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Career Services supports all Liberty students as they take the next vocational step, whether it’s resume and cover letter guidance, interview preparation, or developing a digital brand! Career development is a journey, not a single appointment. Through one-on-one in-person coaching, Career Coaches help students track progress through a Career Development Plan that includes Career Discovery, Career Strategizing, Networking, and Professional Experiences. Each step is designed to help students better understand themselves, make informed career decisions, build meaningful connections, and gain the experience necessary to launch a career.
Career Exploration
Kickstart your career exploration journey by taking our career assessment, Career Explorer. Career Explorer is an interest-based career assessment so it will take into account what you like to do and tailor the results accordingly. The assessment report will outline your top three career traits that correlate with different jobs. Career Explorer will then match those traits for you to specific jobs. You can dig into each job and learn more about the day-to-day work that job entails, the job outlook, pay, and required degrees to pursue that job. Career Explorer is a great place to get started as you refine your career journey!
Attaching your Career Exploration results to your Handshake profile will allow you to meet in person* with your industry-specific Career Coach on Career Exploration and Career Strategy. Here are instructions on how to add a file to your Handshake profile! Follow these instructions for attaching your results to your Handshake profile.
- All appointments take place in person in Lynchburg, Virginia.
- Appointments must be set up through Handshake. (New to Handshake? Start here!)
- To get the most out of your appointment, we recommend watching our resume workshop beforehand and sending a rough draft of your resume to the coach prior to the appointment.
Resume and Cover Letters
Tailoring your resume and cover letter for every internship or job to which you apply is important. Our Resume 101, Resume 201, and Cover Letter workshops provide step-by-step guidance that will empower you to present your best self to potential employers. Career Services has developed industry-specific resume samples you can follow to streamline your resume creation process. You can also download an editable resume guide to help you get started with a well-formatted resume that will pass Applicant Tracking Systems.
Watch our workshops today to create standout application materials that catch the eye of potential employers!
Watching Resume 101 will allow you to meet one-on-one in person with your Career Coach about your next steps for your resume as you navigate your career journey!
Applicant Tracking Systems (ATS)
Application Tracking Systems (ATS) is software many employers use to streamline the recruitment process. ATS automate the initial stages of resume screening, making it more efficient for employers to manage a large volume of job applications. ATS scan resumes for specific keywords and qualifications relevant to the job description.
Therefore, tailoring your resume to include relevant keywords and using a clean, well-formatted layout can enhance your ability to move through the application process. You can download an editable resume guide to help you get started with a well-formatted resume that will pass ATS. While you will need to accommodate the specific ATS requirements you also want to maintain true and accurate information on your resume.
TIP: JobScan is just one of many tools that exists to help job seekers evaluate how their resume measures up with ATS. JobScan and similar tools have free versions you can utilize so start with those!
Gain Access to Employers
Handshake is your gateway to a world of career opportunities and professional connections specifically for our Liberty community. Employers wanting to hire Liberty students and alumni post available jobs on Handshake so check out the job postings for full-time and part-time positions, as well as internships! Claim your account on Handshake with your LU email address to access this incredible resource.
Hundreds of employers come to Liberty’s campus in Lynchburg, VA to recruit each fall and spring. Check out our Career Fair schedule and Handshake to see the employers coming. This will help you assess whether dedicating time and resources to networking at a career fair best fits your goals. If you can’t make it to Lynchburg, don’t worry! We have a Virtual Career Fair each spring and fall facilitated for free through Handshake.
Searching for an Internship or Job
Embarking on an internship or job search can be both exciting and challenging. To navigate this journey successfully, check out our Internship/Job Search Workshop and tips below.
Watching our Internship/Job Search Workshop will allow you to meet one-on-one in person with your Career Coach to discuss your job search strategy!
- Define Your Goals
- Where do you want to be in 5-10 years. Is it a specific title, company, location, or industry?
- Career Research
- Find people on LinkedIn who are doing what you want to do in 5-10 years and see what roles they have filled or the experience they have gained that makes them competitive.
- Use Online Job Boards
- Company Research
- Investigate potential employers to understand their values, culture, and recent achievements to help you tailor each of your applications.
- Optimize Your Resume and Customize Your Cover Letter
- Tailor your documents for each job application.
- Network Effectively
- Before and throughout the application process, leverage your professional network to gain insight into the industry, obtain tips for the application process, and connect with recruiters.
- Research Companies
- Investigate potential employers to understand their values, culture, and recent achievements.
- Stay Persistent
- Internship/job searching can take time, so stay persistent and maintain a positive mindset throughout the process. Even when rejections may come, use those opportunities to identify if there are ways to strengthen your resume or more effectively network.
- Enhance Skills
- Take advantage of online courses from Liberty’s Continuing Education, EdX, Udemy, Coursera and others to gain training or certifications to enhance your skills and make your profile more appealing to employers.
By incorporating these tips into your job search strategy, you’ll increase your chances of finding the right opportunity that aligns with your career goals.
Preparing for an Interview
Congratulations! You got through the application process and now you are prepping for an interview to help secure the job. Check out our Interview Preparation Workshop and the tips below for valuable preparation information.
Watching our Interview Preparation Workshop will allow you to meet one-on-one in person with your Career Coach to discuss your upcoming interviews and then schedule a mock-interview!
- Re-Research the Company
- Even if you researched the company during your application process, familiarize yourself with the company’s mission, values, and recent achievements.
- Understand the industry trends, news, latest advancements, and the organization’s position in the market.
- You can reference or ask questions about this content during the interview to help the interviewers see that you understand their company.
- Know Your Resume
- Be ready to discuss your experiences, skills, and achievements mentioned in your resume.
- Connect your past experiences to the job for which you’re interviewing.
- Understand the Job Description
- Analyze the job requirements and tailor your responses to highlight relevant skills.
- Be prepared to discuss through examples and stories how your background aligns with the role.
- Practice Common Interview Questions
- Rehearse answers to common questions to build confidence.
- Use the STAR method (Situation, Task, Action, Result) or CAR (Challenge, Action, Result) for behavioral questions.
- TIP: Whenever you can use a short and direct story, do! Stories resonate and stick with an individual.
- Dress Appropriately
- Choose professional attire that aligns with the company culture.
- Not sure what the culture is? Check out the staff page photos, social media, or any press pictures!
- Bring Necessary Documents
- Carry multiple copies of your resume in a folder.
- Bring a list of references and any other relevant documents.
- Prepare Questions
- Have thoughtful questions for the interviewer to show your genuine interest.
- Inquire about company culture, team dynamics, future projects, and when you can expect to hear back.
- Practice Good Body Language
- Maintain eye contact, offer a firm handshake, and sit up straight.
- Smile, and be mindful of your tone and pace when speaking.
- Follow-Up After the Interview
- Send a thank-you email expressing your appreciation for the opportunity on the day you interviewed.
- Reiterate your interest in the position and briefly mention key points from the interview.
By incorporating these tips into your interview preparation, you’ll increase your chances of leaving a lasting impression on your potential employer.
Networking
Learn the art of building and maintaining a professional network to boost your chances of securing a job or internship. Networking is a powerful tool for career growth and professional success. Check out some tips below.
- Set Clear Goals
- Define your networking goals, whether it’s seeking career advice, mentorship, or job opportunities.
- Set clear and attainable goals for who you will contact and when. Don’t forget to follow-up and stay engaged!
- Identify Your Current Network
- Often people don’t realize how big their network is! Outline who you already know in specific industries you want to pursue or doing the work you want to do.
- Don’t forget family! Often our best network are those related to us.
- Start Networking Before You Have to
- One of the biggest mistakes people make is they wait till they are applying to jobs to network. Start today to build those relationships.
- Build an Online Presence
- Optimize your LinkedIn profile with a professional photo and a compelling headline.
- Watch our LinkedIn Workshop.
- Engage in industry-related discussions and share relevant content.
- Attend Networking Events
- Attend industry conferences, workshops, and networking events to meet professionals in your field.
- Prepare and practice a brief elevator pitch introducing yourself and your goals.
- Join Professional Organizations
- Become a member of relevant professional organizations to expand your network.
- Attend their events and actively participate in discussions.
- Volunteer
- Offer to volunteer at industry conferences or events related to your field to meet people and make a positive impression.
- Local volunteer opportunities can also expand your network while also showing future employers you give back to the community.
- Follow Up
- After meeting someone, follow up with a personalized email expressing your gratitude for the connection.
- Stay in touch periodically with updates on your career and achievements.
- Be Genuine and Authentic
- Be yourself and approach networking with authenticity.
- Building genuine connections is more effective than trying to impress with a façade.
- Develop Strong Communication Skills
- Hone your communication skills, including active listening and the ability to articulate your thoughts clearly.
Remember, networking is an ongoing process, and cultivating relationships takes time. Consistency and authenticity are key elements in building a robust professional network.
Meet in person Industry-specific Career Coach
Our industry Career Coaches are trained coaches who have a depth of industry experience to help you navigate career questions and develop a strategic career plan. They can also work with you to identify your God-given strengths, outline where God may be directing you, and then start developing a plan from there.
Coaching is Available on these topics:
- Career Discovery
- Resume Development
- Interview Preparation
- And More!
- All appointments take place in person in Lynchburg, Virginia.
- Appointments must be set up through Handshake. (New to Handshake? Start here!)
- To get the most out of your appointment, we recommend watching our resume workshop beforehand and sending a rough draft of your resume to the coach prior to the appointment.
If you are a residential student or local to Lynchburg, you can make a Career Coaching appointment by logging into Handshake and clicking on the “Career Services” button on the left-hand panel and then selecting “Appointments”.