How to make your career profile work for you

The goal here is to develop a robust profile. While prospective employers may initially find you based on specific search criteria (such as your major), it’s the detailed descriptions of your skills and experience that will draw employers in.

Creating your profile is a snap. You can set up your profile online from anywhere, and the registration process will guide you every step of the way. Checklists in the online profile make it easy for employers to search for specific attributes, plus they’re quick and easy for you to complete.

In your profile, you’ll include information such as:

• Your resume/CV – Ask your Career Services Office to help you hone your resume before posting it to be sure you make the best impression on employers. A one-page resume is usually best for internship- and first-time or inexperienced job seekers.
• Graduation date and date of availability for employment – These dates help employers identify potential interns versus candidates for entry-level jobs. Keep in mind that your date of availability may not always be the same as your graduation date—are you taking any time off after graduation? Whatever your plans, you should be prepared to have some flexibility in your availability date.
• Areas of interest – Check off the type of work you’re hoping to find, according to function and industry. You can select up to 10 industries, from accounting to telecommunications. Job functions are also presented in checklist format. Pick the ones that fit your skills and goals.
• Areas of work experience – You’ll be able to differentiate between experience you gained during internships and other employment, so it will be easy for companies to see what you’ve accomplished in your field.
• Language ability and geographic preference – Are you proficient in a foreign language? Ready and willing to pack your bags and head out wherever an opportunity may take you? The more flexible you can be when it comes to where you will work, the more likely you are to get that coveted job with your top choice of employers.