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Career Development

Remote Learning Career Tips & FAQs

THE XAVIER UNIVERSITY CAREER DEVELOPMENT OFFICE IS COMMITTED TO YOUR PROFESSIONAL SUCCESS.

We understand that during this time of remote learning and uncertainty due to COVID-19, many students and alumni have questions and concerns about how their job, internship, and graduate school plans will be impacted. The CDO has provided answers to some of the most frequently asked questions below. 

The Career Development Office will continue to share updates on our website, social media platforms, and email. If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact us at career@xavier.edu. 

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FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

How can I access career development staff and resources?

All XU students and alumni can meet with a career coach by scheduling a Zoom or phone appointment via Handshake.  Once you schedule your appointment, the Zoom meeting link can be found under the career coach’s office location.
 

Students and alumni can access additional online career resources through Xavier University's Career Development.and the Career Resource Library located in Handshake.
 

Will there be any career fairs or online sessions to interact with employers?

Virtual On-Campus Recruiting will be available for students and employers to connect. Any upcoming information tables and sessions will be posted on the events page in Handshake as well as on our Instagram account. Communication will go out to respective majors as the events become available.

We are exploring the option to host career fairs in a virtual setting. Continue to monitor your email and look for updates from employer@xavier.edu! 
 

What should I do if I am currently interviewing for a summer internship or full-time positions?

Keep interviewing! Many employers have reached out to our office to let us know that they are still interviewing candidates via phone and virtual platforms. Those still hiring are eager to get their positions filled. Due to the uncertainty surrounding COVID-19, it is unclear when the hiring process will resume to normal, so we encourage you to apply to multiple positions of interest.

Consider the following tips when preparing for a virtual interview: 

  • Make sure to have appropriate lighting, no background noise, and be aware of your surroundings and what will be visible in the background.
  •  Check your video and audio and practice before your interview.  This is a great opportunity to check your camera placement, body language, etc.
  • While you can have your resume available, be cognizant of keeping eye contact with the camera while answering questions.
  • Dress the same for your video interview as you would for an in-person interview.  It is important to present a polished look to your audience whether in-person or virtual.
  • Research the company and familiarize yourself with the job description.
  • Remember to send a thank you email within 24-48 hours of your interview.
  • For more tips on interviewing, view pages 12-15 of our Career Guide and schedule a virtual mock interview with one of our career coaches via Handshake.

I have accepted a position which has since been rescinded due to COVID-19. What are my next steps?

Due to the economic impacts and uncertainties, some employers have unfortunately had to rescind job and internship offers. If this has happened to you, you are not alone and our career coaches are here to assist you!  Please contact our office at career@xavier.edu so we are aware of your situation and our career coaches can offer their support in your next steps.
 

Employers continue to contact our office in search of qualified candidates. Available positions will be shared via the Handshake job platform and through targeted emails sent from our Employer Relations team. Continue to pursue additional opportunities, as it is not too late to secure an internship or full-time position.

 

If your financial situation allows, consider reaching out to your internship site to see if there are any remote work projects you would be able to volunteer for. Completing these short-term projects, sometimes called micro internships, is a great way for you to gain relevant experience you can include on your resume. While some internships may be unpaid, you can find paid micro internships through Parker-Dewey.

 

My internship was canceled due to COVID-19. Can I put my canceled internship on my resume?

If you had an internship that was canceled by the company due to COVID-19, you have the option to include the internship on your resume. Because every student has different experiences, you may or may not choose to list the internship on your resume. Schedule an appointment with your Career Coach to talk through listing a canceled internship on your resume.

If you choose to include your canceled internship on your resume, be sure to list the position title, the company, the dates you would have worked, and that the position was canceled due to COVID-19. Because you did not complete the internship, we do not recommend writing bullet points for the position.

The format might look like this:

Position Title, Company Name - Internship Canceled Due to COVID-19 - Summer 2020

 

How can I get experience during this time of remote learning?

While away from campus, consider the following options to further your professional development. 

  • Reach out to companies and non-profits you are interested in to see if they have any remote projects you could volunteer for. Completing these projects, sometimes called micro internships, is a great way for you to gain relevant experience you can include on your resume. While some micro internships may be unpaid, you can find paid micro internships through Parker-Dewey.
  • Consider developing a new technical skill utilizing online resources. Visit our Free Skill Development Resources page for a list of online resources.
  • Read current publications in your field and listen to relevant podcasts to increase industry knowledge.
  • Join a professional association relevant to your field.  While there will likely be a cost associated with this, many professional organizations have a reduced cost for students.
  • Learn a new language.  Familiarity with another language can make you a more competitive candidate during the job search.
  • Build your network.  Consider using Xavier's Flash Mentor Program to schedule virtual conversations with industry professionals to learn more about career paths, industries, company insights, skills needed to be a competitive candidate, graduate schools, and more!

I am an international student. Can I participate in a summer, fall, or spring internship?

International students who have been enrolled for two semesters in F-1 status and have declared a major are eligible to participate in an off-campus internship through Curricular Practical Training (CPT). You must enroll in a summer class that will give you academic credit for the work you will be doing. The internship must be directly related to your major and further enhance your understanding of the field in which you are studying and/or allow you to apply skills/concepts learned in class. A summer internship may be part-time or full-time. However, for the fall and spring semesters, internships can only be part-time (20hr/week or less). For more information regarding the CPT application process please contact Tsvety Karaivanova, Assistant Director, ISSS at karaivanovat@xavier.edu

I am an international student. Can I participate in volunteer opportunities?

Volunteering is a great way to engage with your local community and network with others who have similar interests.  For example, you may wish to volunteer for a non-profit organization that is holding a charity race or food donation drive, participate in a religious service, or volunteer at a local shelter/food pantry.  Generally, a work authorization isn’t needed if international students participate in limited unpaid civic, charitable, or humanitarian services for an organization as a volunteer given they are’t receiving any other type of compensation (reimbursement for transportation, accommodations, etc.) For additional information about volunteering and how it affects your immigration status, please contact the CIE at international@xavier.edu.

How can I continue to build my network remotely?

While at home, reach out to your current network (family, friends, faculty, friends of friends, etc.) to learn about careers, industries, and potential opportunities. As you look to expand your network, consider conducting informational interviews with Xavier alumni and other industry professionals. Informational interviews are one aspect of networking that you can do from the comfort of your home, in which you, the interviewer, are asking an industry professional for information, not a job. The knowledge gained from informational interviews can help you learn about career paths, industries, graduate schools, types of jobs or companies best suited for you, skills and qualifications to make you a competitive candidate, and more! 

For more information on how to conduct an informational interview, schedule a career coaching appointment via Handshake or see pages 2-4 of our Career Guide.

To find professionals to network with, consider using the following:  

  • Flash mentoring:  As a Xavier student we encourage you to explore your professional goals outside of Xavier.  One helpful way to do this is through talking with professionals working in the fields you are considering.  While the Professional Mentor Program is an opportunity to create a more longitudinal relationship, Flash Mentoring allows XU students from all class years to talk with a variety of engaged professionals for one-time individual conversations.  Talking with these Flash Mentors can help you explore desired fields, specific job functions, organizations, or graduate programs.  To view available Flash Mentors, visit www.xavier.edu/flash and login with your XU username and password.  For questions about Flash Mentoring, please contact Heather Deters at detersh2@xavier.edu
  • LinkedIn:  Want to talk with someone from a specific company or in a certain career?  Use the search box to find or make connections on LinkedIn. You can explore Xavier University alumni by location, company, industry, and majors on LinkedIn's Xavier University alumni page.

I lost my job due to COVID-19 and am in need of immediate income. What companies are hiring?

A list of open positions can be found via Handshake. Many employers have expressed that they are still recruiting and will conduct interviews in a virtual format.

If you are looking for temporary work, View Companies Currently Hiring for Temporary Positions . Visit their company website for instructions on how to apply. 


Please see below for additional information regarding job and internship searching during COVID-19.