Applying/Interviews

Job Applications

A typical job application includes several of the following:

Cover Letter

Job applications may include a place to submit a cover letter. A cover letter should be a description of how your background and skills will specifically serve the organization you are applying to. While a resume can generally be reused for multiple applications, your cover letter should be highly tailored to each company/position. A great cover letter will include:

• A header matching that of your resume, with your name and contact information.

• The organization's name and address and the division that you are applying for.

• "Dear ______:" where you address the employer by name (with appropriate title: Prof., Dr., or Mr./Ms.) if you know it. If you do not know their name, address them as [Company Name] Hiring Manager or similar.

• An opening paragraph about why you would like to work for the company, how you discovered them/who referred you, and a thesis statement about why you would be a great fit for the organization.

• A middle paragraph expanding on why you would be a great fit. This should include specific qualifications, trainings and certifications that would make you an attractive applicant, and examples of challenges and work experiences that have demonstrated your strengths. Use strong action verbs and demonstrate strengths and skills that would specifically serve this organization and position.

• A short final paragraph to briefly restate your interest in the company and thank the employer.

• "Sincerely, [first name last name]".

For more information and specific examples, see CU's templates and guidelines for cover letters.

Personal Information

This can include name, address, social security number (never give this out by email), and age. Some people choose not to share their age for fear of discrimination, although it is technically illegal in the United States for employers to discriminate on the basis of age.

Position

This may include which job you are applying for, desired salary, how soon you can start working, and if you have previous experience with the company or a relative working at the company.

Education

This section will include information about your education level, institutes you have attended, awards/scholarships, and your GPA.

References

Here, you will need to list several people that can attest to your skills and capability. These should be people that know you well and, ideally, have worked with you in some professional capacity. Former employers (including professors that you have researched with) are great options. Academic advisors and mentors can also make excellent references. References should also be able to vouch for your strengths that you have highlighted on your resume or in your elevator pitch. Before listing references, speak to the person in question (a formal email is sufficient if they live far away), and ask them if they can provide a strong recommendation. Also ensure that you have their correct contact information and that they will be available to speak to employers during the application process. For more information, see reference list advice from UC Davis.

Background Information

This section will include questions about military status, disabilities, citizenship status, and criminal history/convictions. If you have a criminal record, you may wish to explore options for sealing or expunging criminal convictions from your record prior to your job search. See this article from Nolo.com for more information. If you are not able to have your convictions removed from your record, and the application asks about it, you should tell the truth and explain the circumstances of the convictions. If you have spent any time in prison, it could be helpful to bring up any training programs that you participated in during your incarceration. For more information, see this article from TopResume.com.

The application may ask voluntary questions about your race, ethnicity, gender identity, and sexual orientation. Websites and applications should be designed so that this information is not available to potential employers during the application process. However, if you prefer not to share any of this information, it should not count against you either. For more information, see this article from imdiversity.com.

Resume

Your resume is an incredibly important part of your job application; see Resume/Profile.

Interviews

If an organization is impressed with your resume, cover letter, and other application materials, they may invite you for a job interview. There are a wide variety of interview formats:

Screening

This is a pre-interview in which someone asks you questions to see if you would qualify for the job. It may be in the form of a phone or video interview; see below.

One-on-One

This is the "classic" interview format in which one person asks you questions, usually in person. See Chron's advice page.

Panel

You will be interviewed by two or more people. It is important to make eye contact with all panelists while you answer questions.

Group

You will interview in a group of applicants, and the interviewers will observe how you work with others. See Muse's article for some great tips.

Phone

This interview takes place entirely by phone. Make sure that you have a good connection (use a landline if possible), and make sure that you have your ringer on so that you notice when the interviewer calls you. Eliminate distractions and stray noises from your environment. You may prepare some notes to look at, but do not loudly rustle papers.

Video

This is an increasingly common interview format (especially if you are interviewing in 2020 or 2021). Test your internet, camera, and microphone before the interview. Use a professional background such as a blank wall, with a light source in front of you.

On-campus

Some companies may conduct interviews on CU Boulder's campus after an event or career fair. You will typically sign up online for an on-campus interview; see CU Boulder's instructions for more information.

On-site

Some organizations may invite you to interview on-site, so that they can see if you are a good fit in the work environment and with current employees. An on-site interview is also a great chance for you to learn more about the company and experience the work climate in person. If the company is not local, they will pay for your travel, hotel, and meals. If you are traveling by airplane, you should arrive the day before the interview. Make sure to bring at least 10 copies of your resume and appropriate business attire (business professional, or business casual if you will be taking long tours, visiting labs, etc. You can ask the company about activities and appropriate dress if you are unsure). See Penn State Engineering's help page for more information.

General Interview Advice

• Research the organization thoroughly before the interview. It is especially important to familiarize yourself with any goals and mottos of the company, so that you have a sense of what they are looking for in an employee.

• Practice example questions beforehand. Do "mock interviews" with friends/family or schedule a virtual practice interview through CU with InterviewStream. Practice answering questions with the STAR technique.

• Prepare questions for the interviewers. You should show interest in the company through your questions, but also try to learn about the position. 

  • Never ask:

    • Anything overly broad that shows you did not research the company ("What does this company do", etc.)

    • If the company does drug/credit/background checks

    • How much you would be paid, or about benefits, vacation days, etc. Salary negotiation is a more "advanced" technique that you should usually not use until you have a great deal of education and experience. Even if you do it, you should wait for the interviewer to bring up salary.

  • Do ask:

    • Questions that show specific interest in the company/position ("If I were in this job position, which teams/departments would I be working with?")

    • Questions that can help you show that you would be a good fit ("What does this company value most in an employee?")

    • Questions specifically about the interviewer(s) ("What is your favorite thing about this company?")

• Dress business professional for anything other than a phone or on-site interview. It is best to wear a business suit regardless of gender, but if you do not have a suit, a business professional dress pants/skirt and shirt combination is appropriate. If you wear a long skirt, wear pantyhose or stockings. Keep any jewelry or makeup minimal and conservative. Never wear anything that reveals your shoulders, back, chest, or legs above the knees. Wear dark colors- black, grey, and navy. Brush your teeth beforehand and make sure that your hands and nails are clean. Make sure to wear black socks under black pants/shoes.

• Arrive 10-15 minutes early. Bring a notepad/pen, copies of your application materials, and a portfolio of your work if you are applying for a design/creative position.

• Give a firm handshake. Smile naturally and make eye contact when greeting the interviewer. Be polite to everyone you interact with at the company. Make eye contact during the interview without staring for too long, and try to use open, confident body language.

• Thank the interviewer at the end of the interview. Write a "thank you" email to everyone you conversed with, reemphasizing your interest in the company. Ask for the interviewer's email address or take a business card so that you can send them the "thank you" email.

For more information, see CU's interviewing resources here and here.