Search for Full time work
Job Search Strategies
The job market for graduates has varied in recent years, and the long-term outlook is difficult to predict. Regardless of economic conditions, the most effective method for graduates to find desirable employment is to conduct an active, self-directed job search campaign.
Most students find meaningful employment by developing their career goals, identifying desirable employers, assuming control of their job search campaign, and actively pursuing employment opportunities. Many job seekers only focus on developing a resume and polishing their interview skills are key aspects of a job search, it is important to know that there are many other steps in this process.
The most careful, comprehensive job search involves each of the following steps, though not necessarily in the order presented. Read them carefully and decide how many you want to implement.
Start Early and Visit The Career Center Before Your Senior Year
Use on-campus interviewing, and take advantage of many additional services that are available through the Career Center to assist in your search process.
Read About the Job Search Process
Various job search sites and books found in The Career Center Library can help you generate effective strategies, feel more motivated, and organize your approach.
Decide What Type of Work You Want
Whether you are seeking an internship, part-time, or full-time opportunity, employers are most interested in individuals who have focused their job/career interests.
Research the Field
After writing some possible goal statements, you should find out what work in your field of interest involves. Read occupational information or job descriptions and interview people in these fields.
Expand Your Location or Job Target
Whether you are seeking an internship, part-time, or full-time opportunity, employers are most interested in individuals who have focused their job/career interests.
gather information about employers
To demonstrate sincere interest in commitment to an employer, gather specific information about the agency, institution or company.
Develop a List of Possible Employers
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Tell everyone you know that you are looking. You never know who may have a lead! Use the following resources to broaden your search:
- Alumni or others in the field
- Social Networking sites such as LinkedIn.com
- Contacts from professors, instructors, friends, neighbors, and family
- Members of professional associations in the field
- Reputable private employment agencies
- Workforce Career Centers
- Newspaper job listing
- Employer Directories
- Professional journals
- Telephone books
- Internet sites
As you identify potential employers, consider the following employment sectors. There may be possibilities for someone with your major in each of these settings. Also note that they may overlap to some extent.
Business/Industry: Employers vary tremendously in size, and they hire from all majors. Types of business include merchandising, manufacturing, public utilities, communications, transportation, hospitality, financial services, information technology, insurance, consulting, etc.
County/Municipal Government Agencies: These can include Agency on Aging , Children’s Services, Tax Office, Parks and Recreation, Police Department, Planning and Zoning, Voter Registration, Judicial System, Fire Department, etc.
- Education: This sector consists of public and private schools, community colleges, trade/technical schools, colleges and universities, nature centers, etc.
- Non-profits, Foundations and Associations: Social services (both public and private) include housing agencies, mental health services, centers for persons with disabilities, etc. Many hospitals and medical services are non-profit. Cultural foundations and centers, such as museums, zoos, community theater, etc. may be non-profit organizations as well.
- Professions: Sectors include law, medicine, the many allied medical professions, clergy and counseling, etc.Private Enterprise: This segment encompasses all forms of individual and private ownership. Many overlap with previously listed categories.
Utilize a Variety of Creative Job Search Methods
According to Bolles’ 2014 book “What Color is Your Parachute.” the following are keys to success when job searching:You are 12 times more likely to find a job if you use a variety of creative job search methods.Only 4% of job seekers find a job when using the Internet alone.
Prepare One or More Versions of Your Resume and Cover Letter
Tailor your resume to the specific type of position for which you are applying. If you are looking for several types of positions, you will be more competitive if you have different versions of your resume that are relevant to each position you are seeking.
Contact Employers and Apply for Jobs
To make initial contact with an employer in order to express interest, you can:
- Send your resume with a Cover letter.
- Send an email to an appropriate contact within the organization.
- Meet someone directly
- Call someone who may be in a position to hire you.
It is important to express (in the cover letter, in person, or via email) why are you interested in that employer/job and to clearly and concisely explain why you are qualified. If you have talked with someone else, read a brochure, or reviewed the website, this should be mentioned in your letter. The least effective method of getting a job interview is to send 50 to 100 standardized resumes. Instead, try to obtain information on about 10 to 20 employers you are more interested in and make more personalized contact with a phone call, email, direct walk-in inquiry, or cover letter and resume tailored to the position.
Follow Up, Even If You Have Not Received a Response
Many employers are so busy and see so many resumes that they fail to respond to all of the resumes sent. Remain courteous, but do not be afraid to be persistent.
Prepare for the Interview
There are variety of interview formats, from a highly structured list of questions to a very unstructured discussion.
Send a Letter of Appreciation After Each Interview
Though not mandatory, this step is a way to leave a good impression and express your interest in the job and employer. It needs to be done almost immediately after the interview and is much more effective if your letter is personalized rather than a form letter that could be sent to many different employers.
Continue to Network
One of the most effective ways to obtain a job is to learn about it from another person! It is important to develop a broad and extensive network of contacts. Either you can tell everyone you know that you are looking for a job and provide a brief description of your interests and background or you can make it a point to get to know people in jobs related to your interests.