FACULTY CAREER GUIDANCE

Faculty & Staff are often questioned by students about choices of major and/or career, skills needed by employers and how to make connections with organizations to gain experience and to obtain future employment.  Counselors and the Student Employment Services Office work closely with each student individually to help her/him understand these issues and make the best decisions.  Please feel free to refer a student or alumnus to our office for assistance.   If you wish, please feel free to call us personally to relay pertinent information if you feel it will help us assist the student better.

In order for you to be most effective in providing assistance to students, please review the following information:

A Faculty Guide to Legal and Ethical Standards in Student Hiring

By NACE:  National Association of Colleges & Employers

Principles for Professional Conduct For Career Services and Employment Professionals

By NACE:  National Association of Colleges & Employers

Writing Letters of Recommendation

By NACE:  National Association of Colleges & Employers

As an individual who has been asked to provide a letter of recommendation or a reference for a student or alumnus, you have several obligations.

• If you cannot provide a positive recommendation in support of the individual’s candidacy, please decline to write a letter or to serve as a reference.  Provide information to the individual as to why you have declined to serve as a reference.

• Ask the individual for any information that may help you complete the letter – i.e. a copy of her/his resume, transcript or additional information.

• The presentation and professional appearance of your letter often impacts the individual’s candidacy.  Please be sure that the letter is typewritten rather than handwritten.  Proofread it carefully for typographical and grammatical errors.

• Be sure that your professional affiliation to the individual is clear.  Indicate how you can be contacted for additional information and list time frames that the contact information is accurate.  You should include address, phone number and email address if applicable.

For sample letters and additional guidance, visit NACE Suggested Guidelines for Reference Givers.