It is no secret that picking a career path is a tough choice. It can feel intimidating and overwhelming to make such a life-changing decision. Even if you are confident about your choice of major, choosing what to do with it after college can be even more difficult. One of the best ways to explore careers is to conduct informational interviews with experts in various career fields. 

The first step to coordinating an informational interview is to connect with professionals who work in fields that interest you. One of the best ways to do so is to connect with CNU alumni on LinkedIn. Alumni are eager to help students and can give specific guidance on how CNU resources and opportunities can help you in your field. Connect with an alum who is in a position that sounds interesting and send them a brief message requesting an interview. When writing the message, make sure to clarify that the interview is for advice, not a job or internship. Mention how you found them and why you think they could have helpful information. 

The next step is to prepare for your meeting. While it is important to write down questions pertaining to job functions you are unsure about, make sure to also ask general questions about their role as unexpected information may come up. You can ask about day-to-day functions, what college experiences helped them the most, issues that arise in the position, etc. If they have been in the field for a while, it may be smart to ask them about how the job field has changed over time, how they expect it to change, and if there is room for professional growth. 

After conducting interviews, make sure to reflect on the information and how it can apply to your career journey. Do not forget to send a thank you message to the professional and include specifics about what advice was helpful. For more detailed help, select the “Networking & Informational Interviews” resource document in the Career Center tab on Handshake or schedule an appointment with a career counselor.

An important way to advance your professional career is to create a presence on LinkedIn. Creating a LinkedIn account can significantly enhance your professional career. You can access job postings and industry insights while also having the opportunity to network with other professionals. LinkedIn is also a great place to learn about industry news, trends, and professional development resources. 

Let’s talk about creating your LinkedIn profile. It is important that you upload a professional headshot- the more recent, the better. Your headline should highlight what you are currently doing, such as whether you have a job or you are a student. The summary section should include an overview of your career, achievements, skills, and aspirations. It is important to add your relevant experience with your job responsibilities as well. Including your educational background and any certifications you have can make your profile more attractive to recruiters. 

Once you set up your profile, it is time to start building your network. As a student at CNU, you have access to a large network of CNU students and alumni. You can connect with professionals in different industries that may help you build relationships. These relationships can be used for job hunting, business partnerships, and gaining knowledge about a specific industry. LinkedIn also has groups that you can join and participate in that are industry-related, which can help you expand your network. You also have the ability to follow companies on LinkedIn. By doing this, you will be able to follow companies that you are interested in and stay up to date with their news and engage with their content. Companies post job listings or openings, and recruiters often use the platform to seek out potential candidates. As you expand your network, it is important to always stay professional on LinkedIn, as most companies use this tool to do research on you as a candidate for job positions. Make sure to regularly update your profile and make sure you are presenting yourself professionally. 

LinkedIn is an important tool of endless opportunities. Expanding your network and creating connections can unlock more opportunities within your desired career path. By networking, you can explore opportunities that you may not have seen yourself doing as your future career. Creating a LinkedIn presence today could lead you to your future career!

Landing your dream job starts with a stellar application. When you're faced with a lengthy list of responsibilities, skills, and requirements listed on a job description, it's easy to feel overwhelmed. But don't worry! You can stand out from the crowd by strategically tailoring your resume and cover letter to each specific job. This demonstrates a deep understanding of the role and showcases why you're the perfect fit, which can set you apart from other candidates. 

In each job description, employers list the skills they are looking for and anticipate their future employee being able to demonstrate. Adding these skills to your resume and cover letter will enhance your application. Employers will be able to see how your experience aligns with the role. If you possess the skills they seek, listing them on your resume will not only show the employer that you are capable of fulfilling their needs, but it will also show how much thought and care you put into your application. 

Many companies use Applicant Tracking Systems (ATS) to filter resumes based on keywords. Tailoring your resume and cover letter to include these specific keywords will increase the likelihood of your application passing through the initial screening phase. This increases your chances of being selected for the interview process, where you can further elaborate on your skills and qualifications. 

Taking the time to tailor your application documents is an investment in your career. It can be the crucial step that opens the door to new opportunities. Remember, every successful career starts with a strong application. 

The Center for Career Planning is here to support you. We offer a range of services to help you craft a compelling resume and navigate the job application process. Schedule an appointment today, and let us help you stand out! To make an appointment, go to Handshake, select “Career Center,” and then choose “Appointments.” From there, choose the appointment type that best fits your needs. 

In recent years, more and more companies are conducting virtual video interviews versus solely conducting them in-person. When picking a spot to join your interview, you want to position yourself in a space that is quiet with a neutral backdrop with little to no visual distractions.  For instance, you would not want to log onto a virtual interview in your dorm room since this could feel too personal and unprofessional. On the other hand, study rooms in the library can be difficult to reserve, especially near the end of the semester during exams. One way to guarantee that you will have a quiet space with a non-distracting background is by reserving an interview room in the Center for Career Planning.

Many students are unaware of the interview rooms that the Center for Career Planning provides. Unlike the library study rooms, our interview rooms are reserved specifically for interviews and provide a quiet, calm, and professional atmosphere for any type of interview. You are welcome to reserve an interview room for more time than the actual interview so that you can get settled into the space before jumping into your actual interview.  

These interview rooms are available to any student for any type of job or internship interview! To book an interview room, simply log on to your Handshake account, select Career Center, then the Appointments button. Follow the prompts and select “Reserve a CCP Interview Room” under the type of appointment. If you need additional assistance with reserving an interview room, contact the Center for Career Planning at ccp@cnu.edu or (757) 594-8887.