Resources & Support

Watch short videos to explore careers or learn skills to help you land a job. In the “Get Hired” section, check out tips on topics like salary negotiation, disabilities, business etiquette, and more. In “Explore Careers,” learn about specific jobs directly from professionals working in that type of role.

Candid Career

Discover majors and in-demand careers and education based on your interests – take a career assessment or browse careers and related programs.

Career Coach

SDV-170 Career Decision Making – 3 credits

Provides an understanding of the process of career development and making a career direction by extending students’ knowledge of career choices and then assisting in decision strategies. The student works in cooperation with the instructor.

For more information contact a career counselor.

Click below to access and complete our Career Development Guide.

Career Development Guide

Career Quest is a free, voluntary, self-paced course designed to help you explore your interests, values, and skills. The goal is to better understand careers and majors that are compatible to you — giving you a clearer path for the future.

To get started:

1. Sign into MyHub
2. Click on Talon
3. Select the course "Career Quest at Kirkwood"
4.  Start the moduleS: click on "Course Content" then "Overview"

 – OR –

Fill out the Career Quest enrollment form

Create an account and complete all 5 assessments in FOCUS2 to help guide your career path.

1. Start by taking the Career Planning Readiness and Academic Strengths assessments
2. Access code: eagles
3. Make an appointment to discuss your results 

FOCUS2

What Can I Do With This Major (WCIDWTM)? features 100 major profiles with information on common career paths, types of employers that hire in the field, and strategies to maximize opportunities.

WCIDWTM

YouScience is a free tool that helps Kirkwood students discover their natural aptitudesis. Register below to uncover your hidden potential. 

RegisterLog In

Handshake connects students and alumni to employers who are interested in hiring Kirkwood graduates.

Discover career opportunities in our network of 500,000+ employers, connect with an Alumni mentor to help launch your career, research employers that hire within your industry, and much more!

Handshake

Get the competitive edge you need to land your dream job! Practice interviewing skills anytime, anywhere with StandOut. Want feedback on your answers? It’s easy to share a link to your practice sessions with an instructor, career coach, mentor, etc. StandOut also utilizes AI technology to provide auto-generated feedback if you prefer to practice on your own. 

Sign in with your k-number and password to get started.

StandOut

Click below to access and complete our Job Search Success Workbook.

Job Search Workbook

SDV-135 Job-seeking Skills – 1 credit

Assists students who will be seeking an internship, or part-time or full-time employment. The areas that will be covered include how to research the job market and companies, writing resumes and cover letters, improving job interviewing techniques, and how to utilize Kirkwood’s job search assistance services.

For more information contact a career counselor.

Before the Interview

• Research the company thoroughly beforehand. Make sure you understand the position you are applying for, and how your qualifications and career goals match the position.
• Call or visit the company website to obtain an extensive job description if available.
• Think about your answers beforehand. Know how you would answer each of the sample questions, and be ready to share factual examples to support your answers.
• Practice your interview with a friend. Practice answering and asking questions.
• Pick out and try on the outfit you plan on wearing to the interview.
• Make sure you know where you’re going. Give yourself plenty of time to drive to your destination, and double-check your directions via the company website, receptionist, and/or a city map.
• Bring extra copies of your resume, your reference sheet, a pen and pad of paper. Carry these things in a briefcase or professional folder.
• Bring a portfolio of items that document your abilities (i.e. writing samples, photos of you in action, relevant class projects, photos of past projects, letters of recommendation, etc.).

At the Interview

• Eat something ahead of time. You should be doing the talking, not your stomach.
• Arrive 10 to 15 minutes early.
• Leave your cell phone in your car.
• Be polite with everyone, including the receptionist.
• Watch your wait. Magazines you select while waiting can reveal your personal preferences, information that may affect the hiring decision. Instead, quietly gather your thoughts, and review your answers.
• Greet your interviewer(s) by name. Check with receptionist beforehand to make sure you know how to pronounce all names correctly.
• Shake your interviewer’s hand firmly and smile.
• Make eye contact.
• Two-way traffic. The exchange should be a conversation. However, the interviewer is not your friend, so keep the interchange professional and watch what you divulge.
• Communicate. Be clear about what you expect to gain if hired so that you can clearly articulate your goals and contributions to the company.
• Listen carefully. If you feel the question is unclear, ask politely for clarification.
• Pause before answering to consider all the facts that may substantiate your response.
• Give and get attention by focusing on the interviewer’s needs and not your own.
  Back up your responses by also giving quantitative information. Give dates and examples to also support your points.
• Be truthful, but try not to offer unsolicited information.
• Try not to open yourself to areas of questioning that could pose difficulties for you.
• Regardless of how things go, conclude with a sincere thank you, a firm handshake, and a gracious smile.

Types of Interviews

Panel Interview: a group of search committee members or future coworkers interview you.

Group/Team Interview: You are the member of a group of prospective employees who are interviewed all at the same time.

Behavioral/Situational Interviews: is a structured interview process that is commonly used for interviewing at many organizations. Candidates are asked to describe situations that they have experienced relative to the skill in question (like conflict or teamwork). All candidates are asked the same set of questions. When answering behavior/situational questions, it is important to give specific examples rather than a general answer. Use the SHARE model to frame your response:
S: Describe a specific situation
H: Identify hindrances or challenges
A: Explain the action that you took
R: Discuss the results or outcome
E: Evaluate or summarize what you learned

Phone Interview: These interviews are used by hiring managers as a tool for screening candidates for employment and determine which candidates to invite to interview in-person. They are also used at first and second round interviews by employers, in order to save in-person interview time and to reduce the applicant pool to the most qualified candidates for the job.

Select the Leadership & Personal Growth category to find Career Services events on the online calendar.

Kirkwood Events

Login to the Handshake Events page to see upcoming networking and career-related events in our surrounding community.

Handshake Events