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Get Started Guide to Your Career (7 Steps)

Jump start your career.

1. Join Handshake and LinkedIn!

To best use this guide, please create a Handshake account (this is GMU’s job posting website made for students): 
https://gmu.joinhandshake.com/ 

You are also heavily recommended to join LinkedIn too:

https://www.LinkedIn.com/

Even if you do not have a lot of experience, you should still create an account. As you progress, you can add more about your achievements. It is always a work-in-progress! Both places are excellent for finding job opportunities.

A couple at a business meeting

2. Write a resume!

If you already have one, that is great! Remember, a resume should always be tailored to the specific job posting. Match key words when possible in the job posting to your resume. A quick google of resume templates can get you started if you need to build one.


Always put down on your resume when you will get your 150 credits required for the CPA Exam (if you are in accounting). Usually this is one year after you graduate. For example, I will graduate May 2021, but I will have 150 credits in May 2022. Firms want to know!

Curriculum Vitae

3. Make an appointment with GMU Advising to sharpen your resume.

It is extremely important that you do this (perhaps even multiple times)!


Appointments are very quick and can be around 15 minutes long. When you make an appointment, be sure to email your resume in advance to the Advisor who will be at your appointment, so they have time to look it over and make the appointment shorter for both of you. I can personally recommend the advisors Kyle Kubovcik and Kaleb Lewis, but all advisors are great at handling resumes. Sometimes the appointment can be a simple phone call. No reason not to do it!


Appointments can be made here: 
https://advising.gmu.edu/ssc/  

  1. Login.

  2. Then click Get Assistance.

  3. Click Academic Advising.

  4. Then click School of Business.

  5. Lastly click Resume and Cover Letter Reviews. (Some other services you can select are: Job/Internship Search, Interview Prep (Mock interviews), Career Coaching, and Business Virtual Advising).

Image by Gabrielle Henderson

4. Create a folder on your computer called your Career Folder.

Anything relating to a job, you will put here. The best way to organize it is by creating folders in the format of DATE – COMPANY NAME. Using the YEAR-MONTH-DAY format for dates will order the folders chronologically (the date should be the day you apply to the specific job posting).

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This will keep you organized. You will be applying to many firms so you need to know what information you have sent what company and what information you receive as well. Things to keep in each “DATE – COMPANY NAME” folder:

  1. The specific Resume that you have sent that firm.

  2. Any specific Cover Letter.

  3.  Any transcript(s) you have sent the firm.

  4. The Job Posting itself (Always save a copy of the Job Posting. Websites constantly change. You need to know what you have applied for. Also, they are great to look back on if you got the job and want to add line items to your resume later).

  5. Offer Letters or Denial Letters.

  6. Any other information like Contact Info, Interview information, Notes, Email Correspondence, Account Usernames and Passwords (some applications require you to create an account), etc.

Organized Files

5. Find job postings on Handshake or LinkedIn!

It is always recommended to apply to as many places as possible. Even if you do not get the job, you have gained experience in applying for that job, and that is valuable. The more you gain experience in the job process, the more you will adapt to what firms are looking for, and it will give you higher chances of landing the job.

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Best part about this right now is that we have already found the job postings for you. **Note that these lists are not meant to be comprehensive and can become outdated. You need to make sure to also look for job postings yourself and double check deadlines on the job postings you are interested in.** Click the links below to see what is available:

  1. Externships (best for Freshman and Sophomores) – These are usually one day, two days, or a weeklong event. Think of them as the firms introducing themselves to you while you get to actively participate in the event. These are great to put on your resume and great for trying out firms to see if you like them.

  2. Jobs / Internships (Unknown Deadlines / Apply ASAP) No deadline given on these postings. Be sure to go over these and apply to them right away if you are interested in them. Deloitte is included in this list as they usually only list their job postings on their website.

  3. Jobs / Internships (Known Deadlines)

Image by Glenn Carstens-Peters

6. If asked for a Cover Letter, write one!

Always write a new Cover Letter for each firm. Somethings can be a copy and paste from your last Cover Letter, but it is highly recommended you tailor it to the job posting. Tell them you have what they are looking for and why you are a match for the specific job.

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Get your Cover Letter polished by making an appointment to see an Advisor. It is the same process as getting your resume appointment. 

Writing Letters

7. Build yourself up and add to your resume!

  1. Join clubs or societies that push you forward (great job so far with MAS)!

    Beta Alpha Psi (BAP) is highly recommended if you have the money to pay the dues, the GPA, and course requirements they require. It is a nationally recognized society, meaning that many Universities across the US have a chapter of Beta Alpha Psi. Many employers will look at your resume favorably if you are a member. Note that you must complete community service hours and professional hours to become an official member. Spring 2021 Application Deadline Feb 26th.

    Scroll down to “Other Featured GMU Clubs/Societies” for more info about BAP.

  2. See if you can apply to work inside of a club or society as President, VP, Treasurer, Secretary, or other executive position. This gives you another line item on your resume and shows that you have experience in a leadership position. It will also give you more talking points during an interview.

  3. Seek Leadership. Is your resume empty? Leadership opportunities is excellent for you to gain experience while being beneficial to your resume. Go down to “Leadership (Great for your resume)” for Leadership opportunities.

  4. Go to firm events! Important! Events should be near the top of your list to-do. Going to events is how you can network and give yourself an edge when applying to firms. Get to know the recruiter. Add the people at the events on LinkedIn. Learn more about the firm! Navigate to “Firm Events” to find current firm events.

  5. Volunteer. Go to your local county’s volunteer website such as Volunteer Fairfax https://www.volunteerfairfax.org/ and see if there are opportunities where you can volunteer your time. You can find one-time events to volunteer at and remote volunteering. Adding that you volunteer to your resume is something firms love to see. Giving back to the community is something they usually value.

  6. Learn more about your career path and career knowledge.

    Learn about the CPA Exam and Master’s in Accounting as well as if you want to do tax or audit or something else. It is important to gain information about the different paths you can take in your career. Also learning how to interview, network, and etiquette is important for your career. Navigate to “CPA and master’s degree Related Events”. Navigate to “Career Building events”.

    You can also do a Mock Interview appointment (practice interviewing with an advisor). To make an appointment, follow similar steps to making an appointment for your resume. Make a Career Coaching appointment. Same steps as a resume appointment.

  7. Get to know your Professors. If you want to progress, you will likely need a reference or a recommendation letter from a professor in you major. Make friends with them, go to their office hours, and do your best in their class. The more they get to know you, the more likely they will be able to help you in the future. They are also a valuable resource for career advice! Keep contact with those professors even after the end of your classes with them.

Leather Briefcase

Click the button below to navigate to the following: 

CPA and master’s degree Related Events
Career Building events
Leadership (Great for your resume)
Other Featured GMU Clubs/Societies
Firm Events
Externships
Jobs / Internships (Unknown Deadlines / Apply ASAP) 
Jobs / Internships (Known Deadlines)  

Career Guide: News and Updates

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