SERVICES OF THE CCO

The Center for Career Opportunities (CCO) serves as the centralized Career Services office for the West Lafayette Campus of Purdue University. We offer multiple services for undergraduate and graduate students, alumni, employers, faculty and staff.

Need more career advice? See and hear employers, career services consultants, and your fellow students talk about the many facets of your career search, including resumes, interviewing and social networking sites. Click here to access CareerSpots videos.

The Center for Career Opportunities welcomes the opportunity to offer career-related programs for students, faculty and staff, and administrators. Click here to submit a request for a CCO presentation.

WORKSHOP TOPICS

Fact or Fiction - Writing a Resume That Works

How to create and polish a resume to catch the employer's eye.

The goals are to:

• Understand the purpose of a resume
• Learn how to tailor the resume to individual backgrounds and strengths
• Learn how to organize the information on a resume
• Write an appropriate objective statement
• Understand resume Do's and Don'ts

The 30 Second Commercial - Getting the Most Out of a Job Fair (Schedule Visit)

Tips about behavior and preparation to maximize performance at job fairs.

The goals are to:

• Understand the purpose of a job fair
• Learn how to prepare for a job fair
• Learn how to prepare the 30 second sell
• Understand appropriate behavior/dress at the job fair
• Understand the importance of follow-up after the job fair 

Acing the Interview 

Develop key interviewing skills.

The goals are to:

• Understand the purpose of the interview
• Learn how to prepare for an interview
• Understand professional etiquette
• Understand behavioral interviews
• Understand the importance of follow-up after the interview 

A - Z of the Job Search (Schedule Visit)

Learn the necessary steps to insure a successful job search.

The goals are to:

• Understand the Job Search process
• Understand the pros and cons of different job search strategies
• Understand informational interviewing
• Understand how to market their degree 

Know Who You Know - Networking

Learn how to work a room, find jobs by talking to people, and how to take advantage of every opportunity to schmooze the crowd and meet people who can help with the career search.

The goals are to:

• Understand the purpose of networking
• Define the individual's network
• Learn the keys to networking
• Learn the do's and don'ts of networking 

Getting What You Want - Offer Evaluation and Negotiation 

Learn how to compare offers, as well as learn how and when to negotiate the terms of a job offer.

The goals are to:

• Understand the evaluation/negotiation process
• Understand the critical questions to address
• Understand the factors for consideration 

myCCO: On-Line Resume Referral, Interview Scheduling, and Job Search 

Learn how to use the myCCO system.

The goals are to:

• Know how to enter profiles and upload resumes
• Know how to refer resumes
• Know how to schedule interviews
• Know how to search the job listings 

Services of the Center for Career Opportunities

Learn about the services of the CCO.

The goals are to:

• Know the purpose of career counseling and how to schedule an appointment
• Know the types of walk-in services and hours of walk-ins
• Know the purpose of myCCO
• Know how to schedule and prepare for mock interviews
• Know about the resources available on the CCO website
• Know about CCO clinics and where to find information about them 

Oh the Things You Can Do: Choosing a Major 

Learn the steps of the career exploration process.

The goals are to:

• Begin to identify interests, abilities, values, and skills
• Understand the world of work
• Understand how interests, abilities, values, and skills relate to the world of Work
• Understand the importance of exploration and research
• Understand how to proceed through the career exploration process

LinkedIn – Career Networking

Learn how to create a LinkedIn profile and use LinkedIn in order to network and apply for jobs.

The goals are to:

• Learn how to create the best LinkedIn profile and understand how recruiters search LinkedIn for candidates
• Understand the alumni tool and how networking with Boilermakers can increase your chances of landing a job
• Learn about other social media that can enhance one's network
• Understand how to transition an online connection to a real-world contact

At the CCO, we want all students to be successful regardless of their financial circumstances. To assist our Boilermakers who are on a budget, the CCO Career Closet will provide professional clothing to students who are unable to afford proper interview attire.

Need clothes for an interview, career fair or professional event, but don't know how you can afford it?

The CCO Career Closet may have the right fit for FREE. Here's what will happen with you visit the Career Closet:

1. Greet a career services consultant or CCO Peer Consultant in Young 132 during our Drop-in times, Monday-Friday from 10 am-4 pm.
2. Proceed to the second floor to explore the Career Closet.
3. Try on items in a private dressing room.
4. Seek assistance from the career services consultant or CCO Peer Consultant in the nearby waiting area (if you have questions or want fashion advice).
5. Find your perfect interview outfit (in 20 minutes or less).
6. Walk into your interview feeling confident!

Important Notes

1. Students may select 1 outfit per academic year to keep.
2. Because clothing supplies are based upon donation, we may not be able to provide you with the correct size.
3. If you don’t find an outfit that fits, you can always come back again to browse our new arrivals! 

Want to make a difference in the future of a Boilermaker?

The Career Closet is in need of the following items:

• Men and women’s suits
• Blouses and shirts
• Men and women’s dress pants
• Belts, ties, etc.
• Gently worn shoes

Donations can be brought to the CCO in Young Hall 132 between 10am and 4pm Monday-Friday, or you can contact askcco@purdue.edu for more information.

Thanks for visiting the Purdue University Center for Career Opportunities website. Whether you're a student or alumni seeking assistance with your career decision-making or job search; an employer searching for outstanding Purdue students and graduates to fill your positions; or another interested party seeking to learn more about the CCO's offerings, be assured that our dedicated staff are eager to assist you.

As you explore the information provided on this website, you'll get a sense of the many programs and services that the CCO has to offer. We also welcome personal visits, as well as questions via email as they relate to our services and opportunities to respond to employers seeking to address their hiring needs. 

Tim Luzader, Executive Director

MEET THE CCO STAFF

MISSION

The Center for Career Opportunities informs and empowers students and graduates using transformative career services, innovative technologies and collaborative synergies to connect with professional opportunities within Indiana, the United States and the world.

VISION

Every Boilermaker Empowered for Lifelong Success. 

VALUES

• Individual Choice: We value the right of students and graduates to make their own career choices.
• Student Focus: We value students and regard them as our primary constituency.
• Diversity & Inclusion: We value the unique backgrounds, beliefs and contributions of individuals. We strive to create an inclusive and positive environment.
• Integrity: We value the demonstration of responsibility and accountability among staff and stakeholders. We respect professional ethics and standards set forth by the university, the National Association of Colleges and Employers, National Career Development Association and National Association of Advisors for the Health Professions.
  
• Accessibility: We value the accessibility of services and facilities to all constituents.
• Adaptability: We value adaptability to the ever-changing global landscape and strive to be leading change agents.
• Campus Collaboration: We value collaborating with key faculty and staff to carry out our mission.
• Employer & Stakeholder Partnership: We value partnerships with employers, professional and graduate schools and professional associations that benefit current and future students and graduates.
• Data-Driven Operation: We value sound decision making and insights based on data.
• Innovation: We value creative ideas and we put them into action.
• Fun: We value making the workplace fun.

Young Hall, Room 132
155 S. Grant Street
West Lafayette, IN 47907-2114
Phone: (765) 494-3981
Fax: (765) 494-6959