Transcript Job and Internship Search Strategies

Job and Internship Search
Strategies
Presented by:
Pomerantz Career Center
Pomerantz Career Center
• Serves students and alumni on the UI campus
• Is located just north of the Pappajohn Business
Building
• For more information please visit our web site
www.careers.uiowa.edu. You can also get a copy
of our career guide online or in our office.
Presentation Overview
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Self-Assessment
Research
Networking
The “hidden” job market
Implementing/managing your search
Mistakes to avoid
During Your Search Remember…
• No specific job strategy will work for every
applicant!
• Be flexible.
• Be persistent.
• Allow extra time to conduct your job search.
• 3 key steps - Assessment, Research and
Implementation.
Self Assessment
• What do you want to do? – what do you find enjoyable?
Helps to narrow audience
• Informational interviews – talk to friends, family,
faculty members. Identify likes/dislikes
• Ask yourself questions - ex. What was your favorite
class?
To gain insight
Research - How Do You Find Your
Company…
• Job listings (newspapers, magazines)
• Targeted mailings (letter of inquiry)
• Internet resources : USAJOBS, Career Builder,
websites of individual employers, professional
associations, etc.
• Career Services : UI Employment Expo,
http://www.careers.uiowa.edu/
Research Employers
• Employers expect it
• Displays your seriousness, thoroughness and attention
to detail
• Helps to personalize cover letters and resumes, and
answer questions appropriately
• Helps determine your “fit” with the organization
What to Learn About a Company
• Description of job responsibilities
• Personnel information (NAME, policies,
relevant information of executives)
• Organizational culture, goals, and strategies.
• Size, age, location, history, ownership
• Products or services, major competitors,
recent development, expected growth
Research - Networking
• Identify your resources!!
Professors
classmates
friends
parents of friends
parents
friends of parents
family
neighbors . . .
• Use your resources!!!
Informational interviews
Job shadow – externship
internships
Research - Networking
• TALK to people – engage in conversation – start
with people you know
• Enlist support, discuss you, gather information.
• Attend informational sessions on campus
• Contact human resource department
• Get involved in student organizatinos
Network through
Informational Interviews
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Make courteous initial contact
Ask for information….NOT a job
Face-to-face meetings
Be politely persistent
Try to obtain several referrals from each person
you contact
• Follow up and keep them informed of your
progress
• Thank them
The “Hidden” Job Market
• Approximately 80% of available positions are
never advertised – they rely on personal
contacts
• Make contact before an employer knows they
need you
The “Hidden” Job Market
• Most employers prefer informal and personal
methods of identifying employees, and believe
personal contacts result in more in-depth, accurate
information.
• Networking does not eliminate the need to use other
job-search methods, but it will produce helpful
referrals.
Other Useful Resources
• Mock Interviews
• Volunteer
• Create your own position during organization
change
• Job Agencies
• Internet want ads
Implementing/Managing
Your Search
• Organize yourself with a system
• Keep records of initial contacts and follow-ups
• Set reasonable daily/weekly goals for your career
search
• Continue to assess process
• Update/review resume with a Career Advisor
Evaluating an Unsuccessful
Job Search
• If you’ve searched for 6 months, you may need to
redirect your search or gain experience
– Take a temporary position or internship
– Volunteer work
Redirect Your Search
• Clarify goals and redefine options – broaden or
narrow them
• Have your resume reviewed by a Career Advisor or
other professional
• Geographic restrictions
• Do your skills match with the needs of the
company?
8 Common Job Search Mistakes
1. Relying on one strategy
2. Lack of focus/career objective
3. Failure to identify and use network
4. Targeting only large employers
5. Failure to follow–up
6. Unprofessional materials/appearance
7. Impersonal approach
8. Underestimate time needed to search
Keep It In Perspective
• Don’t take rejection personally…
• Maintain a balance between job search and
everyday routine
• Remind yourself of your skills and
accomplishments
• Use your resources
• Be persistent - you will find employment
Thank you for visiting our web site
Pomerantz Career Center
100 Pomerantz Center, Suite C310
Iowa City, IA 52245
www.careers.uiowa.edu
319-335-1023