Student FAQ

• Research the Companies: Identify key employers and companies that align with your interests. Understand their business model, key services, and recent news to help tailor the conversation. Look for job postings or internships listed on their website to understand the roles they are hiring for, required skills and qualifications

• Elevator Pitch: Prepare a 30-60 second introduction that includes your name, degree, expected graduation year, exam progress, and what kind of role you are seeking. Practice your elevator pitch until it feels natural and be prepared to adapt it depending on the company or employer you are speaking to.  

• Prepare Questions: Demonstrate to your future employers your interest in the company and its opportunities. Avoid questions that can easily be answered by looking at their website.

• Network Effectively: Approach recruiters confidently with a smile. Show genuine interest in what the recruiter is saying and ask follow-up questions. If possible get the employer's information such as a business card, LinkedIn page, or their email. 

• Stay Positive: Remain engaged and enthusiastic. Sell to the employer that you are the perfect candidate for the position they are offering. 

For more advice, check with the Actuarial Association for workshops leading up to the Career Fair!

Here's a great guide from OSU on how to format an actuarial resume.

Be sure your resume includes these basic features:

• Header: Include your name and contact information such as email, phone number, LinkedIn profile, and github repo.

• Education: Include your major, the university you attend, and your expected graduation year. Although optional, consider including relevant coursework, honors and awards, or your GPA if it is a 3.5 or higher.

• Actuarial Exams: Include the actuarial exams you have passed as well as exams you are soon sitting for. Include any Validation by Educational Experience (VEE) credits. 

• Professional Experience: Provide professional experience and list bullet points of key achievements and responsibilities that are relevant to the actuarial field to prove that you are a viable candidate. It is okay if you do not have any professional actuarial-related experience; any experience allows you to showcase your skills that can be transferred to the actuarial field.

• Projects: Providing academic (for example from CompSci 8 or PSTAT 126) or personal projects is also a great way to showcase your skills to employers. Provide bullet points describing objectives, methodologies, and outcomes

• Skills: List your technical and additional skills

• Format: Keep your resume one page long and use a readable font such as Calibri or Times New Roman at 11-12 point font. Ensure uniform formatting for headings, bullet points, and dates. 

You may submit your resume as a single-page PDF or Word file as part of your Student Registration form submission. You must use the titling format LastName_FirstName_Resume to be included in our resume book sent to employers before the Career Fair. We also suggest bringing multiple printed resumes on the day of the career fair to hand to employers.

Come dressed to impress your future employers in your best business casual attire!