The Career Resource Manual – My New BFF

Applying for jobs just gets harder and harder.

When I applied for student advisor, I learned that preparing a cover letter was actually a requirement. I had applied for other jobs with just my resume, but for the first time I had to submit a cover letter? After taking AMS98 (It may also be AMS95 during the school year), which is the “Career Discovery” course offered through the ICC, I was introduced to a number of resources and I remembered that I still had the Career Resource Manual from my Freshmen year. The Career Resource Manual gave me a great starting foundation on how to write a cover letter (and maybe that’s how I got the job! Haha).

When I applied for my HBA internship at Apple, I learned that up to five individuals may be interviewing me. Gulp. The last time I had a panel interview was a few months prior for the student advisor position, and that was pretty nerve-racking. How did I prepare for it? I grabbed that handy-dandy Career Resource Manual and looked over that list of frequently-asked interview questions, of course. I didn’t memorize answers (which you should never do), but I practiced in front the mirror imagining that I was being asked those questions. Reviewing the suggested list of questions that I should ask at the end of the interview doesn’t hurt either.

I recently applied at a small company back here in the Bay Area as an Administrative Assistant. To date, the hiring process was one of the most intensive yet (and I thought the ICC & Apple were hard!), intensive in terms of documentation: cover letter, updated resume (by the way, I learned that it really helps if you tailor your resume for each job you apply for. Yes, it takes me an hour and a half to produce a presentable cover letter and resume, but each follow-up from a company makes it worth it), follow-up email, list of references, and acceptance letter. Where did I learn how to create each one of those documents and still seem professional and knowledgeable about all this? You know, my BFF (see title of entry if you’re still stumped).

If you’re still not sure about what the Career Resource Manual is, let me break it down: it is an AMAZING document that has helped me throughout my time here at UC Davis. From reviewing their career timeline and trying to apply it to my life, to resume and cover letter examples, helpful links to research employers and jobs, preparing for the career fair, etc. Stop by the ICC (located on the 2nd & 3rd floor of South Hall) to get your hard copy, or check out the PDF under this blog’s list of “Useful Sites”).

Warm regards,
Your LA&B Student Advisor

PS – Wondering what happened with the Admin position? Check out “Your LA&B Student Advisor” to find out!