Whenever we interact with others, we are practicing the art of communication. It is something that is best learned by trying and failing, practicing, and observing others who are skilled. When you are exploring careers and trying to find a job, you will be meeting people and building relationships. Improving your communication skills as you try to meet people who share your professional interests should be an ongoing lifelong goal.

• The purpose of the cover letter is to demonstrate to the employer that you are a good fit for their organization and the role for which you’re applying. Think about your cover letter as a way to “connect the dots” between your resume (your past) and the job description (the future).
• Share the reasons for your interest, enthusiasm, and qualifications for the job, beyond what is communicated in your resume.
• Help the employer understand your motivation and provide an introduction to your personality and values.

Your CV or curriculum vitae is similar to your resume. It clearly represents your current and past experiences and accomplishments so that your reader can understand the unique value that you bring to a job/internship/academic program. A few important differences to keep in mind about your CV are outlined in this document, along with helpful tips for format and content.

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Writing resume bullets is often the most challenging aspect of writing a resume. Yes, settling on the best design and format and determining the most relevant experiences to highlight on your resume can take time; however, effectively describing your experience is the most important task. In many ways, this is because your bullets provide the majority of the content and context for your resume, and it is the content of a resume (i.e. the resume bullets) that will distinguish an average resume from a competitive one.

Informational interviews are a common way to gather information about various careers by speaking with professionals in the field. Through informational interviews, your can explore career paths and job opportunities, as well as gain advice and insight into career industries and companies.

As you begin to prepare for an interview, remember that it is essentially a conversation between two people to determine mutual fit. At the end of the conversation the interviewer should be able to determine whether or not you are able to perform the responsibilities required for the job, internship, fellowship or program and you will be able to determine whether or not the organization and role are the right next steps for your talents, taking into consideration your interests, academics and career aspirations.

Much of an interviewing process is variable. It can vary based on the interviewer, the role, the organization, the needs of the program, admissions requirements, and the industry. For example, this can include how formal the interview process is, the attire recommended for the interview, or the method of interviewing used by an interviewer. Of the four pillars discussed in this guide, the one pillar that is core to the interviewing process, and that does not vary in its importance is proficiency.

Finding the fit between you and an environment is integral to building a satisfying and successful career. With that in mind, you must first evaluate your professional and personal needs that you would like to fulfill through your next opportunity.

For some, the idea of networking is exciting. For others, the mere mention of the word can be anxiety provoking. In either case, it is important to know:

• Why networking is important to your lifelong career success
• What networking actually is, and what it is not
• Where you can effectively network
• Skills and strategies for networking

Co-authored by Wellesley Career Education and the Wellesley Office of International Study.

This resource provides tips to help you leverage your study abroad experience upon your return.

The four steps in this resource will help keep you focused and productive in your search. You should plan on revisiting each step as your knowledge and understanding of positions and industries grow. Each step below is outlined without a specific industry or position in mind. It is best to schedule an appointment with your Advisor for Career Exploration (ACE) or an Industry-specific Career Advisor to customize your process. The questions we have provided at each step are designed to help you reflect on your preparedness and identify what you may need to move forward in the process.

Your social context for negotiation will depend upon a variety of factors. This is where you may ask yourself where you are at this stage in your career journey. How do your identities, values, interests, skills, and other aspects of your background intersect with the negotiation process? All of these components are worth considering because they will inform your approach to the process. Depending on your personal situation, some components may pose more questions for you than others.

Business cards are useful for networking, career fairs, interviews, and more. While there are many online services that offer inexpensive business card printing, Wellesley Printing Services is a convenient, on-campus option for Wellesley-branded business cards. 

This resource was co-authored by Wellesley Career Education and the Wellesley Office of International Study.

While it is easy to see the academic benefits of study abroad, it is also important to identify its career benefits. The National Association of Colleges and Employers (NACE) has a list of competencies that contribute to the career readiness of today’s college graduates. Global/intercultural fluency was one of the marketable competencies on the list. Furthermore, in a NACE survey, employers identified their top four competencies: critical thinking/problem solving, professionalism/work ethic, teamwork, and communications skills. The great news is that you could develop all of these skills as part of your study abroad experience.