Career Development Center

The Shiv Nadar Foundation's flagship institution, Shiv Nadar University, offers a multidisciplinary curriculum that prepares students for future challenges. The Career Development Center at the university serves as a vital link between academia and industry, aiming to facilitate a smooth transition from campus to corporate life.

The Career Development Center at the university plays a crucial role by providing dedicated support for personal and professional growth, helping students enhance their employability through workshops, mentorship, and industry engagements.  The initiatives taken by the Career Development Center include in-house training, one-on-one coaching, bridging modules, and assistance with internships and entry-level job opportunities.

Career Advisors collaborate with individual students to weave together the elements of employability development, recognizing the diverse backgrounds of our students as part of the industry readiness program. Increasingly, personal development planning tools and career advice are utilized to help students connect their career goals with their academic pursuits, work experiences, and co-curricular activities.

About the team

Exploring Careers
  • Careers across the spectrum
Personal Branding
  • SWOT | Resume | LinkedIn
Understanding Recruitment and Hiring Timelines
  • Recruitment process, duration, evaluating, and onboarding new employees in an organization
Developing Employability Skills
  • Experiential Learning - Industry Visits, Internships, Informational Interview, Prepare for an interview
Engaging with Employers
  • Expanding your network with industry professionals and explore potential career opportunities.
Alumni Advising
  • Guidance, mentorship, and support to current students for graduate studies.
 

Pedagogy

The pedagogy is designed to involve students in active learning, foster critical thinking, and offer opportunities for practical application. By employing a range of instructional strategies, including experiential learning, self-assessment, reflections, employability assessments, real-life simulations, group work, industry engagements, and problem-based learning, instructors guide students in effectively developing and showcasing their employability skills to enhance their career prospects.

The Career Development Centre initiates interventions as early as the first semester to support students throughout their academic journey. This includes administering psychometric tests to identify individual strengths, weaknesses, and aptitudes, as well as conducting assessments across all four years. Students also benefit from various workshops aimed at enhancing employability skills. Finally, the Center provides last-mile support, offering organization-specific insights to prepare students for successful career placements.

  • Discovering Career Pathways - Exploring career options by aligning their interests, strengths and aspirations thereby mapping potential career paths
  • Building Blocks of Successful Career - Self-awareness, skill development, networking, and continuous learning.
  • Goal-Setting - Set clear, achievable goals and action plans while fostering a growth mindset to stay motivated and overcome challenges.
  • Expanding Your Network - Effective networking strategies to build meaningful relationships with faculty, alumni, and industry professionals for their academic and career development.
  • SWOT - Identify strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and threats, helping students assess themselves and make informed decisions.
  • Outbound Workshop - Enhance decision-making skills, strengthen teamwork abilities, and build a foundation for collaboration and problem-solving in both academic and professional environments
  • Careers after Majors - Mapping diverse pathways that align academic knowledge with opportunities in various industries.

Exploring Careers

Pathways to Higher Education
  • Personal Branding - Defining and promoting your unique value, skills, and personality to create a distinct professional identity
    • Creating an Impactful Resume
    • Elevator Pitch
    • Building a Professional Image
Developing Employability Skills
  • Professional Email Etiquette - Communicate effectively and courteously in a business context using clear language, maintaining a respectful tone
  • Group Discussion
  • Acing an Interview
Expand Your Network
  • LinkedIn for Networking - Building a robust online professional presence by connecting, sharing expertise, and discovering career opportunities
  • Conduct Informational Interviews
Understanding Recruitment and Hiring Timelines
  • Know Your Organization
  • Recruitment Roadmap

Talk to an Advisor

Click on the link to schedule a meeting with a career advisor for personalised guidance.

Schedule a Meeting

Building Career Skills

Understanding Resumes

What is a Resume?

A resume is a concise document that outlines our qualifications, including education, skills, work experience and achievements. It serves as a marketing tool to showcase our strengths to convince potential employers.

Importance of a Resume

The resume is often the first impression you make on a potential employer. It plays a critical role in the job application process for several reasons:

  • First Impressions Matter: A well-crafted resume can set you apart from other candidates.
  • Highlighting Relevant Skills: It allows you to showcase your skills and experiences that are most relevant to the job you are applying for.
  • Career Progression: A resume is essential not only for job applications but also for internships, scholarships, and academic programs.
What to Include in Your Resume
  • Contact Information: Your name, phone number, email address, and LinkedIn profile (if applicable).
  • Education: Your academic qualifications, including degrees earned, institutions attended, CGPA and graduation dates.
  • Work Experience: Relevant job positions, internships, and volunteer work, including your roles and accomplishments.
  • Skills: Specific skills related to the job, such as technical skills, languages, and soft skills.
  • Certifications: Any relevant certifications or additional training that enhances your qualifications.
What to Avoid in Your Resume
  • Irrelevant Information: Avoid including unrelated work experiences or skills that do not pertain to the job.
  • Excessive Length: Keep your resume concise—ideally one page for recent graduates and no more than two pages for experienced professionals.
  • Generic Language: Use action verbs and specific achievements instead of vague phrases.
  • Personal Details: Do not include sensitive information such as age, marital status, or a photo unless specifically requested.
The Importance of Resume Review by a Career Advisor

Having your resume reviewed by a career advisor is crucial for several reasons:

  • Expert Feedback: Advisors can provide valuable insights and suggestions to enhance the effectiveness of your resume.
  • Tailored Advice: They can help you tailor your resume to specific job applications, ensuring you highlight the most relevant skills and experiences.
  • Error Detection: Career advisors can spot grammatical errors and formatting issues that you might overlook.

For personalized assistance, we encourage you to schedule a meeting with a career advisor. They can guide you in crafting a resume that stands out in today's competitive job market.

Schedule a Meeting

To schedule a meeting with a career advisor, click here to choose a convenient time.
Creating an effective resume is a vital step in your career journey. Take the time to refine your resume, and don't hesitate to seek help from our dedicated career advisors!

Create Your Elevator Pitch

Overview

An elevator pitch is a concise and persuasive speech that introduces yourself, your ideas, or your organization in a brief amount of time-typically the duration of an elevator ride, about 30 seconds to 2 minutes.

Key Components of an Elevator Pitch
  • Who You Are: Introduce yourself succinctly.
  • What You Do: Explain your role or what your organization does.
  • Value Proposition: Highlight the unique benefits or solutions you offer.
  • Call to Action: End with an invitation for further conversation or a specific request.
Crafting Your Pitch
  • Participants work individually or in pairs to draft their elevator pitches using a provided template.
  • We encourage creativity and personalization to reflect their unique style and goals.
  • Participants will pair up to practice their pitches with each other.

An effective elevator pitch can open doors to new opportunities, whether in networking events, job interviews, or casual encounters. This session not only provides the tools to create a compelling pitch but also fosters confidence in communication skills. Participants will leave with a polished elevator pitch and the ability to present themselves effectively in any situation.

 

Informational Interviews: Step-by-Step Guide

Informational interviews are a valuable tool for gaining insights into a career field, industry, or specific organization. They provide an opportunity to learn from experienced professionals while expanding your network. Here's a step-by-step guide to conducting an effective informational interview.

Step 1: Define Your Goals
  • Identify Purpose: Determine what you hope to learn. Are you exploring a new career path, seeking advice on job searching, or wanting to know more about a specific company?
  • Target Roles/Industries: Narrow down the specific roles or industries that interest you.
Step 2: Research Potential Contacts
  • Leverage Networks: Use platforms like LinkedIn, alumni networks, or professional organizations to identify potential contacts in your field of interest.
  • Select Relevant Individuals: Look for professionals who hold positions or have experiences that align with your goals.
Step 3: Reach Out
  • Craft a Polite Message: Write a concise email or message introducing yourself, explaining your interest, and politely requesting a brief meeting.
  • Be Specific: Mention why you're reaching out to them specifically and what you hope to learn.
Sample Message : Request for Informational Interview

Dear [Recipient's Name],

I hope this message finds you well. My name is [Your Name], and I am [a student at XYZ University / a recent graduate / an aspiring professional in your field]. I came across your profile while researching [specific topic or company], and I was impressed by your experience in [specific area].

I would greatly appreciate the opportunity to speak with you for 20-30 minutes to learn more about your career path and any insights you might have about [specific industry or role].

Thank you for considering my request. I look forward to the possibility of connecting!

Best regards,

[Your Name]

[Your Contact Information]

Step 4: Prepare for the Interview
  • Develop Questions: Create a list of open-ended questions to guide the conversation. Focus on their career path, daily responsibilities, industry trends, and advice for newcomers.
Sample Questions
  • How did you get started in your career?
  • What does a typical day look like for you?
  • What skills do you think are most important in this field?
  • Are there any challenges you face in your role?
  • Research the Interviewee: Familiarize yourself with their background and the organization they work for. This shows respect for their time and enhances the conversation.
Step 5: Conduct the Interview
  • Be Professional: Dress appropriately and arrive on time, whether the meeting is virtual or in person.
  • Start with Gratitude: Begin by thanking them for their time.
  • Listen Actively: Engage in the conversation by listening carefully and asking follow-up questions based on their responses.
  • Take Notes: Jot down important points, insights, and any advice they share.
Step 6: Follow Up
  • Send a Thank-You Note: Within 24 hours, send a brief thank-you email expressing appreciation for their time and insights.
Sample Thank-You Note

Dear [Recipient's Name],

Thank you so much for taking the time to speak with me yesterday. I truly appreciated your insights into [specific topic discussed]. Your advice on [specific advice] was particularly helpful as I navigate my career path.

I hope to stay in touch, and I’ll keep you updated on my progress. Thank you once again!

Best regards,

[Your Name]

Step 7: Maintain the Relationship
  • Stay in Touch: Consider reaching out periodically to share updates or to ask additional questions. This helps build a lasting professional relationship.
  • Offer Help: If appropriate, offer assistance in return, such as sharing relevant articles or connecting them with others in your network.

Informational interviews are an excellent way to gain valuable insights and expand your professional network. By following these steps, you can conduct effective interviews that enhance your understanding of your desired career path and help you build meaningful connections.

Preparing for an Interview: A Comprehensive Guide

Preparing for an interview is crucial to making a strong impression and increasing your chances of securing the job. Here's a step-by-step guide, along with frequently asked questions (FAQs) to help you navigate the process.

Step 1: Research the Company
  • Understand the Company: Familiarize yourself with the company's mission, values, culture, products, and services.
  • Know the Industry: Research industry trends and competitors to demonstrate your knowledge during the interview.
Step 2: Review the Job Description
  • Analyze Requirements: Identify key skills, qualifications, and responsibilities mentioned in the job description.
  • Match Your Experience: Prepare examples from your past experiences that align with the job requirements.
Step 3: Prepare Your Responses
  • Common Interview Questions: Practice answering common interview questions, such as:
    • Tell me about yourself.
    • What are your greatest strengths and weaknesses?
    • Why do you want to work here?
    • Describe a challenging situation and how you handled it.
  • Behavioural Questions: Use the STAR method (Situation, Task, Action, Result) to structure your responses to behavioural questions.
Step 4: Prepare Your Questions
  • Ask Thoughtful Questions: Prepare questions to ask the interviewer to demonstrate your interest and engagement. Examples include:
    • What does a typical day look like in this role?
    • How do you measure success for this position?
    • Can you describe the team I would be working with?
Step 5: Dress Appropriately
  • Choose Professional Attire: Select an outfit that fits the company culture. When in doubt, opt for business professional attire.
Step 6: Practice
  • Mock Interviews: Conduct mock interviews with a friend or mentor to gain confidence and receive feedback.
  • Body Language: Pay attention to your body language, maintaining eye contact and a confident posture.
Step 7: Prepare for Logistics
  • Know the Details: Confirm the date, time, and location of the interview. If it's virtual, ensure your technology is working properly.
  • Arrive Early: Aim to arrive 10-15 minutes early to show punctuality and professionalism.

FAQs

Bring multiple copies of your resume, a list of references, a notebook, and a pen. If it's a virtual interview, have a digital copy of your resume and any notes ready.

Send a thank-you email within 24 hours, expressing gratitude for the opportunity and reiterating your interest in the position.

It's okay to admit you don't know the answer. You can say, "That's a great question; I'm not sure, but I would be eager to learn more about it."

If asked about salary expectations, you can provide a range based on your research or say, "I'd prefer to learn more about the role before discussing salary specifics."

Take deep breaths to calm yourself and remember that it's normal to feel nervous. Prepare thoroughly to boost your confidence.

Share examples from your experiences that reflect the company's values and culture. Research their culture beforehand to tailor your responses.

Effective interview preparation can significantly enhance your confidence and performance. By researching the company, practicing your responses, and preparing thoughtful questions, you'll be well-equipped to make a positive impression. Good luck!

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