you attended if it reflects favorably upon your academic history. You may want to leave this information off your resume if it does not reflect favorably. In any case, after a few years of work experience your G.P.A. is less relevant and does not need to be included. п‚· When you submit your resume or C.V. online, frequently the prospective employer uses a program to scan the resume based on keyword content. Therefore, it is important that your resume or C.V. uses enough keywords to define your skills, experience, education, professional affiliations, and industry background. You may want to consider including a вЂњkeyword summaryвЂќ section to increase the likelihood of the computer selecting your resume or C.V. It is appropriate to use jargon and acronyms specific to your industry in the вЂњkeyword summary.вЂќ п‚· If your resume or C.V. is going to be scanned or e-mailed, rather than the traditional printed document on high-quality paper, avoid embellishments such as underlining, bold, or over-stylized text. п‚· Tailor your resume or C.V. to the specific position to which you are applying. Ensure it indicates your accomplishments related to the experience, skills, and competencies the organization has listed in the job posting. Each of the requirements listed in the job posting should be included within your document. Excerpted in part from Ohio UniversityвЂ™s вЂњAll About Resumes.вЂќ 18 Resume Preparation Worksheet Full Name Home Address and Telephone Number Email Address Professional Summary Include a brief paragraph here that summarizes your professional experience. In this section, it is appropriate to use either complete sentences or sentence fragments (e.g. вЂњI am an experienced and polished executive assistantвЂќ or вЂњExperienced and polished executive assistantвЂќ). Include bullet points outlining your experience, accomplishments, and skills just below: п‚· п‚· п‚· п‚· п‚· п‚· п‚· п‚· п‚· п‚· п‚· п‚· п‚· п‚· Professional Experience Company Name and Location Description of company/organization Month/Year to Month/Year Job Title Summary of responsibilities and resulting accomplishments/benefits to the organization. п‚· п‚· п‚· п‚· п‚· Company Name and Location Description of company/organization Month/Year to Month/Year Job Title Summary of responsibilities and resulting accomplishments/benefits to the organization. п‚· п‚· п‚· 19 Company Name and Location Description of company/organization Month/Year to Month/Year Job Title Summary of responsibilities and resulting accomplishments/benefits to the organization. п‚· п‚· п‚· п‚· п‚· Company Name and Location Description of company/organization Month/Year to Month/Year Job Title Summary of responsibilities and resulting accomplishments/benefits to the organization. п‚· п‚· п‚· п‚· п‚· Include any additional previous employment history below. Ensure any gaps in employment are covered. Company Name and Location Month/Year to Month/Year Company Name and Location Month/Year to Month/Year Company Name and Location Month/Year to Month/Year Education and Training Include a list of your degrees and certifications here, beginning with the most recent. This should include the degree or certification granted and the name of the granting institution. Skills Include a list of your skill sets, including technical, language, and soft skills. Professional Affiliations Include a list of your professional affiliations here. References Include a list of your references here. This section is optional. 20 Action Words Resource Sheet Since it will be important for each point on your resume to indicate what action you took and what benefit to the organization resulted, the following list of action verbs has been compiled to assist you as you prepare your resume: 5 Management Skills Communication Skills Administrative/Detail Skills Administered Analyzed Assigned Attained Chaired Contracted Consolidated Coordinated Delegated Developed Directed Evaluated Executed Improved Increased Organized Oversaw Planned Prioritized Produced Recommended Reviewed Scheduled Strengthened Supervised Addressed Arbitrated Arranged Authored Corresponded Developed Directed Drafted Edited Enlisted Formulated Influenced Interpreted Lectured Mediated Moderated Motivated Negotiated Persuaded Promoted Publicized Reconciled Recruited Spoke Translated Wrote Approved Arranged Catalogued Classified Collected Compiled Dispatched Executed Generated Implemented Inspected Monitored Operated Organized Prepared Processed Purchased Recorded Retrieved Screened Specified Systematized Tabulated Validated Research Skills Technical Skills Teaching Skills Clarified Collected Critiqued Diagnosed Evaluated Examined Extracted Identified Inspected Interpreted Interviewed Investigated Organized Reviewed Summarized Surveyed Systematized Assembled Built Calculated Computed Designed Devised Engineered Fabricated Maintained Operated Overhauled Programmed Remodeled Repaired Solved Trained Upgraded Adapted Advised Clarified Coached Communicated Coordinated Developed Enabled Encouraged Evaluated Exchanged Facilitated Guided Informed Initiated Instructed Persuaded Set goals Stimulated 21 5 Financial Skills Creative Skills Helping Skills Administered Allocated Analyzed Appraised Audited Balanced Budgeted Calculated Computed Developed Forecasted Managed Marketed Planned Projected Researched Acted Conceptualized Created Designed Developed Directed Established Fashioned Founded Illustrated Instituted Integrated Introduced Invented Originated Performed Planned Revitalized Shaped Assessed Assisted Clarified Coached Counseled Demonstrated Diagnosed Educated Expedited Facilitated Familiarized Guided Referred Rehabilitated Represented Adapted from Boston College Career Center with original development by the Employment Development Department of Palo Alto, California. 22 Sample Sections to Include on a Curriculum Vitae6 Education Dissertation Master's Project Thesis Professional Competencies Areas of Expertise Areas of Concentration in Graduate Study Internships Teaching Interests Teaching Experience Research Interests Research Assistantships Postdoctoral Experience Research Appointments Research Experience 6 Publications Abstracts Scholarly Works Books Chapters Editorial Boards Professional Papers Technical Papers Refereed Journal Articles Editorial Appointments Articles/Monographs Book Reviews Research Grants Funded Projects Grants and Contracts Patents Professional Experience Academic Appointments Professional Summary Related Experience Administrative Experience Consulting Experience Awards Scholarships Fellowships Honors Activities and Distinctions Professional Recognition Prizes Academic Service Advising University Involvement Outreach Leadership University Assignments Professional Memberships Affiliations Memberships in Scholarly Societies Professional Organizations Honorary Societies Professional Societies Professional Development Professional Association Advisory Boards Advisory Committees National Boards Professional Activities Professional Certification Certification Licensure Endorsements Special Training Conference Participation Conference Presentations Conference Leadership Workshop Presentations Invited Lectures Lectures and Colloquia Foreign Study Study Abroad Travel Abroad International Projects Languages Language Competencies Excerpted from the National Institutes of HealthвЂ™s Guide to Writing a Curriculum Vitae (CV) at https://www.training.nih.gov/assets/Writing_a_CV.pdf. 23 Sample Resumes Megan Brown 321 N. School Chicago, IL 60001 Phone: 123.456.7890 [email protected] EDUCATION: University of Name, city, state Bachelor of Arts, cum laude, June 2011 Majors: Biochemistry, Spanish Minor: Chemistry GPA: 4.8/5.0 Relevant Coursework: Immunology, Molecular Biology, Biochemistry (I, II), RNase Structure and Function, Analytical Chemistry, Organic Chemistry (I, II), Experimental Medicinal Chemistry EXPERIENCE: University of Name, city, state Research Assistant, Dept. of Chemistry April 2008 - June 2011 п‚· вЂњIdentifying nuclear protein targets of AngiogeninвЂќ п‚· Used protein based techniques (Protein purification, Cell culture, Pull-down Assay, SDS-PAGE, Co-Immunoprecipitation, 2D Gel Electrophoresis) to identify protein-protein interactions of Angiogenin in cancer cells п‚· Maintained various cell culture lines (e.g. A-549, HUVEC, HeLa) п‚· вЂњIdentifying novel Cyclooxygenase and Carbonic Anhydrase inhibitors based on structure-activity relationshipsвЂќ п‚· Chemically synthesized CelebrexВ® (anti-arthritic) to modify and test as an anticancer agent п‚· Presented research at various local and regional symposia п‚· Trained less experienced research students in laboratory techniques NurseвЂ™s Assistant, Sumner Health Center п‚· Performed basic pre-examination procedures п‚· Maintained files and patient data September 2008 - June 2009 Organic and General Chemistry Content Tutor January 2010 - June 2011 п‚· Tutored Undergraduate students in the concepts of General, Organic, and Bio Chemistry through teaching approaches tailored to the individual 24 Independent Research, Spanish Department September 2010 - June 2011 п‚· вЂњMulti-dimensional bilinguality: A language immersion experience for a future in medicineвЂќ п‚· Studied abroad August-December 2009, Granada, Spain Neighborhood Boys and Girls Club Senior Leader/Assistant Director June 2002 - September 2007 п‚· Directed a year round sports league for youth ages 6-15 п‚· Organized and directed an after school program at a Chicago Public School HONORS: п‚· Named to DeanвЂ™s List all terms September 2007 through June 2011 25 Jane Smith 1234 West School Street п‚· Chicago, IL 60000 п‚· 312-111-1234 п‚· [email protected] EDUCATION Green University, College of Biological Sciences Bachelors of Science in Genetics, Cell Biology, and Development September 2007 вЂ“ May 2011 GPA: 3.8 / 4.0; Relevant Courses: General Biology, General Chemistry, Organic Chemistry with Lab, Biochemistry, Genetics, Cell Biology, Human Genetics, Molecular Cellular Biology, Molecular Biology of Cancer, Immunology, Endocrinology EXPERIENCE Green University, Department of Entomology Undergraduate Research Assistant - January 2010 вЂ“ May 2011 п‚· п‚· п‚· п‚· Maintained laboratory equipment and greenhouse Worked in MAES/MDH quarantine facilities which required proper decontamination techniques Maintained exotic parasitoid and aphid strains in quarantine facilities Performed DNA Extraction and PCR independently Green University, Department of Pediatrics, BMT/Hematology/Oncology (PI Dr. Alex Brown, MD.) Undergraduate Research Assistant - March 2008 вЂ“ August 2009 п‚· п‚· п‚· п‚· Independently maintained a colony of over 60 strains of mice including the daily breeding, weaning, and genotyping in a Specific Pathogen Free environment Performed laboratory techniques including PCR, Luciferase Assay, FACS, PBL Phenotyping, DNA Extraction on research mice Administered intraperitoneal, subcutaneous, and oral injections to research mice along with irradiation for the study of Graft versus Host Disease Extensive use of Microsoft Word and Excel to keep track of the entire colony of mice St. David Home - Chicago, IL Nursing Assistant - March 2005 вЂ“ January 2008 п‚· п‚· п‚· Administered personal care for AlzheimerвЂ™s residents including activities of daily living Completed vital signs and charting daily Dementia training VOLUNTEER EXPERIENCE Infant, Child, and Adult CPR, AED, and First Aide Instructor, May 2008 вЂ“ January 2011 American Red Cross вЂ“ Chicago, IL Child Life/Nursing Services Volunteer, April 2011 вЂ“ Present ChildrenвЂ™s Memorial Hospital - Hematology/Oncology Inpatient Unit SKILLS Laboratory Techniques вЂ“ DNA extraction, PCR, Gel Electrophoresis, FACS, cell plating, basic microbiology laboratory techniques (including yeasts and E.coli), reagent preparations, basic chemistry and organic chemistry techniques, basic statistical analysis, Western Blotting, BLAST (sequence analysis software), computational analysis 26 Lisa Miller 567 Rosewood Lane пЃµ Colorado Springs, CO 81207 пЃµ (960) 555-1212 пЃµ [email protected] Profile Motivated, personable business professional with college degree and a successful 12-year track record of administrative excellence. Talent for quickly mastering technology вЂ“ recently completed Microsoft Office Suite certificate course. Diplomatic and tactful with individuals at all levels. Accustomed to handling sensitive, confidential records. Demonstrated history of producing accurate, timely reports meeting stringent accuracy guidelines. Flexible and versatile вЂ“ able to maintain a sense of humor under pressure. Poised and competent with demonstrated ability to easily transcend cultural differences. Thrive in deadline-driven environments. Excellent team-building skills. Skills Summary п‚· п‚· п‚· Project Management Report Preparation Written Correspondence п‚· п‚· п‚· Computer Savvy Customer Service Scheduling п‚· п‚· п‚· Front-Office Operations Professional Presentations General Office Skills Professional Experience COMMUNICATIONS п‚· п‚· п‚· п‚· п‚· п‚· Prepare complex reports ensuring full compliance with agency requirements and tight deadlines. Author professional correspondence to customers and vendors. Design and deliver series of classes for local businesses and associations, providing ergonomic counseling and educating employees on proper lifting techniques to avoid injury. Conduct small-group sessions on meditation/relaxation techniques. Communicate medical concepts to patients using laymanвЂ™s terms to facilitate understanding. Rapidly learn and master varied computer programs; recently completed Microsoft Office certificate course. CUSTOMER SERVICE п‚· п‚· п‚· Oversee front-office operations and provide impeccable customer service. Produced departmentвЂ™s strategic marketing plan. Provide front-line response to all office inquiries and route office customers and visitors to the appropriate designate within the office. ORGANIZATION п‚· п‚· п‚· п‚· Effectively manage the PresidentвЂ™s complex calendar. Manage the room reservation system for the department ensuring that rooms are not overbooked. Balance multiple projects simultaneously while maintaining the ongoing operations of the office. Maintain files for all study-related materials housed within the office. Employment History ABC CHIROPRACTIC вЂ“ Colorado Springs, CO; Pueblo, CO; Cheyenne, WY Executive Assistant, 1993 to Present Education ABC COLLEGE вЂ“ MINNEAPOLIS, MN Bachelors Degree in Communication, 1991 GPA: 3.89/4.0 27 Sample Curriculum Vitae Mike Davis 10 School Street Chicago, IL 60001 Cell : 123.456.7890 Email: [email protected] EDUCATION Brown College, Brown, MA п‚· B.A. French, *substantial coursework in Biology, Pre-Med, Fine Arts Michigan University Pre-Health Professions Program п‚· Courses to fulfill pre-med requirements Paris College Junior Year Abroad, Paris, France п‚· Attended the Sorbonne, with an art history focus September 2003-May 2007 January 2009-May 2010 January-May 2006 SELECTED PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE Michigan State University Research Projects Manager and Teaching Intern July 2007-present п‚· Assisted Dr. Joseph Rosen in biomedical engineering research, teaching, international medicine, public health, and military government policy work, which included 6 major projects: o Project I: Organized and planned college-level health care and technology courses at Thayer School of Engineering and hosted visiting lecturers; served as TA o Project II: Managed the Simulation Committee for Plastic Surgery Education that was composed of surgeons and computer scientists for the Plastic Surgery Association. Contributed to strategic planning, identified funding sources, created presentations, promoted and explained work at conferences, and coordinated logistics o Project III: Planned and attended government meetings, coordinated logistics and contributed to report-writing for the Defense Science Board Improvised Explosive Device Task Force to provide recommendations for improved medical care for wounded service members o Project IV: Coordinated a volunteer surgical trip to Hanoi, Vietnam, and managed related telemedicine project, including fundraising and logistics for American medical team and planning with Vietnamese counterparts o Project V: Assisted in communication and delivery of supplies for Myanmar Relief Effort post-Cyclone Nagris o Project VI: Planned and managed 2008 Upper Valley Polytrauma Conference, including directing the budget, planning the agenda, inviting speakers, advertising, planning the exhibits п‚· Gained an understanding of engineering problem-solving methods and engineering in medicine solutions to healthcare on individual and public health scales; supervised 6 student workers Chicago University Research Associate and Projects Manager July 2008-September 2011 п‚· Administered Years 1-3 of 5-year $50M Department of Defense program, the Armed Forces Institute of Regenerative Medicine (AFIRM) Rutgers-Cleveland Clinic Consortium. Overall goal was to develop new clinical regenerative therapies for wounded soldiers. Remote work included 4 major responsibilities: o Responsibility I: Member of COO Management Team: Contributed to overall management of 30 regenerative medicine research projects across 20 institutions nationwide. Planned review processes and inclusion of new partners. Performed website development, communicated with investigators 28 Responsibility II: Managed CranioMaxilloFacial Program Portfolio of projects, including: bone, soft tissue, and Composite Tissue Allograft and Immunomodulation projects. Aided investigators with seeking leveraged funding, contributed to report-writing, informed investigators of leadership decisions o Responsibility III: Managed the Clinical Advisory Board for clinical evaluation of planned products and research programs; facilitated product reviews o Responsibility IV: Engaged synergy communication with colleagues in parallel $50M AFIRM grant (Wake Forest-Pittsburgh Consortium) Wrote a $1M pre-proposal for nerve regeneration work which was accepted by the Defense Medical R&D Program Prepared presentations for senior leadership (i.e. Army generals) and internal DOD and public reports Gained an understanding of translational research projects, learned about the dynamics among government, industry, and academia o п‚· п‚· п‚· Columbia University September 2009- February 2010 Laboratory Assistant п‚· Performed PCR analysis to assist with skin regeneration research such as underlying causes of scar formation п‚· Contributed to writing and submission of grant proposal entitled: "Smart Robotics-based Automation to Tissue-Engineering In Situ" п‚· Wrote animal protocol for skin regeneration testing in the Duroc pig п‚· Learned methods for performing genotyping and histological preservation, including work with mice Chicago University - Mailman School of Public Health January 2007 Selected Intern п‚· Wrote laboratory protocol for H.I.V. research study on Mother-to-Child transmission and familybased care п‚· Observed H.I.V. care at Harlem Health Clinic Assistant Clinical Research Coordinator, Division of Rheumatology Summer & Winter 2004 п‚· Oversaw clinical trials for Dr. Nancy E. Lane, Principal Investigator п‚· Consulted with glucosamine/chondroitin and parathyroid hormone study patients: recorded vitals, organized questionnaires, dispensed study medication and answered questions п‚· Trained new research coordinator, updated lab data, and maintained files SELECTED LEADERSHIP POSITIONS Brown College Selected Resident Counselor Academic Years 2004-2005, 2006-2007 п‚· Provided informal advising & a community-building for dorms of over 30 residents п‚· Planned and led educational and social programs п‚· 70 hours of training related to eating disorders, alcohol, diversity, depression, etc. Selected Laboratory TeacherвЂ™s Assistant for вЂњMolecules, Genes and CellsвЂќ п‚· Encouraged and aided students during weekly biology labs п‚· Prepared and set-up for labs Fall 2005 SELECTED CLINICAL EXPERIENCES Shadowing at Institute Arthur Vernes, Paris, France п‚· Observed surgeries and the medical care system in France June 2006 29 Amherst College Emergency Medical Technician (EMT) February 2004-December 2005 п‚· Provided on call service, four 12-hour shifts per month п‚· Administered emergency care for urgent medical situations on campus Shadowing in the Emergency Department, Mills-Peninsula Hospital, CA Summer 2004 п‚· Assisted Dr. Christopher White with basic tasks & conversed with patients, total of 40 hours SELECTED COMMUNITY SERVICE Selected Emergency Room Volunteer, General Hospital Summers 2004 & 2005, Winter 2005 & 2006 п‚· Advocate for patients (conversing, providing meals and clothes) п‚· Transported patients, ran for lab samples, patient charts, provide equipment Selected Tsunami Relief Volunteer, Sri Lanka п‚· Planned programs for children orphaned by the Dec. 26th tsunami п‚· Aided in beach clean-up and basic construction п‚· Provided emotional support to families in refugee camps Summer 2005 PUBLICATIONS AND INVITED PRESENTATIONS п‚· Include list of publications and invited presentations here AWARDS & HONORS Charles Hamilton Houston Fellowship - Brown College May 2007 п‚· Recognized as the graduating senior who best personifies a commitment to realizing his/her humane ideals Tom Gerety Fellowship for Action - Brown College January 2005 & 2006, Summer 2005 п‚· Three-time award recipient for domestic and international service work 30 Tips When Applying for Northwestern Positions Although you are already familiar with Northwestern, it is important to prepare for your internal job search much the same as you would for your external job search. Specifically, consider the following additional tips when applying for internal positions: п‚· Northwestern is an expansive institution that is engaged in broad and diverse activities. Given this, it is important to learn more about the specific department or school to which youвЂ™ve applied. Become familiar with the research they are working on, what initiatives or projects they have underway, and any current news that may help you to understand their business better. п‚· Be aware of general University news and read a local daily newspaper. Regularly visit the home page for Northwestern University and its Schools. п‚· Ensure that your email signature block and outgoing voice mail message project a professional image. п‚· While an employee at Northwestern, carry your business cards at all times and always be prepared to meet new people and make new connections. п‚· Take advantage of Northwestern seminars and associations that provide opportunities for networking with other members of the University. п‚· Since you never know when youвЂ™ll have an opportunity to вЂњsellвЂќ yourself, prepare an elevator speech. As it relates to finding a job, an elevator speech is a brief, but compelling, summary of your professional skills, interests, and goals. The idea is you should be able to вЂњsellвЂќ yourself in the amount of time it takes to ride in an elevator with someone. п‚· Set up informational interviews with contacts in your field of interest. Use these interviews to gather valuable information regarding the industry, career planning, and job search strategies. п‚· Project a positive image and dress for the position you want. п‚· Speak with confidence when sharing your professional background and goals with others. п‚· Apply for Northwestern positions as a current employee via Self Service while your Net ID is active, rather than accessing positions as an external applicant. Regardless of whether your Northwestern email is still active, it is recommended that you use a personal email address rather than your Northwestern email address when applying online. This will ensure you continue to receive communication regarding your applications once your Northwestern email account has expired. п‚· Submit a cover letter with each application that is customized to the specific position to which you are applying. 31 п‚· Ensure your online applications and resumes have accurate job titles and work dates listed. If you include more descriptive titles on your resume than those formally approved by the University, acknowledge your official titles in parentheses. п‚· Identify references who can attest to your professional history, including at least two current or former supervisors. It is Northwestern UniversityвЂ™s practice to notify you if your references will be contacted. However, it is a good idea to let your references know ahead of time they may be contacted so they are not surprised if they receive a phone call. If you are selected as a final candidate, your supervisor will be notified. п‚· If you are applying for jobs after your most recent position has been eliminated, account for the time since you last worked. Identify those ways that you have continued to maintain knowledge in your field of expertise, such as attending a course or an industry conference. 32 External Online Job Search Engines Employment web sites are useful in identifying open positions within the job market you are targeting. Several of the largest employment web sites are listed below, along with those that target job seekers in non-profit and higher-education. п‚· CareerBuilder.com CareerBuilder.com is one of the largest employment web sites in the world. It allows users to find job openings that match their skills and location. http://www.careerbuilder.com/ п‚· Monster.com Monster.com is another of the largest employment web sites in the world. It allows users to find job openings that match their skills and location. http://www.monster.com/ п‚· Non Profit Job Board NPO.net is the leading non-profit job board in Illinois. In addition to posting job opportunities in the non-profit community, NPO.net also posts opportunities for in-person networking within the Chicagoland area. http://www.npo.net/ п‚· HigherEdJobs HigherEdJobs posts faculty and administrative positions at colleges and universities. It is a leading source for job and career information in academia. http://www.higheredjobs.com/ 33 Local Universities There are a number of local universities within the Chicagoland area that you may want to explore regarding any available career opportunities. Listed below are several of these local universities: п‚· DePaul University http://www.depaul.edu/ п‚· Illinois Institute of Technology http://www.iit.edu/ п‚· Loyola University Chicago http://www.luc.edu/ п‚· National Louis University http://nlu.nl.edu п‚· Northeastern Illinois University http://www.neiu.edu/ п‚· Roosevelt University http://www.roosevelt.edu/ п‚· Rush University http://www.rushu.rush.edu/ п‚· University of Chicago http://www.uchicago.edu/ п‚· University of Illinois at Chicago http://www.uic.edu/ 34 Job Search Tracking Worksheet7 Organization / Company: Organization / Company Profile: Contact person and telephone number: Position(s) applied for: Date application submitted: Date of interview: Follow-up date: Organization / Company: Organization / Company Profile: Contact person and telephone number: Position(s) applied for: Date application submitted: Date of interview: Follow-up date: Organization / Company: Organization / Company Profile: Contact person and telephone number: Position(s) applied for: Date application submitted: Date of interview: Follow-up date: Organization / Company: Organization / Company Profile: Contact person and telephone number: Position(s) applied for: Date application submitted: Date of interview: Follow-up date: 7 Excerpted from Florida International UniversityвЂ™s вЂњOutplacement Services ToolkitвЂќ at http://hr.fiu.edu/uploads/file/outplacement/Follow%20Up%20Post%20Interview%20Letter%20Tips%20and%20Tools.pdf. 35 Preparing for an In-Person Interview While the thought of interviewing is often daunting, interviewing is the primary way that employers and candidates evaluate each other. Therefore, itвЂ™s important to know how to interview effectively. Below are tips to assist you in preparing for an interview: 8 п‚· For each interview, think through and write down responses to the following questions: пѓј What skills are required for the position? пѓј When have you demonstrated those skills in the past? List specific examples, such as projects, tasks, and accomplishments. пѓј What special knowledge do you possess that would be useful for this position such as Oracle, budget reconciliation, etc.? пѓј List your self-management skills (that is, how you do your work), such as patience, dependability, time management, and organization. пѓј What transferrable skills do you possess such as being a good listener, writing, computer applications, presenting, data analysis, customer service, etc.? пѓј What skills and experience required for the position are you lacking? пѓј How can your transferable skills help to fill in any gaps? пѓј What is your вЂњstoryвЂќ? Your story is the experiences you have had and decisions you have made that lead logically to the position for which you are applying. Your story helps the interviewer to know very clearly why you want this position and why you are the best candidate. It needs to be authentic. п‚· Prepare appropriate responses to especially difficult questions regarding salary requirements, gaps in employment, short-term employment, and lay off situations: пѓј Review your resume and note any red flag areas that could translate into a difficult job interview question. пѓј Ensure your responses to these tough questions are positive and professional and are conveyed in a calm and confident manner. пѓј Be brief but ensure that you have addressed any concerns on the part of the interviewer so that the interviewer can move on. п‚· Prepare questions that you want to ask the interviewer about the organization, the job, and the manager. п‚· Be sure that you have appropriate interview attire based on the culture of the organization for which you are interviewing. Set your clothes out the night before and ensure they are clean and pressed. 36 8 п‚· Set out the things you will need to bring with you to the interview, including directions, extra copies of your resume, a nice pen and notepad, your references, and prepared questions that you would like to have answered. п‚· Practice, practice, practice. Being prepared for an interview and the tough questions you receive is one of the most important steps. п‚· Research the organization to which you are applying before the interview. Visit the organizationвЂ™s web site and read current news about the organization. Learn as much as you can about the business, industry, current initiatives, and key leaders within the organization. п‚· If you are interviewing for a position involving research, do your homework to ensure you understand what projects and initiatives are underway and what research has been published from the area within which you would be working. п‚· Make a practice trip to help you find the interview location and gauge the time it will take to get there. п‚· Keep in mind that everything and everyone counts. Ensure that you are professional and courteous to everyone you come in contact with as part of the interview process, whether this is the interview scheduler, the receptionist, or simply the person who gives you directions within the building if you are lost. Excerpted from Northwestern UniversityвЂ™s Managing Your Career Series, Office of Human Resources and Ohio UniversityвЂ™s вЂњNew Job Seekers Resource Guide.вЂќ 37 Preparing for a Telephone Interview Many employers use telephone interviews to screen potential job candidates, particularly during the early stages of the interview process. While preparing for a telephone interview is similar to preparing for an in-person interview, there are a few additional points to keep in mind. The simple tips below will assist you in ensuring youвЂ™re prepared when the phone rings: п‚· п‚· п‚· п‚· п‚· п‚· Ensure you take the call from a room that is free of noise and distraction. Treat the room as you would your work space and turn off the television and radio. Ensure that pets and children will not interrupt your call. Keep a copy of your resume by the phone so that you can refer to it during the call. Also ensure you have note paper and a pen handy so that you can take notes during your call. If you use your cell phone for telephone interviews, ensure that you have adequate reception. If you have poor reception on your cell phone, you should use a land line instead. Smile during your phone interview so that you project positivity. Do not eat or chew gum during the interview. Answer each question succinctly and ask for clarification if you are unsure of what the interviewer is asking. 38 Sample Interview Questions One of the most important parts of preparing for an interview is to practice. Below are interview questions that have been complied to help you prepare. It is quite likely in your job search that you will encounter a type of interviewing known as вЂњBehavioral InterviewingвЂќ. The principle behind вЂњBehavioral InterviewingвЂќ is the belief that the best indicator of future behavior is past behavior. Typically, during this type of interview, you will be asked questions that ask for real-life examples of times when you have demonstrated the skills and competencies required for a position. Behavioral interview questions will start with phrases like вЂњCan you tell me about a time whenвЂ¦вЂќ or вЂњCan you describe a situation where.вЂ¦вЂќ When responding to these questions, be specific in your responses. One helpful approach to answering these questions is to use the STAR approach: S вЂ“ Situation: T вЂ“ Tasks: A вЂ“ Actions: R вЂ“ Results: Describe the situation What task or goal were you working towards What actions did you take to resolve the issue What happened and what were the positive outcomes Listed below are a number of sample interview questions to help you prepare for your next interview. 9 YouвЂ™ll note that many of the questions below follow the Behavioral Interview format. Can you do the job? п‚· Can you tell me about a time where you worked effectively in an environment in which the parameters changed frequently? п‚· Have you ever had to go the extra mile to satisfy a customer? What did you have to do? п‚· Describe a situation where you were able to successfully coach an employee to better performance. п‚· Explain a situation youвЂ™ve been in where multiple demands have been placed on you. How did you handle it? п‚· When working on a project, how do you decide what gets top priority? Can you give me an example? п‚· Tell me about a significant achievement in your life. п‚· What prompted you to studyвЂ¦.? п‚· Tell me about a time when you had to work towards a deadline. Did you meet it? If not, what would you do differently next time? п‚· Tell me about a time when you were given difficult feedback at work and how you handled it. п‚· What would your current (previous) boss say about you? п‚· Give me an example of a time when you demonstrated initiative. п‚· Tell me about a situation in which you had to adjust quickly to changes over which you had no control. п‚· Give me an example of a project or task for which you were responsible that did not go well, either in terms of outcome or process. п‚· Tell me about your most difficult management challenge. 39 Do you want the job? Do you want to work in this organization? Are you ambitious? п‚· Why do you want to work for us? пѓј Here and throughout the interview, a good answer comes from having done your homework so that you can speak in terms of the organizationвЂ™s needs. Your homework should include learning enough about the organization to avoid approaching places where you wouldnвЂ™t be able вЂ“ or wouldnвЂ™t want вЂ“ to function. Since most of us are poor liars, itвЂ™s difficult to con anyone in an interview. But even if you should succeed at it, your prize is a job you donвЂ™t really want. п‚· What do you know about our company/organization/business? пѓј Let your answer show that you have taken the time to do some research, but donвЂ™t overwhelm the interviewer, and make it clear that you want to learn more. You might start your answer in this manner: вЂњIn my job search, IвЂ™ve investigated a number of organizations. Yours is one of the few that interests me, for these reasonsвЂ¦.вЂќ п‚· What important trends do you see in our industry? пѓј Be prepared with two or three trends that illustrate how well you understand the industry. You might consider technological challenges or opportunities, economic conditions, or even regulatory demands as you collect your thoughts about the direction in which the business is heading. п‚· What are your short-term and long-term goals? п‚· Why are you leaving (did you leave) your present (last) job? пѓј Be brief, to the point, and as honest as you can without hurting yourself. Do not mention personality conflicts and never concoct a story for an interview. п‚· What do you find most attractive about this position? What seems least attractive about it? пѓј List three or four attractive factors of the job, and mention a single, minor, unattractive item. п‚· What do you look for in a job? пѓј Keep your answer oriented to opportunities at this organization. Make your answer oriented toward opportunity rather than personal security. п‚· How long would you stay with us? пѓј Indicate that you are interested in a career with the organization, but that you would have to continue to feel challenged to remain with any organization. Think in terms of вЂњas long as we both feel achievement-oriented.вЂќ Will you fit in? п‚· Can you describe a time when you formed an ongoing working relationship with someone from another department or organization to achieve a mutual goal when it wasnвЂ™t part of the culture or wasnвЂ™t easy to do so? п‚· Can you give me an example of a time when you had to work with someone with whom you didnвЂ™t get along? п‚· Describe a time where you had to work with a group of people to achieve a common goal. п‚· What were the best and worst aspects of your current (previous) position? п‚· What do you think of your boss? 40 п‚· пѓј Be as positive as you can. A potential boss is likely to wonder if you might talk about him in similar terms at some point in the future. What is your management style? пѓј You should know enough about the organizationвЂ™s style to know that your management style will complement it. Possible styles include: task oriented, results oriented, paternalistic, or participative. Are you the best applicant for the position? п‚· Tell me about yourself. пѓј Since this is often the opening question in an interview, be careful to keep your answer to a minute or two at the most. Cover four topics: early years, education, work history, and recent career experience. Remember this is likely to be a warm-up question, so donвЂ™t waste your best points on it. п‚· Why do you think you are the best person for the job? пѓј Talk about your record of getting things done, and mention specifics from your resume or your career accomplishments. п‚· What skills and qualities can you bring to this position? п‚· What are your strengths? Weaknesses? Developing responses to questions such as these can be challenging, but with careful preparation you will be ready with concise and professional responses when these tough questions come up in a job interview. 9 Excerpted from Northwestern UniversityвЂ™s Managing Your Career Series, Office of Human Resources and вЂњParting Company: How to Survive the Loss of a Job and Find Another SuccessfullyвЂќ by William J. Morin and James C. Cabrera. 41 Questions to Ask and Avoid During the Interview A good interview should provide a two-way exchange of information. In addition to the employer learning about you as a candidate, interviews also provide an opportunity for you to ask questions to learn more about the organization and its people. The questions you ask during an interview both provide you with insightful information into the position and how well it fits with your personal objectives, and also demonstrate your interest in the position to the prospective employer. The following are a number of questions to ask the hiring manager during an interview, as well as a number of questions that you want to avoid asking. Questions to Ask the Hiring Manager: п‚· What skills and attributes are you seeking in a successful candidate? п‚· How is performance measured for this position and within your organization? п‚· What professional development opportunities are available? How is continuous learning supported? п‚· Why is this position open? п‚· How would you describe the culture of the department? п‚· What is the greatest challenge facing the department? п‚· What is the projected future of the industry? п‚· Where is the department headed? Are there any anticipated changes? п‚· What are the goals of the department and the organization? п‚· Who would my peers be and what are their job functions? п‚· What is your supervisory style? How do you foster teamwork? п‚· What is it about the organization that keeps you here? п‚· What are the work cycles? п‚· Do you have a timeframe in mind for making a hiring decision? What are next steps? Questions to Avoid Asking the Hiring Manager: п‚· What does this organization do? (You should already know this from your research). п‚· I already have a vacation scheduled. If I get the job, will I be able to take the time off? 42 Post-Interview Follow Up10 Following up with thank you letters after your interviews is critical to your job search success. At the conclusion of each interview, be sure to ask for the interviewerвЂ™s business card so that you have the appropriate information to write a thank you note. Within two days of an interview or contact with a potential employer, write a letter expressing your appreciation and thanks for their consideration and/or assistance. Email is appropriate if that has been your means of contact throughout the process. Otherwise, direct mail is best suited for this type of follow-up. A thank you letter or email should follow the general format below: п‚· п‚· п‚· п‚· п‚· Your contact information, the date, and the interviewerвЂ™s mailing information. The introductory paragraph should thank the interviewer for taking the time to meet with you. Mention your interest in the job and your enthusiasm for it. The second paragraph should include the reasons why you are an excellent candidate for the job. List specific skills that relate to the job. Include information that you learned during the interview so the prospective employer knows you were engaged during your time together. The closing paragraph should mention anything you did not bring up at the interview that you would like the prospective employer to know. Reiterate your appreciation for being considered for the job and let the interviewer know you are looking forward to hearing from him or her soon. Your closing and signature. Be sure to send a separate thank you note to each of the individuals with whom you interviewed. Keep in mind, this is also a good practice to follow when networking. Each time an individual spends time meeting with you, be sure to send a follow-up note thanking them for sharing their time and expertise with you. Excerpted from Florida International UniversityвЂ™s вЂњOutplacement Services ToolkitвЂќ at http://hr.fiu.edu/uploads/file/outplacement/Follow%20Up%20Post%20Interview%20Letter%20Tips%20and%20Tools.pdf. 10 43 Closing We hope these materials are helpful to you as you plan your next career step. If you have any questions regarding the job search process for Northwestern staff positions, you may contact the Office of Human Resources at 847-491-7507 (Evanston) or 312-503-8481 (Chicago). 44 Office of Human Resources 2012 45