Career Research: Home

A cover letter is a persuasive letter that you submit when you apply for a job. While it should highlight your past experience and qualifications, it should also act as a vector for conveying to the employer why you're a great candidate for the position! This is your chance to demonstrate your enthusiasm for the role, your soft skills, and to showcase your written communication skills.

Professional references are people who can speak to the quality of your work in a professional atmosphere. These types of references should include past or current: 

• Coworkers
• Supervisors or Managers
• Teammates or Mentors

Character References are people who know you well enough to speak on your behalf from your personal life. Refrain from using these types of references unless otherwise asked for in the job listing. These types of references include:

• Relatives
• Long-time friends
• Family Friends

Academic References are a valuable reference that can provide information about your performance as a student. Often these references are just as valuable as professional references. These types of references include:

• Professors (in place of managers)
• Classmates (in place of coworkers)
• Advisors (in place of mentors)

Image by Indeed Career Guides: Hard Skills vs. Soft Skills: What's the Difference?

There are a few key differences of For-Profit and Non-Profit organizations. They include: 

1. Purpose
   • This is an organization's mission or core values.
   • Non-profits focus their purpose on social cause and to provide services that benefit the communities they serve.
   • For-profit organizations' core mission is to gain revenue.
2. Funding
   • For-profits generally seek investors whom receive a share of any profits they generate.
   • Non-profits seek donations, grants, and other forms of assistance from organizations and institutions with the understanding that they will not receive a profit from their donations or gifts.
3. Audience
   • For-profit organizations have a targeted audience that they rely on to continually loop back and consume their goods or services. 
   • Non-profits tend to have a more diverse audience that encompass the general public, donors, volunteers, and sponsors.
4. Organizational Culture
   • For-profits focus on financial gain and key performance indicators (KPIs).
   • Non-profits are community-oriented and often seek to increase the social effectiveness of their organization.
5. Taxation
   • For-profit organizations must pay taxes 
   • Non-profit organizations are registered as a 501(c)3 organization, allowing them to benefit from tax exemptions and are able to provide their services as a public good that do not require a portion of their earnings to be paid to the government.
6. Staff
   • For-profit organization's have staff that are made up of paid employees and interns.
   • Non-profits heavily rely on un-paid volunteer staff with only one or a few paid employees.
7. Leadership
   • For-profit organizations have clear leadership schemas. Leaders divide responsibilities and often have personal financial interest or financial stake in the financial success of the organization. Leaders may include a single owner or a group or board of stakeholders.
   • Non-profit leaders have interest in both financial concerns and the mission of their organization and the communities they serve. These tend to be lead by a board of directors without direct financial ownership. 
8. Accountability
   • For-profits are not required to file accountability information because they pay taxes on their profits and earnings.
   • Non-profits are required to file information about their finances and their business happenings with local and federal organizations. 

Indeed Editorial Team. (2021, January 5). For-Profit vs. Nonprofit: key differences between organizations. Indeed. https://www.indeed.com/career-advice/career-development/for-profit-vs-non-profit#:~:text=Generally%2C%20for%2Dprofit%20companies%20seek,intention%20of%20earning%20a%20profit.

Norwich University Online. (2016, December 1). 7 Key Differences Between Nonprofit and For-profit Organizations. Norwich University. https://online.norwich.edu/academic-programs/resources/7-key-differences-between-nonprofit-and-profit-organizations

Resumes

Resumes emphasize and showcase work experience, achievements, industry specific skills, and competencies. Usually resumes are about 1-2 pages in length and are used when applying to positions in the public sector, non-profits, and different industries. Things to include on a resume are:

• Education
• Previous internship or job experience
• Industry specific skills
• Soft Skills
• Accomplishments and/or awards
• Professional references

Curriculum Vitae (CV)

Curriculum vitae (CV) emphasize academic research and achievements. CVs are usually longer than resumes and may consist of a few pages depending on the background of the individual. CVs are used when applying for academic, scientific, and medical positions, fellowships, and grants. Things to include on a CV are:

• Education
• Employment history
• Teaching experience
• Publications
• Posters
• Presentations
• Grants
• Fellowships
• Awards
• Licenses
• Professional association memberships and offices held
• Other relevant information for what you're applying for
• Professional and academic references