Program Topics:
Resume Writing | Interviewing | Job Search Strategies | Networking | MadisonTRAKCAP Services
Salary/Job Offers | Graduate School | Career Information/Resource Center Tour
Career Decision-Making | Other

Resume Writing

This presentation highlights resume writing basics, emphasizing content, format, and appearance. The presenter will discuss how important it is to match qualifications and experiences to the type of opportunity one seeks – whether it is used in applications for jobs, internships, or graduate and professional schools. The presenter will also cover the primary purposes of a resume: to secure an interview, and to market the candidate's strengths and abilities. Presentations can be general or tailored to specific academic programs or career fields.

Students can also learn abour resumes through our website.

Resume reviews are often listed as class assignments, and can be a great follow-up to a resume presentation. Students can have their resume reviewed at Resume Express or Resume Round-Up (offered September and February). Please note that for class sizes of 15 or more, we cannot accomodate individual resume review appointments due to student volume and staff availability.

Interviewing

This presentation highlights the basics of interviewing preparation and effective interviewing techniques. The presenter will address interviewing styles, common interviewing questions, and helpful hints to a successful interview.

Students can also learn about interviewing through our website.

Presentations can be general or tailored to specific academic programs or career fields. The presenter can discuss interviewing in the context of the job/internship search or applying to graduate/professional schools. Speaker presents in class and can facilitate a mock interview with a student volunteer from your class. Other options can also be discussed with your presenter.

Job Search Strategies

This presentation instructs students on how to develop a job search strategy. Students will learn about the best job search options for career fields of interest. Information on MadisonTRAK, networking, and job search websites will also be discussed. Electronic information and resources will be explored.

Students can also learn about job search resources through our website.

Presentations can be general or tailored to specific academic programs or career fields.

Networking

This presentation addresses the #1 way students find jobs: networking. Students will learn the importance of networking as an effective job search strategy, identifying who is in their networks, how to develop networks, and learning steps to take when networking in a business or social setting.

Presentations can be general or tailored to specific academic programs or career fields.

MadisonTRAK

This presentation introduces students to various aspects of MadisonTRAK, Career and Academic Planning's comprehensive online employment database. An overview of the program and services will be discussed, as well as the option of registering all of the students in your classroom into the system.

Students can also learn about MadisonTRAK through our website.

Overview of Career and Academic Planning Services

This presentation is an introduction to the variety of services, programs, and events that the office of Career and Academic Planning provides for JMU students. Students will learn about the numerous services that can assist them, based on their academic and career concerns.

Students can also learn about CAP services through our website.

Presentations can be general or tailored to specific academic programs or career fields.

Salary Negotiations/Evaluating Offers

This presentation addresses the important aspects to consider when evaluating job offers. The presentation will cover the steps involved in accepting an offer, and how to know when to negotiate or reject a job offer. Steps to follow when negotiating salary will also be discussed.

Graduate School Resources

This presentation focuses on graduate school considerations – from researching programs to financial aid options. Students will learn how to make informed choices about attending a graduate program. Students can learn how to narrow their choices and what is involved in the admission process for a variety of programs. A general timeline will be provided to keep track of the process during the student’s last year at JMU. Resources available through our office will also be discussed.

Students can also learn about graduate school resources through our website.

Presentations can be general or tailored to specific academic programs or career fields.

Career Information/Resource Center Tour

Looking for a program that will introduce students to a specific resource that we offer or that is tailored to your students’ career interests or academic plans? We can customize a tour of the Career Resource Center, introduce your students to FOCUS (an online decision-making and career research tool), or design a program that addresses career needs. Examples of this type of programming are “Bringing Your Health Communication Career Into Focus” or “Job Search for World Changers ”. Please note that if you are requesting a Resource Center tour, size is limited- we have seating for ~30 students.

Students can also learn about career information resources through our website.

Presentations can be general or tailored to specific academic programs or career fields.

Career Decision-Making Process

This broad topic can address how to make a decision about a major and/or career, how to find information on majors and careers, and how to find online assessments or in person career counseling services.

Presenters can also include self-assessment activities for groups of students. Activities will be based on class size.

Students can also learn about career decision-making through our website.

Other Topic

Do you have a topic of interest that wasn't listed here? Just complete the Program Request form (linked below) and choose "Other Topic" from the Presentation Topic pull-down menu. In the space provided after this question, include more information about what interests you for a potential class presentation. Your presenter will contact you to discuss programming ideas and format further.