Sycamore CAREERlink

Students and Alumni Users Guide

About Sycamore CAREERlink

Sycamore CAREERlink is a web-based system linking students, alumni, and employers through the Career Center. Sycamore CAREERlink is part of the NACElink Network, a partnership between NACE (National Association of Colleges and Employers), DirectEmployers Association, and Symplicity Corporation.

Who can use Sycamore CAREERlink?

Indiana State University students and alumni may acquire access to the Sycamore CAREERlink system. Sycamore CAREERlink is a free service to all ISU students and alumni.

Indiana State University Faculty and Staff may also obtain a student account at no charge to search available positions applicable to the students in their department.

Must I register to use Sycamore CAREERlink?

The Career Center will automatically create a Sycamore CAREERlink account for all incoming students at the start of the semester in which they enroll.

NOTE: if you have specified complete confidentiality for your student "directory" information through the Registrar's Office, an account will NOT automatically be created for you.  In that case, you must contact the Career Center to request an account.

Non-enrolled alumni past the 1-Year post-graduation period for free Sycamore CAREERlink access must still register with the Career Center to obtain/continue access.

What are the policies regarding use of Sycamore CAREERlink?

Sycamore CAREERlink Privacy Policy and Terms of Use

What will I be able to do?

View all types of positions, including part-time, full-time, internship/co-op, and on-campus recruiting positions.

Upload and store up to 10 documents of any type (resume, cover letter, unofficial transcript, writing sample, etc) and then, apply for a job directly online.  Your documents are stored in both their native and PDF format.

Track your job search for job postings you've applied to through Sycamore CAREERlink.

Receive automated e-mail notification of new openings that match your job-search criteria.

Browse organization information for companies within Sycamore CAREERlink, and store "favorites" lists for both organizations and jobs that you'd like to keep tabs on.

Search and apply for jobs from other popular jobs databases - CareerBuilder, USAJobs, and JOBcentral - directly from the Sycamore CAREERlink interface.

Using Sycamore CAREERlink- setup tasks

OK, I just received my Sycamore CAREERlink login, now, how do I use the system?

Log into Sycamore CAREERlink - Navigate to the Career Center's homepage. Click on the Sycamore CAREERlink icon.  You should now see the Sycamore CAREERlink homepage.  Click the Student Login link.  Enter your username (your full MyMail e-mail address) and your password (this is initially a random system generated password sent to you via e-mail when your account is set up by the Career Center).  Click Go.

If your login information is correct, you should now see the Home page for students & alumni.  If you received an error message at login, please first utilize the forgot password tool.  This will reset your password and mail you a new one at the e-mail address you use as your username.  If you are still unable to login, please contact the Career Center at 812-237-3806 or 888-892-6044 (Toll Free), or send an e-mail to scl@indstate.edu.

Once logged in, there are a few account set up tasks that you will want to complete to take full advantage of all that Sycamore CAREERlink can do for you:

1. Complete your Profile Information - Before you can access Sycamore CAREERlink jobs, you must complete all required information in the profile section of your account.
   
   There are three sections to your profile (Personal Information, Academic Information, and Privacy Settings).
   
   Start by clicking the profile link in the navigation bar.  Fill in all required information on the Personal Information tab and click the Save Changes and Continue button (NOTE: your e-mail address is NOT editable).  Repeat this process for the Academic Information tab.  Continue on to the Privacy tab.  The privacy setting governs whether or not your default resume (if you have stored a resume) will be viewable to employers browsing resume books.  THE DEFAULT SETTING is "YES", so be sure to check NO if you would like to keep your resume private.
   
   Finally, you will probably want to change your password to something more familiar.  To do this, click the Change Password tab.  Enter your current password and your desired new password in the appropriate fields.  Click the Change button to complete the password change.
    
2. Upload your resume and other career-related documents
   
   In order to apply for jobs through Sycamore CAREERlink and be found by employers browsing resume books for candidates, you must at least have one resume uploaded.  You may also upload any other documents of your choice (additional resumes, cover letters, unofficial transcripts, writing samples,  etc.) for storage in Sycamore CAREERlink up to the 10 total document limit.
   
   Depending on what requested documents an employer has specified on a job posting, you may be able to submit these additional documents along with your resume when applying for jobs through Sycamore CAREERlink (NOTE: an employer may REQUEST other documents in addition to your resume such as a cover letter or unofficial transcript; however, only your resume will be REQUIRED to submit an application through Sycamore CAREERlink.  Though not required, it is generally advisable to submit those additional documents that an employer has requested).
   
   To upload a document, simply click the documents link in the navigation bar header.  Now follow the onscreen instructions to add the document of your choice.  Give your document a meaningful name in the label field, specify the type of document you are uploading, and then use the browse button to navigate to the file path of the document that you wish to upload on your computer.  Click Submit.  (NOTE: Sycamore CAREERlink stores your documents in both PDF format AND the document's native format.  To view the PDF version you need to have the free Adobe Acrobat Reader installed on your computer.  Click on the white page icon to download your document in it's native state, and click on the Adobe Acrobat icon to open the PDF version of your document)
   
   If you have uploaded more that one resume and have chosen to make your resume viewable to employers browsing resume books (see Privacy Settings in step 1), be sure to choose one resume as a default resume (the one employers will see through resume books).  You do this by clicking the make default button on the resume of your choice.
    
3. Automate your job search with a Search Agent or two!
   
   Sycamore CAREERlink, like many other job listing databases, can be set up to automatically notify you via e-mail about positions in which you may be interested in .  This is called a search agent.  A search agent is just a saved search that you can optionally schedule to run automatically at an interval of your choice.  Here's how to get started:
   
   Click on the jobs link in the navigation bar.  Choose Sycamore CAREERlink jobs.  The job postings page will open up to the most recent jobs entered into the system.  Now, click the Advanced Search tab.
   
   There are many search criteria available to you.  You can specify keywords that would likely be in the job title, description, or employer name for the type of job for which you are looking, search by location, position type, job function, etc.
   
   For certain criteria, you can hold the CTRL key down while you make your selections to specify multiple values within each field.
   
   You can specify as many conditions as you wish, but it's generally best to start out with a broad search and narrow it down with additional criteria after you're satisfied with the results.
   
   When you specify search criteria you are forming a logical AND condition between criteria and a logical OR condition within each criteria.  (NOTE: If you don't care about a particular search option - say Travel Percentage, then it's best to leave that field blank.  Often a simple keyword search will give you the best results).
   
   Once you have specified all the criteria you wish, click the Save As checkbox at the top of the search form and enter a name for your search agent.  Click Submit at the bottom of the form.  The job postings page will display with the results of your search.  Now click the Search Agents tab.  If you're not satisfied with the quality/quantity of the results you received, click the Edit button on your search agent to refine your search criteria.  Otherwise, you are now ready to schedule your search agent.  Click the schedule button on your search agent.  Click the enabled link.  Now enter a period and multiple for your agent to run at.  You should interpret this as every multiple (e.g., 1) period (e.g., week).
   
   You may set up and schedule as many search agents as you wish.

That's it! You are all set.

Remember that it is YOUR responsibility to keep your profile information, resume, and other documents up to date, this is not done automatically or in conjunction with updates you may make in your MyISU portal account.

For current students, the Career Center will set your account to expire one year following your expected date of graduation at the time your account is created.  If you are not on track to graduate at the time you expected when your account was issued, please contact the Career Center so we may extend your free access to the system.

FAQ's

• What do I do if I can't log in to Sycamore CAREERlink?
  
  First make sure that you have entered your username (your full MyMail e-mail address) and password (e-mailed to your username e-mail when your account is created) correctly at login.  If you're sure of your username, but not so sure of your password, first use the forgot password tool, this resets your password and e-mails you a new password.  Use the new password to get logged in and then change it to something more familiar using the Change Password tab in the profile section.
  
  If you are still unable to login, please contact the Career Center at 812-237-3806 or 888-892-6044 (Toll Free), or send an e-mail to scl@indstate.edu.
   
• Can I change my username and password?
  
  You may change your password at anytime by clicking the profile link in the navigation bar and then clicking the Change Password tab.  Enter your current password and your desired new password in the appropriate fields.  Click the Change button to complete the password change.
  
  Your username is not changeable by you.  It is set at the time your account is created and can only be changed by Career Center administrative staff.  Your username should be your full MyMail e-mail address.  If you need to request a username change, please contact the Career Center at 812-237-3806 or 888-892-6044 (Toll Free), or send an e-mail to scl@indstate.edu.
   
• How do I search for On-Campus Interview (OCI) jobs within Sycamore CAREERlink?
  
  Please refer to our separate Student & Alumni OCI User Guide for instructions on campus interviewing. -Comming Soone
   
• How do I search for jobs NON-OCI jobs within Sycamore CAREERlink?
  
  To search for Sycamore CAREERlink jobs, simply click on the jobs link in the navigation bar and choose Sycamore CAREERlink jobs.  The job postings page will open up with the most recently posted positions listed first.  To filter this list you can use any combination of the "quick filter" options at the the top of the page, and then click the Search button.  You can also perform an "advanced search" to further refine your results.  Choose the Advanced Search tab on the job postings page.  There are several criteria for you to search on in combination (NOTE: You are forming a logical AND condition between criteria, and a logical OR condition within criteria.  You can hold the CTRL key for multiple selection in drop-down lists.  If you have no preference for a particular field, simply leave it blank).  To save your search as a search agent and schedule automated e-mail notification of jobs, please refer to step # 3 of Using Sycamore CAREERlink - setup tasks above.
  
  Sycamore CAREERlink jobs listed as "NACElink multi-school postings" are actually jobs originating in DirectEmployers Association's JOBcentral database.  DirectEmployers Association is a partner in the NACElink Network. 
  
  To search for CareerBuilder or USAJobs, click the jobs link in the navigation bar, and choose the appropriate link.  Use either the "quick filter" options at the top of each page, or click the advanced search tab and follow the onscreen instructions to construct your search criteria.
   
• How can I keep track of jobs and organizations that I'm interested in?
  
  Tracking your favorite jobs or organizations is simple.  In the options section of each job listing or organization listing, you will see an "Add Favorite" icon.  Simply click on the icon to add that job or organization to your favorites lists, which are accessible/editable from the Favorites tab on both the job postings and organizations pages (NOTE: favorites do not apply for CareerBuilder or USAJobs listings).
   
• Why should I use Sycamore CAREERlink instead of other online job search databases?
  
  The Career Center recommends students take advantage of every career resource available.  However; there are some  aspects that set Sycamore CAREERlink apart from other popular online systems:
   
  • Sycamore CAREERlink is geared towards college students and recent alumni.  Employers that post jobs to Sycamore CAREERlink are looking for recent or soon to be graduates and current college students!  You will find all kinds of opportunities in Sycamore CAREERlink  (full-time, part-time, experiential-learning positions, etc.), but employers know that candidates will likely be current students or recent graduates and alumni.  As a result, we expect you will find a better percentage of entry-level professional positions and experiential learning opportunities than on other online job databases.
     
  • In addition to Sycamore CAREERlink jobs, you can also search postings from other popular job databases such as CareerBuilder, USAJobs, and JOBcentral straight from Sycamore CAREERlink!
     
• When I click on Sycamore CAREERlink jobs, the system takes me to the profile section, why is this?
  
  Before you can access Sycamore CAREERlink jobs, you must complete all required information in your profile section.  Click on the profile link in the navigation bar, and complete the required information on each tab.  Once complete, you will have access to all jobs within the system.
   
• How do I upload my resume and other career-related documents to Sycamore CAREERlink?
  
  Please refer to step #2 in the Using Sycamore CAREERlink - setup tasks section above.
   
• How do I schedule an interview or track my applications to On-Campus Interview (OCI) jobs within Sycamore CAREERlink?
  
  Please refer to our separate Student & Alumni OCI User Guide for instructions on campus interviewing. --Comming Soon
   
• How do I apply for a job or track my applications to NON-OCI jobs within Sycamore CAREERlink?
  
  Organizations posting jobs to Sycamore CAREERlink have two options when specifying application instructions:
  
  The first is to specify their own application instructions.  When a job is posted using this method you will not be able to apply through the Sycamore CAREERlink system.  Instead, you will need to follow the organization's specified application instructions, which may be to mail your resume in to a specified person/address or possibly navigate to an online application form set up by the organization.  When an organization uses this option, you should see a "How to Apply" box to the right of the job description.  Simply follow the instructions given, or contact the Career Center if the instructions are not clear.  Be sure to read the instructions thoroughly and check to see what documents the organization has requested.  Sycamore CAREERlink is unable to track applications made outside the system, so be sure to remember that you have applied!
  
  The second option is to allow applicants to submit their resume, and optionally other requested documents, through Sycamore CAREERlink.  When an organization chooses this option, you will see an "Application Status" box to the right of the job description.  Within this box will be a drop-down list for the resume you would like to choose to submit, and possibly additional optional drop-down lists for other documents requested by the organization.  Only your resume will be required, but it is generally advisable to provide additional documents when requested.  There is also an optional notes field that you can use to provide any additional comments/questions that you would like the organization to see.   Simply select the documents you would like to send from each drop-down list, and any notes you would like, and then click the submit button.
  
  Applications you make through the Sycamore CAREERlink system directly will be stored under the Applications tab of the job postings page under Sycamore CAREERlink jobs.  Should your interest change after you've submitted your application, you may even WITHDRAW your application from consideration by clicking the withdraw button on the application record for that position while the job is still active (NOTE: you should use this feature judiciously, it will NOT "un-send" any application materials if the organization has chosen to receive e-mail notifications for each application received.  It will, however, remove your application from any stored applications that the organization will see listed for the position).
   
• What does the Activity Summary link on my homepage tell me?
  
  The Activity Summary is just a log of all the noteworthy things you do while in Sycamore CAREERlink (apply/withdraw for jobs, add/remove documents, add/remove favorites, etc.).  You can review your activity summary by searching for activities within a specified date range.  You can then filter the dated activity results for a particular type of activity using the activity picklist.
   
• Can I store multiple resumes and cover letters in Sycamore CAREERlink?
  
  Yes, please refer to step #2 in the Using Sycamore CAREERlink - setup tasks section above.
   
• I am an ISU alum and I don't see my exact major within the major choices list in my academic profile?  What can I do about this?
  
  The majors list should include all current ISU majors within each college.  If you are an alum who holds a degree in a major no longer offered at ISU, please notify the Career Center at 812-237-3806 or 888-892-6044 (Toll Free), or send an e-mail to scl@indstate.edu and we will update the list to include your major.
   
• When I uploaded my resume or other career-related document, the converted PDF version is not formatted as it appeared in my original document.  What can I do about this?
  
  Sycamore CAREERlink supports PDF conversion for many, many document types.  The system will generally do a very good job in preserving the original formatting of your document in the process.  If you are unsatisfied with the PDF version of your document, you might check to see if you had used an uncommon type font, and if so consider changing the font to a similar, more common font (Arial, Times, Helvetica, Verdana, etc).  If that doesn't solve you formatting problem, please contact the Career Center for personalized assistance - 812-237-3806 or 888-892-6044 (Toll Free).
   
• Does Sycamore CAREERlink contain job listings for On-Campus Employment at ISU
  
  No.  All job listings for On-Campus Employment at ISU are listed within ISU's Applicant Tracking System (ATS).
  
  You WILL find Off-Campus Student Employment positions in Sycamore CAREERlink.  A simple search for part-time jobs or internships in Terre Haute and surrounding areas will generally retrieve most of these opportunities.
   
• Does Sycamore CAREERlink contain On-Campus Interview jobs, or jobs being offered by employers attending Career Fairs?
  
  Jobs being offered by employers in conjunction with On-Campus Interview visits unrelated to a Career Fair will always be listed in Sycamore CAREERlink.  Campus Interview opportunities related to a Career Fair may be listed in Sycamore CAREERlink if the employer has set up an Interview Schedule for jobs being offered at the Career Fair.  To view all jobs being offered at one of our Career Fairs, please reference the desired fair from our Career Fairs home page.
   
• What's the difference between Sycamore CAREERlink, CareerBuilder, USAJobs, NACElink Alumni Network, and jobs listed as NACElink multi-school postings?
   
  • Sycamore CAREERlink jobs are positions posted exclusively to ISU or to ISU and other NACElink network affiliated institutions.
     
  • CareerBuilder and USAJobs are exactly what you'd think they would be  - jobs posted to other popular jobs databases.
     
  • NACElink Alumni Network jobs are experience level positions from DirectEmployers Association's JOBcentral database.  DirectEmployers Association is a partner in the NACElink Network.
     
  • Jobs listed as "NACElink multi-school postings" are jobs from DirectEmployers Association's JOBcentral database.
     
• Where can I get additional information/help for the Sycamore CAREERlink system?
  
  Within Sycamore CAREERlink you can find context sensitive help about most activities you will need to perform within the system.  If your question is not addressed here or within the system help messages, please use the feedback form on the homepage for students and alumni.  You may also request information by contacting the Career Center at 812-237-3806 or 888-892-6044 (Toll Free), or by sending an e-mail to scl@indstate.edu.  We will answer your questions A.S.A.P. during our operating hours!