Matthew Randall, associate dean, Edward and Lynn Breen Center for Graduate Success, discusses the long game of small talk and the competitive advantages it can create.
Start planning for your career now.
At LVC, we prepare our students for the challenges and demands of post-grad life starting on day one. Our integrated approach brings together professors, advisors, and career counselors to help students explore career options, gain practical experience, and forge their own path to professional success.
Here's how we can help:
| Resume & LinkedIn Review | Graduate School Guidance |
| Individualized Career Counseling | Major Exploration & Selection |
| On-Campus Recruiting & Networking | Interview Preparation & Coaching |
| To begin, visit our career management platform, Handshake |
Check out these resources for your unique needs:
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Career Planning Resources
Exploring careers and majors
Use these resources to see what job titles appeal to you. Learn more about different positions, salaries, and required skills.
O*Net Online - Tool for career exploration and job analysis.
Occupational Outlook Handbook - The OOH can help you find career information on duties, education, and training, pay, and outlook for hundreds of occupations.
What Can I Do With This Major? - Haven't chosen a major yet? Want to know what you can do with your major? This resource will help you find out what opportunities are available to you in your field of study.
US News Best Jobs Rankings - Learn more about the most in-demand careers and find the job that's right for you.
NACE Salary Calculator - Calculate your ideal salary rate based on college, location, and other factors for reliable analysis.
Additional Guidebook & Tip Sheets:
Preparing Students to Reach Employment Destinations
Connecting With Alumni Mentors
Creating a Resume and LinkedIn profile
When searching for a job, you need to stand out from the competition. Recruiters and employers scan through hundreds of resumes and LinkedIn profiles when looking for the right candidate to fill a position. The best way to get your foot in the door is to create a high-quality resume and LinkedIn profile that will capture a potential employer's attention.
Be LinkedIn: Build Your Professional Profile is a great resource to begin building your profile and your online network.
| Build your LinkedIn Profile |
Tip Sheets:
Guidebooks:
Resumes, Cover Letters, and Job Correspondence
Searching for a job
Starting the job search process can be overwhelming, especially when so many job boards and websites are at your disposal. Our list of curated job search websites is a great starting point to begin learning about career opportunities that may be right for you.
Handshake: https://lvc.joinhandshake.com/
Career Builder: http://www.careerbuilder.com/
Glassdoor: https://www.glassdoor.com/index.htm
Go Government: http://gogovernment.org/
Government Jobs: https://www.governmentjobs.com/
Indeed: https://www.indeed.com/
PA Job Gateway: https://www.jobgateway.pa.gov/jponline/Admin/Common/Portal.aspx
PA State Civil Service: http://www.scsc.pa.gov/Pages/default.aspx
The Muse: https://www.themuse.com/
Simply Hired: http://www.simplyhired.com/
USA Jobs: https://www.usajobs.gov/
Preparing for graduate school
Think a graduate school program might be right for you? Grad school programs can help build your knowledge and advance your career goals.
Tip Sheets:
Many graduate schools require admissions tests as part of the application process. Below are some resources to help students prepare for those tests.
Review the Graduate and Professional School Preparation Guidebook for additional information.
Finding an internship
Don't miss out on the opportunity to further your career. We recommend that all students complete at least one internship during college.
Tip Sheets:
Best Practices for Student Interns
Review the Finding an Internship Guidebook for additional information.
Interviewing
Job interviews can be intimidating, but it's important to remember that interviews are conversations, not tests. While your interviewer may be trying to figure out if you're the right fit for the job, it's also your responsibility to learn more about the company and your future boss. To truly find out if this job is right for you, make sure to be your authentic self.
Challenging, virtual mock interviews for all experience levels and dozens of industries
Big Interview is an online system that combines training AND practice to help improve your interview technique and build your confidence. The program offers virtual mock interviews, a database of interview questions, video training curriculum, and more.
How to Register
To set up your Big Interview Account:
Step 1: Go to https://lvc.biginterview.com/ and click Register.
Step 2: Enter your school email address, name, and password, and click Create My Account - Note: you must use your lvc.edu email address.
Step 3: You will receive a confirmation email. Click Verify in the email, and you'll be able to start using Big Interview.
Here is a short video if you need help with the registration process.
Tip Sheet:
Review the Interviewing Guidebook for additional information.
Evaluating and negotiating job offers
Now that you've aced a few interviews and received a job offer, it's time to figure out if this opportunity is the right career move for you. While it may be enticing to accept a job offer on the spot, it's essential to evaluate the position to see how it aligns with your goals and performed outcomes. To make sure you're not settling for a position that's not the right fit, review these resources:
How to negotiate, accept, or decline a job offer
Negotiating new job offers
How to negotiate your salary
Tip Sheets and Guidebooks
Comprehensive Guidebooks:
Resumes, Cover Letters, and Job Correspondence
Finding an Internship or Related Experience
Graduate and Professional School Preparation
Resumes and CVs: The Art of Translation
One-Page Tip Sheets for Quick Reference:
"It was nice working with Meridyth on my résumé because she was a friendly face I knew from tennis. Students should take advantage of the Career Peers service and other networking opportunities the Breen Center hosts. Their Accounting Night led to my summer internship."
Accounting Major and Summer Intern at WNC CPAs & Consultants
Leah Wingert '21
