UCLA-Career Preparation Toolkit

Career
Preparation
Toolkit
for Graduate Students &
Postdoctoral Scholars
2016-2018
Career Preparation Toolkit
Welcome Message
Preparing for your future requires focus and planning. The UCLA Career
Preparation Toolkit for Graduate Students and Postdoctoral Scholars is designed
to help you think critically about how to navigate a lifetime of career decisions.
How to Use this Guide

Designed for masters and doctoral students and postdoctoral scholars, the Toolkit
will help you develop strategies and evaluate options as you pursue your goals.
Regardless of your professional objectives, being able to communicate effectively
with different audiences, lead and manage projects, and solve complex problems
will be valuable assets to potential employers. Assessment activities, sample
application documents and professional etiquette tips are embedded throughout
the Toolkit to help you build these key skills.
In addition to providing this Toolkit, the Graduate Division and Career Center
partner to deliver services for UCLA graduate students and postdocs. We
encourage you to use this Toolkit as a road map as you take advantage of the
unique professional development events, employer/alumni networking sessions,
and other resources and services designed just for you.
We wish you continued success at UCLA and beyond!
Wesley E. Thorne II
Director, UCLA Career Center
Robin L. Garrell
Vice Provost for Graduate Education
Dean, UCLA Graduate Division
02
Campus Professional Development Resources

for Graduate Students and Postdoctoral Scholars
(GS = Graduate Student Eligible, PDS = Postdoctoral Scholar Eligible)
Graduate Student Resource Center

The Graduate Student Resource Center is a resource,
referral and information center for UCLA graduate and
professional school students. The office is a Graduate
Students Association (GSA) Initiative that is managed
by Student Affairs. We also work with GSA to organize
Graduate Student Orientation and Equity, Inclusion and
Diversity Graduate Welcome Day each fall.
David Geffen School of Medicine Office of Postdoctoral

Affairs (PDS)
The Office of Postdoctoral Affairs works to promote the
affairs of bioscience postdoctoral trainees across campus
through career development opportunities, support
for developing funding, and training in scientific best
practices and responsible conduct in research.
ii Professional Development Events (GS, PDS)
ii Drop-in advice and assistance for graduate and

professional school students (GS)
ii Meeting and study space (GS)
ii Programs and workshops on a variety of
ii Responsible Conduct in Research

Training (GS, PDS)
ii Bioscience Postdoc Educational Leadership
Program (PDS)
topics (GS)
Home of the Graduate Writing Center (GS)
Graduate Division
The Graduate Division serves as the central
administrative office for graduate student and postdoctoral
scholar policy, recruitment and admissions along
with funding, diversity, and professional development
programs.
ii Professional Development Events (GS, PDS)
ii On-Campus and Extramural Fellowships (GS, PDS)
ii Diversity Programs (GS, PDS)
ii Postdoctoral Scholar leadership opportunities,
resources, referrals, and policy (PDS)
Career Center
The UCLA Career Center offers a wide
range of professional development and
career preparation services to address
the specific needs of Masters and PhD students.
ii One on One Career Advising
Appointments (GS)
ii Masters and PhD Employer
Recruitment Events (GS)
ii Career Preparation Workshops (GS)
ii Professional Development Events
and Conferences (GS)
Graduate Writing Center

The Graduate Writing Center provides writing support for
registered UCLA graduate and professional students.
ii One-on-One Writing Appointments (GS)
ii Writing Workshops (GS)
ii Dissertation and Thesis Programs (GS)
Resources & Services
03
Dashew Center for International Students and Scholars
Business of Science Center
The Dashew Center for International Students &

Scholars serves the international community at UCLA
as the central hub for contact, resources, support and
advocacy for international students and scholars.
The UCLA Business of Science Center prepares

scientific, engineering, law, medical and business
graduate students and postdocs for careers in the
private sector.
ii Support UCLA international students through
ii Venture Team Program, MedTech Innovation
immigration, personal, academic, and cultural
Program, Social Entrepreneurship Initiative, and
advisement (GS)
Advancing Women in Science and Engineering
ii Provide comprehensive services for visiting
(AWiSE) (GS, PDS)
international researchers, scholars, professors, and
ii Business of Science Certificate Program
postdoctoral scholars (PDS)
ii Faculty and Industry Mentoring (GS, PDS)
ii Design, implement, and promote a wide range of

programs, trainings, and resources to enrich the
ii Entrepreneurship courses, lectures, workshops, and

seminars (GS, PDS)
student and scholar experience (GS, PDS)
Campus Human Resources

Counseling and Psychological Services
Counseling and Psychological Services (CAPS) is a
multidisciplinary student mental health center for the
UCLA campus.
Campus Human Resources provides information and

resources on benefits, job and career opportunities,
training and development services, policies, workplace
programs and employee resources.
ii Individual counseling and psychotherapy, group
ii UCLA Staff and Faculty Counseling Center (PDS)
therapy, couples counseling, emergency intervention,
ii Training and Development Opportunities (PDS)
and psychological testing; psycho-educational

programs and workshops (GS)
ii Psychiatric evaluation and treatment (GS)Crisis
consultation, mentoring programs and organizational
consultation (GS)
ii Clinical training for mental health professionals at the
masters, doctoral, and postdoctoral and residency
level (GS, PDS)
04
Table of Contents
01 Professional Development Timelines

Masters Student Timeline
06
Doctoral Student Timeline
09
Postdoctoral Scholar Timeline
13
02 Analyze your Skills, Strengths & Values

Welcome Message
02
Online Assessment & Resources

Transferrable Skills Analysis
03
SWOT Analysis
16
18
20
Values Worksheet
21
Career Decision-Making Matrix
22
03 Career Exploration & Informational Interviews

Industry lists
24
Informational Interviewing
25
Building your Professional Network
28
04 Job, Internship & Experience Search

Job Search Methods & Strategy
Job Search Action Plan
30
Job Search Resources
31
29
05 Application Materials for Careers in Industry,

Nonprofit & Government
Resume Template
32
Job Description & Tailored Resume Example

Active Verb List
36
Cover Letter Template

CV vs. Resume
34
38
40
06 Application Materials for Careers in Academia

Curriculum Vitae Template
Academic Cover Letter
42
44
Research Statement
46
Teaching Statement
48
Diversity Statement
49
07 Interviewing & Negotiation

Sample Interview Questions
50
Structuring Interview Answers CARR Method 52

Sample Thank You Email
53
Evaluating & Negotiating Job Offers
54
Acknowledgements, Index & Resource List
59
Masters Student Timeline, 2 Year
( for 1 year programs, same goals apply in a shorter time frame )
Year 1
Self- Assessment
& Development
Career Path Preparation
ii Create an Individual Development Plan (IDP) to outline your academic

and professional goals. Seek advice from your advisor, mentor or Career
Counselor on your IDP.
ii Make an appointment with a Career Counselor to take a self assessment.
Considering your interests, skills, and values will help you target
companies and jobs that will be the best fit for you.
Job Search
ii Register for a BruinView account to access UCLAs job database, rsvp
for workshops and events, and make career counseling appointments
ii Complete an On Campus Recruitment (OCR) Orientation to be eligible to
participate in On Campus Recruitment for internships and jobs
Expand Your Network
ii Fall quarter is recruiting season for many industries such as Finance,
Accounting, Consulting, and Engineering, among others
ii Attend Career Fairs, Information Sessions and Networking Events to
learn about internships or full time positions and application timelines
International students
Be sure to make an appointment with the Dashew Center to learn about
your CPT and OPT options for work eligibility.
Communication Skills
Project Management,
Leadership & Collaboration
Look for opportunities to publish, present your work/projects, and improve

your presentation skills.
Expand your leadership skills by participating in:

ii Student organizations
ii Internships
ii Volunteer work
ii Part-time employment
ii Committee work through your department or other organizations on campus
Professional Development Timelines
06
Summer
Self- Assessment
& Development
Assess and update your Individual Development Plan (IDP).
Expand Your Network

ii Conduct informational interviews with professionals in industries or
companies of interest to you
ii Build your professional brand and expand your network by creating a
LinkedIn profile
ii Begin creating a target list of companies that are of interest to you
Job Search
ii Meet with a Career Counselor to do a mock interview to practice your
interviewing skills
ii Meet with a Career Counselor to revise your resume and cover letter for
fall/winter recruiting
ii Begin requesting letters of recommendation from your advisor and
former supervisors. If you completed an internship this summer, be sure
to request one from this employer.
Gain Experience
ii Apply for and complete a summer internship
Project Management,
Attend professional conferences in your field to expand your

professional network.
ii Volunteer to give back to the community and expand your transferable

skills as well as your professional network
ii Use volunteermatch.org to find opportunities in your area
07
Year 2
Self- Assessment
& Development
Update your Individual Development Plan (IDP) and determine if there are
skills or experiences you wish to gain before graduation.
Expand Your Network

ii Attend Career Fairs, Information Sessions and Networking events to
inquire about full-time positions
ii Continue professional networking, informational interviewing and
company research
ii Send emails to your professional network to inquire about positions
or referrals
Job Search
ii Read job postings regularly to identify valued skills and hiring trends in
the industry you are interested in
ii Revise/update your resume and cover letter
ii Research starting salaries in your field
ii Apply for full-time positions. Utilize online websites, job boards, and
job databases.
ii Practice Interviewing questions specific to your industry
ii Attend a negotiation skills workshop, research offer letters/practices in
your field, and meet with a Career Counselor to learn how to negotiate
job offers
International students
Make an appointment with the Dashew Center to apply for your OPT card to
have it by graduation.
Attend professional conferences in your field to present your work and

expand your professional network.
Project Management,
ii Seek out opportunities to collaborate on research projects within or

across departments to expand your skill set
ii Join professional associations in your field
08
Doctoral Student Timeline

Years 1-2 ( Coursework & Exams )
Self- Assessment
& Development
ii Draft an initial timeline (5-7 years) for degree completion with short and
long term goals (discuss with your advisor)
ii Start with goal completion date
ii Include degree milestones, funding deadlines and conferences
Expand skills and experience through:
ii Teaching Assistant opportunities
ii Departmental or campus committees
ii Workshops/courses outside your dept
ii Part-time/summer employment
ii Set up a LinkedIn Profile

ii Start an achievements file: Track research and teaching
ii Meet and network with graduate students and faculty in your department
and around campus
ii Develop your networking connections matrix (see page 28)
ii Attend talks and presentations to network with other attendees
and presenters
ii Review job ads to see what specialties/skills are expected
of applicants
ii Identify and become familiar with relevant journals and prominent figures
in your field for potential publishing opportunities
09
Years 2- 4 ( Exams, Research & Dissertation Work )
Self- Assessment
& Development
ii Set goals for career exploration, draft an action plan

ii Stay healthy with rest, exercise, diet, and recreation
ii Explore your interests, values,
and skills
Keep expanding skills and experience:
ii Take on a leadership role
ii Apply for research and travel grants
ii Propose a course to teach
ii Collaborate on a project
ii Update your LinkedIn profile and CV regularly

ii Begin identifying types of institutions/companies of interest to you
ii Conduct informational interviews with employed faculty and
other professionals
ii Attend professional conferences as a volunteer, discussant, or facilitator
to expand contacts in your discipline
ii Meet and network with professionals outside of academia
ii Keep reviewing job ads for qualifications and adjust career
plan as needed
ii Submit papers, panels, proposals and poster sessions for conferences

ii Start to submit articles, aiming for publication before job application
10
Years 4+ ( Final Research & Dissertation Work )

Self- Assessment
& Development
ii Evaluate your values and how well your career goals align
ii Determine your career trajectory, explore options to actively pursue, and
update your action plan
ii Review your career portfolio for any obvious gaps in training
or experience
Keep expanding your skills and experience:
ii Use career development resources
ii Get part-time work or internship to build transferable skills related to your
career goals
ii Attend job search workshops
ii Attend an OCR (on campus recruitment) orientation at the Career Center

or online at MyUCLA
ii Start exploring specific positions of interest and postdoc opportunities
ii Monitor developments and trends in discipline for emerging and
declining opportunities
ii Attend professional development events to expand network to include
alumni and industry contacts
ii Attend career and employer information sessions to connect
with recruiters
ii Continue growing your on and off-campus networks using LinkedIn and
by attending networking events
ii Draft applications materials relevant for your employment objective
ii Update your CV, resume and LinkedIn quarterly
ii Identify opportunities to present your work to the public

ii Develop an elevator or research pitch
11
Final Year ( Dissertation Work & Employment )
Self- Assessment
& Development
ii Review and finalize timeline for completion of degree and

update regularly
ii Review your job search goals, revise as needed, and update your
action plan
Maintain your competitive edge:
ii Finish your dissertation
ii Professionalize your wardrobe
ii Update your LinkedIn profile and CV tailored to specific roles you

are targeting
ii Finalize application materials (including references)
and tailor them as needed
ii Match your skills, experience and interests to the
jobs/institutions/ companies to which you are attracted
ii Use your network contacts to learn more about positions and institutions/
companies to which you are applying
ii Let network contacts know you are actively looking for a job
ii Search for and apply to job openings and postdoc positions
ii Schedule a mock interview with your advisor and the career center
ii Continue to present your work to diverse audiences
12
Postdoctoral Scholars Timeline

Early Stage (Entering Postdoc)
Self- Assessment
& Development
ii Create an Individual Development Plan (IDP) and discuss the plan with
your faculty mentor
ii Draft timeline for the experiences and skills you wish to gain in your
postdoc - update as needed
ii Create and update a LinkedIn profile and join relevant LinkedIn groups
ii Meet and network with postdocs and faculty in your department and
around campus
ii Attend career panels and conferences to explore various career paths
and requirements
ii Join relevant professional organizations and academic societies
ii Review job ads to see what is expected of applicants and what
specialties/skills are in demand
ii Update your CV and create a resume
ii Attend workshops and develop skills in handling conflict, managing up,

and presentation skills
ii Identify important journals in your field for potential
publishing opportunities
Project Management, Leadership

& Collaboration
Expand skills and experience through:

ii Departmental or campus committees
ii Attend workshops outside of your department
ii Apply for outside funding/grants (training grants/fellowships, career
development awards, research grants)
Teaching & Mentorship
ii Attend teaching workshops and seminars

ii Audit a course
13
Middle Stage (During Postdoc)

Self- Assessment
& Development
ii Review your career portfolio for any obvious gaps in training

or experience
ii Update CV, resume and LinkedIn profile quarterly

ii Write CV & Resume and update quarterly
ii Conduct informational interviews with employed faculty and other
professionals and identify additional mentors as needed for career goals
ii Meet and network with professionals outside of academia
ii Attend professional conferences as a volunteer, discussant, or facilitator
to expand contacts in your discipline
ii Present your research at conferences, departmental talks, and

poster sessions
ii Submit articles, aiming for publication before job application
Project Management,
Keep expanding skills and experience:

ii Take on a leadership role
ii Collaborate on a project
ii Apply for outside funding/grants (training grants/fellowships, career
development awards, research grants)

ii Mentor graduate students
ii Observe a faculty taught course or assist your PI in developing a
syllabus or curriculum for a course
14
Late Stage (End of Postdoc)

Self- Assessment
& Development
ii Review your career portfolio goals, revise as needed, and update your
action plan
ii Discuss career goals and action plan with faculty mentor and other
supporters (see page 28)
ii Finalize application materials (including references) and tailor them

as needed
ii Search for and apply to job openings
ii Keep in touch with relevant network contacts wdeveloped previously
ii Meet with your potential references and share your plans and updated
CV/Resume
ii Tailor your LinkedIn profile to targeted industries
ii Develop a summary of your research and adapt for diverse audiences

(peers, faculty, potential employers, lay audiences)
ii Draft application materials relevant for your employment objective
Project Management,
Keep expanding your competitive edge:

ii Gain management/supervisory experience
ii Explore logistics of lab set-up and lab budgeting/finance
ii Begin researching early-career awards

ii Consider applying to a teaching-focused postdoc fellowship
15
Online Assessments & Resources

Choosing your future career path is a very complicated decision that will continue to evolve throughout your professional
life. Career assessment tools help you identify your strengths and skills, understand your work and communication style,
and reflect on your core values that can be valuable as you develop professionally.
You can access the following tools online or with the help of a career counselor.
Life Values Inventory Online (LVIO)
Individual Development Plan (MyIDP)
Myers-Briggs Type Indicator (MBTI)
LVIO was developed to help

individuals and organizations clarify
their values and serve as a blueprint
for effective decision-making and
optimal functioning.
MyIDP is a career development and

planning tool for biomedical scientists,
though it can be adapted for STEM
disciplines.
ii The program is comprised of

5 steps including an assessment
portion and results and
strategies section
MyIDP provides:
MBTI is a personality assessment

tool, available for graduate students,
to help better understand your
personality preferences and align
your career choices and planning with
those preferences. The MBTI is free
for all graduate students, however,
it must be administered by a career
counselor.
ii Exercises to help you examine

your skills, interests, and values
ii An algorithm to help you identify
which careers best fit your current
skills and interests from a list of 20
scientific career pathways
ii A tool for setting strategic goals
for the coming year, with optional
reminders to keep you on track
To schedule an appointment visit

BruinView and a counselor will
meet with you to discuss the tool and
gauge if it is appropriate for
your needs.
ii An opportunity to help map out or

frame your career development
plans, skills and interests when
meeting with your faculty
advisor or PI
Analyze your Skills, Strengths & Values
16
Graduate Student & Postdoctoral Scholar Professional Development Website

The UCLA Professional Development website is a collaborative project of UCLA campus units representing the interests
of graduate students and postdoctoral scholars at UCLA. We provide a calendar of workshops, speakers and presenters
on and off campus who can provide insight and expertise on professional and career development topics.
ii Subscribe to the RSS feed for upcoming events
ii All professional development events across campus are posted here
ii Individual Development Plan information for students, postdocs and faculty
ii Versatile PhD
ii Opportunities unique to graduate students and postdocs
Versatile PhD
The oldest, largest online community dedicated to nonacademic and non-faculty careers for PhDs in humanities, social
science and STEM fields. UCLA Career Center and The Graduate Division hold a subscription to this site where
graduate students and postdocs can access premium content and use the site to network with fellow PhDs in a range of
career paths, look at sample application documents, and participate in panel discussions. A few additional ways to use
Versatilephd.com are listed below:
ii To access premium content, you will need to log in through the UCLA Career Center website or the Graduate Student
and Postdoctoral Scholar Professional Development Website
ii Discover interesting career paths Use the PhD Career finder
ii Consult the community
ii See job listings appropriate for PhDs
ii Network with successful PhDs nationwide
ii Attend local meet ups
BruinView
BruinView grants one-stop access to hundreds of jobs and internships as well as access to other essential
employment and internship resources specifically for UCLA students and eligible alumni. Submit your
resume to one or more of our graduate student-specific resume books, RSVP for employer information
sessions, and view career fair directories. You can also set up graduate student specific career counseling
appointments, and view all upcoming events hosted by the Career Center.
ii One on one Career Advising Appointments
ii Job Listings
ii Internships Listings
ii Graduate-specific Opportunity Lists
ii Resources, including Versatile PhD and Goinglobal
17
Transferable Skills Analysis

The following list of transferable skills is a great start to identifying and prioritizing your skills gained as a graduate student,
postdoc, and through other experiences. Using the list below, check the box next to the skills you feel confident using.
Then evaluate the checked skills and underline those that you enjoy doing daily.
Research & Information Management

Locate and assimilate new information rapidly, applicable to a given problem
Understand and synthesize large quantities of complex information
Design research instruments (e.g., surveys) and effectively analyze results
Develop organizing principles to effectively sort and evaluate data
Analysis & Problem Solving
Clearly define a problem and identify possible causes
Comprehend large amounts of information
Form and defend independent conclusions
Design an experiment, plan, or model that defines a problem, tests potential resolutions and implements a solution
Communication Skills Written & Oral
Prepare concise and logically written materials, for different audiences in different contexts: from abstracts to
book-length manuscripts
Edit and proofread

Organize and communicate ideas and complex information effectively in oral presentations to specialized and
non-specialized audiences in small and large groups
Persuade others in both written and oral format using logical argument
Write effective grant and research proposals
Interpersonal & Leadership Skills
Facilitate group discussions or conduct meetings
Teach skills or concepts to others
Work effectively in teams, and collaborate on projects
Navigate complex or bureaurocratic environments effectively
Diplomatically communicate and respond to positive or negative feedback
Motivate others to complete projects
Build consensus among groups or individuals (e.g., with your department/committee)
Effectively mentor subordinates and/or peers
18
Organization & Management

Manage a project or multiple projects from beginning to end
Identify and establish goals or tasks to be accomplished in a
reasonable timeline
Organize and prioritize tasks

Anticipate possible challenges
Use Your Transferable Skills to

Explore Career Options
Maintain flexibility in the face of changing circumstances

Supervision Skills
Evaluate others performance (e.g., grade exams or papers)
Monitor or oversee the work of others in a lab or classroom, and
provide feedback
Helpful Tip
go to www.indeed.com and
enter in one of the transferrable
skill categories you have
identified as a search term
with either your discipline, or
an interest area.
Self Management, Work Habits & Entrepreneurial Skills

Meet deadlines and manage competing priorities
Perform under pressure
Work independently
Acquire funding (e.g., write grant/fellowship proposals) and
manage a budget
Rank order the top five skills that you do well, and enjoy doing daily.
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
Do any of these fall under a particular skill category?
19
SWOT Analysis
Identify a job description or career field that you are interested in pursuing. Using the following criteria, analyze yourself
and the external landscape for that career field. This will help you identify your strengths as a candidate, areas for
improvement, and networks/training opportunities to build toward this career.
What do I do well?
What is my biggest achievement?
Strengths
What do others recognize me for?

What personal qualities do I
possess?
What do I need to improve?
Weaknesses
What tasks do I typically avoid?

What are my personal flaws?
What are the trends in my

professional industry/discipline?
Opportunities
Who can support me in achieving

my goals?
What additional training or
experience is available to me?
What are the obstacles?
Threats
Who is competing for this kind of

job/career?
What macro-level changes might
impact this career?
(political, environmental)
20
Values Worksheet
Place the abbreviation for each of the values listed in the Work Values Inventory into one of the categories below to
indicate how important each value is to you in your work.
Highly Important
Moderately Important
Not Important
Rank order the values in this category.
Work Values Inventory1

Achievement (ACH)
Advancement (AVA)
Adventure (AVE)
Aesthetics (AES)
Predictable work (PRE)
Competition (COM)
Early entry (EAN)
Altruism (ALT)
Creativity (CRE)
Fairness (FAI)
Health (HAE)
High income (HIN)
Home and leisure life (HLL)
Independence (IND)
Friendships at work (FRI)
Interesting work (INT)
Leadership (LEA)
Exhibition (EXH)
Lifestyle (LIF)
Location of work (LOC)
Mechanical and physical activity (MPA)

Moral and religious concerns (MRC)
Outdoor work (OUT)
Physical appearance (PHA)
People contact (PEC)
Recognition (REC)
Security (SEC)
Status/prestige (STP)
Variety (VAR)
Work environment (WEN)
Top Ten Work Values

1.
6.
2.
7.
3.
8.
4.
9.
5.
10.
1 Lock, R. D. (2004). Taking charge of your career direction: Career planning guide, book 1 (5th ed.). Belmont, CA: Thomson/Brooks Cole
21
Career Decision-Making Matrix

The Decision Making Matrix worksheet will help you summarize many factors that can affect your decision to accept a
position. Before feeling confident about what choices you will make, you also may want to use additional decision-making
models, gather more information, or talk to others. Follow the steps below to complete the chart on the next page.
Step 1
At the top of the worksheet, list up to three options you are considering and comparing.
Step 2
In the left hand column, list up to seven values or factors that impact your decision, for
example, hours per day, cost of living, impact, prestige, work-life-balance, etc.
Step 3
In the Importance of Value column, rate how important the value is in your decision on
a scale of 1-5. (1 = not very important 5 = absolutely critical )
Step 4
In the probability column, rate the likelihood that each option will fulfill each value on a
scale of 1-5. (1= very little chance the value will be fulfilled 5 = no doubt the value will
be fulfilled )
Step 5
Multiply the Importance number by the Probability number and enter that into the
Subtotal column for each option.
Step 6
Add the subtotals for each column and enter the amount at the bottom underneath
each option.
Step 7
Compare the totals of each option. Note which option has the highest total.
Step 8
Some students and postdocs feel comfortable that the highest score represents their best
option. Other students and postdocs use the worksheet more than once during the decision
making process for a number of reasons. For example, they may find that the values they
initially used have shifted in priority, or they may add or delete values to their list, which might
offer a different set of ratings.
22
Sample:
Options :
Values
1. Pursue Teaching Position

in Liberal Arts School
3. Pursue postdoctoral positions

to continue to build research
record
2. Pursue Career in
Management Consulting
Importance
Probability
Subtotal
Probability
Subtotal
Probability
Subtotal
1. Prestige (STP)
12
15
2. My family will respect me (REC)
20
12
12
3. Intellectually stimulating (INT)
12
12
4. Location (LOC)
15
15
20
5. Advancement opportunities (AVA)
10
6. Impact society (ALT)
20
16
7. Financial security (SEC)
15
25
10
98
Totals:
Options:
Values
Importance
1.
102
2.
Probability
Subtotal
72
3.
Probability
Subtotal
Probability
Subtotal
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
Totals:
23
Industry Lists
Science, Technology, Engineering & Math
ii STEM Education in K-12 Schools
ii Scientific & Medical Testing
ii Support of Science & Engineering Related Products
ii Research & Teaching Careers in Academia
ii Science & Technology Policy
ii Business of Science & Consulting
ii Science & Technology Education and Outreach
ii Clinical Research Management
ii Public Health Related Careers
ii Principal Investigator at a Research Intensive
ii Teaching Intensive Careers in Academia
Organization
ii Intellectual Property
ii Entrepreneurship
ii Science Writing
ii Drug/Device Approval & Production
ii Sales & Marketing of Science and/or
ii Research in Industry
Engineering Products
ii University & Research Administration
ii Research Staff at a Research Institution

ii Big Data
ii Clinical Practice
Social Science, Humanities & Education

ii Public Education & Training
Helpful Tip
ii Academic & Higher Education Administration

ii Administration & Management
ii Research, Assessment & Analysis
ii Writing, Publishing & Editing
Visit the occupational outlook

handbook to learn about the
outlook and trends.
ii Consulting
ii Entrepreneurship
ii Communication, Public Relations & Marketing
ii Human Services
ii Advocacy
ii Performing & Fine Arts
ii Development & Fundraising
ii Diplomacy & Mediation
ii Research & Teaching Careers in Academia
ii Teaching Intensive Careers in Academia
ii Translation & Interpretation
ii Data Management
Career Exploration & Informational Interviews
24
Informational Interviewing
Informational Interviews are 20-60 minute long conversations for you to ask questions, listen, and learn about
organizations, career paths, and industry trends from a professional in a field of interest. This is also an excellent way to
expand your network in a particular industry, and gain more nuanced information about a career or organization.
This is not the same as a job interview, so use the time to listen and learn.
When you reach out to a potential contact, communicate these three things:
1.
Why you are reaching out: What would you like to learn about them? It is best to be brief in your explanation.
2.
Why THEY are the best person for you to learn from: What makes them unique in their field? What about their
career, position, or work intrigues you?
3.
What you are asking for: How much time will you need? Do you want to meet in person, through Skype, or by
phone? Offer times to meet, but indicate that you can adjust to their schedule. Ask for 20-30 minutes of their time.
Sample Informational Interview Request (Email)
Dear Dr. _____,

I am a current (PhD Student/Postdoc) at UCLA in the Bioengineering
Department, and I came across your name while browsing the UCLA
LinkedIn alumni group. Over the past 6 years my research has been
focused on the use of nanotechnology in medical devices. Although
this work has been gratifying, I am now seeking to shift my career into
science policy.
If possible, I would like to learn more about your work in science policy
at AAAS. The opportunity to learn about your career trajectory, and
any advice you might be willing to share regarding steps I could start
taking now would be greatly appreciated. If you are available for 20-30
minutes in the next month we could meet over coffee (my treat), Skype,
or talk by phone.
Helpful Tip
Do not take it as a rejection if
the contact offers to chat via
phone when you requested an in
person meeting. Remember
their schedules are busy.
Thank you and I look forward to hearing from you.

Sincerely,
Jillian Engineer
[email protected]
25
Sample Informational Interview Questions

Career Exploration
ii What are your major responsibilities?
ii What is the most interesting project you have
worked on?
ii What is the most/least rewarding aspect of your job?
ii Would you choose this career again?
ii What is a typical day like, or what does an average
work week involve?
ii What is the most common career path?
ii What obligations are expected of you outside of the
actual job?
ii What are some lifestyle considerations for this
career field?
ii What are some common entry-level positions
in the field?
ii What kind of salary range and benefits could an entry

level position expect to receive? NOTE: You are not
asking for their specific salary!
ii What kind of individual (skills/personality) would be best
suited for these entry-level positions? What types of
people typically do well in this field?
ii What are the most important factors used when hiring?
ii What is the best educational preparation for a career in
this field?
ii Which classes and experience would be most helpful to
obtain while still in my degree program?
ii How high is turnover?
ii How does one move or advance within the organization?
Job Search and Industry Knowledge

ii How do people find out about open positions in this field?
ii What types of skills and experience should I emphasize on my CV or resume?
Helpful Tip
ii What do you think this industry will look like in 10 years? How is it changing?
If you have done research

in preparation of this interview,
demonstrate that by the
quality and relevance of the
questions you ask.
ii How do you see jobs changing in the future?

ii Which professional journals or organizations would you recommend that I
research to learn more about this field?
ii Who else do you recommend I talk with, and may I have permission to use
your name?
Specific questions that demonstrate your research on the person, field or industry:
ii How did your research background in _____ help
you in your job search?
ii How does your research background on _____
come into play, if at all, in your current position?
ii What are the pros and cons of working on

_____ project?
ii Would you suggest _____ (field specific experience)
will help in this position?
ii How did your experience in _____ better prepare

you for this position?
26
Sample Thank You Email (Follow - up)

After you have met with the professional or alumni and had a chance to learn more about the position, industry or field,
your next step is to FOLLOW UP with them using a thank you email or hand written note. You should always thank people
for their time, even if you have decided you dont want to pursue careers in that direction. You never know where your
next opportunity will come from and establishing a professional network is key to navigating successful career choices
throughout your professional life.
Thanking someone for their time is the easiest way to follow up, communicates professionalism, and is an opportunity to
plant seeds for future interactions.
When following up with an alumni or professional, communicate these three things:

1.
Thank them for their time and any specific resources, tips or contacts they shared highlighting what you had
in common.
2.
Demonstrate how you plan to use their advice, or share additional resources that are related to your conversation.
3.
Do not ask for a job, or send your resume unless it was something they offered during your meeting. You are still
building a relationship and asking for a job is premature.
Dear Dr. _____,

Thank you for meeting with me last week to learn about your career
at AAAS, and the kinds of projects you have had the opportunity to
work on. Our discussion helped me think about my doctoral work more
broadly, and I took your advice and reached out to your colleague, Dr.
_____ at RAND we are meeting next week. Your detailed information
concerning the AAAS Fellowship program was really helpful, and I plan
to apply for the fellowship when it opens next month.
I appreciate your willingness to meet with me, and hope I can have the
opportunity to return the favor in the future.
Sincerely,
Helpful Tip
Always follow-up with an email
or hand written thank you note.
Even if you feel you wont reach
out to this individual again, you
never know where your next
opportunity may come from.
Highlight what you have
in common or learned from
them and acted on when
following up. It makes you
more memorable.
Kelly Engineer
27
Building Your Professional Network

Surrounding yourself with a network of supportive individuals while a graduate student or postdoc is important to a
successful experience. Rather than trying to identify one person to provide you with everything, develop a broad network
that can serve to support you in many different areas. Use the chart below to keep track of your network over time.
Internal
Professional Development
External
Peers/Colleagues
Intellectual Community/Research
External Collaborators
Faculty
Safe Space
Supportive Individuals
Peer
Mentors
Internal
External
Friends/Family
Emotional Support/Well Being

Other
Organizational Groups
Supportive Individuals
1
2
1
2
1
2
1
2
1
2
1
2
1
2
1
2
1
2
1
2
1
2
1
2
28
Job Search Methods & Strategy

There are many ways to search for a job, which also may vary by position and industry. Some of the most common
methods are listed below.
Strategy
Benefits
Tips
Networking - connect with as many

individuals as possible and develop a
list of contacts.
Creates resources for you to identify

potential job opportunities and learn
more about a position, company, or
industry. Networking can also help
you access hidden opportunities not
posted to the public.
Join LinkedIn.
Targeted Search - Identify the types

of organizations you would like to
work for, develop a targeted list, and
research companies.
Allows you to be more proactive and

take charge of your search, instead
of waiting for companies to post
positions. This type of search goes
hand and hand with networking as it
will be important to develop contacts
within organizations and companies.
The UCLA Career Center Library,

Chamber of Commerce.
Professional Associations - Research

professional associations related to
your career interests, as most provide
a career opportunities section on
their website.
A source of networking information

and career opportunities. Build
contacts with individuals who share
your interests.
Ask faculty and career counselors to

suggest professional associations.
Career Fairs - Attend on and off

campus career fairs to identify new
opportunities.
Opportunity to meet with a number

of recruiters in person and in one
location. Build networking contacts.
Plan ahead and research companies

attending. Visit Career.ucla.edu for
upcoming events.
On-Campus Interviews - Some

employers conduct first round
interviews for summer internship
and full-time positions on campus.
Access your BruinView account
to search for jobs from employers
interviewing on campus.
Primary way in which companies

recruit for business and technical
positions. Employers are specifically
seeking UCLA students for their
positions.
Complete an OCR orientation the

quarter before you plan to apply.
Check BruinView on a regular
basis paying close attention to
resume drop deadlines and interview
sign-up schedules.
Bruinview - Graduate Students

can update personal and academic
information, upload a resume, search
for jobs and internships.
Access to a wide variety of jobs

posted by employers specifically
interested in UCLA graduate students.
Check job postings regularly as they

are posted on a daily/ weekly basis.
Attend Networking events on and off

campus.
Adapted with permission from Penn State Career Services.

Job, Internship & Experience Search
29
Job Search Action Plan

The average time to secure a job is typically 6-12 months. Depending on where you are in your program, and your career
goals how much time should you dedicate to your job search and how should you spend that time? The closer you are
to completing your degree/training, the more time you should dedicate to the job search.
How much time will you dedicate to your job search on a weekly basis?
(Be specific, keeping in mind how soon you are hoping to find a position,)
Helpful Tip
What top three strategies do you plan to use immediately based on where you are
currently in your search?
1.
At least 50% of your

dedicated time
should be prioritized
as networking.
2.
3.
How will you best schedule your job search time commitments?
(Example: daily planners, Outlook calendar, phone app, to-do lists, Eisenhower matrix)
Write out your Action Plan.

(Example: Using Google Calendar to schedule my time commitments, I plan to spend 6 hours per week on my job search
for the next 3 months. The top three strategies I plan to use are x,y,z.)
Networking Plan
The top five contacts I will reach out to are:
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
30
Job Search Resources

Online Search Engine & Information
Occupational Outlook Handbook Career & industry trends, salaries & outlook
LinkedIn Online professional networking site
Hoovers Largest commercial database of companies, professionals, industry segments
Indeed #1 online job search engine, includes universities and sorts based on location, salary, level, keyword, skills
Idealist Nonprofit job and volunteer search engine/site
BruinView UCLA-specific recruiter posted opportunities, workshops & on campus interviews search for PhD level, by
skills & sign up for the newsletter
Linkup Job search engine with RSS feed, sort by location, tags, and company
O*Net Database of occupational information, career exploration tool
PhD & Postdoc Specific Resources

UCLA Career Center
Graduate Student & Postdoctoral Scholar Professional Development Website Calendar of UCLA campus
professional development events and opportunities, Individual Development Plan resources, and professional
developmentcompetencies.
Versatile PhD Online PhD Community, Job Site & Career Exploration tool. Log in through Career Center or Graduate
Student Professional Development Websites to access premium content
PhD Career Guide Career Exploration, Online Community, Job Board, and Blog
Chronicle of Higher Education Vitae
Beyond Academe A resource specifically for History PhDs, with useful information for all PhDs
31
Resume Template (1-2 pages maximum)

Usually 2-3 sentences
that summarize your
history, background and
unique qualifications,
tailored to the position.
Pat Navarro
112211 Westwood Blvd Los Angeles, CA 91234 | 310.123.4567 | [email protected]
Professional Summary
More than 5 years of research experience in clinical, academic and hospital settings. Managed a large
multi-site study, which led to 3 top tier publications and a patent for a compound undergoing Phase 1 clinical
trials. Experience leading lab development, and mentoring professional growth of research trainees.
Education1
Using areas of
expertise or emphasis
is a good way to
communicate your
research topic area,
or method expertise
for non-specialized
audiences. Only
include topics that are
relevant to the position.
This section may

include all of your
experiences, paid and
unpaid, volunteer,
community service or
professional. Analyze
each experience with
regard to the skills,
abilities, leadership
positions and
accomplishments
gained. Quantify the
statements, where
possible, and use
action verbs.
PhD Biological Chemistry

University of California, Los Angeles CA
Areas of Expertise: Alzheimers, Neurological Therapeutics
2015
Research Experience2
Team Lead, Multi-Site Alzheimers Research Study, UCLA Dept of Biological Chemistry
Coordinated and led a team of multidisciplinary faculty and postdoctoral researchers
at 5 research hospitals
Identified a need for lab instruments and successfully applied for $40,000 used to
secure training, supplies and instrumentation
2014-Present
Postdoctoral Researcher, UCLA Department of Neurobiology

Secured grant funding and managed budgets for 2 independent research projects
Managed and mentored 4 doctoral students and 16 undergraduate students in
experimentation design and delivery
2010-2012
Doctoral Research Assistant, Vanderbilt University, Neuroscience Department

Identified a new target for Alzheimers therapeutic approaches
Increased existing client revenue by 30% through service and customer care program
Attained Leaders Club recognition in the Western Region.
2004-2010
Skills3
Data Analysis: Stata, Data Envelopment Analysis
Programming: Matlab
Modeling Software: SC/Tetra, Comsol, Solidworks

Documentation: Microsoft Office, LaTeX, Mendeley
Publications (2 out of 6) Presentations (1 out of 12)

Smith, J. & Jones, N. The effects of Alzheimers drugs on patients ages 40-45 Nature, V.356 2014
Smith, J. Neutralizing Alzheimers: the ethical dimensions of clinical trials Presented at the National
Association for Alzheimers Care in New York, 2014
1 Include Institution Name, degree(s)earned, majors/minors, honors, date of completion or expected completion. Education should only come first if you
are completing or have completed in the last 2 years.
2 Your extracurricular or service activities may offer a unique way to demonstrate transferrable skills. Top skills employers tend to look for include
teamwork, communication skills, data management, analytical and problem solving.
3 These may include laboratory skills, technical skills, foreign language, computer, research skills and others.
Application Materials for Careers in Industry, Nonprofit & Government
32
Resume Bullet Points: Writing Accomplishment Statements
Resume Tips
Tailor each resume
for the job you are
applying, and save
resume versions with
job title/company
as pdfs.
Resume bullet points should demonstrate your achievements in a particular role,

highlighting your success and skills as they relate to the job application. They should be
organized by most impactful accomplishments first and tailored to the specific job you
are applying to. Dont list duties or the daily tasks of your position. Instead, demonstrate
your value by highlighting the depth and breadth of your work and skills. When writing
the accomplishment statement ask these questions:
1.
What skills do I need to demonstrate for the job I am applying to?

(refer back to specific job description)
2.
What did I accomplish in this role that demonstrates those skills?
Example: Breaking Down Your Experience

Think about the duties and responsibilities performed in your position. From there,
determine what you have accomplished related to those specific tasks/projects. The
demonstrated accomplishment is your final product. Comments are in Gold.
Tailor the experience

section to the job,
with the most relevant
experience first (e.g.,
research experience)
If applying for a
research position, it
is important to list all
of your publications/
presentations. If
applying to a role
that has some
research aspects,
instead of listing all
of your research
accomplishments,
choose 1-3 that
demonstrate impact,
first authorship,
prestige, and audience
diversity, indexing how
many other publications
you have.
Duties:
Graded homework, taught labs, met with students during office hours
Duties dont demonstrate your capabilities or skill level
Accomplishments:
Taught weekly lab meetings for 25 undergraduate biology majors
Advised 5 students on final paper and in class presentation

Quantify your work consider frequency, and total impact
Demonstrated Accomplishment:
Taught and assessed biology concept applications for 25 undergraduate students

through interactive instruction in weekly labs, written assignments and in
person advising
Lead with an active verb that highlights the skill or result you want to demonstrate.
Use concrete examples
Pick one project you worked on

Which skill do you want to highlight?
What did you accomplish? Can it be quantified in some way to demonstrate breadth/depth?
What strategies or tasks did you undertake to accomplish this task?
active verb
context
task
result
33
Job Description & Tailored Resume Example

Job Ad
Now Hiring! Research Analyst
Job Description
Highlight
responsibilities and
duties that you can
clearly demonstrate in
your resume
The Research Analyst will provide support for projects on the Arts Commissions Research
and Evaluation Plan. The Analyst will also be given responsibility to develop and manage
one or more projects and will carry out those projects independently, under the guidance
of the Research & Evaluation Manager. Examples of the kinds of projects the Analyst
might work on that are currently underway include an analysis of the impact of a Civic Art
graffiti abatement project, the development of school district arts education data, a report
on contract employees and volunteers working in LA County arts nonprofits, and the
development of data visualizations to present Arts Commission data.
The Research Analyst may be asked to undertake include the following:
Conduct literature reviews;
Clean, structure and analyze data
Develop data collection instruments;

Collect data: surveys, interviews, focus groups, observations and document review;
Identify and access secondary datasets relevant to the work of the Arts
Commission;
Summarize findings in writing and in data visualizations that are clear and
accessible to the general public.
Upon completion of the fellowship, the Analyst would be equipped to pursue related
applied research and evaluation work not only in arts management but in a variety of
nonprofit or government agencies in other subject matter areas.
Use the terms, not the
phrases to tailor your
resume to the position
Qualifications
ii PhD in the humanities or humanistic social sciences;
ii Ability to analyze complex datasets and the skills to find the most important stories in
the data, and communicate those findings effectively;
ii Ability to communicate research and evaluation findings in writing and verbally, in
a clear, succinct manner so that non-experts can understand them, is required.
Experience with data visualization is a plus;
ii Comfort working both independently and as part of a team, and the ability to think and
problem- solve creatively;
ii Experience working on research or evaluation projects is required (please indicate
whether your strength is in qualitative or quantitative methods);
ii Strong skills with Word and Excel;
ii Experience with data analysis software such as SPSS, R or Atlas.ti (depending on the
candidates expertise) is a plus. Willingness to learn/adopt new technologies a must;
ii High level of organization and attention to detail with strong time management skills.
34
Resume
Jenny Smith, PhD

1234567 Westwood Avenue Los Angeles, CA 90004 | 310.456.7890 | [email protected]
Professional Summary
Creative and award-winning researcher and educator with exceptional data analysis and writing skillsand
more than 8 years of professional experience in arts and humanities research/education resulting in2 articles,
4 journal issues, 3 books, more than 15 research presentations, and the development of 6 humanities-based
undergraduate courses covering topics ranging from music and visual art to American history and archival
research methodologies.
Education
UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA Los Angeles CA | PhD in Humanities
DUKE UNIVERSITY Durham, NC | MFA in Art
Expected June 2015

Expected May 2008
Accomplishments
and experience focus
on data analysis
and research
accomplishments
Experience
UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA, LA
Graduate Research and Teaching Fellow, Department of Humanities
September 2008 - June 2014
Developed research agendas and collected data from more than 15 archival collections across 10 libraries
in the United States and France
Analyzed data in English, French, Italian, Spanish, and German from 4000+ archival and/or primary
sources and 300+ secondary sources
Presented and synthesized the results of this data in a 320-page dissertation, 1 peer-reviewed article,
4 sets of program notes, and 20+ research presentations in French and English
Graduate Research Assistant, Department of Humanities
January 2009 - June 2014
Collected, analyzed, and synthesized data from 200+ sources for UCLA professors that has resulted in
the publication of 1 book and 3+ research presentations
DUKE UNIVERSITY, NC
Graduate Research Fellow in Music, Department of Art
August 2006 - May 2008
Collected, analyzed, and synthesized data from more than 200+ primary and secondary sources and
presented this data in more than 12 written or oral research presentations
Aligned skill set with

qualifications
Skills
Advanced qualitative historical research skills in arts/humanities fields
Complete proficiency in Windows and Mac OS X operating systems
Complete proficiency in Microsoft and Apple Office Suites, including Microsoft Word, PowerPoint,
Excel, Outlook, Pages, Keynote, and Prezi
Advanced French language skills, and reading ability in German, Italian, and Spanish
Awards
Herman and Celia Wise Award for Best Dissertation Chapter, UCLA Musicology Department
UC Presidents Society of Fellows Award, UCLA Humanities Division ($10,000)
Mary Isabel Sibley Fellowship, Phi Beta Kappa Society ($20,000)
2014
2013
2012
Selected Publications & Presentations (4/18)

Name of presentation, presented at the National Meeting of the American Society, Milwaukee, Nov 2014
Name of the presentation, Transposition: Musique et Sciences Sociales 4, August 2014
Name of presented as a pre-concert lecture at the UCLA Department of Musicology, 5 June 2014
Courses Developed/ Taught

Instructor, UCLA Department of Musicology
Writing About Music
LGBTQ Perspectives in Popular Music
Summer 2013
Summer 2010
Ability to communicate
research verbally
and in writing
demonstrated through
teaching,
and publication/
presentation record.
35
Active Verb List

Administrative/
Organizational
addressed
approved
arranged
assembled
cataloged
centralized
classified
collaborated
collected
collated
compiled
dispatched
distributed
documented
enter
executed
generated
implemented
input
inspected
memorized
monitored
operated
organized
prepared
prioritized
processed
purchased
recorded
resolved
restored
retrieved
scan
screened
spearheaded
specified
supported
systematized
tabulated
transcribed
transformed
validated
word processed
Creative
acted
abstracted
adapted
applied
authored
composed
conceived
conceptualized
created
customized
designed
developed
devised
directed
established
evaluated
fashioned
founded
formed
formulated
generated
illustrated
imagined
improvised
innovated
instituted
integrated
initiated
introduced
invented
marketed
originated
painted
performed
planned
presented
problem solved
produced
refined
rewrote
revitalized
shaped
sketched
synthesized
updated
visualized
Communication
aided
addressed
advised
answered
appraised
apprised
arbitrated
arranged
authored
briefed
clarified
communicated
conducted
consulted
contributed
conveyed
cooperated
coordinated
corresponded
counseled
corresponded
debated
defined
demonstrated
developed
directed
drafted
edited
educated
enlisted
explained
expressed
formulated
influenced
informed
inspired
interpreted
interviewed
lectured
mediated
merged
moderated
motivated
negotiated
participated
persuaded
promoted
publicized
reconciled
recruited
reported
represented
researched
summarized
suggested
translated
verbalized
wrote
Teaching
adapted
advised
clarified
coached
communicated
coordinated
defined
developed
enabled
encouraged
evaluated
explained
facilitated
guided
incorporated
informed
initiated
inspired
instructed
lectured
mentored
motivated
observed
persuaded
presented
set goals
stimulated
taught
trained
tutored
updated
Technical
analyzed
assembled
built
calculated
computed
designed
devised
engineered
fabricated
inspected
installed
maintained
operated
overhauled
programmed
remodeled
repaired
solved
trained
upgraded
36
Helping
advised
aided
arbitrated
assessed
assisted
attended
brought
cared
carried out
clarified
coached
coordinated
counseled
delivered
demonstrated
diagnosed
educated
empathized
encouraged
enlisted
expedited
facilitated
familiarized
fostered
furnished
guided
helped
inspired
instilled
maintained
mentored
modified
referred
related
performed
provided
referred
rehabilitated
represented
served
supported
upheld
Management
achieved
administered
allocated
analyzed
applied
approved
assessed
assigned
anticipated
attained
chaired
conceived
consolidated
consulted
contracted
coordinated
delegated
determined
developed
directed
encouraged
enforced
established
evaluated
executed
expanded
expedited
founded
formed
governed
hired
implemented
improved
incorporated
increased
initiated
instituted
launched
lead
managed
motivated
negotiated
organized
outlined
oversaw
perceived
planned
prioritized
produced
recommended
reconciled
recruited
reported
represented
resolved
reviewed
scheduled
screened
selected
spearheaded
sponsored
staged
strengthened
supervised
troubleshot
Research
calculated
cataloged
clarified
collected
computed
conceived
correlated
critiqued
delivered
detected
diagnosed
discovered
evaluated
examined
experimented
extracted
extrapolated
gathered
identified
inspected
interpreted
interviewed
investigated
monitored
observed
organized
proved
researched
reported
reviewed
studied
summarized
surveyed
systemized
tested
Financial
adjusted
administered
aided
allocated
analyzed
appraised
audited
balanced
budgeted
calculated
compared
computed
developed
estimated
figured
forecasted
maintained
managed
marketed
planned
prepared
projected
reconciled
researched
tracked
More Verbs
adapted
attained
augmented
awarded
boosted
broadened
catered
decreased
developed
ensured
eliminated
exceeded
excelled
expanded
expedited
fabricated
financed
gained
generated
improved
increased
launched
mastered
modernized
published
raised
reconciled
reduced
revamped
revitalized
strengthened
utilized
37
Cover Letter Template

A Cover Letter is a tailored one -page document that provides context and in depth examples of your skills, knowledge,
experience and fit for the position. The cover letter should focus more on 3-4 needs outlined by the job description and
how your skill set and experience aligns with those needs. A good cover letter is targeted and does not simply restate the
resume. This is also an opportunity to express enthusiasm for the position and organization by demonstrating how well
you understand their mission, vision and accomplishments.
Use the same

heading as your
resume to create
a letterhead
for your
documents.
Name
Address, City, State, Zip Code | Phone Number, Email
Employer Name
Title
Company
Street Address
City, State ZIP
If you cannot find

the name of the
contact, consider
addressing the
letter to Hiring
Manager
or Hiring
Committee.
Dear_________ ,
With five years of research and assessment experience, and a record of communicating
research to diverse audiences to positively influence change, I am a strong candidate for
the research analyst position at the Community Health Center of Los Angeles (CHCLA).
I was referred to this position by Dr. Andrew Greene, the communications manager at
CHCLA. In addition to my research experience, I have a strong teaching and communication
background and commitment to community work that would be particularly useful for this
position.
As a public health research fellow at UCLA, I created several surveys that evaluated the
mental health of graduate students while dissertating. Survey results indicated that graduate
students were suffering from feelings of isolation and depression, which was subsequently
slowing their time to completion. Using this information, we created 3 peer dissertation
writing groups, and advocated for more mental health support from the university, where we
successfully secured funds to expand the graduate peer support groups. My ability to design
research polls and use the findings to proactively advocate for CHCLAs initiatives would be
highly beneficial to your organization, especially given the new K-12 healthy initiatives you
are working on.
I appreciate your time in reviewing my application. I believe that the combination of my
research, commitment to community and ability to communicate research and influence
action would be ideal for this position. My resume is enclosed, and I look forward to meeting
with you.
1.
2.
3.
Sincerely,
(signature)
Name
38
1.
2.
3.
First Paragraph (Purpose)
Second paragraph
(Background and Qualifications)
Third paragraph (Request for Action)
ii State why you are writing and the
ii If you have related experience or
ii Close your letter with confidence
position at the company you are
specialized training, elaborate on
by briefly restating how your
applying for. Indicate how you
the details that would be of special
qualifications match the position.
learned of this position.
interest to the employer.

ii Express your interest in further
ii If referred, be sure to include

the name of the referral in this
ii Be specific about your

qualifications and skills.
discussing your background and

the position with the employer.
paragraph.
ii Provide examples on how you
ii Demonstrate briefly your
ii Finally, include a statement
obtained/honed these skills. Your
expressing your appreciation for
knowledge of the company, and
goal here is to match your skills to
the employers consideration.
create a thesis statement that
the employers needs.
outlines your unique qualifications

for the job.
ii Explain how you would fit into the

position and the organization. If it
gets lengthy, break this paragraph
into two, to make it more readable.
A Cover letter is almost always required of candidates in all professional industries. Though called a cover letter, they are
typically read by employers after the resume is reviewed, so they need to provide more tailored and targeted information.
When submitting application documents, always save as a PDF. If submitting via email, put the cover letter in the body of
the email and attach it as a PDF.
39
CV vs Resume
CV
Resume
Audience
Academics in or outside of
your discipline
Potential employers and

networking contacts
Goal
To obtain an academic position,

research-focused or teaching focused
position in academia or another
industry, or a grant or fellowship
To obtain a position in government,

nonprofit, technology, business,
consulting or other industry, etc.
Complete history of your academic

credentials research, teaching,
awards, funding, service
Brief snapshot of your most relevant

skills and work experience. Most
relevant skills and experiences should
be in the first 1/3 of the resume.
Resumes are targeted specifically for
the job description.
Focus
Your academic achievements and

your scholarly potential
Experience and demonstrated skills

through accomplishments that prove
you can do the job well
Unnecessary Info
Activities not related to academic

pursuits (i.e., personal information,
irrelevant work experience,
hobbies, etc.)
Unabridged list of publications,

presentations, conferences
attended, courses taught. Work or
accomplishments from more than 10
years ago.
Structure & Format
Length
Flexible
1-2 pages
40
What is it?
A Curriculum Vitae otherwise known as a CV translates to story of ones life. This document catalogues
your academic achievements, typically organized around the three pillars of the academy: Research,
Teaching and Service. A CV is an exhaustive list of your achievements, as opposed to a resume which
is more of a snapshot, tailored to demonstrate specific skill sets and accomplishments.
When Is It Used?
CVs are the credential asked for in academic job application processes, postdoctoral scholar application processes, and
fellowship and grant applications. Because they demonstrate expertise, they are also frequently asked for by researchintensive organizations or for research or teaching intensive roles within organizations.
CV Format
CVs do not have a page limit and typically include more white space, because they focus on your accomplishments as
opposed to the skills you have demonstrated. There is not a page limit for a CV, and one inch margins, double spaced
with 12 point font is appropriate. The document should be evenly spaced and easy to read. Look to some of the
scholars in your discipline and those who are working in positions you are interested in pursuing to create your own
style. Although there isnt one way to write a CV, below are some tips to help you get started.
ii List first and last name and contact information at the top
ii Always include the date you last updated your CV
ii List accomplishments in reverse chronological order in each section: research, teaching, funding, education,
ii
ii
ii
ii
ii
ii
ii
honors & awards

Use the citation style of your discipline (e.g., APA, MLA)
All publications should be accurate and complete: co-authors, journal, issue, title, date
All presentations should be accurate and complete: co-presenters, conference, date, location, title
In press is considered an accepted publication
Publication status should be clearly marked under review, revised & resubmitted
In preparation manuscripts should be tracked on the CV, but not always used when submitting a CV
In preparation is a very discipline-specific title, check with your advisor
41
Curriculum Vitae Template

Date your CV, so you
can accurately update
your accomplishments.
Ryan Zhang
(Updated month, date, year)
[email protected]
111.111.1111 (cell)
Hr123 (Skype)
School/Department/Lab
University Address
Be as specific as
possible about your
completion date.
Education
Ph.D. English, University of California, Los Angeles, expected June 15, 2016**
Advisor/Chair and Committee Members (as appropriate)
Dissertation/Thesis: Thesis Title
M.A. English, University of California, Los Angeles, May 2010
Comprehensive Exam Competencies:
B.A. English and Religion, Duke University (Durham, NC) May 2008
Honors & Awards

Joseph P. Kappman Research Honor for Excellence, 2014
UCLA Graduate Student Mentor Award, UCLA Graduate Division 2014
Research1
Publications
Smith, J., & Johansen, T. (2015). Name of article. Nature, 85(2), 112-123.
Research Experience
Research Assistant, Johansen Lab, UCLA Biology Department 2012-present
Established novel model of X in Y Lab, resulting in 3 publications and 2 conference presentations.
Consider including:
Research Experience
Publications
Publications & Presentations
Blind Refereed Journal Articles*
Book(s) (under contract)
Blind Refereed Book Chapter
Invited Book Chapters
Published Conference Proceedings
Reports/White Papers
Organize the sections

of your CV with the
most relevant sections
firstaudience, purpose
and recent work
determine relevance.
Most students will
list education first.
Postdocs may lead
with their training
appointment.
Book Reviews
Blind Refereed Conference Papers
Non-Blind Refereed Conference Panels and
Presentations
Invited Presentations & Panels
Columns
Other Publications (Op-ed, editorial,
photography, etc.)
1 List accomplishments in reverse chronological order using the citation style of your discipline (APA, MLA) most recent accomplishments first. If
publications are under review, under contract or revised and resubmitted, they typically can be listed in the publication section so long as the status is
clearly marked. Work in preparation is only listed in specific disciplines or on the purpose of submitting the CV (e.g., for fellowship applications to fund
the research in preparation).
Application Materials for Careers in Academia
42
Curriculum Vitae Template continued
Funding
Co-Author, The Andrew W. Mellon Foundation Connected Academics Research Project ($30,000), 2015
Consider Including:

Internal Grants and Funding

External Grants and Funding
Grants
Competitive Fellowships (not typical PhD funding fellowships)
Awards
Teaching Experience
Teaching Assistant, UCLA Biology Department 2010-Present
Introduction to Biology, BIO 101 (3 courses) fall 2014, winter 2015
Consider Including:
Teaching
Instructor of Record
Teaching Assistance
Invited Guest Teaching

Guest Lecture
Advising & Mentoring
Funding should
include your role,
the funding agency/
institution, amount (if
applicable), title
and date.
Include your official
title, course name,
number and semester/
quarter of courses
taught. Be sure to
include if the course
was proposed and
designed based
on your individual
research.
Service2
Vice President, Graduate Student Association, 2014-2015
Conference Coordinator, Biology@Work Graduate Student Conference, 2013-2014
Consider Including:
Professional Affiliations
Service Activities
University Service | Department Service |
School Service
Editorial Service
Current Membership in Professional
Societies
Journal Reviewing
Book Manuscript Reviewing

Grant Proposal Reviewing
Conference Participation
Conference Paper Referee
Professional Service
Committee Service
Community Service
Discipline Sections
Consider Including: (Check with your advisor)
Media Contributions
Clinical Experience
Professional Experience
Curatorial Experience
Design Experience
Research Projects
Exhibits
Recitals
Performances
Languages
Translations
Archival Experience
Policy Experience
Skills (Tech/Lab/Software)
Helpful Tip
Ask your department
for the CV of the most
recent faculty hire
in your department.
This can help you
understand the pace
and productivity
for academic
accomplishments in
your field. This will
also help you tailor
your CV to
your discipline.
2 Although service is typically not as highly valued on a CV as research or teaching, it is the area that demonstrates your organizational, management,
and leadership skills, and communicates collegiality to future and current colleagues.
43
Academic Cover Letter Template

What is it?
The academic cover letter is a key application document that communicates your scholarly fit with the
position, organization and department you are applying to. The cover letter should expand on your most
relevant accomplishments by providing context on your future trajectory and most importantly situate
your work in the context outlined by the position. Cover letters are often scrutinized by search committees for fit.
When is it Used?
All academic positions will require a cover letter and because the academic job market is so competitive, it has become
frequent practice for search committees to ask just for a cover letter and cv, eliminating the research and teaching
statements. If this is the case, there is a need to include abbreviated teaching and research statements, highlighting your
future trajectory that is not articulated on your cv. Some disciplines have a very specific format, so be sure to work with
your department to align your cover letter with disciplinary standards. Avoid overly verbose or overly humble language
and use this document to communicate about yourself as a future colleague.
Tips for condensing research and teaching

ii Your materials should create an overall picture of you as a scholar. This means that you should consider each
document within the context of the other materials required.
ii Begin by drafting longer statements about teaching (the teaching statement) and research (dissertation abstract,
research statement)
ii Pare down these statements for different lengths: one page, one paragraph
ii For the cover letter, take your one-paragraph versions of your teaching and research statements and edit them to
market yourself as a scholar and teacher how do you want the committee to perceive you? Whats the main take-away
you want them to know about you?
ii Because the materials required vary widely, keep in mind that the cover letter should be able to act as a standalone
document any other materials should expand and reinforce the cover letter
44
UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA, LOS ANGELES

BERKELEY DAVIS IRVINE LOS ANGELES MERCED RIVERSIDE SAN DIEGO SAN FRANCISCO
UCLA
SANTA BARBARA SANTA CRUZ
DEPARTMENT OF PSYCHOLOGY
149 FRANZ BUILDING
BOX 951530
LOS ANGELES, CA 90095 1530
(310) 825 4173
Date
Search Committee Chair
Department
University
Address
City, State Zip Code
Dear Search Committee Members,
Introduction State the position for which you are applying. In one or two sentences introduce yourself and
include your dissertation title, chair, and degree completion date. You can end this paragraph by explaining the
topic and findings of your project and the fields in which it intervenes which should include the field(s) to which
you are applying.
Use university
letterhead specific to
your department. Keep
in mind that this is the
only document you will
prepare that requires
official letterhead.
If you cannot find the

name of the contact,
you can address the
letter to the search
committee.
Dissertation/Thesis Give a slightly more detailed version of your projects main findings this can include
methodology as well as a snapshot of what youre examining. Follow this up with a statement about how your
work extends or corrects existing scholarship. What gap in the field do you address? Provide a short overview
of the dissertation trajectory that includes where you begin and where you end. If you have publications from
your dissertation or thesis, mention the most impactful and relevant manuscripts.
Future Research This paragraph is about your future research, productivity and your ability to earn tenure
or promotion. Outline your planned future projects as they relate to your research interests, highlighting your
range and focus and how you can further complement departmental offerings. Clarify who your audience
is by specifically identifying journals and presses you plan to submit projects to, to further demonstrate your
research productivity. For a teaching-focused position or for shorter cover letters, you might have a single
paragraph on research that covers your dissertation, publications, and future research plans.
Teaching Briefly state your approach to teaching or pedagogical orientation. Give one or two examples that
demonstrate your teaching philosophy in action. These examples should not replicate the examples you use in
your teaching statement/philosophy. Tailor the examples to the position, thinking about the size of classes and
topics you would be teaching if in this position. Try to demonstrate similar teaching examples.
Tailor To The Job Ad This is where it pays to research the department to which you are applying. Experts
disagree on whether or not its a good idea to list specific courses you can teach or additional departments and
institutes you could work with: some think its a good idea, others think that you risk stepping on other peoples
toes. It is important to show how your research and teaching complement current course offerings and/or
departmental initiatives. For new and growing fields, you might find that the department doesnt have any
current course offerings or research groups related to the field they are hiring for, which is why theyre hiring
for that position. In that case, feel free to pitch the kinds of courses you would like to teach including at least
one lower division course and one advanced undergraduate/graduate student course, and research groups or
initiatives you could contribute to.
Closing Thank the hiring committee for their consideration and emphasize your interest in the position by giving
a reason specific to the school/department. Note which materials youve included in your application and state
your availability for interviews this usually means you will be at the conference where interviews will be held.
Sincerely,
Your name typed
45
Research Statement Template

What is it?
A research statement is usually a single-spaced 1-2 page document that describes your research
trajectory as a scholar, highlighting growth: from where you began to where you envision going in the
next few years. Ultimately, research productivity, focus and future are the most highly scrutinized in
academic faculty appointments, particularly at research-intensive universities. Tailor your research statement to the
institution to which you are applying if a university has a strong research focus, emphasize publications; if a university
values teaching and research equally, consider ending with a paragraph about how your research complements your
teaching and vice versa.
When is it Used?
A research statement is used when applying for academic faculty positions, and sometimes for research-intensive positions
in think tanks or government. Because the academic job market is increasingly competitive, a common trend for hiring
committees is to ask only for a cover letter and CV. If this is the case, you will need to condense your research statement
to 1-2 paragraphs to include in the cover letter. Visit page 44 to see more tips on condensing the research statement.
Structure One: Varies by Discipline

Introduction The first paragraph should introduce your research topic and interests in the context of your field.
A version of the introduction to your dissertation/thesis abstract could be adapted, but here it should set up a
framework for future research.
Research Statement
Template
Summary Of Dissertation/Thesis This paragraph should give more detailed information about your doctoral
research project. Condensing your abstract could be one strategy for developing this paragraph. Expanding
the dissertation paragraph of the cover letter to address methods and more specific findings/arguments could
be another. Try not to have too much language repetition across documents.
Contribution To Field And Publications Describe the significance of your projects for your field. Detail any
publications initiated from your independent doctoral or postdoctoral research. Additionally, you can include
plans for future publications based on your thesis. Be specific about journals to which you would submit or
university presses that might be interested in the book you would develop from your dissertation (if your field
expects that). If you are writing a two-page research statement, this section would likely be more than one
paragraph and cover your future publication plans in greater detail.
Second Project If you are submitting a cover letter along with your research statement, then the committee
may already have a paragraph describing your second project. In that case, use this space to discuss your
second project in greater depth and the publication plans you envision for this project. Make sure you transition
from your dissertation to your second project smoothly you want to give a sense of your cohesion as a
scholar, but also to demonstrate your capacity to conceptualize innovative research that goes well beyond your
dissertation project.
Wider Impact Of Research Agenda Describe the broader significance of your work. What ties your research
projects together? What impact do you want to make on your field? If youre writing a research statement for
a teaching-oriented institution, you still can address some of the above questions, but make sure to connect
them with your teaching.
Helpful Tip
For Humanities and
humanistic Social
Sciences, only
describe one future
project. Pacing is
different for Sciences,
so those in STEM
fields may be able to
include more than
one project.
46
Research Statement Template Continued

Structure Two :
Helpful Tip
(This model relies on proportions, so create paragraph structures as you see fit)
25 % Previous Research Experience Describe your early work and how it solidified your interest in your field.
How did these formative experiences influence your approach to research? Explain how this earlier work led
to your interest in your current project.
25% Current Projects Describe your dissertation/thesis project consider using the first paragraph from your
dissertation or thesis abstract since it covers all your bases: context, methodology, findings, significance. You
could also mention grants/fellowships that funded the project, publications derived from this research, and
publications that are currently being developed.
50% Future Work Transition to how your current work informs your future research. Describe your next major
project as you did in structure one and a realistic plan for accomplishing it. What publications do you imagine
stemming from it? The last part of the research statement should be customized to demonstrate the fit of your
research agenda with the institution.
Keep in mind that

future projects have
to be feasible for the
institution to which
you are applying.
Does it have the
resources, funding,
and equipment you
will need? If not, you
arent a good fit for the
position (and it isnt
for you).
Tips for Combining your Research and Teaching Statements

ii Research the department and university priorities
ii Based on their priorities, determine how best to combine the two statements
ii For a teaching-focused position, emphasize your teaching and end by relating your teaching to your research
ii For a research-focused position, emphasize your research and end by describing how your teaching complements
your research
ii For a position that values both equally, create a statement that weaves the two together. For instance, your introduction
can describe how your teaching and research inform each other. The following paragraphs depend on what you want
to emphasize first, but one or two paragraphs on teaching and one or two on research can work, depending on length
requirements. Conclude by reiterating the centrality of teaching to research and vice versa, based on your teaching
and research philosophies.
ii Ultimately, you want to create a narrative through-line that can 1) demonstrate how teaching makes your research
relevant (and vice versa) and/or 2) why your work is a relevant teaching topic
When Applying
ii Read the instructions for materials required carefully postdoc positions often will ask for a personal statement thats
actually a research statement. Theyll want to know about completed work, work in progress, future work, professional
goals, publication plans, etc.
ii The research statement is NOT the same as the research proposal required by many postdoc applications. Research
proposals vary widely in length and have their own specific requirements1.
1 For more on the research proposal, see Karen Kelsky, Dr. Karens Foolproof Grant Template. The Professor Is In.
47
Teaching Statement
What is it?
Sometimes called a Statement of Teaching Philosophy, the Teaching Statement should be between 1-2
pages and should give a snapshot of your teaching. Use the first person when you write this document
to explain your central approach, articulate your impact, and outline specific examples of strategies,
assessments and evidence of outcomes supported from your teaching experience.
When is it Used?
A teaching statement is part of the application process for academic positions, teaching positions in K-12, charter schools,
and private boarding schools and sometimes training positions in organizations. It typically is part of a more robust
teaching portfolio for some applications, so it is important to keep a record of all teaching experiences,
including evaluations.
Getting Started: Questions to ask yourself before you begin.

ii What are your goals for yourself? Your students?
ii What was your best teaching experience? Your worst?
pick an example that demonstrates learning from your mistake and implementing what you have learned.
ii What are your strengths as a teacher? Weaknesses? How can you improve your weaknesses?
ii How do you implement your philosophies on teaching and learning in the classroom? What strategies do you use?
ii How do I know the strategies I have implemented work? How do you assess student learning?
How does this relate to your teaching philosophy?
Teaching Statement Structure

Introduction My teaching approach is that of critical pedagogy: to teach students to question institutions
of power in society for the purpose of taking action, and promoting a more just world. In media and
technology education, specifically, critical pedagogy is about teaching students to be critical consumers and
responsible, ethical producers of media and strategic content. That is, I aim to teach students how to interpret
communication processes in society and how to communicate their own interventionist voices or ethically
communicate the voices of clients in response. I assume that all students are critical media designers, and my
teaching focuses not just on thinking or understanding, but also on doing and creating.
Teaching Strategies/Methods I find it best to teach students the process of critical thinking and cultural critique
and to encourage students to engage several viewpoints. I have high expectations for my students, both in
the work they produce and the content they engage. My students respond well to case studies and scholarly
research, and they tend to prefer higher-level, cutting-edge content to textbook-level summaries of knowledge.
I find that students perform at a higher level when they are challenged to think at a higher level. I expect class
discussions and written work from students that is technically sound, analytically sophisticated, and grounded in
real-world situations and problem solving. When possible, I have the students in my courses integrate service
learning components and practical projects for real clients into their learning.
Evidence That Strategies Were Effective Teaching the senior seminar course was an opportunity to challenge
students with complex real-world communication problems. The local clients I paired with my course included
the Full Frame Documentary Film Festival and the Los Angeles Recreation and Parks Department. For
these clients, students developed robust campaign proposals and tactical templates that were pitched to the
clients, and later adopted. In addition to the adoption of their ideas, three students went on to intern at these
organizations. This is the kind of doing and creating students benefit from.
Introduce your central

teaching philosophy
How do you approach
teaching and learning
in the classroom? Also,
provide examples of
your teaching methods
and strategies, ensuring
they align with your
teaching philosophy.
Address how you
assess student
learning and how your
assessment methods
fit your philosophy.
Conclude by focusing
on your students
outcomes. What did
they learn or do as
a result of a class or
assignment?
48
Diversity Statements
What are they?
Diversity statements usually are no more than two pages and speak to your experience and capabilities
working with people from different backgrounds. Often this pertains to teaching and service, so diversity
statements usually focus on your experience teaching students from diverse backgrounds, teaching
diverse or sensitive topics, or participating in service activities that benefit people from minority groups. Keep in mind that
diversity can mean a number of things including race/ethnicity, religion, age, gender, sexual orientation, disability, and
military veteran status among others.
When are they used?

Diversity statements will be listed explicitly as required documents in some job applications. You also may include them as
an optional supporting document for job applications that do not explicitly ask for them, so long as you do not exceed page
limits or supplant other more important documents that would better elevate your candidacy. If you are applying to a job at
an institution where diversity is of prime importance (e.g., an HBCU, a university that caters to veterans), it may be a good
idea to include a diversity statement, even if it is not required.
Example 1 A diversity statement for a professor position in Humanities at a research-intensive university

The experience of teaching a highly diverse student body has played an important role in shaping
my own teaching methods and style. As a graduate student at UCLA, I taught for four years as an instructor
in the Advanced Academic Placement (AAP) program, which was designed for first-generation college
students coming from underrepresented communities. In this program students came from a range of ethnic
and racial backgrounds, and there were also a number of students who identified as queer, students with
physical and learning disabilities, non-traditional (older) students, and veterans. Working in the AAP program
taught me how to negotiate the complex racial, gendered, and generational dynamics that can arise in a
classroom setting ranging from mediating in-class arguments and debates, to noticing who remains silent
during these discussions, and how to create an environment that might encourage them to express their
ideas. It taught me how to pinpoint some of the differences between rushed or lazy writing and the writing of
a student with a learning disability, and taught me how to develop some strategies for helping students write
a focused academic argument.

In addition to teaching, I am currently on the development committee for the AP English Literature
exam, and in this capacity I advocate for a diverse range of texts and authors in the passages and questions
selected for the test. Taken by nearly 400,000 high school students every year, the AP English literature
exam also can affect the curricula of any number of high school literature courses, promoting diversity at the
secondary school level.

At UCSD, I would continue to contribute to campus diversity in teaching, research, andservice. In
terms of instruction, all of the courses that I am currently teaching (as well as those I am in theprocess of
developing) would qualify for the universitys Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion requirement. I would find it rewarding
to work in a mentorship capacity with undergraduate and graduate students from underrepresented populations
through participation in programs like the McNair Scholars or Competitive EDGE. More informally, Id be
happy to meet with and advice student social or cultural groups at UCSD, like the Asian and Pacific Islander
Student Alliance and the Hawaii Club. Finally, UCSDs rich opportunities for interdisciplinary research would
provide new avenues for engaging with questions and issues of diversity across disciplines; in turn, I look
forward to sharing my own research and methods with colleagues and students across the university.
Begin with a general

statement that you
have experience.
Always use concrete
examples and stories if
you can.
Think about ways

to speak not only to
teaching and service,
but outreach and
research if possible.
Conclude by tying your
fit to the institution
by referencing their
concrete programs
and how you
may contribute.
49
Sample Interview Questions

Resume & Fit
Assess your skills, interest and fit for the position you are applying for and provide context for experiences listed on the resume.
ii Why are you interested in this position? Why should we hire you? What are your strengths? What are your weaknesses?
ii What has been your most significant accomplishment to date?
ii Where do you see yourself in 5 years?
Behavioral
Assess your past behavior in order to predict your future behavior in the workplace.
ii Provide an example of a time when you worked on a team. What was the project, your role and the outcome?
ii Give me an example of a time when you solved a complicated problem
ii Tell me about a time you failed
Case Questions
Assess your demonstrated skills in the areas of: problem solving, communication, teamwork and analytics. The case is often
a business decision that simulates an actual scenario that you will work through in real time either individually or in a group.
ii Your client is a ski resort. Global warming has reduced natural snowfall by 50% in the past two years, which is having a
significant impact on the cost operations and the length of the ski season. What should they do and why?
ii The Star Trek transporter has just been invented. Spell out some of the effects on the transportation industry.
Technical
Assess your technical knowledge, aptitude and problem solving skills.
ii Compare and contrast REST and SOAP web services
ii What is copper trading at today?
ii Coding problem delivered on a white board in real time
Industry Interview Questions

Academia
Prepare Reflect on yourself, your research and your teaching. Prioritize understanding what a department is looking for
and communicating how you can contribute to their needs.
ii Please explain your research
ii How do you approach teaching?
ii How does your research influenvvce your teaching?
ii How would you mentor graduate students?
Click here for additional academic interviewing questions.
Interviewing & Negotiation
50
Consulting and Business

Prepare When answering interview questions, explain your thought process to allow the interviewer to understand how
you think. There is also an industry knowledge component, so read the Wall Street Journal daily and keep up with the
stock market. The right answer is not as important as demonstrating your problem solving abilities and demonstrated
interest in the industry.
ii How would you define commercial awareness?
ii Tell me about a project that you persevered through after wanting to initially abandon it?
ii What is the optimal gas station layout to arrange goods within the convenience store?
Click here for additional consulting interview questions.
Engineering and Technology

Prepare Restate the question, to ensure you understand the goal and purpose of what is being asked. Be prepared
to white board your answers and explain your thought process. Work through examples to come up with the simplest
solution and detail a few ways you may refine your answer.
ii Suppose that there is a database table, and four processes read the table at the same time. But only one process is
allowed to read the same row of the table at the same time. How do you enforce the exclusive-read on a row?
ii Given a pattern and a string, check whether the string matches the pattern. For example: pattern aba and the
string is redblackred, so it matches because a is translated to red and b is translated to black. Note that for each
character in the pattern, the translation is not empty and unique.
Click here for additional discipline specific technical questions.
Nonprofit and Government

Prepare Hiring managers value true commitment; candidates need to prove their individual connection to the
organizational mission with specificity and demonstrated action. Describing volunteer work or student group affiliations
can be a great way of illustrating your commitment to a mission.
ii How do your experiences translate to the nonprofit sector?
ii What are your expectations about working in the nonprofit sector?
ii Tell me about a time when you have worked in an environment that makes decisions in a consensus-driven way?
Click here for additional Nonprofit and Government Interview Resources.
Questions to Ask the Employer

ii What are the immediate challenges and objectives facing the individual in this position?
ii What is the typical career path for someone in this position?
ii Would you please share the next steps in the hiring process?
ii How is work evaluated in this organization? What does the performance evaluation process look like and how is that
tied to compensation and growth in the company?
ii What are the ideal qualities you are looking for from someone in this position?
51
Structuring Interview Answers- CARR Method

For all industries it is important to research the organization thoroughly. Be able to communicate your technical and
transferable skills as well as your organizational fit. Target your answers to each job and give examples to demonstrate
your skills and qualifications. The CARR Method allows you to think about the various aspects of each experience to help
you write an accomplishment statement that describes your experiences and accomplishments.
Context Workplace Environment, Employees, etc.
What was the goal you were trying to accomplish? What is your purpose within the project?
Action Explain your actions, framed in the context of the situation.
What work did you actually do? What were your responsibilities?
Result Explain the result and its benefit.
If possible, quantify your results with numbers to demonstrate your impact on the organization or the field.
Example: Implemented new data analytics method to streamline the process of solar cell creation, resulting in 65%
reduction in cost to the consumer.
Relate Connect your experience with the desired qualifications of the job.
What skills from your previous experience will you be able to use in this job?
CARR Worksheet
Use the CARR Method as a framework for your answers.
Context The organization; its climate; size, number of employees/co-workers, interesting or otherwise
impressive; timing; interpersonal situations, This is what was happeningthis was the situation where I
worked...
Action The objective, job duties, day-to-day responsibilities focused on how YOU accomplished the task
and the involvement YOU played
Results Use numbers, describe the impact on the organization
Relate Connect what you did to the skills needed in your desired occupation
52
Thank You Email Template

What are they?
Writing a handwritten thank you note, or more commonly sending a thank you email is expected after
any job interview at any stage. The purpose of the thank you note is to re-affirm your interest in the position,
and thank those involved in the interview for their time. This is also an opportunity to highlight your
strengths and fit for the position. Thank you notes dont necessarily earn you a position; however if they arent received,
hiring managers may count it as a strike against you as a candidate.
When are they used?

Send a thank you email within 24 -48 hours of an initial phone screening or Skype interview, to ensure your thank you reaches
the search committee or hiring manager before a decision is made about who will be moved along in the process.
Handwritten thank you notes are more often used after a final interview. However, if a decision is expected quickly
getting the thank you out via email is recommended to ensure it is received before a decision is made.
When writing an
email, include
job title you
interviewed for in
the subject line.
Subject: Thank you financial analyst position

Dear Ms. Rothwell,
Thank you for taking the time to interview me for the research analyst position.
I enjoyed meeting you and your team, learning more about WM Investments,
the department, and the position.
Specifically
align your
background and
strengths with
their company,
outlining
anything you
learned during
the interview.
Emphasize
your fit for the
position.
My enthusiasm for the position and interest in working at WM Venture is

strengthened after our meetings yesterday. I believe that my experience
managing multiple deadlines with competing demands, and my quantitative skill
set would complement your team. Specifically, I think my PhD in Neuroscience
would be an asset for the new client portfolio targets you have set in
biotechnology and healthcare, and I would love the opportunity to demonstrate
that value.
I genuinely hope we get the chance to work together in the future, and look
forward to hearing from you.
Sincerely,
Confirm your
continued
enthusiasm and
interest in
the position.
Keep it short and

conclude with
confidence.
[signature]
Sofia Scientist
53
Evaluating and Negotiating Job Offers

Congratulations! You have been offered the position. It may seem like the hard part is over, but it is still important to read
the offer carefully and consider your value as well as your long-term career goals. Note that the items and resources
below do not apply to all job offers. Get advice from your mentors and knowledgeable colleagues about how to approach
any negotiation the potential employer also has the option of withdrawing an offer if your terms seem out of the bounds
for the position or untenable for the organization. Evaluate the entire offernot just the salary!
Annual financial contribution, conference attendance, professional membership, certifications/trainings available
Education Benefits
Tuition reimbursement or financial help for college for your children/family members
Flexible Work Schedules/Telecommute

Flexible work schedules or opportunities to telecommute
Paid Time Off

How do they calculate paid time off, sick vs. vacation and days the organization is closed? Is it use it or lose it?
Do they cover paternity/maternity leave?
Retirement Contribution
Types of plans, minimum/maximum contribution, time to being vested, company match/contribution
Base Salary
Research the salary of comparable positions in the area, taking into consideration your skill set.
ii www.glassdoor.com
ii www.payscale.com
ii NACE Salary Calculator
ii Salaries are public at public universities and government agencies
Relocation, Commute, Parking

What will it cost to go to work on a daily basis?
If relocating, what is the cost of living difference and the cost of moving?
Cost of Living Calculator
54
Healthcare Coverage
Monthly co-pays, types of coverage
Research Funds/Start-Up
How are start-up funds offered: lump sum, funded from list/proposal, etc.? How long will funds be available? Are there
scenarios in which you might lose your start-up funding (grant award, etc.)?
When to Negotiate
Often negotiation begins before a formal written offer is made. However, to ensure all parties are working with the same
set of information, always get everything in writing before negotiating.
Evaluating and Negotiating a Job Offer
What is negotiable?
Before negotiating, remember that you are taking a risk and the way you negotiate is just as important as
what you choose to negotiate. Be specific and clear about your needs and never negotiate if you have
no intentions of taking the position.
ii Relocation or Travel Reimbursement, Housing and / or travel to find housing

ii Start Date
ii Salary
ii Flextime or Telecommuting
ii Stock Options
ii Bonuses (Signing or Annual)
ii Professional Development Opportunities
ii Teaching Requirements and Research Leave
ii Service Commitments
ii Start up Package1
ii Pre-tenure leave, time to tenure
1 office space, laboratory facilities, computer(s)/software, teaching/research assistance, research funds, conference travel.
55
Job Offer Evaluation /Negotiation Worksheet

This worksheet is intended to help you organize your values/needs in a position compared to the job offer. It is not
intended to suggest that you negotiate on all points, just to merely consider what is most important to you.
My Current Offer / Job Information
My Needs
Base Salary
Salary Offered:
Preferred Range:
Start Date
Job Start Date:
When you can start:
Offered:
Areas of importance for me:

Bonus
Overtime
Signing Bonus
Stock Options
Summer Teaching
Research Fund
Other
Relocation Expenses:
Relocation Costs:
Cost of Living increase/decrease:
Cost of living:
Commute Time:
Commute Time:
Parking:
Parking:
Paternity /Maternity leave
Paternity / Maternity leave:
Additional Monetary
Compensation
Relocation, Commute,
and Parking
Yes, fully covered
Yes, partially covered

No, not covered
Paid Time Off
Vacation Days:
Use it or lose it?
Vacation Days:
Sick Days:
Working days or hours:
Sick Days:
Use it or lose it?
Working days or hours:
56
Job Offer Evaluation /Negotiation Worksheet - Continued
My Current Offer / Job Information
My Needs
Retirement Contribution1
Retirement Options:
My Retirement Needs:
Healthcare Coverage2
Co-pay coverage:
Does the healthcare meet my needs?
offered or available:
Annual financial contribution

Conference attendance
Professional membership
Certifications / trainings available
Opportunities Provided:
Education / Family Benefits
Tuition reimbursement
Financial help for children/family
members
Day care
Spouse / Partner appointments
Flexible Work Schedules /

Telecommute
Opportunities Provided:
Flextime
Telecommuting
Offered:
Office space
Laboratory facilities
Research Funds/Start-Up
Computer(s) / software
Teaching / research assistance

Research funds
Technology
Other
Additional Academic Negotiating Resources

1 Types of plans, minimum/maximum contribution, time to being vested, company match/contribution
2 Monthly co-pays, types of coverage
57
How to Negotiate
4.
5.
1.
2.
3.
Have an action plan BEFORE

you start negotiating.
Dont fixate on one portion.

If the employer states salary is less
flexible, negotiate other benefits.
Get everything in writing.
Use professional language and maintain composure through all communication practice with someone
verbally or have a trusted colleague read written communication before sending to ensure tone/goal are
appropriate. If you cannot reach a mutual agreement, you have the option to reject the offer.
Do not feel pressure to accept an offer if the compensation package does not reflect your worth and meet
your needs.
View sample acceptance, withdrawal and rejection letters
58

Acknowledgements
Thank you to the following UCLA offices, who dedicated their time and expertise to this project:
UCLA Graduate Student Resource Center
UCLA Graduate Writing Center
UCLA History Department
UCLA David Geffen School of Medicine Office of Postdoctoral Affairs
UCLA Career Center
UCLA Graduate Division
Academic Job: General Advice

Duquesne University, Landing an Academic Job
Harvard, Substance and Content of the Dossier and Other Application Materials
Karen Kelsky, The Professor Is In Blog
Stanford Academic Job Search Resources
Stanford PhD and Postdoc Career Guide
University of California, San Diego, The Academic Job Search Survival Handbook
University of Michigan, Academic Job Search Resources
University of Washington, Academic Career Resources
Yale, Academic Job Search
You on the Market
Curriculum Vitae (CV)

LifeClever, Give your Resume a Face Lift
Cover Letter
Brown University, Cover Letters and CVs for Academic Jobs
Inside Higher Ed, Understanding Cover Letters
59
Teaching Statement
Duquesne University, Presenting your Teaching Experience
Duquesne University, Statement of Teaching Philosophy Exercises
University of Michigan, Teaching Philosophy
University of Michigan, Sample Teaching Philosophies
University of Minnesota, Teaching Philosophy Samples
University of Pennsylvania, Teaching and Research Statement Samples
Research Statement
University of Washington, Research Statements
Diversity Statement
Karen Kelsky, The Professor Is In: Making Sense of the Diversity Statement.
University of California, Davis, Guidelines for Writing a Diversity Statement
University of California, San Diego, Contributions to Diversity
60

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Career

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How to Use this Guide

Campus Professional Development Resources

Graduate Student Resource Center

David Geffen School of Medicine Office of Postdoctoral

ii Drop-in advice and assistance for graduate and

ii Responsible Conduct in Research

Graduate Writing Center

Resources & Services

Dashew Center for International Students and Scholars

Business of Science Center

The Dashew Center for International Students &

The UCLA Business of Science Center prepares

ii Support UCLA international students through

ii Venture Team Program, MedTech Innovation

immigration, personal, academic, and cultural

Program, Social Entrepreneurship Initiative, and

Advancing Women in Science and Engineering

ii Provide comprehensive services for visiting

(AWiSE) (GS, PDS)

international researchers, scholars, professors, and

ii Business of Science Certificate Program

postdoctoral scholars (PDS)

ii Faculty and Industry Mentoring (GS, PDS)

ii Design, implement, and promote a wide range of

ii Entrepreneurship courses, lectures, workshops, and

student and scholar experience (GS, PDS)

Campus Human Resources

Campus Human Resources provides information and

ii Individual counseling and psychotherapy, group

ii UCLA Staff and Faculty Counseling Center (PDS)

therapy, couples counseling, emergency intervention,

ii Training and Development Opportunities (PDS)

and psychological testing; psycho-educational

01 Professional Development Timelines

Doctoral Student Timeline

Postdoctoral Scholar Timeline

02 Analyze your Skills, Strengths & Values

Online Assessment & Resources

Resources & Services

Career Decision-Making Matrix

03 Career Exploration & Informational Interviews

Building your Professional Network

04 Job, Internship & Experience Search

Job Search Resources

05 Application Materials for Careers in Industry,

Job Description & Tailored Resume Example

Cover Letter Template

06 Application Materials for Careers in Academia

07 Interviewing & Negotiation

Structuring Interview Answers CARR Method 52

Evaluating & Negotiating Job Offers

Acknowledgements, Index & Resource List

Masters Student Timeline, 2 Year

( for 1 year programs, same goals apply in a shorter time frame )

Career Path Preparation

ii Create an Individual Development Plan (IDP) to outline your academic

Look for opportunities to publish, present your work/projects, and improve

Expand your leadership skills by participating in: