I built this site to give City Tech students general advice about the job search from listings to interviews.
It includes information about researching job listings, writing resumes and cover letters, preparing for interviews, and creating an online professional presence.
Below, you will find a video lecture, sample documents, and useful links.
Lecture
Sample Documents
Links
Job Search
In addition to using the following sites to search for internships and jobs, create profiles on each and setup alerts to hear about new opportunities as soon as they are posted.
- abilityJobs: Largest Job Site for People with Disabilities
- DisabledPerson.com
- GettingHired.com
- Glassdoor.com
- HireAutism.org
- Indeed.com
- JoinHandshake.com
- Lime Connect: Rebranding Disability Through Achievement
- LinkedIn.com
- Mentra: A Neurodiversity Employment Network
- Monster.com
- Neurodiversity Career Connector
Business Research
Learn about the companies that you might work for before you accept an offer. Also, research salary and benefits to place yourself in a stronger bargaining position.
- City Tech Library | Business Databases (Business Collection, Business Complete, LexisNexis)
- The New York Times (this link takes you to the signup for a free digital subscription with search)
- Glassdoor.com (job ad site with salary and other information about businesses)
Resumes
There’s no one way to build a resume. Learn about the accepted practices of resumes, but also search for resumes online to learn how others present themselves professionally.
- Purdue OWL Resumes and Vitas (use the navigation menu on the left, has samples)
- Georgia Tech | Women in Engineering | Sample Resumes and Cover Letters
- University of Maryland | Resume Tips (with samples and list of action verbs)
- David McMurrey’s Online Technical Writing | Resume Samples
- TheMuse.com | 250+ Skills for Your Resume
- List of Action Verbs for Resumes and Professional Profiles (pdf)
Cover Letters
Your cover letter is where you make your argument that you deserve an interview. Be persuasive and support your argument with evidence listed on your resume. Your cover letter and resume should work together.
- Purdue OWL Job Search Letters (use the navigation menu on the left, has samples)
- James Madison University | Cover Letters and Letters of Inquiry
- The New York Times | How to Write a Cover Letter People Will Actually Read
Interviews
The best way to prepare for an interview is to read and write possible answers to question lists that you find online and then practice with someone asking-and-answering questions. Don’t deliver your answers like a robot–you need to respond like Mr. Orange in the film Reservoir Dogs.
- Monster.com | Top Job Interview Questions (for interviewer to ask applicant)
- Glassdoor.com | 45 Questions You Should Ask in Every Job Interview (for applicant to ask interviewer)
- The New York Times | How to Ace an Online Job Interview
General Job Hunting Advice
Job and internship hunting is its own profession. To be successful, you need to apply the time and energy to the task.
- Six Steps to Job Search Success (OER Textbook, free, covers everything)
- Technical Writing (OER Textbook, free, chapter on “Employment Materials”)
- TheMuse.com | 6 Simple Job Search Tips That Are So Simple People Forget (tailoring materials, importance of LinkedIn, thank yous)
- The New York Times | Job Hunting in the Digital Age
- The New York Times | How to Deal with Job-Search Depression
- Rate.com | Especially Now, Always Be Looking for a Better Job
Accessibility Resources for Job Hunters and Early Career Builders
- Job Accessibility Network
- Neurodiversity Network
- Link OT (supporting neurodiversity)
Writing Resources
As a technical communicator and professional and technical writer, there’s no hiding. Who you are as a professional is represented as the quality of your work presented on the page or screen. Keep writing and learn more about writing throughout your career to improve.
- Merriam-Webster Dictionary and Thesaurus
- George Mason University | The Writing Center | 23 Ways to Improve Your Draft
- Writing for Success (OER Textbook, free, covers: writing process, grammar, punctuation, and more)
Develop New Skills and Learn New Things
Being a life-long learner makes you a dynamic professional who brings value to their current job while positioning yourself for new opportunities when they arise. Books and magazines are a great resource to help with this. Online resources that offer training, tutorials, and lessons are beneficial, too.
Additional Support at City Tech
- Student Success Center | Available in-person in ROOM LG-18 on the ground floor of Namm and via Zoom Meeting ID: 884 2084 3866. Contact via email at StudentSuccessCenter@citytech.cuny.edu or by phone number at (718) 260-5570. Also, available on social media @CityTechSSC.
- Professional Development Center
- PDC | Current Student Resources
- PDC | Alumni Resources
- City Tech Alumni Association
- City Tech Connections Magazine
Last updated on 28 July 2023.
