Prepare/Implement
Learning HOW to conduct a job search or explore opportunities for further education are skills that will benefit you throughout your life. You need to learn how to conduct an active, not a passive search. If further education is needed to prepare you for your intended career field, plan a strategy for applying to graduate or professional school.
Ask yourself these questions:
- Do I have a plan for locating and obtaining a job in my field?
- Am I knowledgeable about the most effective job search strategies?
- Do I know how to develop and utilize my personal and professional network in my job search?
- Do I know how to effectively articulate my skills and experience on my resume, at a job fair and in a job interview?
- If I am going to graduate or professional school, do I know how to choose the right program and successfully apply?
If you need assistance planning your job or graduate school search, here are some PREPARE/IMPLEMENT action steps you need to take:
Prepare/Implement Steps
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- Assess your goals, identify areas of focus and re-establish a plan of action for your final year(s) of college
- Check your academic requirements to make sure you are on track to graduate.
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- Meet with a CCP counselor or advisor at least three quarters before graduation to develop your search campaign.
- Target desired industries/organization types and determine geographical preferences.
- Create a list of job or graduate school search goals and a realistic timetable.
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- Pick up a copy of Job Choices magazine in the CCP for helpful job search tips. Click here for the Job Choices website.
- Hone your interview skills by doing a mock interview in the CCP.
- Develop your "personal pitch" or "elevator speech (link to elevator speech in Career Tools)," a powerful tool for networking and interview introductions.
- Put together a professional wardrobe by investing in a few really good pieces.
- Polish your resume; develop customized versions for each career path you are pursuing.
- Transform your career development portfolio into an interview portfolio (link to interview portfolios page in Career Tools) by choosing your best artifacts and develop a strategic presentation.
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- Secure an internship if you haven't already---doing more than one internship is encouraged.
- Participate in employer presentations and other career programs on campus.
- Attend the OFIC CareerFest job fair.
- Attend CCP job search and networking programs.
- Pursue community service opportunities, especially in areas of interest. This is a great way to make professional contacts.
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- Identify and research organizations you want to work for following graduation; keep a research file on all potential employers.
- Review job postings on Cardinal Career (link to Cardinal Careers) web site.
- Explore the best job sites (link to Best Job Sites page) for job openings in your field on the CCP website.
- Continue to check publications, journals, and listservs related to your field of interest.
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- Identify three to five people to use as references. Secure and collect letters of recommendation from faculty, administrators and work or internship supervisors.
- Schedule more information interviews with contacts of your current network.