Find a Job!

1
Find a Job!

• How to navigate the job-search process

2
When should you start?

• Applying for vacancies should be done three
  months prior to your availability
• Your job search foundation should begin much
  earlier
• Start networking as a freshman
• Get experience
• Find out what you want to do

3
Get More Information

• Complete self-assessments
• Conduct informational interviews
• Research occupations (http//www.bls.gov/oco)
• Use the CALS Career Services website
• Meet with a career counselor

4
Stay Organized

• Job searching can be a messy process
• Try to keep all your materials in one place
• Keep a job search notebook
• Use a spreadsheet for your contacts

5
Be Prepared

• Update your resume
• Know how to write a cover letter
• Have a nice suit
• Have a list of at least 3 references and let them
  know they may be contacted
• Have thank you cards and postage ready

6
Where are the jobs?

• 80 of jobs are filled through networking
• Despite the internet being a powerful job search
  tool, the vast majority of people do not find
  employment through online applications
• For more information, check out the networking
  PowerPoint in the Take 5 Section of our website

7
Using the Internet

• You can still use the internet to your advantage
• Looking through posted job openings can let you
  know what is available
• You may need to expand your network to include
  people connected with your preferred organizations

8
Some Job Search Websites

• ePACK
• Agcareers.com Agriculture Jobs
• Hotjobs.com Yahoo!s Job Listings
• Monster.com
• Idealist.org Non-profit organizations
• Sciencecareers.org
• www.usajobs.gov
• www.careerbuilder.com

9
Contact Your Contacts

• Get in touch with your contacts and let them know
  that you are actively searching for a job in a
  specific field
• Even if they dont know of current positions, one
  may open up later

10
Develop an Action Plan

• The average job search takes 400 hours, thats 10
  weeks at 8 hrs/day
• Create daily action plans (ex. Make 4
  appointments per day, contact 4 leads per day)
• Try a part-time job to
• increase your contacts

11
Consider Temping

• Temp work allows you to hone the skills you have
  and learn new ones
• Temp work pays
• Test a career before
• committing to it
• Many temp jobs lead
• to permanent positions

12
Use Career Services

• Remember that Career Services is here to help you
  with your job search while you are in school and
  after you graduate