Job & Internship Guide: 2008-2009

For many, it is tempting to jump into the job orinternshipsearch feet first, but the most effective searches start with thoughtful preparation.

This chapter presents three keys to preparing for a successful search:

1. Evaluate Yourself – Gain an awareness and understanding of your interests, skills, and motivations

2. Research the World of Work – Learn what kinds of career fields, jobs and employers fit your interests and abilities

3. Make Decisions – Make choices that take into account what you want and what options are available

UC Berkeley Career Center

2111 Bancroft Way

Berkeley, CA 94720-4350
Monday-Friday 9am-5pm

(510) 642-1716
career.berkeley.edu

CONTENTS

2 Welcome to the Career Center

2 Services and Resources

2 Four Year Action Items

4 Preparing for Your Search

4 Evaluate Yourself

6 Research the World of Work

7 Informational Interviewing

8 Informational Interviewing: How to Say It!

9 Make Decisions

10Internships

11 FindInternshipOpportunities

13 Develop Your OwnInternship

13 Search for Long DistanceInternships

14InternshipTime Line

15Internships: How to Say It!

16 Your Job orInternshipSearch

17 Sources for Jobs &Internships

19 Networking

20 US Jobs for International Students

21 The Long DistanceJob Search

22 Resume & Letter Writing

22 5 Steps for Resume Development

26 Resume Components

27 Verb List for Resumes

28 Sample Resumes

39 Cover Letters

44 Successful Interviewing

46 Types of Interviews

47 Types of Interview Questions

48 Practice Interview Questions

51 Questions to Ask Employers

52 Sample Thank You Letter

53Internship& Job Offers

54 Evaluating Job Offers

55 Negotiating

56 Accepting & Declining Offers

59 Employer &Graduate SchoolIndex

Evaluating an Offer Activity

1. Make a list of the criteria you were looking for when you started your search.

Examples of possible criteria include:

• interest in particular job function, e.g., management, sales, consulting, design, or an interest in a rotational program

• opportunity to work on challenging projects

• opportunity to use skills and abilities that refl ect your strengths

• a setting that will allow you to express your values

• working independently and/or as part of a team

• opportunity to travel and/or work in a certain geographic location

• job security, opportunity for advancement, and professional development

• a position that will be compatible with a particular lifestyle, e.g., not working more than 40-50 hours per week

• a position that offers certain perks, incentives, or a certain salary level

2. Look over your criteria and give them a number rank:

1) items you defi nitely want

2) items you prefer but could do without

3) nice extras to have on the job

3. Evaluate the offer by analyzing how well it meets your ranked criteria.

Does the position include most of the items you defi nitely want? Or does it only offer one or two critical factors? If you only have one or two of your criteria met, will the position bring you satisfaction or will you be looking for a new opportunity soon?

Other questions to ask yourself include:

• What are the tasks and responsibilities of the job?

• Would I enjoy the work? Is the work challenging? Is there variety in the work?

• Is there opportunity for advancement?

• Do I like the working conditions? Do I like my potential supervisor and coworkers?

• What is the organization’s reputation? Is the organization growing or downsizing?

• Do the organizational values and culture match my perspective?

• What is the compensation package? Does the salary meet my fi nancial needs?

If you need more information after answering these questions, do not hesitate to ask the employer for more details about what it is like to work for their organization.