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Job materials

Looking for a job? Struggling to get a job interview? Landed an interview and want to prepare?

Getting a job is not always easy. It starts with the presentation of your job materials, interview, and social media presence. Explore our resources below to support your job search and find new ways to market your experience.

Your job materials and interview are the first steps to sharing who you are as a person, what experience you have, and how you will contribute to the team.

Resumes, cover letters, & portfolios Accordion Open

It is easy to be a senior and realize that your studies took most of your time, and that you did not prepare for the job search.

Here are some suggestions for getting your resume, cover letter, and/or portfolio started and organized.

From the resume and cover letter to the interview, employers are focused on trying to find a person with experience and a willingness to learn.

Potential employers pay attention to your presentation as a professional. Your resume, cover letters, and/or portfolios are often the first point of contact and employers use them to:

  • See who the strongest candidates are on paper
  • Check whether the candidate has the minimum qualifications to be successful in the job
  • Determine whether you have the skill sets needed for the job
  • Verify you can present yourself professionally

Many resume templates are useful tools to organize your education and your professional experiences, only if you personalize them to suit your needs.

Additionally, your resume needs to be sent with a cover letter – allowing you to introduce yourself and discuss important points in your resume.

All employers will provide specific instructions on how to send your resume and letter. While these processes may differ (hard-copy vs. digital upload), you will be more successful if you can show that you read the job ad very carefully.

Next steps and additional information
  • Start Early!
  • Include language in your cover letter that reflects the job ad
  • Add information that you found online when doing research about the company
  • Be specific about your qualifications
  • Write and revise your cover letter
  • Visit the University Writing Commons and get feedback from a Writing Assistant

Interviews Accordion Closed

If your potential employer sees you as a possible candidate for the job, you will be asked to interview with the company.

First interviews are often conducted by phone or Skype or a similar medium. If there are second interviews, these are often conducted face-to-face. During interviews, potential employers are interested to find out more about who you are. They will:

  • Ask you specific questions based on the job announcement
  • Learn whether you have more in-depth knowledge and expertise than could be put into a cover letter and resume
  • Find out whether you are interested and willing to work for the company

Most interviews are conducted by an interview team. You will likely be one of several people that they interview, so you stand out.

You need to be able to clearly talk about your skills, and about your values and goals as they relate to the position that you are applying for. You can prepare by:

  • Checking for sample interview questions in the field you are applying for
  • Write down answers to interview questions you might get
  • Practice, practice, practice!
  • Visit the University Writing Commons and prepare with a Writing Assistant
Interview follow-up

Contacting the interview committee after the interview will help show them that you are very interested in working with them. To send a follow-up letter or email, make sure that you:

  • Write professionally
  • Address the members of the interview committee correctly
  • Express your appreciation and personalize your email or letter by pointing to a specific interview question
  • Let them know that you are willing to send additional information as needed
  • If there is an area where you wished you performed more strongly, you can include a brief not that lets the interview committee know that you thought about the conversation you had with them or want to emphasize and important point.
Next steps and additional information

Now that you have practiced multiple times, your interview will be less nerve-wrecking. To make sure that you do well during the interview:

  • Be professional at all times, even during breakfast, lunch, and dinner
  • Answer questions clearly and in full sentences. Use a structure that your interview committee can follow: “I have three points to make, first…”
  • Listen carefully throughout the interview
  • Bring a portfolio to highlight your skills and experience
  • Show your interview committee you are interested by being attentive and asking good follow-up questions
  • Follow up! Send an email to the chair of the committee or a letter to the whole committee.

Social media Accordion Closed

When you start thinking about an internship, a summer job, or a long-term job, remember that your online presence is part of your job portfolio.

Many companies will check your online profile, so make sure that you can be proud of your social media presence. Use it to your advantage and professionalize your site before you send out any inquiries and resumes to potential employers. Employers now:

  • Use search engines to find out who you are. It is a fast “background check” before they interview you
  • Make decisions whether to interview or hire candidates by looking at their online presence
  • Verify that your online presence matches your cover letter and resume

You have to remember that there is no “private” side once you are online. Even if you have a professional LinkedIn page, your Facebook page is also visible and will be mined for information about you.

Your Twitter presence will be part of the decision-making process, and your Instagram account will also be checked to see whether you are professional, whether you are a sloppy writer, or whether you do not know when to stop commenting about a bad experiences you had eating at a local burger joint.

Next steps and additional information
  • Remember your online presence is always public
  • Leave a positive impression by paying attention to detail. This includes writing, thinking, and posting carefully
  • Include an online resume with your portfolio
  • Use online sites to professionalize. Set up a LinkedIn profile.
  • Use Twitter to find a job
  • Start Early!
  • Visit the University Writing Commons and prepare with a Writing Assistant