Looking for a job can be a very difficult and stressful time. Will I like my work? Will I like the people? Are there good benefits? How much will I be paid? These are all reoccurring questions that we ask ourselves. Whether you are graduating and looking for a full-time job or just thinking about a summer job that might put you on the right track after college, there are many methods to finding the right one.
Sometimes it is difficult to find a job through the Co-op office if you aren’t willing to relocate. Many times the jobs and even internships you find there are in this area. If you are from California, Florida or Texas you might want to move back where you grew up. A great way to find something is to send out resumes yourself.
Having problems knowing where to look?
The Internet is a great tool. Use it. There are many helpful websites designed to take you step-by-step through the job search process. Almost everyone has heard about Monster.com but there are numerous others. Job-hunt.org is one of many. You can search by state or internationally. Then you can break it down by professions and submit your resume on the Internet.
Collegegrad.com is a site that takes you through each step. It has preparation, interviews and negotiation tips as well as, job postings, resumes and cover letters. It also tells you what to do when you get a new job. It even helps you with what to wear on interviews and how to sell yourself. You can search for entry-level job postings, experience required job searches, internship searches, and you can even find hiring companies.
Another website that can be very useful is myjobsearch.com. It has a career planning section, lessons on how to write resumes, how to do well during interviews, and networking tips. You can search for jobs, and they give you lists and ratings of what they think the best search engines are for jobs.
Another way to find a job is looking in local papers to see if anything interests you. If so, make sure you have a resume put together and send it right away. You may also want to call them a few days after sending it to touch base with them. Many times you need to be a little persistent to show the company that you really are interested in the job.
Another way to sell yourself is by “cold calling.” This is when you either call a company, inquiring about any job openings or send them a resume. When you know you would love to work at a specific company, walk into their office and ask if they are hiring for any positions. If they are, you might want to consider it, even if it isn’t exactly what you want to do for the rest of your life. Many times you must start out small and work your way up the ladder. It is a good opportunity for you to show off your talent. When the company sees that you are a hard worker and you know what you are doing, you could very easily be promoted. Even if they tell you there are no openings ask them to keep your resume on file and have them call you if anything comes up. Plus, you can always call later and ask.
Alright, so they called you and set up an interview. Now what? The best thing to do is relax. If you don’t already own a suit, go buy one. It is a good investment for someone searching for the right job. Even if the company has a casual dress code, the first impression is the most memorable. Men: make sure you have a jacket and tie on. Ladies: you have a little more flexibility. You will want to wear a jacket but you can wear pants or a skirt. The recommended skirt length is somewhere around the knee area. You don’t want it to be too short or too long.
You also don’t want to wear too much jewelry. If you have too much on, or it is very flashy, your interviewer might be drawn to that more than what you are saying.
So you have the perfect outfit, but what do you do at the interview? The best thing to do is stay calm. Answer the questions as best as you can. Be honest. Don’t say something that isn’t true just to sound better. It could get you in trouble in the long run. Another great idea is for you to have a done a little research on the company you are applying to. This gives you the chance to ask any questions that you are unsure of. It will then make you look like you are as interested in them as they are in you.
If you are graduating this year, then good luck to you. If you are going to still be here, you might want to consider registering for the “Career Preparation and Job Search Techniques” course that is offered through the communications department. It gives you a chance to complete a resume and draft cover letter samples that will help you in the near future.
