Table of Contents

Section 1: What is a Resume and What are its Purposes
Section 2: Samples of Strong Resumes and Letters of Recommendation
Section 3: The Curriculum Vita
Section 4: The Cover Letter
Section 5: How to Receive Less Than Enthusiastic Letters of Recommendation (satire)
Section 6: Action Verbs for Resume Writing
Section 7: Applicant Characteristics Valued by Graduate Programs in Psychology
Section 8: Sample "Information for Resumes and Letters of Recommendation" Section of the Computer Advising Program
Section 9: A Guide to Interviewing

Introduction

Three factors that determine admission to desirable graduate schools and attainment of rewarding employment are impressive resumes, convincing letters of recommendation, and strong interviewing skills. This chapter offers strategies for their attainment and provides strong examples of the first two.

What is a Resume and What are its Purposes?

The word "resume" is derived from the French word for summary and it is just that--a summary of your career objectives, educational history, and work experience. A resume should answer two important questions for a potential employer: "What can you do for me?" (answered in your career objectives) and "Why should you be considered for this job?" (answered in your sections on educational history and work experience). Irish (1978) states that job seekers must be able to answer the following three question to write effective resumes: Who am I? What do I do well? What do I want? Fretz and Stang (1988, p. 43) urge graduate school applicants to write resumes for three important reasons. "First, each application requires a variety of statistical information that you will now have conveniently located in one place. Second, a copy of your resume should be given to each person you ask for a recommendation so that they can include useful information about you in their letters. Finally, include a copy of your resume with your application. Graduate selection committees will be impressed if you take this extra step in a thorough and concise presentation of information about yourself." If you have never written a resume before, it can be a slightly intimidating task that is difficult to start. Keep in mind that you are not bragging about yourself in a resume; you are simply attempting to give a person who does not know you a realistic idea of what you are like and what you can do. One way to help you begin to write your resume is to help you become aware of the ten reasons why people write resumes (Lock, 1988, p. 57-60). Keeping these reasons in mind will guide you during the resume-writing process. Who knows, you may even discover that you enjoy writing about yourself!

• "A resume is often a requirement for a personal interview." Few potential employers will interview a prospective employee without a resume.
• "A resume lets you tell your story in your own way." Everyone has different strengths and weaknesses; write your resume to emphasize your strong points.
• "The preparation of a resume reminds you of things about yourself that you ought to remember as you search for a job." Writing a resume can be an adventure in self-discovery.
• "A resume represents you when you are not on hand to speak in your own behalf." Do your best to produce an attractive and well-written resume that will help you to survive an employer's pre-screening of job candidates.
• "The resume can help you to be remembered after the interview has taken place." You want to impress a potential employer with both your verbal (the interview) and written (the resume) communication skills.
• "If you apply for a job through the mail, the employer generally expects a resume whether it is specifically requested or not." You have doomed your application to failure if you are the only job candidate who has not included a resume.
• "A good resume serves as the most effective piece in a direct mail campaign." You may have included a host of other information about yourself, but it is your resume that will receive the most attention from potential employers.
• "A resume can function as a calling card as you research work organizations." Leave copies of your resume when you research job leads and give copies to those who can pass them on to potential employers.
• "You can transfer information from your resume to an employer's application for employment and know that it is accurate." If you are asked to fill out an application before or after an interview, your information is readily available from your resume.
• "A resume helps ease the transition of introducing yourself and getting acquainted with the employer or interviewer." Think of your resume as a way to help an interviewer put you at ease during an interview.

REMEMBER: You have only one chance to make a good first impression. Before a employer meets you in person, your resume is YOU to that person. Do not allow a sloppy, unorganized, or unattractive resume create an undesirable impression of you.

 

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Samples of Strong Resumes and Letters of Recommendation

The following pages contain samples of strong resumes and letters of recommendation written by or for Marian College psychology majors who have given permission for their reproduction in this handbook. Current psychology students should not attempt to duplicate the accomplishments listed in these resumes and letters because each person possesses talents and interests in uniquely different areas. However, it is imperative for psychology majors to strive to fulfill their individual potentials in such a manner as to be described by themselves (i.e., in resumes) and others (i.e., in letters of recommendation) in equally impressive terms.

1. The first letter of recommendation was written in support of Mikki Poynter's application for a summer job in a sheltered workshop for handicapped adults. Although she was only a freshman at the time, she had been so willingly and productively active in the department that describing her in such glowing terms was easy.
2. The first resume was written by Mikki Poynter for a Co-op position as a residential supervisor for the Center for Neuropsychological Rehabilitation. Mikki obtained this position because of her experience with handicapped people (gained from her summer job) and the responsibility that she had displayed in her other jobs and extracurricular activities. Note how she stressed the responsibilities associated with each of her previous jobs.
3. The second letter of recommendation was written for Beth Mauer in support of her application for a Tri Kappa State Scholarship. Her excellence as a student and previous academic accomplishments ensured the success of her application.
4. The third letter of recommendation was written for Julie Herbstrith in support of an application for the Indiana Personnel Association's scholarship. Julie made the glowing nature of this letter possible with her hard work, ability to write well, and willingness to accept responsibility for the success of the psychology department's clubs and organizations.
5. The second resume was written by Matt LaGrange to accompany his applications to graduate school. The fact that Matt was accepted into the clinical psychology program at St. Louis University with a substantial financial aid package testifies to the effectiveness of this resume. (Note: It is two to three times more difficult to be accepted into a clinical psychology Ph.D. program than medical school.)
6. The final letter of recommendation was written for Sarah Holmes as part of her application for graduate school in family therapy. Notice how each of the three main points in the letter were made possible by her willingness to work hard and show initiative.

A survey of these resumes and letters of recommendation yields the following conclusions. Although intelligence was a significant trait in each of these students, it was their willingness to (a) demonstrate high levels of motivation, enthusiasm, independence, loyalty, and maturity and to (b) develop strong research, critical thinking, communication, and interpersonal skills that made their resumes and letters of recommendation so impressive.

Personnel Department
Community Sheltered Workshop
502 Weatherhead Drive
Angola, IN 46703

Dear Madam or Sir:

I have had the pleasure of knowing Mikki Poynter for a period of one year. I recruited her to Marian last spring, and I have been her academic advisor and teacher in two classes since that time. She is currently working on a departmental project with me to provide next year's incoming freshmen psychology majors with "Big Brothers and Sisters" (i.e., upperclass psychology majors who will help orient their Little Brothers and Sisters to college life).

I have always been impressed with Mikki's level of maturity; she exhibits a sense of professionalism that is very rare in a freshman. She has a remarkable ability to work with people of all types and abilities, is very eager to learn, takes a great deal of pride in her work, and is extremely goal-oriented.

I recommend her to you very highly and without reservation for any position in your organization that may be available this summer. Mikki is the type of young person who I would hire if I was in the position to do so.

Sincerely yours,

Drew C. Appleby, Ph.D.
Professor and Chairman

Tri Kappa State Scholarship
4653 East Leland Avenue
Indianapolis, IN 46234

Dear Madam or Sir:

I have had the pleasure of knowing Beth Mauer since she enrolled as a freshman at Marian College in the fall of 1986. During that time I have come to know her very well as her instructor in two classes and as her academic advisor.

Beth is an extremely intelligent and motivated young person. She was a student in my Honors General Psychology class where she earned a very solid "A". She is currently a student in my Developmental Psychology class and her performance is equally impressive. She attends class without fail, is always willing to participate, and appears well-prepared at all times.

She has already received several awards and honors since she has entered Marian. She has been on the Dean's List every semester, is a member of the Honors Program, has been awarded a Marian College Presidential Scholarship and the Sr. Mary Rose Stockton Scholarship, and will be inducted into Psi Chi, the National Honor Society in Psychology, at the end of this month. She has also been chosen by the staff of the Transition Center to be a peer counselor and served as an Admissions Department "Golden Knight" during her freshman year.

In summary, I recommend Beth to you without the slightest reservation. She is the type of motivated, intelligent, and mature young person to whom I would award a scholarship if I was in the position to do so.

Sincerely,

Drew C. Appleby, Ph.D.
Professor and Chairman

Chairperson of the Scholarship Selection Committee
Career Planning and Placement Services
University of Indianapolis
Indianapolis, IN 46227

Dear Madam or Sir:

I am writing this letter in support of Julie Herbstrith's application for the Indiana Personnel Association Scholarship. I have known Julie since she entered Marian as a freshman three years ago when I played a role in recruiting her. Since that time I have come to know her very well as a teacher in three of her classes and through numerous academic and extracurricular interactions. It is my sincere belief that she is eminently qualified for and deserving of the distinction of your scholarship. I say this because she has demonstrated to me that she possesses extraordinarily high levels of academic ability, motivation, and potential for contributions to human resource management.

Julie earned a grade of "A" in each of the three classes that she has taken from me (i.e., General Psychology, Developmental Psychology, and History and Systems of Psychology). It is significant to note that the criterion for an "A" in all three of these classes is the attainment of 95% of the total possible points. General Psychology is an extremely rigorous class, and only approximately 3-4% of its students receive "A" grades. Her performance in History and Systems was even more remarkable. She received perfect scores on nine of the ten tests and earned 100 out of a possible of 100 on her term paper. Her current accumulated GPA is 3.89 (on a 4.0 scale) and her GPA in psychology classes is 4.0. She has received no grade lower than an "A" since her freshman year. She is a member of the Honors Program and will graduate "with Honors" next year. This level of academic performance indicates an extremely firm grasp of the knowledge, skills, and abilities of a liberally educated person and is a strong predictor of future success. Her plans definitely involve graduate school, and she and I are currently investigating the options in this area.

One of Julie's strongest assets is her ability to analyze, integrate, and synthesize information from a variety of sources and to bring this information to bear on an important topic. The term paper ("The History of Industrial Psychology and the Misuse of the Job Applicant Interview") that she wrote in my History and Systems class is a good example of this, and I have enclosed a copy as an addendum to this letter. Students in this class must write papers that accomplish the following three objectives: (a) trace the history of a particular area of psychology in which the student has an academic or occupational interest, (b) explain a controversial issue that exists within this area, and (c) defend a particular point of view that is part of this controversial issue. Julie's paper was by far the best in the class, not only because of the precision and clarity of her writing style and organization, but also because of the thoroughness with which she researched her topic (i.e., she cited 32 references although the assignment required only 10). Her paper is the perfect beginning to a research project in human resource management that she plans to undertake next year in a class entitled Computer-Assisted Research. This class requires the completion of an empirical research project with the aid of microcomputer applications at each stage of its development (i.e., bibliographic search, statistical analysis, graphics production, and word processing). The final requirement of this course is the presentation of the finished paper at the annual Mid-America Undergraduate Research Conference. Julie attended the conference this year to observe the presentations so that she could know exactly what is expected next year when she is a presenter. I have absolutely no doubt that she will produce a research project that reflects very positively on herself, our department, and Marian College.

Julie is a wonderful example of a student who is a strong but unobtrusive source of leadership in the Psychology Department. She is held in high esteem by both her peers and her teachers. Both groups are aware that she is a young woman of considerable intelligence and motivation who is willing to contribute her skills to group efforts in a quietly effective manner. She has been an active and contributing member of both the Psychology Club and Psi Chi (the national honor society in psychology) for the past three years and will hold the office of Secretary/Treasurer of the Psychology Club during her senior year. The club will benefit from her leadership. There is no doubt in my mind that she will continue to contribute her significant interpersonal and leadership skills to the field of human resource management.

In summary, I recommend Julie to you without the slightest hesitation. She is the type of young person to whom I would award a scholarship such as yours if I was in the position to do so.

Sincerely,

Drew C. Appleby, Ph.D.
Professor and Chairman

Graduate Admissions Committee
Department of Family Therapy
University of Connecticut
Storrs, CT 06268

Dear Madam or Sir:

I have known Sarah Holmes since she enrolled as a freshman at Marian three and a half years ago. During that time I have come to know her very well as her academic adviser and teacher in four classes. I would like to recommend her to you as a candidate for your graduate program for the following reasons.

Sarah is a very intelligent and motivated young person. She earned a grade of "A" in each of the three classes she has had from me (General Psychology, Developmental Psychology, and Readings in Psychology) and she is performing equally well in the class she is taking from me now (History and Systems of Psychology). She is the type of student who is a pleasure to have in class. It is obvious that she is prepared and ready to participate when she walks through the door, and she retains the same eager attitude and zest until the end of the class. I want to emphasize the word eager; Sarah enjoys learning and cannot seem to get enough of it. This extremely positive attitude will serve her well in graduate school and will motivate her to continue learning throughout her career as a professional psychologist.

She is not only an enthusiastic student, but also a very skillful one. I am including a copy of the syllabus from my Readings in Psychology class (our senior capstone class) so that you can know the skills (e.g., critical thinking, computer literacy, library search, and oral and written communication) that she acquired during her first three undergraduate years and mastered as a senior. We have found that this course provides an excellent preparation for the rigors of graduate school. Anyone who earns an "A" in this class--as Sarah did--is ready for graduate school.

Sarah is an absolutely avid researcher. She is currently involved in two simultaneous research projects, one with me and the other with one of my part-time faculty who holds a full-time position in the Department of Psychiatric Research at the Indiana University Medical School. Both are major projects with potentially significant and publishable results. One deals with the effects of in-house "jobs" on the cognitive status of nursing home residents and the other with the construction of an objective test instrument to measure the intellectual level of college students (according to William Perry's model). Sarah has demonstrated that she can perform these projects in an independent and responsible manner with a minimum of supervision. She is careful to understand the expectations of her research supervisor and then carries out the details of the project in a completely dependable manner. She is precisely the type of student I want as a research assistant.

In conclusion, I recommend Sarah to you very highly as a candidate for admission to your graduate program. She is exactly the type of undergraduate I would admit to a graduate program of your type if I was in the position to do so.

Sincerely,

Drew C. Appleby, Ph.D.
Professor and Chairman

MICHELLE A. POYNTER

Marian College
3200 Cold Springs Road
Indianapolis, Indiana 46222
(317) 929-0145

Objectives:

Short-term --> Experience working with mentally or physically handicapped people
Long-term ---> Graduate education resulting in a mental health career

Education: Sophomore psychology major at Marian College with a GPA of 3.28 on a 4.0 scale.

Relevant Classes: General Psychology, Statistical Methods, Abnormal Psychology, Developmental Psychology, Experimental Psychology I, Introduction to Computers, Introduction to Speech,English Composition

Experience:

May to September, 1988
Angola Community Sheltered Workshop (Angola, IN)
Responsible for training and supervising mentally and physically handicapped persons in a factory atmosphere and assisting supervisors with daily job assembly and quality control.

May to September, 1988
Sutton's Super Value (Hamilton, IN)
Responsible for price and merchandise information input, daily receipts, and customer service.

May to September, 1987
Subway Sub Shop (Angola, IN)
Responsible for food preparation, maintenance, financial transactions, record-keeping.

January to September, 1986 and 1987
CTN Data (Hamilton, IN)
Responsible for physical upkeep of an eight room office complex.

May 1987 to Present
Youth for Christ / Campus Life (Great Lakes Region)
Responsible for supervising high school students on trips to Florida and Washington D.C. and organizing meetings in the Northeast Indiana area.

January 1989 to Present
Student Administrator of the Psychology Department's Big Psyb / Little Psyb Program
Responsible for coordinating all functions of the program.

Activities: 

• Marian College Booster Club (1988 to present)
• Booster Club Fund Raising Committee (1988 to present)
• Intramural Softball and Volleyball (1987 and 1988)
• Psychology Club (1987 to present)
• Convocation Committee (1988 to present)
• Campus Life / Youth for Christ (1983 to 1987)
• Freshman Orientation Leader (1988 to present)
• Big Psyb to incoming freshman Psychology majors (1988 to present)

References: Available upon request

MATTHEW V. LaGRANGE

Marian College
3200 Cold Springs Road
Indianapolis, Indiana 46222
(317)929-0145

Objectives:

Educational: To earn a Ph.D. in clinical psychology.
Career: To teach and perform research in a university setting.

Education:

Bachelor of Art, Marian College (expected June, 1989)
Major: Psychology Minor: Computer Applications
Cumulative GPA (4-point scale) = 3.78
GPA in Psychology = 3.80
GPA in Computer Applications = 4.00
GRE scores (verbal = 540, math = 700)

Honors and Organizations:

Elected to Psi Chi
Dean's List (each semester since spring 1986)
President of the Student Body
Vice President of the Student Body
Secretary of the Student Body
Student member of the American Psychological

Organizations:

Member of the Psychology Club
Member of the Judicial Panel
Member of the Conduct Appeals Panel

Research:

LaGrange, M., & Appleby, D. C. (1987, April). Effects of mood on time perception. Paper presented at the Mid-America Undergraduate Research Conference, Evansville, IN.

LaGrange, M. V., & Appleby, D. C. (1988, April). Factors affecting academic honesty. Paper presented at the Mid-America Undergraduate Research Conference, Evansville, IN.

Fohl, M. M., Koebel, J. M., LaGrange, M. V., & Webb, P. M. (1988, April). A student-produced evaluation form of teaching effectiveness. Paper presented at the Mid-America Undergraduate Research Conference, Evansville, IN.

LaGrange, M. V., & Appleby, D. C. (1989, April). Student and faculty perception of academic dishonesty as a function of learning or grade orientation. Paper presented at the Mid-America Undergraduate Psychology Research Conference, Evansville, IN.

LaGrange, M. V., & Appleby, D. C. (manuscript submitted). Factors that affect academic dishonesty in college students. College Teaching.

I served as a research assistant for Dr. Drew Appleby (1987-89).

Clinical Experience: Residential Supervisor at the Center for Neuropsychological Rehabilitation (1988 - 1989) Counselor at the St. Vincents Hospital Stress Center (1989)

References:

Dr. Drew Appleby Marian College 3200 Cold Spring Road Indianapolis, IN 46222	Dr. Faye Plascak-Craig 3200 Cold Spring Road Indianapolis, IN 46222
Dr. Paul Riley St. Vincents Hospital Center for Neuropsychological Rehabilitation 8700 Harcourt Road Indianapolis, IN 46268	Dr. Lance Trexler St. Vincents Hospital Center for Neuropsychological Rahabilitation 9621 North Meridian Indianapolis, IN 46209

The Curriculum Vita

The word "resume" is seldom used in academic circles. The self-describing document that academic psychologists prepare when they are seeking jobs or representing themselves to their professional colleagues is called a "curriculum vita," which is often shortened to the single word "vita." (Vita is the Latin word for life, and a curriculum vita is a written record of a person's educational life.)

Matt LaGrange's resume that was included in this chapter could be more accurately described as a vita than a resume because of its emphasis on his educational, rather than occupational, experiences and strengths. Students who are planning to go to graduate school should become familiar with the vita-writing process so that they can produce an impressive vita to accompany their graduate school applications. The article that appears on the following pages (taken from the May, 1989 issues of the APS Observer) should help students understand the concept of a vita. It describes, explains, and give examples of the following sections of a well-prepared vita and offers advice that a vita-writer should heed.

Sections of a Vita

• Personal history
• Educational history
• Professional positions
• Membership in professional organizations
• Professional activities
• Editorial activities
• Grants
• Papers presented
• Publications
• Papers currently under submission
• Projects underway
• Statement of professional interest
• Professional references

General Considerations

• Form and style
• Detail
• What not to include
• Padding
• Vita development

The Cover Letter

The following is an example of an acceptable cover letter that will accompany a resume to a potential employer. Be absolutely sure your letter is as professional-looking as possible. Use a laser printer to produce it, and be absolutely sure that it contains no spelling, grammatical, capitalization, or punctuation errors. These types of errors will doom your application process from the very beginning.

December 10, 1994

Mr. Gerald Harshman
Director of Personnel
Phillips Research Company
3756 Morehouse Drive
Indianapolis, IN 46224

Dear Mr. Harshman,

I am interested in applying for the research statistician position that was advertised in the January 8 issue of the Indianapolis Star.

As indicated by my resume, I will receive a B.A. degree in psychology from Marian College in May, 1995. I believe that my background and experience in statistics and research qualify me for this challenging type of work.

I would be most happy to meet with you at your convenience to further describe my qualifications for and interest in this position. Letters of recommendation are available from the references listed in my resume.

Please contact me at: Marian College
3200 Cold Spring Road
Indianapolis, IN 46222-1997
317-929-0456

Thank you for your attention.

Sincerely,

Tim Ellinger

How to Receive Less than Enthusiastic Letters of Recommendation

Following this set of rules (modified from a list compiled by Nish and cited in Bloomquist, 1981) will guarantee that you do not receive strong letters of recommendation from your adviser and teachers. Do not allow the sarcastic tone of these rules to interfere with your understanding of their basic message: You cannot expect your teachers and adviser to write you good letters of recommendation if you do not treat them with courtesy and respect.

• Treat your teachers and classes as though you are barely able to tolerate them. An attitude of superior aloofness will show everyone how important you are and how lucky they are to exist at the same time and on the same planet as you.
• Be consistently late to class and other appointments. This will show your teachers how much busier you are than they are.
• Be very casual about class attendance. When you see your teacher after you have missed his class, ask "Did you say anything important in class today?" Act as if he is responsible to give you a full recital of the information you missed.
• Never ask questions or contribute to class, even when urged to by your teachers. It's far safer to be silent than to risk being considered a teacher's pet.
• Complain when teachers provide extra learning opportunities. They don't really want you to learn more, they just want to make college miserable for you.
• Do not read assignments before class. You can waste a lot of class time by asking questions about things that are explained in the textbook. Assume a look of pained confusion whenever the teacher refers to a point made in the text.
• Always ask teachers for references when you are given a library assignment. It is especially important that this be done before you look for the references yourself, or you will be putting yourself in the dangerous position of having to learn to use the library.
• Always try to be an exception to the rule. Avoid taking tests with the rest of the class. Assume that teachers will give you make-up tests or accept late papers, regardless of your reasons for missing the original tests or deadlines.
• Disagree with teachers in a haughty and condescending manner. This will show your fellow students that you are actually smarter than your teachers.
• Call assignments you do not understand "boring, irrelevant, or busy work." This a great way to insult your teachers and will also allow you to judge academic material before you comprehend it.
• Be a classroom lawyer. Always try to get what you want by twisting rules to your own advantage. "You never told us we had to capitalize the first words of the sentences in our papers!" "You said that we could miss a test if we had an emergency. Don't you think the death of my gerbil was an emergency?"
• Never do any more than is minimally required in a class. Only geeks and brown-nosers do more than they absolutely have to in order to pass a course.
• Never help to plan or participate in departmental or campus activities. Make it very clear that, for you, college consists of simply accumulating enough credit hours to graduate as quickly as possible with the minimum effort.
• Avoid using a teacher's office hours or making appointments. Show up when he is frantically finishing a lecture and explain that you must see him immediately.
• Wait until the last minute to pre-register or don't pre-register at all. Always expect your adviser to be available at your convenience and complain when the classes you want to take are closed. Try to find your adviser in his office during lunch or when you know he is in class; then tell the Dean or Registrar that you have been unable to pre-register because you have been looking for your adviser for three weeks and he is never in his office. When you meet with your adviser, be sure you have no idea of what classes you need or want to take. Put a pained expression on your face whenever he suggests a class that will help you overcome one of your academic weaknesses (e.g., math, writing, or speech).

Action Verbs for Resume Writing

Employers hire people who can do things for them. Your resume should be written to clearly communicate the message that you possess valuable skills, not that you have simply existed for the past 21 years. One way to do this is to include action verbs that describe what you have accomplished (e.g., "I designed and administered a student satisfaction survey, analyzed the results with a microcomputer statistics program, and presented my findings at an undergraduate research conference). The following list of verbs (modified from Lock, 1988) is a good place to start your search for strong words to describe what you have accomplished.

Adapted Designed Investigated Protected
Advised Developed Judged Questioned
Administered Diagnosed Learned Read
Analyzed Directed Lectured Reasoned
Applied Discovered Led Recommended
Approved Displayed Listened Reconciled
Arranged Drew Located Recorded
Assembled Edited Maintained Recruited
Assessed Encouraged Managed Reduced
Assisted Estimated Measured Reinforced
Balanced Established Mediated Reorganized
Budgeted Evaluated Memorized Repaired
Classified Expedited Mentored Reported
Clarified Followed Monitored Researched
Coached Forged Motivate Restored
Collected Formulated Negotiated Retrieved
Coordinated Founded Nurtured Revised
Communicated Gathered Observed Reviewed
Compared Generated Operated Scheduled
Compiled Guided Organized Shaped

Most graduate programs and potential employers require a minimum of three letters of recommendation as part of their application process. Many provide applicants with forms for recommenders to complete, although a few simply request letters. Choosing those who will recommend you is a crucial process that you should base on the following criteria.

How well do they know you? Almost every recommendation form begins by asking how long and in what capacity the recommender has known the applicant. You will want to choose recommenders who have known you for at least two years and from whom you have taken several classes or worked with on research or departmental projects. Admissions committees and personnel directors are not impressed with recommendations from persons who do not know you well. They make the assumption that either you have done nothing to allow your teachers/adviser to know you well or that those who know you well do not think highly enough of you to write you a letter of recommendation. Do not allow them to make these assumptions about you!

How positively can they recommend you? Do not simply ask faculty members if they will write you letters of recommendation. Ask them if they will write strong letters of recommendation for you. A mediocre letter of recommendation is a death sentence to job or graduate school application. You may have good grades, strong GRE scores, and a creative personal statement, but if one of your carefully selected recommenders writes a letter that paints a weak picture of your potential for success, no graduate school or potential employer will want to take a chance on you. Work hard to give faculty reasons to write you strong letters; then do everything in your power to help them do just that.

How impressed will a graduate admissions committee or potential employer be with your recommenders? Do not ask for letters of recommendation from your family members, high school counselor, physician, or priest/minister/rabbi. They may be able to describe many of your strong personal qualities (e.g., loving, concerned, healthy, and devout), but these qualities are not those about which a graduate admissions committee or potential employer is primarily concerned. Graduate faculty are evaluated by the quality and quantity of their research publications and employers' success is measured by their productivity; they will be looking for students who will help them in their efforts to achieve success. Choose recommenders with whom you have been involved in research, who have instructed research-oriented courses you have taken (e.g., Statistics, Experimental Psychology, and Directed Research), or who can vouch for your initiative, persistence, and creativity. These are the people who can write positively about what you have done or about your potential as a successful future scholar/researcher or employee.

A standard recommendation form is included in this chapter for students contemplating graduate school. Study it carefully to discover the knowledge, skills, and personal characteristics that your recommenders will use to evaluate you; it is never too early to begin to develop them. Many students wait until they are seniors before they begin to think about letters of recommendation and, when they discover that they do not possess the necessary qualities, they bemoan the fact that "nobody ever told me these things would be important!" Do not let this happen to you!

You may wish to compare the information requested on the graduate school recommendation form with the example of the completed "Information for Letters of Recommendation and Resumes" section of the microcomputer advising program contained in this chapter. You will be making great progress towards receiving strong letters of recommendation if you familiarize yourself with this program, do things that will allow you to fill it with impressive information, and up-date it every semester.

Applicant Characteristics Valued by Graduate Programs in Psychology

Julie Herbstrith, Beth Mauer, and Drew Appleby
Marian College

This study is based on the assumptions that graduate schools (a) are aware of the characteristics of students who excel in their programs and (b) use the information they gain from letters of recommendation to identify applicants who possess these characteristics. Recommendation forms from the application packages of 143 graduate programs in clinical, experimental, and industrial/organizational psychology were studied. The applicant characteristics that recommenders were requested to rank in grid formats or include in written descriptions were identified, categorized, and arranged in order of relative frequency. The resulting list—consisting of all characteristics requested on at least 10 recommendation forms—describes the characteristics that psychology graduate programs value in their applicants, ranked in descending order of frequency as indicated by the numbers in parenthesis. It is interesting to note that of the 802 total instances of characteristics included in this list, 332 refer to personal characteristics (preceded by P), 264 refer to acquired skills (preceded by S), and 206 refer to intellectual abilities or knowledge (preceded by I). It appears that graduate programs are most interested in learning about the personal characteristics of their potential applicant from recommenders, that they place secondary emphasis on learning about their applicants' acquired skills, and are less interested in learning about their applicants' intellectual abilities or knowledge from recommenders. This appears to be a reasonable conclusion because graduate programs have access to measures of applicants' intellectual abilities (e.g., verbal and mathematical GRE scores and transcripts), knowledge (e.g., psychology GRE scores), and skills (e.g., applicants' application forms and personal statements), but must rely almost exclusively on the personal experience that recommenders have had with applicants to measure their personal characteristics.

1. P - Motivated and hard-working (154)
2. I - High intellectual/scholarly ability (106)
3. S - Research skills (69)
4. P - Emotionally stable and mature (66)
5. S - Writing skills (64)
6. S - Speaking skills (63)
7. S - Teaching skills/potential (49)
8. P - Works well with others (45)
9. I - Creative and original (41)
10. I - Strong knowledge of area of study (29)
11. P - Strong character or integrity (25)
12. S - Special skills (e.g., computer or lab) (19)
13. I - Capable of analytical thought (17)
14. I - Broad general knowledge (13)
15. P - Intellectually independent (12)
16. P - Possesses leadership ability (10)
17. P - Mentally and physically healthy (10)

This paper was presented at the 1990 Mid-America Undergraduate Research in Psychology Conference held at Franklin College.

Sample "Information for Resumes and Letters of Recommendation" Section of the Computer Advising Program

1. Awards and Honors
   1. Dean's List (each semester since spring 1986)
   2. Psi Chi (the national psychology honor society)
2. Organizations and Committees
   1. Psychology Club -- member 1985 to present
   2. Appeals Board ---- member 1988-89
   3. Judicial Panel --- member 1986-8
3. Positions of Leadership
   1. President (1989), Vice President (1988), and Secretary (1987) of Student Board
   2. Chairman of the Student Affairs Committee (1986)
4. Research Activities
   1. LaGrange, M. V., & Appleby, D.C.(1987, April). Effects of mood on time perception. Paper presented at the Mid-America Undergraduate Research Conference, Evansville, IN.
   2. LaGrange, M. V. & Appleby, D. C. (1988, April). Factors affecting academic honesty in college students. Paper presented at the Mid-America Undergraduate Research Conference, Evansville, IN.
   3. Fohl, M. M., Koebel, J. M., LaGrange, M. V., & Webb, P. M. (1988, April). A student-produced evaluation form of teaching effectiveness. Paper presented at the Mid-America Undergraduate Research Conference, Evansville, IN.
   4. LaGrange, M. V., & Appleby, D. C. (1989, April).Student and faculty perception of academic dishonesty as a function of learning or grade orientation. Paper presented at the Mid-America Undergraduate Psychology Research Conference, Evansville, IN.
   5. I served as a research assistant for Dr. Drew Appleby (1987-89).
5. Computer Skills
   1. Appleworks ------- 3 years experience (integrated word processor, spreadsheet, and data base program)
   2. WordPerfect ----- 2 years experience (Worked with two versions and helped teach this program to lab classes.)
   3. DBase III -------- Learned to create and use a data base. (Set up a working database for the college bookstore.)
   4. Statistical ------ Worked with two statistics programs (APP-STAT and Statistical Analysis)
   5. Programming ------ I am learning to program in Pascal and have some experience in BASIC programming.
   6. Library Search --- I have used the Silverplatter, Dialog, and BRS after Dark bibliographic search programs.
6. Commitment to the Field of Psychology
   1. I am a student member of the American Psychological Association.
   2. Conferences Attended
      • I attended three research conferences at the University of Southern Indiana and presented four papers.
      • I attended a conference at the Center for Neuropsychological Rehabilitation on brain and spinal injuries.
      • Big Psyb / Little Psyb Program - I served as a Big Psyb for an underclass psychology major
7. Communication Abilities
   1. Writing Ability - tested out of English Composition through CLEP
   2. Speaking Ability - received an A in Speech class.
      •  I made six 20 minute presentations in Senior Psychology Seminar.
      • I served as a discussion leader for CYO conference "Preparing for the Future."
8. Personal Strengths.  I am firmly committed to the beliefs that the most appropriate way to answer "real world" questions is through basic research and that these answers should be communicated in a professional manner to those audiences who can benefit most from them. By the time I graduate, I will have presented a total of five papers on a variety of topics at undergraduate research conferences. The relevance of two of these projects (i.e., academic honesty and student evaluation of faculty) led Dr. Louis Gatto, President of Marian College, to invite me to present my results at Open College Forums. No student has presented at an Open College Forum until this time.
9. Employment or Volunteer Activities
   1.  I was a Residential Supervisor for the Center for Neuropsychological Rehabilitation during 1988 and 1989.
   2. I was a Residence Assistant in Doyle Hall men's dormitory from August, 1987 to May, 1988).

10. Test Scores: GRE = 1240 (Verbal = 540, Math = 700)

A Guide to Interviewing

Whether you are a graduating senior, a middle-aged career changer, or a freshman looking for a summer job, your greatest challenge is to learn how to interview effectively. The job interview is the forum where almost all hiring decisions are made—your "make or break" opportunity. The following information should increase your chances for success in this process.

Types of Interviews

Although no two interviews are identical, there are several typical forms of interviews:

Patterned Interview - Such interviews are highly structured, systematic and designed to serve as a stable yardstick against which applicants can be measured. They are specially adapted for research and designed to overcome problems of inconsistency. Essentially, the identical questions are asked of all applicants, and then the individual responses are compared. The typical use of a patterned interview is in initial screening of many applicants to weed out the more obviously unqualified. Most on-campus interviews follow this format.

Non-Directive or Free-Association Interview - Typically employs open-ended type questions such as "Tell me about yourself." This allows applicants to express themselves in their own unique way and offers greater exposure to an applicant's personality and attitudes. However, the interviewer needs considerable skill to keep applicants from rambling, and to objectively analyze data. Many campus interviewers will appear to follow this format.

Stress Interview - The purpose of this method is to measure the applicant's ability to handle stressful situations. Stress interviews are used to weed out individuals who react defensively or get easily injured. Stress interviews are seldom used on-campus.

Group and/or Area Interview - Group interviews are often used for higher-level business and academic positions. Typically a "search committee" composed of personnel representatives, managers, and often psychologists will examine an applicant. Each interviewer will often be assigned a particular area of the applicant's background on which to concentrate (e.g., experience, education, or family background). This approach can be exhausting for the applicant, especially if the interviewing is structured on a one-on-one basis, or if it takes several hours or days.

Preparation for the Interview

Research the organization before interviewing. Know the size of the firm, its potential growth, its competition, and its prospects for the future. Consult company and other literature, such as Standard & Poor's, The Indianapolis Business Journal, The Wall Street Journal, Business Week, etc. for this information. You should also know the locations of its major offices/plants and its reputation within the industry. Knowledge of this information insures a more productive interview because the company representative will be able to spend less time describing the company and more time interviewing you.

Dress Appropriately

A good first impression in the interview is essential. Some studies have indicated that physical appearance is the one strongest and most consistent predictor of recruiting success, even ranking over such factors as grades and work experience! With that in mind, you must maximize your physical appearance to compete effectively. Although there are exceptions, you'll rarely go wrong if your dress conservatively. For women, this means a classic navy blue or grey suit, with a modest updated blouse. Although a tailored dress can also be worn, a business suit is considered the "uniform" for interviewing. A pair of classic medium-heeled pumps, with a neutral stocking will compliment the look. Accessories and makeup are fine, as long as they are understated. Keep it simple. Cologne and perfume should be used sparingly. Hair should be clean, neatly styled, and away from face. For men, again, conservative is the rule of thumb. This means a navy blue or grey suit, with a white long-sleeved shirt that has been professionally laundered. A tie that is understated and coordinated will add to the professional image you want to portray. Shoes in black, brown, or cordovan that are polished will certainly complete the look. Jewelry for men should be limited to a wedding ring or class ring. Men also must be careful not to overdo the cologne or aftershave. Hair, along with sideburns and mustaches should be neatly trimmed. Beards are risky, and probably should not be worn. If possible, try to find out how the individuals in the positions and companies you have interest in typically dress You can assess this by browsing through company literature, or better yet, actually observing the employees at the company. If the company is close, drop by during lunch or as people are leaving at the end of the day. This will give you some idea of what the norm is as far as appropriate dress.

Role Play

The interviewer is going to ask you a number of probing questions (see sample questions). Prepare for them by first attempting to predict what will be asked and then by practicing your answers. Role play with someone who knows you well. If possible, record the session. Examine your responses and evaluate your performance. You should try to express yourself in a clear and logical manner and to communicate a sense of self-confidence and direction. The best way to practice for interviews is in a video-taped mock interview. This method is excellent for providing feedback regarding your responses, mannerisms, and overall interviewing style.

During the Interview

In the vast majority of cases, students are rejected because of one major flaw—lack of proper career planning. Even if you view the company as nothing more than a career experiment, don't make vague statements such as, "I'll take most any job" or "I want to work with people." In your research you should have identified typical starting assignments—apply for those positions. If you perform well, opportunities for greater mobility will appear after your initial assignment.

Recruiters' Objectives

You can increase your employment chances if you keep in mind the recruiters' objectives. Recruiters have specific entry level vacancies to fill. They want people who are seriously interested in a career in a particular field. They need answers to the following questions:

• Why does this person want to work for my company?
• For what position would this individual be best suited?
• What are the qualifications of the interviewee?
• How does he or she compare with his or her peers?

If you are prepared to answer these questions, you can save the recruiter a lot of work and probably land the job.

Nervousness

Recruiters are aware that job interviewing can cause extreme nervousness. Usually a recruiter will make allowance for this, especially if it is one of the applicant's first interviews. Try not to fidget with your hands or articles of clothing. Keep frequent eye contact with the interviewer, but don't stare. In most instances, nervousness will become less of a factor after two or three interviews. For this reasons, it is wise to save your most important interviews until you have acquired some practice. Above all, don't become discouraged; interviewing is a learned skill. However, if you are still having difficulty after your fifth or sixth interview, it may be best to discuss the situation with the director of the Career Services Office.

Eye Contact

Having good eye contact is very important when communicating, especially when interviewing or meeting a prospective employer. Lack of direct eye contact can give a person the wrong impression about you. We typically think that a person who cannot look us in the eye may either be shy, hiding something, or dishonest. Maintain good eye contact when communicating; it will leave others with a positive impression of you.

Body Language

We can say many things with our bodies using nonverbal communication. Make sure that your body language portrays a message of friendliness and openness. When communicating, watch out for folded hand and arms, crossed legs, head in a downward position, or not sitting directly facing the person with whom you are talking. These gestures could lead others to think you are either very closed, aloof, or distant.

Be Candid

While subterfuge may get you the job, it isn't likely to keep it for you. The hiring of an employee is, after all, an agreement to buy what the employee has to sell. Unless both parties form an honest evaluation of each other, the sale is apt to be canceled.

Enthusiasm

Your interviewer has probably worked for his or her company for several years. The organization provides a recruiter with a good income, security, and an interesting career; in other words he or she is dedicated to the company. The interviewer expects you to have similar feelings or to at least exhibit enthusiasm for a potential position with the firm. A well-researched presentation is probably the best way to demonstrate this quality. Make your questions reflect your knowledge of the employer. Find out about the normal routine of the position in which you are interested, where you can expect to be in five years, and opportunities for further professional education. The idea is to convey a sense of long term interest. Above all, don't be too concerned bout salary, fringe benefits, or retirement plans. Convey your enthusiasm for the work, not for the awards.

Think On Your Feet

Don't let the interviewing situation stampede your confidence. Make sure you get the opportunity to fully express your strong points. Your answers should be factual, sincere, but should not convey conceit. You should:

• point out improvement trends in your grade point average if it appears low
• note any supervisory or leadership positions you may have held, even volunteer positions (most internships can legitimately be described as experience, so be sure to emphasize them)
• make sure the recruiter is aware of the percentage of your college expenses which you have earned (Most employers appreciate the difficulties involved in working while attending college, and will made due allowances for a lower grade point average or fewer extracurricular activities.)

After the Interview, Thanks

Send a short personal note to the interviewer, and anyone else you have spoken to regarding employment. This can be an extremely effective reinforcer. Although this step is often recommended, few applicants follow up on the suggestion. Thus, you can underscore your uniqueness just by this simple act of courtesy.

Tips For Thank-You Letters

• Write to the person or persons with who you are interviewed.
• Express your appreciation for the interviewer's time and consideration.
• Indicate your interest in the position.
• Reemphasize your strengths and qualifications.
• Mention something you didn't say during the interview (e.g., work experience or accomplishments).
• Enclose a resume to refresh the interviewer's memory.
• Unless the recruiter has indicated otherwise, state that you will contact him/her on a specific date to follow-up.
• Be proactive; call as you said you would!

Fifteen Knockout Factors (Reasons why candidates receive rejection replies)

• Lack of proper career planning - purposes and goals defined - needs direction.
• Lack of knowledge of field of specialization - not well qualified - lacks depth.
• Inability to express thoughts clearly and concisely - rambles.
• Insufficient evidence of achievement or capacity to excite action in others.
• Not prepared for the interview - no research on company - no presentation.
• No real interest in the organization or the industry - merely shopping around.
• Narrow location interest - unwilling to relocate later - inflexible.
• Little interest and enthusiasm - indifferent - bland personality.
• Overbearing - overaggressive - conceited - cocky - aloof - assuming.
• Interested only in best dollar offer - too money conscious.
• Asks no or poor questions about the job - little depth and meaning to questions.
• Unwilling to start at the bottom - expects too much too soon - unrealistic.
• Makes excuses - evasive - hedges on unfavorable factors in record.
• No confidence and poise - fails to look interviewer in the eye - immature.
• Poor personal appearance - sloppy dress - dress lacks sophistication

Twenty Questions Frequently Asked During Interviews

• Tell me about yourself. Expand on your resume.
• For what position are you applying?
• What are your long-term career goals? Where would you like to be in ten years?
• Why do you feel that you will be successful in...?
• What supervisory or leadership roles have you held?
• How do you spend your spare time?
• What have been your most satisfying and most disappointing experiences?
• What are your strongest (weakest) personal qualities?
• Give me some examples that support your stated interest in...
• Why did you select to interview with us?
• What courses did you like best? Least? Why?
• What did you learn or gain from your part-time and summer job experiences?