Job application tips for seniors

By Jules Batchker and Nicole Shake •

For some students, this semester will be their last. Graduating seniors will say farewell to NSU this May. For them, the job search starts now.

Many companies are rolling out offers for positions beginning this summer, so students have started refining resumes and writing cover letters.

Monique Cole, an edge adviser from the Center for Academic and Professional Success, encouraged students in need of assistance to reach out to the CAPS office, which is located in the Horvitz Administration Building behind Gold Circle Lake. Appointments can be made by phone or through Navigate.

“We help students conduct job interviews, work on their resumes, and explore different internship opportunities,” she said.

CAPS has many tips students can use to consistently produce quality applications and lessen the stress that goes along with it.

Job search tools

When it comes to looking for jobs, Cole recommended that students use the Handshake platform. NSU works with Handshake to make the search easier for students.

“We have an amazing employer relations team that works with different organizations and businesses to provide students with opportunities,” she said.

For students to learn about job opportunities, regardless of their graduation date, Cole also encouraged them to attend the Recruit a Shark Career Fair on Feb. 13. The event will be on the fifth floor in the Alvin Sherman Library, Research, and Information Technology Center. Students can register for the event through Handshake.

Other tools students can use to look for jobs include LinkedIn, Indeed and WayUp.

Eric Puentes, CAPS edge adviser, recommended students take time to refine their profiles on these platforms.

“Specifically with LinkedIn and Handshake, I would encourage students to build out their profiles so that the experiences being suggested to them relate to their experiences, skills and industries,” he said.

Cole also suggested that students take advantage of LinkedIn Learning, which they have access to through NSU. LinkedIn Learning offers personalized instructional videos to assist users in building their professional online profiles.

Resume and interview tips

Amber Paquette, senior legal studies major, graduates this May and has been refining her resume at the CAPS office.

“I revamped my resume working with my CAPS adviser,” she said. “I had a draft. She helped me revise it and referred me to a lot of resources.”

Cole suggests using more than one resume.

“It’s really good to have a master resume, especially when you’re applying to different job positions,” she said. “We encourage students to pull keywords from the job’s description to tailor their resumes toward each position.”

Cole also warned against using templates from websites such as Canva as they can often have unexpected formatting issues when sent to employers.

Puentes also encouraged students to use generative artificial intelligence to build their resumes and help prepare for interviews.

“Students can ask AI tools to generate interview questions that relate to that specific job role,” he said.

Puentes said AI could also aid students in determining key skills relevant to specific roles, so that students can highlight those skills in their resumes.

He also recommended students record themselves answering questions to build better interview skills.

Cover letter tips

Puentes advised crafting unique cover letters.

“Students’ cover letters shouldn’t be a regurgitation of their resume,” Puentes said. “Students should focus on no more than three skills that aren’t highlighted within their resume. The cover letter should be where a student goes in depth with how they exemplify a given skill.”

He recommended that when writing their cover letters, students should introduce themselves, explain how they’ll be an asset to the company, and state what they hope to gain from that specific job opportunity.

Cole also suggested that students check out the resources tab on Handshake for assistance in developing their cover letters.

Email etiquette tips

Cole emphasized the importance of email etiquette for students applying to jobs.

“Students should follow up with the point of contact and let them know that they’ve submitted their application,” she said. “That’s the student showing the employer they’re going the extra mile and showing that much more interest in applying to the position.”

She also said that if students are sending emails, they should send them during working hours.

“Time makes a difference,” she said. “Business hours, between the hours of 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., are professional times to be sending an email to someone.”

Cole also advised students to create an appropriate email signature and voicemail. Specifically for graduating seniors, she strongly recommended creating a professional email address in case they lose access to their NSU emails after graduation.

Schedule an appointment with CAPS through

Navigate here:

Register for the Feb. 13 Recruit a Shark

Career Fair here: