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Northwest Missouri State University

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Education Credential Files

To Create a New File

Registering with Career Services will allow you to sign up for mock interviews, on-campus interviews and to be eligible for resume referrals*. Education majors will also have a physical credential file created upon completion of registration. There are three easy steps.

  1. Complete and submit Signature Release. It may be mailed, faxed, or hand delivered to our office. Our office address and contact information may be found at the bottom of the form. This form cannot be filled out electronically.
  2. Enter your profile information into Hire A Bearcat. It is wise to update your profile anytime your personal information changes; such as, student status, major, address, phone number, email address, etc. Complete your profile by answering the questions labeled personal information, academics, future plans, and administration. Make sure you save your information after you complete each section. The red dot represents a required field. To select multiple options in any category hold the control button while clicking on the options with the mouse.
  3. Upload a resume! Log into Hire A Bearcat, and select Documents in the gray bar at the top of the screen. Click upload a document from the drop down box. Select Resume to upload the new resume. (The resume must be in Microsoft Word or RTF for the system to read the file.)

Note: Once these three steps are complete, the office will create a physical file for the candidate. A copy of the signature release will be placed in the file, along with a copy of the uploaded resume. Unofficial transcripts and up to six letters of recommendation are optional. The file will be sent at your request, please call 660.562.1250. There may be a fee to send out your file.

 

*Resume Referrals: Employers contact Career Services looking for qualified candidates throughout the year. We query Hire A Bearcat for registered students and alumni that match the employers’ needs and forward the resumes of those candidates to the employers immediately. This is a free service to both the candidates and the employers!

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Resume Referrals

When school districts or companies have vacant positions they may call our office and request resumes of candidates who are qualified to fill the position. We search our online database for registered, active students and alumni who meet the qualifications of the employer. We then collect those resumes and forward them to the employer.

Tip: On your resume, don't include personal information such as age, race, martial status, children, photos, or hobbies. Use conservative formatting and little or no clip art. Contact our office to learn more about resumes and how you can make your shine!

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Job Listings

Career Services posts vacancies sent to us by both education and non-education employers. You can access these listings through Hire A Bearcat.

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File FAQ's

Q. I've asked that my file be sent to a district, and after several days they tell me they haven't received it. What's going on?

A. First, make sure the district is missing your credential file and not your official transcripts. Many times those transcripts are needed to complete your application. Since we don't provide "official transcripts", you will need to contact the Registrar's office at 562-1151 to request them; a fee is required. If they haven't received your credential file, we verify the address and mail it again.

Q. What's the difference between marking "to see" or "not see" on my letter of recommendation forms?

A. Letters marked "to see" are open; administrators know you can remove letters that aren't favorable. "Not see" letters are confidential - you can't see them, and we can't tell you what's in them. (While it's tempting to mark them "to see", administrators still prefer confidential letters. Your opinion: make sure you ask your references if they can provide you a good letter of recommendation. If they say no, ask someone else.)

Q. My online resume is outdated, and I've already sent a current version to the district. I just want my letters sent away, so can you send my letters without my resume?

A. No. To keep your information together and prevent mistakes, we send all pieces together. Most districts won't mind a repeated resume, and it's a good reminder to keep your online resume current.

Q. What happens if one of my references doesn't use the standard form to write my letter of recommendation?

A. If possible, we cut and paste the letter onto the form. It looks less professional but the content is there. Please encourage your references to use the form whenever possible. Also, let them know that our office can provide them with an electronic version if they choose.

Q. I know that I can have six letters of recommendation in my file, but I have another that I'd like to include. Is there a way I can keep more than six in my file?

A. For a $1.00 fee for each letter, you can maintain extra recommendations in your file.

 

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