Here are the answers to the career search questions we hear most frequently. Have additional questions? E-mail us at sfscdc@georgetown.edu

How many different resumes should I have?

The number of resumes is determined by the number of different job objectives or functions you can fulfill. For example, if you are pursuing a job as an intelligence analyst, your resume should support your research skills. However, if you are pursuing a job in project management, the resume calls for different supporting evidence. Mixing everything together in a story of your life is not a good idea as recruiters are looking for the best match for 5-8 specific requirements.

What's the difference between a resume and a curriculum vitae?

A resume is a one-page document (for graduating students) that states what kind of work you are looking for and provides evidence of your qualifications in education and work experience. It has to look appealing and be amenable to electronic or human reader scanning. The curriculum vitae (c.v.), on the other hand, is typically just that -- the story of your life -- in three or more pages. CVs are used in academia and abroad, and are typically read by people who will analyze them and prepare questions on the content. If you are applying for work with a foreign organization, stop by the Career Development Center for assistance in converting your resume to a c.v.

I mailed a resume and cover letter and forgot to sign it. Does this spell disaster for that application?

One mistake is rarely enough to discard an application. It's the total number of perceived errors that cause a reader to toss an application. For that reason, we advise students to use bond paper, design an attractive letterhead, and always proofread their cover letter and resume for clarity.

I've been asked to submit a writing sample along with my resume. How long should it be and what form should it take?

A 3- to 5-page sample that provides evidence of your communications skills along with your thinking/reasoning skills, in a clean, laser-printed format will do. It's a good idea to keep your prospective reader in mind when selecting material. For example, an application to a government agency would be better supported with a report on a political subject than a critique of current fiction.

I dropped 15 resumes with cover letters last semester but got no calls for interviews. What's going on?

Once your resume has been approved by us, it needs to be tested in the competitive marketplace. I'm glad you called this situation to our attention so we can examine both the resume and cover letter for trouble, as well as the organizations that you are targeting. Please make an appointment to come in and speak with one of us on the premise that two heads are better than one.

Why don't you post a full year's agenda of events so I can see which companies will be recruiting on campus and won't duplicate my activities by approaching one of them on my own?

Scheduling is contingent on employer time frames, recruiter interests and needs, space availability on campus, and notification time. We attempt to provide students with four weeks advance notice of an event whenever possible. However, on occasion it has been shortened to as little as 24 hours, forcing you to turn on a dime. We respect your ability to do that on occasion, but when you can't, then feel free to apply to an attractive employer whenever you're ready. There are a lot of doors into an organization for job search, and we're holding open only one.

I received a job offer that sounds perfect except for the money. While I can live on the salary, it won't accommodate repayments on my educational loans. What should I do?

Most employers allow the marketplace to determine salary ranges, and then assess the educational background and prior work experience of individual candidates to create a job offer. Their assessment is based on what they see on a resume and what they learn from the candidate during the interview. It behooves you to present yourself at your best, and in doing so, you should find most helpful the 60-minute seminars and workshops -- including Negotiating Compensation -- sponsored by the Career Development Center.

I received a "conditional" appointment from a U.S. government agency. What should I do now?

Conditional appointments are offers with a deferred start date, typically awaiting results of a physical exam, security clearance, or start of a training program. Since this process can take up to a year, with no guarantee of the outcome, it's a good idea to keep up the job search or accept an interim work assignment elsewhere.

I received my master's degree in 1995 for the School of Foreign Service and am now looking to make a career change. How can your services benefit me?

We invite alums-in-transition to notify us so that we may add their names to our e-mail list for the weekly Career Bulletin and allow them to access job postings. In addition, if you are within commuting distance or planning a visit to Washington, DC, call us in advance. We will be happy to meet with you to listen to your objectives and assist you with your job strategy. Check out our alumni services page for more details.