36-37 / 72
CAREER GUIDE 2017–2018
CLEMSON UNIVERSITY
clemson.edu/careerCENTER FOR CAREER AND PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT
/ClemsonCCPD
37
36
Advertising Account Executive
Air Traffic Controller
Artist
Auditor
Bank Manager
Business Systems Analyst
Buyer
Child Support Enforcement
Officer
Claims Examiner
Communications
Computer Specialist
Copywriter
Counselor
Customer Service
Representative
Editor
Employee Relations Specialist
Financial Consultant
Graphic Designer
Hotel Manager
Human Resource Specialist
Industrial Designer
Interpreter/Translator
Journalist
Law
Librarian
IDENTIFY YOUR SKILLS
SKILLS EMPLOYERS SAY THEY WANT
NACE Research
- Communication skills
- Interpersonal skills
- Honesty/Integrity
- Teamwork skills
- Motivation/Initiative
- Strong work ethic
- Analytical skills
- Flexibility/Adaptability
- Computer skills
- Self-confidence/Maturity
Information from the
National
Association of Colleges and Employers
How do you market these skills? One key to obtaining that first
job offer is to think like an employer. What would you want in
a prospective employee? Interpersonal skills such as honesty
and reliability are important. Communication skills, along
with critical thinking skills, are also in demand in today’s job
market. Try to anticipate the problems or needs of the company.
Newspapers, brochures, annual reports and company information
from websites are important resources for learning more about
potential workplaces.
As a liberal arts graduate, you may have to do more work than
someone who is majoring in nursing, accounting or any of the
technical degrees. You have to research different job markets and
find out where there is a demand. Conduct in-depth research on
any companies that appeal to you, and try to match their need to
your wants. You must be specific; it is possible to be too general
and too flexible.
What kinds of positions should Liberal Arts students pursue?
Many students are not sure how to answer this question.
Reflecting on activities, jobs and projects that you enjoy can give
you a starting point. Look for themes. Were you most satisfied in
activities where you were working alone or with others? Do you
prefer to use spoken or written communication skills? Once you
have answered these and other questions, look at possibilities for
matching your interests with a job. Do not get stuck on job titles.
In fact, forget about the titles and look at the job descriptions.
As you create a list of skills and activities, consider where they
would be of most value. If you have too many options, prioritize
and just get started! It may be that you will have more clarity
after trying an internship or your first professional position.
While graduate school might be an option, it is not a requirement
for all liberal arts students.
Practical experience gives you time to assess the organization
and to demonstrate your personal skills and abilities. So when
someone asks you, “What are you going to do with your major,”
here are a few good responses:
CCPD Competencies
- Communication
- Collaboration
- Leadership
- Adaptability
- Analytical Skills
- Technology
- Self-Awareness
- Integrity & Ethics
- Brand
- Summer jobs
- Campus activities
- Community activities
- Independent study
- Project or thesis
- Informational interviews
- Volunteer experience
- Internships
- Shadowing experience
- Part-time jobs
Sources for career information and experience:
Source: A handout from the
Job Search for Liberal Arts
Majors Teleconference
Management Consultant
Marketing Representative
Museum Coordinator
Office Administrator
Outpatient Therapist
Paralegal
Photographer
Probation Officer
Product Specialist
Psychologist
Public Relations Specialist
Quality Engineer
Recreation Administrator
Research Analyst
Restaurant Manager
Retail Manager
Sales Representative
Social Worker
Speech Pathologist
Stockbroker
Systems Analyst
Teacher
Technical Writer
Transportation Specialist
Underwriter
Urban Planner
Writer
DEVELOPING A WINNING RESUME
Résumé counseling is available through the Center for Career
and Professional Development. Career counselors and staff
are available to provide valuable information, training and
techniques that will enhance your résumé.
Deciding which work and academic experience to include
in the first draft of your résumé can be difficult. All sorts of
questions come to mind: How far back should I go? Should I
include anything I did in high school? How much of my college
experience should I list? Is it worth putting down jobs I did “just
to make money?” How about my outside activities? How do I fit
it all onto one page? All of these questions are valid and need
answers; but do yourself a big favor, do not answer them at this
stage.
Begin by making a list of everything. Try to think of every
significant event and activity in your life. Don’t limit yourself.
List jobs, school activities, sports, awards, honors, travel, music
talent, hobbies, forging language fluency, office skills and
charitable activities—in short, any and every skill, interest or
worthy achievement that might be of interest to an employer.
Once you have listed everything, you are ready to start selecting
which items will present the best picture to your potential
employer and be most relevant to the position you are seeking.
Every résumé should be tailored to the job for which you are
applying.
It is important to note that skills that have employment value
are not only those that are work content related. There are
numerous self-management and transferable skills that
employers prize.
OBJECTIVE
Not every résumé will have an objective. Typically, the same
information can be relayed in a cover letter. The objective is
often removed when spacing on the résumé becomes an issue.
If you are creating a résumé to distribute at a career fair or to
mass distribute to a number of employers, it may be difficult
to write an objective to fit each employment situation. If you
are creating a résumé for a specific job; however, you want to
include an objective. The best approach to writing an objective
is to write a focused objective.
Here is an example of a good objective:
Objective: To obtain the Summer 2017 internship program
with New Foundations Home for Children to utilize my
mediation and child development skills.
EDUCATION
In the education section, be sure to list your expected highest
degree first. Do not forget to include relevant professional
development courses, licensures and certifications since
your interviewer will be interested in your pattern of self-
improvement. High school information is generally not needed.
EXPERIENCE – GETTING STARTED
When listing your “Experience,” think carefully about which
items are best suited for the industry or job for which you are
applying. It may be possible to present your experience so that
it relates directly to the skills and talents the employer needs.
Use paid jobs, unpaid internships, volunteer activities and
college activities.
If you are applying for a sales job, for example, and have held
two or three jobs that involved sales, such as publicity director
of your college theater, list them separately in a section called
“Sales Experience.” You can then list the other jobs you have
held in a section called “Other” or “Additional Experience.”
This method gives you the flexibility to arrange your experience
out of chronological order and sort your skills for the employer.
The employer can review your résumé and immediately see that
you understand their needs because you have listed the most
relevant background first.
Once you determine which of your experiences are most
relevant, list your skills that do not fit in the “Education” or
“Experience” categories. For example, if you are fluent in one
or more foreign languages, list this information in a section
called “Languages.” If you have mastered computer languages
or programming skills, list them. For those that are submitting
international and curriculum vitas, other information can be
added to showcase other talents, skills and abilities such
as publications, presentations, awards and honors. This
information may also be incorporated into the three most
common résumés—the reverse chronological, the functional
and the hybrid (better know as the combination).