Create Your Own Action Plan
Cool Job Search Sites
- Job Choices Online Discussion Groups are one of the only Internet-based discussion sites designed for student job seekers. There are four main topics for discussion: "I'd Like a Career As...," "Try Before You Buy: Internships, Summer Jobs, and Co-op Programs," "Dollars, Sense, Paychecks, and Budgets," and "My Other Car is a Boeing 747: International Students/International Jobs."
- National Business Employment Weekly. Contains interesting articles on a variety of aspects related to the job search.
- Salary Calculator. This calculator allows you to determine the salary you would need to make in a new city, based on cost-of-living differences.
- Strive Magazine. Addressing the career concerns of young people.
- Economic Research Institute's College Career Planner. This site outlines salary and wage expectations for hundreds of occupations and includes a cost of living index for across the country.
Planning the Perfect Trip
Your main goal in the job search is to get as many job interviews related to your career objective as possible. The strategy you use to reach this goal requires a great deal of planning, persistence and hard work. The process is similar to that of planning a vacation. Think about it: you plan a vacation very carefully, and take care of as many details as possible so that the trip will be enjoyable. Your job search should be even more important than your vacation. After all, a vacation is only a couple of weeks long...jobs last for a lifetime.
Just as you prepare for a vacation, you'll need to prepare for a job search. Your search begins with some general self-assessment and preparation. If you can respond positively to the following questions, your search will take on a clear focus.
- WHERE ARE YOU GOING?
- 1. Do you know what type of position you are seeking?
2. Have you identified geographic preferences?
- HOW WILL YOU GET THERE?
- 3. Have you identified your assets in terms of skills and interests?
4. Do you know how these skills and interests can be applied to work?
5. Have you developed a resume?
- WHAT WILL YOU DO WHEN YOU GET THERE?
- 6. Have you considered work and lifestyle values?
7. Do you know how to prepare for a job interview?
Job Search Timetable
This list is designed to help students who are seeking employment make the best use of their time as they conduct job searches. We encourage you to use this list in conjunction with the services and resources available from your college or university services office.
- 12 months prior to employment:
- Attend any workshops related to Job Searching/Interviewing.
Inquire about career counseling through the Career Services Offices and employment opportunities.
Define career goals and consider geographic locations for employment.
- 11 months prior to employment:
- Begin to identify references and ask them to prepare letters of recommendation for you.
See a counselor at the Career Services Office to discuss you job search plan.
- 10 months prior to employment:
- Begin developing a resume and a basic cover letter.
Begin networking by contacting friends, faculty members, etc., to inform them of your career plans. If possible, give them a copy of your resume.
- 8-9 months prior to employment:
- Finalize your resume and make sufficient copies on preferably white bond paper with matching envelopes.
Attend any career planning workshops in your field.
- 7 months prior to employment:
- Attend Job Fairs.
Research companies related to your field, at the Career Services Office, your or local library or on the Internet.
- 5-6 months prior to employment:
- Begin monitoring the job vacancy listings available at your college Career Services Office and on the Internet.
Seek out informational interviewing through companies related to your field.
- 1-4 months prior to employment:
- Maintain communication with your network of contacts.
Revise your resume and cover letter if necessary.
Setup interviews and follow up with a thank you letter.
Continue monitoring job vacancies through networking, classified ads, Career Services Office, and the World Wide Web.
Begin considering job offers. Ask for more time to consider offers, if necessary.
Accept the best job offer. Inform those associated with your search of your acceptance.
Fishing for Prospects
Because there is no one place to find all the openings in a particular field, you need to use many resources to learn about job openings. Try to incorporate as many of the following methods into your job search as possible.
Networking / Alumni Career Network
Help Wanted Ads
Job Binders in Career Services Office
DET Job Listings
Professional Organizations / Associations
Employer Information
Career Fairs
Private and State Employment Agencies
Internet Job Listings
Pitfalls and Climbing Out of Them
Looking for a job, especially when you are not currently employed, can be an ego-deflating, isolating experience. It is not easy to be at your best when you feel your worst, yet that is what an effective job search requires. You may find yourself slipping into some habits and nursing some feelings that will interfere with your job search. These can be self-defeating behaviors which interfere with your being as happy and/or productive as you can be. Here are some defeating behaviors, including actions and feelings, and what to do about them.
Pitfalls
- Procrastination in replying to want ads or starting the job search ("Oh another day won't matter." Then a week later, "I guess it's too late now.")
- Stopping the job search after receiving a few rejection letters.
- Putting off making phone calls to prospective employers ("...Monday is probably a bad day...I'll call tomorrow...It's probably too early...It's lunchtime...I'm too tired...It's too late...Friday is probably a bad day, I'll try Monday.")
- I don't have anything to offer an employer.
- I'll never find a job.
- Everyone else is more qualified.
- There are so many people out of work; I'll be competing with hundreds.
- There are no job openings in my locale, why bother looking?
Climbing Out
- Talk with someone on a regular basis about your feelings. This someone should be a good listener -- someone who makes you feel good about yourself.
- Reward yourself for sticking to your job search activities.
- Don't become a hermit. Accept social invitations, call old friends you haven't seen in a while. They may be able to help.
- Remember that rejection is part of the process, and has nothing to do with who you are as a person. You'll most likely hear a number of NO's before the YES!
- Tell everyone you know that you're looking for a job. Most people are sympathetic to that situation. Remember, help sometimes comes from unexpected places.
- Stop feeling that your situation is unique. It is a rare person who will go through life without being unemployed at least once.
Networking... What Everybody's Talking About!
How can networking help me find a job?
- 7 out of 10 job hunters find jobs through networking.
- Build your network by contacting everyone you know.
- Communicate the type of job you are looking for.
- Ask your network about jobs, organizations and career fields.
- Stay in touch with your network and follow suggestions.
- Employers like to hire people who come highly recommended.
- Never underestimate the knowledge and influence of the people you know!
What to do with the information gathered from leads
- Ask your initial contact if he/she would be willing to call the employer on your behalf or allow you to use their name in your cover letter.
- Call the contact. Create a script that feels comfortable but not rehearsed.
- Practice with a friend.
- Write a letter of introduction. Be professional, brief and positive.
- Have a focused request, i.e. arrange an interview or meeting.
Follow-up on all leads
- Thank people along the way. Send thank you letters.
- Provide a copy of your resume or send it as soon as possible.
- Treat secretaries and assistants courteously and respectfully. They are the gate keepers and are making their assessment and evaluation of you to the employer.
- Try calling early or late in the day in order to bypass the secretary.
- Be persistent and professional. Know the process and don't become a nuisance.
Create Your Own Action Plan
- Set Realistic Goals for Your Job Search.
- Develop a Timetable.
- Incorporate a Variety of Approaches to Reach Potential Employers.
- Networking
- Answering Advertisements
- Search the World Wide Web
- Attend Job/Career Fairs
- Informational Interviewing
- College Career Services
- Direct Mail
- Placement Agencies
- Work on Your Job Search Plans Every Day - Don't Procrastinate!
- Read Local/Regional Newspapers to Keep Informed of Business & Employment Trends in Your Area.
- Be Well Organized & Keep Track of Your Progress.
- Accept Rejection as Part of the Process.
- Develop a Network of Supportive People.
- Consider all Opportunities & Alternatives.
- HAVE FUN!
Please send any comments or questions to Career Services Center.
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