Whether your next career step is an internship, graduate school, full-time work or graduating from the University of Florida, it is important to take time to think and prepare for your next chapter. Presenting yourself as a strong candidate takes confidence, reflection, research and some practice! First, it is important to clarify your goals and take inventory of what you might need to achieve these goals. You might need to polish your professional documents, connect with employers or graduate schools, refine your professional communication, or practice for an interview.
Questions to Ask Yourself
Thinking about your transition to your next step can be overwhelming. Part of preparing for your transition is developing efficient strategies for your job search, graduate school application process or next steps for after graduation.
- What do I need to apply for my next opportunity?
- What information is important for me to research about my next opportunity?
- What do I need to practice or polish to be my best professional self?
- How do I present my unique experiences, skills, and personal attributes to an employer or graduate school?
Using the Career Connections Center
The Career Connections Center can support you in preparing for your next step in the following ways:
- Prepare for and attend a career fair. Career Fairs are a way to meet employers and graduate school representatives to learn about a range of possible career opportunities. Virtual Career Fairs are another way to connect to employers outside of an in-person event.
- Use Gator CareerLink, a tool exclusive to UF students and alumni. Employers who post their positions in this system are specifically looking to recruit Gators.
- Develop and refine your professional documents including resumes, cover letters, CVs, personal statements and LinkedIn content through Express Drop-In (Monday-Friday, 11 a.m. – 4 p.m.).
- Practice for an interview through an in-person mock interview or through our online Mock Interview module in Gator CareerLink.
- Refine your professional communication skills and practice challenging conversations including salary negotiation in a Practice Session.
- Connect with employers through information sessions, workshops and lunch and learns
- Interview with an employer through On-Campus Interview opportunities
- Attend a Career Conversation. Career Conversations are informal, small group conversations where you can connect to a career center staff member and other students who might have similar career-related questions.
- Check out your Career Community and explore customized tools and information about specific industries, colleges and communities. You can also get connected to your career coach in your specific college.
- Talk it out in a Career Planning Appointment with a career coach.
Additional Career Tools that Could Help
- Employ Florida database houses work opportunities provided through the State Government of Florida.
- USA Jobs is the Federal Government’s official one-stop source for federal jobs and employment information
- Glassdoor is a website that has information on jobs, company reviews and salary information
- Career Communities web pages have job search boards for specific industries, colleges, and communities.
- Research Potential Employers and Job Postings
Discover more of the Career Action Plan:
Learn about Yourself and Career Options
Develop Professionally
Build Experience