Tips for Finding a Job
note: this page is under construction - additional information and links will be added -- sorry for the inconvenience
Now that you know what your skills and interests are (or even what possible jobs for you would be), you're on the right track! There are many jobs out there and all you need to do is find ones that you could do well and also enjoy (or ones that could help you gain experience or money so that soon you can qualify for a more ideal position). I am no expert on job hunting, but have read several books about how to do it and heard success stories from friends. Below are some tips which can help you with your job search. I hope they help you!
First Steps
- Consider how urgent your need is to get a job -- if you have absolutely no money and must pay your rent soon, you need a short-term position which you can get hired for soon. Go to the links page for more ideas.
- Set a realistic goal for how soon you hope to have a job and work backwards, figuring out what kinds of jobs you are looking for, when you would like to have a job offer by, when you would like to begin interviewing, and when you would like to begin applying for positions. Show this to a friend, family member, or person in the career field that interests you to do a reality check -- if your job goals or timeline seem unrealistic, adjust the dates and post it somewhere that you will see it every day to remind you of your goals.
- Look at the list below and select three "Action Steps" that you can take in the next 24 hours to kick off your job search. Write those down.
- Look at the last list and select five "Search Methods" that you can begin using in the next week. It is difficult to look for a job, especially when you may already have another job or have other limitations or obligations which may
make it difficult to go seek out job leads, but you must devote time to it if you expect to get results.
- Select a friend, family member, coworker, or career mentor to hold you accountable during your job search. Plan to check in with this person at least once a week (you may want to make check-ins daily if your timeline is short) to inform him or her about what you have done to try to get a job and what next steps you will take. During these meetings, think about whether the methods you chose are working -- not all methods will work well in all geographic areas or job fields. If they do not seem to be helpful, select other methods or conduct an informational interview with someone who is in the career you would like to have in your region and see what that person suggests. Be persistent, but make sure that you are showing some success with your efforts or you need to change your game plan. See the last category below, "Other Job Search Tips", for more troubleshooting hints.
Action Steps
Search Methods
Other Job Search Tips
- If you have been searching for a while and are not receiving calls
back for an interview, think about the following and adjust your strategy accordingly:
- Are you qualified for the jobs you are looking at?
- Are you overqualified for the jobs you are looking at?
- When you think about people in similar positions in the company you are applying for, do you fit in?
- Are you certain that employer(s) received your phone calls, e-mails, or materials?
- Is your resume updated, truthful, and geared toward the position you are
applying for?
- Have you included a cover letter or other professional correspondence with your application materials?
- Is the address on your resume near the area you are applying for jobs in?
- Have you called to follow up with potential employers after submitting your applications?
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- If you have been searching for a while and have received several job offers but turned them down, think about the following and adjust your strategy accordingly:
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go to career links page
go back to main career page
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