CSB Students at Live Oak Bank

From left: Samantha Cinelli, Shayla Long, Lauren Aspey, Avery Theriault, Briana Murray, Marien Stark, Jodi Johnson, Craig DeSimone, Tyson Vance

 

Cameron School of Business Guide to Career Success


Many students are overwhelmed by the thought of beginning their path to career success and often do not know where to begin. It is important to understand that each career path will be different for each student but that there are basic elements that each student should understand.

The Office of Student Professional Development has created a Guide to Career Success so that Cameron School of Business students know where to begin and the steps they should take as they progress. Key elements of a students path to career success are listed below. Please click on each drop-down to learn more and begin your journey to becoming a successful CSB graduate!

  • Résumés & Cover Letters

    Résumés are the starting point for any career seeking student. LinkedIn defines a résumé as "...a medium for advertising yourself [...] the first means in which you use to present yourself as a job applicant and try to claim that you are the best choice candidate to a prospective employer". It is very common that you will be competing with many other applicants for a job. Therefore, a considerable amount of time should be put into preparing and tunning your résumé overtime to present yourself in the best way possible. 

    It is important to understand the subjectivity of opinions when considering what information to put on your résumé and which formatting option to consider. While it is very important to consider these opinions, it is ultimately your decision on how you want to market yourself through your résumé. The best advice here is to have multiple people review your résumé and offer tips; but in the end, the formatting and information included on your résumé is up to you.

    Click here for résumé materials including examples and tips.


    Cover Letter

    Cover letters are attached to the front of your résumé and provide a brief introduction to yourself and your résumé. 

    Click here for both a general and job specific cover letter guide.

  • Business Cards

    You should be prepared to hand out Business Cards during interviews and networking events. They serve as great memory aids for professionals and are an additional way to help you standout. UNCW offers Business Card printing services to make it easy and convenient for students to format and print tailored business cards. Please visit the Business Cards and Stationery Printing Services page for more information.

  • LinkedIn Information

    LinkedIn

    After you have prepared a résumé, created a LinkedIn profile should be easy. Your LinkedIn profile is essentially your e-résumé but with added networking and accessibility features. Social networking is becoming more and more relevant in the professional environment so it is important to keep up with the times so you will be an appealing candidate. 

    Click here to visit LinkedIn.com and create a profile.

    Many aspects from your résumé will be presented in a similar fashion on your LinkedIn profile. Many people put a link to their LinkedIn profile on their résumé and well as uploading their résumé to their LinkedIn profile. The pdf file below offers some basic tips in getting started with a linkedIn profile, including how to personalize your linkedIn URL to make it more accessible. 

    LinkedIn - Today's Résumé and E-portfolio

    LinkedIn Resources


    Additional Resources

  • Handshake & Career Shift Information

    Handshake

    Handshake, UNCW's  online career portal, replaced SeaWork in June 2018. Handshake is a combination of some of the best tools on the web today, taken from services like Instagram, Facebook, Twitter, and LinkedIn. Handshake will allow us to better target career information, internships, employment opportunities, and career-related events to students based on major, degree type, and interests. Handshake is the leading career platform used at over 400 colleges and more than 200,000 employers.

    Used by all Fortune 500 companies, Handshake allows you to discover and favorite jobs at top financial institutions, cutting edge tech firms, leading design and marketing agencies, nonprofits making the world a better place, and more. You can also receive personal recommendations based on your interests, skills, major, location preferences and search history.

    Finding a job can be daunting, but Handshake is here to help you take the first step towards building a great career and fulfilling your potential. Complete your profile and put your best self forward to employers. And, be sure to download Handshake Mobile (iOS) to discover jobs on the go and to stay on track with reminders for application deadlines and direct messages from employers.

    In addition to being the place where you can search and apply for internships, part-time, and full-time jobs, you can also use Handshake to:

    • Upload a résumé and complete your online career profile
    • Allow your online career profile and résumé to be viewable by employers
    • View upcoming career fairs and events and attending employers
    • Research contact information for local and national employers
    • Search for and apply to open positions

    INTRODUCTION TO HANDSHAKE

    Student/Alumni Handshake Help Center

    Two Minute Videos


    WELCOME TO CAREERSHIFT, UNCW STUDENTS AND ALUMNI!

    • Search, select and store job listings from all job boards and all company job postings.
    • Get up-to-date contact information, including e-mail addresses, for millions of companies.
    • Access in-depth information about contacts and companies posting jobs.
    • Record, save and store your correspondence history records automatically.
    • Create personal marketing campaigns, including unlimited resumes and cover letters easily, and save them to access, print or e-mail.
    • Manage your confidential CareerShift account securely from any computer 24/7, to update & maintain your organized and recorded job search.

    Watch the introduction video below for instructions!

  • Interview Information

    Once you have searched and applied for jobs, the next step is hopefully securing an interview with a potential employer. Interviews can be very daunting so it is important to make sure you are fully prepared. 

    Click here to learn more about the different types of interviews.

    One of the most important matters to consider for an interview is your attire. A good rule of thumb is to always dress in business professional attire. Below is a link to the Career Center's guide to dressing for success. 

    Dressing for Success: Professional Attire

     

    Additional Resources

       

  • CSB Networking & Events

    One of the most important aspects of business is networking. Not only is it key to getting your foot in the door with a job opportunity but many employers are looking for someone who is able to effectively network with clients throughout your career.

    The Cameron School of Business offers networking on two different levels. The Cameron Executive Network (CEN) is a mentoring program for CSB students. Visit the Cameron Executive Network Page for more information including CEN information dates and application instructions.

    CSB  and the Career Center host networking events that allow students to work on their networking skills and make connections that will help them to succeed far into the future:

    • Business Week - Ever year the Cameron School of Business brings in speakers to present on various and diverse business topics
    • Professional Etiquette - Every year, the Career Center holds a dinner for students to develop their etiquette skills. 

    Please visit the CSB News & Events Page for a full list of Cameron School of Business Events.

  • Professional Business Associations

    Professional organizations and associations are a great way to increase your network of professionals, stay informed of current trends within your field of study, have access to industry-specific job opportunities and look great on a résumé. Last, but not least, student memberships are discounted! The spreadsheet below lists organizations by concentration and include websites, descriptions and student rates. JOIN TODAY!

    Business Associations.xlsx