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ready to move forward with your search? here are a few characteristics that successful and savvy experience seekers possess and implement throughout the search process. these characteristics apply whether you are pursuing an internship, job, volunteer role, fellowship, or membership in a student organization.

Successful seekers REFLECT! Time to search for an opportunity. But wait! What type of experience are you seeking? Why? Take time to think carefully about your skills,strengths,likes/dislikes,andwhatyouwanttolearnnext.Beingableto articulate the above will allow you to conduct a search with purpose and direction, ultimately saving you time and minimizing frustration. Reflection is a key component that should be used throughout the process.

Successful seekers conduct a TARGETED SEARCH! Pursuing any and every opportunity you find will produce results that may not align with the direction you would like to head with your career. Target organizations and industries that are of genuine interest to you and tailor your approach (resume, cover letter, proposal, and pitch) to reflect the experiences and skills most relevant and salient for those opportunities.

Successful seekers RESEARCH! You may know the top five employers in your industry of interest, but who are the top 10? Top 20? Don’t limit your knowledge of the world to what you already know. Take time to expand upon this base of knowledge and learn about opportunities and experiences that are interesting to you. Researching organizations and employers allows you to learn about their culture, values, and specific opportunities for career development. Your research will help you determine whether or not there is a potential fit between you and the opportunity or organization, helping you make an informed decision about your next step!

Successful seekers are ORGANIZED! Some searches are especially time consuming. You should anticipate spending several hours a week on your internship, job, or fellowship search. The same may be true of other opportunities. Develop a system that allows you to keep all of your contacts and notes in one place and keep a calendar of relevant events and deadlines. Consider having an email address, folder, or use tags dedicated to your search-related communications. Store your search-related documents electronically in a centralized folder so they are easy to access if needed immediately.

Successful seekers have ENDURANCE and PATIENCE! Since some searches can last several months, be prepared to participate in a process that may not always agree with your preferred timeframe. We are used to immediate gratification in our society, but each organization, employer, or funder works at their own pace for legitimate (if obscure) reasons. As a candidate for the opportunity, you will benefit from being aware of and sensitive to this fact.

Characteristics of a Savvy Internship and Job Seeker

are you Search Savvy?

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Successful seekers FOLLOW UP! Following up on your applications and conversations can be the difference between securing an opportunity and remaining in an undifferentiated pile of resumes. By following up, you can confirm that your application is in the right hands, restate your serious interest in the position, and demonstrate follow-through skills so important in professional roles. As with all communications with employers, it is critical to act in a timely, professional, and courteous manner. While you may be eager to know the status of your application, be aware that they may not be able to provide much information at any given time. Your follow-up will nonetheless make a positive impression.

Successful seekers MANAGE SETBACKS WITH POSITIVITY! Being told “no” in your search is never fun, but it’s bound to happen at some point. Rejection can hinge on a number of factors, many of which are out of the your control. While rejection can be frustrating, it is very important to remain positive and not let a setback with one opportunity effect how you present yourself for another prospective experience. Transform rejection into motivation, staying confident that you have many strong characteristics to contribute.

Successful seekers project PROFESSIONALISM AND MATURITY! You are more than the sum of your skills

and previous experiences. Professionalism and maturity can take you a long way. As you connect with people throughout your search, there are many opportunities to demonstrate this, including how you communicate and present yourself.

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are you Search Savvy?

Intentional, sustained, and effective networking is a powerful tool when searching for interesting internships, jobs, and other experiences. It can significantly augment other methods for learning about and pursuing career options, such as on-campus recruiting, social networking, and online searches. Believe it or not, networking is something you already do well! Think about your first weeks on campus, meeting fellow students and exchanging information related to your discoveries about Duke life, (bus routes, campus dining facilities, interesting activities, great professors, etc). By sharing information, you were assisting or receiving help yourself (getting from East to West Campus on time, finding something fun to do on Thursday night, etc.). Beyond information, perhaps you introduced your math-whiz roommate with your calculus-confused friend for some informal tutoring. Exchanging useful information and seeking and creating helpful introductions are the essence of networking.

The Value of NetworkingStrategically connecting with people enables you to:

•Gaininsiderknowledgeandinsightintothecareerfield, industry, or organization and the day-to-day experiences, career paths, terminology, organizational culture, sources of industry information, and more.

•Buildconfidenceovertimeinspeakingaboutyourself,career interests, and future goals.

•Expandthenumberofpeopleyouknowwhoaredoing things you are curious about.

•Learnaboutopportunities,sometimesbeforetheybecome publicized (Note: Networking is NOT the same as asking for a job).

•Refineyourgoals,makewell-informeddecisionsin your search, and make a positive impression on employers and those who are evaluating your candidacy.

Professional Networking

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Managing Your Online ReputationYou know that employers use the Internet to research potential job candidates. Thus, a necessary part of any job or internship search is to create and maintain a positive online reputation. Use the following steps to move from damage control towards proactive ownership of your online first impression.

Increase Your Awareness. Be sure you know what information is or could be available about yourself online, where it is, and what impression it may create.

•Search your name (and different versions of it) on the major search engines, on different social networks, and sites where you comment. A few not-so-obvious sites to check: Tumblr, Netflix, Flickr, Match, Delicious, Amazon, Yelp.

•Know the privacy agreement and settings for the various online communities of which you are a member.

•Request feedback from peers and professionals on impressions based your online presence alone. Would they hire you? Why or why not?

•Familiarize yourself with sites where your potential colleagues or supervisors gather and participate online.

Protect Your Image. Ensure potential employers only see information that conveys a positive image. You do not want them to question your professionalism, judgment, or ability to represent their organization.

•Adjust the privacy settings for all online accounts. •Remove content and tags that could negatively influence a

potential employer’s first impression. •Hide or delete old accounts that do not best represent you. •Request that information about you posted by others be

removed if you are opposed to it.

Build a Professional Presence. Present your name, accomplishments, and aspirations in ways that can be accessible to others.

•Use social networks to create and maintain a public profile that represents your accomplishments and a sense of the professional you are becoming and you are comfortable with the public seeing.

•Display a copy of your resume and a portfolio of your accomplishments online.

•Promoteyourprofilesand/orwebsite,e.g.,addalinktoyouremail signature.

•Contribute to conversations relevant to your fields of interest throughmedialikeblogs,LinkedIngroups,and/orTwitter.

Own Your Presence. Assert greater control of your online identity by owning it yourself.

•Create a personal website that serves as a professional resume and portfolio. Update this regularly with new content.

•Continue your activities online and watch your name and professional identity become more prominent in search engines. Set a goal to take over the whole first page of Googlewhensomeonesearchesyourname.

networking BasicsWith practice comes improvement. ever hear the phrase, “fake it ‘till you make it?” no one needs to know that you’re nervous or that you’ve never done this before. on the other hand, if it makes you more comfortable, feel free to tell people this is new for you. it’s okay. even after years of practice, introducing yourself to someone new can feel risky. But it is worth it. Students we talk to most commonly say that their level of nervousness far exceeded the actual task, and that the conversation was fun! Just remember that almost any interpersonal encounter can be an opportu-nity for intentional networking.Know yourself: • skills, interests, values, personality,

and accomplishments.Make a list of your current relationships• —

personal, professional, academic, and beyond. add duke alums to your list! your first-degree contacts will be instrumental in connecting you with other people you do not yet know, your second-degree contacts.

Do not discount individuals• because you think they do not know the right people. they do not need to be in the area you are pursuing to have valuable relationships to share.

Create a plan • for reaching out to your first-degree contacts and for keeping track of your communica-tions. you might want to start with people who seem to have the closest connections to your interest area or with those whom you feel most comfortable with. either way will work. the point is to create a plan you can act on!

Do your homework.• learn a little bit about each person you contact (profession, current projects, company, relevant personal information, etc.). use the power of the internet to your advantage.

Draft and practice • your opening communication (verbal introduction, email, etc). discuss this with a friend, career advisor, or someone from your Board of advisors (Page ##).

Make your move!• Send an email or letter first; follow with a phone call. or simply Call! assign yourself a daily quota. Be persistent but not pushy.

Follow up! • Call again within a week if you receive no response. arrange a meeting in person or by phone. ask for 30 to 45 minutes only. you could get even luckier!

Set the tone.• Know and explain why you are calling and what you hope to learn (industry information, career exploration, job search advice, graduate or professional school guidance, etc.) you are not ask-ing for a job!

Ask for referrals.• one of your most important ques-tions is, “Whom do you recommend i contact for additional information?”

Send a thank-you note• within 48 hours! email is oK! a personal letter can be very effective, too!

Maintain connections.• nurture the relationships by staying in touch and letting them know where you land!

Be patient.• networking yields results that often accu-mulate over time. never stop networking!

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Top Search Strategies Before you jump into your search, consider a few recommendations that will help you to search smart, manage your time, and implement an effective plan. A search is a long-term process. Longer

than many people anticipate. Plan to spend four or more months gearing up and implementing a search for a full-time or highly competitive internship opportunity. Many students have compared this commitment to taking an additional class.

Set aside time on a regular basis. Unlike a paper or project that can be postponed or worked on in surges, the best searches are spread over time. Put time on your calendar each week—an hour or so for downtime and a few hours during peak periods.

Prioritize your interests. Spend time exploring to effectively target your search to your interests. Three fantastic applications to great-fit opportunities tend to reap more rewards than 100 scattershot applications.

Learn what an optimal candidate profile includes. The better picture you have of the person who would be selected for your desired role, the more effective you will be at presenting your own experiences. Utilize the three exploration methods discussed earlier in this guide to get a well-rounded view.

Practice presenting yourself in writing and in conversation. Your ability to articulate what you want and why comes only through reflection and practice. Create opportunities to rehearse before you find yourself in an interview for that coveted position.

Get feedback. Have others read your resume and guess what kind of position you are seeking. Practice introducing yourself and expressing your professional interests to family or friends. Ask your roommate to role-play an interview with you.

Track your progress. Keep records so that you know what applications and documents have gone where and when. Track whom you have talked to, when, how you have followed up, and whether more follow up is expected. This helps you when preparing for an interview or actively managing your conversations and professional relationships. It also gives you a record of your progress for days that feel stalled.

Ethical Conduct in Your SearchWhile you are keeping track of all the elements of your search, be sure your ethical conduct remains a constant the whole way through. Should you have questions about the ethical thing to do in a given situation, please contact the Career Center. We are here to help clarify and explain whatever may seem muddy. If you are in a pinch for time, always err on the side of caution.The following are expectations for how to conduct yourself in a way that is ethical so as to prevent situations that could result in a permanent scar on your professional reputation within an industry as well as damage to the reputation of Duke students as a whole:

Be 100 percent truthful and accurate on your resume. Embellishments and exaggerations are considered lying. Employers often look beyond candidates’ resumes to verify information that candidates have provided. Don’t falsify, stretch, or bend information suchasyourGPA,SATscores,involvementinactivities,leadershiprolesyou have held, or results in competitions in which you have participated. On-Campus Recruiting Policy: Falsifying your resume may result in being reported to Duke’s Office of Student Conduct and subject to sanctions, being banned from the Career Center’s on-campus recruiting program permanently, and forfeiting employment opportunities.

Attend interviews to which you have committed. By agreeing to an interview (whether through eRecruiting, email, or phone), you are making a commitment. Should you need or desire to withdraw from an interview, timely notification is a must. On-Campus Recruiting Policy: You may remove yourself from an interview schedule no less than two business days prior to your interview. Students who withdraw any later or do not show up will be barred from the On-Campus Recruiting program. Reinstatement will require a letter of apology to the recruiter and a meeting with a Career Center staff member.

Communicate in a timely manner with employers. Don’t ignore phone calls and emails from employers as you go through the process of accepting or declining interviews or job offers. If you need more time when determining details such as start dates, relocation information, etc., it is best to be in touch, be straightforward about the reason for delay or uncertainty, and request more time.

Consider your verbal or written acceptance of an offer a binding contract. Reneging on an offer is when you accept an offer then turn it down. This behavior typically ends any chances of employment with that organization in the future. On-Campus Recruiting Policy: Students that renege on a job offer will have their eRecruiting account inactivated and will have to meet with Career Center staff to discuss the particular situation as well as take steps to repair the relationship with the employer.

End your search upon accepting a position. Once you have accepted a job or internship, whether verbally or in writing, you must terminate any other recruiting-related activity with other employers. This includes contacting employers with whom you are scheduled to interview and removing yourself from candidate pools. On-Campus Recruiting Policy: Continuing to pursue other opportunities once you have accepted a position is a violation of the Career Center’s on-campus recruiting policies. Your account in eRecruiting will be deactivated and you will be expected to meet with a Career Center staff member to discuss the situation and to work on repairing the relationship with the organization.

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It is important to understand the value in using multiple strategies as you think about connecting with employ-ers. In the beginning of a search, much of the contact with employers begins with you, the job seeker, be-ing proactive in making the first contact. As you begin hearing back from employers, it is just as important to respond to them in a timely manner. Your communication with employers should embody professionalism and maturity, right down to your email address and the message on your voicemail. And keep in mind, even during the process of connecting with employers, your candidacy is being evaluated.

Use the following as an introduction to some of the resources and programs available to you and find more detail on the Career Center website.

eRecruiting Search and Apply for Internships and JobsDuke eRecruiting is a job and internship database exclusive to Duke students. You can search this dynamic system for local opportunities during the school year, national and international summer internships, and post-graduation positions.

iNet and The Internship Exchange Selective Access to More Internship ListingsiNet and The Internship Exchange are dynamic databases containing listings for thousands of unique intern-ships throughout the United States and abroad. Developed in partnership with two groups of selective col-leges and universities, these databases enable the Career Center to expand experiential opportunities for Duke students.

Career Fairs The Career Center hosts or sponsors a variety throughout the year. Whether you are actively seeking a position or casually exploring options, a career fair is an excellent opportunity for you to:

Learn about specific organizations and the kinds of candidates they are seeking.Explore career fields that may be of interest to you.Gainconfidencenetworkingwithemployers,someofwhomareDukealums.

(Use this bar like you have it and cut the screen shot of eRecruting)2010-2011 Career Fairs:TechConnect September 14Fall Career Fair September 15Nonprofit&GovernmentCareerFair October15N.C. Master’s and Ph.D. Fair November 19Career & Summer Opportunities Fair JanuaryJust-in-Time Career Fair April

Employer Information Sessions Some employers choose to hold information sessions to build awareness about their organizations and posi-tions (internships and jobs) they are seeking to fill. These sessions are meant to be educational for any student who is considering positions at these organizations. Information sessions are also useful for students who are simply exploring career paths and want to learn more about specific industries.

Make a great impression on employers at their information sessions!Dress to impress! A business suit or business casual attire is appropriate. For certain organizations, demonstrat-ing an understanding of their brand and image is also

2011-2012 Career Fairs:Fall Career Fair .................................................September 14

Nonprofit & Government Career Fair .............October 13

N.C. Master’s and Ph.D. Fair ............................November 17

Career & Summer Opportunities Fair ..............January 26

Just-in-Time Career Fair ...................................April 11

Connect with Employers

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It is tempting to jump to the resume as the first step when kicking off your search process. However, the resume is a culminating effort, not a first step. It serves as a professional introduction that links your background and qualities to a specific opportunity. A successful resume will pique enough confidence and curiosity about you to secure an interview.

The key questions your resume answers for its readers are:

What are you capable of and what do you know?How well suited are you for the role that is being filled?

A carefully constructed, well edited, and focused resume will create a compelling depiction of your patterns of qualities, skills, and accomplishments in response to these underlying questions.

Five Tips for a Successful Resume

THINK CREATIVELY about experience. Your meaningful accomplishments will come from across a variety of endeavors in your life. Consider businesses you’ve run, projects that you complete, longstanding hobbies and pursuits, and contributions you have made, or other defining experiences in your life. All of these can be aspects of your resume.

Format your resume with FIRST THINGS FIRST. The top and left-hand side of your resume are the most valuable spaces when someone is visually scanning your document and forming a first impression. Use the first section heading strategically to ensure that your most compelling experiences are at the top of the page. Thoughtfully choose verbs that are descriptive of your actions and contributions to start each bullet. Order your bullets so the most compelling comes first.

Illustrate your PATTERNS of success. Showcase the skills you have developed through experience, what you have learned or know through classroom or practical exposure, positive qualities you will bring to the work, and a mastery of the language and culture of the realms to which you apply.

Articulate the ImPACT of your contributions. Include measures of your success wherever possible. Use individual resume bullets to highlight your outcomes in ways that will resonate with the readers’ point of view. For example, using measurable, quantified results for a bottom-line-driven industry.

Write mULTIPLE RESUmES if you have multiple interests. Your varied interests may require equally varied presentations of you at your best. Change the categories, order, and descriptions of different experiences to ensure that unique readers of your resume recognize right away that you excel in areas that are meaningful to them.

The Curriculum Vitae: What do I need to know?Internationally, the terms curriculum vitae, CV, and resume may be used interchangeably. However, in the context of academic or research-based work, a CV refers to a document with very specific content detailing the research, teaching, and administrative expertise required of post-secondary faculty job applicants or of applicants for research positions outside of academia.

The best resources for designing a CV are the Career Center graduate student counselors, the samples on the Career Center website, or those found in The Academic Job Search Handbook by Julia Vick and Jennifer Furlong, available in the Career Center Resource Room collection and at Perkins Library.

Writing a Resume

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FULLNAME  BIG&BOLD  Address     Best  Phone  Number       Best  Email  Address    Education  Duke  University     Durham,  NC  Your  Degree     Graduation  Month  and  Year  • What  have  been  your  meaningful  educational  accomplishments  while  at  Duke?  • Include  highlights-­‐  you  don’t  have  to  be  comprehensive.  • Consider  GPA,  honors,  study  abroad,  thesis,  projects,  research,  relevant  courses,  or  other  components    Other  Universities     Location  Degree  or  Program     Dates  of  Study  • What  were  the  main  benefits  to  you  inside  and  out  of  the  classroom?    High  School   Location  Degree,  GPA,  or  other  characteristics   Dates  of  Study  • What  were  your  primary  accomplishments,  educationally?    Specific  Experience  Category  #1  Interesting  Job   Location  Role   Dates  • Bullets  include  an  active  and  specific  verb  that  describes  this  contribution,  learning,  skills  or  outcome,  and  details  and  data  

that  make  it  tangible.  • Prioritize,  with  the  most  important  and  relevant  bullets  first.  • Use  concise  and  clear  language  and  industry-­‐specific  language  only  if  applying  to  that  industry.    Student  Organization   Location  Current  Role   Dates  • Write  about  being  elected  (what  for!)  or  ways  you  contribute  more  over  time.  Earlier  Role   Dates  • Include  a  variety  of  experiences  and  contributions;  no  need  to  replicate  information  in  similar  roles.    However,  repeating  

something  and  presenting  it  in  a  new  way  can  serve  as  an  enhancement.    Specific  Experience  Category  #2  Internship   Location  Role   Dates  • The  number  of  bullets  under  each  experience  does  not  need  to  be  consistent.    However,  the  space  that  something  takes  on  

the  resume  does  give  a  sense  of  its  level  of  importance.    Specific  Experience  Category  #3  Independent  Project   Location  Role     Dates  • Describe  your  initiative,  managing  a  huge  endeavor,  overcoming  obstacles,  getting  support  from  others,  and  other  

challenges  you  overcame  when  managing  something  new!    Skills  Language:  Computer:  Lab:    Interests  Highlight  unique  aspects  of  your  background,  personality,  or  attention  to  professional  topics.  

   

Anatomy of a Resume

No need to add a line about references being available. This has been seen on resumes, historically, but is no longer expected. Save that space for interesting content.

Someone may have to mail you documents or have your address for official correspondence. Keep your address simple. Only include multiple addresses if necessary.

This can include major, minor, certificates, specializations, or other degree components.

You can use this section to feature your study abroad experiences.

A high school section is most used by first and second year undergrads or those who attended schools with a large or passionate network of alumni.

Think creatively about how you design your categories. This is an opportunity to bring attention to patterns in your interests or skills. Look at example resumes more for ideas, but two general categories could be common type of organization, e.g., Media Experience or function, e.g. Research Experience.

Use a skills section to bring added attention to RELEVANT skills. Be sure these skills are evident throughout your resume as well.

e.g. researcher, founder, volunteer, consultant

Resume Samples

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Haley Smith 300 Wilson, 9999 Campus Drive haley.smith@duke.edu 1 Wellstone Drive Box 92222, Durham, NC, 27708 (333) 129-3456 Saint Louis, MO 63124 EDUCATION Duke University, Durham, NC B.A. in English and Philosophy Minor: Spanish expected May 2014 expec

• GPA: 4.0/4.0 Relevant Coursework: Computer Programming with Artificial Life, The Philosophy of Feminist Classics, Spanish Writing, 20th Century American Literature

Watkins High School, Saint Louis, MO May 2010 • GPA: 4.0/4.0

HONORS/AWARDS Duke University Dean’s List with Distinction, Durham, NC Fall 2010 Mu Alpha Theta Club, Watkins High School, Saint Louis, MO Fall 2009 – Spring 2010

• Awarded for excellence in Mathematics Princeton Book Award, Watkins High School, St. Louis, MO Spring 2009

• Awarded for outstanding scholarship, character and community service Ram Pride Award, Watkins High School, St. Louis, MO Spring 2009

• Awarded by faculty member for honesty, responsibility and self-discipline JET Engineering Competition, St. Louis, MO Fall 2009

• Awarded for advanced skills in the sciences LEADERSHIP EXPERIENCE Executive Board Member, Duke University Percussion Ensemble, Durham, NC Winter 2010 – Present

• Rehearse and perform with a 15-person percussion ensemble • Serve as secretary, copying and distributing music to other members • Collaborate with other board members to make executive decisions

President of Homework Club, Ladue Middle School, St. Louis, MO Fall 2009- Spring 2010 • Conducted tutorial sessions 3 times week • Delegated student tutor assignments • Successfully Recruited additional tutors throughout the year

Educative Program for Gifted Youth at Stanford University, Stanford, CA Summer 2009 Board Member, Nishmah Banot Board, St. Louis. MO Fall 2007 – Spring 2010

• Planned and oversaw events for young women in the Jewish community “It’s a Girl Thing: The Leadership Years” Program, St. Louis, MO Fall 2007 – Spring 2009 3rd Chair Member, Ladue Percussion Ensemble Symphonic Orchestra Fall 2003 – Spring 2010

• Rehearsed challenging pieces within a 10-person selective ensemble • Spent nine months perfecting and performing a final senior piece with two other colleagues

Company Ensemble Member, Arts in Motion Dance Studio, St. Louis, MO Fall 2002 – Spring 2010 VOLUNTEER EXPERIENCE Duke PAWS (Promoting Animal Welfare Through Service), Durham, NC Spring 2011 – Present Tutor at Forrest Park Elementary School, Durham, NC Fall 2010 – Present Habitat for Humanity, Durham, NC Fall 2010 – Spring 2011 Washington University Dance Marathon, St. Louis, MO Fall 2008, 2009 & 2010 Jewish Food Pantry, Saint Louis, MO Fall 2008 – Spring 2009 Salvation Army, St. Louis, MO Fall 2006 – Fall 2007 WORK EXPERIENCE Busser and Server, IL Vicino Restaurant, Saint Louis, MO Spring 2010 – Fall 2011 Tutor, Conway Elementary School, St.Louis, MO Fall 2008 – Spring 2009 Server and Cashier, Saint Louis Frozen Custard Factory, St. Louis, MO Spring 2007 – Fall 2008

George  Duke    george.duke@duke.edu    

(999-­‐400-­‐7770)  School  Address:                                                              Home  Address:  Duke  University  East  Campus                                            6    Smith  Ave  PO  Box  99999                          Orange,  NY  10708  Durham,  NC  27708    EDUCATION  Duke  University,  Durham,  NC  Bachelor  of  Arts  in  Public  Policy  Studies                          expected  May  2013  Minor:  Economics   Certificate:  Markets  and  Management        GPA:  3.35    Orange  High  School,  Bronxville,  NY                                                          June  2009  Cumulative  GPA:  3.8/4.0,  SAT  Verbal:  710,  Math:  770,  Writing:  760    Columbia  University                            Summer  2008  Summer  course  on  US  Economy  and  Globalization  after  sophomore  year  in  HS,  Grade:  96/100    WORK  AND  LEADERSHIP  EXPERIENCE  Duke  Investment  Club,  Analyst                                          January  2011  -­‐  present  

• Completed  8-­‐week  course  on  markets,  fundamental  analysis,  excel  modeling,  and  research  methods  • Monitor  club  portfolio  • Research  and  pitch  ideas  for  new  investment  opportunities    

Duke  Business  Network,  Co-­Founder,  Director  Business  Development,  Executive  Editor            December  2010  -­‐  present    • Created  weekly  TV  program  that  covers  financial  news,  interviews  business  leaders,  and  has  recruiters  give  

advice  to  students  on  what  firms  look  for  in  applicants  • Develop  plan  for  each  week’s  show  and  recruit  leading  business  professionals  to  be  interviewed  

Joseph  Dioguardi  Senate  Campaign,  Campaign  Assistant                                                                      Summer  2010  • Strategized  with  Senior  campaign  staff  to  determine  best  locations  for  campaign  events  • Contacted  potential  donors  to  raise  money  for  campaign  • Collected  signatures  from  hundreds  of  registered  voters  to  get  candidate  on  the  ballot  

Orange  High  School,  Student  Government  Treasurer                                  2007  –  2009  • Created  excel  spread  sheets  to  jeep  track  of  Student  Government’s  expenses  • Developed  fund  raising  and  cost  cutting  strategies  turned  $4,000  deficit  into  $3500  surplus  

Rookie  Baseball  Camp,  Camp  Counselor                                          Summers  2006  –  2008  • Coached  team  of  14  players  ages  7-­‐13  • Responsible  for  planning  entire  schedule  for  team  each  day  

Breakfast  Club,  President                              2006  –  2009  • Organized  meetings,  purchased  materials  and  delivered  sleeping  bags  to  local  homeless  shelters  

JV  Basketball  Orange  High  School,  Captain                                                      2007  • Ran  off-­‐season  workouts  without  coaches  

 ACTIVITIES,  SKILLS,  &  INTERESTS  Duke  Young  Entrepreneurs                                                                            2012  –  Present  

• Participate  in  lectures  that  offer  advice  on  starting  new  businesses  

Language:  Intermediate  Spanish    

Travel:  Kenya,  Turkey,  Italy,  France,  England,  Hawaii,  Costa  Rica,  Peru,  Ecuador      

Hobbies:  Intramural  Sports  (Volleyball,  Basketball,  Baseball)  Fantasy  Baseball  and  Football,    Tennis,  Poker  (Won  several  small  Texas  Hold  ‘em  tournaments  in  North  Carolina  and  New  York)  

33

Melissa Elizabeth Tator

4283 Peachtree Avenue, Durham, NC 34587 • melissa.tator@duke.edu • cell: (713) 536-8923 EDUCATION Master of Science: Biomedical Engineering December 2010 Duke University, Durham, NC GPA: 3.8/4.0 Relevant Coursework Includes: Electrophysiology, Tissue Biomechanics, Bionanotechnology, Physiology, Tissue Engineering,

Molecular Biology, Physiology of Extreme Environments, Systemic Histology, Design of Medical Devices Bachelor of Science: Mathematics and Spanish May 2008 Texas Christian University, Fort Worth, TX       Semester  abroad  at  La Universidad Pablo de Olavide, Seville, Spain January-May 2006   GPA:  3.9/4.0   INTERNSHIPS National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) May 2010-Present Wyle Laboratories: Human Research Program (HRP) Intern; Houston, TX

• Compiled research deliverables and assessed technical readiness levels for the Human Research Program, which • investigates the impact of spaceflight on the human body; presented information to management to aid direction of

research objectives • Collaborated with an interdisciplinary team of five to assist in the development of the Human Research Roadmap, a web-

based system which captures the HRP’s biomedical risks, Program Requirements Document, and Integrated Research Plan • Shadowed the Biomedical Engineer Flight Controller in International Space Station Mission Control and supported Russian

Extravehicular Activity (EVA) Wyle Laboratories: Human Research Program (HRP) Intern; Houston, TX June-August 2009

• Performed statistical analysis of NASA HRP Education & Outreach program data • Researched impact of space on biological systems and drafted web text for “Hydration” activity

RESEARCH EXPERIENCE Cartilage Mechanics and Tissue Engineering Laboratory, Duke University Department of Biomedical Engineering Student Researcher; Durham, NC

• Developed PEG-DA microwell system to enable three dimensional culture of small cell populations • Cultured type IX collagen knockout mouse chondrocytes in presence of cytokines to form cartilage tissue pellets • Performed analyses on tissue specimens using ELISA, histology, and MATLAB programming techniques

Continuum Biomechanics Laboratory, Texas A&M University Department of Biomedical Engineering Research Assistant; College Station, TX August-December 2008

• Worked on biomechanical mathematical model of abdominal aortic aneurysm under Dr. Jay Humphrey VOLUNTEER EXPERIENCE Engineering World Health Volunteer; Durham, NC August 2009-December 2010

• Served with a team of students to design an improved sphygmomanometer for use in the developing world • Served as liaison to 15 hospitals in Honduras and Nicaragua to assess hospitals’ medical needs and arranged delivery of devices and biomedical engineers where necessary. Demonstrated effective Spanish communication skills

Engineers Without Borders Volunteer and Delegate; Fort Worth, TX and Cabezas, Bolivia March 2007-December 2008

• Designed and implemented engineering solutions to a school of 6th-12th graders in Cabezas, Bolivia, while working with a team of four professional engineers

• Engineering solutions included drip bucket irrigation system, flow pressure measurements, water quality assessments, electrical load survey, preliminary wiring and testing of diesel generator

SKILLS & ACHIEVEMENTS Languages: Proficient in Spanish, enhanced by study in Seville, Spain in spring 2006 Computer: Microsoft Office Suite, SPSS statistical software, and Mathematica and MATLAB programming techniques Honors: Phi Beta Kappa Society, TCU Chancellor’s Scholarship (Full Tuition) Other Activities & Involvements: CoboBrothers Dance Company and Sabrosura latin dance troupe, Fort Worth Sister Cities International, Alpha Chi Omega, Mathematics and biology tutor  

Lucia  T.  Rodriguez  206  North  Duke  Street,  Apt.  000    Durham,  NC  24700  

(999)  333-­‐4444    lucia.rodriguez@duke.edu    

 EDUCATION  

Duke  University,  Durham,  NC     May  2011  Political  Science  Major,  Economics  Minor,  Ethics  Certificate                        GPA:  3.367   Deans’  List  (Spring  2009)  

   

WRITING  &  RESEARCH  EXPERIENCE    Duke  Women’s  Mentoring  Network,  Co-­Founder,  Durham,  NC     June  2007  –  Present  

• Researched  mentoring  models,  developed  program  design,  wrote  detailed  memo  and  presented  proposal  to  senior  University  administrators  

• Negotiated  $12,000  annual  funding  from  Division  of  Student  Affairs;  secured  Women’s  Center  partnership    Duke  University  Chronicle,  Editorial  Board  Member,  Durham,  NC     Aug  2008  –  Present  

• Contribute  opinions  to  &  regularly  write  the  daily  editorial  in  Duke’s  independent  student  newspaper  International  Institute  for  Conflict  Prevention  and  Resolution,  Intern,  New  York,  NY     June  –  Aug  2009    

• Published  articles  on  CPR  website  • Interviewed  party  counsel  for  evaluations  of  concluded  meditation  and  arbitration  proceedings  researched  and  

complied  exhaustive  content  for  new  webpage  profiling  ADR  in  Africa  Hague  Institute  for  the  Internationalization  of  Law,  Intern,  The  Hague,  Netherlands     May  –  Aug  2008  

• Designed  and  completed  independent  research  project  to  identify  and  list  all  references  to  court  decisions  from  foreign  jurisdictions  in  U.S.  Supreme  Court  decisions  in  past  20  years.    Results  included  in  conference  materials  in  annual  conference  on  “The  Changing  Role  of  Highest  Courts  in  an  Internationalizing  World”  

• Contributed  to  collective  effort  to  improve  and  finalize  substantive  texts  which  framed  conference  discourse  • Regularly  edited  and  proofread  papers  and  speeches  produced  by  HiiL  affiliates  • Drafted  conference  correspondence  and  promotional  materials  • Rapporteur  and  participated  at  HiiL’s  2008  annual  conference,  HAC’s  2008  annual  conference,  HiiL  seminars  

WISER  (Women’s  Institute  For  Secondary  Education  Research)  Microfinance  /  Economics  Research  Team,    Muhuru  Bay,  Kenya;  Durham,  NC     May  –  Dec  2007  

• Designed  56-­‐question  survey  on  household  economic  habits,  a  poverty  and  needs-­‐assessment  tool  as  baseline  economic    data  for  Muhuru  Bay  Community  (IRB  approved)  

• Administered  survey  independently  to  200  households,  biking  across  Muhuru  Bay  region  with  translator    Fowler,  Measle  and  Bell,  LLP,  Intern,  Lexington,  KY     Sept  –  Oct  2005  

• Shadowed  bankruptcy  attorneys,  district  court  judge,  mediator    

EXTRACURRICULAR  ACTIVITIES  Duke  University  Board  of  Trustee,  Undergraduate  Affairs  Committee,  Ex-­Officio  Member     Aug  2007  –  Present  

• Contribute  as  full  voting  committee  member  in  quarterly  meetings  • Research  and  interview  students  on  pertinent  issues  beforehand  to  present  a  nuanced,  informed  perspective    

Duke  Student  Government,  Vice  President  of  Student  Affairs,  Durham,  NC     May  2007  –  2008  • Negotiated  multiple  university  fund  allocations  for  campus  projects;  $100,000  ZipCars  program  design  and  proposal,  

and  presented  proposal  to  senior  University  administrators  • Managed  eleven-­‐member  DSG  Standing  Committee  on  Student  Affairs  to  ensure  each  had  a  substantive  project  and  was  

making  progress  towards  completing  it  • Presented  updates  and  power-­‐point  reports  regularly  to  DSG  General  Assembly  detailing  lobbying  efforts  

President’s  Council  on  Woman,  Undergraduate  Member,  Durham,  NC   Aug  2007  –  2008  • Selected  as  undergraduate  representative  to  advisory  council  to  University  President  regarding  gender  issues  

 SCHOLASTIC  HONORS  

Baldwin  Scholars  Program,  Baldwin  Scholar,  Durham,  NC     Oct  2006  –  Present  • Selected  as  on  of  the  18  women  from  Class  of  2010  for  Duke  University’s  only  women’s  leadership  program  

Advanced  Research  Independent  Study,  Durham,  NC     Aug  –  Dec  2008  • Completing  quantitative  (using  STATA)  and  qualitative  analysis  of  original  dataset  on  judicial  recourse  to  foreign  

law  in  73  U.S.  Supreme  Court  decisions  over  the  past  20  years  Eruditio  –  Duke  University’s  undergraduate  Humanities  Journal,  Durham,  NC     Spring  2007  

• Published  research  paper  entitled:  “Globalizing  Jurisprudence:  The  Use  of  Foreign  Authority  in  Domestic  Constitutional          Interpretation”    

3434

A Compelling Cover LetterThe cover letter is your opportunity to bring additional specificity and focus to your resume with a specific reader in mind. You will write a unique and well-researched letter for every opportunity to which you apply. This is your chance to present a compelling case, with evidence, that you have unique skills and perspectives that give you the ability to thrive in a specific role.

Beforeyouputwordstothepage,paintamentalpicture.Gowithusonthis;thisstepiscritical.Getintothemindsetofthepersonmakingthehiringdecision.Whoisthecandidatethat gets the interview? What are the most important qualities needed to be incredibly successful in this role? Use these images to identify the most important messages that you need to convey about yourself in this document.

The secret about cover letters is that they are essays and we know you have written an essay or two while at Duke! What are the components? Present a clear thesis, provide evidence to support your claims, and wrap things up with a succinct and compelling conclusion. This is also exactly how you write a cover letter.

Not sure a cover letter is necessary? Think of the cover letter as part of the resume. If someone asks for a resume, send a resume plus a cover letter, unless there is an explicit request otherwise. This is standard practice.

Five Tips for a Successful Cover Letter

make a STRONG FIRST ImPRESSION in the first sentence and the first paragraph. A persuasive first sentence tells the reader that you are serious and keeps them reading. Interesting and compelling information about your candidacy should be introduced in your first paragraph. The final paragraph is too late.

GO BEYOND general statements that could be true for the majority of candidates. Common qualities or characteristics will not help you to uniquely stand out. Trust the resume to cover the basics and use the cover letter to highlight bigger patterns of success or share an anecdote about your achievements.

Tell the reader about YOU. Communicate your interest and motivation to apply by connecting your background and interests to your knowledge of the organization. Avoid reporting facts. The reader already know their organization but want to know about you and why you are applying.

Write a SPECIFIC THESIS sentence. Put it at the end of your first paragraph. It will probably read something like this: I am confident that my (ability to, background in, experience with, etc.) and (knowledge of, skills in, etc.) give me the ability to succeed with your organization.

USE EVIDENCE to build credibility around every claim in your letter. The reader wants to believe you and needs plausible and detailed illustrations of your past success to do so. If you have included more than a couple of claims (literally, two would be good!) about your ability to thrive in the job, you are sacrificing depth for breath and duplicating the work that the resume should do. Move extra information from the cover letter to the resume to improve it and then trust the resume.

1)2)3)4)5)

Resumes and cover letters are very personal documents. The examples here are meant to illustrate possibilities—some of which may not pertain to you. Use your judgment to best suit your experiences and goals.

Anatomy of a Cover Letter

Your  Mailing  Address    Today’s  Date    Full  Name  of  Recipient  Title  Company  Mailing  Address    Dear  Mr./Ms.  Last  Name:    Write  a  first  paragraph  to  introduce  two  main  points:  • I  am  a  serious  candidate  and  care  about  this  opportunity  • I  have  the  knowledge  and  skills  to  thrive  in  this  role  with  your  organization    Write  second  and  third  paragraphs  to  provide  illustrations  from  your  experience  that  back  up  the  claims  in  the  first  paragraph.    Use  a  separate  paragraph  for  each  of  two  claims.  Detail  a  point  from  your  resume.  Make  connections  across  points  listed  on  your  resume  Repeating  information  from  your  resume  without  added  context  or  insight  is  not  a  good  strategy.    Use  the  final  paragraph  to  conclude  the  letter  and  discuss  next  steps.    Reiterate  any  themes  from  the  letter  that  you  would  like  to  emphasize,  thank  the  reader  for  their  time,  include  any  contact  information  that  is  not  already  on  the  page,  and  present  actions  that  you  will  take  after  sending  this  letter,  if  any.    Sincerely,        Signature  Typed  Name    enclosure:    resume                                              (any  other  application  items)  

Consider using your resume heading as an alternate.

Do your research to find an appropriate name. In a situation where you haven’t been able to find this, a replacement like “hiring committee” can be used. “ Do not use To Whom it May Concern” or “Dear Sirs!”

Discuss what appeals to you about the work or program by going beyond the website to clients, projects, news, etc.

BRIEFLY mention any actionthat you’ve taken to be abetter applicant, e.g., people you have met or talked to.

Set up the next two paragraphs of your letter with a thesis sentence.

Example: “I am seeking an opportunity to work in this positive, collaborative environment, as well as to take on the varied responsibilities that this position has to offer. My experience working with children, managing large-scale projects, and designing curriculum may make me a good fit.”

Avoid: “I am seeking an opportunity like this and my experience and your requirements may be a good fit.”Maintain a separate document with all of your topical paragraphs. Copy from and paste into it to keep a useful record of your cover letter paragraphs.

What you say, for example, about how you have managed a number of significant projects and deadlines as a leader in DUU can be applied to any opportunity where projects and deadlines are critical to being effective at the work.

If you scan your signature and save the .jpg file, you can insert it into digital files!

Examples might include when you will be in town for a visit or a follow up call.

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37

From Interview to OfferWhile a sharp resume and persuasive cover letter will get you an interview, you’ll need excellent interviewing skills to close the deal and land your desired position. All too often, job and internship seekers invest large amounts of time to write their application documents but give short shrift to interview preparation.

An interview can be conversational (that is what you hope for!) but it is NOT just a conversation. Even the most confident and personable people person will benefit dramatically from thoughtful interview preparation. You have come this far; be sure you keep up the momentum and build upon your preliminary success.

Read over this advice and find more detail on the Career Center website.

Research industry, employer, and role. Follow the relevant news, learn the organization’s website backwards and forwards and scope out your interviewers on LinkedIn and Google.Reachouttoemployees—maybeevenDukealums—in the company.

Rehearse your introduction. What will you say to create a positive and compelling first impression when you are asked the question, “Tell me about yourself”? No matter how it is phrased, expect that you will open the interview with a platform to talk about your interest in the opportunity and how it fits with your strengths and experiences.

Connect your experiences. Practice telling short stories that give evidence to your success. Mentally connect these stories to the qualities they best represent.

Prepare your own questions. You will be given the opportunity to ask questions during your interviews. This is a valuable part of the interview, not just a polite gesture. Consider questions about the role, company specifics (but never salary or benefits—not yet), the personal experiences of people that you meet, or questions that relate to current events or news.

Send thank-you notes. Send them the very next day to each person or group that you meet. Refer to something interesting or unique from the conversation to create an opportunity for the reader to think of you again. Paper makes a stronger impression, but email is the way to go if a hiring decision will be made before snail mail can reach its destination.

Interviewing

38

The vast majority of interviews are

behavioral in nature. Frequently, behavioral

questions will include some form of, “Tell

me about a time when…” and will relate to

tasks, scenarios, and qualities

that will be significant to the

position you are now seeking.

Through this method, the

interviewer hopes to gauge

your potential for success. The

premise of behavioral-based

interviews is that your past

actions are the best predictor of your future

performance. The appropriate response is to

share a concise, but detailed story about a

relevant experience.

• Provide well thought-out examples with successful endings. Even a story about your biggest failure can conclude with what you learned from the experience!

• Refer to specific examples rather than broad characterizations.

• Be sure that your story has a beginning, middle, and end. See the STAR method for responding on the next page.

• Prepare your stories in advance by anticipating the expected strengths needed for the role and matching them with your own accomplishments.

• Address and contextualize your own contributions when discussing a group project.

• Pull examples from across your range of experiences. Using just one or a few can cre-ate a sense that others have not been valuable.

• Speak positively about yourself, colleagues, supervisors, and peers.

• Use the most recent examples when possible.

Behavioral Interviews

Behavioral Interview Success

3939

Behavioral Interviews

Behavioral Interview Success

The STAR MethodSTAR is formula for creating your best response to behavioral-based questions. Interviewers expect youto present your thoughts and experience in this manner. Don’t worry, however. You’ll see that the STAR method is no different than the basics of any good story composition.

Question: Tell me about a time when you had to provide difficult feedback to a team member?

STAR

Situation

Task

Action

Result

Set the scenario for your example.

Describe the specific challenge or task that relates to the question.

Talk about the ac-tions that you took to accomplish the task.

Present the results that followed be-cause of the chosen action.

“last semester i took a psychology course that required a group project to examine motivation. the professor assigned each student to a 4-person group. My group decided to look at what motivates college students to participate in community service activities.”

“as a group, we developed a plan to distribute the work between us. however, after the first few weeks, it became apparent that one of our team members was not completing her part of the project and she missed one of our group meetings. the rest of the team decided that we needed to reengage her.”

“i took the initiative to set up a meeting with her where we discussed her interest in the project as well as the other academic responsibilities. after talking with her, it was clear that if we changed her contributions to tasks that better fit her skills and interests, she would most likely contribute at a higher level.”

“it turned out that the team could redistribute tasks without compromising so every member got to work on the pieces of the project that were of most interest to them. in the end, we completed the project and received positive feedback from our professor.”

A few important tips:• A strong STAR

response will last one to two minutes.

• Be brief in your set-up. Give just enough background or contextual information for your story to make sense.

• The result is critical. everything in your example builds towards this component.

• Use the structure of the acronym for direction if you forget what you were saying. if all else fails, skip to the r, result.

4040

CaseQuestionTypesTypical case questions fall into four categories:

Calculations/Computational Scenario – Devise a solution given a

problem statement, data elements, and possibly a formula

Business Operation Scenario – Devise a solution given a problem

related to operational effectiveness.

Example: How can you increase efficiency of Starbuck’s ordering process

by decreasing wait time during peak hours?

Business Strategy Scenario – Devise a solution given a problem

related to strategy and new markets.

Example: How will airlines remain competitive with rising fuel costs and

increased regulations?

Brainteaser – Two primary types including the estimation case, How

many golf courses exist in Wisconsin? and the random fact analysis, Why

are manhole covers round?

Resources for students preparing for a case interview are the following:

Case In Point: Complete Case Interview Preparation• by Marc Casentino Mock interviews through the Career Center•Practice cases and interactive online cases on employers’ websites•

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Case InterviewsCase interviews are a specialized type of interview common in the consulting industry. In a case interview, the interviewer presents a dilemma, and the candidate must analyze and discuss the problem and propose a solution.

Employers use case interviews as a way to evaluate a candidate’s qualitative, problem-solving, and analytical skills and often their business acumen. In addition they will evaluate the communication skills, listening skills, enthusiasm and non-verbal cues, e.g., eye contact, of the candidate. The way in which a candidate arrives at a solution to the question, which demonstrates to an employer how the candidate thinks through a dilemma, is as important as the actual solution the candidate provides, if not more.

Next Steps and Selected Resources:Search Skills and Strategy

Advice for Graduate Students:Search Skills and Strategy

41

Schedule a career counseling appointments to be sure you are presenting yourself effectively in writing and speech as well as finding opportunities that match your interests.

Utilize drop-in advising at Smith Warehouse, Monday through Thursday 2pm–5pm and Fridays 2pm–4pm, to get advice the same day you need it, no appointment necessary!

Create an account and routinely check each of these Duke databases to become aware of internships, jobs, and employers.

eRecruiting(http://www.studentaffairs.duke.edu/career/resources/erecruiting)iNet (http://www.studentaffairs.duke.edu/career/resources/inet)Internship Exchange(http://www.studentaffairs.duke.edu/career/resources/internship-exchange)

Use these lists and databases to increase your awareness of opportunities at Duke and beyond.Leadership Development Programs (http://www.studentaffairs.duke.edu/career/resources/leadership-development-programs)Short-Term Opportunities(http://www.studentaffairs.duke.edu/career/resources/short-term)e-leads (http://www.studentaffairs.duke.edu/career/resources/e-leads)

Graduatestudentswhoconcentrateonbuildingthelifetheywant,notonfindingtheperfectjob,tendto have special qualities that enable them to endure the inevitable frustrations of the post-graduation job search and to persuade employers that they can exceed expectations.

These graduate students are:

• Resourceful, persistent, and resilient. These skills, developed in the trial-and-error process of research, are essential to succeed in the job search, in interviews, and in the offer-negotiation process.

•Good communicators. They can write organized, focused, concise, and persuasive CV’s, resumes, and cover letters. They can engage their interviewers as colleagues, not as interrogators.

•Analytical. They are able to prioritize job search tasks, answer complex interview questions readily, and estimate the risks and benefits of their job offers.

•Independent and self-motivated. Such abilities enable them to weigh and act on good career advice from multiple sources: family members, peers, faculty and staff, career counselors, recruiting professionals, alumni, colleagues, and professional advisors. Yet they insist on finding ways to do what excites them most.