Job Hunting Tips
Network!
Think of the people you know - relatives, friends, professors,
classmates, co-workers at summer jobs, and others. Make more of an
effort to meet with people, and use these conversations to ask their
advice, to make them aware of your job search, to learn more about
their jobs or their organizations, and to get the names of others
who might be useful in your job search.
Target your resume.
Make sure your resume is targeted to the employers who receive
it. Make sure your resume is easy to read and the most important
details stand out. Make more than one resume if you are applying
to more than one industry.
Be prepared.
You should have a copy of your resume with you at all times. It
is also a good idea to have fresh copies of your resume prepared
in case you are called to an interview at the last minute.
Create a contact database.
Write down all the employers you contact, the date you sent your
resume, any contact made, people you talk to, and notes about
those contacts. Keep a notepad with you at all times - take
notes as soon as you hear about an opportunity or when you leave
an interview. Get into the habit of updating your database daily.
Make a "to do" list every day.
This will help you organize your list of priorities and keep you
focused on finding that perfect job.
Try the buddy system.
Link up with a friend who is also job hunting. Arrange to speak
weekly and report on accomplishments, best practices, and future
plans.
Learn how to talk about yourself.
Throughout your job search, you will speak with many people at
different levels. You must be comfortable having conversations
about yourself with other people. Keep in mind that you never
know who may end up being useful to your job hunt.
Prepare an elevator speech.
You never know who you'll meet in an elevator, in line at the
coffee shop, or on the street. Know what your skills are and
how to communicate them. You should be able to tell prospective
employers and others you meet what you can offer. You should
also be able to talk about how your skills relate to the industries
that interest you.
Find out all there is about employers in your field.
Remain current on any issues or developments in the field, read
trade journals or professional publications, and read the newspaper.
It is extremely impressive during an interview if you know about
the latest merger or coup in the industry.
Practice for each interview.
Preparation is key to interviewing well. Friends, relatives, and
career services counselors can help you formulate strong answers
to questions you might not anticipate. Look at the list of possible
questions on the interviewing tutorial ("The Interview")
and prepare yourself.
Follow up with leads immediately.
If you find out about a position late in the day, call right then.
Don't wait until the next day.
Stay confident.
Job hunting takes time and energy. Remain confident, but prepare
yourself for challenges ahead. Don't get disgruntled if you are
still looking for a job and it seems like everyone you know has
an offer. Most students find their jobs after graduation, and
even experienced job seekers often search for months before
finding the right opportunity.
Provided by CESER, the Center for Employment Security Education
and Research - in cooperation with the Employment and Training Administration,
U.S. Department of Labor.
Back to Career Center |
Voice: (828)251.1492