The Career & Employment Hub offers a wide range of tools, services, and information designed to support you in various aspects of your career development and exploration. Find resources below addressing everything from career exploration, to resume writing, to job search strategies, to salary negotiation and more.

The Career & Employment Hub is here to help with all things career!

The Career & Employment Hub plays a pivotal role in supporting your major-exploration. Through a combination of personalized guidance, comprehensive resources, and tailored programs, the Hub assists students/alumni in identifying their interests, strengths, and career aspirations.

Career Advisors offer one-on-one appointments to help students and alumni assess their skills and interests, providing insights into potential majors and career paths that align with their goals. With the support of the Career & Employment Hub, you can navigate the complexities of major exploration with confidence and clarity, paving the way for a successful and fulfilling professional future.

What Can I Do With This Major? 

Whether you’re exploring majors or searching for information about your chosen field, this website will help you connect majors to careers. Learn about typical career areas and types of employers that hire people with each major, as well as strategies to make you a more marketable candidate. Continue your research through the websites provided.

Explore all the USM majors and more!

USM has nearly 300 majors, minors, certificates, and graduate degrees. Whether you’re passionate about arts and sciences, business, education, healthcare, or technology, USM offers a diverse array of programs designed to inspire and prepare you for your future career. Discover your path and unlock endless possibilities for personal and professional growth with our comprehensive range of academic offerings.

Personality Assessments

Assessments can increase your self-awareness, align personal strengths and interests with potential fields of study, and reduce uncertainty. Collectively, these benefits can help you make well-informed, confident decisions about your academic and professional futures. To take an assessment set up an Appointment with a Career Advisor.

  • Myers Briggs Type Indicator
  • Holland Code
  • Clifton Strengths

The Career Hub serves as an invaluable guide during your career exploration. You can embark on a journey of self-discovery, gain clarity about your career goals, and take confident steps towards building a fulfilling professional future.

Below are materials to assist in your exploration process. Feel free to set-up an appointment with a Career Advisor to advance your exploration.

O*NET

The nation’s primary source of occupational information. Its database contains information on hundreds of standardized and occupation-specific descriptors. The database is continually updated by surveying a broad range of workers from each occupation.

Occupational Outlook Handbook (OOH)

The OOH is revised every two years by the U.S. Department of Labor, Bureau of Labor Statistics. The OOH describes what workers do on the job, working conditions, training and education necessary, earnings, and expected job prospects in a wide range of occupations. 

Informational Interviews

A professional interview with someone in a field you are interested in investigating or pursuing. Explore the environment, confirm your level of interest, and gain valuable information.

Get On Track: Career Readiness Program

A self-paced, college-career program that guides you along a career trajectory while attending USM. 

USM Job Shadow Program

A one-day program that gives USM students and alumni the opportunity to spend one full day shadowing employers in Maine and nationwide. 

Forage

Provides a FREE best-in-class virtual job simulations and career preparation tools to students worldwide. The simulations offer students a real-world look at a wide variety of companies and career paths so they can make more informed choices after college. Forage currently offers more than 350 live simulations, which nearly six million students have engaged with to date.  

Career Readiness Competencies

The National Association of Colleges and Employers (NACE) has defined eight career readiness competencies for recent college graduates. Career & Self Development | Communication | Critical Thinking | Equity & Inclusion | Leadership | Professionalism | Teamwork | Technology

Resumes and cover letters are essential to landing a job or internship. Each summarizes your skills and experiences while showing why you’re a good fit for a specific position. By customizing each application, you can highlight the most relevant qualifications and achievements. They’re your first chance to impress employers and get invited for an interview, helping you advance in your career and land the right position.

Cover Letter

First impressions count! Your cover letter introduces you to a prospective employer. A well-written cover letter demonstrates how you are a good fit for the company and communicates the value you can bring to the employer. Every cover letter should be customized to the job for which you are applying.

Resume

The purpose of a resume is to communicate your qualifications and accomplishments to a potential employer. Think of your resume as a way of promoting yourself. Your goal is to align your experiences and skills with the qualifications and essential skills required by an employer. Different types of resumes may be appropriate for different situations. Browse our guides to learn more and decide which resume is right for you.

References

A reference is typically someone who can provide insight into your professional abilities, work ethic, and character. This is often a faculty member, former supervisor, manager, or colleague who has directly observed your performance in a work environment. It’s important that the reference can speak positively and knowledgeably about your skills and qualities relevant to the position you are seeking.

How many references do I need?

At least 3, and each person should be someone you have asked to be a reference. When you know your references are going to be checked by an employer, let your references know ahead of time, and share your resume with them. This will help them prepare.

Do I add references to my resume?

No, list them on a separate document and include for each their name, job title, employer name, email address, phone number and how you know them and for how long. 

For more assistance with resumes, cover letters or references, make an appointment with a Peer Career Guide on our Appointment Information page!

Networking is a strategic activity that involves building and maintaining relationships with people who can assist you in advancing your professional career. Your network provides you with information about possible positions or refer you to others within your field of interest. While your network can include a wide range of people, the closer they are to sharing your career interests, the more helpful they will be.

Career Hub Networking Opportunities

Elevator Pitch

Imagine stepping into an elevator, and the person next to you says, “Hi, I am a recruiter at your dream company. Tell me about yourself.” Are you ready for this opportunity? Can you introduce yourself, your background, and your career goals in 30 seconds or less? The best elevator pitches give enough information and enthusiasm to make the other person want to continue the conversation with you.

Informational Interviews

A professional interview with someone in a field you are interested in investigating or pursuing. Explore the environment, confirm your level of interest and gain valuable information.

LinkedIn

LinkedIn is crucial for professionals in today’s digital age as it serves as a powerful platform for networking, personal branding, and career advancement. It allows you to showcase your skills, experiences, and achievements to a global audience of employers, recruiters, and industry professionals. Overall, LinkedIn plays a vital role in building and managing one’s professional presence, enhancing visibility, and fostering career growth and opportunities.

Take the lead in your job search, it’s a proactive process!

Whether you are seeking a job while in college or you are just about to graduate, searching for a job requires careful consideration and strategic planning. A well-executed job search can significantly impact your career trajectory and overall job satisfaction. Achieving this goal stems from determination, persistence, and utilizing available resources to navigate the job search process effectively.

Connect with a Career Advisor to assist you.

GATHER INFORMATION

Spend time learning about your intended career field and getting connected.

  • Determine what type of position you seek
    • Use O*NET to learn about potential job titles that align with your interests/major/career
  • Start networking
  • Attend events
  • Explore your options through informational interviews & job shadows

RESEARCH

Research companies to help prepare for jobs, internships, and informational interviews, as well as job fairs and job shadows. Learn about the companies culture, what’s in the news, their values and mission.

Doing a little research about a company before an interview or job fair can help you stand out from the crowd, and give you insights into the organizational culture and industry.

Begin your research now!

GET ORGANIZED

Stay organized to reduce stress and avoid being overwhelmed

  • Keep all your job materials in one place
  • Create a job search notebook, spreadsheet, or folder (virtual or real)
  • Every day, set aside 15 minutes or an hour, find what works best for you
  • Set weekly goals
  • Be realistic
  • Remain confident

WHEN TO APPLY

Jobs: Start submitting applications at least 3-4 months prior to your availability to start working.

Internships: Be prepared to apply the semester before you want to start an internship.

  • Summer Internships: Applications open late winter into early spring
  • Fall/Academic Year Internship: Applications open late spring into early summer
  • Spring Internship: Applications open late summer into early fall

*Waiting until a month before you want to start an internship is not ideal, as your options will be very limited.

PREPARE

Have your career materials ready to go!

  • Master Resume – which you will tailor for each position
  • Cover Letter – every job is unique so should every cover letter
  • 3 References and their contact information 

START LOOKING

  • Networking
    • 85% of jobs are filled through networking
    • Despite the internet being a powerful job search tool, the vast majority of people do not find employment through online applications
  • Contact Your Contacts
    • Get in touch with your contacts and let them know that you are actively searching for a job in a specific field
  • Meet with a Career Advisor
    • Ask about Informational Interviews  & Job Shadow contacts
    • Learn about upcoming events 
  • Job Boards
    • Set job alerts or create a search agent: then jobs that you have deemed of interest will be emailed to you when they are posted to job search sites.

USE THE JOB POSTING

The job posting is your map to success!

Take the time to thoroughly analyze it —regardless of its length—as it contains key words and phrases that reveal the employer’s intentions and expectations.

From there you can craft a focused resume and cover letter that will help you stand out from the pack! 

NARROW YOUR SEARCH

Target 10-12 companies. This approach allows you to dedicate ample time and energy to each application, ensuring they are meticulously completed. Additionally, it enables you to highlight the unique skills you bring to the job, helping you stand out to potential employers.

Remember – every position is different, even if it is within the same type of industry, a resume and cover letter focused on each position and company will help you land an interview.

An Applicant Tracking System (ATS) is software used by employers to manage the recruitment and hiring process.

ATS’s are designed to assist HR departments and hiring managers by organizing and filtering large volumes of resumes and job applications based on specific criteria such as keywords, skills, experience, and qualifications listed on the job posting.

Here’s a basic overview of how they typically function:

Resume Parsing: When a candidate submits a resume or job application online, the ATS extracts relevant information such as contact details, work experience, education, skills, and other qualifications. This parsing is done using algorithms that recognize specific data points within the resume.

Storage and Organization: The parsed information is then stored in a searchable database. ATS systems organize this data so recruiters and hiring managers can easily access and review applications.

Keywords and Criteria Matching: ATS systems allow recruiters to set specific criteria and keywords relevant to the job opening. The system then compares the criteria against the information extracted from resumes. Resumes that match the criteria closely are typically ranked higher or flagged for further review.

Automated Screening: Based on the predefined criteria and keywords, the ATS can automatically screen out candidates who don’t meet the minimum qualifications or who lack certain keywords. This helps reduce the number of resumes that need manual review.

Candidate Communication: ATS systems often facilitate communication between employers and candidates. They may send automated emails acknowledging receipt of applications, notify candidates about the status of their application, or request additional information or scheduling of interviews.

Beat the Robots: How to Get Your Resume Past the System and Into Human Hands from The Muse

Using ChatGPT or other generative AI can assist you in a variety of areas within your major/career exploration, job search experience, and more.

Major/Career Exploration

  • What can I do with a major in [enter major]?
  • What are careers that I can do with the following interests? [insert interests]

Focusing your Cover Letter and Resume

  • Review my resume like an expert coach and let me know five specific changes I can make based on this job description. [insert job description]
  • Write a 4-paragraph cover letter in a business professional tone using experiences from my resume that align with this job description. [insert job description} [insert resume]

Preparing for Interviews

  • Generate specific interview questions based on this job description and my focused resume. [insert job description} [insert resume]
  • What are questions I can ask the interviewer based on this job description and company mission statement? [insert job description} [insert company mission statement]

Elevator Pitch

  • Using my resume, create a captivating elevator pitch. [insert resume]
USM Job & Internship BoardUSM Job & Internship Board is an online job board where students and alumni can browse and apply for full-time, part-time, work-study, department-funded, internship, and volunteer opportunities.
IndeedConsidered the #1 job site, it collects job listings from thousands of websites to assist you in finding the perfect position.
Live and Work in MaineLive and Work in Maine serves as the leading resource for students looking to start their careers in Maine – as a USM graduate, we invite you to join our Maine Career Network!
LinkedInLinkedIn is one of the most powerful job-search platforms on the internet and is a must-have for anyone serious about advancing their career or speeding up their job hunt. 93% of employers use LinkedIn to recruit.
Disability SolutionsDisability Solutions connects people with disabilities to new career opportunities from some of today’s leading employers – employers who celebrate inclusion and understand the talent value of people with disabilities.
GlassdoorHelps you find a job and company you love. Reviews, salaries, and benefits from employees. Interview questions from candidates. Millions of jobs.
How to Develop and Nail Your Elevator Pitch
How to Get Your First Job
How to Get an Internship Guide
How to Write a Resume
The Ultimate Job Interview Preparation Guide
How to Network
JobsInME.comYour local employment resource, since 1999. Their mission is to help job seekers find real, local, jobs where they want to work, through our state-specific employment websites.
MANPThe Maine Association of Nonprofits (MANP) empowers people with purpose—people and organizations at the forefront of the issues and opportunities that will determine Maine’s future prosperity. As a leading advocate and resource, we ensure that Maine nonprofits are adapting, thriving, and contributing in a fast-changing world.
Maine Career Center Veterans ServicesThe CareerCenter offers specialized employment and training services for Veterans. If you served in the U.S. Armed Forces a CareerCenter Representative can help you find a job, obtain new skills, or access other state or federal resources available to Veterans.
Maine JobLinkMaine JobLink is a web-based job-matching and labor market information system. It provides job seekers, employers, and training providers with easy-to-use tools that support a wide range of activities.
BioME (Bioscience Association of Maine)Explore career opportunities available within Maine’s life sciences industry.

Interviewing for a job is an exciting component of the career planning process. This is a time for you to get to know the employer, the company, and the environment. It is also an opportunity for the employer to understand what skills, abilities, and qualifications you would bring to the position.

You have been offered a job, now what? Employers expect professionals to negotiate; it’s all part of the hiring process. It’s how you demonstrate your worth to an organization, and how an organization acknowledges that worth!

To learn more, make an appointment with one of our Career Advisors! You can find their schedules HERE.

Are you considering graduate school?

Graduate school provides advanced education and specialized training that enhances expertise in a chosen field, opening doors to higher-level career opportunities and fostering professional growth.

USM Graduate School

Learn more about our Certificate, Master’s, and Doctoral programs.

Graduate Application Support:

  • Resume/CV: Career Peer Guide or Career Advisor in the Career Hub
  • Personal Statement/Essay: Writing Assistant in the Learning Commons
  • Application Questions: Admissions Department of the school(s) to which you are applying.

Helpful Resources: 

General Search Guides:

Financing Guides:

Working on-campus during your time at USM is a great way to incorporate real-life professional experiences into your education. Navigating on-campus employment can be confusing, but the Career & Employment Hub is here to help. Check out this list of Exciting Student Employment Positions on USM Job & Internship Board! 

Visit the Campus Student Employment (login to MyCampus to access the page) site for questions about on-campus employment, payroll – including tax withholding, direct deposit, paychecks, and time entry – and international student worker guidelines.

Federal Work Study vs. Department Funded Student Jobs

For a student to obtain a federal work study job, the student needs to have federal work study funds included in their financial aid package after completing the FAFSA. If you’re not sure if you qualify, you can check in MaineStreet or contact Student Financial Services. Any USM student is eligible to obtain a department funded student job, regardless of whether they received federal work study or not. 

How to Find Available Positions

Openings can be found on our digital job board, USM Job & Internship Board.

Job Board icon

Once signed in, in the upper right corner of the screen, select Jobs, and then select Position Type and then Federal Work Study or Department Funded positions. Click here for more information about how to build your profile on USM Job & Internship Board and start exploring jobs. 

If you have questions about on campus employment, whether Federal Work Study or Department Funded positions, please contact Campus Student Employment. 

Questions? Comments? Feedback?

For more assistance, please contact USM Career & Employment Hub at usmcareers@maine.edu or (207) 228-8505

210 McGoldrick Center for Career & Student Success, Portland campus