Top Tips: Starting the Search

Where do you start when you don’t know where to start? This is a major question plaguing anyone looking for employment, from first semester freshman to college graduates. There are several key steps for conducting any job search and consider these top tips for starting off on a good note:

1. Establish your objective: What is it that you want to do? Decide what type of position you are interested in (part-time job, full-time employment, or freelance work, etc) and think about the specific industries or companies that match your skills, abilities, and interests. This brainstorming session will make tips 2 and 3 a piece of cake!
2. Prepare your marketing tools: Compose a resume and cover letter that is tailored to your individual objective. Also, target the specific employer or job posting to which you are applying. This shows the employer that you have done the research and helps them know how you will fit with their company. Think of your resume and cover letter as tools to market YOU to the employers!
3. Find companies: Use the internet, career fairs, and your network to identify companies where you would be interested in working. Career Development Services offers many resources for students and alumni that assist with locating potential employers and don’t forget about possible connections through your professors who know professionals in the biz.

Sometimes the most difficult part of the job search is just getting started. Practice these three tips, and you will be well on your way to locating a job, landing an interview, and accepting a position. It will take time and hard work, but with a positive attitude and persistence, a satisfying and successful job can be in your future.

Author: Meaghan Lee