CAREER GUIDE
University of Georgia
career.uga.edu | @ugacareercenter
706-542-3375 | 2nd Floor, Clark Howell Hall
Pursue Your Master's Degree at
Grady College
Increase your professional and career
opportunities with a master's degree
from Grady College.
There are two paths for earning a Grady
master's degree. You can use the UGA
Double Dawgs program or pursue a
traditional M.A. degree. Whichever path
you choose, you will gain more skills
and experiences in media and
communication.
Grady.uga.edu/academics/ma-degree
Double Dawgs Programs
More than 10 degree programs
including:
• Music/Advertising
• Public Relations/Emerging Media
• Entertainment & Media Studies/
Emerging Media
Master's Degree Concentrations
Journalism • Public Relations
Advertising • Mass Media
Health Media and Communication
Emerging Media (online and residential)
Integrated Advertising and PR
GRADY.UGA.EDU
[email protected] • 706-542-7833
@UGAGrady
Table of Contents
Introduction
A Quick Guide to Our Services 4
Get Focused
Four-Year Career Development Plan 5
Exploring Majors at UGA 7
Trying Career Assessments 8
5 Ways to Get Experience 9
Navigating Your Job and Internship Search 10
Part-Time Employment at UGA 11
Get Experienced
Top Job Search Resources 12
Handshake Student User Guide 13
International Student Employment FAQ 14
Social Media Tips, Online Resources 15
Before You Apply: Doing Research 17
How to Get Career Fair Ready 18
Introducing Yourself to an Employer 19
Build Your Network
20
Get Connected
How to Leverage LinkedIn
21
Diversity & Inclusion Resources
22
Find a UGA Mentor 23
Informational Interviews 101
24
Career Readiness Skills
26
Resume Breakdown
27
Marketing Your Part-Time Work
28
Get Noticed
Marketing Your Other Experience
29
Strong Action Verbs
30
Resume Examples
32
Steps to Cover Letter Success
36
Cover Letter & References Examples
37
Tailored Job Search Materials
38
Email Correspondence Examples
40
How to Dress for Success
44
Get Hired
Ultimate Guide to Interviews
46
Sample Interview Questions
47
Use STAR Method to Ace Your Interview
48
Tips for Phone and Video Interviews 49
Negotiation 101
50
Get Accepted
Steps to Graduate/Professional School 51
Applying to Graduate/Professional School 52
Writing Your Personal Statement 53
Personal Statement Examples 54
A Quick Guide to Our Services
The Career Center provides a wide variety of services to UGA students and alumni, including:
• Major & Career Exploration • Resume & Cover Letter Reviews
• Job & Internship Searches • Portfolio Reviews
• LinkedIn and Social Media Tips • Interview Preparation
• Employer Communication & Research • Salary Negotiation
• Career Fair Preparation • Job Oer Evaluation
• Networking & Professional Etiquette • Graduate/Professional School Exploration
Handshake – This internship/job board (uga.joinhandshake.com) helps UGA students/alumni nd
relevant postings, including part-time, full-time, location-specic, remote, and on-campus.
Arch Ready Professionalism Certicate – This certicate includes a series of workshops (career.uga.
edu/archready) designed to help you prepare for professional life after graduation. Students who complete
the program will receive a digital certicate and valuable career management skills.
UGA Mentor Program – We personalize the networking experience by connecting you with alumni/
faculty/sta mentors that are just right for your interests, needs, and goals (mentor.uga.edu).
Drop-In Hours – Have a quick question? Meet with a Career Center team member for 10-15 minutes
between 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Monday-Friday during fall and spring semesters. Stop by the Front Desk for in-
person hours on Monday-Thursday or use the Zoom link on our website (career.uga.edu/appointments) for
virtual Friday hours. No appointment necessary.
Satellite Hours – Visit our sta directory (career.uga.edu/directory/directory_consultants) to identify
your Career Consultant and learn when and where they host satellite hours inside your college or at a
campus location near you.
Career Consultation – You can make individual appointments with Career Consultants at any point as a
student or after graduating. To schedule an appointment, log in to Handshake or call (706) 542-3375.
Mock Interviews – Have an interview coming up or want to hone your interviewing skills? Schedule a
mock interview (career.uga.edu/guide_to_interviews) with your consultant in Handshake.
Career Fairs - Meet recruiters, network for internships and jobs, and gather employer information. We
host several fairs each semester appropriate for all school years (career.uga.edu/calendar/career_fairs).
Intern for a Day – Need more experience? Check out thiss job shadowing opportunity (career.uga.edu/
intern_for_a_day) for students to investigate a career and experience a typical day in the eld.
Career Assessments – Take a career assessment (career.uga.edu/assessments) to learn how your
personality, interests, values, and skills can help you choose a major and career.
Explore Labs – Attend a small-group session to learn about the resources used to explore major options at
UGA. To see details, visit the Career Center calendar (career.uga.edu/calendar).
Online Resources & Career Guides – Check out our online resources (career.uga.edu/online_resources)
and area-specic career guides (career.uga.edu/career_guides) for additional tools and advice.
To access a full list of services, visit the Career Center website (career.uga.edu).
4
Four-Year Career Development Plan
This plan provides suggestions for your time at UGA. The timing and priority of each task can be dependent
on your career goals. If you need help deciding where to start or what to do next, attend Career Center Drop-
In Hours every weekday from 11 a.m. until 2 p.m. to meet with a Career Center team member.
First Year
Declare a Major
q Complete career
assessments
to explore your
interests, values, and
personality.
q Read What Can I Do
With A Major In...?
pages to discover
career options.
q Use the UGA Bulletin
to nd course
descriptions and
learn major options.
Get Involved
q Try a Quick Chat
in the UGA Mentor
Program.
q Join a student
organization.
q Volunteer in
the campus or
community.
q Attend Career Center
events and programs.
Get Experience
q Create a resume and
seek feedback.
q Look for part-time
experiences in
Handshake.
q Shadow professionals
via Intern for a Day.
q Talk to employers at
career fairs.
q Try virtual work
experiences (Forage)
or micro-internships
(Parker Dewey).
Second Year
Explore Careers
q Learn about career
paths using O*Net
Online, Candid
Career, Vault, or
Steppingblocks.
q Consider options for
minors, certicates,
or Double Dawgs.
q Create a LinkedIn
prole and start
building your
professional
network.
Stay Involved
q Start a 16-week
mentorship in
the UGA Mentor
Program.
q Build connections in
your college.
q Deepen involvement
or become a
leader in a student
organization.
Broaden Experience
q Develop skills on
LinkedIn Learning.
q Consider studying
abroad or other
experiential
learning.
q Ask professors
about research
opportunities.
q Apply for positions
on Handshake
relevant to your
interests.
Third Year
Connect with
Employers
q Review company
websites and
literature.
q Network at career
fairs and information
sessions.
q Follow employers’
social media.
Research Grad Schools
q Find programs and
professors related to
your interests.
q Study for entrance
exams and take
practice tests.
q Look at class proles
for information on
current students.
q Attend Graduate
School Information
Day.
Increase Experience
q Complete an
internship or secure
a career-related
part-time job.
q Seek relevant
leadership roles.
q Interact with
speakers and club
advisors.
q Join local chapters
of national
organizations related
to your chosen eld
or career path.
Fourth Year
Develop a Job Search
Strategy
q Participate in career
fairs related to areas
of interest.
q Take advantage
of on-campus
interviewing.
q Research your target
salary ranges.
q Complete the Career
Outcomes Survey to
update your post-
grad status.
Apply to Grad School
q Take entrance
exams.
q Ask for letters of
recommendation in
advance of deadlines.
q Request transcripts.
q Review admission
essays with the
Writing Center and a
Career Consultant.
Leverage Experience
q Update your resume
and practice
interviewing with a
Career Consultant.
q Seek positive
references from
professors or
supervisors and keep
them updated on
your progress.
q Request LinkedIn
recommendations.
5
Are you interested in
advancing your career to
international spaces and
teaching language and culture
abroad?
Perhaps you currently support
the multilingual population in
the U.S. and are interested in
enhancing your skills?
Join the TESOL and World
Language community at
UGA and obtain an online
graduate certicate in
TESOL.
Our online ve-course program
accommodates the working professional.
It will provide both breadth and depth of
knowledge and skills to teach and assess
ESOL in U.S. and international contexts
eectively. The certicate program has
multiple opportunities for rst-hand
experiences in various online teaching
spaces while making a dierence in the
world one learner at a time.
Scan the QR code to learn
more about our programs:
Contact:
Dr. David Chiesa
(program coordinator) at
[email protected]
•
•
LOOKING FOR EXPERIENCE?
Consider a Part-Time Job!
Whether working on-campus or around Athens,
part-time work is an excellent way to
build your network & gain transferrable skills.
Apply on:
Handshake (including Federal Work Study Jobs)
UGAJobSearch.com (for on-campus positions)
Meet with part-time employers:
Part-Time Job & Internship Fair (held every Fall)
Summer Job & Internship Fair (held every Spring)
Learn more at
http://bit.ly/parttimeUGA
Exploring Majors at UGA
A major is a set of classes that is only part of your college experience and resume. This set of classes represents a
lens by which to study the world and one method for developing professional skills. Every major has dierent
pros and cons. Take these steps to consider majors that you nd interesting and that align with your values.
Meet with Your Career Consultant
The UGA Career Center has two Career Consultants who work specically with unspecied and exploring
students. Make an appointment to learn more about how your interests, personality, values, and skills can
help you make an informed choice about your major and potential career path.
Attend an Explore Lab
All students can explore their options by attending an exploring workshop. We oer sessions to show you
resources, review career assessments, and identify strategies for your major exploration. To see upcoming
workshops, visit our event calendar (career.uga.edu/calendar).
Know Your Options
Fill out our Majors Checklist (career.uga.edu/uploads/documents/UGAMajorsChecklist.pdf) to start your
review of UGA's oerings and view our What Can I Do With A Major In...? pages (career.uga.edu/wcidwami)
to nd resources curated by your Career Consultant. Use Career Outcomes data (career.uga.edu/outcomes)
to browse a list of potential job titles, graduate school options, and salary insights. Compare each major of
interest to you, including graduate programs.
Use the UGA Bulletin
Visit bulletin.uga.edu and select Major > Degree Requirements > View with Course Titles to see major
course requirements, areas of emphasis, and elective options. Consider your initial transition into the Area
VI options, whether the major area oers more structure or choices for courses, and any high-demand
selection criteria. Review course descriptions and download previous syllabi. Additionally, search for
minors and undergraduate certicates to broaden your education into new interests and gain access to
further opportunities for experiential learning or research.
Visit Department Websites and Campus Buildings
Gather information on majors by visiting department/college websites (uga.edu/schools), which include
academic oerings, student groups, experiential opportunities, and alumni/faculty spotlights. Touring
campus buildings can also help you imagine being a student in the related major.
Conduct Career Research
Utilize the following resources to learn more about careers related to your majors of interest. If you are not
sure what career you want to research, try browsing through the options presented on the home page or in
the menus. If you have some ideas about your career already, try keyword searching for your interests.
• O*Net Online | onetonline.org
• My Next Move | mynextmove.org
• Occupational Outlook Handbook | bls.gov/ooh/
• Candid Career, Vault, and Steppingblocks | career.uga.edu/resources/online_resources
• LinkedIn Learning | eits.uga.edu/learning_and_training/linkedinlearning
7
Trying Career Assessments
The UGA Career Center can discuss assessments (career.uga.edu/assessments) with you when choosing your
major and potential career path. Career assessments help you learn more about your skills, interests, values,
and personality to make informed choices about your career.
Why are career assessments vital to your major and career exploration process?
Assessments are useful for clarifying your thinking and guiding your decisions. Discussing your results will
help you explore your options. Additionally, assessments can give you a vocabulary to discuss yourself, your
motivations, and how you work with others to use in future interviews and admission essays.
The UGA Career Center oers the following assessments:
O*NET Interest Proler
• The O*NET Interest
•
Proler is a free, online
resource that can help you
explore your interests and
how they relate to careers.
• Once you have your results,
select and combine your
top interests to browse
related careers (oneton-
line.org/nd/descriptor/
browse/1.B.1)
TypeFocus
TypeFocus oers free,
online career assessments
to nd major and career
suggestions related to your
personality, interests,
values, and skills.
• To register for an account,
you will need to contact our
front desk at (706) 542-
3375 for an access code.
Strong Interest Inventory
• The Strong Interest
Inventory oers an in-
depth report about your
interests and how they
match individuals working
in a variety of professions.
• This test is available online
for a nominal fee of $30.
Register via Handshake
(uga.joinhandshake.com/
edu/events/725670)
After Taking a Career Assessment:
Consider meeting with a Career Consultant to process
your results. Plan to take the assessment again in the
future to track any growth or change.
Ask yourself the following reective questions
• What themes do I notice within my results?
• How do my results support or contradict my major or
career choice?
• Which of my experiences align with my results?
• Are there any suggested majors or careers that I want
to learn more about?
• Was I honest and focused during my assessment?
• What underlying motivations determine my choice of
major/career?
8
5 Ways to Get Experience
Consider options outside of full-time and part-
time jobs or internships to build your resume.
Leverage these experiences when applying for your
rst job/internship by describing the knowledge,
skills, or perspective you gained. Reorder your
resume to showcase your involvement if it becomes
more relevant than your work experience.
Join a Campus Organization
• Explore a broad range of involvement options
with other students who share your interests.
• Stay involved, pursue a leadership role, and
make a dierence.
• (uga.campuslabs.com/engage)
Volunteer in the Community
• Give back to causes you care about in Athens or
your hometown to explore your interests and
gain skills with approachable experiences.
• Consider options that can last a single day, a
few hours each week, or a whole summer.
• (els.uga.edu/service)
Serve Through Leadership
• Reect on how to become a leader through
deepening your involvement.
• Enhance leadership skills to complement your
ability to inspire collaboration and innovation.
• (els.uga.edu/leadership)
Study Away
• Leave the campus for a few weeks, a semester,
or a year in faculty-led or exchange programs.
• Build cultural awareness, spark a passion or
vision, and expand your career goals.
• (studyaway.uga.edu)
Seek a Research Project
• Learn more about an interesting eld while
building valuable relationships with faculty.
• Find support with the Center for Undergraduate
Research Opportunities (CURO).
• (curo.uga.edu)
Career Center Tips
More Resources for Finding Experiences
Experiential Learning
(el.uga.edu)
Enhances student learning, on-time graduation,
and transition to the workforce. UGA’s EL
requirement promotes opportunities to gain
hands-on experiences.
Engage GA
(uga.givepulse.com)
Provides information on volunteer opportunities
both on and o campus. Search EL Activities to
lter by creative, global, internship, leadership,
research, and service options.
Parker Dewey
(career.uga.edu/micro_internships)
Connects students to companies that oer micro-
internships, which are short-term projects that
provide paid experience.
Forage
(career.uga.edu/virtual_experience_programs)
Oers virtual experience programs designed by
leading companies for students to sample working
on day-to-day tasks related to the industry.
Try a 5-6 hour experience related to business,
technology, law, human resources, design, etc.
9
Navigating Your Job and Internship Search
Career
Fairs
Meet a large number of companies in one place and learn about career
opportunities (career.uga.edu/calendar/career_fairs). Look at the list of
participating employers, research company information, and make a note of
who you would like to meet. Prepare a brief introduction, bring resumes, and
wear business attire. See p. 18-19 for more tips.
Handshake
UGA students and alumni have access to part-time, full-time, and internship
opportunities through Handshake (uga.joinhandshake.com). Follow employers
to receive notications when new positions appear. Check for Career Center
and employer events. Use lters to nd jobs related to your class year, major,
or other student information.
On-Campus
Recruiting
Conduct interviews with employers on-campus in the Career Center interview
wing. Sign up to participate using Handshake. Attend other on-campus
events, such as information sessions, employer panels, and student group
meetings. Consider attending events from both your college and other
colleges who host events open to all students.
Networking
Networking can give you an edge and supplement your job search eorts.
Establish your network early and reach out as you are able to keep in touch.
Using LinkedIn (linkedin.com) and other social platforms makes networking
easier, and many companies use social sites for hiring purposes. Follow
company/organization accounts for insight into their culture, industry trends,
and services. Professionally interact with their posts.
Targeted
Search
Search for opportunities by reecting on your priorities (company name,
company values, geographic location, position title, etc.). Identify common
job titles by using our What Can I Do With A Major In...? pages (career.uga.
edu/wcidwami). Research lists of top organizations aliated with your
values, such as green organizations, LGBTQ-supporting, or philanthropy.
Professional
Groups
You can connect with individuals interested in similar career paths who can
provide helpful career advice. Be aware that you may need to pay a fee to join
professional organizations and access certain career opportunities. Look
for a “Careers” or “Jobs” tab on their websites to nd opportunities. Attend
professional conferences and meetings to develop your network.
Public Job
Boards
Explore the variety of job postings and employers available on public job
boards. These job boards are a good way to learn about opportunities and
in-demand career areas, but competition is higher because anyone can apply
through the site. Searching on more specic sites lessens your competition.
When using some public job boards, consider verifying that a position is still
available by checking the employer's website.
Applying to a Job in the Federal Government? Your application materials and timeline will look
dierent! See more information in our Federal Resume Guide (career.uga.edu/career_guides).
10
Part-Time Employment at UGA
An on-campus job can provide convenience and exibility for your schedule while also facilitating
connections to UGA faculty and sta. Some jobs may provide experience related to your major or skills you
can translate onto your resume.
Take Initiative
Know Where to Look
•
Handshake: Use the on-campus, part-time, or specic
location lters to narrow your results, including Federal
Work Study jobs (uga.joinhandshake.com).
• UGA Job Search: Use the Graduate/Research/Students tab to
nd relevant postings (ugajobsearch.com).
• Specic departments may have their own employment page
to check for open positions.
Job Inquiry Emails
Some jobs might not have online postings, so take the initiative
to reach out to departments of interest. See p. 40 for a job
inquiry template.
Application Follow-up Emails
After you apply, email the potential employer to establish your
interest in the position. See p. 40 for an example email.
Network In-Person
Consider visiting your goal workplace to have a conversation
about potential employment opportunities.
Let the Career Center Help
Part-Time Job & Internship Fair
Every August, the Career Center hosts an opportunity for
students to engage with on-campus and local employers who
are hiring part-time positions.
Summer Job & Internship Fair
Every March, come to this fair to learn about employment
opportunities over the summer, both on- and o-campus.
Drop-In Hours
If you would like a Career Center sta member to look over
your application materials before applying for a job, stop by
the Career Center front desk from 11 a.m. until 2 p.m. Monday-
Thursday or virtually on Fridays during fall and spring
semesters. No appointment necessary.
Career Center Tips
Know Your Value
Even if you have never held a
paid position before, you can
demonstrate the benets of hiring
you over another candidate.
• See p. 9 to learn what other
experiences you can highlight.
• See p. 26 to brainstorm how
these experiences translate
into skills.
Job Search Goals
• Determine where would you
like to work on campus by
reecting on skills you want to
learn or campus sta/faculty
you would like to meet.
• Identify any o-campus
employers of interest as well.
11
Top Job Search Resources
Handshake
This job board is accessible to UGA students and alumni. Employers
post full/part-time jobs, on/o-campus opportunities, and internships.
Visit Handshake (uga.joinhandshake.com) to log in with your MyID and
password and set up your Handshake prole. Check out p. 13 for more
detailed information on how to use the platform.
LinkedIn
This global job board houses opportunities for students seeking a
position in a variety of industries and locations. Networking on LinkedIn
can also result in new opportunities. Visit LinkedIn (linkedin.com) to
make a prole and see p. 21 to learn more about its features.
Professional Organizations
Explore professional organizations in your eld, which often advertise
relevant openings. Be aware that you may need to pay a membership fee
and join the organization for access to certain opportunities. Look for a
"Careers" or "Jobs" menu on their websites.
Specialized Job Boards
For certain industries, there are specialized job boards to focus your
search on a particular kind of job.
• International opportunities on Interstride (interstride.com/UGA)
• Micro-internships on Parker Dewey (info.parkerdewey.com/uga)
• Federal government on USA Jobs (usajobs.gov)
• State government on Team Georgia Careers (careers.georgia.gov)
• Georgia public schools on TeachGeorgia (teachgeorgia.org)
• Higher education on HigherEdJobs (higheredjobs.com)
• Nonprots on Idealist (idealist.org)
Career Center Tips
How Should I Search?
Not sure what job title
to search for? Check out
MyNextMove.org to nd
position titles based on
keywords that will broaden
your search terms.
A keyword search for
Marketing includes:
• Marketing Managers
• Search Marketing
Strategists
• Market Research
Analysts
Selecting Marketing
Managers displays:
• Brand Manager
• Business Development
Manager
• Marketing Director
Additionally, the Explore
More section shows:
• Advertising &
Promotions Managers
• Business Intelligence
Analysts
• Sales Managers
Applicant
Tracking Systems
Keep in mind that many
organizations use applicant
tracking systems to organize
job applications. These
systems identify which
applications are the best
matches for each position. If
applicable to your skills and
experiences, use keywords
from the job description and
qualications in your resume
to increase the chances that
your application matches.
12
Handshake Student User Guide
Handshake (uga.joinhandshake.com), UGA’s job and
internship platform, connects students to thousands
of jobs, internships, employers, and events using
search tools and alerts. To maximize Handshake’s
potential in your job or internship search, be sure
to use the following tips after logging in to your
Handshake account.
Update Your ProleD
• Click “My prole,” located in the drop-down
menu under your initials/avatar.
• Edit your primary education section with your
major(s), GPA, and expected graduation date.
• Add copies of your resume and cover letter to the
“Documents” section for easy access.
• Stand out to employers by lling out the various
sections of your prole and include relevant
projects as examples of your academic work.
• Summarize your experiences or skills and
describe what you are seeking on Handshake in
the "My Journey" section.
Select Your Career Interests
• Click “My career interests," located in the drop-
down menu under your initials/avatar.
• Update your career interests so that Handshake
can provide you custom recommendations by
checking your preferred job, role, industry,
function, city, and post-grad options.
Employer Search
• Click “Employers” in the left menu.
• Search for employers by keyword, name,
location, employer size, or industry.
• On the employer’s Handshake page, view any
current jobs/internships they have posted,
upcoming campus events they are attending,
and on-campus interview opportunities.
• Once you nd an employer you are interested in,
you can click “Follow” in the upper right corner
of their employer page. You will then receive
updates when they post a new job, internship, or
event on campus.
On-Campus Interviews
• Find companies that are available to interview
on campus by navigating to the "Jobs" option in
the left menu.
• Select "All Filters" and check the box for
"Interviewing on Campus" to apply for jobs that
oer this convenient opportunity.
Events Tab
• Click “Events” in the left menu.
• Search by upcoming events or select a category
to search for specic workshops, employer
panels, and information sessions.
• Select “Career fair” to see information
specically about upcoming fairs on campus.
• When you click on a career fair, select “All
Employers” to see who will be attending. Click
the employer’s name to learn more about the
company and job openings they have posted on
Handshake. Filter by your major or desired job
type to nd relevant employers at the fair.
Job/Internship Search
• Click “Jobs” in the left menu.
• Select “Full-Time Job,” “Part-Time,”
“Internship,” or “Location” along the top. Use
the search bar to search for specic employers or
job titles.
• Click “All Filters” to narrow down the results
by major, job function, industry, work
authorization, and more.
• View “Qualications” to see only positions
qualied by your major, school year, GPA, and
graduation date.
• Save jobs for quick access later by clicking the
bookmark icon. On the job search page, click
on the Saved tab in top menu to view only your
saved jobs.
• Save search criteria and receive notications
about new jobs by selecting “Save Your Search.”
13
International Student Employment FAQ
Apply for work authorization on compass.uga.edu and visit the Oce of
Global Engagement (globalengagement.uga.edu/immigration) for more
information.
Can I work on campus?
With an F-1 Visa, you can work on campus without prior authorization.
With a J-1 Visa, you can work on campus but must request authorization
from UGA Immigration Services. Students are permitted to work up to 20
hours per week while classes are in session and full-time during holidays
or school vacation periods , provided the student intends to enroll full-
time during the academic term following the vacation period.
What is CPT (Curricular Practical Training)?
CPT is temporary work authorization available for students on F-1 visas.
CPT must connect to an academic requirement or course. Eligibility
includes enrollment at UGA for one academic year prior to application,
and you must have an oer rst. Applications are free, and UGA
Immigration Services processes them.
What is OPT (Optional Practical Training)?
OPT is temporary work authorization available for students on F-1 visas.
OPT most commonly applies after graduation. Training does not need to
connect to an academic course, but it must directly relate to your eld
of study. You have 1 year of eligibility for OPT. Those in STEM elds can
apply for an additional 24 months of eligibility. Applications are $410,
and USCIS processes them. Contact UGA Immigration Services prior to
applying.
Where can I work on a J-1 visa?
With a J-1 Visa, you may apply to work on campus. UGA Immigration
Services will authorize all on-campus work. To work after graduation,
you may apply for Academic Training. You must have a job oer and the
length of time eligible for Academic Training depends on the length of
time for your academic program. Immigration Services processes these
applications.
How do I answer “work authorization” questions on
applications?
If you are eligible for OPT/CPT/Academic Training but do not yet have
that status, you should say that you do not currently have authorization
to work in the U.S. You can use your cover letter or a conversation with the
employer to explain your status.
Where can I nd a list of companies who sponsor H1B?D
Try h1bgrader.com reports or see instructions on the right for Interstride
(interstride.com/UGA).
Career Center Tips
Interstride
Interstride (interstride.com/
UGA) is an interactive tool
designed for international
students to enhance their
employment potential.
The platform consists
of job listings, hiring
trends, H1B information,
self-assessments, and
immigration advice. Log in to
Interstride today using your
UGA MyID and password.
On Interstride, click on
“Jobs” and then "U.S. Visa
Insights" to see a list of
companies in your eld
who have recently led H1B
petitions. This information
can help you determine
which companies to target.
Handshake Work
Authorization Filters
Using Handshake, you
can lter postings by jobs
that do not require work
authorization, that are
eligible for sponsorship,
or that are open to CPT/
OPT. Select “All Filters” in
the Jobs menu to see these
options on Handshake (uga.
joinhandshake.com).
DiversityInc Top
Employers
Each year, DiversityInc
(fair360.com) releases the
top companies for diversity
in multiple categories. Check
out the list for potential
employers.
14
Social Media Tips
According to a recent survey by The Manifest (themanifest.com/digital-marketing/5-personal-branding-
tips-job-search), 90% of employers review candidates’ social media accounts as part of the hiring process.
Furthermore, 79% report rejecting a candidate due to content found on their social media platforms. Below
are tips to ensure your social media is appropriate and professional.
Reputation Management
• Remove any professionally unattering content and refrain
from posting similar content, including inappropriate photos,
negative comments about current/previous positions, profanity,
and references to alcohol or drugs.
• If you have questions regarding your social media content, meet
with your consultant for a review.
Personal Brand
• Proactively promote yourself and relevant work content under
a professional username. Check privacy lters often to manage
your public prole.
• Market yourself by posting your project progress or
accomplishments. Consider sharing articles that are relevant to
your expertise.
Networking
• Follow employers (companies and campus recruiters) and like/
comment on their posts when the opportunity arises.
Leveraging Online Resources
All Career Center online resources can be accessed on our website (career.uga.edu/online_resources).
Career Development eLC Modules (career.uga.edu/career_development_elc) are free,
self-paced collections of resources and information to help your prepare for your career.
Vault (career.uga.edu/vault) has a library of guides and articles to help you explore careers,
plan your job search, and learn about dierent work environments.
Candid Career (career.uga.edu/online_resources) provides recorded informational
interviews of specic career professionals. Filter by career title, college major, or industry.
Steppingblocks (career.uga.edu/steppingblocks) oers a personality assessment, alumni
outcomes by major, opportunity search by career/major, and tuition debt analysis.
Glassdoor (glassdoor.com) is a jobs and career community that oers company insights. Check
Glassdoor for salary information, company reviews, and potential interview questions.
Big Interview (uga.biginterview.com) is a tool to prepare for an interview. Learn interview
strategies and record practice interviews with AI feedback on your delivery.
15
FREE PROFESSIONAL
HEADSHOTS
Ideal for LinkedIn Profiles
VISIT OUR PHOTO BOOTH IN THE CAREER CENTER
Located in Clark Howell Hall, 2nd Floor
- Available to all UGA students, alumni, and faculty/staff
- Accessible Monday-Friday, 8AM-5PM
- No appointment necessary
- Easy and quick to use
- Images download to your phone or laptop
Before You Apply: Doing Research
Researching a company or graduate school is integral to any search. By gaining more information about the
structure and culture, you can assess if the environment suits your career aspirations.
Handshake
UGA’s job and internship
platform has a feature to search
employers. Select “Employers”
from the left menu. Learn more
about a company’s products or
services, if they are currently
recruiting, and if they will be at
UGA soon.
Where to Look
Career Center Online
Resources
Vault (career.uga.edu/vault)
and Glassdoor (glassdoor.com/
Reviews/index.htm) provide
company rankings, ratings, and
employee reviews.
LinkedIn
Search for a company, current
employee, or alumni of a graduate
program on each company or
college LinkedIn page. This
search will provide you with
access to multiple contacts
when researching a company or
graduate program.
What to Look For
• What is the organization’s mission/vision?
• Where is the company located?
• How many people are employed there?
• What products or services do they provide?
• How old is the company?
• What is the organizational structure and how
would this role t into that?
• Who is the CEO/President/other leadership?
• Who are the company’s main competitors?
• What are some major trends in the industry?
• How do they present themselves on social
media? The news? What is their brand?
• How do they describe themselves?
• What is the company’s statement on diversity?
• When will they be on UGA’s campus?
• How do they want the person in the position to
contribute to the role and the team?
• How do you match their prole? What examples
do you have to show that?
• How can you help them achieve their goals?
Put It Into Practice
In an Interview
“Based on the research I have
done, this company matches
what I am looking for in a work
environment. When I visited
your website, I found _____ to
be very impressive. I also align
with your company's values,
like _____. Because of my
background in _____, I feel that
I would be a great addition to your
company or organization. I could
utilize my skills to ______!”
While Networking
"I recently had a conversation
with one of your colleagues
at the UGA Career Fair. They
expressed that you were seeking
candidates with a strong technical
background in Java. Through
my programming class at UGA, I
have learned to _____, which
will contribute to your work on
_____. Can you tell me more
about other projects your division
is managing?”
For Graduate School
“Dear Dr. _: I am planning to
apply for your school’s _____
program. I was reviewing the
program’s directory and noticed
your research focus is very similar
to my interest in _____. I
have recently been involved in
coursework and undergraduate
research related to this topic.
At your convenience, could we
briey discuss how I can apply
these interests to your program?”
17
How to Get Career Fair Ready
Career fairs are a convenient way for students and alumni to meet
recruiters, nd internships and jobs, and gather company information.
Below are ve steps to help you prepare and make a great rst impression.
Step 1: Review Your Resume
• Create your resume and keep it updated (see p. 27-35).
• Schedule an appointment with your Career Consultant or visit Drop-In
Hours to have your resume reviewed.
• Bring 10+ printed copies to the fair to give to your target employers.
• Consider printing your resume on resume paper.
Step 2: Dress for Success
• Note dress recommendations on the fair registration in Handshake.
• Choose your outt. See p. 44-45 and the Career Center's Pinterest
(pinterest.com/ugacareercenter) for appropriate examples.
• Carry a folder or padfolio with your materials.
• Remember to set your phone to silent and dispose of gum or mints prior
to talking to a recruiter.
• Keep in mind that you will receive a name tag at check-in with your
name and major.
Step 3: Research Employers
• Review the list of employers attending the fair on Handshake.
• Identify your top 3-5 employers and research those companies on
Handshake, LinkedIn, or other Career Center Online Resources.
• Consider searching for organizations on Handshake (uga.
joinhandshake.com) that indicate that they accept all majors.
• Preview job descriptions on Handshake or the organization's website.
• Develop pertinent questions to ask employers. See sample questions in
the column to the right.
Step 4: Have a Conversation
• Prepare and practice your pitch. See tips on p. 19.
• When you arrive, review the map of employers to plan your route.
• Be patient when waiting to speak to employers.
• Be condent and network independently. Show enthusiasm!
Step 5: Follow-up
• Collect business cards from employers.
• Determine follow-up and discuss your next steps.
• Send a thank you email within 24 hours. See sample email on p. 41.
Pro Tip: You are encouraged to begin attending career fairs during your
rst year to learn how they work, meet recruiters, gather company
information, and explore various employment opportunities. Many
companies are excited to hire rst-year students! It is also never too early
to start forming strong professional relationships.
Career Center Tips
Suitable Questions
• What are the
characteristics of your
ideal candidate?
• What are your hiring
projections and trends?
• What are the stang
needs of [your location
preferences]?
• What are the travel
expectations?
• Do you oer
professional
development
opportunities?
• What does the hiring
timeline look like?
Unsuitable Questions
• What jobs are available?
• What salary or benets
do your positions oer?
• What can I do with my
major in your company?
Which Career Fair?
The Career Center hosts
several fairs each semester,
including a Graduate School
fair each fall. The fairs
provide a broad range of
employers or represent a
specic set of industries
and job types. All students/
alumni can attend any
Career Center fair relevant
to their interests.
Prepare at the Fair Too!
Career Center sta
members near check-in at
each fair can help practice
your pitch and further
research employers.
18
Introducing Yourself to an Employer
Career Fair Pitch Template
An elevator pitch can be used to introduce yourself
at a career fair or networking event with employers.
See below for a template. Fill in appropriate
information as it relates to your experience, your
industry, and the reason you are speaking to an
employer. Do not forget to practice to sound natural!
“Hello, my name is (name). I am a (1
st
/2
nd
/3
rd
/4
th
year) studying (major/minor) and am looking for a
(full-time/part-time/internship) in (industry). Over
the past few years, I have (worked/volunteered/
researched) with (company/student group/etc.) as
the (position/role). Through this position I have
developed a better understanding of (industry) as
well as useful (skills/knowledge) that I hope to use
in my next position. I know that (company name) is
currently hiring for (name of open position). I am
very interested in applying. Could you tell me more
about (opportunities available/application process/
training/etc.)?”
Pitch Example (4th Year)
“Hello, my name is Dan. I am a fourth-year
studying Communication Studies and looking for
an internship in public relations. Over the past
year, I have worked with my communications
student organization as the Marketing Director.
Through this position I have developed a better
understanding of the PR eld as well as useful
marketing and communication skills that I hope
to use in my next position. I know that you are
currently hiring for your summer marketing
internship. I am very interested in applying. Could
you tell me more about the application process?”
Pitch Example (1st Year)
“Hello, my name is Jamal. I am a rst-year Intended
Management student seeking a summer opportunity
in the supply chain industry. Currently, I am a
member of Freshman Leadership Council at UGA.
This organization has improved my teamwork and
communication skills that I hope to utilize during
a summer internship. Can you tell me about the
opportunities available to rst-year students within
your organization?”
Conversation with a Recruiter
You may nd that the interactions you have
with employers dier depending on the person.
Reciting your pitch all at once may not always seem
appropriate. See below for an example of how you
can still incorporate the information from your
pitch into a conversation with an employer.
Student: Hello, I’m (your name).
Employer/Recruiter: [introduces themselves and
you might shake hands]
Student: I am a (ll in the blank) major with an
emphasis in (your particular area of focus if it is
related to the employer). I’m very interested in
(ll in what the organization does) and in your
company because of how you value (insert value
or information gathered from their website). I
would like to learn more about what internship/job
opportunities your company oers.
Employer: [Mentions internship/job opportunities]
Student: That sounds very interesting! What skills
and experience are needed to qualify for your entry
level positions?
Employer: [Lists some of the skills and experience
they are seeking]
Student: Between my coursework, employment, and
volunteer experience, I have developed a number
of skills, including (list your skills and experiences
relevant to this particular employer). What are the
next steps for applying to your organization?
Employer: [Oers information on next steps]
Student: Thank you so much! This was very helpful.
May I leave a copy of my resume with you? / May
I have your contact information so I can follow up
with you later?
Pro Tip: Customize your pitch to each organization
by incorporating your employer research. Reect on
what you learned from your experiences and how
they apply to the opportunity you are seeking.
19
Build Your Network
Networking does not require that you know a
lot of people - only that you want to know more
people than you do now. Though it may seem
intimidating, all you need is preparation, time,
and eort.
Know Yourself
To facilitate a self-assessment, reect on
your skills, interests, personality, and values.
Considering who you are will help you make
conversation and connections with others who
share these traits in common.
Determine Your Purpose
If you are exploring major or career options, your
purpose is to gather information about careers
that interest you. For full-time employment, your
purpose is to obtain advice and job leads.
Develop a List of Potential Contacts
Include classmates, family members, professors,
advisors, and current/former employers. Initiate
new contacts through guest speakers, career
fair representatives, members of professional
organizations, and online networks. You can also
nd a UGA mentor via the UGA Mentor Program.
Practice Introductions
The elevator pitch, an abbreviated introduction of
yourself, can be used in a situation where you do
not have much time to talk. It is also a good lead-
in for phone conversations with contacts. See p. 19
to learn how to craft an introduction.
Ways To Network
Face-to-Face
• Ultimately, you want to end up networking
face-to-face.
• Talk to people you know well and let them
know your purpose for networking.
• These initial contacts will lead to meetings
with secondary contacts.
• Have a list of questions to facilitate the
conversation. See p. 24 for inspiration.
• Career fairs are a convenient way to meet with
employers face-to-face.
Phone & Video Calls
• Use phone or video calls to network with
individuals who are not local to your area.
• Minimize noise and be aware of your
background if you are using video.
• Always clearly identify yourself, the reason
you are calling, and give the name of who
referred you, if applicable.
• Suggest a follow-up conversation.
Email
• Use email if you are familiar with the contact
and know their organization’s culture is
email- friendly.
• Send a message that uses professional
language. See p. 21 and 41 for sample
networking emails.
• Use formal greetings, such as “Dear Mr./Ms.
[last name]:".
• Include a signature with your name, major,
and contact information.
Online
• There's a better way to network. Visit mentor.
uga.edu today and nd a UGA mentor who can
help you shape your future.
• Use LinkedIn to connect with professionals in
your eld. See p. 21 for tips.
• Use Handshake to nd information sessions
you can attend to meet prospective employers.
• Check career.uga.edu/calendar for UGA
networking events with alumni and/or
industry professionals.
20
How To Leverage LinkedIn
LinkedIn Alumni Tool
To nd UGA alumni, search for UGA's LinkedIn prole and select
"Alumni" from the menu (linkedin.com/school/university-of-georgia/
people). You can use the graphs or keyword searches to lter alumni by
location, company, industry, area of study, and more.
Groups
Joining groups is a quick way to build your network. If you add valuable
input to group conversations, you can enhance your professional brand.
Access groups by clicking the “For Business” box in the upper right
corner and then the “Groups” icon.
Job Search Tools
There are many ways LinkedIn can support your job search eorts,
including job alerts. LinkedIn will also suggest jobs you might be
interested in and allow you to save those jobs.
People Search
Use the LinkedIn search bar to nd more people to expand your network.
You can search for keywords (such as a job title) and/or apply lters
using the dropdown list.
Company Research
Prepare for an upcoming interview by using LinkedIn to learn more
about the company and see any connections that work there. Search for
the company, follow their page, and learn more about their culture from
their posts.
Search Appearances
On your LinkedIn prole, you can now see how many people found you
from a LinkedIn search. You can see the companies and job titles of those
who found you. Knowing who is searching for you could help you learn
who you may want to network with in your job and internship search.
Career Center Tips
Sample LinkedIn Message
Dear Mr. Jones:
I am currently a senior
psychology major at UGA
hoping to enter the counseling
eld. I noticed on your prole
that you are also a UGA alum
with experience in this eld.
I would love the opportunity
to connect with you and learn
more about your career path.
Thanks!
Sincerely,
Samantha Meyer
Pro Tip: Be aware of character
limits when sending these
personalized connection
requests.
Customize Your Headline
Your headline is one of the
rst items people see on
your prole. Customize your
information with more details
about who you are and what
you are seeking.
LinkedIn Learning
All UGA students have free
access to LinkedIn Learning
(eits.uga.edu/learning_and_
training/linkedinlearning)
with their MyID. Get trained in
the latest software or improve
your business/communication
skills with an online trainng
library of more than 16,000
courses. Connect your
LinkedIn prole to LinkedIn
Learning so that completed
courses and certications
automatically post to your
LinkedIn prole.
21
Diversity & Inclusion Resources
The Career Center serves all undergraduate and graduate students at UGA as well as alumni. We are
committed to providing resources that integrate diversity and inclusion into career development. Our
eorts focus on race, ethnicity, sexual orientation, gender identity, rst-generation college students,
ability, class, and other identity-based experiences. We describe our specic work in our DEI Action Plan
(career.uga.edu/our_commitment_to_diversity_equity_and_inclusion).
Diversity and Inclusion Career Conference
During this annual event, explore the benets and challenges of being your full self in the workplace.
Network with employers who have a commitment to diversity and inclusion to learn about opportunities to
engage with their organizations.
Arch Ready Diversity & Inclusion Track
Explore our diversity-focused Arch Ready Professionalism Certicate workshops. Presented by Career
Center sta, employers, alumni, and campus partners, the subject matter of each workshop varies by
semester. Recurring topics include Identities in the Workplace, Disabilities in the Workplace, and Women in
the Workplace. For details, visit our Arch Ready webpage (career.uga.edu/archready).
DEI Networking Dinner at Maggiano’s
Each fall, students can build social capital by traveling to Atlanta with UGA Career Center sta to network
with employers during dinner and a dessert reception at Maggiano’s Little Italy.
For more information on identity-based resources, our campus partnerships, or how to nd a company
committed to D&I, visit our Diversity & Inclusion Resources webpage (career.uga.edu/diversity_resources).
22
Find a UGA Mentor
Connecting with your Bulldog family can help you get ahead in life and career, but where do you even start?
The UGA Mentor Program helps connect the Dawgs, one meaningful relationship at a time. We personalize
the networking process by connecting you to experienced UGA Mentors (alumni, faculty, and sta) who are
just right for your commitment.
“It has definitely been
amazing having someone in
my corner to help me through
the uncertainties and keep me
motivated! I truly enjoyed the
experience and the impact it
has made on my first year in
college. I value the life-long
connection I have made with my
mentor.”
-Kevin Nwogu (UGA '22)
Getting started is simple.
1. Create a prole at mentor.uga.edu.
2. Watch a short orientation video.
3. Connect with a mentor for a 16-week mentorship and/or a 15-30-minute quick chat. You can nd the
right mentor for you by narrowing down your search based on location, identity, industry, and more.
Tips to develop a successful mentoring relationship:
• Take the lead in the relationship and establish the expectations for the mentorship.
• Use our helpful guidelines, icebreakers, and resources (mentor.uga.edu/programs/ugamentor/
resources/documents) to guide you along the way.
• Display professional behavior by responding promptly and communicating professionally.
• Work with your mentor to set goals for the year, soliciting constructive feedback and guidance to
promote personal and professional development related to your goals.
• Accept and act upon constructive feedback.
• Send your mentor a hand-written thank you card or email for investing in you.
There's a better way to network.
Visit mentor.uga.edu today and nd a mentor who can help you shape your future.
Inspiring our students to do more, achieve more, and become more. That's our commitment.
23
Informational Interviews 101
An informational interview is an opportunity to
spend time with a professional in a career eld of
interest. These interviews may also be useful in a
graduate school search as you explore and narrow
down your options. Informational interviews can
help you build your network, tap into the hidden
job market, and learn unpublished details about a
specic company, organization, or school. Best of
all, the UGA Mentor Program oers you the ability
to schedule quick chats with experienced mentors.
Follow the guidelines below to respect the time and
energy of the professional you contact. Start your
informational interview with a brief introduction
of yourself and context for why you asked for the
meeting prior to beginning your questions.
Preparation
• Register as a Mentee in the UGA Mentor
Program (mentor.uga.edu). Complete your
prole to receive mentor recommendations.
• Identify a UGA Mentor in an industry, career, or
organization that interests you.
• Reach out via the UGA Mentor Program platform
to schedule a mutually benecial time to
connect via phone, virtually, or in-person.
• Prepare for the informational interview using
some of our sample questions on the right.
• When arranging an informational interview,
plan for the interview to take 30 minutes or less.
• Pay close attention to the time so that you can
respect the professional’s schedule.
• It is not appropriate to ask the professional
about their salary. To review salary ranges and
benets in a eld, check out Glassdoor on p. 15.
Sample Script
“Hello, my name is __. I found your name through
the UGA Mentor Program. I am a (class year)
(major) at UGA and am interested in
arranging an informational interview to learn
more about your journey to __. If you are
interested, please let me know when would be a
good time for me to meet with you over the
phone, in person, or virtually for a 30-minute
conversation. I am happy to provide dates and times
that are suitable for my schedule, should you nd
this more convenient.”
Sample Questions To Ask
• How did you get started in this eld?
• What is your educational background?
• What are your major responsibilities?
• Could you tell me more about your company/
organization?
• What is the most rewarding/challenging aspect
of your career?
• What is the most rewarding/challenging aspect
of your current company?
• What is a typical day like?
• What is the most common entry-level career
path to get to your position?
• What do you predict is the future of this career?
• What kind of individual (skills/personality/
traits) seem to do well in this eld?
• What factors are considered when hiring?
• What is the best educational preparation for a
career in this eld?
• Which classes and experiences would be most
helpful to obtain while still in college?
• How does one move within the organization?
• How do people nd out about open positions in
this eld?
• How would you describe your work
environment/company culture?
• What are areas for potential growth/decline?
• Which professional journals/organizations
would be most helpful in evaluating the eld?
• Who else do you recommend I talk to, and may I
have permission to use your name as a referral?
• Can you recommend other types of
organizations I might investigate or contact?
24
CED.UGA.EDU
College of
Environment + Design
UNIVERSITY OF GEORGIA
COMMIT TO UGA'S PRESERVATION,
PLANNING & DESIGN COLLEGE!
The CED equips future leaders in landscape architecture, historic
preservation, and urban planning and design with critical thinking
and management skills, using innovative experiential-learning
pedagogies. CED fosters research-based creative work that
advances the understanding and management of the places where
people live to ensure a sustainable future.
Master of Landscape
Architecture
Master of Urban
Planning & Design
Master of Historic
Preservation
PhD in Environmental
Design & Planning
Career Readiness Skills
Employers and graduate programs want students and recent graduates who know how to articulate and
use their talents, strengths, and skills. Career Readiness is the attainment and demonstration of requisite
competencies that broadly prepare college graduates for a successful transition into the workplace.
Students can expand on these competencies learned though curricular and co-curricular activities on
resumes, LinkedIn proles, and interview answers. These competencies are as follows:
Career & Self-Development
Proactively develop oneself and one’s career through continual personal and professional
learning, awareness of one’s strengths and weaknesses, navigation of career opportunities,
and networking to build relationships within organizations.
Communication
Clearly and eectively exchange information, ideas, facts, and perspectives with persons inside
and outside of an organization.
Critical Thinking
Identify and respond to needs based upon an understanding of situational context and logical
analysis of relevant information.
Equity & Inclusion
Demonstrate the awareness, attitude, knowledge, and skills required to equitably engage and
include people from dierent local and global cultures. Engage in anti-racist practices that
actively challenge the systems, structures, and policies of racism.
Leadership
Recognize and capitalize on personal and team strengths to achieve organizational goals.
Professionalism
Knowing work environments dier greatly, understand and demonstrate eective work habits,
and act in the interest of the larger community and workplace.
Teamwork
Build and maintain collaborative relationships to work eectively toward common goals, while
appreciating diverse viewpoints and shared responsibilities.
Technology
Understand and leverage technologies ethically to enhance eciencies, complete tasks, and
accomplish goals.
Reprinted courtesy of the National Association of Colleges and Employers (NACE, 2020). Career Readiness Competencies.
naceweb.org/career-readiness/competencies/career-readiness-dened
26
Resume Breakdown
Below is a resume template to serve as a guide. Note that experiences should be in reverse chronological
order and include dates and locations. As a student, your education should be above your experiences. Order
the rest of the page by relevance to the position. While not represented here, study abroad, volunteering,
certications, and relevant coursework are other options to place on a resume. See p. 32-35 for examples.
Name (14pt-16pt font)
City, State ZIP | Email Address | Phone Number | Portfolio/Website/LinkedIn (Optional)
EDUCATION
University of Georgia Athens, GA
Bachelor of Science/
Arts, Major Month and Year Expected
/Received
Second Major, Minor,
Certificate, Emphasis GPA:
X.XX/4.00
Academic Awards (optional)
RELEVANT
EXPERIENCE
Name of Company
City,
State
Job Title Month and Year Range
• Include 2-5 bullet points demonstrating skills you have gained through this position that relate back to
the job description.
• Place an action verb at the beginning of a bullet point statement to make it impactful.
• Use quantifiers whenever possible, such as numbers, money amounts, or percentages.
ADDITIONAL
EXPERIENCE
Name of
Company City,
State
Job Title Month and Year Range
• An easy bullet point formula is Task + Skill + Quantity + Result/Purpose.
• Use the formula as a guide, but not every element needs to appear in every bullet.
• Use simple present or simple past tense to describe your action and apply consistently when formatting.
INVOLVEMENT EXPERIENCE
Name of
Club/Organization, Your Title (if applicable)
Month and Year Range
• Emphasize accomplishments over day-to-day tasks.
• Using these suggestions, you might create a bullet point that looks like the ones below.
PROJECT EXPERIENCE
Name of
Project, Name of Course
Month and Year Range
• Wrote a 5-page research proposal with an experimental framework to test __ hypothesis.
• Collaborated with a group of 4 by using communication skills to coordinate our experiment and delegate
responsibilities over a period of 6 weeks.
• Completed a literary review of 20+ relevant peer-reviewed studies and designed a group presentation in
Canva to discuss findings.
SKILLS
(
List skills in order of what most pertains to your field. Dividing comma-separated lists into categories is just
one way to organize your skills.
Example categories include language, technical, laboratory, etc.)
Skill Category 1
: Skill 1, Skill 2, Skill 3
Skill Categ
ory 2: Skill 1, Skill 2, Skill 3
Skill Category 3
: Skill 1, Skill 2, Skill 3
HONORS AND AWARDS
Name of Honor/Award/Grant
Month and Year
Received
27
Marketing Your Part-Time Work
Below are examples of jobs UGA students might have during college, along with examples of strong bullet point
descriptions. Note that the descriptions include skills gained in addition to specic tasks and responsibilities.
Remember to tailor your resume and highlight transferable skills relevant to the job for which you are applying.
Childcare Provider
• Ensured the safety, health, and welfare of 4
children ages 5 to 11 every day after school.
• Organized safe, fun, and educational activities,
such as visits to the park and artistic crafts.
• Supported learning by explaining homework
and walking through problems together.
Restaurant Services
• Managed guest complaints, recommendations,
and accommodation requests.
• Focused on proper safety procedures for
preparation and storage of food.
• Recommended nightly specials to customers
and enhanced sales by 10%.
Bartender
• Checked I.D. of 75+ customers/night to verify
age requirements for alcohol purchases.
• Attended bar patrons while communicating
with servers to ll drink orders.
• Trained 8 new bartenders and servers on cash
register ordering system.
Retail Sales Associate
• Handled a daily revenue average of $__ and
utilized a specic point-of-sale system.
• Engaged customers with a helpful attitude
when providing product recommendations.
• Processed returns and purchases of $2,000+
with cash, credit cards, and gift cards.
Tutor
• Instructed 10 undergraduate students in __
and __ during individual sessions.
• Incorporated straightforward language to
eectively convey complex concepts.
• Developed detailed examples to increase
student understanding and retention.
Lifeguard
• Maintained safety for an average of 100+
swimmers daily on a team of 6 sta members.
• Taught daily hour swim lessons to individuals
and groups of children ages #__ to #__.
• Implemented policies of the swimming area and
addressed issues from guests.
Inventory Associate
• Collaborated with a team of 7 to keep shelves
stocked and maintain the store's appearance.
• Demonstrated product knowledge by assisting
customers in merchandise selection.
• Reconciled invoices with products received by
submitting detailed reports in tracking system.
Lawn Care Service Provider
• Maintained lawns for 12 clients per week and
arranged transportation of equipment.
• Promoted services through yers, emails, and
social media to obtain new customers.
• Managed schedules for up to 4 employees and
delegated special projects to team members.
Oce AssistantD
• Entered patient information in Excel and
organized oce by ling documents.
• Exhibited communication skills by managing
multiple phone lines and greeting customers.
• Scheduled appointments with oce personnel
according to the needs of the client.
Resident Assistant
• Led #__ residents of __ Hall by building
individual relationships with 1st year students.
• Developed monthly community programs to
promote cultural diversity and well-being.
• Mediated student concerns, provided resources,
and responded to emergency situations.
Student Worker/Intern/Part-Time Worker
Pro Tip: Use descriptive titles for the roles listed on your resume. For example, try “Accounting Intern”
rather than “Intern” or try “Oce Assistant” rather than “Student Worker.”
28
Marketing Your Other Experience
Below are additional ideas of experiences you can include on your resume to highlight your UGA experiential
learning. Remember, employers and graduate schools like to see what you are doing outside of the classroom.
Notice that the bullet points still focus on specic skills as well as tasks and responsibilities.
Intern for a Day
• Conducted 4 interviews with insurance
professionals to gain industry insights.
• Accompanied a broker on a site visit to observe
daily protocol and professional etiquette.
• Attended a weekly sta meeting to learn about
current expansion projects.
Shadowing
• Observed for 60 hours at __ Hospital by
viewing blood draws, x-rays, and ultrasounds.
• Learned about diagnostic processes and patient
health education in pediatrics.
• Made rounds to see 170+ patient contacts and
40+ minimally invasive surgical procedures.
Arch Ready Professionalism CerticateD
• Attended 5 workshops on interview
preparation, LinkedIn, and mentorship.
• Learned to communicate with employers by
participating in alumni networking panels.
• Completed an online assessment to provide
programming feedback to the Career Center.
Volunteer
• Provided weekly service to elderly residents
through the Meals on Wheels program.
• Designed and distributed program brochures to
100+ residents in the community.
• Trained 15 new volunteers in the proper care of
animals, including grooming and exercising.
Mentee
• Participated in the UGA Mentor Program as a
mentee to grow personally and professionally.
• Drove mentoring relationship through setting
expectations and establishing goals.
• Observed the day-to-day of a business analyst
at a large food and beverage corporation.
Research Assistant
• Conducted research for 3 months with the goal
of __.
• Regulated control elements for __ by recording
daily measurements of __ in Excel.
• Presented analysis and results in poster format
at an annual regional conference.
Student Organization
• Led weekly meetings of 85 members to
communicate organization updates.
• Co-managed a $30,000 yearly budget to fund
philanthropic engagements and social events.
• Ensured all members completed 15+ community
service hours each semester.
Student-Athlete
• Trained 20 hours/week while improving time
management, leadership, and teamwork skills.
• Represented interests of other athletes on the
Student-Athlete Advisory Committee.
• Competed with SEC Conference Championship
Team in 3 successive years.
Study Abroad
• Completed 2 cultural linguistics courses for 6
total credit hours.
• Developed a global perspective on international
issues through discussions with local students.
• Traveled independently to France and Italy to
become fully immersed in European culture.
Class Project
• Develop a marketing campaign with 3 peers for
a hypothetical company.
• Contributed to the research and writing of a 15-
page paper to accompany the pitch.
• Presented the project to a 100+ class and 3
professors from the Marketing Department.
Leadership, Project, Research, Shadowing Experience
Pro Tip: If you have a lot of experience with any of the above categories or examples, consider if you want a
separate section of your resume for them, possibly appearing just under your Education section.
29
Strong Action Verbs
These categories represent skills employers and graduate schools say they want candidates to demonstrate on a
resume. Use these action verbs to describe your experiences. Remember to add in quantifiers when possible.
Organizational
Approve
Arrange
Categorize
Classify
Code
Collaborate
Collect
Compile
Conserve
Consolidate
Correct
Diagram
Distribute
Enlist
Execute
Expedite
Extract
Generate
Identify
Implement
Incorporate
Inspect
Integrate
Join
Log
Maintain
Monitor
Obtain
Operate
Organize
Prepare
Prioritize
Process
Purchase
Record
Reshape
Reorganize
Respond
Retrieve
Revamp
Review
Revise
Schedule
Screen
Set up
Shape
Specialize
Specify
Streamline
Substitute
Standardize
Systematize
Tabulate
Target
Update
Validate
Creative
Act
Adapt
Advertise
Begin
Broaden
Combine
Compose
Conceive
Condense
Conceptualize
Conduct
Create
Customize
Demonstrate
Design
Develop
Direct
Discover
Display
Draft
Dramatize
Draw
Entertain
Establish
Execute
Exhibit
Explore
Fashion
Forge
Formulate
Found
Illustrate
Imagine
Improvise
Initiate
Institute
Integrate
Introduce
Invent
Market
Model
Modernize
Modify
Originate
Perform
Photograph
Pilot
Pioneer
Plan
Present
Produce
Recommend
Redesign
Rehearse
Remodel
Renovate
Replace
Revise
Revitalize
Shape
Sketch
Spearhead
Transform
Financial
Account for
Adjust
Administer
Allocate
Analyze
Appraise
Audit
Balance
Budget
Calculate
Compute
Conserve
Control
Correct
Determine
Develop
Estimate
Finance
Forecast
Manage
Market
Measure
Monitor
Net
Plan
Prepare
Procure
Project
Purchase
Qualify
Reconcile
Reduce
Research
Retrieve
Transfer
Helping
Adapt
Advise
Advocate
Aid
Answer
Anticipate
Arrange
Assess
Clarify
Coach
Collaborate
Contribute
Cooperate
Counsel
Deliver
Demonstrate
Diagnose
Educate
Enable
Encourage
Enlist
Ensure
Evaluate
Expedite
Facilitate
Familiarize
Foster
Guide
Handle
Help
Moderate
Observe
Orient
Predict
Prescribe
Protect
Prevent
Provide
Reconcile
Rectify
Refer
Rehabilitate
Represent
Resolve
Serve
Simplify
Supply
Support
Volunteer
Leadership/Management
Accomplish
Account for
Administer
Adjust
Analyze
Appoint
Approve
Assign
Assume
Attain
Chair
Choose
Conceptualize
Conduct
Consolidate
Consult
Contact
Contract
Coordinate
Decide
Decrease
Delegate
Design
Determine
Develop
Devote
Direct
Dispatch
Dispense
Eliminate
Employ
Emphasize
Enforce
Enhance
Establish
Evaluate
Execute
Formulate
Generate
Handle
Head
Hire
Implement
Improve
Incorporate
Increase
Initiate
Institute
Lead
Leverage
Manage
Maintain
Merge
Motivate
Orchestrate
Order
Organize
Overhaul
Oversee
Plan
Perfect Replace
Preserve
Preside
Prioritize
Produce
Propose
Protect
Realize
Recommend
Recruit
Regulate
Reorganize
Review
Revitalize
Reward
Save
Set goals
Schedule
Streamline
Strengthen
Supervise
Terminate
Unify
30
Strong Action Verbs
Address
Advertise
Arbitrate
Arrange
Ascertain
Author
Brief
Collaborate
Communicate
Compose
Confront
Consult
Contact
Convey
Convince
Correspond
Define
Describe
Develop
Direct
Document
Draft
Edit
Educate
Elicit
Enlist
Explain
Express
Follow-up
Formulate
Communication
Incorporate
Influence
Inform
Interact
Interpret
Interview
Involve
Lecture
Market
Mediate
Meet
Moderate
Motivate
Negotiate
Network
Observe
Outline
Participate
Persuade
Present
Promote
Publicize
Publish
Question
Reconcile
Recruit
Refer
Reinforce
Report
Resolve
Respond
Solicit
Specify
Speak
Stipulate
Suggest
Summarize
Synthesize
Translate
Write
Problem-Solving/Analytical
Accumulate
Acquire
Address
Analyze
Brainstorm
Calculate
Chart
Clarify
Collaborate
Collect
Compare
Conduct
Diagnose
Design
Detect
Determine
Discover
Disprove
Evaluate
Examine
Extract
Formulate
Gather
Hypothesize
Identify
Interpret
Interview
Investigate
Modify
Organize
Reduce
Remedy
Research
Revamp
Review
Revitalize
Revive
Solve
Study
Summarize
Survey
Troubleshoot
Results
Accelerate
Accomplish
Achieve
Add
Advance
Attain
Augment
Award
Complete
Compound
Contribute
Decrease
Demonstrate
Double
Eliminate
Enlarge
Establish
Exceed
Excel
Expand
Extend
Fortify
Improve
Increase
Initiate
Introduce
Launch
Lower costs
Map
Maximize
Measure
Minimize
Obtain
Pioneer
Prove
Reduce
Reinstate
Resolve
Secure
Solicit
Stabilize
Standardize
Succeed
Transform
Trim
Triple
Validate
Widen
Win
Accept
Adapt
Advise
Analyze
Apply
Appraise
Appreciate
Assess
Assign
Attend
Categorize
Challenge
Choose
Clarify
Coach
Command
Communicate
Complement
Conduct
Consider
Cooperate
Coordinate
Correct
Critique
Define
Demonstrate
Designate
Develop
Direct
Discipline
Educate
Elaborate
Elicit
Emphasize
Enable
Encourage
Evaluate
Excite
Explain
Teaching
Explore
Facilitate
Focus
Generate
Guide
Head
Hypothesize
Identify
Implement
Incorporate
Indicate
Individualize
Infer
Inform
Initiate
Inquire
Instill
Instruct
Integrate
Interact
Investigate
Listen
Model
Modify
Motivate
Observe
Organize
Persuade
Ponder
Postulate
Praise
Provoke
Question
Reinforce
Rephrase
Research
Reward
Set goals
Set standards
Simplify
Solicit
Speculate
State
Stimulate
Structure
Synthesize
Systematize
Teach
Thank
Theorize
Train
Tutor
Technical/Research
Activate
Adapt
Apply
Appraise
Assemble
Begin
Build
Calculate
Compute
Configure
Conserve
Consolidate
Construct
Contrive
Convert
Coordinate
Create
Define
Deliver
Design
Detect
Determine
Develop
Devise
Display
Experiment
Exhibit
Fabricate
Formulate
Fortify
Implement
Install
Integrate
Investigate
Maintain
Navigate
Operate
Overhaul
Participate
Program
Reconfigure
Rehabilitate
Remodel
Repair
Rectify
Regulate
Resolve
Screen
Service
Solve
Streamline
Supply
Survey
Train
Troubleshoot
Upgrade
31
Steps to Cover Letter Success
A cover letter is a great way to show how your experiences, characteristics, and skills align with a job or
internship opportunity. See below to review the foundational elements for a successful cover letter and frequently
asked questions answered by one of UGA's top employers.
Header Address  
• Your name and contact information.
• Format exactly like the heading on your resume.
Date  
• The date you are applying/submitting.
Employer Address (if known)  
• Always include the person’s title (e.g., Director
of Human Resources).
• Address the recipient by their full name.
• Find the address on the organization’s website.
Greeting  
• Refer to the reader by their full name if possible.
If not, use "Dear Hiring Manager" or "To
[Position Title] Hiring Manager."
• Use a colon after greeting instead of a comma.
Opening: Why am I Writing? 
• Identify the position and the organization.
• Indicate how you learned about the position.
• Explain why you are interested in the employer
and position.
• Introduce why you would be the best candidate
for the position.
• Connect yourself to the organization in a unique
way, such as your shared values.
Middle: Why Should You Hire Me?  
• Relate your skills, experiences, and qualities that
would benefit you in the position.
• Synthesize your experiences and skills rather
than restate your resume.
• Highlight your strongest qualifications and
explain how they relate to the employer's needs.
• Demonstrate you are a good candidate based
upon the job description and connect your ideas.
Conclusion: What is My Next Step?  
• Reiterate your strong interest in the position/
organization with another personal connection.
• Provide your contact information and indicate
you look forward to hearing from the employer.
• Close with the word “Sincerely.”
• Add your digital signature followed by your full
name typed.
Pro Tip: See pages 38-39 for how you can tailor your
resume and cover letter to job descriptions.
Cover Letter Questions Answered by an Employer
Do I always submit a cover letter with an application?
“Always be prepared to provide a cover letter, and if there is an opportunity to submit one, do it! That
may help your chances, especially if your cover letter provides additional information not covered on your
resume for what makes you the best candidate for the position and further highlights your competitiveness
for the role.” – E. Butler, Recruiter
What are employers looking for in cover letters?
“Additional information that may not be included on the resume and further explains why you are the best
candidate for the position. It should further identify your competitiveness. The cover letter should also be
an interesting read that introduces you to the reader, while the resume goes deeper into your skills and
experiences that are transferable and would make you successful for the role you are applying to. The cover
letter can also be used to explain gaps in the work experience. The cover letter should not be used to restate
everything covered on the resume.” E. Butler, Recruiter
36
•
GRADUATE PROGRAMS
MASTER’S AND DOCTORAL
Study with award-winning faculty and students in a
challenging and stimulating intellectual environment
Gain access to expertise in the history of the American
South, African-American history, global capitalism,
agriculture and the environment, labor, gender, science
and medicine, Latin America, and the Atlantic World
Prepare for careers in museum studies and public
history through curated coursework and certicate
programs
Join our graduate alums who work in both academic
and professional elds, including as tenure-track
professors, archivists, academic advisors, editors, public
historians, and museum curators
Benet from assistance with placement in the history
profession and other career pathways from an advisory
committee and Director of Graduate Studies
•
•
•
•
FOR MORE INFO
HISTORY
.UGA.EDU/GRADUATE
:
Are you interested in becoming
certied to teach a World Language
or ESOL in a P-12 setting in
Georgia?
Do you already teach one of these
subjects and want to advance
your teaching career from a T4
certication to a T5?
Join the MAT in TESOL
and World Language
Education at UGA.
This four-semester program will
give you the tools to eectively teach
languages and cultures while making a
dierence in the world one learner at
a time. Our program includes the latest
theories, approaches, and practices
in language education and provides
multiple opportunities for rst-hand
experiences in various P-12 settings,
including online teaching.
Scan the QR code to learn
more about our programs:
Contact:
Dr. Lou Tolosa-Casadont
(program coordinator) at
[email protected]
•
•
How to Dress for Success
Business Professional Attire
Workplace attire varies greatly by company or organization. Industry standards for business professional
attire typically include suits, dress shoes, and neutral colors. Business professional attire should be crisp
and clean and often reects a more conservative look rather than bold prints and/or colors. Business
professional is the attire most often worn to interviews.
Below are some tips for business professional dress. Consider opting for a more conservative look the rst
few weeks at an oce or organization and adjust as appropriate.
• All clothing should be neatly pressed.
• Reect a neutral color palette.
• Carry a portfolio/padfolio. Briefcases and handbags should be black, navy, or other neutral tones.
• Dress shoes, including ats, closed-toe shoes, heels, and loafers, should be polished. If heels are your
preferred option, the heel should be no higher than 3.5 inches.
• Limit perfume or cologne.
• Nails should be clean and neat, as should any polish.
• Suits should have matching pieces (can include skirts, dresses, or pants as you prefer).
• Use simple accessories and avoid large watches and jewelry.
• Wear neat, simple makeup if you feel inclined to wear any.
For additional inspiration, follow the Career Center on Pinterest (pinterest.com/ugacareercenter/
business-professional-attire) for business casual and business professional examples.
Pro Tip: SGA’s Professional Clothing Closet (sga-professional-clothing-closet.myshopify.com) provides
free professional clothing. As a UGA student, you have access to 1 outt per academic year.
44
How to Dress for Success
Business Casual Attire
Business casual attire describes additional options for color and style depending on your workplace
environment. Your workplace should specify if they adhere to a business casual dress code. If they do not
specify, do not hesitate to ask. Business casual attire allows you to add a bit of color and variety to your
professional wardrobe.
Much like interview attire, business casual should still be crisp, conservative, and neat. It is not as formal
as an interview outt, but it is not casual attire either. You are still in a workplace environment and want to
reect a professional look. You should dress as though you are prepared to meet with the leadership of your
organization at any time.
Below are some tips for business casual dress. If you are in doubt, observe the people in your oce and in
your industry to understand the standard dress.
• All clothing should be neatly pressed.
• Blazers do not have to be the same color as the pants.
• Blouses, buttoned shirts, and polo shirts are all acceptable.
• Dress shoes, such as ats, closed-toe shoes, heels, and loafers, are acceptable.
• Dress slacks/pants, khaki pants, and dress capri pants are all acceptable options.
• Dresses and skirts should be knee-length.
• Polo shirts may be appropriate if the environment will be more casual or outdoors.
• Spaghetti straps and narrow tank tops should have a top or sweater over them.
• Ties are generally not necessary for business casual. If in doubt, you can wear a tie.
For questions about dress related to gender expression or cultural identity, we encourage you to make an
appointment with your career consultant.
45
Ultimate Guide to Interviews
An interview gives the opportunity for both the employer and candidate
to evaluate each other. The employer gets to make a more in-depth
assessment of the candidate, and the candidate has a chance to interact
with organization representatives.
Accepting The Interview
q Acknowledge or decline an invitation to visit an employer within 24
hours of receiving the invitation.
q Only accept an invitation if you are genuinely interested in the
position and have not accepted another job oer.
q Be sure to have a voicemail message that is clear and professional if
you miss an expected call from an employer.
q Communicate absences with your professors. Avoid conicts with
exams or project deadlines.
Before The Interview
q Schedule a mock interview with your career consultant.
q Obtain the interviewer’s name and title.
q Conrm the time, date, and location/platform of the interview.
q Research the position and organization thoroughly. See p. 17.
q Identify your skills and experiences that relate to the job.
q Review common questions and practice answering them aloud.
q Understand the four main types of interview questions and how to
prepare for them. See p. 47.
q Prepare 3-5 questions to ask the interviewer.
q Plan what to wear. Check out p. 44-45.
During the Interview
q Time your arrival to 10-15 minutes before the interview start time
and have printed copies of your resume.
q Relax, be yourself, and be positive. Be aware of your posture, eye
contact, and body language.
q Listen closely to questions and be concise in your answers while
giving concrete examples.
q Clarify the hiring timeline to inform when you should hear back
from the interviewer.
q Collect business cards, or at least name and title, from everyone.
After The Interview
q Write a thank you email to the interviewer(s). Review the email for
spelling or grammatical errors. See p. 40.
q Follow up to determine your application's status if the employer has
not contacted you within the stated time frame.
q In follow-up, express your interest in the position and reiterate why
you are the ideal candidate.
q Continue to apply to other roles and network with employers until
you have accepted an oer.
Career Center Tips
Four Main Types of
Interviews
Traditional: Gains basic
information about an
applicant’s background,
interests, skills, and reasons
for applying.
Behavioral: Based on the
premise that past behavior
predicts future behavior
on the job. Questions are
situation-based and often
start with, “Tell me about a
time when...”
Case: Presents the
interviewee with a problem
to discuss and solve. Getting
the correct answer is not as
important as the analysis of
the problem.
Situational: Presents
the interviewee with a
hypothetical scenario that
could occur in the role and
asks how to handle it.
Pro Tip: Practice is
important!
• Create an account with
Big Interview (uga.
biginterview.com), an
online platform that
records your answers as
you practice interviewing
and provides AI feedback
on your delivery.
• Schedule a mock
interview with a
Career Consultant
on Handshake (uga.
joinhandshake.com).
46
Sample Interview Questions
You can schedule a mock interview with your career
consultant to practice your responses to any type of
interview question or nd further sample questions
sorted by industry/competency on Big Interview
(uga.biginterview.com).
Sample Traditional Questions
• Tell me about yourself.
• Why are you interested in this position?
• What do you know about our company/
organization/school?
• What are your greatest strengths and
weaknesses?
• What are your 2-3 proudest accomplishments
and why?
• How would a supervisor, coworker, or professor
describe you?
• What was your decision process when selecting
your college/university/major?
• What are your future career goals? Where would
you like to be in 5 years?
• Why are you the best candidate for this position?
• How would you describe your ideal work
environment or culture?
Sample Behavioral Questions
• Tell me about a time when you had to resolve
a dierence of opinion with a co-worker,
customer, or supervisor.
• Tell me about a time you failed at something.
• Give me an example of a time when you did not
meet a deadline. How did you handle it?
• Describe the most creative presentation or idea
that you developed or implemented.
• Tell me about a tough decision you made. What
steps and considerations did you take to make
that decision?
• What have you done in your present or previous
job that goes beyond what was required?
• Describe a situation in which you had to
persuade someone of a dierent point of view.
• Tell me about a time when you faced an ethical
dilemma and how you handled it.
• What are three eective leadership qualities
you think are important? How have you
demonstrated these qualities in your past or
current position?
• Give me a specic example of a time when you
had to address an upset client. What was the
problem? The outcome?
• Tell me about a time when you demonstrated
excellent communication skills. What did
you need to communicate, and how did you
communicate the information clearly?
Sample Case Question
• A major airline is considering the purchase of 24
new planes. They are unclear how this will aect
their business performance in the short term
and long term. You are the Senior Consultant,
meeting with the Operating Committee for the
rst time. I am the Chief Operating Ocer of the
company. What would you need to know from
me in order to assess the situation?
Pro Tip: Search the Vault Guide to Case Interviews in
Vault (career.uga.edu/vault) for additional examples
and advice on case interview questions.
Sample Situational Questions
• What would you do if the priorities suddenly
changed on a project you were working on?
• What would you do if a team member was not
meeting your expectations?
• What would you do if you disagreed with your
supervisor or oce leadership about how to
handle a problem or situation?
Questions To Ask Employers
• How would you describe the work environment?
Company culture?
• What type of training program or orientation
does a new employee receive?
• What professional development opportunities
are typically available to this position?
• How much travel will be involved in the role?
• What are the next steps in your search process,
and what is your hiring timeline?
Pro Tip: When asking questions, state your company
research and then ask a question. For example: "I
saw in the job description that I would be working
on A, B, & C. How much time will I spend on each
area in a typical day?"
47
Use STAR Method to Ace Your Interview
The STAR method is a structure for responding to
behavioral-based interview questions by describing
your experiences with context about the specific
situation, task, action, and result.
Situation (S)
Describe the situation around your story or the task
that you needed to accomplish. This description
should be a specific event instead of a generalized
description. Be sure to give enough detail for the
interviewer to understand. This situation can be
from a previous job, a volunteer experience, or any
relevant event.
Task (T)
What goal were you working toward? What was the
problem? What was your role?
Action (A)
Describe the actions you took to address the
situation. If working with a team, interchange
descriptions of the team's actions with your specific
contributions. Use "we" to focus on your teamwork
skills and "I" to describe your own actions.
Result (R)
Describe the outcome of your actions and take credit
for your successes. What happened in the end? What
did you accomplish? If the result was less positive,
what did you learn? Ending your answer with a
result helps you to meaningfully conclude your
response and connect your answer to the question.
Sample Question 1
Tell me about a time you demonstrated excellent
communication skills.
S: During my second year at UGA, I demonstrated
my communication skills as co-captain on my
ultimate Frisbee intramural team.
T: Our goal was to win the playos. As one of the
team captains for 12 players, I communicated our
plan and strategy with everyone.
A: I organized practice times twice a week, used
group text, and sent calendar invites to everyone.
I also recorded our practices and emailed them to
the team afterwards.
R: Because of all the steps that I took to
communicate with my team, we felt prepared for
the playos and won the series. My teammates told
me how much they appreciated my reminders and
videos, as it helped them feel more condent in their
role on game day. I learned that communication
makes it easier for all team members to contribute.
Sample Question 2
Tell me about a time you failed at something.
S: When I was a rst-year student, I took a First-
Year Odyssey Seminar to learn more about UGA and
make connections with other students.
T: To get to know each other, the class wrote
discussion posts every week on a dierent topic
related to what we were learning in class and then
respond to two of our classmates' reections.
A: I was having an extremely busy week with
my other classes and involvement in my student
organization. I forgot to contribute to the discussion
post and lost several points in the class.
R: Ever since I made this mistake, I now use my
Outlook calendar in the beginning of every week to
organize my studies and involvement. I also review
all my syllabi in the beginning of the semester to
record the due date of any major assignments so
that I can plan ahead. Since implementing this
change, I have not missed any more assignments.
48
Tips for Phone and Video Interviews
Employers often use telephone and video interviews to screen and narrow a pool of applicants just like an
in-person interview. Though it may seem like a casual conversation, you should adequately prepare for a
phone or video interview by taking these steps.
Phone Interviews
• Have a professional voicemail message if you
miss a call from an employer.
• Choose a quiet interview location that is free
from distractions.
• Disable or silence notications on your phone to
minimize interruptions.
• Keep your resume and notes nearby.
• Refrain from reading o a script as you might
sound stilted or disingenuous.
• Smiling helps to produce a pleasant voice.
• Sit up straight or stand during a phone interview
to sound more condent and alert.
• Speak clearly and directly into the phone.
• Conduct your interview in a location that has
reliable cell service or Wi-Fi.
Live Video Interviews
• Read the interview instructions carefully and
download the requested platform in advance.
• Update your software and check your settings
prior to the interview’s start time.
• Keep your background uncluttered or use a
professional virtual background.
• Turn your cell phone on silent. Keep pets in a
separate room. Ask roommates for privacy.
• Adjust the camera to ensure the employer can
see your professional attire, not just your face.
• Dress professionally from head to toe - you
never know when you may need to stand up.
• Have a phone readily available in case of
technical issues.
Pre-Recorded Video Interviews
• Practice using a similar platform, like Big
Interview (uga.biginterview.com), a resource
that is free for UGA students.
• Make (virtual) eye contact by looking at the
camera. If you are using a laptop, try elevating
the laptop by placing a book underneath it.
• The interviewer is interested in your personality
as well as your answer. Smile, emit condence,
and remain authentic.
Tips for Distance Interviewing
• Research the company, read through the job
description, and practice answering interview
questions in the same way you would for an in-
person interview.
• Let your interviewer know if you cannot hear or
understand them. There may be an easily xable
connection problem, and it is better to speak up
than to misunderstand them.
• Call in early. You will want to have a few minutes
to resolve any problems that may occur.
• Be concise. Depending on the scenario, you may
not be able to pick up on visual cues that you
have said enough. Keep your answers fairly brief,
typically 2-3 minutes per question.
• Understand that many companies approach
these conversations as screening interviews, so
do not worry if it seems brief.
• Ask about next steps and further interviews.
• Consider calling the Career Center at least 24
hours in advance to inquire about using one of
our interview rooms for your virtual interview.
49
Negotiation 101
Career Center Tips
The Negotiation Process
Before negotiating, you need
to know your value. Develop
value statements using this
template: I accomplished insert
accomplishment using insert
skill(s), which beneted my
company by insert result(s).
Answer these questions to help
cultivate your value statements:
• What are your skills,
accomplishments, and
abilities from past jobs,
internships, or school
projects?
• What successful outcomes
resulted from your skills and
abilities?
Before Negotiation,
Ask Yourself:
• What do you wish to
negotiate and why?
• Do you know the minimum
salary and benets you are
willing to accept?
• What is the cost of living
where you will be working?
Resources
•
Glassdoor (glassdoor.com/
Salaries/index.htm)
• Bureau of Labor Statistics
(bls.gov/bls/blswage.htm)
• Salary.com (salary.com/
research/salary)
• Payscale.com (payscale.com/
research/US/Job)
• Nerdwallet Cost of Living
Calculator (nerdwallet.com/
cost-of-living-calculator)
• AAUW Work Smart (aauw.
org/resources/programs/
salary)
Practice Scenarios
Scenario 1
Early in the interview process you are asked the question, “What salary
are you seeking?” How do you respond?
You: “What is most important to me is whether or not the job is a good
match for me and the company. I am willing to negotiate, but I would
rather wait to discuss salary until after we determine whether or not I
am the best person for this position.”
Employer: “We need to know what you are expecting.”
You: “Based on the research I have conducted, the market rate salary
for this type of position could be anywhere from $50,000-$55,000,
depending on the specics of the job, the location, and the total
compensation package. I would expect a salary and benets package
that is comparable to the market rate.”
Scenario 2
You are oered a salary of $45,000 for a Financial Advisor position, but
you would like to negotiate for a higher gure. What do you say?
You: “I am pleased to read the initial annual salary of $45,000 provided
by your company. According to my market research, the average salary
for Financial Advisors in this region is above $50,000. Such salaries
correspond with the experience and knowledge that I will bring to your
team. I am very interested in this position and your company. Is there
any room to negotiate this initial oer?”
Scenario 2 Alternative
You: “I am very excited to work for your company, and I am condent
that I will bring value to the job. I appreciate the initial salary oer of
$45,000, but I am expecting to be in the $50,000 range based on my
experience, past performance, and oers extended to me by other
companies. While salary is not my only motivation for working here,
would it be possible to discuss a salary and/or benets increase?”
Employer: “The company is not in a position at this time to oer a
higher initial salary.”
You: “I understand. Are there other areas we can discuss, such as start
date, childcare, and/or a exible work schedule to accommodate the gap
in total compensation?”
Pro Tip: Be open to negotiating salary, health benets, paid personal
days, telework opportunities, or other items that are important to you.
50
Steps to Graduate & Professional School
Applying to graduate school requires careful planning and consideration
to make a sound nancial and academic decision. The considerations
below can help you get started.
Start with, “Why?”
• Is an advanced degree required to enter or advance in your profession
of interest?
• Do you have the nancial resources or know of options to cover the
cost of graduate school?
• Are you exhausted academically and need to take time o?
• Do you want to go to school full-time or part-time?
Compare reasons to attend graduate school:
Some good reasons to enroll in graduate school include:
• Your career goal requires an advanced degree, such as being a
professor, lawyer, or doctor.
• You want to specialize in a subject that is important to you.
• You want to advance in your career or change career directions.
Some poor reasons to enroll in graduate school include:
• You do not know what you want to do.
• You do not want to get a job, or you do not think you can get a job (but
you have not tried yet).
• You want to postpone paying student loans.
Pro Tip: Review Career Outcomes data by major (career.uga.edu/
outcomes) to see examples of graduate school programs attended by
students in your major. You can also browse UGA graduate programs in
this list to discover their career outcomes and evaluate if a given graduate
degree has potential outcomes that align with your goals.
Research and select schools:
Reect on your top priorities when comparing graduate schools. See if
UGA has a graduate program in your eld (grad.uga.edu/programs). You
may also investigate Double Dawgs programs (doubledawgs.uga.edu/
ProgramList) to see a few possible Master’s degrees that can combine
with your Bachelor’s in an accelerated timeline. If you are considering
online graduate school, you can start with USG’s Georgia On My Line
(georgiaonmyline.org) to search for in-state programs.
q Geographic location
q Cost of program/living
q Duration of program
q Emphasis areas and certicates
q Accreditation
q Practicums or internships
q Reputation or ranking
q Course options/curriculum
q Faculty
q Diversity and inclusion
q Research opportunities
q Application requirements
q Program deadlines
q Job placement/career support
q Availability of assistantships
q Full/part-time enrollment
Career Center Tips
Gap Year Options
Consider your options for
using a year or more to gain
experience before attending
graduate school. Alternatives
to immediately pursuing a
graduate degree include:
• Intermediate education
and skill development
(certicate, credential,
licensing, boot camp,
prerequisites, etc.)
• Employment that oers
relevant experience
• Internships or volunteer
positions in your eld
Some organizations
within certain industries
may provide rewards
or incentives related to
graduate study after working
for them for a set amount
of time (e.g., non-prots or
educational institutions).
Consider sites like idealist.
org or higheredjobs.com to
broaden your search.
Reect on what you hope to
gain, where you would like to
go after, how long you want
to spend on this experience,
what you would like to do,
and how the experience ts
into your career goals.
Pro Tip: Check the upcoming
events in the Arch Ready
Professionalism Certicate
(career.uga.edu/calendar)
for workshops on applying
to graduate school, personal
statements, and gap year
panel discussions.
51
Applying to Graduate/Professional School
Step 1: Research and Select Schools
Make note of application requirements, including if
you need to apply to only the graduate school or both
the school and specic program. When applying to
a professional school, note the specic documents
required for the central application system and each
school to which you are applying.
Step 2: Take Your Standardized Test
Find out which exam is required for admission.
Some schools or programs require the GRE, GMAT,
LSAT, MCAT, etc. Be sure to do your research on
which test each school accepts. While timing for
taking the test depends on individual preferences,
consider if you would like this requirement done the
semester before your applications are due.
Resources:
• UGA Testing Services | (testing.uga.edu)
• GRE | (ets.org)
• GMAT | (mba.com)
• LSAT | (lsac.org)
• MCAT | (students-residents.aamc.org/register-
mcat-exam/register-mcat-exam)
Step 3: Rene Your Resume or CVD
To demonstrate your qualications, you will need to
provide a record of your activities (research, clinical,
professional, etc.). Use our resume and CV examples
(career.uga.edu/resume_examples) to get started.
Complete this document prior to asking for letters of
recommendation and send it to your recommenders.
Step 4: Write Your Personal Statement
Summarize your goals for applying to graduate
school along with your professional focus and
vision. See p. 53-54 for tips and examples. Complete
this statement prior to asking for letters of
recommendation and send it to your recommenders.
Step 5: Request Letters of Recommendation
Choose the right individuals to write your letters,
such as professors, supervisors, and colleagues.
Provide these individuals with a copy of your resume
and personal statement to aid them in writing a
strong letter. Be mindful of deadlines and try to ask
at least one month in advance.
Step 6: Complete Application Forms
Most likely, you will apply online. If mailing your
application, send it by certied mail and request a
return receipt. Remember to send the appropriate
application fee.
Step 7: Request Transcripts
You may have to send ocial transcripts from the
Registrar’s Oce directly to the school, or you may
have to include an ocial, sealed transcript in your
application materials.
Step 8: Financial Aid and Assistantships
Check for nancial aid deadlines. Indicate on your
application (if space is available) that you are
interested in an assistantship or other aid. Most
programs will provide information about applying
for these opportunities on their website.
Step 9: Follow-Up
Contact the admissions oce to inquire about your
application status. Be persistent but allow six weeks
for processing.
Pro Tip: If you notice the same accrediting
organization mentioned by a few dierent schools,
search for more information on that organization.
Some accrediting organizations provide a directory
of accredited schools, giving you a vetted list for
additional program comparison.
52
Writing Your Personal Statement
The personal statement is an opportunity to explain your story in a way that is not represented elsewhere
in your application. Visit the Career Center during Drop-In Hours or schedule an appointment with your
Career Consultant for a review. UGA also has a Writing Center (english.uga.edu/writing-center) with
experts to help you revise your personal statement at any point in your writing process.
General, comprehensive statement: General statements are appropriate for standard medical school,
law school, and other programs that use a Centralized Application System (CAS). Because these statements
apply to multiple programs, they can have a broader focus when describing your motivations.
Response to specic prompts: Other graduate school applications might ask specic questions, so your
statement should focus on responding to them. Typically, personal statements include your interest in the
program, your goals, your research on the program, and descriptions of your unique experiences.
4 Key Components
Motivation
• What inuences you to pursue your profession?
• Why are you applying to graduate school?
• Did you have a "moment" you realized your goal?
Fit
• How do you know this is the right path?
• Which of your values/traits align with this path?
Capacity
• Which of your skills/strengths will help you?
• What successes/challenges built your strengths?
Vision
• Where do you see yourself in 5-10 years?
• How or why do you want to impact your eld?
• What are your goals in this profession?
Structuring Your Statement
Introduction
• Try starting with a story from your experiences.
• Introduce your main idea or theme.
• Consider relating your idea to your motivation.
Supporting Paragraphs
• Support your theme with your t and capacity.
• Point: Topic sentence to state the main idea.
• Evidence: Details/context to support the point.
• Explanation: Describe the relevance of your
evidence to your program and/or profession.
• Link: Create a transition by connecting this
explanation to your next paragraph.
Conclusion
• Reect on your vision for the future with short
and long-term goals.
• Connect to your story from the introduction.
• Emphasize your main point or motivation again.
Pro Tip: Being impersonal can make a well-
structured piece of writing fall short of displaying
important information about your background.
Remember, this is a personal statement. Show who
you are through life experiences that have impacted
you as a person and as a future professional. Reect
on what your experiences mean to you and share
your perspective. Be specic in relating the details
and meaning of each experience so that the reader
can develop a unique connection to your story.
Narrow your story to 1-2 main themes to leave room
for the details supporting your purpose.
53
Personal Statement Examples
Interesting Introductions
Sample:
I met Micah when I volunteered with Butterfly Dreams Farm Therapeutic Riding Program.
Micah
saw the horses and was excited for his first ride, smiling when he was placed in the saddle. I
spoke to him gently and encouraged him to follow his therapist’s instructions. As the weeks passed, I
kept speaking
with Micah - describing the horse, giving words of encouragement, and saying his name
often. One week, Micah responded to me. It was one of the few times Micah has ever spoken, as Micah is
nonverbal. I am pursuing occupational therapy because of children like Micah. I hope to apply my
shadowing experien
ces, research background, and interpersonal skills I gained through volunteering
to
integrate each patient’s unique needs into the therapy process.
Sample: I am pursuing graduate education in chemical engineering because I want to work in a field that
dir
ectly impacts society. I value practicality over abstraction, and engineering is ideal for me because it
applies the concepts of math and science to real
-world problems. In addition, I am looking for an
immersive academic experience that builds on my under
graduate career. A PhD program will allow me
to pursue my research interests to a much greater depth while also expanding my career opportuni
ties.
I hope to continue improving the teaching ability I developed
with my extensive tutoring experience
and biochemistry preceptorship.
Finally, joining a community of like-minded individuals will give me
a
valuable chance for collaboration and personal growth.
2
Describing Experiences
Sample:
On a personal level, my debate competitions helped me make new connections, improved my
confidence, and instilled
my love of international travel. On an intellectual level, they exposed me to a
wide variety of topics I would otherwise have never considered. I learned to think critically and examine
an issu
e from multiple perspectives. I loved working past the rhetoric in my opponent’s arguments.
Sometimes I
had many months to prepare a topic, and sometimes I only had two minutes. Whichever
the case, I always
applied my creativity in developing my arguments.
3
Sample:
Having majored in Literary Studies (World Literature) as an undergraduate, I would like to
concentrate on English and American literature. I am especially interested in nineteenth
-century
literature, women's literature, Anglo
-Saxon poetry, and folklore. For the oral section of my
comprehensive exams, I specialized in nineteenth century novels by and about women. The
relationship between "high" and folk literature became the subject for my honors essay, which
examined Toni Morrison's use of classical, bibli
cal, and African folk tradition in her novel. I plan to
work further on
these ideas, treating her other novels and preparing a paper suitable for publication.
1
Concluding Ideas
Sample:
My related experience, academic preparation, and personal qualities have prepared me for the
expectations of
__ University’s MPH program in epidemiology. My objective for graduate school is to
combine academic study with hands
-on experience, and I have found that __ University offers
opportunit
ies for my goals. Lastly, I believe that I can contribute to the program through research,
publishing, and
multidisciplinary collaboration. I hope to apply my research experience to publishing
new knowledge related to the control of chronic diseases in chi
ldren.
1
Sample:
Shadowing showed me how difficult dentistry can be and motivated me to excel academically. I
hope to apply my studies to learning new best practices for tooth operations. I would like to continue to
contribute as a dentist to my community
- abroad and locally, like when I observed Lucia getting her
first filling or in
__ free clinic when Jamie smiled proudly after receiving a dental implant. I want to be
a part of increasing
accessibility to preventative dental care at an early age.
1. Purdue University. Examples of Successful Statements., 2. MIT: Chem E, Communication Lab. Graduate School Personal
Statement., & 3. University of Toronto Law. Personal Statement Examples.
54
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