Career Resources
Career & Alumni Services offers a comprehensive list of resources and materials to support student and alumni career and professional development and help you feel confident taking the next steps after graduation.
JCPenney Discounted Professional Headshot Opportunity
Through our partnership with JCPenney, they are currently offering a special discount on Professional Headshots for USU students, staff, faculty, and alumni (Valid through 8/31/25).
Here are the details:
- Receive discounted prices on headshots with options for 1 image, 3 images, or a digital album
- Headshot costs are 30% off the original price
- Ability to schedule at any local JCPenney Portraits location at https://jcpportraits.com/
Individuals must bring or show the attached flyer to take advantage of this special offer.
For more information or questions regarding this opportunity, please email Career and Alumni Services.
Students and alumni can make a virtual or phone appointment Monday through Friday. Appointments are scheduled through Calendly. Please ensure you provide the correct email address upon booking. A confirmation email with appointment access information and relevant links will be sent after scheduling. Should you have any questions or difficulties scheduling, please contact Career & Alumni Services.
Career Assessments can help you identify and explore your unique talents, skills, interests, values, personality, and abilities. These tools, when combined, can give you clarity on a career destination or pathway. The following Career Assessments are offered at no additional cost to all USU students and alumni:
- Myers-Briggs Type Indicator (MBTI) Personality Assessment
- Knowdell Motivated Skills Card Sort Assessment
- Knowdell Career Values Card Sort Assessment
- Holland RIASEC Interest Assessment
- Clifton Strengths (StrengthsQuest) Assessment
- Sparkpath Challenge Mindset Card Sort Assessment
All students and alumni should schedule an appointment with Career & Alumni Services to evaluate which assessment(s) would best suit your needs and obtain access at no cost.
There are many terms associated with workplace attire and though most organizations don't have a written set of standards of what is appropriate, it's important to familiarize yourself with these common categories.
Understanding Dress Codes:
Business professional is the most conservative office dress code and typically requires a suit. Industries that are client-facing usually fall into this category: banking, finance, consulting, law, and business. We encourage students to dress business professional for job fairs, interviews, internships, and/or conferences.
Suggested Attire:
- Solid/dark pants or skirt
- Solid/dark suit jacket or blazer
- Solid/simple patterned dress shirt or blouse
- Closed-toe shoes
- Accessories: tie, hosiery, matching belt and socks
Business casual attire can depend on the work environment but universally means "not a suit." Even though the word “casual” is associated with it, it is still important to maintain a certain level of professionalism. Business casual attire is common for student teaching, conferences, and networking events.
Suggested Attire:
- Button-down shirts
- Blazers
- Cardigan or Sweater
- Khakis
- Dress pants (non-denim pants)
- Dresses with short/long sleeves
- Boots, canvas shoes, boat shoes, flats, loafers
A casual dress code is the least formal, but it's important to remember that you're still at work and not at home. This type of work attire is common in creative and tech industries and on casual Fridays at more formal workplaces.
Suggested Attire:
- Solid-colored t-shirts (dark wash, no rips or holes)
- Jeans with no holes, rips, or crops (be sure that jeans are okay)
- Sneakers that have little to no wear and tear
- Casual pants
- Crew neck sweaters
- Branded/logo attire of the company (t-shirts, sweatshirts, etc.)
General Guidelines:
- Model What Your Boss Wears: Your boss can serve as a great guide as to what is appropriate to wear at work. See how they approach professional and casual days to better gauge what is expected.
- Plan Ahead: You want to present the best version of yourself and not look like you just rolled out of bed. Do your best to plan your attire the night before and be sure that it is clean and wrinkle-free.
- Comfort: High heels, tight collars, and suits on summer days may not feel ideal. When shopping, find more breathable fabrics, lighter colors, and footwear that accommodates how much walking/standing you will be doing. Attire should not be too loose or too tight and should fit you “just right”.
- Working from Home: Follow tip number one: mirror what your boss does. If they are showing up on video calls with a pressed shirt, you should as well. Avoid wearing casual tops, pajamas, robes, or anything else that looks too "relaxed." Professional impressions also go a long way over video calls, so it's important to dress the part.
- Squeaky-clean: Be freshly bathed/showered; use deodorant.
- Scents: Avoid heavy perfumes, colognes, or fragrances of any kind.
- Distractions: Jewelry and accessories should be minimal to avoid any distractions.
12 Twenty is USU’s career management system equipped with employer and recruiter connections, current openings, upcoming events, salary information, and more. New and current students have access to 12Twenty throughout the duration of their program. Upon graduation, students transition to "Alumni" status and have access to the platform for one year following their graduation year.
Here’s how you can get started with 12Twenty:
- Navigate to usuniversity.12twenty.com
- Log in using your USU email & password
- Complete the quick survey upon log in
- Build your student/alumni profile to include all career-related information
- Explore career opportunities, register for upcoming events & fairs, access the career resource library and view university employer contacts
Should you have difficulties accessing 12Twenty, view the detailed student start-up guide or contact Career & Alumni Services.
Your interviewing skills are a crucial part of the hiring process. Identifying interviewing strategies specific to your skills, personality, and career goals will allow you to take a more active role in interviews and increase confidence.
- Interviewing Guide
- How to Answer Behavioral Interview Questions using the STAR Method
- The Best Outfits for Job Interviews
- Body Language Tips for your Next Job Interview
- Illegal Interview Questions and How to Respond
- Questions to Ask at the End of an Interview
- Google Interview Warmup - Online Virtual Interview Prep Tool
- Yoodli - AI Communication and Interview Prep Tool
USU recommends many online platforms and resources to assist you with your job search. Should you need 1:1 personalized job search support from Career & Alumni Services, please schedule an appointment.
Networking: Did you know, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, 70% of jobs are found through networking? Networking is the process of making connections and building relationships. These connections can provide you with advice and contacts, which can help you make informed career decisions.
- How Do I Start Networking? Brainstorm who your connections are and who they might know. Write down the names of people already in your network.
- People to consider: USU faculty and staff members, Former supervisors or colleagues, Parents’ friends, Classmates, Co-workers, Club/organization members, etc.
- Networking Guide
- USU Alumni Network
LinkedIn:
- 10 LinkedIn Tips for Students & New Graduates
- How to Use LinkedIn Effectively as a New Grad
- Sample LinkedIn Connection Requests
Personal Branding:
- Create Your Elevator Pitch/30-Second Commercial
- Build Your Teacher Philosophy
- Pfpmaker.com (Turn any photo into a professional headshot!)
How you behave at work can affect everything from your relationships with coworkers to finding new opportunities for advancement. Your behavior can bolster your professional reputation and boost your career almost as much as your skills and experience do.
Ways to maintain professionalism in the workplace:
Punctuality shows your coworkers that you are reliable, care about your work, and value their time. Take steps to ensure you’re on time for work each day, such as setting alarms and using calendar reminders for meetings and conferences. Aim to arrive a few minutes early so that if you do encounter traffic during your commute or need to answer an urgent email before a meeting, you can stay on schedule.
Also, make sure you follow your company's break schedule. If employees receive an hour for lunch and 15 minutes for breaks, return to work within those limits.
Regardless of whether there is a strict dress code or you work from home, it is recommended to maintain a clean and neat appearance that makes a positive impression on clients, patients, and coworkers. Review guidelines about attire, and avoid items such as wrinkled or poorly fitting clothes, ripped jeans, tank tops, and flip-flops. Review the "General Guidelines for Workplace Attire" section provided above for more information.
When you are at work, use clean language even during casual conversations and emails. Avoid gossiping, talking about sensitive subjects, and sharing overly personal information with coworkers. If you do need to confide in a colleague, do it in a private space where customers or managers cannot hear you.
During meetings and discussions, speak clearly and courteously so people can understand you. Listen to your colleagues when they share ideas and acknowledge the things they say even if you disagree. Your tone and language are equally important when communicating through email. Keep emails professional because they become long-term records of conversations.
Integrity in the workplace can lead to positive relationships. Coworkers who trust each other are often productive and work well as a team. Be honest if you need personal time off from work or could use an extra few days to complete a project. Keep company and client information confidential. If you see dishonest behavior in the workplace, report it to your manager or the human resources department.
People enjoy working with colleagues who are upbeat and optimistic. If you show up to work motivated and with a good attitude, your colleagues might be likely to display similar behaviors, which can improve overall office morale.
If you encounter challenges at work, try to solve them rather than complain about them. Give your colleagues positive feedback and encouragement on projects. Compliment the people around you on their personal and professional achievements.
Respected professionals set examples by taking responsibility for their actions. If you make a mistake, always admit it and then take steps to correct it or prevent it from happening again.
Avoid blaming others, even if they contributed to an issue. Managers appreciate employees who acknowledge failed ideas, missed deadlines, or wrong decisions, apologize, and try to resolve them. If you realize you need help completing a project or making a big decision, ask for it.
Offer to help your colleagues when they appear overwhelmed by tasks or are trying to solve challenging issues. Ask if they want your opinion about an idea or your help completing a project, and respect their response.
When you support your colleagues and work together as a team, you can elevate the entire department. Managers also notice employees who are supportive team members and might consider them for leadership roles.
Workplace ethics involve choosing between right and wrong and maintaining strong morals. Act ethically by:
- Understanding and following company/organization rules and policies
- Reporting violations, questionable behavior, safety concerns, or suspicious actions
- Removing personal bias and judgment from your decisions and interactions
- Being accountable and taking responsibility for your actions
- Asking for help in difficult situations
When you act ethically, you are more likely to make good decisions that benefit your entire team.
Show your colleagues and manager that they can rely on you to meet deadlines, do quality work, and show up to meetings on time. When someone asks you to complete a task, commit to doing it well and finishing it on time.
Prepare for meetings by reviewing agendas and bringing notes and discussion points. If your manager knows they can depend on you to do high-quality, timely work, they might give you more responsibilities and independence.
Resumes: Your resume is a marketing tool written to tell potential employers about your skills, education, and work experience. In this section, you will learn how to create a resume to attract recruiters and hiring managers based on your field of study.
- Resume Writing Guide
- General Resume Sample
- Nursing & Health Sciences Resume Sample
- FNP Nursing Resume Sample
- Business & Technology Resume Sample
- Education Resume Sample
- General Curriculum Vitae (CV) Sample (For Research, Faculty, or Experienced Professionals with 10+ Years)
- DNP Nursing CV/Resume Guide
- DNP Nursing CV Sample
Cover Letters: Cover letters are another marketing tool that provides employers with further information regarding your interest in the position and space for you to personalize your application further.
Understanding the value of your education and professional experience plays an information role in salary conversations and negotiations, especially as a new graduate. Working at a pay level you deserve and are comfortable with gives you a sense of motivation, and as you progress and move forward with you career, you can later ask for a raise or starting salary that aligns with your expectations.
- Salary Negotiation Guide
- Job Offer Evaluation Template
- Payscale.com (detailed salary reports and information for a variety of careers)
- Glassdoor.com (for salary and interview transparency)
- Educate to Career Salary Calculator (built for recent college graduates)
- What NOT to Say When Negotiating Salary
- O*Net Online
- Occupational Outlook Handbook
- Salary.com
Suit-Up is a partnership between JCPenney & United States University that provides an opportunity for students, staff, faculty, and alumni to purchase professional attire and accessories at a discounted rate.
Spring 2025 Suit-Up Sale will be from January 29th - May 4th, 2025.
Fall 2025 Suit-Up Sale information coming soon...
How it works:
- Text ‘USUJCP’ to 67292 to get your extra 30% off coupon.
- Go to: http://www.jcpenney.com/m/suit-up-event during the date range(s) listed about and shop the sale. Items are already up to 30% off online and in-store.
- What to shop for: career wear, socks, shoes, jewelry, handbags, luggage, scarves, belts, watches, and more!
You can shop online or use your coupon in-store at your local JCPenney store. For questions or accommodations regarding this event, please contact Career & Alumni Services.