Resume

Your resume is often the first impression an employer has of you—make it count.

• Contact Information – Full name, phone number, professional email address, LinkedIn profile URL, location (city, state).
• Education – Degree name, major, university name, graduation date (or expected), GPA (if 3.0+), relevant coursework (optional).
• Experience – Job titles, company names, locations, dates of employment, bullet points describing accomplishments and responsibilities.
• Skills – Technical skills (software, programming languages, tools), languages, certifications, soft skills (communication, leadership, etc.).
• Projects – Academic, personal, or professional projects relevant to your field (especially important for tech, design, and creative roles).
• Languages – Proficiency level for any languages you speak (e.g., Spanish – fluent).
• Leadership & Involvement – Student organizations, clubs, leadership positions, event coordination.
• Formatting – Keep to 1 page (for students and recent graduates), Use a clean, professional font (Arial, Calibri, Times New Roman, 10–12 pt, Save as PDF unless otherwise requested, Use consistent spacing, bolding, and bullet points.
• Common Mistakes to Avoid – Typos or grammatical errors, Too much text or dense paragraphs, including irrelevant experience (e.g., high school details if you’re in college, Using first-person pronouns (“I,” “me,” “my”).

Interview

Preparation is the key to walking into any interview with confidence.

• Interview Preparation – Confirm the interview date, time, and format, then research the company and role thoroughly. 
• Dress Professionally – Dress one step above the company’s dress code to show respect and preparedness.
• Common Interview Questions – Use the STAR method (Situation, Task, Action, Result) to structure your responses with clear, concise examples. Practice answering out loud to build confidence and refine your delivery.
• Questions to Ask the Interviewer – Asking thoughtful questions shows genuine interest and helps you determine if the role is the right fit.
• Arrive Early – For in-person interviews, arrive 10–15 minutes early to account for any unexpected delays and give yourself time to settle in. For virtual interviews, log in 5 minutes early to test your technology, adjust lighting, and ensure your background looks professional.
• Thank-You Email Best Practices – Send a personalized thank-you email within 24 hours to every person who interviewed you. Reference a specific topic from your conversation to show attentiveness, reiterate your enthusiasm for the role, and briefly mention how your skills align with the position. Keep it concise, proofread carefully, and include your contact information in the signature
• Post-Interview Follow-Up – Sf you haven’t heard back within the timeline provided during the interview, it’s appropriate to send a polite follow-up email. Briefly reiterate your interest, ask for an update on the hiring timeline, and thank the interviewer again for their time.

Networking

Networking is one of the most powerful tools in your career development toolkit.

• Attend Networking Events – Career fairs, industry conferences, meetups, and alumni mixers are prime opportunities to connect with professionals.
• Follow Up & Stay Connected – Send a personalized email or LinkedIn message within a day or two, referencing something specific from your conversation.
• Leverage Your Existing Network – Don’t overlook the people already in your life—family, friends, former coworkers, professors, and mentors.
• Networking Etiquette – Always be respectful of others’ time and come prepared to conversations. Listen more than you speak, offer value when possible.
• Track Your Connections – Keep a simple spreadsheet or notebook to track who you’ve met.
• Reach Out to Alumni – Alumni are often eager to help students from their alma mater.
• Conduct Informational Interviews – Informational interviews are conversations with professionals to learn about their career path, industry, and advice.
• Join a Student Club or Organization – Getting involved in student clubs is one of the best ways to build leadership skills, expand your network, and explore career interests.