Career Services

Finding a job is a full-time job!    In a competitive job market you cannot afford to be under prepared or to not explore all employment opportunities.  The following resources can assist with your research, preparation and search strategies whether you are seeking your first full-time job or are going through a career or job change.

Click on any topic to navigate to that section of this page

eRecruiting | Advising | Employment Vacancy Bulletin | NACELink | Survey of Graduates | Career Guide | Networking | Resumes and Cover Letters

Using the Internet | Image Tips | Interviewing | Salary

 

eRecruiting

eRecruiting is a powerful networking tool that not only has job postings from all over the country, but is also your link to the on-campus interviewing program, employer-sponsored networking events on campus and the Employer Spotlight Program.  eRecruiting is also used for on-campus and part-time employment resources, and there is also an alumni function for CMU graduates.

 

Advising

A great place to start your job search is by meeting with a career advisor to discuss search strategies and the resources available for your individual job career search.  Advisors are available for face-to-face or phone appointments.  Call the main office number (989.774.3068) to schedule an appointment with the advisor who works with your program of study or interest area, use the link below to see the listing of advisors and their specialty areas.

 

Employment Vacancy Bulletin

Career Services publishes a weekly online Bulletin containing job postings received in our office.  We do not, however, solicit companies, organizations and school districts to generate listings for this publications.  Graduating Seniors can receive a free subscription to the Bulletin for 6 months after their graduation date, there is a fee for alumni and non-CMU subscribers.  Click on the link below to subscribe to the Bulletin.  Copies of the publication are also available for viewing in our office (215 Bovee) at no charge.

 

NACELink

Career Services is proud to bring you another powerful career search tool.  NACElink is a national, web-based system for recruiting college students and alums for full-time employment and including internships.  Features of this system include: searching for jobs using a variety of criteria; creating job-search agents that notify students of jobs that fit his/her criteria and; applying for positions directly through the system.  You must register and login below to take advantage of all the services.

NACElink Jobs
Student Login
Username:
Password:
 
New users register here
Forgot Password?

CMU Annual Employment Surveys

Each year Career Services surveys baccalaureate graduates to gather information regarding employment status, graduate/professional school enrollment and starting salaries.  The following reports do not include all graduates, only data from those that took the time to respond are included.

 

CMU Career Guide

Each year Career Services publishes a Career Guide with topics which include, but are not limited to: developing, resumes and cover letters, interviewing, cleaning up digital dirt, evaluating job offers and networking.  You can view and print the current year's Career Guide by following the link below or you can stop by 215 Bovee or Grawn 112 to pick a free copy!

 

Networking

"It's not what you know it's who you know".  This quote rings true for any job search in any field.  If you are not spending time developing and using your personal and professional network for skill developing and uncovering leads in your job search you are missing out on a large part of the process! 

Who Is A Part of My Network?

  • Everyone you know!

  • Friends, family and co-workers

  • University faculty, staff, students (think of all the potential networking in a large, lecture classroom!)

  • Teammates

Where Do I Network?

  • Everywhere you go!

  • Class, stores, restaurants and sporting events

  • Professional organizations, social networking events and even online

  • Attend local Chamber of Commerce networking events or New Professionals events in your local community

Networking Resources

 

Resumes and Cover Letters

Error-free, appealing and customized job search documents are imperative for all job searches (part-time, full-time and internship) and for all job seekers!  The samples in the Career Guide mentioned above and the links to the following samples can assist with starting or polishing your resume and cover letter.  resources available for your individual job career search. 

Resume and Cover Letter Critiques

Career Services offers free resume critiquing via appointment, e-mail or drop-off.  If you would like to schedule an appointment to discuss your resume with an advisor click on the "Career Services Staff Listing" link for information on the advisor who works with your program or career focus.  You can also e-mail your resume to our office for a critique via e-mail.  Or, if you prefer, you can drop off a hard copy to our main office (215 Bovee).

  • E-mail Career Services (e-mail your resume, as a Word attachment, for critiquing; please allow 5 business days for a response)

OptimalResume

A comprehensive web-based tool which allows users to create, present and manage multiple resumes.  There is no cost, to students and alumni, for this service.

 

Using the Internet

The Internet has many excellent sources of employment and job postings but it should not be the only tool used to identify employment opportunities!  There is nothing wrong with using the large, internationally-known job posting websites, but it is recommended to use resources for your area of study or career focus (professional associations and targeted websites).

 

Professional Image Tips

It takes a few seconds to create a first impression!  Unfortunately, in our society, we are judged by our outward appearances and this can have both positive and negative affects in a job search.

 

Interviewing

Congratulations; the resume and cover letter you created were strong enough to be asked for an interview!  Now what?

Career Fairs

A great place to network and interview with many employers from a variety of fields, usually under one roof.  Here are some tips and resources for making the most of your time and conversations at a career fair.  You still need to treat career fairs as you would a traditional interview so the preparing and follow-up are the same (click on the link above if you haven't already).

Career Services Mock Interview Program

Participating in a mock interview is the one thing that everyone should do before a first "official" interview!  It's more than just a chance to work out pre-interview jitters; it is an opportunity to practice interviewing techniques and answers live.  The mock interview session will consist of an "interview" with a trained intern, which will be videotaped and replayed immediately.  As the videotape is reviewed, the interviewer will provide constructive feedback about style and presentation, in addition to verbal and nonverbal interviewing techniques.  Contact Career Services at 989-774-3068 to arrange an appointment or stop by the office in 215 Bovee. 

  • Please keep this valuable 45-minute appointment.  Should the appointment need to be cancelled, please give us as much advance notice as possible so another person can take the appointment!

 

Salary Resources

Links to Cost of Living Information and Salary Calculators

How do you handle the "salary question" in a cover letter or during an interview? 

What about negotiating salary after an offer has been made?