Launch Your Career

Hidden Rule #4 
Employers hire students who can clearly explain their experience. 

A degree matters, but employers also want students to explain what they’ve done, what skills they’ve built, and how they can contribute in the role. 

Future First helps you practice telling your professional story through conversations with employers and professionals—connecting your projects, skills, and experiences to real opportunities.

Attend Employer Events

Explore careers and get advice directly from professionals using Handshake events and networking tools.

• Find events in Handshake. (Events tab — labeled employer info, hiring, or career fair)
• Dress professionally. (Visit the Career Clothing Closet.)
• Develop your introduction with the Professional Brand Template (document).

Show Your In-Demand Skills

Highlight the skills you’re building through classes and experiences. 

• Add class projects and campus experiences to your résumé. 
  (Use the College Résumé Sample (document) as a guide.)
• Connect experiences to skills using:
  • Career Readiness Skills (external page) — Skills from college.
  • Industry-specific Skills (external page) — Skills from your major.
  • Skills-First Initiative (external page)  — Skills from common jobs.
  • Community Cultural Wealth (external page) — Skills from lived experiences.

Build and add credentials.

• Complete virtual job simulations in Career Experiences with Forage (external page).
• Earn certificates on LinkedIn Learning.
• Explore high-value certifications with the Credential Value Index (external page).

Apply Early and Secure an Offer

Many opportunities open 3 to 6 months in advance.

• Search jobs and employers in Handshake, an employment network for college students. 
  (Find keywords to search in What Can I Do with This Major.)
• Search for jobs and internships that match your skills using FutureNav Compass.
• Find Resources for Applying to Graduate School.

Customize your résumé and cover letter to each position.

• Create documents in the Résumé & Letter Builder.
• Use the College Résumé Sample (document) as a guide.
• Use the Cover Letter Samples (document) if a letter is requested.
• Get feedback provided in the builder.

Practice interviewing.

• Complete practice interviews in the Interview Practice System.
• Review tips and examples on how to answer each question.
• Complete Fast Track or Mastery Track lessons to improve.
• Get feedback provided in the system.

Visit the Career Clothing Closet to dress confidently for interviews.