Whether you’re looking for on-campus student employment, volunteer opportunities, internships, part-time jobs or full-time work, the process is the same.
Career Exploration
Your first step in seeking employment is to find out what field and area you’re interested in. This will make it easier for you to pinpoint certain companies or organizations for which you may be interested in working. For career exploration resources and tips, check out Career Exploration and then return to this page to continue the process of finding experiences.
Prepare
Most positions require you to submit some of the following work documents including résumé, CV, cover letter, letter of interest and/or references. If you don’t have your documents prepared, or if you haven’t received critiques on them yet, check out our résumé/cover letter/CV resources to create or update your documents, and then make an appointment with a career coach.
Network and Conduct Informational Interview
About 80% of job/internship search candidates get an interview because they build relationships and connections related to the positions for which they are applying. Check out the job/internship search tips to see how to best manage your search.
Do your research as to what employers are looking for in a candidate by utilizing the job description and by reaching out to them to conduct informational interviews. LinkedIn is a great tool that can assist you in finding professionals in the field of your interest in order to network. In an informational interview, you have the opportunity to explore your field of interest through a structured conversation with someone already working in that field. Doing this will provide you with the right tools to approach the job process successfully with the company/organization.
Ultimately, your goal is to engage, establish relationships and inquire about their hiring needs. Be sure to include in your email why you would be a good fit for the job, not why the job would be a good fit for you.
For more in-depth information, check out How to Network and Conduct Informational Interviews.
Follow Up
If you do not hear back, it can be helpful to send a follow-up email to the individuals to whom you sent your résumé. Keep in mind that following up too aggressively can become a barrier to reaching your goal of getting a position.
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