Overwhelmed by career advice from countless websites and AI tools? Our guides cut through the noise with Penn-specific resources, actionable steps, and AI prompts tailored for graduate students and postdocs.
Resume Guide for Graduate Students and Postdocs
Learn how to structure your resume to support your professional narrative in this guide, complete with section-by-section examples and AI prompts that help you refine (not replace) your own voice.
Our resume 1-pager summarizes many of the most relevant resume and cover letter resources you can access. If you are a student in a design field, and especially from Weitzman School of Design, then you can also take a look at the Design Resume Guide and the Design Cover Letter Guide.
Informational Interviewing Guide for Graduate Students and Postdocs
This guide walks you through finding alumni, crafting effective outreach, and asking the right questions to gather insights for your applications and interviews. Take a look at the networking 1-pager for a good summary of some of the broader networking resources available to you.
Interviewing Guide for Graduate Students and Postdocs
Whether you’re preparing for a first-round Zoom interview or an in-person final round, this guide helps you feel confident. Learn preparation strategies, approaches for different interview types, and how to answer questions using the STAR format. For consulting and technical interview resources, check the interviewing 1-pager.
Negotiation Guide for Graduate Students and Postdocs
With one or more offers in hand, navigating negotiation can feel intense. This guide simplifies the process with actionable advice on managing timing and identifying negotiable aspects of your offer. Look for an updated version coming in May 2026!
Ready to put these guides into action? Schedule an appointment with an advisor to discuss your career goals and next steps.
Fun fact – the covers for several of these guides feature original artwork by our Administrative Coordinator, Hannah Smith!
