Pierpont's WV WORKS Boot Camp

Why Planning Your Career Matters

Thinking about your career early helps you make informed choices about classes, jobs, and opportunities. By understanding your strengths, values, and skills, and learning to create resumes, cover letters, and professional profiles, you’ll be prepared to find meaningful work that fits your goals.

Learning Outcomes

Students will be able to:

Identify personal career values.
Assess strengths and weaknesses.
Develop resumes and cover letters.
Navigate online job searches and social media presence.
Prepare for interviews.
Access career navigation services.

This module will take about 60 minutes to complete, including the activity.

Any links to outside sources are not endorsed by Pierpont.

Setting Your Career Values

When you're applying for jobs, you're often asked about the skills and values you bring to the table — but it's just as important to consider what you want in an employer. Finding a job that aligns with your personal values can bring greater fulfillment in both your professional and personal life.

Think about what matters most to you in a job:

Do you enjoy helping others?
Are you a risk-taker?
Do you prefer teamwork or working independently?
Is career growth important to you?
How much flexibility do you need?
How far are you willing to commute?
Do you thrive on recognition?
Do you want to be challenged?

During the quiz in this module, you’ll explore your career values more deeply to help guide your job search.

Identifying Your Strengths & Weaknesses

Strengths

We often hear about identifying our "strengths and weaknesses" when preparing for job interviews — and it’s more important than ever to really understand what those are.

Knowing what you're good at, what you struggle with, and where you can grow will help you find a job that’s the right fit.

Discover Your Strengths with CliftonStrengths

As a required part of your participation in the WV WORKS Boot Camp at Pierpont, you will receive free access to the CliftonStrengths for Students assessment.

This tool is designed to help you identify your top talents, and learn how to develop them into real strengths you can use in college, at work, and in life.

Understanding your strengths can help you:

Choose a career path that fits you
Work better with others
Communicate your value in interviews
Build confidence in your academic and career journey

You’ll receive a personal report of your Top 5 Strengths, along with tools to help you explore how to apply them to your goals.

Sample Student Report

Marshall_Roy-Jama-ROLE_STUDENTS.pdf

Sample Top 5Report

Marshall_Roy-Jama-SF_TOP_5.pdf

To access the assessment, click the link below to book a time with Jama where she will give you access to the assessment and help you complete it:

Click Here - Book Time with Jama to Complete CliftonStrengths for Students

Weaknesses - They aren't a bad thing!

They simply point out areas for improvement or tasks you may not feel comfortable with. Being aware of them helps you stay safe, confident, and realistic in your career planning. Working on your weaker areas can also open the door to promotions and new opportunities!

Resumes and Cover Letters

Resumes and cover letters are your first impression to an employer — they showcase your qualifications and experience and help determine whether you'll be selected for an interview.

Resume

Keep it clean, organized, and easy to read.
Use correct grammar and spelling — typos can reflect poorly on your professionalism.
Use action words (e.g., “transformed,” “led,” “organized”) to make your experience stand out.
Keep it concise: 1–2 pages max.
Tailor your resume to each job application — highlight the most relevant experience.

What to Include:

Contact info (and a professional photo, if you wish)
Related work experience
Education
Skills
Certifications and awards (if relevant)
Conferences or trainings (if relevant)
Languages spoken (optional)
References (optional unless requested)

Helpful Hint:

Create a master document with all your experiences, skills, and credentials. When it’s time to apply, pull the most relevant info to customize each resume.

Click below for more information on formatting your resume.

(This section is not required for Boot Camp completion.)

Click Here - Resume Checklist

Cover Letter

A cover letter is a short, formal introduction that explains why you’re interested in the job and why you’re a great fit.

Format it professionally
Keep it brief and focused
Tailor it to the specific job and employer

Click below for more information on formatting your cover letter.

(This section is not required for Boot Camp completion.)

Click Here - Cover Letter Format

Online Job Searches & Social Media Presence

In today’s job market, most employers post openings online and often review your social media profiles before reaching out. It’s important to:

Search smart using job boards like Indeed, LinkedIn, or company websites.
Keep your online profiles professional—especially LinkedIn, if you have one.
Clean up your public social media (Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, etc.) to avoid anything that could give a bad impression.
Be aware of your digital footprint—what you post, like, or share can follow you.

Your online presence should support your goals. Think of it as your digital first impression!

Interview Basics

You’ve made it to the interview!

An interview is your opportunity to connect with the employer, share your experiences, and ask questions.

The employer may ask about:

Your qualifications and work style
How you handle challenges or teamwork
How you fit the company culture

You can ask about:

Job expectations
Team dynamics
Pay, benefits, and schedule
Advancement opportunities

There are some important things to keep in mind for the interview portion:

Tattoos, piercings, and other forms of body art are increasingly common and widely accepted in many workplaces. However, expectations can still vary depending on the industry, company culture, or position you're applying for.

Here are a few things to consider as you prepare for interviews or professional opportunities:

DO:

Research the company culture. Some workplaces are casual and open about self-expression, while others may prefer a more traditional appearance.
Cover body art during interviews if you’re unsure of the employer’s stance. First impressions matter, and it’s always okay to play it safe.
Keep piercings conservative unless you're confident the environment is open to them.
Let your work speak for itself. Once you’ve proven yourself, you may have more freedom to express your personal style.

DON'T:

Assume all employers view body art the same way — what’s accepted in one setting may be discouraged in another.
Wear jewelry or visible art that could be considered distracting or inappropriate for a professional environment.
Get defensive if asked to remove or cover body art in certain roles — some employers have specific appearance policies for safety or branding.

If you're unsure, talk to Career Services for advice on how to navigate body art policies in your field of interest.