2014 2015 Career Guide

20142015 CAREER GUIDE
Your Career Journey Begins Here
Develop Your Career with Us

Ive been a part of Lutron for 5 years.
Jamie McMahon (Electrical Engineering Major)
Design and Development Engineer
At Lutron, weve been designing and manufacturing

energy-saving light control solutions since 1961.
Our success depends on your success. Join Lutrons
Innovation Leadership Program and youll develop
the skills and knowledge needed to win in the world
of innovation.
2013 Lutron Electronics Co., Inc. | P/N 368-2717 REV G
Immediately join an engineering development team

Hone innovation and product design skills
Receive formal mentor support
Collaborate regularly with business unit managers
and directors
Acquire real-world experience through field assignments
Foster relationships with Lutrons global customers
Key opportunities include:
EngineeringElectrical, Mechanical,
Computer, Software,
Manufacturing,
Industrial, Architectural
SciencePhysics, Chemistry, Math
Opportunities are also available in sales leadership and
field engineering leadershiphiring all majors.
Dynamic keypad in Black

To learn more about how you
can be a part of our future visit
www.lutron.com/careers
@lutronjobs
Carnegie Mellon University

West Wing, 2nd Floor
5032 Forbes Avenue
Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania 15213-3890
(412) 268-2064
Fax: (412) 268-7839
career@andrew.cmu.edu
http://www.cmu.edu/career
A lesson we learn early in life is that we are each on our own journey, and that no two paths
are exactly the same.
This is equally true for your individual career journey. Only you can begin it; only you can take
each successive step; and, your career path is the result of all your decisions.
The Career and Professional Development Center (CPDC) is your partner in your career
journey. Perhaps more than you may realize, we have the expertise and tremendous
resources and connections to help guide you on your way. Whether you are taking your first
steps and attempting to figure out the right field for your unique personality, or perhaps youre
looking for a job-shadowing experience to get an up-close look at a particular job that you find
interesting, or even when you are a bit further down the path and are looking at landing your
dream job or internship, you will find in the CPDC everything you need to help you on your
way.
To better serve you on your Career Journey, the CPDC has expanded and moved some
of our offices. You may now make appointments with your career consultant at our new
Advising Center on the 2nd floor of West Wing. The space in the Cohon University Center is
now our Interview Center, and is used exclusively for student and employer interviews and
engagement.
Please consider this Career Guide to be an introduction to the services we offer. You can use
this guide for the basics, but meeting with your Career Consultant in our new offices on the
second floor of West Wing is infinitely more helpful to the process of discovering, planning,
and conducting your personal Career Journey. You may sign up on TartanTRAK for an
appointment with your Career Consultant at any time.
We look forward to accompanying you on your Career Journey.
Sincerely,
Your Dedicated Career and Professional Development Center Staff
MISSION, VISION & VALUES

Our Mission
Our Committment to You
To empower you to optimize your professional and

life potential through career exploration, experiential learning, and connections with employers and
opportunities.
Career Exploration & Decision Making
Our Vision
Skill Development
To provide high touch, high tech university career

services through the integration of individual attention,
creativity, theory, and technology.
2. To equip you with the professional, leadership,

and interpersonal skills to ensure future career
growth and success.
Our Values
1. Collaboration We invest in meaningful
relationships.
2.
CARNEGIE MELLON CAREER AND PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT CENTER
Honesty We value authenticity.
3. Accountability We believe in personal and shared

responsibility.
4. Respect We welcome others with openness and
acceptance.
5. Communication We are open to all forums of
shared dialogue.
6. Inclusion We celebrate diverse ways of thinking
and being.
7. Dedication We take pride in our mission and
vision.
We empower you to optimize

your professional and life
potential through career
exploration, experiential
learning, and connections with
employers and opportunities.
1. To help you fully explore the variety of educational

and career options and make decisions that are
consistent with your interests, skills, and values.
Experiential Learning
3. To connect you with experiential learning
opportunities including internships, part-time
employment, or community service opportunities.
Employment Opportunities
4. To help you become highly skilled in self-directed
job or internship search techniques and to become
an active participant in the career development
process.
5. To ensure that you are successfully engaged within
a professional path that is consistent with your
skills, interests, and goals.
Employer Development
6. To develop an energized employer base committed
to a long-term relationship with Carnegie Mellon
University and founded on the continual enhancement and development of a mutually beneficial
relationship.
CARNEGIE MELLON UNIVERSITY

STATEMENT OF ASSURANCE
Carnegie Mellon University does not
discriminate and Carnegie Mellon
University is required not to discriminate in admission, employment, or
administration of its programs or
activities on the basis of race, color,
national origin, sex or handicap in
violation of Title VI of the Civil Rights
Act of 1964, Title IX of the Educational
Amendments of 1972 and Section 504
of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 or
other federal, state, or local laws or
executive orders.
Inquiries concerning application of

these statements should be directed to
Carnegie Mellon University publishes

an annual campus security report
describing the universitys security,
alcohol and drug, and sexual assault
policies and containing statistics
about the number and type of crimes
committed on the campus during the
preceding three years. You can obtain a
copy by contacting the Carnegie Mellon
Police Department at 412-268-2323.
The security report is available through
the World Wide Web at www.cmu.edu/
police/.
Obtain general information about
Carnegie Mellon University by calling
412-268-2000.
5
In addition, Carnegie Mellon University

does not discriminate in admission,
employment or administration of its
programs on the basis of religion,
creed, ancestry, belief, age, veteran
status, sexual orientation or gender
identity. Carnegie Mellon does not
discriminate in violation of federal,
state, or local laws or executive orders.
the Provost, Carnegie Mellon University,

5000 Forbes Avenue, Pittsburgh, PA
15213, telephone 412-268-6684 or
the Vice President for Campus Affairs,
Carnegie Mellon University, 5000 Forbes
Avenue, Pittsburgh, PA 15213, telephone 412-268-2057.
T C
able
of
ontents
CAREER
GUIDE
Carnegie Mellon Career and Professional Development Center . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8
Career Partners 2014-2015 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9
Career and Professional Development Center Services . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10
Choosing Majors and Careers . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13
Exploring Options
Tapping the Hidden Job Market
Informational Interviews
Networking
Gaining Experience . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 17
The Job Search . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 20
Resume Information and Samples
Employment Letter Information and Samples
Email Correspondence
Social Networking Websites
Personal Branding . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 48
Employer Research . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 49
Career Fairs . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 50
The Job Interview . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 52
Types of Interviews
Questions Asked by Employers
Behavioral Interviews
Improper/Illegal Questions
Students With Disabilities
Professional Etiquette
Ethics
The On-Site Interview
International Students and the Job Search . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 60
Graduate and Professional School . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 62
Letters of Recommendation
Cost of Living Index . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 65
ADVERTISER INDEX
Branding Brand . . . . Back Cover
Carnegie Mellon University,
H. John Heinz III College . . . 2
Citadel . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 21
Comprehend Systems, Inc. . . . 23
Earth Share . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 51
Educational
Housing Services . . . . . . . . . 12
Goldman Sachs . . . . . . . . . . . . 19
HP Vertica . . . . Inside Back Cover
Hudson River Trading . . . . . . . . 1
KCG . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 61
Lehigh University, P.C. Rossin
College of Engineering and
Applied Science . . . . . . . . . . 66
Lutron . . . . . Inside Front Cover
MathWorks . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 68
Mohr Davidow Ventures . . . . . . 6
Northwestern University . . . . . 45
Rensselaer Polytechnic
Institute, Lally School of
Management . . . . . . . . . . . . 45
Savannah River Project . . . . . . 67
Science, Mathematics And
Research for Transformation
(SMART) Scholarship for
Service Program . . . . . . . . . 16
U.S. Army Health Professions
Scholarship Program . . . . . . 19
CAREER AND PROFESSIONAL

DEVELOPMENT CENTER STAFF
Administration
Kevin Monahan Associate Dean of Student Affairs
and Career and Professional
Development
Karen Neumeyer
Office Manager
Kevin OConnell Assistant Director, Marketing and

Communications
College Career Consultants

Lisa Dickter Associate Director for Career
Consultants/Carnegie Institute of
Technology
Ray Mizgorski
Carnegie Institute of Technology
Jennifer Frick
Business Administration

DEVELOPMENT CENTER HOURS
Advising Center - West Wing, 2nd Floor
Monday - Friday
8:30 a.m. - 5:00 p.m.
Appointments:
Appointments are available year-round Monday Friday during business hours and may be made via
TartanTRAK.
Drop-in Hours (during fall and spring semesters):
Monday - Friday, 1:00 p.m. - 4:00 p.m. For your collegespecific drop-in hours call (412) 268-2064 or visit
www.cmu.edu/career.
Elaine Stolick BXA and Schools of Architecture

(A-M), Art, Drama, and Music
Diane Taylor Dietrich College of Humanities
and Social Sciences/Science and
Humanities Scholars
Katie Thompson Mellon College of Science/Science
and Humanities Scholars
Kevin Collins
School of Computer Science
Gerry Marnell Student Recruiting and Programs

Coordinator
Experiential Learning
Pati Kravetz Associate Director for Experiential
Learning and Student Employment
Emily Parry Experiential Learning Coordinator
Taryn Crescenzo
Office and Project Coordinator
Employer Relations
Wesley Thorne Associate Director for Employer
Relations
Judi Mancuso
Employer Development

DEVELOPMENT CENTER
Advising Center
West Wing, 2nd Floor
5032 Forbes Avenue
Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania 15213-3890
Interview Center
Cohon University Center, Lower Level
Phone: (412) 268-2064
Fax: (412) 268-7839
career@andrew.cmu.edu
www.cmu.edu/career
Marissa Fenwick Carnegie Institute of Technology

Sonjala Williams BXA, Design and School of
Architecture (N-Z)
Rachel Amos Dietrich College of Humanities
and Social Services/Science and
Humanities Scholars
Judy Ellgass
Recruiting Coordinator
Janet Vojtash
Career Events Coordinator
www.facebook.com/CMUCPDC
www.twitter.com/CMUCPDC
Carnegie Mellon Alumni
www.youtube.com/CMUCPDC

DEVELOPMENT CENTER SERVICES
CAREER CONSULTING
Career Consultants provide individual coaching and
assistance to students seeking on-campus, off-campus,
summer, internship, part-time, and permanent opportunities. Assistance includes:
Exploring career paths and options
Refining resume and employment correspondence
Developing a job or internship search strategy
Practicing interview techniques
Identifying job search resources and services
10
Career Peer Mentors (CPMs) are current CMU students

who assist their peers with resume writing, job search
skills, and utilizing online career resources. CPMs are
assigned to work with a population of first-year students
within the residential communities with the goal of
fostering peer-to-peer mentoring relationships which
will build a foundation for early student engagement in
discovering and exploring career opportunities.
Career Counseling Interns (CCIs) are graduate students
who work closely with the consultant team to provide
career counseling in career exploration, professional
development, internship and job preparation, and postgraduation career needs.
EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITIES
As a complement to individualized career development
consulting, the CPDC also facilitates meaningful connections with Carnegie Mellon alumni and recruiters with
hundreds of the worlds top organizations via:
TartanTRAK job and internship postings
On-campus interviews
researching careers, searching for employment,

and applying to graduate school in the dedicated
careers area of the library.
Strong Interest Inventory: An assessment tool
used to understand your general interests and
to show a variety of activities and work that you
might enjoy. The responses are then compared
with those provided by people working in a wide
range of jobs.
Myers-Briggs Type Indicator: An assessment used to
understand characteristics unique to each personality
type and to provide you with insight on how they
influence your way of communicating and interacting
with others.
StrengthsQuest: A tool to help you gain insights into
how to use your talents to achieve academic success,
explore careers, and become a leader.
Alumni Database: An online directory of Carnegie
Mellon alumni. You can perform custom searches
using locations, employers, and majors as criteria.
www.cmu.edu/alumni
ON-CAMPUS INTERVIEW PROGRAM

Each year the CPDC offers an extensive campus
recruiting program that begins in September and ends
in April. Representatives from employing organizations
visit the campus to interview you for summer internships and permanent full-time positions.
Registration for On-Campus Interviewing:

TartanTRAK
Information Sessions
Using TartanTRAK, our online career management

system, you may submit resumes for on-campus jobs,
upcoming interviews, internships, and full-time positions. Employers post jobs and internships, schedule
interviews, register for career fairs, and more. To access
TartanTRAK, visit www.cmu.edu/career.
RESOURCES FOR
EXPLORING OPTIONS
The Campus Interview: You should arrive at the

CPDCs Interview Reception Area 10 to 15 minutes
before your interview. Bring your CMU ID and wait for
the interviewer to greet you.
College- and major-specific career programs

Career fairs
CMU Connect Networking events
The CPDC provides career resources and assessment

tools for you to gather information about your interests
and values and link your major to your career options.
These avenues provide a framework for organizing,
exploring, and confirming your academic and career
goals. They include:
Hunt Library: Browse hundreds of books, periodicals, and other resources relevant to choosing majors,
Interview Cancellation Policy: If you find it

necessary to cancel an interview, you must notify the
CPDC by phone at (412) 268-1646 or by email at
gmurnell@andrew.cmu.edu at least one business day
prior to your interview appointment. Students who
do not show up or cancel after the cancellation deadline may forfeit their interviewing privileges for the
remainder of the semester.
PHONE INTERVIEW POLICY
VIRTUAL CAREER CENTER
On-campus interviews are reserved for students and

alumni who are able to be physically present for an
interview with an employer.
A variety of websites contain information about career

fields, job search strategies, internships and full-time
job vacancies.
If you are outside of Pittsburgh and are interested in a

phone interview, please submit your cover letter and
resume on TartanTRAK, explaining your interest in a
phone interview with the employer. Phone interviews
will not replace an on-campus interview slot and are at
the discretion of the employer.
If you are outside of Pittsburgh unexpectedly due to a
second-round interview, networking event, flight delay,
family matter, etc., you have two options: 1) You may
cancel your on-campus interview at least one business day prior to the scheduled interview by emailing
or calling the employer and the CPDC; or 2) You may
email or call the employer and the CPDC to request a
phone interview (either during the allotted time for a
campus interview or at a mutually convenient time).
Through participation in a variety of experiential learning

opportunities you can explore career fields, develop transferrable skills, enhance your resume, and perhaps better
connect your academics and your career.
The CPDC provides information about:
Student employment on campus

Internships and externships
Summer jobs
Undergraduate research
Community service and non-profit opportunities
Career Classifieds
MOCK INTERVIEW PROGRAM

The Mock Interview Program provides students with an
opportunity to practice and develop interviewing skills
in a simulated environment with alumni and employer
representatives. You can sign up for Mock Interviews
when they are posted on TartanTRAK. Additionally, Career
Consultants are available to conduct mock interviews.
The Career and Professional Development Center

website provides important information for students,
alumni, employers, families, and faculty/staff.
Hoovers
Hoovers is a powerful database listing millions of
companies nationwide, functioning in a variety of industries. You can use Hoovers to research companies you
might like to work for. Access Hoovers via the CMU Hunt
Library website.
Going Global Country Career Guides

Packed with country-specific information, this massive
research tool contains more than 35,000 resources for
finding international employment. It contains recommended web sites, detailed resource descriptions,
insider tips and professional advice. It is also a resource
for international students who are looking for a list of
employers who have sponsored H-1B visas in the last
year. More information on Going Global is available
through TartanTRAK.
Vault Guides
Vault is an online career library that contains a collection of more than 100 career guides and employer
profiles.
Company Research: Learn about company history,
current events, hiring information, and other important company data. Get detailed information about
salaries.
Industry Career Guides: Get the inside scoop on the
hiring process and career paths.
PDF versions of Vault Industry and Career
Guidebooks include titles such as:
International Careers
Biotech Careers
VIRTUAL MOCK INTERVIEW (IMPRESS)
Finance Interviews
Available within TartanTRAK, the Impress Virtual Mock

Interview Module allows you to practice your interview
skills at your computer from any location at any time of
the day or night.
Schmoozing
Marketing & Brand Management
Resumes, Cover Letters, and Interviews
11
EXPERIENTIAL LEARNING
Career and Professional Development Center:

www.cmu.edu/career

DEVELOPMENT CENTER SERVICES continued
SERVICES FOR ALUMNI
Details about alumni services are available on the
alumni website at www.cmu.edu/alumni. Alumni services
include:
Some graduate departments maintain their own career

support services, such as the Tepper School of Business,
the Heinz School, or the Information Networking
Institute. We encourage you to meet with your collegespecific Career Consultant.
Full-time job listings on TartanTRAK

Alumni database
Career consulting
Campus interviews
Career fairs
RESOURCES FOR
GRADUATE STUDENTS
12
The Career and Professional Development Center assists

graduate students in clarifying career goals and seeking
opportunities for employment or further graduate
study. There is a dedicated reference section on the first
floor of Hunt Library and links to various academic,
business, research, and industry sites through the CPDC
homepage.
Internet Resources for Graduate Students

Carnegie Mellon Career and Professional Development
Center
www.cmu.edu/career
The Chronicle of Higher Education
www.chronicle.com
The Academic Employment Network
www.academploy.com
Higher Ed Jobs
www.higheredjobs.com
The Academic Position Network
www.apnjobs.com
The Versatile PhD
www.cmu.edu/career/college_specific_resources/
versatilephd
CHOOSING MAJORS AND CAREERS

EXPLORING OPTIONS
Whether you are clear about your goals or are currently
deciding, exploration and evaluation can help you be
more satisfied and successful with your academic and
career choices. Your Career Consultant can help you
explore career options.
The following is a framework from which to more
broadly view steps in the process:
What reading or activities are you attracted to when

there are no requirements?
What books are difficult for you to finish?
Abilities
What comes naturally to you?
What talents have you not had enough opportunity
to test or develop?
In what areas do you excel?
Academic and Career Planning
Assess self
Interests
Skills
Values
Personality
Explore Options/Gather Information
A dedicated reference section on the first

floor of Hunt Library
Alumni
Professional associations
Other professionals in fields of interest
Faculty and upperclass students
Make Tentative Decisions and

Gain More Experiences and Information
Coursework
Undergraduate research
Summer jobs and internships
Volunteer work
Part-time school year jobs
Continue career research
Re-evaluate
ASSESSMENT AND EXPLORATION

QUESTIONS
There are no easy, overnight answers in the academic
and career planning process, but the following checklist
will help you get started.
Interests
What gives you energy?
What do you avoid?
What characteristics make you unique?

What majors, careers, or work environments would
support your characteristics?
In what situations have you felt a good fit?
What were the times in which you felt like your
thought process was much different from those
around you, or like a fish out of water?
Values and Environment

What is most important to you in an academic environment: support, competitive challenges, reputation,
flexibility?
What is most important to you in a work environment: creativity, security, independence, helping
others, job outlook?
What role do you want work to play in your life?
Academics
Do you know the complete range of majors, minors
and concentrations available to you, even relevant
ones in other academic colleges?
Are there particular courses or experiences that
would be most useful in testing your skills and
interests?
Have you discussed your interests and options with
an academic advisor?
Have you sought information from a variety of
upper-level students?
What are the ranges of career options that are open
to your particular academic path or other options
you are considering?
For help with further self-assessment and with linking
this information to careers and majors, we encourage
you to meet with a Career Consultant. The Internet can
also be a useful resource when exploring and assessing
career and academic goals. For additional resources,
access the Career and Professional Development Center
website at www.cmu.edu/career.
13
Personality
CHOOSING MAJORS AND CAREERS continued

TAPPING THE HIDDEN JOB
MARKET
SAMPLE REQUEST FOR

AN INFORMATIONAL INTERVIEW LETTER
Studies have shown that only 10%-20% of available

jobs are ever posted. By employing a number of
strategies, you constantly increase your chances of
landing a job or internship.
14
Informational Interviewing: An informational

interview consists of speaking with a professional
currently working in an occupation to gain information and insights about a career, industry, or
specific organization. This information can be used
in choosing a major, exploring career options, or
preparing for a future job. Students should be
clear with the professionals they are contacting
that the discussion is to learn about a career
area and not to obtain a job. Reach out to family,
friends, faculty, and alumni to identify potential
contacts.
Informational Interviews can provide you with:
Real world information about careers
A network of contacts for the future
Suggestions on how to maximize your college
experience
Insights on what employers value
Students Address
Date
Contacts Address
Dear Ms. Law:
Professor George Smith, my faculty advisor at Carnegie Mellon
University, suggested I contact you about my interest in the fields
of law and politics. He suggested you could be particularly
helpful since you had previously practiced law and are currently
working as a lobbyist.
As a sophomore Policy and Management major, I am beginning
to explore these fields so I can plan my electives and work
experience to make the most of my time in college. I have been
reading about career possibilities, and look forward to your
insights.
I will be in New York City March 23-27 for my Spring Break
and would like an opportunity to meet briefly with you. I will
contact you to see if a meeting is possible. I look forward to our
telephone conversation and to meeting you in March.
Top 10 Sample Questions to Ask During an

Informational Interview
Sincerely,
1. How did you get started in

_____________?
Students Signature
2. What do you like most about your work?

Least?
Students Name Typed
3. What steps did you take to get where you are?

4. What kind of position could a college graduate anticipate when entering this field?
5. What personal qualities are necessary to succeed
at this type of work?
6. What is the outlook for this field?
7. What is the starting salary range for a college
graduate?
8. Are there courses I should take or skills I should
learn to help me prepare?
9. What methods would you recommend for doing a
job search in this field?
10. Who else would you suggest I speak with for additional information?
Following an informational interview, students are
strongly encouraged to send a thank-you letter.
Networking: Its never too early to have professional

contacts. Think about everyone you knowfamily
members and their friends/co-workers, professors, past
employers, neighbors, and even your dentist. Dont be
afraid to inform them of your career interests. They will
likely be happy to help you and refer you to any professionals they think can be of assistance.
Networking Defined
A network is an interconnected group of supporters who
serve as resources for your job search and ultimately for
your career. Some great network contacts might include
people you meet at business and social gatherings.
Students often hesitate to network because they feel

awkward asking for help, but it should be an integral
part of any job search. Though you might feel nervous
when approaching a potential contact, networking is a
skill that develops with practice, so dont give up. Most
people love to talk about themselves and their jobs and
share free, realistic advice.
Eight Keys to Networking

1.Be Prepared: First, define what information you
need and what you are trying to accomplish.
Know yourselfyour education, experience, and
skills. Practice a concise, one-minute presentation of yourself so that people will know your
areas of interest. Your networking meeting
should include the following elements: introduction, self-overview, Q&A, obtaining referrals, and
closing.
3.Be Professional: Ask your networking prospects

for advicenot for a job. Your networking meetings should be a source of career information, tips,
and contacts. Start off the encounter with a firm
handshake, eye contact, and a warm smile. Focus
on asking for one thing at a time.
4.Be Patient: Heena Noorani, a research analyst
with New York-based Thomson Financial, recommends avoiding the feeling of discouragement if
networking does not provide immediate results
or instant answers. She advises, Be prepared for
a slow down after you get started. Stay politely
persistent with your leads and build momentum.
Networking is like gardening: You do not plant the
seed, then quickly harvest. Networking requires
cultivation that takes time and effort for the
process to pay off.
5.Be Focused on QualityNot Quantity: In a large
group setting, circulate and meet people, but do
not try to talk to everyone. It is better to have a few
meaningful conversations than 50 hasty introductions. Dont cling to people you already know; you
are unlikely to build new contacts that way. If you
are at a reception, be sure to wear a nametag and
collect or exchange business cards so you can later
contact the people you meet.
What do you like most about your work?

What type of education and experience do you
need to remain successful in this field?
What are the future career opportunities in
this field?
What advice would you give to someone trying
to break into this field?
With whom would you recommend I speak?
When I call, may I use your name?
6.Be Referral-Centered: The person you are

networking with may not have an opening, but he
or she may know someone who is hiring. The key
is to exchange information and then expand your
network by obtaining additional referrals each
time you meet someone new. Be sure to mention
the person who referred you.
7.Be Proactive: Stay organized and track your
networking meetings. Keep a list of your contacts
and update it frequently with the names of any
leads given to you. Send a thank-you note or email
if appropriate. Ask if you can follow-up the conversation with a phone call, or even better, with a
more in-depth meeting in the near future.
8.Be Dedicated to Networking: Most importantly,
networking should be ongoing. You will want to
stay in touch with contacts long termnot just
when you need something. Make networking part
of your long-term career plan.
DOS & DONTS OF NETWORKING

Dont tell them your life story; you are dealing
with busy people.
Dont be shy or afraid to ask for what you
need.
Dont pass up opportunities to network.
15
2.Be Targeted: Start by listing everyone you know

who are potential prospects: family members,
friends, faculty, neighbors, classmates, alumni,
bosses, co-workers and community associates.
Attend meetings of organizations in your field of
interest and get involved. You never know where
you are going to meet someone who could lead
you to your next job or internship.
QUESTIONS TO ASK DURING

NETWORKING MEETINGS
Persistence is the key to cracking the hidden job market.

Attend meetings of professional associations and
become an active member. After you begin the above
processes, and your network base expands, your search
will be made easier. Employers will appreciate your
resourcefulnessand view you as a viable candidate.
Temporary Work: As more companies employ the
services of temporary or contract workers, new
graduates are discovering that such work can be a
good opportunity to gain experience in their fields.
Temporary workers can explore various jobs and get
an inside look at different companies without the
commitment of a permanent job. Also, if a company
decides to make a position permanent, these temps
have often made good impressions and are given first
consideration.
16
Persistence is the key to

cracking the hidden job market.
GAINING EXPERIENCE
STUDENT EMPLOYMENT
The Student Employment Program promotes developing
your career goals and employability through the acquisition of real job experiences. An on-campus position at
Carnegie Mellon University is more than just a paying
job; it is an opportunity to develop personally and
professionally outside of the classroom. All full-time
students are permitted to work on campus, regardless
of work-study eligibility. However, having a work-study
award is not a guarantee of a job. All students are
responsible for finding and applying for available jobs
advertised on TartanTRAK.
Student employment jobs in TartanTRAK require you
to submit a resume when applying. If you dont have
a resume, you can create one by following the helpful
advice and examples in the Essential Resume Advice for
First Year Students Center Success Guide, or on page 20
of this Guide.
Students with questions regarding work-study awards

and eligibility should contact The HUB at www.cmu.edu/
hub or call (412) 268-8186.
HOW TO FIND A SUMMER

INTERNSHIP
1. Prepare Your Resume
Read the Career Success Guide on Resumes.
Locate resume-writing resources available in the
CPDC.
Reference sample resumes (see pages 24-42).
Meet with Career Center Staff and have your
resume critiqued.
2. R
esearch Career Fields, Employers of
Interest, and Positions
Explore your interests and have them assessed; see
your Career Consultant to have the Strong Interest
Inventory, MBTI, and/or StrengthsQuest administered and interpreted.
Examine what positions are out there. Look
through handouts, books, and websites about
career options for your major.
Conduct research using web resources.

Network with professionals working in the areas
that interest you.
Think about where you might want to work
(geographic locations).
Attend campus career fairs such as the BOC
(Business Opportunities Conference), the TOC
(Technical Opportunities Conference), the EOC
(Employment Opportunities Conference), Spark:
Startups and Emerging Companies, and the CAOC
(Creative Arts Opportunities Conference).
Network with your parents, family, friends, professors, and advisors; let them know that you are
looking for a summer internship.
3. I dentify Opportunities
Register for TartanTRAK to search for summer
internships. Also electronically drop your resume
for on-campus recruiting for internships and sign
up for a mock interview to improve your interviewing skills.
Use CareerSearcha database of over 4 million
potential employers nationwide.
Set up an appointment in TartanTRAK with a Career
Consultant to discuss internship opportunities.
Visit the CPDC web page at www.cmu.edu/career
and check out information on resumes, interviews,
cover letters, and links to other resources.
Attend relevant sponsored workshops on topics
including: internship search strategies, resume/
cover letter writing, career fair tips, interviewing tips,
negotiation tips, and more (for a complete listing,
see the CPDC homepage and the schedule of
events).
OFF-CAMPUS EMPLOYMENT
Off-campus employment is another means of earning
money while developing skills. Many of these jobs are
part-time or short-term assignments. Sources for offcampus employment include:
TartanTRAK, which includes Career Classifieds
Temporary employment agencies
Newspaper employment section
State and local employment services
17
First-time employees at Carnegie Mellon University must

complete the Form I-9, which is for employment eligibility verification. Visit www.cmu.edu/career to find the
list of documents to present at Payroll Services and the
Student Employment Orientation which will familiarize
you with the entire student employment process.
Access the dedicated reference section on the first

floor of Hunt Library for career-related books and
employer directories.
GAINING EXPERIENCE continued
INTERNSHIPSEARCH TIMELINE
September (or ASAP)PREPARE
February
Write a resume
Have it reviewed by your Career Consultant
Attend the Spring EOC (Employment Opportunities

Conference): network and make contacts
Attend the CAOC (Creative Arts Opportunities
Conference): network and make contacts
Keep applying to positions on TartanTRAK
Late September
18
Attend on-campus career fairs; network and make

contacts
Fall EOC (Employment Opportunities
Conference)
BOC (Business Opportunities Conference)
TOC (Technical Opportunities Conference)
Spark: Startups and Emerging Companies
Attend relevant CPDC workshops
Decide what you want from an internship
Responsibilities/Experience
Geographic location
Compensation
October/NovemberRESEARCH
Research companies to find internship and general
information
Internship programs
Contact people
Deadlines
Start watching for and applying to (depending on
interest, field, and major) postings on TartanTRAK
for summer internship positions
December/JanuaryNETWORK
Use your time at home to talk to your relatives,
neighbors, and parents friends to find internship
opportunities
If you want to work near home, contact local
companies and try to set up informational interviews, and obtain contact names
Brush up with a mock interview by registering
through TartanTRAK
February/MarchINTERVIEW
Send your resume (if you havent already done
so) to companies/organizations in which you are
interested (if they are not coming to campus to
interview)
Be preparedknow what you will be asked and
what you will ask
Write thank-you letters to your interviewer after
the interview
Late MarchDECIDE/KEEP APPLYING

If you have more than one offer, know where you
would like to work most and start the negotiation
process
Decide which company is best for you and contact
them
AprilGET READY
Make travel plans and moving arrangements (if
applicable)
Find housing in the area (if applicable)
Make sure you have all of the paperwork and
employer needs in order
May Through AugustWORK

Try to establish excellent contacts within the
company, field, etc., for future networking
purposes
Be sure you are gaining the type of experience
you are looking for. If not, seek the advice of a
supervisor
Report your internship to your Career Consultant
COMMUNITY SERVICE AND

VOLUNTEERING
Community service and volunteering are great ways for
you to use current skills and develop new skills, and to
support a community-based initiative or contribute your
talents to the goals of an organization that interests
you. The opportunities can be paid or unpaid, and can
include working on-campus, in the local community,
and at the national or international level.
Sources of community service and volunteer opportunities include:
CPDC office and website
Division of Student Affairs
Center for School Outreach
A dedicated reference section on the first floor of
Hunt Library contains books and directories
CENTER FOR SCHOOL RESEARCH
Contact the Undergraduate Research Office in

Warner Hall or visit their homepage,
www.cmu.edu/uro, to learn about funded and
non-funded research opportunities.
Meet with faculty members to inquire about opportunities within their departments.
Many academic departments

offer undergraduate research
or independent study projects.
19
Many academic departments offer undergraduate

research or independent study projects. These are an
excellent way to test out an interest in graduate school
and to gain new skills relevant to your career objective. Students interested in undergraduate research are
encouraged to:
THE JOB SEARCH

THE RESUME
20
Computer Scannable Resumes
You are encouraged to write a resume that clearly and

concisely describes pertinent information about your
skills, experiences, and career goals. This may include
creating a few versions tailored to specific career areas.
Since a resume is meant to help employers learn about
you as a candidate, some sections are essential, while
others are considered optional. Even though you can
get ideas from many people and you will find many
examples of strong resumes, you must decide what best
communicates the most important information about
you to an employer.
Some companies are scanning resumes to create

searchable databases. Whether you need to produce
a scannable resume will depend on your employer
targets. Some studies indicate that about half of
mid-sized companies and most large companies
use this type of system. Use no bullets, italics,
boxes, columns, or underlines. Contact your Career
Consultant for additional information on scannable
resumes.
Content
Contact Information
Keep the resume to one page in length if possible.

Advanced degree students and candidates who
have worked for several years may require more
than one page. If using more than one page, be
sure your name is at the top of subsequent pages.
Name, address (home and campus/local, if applicable),

telephone number (including area code), email address,
web page (if applicable).
Include items that are most relevant to, and in

support of, your career goal.
Describe briefly and clearly the type of work you are

seeking and the skills you are offering.
Be clear, concise, and consistent in writing

descriptions and formatting the layout of the
page.
Education
Prioritize so that the most relevant items appear

first.
Start each bullet with an action verb and highlight
achievements, quantifying results when possible.
Avoid abbreviating names of organizations, titles,
and descriptors.
Include your email address. You may include a
website address if showing sample work, but be
certain all aspects of your homepage are suitable
for employer viewing.
Format
Be sure the resume is easy to read with clean,
simple lines and reasonable use of white space
on the page. Artistic resumes should not be overdesigned, the portfolio is a more appropriate
vehicle for showing the range of your creativity.
Use white or off-white paper, standard 81/2 x 11.
Print only on one side of the paper.
Use a font size that is readable, typically no smaller
than 10 point or larger than 14 point (name can be
up to 24 points, if desired).
Use formatting, such as boldfacing, underlining,
and italicizing sparingly. Do not use two special
formats in one phrase.
RESUME CONTENT
Objective
Name of institution*
Year of graduation or anticipated graduation
Degree to be earned (degrees may be written out
or abbreviated)
Refer to any special training in addition to formal
education
Field of study
Relevant courses
Thesis topic (if applicable); include title and brief
description
Experience
Name and briefly describe paid employment, internships, summer jobs, field study, and/or project work.
(Project work can also be listed under Education or
under a separate section such as Academic Experience
or Project Work.) Include the following:

Employer Name
City, State/Location
Job Title/Position
Dates of Employment or Experience
Traditional resume formats begin with present/most

recent position and record information in reverse
chronological order. However, your most important
and relevant experiences should ideally appear first.
If you have had unrelated work experience after a
more relevant experience, try creating more specific
categories such as Relevant Experience, Writing
Experience, Computer Experience, or Work

Experience. List experiences accordingly in reverse
chronological order within each category.
Experience if relevant to objective), Hobbies/

Interests (optional).
References
Skills
List any skills specific to your field. Include relevant
computer skills and foreign language proficiencies.
Honors
It is optional to indicate that references are available upon request. It is suggested to mention that
items such as portfolio or writing samples will also be
furnished upon request.
Special Awards, Deans List, Scholarships.
Achievements
Shows, Exhibits, Publications (can also be listed in a
separate section).
Activities
Campus/Community Activities, Leadership and
Volunteer Positions (can also be listed under
*NOTE: The appropriate way to write Carnegie Mellon

University is without a hyphen. Also CMU is an abbreviation often used within the university, but should not
be used when writing resumes, cover letters, and other
official documents. After initially using the complete
university name in your document, you can simply use
Carnegie Mellon thereafter.
21
Picture yourself as part of a leading global

financial institution built on a culture of rapid
innovation, technology and
entrepreneurialism. Were looking for big,
brave thinkers who want to have a real,
immediate impact on our firm, the financial
markets and the global economy.
MEET CITADEL
40
Percentage of
high-tech
engineers and
quantitative
researchers
Computational Finance Speaker Series:

September 19th
Average project
team size
Number of volunteer
hours logged on 2013
Citadel Service Days
492
On-Campus Interview Dates: September 24 th and 29th

Opportunities are available for our Financial
Technology and Quantitative Research roles
To apply, please submit resumes through CMUs
TARTANTrak system
CITADEL.COM
Where high-tech
meets high-finance.
THE JOB SEARCH continued

POWER VERBS FOR YOUR RESUME
22
accelerated
accommodated
accomplished
achieved
acquired
acted
activated
adapted
added
addressed
adjusted
administered
admitted
advanced
advised
aided
alleviated
allocated
allowed
altered
ameliorated
amended
analyzed
appointed
apportioned
appraised
apprised
approved
approximated
arbitrated
arranged
ascertained
assembled
assessed
assigned
assisted
attained
attested
audited
augmented
authored
authorized
balanced
bolstered
boosted
brainstormed
budgeted
built
calculated
catalogued
centralized
certified
chaired
charted
clarified
classified
coached
collaborated
collected
commissioned
committed
communicated
compared
compiled
composed
computed
conceptualized
concluded
confirmed
consented
consolidated
constructed
contracted
contributed
converted
convinced
cooperated
coordinated
correlated
corresponded
counseled
created
critiqued
customized
debugged
deciphered
dedicated
delegated
deliberated
demonstrated
designated
designed
determined
devaluated
developed
devised
diagnosed
directed
disbursed
dispatched
displayed
drafted
eased
eclipsed
edited
educated
elevated
elicited
employed
empowered
enabled
encouraged
endorsed
engineered
enhanced
enlarged
enlisted
enriched
enumerated
envisioned
established
estimated
evaluated
examined
excelled
executed
exercised
expanded
expedited
explained
extended
extracted
fabricated
facilitated
familiarized
fashioned
figured
finalized
forecasted
formulated
fostered
founded
fulfilled
generated
grew
guaranteed
guided
hired
identified
illustrated
implemented
improved
improvised
increased
indexed
indicated
inferred
influenced
informed
initiated
innovated
inspected
inspired
instituted
instructed
integrated
interceded
interpreted
interviewed
introduced
invented
investigated
involved
issued
judged
justified
launched
lectured
led
licensed
lightened
linked
maintained
marketed
measured
mediated
minimized
mobilized
modeled
moderated
modernized
modified
monitored
motivated
multiplied
negotiated
officiated
operated
orchestrated
organized
originated
overhauled
performed
persuaded
pioneered
planned
polished
prepared
prescribed
prioritized
processed
procured
produced
programmed
projected
promoted
publicized
purchased
queried
questioned
raised
rated
realized
recommended
reconciled
recorded
recruited
rectified
reduced (losses)
refined
referred
reformed
regarded
regulated
rehabilitated
reinforced
rejuvenated
related
relieved
remedied
remodeled
repaired
reported
represented
researched
reserved
resolved
(problems)
restored
retrieved
revamped
reviewed
revised
revitalized
revived
sanctioned
satisfied
scheduled
screened
scrutinized
secured
served
set goals
settled
shaped
smoothed
solicited
solved
sought
spearheaded
specified
spoke
stimulated
streamlined
strengthened
studied
submitted
substantiated
suggested
summarized
supervised
supplemented
surveyed
sustained
synthesized
systematized
tabulated
tailored
traced
trained
transacted
transformed
translated
transmitted
updated
upgraded
validated
valued
verified
visualized
wrote
Power Verbs adapted with permission from the Career Resource Manual of the University of California, Davis.
RESUME ADVICE FOR FIRST YEAR

STUDENTS
By starting early, you will have the basis by which you
may continually update your resume with new experiences as you acquire them. Hence, you will have it ready
when the time comes for you to submit a resume for a
volunteer position, internship opportunity, or when it is
time to apply to graduate school or look for a job.
Be sure to contact the Career Peer Mentor assigned
to your residence hall as a resource for writing your
resume.
Remember to stop by the CPDC to schedule a time with
your Career Consultant sometime during your first year.
You will want to bring your resume to that appointment
to have it professionally critiqued, and also for advice
on developing a competitive resume.
23
the CPDC to schedule a

time with your Career
Consultant sometime
during your first year.
Remember to stop by

FRESHMAN RESUME SAMPLE
FIRSE YEER
5032 Forbes Avenue, SMC 1111 Pittsburgh, PA 15289 (412) 123-4567

freshman@gmail.com
EDUCATION
Carnegie Mellon University, Pittsburgh, PA

Bachelor of Science in Business Administration
Pine-Richland High School, Gibsonia, PA
High School Diploma with Honors, 3.9/4.0 GPA

National AP Scholar, National Honor Society
May 2018
May 2014
EXPERIENCE
The Tartan, Pittsburgh, PA

Advertising Staff and Staff Artist
24
Sept. 2014-present
Work with businesses and campus organizations to place their advertisements in The Tartan
Answer inquiries from advertisers regarding procedures and other newspaper information
Work with business department and editorial staff members to finalize and confirm all advertisements
Compile past advertising data for future adjustments in prices and advertising options
Kumon Learning Center, Gibsonia, PA

Teaching Assistant
Apr. 2011-Aug. 2014

Helped students to complete and understand their assignments in math and reading, while encouraging them
to develop independent learning and critical thinking skills
Global Marketing, Inc., Wexford, PA

Marketing Intern
June 2013-July 2013

Collaborated with restaurants, venues, and universities in the Greater Pittsburgh area to promote their
facilities in the 2013 city marketing brochure
Revised the company statement in the 2013 brochure to reflect current projects and strategies
Edited the monthly newsletter and managed social media sites such as Twitter and Facebook to advertise
events and promotions in downtown Pittsburgh
ACTIVITIES
Smart Woman Securities

Member
Sept. 2014-present
Attend a seminar series with professors to learn about the investment research and asset allocation process
Use knowledge from the seminar series to research a companys stock for an investment project
Future Business Leaders of America

Competitor and Member
Sept. 2011-June 2014

Competed in global business events at the regional and state levels in 2012-2013; achieved 1st place in
Pennsylvania and advanced to the national competition
Competed in an economics event at the National FBLA convention in Florida in the summer of 2012
Learned about topics in macroeconomics, microeconomics, management and marketing
Helped to organize fundraising events, generating $500 towards annual trips to state and national
competitions
Operation Smile
Event Coordinator
Sept. 2012-June 2014
Planned and organized six events that raised approximately $1,000 to contribute to the Operation Smile cause
and promoted the organizations mission to the school and local community
SKILLS
Microsoft Excel, Access and PowerPoint, Python, DoubleClick for Publishers
INFORMATION NETWORKING INSTITUTE RESUME SAMPLE
INFA NETWORKS

inetworks@andrew.cmu.edu
5555 5th Avenue, Pittsburgh PA 15232
412-555-5555
Education


Master of Science in Information Networking - Expected Graduation May 2013
Anna University, Chennai, India

First Class with Distinction, 80.05% (Ranked 3rd in CS Department)
Bachelor of Engineering, Computer Science - Graduated in May 2007
CGPA 3.47/4.00
Research
Carnegie Mellon University, Pittsburgh, PA Summer Research Intern (Jun 2012 Aug 2012)
Internship
Role and Projects:
Worked as a part of the Trusted Computing Research team. Major coding was done in Perl and C

Implemented the Contractual Anonymity Protocol using YaBB, an open source forum software

Used the Flicker technique to include features like the Dynamic Root of Trust and Remote Attestation
Academic
Implemented a Real Time operating system, MyOS - a multitasking kernel for the Intel X Scale board
Projects
system (ARM Processor). Highest Locker Priority Protocol was implemented in MyOS. Coded in C.
Designed and implemented a distributed Control System, Volvox - provided distributed file storage in
addition to the traditional version control system properties. Handled the problems occurring due to Network
Partition and also provided auto merge facility in case of no conflicts. Implemented in Python.

Simulated the False Blocking Problem in Wireless LAN using RTS Validation Technique problem in
GloMoSim 2.03

Implemented a shell program that supports Job control & IO directionconcepts of signals & process
control
Defused 6 phased binary bomb by analyzing x86 assembly code. Task was to analyze the assembly
& identify pass codes. Performed buffer attack on assembly code and attacked 5 functions using stack
overflow
Analyzed the data transfer among the universities in the Abilene Net flow data using OSU Flow tools
Designed and implemented a fully functional application Eggshell Home Builders using Oracle Forms and
Reports in Oracle 10g Database. Created many optimized PL/SQL scripts for improved functionality.
Courses Embedded Systems, Distributed Systems, Introduction Advance Storage Systems, Java and J2EE, Advance
Database Management Systems, Telecommunications Networks, Information Security, Information Systems
Modeling
Skills

Programming Languages
Web Application Tools
Database Skills
Tools
Platforms
C, C++, Java, Visual Basic, Perl, Assembly Language (x86)

JavaScript, HTML, XML, JSP, Java Swing
MS SQL 2000, Oracle 9i/10g, PL/SQL, MS - Access
Oracle forms and Reports, GloMoSim, GNU Tools (gdb, gcc), Sub Version
Windows XP/Vista/2000, Linux/Unix
Honors
Teaching Assistant of Fundamentals of Telecommunication Networks, a graduate level ECE dept course
Recipient of an Merit Scholarship by Carnegie Mellon University to pursue Graduate Program, $15,000
Won the Best Paper Award in 3 National Level Technical Symposia and have won many debugging contests
Served as the President of the Computer Science & Engineering Student Association in undergraduate
25
Professional
Oracle India Private Limited, Bangalore, India - Applications Engineer (Nov 2007 Jun 2009)
Experience
Role, Projects & Achievements:
Techno - Functional Developer for India and Chinese Localization, QA and Bug Fixer (Support) for another
15 APAC Countries (ERP). Major coding was done in JDE C
Completed 3 projects (2 for India and 1 for China) as a part of the new development team
Served as a Point of contact for Tax Deducted at Source module and presented the modules worked on to the
customers which were well appreciated. Managed and Mentored the new team members
Worked along with various other teams (HCM, Finance, BI, Sales Order, CRM)

Infosys Technologies Limited, Chennai, India - Software Engineer (Jun 2007 Nov 2007)

Role and Projects:
Trained in Java and J2EE and worked as a part of the Insurance and Health Life Science Business Unit
Served as an Asst Business Analyst for Project Alliance Client: Allstate Insurance Corporation
Interacted with product end-users to understand business scenarios and new business requirements
Part of the Testing Team & fixed many P1 bugs in applications for project Horizon and was well appreciated

COLLEGE OF ENGINEERING RESUME SAMPLE
26
COLLEGE OF ENGINEERING RESUME SAMPLE
27

TEPPER SCHOOL OF BUSINESS RESUME SAMPLE
ANNA LIST
SMC# 1234, 5032 Forbes Avenue, Pittsburgh, PA 15289. annalist@cmu.edu. (412) 555-5555
Education
Carnegie Mellon University, Tepper School of Business

Bachelor of Science in Business Administration; Track in Finance
Additional Major in Statistics
GPA: 3.9/4.0; Deans List: All Semesters
London School of Economics
Completed Intermediate Macroeconomics Course
Recipient, CMU Tartans Abroad Scholarship
28
Experience
Pittsburgh, PA
May 2016
London, UK
July 2013
Essential Finance
Shanghai, China
Investment Management Intern
July 2014-August 2014
Devised tax-effective offshore investment strategies for expatriates in China and prepared individualized financial
plans for them
Researched and recommended selections that would eliminate unnecessary mirror fund management fees for clients
and facilitate growth in net returns by 22% on average per annum
Attracted clients through networking and developed these relationships to yield a 60% attendance rate for new
contacts at initial presentations
Deloitte Consulting
Summer Intern, Strategy and Operations Division
Chennai, India
May 2013-June 2013
Evaluated the profitability of Indias power sector for potential clients looking to make investments from abroad
Formulated data from 40 local companies by creating Excel models to compute top performers for a management
awards ceremony organized by Deloitte
Created a competitive analysis and a 3-part plan for future market positioning in the region
Leadership
Undergraduate Finance Association (UFA)

President
Pittsburgh, PA
February 2014-Present
Oversee events for 250 UFA members, handle corporate relations with external sponsors, and formulate the agendas
for and direct activities of the Executive Board
Organize the annual Network Manhattan event by working closely with financial services alumni in New York City
CMU University Health Services

Peer Health Advocate (PHA)
Pittsburgh, PA
August 2013-April 2014
Conducted stress management workshops for students while working with other PHAs to improve the program menu
of Health Services
Received AMA Certification in First Aid and CPR
Business Opportunities Conference

Marketing Director
Pittsburgh, PA
March 2014-September 2014
Introduced a revamped marketing strategy, including creation of new designs, logos, and summary booklets, to
promote the BOC to both students and recruiting companies
Coordinated with participating companies to hold special promotional sessions with students
Skills & Honors
Selected as a 2013 Student Ambassador to Carnegie Mellons sister campus in Doha, Qatar
Represented CMU at the 2014 Undergraduate Business School Leadership Conference at Emory University
Proficient with Java, Microsoft Office, Photoshop, and Salesforce software
Languages: Hindi, Basic Spanish, Telugu & Tamil
TEPPER SCHOOL OF BUSINESS RESUME SAMPLE
MARK ETER
1000 Pittsburgh Street, Pittsburgh, PA 15213 marketer@andrew.cmu.edu (412)555-5555
EDUCATION
Carnegie Mellon University | Tepper School of Business
Bachelor of Science in Business Administration

Tracks: Marketing and General Management
Minor: Psychology
GPA: 3.71/4.00
May 15
Pittsburgh, PA
WORK EXPERIENCE
Office Depot, Inc.
Mar 14Present
On-Site Business Intern
Pittsburgh, PA
Conducted marketing research to determine interest level in Office Depot and diagnose consumer pain points and used findings to
develop strategies to increase interest through events and promotions
Spearheaded initiative to make Office Depot primary provider of office supplies to CMU, segmenting their market into 5 distinct
consumer groups on campus to better target their approach
Created and implemented pilot student program featuring corporate-level discounts and free next-day shipping for Carnegie Mellon
University students, with potential for program to be expanded to universities nationwide
PUMA Time
Jun 13Aug 13
Marketing and Sales Intern
New York, NY
Helped to coordinate and market PUMA City, one of PUMAs flagship events during 2010 World Cup, through design of events,
social media networking, and collaboration with Macys for in-store and street campaigns
Proposed new style of watch by analyzing merchandising reviews, consumer responses, and current trends; received favorable
feedback from marketing management, and proposal was passed to senior management
Created weekly national sales analysis reports and merchandising reviews to determine and optimize performance of 20 new styles
of PUMA watches
LEADERSHIP EXPERIENCE
Undergraduate Marketing Organization
Nov 13Present
Vice President of Fundraising and Consulting
Pittsburgh, PA
Raised over $3000, with budget of $500, for both organization and nonprofit causes by conducting market research through focus
groups, using findings to design innovative fundraisers and promote them with effective advertising
Launched UMO Consulting, marketing consulting division of organization, by designing 3 levels of corporate packages, creating
detailed process and strategy for solicitation, recruiting student consultants, and securing corporate sponsors
Designed and executed fundraising event that averages return of 350% and was so popular that it became UMOs first established and
school-recognized annual event, cementing UMOs presence on campus
People to People International

Nov 12Aug 14
Co-President
Pittsburgh, PA
Helped launch Carnegie Mellon Chapter of this service and cultural education organization, designed its organizational structure and
project management system, and recruited 205 new members
Organized 7 ongoing simultaneous service projects aimed to impact both local Pittsburgh-area and less-privileged countries abroad
through collaboration with local and national non-profit organizations
Led service project connecting chapter members to Burmese and Bhutanese refugees under political asylum in Pittsburgh so members
could provide lessons in English language and American culture to facilitate smoother acclimation to living in new country
DISTINCTION
Johnson & Johnson Information Technology Case Competition | 2nd Place
Oct 13Oct 13
Placed 2nd out of 8 teams by designing strategy that improved internal technology and saved company approximately $100,000,000
Mortar Board Senior Honor Society | Inductee
May 14Present
Selected as one of 30 fourth-year students out of approximately 500 candidates on basis of scholarship, leadership, and service
Kappa Alpha Theta Sorority, Inc. (Gamma Theta Chapter) | Rho Sigma (Recruitment Sister)
Mar 13Sept 14
Chosen as one of 30 greek women out of nearly 350 candidates to represent CMU sororities as both ambassador and recruiter
SKILLS
Software:
Technical:
Microsoft [Excel, PowerPoint], Adobe Photoshop, Minitab, Qualtrics, SPSS

Programming [basic JAVA, Processing]
29
Google, Inc.
Jun 14Aug 14
Consumer Operations Intern
Mountain View, CA
Developed consumer strategy through collaboration with marketing and engineering teams to reorganize and renovate help centers for
all Google products, resulting in improved user experience for monthly average of 150,000,000 unique visitors
Implemented strategy on test center that receives 430,000 monthly unique visitors and advised on analysis of results via 5 distinct
contrived metrics based on Google analytics
Led training sessions and formulated detailed and priority-ordered calendar of action items for next 2 quarters, instructing all help
center content editors and stakeholders in implementing new strategy by quarter 4

COLLEGE OF FINE ARTS RESUME SAMPLE
Arch
Hetect
www.archhetect.com
archhetect@gmail.com
555.272.06459
329 River Road
Essex CT, VT 05452
555.829.6363
| education
Carnegie Mellon University, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania

Bachelor of Architecture, University Honors, May 2015
Minor in French and Francophone Studies
GPA 3.63 / 4.0
Japan Summer Study Abroad, Kyoto, Japan
Carnegie Mellon University, June August 2013
| experience
30
Teaching Assistant, Carnegie Mellon University

Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, Spring 2014 Fall 2015
Served as liaison between students and professor
Distributed assignments and answered questions
Architectural Intern, Astorino
Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, Summer 2014
Generated experiential sketches for presentation
Documented as-built and existing site conditions
Assisted with schematic design and construction documents
Housing Design, 4th Year Design Studio: Occupancy Osage, West Virginia, Fall 2013
Designed housing with input and review from community
Planned and operated booth at annual street fair
| leadership
Chairman and Mechanic , Carnegie Mellon Sweepstakes

Pi Kappa Alpha, Fall 2013 Spring 2015
Researched, designed, and built composite construction race cars
Implemented computer aided design to be exported to digital fabrication machines
Trained new recruits to work with materials including carbon fiber, fiberglass, polycarbonate, and
polyurethane rubber
| honors
Deans List , Spring 2012 Fall 2015

4th Year Design Awards Nominee, Fall 2013
| skills
Revit, Maya, AutoCAD, Sketchup, Architectural Desktop,

3D Studio Max, Rhinoceros 3D, MicroStation 2D/3D, Photoshop,
InDesign, Illustrator, Excel, PowerPoint, HTML
Perspective Drawing, Rendering, Drafting, Model Building, Laser Cutting
Conversational French
| activities
AIAS Member, Fall 2011 Present

Glass Blowing, Fall 2013
National Collegiate Inventors & Innovators Alliance Conference Presenter, San Diego, 2013
National Leadership Conference, 2012
31

Imma Designer
imma-designer.com
designer@cmu.edu
415.299.7777
251 Kay St., Forest Hill, MD 21050
Skills
Research/Design Methods
32
Conceptual Models
3D Modeling
Product Design
Participatory Design
Personas & Scenarios
Prototyping
Service Design
Surveys
Interviewing
Field Observation
Evaluative Testing
Software
SolidWorks
Rhino
3DMax
AutoCAD
Illustrator
Photoshop
InDesign
Illustrator
Dreamweaver
AfterEffects
Flash
Machining/Prototyping
3-D Printing
Molding
Laser Cutting
Milling
Lathing
Programming
XHTML
PHP
CSS
MySQL
Business
Client Relations
Project Management
Presentation Design & Delivery
Interests
Blogging
Trend Watching
Exploration + Travel
Saving the World
Education
Master of Integrated Innovation | Carnegie Mellon University

Pittsburgh, PA May 2015
Bachelor of Science, Mechanical Engineering | Carnegie Mellon University

Pittsburgh, PA May 2014
Objective
To integrate the interdisciplinary principles of design, business, and engineering to bring

innovation and creativity to a collaborative workplace
Projects
Design Collaborative Environment for Vehicle | International Truck & Engine
Integrated Product Development | Carnegie Mellon | Spring 2015
[Develop innovative lifestyle products and accessories for the developing market for long-haul trucks
with interdisciplinary team of design, engineering, and business students]
Researched customer values, desires, and needs

Designed concept to meet stakeholders needs
Machined and prototyped working mechanisms of system
Primary Healthcare Service Redesign | Mayo Clinic
Service Design | Carnegie Mellon | Spring 2015

Designed service concept for an advanced medical home model
Focused on patients emotions throughout service process
Design for Construction Safety | Mine Safety Appliance
Course Name | Carnegie Mellon | Spring 2014

Identified opportunities to improve safety in commercial construction
Analyzed trends in the industry and the market
Performed analysis on values of competitive and analogous products
Self-Checkout Redesign | Course Name
Carnegie Mellon | Fall 2014

Redesigned user experience with self-checkouts at grocery stores
Designed service to make user experience of shopping hassle free
Remotely Operated Vehicle | Course Name

Carnegie Mellon | Spring 2014
Worked with interdisciplinary team of Mechanical and Electrical Engineers

Designed and built underwater vehicle to accomplish simple tasks
Work Experience
Market Research Intern | Navistar International Corporation
Pittsburgh, PA | Summer 2015
Designed research process to use surveys and interviews
Researched product concepts for customer desirability
Designed solutions from research
Project Manager Intern | March-Westin
Baltimore, MD | Summer 2014

Assisted Project Managers of General Contractor
Helped organize and manage construction projects
Freelance Web & Graphic Design | Self Employed

Baltimore, MD | Summers 2012- 2013
Designed websites, graphics, and branding for clients
Developed print/email/internet marketing campaigns
33

34
35

DIETRICH COLLEGE OF HUMANITIES AND SOCIAL SCIENCES RESUME SAMPLE
Paula Cee
709 Elmery Drive

Erie, PA 16546
(814) 456-1919
36
policy@andrew.cmu.edu
SMC 1919
P.O. Box 0123
(412) 862-1919
Objective
To obtain a full-time policy related position involving leadership, problem solving and research skills
Education


Bachelor of Science, May 2013
Major: Policy and Management, GPA: 3.32/4.0
Minor: Business Administration
Skills

Software: Oracle, Discoverer, Hyperion, Essbase, ESRI ArcGIS, Filemaker Pro 11

Computer Programming: Visual Basic, C++, Java, HTML, XML, SQL
Languages: Basic Spanish
Projects

Policy Analysis III

Environmental Protection Project on Noise Pollution, September 2012 Present
Researched and analyzed current abatement methods dealing with standards of noise pollution
Presented data and progress reports to class and panel of experts using cost-effective analysis
Policy Analysis II
Social Security Project, March 2012 April 2012
Researched and analyzed costs, benefits, and effectiveness of current implementation plans for
the market failure of current social security policies
Presented prepared material to class and professors

Research
Experience

Policy Intern, June 2012 August 2012

Georgia State University, School of Policy Studies, Atlanta, GA
Prepared and presented research data on U.S. tobacco policy and litigation in order to formulate
a research proposal for the National Science Foundation Grant
Research Assistant, September 2011 May 2012

Coded data subjects for conversion into a CD-ROM for the use of teenagers in their decision
making processes
Work
Experience

Career Center Assistant, September 2011 Present

Work with the Career Consultant and departments to initiate special projects dealing with
student needs and interests
Assist with career-related programs, organizing student survey results, identifying internship
opportunities, contacting employers, and working on computer projects
Consulting Intern, June 2011 August 2011

Advent Software, Inc., New York, NY
Assisted in preparation for special events such as consultant training, conferences and
meetings
Maintained custom reports, consulting calendar, utilization accounting, and client database
Junior recruiter for the Sales Division
Leadership

Asian Students Association, Carnegie Mellon, Pittsburgh, PA

Vice President, January 2011 December 2012
Coordinated activities and events for over 100 members
Organized events with officers of other organizations and administrative personnel
Treasurer, September 2009 May 2010

Assisted in organization and publicity of events, budgeting, and funding
Served as a liaison between officers and members of Student Activities and Student Senate
Honors

Awarded Student Employee of the Year, Carnegie Mellon University Career Center, May 2012
Deans List Recipient
37

38
ENGLISH RESUME SAMPLE
Faith Novel
FNOVEL@CMU.EDU 555.555.3645
303 TEN MILE RD. Detroit, MI 48235
idea generator / story-teller / editor
Work Experience
Carnegie Mellon University

Pittsburgh, PA / May 2015
BA Creative Writing
Minor Philosophy
Vistaprint / Studio Design Intern

Boston, MA : June 2013 - August 2014
Conducted and designed HTML based emails for client acquisition.
Re-designed print material for clients to accommodate changes from content

that has been translated from one language to another.
Skills
Cypress Semiconductor / Marketing Communications Intern

San Jose, CA : June 2012 - August 2012
Created and designed best practices for internal communications and

company-wide use for over 3,500 employees.
Replenished the online Cypress Developer Community with new, SEO-rich

content by assisting with the production and the release of product videos and
bi-weekly webisodes.
Microsoft Office
Adobe CS5
Photoshop
Illustrator
InDesign
SEO strategy & analysis
Copywriting & editing
Achievements
Outstanding Communications
American Marketing Association
International Collegiate Conference
New Orleans, LA : March 2012
VP of Communcations for CMUs
Undergraduate Marketing Organization,
designer of Chapter Plan and
Annual Repor t.
National Pacemaker Finalist
NSPA National Journalism Convention
Anaheim, CA : March 2011
Editor-in-chief and designer of a national
Pacemaker finalist literar y magazine.
Best in Show Literary Magazine
JEA National Journalism Convention
Kansas City, KS : November 2010
Editor-in-chief and designer of 1st-place
literary magazine in the nation.
Grand Prize Publication
RIT Young Professionals in Publishing
Rochester, NY : June 2010
Designer of the grand prize winning
student science journal publication.
Publications
Lukewarm
Poem. Imprint, May 2013
Transient
Poem. Allegheny Review, May 2013
SEO Inc. / Copywriting and Social Media Intern

Carlsbad, CA : June 2011 - August 2011
Researched and wrote ar ticles, press releases, website content with a focus on
search engine optimization through keyword analytics for over ten clients
Re-designed company newsletter and various social media projects for clients.
Leadership
Lunar Gala / Public Relations Team
Pittsburgh, PA : April 2012 - Februar y 2013
Initiated photography project titled Seen at CMU documenting campus

fashion, which increased traffic to the organizations Facebook and website.
Assisted with designing, filming, and photographing public relations materials to

create hype for the annual fashion show.
Assisted with the establishment of the Lunar Gala brand on both a campus
and community-wide level.
Undergraduate Marketing Organization / VP of Communications
Pittsburgh, PA : Apr 2011 - August 2012
Designed Chapter Plan that outlined the organizations mission statement,

timeline, and goals for the year.
Designed Annual Report at the end of the year that presented the
organizations accomplishments and proposed improvements.
The Thistle / Yearbook Design Editor
Pittsburgh, PA : April 2011 - present
Responsible for conceptualizing the overarching theme of the yearbook.
Design the book and manage content.
39
Education

SCHOOL OF COMPUTER SCIENCE RESUME SAMPLE
40
MELLON COLLEGE OF SCIENCE RESUME SAMPLE
41

MELLON COLLEGE OF SCIENCE RESUME SAMPLE
Jen Etics
Local Address: SMC 5419, 5032 Forbes Avenue, Pittsburgh, PA 15213

Home Address: 2597 McDowell Street, New York, NY 10030
Email: jetics@andrew.cmu.edu Phone: (212) 333-3254
Objective
To obtain a research position that will utilize my analytical, problem solving and communication skills
Education

Bachelor of Science in Biological Sciences May 2014
Minor: Biomedical Engineering
Overall GPA: 3.3
Major GPA: 3.6
Study Abroad, Institute for the International Education of Students, La Plata, Argentina
42
Relevant Coursework
Modern Biology
Laboratory 1: Introduction to Chemical Analysis
Organic Chemistry
Fall, 2012
Modern Chemistry I & II

Physics I & II
Introduction/Intermediate Programming
Skills
Computer: MSWord, Excel, PowerPoint, MiniTab, SPSS

Research: Titrametric analysis, cell transformation, making competent cells, enzyme digestions, DNA ligation, DNA synthesis,
primer design, SDS gel, mini-prep, spectroscopy, bacterial vector cloning, electroencephalogram subject running, NIH web based
training course complete, polymerase chain reaction, high-pressure liquid chromatography, infrared spectroscopy, nuclear
magnetic resonance, extraction, gas chromatography, distillation, boiling point determination
Language: Fluent in Spanish
Academic Project
Introduction to Chemical Analysis, Fall 2011

Worked on team of four students comparing caffeine levels in chocolate across different brands
Organized team meetings and ensured project ran smoothly as team facilitator
Research Experience
Hillman Cancer Center, Pittsburgh, PA

Research Assistant, Summer 2013
Determined the effects on human cells of p53 and PUMA, which are 2 genes implicated in colon cancer
Studied the effects of several drugs on the expression of these genes.
Work Experience
Carnegie Mellon University, Office of University Advancement, Pittsburgh, PA

Clerical/Data Processing Assistant, September 2011 May 2012
Operated as support system for Carnegie Mellon Advancement office
Maintained and improved filing system
Designed, maintained, and updated spreadsheets
Volunteer Experience
University of Pittsburgh Medical Center, Pittsburgh PA

Volunteer, UPMC Presbyterian, Summer 2012
Sorted incoming culture analysis in the laboratory
Activities
Alpha Phi Omega, Vice President of Fellowship, September 2013- Present

Biological Sciences Student Advisory Committee, Member, September 2011-May 2012
Women in Science, Member , September 2010-May 2011
RECRUITER CORRESPONDENCE
Students who are able to effectively communicate with
recruiters, whether on paper or electronically, stand out
during the application process. An effective and wellwritten cover letter is often the first impression you make
with a recruiter, and is an important step to getting an
interview.
Cover Letter Overview

Introduces you and your resume to an employer and
identifies the reason for sending credentials to the
employer.
Communicates to a prospective employer your relevant skills, knowledge, and accomplishments and
matches them to the characteristics of a specific
position or organization.
Serves as a marketing tool that motivates the
employer to read the resume and consider you for
an interview.
Cover Letter Guidelines

Targeted: To a specific employer and position,
includes research you have done.
Persuasive: Focus on meeting employer needs, not
your desires.
SUGGESTED COVER LETTER FORMAT

Your Address
Date
Dear Mr./Ms./Dr. (Contact Person):

First ParagraphIntroduction (2 - 4 sentences)
Establishes the purpose of your letter, attracts attention and creates interest.

State why you are writing by naming the specific position or type of job.

Tell how you heard about the position/employer and why you are a good fit for the opportunity.

Insert a brief sentence stating your degree, major, college affiliation, graduation date.

Mention the name of your contact person, if applicable.
Second/Third ParagraphBody (1 - 2 paragraphs, depending on background)
Generate interest with content by referencing the employer research you have done and how your skills/
background match the employers needs.

Indicate how you can help the employer achieve organizational goals in your specialty. Focus on what
you can do for them rather than why you want the position.

Highlight your most significant accomplishments, abilities and experiences that are specifically
relevant to the employer and job requirements.

Sell your credentialsyour mission is to prove you should be invited to an interview.

Do not simply repeat your resume but point out important experiences and key assetsshow some of this
to demonstrate to the employer your more personal qualities which cannot be indicated on a resume.
Fourth ParagraphClosing (4 sentences maximum)
State your commitment to action.

Mention enclosed resume or sample work, if applicable.

Indicate that you will call to inquire about the possibility of an interview and/or the timing of the s
election process.

Do not indicate you will be waiting for the employer to contact you.

Thank the employer.
Sincerely,
Your Signature
Your Name Typed
Contact Person
Title
Department
Employers Name
Address
43

Tone: Clear and concise. Confident, but not arrogant. Avoid cute and clever.
Accuracy: Correct grammar, punctuation, and
spelling. Have someone else proofread in addition to
using Spell-Check.
Individualized: Addressed to an individual, not
Dear Sir/Madam.
Paragraphs: 3-4 brief paragraphs. Limit to one
page.
Paper/Printing: High-quality bond paper with
matching envelopes (if applicable).
Letter of Inquiry: Expresses interest in working for the

employer and inquires as to whether a particular type
of position is available.
Using Contacts in a Cover Letter

Students should mention the name of a contact whenever possible. A contact can be a professor, a friends
parent, alumnus/ae, or someone else you know through
networking. Mentioning a contacts name generates
a whole new image about you as a candidate. The
employer may conclude that the contact is endorsing
you; your resume will be read and the likelihood of an
interview increases.
Types of Cover Letters

Letter of Application: Explains interest in a specific
position. Includes pertinent details about qualifications
and requests action.
44
SAMPLE COVER LETTER

700 Any Street
Pittsburgh, PA 15232
October 10, 2014
Ms. Willa Jones, Director
Information Technology Executive Board
300 Pennsylvania Avenue, NW
Washington, DC 20006
Dear Ms. Jones:
I am writing to you to apply for the Security Assurance Analyst position in your IT Consulting
Practice posted on your companys website. Robert Carey, who works in your audit department,
recommended that I contact you directly. I am currently working on my Master of Information
Systems Management degree at Carnegie Mellon University and will be graduating this December.
Your job posting indicates you are seeking an individual with a strong computer security
background. Having a marked interest in electronic and information security, I have selected
courses and project work to specialize in those areas. My current IS academic project involves
exploring privacy laws regarding company Internet usage to determine user compliance and
defining LAN/WAN implications for HIPPA. I also have 2 years of corporate experience in
cryptography and electronic crimes law. I feel my knowledge of network computer intrusion,
information warfare, and (laboratory confined) hacking would significantly facilitate a strategy and
best-practices position with the ITEB. I have gained invaluable presentation, writing, analytical, and
organizational skills from these experiences.
Please find my resume enclosed for your review. I will be in the Washington DC area next month
and would appreciate the opportunity to meet with you to discuss my qualifications and interests. If
you have any questions or need additional information, do not hesitate to contact me at anitajob@
andrew.cmu.edu or 412-555-5555.
Sincerely,
Anita Job
Anita Job
Enclosed: Resume
EMAIL CORRESPONDENCE
Email is a powerful tool in the hands of a savvy
job seeker. Use it wisely and you will shine. Use it
improperly, however, and youll brand yourself as
unprofessional.
Email is often the preferred method of communication
between job-seekers and employers. There are general
guidelines that should be followed when emailing cover
letters, thank-you notes, and replies to various requests
for information. Apply the following advice to every
email you write:
Use a meaningful subject lineone that is appropriate to the topic and maximizes the chances the
reader will open it
Always be professional in your correspondence.
Address the recipient as Mr. or Ms. and always
verify the correct spelling of the recipients first
and last name
Do not use strange fonts, wallpapers or multi

colored backgrounds
Sign your email with your full name
Avoid using slang
Be sure to proofread and Spell-Check your email
before sending it
When you are dealing with employers, there is no
such thing as an inconsequential communication.
Your emails say far more about you than you might
realize, and it is important to always present a
polished, professional imageeven if you are just
emailing your phone number and a time when you
can be contacted. If your email appears sloppy and
careless, a seemingly trivial communication will
reflect poorly on you.
MS in Leadership for
Creative Enterprises
Develop the business skills and
industry contacts needed for career
success in the visual, performing,
and interactive arts.
Management coursework
tailored to the arts and
entertainment industry
Networking treks to New York
and Los Angeles
Focused internships for
real-world experience
Contact us now and launch your
creative career!
847-467-7117
creative@northwestern.edu
www.creative.northwestern.edu
45
Be concise in your communications. Dont overload

the employer with lots of questions
Ditch the emoticons. While a or LOL may be

appropriate with friends and family, do not use
such symbols when communicating with recruiters
or alumni

THANK-YOU NOTES
If you have had an interview with a prospective
employer, a thank-you note is a great way to express
your appreciation. The note should be sent a day or
two after your interview and only needs to be a few
sentences long, as in the example to the right.
Dear Ms. Jones:
Remember, a thank-you note is just thata simple way

to say thank you. In the business world, even these brief
notes need to be handled with care.
I appreciate the opportunity to be considered for

employment at XYZ Corporation. Please feel free
to contact me if you need further information.
I want to thank you for yesterdays interview. The

position we discussed is exactly what I have been
looking for, and I feel that I will be able to make a
positive contribution to your organization.
Sincerely,
John Tartan
SUGGESTED THANK-YOU LETTER FORMAT
46
Your Address
Date
Contact Person
Title
Department
Employers Name
Address
Dear Mr./Mrs./Ms./Dr. (Contact Person):
First Paragraph
Thank the employer and confirm interest
I appreciated the opportunity to speak with you on (date). The information
you shared with me about (organization name) increased my interest in
working with you. I remain excited about the possibility of applying my
education and experience to the position we discussed.
Second Paragraph
In the second paragraph, show the employer you were paying attention and
try again to make yourself stand out. You may want to highlight a specific
topic you discussed during the interview or indicate some skill/experience
that will set you apart from the other applicants.
Third Paragraph
Reconfirm interest and offer additional information
If I can provide you with any additional information, please let me know. I
look forward to hearing from you.
Sincerely,
Your Signature
Your Name Typed
SOCIAL NETWORKING WEBSITES

(FACEBOOK, TWITTER, LINKEDIN, ETC.)
Social media sites such as Facebook and LinkedIn are
playing a much larger role in the recruiting process as
more and more organizations are looking for new ways
to connect with students and share information about
jobs and internships, their culture, etc.
Students should consider creating a professional
LinkedIn profile complete with their academic
background, relevant academic projects, and other
information. To start building your network, connect
with current or former classmates.
Networking Rules
Managing Your Social Media Brand

A more controversial aspect of the interplay between social
networking and job searching is the privacy debate. Some
observers, including career consultants, faculty, deans,
and parents worry that students put themselves at a disadvantage in the job search by making personal information
available on Facebook and Twitter pages.
In some cases, employers conduct online searches of
candidates during the initial screening process. Its easy
to deduce that if an employer is comparing two candidates who are closely matched in terms of GPA and
experience, and one has questionable photos and text
STRATEGIES FOR SAFE AND

STRATEGIC SOCIAL NETWORKING
1.Check your privacy settings and determine access
strategically.
2.Set a standard. If anything appears on your page
that you would not want an interviewer to see,
remove it.
3.Use social networking to your advantage. Use
these sites to find alumni and connections at the
companies that interest you and contact them. In
addition, use sites such as LinkedIn to learn more
about the recruiters who will interview you.
Why risk losing a career opportunity because of a questionable status update or photo?
LinkedIn
LinkedIn is an online professional networking site
which allows you to connect with other professionals
in your field. You can join interest groups such as the
CMU Alumni Group, or other professional associations
to increase your connections and join in conversations
about current topics in your field. Both students and
alumni benefit from LinkedIn; in fact, even first year
students will benefit by opening a LinkedIn account.
In addition to utilizing the site for finding company
contacts for a job or internship search, you should also
use LinkedIn to keep in touch with professional contacts
(both classmates and recruiters)you never know when
these contacts will be needed throughout your career.
Make sure to keep your profile updated, and dont
forget to continually add to your LinkedIn network.
IdentityPublic or Private?
Identity and affiliations are the second area where
social networking and privacy issues may affect your
job search and employment prospects. Historically, jobseekers have fought for increased protection from being
asked questions about their identity, including religious
affiliation and sexual orientation. This information
could be used by biased employers to discriminate.
Using social networking sites, employers can now find
information that they are not allowed by law to ask you.
You are not expected to include religious and political
affiliations as well as sexual orientation or transgender
identity on your resume, so do you want this information to be available via social networking sites? There
are two strategies to consider. One approach is that if
you wish to only work for an employer with whom you
can be open about your religious, political, or sexual
orientation, then making that information available on
your profile will screen out discriminating employers
and make it more likely that you will land with an
employer open to your identity and expression. A
second approach is to maintain your privacy and keep
more options open. Investigate potential employers
thoroughly and pay special attention at site visits to
evaluate whether the company would be welcoming to
you. This strategy is based on two perspectives shared
by many career professionals. First, as a job-seeker, you
want to present only your relevant skills and experience throughout the job search; all other information
is irrelevant. Second, if you provide information about
your identity and affiliations, you may be discriminated
against by one person in the process even though the
company overall might be a good match.
Your Career Consultant can help you manage your
privacy on social media.
47
When you seek and maintain professional connections

via social networking sites, follow the same etiquette you
would if you were networking by phone or in person.
Remember that every interaction is creating an impression. Online, you might tend to be less formal because
you are communicating in a space that you typically share
with friends. Just as you would not let your guard down
if you were having dinner with a potential employer,
you must maintain a positive and professional approach
when conversing with networking contacts online. Ask
good questions, pay attention to the answers, and always
be politethis includes sending a brief thank-you note
anytime someone gives you advice or assistance.
on his or her online profile and the second does not, that
the second student will get the job offer.
PERSONAL BRANDING
YOUR PERSONAL BRAND
A POWERFUL CAREER TOOL
Your personal brand is the powerful, clear idea that
comes to mind whenever other people think of you. Its
what you stand forthe values, abilities, and actions
that others associate with you and you turning that
perception into opportunity. Personal branding is about
identifying and communicating what makes you exceptional, different, and pertinent so that you can reach your
career goals. You can use your personal brand to separate yourself from your competition
48
Be your own brand manager. For students, personal

brand management is about developing the promise
to maintain, improve, and uphold your brand. Your
personal brand = your personal view of yourself +
the personal view others have of you + your life experiences and outcomes. The key is to manage this equation
so you are projecting outwardly the authentic you.
Make certain your brand message is consistent across
all platforms. For example, your resume and LinkedIn
profile must be in sync.
PERSONAL BRANDINGSTEP-BY-STEP
Step 1: DiscoverMake sure your brand is
authentic.
A personal brand has four elements: competencies,
personality, appearance, and differentiation.
Competencies: The combination of experiences and
technical skills that you acquire over time
Personality: Your ability to communicate and
interact with your peers and colleagues. Personality
can be developed through time, especially with
experience and maturity
Appearance: Your personal appearance is a combination of the way you dress, your behavior, and
your body language. The first impression you
create is critical to your acceptance and credibility.
Please see the Dressing Professionally section of
this Guide
Differentiation: This is what makes you unique,
those exceptional abilities or combination of
experience, knowledge, and skills that no other
applicants demonstrate
How to discover your personal brand:
Do some soul-searching and external research
(consider a Survey Monkey of 25 of your closest
friends, classmates, instructors, advisors, or former
employers.)
At the CPDC you can:
oMeet with your Career Consultant to:
-Complete inventories on personality, career
interests, values, skills, and strengths and
discuss them with your consultant.
-Develop and craft your 30-second elevator pitch /

personal statement
- Complete the MyCareerPath workbook
Identify what you do best
Identify what makes you different
Step 2: Define and IntegrateIntegrate your

personal brand into all aspects of your career.
Meet with your Career Consultant to:
oDiscuss your branding strategy
oLearn to integrate your brand into all your
marketing material (resume, cover letter, web
page, etc.)
oLearn how to integrate your brand in your social
media presence
Update or create your social media presence based
on your identified brand
Create a home online for your personal brand;
Consider a social/dynamic resume or online profile
such as collegefeed.
Step 3: ActTake action to live your Personal

Brand.
Your personal brand in all its forms; physical, digital,
and how you represent yourself, should reflect your
values. This builds brand awareness with everyone you
come into contact with and increases the likelihood that
people come to you with opportunities related to your
brand.
Your personal brand strategy might include some of the
following techniques:
Personal Branding Statement / Mission Statement /
30-Second Elevator Pitch
Personal Tagline
Personal Branded Website & Email Address
Personal Branded Business Card & Stationery
Social Media Pages: Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn,
Pinterest, etc.
Portfolio of Work (if applicable)
Resume, Cover Letter, Biography, Video Resume
Blog
Personal Brand Logo
Personal Branded Wardrobe
Regardless of age, regardless of position, regardless
of the business we happen to be in, all of us need to
understand the importance of branding. We are CEOs
of our own companies: Me Inc. To be in business today,
our most important job is to be head marketer for the
brand called You.
Tom Peters A Brand Called You
EMPLOYER RESEARCH
Conducting an effective job search requires researching
and learning as much as possible about a potential
employer. The more you know about an employer
beforehand, the more confident you will be during the
interaction. This translates into better communication
and a more productive exchange.
Information you should know about a potential
employer:
Size and structure of organization
Location of facilities
Product line, industry, service, clients, and markets
Past, current, and potential growth
Key competitors
Stock history (if publicly traded)
Name of interviewer or contact
Recent news items and trends
The following are potential sources to help research

employers:
The Internet
-Hoovers
-Vault
-GoinGlobal
-Collegefeed
-
CareerShift
Hunt Library reference section
Professional and trade associations
Industry periodicals and magazines
Faculty, advisors, family, and friends
State and federal employment offices
Local and regional libraries
Telephone directories
Newspapers
Job fairs
49
The more you know about

an employer beforehand, the
more confident you will be
during the interaction.
CAREER FAIRS
Many employers use career fairsboth on and off
campusto promote their opportunities and to
pre-screen applicants. Career fairs can range from small
community-sponsored events to giant regional career
expositions.
Most career fairs consist of booths and/or tables staffed
by recruiters and other representatives from each organization. For on-campus events, some employers also
send alumni representatives.
An employers display area is also subject to wide
variance. It could be a simple table with a lone representative and a stack of brochures and business cards
or a team of recruiters with an elaborate multimedia
extravaganza with interactive displays, videos, and
posters.
50
DRESS CODE
Generally, the appropriate dress for a career fair is business attire. If youre unsure of the dress code, ask your
Career Consultant.
Remember to bring copies of your resume, a few pens
and pencils, and a folder or portfolio that includes a
tablet where you can jot down important notes. Dont
bring your backpack; its cumbersome, gets in the
way of others, and it screams student! instead of
candidate!
CAREER FAIR TIPS

Before the fairPractice marketing yourself to a new
person. Think about your strengths and abilities and
how they would benefit a company. Develop this, along
with examples of relevant internship experiences and
academic coursework, into a brief introduction (your
30-second elevator pitch).
Also prior to the fair, research companies attending
that you are interested in. A list of attending employers
is usually available in advance of a job fair. Use it to
do research (at minimum, visit their website). A little
preparation goes a long way and can make you stand
out. Find out about the positions they are recruiting
for and prepare to speak about how your experiences
and competencies make you the ideal candidate for the
position.
During the fairKeep your eyes and ears open
theres nothing wrong with subtly eavesdropping on the
questions asked and answers received by your fellow
career fair attendees. You might pick up some valuable
information, in addition to witnessing some real-life
career search dos and donts.
In order to maximize your experience, you must be an
active participant. If all you do is stroll around, take
company literature and load up on the ubiquitous
A FEW WORDS ABOUT

CAREER FAIR ETIQUETTE
1.Do not interrupt the employer reps or your
fellow job-seekers. If someone else is monopolizing the employers time, try to make eye
contact with the rep to let him or her know
that you are interested in speaking. You may
be doing the recruiter a favor by giving them an
out. If all else fails, move to the next employer
and plan to come back later.
2.If you have a real interest in an employer,
find out the procedures required to secure
an interview. At some job fairs, initial
screening interviews may be done on the
spot. Other times, the career fair is used to
pre-screen applicants for interviews to be
conducted later (either on campus or at the
employers site).
3.Do not just drop your resume on an
employers display table. Try to get it into the
persons hands and say a few words about
yourself. If the scene is too busy, look around
the display for the recruiters business card (or
at the very least, write down his or her name
and get some literature with the companys
address) and send an email with your resume
attached.
freebies, you really havent accomplished anything

worthwhile. It is essential to chat with the company
representatives and ask meaningful questions.
Think about your strengths and abilities and how
they would benefit a company. Develop this, along
with internship and class information, into a brief
introduction.
The questions you ask at a job fair should be developed
from your pre-event research. This allows you to further
expand on information youve gathered and shows that
youve done your homework.
FAIR THEE WELL

Try to attend at least one career fair before beginning
your formal job interviewing process as a way to transition into self-marketing mode without the formality
and possible intimidation of a one-on-one job interview.
EMPLOYER INFORMATION SESSIONS

Each year, more than 150 Employer Information
Sessions are held on campus in conjunction with
on-campus recruiting. These sessions are designed to
introduce you to the employer and the employment
opportunities available. Not only are they a great way
to learn about career fields, but also to meet and
create a strong first impression with recruiters and
alumni.
Employer Information Sessions are generally held the
night before the employer interviews on campus. A
complete schedule, which is updated regularly, can be
found on TartanTRAK, and by following the CPDC on
Twitter.
51
Business Opportunities
Conference (BOC)
September 12, 2014
Technical Opportunities
Conference (TOC)
September 15, 16 & 17, 2014
Fall Employment Opportunities

Conference (EOC)
October 7, 2014
Spark: Startups and Emerging

Companies
October 23, 2014
Spring Employment Opportunities

Conference (EOC)
February 10 & 11, 2015
Creative Arts Opportunities

Conference (CAOC)
February 26, 2015
CARNEGIE MELLON
2014-15 CAREER FAIRS
THE JOB INTERVIEW

Job interviews enable students and employers to learn
about each other and to see if there is a potential
match with the opportunity. This is a very important
step in landing a campus job, internship, or permanent
job. You will be required to communicate abilities,
skills, interests, aptitudes, and career objectives to the
employer.
Your education, experience, personality, appearance,
poise, mannerism, alertness, and intelligence are
brought into focus and evaluated during an interview.
The CPDC provides several services and resources to
help you develop your interview skills.
Services:
52
The Mock Interview Program provides you with an

opportunity to practice and develop interviewing
skills in a simulated environment with alumni and
employer representatives.
Interview workshops and programs are offered at
various times throughout the academic year.
Career Consultants are available to discuss and
practice interview strategies.
Interview Evaluation Forms:
Campus recruiters are asked to anonymously
complete Interview Evaluation Forms following
their interviews with students. You may request
that your Career Consultant share this confidential information with you once you have had a
minimum of three campus interviews in order to
improve your interview skills.
THE INTERVIEW
Entrance
Have a positive and cheerful attitude and give the interviewer a warm greeting with a firm handshake. Create a
comfortable atmosphere and establish common ground.
Presentation
Relax and think of the interview as an exchange of information between two individuals. It is an opportunity
to market relevant skills and experiences. This is best
done by backing up statements with specific examples,
sharing the outcomes or solutions to a specific problem
or assignment, and summarizing. These strategies will
emphasize your strengths.
Nonverbal Behaviors
Nonverbal cues are 50% of the interview. Be aware of
posture, eye contact, hand gestures, and facial expressions. Positive nonverbal cues include:
Occasional affirmative nodding of the head
Maintaining a pleasant facial expression
Leaning forward

Firm handshake
Appropriate dress
Sitting with hands, feet, and arms unfolded
Good eye contact
PRE-INTERVIEW
Smiling appropriately
Self-Assessment: Compile a list of personal strengths

and past accomplishments to boost confidence and
share with the employer. Identify and evaluate education, experiences, skills, accomplishments, strengths,
and weaknesses as they relate to the position.
Verbal Behaviors
Research the Employer: Gather as much information

about the employer as possible. Refer to the Employer
Research section on page 49 of this Guide for additional
information.
Attend an Employer Information Session (if possible):
Refer to page 51 for additional information.
Be concise and complete when answering questions

Use action verbs
Provide concrete examples to support
competencies
Offer information to support candidacy
Questions for the Employer

Have 2-4 questions prepared
Practice Interview Techniques: Rehearse how to

describe qualifications and aspirations. See the Mock
Interview Program section on page 11.
Questions should reflect pre-interview research
Prepare Yourself: Know the interviewers name, title,

and level of responsibility; arrive 10-15 minutes early;
bring additional materials as appropriate; and, dress to
project an image of confidence and success.
Exit
Ask the interviewer for a business card
Thank the interviewer and give a firm handshake

Walk confidently from the interview
POST-INTERVIEW
Debrief
Make notes about positive experiences from the
interview and areas in which improvement or
refinement are needed
Note any information to include in a thank-you
letter
Send a Thank-You Note

Personalize the message
CASE STUDIES
Many employers are now using case studies in their
interviews. This is a common method used to judge
your problem-solving skills. The interviewer presents
you with a situation or problem. You are asked to
discuss approaches to the problem and a possible solution. It may start out as a vague scenario which requires
you to ask for additional information. In this case, the
interviewer is assessing your ability to identify key
issues. It may also be very specific in order to test your
quantitative skills. Case studies may be very involved
and last 10-20 minutes.
Reiterate or add a point about qualifications

Confirm the next step in the interview process
See the sample thank-you note on page 46.
TYPES OF INTERVIEWS
Behavioral Interview
This interview is based on the idea that your past
behavior is useful in predicting future performance.
Typical questions center around how you have
handled past situations where skills, abilities, and
teamwork have been demonstrated. Areas could
include project work, relevant work experiences,
difficult situations, accomplishments, and leadership
roles.
Telephone Interview
This interview is sometimes used as a screening
interview when neither you nor the employer is able
to travel. It is used to assess whether or not you should
be considered for an on-site interview. Occasionally,
students seeking internships and summer jobs have
been interviewed and hired using this method.
Group Interview
A group interview involves several people taking turns
asking questions or presenting scenarios for you to
respond to or solve. It could be used as a group discussion which can help determine how you interact with
other members of the group who could be potential
colleagues.
Before you begin interviewing, think about these

questions and your possible responses and discuss them
with your Career Consultant. Conduct mock interviews
and be sure you are able to communicate clear answers
to interviewers.
Personal
1. Tell me about yourself.
2. What are your hobbies?
3. Why did you choose to interview with our
organization?
4. Describe your ideal job.
5. What can you offer us?
6. What do you consider to be your greatest
strengths?
7. Can you name some weaknesses?
8. Define success. Failure.
9. Have you ever had any failures? What did you
learn from them?
10. Of which three accomplishments are you most
proud?
11. Who are your role models? Why?
12. How does your college education or work experience relate to this job?
13. What motivates you most in a job?
14. Have you had difficulty getting along with a
former professor/supervisor/co-worker and how
did you handle it?
15. Have you ever spoken before a group of people?
How large?
16. Why should we hire you rather than another
candidate?
53
Interviewing styles vary among employers and interviewers. To better prepare for an interview, familiarize
yourself with the different types of interviews which you
may encounter. Additional information on interviewing
can be found at the CPDC and on our website at
www.cmu.edu/career.
QUESTIONS ASKED BY EMPLOYERS
THE JOB INTERVIEW continued

17. What do you know about our organization (products or services)?
18. Where do you want to be in five years? Ten years?
19. Do you plan to return to school for further
education?
Education
20. Why did you choose your major?
21. Why did you choose to attend Carnegie Mellon?
22. Do you think you received a good education? In
what ways?
23. In which campus activities did you participate?
24. Which classes in your major did you like best?
Least? Why?
54
25. Which elective classes did you like best? Least?

Why?
26. If you were to start over, what would you change
about your education?
27. Do your grades accurately reflect your abilities?
Why or why not?
28. Were you financially responsible for any portion
of your college education?
Experience
29. What job-related skills have you developed?
30. Did you work while going to school? In what
positions?
31. What did you learn from these work
experiences?
32. What did you enjoy most about your last employment? Least?
33. Have you ever quit a job? Why?
34. Give an example of a situation in which you
provided a solution to an employer.
35. Give an example of a time in which you worked
under deadline pressure.
36. Have you ever done any volunteer work? What
kind?
37. How do you think a former supervisor would
describe your work?
Career Goals
38. Do you prefer to work under supervision or on
your own?
39. What kind of boss do you prefer?
40. Would you be successful working with a team?

41. Do you prefer large or small organizations? Why?
42. What other types of positions are you
considering?
43. How do you feel about working in a structured
environment?
44. Are you able to work on several assignments at
once?
45. How do you feel about working overtime?
46. How do you feel about travel?
47. How do you feel about the possibility of
relocating?
48. Are you willing to work flex-time?
ARE YOU READY FOR A BEHAVIORAL

INTERVIEW?
Tell me about a time when you were on a team, and
one of the members didnt complete their assigned
tasks. If this is one of the leading questions in your job
interview, you could be in for a behavioral interview.
Behavioral interviewing is designed to minimize
personal impressions that might cloud the hiring
decision. By focusing on the applicants actions and
behaviors, rather than subjective impressions, interviewers can make more accurate hiring decisions.
Behavioral vs. Traditional Interviews

If you have training or experience with traditional
interviewing techniques, you may find the behavioral
interview quite different in several ways:
Instead of asking how you would behave in a
particular situation, the interviewer will ask you to
describe how you did behave.
Expect the interviewer to question and probe.
The interviewer will ask you to provide details and
will not allow you to theorize or generalize about
events.
The interview will be a more structured process
that will concentrate on areas that are important to
the interviewer.
Interviewers may take notes throughout the
interview.
The behavioral interviewer has been trained to objectively collect and evaluate information while working
from a profile of desired behaviors that are needed for
success on the job. Because the candidates previous
behaviors/actions are likely to be repeated, you will be
asked to share situations in which you may or may not
have exhibited these behaviors.
If you are an entry-level candidate with no previous
related experience, the interviewer will look for behaviors
in situations similar to those of the target position:

Describe a major problem you have faced and

how you dealt with it.
Give an example of when you had to work with

your hands to accomplish a task or project.
Follow-up questions will test for consistency and determine if you exhibited the desired behavior in that
situation:
assigned to a team to build a canoe out of concrete.

One of our team members wasnt showing up for our
lab sessions or doing his assignments. I finally met with
him in private, explained the frustration of the rest of
the team, and asked if there was anything I could do to
help. He told me he was preoccupied with another class
that he wasnt passing, so I found someone to help him
with the other course. He not only was able to spend
more time on our project, but he was also grateful to
me for helping him out. We finished our project on time
and got a B on it.
The interviewer might then ask questions: How did you
feel when you confronted this person? Exactly what
was the nature of the project? What was his responsibility as a team member? What was your role? At
what point did you take it upon yourself to confront
him? You can see it is important that you not make up
or shade information and why you should have a clear
memory of the entire incident.
Can you give me an example?
What did you do?
Dont Forget the Basics
What did you say?
What were you thinking?
How did you feel?
What was your role?
What was the result?
Instead of feeling anxious or threatened by the prospect of a behavioral interview, remember the essential
difference between the traditional interview and the
behavioral interview: the traditional interviewer may
allow you to project what you might or should do in a
given situation, whereas the behavioral interviewer is
looking for past actions only. It will always be important to make a good first impression on the interviewer
with appropriate attire, good grooming, a firm handshake, and direct eye contact. There is no substitute for
promptness, courtesy, preparation, enthusiasm, and a
positive attitude.
You will notice an absence of such questions as, Tell

me about your strengths and weaknesses.
How to Prepare for a Behavioral Interview

Recall recent situations that show favorable
behaviors or actions, especially those involving
coursework, work experience, leadership, teamwork, initiative, planning, and customer service.
Prepare short descriptions of each situation; be
ready to give details if asked.
Be sure each story has a beginning, a middle, and
an ending. Be ready to describe the situation, your
action, and the outcome or result.
Be sure the outcome or result reflects positively on
you (even if the result itself was not favorable).
Be honest. Dont embellish or omit any part of the
story. The interviewer will find out if your story is
built on a weak foundation.
Be specific. Dont generalize about several events;
give a detailed accounting of one event.
A possible response to the question, Tell me about a
time when you were on a team and a member wasnt
completing their tasks might go as follows: I had been
QUESTIONS TO ASK
DURING AN INTERVIEW
Prepare a list of well-researched questions to ask the
interviewer. Keep in mind that your questions should
reflect the amount of research you have done. The
questions below are guidelines; create and adapt questions to meet your individual needs and interview
situation.
1. Which parts of the job are most challenging?
2. How are the goals for this job set?
3. What activities are routinely performed in this
job?
4. What other departments/divisions do you
interact with the most?
5. How much travel is involved and to where?
6. How are new product teams formed?
55

7. Where will the position be located?
8. Will relocation be required in the future? To
where?
9. What is the length of the training program/
period?
10. What is the average time to move within a
particular career path?
IMPROPER INTERVIEW SITUATIONS

OR ILLEGAL QUESTIONS
Identifying improper or illegal questions may not be
easy, especially if you are unaware of what is considered
appropriate and legal.
56
Consider beforehand what might consist of illegal or

improper questions and the options for responding to
them. If you believe such questions were asked, share
your concern with your Career Consultant. In this way,
the issue can be addressed without harming a job
prospect.
STUDENTS WITH DISABILITIES

Acing the interview
At the CPDC we realize the disclosure of disabilities can
be a difficult process. While the following guidelines
should be helpful, we highly encourage you to meet
with your Career Consultant to assist you with your
personal circumstances.
The traditional face-to-face interview can be particularly
stressful when you have a disabilityespecially a visible
disability. Hiring managers and employers may have
had little prior experience with persons with disabilities
and may react with discomfort due to the appearance
of a wheelchair, cane, or an uncommon physical trait.
When this happens, the interviewer may be uncomfortable and conduct the interview in a hurried manner.
But this scenario robs you of the opportunity to present
your credentials and could prevent the employer
from identifying a suitable, qualified candidate for
employment.
You, even more than applicants without disabilities, must
be skilled in handling each interview in order to put the
employer representative at ease. You must also be able
to demonstrate your ability to manage your disability
and be prepared to provide relevant information about
your skills, experiences, and educational background. In
addition, you may have to inform the employer of the
equipment, tools, and related resources that you will
need to perform job tasks.
TIPS ON MANAGING
THE INTERVIEW
Prior to the Interview
1.Identify a Career Consultant to help you
prepare.
2.Arrange for mock interview sessions online in
TartanTRAK or during Mock Interview Week
to become more confident in discussing
your work-related skills and in putting the
employer representative at ease. Rehearse
ahead of time to prepare how you will
handle inappropriate, personal, or possibly
illegal questions.
3.If your disability makes oral communication
difficult, create a written narrative to supplement your resume that details your abilities.
4.Determine any technical support, resources,
and costs that might be necessary for your
employment so that you can respond to
questions related to this topic.
5.Seek advice from other workers with disabilities who have been successful in finding
employment.
6.Review the general advice about interviewing
outlined in this Career Guide.
During the Interview

1.Put the interviewer at ease before starting
the interview by addressing any visible
disability (if you have not done so already).
2.Plan to participate fully in the discussion (not
just answer questions); maintain appropriate
control of the interview by tactfully keeping
the interview focused on your abilitiesnot
the disability.
3.Inform the employer of any accommodations needed and how they can be achieved,
thereby demonstrating your ability to
manage your disability.
4.Conclude the interview by reiterating your
qualifications and giving the interviewer the
opportunity to ask any further questions.
To Disclose or Not to Disclose

Whether or not you disclose, as well as when and how,
are decisions that you must make for yourself during
the job search process.
Under the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), you are
not legally obligated to disclose your disability unless
it is likely to directly affect your job performance. On
the other hand, if your disability is visible, it may be
more prudent to acknowledge your disability during
the application process to avoid catching the employer
representative off guard.
Reasons for Disclosing

You take a risk when you decide to disclose your
disability. However, doing so in a confident manner
can demonstrate to the employer that you know how
to manage your disability and will transition successfully into the position. In addition, receiving reasonable
accommodations will require disclosing.
The employers first contact with you will typically be

through your cover letter and resume, especially if
you were the one to initiate contact. There are many
differing opinions on whether one should mention the
disability on the resume or in the cover letter. Generally,
this is not considered a good practice.
The cover letter and resume should primarily outline
relevant skills, experiences, and education for the position for which you are applying. The reader should
have a clear understanding of your suitability for the
position.
When You Get the Interview

As stated earlier, it may not be wise to hide the
disability (especially a visible disability) until the time
of the interview. The employer representative may be
surprised, uncomfortable, or assume that you intentionally hid critical information. As a result, more time
may be spent asking irrelevant and trivial questions
because of nervousness, rather than focusing on your
suitability for the position. You should decide whether
you want to disclose once you receive the interview
offer, especially if you need an accommodation during
the interview. Get assistance from contacts in Human
Resources, your Career and Professional Development
Center, or workers with disabilities about the different
ways to prepare the interviewer for your arrival. Take
the time to rehearse what you will say before making
initial contact. If oral communication is difficult for
you, have a career services staff person (or another
professional) place the call for you and explain how
you plan to handle the interview. If you require
support for your interview (such as a sign language
MEAL INTERVIEWS
Shirley Willey, owner of Etiquette & Company, reports
that roughly 80% of second interviews involve a
business meal. Terry Cobb, owner and manager of
HR-Employment Solutions, remembers one candidate
who had had a successful first interview. Because the
second interview was scheduled close to noon, Cobb
decided to conduct the interview over lunch. Initially,
the candidate was still in the interview mode and
maintained his professionalism. After a while, however,
he became more relaxedand thats when the candidates real personality began to show. He had terrible
table manners, made several off-color remarks, and
spoke negatively about previous employers. Needless to
say, Cobb was unimpressed, and the candidate did not
get the job.
Remember that an interview is always an interview,
regardless of how relaxed or informal the setting.
Anything that is said or done will be considered by the
interviewer.
In order to make a good impression during a lunch or
dinner interview, make sure you:
Arrive on time
Wait to sit until the host/hostess indicates the
seating arrangement
Place napkin in lap before eating or drinking
anything
When ordering, keep in mind that this is a
talkingb usiness lunch. Order something easy to
eat, such as boneless chicken, fish, or a vegetarian option
Do not delay the group from ordering because you
cannot make a decision. Feel free to ask for suggestions from others at the table
Wait until everyone has been served before
eating
Practice proper posture; sit up straight with your
arms close to your body
Lift food up to your mouthnot the other way
around
Try to eat at the same pace as everyone else
Take responsibility for keeping up the
conversation
57
Timing the Disclosure
interpreter), contact Human Resources in advance to

arrange for this assistance. Advance preparation puts
everyone at ease and shows that you can manage your
affairs.

Place napkin on chair seat if excusing yourself for
any reason
Place napkin beside plate at the end of the meal
Push chair under table when excusing yourself
Eating
Follow these simple rules for eating and drinking:
Start eating with the utensil that is farthest away
from your plate. You may have two spoons and
two forks. The spoon farthest away from your plate
is a soup spoon. The fork farthest away is a salad
fork unless you have three forks, one being much
smaller, which would be a seafood fork for an
appetizer. The dessert fork/spoon is usually above
the plate. Remember to work from the outside in
58
Dip soup away from you; sip from the side of the
spoon
Season food only after you have tasted it
Pass salt and pepper togethereven if asked for
only one
Pass all items to the right. If the item has a
handle, such as a pitcher, pass with the handle
toward the next person. For bowls with spoons,
pass with the spoon ready for the next person. If
you are the one to reach to the center of the table
for an item, pass it before serving yourself
While you are speaking during a meal, utensils
should be resting on your plate (fork and knife
crossed on the plate with tines down)
Dont chew with your mouth open or blow on your
food
The interviewer will usually take care of the bill and the
tip. Be sure to be gracious and thank them for the meal.
Be prepared, however, if this doesnt happen and have
some cash or a debit card ready to take care of your part,
including the tip. Never make an issue of the check.
ETHICAL JOB SEARCH GUIDELINES

The mission of the Carnegie Mellon Career and
Professional Development Center is to maximize the career
and life potential of our students. We accomplish this
by creating opportunities for our students to meet with
employers with whom we have developed relationships.
As such, we expect all of our student TartanTRAK users
to adhere to the following ethical standards. You are
expected to:
1. Attend all scheduled campus interviews

Missing or canceling an interview, without sufficient notification, wastes a time slot that could have been filled
by another candidate. Please review the CPDCs Interview

Cancellation and No-Show Policy on our website.
2. Be on time for campus interviews

Please arrive at the CPDC Interview Center, Cohon
University Center - Lower Level, 10-15 minutes before
your scheduled interview. Being late reflects poorly on
you and disrupts the appointment times of other candidates on the schedule.
3.Present qualifications in a truthful manner

This applies to information on resumes/cover letters and
to answers in interviews. Information provided during
the interview process can be verified and a false statement could cost you the job, even after the company
has agreed to hire you.
4.Honor all agreements made with recruiters

regarding site visits
When you accept a second interview opportunity with
a company, you set into motion a series of events:
travel arrangements, scheduling, hotel reservations,
and a host of other details. If you subsequently fail to
follow-through with the site visit without giving the
company enough advanced notice, it costs the company
a considerable amount of wasted time and money, as
well as denies another student the opportunity to interview. Not honoring agreements with recruiters reflects
poorly on Carnegie Mellon and impacts the organizations actions regarding future recruiting activities at the
university.
5.Accept job/internships in an ethical manner

The Career and Professional Development Center has
developed the following policy regarding the acceptance
of job/internship offers. This policy was created in
order to protect students while maintaining fairness for
employers.
Once you accept a position, you are expected to stop
your job search immediately, and to discontinue
interviewing with other employers. You are expected
to notify other employers with whom you have scheduled or pending interviews of your decision to accept.
Accepting another job offer after you have accepted an
offer with a previous employer is defined as reneging.
Reneging is considered dishonest and unethical, and has
serious implications. It not only reflects poorly on you
but potentially damages Carnegie Mellons reputation
and its relationships with employers. Renegs that are
reported by employers may result in suspension of your
TartanTRAK account. For more specifics, please read the
CPDCs Policy Regarding Reneging on our website.
THE ON-SITE INTERVIEW

An on-site interview is an invitation to travel to the
employers location to be evaluated as a candidate, to
see the facilities first-hand, and to meet other members
of the organization. The following tips will help you
to prepare for and be successful during an on-site
interview.
PRE-VISIT
Acknowledge All Site Visit Invitations
TRIP PREPARATION
The following tips are designed to help you plan your
wardrobe and be prepared for various situations.
Wardrobe
You should wear an outfit appropriate for the visit. In
many cases, a business suit will be the norm. However,
there may be situations, such as a plant tour, which may
require you to bring additional clothing. Seek clarification
when calling to schedule the trip.
When you choose to accept or decline the visit, it is

important to communicate this information with each
employer. Take written notes when calling to ensure
accuracy of details. Get the name and contact information of a person who can be called if additional
questions or concerns arise.
Necessary Items
You are strongly encouraged to only accept invitations

from employers in which you have a genuine interest.
Insincerity is readily discernible to an employer and
could earn a student a lasting negative impression
with that employer. It can also influence relationships
for other students and the university at large.
You should expect that on-site interviews will be longer

and more detailed than the first round on-campus
interview. During the on-site interview, students should
plan to make notes of pertinent facts and impressions
about the visit whenever an opportunity is available.
These notes will help you when evaluating the position
and writing your thank-you note.
Clarify All Travel Details
Accommodations
You should be certain that the following items are

firmly established:
Interview Preparation
The following tips are designed to help you have a

pleasant experience:
Schedule a morning wake-up call with the hotel
front desk
Non-smoking rooms are available
Do not bill any long distance telephone calls to the
room; use your credit card or call collect. In addition, local telephone calls are not free
Do not bill any movies, laundry, or food service to
the room
Review the bill upon check-out to verify its
accuracy
Dates and times of visit
POST VISIT
Reimbursement protocol
Shortly after your visit, write a thank-you note to

those individuals you met.
Contact person
Travel/flight and lodging arrangements
Local transportation
Trip and interview itinerary
Settle travel expense reimbursements with the

employer as soon as possible. Write a letter and
include the original receipts. Make a copy of all
receipts for your records before sending the originals to the employer.
59
It is common practice for most employers to assume

all reasonable travel expenses incurred by an applicant
who is specifically invited to visit the employer site. If
this is not stated, seek clarification. Employers expect
applicants to travel coach class on airlines, stay in
convenient, safe, and moderately priced hotels, and to
eat at reasonably priced restaurants. Some employers
will judge the responsibility, resourcefulness, maturity,
and integrity of an applicant by the manner in which
these expenses are managed. Travel expenses for an
employer are significant and it is not acceptable to
cancel arranged travel plans at the last minute.
You are encouraged to take: extra resumes, appropriate

clothing, transcripts, or a list of completed courses,
extra tie or hosiery, writing samples, project or summer
reports, and breath mints.
INTERNATIONAL STUDENTS AND THE JOB SEARCH

Looking for a job is seldom easy for any student. For
international students, the job search process can be
especially challenging. There may be cultural differences between a U.S.-focused job search and one
conducted in your home country.
The following is an overview of the issues most prominent to international students in developing a job
search strategy. Additional information about the
employment process and related topics can be found by
contacting the CPDC.
SERVICES FOR
INTERNATIONAL STUDENTS
60
As an international student, you should only obtain

employment-related information from an experienced
immigration attorney or the Office of International
Education (OIE). Advice from any other resource
may be inaccurate. Once you have decided to begin
your job search process in the U.S. or abroad, make
appointments with your OIE advisor and Career
Consultant.
THE RECRUITING PROCESS

An employers goal is to find the right people for their
organization. An interview is successful when there is a
match between the employers needs and your interests
and ability to do the job.
The employer (through hiring managers, human
resources staff, or employment agencies) will most likely
use several resources to find workers, including:
College recruiting
Campus or community job fairs
Posting jobs on the company website or on
national job posting sites
DEVELOPING YOUR STRATEGY

To maximize your chances of success, we encourage you
to adopt a multi-tiered job search strategy that includes
opportunities in the U.S., your home country, and
potentially a third country.
We also encourage you to take full advantage of CMUs
Alumni LinkedIn Group and the CMU Alumni Database
to develop meaningful connections with potential hiring
contacts at organizations of interest.
The CPDC is an invaluable resource in your job search.
Be aware, however, that some employers choose not
to interview students who are not U.S. citizens. Though
this may limit your ability to participate in some
campus interviews, there are numerous ways to benefit
from our services:
Attend career and professional development skill
building workshops
Work with your Career Consultant to develop an
individualized job search strategy
Attend campus career fairs and company information sessions to inquire about employment
opportunities and to practice and refine your
networking skills
Schedule a mock interview and practice interviewing skills
Utilize GoinGlobal for information about jobs
abroad and in the U.S.
You can help the employer make an informed hiring
decision if you:
Provide a well-prepared resume that includes desirable skills and relevant employment experiences
Clearly convey your interests and ability to do the
job in an interview
Communicate effectively in English
Posting jobs in major newspapers or trade

publications
Are prepared to answer questions about your immigration status
Posting jobs with professional associations
It is important to be able to positively promote yourself and speak with confidence about your education,
relevant skills, and related experiences. Self-promotion
is rarely easy for anyone. It can be especially difficult
for individuals who come from cultures where talking
about oneself may be considered inappropriate. When
Resume searches on national online services

Employee referrals
Regional and national conferences
interviewing in the United States, however, you are

expected to be able to showcase your skills and experiences and articulate why you believe you are a strong fit
for the position.
Be sensitive to the interviewers verbal and nonverbal
cues. Interviewers are sometimes too embarrassed
or impatient to ask for clarification, so you should be
on the lookout for nonverbal clues, such as follow-up
questions that dont match your responses or sudden
disinterest on the part of the interviewer. Also, make
sure to express proper nonverbal communication;
always look directly at the employer in order to portray
confidence and honesty.
Students who need help with their English language
skills may contact the Global Communication Center, at
308 Warner Hall. Another recommendation is to become
involved with campus and community activities to practice speaking English. These activities are also a great
way to make networking contacts.
We also suggest that you speak with other international
students who have successfully found employment in this
country, and to start your job search early.
Be sensitive to the
interviewers verbal
and nonverbal cues.
61
GRADUATE AND PROFESSIONAL SCHOOL

IS GRADUATE SCHOOL RIGHT
FOR YOU?
At some point in your college career, you
must decide what you would like to do after
graduationand that includes whether or
not to attend graduate school. If you are
trying to determine whether graduate school
is right for you, here are some pointers to
help you make an enlightened decision.
1. Should I consider going to graduate school?

Going to graduate school might be a good
idea if you

want to be a professor, lawyer, doctor,

investment banker, or work in any
profession that requires a postsecondary education.
wish to develop additional expertise

in a particular subject or field to
maximize your future earning potential and opportunities for career
advancement.
62
are deeply interested in a particular subject and wish to study it

in-depthand have the time and
financial resources to devote to
further education.
Going to graduate school might not be a

good idea if you
GRADUATE AND PROFESSIONAL

SCHOOL CHECKLIST
To determine the appropriate decision regarding graduate
school:
Meet with a faculty member, academic advisor, or
Career Consultant. Log in to TartanTRAK to schedule an
appointment to discuss your career goals and plans
Attend graduate and professional school programs
sponsored by various colleges and departments
Learn test requirements and test dates, and register
on time
Request information from graduate schools with
programs of interest
Gather assistantship, fellowship, scholarship, and
financial aid information. Contact the Fellowship and
Scholarship Office at www.cmu.edu/fso
Seek recommendations from appropriate references
Write targeted essays with the appropriate focus
Apply on time and keep the lines of communication
open
Stay organized, keep accurate records, and make a
copy of all materials sent
are uncertain about your career goals.
Internet Resources for Researching Graduate and

Professional Schools
want to stay in school longer to avoid

a poor job market.
Kaplan Education Centers

www.kaplan.com
are trying to delay your entry into the

real world with real responsibilities
and real bills.
Gradschools.com
www.gradschools.com
2. I s it better to work first or attend

graduate school immediately after
I complete my undergraduate
degree?

Work first if
you would like to get some real-world

work experience before investing
thousands of dollars in a graduate
degree.
the graduate school of your choice

prefers work experience (most MBA
and some Ph.D. programs require
this).
Petersons: Colleges & Universities

www.petersons.com
Princeton Review Online
www.review.com
Graduate School Rankings
www.grad-schools.usnews.rankingsandreviews.com/
best-graduate-schools
Geographic Directory of Graduate Schools
www.allaboutgradschool.com
CollegeSource
www.collegesource.org/home.asp
you cannot afford to go to graduate school now,

and you havent applied for any scholarships,
grants, fellowships, and assistantships, which could
pay for a great deal of your education.
Go to graduate school now if

you are seeking a career in: academia, medicine,

law, etc., and need a graduate degree to pursue
your dream job.
5. A
ssuming I want to go to graduate school in
the near future, what should I do now?

Identify your strengths, interests, and values to

help you discover what is right for you
Keep your grades up and prepare to take the

required standardized tests
Talk to faculty, friends, and family who have gone

to graduate school to get their perspective about
the differences between being an undergraduate
and a graduate student
you have been awarded grants, fellowships, scholarships, or assistantships that will help pay for
your education.
your study habits and mental abilities are at

their peak, and you worry whether youll have
the discipline (or motivation) to write papers and
study for exams in a few years.
Talk to faculty, friends, and family who are in

yourtargeted profession to get a realistic sense
of the career path and the challenges associated
with the work they do
Investigate creative ways to finance your educationby planning ahead, you may reduce your
debt
Research graduate schools to help you find a

good match
Investigate the admissions process and the

current student body profile of your targeted
schools to evaluate your probability for admission
Have faith and APPLY! Remember, you cant get in

unless you apply
3. H
ow will I pay for tuition, books, fees, and
living expenses?

Fellowships/Scholarships: A free education is

always the best option. The catch is you need a
high GPA, good GRE/GMAT/LSAT/MCAT scores, and
the commitment to search out every possible
source of funding
Teaching/Research Assistantships: Many assistantships include tuition waivers plus a monthly

stipend. Its a great way to get paid for earning an
education
Employer Sponsorship: Did you know that some

companies actually pay for you to continue your
education? The catch is they usually expect you
to continue working for them after you complete
your degree so they can recoup their investment
4. W
hat are the pros and cons of going to graduate school full-time vs. part-time?
Benefits of attending graduate school full-time:

you will be able to complete your degree sooner
you can totally commit your intellectual, physical,

and emotional energy to your education
ideal if you want to make a dramatic career change
Benefits of attending graduate school part-time:

work income helps pay for your education
you can take a very manageable course load
you can juggle family responsibilities while

completing your degree
allows you to work in the function/industry/

career of your choice while continuing your
education
employers will often pay for part (or all) of your

graduate degree
LETTERS OF RECOMMENDATION
Candidates for employment, graduate school, scholarships, or any activity which will require others to
evaluate their talents and abilities will need to request
letters of recommendation. The content and quality of
these letters, as well as the caliber of the people who
write them, are critical to the selection process.
Selecting People to Serve as References

Select individuals whom you feel are knowledgeable of
your skills, work ethic, talents, and future capacity. The
selection of your references is critical, as a reference
that is ill-informed could negatively impact all the great
work you have done. Choose people who have known
you for a minimum of six months. The longer they
have known you the better, but they must have had
regular contact with you to observe your growth and
development.
If you must choose between several people, select those
who know you the best but who also hold a higher rank
in their profession. A department head is a better candidate than a graduate assistant or an instructor. You
should not choose someone on status alone; continue
to choose people based on how well they know you and
how much they want to assist you in your job search.
You may also find that one person is very appropriate
for a reference for employment, while another would
63
GRADUATE AND PROFESSIONAL SCHOOL continued

be best for use in admission to graduate or professional
school or a scholarship application. Do not choose
people who are not committed to you or who are not very
familiar with your background.
Try to Meet Face-to-Face

Make an appointment to discuss your career goals
and your purpose for the letter of recommendation.
Determine if the person would want the responsibility of serving as your reference, which involves
not only writing a letter supporting your skills, but
also handling any phone inquiries and responding
to other questions which may be posed by a selection committee. They should feel strongly about your
success and desire to do whatever they can to assist
you in reaching your goals.
64
A personal meeting is always best because you can

observe your potential references body language to
see how interested he or she is in assisting you. A slow
response to a question or a neutral facial expression
may be this persons way of trying to show you that he/
she does feel comfortable serving as your reference.
Trust your instincts. If you do not feel that you want to
pursue this person as a reference, you are not required
to inform them of your decision. At any rate, always
thank the person and end the meeting on a positive
note.
Help Them Help You

You should assist your reference-givers so they can do
the best job possible. Provide them with a copy of your
current resume, transcript, job descriptions for the type
of employment you desire, and other detailed information related to the purpose of the letter. Provide them
with a one-page summary of any achievements or skills
exhibited, as they may not remember everything you
did under their supervision or time spent with you.
Finally, provide them with a statement of future goals
outlining what you want to accomplish in the next few
years.
An employer may contact your references to determine consistency in your answers. A reference is
generally looked upon as someone who can confirm
your skill and ability level. Any inconsistencies
between what you say in your interview and a
references response may eliminate you from further
consideration. The key is to keep your r eferences
informed of what you are going to be discussing with
employers so there is a clear understanding of what is
valued by the employer.
Maintain Professional Courtesy

Give your reference writers ample time to complete
their letters and provide a self-addressed stamped
envelope (if applicable). Make it as easy for them as
possible so they dont have to spend valuable time
searching for the proper return address or a stamp.

Follow up with your references and let them know the
status of your plans and search. They may want to know
how you are doing and whether there is anything else
they may do to increase your candidacy. You never
know when you will need their assistance again, and
moreover, it is just good manners to keep those who
care about you informed of your progress. Finally, many
times when two or more candidates are considered
equally qualified, a strong letter of reference can play
an important role in determining who is selected for the
position.
Continue to nurture valuable relationships with people
who will want to do whatever they can to aid in your
success. Your personal success is based on surrounding
yourself with positive people who all believe in you. No
one makes it alone; we all need a little help from our
friends.
You should not choose

someone on status alone,
continue to choose
people based on how well
they know you and how
much they want to assist
you in your job search.
COST OF LIVING INDEX (2014 DATA)

The following is a selection of cities where many graduating
students accept offers. The cost of living index is based on the
composite price of groceries, housing, utilities, transportation,
health care, clothing and entertainment in each city listed.
Use the calculation to compare salaries in different cities. For
further information about the data below, please refer to
www.bestplaces.net/cost-of-living.
To compare information from other sources, refer to these
websites: www.salary.com and www.homefair.com/realestate/salary-calculator.asp.
Average City, USA 100

Alabama
Birmingham 78
Montgomery 89
Alaska
Anchorage 143
Arizona
Arkansas
Little Rock
88
California
Fresno 105
Irvine 215
Los Angeles
164
Sacramento 113
San Diego
164
San Francisco
243
San Jos
197
Colorado
City #1x Salary = $_______

City #2
What is the New York City equivalent of a $50,000
salary in Pittsburgh?
New York City
168
Pittsburgh 84
Montana
Pennsylvania
Boise 107
Billings 107
Missoula 110
Philadelphia 96
Pittsburgh 84
Nebraska
South Carolina
Lincoln 91
Omaha 88
Charleston 109
Columbia 99
Nevada
South Dakota
Illinois
Chicago 103
Springfield 87
Indiana
Bloomington 98
Indianapolis 89
South Bend
83
Las Vegas
99
Tennessee
Chattanooga 88
Memphis 73
Nashville 99
New Mexico
Texas
Kentucky
Albuquerque 101
Santa Fe
120
Lexington 95
Louisville 87
New York
Austin 107
Dallas 106
Houston 98
San Antonio
92
Des Moines
Iowa City
82
105
Kansas
Kansas City
85
Louisiana
Baton Rouge
New Orleans
90
99
Albany 102
Buffalo 74
New York City
168
Syracuse 89
Portland 118
Connecticut
Baltimore 88
Chapel Hill
128
Charlotte 94
Raleigh 101
Maryland
North Dakota
Massachusetts
Boston 161
Michigan
Wilmington 98
Ann Arbor
111
Detroit 73
Lansing 82
Atlanta 97
Hawaii
Honolulu 199
Minnesota
Minneapolis 108
St. Paul
102
Missouri
Kansas City
St. Louis
Fargo 98
Ohio
Delaware
Georgia
65
95
Atlantic City
100
Princeton 162
Newark 122
North Carolina
Miami 119
Orlando 92
Sioux Falls
New Jersey
Iowa
Maine
Florida
$50,000 = $100,000
Idaho
Boulder 155
Colorado Springs
101
Denver 115
Hartford 109
New Haven
113
Stamford 167
94
84
Utah
Salt Lake City
115
Vermont
Burlington 124
Virginia
Richmond 95
Virginia Beach
110
Washington
Seattle 154
Cincinnati 83
Cleveland 79
Columbus 82
Dayton 76
Washington, DC 154
Oklahoma
Wisconsin
Oklahoma City
89
Tulsa 85
Madison 116
Milwaukee 85
Oregon
Wyoming
Portland 126
Cheyenne 103
West Virginia
Charleston 91
Flagstaff 119
Phoenix 99
Tucson 92
SALARY COMPARISON EQUATION
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SPECIAL THANKS...
To the sponsors of the Carnegie Mellon Career Guide

The Carnegie Mellon University Career & Professional Development Center and College Recruitment Media wish to thank the
following organizations for their generous support of the 2014-15 Career Guide:
Branding Brand
Lutron
Carnegie Mellon University, H. John

Heinz III College
MathWorks
Citadel
Comprehend Systems, Inc.
Mohr Davidow Ventures

Northwestern University
Educational Housing Services
Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute,

Lally School of Management
Goldman Sachs
Savannah River Project
HP Vertica
KCG
Science, Mathematics And Research

for Transformation (SMART)
Scholarship for Service Program
Lehigh University, P.C. Rossin College

of Engineering and Applied Science
U.S. Army Health Professions

Scholarship Program
Hudson River Trading
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20142015 CAREER GUIDE

Your Career Journey Begins Here

Develop Your Career with Us

At Lutron, weve been designing and manufacturing

2013 Lutron Electronics Co., Inc. | P/N 368-2717 REV G

Immediately join an engineering development team

Dynamic keypad in Black

Carnegie Mellon University

MISSION, VISION & VALUES

Our Committment to You

To empower you to optimize your professional and

Career Exploration & Decision Making

To provide high touch, high tech university career

2. To equip you with the professional, leadership,

CARNEGIE MELLON CAREER AND PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT CENTER

Honesty We value authenticity.

3. Accountability We believe in personal and shared

We empower you to optimize

1. To help you fully explore the variety of educational

CARNEGIE MELLON UNIVERSITY

Inquiries concerning application of

Carnegie Mellon University publishes

In addition, Carnegie Mellon University

the Provost, Carnegie Mellon University,

CAREER AND PROFESSIONAL

Kevin OConnell Assistant Director, Marketing and

College Career Consultants

CARNEGIE MELLON CAREER AND PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT CENTER

Carnegie Institute of Technology

CAREER AND PROFESSIONAL

8:30 a.m. - 5:00 p.m.

Elaine Stolick BXA and Schools of Architecture

School of Computer Science

Gerry Marnell Student Recruiting and Programs

Office and Project Coordinator

CAREER AND PROFESSIONAL

Marissa Fenwick Carnegie Institute of Technology

Career Events Coordinator

CARNEGIE MELLON CAREER AND PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT CENTER

CAREER AND PROFESSIONAL

CARNEGIE MELLON CAREER AND PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT CENTER

Career Peer Mentors (CPMs) are current CMU students

researching careers, searching for employment,

ON-CAMPUS INTERVIEW PROGRAM

Registration for On-Campus Interviewing:

Using TartanTRAK, our online career management

The Campus Interview: You should arrive at the

College- and major-specific career programs

The CPDC provides career resources and assessment

Interview Cancellation Policy: If you find it

PHONE INTERVIEW POLICY

VIRTUAL CAREER CENTER

On-campus interviews are reserved for students and

A variety of websites contain information about career

If you are outside of Pittsburgh and are interested in a

Through participation in a variety of experiential learning

MOCK INTERVIEW PROGRAM

The Career and Professional Development Center

Going Global Country Career Guides

VIRTUAL MOCK INTERVIEW (IMPRESS)

Available within TartanTRAK, the Impress Virtual Mock

Career and Professional Development Center:

CAREER AND PROFESSIONAL

2. To equip you with the professional, leadership,

3. Accountability We believe in personal and shared

1. To help you fully explore the variety of educational

Kevin OConnell Assistant Director, Marketing and

Elaine Stolick BXA and Schools of Architecture

Gerry Marnell Student Recruiting and Programs

Marissa Fenwick Carnegie Institute of Technology

The Campus Interview: You should arrive at the

Interview Cancellation Policy: If you find it

Full-time job listings on TartanTRAK

What reading or activities are you attracted to when

A dedicated reference section on the first

Other professionals in fields of interest

What characteristics make you unique?

1. How did you get started in

2. What do you like most about your work?

3. What steps did you take to get where you are?

3.Be Professional: Ask your networking prospects

What do you like most about your work?

6.Be Referral-Centered: The person you are

2.Be Targeted: Start by listing everyone you know

Conduct research using web resources.

Access the dedicated reference section on the first

Attend the Spring EOC (Employment Opportunities

Attend on-campus career fairs; network and make

Contact the Undergraduate Research Office in

Keep the resume to one page in length if possible.

Include items that are most relevant to, and in

Be clear, concise, and consistent in writing

Prioritize so that the most relevant items appear