Explore Your Options

Consider how you may wish to advance your Career at Sac State.

The primary ways staff advance at Sac State include:

• Individual Contributor
• Lead Roles
• Management

Explore Your Aspirations

Now is the time to do some research. Explore jobs that you aspire to obtain. Look at job titles and descriptions for Sac State and at other campuses within the CSU, even if you do not meet the requirements -- yet. Dream.

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Sac State Careers

CSU Careers

CSU Classifications

Network and Build Relationships

Seek out coaching and mentoring from supervisors and colleagues. Foster positive work relationships. Consider asking to meet with someone in an aspirational position for coffee and do an informational interview.

• Attend campus events and network; ask questions about other employees' roles
• Search LinkedIn Learning for tips on informational interviewing, listening, and networking skills
• Prepare informational interview questions, see Ten Questions to Ask in Informational Interviews
• Plan for aspirational interviews
• Engage with a professional mentor
• Check out the mentoring program offered by EDUCAUSE

Plan Your Path

Begin a Career Development Plan

You have looked at your dream jobs, jotted down the requirements, and highlighted education and experience you are missing. Now is the time to create an individual development plan to fill in those missing gaps.

[link to the new form here]

Also consider these options:

Consider the CSU Employee Fee Waiver

• Use the CSU employee fee waiver and reduction program to take courses and gain education to meet requirements. If the courses are not available at Sac State, perhaps they are available online at another CSU campus.
• Search Degrees at the CSU.
  • Source: If the source is "Campus" it will be covered by the fee waiver program. If the source is "Extension" it is NOT covered by the employee fee waiver program and the participant must pay full fees. Note: Sac State CCE Programs and Certificates are NOT covered by the employee fee waiver program and participant must pay full fees.
  • Format: Fully F2F = Fully face-to-face (on-campus in-person); Online = the program is completely online.
• Not sure what courses to take or how to select a major? Use Focus 2 Career to complete self-assessments for career planning. Select "Combine Your Results" to see occupations and majors that match your strengths.
• Review the Tips for Cal State Apply section.

Consider Additional CSU Program Options

Other CSU state-funded programs that may help you reach your goals:

• Student Success Analytics Certificate Program, Email AnalyticsCertificateProgram@calstate.edu
• Higher Ed Administration & Leadership (HEAL) Graduate Certificate program at CSUDH
• Middle Leadership Academy for CSU faculty, staff, researchers and students to collaborate on common issues related to student learning, engagement, progression and completion.
• Academic Applications of Artificial Intelligence micro-credential through SDSU (free canvas course to CSU employees, no fee waiver needed)
• CSU's WebAIM Accessible Document Training Certificate

Build Experience

• Ask to take on a stretch assignment at work to develop new skills
• Consider volunteering to gain experience to transfer to your dream job

Start a Career Journey on LinkedIn Learning

Use LinkedIn Learning to develop in individualized Career Journey. Go to My Sac State > LinkedIn Learning. In the left navigation, select "My Career Journey"; complete the career goal and choose skills to unlock your personalized learning plan.

Consider Your Personal Brand

• What are you known for?
• Do people trust you?
• Do you have a growth mindset?

Do you need to renovate your reputation? How has your work performance and interactions formed your reputation?

• View Creating your Personal Brand for ideas about re-thinking your personal brand and reputation.

Land Your Dream Job

Resume, Application and Interview Preparation

Did you find a job for which you are interested in applying? Schedule time to prepare for the application, resume and interview processes.

Customize Your Resume and Cover Letter

• Go to My Sac State > Linked In Learning, and review one of the many resume courses available. Some, for example, Writing a Resume, have exercise files that you can download to help you with this process.
• Review the internet for samples and tips for resumes in your career interest, as well as updating your resume for a career change (if applicable)

• Cover letter: Even if optional, write an application cover letter
• Double check: If you were reviewing your resume, could you easily and quickly check off each of the Required Qualifications listed on the job posting? Are all Preferred Qualifications you possess apparent as well?

Complete the Application and Additional Materials

Applications are a non-biased way for HR to collect information from you to see if you meet the minimum requirements for the job. Don't skimp on this, and don't put "see resume" - even though it might be tempting.

Print out or save a copy of the application so that you can see what information will be requested. You may copy and paste some information from your resume, if you wish.

Complete the online application and any additional questions fully. Be sure to upload additional materials such as your resume, certificates, etc.

Glossary of Application Terminology

Priority Application Date: The date after which the committee will begin reviewing applications. Applying by this date whenever possible will increase your chances of being reviewed within the first group of applicants. If you are entitled to priority consideration because of a Hiring Preference (see below), applying by this date will ensure your application is considered in isolation from the external applicant pool.

Hiring Preference: Is the hiring committee required by collective bargaining agreement (union) language to give first or priority consideration to certain applicants? Please note: If a job has been posted publicly on “careers.csus.edu” the position is open to all applications, including those outside of the hiring preference. If you are outside of this priority group, you may experience a delay in hearing back regarding your application status.

Anticipated Hiring Range: The department’s most accurate estimate of an expected starting salary rate for a successful candidate. This range cannot account for all internal hiring scenarios (i.e. required promotional increases that may exceed the anticipated max range).

CSU Classification Salary Range: The absolute minimum and maximum an employee can make in a certain classification salary range, as set by the CSU Chancellor’s Office. This provides transparency towards potential future salary progression.

Prepare for an Internal Interview

Pretend you are an external candidate and prepare as if you are walking into an interview where no one knows you, your work, or your job. Remember, the committee has been instructed to consider what is shared in the interview and application materials - that's it. You must answer questions fully so that they can equitably compare you against any external candidates that may also interview.

• Prepare to rock the interview and practice interviewing
• Research common questions and have a friend or family member ask them of you
• Practice using the STAR interview response technique
• Dress professionally. Wear something you feel both confident and comfortable in. If your interview is a video conference (i.e. Zoom) ensure your background is clean, professional, and free of distractions.
• Once you interview, send a “thank you” email to whoever helped schedule the interview. Ask them to share your thanks with the search committee/hiring manager.