Get Hired

Get Hired - Environment + Society

For complete information on job search strategies, resumes, cover letters, LinkedIn, interviews, and more, review our starter tips to Get Hired in all careers as well as the specialized tips on this page.

Resumes for Environment + Society Careers

Your resume is a critical first step in the hiring process for any position in the Environment + Society field. Start by creating a master resume where you can document all your accomplishments, skills, and experiences relevant to this area. This master resume serves as a comprehensive record, making it easier to customize for specific job applications.

When applying for a particular position, tailor your resume to highlight the qualifications and experiences most relevant to that employer and role. Emphasize your expertise in environmental and societal issues, and ensure that your resume aligns with the specific requirements of the job you’re pursuing. Check out the resumes section of the UC Santa Barbara Career Services website for detailed information on how to tailor your resume.

Cover Letters for Environment + Society Careers

Cover letters complement your resume by offering deeper insight into a few of your most relevant qualities. Instead of merely summarizing your resume, a cover letter is an opportunity to connect your experiences in a meaningful way and to explain why you are passionate about a specific position within the Environment + Society field.

Much like crafting a personal letter, writing a tailored cover letter requires a deep understanding of your audience. Use the guide on the Cover Letter section of the UC Santa Barbara Career Services website to help you draft a cover letter that resonates with employers in the Environment + Society sector.

Federal Job Applications in Environment + Society

If you're aiming to work for the federal government in the Environment + Society sector, there are 10 key steps to follow:

1. Create an account on USAJOBS.
2. Build a USAJOBS profile.
3. While logged into your USAJOBS account, search for jobs related to Environment + Society while logged into your USAJOBS account.
4. Review the job announcement to determine if you are eligible and meet the qualifications, which will be included in your application.
5. Prepare your application in USAJOBS by carefully reading the “how to apply” section of the job announcement.
6. Submit your application to the agency’s application system. Track the status of your applications through your USAJOBS profile.
7. Your application will be reviewed by the agency to confirm eligibility and qualifications. The most qualified candidates will be referred to the hiring official.
8. Interview with the hiring official in various formats such as panel, in-person, video, or phone interviews. Keep in mind that scheduling might take time, so stay patient.
9. The agency will select candidates and initiate the job offer process.
10. A tentative offer will be made, contingent on passing a background investigation.

Federal Resumes

When applying to federal positions, you will need to create a federal resume. Federal resumes are different from the traditional resume Career Services advises. USAJOBS often hosts webinars about how to write federal resumes. Watch a USAJOBS YouTube tutorial about federal resumes and read more about resumes and what to include from the USAJOBS website.

State Job Applications

According to CalCareers, the website for California State jobs, there are three steps to applying for a state job:

1. Search for a job by browsing career fields for available jobs or search with keywords and filter by location, work schedule, and salary.
2. Take an assessment. Depending on the job, there are different types of assessments, such as exams or interviews, to determine if you are a good fit for the job. Read the job description carefully to review the qualifications and assessments required.
3. Apply. According to CalCareers, “You only need to fill out one job application, and you can use the same form to apply for multiple positions. Or you can create two or three applications, tailoring them to different jobs. You can also upload other attachments, if needed, such as resumes and writing samples.”

City and County Job Applications

City and county government jobs do not use the same websites as CalCareers or USAJOBS. Each city and county government typically have their own website and employment systems. However, many of the processes remain the same in terms of searching for positions, meeting qualifications, taking an exam, and submitting application materials. Carefully and thoroughly read all job descriptions. The following are helpful resources for applying for local government positions:

• Govtjobs.com provides a list of links to employment pages for city, county, and state governments by directing to the individual employment pages for each entity.
• Local government positions are also frequently found in traditional job search engines. Review Career Services Get Hired page for sites and strategies.