Updated Work It Guide Originals

Assessment Discuss career interests with a Career Pathways Advisor

Talk to a Pre‐Health, Pre‐Law, or Pre‐Grad advisor

Meet with USC Dornsife Faculty

Contact a Career Center counselor

STEP 1

If you are unsure of your career goal, start by describing your personality, abilities, interests, values, and meaningful experiences; otherwise

known as your career self‐concept

Use diagnostic tools to help you identify your

career self‐concept and career preferences:

‐O*NET Career Exploration Tools

‐Myers‐Briggs Type Indicator (MBTI)

‐Strong Interest Inventory

‐Clifton Strengths Assessment

‐16 Personalities

STEP 2

Plan it Career Readiness Guide The following career readiness guide identifies steps to work towards achieving your career goal. Users can adopt and develop the guide as a career readiness system to support the achievement of a career goal. First, answer the career goal questions. Then, as‐

sess steps 1‐4 to determine the immediate actions needed to complete your career goal. Visit our Career Development Webpages!

STEP 3

Skill‐Development

Explore majors, minors, and elective courses

Study Career Pathways Major 2 Career Maps

Review What can I do with a major in on connectSC

Network on LinkedIn & the Trojan Network

Exploration Conduct Informational Interviews with USC Alumni

Review ONET online & BLS Occupational Handbook

Research on connectSC Vault, Hoovers, Glass Door, etc.

Work. Intern. Research. Volunteer & more!

Critical Thinking/Problem Solving

Oral /Written Communication

Teamwork/Collaboration

Information Technology Application

Leadership

Professionalism/Work Ethic

Career Management

Global & Intercultural Fluency

STEP 4

Establish professional social media like LinkedIn

Draft a Resume or CV

Write a Cover Letter

Develop your Elevator Pitch

Practice interview skills

Identify career opportunities

Apply for career opportunities

Negotiate offers when applicable

Career‐Search

USC Dornsife Career Pathways | dornsife.usc.edu/careerpathways | (213) 821‐4728 | GFS 320

What is your career goal after graduation?_______________________________________________________________________________

What additional information, experience, or skill do you need to gain to facilitate your career goal? _____________________________

What is the next step (action) you need to take to help you achieve your career goal? __________________________________________

Assess it Self‐Assessment Tools Self‐assessment is foundational to career exploration and is a primary step in the development of a plan to career.

Self–assessment tools are available to help students identify key aspects of an individual’s personality, abilities, inter‐

ests, values, and experiences; otherwise known as the career self‐concept. Super (1990) posits that successful career devel‐

opment is in part attributed to a person’s ability to identify and implement their career self‐concept. The following

are self‐assessment tools and resources available to help students identify their career self‐concept.

Self‐Assessment Tools

Self‐assessment is foundational to career exploration and identifying

your Career Self‐Concept (PAIVE)

Identifying and implementing your career self‐concept can foster suc‐

cess when there is alignment between a Job and your career self‐concept

(PAIVE):

Personality

Abilities

Interests

Values

Experiences

You can identify your career self‐concept through introspection, help

from a career counselor, and/or use of an number of diagnostic tools

such as:

Myers‐Briggs Type Indicator (MBTI)

Strong Interest Inventory

Clifton Strengths Assessment

16 Personalities

CareerOneStop Self‐Assessments

GPS LifePlan

O*NET Career Exploration Tools

Once you have a better understanding of your career self‐concept, you

can proceed to identify internships, jobs, industries, and career oppor‐

tunities that align with you personality, abilities, interests, values, and

experiences to experience a greater chance of satisfaction.

What you learn about yourself... Personality

Who you are is essential to what and why you do what you do. Knowing

your personal characteristics, preferences, and patterns of thinking, feeling,

and behavior can help determine preferred work environment, leadership

style, and provides insights to your individual strengths and talents.

Abilities, skills, and talents

Abilities and skills, like written and verbal communication, interpersonal,

decision‐making, problem‐solving, organizational, and the ability to analyze

information are well sought by employers and academe alike. Some individu‐

als are specifically talented in certain areas. But skills and talents can be

overlooked by prospective employers, graduate schools, or others if not clearly

articulated. Identify your skills and talents so that they become inherent to

your career preparation.

Interests

What do you like? Your interests may be identified by simply taking the time

to address what you like. Your interests are key to identifying career choices

as people tend to seek careers that are compatible with their interests.

Values

Understanding your personal and work values is important to successful

career exploration and planning. Having a clear understanding of your val‐

ues and how your values align with those of a prospective work or academic

environment is fundamental to career satisfaction. Assess your values and

how they affect career‐choices.

Experience, culture, and environment

Experience informs you of preferred cultures, environments, and endeavors

you consider meaningful and worth your effort. Culture refers to the collec‐

tive beliefs, values, and behavior of an organizational body. Environment

refers to the physical, spatial, and location and distribution of an organiza‐

tional body. Factors like dress‐code, work‐hours, office‐space, flexibility, work

‐life balance are often influenced by both culture and environment. Learn the

culture and environment of a prospective employer or school during your

initial research.

USC Dornsife Career Pathways | GFS 320 | 213.821.4728 | [email protected]| dornsife.usc.edu/careerpathways

The Flower Self‐Assessment Exercise The Flower Exercise is a self‐assessment exercise created by Rich Feller, Professor of Counseling and Career Develop‐

ment at Colorado State University and Richard N. Bolles, best‐selling author of What color is your parachute: A prac‐

tical manual for job‐hunters and career‐changers. The exercise helps individuals assess skills, personal goals, and purpose (or

mission). Also, identify interests, salary and responsibility preferences, and social/ work/ and living environment

preferences. The Flower exercise is adapted here to help the individual focus time and energy towards career pro‐

spects that align with their self‐concept. Complete and fill‐in each area to the best of your ability:

Adapted from What color is your parachute.

The Flower. © Richard N. Bolles . 2013

Fields of interest:

Personal goal,

purpose or mission:

Preferred place to live:

Ideal salary range:

Responsibility I ‘d like to have:

Op mal working condi ons:

The things I love to do | Skills:

Quali es of people I like to work with:


Graduate & Professional School

Office of Pre‐Health Advisement

(213) 740‐4844

HNB 120

dornsife.usc.edu/pre‐health/

Pre‐Graduate & Pre‐Law

Office of Advisement

(213) 740‐2534

GFS 315

dornsife.usc.edu/advisement

Decide it Decision‐Making Making an informed decision about a career path after graduation is an important step in the career develop‐

ment process. It is good practice to make a decision based on experiential‐knowledge as well as sound re‐

search and fact‐finding. Students are encouraged to seek insight from industry professionals, university facul‐

ty, academic advisors, career counselors, alumni, and other resources. A select listing of resources is provided

below.

Internships & Employment

USC Dornsife

Career Pathways

(213) 821‐4728

GFS 320

dornsife.usc.edu/careerpathways/

USC Career Center

(213) 740‐9111

STU 110

careers.usc.edu

Scholarships & Fellowships

Academic Honors & Fellowships

(213) 740‐9116

STU 300

https://ahf.usc.edu

USC Dornsife Faculty

dornsife.usc.edu/cf/faculty‐and‐staff/search.cfm

Dornsife Compass Content Library

VMOCK Career Fit Tool

Career exploration and resume tool

connectSC Online Resources

Career Access Resource Library (CARL)

Hardcopy and on‐line resources

Candid Career

Video library of career advice

Hoovers

Industry and Organizational Research

What can I do with this major?

Database of occupations related to major

External resources

BLS Occupational Handbook—www.bls.gov/ooh

Career information on hundreds of occupations

ONET Online.org—www.onetonline.org

On‐line occupational research tool

Conducting an information interview is a great way re‐

search a career and network. Simply, locate an individual

who is in a career of interest and request an informational

interview. Available resources include:

Employment/internship site– your supervisor and/or

colleague or co‐worker

USC Trojan Network – a database of USC alumni

available for career guidance

LinkedIn – You can search by alumni, career, and even

major to find people with similar backgrounds and

request to learn about their career path

The purpose of an informational interview is to research

and inform yourself of a possible career. See the informa‐

tional interview best practices guide provided on page 2.

Informational Interviews


Informational Interview Best Practices

Purpose: The purpose of an informational interview is to learn a first‐hand account of your career

choice of interest from professionals working in the field. You may learn additional information not

available through traditional exploration guides or on‐line resources while providing the oppor‐

tunity to practice communication skills.

Do

Research the company and person with whom you are conducting the informational interview

Prepare a list of questions that you can ask

Bring a notepad or tablet for you to take notes

Ask if it is okay for you take notes during the interview

Dress professionally

Have your personal business card ready

Follow up with a thank‐you note, either handwritten or e‐mail, within 48hrs.

Don’t

Don’t ask for a job

Don’t give them your resume (unless they request it)

Don’t be late

Suggested questions to ask:

How would you describe the environment you work in?

How would you describe a typical day at work?

What portion of your job involves interacting with others?

What college courses have been most helpful to you in your job?

What types of special skills are necessary to perform your job?

Is special certification, training, or an advanced degree required for your job?

What personal qualities do you see as important for success in this occupation?

What do you like most about your job?

How did you get interested in this area of work?

What was your undergraduate major field of study?

Did you have any practical experience or training, other than college?

How would you advise me to prepare myself for a career in this field?


Do it

Internship Search Guide Internships provide real work experience, opportunities to explore careers, development of transferable

skills, and networking opportunities. Dornsife Compass provides students the ability to search and apply for

internships, jobs, and volunteer opportunities from a vast selection of career industries. Log‐in to Compass

to personalize your user profile and upload your résumé. 5‐minutes is all it takes to get you started!

Set‐up Dornsife Compass account

1) Visit dornsife.usc.edu/careerpathways/compass/

2) Sign‐on with Single Sign‐On (SSO)

3) Create your profile

Compass Internship databases

Compass | Job and internship listings

Aftercollege | Internship and job network

Glass Door | Internship/job database with insights

GoinGlobal | Domestic and International internships/jobs

Interstride | Job search for international students

RippleMatch | Jobs and internships

UCAN Internship Exchange

connectSC Internship databases

connectSC | Job and internship listings

ArtSearch | Careers in the arts

Bio Careers | For Graduate and PhD students

Bridge Music Connection

Environmental Career Opportunities

Opportunities in Public Affairs

Vault | Industry and intelligence and internship programs

Versatile PhD | Career opportunities for PhDs

Other Internship databases

LinkedIn | Professional network w/ career opportunities

Internships.com | Centralized internships listings

Paragon One | Coaching to secure jobs and internships

InsideSherpa | Virtual/remote work experience programs

Internship courses

Academic credit is available for paid or unpaid

internships through concurrent enrollment in in‐ternship courses at USC. Undergraduate intern‐

ship courses are as follow:

ACCT 495

AMST 365

ANTH 393

BAEP 495

BUAD 495

COMM 205x

COMM 496x

CNTV 495

EALC 366

ENST 396

FA 419

GEOG 397

Campus Internship Programs

Gupta Family Internship Fund Funds to defray costs of summer internships for qualified undergraduate USC Dornsife students dornsife.usc.edu/careerpathways/gupta‐internship‐fund/

Dornsife Gateway Internship Program Internship, leadership and mentorship summer program and funding for unpaid internships for eligible Dornsife majors and minors. dornsife .usc.edu/gatewayinternships

USC Dream Dollars Funding for non‐profit and government fields. careers.usc.edu/dream‐dollars

First Generation Scholarship Program Funding for first generation students who secure unpaid summer internship. careers.usc.edu/firstgenscholarship

For more campus programs visit:

dornsife.usc.edu/careerpathways/internship‐programs/

HP 480

IR 391

ITP 480x

JOUR 090x

MDA 250

MOR 495

MUIN 450

MUSC 498x

POSC 395

PPD 301

SWMS 311

THTR 489


Accounting | Actuarial | Finance | Insurance

Advertising | Brand Management/Product Management

Agricultural

AI/Robotics | Electronics | Engineering

Airlines and aviation

Allied Health | Chiropractic | Dentistry | Health and Medicine

Nursing | Optometry | Physician

Animal Care | Veterinary medicine

Architecture and Planning | Design

Arts | Dance | Music | Theatre | Visual arts | Entertainment

Banking | Investment and Securities

Biotechnology | Medical Technology

Broadcast and Digital Media | Interactive Media | Journalism

Business | Small business

Buying/Purchasing | E‐commerce

Child Care | Home Services | Personal Services

Cleaning and Custodial Services

Communications, Corporate | Digital Communication

Telecommunications

Computer Science | Information Systems, Management

Technology/ technological science

Construction

Consulting

Consumer products | Merchandising | Retail/ wholesale | Sales

Education: K‐12 | Education: Postsecondary | Teaching

Environment

Events and Meeting Planning

Fashion | Modeling and Cosmetology

Film | Publishing radio | Television and radio

Food and beverage service

Fundraising/Development

Government | Political Organization/Lobbying

Internship Search Keywords The following are keywords commonly used by internship and job search databases available on

Dornsife Compass and connectSC. Filter internship search using the keywords listed below. Keywords are

clustered by similarity of job function and/or industry. Search the position and industry of interest,

as well as the relative positions and industries provided below.

Health and Hospital Administration | Public health

Hotel and resorts | Tourism | Travel and hospitality

Industrial trades | Manufacturing | Production | Warehousing

International Relations

Judicial | Law | Law Enforcement and Criminology

Legal Support Services

Language and Culture/Translation

Library and Information Science | Museum Work

Life Sciences | Physical Sciences | Science and Mathematics

Social Sciences

Management | Human Resources | Staffing and executive search

Administrative/Support Services

Market Research | Marketing | Promotions

Media and entertainment | New Media | Print and Digital Media

Military

Mortuary service

Nonprofit | Volunteer

Operations | Project Management

Supply Chain Management/Logistics

Outdoor and adventure | Recreation | Sports and Recreation

Pharmacology | Pharmacy | Pharmacy/Pharmaceuticals

Psychological Services | Therapy

Public Relations

Publishing | Literary Arts | Technical Writing | Writing

Real Estate

Religious service

Research

Social Services | Social Work

Transportation

Utilities


Use a Contact

Header

Paragraph 1 Introduce yourself.

State your interest in

the posi on, employ-

er, and industry in

the opening para-

graph. Share how

you learned of the

posi on (if applica-

ble). Iden fy 2-3

skills/experiences

that underscore

skills/experiences

the employer is

looking for in a

candidate.

Cover it Cover Letters

A cover letter and résumé can be powerful tools for any internship or job prospect. They are marketing tools that convey

your skills, qualifications, experience, and potential value and contributions to an employer. Your résumé and cover

letter should provide prospective employers an understanding that you are the right person for the job. There is no

standard for writing a résumé or cover letter. But, there are best practices. The following is a suggested format.


Date

Enter the Employer’s/Organiza on’s address

Use a respec ul closing like Sincerely, Respec ully, or Best regards . Your signature is op onal but a nice touch.

Address saluta on to a person whenever possible; use proper pronoun

Paragraphs 2‐4 Use Paragraphs 2-3

to write and elabo-

rate on the skills/

experiences you

iden fied that match

skills or experiences

the employer desires

in a candidate.

Last paragraph Use the last para-

graph to remind the reader of your qualifica ons.

Restate your interest in both the posi on and organiza on.

Close by sharing your interest to talk about

joining the team. Keep the cover le er

to 1 page when possible.

Hecuba Trojan [email protected] | 619.916.9661 | San Angeles, CA

Date

Name of Employer/Organization

Business Address

City, State Zip Code

Dear Ms. Opportunos,

My name is Hecuba Trojan. I am a Junior studying Neuroscience at the University of Southern California (USC). I am writing to ex‐

press my interest in the Teacher Assistant position at the Rising Stars Foundation (RSF). I learned of this position after speaking with RSF

recruiter Genaro Carrera at a USC networking event. I am further convinced that my values align with RSF’s mission to serve through

teaching. Moreover, I have the teaching experience, collaborative, and leadership skills to serve the role of Teacher Assistant.

I worked in several teaching and coaching capacities over the years. One of my most meaningful teaching experiences was when I

worked as a Teacher’s Assistant at the Creative Arts Center. I supported the teacher by helping to implement class lessons, facilitate small

group discussions, and grading assignments. The experience helped me appreciate the level of planning involved in creating lesson plans,

instruction, and assessment of student learning. I was able to develop and implement a lesson plan on music harmony with the teacher’s

guidance. The lesson was well received by students.

While I work well on my own, I also work well in teams. I love to working with people who share a common vision. As such, I am a

member of the USC’s 5ks for a Cure club. The club organizes community 5k running events to help raise awareness and funds to support

cancer research and cancer patients in need. I am part of the events committee that consists of four team members. We each had specific

responsibilities but together we were able to organize three running events before the pandemic. My role was to secure sponsorship from

companies and organizations. I secured sponsorship for each event and helped bring in $3,500 dollars. Combined with individual dona‐

tions, the events team helped raise over $8,300 dollars.

I take a pride in serving in a leadership capacity. I firmly believe that anybody who can serve can lead. To me leadership is about

commitment, humility, and the courage to lead by example. I developed my personal leadership while serving as Drum Major for my

community college’s marching band. As Drum Major, I was responsible for leading over 150 musicians perform marching drills and music

at football games, parades, and events. I had to know the music intimately in order to lead weekly rehearsals, direct, and gain the musi‐

cians’ respect. I committed every pre‐season to analyzing and memorizing the musical scores we were to perform. I spent countless hours

listening to musical recordings while practicing my conducting skills. It was not always easy to inspire the best out of every musician,

especially discipline. I had exercise both discipline and levity. I was responsible for running effective rehearsals and address musicians

who showed a lack of discipline to learn individual music parts, attend rehearsals on time, or maintain focus. When I needed to address

musicians, I made sure to address musicians privately and at times publically; but with humor because band culture permitted a degree of

social sanctioning. One time I sanctioned myself for showing up late to rehearsal. I ran one lap around the track to uphold the social sanc‐

tion and one more lap to hold myself accountable. Marching band made be a better leader because it developed my self‐discipline and

inspired the same in others. I apply my personal leadership in everything I do.

I am excited at the prospect of joining and contribution to the Rising Stars Foundation and its mission. I have the teaching experience,

collaborative, and leadership skills to serve the role of Teacher’s Assistant. Moreover, I value RSF’s commitment to service and teaching. I

look forward to speaking with you about joining the RSF team! I am available at 619.916.9661 or [email protected].

Sincerely,

Your Signature

Hecuba Trojan

Write it Résumé/CV writing

A cover letter and résumé can be powerful tools for any internship or job prospect. They are marketing tools

that convey your skills, qualifications, experience, and potential value and contributions to an employer.

Your résumé and cover letter should provide prospective employers an understanding that you are the right

person for the job. There is no standard for writing a résumé or cover letter. But, there are best practices. The

following are recommendations and strategies for writing a résumé.

The 4 Cs of Résumé writing

1. Concrete

Résumé content should be tailored and relevant

to the position of application.. Use section head‐

ers to underscore relevant experience. Section

header examples are provided on page 2..

Use bullet points to:

underscore achievements and contributions

quantify and qualify your accomplishments

present skills and qualifications that match

employer requirements

Bullet–point formula:

Action verb + how? + why? + result

2. Clear

Your résumé should be well‐organized and easy

to read.

3. Clean

Aim for symmetry, balance, and flow. Utilize the

same format or structure throughout the resume.

4. Concise

Brevity is key in résumé writing. A one‐page ré‐

sumé is sufficient for most recent graduates.

Leave conversational items for the interview.

Structure & Proofreading

Use standard white paper stock

.5” –1” Margins

Use a 10 to 12 point font

Black color font only; monochromatic

Education listed first; reverse chrono‐

logical order (most recent grads)

3‐5 years of experience is suggested for

entry‐level opportunities

Use relevant section headers

Bullet points do not end with periods

Action verbs written in proper tense

Keep résumé to (1) page (most cases)

Do not abbreviate months and years

Bold/Capitalize section headers

Check for spelling, grammar, and

punctuation

Resume review software available:

www.VMock.com/USC


Bullet Points Worksheet

Step 1:

Action Verb

WHAT?

Step 2:

Skills & Details

HOW?

Step 3:

Purpose

WHY?

Step 4:

Results

(If Any)

Determine the

Following as you

Write your bullet‐

points

What did you do?

What were your re‐

sponsibilities, tasks,

duties, or projects? Be

sure to begin with an

action verb.

How did you do it?

What tools or re‐

sources did you use?

How often? Who did

you work with? Be

sure to specify con‐

crete skills.

What was the purpose

of this? What did you

hope to accomplish or

develop?

Did you achieve or

exceed your goals?

What were the re‐

sults?

Example 1 Communicated with 20

private corporations

Cold calling and email

campaign

Secure financial support for

annual scholarship‐drive

$42,000 donations

Example 2 Publicized resume

workshops

Instagram and Facebook Increase awareness of

workshops

25% growth in the # of

participants from last year

Bullet‐point:

Communicated with 20 private corporations via cold calling and email campaign to secure financial support for the annual scholar‐

ship‐drive, which resulted in a donation of $42,000

Bullet‐point:

Publicized resume workshops to students using Instagram and Facebook to increase awareness, resulting in a 25% growth in the

Communicative Analytical Collaborative Research Organizational Leadership Creativity Technical

Address

Author

Communicate

Compose

Contact

Discuss

Draft

Edit

Inform

Interpret

Interview

Mediate

Present

Refer

Report

Translate

Write

Analyze

Appraise

Assess

Deduce

Detect

Determine

Estimate

Evaluate

Forecast

Infer

Measure

Monitor

Observe

Predict

Project

Review

Survey

Aid

Assist

Associate

Collaborate

Communicate

Cooperate

Engage

Help

Interface

Liaise

Mediate

Negotiate

Network

Participate

Partner

Support

Unite

Administer

Categorize

Code

Collect

Develop

Document

Experiment

Identify

Interpret

Investigate

Observe

Perform

Prepare

Record

Research

Test

Verify

Archive

Arrange

Assemble

Catalogue

Classify

Consolidate

Coordinate

Group

Manage

Orchestrate

Organize

Plan

Process

Schedule

Synchronize

Systematize

Update

Advise

Coach

Conduct

Consult

Counsel

Delegate

Direct

Facilitate

Guide

Instruct

Lead

Manage

Mediate

Mentor

Solve

Supervise

Teach

Act

Advertise

Build

Compose

Conceptualize

Construct

Create

Design

Develop

Devise

Formulate

Generate

Invent

Market

Perform

Produce

Transform

Calculate

Calibrate

Code

Compute

Configure

Construct

Decipher

Detect

Engineer

Install

Mine

Model

Modify

Operate

Program

Restore

Upgrade

Action Verbs (Skills)


Hecuba Trojan 213.590.5322 | [email protected] | LinkedIn: hecubatrojan


EDUCATION

University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA May 2016

Bachelor of Arts, Economics

Minor in International Relations

RELEVANT COURSEWORK Advanced Econometrics | Statistics | Money, Credit & Banking | Financial Markets

WORK EXPERIENCE

Associate Intern | Southwestern Mutual, Los Angeles, CA January 2016 ‐ Present

Analyze over 50 clients’ asset allocation and retirement through Personal Planning Analysis

Verify, log and E‐file checks up to $12,000 on a daily basis utilizing NetX360 software

Establish Automated Clearing House (ACH) to help clients make contributions

SERVICE Volunteer | Teaching International Relations Program, Los Angeles, CA August 2015 ‐ December 2015

Taught human rights to 12 juniors at Arroyo High School to promote international relations

Researched 5 case studies and international policy using the CALIS database

Developed 10 lesson plans for instructional purposes

RESEARCH Researcher | Problems Without Passports, Kigali, Rwanda May 2014 ‐ June 2014

Analyzed 5 years of high school graduation rates across 3 schools to determine change in rates

Interviewed 15 high school graduates and recorded 150 responses

Authored a two‐page summary of findings resulting in a presentation at the Council o f Education

ACTIVITIES

USC Triathlon Team August 2015 ‐ Present

Son Y Clave Latin Jazz Ensemble August 2015 ‐ Present

Alpha Beta Phi August 2014 ‐ Present

SKILLS Technical: Microsoft Excel | SPSS | NetX360 | MATLAB | Tableau | STATA | C++

Language: Korean

Tommy Trojan 213.740.5551| [email protected] | LinkedIn: tommytrojan

EDUCATION

University of Southern California May 2022

Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) in History Emphasis in Modern American History, Specialization in Modern War and Violence Advisor: Dr. Americo Unidos

Harvard University May 2012

Bachelor of Arts in History

TEACHING EXPERIENCE

Teaching Assistant August 2015 ‐ Present

Department of History, University of Southern California Instructed 22 students on archival research using the USC Archive Finder database

RESEARCH EXPERIENCE

Department of History, University of Southern California 2010 ‐ 2014 Reviewed 65 pages of interview transcription for accuracy and inclusion in book chapter

PUBLICATIONS

Name. “Home on the (Artillery) Range: Hispanic Memory and the Creation of Camp Pendleton.” Southern

California Quarterly.

Name. Review of: Tracey Loughran. Shell‐Shock and Medical Culture in First World War Britain. New York and

London: Cambridge University Press, 2017, in Medical History.

PRESENTATIONS

“Meine Liebe, Gute, Teure Mama”: Soldiers’ Letters and the End of Childhood in the Great War”

[Under Consideration]. Panel on Youth, Emotion, and the Era of the World Wars. German Studies Associa‐

tion Conference, October 2018.

FELLOWSHIPS/GRANTS

USC Graduate School Research Enhancement Fellowship 2018 ‐ 2019

Awarded $31,000 per year, with an additional $5000 summer funding

MEMBERSHIPS

Member, Phi Beta Kappa Honors Society 2011 ‐ Present

SERVICE

History Graduate Student Association, USC President 2015 ‐ 2017

SKILLS

Technical: Microsoft Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook | Google Docs| Blackboard | SPSS

Languages: French, Italian, and Spanish


Book it Résumé Books

Congratulations. You’ve drafted the perfect resume. Now take your job and internship search to the next

level by taking advantage of Resume Books. Resume Books are portfolios consisting of student and alumni

resumes based on career interest or industry. Employers and Organizations use Resume Books to identify

and recruit candidates. Students and Alumni interested Resume Book recruitment can upload their resume to

any Resume Book in a career or industry of interest.


Resume Books Available

Allied Health & Medicine

Alumni

Art & Design

Business, Entrepreneurship & Real Estate

Communication & Journalism

Data Science, Analytics & Math

Education

Engineering & Computer Science

Finance & Economics

Humanities, Languages & Culture

Law

Marketing, Advertising & PR

Media & Entertainment

Physical, Natural & Life Sciences

Public Administration, Policy & Urban Planning

Social Sciences

Social Work & Human Services

1. Log into Compass

2. Select Documents

3. Select Opt‐in Books &

upload resume

Get started today!

Dress it Wearing appropriate attire is part of the job, graduate/professional school or scholarship interview.

It is an the opportunity to make a positive first impression. Attire can help make or break the posi‐

tion or opportunity you’ve worked so hard to secure. The following is a set of best practices to help

ensure you dress and present yourself appropriately and professionally at your next interview.

Interview Attire

Hair & Grooming

Keep it simple. Conservative hairstyles are pre‐

ferred; avoid thick gels or hair products. Facial

hair should be groomed.

Make‐up, Nail polish, & Fragrance

Use make‐up sparingly. Nail polish and make‐

up colors should be kept conservative. No per‐

fume; use deodorant‐no scent. American

norms of personal hygiene are anticipated and

appreciated in U.S. culture.

Jewelry & Accessories

Jewelry should be kept at a minimum. Neck‐

laces should sit high on the neckline. Avoid

gaudy jewelry. A watch is appropriate for an

interview.

Bags & Portfolios

Carry a portfolio for note‐keeping, preparing

questions in advance, and to keep extra copies

of your résumé; bags are a matter of preference.

Bring a pen for the occasion.

Coats, Jackets, & Suits

Coordinated coat/jacket with pant or knee‐

length skirt is recommended; suits are a good

option; coat/jacket should remain on during the

interview.

Tops, Shirts, & Ties

White, blue, or light‐colored blouse, shell or col‐

lared dress‐shirts are recommended. Avoid low

necklines. Ties should coordinate with shirt and

suit; Tie‐tip should reach belt buckle.

Color, Print & Material

Darker colors such as blue, grey, or charcoal are

recommended. Use a material that is comforta‐

ble but NOT form‐fitting.

Shoes, Socks & Hosiery

Closed‐toe dress‐shoes are recommended; low‐

heel shoes are preferred; dark‐colored socks on‐

ly. Avoid white‐colored socks.


Share it Interview Skills

10 Questions you need to be able to answer

Tell me about yourself.

What interests you in the organization?

What interests you in this position?

What is your relevant experience? Be specific.

What are your greatest strengths? Weaknesses?

What are your greatest skills? For example?

What distinguishes you from other candidates?

What is your preferred work‐environment?

Where do you see yourself # years from now?

How will you contribute to the company?

Prepare 1‐3 questions to ask the interviewer (s)

Verbal & Non‐Verbal Language

1. Manage emotions. Take deep breaths and visualize.

2. Think about what you say and how you say it. Leave

a positive implicit and explicit impression.

3. Utilize the S.O.L.E.R. communication technique:

Sit squarely

Open sitting posture

Lean forward slightly

Eye‐contact always

Relaxed body language

Big Interview Mock Interview AI

Big Interview is a powerful AI‐enhanced interviewing

tool to help you excel in interviews. Log in‐

to connectSC and select Resources; on‐line resources

An interview is one of the most important steps in securing a career with an organization, employer, or

graduate school. It is usually the last step in determining whether a candidate is the right fit for the organi‐

zation or opportunity. The interview personalizes the application process for both the organization and pro‐

spective candidate. Preparation and execution are key to a successful interview. The following provides

quick but effective suggestions on how to prepare for and nail your next interview.

Be able to talk about your

Résumé

Personality

Abilities & Skills

Interests

Values

Experiences

Interest in the position

Interest in the organization

Know yourself

Know the organization | Position

Research the organization, industry, and

position. Learn the organization’s:

Leadership

Culture & values

Competitors

Research resources

Website; for the organization

Linked‐In; company profiles

Social media

Candid Career; employee tips

Glass Door; company reviews

Hoovers; industry insights


Behavioral Interview Questions

Behavioral interview questions are typically prefaced with the phrase, “Tell me about a time you…”

Behavioral interview questions do not have a right or wrong answer. Rather, they are designed to inform

the interviewer about a candidate’s pattern of behavior, or reaction to a situation to ascertain like behaviors

if hired. Use the STAR method to address behavioral interview questions:

S Situation

T Task

A Action

R Result

Introduce the interviewer

to the situation. Share a

situation that is appropri‐

ate and underscores your

actions and result

Inform the interviewer of

the task you had to

accomplish

Describe the specific ac‐

tions taken to help you

accomplish the task.

What did you do? How

did you do it?

Conclude your response

by sharing the result of

your actions. What did

you accomplish? Did you

complete the task? What

did you learn?

Behavioral Question Example

Tell me about a time you had to problem‐solve

Sample Response:

(S) When I worked as a portfo lio manager for a small music streaming start‐up, the president of the company

requested that all portfolio managers audit each artist in their portfolio to determine and report on digital downloads

and revenue. Up to that time, we had not performed an audit let alone had an audit process all managers could imple‐

ment since we had only been in operation for a few weeks.

(T) My supervisor asked me to crea te and present an audit process and plan.

(A) I thought about the matter until I had a possible so lution. I determined the to ta l number o f managers

and identified how many artists each manager had in their portfolio. I then created a web‐based database for each man‐

ager to log into and enter data for each artist in their portfolio. I designed the database to distinguish between domestic

downloads by U.S. region and international downloads. I worked with the IT department to sync our music download

files to the database. I tested the database and when I determined it worked, I created and shared instructions with the

managers and held a training session.

(R) As a result, each manager could now determine the to ta l number o f downloads fo r each artist in their

portfolio when they logged into the database. Then, they simply had to multiply the number of downloads times down‐

load‐costs to determine total revenue per artists. For international downloads, managers had the additional step of con‐

verting revenue to U.S. dollars. The plan worked and we improved process and database later that year.


Zoom it Video Interview Tips Video interviews are here and are here to stay! Whether you interview on Zoom, Slack , Skype or

other video software, exercise the following tips to maximize your remote interview experience!


Location

Choose a quiet and private space to interview without interruptions

Use a clean or neutral background so interviewers are not distracted

Technology

Utilize headphones to minimize audio feedback. Otherwise, keep speaker volume to a minimum

Maximize video transmission:

Set video settings to 720p

Do not stream, download, or upload other content while interviewing

Interview in an area with a strong WiFi signal

If video is unstable, mute camera and use audio only

Dial‐in for audio instead of using computer audio

Use a hardwire Ethernet connection for a more stable connection

Upgrade your internet speed (if applicable)

Familiarize yourself with the interview software used prior to the interview. For example, if your inter‐

view is on Zoom, review “How‐To ”videos on YouTube or on Zoom’s official website

Communication

If interviewing via Zoom on a desktop or laptop with a built‐in camera, set the Zoom view to “Speaker”

and place the Video/Dialogue box underneath the camera This will help you maintain eye‐to‐eye contact

Open a word document or have post it notes to glance at brief interview notes or questions

Capture video from the waist up to maximize face‐to‐face communication

Practice interviewing both sitting down and standing up. While interviewing sitting down may be more

natural, standing up during a virtual interview may allow you to communicate more with your verbals,

and non‐verbals to compensate for a loss of visual cues an in‐person interview affords

Look at the camera when speaking, not the screen; to align your eyesight with the interviewer’s eyesight

Look at the screen when listening, not the camera; to observe body‐language and practice active listening

Dress as you would for an in‐person interview

Maintain an open body language to promote receptiveness

Smile! Because interviewers will mirror your smile and you may feel better during the interview

Recommend resources Big Interview mock interview software available on connectSC

USC Dornsife Career Pathways – Video mock interviews with a Career Advisor

Mock it Big Interview

Big Interview is a powerful AI‐enhanced interviewing tool to help you excel in interviews. Get hands‐on prac‐

tice with mock interviews tailored to graduate school, industry, job and experience level. Log in‐

to connectSC and select Resources then On‐line resources to get started. Mock interviews include:

Industry Interviews

Accounting & Financial Operations

Administrative Assistant

Advertising Industry

Art & Design

Aviation & Aerospace Industry

Banking (Retail)

Biotech

Communications

Construction Trades

Customer Service Industry

Energy Sector

Engineering

Fashion Industry

Financial Services Industry

Government

Healthcare

Hospitality

Human Resources

Insurance Industry

Legal Profession

Management Consulting

Marketing

Nonprofit Sector

Operations

Police / Law Enforcement

Project Manager

Public Relations

Real Estate Industry

Retail

Sales Profession

TV, Film, & Radio

Teaching Profession

Technology

Transportation

Veterans

Top 10 Questions

Practice the Top 10 questions youʹre

most likely to get in an interview.

Internship

Suitable for candidates who are ap‐

plying for competitive internships.

Entry Level

Suitable for candidates who are fairly

new to a career path, including recent

graduates.

Mid Level

Suitable for candidates with some

years of experience, in middle man‐

agement or mid‐career.

Senior Level

Suitable for experienced candidates

seeking a senior level position.

Managerial Role

Suitable for candidates who are ap‐

plying for a position that involves su‐

pervising people.

Career Change

Suitable for candidates who are in the

process of switching industries.

Uncomfortable Questions

These difficult questions focus on

weaknesses or sensitive topics.

Graduate School

Graduate School

Business School

Law School

Medical School

Medical Residency

Dental School

Optometry School

Veterinary School


Click the icon to log‐in:

Talking about yourself is extremely useful when meeting a prospective recruiter, representative or faculty for a desired

internship, research position, employment or career opportunity. An “elevator pitch” is a useful speech or statement to

prepare in advance of such opportunities. The statement is referred to as an elevator pitch because delivering it should

take about as long as it takes to get from one floor to another on an elevator. Although an elevator pitch can be created,

practiced, and developed, it should provide an accurate and authentic representation of you. Practice your pitch so

that it evolves as destination points you want to share in context AND in conversation.

Pitch it The Elevator Pitch

Pitching Frameworks

1‐2‐3 Pitch

1. Introduction: Introduce yourself and share pertinent infor‐

mation such as your major, minor, year in school, organization,

leadership position, etc.

2. Interest: Articulate your interest in the organization and in

a position of either an internship, part‐time or full‐time posi‐

tion. Briefly share experiences or skills relative to the position.

3. Action: Identify what you wish to do such as talk about

career opportunities, leaving a copy of your résumé, applying

for a position, or following‐up with a phone conversation.

Who? What? Where? Pitch

Frame your pitch by answering these questions:

1. Who are you?

2. What have you done?

3. Where have you done it?

4. What did you accomplish?

5. What do you want to do now?

Example:

“Hello. My name is Erica Bovard. I am a Junior majoring in Psy‐

chology and President of the Students in Media Association. I’ve

worked as a public relations intern at Town & Gown Entertainment

as well as a social media intern at the USC Athletics Department.

While working at Town & Gown Entertainment, I managed account

portfolios for new clients totaling over $250,000 dollars. More recent‐

ly, I audited the USC Athleticsʹ Department social media content for

graphic identity compliance. I would love to talk you about the ac‐

counts manager internship position you are interviewing for on

campus.”

The Pixar Pitch: The pitch as story‐telling

The purpose of framework is to bring focus to the

narrative. You can use the Pixar framework to tell your story.

Adapted from Daniel H. Pink’s, To Sell is Human, 2013.

Pixar

Once upon a time_________________________________________

Every day,_______________________________________________

One day_________________________________________________

Because of that,___________________________________________

Because of that,___________________________________________

Until finally,_____________________________________________

Now, use comparable substitutes to start your pitch and

follow the suggested sequence.

Example:

“I’ve always been fascinated with research. Every day, I would stay

after‐school to grow cultures at my high school’s biology lab.

When I came to USC, I was able to conduct research on Drosophila

melanogaster in Dr. Mc Fly’s lab. Our findings showed a de‐

crease in eye pigment cells in wild‐type flies. My research over‐

laps with your work on photoreceptor cells. That is why I am

interested in conducting research in your lab.”

Essentials

Be positive

Make eye contact

Start and end with a firm hand‐shake

Speak with a natural timbre and cadence

Be mindful of your surroundings/context

Have a résumé or business card ready


Brand it

Fundamentals

Before you cultivate your brand, you need to be able

to identify it. Answering the following three questions

will help get you started with your personal brand.

What do you value?

Your values are at the core of “why,” “what,” and

“how” you do things. For example:

if you value timeliness, you aim to meet deadlines

if you value teamwork, you aim to collaborate

if you value innovation, you consider new ideas

What makes you stand out?

Do you have particular strengths, skills, talents, or ex‐

perience that make you stand out from others at your

place of work, research, or internship? Identify what

differentiates you from others and capitalize what

makes you unique.

What is your reputation?

What do others say about you? What do others have

to say about your quality of work? Did you develop

relationships or burned bridges at your last internship

or place of employment? Your reputation precedes

you. Be mindful of your reputation and use it to

benefit your career.

Re‐Brand yourself: A 7‐step starter‐guide!

Conduct an on‐line search of your name. Address

content that may negatively impact your personal

brand

Establish or update a Linked‐in account for profes‐

sional use

3. Use a portrait‐quality profile picture in all of your

publicly‐accessible social media accounts

4. Write a 3‐5 sentence personal mission statement to

share about yourself

5. Link and brand a similar look and feel to your profes‐

sional social media

6. Network. Build “bridges” and develop relationships

at your places of work or business

7. Practice congruity. Do, what you say.

Everyone has a personal brand. “Who” you are matters. Everything you do leaves an imprint at your place

of work, research, internship, or service. Moreover, you leave an imprint with the people whom you come in

contact: co‐workers, colleagues, or the people you serve. Employers, graduate schools, and organizations will

look into your brand. So, it is a good idea and practice to develop your personal brand. Think of it as “Me,

Inc.” The following provides basic fundamentals and best practices to help get you started.

Personal Branding


LinkedIn is the preeminent professional social network connecting over 750 million members

worldwide across industries and professions including 300K USC Alumni. Members can use

LinkedIn to connect with individuals and leverage career opportunities. LinkedIn offers no costs or

premium options. Moreover, USC students gain free access to LinkedIn Learning’s library of career

development and professional training courses!

Link it Leverage LinkedIn

LinkedIn Practices

From Basic to Advanced

Research alumni

Network/Request connection

Message members

Job/Internship search

Filter for job preferences

Open to work option

Use job search agents

Feature posts, articles, or media

Perform skills assessments

Earn badges

Post content daily

Write an article

Vary banner monthly

Change featured section weekly

Utilize LinkedIn Learning

Perform a salary search

LinkedIn Benefits

Market yourself

Network with members, alumni, and recruiters

Identify career & job opportunities

Perform skills assessments

Utilize resume and interview tools

Gather Company & Salary intelligence

LinkedIn Learning: Career/professional development courses

(Free to USC Students at itservices.usc.edu/linkedin‐learning/)

Ready to get started? Choose a LinkedIn membership plan to suit your needs:

Basic Membership (Free)

Build your professional identity online

Develop and maintain a trusted professional network

Request and provide recommendations

Search for and view profiles of other LinkedIn members

Job and internship search

Receive unlimited InMail messages

Save up to three searches and get weekly search alerts

Premium Memberships (USD)

Career | $29.99

Business | $47.99

Sales Navigator | $64.99

Recruiter Lite | $99.95


LinkedIn Profile Basics Create your LinkedIn profile like a Pro!

First Name, Last Name

Pronouns: Optional

Headline: A brief mission statement that underscores who you are and why people should connect with you

Current position: Student? Intern? Occupation?

Education

Country/Region

Zip Code | City, State

Industry: If app licab le

Contact: Web site | Phone | Email | Twitter

Optional: Open to work /Now h iring

About/Professional Summary:

Write a brief summary about yourself. You can draft a summary by answering the following set of questions:

Who are you? What do you do? What do you want to do now?

Who are you? What do you do? How do others benefit from what you do?

Featured: Select Posts, Articles, Link s, Media that highlight your work, accomplishments, or contributions

Background

Experience: Select jobs, internships, or research that underscore experience; include brief bullet‐points of keys skills and contributions

Education

Licenses/Certifications: Include any licenses or certifications specific to an industry, trade, or occupation

Volunteer experience: Select volunteer or service that underscore experience; include brief bullet‐points of keys skills and contributions

Skills & Badges: Add sk ills you posses. Comple te Link edIn’s skills assessments and earn badges

Accomplishments: Add any o f the fo llowing to showcase your k nowledge , ach ievements, d istinctions, or affi liations

Publications

Patents

Courses

Projects

Awards

Languages

Organizations

Recommendations: Provide recommendations for o thers. Req uest recommendations f rom others.

Interests

Influencers: People you fo llow or whom you consider a personal, cultural, social, professional, etc. influencer

Companies: Employers or companies you are affi liated with or are interested in

Groups: Jo in LinkedIn groups for ind ividuals with like interests, school, industry, trade, or occupation

Schools: Schools you are affi liated with or are interested in attending

Upload a Profile Photo & Banner


Connect it Networking

Networking opportunities

There are multiple ways to network; planned or unplanned.

The following are recommendations to help you get started:

In‐person ‐ at your place of employment, internship,

research, etc.

USC Trojan Network – a database of USC alumni avail‐

able for career guidance and networking.

LinkedIn – you can search by alumni, career, and even

major to find people with similar backgrounds and re‐

quest to learn about their career path

Informational interviews ‐ conducting an informational

interview is a great way research a career and network.

Simply, locate an individual who is in a career of interest

and request an informational interview

Professional associations ‐ join associations in your

area(s) of interests

Faculty ‐ you have the opportunity to network with 1‐4

faculty members per semester

Networking events—participate in campus networking

events

Whenever, wherever, & with whomever ‐ opportunity

presents itself!

Who you know is equally important as what you know. Networking is about establishing and developing social rela‐

tionships. It is about making a connection with people. When you make a connection with someone, you not only make

a connection with the individual, but you open the potential to connect with the person’s network of individuals. This

network serves as a type of social capital that can be tapped into and leveraged. When you network, you take an active

measure to realize your goals. Chances are, you already network and don’t realize it. Below are suggestions for net‐

working.

You know you Networked if:

1. At the end of a conversation, you have the name of

a person who is in a position to help you

2. At the end of a conversation, you learn of a new em‐

ployer or organization that is of interest to you

3. At the end of a conversation, you learn new infor‐

mation that helps you in the realization of a goal

Planned Happenstance & Opportunity

Planned happenstance is ability to create opportunity from

unplanned events. Much of career development focuses

on planning, preparation, and known events; i.e. résu‐

més, interview skills, attire, and career fairs. Planned

happenstance is about planning and preparing for the

unknown and creating opportunity from seemingly

chance experiences. It is a perspective that transforms

chance events into opportunity through purposeful ac‐

tion. Planned happenstance does not ignore planning

and preparation. It evolves it to a level of mastery

(Mitchell, Levin, and Krumboltz, 1999).

Networking Principles

1. Take risks

2. Do what you love

3. Talk to people

4. Act; put yourself out there

5. Engage others

6. Persist; keep at it

7. Leverage your student‐identity


Informational Interview Best Practices

Purpose: The purpose of an informational interview is to learn a first‐hand account of your career

choice of interest from professionals working in the field. You may learn additional information not

available through traditional exploration guides or on‐line resources while providing the oppor‐

tunity to practice communication skills.

Do

Research the company and person with whom you are conducting the informational interview

Prepare a list of questions that you can ask

Bring a notepad or tablet for you to take notes

Ask if it is okay for you take notes during the interview

Dress professionally

Have your personal business card ready

Follow up with a thank‐you note, either handwritten or e‐mail, within 48hrs.

Don’t

Don’t ask for a job

Don’t give them your resume (unless they request it)

Don’t be late

Suggested questions to ask:

How would you describe the environment you work in?

How would you describe a typical day at work?

What portion of your job involves interacting with others?

What college courses have been most helpful to you in your job?

What types of special skills are necessary to perform your job?

Is special certification, training, or an advanced degree required for your job?

What personal qualities do you see as important for success in this occupation?

What do you like most about your job?

How did you get interested in this area of work?

What was your undergraduate major field of study?

Did you have any practical experience or training, other than college?

How would you advise me to prepare myself for a career in this field?


Dine it Dining Etiquette


Mind Your Manners

Do not talk with food in your mouth. Take bite

size pieces, finish chewing, then speak

Treat wait staff respectfully. Saying “please”

and “thank you” when appropriate. Say “May

I…” when ordering and be patient with the

staff. Do not speak poorly of the wait staff

Maintain your posture upright during the meal

If you have food stuck in your teeth, remove it

with a sip of your drink. If you are not able to,

excuse yourself and go to the restroom

Do not place your phone on the table or use

your phone at the table. If you must text, place

or take a call, excuse yourself and use your

phone away from the table

Table Conversation

Stand and introduce yourself to everyone with a

handshake prior to taking your seat a the table;

if the situation allows for it. Otherwise, intro‐

duce yourself by name once seated

Engage in small talk before the business meal/

job interview. Keep conversation topics light

and simple

Table Conversation Continued

Use the FORD method to engage others in con‐

versation. Talk about:

Family

Occupation

Recreation

Dreams

Dining Etiquette

Do not start eating until everyone’s food is

served. If everyone else has their meal, and you

are waiting on your meal, you can tell others to

start eating

Food allergies: safety first! It is OK to ask the

wait staff about ingredients. Or you can research

the menu items ahead of time online or by call‐

ing the restaurant

What to order: order a meal that is easy to eat

and that requires a fork and knife. Don’t order

the most expensive item. You can use host’s

item as a reference

Try to eat your entire meal, it might look rude if

you leave a large amount of your food. It is not

appropriate to request a to‐go box

Dining out for an employer event or job/internship interview can be an opportunity to shine or it can spell

disaster. Knowing and implementing good dining etiquette can help you avoid awkward situations and

leave a positive impression on your peers and prospective employer. Learn the social etiquette, queues, and

practices that will have you dining with confidence!

Dine it Dining Etiquette


Alcohol

It is not appropriate to drink alcohol during a

job interview

If you are an employee and of legal drinking

age, use your best judgement to decide to drink

or not. Remember to represent yourself and em‐

ployer well

How to Use the Silverware

Use the outer utensils first and “eat” your way

to the center

Bread Basket

If the bread plate is in front of you, pass it to

your right. If it is not near you, do not reach

across the table. Wait until the basket comes to

you

Break off a bite‐size piece of bread. Butter it, if

desired. Eat. Repeat

Your bread plate is on the left, drinking glass is

on the right. If you forget, remember BmW:

Bread (left) – middle– water (right)

Salting Your Dish

Don’t salt your food before you taste it. This ac‐

tion can be taken as an insult by the chef and

wait staff

If the shakers are across the table, ask someone

to pass them, do not reach across the table

Napkin Usage

Place the napkin in your lap

Do not shake it open or use it to wipe off cutlery

or your nose

If you have to stand up, place the napkin next to

your plate, not on the chair

Follow‐Up Communication

Thank the interviewer(s) for the meal and ask

for their business card

Use both hands to hand out business cards.

When receiving a card, take a look at the card

first, acknowledge it, then put it away

Just like you would with in‐person or phone in‐

terviews, send a thank‐you card or email

Paying the Bill

You are not obligated to pay the bill

Close it

Jobstar.org Payscale.com

Glassdoor.com* Jobsearchintelligence.com

Salaryexpert.com Onetonline.org

Salary.com BLS.gov

I. Ask yourself and address key questions to help you decide:

Does this career opportunity align with my career personality, abilities, interests, values and experience?

Am I able to apply my skills and experience in this position in a manner that is meaningful to me?

Is this opportunity purposeful to me?

How do my values align with the values and culture of the organization?

Do I believe in the mission of the organization?

Is there opportunity for financial and professional growth in the organization?

How does this opportunity align with my desired lifestyle?

Is the opportunity in a location and environment I desire?

What employee benefits are available to me and at what costs?

Does the salary/compensation offer meet my desire?

If your answers are favorable, consider accepting the job offer

If your answers are not favorable: Respectfully decline the offer

Accept the offer as‐is, or

Negotiate to improve the job offer

II. Research Salary

Job Offer & Salary Negotiations

*Available on Dornsife Compass

Congratulations! You received a job offer! Now what? Evaluate a job offer before you decide to ac‐

cept or decline it; or negotiate salary. The following is intended to help you assess a job offer to

reach a decision.


Salary Negotiation Rubric Use the resources provided to research and determine the following:

Job

Offer

Salary

Offered

Desired

Salary

Low‐End

Salary

Average

Salary

High‐End

Salary

Rationale for

higher salary

Company #1 $63,500 Enter here: $60,000 $65,000 $75,000 Years of experience

Skills

Degree(s)/Certifications

Market value

Commitment

Benefits Confirm employee benefits that may offset salary or enhance the job offer:

Benefit type Available? Notes:

Retirement

Stock options

Medical plan

Dental plan

Life insurance

Paid vacation

Paid sick days

Education

Remote work

Transportation

Childcare

Other:

Suggested Salary Negotiation Verbiage

I’ve gathered candidates like me typically earn between $____________to $____________. What can we do to meet at this range?

Or: What can we do to meet me at $__________

Or: I have multiple job‐offers. What can we do to meet me at $__________

Use the sample provided to determine a monthly budget

(A) Sample Gross Salary $65,000/yr. | $5,416/month $ Your Gross Salary

Minus Social Security/Taxes(CA) @ 25% ‐$16,250/yr. or ‐$1,354/month Minus Social Security/Taxes

(B) Net Salary $48,750/yr. | $4,062/month $ (B) Net Salary

Benefits Costs Monthly costs Monthly costs Benefits Costs

Retirement plan $150 Retirement plan

Stock options n/a Stock options

Medical plan $200 Medical plan

Dental plan $50 Dental plan

Life insurance Optional Life insurance

Paid vacation 0 Paid vacation

Paid sick days 0 Paid sick days

Education Available Education

Remote work Negotiable Remote work

Transportation n/a Transportation

Childcare Optional Childcare

Other: 0 Other:

Subtract total monthly costs from (B) Net Salary to

determine (C), Take Home Pay $400 Subtract total monthly costs from (B) Net Salary to

determine (C), Take Home Pay

(C) Take‐Home Pay $3,662/month $ (C) Take‐Home Pay

Cost of Living Type Monthly expenses Monthly expenses Cost of Living Type Student Loans $350 Student Loans

Personal savings $120 Personal savings

Emergency funds $100 Emergency funds

Rent/Lease $900 (w/roommate) Rent/Lease

Utilities $60 Utilities

Internet $60 Internet

Phone plan $40 Phone plan

Car Payment $200 Car Payment

Car Insurance $150 Car Insurance

Ride share $50 Public transportation

Groceries $300 Groceries

Entertainment $300 Entertainment

Other: $32 Other:

Subtract total monthly costs from (C), Take Home

Pay to determine (D), Monthly Balance $2,660 Subtract total monthly costs from (C), Take Home

Pay to determine (D), Monthly Balance

(D) Monthly Balance $1,000 $ (D) Monthly Balance


Budget it Budget Worksheet