While seeking employment after graduation may seem intimidating, there are many resources available on campus to aid students with preparing for those next steps. 

Besides applying to scholarships and leadership positions, resumes are required for most jobs, and a well-written one may provide a great first impression. “The purpose of a resume is to quickly provide an overview of what you can contribute to an organization and the direction you are moving professionally,” suggests Matthew Nuese, associate director of UNI Career Services. 

When it comes to building a resume, many students have no clue where to start. Luckily, there are many resources on campus that will assist in building a resume and professional development. 

“Our team wants to work with students to help them write their resumes to bring forth the best information,” says Nuese. Career Services, located in 102 Gilchrist Hall, provides many resources for UNI students such as resume templates, career advisory and resume workshopping. Career services provides a downloadable resume template for students to use through their website. Nuese highly recommends avoiding pre-built templates, like Canva, as they may leave out important information. By working with Career Services, students can craft a resume that truly reflects their professional experience and goals. Students who do not want to meet with Career Services in person can also choose to email their resume for feedback and support. 

Emma Becker, a career assistant at Career Services, highly suggests attending career fairs. UNI Career Fairs are open to all grade levels and majors as an opportunity to interact with potential employers and practice professionalism. Career fairs are a great way to get recruited into the workforce and find internships, according to Becker. 

If students are not looking for employment right away, they are still a good way to make connections and get an idea of what workplaces are offering. Internships are a big way to make connections and get experience with workplaces. Many internships happen while students are still in college, and it is not uncommon for employers to offer positions after graduation.

It never hurts to start looking at careers and make connections early. There are many ways for students to start preparing. Another resource UNI Career Services offers is mock interviews. 

“Getting comfortable with interviewing is also really helpful. Interviews give employers the biggest impression as to who you are,” Becker says. Professionalism can be developed and increased through visiting career fairs and gaining experience.

Preparing for the future can also be something as small as setting goals. Nuese recommends asking yourself some basic questions. Decide what you consider important in a career, what organizations you would like to work for and how you can connect with those organizations. Answering these questions will help you form a strategy based on your goals, according to Nuese. 

“Instead of going to a job board and just “seeing what is open” you are actively creating your pathway,” he advises. 

Outside resources, such as LinkedIn, are also a great way to make connections and compare professional backgrounds. According to Nuese, comparing your professional background with that of someone who works in a similar position at the time of their hire may provide some insight into what experiences to be looking for. 

“We control what we can. This includes having a stellar resume, quality interviewing skills, and an application strategy,” says Nuese. There are plenty of resources available to students to ensure they can successfully and independently seek employment after college. To learn more about how to develop professional and resume skills, students can visit www.careerservices.uni.edu.