Utilities Career Advice & Resources

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RESUME TIPS

passive job seeker looking at jobs on her computer

3 Proven Job Search Hacks for Passive Job Seekers

Don't miss out on a perfect opportunity just because you're busy. Passive job seekers use these 3 strategies to move their dream jobs from fantasy to reality.

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JOB SEARCH STRATEGIES

Spotting a Job Scam

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SWOT analysis chart with separate boxes for strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and threats.

Identify Your Key Selling Points: A Personal SWOT Analysis Worksheet

A Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities, and Threats (or, SWOT) analysis can save enormous amounts of time throughout the job search process. The following personal SWOT analysis worksheet is designed to produce a highly effective reference document for writing your resume and cover letter, preparing for interviews, negotiating salary, and filling skill gaps to push your career to the next step.

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NETWORKING

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Interviewing

5 Steps to a Successful Informational Interview

Whether you’re about to graduate college or curious about a career change, the informational interview can provide valuable insight to support your decisions and lay the foundation for your career path. Learn how to give yourself the best chance for success.

Keep Your Cool: Summer Interview Tips

Wondering what to wear to a job interview in the summer? Need some advice for keeping cool on the outside – and on the inside?

10 Interview Questions and Answers Every Job Seeker Should Know

Interview coming up? Congratulations! Nervous and stressed about answering those difficult interview questions? Don't worry; you're not alone.

From Outfits to Handshaking: How to Handle a Winter Job Interview Like a Pro

Arm yourself against cold weather catastrophes with these winter job interview tips.

Interview Tips: Tell Me About Yourself

When it comes to job interview questions and answers, "tell me about yourself" trips up a lot of job seekers. Although this question is very broad, developing a top-notch answer is easier than it seems.

How to Talk about Being Fired in an Interview

Your interview is going really well! You and the recruiter hit it off right away, and you have all the skills they’re looking for. And then you hear the dreaded question, “Why did you leave your last job?”

8 Ways to Make Phone Interviewing a Breeze

Phone interviews help employers narrow down their candidate pool in a relatively quick way and make sure they only spend valuable time and effort meeting face to face with top contenders. If you’re anxious about an upcoming phone interview, there are many steps you can take to boost your confidence.

Top 10 Job Interview Tips

You’ve heard it before; the best way to get good at something is practice, practice, practice. This advice definitely applies to job interviewing, and not only will it make you a better interviewer, but it will also help to calm your nerves.

Dress for Success – Tips for Interview Attire

First impressions are critical in the job search world. Your resume has pulled its weight and landed you an interview, so now it’s up to you to continue nurturing the hiring manager’s positive perception of you as a potential employee. A key component of interview success is what you wear.

Interview Preparation Sheet

Going through the interviewing process is an exciting and challenging time. Let’s look at a few practical interview questions and come up with a common formula for their answers. You will also find a check list below to help you prepare.

What You Should (and Shouldn't) Ask During an Interview

When it comes to interviewing successfully as a job seeker, preparation is key. A vital step in preparing for an interview is compiling a list of questions to ask your interviewer.

Strengths and Weaknesses Analysis

When interviewing, the most difficult questions are usually those that center on your strengths and weaknesses. A good interviewer will be observing in the interview and how you best connect with them.

Interview Prep

Be prepared for your next interview!

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Entry Level

Starting Your First Job Search? Read these 5 Tips for College Grads Entering the Workforce.

Finding a job after college is hard, but it’s not impossible. Read these five real-world tips for college grads entering the workforce and start your career on the right foot.

How to Find Volunteer Opportunities to Build Your Experience

Whether you’re looking to fill the gap between graduation and the start of your career or preparing for that impending job search, this guide can help you find relevant opportunities to give back to your community while also learning and boosting your resume.

Create an Interview-Winning Resume – Even Without Paid Experience!

Applying for your first big job without a background filled with paid positions can be tricky. Use the guide below to help you through the process and come out with an interview-worthy resume.

3 Ways to “Win” with Your School’s Career Center

Whether you need help choosing a major or deciding what to do after graduation, a college career center is the place to start! Get the most out of yours with these three tips.

7 Ways to Conquer Your First Job Hunt

Make yourself competitive with other recent graduates and more experienced job seekers with these seven tips.

On the Job

Mind Your Office Manners: Old-Fashioned Tips for the New Office

There are some tried-and-true office manners that will truly help you stand out in the workplace. Here are "old-fashioned" workplace rules and office do's and don'ts that will help you make a lasting impression in today’s technology age.

Want to Know How to Make a Temporary Job Permanent? Follow This Advice.

Whether you're looking to build your experience or get your foot in the door with a specific company, these tips will help you turn your temporary position into a long-term opportunity.

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Salary / Negotiations

Sample Emails for Salary Negotiation

These salary negotiation email samples and tips can help you craft your email negotiation script, even without discussing the matter with the hiring manager face to face.

Negotiate a Sweeter Job Offer in 10 Steps

Negotiate a sweet starting salary by following these 10 steps.

Step-by-Step Guide to Writing a Salary Negotiation Script

Use the sample salary negotiation scripts below to craft your own persuasive spiel.

Ten Ways to Ask for a Raise (and Not Get it)

Asking for a raise is a delicate matter and can be stressful for many employees. The keys to successfully asking for a raise are proper planning, data, and delivery. But be careful – there are some pitfalls to be wary of. Here are 10 things that you should NOT do when asking for a raise.

Salary Negotiation Prep: A Quick Worksheet

It’s easy to get nervous thinking about salary negotiation, but confidence is important if you’re going to convince employers to give you the salary you deserve. This worksheet will help you gather the information you need to make a persuasive argument for a bump in pay.

What to Ask For When Negotiating a Relocation Package

While relocating for a job is very exciting, it’s also stressful and requires a lot of time and resources. Even if you’re a young, single professional, you will be faced with significant expenses as you start fresh in a new location. A key step in planning wisely for your move is to negotiate a relocation package.

Key Questions to Consider Before Accepting a Job Offer

If you're unsure about spending 40+ hours per week in a new job, you should keep looking for your dream opportunity. Find out about other questions to ask yourself before accepting a new role!

Get the Salary You Deserve

Money has always been an uncomfortable topic to talk about, especially when trying to negotiate your salary. When is the right time? How do I go about approaching it? What if I get turned down? These are all important questions that linger in the back of our minds when thinking about this issue. Although the negotiating process can be awkward, it presents the opportunity to clearly define and communicate to the employer what you want out of the job.

Preparing for Salary Negotiation

Negotiation is a critical step when you are job searching or trying to move up the ladder in your company. If you are employed and looking to advance, performance reviews are a great opportunity for you to negotiate salary, bonuses, benefits, stock options, and other incentives that add to your satisfaction as an employee and provide financial security.

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Social Media Tips

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Letters / Templates

Identify Your Key Selling Points: A Personal SWOT Analysis Worksheet

How to Write a Cover Letter after a Gap in Employment

For many, an extended leave from the workforce can make the job application process especially daunting... Here are some tips for developing a cover letter that will open doors for your return to the workplace.

How to Write an Effective Cover Letter

Although some employers no longer request cover letters and in many ways emails are replacing traditional cover letters, more than 80% of recruiters still expect to see one. Read our expert advice for writing a cover letter that will be noticed by hiring managers.