Applying for a Job

Applying for a job can be intimating (specially because it can be a lengthy process), but the main goal is to find something that will make you happy and feel rewarding at the same time.

Un currículum es un resumen de la educación, las calificaciones y la experiencia previa de una persona. Es extremadamente útil para los empleadores comparar a los solicitantes de empleo, por eso es muy importante que usted cree un currículum personalizado que se destaque del resto.

Un currículum está organizado en varias secciones (ver ejemplos a continuación). Use su criterio para decidir qué secciones incluir y dejar de lado. Por ejemplo, es posible que tenga más experiencia con "Actividades extracurriculares" que con "Experiencia laboral", por lo que tendría sentido que incluyera "Actividades extracurriculares" y tal vez reemplace "Experiencia laboral" con otra sección.

Time Commitment

Are you looking for a part-time (10-25 hrs usually), full-time (40 hrs a week), or seasonal (e.g. summer or winter)?

Industry

There are many industries in different sectors (for example Healthcare, Construction, Education, Hospitality, and Retail).

Location

What physical location would you like to work in? (in a store or venue, office, outdoors, online). How far are you willing to commute?

Contact Information

Include your full name, phone, a professional e-mail address, home address (only City and zip code) and other pertinent websites/accounts (e.g. LinkedIn, e-portfolio).

Work Experience

List paid & volunteer work in reverse chronological order. List responsibilities, results, leadership, teamwork, and initiative using action verbs. Include the organization name, your title, and dates of employment.

Objective

It is a brief summary of what you want to accomplish. Be specific as to what particular job or career field you want to get into. An objective lets potential employers know your main goal.

Extracurricular Activities

Write these sentences using the "work experience" guides. List community service projects you have participated on, sports, student organizations, church groups, etc.

Summary

It is a brief paragraph highlighting your qualifications for the job you are applying. These include your skills, strengths, and experience. Located at the top of your resume.

Skills

Focus on the skills specific to the job you are applying for. Include whether you have foreign language skills, computer software knowledge (name specific programs). Other training or certification.

Education

Only include high school and above. Write your school's name and City and your (anticipated) graduation date. Indicate whether you had study abroad experience, and if you took coursework or projects that would serve you in the job position. Only include GPA if it is 3.0 or above.

Awards

Add scholarships, academic awards, honor societies, certificates or recognitions.

Harvard University Resume Guide

Indeed Career Guide

MSU's Action Verb List

It is okay to have one resume that you can modify but never turn in the same resume to multiple companies/jobs. Make sure that every resume that you turn in is tailored to the position you are applying to.

Carta de presentación

Opening Paragraph

State that you are applying for a specific position and how you learned about it. Personalize the letter by saying why you want to work for this organization.

Middle Paragraph(s)

Outline the qualifications that make you a strong candidate and relate them to the needs of the job opening. Specific examples demonstrate your skills & experiences.

Closing Paragraph

Discuss your next action step. Repeat your interest in the position and indicate when you will contact the employer to follow up. Thank the employer for reviewing your resume.

Etiqueta de la entrevista

Learn About The Company

Know what the company does by looking at the organization's website, annual reports, and asking current employees. Research the industry and the job position (be ready to explain why you want this job, even if it’s “to learn” or “to gain experience”).

Bring The Basics

Bring extra copies of your resume (if you have one), a pen and paper, photo ID (if asked), business card, portfolio, etc.

Plan your Outfit

Dress professionally (clean, neat, and appropriate). It is better to be slightly overdressed than underdressed. Avoid ripped clothes, flip-flops, or distracting graphics.

Practice Interview Questions

Practice out loud with a friend, parent, or mirror. Look up more sample questions on the internet.

Tell me about yourself
Why do you want to work here?
What are your strengths and weaknesses?
Why did you choose to major in _______?
What are your career ambitions?
What motivates you?
Why should we hire you?
How do you handle stress?
Tell me about a time when you were part of a great team.
What was your part in making the team effective?
How would you describe yourself using three words?
Could you share a recent accomplishment of which you are most proud?
How do you deal with a difficult customer?
Tell me about a time when you dealt with a difficult co-worker

Etiqueta de la entrevista

Saludo:

Diríjase adecuadamente al entrevistador llamándolo "Sr. ____" o "Sra.____"
Utilice un apretón de manos firme para transmitir confianza y entusiasmo.

Lenguaje corporal:

Mirar a la gente a los ojos
Sientate derecho
Evita jugar con tus manos, bolígrafos, piernas, etc.

Conoce la Organización:

Investigue la empresa mirando el sitio web de la organización, los informes anuales, preguntando a los empleados actuales
Investigue la industria y el puesto de trabajo.

Conocete a ti mismo:

Esté preparado para responder preguntas comunes de la entrevista, tales como:
- Háblame de ti
- ¿Cuáles son sus fortalezas y debilidades?
- ¿Qué debo contratarte?
Vea más ejemplos de preguntas al final de esta página

Considere usar el método S/TAR para estructurar sus respuestas:

Situación/Tarea:describir el contexto en el que se llevó a cabo la acción
Acción:explique la acción que tomó para manejar la situación
Resultado:describir el resultado o el impacto de su acción

Ser profesional:

Vístete profesionalmente
Traiga copias adicionales de su currículum, tarjeta de presentación, cartera, etc.
Llegue 15 minutos antes (no antes)
Apaga o silencia tu celular
Contesta las preguntas que te hagan, no te desvíes demasiado del tema
Haz preguntas y toma notas
Termina fuerte (incluso si crees que la entrevista no fue lo que esperabas, da una buena impresión final)
Envía a tu entrevistador una carta de agradecimiento

Be on Time

Be on time (or early!). If it is an in-person interview, aim to arrive 15 minutes early (not sooner). If it’s virtual, test your tech beforehand.

Turn off or silence your cellphone.

Greet your Interviewer

Properly address the interviewer by calling him/her "Mr. ____" or "Ms.____". Use a firm handshake to convey confidence and enthusiasm.

Watch your Body Language

Smile, make eye contact and

sit up straight. Avoid playing with your hands, pens, legs, etc.

Answer The Questions You Are Asked

Do not deviate too much from the topic. If you didn't hear a question correctly, you can ask the interviewer to repeat it. When answering each question, consider describing the context, explaining the action you took to handle the situation, and the result(s).

Even if you don’t have work experience, employers value reliability (“I show up on time”), teamwork ("I am part of sports, clubs, group projects, etc."), and responsibility (school, volunteering, babysitting, helping at home). It’s okay to say you’re new and eager to learn. Don’t pretend to know things you don’t.

Ask Questions And Take Notes

Employers like to see that you have an interest in the company, and it could give you an advantage! Here are some sample questions you can ask:

What does a typical day look like?
What makes someone successful in this job?
What do you like most about your job?
What are some of the challenges that you face in your job?
What training is offered for this job?
Are there opportunities to advance?
Can you tell me more about the culture of the company?
When can I hear a decision from you?
I was looking at your website and found an employee group that caught my eye, can anyone participate?

Etiqueta de la entrevista

Una carta de agradecimiento puede confirmar una impresión positiva de usted. Las cartas de agradecimiento muestran su aprecio y le recuerdan al entrevistador quién es usted. Al agradecer al entrevistador, estás ayudando a construir tu red profesional y te distingues de los demás candidatos.