Career Preparation
Career Tools
Resume |
Networking |
Thank you letter |
The Big Day |
Cover letter |
Certifications |
Interviewing |
Career Services Website
The University at Buffalo provides students, alumni and prospective employers the tools and resources to satisfy whatever their career related need is. Career Services is one of such tools and resources committed to exposing past and present students as well as prospective employers to ways of achieving the most out of their career related need.
Resume and Cover Letters
Resumes
What is a Resume?
The resume is a very important part of the job/internship search process because its purpose is to get you the interview. It is a one or two page summary of your education, skills, accomplishments, and experience presented in a positive and concise manner. Be sure to pay special attention to preparing your resume demonstrating to the employer your unique background.
Resume Examples by Career Industry
While it might be helpful to take a look at resume examples, remember your resume should be a unique document that expresses your accomplishments and capabilities. UB Career Services staff does not recommend directly copying others' examples.
- Resume examples by Career Area, from Monster.com
- Resume examples by Career Area, from the College of New Jersey
- Engineering Resumes, from Iowa State Univ. Career Office
The Resume(s) for International Employment
- Resumes Here and Abroad from JobWeb
- Resume and CV Writing Guides Country by Country, from JobERA.com
- Cultural Factors to Consider in writing a Resume - Japanese Traditions, from International University of Japan
- Resume Tips for Austrailia, from Top Margin
- Preparing the Curriculum Vita for International Employment, by the National Institutes of Health
The Curriculum Vita - includes examples
Video Workshop - Resume Writing
Resume Tips (4:21)
Text Transcript: Word file (27KB)For more videos on resumes, click here.
Cover Letter
A cover letter is a business letter that accompanies or "covers" your resume whether you mail, email, or fax your resume. It is often the first correspondence an organization receives from you and is therefore their first impression of you. The cover letter sets the tone for your candidacy. The cover letter's purpose is to introduce your resume and provide support for your candidacy. You need to use the cover letter to express your enthusiasm for and knowledge of the position and/or organization. Writing a cover letter can be a challenging and time-consuming task, especially because you must customize it towards each organization.
How to Write a Cover Letter
The following suggestions are offered when writing a cover letter:
- Make sure that you type each letter using the same font and high quality paper as the resume.
- Use 1'' margins all the way around, and print on high quality resume paper ("8 x 11") using a laser printer.
- Please be sure to proof your letter for grammar and spelling errors! It is a reflection of you! Have someone else proof it too!
- Be brief and concise. The cover letter should be approximately one page in length.
- Expand on your resume, rather than repeat the resume's content.
- Individualize and target each cover letter to the position you seek. Recruiters can spot a mass produced or generic letter and will consider it unprofessional.
- Be sure to market yourself. Explain what you can offer the organization not what the organization can do for you.
- Remember to sign the cover letter.
Cover Letter Samples:
The following samples will help you construct your cover letter:
Sample cover letter format: PDF (5KB) or Word (21KB)
Sample cover letter with text: PDF (18KB) or Word (24KB)
Additional cover letter information and samplesReminder: Make sure to include a cover letter with your resume, whether it is mailed, emailed, or faxed. (The main difference between email and hard copy correspondence is format: your address goes below your name in email, while it goes at the top of the page on hard copy.)
When emailing your cover letter and resume to an employer, your email text is your cover letter. There is no need to type your address or the employer's address on that cover letter. Just begin the email with Dear "Name of Employer": Attach your resume to this email. Some employers may not open attached documents. To ensure your resume gets looked at, you can also create a left justified version of your resume (with no columns or fancy formatting) and paste the text of this resume below where you type your name in the emailed cover letter.
- Additional cover letter information and samples: http://www.career.vt.edu/JOBSEARC/coversamples.htm
For more information on writing cover letters, be sure to check out the Career Services Guide Book. Our staff members are also available to critique your cover letter (and resume). Set up an appointment by stopping in to 259 Capen Hall or calling 645-2231. You may also come during our Quick Question Hours (11 am – 4:30 pm M-F) to speak to a counselor about your resume/CV.
200 Letters: Advice on how to write great letters with samples of 200 letters
About Cover Letters (From JobStar Central)
Who Needs a Cover Letter? Provides criteria for a good cover letter with examples and other important cover letter resources
Video Workshop - Cover Letters
Cover Letters (2:59)
Text Transcript: Word file (26KB)For more videos on cover letters, click here.
Thank You Letter
The thank you letter is a must! It should be used to thank everyone who assisted you with your job search. It is especially important immediately following an interview. The thank you letter is used to say much more than "thanks"! Use it as an opportunity to:
- show that you are courteous, knowledgeable and professional.
- further demonstrate your written communication skills.
- stand out in the minds of the interviewers.
- elevate you above competing candidates who didn't write a letter.
- reinforce your candidacy, showing the good match between your qualifications and the job requirements.
- reiterate your interest in the position.
- include something important you may have forgotten to mention during your interview or supplemental information not previously given.
- restate your appreciation for the opportunity to interview.
- restate why you want the job.
Thank you letter basics:
- Send a thank you letter immediately after your interview - within 24 hours!
- Make your letter warm and personal and express your sincere appreciation.
- Keep your audience in mind.
- If in doubt about correct names, spellings or titles, call and verify.
- If it is not possible or appropriate to send a letter to every interviewer, then send it to the person who hosted you or the highest level person you met with and ask them to extend your thanks to all with whom you interviewed.
- Typed hard copy letters should follow full block or modified block format on quality bond paper using laser quality print.
- Use email if your previous correspondence with the employer has been electronic. Email letters need to be formal business style and should also follow full block or modified block format.
- Handwritten letters are more personal and can be appropriate for brief notes to individuals who may have helped with your job search in other ways.
For more information on writing thank you letters, be sure to check out the Career Services Guide Book. Our staff members are also available to critique your thank you letter. Set up an appointment by stopping in to 259 Capen Hall or calling 645-2231. You may also come during our Quick Question Hours (11 am – 4:30 pm M-F) to speak to a counselor about your resume/CV.
Additional Resources:
Thank you letters from Monster.com
Interviewing
Practice Interview Service
You can sign up for a practice interview by calling the office at 645-2231 to set up an appointment. We ask that you dress professionally and bring a copy of your resume to the interview. We will videotape your interview and review it with you.
An interview is your opportunity to personally present your qualifications to a potential employer. This allows the employer to take a more in-depth assessment of your abilities and personality, and allows you to gather information to determine whether or not the position and organization are appropriate for you.
- Preparing for the Interview
- Know What Employers are Looking For
- Dressing for the Interview
- How to Use your Employer Research in an Interview
- Sample Questions (Employers Ask)
- Preparing Questions To Ask The Interviewer
- Handling Illegal Questions
- Behavioral Interviewing
- On-site Interview
- Group Interview
- Phone or Video Interview
- International Issues
- Drug Testing In The Work Place
- The Restaurant Interview
- Informational Interviewing
- Interviewing Frequently Asked Questions
CareerPerfect's interviewing FAQs.
Tips for interviewing, sample questions and an interview success guide.
Getting an interview for a job you are underqualified job.
Video Workshop for Interviews
Interviews (3:45)
Text Transcript: Word file (27KB)For more interview related vieos, click here
Important Networking Tips
Have questions prepared ahead of time, click here to view some questions to ask in an interview.
- Always be polite and appreciative and respectful
- Do not monopolize their time
- If you get voice mail, be brief (10-20 seconds), speak clearly and leave phone #, but say you will call back on a specific date/time
- Do your research about their company before you reach out to them
- Do not ask for a job
- It’s always better to meet in person, if possible
- Use summer, winter and spring breaks to do your geographic-specific networking
- Always send a thank you within a few days
- Follow-up is YOUR responsibility
The Big Day
- Getting ready for an interview
- Appearance counts
- Group interviews
- Personal Interviews
- Phone or Video Interviews
Certifications
There are many ways to make yourself more marketable than other candidates in the job search. A great way to do this is to be certified in the various fields in Economics.
Certifications Pt. 1
Certifications Pt. 2
Find out what is coming up here!