« Students & Alumni

Tips for Conducting a Successful Job Search

• Refine Your Career Goal through Research

To help refine your career goal or objective, answer the questions below. Then research your targeted organizations. Develop written materials that describe the jobs you are seeking and why you are qualified for those positions. You will need this information to customize your resume accordingly.

• What job titles or specialty areas are you seeking?
• What types of positions are you looking for?
• Regardless of the job title, what industry areas interest you? (ie. business, healthcare, education, government, legal, technology, sports, entertainment, etc.)
• What type of organization would you like to work for? (i.e. public, private, etc.)
• What size organization is a good fit for you? (large, mid-size, small)
• What geographical locations do you prefer?
• What is your desired salary? What is the minimum salary you can accept?
• What benefits are important to you that might affect the salary you can accept?

• Locate Job Opportunities

  Utilize the Experience Job Board and other job search resources to locate position openings.

• Generate Interviews

  Arrange as many in-person interviews as you can. Don’t wait for people to call you, telephone them first. Some interviews will be formal, others will be information gathering meetings. Always request an interview, even if you are not sure you are the right candidate for the job. Be confident in marketing your skills, but don’t be overly aggressive. Practice your interviewing skills and set a goal of obtaining an interview with all organizations on your list, even if there are no current openings. An interview is your best chance of being remembered once an opening does occur.

• Keep Records

Set up a system to manage your job search. Keep copies of the cover letters and resumes you send out, as well as of the position announcements you respond to. Maintain a list of all prospective contacts, companies contacted, people you talked to (including phone number and date of contact), follow-up dates, and status of contact.

• Adopt a Positive Attitude

Think of your job search as a homework assignment to be completed each week. Seek out support from friends and the Career Services Center staff to help you stay motivated as you pursue your job search options.

• Follow Up

Employers will usually NOT contact you right away, so be patient and let the process take its course. You may follow up in one or two weeks after you send in your materials to confirm that they were received. Take this opportunity to re-affirm your interest in the position. Ask about “the next steps” and the hiring timeline.

• Consider / Accept / Negotiate Offers

Prepare for outcomes ahead of time. You are evaluating potential employers just as they are considering potential employees. Be prepared to evaluate a job offer and negotiate your salary. Remain flexible and redefine your plans as required.

Ways We Can Help

• Career Counseling
• Interviewing Guidelines
• Resume Assistance

Useful External Web Sites