Alumni Document Resources

Alumni Resources and Tools

Assessment

Free Online Career Assessment:

What path should I take?

Skills + Interests + Abilities + Values = Good Career Fit. Take time to assess yourself. You will save time in the long run. Make an appointment with a career counselor to discuss results if needed.

Career Research

Online Tools

Company Research

Online Tools

Résumés, Cover Letters and Thank You Email Sample

Résumés

Sample Cover Letter

Sample Email

Networking

In person:

Online:

Asking for advice rather than a job (Informational Interviewing)

Prepare

  • Self Assessment: Why are you interested in learning more?
  • What values, skills, and interests led you to this point?
  • What interests you the most about this career?
  • Type out your questions in advance.
  • Bring your questions and a notepad.
  • Make sure you mind the time on the day of the meeting. If the professional would like to continue the conversation, that is fine however, make sure he/she initiates this.

Approach

  • Find professionals via LinkedIn, in-person networking groups, and personal referrals.
  • Ask for 15-20 minutes of their time.
  • Explain that you are interested in learning about his/her career path.
  • If you aren’t sure of the career path but are interested in the industry and the possibilities available, this is a good way to find out more.
  • Do NOT ask for a job in the initial email or first meeting.

Day of

  • Dress professionally.
  • Arrive 10 minutes early.
  • Bring a copy of your résumé but only present if asked.
  • Offer to pay for the meeting if it is coffee or a meal.
  • Thank the interviewer.
  • Ask for a business card.
  • Ask if he/she knows anyone else you can talk to in the industry and/or with a similar job title.

Follow-up

  • Send a professionally written email thanking the professional within 24 hours of your meeting.
  • Self reflect-Is this the career for you? Are there questions that you wish you would have asked? If so, write them down for the next time.
  • Keep the professional in the loop as far as your progress goes.
  • Follow-up occasionally when appropriate, for example, if you have something in common and you see an article that makes you think of this person.

Job Search

Useful Links

Interviewing

The Star Interviewing Technique: Behavioral Based Interviewing

  • S: Situation-What was going on?
  • T: Task-What did you need to do?
  • A: Action-What exactly did YOU do? Tell a very brief story/give a specific example.
  • R: Result-What was the result?

Your story should be 1 minute or less. The listener should be able to picture your example. Please see worksheet: Behavioral Interviewing Grid

Interview Stream

  • Practice your interviewing skills via webcast while it is recorded via this link: cba.uh.interviewstream.com/home.
  • Watch and critique yourself or send it to us for feedback.
  • Log in to user dashboard and select “Conduct Interview”.
  • Select appropriate interview questions.
  • Please note that you can record and re-record your answers to each question up to three times before the system requires you to start over.

Salary

Online Tools