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Additional Resources

Summit Guide | Self-Employment | Racially/Ethnically Diverse Students
GLBT Resources | Students with Disabilities

Summit Guide

The Summit Guide is your personalized job search toolkit, wrapping up many helpful tips into a single package. It provides you help with resume writing, cover letters, references, interviewing, and more. View or download it here.

Contents

GUIDE TO CAREER CENTER SERVICES

  • 4 Year Career Checklist

GEARING UP: MARKETING YOURSELF

  • Research Job Description
  • Market Skills to Desired Job
  • Cover Letter
  • Action Verb List
  • References
  • Resume Samples and Keywords by College

NAVIGATING THE SEARCH

  • Where and How to Search for a Job
  • Networking
  • Informational Interviewing
  • Organizing your Job Search
  • Career Fairs/CareerRAM/On-Campus Interviews
  • Interviewing
  • Thank-You Letters
  • Negotiation, Balancing Multiple Offers, Ethics

Additionally, a Summit Guide tailored specifically to veterans can be found here.

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Self-Employment

Of course, one of the best ways to have your dream job is to create it yourself! The US Small Business Administration's Office of Advocacy examined the fates of the college class of 1993. Some of the more interesting findings:

  • Business and management majors were among the least likely to become self-employed. The most likely folks to go it alone: Social science and "other" majors.
  • "Race, ethnicity and gender did not play a significant role in determining who would eventually become self-employed."

Here are some links to help you determine if becoming an entrepreneur is for you:

Local Resources

State Small Business Assistance

Financing Assistance and Entrepreneurial Resources and Associations

Miscellaneous

  • SCORE - Service Corps of Retired Executives, includes their seminar calendar and an e-mail link for free business counseling. Select "find score" to obtain information about SCORE'S Denver/Cheyenne chapters.
  • Entrepreneur Magazine - Presents general small business advice.
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Racially/Ethnically Diverse Students

At the CSU Career Center, we support all students on their path to "find their fit.” Recognizing that African, Latino/a, Asian/Pacific Islander, Native American, and Bi/Multi-Racial students and alumni may have some unique considerations in their work-related decisions, our Career Counselors are committed to helping multicultural students/alum grapple with their specific concerns and issues. The following are some resources for these students, and we encourage each and every student to come in to see a career counselor to receive personalized assistance.

Frequently Asked Questions

How do you know if an employer is truly committed to diversity?

While it may be difficult to determine how truly supportive any employer is, exploring some key indicators on the employer’s website can give you a sense of the espoused values of an institution. These indicators include:

  • A statement of their commitment to diversity, including goals and programs
  • Non-discrimination policies and a stated commitment to them
  • In-house employee support or social networks for people of color
  • Diversity rankings of employers by various organizations
  • Recruitment efforts in cultural diversity publications or events
  • Membership in professional organizations for people of color
  • Racial/ethnic diversity amongst the senior management and Board of Directors

The web can also be useful in determining an employer's commitment to diversity by enabling you to research an employer's compliance with federal laws. Use your favorite search engine to enter the employer's name along with an identifying term such as "civil rights violation" or "lawsuit." Additionally, the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission's web site has an appellate briefs search engine that you can use to search for employers of interest. You want to also note when the employer's problems with discrimination occurred; often charges of discrimination can lead to an employer introducing new policies and changing the culture of their organization.

Finally, when interviewing, make sure to ask current employees about the work climate. Good questions could include, "What is it like to work here? Could you describe the organization's culture? Could you give me an example of the organization's commitment to diversity?" Talk to your friends and family about the employer - have they heard anything positive or negative about it?

While none of these steps guarantee that you will find a truly committed employer, they assist you in making a more informed choice.

How do I find a mentor?

Perhaps the question should be, "why do I need a mentor?" Mentors can help you grow personally and professionally while sharing experiences, giving advice and providing support. Mentors do not necessarily have to be from your own racial/ethnic group, but should be someone you feel comfortable with and is supportive of you.

There are many different types of mentors and it can be a formal or informal relationship. You may choose to have a professor or student services professional as a mentor while in college to support your learning and development. As you move towards your graduation, you may choose to identify a mentor in your field of interest to support your career development and job search. In choosing a mentor, figure out what you need first and then explore the possibilities to see who fits best. As you start in your first position, you may also find that your employer has a mentor program that assists new employees in learning and adjusting to their workplace.

Where can you find a mentor? There are many resources both within and outside the university community - some offer formal programs, other offer informal opportunities for networking. Finding a mentor might involve some work on your part, including pushing yourself outside your comfort zone. Some opportunities include:

How do I develop a network?

You develop a network for many of the same reasons as finding a mentor. In fact, you can use many of the same resources to develop a network as you did to find a mentor. So, what is a network? A network is a web of connections that you deliberately cultivate and build relationships with in order to support your career development. A network is not a group of people that you connect with to ask for a job; it is a group of people that you develop a relationships with in order to learn more about a particular career field, find out more about potential employers and build lines of communication that allow you to make others aware of your job search. This network can support you throughout your career exploration and your job search, making your decisions and strategies for finding work much more effective.

Now that you know how to build a network, who should you contact? Some possibilities include:

  • Your classmates and friends - Your best friend may have an in at a cool marketing firm or a fellow psychology major may have interned at the local human services center. Share information with each other and it will make everyone's job search more effective.
  • Family, friends of your family, and your friends' families - All can be incredible sources of advice, information and connections.
  • Professors, advisors, staff members or coaches - Many of these people have connections outside of academia as well and are well connected in a variety of career fields.
  • Guest speakers - If there is someone speaking either in your class or on-campus that works in a field of interest, attend their presentation and make a point of speaking to them afterwards and getting their business card.
  • Supervisors or other individuals from internships, work-study positions, part-time jobs or research positions
  • Members of professional associations (see the information in the mentor section)
  • Greek organization alumni - If you are Greek, many organizations have a national networking program designed to connect fraternity brothers and sorority sisters across the country.

Top Diversity Employers

There are many diverse magazines and professional associations that rank or rate different employers regarding their commitment to diversity. Each uses different criteria, so be sure to research what is factoring into each listing. These rankings are another guideline for determining if an employer is committed to diversity. Several rankings available on the web include:

Diversity Job Fairs

Many employers who have a commitment to diversity will recruit at job fairs for specific affinity populations. There are many of these throughout the country. The following are just a sample of the Diversity Job Fairs available:

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GLBT Resources

At the CSU Career Center, we support all students on their path to "find their fit." Recognizing that Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual and Transgendered (GLBT) students and alumni may have some unique considerations in their work-related decisions, our Career Counselors are committed to helping GLBT students/alums grapple with their specific concerns and issues. The following are some resources for these students, and we encourage each and every student to come in to see a career counselor to receive personalized assistance.

Frequently Asked Questions

Should I out myself in my resume / cover letter?

Outing yourself at any stage of the job search process is a very personal decision - there is no "right" or "wrong" answer - you will have to make a decision (in each situation) that is best for you based on your own self-assessment and organizational research.

  • First, consider your own comfort level and interest in sharing your sexuality or gender identity with others. While it is important to some people to be out and visible, others prefer to be more private. Is it important to you to be out at work?
  • Second, research/consider your audience. Is it likely the organization you're applying to will look favorably upon GLBT-related experiences and activities? If you're concerned they will not, you can highlight the skills you developed without highlighting the organization you worked with (more on this below).

How do I include skills gained through work with GLBT organizations without outing myself?

If you decide you do not want to out yourself on your resume and/or cover letter, there are several options for you to still convey the skills you have gained from LGBTA-related activities:

  • You might choose to list the organization you were affiliated with by either an acronym or a general name such as "Community Organization" or "Anti-Discrimination Organization." [However, be prepared to explain during an interview what the acronym stands for or what an "Anti-Discrimination Organization" does.] A career counselor can help you work on wording around this.
  • Another option is to use a functional resume that is organized around skill areas rather than the chronological timeline of specific jobs. This allows you to highlight your skills while de-emphasizing where you developed them.
  • You might also choose to simply omit any reference to GLBT organizations.

Should I out myself in the interview? Can a potential employer ask about my sexuality?

Once again, outing yourself at any stage of the job search process is a very personal decision - there is no "right" or "wrong" answer - you will have to make a decision (in each situation) that is best for you based on your own self-assessment and organizational research.

  • Always prepare for your interview
    • Research the organization's policies and climate to gain some idea about their general attitude toward GLBT issues.
    • Remember that an official policy of acceptance does not ensure that every individual within the organization will not harbor some homophobia (and vice versa: just because they don't have a policy, doesn't mean you have to assume the worst).
    • Research the anti-discrimination laws in the state where to organization is located for sexual orientation and gender identity language.
  • Know that you do NOT have to out yourself
    • Employers can and might ask about your sexuality. (In some states it is illegal to make a hiring decision based on your answer, in others states it remains legal to discriminate against people because of their GLBT identity.)
    • It is YOUR choice whether you answer the question directly or not - there are many ways to redirect the conversation or dismiss the question as irrelevant to your employment.
    • The best you can do is prepare for the questions you'd be most nervous about answering so that you go into the interview feeling confident and prepared to tactfully negotiate questions around your sexuality or gender.

Mock Interviews with a career counselor are a great way to prepare yourself for an interview whether you may wish to out yourself or not (call to schedule an individual appointment).

What about special job search/career issues facing Trans candidates?

There is little protection in the work place for transgendered individuals, though some states do provide gender identify as a protected class and others are working on inclusive legislation. To identify current state laws protecting transgendered individuals, explore HRC’s Transgender Laws section.

  • It is wise for trans folk to research organizations that are not only GLB friendly but also T friendly; this includes specifically looking for gender identity/expression language in discrimination policies, gender-neutral bathrooms, and support groups for trans employees.
  • Additionally, preparing for all kinds of questions will allow you to clearly articulate yourself and, hopefully, be more confident in your interview. While no amount of preparation can overcome bias, you'll increase your chances of a successful job search if you feel confident and self-assured.
  • For more information on Trans issues in the workplace, visit the Human Rights Campaign Transgender Work Site.

What about outing myself to a networker or at a Career Fair?

Once again, outing yourself at any stage of the job search process is a very personal decision - there is no "right" or "wrong" answer - you will have to make a decision (in each situation) that is best for you based on your own self-assessment and organizational research.

Coming out to potential networkers involves many of the same issues you might consider in choosing whether or not to come out in an interview or on your resume. As stated before, researching an organization's policies and climate gives you information about the general attitude towards GLBT people; however, the individual you are talking to may not hold the same attitude reflected in the policy. Consider:

  • How important is it for you to be out at work?
  • How safe/comfortable do you feel in the networking location? Are there allies or threats nearby? Are there resources available for GLBT candidates at the Career Fair or networking event?
  • Does the organization have domestic partner benefits, non-discrimination policies, and/or support groups for GLBT employees?
  • How did they rank on the HRC website?

How do I search for GLBT friendly employers?

There are several search engines designed specifically to help job seekers find LGBTQ-friendly employers:

Additionally, review organization web sites, talk to those you trust and get referrals for GLBT-friendly organizations.

While it may be difficult to determine how truly supportive any organization is, exploring some key indicators can give you a sense of the espoused values of an institution. These indicators include:

  • Domestic Partner Benefits including health and life insurance, educational grants, access to facilities, etc.
  • Non-discrimination policies that include sexual orientation and gender identity/expression
  • Trainings that include sensitivity to GLBT issues
  • In-house support or employee groups, either formal or informal
  • Gender-neutral bathrooms
  • Positive statements from people with experience

What about finding a GLBT friendly geographic location?

Finding a GLBT-friendly location is similar to finding a GLBT-friendly employer. Some key factors that can help you get a sense of the local environment include:

  • State marriage laws and relationship recognition
  • State anti-discrimination laws and policies
  • Hate crime statistics
  • State adoption policies and laws
  • Educational policies and laws

Much of this information can be found on the Human Rights Campaign web site in the Your Community section here.

Another fun tool that can help you think about where you want to live is Find Your Spot. This website has a fun, free quiz you can take which will give you a list of possible places that match your requirements. Don't take what they give you as set in stone - do some exploring and reflecting yourself!

Internships and Non-Profit Work

You might want to consider employment in the non-profit, government, or education sectors where much of the work these agencies are doing directly promotes social justice for all people, including GLBT folks.

Of course, it is not safe to assume that any agency in the nonprofit sector is free of homophobia, so you will still want to research the organization.

Examples of local non-profits that promote social justice for GLBT folks include Lambda Community Center, Coloradoans for Fairness and Equality, and PFLAG - Fort Collins/Northern Colorado.

Organizations like these exist nationwide. An excellent resource for finding such organizations is Idealist.org. Check out their Jobs, Internships, and Organizations databases.

Finally, while internships are an excellent way to build work-related skills for everyone, internships can be especially useful to GLBT students seeking to develop skills in coming out in the workplace, to identify contacts who can assist with locating GLBT friendly organizations, and to explore options that include social justice work. Most of the sample non-profits listed above have hosted internship students and many have also had work-study students. To explore more internship options, check out our Internships web page.

Additional Resources for GLBT Students available CSU's Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual and Transgender Student Services office.

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Students with Disabilities

At the CSU Career Center, we support all students on their path to "find their fit." Recognizing that students and alumni with disabilities may have some unique considerations in their work-related decisions, our Career Counselors are committed to helping students and alumni with disabilities grapple with their specific concerns and issues. The following are some resources for these students, and we encourage each and every student to come in to see a career counselor to receive personalized assistance.

Frequently Asked Questions

Should I disclose my disability in my resume / cover letter or in an interview?

Disclosing your disability at any stage of the job search process is a very personal and complex decision based upon the type of disability, how the disability will affect your work and your own thoughts. You are not required by law to tell potential employers about your disability and employers are not supposed to ask if you have a disability. Many employers will feel more positive toward those applicants who they feel have been honest with them. Disclosing, at some point, is the only way to ensure your legal right to accommodation, but disclosing in the job search process could expose you to discrimination.

If you choose to disclose, you may do so at any time in the application process or after you have started working. There are benefits and challenges to disclosing at different stages and each of the links below offers different insights and perspectives.

Mock Interviews with a career counselor are a great way to prepare yourself for an interview whether you may wish to out yourself or not (call to schedule an individual appointment).

How do I disclose my disability?

If you decide to disclose, you want to approach the discussion in a positive, frank manner. You are someone who can do the job and contribute to the organization; your approach for disclosing should convey that. Strategies to employ include:

  1. Share your disability without extensive detail.
  2. Describe your skills, experiences, and how you will successfully meet their expectations.
  3. If you will need accommodations, mention those and refer them to additional resources (perhaps the Jobs Accommodation Network).
  4. Offer references to verify your experience.

Can a potential employer ask about my disability?

No, employers are prohibited from asking questions about disabilities by the Americans with Disabilities Act. Employers may ask if you are able to perform the specific tasks of the position. Examples of improper questions include:

  • Do you have any disabilities or medical conditions?/Do you have any handicaps?
  • What caused your disability?
  • What is your medical history? Have you ever had a serious illness?
  • How does your condition affect your abilities?
  • Do you take any prescription drugs?
  • How many sick days did you take last year?
  • Have you been diagnosed with any mental illnesses?
  • Have you ever received worker’s compensation or been on disability leave?
  • What was the date of your last physical exam?
  • How is your family’s health?
  • Do you need an accommodation to perform the job? (This question can only be asked after a job offer has been made.)
  • Have you ever taken a test that revealed hearing loss?
  • Do you use any assistive devices for a hearing impairment (such as a hearing aid) or have you in the past?

For more information on improper interview questions and how to handle them, click here.

Career Programs and Job Websites for Students with Disabilities

For additional resources at CSU, please visit Resources for Disabled Students.

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