Job & Internship Search

Strategies

What Mindset You Need • Willingness to take control of the

search process

• Tolerance for ambiguity

• Openness to taking risks

• Self-Confidence (what you offer, articulate it, belief)

• Resilience (don’t give up, identify a support system)

What You Need To Know • What industries and companies hire your major

and which you are interested in – Linkedin, UofM Library, major binders, The Edge – Consider what you value Best companies to work for &

MN Best companies to Work for – Consider what type of organization is the best fit for

you…. • Large Vs. Small Vs. Government Vs. Nonprofit • Company Culture

Organization Type-In Class Activity 4 • Large Companies/Organizations

– Options & more defined career paths – Training Programs – Stability? – Resources ($$)

• Small Companies/Organizations – Breadth of opportunities/job tasks – Growth – May be faster pace than large companies

• Federal & State Government – Example: NASA, Dept. of Energy, State Auditors Office – Bureaucracy? – Salary may be lower than in corporate – Good health care coverage & often have loan repayment – Work tied to public opinion

• Nonprofit – Salary may be lower than in corporate – Employees united around a common cause – Often a casual environment – Autonomy for projects but team environment

What You Need To Know • Your ideal location – urban, suburban, rural, local,

regional, national, international

• Your Personal Brand, what are the skills & strengths that you uniquely bring?

• The types of positions that might interest you – Reflect upon past work experiences – Reflect upon your classes – Read job descriptions & evaluate

• The timing of career fairs and recruiting for your industry

What You Need

• Tailored Resume for the types of positions your are seeking

• Tailored Cover Letter for every position you apply for

• Interviewing Skills

• Networking Skills

• Search plan that incorporates several strategies

• Good communication with companies—

be Proactive & Persistent

Search Strategies

• Utilize the Resource Center in UBCC

– Specific info. for your major

• Professional Organizations www.weddles.com – Many have job databases and

industry guides – Attend conferences, networking

sessions, job fairs

• Staffing Agencies – May turn into full-time employment – Many specialized staffing agencies

exist

Search Strategies Internet

• The Edge:—job and internship database for Carlson students and alums

• Company Webpages

• USA Jobs

• Linkedin

• Internet Databases -Indeed -Internships.com -SimplyHired

So, how

can I

stand

out?

Search Strategies

• Contact companies directly – Create a list of companies you want to

target

– Better if you have a contact at the organization

• Leads from people in your network, let them know you are job searching

• Company Info Sessions (The Edge)

Career Fairs • A way to network and get connected to

companies

• Prepare for the fair by:

-Check the website and review list of employers attending. Prioritize who you want to talk to. Don’t just concentrate on the big names!

-Research companies before the fair

What the company does

Mission statement/values

What positions they are hiring for

New developments, products, etc.

Prepare for Career Fairs Prepare for Interacting with Employers • Have your 30 sec. intro prepared • Be ready to answer some basic questions about yourself the day of

the career fair • Prepare questions to ask them based on your company research • Some companies conduct interviews a few days after the job fair,

be ready to interview on short notice Prepare a Targeted Resume if Internship/Job Searching • You could have several versions of your resume available

depending on the various positions and industries in which you are interested

• Print enough copies for the companies you are interested in (and

some extras). May want to bring copies of transcripts Dress Professional • Wear dress pants, dress shirt, tie (men), suit (if you have one)

Examples of Professional Attire

At the Career Fair

• Approach the employer, introduce yourself, shake their hand, make eye contact

• Offer your resume to the employer, ask them questions and tell them about yourself

• Don’t be discouraged if they say to apply online

• Ask for their business card and preferred method of following up

• After the fair follow up with a thank you note, consider connecting with them on linkedin

Searching Tips

• Start early…it takes an average of 6 mo. to find a job

• Get an internship your sophomore or junior year, it may lead to a full-time job and regardless you’ll gain applicable experience and expand your network

• Approach the job search process as though it were a full-time job – Set goals and deadlines

– Stay organized

– Follow up with employers

Most Effective Hiring Method according to employers that recruit U of M Students,

employer survey 2011

• Word of mouth, referrals from, employees/colleagues (Networking)

• Internship/Co-op program

• Organization website

• College Career Center website (GoldPASS)

• Faculty/Instructors

• Networking Events

• Career Fairs

Questions??