Business Career Connections (BCC)

The average person makes 5-7 changes throughout their career. A career change could be a pivot between industries or transitioning to an entirely new field or specialty. Follow these steps to better understand what kinds of jobs and industries suit you best.

  Step 1:In Canvas, visit the BUSINESS CAREER CONNECTIONS course (free) and complete the module titled ‘5 STRATEGIES TO LANDING A JOB.   In this workshop, we’ll discuss the basics of resumes, LinkedIn profiles, how to target companies and roles, networking, and professional etiquette. It’s a great way to get started on your career.

​  Step 2: Explore our career guides. They list what skills employers are looking for, certifications and licenses, clubs and events to consider, job titles, and types of employers.

Accounting Entrepreneurship Finance Human Resources Information Systems  International Business Management Marketing Risk Management and Insurance Sports Business 

​  Step 3: Start getting some inspiration for employers you'd want to work for. Review the largest employers in Colorado, Fortune 100's best companies to work for, and the global Fortune 500 companies.

Your resume is your first impression with an employer. Recruiters are looking for very specific things on resumes. Make sure yours stays at the top of the pile with these steps.

  Step 1: Review Resume Fundamentals which outline the purpose of a resume, formatting, length, keywords, and detailed instructions on each component.

  Step 2: Watch this video on our best tips on writing a resume.

  Step 3: Download the sample resume for your degree and put your resume in the proper format. If you already have a resume and need help putting it in the proper format, these brief videos will walk you through the process of re-formatting your current resume. 

  Step 4: Reflect on your resume and start strengthening it. This Resume Ready Resource Guide breaks down the skills and certifications by degree so you can start actively build the skillset you need to land a job in your chosen field. These skills are some of the keywords that give you an advantage over other candidates. When you strengthen you, you strengthen your resume. Watch this video for more information on Resumes That Get Results.

  Step 5: Compile your list of references, see this sample. 

  Step 6: Set up an appointment with us to review your resume, discuss gaps, and strengthen your resume for your chosen career path and/or company.

Current Students: Make an appointment 

If you are a Business School alumni, email us at bcc@ucdenver.edu to schedule an appointment.

Your online presence can invite or turn-off any potential employer. Make sure your LinkedIn profile is professional and matches your updated resume. Follow these steps to start taking advantage of one of the best networking tools out there.

  Step 1: Read through the Student’s Guide to LinkedIn to understand the value and purpose of LinkedIn.

  Step 2: Review our LinkedIn tips in this video.

  Step 3: Take 20 minutes to set up your LinkedIn profile with this How to Set Up a LinkedIn Profile Guide.

  Step 4: Set up appointment with us to review your LinkedIn profile. Remember that your resume is the first step.

Current Students: Make an appointment 

If you are a Business School alumni, email us at bcc@ucdenver.edu to schedule an appointment.  We do not accept walk-in appointments, so plan ahead.

Doing your research gives you a leg up on the competition. If you have an idea of the roles that you prefer, you can then narrow down the companies that you want to work for. A corporate recruiter wrote down why people struggle to find jobs. He gives great advice and insight into the recruiting process and how companies make decisions from resume to offer letter.

  Step 1: Identify companies you want to work for. The following documents highlight companies and associations within Colorado specific to majors and industries.

  Step 2: Check out reviews of companies you're interested in from Glassdoor to truly understand the work environment. While the reviews can give you a good idea of the culture, a lot of times the reviews reflect the opinions of disgruntled employees. We recommend looking for common themes and trends.

  Step 3: Use the 3+3 Job Prep Worksheet to help you identify and organize the jobs and companies you're interested in. The worksheet has you identify position highlights, requirements that are necessary for the job, and your strengths related to the job. You’ll need this information for career fairs, cover letters, and interviews.

  Step 4: In Canvas, visit the BUSINESS CAREER CONNECTIONS course (free) and complete the module titled‘CAREER FAIR PREPARATION.  Also read through this Career Fair Fundamentals Guide. Employer events, class speakers, and career fairs give you plenty of opportunities to meet people and build your network.

  Step 5: Sign up for career fairs and employer spotlights in Handshake.

• Colorado Business Career Fair – over 140 employers attend to meet students across all of Colorado’s major business schools every fall semester
• CU Denver Business Career Fair – an invitation-only fair for around 25 leading companies held every spring semester at the Business School
• Employer Spotlights – we host several events throughout the year as networking opportunities to allow employers to sit on panels to discuss trends in their industries

Internships are a great way to gain experience and learn more about what kinds of working environments you thrive in. Follow the steps below to successfully land an internship.

  Step 1:Register in Handshake for a 30-minute Internship Workshop offered by the Experiential Learning Center.

  Step 2: Search for internships on Handshake, set up information interviews by connecting to professionals on LinkedIn or through alumni, review companies you’ve identified, explore associations related to your major. See “job/internship search” for more ideas on finding the right internship.

  Step 3: Tailor your resume and cover letter to the job description. Apply for internships until you receive an offer and accept it.

  Step 4: Consider enrolling your internship for academic credit. If you find your own for-credit internship, make sure that it is approved by the Experiential Learning Center. Non-credit internships do not have to be approved.

For-credit internships require at least 150 hours ‘on the job’ for three credits with a minimum of 10 weeks in the spring and fall semesters and 6 weeks in the summer semester. Review the Undergraduate Internship Guide or the Graduate Internship Guide to learn who your faculty sponsors should be and eligibility.

1. Report your internship in Handshake.
   

   Career Center > Experiences > Request an Experience
   You must fill in every required field! Otherwise, Handshake will not save the information your report. Make sure you have the following information:

   • site supervisor
   • faculty sponsor
   • start and end dates
   • address of where you will be working
   • job description from your internship employer
   • a minimum of 4 learning objectives
2. Meet with your internship advisor in the Experiential Learning Center.
3. Two approvals are required after meeting with the ELC.
4. Enroll in the internship course by the census date.

We have a number of resources available to anyone navigating the job application process. We recommend utilizing the following process to make sure you're finding the right jobs and internships and setting yourself up for success.

  Step 1: Find jobs through career fairs, Handshake, LinkedIn, and online job boards. You can also go on company websites that you’re specifically targeting to see what jobs are available. Use Handshake to find different job and internship opportunities.

  Step 2: Write a strong cover letter for each job/internship you apply for. Utilize the 3+3 Job Prep Worksheet and review this Sample Cover Letter that outlines exactly what you need to say.

  Step 3: Watch this video that highlights best practices when writing cover letters.

  Step 4: Submit your resume and cover letter online. Keep applying for jobs until you’ve received and accepted an offer. Be sure to follow the instructions for your application.

Interviews can be intimidating. However, if you know what to expect and how to prepare, you’ll feel a lot more comfortable and put your best foot forward. From understanding the most common interview questions to scheduling a mock interview, you’ll be a lot more confident if you take advantage of these resources.

  Step 1: Read through Interview Fundamentals which outlines how to prepare, what the process looks like, different types of interviews, and interview questions. Make sure you have gone over the Top 10 Interview Questions and have answers prepared for each question.  Make sure you know what the ‘Essential 3+3’ is, which you outlined in your  3+3 Job Prep Worksheet!

  Step 2: Watch this video to find out our biggest tips for nailing the interview.

  Step 3: Review our Professional Etiquette Fundamentals. You’ll also need to make sure you dress the part by reviewing these Business Attire Recommendations.

  Step 4: Review Glassdoor to see if your employer has interview questions online, so you can better prepare.

  Step 5: Schedule a mock interview with the BCC by setting up an appointment.  

Current Students: Make an appointment 

If you are a Business School alumni, email us at bcc@ucdenver.edu to schedule an appointment.  We do not accept walk-in appointments, so plan ahead.

Video interviews are the new normal in the hiring process and knowing how to use Zoom doesn’t make you video interview proficient.  We are piloting their new artificial intelligence feature.  Big Interview lets you record, replay, record again – as many times as you’d like.  There are questions for most business disciplines and videos on interview advice.  You’ll need to register for an account and enter 1475 as the Organization Code the first time you log in.  

  Step 6: Follow up after the interview with these Thank You Email Templates.

Once you’ve landed the job you’ll have questions around the offer letter and how to negotiate your salary, benefits, and other compensation. We recommend the following tools or scheduling an individual appointment by emailing bcc@ucdenver.edu or calling 303-315-8901.

• LinkedIn Salary Tool – explore how salaries vary by industry, company size, education level, and field of study
• Glassdoor Salary Review – see what employees anonymously report as their salaries at various companies
• Compensation Worksheet – use this document to compare the full picture of compensation across companies

To learn more about compensation negotiation please watch this video: Negotiate Your Best Salary.

We recommend a few steps to help you navigate the special circumstances around landing an internship or job offer as an international student. The following resources are available to you throughout your time here at the Business School.

   Step 1: Complete the module for INTERNATIONAL STUDENTS: REQUIRED WORKSHOPS in Canvas.  You have been emailed an invitation to a new Canvas course (free!) called BUSINESS CAREER CONNECTIONS ESSENTIAL JOB AND CAREER TIPS.  International students must complete these 2 workshops and pass the quiz at the end of the module with a grade of 80% or higher before scheduling an appointment with the BCC.

  Step 2: Set up an appointment with a BCC Career Advisor to review your resume and LinkedIn profile.   You MUST use one of the resume formats found here.

Current Students: Make an appointment

  Step 3: Review GoinGlobal, a job board with job and internship listings from around the world. This tool also provides industry profiles, country-specific career, and employment information, work permits/visa regulations, and employment trends. 

  Step 4: Review information on employment and internships through the CU Denver International Student and Scholar Services website. You can also email questions to Tyler Stokes at tyler.stokes@ucdenver.edu.

  Step 5: If you’re interested in the STEM OPT, please review the US government STEM OPT information on eligibility, the application process, and requirements.