Career Development
Conducting a Job Search
Conducting a successful job search entails a number of important steps and requires utilizing diverse resources. This guide outlines important planning components and the varied resources job seekers can use to make their searches successful.
• Use a variety of the techniques outlined in this guide. Don’t just “apply online” because it is the easiest—in reality, that’s not the most effective technique to use.
• Most positions are found through networking.
How People Find Jobs:
Networking and Direct Contacts to Employers 65%
Internet 15%
Want Ads 5%
Other Methods 15%
* Source: Minnesota Dept. of Employment and Economic Development
Many job seekers make the mistake of not focusing their career goals before they begin looking for a position. Without knowing the types of positions or at least the types of organizations in which you are interested, looking for a job can seem overwhelming and impossible. Decide on the type of position you want—sales, underwriting, social work, etc. with help from the Career Development Office and it will be much easier to write a focused and professional resume and conduct a more targeted job search.
In every job search, it is important that you develop a comprehensive plan for finding employment. There is no “one size fits all” job search, and you need to focus your efforts on the methods that will work for you and your targeted career area. A career counselor can help you develop a plan and focus on strategies that will work for you.
Participate in on-campus programs and events
Attend job fairs and events: A great way to meet employers and talk about opportunities is to attend job fairs. When attending job fairs you can hand out your resume, gain interviewing skills and confidence, and explore the marketplace. Annual CSC fairs and co-sponsored events include:
• Career Opportunities Fair (October)
• Government Job Fair (October or November)
• Minnesota Private Colleges Job and Internship Fair (February)
• Pathways – career information event (March)
• Idealist Job Fair – nonprofit jobs and internships (March)
• Education Job Fair (April)
For more information about these and other events see the calendar in KatieClick or stop by at the Career Development Office
Participate in on-campus interviews: A variety of employers interview students on campus during the academic year. To participate in on-campus interviews, students are required to:
• Attend an interviewing preparation workshop or view a video on interviewing in the Career Development Office
• Complete registration forms
• Have your resume reviewed by a staff member in the Career Development Office and upload it to KatieClick.
Employers visiting campus will be advertised on the KatieClick calendar, and notices will be sent to those students who indicate an interest in participating in on-campus interviews. Complete the above requirements early in the year so you don’t miss out on opportunities when they become available.
Apply for jobs that are posted or advertised
Common places in which to look for posted jobs include:
General Job Posting Websites: These are sites where diverse employers post their positions, especially with students and newer grads in mind:
• KatieClick
• LandIt
• JobPost
Specialized Posting Sites: These sites are designed for people with a specific career focus. They are great sources of job leads for people within a certain employment sector. Following are some examples:
• Idealist – Jobs, internships, and volunteer opportunities with nonprofit organizations.
• Minnesota Council of Nonprofits
• EdPost (teaching postings)
• Environmental Jobs
• Insurance industry
* Note: These, and many more industry specific job posting sites, can be found through Spotlight On Careers, accessible from the Career Development website.
Megasites: These are examples of sites that post hundreds of positions. Candidates can “post” their resume and indicate the types of jobs they are seeking, and look for postings. (As with any online site, be cautious about the type and amount of personal information you share over the internet.) Examples:
• Monster
• Career builder
• Star Tribune
Employer Websites: Almost every organization has a website. Go directly to the websites of employers in which you are interested. Most post positions on their websites and will provide information about how to apply directly at their organization.
Newspapers: Believe it or not, newspapers provide yet another, albeit “old fashioned” approach to finding job openings. Be aware that postings in the newspapers draw many applicants, and if a posting is in the newspaper, it should be on the newspaper’s website as well.
Target employers in which you are interested
Another approach to finding jobs is to create a list of employers for which you would like to work and contact them. If you have an interest in working in events planning for example, and you don’t see many positions posted on job posting websites, create a list of employers you can research. Then contact these employers directly to see whether they currently have openings or might have some soon. Examples of resources to help you create an employer list include:
Directories:
Directories are great resources that list organizations by type and/or location. Directories can be national, regional, local, and/or industry specific. College and public libraries often have many directories. The Career Development Office has a number of local/state directories including:
• Minnesota Nonprofit Directory
• United Way: Directory of Community Services
• Minneapolis/St Paul Business Journal: Book of Lists
• Twin Cities Business Monthly Business Information Guide: The Big
Book of Rankings, Rosters & Resources
• The phone book yellow pages
Trade or specialty magazines:
Interested in events planning or catering with a company which serves upscale and formal events? Look in magazines like Minnesota Monthly and find the ads for caterers and event planners advertising in the magazine. Then go to each organization’s website and see if they have positions posted and/or contact them directly to see whether they have positions available. Also check professional trade magazines because they often have a “jobs” section where you can find postings.
Job Search Strategy Number Four: Network!
Networking is connecting with people and finding individuals who work in the field in which you would like to work, or for an employer that is of interest to you. It is one of the most effective means of finding a job. Used properly, networking results in approximately 65% of new job offers. However, be aware that networking is often misused—its purpose is to connect you with the people and organizations that need your skills and talents. Networking is NOT about putting an individual on the spot for a job! A career counselor can help you learn the right ways to network effectively. Common networking resources include:
• Friends and Family – tell everyone you know about the kind of job you’re seeking, and ask for them to keep you in mind if they know someone who is hiring or hear of anything.
• Faculty
• Work Contacts and Colleagues
• CSC Alumnae Database – visit the Career Development Office to ask about finding alumnae for informational interviewing. The Career Development Office provides coaching and written information about informational interviewing.
• Professional Associations – join a professional association while in college and you can often become a member at a reduced rate. Attend some of the events sponsored by the organization and if you can, volunteer to help with a program or event. By doing this, you can meet professionals in the field, network for opportunities, and develop new resume highlights! Find associations by doing a web search and/or ask faculty in you department about good professional associations. The CSC library has a large directory of national professional associations.