Bard College Career Development Office Bard Basic Job Guide

Dear Bard Students, Seeking your first internship or full-time job is both exciting and daunting. The Bard College Career Development Office is here to support you in your career goals and to help you focus and refine your job exploration. This guide offers you the basic tools for conducting a job search. Once you have drafted a resume, cover letter or thank you letter, we will be happy to review it. Career Development is here to help to working with you.

you navigate the job market and the process of discovering work that is meaningful

to you. We hope you will take advantage of our career services and we look forward April Kinser, MFA, director, [email protected], 845-758-7177

Nicole Burman, CSW, associate director, [email protected], 845-758-7189

Job Search Basics

CLARIFY what type of work you want to do in the immediate future or for the first year following graduation. DEFINE your job and internship market. IDENTIFY the city in which you want to work.

DRAFT a RESUME and keep it to one page (pages 2-6).

INCLUDE a cover letter with each resume that you send (pages 7-8). NETWORK and expand your circle of friends (pages 9-10). INTERVIEW (pages 11-12).

WRITE a thank you note immediately following an interview (page 13). NEGOTIATE A SALARY (page 14).

We can help you in this process. Schedule an appointment if you need help. 1

Researching Employers

You will want to research organizations to identify prospective employers, write thoughtful cover letters, and prepare for interviews. Your research can be gathered by talking to people familiar with the organization, looking at the organizations web site, using Google and researching online, utilizing libraries, and even contacting organizations for their printed and published materials. By learning as much as you can about an employer you will be able to write a dynamic cover letter reflecting your knowledge about the organization and why you are a viable candidate for the position. Your understanding about the organizations culture, history, and mission will help prepare you for the interview and should add a measure of confidence in this process as you will not be walking into a foreign land when you meet the prospective employer. And finally, your thorough research will help you to make an informed decision about whether or not the organization is the right fit for you and one in which you would want to work.

Resume Writing Tips

Keep it to One Page Employers want to scan your resume quickly. At a glance anyone reading your resume should be able to surmise your primary qualifications. Target work experience that is relevant to the job you are seeking. You do not need to include every job, honor or experience you have had.

Pay Attention to Resume Appearance Do not use a font size that is too small to be read easily. 10 point is too small. Leave enough room in the margins. 1 on the top and bottom, 1.25 on the sides. Proofread! Then Proofread Again! Even one typo on a resume can put you out of the running for a job. If there are errors on your resume, an employer may assume that you are not careful or detailoriented in your work habits. Check spelling, punctuation and grammar. Ask a friend, career advisor or professor to read your resume after you have carefully proofread it.

Eliminate Unimportant Details You should never include street addresses or phone numbers of previous employers. High school information is not usually included. Employers will assume that you have references and therefore you do not need to write References available upon request at the bottom of your resume. It is not necessary to include your college GPA. Avoid these Classic Resume Mistakes Using personal pronouns such as I in sentences Writing lengthy paragraphs in your job descriptions Mixing past and present verb tenses in job descriptions Including personal information such as birth date

Action Verbs achieved acted adapted administered advanced advised analyzed anticipated appraised approved arranged assembled assessed assisted attended audited balanced budgeted built calculated charted checked classified coached collected communicated compared compiled completed composed computed conceived conceptualized conducted consolidated constructed controlled copied coordinated corresponded counseled created decided defined delivered demonstrated designed determined developed devised diagnosed directed discovered displayed disproved distributed drafted edited enabled encouraged enhanced established estimated evaluated executed expanded expedited explained fabricated facilitated followed forecasted formulated founded gathered generated graduated guided handled headed helped identified illustrated implemented improved improvised inaugurated increased influenced informed initiated installed instructed interacted interpreted interviewed investigated launched led listened located maintained managed measured mediated moderated monitored motivated negotiated observed operated organized originated participated perceived performed persuaded planned prepared presented printed processed produced programmed promoted propelled proposed protected proved provided publicized published purchased raised read reasoned recommended recorded recruited reduced reinforced remodeled rendered reorganized repaired reported represented researched resolved reviewed revised scheduled set up simplified sketched started steered streamlined strengthened studied summarized supervised supported systemized targeted trained taught traveled updated upgraded utilized volunteered worked wrote

Useful Adjectives and Phrases ability to delegate ability to train ability to implement ability to work well ability to plan accurate adaptable assertive assertive worker analytical ability competitive communication skills conceptual ability conversant with creative critical thinking skills customer oriented extensive experience with fluent in flexible with follow-through follow-up good sense of handle multiple tasks high energy industrious innovative leadership qualities organizational skills persuasive present information problem solver public speaker skills results oriented risk taker self management self starter setting priorities strong design experience supervisory abilities supportive takes initiative team player willing to travel working knowledge of

Sample Resume One

SARAH SMITH Bard College Annandale-on-Hudson, NY 12504 845-752-9999 [email protected]

SUMMARY: EDUCATION:

College senior with solid science foundation committed to public health services. Excellent interpersonal skills with outstanding ability to meet deadlines and attend to detail. Bard College, Annandale-on-Hudson, NY B.A. expected May 2008, Biology GPA 3.73 Distinguished Scientist Scholarship, 2004-2008 Institute for European Studies, Nantes, France Spring 2007

RELATED COURSEWORK:

WORK EXPERIENCE:

Subcellular Biology, Biochemistry, Bioinformatics, Advanced Topics in Cell Biology, Ecology, Cancer Biology, Organismal Biology, Statistics and Research Design, Neuroscience, Biology of Infectious Disease, and Calculus Bard College, Annandale-on-Hudson, NY, 2006-present Student Work-Study Assistant, Biology Laboratory Assistant Prepare reagents and supplies for lab sessions. Assist laboratory students with technical questions.

University of Minnesota, St. Paul, MN Laboratory for Human Neurogenetics, Maria Corn, M.D. Undergraduate Research Fellow, Summer 2007 Studied genetic factors of schizophrenia and obsessivecompulsive disorder. Executed behavioral studies of transgenic mice and handled molecular bench work.

LEADERSHIP: 5 SKILLS:

Bard Academic Resource Center, Bard College, 2005-2006 Academic Peer Tutor in Biology Provided one-on-one tutoring and presented review sessions. Maintained databases for assistant director Class Officer, Dean of Students Office, 2007-present Knowledgeable of MS Word, MS Excel, GC/MS and SPSS

Sample Resume Two MAX MARKER [email protected]

COLLEGE ADDRESS: Bard College Annandale-on-Hudson, NY 12504 (845) 757-8603 EDUCATION

PERMANENT ADDRESS: 55 Houston Street New York, NY 10010 (212) 865-9901

Bard College, Annandale-on-Hudson, NY B.A. expected May 2006 Concentration in Economics and Gender Studies HONORS AND AWARDS Jerome Levy Economics Institute Scholarship, Bard College, 2004-2005 Mary Sugatt Scholarship for Leadership and Academic Excellence, Bard College, 2003 WORK EXPERIENCE Abigail Lundquist Botstein Nursery School, Bard College Teaching Assistant, September 2003 to present Prepare nursery school for daily activities; engage children in educational, interactive and imaginative play; maintain safe learning environment. National Audubon Society, Washington, D.C. Program Intern, Summer 2005 Assisted in program planning including the operation of wildlife sanctuary; coordinated public meetings and retreats; assisted in fundraising and general administration.

The Pew Global Stewardship Initiative, Washington, D.C. Intern/Consultant, Summer 2004 Created and developed project bridging the International Conference on Population and Development at Cairo and Fourth World Conference on Women at Beijing; assisted in analysis of Cairo Population Conference results. EXTRACURRICULAR ACTIVITIES Student Judiciary Board (SJB), Chair, Bard College, 2005-2006 Universal Human Rights Society (UHRS), Member, Bard College, 2003-2006 SPECIAL SKILLS 6 Computer: Proficient in Claris Works and Microsoft Excel. Language: Intermediate Italian.

Cover Letter Writing

Every time you send your resume (including by email) you must include a cover letter. The purpose of the letter is to get you an interview. It gives you the opportunity to introduce yourself and to highlight your skills and experience as appropriate for a particular position. The letter, written in business format, should be one page in length. The Cover Letter Should do the Following: Tell why you are writing, state the title of the position you are applying for, and state where and how you learned of the opening. Describe your qualifications for the job (skills, experience). Tell what you know about the company and describe how you would contribute to the organization. Ask for an interview. Tips for Writing an Effective Cover Letter:

Use the first paragraph to introduce yourself and explain for which position you are applying. Mention where you heard about the position or give the name of the person who referred you to the contact. Use the second paragraph to focus the readers attention on your qualifications, describing how you can contribute to the success of the company. Be specific, describing projects you have worked on and highlighting your skills and relevant work experience. Pay attention to the appearance and layout of your letter. If possible use the same type of paper that you used for your resume. Center your letter and be sure you proofread it to avoid spelling errors and poor grammar.

Get the name of the individual with whom you will be interviewing and address the letter to him/her. Be sure to ask for the correct spelling of the persons name, title, department, and company address. If you cannot get a name, address the letter using Dear Employer or Dear Human Resources Director.

Ask for an interview in the final paragraph. Tell how and when you will follow up and thank the reader for considering your application. Spell everything completely and do not use abbreviations. Use business language. Your letter will be viewed as a sample of your writing and language skills. A strong cover letter can make the difference in whether or not you get called in for an interview.

Sample Cover Letter 500 Oak Lane Cedar Rapids, IA 57896 (265) 647 3647

SARAH SMITH [email protected]

October 25, 2005

Bard College Annandale-on-Hudson, NY 12504 (845) 752 9999

Debra Jones Educational Coordinator The Drawing Center 35 Wooster Street New York, NY 10013 Dear Ms. Jones, I wish to be considered for a summer 2006 internship at the Drawing Center as posted on your Web site on October 17, 2005. As you requested, I am including my resume for your review. I have visited the Drawing Center many times and have always admired your exhibitions.

I am a junior at Bard College with a concentration in Art History. My art history classes have included Perspectives in World Art, Visual Perception, Modern Art I & II and Methods of Art History. Additionally, I studied Foundations in Studio Art, Drawing and Painting. I have a particular interest in works on paper and my interests are very broad and range from the 17th century to contemporary drawings. My coursework is complemented by hands on experience with original artwork. For the last two years I have been active in the Bard Student Gallery and have been an exhibition preparator for student exhibitions. This positive gallery experience along with my art history background has led me to seriously consider a career in the museum field. An internship at the Drawing Center would be a wonderful learning opportunity in which I could gain practical experience in a museum setting. Thank you for taking the time to review my application and resume. I am very interested in your internship opportunity and hope you will consider me a serious applicant. I am available for an interview at your convenience and will telephone you to see if I may schedule an appointment with you. Sincerely,

Sarah Smith
Sarah Smith

In order to build rapport and establish a common ground when networking, people need to trust and like you. Believe it or not, this happens in the first ten seconds they meet you. In a recent study at UCLA the results showed that trust is based 7% on the actual words you use; 38% on the tone and pace of speech; and 55% on non-spoken body language. Imagine how important that first impression is. In those first ten seconds you want to smile, make eye contact, stand up straight with excellent posture, shake hands firmly, and be able to introduce yourself and convey purposefulness and confidence. In your job search there will be many occasions to make a positive impression and this will impact on your opportunities. Please consider the following when meeting new people: BE PREPARED. Prepare a self introduction that clearly states that you are about to graduate from Bard College, will soon start your job search and are very interested in career opportunities in the field of -.

Networking Tips

CONSIDER YOUR ATTIRE. Dress in a way that encourages people to trust you. Dont be too trendy or flashy. For an interview always err on the side of being too formal rather than informal. Understand the industry you want to enter and do your best to dress appropriately for the field. MIND & BODY ATTITUDE. SMILE. Stand up straight, project confidence, be friendly, and show enthusiasm. Think positively, visualize confidence, and be aware of your posture and language. Remember that the tone of your voice impacts on people. THE HANDSHAKE. SMILE and always extend your hand when introducing yourself. Make eye contact and give a brief, firm handshake.

LISTEN & ASK QUESTIONS. Become an outstanding listener. Develop the art of small talk when first meeting someone. Think of questions that are general and non-threatening. Prepare and think about small talk before attending a networking opportunity or job interview. TAKE RISKS. Initiate conversations with people, including people you dont know. Set a goal of the number of people you plan to introduce yourself to at a networking opportunity. Even setting a goal of meeting one person could lead to positive results.

Networking

Networking is one of those strange words that seem to make people uncomfortable. Its really not as difficult as you may think. In fact, you probably have many more contacts than you realize. Put your network of friends, family and contacts to work for you! Roughly 75% of jobs today are attained through networking. Think about these basic categories when putting together your contact list: educational, professional, personal, and community. These contacts could include a favorite faculty member, your supervisor from a previous internship, your fellow Bard students, and anyone else with whom you work or socialize. Networking is about being friendly and connecting with people.

Networking is not as mysterious as it sounds. It can be as simple as picking up the phone and calling family friends who have been working in a field related to your interests. They can bring you into their circle of friends. Follow up on all phone calls or any other leads that come your way. If you are trying to meet people in a particular field, why not ask one of your professors to recommend a contact person? You could make an appointment to conduct an informational interview, asking the contact questions about his or her career and seeking advice on whom you should speak to next.

So get out there! Take chances and take control! Meet new people who can help you broaden your understanding of your interest areas. Set up informational interviews to learn more about your field, not just to help you find a specific job. With career knowledge and connections, you will be empowered to make educated, strategic and insightful decisions about your future. List Your Contacts Educational and Professional Bard faculty (past and present) Career Development (staff) Chairs (current and former) Administration (current and former deans, advisors, and staff) Classmates, lab partners, and alumni/ae Contacts from other programs Former employers and colleagues Part-time on-campus and off-campus employers Contacts made at career days, recruiting events, workshops, and seminars Personal Family, including extended family and distant relatives Friends, friends of your parents, friends of your friends People youve met while traveling Acquaintances from special interest groups: health, sports, hobbies, etc. 10

Community Contacts in any organizations you are affiliated with (religious, political, professional or service) Neighbors and acquaintances, including neighborhood organizations

Informational Interviewing

Why Informational Interviewing? Informational interviewing will help you to research career paths and/or specific job titles and work environments. It is an excellent way of meeting professionals in career fields that interest you.

What is an Informational Interview? An informational interview is an interview in which YOU direct the conversation and ask questions to gain current information about a particular field. Informational interviews are an important means of networking and an excellent way to begin to develop a list of contacts for the future. Remember never to ask for a job on an informational interview! Also, make it clear that you are not asking the interviewee to provide you with job leads, but rather, leads to meeting people in their field. Structuring an Informational Interview

Usually an informational interview is around 15 -30 minutes, but if your contact extends the time, it can be longer. You will set the agenda because its YOUR interview, not the contacts. Be sure to go prepared with questions.

Possible questions to ask: 1. Please describe the major responsibilities of your job. 2. What was your preparation and career path to get to this job? 3. Can you describe an average day? Describe what you like and dislike about your job. 4. How is your firm/organization structured? To whom do you report? Do you have supervisory responsibilities? Will you in the future? 5. Would you be kind enough to look at my resume and offer your suggestions? 6. What are some of the trends in this field? Any issues that I should be aware of? 7. What skills should I be developing now? 8. What preparation, education, and experience would best prepare me for a job like yours? 9. What is the potential for growth and advancement in your job? 10. Can you think of anyone else I should be talking to about entering this field? What you want to come away with: Contacts business card and possibly a referral should you want an additional informational interview. A deeper understanding about a particular industry and career area. How to follow up: Send a thank you note. If you promise to send something, do deliver what you promised to send. 11

Interviewing

The interview is your opportunity to demonstrate your professionalism, that you are the right candidate for the job and to learn more about the prospective employer. Try to arrive a few minutes before the appointment time so that you can collect your thoughts and get focused on the interview. Once you enter the building of your interview be mindful that everyone you meet could impact on your getting a job offer. Exhibit good posture, maintain eye contact with the people you meet, smile, and shake hands firmly. Be prepared to introduce yourself, Hello, Im Sue Brown. Its a pleasure to meet you. The first five minutes of meeting someone are very important. In fact, people form an opinion of you in less than 10 seconds and this is before you even say a word. Take charge of these 10 seconds and make sure you are dressed appropriately for the organization and that your body language is conveying confidence and friendliness.

Once you have been invited into the interviewing room let the interviewer take the lead. S/he will direct you to a seat and s/he will initiate the opening conversation. Sit erect and keep both feet on the ground. This will help keep you grounded and in the present so that you listen carefully and fully participate in the conversation. Be prepared to make small talk and to engage in a conversation that moves beyond yes and no answers. Listen carefully and give thoughtful answers. Do your homework on the employer and prepare in advance questions you can ask the interviewer. Follow the interviewers pace and do your best to establish rapport with him/her. Once an employer has narrowed the search to two or three people, these candidates will all usually have comparable skills and experiences. At this point the employer will often make his/her decision based on very subjective reasoning. What you communicate non-verbally, your dress, your body language, your smile will impact on whether or not you get the job offer. Below are typical questions that could be asked in an interview: Tell me about yourself? What kind of person are you? What subject did you enjoy the most and why? Did you work while attending college and what did you do? How does your degree prepare you for working at our organization? Do you prefer working with others or alone? Where do you see yourself in five years? Do you prefer working with others or alone? Describe a major goal you set for yourself recently? How do you feel about working overtime or on weekends? What are two things you would improve about yourself? What do you know about our company?

12

Thank You Letter Writing

The thank you letter should be written immediately following the interview. It should be written in a business letter format and should accomplish the following: In the first paragraph, thank the employer for the interview. In the second paragraph, remind the interviewer of the value you will bring to the organization. You may want to mention something that was discussed during the interview. This is the most important part of your thank you letter. In the third paragraph, reiterate that your skills and experience will make you a valuable asset to the organization. Thank him or her once again and state that you look forward to hearing from him or her soon. Sample Thank You Letter Sarah Smith 55 Houston Street New York, NY 10010 (212) 865-9901 February 21, 2005

Deborah Penson Museum of Modern Art New York, NY 10019 Dear Ms. Penson, Thank you for meeting with me on Tuesday to discuss my interest in the Assistant Curator position at the Museum of Modern Art. As I shared with you at the interview, I am currently working as an intern at the Elisabeth Harris Gallery in Chelsea and have gained a lot of experience working with artists and collectors, handling art, and assisting in promoting exhibitions. I would like to also mention that while studying at Bard College I curated and installed exhibits in the Student Gallery and I am sure that this experience would enable me to skillfully assist you in managing the exhibits you curate. With my strong art history background and hands-on experience as an intern, I am confident that I can professionally execute all of the Assistant Curator assignments that you described to me. I am very interested and excited about all aspects of your open position. Thank you again for taking the time to meet with me and giving me such a broad understanding of your departments present needs. I am certain that I can assist you in a productive manner and contribute to improving the departments services. I hope to speak to you soon and I look forward to hearing from you.

Sarah Smith
13 Sarah Smith

Sincerely,

Salary Negotiations

Before you start negotiating be sure to research comparable positions and salaries and be very clear in your own mind about the salary amount you want. You will want to be firm without jeopardizing your job offer. Always be courteous and respectful and dont hurry the conversation. For example, when you present your counter offer and state the salary you desire and your rationale let the employer hear and contemplate this information. If there is a silent moment just let it be and dont rush in to fill the void with nervous small talk or further justifications of why you want more money. The employer will either respond immediately or will get back to you. This is a process that can take days or weeks, but well worth the effort as it is much harder to negotiate big increases once you have started the job. Be prepared for several back and forth discussions as you each consider a counter offer. When you and the employer have reached an agreement be sure to follow it up with a letter that reiterates the concrete points agreed upon, salary, staring date, vacations days, health insurance, and all other benefits in the package. 14

When the employer offers you the position and states the starting salary, immediately state your enthusiasm for receiving the job offer and ask him/her when do they need to know your decision. Give yourself time to think about the offer and whether or not you want to accept the job and the stated salary. If you want a higher salary and/or additional benefits, such as vacation days, you will need to negotiate with the employer and justify your request with a rationale. When negotiating bear in mind that you are trying to get the highest possible salary and the employer is trying to keep the salary as close to the offer as possible. This is a process that requires patience and nerves of steel as the agreement is clarified and defined. Although the employer may not budge, you will try to obtain your salary goal with the utmost professionalism. Usually a negotiated salary increase will not exceed 20% and is often a compromise between the offer and your objective.

Salary negotiations begin when you have been offered a job and a starting salary and want to increase the salary and/or benefits package. Always let the employer initiate salary conversations and refrain from revealing your salary requirements until you have received a job offer. There are several reasons why it is greatly to your advantage to avoid salary discussions until a job offer has been made. Your desired salary may scare off the employer and they may think you are too expensive and elect not to interview you. Stating your salary needs in your cover letter or in the first interview can put you at a disadvantage as once you state your bottom line you dont have much room to negotiate upwards as you develop a better understanding of the position. By not initially revealing your salary you may be capable of convincing them, as they get to know you better, to pay you much more than they intended as they see how valuable you would be to their organization. Its best to have salary conversations once the offer is on the table and you know that they want you in the job. Once the employer has decided they want you in the position they are much more prone to pay you more.