Students

First Impressions Count

Wearing professional attire to interviews, career fairs and jobs plays a key role in your future success. However, knowing what to wear can be a struggle sometimes.

There are many gender-neutral clothing options available for all forms of business attire, from casual to formal. While it’s important to observe your company’s dress code, you don’t have to sacrifice individuality to find clothing that makes you feel comfortable and professional.

Business Casual

Business casual looks should remain polished but usually allow for subtle ruffles, prints, and cuts. It means no suit, but also no jeans.

• Nice pants/slacks
• Skirts and dresses that are knee length when standing and thighs covered while seated
• Blazers and cardigans with flats, boots, or closed-toe shoes
• No jeans, shorts, sundresses, or athletic wear
• Ties optional

Business Professional/Interview Attire

Most business professional styles include coordinated suits and skirts. Neutral and darker colors are more common; however, lighter colors can be appropriate in warmer seasons.

• Mix and match suit jackets and pants/skirt in solid, dark or neutral colors
• Light colors can be worn underneath
• Keep patterns subtle
• Shoes should be closed-toe heels or dress shoes

The Marshall University Office of Career Education partners with Dress for Success-River Cities, a local non-profit organization. This partnership provides interview-appropriate clothing to financially disadvantaged women transitioning into the workforce. A client written referral must be made by Career Services to schedule an appointment for interview-appropriate or employment clothing.

Looking for ways to expand your resume while building a network of connections and friendships to last a lifetime? Experience a one-of-a-kind internship at Walt Disney World® Resort! During your program, you will have the opportunity to experience, study and create the Disney magic that is known worldwide.

• Visit https://jobs.disneycareers.com/disney-programs to complete an online application
• Take the online personality assessment
• Complete a telephone interview

Please note that the application is not available year-round. The application period for fall begins in early February, and the application period for spring begins in early September.

If an offer is extended the student may choose to accept or deny. If accepted, the student is responsible for following up with Disney to fill out the necessary forms, make housing arrangements, etc. All of these steps are completed through a website that Disney provides to students who are accepted into the program.

FAQ’s

Disney Internships and Programs Blog A lot of great tips!

Disney College Program Presentation (PowerPoint given in info session)

Practice makes perfect.

Another crucial step in the job search process is a formal interview. Making a good impression requires preparation and good communication skills. The goal of the formal interview is to assemble a formal, personal presentation of your knowledge, skills, and abilities.

The Office of Career Education offers in-person mock interviews, as well as Big Interview. Big Interview allows students and alumni to record and play back practice interviews via a webcam. To access Big Interview, log into MyMU.

• Behavioral Interview
• First Question of Every Interview
• Your Questions to Ask Interviewers
• Thank-you Notes
• 30 -Second Pitch/Elevator Speech

To complete an online interview on Big Interview, please follow the instructions below:

1. Log into Big Interview via the launchpad on MyMU. You do not need to register for an account.
2. Use the Big Interview dashboard to practice for your interview and receive interview tips.
3. You can choose either the “Fast Track” or “Mastery Track” modules.
4. Before you complete your assignment, you can click on the “Practice” tab at the top. This allows you to answer sample interview questions while becoming comfortable with the software.
5. When you are ready to begin, click on the “Assignments” tab at the top of the page.
6. Enter the assignment code provided by your instructor. (This will be provided to your professor by Career Education.)
7. Your assignment and interview questions will begin.
8. For each question, you can read the question or have the person read it to you.
9. When ready, hit the “Record” button. You will then receive a 3-2-1 countdown to begin your answer.
10. After you have completely answered the question, stop recording. Then, you can hit “Play” to review your response.  If you approve, click “Save” and move on to the next question.  If you do not like your answer, simply “Record” again, play it back, and “Save” when you are satisfied with your response.  NOTE: You must click “Save” after each question, or you will lose your previous answers!
11. Once you have answered and SAVED all of your answers, click on “Finish Assignment.”
12. On the answers page, click on the answers you want to submit (in most cases, it will be all of them).
13. Click “Submit Assignment”, and you are done!

To schedule a mock interview, call 304-696-2370 or email Career Education.

Resources for Special Student Populations

The Office of Career Education and its staff celebrate and support all Marshall students and alumni. We provide resources and services to meet the career development and job search needs of Marshall’s diverse student and alumni populations. Feel free to review these resources that are available to you!

International Students

Get curious in your FIRST YEAR

Make this year a time for increasing self-awareness and exploring possible majors and careers. No pressure, just start!

• Take PathwayU (Career Self-Assessment) located on MyMU
• Visit the Office of Career Education to discuss majors
• Set a goal to achieve (ex. a 3.0 each semester or explore organizations on campus)
• Create a first draft resume and upload to Handshake
• Consider participating in job shadowing and pursue career exploration opportunities
• Reflect on three skills learned in class and three things needed for future career

Preparing for success in your SECOND YEAR

This year is critical setting career goals and becoming more involved in campus activities.

• Meet with a Career Coach to update your resume and check in
• Continue attending student organization meetings that relate to your major and career field
• Continue to develop good relationships with professors
• Set a goal to attend the Career Fair to explore job opportunities and talk to 1-3 employers
• Job shadow for career exploration experiences by scheduling appointment with a Career Coach
• Obtain experience working or volunteering and document on Handshake
• Reflect on one big success this year and take action over the summer

Gain experience in your THIRD YEAR

Gain professional skills and experience through internships, volunteering on and off campus, and taking leadership roles in campus organizations.

• Have a Career Coach assist with updating your resume and practice interviews
• Set a goal to be a leader in class and in student clubs
• Purchase proper business attire for interviews during Dress 4 Success and Suit Up and attend Career Fairs
• Obtain a headshot and maintain digital presence (Handshake and LinkedIn)
• Complete an internship in your field and log the experience on Handshake
• Find and develop professional references
• Reflect on your transferable skills and explain your value

Level up before graduating in your FOURTH YEAR

Fine tune professional skills and make a self-marketing plan.  Do not wait until graduation; start early! Turn everything you’ve learned into a job offer.

• Check in with the Office of Career Education and prepare a final resume with good references
• Make job search a priority before graduation
• Practice interviewing, either virtually on Big Interview or in person through Career Education
• Attend Career Fairs on campus to seek employment opportunities
• Find and attend events that will provide networking opportunities
• Follow up and maintain networking connections
• Fill out First Destination survey before graduation and stay connected through alumni network

In recent months, the Office of Personnel Management has issued new guidance in response to President Trump’s Executive Order 14170. These changes have affected both the federal job application process on USAJOBS and how agencies will assess candidates. 

The federal government application process and the resume writing rules are different from the ones used in the private or nonprofit sectors.

In order to land a federal job is critical for you to take time and familiarize yourself with the application process, read the job announcements and follow the instructions for each of the positions you are interested in applying.

You MUST send in/submit all requested information in the specified format for your application to be accepted. Incomplete applications are NOT considered.

USAJOBS – The Federal Government’s official employment website – Learn about the application process and how to:

• • Create a USAJOBS profile
  • Search for jobs
  • Review job announcements
  • Prepare your application in USAJOBS
  • Submit your application to the agency

https://www.usajobs.gov

USAJOBS Help Center
Learn how to complete any task on USAJOBS step by step:
https://www.usajobs.gov/Help/how-to/

Federal Job Resume

Resume Length Limits

• To align with requirements outlined by OPM in the Merit Hiring Plan, USAJOBS announced that a new federal hiring policy asks applicants to limit job application resumes to 2 pages.
• The announcement still recommended applicants match work experiences to the job announcement’s qualifications and include dates, hours, levels of experience, and examples of the role held within each work experience.
• The implementation of this requirement may be varied by agency and job posting.

What to include in your resume and resume writing tips

Other federal jobs posted on federal agencies’ own websites or elsewhere (NOT found on USAJOBS)
Most federal jobs are listed on USAJOBS however, some agencies post jobs on their websites or elsewhere. If you’re interested in working for a particular agency, find its website through the A-Z Index of Government Agencies.

Not sure what to say when you talk to potential employers?

Marshall University Career Services defines networking as the initiation, cultivation, and management of productive professional relationships.

Networking is crucial when it comes to finding a job. You never know when you will make the right connection for the right job at a career fair, workshop, or other events. However, it’s natural to become tongue-tied in these types of situations so preparing what to say ahead of time is important.

One way to prepare is by constructing a 30-second commercial about yourself and what you would like to do in your career. Another way is to think of questions you want to ask potential employers.

The following resources are designed to help you prepare to network:

• 30 Second Pitch
• NetworkingQuestions
• Email Etiquette

LinkedIn

Commonly referred to as the “professional Facebook,” LinkedIn is a professional networking site that allows you to identify and connect with potential networking contacts, research companies, and join professional interest groups.

• LinkedIn Etiquette
• Building a Great Student Profile
• Get a Job or Internship
• How to Network on LinkedIn
• https://www.linkedin.com/profinder/
• LinkedIn Job Search Engine: Leverage the world’s largest professional network to connect with opportunities. Use LinkedIn Jobs to harness the power of your network and get hired. LinkedIn Jobs surfaces insights such as whom you know at a company, providing you an edge in your job search.
• LinkedIn SalaryDiscover your earning potential with LinkedIn Salary. Explore salaries by job title and location. See how years of experience, industry, location, and more can impact your salary.
• LinkedIn InternshipsUse the power of LinkedIn to take the first step in your professional career with the internship finder.
• LinkedIn ProFinder– LinkedIn’s new professional services marketplace that helps to connect entrepreneurs and freelancers with real business projects.