Texas A&M University-Kingsville

Career Engagement

Students and Alumni


Javelina Careers powered by Handshake is a dynamic system that allows you to post your resume and have employers that match up with your career interests see your profile. Whether you are looking for part-time jobs, internships or full-time jobs, Javelina Careers is the resource to meet these needs.

Access Javelina Careers powered by Handshake 

***Please proceed with caution when interacting with employers that have jobs which require up-front costs or ask you to deposit checks and have you send money to directly back to them. Contact Career Engagement if you have concerns about an employer's legitimacy or if you have passed along confidential information to an employer connected with a fraudulent job posting.***

 

Quinncia is a robust AI solution that will look at your resume and make suggestions on how to improve your resume. You can even sharpen your interviewing skills on Quinncia.

BONUS - since it is AI powered you can do this on when it works for you 24/7. You can also meet with us to walk you through the software.

Use your university email to create your account. 

Quinncia - Texas A & M University Kingsville

Looking for a speaker to present on a professional development topic? We can help. Use this link to submit your presentation request.

Not finding opportunities on Javelina Careers, try CareerShift.

Discover contacts, companies, internships, and jobs with which you can pursue career opportunities. Use this integrated employment research tool like no other.   

CareerShift provides an easy-to-use approach to manage the job search all in one place. With CareerShift, you can: search, store and record job listings, get insider information on companies and contacts, create email campaigns, and set notes and reminders for follow-up.  All this and you can access it from anywhere, anytime, 24/7.

Current Students - use your TAMUK email

Alumni - Use code Javelinanation

 

In-person, virtual, or by phone, we are ready to help. Feel free to drop-in, we are located across from Starbucks in the Memorial Student Union Building. If you prefer to make an appointment, contact us at hirejavelinas@tamuk.edu or 361-593-2217 to arrange something that works for your schedule. 

This assessment can help you with the career decision-making process. After answering questions based on your interests, values, and personality, you will receive potential career matches that you can independently or with our assistance research further within the software.

Access the TAMUK FOCUS2 Portal

 

 

This resource will help you look at potential careers based on college majors. Not all careers are dictated by a degree plan, you can certainly gain helpful insight to what career paths fit your ultimate career goals.

Discover the What Can I Do With This Major resource

 

Ask 10 people on what a good resume looks like and you will probably get 10 different answers. Keeping this in mind, here are some tips that you use as a foundation to your resume creation process. 

Your resume is a snapshot of your professional image, so it's important this document highlights the achievements, skills and talents you possess. There is no "perfect" or "one way" template - it all depends on the position you are applying for and how your past experiences relate to what the employer is looking for in a candidate. Think of your resume as a living document, so update it often as you experience new things that contribute to your career success. 

Resumes typically are one page for undergraduates and two pages for graduates students and alumni if they possess the supporting work experience. Avoid only filling half a page.

Resumes typically list education, job experience and accomplishments in reverse chronological order. Start with your current or most recent experience and end with your earliest position. 

All margins should be consistent; 1 inch from each side is appropriate.

Convert your Word document into a PDF to ensure that your layout and presentation does not change once it reaches the employer.

The resume should not be too text heavy, nor should it have too much white space. Strive for a balance that is appealing to the eye. Do not over-design the resume.

Your contact information should only include three things - your name (in a larger font so that it stands out), a professional email address that is not your TAMUK email, and a phone number with an area code. Be sure you have an appropriate voicemail message. If a recruiter wants to get back to you, they will either call or email you.

A statement of qualifications is a reference section leads your resume and will communicate your strongest skills and qualifications to position you are applying for. This listing will be reflective of how your experience and background matches up for the specific position you are applying for. Your resume will look different every time you apply for a job because not all jobs are exactly the same.

  • Academic credentials are important, particularly if you are relatively new to the job market or pursuing a job that requires specific training.
  • Only list your current institution or those from which you have received a degree from.
  • Avoid listing high school education after your freshman year.
  • Remember to include your study abroad experience.
  • Write out the institution's name, city and state with no abbreviations (Texas A & M University Kingsville), full degree title (i.e. Bachelor of Science), and graduation date or anticipated graduation date (must be specified).
  • Including your GPA is recommended if your OVERALL GPA is over 3.0

Experience is the most important section of your resume because it highlights experiences and skills you have acquired. This section can include. but is not limited to paid or unpaid internships, leadership experiences, part-time and full-time jobs.

[Action verb] + What I Did + Skills I Used = Specific Results I Achieved 

What I Did:  Describe the tasks at hand and the role you played in that experience. 

Skills I Used:  Examples include oral/written communication, customer services, and proficiency with computer programs. 

Results I Got:  An effective result is concrete, measurable, and describes the goal of actions. (increase in sales percentage, improved customer services, etc.) 

Resume Model (download here)

Samples 

Strengthened relationships with customers utilizing outstanding communication skills, exceeding sales objectives by 5% 

Planned and implemented a day long campus-wide community service project with over 100 student volunteers 

List specific technical and language skills that are quantifiable. Be sure to list all relevant software and languages. Indicate your proficiency level with each.

Samples

Fluent in Spanish 

Proficient in Adobe Illustrator and Photoshop 

Knowledge of social media including LinkedIn, Hootsuite, and Twitter 

Working knowledge of Microsoft Excel and Qualtrics 

Action Verbs

Management Skills 

Administered – Analyzed – Assigned – Attained – Chaired – Consolidated – Contracted – Coordinated – Delegated – Developed – Directed – Enhanced – Established – Evaluated – Executed – Increased – Improved – Initiated – Instituted – Motivated – Organized – Oversaw – Planned – Produced – Reorganized – Reviewed – Scheduled – Strengthened – Supervised  

Communication Skills 

Addressed – Authored – Collaborated – Composed – Contacted – Convinced – Corresponded – Directed – Drafted – Edited – Formulated – Influenced – Interpreted – Lectured – Mediated – Moderated – Negotiated – Persuaded – Promoted – Publicized – Reconciled – Recruited  

Creative Skills 

Adapted – Composed – Customized – Designed – Developed – Directed – Established – Founded – Illustrated – Initiated – Instituted – Integrated – Introduced – Invented – Modified – Originated – Performed – Planned – Revised – Revitalized  

Technical Skills 

Adapted – Applied – Assembled – Built – Calculated – Computed – Designed – Developed – Devised – Engineered – Fabricated – Installed – Maintained – Operated – Overhauled – Programmed – Remodeled – Repaired – Replaced – Standardized – Upgraded – Utilized  

Research Skills 

Analyzed – Collected – Compared – Conducted – Critiqued – Diagnosed – Evaluated – Examined – Gathered – Extracted – Identified – Interpreted – Interviewed – Investigated – Located – Organized – Reviewed – Solved – Summarized – Surveyed – Systematized – Tested  

Teaching Skills 

Adapted – Advised – Coached – Communicated – Coordinated – Developed – Enabled – Encouraged – Evaluated – Explained – Facilitated – Focused – Guided – Individualized – Informed – Instructed  

Financial / Analytical Skills 

Fulfilled – Gained – Generated – Guaranteed – Increased – Improved – Initiated – Learned – Mastered – Maximized – Minimized – Modified – Negotiated – Obtained – Raised – Reduced – Succeeded – Sustained – Transformed  

Teaching / Helping Skills 

Adapted – Advised – Advocated – Aided – Assisted – Cared – Coached – Comforted – Cooperated – Counseled – Displayed – Educated – Empathized – Encouraged – Facilitated – Fostered – Guided – Helped – Instructed – Lectured – Listened – Mediated – Mentored – Presented – Provided – Stimulated – Supported – Taught – Tutored  

 

The purpose of a cover letter is to introduce yourself and to elaborate on your most significant and relevant experiences. Your cover letter should demonstrate a connection between the skills and strengths you possess and those required to fulfill the position you are seeking. Avoid simply repeating items from your resume. Instead use the cover letter as an opportunity to provide specific examples and expand upon experiences not listed on your resume. A good cover letter will help the recruiter envision you in the role you are applying for.  

Preparation 

Always tailor your cover letter to a specific position or organization. For this reason, it is important to conduct company research before drafting your letter.  

Scan your resume for experiences that can be elaborated on to best demonstrate these skills 

Review the job description and company website to identify relevant skills and strengths you should highlight in your cover letter 

Participate in any on-campus recruiting activities in Texas A&M University-Kingsville Career Engagement to help you acquire names and learn more about available positions 

Conduct an informational interview with someone working in that organization to gain an insider’s perspective 

Identifying a Contact 

Most job and internship listings do not provide a contact name. However, it is important to address your letter to a specific individual within the organization. Taking this extra step to personalize your letter can make a difference in setting yourself apart as a candidate. Below are some tips for acquiring a contact name. 

Search the company website for a listing of employee names 

Reach out to individuals in your personal and professional network who could assist you in locating a contact 

Call the company and politely ask for the name of the hiring manager in charge of the position you are seeking 

As a last resort, address your letter to “hiring manager” or “human resources representative” 

Follow Up 

Follow up your letters with a phone call to ensure the position is still open and your documents were received. If you sent your letter to a specific individual, call the following week. If you submitted your letter via on online application, call after the application deadline has passed. 

Do’s & Don’ts 

Do: 

  1. Get to the Point – state the purpose of your letter in the first paragraph. Small talk is generally a waste of space on a cover letter. 
  2. Tailor Your Letter to the Reader – focus on the needs of the specific organization, not on your own requirements as a job seeker. Visit your potential employer’s website or read the company’s annual report to learn more about it, then use your cover letter to demonstrate how your skills and experience can benefit the organization. 
  3. Highlight Your Biggest Successes – highlight the achievements in your career that most relate to the position for which you are applying. 
  4. Use Strong Words – Use strong action words to share your experiences and showcase your qualifications. Be sure to tailor the cover letter to the job description. Use the cover letter to sell yourself. 

Don’t: 

  1. Provide salary information when it is not required. 
  2. Address a letter recipient by anything other than their name (avoid “Dear Sirs” at all costs) 
  3. Use a generic letter that makes zero or minimal references to the position you are interested in being considered for. 
  4. Make spelling errors and typos, especially if you referenced “excellent attention to detail” 
  5. Include irrelevant personal information or job experience. 

Once your resume and cover letter has made it past the applicant tracking system phase. You might be scheduled for an interview. This is part of the hiring decision process that is the most important when convincing employers to make you an offer. Career Engagement has the resources to help you. From videos, to student organization presentations, to appointments, we can work with you.

LinkedIn is a networking tool that you can use to your advantage while you are still in school. The platform has over 830 million users across more than 200 countries. Stay with the free basic access, but be sure to follow these steps to maximize your LinkedIn profile:

Set up your account with a professional, non-TAMUK email address. You want to be sure to keep access to your profile after graduation.

Choose a professional photo. Your face should take up over half of the picture. Stay away from selfies and hard lights that cast shadows. Natural light, wearing a professional outfit, and a natural facial expression are keys to a great photo. LinkedIn reports that profiles with a photo will get 21 times more views than profiles without. If you need help with a photo, Career Engagement can take one for you.

A good profile summary is the "hook" to get people to view the rest of your profile. Communicate solid content to viewers that provides them with a professional summary of your background and accomplishments. 

Make sure you complete the education and experience sections. Maybe stay away from your high school jobs, but you might have had a great part-time job while you were in school that taught you leadership skills and time management. Be sure to include those positions along with any internships you have completed or currently doing.

Listing your skills will allow others to confirm your specific subject matter expertise. Matching required and preferred qualifications to jobs that you are interested in and what is on your LinkedIn profile will make the connection for recruiters looking for their ideal candidates.

LinkedIn works best when you add connections to your profile, but there is a right way to do it. Make sure you add a personalized message to your request to connect. Complimenting their background and showing a genuine interest in their body of work will help avoid the spammy nature of a cold call to connect.

Make sure you follow the Texas A & M University Kingsville group and follow companies that match the industry you wish to be a part of.

We can assist with LinkedIn profile reviews or help you get started out on the platform. 

We welcome assistance in creating connections and leads for our students and alumni to showcase their gifts and talents to employers. If you have any contacts that you would like to share with us that help serve in this goal, please reach out to us at hirejavelinas@tamuk.edu or 361-593-2217

The best time to build your network to build secure a job in the future is now. While candidates must have the required set of qualifications to be considered for the jobs they are applying for they should also strive to have a professional/personal connection with the hiring manager or hiring committee. Having a connection to someone that can speak to your ability to do the job you are applying/interviewing for will help set you apart.

Be sure to get on LinkedIn soon. You can start building connections while you are here on campus. 

Stick around after class or visit your professor during their office hours. Professors can make great references while you are launching your career.

Start building your network from the people around you. It will not take long before you realize how quickly you can find people with the same connections.

Look for mentors and people you can seek professional advice from that help guide your career growth.

When you attend professional conferences or networking events, do your best meet new people and work the room by yourself or one person you already know to help expand your circle of connections.

Find student organizations or professional organizations that have student membership categories that allow you to get started in your field of choice.

Take the time to volunteer within your community. It's a great way to meet people and also help make our world a better place.