Resources
This information will help you whether you are planning to progress within your current career or move to another position within the University. Or, if an external search is on your horizon, these resources can assist you as well.
Assessments
Often the time spent assessing who are you and what you do well is the best first step and will save you so much time in the long run. The following assessments will help you identify your values, interests, preferences and skills.
Knowledge of careers
The next step is to identify the careers and/or positions that are the best fit for your values, interests, preferences and skills. The following resources can help with this process:
UVa has identified 16 Career Clusters with associated Career Paths to assist employees with developing their career. Employees are encouraged to research the various career options and consider various paths within their field or possibly transitioning into a new path that might be a better fit.
Occupational Outlook Handbook - is produced by the Department of Labor and has information on any career you want to know more about. Simply go to the search box in the upper right hand corner and enter the name of the career.
Virginia Wizard - provides valuable information on a variety of careers. You can also learn what skills and abilities are required for each career.
Classified Staff Occupational Families & Career Groups - shows how jobs are structured for Classified Staff employees, with links to the career group descriptions for each occupational family.
One of the best things you can do to learn more about a particular career is to begin meeting and networking with others. This valuable handout is provided by University Career Services.
NOTE: If you are a UVa student or Alum you can also access a database of over 20,000 alumni at Hoosonline. This site provides valuable connections for informational interviewing and networking. In addition, the UVa Alumni Association provides informative career development modules as well as a wonderful library of online resources.
Shadowing is the process of spending time observing someone working in a career you have an interest in. This can occur on a one-time basis for a few hours or it might be a more formal externship or internship. While the University does not currently have a formal extern program, you might contact Holly Heilberg at hollyh@virginia.edu for more information about this possibility.
Professional Organizations are a great way to connect with people in your chosen career for purposes of networking.
Identifying job openings and position vacancies
UVa Job postings provides information on positions that are currently available at UVa.
The University of Virginia homepage can help you identify locations at UVa where you might be interested in working, whether or not there are current openings. Schedule informational meetings to learn more about the department's work and culture.
A valuable handout available through University Career Services entitled Local employment opportunities provides information on a variety of local employment websites. Note: CAVLink is password protected site and is for UVa students and alumni only.
Research supports the fact that about 75% of jobs are uncovered through Networking and investing time and energy connecting with others.
- Chamber of Commerce Directory provides a "Member Directory" that may help you locate organizations to approach about employment opportunities.
Job search tools and skills
The Resume and Cover Letter are critical tools in the job search. They should accurately reflect your skills and be tailored to each position you apply for. The following sites can help you construct a resume and write an effective cover letter:
Writing the resume is a step-by-step process that requires time and thought and is a critical tool in the job search process.
University Career Services has also provided another helpful site for writing resumes.
More information on resumes along with some sample resumes is available here.
Samples of the BEST cover letters can help provide a starting point.
Additional tips and samples can be helpful when constructing a winning cover letter.
The art of interviewing
It is not always the best person that gets the job.....it's the person who does the best job of marketing their skills and abilities.
The Art of Interviewing will help you prepare for the interview and answer the numerous questions with poise and confidence.
Once you have successfully secured your career it is important to create and maintain a Portfolio.
SPECIAL NOTE: A variety of workshops are offered to help UVa employees write a resume and cover letter, interview for a job and other important career development and job search topics. In addition, there are other current offerings to help with your professional development.